Bel Mere came back, and in her hands was the food I used to hate the most. Now, I'm completely hopeful to eat it. I even had to wipe the drool that dripped from my mouth. Bel Mere laughed, which made me a little embarrassed.
"You can't be my Nami. She would never be so tempted by my tangerine cake... although I'll admit: there's nothing better than my cake."
"Of course I'm me! Who else would want to eat your cake besides me and Nojiko? No one!"
"What?! Are you saying my cake is bad?! Come here!"
I ran off before Bel Mere could catch me. That angry expression... I know it's fake. I think.
"Don't run away! Why are you running? Come here and prove your words are true!"
"I'll prove it!"
Bel Mere placed her cake on the table. I pulled the chair I had left and cut a small piece. I have to keep some class.
"Why don't you just eat the whole cake? That piece is more than half!"
"Those are just details. Don't worry about it."
"Since when did you become so shameless?"
"Hehehe... hehehe..."
"Don't laugh!"
How I missed this feeling... of comfort. I feel it with the Straw Hats, but here it's different. It's with my mother. The wood of the table is rough, but I like feeling it under my hands. The smell of tangerine that I once hated... now it's something I can say I love.
"I don't know what happened, but I'm happy to see that smile on your face. When you arrived, you were different. I always want to see that smile."
"You'll see it until you're tired of it. I'll make sure of that!"
"I'm starting to regret it..."
"What?!"
"Just kidding. I'm looking forward to it."
"That's not something to joke about!"
I ended up grumbling, like I used to when I was a child. I think, in front of Bel Mere, I'm acting like one. She gave me a scare... for a moment, I thought she really didn't want to see my smile.
"You did the same with my cake! But I didn't hear you saying that's not something to joke about. So don't complain!"
"Since when did you become so vengeful?"
"Since you talked about my cake!"
I ate the cake. I felt a fine and soft texture in my mouth, with the sweet taste of tangerine mixed with the light sponge. It was really great.
"So? Is it good?"
Bel Mere spoke as if it was something normal, as if she didn't expect anything, but she couldn't hide it on her face. I know you, mom. You're anxious to know if it's good.
"Yes, it's great. The best food I've ever eaten. I don't think I'll be able to eat anything else after this."
"Stop it. Don't exaggerate."
Her cheeks turned red. I saw it. I managed to make my mother embarrassed in a good way. But something feels off... didn't Kushina find me? I saw that she ran after me, but didn't show up. Even so, my hand didn't stop bringing cake to my mouth. It's too good! It's divine. I have to admit: my mother has divine hands.
We stayed until night, talking and chatting without noticing the time passing. I only realized it was night when everything got dark. My younger version had already come back with Nojiko. It's strange to look at my past self. It gives a weird feeling, like I'm watching myself from that time. And when our eyes met, I felt like I had lived this before.
"Mom, I need to go. I wanted to talk more, but I have to look for my friends. They haven't arrived yet."
"We're excited. I'll put little Nami and Nojiko to sleep, or else those two rascals won't want to go to bed early. Where are you going to stay?"
Hearing my mother ask where I'm staying made me feel so good. Aside from the Straw Hats, a few other people and races I've met on my journey, there's nothing like feeling a mother's concern. It's impressive.
"I'll sleep here, in my house. I just need to talk to my companions to see if they want to stay too."
"Good. If you weren't going to sleep here, I'd come after you. Are these companions from your crew?"
"No, they're part of the chat group. I'll bring them here. Let's get to know each other better."
I said goodbye to my mother, but promised I'd be back soon. The second objective of the chat hasn't been revealed yet, so we can use this time to get to know each other better. I left Bel Mere's house, passing through the white fence, when I heard a cough. I looked to the side: Kushina was leaning against the fence.
"She's your mother? Now I understand why you were so desperate earlier. I'm glad she's okay... and that you get to see her again."
"Thank you. It was all thanks to the chat group."
Kushina... since when was she here? I only mentioned Bel Mere as my mother when we had just entered. That means she stayed out here all this time, without interrupting? I forgot I wasn't alone when I arrived. At least I should've explained... they must've been worried.
"Did I make you wait too long?"
"Not at all! I understand. We all do. And from the conversation... sorry, but I overheard. It seems like your mother didn't have a happy ending. We would've been very cruel if we had stopped you from seeing her."
"Thank you. Where are Lost and Eren?"
"They're at the beach, Eren doesn't want to leave. And Lost is keeping him company. The two are messing around on the beach."
I looked at the beach in the distance and I could see Lost running and throwing sand at Eren while he tries to dodge. They're very relaxed. But why didn't Kushina stay with them? I turned my gaze back to her, and I think she noticed what I was about to say.
"They, how can I put this. It's easier to communicate with the same gender than the opposite. I was also worried about you. I couldn't leave you alone. They were too, at least Eren. Lost didn't show much concern, which is quite strange."
"Thank you."
I got closer and hugged Kushina, who tensed up — she wasn't expecting it. I must've caught her by surprise. Her body relaxed when I felt her hands on my back.
"You're welcome."
Kushina said and stayed silent while we hugged for a few seconds. I think I can trust them. My gaze returned to the beach, where Lost and Eren were in the water even though it was nighttime. I can only see them thanks to the moon.
"Let's go, I'll introduce you to my mom!"