Chapter 202
Chapter 202
"W-What peeking?! I didn’t! It wasn’t me!"
Nami’s words landed a critical hit on Perona.
Her eyes were spinning as she frantically waved her hands, trying to explain herself. However, she couldn’t form a single coherent sentence no matter how hard she tried. The girls covered their mouths and laughed lightly.
Especially Kalifa and the others — this was the first time they had heard that Perona had a habit of secretly watching them. Unlike when they were all together, being peeped on made them feel somewhat embarrassed. They quietly made a mental note to properly tease Perona the next time they were all together.
"Yo, what are you all talking about? I think I heard something about peeking."
At that moment, Rorschach appeared behind the girls. He leaned on the back of the sofa with a playful smile.
Even though he had already heard everything clearly, he still pretended he had just arrived.
"Heh heh, you’re pretty capable, huh? You took down two in one night. Last night I told you not to go too far, but the noise was so loud it even reached my room. Is this what you meant by ’not going too far’?"
Nami smiled mischievously as she teased him.
The girls watched with great interest, curious to see how Perona would react.
Only Robin seemed out of place as she sat to the side, completely focused on her book and paying no attention to what Nami and the others were saying. However, the fact that she had flipped through several pages without actually reading them suggested she was also feeling a little restless — especially after Rorschach appeared.
"How is this my fault? I wasn’t the one moaning that loudly."
Rorschach replied with an innocent expression.
He was clearly the passive party here, so there was no way this could be his fault.
That’s right. This was all Perona’s problem.
"Stop talking! You idiot captain! Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
Perona’s defense had completely collapsed. She turned around and started hitting Rorschach’s chest with her hands while tears welled up in her eyes.
This pitiful appearance made anyone who saw her feel sorry for her. This was Perona’s unique charm.
"Alright, alright, I won’t say anything anymore."
Rorschach patted her head like he was coaxing a child, though his eyes glanced toward Nami and the others as if saying, See? You guys teased her too much.
Nami could only pout. He was clearly the most mischievous one here, yet he was blaming them now.
Not long after, Shirahoshi also appeared in front of everyone.
Since Rorschach and the others were the first friends Shirahoshi had made in a very long time, she valued them greatly. She had rushed over to meet them even though she had only just woken up.
"Lord Rorschach, did you sleep well in Ryugu Palace?"
"Eh? What’s wrong with all of you? Why does Perona look like she’s been crying?"
Shirahoshi greeted everyone warmly. When she saw Perona’s red eyes, she asked with both curiosity and concern.
"Nothing happened! And I wasn’t crying!"
Perona stubbornly denied it, though her gaze was fixed on Rorschach. Anyone could tell from her bright red eyes that she was lying.
Shirahoshi, however, looked relieved. She patted her own large chest.
"I’m so glad Perona is okay. I thought there was something wrong with the hospitality..."
"Shirahoshi, you’re really too pure. If someone with bad intentions tricks you, they’ll eat you down to the bones."
Nami said helplessly.
"Eh? I’m a mermaid, not a fish! Please don’t eat me!"
Shirahoshi completely misunderstood Nami’s words and immediately turned into her timid self again. Tears began welling up in her eyes as she looked like a frightened little rabbit.
The girls were already speechless.
After spending so many years inside the Hard Shell Tower, Shirahoshi had met very few people. She really was too innocent.
After a simple breakfast, everyone gathered together again.
With Jinbe leading the way, he guided Rorschach and the others around various parts of Fish-Man Island to experience the local culture.
Because of what Rorschach and the others had done yesterday, news of it had already spread across the entire island. They were warmly welcomed by the residents wherever they went.
However, Fish-Man Island wasn’t particularly large. After two days of sightseeing, they had already seen most of it.
Everyone found some things they were interested in learning, but Rorschach was starting to feel a little bored.
Looking at Shirahoshi, who still found everything on Fish-Man Island new and exciting, Rorschach suddenly had an idea.
"Hey, Shirahoshi. Do you want to go see the surface world? Instead of us just telling you about the sun and forests, why don’t you go see them yourself?"
"Eh? Really? Can I really go to the surface?"
Shirahoshi, who had been happily touching things at a roadside stall, suddenly froze. Then she spoke with great excitement.
She looked at Rorschach with hopeful eyes, wanting him to confirm it once more.
"No! Princess Shirahoshi! The surface is too dangerous! If anything happens to you, how am I supposed to explain it to King Neptune?!"
Jinbe was shocked and spoke with a serious expression.
Hearing Jinbe’s words, Shirahoshi’s expression immediately became disappointed.
She remembered her father’s repeated warnings not to go to the surface. She understood what Jinbe was saying.
"What’s the big deal? Don’t worry, Jinbe. With me here, no one can hurt Shirahoshi."
Rorschach patted Jinbe’s shoulder, signaling him not to be so tense.
"But..."
"There’s no ’but’. Shirahoshi has been living in the sea for over ten years and has never once been to the surface. Don’t you think that’s too pitiful?"
"An eagle must eventually leave its parents’ embrace and spread its wings. Shirahoshi’s dream is also to bring Fish-Man Island back to the surface and achieve peaceful coexistence with humans. What’s wrong with letting her experience the surface a little earlier?"
Rorschach interrupted Jinbe before he could continue.
Jinbe’s expression struggled for a few moments. Then, under Shirahoshi’s expectant gaze, he fell silent.
It was a silent approval, but he firmly stated that he would stay by Shirahoshi’s side at all times just in case.
Rorschach had no objections to that.
This time, it could be said that he acted on a whim.
He wanted Shirahoshi to go to the surface earlier so she would develop a longing for it, and hopefully accept his invitation to join his crew.
Rorschach had invited her once before, but Shirahoshi hadn’t brought it up again. It seemed she was still hesitating and hadn’t made up her mind.
This trip to the surface should help Shirahoshi find her answer — whether she should leave her parents’ embrace and go out to see the world for herself.
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