bookbashuk Chapter 36 The Shy Little Guy
Chapter 36 The Shy Little Guy
The group hiding in the distance, having heard no explanation, peeked suspiciously from behind the tree. Beckman rubbed his temples, looking rather helplessly at his companions who were acting like thieves. Meanwhile, the two inside the room seemed completely unaware, simply embracing and asleep. Asleep?! ?!!! ∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
"If the boss doesn't explain, won't Miss Moko misunderstand?"
"Miss Moko is so magnanimous? You haven't worried about the boss finding other women in the past ten years at all."
"Tch, let's not even talk about how I haven't seen the boss stay overnight at any woman's place in the past few years. Just look at the way the boss looked. This is the first time I've ever seen him with that kind of expression. You all saw it too, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I almost thought the boss had been secretly replaced by someone else."
Amid the discussion, Beckman's gaze fell on the two people curled up on the sofa in the room, seemingly asleep. He smiled slightly, took out a match, lit a cigarette in his hand, and put it in his mouth. Ignoring the debate and speculation of the crowd, he slowly walked down the mountain.
How could two people who had entrusted their lives to each other possibly doubt each other? Their bond was far deeper than they could have imagined. Their love was undisguised, their gentleness strong and unwavering, their perseverance lasting for ten years, and their unexpected reunion was perhaps destiny.
Bright sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting dappled patterns on the room and adding a soft, hazy atmosphere to the living room. Shanks' fingers twirled through Moko's soft hair as he slowly recounted his experiences over the years. Shanks' voice was very soft, and Moko could clearly feel the rise and fall of his muscles and the beating of his heart through his thin shirt.
"Where did you go after you left with the captain back then, Moko-chan?"
"After I left that year, my father took me to Baterila Island, where I met my father's wife, who is my mother. My mother is a very gentle person. I even promised to bring you back to meet her..."
At this point, Moko paused, and only after a while, when she felt the warmth from her hand, did she slowly begin to speak again.
“My father’s health was already very poor at that time. I knew I could no longer find a way to save him. Although it was very painful, I still thought that at least my mother and I could accompany him through his last days. But my father chose another path, choosing the most shocking way to end his era…”
Moko straightened up slightly, reaching out to trace Shanks' features, her eyes filled with a heartbreaking vulnerability. "Shanks, you absolutely cannot die. Even if you die, it must be before my eyes. I don't want to become a human again, and I don't want to hear it from anyone else..."
"Moko-chan, I won't die. Didn't we promise? We'll be together forever."
Shanks nuzzled his face against Moko's palm, his eyes gentle and earnest. He knew that his little Moko could no longer bear the separation. Her once strong heart was now cracked. Originally, his little Moko should have been the happiest and most carefree girl in the world.
"Yes, together forever."
The two nestled together, their years of longing finally satisfied, and the loneliness that had been gnawing at their hearts gradually dissipated. But this was far from enough. Even the thought of parting now terrified Moko. Her long-strained nerves finally found a moment of relaxation with Shanks' arrival.
Seeing Moko gradually relax, Shanks' eyes flashed with heartache. He gently stroked Moko's long hair with his large hand, silently comforting the fragile Moko.
"...Ace, that child is the captain's child, isn't he?" Shanks said softly.
"You noticed, she looks a lot like her dad, doesn't she?"
"Heh, it does look quite similar, quite similar to the captain's impulsive manner."
Shanks let out a low chuckle, while Moko's eyes revealed helplessness. She had tried to correct Ace's personality, but it hadn't been very effective. In particularly urgent situations, he would completely lose control of his emotions and rarely pay attention to his surroundings, just like his father.
That's why Moko could only teach Ace as many combat skills as possible; if he was strong enough, he could avoid most unexpected situations.
Sensing Moko's worry for Ace, Shanks sighed almost imperceptibly, lowered his head and kissed the top of Moko's head. He had only planned to stay on this island for a while, but he didn't expect to find Moko here. Now it seemed that he couldn't leave with Moko for the time being. Moko couldn't abandon that child, and that child was not suitable to be at sea right now.
"I really want to take Moko-chan on board and kidnap her."
Shanks buried his head in Moko's neck, shaking his head like a child and acting spoiled. Moko reached out and ruffled Shanks's hair, her tone helpless and indulgent.
"Speaking of Ace, Shanks's way of acting cute is also quite similar to his father's."
"Really? I don't care, as long as it works for Moko-chan... Moko-chan, I'll wait. When that child grows up, Moko-chan will come with me."
Shanks tilted his head to look at Moko, his eyes sparkling. Moko grasped Shanks' hand in return, their fingers intertwined, a gentle smile in her eyes. No matter what, she would never refuse Shanks, and Shanks had always known that.
"it is good."
It's not surprising that Moko wasn't in a hurry to take her away. Right now, she really doesn't want to be separated from Shanks. If it weren't for Ace, she would definitely have gone with Shanks, or rather, she would have gone to the sea to find Shanks when her parents passed away.
But in reality, she can't. Before returning to the sea, she will raise Ace until he finds his own place. This is a promise she made to her mother, an agreement that can never be broken.
As the sun set in the west, countless red clouds spread out, and golden ripples spread across the sea. The enticing aroma of food wafted from the cracks in the door. Happy days naturally call for a feast. The crew of Shanks' ship finished their business on the ship and came up the mountain. Dadan's family stared in disbelief at the yard full of pirates, too stunned to move. They had seen pirates many times, but this was the first time they had ever had a feast with them.
Moko was cooking in the kitchen, with Shanks helping out. Lucky suddenly felt that the meat in his hands didn't taste good anymore. Someone come and tell him who that was. So the captain, who usually only goes to the kitchen to steal food, actually helps out? What was that before?!
Yasopp patted the stunned Lachiru sympathetically. Not to mention that it was the first time Lachiru had seen such a captain, it was the first time for any of them. Sure enough, the captain was a hidden henpecked husband.
Feeling that it was about time, Moko picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and fed it to Shanks. Shanks ate it in one bite, then his eyes lit up and he nodded affirmatively.
The main course was grilled meat from outside. Moko only made some side dishes to go with the drinks and dipping sauces for the grilled meat. Although it could have been a large meal, Shanks didn't want Moko to get tired, so the others could just make do with some grilled meat.
(Lachiru: Okay, okay, then what about the big feast I cook every day? Does that mean I'm hardworking? (o_ov)??)
Night fell quickly, and the four little ones, tired from playing in the forest, returned. They were all covered in dirt, but judging from their friendly demeanor, they seemed to have become good friends.
"Where did these four little kittens come from? Even our fashionable songstress has turned into a little kitten. We must let everyone see them at the banquet later."
Shanks chuckled and patted Uta's head. Upon hearing about the banquet, Uta pretended to run down the mountain, but Shanks stopped her and scooped her up in his arms.
"Shanks, put me down! I need to take a shower. A songstress shouldn't be on stage like this."
"Hahaha, Uta looks pretty cute like this. It wouldn't be bad for her to go on stage like this."
Ignoring the flailing Uta, Shanks' eyes were full of amusement. Moko couldn't stand it anymore, so she pinched Shanks' face and freed Uta from his grasp.
"Uta-chan, go to my room to take a shower. Ace, you guys go upstairs and take a shower too."
"Okay, sister." x3
The three little ones put down the water pipe and went upstairs in a few steps. Moko then looked at Shanks.
"I'll take Uta to take a bath first, Shanks can go to the banquet first."
Without waiting for a response, Moko took Uta upstairs. Shanks stood there with a relaxed expression, but when he turned to look at the others in the room, he resumed his playful grin.
"Don't just stand there! Let's have a banquet! Moko's brewed wine is the best in the world!"
As Shanks spoke, he walked out. The others exchanged glances and helplessly shrugged. What could they do with such a hypocritical captain? At least he was reliable when he needed to be.
In the room, Moko took out her old clothes from the wardrobe and let Uta choose them. Moko made most of her clothes herself in the later period. The style and pattern were different from what was usually seen in the store, but the clothes were obviously beautiful. Uta's eyes were shining with excitement, and she seemed to like them very much.
"Sister, did you make these clothes yourself?"
Having spent the whole day with the three little ones and having heard their voices all day, Uta naturally blurted out her name. By the time Uta realized what she meant and covered her mouth, it was too late to stop. Moko didn't notice anything amiss and patted Uta's head.
"Does Uta-chan like it?"
Seeing that Moko didn't react strangely, Uta nodded awkwardly and shyly.
"Yes, I like it."
"Uta-chan, wear this after your bath. We'll take your measurements tomorrow and make you new clothes then, okay?"
Upon hearing Moko's words, Uta blinked, but quickly lowered her head again, clutching the hem of her clothes with both hands, her lips moving as if she had something to say. Moko squatted down and looked at Uta gently.
"What's wrong? Is there something you want to say, Uta-chan?"
"...Why is my sister so nice to me? We've only just met, and...and I just...
Uta admitted that she had some ulterior motives when she directly said that she was Shanks' daughter, but Moko has remained gentle and mild-mannered from the beginning, as if she would never get angry. Moreover, every word the three people said was about their sister, and they described Moko as having no flaws at all. Uta really couldn't understand why there would be such people, because the Moko they described was beautiful and gentle, so perfect that she seemed like someone who could only exist in a dream, and it didn't feel real at all.
It's actually quite easy to read a child's mind. In front of Moko, who can see through most people's thoughts even when they're young, Uta's little temper is impossible to hide. Shanks naturally noticed this as well, which is why Shanks stopped Uta.
"This one? Because Uta-chan is so cute, I really like Uta-chan."
"Huh? Is that all?"
Uta was somewhat incredulous, and the reason sounded like something you'd give a child. Seeing Uta's obvious disbelief, Moko chuckled and pinched Uta's cheek.
"I just like it, why do I need a reason? Besides, Uta-chan is so cute, everyone who sees her will definitely like her."
Moko's words made Uta blush. It was completely different from the praise Shanks and the others usually gave. Moko's words always had a strange sense of conviction. Uta was a little flustered and hurriedly grabbed a piece of clothing and ran into the bathroom. Moko blinked and smiled. It seemed that she was a little guy who was easily embarrassed, just like Ace.
While Uta was taking a shower, Moke tidied up several guest rooms. When she returned to the room, Uta had just come out of the bathroom. Her light blue knee-length dress fit her perfectly, and her long, still damp hair was draped smoothly behind her head, revealing her smooth and delicate face.
Moko gently took a dry towel and began to dry Uta's hair, her movements light and natural. Unconsciously, a slight smile appeared on Uta's lips. Uta actually knew a little about what Shanks was looking for, but she didn't know exactly what it was. Now she finally knew. She liked this gentle and beautiful girl. She just wondered if Shanks could take her sister with him when he left. If her sister were there, the trip would definitely be more interesting.