Chapter 40
You're glad you didn't do anything embarrassing while drunk, but the hangover you felt when you woke up was a bit unpleasant. In contrast, Yuka, who had drunk several large glasses, woke up early to pack her things. Seeing that you were awake, she excitedly urged you to pack your things too.
"We'll be at the island where Dad is protecting us soon. We'll stay there to buy daily necessities and replenish our supplies before heading to the next island to search for treasure."
As Yuka spoke, she pulled you out of bed. Her cheerful tone made you feel better just being with her.
Thinking about the treasure and the Red-Haired Pirates that Ace mentioned yesterday, you're unsure whether you should disembark. But listening to Yuka's suggestions, you feel that leaving the ship might not be a bad thing.
And this time it's different from before, you can buy things with your own money, instead of needing someone else to pay you to explore the island.
-
When you finally set foot on the island again, still feeling the solid ground beneath your feet, the impatient crew members have already run far away, including Ace.
The attitude of the village chief and villagers who welcomed the Whitebeard Pirates shows that Whitebeard was highly respected by them. In addition to being respected, he was also revered by them.
Marco was talking to the village chief and villagers. To quote Harta, "This is no trouble for their father." He also mentioned the banquet, but you didn't hear clearly before Harta was dragged away by Vista and his group.
Also leaving with you were Yuka and the nursing team, who had prepared a huge sales event before docking. They had invited you, but you politely declined, saying you wanted to be alone for a while.
But when asked where you want to go, you really can't decide. Seeing your hesitation, I offered some suggestions for your consideration.
"Do you want to buy new clothes? Or maybe something to eat? I can show you the way."
You are deeply grateful for Izang's suggestion, but at the same time, you don't really have anywhere you want to go.
"Thank you, but I haven't decided where to go yet."
Just as Izo was about to say something, Marco, who was talking to the village chief not far away, called Izo's name. Seeing this, you gestured to Izo not to worry and told him to go ahead, which earned you a relieved yet helpless smile from Izo.
"I'll go check on Marco first, then I'll come find you later."
"You go ahead and get busy."
You didn't directly accept Izang's invitation to "wait a moment," and whether Izang understood your implied meaning after leaving is not something you need to consider.
While you linger there contemplating your next move, the crew members who have reached the shore gradually depart. Some of them even kindly invite you to join them for drinks, only to be reprimanded by your fellow crew members.
And so it was; the crew member who invited you apologized with an awkward laugh, then quickly left the shore. Although they didn't say it outright, the "half-cup knockout" at the banquet probably left just as deep an impression on them as the thumbs-up performance.
Why don't you buy a house and stay here? That way you won't be embarrassed.
You've seriously considered the feasibility of this plan. From a long-term perspective, following the Whitebeard Pirates will do more harm than good, and your final destination will definitely be managing a relatively stable island life.
The only drawback is that you don't yet know whether the island falls under the category of "stable management".
"What are you thinking about, so seriously?"
Looking to your right, you see Satchi speaking to you, with Teach standing beside him—someone you haven't met since boarding the ship. When your gaze falls on Teach, he smiles back, and you politely return the smile before continuing Satchi's conversation.
"I'm wondering if the houses on this island are expensive."
Sachi, realizing the implication in your words, paused in his smile, then looked embarrassed.
"Do you want to stay here? If you're looking for a place to stay, this island might not be the best fit for you."
Why do you say that?
Sachi stroked his chin thoughtfully as he answered your question.
"Well, the management here is actually pretty average. While no foolish pirates would dare to come here, the island's security..."
Satch paused for a few seconds, and Teach, who was next to him, burst into hearty laughter, finishing what Satch hadn't finished saying.
"Your father owns many other islands. If you're not in a hurry, why don't you look at a few more islands before making a decision?"
Teach's words earned a single syllable of agreement from Sachi, and you nodded in understanding, expressing your gratitude for their suggestion.
"That's true, thank you for your suggestions."
Sachi, somewhat flustered by your thanks, extends an invitation to you to join him amidst Titch's "very polite" laughter.
"By the way, do you want to go shopping with us?"
"I'll come to town to find you later. I want to enjoy the view from the shore a little longer."
Sachi, whom you rejected, didn't press you. Before leaving, he reminded you to be careful, while Teach warned you to watch out for stranded sea monsters. No sooner had he finished speaking than Sachi, who was traveling with him, elbowed you in retaliation. Their friendly interaction made you chuckle.
-
"I never expected Sachi to be so cunning."
After confirming that you wouldn't hear their conversation, Teach pointed out Satch's deliberate avoidance of the topic. Satch, caught off guard by his brother's observation, didn't deny it, and scratched his nose with his index finger.
"It's not exactly scheming. It's just that when it comes to settling down, it's always good to do your research, right?"
Although Sachi felt that staying on their ship was safer than on any island, saying these things now that you're thinking of leaving will only make you more eager to get off the ship.
Teach, who was closest to Satchi on the ship, burst into laughter at Satchi's answer, which was unwilling to admit his ulterior motives.
"Whether she noticed or not, I don't know, but all the brothers on the ship noticed. You don't want her to get off the ship, do you?"
Having come this far, Sachi had no intention of hiding anything any longer.
"It's not up to us to decide these things; it ultimately depends on what Dad and she think."
First their fathers, then you. And the fact that their fathers didn't try to suppress their thoughts already gave the answer. As for you, who's second...
Teach, who had been watching the spectacle unfold, finally burst out laughing.
"Then you'll have to try your best; she doesn't seem like the type to be easily appeased."
As Teach spoke, he reached out and patted Satch's back. Feeling the touch on his back, Satch turned around and glanced back. Seeing that you were still standing there and had no intention of leaving, he turned back and let out a helpless sigh.
"Success isn't something that can be achieved simply through hard work."
If success were guaranteed through hard work, you wouldn't be considering settling down as soon as you land on the island.
-
You can hear Teach laughing, but you don't know why she's laughing. Izo, who came over with Marco after their conversation, probably misunderstood something and told you not to take their words to heart.
Too lazy to explain, you nodded in understanding. But when you glanced at the villagers, whose expressions were completely different from the relaxed ones, and their faces were full of worry, you felt that something had happened.
After noticing that you are paying attention to the villagers behind you, Marco tells you directly what they are talking about.
“They wanted to ask Dad to find someone he knew to pray for them. But as you know, we don’t believe in these things, and we don’t know anyone who does.”
"I don't know where they heard that praying for blessings can bring peace to the souls of the islanders who died on the island."
"But even the only one who might know this, Izang, doesn't know these things, so we have to give up."
After Marco finished explaining what had happened, Izang, who had been summoned because of the matter, responded with a single tone, indicating that everything Marco said was true.
Under normal circumstances, you wouldn't get involved in troublesome matters. But your conversation with Thatch and Teach just now made you realize something: at this stage, the benefits you've gained from being with the Whitebeard Pirates far outweigh the benefits you've given.
Even if you are Ace's friend, if you continue to get along with him like this, even if you find an island to settle on, you will be unable to ask to leave the ship because you keep accepting their gifts.
In case this situation arises in the near future, you need to do something. The "prayer" that Marco mentioned is exactly what you can do.
But, do you really want to do this? Do you really want to expose the shadows that haven't been erased to others? There are more things you can do than this.
While your mind is still reeling from this, Marco and Izang notice your unusual behavior and ask about your condition with concern. Your chaotic thoughts, which were caused by "praying for blessings," are finally brought back to reality.
Under their concerned gazes, you clench your hands, a mixture of fear and nervousness in your eyes, and force a smile at them.
"If it's just about praying for blessings, I should be able to do that."
You heard your own trembling voice, and Marco's disapproving sigh: "This isn't something we have to do. You don't need to force yourself."
You know Marco is right, but the truth is, at this stage, this is the only thing you can do that isn't something they absolutely have to do.
"I know, but it seems like this is all I can do right now."
Marco, vaguely sensing something, shook his head helplessly and relented under your pleading gaze.
"You really are... Well then, let's leave it at that, we'll be staying on the island for a while anyway."
After saying that, Marco turned and called over the frowning islander. While you were still catching your breath, pleased with yourself for bringing this up, Izo walked up to you and spoke softly to you.
"Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do to help."
Meeting his encouraging gaze, you slowly exhaled and returned his barely passable smile.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
-
The offerings, altar, and clothing needed for the prayers are all prepared by the islanders, while the makeup is done by Yizang.
After you put on the sacrificial clothing, looking at your reflection in the mirror, memories of that island not long ago flood your mind.
Don't think about it, don't look at it, don't let the past affect the present.
You sit in front of the mirror, adjusting your breathing, until Izo takes out his makeup tools, his warm fingertips pinching your chin, and with a slightly forceful tone, he shifts your gaze from the mirror to Izo's face.
"Close your eyes, I'll do your makeup."
Perhaps your emotions were in turmoil, or perhaps it was because Izo's exquisite appearance could make you temporarily forget your troubles, that you overlooked the fact that your actions were too intimate for your relationship with Izo.
"Thank you for your help."
You turn to face Izo, closing your eyes and entrusting the task of cleaning your face to him. You can't see his expression for the moment, but you can tell from the soft chuckle at the end that he's in a good mood. As the cool powder settles on your face, you and Izo exchange a seemingly unrelated conversation.
"They trust me quite a lot."
Because of the foundation you were wearing, you didn't catch up with Izo's words until Izo told you to open your eyes, and then you added your thoughts based on what he had just said.
"Because Izo looks like he's good at makeup, I trust his skills more than mine."
Upon hearing this, Izang chuckled softly, then used his bent index finger to press against your chin, making you tilt your head back at an angle that would allow him to apply makeup.
"You're already saying nice things before you're even finished applying makeup? I'll do a better job because you said nice things. Now keep your eyes closed."
When you close your eyes again, you can feel the soft brush moving across your face. From your forehead to your eyes, to every inch of your skin, and finally a touch of red to adorn your lips.
Judging from the length of time Izo paused, Izo must have finished applying makeup. However, the hand holding your face has not yet let go, and without Izo's command, you dare not open your eyes for the time being.
But the pause lasted too long, so long that you began to doubt whether you were being tricked by Izo, when Izo, who was holding your face, let out a soft laugh.
Are you nervous?
For this reason, you open your eyes and meet Izo's smiling gaze. No matter how many times you look at it, you think Izo's smile is beautiful. Even now, as you are nervous about the upcoming blessing ceremony, you can't help but let your gaze linger on Izo's face for a few more seconds.
"I am indeed a little nervous."
Your answer elicited a laugh from Izou that was easily missed if you weren't paying attention. Before you could understand the meaning of Izou's laughter, he cupped your face in his hands and lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against your face as he closed the distance between you.
"Perhaps it's not you who should be nervous, but me."
Forgive me for not understanding the meaning behind Izo's words. Izo didn't mean for you to understand either. He simply pressed his lips lightly against your newly painted lips under your puzzled gaze.
The touch was so light it was almost imperceptible, followed by a helpless laugh that seemed to echo in his ears.
"I really don't want them to see you like this."
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