Kuina buried her face deep within, able to hear his strong and steady heartbeat — thunk, thunk, thunk, like war drums, yet far more reassuring than any drumbeat.
Shano's arm wrapped around her shoulder, the movement initially stiff but soon relaxed.
He lowered his head, gently resting his chin atop her hair.
The cool touch of the cherry blossom hairpin was felt.
It reminded Shano of the little stealthy maneuver he did earlier to put it back in place, prompting a wry smile.
"What's so funny?" Kuina asked sullenly, her voice coming from his chest.
"Nothing." Shano tightened his grip, "Just thinking... this is really nice."
Yes, really nice.
Kuina held him tighter, not asking further.
No more words were needed, nor any extravagant promises.
Just a hug, enough to bring two hearts so close.
Time seemed to slow down at that moment, stretching out.
The sea breeze, music, and distant tumult became a blurred background.
The world shrunk to just this terrace, shrunk to just the two embracing.
After some time, Kuina gently moved and lifted her head from Shano's embrace.
Her eyes were still a bit swollen, but they were no longer crying, replacing tears with a bright glow, like the most dazzling star in the night sky.
"Shano." She called his name for the fourth time.
"Hmm?"
"I..."
Kuina bit her lip, her cheeks red again, but her gaze was firm, without the slightest evasion, "I want to kiss you, really, really want to."
Shano watched Kuina quietly.
Watched the light in her eyes, both shy and resolute, watched her slightly trembling eyelashes and blushing cheeks.
Moonlight spilled over her, the light purple yukata accentuating her snow-white skin, and the cherry blossom hairpin gleaming with a soft luster under the night sky.
This normally valiant girl was his swordsman, his partner, one of the people he trusted the most.
And now, she was also the person he liked the most.
"Okay."
Shano heard himself say, his voice a bit hoarse.
He released his embrace but didn't pull away, instead lowering his head slightly, closing the distance between them.
Kuina held her breath.
She could smell the faint scent of alcohol on Shano, mixed with a unique fragrance belonging to him. It was the scent of the sea breeze, sunshine, and countless battles, familiar enough to make her heartbeat race.
Their noses were almost touching.
Kuina closed her eyes.
She could feel Shano's breath brushing against her cheeks, warm and gentle.
Then.
Something soft gently pressed against her lips.
Because he had just had a glass of wine, Shano's lips were still somewhat moist, carrying a slightly sweet champagne scent.
He clearly had no experience, his movements awkward, merely pressing together without any further action as seconds ticked by.
But for Kuina, it was already enough.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, blood rushing to her head, her ears buzzing.
This was her first kiss, treasured for so many years, finally given on this night to her most beloved. Just the thought made her body go limp, almost unable to stand.
Shano clearly noticed her trembling, extending another hand to hold her waist.
This movement brought their bodies even closer, the sensation on her lips more tangible.
"Shano..."
"Hmm?"
"I love you, love you so, so, so much."
"..."
A soft laugh, "I feel the same."
Overcome with emotion, not sure who finally parted their lips, moving a step further.
Teeth occasionally bumped, breathing not entirely smooth, but it was precisely this nervousness, this awkwardness, that made the kiss, this night, all the more unforgettable.
Moonlight like water, pouring over the tightly embraced couple.
...
"Crunch!"
Tossing a large handful of cheesy corn chips into her mouth, Nami set down the monocular in her hand, leisurely leaning back into the chair.
Waited this long.
Big brother, that big fool, finally no longer a virgin... cough.
Anyway, having eaten my fill of gossip for years, the grand finale is here at last, haha!
"What are you looking at?"
Law noticed and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Things unrelated to you, so don't meddle, Tra Man!"
Nami chomped and chomped, spotted the Radio Snail on Law's shoulder, held back but finally couldn't resist:
"Hey, when did you and your Radio Snail become so close? Even at a banquet, you have to bring it along?"
Law didn't retort, after all, the young lady in front of him, renowned for her nautical chart drawing skills, had a notorious bad temper, arguing with such an immature child was purely inviting trouble.
"This little guy here."
He raised his hand to touch the Radio Snail on his shoulder, sighing:
"Recently, during a battle at Mary Geoise, I left it at home unguarded, and somehow it ate one of my prized Devil Fruits."
"Devil Fruit?"
Nami raised an eyebrow, continuing to chomp and chomp.
"Yes, it was a very meaningful fruit, given to me by Lord Shano personally."
Law laughed bitterly, "It's really unfortunate it ate it, but the good news is, it seems to have accidentally developed some magical use, which I think will be useful for Lord Shano's world modification plan, so I brought it to headquarters for the banquet, hoping to show it to him."
"My brother? He hasn't got time for that now, but I can take a look for you!"