I walked quickly through the rowdy ship, trying my best to blend in with the background. That didn't stop the occasional sailor from noticing me, nor did it stop their crude remarks and suggestive whistles. My sparkling white heels clicked on the hardwood floor as my face burned as red as the small medical cross on my breast pocket. The reality of my existence never failed to mortify me, so I constantly tried to push it out of my mind. However, I was rarely lucky enough to escape it for more than just a few moments due to the crew and my captain.

    My knuckles tenderly rapped on the large wooden door before me, halfway hoping that he wouldn't hear me and I could leave. Such thinking was mere fantasy, however. As soon as I made the smallest sound, my captain's gruff voice cut through the air with terrifying strength. I could feel my shoulders roll inward as every fiber of my body told me to run away. Instead, I opened the door, my signature smile plastered on my face in forced kindness. "Hello sir-" My voice was soft, almost shaky, due to fear. The first aid kit that I clutched rattled in my suffocating grip.

    The captain was a terrifying beast of a man. It wasn't his stature or appearance that scared me, but rather, the brutality of his heart. He cared for nothing except money and power. To him, people were expendable resources that could easily be replaced. I had witnessed his cruelty on many occasions, most of which ended with me trying my best to help the poor fellow who had been the target of the captain's rage. Not to mention all the other times... I felt a shiver run through my spine as my mind began to wander down a dark path. I quickly locked up those thoughts once again, pushing them into the far recesses of my mind.

    The captain's back was facing me, though I could see a crystal glass in his meaty hands; it was halfway filled with a warm colored liquor and a single ice cube. He downed the rest of it before turning around toward me. Instinctively, I lowered my gaze. "Come closer, girl. And shut that damn door." My heart rate increased uncomfortably as my airways began to tighten. I reluctantly stepped away from the doorway and pulled the door shut. "You called for me-"

"Shut up." His voice immediately drowned mine and I retreated into silence. The captain set the glass down on his mahogany and leather desk before approaching me. His steps were heavy, each one pounding in my head. My chest hurt because of how hard my heart was beating. Sweat dripped down the back of my neck. The urge to shiver came over me once again. As he got closer, I could perceive details that I didn't want to: the stubble on his face, the stench of alcohol, the discoloration of his teeth. His hand grabbed my arm, his grip uncomfortably tight. I forced myself not to jerk away; I had learned that defying him only resulted in more pain.

As I braced myself for what was to happen, the ship lurched forward, throwing me into the captain's chest. He quickly tossed me to the side and I fell to the floor, my head barely missing his desk. "What's going on-?" I mumbled only to receive a deathly glare from him. "As if I have the answer to such a stupid question." The captain growled before rushing out of the room, the open door now letting in the sounds of chaos from outside. Gunfire and the metallic clang of swords rang out above the general waves of shouting and screaming. Occasionally, a cannon would boom in the background, either from our ship or the enemies. It was obvious; the ship was under attack.

I jumped up as gracefully as I could, grabbing my first aid kit in the process, and ran outside to see what was going on for myself. Immediately, I felt a chill run through my body. The Jolly Roger on the enemy ship was no other than Big Mom's. I had heard the captain talking about going after one of their generals during one of his drunken stupors, but I didn't believe him. That is, until now. Mortified, I watched as their forces tore away at ours; it could barely even be considered a fight as much as it was a massacre. Still, I had to do my best to save everyone that I could. I ran up to the nearest fallen person, completely disregarding if they were friend or foe. I pressed my fingers against their neck while I searched for their worst wound. A faint pulse and a soft groan helped me confirm their status as I opened my kit. "Just stay still, I'm here to help you," I did my best to soothe them as I bandaged up their shoulder wounds with antiseptic.

I repeated that process, helping as many people as I could possibly get to. My kit had just about run out of everything, but before I could dash off to the clinic to get more, a familiar grip held my wrist. I was pulled back and slammed to the floor, stars sparkling in my vision due to the impact. They weren't enough to cloud the wicked face of my captain, though. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" His voice hurt my ears, making them ring and echo in an uncomfortable fashion. His hands migrated to my neck, closing in on my windpipe. I instinctively grabbed his wrists and kicked my legs, trying to get him off of me so that I could breathe. It was no match, though. I had to use my last resort. "How dare you help the enemy-" Before he could finish, a sword pierced through his chest. I screamed in terror as blood poured onto my white nurse's dress. His body fell on top of mine, succumbing me to panic as I desperately tried to get out. I scrambled backwards, my palms slick with blood, as two gazes fell down on me.

One belonged to a rather round man who almost resembled an egg. The other was attributed to a lion mink who was dressed in an extremely dapper suit with sunglasses. The egg man flicked the blood from off of his sword as they approached me slowly, knowing that I had nowhere to escape to. "Oh don't look so frightened-" The egg man spoke in a smooth voice, his words carrying an accent that almost seemed French. He took a cup from off the top of his head and sipped at the steaming liquid within it. "We are not inclined to hurt you, especially after monitoring your beautiful handiwork."

I merely stared back in a mixture of disbelief and fear, unable to speak. The mink growled impatiently as he pulled out a Mini Transponder Snail. "We've secured the ship and have taken one survivor-"

"I told you I wanted the ship completely wiped out-! What's the use keeping a Navy soldier around anyways?!" The voice that barked back was rather shrill, though it was clear to tell that whoever was speaking was in charge of this raid. The lion mink huffed, clearly irritated, but composed himself slightly before speaking again. "You'll change your mind when you realize what she is." The egg man grabbed the snail and held up one hand flamboyantly. "She's a great doctor-! We watched her tend to the wounds of many," I couldn't help but feel a bit of pride in what he had said about me. I was hardly ever praised in the Navy, if ever, so it felt rather refreshing to be complimented on my hard work.

The other end of the line had gone silent for a brief moment before the shrill voice spoke up again, this time speaking in a much softer tone. "Oh alright- Bring her back to Totto Land. We'll meet you guys at the docks of Cacao Island." With that, the line went silent and the cute little snail fell back asleep. The lion mink snatched the snail back and tucked him away in his pocket before turning back towards me. "Well, what are you doing down there? We got a tight schedule to stick to, General Cracker hates tardiness!"

"Now Pekoms, is that any way to speak to a lady? She is clearly frightened," The egg man approached me, extending his hand kindly. "Please, allow me to help you, mademoiselle," I gingerly took his hand in mine and allowed him to help me up. My legs were still shaky, but I forced myself to keep my balance. The blood on my dress was starting to make me uncomfortably cold and my feet hurt from running around in my tiny heels. I could hear groans left and right as people either regained consciousness or slipped into an endless sleep. My gaze floated about the deck to look for anyone that I had missed, but from the looks of it, I had gotten to everyone who had a chance of survival.

I forced myself to look back at the two men before me, who were currently deep in discussion. I cleared my throat softly and both of them turned. "Is there anyone who is hurt that you want me to attend to before we leave? I have to get more supplies, but I'm happy to do so," My voice trailed off at the end, nervous that maybe I had spoken out of turn. But the egg man merely smiled at me and pushed his partner forward. "Actually, Pekoms here has a cut on his arm that-"

Pekoms shrugged him off angrily, growling in the process. "I don't need any help for a scratch-!"

"Actually," I interjected as best as I could. "If there is even a slight reason for concern, I should look at it. Cuts can get very easily infected after all,"

Pekoms looked between me and the other man before letting out a sigh of defeat. "Ugh, fine- Here," He rolled up his sleeve to display a rather nasty cut on his upper arm. Blood had dried around the wound, creating a ring of crimson crust in his fur. Other than that, however, the wound itself seemed fairly clean. I couldn't help but smile softly in relief. "It looks like it's healing up pretty well so far, but we can never be too safe." I grabbed my medic kit and  began applying antiseptic cream to the wound. I secured the area with a soft bandage, gently tying it so that it was snug but not painful. "I recommend taking the bandage off at night so that the wound can be cleaned and it can get some fresh air. In the mornings, it would be a good idea to rewrap it. Do that for about a week and it should be good as new-!"

Pekoms inspected my work before giving me a gruff nod. "Thanks doc, you did a nice job." I smiled sheepishly as I picked up my kit. "It was nothing. Just glad I could help," I turned toward the egg man with curious eyes. "Are you injured anywhere?" He shook his head. "I'm doing just fine. Now miss-"

"We've loaded everything up-! We're ready to head out Baron Tamago-!" A pirate called out to them as a few injured stragglers were helped from off the deck and onto their home ship. Tamago nodded at them affirmatively and gestured toward the ship that everyone else was headed toward. "Please, this way."

"Actually," I resisted walking forward, doing my best to keep my eyes off the fallen sailors who I had known, and despised, for many years. "Would you be so kind as to allow me to grab a few things before we leave? Please, I've lived on this ship for a while now and I can't bear to part with some things..." Pekoms and Tamago exchanged glances before looking back at me. "Just make it quick. I'll be here waiting." Pekoms growled at me and I nodded my head thankfully before running off to my cabin.

It was a shabby excuse for a cabin at that. I lived in a small room that was an offshoot from the clinic. While I was already there I shoved various medical supplies, herbs, and medicines in my kit. I then grabbed my sole knapsack, filling it with my few belongings. I carefully tucked letters from my sister, parents, and closest friend into my journal, which was already bursting with various notes and pressed plant samples. I then folded my favorite piece of clothing, a soft cardigan that I had hand crocheted, and gingerly placed it in the bag, careful as to not get any blood on the delicate garment. I threw in my couple crochet hooks, my glasses, and, finally, a small pink bunny that I had since childhood. A small metal hook was attached to the top, which had allowed me to hang it alongside my few photographs, which I also took with me. And just like that, I had cleared out pretty much everything from my room. I took one last whiff of the slight scent of eucalyptus that always seemed to cling to the wood here, before turning my back on the life I had so desperately wanted as a child.

When I came back to the center of the deck, Pekoms was there waiting for me exactly like he said. I waved shyly as I ran up to him, my heart still racing with fear due to the situation. He took my bag without a word and led me down to the edge of the ship where various ropes and planks had been set up as a way to travel between the two decks. I looked down at the water below, which sent a flutter of nerves throughout my body. Pekoms noticed my hesitancy and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? I assumed a Navy girl like you would have no trouble with this,"

"Oh it's not the ropes that worry me..." I mumbled as I forced myself forward. I grabbed onto one of them, doing my best to follow the tangled excuse of a ladder. "It's the water- I'm a devil fruit user..." This caught Pekoms attention and he jerked his head back to look me in the eyes. "A devil fruit user?! Why didn't you say anything sooner?!" His urgency startled me and I almost lost my footing. "I just didn't think that it was important-!"

He scoffed at my answer and turned back around to keep climbing. "Not important she says... You'll tell me more when we get on deck. In the meantime, I advise you not to fall." I felt my stomach drop at his words and part of me wondered if maybe I would have an easier time if I simply fell into the oblivion of the ocean. Still, I wasn't so desperate yet and my captures had been relatively nice so far, so I decided to roll the dice and keep climbing.

When I got to the top, I was helped onto the ship by one of the pirates, who had a bandaged leg. He smiled at me gratefully when he saw my face and gently placed me on deck. "Thank you for helping me back there," I smiled back at him, a little bashful. "Of course-! I hate to see people in pain," Before either of us could speak further, I noticed Pekoms out of the corner of my eye beckoning for me. Not wanting to anger my captures, I waved goodbye to the pirate and rushed off toward the lion. When I got there, Tamago shooed off the sailor who had been speaking with him to give us the impression of privacy. They were both staring at me with burning curiosity. "So," Tamago started, pulling the cup from off of his head and taking a sip. "I hear you have devil fruit powers."

Alarm bells were ringing in my head, but I really was in no position to lie. "Yes, I do." They looked at me, waiting for me to elaborate on that, but I kept silent. A brief moment passed before Pekoms growled impatiently. "C'mon, show us or tell us or something-! This is gonna be stuff that the Commanders are gonna want to know when we land."

His tone was serious, teetering on the edge of dangerously so, which inclined me not to push my luck. I swallowed nervously, but tried my best to remain calm, at least on the surface. "Um, well I have the Size-Size no Mi. It basically allows me to grow and shrink at will... I have three forms that I can remain in without any effort." I barely had to concentrate before I felt myself shrinking toward the ground until I was barely as big as their pointer finger. "This is Form One!" I shouted up at them as best as I could. I then returned back to normal size, my body growing back to how it was. "This is Form Zero. And for Form Two I'm going to ask that you give me a bit of space-" The two stepped back in awe as I began to grow. I grew and grew until everyone below me looked as small as I had in Form One. When I was finally done, I had grown to an impressive 15 feet. Everyone on board had paused to stare at me in my new grandiose form. My cheeks started to get hot from the attention and I quickly shrunk back to normal size.

"Well, that's basically the gist of it- Those forms are both of my maxes. I can't grow any bigger or any smaller than Form One or Form Two and any size in between those two forms requires a lot of focus to keep." The two nodded, clearly caught off guard. A moment of silence passed before Baron Tamago cleared his throat. "I guess we got the explanation that we were looking for- Um," He cleared his throat again, this time pulling out a handkerchief from his breast pocket. "Why don't you go take a bath and get out of those soiled clothes. I'll have something laid out for you in the meantime. You," He snapped at one of the passing sailors, shoving my worn knapsack into his arms. "Take her to an empty room and make sure the water in the bath is hot." The sailor nodded fervently and motioned for me to follow. As I left with him, I heard Pekoms and Tamago whispering feverishly to one another. "Big Mom will either be delighted or enraged... But tell me that she wouldn't be a great addition to one of the elder's crews! The Commanders are going to have a fit over this-!"

I couldn't discern if that was good news or bad news, but it wasn't like I could just sit around and listen. I was led off to a rather nice room, which was not so nicely locked behind me. I didn't even bother trying the door; I was much more concerned with the bloody dress that I was wearing and the promises of a hot bath. I walked toward the bathroom, joy filling every fiber of my being when I saw a steaming tub waiting for me. Without a second thought, I grabbed some of the scented oils from the vanity and added them to the soapy water. Immediately, the floral aromas of vanilla and jasmine filled the steamy air. I closed the bathroom door and peeled off the cold, sticky dress. I despised the promiscuous thing, especially because the captain forced me to wear it as it was "standard uniform". Like I believed his bullshit. The way he looked at me was evidence enough that he didn't care about what I thought, only how I looked. As crooked as it was, part of me was glad that he was dead.

I balled up the bloody dress and wrapped it up in a rag that I found folded under some extra soap. With another rag, I washed my body off of all the evident grime and blood before stepping into the bathtub. The water was steaming hot, almost painfully so, which only made me enjoy it more. I sank into the warm water with a sigh of bliss. It didn't last though. The last few hours had been too overwhelming for my brain to process, but now that I had a moment to breathe, everything was flooding in. My mutilated crewmates, the death of my captain, my capture, where I was headed, it was all registering. My head spun and pounded as I sank deeper into the water, mortified. What was I doing here? Should I have even been allowed to survive when so many of my crewmates had perished on that ship? And, to make matters worse, I was here, alongside the people who had killed them. My entire body began to shake as I splashed the warm water on my face. I couldn't help but wonder if I had played a part in their deaths.

I forced myself to breathe and focus on the scents around me, even as anxiety closed in on my mind. It wasn't my fault. I just hated to see avoidable deaths. I was a doctor above all else and my goal in life is to care for people, all people no matter what side they may be on.

I let myself relax in the water for a bit longer before I finally crawled out, my heart still palpitating. I picked up the fluffy towel I had set out on the vanity, drying my skin and hair. My handy claw clip laid next to the sink, the shiny plastic gleaming from the sunlight that poured in from a small window. I snatched it, using it to hold my damp hair as I walked out into the main room with my towel wrapped around my body. A folded shirt and pants were laying on the bed for me. I put them both on, finding that they were much too big. The shirt was thick and baggy, more like a sweater if anything. I cinched the pants as much as I could, the thin cargo pants flaring out awkwardly. But clothes were clothes and they smelled clean, which was a nice touch. I rolled up the bottom of my pants so that I wouldn't trip and eyed the white heels that I had worn into the room. They were scuffed and dirty, not to mention painful, so I decided that I would be better off without them anyways. I tried the door again, this time finding that it was left unlocked. Before leaving, I grabbed my knapsack, just in case.

The sun lit up my face as my feet touched the smooth, warm deck. The temperature was chilly, but not frigid, so it felt comfortable with the clothes that I had been given. No one bothered me, so I was left to wander off to the edge of the ship. The water lapped at the side of the huge vessel, creating a soothing melody for me to listen to as I stared out at the horizon. I could vaguely make out the silhouettes of islands in the distance, ones that I could only assume were our destination. As we got closer, I noticed a sweet scent in the air; it smelled like... Chocolate. I couldn't resist from sniffing excitedly, entranced by the rich aroma of the treat. It only grew delightfully stronger as we got closer to the island, which I could clearly see was made from a landscape of the sweet substance. Chocolate buildings and chocolate hills created a fantastical landscape beyond anything I could imagine. The wonders continued, for beyond the chocolate paradise, I could see similar islands made from various other sweets. It was amazing.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" I jumped at the voice, not expecting someone to burst my candy-coated daydream. Baron Tamago walked up to me with a soft chuckle. "No reason to look so startled. I doubt any of us will have intentions of hurting you since we are familiar with your skills." I leaned against the railing and stared at the ever approaching island. "But there's a possibility of it."

The Baron sank into momentary silence while he sipped on his tea. "Well there's always a possibility of it." I laughed bitterly at his reply, a chill running across my skin. "Well that's reassuring."

"I wouldn't worry," The Baron seemed unbothered by my sarcastic comment and instead offered me a thin smile. "Despite our reputation, we're not all ruthless people. In fact, I'd have to say that I have great faith in our Commanders and their humanity." I didn't really know if I could trust his judgment, especially after witnessing the massacre that he had just insighted on my old ship, but going in with a hopeful outlook couldn't hurt the situation.

The scent of chocolate had become completely intoxicating by this point; it wrapped me up in a soft embrace of nostalgia from when I was still a child. As the ship neared the docks, some of the pirates rushed around the deck, hurrying to get the anchor ready. The sails were completely lifted and the heavy weight was dropped, securing the ship in place with a front row seat of the chocolate paradise that spread out before us. As I gazed out at the scene, soaking up all the details of the architecture, I couldn't help but notice four imposing figures at the docks. My eyes focused on them with slight terror. I knew immediately who all of the people were due to my time in the Navy, though they were no stranger to fame, or rather, infamy, depending on who you asked.

Charlotte Smoothie stood a bit away from her four brothers, her hip cocked gracefully as she sipped from a large glass filled with thick, creamy liquid. Her long hair flowed down her back, the pure white color making her whole figure clearly noticeable. Charlotte Snack and Charlotte Cracker were deep in conversation, Cracker looking slightly dwarfed by the stature of his other three siblings, despite his own impressive height. And finally, the Billion Beri Man himself, leaned against a wall, staring at the approaching ship. Charlotte Katakuri easily stood taller than all of his siblings present and it was no secret that he was the strongest out of all of them. His mere gaze was enough to make me feel inclined to simply do whatever he asked of me. He was almost as legendary as the Yonko themselves and I had heard many drunken raves from the Navy men about how they would one day take his bounty for their own. I didn't even realize that I was focused on him until his eyes shifted to meet mine. A jolt ran through my body and I immediately averted my gaze, nervously pacing off toward the other side of the ship.

The gang was already being laid down and the sailors had started to walk down it while carrying various crates of treasure and supplies. I glanced around for Pekoms or Baron Tamago, unsure if I was supposed to stay on the ship or get off. Luckily, I didn't have to ponder for long, because the lion mink soon appeared at my side, putting a paw on my shoulder. "Let's go, you need to meet the Commanders."

I let out a breath and nodded my head in agreement. He led me down the gang, walking confidently toward the tall individuals. As they saw us approaching, their positions shuffled a bit. Cracker and Snack ended their conversation rather abruptly and Smoothie smiled, draining her cup before getting closer to her brothers. Katakuri was close enough already, so he stayed where he was. I couldn't help but feel small and insignificant in comparison to the pirates before me. It was only a few hours ago that I was on a ship that was hunting these very people. My mouth went completely dry, so I was beyond grateful when Pekoms started speaking for me.

"I know you all heard me during our call earlier, but here is the doctor we captured. We also found out that she possesses devil fruit powers, the Size-Size no Mi to be exact."

Smoothie licked her lips at the piece of information, a gloved finger placed against her cheek. "Ooo how interesting~ You know I'm quite partial to a pretty maiden who's also strong. I want her on my crew," Part of me flooded with relief at her words; Smoothie was a beautiful and powerful woman. If I was going to be working under a pirate, I wanted to work under someone like her.

"Hey now, wait a second-! Who said that you could just claim her?! Besides," Cracker glared down at me, a sadistic smile growing on his lips. "How do we even know that she would be an obedient little crew member~? She worked for the Navy, let's not forget. Not to mention she just watched one of our own destroy all of her crewmates. Why don't we have a little fun with her instead~" Cracker snickered maliciously as he rubbed his chin. "I'm thinking... Target practice maybe?"

"Cracker, stop it." A deep voice cut through the tense environment, making everyone turn to look at its owner. Katakuri pushed himself upright and walked closer to the circle, the spurs on his leather books rattling with each step. He walked right up to me, staring down at me with such pressure that I had to clasp my hands together in order to force them to stop shaking. "Activate your devil fruit. Let us see it." I nodded my head at his command and forced myself to grow. Easily, my body responded by getting taller until I had reached my full Form Two. Though I was still shorter than most of the Commanders, other than Cracker, it was much more proportional now.

I was still hesitant to meet any of their eyes, but I felt almost compelled to, especially by Katakuri himself. I glanced up at their faces one by one, nervous as to what I might see. Snack looked down at me with a similar expression as someone might when they have to work on a new machine for the first time. It wasn't too far from Cracker's expression, who still looked at me as if I was a shiny new toy for him to play with. Smoothie's smile grew when I looked at her, but I saw a hint of mischief behind her seemingly good will; just that small bit was enough to make me nervous.

However, when I finally looked up at Katakuri, part of me seemed to relax. His expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to soften just a bit. I felt a sense of security in him, that maybe he would protect me if I was under his care. After years of being forced to live in an environment where I was constantly doubting my own safety, the idea of simply being respected and cared for was blissful. I forced myself to look away, my eyes flittering down toward my feet, but I felt my heart balloon up with hope. Even if I was merely going off a whim, a feeling, I had to cling to it in order to keep myself somewhat content with the situation that I had found myself in.

Smoothie cleared her throat softly, a smug smile playing on her plump lips. "Well, I assume that it's only fitting-"

"She's going to join my crew." Katakuri's strong voice cut through Smoothie's words like butter. His eyes shifted to force her to look at him and feel the power in his gaze. "Is that an issue?"

Smoothie opened her mouth, clearly wanting to argue, but after seeing the seriousness in her brother's eyes, she quickly closed it with a forced smile. "I suppose not..." Katakuri nodded his head, shifting his glare to his other brothers. "Good. I want no complaints about this matter." Cracker clicked his tongue quietly, but didn't dare argue. Snack rubbed his chin thoughtfully, finally processing that he was okay with the situation by lowering his eyebrows. "I suppose it only makes sense- You've been without a good ship doctor for a few years now." The other two muttered in agreement, much to Katakuri's clear satisfaction. His intimidating eyes softened yet again as he turned to look at me directly. "I'll have arrangements for your new clinic and a room to be set up for you on Komugi Island. For now you'll stay with Pudding here on Cacao Island." He glanced at Pekoms, who immediately straightened up before running off, clearly understanding the assignment Katakuri had for him. "I'll be back for you tomorrow-" He paused, raising an eyebrow, clearly expecting me to give him my name.

"Oh, Kaori-! My name is Kaori-" I stuttered, my cheeks flushing from his complete attention. He nodded his head politely, his eyes once again holding that hidden softness that made my body feel warm. And without another word, he walked off the dock and into town, passing citizens bowing their heads to him; the relatively silent man simply nodded or waved in a quiet greeting. I felt myself catch my breath ever so slightly as I began to shrink back to my normal size, my hands clutching my sleeves. I could do nothing but stare in amazement at my small fortune that happened in the midst of all this chaos. Just yesterday I would have thought myself crazy to be grateful that I was now working under one of the most wanted men in the world, but it was true.

I hadn't moved an inch when I heard Pekoms call out to me from the street. His gruff voice made my head snap toward the sound, the urgency in his tone inclining me to hurry. I rushed off the docks and up the chocolate stairs that led out to the main street. Pekoms was standing next to an exceedingly beautiful young lady who was wearing a simple yet lacy dress and an apron. She smiled at me when I approached, the angelic action only enhancing her natural beauty. I couldn't help but smile back, her kindness already evident. "This is Miss Pudding," Pekoms gestured to the lovely woman who laughed softly in response. "She will be looking after you until Katakuri-san comes back to take you to Komugi Island."

I bowed my head to her, an action that clearly surprised her. "Thank you for your hospitality and kindness, Pudding-san. I'm happy to assist you in any way I can while I am in your care," She laughed again, the sound almost music in its own right. "Oh, no need to be so formal-! In fact, I'm a little excited to have a new female near my age here in Totto Land, especially if you're going to be working for my brother. I hope that we can become close friends," She took both my hands in hers and held them close; the warmth from her palms enveloped mine, making me blush ever so slightly. "I do too-!" I chimed in with excitement. Maybe it was wrong to be adapting to my situation so quickly, but I couldn't help from craving comfort, either in friends or safety. An offering of friendship from a girl who seemed so sweet was enough to make my heart bubble up with joy.

Pekoms coughed awkwardly, clearing feeling out of place between the two of us. "If you'll excuse me now, ladies, I have other business to attend to. I think you have this under control for now, Miss Pudding?"

"Of course, you go do whatever you have to do, Pekoms. I got it from here," She dismissed him with a wave of her hand at which he gratefully left. She then gave her full attention to me, her eyes running the length of my body. "You're a cutie but this outfit," Pudding gestured toward my plain clothing with a sigh. "This is utterly awful. And they didn't even give you shoes-!" I looked down at the clothes that I had been given on the ship and I couldn't help but agree. The clothing was morbidly plain and ill-fitting, but it served its purpose. I rubbed my arm bashfully, glancing toward my bare feet. "It's not the most stylish, but considering that my old clothes were covered in blood, this was definitely an upgrade."

Pudding blinked in surprise before bursting out into laughter. "Oh goodness, yes that makes much more sense-! But still, we need to fix this," She gestured to my clothing once again, painfully reminding me of how awful I looked. Pudding didn't give me any time to keep thinking about it, though, because she grabbed my hand and began rushing down the chocolate covered road.

As we walked through town, it was clear to see that the vast majority of things were, in fact, made out of chocolate, sugar, biscuits, and other sweet confections. I was completely floored; it looked like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Pudding noticed my wonder and slowed down a bit to point to the various structures. "All of the buildings are made out of confections of different types, which are all imported from the other islands. Since this is Cacao Island, most of our architecture is structured around chocolate. We also export chocolate to the other islands!"

"It's just... incredible," I couldn't help but feel like I was understating the scene before me by giving it such a bland description, but this place was truly beyond words. Pudding looked around with a smile of amusement, but still nodded her head thoughtfully. "I guess it really is, isn't it! I've lived in Totto Land my whole life, though, so I really don't know much else," We kept walking forward until Pudding abruptly stopped in the window of a particular shop. Behind the sugar glass, there were numerous feminine outfits on display, their soft colors making them particularly pleasing. "This is perfect-!" Pudding jumped up and clapped her hands with excitement before rushing in. I hurried to follow, the chime of the store bell alerting the attendants.

"Miss Pudding-!" One of the people, the owner I assumed, walked out from behind the cash register with her arms out wide. Pudding hugged the woman with vigor, their smiles indicating their close relationship. "Hello Miss Varnish-! How have you been?" Miss Varnish whipped out a fan and began delicately waving it near her face. "Oh just delightful, I've just been most delightful-! I've been waiting for you to come in too, Pudding-chan, we've just gotten the most beautiful shipment of new dresses-"

"Actually, Miss Varnish, I'm not here to shop for myself. My friend is in desperate need of new clothes-" Pudding politely interrupted the older woman who turned her attention toward me for the first time. Her eyes lit up in exaggerated horror, most likely at my outfit. "Oh poor creature, this attire is simply tragic-! What kind of torture were you put through in order for this to be your outfit of choice?!" I blushed in embarrassment, but tried to hide the bright redness of my face as best I could. "Well, um, you see- I was kinda taken during a big fight between two ships so my clothes got a little soiled from the fighting."

The elegant woman looked at me with pity and softly patted my cheek with her jeweled hand. "Poor thing, you must be horribly exhausted from that ordeal. No worries, though, Pudding-chan and I will be sure to get you sorted just right-!" Pudding nodded encouragingly and the two escorted me to a dressing room, pushing me inside. "We'll bring you plenty of stuff to try on!" Pudding shouted to me through the door, leaving me to wait.

It didn't take long before the first dress was thrown over the door; that was only the first of many things to be handed or thrown to me. It was a cascade of luscious, yet tasteful fabrics, as dresses, shirts, sweaters, skirts, and pants were all tossed my way. I tried on a variety of things, coming out of the dressing room each time to show Miss Varnish and Pudding. The two women would comment on the outfit and match shoes or accessories with it, before sending me back in with a final yes or no. All of the clothing was lovely, though I was starting to worry about how I was going to pay for any of it. I had a small sum of money in my knapsack, but it was scarcely enough to pay for even one outfit, much less multiple.

I finally came out of the dressing room wearing the last outfit; it was a soft jumper with a simple spotted pattern and wide pant legs. Pudding clapped giddily when she saw it, prancing over to hand me a pair of heeled sandals to wear with it. "You look adorable-! I love this one on you, you've gotta wear it out- Don't you agree, Miss Varnish?" 

Miss Varnish nodded her head insistently, her fan waving *i don't really feel like writing the rest of this scene right now so i'm skipping :) let's just say that Katakuri had phoned Pudding and let her know that he would buy the clothes or something idk??*

  "Have a nice day-!" I cheerfully called out to the customer who walked out of the cafe, munching away on the freshly baked muffin they just bought. Pudding peaked her head out from the kitchen to check on me, smiling brightly as always. "You holding down the fort out here?" I gave her a thumbs up and a wink in return. "You know it-!" She giggled softly, wiping her hands on her apron while she leaned against the doorway. "I really appreciate this, Kaori-chan. I hope you don't feel any pressure to be doing this-"

I immediately waved her off, shaking my head indignantly. "Absolutely not. I want to help you, Pudding, especially after you've done so much for me. It's the least I can do to repay you, even just a little bit." Pudding put her hands on her cheeks and batted her lashes cutely. "Well, if you need my help in any way just holler,"

"Gotcha-!" She disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the front again. I had helped her prepare some of the bakery items before we opened, but as the morning rush passed, Pudding and I split up so that she could tinker around with recipes in the kitchen while I watched the front of the shop. The situation proved to be rather nice because it meant that I got to meet a lot of the customers who came in. For rather obvious reasons, the Navy really mentioned what Totto Land was actually like, so I had assumed it was a tyrannical land of miserable existence under Big Mom and her children. That, however, couldn't have been further from the truth.

Everyone I met seemed to be safe and happy, and when I asked them about Totto Land, explaining that I was new here, they had nothing but glowing comments. They all expressed their love for the islands and their gratitude toward Big Mom and her children for protecting them. I met all types of people, including minks and other species, all of them living together harmoniously. It was like the outside discourse between species didn't exist here. One response specifically stuck out in my mind when I asked someone what Totto Land was like; when I handed him his croissant and coffee he smiled thoughtfully at me. "I guess, it's a place where everyone can get along and be themselves. It's really a good place to live."

The longer I spent on these islands the more I started to believe them; even Big Mom's children, who were supposed to be so cruel, hadn't been as horrible as I had envisioned. If anything, some of them were exceedingly kind, much kinder than most of the Navy members who I had met; Pudding, for one, and even Katakuri, had given me a real start to a new life even though I was supposed to be a captive. I felt more free here than I ever had while working with the Navy, which was a bold statement to make considering that it had only been a day, but it felt right nonetheless.

I was wiping down the counters, feeling cute in my oversized white button-up, which had the name of Pudding's cafe tastefully embroidered on the breast pocket. I had tied the shirt up, letting the collar drape off one of my shoulders while the tie accentuated my waist. My pink corset pants were already dusted with flour from earlier, but they still were bright, complimenting my yellow bandana that helped to keep my hair from falling into my face. The ring of the store bell made me look up from the sparkling counters only to see the captain who was responsible for my good fortune so far. I smiled brightly at him, leaning across the counter invitingly. "Morning Katakuri-san~!"

Katakuri, who had to hunch over in order to keep his head from hitting the ceiling, smiled kindly at me. "Good morning Kaori. I hope that your stay with Pudding has been well," I nodded enthusiastically, stepping back from the counter to wipe the flour off my pants and top. "Pudding-chan has been so good to me. She even took me shopping for some clothing- I couldn't be more grateful to her."

An arm wrapped itself around my shoulder, pulling me in close. "Aww, you sweet little thing-!" Pudding had come out from the kitchen after hearing the bell chime, surprising me from behind. I giggled shyly, leaning against her and softly punching her. "Oh, you startled me-!" We both burst out into laughter, hanging on one another as Katakuri watched us with awkward fondness. He gently cleared his throat, drawing our attention back towards him. "Well, I hate to break you two apart, but we need to be going, Kaori."

"Alright, I have everything ready, so I'll be right back-" Pudding gave my shoulder a squeeze and I ran off to grab my things. It only took me a few moments and in the blink of an eye I was back with a bookbag over my shoulders and my knapsack in hand. I bowed deeply toward Pudding, who looked a little flustered at the gesture. "Thank you so much for everything that you have done for me, Pudding-chan. If I can ever repay you, please let me know,"

Pudding gently patted my cheek when I raised my head, her eyes gleaming with kindness. "Please, there is no reason a friend should have to pay the other back." Her words filled my heart with warmth and I tightly embraced her. We tenderly drew apart, leaving me to walk over to Katakuri. He opened the door for me, but before I walked out, I waved to Pudding one last time. She smiled back at me, waving as we walked out of the cafe.

The streets of Cocoa Island were bustling with life, people rushing to and fro with great cheer. The crowd easily parted for us, however, everyone acknowledging the man before them. Katakuri kindly nodded to the passerbyers, some of whom were staring at his tall stature and muscular form. I felt dwarfed, not only in size, but in importance. Everyone looked up to this man, both figuratively and literally; I couldn't help but feel an added weight fall onto my shoulders. Would I even be good enough to be the person he expected me to be? This thought was pushed back in my mind, though. It wouldn't do me any good to worry over it, so I resigned to accepting that I would offer nothing but my very best.

We walked out of the city streets and back onto the dock where I had first arrived, but there was a vastly different ship anchored. It was much bigger than the first one and, from what I could see, had more sailors on board too. Katakuri led the way, walking up the large plank with only a few steps. I rushed to keep up with his stride, but it was hard considering that I was just below a third of his height. He seemed to notice my struggle and after a brief pause, Katakuri bent down and awkwardly held out his hands. "I feel like it's rude of me to simply watch a young lady like yourself struggle. I didn't even offer to help you with your bags..."

I blushed at his gesture and words, feeling rather astonished; for a captain to be so worried about a measly subordinate as myself seemed incredulous. Still, the gentlemanly act made my heart flutter and I felt no reason to turn down his offer. I bashfully approached him and Katakuri easily lifted me into his strong arms. He cradled me in one of them, securely holding me against his chest with ease. It was only from all the way up here did I truly realize just how small I was in comparison to him. His body was firm and strong, but wonderfully warm. His fluffy scarf was just long enough where I could rest my head against it, the scent of sweet dough tickling my nose. The ride was short, but wonderfully pleasant, so much so that I was a little disappointed when he gently set me on the deck of the ship.

I gracefully hopped onto the wooden deck before looking back up at him with an appreciative, yet somewhat bashful smile. "Thank you, Katakuri-san, that was very kind," I felt my hands playing with the hem of my shirt as I gazed up at him from beneath my lashes. He seemed to glance away from me and bury deeper into his scarf for a split second, but it was so quick that it might have just been a trick of the light. "It was nothing." He cleared his throat and turned his back toward me, leaving me to walk after him. "If it doesn't bother you, I'd like you to grow in size again. It's easier to converse with someone closer to my height." The hint of humor in his words led me to believe that he had to be smiling underneath that scarf.

I obliged without hesitation, careful that no one was too close when I grew. In an instant, I was standing at my peak height, which was still below Katakuri himself. We walked together to the front of the ship, which gave a beautiful view of the various islands which made up Totto Land. I put my hands on the rail of the ship and leaned forward, trying to drink up every little bit of the scene before me. I heard a soft laugh and, when I turned to my side, found Katakuri looking at me with amusement. "I'm glad that you seem to be excited."

"I am excited," I mused happily, the ocean air smelling oddly sweet from all the different confectionary islands. "Mainly because of you, though." I looked at him with a soft, dreamy smile as I pulled my handkerchief from off of my head, letting my hair be free. His eyes widened, clearly not expecting my answer. Katakuri cleared his throat, once again seeming to hide his face from me, this time discreetly gazing off to the side. "And why is that?"

A sigh escaped my lips as I looked forward once again, a slight haze falling over my eyes. "The Navy was... It was not a good place, at least for me. I haven't been treated so kindly since before I set out on the sea. So when I was saved by your benevolence, I felt like maybe it was a wonderful twist of fate. And so far, it's turned out to be just that. Pudding has been an amazingly kind friend to me, which was, once again, thanks to you. And maybe I'm blinded by this entire sugar-coated world, but I want to believe in your goodness."

There was a pause between us, which once again inclined me to look at his face. He noticed my gaze and turned toward me, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. "You do realize that I'm one of the most wanted men in the world, right? You said it yourself, you used to work for the Navy. Surely you've seen my poster,"

I blinked innocently, my head leaning to one side. "But, I don't think that your bounty could be indicative of your nature if you've been genuine with me. Trust me, I'm the first person to acknowledge the flaws of the Navy." Katakuri clearly didn't expect my response as he retreated into immediate silence; instead, he just nodded to acknowledge my statement. I didn't mind the silence, though. Katakuri's presence was somewhat quiet on its own, which allowed the lack of conversation to be peaceful rather than tense. There was something comforting, something almost protective, about his presence that just made me lower my guard. I could have easily fallen asleep on that deck, between the waves, the sweet air, and the warmth that seemed to emanate from his body, but the sights were just too beautiful for me not to look.

"When we get to Komugi Island I'll show you where you'll be staying." Katakuri finally spoke up, breaking the peaceful lull in conversation. "Normally, crewmembers would stay in town among the other citizens, but because you are the new ship doctor, I have made specific arrangements for you to stay in the Main Building, where you'll have access to your own clinic. Besides, it wouldn't be vigilant of me to let a Navy girl run loose on her own- You'll be accompanying me during the day for the near future." A bit of me felt crestfallen that he didn't trust me, even though his reasons behind such deductions were completely understandable. Still, my situation was well beyond my expectations and I could only be grateful for Katakuri's kindness.

The ship navigated through the relatively calm water, approaching a large dock that was bustling with activity, even more than Cacao Island. People were loading and unloading various boxes of cargo from brightly colored ships, but the fantastic scene at the port was overshadowed by the beauty of the island itself. Various structures stood tall among the more modest shops of the main road. Everything, much like Cacao Island, looked edible. The buildings all seemed to be made up of various types of sweet breads, the largest building having a donut at the top of it. I laughed with delight as the ship finished docking, leaving me free to see everything on land.

Katakuri gently took my arm, leading me away from the edge of the ship toward a large plank that was set next to a much smaller one that was clearly made for the majority of the crew. As I was still in Form Two, I followed my new captain down the larger gangplank and onto the dock. People looked up at us, a few of them nodding politely when I made eye contact. I smiled back, waving shyly as I made sure to keep close to my 'guardian'.

The streets here were much bigger than they had been on Cacao Island, showing that Komugi Island had been made with its Commander in mind. Many more of the citizens here were of a taller stature, some of them reaching my shoulder height, which startled me a bit. I had always felt giant when I grew to this form, but in comparison to so many of the people I had seen, it wasn't all that impressive. I couldn't keep myself from eyeing the many shops and stalls that lined the cutely decorated streets; when Katakuri realized my slowed pace, he glanced over his shoulder, a hint of fondness in his eyes. "I'm glad that you seem to be liking it here. I'll take that as a personal compliment."

My attention snapped back toward him and I hurried back by his side, careful to not accidentally hit anyone. "Oh, it's beautiful! Everything is made so nicely and there are more types of people here than I could have fathomed-! I didn't think that so many different species could be living together so peacefully, especially when I feel like the majority of the world is plagued by such prejudiced conflict..."

"Despite what is said about my mother, I do feel like she has done a good job in creating such a welcoming place for people to live. She doesn't like interspecies conflict, so Totto Land is supposed to be a place where everyone can be happy." Katakuri spoke with such conviction that I couldn't help but believe that this place was created from the sole benevolence of Big Mom, despite what I already knew of her. "You're not the first person I've heard that from since I've gotten here. All the citizens seem to think the same way," Katakuri's eyes crinkled cheerfully, his expression somehow both proud and bashful at the same time. "Well, all of us work hard to ensure that for them, so it's nice to hear their praises." His expression hardly matched his facial features, but the contrast was so adorable to me that I couldn't help but laugh. He looked at me quizzically, but I merely waved him off, not wanting to embarrass him.

Our journey was rather short and soon we reached the large building that I had seen from the harbor which had a huge donut on top of it. It was a rather swanky type building, many rings of donuts making up the different floors of the building. Even in my enlarged state, the building was enormous, but it was clear to understand why by just glancing at the person at my side. We walked up to the door, but before either of us could push, a face greeted us with a smile. "Welcome back, Katakuri-san!"

I couldn't help but yelp in surprise when the door spoke, startled and somewhat horrified by it's animation. The door stared at me with curiosity and a bit of hurt as Katakuri stifled a low chuckle. I rubbed my eyes incredulously only to see the peeved expression of the door still looking back at me. The expression I made must have been pretty funny, because this time Katakuri couldn't keep his snicker hidden. The door also traded their look of annoyance for one of joy as they laughed. "Oh dear, you must not be from here-!" I was still trying to process the fact that the door was speaking, but I managed to nod my head at her question. "Yeah, I only got here yesterday..."

"I apologize Kaori, I had assumed Pudding would have told you about these things." Katakuri put a hand on my shoulder, a hint of amusement still present in his tone. I gave a nervous laugh in response (bruh fuck this shit i wanna write about juicy stuff; skip a couple years)

I walked into my office, entering through the large doors with a cup of tea in hand. The clinic was happily lit by streams of sunlight that flooded in from the large windows. Various glass bottles of herbs, medicine, and bandages glistened as I set my steaming tea on my large wooden work desk. I softly tousled my hair, looking outside as it did. The sun, though it was bright, was starting to become clouded by thick, puffy clouds of grey, indicating that there might be some rain present later in the day. I stretched in the sun, yawning as I did, trying to shake off any lingering sleepiness.

I took a small sip of my tea, a knock at the door attracting my attention. "Delivery-!" A voice called out from the other side, prompting me to hurry a bit faster. I threw open the door, a breeze rushing in to toy with my hair. A familiar figure was almost hidden behind a large bouquet of flowers. Small yellow flowers crowded the space, each one fighting for the highest position in the wrapping. I smiled brightly at the sight, quickly taking the load from the delivery man, who, although extremely tall, was still a foot or two shorter than I was. "Thank you very much, Shinso. I know delivering these bouquets every week can't be easy,"

After taking the flowers, the delivery man's face was revealed. He had a naturally tired look in his eyes, the dark circles underneath them only adding to the effect. He tipped his hat politely as I walked back inside the clinic, putting them in the empty vase that was waiting with fresh water. I had prepared it last night, having taken the old flowers out; I had been receiving flowers weekly without fail for almost two years now, but who they were from was still a complete mystery to me. Shinso leaned on the doorframe, yawning as I happily fluffed the sweet blossoms. "Still won't tell me who they're from?" I turned back toward him, batting my lashes sweetly.

He gave me a small smile, glancing away shyly. "Yeah, no way, sweetheart. The whole point is for me to keep it a secret. Besides, it's not like I have confirmation, just my own suspicions. If anyone knows, it's Maribell. She's the one who gets the orders and arranges the flowers. I'm just the delivery man."

My lips pulled into a small pout as I approached him sadly, shrinking a bit so that I was just below eye level. "Not even a teeny hint~?" I took his hands in mine, which caused him to blatantly blush. For a moment, I could see him considering my offer; but that train of thought was quickly shut down by a flash of fear that crossed his dark irises. He shook his head before ruffling my hair affectionately. "Sorry, but no can do. I told you anyway, I can only speculate. I don't know who it actually is."

I sighed in defeat, pulling away dramatically and covering my face miserably. "You're my only hope, Shinso-! How else am I ever supposed to figure this out?!" He merely shrugged and nudged himself upright. "Ask Maribell. Besides, you're smart. I bet you could figure it out," He turned around, raising his hand casually as he walked back out to his van. "See ya,"

"Bye bye..." I muttered dejectedly as I returned to Form Two in order to easily close the door behind him. The flowers almost sparkled with vibrant color due to the dewy sun as they filled the room with a soft sweetness. I touched one of the blossoms, noticing how soft and delicate the petals were. My lips curled into a dreamy smile as I daydreamed about who this secret admirer could be; I couldn't deny that there was an individual who I always had in mind. Ever since I had first started receiving the bouquets, I couldn't stop myself from hoping that it was him; and as more came, those feelings of hope only grew, budding in my chest until they consumed so much room it was hard to breathe at times.

Katakuri had stayed by my side for the majority of the first year before he let me have more freedom, but it never felt unpleasant. He was always considerate of my time and often asked me if I wanted to go anywhere or do anything when I wasn't working and he wasn't particularly busy. It would be a lie if I ignored the feelings that had blossomed toward the intimidating, yet surprisingly gentle man. At first it was only a girlish crush; I was taken in by his gentlemanly attitude and his kind persona, which only made me feel more attracted to him. But as I spent more time around him, it matured into something much more than a crush. I was completely attached.

Even after that first year, when I was given the opportunity to venture out on my own, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at the thought that I would be losing so much personal time with him. Luckily, though, it wasn't as bad as I thought. He still made a point to come and ask if I wanted to accompany him any time he was going out.

A soft sigh escaped my lips as I continued to touch the flowers, my head swimming with thoughts of my captain. Despite how smitten I was, I hadn't dared to express my feelings to anyone lest it got back around to my captain. Just the thought made my ears light up in embarrassment as heat flooded my face. Of course I could dream that it was Katakuri who had been so graciously sending me these floral gifts, but to actually believe that was simply a fantasy.

A gentle chime of the door quickly forced me to hide away my lovestruck expression and replace it with a much more natural smile. "Hello there~!" I whipped around from the bouquet to see a friend of mine walking in, a baby in her arms and a young child walking shyly behind her. "Kaori-chan~!"

"Hello Sunsettia-san," The tall, slim woman approached me, each stride filled with importance and regality. Her long, dark hair was intricately braided with jewels, held up by numerous gold pins. Her skin teetered on being deathly pale, making her look almost like a geisha, especially with her lavish makeup. Her dark orange eyes were framed by thick lashes and her plump lips were colored ruby red. She wore a dramatic dress with a dangerously low cut neckline, exposing her impressive cleavage. However, all of it paled in comparison to her hands; they were perfectly smooth, not a single blemish or vein visible on the pale skin. Each long finger was complete with at least one ring, each one covered in impressive jewels that sparkled even without any light. Her nails were long, almost clawlike, and they too were covered in tiny gems that gleamed on top of her glossy nail polish. Everything about her simply forced people to look her way, her impressive height only adding to the effect. She was extremely tall, even taller than I was in Form Two, but she filled the space as if she owned it. It made perfect sense that she was the wife of one of the eldest brothers, Charlotte Oven. It was through this connection that I had grown close to her. I had only just arrived when she was pregnant with her first child; about a month afterwards, she was due and Katakuri had asked that I served as the midwife during her pregnancy.

It had been a huge honor to me that I had been asked and I took it very seriously. The delivery had gone perfectly, much to Oven's pleasure and Sunsettia's relief. Afterwards, Sunsettia refused to have any other doctor see herself or her baby, which was affectionately named Charlotte Butter, so I continued to treat both of them. It was only a matter of months before we became close friends, despite our situational differences.

She handed me the small baby that was in her arms, which cooed happily when I took it. "Well hello to you too, Caramel-chan~" I gently tickled the baby, who I had known since before her birth. When Sunsettia was pregnant with Caramel, I had been the one to look over her pregnancy and I again served as her midwife. A small tug on my cardigan directed my attention to Butter, who had made his way over to where I was. The boy, who was almost five, looked up at me with big eyes that bore a striking resemblance to his mother. He had orangey hair, like his father, but his hair was much fluffier than either of his parents. "Butter-chan! You've gotten so big-!" Balancing Caramel in my arms, I reached down and gently ruffled his hair, to which he smiled bashfully, before rushing back to his mother.

Sunsettia had busied herself by touching up her lipstick in the mirror when she felt Butter latch back onto her leg. She quickly put the makeup away and turned her attention back toward me as I softly rocked Caramel in my arms. Her eyes lit up when she noticed the flowers, her lithe fingers reaching out to gently touch one of the petals. "My, my, so that admirer is still sending you flowers huh?" There was a hint of playfulness in her tone as she glanced toward me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I blushed a bit at the notion, but I still nodded my head. "I only wish I knew who they were from,"

"Is there anyone you're hoping is the sender~?" Once again, her tone was clearly mischievous, which only made my blush worsen. I shook my head despite knowing that such was a complete lie; Sunsettia merely arched a brow. It was clear to see that she didn't believe me in the least. "Oh cmon, just tell me Kaori-chan. What if I could help you in some way~? Then by not telling me, you'd be betraying your own romantic fantasies." As convincing as she was, I forced myself not to utter a word. It would be too risky to let anyone know my true feelings, even Sunsettia who I trusted so much. It wasn't just the embarrassment I would feel in revealing such a personal detail, but it was something that could bring me into deep trouble with Big Mom herself. People didn't just date the Charlottes; they had to be approved by Big Mom first and marriages were only performed for political reasons or alliances. Me, someone with no family prestige or wealth, stood no chance at ever being a likely candidate for Katakuri's wife. Still, it wasn't hurting anyone for me to simply fantasize about it; but that's all it could ever be. Any advances on my part would only lead to shame and danger.

"I don't have romantic fantasies silly~" I gently tapped the tip of her nose, giggling while I did. "I'm just curious as to who's sending them, is all. I can't have romantic fantasies about someone I don't even know."

Sunsettia wrinkled her nose at my response, scoffing elegantly. "Please, I know that you have someone in mind. Don't insult my ability to deduce such a thing-! Now, I just have to guess who it could possibly be because you're downright terrible at hiding your emotions."

At this I paled; Sunsettia was not just a pretty face. She was clever and driven. She would stop at nothing to get what she wanted, even if that meant using her power and position to coerce others. She noticed my change and her smile went from playful to dangerous. Her plump red lips parted, about to utter my death sentence, when Caramel began to cry. Mentally, I thanked the baby for causing a distraction at such a perfect time and went about cooing to her tenderly. "Oh don't cry, baby, don't cry~" Taking the chance, I quickly turned my back to Sunsettia to walk Caramel over to the patient's bed. I rocked the adorable bundle, softly peppering her face with light kisses. Almost as quickly as she had started crying, Caramel's face went back to its normal bright smile, laughing while I blew into her tummy.

Her tantrum was so well timed that I couldn't help but feel like she had staged it just to help me out, even if I knew that was basically impossible. Even so, when I leaned close to her again, I whispered softly. "Thank you, sweetie," She merely let out a happy giggle in reply.

I went through the motions of the checkup, looking into Caramel's big blue eyes with my light and listening to her beating heart with my stethoscope. After finishing the routine, I softly tickled her again and peppered her face with kisses, her pearly laughter ringing out in the office. Still giggling, I handed the little bundle back to her beautiful mother, who affectionately took hold of her baby. "She looks just perfect, Sunsettia,"

"Good, good," Sunsettia smiled back at me, clearly relieved; she always was slightly anxious about checkups, something that stemmed from just how much she loved her children. Butter tentatively ventured out from beside his mother again, coming up to me with slightly raised arms. Understanding immediately, I leaned down and picked up the little boy, who grinned with delight. "You've been waiting so patiently for your turn~!" I gently set him down on the patient bed, lightly tapping his nose with my finger. "Let's get you all checked out, m'kay?"

I finished with both of the checkups, each child in the bloom of health under the doting care of their parents. After I had helped Butter down from the bed and given him one of the heart shaped lollipops that I kept in the office specifically for my younger patients, I was about ready to wish Sunsettia a good day when she snatched my wrist and yanked me close. She leaned near my ear and held up an elegant hand to keep the kids from hearing her voice or reading her lips. "Don't think I'm just about to let you off the hook. I'm going to do some digging of my own, so we'll be in touch soon, darling~" The blood practically drained out of my body when she whispered that to me, but I had no time to protest. She playfully shoved me back and grabbed Butter's hand, blowing  a quick kiss in my direction. "Thank you so much, Kaori-chan! I'll see you very soon," And with that, she sauntered out of my office, baby in hand and Butter rushing behind her.

I was still standing there long after she had left, staring at the flowers in a hazy hopelessness. I wasn't an idiot; I knew that, despite how unlikely it seemed, it was still possible that Katakuri could be the one sending the bouquets. My heart squeezed at the thought, girlish longing warring against sensibility. A sigh escaped my lips as I walked over toward them again, playing with the velvety petals. "It could never work out anyways..." I whispered, somewhat bitter at the reality of it all. Our positions just made us incompatible; I was just a crew doctor, and he was Big Mom's strongest son. She would never let me ever get close to him like that...

Blush raced over my cheeks and ears as I realized my own thoughts. This was ridiculous-! I had no way of knowing exactly who had been sending the flowers and for me to assume that it was Katakuri was a massive leap. This was reality; I couldn't listen to the fantasies that I was trying to trick myself into believing. Shaking my head at my own idiocy, I hurried to grab a few books off of my desk and rushed out of my office.

The rest of my afternoon was clear since, today, I wasn't even technically supposed to be in the office. But, I couldn't deny Sunsettia, even if her prefered day happened to fall on my day off. Still, there was plenty of day left for me to enjoy. Plenty day left for me to try and forget about my handsome captain and my mysterious admirer and the fact that my handsome captain might be my mysterious admirer. If I was going to insist on living in fantasy land, I might as well do it in a much more appropriate setting.

As I walked down main street, now back in Form Zero,  I noticed the florist shop. The soft sweet scent from the fresh blossoms wafted toward me, filling my senses with a tantalizing aroma. I glanced over, half hoping to see my secret admirer among the plants, but the only person there was Maribell, daintily fluffing a few leaves. I watched her for a few moments, mainly lost in a day dream, as realization sank in. I heard Shinso's voice again, urging me to ask Maribell. A devilish grin came over me as I skipped over toward her, eyeing some of the flowers along the way. She noticed me and smiled brightly. "Hello Kaori-chan! What brings you here today?"

"Oh, well, you know," I tiptoed over to a bouquet of pink tulips, touching their tender blooms as I eyed her. "I received my bouquet today. You always do a lovely job of picking out the flowers- Or, maybe I should credit that to my admirer~?" Maribell immediately understood where I was going with this, her face blanching in the process. She began to back away from me, only to run into a wooden table filled with budding trees. As I approached, she gave me a nervous grin, sweat dripping down her cheek. "C'mon, Kaori-chan, don't do this to me- I really can't say anything! Really, really... I promise all my clients anonymity if they desire. I can't break that code!"

"But Maribell-!" I pleaded, grabbing her hands desperately. "I need your help! How else am I going to know who it is?!" Maribell looked conflicted, her brow furrowing with inner conflict, but her morality won out and she shook her head. "Sorry, Kaori-chan, I can't say anything." I dropped her hands, pouting angrily. She watched me, lips pursed, when she laid eyes on a bunch of roses behind me. "But you can-"

***

    I licked the envelope closed, effectively sealing the gardenia scented letter inside the petal pink casing. With a flick of my wrist, I drew a small heart on the front of the letter and handed it to Maribell, who tucked it securely into a bouquet of pink hydrangeas. "There! Perfect- I'll make sure they're delivered this afternoon," Maribell smiled at me as I blushed, fiddling with the ribbon that was tied securely around the vase. I felt almost silly for writing such an extensive letter to someone whom I didn't even know, but at the same time it was relieving. I felt freed in a way, like some of the weight of mystery had been taken off of me. Maybe it was just a bit of relief at the fact that I had used the letter as an opportunity to hint at my forbidden love, alluding to my spiraling infatuation. At this point, I didn't know if I would prefer my admirer to be Katakuri or not; if he read that, even if he wouldn't know it was about him, I would feel so exposed in front of my captain. Yet, if it wasn't him, while my tender feelings would still be concealed, there would be the crushing weight of disappointment.

    A part of me began to second guess the contents of the letter, but before I could reach for it, Maribell snatched up the vase and put it in the cooler for safe keeping. "You're still here? Love, I promise I'll take care of it. Now shoo!" She waved her hands at me teasingly. "The delivery man won't come any faster if you sit here and sulk!" I stuck my tongue out at her before giggling and running back out onto the street, hand raised kindly. The brisk air of the day still rushed about playfully, but there was a harsher edge to it now. The clouds I had noticed earlier loomed ahead in an angry dark mass, warning the residents to hurry and find shelter before the downpour. Not wanting to get caught in the rain, I rushed along the cobblestone main road.

    I found myself running toward the library, the books in my satchel slapping against me as I did. With a few graceful steps, I jumped up the stairs and walked through the set of smaller doors. The library was generally deserted, most people having gone home in fear of getting caught in the storm. For me, though, I had books due and I didn't want to get a red mark on my record, no matter how bad the weather was. I walked up to the counter, the kindly Ms Marble sitting in her plush marshmallow chair. She peered up at me through her pink cat eye spectacles, her face lighting up with joy. "Hello my dear," She straightened up, leaning closer to the counter as I took out the books from my bag. "I'm surprised you came today, especially since it's supposed to storm."

    "I can never be late on a return, you know that!" I slid the two hardback books toward her and wrote my return in the signature book. Ms Marble smiled kindly at me, taking the books back and storing them under the counter. "Even if you were late, I wouldn't mark you. That would be a little harsh, especially since your track record is so clean."

    "I won't allow myself to be lax," I closed my bag back, adjusting the strap so that it sat more comfortably. "Is that attitude something that you picked up from Katakuri-san?" Ms Marble grinned, the two of us venturing deeper into the library so that she could reshelve the books I had returned. I averted eye contact, instead browsing the shelves. "Mmm, maybe~"

    "You've been training with him, have you not? How's that been?"

    "Well..." I trailed off, stopping to touch the spine of one of the books. I was generally against fighting; I was a doctor. I hated to hurt people. It was against my nature. I gave this same explanation to Katakuri, who accepted it without complaint. "I'm not asking you to fight anyone, Kaori-san," I remembered the moment when he handed me my treasured staff, the blade at the top dulled and blunt. "But I cannot have someone under me who is defenseless. That would be careless on my part. So become strong, Kaori-san. That's the easiest way to keep anyone from getting hurt."

    Since then I've had it rigged with a special powder of my own creation. By dehydrating a variety of plants, I created a potent smoke that, when inhaled, would put the victim to sleep instantly. It was only to be used in emergency situations, but it was still an effective way to fight without harming anyone. Katakuri had also been training me specifically to get me used to moving with the staff. Just as my mind began to be filled with memories of my captain, sweat dripping down his brow as he looked down on me, Mogura pointed at my nose, I felt Ms Marble's gaze on me, expecting an answer. "Oh, it's been fine. I've improved a lot, or so I've been told-"

    Ms Marble simply nodded, returning the two books to their original place. "You seem happy," She climbed down from the ladder and turned to face me fully. Her oddly smooth hands encased mine, holding them with a tenderness that only a mother could have. "When you first came here I felt that you were a very sad person. But now, you've grown to be such a happy girl. I hope that you stay happy here,"

    "Are you happy here, Obaasan?"

    Ms Marble didn't answer immediately, instead dropping my hands and walking back toward the counter. "I am happy here because my family is here. I am happy to give away years of my life if it means that all of us can be granted safety under Big Mom's rule. I've come to realize that, in my old age, I really treasure every moment with my children and grandchildren. I wish I had been more grateful for that time when my husband was still alive," She walked past the counter and into her backroom, which was a cozy and small office space. On the desk, I could see a framed picture of her entire family; her and her husband, whom I had never met, sat together in a garden area, surrounded by other adults, who I assumed were her children and their spouses, and young children, all of which tried to crowd their grandparents. Everyone was smiling.

    I felt tears well up in my eyes as I envisioned my sister and my parents, still living on that small island. Ms Marble noticed and quickly averted her eyes, fumbling with the teapot that she began to heat over a small stove. "I'm sorry, Kaori... I know it might seem insensitive but, well," She paused, smiling at her cups sadly. "I don't have much time left, Kaori. And I know that your family lives far away from here. I just... I just don't want you to feel alone here. I want you to have someone to care for you even after I'm gone. You're a beautiful young lady. It wouldn't be too hard for you. Besides," She patted my cheek affectionately before putting a cup of tea in my hands. "I want to see you in a wedding dress. You're like a daughter to me."

    At this point I had to lower my head in order to hide my tears which fell aggressively onto my legs, staining my shorts. The sound of rain began to patter against the ceiling, quickly picking up into a full on downpour. Even over the rain, we could hear the squeak of the door as it was pushed open. I was too ashamed to raise my head and look out the doorway, but I didn't have to, for Ms Marble went out to greet them. I wiped my eyes, but the tears just kept coming to the point where I had to set my tea down in order to cover my face and muffle my sobs.

    "Kaori?"

    I instinctively looked back toward the familiar voice, seeing Katakuri's face peering through the door. Not wanting to keep him in such an uncomfortable position, I tenderly took my cup and walked back out into the lobby, wiping my face quickly. "Hello Katakuri-san. I hope that you were not caught in the rain."

    "Only a bit."

    A silence settled between the two of us as he looked down at me, his expression shifting between concern and unease. Ms Marble seemed to realize this and quietly excused herself back to her room, shutting the door behind her. I stared down at my feet, still crying as softly as I could muster. "Kaori-" Katakuri started to speak but cut himself off awkwardly, tugging up on his scarf. For a second, I thought that he was going to reprimand me for showing weakness, but his face finally softened as he beckoned me to follow him into a section of the library that was more suited for taller individuals. I didn't protest, sniffling and sipping at my tea as I trotted behind him.

    We made it to a secluded nook of the library where he sat down on the floor, patting the spot in front of him. I sat down there, still my normal size. "Now," Katakuri spoke softly and, once again, I understood why everyone viewed him as the official big brother of the family. There was an underlying tenderness that made the weak will which was holding back sobs crumble away. "What's wrong, Kaori?" I set down my tea cup on the floor with the last bit of self control that I had before I broke down entirely.

    My body shook as I cried, my face reverting back into my hands. "I miss my family..." I finally confessed, my voice shaky from the tears. After I had said it, I felt as if a large weight had been relieved of my shoulders, only to be replaced with a hollow sense of loneliness. My body curled into itself, trying to sustain some feeling of warmth by myself. "Everyone here... Everyone here seems to understand the importance of family. I mean, look at how close you and your siblings are! I miss my family... I miss them so much. I never thought about it as much in the Navy because my parents were Navy soldiers so maybe I felt more connected to them that way- But I can't even tell them where I am. They would be horrified. I feel so far from them. Sometimes it just... It just makes me feel so alone here."

    The rain provided a background to the silence that followed, the drops drowning out my weakening hiccups. Warmth cradled me and I peered up to see Katakuri looking down at me kindly, a hint of shyness in his gaze. He had placed his hand on my head and back, holding me tenderly. "Kaori, you will never be alone as long as you're on my crew."

    Heat raced up my cheeks, lighting them up uncomfortably. I averted my gaze, staring at the floor shyly. "Thank you, Katakuri-san..."

    "I mean it," His finger moved to carefully tilt my chin up, forcing me to look up at him. "I expect you to believe it."

    A soft laugh escaped me as I held his eye contact, my heart melting like butter. "I do. I promise." His eyes crinkled a bit, indicating a smile underneath his scarf. "Good." He retracted his hand and I had to force myself to not show any sort of longing or disappointment. The rain had slowed to a soft pitter patter, the droplets almost entirely silent. Katakuri looked up at a nearby window before standing at full height. "We best be leaving. I think that this is our window of opportunity." I nodded in agreement and the two of us walked back to the front, where Ms Marble was patiently sitting at the counter. I gave her back the now empty cup and bowed my head in thanks. "You two get home safe,"

    "Thank you, Obaasan," I waved to her while Katakuri opened the door for us, nodding his head at her before we left. The rain had slowed tremendously, a lucky lull in the storm that was only going to get worse throughout the night. When we were outside, I grew back to Form 2 since the streets were mainly empty. Katakuri and I walked briskly, the misty air dampening our clothes and hair. Even still, he kept his fluffy scarf on, even hiking it up a bit so that the tip of his nose was covered. "Doesn't that get uncomfortable?" I pointed to the scarf inquisitively, my eyebrows raised out of curiosity. Katakuri's demeanor shifted, his shoulders stiffening nervously. "Um, no."

I sensed that this conversation was over, so I quickly shut my mouth and decided that I would let the scarf stay a mystery. Still, I couldn't imagine why he always kept it on. It had to get hot, especially in the summer months. Even so, he had continued to wear it, no matter what the weather, every single day. The question of what his full face looked like had always prodded the back of my mind, but I tried not to pry out of respect.

The rain interrupted my thoughts, a fat drop splashing right on my nose. I blinked in surprise only to realize that a moment later drops just as big were all falling from the sky. The main building was just ahead of us, though, so the two of us began to sprint toward the doors. Even though we ran as fast as we could, both of us were soaking wet by the time we entered the lobby area. I looked down at my drenched clothes and began to laugh at the situation, hopelessly trying to keep water from falling onto the floor. Katakuri watched me with mild amusement, though it was harder to tell as he had a firm grip on his scarf now. "You better hurry and get changed. You'll catch a cold,"

"The same to you, Katakuri-san. Even the invincible commander needs to take care of himself," I raised an eyebrow expectantly to which he only chuckled quietly. "Enjoy your night, Kaori,"

"You too, Katakuri-san," I waved to him as I began to walk up a set of stairs while he walked deeper into the lobby, making one more stop before going to his room. "Oh, Kaori," He stopped me with a call and I peered over the railing to look at him. "I have to return a book to the library tomorrow. I forgot to bring it today. Would you like to accompany me?" A giddy smile spread on my lips as I nodded eagerly. "I'd love to!"

Katakuri's eyes seemed to glint with excitement, though it could have just been my imagination. "Wonderful. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon then." With one last wave, we parted ways.

***

    (for this next section it will be a Katakuri POV)

    After I wished Kaori a good night, I rushed into the lobby, clutching my dripping scarf. I passed a few other people who worked within the building, all of them bowing their heads before me. I tried my best to be polite and acknowledge them silently, but, right now, I was most concerned with keeping my secret. I made my way to my main office on the first floor and dashed inside, locking it behind me to prevent anyone from entering.

In the solitude of my office, I finally allowed myself to relax. I peeled off the sopping scarf, exposing my bare face to the air. Cradling it carefully, I walked to the very back of my office, where a staircase was waiting for me, leading back to my room. I walked up the steep stairs, climbing multiple flights until I had made it back to my room, which was the highest one in the building. I took a gulp of air, savoring the feeling of having finally freed my face; it was only in complete solitude that I allowed myself to take off my scarf and reveal my scarred face.

As I hung up my scarf to dry, I caught sight of my face in the bathroom mirror. Subconsciously, I began to touch the unnatural scarring that stemmed from the corners of my mouth all the way to the edges of my cheekbones. The scar there created a small groove in my face, reaffirming the fact that it would never leave; there were clear, deep markings from where the stitches had been too. Together, they left a dark pattern that I had never grown used to, even though I've had them since I was a child.

I felt the same way about the dagger-like teeth that filled my mouth. A few of them stuck out due to their size, protruding from my lips so that they were permanently visible. My fingers drifted toward them, touching them in disgust. Perospero's warning from my childhood rang out in my mind: "You'd have more friends if you covered them up."

I knew now that he was right; I was foolish and naive back then. And it was because of my actions that Brulee ended up hurt. The only way for me to survive was to be strong. I would be the immoveable, unbreakable, perfect brother that everyone thought that I was, even if that meant hiding my true self. I turned away from the mirror, throwing off my wet clothes and setting everything out to dry alongside my scarf. I wasn't anticipating seeing anyone else for the day, so I took the opportunity to slip on some more simplistic clothes. I put on a soft white tee shirt and a pair of grey cotton pants before letting myself sit down on the couch in my room. It was times like these that I wished that I had let myself have a bed, but I couldn't let anyone think for a moment that I spent time relaxing on my back.

Just as I reached for a book, specifically the one that I had meant to return today, my Den Den Mushi began to ring. With a sigh, I abandoned the book and instead reached for the mouthpiece. "Hello?"

"Katakuri-sama! Good evening- I'm sorry to bother you so late at night," The nervous voice of one of the front desk workers was relayed through the Den Den, who also conveyed their somewhat fearful expression. "There's no need to apologize. Is everything alright?" I tried to reassure them as best I could, but in all honesty, I was tired and wanted to be left alone. "Yes everything is fine, it's just that- You've received a package!"

"A package? Well just leave it in my mailbox, I'll pick it up tomorrow-"

"No, sir, um, this isn't something that we can leave. It's a vase of flowers."

My heart practically leapt out of my chest when I heard that. I bolted up from the couch, staring directly at my snail. Could it be-? I shook my head; there's no way that she could have figured me to be the secret admirer. After all, I had taken every single precaution. The only way that she could have figured it out was if Maribell had said something, and I knew that couldn't have been the case; there was no reason for her to risk it. "Sir?" The attendant nervously called for me, my silence worrying them. I cleared my throat, trying to play it off as best I could. "Put them in my office and then lock the door. I'll come down to retrieve them soon."

"Yes sir,"

The attendant hung up, but I didn't notice. As if moving on instinct, I softly placed the mouthpiece back on my Den Den and began to pace my room, heart pounding in my throat. These feelings weren't something that I was supposed to pursue; that had been the plan from the start. Even so, the small feelings of fondness had only grown over the years. I guess, in my own way, sending the flowers to her was my way of trying to alleviate some of those feelings. I found myself staring at my reflection in my window, which was too high for anyone to see in; my scarred face looked back at me, those wretched fangs sticking out menacingly. It was a face that I had hidden from her, from everyone. I couldn't help but wonder if she would still stick beside me if she saw this face... "Kaori- Do you think that you could love me?"

I couldn't bring myself to walk down to my office for a full hour. Part of it was paranoia that someone would walk in on me without my scarf. The other half was just due to overthinking. My chest swelled with pain whenever I thought about those flowers, about who they could possibly be from, about who I hoped that they were from. Finally, curiosity won out against fear and I walked back down the steps into my office.

The room was locked, just as I had requested, and sitting at my desk was a large vase filled with vibrant pink hydrangeas. As I got closer, I noticed a sharp corner sticking out from the bouquet; a pink envelope was wedged deeply in the flowers. My hands gravitated toward it, but I stopped myself quickly. The only true safe place to be without a cover for my mouth was my room. I carried the flowers back up the stairs, noticing the tender scent that wafted from the blossoms.

After making sure, once more, that every entrance to my room had been locked, I turned my attention back to the flowers. They stuck out against the grey cast from the sky, the candy color almost beckoning me toward them. I obliged, walking closer and picking up the envelope from inside the bouquet. As carefully as I could, I ran my finger underneath the seal, trying not to tear the delicate paper. When it popped open, I felt my palms begin to sweat. Part of me was nervous for what was inside, but at the same time, I was aching to read it. The suspense was even more unbearable than the consequences that might follow after reading.

I pulled out the letter, gingerly unfolding it. The scent of hydrangeas wafted from the paper, but underneath that scent, there was the slightest hint of vanilla, honey, and jasmine. The smell immediately made my muscles relax and a small part of me wanted to rub my cheek against the paper; it was Kaori's lingering perfume. That alone brought so much comfort and excitement. She had been the one to send the flowers after all. But, the contents of the letter were what really mattered. So I forced myself to read.

Hello Secret Admirer~! I'd first like to start this letter off by saying thank you for all the beautiful flowers that you have sent me over the years. I realize now that it was a bit selfish of me to never have returned the favor. Every week I look forward to the bouquets and every week I am once again stunned by your generosity. Your kindness only makes the flowers more wonderful. So, once again, I just want to say thank you. I hope that you like the flowers that I picked out for you!

I can only assume that you send the flowers out of some sort of affection, something that I wish I could return if I only knew your identity. Still, I hope that this letter brings a smile to your face. Even though I may not know who you are, I can say indefinitely that I would like you if we were to meet. I doubt anyone who is so dedicated, yet gentle, with their affections could be a bad person. Maybe I am simply a childish romantic, but I like to believe this truth. 

However, it would be wrong for me to lie to you- Secret Admirer, I must confess that I, myself, have been yearning for an individual for a long while now. And as serendipitous it might be that you could possibly be the person I so desperately long for, I am not that naive. I can only hope girlishly that this is the truth. I understand your feelings of wanting to remain anonymous. Trust me, out of curiosity, I have tried desperately to figure out your identity. This, as you clearly know now, proved to be a futile effort. You have chosen your confidants well! But, romance is a scary and fickle thing, so I suppose I should apologize for trying to figure you out. I mean, I am not even able to utter the name of my own interest; it's nerve wracking, isn't it?!

But, I want to be able to know who you are. Who are you, mysterious one? Could it be that you truly are the one who holds my heart? It's such a risky gamble! To reveal one's true feelings so rawly to another is so frightening, yet the thrill of fear can often cross over into excitement. I hope that one day one of us will be able to show our feelings freely, but I fear that today is not that day.

I finish this letter with warmth and good wishes, Secret Admirer. I hope to hear from you soon <3 Kaori

By the time I had finished the letter, I had gone through almost every emotion possible. Hope and devastation fought each other in my chest at the realization that her heart had been snagged by someone. Part of me wanted to walk right over to her door right now, knock on it, and demand to know if I was the person that she had fallen for. And yet, I found myself shrinking into myself, afraid of her response, of her rejection. I slumped back onto the couch, holding the letter in my hands, tracing over her handwriting.

In a moment of weakness, I brought the letter close to my face, trying to sort out her perfume from the overpowering hydrangea aroma. My nose brushed up against the paper and, for a moment, I closed my eyes and pretended that it was her skin. I imagined her in my lap, my hands cupping her face. Her lashes framed her honey eyes, casting small shadows on her freckled face. Her hands rested gingerly on my shoulders, though I could feel one of them reaching up to touch my hair. She smiled, her soft lips forming words that I couldn't hear.

I opened my eyes, the scene dissipating instantly. Shame rushed to my face as I quickly folded the letter back and carefully placed it back in the pink envelope. Before I stored it away in the side table drawer, though, I let myself trace the small heart that she had so clearly drawn on the front. I could only hope that she had drawn that with me in mind.

***

    (Kaori POV)

    A few months had passed since I had first sent my secret admirer that fateful letter. Ever since then, all of their flowers had come with a letter of their own. I treasured each one, too; I already looked forward to my floral deliveries, but the letters just made them all the better. Each Friday morning, I'd rush to my clinic as quickly as I could in order to wait eagerly for Shinso to show up with the delivery. I'd then put the flowers in my vase, which was waiting for them with fresh water, and then gingerly open the new letter.

    Everything about them was oddly familiar. The handwriting was one that I had seen before and the lingering scent on the paper was that of someone I knew. But all these little teases of information were impossible to put together without any major hint. It was exciting and dejecting every time. I would scour the letter for any insight on who the person may be, but each time, as personal as they were, it was always things that I couldn't pinpoint to someone that I knew. Whoever was writing these was clever enough to know what would give them away in my eyes.

    And yet I couldn't stop myself from staring at the handwriting, tracing over it with my finger, committing the script to memory in case I saw it. Everytime I caught a whiff of the paper, my whole body would fill with warmth; it was a scent I knew. That only made the fact that I couldn't remember who it belonged to even more frustrating.

    After I had read the letter multiple times, I would sit down and write my response. I couldn't help but find some girlish delight in writing these letters. There was something so romantic about conversing with this mysterious figure through letters and flowers. It felt almost dreamlike. It was almost enough for me to forgo my feelings for my captain... Almost.

    My secret admirer seemed to be hoping for just that, though. In every letter, without fail, they would always ask if I could ever fall for someone else. And, every time, I had to tell them no. It was the truth. No matter how hard I tried to get over him, my heart couldn't let go. It wasn't just a matter of attraction anymore. I was tied to who he was. I had seen the generous and caring man that was hidden under his stoic facade and it was that which had made me fall so desperately for him. As awkward as he was, Katakuri always made an effort to care for everyone. It didn't matter if it was the most insignificant member of his crew or one of his precious little sisters, he would always make sure that they were safe and cared for.

    I had experienced this care first hand for many years. It seemed that he had an endless well of determination and calm energy, all of which was focussed on the wellbeing of his family and all of Totto Land. It was awe inspiring. I had heard the rumor that Katakuri has never laid on his back since he was born since I first started working under him; at first, I thought that it was an exaggeration, but now I could believe it. I had never seen him with his guard down, not even for a moment. He was never tired, never frazzled, never anything less than perfect.

    And yet, part of me worried about that. Many of his siblings commend him for being the perfect older brother, but didn't they realize that nobody could be perfect? Every once in a while, when Katakuri and I were together, I would hear him laugh. It was always a soft laugh, as if he was trying to hide it, but I always caught it. I never mentioned it, worried that it might embarrass him, but hearing that always made my heart swell with joy. It made me think that maybe, just maybe, he felt comfortable enough to relax even the tiniest bit in my presence.

    In my letters, I often urged my secret admirer to take care of themselves. It was merely a projection of how worried I was for my captain; I was still hoping that Katakuri was the one receiving these letters. Maybe, if he cared enough about me to send me these flowers and write me such sweet letters, then he cared enough about me to listen to my advice.

As I finished my letter for this week, a dreamy sigh escaped my lips. Fridays were really the best days because it was also the day that Katakuri and I would spend the afternoons going to the library. Though I usually went to pick up different books on medicinal herbs and techniques, I also enjoyed my fair share of fiction and poetry. Katakuri would often ask me for my recommendation on what he should read too. At first, I was a bit shy in offering up a book or series; after all, it felt so personal. I was nervous that he would find my favorite books silly or trivial.

However, he insisted, so I gave him a few titles. He read them diligently and gave me an honest review of what he thought. Never once did he ridicule me for my taste, even if he didn't particularly enjoy the book. In fact, it often ended up with us having a deep conversation about the piece while walking home. Last week I had pointed him in the direction of a poetry book that I had recently read; I thoroughly enjoyed it and was anxious to hear his thoughts.

Smiling to myself about how wonderful my afternoon was to be, I pressed a soft kiss to the edge of the letter, leaving a pink heart-shaped mark on the paper. After I slid it into the envelope, I began to walk out of my office. However, when I opened the door, someone was already there waiting for me. "Sunsettia-san?!" I gasped, nervously hiding the letter from sight. I hadn't told her about the letters yet; in all honesty, I wasn't ready to talk about it yet. In a way, these letters felt so intimate, I didn't want anyone to know about them. It was a thin thread that connected me to someone that I felt so close to, but didn't even really know. A large part of it stemmed from my own crush. I wanted to believe that it was Katakuri that I was conversing with. And, while of course it would be dangerous if my secret got out, I really couldn't bear the thought of sharing such an intimate experience with anyone else. I wanted to believe that I had been allowed to access a hidden part of my captain, one that was romantic and soft. Not even Sunsettia could know about these. Not yet.

"Hello, Kaori-chan," Sunsettia cooed, her long nails stroking my cheek. She was dressed in a breezy orange sundress, the A-line tapering from knee length in the front to floor length in the back. The very end of the dress seemed to tease the floor, every tiny breeze whisking it up from the ground so that it never dragged. She had on a wide brim floppy hat, which casted alluring shadows on her fair face. As always, her hands were adorned with lavish rings, topaz and amber being her jewels of choice today. "You can't be wearing that to the party, right?" She motioned to my outfit, an eyebrow arched in moderate disgust.

I looked down at my clothes; it was late summer by now, meaning that the days were long and often unbearably hot. In order to combat the prospect of heat stroke, I had opted for a reliable pair of jean shorts and a green bikini top, which was covered in groovy flowers with a little flower shaped clasp in between the two pieces. "What's wrong with this? Sunsettia-san, it's hot-"

Sunsettia held out a finger, pressing it against my lips. "Okay, yes, it may be fine for simply going about your day, but it doesn't exactly fit the energy for the tea party."

"What tea party?"

This time, my complete and total cluelessness forced Sunsettia to delicately put a hand to her forehead. "Goodness help me- Do you not remember? We made these plans two weeks ago!" I blinked in confusion. I didn't have any memory of making these plans, especially not so recently. I would never have booked up my Friday. "Are you lying?" I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, to which Sunsettia laughed. "Lying or simply trying to help you remember~? Isn't it all the same thing?!"

I shook my head with a grin. "So you tried to gaslight me into hanging out with you- Look, I'd love to, but I can't do today Sunsettia,"

"Um," Sunsettia cut me off abruptly, grabbing my arm. "No, no. You can't just miss this. I planned the whole thing and if you aren't there then, not only will I be without my best friend, but my entire table plan will be messed up and everyone will notice that I'm missing a guest. Besides, I know your schedule. You don't see patients on Fridays." Her gaze seemed to cut right through me as I tried to rid my mind of all thoughts about my library trips with Katakuri and the letters to my secret admirer; I always got the feeling that Sunsettia was able to read my thoughts.

Once again, she confirmed my suspicions; her plump lips curled into a devilish grin and, before I had time to react, she snatched the letter from behind my back. "I was wondering what you were hiding~" She held it up like a prize as cold fear raced through my chest. "Sunsettia-san, please give that back- That's personal!" I went to grab it back, but she pulled it close to her chest, touching the seal with disappointment. "Aww, you closed it already- I'm not rude enough to open a letter that's not addressed to me, but," She slid the letter under my nose before tucking it in my cleavage cheekily, which made my face burn bright red. "I will be expecting you to fully disclose the contents to me, of both the letter and your previous plans for this afternoon. Now, c'mon, you need a better outfit than that-"

"But I like this outfit-" I grouched as she pulled me out of my office, my letter safely tucked away in my back pocket and my book carefully placed inside of my bag.

***

As we walked down the main boulevard, I noticed Maribell's flower shop out of the corner of my eye. At the very least, I had to send my letter today. I slipped my arm out of Sunsettia's grasp, quickly walking toward the shop. "Where are you going?!" Sunsettia called, chasing after me while she precariously balanced on her bright heels. I didn't respond; I knew that if I wanted to keep her from prying in on the situation, I should have forgone sending my letter today, but I just couldn't help myself. I knew that the bouquet would arrive to them by the afternoon and it just seemed rude to be late in sending my response.

Maribell noticed me with a smile, though it morphed into vague confusion when she saw Sunsettia huffily walking behind me. Before she could say anything, I put the letter on the counter. "I'll explain later. For the bouquet, uhh-" I stammered as I glanced around the shop quickly. "Jasmine! And honeysuckles! Thank you!" Maribell raised her hand, clearly still reeling from my energetic burst. As I rushed back out into the street, Sunsettia glared at me, her arms folded angrily. "What was that all about?!"

"You know the letter you snatched from me," I gently took hold of her arm, guiding her back down the main road. She arched an eyebrow, her burning curiosity about the situation easing her annoyance with me. "Go on,"

"Well, it was a letter to the person who has been sending me flowers. We've been writing to each other weekly."

Sunsettia's eyes went as wide as saucers; complete with her thick lashes and orange irises, she looked almost like an owl. "Why didn't you tell me about this?! Have you learned anything juicy~? C'mon, don't be stingy with the details, Kaori-chan!" She looked so excited, almost desperate, for any steamy crumb of my love life, but I had little to offer. I shrugged; there wasn't really much to offer up in the first place. "I kinda... I don't know. It felt so- personal. Even if there wasn't really much in the letters. I mean, whoever sends them is very clever. They never put anything in them that could really be a hint, you know? But, still... I feel like, even though they're still such a mystery, they've given me a little glimpse into their heart,"

My best friend looked at me with a cheeky smile, which popped my warm bubble of dreamy romantic thoughts instantly. "What." My voice was flat with annoyance, which only made Sunsettia laugh, the back of her hand rising toward her mouth as she did. "You're such a romantic. You got this dreamy haze in your eyes when you were talking about them. I sure hope that you haven't fallen for someone that you don't even know." The two of us left Komugi Island, boarding a boat that would take us to Yakigashi Island, which was where Sunsettia lived.

I sighed at her words, drifting to the front of the boat where I let the breeze blow my hair back. The sun was so warm that I thought that it could just consume me all at once, its rays reaching out and burying me. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad, either; my heart felt so tight, as if it was being torn in half and squeezed together all at once. Sunsettia walked up and stood next to me, still grinning. "You act like I'm so removed from you, but deep down you know that I can read you like a book." Her words made a pit form in my stomach, the emptiness yawning within me, ready to try and hide whatever she was about to say. She leaned in close, her fingernails brushing against my ear. "You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Her whispers sent blood rushing to my head, creating a dizzy sensation around my eyes. I felt woozy to the point where I had to grab the railing of the ship. My legs turned to mush and my face flushed pink as I tried to process what she had said. I turned back with wild eyes, a forced smile on my lips. "What are you talking about, Sunsettia-san?! Don't be ridiculous, I don't even know who my secret admirer is-"

"Not them." Sunsettia's firm voice cut through my rambling. She gripped my arm and pulled me close again, speaking so softly that the wind almost whisked her words away. "Your captain."

  I looked at her, my eyes hollow with fear. Hearing my feelings spoken into the universe just affirmed how real they were. There was no denying it. I couldn't. I didn't know if it felt right to call my feelings of fondness "love", but a crush didn't begin to cover the depths of my emotions. It felt as if Sunsettia had plunged her hand straight into the well of swirling feelings that I had tried to hide for so long, and revealed something dangerous. I felt raw and exposed. I felt like I wanted her to put that dangerous feeling back where it belonged, deep in the most secretive recesses of my heart.

She took my hand in hers, her smile finally fading from impish to genuine. "You look pale, my dear." I touched my face nervously, scared that now everyone would be able to tell my feelings. "I feel pale..." Sunsettia laughed lightly, pulling my hand away from my cheek. "Don't worry," She whispered again, making sure that no one else could hear us. "No one will find out,"

"You found out," I retorted, the blood draining from my face again.

"I found out because I'm a genius and I know you. Nobody else has my sixth sense and knows you as well as I do," Sunsettia cooed as she rubbed circles with her thumbs on my hands. "It was largely just a hunch. Something in your voice when you said his name. A look in your eyes when he was in the room. Little things that nobody would even notice. But, you know," Her eyes bored into mine, the fierce contact making me stiff. "If I was being honest, I have the same hunch about him," My lips parted with curiosity; I couldn't breathe. The air, the wind, even the sun, all felt heavy. "What do you mean?"

Sunsettia's eyes glittered like a snake. "I mean that I think Katakuri-san likes you."

***

    I could have fainted right then and there after hearing that. In fact, I think that Sunsettia was expecting me to because when she saw my face flush, her stance changed in order to catch me if I slumped. But, thankfully, I didn't, which saved the last sliver of my pride. Still, I looked at her with such pink cheeks that I'm pretty sure I resembled a tomato, or even worse, maybe a beet. "B-But, how can you even know that! Sunsettia-san, please don't tease me!!" I punched her shoulder softly, my cheeks puffed out as I wrestled with embarrassment and excitement.

    Sunsettia cackled at my pain, pinching my cheek harshly. "Oh, aren't you just the cutest little thing~! Getting all flustered like this!"

    "Sunsettia-san!" I whined, trying to push her off of me, but her grip was firm, so much so that it almost hurt. The boat finally pulled into the docks of Yakigashi Island, the scent of various cakes and breads wafting through the air. As we got off, I thanked the staff before turning toward the busy streets. Sunsettia led the way, her hand intertwined with mine as if she was toting along one of her kids. "Sunsettia-san, how do you know though?" I pressed, not ready for her to let go of the subject. She ignored me, eyeballing various stores as we passed them. "Oh that would look darling on you, let's go try it on-" She pointed to a matching set in the window; it was a skimpy tube top complete with matching flowy pants, all made with the same daisy printed fabric. Before I had a chance to protest, not really caring about clothes right now, she yanked me into the store.

As we entered the shop, a cheery bell rang out, alerting the staff of our presence. They all smiled as we walked in, greeting us in happy tones. Sunsettia, still dragging me along, approached a female attendant. "Hello, may my friend try on that top and bottom set in the window?"

"Yes, of course Sunsettia-sama," The woman bowed her head deeply, showing great respect for the tall woman before her. Sunsettia's nose raised a bit, clearly enjoying being treated like a queen; this was customary for her, though, since her husband was the commander in charge of this island. Everyone in the land knew who she was and treated her as royalty. Even I knew that Oven had a bit of a cruel streak to those who defied his authority. This temperament was even more severe to those who disrespected or mistreated his wife, so almost everyone took care to treat Sunsettia well.

The attendant gave me the set and directed us to a dressing room, politely shutting the door behind us. Once we were alone, she began fussing with the clothes, smoothing them out while I got undressed. "You asked me how I knew," Sunsettia whispered, her orange eyes flickering up toward me as I unclasped my top. I looked back at her in the mirror, pulling on the first half of the set. "The truth is I can see people's emotions." Her lips pulled into a little smile, as if she was proud of the fact. "Eh?!" I turned back toward her completely as she handed me the pants, my eyes wide. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Because," Sunsettia traced the flowers on my bikini top, avoiding eye contact, which was odd for her. "I don't really like people knowing. It's like my own little secret~! It makes it so easy to get what I want from people. I don't want them to become wary of me," She laughed, clearly aware of how manipulative that was. "I really don't want to know how you've used that fact against me-" I huffed, looking in the mirror at the clothes; Sunsettia had a great eye. They suited me very well.

"Oh, don't say that~" She rose, putting her hands on my shoulders and looking into the mirror as well. "Though it was cute to watch you struggle with your own emotions- I tried so hard not to pry, but eventually I just became too curious! Don't worry, I've only known who you were crushing on for a little bit, though I had a feeling it was him for a while,"

I covered my face in embarrassment, my face once again on fire. This sent her into a fit of giggles as she played with my hair. "But Katakuri... He's so hard to get a read on. Maybe it's because he always has part of his face covered... Really, my power works best when I can see the person's whole face. But, the couple times I've tried I have seen something. Things about you, specifically~" Her long nails tickled my shoulders and neck, making me squirm and giggle. She was relentless in her attack, forcing me to defend myself; I made blind grabs for her wrists while I laughed, though the attempts were futile. Sunsettia was much too quick for me to catch in such a hindered state.

When she finally let me go, my sides were aching miserably, though I could still feel myself smiling. Sunsettia exited the dressing room, leaving me to flag down an attendant.

I looked at myself in the mirror, face flushed and dressed so nicely in the clothes that my best friend had picked for me. I stood up again and stared intently at my reflection, peering into it to try and understand if what Sunsettia had said was even possible. My hands touched my cheeks, squishing them together before letting them fall back to normal. Laughing a bit, I stuck my tongue out at my reflection. I looked so... Normal. Katakuri was the type of man that many women admired; it was no secret that all his sisters considered them their favorite brother. Why would he want me when he could probably get married to any princess around the world. Even just in Totto Land, any girl would marry him in a heartbeat.

I straightened my posture and smoothed my clothes again when the door opened, Sunsettia and the female attendant from earlier both peering at me through the opening. "Oh, you look just perfect in that outfit, ma'am," The attendant fawned, her eyes nervously flitting toward Sunsettia to try and gauge her reaction. Sunsettia smiled at me, motioning at me with her finger to spin around. I complied, the airy pants rippling elegantly as I twirled. She clapped her hands happily, much to the attendant's relief. "Yes, yes, I'll take this one for her. I want her to wear it out."

The woman nodded before rushing off to complete the transaction as the two of us walked out of the dressing room and back into the main store. "Thanks mom~" I teased, ribbing her gently. Sunsettia rolled her eyes before taking a shopping bag from the cashier to put my previous outfit in. We both thanked them and exchanged goodbyes before walking back out into the sunny summer day. The light white fabric of my new clothes were more than comfortable for the temperature, the occasional breeze passing through easily. The two of us walked leisurely, hand in hand, not really speaking. Sunsettia seemed preoccupied, but I couldn't really judge her for that. I was too, buried in my own thoughts about the information she had divulged to me earlier. Everytime it crossed my mind, a tight pressure built up in my chest, creating a painful squeeze that made my heart race against my will.

"So what were you going to do this afternoon besides drop off that letter?" Sunsettia finally broke the silence, her thin eyebrow creating a graceful arch over her fierce eyes. While I was grateful to have conversation distract me from my thoughts, this wasn't exactly the topic I had been hoping for. Color rushed into my ears, making them burn. "Well," I glanced off toward the shops that lined the street, wondering what to say. Then I remembered what she had done earlier and decided that it wasn't worth it; she would figure it out sooner or later if she took one glance into her feelings. "Katakuri-san and I frequent the library on Friday afternoons. He had read a book of my recommendation that I really liked this week so I was excited to get to talk to him about it,"

Sunsettia's eyes glittered with interest as she licked her cherry red lips, her tongue flicking over their plump surface. "How cute~ I didn't know that he was a big reader-" I felt myself blush a bit as I pushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "Yeah, it's sweet~ And it lets us have alone time together and sometimes, when we're just reading and it's really quiet, sometimes I'll look at him and he'll already be looking at me-" I placed my hands over my cheeks, unable to look my best friend in the eye. "It's so embarrassing!"

Sunsettia laughed lightly, her voice like a bell. We relinked hands, swinging them back and forth. The rings on her fingers were cold against my skin. "It's so cute to see you all flustered! See, don't you feel better now that you can talk freely about this with me~" She poked my cheek playfully as I pouted, though part of me was relieved that I could finally confide in her about these feelings. They had gotten so suffocating to keep to myself that my chest felt a little lighter now that Sunsettia was also helping to keep my secret.

The two of us approached her home, which was more of a castle than a house. The large building stood at the edge of the town, leaving the back of it to open up toward sprawling gardens. Various types of baked pastries were carefully constructed to create a sturdy house of sugar and sweets. Perospero's sugar art curved gracefully throughout the front garden, curling in various colors to create sparkling ribbons of light between the blooming flowers. The sun seemed particularly hot on Yakigashi, as if it was attracted by Oven's powers. The air sizzled with heat and I felt grateful for my light, breezy outfit. We walked through the main doors of the house, the giant structures opening with a light push. The inside of the house was just as grandiose as the outside, with two sugar staircases leading up from the center of the foyer to meet on the second floor, where a balcony railing enclosed the slim space that looked over the first floor. I felt myself inhale in awe; every time I saw Sunsettia's house it never failed to take my breath away. Sunsettia smiled at my expression, clearly prideful of her home. She seemed to glide over the tile, the tail of her dress constantly fluttering about from her footsteps.

She led me through the main hall which opened up to a large room filled with sunlight. There was lounge furniture splayed about artistically, but it was obviously a space used only for entertainment. A small, but luxurious bar kitchen was positioned near the wall, with a window that could be opened to let the space be utilized both inside and out. Large french doors spanned the wall, all of which were open. Their delicate curtains fluttered in the hot summer breeze. We walked outside into the back garden, which was just as beautiful as the inside of the house. Lavish displays of flowers and greenery were spread about in an ostentatious manner, yet the raw display of wealth was enough to make my eyes widen. A large round table had been set up near the house, covered in a bright white tablecloth and set with cute floral place cards.

A servant noticed us from the edge of the garden and rushed to greet the mistress of the house. "Sunsettia-sama, it's lovely to see you. Shall we bring the tea and sweets for the party now?"

Sunsettia smiled down at the person, who looked diminutive next to her. "Yes, that would be perfect. Thank you." The servant bowed before running off to fetch the things and get others to help. She turned to look at me as she gracefully sat down on one of the chairs. "Ugh, planning a tea party is such hard work, isn't it?"

"Oh I'm sure," I teased as I walked around the table to look at the guests. All of the names were people that I had become acquainted with due to Sunsettia; that didn't put me at much ease, though. They were all high profile women in comparison to me, which made me feel common in comparison. Each of these women had once been princesses or heiresses to various kingdoms before marrying into the Charlotte family.

It then hit me like a ton of bricks. I was the only single woman in this group. Even more embarrassing, I was the only commoner and the only woman who was not married to a Charlotte. I turned toward Sunsettia, my face bright red in horror. "You did this on purpose!"

"Well it's not my fault that some of the other girls couldn't make it," Sunsettia replied calmly as she thumbed through a magazine. Her eyes glittered with twisted delight as she glanced at me from over her paper. "Maybe it'll bring you some luck in the love department~"

"Stop!" I whisper screamed; I felt like steam was rising from my face as I envisioned being married to- I couldn't even finish my thought as I ran through the garden, searching for something to do. Anything that would take my mind off of my feelings. But there was nothing; all the servants worked so efficiently that I didn't want to bother them. They trooped out like ants from the house, oblivious to our earlier conversation. They carried plates of sweets and pots of various teas, each dish matching the delicate cups and platters that were already laid out. Carefully, they set up the table, the ones who were closer to our size taking things from the smaller ones to arrange. Sunsettia pretended to be reading casually, but I could see her eyes following each person's movement from over her magazine, watching from a distance like a hawk. Feeling useless, I just watched them, entranced by their harmony.

Luckily, before I could slip back into any embarrassing thoughts, I heard the doorbell ring. Sunsettia hummed with delight and set down her magazine. I ran up to her as she stood up and we linked arms again. In her other hand was a large fan, which she flicked open and fluttered in front of her face. "My my~ It's tea time already?"

We walked back through the house and greeted the guests. Each of the women that entered were dressed just as lavishly as Sunsettia, which made me very thankful that my best friend had forced me to wear this outfit in place of my shorts and swim top. Each of the women looked like what I envisioned when I thought of the wives of Charlotte. They were each beautiful in their own ways and adorned with expensive jewelry and clothes. Once again, I felt myself wanting to shrink away, feeling out of place next to them.

The group congregated in the backyard, each person sitting at their assigned seat. Thankfully, Sunsettia had placed me on one side of her, giving me a bit of comfort. On the other side of me was Perospero's wife, whose beauty was evident despite her age. She had a long, graceful neck, which was adorned with multiple glittering necklaces. Her frame was slight and thin, but her expression remained severe, only being lifted to a polite smile when she was being spoken to. Her hair was pure white.

As everyone chattered aimlessly, her attention turned toward me, her berry colored lips curling upward. "So who's your husband? I've seen your face before but I don't think that we've ever had the opportunity to speak one on one."

"Oh, I'm not married-" I quickly corrected, my cheeks heating up in the process. She laughed lightly, taking a sip of her tea while her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Good, good! You're too young to settle anyways. Enjoy your youth and break some hearts, okay?" Her response surprised me so much that I burst into giggles, which seemed to please her. She traced the rim of her cup with her finger, exposing her side profile; she had an incredibly straight nose, which was slightly pointed at the end. The two of us continued to talk, lightly conversing about random topics.

Despite our age gap, I felt so much more comfortable speaking with her than some of the other wives, who always seemed somewhat pointed and judgy when they spoke. The object of group conversation seemed to shift from person to person, bouncing around from woman to woman without any particular rhyme or reason. I wasn't paying much attention, so when my name was called out, it caught me off guard. "I-I'm sorry, could you repeat that please?" I glanced toward the person who had called out for me. It was a foxy looking woman with a wild plume of orange hair that was tamed into a stunning ponytail. She grinned, revealing sharp teeth underneath her thin lips. "I was asking when you planned on getting married, Kaori-chan~ You've been here for quite a while now! Don't you at least want a boyfriend?"

My face flushed red with embarrassment as I attempted to respond, or at least shake my head. All of the women laughed at my expense other than Sunsettia and Perospero's wife, who I had learned was named Cynthia. "It's really not that important right now- I'm mainly focussed on doing a good job for my crew," I smiled at them, but nobody seemed satisfied with this answer. "How about we set you up with someone?" Another wife chirped which only led to a cascade of more giggles. "Like who~? No offense Kaori-chan, but you're not rich or important. It's not like you could marry into the Charlotte name,"

"Maybe one of our servants would date her!" All the women began to laugh aside from the two sitting next to me. Sunsettia's eyes flashed angrily as her nails dug into the tablecloth, ripping through the lacy white fabric. I gently touched her forearm and smiled softly, trying to convince her that I was alright, but she didn't even glance at me. She stood up, cutting off the laughter. Her eyes glittered like embers, burning so harshly that it was amazing that any of the women were still able to sit at the table. The only one who didn't seem affected was Cynthia, as she wasn't a target of the rage. Her pale neck was flushed red, the blood rushing up to flush her cheeks and ears too. Before she could say anything, though, the footsteps of someone walking through the garden cut the silence.

Everyone turned to see Oven walking toward the table, his long cape flaring behind him. He approached his wife, his hand snaking around her waist as he kissed her on the cheek. Sunsettia smiled in order to mask her anger, allowing her husband to hold her for a moment. The two of them looked perfect standing next to one another, both of them intimidating yet brilliant. "Hello ladies," He grinned winningly and everyone stood up respectfully, some waving and some bowing their heads. "I take it that the party is going well?"

"Actually," Sunsettia interjected, her voice as cold as ice. "I was just about to break it up and have everyone go home. It's getting late anyways," The women stared down at their feet, some of them toying with the table cloth or sipping their tea. Oven sensed his wife's anger and decided that it would be best for him not to get involved. "Well, that's true. I'll be on the balcony if you need me. Katakuri and Daifuku are over, but they'll be gone soon."

"Wait, why?" Sunsettia's eyes lost their fury for a moment, her expression becoming a bit lighter. "We were talking about some projects that are expected to start and what each island is going to need. Told them about your little tea party and thought that it'd be funny to crash it." Sunsettia's face fell when her husband said this, a brow arching in annoyance. "How kind."

Oven chuckled, pulling her a little closer. "Nothing happened, so no harm no foul, right?" She pushed his face away, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, we'll see about that. Intentions are important."

Everyone seemed to get the message that Sunsettia wanted them gone and soon servants were rushing about, helping to escort everyone out. I wished Cynthia well as she was given her hat and bag. Her figure still stood out from the other women, a tall white flower among the other colors. I glanced up at the balcony, which looked out over the backyard from the third floor. A pair of french doors were open, giving me a small peek at the room, which I assumed was a sitting area. As I looked, someone stepped out from the room.

    My heart started beating faster as I realized who it was. Katakuri leaned on the balcony railing and looked out at where the tea party had been set up. I tried to make myself look away, but I couldn't help but stare and hope for his attention. My silent plea was granted when we locked eyes. I smiled shyly, waving up at him. Katakuri's eyes crinkled and he waved back. He looked at me for a moment longer, his gaze sending thrills through my body, before he glanced behind him and then back at me. He held his finger out, signaling me to wait, before he disappeared into the room again.

    A moment later he walked through the open doors that led out onto the backyard. Oven and Sunsettia were oblivious to him, far too absorbed by their own conversation to notice much of anything else. He passed them and I walked up to greet my captain. "Didn't expect to see you here," I joked lightly as I felt a bit of selfish relief flood my body; part of me had been wondering what he was doing today. I was always wondering what he was doing if he wasn't with me. I just couldn't stop myself. It was just a small nag in the back of my head. Who was he with? Was he thinking about me? It felt suffocating to be left in the dark about these things.

    "I didn't either- I expected to be at the library with you instead," He raised an eyebrow in response and I felt my body get warm. "I'm sorry- I genuinely had no idea that Sunsettia was going to drag me here today. I meant to phone you and I never got the chance," He laughed quietly at my nervous response, easily putting a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Oven had told me that his wife was having a tea party today and I assumed that you'd be busy."

    "Trust me, I'd rather be at the library-" I sighed, softly kicking the grass with my sandal. "These types of parties can get a little stuffy,"

    "Oh, I completely agree." Katakuri added, his eyes switching between me and the grass I was playing with. There was humor sparkling in his eyes and his stance was easy. "There's still a bit of time left in the day. I'm sure if we left now, we could make it," Katakuri glanced up at the sun before nodding his head toward the exit. I was unable to stop the giddy smile that spread across my face, but for once I wasn't embarrassed to show it. "You really think so?! Then what are we waiting for?!" I cheered, bouncing into a light sprint toward Sunsettia. She noticed me and we embraced tightly. Her lips pressed against my ear as we hugged and she didn't miss the opportunity. "Don't forget what I told you~"

    Her words inevitably caused my face to flush, but I did my best to ignore it. I rolled my eyes with a grin. "I'll let you know," Sunsettia's face lit up with glee at the thought of juicy girl talk and this promise seemed to satisfy her. She waved her fingers delicately as a servant handed me my crocheted bag. I bowed to them before bowing to Oven. "Thank you for letting me into your home," Oven seemed to appreciate my formality, though he tried to brush it off with a hearty laugh. "Don't worry about it! Sunsettia makes sure that we use our entertainment space!"

    Sunsettia smacked his arm gently before they both waved us off. Katakuri had kept his distance, merely nodding at his brother and Sunsettia to acknowledge his thanks. I turned around and bounded back toward him, the two of us falling into step next to each other as we left the house. I rummaged through my bag and found the book that I had read this week. It was an elaborate story of human emotion strung together by gingerly crafted poems, all of which added to the narrative. "Is that the book you read this week?" Katakuri pointed toward it inquisitively and I nodded. "It's wonderful. I just couldn't put it down, even if it did make me cry multiple times-" I sighed sentimentally as I relived the feelings that the book had put me through.

    "I don't think that I'll cry, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it if you praise it so highly." Even though the lower half of his face was hidden, I could hear the smile in his voice, his tone toeing the line of being teasing. I scrunched up my nose and pretended to punch him with my free hand. "Don't underestimate the emotional power of good literature!" He laughed lightly at my actions as we boarded a ship that would take us back to Komugi Island.

***

    We had made it back in time to visit the library quickly, just so we could check out new books. Katakuri took my advice and decided to read the poetry book which I had raved about for a good majority of the trip home. At my request, he promised to read it quickly so that we could discuss it more deeply together. I decided that a lighter piece of fiction was necessary after the previous book, so I found a small romance novel to try out.

    When we left, the sun had already sunk past the horizon, leaving us in the dim light just after dusk. Stars began to peak out, lighting up against the dark night sky. The air had cooled tremendously, leaving me almost wishing that I was wearing a jacket. We walked back to the building where we both stayed, chatting quietly along the way. Katakuri opened the door for me and I bowed my head appreciatively before walking in. The interior of the building was just as cool as the outside, creating a fresh but chilly atmosphere. I didn't mind too much, though, especially since I was about to go to my room.

    Before I could turn back to my captain and wish him a goodnight, a man came rushing up to him, interrupting me before I could speak. He was carrying a large vase of flowers, which had a soft yellow ribbon tied around it. The bouquet was filled with fresh jasmine blossoms and shafts of delicate honeysuckles, the white flowers sticking out brightly against their light green foliage. In the midst of the flowers, the tip of a pink envelope stuck out enticingly. "Katakuri-sama," he began breathlessly, not noticing my wide eyes as I stared intensely at the flowers. "This came for you earlier and we've been holding them for you all afternoon,"

    At first Katakuri didn't say anything. Instead he just stared at the flowers, looking almost as flabbergasted as I did. His face was pale as he glanced at me. When he reached out to take the vase, I could see the tiniest tremor in his hands. "Thank you," Katakuri forced himself to acknowledge the man, finally mustering the words out to thank him. The man bowed quickly before bolting off, leaving the two of us alone.

My heart pounded wildly, the sound so loud that I could barely process anything else. My body felt weak. My knees were wobbly. My mouth had gone so dry that I didn't know if I would be able to speak. I couldn't believe the reality before me, but there it was. Katakuri was standing next to me, my flowers in his hands, looking just as distraught as I felt. I felt my hand move on my own, reaching out to gently touch his bicep. The contact made him flinch, which in turn made me draw my hand back in fear that he was upset with me. He noticed my expression and his face fell. "We need to talk." He muttered, the phrase sending chills down my spine. I nodded nervously, still unsure of whether I was elated or terrified about the situation. I had dreamed about this moment for so long that I couldn't believe it to be reality. And, in no version of my daydream, did we just awkwardly stand next to each other in tense silence.

"We can go to my room if you like," I motioned toward the steps that would lead to the East Wing of the building. "I'll make us some tea," Katakuri nodded at my suggestion, though his eyes seemed far away, as if he was already planning for something that I couldn't see. We walked up the steps in complete silence, neither of us knowing what to say or if we should even say anything. When we made it to my room, I let him in and then locked the door behind us, not wanting anyone to barge in on accident.

He set the flowers down on the low table in the center of my cozy living space while I walked to the balcony windows, throwing them open. A rush of cool, night air came in, rustling the long gauzy curtains that hung in front of the window. I started toward the kitchen, but Katakuri softly grabbed my wrist. "It's okay- You don't have to make it,"

"Oh, okay," I replied softly, scared to raise my voice past a whisper. I sat down on a plush loveseat while Katakuri sat on the small couch across from me. I felt myself sitting on the edge of the seat, too nervous to relax. Katakuri did the same, leaning over his long legs to rest his elbows on his knees. For a while, neither of us spoke again. The flowers that stood between us acted as an invisible barrier. They represented years of secrets and years of yearning that both of us had been oblivious to. Now that it was out in the open, though, it felt so much more impossible.

I wanted to speak, but the words died so quickly on my lips. I wanted to reach out to touch him, but I couldn't bring myself to move from my seat. It felt like if I disrupted even the smallest thing then it would all dissolve away, like a dream, and I'd be left with the bitter regret of ruining it all. I allowed myself to look at him only for my eyes to lock with his. Blush crept up on my face, but I didn't break away from his gaze. My heart skipped a beat; I couldn't stop myself from wondering if he could hear it. The scent of jasmine and honeysuckles tickled my nose, the aroma almost overpowering the tension in the room.

I reached out, my movement making Katakuri shift a bit in his seat. Gently, I cupped one of the blossoms, feeling the velvety white petals that splayed out in an iconic star shape. "Did you always pick out the flowers?" I finally broke the silence, my eyes still locked on his. Katakuri nervously tugged up on his scarf, his eyes looking at the flowers rather than me. "Maribell helped me sometimes, but usually yes." He looked back toward me, almost shyly. I smiled in return. This side of him was somewhat endearing. "They are always very beautiful," I soothed, finally letting go of the blossom.

"You mentioned that in one of your letters. I was so surprised when you started sending things back to me,"

"I wanted to know who you were so badly. I wanted to have a connection with the person who had always done such kind things for me..."

The minute conversation faded, leaving us in silence once again. The rustling of the curtains was just loud enough to distract me from the pounding that had begun to echo in my head. As I toyed with the flowers, touching their soft petals and perky leaves, I noticed Katakuri shifting uncomfortably. His hands were clamped tightly together, the leather on his gloves crinkling from the pressure.

"Are you disappointed?"

His question made me perk up from my dreamy haze. While it was hidden, there was a shadow of shame that clouded his features. "What?" I breathed, my heart throbbing uncomfortably. Katakuri didn't avoid my eyes now; his gaze, while normally strong, looked guilty, almost desperate now. "Are you disappointed now that you know it's been me who's been sending you the flowers? It's not appropriate, I know, which is why I tried so hard to keep it a secret. I never wanted to make you uncomfortable and it should have stopped a long time ago, but your letters made me feel so hopeful that I couldn't stop myself from writing back-"

Hearing all this was too much for me to bear. I couldn't stop myself. I jumped up from my seat and ran toward him, tackling him in a hug. Despite his surprise, he easily caught me, his back against the couch's armrest while I held him, leaning against his chest. Tears sparkled in my eyes, but I closed them tight so that he wouldn't be able to see. "Disappointed?" I managed to choke the word out as I held him tighter, worried that if I let go, he would disappear and I'd be left alone. "Katakuri, I've never been happier,"

"So- The person you were writing about-?"

"It was you. I was writing about you the whole time."

    My voice was shaky when I spoke, but just to be able to say that at all was such a relief. Being so close to him was a relief. I wanted to cry, but I forced myself to hold it in. This moment, this moment that I had been waiting for, hoping for, had to be instilled in my memory forever and I wouldn't let myself ruin it with tears. Katakuri, who had been stiff this entire time, finally returned my hug, his arms folding around my body. He pulled me even closer. His scarf tickled my hair as I rested in his warm chest.

    My body melted against his, succumbing completely to his touch. It felt as if some tension that I didn't know that I was holding had finally been released from my body. My chest felt lighter. My mind felt clearer. It was like this place where I had been living had finally turned into home.

    "Stay here tonight," I whispered, my voice almost desperate. I didn't want to let him go, not after I had just gotten him. Part of me was still scared that this was some cruel, hyper realistic dream and if I parted from him, I would find this moment nothing but a quickly fading memory. He put his hand against my head, holding me tenderly as he softly touched my hair. For a while he didn't respond, the silence filled with our heartbeats. "I- Kaori, I can't," Katakuri mumbled back, his voice barely audible from beneath his scarf. Part of me wanted to take it off, but I stopped myself. "Why not, though?"

    "Because..." Katakuri stalled momentarily, searching for the right words. I didn't have to wait for him to speak to know what he was getting at. I closed my eyes and tried to savor these moments for as long as they would last. "Your mom would never let you be with me..." My hand drifted from his back to his chest and, with my eyes barely open, I began to trace the lines of his tattoo. "Kaori..."

    "It's fine," I cut him off, my finger reaching the end of the first line. "Nobody has to know. We can be a secret. Big Mom never has to know about me. Just having you is enough. I just want you." I meant everything that I was saying, but I knew that promising him such secrecy was going to hurt in the long run. But if being secret meant that I could stay with him, then I wouldn't breathe a word to a soul. I remembered the call that I had promised Sunsettia; I wasn't sure what I would tell her quite yet. Maybe I could weasel out a half truth about the situation.

    Katakuri's hand drifted into my hair, soothingly rubbing my scalp. Between his light touches and the warmth of his body, I couldn't stop my eyes from getting heavy. I subconsciously gripped onto his vest as sleep began to weigh down on me. I nuzzled against him, just barely awake, the world around me quickly fading. I hadn't realized how exhausted I was until now. "Stay with me... Please, Katakuri..." I whispered in one last futile attempt to get him to spend the night with me. His response, though, was lost to me as I surrendered to the inevitable fate of sleep and slipped away.

***

    (Kata POV)

    It had been at least an hour since she had fallen asleep and I still couldn't bring myself to move. I looked down again at her peaceful expression, her small hands still holding onto my vest for dear life. A sigh escaped me, her head rising and falling with my breath; I knew that I had to leave, but how could I? This was all I had wanted for so long. To leave her now, it would hurt so much, especially after she had begged me to stay. I glanced at the delicate clock that sat on her nightstand; it was well past midnight. I knew that I had to go.

    Gingerly, I began to sit up, carefully sliding my arms under her. I cradled her back and legs so that her head was still resting against my chest. I could feel the softness of her cheek against my skin. My face flushed at our contact, the change in positions a subtle reminder of our closeness. I stood up and walked over to her bed, carefully balancing her in the crook of my arm while I pulled down the quilted patchwork blanket. Being so close to her sheets and pillows, I caught a faint whiff of the scent of her skin and shampoo. It was so enticing that I almost lost my resolve to go back to my room. Almost.

    I laid her down in the bed, her body sinking into the mattress. Kaori softly mumbled in her sleep, her head shifting to the side as she tossed. As gently as I could, I pulled the blanket over her body. She didn't stir again and instead continued her slumber in peace. I could only watch and wish that she was still sleeping in my arms. I pulled the glove off of my right hand and pressed it against my lips. I could feel my stray teeth against my fingertips, which instantly made me cringe. My hand drifted away from my mouth and I brushed my fingers against her brow, settling for this secretive indirect kiss to try and quell the tightness in my chest. My hand rested against her cheek, lingering against her warm face momentarily before I finally pulled away.

    I slid my glove back on and readjusted my scarf to make certain that my mouth was fully covered. As quietly as I could, I snuck out of her room, closing the door behind me as I left. Walking down the dark halls, I felt myself exhale, releasing a breath that I had subconsciously been holding. While my shoulders felt light with relief, my stomach was nothing but a heavy pit; I felt like I was deceiving her. Subconsciously, I pulled my scarf up higher, gripping it like a safety blanket. Deception was better, at least for now.

    "It's not really deception..." I bargained with myself as I made my way back to my room. "It's just a personal secret-" Once I was inside, I locked the door behind me and took off my scarf, freeing the lower half of my face. The air felt fresh against it, almost cold, but it was a nice change. I continued, taking off all my clothes as I headed to the bathroom. I cut the shower on, the hot water soon filling the room with steam. As I walked in, I noticed my face in the glass, scars and teeth and everything.

    My stomach dropped again as I quickly looked away, ashamed of my features. "So many secrets."  I caught myself thinking as I stared at the tile wall. There were so many secrets between Kaori and me already. Exposing one had only led to more. A secret relationship, a secret smile, a secret identity- I groaned, hanging my head as hot water poured down my back. I felt so guilty. Not only had I allowed my feelings to get the best of me and complicate things, Kaori was oblivious to all my flaws. I knew that my siblings viewed me as being "perfect", but I had taken extra care to show her only that side of me.

    But that wasn't the full truth of my identity. I was a liar, a fake. And the man that she had fallen for, wasn't me, but that perfect persona.

When I looked up again, I saw my face reflected once more; I looked terrified. My face morphed into a scowl as my eyes began to sting. Furiously, I threw the side of my fist against the glass, making my reflection rattle. "She doesn't want you." I growled at myself, my expression horrifying. My shoulders drooped as the anger drained from my face, exposing that desperate look once more. "Why would she ever want you..."