And being tsundere… just won't do!
Especially for someone like you—a girl destined to grow into a refined onee-sama type—how can you act all half-mature and tsundere like some loli?
Yahn looked at the not-so-honest Robin in front of him. Even though she tried to act indifferent, he could clearly see her sneaking glances at him from the corner of her eyes.
But this was troublesome. He was still part of the Navy. If he brought Robin back to the 521st Naval Base, she would be recognized instantly.
Yet if he found some excuse to chase her away…
Yahn smacked his lips. That would make him feel like some heartless scumbag abandoning someone. After all, Robin had been drifting across the seas for six whole years before finally finding her way here.
Robin seemed to notice his hesitation. She took the initiative and spoke first.
"Actually, Brother Yahn, you don't need to worry. I really only came by to see you. I didn't mean anything else."
"Really?" Yahn asked back.
Instantly, Robin's lips curved downward, but she forced herself to endure it and replied as if nothing was wrong. "Really."
A mischievous thought crept into Yahn's heart. He waved a hand. "Alright then. When you leave, make sure to keep yourself hidden. There are a lot of Navy around the island—don't get caught."
Robin froze. Her expression stiffened as she nodded, struggling to keep her face composed. Then, step by step, she turned and walked toward the alleyway exit.
After two turns, Robin suddenly pulled her hood low over her head. Large teardrops began falling one after another.
"You… you liar… sob, sob…"
The strength she had held onto for six long years shattered in an instant. Her heart overflowed with grievance, and the tears hidden beneath her hood refused to stop.
Yahn, who had secretly followed behind, couldn't help but feel he had gone a little too far.
But Robin, at this stage, was unbearably cute in her tsundere awkwardness. It made Yahn oddly curious about what it would feel like to tease her to tears.
"…Forget it, forget it. Any more and I really would be going too far."
He shook his head, then gave Little Gold a look.
"Chirp?" The little bird tilted its head in confusion.
"Idiot bird, don't you get it? Go. Take Robin into the castle inside your body," Yahn explained.
"Chirp!"
With a cry, Little Gold flapped its wings, swooped over Robin's head, and stopped right in front of her, opening its beak wide.
Robin, her head lowered beneath her hood, didn't even notice as her body shrank and she slipped straight into Little Gold's mouth.
Her steps faltered. She realized the ground beneath her feet no longer felt like a normal street.
When she lifted her head, her tear-blurred eyes widened in astonishment.
A lavish castle unfolded before her: golden candelabras with swaying flames, warm murals, soft sofas…
"Welcome to my castle, Miss Robin."
Yahn's gentle voice came from behind her. He laid a hand on her shoulder and, with a brush of his fingers, wiped away her tears.
"I permit you to stay here for as long as you like. So… can you stop crying now?"
Robin froze. Then her expression transformed into surprise and delight. Everything before her felt dreamlike. Still, she forced her voice to stay calm.
"Brother Yahn… are you deliberately toying with me? You really have a strange sense of humor."
"??!"
Yahn nearly choked on his own spit. He had not expected her to say that at all.
"But since it's Brother Yahn's sincere invitation… I suppose I'll reluctantly agree."
She tilted her chin upward, but her voice was a little too hurried, as if afraid he might take the offer back.
Yahn sighed and shook his head. "Alright then. Looks like I'll just have to put up with you for a while."
He took her small hand and began showing her around the castle that existed inside Little Gold's body, even arranging a room for her.
"Oh, right. Over here is a small library. I've collected all kinds of books over the years."
He led Robin into a large room filled with shelves.
"I only sorted them into rough categories. You can organize them however you like. And if you want to study anything, you can use this place."
Robin's eyes sparkled with excitement. Then she spotted a book peeking out of the shelf, older and more worn than the others.
On impulse, she pulled it out and flipped it open.
"Hiss—"
A sharp inhale came from right beside her. Before Robin could even glimpse the contents, Yahn snatched the book away and tossed it toward the farthest corner of the room.
Robin blinked at the sudden action. "Brother Yahn, am I not allowed to read that book?"
"Ahem. You're still too young. The ideas and techniques in there aren't something you can handle yet. Maybe when you're older."
He gave a strained explanation, then urged her to look at the other books.
Without delay, he hurried to the corner, dragged the entire shelf—books and all—into his own room, then returned to double-check the library to make sure nothing had been left behind.
Meanwhile, Robin had already opened a few archaeology texts, pretending to read while secretly observing Yahn's every move. Her curiosity only grew stronger.
She hadn't seen the contents clearly, but she was sure there were many detailed illustrations inside that mysterious book.
"Brother Yahn, under what circumstances will you let me read those books?"
Despite her young age, she sat with graceful posture, idly flipping through her archaeology text as she asked.
"When you become the strongest woman in the world, I suppose," Yahn replied absent-mindedly.
Robin thought for a moment. "So, being the strongest is enough?"
"Of course."
Yahn said it casually, then left the castle.
Robin's lips curved into a beautiful smile. She murmured softly to herself—
"Brother Yahn… every field has its own strongest, you know."
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