CHAPTER 7 — Nightmares in a Peaceful Village
Night in Windmill Village was quiet.
Too quiet.
The ocean whispered softly in the distance, waves brushing against the shore like a lullaby. Crickets hummed. Lanterns flickered gently behind windows. People slept soundly.
Everyone except Ren.
He stared up at the wooden ceiling of Makino's bar, lying on his futon. The warmth of the blanket felt comforting—but also unfamiliar. Safe. Maybe too safe.
Sleep didn't come easily.
Not tonight.
Not with memories creeping in at the edges of his thoughts.
He closed his eyes anyway.
And instantly—
Darkness swallowed him.
The Nightmare
Ren stood in a room he knew too well—white walls, sterile smell, blinking machines. His heart lurched.
No.
Not here.
Not again.
"Ren…"
He froze.
Two figures lay in hospital beds—frail, pale, barely breathing. His mother's soft smile. His father's shaking hand.
"Don't worry… you'll be fine…"
"You're strong…"
"We're proud…"
Ren reached out—
But the room flickered.
The beds dissolved.
Voices warped into static.
And suddenly—
He was back on the beach.
Cold.
Wet.
Alone.
The sky above him cracked like breaking glass. A giant shadow loomed—shifting, monstrous, suffocating—
"Ren."
A voice cut through the darkness.
"Ren!"
His eyes snapped open.
Makino's Eyes
Makino knelt beside him, gently shaking his arm. Her lantern lit the room with a warm glow.
"Ren… hey… wake up."
Ren gasped for air, sitting up abruptly. His shirt clung to him with sweat. His chest tightened painfully.
Makino's expression softened. "You were having a nightmare."
Ren blinked rapidly, trying to force his breathing to slow.
"I'm… I'm fine."
He wasn't.
Makino didn't believe him for a second. She sat beside him, placing a steady hand on his back.
"You don't have to tell me everything," she said softly, "but don't pretend you're okay when you're not."
Ren swallowed.
Words got stuck in his throat, tangled with fear and shame.
Makino continued gently, "You don't have to be strong here. Not all the time."
Ren looked down.
"…Sorry."
Makino shook her head. "You don't need to apologize for being human."
His breath hitched.
His vision blurred.
And suddenly—
He wasn't fine.
Not even a little.
Tears spilled silently down his cheeks.
Makino didn't speak.
Didn't question.
Didn't push.
She simply pulled him into a gentle hug, warm and protective.
Ren stiffened at first—then melted, leaning into her quietly.
He felt small.
Young.
Breakable.
And for once… that was okay.
"It's alright," Makino murmured. "You're safe."
Ren's voice cracked. "…I didn't want to remember."
"I know," she whispered.
They sat like that for a long time—Makino comforting him the way no one had in years.
Morning Visitors
The next morning, Makino let Ren sleep in.
He woke slowly, eyes heavy, mind foggy.
When he sat up, he found a bowl of warm porridge beside him with a note:
Eat this. Rest. – Makino
Ren exhaled shakily.
He didn't deserve this kindness.
But… maybe he needed it.
Before he could take a bite—
BAM!
The door flew open.
"REEEEEN!? MAKINO SAID YOU'RE SICK!"
Ren flinched. "Luffy—?!"
Luffy sprinted into the room and placed his palm on Ren's forehead.
"You're hot!"
Ren blinked. "My temperature is normal—"
"You're dying!"
"I'm not dying—"
"I'LL BRING FOOD!"
"Luffy, NO—!"
Too late.
Luffy had left the bar like a human missile.
Makino walked in moments later, holding tea.
"Luffy's causing chaos, isn't he?"
Ren sighed. "Yes."
She set the tea beside him. "Good. That means you're recovering."
Ren blinked. "…What?"
Makino smiled. "If you can complain about Luffy, you're alive."
Ren laughed weakly despite himself.
The Luffy Remedy (Not Recommended)
Five minutes later, Luffy returned carrying…
Ren blinked.
"A crab?"
Luffy grinned proudly. "I brought food!"
Ren stared at the crab struggling in Luffy's hands.
"Luffy… this is alive."
"Yeah! Fresh food!"
Makino facepalmed. "Luffy, put that outside!"
"Why?!"
"Because Ren is sick, not starving!"
Ren whispered, "…I might lose my mind."
Makino whispered back, "Welcome to my life."
Luffy reluctantly released the crab outside.
"I'll find something else!"
Makino immediately grabbed him by the collar. "NO."
Healing Slowly
Ren ate the porridge quietly while Makino cleaned the counter.
After a moment, she sat beside him again.
"Ren… if nightmares happen again, just wake me."
"I don't want to bother—"
Makino frowned lightly. "You're not bothering me. You're living here. That means you're family. Understand?"
Ren froze.
Family.
The word felt heavy.
Warm.
Painful.
He nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
Makino smiled softly. "Good."
A Walk Through the Village
Makino insisted Ren get fresh air.
He walked slowly through the village, feeling lighter, though still tender.
Kiro spotted him instantly. "Hey! You look less dead."
Ren groaned. "Please don't start."
Kiro shrugged. "Fine. But everyone's been asking about you."
"That's… concerning."
"Tomato lady almost delivered you soup."
Ren blinked. "…Almost?"
"She got mad at someone and forgot."
"That sounds right."
Kiro nudged him. "You okay, though?"
Ren hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…I think so."
Kiro grinned. "Good. Because the goat was looking for you."
Ren froze. "What."
Kiro burst out laughing. "I'm joking!"
"I hate you."
"Knew it."
Makino's Final Words
That evening, Ren helped Makino clean the bar.
She glanced at him, her expression gentle but serious.
"Ren… nights can be the hardest. If you need anything—talk, tea, or just company—come find me."
Ren lowered his head.
"…I will."
"And Ren?"
"Yes?"
She smiled warmly.
"You're doing great."
Ren's heart tightened—this time in a good way.
He whispered, "Thank you."
Ending the Day
When Ren lay down that night, he felt different.
Not healed.
But healing.
Slowly.
Softly.
Gently.
He closed his eyes.
And for the first time in a long time—
Sleep came without shadows.
End of Chapter 7