Chapter Text
He could feel the nervousness of his heart racing through his veins, almost as overwhelming as the sound of the crowd echoing through the precint. His skin vibrated with excitement like the last time, making him drum his fingers against one of his thighs in an attempt to remain calm on the outside.
Was he sweating, or was he so nervous that he was now paranoid? Would nervousness make him slower, or perhaps more agile? Would he have gotten stronger? Would he still respect him like he said he did last time? Or would he have told him that as a consolation prize?
There were a thousand doubts coming and going through his head, fast and loud, like a whirlwind, but he couldn't let that natural phenomenon stop him from showing all the training he had undergone since his defeat two years ago. It was the same time and the same place, but he would do things differently this time: He had carried out physical and mental training without rest, he had taken care of his diet and his sleep schedules. Also, on that occasion, not only his teacher attended, but also his friends.
Yes, he was no longer alone. The presence of his friends in the place should bring him strength and responsibility. His friends had to make him yearn and fight to win, just as he promised he would two years ago, or as he did since he was just a child with the dream of two on his small shoulders.
He took a deep breath, promising to be victorious this time, finally, once and for all; and just as he gained momentum to climb onto the sand, he felt a stomp. A stomp that made him look down, filled with surprise as he found no sign of the culprit.
-… noa… Roronoa… Roronoa Zoro! Wake up before I send you straight to detention!
That scream —horrendous and discouraging, but enormously familiar— was effective enough to make him open his eyes suddenly, straightening his back - which he had not noticed was hunched - so quickly that the chair almost lost its balance, almost falling back. Luckily, he managed to stabilize himself by leaning back forward while holding on tightly to the desk.
Desk. Chair. Notebooks. Pen. And a woman too grumpy not to have three divorces.
Damn. He had fallen asleep in class. Again.
He looked up with some guilt, meeting the mocking looks of his classmates, and the angry look of his teacher, full of disapproval and indignation.
-Last warning, Rorona! Detention for a week if you fall asleep in my class again!
The aforementioned nodded despite himself, taking a more appropriate posture, making an exaggerated emphasis on paying attention for a few seconds, at least enough for the woman to turn around to continue with her boring class on a topic he didn't even know.
He huffed as he hunched over, looking out the window next to his desk. The window, fortunately, faced the outside of the building; It allowed him to observe the clouds in the sky changing shape little by little, or to witness how some gusts of air snatched the leaves from the tall trees around. Being on the third floor of the institution, he couldn't figure out the reason behind the animated voices on the first floor, but he didn't pay more attention than necessary to the others.
It should be clarified that he was not completely unaware of his surroundings. Sometimes he heard the rumors people whispered in the hallways with an almost trained ear, remembering only the matters of relevance and forgetting everything else. In his opinion, all the gossip and rumors were not worth it, because he really did not care what happened to anyone in that boring institution.
Well, he didn’t cared what happened to almost anyone. He cared about the issues his best friend Luffy might get into. That teenager, so full of energy, got into trouble so often almost without being able to avoid it due to that impulsive nature he had -although it had led him to good things too, so he wouldn't dare call it a defect of the black-haired man-. He also cared about the issues surrounding the genius boy, Chopper, who had been promoted a few grades up and had dealt with some unfair reports of bad behavior - when in reality he was just defending himself from bullies who picked on him for being younger than anyone there.
For Usopp - who was originally friends with Luffy and was terrified of Zoro, although now he was friends with both of them- he practically had to worry. That dark-skinned man was too much of a coward at times to defend himself against those who might try to take advantage of his kindness and wit. Sometimes some of his lies had even gotten him into trouble, so he had to protect him from bullies and from himself.
It could also be said that he cared about a demented witch and a creepy woman. It wasn't that he paid much attention to the problems that might arise around Nami and Robin, but that he only found out by chance. Nothing else.
-It's not that I didn't believe they were capable of taking care of themselves, but it had happened by chance that he had broken the noses of some guys who said weird things about the girls. Just coincidences of life, really.-
And although it might seem like he cared about a lot of things, it didn't really take up much of his time. Unfortunately, he wasn't yet able to try to help with their lifes after school, but he tried to do as much as possible when everyone was on school time. Furthermore, it would be irresponsible to say that he would take care of others when he also used his free time to pursue his passion.
His great passion, his great dream. His main priority. Yes, having gained friends thanks to Luffy was great, but his dream had to come first. And everyone seemed to understand that.
At times, he couldn't help but feel a little frustrated against his tutor and teacher for making him study high school when he should be training. He didn't care about anything they could teach him in that place, because not all the knowledge in the world would change his mind. He had had the same dream since he was a child, and now he carried his own and his best friend’s will, he could not fail Kuina, nor himself.
Many of his teachers did not seem to try to dissuade him from giving more importance to his studies: Rarely did they see a talent as great as his, and they understood why Zoro believed he was capable of living off his passion and becoming a highly renowned athlete. But there were still some teachers unable to overcome that absurd pride where they possessed absolute authority, and where all dreams outside the conventional ones were rubbish.
He didn't know how long he looked out the window, but he was one of the first to stand up as soon as the bell for break rang through the hallway. He closed his notebook excitedly, feeling the energy finally return to his body after being so bored.
-Don't forget to do your homework, Roronoa! You're close to failing!— that horrendous woman yelled at him -clarifying that she did not seem horrendous in appearance (not too much), but rather that her attitude was completely depressing and disastrous- as she watched him leave. Zoro shouted a jaded "Yes" as he continued on his way.
He rummaged in his pants pockets, clicking his tongue as soon as he noticed that he didn't have his wallet with him. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he could be quite absent-minded at times.
Well. You could borrow money from Chopper and ask him to remind you to pay him on the way out. With that alternative in mind, he nodded to himself and walked with greater haste to the cafeteria.
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Roronoa Zoro was no fool, although there was no doubt that growing up while forcing himself to act as independently as possible -so as not to cause more problems for his tutor- made him a little clumsy when it came to social dynamics and relationships. Therefore, I didn't understand too many things.
He didn't understand why Usopp still respected his father so much when the bastard stopped by his house once a year. He didn't understand why Luffy called a freckled black-haired man and a tall blonde "brothers" when they had no biological relationship -yes, he asked him about it-. He also didn't understand why Nami had to work so hard when she complained on multiple occasions about hating her boss.
And he also didn't understand why there were so many students talking about exchange students. He didn’t understand the enthusiasm with which they spoke about a group of students who had been sent to attend school year there. They were humans like everyone else, what was so special about the place where they were given birth? Chopper should be more relevant, and when he arrived, there weren't even half the students talking about it that were now talking about the transfers.
When he finally reached the corner that he and his friends shared in the cafeteria, he still had a slight frown of confusion and annoyance on his face -it was an absurd shock in his opinion- although it quickly changed to an arched eyebrow when he noticed that the presence of his black-haired best friend had been replaced by long blue hair.
He looked at the group for a few seconds, before looking around in almost a comical manner. First: It was so damn weird not seeing Luffy around. That boy always found a way to get to the cafeteria in seconds because he was always so goddamn hungry, and the fact that he wasn't there was enough to worry him.
Making sure that Luffy was indeed nowhere to be found, he looked back at the table in front of him. Second: Who the hell was that girl with blue hair and why was she sitting with them?
Again, he wasn't the best when it came to group dynamics, but he knew that the only people who could sit at that table were close friends -Luffy's friends, and therefore, his - Why would that stranger violate that essential rule?
-And who are you? —he questioned simply, his tone of voice coming out a little harsher than he would have liked. The girl seemed surprised, but before she could speak, Zoro felt a sharp pain in his shin, which made him let out a pained expression.
-You idiot! Don't talk to her like that! — Nami -the crazy witch- shouted at him, who was sitting next to the girl. She had kicked him. — Can't you be a little more tactful?
Zoro cursed at the orange-haired girl, rubbing the area of the kick, while half walking to his place at the table. The girl with blue hair looked at him with sympathy and embarrassment, apologizing under her breath before speaking.
-My name is Vivi. It is a pleasure. — she mentioned, a little too formal for Zoro's taste, although he nodded back so as not to seem so rude. — I'm an exchange student, and… Well, Nami said I could eat with you.
-Actually, Luffy is the one who—
-I think you can sit here if you want, Vivi! — Nami cut him off, making him growl under his breath. — I'm sure Luffy would also invite you to eat with us. He is too simple for his own good, and you're too kind. There will be no problem.
The girl -Vivi, apparently- thanked under her breath. She seemed nervous, and that was another thing I couldn't understand. From what he had heard in the hallways, she must have come from a distant city, but that shouldn't make her so nervous, right? It's not as if things around him were all that different from how they should be at her hometown.
He didn't question it, not yet, at least. He didn't care much as long as those nervousness didn't cause problems, like the panic that overwhelmed Usopp and Chopper whenever they saw someone injured.
-And Luffy? Why isn't he here yet?
Nami looked at him as if uncomprehending for a few seconds, until she looked at the empty spot on the left side of her. Luffy always used to be seated before everyone else, so his absence also missed the girl.
-Hm? Don't know. He should be here already. — she mentioned, turning to see the brunette. — Hey, Usopp, why did you arrive before Luffy?
The two of them shared a class, and usually arrived almost at the same time. “Almost” because Luffy always starts running when he was in the hallway heading to the cafeteria.
Usopp finished chewing before answering.
-Oh, Luffy said something else smelled delicious. I saw him go into one of the classrooms in Zoro's course. — he explained, surprising the others at the table. — I thought he would have gone looking for you.
The green-haired denied, raising an eyebrow.
-I think I would’ve noticed if Luffy was running around looking for me. — he commented. — Should I go look for him?
-The one who has the problem getting lost is you, fool.
-Shut up for once, crazy witch.
-Be careful what you say, moron! I will multiply your debts by a hundred!
-Ahh!? Do you perhaps want me to finish paying you when we are a couple of old people? Because with how crazy you are with your interests, I assure you are really close!
-Learn to respect me and then you complain! What is wrong with you that you disrespect an innocent and angelic lady like me?
Zoro gave her a long look between disbelief and disgust. In his opinion, there was nothing angelic about her. It was more like a small orange demon.
He was about to send her to hell, out of pure habit, when he heard the unmistakable accelerated footsteps of his best friend, accompanied by his loud voice and luminous laughter, which made everyone turn in the direction of that familiar sound.
As they expected, Luffy was running towards them, with one of those bright smiles that made him seem completely confident in every step he took. It seemed that nothing was capable of making him hesitate, as if the opinions of others did not even matter to him, destroying negative opinions with every step.
Despite how late he was, it could have been a completely normal scenario if it weren't for his hand reaching back, pulling someone’s hand who was stumbling behind him while he insulted him asking him to slow down.
-Oh? That boy was in the transferred students group. We found our classrooms with each other's help. — the blue haired commented, making Zoro arch his eyebrow a little more as he paid attention to the blonde hair behind his best friend's back.
-Slow down, damn it!
-Ah! I'm sorry, Sanji! — he apologized, although he didn't stop until he was in front of the table.
The blonde caught up with him a couple of strides later, glaring at the shorter one, although doing nothing to make Luffy let go of his wrist.
-Where have you been, Luffy? It's rare that you're not the first one to run to the cafeteria as soon as it opens.
-Hehehe, something smelled really delicious! I followed the smell and forgot to come right away.
-Did you follow the smell? What are you, a goddamn dog? — the blonde next to him grumbled, earning the attention of everyone at the table. Everyone could see that he had not expected such an immediate reaction, because he straightened up suddenly, as if his murmurs had been unconscious.
-Ah, guys! This is Sanji, a transfered. It was his lunch that smelled so good! He was kind enough to let me eat some.
-More like I had to let you eat because you kept wanting to put your disgusting hands in my food.
-Hehe, I'm sorry, Sanji!
-You say too many insults towards a person who has just invited you to eat with his friends, did you know that?
Everyone's attention now fell on Zoro, who was looking at the blonde with a raised eyebrow. It's not that he didn't curse from time to time, but it seemed excessive that he had the guts to call Luffy "disgusting", considering that he had just met him.
The blonde looked at him for a few seconds, moving his eyes up and down without concealment, with an obvious grimace of displeasure on his face. Roronoa felt his ears heat up with anger for not getting an immediate response.
-I didn't know you had a guard dog, Luffy. — he finished by saying, making the heat in his face increase, feeling strangely angry at the little smile that the blonde had on his face.— Nor that you had such beautiful ladies as friends too.
Luffy laughed, loud and honest, which made Zoro frown a little more.
-No, that's Zoro.— he responded, pulling the blonde's wrist a little more, guiding him to a seat.— He's a little serious, but he's my best friend. He's a great guy!
Luffy then introduced the girls in the group, pausing briefly to ask who Vivi was - welcoming her to the group immediately - quickly directing attention to another topic.
Those words should’ve made him feel better, no doubt, but it didn't. It didn't make him feel even the slightest bit better after seeing how Luffy made the blonde sit on his right. Again, Zoro was not very skilled when it came to knowledge of group dynamics, and perhaps that was why he was so attached to the few rules he knew for healthy coexistence. One of them was that Zoro always sat to Luffy's right, no matter who came first, and who came next.
Being seated anywhere other than to his right made him feel uncomfortable. It was a stupid reason and he knew it, but he couldn't help it.
He watched out of the corner of his eye as Luffy asked the blonde if he had more food, and how the blonde agreed to give it to him amid more insults and grumbling. The others asked him and Vivi questions, and they both responded, one less nervous than the other.
In a moment, the blonde's gaze met his. That guy was cheeky enough to smile at him normally, as if he hadn't called him a damn guard dog seconds before. As if he hadn't taken away his place next to Luffy, and as if he hadn't fixed his damn blonde hair to get the attention of all the damn people in the dining room.
Pretentious blonde… What strange eyebrows he has.
Eyebrows. The blonde raised one of them when he noticed that Zoro didn't break eye contact, making him snort as he stood up, walking in Chopper's direction.
The little brunette was very happy to hear him ask for money. It seemed like the youngest had wanted to go ask for something else for a while, but he was a little afraid of going alone, so he joined him immediately.
He led Chopper to the cafeteria counter, letting him order first while he looked back at the table, which looked a little more full than it should be thanks to the two news arrivals. He couldn't stop his gaze from falling on Luffy and the person who had stolen his place on his right. His gaze stood over both of them, watching the way Luffy practically inhaled what the blonde seemed to have brought for dessert. He could notice how the black-haired man began to cough, probably because he had tried to talk while he was eating, and he noticed the way in which the boy with strange eyebrows became alert and began to give him a few pats on the back to help him stabilize.
The pretentious blonde kept his gaze on Luffy until he stabilized, looking at him in disbelief when he began to devour everything as soon as he could breathe normally. Zoro could bet that movement of his lips was an insult, and then he saw him laugh.
His teeth were lined up, his eyes almost closing because of how bulging his cheeks became. And he wrinkled his nose a little when he laughed.
He took his eyes off the scene when Chopper announced that it was his turn to order.