"I..." Kuina stared blankly at her sword.
"Don't stop moving forward out of fear of losing your current relationships. True bonds won't easily break just because of a sincere confession. If they distance themselves for this reason, it means they're not someone worth entrusting to. But, judging by your understanding of him, hey, let me ask you, is Lord Shano that kind of person?"
In Kuina's mind, the image of Shano appeared.
He's always so composed, with a gentle smile. He treats his companions with sincerity and open-heartedness, never changing his attitude due to shifts in status.
He patiently guides her in Body Techniques and reminds her to rest when she's overtrained, hands her towels and water, and laughs heartily with everyone at banquets, without any airs...
Indeed.
His arrogance and pride have always been directed toward those arrogant adversaries, toward the so-called gods of the World Government.
Proud up high but not humiliating down low.
He has never been someone who would distance himself from his companions over such matters.
"But, what should I do?"
Kuina bit her lip, looking at the girl in front of her.
Her voice still carried uncertainty, but there was less confusion and more inquiry in her eyes.
"Hey, you're finally getting it."
The youthful Kuina finally showed a smile.
"It's simple. Just like practicing Sword Dao normally, first, make a plan in your heart, and then carry it out resolutely."
She counted on her fingers, "First, confirm your feelings, which you've already done. Second, choose the right time and place for the confession!"
"The war has just ended, and the World Government is no more. Didn't Lord Shano mention that he would only consider his feelings after his ideals are realized and there are no worries? So, don't wait! Now is the best time!"
"As for the setting, that's even simpler. Just make sure the confession scene isn't too embarrassing. Oh, right, there's going to be a celebration banquet at Mary Geoise in a few days. Find a place that's informal but quiet enough for you two to be alone, and invite Lord Shano over!"
"Third, and the most crucial step, tell him your thoughts directly and honestly. Don't beat around the bush, don't guess or speculate. Just like when you use a sword to kill your enemy, go straight to the heart, tell him you like him, tell him you wish to continue protecting him with your sword but also hope to take the relationship further!"
"Even if we take ten thousand steps back and ultimately fail, at least you've let him know your feelings. This is effectively cutting off the hesitation and cowardice in your heart, being true to your Kenshin, which is, in itself, growth and victory."
The girl paused for a moment, gazing at the dojo entrance. Her voice suddenly softened:
"Kuina, remember when you practiced Sword Dao here as a child, teaching that fool Green Algae Head? You told him, didn't you, 'Hesitation leads to defeat.'"
"Now that word should be returned to you, feelings are the same."
"If you lack the courage to take the first step and just wallow here, one day in the future, when you see someone else standing beside him, what will you have left besides regret?"
...
The wind in the courtyard stopped.
The cherry blossoms froze in the air.
Kuina slowly lifted her head. The girl's figure before her began to blur, turning transparent, as if ready to disperse with the wind at any moment.
But before completely disappearing, the girl gave her an encouraging smile, raised her fist, and said softly:
"So, toss everything aside and charge forward, Kuina!"
......
The lights and shadows before her eyes receded like a sudden tide.
The dojo, cherry blossoms, and the girl's figure blurred and vanished.
Kuina gasped sharply, opening her eyes to the familiar ceiling of the Isle of Dawn's castle room.
Morning light filtered through the curtain gap, casting mottled shadows on the floor.
So... it was a dream.
Kuina sat up, rubbing her still slightly aching forehead, looking complexly at the letter on the table.
It was because of the double failures of the previous confession plans that the tower of self-confidence and courage she'd diligently built was wavering.
So, after tossing and turning until three or four AM last night, she had this dream, perhaps?
.........
The first confession plan dates back to half a year ago when the Endgame had just conquered Ten Thousand Nations.
After being stimulated by Smoothie, she struggled for a long time and finally sought out Uncle Zeff early in the morning.
She asked Zeff to make an exquisite orange-flavored cupcake.
Lord Shano didn't particularly like sweets, but as long as it was orange-flavored, he usually wouldn't refuse.
"Lord Shano, the moonlight is beautiful."
She carefully inscribed these small words with icing on the cake's surface, then placed it cautiously on Shano's usual dining seat, while she hid behind the restaurant's door, heart pounding.
But unfortunately.
As luck would have it, the next person to walk through the door for breakfast was the drowsy Bonney.
Naturally, the outcome was predictable.
It's a sad story.
......
As for the second confession plan, it was just yesterday.
At Mary Geoise, after hosting the first world conference post-victory, Lord Shano temporarily returned to the Isle of Dawn, planning to tackle the piled-up official duties here.
This was another opportunity. She finally gathered the courage and neatly penned confessional words on the letter with a pen, intending to place it on Shano's office desk during the lunch break.
But as she reached the door, she heard slight rustling inside.
Cautiously opening the door.
Robin was standing by the desk, pinching her chin with her right hand, holding a light purple letter in her left hand, hesitating whether to place it down.
Their eyes met, both froze simultaneously.
"I'm here to submit the O'Hara Grand Library's new book procurement list."
"I'm here to assist the Combat Corps inquiring about future stationing plans."
Almost simultaneously, both blurted out, the scene immediately becoming cringeworthy, both turned away, and the next second couldn't help but grit their teeth and say somewhat embarrassedly:
"Oh my, who asked you?"
"Hmph, who asked you?"
The outcome was, again, predictably unfortunate.
Neither had the nerve to place the letter down in front of the other, neither stayed in the office.
It's just unknown whether Robin also tossed and turned all night without a good rest last night.
It's irrelevant.
Kuina picked up this letter, hesitated for just a moment, then shredded it into pieces and tossed it into the garbage.
Indeed, she was a fool. What was she thinking!
Confession should be as the other self in the dream said: it must be face-to-face, formal, full of courage, and with likes written all over her face and in her pupils, letting him clearly feel, never seeking shortcuts, never beating around the bush.
Writing a sneaky confession letter, doomed to fail.
So, next...
Kuina glanced at the calendar; only the last two days remained before the celebration banquet.
Everything is ready. Begin the final charge, Kuina!
...
Two days passed in a flash.
The central plaza of the Isle of Dawn was adorned anew.
Colorful flags fluttered, lights sparkled bright, long dining tables lined with various foods and wines, the air laced with the scent of roasted meat, the aroma of desserts, and the melody of cheerful music.
People dressed in formal attire or neat uniforms, mingling, chatting, and laughing in groups.
People from different islands and races gathered here, discussing the recent world-shaking war, celebrating a bright new era ahead.
Kuina wore a light purple yukata, her hair carefully styled, tied up with a cherry blossom hairpin.
She seldom dressed this way, even during the grand banquet with the Whitebeard Pirates, always maintaining her clean and neat swordsman attire.
Now, standing at the edge of the banquet hall, watching the lively crowd, her palms slightly sweating.
"You look beautiful, Kuina."
A gentle voice came from beside her.
Kuina turned, seeing Robin holding a glass of red wine, smiling at her.