Gion stepped out from behind Zephyr with her hands loosely tucked behind her back.
Her smile carried a faint charm as she bowed lightly to the gathered cadets.
"Hello everyone, I'm Gion. I had a small misunderstanding with a few students here a few days ago.
I hope none of you took it too seriously, and I look forward to learning alongside all of you."
A hushed exchange passed through the gathered cadets.
The female students remained quiet, though some, like Jessica, eyed her with thinly veiled hostility.
The male students weren't much better.
Squirrel and the others instinctively looked toward Lloyd, as if his reaction determined theirs.
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Zephyr felt a dull throb forming behind his temples.
If Tsuru herself hadn't come to him, he would never have approved Gion's enrollment.
He understood perfectly well the dynamics within this particular class.
Among the girls, Ginny had become something like a cherished mascot.
Among the boys, Lloyd's influence overshadowed everyone.
Despite being the youngest, Lloyd already stood at a level none of them could approach, save perhaps Akainu and Kizaru.
His stoic and unreadable demeanor only made the others respect him more.
And Gion had managed to offend the two most influential figures in the class on her first visit.
Zephyr truly had no idea how she intended to survive in this environment.
As for Gion, she showed no concern at all.
Either she genuinely didn't notice the tension, or she simply didn't care.
Her gaze drifted toward Lloyd, lingering on him with bright peach-colored eyes full of interest.
Jessica nudged Ginny's arm and whispered, "Ginny, she keeps staring at Lloyd…
I really don't think her purpose here is innocent."
Ginny frowned slightly.
She had noticed it too.
Still, Gion had apologized sincerely the other day.
Ginny wasn't someone who held grudges, nor did she like pettiness.
After a short silence, she said, "It would be rude if none of us welcomed her.
We're classmates now."
And with that, Ginny began clapping.
The other girls, seeing her take the lead, joined in one after another.
Lloyd glanced over, watching Ginny clap enthusiastically.
His usually flat expression loosened just a fraction, and he gave two light claps himself, more symbolic than sincere.
Even so, the influence was immediate.
The scattered applause suddenly grew vigorous, with Huoshaoshan clapping loud enough to make his palms sting.
Gion tilted her head slightly.
Her smile deepened.
Zephyr let out a quiet sigh of relief.
After giving Gion a brief rundown of the rules, he declared the start of formal training.
The students dispersed, with Lloyd, Akainu, and the others remaining to exchange observations on their recent progress.
Gion stood by herself for a moment.
No one approached her.
Compared to the constant admiration she received in her branch office, the contrast was stark.
Even the clingy Chaton wasn't here to orbit around her.
Yet she showed no sign of disappointment.
She nudged a pebble with her heel, then began walking gracefully toward Lloyd.
But before she had gone more than a few steps, Ginny suddenly appeared in front of her, smiling brightly.
"Gion, where are you headed?
The girls are over there.
Since you're new, let me introduce you to everyone first."
She gently took Gion's hand before she could respond, pulling her in the opposite direction.
Gion let herself be led away, watching Ginny's eager expression with amusement.
She laughed softly and said, "Ginny, slow down a little.
These high heels don't make walking very easy."
"Oh, sorry.
But I saw you fight in those too.
They didn't slow you down at all!
And you're already tall.
You really don't need to wear shoes that uncomfortable."
Gion chuckled.
"I think girls should wear heels.
They make us look more feminine and have a strong effect on men."
Ginny blinked, then stopped walking.
She lowered her gaze to Gion's black heels.
The way they framed Gion's ankles and fair skin made them look elegant and sharp.
Ginny couldn't help comparing them to her own simple white training shoes.
"What do you mean by lethal?" she asked curiously.
Gion leaned closer, brushing her lips near Ginny's ear.
Her breath was warm and her tone teasing.
"Of course, they're better for kicking people hard.
What else were you thinking, Gin…ny?"
Ginny's cheeks flushed a vibrant red.
Whether it was embarrassment or the ticklish breath on her ear, she quickly bowed her head into her own chest and remained there, too flustered to respond.
Gion looked down at Ginny's pink ears and smiled with clear satisfaction.
Jessica, watching from a distance, mistook Ginny's reaction entirely.
Her face flushed with anger as she rushed over, shielding Ginny behind her.
"Hey!
What did you just do to Ginny?
Let me warn you.
Lloyd is right there.
He won't tolerate anyone bullying her!"
Gion glanced briefly toward Lloyd.
He was in the middle of a clash with Kizaru, dark steel against a blade of light.
He hadn't noticed the commotion at all.
After watching him for a moment, she turned back slowly, one hand resting casually on her hip.
"This classmate seems to be misunderstanding.
Ginny and I were just having a pleasant conversation.
Ask her if you don't believe me."
"It better be that way.
If you bully Ginny, even if she won't tell him, I'll go straight to Lloyd and let him handle you!"
"Oh?
And what exactly is your relationship with Lloyd, hm?
Childhood friends as well?"
"I…
What relationship could I possibly have with Lloyd?
We're just normal classmates!"
"Is that so?
But I heard you calling him Lloyd quite naturally.
It almost sounded like you two were close."
Jessica stiffened.
She glanced nervously at Ginny to see if she cared, but Ginny was still flustered with her head down.
Jessica exhaled in relief, only for irritation to surge again.
She grabbed Gion's collar in anger, unintentionally revealing a large patch of skin.
Thankfully, no male students were close enough to witness it.
"Stop twisting things.
Believe it or not, I'm still closer to Lloyd than you are.
I'm just looking out for Ginny, that's all!"
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