The sight of Luffy stuffing large chunks of roasted meat into his mouth was the most captivating thing Margaret had ever seen. No matter how long she watched, she could not get enough of it.
After tossing the final piece of meat into his mouth, Luffy dropped onto his back, using his arms as a pillow. His stomach bulged massively.
"All done, I'm full."
His mouth was smeared with oil, and bits of roasted meat clung to his cheeks. His belly had expanded to several times its normal size, stretching his red vest tightly across his body. The defined muscles on his abdomen had completely disappeared.
He lay there lazily, without any concern for how he looked.
Yet in Margaret's eyes, he still shone brightly.
She stepped closer and stood beside him. Reaching out her slender hand, she gently poked his swollen belly.
"Luffy, you really ate that entire wild boar."
Luffy turned his head toward her, a proud grin on his face. "What's that supposed to mean? I can eat another one just as big."
Margaret blinked in surprise. "S... Sugoi~"
Her fingers continued to poke his belly from time to time.
"Hahaha, amazing, right?" Luffy laughed, clearly pleased with himself, then went back to lying there, watching the sun sink toward the distant sea.
Normally, Luffy did not like people touching his stomach, especially when he had eaten this much. Whenever he overate, his first instinct was to use Life Return to digest everything quickly. He never let anyone play with his belly.
But for some reason, when Margaret did it, he did not feel annoyed. Instead, there was a faint sense of comfort.
As he lay there, his powerful digestion kicked in. His stomach slowly shrank with each breath, returning to normal within minutes.
Margaret watched in amazement. It was the first time she had seen something like that.
Luffy rested his head against a dry tree branch, eyes half-lidded. Margaret quietly sat beside him.
The setting sun cast a warm glow over both of them.
Luffy's thoughts drifted.
Renn, what are you doing now? Did you end up following the wrong captain again and sailing off somewhere?
Usopp, are you actually training properly, or are you just making excuses again?
Sanji, don't get distracted by women. I'm still waiting to eat your cooking.
Carina...
Margaret turned to him, her gaze lingering on his profile, outlined by the orange light.
"Luffy, do you remember where we first met?"
Luffy snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her. "Wasn't it at your place?"
Margaret shook her head. "No, it was right here."
She looked toward the sea.
"When I first saw you, your whole body was covered in strange mushrooms… I was the one who cleaned them off."
Her voice softened toward the end, and her cheeks turned red as her gaze dropped.
Luffy's face lit up with genuine gratitude. "Margaret, thank you. If it wasn't for you, I'd probably be dead."
Though he spoke casually, the sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable.
He tilted his head, noticing her flushed face. "Are you hot? Why are you always blushing?"
Margaret quickly turned away. "Y-yes, it's a bit hot."
She fanned herself awkwardly.
After a moment, she spoke again.
"Luffy, you're going to set sail again soon, right?"
Luffy nodded. "Yeah. It's already been four months since the promised year started. I wonder how everyone's doing."
Margaret raised her fingers and counted quietly. "That means… only about seven or eight months left."
Her eyes dimmed slightly.
When that time came, he would leave.
The sea was vast. Once he sailed away, they might never meet again.
Luffy noticed her expression and frowned slightly. "What's wrong? Are you hungry?"
Margaret looked up and shook her head. "No."
"You say that, but I barely see you eat. Stay here for a bit."
Before she could respond, Luffy sprang to his feet and disappeared into the forest.
Margaret pouted as she watched the empty spot he left behind. "He's so impatient."
It only took a few moments before Luffy returned, carrying a large wild rabbit.
"I remember you said you like roasted rabbit."
Without wasting time, he began preparing it.
Margaret watched him quietly, wishing the moment would never end.
Having spent so much time in the wild and having seen Rolan's barbecue skills before, Luffy worked quickly. Soon, the rabbit was roasted to perfection, releasing a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
He handed it to her. "Here."
Margaret accepted it, looking down at the roasted meat before glancing back at him.
Seeing her hesitate, Luffy spoke again. "Go on, eat. Didn't you say it's your favorite?"
She nodded softly. "Thank you."
She tore off a small piece and placed it in her mouth.
The flavor spread instantly, the crispy skin and tender meat filling her senses. Warmth spread through her body.
Luffy's cooking might not match professional chefs, but it had a unique taste that made it special.
Margaret lowered her gaze.
In less than eight months, he would leave Amazon Lily.
She understood. Luffy could not stay here forever. The year he had set for himself was meant for growth, not idleness.
He had told her before, he needed to become stronger to protect his crew.
So he would train, and he would leave.
She had no right to hold him back.
Her feelings had nowhere to go but deeper into her heart.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Luffy immediately sat up, flustered. "Hey, Margaret, what's wrong? Is it not good?"
She shook her head quickly. "No… it's delicious."
"Then why are you crying?"
"I just remembered something sad."
Luffy laughed. "Why think about sad things? Look at me."
He began pulling his face into exaggerated shapes.
Margaret looked up.
"Pfft."
A laugh escaped her lips.
Her smile, illuminated by the setting sun, was stunning.
Luffy froze for a moment.
He had seen many things he loved in this world, Rolan's roasted meat, Sanji's cooking, Lina's dishes.
But right now, something else felt just as captivating.
He stared at her without realizing it.
Margaret noticed his gaze.
This time, she did not look away.
Instead, she met his eyes directly, as if trying to etch his face into her memory.
The world grew quiet.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting soft patterns across them.
Time seemed to slow, leaving only the two of them in that fading golden light.