"I—I don't dare. Sit on Marco? I don't even dare to ask him something like that. That would be so rude!"
Even as I said it, my heart was practically bursting with excitement. Of course I want to sit on Marco — the Phoenix! Who wouldn't want to ride on a legendary blue phoenix? But this wasn't the Marco from the internet or fan art — this was the real Marco of the Whitebeard Pirates. A living, breathing pirate.
"Don't be so nervous," Izo said with an amused smile, watching my flustered expression. "Marco's actually quite kind. But he doesn't usually let anyone ride on his back. If he ever does take someone up, he just grabs them with his claws and flies."
"Grabbing sounds kind of scary, honestly. Maybe I should just forget it…" I murmured, but my eyes were already darting around mischievously. Still… brave people are the ones who get to enjoy the world first, right?
"It's just asking a question. Marco wouldn't actually hit me for asking… right?" I glanced at Izo and Vista nervously.
"Hahaha! That's not necessarily true!" Vista laughed loudly, slapping the table in delight.
"Don't worry," Thatch said suddenly, appearing from behind me with a grin. "There's nothing wrong with asking. Worst case, we'll stop him before he beats you to death."
"The brave enjoy the world first," I said to myself, puffing out my chest. "All right, I'm going!"
As I marched toward Marco, I could practically feel the trio's laughter behind me.
Izo sighed, turning to glare at the two men. "You two aren't seriously trying to trick her, are you?"
"Relax, relax," Thatch said with a smirk. "We're just watching. It's all in good fun."
All three looked far too eager to see what would happen next.
Of course, Marco had already heard everything. The three of them weren't exactly quiet, and anyone with normal ears could make out every word. Even Whitebeard, sitting at the head of the table, was watching us with an amused grin tugging at his mustache.
I took a deep breath and stood before the blue-haired man himself.
"Marco… could you… um, could you please take me for a flight? Your phoenix form is so beautiful! Please?"
Marco looked down at me — a little girl with wide, pleading eyes — and sighed softly. "Just this once."
He wasn't doing it out of weakness, of course. It was just that, with half the crew waiting to laugh, he couldn't let me walk away embarrassed.
In an instant, blue-gold flames burst forth around him. Marco's human form vanished, replaced by a magnificent phoenix blazing with shimmering fire. My eyes widened, completely dazzled.
"C-can I really… sit on you?"
Marco tilted his great, glowing head and nodded. He lowered himself slightly, and I hesitated only a moment before climbing on.
"I—I'm really sitting… on Marco…" I whispered, gripping his feathers tightly. "Oh my god, I'm sitting on the Phoenix!"
Marco spread his wings wide and took off. The sea wind rushed past my face, cool and soft in the evening air. The sun was setting over the horizon, turning the ocean gold beneath us.
It was the happiest moment of my life since arriving in this world.No — it was the happiest moment ever.I wasn't just dreaming of flight.I was flying.
By the time Marco landed back on the ground, my heart was still racing.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Marco!" I blurted out, throwing my arms around him without thinking.
"Alright, alright," he said with a helpless smile, ruffling my hair. "Go take a hot bath when you get home. Don't catch a cold."
"I will! I promise!"
"Hahahaha! Marco, looks like you've got yourself a little fangirl!" Thatch teased, jumping in to give Marco a big hug.
"Go, go, go! If you say one more word, I'll kick you overboard," Marco grumbled, shoving him away.
"Anyway, thank you again, Marco," I said, smiling brightly. "Next time, I'll bring you some of my own brewed wine. It's really good!"
"Hahaha! Marco, you better let little Anna ride again next time — otherwise we might run out of wine to drink!" Vista said with a grin.
"Enough out of you," Marco sighed, glancing at me. "And little girl, don't go imitating how I talk."