One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 79 Not saying it doesn't mean I don't love you

In the clothing store, You looked at the various styles for children and was immersed in the joy of trying on clothes.

When she was little, Sengoku bought her a lot of clothes, but at that time Yu was in the Navy Headquarters. Seeing everyone around her wearing Navy uniforms, especially Rosinante, who looked particularly handsome in them, she insisted on matching with her brother. So she left those pretty clothes in the closet and hardly ever wore them.

Things are different now. Since I finally have the chance, I definitely want to experience it properly.

"Ka2, did I pick too many? What if they turn back tomorrow? It'll be a bit of a waste." They look pretty good, but it seems like I can't wear that many.

Katakuri had already paid and tossed the item to the foot soldier. "Return to Treasure Trove for Pudding."

Yu thought that made a lot of sense. "I just saw you looking over at the adult section. Didn't you pick anything you liked?"

"Hmm, no." He looked at the women's section and bought one based on her previous height. Just in case she suddenly reverted to her original size, he even thoughtfully bought her a large cloak.

It was already late when they left the clothing store, and Katakuri's afternoon tea time was almost up. Yu knew he was punctual for afternoon tea, and decided to discuss the ingredients the next day, so she returned to the ship.

Praline has returned to the ship and is standing on the deck, seemingly waiting specifically for Katakuri and Yu to return.

Seeing her looking like she was trying to hide something, Yu poked Katakuri's cheek to draw his attention.

Katakuri turned his head and could only see Yu's gossipy expression, as if to say, "Look at her shy look!" Her little paws were tightly clutching her scarf.

Although he couldn't quite understand Yu's gossipy mood, he didn't dare relax because his scarf was being held tightly. He was really afraid that Yu might accidentally pull the scarf away.

"Brother Katakuri, when are we leaving this island?" Praline hesitated for a moment before finally asking.

Yu gave Katakuri a "Oh, I get it" look and patted him on the shoulder, gesturing for him to hurry up and respond.

Katakuri had no choice but to continue operating, saying, "We haven't bought any ingredients yet today. We'll set sail the day after tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I understand!" Pralinne couldn't hide her satisfaction at the thought that she still had a whole day to go.

Yu couldn't hold back any longer and asked mischievously, knowing the answer already, "Pralinene, where did you go today? Your brother and I didn't know, we were a little worried~"

"No, I was just wandering around the island..." Praline's tone was not much different from usual.

But that doesn't matter. Youxiang is a gossip, and naturally he won't let go of any little tricks.

Look at that, her hand is behind her back, she's probably nervously fidgeting with it; look again, her head isn't held up as high as usual, she's probably shy; and look at the corners of her mouth, don't think I didn't see them turning up!

"Oh, just browsing around~"

Yu wanted to continue, but Katakuri interrupted her, "Be careful, keep your Den Den Mushi with you, and contact me anytime if anything happens."

"Okay, Katakuri-nii-san!" Praline floated away, afraid that if she didn't leave soon, Yu would definitely catch her and ask her all sorts of questions.

The person had disappeared without a trace, so Katakuri brought them back to the room, and the two prepared to enjoy afternoon tea.

Yu nestled in Katakuri's arms, poking at the cake in her hand with her fork, before finally looking up at Katakuri, who was drinking red tea above her, with a resentful expression.

"what happened?"

Why did you interrupt my gossip?

Katakuri said, "She doesn't want us to know."

"But you don't know the joy of watching other people fall in love. You've only ever read about it in books before, and now it's finally happening to someone you know!"

"Isn't it enough that you're dating yourself? Why do you have to watch other people's relationships?" Katakuri said with a hint of sourness.

Yu could hear the sour tone in his voice, but! "Ah, am I in a relationship? How come I didn't know!" She blinked her big eyes innocently.

"..." Under Yu's gaze, Katakuri put down his tea, pulled up his scarf, grabbed Yu's collar, got up, walked to the door, opened it, and stretched his hand out in one smooth motion without the slightest hesitation.

Yu didn't even realize she was being lifted into the air until she was outside the door. Only then did she realize that the person behind her was serious and seemed to have gone too far!

"Have I been too nice to you lately? Should I throw you out here to cool off for a bit?"

"You can't bully children." Yu tried to argue, but then felt a tightening around her neck. Oh no, fate had seized her!

"Did you realize you were a child at this point?"

Katakuri's hand was already poised to throw him away, but Yu quickly reached out and grabbed it. "I'm still a child! Besides, logically speaking, you've never even admitted to liking me!"

Does your brother love you?

"Of course Rosinante loves me, Kaka, don't change the subject!"

"Does he often say that in front of you?" Katakuri knew what Yu wanted, but he didn't want it to come out of his mouth without any weight.

"Won't..."

"I feel the same way about you," Katakuri explained. It wasn't that he didn't love you, but he preferred to show it through actions rather than with a single sentence or three simple words.

Yu couldn't see Katakuri's expression because she was being carried, but she understood. However, understanding was one thing, and wanting to hear it was another. "But you haven't officially confirmed that I'm dating you, and I don't want things to remain unclear."

"This is my fault." Katakuri stepped back, closed the door, settled the person in a chair, and knelt down to ask, "Then, Miss Yu, would you like to be with me?"

There was no particular time or place, nor any special ceremony; Katakuri simply did it because Yu wanted it.

Yu gazed at Katakuri's outstretched palm and placed his own hand on it without hesitation.

“I’ve always been willing.” You was happy, but still surprised by him. “Actually, you didn’t need to do this on purpose. I was just saying. Besides, your previous actions have already explained everything to the people around you.”

Everyone in Whole Cake Island knows that besides being a member of a pirate crew, she is also someone Katakuri-sama likes; otherwise, everyone wouldn't respect her so much.

Someone who joined a pirate crew because of their abilities, but hasn't shown any amazing power yet, what's so convincing about them? Just like she said before, she only joined because of Katakuri.

She was the one standing beside Katakuri, the only one.

"I will give you anything you want."

Yu didn't care that he never said "I love you," because all his actions and words showed that he loved her.

"I want to gossip..." Although it was very impolite, Yu really wanted to know the firsthand information!

Helplessly, it seemed that after meeting You, he felt helpless many more times, saying, "No."

"Then kiss me."

"..." Normally Katakuri wouldn't refuse, but the situation is different now. "I can't either."

"Look at you, you don't keep your word! You say this isn't allowed, that isn't allowed, and you go back on your word so quickly!" You said angrily.

Katakuri handed her a dessert and explained, "The way you look right now, kissing you would make me feel like a beast..." He looked away from Yu, he was serious.

Katakuri rarely showed such a troubled expression. Yu stretched out his hand and looked at it, which was now probably only the size of Katakuri's finger. It did seem quite different. "Alright, then I'll owe you for now. I remember, and I can't go back on my word."

I took a bite of the dessert, and it was delicious!