Chapter 72 Intensifying the Offensive

Makino had just walked into the tavern when Kaguya pulled her into a hug.

“How’s the consideration going? My Proprietress.”

“Y-you… let go of me… someone might come in soon…”

Makino’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, and one hand rested against Kaguya’s chest, though she wasn’t pushing him away forcefully.

“Who would come at this hour?”

Kaguya chuckled softly, rubbing his nose against her burning earlobe and gently inhaling the faint jasmine scent in her hair.

“D-don’t do this, we’ve only known each other for two days…”

Makino felt Kaguya’s fiery body and recalled the ridiculous dream she had last night.

Her body felt uncontrollably weak, and the small hand resting on Kaguya’s chest gradually lost its strength.

She shyly turned her face away, only to hear Kaguya whisper in her ear.

“Though it’s only been two days, it’s enough for me to confirm that you are the person I’m looking for.”

Kaguya’s voice seemed to carry an enchanting magic that made Makino’s heart beat faster and faster.

“Let me think about it some more… this is too fast…”

Makino’s voice grew softer, almost melting into Kaguya’s scorching breath.

She felt her sanity being slowly dismantled by the seductive voice near her ear, like morning dew silently evaporating in the sun.

“Let me help you clarify your feelings.”

Kaguya lifted his head, looked at Makino’s slightly wavering eyes, and lowered his head to kiss her again.

The moment Kaguya’s warm lips covered hers, Makino’s breath suddenly hitched.

His kiss was gentle yet firm, carrying an irresistible intimacy that dissolved the last shred of rationality in her mind.

The faint scent of mint and the fragrance of wild roses mingled between their lips; Makino unconsciously parted her rosy lips, allowing his tongue to enter unhindered.

As the kiss deepened, Makino felt all the strength drain from her body, her legs turning weak until she could barely stand.

Kaguya’s powerful arms tightened just in time, pulling her completely into his embrace.

Makino heard her own rapid heartbeat and felt his equally fervent body temperature, as if an electric current was flowing from their touching skin throughout her body.

“Mmm…”

Makino unconsciously let out a soft moan, her long eyelashes fluttering gently.

When she realized she had actively wrapped her arms around Kaguya’s neck, the bouquet of wild roses had long since slipped from her fingers, the scattered petals spreading a crimson blush across the wooden floor.

Just as Kaguya was preparing to take things further while Makino was aroused, the tavern door was pushed open.

“Makino, get me a beer… uh…”

Mayor Woop Slap’s voice stopped abruptly. He stared wide-eyed at the scene before him—Makino was tightly embraced by a strange man.

Makino’s face instantly turned red like a ripe apple. She frantically broke free from Kaguya’s embrace and clumsily straightened her disheveled clothes.

“M-Mayor! Why are you here…”

Makino’s voice was whisper-soft, and she kept her head down, afraid to look at him directly.

“And this gentleman is…”

Kaguya introduced himself calmly: “Makino’s man, Kaguya.”

“What nonsense are you talking about!”

Makino pushed Kaguya away in embarrassment and annoyance, then explained: “Mayor, don’t listen to his nonsense.

He’s the Captain of that ship by the sea. He came, he came… he came for a meal!

Yes, he came for a meal!”

The Mayor eyed Kaguya suspiciously, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two.

Although he was old, he wasn’t stupid. The scene just now certainly didn’t look like they were about to eat.

Perhaps if he hadn’t come over, they would have been eating something else.

“Ahem, young man…”

The Mayor cleared his throat, about to speak, but Kaguya politely interrupted him.

“I actually came to invite Miss Makino to sail the seas with me.

Of course, I wasn’t lying just now; I genuinely like Miss Makino, which is why I claimed to be her man.”

Mayor Woop Slap frowned even harder. Leaning on his cane, he slowly shuffled over to the bar and sat down, his gaze lingering on Kaguya for a moment.

“Sailing? Makino grew up right here in Foosha Village; she hasn’t even been to the Goa Kingdom.”

The Old Mayor shook his head.

“Young man, the sea is not a romantic place.”

Kaguya calmly walked up to the bar, his slender fingers lightly tapping the wooden counter.

“Precisely because of that, she should see it.

Miss Makino deserves a broader world.”

Makino stood nearby, unconsciously twisting the edge of her apron.

She secretly glanced at Kaguya’s tall silhouette, and recalling the breathtaking kiss from moments ago, her heart rate accelerated again.

“Mayor, I…”

She bit her lower lip.

“I am actually considering this.”

The Old Mayor turned his head in surprise.

“Makino, don’t tell me you…”

“No, I’m not!”

Makino quickly waved her hands, her cheeks flushed again.

“I just… just feel like maybe I should go out and see the world…”

A triumphant smile curved Kaguya’s lips, and he seized the opportunity to hold Makino’s hand.

“I will protect her with my life.”

The Old Mayor sighed deeply, a complex emotion flickering in his cloudy eyes.

“You young people’s affairs, you decide for yourselves.”

He picked up the beer Makino had just poured and drank it in one gulp, foam clinging to his graying beard.

Having said that, the Old Mayor left the tavern without looking back.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Kaguya looked at Makino with a hint of surprise and delight.

“I said I was considering it, but I haven’t said I’ve made up my mind.

I still need to see your performance going forward.”

Although Makino said this, her eyes had softened considerably.

She gently withdrew the hand he was holding and turned to wipe the glass the Mayor had set down, trying to hide her inner turmoil.

“Let me help you serve the customers.”

Kaguya offered to help specifically to increase Makino’s favorable impression of him through spending time together.

Makino didn’t chase Kaguya away, letting him stay in the tavern.

Makino’s tavern wasn’t really doing much business.

Foosha Village was a small place, and since it was Garp’s hometown, few Pirate Crews dared to come here.

Nobles from the Goa Kingdom wouldn’t come to this small village to drink either.

So the tavern was empty most of the day.

Only the occasional Villager from the village would drop by for a drink.

Makino barely charged them any money.

Therefore, Kaguya spent most of the day flirting with Makino, tugging at her heartstrings.

Throughout the day, Kaguya found three opportunities to kiss Makino.

Makino progressed from initial resistance to gradual tacit approval, even actively wrapping her arms around his shoulders once when Kaguya pinned her against the liquor shelf for a deep kiss.

“You really are a bad guy…”

Makino breathlessly pushed him away, her lipstick already smudged, and two buttons of her shirt had somehow come undone.

She frantically turned her back to straighten her clothes, only to hear Kaguya’s deep laughter behind her.

“I just like you too much.”

Kaguya wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.

…

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