"What are you doing?" Uta asked, her voice cutting through the calm atmosphere as I stood at the bow of the ship, an unusual spot for me.
"The air here feels so liberating," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. The ocean stretched out before me, its deep blue surface shimmering under the sunlight, as if it were calling me to embrace its depths. The rhythmic crash of the waves against the hull created a soothing backdrop, drawing me into a trance-like state and urging me to step closer to the edge.
"Hey!" Uta exclaimed, her tone laced with a mix of shock and urgency. She reached out, clutching the blanket that had wrapped around my shoulders, but it slipped through my fingers like sand, leaving me chilled. A sudden shiver coursed through my body, snapping me from my reverie and freezing me in place—barely inches from the precipice, I realized how dangerously close I was to tumbling into the depths below.
"Oh." The word slipped from my lips, barely audible, and I barely recognized the dullness in my voice. It felt as if it were coming from someone else entirely—as if my body were a shell separate from the turmoil of emotions swirling within me.
"Let's go back to your chair," Uta said with a firm yet gentle resolve, her small fingers grasping mine as she tugged me away from the ship's perilous ledge. "I can sing a lullaby, and we can find some peace here until Shanks returns."
"Okay," I murmured, casting a glance down at the little girl at my side. She barely reached my waist, her determined spirit evident as she led me toward a safer haven, her eyes full of trust.
Uta's singing voice was truly enchanting, a soothing balm that wrapped around the listener like a warm hug on a chilly evening. When I first encountered her, I had braced myself for the exuberance typical of children, expecting loud bursts of energy and chaos. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by Uta. Despite her slight diva tendencies, she radiated sweetness and warmth, a testament to the love that surrounded her in her upbringing. As she finished her song, a gentle hush fell over the room; I found my eyelids growing heavy, almost lulled into slumber by her melodic tones, and I noticed that Uta herself appeared to be drifting off, her eyes fluttering closed in a tranquil reverie.
"Here," I murmured, as I pulled back the warm, cozy blanket that had enveloped me. Uta, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion, crawled into the folds of the blanket with a small sigh of relief. Almost instantly, she drifted off into the comforting realm of dreams. I couldn't help but smile as I tucked her in, ensuring she was snug and warm, before surrendering to the gentle pull of sleep myself—the quiet night wrapped around us like a protective cocoon, lulling us into a peaceful slumber.
…
"What do we have here?" a familiar voice chuckled, full of mischief. I felt a gentle nudge beside me, stirring me from a blissful slumber. As I blinked away the remnants of sleep, I realized I wasn't the only one dragged from the embrace of a wonderfully cozy nap.
"Shanks," Uta grumbled affectionately, her tone suggesting he was a beloved but exasperating child she couldn't quite know how to manage.
"Were you having a pleasant nap?" Shanks teased, ruffling the soft strands of Uta's hair with a playful grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Yeah. What took you so long?" Uta questioned.
"Beckman was taking his time collecting the supplies. It was a bit of a walk inland to the closest town. We were also trying to find a nice spot to camp for a while, but we haven't figured that one out just yet," Shanks explained. "Kouya, you look a bit pale," he added, his eyes lingering on me.
"Oh yeah! Shanks, Kouya was even standing at the front of the ship with a funny look on his face!" Uta's voice filled with concern as she hopped out of the chair and tugged on Shanks's pants.
"Oh, that's rather dangerous." Shanks's tone was serious. Honestly, I was unsure how to feel about the whole ordeal.
"Yeah! I had to bribe Kouya with one of my songs to come back here. Hehehehe," Uta boasted.
"Of course, Uta's lullabies are the best to fall asleep to," Shanks replied, and I nodded in agreement.
"DINNER!!!" Lucky's voice boomed throughout the ship as he called out from the door leading inside.
"LET'S HAVE A PARTY!" Shanks shouted back.
"YEEEAAAAHHHH!" everyone cheered. I couldn't help but giggle at the bountiful energy everyone had.
"Come on, Kouya! Let's party!" Uta urged, her laughter ringing out like a cheerful bell. She tugged me towards the lively center of the room, her other hand clasping Shanks's as if we were all part of an unbreakable chain. Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by friends, everyone with bubbling cups in hand. My own cup was filled with the same vibrant juice Uta was sipping, its fruity aroma wafting through the air.
The atmosphere was electric. I had no recollection of how I acted while intoxicated when first joined this crew, however the recollections the others told me about my reckless behavior after I drank alcohol for the first time—apparently, I was so intoxicated that I either kissed Shanks or, in a more horrifying version of the tale, punched him and then, in a moment of utter chaos, vomited all over him. Both scenarios ignited a sense of dread in me, each more embarrassing than the last, yet I couldn't tell which, if any, were true.
Every recounting brought fits of laughter from the group, and even Shanks joined in, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he recounted my supposed antics. But each version varied, and the uncertainty only added to my discomfort. Caught in the whirlwind of their merriment, I couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and anxiety as I tried to piece together the fragments of that night. So I simply decided no more alcohol for me.
"[clears throat] It is time I, Uta, the daughter of the legendary Red-Haired Shanks and the spirited musician of the Red-Hair Pirates, will sing you a song," the little girl announced with an air of determination. In an instant, two sturdy barrels were carefully stacked to create a makeshift platform, elevating her above the crowd. A hush fell over the gathering as eager eyes turned toward her, captivated by the sight of her trim figure rising atop the barrels, ready to share her melody with all.