**Chapter 29: A Garden Beneath the Stars – A Quiet Love in Bloom**
**Sunny's POV**
The morning after my chaotic fifteenth birthday was supposed to be a breather—a chance to recover from the whirlwind of Nami's sky-high date and Aqua's relentless teasing. But in Cocoyasi Village, peace was as rare as a calm sea in the Grand Line. I'd barely finished my morning tea, the taste of tangerines lingering on my tongue, when Nojiko appeared at the door, her blue hair tied back in a loose braid, her eyes soft but with that quiet determination that always made my heart skip. She wore a simple green dress that hugged her curves just enough to make my breath catch, and her smile was both gentle and teasing.
"Ready for our date, Sunny?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with a playful edge. "Or are you still recovering from yesterday's chaos? Ara ara, you look like you need a nap already."
I stood, rubbing the back of my neck, my face warming under her gaze. "Ara ara, I'm tougher than that," I shot back, trying to match her tease. "But with you, I'm guessing it's gonna be something… different. Umu, lead the way."
Her lips curved into a smile, and she held out her hand. "Come on, then. I've got something special planned."
I took her hand, her fingers warm and steady, and a spark shot through me at the contact. Unlike Nami's fiery energy or Aqua's chaotic exuberance, Nojiko's touch was grounding, like the earth after a storm. My Haki flickered faintly, responding to her presence, and I couldn't help but grin. This was going to be good.
{Ego}: "Ara ara, look at you, getting all soft for the quiet one. Umu, don't let her calm vibe fool you—she's got you wrapped around her finger already. Tch, pathetic, but… sweet."
[System]: "WARNING: Female proximity detected. Her touch is too intimate, Sunny-sama! Fufufu, my love is absolute, and I'll not allow this mortal to steal your heart from me! Request: Disengage immediately. ♥"
I groaned mentally, shaking my head. "Not now, you two. Let me enjoy this."
Nojiko raised an eyebrow, catching my mutter. "Talking to your head voices again? Ara ara, I hope they're not jealous of me. Umu, I'd hate to compete with a system."
I chuckled, squeezing her hand. "They're always jealous. But you? You've got nothing to worry about."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she looked away, her smile shy but pleased. "Smooth talker. Come on, let's go."
**Getting to the Garden**
Nojiko led me through the village, her hand still in mine, her steps steady but light, like she was guiding me through a dance only she knew the steps to. The sun was high, painting Cocoyasi in warm hues, the air thick with the scent of salt and tangerines. Villagers waved as we passed—Old Man Genzo tipping his hat with a knowing grin, Mrs. Taro whispering to her neighbor about "young love"—but Nojiko ignored them, her focus on me.
We walked past Belle-mère's tangerine grove, the trees heavy with fruit, and turned down a narrow path lined with wildflowers. The path wound toward a secluded corner of the island, where the sea's roar softened to a whisper, and the air grew sweeter, laced with the perfume of blooming herbs and citrus blossoms. Nojiko's garden came into view—a hidden oasis tucked between low hills, its rows of tangerine trees, herbs, and flowers glowing under the afternoon sun. Moonlight would make it magical, but even now, it felt alive, intimate, like stepping into Nojiko's heart.
"Not bad for a small place, right?" Nojiko teased softly, tucking a strand of blue hair behind her ear. Her voice carried a mix of shyness and pride, her eyes flicking to mine for approval.
I stopped, taking it all in—the neat rows of herbs, the vibrant flowers, the citrus trees swaying gently in the breeze. My Haki senses picked up the life pulsing through the garden, like an extension of Nojiko's calm strength. "Small?" I said, my voice soft with awe. "Nojiko, this is more beautiful than half the palaces I've seen. You grew this all yourself?"
She gave a little shrug, pretending nonchalance, but her cheeks flushed pink. "It's nothing. Just a habit. Umu, I like keeping things alive."
I stepped closer, inhaling deeply. Her scent was woven into the garden—citrus blossoms, fresh earth, and something warm and grounding that was just her. "Smells like you," I murmured, my voice low, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Her breath hitched, her eyes widening. "W-what?"
"You smell like this garden," I said, leaning in just enough that my words brushed her ear. "Warm, alive, unforgettable. It suits you."
Her composure wavered, her cheeks turning a deeper pink, and she looked away, her hand tightening in mine. "Ara ara, you really know how to make a girl blush," she said softly, her voice trembling with a mix of shyness and delight. "Don't think you can just say things like that and get away with it."
I grinned, my heart racing. "I don't plan on getting away."
**Nojiko's POV**
Sunny's words hit me like a gentle wave, steady but overwhelming, and my heart hammered so hard I was sure he could hear it. I'd always been the calm one, the steady one, keeping Nami grounded, tending to Belle-mère's grove, holding our family together. But with Sunny, my calm felt like it was unraveling, his warmth pulling me into a current I didn't want to fight. His hand in mine was firm, his blue Haki shimmering faintly around us, protective and powerful, and the way he looked at me—like I was the only thing in the world—made my chest ache.
We strolled through the garden, our shoulders brushing now and then, each touch sending a spark through me. I wanted to reach for his hand again, but my usual confidence faltered, my fingers hovering near his. Sunny noticed, his grin turning playful, and before I could hesitate further, he took my hand, his grip steady and warm. "You don't hold back, do you?" I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't believe in holding back," he replied, his blue eyes gleaming in the sunlight. His Haki pulsed gently, wrapping around us like a quiet promise, and in that moment, I felt safer than I ever had.
We reached a wooden table beneath a trellis of flowering vines, where I'd set up dinner—a spread of simple, fresh dishes I'd prepared myself: grilled fish with herbs from the garden, rice dotted with tangerine zest, fresh bread with homemade jam, and a pitcher of citrus-infused water. "It's nothing fancy," I admitted, a little embarrassed, my cheeks warming.
Sunny picked up a slice of orange, popping it into his mouth, his eyes never leaving mine. "Then it's perfect," he said, his smile soft and genuine. "Because you made it."
Heat flooded my face, and I ducked my head, trying to hide my blush. "Ara ara, you really know how to say things that…" I trailed off, unable to finish, my chest swelling with an emotion so sweet it was almost overwhelming.
**Sunny's POV**
Dinner was a quiet affair, but not the awkward kind—every moment was filled with easy conversation, laughter breaking through comfortable silences. Nojiko's voice was like music, soft and steady, and I found myself watching her—the way her eyes gleamed when she talked about her garden, the curve of her smile, the way her braid swayed as she leaned forward to pass me more fish. Her scent filled the air, mingling with the garden's perfume, and my Haki flickered in response, as if it wanted to wrap her up and keep her close forever.
Halfway through dinner, I caught her staring, her fork paused mid-air, her eyes soft and unguarded. "You keep looking at me," I teased, leaning across and closing the distance between us.
She froze, her cheeks flushing. "I wasn't—"
"Yes, you were," I said, my grin playful but my eyes intense, my Haki flickering faintly as if echoing my feelings. "So… should I close the gap for you?"
Before she could respond, I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. The kiss was slow, deliberate, tender—like Nojiko herself, a calm tide that pulled me under. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she leaned into it, her hand rising to rest against my chest, her fingers curling into my shirt.
When we parted, she whispered, "You really don't give me room to breathe, do you?"
I chuckled, low and warm, my hand cradling the back of her neck. "Do you want me to stop?"
Her answer came in another kiss, this one bolder, her fingers tightening in my shirt as she pressed closer. She'd always been the calm one, the steady one, but tonight, with my warmth pulling her in, she let herself be swept away. We lingered like that, stealing kisses between bites of dinner, the food turning into an excuse to stay close, our laughter mingling with the garden's soft whispers.
**Nojiko's POV**
The candles burned low, casting a warm glow over the table, the garden drenched in starlight. Sunny's presence was like a steady flame, warm and unshakable, and every time his hand brushed mine, my heart raced faster. I'd never felt this way—so exposed, so alive, like every part of me was blooming under his gaze.
We finished dinner and wandered deeper into the garden, the moonlight painting the leaves silver, the air cool and sweet. Sunny stopped by a cluster of jasmine flowers, plucking one and tucking it behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek. "Looks good on you," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that made my breath catch.
"Ara ara, you're gonna make me blush again," I teased, but my voice was shaky, my heart pounding.
"Good," he said, his smile softening. "I like it when you blush."
I laughed, swatting his arm lightly, but I didn't pull away. Instead, I led him to a grassy clearing at the garden's heart, where a blanket was spread out beneath a canopy of stars. "I thought… we could end the night here," I said, my cheeks warming. "Umu, just you, me, and the sky."
His eyes lit up, and he pulled me down onto the blanket, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as we lay back, staring at the stars. The night was quiet, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the distant crash of waves. His warmth seeped into me, his Haki a faint hum that felt like a second heartbeat.
"You deserve more than just a garden date," he whispered, his chin resting lightly on my head, his breath warm against my hair. "I'll give you the world, Nojiko. Whatever you want."
My eyes shimmered, a lump forming in my throat. I turned to face him, my hand finding his, our fingers intertwining. "I don't need the world, Sunny," I said softly, my voice trembling. "Just you."
**Sunny's POV**
Her words hit me like a Haki-infused punch, soft but powerful, and my heart swelled. I tightened my arm around her, pulling her closer, her head resting against my chest. The stars above seemed to pulse in time with our heartbeats, the garden alive with the quiet magic of the moment. I tilted her chin up, my eyes locking onto hers, and kissed her again—slow, deep, a promise sealed under the night sky.
When we parted, her cheeks were flushed, her smile shy but radiant. "Ara ara, you're gonna make it hard to go back to normal after this," she teased, her voice soft.
I grinned, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Good. I don't want normal. I want this—us."
She laughed, a sound that warmed me to my core, and nestled closer, her hand resting over my heart. We stayed like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, the garden a silent witness to our quiet love. The stars burned bright above, but they had nothing on the glow in my chest—a love as steady and endless as Nojiko herself.