By the time the sun was high in the sky, Dawn had dressed himself neatly and left his room, refreshed and alert. Before long, he returned with a brand-new pale purple kimono patterned with cherry blossoms.
Gion curled up in the corner, staring dazedly at the ceiling, a glistening trail of liquid hanging from the corner of her lips.
Dawn walked over, crouched beside her, and began dressing her in the kimono himself. His movements were unexpectedly gentle, every step careful and deliberate, as though he were handling fragile porcelain.
Gion did not resist. She simply let him do as he pleased.
As Dawn finished dressing her and tied her sash, Gion suddenly grabbed his arm.
Dawn paused and looked back at her.
"From now on..."
Gion bit her lip and stared straight into Dawn's aqua-blue eyes, gathering her courage before asking,
"Will you attack me on the battlefield? Stop playing dumb. That Seastone Handcuffs was so obvious—I don't believe you didn't see it."
Dawn remained silent for a long time. At last, he sighed, pulled Gion close, and gave her a deep, blazing kiss.
Gion stiffened at first, then gradually softened, eventually even clumsily returning it.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Dawn looked steadily at the flushed Gion.
"If we meet on the battlefield, I'll capture you outright. I'm a pirate. Plundering and kidnapping are only natural."
After saying that, he rose without looking back and walked toward the door.
As he slid open the door, Dawn paused for a moment without turning around.
"Practice your swordsmanship properly. If you're still only at this level when we meet again, I'll be disappointed."
The door slid shut softly.
Gion stared at the spot where Dawn had just stood for a long while. Her expression shifted from confusion to