ゆっくり私残す

3.

"Yeon! It been a while!"

Turning away from her friend, the young woman smiled. "Mm. Maybe if you guys actually have a base on land, I'll be able to visit more."

At her comment, laughter was tossed around, before the man from before, named Gok, spoke up once again. "We're pirates y'know!"

As soon as he announced this, the pirates on board swung their arms across the other's shoulder, and broke into a loud song. Yeon, smiling fondly at the sight, was tugged back into reality by Jaeha.

"You're a pirate?" He hissed, and his emerald eyes narrowed. "Aren't they typically bad?"

Yeon glanced up, surprised, but allowed a smile to slip on her lips nonetheless. "I'm not a pirate." Waving her hand at the boisterous group in front of her, she continued. "And not all pirates are bad. These folks are actually pretty good."

Jaeha glanced around, and despite Yeon's assuring tone, still seemed tense. Yeon sighed, and grabbed his hand. Dragging him with her as she walked, she raised her voice above the ruckus. "I said I'll explain the situation at the port. So I will. Just let me.." She paused, and raise her voice a volume higher.

"Hey! Where's Gigan?"

"That's Captain Gigan to you." A sharp voice interrupted, and the noise dimmed down to a low hum. At the entrance of one of the rooms of the ship, stood an elderly lady.

Despite her gray hair and wrinkles, however, the woman stood with power and confidence, and she softly tapped her pipe at the railing, the other pirates made a way for her.

"I never really accepted your invitation to join.." Yeon muttered under her breath, and she doubts that beside Jaeha, no one heard her.

"Why have you come today, girl?" Gigan approached her, and her steely eyes shifted to Jaeha who stood behind her. "Is this your lover?"

Flushing, Yeon glanced up to Jaeha, who's mien remained impassive, before they trailed to her hands, which were firmly clasped between hers. "N-no! There's no way I can.." Pulling her hand away, the tip of Yeon's ears became red.

Chuckling Gigan stopped in front of her. "I'm only teasing." It wasn't long before her friendly smile vanished. "Why have you come? If it's for foolish business, you should know how foolish you're being. The trip to the ship is often too risky."

"Calm down," Yeon eased into a smile. "I have a reason to come y'know." Her tone became serious. "There should be another shipment during dusk."

Gigan remained silent, breathing out through her pipe. A stream of ash-colored smoke formed at the opening, and pulling it away, Gigan turned to one of the pirates. "Start preparing."

"Aye!" He yelled, before bolting through the door in which Gigan originally emerged from. Many other men clambered after him, and both Gigan and Yeon watched the scene.

"Fools, they are." Gigan coughed, and Yeon merely laughed. "No, they're cute."

At their comments, several men's faces flushed red, delight coloring their faces as they chased after their fellow shipmates.

Shaking her head, Gigan turned her head to Jaeha. "And so? Who is he?"

"He's staying at my place until he finally decides on where to go." Yeon pulled Jaeha forward, and was surprised how easily the male allowed himself to be tugged. "His name is Jaeha."

"Who is he?" Gigan repeated, and Yeon realized what she wanted wasn't Jaeha's name.

"He's trustworthy." Yeon slid a glance over to Jaeha. I hope so, anyways. "He protected me from some soldiers today."