"Hm? What's going on here?"
Bathed in the light of the setting sun, Ryuuto stood on the deck, tinkering with the Ark Maxim.
Earlier, Vivi had spilled some wine, causing a short circuit in one of the golden conduits connected to the propellers. This was the spot Ryuuto was now trying to repair.
Though, it wasn't so much a repair...
He was simply removing the shorted-out gold, then using the intense heat from his lightning to melt a new piece and fill the gap.
Ryuuto frowned at the rather ugly patch job. He channeled a surge of electrical energy into the system, attempting to restart the Ark Maxim.
But after a few sputtering rotations, the propellers ground to a halt once more.
And that brought him to his current predicament.
"I'm so sorry, Captain!" Vivi's previously excited expression immediately fell. Her head drooped as she apologized to Ryuuto.
Nearby, Crocus and Jean Bart were carefully stacking spheres of melted gold, the remnants of several of the ark's massive golden pillars.
"Let me think," Ryuuto said, not blaming Vivi in the slightest as he rubbed his chin in thought. "If this patch isn't working, I'll have to try another way."
Suddenly, inspiration struck.
He first removed the gold he had just patched in. Then, gripping a large chunk of gold in his right hand, he unleashed a torrent of powerful electrical energy.
The potent lightning surged along the original circuit's path toward the propellers. The gold in his hand simultaneously melted into a fine, molten thread, which, guided by the electrical current, expertly wove itself into place, mending the shorted-out section.
"It's working!" Ryuuto sensed, his voice low as he increased the output of his lightning.
BOOM!
The moment the repair was complete, the Ark Maxim shuddered to life. Driven by the lightning, its propellers began to spin at a dizzying speed...
Soon, the great ship was airborne once again.
"Yay, it's fixed! You're the best, Captain!"
The tension in Vivi's heart finally eased. Seeing the Ark Maxim fly again, she jumped for joy.
Crocus and Jean Bart watched the scene, a knowing smile gracing their faces.
...Soon, the moon rose, casting its gentle light upon the world.
The Ark Maxim hung silently in the air.
Ryuuto and the others had all retired to their respective rooms. It had to be said, Enel truly knew how to live. Every bed in every room was crafted from solid gold.
The only slight inconvenience was that Jean Bart, with his towering frame, found the standard-sized beds too small. As a result, he had no choice but to sleep on the floor.
Ryuuto lay on his own luxurious bed. The surface beneath him was cool to the touch, a stark contrast to the soft blanket covering him. Above, a lamp powered by electricity cast a modern glow over the room.
Not only that, but the room was also furnished with a desk and a sofa, serving as a functional office space.
As his thoughts drifted, Ryuuto suddenly heard a faint rustling at his door. A quick scan with his Haki revealed it was Vivi.
"What is Vivi up to?"
Ryuuto wondered, continuing to track her movements with his Observation Haki.
In his mind's eye, he saw Vivi pacing back and forth in front of his door, the very picture of indecision. Suddenly, she pulled out a flask of wine and took a long drink.
Hic.
She let out a satisfied hiccup, and a visible blush spread across her cheeks as her entire demeanor shifted.
It was as if she had become a completely different person.
Up to this point, everything seemed relatively normal.
And then...
BANG!
The door to Ryuuto's room was slammed open with tremendous force, startling even him.
Is she... planning a night raid?
"Captain!" Vivi's unrestrained voice called out. Ryuuto immediately feigned sleep, even though he knew that Vivi, having mastered Observation Haki, could surely tell he was awake.
"Don't pretend to be asleep, Captain!"
Vivi, dressed in a long blue dress with her hair in a princess style, stumbled toward him. She clambered onto his bed and leaned over him, her warm, wine-scented breath tickling his ear as she whispered.
Ryuuto didn't know how to react, so he chose to continue feigning sleep.
With the door still wide open, Ryuuto discreetly clenched his right fist. A gentle breeze swirled through the room, nudging the wooden door shut with a soft click.
"Captain, your blanket is so warm. Let me in to warm up a bit!"
Vivi's words were becoming bolder.
Despite the fact that she was already burning up from the alcohol, she said such a thing.
Ryuuto didn't answer.
But that didn't stop Vivi from lifting the blanket and slipping inside.
What's gotten into Vivi?
Ryuuto was utterly baffled. He wracked his brain but couldn't think of any reason for her behavior tonight.
In truth, the reason was hidden in every one of Ryuuto's actions, in every moment they had spent together...
The way Vivi looked at him had been tinged with affection for a long time.
"Captain, are you hot?"
The girl beside him now rested her head on his arm, her eyes shimmering as she looked at him, her voice soft and gentle.
So nervous. It's my first time seeing the captain this close. His profile is really handsome! Vivi's own heart was racing.
"I'm not hot."
Feeling Vivi press closer, Ryuuto finally decided to respond.
"Ah! Captain, I..." Hearing his voice, Vivi grew even more flustered. Waves of heat began to radiate from her body. Now she really was hot.
I can't do this, Vivi. Don't be shy! She suddenly clenched her fists, taking several deep breaths and giving herself a silent pep talk.
Then, with a sudden burst of resolve, she pulled off her clothes...
The blue dress drifted to the floor.
A fiery body pressed against his.
As their eyes met, Ryuuto could finally see the depth of her feelings reflected in her gaze.
He's looking at me! What do I do? What do I do? This is so embarrassing!
Vivi's heart was pounding with excitement, but her actions didn't falter. She wrapped her arms around Ryuuto, pulling him even closer. He began to react...
And so the night was filled with passion.
Outside the window, a thick layer of clouds blanketed the sky, muffling the world in silence.
Inside the room, the bright lamp had been dimmed.
The small space was filled with the rich aroma of alcohol. Vivi was drunk, and in a way, so was Ryuuto. It had all happened so suddenly.
But Vivi's feelings for Ryuuto were undeniable.
Perhaps it was because he had saved her at a critical moment. Perhaps it was every time he had stood alone against a powerful enemy in a crisis. Perhaps it was his gift of Armament and Observation Haki...
Vivi couldn't say for sure. It just seemed that, for a long time now, this man had become someone different in her eyes.
That's what had given her the courage to act tonight.
Well, not entirely. If it hadn't been for the alcohol's influence, she certainly wouldn't have dared.
Thankfully, the outcome was a happy one.
Vivi watched the peacefully sleeping Ryuuto, her fingers gently tracing the sharp, distinct lines of his face as her mind wandered.
Vivi! Thank you for being true to your heart