Pocket Thief [Katakuri x Reader]

16. The Masquerade Ball

Edit: This chapter was split and re-written on 15/July/20

_______

Disappointment.

Like always.

Katakuri should've expected it. The enemy pirate would just blab about defeating Katakuri and taking his head until meeting his untimely demise, just like many others before him and more to come. The sweet commander dispatched the enemy crew in a matter of seconds, leaving behind nothing but a sinking ship.

He has important matters to attend anyway, having his ship sail to Whole cake since mama said she has a mission for him.

The sweet commander has kept himself busy these past few years, either administrating Wheat Island, the big mom pirates, securing cargo sent overseas, and handling missions assigned from his mother. To the point brief fights like these are just time consuming hassles.

By the time his ship docked at Whole Cakes island, his magenta eyes mindlessly trailed over the buildings of Sweet City.

"Katakuri-sama, where are you going? Shouldn't you head to Whole Cake Chateau?" one of his subordinates suggests. Noticing Katakuri was heading the wrong way.

"Of course."

Never once has Katakuri thought about the baker girl he was enamored with, and yet, the muscle memory in his legs would attempt to lead him to her bakery. Stopping himself midway before he got too far.

It's been three years since he broke her heart.

Three years since she last served him a cup of tea and a plate of donuts.

Katakuri has only stopped by the bakery once in all that time. The once humble bakery filled with life was now closed, abandoned, and inhabitable. The sweet commander assumes you quit baking after that the day, furious and upset with him and his siblings. Maybe it's for the best.

Those are the only thoughts he would spare for you, focusing on the present and whatever task his mother has prepared for him.

Turns out they received an invitation not too long ago. It read:

"You are cordially invited to a Carnival held by Lady Tsukinosagi. Food, Drinks, Games, and Entertainment wait for all. A masquerade ball is held at the end of the day with the raffle of glorious treasures, including the copy of a poneglyph signed by the pirate King Gol. D. Roger! Just follow the eternal pose sent with the invitation. Please note, guests must wear masks."

"What do you think? Is it a trap?"

"I don't think so," Perospero answered. "There are a few underground bosses who received the same invitation as well. Plus, our information networks confirms the existence of this woman."

Katakuri eyed the invitation in suspicion. Finding something strangely familiar about the situation.

Mont-D'Or, Perospero, Galette, Katakuri, and Poire were tasked to infiltrate the masquerade party and steal the poneglyph among other treasures for Big Mom.

"But there's still one thing I don't understand. Why is Poire here?" The scarecrow-like man points at the girl sitting on the couch.

Poire smiles back with her characteristic sharp teeth, sarcastically waving back at Mont-d'Or.

"She's Backup." Katakuri simply explained.

Which only confused Mont-d'Or.

There's many other strong Charlottes in the family, how can this teenager with a stitched-up panda hat be their backup?