When a simp meets another simp... do their eyes get misty?
Apparently, yes.
Ron quietly ate his meal while the two across from him stared at each other with an almost poetic level of intensity. He shuddered.
"Boss, this Mink brother's drinks are on me," Tokikake (Tea Dolphin) declared generously.
"No need," Black Tiger replied, shaking his head.
He declined, but unlike before, there was warmth in his eyes now — gone was the coldness of their first meeting. He sat right next to Tokikake like they were lifelong brothers-in-misery.
Ram approached politely. "What would you two like to drink?"
Both men spoke in perfect sync. "The same as last time."
Ron froze. Simps really do share a hive mind.
Ram fetched two bottles of Moutai, setting them before the pair.
"Please enjoy," she said, then brought a bowl of hot food for Tokikake, who immediately devoured it like a starving beast.
The man must've been running on fumes these past few days — but at least his efforts were paying off.
Ace and Blackbeard's forces were wearing thin, and soon the Marines could close the trap.
The thought of clearing that thirty-million-Berry debt made Tokikake's shoulders finally relax.
After eating, Ron leaned lazily against the counter and grinned at Black Tiger.
"So? Any progress?"
Black Tiger nodded, pausing to savor the moment before explaining.
"I had my men find a courtesan — a real beauty. She followed Hongmao under the excuse of traveling together. Blue Rabbit grew suspicious and tried to send her away, but Hongmao wouldn't allow it. This morning, I heard the courtesan slipped into his room. Blue Rabbit found out. She didn't show it… but she was furious."
Not a total victory, but the first real crack in the wall. Black Tiger's eyes gleamed with vindication.
Ron blinked. Damn, the guy's a natural villain.
Rayleigh had merely said "cause some trouble."
This man turned it into a full-blown espionage operation featuring an undercover courtesan.
"Didn't know you could pull that off," Tokikake muttered. "If this were Gion (Momousagi), that courtesan would've been executed on the spot — for thirty minutes straight."
Black Tiger gave a faint smile. "It's all thanks to that old man Rayleigh… and you, boss. I just did my part."
Tokikake nodded. Sengoku had already briefed the Marines on everything that happened here.
Then he froze. His eyes locked on the sword hanging on the wall — a long, Western-style blade, elegant and deadly.
"That's… Roger's sword! How the hell did it end up here?"
He could feel the oppressive aura from the widened blade, its pressure uncannily similar to the First Kitetsu held by the Five Elders.
"Rayleigh gave it to me," Ron said casually. "What, the Marines want it? Friends' price — thirty billion Berries. Take it now."
Tokikake grimaced. "That's our entire annual budget."
Thirty billion could buy a Yonko's head and still throw in a free Golden Lion, he thought bitterly.
"Relax," Ron smirked. "It's just a decoration. Not for sale."
Tokikake clenched his teeth. If I could beat you, you'd already be dead for that joke.
Defeated, he turned toward Black Tiger, who was drowning himself in liquor.
"Kid," he said, exhaling a cloud of smoke, "you too, huh? Love someone who doesn't love you back?"
Black Tiger downed his glass and laughed bitterly.
"Since Blue Rabbit saved me, she's lived in my heart. I confessed. I acted. I tried everything. All I got was rejection."
He jabbed a finger at his chest. "Then, over time… I became someone I don't even recognize. Someone I used to despise."
"I don't understand it," he whispered. "Where am I worse than Hongmao? Background? Power? Wealth? Heart? Character? What does he have that I don't?"
His expression twisted — a mix of grief, rage, and humiliation. Like a groom whose fiancée just ran off with the neighbor.
Tokikake gave a tired chuckle. Compared to that, his own heartbreak seemed mild.
At least… he didn't have a rival.
"We're not so different," he said, lighting a cigarette. "The woman I love… I've watched her grow from a pure little flower to a Rear Admiral candidate. I've confessed ninety-nine times. If the hundredth fails…" He exhaled smoke and sighed. "I'll give up."
He wasn't angry — just tired.
Two decades of waiting. Two decades of rejection. Watching Momousagi rise through the ranks, untouchable.
And Ron's voice still echoed in his mind:
"Women only weaken your Haki — stop chasing fairy-tale romance. Your duty is to save the seas."
So this was it — his final try.
If she accepted, great.
If not, he'd bury the pain and devote himself to becoming stronger.
"Good luck," Black Tiger said, raising his glass.
Tokikake met his gaze and smiled faintly.
"For the two most love-struck men in the world — cheers!"
Their glasses clinked together with a crisp chime.
Ron leaned back silently, watching them laugh and drink, sharing their tragic love stories like old brothers.
Figures… even simps find each other in the multiverse.
Just then, the familiar system chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! Customers Tokikake and Black Tiger have completed their confessions.]
[Customer Black Tiger: Black-Heart Palm, Star-Absorbing Technique — host may select one ability.]
Ron sighed. "The name's ridiculous… fine, I'll take Star-Absorbing Technique."
[Customer Tokikake: Rokushiki, Marine combat arts — host may select one ability.]
He grinned. "I'll take Rokushiki. Might as well complete the set."
Just then, the tavern door swung open.
Momousagi stepped in — long, porcelain legs leading the way, wrapped in her pink-trimmed Marine coat.
Her black hair framed her tall, seductive figure, and even her lips shimmered with rose gloss.
Every step of her heels echoed sharply across the floor.
Click… click… click…
Tokikake froze. He knew that rhythm better than his own heartbeat.
He turned — their eyes met.
In a rush of alcohol-fueled courage, he dropped to one knee, pulled out a small ring, and spoke from the heart.
"Momousagi! This is my one-hundredth confession."
"I wanted to wait… but the moment I saw you just now, I knew — I can't."
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