After receiving forgiveness from the Nefertari family, Rengoku returned to the guest chamber.
The heavy knot in his chest felt as if it had finally begun to ease.
"Kyojuro, you've returned!"
As soon as he opened the door, Hancock was there to greet him.
"Mm! I'm back."
Hearing his voice, more vibrant than before, Hancock smiled softly as she looked at him.
"I don't know what happened, but it seems your heart has grown lighter. That alone makes me happy, Kyojuro."
At her observation, Rengoku chuckled. As expected of someone who had risen to the throne through her own strength—the instincts of a ruler were sharp.
"Thank you. In any case, you haven't eaten yet either, have you? There may be a banquet at the palace tonight, but we should still have breakfast and lunch."
"I can eat anytime. Ah! If it pleases you, why don't I borrow the kitchen here and cook for you myself? I'd like to show you how much my culinary skills have improved."
Hancock offered brightly.
Rengoku immediately shook his head. He had to refuse.
"Mm! Since we've come all the way to Alabasta, I think it would be better to try the local cuisine. We'll have the palace food at the banquet, so why not explore the capital and taste their specialties this morning?"
Though a little disappointed, Hancock agreed. If one traveled so far, sampling local dishes was part of the journey.
"Well then, it'll be our little da—date...♥"
Knock, knock.
Just as Hancock let her thoughts slip into "date," a knock came at the door.
"Come in!"
Rengoku opened the door, and there stood Vivi.
"Vice Admiral!"
Her makeup was slightly smeared from tears. Without hesitation, she threw herself into his arms.
Rengoku instantly realized she had cried again. Like an older brother, he gently patted her shoulder to soothe her.
"What happened?"
"Vice Admiral... I just... just wanted to be held like this."
It wasn't sadness. These were tears of joy, overwhelming joy from finally returning home.
He held her quietly, understanding better than anyone how exhausting her journey must have been.
Though a certain pair of eyes behind him radiated a very warm gaze, he paid it no mind.
After a while, Vivi seemed to calm down, having cried her fill.
"I-I'm sorry. That was improper of me..."
"It's fine. Anyone would feel overwhelmed coming home after so long. I understand."
Rengoku stroked her hair as he comforted her.
"You haven't eaten either, have you? There are a few famous places in Alubarna—I could take you."
At her offer, Rengoku nodded.
"I was hoping to taste some of the local food anyway. Perfect timing. But first, perhaps you should freshen up."
Realizing her makeup was ruined, Vivi blushed and lowered her head.
"Th-then please excuse me, I'll prepare myself properly and return! Please wait just a little!"
She rushed out, covering her face as she left.
Watching her retreating figure, so much like that of a little sister, Rengoku's lips curled into a smile.
"Hancock."
The moment he spoke her name, the "warm gaze" from behind suddenly grew meek.
"Kyojuro..."
He turned to her and said firmly:
"I'm afraid our date will have to wait until another time."
At his straightforward words, Hancock's cheeks turned scarlet. She twisted her fingers nervously and murmured, almost too softly to hear:
"F-fine then... very well."
On the outside, she fell quiet. But inside her mind, chaos bloomed.
Kyojuro said 'our date.'
Kyojuro said 'our date'...♥
Kyojuro said OUR DATE!!!
In her imagination, the two of them already had one hundred children and three hundred grandchildren, all living happily together with them on Amazon Lily in their twilight years.
H-hehh...♡
Without realizing, Hancock's body twisted and squirmed with giddy delight.
Not long after fixing her makeup, Vivi returned to guide Rengoku and Hancock through the streets of Alubarna.
The people immediately recognized her.
"Princess Vivi! You've returned!"
"It's been so long, Princess Vivi!"
"Princess Vivi!"
"Princess Vivi!"
Voices called out from every direction. The resemblance to Queen Titi, wife of King Nefertari Cobra, was so strong that no citizen of Alabasta could possibly fail to recognize her.
As she received the heartfelt greetings of her people, Vivi turned to her companions with a smile.
"What kind of food do you both prefer?"
"I'm fine with anything," said Rengoku warmly.
"I crave something spicy," Hancock mused, "but I'd also like to try one of this city's specialties."
"In that case, aside from the banquet dishes you'll taste tonight at the palace, the most iconic would be Alubarna Koshari!"
"Koshari?" Rengoku and Hancock tilted their heads, hearing the name for the first time.
"Yes," Vivi explained brightly. "It's a dish of rice and pasta topped with lentils, chickpeas, fried garlic, and onions, all smothered in Alubarna's special spicy, tangy sauce. It's a must-eat for any traveler who visits Alabasta!"
The description alone made Rengoku's mouth water.
"Then I vote for Alubarna Koshari. What about you, Hancock?"
Without a second thought, Hancock agreed. "That will do nicely, hmph!"
"Perfect. Follow me—I know just the place that makes it best!" Vivi said, practically skipping ahead with childlike energy.
Rengoku couldn't help but remark aloud, his tone warm and admiring:
"King Cobra must be truly blessed to have a daughter like Vivi."
It was nothing more than a casual compliment—but to Hancock's ears, it carried an entirely different meaning.
"Hmph! Kyojuro, you needn't worry. I could give you children just like Princess Vivi any time you wish."
"Ha ha ha! That's just like you, Hancock!"
By now, Rengoku was used to her bold declarations of affection, and took them in stride. Hancock, meanwhile, was already lost in another whirlwind of fantasies.
Fortunately, despite Vivi's long absence, the capital hadn't changed much. The restaurant she remembered was still standing.
"Three servings of Alubarna Koshari and tea, please!" she ordered cheerfully.
"Right away, Princess Vivi!" the owner replied, personally leading them into a private booth where a screen shielded them from the gazes of other customers.
The food soon arrived. Rengoku took his first spoonful—
"Umaaaai! (Delicious!)" he exclaimed.
"Umaai! Umaai! Umaai! Umaai!"
With every bite, another shout of praise burst from him.
"Vice Admiral, pace yourself," Vivi reminded him gently. "There's still a banquet this evening."
"Mmm! But the flavor truly embodies the pride of this land. This dish is the fruit of constant, devoted effort."
"Exactly," Vivi agreed with a proud smile. "Alubarna's koshari is especially famous for a reason."
As Rengoku and Hancock enjoyed the Alabastan cuisine, Vivi couldn't help but smile herself. It had been so long since she had felt this sense of peace—sharing her homeland's food with people she trusted.
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