When Seraphilia finally made the last cut, put down the scissors, and carefully examined the new bangs, Robin suddenly reached out, her fingertips lightly touching the edge of the bandages on Seraphilia's arm. The texture was rough and real.
"These... how did they happen?" Her voice was very low. In her azure eyes, there was no interrogation, only deep concern and heartache, as if those wounds were piercing her own heart as well.
Seraphilia's movements paused. She followed Robin's gaze to her own arm, then smiled nonchalantly, trying to brush it off lightly. "I got them during training. It's fine, they're just superficial injuries; it's no big deal."
She knew Robin would worry, so she didn't want her to overthink it.
"Training?" Robin's fingertips didn't pull away; instead, she gently stroked the surface of the bandage, as if she could feel the scars beneath the fabric.
She looked up, staring directly into Seraphilia's eyes, her tone carrying a hint of confusion and persistence. "What kind of training... would result in this? I remember you trained in Black Iron Town too, but you never had such dense scars."
Seraphilia fell silent for a moment. Seeing the unmistakable concern in Robin's eyes, she knew she couldn't hide it.
She sighed softly and pulled down her sleeve, revealing some of the crisscrossing marks on her arm, and said dismissively, "It's Vice Admiral Garp. Teacher Tsuru arranged for him to... well, guide my physical techniques. His training method is quite... direct."
"Vice Admiral Garp? The marine hero?" Robin's azure eyes widened slightly, a clear look of shock appearing in them.
She had heard of that name; he was a legendary figure standing at the pinnacle of the Marine, famous for his strength and boldness—the Marine's 'Iron Fist'.
She truly couldn't imagine how Seraphilia, a young girl, could train under such a legendary figure.
"Yeah." Seraphilia nodded, recalling those afternoons when she was hammered into the ground until her bones felt like they were falling apart. A helpless yet slightly nostalgic curve formed at the corner of her mouth. "His fists are indeed very hard, like a monster's. Every afternoon felt like my bones were being taken apart; sometimes I thought I'd fall to pieces the next second." She hadn't used the Skylark to complain via message, but now, facing Robin, those accumulated feelings flowed out naturally with the ease of confiding in someone close. "But sometimes I can't help but wonder if the marine hero has a fetish for hammering recruits into the ground..."
However, the joke Seraphilia tried to make only caused Robin's brow to furrow tighter, her fingers unconsciously clutching Seraphilia's sleeve.
Just listening to it, she could imagine how grueling the training was; that pain and exhaustion were almost palpable to her. She looked at the scars on Seraphilia's face—though faded, they were still clearly visible—and her voice grew softer, trembling slightly. "...It must have hurt a lot, right?"
Seeing the heartache in Robin's eyes, the softest part of Seraphilia's heart was touched. This cherished concern made her feel warmer than any comfort could.
She reached back and held Robin's slightly cool hand, shaking her head gently. Her ice-blue eyes shimmered with a firm and warm light under the firelight.
"It hurt. But, it's worth it," she said earnestly, each word clear and carrying an unquestionable strength. "Teacher Garp's fists are hard, but that's the only way I can become stronger. Only by becoming strong enough—strong enough to stand at a higher place—can I... better protect you. So that you don't have to hide like this anymore, so you can read and live in peace, and do everything you want to do."
This wasn't an empty promise, but a path she was practicing every day with sweat, pain, and persistence.
There was no trace of confusion in her eyes, only a clear plan for the future and a deep resolve to protect Robin.
Robin stared at her blankly, the moisture in her azure eyes welling up again.
She understood everything Seraphilia hadn't said—those scars were the price of becoming stronger, the price endured for her sake.
That heavy love and protection that almost made it hard for her to breathe made her heart ache, turn sour, and feel moved; all these emotions intertwined, turning into a warm current that almost melted her.
She lowered her head, gently resting her forehead against the back of Seraphilia's hand that was holding hers. She didn't speak for a long time, just feeling that warm touch and silent promise. The campfire crackled, and Little White floated quietly beside them, the screen displaying a gentle: (´･ω･`)ﾉ, as if silently offering comfort.
After a long while, Robin finally looked up. Her eyes were red, but she didn't cry; she just gazed at Seraphilia with those moist eyes.
She whispered, "...Dummy. You have to protect yourself too."
Her voice carried a hint of a sob, yet it was filled with worry and cherish for Seraphilia.
Seraphilia smiled—a faint smile that reached her eyes, carrying the ease and happiness of being understood.
"Mm," she replied, reaching out to stroke Robin's hair.
The atmosphere became warm and tranquil once more. Seraphilia picked up the scissors and gave the overly frizzy ends at the back of Robin's head a simple trim. Once everything was finished, she put down the scissors and nodded with satisfaction at the brand-new Robin before her. Without the thick bangs in the way, Robin appeared much brighter, her wise and gentle eyes shining even more brilliantly in the firelight.
Then, naturally, she reached out and ruffled Robin's newly trimmed, soft black hair, her fingers moving through the strands with an unconscious intimacy.
"Much cleaner now." Her tone carried a hint of subtle doting and satisfaction.
Robin swayed slightly from the ruffling but didn't pull away; she just looked up at her with her azure eyes, her lips quietly curving into a tiny, warm arc.
That curve was as gentle as Moonlight, yet it was enough to melt all the fatigue in Seraphilia's heart.
The campfire continued to burn, illuminating the two young faces, looking exceptionally warm in the dark night.
The time spent apart and their respective hardships seemed to be quietly smoothed over in this tranquil night, through this simple act of cutting hair and the gentle touch.
Little White seemed to sense this peaceful happiness as well, shrinking its body and landing lightly on Robin's lap. The emoticon on the screen changed to a serene: (～￣▽￣)～ zZZ, as if it had also drifted into dreamland.
Seraphilia looked at Robin and Little White snuggled together, her heart filled with peace. She knew there were still a few precious days to spend together, and Robin's birthday to celebrate. The end of a long journey is a reunion, and the warmth of a reunion is enough to withstand all the wind and cold in the world.
The night was still long; they could finally stop their hurried pace for a while and share this tranquility that was far from the clamor of the world, belonging only to each other.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"