Chapter 17 – The Day Before (Part 1)
Aqua's POV
The sky over Cocoyasi was tinged with the gold of sunset, and the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and citrus. Normally, I'd be running around with Sunny, teasing Nami, or stealing food with Nojiko. But today… my thoughts were tangled.
Sunny's birthday was tomorrow. Fifteen. A proper age, one step closer to manhood. And I, Aqua-sama, had been thinking very hard about the perfect gift.
At first, I thought of something flashy. Maybe a rare gem from the ocean floor, or a magical trinket that screams: "Aqua loves you more than anyone else!" But… no. This wasn't about luxury. This was about me.
My cheeks heated as I touched my lips. A kiss. Not just any kiss—my first kiss, and his too, most likely. But not the peck Belle-mère gave him sometimes, or the playful cheek kisses Nojiko sneaks in when nobody's looking. No, I was planning something bolder. A long, lingering, tongue-tangled kiss.
"A bold move for a goddess," I whispered to myself, twirling a strand of my hair, "but a goddess must be generous to her chosen hero."
And besides… Sunny deserved it. He had protected me, laughed with me, trained beside me. He'd grown so fast, so much stronger. My gift had to be something unforgettable.
Nami's POV
I crouched over my little desk, nibbling the end of my pencil. A map stretched before me, half-finished, covered with neat notes and tiny compass marks.
"Mm… no, the current here bends too far south… tch." I erased furiously, then sighed.
Sunny's birthday. He was about to turn fifteen, and I couldn't just hand him anything. It had to be meaningful, something that showed how much I… how much I cared.
I blushed at the thought. Of course, Aqua was probably plotting something outrageous. That loud goddess never missed a chance to flaunt herself. Nojiko would go for something sweet and thoughtful. Belle-mère? Probably something practical, like clothes or weapons.
But me? I had one strength: maps.
So I decided. I'd give Sunny my very first official map—the East Blue's coastal winds, routes, and a safe chart for sailors. Not a child's doodle, but a navigator's work. My heart pounded as I traced a line with my ruler.
"Sunny," I whispered, lips curling into a tiny smile, "someday I'll be the one guiding you… guiding us… wherever we want to go."
Nojiko's POV
I hummed while stirring the pot in the kitchen. Dinner was going to be fish stew tonight, Belle-mère's favorite, and Sunny's too. I snuck a taste with the wooden spoon—mmm, just right.
While the stew bubbled, I peeked at the small bundle I had hidden under the counter. Inside was a handwoven scarf. I'd been working on it for weeks, secretly knitting whenever Sunny wasn't around. The color was deep blue, the same shade as his haki shimmer.
"I hope he likes it…" I murmured, tucking the scarf back. Sunny always trained so hard, burning himself out, sweating through shirts, bruising his knuckles. The least I could do was keep him warm when the wind blew cold.
I smiled softly. Unlike Aqua, I didn't need grand gestures. Unlike Nami, I didn't need fancy maps. All I wanted was to support Sunny quietly, in the small ways that counted.
Still… a small part of me wished he'd realize how much love I stitched into that scarf.
Belle-mère's POV
I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the girls scurry around, each lost in their own little schemes. A smirk tugged at my lips. They thought they were so sneaky, but I wasn't blind. I could see the way they looked at Sunny.
That boy… my boy. He wasn't even mine by blood, but damn it, he'd become part of this family as naturally as if he'd always been here. Strong, kind, reckless—sometimes too reckless. Fifteen already, huh?
I puffed my cigarette and exhaled slowly.
For his gift, I'd settled on a new pair of weighted gloves. Stronger material, tougher resistance. If Sunny was determined to push himself past human limits, then I'd at least make sure his tools didn't break on him.
But at the same time…
My chest tightened. No matter how much strength he gained, he was still a boy. My boy. And I wasn't ready to let go.
"Don't grow up too fast, Sunny," I whispered. "The sea can wait a little longer."
{Ego} POV
"Heh… he doesn't even know."
I floated lazily in the quiet space of Sunny's mind, smirking to myself. {System} was busy tinkering, fiddling with formulas and rules, always the nerd. Me? I enjoyed watching the boy grow.
Tomorrow was his birthday. Fifteen. A milestone. And I had a gift ready, oh yes.
Not something flashy. Something useful. A sealing technique. One that would force him to fight with half his strength.
Sounds cruel, doesn't it? But that's the point. If he can dominate while shackled, imagine what he'll become unshackled.
"Tch… he'll hate it at first," I chuckled, "but someday, he'll thank me."
[System] POV
{Ego} was being dramatic again. Typical.
Still, the sealing technique we had devised—"Adaptive Constraint Protocol"—was sound. Efficient. It would cut Sunny's Haki and strength in half, forcing better control, precision, and endurance. More importantly, he could release it at will.
"Gift categorized," I announced to myself, a little satisfied chime echoing in the void. "Utility: High. Future relevance: Guaranteed."
I almost felt… proud. Yes, proud. Watching Sunny evolve from that reckless, hungry child into this determined young warrior—it was… pleasing.
Though, if I had a mouth, I might admit…
I was curious to see his face tomorrow.
Back to Aqua (closing POV)
Night crept over Cocoyasi. The house was filled with the sounds of clinking dishes, laughter, and the faint hum of the sea beyond the orange groves. Everyone had their secrets, their little treasures tucked away, ready to reveal tomorrow.
I hugged my pillow, staring at the ceiling, cheeks flushed crimson.
Tomorrow… tomorrow I'd give Sunny something no map, no scarf, no gloves, no seal could compare to.
"Just wait, Sunny," I whispered. "I'll make sure your fifteenth birthday is one you'll never forget."