Pop!
Expensive champagne sprayed out in a froth of bubbles, and the mood in the Living Room soared. Below, everyone danced with abandon, enjoying the annual feast to the fullest!
Like Foosha Village, Turtle Island was even livelier today than it was during the New Year Festival. All activities had been put on hold, and everyone had gathered on the island to celebrate Loa's birthday.
"Happy birthday, Loa!"
"Happy birthday, Master!"
The leading members of Turtle Island lined up to wish Loa well at the head of the dining table, each presenting a gift they had prepared. Given Loa's standing, a grand celebration would have drawn enough guests to stun the whole world. But that sounded troublesome, and he had no taste for social obligations. So he had kept it to Turtle Island, where his own people could enjoy themselves.
No one thought anything of Nico Robin sitting beside Loa. Their relationship had quietly flowed along to this point, as naturally as water. All that remained was to say it aloud.
In truth, neither of them longed for a grand, passionate romance. Both were long past the age of dreams and yearning. At nine and eight, they understood that quiet, ordinary love was the truest and happiest kind.
Of course, neither would have minded a little romance.
"Thank you!"
After putting the gifts away one by one, Loa gave Jones a look. Jones nodded in understanding and darted out of the Living Room.
Robin, sitting quietly, missed their exchange. Once the congratulations had died down, she looked at Loa as he sat beside her again and asked, "Aren't you going to open them?"
Behind them, large, colorful gift boxes had piled up into a mountain. Some came from their own people, while others had been sent by certain figures in