West Blue, Cusk Island.
Lorca led Robin through the bustling streets toward a small cosmetics shop tucked between larger storefronts.
She walked quietly by his side, wearing a short black trench coat. A small masquerade mask, the one she'd begged Lorca to buy her days ago, hid part of her face.
When they stepped inside, Robin glanced around, uncertain why they were visiting a place like this.
But the shop owner lit up with excitement the moment he saw Lorca.
"Mr. Lorca!" he greeted with enthusiasm.
Lorca offered a nod in return and asked, "Did the items I ordered arrive?"
"They did, they did," the shopkeeper replied eagerly. "Everything's ready for you."
He ducked beneath the counter and pulled out an exquisite gift box, handing it over with both hands.
Lorca took the box and opened it, checking briefly. "Not bad. Everything's here."
He reached into his bag and pulled out a thick stack of Berries. "This is your payment. It's been a pleasure doing business."
The shopkeeper accepted the money, eyes gleaming. "A pleasure indeed! A real pleasure! Hehe!"
Then, Lorca turned and handed the gift box to Robin. "Here, young lady. This is for you."
She stared at the box, momentarily frozen. "A gift?"
The shopkeeper, still counting the money, chimed in cheerfully, "So it was for you, huh? Mr. Lorca spent two hundred thousand Berries on all that makeup. Your big brother really spoils you."
Lorca glanced sideways, smiling faintly. "You're talking too much, shopkeeper."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and pulled the dazed Robin toward the door of the shop.
Realizing his slip, the owner slapped his own mouth. "Agh! Look at me running my mouth. I'm so sorry! Really! Please come again next time!"
He watched the two leaving and quickly tried to recover the situation. He had meant to add a sweet touch, but now it seemed like he'd upset an important customer. Looking at the two hundred thousand Berries in his hand, even the thrill of earning a hundred-thousand profit faded a little.
* * *
Out on the street, Robin clutched the box tightly, afraid she might drop it.
The contents were so expensive. And more than that, It was the first time someone had ever given her a gift.
She hugged the box closer, arms tightening.
Lorca noticed and let out a chuckle. "You don't have to hold it so tight. Don't break it yourself before it even has a chance to fall."
Hearing his teasing, Robin flushed slightly and loosened her grip.
"Come on," Lorca said. "Let's get you a couple of outfits next. Then we'll head back to the inn."
Robin nodded. "Okay."
* * *
Evening, inside their room at the hotel.
Robin tossed her new clothes on the bed, eyes fixed on Lorca as he carefully took out each small bottle from the gift box.
Seven bottles sat lined up on the table, and Robin couldn't help but say it out loud.
"All this… just these little things cost two hundred thousand Berries? That's way too expensive."
Lorca finished arranging the cosmetics and suddenly laughed wickedly. "Too expensive? No. When you think about what I'm getting in return, it's a bargain.
"Don't you agree? Demon Child with a bounty of 79 million… Nico Robin."
His low, chilling voice echoed in Robin's ear. Looking at his strange smile, her mind went completely blank.
Her whole body turned cold, and she couldn't stop trembling.
'Why... why is Mr. Lorca... was it all fake… so in the end... I really wasn't meant to live in this world...'
Tears streamed down her face while Lorca's large hand reached out toward her.
Robin wanted to move, but her body wouldn't obey. She shut her eyes in despair as the hand kept drawing closer...
Until finally, Lorca's hand landed on her head.
Click!
An odd sound rang out, but the pain she'd expected never came. Instead, Lorca's hand was trembling slightly. She opened her eyes just a little.
What she saw was the man holding a camera, repeatedly pressing the shutter, barely able to hold back his laughter as he trembled:
"Got you. Hahahahahaha. That face was priceless. A piece of black history, Robin~"
Robin's face instantly turned beet red, shouting furiously, "Mr. Lorca!!!"
She crossed her arms and activated her ability.
While Lorca laughed, several hands abruptly sprouted from his shoulder and reached toward his face.
He struggled. "Hey! Don't pull my mouth! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was just messing with you! That's my nose!!! Aaahhh!!!"
After a while, the storm passed. Although Robin still looked flustered, cheeks flushed with lingering embarrassment.
"You knew from the beginning." She huffed.
Lorca gave her a helpless smile. "I knew the moment I first saw you. A wanted criminal this clumsy... you're the first I've ever met."
Robin groaned, recalling how proud she'd been of the fake name she'd come up with. She began to cross her arms again.
"Wait, wait!" Lorca waved his hands frantically. "Stop! Let's talk business!"
When Robin lowered her arms, he sighed in relief. "Now, about business. These cosmetics are for your disguise. What I don't get is, did you never think about makeup or changing clothes? A wanted criminal who doesn't know how to disguise themselves isn't a very good one, Robin."
Robin looked genuinely puzzled. "Makeup?"
She searched her mind for what that word meant, then thought of her rude aunt. Before going out, that aunt would always smear all kinds of things on her face. That was makeup, right... but it only made her look worse...
Seeing Robin's confused expression, Lorca rubbed his forehead. "Looks like you really don't know. Aren't kids your age usually vain? Come sit. I'll teach you."
Robin stiffly let him push her down onto a stool.
In less than half an hour, the makeup was done.
As Lorca held a mirror up in front of her, Robin stared at her reflection, stunned.
Her skin looked fairer. Her eyes seemed bigger. Her eyebrows were thinner. Her features hadn't changed, yet after the makeup, she looked like an entirely new person.
If she changed into a different outfit, no one would ever connect her to the dirty little kid on that wanted poster.
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