The next day,
Leno woke up early in the morning, but he didn't get up right away, instead holding the lovely woman in his arms.
He lowered his head to glance at the crisscrossed marks on his chest, then looked at Hina's exhausted sleeping face. A flood of complicated emotions welled up in his heart.
He never expected that Hina, who usually carried herself like a cool and aloof mature woman, would become so wild once her passion was ignited—hair loose and disheveled, as if she were a completely different person.
Perhaps because she sensed that they wouldn't be able to meet often in the future, the woman's desire last night had been exceptionally intense!
She clung to Leno, asking for him again and again, completely reckless and unrestrained.
If Leno hadn't worried about her body not being able to take it in the end, this "battle" might have lasted the entire night!
Looking at Hina's beautiful sleeping face now, Leno suddenly remembered that he seemed to have forgotten to give her the Pure Gold.
At that moment, the sleeping beauty in his arms frowned slightly, her delicate body beginning to squirm unconsciously.
"…Mm~"
With a heavy nasal tone, Hina slowly opened her eyes, tilting her head slightly to look at Leno. Her black gemstone-like eyes were misted with moisture.
Leno lowered his head and lightly kissed her soft red lips, his voice carrying a hint of apology.
"Did I wake you?"
"No… cough… no~"
The moment she spoke, Hina felt her throat was terribly dry, as if it were burning.
Thinking about her own madness from last night, she shyly lowered her gaze, a blush quickly spreading across her pretty face.
Leno curled his finger slightly, and a prepared cup of tea gently floated over.
"Have some. It'll soothe your throat."
"Thank you…"
Hina struggled to lift herself a bit and leaned lightly against Leno's shoulder.
The thin blanket covering her slid down with her movement, revealing a large expanse of snowy skin on her chest.
Seeing the rich expressions on the girl's face, Leno chuckled softly and helped tidy her messy hair.
"Your body can't take it anymore, right? Let's see if you still try to act tough in the future."
"..."
After taking a few small sips of tea, Hina felt her throat finally ease up.
She shot an annoyed glance at this gloating bastard, then wriggled a few times and burrowed back into Leno's arms.
Her whole body ached right now; she didn't want to move at all and just wanted to sleep properly.
They'd clearly exerted about the same amount last night, yet she was completely spent—so why was this bastard still so lively?
Just as Hina was about to close her eyes and rest for a bit longer, she suddenly felt a chill on her chest.
Lowering her head slightly, she discovered a gleaming golden necklace now resting against her neck.
"So pretty! Is it for me?"
Although it looked like nothing more than an ordinary gold necklace, Hina still looked at Leno with delight, her eyes full of affection.
This was the first gift she'd ever received from this man, and her heart was instantly filled with joy.
She usually didn't wear jewelry, but since this was a gift from her man, she would cherish it dearly.
Meeting Hina's gaze, as gentle as autumn water, Leno casually toyed with the soft peaks in his hand and explained softly.
"Of course it's for you. But it's not just pretty, you know~"
"This is Pure Gold. You might not have heard of it, but its effects are astonishing!"
As he spoke, his hand slid upward, caressing Hina's pretty face as he continued with deep affection:
"It can offset the erosion of time on your appearance and body."
"In other words, it can make you immortal!"
"?!!!"
As his words fell, Hina's delicate body stiffened instantly. Her eyes widened, shock filling her gaze.
After a long moment, she carefully cupped the necklace in her hands and slowly held it out toward Leno.
"…Leno, this gift is far too precious. Hina can't accept it. You should keep it yourself."
"Don't say something so silly. If I'm giving it to you, then take it. Besides, I've got mine!"
Under her cautious gaze, Leno seized her cherry lips and kissed her hard.
He should've given it to her long ago; last time, the farewell had been too rushed, and he'd forgotten.
"…But…"
Hina still looked conflicted, an uneasy feeling lingering in her heart.
How could such a heaven-defying thing exist in this world? Was this really not a joke?
Immortality—if Leno hadn't said it himself, she would never have believed such a thing existed.
And thinking further, if she wore something like this on missions in the future, what if someone discovered it?
Seeing through her worries, Leno pulled the beautiful Marine tightly into his arms and comforted her softly:
"Don't worry too much. Just treat it as an ordinary item. If anything really happens, just say I gave it to you."
"..."
After Leno's lengthy reassurance, Hina's emotions finally calmed down, and she accepted the Pure Gold necklace.
After such mental exertion, once she relaxed, her eyelids started drooping again. Already exhausted, Hina quickly fell back into a deep sleep.
Leno didn't disturb her any further. After tucking her in properly, he quietly left the room.
Arriving at Shakky's bar, Leno pushed the door open and found that everyone had already started eating breakfast.
"Oh my, Leno, up so early? Don't tell me your body can't handle it?"
Shakky hadn't found a chance to tease him yesterday, and now she immediately seized the opportunity.
As she spoke, she sized him up and down, as if she could see right through him.
Hearing the old woman's teasing, Leno's face darkened on the spot, the corners of his mouth twitching violently.
You shameless old woman—my body's perfectly fine, none of your business.
After a moment, Leno swept his gaze around, raised an eyebrow, and said proudly:
"Sister Shakky, you really know how to joke. Why don't you ask everyone here whether my stamina is up to par or not!"
"Peh~"
The moment Leno finished speaking, he was immediately met with blushing protests from the women, each rolling her eyes shyly.
This bastard really says anything out loud, no matter the occasion.
The smile on Shakky's face froze instantly, followed by a fierce glare at Leno.
This little brat doesn't play by the rules at all—his skin really is unbelievably thick.
She'd only been teasing a bit, and he'd gone straight to bragging.
Clearing her throat lightly, Shakky quickly changed the subject, not wanting to see that hateful grin anymore.
"What about that Marine beauty? Have you sent her off?"
"Nope, she's still sleeping. Last night really wore her out!" Leno sat down casually, took the chopsticks Hancock handed him, and let out a fake sigh.
"Ah~ such a headache. My body's just too strong!"
"..."
Shakky's eye twitched, and even the cigarette in her mouth fell to the ground.
At this moment, she truly wanted to slap herself hard—why did she have to ask such a stupid question?!
What a sin!!!
And this damn little brat—he's really shameless!
Absolutely no shame at all!
He'd been so proper in front of her before—why did he suddenly stop pretending now?
…
…