"So Nami is your sister. You lied to me," Alex said.
"Please don't do anything to Nami. I'm begging you," she pleads.
"First your sister deceived me and tried to steal my money. Now you deceived me too?" he said, his voice sharp with accusation.
"Now you know where Nami is. Are you going to kill her? If you try to hurt my sister, I swear I'll kill you first!" she shouted, her voice was cold with rage.
"Relax. Why would I kill her? Do I look like someone who kills people?" Alex said, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"So are you going to leave?" she asks.
"Yes. And I'm taking all the gold she stole from people," he said.
"Come on. Use your brain. She doesn't have any gold. If she did, she wouldn't need to steal," Nojiko says confidently.
"Nice try miss. If you say she has nothing, then I should check the place someone said has treasure. Near the tangerine tree... or was it a gravestone?" Alex says, chuckling softly.
Nojiko looks shocked.
How does he know that?
She grabs his hand, her fingers digging into his skin, looking directly into his eyes.
"How do you know that?" Nojiko asks.
Alex puts a finger to his lips and winks.
"Secret. Now excuse me, my treasure is waiting."
"Wait! Don't take her money. She worked really hard for it," she said.
"Worked hard? You mean stealing?" Alex replies.
"Don't. Please—I'll do anything."
Her voice was quiet, but her eyes were blade-sharp—no fear, no hesitation. Only the absolute certainty of a threat.
" If you do anything for me I guess I can forget my grudge "Alex said, his eyes studying her intently.
Her face lit up, a wave of relief washing over her—finally, a chance to make things right.
"Thank you! What do you need? Just tell me," she replied, her voice brimming with relief, her body relaxing slightly.
"Anything? Then become my woman," Alex said.
"What...?" she says, stepping back.
"Didn't you just say you'd do anything?" he said.
"Can I do something else?" She fidgeted, fingers twisting together
"Yes. You can load Nami's treasure onto my ship," he said.
She get annoyed.
"Can I get a third option?"
"No. Give me Nami's treasure or yourself. I don't have time. I'll start counting to three. If you don't decide, I'll choose the first option," Alex says, crossing his arms.
The air was thick with tension. Silence is fill in the room. Nojiko mind is overdrive try to think all the possibility. The only sounds they can is Alex counting.
"Three..."
"Two..."Nojiko's head swirled with questions and possibilities.
"One..."
"Just kidding," Alex said, a wide, playful grin spreading across his face.
Nojiko's face twisted in confusion, her eyebrows furrowing. "What?"
"Just a little prank for lying to me," Alex replied, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
She swung her arm back and punched his gut with full force, the impact landing with a solid thud. He didn't feel anything, his expression barely changing.
"Can you stop stressing me out?" she said, her voice a mix of relief and exasperation.
"Well, I wasn't completely lying. I'll still take proper compensation from Nami," Alex said.
"Only a little, right?" Nojiko asked.
"Sure," Alex shrugged.
"But I still want you as my woman," he added, his eyes locking on hers, a persistent intensity in his gaze.
"Can you drop this prank already?" she snapped, her patience wearing thin, her voice laced with annoyance.
Alex stepped closer, locking eyes with her. "I'm serious. What's your answer?"
"No," she said flatly, her voice firm and resolute, her eyes meeting his without flinching.
How do I convince her? I need all my favorite girls in my harem. The thought echoed in my mind, a relentless desire.
"I helped your villagers. I spared your sister after what she did. And you still reject me?" I try to manipulate her.
"Are you trying to guilt-trip me? You're just twisting things to get what you want." Nojiko shot back, arms folded tightly across her chest.
"Is it working?" I asked
"Not really," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.
"If you become mine, I'll destroy the Arlong Pirates," Alex offered, his voice serious now, the promise hanging in the air.
She studied him, her gaze searching, skeptical. He's strong, she could sense that raw power, but Arlong's crew? Impossible. Arlong was a monster.
"What's going through that head of yours? Don't try to tell me you don't want to help your village—or your own sister." Alex said, his voice pressing, probing her deepest desires.
"Stop. Fine—I'll accept, and you have to get rid of Arlong," Nojiko said.
"There's one thing I didn't mention… my plan to build a harem," Alex grinned.
"You're delusional. Is defeating Arlong part of that delusion too?" Her voice dripped with disdain, her eyes rolling almost imperceptibly.
"Do you accept my 'delusion'?" Alex asked, his smile unwavering.
She paused, her gaze distant for a moment, considering the implications. "Huh… Whatever. I accept your offer. Make that delusion a reality."
I raised my hand for a handshake, the air still thick with unspoken tension. Nojiko reluctantly shook it, her hand cool and slightly damp in his.
"Good choice, my dear Nojiko," I says, smiling.
I grab her hand and pull closer to me, the scent of her hair, like blooming jasmine, filling my nostrils. She resisted—just a little—her skin impossibly soft under my grip. I guided her toward the small wooden table by holding her hand, the wood smooth and worn.
"Are you done cooking?" I asked, my stomach rumbling slightly.
"Yes. Can you wait a little? I'll serve you shortly," she said.
She escapes his grip, her hand feeling strangely cold after his touch, and walks to the small cooking area.
"We'll eat together. So take out two plates," Alex said, his gaze following her.
She enters the kitchen, the aroma of the stew still lingering in the air.
"Huh... What has my life become?" she whispers.
I hope he loses interest in me someday...
I took out two simple ceramic plates and filled them with the hearty stew, the vapors rising from the meal swirling with the fragrant scent of herbs and meat.
Carrying both plates carefully, the warmth radiating through the ceramic, I walked toward the table. As I set the food down, the gentle clink of the plates against the wood a soft sound in the quiet room, and tried to sit across from him, he said,
"Don't sit across from me—sit next to me." He pointed to the right side of his chair.
Nojiko walked to where he pointed and sat down.
"Are you feeling happy taking advantage of lonely girl" She said.
"Very much," he answered, smiling.
"You make me sick," she muttered.
"Now, now, don't spoil our first dinner date. Why don't you feed me?" I suggested, my eyes twinkling mischievously.
"I'm not doing that," she said, her voice rising.
I lifted my hand and pinched her cheek, pulling it back and forth gently, the soft skin yielding to my touch. She glared at me as if she wanted to kill me, her eyes narrowed.
"I could do this all day, my dear," I teased, still pinching her cheek, enjoying her reaction.
She gripped her spoon, the cool metal firm in her hand, dipped it into the steaming stew, and brought it near my mouth, her expression a mixture of annoyance and resignation. I released her cheek and opened my mouth to eat, the first taste exploding on my tongue—rich, savory, and perfectly seasoned. My eyes lit up at the delicious flavor.
"It's delicious!" I said excitedly, savoring the taste.
"I didn't know my girl had magic in her hands," he remarked, his gaze admiring.
"Shut up," she replied, slightly embarrassed.
She took another spoonful, the fragrant steam rising towards her face. Alex opened his mouth, and Nojiko reluctantly fed him, their eyes meeting briefly. After clearing half the plate, Alex took the spoon from Nojiko's hand, their fingers brushing lightly.
He dipped it into the savory stew.
"Open your mouth, dear," Alex said, holding the spoon out to her with a playful smile
"I can eat by myself," Nojiko protested, a hint of stubbornness in her voice.
"Just say 'ahh,'" Alex replied with a playful smile.
Nojiko gave in with a sigh and opened her mouth. Alex began feeding her, the warmth of his hand near her face. The room's atmosphere was a strange mix of relief, awkwardness, and slight tension.
"So, Nojiko, do you have any plans for the future?" Alex asked curiously, his gaze thoughtful as he continued to feed her.
After swallowing, the taste of the stew lingering pleasantly, Nojiko answered, "No, I don't have any plans."
"Really? There's nothing you desire?" Alex pressed, his eyes searching hers intently.
"The only thing I want is for Nami to be safe from evil people," Nojiko said, her gaze unwavering as she stared directly into his eyes, a silent challenge in her expression.
"Well, you can cross my name off that list," Alex said, a playful wink accompanying his words.
"I don't know about that. First, you'll have to earn my trust," Nojiko said with a smirk, a flicker of defiance in her eyes.
Alex winked at her. She gave him a questioning look.
"Can you stop feeding me now? I can eat by myself," Nojiko insisted, a hint of playful annoyance in her voice.
"Nice way to ruin the mood. Fine, you win," Alex responded, giving up on her demand.
Nojiko and I continued our dinner, the clinking of spoons against plates filling the quiet room, chatting here and there, the conversation flowing between them. After eating for a while, the satisfying warmth of the food filling their stomachs, we finally finished, the plates now empty.
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