One Piece: Song of Despair - Chapter 26

Walking along the path, one in front and one behind, the handsome man and the beautiful woman, the atmosphere was strangely awkward.

Honestly, Nokiyoru was a man of few words, independent and solitary. He didn’t understand the need to flatter or please others, even if the other was a pretty girl.

Watching the slender yet inexplicably imposing figure in front of her, Gion (Momousagi) walked behind, looking somewhat conflicted.

“Don’t worry, Gion. I’ll repay you tenfold for the money I borrow today,” Nokiyoru said, breaking the awkward silence.

“It’s… it’s fine.” Gion forced a smile, her tone somewhat downcast.

“Nokiyoru, what do you need the money for?”

“To visit my mistress and junior brother.” Nokiyoru’s voice was embarrassed as he slowed to walk beside Gion.

“What? You mean you haven’t visited Admiral Zephyr’s house all this time?” Gion’s mouth hung open, staring at Nokiyoru in disbelief.

“Well… I didn’t know…” Nokiyoru awkwardly scratched his nose, glancing away, feeling a bit uneasy.

“That’s understandable. All you do is train, train, and train. I get it.” Gion tilted her head slightly, realizing it made sense, and nodded in agreement.

“I won’t go in. You go and get the money for me.” Standing at the women’s dormitory entrance, Nokiyoru turned to Gion.

“Alright, wait here.” With that, Gion hopped into the dormitory.

—

Near dusk, Nokiyoru stood at the door of a three-story house laden with gifts.

Even Zephyr was carrying some small items.

“Ding dong… ding dong…” The doorbell rang.

“I’m coming.” Accompanied by the doorbell, a gentle and melodious voice answered. A woman in casual clothes opened the door.

“You’re back.” The woman stepped aside, smiling at Zephyr.

“Something came up today, so I’m a bit late.” Zephyr also smiled a look of happiness on his face.

“It’s alright. This must be young Nokiyoru. He’s so handsome.” The woman turned her gaze to Nokiyoru, smiling warmly as she held his hand. “No need to bring gifts when you visit. Come in, don’t stand at the door.”

“Um… hello, Mistress.” Nokiyoru’s voice was a bit stiff.

“Hello, hello, come in… dinner is almost ready.”

“Daddy… Daddy…” As soon as they entered, a childish voice called out, and a little boy ran over, hugging Zephyr’s leg with wide, bright eyes full of joy.

“Have you been good today?” Zephyr, full of affection, picked up the child and kissed him on the cheek.

“Yes, I listened to Mommy today.” The child’s face was serious, nodding earnestly.

“Here, this is the big brother you’ve been wanting to meet.”

“Master, what’s my junior brother’s name?” Nokiyoru set down the gifts, smiling at the curious child who was also staring at him with wide eyes.

“Just call him Little Xing.”

“Come here, Little Xing, let your big brother hold you.” Nokiyoru reached out, wanting to hold the spirited child.

But the child hesitated, tilting his head.

“Haha… don’t worry, he just needs to get used to you. Spend more time together and it’ll be fine.” Zephyr laughed heartily, making Nokiyoru feel a bit awkward.

“Come on… come on… it’s time to eat.”

“Let’s go, time for dinner. Try your mistress’s cooking.”

“Alright.”

At the dinner table, Nokiyoru’s face twitched as he looked at the overflowing plate of food and the two pairs of curious eyes watching him. He didn’t know where to start.

“Here, Nokiyoru, eat more.”

The woman kept piling food onto his plate, smiling.

“That’s enough, Mistress. You should eat too.”

“Zephyr said you have a big appetite, so I made plenty. Don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

Throughout the meal, Nokiyoru kept eating while the two pairs of affectionate and curious eyes watched him.

By the end of the meal, Nokiyoru felt choked up.

After dinner, in the living room, Nokiyoru held a cup of hot tea and apologized, “Mistress, I’m sorry it took me so long to visit you.”

“It’s alright. Your master explained everything to me. Poor child, you’ve been through so much. Remember to take care of yourself while training so hard.” The woman gently touched the three scars on Nokiyoru’s right cheek, her voice filled with concern.

The affectionate gesture made Nokiyoru’s face turn red.

“Pfft…” Seeing Nokiyoru’s flushed face, Zephyr couldn’t hold back his laughter, spraying tea everywhere.

“Haha… I didn’t know you could be shy.”

Zephyr’s remark made Nokiyoru want to find a hole to hide in, feeling utterly embarrassed.

To be honest, this kind of motherly affection was something Nokiyoru had always longed for. In his past life, it was a luxury he couldn’t afford. Perhaps now, Nokiyoru was truly feeling a different kind of love.

“Don’t mind him. Let’s talk. I’ve always wanted to meet you. The whole Navy speaks highly of you, saying you’re a diligent and hardworking disciple. Now I finally get to see you.”

“Make sure to rest while training. Otherwise, your body won’t hold up. From now on, come here to eat. This is your home too.”

“Tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll make it for you.”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Mommy, Mommy, is he really that strong?” The curious child cautiously looked at Nokiyoru.

“Call him big brother. Your big brother is the strongest in the Navy Academy.”

“Really?”

“By the way, Little Xing, I brought you some gifts. See if you like them.” Nokiyoru said, pulling out various toys and snacks from the pile of gifts.

Finally, surrounded by gifts, Little Xing couldn’t resist.

At night, under the starry sky, inside the three-story house, a big and a little figure were staring at each other seriously.

“I’m the great pirate Chris. State your name, little Marine.” Nokiyoru, dressed in a strange outfit with a pirate hat, held a toy stick, looking serious.

“Hmph, I’m Admiral Little Xing. Surrender now. You’re no match for me. For the sake of justice, I’ll spare your life.” The three-year-old, dressed in a little Marine outfit, looked serious, holding a toy gun.

“Oh no, could you be the legendary undefeated admiral?” Nokiyoru pretended to be shocked, looking terrified.

“Hmph, that’s right.” Little Xing lifted his head proudly, waving his toy gun, “Scared now?”

“Hmph, if you want me, Chris, to surrender, we’ll have to fight it out.”

“Charge!”

“Attack!”

The two, one big and one small, playfully fought, and soon, Nokiyoru had his hands up in surrender.

Seeing Nokiyoru give up, Little Xing cheered, “Mommy, Mommy, I defeated big brother!”

“Yes… yes… Little Xing is the best.” The woman patted the boy’s head lovingly, smiling at Nokiyoru. “Come, rest a bit. Playing with him must be tiring.”

“It’s fine. I’m not busy anyway.” Nokiyoru shook his head, patting the spot next to him. “Come sit, Little Xing. I’ll tell you a story about two tigers.”

“Yay!”

Warm and calm, Nokiyoru enjoyed this feeling of family. From then on, whenever he had time, he would come here to eat and play with Little Xing.

And so half a month passed, and the competition finally resumed.

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