Chapter 30: Teaching Step by Step!
"Kendo? I can try that too…" Amatsuki Toki glanced at the samurai sword hanging on the wall, but when she thought about her lack of skill, she looked at Roy shyly, cheeks faintly flushed. "I'm really not very good at these things… Then, I'll have to trouble Roy to teach me."
Roy grinned. "No trouble at all, Sister. I'll make you a master in no time."
Toki smiled softly. Hearing him say that, her heart felt lighter. Roy didn't treat her like an outsider at all—sharing something as precious as swordsmanship meant he trusted her completely.
"Alright," she said after yawning, covering her mouth politely. "We've chatted long enough. Time for bed."
Then, with a teasing chuckle, she looked at him. "Do you want to sleep with your sister?"
"No—!" Roy started, but before he could finish, Toki suddenly pulled him into her arms and lay down, holding him tightly.
"Don't refuse," she whispered with a playful tone. "That's not cute."
She wrapped him in the blanket and closed her eyes, drifting into peaceful sleep.
Roy sighed helplessly, lying stiff in her embrace. Technically, she's the one taking advantage of me, he thought bitterly. I'm just… a very unlucky pillow.
Across the room, Pandora—the little sun—cracked open one fiery eye and glanced at them suspiciously.
It didn't believe for a second that Roy was "forced." That guy could easily break free from any hold, even if Gerth herself tried to pin him.
Humans were strange creatures, Pandora mused. Always pretending innocence while making excuses for their desires.
The flame spirit muttered internally, "You say you're helpless, but you don't look very unhappy to me…" Then it flickered dimly and went back to pretending to sleep.
Meanwhile, Roy lay still, his heart pounding faster the longer he stayed in her arms. I swear I'm not doing this on purpose… probably.
I'll take responsibility for her in the future, he repeated in his mind like a mantra, trying to suppress his guilty conscience. Eventually, lulled by her warmth, he drifted off to sleep.
Outside, the giant pirate ship glided smoothly through the night sea. The moon hung high and bright, silver light washing over the deck as time quietly passed.
When the first ray of dawn broke, the ocean turned gold.
Roy stirred awake—and froze.
Somehow, during the night, Toki had wrapped both arms around him, pressing him against her chest. The soft sensation completely overwhelmed his brain.
Oh no. Oh yes. Oh no—
Her kimono looked loose and modest when she wore it, but pressed up like this… well, Roy's imagination filled in the rest.
Moving with extreme caution, he slowly extricated himself from her arms, put on his shoes, and tiptoed toward the door.
I can handle fighting pirates, but this? This is true danger.
If Toki woke up and caught him like this, he'd never live it down. She'd tease him for eternity.
In the kitchen, Roy took a deep breath, found some ingredients, and began preparing breakfast. The aroma of fresh porridge and grilled fish soon filled the room.
Not long after, a drowsy Toki sat up in bed, her green hair a tangled mess. She blinked sleepily, looked around, and realized something important was missing.
"Where's my pillow…?" she murmured, then paused. "Wait. Where's Roy?"
She rubbed her cheeks, tied her hair loosely, and wandered toward the kitchen.
When she stepped inside, she froze.
A young boy stood at the counter, red hair catching the sunlight as he stirred the pot. When he turned around, his gentle smile nearly made her heart skip a beat.
"You're awake," Roy said warmly. "Breakfast is almost ready. Can you help me set the table?"
His voice was still slightly youthful, but there was a calmness to it that didn't belong to a child.
Toki stood there for a few seconds, dazed. For a fleeting moment, she imagined a quiet future—mornings like this, cooking together, traveling across the sea without loneliness.
Then she caught herself and quickly shook her head. What am I thinking?! He's a child!
"Okay," she said hurriedly, hiding her fluster behind a smile.
Roy tilted his head in confusion. "You're acting strange again, Sister."
"It's nothing," Toki said quickly, sitting down at the table.
During breakfast, Roy couldn't stop inhaling the faint floral scent that lingered from last night. It was intoxicating.
He cleared his throat. "After this, I'll teach you our Elbaf swordsmanship, Sister Toki. But… only the modified version that humans can use."
Toki's eyes lit up. "I'm really looking forward to your teaching, Roy." She sipped her porridge with a soft smile, her lips glistening slightly in the morning light.
Roy looked away, cheeks heating. You're looking forward to sword training, and I'm just trying to build emotional intimacy… Who's the real villain here?
After breakfast, they stepped out onto the deck. The morning wind brushed gently across the sea, carrying the salty scent of freedom.
Roy drew his sword, gripping the hilt firmly. With one fluid motion, he swung it, a green flash tracing the air before him. The motion was sharp, graceful, and filled with strength far beyond his age.
"Watch closely, Sister. This is the foundation of the Elbaf style."
Toki unsheathed her katana, watching intently as Roy demonstrated each movement in slow, deliberate precision.
What he taught her wasn't the pure giant-style swordsmanship, which relied on immense strength and weight, but Redding's improved human-compatible version—streamlined, balanced, and deadly efficient.
When he finished, Roy stepped back. "Got it?"
"I think so…" Toki said, then tried mimicking his stance. She swung the blade twice, her movements elegant but clearly awkward.
"It doesn't feel quite right," she admitted, frowning slightly.
Roy chuckled softly. "I see what's wrong."
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