Dinner always brings a sense of exceptional relaxation.
The fruity aroma after the meal gently wafts in the air.
Jinan, Roger, and Rouge sat together.
Each held a delicate little spoon, gently savoring the after-dinner dessert.
In the air filled with sweet fragrance, a little sugar replenished their spirits, seemingly adding a bit of relish to the conversation that followed.
Roger leisurely put down his little spoon, his eyes fixed on Jinan, knowing it was time to get to the point.
His voice carried a hint of seriousness:
"Actually, there's a favor I need to ask of you for this trip."
A trace of understanding flashed in Jinan's eyes, and he nodded to show he understood.
As an old friend, he knew very well that Roger was a man of his word and would not easily trouble others.
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be related to your future plans."
Jinan replied crisply, showing a tacit understanding that needed no further explanation.
He knew that Roger didn't have much time left, and asking him to come was to fulfill the promise he made when they met in the Sky Island.
Rouge, who was listening to the straightforward but puzzling conversation between the two friends.
Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She glanced at them, a slight hint of doubt and curiosity flowing in her eyes.
She couldn't help but interject: "What are you talking about?"
Her voice was a little ethereal, as if she didn't want to disturb, but couldn't hide the curiosity in her heart.
Roger looked at Rouge apologetically, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes:
"You know, my condition is already out of control."
His voice was low, and every word was filled with helplessness and exhaustion.
He had been bearing an unspeakable burden.
Rouge nodded silently, her eyes firm and gentle, she took Roger's palm, and the warmth of the palm conveyed silent support and persistence:
"I've always known this, and I will face everything with you."
Her voice was full of determination and courage, even if everything she was about to face was so unknown.
She was unwilling to let go.
Roger felt the deep love from Rouge's hand, and a gentle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:
"Originally, I was going to turn myself in and hide your information so that you could continue your future life without being affected."
His eyes were complex, revealing his determination to give everything for his dream.
But Rouge's existence also revealed his inner struggle and contradiction.
Rouge frowned when she heard this, her voice filled with blame:
"We agreed to face it together, you..."
Her words were full of disappointment and incomprehension, and she was confused by Roger's sudden decision.
Roger gently stopped Rouge from continuing with his finger, he took a deep breath, and his eyes became more firm:
"I didn't make this choice until I met Jinan..."
"With CP's intelligence capabilities, it's still too dangerous to leave you here."
In other words, he had already considered a safer future for Rouge.
Hearing Roger's love for Rouge in his words, Jinan couldn't help but roll his eyes in his heart.
A sense of absurdity welled up in his heart: So, is it his turn, a marine, to take action?
Rouge shook her head, her eyes filled with a kind of firmness, in her eyes death would come sooner or later, no matter sooner or later:
"I am yours in life, and your ghost in death."
Her words were gentle but firm,
"Without you, there is no point in me living in this world."
Roger's eyes filled with tears when he heard such a deep confession, but he quickly wiped them away.
Without thinking, he hugged Rouge into his arms, and the hug revealed an unspeakable love:
"I know your heart,"
His low voice carried a trace of apology,
"I'm sorry that after waiting for me for so long, you got such a news."
"But I still hope you can continue to live."
Rouge, who was hugged tightly by Roger, couldn't help but increase her strength, hugging him tightly, trying to convey all the warmth and love to him.
Her tears slid down silently, wetting Roger's clothes, and the silence had a deeper emotion than words.
Jinan stood there with complex emotions and a bitter smile on his lips.
The feelings of the two made him feel out of place, feeling like an incompatible outsider.
Feeling a gaze staying on them like a substance, Rouge felt the change in the surrounding air and began to struggle slightly in Roger's arms.
"Cough."
Roger also noticed this unnaturalness, he coughed lightly and gradually let go of Rouge, who was hugging him tightly.
He turned to Jinan, his eyes revealing a seriousness and request:
"I hope you can take Rouge away from here."
His words contained absolute confidence in Jinan,
"I know you have the ability to take her away without anyone knowing."
Jinan was silent for a moment, looking at the two people with different expressions but seemingly parallel positions, and then nodded:
"I can help you with this."
His voice was slightly heavy, as if there was a deeper thought hidden behind this simple promise.
Then, changing the subject, Jinan's tone was mixed with dissatisfaction and questioning:
"But you, the Pirate King who dominated the sea, only think of your family at this time."
These words were like a heavy hammer, hitting Roger's heart and making his expression freeze.
"You... what do you think of family?"
This question is not only an interrogation of Roger's decision at this time, but also a questioning of his past choices and behaviors.
The surrounding air became heavier because of Jinan's question.
Roger looked at Rouge fixedly, then turned to Jinan, which contained too much: helplessness, confusion, pain and determination.
Rouge's eyes showed a kind of entanglement and pain.
She couldn't bear to look at Roger's eyes full of self-blame and sadness, and said softly:
"Jinan..."
Roger squeezed out a self-deprecating smile on his lips:
"What you said are all mistakes I made."
"But this world is sick, and I want to know what secrets are hidden at the end of the sea."
His eyes looked into the distance, as if traveling through time and space, directly reaching the dream he was pursuing.
"So that I ignored the feelings of my family."
His voice was low and full of deep guilt.
Roger's eyes became firm again:
"So, I solemnly ask you to take Rouge away from here."
Rouge looked at Roger, her expression was complex and difficult to distinguish, both reluctant and firm, she knew that Roger was protecting her in his own way.
"And as a reward, I will tell you everything I know about this world."
Speaking of this, Roger looked directly at Jinan, and his eyes revealed his expectations for Jinan.
Faced with Roger's heavy exchange, Jinan's heart was turbulent.
He knew what Roger's decision meant, and he also understood that the 'secret' Roger gave might change a lot.
...
