Cudius was ihroom, humming a tune as he leisurely showered. Meanwhile, Gion sat unfortably outside, fidgeting on the bed.

  The maid outfit she was wearing was beginning to bother her. As a dignified Admiral didate of Marine Headquarters, pying the role of a maid felt degrading.

  How did I end up like this? Gion thought bitterly. While she uood the y of maintaining their cover, she couldn't help but feel frustrated.

  Trying to distract herself, Gion y down on the bed with a huff. If I take over this bed, let's see how you'll manage, Cudius! she thought defiantly.

  She rolled around for a while, but no positio fortable. Every now and then, she goward the bathroom, w when Cudius would finish. But he didn't seem to be in any rush, and the sound of running water suggested he would take a while longer.

  Why am I lying on a bed in a maid e while that idiot takes a leisurely bath? Something about this situation feels s… Gion thought, her face turning red as the absurdity of it all hit her.

  Finally, she climbed off the bed and opened her small suitcase. Pulling out a set of modest but fortable pajamas, she quickly got bato bed and slipped uhe covers to ge.

  Once she had switched into her pajamas, Giohed a sigh of relief. Her maid outfit was stuffed bato the suitcase, and she y down again. The pajamas were more fortable, but her unease didn't pletely disappear.

  Wait… isn't it even more inappropriate for me to be wearing pajamas while sharing a room with Cudius? she thought, her ay fring again. What if he gets the wrong idea and thinks I'm trying to…

  Flustered, Gion decided to ge again, this time into a formal suit. But just as she sat up to move, the bathroom door swung open.

  Cudius emerged, casually drying his damp hair with a towel. Wearing nothing but boxers, his muscur physique was on full dispy.

  Gio out an involuntary squeal before diving bader the quilt, pulling it over her head like a shield.

  "What are you screaming for? It's not like I'm doing anything to you," Cudius said, his tone slightly annoyed. "It's not the first time we've stayed in the same pce, you know."

  Beh the cion silently cursed him. What do you mean it's not the first time? she thought. Then, a memory surfaced.

  Years ago, when Cudius was rec in Marineford, they had shared aodations in the senior ward. But that had been a pletely different situation, and Dragon had beeoo! There had been no awkwardness back then, aainly no shameless behavior like this!

  Determined not to respond, Gion stayed silent, pretending to be asleep.

  Cudius finished drying his hair and g the bed. The sight of the lump uhe covers made him grin mischievously. Instead of ging into pajamas, he simply climbed into bed as he was.

  The mattress dipped as he settled in, and Gion's body tensed. Are you serious?! she thought. Her mind raced, ready to deliver a swift kick if he dared to make a move.

  But to her surprise, Cudius didn't try anything. He simply y there, quiet and still.

  Curious, Gion cautiously peeked out from uhe quilt. The bed was rge—easily big enough for three or four people, so there was a det amount of space between them. Cudius had already closed his eyes, his breathing steady and rexed.

  Is he… asleep already? Gion wondered, her initial anger softening.

  She studied his fa the dim light. It was the same face she had seen on the day they desded from Sky Isnd, after Cudius had defeated the Golden Lion, Shiki. That day, exhausted from battle, he had fallen asleep leaning against the mast of their storm-tossed ship.

  The memory was vivid in her mind: the storm clouds parting, the sunlight breaking through, and Cudius sitting amidst the wreckage with a quiet strength that had left an indelible impression on her.

  Maybe that's when it started… Gion thought. Maybe that's when I started seeing him differently.

  Her gaze lingered on his features, his tousled golden hair, the gentle curve of his jaw, the faint traces of exhaustion that softened his usual sharpness.

  "Sure enough, you're only tolerable when you're asleep," Gion whispered with a faint smile.

  For a while, she simply watched him, her initial irritation fadiually, she decided to take a quick shower herself. her rabbit-print pajamas, she tiptoed toward the bathroom, careful not to wake him.

  Meanwhile, Cudius stirred in his sleep, drifting into a strange dream. He found himself wandering through a byrinth, the walls invisible yet unyielding. Frustrated, he smmed a hand against one of the walls, only to feel a soft, familiar sensatioh his palm.

  Before he could make sense of it, he jolted awake. Blinking groggily, Cudius took a moment to orient himself. Where am I? ht… Cake Isnd.

  Turning his head slightly, his eyes widened in surprise. Just inches away was Gion's sleeping face, serene and peaceful.

  Somehow, during the night, Gion had ended up tangled with him. One of her arms rested across his chest, while her long, perfectly shaped leg was draped over his. Her pink pajama top had shifted slightly, revealing a hint of skih the rumpled fabric.

  The soft rhythm of her breathing carried a faint floral st that seemed to linger in the air. Cudius couldn't help but smile. What kind of lucky start to the day is this? he thought. Maybe Cake Isnd isn't so bad after all. Katakuri, I owe you one.

  Resisting the urge to move, Cudius simply y there, enjoying the moment. After a while, he closed his eyes again, tent to drift back to sleep.

  What he didn't realize was that Gion was already awake.

  Her face burned with embarrassment as she pieced together what had happened. Did I… use him as a pillow while I was sleeping? she thought, horrified.

  Notig that Cudius's eyes were closed, she hesitated. She sidered shifting away, but as she moved, his hand fell ont, pinning her in pce.

  Why does this keep happening to me? Gion fumed silently. But as she watched him sleep, her irritation softened once more.

  With a soft sigh, she rexed, leaning into him slightly. What am I doing? she wohis is so unlike me…

  A, she made no effort to move away. Instead, she closed her eyes agaiing herself drift bato a quiet slumber.

  ***

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