Chapter 238: Volume 2 – Chapter 140: Such a Strong Desire to Win!

Watching Gion's figure disappear at the end of the street, Daren could clearly see the tears sparkling beneath her chin. He couldn't help but feel a little defeated.

Just great—he had only managed to coax her into a good mood yesterday…

Who would've thought that cold, tsundere little Gion would wake up early to buy him breakfast... and even bring it to his doorstep?

And honestly, even if he had mastered Observation Haki, what difference would it make?

Who the hell uses Haki to scan their own house?

That'd be downright perverted.

He looked down at the scattered breakfast on the ground and sighed, crouching to gather it up.

If it had been anyone else, his usual shameless, flirtatious self probably would've hugged Gion on the spot and tossed out a cheesy, "You came at the perfect time."

But things were different now.

Toki had just given herself to him. No matter how much of a bastard he was, he couldn't bring himself to flirt with another woman in front of her.

He might be a degenerate, but he wasn't a scumbag without limits.

He could be open-hearted, but not heartless.

...

"Gion-san seems to care about you a lot."

Amatsuki Toki walked over, her voice soft and gentle.

Daren shook his head, choosing not to respond to that comment. Instead, he smiled at her and asked with concern,

"You're up so early? Don't want to sleep a little more?"

He paused.

"...Still sore?"

Toki's cheeks flushed pink at the memory of last night's madness. She lowered her voice.

"Still... a little."

She linked her arm through his and leaned her head on his shoulder, whispering,

"I'm really happy to be your wife."

Then, with a natural motion, she took the breakfast from his hands and gave him a little nudge.

"Go catch up to her. Gion-san's a good girl. Don't let her down."

She winked mischievously.

"This time, it really doesn't matter... because I was the one who became your wife first."

Under Daren's stunned gaze, she smiled sweetly, her eyes curving like crescent moons—like a mischievous little cat that had just snatched a fish.

"I win. Hehe."

...

Activating his bio-magnetic field perception, Daren quickly located Gion.

Inside the Marine residential compound, from the rooftop of a distant building, he spotted her curled up against a wall, shoulders trembling as she quietly cried.

He hesitated for a moment. He didn't approach right away.

In front of the house, Gion sat hugging her knees, eyes red and swollen, tears rolling endlessly down her cheeks.

She looked like a wounded little rabbit, hiding in a corner, silently licking her wounds.

"Bastard!!"

"Bastard!!"

"Daren, you're the worst!!"

She sobbed, cursing in a choked whisper as she kicked a pebble beside her. Her teary eyes were soon puffy and red from crying.

Gion didn't even know what exactly hurt more—

Was it because Daren had lied?

Was it the way he awkwardly reacted when he saw her?

Or... was it that subtle, barely noticeable look of triumph on her face when she glanced her way?

"Shameless... lecherous... absolute bastard..."

She muttered bitterly through her tears.

"If you keep cursing me, I'm gonna start fighting back."

A helpless voice rang out from behind, making Gion freeze in panic.

She looked up in surprise—and saw the tall figure drop down from the wall.

Her eyes grew redder on sight.

"What are you doing here?!"

"You bastard!! Get lost!! I don't want to see you!!"

All the bottled-up pain burst out in sobs she couldn't hold back anymore.

Daren sighed.

"I figured you hadn't eaten yet... You've got to be hungry."

"Yell at me after breakfast, okay? You'll need the energy. Or, if it makes you feel better, I'll let you beat me up."

He lifted the breakfast bag and gave her a faint smile.

Gion stared at the food Daren had just brought. Her mind flashed back to the embarrassing scene she'd made earlier, and her nose started to sting. Tears welled up in her eyes again as she cried out, voice full of grievance:

"I don't need you to care!"

"You already have her!"

"You liar! You giant, giant liar!"

"Yesterday you swore nothing had happened between you... but today—today—she's wearing your shirt!"

"I was the one who came first! Waaaahhh..."

Tears fell like a string of broken pearls, dotting the ground.

Daren's mouth twitched.

Technically... nothing had happened yesterday...

But who could've guessed Toki would go full-on surprise attack?

What was supposed to be a drawn-out war of jealousy ended with her swooping in and steamrolling the battlefield.

Can you really blame him?

Under those conditions, if he'd managed to hold back—would he even still count as a proper degenerate?

But of course, Daren wasn't dumb enough to say that out loud.

Not unless he wanted to get sliced in half.

So Daren smiled and said,

"Come on, don't be mad. Eat something first."

"No! I'm not eating anything from you!"

Gion wiped away her tears, glaring at him with stubborn defiance.

This girl's really damn stubborn... guess I'll have to use some force.

The thought flashed through Daren's mind.

He set the breakfast down and slowly stepped toward her.

"D-Don't come any closer!"

Seeing him approach, Gion instinctively stood up, trying to step back—only to find her back already against the wall.

As the Marine Commodore closed the distance, her heart began to race in panic.

What's he trying to do...?

She noticed the heat in his eyes.

He's a degenerate, she reminded herself, trying to stay composed.

Daren stopped right in front of her and looked directly into her eyes.

"Do you like me, Gion?"

"You... You're standing too close..."

The overwhelming scent of testosterone hit her like a wave. For a moment, Gion forgot her anger and turned her head away, not daring to meet his gaze.

She could smell him—masculine, wild, domineering...

He's a scoundrel... Am I seriously falling for a scoundrel?

Her eyes began to waver.

"Do you like me?"

Daren asked again.

"W-Who would like you? Don't flatter yourself..."

Smack!

Daren suddenly grabbed both her wrists, pulling them over her head and pinning them against the wall.

Gion struggled, but she couldn't break free from his strength.

And in the next moment, she froze.

His other hand gently cupped her face. Warm fingertips lifted her chin until she had no choice but to meet his gaze.

Her whole body stiffened.

It felt like electricity shot through her—paralyzing her.

W-What is he...

Then she saw it.

Eyes filled with dominance, arrogance, and cold sharpness—

but beneath it all... a gentleness she couldn't deny.

"Gion," his voice cut through the confusion clouding her mind,

"This is the last time I'll ask."

"Do you like me?"

"If you say no, I'll walk away. Right now. I won't bother you again."

"After training camp, I'll apply for a transfer to the New World. You'll never have to see this annoying bastard again."

Gion froze.

Her face went pale.

"I... I..."

Her lips trembled, but she couldn't force herself to say "I don't like you."

And then—

"Mmm...!"

Her lips were sealed.

The moment of hesitation told Daren everything he needed. He stopped holding back.

He kissed her—firmly, deeply, without hesitation. He broke through her defenses.

His kiss was hot. Fierce. Possessive.

Gion's mind went blank.

Her still-reddened eyes flew open, pupils shrinking.

She instinctively wanted to push him away—but Daren didn't let up.

One second,

Two seconds,

Three seconds...

She felt her strength melt away, her body tingling and numb.

Her focus blurred. Her eyes slowly closed.

And then, without even realizing it, she was kissing him back.

Her arms wrapped around his neck.

Her mind, emotions, and body were spinning.

...

At some point, Daren released her pinned hands.

And Gion, without thinking, clung to him tighter, lost in the moment.

Until—

"Tch...!"

Daren winced as Gion suddenly shoved him away hard.

Blood appeared on his lips.

She looked up at him with dazed eyes, gasping for air, her whole body trembling, legs weak.

"So you do like me," Daren grinned smugly.

"Shut up!"

"If you're not pushing me away, then just admit it."

"No—you shut up!"

Gion suddenly lunged at him like a wild leopard. She grabbed him, spun around, and slammed him back into the house.

With a loud thump, he landed flat on that same girly bed—still covered with pink bunny plushies.

Before he could react, Gion straddled him. Her long, toned legs locked around him as she glared down, her tear-streaked eyes burning with fury.

"How many times did you two do it!?"

"Eh?"

Daren blinked, completely caught off guard.

"Uh... Th-Three... times?"

A dangerous glint flashed in Gion's eyes. She reached for his belt.

"Gion, wait! Don't be reckless—I'm still not fully recovered!"

Seeing her determined, wild expression, Daren panicked instantly.

Daren: (っ °Д °;)っ

She's fired up...

My back and legs are already sore—if this turns into some kind of twisted competition...

But the next second—

Daren: ヽ(○´∀`)ﾉ