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After that, Shanks and I tried to recruit Red Nose as a crew member. But when he saw us holding hands, he yelled something like "Go explode in style!" and ran off crying. Wonder what that was about?
After that, we recruited Beckman as first mate and Yasopp as our sniper. The Red Hair Pirates were making steady progress.
By the time Shanks turned fifteen, people started calling him "Red-Haired Shanks." Our crew's name was spreading, and we all celebrated together.
And since Shanks turned fifteen and became an adult... well... as lovers, we started doing those kinds of things... you know...
After our first time, we'd blush every time we made eye contact. Yasopp, who had a girlfriend back in Syrup Village, and Beckman, being the oldest, teased us mercilessly.
Well, that led to a party to celebrate.
Around this time, something strange started happening to my body. Actually, it's more accurate to say an existing problem got worse.
I'd been coughing since the Roger Pirates disbanded and we returned to Wano. Lately, there was blood mixed in with the coughing.
I quickly investigated my condition and discovered I had the same viral heart disease as Captain Roger.
Learning it was a fatal illness made me depressed, but I was also relieved. This disease was caused by a virus, but it wasn't contagious between people.
I could still spend time with Shanks as his lover for a while longer. I cried tears of joy.
But I only told First Mate Beckman about the disease. It was my selfishness.
A year later, about two years after I'd started my adventure with Shanks, my condition worsened further. I made a decision.
I decided to leave the ship.
◆
"Here, Shanks. Drink this."
Shanks and I were both completely naked. Well, we were lovers, so we'd been doing those kinds of things...
"Hm? Akari, what's that?"
"Let's call it medicine."
"Medicine? We don't need anything like that if you want to..."
"Not that kind of medicine, you pervert!"
This was our last time, so I'd been pretty demanding... but that's not what this was about!
"Just drink it!"
"If Akari says so, I'll drink it, but... Yuck!!"
"Good medicine tastes bitter, as they say."
Shanks stuck out his tongue and shrugged. With this, I had no more worries.
"What kind of saying is that?"
"Who knows? It just popped into my head."
"I see. You really are smart, Akari."
"Not as smart as Beckman, though."
I gave a bitter smile. Beckman was probably as smart as Papa Rayleigh.
"So what was that medicine I just drank?"
"Let's call it preventive medicine."
"Preventive medicine?"
"Yeah. Better safe than sorry, you know."
This was one of the few things I could leave for Shanks.
"It's just a precaution, so don't worry about it."
"Got it. Let's sleep then."
"Yeah. Good night, Shanks."
Good night, Shanks, my beloved...
◆
When dawn broke and the area began to lighten, I grabbed my minimal belongings and tried to leave the ship.
That's when I spotted Beckman leaning against the main mast, smoking.
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah."
Beckman really was perceptive. I hadn't told anyone I was leaving.
"Please take care of Shanks, Beckman."
"Yeah... but are you sure about this? The disease isn't contagious, right?"
"I don't want to get in the way of his dream."
"I see..."
Beckman looked down as he took a drag from his cigarette. He looked tough, but he was really warm-hearted.
"Do you have somewhere to go?"
"According to our intel, the Navy's coming to a nearby island tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"That ship belongs to a friend of mine, so I'll try relying on her."
"Hey now, you're going to board a Navy ship? That takes some serious guts."
Beckman scratched his head and gave a bitter laugh.
"Pretty fitting for the Red Hair Pirates, don't you think?"
"I wouldn't go that far."
"True enough."
We kept talking, reluctant to say goodbye. Well, I had to go.
"See you later, Beckman."
"Yeah... got anything you want me to tell Shanks?"
"Hmm... I told him I loved him plenty yesterday..."
"Hey now, spare me the lovey-dovey stuff."
We both laughed. People who live on the sea part with smiles. That's the proper way.
"See you, Beckman."
"Yeah. See you around, Akari."
And with that, I left the ship. Do your best, Shanks.
◆
Akari, the lover of Red Hair Pirates captain Shanks, had left the ship. She didn't want to interfere with his dream? What a woman.
As I smoked on deck, Shanks came out still looking half-asleep. I'd have to explain that Akari was gone. What a pain.
"Ah... Beckman, have you seen Akari?"
"...Akari left the ship."
"What?!"
His eyes widened as he stared at me. Finally woke up, did he?
"Why didn't you stop her?!"
"Because Akari wanted it that way."
"She's still nearby, right? Then!"
I grabbed Shanks' shoulder to stop him.
"Don't go."
"Why, Beckman?!"
"Akari has a disease."
Shanks turned toward me and grabbed my shirt.
"A disease?! What kind of disease?!"
"Viral heart disease... the same fatal illness as Gol D. Roger."
Shanks grabbed my collar and pulled me close, shouting.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Because Akari wanted it that way. Shanks... so she wouldn't interfere with your dream."
The strength left Shanks' hands. I'd never seen him this depressed before.
"Akari was a good woman."
"Yeah."
"It was love at first sight."
"You've told me that countless times."
"Beckman..."
"...What?"
Shanks looked at me with different eyes than before.
"We're going to get big. We'll get so big that no matter where in the world Akari is, she'll hear our name!"
Shanks had grown again. No, Akari had made him grow.
"...That's good. I'll just follow you."
With this, the Red Hair Pirates would become big. Bigger than I could ever imagine.
Really... Akari, you turned out to be an even better woman than I thought.
◆
"It's been a while, Akari."
A subordinate had just brought me a letter, and the sender was none other than Akari. The contents said she'd quit being a pirate and wanted me to give her a ride on my ship...
Her wanted poster was still active, so there was definitely a chance she'd be arrested. Akari was the same as always.
Plus, she'd apparently left her weapon, a sword, with Red Hair. Coming here unarmed, did she trust me that much, or was she just fearless?
"Yeah, it's been a while, Bellemere."
"Using the Navy as transportation, you haven't changed."
"Right back at you."
We laughed together. This feeling was nostalgic.
"...Ugh!"
"Hey, are you okay, Akari?"
"Hmm, maybe I got seasick on land?"
"I agreed to give you a ride, so see the ship's doctor before we leave."
"Yes ma'am."
A little while after I saw Akari off, a subordinate came running to me in a panic.
"Commander Bellemere!"
"What's wrong? Why are you so flustered?"
"It's about your friend Akari!"
"Did something happen to Akari?!"
Tension shot through me at my subordinate's words.
"Congratulations!"
"...Huh?"
What did he just say?
"Akari is pregnant!"
At the same time as those words, I started running toward Akari.
◆
"Akari!"
My best friend Bellemere burst into the room, looking frantic.
"Ahaha... Bellemere, apparently I'm pregnant."
"Does the father know about this?"
"Um... I just found out myself..."
Bellemere held her head after hearing my words. It couldn't be helped!
"Akari, where's your hometown again?"
"Wano Country."
"That's too far... Ship's doctor?"
"Considering Akari's condition, a sea voyage that long would be too dangerous."
So it was dangerous... my baby...
"Bellemere, what should I do?"
Bellemere spread out a nautical chart and started thinking.
"Ship's doctor, how about the East Blue?"
"...This ship's wave resistance is concerning."
"I see..."
"Um... Bellemere, could I stay on this island until I reach the stable period..."
"...Sorry, we don't have enough food supplies."
Oh no... what should I do...
"Akari, would it be okay if I took you to my hometown?"
"Huh? That's fine with me."
"Good! Someone! Prepare the Den Den Mushi!"
"What are you going to do, Bellemere?"
When I asked, Bellemere answered with a smile.
"I'm calling for backup. And it's going to be someone really special."
◆
"I never thought you'd call Garp back then."
After that, I was carefully escorted by Garp's fleet to Cocoyashi Village, where I safely gave birth.
According to what Bellemere told me, after Garp heard her report, he immediately led his fleet here, skipping all the usual procedures.
Because of that, rumors spread like "Hero Garp, decisive battle with Whitebeard?!" and the pirates were in complete chaos.
Hearing those rumors, Sengoku handled everything by spinning it as a Navy demonstration patrol, doing all sorts of behind-the-scenes work to calm things down.
...I caused so much trouble.
"Shu, we need to thank Garp... cough! cough!"
Blood appeared on the hand covering my mouth.
"...Hold on a little longer, my body."
I went to sea, met various people, and was helped by them to become who I am today. I might not have much time left, but I'll live it to the fullest.
"I... haven't been called 'Mama' yet."