One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 14 The First Kiss

Katakuri wrapped his arms around Yu's waist to prevent her from falling off the boat, never expecting that Yu would reach out and grab him; nor did he expect that Yu would grab his scarf.

The moment Katakuri felt the sea breeze, his face darkened to an indescribable degree. He had only one thought: to kill the person before him, the unforgivable man who had pulled down his scarf and revealed his true, unspeakable self.

However, the expression on the person's face and her subsequent actions made Katakuri abandon the idea, and later, he tried not to hide anything from her.

"Is he really that good?"

"He's got all sorts of good qualities, and he's incredibly doting on his younger sister, except his mouth is a bit big. But I still think he's very cute!"

This was something Yu had dreamed about, and she had guessed that Katakuri's mouth might have a defect. So when she removed Katakuri's scarf and saw his fangs and stitched scars, Yu wasn't shocked or scared, but rather heartbroken.

"Was it...very painful back then?" Yu gently stroked the stitched scar, her voice trembling slightly.

Yu is afraid of pain, very afraid. When she was little, Grandpa Garp accidentally injured Yu during a lesson, and Yu cried in front of Grandpa Sengoku for almost half a day. Later, Grandpa Garp was severely beaten by Grandpa Sengoku. After that, her grandfather and brother never let Yu get hurt again; they protected her very well.

Looking at the two long scars, Yu felt a pang of heartache; they must have hurt so much back then. As she thought about it, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Is this... why you like eating alone?"

Yu's hand touched Katakuri's fangs. For some reason, she found them alluring; she felt she had wanted to see them for a long time and also longed to kiss them. And in fact, Yu did just that.

As Katakuri watched Yu's face gradually enlarge before him, and felt the soft touch on his lips, a part of his heart slowly melted.

Isn't she afraid of herself? She doesn't seem to have any prejudice against herself because of this. Could I try...?

"Haha, look at his split mouth!"

"Brother, this is not your fault."

"None of you will escape."

Childhood memories surfaced in Katakuri's mind, along with his past emotions.

They're all the same! They're all afraid of and disgusted by my mouth!

Katakuri retracted his Earth Dragon and pushed Yu away. In the instant Yu's mouth separated from his own, his scarf concealed Katakuri's inner fear and anger, revealing him as the expressionless Lord Katakuri, the seemingly invincible leader of the Big Mom Pirates' Three Sweet Commanders, the man praised as perfect.

"What’s wrong with you?"

"...Don't get distracted during the battle. Someone won't always come to your rescue." Katakuri said before leaving.

Yu was somewhat confused. Although it sounded like they were showing concern and instructing him, it was actually a cover-up, a cover-up for Katakuri's escapism.

For several days in a row, Yu didn't see Katakuri again. She knew he was avoiding her.

But Yu wouldn't let Katakuri have his way.

With a "bang," the door slammed shut.

Katakuri looked at Yu, who had brought him afternoon tea, angrily slammed the door shut, and sat upright with his arms crossed, staring at him. He didn't know what to do for a moment.

Yes, he was avoiding her. His true face had been seen, and although Yu hadn't shown any disgust or fear towards him at the time, he still couldn't face her as usual.

"you..."

"I'll just sit here. You can eat and drink as you please. Don't worry about me, and don't even think about throwing me out." Yu finished speaking to herself in one breath, ignoring Katakuri's reaction. Today, she was going to stay here.

"..."

Katakuri didn't say anything, picked up a donut, and prepared to eat it. Actually, this had happened before when he went out; he loved donuts, and naturally wouldn't let one pass him by. As long as he was fast enough, no one would see him eat it.

"!" What just happened? One piece of the donut is missing! Did he eat it? I didn't see it!

Seeing Yu's shocked expression, Katakuri felt proud. "You little punk, you're still too green to mess with me."

"..." Yu knew this was Katakuri's way of dealing with her, and she was angry. Today, she was determined to make Katakuri drop his pretense in front of her and eat properly. Women have a strong competitive spirit; once ignited, they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Without thinking, Yu did it. She stormed up to Katakuri and ripped off his scarf. Before he could react, she retreated to a safe distance.

"You're eating well."

"Give me the scarf and get out!"

"I do not."

I don't want to say it a second time.

"I'm not going out, I'm staying here today."

"you!"

If force didn't work, she tried a gentler approach. Yu leaped onto Katakuri and kissed him on tiptoe. The second touch of lips silenced Katakuri's words.

Yu had never kissed before. The first time she kissed Katakuri was like a dragonfly skimming the water, and the second time was the same. Yu had no kissing skills and simply covered Katakuri's lips with her own.

"What are you afraid of?" Finally, Yu wrapped his arms around Katakuri's neck and stared intently into his eyes as he asked.

"Aren't you... afraid?"

"I'm not afraid, I like it very much. But I also feel sorry for you. I feel sorry for your scars, and I feel sorry for the real Katakuri hidden behind the scarf."

"There's nothing to feel sorry about, I'm used to it."

"If you got used to it because no one cared about you, now I will care about you, and you'll have to get used to it again."

"Let go first, don't hang on me."

"Then promise me that you'll eat with me from now on."

Yu's eyes were clear and fixed on Katakuri without blinking. Katakuri saw sincerity in her eyes, and... a deep well of love.

Can I really try it?

"it is good."

“That’s more like it. From now on, you don’t need to pretend in front of me. I like the real you.” Yu released her arms from Katakuri and stood directly in front of him, saying this.

"Ah."

Katakuri was willing to trust Yu, and he dropped his pretense in front of Yu. This afternoon tea had never been so relaxing and enjoyable.

"Hahahaha." A pleasant laugh came from the side. "Ka2, don't you think you look cute eating a donut? You can even hum a song, hahaha."

"..." Katakuri blushed slightly at Yu's words, unsure whether it was embarrassment or shyness, since Yu was the first person to say such a thing about him.

Why is your face red? Are you shy?

"Why do you call me that?" Katakuri changed the subject to ease his blush, which was either from embarrassment or shyness.

"Are you referring to the nickname 'Katakuri'?" Yu paused for a moment. "It's because your name is Katakuri, and you're the second son of the Charlotte family, so naturally we call you 'Katakuri'."

"It doesn't sound like there's a problem."

"Ka Er sounds nice and is easy to pronounce, so I like calling you that."

"what ever."

The afternoon atmosphere was cheerful. Although it was Katakuri's first time being so honest, he was earnestly adapting, and he liked and longed for this feeling. He liked the light in Yu's eyes, and he liked the love in her eyes.