While subtly observing Takero's reaction, Monet continued her story, her voice tinged with sorrow. "That bastard Gollier, seeing that Sugar and I were still young, wanted to... he wanted to train us to be his exclusive maids. Then he was going to present us as gifts to the important person he works for."
As she spoke, a flicker of fear and relief crossed Monet's mind. It was precisely because Gollier had this plan that he wanted the "gifts" to be in perfect condition. The two sisters were spared physical harm and were only tormented by hunger in an attempt to break their will.
Takero, however, remained in his own world, focused only on eating. His hands never stopped moving.
'Gollier's boss?' The thought flashed through his mind. 'That would be the pink-feathered birdman, Doflamingo, right? My fate with that unlucky guy seems to be pretty intertwined.'
He even thought with a bit of satisfaction, 'This guy is like my personal delivery boy! First, he sends me territory, and now a chef... I wonder when I'll meet him again. I actually kind of miss him.'
"Um... Master, are you listening?" Seeing that Takero's expression seemed a bit distant, Monet asked softly and cautiously, afraid of disturbing him.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Takero finally looked up from a pile of bones, still chewing on some meat, and responded indistinctly. "I get what you're trying to say. Long story short, you're a homeless orphan, your parents are dead, you've got a little sister to drag along, and you want to follow me around, serving me and working like an ox, right?"
His summary was simple and crude, yet incredibly accurate.
"...Yes, that's right." Monet nodded, obediently admitting it. She re-emphasized her value, "I can do many things! Besides what I mentioned before, I'm also skilled in all kinds of housework, like cooking, mopping, washing clothes, and even..."
As she spoke, her still somewhat childish face flushed slightly, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "...And even... warming the bed... is not out of the question..."
This was the ultimate method she had heard about in the dirty back alleys for pleasing important figures. She roughly understood what it meant, and this might be her last bargaining chip to be allowed to stay.
Hearing this, Takero finally stopped eating. He raised his head with interest, looking her up and down with an appraising gaze, and laughed. "Oh ho, you little girl. Your feathers haven't even fully grown yet, and you already know what 'warming the bed' is?"
"I... I heard it from others!" Monet explained in a panic, feeling uncomfortable under his direct gaze.
Takero didn't press the issue. He merely waved his hand dismissively and refused directly. "Forget it. I'm not interested in undeveloped kids like you."
Although his current body was only ten years old, his mind was that of a weathered underground boxer. His psychological age was well over forty. The idea of having any thoughts about a little girl who looked about ten years old was just criminal to him.
"I..." Monet immediately felt a bit indignant. She wasn't bragging, but she was definitely a rare beauty in the making. Her soft green hair, snow-white skin, and delicate features couldn't be concealed, even when she was wandering the streets. She had often used her appearance to get "donations" from kind noblewomen. Even a scoundrel like Gollier had valued her and Sugar's potential, which was why he wanted to present them to Doflamingo as top-tier goods.
And now, her greatest asset was being so casually dismissed?
Takero seemed to read her mind. He didn't speak but silently held up his hands and gestured two rounded, full "S" curves in the air.
Monet subconsciously looked down at her own flat chest and instantly understood everything. A rush of heat went straight to her head, and her cheeks turned as red as ripe apples.
"I... I'll grow up later!" she said, both shy and angry, her voice unconsciously rising.
"Oh, we'll talk about that later," Takero replied without comment, turning back to his food.
Seeing his unyielding attitude, Monet secretly swore in her heart, 'Just you wait! When I grow up, I'll charm you to death!'
Takero ignored her inner thoughts, his gaze inadvertently turning to the side. He noticed that the little girl named Sugar was silently and slowly eating only the vegetables on her plate, not touching any of the fragrant meat dishes on the table. He couldn't help but frown.
"Hey, you," he said. "Were you a rabbit in your last life? All you know is how to gnaw on grass. Look how skinny you are; a strong wind could blow you over. Eat this so you can grow taller."
With that, he speared a sizzling, oily steak larger than Sugar's head with his fork and, with a 'thud,' dropped it into her small bowl, where it piled up like a small mountain.
Looking at the enormous steak in front of her, Sugar timidly looked up and glanced at Takero. For this seemingly fierce big brother, two-year-old Sugar didn't feel much fear. Her world was simple; she only knew that this person had saved her and her sister. He had made it so they no longer had to starve or be locked in a dark cage. In her eyes, this big brother was a good person.
So, did she really not want to eat meat? Of course not. She was just afraid that if she and her sister ate too much, this good person would dislike them and drive them out again, sending them back to that life of wandering and hunger. She wanted to stay by this big brother's side, because here she felt safe and had endless... vegetables.
Seeing Takero staring at her, Sugar dared not hesitate. She silently lowered her head and painstakingly poked a small piece of meat with her tiny fork, putting it into her mouth. With just one small bite, the rich meat juice burst on her taste buds. The delicious aroma rushed from her nose to the top of her head. An indescribable feeling of happiness instantly enveloped her. Sugar's eyes happily narrowed into slits, and her face showed an expression of immense satisfaction.
Takero's eyes lit up at the sight. He calmly picked up a translucent grape from the table, flicked his finger, and sent it flying towards Sugar in a perfect arc. As if by magic, Sugar, without even looking up, tilted her head back at the exact moment the grape was about to fall, opened her small mouth, and with a 'plop,' firmly caught it.
She stared blankly at Takero, chewing with little 'munching' sounds, her face clearly saying one thing: 'Delicious! Want more!'
"Hey! Interesting!" Takero chuckled. Her precise reaction speed instantly reminded him of the little hamster he used to keep in his previous life. Then, he also remembered the equally cute little Uta, who was taken away by Shanks. He loved teasing kids.
At that thought, he couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Damn Shanks! It's one thing for him to run off, but he took my little Uta with him! She's my future rock superstar!" He wondered if, without his unique musical guidance, Uta would be led astray by that bunch of rough pirates.
"Forget it. He can run, but he can't hide. Sooner or later, I'll catch that bastard and teach him a lesson." He mumbled, then turned his gaze to Monet. "Are you done eating?"
"Mm-hmm, I'm full," Monet quickly nodded. This was the most satisfying and peaceful meal she and Sugar had eaten since they had started wandering.
"Good," Takero nodded with satisfaction. "Since you're full, go make more food."
Monet paused. "Make more food? Are guests coming?"
"No." Takero pointed to himself. "I want to eat."
"Huh?" Monet was completely bewildered. She looked at the table full of leftovers, which looked like it had been hit by a typhoon, and asked, confused, "But... didn't we just finish eating?"
"We?" Takero scoffed, looking at her with disdain. "What a joke. Who could get full on this little bit? I've only just whetted my appetite. Listen up, prepare two more tables for me, with the same amount of food as this one. Hurry up, I'm in a rush."
Monet was completely stunned. She suddenly realized that the "easy" job of cooking she had imagined might... might become the most difficult and endless challenge of her life.
But now, it was too late for her to regret... she had already boarded this pirate ship named 'Takero.'
"Yes... my Master," she could only say, standing up with a mix of sweet bitterness and resignation. She walked towards the kitchen, which would become her future main battlefield.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion