CHAPTER 2 — A Place to Belong
The sun dipped lower over Windmill Village, bathing the wooden houses in warm orange light. Ren followed Makino down the narrow path leading to the mayor's house—a small, slanted-roof home with a crooked fence that looked one strong kick away from collapsing.
Makino knocked gently.
The door opened halfway, revealing an older man with a graying beard and perpetually tired eyes. Mayor Woop Slap blinked once, then twice.
"Makino? What's wrong? Luffy didn't climb the windmill again, did he?"
Makino laughed softly. "No, not today. Actually, I need to talk to you about something important."
Her hand lowered to Ren's shoulder, guiding him forward. "This is Ren. I found him on the beach."
The mayor's brows furrowed. "The beach? Alone?"
Ren nodded awkwardly. "I just… woke up there."
He wasn't lying—just not telling everything.
Woop Slap studied him in silence. His eyes weren't sharp like a soldier's—they were weary, gentle, the eyes of a man who had seen too many orphans in his lifetime. After a long moment, he sighed.
"Another child without a home, huh…?" he muttered.
Makino spoke softly. "I was hoping the village could help him. Just until he settles in."
The mayor tapped his cane against the floor, thinking. "We don't have many empty houses left. But the old carpenter's shed near the cliff hasn't been used in years. If he's willing to clean it up, he can stay there."
Ren blinked. "I can?"
Woop Slap nodded. "The roof leaks, the walls are cracked, and I'm fairly certain a goat lives inside now, but yes."
Ren felt something warm spread through him—not excitement, but a gentle, aching relief. A place. A space. Something that could become home.
Makino smiled. "See? It'll work out."
Woop Slap cleared his throat. "Ren, was it? I'll ask the villagers for spare blankets and tools. Makino, keep an eye on him for now."
"Of course," she said.
The mayor knelt slightly, lowering himself to Ren's height.
"Listen, boy… this is a quiet village. We look after our own. If you need something—food, guidance, help—come to us. As long as you don't cause trouble, you'll always have a place here."
Ren felt his throat tighten.
They were treating him like one of their own.
So casually.
So kindly.
"…Thank you," he murmured.
Woop Slap patted his shoulder. "Now run along before Luffy breaks something."
---
A Dinner Unlike Any Other
Back at Makino's bar, evening customers had begun arriving—mostly fishermen returning with their haul and elderly men looking for warmth and drink.
Ren sat at a small table, unsure what to do with his hands.
He wasn't used to this.
Noise.
Laughter.
Life.
Makino moved gracefully between tables, taking orders and scolding drunkards like an older sister with infinite patience.
"Ren! Come help me carry this tray."
Ren jolted. "Me?"
"Of course! You're part of the village now, aren't you?"
He hesitated… then stood.
Makino handed him a tray with steaming bowls. "Table by the window."
Ren carried it carefully—too carefully—taking small steps like a malfunctioning robot. A fisherman snorted.
"Kid, you act like the soup's gonna explode."
Ren flushed. "Sorry…"
Another man laughed. "Relax, boy. No one's gonna eat you."
Ren managed a tiny smile. He placed the bowls on the table and hurried back.
Makino watched him with a faint, amused grin. "You did fine."
Ren rubbed the back of his neck. "I've… never worked in a place like this."
"Then you'll learn."
Her voice was firm but gentle—exactly the tone his mother used to use.
That thought hit him like a punch to the chest.
He swallowed hard as grief bubbled up quietly, unexpectedly.
Makino noticed his sudden silence.
"…You okay?" she asked softly.
Ren forced a small nod. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
Makino didn't push. She only placed a hand on his head for a brief moment.
And somehow, that was enough.
---
Chaos Arrives in the Form of a Boy
The door burst open again.
"MAKINOOOOOO!!"
Luffy barreled into the bar like a one-boy hurricane.
Again.
Ren instinctively stepped back as the boy skid across the floor, nearly colliding with a table.
Makino didn't even flinch. "Luffy, no running inside!"
"But I'm hungry!" Luffy whined.
"You're always hungry."
"And I want to show Ren my secret training spot!"
Ren blinked. "Training spot?"
Luffy grabbed his wrist without warning. "Come on! I'll show you! I'll show you everything!"
Makino quickly intercepted. "Luffy! Ren just finished eating. And he's helping me tonight."
Luffy puffed his cheeks like an angry pufferfish. "Makinoooo! That's not fair!"
Ren glanced between them… then made a decision.
"I can go," he said quietly. "Helping can wait. I want to see it."
Makino blinked in surprise.
"You sure? It's already getting late."
Ren nodded. "I… want to understand this village."
Makino smiled warmly. "Then go. But don't stay out too late."
Luffy grabbed Ren again. "LET'S GOOOOO!!"
Ren stumbled after him, barely keeping up as Luffy dragged him out the door.
---
The Hilltop
The two made their way up a grassy slope behind the village. Fireflies blinked in the dusk. Crickets chirped. The wind carried the smell of distant waves.
Luffy stopped at the top of the hill, chest puffed out proudly.
"THIS is my secret training ground!"
Ren stared.
It was… a normal grassy field.
A few broken tree stumps, some fist-shaped holes in the ground, and a boulder with dents.
He blinked. "Luffy… do you train by headbutting rocks?"
"YEAH!!"
"Why?"
"Because Shanks said I need a strong head!"
Ren opened his mouth—closed it—then sighed.
Luffy grinned. "Wanna try?!"
"…Absolutely not."
Luffy flopped onto the grass. "Then tell me about you. Where'd you come from?"
Ren hesitated.
He couldn't tell the truth.
But he also didn't want to lie completely.
"My home was… far away," he said softly. "Too far to return."
Luffy's smile faded a little. "Are you sad?"
Ren looked up at the night sky—stars shimmering like tiny lanterns.
"…A bit."
Luffy sat up. "It's okay. I get lonely too. But when I feel sad, Makino gives me food! And I feel better."
Ren chuckled. "That's your solution to everything."
"Food solves problems!" Luffy declared proudly.
And somehow, in that moment, Ren believed him.
---
A Small, Warm Promise
Luffy lay back down, arms spread wide.
"Hey, Ren… you can stay here, you know."
Ren looked over. "…Huh?"
"In the village. With us. Makino likes you. And I like you. So you can stay!"
It was childish logic.
Simple.
Innocent.
But it warmed Ren more than anything else.
He lay beside Luffy, staring at the stars.
"…I'll stay," Ren whispered.
"Good!" Luffy said, grinning.
"We'll be friends!"
Friends.
The word felt strange.
Heavy.
Hopeful.
Maybe… this second life wouldn't be lonely.
Maybe he could start slow.
Build something real.
Learn.
Grow.
Care.
The night breeze brushed their faces gently.
Ren closed his eyes.
"Tomorrow… I'll start fixing that shed."
A place of his own.
A new beginning.
He didn't know it yet—but the first brick of his future had just been laid.