“So you are saying that because of your thoughtlessness, this whole ordeal was brought upon Asagao, Casablanca and Hibiscus and no less, under your watch?”

“Yes…”

“It’s clear as day that your one and only thoughtless action brought jeopardy to the three of them, no?”

“That is absolutely accurate…”

“Hypothetically, if there was something happens to them, what are you planning to do?”

“Something happens to them…I…uh…I don’t know…”

“And do you have anything to say for yourself? This is something I cannot simply ignore.”

Currently, Merissa sits on her knees as Ichirou stare down at her with hostility.

Merissa’s whole crew could only watch from afar and witness how she wholeheartedly looks at Ichirou with petrified calmness. Her stare is fixated on Ichirou showing how she intently going to take the scolding if I can call it like that. Even though bead of sweats trickles down from her cheeks, she never showed any signs of escaping the predicament.

As for me, I quietly watch the scene unfolds in the side as I stroke Casablanca and Hibiscus heads as they used my lap as a pillow while Emby lay down atop my head. All of them worked so hard that I cannot help but smile at their gentle and innocent sleeping faces.

Even as they sleep, they are still holding each other’s hands. Even amidst the cold chilly night, my chest feels fuzzy and warm as I saw how the bonds between two grew further and I am aware that in the future, it will still grow. It’s too late to say this now but… I have new people that I wanted protect at all cost.

The more reason I need to do everything, even to scrape myself trying, to be strong. I will use any means to acquire the power to defeat all the foes ahead.

I wonder when did I start thinking too much of others. I no longer longed for my own safety but instead to protect the people that give me true happiness.

Touching the lengthy scar that stretches down from under my neck to my diaphragm, I am once again reminded of the cruel and terrible experiences that I have gone through. But I don’t wish to remind myself of those because I want to remember the feelings of being tormented but rather because I do not wish my beloved friends and families to experience such plight.

How illogical and dumb but it has a romantic feeling of irony to it.

“I am terribly sorry for what I did! But do not forget that they are on your watch during that time! I alone should not carry the burden of the blame!”

Merissa’s voice disturbed my train of thought as her thunderous reply came. Right now, she is looking up at Ichirou as she stood up from her position. Her eyes don't seem apologetic and rather, it has a tinge of anger into it.

“You keep running your mouth like I am the sole person to be blamed! Let me give you a piece of my mind! How could YOU let them run around like that?! I am not saying that you restrain them but, aren’t you just pointing finger for something you are half of fault at?!”

“What?!”

“Because you know, if I were you, I’d never take my eyes off of those girls! Just look how precious they are! I bet they would sell a hefty price at an illegal slave market don’t you think?!”

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“How could you…”

“But no! I am actually relieved for the first time that I am the one who found them! Your sorry ass should be thankful that I am not in any way, evil! During the time I spent together with them, even for a short while, I was able to see their worth and they are priceless!”

“…”

“Also, I am glad! I am glad that they are with me! They saved us! They saved us from a problem we could never solve by ourselves! We owe them so many lives, lives of dozens of pirates and crews that should have perished by now if it is not for their effort!”

“I see…”

“I am sorry! I am really sorry for what I have done but my only regret is that I brought them into danger! If you are furious, I, Merissa, shall take on your wrath! Punish me however you like! Torture me, violate me, or even take my life, I will do my best to quell your anger!”

“However I like, right? Then, stand still.”

“Eh? Y-Yeah…”

Merissa did what Ichirou said and froze on the spot while her anticipation grows. The people from her crew grew anxious of what was about to happen. Ichirou walks closer to Merissa as he clenches his right fist and prepares for a punch.

I am well aware that, even though it is still not a match for Alstroe, his punch is lethal enough to kill a normal devil in an instant. But I didn’t bother to move from the spot I am in.

For one, I don’t want to wake Casablanca and Hibiscus who rest upon my lap. I don’t care about the dumb bird but these twins are extremely fatigued. The other reason is that I know Ichirou well that I didn’t bother myself.

Staring at the clenched metallic fist, Merissa could only grit her teeth and close her eyes. Ichirou raises his fist in the air readies to throw it at Merissa. The people in the background led by Ferd prepare themselves to jump in at any moment.

Merissa awaits the incoming pain…

Five seconds…

Ten seconds…

Merissa, who shut her eyes, is visibly showing a face of bewilderment. Little does she know, Ichirou has no intention of harming her even in the slightest right from the very start.

Because of I won’t let him. Because his belief in righteousness and justice does not dictate it. I have faith in him that he would not harm someone helpless and weak. It is his raison d’etre after all. The way how his mind works is the stem of my trust for him, a man who tries his best to inhibit his desire and push through everything even though he lacks any real talent.

It is one commonality and sentiment that we both share.

Merissa slowly opens her eyes as the pain she was expecting never arrives. Her quivering eyes widened as instead of meeting a knuckle on her face, it was a gentle and pat in the head that she receives.

“Eh…? Wah?! Eh?”

Confused, Merissa started blabbering incomprehensible words as she gets flushed from the sudden head pat. Her brown wavy hair was gently ruffled by Ichirou’s hand. She meekly tries to see what expression Ichirou is wearing.

What she saw is not the blood draining enraged face earlier but a gentle and appreciative smile plastered on Ichirou’s face.

“That’s a relief. It seems that despite being a pirate, you are kind to Asagao and the twins.  You became a friend to them and took care of them with all your best. I haven’t heard the whole story yet but one thing is for sure, you’re a good and adorable girl.”

“Yoooowaah..?! FuueeehA?! WAwwwwee…”

“I guess blaming you alone is unreasonable. You were able to manage to reason out yourself and I have to say, I guess you are right. My own personal feelings had the best of me and tried to pin the blame which you don’t deserve.”

“Hwayirahahaha! Eughawawaw….gaa…!”

“Still, what a cute reaction.”

Merissa.exe stopped working.

Ichirou’s lady killer lines got the best of her and now, her face is beet red from ear to ear. I guess Merissa’s complex about her not so girly looks is eating her away and got extremely embarrassed. Why does she think she doesn’t look cute?!

Anyway, I am glad that Merissa got through Ichirou with words alone or to say that Ichirou found logic in her words causing his anger to fade away. Either way, Merissa made a point but didn’t deny that she is as well at fault here.

If anything, I am also at fault.

I mean, come on. Emby can just turn into a huge flying bird and fly us back but the dumb me didn’t think about it up until now…

Not that I will mention that now just to ruin the mood and I wish no one notice such small stupid detail.

Well, because I guess I actually enjoyed Merissa’s company. Can’t say I don’t like her presence. On the contrary, the pirates are a bunch of fellows I could get along well even though they are a gathering of odd and weird people.

“S-Stop…it now…! Also…I am not…cute or anything…! You must have mistaken me for a table top!!”

“That’s impossible…”

That’s the cutest table top if ever I see one. Ichirou parted his hand from Merissa’s head as anytime now, she would have surely melted. Her legs gave out and she gently falls on her rear while holding the part of her head where she just got patted.

“T-That was a first for me…”

“Anyway, I guess we both owe each other an apology huh.”

“Ah...Eh? Yeah, I guess.”

Merissa stands up again and looks at Ichirou’s eyes.

But it didn’t last five seconds as she promptly averted her gaze while her face is red as a tomato. I have a bad feeling about this. Merissa’s reaction becomes weird after Ichirou patted her.

Don’t tell me…