Marineford — Residential District, outside Gern's home.
A gentle breeze drifted through the courtyard, lifting strands of Gion's long hair as she stood tall, looking down at the rabbit-eared girl before her. Her gaze was sharp, measured—carrying both scrutiny and a trace of unspoken hostility.
Lipo tilted her head slightly, pink eyes filled with curiosity."Um… who are you looking for?" she asked politely. "Is something wrong?"
"My name is Gion."Her eyes narrowed faintly as she studied Lipo. "So you're the rabbit Gern brought back?"
"I have a name," Lipo replied, frowning slightly as her long ears twitched. "I'm Lipo Hope. Not 'rabbit.'"
"Lipo… Hope."Gion gave a quiet snort, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over Lipo's figure—lingering, in particular, for just a moment longer than necessary.
That figure… not inferior to mine at all.So Kakei left something out…
Her expression cooled.
"So you're Vice Admiral Gern's adjutant?"
"Yep!" Lipo nodded brightly, completely unaware of the sharp edge beneath Gion's words."I'm Gern's partner in justice! Newly appointed Second Lieutenant—Lipo!"
Gion's brow twitched.
"'Partner in justice'…?" she muttered. "Since when did Gern start liking childish titles like that?"
She remembered clearly—during their fifth joint operation, he'd told her outright that he admired her cool, composed demeanor. That elegance and restraint suited her best.
So what was this lively, cheerful, absurdly adorable rabbit doing here?
Cute, energetic… and—damn it—stacked in all the wrong places.
Cute alone was one thing, but this girl somehow had both.
Just as Gion was mentally reassessing the situation, Lipo suddenly took a step closer.
"Um… Sister Gion, you're a Marine too, right?"She tilted her head curiously. "We're the same rank, so why don't I get a cape like yours?"
"…Sister?"
Gion froze.
"Yes!" Lipo nodded confidently."Gern said you should always be polite to your seniors. And since you met him before me, that means you're my senior—so calling you 'big sister' makes sense, right?"
(Mink Tribe etiquette.)
Lipo looked completely earnest.
Gion, meanwhile, felt something inside her short-circuit.
All the sharp retorts she had prepared jammed in her throat.
"Wait—" Gion inhaled slowly. "Do you even know what calling me 'sister' means?"
This time, Lipo paused, thinking seriously.
Then her eyes lit up.
"Oh! Gern and Master Zephyr said pirates are cruel and terrible people… Did pirates hurt your family?"Her expression softened instantly. "Is that why you reacted so strongly when I called you sister?"
Her eyes shimmered with sympathy.
"Don't worry, Sister Gion. I understand now. From today on, I'll be your little sister, okay?"
Gion: "..."
It felt like punching cotton.
Her hostility had nowhere to land.
Before she could respond, Lipo gently rose onto her toes and softly patted Gion's head.
"It's okay," she said gently. "You're my big sister now. I'll always be your little sister."
"…Always… little…?"
Gion stumbled back half a step, her cheeks heating.
She—Momousagi of Marineford—had never been treated like this in her life.
And by a rabbit, no less.
Yet Lipo's eyes were so pure, so sincere, that there wasn't even a trace of rivalry in them—only gentle acceptance.
Does she really think she's already lost?Is that why she's acting so obedient…?
That thought loosened something in Gion's chest.
Maybe… she had misunderstood.
She took a breath and said coolly, "Don't touch me."
Lipo immediately withdrew her hand, ears drooping apologetically."Sorry, Sister…"
Gion fell silent.
For the first time, she felt… guilty.
An awkward silence followed.
Everything she'd prepared—her sharp words, her confrontation, her sense of dominance—had been completely derailed by this innocent rabbit.
…Maybe I got this all wrong.
Just then, footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Gern appeared, arms full of documents. He paused when he saw them.
"Gion? You're back already?"
She turned toward him, irritation flickering again."Seems like my timing is bad."
Gern raised a brow, glancing between the two."Is it? Perfect timing, actually. You can finally meet properly."
He walked over and gently ruffled Lipo's head."Lipo, this is Vice Admiral Gion—my—"
"We already met!" Lipo beamed. "Right, Sister Gion?"
"…Sister?"
"Yes. I'm the older one," Gion replied stiffly, ears faintly red.
Gern blinked.
He looked at Gion.Then at Lipo—who was gazing at her with gentle admiration.
Why does Lipo look like she's feeling sorry for her…?And why does Gion look like she just won something?
What in the world happened while I was gone?
He sighed. "Alright… let's not stand outside. Come in."
Gion opened her mouth to refuse—but Lipo had already grabbed her wrist and dragged her inside.
Inside the house, Lipo eagerly poured tea for Gion, even placing a carrot-shaped stirrer into the cup.
"Sister Gion, try this! Gern brought it back—it's really good!"
Gion stared at the floating carrot garnish, her emotions complicated.
She took a sip.
Sweet. Almost cloying.
"…It's fine," she said stiffly.
Lipo's ears perked up happily."Yay! I was worried you wouldn't like it!"
She dashed off to the kitchen.
The moment she was gone, Gion set the cup down and fixed Gern with a sharp stare.
"Explain."
Gern shrugged. "As you can see, Lipo's my adjutant. And my partner."
"Partner?" Gion scoffed. "Who lives with you?"
"She's young. New to Marineford. It's easier to look after her this way."
"Hmph."
Before she could push further, Lipo returned carrying a plate.
"Sister! These are carrot biscuits I made! Aunt Lina taught me!"
She placed the plate down proudly.
The misshapen carrot cookies looked… earnest.
Gion hesitated, then picked one up and took a bite.
Sweetness filled her mouth.
"…Not bad," she admitted.
Lipo's face lit up like the sun."Really?! I'm so glad!"
From then on, Lipo enthusiastically showed her around—explaining decorations, showing her treasured carrot plushies, chatting endlessly.
Bit by bit, Gion's guarded expression softened.
If she were honest—
She was being completely overwhelmed.
Somehow… this rabbit has me completely under control.
Epilogue Note
And thus—
The first clash between the two "rabbits" quietly came to an end.
Or rather…
One had already fallen into the other's rhythm without even realizing it.