The night was enchanting, the stars shimmering like the Milky Way, dazzling as if painted across the sky.
From the direction of the civilian district, bursts of vibrant fireworks shot into the air, scattering like fireflies beneath the full moon, leaving specks of light in their wake. The laughter of children echoed beyond the courtyard walls, occasionally mixed with the sound of running footsteps.
The food on the table still steamed invitingly.
Miso soup with floating seaweed, glistening grilled eel, thinly sliced wagyu beef, chilled tofu with a jelly-like sheen, and three neatly prepared bowls of white rice...
The delicious aroma filled the air, whetting the appetite and giving the whole scene a warm, homely feel.
And with two stunning women of completely different styles seated beside him, the scene was like something out of a dream.
Such beauty, such timing.
Yet Daren felt like he was sitting on needles—completely on edge.
He cautiously glanced to his left. Amatsuki Toki sat beside him in a perfectly composed kneeling posture, wearing a loose kimono.
As always, Toki maintained her graceful elegance. Every movement, every smile, exuded the refined manners and poise unique to the culture of Wano Country.
Her light green hair was tied into a bun with a wooden hairpin, and a subtle, gentle charm of a newlywed wife lingered between her brows. Her slightly fuller hips rested delicately over her white stocking-covered feet—impossible not to notice.
Daren had barely taken a glance, not even enough to savor it, when he felt a dangerous gaze shooting from the right.
He immediately pulled his eyes back and turned to Gion.
Tonight, she wore the same fiery tight mini-skirt as always. Her long, arched brows and high-bridged nose added to her striking presence.
Her high ponytail gave her an alluring mix of girlish charm and mature sex appeal—an elegance and sultriness that felt beyond her years.
From Daren's angle, Gion was glaring daggers at him. Her arms were crossed beneath her chest, and the dramatic curve practically covered her fair-skinned arms.
What a nightmare...
Daren's mouth twitched slightly.
"Um... Gion, what brings you by tonight?"
Trying to break the awkward silence, Daren attempted some small talk.
But the moment the words left his mouth, he knew he'd messed up.
Sure enough, Gion raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a cold smirk.
"Oh? What's the matter? Not happy to see me?"
"Or am I disturbing your cozy little love nest?"
Daren forced a dry laugh.
"Ahem, no, no. It's just... well, it's a holiday, and I figured Vice Admiral Tsuru might be waiting for you to have dinner with her..."
Sure, back in the North Blue, Daren had been smooth with the ladies. But Gion wasn't like the easygoing noblewomen and socialites he used to charm.
She was the beloved gem of several Marine Headquarters big shots—the so-called "flower of the Marines," the kind of woman who could casually call Garp "Garp-chan."
If this were just a regular flirtation, it might have blown over. But now, he'd actually "ruined" her.
Even if part of it wasn't exactly voluntary... who was he supposed to complain to?
Could he go up to Sengoku, Tsuru, Garp, or Zephyr and say, "I was forced into it"?
Yeah, no. That would end worse than whatever happened to Dragon.
Besides, no matter how you sliced it, he'd definitely come out ahead in that whole situation.
Four times ahead, to be exact.
"Tsuru-nee and Admiral Sengoku both went to see Vice Admiral Garp."
Gion sneered coldly.
Daren's eye twitched slightly.
Just then, Amatsuki Toki gave a gentle smile. She softly reached out and took Gion's hand, speaking with warm grace to ease the tension.
"I invited Gion myself. I thought since she was once your subordinate back in the North Blue, she must've helped you a lot. Now that you're both officer training camp alumni, it's only right for you two to reconnect."
She turned her bright eyes to Daren, smiling sweetly.
"And since it's a holiday, I went ahead and invited her over for a simple meal… I hope you don't mind, husband?"
"Of—of course not. It's a good thing."
Daren paused for a moment before replying.
He noticed that when Toki took Gion's hand, the latter instinctively flinched a little—but ultimately didn't pull away. The coldness in her expression also softened noticeably.
Toki had already smoothed things over with Gion?
When did that happen?
Daren was completely thrown off.
But the next second, as he met Toki's clear, glimmering gaze, realization dawned.
Toki was… playing wingman for him!
"Well then, Gion, shall we eat?"
Amatsuki Toki turned back to Gion with a smile, speaking gently.
"I hope you won't find my cooking lacking."
Gion gave a soft shake of her head.
"Of course not."
And so, under Toki's warm hospitality, the three of them began their meal by soft candlelight.
"Here, husband, try some miso soup."
Toki ladled a bowl of soup for Daren and looked at him expectantly.
He took a sip, and his eyes immediately lit up.
"This is delicious!"
He couldn't help but praise it.
Truth be told, he usually wasn't a fan of miso soup—always found it too salty.
But Toki's version was perfectly balanced, and maybe it was the fish bones she used to make the broth, but it had this subtle umami sweetness that made his taste buds come alive.
"Gion, try some too—see if it suits your taste."
Hearing Daren's compliment, Toki beamed with joy. Her eyes shimmered with happiness as she scooped out another bowl and handed it to Gion with both hands.
Faced with the gentle and kind Toki, Gion found herself unable to refuse.
In fact, she hadn't wanted to come at all.
She'd been conflicted from the start. And when she saw Toki at her door, hair tied up and dressed like a proper young wife, an indescribable guilt welled up in her chest.
It felt like she had done something terribly wrong—like she was intruding on someone else's rightful happiness.
But somehow, just seeing that warm, tender smile and hearing Toki's gentle, welcoming words had made it impossible for her to say no.
Besides, deep down, she also had a competitive streak.
She wanted to see for herself—just what kind of woman Toki really was.
But the moment she stepped into the house, Gion regretted it.
Toki had the home so perfectly arranged that there was not a single flaw to be found.
She was like the ideal wife—keeping the house in order, cooking meals with care, waiting quietly for her beloved to return home safely.
And in that moment, Gion suddenly realized—she couldn't compare to the woman in front of her.
She felt... unworthy.
With that complex swirl of emotions in her chest, she picked up the spoon and took a small sip of the soup.
The moment the warmth touched her tongue, she couldn't help but close her eyes in bliss.
It was so good!