[Whew. Today's diary-recording task is finally done.]
[Let me take a look… Oh, I actually already meet the requirement for one regular draw?]
[Hmm… should I do a draw right now?]
Gion: "W-What… Arton is going to pull a template again?!"
Kujaku: "He pulled Signora template not long ago—he isn't about to pull another powerful template now, is he?"
Doll: "No. Arton only has enough points for a single regular draw. The odds of him pulling a template aren't very high."
Smoothie: "Even if he pulls a template, it probably won't be anything particularly strong. Maybe it'll be something like Yoriichi Tsugikuni's template."
Whitey Bay: "Yoriichi Tsugikuni's template only has exquisite swordsmanship—there aren't many other special abilities. It's only because Arton is the one using it that it looks so strong."
Ulti: "I do want to see Arton pull a template… but he should wait until I find him first, then pull one."
Hina: "If Arton pulls a template right now, he'll probably give it to Ain."
Boa Hancock: "There seem to be Diary Copy holders on Skypiea too. Maybe that man will give the template to them… if Ain isn't compatible with whatever he pulls."
Yamato: "Will Arton actually do it?"
Flameblade Pirates. Infirmary.
"Ugh… I'm kinda torn." Arton let out a sigh, his voice muffled as he spoke.
"Um… Captain, do you have to lie like this?" Kaya's cheeks were red as she pressed on the acupoints at the back of Arton's head.
Right now, Arton was lying face-down across her thighs. Every time he breathed, a warm rush of air brushed against her, making it hard for Kaya to focus on easing his fatigue.
After everything that had happened before, she truly was willing to become Arton's wife. But before anything like that had actually happened, she still couldn't help feeling shy and nervous.
Or rather—given Kaya's personality, even if those intimate things did happen someday, she'd probably still be shy and nervous anyway.
And besides, Arton was currently recovering. Even if Kaya wanted to, she didn't want to end up making him burn even more stamina.
"But I'm really comfortable like this." His voice was still muffled.
"O-Okay… as long as you're happy, Captain." Kaya gave a small sigh.
Then she did her best to focus, massaging him while also using medical ninjutsu to help him recover. She wanted to convert her chakra into Arton's stamina.
But right then, Arton suddenly lifted his head and leaned forward—burying himself into Kaya's chest.
"C-Captain … what are you—?" Kaya blurted out in a fluster.
"It's nothing. I'm just feeling conflicted, so I wanted to switch positions and think it through."
"Th-Then… did I help you at all?" Kaya pressed her lips together as she asked.
She knew exactly what Arton was conflicted about—whether or not to do the draw. Even though she was focused on treating Arton, she still kept an eye on the Diary Copy.
After all, she needed to watch out for whether Arton might accidentally reveal anything that would disadvantage the Flameblade Pirates to any female Marines or female agents who might possess a Diary Copy.
Even though they were on Skypiea now, under normal circumstances the Marines and the World Government shouldn't be showing up to bother them… but who knew if Arton might casually mention where they planned to go next? If he did, the Marines and the World Government could move ahead and set up defenses at their next stop.
That was the last thing Kaya wanted to see.
Chapter 503: Kaya: "Can you promise me one thing, Captain?"
"Of course, Kaya—you always manage to help me." Arton paused, then added, "But if possible, I'd like Kaya to help me… even better."
"What does Captain want me to do?" Kaya asked. "If it's something I can help with, I definitely will."
As she spoke, she cradled the back of Arton's head, her voice incredibly gentle.
Right now, she really did look like the sweet girl-next-door big-sister type. Even though, age-wise, Arton was actually older than her.
"It's nothing complicated," Arton said, nuzzling against Kaya's chest a little. "It's just… my buddy also wants to feel Kaya's embrace."
"Your… buddy?" Kaya tilted her head, confused. "Captain, you have a brother?"
But before Arton could answer, a spark of realization flashed through Kaya's mind.
In real life, Arton had never really mentioned a brother before, but in his diary, he'd mentioned it plenty.
In just a second or two, Kaya understood exactly what kind of "help" Arton was asking for.
"B-But, Captain…" Kaya pressed her lips together and said softly, "You still need to rest and recover…"
"Hm? You get what I mean?"
Kaya's answer actually made Arton freeze up a bit—he'd been about to explain it to her.
He lifted his head and looked at Kaya's face again, and all he could think was how adorable she was right now.
Paired with the way her body had grown more and more mature thanks to the template, Arton felt his heart thump hard in his chest.
He'd only meant to tease Kaya a little at first… but now he realized he genuinely wanted it.
"N-No…" Kaya immediately turned her face away when she heard Arton's words.
"But you look like you totally understand," Arton said. "Don't tell me Uta taught you?"
Arton pulled away from Kaya's chest and sat up straight, rubbing his chin as he spoke—thinking out loud as he did.
On this ship, Nami, Carina, even Nojiko—they definitely understood this kind of thing. But Arton didn't think they'd be the type to teach Kaya about it.
The only one who might was Uta, who was both extremely close to Arton and naturally bright and outgoing.
"No," Kaya shook her head quickly, embarrassed. "Uta really didn't teach me any of that."
"I… I figured it out myself…" Kaya didn't want Arton blaming Uta for this.
"I see," Arton nodded. "So you've grown up, huh, Kaya."
In Arton's memory, Kaya wasn't someone who would go out of her way to learn things like that… but that was the old Kaya. This Kaya—after being changed by him—already understood a lot more than before.
Maybe she really had started picking up some… bolder knowledge.
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Arton felt the blood in his body speed up, and the pounding in his chest only intensified.
Kaya, who'd been looking down toward Arton's feet, immediately noticed the change in him.
If this keeps going… Arton is going to be uncomfortable, isn't he… Kaya thought, pressing her lips together.
She was a doctor, after all. She knew that if Arton forced himself to endure for too long, it could actually interfere with his recovery instead.
With that in mind, Kaya quietly made up her mind. "Captain … can you promise me one thing?"
"What is it?" Arton asked, curious.
"After this is over, you need to get proper rest," Kaya said firmly.
"So… what exactly is the thing you're asking me to promise?" Arton asked, even more curious now.
Kaya took a deep breath. She didn't answer him out loud.
Instead, she stood up, helped Arton over, and pressed him down into a chair.
Then, under Arton's slightly surprised gaze, she leaned forward—putting the weight of her breasts onto his lap.