Her blue eyes widened slightly; it was not just delicious, but a taste of being cherished.
She tried a bite of the tender, flavorful stewed chicken, then the rich and delicious pork soup, and the sweet and refreshing vegetables...
Familiar tastes.
It was the unique taste of Seraphilia. In the cold or exhausting nights in Black Iron Town, Seraphilia would always try to bring back or make some warm food.
Although the ingredients were limited back then, far from today's abundance, the unique warmth and comfort from the heartfelt cooking were the same.
In fact... because of this unreserved giving, it tasted even better.
Robin lowered her head, silently eating one bite at a time, slowly but earnestly.
Her eyes welled up with tears, but she blinked hard, not letting them fall into the bowl, afraid the saltiness would ruin this hard-earned deliciousness. These were tears of joy and relief.
Seraphilia watched Robin eating earnestly, seeing her in a new dress, sitting obediently in the morning light and shadows. Her heart was filled with immense satisfaction and tender affection.
She knew she couldn't give much, but these ordinary comforts of food and warmth were the most direct way she could express her love and protection right now.
Tanaka finally couldn't resist and, while Seraphilia wasn't looking, quietly 'floated' to the plate of pan-fried fish. A small, extremely thin wisp of cloud extended from the front, lightly and quickly 'touched' the surface of the fish, as if tasting the scent and temperature.
Immediately, the whole cloud happily swayed, and the screen scrolled wildly: (≧∇≦)ﾉ So good it's flying! ヽ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ Seraphilia is a god!
Seraphilia was both amused and exasperated, lightly tapping Tanaka's 'head': 'Naughty, you can't steal Robin's food.'
Tanaka immediately withdrew, rubbing against Seraphilia's hand, the screen turning into a pleading one: (๑•́ ₃ •̀๑) Won't do it again~
Robin, watching this scene, finally couldn't help but laugh softly, her eyes still glistening with tears, but her smile bright and warm like the sun after the rain.
Seraphilia also smiled.
At this moment, all the hardships, the pain from training, and the oppression of military life became worth it.
In the afternoon, the sun was just right.
The two sat by the stream under the shade of a tree, resting. Tanaka was chasing its own cloud tail nearby, like a little dog.
Seraphilia took out a thin, dark blue leather card case from her cloud-wrapped bundle. She opened the case and pulled out a special-textured, light gold card with the Marineford emblem and intricate anti-counterfeit patterns.
'Robin, this is for you.' She handed the card to Robin, her voice calm but her hand steady.
Robin took it, puzzled. The card was slightly cool to the touch, heavier than expected, with fine silver edges. The front had the Marine emblem and a set of numbers, and the back had a signature area and a small cloud-shaped watermark.
'This is...?'
'This is my secondary card, linked to my Marine salary account.' Seraphilia explained calmly but seriously, 'I'm a lieutenant now, and my monthly salary and mission allowances are directly deposited into the main card. You can use this secondary card. At any Marine cooperative outlet or large commercial guild, you can withdraw cash or make direct purchases.'
Robin's hand trembled, nearly dropping the card.
She looked up at Seraphilia in shock: 'For me? This... this is too much! It's too valuable, and...'
This was what Seraphilia had earned through her hard work in the Marine, her security and guarantee. How could she...
'Listen to me, Robin.' Seraphilia interrupted her, placing her hand over Robin's, the warmth from her palm seeping through the cool card. Her ice-blue eyes looked directly into Robin's, filled with unyielding determination. 'I have a stable income now, more than enough. You need money when you're out there alone. For buying books, food, clothes, or in case you need medical care or have an emergency... I can't always be by your side, but at least with money, I never want you to worry about it again.'
She pressed the card and Robin's hand together, her voice softening with deep care: 'Don't hold back on spending, Robin. I work hard, I strive to move up, I earn this money—if it can't make your life better, then it's meaningless. So, buy the books you like, the food you want, whatever you need. The dress you're wearing now, there will be more in the future. You deserve all the good things in the world, a stable life. This is the most direct way I can help you right now.'
Robin's lips trembled, her blue eyes filled with tears. She looked down at the small but seemingly heavy card in her hand.
This was not just a card for withdrawing money; it was Seraphilia's trust, a share of her hard-earned achievements, and a part of her future financial security, given unreservedly.
This was a bond more real and heavier than any verbal promise—a testament that 'I am with you.'
'I... I don't know what to say...' Robin's voice choked, tears finally falling, staining a small dark spot on the card.
'You don't need to say anything.' Seraphilia smiled gently, using her fingertips to wipe away Robin's tears, then habitually ruffled her hair. 'Keep it safe. Remember, you're not alone, Robin. No matter where I am, my strength, my everything, includes a part for you. This is the foundation of a 'home' that I want to give you.'
Robin clutched the secondary card tightly, her fingertips turning white from the grip.
She looked up, her tear-filled eyes shining with a bright, determined smile. She nodded firmly: 'Yes! I... I will use it well. Thank you, Seraphilia.'
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly threw herself into Seraphilia's arms, hugging her tightly with all her might, as if trying to merge into her.
Seraphilia hugged her back, her arms tightening, her chin gently rubbing against Robin's head, feeling the slight tremble in her embrace.
Tanaka flew over, quietly circling the embracing pair, the screen filled with happy emoticons, finally settling on a large, warm hug image: (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ.
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