[... It probably says a lot that Sanji does not get angry in Cardia's favor as one would expect. No, his expression softens into sympathy and... understanding.
Because he's... been there...]
Skipping over that putting love potions into people's shit is manipulative and you're lucky I don't break your neck for that.
[Sighing]
Honestly, your biggest crime is you're too damn nice to everyone and this is what happens. Poor Cardia-chan... I assume she didn't take it well.
[Love potions are fun for the whole family - and only last a few hours, so Jae-ha isn't going to consider it to be a big deal.]
.... she didn't. The punch came before, actually, because she was angry about the love potions. [ . . . ] You know, she'll really make someone happy someday?
[There's fondness there that he doesn't care to hide. He adores Cardia, which makes it all the more painful to know that he hurt her. But he can only imagine that what she's feeling is a million times worse.]
I don't think she ever experienced love before.... and I don't want her to think that heartbreak is all there is.
[... Sanji was going to feel more sympathetic about Jae-Ha getting punched until he dropped that truth.
WHELP. Looking just exasperated now.]
She'll move on, even if it takes time... Being stuck here with people running around killing each other makes shit more tense than usual.
[And the feelings more potent all because of it.]
But you, bastard, need to be more careful! I'm not saying you can help who falls in love with you, but people trust you and care a lot. That's gonna cause ripples like this.
What does that have to do with anything? I spoke to her the same way that I speak to any lady - and I treated her the same way that I do with anyone else in the castle.
[It's in his nature to be kind, Sanji!!]
I'll be more careful with her from now on - but you can't expect me to change my principles.
I'm not used to staying in the same place for very long with ladies that don't already know me for one reason or another - and so I'm not used to having problems like this.
[He's so used to having his affections rebuffed?]
An explanation, not an excuse, for the record.
I should've noticed with dear Cardia sooner than I did, rather than to give her the unhappy surprise that I didn't feel the same way. She didn't need to find out like that.
[Hence why he's still open to Sanji beating him up.]
I plan on it. I even spoke to the dear Rebecca, since they're partners, with the intention of having someone else to look after her. [Because Jae-ha is thoughtful, even when he knows he has to stay away.] .... I actually don't know how effective that'll be.
[Rebecca is nice.
She's also ver self-centered.
On that note:]
A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell but I wouldn't be surprised if she's one of the ladies who made advances on you either.
[is it
better or worse
than kissing and telling if he's just calling sanji out]
But of course. I wouldn't be half the chef I am if there weren't people willing to share their knowledge with me. She was quite gracious about kicking my ass, too.
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Because he's... been there...]
Skipping over that putting love potions into people's shit is manipulative and you're lucky I don't break your neck for that.
[Sighing]
Honestly, your biggest crime is you're too damn nice to everyone and this is what happens. Poor Cardia-chan... I assume she didn't take it well.
[Or did someone else punch him]
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.... she didn't. The punch came before, actually, because she was angry about the love potions. [ . . . ] You know, she'll really make someone happy someday?
[There's fondness there that he doesn't care to hide. He adores Cardia, which makes it all the more painful to know that he hurt her. But he can only imagine that what she's feeling is a million times worse.]
I don't think she ever experienced love before.... and I don't want her to think that heartbreak is all there is.
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WHELP. Looking just exasperated now.]
She'll move on, even if it takes time... Being stuck here with people running around killing each other makes shit more tense than usual.
[And the feelings more potent all because of it.]
But you, bastard, need to be more careful! I'm not saying you can help who falls in love with you, but people trust you and care a lot. That's gonna cause ripples like this.
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What does that have to do with anything? I spoke to her the same way that I speak to any lady - and I treated her the same way that I do with anyone else in the castle.
[It's in his nature to be kind, Sanji!!]
I'll be more careful with her from now on - but you can't expect me to change my principles.
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[A sigh... he figures he might as well come out and say it.]
A couple of days ago, Monika-chan said she... loved me...
[mm]
So I'm not saying this shit just for you. I also gotta think about how I'm coming off.
[1/2]
For a long moment.
Isn't she sleeping with your partner?
Hm.]
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Ah.
So your answer to me is projecting.
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[Points to him]
You go around being super sweet to ladies, then it's pretty shitty to not consider a few of them might start to develop feelings after a while.
Especially Cardia-chan, whose never known love or affection, from what she's told me.
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[He's so used to having his affections rebuffed?]
An explanation, not an excuse, for the record.
I should've noticed with dear Cardia sooner than I did, rather than to give her the unhappy surprise that I didn't feel the same way. She didn't need to find out like that.
[Hence why he's still open to Sanji beating him up.]
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[Actually this makes a lot of sense in hindsight. Sanji nods along, rubbing at his chin]
Tch, we really are alike in the worst ways.
[Down to usually being rebuffed. This castle is messing with them, man.]
... Maybe give her some space for a while? No need to pick at a fresh wound.
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[Rebecca is nice.
She's also ver self-centered.
On that note:]
A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell but I wouldn't be surprised if she's one of the ladies who made advances on you either.
[is it
better or worse
than kissing and telling if he's just calling sanji out]
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This face.
He got so called out]
O-oi, how is that your business?! How the fuck did you even figure it out?!
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[and jae-ha listens
really well
including being able to slowly figure out which ladies are probably the ones who threw themselves at sanji]
Was Monika another then? If she claims to be in love with you.
[this is truly fucking gossip hour now]
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I told Monika-chan that I have a fiance, so she... apologized.
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[TOPIC CHANGE]
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[??? Why is he getting this look]
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Surprise.
[he is not the disaster you thought he was!]
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What's she like?
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[Finally turning back to his cooking, now that they're done discussing Jae-Ha and what a hot mess he is.]
Well... she's pretty, of course. Long, wave hair; big brown eyes; the most beautiful smile.
She loves to bake. Nearly taught me a thing or two when we first met.
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Oh? Did you enjoy the challenge?
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How did you meet?
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[A shrug]
Pudding-chan's actually a high profile lady, so I was surprised she had any interest in me, to be honest.
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I'm surprised too -
But for different reasons.
[Ones he might elaborate on in a second.]
Was it arranged?
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