Chapter 18
Hongo didn't react particularly to the fact that his burden had been shared, but he insisted on buying you a hair tie.
"You can't go back on your promise to me."
Lem, who had just taken some shopping bags from Hongo, suddenly turned around. Even though he was wearing sunglasses, you could see what he was thinking from his furrowed brow. It was nothing more than "How come he gets to buy you things?" But explaining it would be too much trouble, and you didn't want to.
"I see."
Wanting to quickly resolve the current situation, you grabbed the nearest hair tie. It was plain black, with no other embellishments.
The hair tie shop owner was puzzled, perhaps because he had never seen customers shop so quickly before.
"There are so many other pretty hair ties, why choose this one? They're all the same price, it's really not worth it."
The boss is a very honest person. In any other situation, you would definitely try to attract customers for him, but you're not in the mood right now.
"This one is fine."
Lem and the boss had much the same idea, the only difference being that Lem didn't say it aloud. Hongo, who paid, didn't object; after settling the bill, he handed you the hair tie and then acted as if he was ready to do whatever you wanted.
Looking at the two pirates flanking you, you feel a bit of a headache. You've really got guts; buying something and having two top-ranked pirates carry your bag—aren't there bound to be some bad rumors about you afterwards?
Realizing that no one from the Red-Haired Pirates has appeared yet, you decide to hurry back to the inn to minimize the spread of rumors unfavorable to you. However, luck is conserved. Beckman pulling you out of a bad situation means that the luck you used up will be made up for by other events.
"Oh, you two are shopping with her? That's rare. Don't take advantage of her!"
After only a moment's hesitation, they encountered the Red-Haired Pirates, led by Yasopp, emerging from the bar. Because of Yasopp's words, the eyes of those behind him all fell on your strangely positioned stance.
Compared to Yasopp's relaxed tone, the others couldn't help but gossip.
Crew member A: "Hongo probably won't, but Lyme might be."
Crew member B: "But Lyme helped someone carry things, so he wouldn't be bullying them, would he?"
Crew member C: "Lyme, don't make them angry this time!"
A group of people made no attempt to hide their interest in the situation, and you, who should have been the most embarrassed by the occasion, were now extremely worried that Lyme would take his anger out on you. Thinking of this, you glanced at Lyme out of the corner of your eye and saw that Lyme, carrying a bag, had a furrowed brow and seemed to be trying his best to hold back.
Then, amidst his companions' teasing, Lyme chose to erupt.
"How could I be like what you're saying! Don't think I don't know, you're all just waiting to see a show, aren't you?!"
You were surprised to see Rem speak loudly for the first time, as if the "coldness" you had previously perceived was just a stereotype. Because things took such a sudden turn, you instinctively stepped back and bumped into Hongo.
Feeling the warmth on your back, you quickly looked up and met Honjo's smiling eyes.
"That's how they usually interact, don't mind it."
You should be concerned about being so close to Hongo, but because of Hongo's words, you don't have time to think about it right now. Does this mean that Rem, who seems like a quiet and reserved guy since you boarded the ship, is actually quite lively...?
Your question wasn't the focus of Lyme and Yasopp's group; their attention was still on Lyme, who had broken down but hadn't put down his shopping bag yet.
Yasopp: "Hey, didn't I just tell you to watch your facial expressions? Look, you've already messed it up after just a few words."
Crew member A: "That's right, no one would dare to talk to you if they saw you like that."
Crew Member B: "Show us the same attitude you have when you're with us, okay?"
Crew member C: "That won't do, won't that scare them even more?"
You expected Lyme to start arguing with them, but surprisingly, they silenced her with just a few words. Even more unexpectedly, Lyme turned to look at you, leaving you confused.
So they're just chatting, aren't they? Why are they looking at you? The lack of explanation makes you subconsciously take another step back, and the wall behind you, Hongo, makes you realize that you have nowhere left to retreat.
Adhering to a lighthearted and witty style, Yasopp grins at you.
"Alright, let's go to the next place for drinks. We'll leave them to you to look after!"
After saying that, he left with the crew members who had just been arguing with Lem, leaving you, Lem, and Hongo behind. It was only then that you turned your attention back to the current situation. The most urgent thing was to apologize to Hongo, who had been acting as a human wall.
You took a few steps forward, then quickly turned around to apologize to Hongo, whose anger was hard to discern.
"I'm sorry! Um, I didn't step on anything, did I?"
Hongo, who had recently formed a human wall, chuckled to himself, a stark contrast to your flustered state.
No, you don't need to be so nervous.
Perhaps you were so nervous that it was visible to the naked eye, and Lem, who was not in the topic, joined the conversation at the right time.
“This place is very sturdy; you can run into it and it won’t be hurt.”
Lem's words drew your attention to Hongo's upper body, which was only covered by his jacket. Indeed, he was so sturdy that if you bumped into him, you'd probably get a concussion from the impact. But Lem's words were so simple and crude that they made you doubt yourself.
Hongo, who felt much the same way as you, sighed and nudged Lem's arm with his elbow.
"I really appreciate your explanation... but it's pretty much what Lem said, you don't need to be so scared."
Rem, who was nudged by Hongo's elbow, nodded in agreement. Even through his sunglasses, you could feel Rem's gaze, which seemed to be seeking praise.
It's just an illusion, probably caused by you sunbathing for too long. If you actually complimented Lyme, he might get angry and praise you back.
As for the "she" that Yasopp and the others felt they were talking to Rem about, it most likely refers to you. Now, even if you return to the inn, your reputation within the Red-Haired Pirates won't be much better.
-
You politely declined Hongo and Ryme's invitation to go to the bar and stayed in your room alone. During this time, the hotel owner brought you dinner and told you that it was arranged by Hongo.
"Remember to tell him I did what he said when the time comes."
Clearly, the innkeeper, like you, is an ordinary person who keeps his distance from pirates.
"I will."
The hotel owner, relieved to have received your verbal promise, turned and left your room, leaving you to rest.
There weren't many things to do in the hotel room to pass the time. The only thing you could do was the newspaper Beckman handed you after finishing reading it before you arrived on the island.
In the absence of any electronic entertainment devices or books, newspapers are a good alternative.
You may not be interested in the situation at sea, but that doesn't stop you from getting the information you can from the newspapers. Things like the "Supernovas," the movements of the "Four Emperors," and the plans between the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" and the Navy.
The focus of the Four Emperors section is on the Red-Haired Pirates, likely because Robin mentioned that the Red-Haired Pirates only became one of the Four Emperors in recent years.
As for "Fire Fist" Ace, who occupies the entire front page of the newspaper, your impression of him is that he has a bright smile and doesn't look like a pirate. But the extensive "battle record" below makes you realize that this boy, who looks like he should be in high school or college, is also a person you need to be wary of in this world.
Further down are the names of islands you're seeing for the first time. Most of the reports are related to pirates or the navy, with the name of a "revolutionary army" mixed in. Judging from the names, this should also be an organization.
Based on your unique understanding of the newspaper writer, you don't believe everything described above, good or bad. Those who have information will only let the readers know what they want the public to know, and whether it is true or false remains to be weighed.
Until you scrolled to the Shichibukai section and saw Crocodile's name. There wasn't much content, but one sentence made your breath catch in your throat.
Only Crocodile would be able to accurately spell out the phrase "Don't even think about escaping" from a bunch of seemingly unrelated words. As for how he did it, even if you don't know his power, you believe he has the ability.
Just by looking at these few words strung together, you can imagine Crocodile's gloomy expression in the Sabaody Archipelago.
Even if you don't know much about Crocodile, you know you won't have a good ending if you fall into Crocodile's hands.
You only accidentally mentioned the name of Mihawk, who is suspected to be his rival, and he imprisoned you against your will. You escaped from him... and the consequence might be imprisonment plus mental and physical torture.
Thinking about the future that could come at any moment, you close the newspaper, no longer wanting to read it.
"No, it's okay... We're far away now, he won't catch up."
After some self-consolation, his rapid breathing, triggered by the long-unseen name, gradually calmed down and returned to its normal rhythm. But Crocodile's name and information also confirmed that leaving with the Red-Haired Pirates was the right decision. The fact that Crocodile hadn't come looking for him yet showed that the title of "Four Emperors" still held some weight.
If it weren't for Rem's situation, you might have given up on joining Whitebeard. Seeking refuge and getting used to a new environment isn't easy; it might even involve risking your life. But Rem's feelings for you, which seem to go beyond "roommate," are too dangerous for someone like you who has nothing.
Go along with Rem's wishes and try to please him? Is that any different from being with Crocodile? Besides, apart from Rem, Hongo's attitude towards you is a bit strange. Although not as obvious as with Rem, it's still quite different from when you first joined the ship.
If Hongo and Rem share similar feelings... once the current balance is broken, you'll face only two possibilities. Either you become a shared presence between them, or Shanks or Beckman, feeling you've affected their camaraderie, will abandon you on the spot. As for protection, don't even think about it.
Thinking about this, you lost all interest in resting.
"No, this can't go on."
You must leave the Red-Haired Pirates, and the sooner the better.
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