Ryuuzaki returned to the storage hold.
"Did you take care of it?"
"Mhm."
"Where did you go?"
"None of your business," Robin shot Ryuuzaki a glare.
"I was just asking. Fine, whatever, here." Ryuuzaki handed Robin a piece of bread and a cloak.
For some reason, Robin's eyes welled up with tears.
"Uh, " Now it was Ryuuzaki who was at a loss.
Robin wiped her eyes as she devoured the bread ravenously. She had been starving, and now that she had food, manners went out the window.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"No need to be so formal. We're both... strays."
"Strays, huh?" Robin muttered to herself. Suddenly, she reached for Ryuuzaki's hand. "Let's stick together. Will you be my partner?"
Looking into her hopeful eyes, Ryuuzaki wasn't sure how to respond.
He had a mission to carry out in Foosha Village, after all.
"You don't want to?" Robin looked down. She was smart, Ryuuzaki's hesitation told her everything.
He didn't answer. He simply draped the cloak over her shoulders, and the two children huddled together again inside the crate.
"I'm Robin. Nico Robin."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know?"
"Seventy Nine Million Berries bounty. Devil Child, Nico Robin."
"Aren't you going to turn me in for the reward?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"You're way too cute. I couldn't bear to."
"Pfft, " Robin chuckled, pressing her lips together.
"If I were some big, dark-skinned brute, you would've turned me in, right?"
"Still wouldn't."
"And why not?"
"Money? I'll just steal some when I need it."
"You're strange, you know that?"
"Robin."
"Yeah?"
"You know… there's a place in the sky called Skypiea."
"Eh? Really?"
"Yup. If you ever make it there one day, don't come back down."
Robin didn't reply. She figured Ryuuzaki was just trying to comfort her. Still, she clung to him, this little furnace of warmth, and relished the moment.
She had spent the past year on the run, hurt and hunted, skittish like a wounded bird, trusting no one.
But she trusted Ryuuzaki. Maybe because they were close in age, maybe because they'd suffered together. Or maybe for a reason she couldn't name. Either way, she knew he was someone who would protect and care for her.
The ship sailed for three days and three nights before stopping at a small port town.
It was time for them to part ways.
Ryuuzaki had to transfer to another vessel headed for the Goa Kingdom.
Before leaving,
He slung a small cloth pouch over Robin's shoulder. Inside were a few pieces of bread, a wad of berries, and a small pistol.
Their time together was short, but trust had bloomed.
Robin didn't want to let go, but in the end, Ryuuzaki left.
"Gone, huh..."
Robin watched his figure vanish into the crowd, dazed.
The Goa Kingdom, famed as the most beautiful nation in the East Blue.
Foosha Village, home to the naval hero Garp, resided here.
This little village had produced no shortage of famous figures:
- Garp the Hero
- Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army
- Monkey D. Luffy, the Straw Hat pirate
- and even Shanks, who'd casually swing by now and then.
One day, a beautiful young woman named Makino happened to find a half-dead boy washed up near the shore.
That boy… was Ryuuzaki.
He was emaciated, wearing tattered rags, not because of a shipwreck, but because he had starved himself on purpose to look pitiful.
After all, this was the hometown of Garp and Dragon.
Two walking calamities, not the type you could mess with lightly.
If someone sketchy showed up in this village and stuck around, how could they not be investigated?
That's also why Bark had chosen Ryuuzaki. A child draws far less suspicion.
After all, what harm could a six-year-old possibly cause?
Now, Ryuuzaki looked every bit the tragic orphan.
Makino, moved by pity, carried him straight to her home.
But once they arrived, she realized he had a high fever and panicked, rushing to fetch the village doctor.
He lay in bed for three days and three nights before the fever finally broke.
When Ryuuzaki opened his eyes and saw Makino sitting at his bedside, he looked dazed.
"Where… where am I? What is this place?"
"Hello there. I'm Makino, and this is my home." She gave him a warm smile.
"Little guy, what's your name?"
"I'm… Ryuuzaki."
"And your family?"
"They… they were all killed by pirates!" he cried, letting tears of fury stream down his face.
Makino's heart swelled with sympathy.
"Big Sis… you're the one who saved me?"
"That's right. I found you burning with fever, it scared me half to death!"
"Thank you, Big Sis. I'll find a way to repay you!"
Makino smiled and gently took his hand. "Ryuuzaki, why don't you stay here with me?"
"Huh? B-but I can't, "
"It's fine, really. I've got space, and I don't have any family either. Why don't you be my little brother?"
"I… I can?"
"Heehee, it's decided then! From now on, I'm your big sister!"
"B-big sister…"
"Good boy. You're still recovering, so I made you some porridge. Wait here, I'll bring it right over."
Watching Makino's bright, cheerful smile, Ryuuzaki couldn't help but feel conflicted.
Lying to such a pure and kind-hearted girl… felt wrong.
But then again, big sister? Heh. To hell with guilt.
To hell with sin.
If this lie earns me a big sister like her, then so be it!
Ryuuzaki basked in Makino's care. Being spoon-fed porridge by her? That's peak treatment for a bedridden patient.
Once he was full, he tried getting out of bed,
But then he noticed something…
"Umm… Sis Makino? My clothes…"
"Oh, those? I changed them while you were unconscious."
"Huh? You… you didn't do anything to me, right?"
"Heehee, why so nervous? I just gave you a bath, that's all!"
"You… you bathed me?"
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
Support me by adding this fic into your library!
200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter