[One Piece] Uncrowned King

"...will not die?" Teresa repeated these three words blankly.

"Didn't someone say that, as long as someone still remembers, then the person is not dead." Roger nodded with a smile, and said to Teresa: "Sister, you will definitely not forget me."

When will a person die?

It's not the time when the heart is pierced by a knife, the life force is not swallowed by the disease, or the poison enters the six internal organs, but when everyone forgets it.In this world, as long as someone remembers the bits and pieces of that person's existence, whether it's his smile, a certain sentence he said, or the path he walked...as long as there is still a little bit of memory left, then This person did not die, he turned into a memory that would never fade away, staying forever in the minds of those around him.

Yeah...that statement is very philosophical.

Indeed...Teresa will never forget that young man who was sitting by the river wearing a straw hat, who was starving and skinny but full of smiles; nor will she forget the young man who dared to face the pressure from the world and insist on his dreams even though he was just a fledgling; let alone Forget, standing in front of her now, even if he is already standing at the top of the world, the young man who is still innocent for ten years and has not been dazzled by the desire to dominate at his fingertips...

But ah...

"Don't fool me!!" Teresa raised her arms and grabbed Roger's clothes with both hands, and said, "Don't say that you will live forever! I am a doctor, and I know that people always You're going to die, and you've already gotten used to facing death! But you brat, if you die, you'll die behind me!!" Her eyes were wide open, and she met Roger's dark eyes. Tell him word by word: "I don't want any memories, that kind of things are all things that can only stay in the past! What I want is a smiley face that continues to smile in front of me, always full of confidence, making people feel like a beating , but the real Roger!!"

"sister……"

"What terminal illness, death! Don't believe this kind of words!!" Teresa clenched her hands tightly, begging: "Don't talk about despondency, don't talk about terminal illness! Tell me as usual, this world There is nothing in the world that cannot be solved! There is no disease that cannot be cured! Just like you believe in the existence of the Great Secret Treasure, believe me that you can survive!!"

For the dead, it may be a happy thing to be remembered forever.But what about those who are still alive?That would be a more painful thing than death... Even if that person would say with a smile on his face that he would live together as an important person, even if he faced the future bravely, even if he would realize his life's dream in the future.But as long as that memory remains, the pain left behind will never be forgotten.

"I..." Faced with Teresa's hysterical emotions, Roger quietly held the hands hidden in his sleeves. He stared at the woman in front of him who was no longer as calm and elegant as before, and said, "I...don't believe it either. I will die." He didn't firmly believe that he would die, but he just accepted death in advance.

"..." Teresa trembled when she heard Roger's answer.

"I...have been sailing for so many years, and I have survived all kinds of dangers, whether it is a huge wave that no one can pass through, or a naval siege that no one can resist...I have survived...I have never died..." Thinking back Those exciting careers, the smile on Roger’s face was somewhat nostalgic and bitter, and he said: “This disease, like those dangers, is an adventure that is called insurmountable… This time, I don’t think I will definitely Lose."

Every time he takes an adventure, he is betting with his life. Even if he dies, he is still paying for his dream, and he has no regrets!When taking risks, he can see the calm at the end of the sea, and he has endless confidence that he can win.But this disease made him unable to see the other side.

And this time he couldn't see tomorrow's bet, so he couldn't gamble...

He can't bet...he can't bet on Lu Jiu's life...

Roger lowered his eyes and said in a low voice: "...This time, I can't afford to lose..." So he made preparations early and thought of everything he might face in advance.Even he himself is not sure that he will win the adventure, how can he be selfish and let Lu Jiu continue to waste his youth and continue to wait for a long time without end.You know, because of his selfishness, Lu Jiu has wasted many years of youth in vain.

"...So you just decided Lu Jiu's future just like that." Teresa said with a hint of anger in her tone, "At the beginning you took the initiative to participate in Lu Jiu's life, but now you have to withdraw by yourself Come on. Although Lu Jiu is gentle, she is very stubborn. Once she makes a decision, she will never give up at will!"

The traces carved on the soul are not drawn with a pencil, and no one can find an eraser that can completely erase those patterns.

Wouldn't she be sad if Roger left Lu Jiu now with the idea that the long-term pain is worse than the short-term pain?

Looking at the carefree man in front of him, thinking about these complex emotions in distress.Teresa couldn't bear it and said: "...If you really like her, don't do what you think is good for her in the name of liking her. There is no need to hide between partners."

Roger fell on the bed, stretched out his hand to scratch his hair, and said, "I thought about it, and I will tell her everything."

Teresa nodded slightly, and said: "Then go tell her everything, and then respect all the choices Lu Jiu made."

Roger quickly raised his head and said, "But if I really die..."

Teresa reached out and pressed Roger's head, saying: "That's her too, the future she chose..."

If Roger dies, Lu Jiu will always remember his bright smile, and when she comes back to face the reality, she will be left with nothing but desolation. She will realize that the one who will give her a satisfied smile The man has never returned;

She will remember every word Roger said, but all the promises he had left with full confidence could not be fulfilled as his life came to an end;

She may walk the path that the two of them once walked together, recalling the sweetness when the two held hands, and then facing forward, she has to endure the loneliness of walking alone on the road of life.

Those memories will haunt her like a shadow, and all the things he has participated in will never disappear, and those wounds that were scraped bloody by the memory fragments will never heal...

However, that would also be the direction she chose.

People would say that short-term pain is worse than long-term pain, but for a girl like Lu Jiu, even if she gave up waiting for Roger, the short-term pain would not be really short.She will live with regrets all her life, instead of doing this, it is better to respect her ideas, at least, there will be no regrets in the future.

The ward fell silent, Teresa lowered her head and looked at Roger, while the girl with long blond hair had quietly walked to the door of the ward.

She gently opened the door and went in, walking up to Roger.

"I will wait for you... to come back after fulfilling your dream."

"……dream? 』

"Uh-huh!I will find the big secret treasure!When the time comes, come back and marry you! 』

The author has something to say: