Chapter 13
You had a nightmare.
In your dream, you are the treasure chest Shanks and his crew found. Amidst their laughter and chatter, the chest, which represents your limbs, is pried open with an iron bar. Then, greedy eyes follow, tearing apart your internal organs into pieces for pirates to collect.
They said a lot, but you couldn't understand a single word because of the unbearable pain and fear, while the pirates who were devouring you were complaining that the portion they received wasn't even enough to fill their teeth.
Shanks, the center of attention in the crowd, wore his usual smile. He listened to the crew's wishes and found the crux of the problem in their complaints.
The eyes that seemed to casually glance around at their companions then landed on you. One look was enough to send shivers down your spine.
It's unclear whether Shanks's smile stemmed from finding a solution or discovering you inside the box; the smiling male voice made a decision that sent chills down your spine.
"I see. Then we'll just have to find some more."
"Open the box; there's definitely something else inside!"
The worthless box was torn to pieces, abruptly ending your suffocating nightmare.
You wake up, not only with a cold sweat on the back of your neck, but also with tears streaming down your face from the nightmare. The door is locked, and you can hear nothing but the sound of waves outside.
After confirming several times that everything just now was a dream, his uncontrollable breathing gradually returned to its original rhythm, and his unconsciously trembling body calmed down with the rhythm of his breathing.
Clearly, what caused this nightmare was something that happened before you went to sleep. What was a farcical incident for a drunken pirate will become your second shadow in this world, the first being the enigmatic and somewhat strange Crocodile.
There was no clock in the room to check the time, and you couldn't fall back asleep after being startled awake. You didn't want to go out, but the dim room reminded you of the dark treasure chest in your dream. After much struggle, you decided to get up and go for a walk outside.
Judging from the dim light, it was around six in the morning. You walked about halfway around, and didn't encounter anyone else on the boat; they were most likely called down for drinks by Beckman.
Regardless of Beckman's reasons for helping you, you should remember his help and thank him at the appropriate time.
But not now. Right now, all you want is to walk around on the ship alone to ease the terror brought on by the nightmare. The most suitable place to stay right now is probably the village clinic.
Compared to a dimly lit room, the clean infirmary, which smells of disinfectant, is visually and mentally uplifting. Having made up your mind, you head towards the infirmary, encountering a road that clearly shows signs of recent sleep.
Because of the dream, you stood still first, while the other yawned, and after realizing it was you who was frozen in place, gave you a friendly smile.
"Getting up so early, don't you want to sleep a little longer?"
Lu's tone and attitude were no different from usual. You tried to erase the image from your dream and responded with an appropriate smile.
"Yes, I've had enough sleep. Is there anything I can help you with?"
The second half of the sentence is a polite remark that's indispensable when living under someone else's roof. Having spent some time together recently, Lu has come to know you better and waved his hand, declining your request for help.
"No need, come to the kitchen when you want breakfast. Your hand isn't healed yet, and Honjo will scold me if he finds out."
After saying that, Lu even smiled and touched his stomach, his feigned ease making you feel much better. After parting ways with Lu, you figured the others would wake up one after another, so you went straight to the infirmary, not daring to linger on the deck.
To your surprise, upon opening the door to the infirmary, you see Beckman, the man who helped you last night. His unsurprised expression suggests he's been waiting for you.
Good morning, did you sleep well?
Beckman, who was the first to strike up a conversation with you, pulled you back to reality from your daze. You remembered what had happened before you left the room, and you took the opportunity to express your gratitude to Beckman.
“I slept very well, and I am very grateful for your help last night, Mr. Beckman.”
Beckman's gaze lingered on your face for a few seconds before he chuckled and waved his hand, "You're welcome, it was just a coincidence."
Knowing that Beckman's room is a world away from yours, you're pretty sure Beckman's "coincidence" wasn't just a coincidence that he was going back to his room. But what kind of coincidence it was doesn't matter anymore; the fact that he helped you is undeniable.
You are not currently able to offer Beckman any material reward, so you can only express your gratitude for this matter sincerely.
"If there's anything I can do to help later, please let me know."
As if he had heard a funny joke, Beckman chuckled, his gaze falling on you with the undisguised malice typical of pirates.
Even if you're allowed to disembark here?
Caught off guard, your body reacted faster than your brain, and you quickly took a few steps back to distance yourself from Beckman. For some reason, you remembered the look Shanks gave you in your dream, and now, facing Beckman's malice head-on, you understood why you were afraid of Shanks in your dream.
The only difference between the Beckman before you and Shanks in your dreams is that Beckman restrained his imposing aura when you gasped for breath in terror. He didn't approach you rashly, but only spoke after you had barely managed to catch your breath.
"Don't be afraid, I was just joking. I didn't mean for you to disembark here."
Even so, you retreated to the door of the infirmary but did not move forward. Your still-uncomfortable breathing made it impossible for you to speak the words you wanted to say.
"I'm sorry... I can't do that right now..."
After a brief silence, Beckman let out a sigh, his eyes filled with helplessness at the current situation.
"I know, I won't let you do that."
Knowing you were unable to communicate normally, Beckman took something out of his pocket and casually placed it on the table beside him. As he withdrew his hand, you saw the silver clasp on the table.
"Although this lock isn't very sturdy, it's still better than the one in your room now."
"You can ask Hongo to install it for you, or Lem... that'll do if you can manage. Of course, it would be best if you could install it yourself."
When Lem's name was mentioned, Beckman paused briefly. At the same time, your brain, which had been working again, knew why Beckman was there.
Clearly, Beckman came to the infirmary because of you.
This realization made you feel guilty for hesitating to enter the infirmary because of Beckman. You wanted to express your gratitude to Beckman again, but he guessed what you were going to say and left the infirmary first.
The words of thanks stuck in his throat could not be uttered completely. Only after Beckman had walked away did the fear that had surged up in his heart again gradually dissipate with his exhaled breath.
You walked into the infirmary and chose not to close the door. After all, this wasn't your territory.
Walking over to the table where Beckman had left the lock, you picked up the still-warm lock and couldn't help but regret your rather impolite behavior just now.
Beckman did this probably because of his position; he was apologizing on behalf of the crew member who had frightened you while drunk last night, and his gentleness towards you likely stemmed from the same reason. Thinking about it this way, the lock in my hand became a hot potato.
If you accept it, you'll no longer dwell on it; if you don't... perhaps a different future awaits you. This is a subtle test unique to adults skilled in interpersonal relationships.
But your situation dictates that you can only accept this lock, leaving you no room for further thought.
-
Beckman doesn't consider himself a good person. His background and experiences mean he won't fit your image of a "good person." But that's not entirely true; Hongo might be the one who fits.
Even so, he did his best to take care of you within his means, although this care was more of a test to see if you would stay on the ship.
Perhaps it was your gentle nature that made the inexperienced Lem fall deeper in love than he imagined. Otherwise, how could you explain Lem, who rarely gave strangers a second glance, rushing to bring you out of the infirmary when he learned you were still there?
Unfortunately, Lem took you away from the battlefield, but instead led you into a battlefield called "fear." Unable to accept the bloody battlefield, you fell into the sea, while Lem was still stunned, trying to shake off his hand for you.
So what if you're too deeply involved? It's still a lack of consideration. That's why Rilem recently pulled you out of the sea and took you back to the village clinic.
After Rem, there's Hongo, who seems gentle but is actually colder than he appears. Perhaps because you need more care than anyone else on the ship, Hongo's attention to you is no less than Rem's. In some ways, Hongo's attention to you surpasses that of everyone else on the ship.
Otherwise, how can you explain that Hongo, who usually goes to the island with him and Shanks, chose to stay with you this time?
Beckman doesn't know what you did to both of them behind his back, but your impeccable manners towards everyone suggest you're not the type to seduce men. This indicates that Lyme and Hongo fell for you willingly, but they haven't yet realized the emotional basis of their interest in you.
That's why he wasn't in a hurry to let you disembark, and Shanks' attitude towards your departure was ambiguous. Unless someone mentioned you, Shanks wouldn't pay you much attention.
In conclusion, Beckman believes you can still stay on the ship; the situation is still under control.
The drunken crew member was an accident, but the fact that you were frightened was undeniable. Through the wooden door, which served no purpose for him, he heard your voice, tinged with sobs.
For Beckman, who was used to your gentle and polite tone, this was a pleasant surprise.
You are not as fearless of them as you appear; in fact, your fear of them exceeds even Beckman's expectations of you.
Perhaps it's a flaw unique to pirates and men, but while you're hiding behind the door, huddled up and thanking him, he's thinking of a more ambiguous situation. And a voice that's even more endearing than it is when he's not around.
For you, this was probably a sleepless night. Thinking of you curled up in fear, unable to sleep in bed, Beckman felt that for him, it wasn't a sleepless night either.
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