One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 129 I let you go because of Stella

On the day of the performance, Tezzolo paid special attention to his outfit.

I changed one outfit after another, and picked out one accessory after another, but I still felt it wasn't enough.

Baccarat couldn't stand it any longer and, using the excuse that time was running out, urged Tezzolo to come on.

"Lord Tesoro, if you don't go on stage soon, you'll be late." Bakara leaned against the door, looking at the clothes scattered all over the room, her tone quite helpless.

Tesoro checked the time. Hmm, it's getting late. "Okay. Has Yu arrived yet?"

"We haven't seen Miss Yu yet." If Yu arrives, she'll come looking for them first. "She's probably lost again."

"It's okay, she said she would come, so she definitely will." You still has that much credibility.

Tesoro entered the arena, and the stage setup, just like his power, was dazzling and opulent. Everything was made of gold, even his microphone. He could control the entire stage with his ability, amplifying the effect.

His singing voice is very distinctive, and even though many people know Tesoro's talent, they still come specifically because of his singing.

Tezzolo enjoyed this joy. There would never be anyone like his mother again. He could sing out loud. This stage belonged to him!

My gaze swept across the audience seats, and the seat that was reserved for You was completely empty.

Not there yet?

Tesoro wasn't distracted by Yu's absence; on stage, enjoying the experience was the most important thing.

Yu had actually arrived long ago, but she was sitting in the audience instead of in her reserved seat.

She saw Tezzolo's gaze drift past the reserved seat for her; he was probably a little disappointed not to see her.

But thinking about his purpose this time, he suddenly felt that his decision was right. If he had seen his friend beside him beforehand, this guy probably wouldn't have been in the mood to put on an act.

"I'll take you to see him later," You whispered to the woman beside you, turning her head slightly.

However, it was clear that the people around him did not hear it.

The blonde woman with a gentle smile hadn't left the performance venue since she arrived and saw Tesoro appear.

"Xiaoyou, were you calling me just now?"

"Okay, I'll take you backstage later." Yu nodded.

The woman was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. Go see Tezzolo? She hadn't thought about it, but it seemed like she would definitely see him if she came.

"Does Tesoro still remember me...?" Several years have passed; he should have forgotten...

"You'll know when you go see them." Yu didn't say anything directly, and it wasn't her place to offer comforting or reassuring words.

After the performance, Tezzolo left the stage amidst cheers.

Yu led her friends away from the audience and went to Tesoro's dressing room.

When they arrived, Baccarat was there too. "I thought Miss Yu wasn't here." Baccarat was holding Tesoro's coat, which she was about to hang up and tidy up.

"You're here, sitting in the audience," You said with a smile. "Big star, do you have time to meet your fans now?"

Tesoro was in great shape and in a good mood, and since he was meeting Yu's friend, he certainly wouldn't be unavailable. "Of course."

"Come in." Yu leaned back slightly and reached out to pull her friend, who was blocked by the door, over. "Let me introduce you, her name is Stella."

When a head of beautiful blond hair and the gentle smile from his memory appeared before Tesoro, the confidence on his face froze.

Stella is not dead, she's perfectly fine!

“Stella…” Tesoro called out softly, feeling it was somewhat unreal.

Stella smiled and said, "I should call you Lord Tesoro now. So you still remember me."

Tesoro was at a loss, suddenly feeling that he looked terrible. Stella was still as gentle and beautiful as ever. Thinking about the foolish things he had done in the past, Tesoro was filled with shame and dared not look Stella in the eye.

Yu kept a low profile behind Stella, then waved to Baccarat, signaling her to leave with her and giving the two of them some space.

Bakara casually hung up her coat and ran off.

“Who is that…” Baccarat was unaware of the relationship between Stella and Tesoro.

Yu explained, "Do you know why Tesoro only wears rings on nine fingers?"

Bakara understood immediately.

Nine out of ten fingers are made of gold, but the ring finger of the left hand is missing; it turns out it was reserved for Stella.

I never expected Lord Tesoro to be such a sentimental person.

"I always thought Lord Tesoro and Miss Yu were a couple?" Bakara had always thought so, until today she realized she was wrong.

Yu shook her head helplessly, "I don't like Tesoro's type. He's not gentle enough."

Bakara felt that Miss Yu's expectations were a bit high. Lord Tesoro might be like that with others, but he was truly very special and gentle with Miss Yu.

It's something they can only envy.

"Well, in that case, I can start looking for someone suitable for Miss Yu."

"No, I'm not interested in men." Yu said this only because she was afraid that Bakara would actually find her one.

However, Yu underestimated Bakara. Despite her words, Bakara tirelessly sought men for her over the next two years.

Fortunately, Bakara immediately stopped looking for her next target when she saw that Yu wasn't interested.

The atmosphere between Tezzolo and Stella was more awkward during dinner than when they met in the afternoon.

Stella lowered her head and picked at the food on the plate in front of her. Tesoro looked a little better than Stella, but only slightly.

“I’m leaving the day after tomorrow, so I’ll see Stella off. You can have a good time with her these next couple of days,” Yu said abruptly.

Stella responded with an "okay" and said nothing more. This was originally planned; they would come here for two days and then go back.

Tesoro was unaware of this, and now that he knows, he is not happy about it happening.

But he didn't know how to say it.

After the meal, the three ate with their own thoughts on the matter. Tezzolo, in particular, found the food tasteless.

Yu was preparing to rest in her room when there was a knock on the door.

Without a doubt, it must be Tezzolo.

Upon opening the door, she saw Tesoro standing there, looking preoccupied. Yu opened the door and went into the room on her own, sitting down on the sofa and quietly watching Tesoro as if it were a show.

"How did you meet Stella?" Tesoro sat to the side, hesitating for a long time before asking.

Yu had expected him to ask about whether or not he would take Stella with him, but this was the answer. But it wasn't far off, "To be precise, it was her who recognized me."

How does she know you?

Yu leaned back on the sofa, resting on her arm. "I saved her when I was a child. It was just a one-time encounter, but she recognized me as soon as she saw me."

"You saved her?!" Tesoro's tone became urgent. "Didn't you say before that she was beyond saving?!"

Yu was very satisfied with Tesoro's reaction. "Isn't it obvious? I was just kidding you."

Tesoro exploded, "Do you know I always thought she was dead?!"

"Stop! Think carefully about what you were like back then. If I told you she was alive, would you dare to go see her?" You rolled her eyes at him. Didn't he have any idea what kind of person he was back then?

"..." Tesoro shut up. Given his personality at the time, he probably would have just hated himself if he had known, then been too afraid to see Stella, and continued living according to the circumstances.

“I let you go back then not because I felt your story was so pitiful, but because you mentioned Stella.” You sat up straight and explained, “I have a particularly good memory. I saved Stella when I was a child, but what you said matched my memory, so I knew it was the same person.”

“I always remember Stella as a very gentle and kind older sister. I really didn’t intend to let you off the hook back then, but even such a gentle older sister said you were a good person, so I’ve decided to give you another chance.”

When he was a child, Yu saved Stella because he met her at sea with Shanks and the others. If it weren't for Shanks and the others' help, Yu wouldn't have dared to go up and act like a hero on his own.

Stella wasn't the only slave rescued; there were at least dozens on the ship.

Because it bears the mark of a Celestial Dragon, most ships would give it a wide berth. Yu is courageous, provided she has sufficient strength or powerful backing.