"Are you getting up?"

"Not now."

"You sure? I'm gonna make breakfast . . ."

"I'm tired. I'll eat later."

". . . Okay. See you."

After breakfast, Usopp left the house, Nami still in bed. The air and streets were damp from yesterday's rain, and each footstep slapped wet and slick against the pavement.

He had kissed Sanji—merely the back of the hand, true, but he had kissed him nonetheless. And Sanji had liked it—well, he hadn't disliked it—well, he hadn't shown open disgust towards it—but maybe, just maybe, Usopp thought, the glimmer of whatever chance he had with Sanji had just grown wider.

Usopp grinned and swung his arms back-and-forth and side-to-side as his step became jaunty and his almost maniacal smile would make passerby hurry their children away.

He was practically walking on air with his head in the clouds, and so he almost didn't notice when he floated right by the shop. He crashed back to Earth blinking in shock and quickly backed up.

"Zoning out, are we?" Franky said as he entered. He clapped him on the back, and Usopp winced at the smacking of metal to flesh.

"Maybe," Usopp admitted. He grinned at Chopper in greeting and said, "I was thinking about the masked man's adventures . . ."

"More of the secret agent?!" Chopper exclaimed, arms waving about excitedly.

"What adventures has the suspicious weirdo got up to now?" Franky asked.

"Why do you hate m—him?!" Usopp exclaimed indignantly. "He never even did anything to you!"

"Because when we talked to him, he was suspicious as all get-out," Franky said in exasperation. "But I like your version of him. Go on."

"I'm sure you'd like him if you met him again," Usopp muttered. "Anyway! Where did I leave off again? Ah, yes—Sogeking wished to ask the King what was troubling him, but was forced to flee lest his identity as a peasant be discovered. And he definitely kissed the King's hand! That happened."

He grinned. "Moving on . . . with the help of his fairy godmother, who once again had waited for his arrival, Sogeking was able to return to the castle the following night. The guard at the door recognized him and graciously allowed him inside once more. Sogeking was quickly becoming a welcome visitor at the castle, it seemed! But this time, something had gone horribly wrong . . . a murder had taken place within the castle walls, and now Sogeking himself was a suspect!"

Franky reached for a bottle of cola as Chopper gasped. "Boy," he muttered, "that escalated quickly."

"Why was Sogeking a suspect?!" Chopper said indignantly. "He wasn't even there, was he?!"

"Loathe as he was to suspect such a fine man, the King had to take everyone into consideration," Usopp explained. "And since Sogeking had visited the night before, he could very well have set a trap . . ."

"Oh, no!" Chopper exclaimed. "What happened next?"

"Despite his status as a suspect, Sogeking volunteered his services to deduce the killer's identity." Usopp clenched a fist. "The other suspects included the King's advisor, two mysterious young women, and the King's three guards . . . and unfortunately, the King himself!"

Before he could go on, Franky butt in with, "Who was murdered?"

"What?" Usopp said.

"You said someone was murdered. Who was the stiff?"

"Oh!" Usopp cleared his throat. "His name was unknown . . . but he had fine curly hair, dark as the night, and an unusually long nose . . . he was known as the royal painter before he died!"

Franky grinned at this. "Uh-huh."

"What was his name?" Chopper asked eagerly.

"His name . . ." Usopp paused. "Shall not be revealed! But for this story's sake, we will call him . . . Colonel Mustard! He was never in the army, it was only a nickname."

"I like it," Franky said. "Who's Sergeant Ketchup?"

"No one, don't be silly."

"That name sounds familiar," Chopper remarked, resting his head in his arms.

Usopp laughed. "Does it? Anyway, Sogeking set out to discover the culprit—but seeing as he was a suspect himself, he was accompanied by the King and the others. Their first clue was found with the body itself . . . rope marks on the wrists!"

"Not on the neck, huh?" Franky said curiously. Chopper shuddered.

"Goodness, no—though this was surprising to Sogeking as well!" Usopp tapped his nose, grinning as he wove the tale. "Perhaps Colonel Mustard had been in a fight—Sogeking suggested this to the others, but the King's advisor pointed out there were no signs of a struggle, nor did the rope appear to have cut off circulation in any vital areas."

"How'd he die, then?" Chopper asked with a touch of morbid curiosity.

"This is exactly what Sogeking and the others asked themselves," Usopp said, raising a finger by his head. "One of the young women in the party—we shall call her Madame Scarlet—suggested it was perhaps poison, as there were no physical signs of death. Sadly, the castle's doctor was away at this time, but for the time being everyone thought it safe to assume the cause of death was indeed poison."

"Injected or ingested?" Franky asked.

"No one could find an injection site, and so they assumed ingested if anything," Usopp explained. "At this point, the second young woman, we shall call her Madame Peacock, asked that the group begin examining the castle's rooms for clues, and so they set off to explore the place." He pointed as he spoke, seeing the imaginary rooms in his mind's eye. "The ballroom, the conservatory, the foyer . . . they found many an odd item lying about, such as a candlestick and a revolver, but the candlestick was clean and cold and the revolver in a similar state."

"You've gotta go to work soon," Chopper said, looking at the digital clock nearby.

"But when they reached the study, where the body had first been found, they—!" Usopp halted and looked at the clock. "Oh, geez—I'll just finish this up real quick—um, they found the rope in the study and a few things knocked over, so it seemed the victim had been tied up in that area! Perhaps the poison had been force-fed to him, suggested one of the guards, but at that moment, the victim walked into the study, alive and well!"

"Wait, what?!" Chopper yelled.

"That's one heck of a plot twist!" Franky exclaimed.

"Colonel Mustard explained everything," Usopp said quickly. "During dinner the previous night, when he had visited the King, he had meant to add Tabasco sauce to his food, but accidentally sprinkled on a poison instead, one which makes the drinker appear dead, but really they are only sleeping!"

"How do you mix up hot sauce and poison?!" Chopper exclaimed.

"He was careless! In any case, after dinner, he had gone to the study to set up a demonstration using rope, but managed to tie himself to the chair in the process—the poison kicked in just as he untied himself, which explained the rope marks on his body, and why he had apparently been found dead. The end, for now!"

"Some ending for a thirty-second invention," Franky remarked. "So it was mostly the victim's fault all along."

"More or less!" Usopp jumped up. "Gotta go, bye!"

When Usopp entered the tavern, Koala made a point of not looking at him save for the nod of greeting in the beginning. Zoro would sometimes look between her and Usopp (or what he could see when Usopp was ducked behind his easel), and when Brook joined the bar, he often looked as though he wished to say something, but stayed silent.

The time of evening came when the bar was empty save for Zoro, Brook, Koala, and Usopp, and Usopp finally worked up the courage to ask.

"Why are you mad?" He set down his paintbrush. "I mean, I'm sorry for whatever I did, but . . ."

Koala paused in wiping a mug and set it on the counter. Zoro watched with interest, slowly sipping his final drink of the evening, while Brook tapped out a faint rhythm with a finger, eyes darting between them.

"The way you spoke to the King last time he was here," she said slowly. "Because of that, he hasn't come back. So, not only did I lose a customer, but Sabo hasn't been coming here either."

"The way I—was I rude?!" Usopp exclaimed, thinking back to the last time Sanji had paid a visit to the tavern.

"Hardly, but I think that was the problem," Koala muttered. "Sorry, I shouldn't be mad at you. You didn't know what you were doing."

"Why do I feel like everyone knows what's going on but me?" Usopp mumbled, resting his chin in his hands.

"Shouldn't we tell him?" Brook murmured to Zoro.

"No, he'll get it sooner or later," Zoro said with a shrug. "This is more fun anyway. Better than TV."

"What are you guys whispering about?" Usopp said, looking over his easel.

"I wonder if he would even believe it if we told him," Koala remarked to Zoro.

"I'm still here!"

"That's the thing, he'd probably deny it," Zoro agreed. "There's no hope."

"Really, you two," Brook muttered reproachfully.

"I'm going home," Usopp announced, standing and gathering his art supplies. "Um, Koala, I still don't get it because no one's explaining, but I'm sorry."

"Sorry for ignoring you," Koala said with an apologetic smile. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Usopp agreed with a tentative smile. Brook came over to help him with the supplies.

"I thought that might be it," Nami said once Usopp had finished telling her of his day.

"Why didn't you explain?!" Usopp exclaimed. "Is everyone determined to hide stuff from me?!"

"Because even when Koala told you what was bothering her, you didn't understand exactly what you did," Nami said. "I thought, too, that that would happen."

"I live in a web of lies and secrets," Usopp said dramatically, flopping onto the couch.

"Much of that is your fault!" Nami drew her wand. "I'm ready when you are. Do you feel like revealing yourself to the King tonight?"

"No, of course not! Not yet, anyway—" Usopp stood and stretched. "Maybe soon? I don't know—"

Nami rolled her eyes and they went to the front door. She raised her wand, and Usopp kept an eye not on the wand this time, but on her.

When she finished the spell, she leaned against the wall in an attempt to be casual with her usual order of, "Go."

Usopp stood still. "Nami, is something wrong?"

"I said go."

Usopp frowned, noticing her legs wobble. "Nami . . . why do you always want me to leave the second you finish the spell?"

"Leaves . . . more time for . . . you," she murmured, looking away. She began sliding down the wall.

"Nami—" Usopp knelt and caught her. "Hey, what's going on?!"

She shook her head weakly. "Nothing . . ." The wand slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor. "I'm . . . fine . . ."

Her eyes fluttered shut and she became dead weight in his arms.

"Nami—hey, Nami!"

Gentle shaking brought forth no response, but her breath was steady. Usopp half-carried, half-dragged her to the parlor and laid her gently on the couch, afterwards bringing her wand out and placing it on the table.

"Be back later," he whispered.

"Oh, Sogeking," Sabo said, meeting him at the door. He yawned. "Wait for just a second . . ."

"No, young Sabo," Usopp said, holding up a hand as an idea popped into his head. He furrowed his brow briefly in thought under the mask. "You should know . . . there is a lady who greatly misses your company."

Sabo turned back to him, eyes wide. "Is that so?"

Usopp nodded.

"Really?" Sabo said, grinning. "Oh, geez, I've missed her too—I'll sneak down tomorrow to see her—thank you!"

He turned and hurried into the castle. Usopp silently congratulated himself.

"Mr. Sogeking?"

He looked at the girl in surprise. She gave him a smile. "Good evening. Come inside."

"Where is Sanji?" Usopp asked, following her indoors, where they met with Robin as Sabo resumed his post.

"I thought we should meet with you privately first," Robin said, leading the two of them down a hall where Usopp had never set foot. "You needed to see the laws of the land, didn't you?"

She opened a door and they entered the library. Usopp looked around and spotted what the girl was looking at: A thick volume on the highest shelf.

"How are we gonna get that?" he muttered.

Robin and the girl glanced at each other.

"Shall I?"

"If you want to."

As Usopp watched, he had to stifle a shriek when an arm sprouted from the high shelf and plucked the book from it. A chain of newly-sprouted limbs carried the book down to the trio, and Usopp caught it, eyes wide. The arms vanished and he stared at Robin in shock.

"What was that?!" he exclaimed.

"Do keep your voice down," the girl murmured.

"You seem surprised," Robin remarked. She beckoned, and they sat at a table. "I don't really blame you, however . . . I'm sure you knew since we could tell there was magic about your disguise, but I have certain abilities."

"A witch," Usopp said, comprehension dawning under the mask.

"She is," Robin said, gesturing to the girl, who pulled a wand similar to Nami's from her sleeve. "But I only have my abilities . . . because my mother was impregnated by a witch. I can copy my body parts across surfaces . . ." Here she sprouted a third eye blinking upon her forehead. "And I can tell when there's magic in the air . . . but nothing more than that."

Usopp stared at her.

"What?" Robin said in amusement, her third eye vanishing. "I hope we weren't wrong to trust you with this?"

"Not at all," Usopp said. "I might . . . tell my companion about it, but . . ."

"So long as you trust them in turn, I'm sure it will be fine," the girl said softly, stowing her wand away again.

Usopp blinked and looked down at the book again. "Oh, right, gotta start looking . . ."

As he rifled through the pages, a thought occurred to him and he looked up. "Does King Sanji know?"

"About us? No," Robin replied. "It's not that . . . we don't trust him, it's just . . . well. I'm sure you understand, your companion being what they are."

"I see." Usopp frowned at the pages. "Um, is there an index or something?"

With their help, he soon found the page he was looking for and skimmed the list of laws. At last, he found what he was looking for:

Any perſon found to be a witch, ſorcerer, or other magicker ſhall be put to death on the ſtake without a trial.

He gulped. "Okay. Found it." He shut the book. "I'll tell her tonight. Thank you so much."

Robin sprouted a chain of arms, and Usopp watched in wonder as they carried the book back up to the shelf.

"I wish you best of luck with King Sanji," the girl said with a cheeky smile.

Usopp looked at her, intending to thank her, but hesitated.

"Yes?"

"I don't think I ever learned your name," he said slowly.

"Oh dear, really?" she exclaimed. "My name's—"

"Sogeking?"

The three whipped around in their seats to see Sanji standing in the open door.

"I thought I heard voices," he explained with a smile of greeting. "Having a secret meeting?"

"Hardly," Robin said smoothly. "I wasn't sure where you'd gone off to, Sire, and I thought I'd show Mr. Sogeking this fine collection."

"Ah, I see," Sanji said. "Sogeking, I am glad you're here . . . I wanted to speak with you in private, if I could."

"P—Private?" Usopp repeated, standing. "Of course—Sire—Sanji."

He cast a nervous glance back at Robin and the girl as he followed Sanji out, and they gave him encouraging smiles.

"Here we are . . ."

They stood on a small balcony overlooking the side of the castle. While Usopp watched Sanji uncertainly, Sanji's gaze remained fixed on the night before them.

"It's a beautiful night."

"Yes."

Sanji shifted. "I figured out who you remind me of."

Usopp froze. "Who . . . ?"

"The one I love."

Silence.

"Then . . ."

"I suspected as much." Sanji looked at him now, eyes unreadable. "Somehow . . . you have feelings for me."

Usopp hesitated, and then placed one hand bravely upon Sanji's resting on the balcony.

"Yes," he admitted, voice growing strong. "Sire, I love you."

Sanji chuckled. "So, I was right . . . this time."

He didn't remove his hand, but neither did he make any other movement.

"Not long ago, I thought he loved me, too. But I was wrong."

"Then—" Usopp's hand shook over Sanji's, and he brazenly took it up in both of his. "If I remind you of him—?"

"I'm sorry." Sanji took his other hand and clasped Usopp's with it gently. "I'm so sorry. You're wonderful, but I can't let go of him yet."

Usopp nodded slowly and pulled his hands away. "Even when . . . I'm like this, you still . . . I understand."

"Thank you. You've been amazing."

"I'll go."

Sanji looked up at him. "Oh? But it's not ten yet."

Usopp turned away. "I have—an early engagement tonight. It cannot wait any longer. Adieu."

He made his way to the door.

"Will you return another night?"

Usopp paused.

"I hope so."

He vanished behind the door. Sanji folded his arms on the balcony railing and slouched, head resting on his forearms.

"Sire . . ."

He looked up again to see Robin standing the doorway.

"Evening," he said dully. "I suppose you could hear us?"

"My apologies." She leaned against the wall. "I only eavesdropped to make sure you weren't in danger."

"I see." He turned around, back to the railing. "Was I too harsh?"

"Not at all. You were as gentle as could be, really."

"That's good. I hope he comes back sometime."

Robin tilted her head to look at the stars glimmering above. "It's a lovely night."

"Yes."

Usopp crept into the house, mask and fancy clothes still present, and found Nami fast asleep on the couch. He went to the kitchen and returned not long after with a bowl of warm alphabet soup, which he set on the table. He sat on the armrest of the couch and waited silently.

Nami stirred and slowly opened her eyes, alerted by the smell, and squinted at the bowl. She looked around and jumped when she spotted Usopp at the edge of the couch.

"You're back early," she murmured, sitting up and taking the bowl. "Thank you . . ."

Usopp got himself seated properly on a cushion (with Nami's legs out of the way now) and gave a nod. "So . . . how are you?"

Nami looked at the clock with a small frown as she warmed her hands with the bowl. "It's hardly half-past nine," she remarked.

"I left a bit earlier than that. I kinda dawdled in the street."

Nami looked at him again. He hadn't removed the mask.

"Those two helped me when I arrived," Usopp said. "Ms. Robin and that girl . . . oh, speaking of them—"

He briefed her on what he had learned about them, and Nami was staring in surprise when he finished.

"Two witches, underneath a royal roof," she said thoughtfully, sipping the soup. "Clever . . ."

"Robin said she's not really a witch, even though she has that weird power," Usopp corrected. "But . . . yeah. And . . . the law about putting witches to death—it was never abolished. I'm sorry."

Nami bit her lip and nodded. "Of course. We'll work on that later."

"Yeah."

Nami eyed him. "What else happened?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Take off the mask."

"What?"

"There's no need to keep it on. I know who you are. Just take it off."

Usopp stared at the ground. He lifted his hands as if weights had tied themselves to his wrists and brought them to the back of his head, untying the straps keeping the mask in place. He slid it off his face, along the length of his nose, and let his hands drop again.

"What's wrong?"

"It's pretty weird," Usopp mumbled, trying to scrub away the drying tear-tracks. "Geez, Nami, you missed everything. There was a sudden huge sandstorm outside, and I got caught in it, a whole bunch got in my eyes . . ."

"Liar."

He sat still as if struck dumb by the accusation.

"What's wrong?" Her voice was gentle this time.

Usopp shook his head. "He . . . Sanji, King Sanji, he . . . doesn't love me."

Nami waited.

"I thought . . . maybe he'd confess, but . . . but no, he said—he said that I'm great and amazing, he really did, but that whoever he has a crush on is still on his mind, and he can't let go of whoever it is—" Usopp smiled shakily. "I—I love him, but—if he'd be happier with his own crush, that's good. I want him to be happy, too."

"You were crying."

"It hurt!" Usopp set the mask on the table and propped his head in his hands. "It hurt. But just 'cause it hurt me doesn't mean I don't want the best for him—y'know?"

Nami slowly set the bowl on the table and hugged him around the shoulders.

"I would hit you," she muttered, "but . . . oh, god, Usopp. You poor idiot."

"What now?"

"Listen . . ." she pulled back and patted his shoulder. "Go back tomorrow in disguise and show King Sanji who you are."

"What?!"

"I have a funny feeling it will turn out well. Trust me on this."

Usopp hesitated.

"What now?"

"I can't go tomorrow."

"And why is that?"

"You . . ." Usopp looked her up and down. "Is the magic . . . taking a toll on your body?"

Nami looked away. "Er . . ."

"Have you been collapsing every night?"

"I'm just out of practice," she protested weakly, taking up the bowl of soup again. "The energy to make that disguise from nothing has to come from somewhere, but it'll be better if I get used to it again—"

"No way." Usopp shook his head vigorously. "I'm willing to go back if you really think revealing myself is a good idea—and, I mean, I do owe Sanji at least that—but not tomorrow night. Maybe the night after, but you need a break."

The fancy clothes and mask shimmered as he spoke, and by the time Nami was hesitating, looking at her wand on the table and pressing her lips in frustration, Usopp was back in his regular clothes.

"Okay," she said at last, relenting. She leaned back against the couch. "Okay. You win. I'll take a break from this."

"Thank goodness," Usopp said with a relieved smile. "I mean, I don't want you to tax your body like that because of me—"

"The eve after tomorrow night," Nami said. "If luck's on our side, I won't have to disguise you after that anyway. Okay?"

Usopp gave her a reluctant nod.

"Okay." Nami sipped more of the soup. "Thanks for the food . . . and I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"I'll get over it eventually," Usopp said confidently with an unmatching smile. He stood. "Gonna wash up and go to bed."

"Goodnight."

"G'night."