Chapter 51 - Temporary Farewell

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After exiting the gap, they were at Angel Beach.

Conis and Raki were quite surprised.

"Here's.... Angel Beach?"

"Right. Shortly, I can manipulate space with my power.... Please don't tell anyone about my power, okay?"

""Um.""

"Conis, we're going to your house. Ah! Wait a minute...."

Lepus then took out a robe and put it on Raki.

"Wear this cloak to cover your wings. Because it would be troublesome if other people knew you are a Shandian."

"Um."

"Okay, let's go."

Then Lepus, who was still carrying Raki, followed Conis to her house.

Arriving at the house, Conis knocked on the door and then Pagaya opened it.

Seeing that it was Conis knocking on the door, Pagaya was relieved.

"Oh, Conis-san. You're home."

Lepus then spoke to Pagaya.

"Sorry, I suddenly asked Conis out, Pagaya-san."

"It's okay, Lepus-san. Hm? Who is this?"

Pagaya is a little confused and surprised that Lepus is holding a girl.

Lepus then with a smile answered.

"Oh. This is my girlfriend, Raki. From the Blue Sea too. She was a little injured, so I carried her"

Hearing Lepus say that she was his lover, even though it's just a ruse, Raki blushed a little but somehow she didn't feel angry or other uncomfortable emotions.

"Can we come in, Pagaya-san?"

"O-Oh! Of course! Come on in! I just happened to have just finished cooking lunch. So, let's eat together."

"Thank you, Pagaya-san. Excuse me."

Then, they had lunch together.

After lunch, Lepus had a friendly chat with Conis and Pagaya talked about various things about the sky island, such as culture, technology, and others.

Meanwhile, Raki just sat quietly listening by Lepus' side.

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After talking for a while, they didn't realize it was already around 3 pm.

Raki's wounds have also recovered quite a bit and she can walk again.

Lepus then decides to take Raki and Conis for a walk and shopping at Lovely Street.

There Lepus buys several Dials, such as Lamp, Tone, Breath, also Waver, and several other sky island specialties to take to the Blue Sea.

Not to forget, he also bought other souvenirs such as accessories, clothes, snacks, special food ingredients for the sky island, and so on.

Lepus also bought some things for Raki and Conis too.

After almost dusk, the three of them finished their walk and left Lovely Street.

Lepus walked while holding Conis's hand on his right and Raki's on his left.

Even though they had only seen each other for a day, but talked and spent time together make them realized that they're comfortable with each other. Now, the three of them had a quite close relationship.

While walking, then Lepus asked Raki and Conis.

"Raki, Conis, do you want to come with me to the Blue Sea?"

Hearing Lepus' question, they fell silent. They didn't know how to answer.

They certainly wanted to keep together with Lepus, but they also still had things to do.

Raki then replied with a slight bow of her head.

".... Sorry.... I can't. I still want to fight with my tribe."

Conis also then replied in disappointment.

"I.... Sorry, Lepus-san. I don't want to leave my father alone for now."

"I see.... Too bad."

Lepus was quite disappointed with their answer, but then he smiled and said.

"Raki, I believe that one day your tribe will be able to regain the rights to your ancestral land. Conis, I also believe that one day peace will be realized so that you won't have to worry about leaving your father alone. I'm sure of that! .... And I will come here again one day. I hope by that time of that, your wishes have come true. And at that time, I want to pick you up and take you away and stay together with me. So?"

Hearing Lepus' statement and question, the two of them thought for a moment then smiled and nodded at the same time.

""Um.""

Lepus then satisfied and happily hold their hand tighter.

After that, they returned to Conis' house.

Then Lepus and Raki said goodbye.

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Lepus escorted Raki to near the hidden cloud gate of her tribal village.

Arriving there, Lepus takes out the unidentified devil fruit that he got during a black-ops.

Raki is quite surprised to see Lepus take out the devil fruit.

Lepus smiled and then said.

"Raki, this fruit is for you. I hope it can helps you and your tribe. Think of it as a sign of my care for you. Please accept it."

Despite being a bit hesitant to accept something as special as a devil fruit, Raki accepts it in the end.

".... Thank you. I'll treasure it."

Lepus smiled and then hugged and kissed Raki on the forehead gently.

"Take good care of yourself. I'll definitely come back and get you."

"Um. You take care of yourself too."

Some time later, Lepus released Raki.

Then Lepus opened the gap and entered.

Before closing the gap, Lepus said one last time.

"I love you."

Then the gap closes and disappears.

Raki was silent for a long time staring at the space where the gap disappeared.

Then, she smiled a little and went back to her tribal village.

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By the time Lepus came out of the gap and returned to his room his house in West Blue it was already quite late.

Then, Lepus slept and rested soundly.

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