Chapter Text
Part 0
2022 – spring
The first feeling that lifted the pressure from her chest was relief. Inside, the temperature had become uncomfortably warm, not because of the confined space or the celebrating crowd, but due to the impending tradition she was about to face: catching the bridal bouquet.
If there was one thing Nami Claesson couldn’t stand, it was weddings and their customs, especially when her friends thought she would be actively involved.
She tilted her head towards the night sky and inhaled the cool, fresh air. The emerging breeze sent a welcome shiver down her spine, bringing comfort and sense of calm.
Nami lived by a simple principle: live and let live.
For her, love was incomprehensible, distracting concept that hindered her desire for freedom. Companionship for a brief fling was enough, but anything more, the full program was not hers.
»Wait and see, Nami, when you find the right one, you’ll understand us,« Zoro had said an hour ago. A clear »No« was her response. She was different. But her best friend had taken the plunge into marriage. Him! Until just two years ago, they had frequently complained about love while enjoying late-night escapades. Then, she had unexpectedly entered the picture. He had fallen head over heels for a woman who initially appeared unremarkable. But beyond the surface, a multitude of facets existed, ultimately forming a perfect match. They seemed tailor-made for each other, and Nami was truly delighted to see him so happy.
The commotion inside didn’t align with her preferences, but Vivi, her best friend, thought otherwise. She couldn’t comprehend Nami’s aversion, and naturally, she had sided with the bride. Instinctively, Nami knew where the bouquet would land, and the mere thought churned Nami’s stomach.
Having a dreamy romantic as a friend was not always a blessing. When Nami was in charge, love was advised to stay at bay. Her life was perfect without it. She didn’t want to be answerable to anyone, preferring unattached nights.
She had a specific goal in mind. Someday she would disappear from the city. Who needed the complication of commitment getting in the way? Or her spontaneous trips. No, she was better of alone, and she cherished that about her life.
Footsteps on the gravel startled her, and she slowly turned around. »Feeling unwell?« she heard a familiar, gravelly voice. Initially, she could barely make him out, but now she realized she had distanced herself from the building.
Zoro had followed her and stood with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He looked less formal since the wedding dance, having discarded his suit jacket, and loosened his tie. Suits suited him, but like this, with a few buttons open, sleeves rolled up, and slightly dishevelled hair, he seemed more natural and less contrived.
»You’re back to your usual self,« she joked. Then, she noticed the suit jacket draped over his shoulder. Her mischievous grin faded. »You were worried,« she concluded, feeling caught, and avoiding his gaze.
Zoro shrugged, a habit of his. He acted as though it were a crime to acknowledge his concern. »I knew you’d want to escape, but stress can easily upset the stomach, and you’ve had a few drinks already.«
»You know I’m immune to stress!«
»Oh please … imagine if you had caught the bouquet. You’d have to quickly find some unwitting victim to share your life with. Just the thought of it should turn your stomach.« Nami prepared to counter, but she halted as he burst into laughter. »Admit it, I hit the mark.«
She indignantly planted her hand on her hip, her right hand perilously clenched into a fist. A few steps closer, and she would have delivered a headbutt.
»Be thankful it’s your day …« she mumbled softly, loosening her handy only to tuck a strand of hair back. »Sometimes I genuinely wonder why we’re friends.«
»Because I deliberately let you win.«
She looked at him provocatively. »Don’t dare me, or your wife will go on the honeymoon alone.« A few years ago they had met at a party, of all places, during a drinking contest. It had been a hard-fought victory. He still maintained that he had chosen to lose. If he hadn’t stepped in, they would have both drank themselves into alcohol poisoning at some point. It was an explanation Nami didn’t accept. She knew when someone had had enough and when someone was merely pretending. »One day, you honour will have to accept defeat.«
»My honour is proud of my chivalrous behaviour,« he grinned cheekily as he stepped closer. »It’s mid-April and you’re overheating from being inside. You could catch a cold quickly.« Gently he draped the jacket over her shoulders. He liked to pretend he was made of ice, but he did care about his friends.
»Thank you,« she mumbled, not averse to the clothing, which was much too large, and so she slipped entirely into it. »Who caught it now?«
»Guess three times,« his face lit up, and the undertone said it all.
»Boring. The appointment is already set!« She shook her head, adjusting the fabric to make it fit tighter.
»We have to get on your nerves big times, don’t we?« Nami swallowed. Judging by his look, he wasn’t joking; Zoro wanted an honest answer.
»Falling in love. Getting married. A waste of time … for me,« she began, rolling up the sleeve of the other with her right hand. »No one should thwart my plans. I have a goal. I’m not interested in anyone who gets in my way. When I think about it, it feels like a burden. I know it sounds crazy, and you don’t share my perspective. Okay, you used to.«
He let out a loud exhale. »Nami. Everyone is free to live their life as they want. I never searched. You know, I used to rant about this lovey-dovey stuff all the time. If my younger self saw me now … oh God .. he’d run away screaming!« They both laughed because what he said was true. Zoro had been so much like Nami. How many women had he ghosted because they wanted to see him again? While he had found the woman for life, Nami kept going. Her pattern remained unchanged. Sex, but no feelings. As soon as someone wanted to get closer to her life, it was over. »Vivi is unique, but I just want you to not to close yourself off completely. Stay open. To everything. When the right person comes along, you’ll see that it’s all unfounded.«
»Are you the new love guru now?« She teased and gave him a gentle nudge in the side. »When I’ve achieved everything, I can start looking, okay? I’m twenty-five. Life is ahead of me, and I have all the time in the world, and even if no one’s waiting for me, that’s not a big deal.«
Zoro raised his eyebrows, giving her a penetrating look before shaking his head in disbelief. He didn’t seem entirely convinced. »If I heard correctly, there are only two options for a Cancer. Either they have no feelings, or they go from zero to a hundred immediately. You just haven’t met that person yet.«
»I guess I have to cut off the connection between you and Vivienne,« she grumbled annoyed. He could only have heard that nonsense from her.
»Ouch, don’t call her that, although …« He shot a furtive look back. »A little side note … she has set Monet after you.«
»She’ll just get the next rejection.«
»What?« She was stared in astonishment, and his arms now crossed.
»Did you never notice? Monet uses every meeting to flirt, and it’s quite annoying.« For Nami it wasn’t surprising. Right after the wedding, she had already received another rejection. It was almost a logical conclusion that she would eventually team up with Vivi. »We should head back, at least you should.«
»The right one is still waiting,« he mumbled and gave Nami the lead.
Of course, she had heard him, but she skillfully ignored what he said.
In the future, however, Nami would think about this conversation more often.