"Nope. I'm still going outside for a bit. You guys keep drinking!"
The ominous feeling in Shanks' chest was only growing stronger.
He rose, walked to the entrance of the bar, then leaned against the doorframe and looked back at everyone.
"Hm? You're not going to find Uta, are you?" Beckman asked around the cigarette between his lips.
"Careful. She might still be angry with you."
Shanks immediately laughed it off.
"Of course not. I'm just going for a walk. I won't bother her."
"Besides, if she's angry, she's angry with all of us. It's not like I'm the only one at fault!"
With that, Shanks turned and left.
The smile vanished from his face almost immediately, replaced by the imposing dignity of an Emperor.
"Huh? Isn't that Shanks' sword?"
Makino returned carrying a tray of juice and immediately spotted Gryphon resting beside the counter.
Lucky Roux called out through a mouthful of roasted meat,
"Wow, what's gotten into the boss? He even forgot Gryphon. That's pretty careless."
"Makino, could you take it to him?"
"Me?" Makino blinked. "But the counter…"
"Don't worry! We'll look after everything here!"
The Red Hair Pirates all chimed in at once, thumping their chests and confidently promising they could handle it.
"Then… I'll leave the bar to you."
Makino gave a small bow, picked up the sword, gripped its sheath, and hurried outside.
The pirates watched her leave, then immediately burst into knowing laughter.
…
Along the shore, the evening breeze carried the salty scent of the sea across the cool sand.
Makino lifted the hem of her skirt and hurried after the figure ahead.
"Shanks! Shanks! Wait for me!"
Hearing her voice, Shanks stopped and turned around.
Makino's cheeks were flushed from running, and she was breathing heavily as she approached, clutching Gryphon's sheath tightly in both hands.
"You walk far too quickly. I almost couldn't catch you."
She stopped in front of him and took several moments to catch her breath before holding out the sword.
"Here. You left it beside the counter."
"Ah… sorry to make you come all this way."
Shanks accepted Gryphon and instinctively scratched his head, giving her his usual bright grin.
But his brow remained tense, lacking its normal ease.
Makino noticed immediately.
She had known Shanks for far too many years and understood his personality well. No matter how violent the storm, he always seemed completely at ease.
It was rare for his worries to show so clearly on his face.
"Something is bothering you, isn't it?"
She did not bother circling around the issue.
"You were acting strangely in the bar too. Is this about Uta?"
Shanks paused, then laughed again as he fastened Gryphon at his waist.
"Nothing's wrong. I was just tired of sitting inside and wanted some fresh air."
Makino did not expose the lie.
Instead, she gently followed along with it.
"That works out nicely. I haven't taken a walk along the shore in a long time either."
"Would you mind if I joined you?"
Shanks looked at her warm expression.
The refusal reached his lips, but in the end, he simply nodded and gave a quiet laugh.
The two slowly walked along the coastline.
The sand beneath their feet had grown cool beneath the evening wind.
Waves rolled ashore one after another before silently retreating, leaving trails of white foam behind.
The sound of the wind and sea surrounded the silence between them, gradually loosening the tension wound tightly inside Shanks' chest.
They walked for quite some time before he finally spoke, his voice lower than before.
"Honestly… I can't shake this uneasy feeling."
Makino turned toward him without interrupting.
She simply listened.
"It sounds ridiculous when I say it aloud. I've been a pirate for all these years and faced every kind of storm imaginable, yet this feeling today just won't go away."
Shanks lowered his gaze and lightly kicked at the sand.
"And then there's Uta…"
"I always feel like I owe her far too much. What happened back then was my fault. I know what I did was wrong, but if I were forced to make the choice again…"
"I'd probably do the same thing."
"It was the only way I could think of to keep her from being dragged into everything."
They happened to reach a broad, flat rock.
Makino stopped and looked at the deep crease between his brows.
"Don't move."
Shanks blinked, but obediently remained still.
Makino rose slightly onto her toes and lifted her hands.
The warm pads of her fingers gently pressed against his tense temples, slowly circling as she tried to smooth away the knot in his brow.
Her fingertips carried the faint scent of ale and flowers from the bar, mingled with the salt of the sea breeze.
It was unexpectedly comforting.
Shanks stiffened for a moment.
His breathing unconsciously softened, and the tips of his ears quietly grew warm.
Most of the worries churning inside him were gradually soothed by her gentle touch.
"You don't have to carry everything alone all the time," Makino said softly beside him, her voice warm yet steady.
"I don't know exactly what happened, but I believe you made the best choice you could at the time."
"You don't need to keep punishing yourself for it."
"Uta understands that too, deep down."
"And as for whatever you're worried about…"
"It hasn't happened yet. Even if it does, you've never been afraid of anything before, have you?"
Shanks looked into her eyes from only inches away, seeing the warmth and sincerity within them.
Then he smiled.
This time, the smile reached his eyes, and the tension in his brow disappeared completely.
"You've always known exactly what to say."
His voice carried unmistakable relief.
"Every time I talk to you, everything feels much clearer afterward."
Makino smiled as well.
She lowered her hands, stepped back half a pace, and turned toward the distant sea, where silver light shimmered across the surface.
"Well, of course."
"You're Shanks. What could possibly happen that you couldn't endure?"
The evening breeze carried the sound of the waves, making their conversation feel soft and distant.
The lights of Windmill Village twinkled behind them, while faint laughter from the bar occasionally drifted across the shore.
Shanks looked at Makino beside him, her eyes curved into a gentle smile.
The heavy unease in his heart finally faded away.
"You're right. There's nothing I can't handle."
At that exact moment, Shanks suddenly raised his head toward the sky.
Makino followed his gaze and gasped.
"Wow, a shooting star!"
She stared more carefully.
"But… why is it red?"
A crimson streak wrapped in flames crossed the distant sky, dragging a long red tail behind it.
…
…
"Uta, the child is still here!"
Caught completely off guard, Cain hurriedly switched on the lights.
He turned toward Uta and saw her standing near the door, tugging lightly at her collar and fanning herself with one hand while muttering about how hot it was.
All the blood in Cain's body instantly rushed downward.
Still holding the sleeping Bella above his head, he looked frantically around the room.
His eyes locked onto the refrigerator.
In one smooth motion, he lunged over, opened the door, placed Bella inside, and slammed it shut.
"Whew… Uta, you… you… those things you just said…"
Cain leaned against the refrigerator, breathing heavily. His face was bright red as he stammered at her.
Uta slowly walked toward him.
"Oh, those lines?"
"Shakky taught me."
'Just how much has that woman taught her?!'
Cain screamed internally as Uta approached one step at a time.
He could not help swallowing nervously.
Then she suddenly closed the remaining distance and slammed one hand against the refrigerator beside his head.
The forceful wall pin left Cain completely helpless.
Even though he was considerably taller than Uta, he had somehow lost every advantage and could only stand rigidly in place.
Uta leaned closer and stared directly into his eyes.
"What's wrong? Getting impatient?"
"There's no dinner here, and there isn't any hot water for a bath, yet you're already desperate to…"
"To…"
Cain's voice trembled.
Uta moved even closer, grabbed his collar, and hooked one finger beneath a button on his shirt.
His mind went completely blank.
"Move!"
The next second, Uta seized his collar and violently yanked him aside.
Cain stumbled several steps.
She immediately opened the refrigerator and carefully lifted the peacefully sleeping Bella out.
"This is exactly why boys can't be trusted with children!"
"I was standing right beside you, and you still shoved Bella into the refrigerator!"
Uta held Bella in her arms and glared at him indignantly.
"Sorry! I'm sorry! I completely lost control for a moment!"
Cain hurriedly bowed in apology, secretly cursing himself.
He had truly allowed the wrong head to take control.
That was shameful.
Still…
Bella was a cloud of freezing air.
Being placed in the refrigerator probably would not hurt her… Right?