For a long time, Kuzan didn't know what to say.
His mouth opened like he wanted to speak, but nothing came out.
He even scratched his head awkwardly, though only he knew... That inside, there was one thought he didn't know whether he should say aloud.
And so, in this awkward silence that lasted for who knows how long, Kuzan finally hesitated and asked, with a trace of doubt in his voice: "Child?"
"Yes."
"Yours?"
"Yes."
"His?"
"Yes."
"Wait, let me get this straight."
Hearing Robin's firm answers, Kuzan finally understood he hadn't misheard.
But now, he just wanted to curse.
It was one thing for the Devil Child to get married; that could be blamed on her amnesia, but now... she was pregnant?
When did she even regain her memories?
And if she had, why didn't she leave?
No, that didn't matter anymore. This situation was on par with when the King of the Pirates's child was born!
The World Government would never allow the Devil Child's bloodline to continue.
While Kuzan stood there, face full of confusion and conflict, Robin quietly looked at him.
Although she had once feared this terrifying admiral, she also knew it was because of him that she had managed to remain free all these years.
Then, as if finally calm again, Kuzan lifted his head to look at her, his bewildered expression darkening. "Are you playing house, Devil Child, Nico Robin?"
"No. This isn't playing house."
"If you've regained your memories, why haven't you left this place?"
Robin: "..."
Robin fell silent, seemingly unsure how to answer.
After regaining her memories, she had thought about leaving, but she hadn't expected to remain here this long... And now, she was going to have a child.
"A lot has happened."
She said at last, then a faint smile curled into her lips and a trace of warmth flashed in her eyes. "But I don't regret it, Mr. Bear."
Kuzan: "..."
Hearing that, Kuzan fell silent too, then sighed. "So, you've decided to stay here?"
Yet when he asked, Robin said nothing again.
Seeing this, Kuzan frowned but didn't press further. He simply gave her one last deep look before turning to leave.
"Mr. Bear."
Robin's voice stopped him in his tracks. He didn't turn around, his back still facing her.
Just as he was wondering why she had called out again, Robin smiled wryly, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Can you... Not tell Ian about this?"
That made Kuzan frown.
After a moment, he turned back to face her again, his expression uncertain. "You really are having a child?"
Robin: "...?"
Robin froze at the question, then nodded stiffly.
After receiving another firm confirmation, Kuzan turned away again, but paused for a moment, glancing at a nearby tree as he spoke calmly: "Maybe you should try trusting the person you chose."
Before Robin could respond, Kuzan vanished, leaving her standing there with a complicated expression.
After a long while, she gave a faint, bitter smile and murmured: "It's not that I don't trust Ian."
She just didn't want to disturb the peaceful life he cherished.
She knew Ian seemed to truly enjoy this simple, quiet life.
But just as she said that and was about to leave…
"If you trust him, then why not tell him?"
A sudden voice made Robin freeze in her tracks.
She turned in surprise toward a nearby tree, and before she could react, a figure leaped down from it, looking at her with a calm expression.
"I think no matter what, you should still tell Ian about it."
"You didn't leave?"
Robin didn't answer the voice.
Instead, she looked at the figure in surprise, but then seemed to realize something and smiled wryly. "Thank you, Ain."
That's right, the one who appeared was Ain. Though Robin had told her to leave, Ain hadn't actually gone. She had hidden in a tree, intending to leave only after Robin went back inside the house.
But unexpectedly, she stumbled into this situation.
Of course, she also suspected that from that look just now... Admiral Aokiji might have already noticed her.
"No need to thank me. I'm just following Zephyr-sensei's orders."
Ain said calmly.
"Until you return home safely, I won't leave."
"So, it looks like you already know who I am?"
"The Devil Child, Nico Robin."
"Yes, I'm the Devil Child wanted by the World Government."
Robin nodded with a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned about her identity.
But then she looked at Ain again, her tone turning complicated. "If the World Government finds out I'm here, it'll only bring disaster to this place."
Ain: "..."
Hearing that, Ain fell silent.
Now she finally understood why, on that day, Zephyr-sensei had reacted that way upon seeing Robin.
As a marine herself, she knew how much chaos and tragedy the identity of the Devil Child, the survivor of Ohara, could bring upon ordinary people.
But still…
Looking at Robin again, Ain's eyes softened slightly.
"I think you should tell Ian. That guy..."
She paused for a moment.
"He might be stronger than you think, and there's probably more to him than you realize."
"...?!"
Hearing that, Robin looked surprised, then smiled with interest. "Oh? So you understand my husband better than I do?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, Ain's once-calm eyes were instantly filled with confusion, and even her expression turned awkward.
Finally, she turned away, her tone returning to calm neutrality. "Since you're fine, I'll be going now."
But in that calm voice, there was a faint tremor.
Just as she was about to leave, Robin spoke again with a smile, watching her back. "I understand, Ain. And... Thank you for worrying about me."
"Mhm…"
Ain replied softly with only that hum, then disappeared into the night without another word, leaving behind Robin, whose expression turned playful once more.
Resting her right hand on her left and propping up her chin, she tilted her head slightly, squinting her eyes with a faint smirk.
"Mmm, it seems I have quite a few love rivals."