Chapter 39

"Got it, understood!"

The barkeep, Ke Mi, immediately went to do it.

Machino walked over to Luo En's table and placed the gold coins Ke Mi had collected last night onto the table.

Luo En looked up at her.

"What's this for?"

Machino smiled at him and said, "If you're just without a place to stay and only need to spend one night here, you don't need to pay so much. Please take these coins back."

"The juice and food are complimentary gifts from our tavern to visiting children."

"As for the damaged tables, chairs, and walls, I'll make sure they're compensated for—you don't need to worry about it, since it wasn't your fault anyway."

Machino gave Luo En a gentle smile.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're here for the first time in Windmill Town."

Luo En nodded.

"As I thought."

Machino's eyes sparkled with amusement, radiating warmth and kindness, like an elder sister from next door.

She really is a gentle and cheerful person…

Luo En thought to himself.

"I'm the owner of this tavern, Machino. What's your name?"

"Luo En, she's Guina."

"Luo En, Guina."

Machino nodded gently at Luo En and smiled, "I know three children not unlike you, but they're much more mischievous—always running wild outside, and taking care of them is a real headache."

Luo En's heart stirred.

She must be talking about Wang Lufei, Ai Si, and Sa Bo…

"Did you come to Windmill Town alone, or with adults? What brought you here? Do you have a place to stay?"

Machino asked curiously.

After all, two children around ten years old spending the night in a tavern made her deeply uneasy.

Even if these two children were very strong.

"We came to this island alone, with no particular purpose—just traveling around, seeing things, experiencing the outside world. We haven't decided where to stay yet."

Luo En replied.

"Eh? You two came to this island alone by sea…?"

Machino was truly stunned.

She had assumed they were from another town, but never imagined they came from overseas.

Are kids today really this bold?

Guina, across from Luo En, slowly woke up, lifted her head, and rubbed her eyes.

When she felt the fur cloak draped over her back, she froze.

What is this?

Just as she wondered, a soft, young woman's voice suddenly sounded from across the table.

"Since you haven't found a place to stay, why not stay here? There are a few empty rooms upstairs in the tavern."

Guina instantly became fully awake.

Luo En heard Machino's offer but hadn't yet processed it when Guina suddenly lifted her head, staring at Machino with a hint of wariness—like a little wildcat guarding its food.

"Guina, you're awake."

Luo En looked at her and said, "This is Machino, the tavern owner. She's offering us a place to stay—what do you think?"

Hearing his words, Guina realized she had misunderstood.

She quickly averted her gaze and lowered her head, cheeks flushed:

"Y-yes, that's fine."

Machino now understood, her eyes twinkling with gentle insight as she looked at Guina's bowed head.

So that's how it is…

Luo En, completely oblivious, saw Guina's agreement and turned to Machino: "Then thank you."

Thus,

From that day on, Luo En and Guina temporarily stayed at the tavern.

…………

Machino was gentle and cheerful, kind and warm-hearted, and deeply caring.

After staying at the tavern for two days, Guina became good friends with her, affectionately calling her Sister Machino.

Soon, several days passed.

One day,

"Machino, we're here to play!"

A bright, childish voice rang out from the doorway.

A black-haired boy wearing a straw hat and short sleeves stood at the tavern's entrance, bandages wrapped around his face and arms.

Two small figures then emerged from behind him.

Ace, with freckles on his cheeks.

And Sabo, with short golden hair, a wide-brimmed hat with a windshield attached, and a missing tooth.

"Lufei, Ace, Sabo."

Makino spotted the three of them and was a little delighted.

"Yo, Makino, long time no see."

Ace raised his hand and greeted Makino with a smile,

"Y-you, hello."

Sabo, on the other hand, was very polite.

"31, please teach us how to get stronger! (5/5)"

"Why have you come today? Are your injuries all right now?"

Makino stood behind the counter, resting her cheeks on her hands, gazing at the three of them with a face full of smiles.

"It's fine! It doesn't hurt at all anymore, hehe."

The now seven-year-old little Luffy grinned at her, smiling so hard that even his gums were showing.

"Just as expected of a child, such heavy injuries healed so quickly."

Makino gazed at him and laughed gently.

That night, when she had run to Dadan's bandit hideout and seen the three of them, the three little ones' injuries had all been very serious, especially Luffy.

When she saw his appearance back then, she had gotten quite a fright, and couldn't help shedding a lot of tears.

"But still, don't push yourself too hard, okay?"

Makino cautioned little Luffy.

"I know."

The current Luffy still had that innocent, adorable look about him.

"Dadan told us to come let you know that we're already fine, so don't worry."

Ace said to Makino.

"Now that's all said."

He grinned at Luffy and Sabo beside him: "Then let's go."

"Oh!"

Luffy said excitedly.

"Ha hehe."

Sabo also laughed happily and ran out with the two of them.

"Be careful on the road, okay."

Makino watched the three of them and called out after them, a hint of helplessness and doting affection in her eyes.

Afterwards, she couldn't help but think of that black-haired boy again.