"What a strange pair…"
Amatsuki Toki murmured softly as she watched Gion stride off with her usual commanding presence, while Tokikake trudged behind her like a man mourning his own funeral.
She withdrew her gaze, turned back toward the drying rack, gave the freshly washed uniform a good shake, then carefully hung it up.
The white shirt and black trousers fluttered gently in the sunlight and breeze. A satisfied smile appeared on Toki's face.
The doctor had said Daren-san still needed plenty of rest.
He had saved her life and even promised to help her return to Wano. For such a tremendous kindness... doing what little chores she could was the least she could offer in return.
Today too—do your best, Amatsuki Toki!
Cheeks slightly flushed, she clenched her small fists and gave herself a quiet cheer.
"Was that someone knocking just now?"
A low, mellow voice laced with a faint smile drifted out from inside the house.
"Ah!"
Toki gave a soft yelp, then turned and bowed politely.
"Good morning, Daren-san. You shouldn't be up—your doctor said you need rest."
Her cheeks reddened slightly as she added, flustered,
"Also... why aren't you wearing a shirt?"
She turned her head away instinctively, though the corners of her eyes couldn't help sneaking glances at Daren's powerful frame.
Daren-san is really handsome… and so well-built. Even though he's covered in those scary scars, none of them make him look the least bit frightening.
She sighed inwardly.
Daren smiled helplessly.
He was wearing pants—just skipped the shirt. It was a bit hot, and he was used to training shirtless anyway, so he hadn't given it much thought.
After a brief pause, he casually grabbed a Marine cloak off the wall rack and draped it over his shoulders.
"This better?"
It made him look even more alluring, with just the right hint of mystery!
Toki flushed again at the thought but simply responded with a soft "mm," then answered his earlier question.
"Two young Marine officers came looking for you. They said they were from the officer training camp and wanted to remind you to return for drills."
"For some reason, their expressions turned really strange when I opened the door."
"The man stared at me with this dazed, lecherous look, then suddenly dropped to his knees and started bawling. He kept shouting something like 'damn it!'..."
"The woman didn't look very happy either."
"Oh?"
Daren's expression shifted slightly.
"Could you... describe what they looked like?"
Toki raised her slender finger to her cheek, gently tapping her dimple as she tried to recall.
"The male officer... hmm, how do I put it... looked kind of scruffy. He reminded me a little of Rear Admiral Borsalino, just without that overwhelming pressure."
After thinking for a moment, she added,
"Oh right, he was wearing a brown—"
"Toki, I know who it was."
Daren's lips twitched.
To be honest, the moment she said "lecherous" and "bawling," he'd already guessed it was Tokikake.
And sure enough—aside from Borsalino, the only one in the Marines who could be called scruffy was Tokikake.
"What about the female officer?"
Daren asked again, shaking his head, a growing sense of unease creeping in.
Please don't tell me...
Toki glanced at him, pursed her lips slightly, and said slowly,
"She was really pretty. Beautiful, actually. She might have seemed cold on the surface, but I could sense she had a gentle, warm heart underneath."
"She had long black hair tied in a high ponytail, wore high heels, and had a long golden sword at her waist... very tall..."
As she spoke, Toki rose up on her tiptoes, raising her hand to roughly show the woman's height.
Daren: ...
Crap. It's Gion.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, a headache settling in.
So... this is a love battlefield?
Truth be told, Daren did have feelings for Gion.
Though she had caused her fair share of problems back in North Blue, it was just part of her character and the way she'd grown up. After everything that happened there, she'd matured quite a bit.
And ever since Gion had found out about the secret behind him "saving that father and daughter," Daren had begun to notice the subtle changes in her.
On the surface, she still seemed cold. But those occasional, fleeting glances she gave him at the training camp—they said everything.
It's just that Gion's pride wouldn't allow her to show it openly.
Not that Daren minded.
Those flings back in North Blue? Just passing dalliances.
Mutual consent, no strings, no regrets. He'd enjoyed it guilt-free.
But Gion was different.
How to put it... she was a good girl.
Of course, most importantly—Daren would never admit the real reason he kept his distance was the thought of getting pummeled into the ground by Sengoku, Zephyr, Garp, Tsuru, and Commander-in-Chief Kong all at once.
"That... Daren-san... you know those two Marines, don't you?"
Seeing Daren's changing expression and long silence, Amatsuki Toki bit her lower lip, unable to hold back her curiosity.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Back in North Blue, they were my subordinates... now we're all part of the same training camp," Daren replied casually, still nursing a headache.
"The scruffy-looking one is Tokikake. Bit of a perv, doesn't have much shame, but he's reliable."
"As for the tall female Marine... that's Gion. Bad temper, sharp tongue—don't take it personally, Toki. She just—hmm?"
Suddenly, Daren felt a bone-chilling killing intent lock onto him. His scalp tingled, and he instinctively looked up.
What he saw made his heart drop.
Gion stood silently at the doorway, face icy cold, a bulging vein throbbing on her temple. She was holding a fruit basket, staring daggers at him without a word.
Meanwhile, Tokikake peeked out from behind the wall, just his head sticking out like some shady spy. He was grinning lewdly, eyes gleaming with a clear "Hehehe, you're screwed" vibe.
Daren: ...
Didn't they leave? When the hell did they come back!?
Damn it! I should've activated my magnetic field senses!
But seriously, who stays on full alert in their own house!?
Frozen in place, he forced a stiff smile.
"Uh... Gion..."
Even though neither Gion nor Tokikake was a threat to him, getting caught badmouthing someone behind their back—especially someone like Gion—was awkward, even for someone as thick-skinned as Daren.
"Oh, I forgot to drop this off earlier."
Gion suddenly smiled and cut him off.
But to Daren, that smile was terrifying.
She tossed the fruit basket at his feet.
"I heard you were seriously injured and worn out... So rest up, Commodore Daren."
With that, she turned and walked off without a second glance.
Tokikake stuck his tongue out, made a goofy face at Daren, and followed after her with a smug grin.
Daren: ...
He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.