Chapter 5: Nature

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That morning had been quite calm. She had woken up a bit late (around nine in the morning) and then prepared a simple breakfast with a couple of eggs and mandarin juice. Her sister hadn't returned all night, which surprised her, but she assumed Nojiko decided to stay in the village given the time.

The rest of the morning was spent tending to the mandarin trees and reading some books she had recently bought. However, something kept bothering her mind: "Sanji-kun should have come to find her by now." It seemed strange that he hadn't wanted to spend more time with her, as he always tried to be by her side when they were on the Sunny.

By four in the afternoon, she became worried and went to the village to look for her blue-haired sister. The first place she went was Genzo's house, where she found her sister preparing tea. Nojiko was astonished to see her, not expecting her sister to come looking for her, assuming she would be enjoying the blond's company.

- Nojiko - she called out, somewhat annoyed - I was worried about you. You should have let me know you were staying longer.

- I didn't think it was necessary - Nojiko responded automatically.

- I thought something had happened to you - she said, her frown relaxing - Why did you take so long to come back? Also, where is Genzo-san?

- Genzo-san left a while ago for the neighboring village. - she replied - I took my time because I didn't want to interrupt you two. - she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

- The dinner? - Nami responded, confused.

- Not exactly - Nojiko replied, slightly confused - I thought you'd take the day to be alone - she said, frowning slightly.

- Who? - Nami asked, not understanding at first. - Sanji-kun and me? Why should we? - she asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable and melancholic. The night before, she had wanted to spend the whole day with the cook and was saddened that he hadn't come to find her.

- What happened last night? - Nojiko asked, her expression changing to one of concern.

- Nothing out of the ordinary, Sanji-kun prepared a delicious dinner and we talked a bit.

- He didn't tell you - Nojiko said, holding her head with her left hand.

- Tell me what? Did I miss something? - Nami asked, a bit irritated.

- It's not my place to tell you - Nojiko said, averting her gaze, which worried Nami.

- He acted strangely last night. Did something happen? Did something happen with my nakama and they don't want to tell me? - she asked, scared.

- Nothing like that - Nojiko replied, trying to calm her - It's something you two need to talk about - she said, holding Nami's right shoulder.

- Then I don't understand. There are few things that really affect Sanji-kun to that extent. Did something happen to him? - Nami asked.

- Nami - Nojiko said, trying to find the right words. Something must have happened for the blond's determination to have faded. It was clear he hadn't even touched the subject - He came to confess his feelings.

- Feelings? - Nami asked, somewhat confused.

- Yes - Nojiko confirmed - He was supposed to do it at dinner.

- Sanji-kun asked you to leave us alone for that? - Nami asked, feeling a bit more relaxed, which surprised Nojiko - Don't take him seriously - she said with a slightly mocking and frustrated tone - He always does that kind of thing.

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