Chapter 30
Harta gave you a gemstone that matched the color of his eyes, and when he placed the gemstone in your hand, a smug smile spread across his face.
"How about it? Isn't what I gave you better than roses?"
You examine the sapphire in your hand. Even if you know nothing about gems, you know its quality is extraordinary. And those proud sapphire eyes are certain you'll like a gem that matches his eye color. Even knowing the person before you is a pirate who could take your life at any moment, Harta's aura of familial affection makes it impossible for you to refuse.
It might also be related to Harta's appearance, as you can't help but thank Harta in a tone befitting a junior.
"I really like the gift you gave me, thank you. If I remember correctly... Captain Harta?"
Your reaction was exactly what Harta had expected, but the way you looked at him and smiled made Harta feel an unusual heat. Just like yesterday, after their eyes briefly met, Harta looked away first. Because of the angle and Harta's hairstyle, you couldn't quite see his expression. Of course, it was mostly because Harta didn't want you to see his expression either.
"That's right, it's worth a lot of money! If you lose it... I won't give you another one."
After delivering his message—a mix of threat and boast—Harta, just as he had arrived, hurried out of the infirmary under Marco's mocking gaze. Only after Harta's powerful footsteps had completely faded away did Marco, who had been sitting and watching the whole thing, finally burst out laughing.
"Harta sent you a gift after only a few days. I have to say, he's definitely Ace's friend."
Marco's laughter wasn't malicious; it was simply a sigh of relief that your relationship with Harta had improved. Even so, you still detected a subtle warning, or perhaps a reminder, in it. You could call it being sensitive, but you believed that it's always good to be cautious.
"No, I only got to stay here because of Ace. Everyone on the Moby Dick really liked Ace."
Marco looked surprised upon hearing this, his seemingly lifeless eyes scrutinizing you as you sat on the bed receiving an IV drip. Marco's reaction made you wonder if you had said something wrong. Under Marco's scrutinizing gaze, you tried to find the right words from your blank mind.
Even faster than your reaction was Marco's knowing chuckle.
"Now I understand why Izo said that about you. You really know how to talk."
Marco's mentions of names and his words leave you bewildered, and even more so, filled with fear. Even if Whitebeard says you can stay, they could change their minds and kick you off the ship at any time.
Perhaps your unease was too obvious. Marco, who roughly guessed what you were thinking, let out a helpless sigh. His eyes, which had been smiling just moments before, were now filled with helplessness.
"Don't make that face. I don't mean to blame you. In fact, you're doing quite well."
“Although we won’t harm you, everyone on the ship has a different personality and temperament. Being aware of this will save you a lot of trouble.”
You breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that Marco wasn't angry about Harta giving you a gift. Seeing you relax, a smile appeared on Marco's face as your tense expression eased, until Marco seemed to remember something.
"You weren't like this with Redhead, were you?"
Although the question wasn't explicitly stated, you were well aware of the competitive mindset unique to your peers.
"Shanks and the others, like everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates, treated me very well. It was my insistence that I left."
Marco, who hadn't heard any gossip about the Red-Haired Pirates from you, showed a rather interested expression.
"You're really something, insisting on coming to my father's place. Is it because of Crocodile?"
You nodded, answering Marco's question. Seeing that you had no intention of discussing the topic, Marco stopped asking questions related to Shanks and Crocodile. He sat at his desk, writing something on a piece of paper, and continued until you finished your IV drip before leaving the infirmary.
-
Even sleep aids can't guarantee a dreamless night. You know very well that the main cause of your insomnia is past experiences.
The nurse in your room is still asleep. Considering that you might wake her up, you, who are not sleepy, decide to go outside for a walk.
It wouldn't be accurate to call it a walk to clear your head; you were simply walking into the hallway a little distance from your room, gazing at the starry night sky. Even when you're locked in the basement, you look at the sky like this.
The basement window was narrow, limiting the view. Besides, you weren't in the mood to appreciate the night sky; looking up was just a temporary rest after rubbing your hands on the rope.
Before you can clear your mind any further, a male voice with a strange speech tic sounds behind you: "Without enough sleep, the recovery will be much slower, yoi."
It was Marco. Although he looked energetic, the way he kept yawning as he walked clearly indicated that he had just finished something.
"I know, but I just can't sleep. I'm worried about disturbing the nurses in the room, so I thought it would be better to come out for a walk to clear my head."
Marco understood upon hearing this, and the emotion in his gaze did not change despite Marco's nod.
"Compared to me, Dr. Mal is more like the one who needs a rest."
For Marco, he hadn't expected the patient he'd been nagging to show concern in return. So, Marco faced two choices: accept the concern, or complain about the strange nickname. He chose the latter.
"You really know how to pick a topic... Just call me Marco. Although I am indeed the ship's doctor, it feels strange for a pirate to be called a doctor."
Seeing Marco's expression, which was almost identical to the one you gave Sachi when you called him "chef" that day, you, with your experience, understood.
“I understand, Marco.”
Marco's expression became even more complicated after receiving the answer he wanted.
"...No, I didn't mean for you to talk to me like that."
You felt you should be the one wondering what was going on. Meeting your puzzled gaze, Marco ruffled his hair and let out a helpless sigh.
"Forget it, I don't think discussing your way of speaking is a good topic."
Perhaps to pirates, your overly polite and measured way of speaking seems strange. I can understand, but Marco, who brought up the topic, seems unable to convince himself to drop it.
"Do you always talk like this, or do you only talk like this to certain people?"
Marco paused for a few seconds, and seeing that you had no intention of replying, he turned his head and quickly said something you couldn't understand. When he turned his head again, the slight annoyance that had just been visible in Marco's expression had returned to the composure he had shown in the infirmary during the day.
"I'm sorry, I guess I was just too tired, that's why I told you all this. Don't take it to heart."
Even if Marco didn't say anything, you could tell from his dark circles that he wasn't in good shape, and the nurse in your room had also told you that Marco was very busy. Besides, Marco and you were just having a casual chat, and there was nothing he needed to apologize for, so why would you possibly take a casual conversation to heart?
"No, I'd rather Marco get some rest. If the doctor taking care of the patient collapses, the Whitebeard Pirates will be in big trouble."
Having already experienced being cared for, Marco is now able to accept the reality of being cared for by you this time.
"The feeling of being cared for by patients is subtle, but it feels good."
So now you're the one who's surprised. Of all the pirates you know, Marco is currently the only one who would openly tell you that "it feels good to be cared for." Even though, in your eyes, this is just a perfectly normal conversation in human interaction.
"I'm glad I could help you."
A single sentence caused Marco's expression to become subtle again, even after he had composed himself. He didn't say anything, only letting out a helpless sigh.
The brief chat ended with Marco telling you to "get some rest." Before leaving, Marco also told you not to stay there too long.
"This is a pirate ship, after all. There are all sorts of guys on board. Staying here too long won't be a good thing for you."
Change the context and the subject, and this statement becomes a disclaimer for all accidents, which is indeed the case. You know perfectly well that Marco is telling the truth, and you won't be staying here long.
However, after standing in the corridor for so long, you've only encountered Marco so far. Perhaps it's the beautiful night view, or perhaps it's the effects of lack of sleep, but you, who usually wouldn't say anything, have the idea of teasing Marco pop into your head.
"Is Marco, who told me all this, also one of the 'not a good thing' people you mentioned?"
Caught off guard, Marco was startled by your words. He stood frozen in place, his eyes, which had been squinting with sleep just moments before, widening in surprise at your words. And you, acting impulsively, regretted your words after seeing Marco's reaction.
Fortunately, Marco showed no signs of getting angry, and you managed to back up your words before things escalated to an irreversible point.
"What I really want to say is that meeting Marco was a good thing for me, nothing more."
Your words only made things worse; Marco, who was still frozen in place, had an even more complicated expression. In the blink of an eye, Marco composed himself, let out a sigh, and looked at you with eyes full of helplessness.
"So, if you watch too much excitement, you might become part of the excitement yourself?"
Lively? You, who seem to have been unfairly labeled, want to defend yourself, but Marco, who can read your thoughts from your micro-expressions, explains what he said before you can.
"Ah, I don't mean to blame you, I just think this experience is very novel, really."
Clearly, Marco was afraid that you would misunderstand his words again, just like before. Thinking the conversation would end there, Marco, who had been exuding a nonchalant air, suddenly changed his attitude, his tone becoming serious and brooking no argument.
"But it's best to forget what you said."
A single glance from Marco made you instinctively take a few steps back. And with the desired reaction, Marco flashed a sly smile, instantly dispelling the tension that had been building up inside you.
"I don't think I need to explain the specific reasons to you again, do I?"
This is Marco's "revenge" for your teasing of him. However, this "revenge" is still beyond your capabilities.
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