Chapter 261: Esdeath's Acknowledgment
The time to prepare the meal was very rushed. Even though Eric and Esdeath's battle was short, by the time it ended, the sun had already set.
Miku had no complaints about the simple welcome ceremony, but the only thing she was unhappy about was—
"Ugh~" Miku puffed out her cheeks in a cute way and pouted, "Why can't I sit with the lovely Wendy?!"
"Ah…" Wendy, like a little animal, shrank her shoulders and glanced around at Carla and Kana, who had protected her closely. "Actually, I really like Miku-nee, but…"
ShaLawLawteased, "Since you know you have a 'special' preference, how could I trust you to get close to Wendy!"
"Eh?!" Miku stretched her neck, poked her head over, and stared at the white cat with her shining big eyes. "Are you going to let Wendy grow up and marry some stranger?"
"Marry… marry a stranger?!" ShaLawLawfell into deep thought.
"So, while Wendy is still young, you should quickly correct her interests!"
"Mm, indeed…" ShaLawLawwas completely led astray.
Everyone simultaneously complained: "No, no, no, you two reaching this conclusion is quite strange."
"Miku-nee, ShaLawLuo, I heard everything…" Wendy's face turned bright red.
Suddenly, ShaLawLawrealized, frowning with anger, "You've been calling Eric 'Darling,' why not sit next to him?"
"Ugh…" Miku went silent, her silver-purple pupils peeking over at the side where the mighty Esdeath was sitting on Eric 's right, and the formidable elf, Kurumi, was on his left. She truly didn't dare to go over there!
"Are you afraid of Esdeath?" ShaLawLawjumped onto Miku's shoulder, biting her ear.
Miku silently nodded.
"What are you afraid of?" ShaLawLawencouraged her, "Which woman would give up on true love out of fear?"
"Go ahead, show Esdeath the determination a girl has for love!"
ShaLawLawstill couldn't forget the iron claw technique Esdeath used on her, where her snow-white belly was filled with rotten black water.
ShaLawLawdidn't dare to take revenge herself and could only encourage others, "Don't be afraid, just go!"
"...Okay!" Miku clenched her fists.
As if sensing something, Esdeath glanced over in their direction.
"Ah!" Miku took a step back, "N-nevermind…"
ShaLawLawpicked up her little legs and glared at her, "Is this how a woman in love acts?"
"Miku, you're here." Eric , unexpectedly, found Miku and ShaLawLawin a hidden corner. "Although the welcome ceremony is a bit simple, the main guest can't be absent from the venue."
"Don't tell me you're disappointed by the simplicity of the welcome?" Eric joked.
"Of course not!" Miku tightened her hold on Eric 's arm and squeezed closer. "It's just that with so many people, I'm a bit nervous…"
ShaLawLawwatched coldly and thought to herself, 'Women, born actresses.'
"Hahaha…" Eric laughed awkwardly. Even though he wanted to concentrate on talking to Miku, all his focus seemed to be on his arm.
"I was going to say something…" Eric furrowed his brows in thought.
ShaLawLawcommented, "You should eat some walnuts to improve your memory."
"Right, Miku. Can you go up and sing a song?" Eric finally remembered, "That way the crew can get to know you better."
Upon hearing Eric 's words, Miku slightly furrowed her brows and showed a painful expression. It was the day she last sang on stage, the day she lost her voice, a memory that was still vivid in her mind.
Eric , standing close to Miku, could clearly feel her breathing rate increase, her smooth skin tense, and her peerless face showing a pained expression.
Eric quickly realized, gently patting her back with his left hand, "If you haven't gotten over it yet, it's okay…"
"Mm… I'm fine…" Miku shook her head before Eric could finish Speaking.
"I have Darling by my side now. Including this past, I've decided to overcome it all."
"Miku…"
"If they don't like my songs, Eric will still be my fan, right?"
"Ah, yes." Eric nodded, looking into Miku's eyes, and said firmly, "I'll always be your fan."
Miku's silver-purple eyes gazed back at Eric , "Even if no one likes to hear me sing, as long as you're there, that's enough. When that time comes— I'll sing only for you."
"But, since I'm Eric 's idol, I won't tarnish your reputation. Let them immerse themselves in my songs~"
"Ah, let them listen to Miku's voice and let them be intoxicated by the beautiful music!"
In front of everyone's gaze, Miku stood at the center of the room, dressed in her splendid elven attire.
All the male members of the Dawn Pirates kept a respectful distance on the outermost edge to let Miku, who feared men, feel at ease.
Miku closed her eyes, cleared her throat, and calmed her excited emotions.
Behind her, a small part of the Breaking Army Singer appeared, playing a cheerful tune.
This song was one Miku performed when debuting as "Yomotori Tsuki."
It was the song she once sang on stage before she lost her voice due to her condition.
"————"
Miku began singing cheerfully, that long-forgotten song.
As she sang, Miku didn't use the enchantment of the "Elf's Voice," yet everyone listened intently, even Deidara, who cared nothing for anything besides explosive art.
Miku sang with all her heart, singing with all her strength. In her performance, Miku truly resembled her title of "Singer," and everyone slowly became enchanted by her voice.
As the song progressed, Miku's voice became even more captivating.
The Akame sisters, Akame and Kurumi, heard the war drums in their ears, with Akame holding meat and Kurumi holding snacks, eating with greater enjoyment.
Carla and Kana also swayed to the music, their attractive bodies moving with the rhythm.
Wendy, with her big, cute eyes, watched Miku, who seemed to magnetically attract everyone's attention, and sincerely praised, "Such a beautiful song."
Kurumi rested her hand on her cheek, "Ah, such a story-filled song. Even I got hooked~"
Even Esdeath, who had no interest in art, listened intently. "Although I know nothing about art, this song is really nice to listen to."
"A truly perfect voice." Da Vinci, who had a deep understanding of art, listened closely, "It's also a really good song."
—Finally, as the song ended, Miku was met with a loud applause.
Looking at the satisfied expressions of the listeners, hearing the warm applause, Miku clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes gradually wet with tears, 'There are people here who like my songs...'
"Thank you everyone… so, so much…"
Then, Miku shouted with a spirited voice:
"Thank you, Darling— I love you the most!"
Everyone's gaze turned to Eric , wearing an expression of "as expected," but at this point, Eric had nothing left to be shy about.
Among the cheers, some even shouted, "One more, one more!"
Gradually, the chorus of "One more" grew louder, making Miku feel incredibly moved.
"Thank you, then this next song is for everyone here—"
…
Miku's welcome ceremony ended, which could also be considered as Miku's small private concert.
Her voice, like a sweet poison, drew everyone in, even though she didn't use the "Elf's Voice" to enchant anyone.
"How can everyone exclude me?!" Miku cupped her face with both hands, pretending to cry, while a slit in her fingers revealed her silver-purple pupils secretly observing, "I also want to bathe with everyone and deepen our bond!"
"No, if you go in, it might get troublesome, so…"
"Evil-hearted~" Miku swore with a vow, "I won't do anything improper to everyone inside~"
"It's fine, I'll just lock you in the small black room and punish you if you misbehave…" Esdeath smiled dangerously, preparing to set a trap.
"…" The beautiful heaven and real heaven, two paths to choose from.
Miku seriously pondered whether to choose this thorny path to heaven.
"That's right, beautiful 'Singer' lady~" Kurumi chuckled lightly, "Don't think about peeking."
"Ughhh!" Miku gritted her teeth in frustration.
Half an hour later, the bathroom door finally opened. Miku, who had been sitting outside hugging her knees, stood up immediately, her nostrils twitching like a little animal.
Wendy curiously asked, "Miku-nee, what are you doing?"
"I'm smelling the scent, it smells so good, Wendy-chan~" Miku leaned toward her as if she were going to pounce.
"Eh?!"
"This guy has been outside all this time, hasn't peeped, huh?" Esdeath turned to ask Kurumi.
"Eh." Kurumi nodded, "My clone has been keeping watch outside. By the way, shouldn't your Observation Haki sense that?"
Wendy jogged ahead while Miku, arms wide, chased after her, "Come on, don't run, Wendy-chan~"
"By the way, Miku, do you have any spare clothes?" Kurumi stopped the chase.
"Eh?" Miku stopped chasing Wendy, tilting her head, "No."
"Phew… Looks like I need to ask Eric to make a stop at the next island for shopping."
Women's clothes are complicated, and the wardrobe is always missing something.
"Since that's the case, you can wear mine for now…" Kurumi stared at Miku's exaggerated curves, her words slightly hesitating.
She then raised an eyebrow, glancing at Esdeath
, comparing carefully.
'Seems like neither works...'
Miku tilted her head in confusion, "Why did you suddenly stop talking, Miss Kurumi?"
Kurumi sighed heavily, "Follow me…"
In Kurumi's room, Miku's voice sounded slightly pained. "Um, it's a bit tight… to be precise, it hurts… Miss Kurumi…"
As Kurumi helped her button up, even though she had prepared herself, the words "tight" and "pain" still stung, a vein popping on her forehead.
Miku shielded herself with her arms, softly asking, "Do you have a bigger size?"
"Hahaha…" Esdeath, sitting on Kurumi's bed, covered her stomach and laughed loudly, which only made Kurumi even more furious.
"Ah, why don't you let Miku try your clothes, Esdeath?"
"Ha, go ahead and try!" Esdeath threw a shirt and some underwear at Miku, then went back to her room.
After trying on the clothes, Miku spoke in a barely audible voice, "It's still a bit small…"
Why could even the barely audible voice be heard so clearly? Because the situation in the room was so quiet that a needle falling could be heard. Even Esdeath, who had mocked Kurumi earlier, looked cold. The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.
"I'll just wear the elven attire, it won't get dirty…" Miku suggested softly, the atmosphere from Esdeath making her feel stifled.
"No, I'll call Carla and Kana to bring their clothes."
After the clothes exchange, "Hmm, though it's still a bit tight, it's much better than the others' underwear." Miku was now wearing Carla's underwear, and there was no sign of pain in her voice.
Thus, the sizes of the women were sorted out…
As for Perona and Porche, who were still flat-chested, they were excluded from the comparison.
Miku finally, happily, took her clothes and went to bathe, leaving a bunch of women silently grumbling in the background.
…
Night fell, and the lights in the ship's rooms gradually turned off. Eric stared at the ceiling in his room, lost in thought.
"Creak," the door was gently pushed open.
"Click," the door was closed tightly again.
Eric softly asked, "Esdeath?"
In the darkness, Esdeath, dressed in her nightgown, stepped barefoot onto the floor, walking silently and answering, "It's me."
Their eyes met, her smooth hair cascading down both sides of her face, occasionally a few strands brushing against her face, causing Eric to feel a slight itch.
"...Didn't you say that since I won today's battle, you'd follow my orders from now on?"
Eric 's heartbeat accelerated, and in the quiet dark, Esdeath could hear it clearly.
"Heh, your heartbeat sped up."
"You still haven't answered me."
"Um…" Eric was speechless. He straightened his upper body and turned on the dim nightlight.
Under the faint yellow light, the white skin on Esdeath's neck appeared even more crystal clear.
'The light of a firefly can never compete with the sun and moon.' This flashed through Eric 's mind.
"Choosing someone younger than me to control was originally for better dominance," Esdeath sat on the bed, recalling her past criteria for choosing a partner, "But unexpectedly, I got attracted to you."
"Even with all your unsophisticated actions and somewhat childish words, you deeply attract me, Eric ."
"No, you're still you, Esdeath." Eric placed a finger on her lips, stopping her from Speaking further, then gently traced over her lips, feeling the soft warmth of her skin.
"I like the Esdeath who craves battle; the one with many flaws. If you change too much for me, you wouldn't be the invincible General Esdeath anymore."
"…" Esdeath's lips curved even more.
Suddenly, Esdeath leaned forward and sealed Eric 's mouth with hers, the vanilla-flavored ice cream filling her mouth.
"I deeply love you, Eric ."
(END CHAPTER)
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