บท 263: Chapter 262
Charlotte Pudding cried with excitement, overwhelmed by emotions she hadn't felt in years. As the tears flowed freely, Logan gently patted her back to comfort her, allowing her to release the pain she had kept inside for so long.
After some time, the sobs quieted, and Pudding lifted her head, her expression shifting to one of seriousness. "No! No! I can't stay on your ship!"
Logan raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident. "What's wrong?"
Pudding's face tensed with fear as she spoke, "I'm from the Three-Eyed Tribe. I have one more eye than you. If you or anyone else sees my third eye, you'll be scared. Even you... if you see it, you'll dislike me."
Her years with Big Mom's pirate crew had scarred her deeply. The ridicule from her family and others around her had made her self-conscious, turning her third eye into a symbol of her insecurity.
Logan, knowing her past and her fears from reading the original manga, didn't flinch. He knew how to help her overcome her insecurities. "Really? Then can you let me see your third eye?" Logan asked, deliberately feigning ignorance.
Pudding's heart raced. Was he really asking to see her eye? The same eye that had caused her so much pain and isolation? "No, you'll be scared," she said, shaking her head, rejecting the request as she backed away slightly.
Logan smiled warmly. "How could I be scared? A lovely girl like you surely has a third eye that's just as bright and beautiful as the other two."
Despite her deeply ingrained fears, Pudding couldn't help but be swayed by his gentle words. For years, she had been subjected to ridicule, but here was someone speaking to her with nothing but kindness and sincerity. Hesitant but trusting, she finally lifted the bangs covering her forehead, revealing her tightly closed third eye.
The tension in the air was palpable as Pudding nervously waited for Logan's reaction, her mind replaying all the times her siblings and others had mocked her. Those cruel faces, those harsh words—they had left deep scars. She feared the disgust she was sure she'd see on Logan's face, just like she had seen on so many others.
But instead of recoiling, Logan reached out and gently held her hand, preventing her from hiding her face again. He leaned in, his eyes filled with curiosity, but also with warmth. He stared directly at her third eye, studying it carefully without a trace of fear.
"You… you're not afraid?" Pudding asked in disbelief, her voice trembling.
"Afraid?" Logan said with exaggerated shock. "Don't be ridiculous! Such a beautiful, clear eye—why should I be afraid? I've never seen anything so unique and lovely before."
Without realizing it, Logan's hands gently cupped Pudding's face, holding her as though she was the most delicate, precious thing in the world. Pudding's instinct was to pull away, but her body betrayed her. She couldn't summon the strength to push him back. Instead, an internal battle raged within her.
Should she push him away, as she had always done with everyone else who had hurt her?
Or should she allow herself to be vulnerable, trusting him to not hurt her?
Her defenses, carefully built over years of suffering, began to crumble.
And then, for the first time, she let her guard down completely. Her trembling hands fell to her sides, and she allowed Logan to gaze freely at her third eye.
Logan smiled at her, a true, heartfelt smile. "You really are beautiful, Pudding. There's nothing to hide."
Pudding's third eye began to water, as if responding to the emotions flooding her heart. Without warning, she threw herself into Logan's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Woo woo woo..."
Logan gently stroked her hair, speaking softly. "Hey, no need for tears. If people see you crying like this, they'll think I'm being mean to you."
"I'm sorry... I'm just so happy," Pudding mumbled through her tears. "You're the first person who's ever accepted me."
Logan chuckled softly. "You're so cute and beautiful, Pudding. I can't believe anyone wouldn't accept you. Maybe they're the ones with the problem, not you."
Pudding let out a soft giggle through her sobs, Logan's light-heartedness easing her sadness. She wiped her eyes, feeling a little embarrassed. "Do you really think your friends will accept me too?"
Logan didn't hesitate. "Absolutely. Look, if we can accept a talking skeleton as part of our crew, accepting a lovely girl like you is nothing."
Pudding's mind flashed back to the hall where she had seen Brook among the Straw Hats. At the time, she had thought he was some kind of summoned creature. Realizing now that he was an actual member of the crew, her confidence surged.
"You're right," Pudding said, finally smiling. "If they can accept a skeleton, maybe I'll fit in too."
Logan smiled back, but his expression turned serious for a moment. "Pudding, I know you've lived in a world of suspicion and deceit for a long time. But if you're going to join our crew, you have to be sincere with everyone. We'll all be sincere with you."
Pudding's face softened, and she nodded, though her thoughts seemed conflicted. "I understand."
Logan added, "And one more thing—your Memory-Memory Fruit... you can't use it on the crew. We're your friends, and we need to trust each other."
Pudding nodded again, this time more firmly. "I promise."
Then, curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Aren't you worried that I've already used my powers to modify your memory, to make you accept me?"
Logan laughed, giving her nose a playful tap. "Not at all."
"Why?" Pudding asked, genuinely curious.
Logan's eyes softened as he answered, "Because when I looked into your third eye, I could see the kindness in your heart."
Of course, Logan had no need to worry about Pudding's powers. His protection from the Goddess of Holy Light ensured she couldn't affect him. But his words touched her deeply, more than any truth could have.
He understood her. Truly understood her.
Pudding's heart swelled with emotions she hadn't known she was capable of feeling. "Logan... thank you."
Logan gave her a warm smile. "Now, no more deception. Just be yourself, okay?"
Pudding looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes once more, but this time they were tears of joy. She grabbed hold of Logan's shirt, clinging to him as though he were her lifeline.
"I promise... I won't hide anymore," Pudding whispered, her heart overflowing with gratitude and relief.
For the first time in her life, she felt free.
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