"Mhm! I can see your resolve clearly!"
Rengoku nodded and, in turn, clasped Hancock's hand in his.
The moment her delicate hand was wrapped in his broad, firm grip, that steadfast resolve of hers seemed to melt away, her face flushing as she stammered.
"K–K–K–K–Kyojuro…!!"
"Hancock! I thank you for your courage! But all the same—stay by my side!"
That way, he could keep Sengoku and the rest of the Navy's upper brass from making any needless trouble.
"B–By your side?!?!"
It seemed Hancock had misunderstood entirely.
"I told you before, didn't I? I'll be there to protect you!"
If she stayed close to him, there would be no chance for the Celestial Dragons to whisper their vile demands—something that could plunge the world into chaos.
"Kyojuro…"
Like a young maiden swept up in her first love, Hancock's cheeks and ears turned crimson.
Seeing her sister looking as though she might swoon from excitement, Sandersonia stepped in tactfully.
"It's already lunchtime. Why don't we go eat, Sister?"
"L–Lunch?! Yes! Let's have lunch together!"
Thanks to Sandersonia's timely intervention, Hancock managed to cool her head a little.
"Kyojuro, you haven't had lunch yet, have you?"
"I've only just arrived, so no."
"T–Then… would you… l–like to have lunch with me? N–No, I mean… I want to make lunch for you. Would that be alright?"
"Oh! You mean that restaurant from before? The chef there was truly skilled!"
Rengoku's mind flashed back to the sea king steak he'd eaten last time.
"N–No! I want you to wait in my quarters… I'll cook for you myself—yes, the Empress of Amazon Lily will prepare your meal!"
Hancock's cooking? That was something he'd never heard of.
Then again, given her reputation as both a pirate captain and the ruler of a nation, it was only natural that no one knew what her cooking was like.
"Then I'll look forward to it!"
"G–Good! Then go and rest for now."
With that, Rengoku followed Sandersonia toward Hancock's chambers.
"Oh, that reminds me, Sandersonia."
"Mm? What is it?"
"I'd like my crew to enjoy some of your island's wonderful cooking as well! Even if they can't come ashore, the sea king meat here is a delicacy. I'd love for them to try it."
Sandersonia smiled at his thoughtfulness. "I'll tell the warriors in the village to see to it."
"My thanks!"
...
Hancock's chamber had changed since his last visit.
Before, it had been grand and imposing, fitting for an empress. Now, there was a softer air to it—a hint of a lover's retreat. Rich reds and deep purples adorned the room, lending it a dreamlike, almost romantic atmosphere.
Rengoku took a seat and waited.
Hancock's cooking… what could it be like?
Had she ever cooked for anyone before? What was her specialty—grilled, stewed, stir-fried?
He even caught himself picturing her in an apron, bustling about the kitchen.
"Ahem… enough of that," he muttered, cutting off that line of thought before it could wander further into indulgence.
After a while, Hancock returned—wearing a plain white apron over her clothes, an unexpectedly cute square chef's hat on her head, and oven mitts on her hands. Soot stains smudged her outfit here and there, no doubt from her efforts in the kitchen.
In her hands, she carried a pot.
Clack.
She set it down on the table and lifted the lid.
...
Inside the soup bowl was… a thick, viscous liquid.
How to describe it?
Like blood just before it congeals.
Rengoku had heard of certain stews that boiled blood down to a thick consistency… but was this supposed to be one of them?
Even with his quick wit, he couldn't quite process the thing sitting before him.
"Kyojuro," Hancock began, "this is a special tonic soup I made just for you—blended from two giant Sea Kings I had set aside. Won't you try it?"
At her request, Rengoku cautiously lifted a spoonful to his lips.
—Ugh!
This… could not rightly be called cuisine.
There was no seasoning whatsoever. Instead, the Sea Kings' fishy tang and gamey stench, along with a medley of briny, musky odors, assaulted both his taste buds and his nose.
Giant Sea Kings… from the smell, he could guess—Pig Mackerel and Sheep Hairtail, perhaps?
The first was a Sea King with a pig's head and a mackerel's body. The second had the body of a sheep, but the long, silver form of a hairtail fish.
Rengoku had eaten his fair share of Sea Kings, so he could tell roughly what he was dealing with.
"This is… Pig Mackerel and Sheep Hairtail, isn't it?"
"Oh my, how did you know? As expected…"
Was it that her loving touch had brought out the ingredients' natural flavor so well? Hancock's shoulders lifted ever so slightly in pride.
"Hancock… have you tried it yourself?"
He couldn't help but wonder if perhaps her sense of taste was… unique.
But she misunderstood completely. Resting a hand on his shoulder, she replied, "Ufufu… you needn't worry. This was made entirely for you. I've already eaten separately, so it's fine."
…He was doomed.
Forcing himself to chew and swallow the "solids" in his mouth, Rengoku realized—even he, Rengoku Kyojuro, was a little shaken by this flavor.
"How is it? Is it delicious?"
Her eyes shone so brightly, so full of expectation, that he couldn't bring himself to speak the full truth.
But neither could he lie outright.
"Mhm! It's… a very unique flavor!"
It wasn't a lie.
"U–Unique…?"
In love, Hancock misunderstood yet again. Since she'd made this dish entirely for him, perhaps he was speaking of the flavor of her love.
Ah, Kyojuro… you're such a man I can't help but love.
Overcome, Hancock covered her mouth delicately before speaking.
"Kyojuro…"
"Mmm? What is it?"
"You truly are… perfect."
The sudden praise caught him off guard. "…My thanks."
"If you want more, just say so! There's plenty left!"
"No, no, this is quite enough!"
Rengoku had narrowly fended off her "attack of affection."
Truthfully, even this single bowl of "tonic soup" was a trial to finish.
But he was the strong and kind Navy officer loved by all—he could not refuse such heartfelt hospitality.
And so, with the full sense of duty befitting a kindhearted Marine, Rengoku finished every last drop of the [Snake Princess's Love-Packed Giant Sea King Tonic Soup (provisional name)] under Hancock's blissful gaze.
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