Several days later, the morning sun streamed through the gaps in the curtains of Gern’s bedroom, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow.
The once simple bedroom now had many carrot-themed elements.
There were carrot-patterned throw pillows, curtains with carrot designs, and even the wall art had been replaced by Libo with a scene of a carrot field.
On the large bed, Gern slowly opened his eyes, feeling a numbness in his right arm.
He turned his head to see Libo curled up beside him.
Her fluffy lop ears rested on his chest, and her breathing was even and long.
She wore carrot-patterned pajamas, her cheeks a faint pink from deep sleep, and a satisfied smile played on her lips, as if she was gnawing on her favorite carrots even in her dreams.
“You’re on my bed again?” Gern gently pushed her shoulder, “Libo, wake up…”
“Mmm… five more minutes…” Libo mumbled indistinctly, rolled over, and naturally used Gern’s arm as a pillow, holding on even tighter.
Gern smiled helplessly.
Admiral Zefa’s high-intensity training had exhausted Libo these past few days; she would fall asleep as soon as she returned, only managing to eat half of her favorite carrot cake.
Seeing this, Gern decided not to wake her further, so he carefully pulled out his arm and quietly got out of bed.
Of course, before leaving, he gently ruffled her head; the soft touch of her lop ears still brought him joy.
After washing up, Gern changed his clothes and glanced at the mountain of documents piled on his desk, his mouth twitching.
Admiral Zefa truly lived up to his nickname “Black Arm”; not only was he merciless in training, but he also turned his administrative work upside down.
All the backlog of reports and approval forms were dumped on him by Admiral Zefa during this period before his transfer to G-3 Base.
“I shouldn’t have said those things on the phone…” Gern sighed, picked up the top document, and scanned the title— “Second Approval for Material Replenishment During New World Cruise.”
“It’s this kind of headache-inducing stuff…” Gern rubbed his temples, just about to leave, when he suddenly heard a dull thud from the bedroom, followed by Libo’s groggy complaint:
“Ugh… the floor is so hard…”
“Ah.” Gern couldn’t help but laugh, shook his head, and pushed the door open to leave.
......
Meanwhile, at Marineford.
Vice Admiral Tsuru’s warship slowly docked, and Gion on the deck looked at the familiar port, a faint smile unconsciously gracing her lips.
After hearing that Gern had returned to Marineford, she completed her mission ahead of schedule, so much so that even Vice Admiral Tsuru couldn’t help but tease her about being “eager to return home.”
“Gion, I’ll handle this mission report; you go rest first.” Tsuru stood beside her, her gaze gentle with a hint of teasing, “After all… someone can’t wait to see you.”
“Sister Tsuru!” Gion’s ears flushed, and she instinctively retorted, “I’m just returning according to schedule!”
Tsuru chuckled, not exposing her, just patting her shoulder: “Go on.”
Gion quickly walked down the warship, her heart unconsciously quickening.
However, as soon as she stepped onto the port plaza, her steps abruptly halted.
Before her was a dazzling sea of roses, covering the entire entrance.
Kaji, with his vulgar appearance, wore a sharp suit, held a large bouquet of red roses, and knelt on one knee.
Behind him stood a row of Marine soldiers holding banners, which prominently read: “It’s the 36th time for love! Gion, please accept my heart!”
The surrounding Marines, who had been paid, cheered loudly, some even whistling.
Watching this scene, Gion’s face instantly darkened.
“Gion!” Kaji looked up passionately, his eyes burning, “This is my thirty-sixth confession since graduating from Navy School!
This time, you must say yes to me!”
Gion took a deep breath, her fists clenching audibly.
She glanced at the banner, then at Kaji’s face, which was full of expectation, and coldly spat out two words: “Rejected.”
Kaji looked as if he had been struck by lightning, the roses in his hand clattering to the ground: “Why?! This time, I even ignored Admiral Sengoku’s advice not to do this!”
“Because we have no possibility, we are not suitable.
And… most importantly…” Gion narrowed her eyes, her tone dangerous, “You’re blocking my way.”
After speaking, she stepped over the scattered roses and left without looking back, leaving Kaji kneeling in place, petrified into a statue.
But seeing Gion turn to leave, he quickly recovered, darted forward, and spread his arms to block her, his face full of “for your own good” concern.
“Gion! It’s okay if you reject me, but you really can’t go to Rear Admiral Gern!”
Kaji deliberately lowered his voice, his eyes flickering as if he held some earth-shattering secret, and hesitated: “He… he’s not suitable for you!”
Gion frowned, originally intending to push him away directly, but Kaji’s hesitant expression made her pause.
“What do you mean?” Gion asked coldly.
Seeing Gion respond, Kaji immediately put on a heartbroken expression, clutching his chest with his fingers.
“There are some things I didn’t want to say, but for your happiness, I have to tell you…”
“Rear Admiral Gern, he…” Kaji took a deep breath, shaking his head and shouting with exaggerated acting,
“He, he brought a rabbit back while you were away!!!”
“A rabbit?” Gion almost laughed in anger, “You stopped me just to say such nonsense?”
“That’s no ordinary rabbit, Gion.” Kaji quickly waved his hand, his tone becoming increasingly manipulative.
“It’s a Mink Tribe girl named Libo!
She’s cute, beautiful, lively, and sticks to Gern all day long!” Halfway through, he clutched his chest, as if it was difficult to speak, “They even… live together! Gion, when you weren’t here, the two of them…” At this point, Kaji didn’t finish his sentence, deliberately leaving Gion room for speculation.
And Gion’s fingers unconsciously tightened on her sword hilt, her knuckles slightly white.
Then, she coldly swept her gaze towards Onigumo, Doberman, and the others who were leaning against the railing watching the show.
“Is what he said true, you guys?” Gion asked directly.
Hearing Gion’s question, Onigumo, chewing on his cigar, grinned: “Rear Admiral Gern did bring a Mink Tribe girl back; she’s said to be his adjutant.”
Doberman added: “That rabbit is quite capable; Admiral Zefa is personally training her.”
Their words were like fine needles, pricking Gion’s heart.
Her expression remained unchanged, she just took a deep breath; the sea breeze, mixed with the scent of roses, rushed into her nostrils, but for some reason, it felt irritating.
“I see.” Gion said calmly, then turned and left.
Kaji panicked, chasing after her and fanning the flames: “Gion! Don’t be sad! A fickle man like that isn’t worth it…”
“Shut up.” Gion interrupted him without looking back, “My affairs are none of your business.”
......
Gion walked towards Gern’s residence, her Marine cape fluttering slightly behind her, her steps still elegant and steady, but her heart was churning with indescribable emotions.
—Who is she?
—How can she stand by Gern’s side?
—A Mink Tribe rabbit, is she worthy?
Gion slightly narrowed her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the hilt of her Konpira sword at her waist.
“Rear Admiral To-ka”—this title wasn’t given for nothing.
At Marineford, Gion was a recognized sword prodigy, Vice Admiral Tsuru’s most trusted adjutant, and an existence admired by countless Marine officers.
She was proud, elegant, and never let anyone get close easily, except for her idol, Gern…
And now, a wild rabbit suddenly appeared, not only becoming Gern’s adjutant but even moving into his home?
“Heh…” Thinking of this, Gion sneered, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
She wanted to see what kind of abilities this rabbit possessed.
Meanwhile, at Gern’s home,
Libo, enjoying a rare day off, sat on the sofa, swinging her legs, and gnawing on a carrot with relish.
“Why isn’t Gern back yet…” she mumbled, her lop ears drooping boredly.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
“Hmm? Did Gern forget his key?” She bounced to open the door.
The door opened.
A tall, cold and elegant female Marine stood at the doorway, her eyes looking down at her from above.
Libo blinked: “You are?”
Gion slightly curved her lips, her voice calm but carrying an invisible sense of pressure:
“Are you the rabbit Rear Admiral Gern brought back?”
The battle between the two rabbits officially began.
........
(Kaji’s Short Skit)
Kaji watched Gion’s retreating figure, then suddenly covered his face and sobbed: “Gion, I just don’t want you to get hurt…”
Onigumo: “Come on, she’s already clearly rejected you.”
“No!” Kaji’s expression sharpened, his mind instantly analyzing.
“Gion’s ‘rejection’ actually means she’s afraid of delaying my Marine duties!”
“This rejection template is exactly the same as when she rejected Gern helping her wipe her mouth last time, which means I’m at least on par with a professional!”
“Also, did you guys notice just now? The way she frowned was so sacred…
Even when she was angry, she was considering my feelings, afraid of hurting me with harsh words…”
“She said ‘we’ twice in three words; subconsciously, she already considers us a collective!”
“She’s rejecting me now because she hasn’t gotten over her emotional wounds yet; she’ll understand my goodness after she’s hurt by Gern for the nth time…”
Upon hearing these words, Doberman and Onigumo were dumbfounded, as if they had just heard Whitebeard acknowledge Roger as his son.
“Kaji, you really shouldn’t be a Marine.”
“You guys just don’t understand.” Kaji sighed deeply, then quietly pulled out his camera and posted on his internal Marine social media.
Caption: 【The 36th failed love, but I won’t give up, because love is perseverance!】
Today’s progress: 1. Successfully evoked emotional fluctuation 2. Obtained exclusive rejection lines 3. Eliminated one wrong option: she doesn’t like directness.
So, in a few days, I’ll bring brown sugar ginger tea and stake out the Marineford building. The gynecologist said women are most vulnerable during menstrual cramps.
Especially since Gern is about to cause a love triangle, this is my chance to appear as a warm man, Kaji…
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