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Ichiji looked around the library he was currently in. Robin, the owner, was behind the counter talking quietly with her husband, Franky. He turns and nearly runs into a person. “I'm so sorry.” Ichiji apologizes, stepping back and looking up at the 6ft 4in tall man. Ichiji could feel his face heat up.
“Oh, it's ok. I'm new to the area. I'm here for the nearby college. You wouldn't happen to know of a good bakery nearby would you?” The man asked, eyes seeming kind while his mask covers his mouth.
“Oh yes. Two blocks down there's a wonderful bakery. It's run by the Nefatari's.” Ichiji explained, pushing up his glasses that had fallen.
“Thank you! Oh my name is Katakuri! What's your name?” Katakuri asked.
“Oh um, it's Ichiji.”
“It's nice to meet you Ichiji! Hopefully I'll see you around!” Katakuri exclaimed, walking past him and over to the counter to check out the books he had.
Ichiji blinked, feeling his face blush. ‘ I haven't felt like this in over a century. ’ Ichiji thought to himself as he walked over to collect the books his siblings requested.
As soon as he entered the manor he was surrounded by his brothers.
“You got the cooking book I asked for?” Sanji asked, smiling brightly when he was handed said book.
“Niji, I got your book. A detective novel.” Ichiji explains, handing his brother the book.
“Agatha Christie. You never cease to amaze me. Ya know, back when you were alive.” Niji chuckled as he opened the book and walked to his reading chair.
“And Yonji. A muscle building book. I don't understand why you insist on these books.” Ichiji sighed, handing Yonji his book.
“I love these books, ok!” Yonji explained, smirking.
Ichiji looked around. “Where's Reiju? I got her the plant book she wanted.”
“Oh. She's in her room.” Sanji explained, heading towards the kitchen.
Ichiji made his way down the hall to his eldest sister's room. He liked to think they were generous and kind immortal siblings. Sanji always found his beloved every time. Niji has made friends with authors constantly. Yonji is just into keeping his muscles. And Reiju, well she's taken over as their parental figure. Ever since they put an end to Judge. They've lived for many centuries. Seen many disasters, many historical events, but still never quite happy. Well, except for Sanji.
Ichiji's mind wandered back to the tall, kind man he met at the Library today. As he stepped into Reiju's room he didn't realize how much he was blushing.
“Oh Ichi! You brought me my book! Thank you! Did you meet someone at the library? You have a blush on your face. I haven't seen you blush in over a century.” Reiju smiled, taking her book and placing it next to her on her bed.
“I-I have no idea what you're talking about!” Ichiji exclaimed, though his face was almost as red as his hair.
“Oh Ichi. I know you. You found someone that is causing you to blush. What's their name? You can at least tell me that, right?” Reiju smiled, patting the spot next to her.
Ichiji sighed in defeat and sat next to her. “His name is Katakuri. He's new to town. Obviously since I didn't recognize him. Said he's here for the nearby college. Asked me about where he could find a bakery.” Ichiji explained, rubbing the back of his neck.
Reiju chuckled lightly. “It seems you may have finally found your person Ichi!” Reiju explained, chuckling again at her brother's expression.
“My person?! Like how Sanji is with that Zoro person every century?” Ichiji questioned, his ears burning up.
“Yes. We each have our person. Some of us just take longer to find them than others. I'm glad you found yours. Maybe you should get to know him.” Reiju suggested.
Ichiji rubbed the back of his head. “I've never done this though.”
Reiju smiled. “You'll do great. Now why don't you head down to the bakery. I'm sure Niji would love some baked goods.” Reiju smiled, winking at her brother.
“R-right! I'll be back then. Oh please make sure Sanji doesn't use up all our ingredients today. I'm not planning to run to the farmers market till Saturday.” Ichiji sighed, hearing Sanji cooking in the kitchen.
He made his way down to the bakery. Alabasta Bakery. Stepping through the door as the bell chimes, Ichiji looks around giving a smile and wave to Vivi and her girlfriend Nami. Friends of Sanji's.
“Ichiji! I wasn't expecting to see you here!” A familiar voice exclaims.
Ichiji looks to his right to see Katakuri sitting at a table with a donut in his hand. Ichiji walked over to him. “May I sit with you?” He asked, clearly a bit nervous.
“Sure! Though I'm eating donuts and I warn you that I have some nasty scars on my face.” Katakuri admitted, removing his mask to show the scars going from the corners of his mouth to each ear.
“That's ok. It doesn't bother me.” Ichiji admitted, sitting across from Katakuri. “I was hoping to get to know you more. If that's alright with you?”
“Absolutely! I love meeting new people!”
“Ok, um do you have any siblings?”
“Yes! I have 3 younger siblings. Brulee, Oven, and my baby sister Pudding.” Katakuri explained, happily eating a donut.
“I have 4, my older sister Reiju, then my brothers who are quadruplets with me, Niji, Sanji, & Yonji.” Ichiji explains, twiddling his thumbs under the table.
“That's cool! My momma has a big sweet tooth. I kinda inherited that, only a little though. I love donuts! What's your favorite food?”
“Oh, I like Strawberries. And Whiskey.” Ichiji explained, pushing up his glasses.
“Oh? That's cool. I'm more of a tea drinker myself.” Katakuri smiled, having finished his donuts.
“Tea is good. My brother is a cook.” Ichiji explained, making small talk.
“Oh really?? I saw a restaurant down the road, the Baratie, I think, that was hiring. Maybe he should work there. I mean, if he hasn't got a job.”
“I'll let him know. He's been dying to work as a chef for the last century.” Ichiji offhandedly commented.
“The last century? Wait, are you a part of that Vinsmoke family of immortals?” Katakuri asked, raising an eyebrow.
‘ Shit. ’
“Y-yea. Everyone in this town knows as we've lived here our whole lives. I'm sure that's probably a no go for dating, huh. I-I should go.” Ichiji began to get out of the seat, ready to order his brother's baked goods.
“Wait!” Katakuri gently grabbed Ichiji's hand, stopping him from leaving. “I never said that was a no go. I wouldn't mind going on a date with you.” Katakuri admitted, putting his mask back on.
“R-really? Well, would you like to go to the movies with me? Tonight?” Ichiji asked, a blush appearing on his cheeks.
“Sure! There's this horror movie about animatronics out in theaters that I've been wanting to see.”
“Let's go then!” Ichiji smiled, walking hand in hand with Katakuri.
Maybe meeting his person was a good thing after!