novelraw Chapter 20 Welcome Home
Chapter 20 Welcome Home
Roger led Moko out of the cherry blossom grove, and they could already see the shore where small boats were moored. Moko looked up at Roger in confusion.
"Dad, where are we going next?"
"Next, Daddy is going to take Xiaomo to meet someone who is very important to Daddy."
"A very important person?"
"Ah."
Roger picked Moko up with one hand, plucked a flower branch from a nearby tree and placed it in Moko's hand, a gentle smile on his face.
"She is someone who is just as important to Dad as Xiao Moke. When Xiao Moke sees her, she will definitely like her very much too."
"Ok!"
Although she didn't know who Roger was talking about, Moko still nodded happily. As long as her family was by her side, she didn't care where she went.
Tiny cherry blossoms drifted down from the branches, tumbling and dancing like autumn leaves. The petals, like rain, laid out a beautiful flower path. The two people who stepped onto the flower path, like the petals, walked towards the unknown distance in the dazzling light.
Mihua has grown quite a bit during the year of their travels, from a fluffy ball with a diameter of two or three meters to one with a diameter of four or five meters. However, she usually likes to shrink to the size of two or three meters. Moko guesses that it's probably because she's too big to fit in her room. If she can't fit in the room, she'll have to sleep on the deck, and the clingy Mihua definitely won't allow that. (Mihua: Master, please stick to me (????))
The seas are now teeming with marines and pirates trying to capture Roger, but Roger and Momo are lucky. They haven't encountered many enemies until they are almost at their destination. The outline of an island appears in the distance, and the longing in Roger's eyes grows stronger. When he sees the slender figure on the dock, Roger's sharp features soften unexpectedly.
As soon as the ship docked, Roger embraced the figure who had been waiting at the pier. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the hazy morning mist had not yet dissipated, but Moko felt an unparalleled joy and excitement from the two of them.
"I'm back, Rouge. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"It hasn't been long, welcome back."
Even though there were a thousand words to say, none of them could compare to these few simple words. Rouge shook her head slightly, tears welling in her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a small figure behind Roger. Rouge gently patted Roger and left his embrace.
Rouge crouched down and looked at Moko, who was hiding behind Roger. The sea breeze lifted Rouge's long orange-pink hair, and gentleness flowed quietly in her eyes.
"Little Moko, welcome home."
The gentle voice, like a spring breeze, made Moko's heart flutter. Moko shyly peeked her head out from behind Roger. Rouge was as gentle as the early spring sun, warm and cozy, and her demeanor was gentle and quiet.
Moko looked up and received an encouraging look from Roger. She shyly twisted her fingers and slowly walked to Rouge's side, her voice soft and sweet.
"I am back."
Who could resist such an adorable Moko? Rouge's eyes shone with excitement as she reached out and pulled Moko into her arms, affectionately nuzzling Moko's soft cheek.
"Welcome back, Moko."
The dock wasn't a place to linger. Before the sky was fully bright, the three of them passed through the still-sleeping town and went up the mountain. Rouge's house was built on a sea cliff on the edge of an island far from the town. Normally, no one would come here, making it an ideal place for seclusion.
The house wasn't big, but it was decorated very warmly. The surrounding grass was covered with bright red hibiscus flowers. Standing on the sea cliff, you could see the whole town below. Mihua and Moko happily ran around in the sea of hibiscus flowers. When they emerged from the flower field, their heads were covered with red petals.
Roger followed behind with his luggage and Rouge, watching with fondness as Moko and Mika played in front of them. Rouge stepped forward and removed the flower petals from Moko's head, her smile captivating.
After a long journey, Roger and Moko settled down on Baterilla Island. Roger, who was known as the Pirate King, was now living a peaceful life like an ordinary person, reading the newspaper every day and taking walks on the sea cliffs with Rouge and Moko. His days were quite leisurely.
Unlike Roger, who is a father, Rouge, as a mother, gives Moko a more delicate love. This makes Moko cling to Rouge even more. Watching the loving mother and daughter, Roger is pitifully squatting in the corner, just like when he is scolded by Rayleigh for making a mistake. Every time he does this, it makes Moko and Rouge laugh non-stop.
Because of the numerous wanted posters, Roger's range of activities was not very large. However, Roger was a restless person, so at Moko's suggestion, Roger cultivated a small garden behind the house and planted the fairy jasmine that Moko had brought from the ship.
Moke carefully buried the seeds one by one, not even noticing the dirt on her face. Luju chuckled and took out a handkerchief to gently wipe the dirt off Moke's face. Moke tilted her head back and let Luju do as she pleased, her face overflowing with happiness and contentment.
Roger was entitled to a face-wiping treat. He lowered his head and sidled to the side, gazing longingly at Rouge. Rouge's eyes crinkled with a smile as she reached out to wipe the dirt off Roger's face. Seeing Rouge's focused gaze, a mischievous glint flashed in Roger's eyes, and he quickly planted a kiss on Rouge's lips. Rouge was so startled by Roger's sudden kiss that she forgot to move. When she came to her senses, her face was already flushed red, and she gently pinched Roger's ear in embarrassment and indignation.
"Xiao Mo is still right here."
"Mom, I didn't see anything."
Moko covered her eyes with both hands, and didn't forget to pull Mika in front of her to block her, but Rouge could clearly see a glint in Moko's eyes through the gaps between her fingers. It was completely self-deception.
"Hahaha, Little Moko..."
Rouge laughed, her precious daughter was just too cute. Roger also laughed, picked up Moko with one hand and nuzzled her cheek.
"go home."
Roger took Rouge's hand with his free hand and spoke softly. Rouge looked into Roger's deep eyes and felt a surge of sweetness welling up in her heart.
"it is good."
"I'm so happy today, let me cook a big meal, hahaha!"
"Sigh! Dad, you almost blew up the kitchen last time."
"Little Moko, you have to trust your dad. He definitely won't blow up the kitchen this time."
"Pfft~"
"See, even Mihua doesn't believe that Daddy just needs to sit still, right, Mom?"
"Yes, Xiao Mo is right. Roger, you should just sit still."
"Oh dear! Little Mo doesn't believe her father. I'm so heartbroken."
"Haha, Dad, that was such a fake performance."
The three figures were stretched long by the setting sun, and time seemed to freeze at this moment, capturing the warmth of the moment. The wind carrying the fragrance of flowers passed through the gaps in the trees, carrying red petals into the distance.
Despite the numerous wanted posters for Roger flying around the seas, Roger's life on Baterilla Island was quite peaceful. He felt no tension at the center of the world's vortex. At this moment, Roger was sitting at the dining table eating bread and reading today's newspaper, wearing casual home clothes that Rouge had bought for him, feeling completely relaxed.
Moko sat on the sofa next to her, and Rouge was combing her hair with a wooden comb. Moko was so cute that she looked good no matter how she was dressed up. Rouge would dress Moko up in different ways every day to make her look pretty. Sometimes even Mika would have her hair braided into two little braids by Rouge. Whenever Moko saw Mika like that, she would always imagine Shanks with braids. Shanks was so handsome, he would probably look good with braids too. She would try it next time they met.
At Moko's request, Roger, whose only skill was fighting, finally built a double swing in the garden with Moko's help. The white swing with a backrest was tightly tied to the frame with iron chains, and hibiscus vines twined around the swing frame and grew upwards. Looking at the small flower buds on the vines, Moko was overjoyed.
During their leisure time after dinner, the swing became a favorite spot for Rouge and Moko. Gently swaying on the swing with the sea breeze filled with the fragrance of flowers, they could see the golden sea painted by the setting sun, the crimson sunset covering the sky, and hear the rhythmic sound of the waves. Moko nestled in Rouge's arms, enjoying the tranquility before the night fell.
"Is Xiao Mo thinking about Shanks again? It seems our Xiao Mo really likes Shanks."
Lu Jiu's voice was teasing as she gently stroked Mo Ke's long hair. Mo Ke blushed, a rare occurrence, and hugged Lu Jiu's arm affectionately.
"Mommy~"
"Hahaha, what does Shanks look like that Xiaomoke talks about every day? Mom really wants to see him."
"Then next time I meet Shanks, I'll bring him back to meet Mom. Shanks is even prettier than a girl, Mom will definitely like Shanks."
Moko vividly described the scene with her hand-drawn illustrations, and the lively expression on her face made Rouge unable to suppress her laughter, her smile growing wider.
The bright and beautiful Moko under the setting sun and the gentle smile of Rouge sitting on the swing formed a picture. The warm scene was reflected in Roger's eyes. Before him were the two most important women in his life, and a peaceful and tranquil life. He could have chosen to stop, and everything was still possible, but the responsibility on his shoulders did not allow him to back down. His era had to end. This was for the world, and also to protect the important people in his life.
"father!"
Moko waved to Roger, her smile unbelievably beautiful. Rouge also turned around, revealing a gentle smile. The moment Moko and Rouge looked over, Roger concealed the bitterness in his eyes, his face displaying the familiar, unrestrained smile. Yes, how could he stop? His mission was not yet complete. Wasn't all he did to protect their smiles?
"What was Xiao Mo just saying?"
Roger strode up behind Rouge, bent down and kissed her cheek, then smiled and asked Moko. Rouge gave Roger a reproachful look, but her eyes were full of happiness.
"They're talking about Shanks. Mom said she wants to meet Shanks too."
"Shanks, would Rouge also like to meet him?"
"Yes, we want to see what the boy our little Mo misses looks like."
As she spoke, Rouge gently tapped Moko's nose, "Little Moko loves Shanks the most, right? She stares at the necklace every day."
"!!∑(O_O；)"
"Yeah, I like Shanks the most."
"!!Σ(゜ロ゜;)"
Before Roger could react, Rouge's next words were even more astonishing: "So, is Xiaomo going to be Shanks' bride in the future?"
"Bride!" A blush instantly spread across Moko's face. Becoming Shanks' bride? That meant being able to stay with Shanks for the rest of her life. Would Shanks be happy? Moko blushed and responded softly.
"Yes, I want to be Shanks' bride."
"Oh no!! Little Moko, are you leaving Daddy? No way, no way! That brat Shanks won't take Little Moko away without some real strength! ( ?皿?)"
Upon hearing Moko's thoughts, Roger, the father, almost cried. Although he liked Shanks very much, hearing it from his own precious daughter was a completely different feeling. His lovely, still-growing daughter was going to run off with someone else.
Moko and Rouge burst out laughing as they watched Roger squatting on the ground drawing circles. Moko ran to Roger's side, put her hands on his arms, and revealed two adorable dimples on her face.
"Dad, I love you the most, don't be sad."
Seeing the adorable Moko, Roger's gloom vanished. He hugged Moko tightly and nuzzled her affectionately. His precious daughter wouldn't be alone in the future, she definitely wouldn't be alone. Shanks, don't keep little Moko waiting too long...