One Piece: Shanks' Little Jasmine

Chapter 126 The Secret in My Heart

The eye contact between Sachi and Marco was quite amusing. Moko's eyebrows curved into a smile, and a hint of laughter appeared in her eyes. Seeing that there were still quite a few herbs left, Moko thought for a moment, walked to the workbench, and began to carefully process the herbs. Compared to Sachi's clumsy and flustered first time, Moko was obviously faster and better at processing the herbs.

The herbs that were like screaming grass in Sachi's hands were incredibly obedient in Moko's hands, with no damage to the medicinal parts. Only then did Sachi realize that the way these herbs looked after being processed was as beautiful as a carefully crafted work of art. So what were those he had just processed?

The prepared herbs were neatly arranged on the work surface. As the water in the pot began to boil, Marco added the prepared herbs one by one. The clear boiling water gradually took on the fresh color of the herbs. Her smooth and perfect movements did not seem like cooking, but rather like creating art. As if it had a magic, it deeply attracted Marco's attention.

As the simmering time passed, the rich aroma of herbs filled the entire kitchen and seeped into the dining room through the crack in the door.

The crowd, who had been quietly peering through the door trying to hear what was going on inside, were now quite agitated. They knew that Sachi and Marco were giving the little girl a special meal, and it smelled so good that they wanted some too ( ′￢｀).

As the last herb was added, the broth in the pot changed from its original greenish-blue to a pale blue, and finally became transparent, so clear and clean that you couldn't tell that at least dozens of herbs had just been added.

Sachi curiously walked up behind Moko, looked at the pot of clear medicinal soup, and sniffed it. The moment he smelled the aroma of the medicine, all of Sachi felt all his fatigue vanish in an instant. This effect made Sachi's eyes light up.

Ella, who was half asleep in the fluffy rice flowers, was also awakened by the aroma. Her eyes widened instantly, and she didn't look like she had just woken up at all. She flapped her little wings and flew to Moko's side, looking longingly at the medicinal soup in the pot. If Moko hadn't stopped her in time, Ella would have fallen into the pot.

"Little Moko, is this a medicinal soup to relieve fatigue?"

Marco kept a close eye on Moko and could roughly guess what the herbs Moko had added were, but Moko had also added two herbs that were not usually used, which made Marco uncertain again.

"Yes, it's a medicinal soup to relieve fatigue."

Moko placed the bowl full of medicinal soup on the table and handed the spoon to Ella. Then she looked at Marco and, noticing the doubt in his eyes, picked up the two herbs that had puzzled him.

"The juice of Moonlight Iris can relieve tension and has a strong neutralizing effect on various herbs. If it is a herb with strong medicinal properties, you can try adding it. Blue Sunflower Dandelion has little medicinal property, but medicine with Blue Sunflower Dandelion will have a sweet taste, which is an essential herb for people who do not like bitter medicine. Although medicinal food can replace drinking medicine most of the time, you still have to drink the medicine when necessary. If Uncle Whitebeard is afraid of bitterness, Brother Marco can add some Blue Sunflower Dandelion."

Hearing Moko describe her father as a child who was afraid of taking medicine, Marco couldn't help but laugh, his eyes crinkling with amusement. He reached out and gently patted Moko's head. "Okay, listen to little Moko. That way, Dad won't make excuses not to take his medicine."

"This herbal soup is for conditioning the body. Everyone can drink some. It's very effective in relieving fatigue. I've cooked a lot, so it should be enough. I'll write down the prescription for Brother Marco later, so that everyone can drink it on their own even at other times."

Moko rested her chin on her fingers, babbling on and on. Her gentle voice brought peace to everyone's heart. How could anyone not love such a thoughtful person as Moko? Moko was like a little sun, her warm smile constantly warming others. Her orange-pink eyes were like dewdrops in the morning light, crystal clear and sparkling, making Marco unable to look away.

Before Moko came to the ship, Marco had planned to have a banquet prepared on board to welcome her. Perhaps out of timidity, or perhaps because she didn't want to trouble others, Moko ultimately declined Marco's offer. Although it was a pity, Marco chose to respect Moko's decision. It was alright; one day Moko would definitely be able to fully trust them. There was still plenty of time; he could wait.

The prepared medicinal food didn't taste as bitter as drinking medicine directly, and Whitebeard accepted it very well. Seeing this, Moko was relieved. After reminding Whitebeard to take his medicine on time again, Moko planned to leave before nightfall and return to Marineford.

"Little Moke, are you sure you don't need me to take you home?"

Marco looked at Moko with concern. It was already quite dark, and he was worried about Moko going home alone. Marco tried to persuade Moko again.

"Why don't we rest on the ship for the night? There are plenty of rooms on board."

"Really, it's not necessary, Brother Marco. Ophelian isn't that far from here. I can go back by myself, and besides, Mika and Ella are with me."

Moko shook her head, still refusing. Looking at Marco's disappointed eyes, she smiled and said, "There are many things to do on the ship. If you don't rest well, you won't have the energy to handle your work tomorrow. Yubi and the others have already come to pick me up. We'll meet up soon."

Marco noticed the distance Moko maintained towards him, and his eyes grew even dimmer. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't say what he had prepared. Instead, he gently patted Moko's head as usual.

"Little Mo, be careful on your way."

"Okay, goodbye Marco."

The golden rays of the setting sun draped Moko in a hazy, light veil, like a silken brocade. As she looked at Marco, Moko tilted her head slightly upward, her eyes reflecting the afterglow. It was as if a giant hammer was constantly striking Marco's heart, the deafening sound reverberating throughout his brain.

Mika flapped her wings and carried Moko towards the direction of the setting sun. Their figures gradually blended into the afterglow of the sunset. Marco watched quietly until Moko's figure disappeared at the horizon where the sea and sky met and could no longer be seen.

Marco had always sensed that although Moko treated him with the intimacy of family and friends, he could still feel a faint distance between them. It was as if there was an invisible wall between them. They seemed intimate, but in reality, he could never truly enter Moko's heart. He couldn't care for Moko like his father did as a respected elder, he couldn't become Moko's most trusted friend and sibling like Yubi and the others, and he couldn't be like Shanks... he couldn't become Moko's emotional support like Shanks did.

Was it really Xiao Mo Ke who was distancing herself from him? No, it was actually him who had erected a high wall separating him from Xiao Mo Ke. He was unconsciously widening the distance between them. He clearly wanted to get closer, but every time he got close, he would think of the look in Mo Ke's eyes when she looked at the red-haired girl. It was the look that Mo Ke only showed when she was with the red-haired girl. It was such a look of attachment that no one could interfere. Having seen Mo Ke's eyes like that, he simply didn't have the courage to get close. Why had he become like this?

His father once said that Xiao Mo was his little sister and would be family. Because Xiao Mo was a good person and he liked her very much, he was willing to be a brother that Xiao Mo could trust and rely on. Everything he did was just to protect his little sister. Marco had always told himself this, but now he was starting to hesitate. He was starting to doubt himself. Did he really think that way? Did he really have only brotherly and sisterly feelings for Xiao Mo?

"Little Moko is gone?" Sachi came out of the kitchen and saw Marco standing sadly on the edge of the boat. Moko was nowhere to be seen.

"Ah."

"What are you 'uh-huh' about? Why don't you go and see her off? It's so late, it's dangerous for Xiaomo to be alone." Sachi stared at Marco with exasperation. How could he let such a delicate little girl go home alone so late? How could he chase after a girl like that?

Marco didn't reply to Sachi. He just stared silently in the direction where Moko had disappeared, as if he were frozen in place. After a long silence, while Sachi was lost in all sorts of worries and thoughts, Marco finally spoke.

"Sachi, why does my heart race every time I see Xiaomoke? Am I sick?"

Upon hearing this, Sachi finally understood why Marco had been standing there silently for so long. It turned out he hadn't quite figured things out yet! No, he had never realized Marco was so innocent before, despite his decisive and efficient business dealings.

"Marco, you're a phoenix, and phoenixes don't get sick. You've fallen for Moko, haven't you?"

He likes her? He's fallen for Xiao Moke?! But she's his sister, and Xiao Moke already has someone she likes.

As if seeing the dejection and struggle in Marco's eyes, Sachi patted Marco on the shoulder, "Marco, you have to say it if you like someone. How will you know you don't have a chance if you don't try?"

After saying that, Sachi sighed and left Marco alone standing on the edge of the boat, lost in thought.

He wanted to express his feelings, but after saying it out loud, would his relationship with Xiao Moke remain the same? Marco didn't dare to gamble. He didn't know when he had developed these feelings for Moke. By the time he realized it, these feelings were already uncontrollable. Yes, he liked Xiao Moke, or rather, he had already fallen hopelessly in love with Xiao Moke, in love with that girl whose smile was more radiant than spring flowers.

As the sun sets, its afterglow dissipates into the dark night. In the pitch-black sky, countless stars twinkle, and swaying figures move with the wind, accompanied by the rising and falling waves, whispering secrets hidden deep within their hearts.