Another day, the sun warming the tarmac of their hometown, the two brothers go out, chatting quietly about the grocery store where they used to stock their monster stomachs. However, even if one could have believed that they were going to go back without one of them dropping their full shopping bag, it can't stay calm any longer….
The youngest, having turned around to watch his back quietly as always, he finally ends up looking in the right direction while calmly answering his brother. Unfortunately, one thing had to be known: Rindou is terrified of dogs, whether they are small or huge.
So when a dog ran towards them, the latter saw his heart beat at full speed while his eyes bulged out of their sockets, an unmanly cry escaping from his lips. Hiding fearfully behind the fake black one who jumped in surprise, the two-tone one asking his elder to create a diversion for the little being he didn't want to get close to, he had a bad experience with one of man's best friends when he was younger.
-But Rindou, look how cute he is! Exclaims the first one, leaning down to gently caress the animal, taking advantage of this gesture of love under the resigned and panicked gaze of his brother.
Unfortunately, when the second one begins to gain a little confidence, the dog barks as it turns towards him, which makes him panic and take several steps back, terrified by the animal.
-Ran, get him out, he's coming towards me!
-But-
Rushing behind his brother, lost in his reaction when he noticed that the four-legged being was trying to make contact, he launches a threatening stare duel with the dog who is wagging his tail, his tongue hanging out weakly, looking innocent and friendly. Indeed, being only a small cavalier king charles, the dog had no desire to scare, he only wanted affection until his master came to pick him up.
-Look, you can see it in his eyes, he's evil.
-Huh? Turns around the tallest before being even more surprised by his brother's bipolarity at this precise moment.
Having noticed one of their men not far away, Rindou had coughed to resume a more "manly" voice and had resumed his proud and neutral posture in order not to show his weakness. The subordinate greeting them respectfully, he left at the moment when the one with glasses who was greeting him, felt the ball of fur rubbing against his ankle, he ended up violently kicking it towards his subordinate without the slightest pity.
-Rindou, poor thing!
-He wanted to bite me.
-He was just looking for hug!
-To then bite me as soon as I let my guard down.
Taking the animal in his hands, the one with the long hair, holds it out to his brother who still backs away in fear, giving him, just like the dog in his arms, a look of pity to exonerate them.
-Look, he's so cute! Come on, let's steal him, he loves me too much.
-We have enough dogs with you at home. Takes the second one back, continuing the path to the apartment, without worrying about the one saying goodbye to the dog.
-Look, he's following us too…
-Stop looking at him, stupid, he's sure to come after! Panicks the youngest, hitting his brother so that he doesn't talk to the dog anymore once he's told him they'll be back…
-Ran if you're not here in a minute I'm leaving without you. Said the youngest, unable to wait for his brother any longer.
-Rindou! You promised we'd go together and then I reserved my precious Saturday for that! He replied, unbalanced as he tried to put on his dinosaur sock.
-I don't care if you come with me or not, in fact no, it's better if you don't come. I'm leaving. He finished, slamming the door.
-Unworthy little brother!
Indeed, the two teenagers were going somewhere. A place Ran Haitani had never even set foot in since he was a child. The supermarket.
-Rindoooooouuuuuuuu is it still looooong? Asked the oldest for the fourth time while he was on his motorcycle.
-Take three minutes off the time I told you last time. Besides, you know that we're not going to the fair or to massacre people, so no need to be so impatient. Said the latter, raising his voice, scaring a few passersby.
He looked at the road and then at his brother when his eyes stopped on his feet.
-And what are these socks… Wait! They're mine! You're wearing my dinosaur socks! I'm going to kill you Ran!
The braided man tried to run away by accelerating so as not to confront his enraged brother, but he remembered that he absolutely did not know the road to the supermarket, it was with fear and caution that he got back behind him, at a reasonable distance.
Once they arrived, the two Haitani went to get a shopping cart. However, Ran being Ran and Rindou being Rindou, the challenges never stopped. Even when it was a matter of going to get a shopping cart, getting into it and with the momentum going as far as possible in the parking lot, yes, even that.
The shopping cart race over and a stranger's car having to go to the garage thanks to Rindou, the two brothers entered the supermarket.
Only, after a few minutes, what Rindou had planned happened. Ran was already complaining.
-Rin it's too cold here!
-I told you to cover yourself.
-You didn't tell me anything at all!
-Sad, I thought so.
Of course, Rindou hadn't warned his brother. He knew that there would be an amusing spectacle for him, that of watching his brother suffer from the cold. Unfortunately for him, the incessant complaints got the better of him and he gave Ran his sweater, now it was him who was cold, but it was still better than hearing him squeal.
Another problem he hadn't thought of came up very quickly. Ran put everything in the shopping cart with the excuse that it would definitely be used a day.
-I told you a thousand times that we're not going to make 'raclette' in the spring Ran.
-But we can use it elsewhere! And why did you take the chocolate out of the shopping cart? He exclaimed like the child he is.
-Because you always finish everything in two days and it's expensive. Now go get some Takoyakis, at least we eat them all year round.
-You eat them all year round.
-Go get them.
At the end of this outing, Rindou remembered the reason why he never took Ran to the races. Because even when he was a child Ran acted like that. Rindou sat down in his room thinking about them two children when they went to the races with their parents while Ran struggled to put everything away.
The city giving away lights, giving way to darkness, the drops of water drumming on the panes of the windows while Ran had received yesterday an invitation for a reunion date with a charming young woman…
Buttoning the sleeves of his white shirt sticking out of his suit jacket, he closes his eyes, his ribcage filling with air. Letting it escape from his lungs, his body shivers with the loneliness and bitterness that the young woman who had cheated on him a few years ago had left him.
He couldn't believe it, he who thought he was strong and proud enough, he was reduced to preparing himself to listen to her ridiculous excuses in the hope of filling this lack and this cold. The elder then looks at his bed and holds out his arm. Nevertheless, he closes his hand, forbidding himself to take what is there, leaving it on his sheets.
-Rindou, I'm going. He said with a determined step, adjusting his shirt as he approached the door.
He wasn't proud of it and cursed himself for having accepted dinner with the one he had loved so much in his high school years, but it was for a good cause. He had changed since then. He hadn't warned his brother about this meeting, probably thinking that the latter would make fun of him or lecture him. However, as he lowered the door to the entrance to escape the heavy atmosphere of the completely silent apartment, he jumped and widened his eyes when he found himself facing his brother in the corridor, his hair and clothes soaked. Running his hand through his hair to push it back by the humidity, he glared at his brother through his glasses decorated with drops.
Don't go get wet for someone who isn't worth it, Ran. He begins, gently escorting the lost man back into the cabin.
-But I-
-There's no one outside, she's not here anymore.
-What the hell did you do again? The tallest one starts to get angry as he gets away from his company.
-And you, what the hell are you doing? Think Ran. You're the one who taught me everything, including the fact that a girl who plays with us isn't worth even a glance at. So what the hell are you doing running to crush yourself at her feet when it's been over four years since she cheated on you? The second one raises his voice.
-Rind-
-Shut up if you're going to yell at me. He comes closer to stand in front of him, facing him with such precious and rare kindness, clenching his fist red from the recent blows. You're my brother, you're worth more than that and above all I refuse to see you destroy yourself for a fucking stupid bitch. So yeah, I tried to be nice like you taught me but seeing her make fun of you, that's all I needed to break her nose and get her out of here.
-You're the one who's going to shut up now. Do you really think I was going to run after her? I seem so lacking in affection?
-Huh?
Looking up with a huff, letting out a weak nervous laugh, he heads to his room and comes out to find his lost brother when he hears his brother insulting him kindly.
-I wanted to do this well, but you beat me to it. He admits, showing her the bouquet of red flowers.
-I don't understand.
-A free five-star dinner is not something you can refuse, especially when you know the waitress very well, if you know what I mean…
-Ran, you're telling me-
-I was planning on leaving her in the cafe, at the end of the service of the beautiful stranger, what do you think.
-You weren't planning on going back with the other one?
-No, I just wanted to eat something good for once.
-Are you telling me that my cooking is disgusting when I did everything I could to help you?
-Just because you're the best little brother in the world I'll take you to a restaurant, is that okay with you?
-Just say that you made a reservation and that you don't want to cancel because you want the waitress.
-It's because of you that I'm going to have to pay for my meal, put your mind to it and dress properly.
-It better be good. He said as he walked through his door to change and finish the evening at the restaurant, depressed by his brother seducing the waitress…
Everyone who was in that category knew that waking up early in the morning was a different feeling than at any other time of the day. There was this extra feeling that you didn't get when you went out late at night with your friends. And I'm not talking about coming home from a bar or a nightclub at six in the morning, but waking up at that time to enjoy the peaceful calm and witness the first ray of sunshine of the day.
Unfortunately, for a certain woman, waking up at not six but five in the morning every Thursday made her very tired. It wasn't because of a neighbor coming home from a party completely drunk and making noise in all the corridors of the building, nor because of a baby begging for milk immediately, and even less because of work that had to be done at that time so as not to block the road in day. Hell no.
The young woman was simply a merchant. So she was forced to wake up at five in the morning every Thursday to get ready and set up her stand. And God, it was no easy feat. Not to mention the negotiations that took place every year to get the best spot, it was necessary to prepare all the food in very large quantities and set it up by putting the product she wanted to sell the most to her advantage. For today's date, which was the last week of May, cherries were the number one item on the stand, and what better than her favorite fruit?
The thirty-year-old took her time and turned off her damn alarm clock, one day she would throw it out the window, she was sure of it. But it was not time to complain, the alarm clock showed five thirty, and not five o'clock.
-Shit. The woman swore as she had barely woken up.
Fortunately, she had been woken up by her second ring, which forced her to move quickly, the first at five o'clock allowing her more calm and less stress. Her real problem in the Thursday market was that her shop was located at the other end of the big city, she was the only merchant in her small village so she earned a good living, but to reach the city she had to walk for a good hour and two hours when she carried her things. Fortunately, she was always accompanied by the young Lex, a twenty-something who had strength to spare.
Barely out of the shower and dressed when a drumming could be heard on her front door.
-Old woman, move your ass, it's six o'clock, we should already be gone! Said the said Lex.
-I'm barely thirty-eight, you brute! She answered him, taking her bag to open the door and walk in front of him.
-The important part was "move your ass" now let's go!
The Thursday morning race. It was called that by the young assistant. To reassure you, it wasn't like that every Thursday, there were just a few times a year when the woman forgot to come out of her dreams at five o'clock. And today was one of those days. But Lex wasn't just pissed off because she was late today, but rather because last week because of her delay she hadn't had her entire stand. Two weeks in a row had had the gift of pissing him off.
————
Luckily for them, they arrived at the market square at eight o'clock sharp, five minutes later their place would be given to another person from a more distant stand or the stand to her left would eat up part of his place.
She stuck her tongue out at the young woman from the said stand, this young pest, sorry, woman and Y/n had a less than friendly relationship. She had arrived barely a month ago and had joined the market vendors two weeks ago. They had never gotten along and the fact that the thirty-one-year-old was so unpleasant and stole half of her space, as the old fool, i mean, her father, had taught her, every time she arrived just five minutes late didn't help.
Once her stand was finally set up, it was eight forty-five, she had been fifteen minutes late compared to the first customers but it didn't matter, even despite her lack of punctuality the regular customers had bought her punnet of cherries or her melon while the stand was half done.
It was at ten o'clock sharp that a certain customer appeared, but it wasn't just any customer. He was even the main reason why she had hurried despite her delay that very morning.
Indeed, every two weeks, a very tall, handsome man would arrive at ten o'clock sharp on Thursdays for the market. His pale complexion, his moustache and his eyes had made the merchant's heart skip a beat. And his eyes, how magnificent they were, every time she saw him coming from afar she was absorbed by their colour and the circles present. Absolutely sublime.
But once again, now that she thought about it, if she was able to see his sharp pupil so well, it was because he could also see her beautiful eyes very well. How should she explain herself this time? She was not at all checking him out so openly by neglecting a customer asking her for a kilo of peaches, of course not, she was just reminding her thoughts that there were women, or men, in this world who had been able to enjoy this dream body for a whole night, or more. This dream body, she would almost drool. But a sweet voice that came to her like a melody interrupted her saliva, note the irony.
-Dad look at the man over there. He's been looking in my direction for a while now. At the end of the year I'll be married and pregnant count on me.
Seriously? Y/n had realized the stupidity and the naivety of her neighbor. Plus, the end of the year being in seven months, it would be a bit tight to seduce the man. And then, he absolutely did not come for her.
A second thing shocked her in his sentence. As if… No. Impossible. In East Blue, or even in all the seas, everyone knew the name and reputation of this man. Afterwards, it was possible that the woman overestimated the intelligence of her neighbor.
Finally. The man arrived in the row where she was, passing in front of her neighbor who displayed a dejected look, she noted in her head to make fun of her once the swordsman left, and she adjusted a sweet smile for her favorite customer.
-Mihawk. What a pleasure to see you again, you did not come two weeks ago.
-Good morning Y/n. I was unfortunately busy that day because of the government and the person I sent must have go to another market. Do you have what I'm going to take?
-Here. She said while taking out a huge basket previously hidden from customers.
It contained about twenty vegetables and at least fifteen kilos of fruit. A rather heavy package for the woman whose quality of each food and component of the trays she took care of.
-But tell me Mihawk, you've been asking a lot more than usual lately.
-I have a- He pauses as if he didn't know how to define the relationship. I've had a guest for a few weeks. And she is quite loudy when she has'nt her favorite food.
'She'. Well, however this woman was, she must have been very lucky to have the unique and spectacular Mihawk by her side. Someone had to take care of this swordsman, even if she had less chance of making him her lover. Y/n wasn't stupid, just because he had a woman at home didn't mean she was his wife. Maybe she was even a child. But a part of her couldn't help but be saddened to think of her handsome client with a woman in his arms, him who had always ordered for his one and only person.
-Well, I hope she eats all my vegetables. If I spend time in my fields, it's not so that their food ends up in the trash. She said in her strong voice.
She was horrified to see all the leftovers from people in restaurants, or the quantities that some merchants threw in the trash if the products were not perfect. A tomato that is not round is still edible, such was one of her mottos. For this reason, her and Lex had decided to send all the leftovers of their products, which they knew they would not eat before the expiration date, to associations or orphanages.
Then after a brief but friendly goodbye, the swordsman left without forgetting to tell her the quantities he wanted for two weeks from now, although these quantities had only changed once during all his visits.
————
-So, the forty-year-old? You still haven't seen your beautiful stallion today either? What a shame! I'm surprised that this handsome customer doesn't come to see you anymore! Said the annoying voice of the competitor.
-I heard forty? Ah, you were talking about the number of refusals you received this month. It's clearer in my head now but bring it up again next time darling. The beautiful merchant replied with a smile.
But well, she wasn't wrong. Today was one more day to add to her list. One more day where while the bells rang noon and the merchants put away their goods, she no longer saw the handsome swordsman. And to say the exact number, that made eight. Not eight days, but eight Thursdays where the swordsman should have come to get his basket, and knowing that he only came every other Thursday, that made four months.
From one day to the next he had stopped coming, leaving a full basket waiting to be picked up for the first month. By the third Thursday, the woman had stopped preparing his basket for him. And by the eighth, she was starting to lose hope, he wouldn't come back.
A part of her wondered if it was because he had grown tired of her fruits and vegetables, the other thought that he had noticed her feelings and therefore preferred to avoid her. The young woman wrinkled her nose at these thoughts, not even knowing which one saddened her the most. With a sad sigh, she packed up her stand. But a voice emerged from far away in front of her.
-Y/nnnn…! The voice said with all her breath.
She knew this voice only too well, since it was that of a friend of hers who had made a habit of visiting her every Thursday morning. Finally, their relationship was pretty much like Mihawk. The young woman arrived every Thursday morning between ten and twelve o'clock and she asked for the equivalent of food for four people. So apart from the varying time, the fact that she came every week, and the astronomical quantity of food, she filled the gap that Mihawk had created when he left.
-Perona. You seem a little late today. She smiled at her friend.
-The other cactus head's fault. She said out of breath.
-You often tell me about cactus head but I still don't know who he is.
-Ah!
It seems that an idea has germinated in the mind of her pink-haired friend.
-Would you like to come to my place? Just a few days!
-I have the market to hold.
-Oh come on, you see that at the moment there is no one. The war that took place made everyone want to travel, and if you're afraid for your home and your fields there are plenty of marines to watch over the cities because of the rise of pirates.
-As you said, I have fields. Which will die if I don't take care of them.
-Don't worry, my little Y/n. I'll manage your fields if you're only going away for a week. Interrupted her neighbor on the right.
-Old man, I can't leave you in charge of my work, but I appreciate your gesture.
-I have no problem with that, my little one. My wife and I will take turns going to your village. And we are the second closest merchants to your home, so all your customers will come to us. He finished, laughing.
-Come on, please Y/n. Said her friend with sparkling eyes.
-Very well. But only for one week.
-Yes! She jumped for joy. Here, the change for today's basket. I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon, I flew here this morning. You'll see my roommates are nice, they're tiring and never think about what I'm going through but nice. Anyway they're always out. See you tomorrow!
A bit contradictory all that, thought the woman. But hey, that's how her vacation had been forced. She hadn't had one for three years, always staying in her small village. The last time she had left, it had been to negotiate seeds on an island further away.
————
The two women had met at dawn so as not to be disturbed whether on land or at sea. From the location of the small island where Y/n lived to Kuraigana they had about four hours. The woman thought that it wasn't such a long trip to go on vacation, but that from now on she would understand the delays of her friend who made all this trip for her every Thursday.
-Perona are you really traveling eight hours to buy my basket?
-Horo-Horo-Horo. The ghost woman laughed. By flying I only take two hours, and don't worry I'm happy to come see you. Besides I have fun with the Navy ships or pirates that I come across, they can be so scared. Horo-Horo-Horo.
Well, if it didn't bother her friend then it was fine. Now that she thought about it, during the many small discussions she had with Mihawk, he had never told her where he lived. She had never tried to spy on him through the newspapers, although she followed the pirates' routes. There were rarely any cases concerning the corsairs, once they became one they generally didn't go on adventures anymore, so she currently had no idea where her handsome swordsman was.
Hours passed and from the small ship we could see a misty island with strange large shapes surrounded by ruins and forests.
-Perona reassure me, you still live an hour away, huh? The woman said with a little voice.
-No no. Look, we can see the island in the distance. Besides, I didn't warn you but we never see the sun, on the other hand it's always nice and we've developed part of the lake!
Her friend seemed on the contrary very happy to live on such a gloomy island. Maybe the inhabitants would at least be nice.
-I called the other Marimo, the monkeys don't usually attack me because they're afraid of the master of the castle, but since it's your first time here it's better to have an extra force. Not that I doubt your fighting skills. She mocked.
-Already, I help my donkey carry the cart every Thursday, I am a master of the art of staying under the sun for my crops all day, and I handle the axe very well, so I can defend myself. But who is this master of the castle? And how many of you are on this island? And what is this monkey story? She said, becoming more panicked.
-One question at a time Y/n. Here, we are three humans, well if we consider the other two monsters as humans, and four with you. There have been no more inhabitants for a long time but there are still the Humandraks, they are not bad but they are strong and seek to prove it. So cactus head is going to join us so that they are afraid. Oh also! Don't worry once in the castle we are safe, they never come near.
The two girls continued to talk, the youngest telling the story of this island to occupy the last twenty minutes that the small ship had left to reach the river, river that connected the sea to the lake surrounding the castle, and thus moor at the mini port.
-Huh ? He didn't come back. Said the pink woman under the questioning gaze of her friend.
When the boat was securely tied to the port, step by step, a shadow came out of its hiding place, ready to pounce on the two women.
-Monkey, get out of there. Said a voice.
The beast that seemed to be an improved monkey scowled and returned to its bush.
-Perona is that a Humandrak?
-Yes. He must have sensed someone weaker than him. Said the man.
-Nice to meet you, you must be Marimo? I've heard a lot about you. Says Y/n before being cut off by his friend's laughter, she couldn't catch her breath.
-I'm Zoro, he said after hitting the ghost, Roronoa Zoro.
-Oh! Like the second of the Straw Hats? My name is Y/n.
After a brief discussion about the merchant's arrival on the wasteland, they arrived in front of the castle's doors. Then, the apprentice swordsman returned to his training, saying not to disturb him until nightfall.
————
The two friends were lying on the huge bed filled with the rose's plush, when a huge scream was heard.
-What was that Perona?!
-Just Zoro who must have lost to the king again.
-You are the master of the castle?
-No, he should be back tonight. He left early yesterday morning.
-… Perona, by any chance I'm asking anyway, but you did warn this master that I was coming, huh? Said the woman, unsure of herself.
-No, but he's used to surprise visits now.
-Perona…
The huge and heavy door of the castle opened, no matter where in the castle you were, you would always hear the dull, metallic sound of the gears opening. Then a voice rang out, asking Perona to come down.
-Let's take the opportunity to introduce yourself!
So the two girls went down to the large living room on the ground floor, one enthusiastic about the meeting but afraid of what he was going to reproach her for, the other having the impression of having heard this voice before.
-Mihawk! Did you catch a big pirate this time? I'd like to go buy myself some new clothes.
-… Mihawk?
-Y/n?
-Do you know each other? The pink woman screamed.
-Yes, he was a regular customer. She said, emphasizing the "was" slightly more. It seems that seeing him again like that after he left without explanation and living with another woman disgusted her a little.
-What is she doing in my castle?
-I thought she could spend a few days with us here for a change of scenery.
-And without asking the main owner's permission? Am I going to discover a new intruder on my island every month? Mihawk said, seeming angry. Perona get out of here I have to talk to our guest.
The tone Mihawk had used meant that there was no room for argument. So the ghost girl left for her apartments, if she stayed behind the door Mihawk would feel it.
-You can explain to me the reason why you are here. He continued more calmly as if he did not believe the words of the rose.
-Like Perona said, I needed a vacation. But I did not know that she lived with you and I thought that she had warned the "master of the castle" of my visit.
-No she did'nt, i was'nt even here.
The atmosphere had softened since Perona, and the swordsman's anger with it, had left. For the sake of the merchant who could not bear this part of the man.
-You can stay here. I don't know for how long she promised you, but it doesn't matter how many days as long as you don't come and disturb me when I'm with Zoro. I have to train the new era.
Y/n knew little about pirate, she certainly read the dedicated newspaper every morning of publication, but she didn't know much about it. However, if Mihawk himself admitted that this young man had potential in the new era, and that in addition he was training him, then she was also sure that he would do great things.
————
Just as Mihawk had told her, the merchant on vacation stayed on the island of sadness. At first glance, the island seemed to be the opposite of a paradise island where to spend your holidays, but Perona had been able to show her the good sides of the place.
First of all, the lake. They had developed a part of the lake near the castle to make it a mini beach. Fortunately for the girls, all the bodies that had previously littered the castle had been pushed back by Mihawk when he arrived, so the foul odor they smelled around the island was not present in their developed beach. The girls lounged like this every afternoon under the correct temperatures of the place.
Then, the top of the hill. You could observe the view, but also beautiful bodies. Not to mention those that appeared on the ground but rather the two charming ones of the master and his apprentice. The two women would sit there in the morning to watch the two swordsmen train together, baring the top of their clothes. Better than the view of the island.
Then the last place was the castle. Whether in the kitchens to prepare sweets, in the infirmary for yet another injury of Zoro, or in their room aka the only really warm place filled with stuffed animals and cushions on the island.
But as a reminder, Y/n has feelings for Mihawk. So how did their relationship evolve during these six days spent together? Well the feelings increased, so much so that the guest even thinks that her feelings are mutual.
First of all, about the lake. Of course I said that the two girls lounged there in the afternoons, but did I add that Mihawk joined them to read his newspaper and taste his wine while his apprentice did his series times a thousand? During these moments, she and the swordsman talked together while the ghost grumbled that he was stealing her friend.
As for the place on the hill, the two swordsmen knew they were being watched, Zoro's observation haki had already been manifesting for a while, not to mention Mihawk. But where was the connection Y/n was thinking about in this case? It was simply in the fact that Perona had already complained several times that Mihawk never trained shirtless. However, since Y/n had been watching them from the hill, she had never seen the man wear a shirt during his training.
And finally, the castle. No Mihawk wasn't hurt so she never had to help him in the infirmary, yes he cooked but only his breakfast which he had at dawn when everyone was asleep so they never cooked anything together, and more important than anything else, he never entered the girls' room.
So when did they see each other in the castle? There was the evening meal where they all ate together to discuss the day, make fun of Zoro, talk about the world… But the most important thing was that every evening, or rather morning, between midnight and the first hour of the day, the master swordsman would sit on his balcony and think while looking at the view, something she saw from her friend's balcony.
Y/n would never know what he was thinking while looking at the horizon like that. She then saw his beautiful eyes of all degrees of orange-yellow sadden without understanding why. He was just there, looking at the red moon with that darkened look. But one night, at the end of her third day, he called her.
-Normally, it's not great to observe people like this for so long. He told her without looking at her.
-Sorry Mihawk, I'm leaving.
But as she was returning to her room, he called her back.
-No, you can stay. Your presence doesn't bother me.
————
Back to the present, the merchant only had one day left on this island. Then, she would join her beans and cherries and start her boring routine again. In fact, she loved her job very much and it allowed her to live, but she simply couldn't take it anymore. The moments of joy and good company she had here must have widened the gap against the solitude of her house which only welcomed Lex on Thursday mornings. Of course she got along well with most of her customers, but none of them could compete with the love she had found in Mihawk.
The bell of the old church spared by the war rang, so it indicated midnight. The woman got out of her bed where she could not find sleep, while Perona slept like a log, and went to sit on her balcony. It would be the last time she would see the swordsman lost in his thoughts. But unlike other times, he spoke to her.
-So you're leaving at the end of the day?
-Yes, that's it. I had a great time here.
-You can come back if you want.
He said this sentence while looking at the horizon, but Y/n was even happier to hear it.
-I'll come back with pleasure.
For the first time in all the moments spent together, the silence was awkward. Y/n had this feeling of unease mixed with her sadness to leave, but she didn't dare and especially didn't know what to say. Fortunately for her, Mihawk seemed determined to talk to her.
-Would you like to… He seemed to be searching for his words. ' to, to stay here longer?' He said, turning his head towards her.
-Um, yes, I'd like to come back. She replied, disconcerted to see the swordsman so uneasy and hesitant, then he had already said the same sentence to her just before.
-No but, to stay here. For a long enough time that would allow you to have time to make a vegetable garden and see it go through all the seasons.
Was that the way of invitation that Mihawk used to ask her to live with him on this island ? For 'several seasons' ?
-Mihawk why did you always come to my stand at a market that is four hours sailing from your home.
He paused, then looked back at the horizon.
-I enjoy your company.
It seems that she wouldn't get the words she was waiting for today.
-And, I had the impression that you also enjoyed mine a lot. He continued with a mocking smile.
Was Hawkeye really making fun of her?
-Well if my dear Mihawk is willing to find me a room all to myself, or one that is not shared with the snorer, and he shows me the place where I can plant all my seeds, it would be possible that I agree to stay here a little longer.
-I think it will not be complicated to do, there is a perfect place to build ten of your fields and clean sheets already laid behind this window. He said while giving a head butt towards the door of his room.
After that, he jumped onto the balcony of the merchant, put one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, then before returning to his balcony he murmured.
-But only if my dear resident accepts the company of this room over a drink.
~~ How to survive on the victoria punk~~ kidd x reader
warning : bad language
4877 words
Wash the hold. Scrape the hull. Wipe the deck. Fold the sail. Rinse and wring out the monster skin. Set the table. That was what she had heard constantly since she had come aboard the ship, orders. And she was sick of it. Badly.
She had barely finished one task when she was given another, sometimes she was given two tasks to do at the same time, and other pirates would give her their own jobs. When they weren't even the captains or mates
-Slave come wipe our shoes. We got them dirty running away from Sabaody. Ordered a man, holding out his stinking boot dripping with mud as he laughed with his comrade.
-You're not the captain as far as I know, asshole. She replied, spitting on his boot.
-Say it again, you dirty brat!
And there we go again, she had pissed off one of the crew members again, a crew known for its remorseless massacres.
-Didn't you hear? In addition to being stupid, you must be deaf?
She received a slap that sent her waltzing to the other side of the front deck.
-Listen, slave. I think there's something you don't understand. He began, grabbing her collar with his grip. No one supports you here, okay, if I want to give you orders, I do it. The captain won't stop me, he doesn't give a fuck about you.
On one hand, he was absolutely right. The captain of this ship had accepted her on board in the rush of the moment, but whether she was mistreated or enslaved, he didn't care. But on the other hand, she wouldn't let it happen. Too bad for the bruises, if she could get him a right in the mouth she would come out the winner.
So she executed her thoughts, and gave him a punch full in the nose. While his comrade fell to the ground with a bloody face, she had strength in her arms, the other pirate took his pistol and prepared to shoot the woman. She closed her eyes and waited for death, she had just escaped from it that she had to join it a few days later.
Luckily for her, the sound of the trigger was never heard. Instead, she heard a metallic click and felt herself lifted.
-Killer let go of me.
-No. The captain wants to talk to you.
He didn't add any more explanations and strengthened his hold on the woman, so as to block her between his arm and his torso like a bulky barrel. Once inside the captain's cabin, he let go of her and she fell on her butt.
-Be careful, damn it. She swore.
-You don't have any orders to give to my second. She heard a voice speak at the back of the room. Seriously, you would be a pierced womenif I hadn't taken his weapon. So the metallic noise that had saved her came from him, she thought. I didn't take you on board so that you would die after a week, understood?
-On the other hand, you took me as a slave. The young woman pointed out to him that she took care of all the household chores.
-You would be a slave if I had not saved you.
-It was not you who saved me, it was the other old man.
-You two, calm down. The second intervened in the face of the flashes that the other two in the room were throwing at him.
-I was busy during those days, now you explain to me your relationship with Shanks and what you were doing at the auction. He continued more seriously.
Well. Here come the end of her life.
To understand her current situation, it was necessary to go back a week ago, when they had met on the Sabaody Archipelago.
————
The young woman had just arrived on the neutral archipelago, she was finally going to be able to enjoy a little vacation without having to flee the Navy. After all, with the nice bounty she had obtained she was quite sought after, but not enough to be part of the Super Novae.
Her poor raft arrived safely, at a groov far from the city center of the island, she did not want to be noticed more than necessary. Walking on the wooden pontoon, she crossed the forest with huge trees to reach a bar.
-Are you going to go to the auction?
An auction? That interested her. She would not be against going to free a few unlucky people. Yes, she saw herself as a guardian of justice sometimes, even if usually her cruel pirate instincts were more imposing.
-I hear there is a mermaid on display.
-It will change from the usual pussy on legs.
What?
-A mermaid is more beautiful than a human, right?
-I think so, but I've never seen one.
The two pirates, or rather scum, left the bar without even paying. The young woman was revolted by such remarks and disgusted by these monsters. Neutral island or not, they would feel her fist.
So she decided to follow them, paid for her drink, and followed them to a place a little further away from the central aisles.
Joining them in an empty space, she waited hidden behind a tree to see if there were only two of them. Fortunately for her, her patience had saved her life.
-Guys, did you find what I asked you for?
-Yes, boss. We went to two or three bars and there were four or five well-hung chicks that we could sell.
-Perfect. I'll send the others to go get them. Can you give me the aisles?
While those who seemed to be the suppliers of the auction were talking, the young hidden woman clenched her fists so as not to rush at them and kill them instantly. Sure, she was a big brute, but she would never let such insults pass in the words of women.
As she was developing a short plan allowing her not to sow discord during her vacation, she felt a hand on her shoulder
-Hey guys. A man greeted them. I found a good girl who was listening to your conversation. Are you planning to punish her?
The woman's eyes widened, they weren't going to give her a beating, or worse, just for listening to them
-I think selling her will bring us more profit. The other man said with a sly smile.
Actually, getting beaten up would have been better. What had possessed her to play the good Samaritan… was her last thought before feeling a heavy shock at the back of her head.
-So that's how you ended up behind bars. What a spirit of justice. Said the red-haired captain after his speech. That still doesn't tell me what you have to do with Red Shanks. He continued more seriously.
-Well actually… She began.
-Don't try to lie to me. Without me you would already be dead or sent back behind bars.
The woman sighed. It was undeniable that if he hadn't been there, she might not have gotten out of it… When she had escaped from her cell, marines had mistaken her for one of the pirates who had caused the trouble and had gone after her. She had gotten rid of them in her escape, an admiral arriving, but had crossed paths with a pacifista.
She had then been "saved" by the red-haired pirate, even if according to her he had just joined the forces around him to win. Then they had made a deal and she had temporarily boarded his ship.
-Like I told you. I overheard a conversation in the bar, where a woman was talking about the route the emperor was going to take, and also that he was planning to rest on an island.
-What does he tell us that this woman wasn't lying?
-I don't know. Maybe it was one of his conquests who managed to make him talk. But you're the one looking for Shanks, so if you have a lead that could turn out to be true, you'd better follow it. The pirate woman finished, looking at him in the eye.
-Very well. I'll follow your lead like you say. But listen to me carefully, he said, approaching her, if you lied to me and Shanks isn't on this island, you end up in the sea. Is that clear? He finished his sentence, holding the woman's chin with his fingers.
-Very clear, captain.
-You're not a member of my crew.
Ouch. He was right, once again, but she would have liked the terms of the agreement to include her in the crew, in order to enjoy a little more during the long months they would spend together.
-If I am not one of your crewmates, and my stay as a slave is over, then why are you giving me all these household chores?
-I just asked you to wash and tidy the hold. Well if you want to sleep in dust you choose but go ahead tell me what are these other tasks as you say.
-Oh that bastard.
Having just understood, the woman stormed out of the captain's room, and looked on the deck for a certain face.
-Gig bastard come here!
The so-called Gig approached, a superior smile on his lips.
-Did it made you laugh to give me all these tasks by making them pass under the captain's orders huh?
-Gig, explain yourself. Said the captain in question as he followed the woman.
-Uh, Captain. He said, all sheepish. I can explain to you…
-Explain what to him? Tell him that you were passing on your tasks to me? Tell him that you had been slacking off for three days? Oh no! I know! The woman looked him in the eyes, a devilishly happy smile on her face, or was it rather euphoric? Admit to him that you were defying your captain's authority by pretending to be him.
He was dead. Among the things that the pirate knew how to do, the manipulation of words was at its peak. And it would seem that Kidd had been easily manipulated on the spot, throwing the ex-pirate to port.
-If you go back on this ship, you're dead.
Then the red-haired pirate headed for his cabin, leaving faces that were not the least bit shocked on his crewmates. Apparently, it was Kidd's habit to get rid of those who didn't know their place. It was quickly settled at least, the pirate thought before finally resting.
————
The days had flown by at the speed of the sea winds, and it had now been more than a month since the passing pirate had been aboard the Victoria Punk. Her days were calmer than the first week since Kidd had put things in order, but she wasn't idle either.
The task she had been given was to clean the cutlery after each meal, so three times a day she spent a hour in the kitchen washing spoons and forks for the many crew. Apart from these services, the pirate did nothing. Taking advantage of the free vacation she was offered.
She was currently on the front deck, some fabric laid on the ground and she was lying on it enjoying the sun, sun that was cut off by a large shadow above her head and soon her whole body. Damn giant.
-Hi Y/n. How's the tanning?
-Oh, hi Wire. Well as you can see I've finished my afternoon task so I'm relaxing.
The man laughed. She and Wire had gotten along well since she joined the ship. In fact, he was one of the only people who talked to her.
-I understood that you were busy training the latest recruits. More of a massacre than training for me…
-Is that why you didn't want to participate?
-Don't want to die under Heat's flames. She said under his laughter.
-Otherwise the Cap'tn asked me to go bring you to him.
The woman got up, she would continue her break later if the captain wanted to see her.
-Kidd? Does he know that I exist?
-What ? Did you miss him because you haven't spoken for a month?
-Stop taking me for his girlfriend Wirie. She looked at him, throwing lightning bolts at him.
-It's not my fault if you look like the girls he picks up on the islands. They always have the same hair as you, that must be his style. He continued, smiling mockingly.
-Besides, does he never come by himself? Do I scare him? Always sending you. Poor you. She said ironically.
yes of course… Come on, stop being ironic, we're here. Unless you want him to pin you against a wall, but I don't think it will be to kiss you.
Wire, get lost, I think I can open a door by myself.
And the giant left while laughing at his friend. While she, she mentally prepared herself for what the captain could say to her, given that he had not spoken to her since their last discussion a month ago.
-Eustass Kidd, to what do I owe the honor of being able to visit you? She said, accompanying a curtsy.
-Spare me your damn bullshit and flattery and explain it to me. He said to her, throwing a newspaper on her desk.
-So here we have the daily column that was delivered by a Martin Postman this very morning. Martin that one of your guys almost plucked while wondering if his feathers could be used or worth anything.
-Didn't you do that?
-No! I captured him for a snack. But I see that the captain is interested in me!
-Enough joking, look at the wanted poster.
… Holy crap. She said, inspecting the paper.
-That's the case. Why didn't you tell me you had a bounty?
-Well, I didn't see the point. Besides, my bounty is nothing compared to yours.
-65,000,000 berries. Yes, it's lower than mine, i'm so lucky that a kid like you is inferior to me, but how did you get a bounty like that? You never train! You spend your time sleeping in the sun!
-You really spied on me!
-You're visible from my office Y/n.
-Ha.
She hoped he hadn't seen all the stupid things she had done over the course of the month.
-So, can you explain?
-Actually… she began, how can I put it? Basically, I'm quite curious. And I like gold. So let's say that when a big navy ship arrives at a port, I like to head into the holds or the chief's office… just to see if there's anything interesting. And often there's a lot of gold and food! But by stealing from them I've built up a reputation, and when I'm caught, ordinary marines can't handle it, so they die of their injuries… that's it.
So there, if the captain didn't expect it, that was the case. The woman he had taken in as a slave and whom he had helped to escape was actually wanted for theft and massacre? Now that he thought about it, she hadn't fought that much with the Pacifista.
He couldn't help but be like, proud. Yes he was proud to have a strong person like her in his crew. Well, in his ship he thought better of it.
-Well, from now on you-
-Captain! A man yelled as he slammed the office door, did he have suicidal thoughts? There's a pirate ship that's been following us for a while now. We think it wants to attack us.
-Call Killer and the others. Get ready to fight! He ordered. It's going to bleed.
-Oh my. Rude brute.
-Do you have a problem with my orders bitch?
-Not at all. I was wondering if I could join the fight, it's been a while since I snapped my neck, like you stopped me from doing last month. She frowned in reproach.
-Then go ahead and show me that you're worthy of being on this ship.
————
-Come on Y/n, join the training sessions. A voice complains.
-No, I don't want to end up burned.
-Heat will be careful just for you.
-Wire, Wire, Wire… My dear friend, why do you want me to join you so much. You're sooo dangerous.
-It's because you're also 'sooo dangerous'. We've seen how you fight. You can knock people out with just one strike, you're stronger than most of the guys here. Don't act like a choirboy.
In fact, since the last time, when she proved her place by quickly dislocating a few marines, Wire and a few other pirates must have accepted her because of her strength, took turns coming to get her to make her participate in their training sessions.
-Besides, why did you want to be Miss Perfect who saves innocent slaves in Sabaody? Kidd shouted.
Indeed, this one seemed more likely to want to know her and participated in their discussions from time to time, also asking her questions. Not far from displeasing the female pirate who was happy to gradually pierce the supernova's shell.
-Well, they didn't deserve to suffer this fate. If it had been a celestial dragon living the life of a slave after all he had done, I would have just admired the show. But there they hadn't asked for anything. And I didn't like how they talked about women.
-And why do you want to save the women? Like when we attacked the island the other day and you stopped the other one from killing one while you yourself were killing one. They are weak, they will die quickly in any case. I'm not talking about you, eh. He rushed before her gaze.
-Because my dear Eustass, oh when she took that tone it was because she was serious, weak women as you say, face many things that you would not even imagine. You will never notice it because in your mind it is a normal thing as it has always been like this. And that is the problem. Now you would do better to shut up and not underestimate all that we endure. Thank you.
She finished her tirade smiling. One could have believed that she was sincerely thanking him if he could take her cause seriously, but by general opinion, it seemed more like a warning. If he spoke like that about the woman again, he would suffer the consequences, chief or not.
A few hours later, the red-haired captain came back to see her. He had something important to tell her but had preferred to wait. He found her as usual on an old animal skin enjoying the sun on the completely deserted front deck.
-Y/n we should talk.
-Are you going to confess your feelings to me?
-Are you out of your mind? He said disgusted.
-Well I don't know I imagine. The last guy who told me "let's talk" he declared himself.
-He must have had to. He smiled.
-Shut up. Anyway what do you want.
-We're going to arrive on a desert island soon.
-Wow impressive.
-Let me finish. I'm going to drop off some men so they can build and set up a landmark. I've had contacts in the underworld and it could bring us a lot.
-I'm afraid I don't understand Eustass Kidd.
His governmental name. A sign that she wasn't very happy. At the same time with what he was about to tell her…
-You're going to stay there.
Excuse me?
She took it badly. Too bad, he would have no choice but to use strong methods.
-Don't argue with orders. You stayed on this ship much longer than expected. I remind you that you are not part of the crew.
And that sentence again. She thought that indirectly she had joined him, with all the time and memories they had spent together.
-So I'm not part of it, but you're asking me to take care of your future palace. Aren't you a little too cheeky there?
-Y/n… Don't take it like that.
-No Kidd! She was getting angry. I won't do anything that I won't gain anything for. Tell me the counterpart.
-I'll let you join the crew.
-Huh?
-If you manage to establish a good mark and a name in the underworld until I get back, then you will officially join the crew.
-So you let me supervise everything? Did he have the necessary trust in her to let her take the lead?
-Yes.
-Very well. Deal done. Now you tell me for how long you will be gone and to do what. Even if I already have a hypothesis.
-Big Mom.
-But you are completely crazy! I give you the road for the other Red and you attack another emperor. She shouted under his murderous gaze.
-I have business to do with this one. Then I will go find the Red.
-Ha. She sighed, completely crazy. It will take you time then, well if you come back. Don't look at me like that Kidd I know you will come back
-It will take you a whole year
Oh yeah.
Yeah.
The conversation had become somewhat awkward. Not knowing what to say anymore, the woman asked him when they would arrive on the desert island, to which he answered three days. So she only had three days left with her friends. Since she was sure that Kidd would take Killer and Wire with him. But hey, a new adventure awaited her.
————
Fourteen months. Fourteen fucking months of shit since Kidd and Wire had left. She had handled the paperwork and negotiations to establish a base, which had been difficult. Then she had wiped away all the remarks from some who didn't take her seriously, but she had gotten her revenge, at worst she would tell Kidd that the hunt for the monsters on the island had gone badly.
Then she had had to find the funds to build, because it seemed that her future captain had underestimated the necessary price, so she had gone for a walk in the nearest richest city, more precisely to the port in order to retame her old habits. Of course, she had been caught by the navy, so she had made a bloodbath and her bounty had increased to 80,000,000 Berry. So she had received an angry call from Kidd asking her to play it low-key, but deep down she was proud. Routine, you know.
As for the underworld side, she had found some talent in the business, having quickly made a name for herself in it. So she thought she would get a call from Kidd who called her once a month to talk to her about it. But nothing. Three months that his reputation had been traced, and still no call. He might have died. No, she would have seen it in the newspaper.
-Captain Y/n.
Oh yes. He will kill her for that detail too. It could be that, by mistake, she let it be understood that she was the head of their organization. Since she had managed everything from A to Z concerning the underworld. And the people she had hired to help her liked to call her that. She was definitely dead.
-Yes Rackham?
-There is a boat that seems to be the Victoria that was spotted less than two miles away. But it is accompanied by other boats.
-Holy crap.
-Captain?
-Call me Y/n, come on, we're friends. Anyway, take my place and forge my signature on the left pile. I'm going! She said, running from her office.
-But Captain!
-I said Y/n! She yelled from the other end of the hallway.
She was definitely screwed. But it was time for a reunion. And something was pressing, why were there several ships? Kidd had left with three ships, but his second would have told him if the other ships were theirs. Although what seemed to make her pace quicken, and another organ, was more the person sailing on one of the ships.
-Eustass Kiddou! You're back! She shouted as she reached the port.
Said Kiddou raised his head at that name. Only one person on earth and sea had dared to call him that, and those, during goodbyes that had happened fourteen months ago.
-The bitch?
-Hey, I can call you bastard too for our reunion. She said as she arrived in front of him.
-Your stay in the crew will be short if you say that.
-Wait, that's it!
-I told you, didn't I?
-Yes yes. Thank you Cap'tain Kidd. She said as she approached him, encircling her little arms on his robust waist. Wait. There's a thickness missing.
She moved away from him and looked at him more fully.
-Damn Kidd your arm!
-It was a bastard from the red-head's crew who did it to me.
-I told you I should have come. I could have prevented you from being hurt and also-
She didn't have time to finish her sentence, a muscular arm carrying her against a torso. Kidd was hugging her?
-Kidd I'm very happy to see you again huh. But you're breaking my back there…
-Oh yes sorry.
-Ahem.
The two turned around to look at the one who had coughed.
-I don't want to interrupt your reunion, but could we have nothing to do with each other? Said a man with long blond hair and a funny tattoo.
-Rackham, takes the other supernovae and their crews to settle in the western districts.
-Rackham is not here captain. You left him in your office.
Oh shit.
-Captain? Kidd pointed out. By any chance, my dear subordinate, he insisted, you haven't taken your ease a little too much during this long year?
-No but I'll explain Kidd.
-It's captain.
-Captain.
-I would be happy to hear your version of the facts in my office. But later.
-Yes, Captain. She replied before he left.
-The captain is not in love, is that it? Wire whispered in her ear. You seemed very close to him for me earlier. What would have happened if the other mouthful had not coughed?
-Hi Wire. Shut up Wire. She smiled.
How pushy could he be with his so-called romance with their captain. Their. She was officially honest now.
-Are we eating together tonight? With Killer, Heat and Kidd. Don't worry, I'll save you a place next to your dear lover.
-You're boring Wire.
————
But what happened? Y/n didn't understand. They had heard a loud noise and then everyone had rushed and when she had looked in the distance, one of their ships had been blown up and had a huge mass on it.
-Kidd! Kidd where the fuck are you? She shouted, coughing.
She had been next to it with her captain when the ship had exploded and had taken a lot of dust, and explosives that were stored inside, in the face. You didn't need to be a doctor to suspect that it wasn't very good for her.
-Y/n!
-Ha, you're here! What happened?
-We have visitors.
-But who jumps out of the sky like that? She panicked.
-An emperor.
-Huh? Which one?
-Kaido and the hundred beasts. And I thought I understood that the other fuckers had betrayed us.
-Kidd, what did I tell you about alliances.
-Oh, that's good!
-Anyway, we're going to go beat him up, are you coming with me?
-No.
-… what do you mean no?
-You're not coming with me. You take care of fleeing and rebuilding our lair somewhere else safely.
-What? That's out of the question Eustass!
-Listen to me Y/n! He shouted in a tone he had never used for her before. Please Y/n…
-What's wrong, Kidd. She softened her voice to the broken sound of her captain's.
-I've never felt my heart beat for anyone except when you're by my side. I don't want you to die. Take the emergency submarine and run away, we'll find each other again.
He took her by the waist, placed his lips on hers as delicately as he could, they exchanged a loving kiss, and he left her to return to the battlefield.
-You better survive, Eustass Kidd! Or I'll kick your ass! She screamed before escaping.
He was right, she had to gather strength and rebuild what she had already done for him, in the same way as fifteen months ago. She would only hinder him given the state she was in if she stayed.
-Very well, Captain. We'll meet again.
Then she left, running as much as she could despite her lungs that were throbbing, she owed that to the one who had saved her life, once again. And then, she knew that he would get through it. No matter the danger, no matter the enemy, no matter the ally, he would get through it. He was strong, and that's why she loved him.
~~the end ~~
Currently wondering if I should make a long and detailed series version of this
The eldest sitting on the living room carpet while the youngest lingered over the task the latter had asked him to do, they chatted nicely in front of their favorite TV series, which was none other than the beginnings of reality TV. Using his comb to separate his brother's locks to apply the coloring to his roots, the second continued to criticize the man playing his role while the eldest calmly ate his popcorn next to the pile of clothes stained with dried blood from their previous outing…
Indeed, it's no secret that Haitanis are not cleanliness freaks compared to their parents, who, every time they came back for a few days between two trips, always ended up killing them with all this noise, which was not so disastrous, they told themselves, without knowing, however, the unhealthy activities of their children, which were always well hidden.
Unfortunately, today the apartment seemed surely too wise and good-natured for the superior beings who had decided to involve destiny. It is true that not really wanting to answer their mother in the middle of fighting, he had forgotten to call her back a week ago and had not taken the time to listen to the voicemail. But wandering on his portal after having moved the black dye away from him, the one with the blue-colored locks listens to this message while taking from the food package that his brother kindly hands him. Nevertheless, both hearing the message at the same time, they choke violently before exchanging a panicked look.
"Hello my chicks, your father and I are coming to say hello to you on Thursday afternoon!"
-Ho shit.
-You take care of the living room and the kitchen, I'll take care of the laundry. Orders the eldest, panicking throughout the apartment in search of the dirty and bloody clothes scattered around, most of the time almost falling because of getting tangled up in them.
For his part, the youngest focuses on cleaning the surfaces in need and allows himself to throw the waste to his brother armed with a garbage bag to get rid of the corpses of beers and junk food that their parents hated.
The dreaded footsteps echoing in the space, on the stairs, in the hallway then stopping in front of the door, at the sound of the keys turning in the lock, the two panicked boys rush towards it, jostling each other without wanting to. Rindou having been thrown by his brother who had slipped ends up responding by crushing his foot violently as the door opens. Unable to shout, the latter turns red, letting out an unmanly cry while the other puts his glasses on his nose, proud, ready to welcome.
-Surprise my chicks! Their mother greets them, so happy to see them, taking them in her arms with force to show them the love she gives them despite the fact that they are never there.
-What a surprise… They say, a forced smile still out of breath from their intense effort.
Unfortunately, detaching themselves from their mother who pinches their cheeks as if she still had young children in front of her, they are all three stopped by the father who has gone around the apartment.
-Can I know why there is a baton on the couch?
Addressing each other a panicked look, the two brothers try to find a reason as quickly as possible but just as valid. But, unfortunately it was the youngest who found an explanation.
In a few words: never let Rindou explain a phenomenon to his parents.
-Ran has strange fantasies that we can't understand as a normal person dad, don't bother.
-Ran? The two parents wonder in shock, turning towards the one who was glaring at his brother, trying to remain neutral despite his strong amusement.
-Surprise. He tries behind, not knowing what to say in this situation.
-Your chick does weird things mom. The two-tone whispers before leaving, leaving his brother alone to be questioned relentlessly about fantasies that he only knew the names of.
-My god my chick has grown up and is doing adult things. She cries as the black-haired man tries to discredit this statement as best he can.
Normally everything should go well.
There should be no problem, after all they were two teenagers aware of their actions who did not want to have problems with their parents. So why was the kitchen catching fire?
A few hours ago, while the youngest Haitani was sitting on the couch leafing through a magazine, he turned the pages until one of them caught his attention. Indeed, it was written in big letters "Tiramisu for Dummies". Having never made tiramisu and the recipe seemed simple, he thought he could try to make this delicious dessert.
While he was preparing the ingredients beforehand to avoid a bad surprise, his brother came in. Interested in what was happening in the kitchen, he went towards her.
-Tut-tut-tut. His brother interrupted him. Don't you remember the rule?
-Yes, but come on Rindou! I'm just looking at what you're cooking.
-We said you're not allowed to enter the kitchen or be within a meter of any place containing expensive or dangerous objects.
-Since when can't I have dangerous objects?
-Since I decided to.
Rindou I literally fight with a baton… He answers logically before continuing. Which you don't know how to use, little ninja.
-Stop with that, I was young.
-That was two months ago.
-Okay, you won, but if you come in, you don't touch anything, you don't break anything, and you don't bother me.
Unfortunately for him, it's not enough to tell his brother things to make him do them, or to forbid him to do them so he doesn't do them. Consequently, Ran had quickly started cooking this "pouty-dish-with-way-too-many-calories".
The cake was progressing at its own pace, after all it's neither the hardest dessert to make, nor the hardest recipe to understand. Up until then, everything had gone well, mixing the few ingredients had been easy enough to teach Ran to do something in the place that was the kitchen, well he still had to be supervised as much for the lumps he left as for his finger that joined his mouth a little too often.
So how had the kitchen started to catch fire?
Back to the present, the two brothers had put out the few flames and opened the windows to free themselves from the roasted smell that surrounded them, now, it was necessary to guess the cause of all this. And of course, Rindou knew whose fault it was.
-…
-…
-…can you explain it to me Ran?
-But I don't know…
-When did you find a way to turn on the oven?! I was with you all the time!
-Yeah well I don't know! I bumped into it and it turned the knobs then I remembered that you said that you had to preheat the oven before baking a cake so I left it like that!
-But not for ALL cakes! You saw that we had put it in the fridge so why didn't you turn it off?!
-Well I don't know!
-…let's calm down.
-Yes.
-Now everything is settled so it's good.
-Thanks. He said before leaving, hoping not to suffer his brother's anger again, although deserved.
-By the way, you can imagine that this time you no longer have any right to approach the kitchen.
-But the tiramisu is in the fridge!
-It's for me, you already took half of it while preparing it.
Today, the youngest brother finds himself obliged to do the housework while his brother went out to get some fresh air with the S62 generation. As usual, after getting ready, he looks for something to clean their entire home, he turns on the speakers. Compared to Ran, he had more trouble freeing himself when the music was blaring around him, but that didn't stop him from getting to work, moving to the rhythm of the rock bass making all the furniture vibrate, without worrying about the world around him.
Ballet in his hands, he moves his head up and down, his feet tapping to the rhythm of Figured you out by Nickelback. Tapping on the handle, he starts to move a little more, humming, unable to reproduce the lyrics. Only, the record leaving a short rest, he continues with American Idiot by Green Day, causing an excited smile on the face of the two-tone hearing his favorite music.
“Don’t wanna be an American idiot”
The first words sung, there he is doing a dance duet with his feather duster, letting off steam on this sound punctuated by violent bass as long as his elder is not there to judge him. Raising and lowering his head frantically, he even forgets his glasses that jump on his nose. The guitar solo ending the sound, he resumes his ballet, stopping completely from cleaning, to mime the bass player with unparalleled energy. Putting one knee on the ground, the fake instrument on his thigh, he no longer pays attention to what surrounds him, too concentrated on humming.
Barely catching his breath after this exhausting session, he looks up towards the entrance. His amused smile melts to leave a panicked look stuck on his face. Indeed, his brother had just come back and was looking at him with astonished eyes and a half-open mouth, shocked. In addition, a new black tuft had also landed behind the latter, amused by what he had seen.
-What are you doing here? Asks the one with glasses while getting up as if nothing had happened despite the intense blush due to embarrassment, his "instrument" hidden behind his back.
-I wanted to introduce you to the new member of the gang… Answers the tallest one still shocked.
As he looks at the new boy, a vein stands out a little more on his forehead at the sight of the smirk he gives him. Ashamed, he pins him against the wall, glaring at the new treasurer of their team.
-You tell someone what you saw, I'll break you in two.
-I won't say anything if you give me 7,000 yen.
-You shut your mouth quietly or I'll kill you.
-It would be stupid if Tenjiku and all of Roppongi found out about this… Can you imagine that you'll become a star!
Realizing that threats had no effect on the black-haired man, he tightened his grip on his collar, then began to make deals.
-6,000 yen.
-7,000 yen.
-6,500.
-7,000.
-Go to hell. He spat, letting go of him to walk down the hall to his room.
-I want them in cash only!
Coming back, he throws a small frog-shaped purse into his hands while he smiles at what he has just won through pure blackmail under the indignant gaze of the taller one.
-Your guitar imitation was very well done by the way, I hope to see that again another time… He taunts him.
-It's bass.
-It would be stupid to lose your reputation, Haitani. On that note, nice to meet you, the trendy guitarist of Roppongi. If you want to become a professional dancer, I'll be your agent and buy you a new frog handbag… He says as he leaves, letting the taller one pass before receiving a black look from his brother, contemptuous of him.
-You make a remark, you cook for yourself. He leaves.
-You gave him my frog handbag Rindou! And my money!
It was around three in the morning when the two brothers returned home after a small fight. In fact, they had been called the day before by some of their men who had a small altercation with adults. They thought, from the height of their egos, that they would beat these drunk adults without any problem, but they quickly understood that they were not just old people. After having a few teeth broken for some and a few bones for other unlucky people, one called the elder Haitani. Their reputation would have taken a big hit if they were not capable of beating adults so despite the cold of December, the two brothers had moved.
-Damn Ran I hate them! I want to go home, it’s curdling! The youngest moaned after the fight.
-I'm cold too! But unlike you, I have exposed wrists to drive!
In fact, as Rindou's motorbike no longer had a battery, he had ridden behind his brother. Although it bothered him to be seen holding him tight so as not to fall -Ran purposely made small accelerations- he was very happy not to have his hands in the air to drive.
Once the motorcycle was parked, Rindou ran to get warm, followed closely by his brother. The door slammed, they raced to get to the bathroom and enjoy a nice hot, foamy bath before continuing their evening where it left off, on the sofa watching a movie, at three thirty -six in the morning.
The sun's rays could no longer hide from the morning fog, the youngest Haitani woke up. Rindou began to do his morning stretches when suddenly he felt something in the lower part of his back. He called his brother who had fallen asleep on the sofa.
-Ran! Come here please.
He vaguely heard his brother reply that he was too busy sleeping so he decided to move up a gear.
-I'm going to die if you don't come!
The ruse having worked, Ran ran to his brother.
-Can you help me stretch? I don't feel my back anymore, those old guys were tough last night.
-It's true that I should have filmed the moment when he threw you to the ground, well if I had filmed it I wouldn't have been able to break his jaw. He said with a smile on his lips as he approached Rindou.
-Hey ! Hey ho! What are you doing ?! The latter asks, seeing his brother put him on his stomach and sit on his lower back.
He didn't answer him and suddenly took Rindou's shoulders to pull them towards him. Rindou let out a cry from the pain.
-No, but it’s not okay! We don't do it like that!
-What ? I'll help you stretch.
Faced with his big brother's more serious expression, Rindou didn't know what to say and stretched out his legs to invite Ran to push him towards his feet. With his back finally stretched despite more pain than expected, the braid took his brother's arms and pulled them as far as possible.
-But I told you not to shoot! Are you stupid or do you want me to break your bones?
-Oh, it’s good, grandma.
-You'll see when I regain the use of my arms! he shouts before continuing more calmly. Well, for that you would have to not have snatched them from me.
-Don't worry, it'll grow back.
Ran continued to pull his brother's limbs and crack bones that neither of them even knew existed until Rindou lay dead in the fetal position in his bed for the rest of the day.
-Thank you, I am so grateful! Thanked their neighbor before leaving, leaving them both on their front doorstep, frightened.
The older one, still not realizing what she has just asked them, inflict on them, sets his violet eyes on what is nestling in the arms of his equally shocked brother. The one with glasses looks down at the sleeping toddler, mouth half open, pacifier ready to fall.
-Since when did we become the backup babysitter?
-We have sunk very low.
Starting to blame themselves for the situation, they whisper to prevent the young little girl from waking up. However, when Rindou looks back at the little girl, he can't help but look disgusted while his brother lets out a laugh, amused by the situation.
-She fucking drooled on me!
Faced with his exclamation, she wakes up crying, dropping her pacifier. Panicked, the braided person takes the child to calm him in his arms while his brother picks up the lollipop to give it back to him.
- Run it under water first, it's disgusting otherwise!
-All right, I'm going !
From then on, running in all directions frantically to respond to the little girl's slightest need and desire, they finished playing with her, her dolls and her cars. The unicorn headband and the princess headband decorating their face, they collapse on the sofa, exhausted when the one who dominates sleeps peacefully between the two of them. Starting to complain about the Legos on which he slipped several times, the two-tone grimaces as he speaks again.
-Don't you think it stinks Ran?
Turning around to exchange a look filled with apprehension, they finally set their gaze on the little girl's bottom, well filled.
-This little...
-Oh no...
-You take care of it.
-Eh ? The oldest is indignant.
-Don't do that, she's already vomited on me!
-Okay then go get me some gloves, a mask, and some disinfectant, head to the bathroom.
Executing more quickly than expected, here is the eldest trying to change the diaper of the youngest gesticulating everywhere, dressed in a blouse, gloves, a mask, his hair tied back. Meanwhile, the other of the brothers on the doorstep, his nose in his T-shirt, hands him the things he needs before returning to the corridor to get some fresh air.
-Rindou the diaper, go throw it away!
-Don't throw it at me like that! He grumbled, catching her as she was ready to land on his face. It stinks of death.
-You did worse when you were his age.
-But shut up!
-Go throw it in the trash at the bottom of the residence.
-But you can imagine seeing me with a diaper full of shit in my hands!
-Do you want it to stink up in the apartment?
-I'm going, don't kill her.
-I know what I'm doing ! He smiled before grimacing at the new diaper. How I put that ? You know, you little one?
Hearing her gurgling, he sighs before taking it in his hands to figure out how to put it on before his brother comes back.
-Of course you know and you won't tell me, you selfish thing. You dare to challenge us when you are two years old, you have a future in the underworld my little one... If you want I will teach you how to kill people.
Laughing, she extends her arms towards the one who has just changed her to hug him, happy to have spent this day with them.
-Don't worry, Rindou will also teach you his techniques. In a few years you will be the future queen of Roppongi!
Ran had been thinking for a few days now that it would be good for him to change something but he was undecided that he didn't know what to change, what new things to bring to his look. Having entered the age of adolescence he wanted to feel more beautiful, although his ego would increase even more to the chagrin of his brother.
Following his desire of change, he left one morning wandering in the stores and the beauty departments to find what would suit him. Having already done some shopping, because new clothes could only please him, he began to explore the beauty departments. After half an hour without having found the thing he was missing, the eldest Haitani came across a young teenager who was bending over backwards to catch a product that had rolled under the cabinet.
-Seriously ? It only happend to me… a girl talked to herself.
Ran could only judge this funny person who was talking to herself but when she finally picked up her product he had his revelation, he knew what to buy. Finally half seen that before even realizing it he was already asking her the question.
- What are your hair products?
-Eh ? Dropped the young girl surprised by the question of this stranger.
-Um not hair care products mine are already neat and excellent, but the color you have there. He stammers, recovering.
- Ha, it's gray. She answers him, showing him her coloring.
The blonde seemed to be in a phase of intense reflection with himself, she handed him a box for black coloring, telling him that it would suit him well before joining a boy a little further. Unable to waste any more time because he now had to do a dye, the Haitian returned home.
Once the groceries were put away in the various cupboards and refrigerators, the only thing he knew how to do in a kitchen and still he sometimes did it wrong, he put his new clothes on his bed and went to attack his hair.
... it wasn't so easy to do in the end, between the badly mixed color he had to go back to, his fingers that were no longer their beautiful pale color, the old white sink that had become a mixture of purple dark and black, -his mother would certainly kill him on the way- and the big black mark on his forehead that he had been trying to fix for an hour, too many adventures had happened in a short instant.
It should also not be forgotten that the dye did not stop at the same place all around his head and that the black had certain shades all around it. Anyway, that's what happens when you don't read the manual.
With all or most of his problems fixed, he joined his brother who called him to eat, ready to brag about his new hairstyle for at least a week.
Morpheus had already touched the city of Tokyo, plunging it into a soothing calm as the stars lit up the dark sky. Awakened by an urgent desire, the young adult with long loose hair silently leaves his room to go to the toilet. Only, in the corridor prisoner of dark shadows, a body violently meets his.
- Haa! he shouts in panic, taking several steps back before continuing, trying not to show his fear. I warn you, I don't know what you want but I am very violent!
- Stop yelling at one o'clock in the morning... Rattles the other half asleep.
Understanding from the voice that it is his little brother, he puts his hand on his chest and sighs, reassured. I straighten up, he points to his brother, blocking his way to the bathroom.
- But why didn't you go to bed at one o'clock?
- And you ?
- Answer my question !
- And you to mine.
- I was sleeping but I had to pee. How about you?
- Well, it's the pee at one in the morning.
- Since when is a pee at one in the morning? Asks the eldest lost by his brother's regularity.
- There's always been a pee at one o'clock in the morning.
- No.
- Yes.
- No !
- I've always had this habit. It's one o'clock, I get up to go pee, that's all, now let me pass.
- Are you on the clock or what?
Teasing his brother passing him to head for the door so coveted by the two of the siblings, the first ticks and turns around so as not to be robbed of the place. The object opened, the two brothers scramble to find out who will be the lucky one. Pushing his brother's face with his hand pressed against the cheek of the one with glasses, this one blocks the way with his arms trying to expel him.
- Get the elders out first!
- I got out first!
- You just had to get the furthest room!
- It's you who chose, not me moron!
- I'm the oldest !
- Get out or I'll piss on you Ran!
- You don't dare!
- We bet ?
Plunging his gaze into that of the smallest, he swallows and shifts to let him pass, without contesting.
- Your wishes are orders, bro...
Looking at him from above, he goes into the toilets and takes his time, amused, so that the older one laments behind the door.
- Hush, let me enjoy quietly.
- You go out, I put your head in the bowl.
- Do you think I'm going out now?
- Rindou Haitani, get out of there otherwise I'll piss in your bed! He demands before the door opens violently in the crowd, letting the two-tone out.
Ran always had his own style, whether it was his style of clothing or the way he did his hair, he didn't care what other people thought, but if someone made fun of him a little too much for his taste, any good excuse would be taken to disfigure people with truncheons.
It had become a habit for him to be stared at in the street, because of his reputation or his charm, he liked that it was these two reasons, he was used to people turning around. Naturally he had been criticized at first, a man with long hair he was braiding, of course society wouldn't approve, anyway, those who laughed weren’t able to talk anymore.
That's why he had decided to change his style one morning, he wasn't going to give up his braids, just the color they had. So he had gone shopping and getting hair color while Rindou slept. Returning home, he noticed that his brother was still sleeping so after putting away the shopping he locked himself in the bathroom in which he remained locked up for several long minutes struggling with his hair...
Two hours later, Rindou called him to tell him to come eat. That's it, Ran was finally going to be able to talk, brag, about his new hairstyle to his brother. Once at the table, he waited impatiently for a look or a question from the youngest. Question that never happened. Indeed, Rindou seemed either to have noticed nothing, or to care less.
Ran tried throughout the afternoon to get his brother to notice him, be it insinuating phrases such as "Have you seen that actor? He dyed his hair" The new two-tone could no longer bear this, he, Ran Haitani being ignored? He just couldn't, it just couldn't be done. So he decided, once again, to deal with the problems of his daily life by confronting Rindou at the evening meal, it was a routine.
-Hum Rindou, you really haven't noticed any change? He asked running his hand through his hair.
-... I didn't dare tell you about it, I thought you might want to keep it for yourself...
-Eh ? What are you talking about ? He resumed in incomprehension.
- Well you have lice, don't you? You spent an hour in the bathroom this morning and you touch your hair all the time.
There, Ran was shocked.
He couldn't utter a word, how could someone be so wrong? Was it even doable? All these questions wandered in the head of our Haitani.
- What don't you have? Well, so much the better then.
-Of course I don't have any, but you seriously didn't notice the superb magnificent hairstyle I did! he exclaimed
- Oh your hair, well if I saw it went a bit from blond to black.
- So you're not saying anything? No comments ? Neither beautiful nor ugly?
-If you want me to tell you that it suits you, I won't tell you. He smiled teasingly.
- People usually turn around, beautiful or not...
-Yes, but you have a hairstyle, do what you want with it and if someone isn't happy, we beat them up.
-So it's okay with me? he begs.
Rindou replied with a vague affirmation having the phlegm to debate.
We all have an image of a calm Rindou even if he is brutal in the relations that they are friendly or not. It was different when a drop of alcohol mixes with his blood... Night had fallen and the oldest had begged his brother to accompany him to have a little fun in the bars not far from their home. Lying in his bed, he simply refused but ended up capitulating by Ran's perseverance. He then got up and got ready. Closing the door behind them, none of them had expected that the eldest would, a few hours later, drag his brother out of the disco by force...
- Just two hours, no more. Impose the one with glasses by entering the dark building, while saluting the bouncer.
- Yes yes.
Pushing open the door, the multicolored black lights dance to the music that invades their auditory senses. Moving closer to the swaying crowd, the taller Haitani begins to feel comfortable after having a drink in his hand. Looking for beautiful women to catch his eye, he sneaks around dancing, losing sight of his youngest child. The latter, wanting to return to calm, turns towards the bar, hoping to drown his sorrow.
One glass.
Two glasses.
Three glasses.
Four glasses now dance between his red blood cells. Hiccuping a little, he gets up and joins the crowd he hates, to finally free himself from this problem of associability. But a few minutes later, the braided man dancing with a young woman glued to his chest, sees his face break down when he notices the damage. No he wasn't sleeping, no he wasn't vomiting, his brother was leaning against a wall in the middle of a discussion with a cactus...
- I will be back. He smiled at the young stranger wanting to stop him, before the worst happened.
He lost sight of him for that fraction of a second. Frantically looking for him in the whole room, he finds him leaning on the bar, accosting someone at least five years older, with a seductive face.
- Ran, look who I met! He exclaims, before whispering out loud. She's cute don't you think? She's my type of girl too!
- You also are my type of guy...
- Rindou it’s a man.
- Stop making fun of me. I Know the difference.
- He drank too much, we're leaving, good evening.
Pulling the two-tone to make him move, he ends up helping him walk, holding himself back so he doesn't fall. Only, the youngest turns in the direction of the bar, a beguiling smile on his lips before miming a telephone with his free hand before sending a flying kiss to the man sitting in this direction.
- Call me !
It's after sobering up the next day that the bespectacled one asks Ran about the new number who's been trying to call him for several hours. Swallowing askew, the latter smiled at his brother, informing him that it was an ad and that he could block it, while drinking his tea noisily.
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