Marineford, Oris Plaza.
Forty to fifty encircling Marines stared, wide-eyed, at the dramatic turn of events.
Under Sephiroth's oppressive gaze, Rear Admiral Kadaru bore the immense mental pressure. He could only force the reluctant words out.
"I… understand.
I will not pursue Lieutenant Commander Tina any further."
"Thank you for your understanding." Sephiroth smiled and gave a slight nod.
They watched Rear Admiral Kadaru's lonely figure retreat, a single rose still clutched in his hand. The surrounding Marines couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment.
A moment ago, they'd secretly hoped the two would duel publicly for the right to court Tina.
But on second thought, that was impossible.
Commodore Sephiroth's strength was already recognized within the Marines as Admiral-tier—the highest echelon of combat power.
If Rear Admiral Kadaru dared issue a challenge, he'd be utterly crushed.
He'd only make a bigger fool of himself.
Seeing the crowd of onlookers finally disperse, Tina immediately let go of Sephiroth's hand.
Yet before she could step away, his arm snaked around her slender waist.
"Oh, Tina," he said, his tone teasing. "I didn't realize you've liked me all this time."
Helping Tina drive off her suitor was a trivial matter for Sephiroth.
But he'd still offended someone on her behalf. He couldn't just let it go with a smile.
Once or twice was fine. If it kept happening, he'd find it troublesome.
This girl was wildly popular within the Marines, the dream lover of countless men.
Who knew when the next officer would confess his love, only for Sephiroth to be used as a shield again?
He needed to teach Tina a lesson. She had to understand some people weren't to be used so casually.
"I'm sorry. Tina does not like Sephiroth. Please don't misunderstand.
I only did that out of necessity, to reject Rear Admiral Kadaru…"
Tina turned her head away, refusing to look at him. Her voice sounded cold.
"Hm?"
Sephiroth's eyebrow lifted in surprise.
Through his Observation Haki, he sensed it—Tina was lying.
He pressed further. "You said you don't like me?"
"Yes. Tina does not like you."
She still wouldn't look at him. Her tone held a note of finality.
But she was lying.
"Not even a little?"
"No."
Still lying.
I see, Tina. A woman who says no but means yes. Sephiroth sighed inwardly.
"Ah," he said aloud, feigning hurt. "To you, I'm just a tool.
How pathetic."
"..."
Tina stayed silent for a long moment. "Sephiroth, you should let me go.
If Gion finds out, this won't be easy to explain. She might just cut you down."
She cut me down a long time ago. Sephiroth kept the thought to himself.
"Don't worry," he said lightly. "She won't mind a little thing like this."
"Aren't the two of you together?
If she finds out, she'll be angry, won't she?" Tina asked, surprised.
"My relationship with her is… complicated. Hard to explain in a few words."
Sephiroth shook his head, offering a vague answer. He didn't elaborate.
Could he say that Gion called him over for 'services' a few times each month, for only 50,000 Berries a night?
Of course he couldn't say that.
His relationship with Gion was truly a bit subtle…
She was a proud woman. She knew she couldn't have Sephiroth all to herself, but she didn't want to deal with other women, either.
Letting go of this fated connection was out of the question.
Gion felt utterly at a loss. Finding a man more remarkable than Sephiroth was nearly impossible.
Caught in this tangle, she simply gave up and continued her financial arrangements with him.
In private, a cherished lover; in public, a stranger.
Honestly, even Sephiroth couldn't define their relationship. Lovers?
Maybe that was the closest word for it.
Tina glanced down at Sephiroth's right hand, still resting on her waist.
It was just a simple hold, yet a wave of quiet joy washed through her.
Back at the Marine Academy, when Tina was first discovering what attraction felt like, she'd developed an unusual fondness for Sephiroth. He was exceptional in every way, and that feeling only grew stronger with time.
But…
Tina felt a pang of helplessness. She could never find common ground with him, never figured out how to bridge the distance.
Yet…
That woman, Gion, always shared a certain rapport with Sephiroth. They traded crude jokes, laughed at private humor, and moved in sync—leaving no space for anyone else.
Whenever Tina tried to approach him, Gion would swoop in, steering his attention squarely onto herself.
Like that time she'd finally gathered her courage, using an unsolved problem as an excuse to talk to him.
But…
Gion had used her vulgar figure to seduce him, completely capturing his focus.
Whether it was shared interests, physique, or sheer talent, Tina felt utterly overshadowed by Gion in every aspect.
Gradually, Tina buried those feelings deep. She hoped time would dull them, let her forget entirely.
For the first few years, the attraction only sharpened, but she forced it down—a stubborn, unrequited weight.
It wasn't until the last year or two that it finally settled.
Seven years passed. Tina thought she'd moved on from a crush that never went anywhere.
But…
The moment Sephiroth's arm wrapped around her waist, that old feeling flared back to life.
Only then did she realize she'd never let it go. She'd just buried it so deep she'd fooled herself.
"How long are you planning to hold me?"
A faint tremor touched Tina's voice, and a blush warmed her cheeks.
Feeling the emotional shift in the woman against him, Sephiroth's lips curved slightly. His tone turned playful.
"As long as it takes to solve all your troubles."
"..."
He kept his arm around Tina's slender waist and steered her leisurely toward Navy Headquarters.
Tina didn't resist. Lost in her thoughts, she even slid her own arms around him in return.
Marines passing by took note of their closeness.
It wouldn't be long before word spread: the unapproachable Tina had been plucked by Sephiroth.
"When you're free, buy me a drink. Consider it thanks for today."
At the entrance to Headquarters, Sephiroth released her waist, smiled, gave a casual wave, and turned to go.
Only Tina was left standing there, watching him leave in the distance.
After lighting her own cigarette, Tina wore a thoughtful expression.
After a while, she seemed to have made some decision in her heart, and walked toward the Staff Office—toward Vice Admiral Tsuru's office.