novelnext Chapter 113 Joking
Chapter 113 Joking
The midday sun bathed the entire sea in golden light, warming the deck of the Dawn. A sea breeze, carrying a faint salty tang, swept across the ship's hull, creating tiny, scattered waves.
Bai Yu woke up again with his arm around Robin's waist. After washing up, the two slowly walked onto the deck. The morning light fell on them, spreading a soft halo. However, Robin's steps were a little lazy, and his usually bright and spirited eyes were covered with a faint layer of weariness. Even his back was not as straight as usual. He leaned slightly against Bai Yu's side, his fingertips loosely hooking his hand.
The two chose a deckchair at the back of the deck. Bai Yu carefully laid out a soft cushion for Robin to lie down, their movements natural and intimate.
Robin leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows under her eyelids, and her cheeks still flushed with a faint pink. She didn't pick up a book to read as usual, but simply leaned back quietly, listening to the sound of waves crashing against the ship, occasionally turning her head to nuzzle Bai Yu's arm.
This sight caught the attention of Retsu Unohana and Rangiku Matsumoto, who were standing not far away, and immediately brought smiles to their faces.
Unohana Retsu, carrying a cup of freshly brewed tea, walked over slowly, her fingertips lightly gripping the handle. A faint smile played on her lips, and a hint of amusement lingered in her usually gentle eyes. Her gaze swept over the intertwined fingers of the two women and Robin's weary face, and her voice was soft yet teasing: "It's already past noon, you're only just getting up. Looks like you slept very soundly last night."
Rangiku followed beside her, playing with a strand of her pale golden hair. Her eyes crinkled, and her smile was even more playful. She leaned against the ship's railing, her gaze falling on Robin's rosy cheeks, and laughed loudly, "Robin-chan looks quite different today. She's not even reading. She looks so lazy, like a little kitten being pampered."
As soon as she finished speaking, Robin's cheeks turned even redder. Her eyes, which had been closed, suddenly opened, a hint of panic flashing in them. She subconsciously shrank back, her fingertips gently gripping the hem of Bai Yu's clothes, and even the roots of her ears were tinged with a faint blush.
She was always calm and composed, and had never been teased so bluntly before. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond. She could only lower her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and even her fingertips felt a little hot.
Bai Yu put his arm around Robin's shoulder, pulling her into his embrace. He looked up at the two of them, a helpless yet indulgent smile on his lips, and raised an eyebrow at Unohana Retsu and Rangiku: "Stop teasing Robin. We didn't sleep well last night and are exhausted right now."
"Didn't sleep well?" Rangiku drawled, her steps light as she approached, her gaze sweeping between the two of them. Her eyes crinkled with a smile: "Shiraha-kun, that's not very convincing. Look at your energy, you don't look like you didn't sleep well at all. But Robin-chan, the weariness in your eyes, and that undisguised little face, it's not just a simple case of not sleeping well, hahaha..."
Unohana Retsu took a sip of her tea, put down her cup, and gently brushed her sleeves: "Shiraha-kun and Robin, we have seen your friendship, but you don't know how to restrain yourself. Don't tire people out. Look at Robin's face, it's not just ordinary fatigue. He needs to rest more."
Her words were tactful, but the meaning was all too clear. Robin buried her face in Bai Yu's arms, her cheeks burning hot, wishing she could disappear into the ground. She gently pinched Bai Yu's waist, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with a hint of coquettish reproach: "It's all your fault..."
Bai Yu held her hand, gently stroking the back of it with his fingertips to soothe her embarrassment. He looked up at the two of them helplessly and said, "Alright, alright, I give up. Stop teasing me, or Robin won't talk to you next time."
"Oh, so you're protecting her already?"
Rangiku laughed even harder, moving closer to Robin: "Robin-chan, I didn't expect you to be so proactive, huh? I think the captain's mind is no longer on the Grand Line."
Robin glanced at Rangiku, a hint of embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes, but she couldn't find the words to refute him. She could only bury herself back in Shiroha's arms, pressing her face against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and feeling the warmth of his palm. The shyness in her heart was gradually replaced by tenderness, but the blush on her cheeks had not faded, and even the tips of her ears were still burning.
Seeing the two of them like this, Unohana Retsu's smile deepened. She gently shook her head, her eyes full of tenderness: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. But Shiraha-kun, you must take good care of Robin and not let her get tired. There's still a long time to spend at sea, plenty of time to be affectionate."
As she spoke, she pulled Rangiku, who still wanted to tease her, and turned to leave. As she left, she didn't forget to turn back and give Shiraha a meaningful look.
Silence finally returned to the deck, with only the soft rustling of the sea breeze and the two of them breathing.
Bai Yu looked down at the reddened earlobes of the person in his arms, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek, his voice low and gentle, with a hint of amusement: "Still shy? They just love to tease people."
Robin looked up and glared at him, but there was no anger in her eyes, only a faint shyness. She reached out and gently punched his chest, her voice soft: "It's all your fault. Last night you insisted on... Now they're laughing at us."
"Blame me?"
Bai Yu grasped her wrist and gently pecked her lips: "Who was it that kept bothering me last night, saying no... stop..."
Robin's cheeks flushed even more after he touched on her secret. She quickly turned her face away, leaned back into his arms, and mumbled, "I didn't..."
Bai Yu chuckled softly as he looked at her charmingly naive appearance. If Robin were a mature, sophisticated 28-year-old woman making that gesture...
hey-hey……
The sunbathing on the deck didn't last long. Kanna, who happened to be passing by, noticed Robin's flushed cheeks and languid appearance and asked curiously, "Robin, are you feeling unwell? Your face is all red."
These words made Robin blush again, and Bai Yu could only smile and explain for her, "She's just a little tired, she'll be fine after a rest."
Kanna nodded as if she understood, then skipped away.
As the sun grew stronger, the deck of the Dawn was warmed by the sun, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty and hot scent, swept by, yet it could not dispel the leisurely atmosphere that filled the ship.
Under the awning on the other side, Retsu Unohana was squatting next to a cushion, her fingertips pinching colorful origami. With a few deft movements, a chubby paper dragon landed in Connor's palm.
Connor, with his round, golden eyes wide open, held the paper dragon in his little hands and shook it, his cheeks slightly puffed out, and called out in a soft, sweet voice, "Sister Flower, make some more little sea fish!"
A gentle smile played in Unohana Retsu's eyes as she picked up another piece of blue paper and folded it lightly. Even her usually composed features were tinged with childlike innocence. She would occasionally ruffle Connor's soft hair and watch as the little guy scattered the folded paper dolls all over the floor. She thought to herself that carefree children are truly adorable.