Ten minutes later—
Gion was standing in front of the sink, tending to her slightly swollen lips in the mirror.
Behind her, Nao sat sulking on a chair, a trio of fresh lumps stacked on his head, still faintly smoking…
Damn woman. Absolutely brutal.
She actually hit that hard? If it weren't for his "Tough as Nails" passive damage reduction, he might've ended up inheriting Gion's hospital bed himself.
"You look like you still think you're the victim, kid."
Gion caught his expression in the mirror, turned around coldly, and glared.
"My lips are swollen. I know it was your first kiss and you were totally clueless, but it was my first too! Couldn't you be a little more careful?!"
"I'm sorry, Rear Admiral."
Nao bowed his head sincerely. Honestly, he hadn't kissed Shia enough to get good at it, so his technique was still stiff and clumsy. "Next ti, I promise I'll be more careful."
"Oh, so you're planning a next ti?"
She marched over and grabbed his cheeks, tugging them with a vengeance. "You dared press your mouth against mine without my permission. I could drag you straight to Impel Down for that, you know?!"
"Sho shorry, Rear Admi—"
His cheeks were so twisted he could barely speak. "I thought you were giving a signal to take the lead…"
"Signal my ass!"
Gion's face went crimson as her fury hit a new peak. She rubbed his cheeks so hard he almost passed out. "Stop twisting people's words, you damn brat!"
—Her first kiss in over twenty years, gone just like that. Even if it was stolen by the annoying kid she secretly liked, it was still infuriating!
After finally venting enough, Gion let go and sank back onto the hospital bed, half-reclining against the wall. Her expression returned to its usual graceful calm, as serene as a blooming gardenia.
"Kid."
She sighed and looked at Nao, whose face now resembled a ballooned pig's head.
"I did make my feelings clear first… but I need you to understand: liking soone and being in love aren't the sa thing."
"I don't get it," Nao said honestly, shaking his head. "But Rear Admiral, I like how straightforward and honest you are when you talk."
"Then let be even more direct."
Gion's voice was cool but clear. "Yes, kid, I've had feelings for you since back in the West Blue. Otherwise, I wouldn't have put up with your over-the-line antics so many tis."
"But my standards for love are high. That's why none of the n who've tried to pursue over the years ever succeeded."
She looked him in the eye, her tone gentle but unwavering:
"I'd love nothing more than for you to beco the one I spend my life with. But unfortunately, right now, you're just not there yet."
She paused, then continued slowly:
"How should I put this… I do believe in love that ignores social standing and power, but I can't accept a partner who's weaker than —who needs my protection. You understand?"
Nao couldn't pretend not to get it. Her words were sincere and heartfelt.
So he straightened up and answered seriously:
"What do I have to do, Rear Admiral?"
"For starters, catch up to in rank and strength."
She smiled lightly. "Could take five years. Could take ten. I'm in no rush. If you still like by then, co back and confess. I'd be happy to say yes."
"That long?" Nao frowned. "You're really underestimating . Who knows—maybe I'll et both of those conditions the day I graduate."
"You think you'll reach my rank right after graduation?"
Gion raised an eyebrow and laughed. "You've only been in the elite training camp for what, a year? You think in two more you'll beco a Rear Admiral?"
"Actually, I don't think I'll need even a year. Maybe just a few months."
Nao grinned. "Not to brag, but the training camp doesn't have much left to teach . I've been planning to apply for early graduation when the ti's right."
He was smiling, but his tone was dead serious.
"…"
Gion looked silently at the black-haired youth before her. She was about to throw out a snarky remark, but in the end just let out a soft chuckle.
"So by your logic, I'll be getting your confession in just a few months?"
Hmm… kind of looking forward to it.
"You won't hear it," Nao said flatly.
Her face dropped. "Huh?"
"I told you—I'm going to make you confess to ."
Nao saw her glare starting to build and hurriedly finished his sentence before she could retaliate:
"Since you said you'd accept my confession as long as I reach your rank, why not raise the stakes? Let's make a new deal—if I surpass your current rank by the ti I graduate, then you have to confess to , how about that?"
"…"
Gion was quiet for a mont, then gave him a squinting, skeptical look.
"Kid, you're really hung up on who confesses first, aren't you?"
"Of course I am, Rear Admiral. It's a matter of a man's pride!"
Nao puffed out his chest. "Soday, when we're old and gray, sunbathing next to Sengoku-senpai's grave, telling stories to the rookies… you think they won't ask who confessed first? I'm not gonna be the one who loses face!"
You're already plenty embarrassing, you know that?!
Gion rolled her eyes, but after a mont of thought, she smiled.
"Alright. I accept."
Huh?
Now it was Nao's turn to be stunned—he'd just talked the proud "ice queen" into agreeing to confess to him?
Tch. She really doesn't understand how strong I'm gonna be.
Rear Admiral was just one rank below Vice Admiral. Sure, monsters like Akainu and Kuzan only graduated with that rank too…
But with the system on his side, Nao was confident. If he gave it everything he had, he might just pull it off.
"Then it's a deal!" he grinned ear to ear. "Rear Admiral, don't go back on your word later!"
"Have I ever broken a promise?"
Gion gave him a mysterious smile, reached for the cup on her nightstand, took a small sip, then added casually:
"Oh, right. You didn't finish that battle report, did you? Flip to the last page. There might be a surprise waiting."
…Huh?
Nao blinked, confused, but followed her suggestion and picked the report back up, turning straight to the final page.
A bold header jumped out at him, leaving him frozen in shock:
"Promotion Decisions for Officers Who Perford Outstandingly in the Recent Operation"
"…In addition to the above, forr Rear Admiral Gion is hereby promoted to Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral. This appointnt is effective as of May 6, 1501, Marine Calendar."
Signed: Fleet Admiral Kong (Official Seal)
PS: Read Advance Chapters at spatreon/c/ReadJin
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