One Piece: It's always been you

Chapter 164 I can't do it.

Sweet understood, and then left without looking back.

"Oh dear, what a heartless and hypocritical little dog." Bakara waved her hand helplessly, but it wasn't a big deal; he had already done what he was supposed to do.

The number of these human-shaped pendants in his hands is more than the number of missing dancers, so he guesses that there are people here who have been swindled from other places.

Since we couldn't tell the difference, we brought them all to Miss Yu.

At this moment, Yu wasn't thinking about that, immersed in his time with Katakuri. Actually, neither of them was particularly interested in the game area, and they left after playing for a short while. But they didn't go back to the hotel in the main tower because the ball hadn't started yet, and Yu wanted to play some dress-up games.

It wasn't for changing her own clothes, but for Katakuri. It's a ball, after all; it's good to have a different outfit.

Katakuri has a great figure, so he looks good in anything. Yu always felt that the store didn't have enough styles of clothes. In short, every outfit looked great on Katakuri.

Except for the scarf, which looked a bit out of place.

“How about…” Yu stared intently at the somewhat excessive scarf.

Katakuri coldly refused, "No."

"Okay." Actually, she hadn't really expected to convince him, but there were other ways. "How about this?"

Katakuri's gaze followed Yu, who was holding two masks, one covering the lower half of her face and the other covering the upper half.

"A masquerade ball, one mask for each person." And they're even a pair! "How about it, a pair, huh?"

Katakuri didn't say anything. Yu thought he probably felt there were too many people here, so he pulled the person into the fitting room.

There were only the two of them in the fitting room. Yu smoothly removed Katakuri's scarf, revealing his sharp teeth, and then put the mask on him.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Katakuri didn't say a word or do anything to stop Yu, simply enjoying everything Yu did.

Yu looked at Katakuri, who was wearing a mask, again and again, resting his chin on his hand and constantly changing the angle of his gaze, his brows furrowed, then relaxed after a while.

"Doesn't look good?" Katakuri was a little curious. He had seen what the mask looked like, but there was no mirror in the fitting room, so he couldn't see how it would look on him.

This sudden turn of events left him feeling quite uncertain.

"Not really," Yu said, resting her chin on her hand in thought. "I feel..."

Before he could finish speaking, he reached out and took off the mask, then stood on tiptoe and leaned close to Katakuri. "You look best like this."

No scarf, no mask, just Katakuri completely unmasked—that's the Katakuri she loves most.

The soft touch made Katakuri instinctively reach out and pick up Yu, then turn and press her against the wall.

One hand supported Yu's leg, while the other rested on the back of Yu's head. Yu held Katakuri with both hands, enjoying the intimacy between them.

After an unknown amount of time, You was the first to give in, her face flushed and her mouth watering as she gasped for air.

"How come you haven't improved at all?" Katakuri found it somewhat amusing; even though she started it, she was the first to surrender.

Yu wanted to refute, but she really couldn't find an excuse. "I haven't kissed anyone all these years, how can I improve?"

“That’s true.” Katakuri nodded, seemingly reflecting seriously on his actions. “Then… let’s do it again?”

Yu refused, "We should go out, or people will think we're doing something wrong." This is a fitting room, not their room. She wasn't that thick-skinned.

"Then let me put you down. Are you able to stand steadily?"

"You shameless bastard!" You glared at him fiercely; all he knew was to make fun of her!

Katakuri couldn't help but laugh, but he had to suppress his laughter because Yu was glaring at him.

Yuu grew increasingly angry and quickly stomped out of the fitting room. She was in such a rush, unaware that the laughter had affected her, that she nearly tripped and fell. This, in turn, almost made Katakuri burst out laughing as well.

"Pay by card." You waited at the cashier with her arms crossed, completely oblivious to being a dance partner; on the contrary, she was the boss.

The waiter was a little unsure. Logically, the one with the scarf upside down looked like a pirate, while this... lady looked like a dancer from Yuefang.

Katakuri followed, placed the clothes and mask he was carrying on the table, and took out the pirate black card. "Listen to her."

The waiter paused for a moment, but only briefly, before swiping the card. He quickly packed it up, bagged it, and handed the bag directly to Katakuri without hesitation.

It seems that although she's a dancer, she holds a high position in this pirate's eyes. No wonder she's a dancer from the Pleasure House; her abilities are truly impressive!

Yura, holding Katakuri's free hand, left the store in a cheerful mood.

"In such a good mood?" Katakuri smiled and fed Yu a candy.

Yu was practically skipping and jumping for joy, in an incredibly happy mood. "It really feels great to have your boyfriend pay the bill. I understand how Stella feels now."

After Tesoro caught up with Stella and made her his girlfriend, he often bought all sorts of clothes and jewelry with a lavish spending spree.

Yu hadn't really thought much of it before, since she had her own money and didn't lack anything. But after today's experience, well, it was indeed quite nice.

Katakuri wasn't so happy to hear this. All Yu wanted was simple companionship; even the smallest thing would make her happy.

However, he will be leaving soon, so he can only spend these few days with her.

"Let's go! We'll go to the main planet hotel to change clothes and attend the masquerade ball!" Yu cheered. "By the way, Katakuri, I don't remember you ever dancing before. Can you?"

"I know a little." I haven't tried it myself, but I've seen it a lot, and I've learned it over time. "Why don't you show me how to do it first?"

"unnecessary."

Katakuri raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because I don't know how, and I don't plan to jump."

This answer surprised Katakuri, but upon reflection, it made sense. Yu was free-spirited; she didn't like dancing to a fixed rhythm and following prescribed movements. "Is there anything else at the ball that interests you?"

Yu smiled slyly, "I won't tell you yet."

That makes me curious about their purpose. If they're not dancing at a ball, what else can they do?

Yu had arranged a hotel room for Katakuri in advance, but apart from knowing the room number, she didn't know how to get there. In the end, I went to the front desk and asked a staff member for directions.

Indeed, it's already quite an achievement to remember some directions outside. Inside the hotel, it seems we can't expect much more.

"The middle section of the main tower houses the hotel rooms, the glass disc above is the ballroom, and further up are the residences for the officials," You explained simply as they rode the elevator.

"Apart from Bakara, all the other officers are men?" Katakuri recalled Tesoro, who was in charge when he first arrived. He seemed to have a good relationship with Yu.

Yu smiled, her eyes narrowed. "This pirate gentleman, you can't ask about the executive members, you know."

"... "

Yu wanted to laugh at that embarrassed, hesitant look on his face. He was clearly very curious, but he stubbornly refused to say anything, "I have a room in the main tower, but I don't usually stay there."

"Actually, I don't spend much time in Grantesoro. Sometimes I go there to my accommodation in the rear. I've spent most of my time on the ship these past few years."

Katakuri was in a good mood after hearing Yu's words, but said, "I didn't ask about the whereabouts of the Queen of the Golden City on purpose."

"I'm willing to tell you." Goodness, she holds a grudge. I don't know who spoiled her like that.

Well, he's just spoiled by himself.

When she arrived at the room door, You glanced at the time; it was just right, neither too early nor too late.

The door opened, and Katakuri gentlemanly asked her to go first, but Yu refused. He looked at him expectantly and told him to go in first.

Judging from You's appearance, anyone could tell what was going on inside.