Chapter 30 — A Kingdom Made of Love ( Part 2)
Sunny & Aqua's POV
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The Return
The villagers of Cocoyasi didn't even blink anymore when they saw Sunny casually walking across the sea as if it were solid ground.
But today, their jaws did drop.
Because in his arms, bridal-style, Sunny carried a fainted Aqua. Her long hair trailed down, her cheeks flushed pink, her lips curved in a dreamy smile. She looked every bit like a bride after her wedding night.
Sunny sighed. "Don't misunderstand. She just overdid it."
But of course, everyone misunderstood.
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At the Doorstep
Belle-mère opened the door just as Sunny stepped up to it. Her cigarette nearly fell out of her mouth.
"…Ara, ara," she drawled, one brow arched. "Did my son finally learn how to bring a girl home properly?"
Sunny twitched. "It's not like that."
"Oh?" Belle-mère smirked, tapping her cigarette. "Then why is she smiling like a cat that stole the cream, and why are you carrying her like she's your wife?"
"I—she fainted! I swear!"
From behind Belle-mère, Nami and Nojiko peeked around the corner. Both froze when they saw Aqua limp in Sunny's arms.
Nami's face went red, her voice sharp. "What did you do to her, idiot Sunny?!"
Nojiko, calmer but with a sly grin, added, "Judging from her face, I'd say… something very, very nice."
Sunny wanted to die. "She fainted because she was happy, alright? Nothing else happened!"
Nami stomped forward, jabbing his chest. "Tch, then why is she the one in your arms while I—" She cut herself off, cheeks puffing. "Ugh! Idiot!"
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Ego & System Weigh In
{ego} snorted in Sunny's mind, voice dripping smugness.
"Honestly, kid. You look like some cheesy protagonist from a romance novel. If I didn't know better, I'd say you finally grew some guts. Tch. Pathetic, but… not bad."
[system] chimed in, her tone sweet but sharp as glass.
"Fufu~ Sunny carried another girl in his arms, so casually… so boldly. Sunny belongs to me. I'll allow sharing, but remember… if Aqua thinks she can take him away, I'll erase her from existence ♥."
Sunny muttered under his breath, "Can you two not make this worse?"
Belle-mère squinted. "Talking to yourself again?"
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Aqua Awakens
Just as the situation threatened to explode, Aqua stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, still dazed. "Mmm… Sunny…"
Her arms looped weakly around his neck, and she nuzzled into his chest like a cat. "So warm… I don't want to let go…"
Nami froze.
Nojiko covered her mouth, laughing.
Belle-mère nearly dropped her cigarette again.
Sunny's face burned scarlet. "A-Aqua, wake up properly!"
But she only mumbled, smiling, "My Sunny…" before slipping back into a happy doze.
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Belle-mère's Verdict
Belle-mère took a long drag of her cigarette, exhaling with a chuckle. "Well, well. Looks like the little goddess knows what she wants. Ara ara~ Sunny, you'd better be ready. Girls don't faint like that unless you've got them wrapped around your finger."
Sunny groaned. "I hate all of you."
Nami puffed her cheeks, glaring. "Idiot Sunny!"
Nojiko hummed, amused. "Big brother Sunny's growing up."
{ego} chuckled, tsundere as ever. [system] giggled darkly, her yandere energy practically humming in his skull.
And through it all, Sunny held Aqua closer, muttering, "You're impossible… but you're mine."