Even through the furry paws, Jun Hao could clearly feel how tightly Lion was holding on to him. His voice came out slightly muffled from inside the suit, yet the sincerity behind it remained undiminished.
"That's good... really good... I was worried you'd think I was being silly and hate the surprise."
Lion quickly shook her head. Her grip on his "paw" tightened even more, as if she feared he might vanish the next moment.
"I already told you—how could I...? But... I really am curious, Commander. Why did you go this far for me?"
"Because..." Jun Hao scratched the side of the headpiece with one paw. "Yesterday in the bath, I heard what you said. You mentioned hoping today's date would have something to do with lions. I know how much you like them, and I knew that if I only gave you a lion plush, it wouldn't be enough."
"So I started thinking differently... what if I became the lion plush myself?"
Jun Hao added the last part with obvious embarrassment.
"And so... I asked Belfa and the others to help prepare this suit... Anyway, that's the whole reason. As long as you're happy, it was worth it."
As his words faded, silence filled the air for a moment.
Lion's eyes suddenly turned red. A thin mist gathered within them, softening the sharpness they usually carried and making them look gentler than ever before.
She had never expected that the casual little comment she murmured in the bath yesterday would be heard by him.
Not only had he heard it, but he had treasured it in his heart so deeply.
He had even gone this far, dressing himself up in such an adorable way, all to fulfill one small and selfish wish of hers.
Just as she had always thought, the Commander was far too wonderful... and once again, he had surpassed even her expectations.
"Commander... idiot. How can someone as hopelessly foolish as you even exist...?"
Lion couldn't stop herself from voicing what was in her heart. Even she was surprised by how gentle her own voice sounded.
She tugged harder on that "paw," then opened both arms and tightly embraced the giant furry "lion" standing before her.
Pressing her cheek against the soft mane, she rubbed against it as though she wanted to bury her entire body in its warmth.
Caught in such a fierce embrace, Jun Hao froze for a moment beneath the headpiece.
Then, smiling softly, he returned the hug.
Just as the warm atmosphere was about to become something even more intimate, the door behind them suddenly opened.
It was Cleopatra.
She had heard the commotion earlier and peeked outside in curiosity.
"Lady Lion, why are you...?"
Before she could finish speaking, her eyes first landed on Lion, then followed Lion's hugging posture toward the giant golden "lion plush" standing there.
Her eyes sparkled instantly, and her beast ears twitched with excitement.
"Waah!"
With a delighted cry, Cleopatra rushed out from behind the door.
"So cute... so cute, Mr. Lion! Lady Lion, where did you get this from?!"
As she spoke, she ran straight to Jun Hao and circled him several times.
Her eyes shone with utterly undisguised excitement and curiosity.
"Lady Lion, is this a brand-new lion plush you bought? It looks so soft... I really want to touch it!"
Saying that, she eagerly reached out toward Jun Hao's mane.
"Lady Lion, can I touch it? Just once! Just one little touch!"
However, before her hand could reach the golden fur, a powerful hand suddenly grabbed Cleopatra by the head.
The one who grabbed Cleopatra was none other than Lion.
At some point, she had already let go of Jun Hao and stepped between him and Cleopatra, completely blocking the way.
"No touching."
Lion's voice had returned to its usual calmness, though a clear chill lingered beneath it. Cleopatra, standing directly in front of her, could keenly feel the possessiveness in those words.
Puffing out her cheeks, Cleopatra protested.
"Why, Lady Lion? You always let me touch your other plushies..."
"He's different."
Lion cut her off without hesitation.
"Today, he belongs to me alone. Don't even think about interrupting."
Seeing how firm Lion's attitude was, Cleopatra instantly realized that this giant "plush" was definitely not some ordinary doll.
Jun Hao, still acting as the "plush," even raised a furry paw and made a small apologetic gesture, which only confirmed her guess.
A knowing smile immediately bloomed across Cleopatra's face.
She quickly withdrew her hand and stood up straight.
"I understand!"
Then she gave a respectful bow toward the lion plush Jun Hao was portraying.
"In that case, I wish Master and Lady Lion a lovely date!"
After saying that, she turned around and skipped away without another glance.
Once again, only Lion and Jun Hao, still inside the suit, were left standing outside Lion's room.
However, after that small disturbance, the atmosphere between them had become a little awkward.
Lion forced a small smile and spoke, "Um... was I too harsh just now? Did I scare you, Commander?"
Jun Hao quickly shook the oversized lion head, making it wobble from side to side.
"No, no."
He lifted one furry paw and waved it clumsily.
"I wasn't scared at all."
"Hm?"
Lion blinked in confusion.
"Compared to what just happened..." Jun Hao said as he tried his best to look through the tiny eyeholes in the headpiece. "I just didn't expect you'd be wearing casual clothes today."
He carefully looked at the girl standing before him.
"That wine-red dress looks amazing on you, Lion. How should I put it...? You look really beautiful."
Hearing such direct praise, Lion's mood instantly brightened.
After all, what girl wouldn't want the person she loved to notice the effort she had put into her appearance?
And what girl wouldn't want to hear sincere praise from the one she cared for most?
Smiling, Lion extended her fair arm and naturally hooked it around Jun Hao's giant furry arm.
"Hmph. I'll admit it... you do have good taste."
She lifted her chin proudly.
"Come on, Commander. Let's start today's date."
Jun Hao nodded, causing the giant lion head to bob along with him.
"Alright. Have you decided where we're going?" he asked curiously.
"Don't worry about that, Commander. Just follow me."
Holding tightly to his arm, Lion strode forward with such confidence that Jun Hao's large body was nearly dragged into a jog.
Jun Hao had originally thought she would take him for a walk around the port's residential area or somewhere nearby.
Instead, Lion pulled him straight toward the inner section of the Royal Navy Dormitory.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Jun Hao asked again, "Lion, where exactly are we going?"
Lion answered with a perfectly natural expression, as if the answer were obvious.
"Do I even need to say it?"
She tightened her hold on his arm and smiled proudly.
"Of course we're going to show you off to the other girls in the port. I want them all to see how much effort my beloved Commander put in just for me!"
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
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