Chapter Text
As a school representative and the student council’s president, most people find themselves leaning towards Sanji for his excelling demeanor and magnanimity; he was simply exemplary. Even in tedious, burdensome tasks, such as..
“Sanji, could you keep an eye on Roronoa Zoro? He’s been getting into recurring trouble, and perhaps he’s even bound to be suspended soon.” Ms. Robin unequivocally assigns to Sanji, with a seemingly unfeigned smile. She had possessed dark hair, was ravishing, and had always spoken neutrally, that it was hard to read what she was truly thinking.
Sanji shifted his eyes towards her immediately from the large binder next to him. “I see, I’ll speak with him later.” Sanji concedes, but he secretly finds it bothersome to do so. But he would never admit that, of course. Ms. Robin, persisting with her smile, then resumed being engrossed in her work. Occasionally, teachers or figures whom he sometimes weren’t as familiar with had foisted their problems onto him, and he would somehow have to find a way to resolve them. However, this one bothered him in particular; he did not feel the inclination to babysit a delinquent. One that would soon be suspended, too.
He’s heard the name Roronoa Zoro before, but didn’t bother with it. Somehow, he had forgotten how Roronoa Zoro looked, but a coherent mental image had appeared in his brain of a guy who looked disheveled, messy, with long unkempt hair, a deliberately altered school uniform, and had no regard for etiquette whatsoever. Well–you know, the average delinquent people typically think of. But that mental image was gone after an abrupt slam of a classroom door had been audible which started Sanji, alongside hushed voices that seemed to be abasing someone.
“Isn’t that Roronoa Zoro?” with another voice that affirmed it.
“He got in a fight the previous day! I watched it..”
“I feel bad for that guy.. He broke his nose after [inaudible]..”
“How is he not expelled yet?”
There were many other voices as well, yet they were clashing, and Sanji couldn’t make out anything else. Sanji knew not to make prejudices against others based on a few assailing words, but if it were true that he had been involved in a fight, it would only add more to his already established annoyance by the task. ‘Of course.. Delinquents get into fights.’ For some reason, along with his disinclination of observing Roronoa Zoro, he did not feel the want to meet him now.
Maybe later, when class has settled, because it's morning. His priorities are essential and come first before all. Sanji had to focus on the school festival coming soon. And for Zoro, he only needed to talk to him, give him a firm admonition, and leave.
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The clock striked, and a chime was rung about the entire school. Chairs began to pull back and the sighing of relief was prominent. The quietness of the class that was only disturbed by the occasional grunting of someone and the faint noises of pen ink had now contrasted against the obtrusive noise that appeared to be from everywhere. It was lunch. But it wasn’t as if it made a difference, sometimes if Sanji was determined on a task or particularly motivated, he’d stay back in class and resume his work without a break. After all, he was naturally unremitting. But just presently, a thought of a delinquent flashed in his mind, and he knew he had to do it now, because if not now, then when? He exited his classroom immediately. A few minutes later, he found himself wandering haphazardly about the school.
Oh yeah. He hadn’t even asked the teacher what class he was in. How stupid could he be to forget that? ..Then where was he going now? Past the hallway, the corner to the left, to the right, up the stairs.. And so forth. He has an incorrigible habit of being in a state of reverie whenever he walks. Observing something he encounters within his walks feels awfully pleasurable. It’s being incorrigible is the reason he refrains from going on too many walks. Priorities, priorities..
Eventually, as time ebbed away, he found himself on the rooftop, riveted by a bird that perched against a bench devouring crumbs of bread someone had laid for it. When he was younger, he was captivated by watching animals eat what he had made for them. He would always feed them, and observe them. They were gentle, and had always loved him. Thus began that habit. But upon watching the bird’s sable plumage, he felt a sudden harsh push, a warmth that lasted only for a second, and a faint smell of tobacco which riled his nose, and he was then toppled over like a dominos. “Wh-”
“Watch where you’re going!” Sanji rebuked almost immediately, and dusting off his clothes, realised who had bumped into him. It was a man with green, spiky hair,–doesn’t that break a certain rule?–a part of his clothes was torn and unbuttoned, and on his face, a bandage on his nose, and two piercings draped on his nose bridge, which again, was against the rules. Sanji’s physiognomy wasn’t that terrible, because from what he’s assessed, he just looks like a regular delinque… wait, was that not who he was supposed to find?
“My bad.” the green haired man apologised but with such a monotonous voice as if insincere, “I didn’t see you.” Sanji had already gotten up from the floor in an instant, however the unknown man was slowly about to move past him.
“It’s fine,” Sanji seized one of the man’s shoulders. “Wait! What’s your name?”
The green hair widened his eyes at him whilst pushing his hand away. “Zoro.”
“So it is you!” Sanji said. His suspicions were correct after all.
“Uhh.. yeah?” Zoro replied as if he thought he was joking, because he was so infamous, that to not know him would be bizarre.
“The teachers have mentioned you and assigned me to keep watch of you.” Sanji said in a matter-of-fact voice, attempting to remain as straightforward as possible. He didn’t want to provoke him in any way.
“‘They say anything good about me? Also, they should’ve assigned someone better looking.” Zoro snickered.
He did not need to add that last remark. “Well, you’re one to talk about appearances. And no, not particularly.” Sanji said with a frown, and his eyebrow twitched. He’s usually phlegmatic, but the sight of Zoro, for no specific reason, frustrated him, although he had just met him. “We aren’t supposed to have piercings.”
“And we also aren’t allowed to have curly brows, but I don’t see anyone talking about that.” Zoro refuted automatically, with exaggerated, animated movements that made Sanji’s jaw tighten.. At least curly brows are natural. The green haired man.. or better yet, moss haired man was really irksome. Sanji chose not to reply to that and instead focused on Zoro instead.
“Look, the school doesn’t care about what you do outside of school,” Sanji sternly stared at him, gazing into his dark brown eyes. “But here, you have to dress properly.”
“Piss off curly brows, you sound like my dad.” Zoro smirked. What an annoying smirk. Sanji’s student council president personality was certain to wear off if he kept conversing with the moss hair.
The school bell below tolled again, leaving a lingering echo rhyming through the school. Lunch was over, as was this conversation, and this reprimand. “See ya, goodlooking.” Zoro waved with his hand in the air whilst turning his back, leaving Sanji alone. Now that he realised it, the bird had also flown away, as well as the fact that Zoro had contradicted himself. Apparently, he’s good looking and not good looking, wow, that made sense. As he was alone, he had found time to evaluate how the gentle breeze of the air on the rooftop was always soothing, and the fact it had solaced him. Both of them walked their opposite ways.
He was in class now. Sanji stared out the window, tapping his foot, with his other hand tangled within the strands of his hair. To others, he appeared to be ascribed in philosophical contemplation, but actually, he was merely settling down his assessment whilst waiting for the teachers. The delinquent wasn’t really what he was expecting. He was a brute, sure enough; but not as he had previously associated what a delinquent should be like. For instance, Sanji believed,—based on films he watched growing up—a usual delinquent depicted in the media would probably say- “Fuck off, jerk, shithead, asshole..” etc, etc and moveover, was short-tempered (so, basically quick to fuse off). Zoro seemed tolerant enough, and the differentiation was obvious if it was just about behaviour. It isn’t that he was particularly annoying, because, well—he’s met far more irritating people, but it was more that he had concluded that, to monitor him, it wasn’t worth his time.
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School had been officially ending for the day. Sanji, who hadn’t been paying attention to the situation he was surrounded in, as he was preoccupied with a mathematical question; was exasperated by the hindrance of noise that bled into his ears. Thus, afterwards dropping the pen, he urged to cover both of his ears—but it wasn’t as effective. The afternoon sunlight with its golden streaks which had previously been slanted on his paperwork had been darkened and obscured with shadows of people who had been standing in groups by the windowsills, chattering fruitless dialogues that had served no value to him. Picking the pen up after recovering from his near-bleeding ears, he held his pen; but floundered. Though the noise had quieted slightly by people leaving, it seemed that he was in no such state to be able to regain his ability to focus.
Sanji raised his head and diverted his attention to the presently eccentric class, and heaved a large sigh. Some boys were jumping over tables, chasing each other; just as children would do, being ludicrous. But they weren’t children anymore. And if such arbitrariness were to be orchestrated by Sanji, he would be deemed silly by the rest. In being overwrought with such torment, of thinking, of the noise, of quite literally everything, he began packing his paperwork, files, and so forth, and had left for the student council room. It was 4:07 PM—and the student council meeting was to start in 8 minutes. As it appeared after scrutiny, he was the only one in the room. He was the student council president, so he ought to arrive earlier and be there with precise punctuality. The others often arrived late, and for what reason, he doesn’t know; they had never once bothered to inform him. He sat in the chair designated around the wooden board table.
The room was compact, with markers and pens left behind on the table in an unkempt manner, and the whiteboard was still sufficed with marks and old notes that hung atop it. He placed his large binder consisting of details of the school festival upon the table, alongside other notes. Finally, though it was rather earlier than expected, the first member had come in—Nami, the vice president. Nami had orange hair that, to Sanji, was alluring, and stunning. Nami had always seemed to possess a certain scent of tangerines that lingered whenever you were close to her. Sanji was more reverential with her than he was with the others in the student council, because she was the first student that he had been acquainted with when he had first been enrolled in high school, though they remained in different classes.
“Hi Sanji,” Nami greeted him with a smile as she hastened to place her bag down one of the chairs, “Where’s the others?” She inclined her head left and right, with one of her hands on her hips. “They should be coming in now.” Sanji replied as he turned his attention over to the door. The door opened and Vivi, Koby, and Tashigi came in as a group of three, waving and greeting each other as they began taking their seats. It seemed that Carrot, the event coordinator, was absent today. Sanji waited until they settled with their items before beginning their meeting, and opened his binder.
“There are twenty one days before the festival. Festival decorating is also as equally important as it is for other positions; are there any updates on the volunteer assignments for that, Vivi?” Sanji inquired whilst motioning towards Vivi, who straightened her back. “All of the other responsibilities of volunteer work have already been taken, but for physical work..” Vivi looked at her papers. “Apparently, we have only around 5 people for physical work, and we need ten.” She then looked directly and benign at Sanji. “Which means that we lack half of them.”
“Five?” Sanji slightly widened his eyes. “Have you asked the clubs?”
“We have, but they’re already focused on their performances.” Nami replied, seated next to Vivi.
“Then, the classes?” Sanji asked. “None of them wants to willingly volunteer. For some reason, there aren’t many people who actually like physical work.” Nami responded, almost with an expression that had seemed to be riled with disdain and was, for a second—repining.
It was a more troublesome matter than previously expected. Of course, there would not be as many people who possessed a predilection towards physical activities, or were committed to doing so. Because cutting out decorations, setting tables, and preparing the venue in its entirety, was arduous. If there were, Sanji guessed it was probably those who were urged upon or instigated by the members.
“Have we already opened another volunteer request?” Sanji implored, considering and scoping possibilities that could have been overlooked.
“We have, but no one has responded yet.” Tashigi answered. For a few minutes, it seemed that everyone was thinking of a particular thing; that silence persisted about. Nami and Vivi were both in a side conversation, apparently discussing ideas between each other. Some animation came to—Nami took a paper sheet that was in Vivi’s stack of paper. “Then we just have to assign the students who aren’t doing any work for the festival.” She concurred at last, with a mild expression as she passed the paper to Sanji. It was a list of names of people who were not involved.
“Oh, we had this?” Sanji received it and analysed the names that were not crossed out. “If so, let’s contact the people who aren’t in it tomorrow.” As he strolled his eyes down the list, a specific name seemed to be obtrusive compared to the other rest, as well as it was not crossed out.
Roronoa Zoro. The delinquent he had met earlier, with the piercings and green hair, and the irksome personality that was intolerable. His lips parted slightly at the name. It was true, however, he did appear to be fit; Sanji presumed that they could benefit greatly by his helping.
“Roronoa Zoro? The delinquent?” Sanji queried whilst placing the paper down as Koby took it. Sanji glared about the table.
“Well, yeah,” Nami affirmed, “but if he’s too stubborn, we can just cross him out for this..”
“No, I think it’s fine, he’ll be a big help for physical work.” Sanji suggested quickly. “I’ll speak to him tomorrow. Koby, you can ask the other students as well tomorrow.” To this, Koby nodded. Vivi seemed to be reluctant in the delinquent being in accord with helping out. As time had dwindled away, suggestions, concerns, ideas were raised and settled. However, despite that which occupied the table, Sanji returned again to the same matter which occupied him instead.
Would he agree?
But why care?
It was merely a name on the list.
And tomorrow, he will have to speak to him.