Nami woke around noon. The room was dim, windows shut, curtains blocking the sunlight, casting a lonely shadow over the space. Curled up on the bed, she couldn't move for a while. Lethargy weighed her down, her mind too heavy to pinpoint why. Lately, apathy had consumed her, making even thinking a grueling task. Her heart gave up quickly, unable to process.
She knew she was unwell but powerless to fix it. Her body felt drained. It was surely because she'd betrayed them. Self-reproach gnawed at her, regret for actions she hadn't wanted to take tormenting her soul. Staying still risked being crushed by dark thoughts, so Nami forced herself up.
Without changing, she left the room. The house, slightly removed from Cocoyasi Village, belonged to her sister, Nojiko, who lived there alone. Nami had been staying for days, but Nojiko wasn't home, and Silk was nowhere in sight. Dressed in shorts and a tank top, a white bandage on her left shoulder, Nami moved like a sleepwalker, searching for them outside.
"Nojiko, Silk… not here?" she murmured.
Before the house stretched a tangerine orchard, rows of sturdy trees basking in sunlight. Squinting, Nami stood at the door, scanning the area. It was midday. Were they out for lunch or working the fields? Staring blankly, she took in the familiar yet bittersweet sight. Eight years ago, someone else tended this orchard—her mother, Bell-mere. Now Nojiko had taken over. The tangerines, Nami's favorite, thrived as always.
A pang of sadness made her look down. Then, from beyond the trees, Silk appeared, spotting Nami and beaming. "Morning, Nami! Sleep well?"
"Silk…" Nami said, relief washing over her.
Silk, in Nojiko's borrowed clothes, wore gloves and carried a basket brimming with tangerines, her smile radiant. Seeing her eased Nami's heart. These past days, lost in turmoil, Nami wouldn't have survived without Silk. The worst could've happened. Silk's presence—holding her through breakdowns, clasping her hand during sleepless nights, offering gentle, casual talk—had been a lifeline. Her voice, like a mother's or sister's yet uniquely her own, soothed Nami's soul.
Silk approached, setting down the basket and touching Nami's cheek with a warm, slightly sweaty hand, checking her condition with care. "Still pale. Didn't sleep well?"
"No, I slept fine," Nami said.
"Anything hurting?" Silk asked.
"I'm okay," Nami said.
"Good," Silk smiled, gently pinching Nami's cheeks playfully. Nami gave a wry smile, her own grin returning. The moment felt calming. She grabbed Silk's hands, lowering them softly, and Silk laughed, enjoying the exchange.
"Stop it. Playing with me now?" Nami said.
"Sorry, thought it'd cheer you up," Silk said.
"Fine, I'm cheered. Thanks," Nami said, feigning exasperation.
"Good. You're cuter when you smile," Silk said.
Silk patted Nami's head, stirring a mix of embarrassment and warmth. When was the last time someone did that? Nami turned away, muttering grumpily but not brushing off the hand. Silk likely saw through her—she wasn't truly upset.
"Think that'll fix my mood? No way," Nami said.
"Hehe, right. Want a tangerine? I helped pick these," Silk said.
"Thanks. I'll take one," Nami said.
Silk's childlike glee made Nami smile. Taking a tangerine, Nami began peeling it, feeling almost overly coddled. Silk peeled another, offering it to Nami's lips. Despite the embarrassment, her exhaustion outweighed resistance. She took a bite, the sweet-tart juice flooding her mouth—a nostalgic, beloved flavor. Her cheeks softened, while Silk's smile turned bittersweet.
"Hey, Nami, can I say something?" Silk asked.
"What? These are delicious, your tangerines," Nami said.
"Thanks, but not that," Silk said, hesitating as she offered another piece. As Nami chewed, Silk spoke. "Got a call on the Den Den Mushi. Usopp and the others are coming here. Probably Luffy's group too. We'll all reunite."
Nami's chewing slowed, then stopped. Swallowing hard, her face showed shock and guilt. She looked down, uncertainty clouding her eyes. She'd been wrestling with this for days—no, longer.
"So… we'll see them," Nami said.
"Yeah," Silk replied.
Nami didn't know what to say. She couldn't muster encouragement or blame herself aloud, nor could she casually say it'd be fine—she knew better. Silk had decided to leave the choice to Nami, supporting her without pushing. Whatever path eased Nami's burden was hers to pick, even if Silk didn't know what it would be.
Nami stayed silent, head bowed. After a brief pause, her voice grew firm. "Silk, another tangerine."
"Huh? Oh, sure," Silk said, handing her one.
"Thanks—" Nami said, eating thoughtfully. No decision yet, but something had shifted. Looking straight at Silk, she spoke calmly. "Silk, I need a favor. There's a place I want you to come with me to."
"A place? Sure," Silk said.
"I'll decide properly. My own choice," Nami said, her voice trembling slightly.
Clutching the bandage on her shoulder, fear lingered, but her honesty touched Silk, who nodded firmly. Nami smiled, tension easing. "Wait a bit. I'll get ready."
"Okay. I'll tell Nojiko-san," Silk said.
"Come quick. I can walk on my own now," Nami said.
"Got it," Silk said.
They parted—Nami back to the house, Silk to the orchard to find Nojiko. Leaving the basket, Silk sought permission to leave work briefly. She soon spotted Nojiko, her blue hair tied with a ribbon, tattoos visible on her arm and chest, turning at Silk's call.
"Nojiko-san," Silk said.
"Hey, Silk. What's up?" Nojiko asked.
"Sorry, can I step away? Nami wants me to go with her somewhere," Silk said.
"Nami?" Nojiko said, setting down her basket, surprised.
Knowing Nami's recent state, Nojiko seemed taken aback. "What's with her? Lounging around, now stealing my helper. So selfish," she said.
"Haha, but it's a sign she's perking up," Silk said.
"If she's perky, she could help with work. Go ahead," Nojiko said.
"Thanks," Silk said.
"No need to apologize," Nojiko said.
As Silk turned to leave, Nojiko called out. "Hey, Silk. I know it's a lot to ask…"
"Yes?" Silk said.
"Look after her. She takes on too much alone and pushes herself too far. Help her," Nojiko said, her sisterly warmth evident.
Silk's heart warmed, seeing their bond. Smiling, she nodded. "You trust me with her, so I've got her."
"Thanks," Nojiko said, waving as Silk jogged back.
At the house, Nami stood waiting, holding a bouquet of flowers. Silk found it curious but didn't ask. They walked together, leaving the village for a cliff rarely visited.
At the cliff, a lone grave greeted them. Nami approached, placing the bouquet before it, then sat, hugging her knees, smiling softly at the tombstone. Silk paused, watching.
"A grave…?" Silk asked.
"Our mom, Bell-mere," Nami said quietly.
Her voice was calm, the steadiest in days. She spoke with clarity, and Silk listened intently, her expression solemn. "Strict but kind. We fought sometimes, but I loved her. She died eight years ago."
"I see…" Silk said.
"I've thought and thought, enough to hate it, but I still don't have an answer," Nami said.
A breeze swept over the cliff, her voice soft against the sea's murmur. "So I'm going to them."
"Alone?" Silk asked.
"Not to fight. Just to see what he's planning," Nami said, her voice resolute, decision made.
Silk knew some of Nami's past. The choice to confront "him" was heavy, stirring unease, but Nami spoke with clarity, far from her earlier despair. "You said before—one billion beli might not make him let go," Nami said.
"Yeah. He's a pirate, like Morgan. Controlling a village for eight years? Even a billion wouldn't make him give up such a prize. He'll break any promise to keep you and the village," Silk said.
"And he's got ways to dismiss my protests," Nami added.
"I hate saying it, but people like Morgan plan for that. A clever opponent wouldn't overlook it," Silk said.
"You're right. Completely," Nami said, sighing.
"I was an idiot. Why did I think I could trust them? I knew what they were from the start," Nami said.
"You didn't have a choice. You were fighting, right?" Silk said.
"Yeah… struggling endlessly. I tried killing him—poison, ambushes, even ready to die. All failed. After that, I decided to gather the billion beli. It was the only way to escape," Nami said.
Silk bit her lip, hearing Nami's calm recounting of her painful past. At ten, she'd challenged pirates, enduring defeats yet persisting. Silk's heart ached, emotions surging as she watched Nami's small frame, marveling at her resilience. She held back tears, knowing this wasn't the place to break down.
"Just wait a bit longer, okay? I'll decide before they arrive. I'll face him and figure out what to do. I'll give a real answer then," Nami said.
"I'll wait. We all will," Silk said.
"This is the last time. I'll decide… for myself," Nami said, pressing her face to her knees, voice small, speaking to herself or someone absent. Silk stood by, absorbing her words.
"Just let me be selfish a little more. I feel like I'm almost ready to face it. Then I can stand with everyone again… no, smile more genuinely than before," Nami whispered, her voice nearly lost to the waves.
"Bell-mere, I tried, didn't I? Can I stop fighting alone now?" she murmured.
Silk lowered her eyes, swallowing tears. Nami looked childlike, her strength gone, as if confessing to her mother after eight years, baring a heart she'd hidden.
"I met people I want to trust for the first time," Nami said, her voice a fragile refrain against the cliff's edge.
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