After Shimotsuki Koushirou's wedding ended, the transfer order concerning his post was issued soon afterward. Koushirou did not say much about Tsugikuni Yoriichi's arrangement. He merely smiled and accepted it.
"Koushirou, Vice Admiral Tsugikuni said that if you are dissatisfied with this reassignment, you can speak to him anytime."
"You know Vice Admiral Tsugikuni's personality. If it is something you do not want to do, he will never force you."
Seeing Koushirou accept it just like that, Kyros, who had delivered the transfer order, could not help adding a few words.
In truth, he had thought about many things the previous night. If one day he truly found someone he wanted to protect, but that person did not want him to continue going out to sea, then perhaps he would not choose to be with them.
Young Kyros had already spent several years sailing the seas and had grown accustomed to that life. More importantly, in Kyros's own view, he had already found what he truly wanted to do. He would never abandon his pursuit for something like "maintaining a marriage."
Thus, after conveying Tsugikuni Yoriichi's intentions, Kyros raised his head to look at Koushirou. He hoped Koushirou would refuse Yoriichi's proposal. He regarded Koushirou as a companion and felt that they should be the same kind of people.
"Is that so?"
"Vice Admiral Tsugikuni truly is a gentle person!"
"I accepted his transfer order because he entrusted such an important matter to me. I will certainly complete it properly."
"The Marine Swordsmanship Academy..."
"Kyros, do you know what Vice Admiral Tsugikuni said to me when he first met me?"
At those words, Kyros focused slightly, seeming to recall the first time he had met Koushirou.
"Even back then, he already had the idea of establishing the Marine Swordsmanship Academy."