The sun dipped low over the Marine Headquarters at G-1, casting long golden shadows across the training fields. Haru, now sixteen, stood atop the cliffs near the base, the sea wind tugging gently at his long pink ponytail. His frame had grown lean and strong, his once boyish face now sharp with maturity. He had come a long way—from the broken boy who had fled his past, to a full-fledged Marine ensign. Three years had passed in a blur of rigorous training, harsh battles, and moments of quiet growth. And throughout it all, Naomi had been at his side.
Naomi, now twenty, had matured as well. Her red hair had grown even longer, usually tied into a sleek braid that fell over her crisp Marine uniform. Her strength was as formidable as ever—wielding her battle axe with terrifying grace—but there was a softer edge to her now, a warmth that only Haru had come to know. Their bond had deepened through every mission, every sparring session, and every secret conversation shared under moonlight.
That night, Haru approached Naomi's quarters, dressed not in his usual uniform but in a neatly pressed black shirt and simple slacks. He had been planning this for weeks. With a bouquet of hand-picked flowers in one hand and a slightly nervous smile on his lips, he knocked.
Naomi opened the door, surprised to see him like that. She arched a brow and smiled. "You're not in uniform, Ensign."
He chuckled. "Tonight, I'm just Haru. I was wondering if you'd go on a date with me."
Naomi leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirking. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think I'd have to ask you myself."
He offered her the flowers, and for a moment, she just stared—touched, even a little flustered. She accepted them and disappeared briefly, emerging a few minutes later in a more casual outfit: a cream blouse, black skirt, and boots, her usual commanding presence softened by the glow on her cheeks.
They walked together through the base, receiving curious glances from fellow Marines. Most knew of their closeness, but no one had seen them like this—relaxed, open, vulnerable.
Their date began in a small, tucked-away cliffside restaurant that overlooked the sea. The place was rarely busy, and Haru had reserved a quiet table at the edge of the terrace. The lanterns flickered softly above them, casting a golden hue across their faces.
Naomi raised her glass of juice in a toast. "To surviving three years of hell together."
Haru grinned and clinked his glass with hers. "And to more years ahead."
Their conversation drifted from battles and training to dreams and regrets. Naomi talked about her childhood, the weight of being Admiral Akainu's daughter, the constant pressure to prove herself. Haru opened up about his past, his mother, and the promise he made to his grandfather.
At one point, there was silence—not uncomfortable, but filled with emotion. Naomi reached across the table, brushing his hand with her fingers. "You've changed so much, Haru. You're not that kid I met three years ago."
"I had someone to guide me," he said, looking into her ocean-blue eyes. "And someone to fight for."
After dinner, they walked along the moonlit beach behind the base. The sea whispered against the shore, and the stars stretched wide above them.
Naomi stopped and turned to him. "Why me, Haru? You're still so young. You could've—"
"I didn't choose you because I had no one else," Haru interrupted, stepping closer. "I chose you because… when I was at my lowest, you pulled me up. You pushed me, challenged me, laughed with me, yelled at me—and made me feel alive."
Naomi blinked, her breath catching. Her usual teasing tone melted away. "You idiot…"
And then she pulled him into a kiss—slow at first, then deeper, passionate. Their lips met under the stars, years of longing and unspoken feelings pouring into that one moment. Naomi's arms circled around his neck, while Haru wrapped his around her waist, holding her close as if she might disappear.
When they finally pulled apart, she looked into his eyes, softer than ever. "You've grown into someone I can trust, someone I care about deeply."
"And you're everything I want," Haru whispered.
They sat on the sand for hours afterward, her head resting on his shoulder, hands intertwined, listening to the ocean's lullaby. No ranks, no expectations—just two hearts beating in sync beneath the stars.
And from that night on, their bond became something more—a love forged not just in fire and steel, but in trust, growth, and quiet moments like this.