Ch. 12: Well-deserved fireworks

"Why do you think they stepped onto the open stage earlier?" she asked, her fingers running through his curls.
With his head resting on her stomach, he replied, "I have a theory."
"Let's hear it."
"Mulasim's goal with his speech is clear -"
"To unsettle us and provoke rash reactions," Robin interjected.
"Exactly. These reactions would be monitored by the undercover Marines. What's puzzling is that they didn't initially plan to reveal their presence at all. I suspect the shipping company won't be happy about it. If word spreads that Marines are constantly investigating on cruise ships, it could deter customers."
"Then why did they do it anyway?"
"I think they initially planned to closely watch only those with suspicious IDs or names. My theory is that it became too difficult after we tampered with the records."
Robin pondered his theory.
"There's no reason to stop my well-deserved head massage," said Law.
Robin laughed.
"Well-deserved?" she questioned sceptically.
"My tablecloth shoe insert definitely earned it," he argued.
"You were a hero to us all," she said with a smile.
"Hero, huh? I could get used to that description."
"Don't get too cocky. I also liked Killer's term for you. What was it? Blind chicken?" Robin teased.
"Hey!"

It was already half-past nine, and Robin and Law still hadn't shown up. Killer's foot tapped rhythmically on the floor until Ikkaku gently placed her hand on his thigh to calm him. His restlessness was too obvious. Where were they?
For the past half hour, those present had been fending off verbal attacks from the Marines. Support was urgently needed, as their defensive strategy only provoked more questions rather than deterring the Marines.

It had started off relatively harmless. On her way to breakfast, Bianca had "accidentally" run into an acquaintance and invited her to join them at the table. This acquaintance, Elena, was - as quickly became clear to everyone in the know - not just a casual friend.
Law's performance the previous evening had evidently not been enough to dispel Bianca's suspicion about Marina's strange outburst.

The initial questions seemed innocent enough, except that they were all directed solely at Marina.
"How are you finding the cruise so far, Marina? Have you been on such journeys before?" Elena inquired, once introductions and the necessary small talk with everyone present had concluded.

Subsequently, the questions became more direct: "There are rumours of a pirate crew active nearby. Have you heard anything about this, Marina?"

Poor Marina, uncertain why all the attention was focused solely on her, soon looked apprehensively at Monika and Ikkaku, who promptly started shielding her and taking charge of responding.
And so Monika appeared quite startled at the suggestion of pirates being in the vicinity, prompting Rudolf to remind them that three major pirate crews had visited Kuruzu just before their ship departed.
While the trio attempted to weave a narrative from this, Elena turned her attention back to Marina.

"And Marina, do you happen to have friends or family who work at sea? There are always stories circulating about the exciting adventures of sailors."

At that point, Killer intervened, mentioning Bianca's maritime profession and suggesting she must have plenty of tales to share. The two Marines didn't let up and immediately launched into their next line of questioning.

"It's never been as adventurous as with pirates!" Bianca interjected, prompting Elena to ask Marina directly, "Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be on a pirate ship?"

Gradually, Ikkaku and Monika found themselves faltering, and in response to Elena's comment, "There are frequent tales of people unexpectedly getting caught up in pirate activities," they could only muster a half-hearted agreement of "That's true."
Unfortunately, Bianca seemed to take this lack of response as a cue to steer the conversation in a new direction.

"What about your partner? Why didn't he come along?"
Rudolf sighed, running a hand over his face, while Marina explained that she was no longer together with her children's father.
Before Marina, speaking sincerely but with growing caution, could elaborate on why they had separated, Ikkaku jumped in. She mentioned that on Dressrosa, many children had grown up with only one parent, as so many had been transformed into toys. Monika tried to empathize ("How awful! And then they were just forgotten? That must have been terrible!"), but Bianca and Elena remained undeterred. Even though Marina would have liked to hear the Dressrosa story from Ikkaku, Monika, and Rudolf, she was immediately faced with the next question.

"Do you have any idea what your ex-husband is up to these days? Are you still in contact?"

The situation was tricky. Ikkaku, Monika, and Rudolf were engrossed in the Dressrosa story, leaving no opportunity to wrap up this conversation quickly and smoothly. Now Killer stood alone by Marina's side, contemplating what he should say on her behalf. There was no discreet way to deflect the question without it seeming like a glaring signal saying, "You're on the right track! And by the way, we're also aware of that!"

But heroes typically arrive only when everything seems lost. (Would they still be considered heroes otherwise?) As a chair was adjusted next to him, Killer let out a relieved chuckle. Robin leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her hands clasped under her chin, observing the two Marines with a friendly smile.

"Good morning, everyone. And good morning to you, unidentified person. A friend of yours, Marina. Your familiarity is evident if you're discussing such intimate matters openly at this early hour. How do you two know each other?"

Elena raised her eyebrows in surprise, but Marina was the one who responded to Robin's statement.
"Good morning, Robin. You're mistaken; I just met Elena. She's a friend of Bianca's."
"Robin, it's lovely to meet you," greeted Elena, her lips now curved into a friendly smile.
"The pleasure is mine, Elena," replied Robin with a sugary smile. As a cup was placed in front of her on the table, Robin raised her hand, gestured behind her, and added, "And this is Laurent."
"Delighted," Elena affirmed once more, while Law nodded with a neutral expression. He then turned to Marina.

"Marina, where are the children? I thought there would be two excited twins running around here, and I was eager to teach them about fireworks."
Marina smiled warmly as she answered, "The crew has planned something for the kids this morning. They'll be crafting jewellery and hats for themselves this evening. I swear, they've never been dressed and cleaned up so early in the morning." She chuckled, visibly relaxing.
"Ball and fireworks were the topics I expected to discuss at this table, not Dressrosa and separations - though separations do seem likely, given our time together here ends tomorrow."
"Don't say that, Robin!" exclaimed Monika in dismay.
"Well, at least we know where you live!" Rudolf chuckled in response.
"Ikkaku, they've refilled the croissant basket," Law mentioned casually.
"Really!" exclaimed Ikkaku eagerly. "Marina, would you like me to bring you something, or do you want to come along?"
"I'll come with you," Marina replied, relieved for the chance to escape the questioning. They both promptly got up and headed to the buffet.

A brief moment of calm settled over the table. Law took a seat next to Bianca, and as he placed his coffee on the table in front of him, he heard Robin's calm voice speak up.

"Respect and sensitivity are precious values that must be preserved and protected," she remarked, her gaze fixed on the two Marines opposite her. "This includes ensuring individuals' right to privacy. Basic respect dictates refraining from questions that could reopen deep emotional wounds and cause discomfort, especially when one is not well acquainted with the other person. I am dismayed to observe that not everyone here seems to be aware of these principles. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that every person has the autonomy to decide when and how much they wish to share about their personal lives. We have no right to intrude into such sensitive areas without permission. I sincerely hope that everyone understands the importance of this matter and that such lack of sensitivity will not happen again".

The table fell silent once more as Elena, clearly vexed by the rebuke, yet striving to remain courteous, responded to Robin's explanation. "I regret if my words may have hurt anyone. It was not my intention. Maybe it's best if I excuse myself. I wish you all a pleasant day."
With that, she stood up from the table, briefly glanced around, and swiftly departed.

On the other hand, Bianca blushed lightly and cast a shy glance at Robin. "You're right, Robin. I'm truly sorry if I've hurt Marina," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "I'll go and apologise to her immediately. And thank you, Robin, for bringing it to my attention." With that, she rose to follow Ikkaku and Marina.

A collective sigh swept through the table.
"Thank goodness you're here," Monika exclaimed, her face buried in her hands.
"Can we leave them alone?" Rudolf asked, frowning as he glanced after Bianca.
"Ikkaku is with her," Killer reassured.
"What a mess. Do you think they'll really ease up on her?" Monika's voice emerged muffled from her hands.
Robin glanced at Law, who gave her a subtle nod.
Then Law addressed everyone present.
"We'll need to take a more proactive approach," he declared.
Monika looked up in surprise, while confusion marked Rudolfs expressions. Killer just watched him intently.
"We'll handle it," Law added, his gaze significant, but he didn't elaborate on the unspoken questions.

It wasn't until after breakfast that they could openly discuss their next moves. Killer leaned against the wall of his cabin, while Ikkaku sat on her bed. Law had teleported through the wall, and Robin's upper body appeared to be emerging from it.

"So, what's the plan?" asked Ikkaku. "How do we keep the Marines away from Marina? And from us in general? It needs to have a significant impact."
"We'll create a simple distraction. We'll stir up some chickens," explained Law.
"What do you mean?" asked Ikkaku, looking perplexed.
"It seems chickens are becoming the theme of this journey," chuckled Robin, which elicited another bewildered look from Ikkaku.

"We might start by addressing those associated with the drug ring who are currently aboard," Law suggested, prompting a surprised intake of breath from Ikkaku.
"What?!" she exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth in shock.
"How do you know this?" queried Killer.
Law raised an eyebrow in response, continuing undeterred.
"The critical point is what we can do with this information. These individuals are inexperienced. They're already buzzing with excitement."
"What exactly do you mean?" Killer pressed again, sensing the condescension in Law's response to his lack of knowledge.
"There's an elderly couple on the lower deck who swindled the island's bank out of 100,000 Berries," Robin stated matter-of-factly, as if Killer hadn't asked a question.
"What?!" Ikkaku exclaimed once more, now looking at Robin with disbelief.
"Three cabins down, there are two guys currently on the run because they robbed a casino a few weeks ago," Law mentioned.
Ikkaku held back from exclaiming (since no one seemed to react anyway), staring wide-eyed at her captain.
"Above us resides a doctor who falsified his medical license," Robin added.
"Three tables away from us, a woman almost hid under the table yesterday. She's escaping from her family and took all the gold from her grandmother's inheritance," Law explained.
Slowly, Ikkaku's neck started to ache from turning her head back and forth.
"Two boys are out on a big adventure without their parents knowing where they are," Robin revealed.
"As far as I know, they didn't obtain their tickets here legally," Law concluded.
"Oh, really?" Robin asked, mildly surprised, as if she had just discovered it would rain in the afternoon. "I only knew they stole their ties for tonight."

"Hold on! Hold on!" Ikkaku exclaimed, raising her hands to signal a pause. "How on earth do you know this?"
"The real question is: Why don't you?" Law replied sceptically, causing Ikkaku to stare at him in disbelief for a moment. Regaining her composure, she threw her hands up in frustration.
"You guys notice things that others wouldn't notice in a hundred years. I had no clue about any of this!" Then she turned to her partner. "Did you have any idea about this?"
There was a brief silence from Killer.
"She's right," Killer admitted. "I didn't know about any of this either."
Law turned to a chuckling Robin with raised eyebrows.
"I also had no idea those two boys were on board illegally," she responded to his questioning look, prompting Ikkaku to roll her eyes.
A smile spread across Law's face, clearly indicating a "see?" to Ikkaku, who rolled her eyes once more.
"Okay, okay! So what should we do with all this information now?"
"We don't need to do much," Robin answered on Laws behalf. "The chickens are already nervous; we just need to ensure they become a bit more afraid of the fox. Then we can relax and enjoy," she said, smiling contentedly.
"All this talk about chickens doesn't make any sense. Can you please explain it clearly?" asked a perplexed Killer.
"We'll make them believe they've been discovered and that the Marines are coming for them," Law explained.
"So, we're just spreading rumours? I can handle that," said Ikkaku, feeling relieved.
"And do you think that will be enough to completely divert attention from us?" Killer asked sceptically. "They're looking for us, remember? A drug ring and two runaway teenagers won't satisfy Garp."
"If they had clear evidence of our presence, I would agree with you. However, they don't," responded Robin.
"What about our IDs? Is the threat from that side also resolved?" Killer pressed for more information.
"They've abandoned the checks. I confirmed it earlier. We manipulated the data so effectively that they didn't even bother to look as far as our entries," explained Robin.
"That's why they made the announcement yesterday, purely to unsettle those who might have been uncertain," Law added.
"Aaaah," Ikkaku exclaimed as the pieces fell into place.
"You're the strategists. If you believe it's sufficient, I won't push for additional measures," said Killer, signalling that the discussion was closed for him.
"Alright then," Ikkaku said cheerfully, rubbing her hands together, "How should Monika, Marina, and I proceed? What exactly should we tell them?"
"Begin on the sun deck, port side, second floor. Look out for a tall, lean man with black hair and blue glasses, or a woman about your height with red hair and freckles. When you find them, just mention that you overheard the Marine lieutenant talking about a lead on a drug ring," explained Law.
"The elderly couple who swindled 100,000 berries are usually one deck below. They look very stressed, so you won't miss them," added Robin.
"Well, let's hope you're correct!" responded Ikkaku.
Robin and Law continued outlining the details of their plan, identifying all the rendezvous points for the various 'chickens', before retiring to their cabin.

"They're both absolutely nuts," Killer remarked with a shake of his head as he and Ikkaku found themselves alone in the cabin once more.
"They're quite the match, aren't they?" Ikkaku chuckled.
Killer nodded in agreement, then took a step toward Ikkaku, placing his hands on her waist and drawing her close
"Back to training?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Hmm," Killer affirmed. "Enjoy yourselves," he added, a broad smile spreading across his face.
"We certainly will," Ikkaku replied, returning his smile, before sharing a lingering parting kiss.

A short while later, three women were whispering on the sun deck, port side, second floor.
"Did you hear? Apparently, there's a drug ring on board! I overheard the lieutenant saying they'll be taking action soon."

Right on time for the midday cocktail, the three women were back at their usual spot, casually sipping their drinks with sunglasses perched on their noses. They observed people with serious expressions walking in various directions, cautiously glancing around. The highlight was when a teenager suddenly leapt from the upper deck to the lower deck, kneeling briefly to survey the area before disappearing stealthily into the ship's interior. The women watched the teenager intently, before bursting into laughter simultaneously.
Robin lifted her eyes from her book, amusedly shook her head, and returned to reading quietly.
Only once did they see Bianca pass by. She waved at them but continued briskly across the sun deck without stopping. Following closely behind her was a man sporting a tattoo on his forehead. After catching up with her, he whispered something in her ear, and they quickly dashed off together.
"I wonder what's going on there..." Marina remarked casually, before the three women resumed their conversation about their favourite music bands.

Around 4 PM, the sun decks began to noticeably clear out, and the unusual quiet made Law look up. Monika, Marina and Ikkaku had also gone, their empty cocktail glasses still on the table in front of him. Beside him, Robin stood up gracefully, stretching, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
"See you later," she said softly, as she leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his forehead, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm. She walked away, ignoring his eyebrows raised in question.
Law leaned back in his sun lounger as he watched her retreat. What was he missing?
He didn't have much time to ponder, as Killer soon emerged from inside the boat. He plopped down on the recently vacated lounger and sighed, folding his arms behind his head.
Once again, Law raised his eyebrows in question, but again was met with silence. He decided to return to his book.
Two hours later, feeling a slight chill in the evening air, Law stood up. It was time to change for the big party—a party he wasn't looking forward to at all. He glanced at Killer, who was still lying on the sun lounger, arms crossed behind his head, eyes closed, a contented smile on his lips.
"Aren't you going to change?" Law asked irritably.
"Can't," replied Killer.
"Can't?" Law repeated.
"Chickens in the cabin," Killer retorted.
"Chick...?" Law murmured, exasperated. "Never mind," he added, walking away.

Law stepped into his cabin, a wave of disappointment washing over him as he found it empty. The upcoming gala didn't exactly thrill him – too much fuss, too many faces. Still, the image of Robin beautiful figure gracefully gliding across the dance floor ignited a spark of excitement. He longed for some stolen moments with her before the festivities commenced. Lost in thought, he wondered where she could be. Perhaps she'd return soon, he mused, heading for the bathroom to freshen up before the grand affair.
Disappointment lingered as the clock ticked towards 7 pm. Robin hadn't returned to the cabin. Law, with a gnawing curiosity about her absence, decided to head for the dining hall.
As he took his first steps out, a burst of laughter and lively chatter erupted from the next cabin. The door swung open, catching his eye.
Turning on his heel, he found himself face-to-face with a sight that momentarily stole his breath. Four women emerged, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Each one was stunning, their dresses shimmering in the fading glow. Their meticulously styled hair - some in elegant updos, others in cascading waves - added to their air of otherworldly beauty. But one woman among them held his undivided attention. She glided in a gown of deep blue satin that caressed her slender frame, swaying with grace at every step. Her smile radiated warmth like a sunbeam on a chilly day, and her eyes twinkled with joy. Law felt rooted to the spot, unable to breathe or move. Everything else faded into the background. The laughter, the murmurs of others, the bustling world—all dissolved in her presence.
She noticed him, her eyes lighting up as she bestowed upon him a gentle smile. His heart skipped a beat, a comforting warmth spreading through his chest.
Without a word, she approached him, gently taking his arm and guiding him towards the dining hall. Law, unable to divert his gaze from her, yielded to her lead, prompting a soft chuckle from her lips.
Eventually, it seemed his brain began to function again. He cleared his throat softly, hoping his voice wouldn't come out hoarse.
"You look stunning," he whispered to her.
"Ikkaku will be delighted to hear that," Robin replied with a smile.
This caused Law to smile and finally snap out of his trance.
He chuckled as he watched his crewmate walking ahead with Marina on her arm. Ikkaku, too, looked splendid in a dress with a deep back neckline in a captivating dark Bordeaux shade, glowing with happiness.
For the first time in days, Law really looked at her. Ikkaku exuded joy, her laughter resonating as she chatted with Marina and Monika. Seeing her so carefree, surrounded by the camaraderie of other women, stirred a familiar pang of guilt in his gut. He couldn't shake the feeling that she deserved more than being the sole woman on a ship full of men. Particularly now, as her carefree happiness shone brightly, the burden of that isolation felt even more profound to him.
"She loves you," Robin remarked, interpreting his thoughtful expression.
"I know," he replied softly.

For the final time, they stepped into the ship's dining hall and were immediately compelled to pause in awe. The crew had surpassed all expectations; tonight, the dining hall exuded resplendent grandeur. Crystal chandeliers bathed the space in a warm, golden radiance, casting shimmering reflections across the room. Tables were adorned with pristine white tablecloths interwoven with threads of gold, showcasing exquisite porcelain, polished silverware, and sparkling crystal glasses. Opulent floral arrangements, featuring white roses, lilies, and orchids accented with golden leaves and pearls, adorned each centrepiece. A string quartet filled the air with elegant melodies, while impeccably attired waiters in pristine white uniforms with golden buttons moved gracefully among guests dressed in their finest attire, completing the scene of luxurious elegance.
The ambiance however seemed slightly mismatched for the occasion. There was a barely discernible tension not only among the guests but also among the staff. At many tables, instead of lively laughter, there was a subdued hum of conversation and whispers. It lent an air of intrigue to the elegant surroundings of the dining hall, where soft music played in the background, creating an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and subtly charged.

Robin and Law continued on, following Ikkaku, Monika, and Marina to one of the larger tables where a cheerfully waving Rudolf beckoned. Beside him sat Killer and the two children, who, as usual, were deeply engrossed in a card game. They acknowledged the newcomers with fleeting glances before returning their attention to the cards.
A moment passed before - to the amusement of those arriving - Killers head snapped back up, this time with full attention. His mouth fell open in a comical display of surprise as his eyes locked onto Ikkaku.
Marina, unable to resist, nudged Ikkaku with her elbow, while Monika, with a knowing smirk, simply said, "I told you so."
Ignoring the remarks, Killer promptly stood up, crossed over to where Ikkaku was standing, wrapped his arm around her and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. Ikkaku burst into a wide smile, returning the kiss playfully, as laughter erupted around the table at the unexpected but sweet scene.

After everyone had taken their seats, the first waiter arrived with the evening's aperitif—champagne, setting a festive tone for the gathering. The group seamlessly transitioned back into their familiar conversations: Monika, Marina, and Ikkaku animatedly exchanged tales of the most recent fireworks displays they had witnessed, each recounting their favourite moments with enthusiasm.
Rudolf and Robin engaged in a spirited discussion about the ongoing relevance of the Shichibukai, debating the practicalities and ethical considerations involved. Their conversation veered from strategic alliances to individual motives, punctuated by nods of agreement or playful rebuttals.
Law absorbed the lively exchanges with keen interest, but held back from contributing his own thoughts, aware that his deep knowledge of the Shichibukai might surprise Rudolf.
Killer and the children had once again sunk back into their card game, and so it happened that everyone only looked up from their conversations and activities when – without any shouting but with quite a bit of cursing – a man and a woman stormed into the room, ran around the tables, and disappeared through the door on the opposite side of the dining room. A brief, surprised silence fell over the dining hall.
Even the waiters had stopped, their faces wearing expressions of astonishment as they watched the two guests disappear, when suddenly three more men rushed into the dining hall, all in ceremonial robes, following the path of the previous two.
Though there was again no shouting, their entry was also accompanied by enough cursing that some quick-witted guests covered their children's ears. These newcomers also disappeared through the rear door, leaving another tense silence in their wake.
The waiters were still frozen in place, their attention fixed on the hallway, when a small, visibly irate man entered the room. He gesticulated wildly with his arms, urging them to continue. The noise level in the room surged once more as conversations at the tables briefly resumed.

The tranquillity was short-lived as two youthful figures rushed through the door shortly thereafter.
This time however, two different individuals entered through the opposite door, blocking the exit. Once again, complete silence fell over the room as the two boys stared at the two men. And then it began—a dance of evasion around the tables, filled with feints, spins, and even one of the crooks leaping over a table for four with excessive enthusiasm. The teenagers successfully outmanoeuvred the two marines and dashed out of the room again, prompting waiters to rush over, straightening the glasses on the table the youth had jumped over and distributing napkins.

Shortly after and for the third time this evening, individuals hurried through the room and disappeared into the corridor beyond, infuriating the small man who had earlier gestured with his arms.
He deactivated the mechanism that kept the doors to the hall open, causing both the front and back doors to close.
Conversations resumed, now subdued and tinged with uncertainty about whether it was even worth starting to talk again. There was a palpable sense of concern and unease about the closed doors, evident in the furtive glances exchanged by many.

And indeed, shortly thereafter, conversations were once again interrupted as Lieutenant Mulasim, the Marine officer, followed the small man to the centre of the hall.
His demeanour exuded much less confidence than the day before. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Please excuse the - uh - inconveniences you've just witnessed. We - um - have identified the suspects and will be apprehending them shortly. Please do not worry. Your safety remains our top priority. Rest assured; we will have the perpetrators..."
His speech was abruptly cut short as someone audibly collided with the closed door from outside.
"Um - we will definitely have the perpetrators soon," Mulasim quickly concluded his speech, already moving towards the door with hurried steps and an irritated expression, soon disappearing through it.

Killer chuckled with delight as he reclined in his chair. Monika tried to conceal a wide grin behind her hands, while Rudolf nodded in approval and amusement towards Law.
After this last performance, no further troublemakers appeared. However, about fifteen minutes later, a loud splashing sound was to be heard. Seasoned pirates could judge from the noise level that it was a settled rowboat – hypothesis that was promptly confirmed by curious onlookers who rose from their tables to glimpse onto the water. Soon, rumours circulated that around 10 individuals had departed the ship in a lifeboat, closely trailed by another lifeboat containing approximately 10 rowing marines (presumed marines because of Lieutenant Mulasim's presence, despite some rowers wearing very elegant evening attire).
Rudolf shot Robin another amused look, which she met with a giggle. This set him off laughing, and soon the table was filled with cheerful laughter. The children caught the joyful mood, and Marina, initially hesitant, soon joined in. Even Law couldn't suppress a chuckle.

The atmosphere at the table remained lively and cheerful throughout the rest of the meal. Laughter and lively conversations filled the air as the friends relished their final dinner together aboard the cruise ship, while anticipation for the upcoming dance evening was also palpable.
After dessert, Rudolf rose and extended an invitation to his wife to dance, prompting dreamy smiles from everyone except Law (Well, to be precise, interpreting Killer's smile was a bit more complicated, but all onlookers except the three other pirates simply presumed it was dreamy).
The gentle strains of a classical waltz echoed through the room as the dancers moved elegantly across the floor and soon, Killer followed Rudolf's lead and took Ikkaku's hand in his.
Meanwhile, as he had predicted, Law observed the scene from his seat, making a conscious effort to avoid looking at Robin.
The music transitioned into a lively foxtrot. Rudolf and Killer returned to the table, inviting Robin and Marina to join them for a dance. Meanwhile, Monika and Ikkaku were already dancing together, while the children had found their friends and were joyfully dancing in a circle.
Their joy was infectious, and soon the room was filled with clapping, laughter and happy exclamations among the guests.
The earlier excitement and solemn atmosphere that had marked the beginning of the gala were now completely forgotten.

At around 11 PM, an announcement invited guests to gather on the front deck. The message filled the room with an exciting sense of anticipation, prompting all guests to return to their tables to fetch their jackets, sweaters and shawls before the crowd of guests and musicians joyfully made their way outside. Law graciously offered his arm to Robin, who accepted with a smile that stirred his heart. Sensing his reaction, Robin drew nearer and gently kissed his cheek.
"Just for appearances, of course," she whispered playfully into his ear, her warm breath brushing against his cheek, sending a shiver down his spine.

As the music began and the first fireworks soared into the sky, bursting into vibrant explosions, the crowd held its breath in awe. Robin glanced at Ikkaku with a smile. She was enjoying the display, cuddled in Killer's arms, her eyes sparkling with reflected light, making her look even happier while Killer held her close.
Robin sighed softly and leaned her head on Law's shoulder. After a moment's hesitation, he carefully draped his arm around her waist.
They quietly enjoyed the view, a touch of melancholy settling over them. It marked their final evening together. Nothing would remain as simple as it felt in that moment. Tomorrow, they would reach their destination and reunite with their crews. The journey was coming to an end. Their time together would soon conclude.
When Robin considered how easily they could have spent a few more days together, if only one of them had confessed their feelings sooner, she chuckled. She knew deep down: Neither of them would have dared to do so. The misunderstanding and the conflict had been the only thing that had prompted their honest conversation. Well, perhaps a bit more alcohol, like on their second night on board, might have helped. This thought made her chuckle again, earning her a curious glance from Law.
"I was only considering that a bit more alcohol might have benefited our relationship," Robin remarked. Confusion crossed Law's face, while an amused smile spread across Robin's lips.
"That... is, naturally, just for show," she teased softly, before lightly lifting herself onto her toes and gently brushing her lips against his.
Breathless, Law stared at her. Then, his hold around her waist tightened, and he leaned in to capture her lips again, while the fireworks continued to illuminate the sky and sea in vibrant colours around them.