One fine, sunny morning, beneath a blue-and-white European-style domed pavilion.
Several figures sat around a stone table, enjoying themselves.
"Three bamboo."
"Four of characters."
"Mahjong!"
A sudden shout drew everyone's attention.
Hareda rubbed his hands nervously, picked up a smooth, square stone, and hid it in his hand. He peeked at it cautiously.
Suddenly, he leaped to his feet and slammed the stone onto the table!
Bang!!
"I got it!!" Hareda cried excitedly. "A winning hand! A win off a kong!!"
"What?!"
"Damn it!"
"Shit!"
The other three cursed furiously and reluctantly pulled out their wallets.
"I'm off. Find someone to take my place. I'm going home to cook." Lina snorted and tossed down two banknotes of different denominations.
"Don't go, Lina!"
As soon as he stood up, the old men on either side grabbed his arms and hurriedly pleaded, "Just four more rounds. Only four!"
"It'll only take a little while. It won't hold you up."
"Get lost, get lost. It's always the same with you." Lina shook off their hands, ignoring the two old men who were dragged to the ground.
Ever since he'd taught them to play mahjong, these old gamblers had become more and more addicted.
Win or lose, they never knew when to stop. Four rounds turned into another four.
A waste of time.
Hopeless.
When he got home, Nami was still in the study.
After entering the waters near Alabasta, the stuffy, sweltering air had gradually made everyone irritable.
He'd made a few extra cold dishes for lunch.
After eating their fill, Nami had gone to take a nap.
Lina waited until Visseria reached the skies above Alabasta before going to wake her.
"We're here?" Nami rubbed her sleepy eyes, sat up, and stretched.
"Yeah. The old men have got their things ready and