𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓽| 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 4

"I'm 21."

Johnny and Yosaku spat their water; their lips puckered into a pout as liquid sprinkled their table. This earned a good slap at the back of their heads from Zoro, who glared their way. With a pink hue on their cheeks, they quickly wiped away the dripping water from their lips.

Ayame and Aisha giggled, trying to contain the laughter in the pits of their stomachs. The little girls covered their mouths as their cheeks puffed like a blowfish. Rue gave them a closed-eyed smile, her hand reaching for her novel in front of her on the wooden table, reading the contents of it.

Zoro frowned as he crossed his arm while leaning his back on the soft cherry couch of the booth. Though Rue does look young for her age, looks could still be deceiving. The fact that they were three years apart brought a tinge of curiosity to the woman's circumstance, yet at the same time, an unfamiliar feeling rose inside him, but pushed the thought away.

The boisterous voices boomed through the restaurant. Many servers bolted across tables, taking orders from their customers. In contrast, others' hands plied with food trays—many booths filled with people devouring their meals or chattering loudly while waiting for their orders to arrive.

The group was able to find a good table not too far from the entrance and close to the window that hit them with the sun's gleam. The walls painted in turquoise clashed with their soft cherry booth in the dining room. The aroma of various types of meat from the seas or the fields of grass would make anyone's stomach rumble at the sight of the colourful plates.

As they walked in, Zoro took note of the gazes received by Rue's appearance, especially from the men gawking as Rue strolled passed, getting a good whiff of her ocean fragrance. Some narrowed their eyes at the trio lagging behind her, but he treated them the same. Every time he would do so, they would whip their gazes elsewhere.

Hell, even their server didn't display any dignity; the man fumbled with his words as his flustered features couldn't keep his eyes off the woman as he jotted down their orders with trembling hands. Zoro's brow furrowed further; some of these men needed some discipline in their demeanour.

"Did you think she was old?" Ayame snickered, her lips curving into a mischievous smile at the two men still trying to grasp the woman's age.

"Mommy," Aisha called out while she took hold of the hem of her mother's dress as Rue hummed in response, "I want lots and lots of meat!" Aisha beamed at her mother, hoping to get juicy protein in her mouth.

Rue giggled at Aisha's antics, "Already did; we can eat lots today." She smiled as Aisha squealed in joy at the thought of the various flavourful meat she would get to devour.

Meanwhile, Ayame's brown eyes soften at the woman's gesture, whispering a small thank you to the woman. Rue smiled gently; she didn't want Aisha's friend to go hungry. The woman knew Ayame might not be comfortable asking or begging for a meal like a desperate individual. In Ayame's mind, she didn't want to ask her for food, due to shame, yet she was still glad Rue was willing to buy her a meal.

"Um-Mis-I mean..., "Johnny's voice became a whisper, unsure of what he should call her; usually, he would stick with Big Bro or Big Sis to address the latter, but in Rue's case, uncertainty washed over him. For sure, she had not a single wrinkle and wasn't old at all; however, she was a mother too.

Rue smiled as she understood what he implied, "Rue, just Rue is fine."

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck bashfully, "Uh, yes! I want to say thanks for the meal." He said gleefully, the sun's light bouncing off his shades, a big smile on his face. "We own you one!"

Yosaku nodded in agreement, " Yeah, thanks a bunch!" He gave her a big smile, dancing mentally at receiving the opportunity to fill their stomachs. Travelling at sea without enough food would make anyone's stomachs desire for it to be filled. His mouth watered at the sight of their orders coming their way.