The Sneaky Cat-Burglar Nami

Chapter 15

After a hefty and delicious dinner, Luffy and Mika were both seated on the porch hanging out, each with an ice cream popsicle in hand.

Chopper had taken up the task of helping Daichi lay out some futons in the living room for his and Luffy's sleeping arrangement for the night.

Nami, on the other hand, was helping Anika - Mika's mother - in cleaning the dishes.

"Thank you so much for complying with our selfish request of staying the night here." Anika voiced, passing a plate to Nami. "Mika's taken quite a liking to Luffy-san, and to you and Chopper-san as well. She just kept insisting that we ask you to stay. I hope we're not interfering with any plans you might have."

"Oh, it's not a problem at all, Anika-san. It's our pleasure. Besides Mika's such a cutie she's quite hard to resist." Nami reassured with a giggle, taking the plate from Anika's hand, and drying it up with a kitchen towel.

"Thank you, you're so kind." Anika remarked, "Luffy-san, he seems quite good with kids, isn't he?"

"Yeah." Nami responded, "Back when we were in a country called Wano, a cute little girl named Tama also got really attached to him. 'Aniki' is what she would call him. It's probably because of Luffy's playfulness that attracts them to him - Tama and Mika. He has this vibe that when you're with him a whole new adventure is waiting for you.", A soft and warm expression had shown on Nami's face, "And also, Luffy he...he just gives off this aura that you can rely on him and trust him. There's this feeling that as long as he's there, you can't help but feel...safe...protected, and that everything's going to be okay." Nami paused, her lips curling upward, and her eyes shined with affection as she gently rubbed the towel on the plate she was holding, "I guess that's why it's so easy for kids like Tama and Mika to consider him as a big brother."

"You may be right, Nami-san. Although he may not look it but I understand what you mean." Anika said, smiling, pausing for a moment before she continued, "For Mika and Tama-chan he may seem like a capable older brother, but that's not the case for you, is it?"

"Yeah" Nami unconsciously responded, then all of a sudden she realized what she had blurted out. "Eh? I-I mean...uhm...he's...I...", she stuttered, not knowing where to focus her gaze.

Anika giggled, amused with Nami's reaction, "No need to explain, Nami-san. The way your expression softened earlier said it all. I know a maiden in love when I see one."

A noticeable blush crawled on Nami's cheeks, she was thinking of what to reply back until she was interrupted from her thoughts.

"Nami-oneechan." a small voice called.

"Mika-chan?" Nami responded, turning around to see the orange-haired girl behind them.

"Luffy-oniichan told me to come get you." Mika exclaimed, trying to hide the mischief behind her playful smile, which unfortunately, didn't go unseen by her mother.

"Luffy did?" Nami voiced, turning her head to Anika for approval to leave.

"You go on ahead. I'll finish up here." Anika reassured.

"Thank you, Anika-san." Nami said, as she walked towards the porch.

As soon as Nami was out of hearing range, Anika went on to question Mika.

"Now, now, what are you up to, my dear?" Anika inquired.

Mika snickered, "It's a secret!"

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"Luffy, you called for me?" Nami asked, opening the door as she approached her captain seated on the porch.

Tilting his head to look behind him, Luffy responded with a "Yeah!" As he stood up, and dusted off his behind.