"Huh?"
After hearing her little sister's words, Nami's smile froze on the spot. The corner of her mouth twitched, and her eyes filled with shock—like she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.
She never expected the brat to pull this on her. Feeling the teasing looks being thrown her way, she forced a dry laugh and hurriedly tried to defend herself.
"A-Aileen, what are you talking about? I'm not that kind of person!"
"I've treated you the best since we were little—how could I ever steal something from you?"
Aileen pressed her lips together, her gaze toward Nami complicated. Then she buried her face against Leno's neck and refused to look at her anymore.
"…"
Seeing that reaction, Nami's shoulders slumped, her expression turning gloomy.
Kids really do get harder to fool when they grow up. Even the "I'm your big sister" card wasn't working anymore!
But then it was like something clicked in her head. She snapped her head up and glared at Leno viciously, grinding her teeth.
"Leno! You big idiot!"
She stepped closer and closer, eyes locked on him. Flames practically blazed in her beautiful gaze.
Badmouthing her in front of her little sister? Trying to drive a wedge between them?
You idiot—today you've really opened my eyes!
Who would've thought a guy who looks so upright and honest could be such a schemer behind the scenes?!
The instant Aileen opened her mouth, Leno had already sensed disaster incoming. He wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
To avoid getting dragged into Nami's explosion, he quietly shuffled backward.
Right now, facing Nami's furious interrogation, every single word felt like it was stomping on his heart, making his whole body shudder.
Getting exposed for talking trash behind someone's back—sure, he'd been joking around at the time, but now he was so embarrassed he wanted to crawl into a crack in the deck.
"Heh-heh-heh… uh, well… about that..."
"I was just kidding back then! Who knew this brat would take it seriously? Seriously…"
Leno's eyes darted around, and his tone stumbled over itself. Even as he spoke, he kept retreating.
Say it if you want, but why drag me into it? You know damn well nobody can handle Nami when she's angry!
"Joking? Fine! Let's see if this is a joke too!"
With a cold laugh, Nami vanished like a ghost from where she stood. The next second, a pitch-black fist was already smashing toward Leno's face.
A cry of pain rang out as Leno staggered back several steps, his right eye socket burning like fire.
Seeing Nami coming at him like a storm, he hurriedly set the two little ones in his arms down.
He lifted his head, about to speak—only to find her fists already falling like raindrops.
He only managed to shout, 'Don't hit my face!' before he was swallowed by a sky-full of punching shadows.
After that, the deck was filled with Nami's sharp yells and Leno's miserable screams.
"I'll show you joking... I'll show you joking..."
Nojiko, Robin, and the others watching nearby didn't know whether to laugh or cry. These two clowns really never had a quiet moment.
They were already used to the two of them bickering and throwing hands like this—so they treated it like free entertainment.
The girls kept chatting as usual, and nobody even thought about stepping in. Once they'd had enough, they'd stop on their own.
Finally, when Nami's anger had mostly burned off, Leno's screams gradually faded too, and the shaking of the ship quieted down at the same time.
Looking at the big idiot under her who was barely clinging to life, Nami let out a disdainful snort and stood up.
She cast a glance at the two little ones shivering nearby before turning to walk toward the cabin.
Only after her sister's back disappeared did Aileen let out a small sigh and walk over.
Looking at her brother lying on the ground, bruised and swollen, she squatted slightly and reached out a little hand to poke the huge bump on his head.
She struggled to help Leno up, then glanced back before lowering her voice and starting to complain.
"Big Sister Nami really is too much. She knows you won't fight back—so why did she hit you so hard?"
"Y-You…"
Leno sucked in a sharp breath, his lips so swollen his words came out airy and leaky.
Watching the little girl wear an expression like she was disappointed in him, Leno felt more and more like something was off.
He was beaten to this state, yet there wasn't even a hint of guilt on her face. Instead, she was looking at him like that.
Suddenly, his panda-eyed gaze cracked open into a narrow slit as he stared at Aileen in disbelief.
"You did it on purpose?"
"Hehe…"
Aileen stuck out her little tongue awkwardly, then grabbed onto Leno's arm and started acting cute.
"Big Brother, sorryyy. I didn't mean to~"
"Besides, you're the captain! How can you just let the crew bully you like that?" (T/N: trueee…)
Leno tried his best to open his battered eyes wider, staring at the girl in front of him like he was meeting her for the first time.
How had he never noticed this brat had such a devious side? Where did the innocent, bright little girl go?
That adorable kid who kept shouting "Big Brother, Big Brother" nonstop—was she really the same person as this girl who'd just met him and immediately plotted against him?
Leno couldn't believe it. Don't tell me the kid grew up crooked?
If that was the case, then from now on he really had to keep a close eye on how she developed.
Seeing Leno not responding for ages and still staring at her with that weird look, Aileen got a little flustered and quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, Brother, look at our armor! Isn't it cool?"
She tugged Aisa over and waved her in front of Leno, signaling him to take a look at the changes on the two of them.
And sure enough, with that distraction, Leno's attention was pulled away.
Aileen stood there with short, choppy pink hair fluttering in the wind, dressed in snug golden armor. Under the sunlight, she practically glittered—so bright it was almost dazzling.
Her left hand rested on her hip while her right hand lay on the sword hilt. Her youthful but resolute face was filled with a radiant smile, and at first glance she really did look surprisingly heroic.
Beside her, Aisa wore the same style of armor, but hers was silver-white instead. Her short brown hair made her look crisp and neat.
She planted her hands on her hips and lifted her chin high, brown eyes fixed on Leno, brimming with expectation.
Looking at the little girl, Leno couldn't help sighing inwardly.
That "tomboy" he'd met at the start had now transformed into a lively, dazzling pretty girl.
After noticing she still didn't have a weapon that suited her, Leno took the initiative and asked,
"Aisa, what kind of weapon do you like?"
"A weapon…?"
Aisa tilted her head, thought for a moment, then answered a bit uncertainly,
"A gun?"