Chapter 25
Perhaps it was Hongo and Rem who started it, but the Red-Haired Pirates have recently taken to giving you gifts. From small things like messages in bottles they casually fished out to large things like gold and silver treasures in their rooms, everything becomes a "gift" for you on a whim.
You reasonably suspect they gave you gifts because of that report. Before, people would ask where you wanted to disembark, but now nobody asks that anymore. They're more likely to ask how you're doing on the ship, or casually ask how so-and-so is doing. Your only response is a smile and "Everything's fine."
Even if you're slow on the uptake, you'll know they want you to stay. Unfortunately, these pirates don't know how to keep people's hearts; they just decorate your room with items that have their own unique style, as if doing this will make you stay forever.
As for who brought it up, and whether Shanks and Beckman allowed it, guessing is pointless and will only give you more trouble. The best approach is to pretend you don't know, continue interacting with them as before, don't cross the line, and don't show any discomfort.
During that period of self-abandonment, you did consider simply staying here shamelessly, but the ambiguous attitudes of Rem and Hongo, as well as the fact that the Red-Haired Pirates and Crocodile were both "pirates," made you quickly come to your senses after a moment of confusion.
It's true that the newspaper article frightened you, but it also gave you some reassurance. Those who want to get close to the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" or "Red-Haired Shanks" won't easily attack you. Similarly, those who have grudges against them won't easily let you go.
The pros and cons of a 50/50 situation are essentially the same, except for the lack of an escape route by joining the Navy. But if you don't escape from the Red-Haired Pirates, you might have to sacrifice yourself.
Looking at the flowers in the vase on the table that Hongo found somewhere this morning, even you, who have no particular likes or dislikes for plants, can't help but marvel at their vigorous growth and be speechless at how Hongo could find flowers in the middle of nowhere. Besides, there's also a treasure in your temporary room that shines so brightly that it keeps you awake even with the lights off—a substitute that Lyme found after making the seashell artifacts.
Being liked is a good thing, but being liked by someone of unequal status and strength is not a good thing, at least that's how you see it.
But the treasure Ryme gave you contains a currency that can be used throughout this world, which makes you feel complicated. Last time you escaped from Crocodile, it was partly because you were too panicked when you ran away, and partly because of your fear of Crocodile—to the point that even though you knew you needed money to survive, you didn't dare take a single penny from him.
What about now?
You acutely realize that your dwindling self-esteem is worthless in this vast ocean. But... you still can't bring yourself to take the money and leave, and it's not the right time for you to leave yet.
Just as you were agonizing over what to do next, a timely knock on the door woke you up.
"It's going to get cold soon, so put on your winter clothes."
It was Lyme's voice. His reminder made you realize the temperature had dropped considerably, and feeling cold, you thanked Lyme, who was clearly still outside the door.
"I understand, thank you for reminding me."
As you thank Lyme, you go to your wardrobe and pull out winter clothes you bought but haven't worn yet. As you open the wardrobe, Lyme's voice rings out again.
Aren't you coming out?
Lyme's voice didn't sound happy. You couldn't see his expression through the wooden door, nor could you deduce what was making him unhappy. Most importantly, you didn't want to think about it.
"I'll be going out in a bit."
Your answer didn't satisfy Lem, resulting in his silence. And that silence lasted only a few seconds. Just as you were wondering whether you should say something, Lem revealed the purpose of his visit.
"I want to spend some time with you."
One sentence reminded you of that night you were alone with Lyme. If it weren't for that incident, you might have taken Lyme's time alone as a normal conversation, but now if he told you it was just a simple chat, you wouldn't believe him.
But you couldn't find a reason to refuse him; in a sense, it was a "deal" between you and Lyme. Of course, that's just your perspective. For your safety, you left the room anyway.
When he saw you walk out of the room and close the door, Lem was surprised and made no attempt to hide his disappointment.
"I thought you would let me in."
Letting someone who seems to have a skin-obsessed streak with you into your room to be alone with you? That would be like sending a lamb to the slaughter. As if confirming your suspicions, you returned Lyme's harmless smile and casually took his slightly dry hand in yours.
"I do get shy sometimes, maybe next time."
Whether it was your action or your words, Lym's face flushed a visible red, and he stammered for a long time without uttering a single word. If you're not mistaken, he probably connected your words to something beyond our current relationship. You swear to God, you absolutely do not share Lym's thoughts.
Thinking of this, you gently held Lem's hand, feeling that letting go was wrong, but holding on was also wrong. Perhaps having recovered, Lem noticed the struggle in your eyes, and he lowered his head to keep your eyes level.
"You haven't touched me in a long time."
This is a statement that would be misunderstood even in the presence of a third party. If you didn't know what Lyme was referring to, even you would misunderstand your relationship. Realizing this, your smile faltered. What was this? Was you actively seeking comfort?
Even though you didn't want to, considering the disparity in strength between you and Lem, you still reached out and touched Lem's face. Unexpectedly, this time Lem was less docile than before. The moment your palm touched him, he took the initiative to raise his hand and grasp the back of your hand. Caught off guard, you were startled by his initiative.
And so, you stopped touching Lyme, who let out a dissatisfied murmur, and when she looked at you again, her gaze held even more of a complaint.
Aren't you going to pat my head?
Since he's already said so, do you still have a reason to refuse? So, under Rem's gaze, you cautiously reached out your other hand, touched his hat which felt nicer to the touch, and gave it a perfunctory pat on the forehead. Just when you thought that this would be the end of what you found to be a terrifying interaction, Rem made a new request.
"Can't we get any closer?"
The previously docile beast bared its fangs, and even through the sunglasses, you could still feel Lyme's desire for "closeness".
Get closer? What would it mean to get closer? This question leaves your mind blank; you can't think of anything to say to Lim. And Lim, who made the request, releases his grip on your hand when he senses you're about to back down.
"Is it not allowed?"
Lyme's voice sounded aggrieved as he retorted, as if you had already rejected his request. The imposing aura that had previously overwhelmed you dissipated with Lyme's tone.
You feel like you've fallen into Lem's trap, that he's manipulating you. However, his attitude and tone don't immediately reveal where he went wrong. Furthermore, Lem deliberately positions himself in a more vulnerable position, making it impossible for you to refuse. Similarly, you don't know how to respond.
"Okay... what do you want me to do? You can tell me, and I'll think about it."
Your helplessness earned you a smirk from Rem. Clearly, he came prepared. By the time you realized this, it was too late to back down. However, even before your retreat and Rem's advance, Hongo appeared at the end of the corridor.
"Lyme, Yasopp is looking for you."
Hongo's voice snapped you out of your daze, and you quickly took two steps back, distancing yourself from Rem. Rem, interrupted by your reaction, also snapped back to reality. Though seemingly unhappy, Rem replied with a single syllable to Hongo and walked towards the end of the corridor.
As he passed by you, Lyme whispered in a voice only you and he could hear, "I'll get it back next time."
You didn't realize what Lime's "reminder" meant until his shadow disappeared down the corridor. Clearly, Lime wasn't planning to let his "reward" slip away. Your thoughts were still lingering on Lime's "next time," when Hongo, who had come to see Lime, appeared beside you while you were lost in thought.
"You seem to need help."
Originally an interrogative sentence, it became a declarative sentence when spoken by Hongo. Perhaps it was because the sun wasn't shining brightly today, but Hongo, with his back to the light, wore the same smile as always, which gave you a strange sense of unease.
Having just spent time with Rem, you know you can't just follow Hongo's lead. After quickly composing yourself, you return Hongo's appropriate smile.
"No, I was just chatting with Lem."
The words had barely left his lips when a dry, somewhat rough palm touched your face, and the eyes reflecting your image held no trace of a smile. Your body trembled uncontrollably, a fear of the present situation and the most direct reaction to the unexpected touch.
You, who took the initiative to touch him, laughed, your smiling voice tinged with a hint of teasing.
"Shaking like that, it doesn't seem like a simple chat."
"Or is it because I'm shaking? Or is there something I can't know?"
It has to be said that Hongo's intuition is frighteningly accurate, and every word he says hits the nail on the head. For a moment, you can't tell whether the unease Lem instilled in you is stronger, or whether Hongo himself is more terrifying. Just as your taut nerves are about to lose control due to the series of events, Hongo withdraws his hand from your face and steps back to a distance where you won't be frightened.
"I was just kidding, don't be scared."
"But I'm serious about the part about needing help. If Lyme makes you uncomfortable, I can help you."
Even though Hongo has returned to his usual gentlemanly demeanor when he's with you, after what just happened, you're hesitant to respond to him for the time being, but you've taken his words to heart.
If what Hongo said is true, then, like Rem, would Hongo, who makes you uneasy, be willing to keep a certain distance from you? Of course, you can only think these things in your heart; it's impossible to say them out loud. The only thing you can say is the all-purpose rhetoric that won't offend anyone.
"I will ask you for help when I really need it."
The premise is that the person causing you trouble is not the person in front of you.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
