Author's Corner: Hey guys, I owe you a super big apology. I haven't updated for basically this entire month, and I am so, so sorry about that. I had a pile of things to do, and unfortunately they took priority over my writing. I meant to upload all of the missed chapters at once, but I didn't want to leave you guys with nothing, so here's this for the time being. I wanted to let you know that I do have a break now, and I will be posting all the chapters from this month in the coming days, but thank you so, so much for being patient with me.
But, for now, I have uploaded four new chapters, so make sure to go back and read them (I also answered reviews in them, so make sure you don't miss them!)
As always, thank you so much for reading and stick around!
-jj
March 3/Thursday/7:00 am
Ahh, last night was fun.
After Mr. Toriko got arrested and we persuaded (coerced) Smoker into having some birthday cake with us, I noticed that Ace and Marco were among the officers taking the illegal animals out of the building, disguised in police uniforms. I didn't get to call out to them and ask about it though, because Tashigi-san came over to our table then and recognized Zoro and they got into a big argument trying to clear some things up, like how Zoro is not in fact a purse-thief and only looks like it because he has a scary face. We managed to calm everything down though and have some more cake.
And of course, then we came back to my place and got super drunk.
I got a lot of good additions to my Blackmail Folder.
Like I said, fun night.
"Yeah, so those cocoalas are really rare," Ace tells me as he, Luffy, and Nami sit at the counter eating breakfast this morning and I arrange two little old, handmade cloth dolls of an emperor and empress in the window, "They're fairly well tempered and you can't eat their meat, but they grow high quality cocoa beans on their back. But, when they mature into knock-out koalas, they can became really fierce and dangerous if you don't know how to handle them, and that's why they're illegal."
"So why were you and Marco collecting them last night?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Oh."
I glance up as the bell above the door rings and seconds later Luffy gets tackled right out of his seat.
"Luffy! It's been so long, my love!"
"What the-Eh? Hammock? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, please excuse me," the beautiful lady jumps off of Luffy, blushing, "It's just been too long since we've met, I forgot myself for a moment and became too bold."
"That's for damn sure," Ace mumbles into his coffee mug.
"Hi, Mari-san!" I wave happily to Hancock's younger sister who also stepped through the door.
"Good morning," she says, hefting a stack of papers onto the counter and I teeter my way over to see what it is, "Look Lily-san, the magazines are out for our swimsuit collection and I thought you'd like to view them."
"Oo, let's see, let's see!" Nami says excitedly, grabbing one off the top, "I want to see what my investment looks like. I expect that ten percent, by the way."
"Of course."
Nami flips through the first couple of pages until she stops on one. Ace peeks over her shoulder and whistles.
"Damn May, you make a good model."
Nami coughs daintily and tucks the magazine into her bra.
"I'll be keeping this, thanks."
"I'll take two," Ace says, reaching for the stack of magazines.
Marigold slaps his hand away.
"No! Not for you. Anyway, Lily-san, Elder Nyon wanted me to ask you if you'd like to come back. This issue has only been out for two days and its sales have been incredible."
"I've already been in contact with her," Nami says distractedly as she tries to keep Ace from snatching the magazine in her bra, "She'll be coming back as soon as her leg is healed."
"Nami?! When did you-?!"
"Wonderful!" Marigold claps her hands briskly, "We look forward to working with you again."
"Now wait just a moment here, Nami-"
"May looks forward to it, too."
"Come on, nee-sama, we should be going. We just stopped by to show you the magazines. Have a nice day," Marigold pulls her sister away from fawning over Luffy and starts for the door.
"At least have some coffee before you go! And Nami, we are having words."
"Oh, look at the time, I have to go. Right now."
"Wait, Nami, I want that magazine, get back here!" Ace calls after her as she escapes and follows her out.
11:15 am
The door opens as I finish putting some hishimochi in the display case and Zoro walks in, accompanied by a young girl in a kimono, and Kokoro-san and Chimney are behind them.
"Zoro! What are you doing here?"
He points at the young girl without explaining any further.
"Hello!" she chirps, bouncing up to the counter happily, "My name is Rika! Zoro-sensei is taking me to hina nagashi for today."
"She's a kid from the dojo. Her mum's busy, so she asked me if I could watch her."
"For Hinamatsuri? That's so sweet of you," I grin at him.
"Tch, whatever."
"Zoro-sensei is really funny! He kept getting turned around until we found the trolley and met Miss Kokoro and Chimney-chan."
"Oi, shut your mouth, brat."
Rika just giggles as Zoro pinches her cheek.
"Hi, Miss Lily! Do you like my yukata?" the young blond girl hops onto a stool with her cat-rabbit next to her, holding up her arms to show the pattern on the flowing sleeves to me: blue and yellow stripes with billowing clouds dotting it.
"Very pretty! Are you and your grandma on your way to the hina nagashi as well?"
"Yup! But, we wanted to stop here first and see if you had mochi today."
"And shirozake," Kokoro laughs.
"Just the mochi," I tell her firmly, "What kind would you like, sakura or hishimochi?"
"Both, please!"
3:00 pm
It's been a nice day. There's been a lot of families coming in on their way to hina nagashi to let paper dolls float into the sea, and the little girls looked so cute, all dressed up in their brightly colored kimonos and yukatas. Ace even came in with Moda for lunch a while ago (since her parents are busy at G-1, he was nice enough to take her), where I made us some chirashizushi. They asked me to come with them, but I have a café to run.
Business has slowed down for now, so I'm standing at the counter, filling out my puzzles.
The door slams open to reveal Izo and I squeak in surprise.
I drop my Sudoku book and pen and scramble to grab my crutches and make it as far as the kitchen door in my haste to get away from him, because he has that look burning in his eyes.
Yes, that look.
"May, the peach blossoms are blooming and we're having a little blossom-viewing party at my home. I have the perfect kimono for you to wear!"
Yup, that's the look. The 'you-are-about-to-become-my-personal-life-size-dress-up-doll-and-there's-nothing-you-can-do-about-it' look.
That look.
But, as I said previously, I only make it to the kitchen, tottering along with all the blazing speed of a champion racing turtle, when Izo catches me, picks me up with one graceful sweep of his arms and is on his way.
I resign myself to being carted off because really, when Izo gets like this, there's no stopping it. Izo situates me into his car, where I'm greeted by Nami and Robin who are lounging casually in the backseat while Makino occupies the front.
"Ah, you three got roped in as well?"
"Yup."
"I'm not complaining," Nami shrugs, "Who doesn't like dressing up every once in a while?"
"People who have café's to run," I grumble, halfheartedly tugging at the door handle; the safety locks on, so there's no escaping, "The flowers'll still be there after six o'clock."
"Unless they've shriveled up and died already in this cold weather," Robin interposes.
"Thanks, Robin. Real helpful."
She nods graciously and I slump against my seat, leaning on her shoulder.
"Maybe we could invite Rika, Moda, and Chimney. I'm sure they'd love to see the flowers," I say, trying to make the best of the situation; Robin pats my head soothingly.
"What a wonderful idea! Moda-chan is always welcome at my home and I'm sure the other two will be more than welcome," he gushes as we drive down Grand Line, "Good thinking, May."
It's not long before we arrive at his home in the middle of the forest in the middle of the city and he ushers us inside (not forgetting to take of our shoes at the entrance though).
"-And everyone's coming over as well, but they won't be arriving until six."
"Tell someone to pick up all of the mochi at the café and bring it over. I don't want it to go to waste. Preferably Jozu or Thatch, I trust them to handle it," I direct to Makino, who's closest to my pants which have my phone in the pocket as I stand in my undergarments and allow Izo to drape a beautiful red kimono over me.
"Izo, Izo, check out this wonderful thing I acquired," I hear Nami say and some paper rustles behind me where I can't see.
"Is this May?! Oh my little baby girl, look at her being all mature! When did you start modeling, May?"
I spin around and see that dreaded magazine in Nami's and Izo's hands and blush.
"Nami, put that thing away!"
"Do you have any more?" Izo asks her, flipping through the rest of the pages quickly, "I want ten copies!"
"Oh my god, you people are the worst!"
"But you look lovely, May!" Makino says, peering over Nami's other shoulder.
"I thought you didn't have a problem with it, May. Can't we appreciate your looks?" Nami asks.
"It's one thing to do it, it's another to actually see the results and watch people's reactions. It's embarrassing, y'know?" I sigh as Izo places a hand on my shoulder to turn me around and continue dressing me, "And I'm still upset that you set up another shoot without my permission. At least tell me before you do something like that."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Here, Robin, want to have a look?"
"I've already seen it."
"Wow, that was fast."
"What do you expect? Robin knows everything."
6:15 pm
"Stupid broken leg, stupid kimono, stupid crutches…"
I mumble moodily to myself as I sit outside of Izo's room. I can't walk because using my crutches will mess up the kimono Izo carefully dressed me in, and Nami, Robin and Makino are all busy so they can't carry me outside, and Izo is getting ready, so I'm stuck outside his room, mumbling about how everything is stupid.
Which it is.
"Well, don't you look happy."
I look up from my grumpy musings (which were starting to create a dark and gloomy air around me) to see Ace and Moda grinning down at me.
I pout, crossing my arms with some difficulty because of the long flowing sleeves.
"Everything's stupid and I can't walk."
"You look so pretty, Lily-san!" Moda kneels next to me, picking up my sleeve and rubbing it gently between her fingers, "Like a real magical flower hime-sama!"
I smile at the young girl and give her a hug.
"Thank you! You look cute as well."
"Where's Izo?" Ace asks, glancing around, only seeing Nami, Robin, and Makino, "He told me to be here by six."
The words have barely left his mouth when the door next to me slides open with a bang! and Ace gets yanked into the room by the strings of his hat.
"Geez! I told you to at least wear a yukata!" we hear Izo scold Ace from inside, "Good thing I have extras."
Moda and I stare at the closed door before looking back to each other. I reach for my crutches and make to get up.
"Quick, while Izo's distracted!" I whisper, "Let's go outside."
"May, if you take one step in that kimono and mess up my hard work, you're dead."
I shiver and quickly set the crutches down as Izo's voice carries through the fusuma; I've seen him mad before, and it's not something I want directed at me.
"Izo-san is scary," Moda says in a small voice.
"Sure is, yoi."
Both of us squeak and look up at Marco who stands above us, a blue yukata with gold flames loosely hanging off him.
"Marco, thank god, please, please take me outside," I tell him, reaching up my arms pleadingly, "I've been sitting here for two and a half hours with nothing to do, at least let me see the flowers I was pulled away from the café for."
"Ah, did Izo go overboard again?"
"Yes. And I do feel very pretty right now, but I'm bored as heck and my butt hurts."
"Alright, alright," he chuckles and slips an arm under my knees and the other supports my back and easily lifts me up.
Moda stares up at us with wonder.
"Hime-sama!"
Marco steps outside with Moda trailing behind us and I take a deep breath of the fresh air scented with flowers and smile as a sense of peace washes over me.
"Here we are, a throne just for hime-sama," Marco jokes as he sets me down on one of the pillows laying underneath the peach trees.
People start arriving in groups and the laughing and talking (and of course, drinking) soon starts up. Ace makes a reappearance, this time wearing a yellow yukata with orange and red flames and one sleeve carelessly shoved off of his shoulder and steals the sakura-mochi I'm eating. I stick my tongue out at him to let him know that I am greatly insulted.
"Hi Miss Lily!"
Chimney and Rika arrive with Zoro and fawn over my kimono and the peach blossoms, while Zoro finds the nearest available booze and joins in the drinking.
"Your kimono is really beautiful Lily-san!" Rika admires, taking a seat next to me; Ace sits on my other side and I'm using him to prop myself up with my legs spread in front of me.
"I want to be just as pretty as you when I grow up," sighs Moda.
"I want to be pretty like Zoro-sensei," Rika says seriously.
We all look over at the green-haired man drinking heavily with Vista and Haruta.
"He certainly is pretty, isn't he?" I grin at Rika and she nods enthusiastically, sparkles in her eyes.
"The prettiest! I want to be just like him!"
The rice paper doors leading into the house sweep aside and Izo finally comes out. His hair is pulled back into an immaculate bun and he wears a kimono of pale pink with darker shades complimenting it. Everyone watches in a sort of daze as he descends to the garden.
"I think Izo's the prettiest after all," I sigh dreamily.
"Izo! You're looking beautiful today as well!" someone calls.
"Thank you," he smiles, "Everyone, Nee-san called and said she's on her way."
Cheering breaks out and I look curiously around.
"Nee-san?" I ask Ace.
"Whitey Bay nee-san!" he says excitedly, "She's been away in North Blue for the last year to help and observe the animals up there, and she's finally back!"
"She's our most gorgeous and strong nee-san!"
"She could kill a person with her ice-cold stare!"
"I would unquestionably and gladly let her destroy me!"
"I could die happy if she punched me only once!"
"What a formidable lady," I remark; I think I've heard about her from the zoo workers a couple of times, but I've never met her personally. She certainly does sound like an intimidating and awe-inspiring person.
"Of course," he puffs proudly as Izo and Thatch take a seat next to us, "Nee-san is the best!"
"Ah, but having May as a little sister is good, too," Thatch says, "Plus, it's really funny to see all these tough guys bend to you when you use your trump card."
"Trump card? What's that?" asks Chimney.
"The sister card. Not even Marco stands a chance against it. Get a look. Oi, Marco! C'mere a moment!" he waves the man over.
"What, yoi?"
Thatch points at me to direct Marco's attention and he looks down at me, raising an eyebrow to ask what's going on.
"Nii-san!" I say determinedly.
The effect is instantaneous: he quickly covers his face to hide the pink that explodes there and Thatch laughs.
"What the hell was that for?" Marco demands.
"A demonstration of May's ultimate weapon. Effective, isn't it?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he grumbles, regaining his cool expression.
"Aw, Marco, you're such a softie," Ace chuckles, turning to the younger girls, "You should see that when she does it to Jozu, it's even better because he's usually so stoic."
"Alright, let's stop teasing Marco," Izo says before looking at Chimney and Rika and smiling gracefully at them, stunning the young girls, "Welcome to my home, I hope you enjoy the flowers."
"Yes!"
10:30 pm
"Wait, no, no, it goes like this over this. Uh, or is the other way around? God, why is this so confusing?!"
It's been a good night. We stayed at Izo's house until ten, enjoying the view of the peach blossoms lit up by strands of lights that hung from the branches, although the girls left early, picked up by their parents to visit the grand hina ningyo doll display at Wano district shrine.
"Make sure to put your own dolls away soon," I reminded each of them before they left, "My mom told me she left them out too long after Hinamatsuri when she was young and that's why she never got married."
"In that case, make sure to put away yours as well, Lily-san!" Moda called back, "So you can get married!"
That caused several outcries from everyone around me.
"No! May's never going to get married!"
"She's our little sister, we can't give her away lightly!"
"I'll kill whoever touches our precious May!"
I also met Whitey Bay, who true to what I've heard, is drop dead gorgeous and looks like she could crush you.
In the best way possible, of course.
Robin had to snap Nami and I out of our stupor when our gaping went on too long to be considered polite.
"Wait, but why does Marco call her 'Nee-san', too?" Nami asked, pink still dusting her cheeks in the face of the beautiful woman.
"Obviously because she's older."
"No way! She looks like she could be Robin's age! And Marco's so old! I know he is, because he won't ever tell me his age!"
"Oi, I'm not that old."
Izo told me I could keep the kimono and so when the party was over, Ace carried me home.
However, there was one detail both of us forgot, and that's neither of us know how to take off a kimono properly.
"Can't you—I don't know—just sorta shimmy out of it?" Ace gives up trying to undo the elaborate cloth around my waist.
"Yeah. No, not possible."
Hours later with many phone calls to Izo giving step by step instructions on how to take off the kimono and tangled fabric and breaks for tea in between, we somehow manage to get it off.
"Finally! Dear god, what a hassle," I stretch my back, free from the corset-like wrap, not particularly caring that I'm down to a slip and underwear.
"I'm tired just from that ordeal," Ace moans from the bed, having flopped down on it the moment the last layer fell to the floor, "Who knew clothes could be so difficult? And also, I'm hungry now."
"Want to watch some shitty reality TV show and eat junk food?" I offer, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Hell yeah."
