**Chapter 23: Days Without Sunny – A Month of Mayhem, Missing, and Mischief**
The sun rose over Cocoyasi Village like it always did, painting the tangerine groves in golden hues and sending a gentle sea breeze through the open windows of Belle-mère's home. But from the moment Sunny vanished—sucked into that weird dimensional rift by RBG's cosmic prank—everything felt off. The air seemed quieter, the waves less playful, and the house… emptier. In the world, only 30 days passed, but for us, it felt like an eternity of chaos, longing, and ridiculous antics.
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**Day 1 — Nami's POV**
The morning sun streamed into our room, warming the wooden floors and casting long shadows across my messy desk, littered with half-finished maps and stolen trinkets. I yawned, stretching like a cat, expecting to hear Sunny's usual grumbles from the next room—something about Aqua hogging the blankets or Belle-mère's early-morning scoldings. But… nothing. The house was too quiet, like the heart had been sucked out of it.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Sunny?" I called, my voice echoing a bit too loudly. No response. For the first few seconds, I felt… nothing. Maybe he was out training early, punching the air or whatever weird stuff he did. But then reality hit me like a rogue cannonball: He was gone. That shimmer in the air yesterday, the way he vanished mid-sentence while we were eating tangerines… he was really gone.
Flopping back onto my bed, I groaned dramatically, pulling the pillow over my face. "How am I supposed to steal oranges and survive without him?" I muttered, half-serious, half-dramatic. Sunny was always the one who distracted Belle-mère while I snuck extra fruit, or used his Haki to "sense" if anyone was watching. Without him, theft felt… boring. I mean, who was I going to tease about being a "lazy hero" now?
My thoughts drifted to his ridiculous antics—the way he'd pretend to be sleepy when Aqua accidentally (or not so accidentally) stepped on him during her dramatic wake-up calls, or how he'd train like a madman in the rivers and beaches, making the water splash in impossible patterns. He'd grin that stupid, sunny grin, blue Haki flickering and say, "Watch this, Nami!" before doing something insane like folding space to catch a fish mid-jump.
I shook my head, sitting up. *Stop thinking about him*, I scolded myself. But I couldn't help it. I grabbed my pencil and started doodling a small map, marking Sunny's favorite training spots in red ink. A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. "I hope he's okay…" I whispered, tracing a line to the horizon. "Come back soon, idiot."
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**Day 3 — Aqua's POV**
I floated lazily in the village pond, the water cool against my skin as I let my hair fan out like a blue halo. The sun sparkled on the surface, birds chirped in the tangerine trees nearby, but without Sunny? It all felt… empty. Normally, I'd be splashing around with him, teasing Nami until she threw fruit at me, or stealing snacks from Nojiko while she pretended not to notice. But now? I only made tiny ripples, kicking my feet half-heartedly.
"Sunny… don't you dare stay gone too long!" I muttered aloud, my voice echoing off the water. That little goddess heart of mine—okay, fine, my not-so-little crush—ached like I'd been hit with a Sea King's tail. I stomped my foot in frustration, sending a small splash that scared off a curious fish. "I don't care if you're fighting some ridiculously huge planet or… whatever you're doing… come back already!"
In my mind, I replayed our moments: The way Sunny would roll his eyes when I declared myself "Queen of the Pond," but then he'd join in, using his Haki to make the water dance in silly patterns. Or how he'd laugh when I tripped during training, helping me up with that warm, teasing smile. "You okay, goddess?" he'd say, and my cheeks would burn.
I sighed, sinking deeper into the water. "I can't admit it, but I miss him…" My inner monologue spiraled: *He's probably out there punching gods or something, while I'm stuck here with these mortals. It's not fair! But… he better not forget about me. I'm his divine partner, after all!*
Trying to distract myself, I summoned a small water spell to make a fountain—nothing big, just a little jet to play with. But I overdid it, and the water shot up like a geyser, soaking me from head to toe. I flailed, sputtering. "Ugh! Sunny's not here to rescue me from my own magic!" I wailed, flopping back into the pond with a splash. I ended up giggling anyway, realizing how ridiculous I was. Pining like a mortal girl over a boy—me, a goddess! But… it felt kinda nice.
From the shore, Nami watched, shaking her head with a smirk. "You're hopeless, Aqua."
I splashed water at her. "Shut up, Orange-thief! At least I'm not doodling maps of him!"
Nami blushed. "I'm not—shut up!"
Comedy and bickering—our way of coping.
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**Day 5 — Belle-mère's POV**
I adjusted my apron, wiping sweat from my brow as I surveyed the kitchen. The tangerine stew bubbled on the stove, filling the air with its sweet-savory scent, but something was missing. The house felt quieter, less alive. Nami was "helping" with chores—her version of helping, which meant sneaking oranges into her pockets while thinking I didn't notice. Aqua was floating somewhere in the pond, probably screaming at a frog or practicing her "divine poses."
"And Sunny is gone for how long exactly?" I muttered to myself, chopping vegetables with more force than necessary. The boy had left a mark on all of us without even trying. He'd vanished in that weird shimmer of air, sucked into who-knows-where by that cosmic troll RBG. I worried silently—he always seemed so capable, punching the impossible, but he was still a child, damn it.
My mind drifted to the day he'd flown a boat using his Haki. The audacity of it all—Nami and Nojiko screaming with delight, Aqua clinging for dear life, and me on the shore, heart in my throat. He'd landed them safely, of course, but the recklessness! I could almost hear his laugh echoing in my head now, that sunny grin that made even my stern lectures falter.
I sighed, tossing the veggies into the pot. "That kid… always getting into trouble." But deep down, I missed his presence—the way he'd help with chores without being asked, or tease Aqua until she exploded in divine fury. The house felt off-balance without him.
Nami poked her head in. "Belle-mère, is dinner ready? I'm starving!"
I swatted her with a towel. "Not yet, thief. And put those oranges back!"
She giggled, darting away. Kids. They kept me going.
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**Day 8 — Nojiko's POV**
I sat on the porch, legs crossed, knitting a scarf that was supposed to be for Sunny—but honestly, it had turned into a tangle of frustration and wool. The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the tangerine groves, the air filled with the distant crash of waves. Without Sunny, everything felt… quieter. Too quiet. No explosive Haki bursts from the beach, no Aqua screeching about "divine rights" while chasing him.
"Do you think he's okay?" I asked aloud, though no one was around. Sunny was off doing… who knew what? Fighting gods? Punching dimensions? He'd left us to live "normal" life, but normal was boring without his chaos.
I shook my head, focusing on the knit. "Don't get attached," I muttered, but it was too late. I'd already started imagining his reaction when he returned—the way his eyes would light up, that sunny grin spreading across his face. "Thanks, Nojiko," he'd say, wrapping the scarf around his neck. Maybe he'd hug me, his arms strong from training…
Belle-mère stepped out, cigarette in hand. "Talking to yourself now? That's Sunny's influence."
I blushed. "Just… missing the noise."
She ruffled my hair. "Me too, kid. Me too."
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**Day 10 — Nami and Aqua Interaction**
I was sneaking through the market, eyes on a shiny compass at a vendor's stall, when Aqua appeared out of nowhere, floating just above my head like a blue-haired ghost.
"Watch it, Nami!" she squeaked, flailing her tiny arms as she nearly collided with me. "You're too slow without Sunny here!"
I rolled my eyes, swatting at her like a fly. "And you're… annoying as always," I shot back, though secretly, her energy was a welcome distraction from the emptiness. The village felt dull without Sunny's Haki flares lighting up the beach.
Aqua landed with a dramatic huff, crossing her arms. "Hmph! Without Sunny, who's going to laugh at your failed theft attempts? You're not even sneaky anymore!"
I smirked, pocketing a small trinket when the vendor looked away. "Oh please, goddess. I'm investing in my future. What are you doing? Floating around like a lost balloon?"
Aqua's cheeks puffed. "I'm… contemplating divine matters! And missing Sunny, okay? Happy now?"
We stared at each other, then burst out laughing. It was ridiculous—me, the thief, and her, the goddess, bonding over missing the same idiot. "He better come back soon," I said, wiping a tear. "Or I'll steal his Haki or something."
Aqua nodded. "And I'll drown him in holy water!"
Comedy in our coping—we needed it.
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**Day 15 — Belle-mère Tries to Discipline Nami**
"Enough!" Belle-mère shouted, her voice booming through the house like a cannon. I'd just caught Nami sneaking back with a bag of "borrowed" berries from the market. Her aura of "mom fury" was in full swing, cigarette smoke curling like angry clouds.
Nami pouted, crossing her arms. "It's not a big deal! I'm investing!"
Belle-mère's eyes narrowed. "Investing? You're 15! Sunny isn't here to bail you out if you get caught!"
Nami's face fell at the mention of Sunny. "Yeah… well, he'd say it's fine."
Aqua peeked from the window, her voice muffled. "He would! Sunny's too soft on her!"
Belle-mère sighed, rubbing her temples. "That boy… always enabling chaos. But he's not here, so shape up, Nami!"
I watched from the porch, smirking. Without Sunny, the scoldings felt longer, but we all knew Belle-mère missed him too.
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**Day 20 — Aqua Gets Dramatic**
Aqua floated over the river again, her dramatic sighs echoing like thunder. "I'll never forgive him for leaving me alone!" she shouted, though her voice barely carried beyond the reeds. She tried summoning water magic for a "Sunny welcome back" fountain—but it fizzled into a sad dribble.
Sighing, she collapsed into the water with a splash. "I just want him to come back…"
I snuck up with a basket of fruit. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"
Aqua shot me a glare, but her cheeks turned red. "I'm not ridiculous! I'm… dramatic!"
I tossed her an orange. "Yeah, well, dramatic goddesses need snacks too."
We shared a laugh, the emptiness a little less heavy.
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**Day 25 — Nojiko and Belle-mère Talk**
Nojiko and Belle-mère sat under the tree, sharing tea as the sun set.
"Do you think he's okay?" Belle-mère asked, wringing her hands, her cigarette forgotten.
"Sunny?" Nojiko replied. "He's fine. He's… overpowered, remember? It's us who need him here."
Belle-mère nodded slowly. "Yes… I just worry. Even if he's strong, he's still a child… and he has a way of getting himself into trouble."
They exchanged a quiet smile, both thinking of Sunny, Aqua, and me—three little chaos-makers that had taken over their lives. The village felt incomplete without him.
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**Day 29 — All of Us, Reflections**
As the 29th day came to a close, everyone felt a twinge of longing and affection.
I realized my small crush on Sunny was more serious than I admitted. I scribbled little notes about him, making plans for when he returned—maps of adventures we'd take together.
Aqua had finally accepted her dramatic dependence on Sunny, though she refused to admit it aloud. She practiced "welcome back" spells, her heart aching.
Belle-mère was torn between relief that Sunny was strong and exasperation at his antics. She'd stare at the sea, whispering prayers for his safe return.
Nojiko quietly respected Sunny's presence, knitting scarves and reflecting on his lessons, her quiet love a steady flame.
And yet, despite the 29 days without him, we all knew the moment Sunny returned, the village would burst into chaos, laughter, and maybe a little romance—all at once.
**Chapter 23 End — Cliffhanger:**
The sun set over Cocoyasi Village. In the distance, a strange shimmer appeared over the horizon. A figure approached, radiating energy that made birds scatter. Everyone froze.
Sunny was back.