◈ — The question was something he had asked himself before. And yet, when it came from her lips it left him stunned. Her tone and hesitation caused a bit of uneasiness in him. Leaving him to also take a moment while he formulated an answer. 

  He wanted to say that he would have missed her. That if Vivi had joined the strawhats, they wouldn’t have been able to reconnect. That he wouldn’t have been able to rediscover his love for her. Words stuck on the tip of his tongue, but Kohza could not speak them. For all the same reasons he remains silent over his feelings, but also because he was worried. Worried that she wished to be with them instead of here. 

   ❝Then you would have been a pirate.❞ He opted for a safe response, not wanting his own confession to cause the princess any guilt. ❝You would be with them saving countries just like how you saved this one.❞ He spoke facts, knowing that the Strawhats seemed to have formed that habit while on their journeys. 

◈ — He never made it a habit to jump into other people’s business, especially when it was trouble. The man was always on the run from authority enough as it is. He preferred to keep his profile low. Or so he liked to think that. However, despite his awkwardly cold appearance, he found that himself helping those in need. Those like him. 

  So when he saw the girl in the market give food to the children, despite not having any money of her own. It made him roll his eyes, but also move from his safe hidden spot and spring into action. 

  ❝There you are! I’ve been looking for you all morning.❞ Kohza casually called out, interrupting the salesman. ❝Thank you, kind sir, for finding my sister.❞ He made quick to grab the other man’s arm, stopping him from bringing the blade any lower. His other hand grabbed the one holding the girl’s wrist, forcing him to release her.