Chapter 4
Mizuke slipped from the room as stealthily as he could after he determined everyone to be too drunk to notice, or too deep in sleep to hear him. He'd sipped at a beer all evening to keep up the impression that he was participating in their fun. To his satisfaction, it seemed to have worked. Those whose heads weren't down in slumber were struggling to find a center of gravity.
The comforting summer night air breezed through his white hair as he walked. The city was quieter now and dim lighting appeared from within its resident's homes. He remembered this place all too well: memories that he'd forgotten for so long. But being here brought back them all back.
Mizuke slowed his pace as he passed a large, multi-colored globe-home whose property was enclosed by a crystal and emerald fence guarded by two tall, burly men in white suits. They glared down at him as he passed. He scowled at the house and its guards.
That bastard lives here…
He stormed away and when he was out of site of the place, sat on an empty stone bench. He waited for twenty minutes and when no one was in sight, he stood up to leave. A voice called from behind him.
"Lovely night for a walk, isn't it?"
"Only if you've a clear conscience." Mizuke turned around and met a tall, thin man wearing a boater and suspenders. The two sat down on the bench in relaxed poses and looked ahead.
"How's your week been, my friend?"
"Educational and slow, how's yours?"
"Any news on next week's weather?"
"I hear of a storm coming to Scanty Isle."
"A big one, eh?" The man shifted his legs to a more comfortable position.
"No one's expecting it, I find."
"That's good news, indeed, my friend."
"The best."
"Sorry about your mother."
Mizuke froze. The man smiled and stood. "There, there, my friend. I'm only going off gossip."
The man walked in a cheerful manner until he disappeared into the night. Only the lanterns above his head and a few beetles scurrying about the ground gave him company now. Mizuke sat in silence, alone in his most hated city in the world.
Author's Note:
Ayy two chapters in one day? What is this?!
like I said, I wanna finish it heehee
I hope my writing is okay, let me know how I can improve it. Criticism is welcome 😉
Thank you for reading! Sorry to my readers who were left hanging all the way back in 2013 T_T (if you're still here, you're awesome!)
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece, just Mui/Mizuke, thanks.