"I am willing! Thank you for the cultivation, Vice Admiral Tsuru! This subordinate will certainly not fail your expectations!"
Tsuru looked at her, and that extremely faint trace of admiration in her gaze finally became a bit clearer.
"Very well. I'll give you three days to handle your affairs and personal matters here. Three days from now, in the early morning, at the harbor, on my warship."
"Yes!"
---
When she came out of the office, the sun had already sunk mostly below the sea level. A magnificent and mournful sunset glow burned on the horizon, like an oil painting about to burn out.
Seraphilia did not return to the barracks but headed straight for the direction she returned to every night.
Her footsteps had never been so heavy; every step felt like treading on her own heart.
Pushing open the creaking wooden door, familiar scents enveloped her—the paper smell of old books, the charcoal aroma of the hearth fire, and the faint scent of soap on Robin.
Robin was sitting by the hearth, reading a thick history book by the last light of day. Hearing the sound, she looked up, her azure eyes appearing exceptionally clear in the dimness.
"You're back early today," she said, the corners of her lips curving into a soft arc as she put down the book, habitually preparing to get up to fix something to eat.
"Robin," Seraphilia called out to her, her voice somewhat dry and raspy.
Robin's movements stopped; she sensitively detected the abnormality in Seraphilia's tone.
She turned around, quietly looking at Seraphilia, who stood in the shadows of the doorway, her back straight yet seemingly carrying an invisible weight.
Seraphilia walked in and closed the door, but she didn't take off her coat or start the fire as usual.
She walked up to Robin and slowly crouched down, bringing her line of sight level with the seated Robin.
Her ice-blue eyes looked deep into those azure eyes, which were churning with determination, guilt, reluctance, and a worry so thick it wouldn't dissipate.
"I..." Seraphilia spoke, finding her throat terribly tight.
She cleared her throat and, in as steady a tone as possible, recounted everything that had happened today—Vice Admiral Tsuru's invitation, the decision to go to Marineford, and the news that she would be leaving in three days.
As her narrative unfolded, the calm on Robin's face shattered bit by bit.
First was surprise, then realization—she knew Seraphilia's potential and ambition better than anyone, and she knew this small West Blue branch couldn't hold her.
But soon, a nearly blank daze, mixed with deep-seated, instinctive fear, flooded her eyes like a tide.
Leaving.
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash-lite
To the very distant Marineford.
There were no longer the clouds returning home every evening, no longer the warm embrace in the early morning, no longer a hemline within reach or a body temperature that could be touched.
The small house fell into a long, dead silence. Only the faint crackling sound of the charcoal in the stove occasionally bursting broke the quiet, like the sound of a heart being torn apart.
Twilight completely enveloped everything. The room was unlit, and the faces of the two people were blurred in the darkness, only their eyes shining astonishingly bright.
"...How long?" Robin finally spoke, her voice very light, as light as a feather, yet carrying an undisguised tremor.
"I don't know." Seraphilia answered honestly, those three words slicing her own throat like knives, "Maybe a few months, maybe... longer. But I swear, I will establish myself as quickly as possible and gain the authorization to move freely. As soon as I do, I will come back to see you, or find a way to bring you over." She knew the promise was hollow, but she had to say it.
Robin lowered her head, looking at her fingers curled slightly on her lap.
Flashes of the past two years flickered through her mind like a movie—the first rough cake, the indulgence when their necks touched, the frankness when discussing forbidden topics, the complete devotion, the warmth of holding each other every night, and those clumsy jokes and little cloud animals...
This person, whom she had once deeply doubted yet unconsciously relied on so heavily, was about to leave.
Reason told her this was Seraphilia's opportunity, a necessary path for her to become stronger, and perhaps better for both of them in the long run.
But emotionally, the cold panic of being abandoned, and the confusion of facing endless escape alone in the future, submerged her instantly, like the coldest water of the deep sea.
She felt Seraphilia's hand gently cover the back of hers, the temperature slightly low but carrying a familiar, reassuring strength.
"I'm sorry, Robin," Seraphilia's voice was hoarse, filled with heavy guilt, "I have to go. Only by becoming stronger, by standing higher, will I have the ability... to truly protect you in the future, instead of just sneaking you a little pitiful food and warmth like now."
Her fingers tightened, as if trying to transmit all her resolve and reluctance through their clasped hands, "Wait for me, okay?"
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