Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A small room, furnished with only a bed, a table, a set of shelves, and a dresser. On the bed, a little girl lay sprawled on her stomach, her feet swaying lazily in the air as she leaned closer to the book before her. Its pages were worn, edges curled from countless eager turns.

The afternoon sunlight spilled through the window, catching on the pages of her book. Her eyes darted across each line, completely absorbed, her lips moving faintly with each word. Outside, the chatter of birds and the faint voices of villagers at work drifted in, but she was so drawn to her story that the world around her faded away.

“MAKINO-!”

Her name rang out. She jolted, the book nearly slipping from her hands. Heart racing, she blinked and pulled herself back into reality.

“COMING, MOM!” she called, fumbling to tuck the book under her pillow as though it were a guilty secret. She smoothed the coverlet hastily, making sure not a corner of the spine peeked out.

With a quick breath, she swung her legs off the bed and hurried down the wooden stairs. The familiar scent of fruity wine and faint traces of ale greeted her. At the bottom, she spotted her mother by the bar’s front counter, pouring more ale into tankards for the patrons.

The room was rowdy with chatter and laughter. Wooden mugs clinked together, voices rose in cheer, and the loudest made the whole bar feel welcoming. When Makino’s small figure appeared at the foot of the stairs, a few of the regulars noticed right away.

“Well, well, well! Look who finally came out of hiding!” one man called good-naturedly.

“It’s been forever since we’ve seen little Makino down here!” another chimed in, raising his mug.

The patrons chuckled and cheered, their voices blending into a wave of sound that made Makino’s cheeks flush pink. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, offering a shy but bright smile before glancing toward her mother.

“Grab an apron, sweetheart,” her mother said gently, though the tired note in her voice made clear just how busy the day had been. 

“We’ll need an extra pair of hands tonight. Carry some of these tankards over to the tables- it’s a full house.” She nodded toward a table near the entryway.

Makino nodded quickly, slipping behind the counter to snatch an apron from its hook. Tying it around her waist, she carefully lifted two frothy mugs, the cool wood pressing against her palms. She weaved carefully between chairs until she reached a table of familiar faces. 

The men grinned as she set the mugs down, foam sliding lazily over the rim.

“Well, look at that,” one of them teased, leaning on his elbow. 

“We were starting to think you’d vanished, mini Cher. Been crammed up in that room of yours forever!”

The others chuckled in agreement. Makino fiddled with the edge of her apron, cheeks warming.

“I… I’ve just been reading,” she admitted softly. “I got a book from the new shop in the village.”

“Ohhh, a book, is it?” another patron said, raising his brow. “And what’s it about?”

Makino’s eyes darted down, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “It’s… a good book.”

The table erupted in good-natured laughter. One of them nudged his neighbor, grinning. 

“Hear that? Too good to share with the likes of us, eh?”

 “Why’re you shying away, Makino?” another asked playfully. 

“Not like we’re scary old bears.”

Makino’s blush deepened, and she could only shake her head, smiling faintly.

Just then, a voice rose from across the room. “OI, CHER!” one of the patrons called toward the counter. “Another round of your strong ale! Make it quick before this one gets watered down!”

Makino glanced at her mother.. Cher, who was already chuckling, wiping her hands on a cloth as she reached for another barrel tap. The tavern roared with life, and for a moment, Makino felt a warmth settle in her chest.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Cher called gently, balancing two brimming mugs on a tray. 

“Help me with this one.. it’s for the big table.”

Makino hurried over, steadying the tray as her mother added more tankards until it was nearly full. Together, they carried it across the bustling room to a long table crowded with ten boisterous men. The air was thick with laughter and the clatter of coins from their betting game.

As they set the mugs down, one of the men leaned back with a grin. “Ajax sure is a lucky man,” he said, raising his mug toward them. 

“A pretty wife at his side and an adorable daughter waiting at home! Bless the man.”

The rest of the table chimed in with hearty agreement, mugs lifted in cheer. “Aye, that he is!” one barked. Another added, 

“If only we all had it so good!”

Cher laughed, shaking her head as she wiped foam off her hands. “You men ought to count your blessings too! You’ve all got pretty wives at home waiting for you.”

That sparked another round of laughter. One man snorted, slapping the table so hard the coins jumped. “Pretty, sure… but when I get home, mine’s gonna be nagging my ear clean off!”

The table roared, some teasing him, others nodding knowingly. Makino stood close to her mother, clutching her apron with a small smile. Even if she didn’t join in, she liked the sound of it- the jokes, the sense of family that stretched beyond blood.

After a while, the tavern door creaked open. Ajax stepped through, wiping sweat from his forehead, his shirt sticking to his body from hauling a shipment into storage. His broad shoulders sagged with exhaustion, but the easy smile never faded.

The moment his eyes landed on Cher behind the counter, his stride quickened. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.

Makino gasped, clapping both hands over her mouth as her face went crimson. The entire tavern erupted with cheers, whistles, and laughter.

“Oi, Ajax!” one man bellowed. “Save that for the bedroom, eh?”

“Give the poor woman a break, you’ll have her blushing herself clean outta here!” another added.

Cher ducked her head, cheeks glowing, shooing her husband with a flustered face. Ajax only chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. Then his gaze shifted to the small figure by the counter. His grin widened as he stretched out his arms.

“There she is! My little princess!” he boomed warmly. “Thought you’d locked yourself away forever in that room of yours!”

Makino’s blush deepened, but her smile spread as she hurried forward. Ajax swept her up in his arms with ease, spinning her once before setting her back down.

The patrons clapped again, the tavern buzzing with lively energy. 

Hours passed in a haze of laughter, clinking mugs, and chatter until the night grew late. One by one, villagers trickled out, bidding farewells with slurred cheer and hearty pats on the back. 

The tavern quieted as the last mugs were drained and the doors finally shut.

With the crowd gone, the family began cleaning. Cher wiped down the bar, Ajax stacked empty tankards, and Makino moved between tables, gathering scraps and wiping spills.

It wasn’t long before Ajax drifted toward Cher, sliding an arm around her waist with a sly grin. “You know, this place shines the brightest when you’re behind that counter, my love,” he murmured.

Cher swatted at him with a cloth, cheeks warming. “You hush, Ajax. Don’t you have work to do?”

“Already did plenty,” he said with a chuckle, trying to steal another kiss.

She laughed, flustered. “Go help our daughter before I toss you out with the barrels!”

Ajax raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright.” He went over to Makino, who was focused on scrubbing a table. He crouched beside her, picking up a stray mug.

“So,” he said casually, “how’s it feel being back at work in the bar?”

Makino paused, clutching the cloth. “It was… a lot. Full today.”

Ajax chuckled warmly, setting the mug down. “That’s because we had something to celebrate. One of the lads’ wives gave birth.. a healthy baby girl. So of course, they came here to toast the night away.”

Makino’s lips curved into a small smile. “A baby girl…” she murmured.

Ajax nodded, patting her shoulder gently. “That’s Foosha for you! When there’s something worth celebrating, the whole village shows up. And one day, they’ll be here for you too, little princess. You’ll see.”

Makino nodded faintly. They finished cleaning together, with Ajax slipping in jokes and silly comments that earned giggles from Makino and eye-rolls from Cher.

By the time the last mug was set away, the three moved into the kitchen. Cher and Makino busied themselves, the scent of simmering stew filling the air, while Ajax sat at a small table, scribbling notes for the next shipment.

As Makino stirred the pot, Cher glanced over with a knowing smile. “You know,” she said lightly, “your father was plenty worried when you locked yourself up in your room for the past couple of days.”

Makino blinked, looking down. “He was?”

Cher chuckled. “Worried? More like panicking. Acting as though he’d never see you again. I told him you’re just growing into a teenager- and he thought you were going through that ‘I don’t need my parents’ stage.”

Makino’s face went scarlet. “M-Mom! That’s not it! I was only reading a book!”

Cher leaned her elbow on the counter, a teasing grin on her lips. “Oh? And what kind of book kept you holed up for two whole days? Only coming out for meals, then darting back upstairs like a little mouse?”

Makino shifted nervously. “It’s just… a really good book, that’s all…”

Cher tilted her head, eyes glimmering. “Mmm… let me guess. Is it about… love~?”

Makino froze, the spoon clattering softly against the pot. “W-What? H-How did you know!?”

Cher burst into laughter. “Oh, I just had a feeling,” she teased.

“Mom…” Makino whined, burying her face in her hands. Cher shook her head, still chuckling.

“Come on, help me set these out,” Cher said, handing over bowls. Makino quickly took them, eager to focus on something else, and began filling them with steaming stew.

The door creaked open, and Ajax stretched dramatically. “By the heavens, I’ve been pushed to the bone today!” he declared, then grinned. “But I just know my day will turn around if two beautiful angels bless me with their food!”

Makino giggled behind her hand, Cher rolled her eyes with faint color on her cheeks.

Dinner passed with easy chatter, clinking spoons, and quiet laughter. When the food was gone and the kitchen cleaned, the family moved upstairs.

At her bedroom door, Ajax and Cher leaned down to press a kiss to Makino’s forehead.

“Good night, princess,” Ajax said softly.

“Sleep well, sweetheart,” Cher added.

Makino smiled faintly, murmuring a good night. As the hallway footsteps grew distant, she sat on the edge of her bed, reached beneath her pillow, and pulled out the book she had hidden away. Candlelight caught on the cover: Only You by Cherry Kiss.

Her fingers lingered on the name before she drew a steadying breath. Carefully, she slid the book into her bedside drawer, tucking it away as though it were a fragile secret.

Laying back against her pillow, she let her eyes drift shut. Sleep crept over her, and soon the room was filled only with her quiet breathing, the book waiting silently at her side.

· ·────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

“How was the book?”

Makino looked up from the counter of the little bookstore. Verena stood across from her, leaning casually against it, arms folded.

Makino set the copy of Only You down carefully, her cheeks already warming. “It was… good.”

Verena raised a brow, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Good? I heard you’ve been locked away with it for two days. That doesn’t sound like it just good?.”

Makino fidgeted with her skirt, eyes dropping to the counter. “It was really good. I just… didn’t want to stop reading.”

A soft laugh escaped Verena. “Thought so. That book has a way of pulling people in.” She tilted her head, studying Makino with a knowing look. “First-time reading a love story, huh?”

Makino’s blush deepened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I-It’s embarrassing.”

Verena grinned wider, clearly enjoying herself. “Relax. It suits you.” She turned, scanning the shelves before sliding another book toward Makino.

“This one’s for you next. If Only You had you hiding away, this one will have you swooning~.”

Makino hesitated, fingers brushing the edge of the book. “Another one already?”

“Of course,” Verena said lightly but with certainty. “That’s the thing about stories, Makino. One ends, another begins.”

Makino smiled shyly, curiosity sparkling in her eyes despite her embarrassment. “Then… maybe I’ll give it a try.”

Verena leaned against the counter again, confidence effortless. “Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”

Makino hesitated, then glanced toward the shelves, lowering her voice. “Um… are your parents okay with me taking another book?”

Verena laughed softly, waving her hand. “Of course. They trust me to take care of the books—and they know I’d never hand one to someone who wouldn’t appreciate it. And you, Makino, definitely appreciate it.”

Makino’s lips curved into a small smile, and she nodded. “I guess so…” She hesitated again, voice quieting to almost a whisper. “Verena… have you ever… fallen in love?”

The question hung in the quiet shop, between the soft tick of the wall clock and the muted rustle of the sea breeze through the open window.

Verena’s expression shifted. She shook her head slowly. “No. Not yet.” Then she added, “But I know he’s out there.”

Makino blinked. “You do?”

“Mm.” Verena’s gaze drifted toward the window, to the endless stretch of sky beyond. “Somewhere in one of the Blue Seas. But not the Grand Line. I don’t want anyone from there.”

Makino tilted her head. “Why not?”

Verena’s smile softened, almost wistful. “Because the men from the Grand Line… eat people alive. I’d rather give my heart to someone who can make the people I care for feel safe… and enough for me to bully him.”

Makino hugged the book to her chest, listening quietly. For a moment, the bookstore felt less like a shop and more like a secret space, where the two of them could dream out loud without judgment.

Then her brow furrowed slightly. “Wait… did you say bully him?”

Verena’s lips curved into a smirk, eyes glinting with playful mischief. “Mm. A little bullying can be a nice add-on, don’t you think?”

Makino’s face turned pink. She shook her head quickly. “I-I don’t really want to know… but, um, I hope you find who you’re looking for in the future.”

Verena chuckled softly, tilting her head. “You’re sweet. But enough about me.” She leaned forward on the counter, gaze curious. “What about you, Makino? What kind of guys here in Foosha catch your eye?”

Makino flushed a bit but shook her head. “Not Reed and his group of bad boys…”

At the mention of the name, Verena’s smile faded into a look of annoyance, brows knitting. “Ugh. Reed.” She practically spat the name out, straightening from the counter. “Don’t even get me started on him and his little band of pests.”

Makino blinked, surprised. “You don’t like them either?”

“I can live with just about everything in this village... the sea breeze, the quiet nights, the warmth of the people here,” Verena said firmly, almost clipped. She flicked her hand dismissively. “But Reed and his group? They’re the one thing I could happily do without.”

Makino smiled faintly, a little relieved they shared the same feeling. “Yeah… me too.”

Verena’s smirk returned, though it held an edge this time. “Good. Then we agree… life’s better without clowns pretending to be wolves.”

Makino giggled, hand rising to cover her mouth. “Clowns pretending to be wolves… that’s funny.” She tilted her head, curiosity slipping into her eyes. “But… what did they do to you? You’ve only been here, what, almost three weeks?”

Verena’s smile thinned, gaze drifting toward the front windows. “Mm. Let’s see… the first week, they thought it would be hilarious to throw mud at the glass. My parents made me clean it… so much for my reading time that day.” She waved dismissively, though her tone carried a flicker of annoyance.

Makino frowned softly. “That’s awful…”

“And that’s not even the worst.” Verena leaned her hip against the counter, arms folded. “They strut in here, acting bigger than they are, puffing up like roosters. But all they manage to do is knock things over and leave me cleaning up their mess.”

Makino’s eyes widened. “They did that here? In the store?”

“Oh, yes,” Verena said dryly. Then, with a rueful sigh, she added, “And to top it off, one of them decided to ‘flirt’ with me afterward. If you could even call it that.”

Makino blinked nervously. “…What did he say?”

Verena pinched the bridge of her nose, groaning softly. “Something about how cleaning made me look ‘pretty hardworking.’ Like that’s supposed to sweep me off my feet.” She rolled her eyes, smirk tugging at her lips. “It was so bad, Makino, I swear it almost convinced me I’d be happier living alone forever.”

Makino burst into quiet laughter, muffling it behind the book in her arms. “You’re terrible…”

“Honest,” Verena corrected, tapping the counter lightly. “But I’ll give him this much… he made me more certain than ever that none of them are worth my time.”

Makino giggled, hugging her book tighter, nodding in agreement. The two girls lingered in easy conversation, swapping thoughts on stories and teasing each other, until Makino suddenly remembered her plan for the afternoon.

Her eyes widened. “Oh! I promised Papa I’d stop by the port today.”

Verena gave her a knowing smile. “Then don’t keep him waiting. He’ll miss his little princess.”

Makino blushed lightly, murmured a quick goodbye, and slipped out of the bookstore, her steps carrying her toward the salty air of the docks.

The moment she reached the port, she spotted Ajax hauling nets alongside the fishermen, broad shoulders glistening with sweat, the smell of brine and fish in the air. When his eyes found her, his face lit up with joy.

“PRINCESS! DID YOU COME TO SEE LITTLE OLD ME?” Ajax’s booming voice carried across the dock, startling a flock of gulls.

The fishermen erupted into laughter, some welcoming her, others just smiling, while Makino flushed crimson, wishing she could disappear into the wooden planks beneath her feet. She nodded shyly, tucking her chin as she made her way down the stairs toward him.

Ajax spread his arms wide, as if ready to scoop her up into a bear hug- but paused mid-step, wrinkling his nose with a grin. “Ah… but Papa smells like fish right now. Don’t want to scare you off.”

Makino giggled, wrinkling her nose back at him. “You really do.”

Ajax threw his head back in laughter, the sound carrying over the waves. “Fair enough, fair enough. Go on, sit on one of those barrels, Princess. I’ll finish up here.”

She nodded, settling on a sturdy barrel near the carts while Ajax returned to helping the fishermen load the day’s catch. The dock was busy, but its rhythm familiar- nets hauled, fish sorted, men shouting with easy camaraderie.

Makino, though, slipped her book open on her lap, the world around her fading as she sank back into its pages. Her eyes caught a line that made her heart squeeze.

“I don’t want the world to see you the way I do. Some things should stay mine.”

Before she could sink into the warmth of those words, a deep voice echoed beside her ear.

Makino jumped, nearly dropping the book, snapping it shut as she slapped one palm over her ear. Whirling, she found her father towering over her, brow raised, playful spark in his eyes.

“What kind of book is that, Princess?” Ajax asked, lips twitching into a grin.

Makino’s face turned bright pink. “W-When did you even come over here? I thought you were still helping the fishermen-”

Ajax tilted his head, pretending to think. “Hmm… well, they went home a while ago.”

Her eyes widened. “Already?!”

He grinned knowingly, tapping his temple. “You really do get lost in those pages, Princess. The whole world could’ve sunk into the sea, and you’d still be reading.”

Makino ducked her head, embarrassed, squeezing the book tighter.

Ajax leaned closer, squinting at her like he was solving a great mystery. “So… what’s this story that’s got you so hooked, hm? Don’t tell me…” He gasped dramatically, eyes widening. “Do you… l-like someone, little Princess?”

Makino groaned, burying her burning face in the crook of her arm. “Papa!”

Even on the way home, Ajax couldn’t resist teasing. “So… what kind of book was it again? Something thrilling? Adventurous? Or maybe…” He leaned down, voice mischievous, “…romantic?”

Makino puffed her cheeks, staring at the road ahead. “I don’t know… my new friend recommended it, that’s all.”

Ajax raised a brow but let it go… for now.

By the time they reached the bar, Cher was already tidying inside, stacking chairs and wiping the counter. Ajax didn’t waste a second. He dropped the crate he was carrying, marched over, and wrapped his arms dramatically around her waist, pressing his face against her stomach.

“Cher!” he wailed. “Our princess… she’s acting like those teenagers now!”

Cher sighed, not pausing her cleaning. “You’re being so dramatic, Ajax. I told you she’ll get tired of how you act. We wanted a daughter mainly for you, Ajax. You got what you got.”

Ajax lifted his head just enough to pout. “Oh, I’m not complaining! She’ll always be my favorite thing in my life. Always. Even if she finds me annoying every day.”

Cher arched a brow, clearly unimpressed. “Oh? And where does that leave me, then?”

Ajax grinned, tightening his hold. “Meeting you is number two.”

Cher scuffed, smacking the back of his head with her rag, while Makino- hovering in the doorway- covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

· ·────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

The clink of bowls, the scrape of a spoon against the mixing bowl, and the faint hum of Cher as she measured out sugar. Makino stood on her tiptoes, carefully stirring the batter with all the seriousness in the world. Her kerchief kept her hair out of her face, though a few strands had escaped, curling against her cheek already smudged with flour.

Cher glanced over at her, lips twitching at the sight. “You look like you’re wrestling that spoon instead of mixing with it.”

Makino giggled, sticking her tongue out in concentration. “It’s because I don’t want to mess it up. This cake’s important.”

Cher slid the sugar jar back into place and leaned against the counter beside her daughter, arms folded loosely. “It is important. That little one’s going to remember this birthday forever.” She tapped her chin as if considering. “Tell me, Makino, what’s your favorite cake flavor?”

Makino’s spoon slowed as she thought about it, brow furrowed in deep consideration. Finally, she grinned. “Strawberry shortcake. It’s sweet, but not too heavy.”

Cher raised a brow, impressed. “Not a bad answer. You’ve got good taste.”

“What about you, Mama?” Makino tilted her head.

“For me? I think I’ll always be a lemon cake girl. Tart, light, refreshing… good for summer.”

“Lemon?” Makino wrinkled her nose. “That’s kind of… sharp.”

“Exactly,” Cher said, chuckling. “It makes you sit up and pay attention.”

They worked side by side for a while, the silence broken only by the sound of the whisk and the oven humming as it preheated. Then Makino glanced up at her mother. “What about your favorite birthday?”

Cher froze mid-step, her gaze softening as if the question had tugged at something tender. A quiet laugh escaped her as she turned to the counter, resting both hands on it as though steadying herself. “My nineteenth,” she answered finally, voice warm and thick with memory.

Makino tilted her head, puzzled. “Why that one?”

Cher turned toward her slowly, eyes misty but shining. She reached out, brushing her daughter’s flour-dusted cheek with the back of her fingers. “Because that was the day you called me ‘Mama’ for the very first time.”

Makino blinked, caught off guard. “Really?”

“Oh yes,” Cher said, lips curving into a smile that lived half in joy and half in tears. “You were so small, barely walking yet. I was holding you, trying to get you to say something… anything… and then, out of nowhere, you looked right at me and said, ‘Mama.’ Clear as day.” Her breath hitched. “I’d never cried so hard in my life. That single word… it was better than any gift. Still is.”

Makino’s spoon stilled in the bowl, her chest warm and tight at the image. Slowly, she leaned her head against her mother’s arm, her smile as gentle as the word itself. “Mama…” she whispered again, soft and deliberate, almost like she was giving the gift back.

Cher’s laugh wobbled, tears slipping free despite herself as she wrapped an arm around Makino, pulling her into a flour-dusted embrace. “Don’t you dare,” she teased, though her voice cracked, “make me cry while we’re baking.”

Makino giggled against her, hugging her back. “I’m not trying to, Mama.”

The kitchen door creaked open. Ajax poked his head in, eyes immediately locking on the mixing bowl.

“What do we have here?” he said, striding over with exaggerated steps, like a man sneaking into forbidden territory. “Cake without me? That’s treason in this household.”

“Papa!” Makino squealed, blocking the bowl with her arms. “You can’t!”

Cher sniffed, hastily wiping at her eyes before smirking. “She’s right, Ajax. Touch the batter and you’ll lose a thousand kisses.”

Ajax clutched his chest, staggering back as if mortally wounded. “Such cruelty! From my two favorite angels? You wound me deeper than any blade.”

Makino collapsed into giggles, while Cher rolled her eyes and shoved a spoon into his hand. “Fine. One taste. But if you eat more than that, I’ll feed you the flour straight out of the sack.”

Ajax beamed like a child, dipped the spoon, and tasted. “Mmm. Perfection. Must be because my girls put their love into it.” He leaned down, aiming for a kiss, but Cher shoved her flour-covered hand against his mouth, leaving a ghostly white print.

· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

A few days later, Makino lingered in the bar after the last of the morning patrons had left. She sat on a stool, swinging her legs idly as Ajax stacked barrels near the counter.

“Papa?” she asked suddenly, tilting her head.

Ajax glanced over, already grinning. “Yes, Princess?”

Makino fiddled with her fingers, cheeks faintly pink. “Why does Mama keep rejecting your kisses?”

Ajax froze for half a heartbeat, then burst into booming laughter. Shaking his head, he leaned down closer, lowering his voice as though letting her in on a grand secret. “Oh, that’s simple! Your mama’s just shy, that’s all. But once we’re in our bedroom… oh, ho, ho! She kisses me to death!”

Makino’s eyes went wide, her blush deepening. She immediately covered her face with her hands. “Papa!”

From across the room, a rag came flying and smacked Ajax square in the face.

“Stop feeding our daughter your ridiculous fantasies!” Cher’s voice cut sharp, though her cheeks were flushed as she stood by the kitchen door, arms crossed.

Ajax peeled the rag off his head, utterly unbothered, and shot her a mischievous grin. “What? I was just telling her the truth.”

Cher rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, but Makino couldn’t stop laughing at the sight of her father caught red-handed.

Ajax tossed the rag onto the counter and strode right up to Cher, grin stretching from ear to ear. “Ridiculous? Everything I said was true, and you know it.”

Cher arched a brow, folding her arms tighter. “True? That I kiss you to death? Honestly, Ajax…”

But he wasn’t about to stop. He threw a hand dramatically over his chest. “Cher, you were a saint who came down to bless me one day. You saw my lonely, pitiful heart and- bam!- you claimed it with just one look. Ever since then, I’ve been a hopeless man, yours until the very end.”

Makino snorted behind her hands, while Cher’s face turned pinker by the second. “Ajax!” she hissed, glancing at their daughter. “If you don’t stop saying ridiculous things like that in front of my baby, I swear I’ll put a rag in your mouth myself!”

Ajax leaned in closer, correcting her with a playful wag of his finger. “Our baby.”

Cher’s blush deepened as Makino burst out laughing again, swinging her legs from the stool.

But for a moment, Makino’s giggles faded. She caught a glimpse of her father’s face… no grin, no smirk—just a simple, quiet smile as he cupped her mother’s cheek with gentle fingers.

Something about that look made Makino’s heart pause.

Not wanting to intrude, she slipped off her stool and tiptoed out, leaving her parents to their moment. The bar door clicked softly shut behind her as she headed down the familiar path toward Verena’s parents’ shop.

When she arrived, Verena was leaning against the counter with a book in hand, but she set it down when she saw Makino. “You look thoughtful. What’s on your mind?”

Makino hesitated, then hugged her arms loosely around herself. “I just… I saw the way Papa was looking at Mama. He was smiling, not like when he jokes or teases, but… really smiling. And I thought…” She trailed off, cheeks warming. “I hope one day, someone looks at me like that too.”

For a moment, Verena just studied her, then her lips curved into a soft smile. “Maybe one day, it will happen,” she said, voice warm with certainty.

Makino returned the smile, a little shy but comforted by her new friend’s words.

Chapter Text

It was a few days after that playful spat between her parents, and Makino now found herself seated at one of the long tables in Party’s Bar. But she wasn’t alone.. today was different. A small group of girls her age had gathered there, part of a “group date” the villagers had cheerfully arranged, something between a social gathering.

Makino sat near the end, her hands folded neatly in her lap, trying not to shrink beneath the warm chatter and laughter filling the room. She wasn’t much for these kinds of things, but it was easier with Verena at her side. 

It wasn’t long before the conversation drifted to a familiar topic.

“So… how are you liking the book?” Verena asked, her tone casual, but her eyes sparkling with interest.

Makino’s blush crept in instantly, though she gave a small nod. “I… I like it a lot The Breath Between Us is very...”

That was when another girl at the table, one with light brown hair and dark brown eyes leaned forward, her gaze catching on the title peeking from the edge of Makino’s bag.

“The Breath Between Us?” she said, tilting her head. “My mother has that on her shelf. I read it once when I was bored.”

Both Makino and Verena perked up at the mention.

“You’ve read it?” Verena pressed, her confidence slipping into curiosity.

The girl nodded, smiling. “Yes. I couldn’t put it down once I started.”

Verena’s smirk bloomed as she settled back against her chair, hand coming to rest against her cheek. “Then you know about Ezekiel.”

Just the name made Makino’s face heat up as she ducked her head, while the other girl let out a dreamy sigh that had the whole table giggling.

“He’s… incredible,” the girl whispered.

“Brooding and romantic, the perfect combination,” Verena added smoothly, eyes half-lidded as if picturing him herself.

Makino clutched the edge of her skirt, unable to keep the tiny smile tugging at her lips.

The brown-haired girl exhaled longingly. “I wish I could live Kamilia’s life, just once… to be the one Ezekiel chooses.”

Verena’s knowing smile widened, and for once, Makino didn’t look away as she quietly agreed. “Me too.”

The three of them lingered in that small bubble of daydreams, giggles, and sighs… even with the noise of the tavern around them, it felt like they had stumbled into their own little world.

Verena tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she studied the brown-haired girl across from them. “You never told us your name.”

The girl’s smile was immediate, bright as sunshine. “Oh! I’m Chai. My family runs the butcher’s shop near the square.”

Her cheerfulness was infectious- soft and bubbling, the kind that drew people in without effort. Makino found herself smiling back, while Verena’s lips curved, amused but approving.

“Chai,” Verena repeated smoothly. “Fitting… I won’t forget.”

Chai only giggled, clasping her hands together. “You’re too nice! But really, it’s so exciting you’ve both read The Breath Between Us. It’s such an old book… Isn’t Ezekiel just perfect?”

The three of them dove right back into gushing over the story, trading favorite lines and moments, when suddenly-

“Boo.”

Makino jolted in her seat, clutching her book to her chest. A girl with sharp dark blue hair had appeared at her side, leaning casually against the table with an amused smirk.

“Have you ever been on a pirate ship?” the stranger asked, eyes fixed on Makino.

Makino shook her head quickly, still trying to steady her heartbeat. “N-No.”

Verena arched a brow, her tone cool but curious. “And what about you? Have you?”

The girl’s grin widened. “Not yet. But I know that’s where I belong. Out at sea, with the man I love.”

The three girls blinked at her, and then- almost in unison said, “The man you love?”

The girl straightened, tossing her dark hair back with fierce certainty. “Yeah. He’s gonna be a pirate. And I’ll sail with him, fight by his side, marry him, and- ” she held up her hand, spreading her fingers with dramatic flair-  “have five kids.”

Makino’s eyes widened. “Five?!”

“Of course.” The girl looked proud, as though she’d already mapped out her entire future. “Name’s Lizzie. Don’t forget it.”

Chai clapped her hands together, both startled and delighted. “That’s so… ambitious! But if it makes you happy, then I hope it comes true!”

Verena only smirked, shaking her head with amusement. “Five kids and a pirate husband. You certainly don’t aim small, Lizzie.”

Lizzie smirked right back, unbothered. “Why should I?”

Makino hugged her book tighter, still overwhelmed, but for the first time in a while, she felt something sparking- like this little group might turn into something bigger.

Their chatter had shifted from books, dreams to many different topics. Chai was animated, her hands moving in little flourishes as she spoke about her family’s cooking, while Verena kept her poise, listening with a quiet smile. Lizzie, on the other hand, leaned in, her elbow on the table, watching the others with a half-smirk that promised trouble.

“So,” Lizzie cut in, her tone sharp enough to grab the group's attention, “what kind of man do you all want to bag in the future?”

Makino blinked. Chai tilted her head. “Bag?” they echoed at the same time.

Lizzie grinned like a cat who’d just found her prey. “Yeah, you know- snatch up, claim, make yours. Bagging a man.”

Verena sighed, though her lips curved upward. “She means the kind of man you’d want as your future husband or partner,” she explained smoothly, then gave Lizzie a dry glance. “Though she makes it sound more like hunting.”

Lizzie gave an unapologetic shrug. “Same difference.”

“Ohh.” Chai’s eyes lit with understanding, and she pressed her fingertips together. “Well… if we’re talking about that, then I’d want someone who loves food as much as I do. Someone who gets excited about the little things, like the way a stew smells when it’s almost done, or how rice is fluffier when you cover it just right.” She giggled, cheeks pink. “But also someone with a good heart. Who helps others without needing to be asked.”

“That’s cute,” Verena admitted, her smile genuine. “A man who’d build a home with you in the simplest, happiest ways.”

“Exactly!” Chai said brightly.

Lizzie smirked, rolling her eyes fondly. “Figures you’d pick something soft like that. You’d probably end up cooking feasts every day and fattening him up.”

Chai gasped in mock offense, but her laughter bubbled through.

Makino had been listening quietly, her chin propped on her hand. She wasn’t used to talking so boldly about things like this, but the warmth of the conversation nudged her to speak. “Maybe…” she hesitated, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve, “someone who can keep me safe. Not just strong, but… someone who makes me feel like I don’t have to worry so much.”

Her words hung softly in the air.

Lizzie’s smirk twitched, almost into a grin, but she leaned forward, her sharp gaze catching Makino’s. “Relax, Makino. You look like you’re about to give yourself a heart attack just saying that.”

Makino’s eyes widened, her cheeks warming. “I am relaxed!” she protested, sitting up straighter, though her small hands were clenched a little too tightly in her lap.

Lizzie arched a brow, the corner of her mouth tugging higher. “Sure you are.”

Chai leaned over with a gentle smile, as if to shield Makino from Lizzie’s teasing. “I think that’s a lovely answer, Makino. Everyone deserves to feel safe.”

Verena, watching it all unfold, chuckled softly. “Between the three of you, it seems we’ve already got a feast-maker, a dreamer, and a quiet soul who craves security.”

“And what about you?” Lizzie shot back, smirking still in place. “What kind of man do you want to bag, Miss Perfect?”

Verena lifted her chin slightly, as though she’d expected the question all along. Her lips curved into a sly, almost secretive smile. “One who can match me. Nothing less.”

Lizzie barked a laugh. “Good luck with that. You’ll probably scare off half the men in the East Blue.”

“Then that half wasn’t worth it anyway,” Verena replied smoothly.

Makino smiled faintly at their back-and-forth, her earlier embarrassment fading. It wasn’t just about the answers- it was about the way their voices tangled together, playful and sharp and kind, filling the space with something new. Something she hoped wouldn’t end anytime soon.

Lizzie leaned back in her chair, balancing it on two legs with a careless tilt. “Alright, alright. So you all have these dreamy ideas of food-lovers, protectors, and men who can match you.” She waved her hand dismissively. “But what about real options? Would any of you give Reed and his bad-boy friends a chance?”

The reaction was instant.

“No,” Verena said flatly, arms crossed.

“Absolutely not,” Chai added, wrinkling her nose. “They took one of my family's chickens last week for no reason. Why would I even look at them that way?”

Makino shook her head quickly, almost timidly, but firm all the same. “They’re always loud and… they never help anyone. I don’t like the way they act.”

Lizzie blinked at the collective wall of rejection, her chair thudding back down onto all four legs. “Wow. Cold.”

“They’ve earned it,” Verena shot back.

But Lizzie wasn’t done. Her grin sharpened, eyes gleaming with the thrill of gossip. “Oh, you think they’re just a bunch of jerks, huh? Well, I’ve heard some things. And if I’m right…” She leaned in across the table, voice dropping conspiratorially. “Reed’s not all bad-boy. He’s got a soft spot.”Chai’s curiosity piqued immediately. “A soft spot?”

Makino tilted her head. “For who?”

Lizzie smirked, enjoying the suspense she’d built. “Well- word is, Reed’s got a crush on two different girls in this village. One with green hair who works at a bar…” She let that hang, watching Makino’s expression falter. “…and one with black hair who works at her parents’ bookshop.”

The silence was deafening.

Makino froze mid-breath, Verena went just as still, the tension in her shoulders betraying her carefully cultivated calm.

Chai blinked between the two of them, her mouth forming a small ‘o’ as realization dawned. “Wait. That’s… you two.”

Neither Makino nor Verena spoke, both locked in place like statues, as if moving might somehow confirm it.

Lizzie, utterly delighted with herself, sat back and folded her arms smugly. “Guess bad boys aren’t so blind after all.”

The silence cracked when Verena finally spoke, her voice cutting through with sharp disdain.

“Oh hell no.”

Makino gasped, her hand flying to her mouth at the word, while Chai’s brows shot up in surprise.

Lizzie burst into laughter, nearly doubling over in her seat. “There it is! I was waiting for that line, Verena!”

But Verena wasn’t finished. She leaned forward, eyes narrowing like she was addressing Reed directly even though he wasn’t there. “I don’t know what kind of ridiculous fantasy he’s cooked up, but he needs a serious reality check. He’s not getting a single chance from me. Not now, not ever.”

Makino nodded quickly, flustered but determined.  “I agree. I don’t care if he… feels that way. I’m not interested.”

Lizzie whistled low, shaking her head in amusement. “Harsh. You two just shot down a boy’s entire dream without blinking.”

“Better now than later,” Verena replied coolly, folding her arms with finality.

Chai, though gentler, nodded in agreement. “If someone’s just going to make trouble for everyone, why should he think he can win over good girls like you two?”

Makino peeked at her friend, a tiny smile tugging at her lips at Chai’s supportive tone. Verena, though, still looked like she was ready to march out and tell Reed off herself if he dared show his face.

Lizzie smirked, resting her chin in her palm as her eyes gleamed. “Well, this little group date just got a lot more fun.”

By the time the afternoon sun slanted low through the windows of the Party’s Bar, the girls had all gone their separate ways, chatter and laughter still echoing in Makino’s ears. She lingered at one of the tables, thinking of Verena’s sharp wit, Chai’s sweetness, and Lizzie’s confidence, when the door swung open.

Ajax strode in first, grinning like he’d just conquered the seas, with Cher walking beside him, shaking her head at his antics.

“It was an outing, Ajax,” Cher corrected firmly, though the faint color in her cheeks betrayed her amusement.

“A date,” Ajax countered, puffing his chest out proudly as if the whole empty tavern needed to know.

Makino giggled softly, shaking her head as her parents came closer.

Ajax leaned against the back of a chair, his grin broad and curious. “So, Princess, how was the big social gathering? Didn’t bore you too much, did it?”

Makino clasped her hands in her lap, shy but glowing just a little. “It was nice. I… I made two new friends.”

Ajax’s eyebrows shot up, his smile softening with pride. “Two? That’s my girl.” He ruffled her hair affectionately before planting a loud, exaggerated kiss to the top of her head.

Cher, setting down her bag, gave Makino one of her warm, approving looks. “That makes me happy. You’ve been cooped up with books so much lately- I’m glad you’re talking with more people your age.”

Makino ducked her head, smiling despite herself, the warmth of her parents’ words sinking in.


· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

The salty breeze of the port is against their faces as Lizzie marched ahead, practically dragging the other three along in her wake. The boards creaked beneath their feet, gulls circling lazily overhead, and the smell of fresh catch clung to the air.

“Lizzie,” a burly fisherman with broad shoulders, called out from a nearby boat—her father, Makino guessed. He squinted at the group, wiping his hands on a rag. “Be careful around the port, you hear me? Don’t get into trouble.”

Lizzie waved him off with a grin, tossing her dark blue hair over her shoulder. “We’ll be fine, Papa! I’m keeping them safe.”

Chai giggled, clapping her hands together. “Safe from what? The sea lions?”

“Or maybe just from Lizzie herself,” Verena said dryly, arching a brow as she adjusted her hair ribbon.

That earned a laugh from Makino, though she quickly pressed her hand to her mouth, shy about drawing attention.

Lizzie ignored them, planting her hands on her hips and looking out at the horizon like she could already see her ship waiting for her. “Someday, I’m going out there. Sailing across the seas, finding treasure, living wild. And you guys will join me”

Verena’s lips pursed, her voice firm. “Not me. I don’t want anything to do with the sea. I’ll keep my feet on solid ground, thank you.”

Makino shifted, glancing toward the waves as they lapped against the docks. “I think… if I left Foosha, my papa would probably cry.”

The image of Ajax weeping dramatically popped into her mind, and she giggled, cheeks warm.

Chai tilted her head, thoughtful. “If I went out to sea, I’d want to try all the different meats out there! Imagine- beef from another island, fish I’ve never seen before, maybe even roasted seabird. Oh, the feasts we could have!” Her eyes sparkled with pure joy at the thought.

Lizzie groaned. “Food, Chai? Really?”

But then her expression sharpened into a grin, her energy returning in full force. “Alright fine, but if we were pirates, I would be captain.”

That made Verena blink, her smirk slow to form. “Why you?” she asked, leaning casually against a post.

Lizzie turned to her like it was obvious. “Because I know the most about pirate life! It just makes sense. You’d need me to lead.”

Makino tilted her head, unsure whether to laugh or nod, while Chai clapped again like the idea of Lizzie as captain of anything already thrilled her.

Verena crossed her arms, cool as ever, and gave Lizzie a sharp look. “If you were captain, I’ve got a feeling we’d be caught by the Marines before we even earned a bounty.”

Lizzie froze, her mouth dropping open. For a beat, she looked like Verena had just spit the most poisonous insult straight into her face. Then, her whole body jolted forward, hands thrown up. “Rude!” she shouted, the word ringing across the docks and startling a pair of gulls into flight.

Makino covered her mouth, hiding her laugh. Chai, on the other hand, blinked between them with wide eyes, unsure if she should giggle or meditate.

Verena only tilted her head, unflinching. “I’m just saying. If we were pirates, it’d probably be better if we had our own crews. Different ships, different styles.” Her voice was even, like she was stating a simple fact.

Lizzie opened her mouth for another outburst, but then she paused. Her eyes narrowed, but not with anger- with thought. “…A crew of my own, huh?”

Makino found herself staring out at the glittering sea, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she sat on the barrel. A crew of her own. The idea seemed… too big, too far-fetched for her… but still, it stirred something curious deep inside.

Chai, however, bounced on her heels, eyes alight. “If we had our own crews, we could be allies on the sea!” She clapped her hands, already picturing it. “We’d visit each other’s ships, share food, trade stories, have feasts- oh, it would be perfect!”

Lizzie smirked, tapping her chin as though weighing the idea. “Allies, huh…? That’s not so bad. I wouldn’t have to babysit you three if you had your own ships.”

“Babysit?” Verena echoed flatly, though the corner of her mouth curled as if she were amused.

Makino’s cheeks warmed, but she smiled faintly. “Allies… I think I’d like that.”

The four of them fell quiet for a moment, the chatter of the port around them, each holding onto their own version of that dream- four girls, four ships, scattered across the seas.

Makino was about to open her mouth to say something, but a deep, familiar voice cut through the air before she could.

“Is that… my wife?”

The four girls froze. Their heads all turned in unison toward the staircase leading down to the docks, where Reed and his group were swaggering toward them, grins plastered on their faces like they owned the place.

Verena’s jaw tightened immediately, her expression shifting into full-blown disgust. She didn’t even bother hiding it. “Oh, please… I hope to God it’s not me,” she muttered under her breath.

Chai tilted her head, puzzled. “Wait… who is he calling ‘wife’?”

Makino’s stomach twisted. “Yeah… I hope it’s not me,” she whispered, glancing at Verena for solidarity.

Lizzie’s smirk turned sly. “I know it’s not me,” she said with confidence, folding her arms.

Chai nodded vigorously, her gentle tone firm. “It can’t be me.”

The group of boys continued their slow, exaggerated walk down the stairs, trying desperately to look cool. One of them flicked his hair back, another adjusted a scarf around his neck like it somehow made him dangerous.

Verena’s eyes rolled back toward the sky, her face turned away from the ‘painful show’ unfolding before her. She muttered under her breath, “Why do I even have to watch this?”

Makino shifted, gripping the edge of the barrel she’d been perched on, heart pounding. The air felt thick with tension and the absurdity of the moment. Lizzie leaned slightly forward, clearly entertained, while Chai fidgeted, unsure whether to laugh or intervene.

The boys reached the bottom of the stairs, grins still firmly in place, completely oblivious to the mental fortresses Verena and Makino had built around themselves.

Makino let out a small, quiet sigh, wishing she could disappear- or at least fast-forward through this.

Reed leaned casually against the barrel Makino had been perched on, forcing her to scoot to the very edge. His grin was smug, too close for comfort, and the smell of salt and sweat made her stiffen.

“Hey, Princess,” Reed drawled, leaning a bit closer, “don’t you… miss me?”

Makino’s eyes darted desperately to Verena, who still had her gaze firmly fixed on the sky, clearly trying to avoid the spectacle unfolding before her.

‘Keanu,’ one of Reed’s right-hand men, chimed in with a sly grin, sidling toward Verena. “Hey, babe.”

Verena slowly turned her head just enough to give him a look that could strip paint. “You’ve officially lost your mind,” she said flatly, voice cold enough to make the gulls overhead pause mid-flight.

Makino swallowed hard, shifting on the barrel.

Reed, oblivious to Verena’s sharp glare, shrugged. “Why don’t you all hang out with us sometime? You know… a little group date. Could be fun.”

Makino blinked, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn’t make her stumble over her words. Verena huffed, still keeping her eyes skyward, while Chai tilted her head, clearly confused about how they’d gotten into this mess.

Lizzie, never one to hold back, leaned forward and smirked. “A ‘group date’? You guys really think anyone’s going on a date with y’all?”

Reed’s grin faltered slightly, but he tried to maintain his cool. “C’mon, it could be fun- just a little hangout…”

Verena’s lips twitched, struggling not to laugh at his cluelessness. “Fun? For you, maybe. For us, it sounds like a nightmare.”

Makino, clutching the edge of the barrel, whispered to Chai, “Please… can we just go home?”

Chai nodded, eyes wide. “Agreed. Definitely agreed.”

Lizzie, meanwhile, leaned back, arms crossed, smirking at the boys. “Yeah… you’re gonna need a lot more than that to convince us.”

Reed blinked, finally realizing he wasn’t charming anyone here, while Verena smirked slightly to herself, still pretending to look at the clouds.

Reed straightened up, a smug grin forming again. “Fine,” he said, trying to sound casual, though his eyes lingered on Makino. “I’ll walk you home then, Princess. You don’t want to be alone on the streets, right?”

Makino stiffened, gripping the edge of the barrel. She opened her mouth, but before she could stammer out an answer, Verena stepped off the post she’d been leaning on, her movement smooth and deliberate.

With a faint, amused smile, Verena hooked her arm around Makino’s. “Actually, we’ve got plans,” she said, her voice low and sharp. “Alone.”

Reed blinked, momentarily thrown. “Plans…?”

“Yes,” Verena continued, her dark eyes meeting his with unmistakable clarity. “So you and your friends can go do… boy things.” She gave a subtle push, guiding Makino away from the barrel and the prying eyes of the port.

Makino relaxed slightly against Verena’s arm, grateful for the protective presence. Chai followed, a bit alert, keeping pace with the girls.

Reed’s jaw tightened as he watched them walk away, the smirk fading as reality settled in… his little “group date” idea wasn’t happening today. His friends muttered under their breath, casting uneasy glances at him, realizing Verena wasn’t someone to push around.

Verena’s grip on Makino’s arm was firm but gentle, a clear signal that she had things under control. “Let’s go,” she said softly, and Makino nodded, secretly relieved to have Verena leading the way- and keeping Reed and his antics at bay.

As the girls turned the corner of the port, Makino’s eyes lit up. “Garp!” she exclaimed, breaking into a wide smile. Without hesitation, she grabbed Verena’s arm and tugged her along. “Garp! Welcome home!”

Garp, standing tall and broad with a familiar, easy grin, looked down at them. “Makino? What are you two doing here?” His voice rumbled with amusement.

Verena, not missing a beat, crossed her arms and tilted her head, a wry smirk playing at her lips. “Escaping,” she said simply.

Garp raised a single eyebrow, letting the words hang in the air, his gaze flicking between Makino’s nervous grin and Verena’s calm confidence.

From behind, Lizzie jogged up, panting slightly, her hands on her hips. “Reed’s giving us trouble!” she announced, eyes flashing.

Garp’s eyes immediately followed her gaze to Reed and his group of boys, who were lingering near the port with more bravado than sense. He cracked his knuckles slowly, deliberately, a smile spreading across his face that made the boys freeze.

“Uh-oh,” one of them muttered nervously.

Reed’s confident smirk faltered. “Garp…?”

Garp’s grin widened, his stance relaxed but full of quiet menace. “Yeah… Garp.” And then, just by the tilt of his shoulders and the roll of his knuckles, the boys understood exactly what that meant.

Without a word, they turned and bolted, running full-tilt away from the port, tripping over crates and each other in their rush to escape.

Makino’s eyes sparkled, and she laughed softly. “I told you they wouldn’t bother us with you around.”

Verena chuckled, shaking her head. “I still don’t understand why people are terrified of you...”

Chai clapped her hands in delight, eyes wide. “Wow! That was amazing! He didn’t even touch them, and they ran away!”

Garp crouched slightly, ruffling Makino’s hair affectionately. “You girls okay?”

Makino nodded, still giggling. “Yes! Thanks to you!”

Lizzie nudged Makino with her elbow, grinning. “Yeah, our personal marine just saved the day.”

Verena smirked, still linking her arm with Makino’s. “I think we’ll be safe for the rest of the afternoon.”

Garp just chuckled, shaking his head as the girls led the way further down the port.

Chapter Text

The door to Party’s Bar bursted open, with Garp stepping inside, brushing the dust from his shoulders. His eyes immediately landed on the scene behind the counter Ajax leaning a little too close to Cher, lips puckered, ready to steal a kiss.

“What are you doing, boy?” Garp’s booming voice shook the room.

Ajax froze mid-motion, his lips still pursed, then slowly turned his head toward the entrance. Cher, caught off guard, blinked at Garp, her expression caught somewhere between surprise. It wasn’t every day Garp stopped by, so his sudden appearance was a shock.

“G-Garp!” Ajax stammered, straightening up. He forced a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of his neck. “Welcome back!”

Garp strode forward with his arms crossed, eyes sweeping Ajax up and down like a drill sergeant inspecting a rookie. “Hmph. Looks like you’ve put on a couple of muscles since the last time I was here.”

From behind him, four little heads peeked out... Makino, Verena, Chai, and Lizzie eyes wide, grins tugging at their faces.

Ajax noticed them and tried to salvage his pride with a grin. “Ah, so you’ve brought the girls along, huh?”

But Garp wasn’t finished. He jabbed a finger at Ajax. “Ajax! Here you are, wasting your days flirting like a fool instead of serving as a Marine!”

Ajax’s smile faltered. “Garp… the Marine life just isn’t suited for me…”

“Not suited?” Garp barked, his voice loud enough to rattle the bottles on the shelves. “You were born to be a Marine, boy!”

Ajax sweat-dropped and threw Cher a helpless look, but she only folded her arms, clearly entertained. She was enjoying every second of this.

Before Ajax could get another word in, Garp stomped forward, grabbed him by the collar like he weighed nothing, and started dragging him toward the door.

“H-hey, wait! Garp, come on now, let’s be reasonable- !” Ajax flailed, trying to dig his heels into the wooden floor, but Garp’s strength was overwhelming.

“Enough talk! It’s time you actually started using your time wisely!” Garp declared, hauling him out into the sunlight.

Behind them, Cher finally let out a laugh, covering her mouth but unable to hide her amusement. Makino, Verena, Chai, and Lizzie all burst into giggles at Ajax’s futile attempts to squirm free.

And just like that, Ajax was gone—his protests fading into the distance as Garp continued his “lesson,” leaving the women of the bar and the girls laughing in his wake.

After finishing her long laugh, Cher wiped her hands on her apron and eyed the four girls with a look only a mother could manage.

“Sit. All of you. Lizzie dragged you off before the sun was even high, and I’d bet my bar you haven’t had a bite to eat.”

Lizzie opened her mouth to protest, but Cher was already moving toward the back.


“I’ll fix brunch. You lot can chatter away while I work.” With that, she disappeared into the kitchen, the faint sounds of clattering pans following her.

Almost immediately, Lizzie leaned across the table toward Chai. “Okay, but tell them about that watermelon.”

Chai’s eyes lit up like lanterns. “Oh, it was perfect! Round and glossy, with these gorgeous stripes- you could tell just by looking it was going to be sweet. Farmer Aiz had it sitting right on top of the pile, like it was meant to be admired.”

Lizzie clasped her hands dramatically. “See? I wasn’t exaggerating.”

Verena arched a brow, lounging back in her chair. “You two make it sound like you’re talking about jewelry.”

Makino giggled, her voice soft but warm. “They’ll talk about food forever if you let them.”

She leaned a little closer to Verena, slipping from the lively chatter into something more private... her voice low, meant just for her.

“You know… Garp’s always wanted Papa to join the Marines.”

That pulled Verena’s attention. Her dark eyes flicked toward Makino, curious. “Ajax? Really?”

Makino nodded, fingers fidgeting with the ribbon tied around her dress. “Mm-hm. For as long as I can remember, he’s said Papa was ‘born to be a Marine.’ But Papa never wanted to. He didn’t want to leave Mama or me alone.”

Verena tilted her head, lips curving softly. “Sounds more like devotion than weakness, if you ask me.”

Makino let out a tiny laugh, though her cheeks pinkened. “Maybe… but he acts like even being away for a day is the end of the world. I never understood it.”

Verena smiled at Makino, resting her chin in her hand. “He’ll probably tell you someday.”

At the other end of the table, Lizzie and Chai were still debating whether the watermelon was ripe enough to slice or better left a few more days, their voices bright and animated. But Makino’s corner of the table felt quieter, more thoughtful, as if she and Verena had stepped into a smaller world of their own.

The smell of fresh bread and sizzling eggs drifted from the kitchen before Cher appeared, balancing a large tray. She set a plate in front of each girl- fresh bread, eggs, and a bit of fruit- before sliding the tray onto the bar counter.

“Eat it while it’s hot, girls,” she said firmly.

“Yes, ma’am,” Lizzie replied quickly, already tearing into her bread.

For a while, the only sounds were clinking forks and soft conversation. Then Lizzie swallowed a mouthful, leaned forward on her elbows, and pointed her fork at Verena with a determined look.

“You’re going to help me.”

Verena raised a brow. “With what, exactly?”

“My pirate journey. I’ll be leaving Foosha in a few years, and I’ll need you at my side.”

Verena’s fork paused midair. “…Didn’t I just tell you this morning I’d rather stay on solid ground?”

Lizzie waved a hand dismissively. “I heard you, but I really need you on my ship! You’ve got brains. Brain power! That’s all I need. You’ll figure everything else out along the way.”

Verena set her fork down with deliberate care, leaned back in her chair, and gave Lizzie the flattest stare imaginable an expression so dry it practically radiated ‘absolutely not.’

“Do you,” Verena said evenly, “even have a boat?”

Lizzie blinked. “…A boat? Nah, not yet.”

“Then step one,” Verena replied, her voice sharp but calm, “is getting a boat. Until then, you can’t be a pirate. It’s like trying to cook without a stove.”

Lizzie gasped, affronted. “That’s not the same thing!”

Across the table, Chai nearly choked on her fruit trying not to laugh, while Makino hid her smile behind her hand, her eyes darting fondly between the two of them.

When brunch was finished, the group slowly began to thin out. Lizzie was the first to go, standing with determination in her eyes. “I need to plan out the design for my future pirate ship,” she announced dramatically, pushing her chair back with a scrape. “Next time you see me, I’ll have a design ready!”

“Don’t forget the boat comes before the design,” Verena muttered dryly, earning herself one last glare before Lizzie marched out the door.

Chai lingered a little longer, nibbling at the last of her fruit before suddenly springing up. “Oh no! I forgot-! I need to feed the animals.” She smiled apologetically at the others, brushing crumbs from her skirt. “But if you’re still here later, I’ll come back.”

“Of course, Chai,” Makino said warmly, watching her hurry out.

Silence settled over the bar, broken only by the soft clink of dishes as the girls idly pushed their plates into a neat pile. Makino folded her hands together on the table, glancing at Verena from beneath her lashes.

“You know…” Makino began hesitantly, “I’m really thankful you’re here, Verena. This might sound strange, but you feel like… like a sister I never had. I know it must seem silly because we’ve only known each other for a little while, but…” Her cheeks warmed, and she ducked her head. “I just wanted you to know that.”

For a moment, Verena was quiet, her gaze steady, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a soft, genuine smile- lighter than her usual smirk, carrying a warmth that rarely surfaced.

“It doesn’t sound silly at all,” Verena said gently. “I’m glad you feel that way. Because I do too.” She reached across the table, resting her hand lightly over Makino’s. “I’m happy to have you, Makino. I hope we always stay this close.”

Makino’s heart swelled at the words, and her shyness melted into a smile that mirrored Verena’s. “Me too.”

For the first time that day, the bar felt utterly peaceful.

· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

After finishing the last of the cleaning, Verena stretched her arms and gave Makino a tired smile. “I think Lizzie wore me out… I’m going to head home and take a nap.”

Makino nodded, promising to see her tomorrow, and watched as Verena left the bar to stroll back toward her house. The rest of the afternoon passed quietly, just Makino helping Cher around the bar.

By the time Ajax finally trudged back through the door, the sun had already dipped below the horizon. His shirt was half untucked, his hair disheveled, and a few fresh bruises dotted his arms.

Bruises marked his arms and jaw. With a loud groan, Ajax flopped onto the wooden floor, arms spread as if the weight of the world had finally crushed him.

Makino startled from where she was clearing dishes and hurried over, kneeling beside him. “Papa, are you okay? Do you need anything?”

Without missing a beat, Ajax cracked one eye open, a grin already tugging at his lips. “A kiss from the fairest maiden I know and a hug from an angel would cure me completely.”

Before Makino could respond, Cher appeared, dropping the damp towel she’d been using squarely onto his sweaty brow. “Stop being ridiculous,” she said, though her lips quivered with amusement.

Ajax only chuckled beneath the towel, then shot one arm out, pulling a squeaking Makino into his chest. “There! My angel’s right here. Now I really am in heaven.”

“Papa!” Makino’s face flushed bright red, her small hands pushing lightly against him, but he only held her tighter, laughing through his bruises.

Cher sat down beside them, her expression softening despite the sigh that slipped from her lips. “You’re impossible,” she murmured, shaking her head. Still, the sight of her husband grinning ear to ear while their daughter squirmed made her heart ache with warmth.

Finally releasing Makino, Ajax pushed himself up to sit cross-legged on the floor. His grin widened as both his girls stared at him expectantly.

“So…” he began, puffing his chest with mock pride, “want to hear about my training with Garp?”

“Training?” Makino asked, eyes wide.

Cher folded her arms, one brow raised. “Judging by the state you’re in, I should almost say no.”

Ajax puffed out his chest, ignoring the bruise forming on his cheek. “He threw me down a ravine!”

Makino gasped, and Cher’s eyes widened slightly. “He what?”

Ajax waved a dismissive hand, laughing. “Don’t worry! It was all part of the training. It pushed me past my limits- I feel stronger already!”

Makino frowned but still leaned closer, tugging on his sleeve. “Are you really okay?”

Ajax softened, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “Better than okay, Princess. I came home to my two angels. That makes all the bruises worth it.”

Cher sighed again, but this time there was no hiding the small smile tugging at her lips. Ajax spent the rest of the evening regaling them with stories of Garp’s insane training methods… Each tale is more outrageous than the last. By the end, both Cher and Makino were thinking the same thing: how is Ajax still alive…

The bar grew quiet once more. Ajax, too battered to walk properly, had been half-dragged, half-guided up the stairs by Cher and Makino. His tall frame slumped like a sack of grain, but even as every bruise ached from Garp’s “training,” he managed to keep grinning.

Later, Makino brushed her teeth, washed her face, and slipped into her nightclothes before retreating to her room. She climbed onto her small bed, the sheets still smelling faintly of sea salt from when she’d hung them out earlier in the week. Pulling her knees to her chest, she just sat there in the stillness.

Her mind drifted back to Ajax’s laughter, to the way Cher’s eyes softened despite herself, and the warmth of being together. But beneath the comfort lingered the ache of uncertainty… about the future, about what lay beyond their little village, about how long such peaceful moments could last.

Makino rested her chin on her knees, staring out the small window where the moonlight spilled in. For now, she told herself, she would hold onto this warmth. For now, her world felt safe.

The events of the day drifted through her mind like smoke: Verena leaving early, Lizzie’s dramatic plans for pirate adventures, Chai’s endless chatter about the new foods she wanted to try, and then… most vividly… Papa collapsing on the tavern floor as though he’d been beaten to a pulp, only to grin and joke about needing a kiss from the fairest maiden.

Makino hugged her pillow tighter, her gaze drawn to the soft glow of the stars outside her window. They twinkled faintly against the vast sea of the night sky, and for a long time she just stared at them. They seemed so close she could almost reach out and pluck one into her hand.

But the longer she watched, the heavier her chest became.

She didn’t know why. She didn’t understand it. She was only ten years old, after all… still a child in a quiet village, far from the dangers of the wide world. Yet something inside her whispered unease. A shiver crept down her spine, unprovoked.

Why do I feel like this…?

Makino pressed her forehead to her knees. She told herself it was nothing… just leftover worry about Papa being tossed off cliffs by Garp, or maybe about Reed and his boys being pests again. But the feeling wouldn’t fade. Instead, it grew heavier, thicker, coiling around her chest until every breath felt tight, as if she couldn’t breathe properly unless she did something.

Her eyes drifted toward her door.

Maybe… maybe if I stay with Mama and Papa tonight, I’ll feel better.

The thought was simple, childish—even silly. She was ten. She wasn’t a baby anymore. She hadn’t crept into her parents’ room in years. And yet… the idea of curling up between them, safe and warm, eased the unease tightening her stomach.

She slid off her bed, clutching her pillow like a shield. Barefoot, she padded softly across the wooden floor, each step cautious. She didn’t want to wake anyone—not until she was sure she could find the courage to ask.

The hallway creaked under her small feet. Shadows stretched long against the walls from the candlelight, making the space seem wider and emptier than usual. She stood before her parents’ door, her tiny hand hovering near the knob—but never touching it.

Then she froze.

Because now her mind was racing with a hundred thoughts.

What if they laugh at me?

What if Papa says I’m too old?

What if Mama thinks I’m being silly?

What if they just tell me to go back to bed?

Makino bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the pillow. Slowly, she lowered herself until she was sitting on the floor, her back pressed to the door, the wood cool against her shoulder blades. She rested her chin on her knees, staring down the hall.

She didn’t move for a long time. She just sat there, thinking and thinking, wrestling with her own hesitation.

Maybe it was pride. Maybe embarrassment. Or maybe it was just the fear of seeming childish. But deep down, she knew that if she opened the door and asked, her parents wouldn’t be angry. They loved her too much.

And still… she couldn’t bring herself to knock.

So she stayed there, waiting, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing minute, the stars outside still glimmering faintly in her memory.

It was Ajax who found her first.

The door suddenly shifted behind her, and Makino gasped, falling backward with a startled yelp. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact with the floor—but instead, something firm yet gentle caught her.

Papa’s leg.

He had opened the door just enough for his shin to stop her fall. When he looked down, he blinked in surprise before grinning. His hair was messy, still damp from when Cher had forced him to wash up after dinner, and his chest was bare except for the bandages wrapped around him.

“Well now,” Ajax drawled in his usual teasing voice, “what’s this? Why is my little princess sitting on the cold floor at this hour?”

Makino’s cheeks flushed bright red. She scrambled upright, hugging her pillow so tightly it was a wonder the seams didn’t burst.

“I-I… I wasn’t—” Makino stammered, words tangling. “I just… got a bad feeling.”

Ajax tilted his head, his grin softening into something gentler. His eyes narrowed as if studying her carefully. He crouched down to meet her gaze, his large hand resting on her head, thumb brushing along her bangs.

“A bad feeling, huh?” he repeated softly.

Makino nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I… I wanted to stay with you and Mama tonight. Just for tonight.”

For a long moment, Ajax simply looked at her. Then he chuckled, lifting her pillow from her arms with one hand while scooping her up with the other, as though she weighed nothing.

“You could’ve just asked, you know. No need to sit out here plotting like some criminal.”

Makino buried her face in his shoulder, embarrassed. “I was scared you’d say no…”

Ajax carried her inside, nudging the door shut with his heel. “Say no? To my princess? Never. If my little girl’s got a bad feeling, then it’s my job to make it go away, isn’t it?”

Cher was already in bed, sitting up with Ajax’s ripped shirt in her hands, trying to patch it back together. She looked up in mild surprise as he walked in carrying Makino, then smiled knowingly, her green hair falling over her shoulder like a curtain.

“Oh,” she said softly, setting the shirt aside on the nightstand. “So she finally decided to come in, huh.”

Makino peeked up, cheeks flushing again. “Mama…”

Cher reached out and patted the spot right next to her. “Come on, sweetheart. You can sleep here tonight.”

Relief flooded Makino’s chest so strongly it nearly made her cry. She wriggled down into the bed, curling up between them as Ajax flopped down on the other side, tugging the blanket over all three of them.

The warmth was instant. Her bad feeling eased just from being sandwiched between them… her Papa’s arm draped protectively over her, her Mama’s soft hand rubbing her back.

Ajax yawned, pretending to sound grumpy. “You know, my back’s already sore from training, and now my bed’s even more crowded.”

Makino pouted, shoving lightly against his chest. “Then I’ll go back to my room!”

He laughed and pulled her closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Not a chance. You’re stuck here now, princess.”

Cher shook her head, amused. “Don’t tease her, Ajax. She’s just being honest about her feelings. That’s a good thing.”

Makino blinked up at her. “…It is?”

“Of course.” Cher tucked a strand of hair behind Makino’s ear. “Even if you’re ten, even when you’re grown, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be close to the people you love. Don’t ever feel ashamed of that.”

Makino’s eyes stung a little, and she buried her face in the pillow to hide her smile. “Thank you, Mama.”

Ajax let out a long sigh and stretched, shifting until he was lying more comfortably. His grin remained, boyish and mischievous, even with fresh bruises darkening his skin. He turned his head toward Cher, his tone light but just a touch dramatic.

“Well, if my princess gets to sleep here tonight,” he murmured, “then I deserve something too.” He waggled his brows at Cher, lowering his voice in mock seriousness. “How about a goodnight kiss from my fairest maiden?”

Makino peeked up, wide-eyed, cheeks flushing with secondhand embarrassment.

Cher arched a brow. She didn’t answer him right away. Instead, she shifted the blanket with a smirk, tugging it snugly around herself and Makino… and leaving Ajax exposed to the night air.

“Odd men don’t get kisses,” she said slyly, brushing a hand over Makino’s hair while ignoring Ajax’s dramatic gasp.

Makino giggled, hiding her face in the blanket as Ajax flailed theatrically.

“Odd?!” Ajax repeated, staring at his wife in mock betrayal. “You wound me, woman! Do you know how many ravines I got thrown into today? How much suffering I endured? And this is what I get?”

Cher chuckled, green eyes soft but playful as ever. “You survived it, didn’t you? That means you’ll survive one night without hogging the blanket.” She tugged it a little tighter around herself and Makino for emphasis.

Ajax groaned like he was on his deathbed, flopping onto his back with one arm over his eyes. “Cruel. Heartless. My own wife is conspiring against me with my daughter…”

Makino said shyly, peeking out from under the blanket with a little giggle, “I can share… but you have to stop being silly.”

Ajax cracked one eye open at her, pretending to consider it. Then, with one swift motion, he rolled onto his side and wrapped both Cher and Makino into his arms, blanket or not.

“Too late,” he whispered with a grin. “If I’m cold, you’re both keeping me warm.”

Makino squealed at being pulled so close, while Cher pushed gently against his face, shaking her head but letting him hold on.

And just like that, the little family drifted off together, bickering with love… the unease of the night forgotten in the safety of each other’s company.

· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

In the middle of the night, her dreams shifted.

She felt heavy. Too heavy. Like invisible hands were pinning her down. She tried to wiggle her fingers, to move even a little, but nothing responded. Her chest tightened, and her small breaths came shallow and quick.

The darkness stretched endlessly around her until, suddenly, a faint glow bloomed ahead. From it stepped a figure, a lady draped in white, her features blurred as if Makino were looking through water. Yet her voice was clear, calm, and unwavering.

“Stay strong,” the lady whispered. “No matter what, you must stay strong.”

Makino wanted to ask who she was, wanted to cry out for her Mama or Papa, but no sound would come. The lady only reached out a hand, her fingers brushing Makino’s cheek with a feather-light touch, before fading back into the glow.

Makino’s eyes shot open. She coughed hard, her small hands clutching at the blanket as she struggled to steady her rapid breathing.

Chapter Text

The morning after the strange dream, Makino awoke with a lingering sense of unease pressing on her chest. She told herself it was nothing… but within days, it became clear that something was wrong.

Her Papa, Ajax, developed a harsh cough, and her Mama, Cher, burned with fever. At first, it seemed like a common cold… something to shrug off. But as the coughs deepened, the fevers spiked, and exhaustion clung to them day after day, worry took root in Makino.

She stayed by their side at first, fetching water, holding damp cloths to their foreheads, and whispering soft encouragements for them to listen. But soon, both her Papa and Mama insisted she stay away.

“No, princess,” Ajax said firmly one morning, his voice rough from coughing. “You’re healthy, and I don’t want you catching this.”

Cher nodded weakly in agreement, wanting to brush Makino’s hair behind her ear but restraining herself. “Go play or read, sweetie. We’ll be fine, okay?”

Makino’s chest ached, but she obeyed. She left their room quietly, retreating to the little study corner in her own room, where she could write. At first, her letters were simple, short notes: “Papa, Mama, feel better soon. I love you.”

But as the days stretched into weeks, her letters grew longer, pouring out every little detail of her day: the sunrise over Foosha Village, the sound of waves at the port, a bird she spotted on a nearby roof, Lizzie’s crazy ideas, Chai’s tasty food, and even Verena being there for her while she waited for them to get better.

Three weeks passed, and still, they hadn’t improved. Makino’s worry became a gnawing ache. Every cough that echoed from their bedroom made her heart lurch. Every day, she begged the heavens that the sickness would pass quickly.

Ajax, ever stubborn, refused to rest entirely. He tried to maintain routines, moving carefully to keep the bar running, but Cher had to restrain him more than once. “You’ll make it worse if you keep trying to work, foolish man,” she scolded softly from the sickbed, her voice thinner than usual.

The household fell into silence. Makino wrote her letters in the early morning, reading them aloud in the empty bar while imagining her parents receiving them, picturing their smiles and laughter. She folded each letter carefully, stacking them neatly by the windowsill.

One morning, Woop Slap arrived after seeing how fragile Ajax and Cher had become. Makino’s father gently asked if she could stay with him for a while, to keep her from worrying herself sick. Woop Slap agreed, his tone kind but firm: “We’ll take care of her while you two heal, Ajax. Just rest.”

Makino hated being apart from them. Every day without seeing her parents felt like a tiny fracture in her heart. Two months passed in this limbo. She stayed with Woop Slap, who pampered her with meals and kept her busy with small chores, yet the weight of worry never left her.

At night, she would curl up under her blanket, clutching the stack of letters she had written that day. She imagined her parents reading them, whispering back in their soft voices, though she never received replies. The silence gnawed at her, but she refused to stop writing.

Every cough she heard from the Party’s Bar in the distance made her stomach twist. She wanted to run back, to hold them both and tell them it would be okay… but she couldn’t risk getting sick herself. Her hands trembled as she folded another letter, placing it carefully in a box filled with letters for her parents, imagining that one day, when they were better, they would read every single one.

She remembered the words of the lady from her dream: “Stay strong. No matter what, you must stay strong.” Now, more than ever, those words echoed in her mind.

Makino didn’t fully understand what the future would hold, or why this sickness had struck so fiercely. But she knew one thing: she would endure it. For her Papa and Mama.

And so, with each letter, with each whispered hope into the night, Makino stayed strong. Even when her little heart ached for their presence, even when loneliness pressed heavily on her, she kept her promise… to herself and to the mysterious lady in her dream.

Two months of illness, two months of worry, and two months of quiet courage.

She stayed strong… and she kept believing.

But that morning, she stopped hearing their coughs… the sound that had tethered her to the hope that they were still fighting. A chill crept into Makino’s chest. She wanted, more than anything, for the doctor to appear at her side with good news. She wanted someone to tell her that her Papa and Mama were finally on the mend, that she could rush to their side, throw her arms around them, and hear their laughter again.

Instead, the news came like a blade to the heart. Her parents… they had passed. Their bodies, frail and worn from the long battle with sickness, had not been strong enough to endure it.

Makino’s legs went weak beneath her. The letters she had written, the whispered hopes into the night, the tears she had shed in secret… all of it seemed to collapse in on itself. She sank to the floor, clutching the letters to her chest, and let herself fall apart.

She cried without restraint, without pause, without comfort. The tears fell freely, her small body shaking under the weight of a loss she could scarcely comprehend. She cried for the warmth she would never feel again, for the laughter she would no longer hear, for the gentle hands that had always held her when the world felt too big.

The world around her blurred into streaks of nothing. Makino didn’t hear the footsteps approaching, didn’t feel the hand on her shoulder, didn’t notice the hug she was given… because in that moment, all that existed was the emptiness where her parents’ love should have been.

Her sobs were raw, echoing through the empty bar that had once been full of life. She cried because every morning she wouldn’t wake to see their faces, every meal would be eaten alone, every moment she spent there reminded her that they would never come back.

And yet, even through the crushing despair, a small, stubborn spark remained… the spark of the mysterious lady from her dream. Stay strong. No matter what, you must stay strong.

Makino pressed the letters to her lips, murmuring through her tears, “I’ll stay strong… I promise… Papa… Mama…” Her voice cracked, but she clung to the promise as tightly as she had clung to their love for so long.

The days that followed were quiet, suffused with the grief of a world suddenly emptied of everything. Makino wandered through the bar, her tiny frame dwarfed by the space around her, haunted by absence yet holding on to the faintest glimmer of that whispered promise.

The absence around her was immense. But each letter she had written, every hope whispered into the night, remained. They were all she had left… and she resolved to carry their love forward, even if it hurt.

A soft knock echoed through the bar, barely louder than the whisper of the wind outside. Makino, curled up on the floor with her letters clutched tightly to her chest, looked up, her tear-streaked cheeks glistening.

Standing in the doorway was Verena. Her posture was poised, calm, and unflinching as always, but her dark green eyes held a softness Makino had rarely seen. Without a word, Verena stepped inside and sat down beside her, the quiet presence alone offering a small measure of comfort.

Makino didn’t know what to say. She only shook her head slightly, unable to form words through the lump in her throat. Verena reached out, gently taking Makino’s small hand in hers. The touch was warm, and Makino squeezed it weakly in return.

Together, they gazed toward the front door of the Party’s Bar, the place that had always been filled with laughter and life. Now, the silence pressed around them, heavy and unfamiliar.

Minutes passed in quiet companionship. Makino’s tears flowed freely, hot and relentless, dripping onto the floorboards. She cried for her Papa and Mama, for the warmth and guidance that had been ripped from her world.

Verena didn’t speak at first, only holding her hand, lending the quiet strength of her presence. Finally, she leaned closer and wrapped Makino in her arms… a gentle yet firm hug that gave Makino the smallest sense of safety she had felt in weeks.

“It’s okay,” Verena whispered softly. “Cry it all out. Let it out, Makino. You don’t have to be strong for anyone right now… just for yourself.”

Makino buried her face into Verena’s shoulder, releasing the months of fear, worry, and grief in one shuddering wave. She sobbed without restraint, trembling as if the act of crying could carry away some of the pain.

Verena held her through it all, silent but unwavering, letting Makino’s tears fall while offering the quietest comfort... a hand on her back, a gentle rocking, the warmth of someone who wouldn’t let go.

When the last of Makino’s sobs slowed to quiet hiccups, she lifted her face slightly, wiping at her wet cheeks. Verena’s calm gaze met hers, patient and reassuring.

“You’re not alone, Makino,” she said gently. “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Makino nodded, her voice still a whisper, barely audible. “Thank you… Verena.”

Verena squeezed her hand again. “Always. Now… let’s just sit here for a while. ok…”

For the first time since the sickness had taken her parents, Makino felt a small, fragile sense of peace… her tears still wet on her cheeks, but her heart was slightly less heavy because someone had come and simply stayed with her.

After crying for a while, Makino finally stilled. Verena went to the back of the bar for a moment, and Makino stayed sitting, clutching her knees. Soon, Verena returned with two steaming mugs of cocoa, the rich chocolate scent filling the quiet room. She handed one to Makino, who took it with trembling hands, wrapping them carefully around the warm mug.

Verena sat down beside her, careful not to crowd her, and gently took Makino’s hand in hers. They sipped their cocoa in silence at first, the only sounds the faint clink of mugs and the slow, steady breathing of the two girls.

“Thank you… for being here with me,” Makino said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Verena gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled gently. “It’s what a sister does. I’ll always be here for you, Makino.”

Makino’s lips curved into a weak smile, just enough to let Verena know she felt the comfort. She nodded slightly, taking another careful sip of her cocoa.

For a while, they simply sat together, hands intertwined, sipping the warm drink. The quiet filled the space between them… no words were needed. With Verena there, the feeling of warmth began to seep back into Makino.

Quietly, Makino padded to her room and returned with a small stack of blankets. She wrapped one around herself and offered the rest to Verena. Verena chuckled softly, draping a blanket over herself and tucking it snugly around both of them.

For a while, they sat close together, the soft weight of the blankets and the quiet warmth of companionship filling the space. Verena began to tell a story… a funny little tale from her family.

Makino couldn’t help herself; she giggled, then laughed, the sound lighter than it had been in weeks. The tension in her chest eased, replaced with the simple joy of being with someone who understood.

As the story ended, they fell into a comfortable silence, the only sound the faint crackle of the fire from the hearth. Makino’s head slowly leaned against Verena’s shoulder, and Verena rested her head lightly against Makino’s.

Wrapped in the coziness of blankets and the presence of a friend, Makino felt something she hadn’t in a long while… peace. For the first time in weeks, she felt better.

Chapter Text

Months passed, and little by little, Makino learned how to breathe again.

Running Party’s Bar without her parents still felt wrong some days… too quiet, too empty.. but the village never let her shoulder it alone. They came by often, checking in under the excuse of errands or casual conversation, always making sure she had what she needed.

Makino wasn’t allowed anywhere near the alcohol yet. The patrons had banned her themselves.

“Absolutely not,” one man had declared the first week she tried to reach for a bottle. “Our little Makino shouldn’t be dirtying her hands with beer.”

Another had laughed, gently pushing her toward the kitchen. “You cook. We’ll handle the rest.”

So the alcohol stayed stored away, saved for the day she was old enough to serve it properly. For now, Makino cooked soups, stews, bread anything that didn’t involve alcohol. It wasn’t the same as before, but it was something she could do.

That particular day, the bar was closed. The chairs were stacked, the door locked, the sign flipped. But the place wasn’t empty.

That particular day, the bar was closed. The chairs were stacked, the door locked, the sign flipped. But the place wasn’t empty.

Lizzie sprawled across the kitchen table, boots swinging idly.

Chai sat there carefully slicing fruit she’d brought along ‘just in case someone got hungry.’

Verena leaned against the table, arms crossed, quietly watching Makino as she worked.

They had decided to stay the night together.

The sound of the door opening made Makino glance up at the kitchen curtain. She wiped her hands on her apron and called out softly, “Sorry… we’re closed today.”

Before she could say anything else, Lizzie popped her head out from the back, then quickly popped back in again before turning to Makino. “Makino, you’re gonna want to see this.”

The girls gathered near the kitchen doorway just as a familiar, broad-shouldered figure stepped inside.

“Garp!” Chai gasped, immediately lighting up.

Makino’s face brightened.

“You’re back,” Verena said, surprise lacing her voice, though she smiled.

Garp grinned at the sight of them all. “Good to see you brats,” he said fondly. Then his expression shifted serious, but not heavy. “I need a favor.”

Makino straightened immediately. “Anything,” she said without hesitation.

The others nodded along.

“You’ve helped us plenty,” Verena added. “Name it.”

Garp glanced down at the bundle he was carrying.

“I need you to watch my grandson.”

That was all it took.

Makino stepped closer, eyes wide. “What’s his name?”

Verena leaned in, already assessing. “How old is he?”

Chai clasped her hands together, practically melting. “Awww, he’s so cute!”

Lizzie squinted at the bundle, thoughtful. “Does he poop?”

The room went silent.

Makino slowly turned to stare at Lizzie.

Verena followed, brows raised.

Chai blinked, then tilted her head.

Lizzie shrugged under their collective looks. “What? It’s important.”

Garp threw his head back and laughed, the sound booming through the empty bar. “You kids are somethin’ else.”

Makino hesitated, then a small smiled, but a real one as she peeked down at the sleeping baby. For the first time in a long while, she felt not very alone.

· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

It had been a few days since Luffy had officially become part of the village, and everyone had already come to the same conclusion.

The baby was endlessly hungry.

Within an hour, Luffy could finish bottle after bottle, tiny stomach somehow bottomless. Villagers stopped by the Party’s Bar under the excuse of curiosity, only to end up watching in awe as Makino patiently fed him again and again.

Luffy was staying with Makino. Garp had dropped off all of the baby’s things… blankets, clothes, bottles, baskets.. right there in the bar, trusting the village without hesitation. He stayed only a few days before returning to the Marines, confident that his grandson would be safe.

And he was.

Luffy clutched the front of Makino’s shirt as he drank from his bottle, his tiny fingers curling into the fabric as if afraid she might disappear. If Makino stepped out of his line of sight, he cried a sharp one, indignant wails that echoed through the bar.

Makino learned quickly.

Bathroom trips had to be fast, or she would rush to the bookstore and hand him off to Verena to use the bathroom in the bookstore instead. Luffy tolerated Verena- he didn’t cry in her arms.. but even then, his dark eyes searched the room until Makino reappeared. Only then would he relax, fingers stretching toward her again.

At night, Luffy slept on Makino’s bed, tucked safely beside her. During the day, when Makino cooked, his baby basket sat in the kitchen where he could watch her, bottle in hand, eyes tracking her every movement.

The village noticed.

Supplies began appearing without explanation. Extra blankets. Formula. Clothes. Toys. Makino never asked where they came from. She just accepted them quietly, understanding the love behind the gesture.

“She’s twelve,” some of the villagers muttered. “And already taking care of a baby.”

Lizzie came by often, usually bringing chaos with her. She loved Luffy! loved tossing him gently into the air, making silly faces, playing just a bit too rough. Every time things got close to turning chaos, Verena would snap a book shut and smack Lizzie lightly on the head.

“Too much,” Verena scolded.

Lizzie would pout, rubbing her head. “You’re no fun.”

Once, still sulking, Lizzie glanced at Makino and said casually, “You know, you’re basically his mom.”

Makino didn’t respond right away. She just held Luffy a little closer. The idea warmed her chest in a way that surprised her.. soft and aching and familiar.

It reminded her of Cher, her mother .

Later that evening, as they all gathered together, Chai suddenly clapped her hands. “I just thought of something fun!”

The girls turned to her.

“How about,” Chai said brightly, “we pick names for our future kids? Just names we like right now.”

Lizzie’s eyes lit up immediately. “Oh, I’m going first.”

She didn’t hesitate.

“If I have daughters, the first one’s name will be Winnie. Because she’ll always win.”

Verena stared at her. Flat. Unimpressed.

Makino giggled softly. Chai leaned toward Makino and whispered, “Of course.”

“The second daughter will be Lissy,” Lizzie continued proudly, “in honor of my amazing mom. Aka me.”

Verena rolled her eyes.

“My third kid will be Chad,” Lizzie said confidently. “Because he’ll be a Chad just like his future father.”

Verena pinched the bridge of her nose.

“The fourth will be Ty. Just because T and Y look good together,” Lizzie added thoughtfully. “And my fifth will be Leo. Because he’ll be a king!”

The room fell silent.

Verena just stared at her like she was a clown. Chai clapped enthusiastically. Makino smiled, Luffy nestled against her chest, bottle still in his mouth.

Lizzie pointed at Verena. “Your turn. Four kids.”

Verena sighed, then played along. “Fine. Ezekiel.”

Makino and Chai giggled immediately.

“Yes, yes,” Chai giggled. “We know. From The Breath Between Us.”

She continued, unfazed. “Valencia. I like the meaning behind the name. And Onyx… It just sounds cool.”

Chai nodded approvingly. “Those are nice.”

Verena then turned to Chai. “Two kids.”

Chai beamed. “Louisette and Cru.”

Verena paused. “From your books?”

Chai nodded eagerly. “Louisette’s Guide to Love and Our Love Song.”

Makino quietly tucked the book titles away in her mind.

Then Chai turned to Makino, smiling gently. “Six.”

Makino blinked. “Six?”

“Six,” Chai repeated cheerfully.

Makino thought for a long moment. Her gaze drifted down to Luffy, who was half-asleep in her arms now.

“Leona,” Makino said softly. “Giovanni.. Serenity.. Khara… Alina.. and Jamir.”

Verena looked at her. “Why those?”

Makino’s cheeks flushed pink. She lowered her eyes, hugging Luffy closer.

“They just… feel right.”

And for the first time since everything had changed, Makino felt something like hope settle quietly in her heart.

·· ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

When Luffy finally drifted into sleep, the girls took it as their cue to turn in too- though not without a few lingering sighs and quiet grumbles about how tired they all were.

Makino led them upstairs to Cher and Ajax’s old bedroom. She slept there now, not because it was bigger or quieter, but because it still felt like them. 

They laid Luffy carefully on the bed, Makino hovering close as she adjusted the blankets, making sure he was comfortable, his breathing steady and soft. Only once she was satisfied did she finally relax.

Chai slipped off to take a shower, humming quietly as she went.

Verena stayed behind, her attention drifting around the room. The walls were lined with framed photographs.. most of them clearly taken by Ajax. She could tell by the angles, by how candid they were.

Her gaze softened as she studied them.

Makino laughing with flour on her cheeks. Makino asleep at a table, chin resting on her arms. Makino holding a fish almost as big as her.

Then one picture made Verena pause.

Makino stood outside in the snow, bundled in a coat far too big for her, snow reaching halfway up her legs. She looked startled, cheeks red from the cold, eyes wide and curiously.

Verena smiled to herself. “Cute,” she murmured.

Meanwhile… Unfortunately Lizzie was being Lizzie.

She crouched near a dresser, tugging open one of the drawers with a look of anticipation. “I’m just saying,” she whispered, “Cher totally gives ex-pirate vibes. There’s gotta be a treasure map somewhere.”

“Lizzie,” Verena warned without turning around. “Don’t go through people’s things.”

Too late.

Lizzie froze.

“…Huh.”

Chai walked back into the room then, freshly showered and already in her pajamas. She took one step inside… and stopped dead.

Her face went red instantly.

Verena turned, confused, just in time to see Lizzie staring into the open drawer. Verena marched over, ready to scold..

and promptly froze herself.

Her eyes widened. Her mouth fell open in a perfect, silent O.

Makino, sensing something was wrong, peeked over.

She saw it.

And turned even redder than the others.

Lizzie, completely unashamed, held up a delicate piece of fabric between two fingers. “Wow,” she said thoughtfully. “Lady Cher knew exactly what she was doing.”

“LIZZIE!” Verena snapped, smacking her on the head and slamming the drawer shut in one swift motion.

Chai squeaked and covered her face. Makino buried hers in her hands, mortified.

“No more exploring,” Verena said firmly. “Ever.”

Lizzie rubbed her head. “OWWWWW.”

The lights were dimmed soon after, the room settling back into quiet. Luffy slept peacefully between Makino’s pillows, unaware of what happened.

And despite the embarrassment, the laughter, and the mild trauma, the rest of the night passed gently..