**Chapter 17: The Day Before (Part 1) – Gifts, Giggles, and Goddess-Level Plans**
**Aqua's POV**
The sky over Cocoyasi Village was a masterpiece of gold and pink, the sunset painting the horizon like a canvas dipped in tangerine juice. The sea breeze swept through, carrying the sharp tang of salt mixed with the sweet citrus of Belle-mère's groves. Normally, I'd be racing around with Sunny, teasing Nami until her cheeks turned as orange as her hair, or sneaking snacks with Nojiko while dodging Belle-mère's slipper. But today? My thoughts were a tangled mess, like a fishing net caught in a storm. Tomorrow was Sunny's fifteenth birthday—a proper milestone, one step closer to the man he was becoming. And I, Aqua-sama, the Goddess of Water, was plotting a gift so perfect it'd make the stars jealous.
At first, I dreamed up something flashy, because, well, I'm *me*. A rare gem plucked from the ocean floor, glowing with divine radiance? Or maybe a magical trinket that screamed, "Aqua loves you more than anyone else!" But no, those felt too… ordinary. This wasn't about luxury. This was about *us*. My heart fluttered as I twirled a strand of my blue hair, my cheeks heating up. A kiss. Not just any kiss—our *second* kiss, mind you, because the first one was that peck . No, this would be bold, deliberate, a long, lingering, maybe-even-tongue-tangled kiss that'd leave him blushing for days.
"A bold move for a goddess," I whispered to myself, pacing the beach, my skirt swishing dramatically. "But Aqua-sama is generous, and Sunny deserves nothing less than divine perfection."
I glanced at the house, where Nami was hunched over her desk, scribbling like a madwoman, and Nojiko was stirring something delicious in the kitchen. They were plotting too, I could tell. Those sneaky sisters thought they could outshine a goddess? Ha! I'd show them. Tomorrow, Sunny would be *mine*.
{Ego}: "Correction: Your obsession with the Host's lips = alarming. Probability of success: 67%. Probability of public humiliation: 88%."
[System]: "Master Sunny's emotional state is primed for affection. However, I recommend a less… invasive gift. Perhaps a Haki-enhancing algorithm? Also, your heart rate is elevated by 22%—romantic intent confirmed."
I huffed, kicking a pebble into the sea. "Mind your own business, you nosy voices! This is a goddess-level operation!"
---
**Nami's POV**
I was crouched over my little desk in the corner of our room, nibbling the end of my pencil until it was practically a stub. A half-finished map of the East Blue's coastal winds sprawled before me, covered in neat notes, tiny compass marks, and a few smudged eraser streaks where I'd gotten the currents wrong. "Tch, no, the tide here bends too far south," I muttered, erasing furiously, my orange ponytail bouncing with each swipe.
Sunny's birthday was tomorrow. *Fifteen*. He was growing up so fast, his shoulders broader, his smile sharper, his blue Haki shimmering like the sea under moonlight. I couldn't just hand him any old gift—it had to be meaningful, something that showed how much I… cared. Okay, fine, maybe more than cared. My cheeks burned at the thought, and I buried my face in my hands. "Get it together, Nami," I whispered. "It's not a crush. It's… appreciation."
Of course, Aqua was probably plotting something outrageous, like drowning him in glitter or declaring herself his eternal bride. Nojiko would go for something sweet and practical, and Belle-mère? Probably something tough, like new training gear. But me? I had one strength: maps. So I'd decided to give Sunny my very first official map—a detailed chart of the East Blue's coastal winds, safe routes, and hidden currents, drawn with every ounce of skill I'd honed over the years. It wasn't just a map; it was my dream, my promise to guide him someday, wherever his adventures took him.
I traced a line with my ruler, my heart pounding. "Sunny," I whispered, a tiny smile curling my lips, "someday I'll be the one leading you… guiding *us*… wherever we want to go." The thought made my stomach flip, and I quickly buried my face in my map to hide my blush. Romance wasn't my thing, but with Sunny, it was hard to avoid.
---
**Nojiko's POV**
I hummed a soft tune in the kitchen, stirring a pot of fish stew that bubbled with the rich, savory aroma Belle-mère and Sunny loved. The wooden spoon swirled through the broth, and I snuck a taste—mmm, perfect, with just the right kick of spice. Dinner was going to be a hit tonight, but my mind was elsewhere, on the small bundle hidden under the counter.
I'd been working on it for weeks: a handwoven scarf, deep blue to match the shimmering blue of Sunny's Armament and Conqueror's Haki. I'd knitted it in secret, stealing moments when he was off training or bickering with Aqua. The yarn was soft but sturdy, perfect for keeping him warm when the sea winds turned cold. "I hope he likes it…" I murmured, tucking the scarf back into its hiding spot. Sunny trained so hard, pushing himself to the brink, his knuckles bruised, his shirts soaked with sweat. The least I could do was give him something to remind him he wasn't alone.
I smiled softly, my cheeks warming. Unlike Aqua's loud declarations or Nami's sneaky blushes, I didn't need grand gestures. I just wanted to support Sunny quietly, in the ways that mattered. Still, a tiny part of me—a part I'd never admit out loud—wished he'd see the love stitched into every loop of that scarf. Maybe he'd look at me with that warm, sunny smile and… ugh, Nojiko, stop daydreaming!
The kitchen door creaked, and Aqua poked her head in, sniffing dramatically. "Nojiko, is that stew divine enough for a goddess? I won't eat anything less than perfection!"
I rolled my eyes, tossing her an orange. "Eat this instead. Less whining."
She caught it, pouting. "You're as mean as Belle-mère!"
I laughed, but my heart fluttered, thinking of tomorrow. Sunny's birthday was going to be chaos, and I couldn't wait.
---
**Belle-mère's POV**
I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, my cigarette sending lazy curls of smoke into the evening air. The girls were scurrying around like conspirators—Nami hunched over her maps, Nojiko sneaking glances at her hidden gift, Aqua pacing the beach like she was plotting a divine coup. I smirked, exhaling slowly. They thought they were so sneaky, but I wasn't blind. I saw the way they looked at Sunny—Nami's shy blushes, Nojiko's quiet care, Aqua's over-the-top possessiveness. That boy was in for a wild birthday.
Sunny… my boy, even if he wasn't mine by blood. He'd crashed into our lives like a tidal wave, bringing chaos, strength, and a warmth I hadn't realized we were missing. At fifteen, he was reckless, kind, and growing too fast for my liking. I puffed my cigarette, my chest tightening. For his gift, I'd settled on a pair of weighted gloves—tougher material, heavier resistance, built to withstand his insane Haki training. If he was hell-bent on pushing past human limits, I'd make sure his tools didn't break on him.
But deep down, I wasn't ready for him to grow up. He was still my boy, the one who hugged me after every lecture, who laughed when I swatted him with a slipper. "Don't grow up too fast, Sunny," I whispered, the words lost in the sea breeze. "The sea can wait a little longer."
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**{Ego}'s POV**
Heh, the kid doesn't even know what's coming. I floated lazily in the quiet void of Sunny's mind, smirking as I watched the chaos unfold through his eyes. {System} was off in her corner, tinkering with her endless formulas and charts—nerd stuff, as usual. Me? I was having too much fun watching Sunny stumble through his messy, love-filled life.
Tomorrow was his fifteenth birthday, a milestone worth celebrating. And I had a gift ready, oh yes. Not some sappy scarf or map, but something *useful*: a sealing technique I called "Shackled Sun." It'd cap his Haki and strength at half power, forcing him to fight smarter, not harder. Cruel? Maybe. But if he could dominate with one hand tied behind his back, imagine what he'd do when the shackles came off.
"He'll hate it at first," I chuckled, spinning in the void. "But someday, he'll thank me. Or curse me. Either way, it'll be fun."
{System}: "Your penchant for drama is inefficient, {Ego}. The Adaptive Constraint Protocol is a superior designation for the technique. Utility: High. Future relevance: Guaranteed."
I rolled my eyes. "Lighten up, glowstick. It's a birthday gift, not a math problem."
---
**[System]'s POV**
{Ego} was being dramatic again, as expected. Her theatrics were a waste of processing power. I, on the other hand, had finalized the "Adaptive Constraint Protocol"—a sealing technique to limit Master Sunny's Haki and strength by 50%, enhancing control, precision, and endurance. He could release it at will, making it both practical and strategic. "Gift categorized," I announced, a satisfied chime echoing in the void. "Utility: High. Emotional impact: Moderate. Master Sunny will appreciate the optimization."
Watching him evolve over these four years—from a reckless, hungry child to a warrior who could bend space itself—was… pleasing. If I had a heart, it might have warmed. If I had a mouth, I might have smiled. Instead, I logged the moment in my archives, eager to see his reaction tomorrow. Would he blush like he did around Aqua? Or scowl like when Nami teased him? I was… curious.
---
**Back to Aqua's POV**
Night crept over Cocoyasi, the house filled with the clinking of dishes, Nami's soft humming, and Nojiko's laughter as she teased Belle-mère about her cooking. The sea hummed beyond the tangerine groves, a lullaby that wrapped around us like a warm blanket. Everyone had their secrets tonight—Nami with her map, Nojiko with her scarf, Belle-mère with her gloves, even {Ego} and [System] with their weird mind-trick gift. But me? I hugged my pillow, staring at the ceiling, my cheeks burning crimson.
Tomorrow, I'd give Sunny something no map, scarf, gloves, or seal could touch. A kiss—our second, but the first that mattered. A goddess's promise, bold and unforgettable. "Just wait, Sunny," I whispered, my heart racing like a storm at sea. "I'll make your fifteenth birthday one you'll never forget."
I glanced out the window, where the stars twinkled like they were cheering me on. Somewhere, Nami was probably blushing over her map, Nojiko dreaming of her scarf, and Belle-mère worrying over her boy. But I'd win this one. Aqua-sama always did.
{Ego}: "Correction: Your confidence is admirable but delusional. Probability of Nami outshining you: 43%."
[System]: "Master Sunny's preferences are unpredictable. I recommend preparing a backup gift—perhaps a stat-enhancing potion?"
I groaned, flopping back on my pillow. "Both of you, shut up! This goddess has it under control!"
Tomorrow was going to be chaos. And I couldn't wait.