The sea breeze danced lightly across the G-1 Marine base as the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the horizon. For the first time in weeks, the sky wasn't heavy with the tension of battle or mission plans. The air felt lighter—perhaps it was the aftermath of victory, or perhaps it was the quiet promise of something more.
Haru stood on the edge of the dock, his long pink hair tied neatly into a low ponytail. His Odachi and Honjo were safely stored in his room; today wasn't about training or duty. Today, he was finally doing something he hadn't dared to since he first arrived at the base.
He was asking Naomi out.
After everything they had endured—countless hours of training, sparring, exchanging barbs and banter, fighting side by side against the Blue Star Pirates—something had shifted between them. What started as rivalry had grown into trust. What began with clashing steel had turned into moments where they quietly understood each other, even without words.
And so, Haru waited, dressed not in his uniform but in a deep blue haori over a white tunic, loose-fitting but clean. He even wore a pair of sandals—Musashi always said that appearance matters when your heart is exposed.
Footsteps approached.
Haru turned, and for a second, the world blurred.
Naomi stood there, not in her usual battle gear or training outfit, but in a short, ocean-blue kimono with pale white waves embroidered along the hem. Her fiery red hair was pinned up loosely, a few strands framing her strong yet elegant face. For a moment, she wasn't Admiral Akainu's daughter, or Haru's superior officer. She was just Naomi.
"You clean up well, pinky," she said with a teasing smile, but there was a slight blush on her cheeks.
"And you look… breathtaking," Haru replied without hesitation.
Naomi looked away, clearly caught off guard. "You and your smooth talk again…"
They walked side by side into the quiet town just beyond the base walls. The G-1 Base was enormous, but the nearby port town catered to Marines and travelers alike. It had restaurants, lantern-lit alleys, and a peaceful coastal view. Haru had asked around and found a small place that overlooked the ocean cliffs.
They settled into a modest open-air terrace restaurant, where the sound of crashing waves played like background music to their dinner.
They shared sake and grilled fish, sweet rice dumplings, and something Naomi called "spicy lava eel"—Haru swore it tried to kill him with its spice.
She laughed, loud and unfiltered. "Didn't expect a swordsman to be such a lightweight."
"I was trained to fight pirates, not fiery sea monsters!" Haru gasped, sipping cold tea.
Their laughter faded into a soft, comfortable silence as the stars began to blink into the darkening sky. Naomi leaned back, her eyes fixed on the constellations.
"My mother used to say the stars are the only honest things in the world," she said quietly.
Haru tilted his head. "Did she lie to you a lot?"
Naomi shook her head, lips curved in a bittersweet smile. "No. But the world did. The Navy, my father's enemies, my own expectations. I just… stopped trusting people."
Haru listened, sensing how rare it was for her to speak like this.
"Until recently," she added, almost too softly.
He turned to her, catching the flicker of emotion in her deep blue eyes.
"I never knew my mother," Haru said after a moment. "I only had Musashi. He raised me as his own. He gave me strength, purpose… and now, I think, the ability to be someone worth trusting."
Naomi looked at him, the usual sharpness in her gaze softened.
They walked again, this time to the cliffside trail that overlooked the sea. The path was lined with small lanterns, glowing gently as the wind carried the scent of salt and sakura blossoms from a nearby grove.
"I never thought you'd grow on me," Naomi said, arms crossed but her tone light. "When we first met, I thought you were just another cocky brat with flashy swords."
"You weren't wrong," Haru chuckled. "But you stayed anyway."
They stopped at the edge of the cliff. The ocean below glittered under the moonlight like scattered diamonds. Naomi leaned on the wooden railing, her red hair catching the light breeze.
"Why did you ask me out, Haru?" she asked.
"Because I don't want to keep pretending that I don't care about you."
Naomi turned to face him, surprised again by his sincerity. Haru stepped closer, eyes never leaving hers.
"You challenge me. You push me. You're strong, and fearless, and when I'm with you, I feel alive. You've seen me at my worst, and yet, you're still here."
Naomi blinked, the armor around her emotions cracking just slightly. "That's not fair. You're making it hard to keep my walls up."
"Then let them down," Haru whispered.
A pause.
And then Naomi closed the distance, grabbing the collar of his haori and pulling him into a kiss.
It wasn't rushed, nor gentle—it was honest. It held the fire of their sparring sessions, the quiet nights of mutual respect, the grief of pasts neither could change, and the hope that maybe, just maybe, they could build something new together.
When they finally parted, Haru rested his forehead against hers.
"Does this mean I get to take you out again?"
Naomi smirked. "Depends. You gonna keep making me blush?"
"I'll make it my mission."
She laughed, pushing him playfully. "Come on, ensign. Let's go before I start liking you too much."
They walked back hand in hand, their hearts beating just a bit faster than before—two warriors who had fought through pain, loss, and fire… and now, were learning to fight for something else entirely.