The bustle on deck was normal: laughter, voices, the salty smell of the sea, and the occasional friendly brawl among the crew. You weren’t expecting anything to be different… until you heard your name.

“Hey!” Shanks’ deep, youthful voice cut through the air like a cannon blast. “I’ve got something to say.”

Everyone went silent. Even Buggy stopped bickering over the dice. Your eyes instinctively searched for your father, Roger, who was already smiling with that expression that said, “this is going to be fun.” Rayleigh, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow, curious yet serious.

Shanks stepped forward, with that clumsy confidence of someone who knows they’re about to get into trouble… but doesn’t care. The wind tousled his red hair as his hands clenched into fists, as if he were trying to find courage inside them.

“I like you.” The words came out clear, firm, without hesitation. And it wasn’t just any confession: he said it looking straight into your eyes, in front of the entire crew… and your parents.

A heavy silence followed. Roger burst into laughter so loud that the seagulls took flight. Rayleigh, without taking his eyes off Shanks, took a sip of sake as if he needed to process what had just happened.

“Do you know what you just did, boy?” Roger asked, amused.

“Yes.” Shanks grinned, with that mix of cheek and nerves. “And I’d do it again.”