By the time Daren returned to Marine Headquarters from the North Blue, it was already deep into the night.
With his familiarity with the sentry posts and patrol routes, he easily avoided the watchtower spotlights and patrol ships, bypassed the Marine security units, and slipped into Marineford without a sound.
It wasn't that he was sneaking around for anything shady—he was just too lazy to deal with the hassle.
While riding his metal skateboard toward the residential quarters, Daren suddenly changed course and headed for Gion's home.
No particular reason. He just wanted to check in on an old subordinate.
...
"Mmm..."
A soft, breathy moan filled the air.
The moonlight filtering through the window cast a faint, shimmering glow.
The battle had been intense.
Gion lay sprawled across Daren's chest, her slightly parted lips exhaling warm breath. Her black hair clung messily to her damp neck and shoulders, slick with sweat.
"You bastard... showing up in the middle of the night just to mess with me!"
Seeing the teasing look in Daren's eyes, Gion let out a light huff, irritation flickering in her gaze as she shot him a sharp glare.
Daren smirked.
"Ah, I see. You want me to go home. Well, if that's the case... guess I'll head out."
He made a move to get up and reach for his clothes.
"No..."
A sudden panic welled up in Gion's chest.
She reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt, but her pride wouldn't let her meet his gaze. She turned her head away and mumbled softly,
"Don't go back."
Just the thought of what might happen once he returned home left a strange, sour feeling in her chest.
More than that, every time they did this, Daren would just zip up and leave without a trace of warmth or tenderness.
That always left Gion with a hollow sense of being used.
"Hmm? What was that? I didn't catch it..."
Daren said with feigned innocence, clearly enjoying himself.
Gion bit her lip hard, then suddenly shoved him forcefully.
"Then get out of here!"
"Don't ever come back again!"
Her delicate eyes welled with tears, the rims already turning red.
But a moment later, she felt a pair of warm, steady arms pull her into a tight embrace.
And in her ear came the voice of that damn Marine scoundrel.
"I'm not going home tonight. I'll stay here with you."
Gion's body trembled slightly. She didn't respond.
But she didn't push him away either.
The moonlight outside, cool and gentle, streamed through the window, filling the room with a serene stillness.
"So... since you got back, you haven't even gone home yet?"
Gion broke the silence, her tone quiet and soft.
Daren wrapped his arms around her, feeling the silky smoothness of her skin beneath his palm, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"That's right. Soon as I got back to HQ, I came straight to you."
Of course, he understood what Gion was feeling.
In the past, he'd always slipped away right after—definitely gave off a "hit it and quit it" vibe.
Gion never said anything outright—thanks to her tsundere pride—but Daren could still sense her dissatisfaction.
So this time, he thought about it and decided to stay with her for the night.
Honestly, it gave him a bit of a headache. Having too many women wasn't always a blessing.
Unlike the casual, playful affairs back in the North Blue, Gion and Toki were... different. It was the heartfelt kind of connection.
And for someone like Daren, that came with a strange mix of feelings.
Hearing his reply, Gion, nestled against him, tried her best to ignore the way his hand kept wandering—but a victorious smile still crept onto her face.
"Hmph..."
Pressed against his warm chest, worn out from their earlier clash, Gion slowly let her heavy eyelids close, drifting into a rare moment of peaceful sleep.
Daren listened to her steady breathing and smiled.
His gaze drifted to a rose on the windowsill.
A rose made of gold leaf, placed in a fine white porcelain vase, decorated with sprigs of baby's breath—clearly tended with great care.
Under the moonlight, it shimmered beautifully.
"Bastard... don't always bully me..."
The girl in his arms murmured in her sleep, shifting slightly.
Daren froze for a moment, his expression softening as he looked at her.
...
Early the next morning.
Daren slipped out of Gion's residence, quietly circling around before finally striding confidently into the Marine Headquarters' military port under full view of everyone.
"It's Commodore Daren!"
"Commodore Daren's back?"
"Good morning, Commodore Daren!"
...
Greeting the patrolling Marines with casual friendliness, Daren stopped by a small roadside shop, grabbed some breakfast, and strolled leisurely toward home.
...
Meanwhile.
Gion quickly tidied up the battlefield from the night before, changed into a crisp new military uniform, and stepped out with a sharp and spirited air, heading straight for Vice Admiral Tsuru's residence.
At this same time every week, she would visit Tsuru for a brief chat before heading to class at the training camp.
She had slept soundly the night before, so her mood was unusually good.
"Tsuru-nee-san."
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Tsuru seated under the shade of a tree, wearing reading glasses and flipping through documents.
"You're here, Gion."
Tsuru closed the folder, looked up with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Gion!"
Just then, a nasal, fawning voice rang out from the doorway.
Tokikake poked his head in, grinning sheepishly as he held a few breakfast bags in his hands.
"Tokikake?"
Gion blinked in surprise, then gave a small, graceful smile.
"Good morning."
Maybe it was just her good mood, but there was none of her usual cold, icy aura. Instead, a gentle warmth softened her expression.
Bathed in the soft light of the morning sun, she looked radiant.
Her black hair fluttered gently in the breeze, framing her like a blooming, thorned rose—stunning and untouchable.
Tokikake froze on the spot.
He had never seen Gion look this dazzling before. That smile, especially, was like the first thaw of spring—brilliant and breathtaking.
In that moment, he screamed inwardly.
'Gion smiled at me! It's gotta be because I shaved today—I must look damn good!!'
What he didn't know was the graceful and enchanting figure someone else had embraced the night before.
Tokikake's face flushed red, and he stammered,
"Gion, you... you're even more beautiful than usual today."
"Really..."
Gion paused, as if recalling something sweet, then smiled openly.
"Thank you."
Off to the side, Vice Admiral Tsuru couldn't help but shake her head, glancing at Tokikake with a hint of pity.
The sparkle of spring and joy in that girl's eyes—it was obvious to someone with experience.
"She's already fallen hard... That bastard Daren..."