Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Luffy got up, just like every morning, with that cheerful mood that was so uniquely his. He pulled the curtains open with a broad gesture, letting the sunlight flood the room, then mercilessly threw a pillow straight into his roommate’s face.

Usopp groaned, burying his head under his blanket.

“It’s way too early for this…” he mumbled.

Totally ignoring the complaint, Luffy left their shared bedroom and burst happily into the common dorm area they shared this year with two other students. The kitchen was already filled with a delicious smell: Sanji, focused behind the stove, was making breakfast. At the table, Niji, totally slumped over, was nearly choking on his food, looking like someone who absolutely hated everything around him.

“Morning, Luffy,” Sanji said with a small smile as he placed a full plate on the table.

Luffy pulled out a chair and sat down heavily, elbowing Niji in the process. The latter groaned — this year he hadn’t been placed in the same dorm as Zoro, and he regretted it as much as the swordsman did.

Well… at least he had Sanji with him. His cooking was delicious. Even if Luffy sometimes had the feeling he hated their group as much as he loved them.

“You idiot! Can’t you watch where you’re going?!” Niji snapped.

“Oops, sorry Sanji’s brother!” Luffy laughed, completely carefree.

“My name. Is. Niji! How do you still not remember?! How did you even get into this damn university?!”

Usopp, still half asleep, quietly sat down at the table. “No need to freak out… let’s just chill, okay?”

“Usopp’s right. Besides it’s only 7 in the morning,” Sanji sighed before smacking both Luffy and Niji on general principle.

The dorm door suddenly swung open.

Zoro walked in as if he already lived there, slipped behind Sanji, and got smacked on the shoulder with a pan before the blond, despite everything, still handed him a plate.

Law followed calmly and sat down beside Luffy. He gently took his hand under the table with a small, tired smile.

Luffy, returning the smile, glanced around the room. Sanji hitting everyone, Zoro already eating, Usopp yawning into his plate, and Niji insulting Yonji at the end of the table… A familiar little chaos.

He loved mornings like this. And, without really knowing why… he had the feeling this day would be different from the others.

As if to confirm that intuition, Ichiji and Yonji barged in without the slightest shame, walking straight into Niji’s already diminished personal space.

“I can’t believe you’re annoying us this early in the morning!” Niji growled, pushing Yonji’s face away from his plate.

“Zoro and Law left our dorm. I followed them,” Yonji said happily, stealing directly from his brother’s plate.

“I followed him! ” added Ichiji, fighting for a bite too — until Sanji snapped:

“No one touches MY food without asking, you adopted asshat!!”

“You’re adopted!!”

“Moron!!”

Sanji smacked all of them indiscriminately. To Luffy, the scene felt strangely comforting — as if everything was right where it belonged.

At least… for now.

---

“This year we also have new dorm partners!” Luffy exclaimed as he walked down the hallway, still holding Law’s hand. He winked at Niji… who replied by flipping him off. “And new teachers too. I wanna know who I get this year.”

Law let himself be dragged along, watching their hands swing like a child’s. Luffy was practically bouncing, backpack hanging casually from one shoulder.

“It’s almost scary… you look like you actually care,” Law noted in his usual monotone.

Usopp threw an arm around his shoulders and nodded like a sage:

“It’s normal, my dark friend. New teacher means new strategies to get on their good side… and score good grades.”

Ichiji stifled a laugh.

“Someone wanna tell him it doesn’t work like that?”

“Keep being a loser, Usopp,” Niji said with a big grin. Surprisingly, the insult made Usopp blush instead of getting upset.

Zoro yawned loudly, dragging his feet and trying to ignore Sanji and Yonji arguing behind him.

“Honestly, all I know is my dad’s still teaching this year,” he sighed.

“WHAT?! Again?! Your dad scares the hell out of me, Zoro!” Usopp cried, grabbing his shoulders. “Professor Mihawk has serial killer eyes… I’m sure he hides bodies somewhere.”

“I’m glad to see your imagination hasn’t changed, Usopp,” suddenly said a dry voice behind them.

Half the group screamed as they spun around.

Crocodile, arms crossed, was staring at them like he was already tired of living.

“Maybe you should actually get to class instead of chatting in front of the faculty room,” he growled coldly.

The students scattered instantly, practically pushing each other out of the way — none of them had noticed they were literally blocking the teachers’ entrance.

Luffy let out a nervous laugh and released Law’s hand.

“See you later, Law!”

“Yeah… at the break,” Law replied, not really smiling, but giving his fingers a gentle squeeze before letting go.

“How cute,” a syrupy voice cooed way too close. Doflamingo, with a twisted grin, had approached silently. “Daddy’s proud of you, Law~”

Law shot him a murderous glare, clearly disgusted. He was almost ashamed this man was his adoptive father. He pushed away his hand, but still took the time to plant a quick kiss on Luffy’s cheek before leaving.

“Hmm? Later, Law! Later, Mingo!” Luffy called, waving cheerfully before sprinting toward the amphitheater.

….

Luffy glanced over his schedule before stepping through the amphitheater doors. He quickly found a seat in the middle, sat down, dropped his bag… and right at that moment a man entered.

Blue hair tied in a long high ponytail, tight black pants, perfectly fitted beige turtleneck hugging a toned torso. His forearms were on display, a shiny Rolex on his wrist, the veins slightly visible on his large hands. His makeup was subtle, but a bit of eyeliner highlighted his pale blue eyes, giving them an almost hypnotic glow.

Luffy caught himself staring… a bit too long.

What’s wrong with him? He shook his head. It’s nothing — he was just surprised, that’s all! He has Law, there’s no reason to look at a teacher like that…

“Morning, bastards.”

The raspy voice cracked across the room. Several students raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to laugh or be shocked. Was it even legal to talk like that to students?

“My name’s Silvers Buggy and I’ll be your professor this year.”

He leaned back against the desk, arms crossed, scanning the packed lecture hall. He looked… strangely approachable. Relaxed. Way less intimidating than half the teachers on this campus.

“All I expect is that you give back what I teach you. In the form of good grades. I’m pretty chill, but don’t push it. Though, honestly, I don’t really care if you fail or not.”

He straightened up, walked down the steps to the stage, and pulled down an interactive board behind him.

“Here’s the program for the year. Take a picture or write it down, I don’t care. But miss even one of these points and you can say goodbye to your place in this institution.”

A studious silence settled as students pulled out their phones or scribbled in their notebooks. Luffy, however, didn’t take his eyes off the professor. He took notes almost automatically, without really looking at the board. Buggy explained things, walked around, joked sometimes — and nothing in those two hours felt like a regular class.

When the bell rang, Luffy blinked as if waking from a dream. He packed his things slower than usual.

W-what the hell was that?

He briefly pressed a hand to his chest — his heart was beating a bit too fast — then shook his head to push the feeling away.

He had to meet Law and the others for lunch. And he was already late.

He grabbed his bag and left the room — not noticing that Buggy’s gaze followed him all the way to the door.

---

Luffy was laughing with his friends around the table.

In one corner, Nami and Yonji were casually flirting — they had been together since last year and were still glued to each other. A bit further away, Perona, Zoro’s sister, was loudly scolding her brother while keeping Reiju’s hand perfectly intertwined in hers.

Luffy smiled at what Law was saying about his class with Professor Shamrock, nodding regularly… but deep down, he felt weirdly distant. A slight tightness in his chest. Maybe he was just a little tired today? Yeah… that had to be it.

“Guess what!” Usopp suddenly shouted, jumping into the middle of the conversations and shamelessly interrupting every couple.

“I’ve got Professor Mihawk again this year… and I heard there are two new teachers on campus!”

Luffy took this opportunity to discreetly look away from Law.

“First there’s Professor Buggy — people say he’s pretty cool — and then Professor Katakuri! Apparently he looks super scary but is actually really nice… like, gentle.”

“And… why are you telling us this, Usopp?” Nami asked, grabbing a cookie while still lazily sitting on Yonji’s lap.

Usopp puffed up his chest with pride. “All of this is to say the campus is filling up with sexy teachers!”

Perona smacked the back of his head. “Idiot.”

Surprisingly, Luffy suddenly felt… better.

He hadn’t seen it that way, of course, but somehow it made him feel reassured. It was normal to find an older guy sexy or attractive… nothing wrong with that. He hadn’t done anything bad. That thought alone loosened the little knot in his chest.

Luffy turned to Law and kissed him softly. The latter smiled tenderly, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as Luffy rejoined the conversation with his friends.

❤️🖤

Chapter Text

Buggy still had a hard time realizing how much his life had changed.

Moving out, becoming a professor at a new university… and above all, moving into a dorm full of male professors who were… let’s just say… friendly?
Definitely not what he had in mind when he told himself he’d “get his life back together”.

He had to admit though, that without his ex-brother-in-law, Shamrock, he probably wouldn’t be here at all. It was him who had told Buggy that a new position had opened up at the university.
Buggy was grateful… even if Shamrock sometimes reminded him a little too much of how disastrous his marriage with his twin had been.

“Good morning, Buggy.”

Katakuri — also a newcomer at the university — approached with his usual calm expression. His presence was oddly reassuring to Buggy.

“Hey, Katakuri. Sleep well?”

“Pretty well, yes. I brought you some coffee.”

Underneath his intimidating appearance, Katakuri was a real sweetheart. Kind, attentive… almost too perfect for this campus full of lunatics.

“Morning.”

Mihawk’s dry, monotone voice abruptly cut through the atmosphere, and immediately an odd tension filled the room.

Katakuri still tried to keep the conversation going, but Buggy knew how complicated it was to deal with Mihawk — he’d known him for years.

Crocodile and Doflamingo entered at that moment, followed by Shamrock, who visibly tried to keep his distance from the blond (Buggy understood perfectly — he’d experienced that awkwardness himself).

Without warning, Shamrock took Buggy’s cup of coffee.

“What the hell are you doing, Shammy?!”

“Don’t shout this early, Bug…” he muttered, already tired.

Buggy growled. “I hate gingers on this planet.”

“Oh?” Doflamingo stepped a little too close, a mocking smile on his lips. “And how come?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Back off, Doffy.” He pushed him away.

“Stop with those ridiculous nicknames,” Crocodile grumbled.

Mihawk smirked. “You’re just jealous because Buggy calls your husband like that.”

“Doflamingo is NOT my husband. He’s a parasite.”

“I kinda like Buggy’s nicknames…” Katakuri said shyly. “I think they’re cute.”

Buggy inhaled, visibly touched. “Ugh, you’re adorable. Please find yourself a nice partner, Katakuri. You deserve it. Don’t end up like Croccy and Doffy.”

Katakuri blinked. “…Huh? …Thank you, Buggy.”

Shamrock cleared his throat. “By the way, who were those students you yelled at this morning, Crocodile?”

“Just Luffy and his pack of idiots,” Crocodile growled.
Mihawk instantly turned his head toward him, his gaze turning ice-cold — enough to shut Crocodile up (one does not mention the name Zoro in front of him in vain).

Buggy downed his coffee in one go and rolled up the sleeves of his sweater.

“Alright… I gotta go. See you at the break?”

Half of the professors ignored him, but Katakuri gave him a friendly wave to wish him good luck.

---

Buggy stepped into the lecture hall, quickly scanning the list of students assigned to his class.
New university, new faces, new life. He still needed time to get used to it.

He absent-mindedly straightened his blue ponytail and adjusted the collar of his beige sweater when he immediately felt all heads turning toward him. No surprise — he was used to attracting attention.

A few rows ahead, a student with a dumb smile set eyes on him… and apparently couldn’t look away.

…Why is that kid staring at me like that? he thought, squinting slightly. Do I have something on my face?

He ignored it, set his notes on the desk and said in a perfectly natural tone:

“Good morning, you bunch of bastards.”

As expected, the audience collectively flinched. Gaping mouths, shocked looks, murmurs… ah, those first reactions were always delightful.

“My name is Silvers Buggy. I’ll be your professor this year.”

He casually leaned back against the desk, scanning the room… and fell right back on him: the same student, still staring. That same look — surprised? Distracted?

Buggy squinted even more. Damn it, if you have something to say, say it…

“I only expect one thing from you: to give back what I teach you. In the form of good grades. I’m pretty chill, but don’t push your luck. And frankly, I don’t really care whether you succeed or not.”

Still that kid. Still those eyes fixed on him.

He walked down a few steps with a chart in hand, absent-mindedly adding:

“Here’s the year’s program. Take a photo or write it down, I don’t care. But if you miss even one of these points… you can kiss your place here goodbye.”

The squeaking of chairs and the sounds of phones being pulled out of pockets now filled the room. Buggy focused on the board, trying to ignore the intense gazes — especially that one.

Probably just a distracted student… Maybe he’s not getting any of this?
He made a mental note to keep an eye on him — just in case.

When the bell rang, Buggy quickly packed up his things. He glanced up… just in time to see that same student rush out of the room, hand pressed to his chest and visibly flustered.

Buggy stood there for a few seconds, slightly perplexed.

…What the hell was that?

He ended up shrugging. He had bigger problems to deal with today than a student acting weird.

---

Buggy sat down heavily at the table, right between Shamrock and Mihawk.
A small satisfied smile appeared on his lips — he secretly loved sitting between couples just to annoy them a little. A bit further away, Katakuri sat next to Crocodile, who was sitting next to Doflamingo.

“I had something weird today. I mean… I think?” Buggy said while opening his lunch box.

Mihawk sighed, already annoyed to see him between him and his husband. “Buggy, either it’s weird or it’s not. Decide.”

“That’s exactly the point! I don’t know! There was this kid in my class who kept staring at me.”

Katakuri tilted his head. “…Isn’t that kind of the point? That students look at you?”

Buggy raised a hand. “Yeah yeah, I know that. But this wasn’t ‘I’m listening to my professor’, it was…” He made a vague gesture with his fingers. “You know?”

“Nope. We don’t,” Doflamingo replied, just as confused as the others.

“Distracted?” Buggy tried, frustrated he couldn’t find the words.

Crocodile frowned. “Was he distracted… or staring? Because that isn’t the same thing.”

Shamrock sighed. “Show us. It’ll be faster.”

Buggy thought for a second… then nodded. He straightened, lifted his chin, and stared intensely at his colleagues — keeping a weird little smile on.

Silence.

“…I can’t do it! I look stupid,” he exclaimed, slamming his palms on the table.

“A bit,” Mihawk admitted.

Buggy shot him a murderous glare.
Katakuri, however, looked thoughtful.

“Maybe he… wasn’t paying attention to the class?”

Buggy crossed his arms. “Hn… maybe. But it felt like he wanted to say something. Anyway. Whatever.”

He grabbed his sandwich as if to end the discussion.

Crocodile huffed, sounding bored. “What a waste of time.”

Buggy ignored him completely.

---

Buggy had barely left the photocopy room when he heard Doflamingo laughing behind him, clearly still amused by his attempt to imitate the “weird student” he had mentioned earlier.

“Seriously, you really looked like a fish out of water, Buggy~”

Buggy grumbled something under his breath.

He turned the corner, followed by the rest of the professors… and at that very moment, someone slammed straight into him.

A bump against his chest — black curls, a goofy smile.

HIM.

The student from this morning.

Buggy reacted instantly and caught the young man by the wrist before he could stumble.

Next to him, another student — tattooed, much more serious-looking — stared at them silently. His gaze briefly moved from the professors to Luffy.

“S-sorry!” Luffy stammered, suddenly as red as a tomato.

Buggy blinked. …Did he just stammer?

“No, it’s fine, it’s not your fault,” he answered with a wave of his hand. “We didn’t see each other because of the corner. The wall blocked the view.”

He only wanted to reassure him… but apparently, it had the opposite effect.

The kid got even more nervous, his fingers trembling around his friend’s hand.

“Y-yeah! Sorry again, professor! We… we’re gonna go now!”

And he dragged Law the other way — so abruptly that Law groaned, “Luffy, this is not the way we were going…”

But Luffy didn’t even stop.

Buggy stood there for a few seconds, wide-eyed.

…Huh?
Do I scare him that much?

He turned to the other professors, waiting for some kind of explanation.

Doflamingo simply shrugged with a smug smile.

“What was that?”

Doflamingo burst into laughter, arms crossed. “Looks like you just terrified a student. Congrats.”

“He looked more embarrassed than scared,” Katakuri added, tilting his head. “Maybe he bumped into you in a… sensitive place and it flustered him.”

Mihawk, who had been watching the whole thing, raised an eyebrow. “No. He was already nervous before he bumped into you.”

Buggy stared at him, incredulous. “So you’re telling me I freak students out before they even have a reason?!”

Crocodile snorted, clearly unimpressed. “Or you’re not scary and that kid just has an issue. Highly likely, considering the intellectual level of this class.”

Shamrock patted Buggy’s shoulder in sympathy. “It happens to him with certain people too. He just panics for no reason. Maybe he simply finds you… intimidating.”

Buggy’s eyes widened in shock. “Intimidating?”

Doflamingo barely held back a laugh — though a little one still escaped.
“Yes, it happens. Some students get crushes on their teachers.”

Buggy immediately choked on his own saliva.

“Excuse me?!”

Mihawk turned away as if the conversation no longer concerned him, while Katakuri nodded calmly.

“It can happen,” he confirmed simply.

Buggy stared at the opposite wall for a long moment, completely thrown off.

A crush? On him? Seriously?

“…Pfft. Ridiculous,” he finally growled, marching off as if nothing happened — even though his cheeks were definitely flushed.

❤️🤡

Chapter Text

Law stopped abruptly and yanked on Luffy’s hand to force him to a halt in the middle of the hallway.

“Luffy, you’ve been acting weird ever since we had lunch together.”

His voice was calm, but firm — clearly, he didn’t intend to beat around the bush.

“Huh? What are you talking about…?”

“Don’t play dumb with me.” Law clicked his tongue in annoyance. “We’ve been together since the end of high school. I know you better than anyone.”

Luffy swallowed, uneasy.

“I-I swear I’m fine. I would’ve told you if… if there was anything wrong.”

Law narrowed his eyes, not convinced for a single second.

He suddenly pressed Luffy against the nearest wall — not violently, but firmly enough to make him jump. Thankfully, they were alone in the hallway.

“Don’t take me for an idiot,” he muttered. “If you’ve got something to say, then say it. Did that teacher do something? Has he been harassing you?”

“W-WHAT?! No! Nothing like that!” Luffy exclaimed, far too loudly.

Law stared at him for a moment, both of their jaws clenched for entirely different reasons.

“I just… feel like you’re hiding something from me. And I hate that.”

He finally eased the pressure and stepped back, visibly frustrated at not getting the answers he wanted.

A brief silence fell.

Law ran a hand through his thick black hair.

“…Sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

Luffy shook his head, a slightly awkward smile on his lips. He grabbed Law’s hand and squeezed it gently before pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

“It’s fine. Sorry if I worried you.”

Law gave a faint smile in response and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Together, they resumed walking toward the right side of the campus.

But for some reason he couldn’t explain… Luffy felt like he had lied.

As though a weight were stuck in his throat. A faint nausea.

Still, he forced a smile and followed Law.

Better to forget about it for now.

---

Law sat next to Sanji, eyes fixed on his screen, but his mind completely elsewhere. Professor Shamrock was calmly explaining how to structure an essay… but Law only caught bits and pieces of it.

Ever since their talk in the hallway, a heaviness had been tightening around his chest.

Luffy had told him everything was okay. No. He hadn’t told him anything at all.

His fingers were rhythmically tapping the letter “L” on the keyboard over and over, producing a long, irritated sound. Usually so focused and diligent, he simply couldn’t reconnect with the class.

It had been a long time since he’d felt this… unsettled.

In high school, he became a complete mess every time Luffy so much as spoke to him. After they’d started dating — for the first time, Law had felt safe.

Luffy was different.

He was that constant light in his dark life, that energy that pushed him forward. And above all… he had always been honest.

So why did he feel like he’d been kept in the dark, this time?

He pounded the key a bit harder — enough to draw a few discreet glances around him.

A pale hand suddenly rested on his wrist. Law looked up and met Sanji’s blue eyes.

“Law… if you keep going, you’ll break your computer. Or your wrist,” he said calmly.

Law blinked. “Y-you’re right.”

He forced himself to release the key and tried to focus a moment on Shamrock, who was giving a methodical tip on managing workload organization.

Sanji lowered his voice slightly. “Wanna talk about it?”

Against all expectations, the words came out on their own.

“…It’s about Luffy. I feel like he’s hiding something from me. And… it kind of felt like he was treating me like an idiot.”

The blond nodded softly, his Bic pen twirling between his fingers.

“Maybe giving him a bit of space would help? You know Luffy: if he’s got something to say, he’ll say it. But… maybe this time it’s just harder to get out.”

Law pressed his lips together. The reasoning was painfully logical.

“Yeah… I reacted too fast. And I probably… overwhelmed him.”

Sanji shrugged, calm but sincere.

“It’s normal. When someone you know by heart starts acting differently, even just a little… it can throw you off. Sometimes we react emotionally.”

Law took a second to think about it. Sanji wasn’t wrong. He’d gotten used to Luffy always speaking his mind so naturally. And now that he didn’t, he had reacted like a frustrated teenager.

“…Thanks for the advice, Sanji.”

The blond offered a bright smile. “My pleasure. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“Y-yeah.” Law looked away for a second, slightly embarrassed and not entirely sure why. It’s nothing — you’re just not used to opening up. Calm down.

They didn’t say anything more, but the atmosphere between them had lost its heaviness.

Law refocused on the course, mind a little lighter — even though the worry hadn’t left completely.

---

Shamrock pushed open the staff room door and headed straight for the coffee corner. As expected, everyone else was already bunched up there like bees around a flower.

He calmly poured himself a cup before turning his head toward Doflamingo.

“Tell me, Doflamingo… does Law usually grind away at his stuff like that?”

Doflamingo blinked. “Huh? No. Not that I know of.” He wasn’t the most attentive father in the world, sure… but he would’ve noticed.

“Who’s Law?” asked Buggy and Katakuri at the same time.

Mihawk responded with his usual bluntness. “Doflamingo and Crocodile’s adoptive son.”

“He’s not my son,” Crocodile immediately growled.

Shamrock raised an eyebrow. “Anyway. He looked agitated and… different than usual.”

Doflamingo crossed his arms, a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Law’s always been weird. He got a tattoo young just to get my attention — he literally wrote ‘death’ on his fingers.”

Buggy stared at him, shocked. “Dude… that’s concerning. You should rethink your parenting.”

Katakuri cleared his throat gently. “Maybe… you should talk to him?”

“Huh? What for? He’s smart enough to handle himself,” Doflamingo sighed, as if the entire conversation bored him deeply.

Buggy raised his hands. “Honestly, since I got here I’ve seen nothing but weird students. Don’t count on me to deal with any of it.”

Crocodile snorted. “He’s mature enough. He’ll manage.”

Doflamingo shot him a satisfied look. “I like it when we agree, Wani—”

Crocodile immediately shoved him away. “Shut up.”

Shamrock sighed. “That’s why I don’t have kids.”

Mihawk slowly turned his head toward him. “And my children? They’re yours as well.”

Shamrock froze for a second… then lifted his cup to his lips. “…Yes. Except our adorable children that belong to you and me.” (Better avoid a divorce in the staff room.)

Mihawk looked away, visibly satisfied. Even though their private discussion later was bound to be long… and probably painful.

Katakuri broke the tension by grabbing his folder.

“Well! On that note, I’m going back to educate the new generation.”

Buggy placed his empty cup next to the sink. “Same. The longer I stay here, the more I wonder what I’m doing surrounded by such shady people.”

He left the room quickly, leaving the others behind.

---

Once the staff room was completely empty, Shamrock returned to his grading, determined to get through a few essays before the next class.

But he almost immediately felt a threatening stare burning into the back of his neck.

No need to turn around to know who it was.

Mihawk clearly wasn’t finished.

“Mihawk… my raven… it’s not what you think.”

The response snapped sharply: “There’s no ‘my raven’ today. What did you mean by what you said earlier?”

In a few steps, Mihawk ended up in front of him, threatening, arms crossed.

Shamrock raised his hands in surrender.

“Alright, alright. I’m sorry I said that. You know I love Perona and Zoro. It was just a stupid comment… You know that, right? My little dark love.”

He wrapped an arm around his husband’s waist and gently pulled him against his chest.

“So you didn’t mean it?” Mihawk mumbled, still wary.

“Of course not. I never should’ve said it. I understand why you’re upset…”

He slid a hand along his hip, his lips dangerously close to his throat.

“I don’t like it when you try to soften me up with physical contact and affection…”

“But?” Shamrock whispered, his tongue brushing slowly along Mihawk’s Adam’s apple.

Mihawk took a shaky breath.

“…But I’ll let it slide this time. However, if you talk badly about our kids in front of me again… you can call me your ex-husband.”

Shamrock gave him a gentle smile. “I’ll behave. I’m sorry. I love you… and our kids. I was stupid.”

He sealed his promise with a slow, soft kiss.

Mihawk looked away, cheeks flushed, but didn’t protest when Shamrock slipped a hand under his sweater and brushed his skin.

The staff room door suddenly opened and they reflexively pulled apart — though Mihawk still leaned back against his husband, his gaze relaxed.

He could forgive him… just this once.

🦅⚔️

Chapter Text

Law felt strangely down at the end of the day.

He had hardly seen Luffy — and, paradoxically, he knew that was a good thing. He was trying to follow Sanji’s advice: give him a little space.

He walked across the campus, surrounded (for a reason that totally escaped him) by the four blond brothers… and Zoro. The sky was turning orange, the leaves above them rustled, and other students’ laughter echoed through the paths.

…Do I really not have any friends besides Luffy’s friends?

The thought passed through his mind like a small bitter flash. Pretty pathetic, Trafalgar.

“So if I get this right, Luffy’s got a problem?” Zoro said with his usual delicacy, hands in his pockets.

“Idiot,” Sanji sighed. “What I’m saying is that Law’s worried. I never said Luffy had a problem. Just that, for once, he might need to think.”

“Because your buddy can think without giving himself a headache now?” snorted Ichiji (Law recognized him thanks to the red flower tattoo on his neck).

Sanji shrugged. “When you say it like that it does sound weird, but yes.”

Niji snickered, a piece of chocolate in his mouth. “I’m telling you, this is going to end badly… and I can’t wait to see it.”

Yonji ripped half of the bar out of his hand. “Shut up, asshole.”

Then, suddenly raising his arms as if he’d just had a revelation:

“Hey, virgins! What we should do, for everyone’s sake, is go to a party.”

He swept his gaze over the group with an extremely serious look, despite the bored stares he was getting in return.

“Come on! We’re at university, damn it. We need to have fun too. I know you’re all nerds who’ve never set foot in a party, but it would do everyone some good.”

Surprisingly, Ichiji nodded slowly. “…That’s not so stupid.”

Law hesitated. The very idea of a crowded, noisy room full of alcohol gave him a slight headache.

“I don’t know if—”

“It’ll be fine,” Sanji cut in, smiling. “We’ll all be together. We can invite the others. And besides, we haven’t even celebrated the start of the school year this year.”

“Last year we celebrated Usopp’s birthday… in his garage,” Zoro reminded them flatly — and everyone grimaced at the embarrassing memory.

Law sighed, but a tiny smile curved his lips. “As long as it’s not in Usopp’s garage again… I’m in.”

A collective laugh answered him.

“What a loser, that Usopp,” snorted Niji — before Yonji mumbled with a mouth full of chocolate:

“Yeah, we’ll all just ignore the fact you’ve got a weird crush on him…”

Silence.

No one reacted — because everyone knew it was true.

Niji cleared his throat, his face a little red, but followed the rest of the group toward the dorms with his dignity intact. The first streetlights flicked on, casting a golden light over the cobblestones. And despite himself, Law felt a little better.

A bit of air. A bit of time. Maybe it would do them both good…

---

Doflamingo was walking silently next to Crocodile, hands in his pockets. He looked… thoughtful. Which was rare.

Usually he only thought when he was plotting against someone — or when he was provoking Crocodile just for fun (which the latter deeply hated).

Crocodile finally stopped, visibly annoyed.

“If you have something to say… say it.”

Doflamingo blinked before sighing.

“Wani… it’s about what Buggy said.”

He paused. “Do you think… I really raised Law badly?”

Crocodile slowly raised an eyebrow, surprised by his serious tone.

“…What’s wrong with you?” He immediately took a step back, just in case. “Of course you fucked up half of his education. Ever since your brother’s motorcycle accident and you took him in… you never even bothered to notice him.”

Doflamingo pouted, offended. “Aren’t you supposed to… encourage me? As my husband?”

Crocodile glared at him. “Don’t be condescending. If his education is somewhat okay, it’s because I took care of it.”

He brushed away Doflamingo’s hand, which had risen for a fake caress.

“…That’s harsh.”

“It’s the truth,” Crocodile answered coldly.

Doflamingo clenched his teeth. “And what have you done that’s so exceptional, huh?”

Crocodile sighed, exasperated. “I signed him up to a proper high school, helped him get into this university… and I give him money when he needs it. The rest he manages on his own.”

A silence. Then:

“…Wani, does that make you a better parent than me?”

“Yes, Doffy. So shut the fuck up and go back to the dorm before you start crying like a little girl and draw attention.”

He opened the door, annoyed.

Doflamingo let out a delighted giggle:

“You’re so mean… and I love it.”

“Of course you do. You pervert.” Crocodile took off his shoes and growled as he stepped inside. “Tell me, do you ever think about anything else? You already forgot you were worried about Law?”

“Huh? Oh… Law will be fine. Come on now. Let’s go to the bedroom.”

Crocodile rolled his eyes but followed — sighing. With a little luck, Doffy would let him beat him to death without filing a domestic abuse complaint.

---

“What the hell was that?!” Doflamingo yelled, bolting up.

“Shut up already, Doffy. Someone just knocked.” Crocodile growled before purposely shoving him out of bed — just for the fun of it.

“Did you bring a whore or what?”

The slap Crocodile gave him in response was brutal. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and threw on a robe while his husband kept whining, following him to the door.

Crocodile opened it — and came face-to-face with Law.

The kid was in pajamas, standing in the hallway at two in the morning, looking completely lost.

…Oh no. Were Crocodile and Doflamingo about to… do something parental?

Law looked down. “I… I don’t even know why I came.”

“Yeah well it’s two in the morning—”

Doflamingo cut himself off as a sharp elbow hit his ribs.

“Come in, Law.”

Crocodile pushed Doflamingo — already pouting — aside to make room.

A few minutes later, the three of them were sitting in the living room. It was probably more awkward than those family dinners where Crocodile had insulted the entire Donquixote bloodline.

“So…?” Crocodile started.

Law nervously picked at the seam of his pants.

“My friends… we’re going to a party this weekend.”

“You’re asking us… for permission?” asked Doflamingo, genuinely confused. At his age, he would’ve told his parents to fuck off long ago — especially his father.

Law gave him a disgusted look. “No. Why would I do that?”

“Forget it,” Crocodile sighed. “Do you have something else to say? (Though I have to admit it’s surprising you actually have a social life.)”

Law took a deep breath. “…Let’s imagine your boyfriend isn’t telling you something. And your friends tell you it’ll get better if you go to a party. Except you’ve never been to a party AND the only ‘party’ you ever went to was a… birthday… in a garage. And now you’re probably going to be a loser and everything is going to go wrong and everything will change forever—”

“What?” Doflamingo and Crocodile said at the same time.

“What I mean is, I feel like Luffy’s hiding something… Sanji told me to give him time and that going out might do me some good… but I’m afraid everything will change.”

His eyes were watery.

Doflamingo leaned toward Crocodile and whispered, “Shit… he’s crying… he needs help.”

“I noticed, dumbass,” Crocodile grumbled, pushing him away. Then he turned to Law and took an unexpectedly calm tone.

“First, your friend gave you good advice. Second… you don’t have to do what everyone else does. But yes, going out could help. You can stay calm, chill with a beer in a corner… observe. There’s no rule for ‘succeeding’ at a party.”

Law stayed silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

“…Yeah. You’re right. I overreacted.”

Crocodile crossed his arms. “It’s normal — it’s something new. And… there’s a spare room if you want to sleep here.”

Law sniffled. “Yeah… but don’t think I find you cool or that I need you, okay? I just had a moment.”

He got up — and a tiny smile appeared on his lips as he headed towards the guest room.

Crocodile and Doflamingo stood still for a moment, then turned to look at each other.

Doflamingo lifted his arms in victory.

“Fuck you, Buggy — we’re amazing parents!”

Crocodile rolled his eyes. “If you say so. Come on, let’s sleep.”

Doflamingo followed him to the bedroom, a big smile already spreading across his face.

“Say, Wani… do you want to—”

“SLEEP.”

He smacked him on the back of the head and dragged him inside the room.

🐊🦩

Chapter Text

Luffy loved Buggy’s classes.
He couldn’t have said exactly why… but he enjoyed being there, sitting, listening to him speak, watching him move in front of the board. Of course, he reassured himself as best he could: Usopp had said that some teachers could be sexy. Nothing serious, then. Harmless.

And anyway, it wasn’t like he thought about it all week… well, maybe a little.

Besides, he had Law. His boyfriend. He would never do anything wrong. Looking wasn’t dangerous, right? After all, he had once seen Usopp and Zoro naked during a chaotic night, and he hadn’t ended up dating them for it.

But… with Buggy, it was different.

Today, he wore a slightly unbuttoned shirt under a dark vest, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His long blue hair was tied in a messy bun, with a few strands falling across his made-up face. His pale fingers, adorned with shiny rings and a thin bracelet, held a pen he absentmindedly spun between sentences. The red polish on his nails caught the light of the projector, making his gestures almost hypnotic.

Luffy caught himself staring again, his eyes sliding from Buggy’s hands to his profile, then to his lips that curled into an ironic smirk whenever a student gave the wrong answer.

…What are you doing, Luffy? he scolded himself, shifting in his chair.

He shook his head, tried to refocus on the interactive screen where Buggy was writing a few words in his nervous yet elegant handwriting. But every time the professor raised his hand, every time he spun his pen, Luffy’s stomach twisted in that strange, unexplainable way.

And he hated to admit it… but he was looking forward to the next class.

---

The bell had rung. Normally, Luffy would have jumped from his seat and bolted to the cafeteria on an empty stomach, Law and the others trailing behind. But this time, his legs felt like lead. He tried to hurry, really… except, oddly, his body wasn’t following through.

And like an idiot, he ended up alone in the lecture hall, lost in thought, while Professor Buggy calmly packed his things after answering the last students’ questions.

Luffy’s heart was beating too fast. His sweaty hands clutched at the straps of his backpack. His face was burning like he had a fever. Am I sick?

Buggy looked up just enough to notice him.
Luffy froze, unable to move, like an animal caught in the headlights.

“…Luffy, right?” The deep, slightly husky voice sent a shiver through him. “Something wrong? Do you have a question, maybe?”

“Uh… yeah. I mean… it’s just… I didn’t really get… The essay, when is it due?”

Why am I stammering?! his mind screamed. Get a grip, Luffy, he’s just a teacher!

Buggy raised an eyebrow, his bag slung over his shoulder.
“For next Tuesday. Pay more attention next time.”
The tone was firm, a mild rebuke slipped in as if it were the most natural thing.

And yet, it sparked something low in Luffy’s stomach. A sudden, uncontrollable heat. His cheeks flared crimson.

“T-thanks!” he blurted, stumbling back. His bag smacked into a desk and his thigh took the hit. Grimacing, he backed up further, then fled the lecture hall in a complete panic.

Breathless, he nearly ran through the hallway.
No, no, no, this isn’t happening!

That feeling… it couldn’t be that. Not for a simple scolding, not for a teacher, not when he had Law. Law, who kissed him on his bed, who touched him sometimes awkwardly, but always sincerely.
It couldn’t compare.

Luffy leaned against a wall, one hand pressed against the burning lower half of his face. His whole body trembled, sweat beading at his temple.

“…This isn’t good,” he whispered, red to the tips of his ears.
Not good at all.

---

Zoro’s dorm smelled faintly of sweat, spilled alcohol, and… something Law preferred not to identify. Sitting on the swordsman’s unmade bed, he tried to focus on Sanji’s overflowing enthusiasm, even though his mind drifted toward Luffy, who hadn’t shown up at lunch. A dull worry weighed on his chest.

“All right,” Sanji announced, theatrically holding up two hangers. Each carried a flawless outfit: one with a long camel coat, the other with a wide red checkered jacket. “You two, even if you’ve got no sense of style. Tell me, which one do you prefer?”

Law narrowed his eyes. “…Aren’t they basically the same, except the coat?”

“Yeah, exactly,” Zoro added with a raised brow, unimpressed.

Sanji’s blue eyes burned with outrage.

“They are NOT the same! The cut, the shoulder line, the drape of the fabric… you’re both ignoramuses, that’s what you are.”

Law and Zoro exchanged a look full of unspoken words. Then, together:

“Eh.”

Sanji clicked his tongue and dropped the hangers onto the bed like he’d just endured the worst insult.

“You know what? I’ll dress you both myself. You’re hopeless cases, but I’ve made it my mission. Just let me save you from your fashion misery.”

He shoved Zoro down into the desk chair, yanked Law by the collar to check his shirt size, already muttering color combinations under his breath, cigarette dangling from his lips.

Law let him, sighing — he’d never cared much for clothes anyway.

Zoro grumbled, “Tch, do what you want, but I’m keeping my haramaki.”

Sanji rolled his eyes. “That ragged green sash you wear to fencing practice? We’ll see about that.”

And, despite himself, Law felt the weight in his chest ease just a little. For the first time that day, he forgot about Luffy for a moment, swept up in Sanji’s stylist tornado.

---

“I could almost cry…” Sanji placed a hand dramatically over his face, miming a tear. “You’re incredible. Incredibly… hopeless!”

Zoro tugged at his sleeve with a groan.

“They look like matching outfits.”

“OF COURSE they’re matching!” Sanji exploded. “You’re both wearing my clothes!”

He smacked both of them on the back of the head.

“…Did you just hit me too?” Law asked, incredulous, adjusting his beige collar.

“Yes.” Sanji didn’t even blink.

He grabbed them both by the shoulders, spun them toward the big dorm mirror, and snapped his fingers like a director admiring his masterpiece.

Law and Zoro now stood side by side: one in a long camel coat, the other in a fitted jacket, both wearing beige sweaters underneath. Subtle watches gleamed at their wrists.

“Now,” Sanji ordered dramatically, “tell me you look handsome.”

Zoro frowned at his reflection.
“…I look stiff.”

“You always look stiff, it’s not the outfit,” Sanji shot back, lighting a cigarette.

Law sighed, but his own reflection made a faint smile tug at his lips despite himself.

“…It’s not so bad.”

Sanji puffed out his chest like he’d just won an award.

“Not so bad?! You insolent wretch, it’s sublime! You’re finally worthy of being seen at my side.”

Zoro rolled his eyes. “As long as we can drink at this party…”

“Oh, you’ll drink, yes. But more importantly, you’ll be the classiest men in the room thanks to me.”

Sanji stepped closer to the mirror, threw his own jacket over his shoulders, and adjusted the collars of his two “creations” like an egotistical designer.

For the first time, Law and Zoro shared a complicit glance in the mirror.

A glance that clearly said: we didn’t have a say in this, but at least we look… decent.

“By the way, Law, how’s it going with Luffy?” Sanji asked, swatting Law’s hand away from his hair as he tried to fix it.

Law looked aside. “…Not great. He wasn’t at lunch. I ended up stuck with Yonji and Nami. And… it’s awkward being stuck between a couple.”

“I get it,” Zoro chuckled. But he froze the second Sanji, without warning, sprayed cologne… right into his mouth.
“WHAT THE FUCK! Bastard!” he coughed, nearly choking.

Sanji ignored him completely, focusing again on Law.

“Don’t laugh at him, idiot. It’s serious.” He grabbed Law by the collar to pull him close and spritzed cologne on his neck. “I don’t want to be alarmist, but… it’s starting to get worrying.”

Law startled at the contact, but said nothing. Don’t think about it. It’s nothing… Still, he had to admit he felt strangely comfortable surrounded by Sanji and Zoro. A reassuring, almost warm feeling.

“I feel bad about this,” he confessed, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. “I feel like… I’m missing something.”

Zoro bumped his shoulder hard enough to nearly knock him off balance.

“We’re gonna have fun tonight. Put it aside for now, all right?”

Law took a deep breath, then managed a small, weak but genuine smile.

“O-okay.”

Sanji ran a hand through his blond hair, satisfied with his work as their self-appointed stylist. Zoro was still grumbling about the cologne he’d swallowed. And, despite the little knot of anxiety in his chest, Law found himself enjoying the moment — maybe the party really would do him some good.

---

Chapter Text

The girls were giggling, sprawled across Nami’s bed, which was buried under a mountain of clothes. Shoes were scattered everywhere, and the vanity was drowning under nail polish, jewelry, and makeup brushes. The dorm looked like a disaster zone, but none of them seemed to care.

“I still can’t believe my brother came up with this idea,” Reiju sighed as she adjusted her iridescent dress, checking her reflection in the mirror. Her lips pursed, though her eyes gleamed with amusement.

Nami, seated beside her, calmly applied a bold red lipstick. She shrugged, perfectly composed in a striped fitted blazer that flattered her figure.

“I have to admit, even if he’s my boyfriend, he doesn’t always come up with brilliant ideas.”

Perona, already dressed in her gothic black dress and a spiked choker, burst out laughing as she crossed her legs.

“That’s exactly why I’m a lesbian: fewer problems.” She snatched a black bracelet from the vanity and slipped it onto her wrist. “And besides, my girlfriend’s actually smart.”

“Thank you, princess,” Reiju replied with a mischievous smile, eyeliner brush in hand.

Nami rolled her eyes with a laugh, then set down her lipstick. “You two are insufferable… but at least you’re gorgeous.”

The three shared a knowing look in the mirror, surrounded by the chaos of their improvised night out. The dorm had never been this messy… or this full of life.

“You guys noticed that Law and Luffy aren’t together as much lately?” Nami asked as she checked the alignment of her false lashes in the mirror.

Perona immediately rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started. Even Zoro noticed. And usually, he only notices Sanji.” She clicked her tongue, annoyed. “What, did he develop a crush on Law? Seriously, Law’s already taken… idiot.”

“I actually saw him hanging around Sanji,” Reiju chimed in, eyeliner perfectly drawn. She folded her arms with an amused smirk. “I mean Law, not Luffy. But I find it weird. Don’t you think something’s going on?”

“My poison, you’re clearly enjoying this,” Perona teased, her black-painted nails tapping idly against her glass.

Nami nodded, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “I have to admit, it’s pretty entertaining…”

Reiju tilted her head, pink curls falling over her shoulder. “We should discuss it properly. Maybe even… place bets.”

A silence heavy with implications fell, before Nami and Perona exchanged a look… then burst into near-diabolical laughter. They already had their wallets out as if the idea was irresistible.

“You know exactly how to hook us,” Nami said, slipping a folded bill between her manicured fingers.

Perona laughed. “Now this is getting interesting.”

And in the perfume-laced air of the dorm, the conspiratorial laughter of the three girls echoed, promising endless discussions and even riskier wagers.

---

Niji, Yonji, Ichiji, and Usopp had crammed themselves into the twins’ dorm. Jackets, shirts, and shoes were strewn everywhere—evidence of the chaos their party preparations had unleashed.

“We’re here because Zoro, Law, and Sanji are hogging my dorm?” Usopp asked as he sat down on a bed, looking confused.

“And also because this is my dorm, not yours,” Niji corrected, raising a brow.

“Who cares,” Ichiji cut in, tossing a shirt onto the already massive pile of clothes. “We’ve got to get ready for the party, losers.”

He slipped into a jacket, immediately pulled it off, then tried on another—completely unable to decide.

“What the hell are you doing? Trying to look decent?” Yonji scoffed, shoving him aside to snatch a new jacket.

“You never know,” Ichiji replied, adjusting his collar with mock seriousness. “What if I run into a sexy guy…?”

His brothers burst out laughing, and the room dissolved into a lively mess of teasing and stolen jackets.

In the middle of the chaos, Niji had moved closer to Usopp, using the distraction as cover to lean in slightly. His smile softened.

“That color… it suits you,” he murmured, nodding at Usopp’s blue shirt.

Usopp flushed, fingers nervously playing with a curl of his hair.
“Blue… you really think it looks good on me?”

“Yeah.” Niji discreetly hooked his pinky around Usopp’s, the small gesture carrying a lot of meaning.

The fragile silence between them was shattered instantly when Yonji and Ichiji started laughing again, shoving each other so roughly that they toppled both boys over—cutting short their awkward flirting.

“Hey! Watch it!” Usopp yelped, face red.

“Sorry, we just wanted to check if you were still alive!” Ichiji teased.

Niji, slightly annoyed but amused, rubbed the back of his neck before shooting Usopp a pointed look.

A look that clearly said: we’ll pick this up later.

---

Time was ticking by.
Still a little shaken from Niji’s attention, Usopp had finally left the dorm with the Vinsmoke brothers. Between Yonji and Ichiji’s endless bickering and laughter, and Niji’s secret smile, the group set out, noisy and full of energy.

Meanwhile, Law, Sanji, and Zoro had piled into Law’s car. The brooding driver kept his focus, a stark contrast to Sanji, who proudly adjusted his sweater, while Zoro was already slouched in the back, arms crossed.

“We’re going to be the best-looking ones at the party, thanks to me,” Sanji declared, checking his reflection in a pocket mirror.

“Yeah, unless you make us late with all your fussing,” Zoro grumbled, eyes half-closed.

Law sighed, but the corner of his lips curved up despite himself.

Back in the girls’ dorm, Nami, Reiju, and Perona were putting the final touches on their looks. Their heels clicked against the floor, the coffee table groaned under the weight of perfume bottles, and the air was thick with laughter and a buzz of excitement.

“All right, queens of the night are ready,” Reiju announced with a wink.

Nami pushed a red strand of hair back into place, her bag already slung over her shoulder.
“Let’s go grab Luffy. If he’s dragging his feet, we’ll kidnap him.”

“Perfect,” Perona said, adjusting her spiked choker. “I want to see his face when we show up like this.”

The three girls exchanged a devilishly complicit smile before strutting out of the room, perfumed, elegant, and more than ready to own the night.

---

Luffy had no idea about the party. The girls dropped the news on him at the last minute, storming into his room like a perfumed tornado.

He froze, eyes wide.

Why didn’t Law tell me about this? he thought instantly, throat tightening. No—worse: why would Law even agree to go to a party? That wasn’t like him. Did he suspect something? Had he… figured it out?

Maybe… maybe that ridiculous crush he’d developed on his professor. Luffy’s stomach twisted. No. No, that was absurd. He was overthinking it.

He didn’t even have time to dwell on it before Nami grabbed one arm, Reiju the other, and Perona dove into his closet with a wicked laugh.

“Up and at ‘em, soldier, you’re going out tonight!” Nami said with a determined smile.

“But I’ve got nothing to wear!” Luffy protested, overwhelmed.

“Wrong. You’ve got too much to wear. And we’re better at picking than you are,” Reiju retorted, tossing him a shirt that he barely managed to catch.

Within minutes, the three of them had transformed him: hair tousled but stylish, fitted shirt, clean pants for once, and a hint of subtle cologne.

“Tadaaa!” Perona cheered, raising her arms as though she’d just unveiled a masterpiece.

“I look… uptight,” Luffy muttered, tugging at his collar.

“You look handsome, and you’ll thank us after two drinks,” Nami said firmly.

Before he could argue further, they pulled him by the hand and practically shoved him into Reiju’s car. The doors slammed, the engine purred.

And Luffy, still blushing furiously, found himself swept away toward a party he hadn’t chosen… but where, apparently, everyone was waiting for him.

A night to laugh, to let loose, maybe even to get drunk.
And, without realizing it yet, a night that would stir far more inside him than he wanted to admit.

🙊❤️

Chapter Text

Law could say without hesitation that this party was much livelier than Usopp’s pathetic birthday in his garage. He had stuck close to Zoro and Sanji, a safe bet to avoid mingling with the other students—and, more importantly, to avoid anyone trying to talk to him.

He had spotted Luffy in the crowd, arriving a little after them. But his boyfriend had gone straight to Usopp, without even looking for him.
Did it hurt? Yes.

Did he feel like seeing him right now? Not really.

Sanji and Zoro seemed perfectly indifferent to the fact that he was trailing behind them like a chick after its mother. Crocodile had once said there was no “right way” to enjoy a party. Maybe. But Law couldn’t help feeling out of place.

Thankfully, drinking games weren’t a bad distraction. A beer pong match never hurt anyone… unless, like him, you were utterly terrible at it and had made the brilliant mistake of challenging Zoro.

“I think that’s enough…” he muttered, cheeks flushed, determined not to completely lose control.

“Law, I know you’re overthinking again,” Sanji teased, flicking his forehead. “Here, drink this, it’s a special mix.”

“I… I don’t know…” Law hesitated, but still reached out for the cup.

That’s when Zoro pulled out a small bag and waved it under their noses.

“I’ve tried it already. You’re gonna love it.”

Sanji and Law exchanged a look. Surprisingly, it was Law who made the first move. Screw it. He was supposed to be having fun, wasn’t he? He was in college! His boyfriend was acting weird, slipping further away. So why not, just this once, wreck his brain a little?

---

Meanwhile, Luffy had recognized Law’s car when he arrived. But the girls had ditched him at the entrance, telling him to “go have fun.” He ended up alone, cup in hand, sitting on a shabby couch watching some guy puke on the coffee table.

Usopp had stopped by a few minutes earlier, bragging in detail about his interaction with Niji and their plan to “roll some joints upstairs.”
Luffy had just mumbled a vague congratulations and let him go.

Now, sitting in that dingy corner, he started to wonder: Had he done something wrong? Was this karma for staring too much at his professor Buggy? For neglecting Law? For being a mess?

His thoughts were interrupted when Ichiji plopped down next to him, already drunk. Luffy half-listened as he bragged about a tequila challenge that had earned him fifty berries.

“Ichiji… do you love someone?” Luffy asked bluntly.

“Huh? Isn’t that your thing? You’re always glued to that guy… what’s his name again?”

“Law. But I want to know if you’ve ever loved someone else… more than the person you thought you loved.”

Ichiji burst out laughing. “Shit, you get philosophical when you’re wasted? Listen, if you don’t love your guy anymore, sleep with the other one.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. At least then you’ll know for sure! Cheating for a good cause.”

Luffy stayed thoughtful. “…I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

But Ichiji had already stood up, pointing at a tall guy across the room.

“Who the hell is that?”

“I don’t know… looks like a... Wait, where are you—”

Too late. Ichiji had already stormed over. Luffy just barely caught the man introducing himself as “Kid”—probably that new student Usopp had mentioned. And right before his eyes, Ichiji started hitting on him in the most obnoxious way possible.

“…Okay, I don’t wanna watch this,” Luffy sighed, abandoning the couch.

---

By that time, Law was completely high. Not that he was sure of it… but he felt loose. Too loose. His thoughts were foggy, his words slipping, and he burst out laughing with Zoro and Sanji at every dumb thing.

“Fuck!” Sanji lit a cigarette, laughing. “Now this is relaxation, right Law?”

“I feel like… like I’m in a cotton candy cloud…” Law slurred.

Zoro cracked up. “He’s totally stoned!”

“Looks like it, yeah. Who’d have thought we’d see Law high as fuck?” Sanji teased, kicking him lightly. Law collapsed against him, mumbling incoherently.

“I’ve got an idea!” Law suddenly blurted, sitting up so fast he nearly toppled over.

“What now?” Zoro asked, raising an eyebrow.

Law leaned in as if sharing a secret. “We should skinny-dip in the pool. I saw it in movies.”

Sanji and Zoro exchanged a glance, weighing their options… then, with zero common sense left, they yelled and started stripping. Seconds later, the three idiots were splashing naked into the pool, laughing their asses off.

“No way!” Niji cackled, filming on his phone. “Some morons just jumped in the pool naked!”

“Dude… I think those were our friends,” Usopp muttered, wide-eyed.

“Yeah, explains why one of them looked like Zoro…” Niji grinned, pausing the video. “You want a copy?”

“Hell yeah, I’ll make a group chat!” Usopp cheered.

---

Luffy, wandering through the halls to escape Ichiji’s cringe flirting, heard the splashes and shouts. Three dumbasses had just cannonballed into the pool naked. Of course. Idiots were everywhere.

But his attention was yanked elsewhere almost immediately.

Luffy blinked in disbelief. Chaos had erupted in the living room. A fight.

What the hell? Why do I keep running into Sanji’s brothers all at once… and where the hell is Sanji anyway?

“I saw you staring at my girlfriend, don’t deny it, I know your face!” a guy shouted, shoving Yonji hard.

“Wait, you’ve got the wrong guy!” Yonji protested, glancing desperately between the furious guy and… Nami.

“Seriously, Yonji?!” Nami crossed her arms, exasperated. A circle of students had already formed around them, chanting and cheering like it was a show.

“No, I swear! I don’t even know this girl!” Yonji pleaded.

“You don’t know me?!” the blonde shrieked. “You made a disgusting comment about me earlier!”

“What? No way! Nami, I stayed with you, you know that! I didn’t say anything to this crazy—”

SMACK. A brutal slap cut him off. Yonji froze, stunned.

Nami wasted no time. She grabbed the blonde by the hair and slapped her back, hard.
“You think you can touch my man, you fucking BITCH?!” she roared, and the two girls started shoving each other until a whole table of beers crashed to the floor.

“And you, control your bitch!” the guy yelled at Yonji.

Big mistake.
Yonji snapped, punching him so hard he crashed into a chair.
“Nobody calls my Nami a bitch!”

“Go, girl! Kick her ass!” Perona shrieked from atop a chair like she was watching WWE.

Reiju tried to step in, hands raised. “Seriously, you’re all impossible—” But the crowd shoved her back, unwilling to let the show stop.

In the middle of this carnage, Luffy stood frozen for a second. Then, with calm resignation, he grabbed a vodka bottle off the buffet.
He looked up at the ceiling, sighed.
I’m not drunk enough for this.

---

Law, Sanji, and Zoro stumbled out of the pool, dripping and naked, just as the deafening commotion spilled from inside. Not just loud music—screams, insults, glass breaking.

They even saw a blonde girl get slapped out the door into the garden.

“Shit…” Law blinked blearily. “That was stronger than expected. What did you give us, Zoro?”

Zoro just shrugged. “…Good question.”

Sanji narrowed his eyes, then gasped. “Wait, is that Yonji over there?!”

Indeed, his twin brother was wrestling some guy… both armed with a shovel and a watering can like improvised weapons.

Law tried to comment but doubled over, vomiting loudly into the pool’s edge. The sound was pitiful. He was almost sure someone filmed it.

Zoro and Sanji hooked him under the arms, dragging him toward their clothes.

On the way, Law raised a trembling finger. “I… I saw them…”

They followed his gaze. In a dim bush, two figures moved suspiciously.

“…Is that Niji and… Usopp?”

Zoro squinted. Sanji’s jaw dropped.

Law nodded frantically. “I swear! I saw them! They weren’t doing anything holy, okay?”

“Forget the bush,” Zoro cut in, shoving Law’s pants on him crookedly.

Sanji sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Exactly. Forget the bush, Law.”

“But—”

“No.”

Moments later, still staggering, Law threw his arms up like he was delivering a speech.
“I want a beer! I, Trafalgar Law, must have fun!”

Zoro and Sanji exchanged a look. They should have said no. Really. But once again, they didn’t have the energy to stop him.

Back inside, the chaos was at its peak: half-drunk idiots literally licking beer off the floor, others fighting over chairs like their lives depended on it.

Sanji wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Okay, I’m ignoring that.”

He snatched a full wine bottle from an overturned table and motioned to the others.

“Upstairs. Hopefully it’s less of an apocalypse up there.”

---

The bedroom they broke into wasn’t ideal.
First, it was locked—but Zoro had “opened” it with his usual subtlety. Then, the décor screamed child’s room. Stuffed animals lined the shelves, pale pink curtains floated at the window, and the bed—much smaller than their dorm beds—creaked under the weight of three.

Sitting there, Law’s eyes were red, his voice trembling almost as much as his hands. The half-empty wine bottle dangled limply from his fingers.
“You know… I think it’s over between us.” His words fell heavy. “It’s been days since he’s even looked at me. I feel like he’s hiding something.”

Zoro shrugged, taking a swig. “Sounds kinda paranoid.”

“It’s not paranoid!” Sanji snapped, instantly defensive. He pulled Law against him, wrapping his arms around him to calm the shaking. His fingers slid through the dark strands, stroking gently. “Law’s not stupid like you.”

“I feel like I’m going crazy,” the brunette whispered, voice cracking.

Zoro clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. “You should just let go. Luffy will come back… And even if you break up, we’re here.”

Law looked up at Sanji. Maybe it was the warmth of his arms, the exhaustion, or just that primal need not to feel alone. Maybe just the alcohol and drugs blurring his boundaries. But he leaned in slowly and pressed his lips to the blond’s.

Sanji didn’t pull away. On the contrary, he drew him closer, deepening the kiss with surprising tenderness.

Zoro, silent witness, hesitated only a moment before leaning in too. Their lips met—awkward at first, then with growing certainty. Touches grew slower, heavier, heat rising in that far-too-small bed.

Soon it was a tangled mess of arms and torsos, clumsy but sincere caresses, muffled sighs lost in kisses. The child’s bed creaked absurdly against the weight, contrasting with sweat and shivers.

And for the first time in a long while, Law stopped thinking.
He didn’t think about Luffy, his doubts, or the consequences. Nothing existed but this surreal bubble where he kissed Sanji and Zoro, their bodies pressed in a chaotic but strangely harmonious rhythm.

In that tiny bed, in a room with pink walls and forgotten toys, he finally let himself go.

🖤🙊

Chapter Text

Usopp had noticed something strange when he talked to Luffy earlier. Well, his friend had always been weird, but lately, it was different. He would’ve liked to dig deeper, but Niji had invited him upstairs to smoke a joint. And Usopp, who had been crushing on him for months, simply couldn’t say no.

So yeah, he hadn’t been a very good friend that night. But he’d been waiting for this for so long… a single look from Niji, a smile aimed just at him, was enough to make him melt.
He reassured himself by thinking that Luffy was sociable, surrounded. Surely, he must be having fun.

Usopp, on the other hand, was nervous. Very nervous.

Niji was the type of guy who was popular, charismatic, cool. Experienced. Everything Usopp wasn’t.
And even though the Vinsmoke had already called him a loser once… pathetically, he had just blushed, because at least Niji had spoken to him.

But tonight was the night. No way he was messing this up.

The blond was leaning against a window on the second-floor balcony, joint between his fingers. His gestures were precise, almost elegant, smoke escaping his lips like he’d been doing it all his life. An empty beer bottle sat at his feet.
Usopp blushed when he noticed their outfits matched — they’d gotten ready together, but for him, that meant so much more.

He pressed a hand against his chest, where his heart was pounding wildly. Took a deep breath. Then, crushing his fear, he stepped forward. Just this once, he was going to be brave.

“Hm. You came.” Niji tilted his head slightly, blowing out a puff of smoke before holding the joint out to him.

“Yeah…” Usopp took it awkwardly, inhaled too hard, and immediately choked.

“Easy.” A smile passed over Niji’s lips. “Take your time.”

He always looked different when they were alone. Softer, almost human. Not the same arrogant Niji who strutted around in groups.

“I like this…” Usopp blurted out before he could stop himself.

“What? Choking on smoke?”

“Ah! No, I…” Usopp lowered his gaze, red to the tips of his ears. “It’s more like… being with you. When we’re alone, I like it. You seem more approachable.”

Niji stayed quiet for a moment, tucking a strand of blond hair behind his ear, avoiding his gaze. “I didn’t know you actually liked my company. I’m not… what you’d call nice.”

“I’m used to it,” Usopp smiled faintly. “With Zoro, Law… they’re not the friendliest either. But you… I swear I like being with you. Because deep down, you’re kind.”

“You think so?”

Usopp inhaled again, the joint burning his throat and belly. He was shaking, but he knew he had to say it now.

“Niji… I—I have to tell you something. If I don’t say it tonight, I never will. Because I’m a coward, a chicken…”

The blond raised an eyebrow. “In that case, I’ll listen carefully.”

Usopp shut his eyes for a second. Then, in one breath:

“I like you. Not just that… I think I’m in love with you. At first I thought it was a stupid crush. But the more I got to know you, the stronger it got. I… I’d like us to try having a real relationship, you and me. You don’t have to answer right now—”

He was cut off by a pair of lips pressing against his. Soft, warm, tasting of smoke and alcohol. Strong arms wrapped around him, and his brain stopped spinning.

The kiss turned slow, wet, their tongues searching timidly before intertwining. It was clumsy and perfect at the same time — and surely the best kiss Usopp had ever had.

Niji pulled back just enough to lick his lips, breaking the thin string of saliva still connecting them. Usopp, weak in the knees, panted, his cheeks burning red.

He lifted a trembling hand to his swollen lips.

“…”

“I like you too, Usopp,” Niji said simply, a small smile tugging at his lips. “My answer is that I want this relationship.”

And Usopp felt like he was falling into the void — if the Vinsmoke hadn’t caught him by holding him tighter against his chest.

---

When they came back downstairs, Usopp was smiling stupidly, his hand locked in his new boyfriend’s. He wanted to shout it to anyone who would listen: Niji was his.

The Vinsmoke, to his surprise, had even agreed to go public on social media. Niji hadn’t seemed bothered by Usopp’s requests: as long as it looked cute, he was fine. And deep down, he liked the attention. So, making their relationship official barely two hours after it began didn’t faze him at all.

Usopp, meanwhile, insisted on pet names, profile picture changes, and new contact names. Niji just went along, amused. If it made Usopp happy, why not?

Outside, Usopp was still fiddling with his phone when he looked up… just in time to see three idiots jump naked into the pool, screaming.
“…Those are our friends,” Usopp muttered, torn between shame and laughter.

Niji, cracking up, immediately whipped out his phone to film.
“Perfect.” Without a shred of guilt, he sent the video to the group chat Usopp had made. My boyfriend’s friends are my friends too, he thought.

Usopp didn’t even have time to protest: Niji grabbed him by the waist and shoved him into a bush. They burst out laughing, then immediately ended up kissing again, more confident this time. Hands roamed, hot breaths mingled, and their lips refused to part.

Students walked past them here and there, but neither of them cared.

“You’re too cute when you blush,” Niji murmured, his hand sliding under his boyfriend’s shirt.

He didn’t go any further. Not tonight. They’d just gotten together, and he wanted to do things right.

“Stop saying that…” Usopp whined, hiding his crimson face under his arm.

“But it’s true.”

“I-I… my god… you’re too honest.”

“You don’t like it?” Niji asked, pulling him back against him.

“I like it… I’m just embarrassed. Sorry I said that.”

“No, it’s fine. I didn’t take it badly. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. You can tell me if something bothers you.”

Usopp took a deep breath, then curled against his chest, clutching at his shirt.

“Thank you, Niji… I’d like to go back to the dorm. Since we share a room… maybe we could sleep together?”

“Alright.” The blond stroked the back of his head with a smile. “Cuddling with you doesn’t sound so bad.”

Usopp lifted his head, throat tight with emotion. Niji helped him pick the grass out of his hair, then firmly took his hand again. Together, they left the garden and headed for the university dorms.

And for the first time in a long while, Usopp was looking forward to falling asleep — in a warm place, in clean sheets, and most importantly, in Niji’s arms.

---

Ichiji had already had way too much to drink, but he didn’t care.

Tequila was still burning down his throat, and the fifty berries he’d won from that dumb dare made him grin like an idiot. He flopped down on a couch without ceremony, next to some friend of Sanji’s who looked lost.

He didn’t remember much of what Luffy said — something about loving two people at once, doubts, feelings. Blah blah blah. Seriously, the kid thought too much.

“Just sleep with the other one,” Ichiji snorted. For him, life was simple: test things out. You’ll quickly know if you want to stay or move on.

Then he went back to drinking straight from the bottle, not caring in the slightest.

But suddenly, his gaze caught a figure across the room. Tall, broad, with a hard face and a furious scowl.
Bingo.

Ichiji shot up instantly. “Who’s that?” He didn’t even wait for an answer, already crossing the room. His steps heavy, his grin cocky.

“You.” He locked eyes with the stranger. “What’s your name?”

The other man looked him over warily, then finally answered in a rough voice: “Kid.”

Kid. Even the name he liked. Short, brutal. Just like the guy.

“Not bad,” Ichiji smirked, already stepping too close. “So, Kid… want to test your endurance on something other than booze?”

He pressed a hand against the redhead’s broad chest, challenging him with his gaze. Kid frowned, lips twisting into something between disdain and amusement.

“And who the hell are you?”

“Vinsmoke Ichiji. And you just stumbled into your next challenge.”

His grin widened, insolent, provocative, as students around them began whistling and laughing, sensing a show coming.

---

Ichiji thought he’d scored a good catch. Honestly, his luck with guys was borderline pathetic… but this redhead, Kid, had something. Except the bastard had bitten him like a damn vampire.
So Ichiji reacted the only way he knew how: he punched him square in the face.

And it all went downhill from there.

A pure, brutal dominance fight. Kid went crashing through a table in an explosion of glass and shouts, then hurled a beer bottle straight at Ichiji’s face.

“You son of a bitch!” Ichiji screamed, dripping wet. “Do you even know who I am? I’m Vinsmoke Ichiji! You should be GRATEFUL I even wanna stick my dick in your filthy ass!”

Furious, Kid shoved him back. “You come acting like a slut, and now you’re whining about being treated like one?”

Students crowded around, phones filming the scene. Even Reiju, off to the side, shook her head in disapproval. Tomorrow, this would blow up in his face.

“You should feel honored I’m even paying you attention!” Ichiji bragged, his arrogance hitting the stratosphere.

“I think you just believe your own bullshit, Vinsmoke!” Kid spat.

Nearby, Yonji thought someone was calling him, until Nami smacked him hard across the face and told him to shut up.

Ichiji staggered, but slammed his chest against Kid’s. “I know my worth!”

“Tch.” Kid smirked. “What, can’t get enough of me already? Sorry, I don’t get attached to brainless little sluts.”

“FUCK ALL OF YOU!” Ichiji bellowed, shoving Kid hard… sending him toppling over the balcony railing. Luckily, it was only the first floor.

“…Shit.”

Phones kept recording. Ichiji leaned over, half-worried, until he saw Kid had broken his fall… on some poor guy puking on the porch.

“Ha! Serves you right, you arrogant bastard.”

Then, staggering, he stormed off. “I’m done with your shitty party, assholes!”

He didn’t want to think about how tomorrow’s video would be titled something humiliating like Vinsmoke in Decline or Ichiji Desperate to Score a Guy. No. He lifted his chin, fuming as he walked back toward the dorms.

Why the hell can’t I find a decent guy? Someone nice who can handle my amazing personality?!

His thoughts were brutally interrupted when a car hit him. Not fatally, but enough to send him rolling across the ground, groaning.

“FUCK!”

“Oh god! I’m so sorry!” A deep, panicked male voice.

A huge guy climbed out of the car and rushed over. Towering, intimidating… but with surprisingly gentle movements.

Ichiji looked up, breathless. Another tall guy. I’m sick of this. But… damn… he’s hot.

“Are you alright?” the man asked, brows furrowed with worry.

Doomed.

“…Yeah.” Ichiji exaggerated his pain a little. “I need to get back to Grand Line University…”

“I’m headed there too. I’ll help you, I owe you that much.” The man bent down, scooped him up effortlessly. “My name’s Katakuri. And you?”

“Ichiji.” He couldn’t tell if Katakuri was just checking for a concussion… or if fate had literally dropped the sexiest man he’d ever seen into his lap.

“Alright, Ichiji. Lean on me.”

Ichiji instantly snuggled against him, eyes half-closed, a satisfied grin tugging at his lips.

“Yes.” He would never refuse Katakuri.

🍩💙

Chapter Text

The house was still vibrating with the bass. The walls trembled, the air reeked of spilled beer and sweat, and every room seemed to be hosting a different brand of chaos. After the fight, after the stupid dives into the pool and the compromising videos, the party had lost none of its madness.

In the middle of this turmoil, Nami found herself sitting in a corner of the living room, arms crossed, sulking. Her nerves were still raw. Between Yonji getting into that ridiculous fight and the insults flying around, she had no patience left for his nonsense.

The blond, of course, didn’t take long to show up. His sweat-damp hair clung to his forehead, his t-shirt stuck to his chest, and his cocky smile promised nothing good.

“Hey, Nami…” Yonji scratched the back of his head, looking awkward. “About earlier… the fight, the girl, all that… I just wanted to say—”

“Shut up.” The redhead raised her hand, cutting him off. “If you’re about to give me a lame excuse, spare me.”

He winced. “No, seriously, I swear I didn’t say anything to that girl! She mistook me for someone else.”

“You look so innocent…” Nami shot back, dripping with sarcasm.

Yonji sat down next to her, too close, close enough to catch her fruity perfume. “Okay, maybe I don’t look very convincing… But you defended me.”

She turned her head, irritated. “Only because she slapped you. You think I was just gonna let that happen?”

“So that means you took my side, right?” He gave her a playful grin.

Nami rolled her eyes, though her cheeks flushed slightly despite herself. “You’re imagining things.”

Yonji leaned his elbow on the back of the couch, tilting toward her. “And what if I imagined… you and me?”

The redhead burst out laughing, shaking her head. “You’re dreaming.”

“Not really.” He leaned even closer, lowering his voice. “You’re gorgeous when you’re mad.”

Nami wanted to snap back, but the words died on her tongue when her eyes met his. For a second, the noisy party around them seemed to fade away. Her heart sped up, and that annoyed her even more.

“You should be careful,” she finally said, her tone lower. “Playing with me is dangerous.”

“I love danger.” He winked at her.

She stared at him for another second… then suddenly grabbed his collar and kissed him. Not a tender kiss: a kiss of defiance, of fire. Yonji took a beat to react, then smiled against her lips and deepened the kiss, his hand sliding to her waist.

When she pulled back, Nami’s eyes were gleaming, a sly smile on her lips. “That’s what happens when you chase danger.”

Yonji ran his tongue over his lips, as if to taste her again. “Then I’ll keep chasing.”

---

Upstairs, Perona had retreated to a quieter room. Sitting on the edge of a bed, she gazed out through a half-open window. The racket from downstairs floated up, but at this distance it was almost soothing.

“Always playing the spectator, hm?” The soft voice of Reiju made her start.

The elder Vinsmoke sister entered gracefully, a glass of wine in hand, her heels clicking lightly on the wooden floor. Her fuchsia dress hugged her curves perfectly, her makeup still flawless despite the hours of partying.

Perona pouted. “I’d rather watch than end up like those idiots in the pool.”

Reiju smiled, sitting beside her. “You’re not wrong. Did you see the state of my brothers? Hopeless.”

“Yeah, but entertaining.” Perona crossed her arms, her gothic vibe clashing with Reiju’s elegant poise. “And… you seem to be holding it together.”

Reiju raised her glass, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “Most of the time, I’m just pretending.”

Perona stared at her. “You always play the perfect big sister. That must be exhausting.”

“It is sometimes,” Reiju admitted after a sip. “But someone has to take care of them.”

“Hm.” The gothic girl looked away, twirling a strand of her pink hair. Then, more quietly: “And who takes care of you?”

Reiju blinked, surprised. Perona, however, held her gaze with soft insolence.

“No one, I suppose,” Reiju finally answered with a faint, sad laugh.

“Then… maybe I could.”

Silence fell, charged with new tension. Perona leaned in slightly, her gloved hand resting on Reiju’s.

“You’re… interesting,” the Vinsmoke murmured, a faint smile on her lips.

“Interesting?” Perona arched a brow. “Not glamorous enough for you?”

“On the contrary. You’re different.” Reiju’s fingers gently tightened around hers.

Their faces slowly drew closer, as if pulled by gravity. Finally, their lips met in a light, almost hesitant kiss.

Perona let out a nervous laugh as she pulled back. “…Okay, I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Me neither,” Reiju admitted, cheeks flushed.

They stayed quiet for a moment, hands still entwined. Then Perona leaned against her shoulder, a satisfied smile on her lips. “I could get used to this.”

---

Downstairs, the party raged on. Nami and Yonji kept up their dangerous game of teasing and stolen kisses, drawing curious glances from some of the students. Upstairs, Perona and Reiju were lost in their own little bubble, far removed from the chaos.

The night wore on, and everyone seemed to find their place in the student mayhem. But none of them yet imagined how brutal the morning wake-up would be.

❤️❤️

Chapter Text

Law opened one eye. A dull pain pounded in his skull, as if a drum had lodged itself between his temples. His stomach was still twisting, and his entire body felt heavy, sticky. He felt wrecked, filthy, like he’d been rolled in the dust of the previous night.

He blinked several times, making out a pale pink ceiling with glow-in-the-dark star stickers scattered here and there. This was definitely not his room. Nor Zoro’s. Nor Sanji’s.

He turned his head to the left. Sanji was sleeping, hair a mess, an arm draped carelessly over his waist. To the right, Zoro was softly snoring, still shirtless, with a pillow half-stuck under his back.

Law bolted upright, adrenaline burning away the fog in his brain.

No. No, this is a fucking joke.

Before he could move further, the door slammed open.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

A muscular guy with messy black hair stood in the doorway, fists clenched. Law barely recognized him before he yelled again:

“THIS IS MY SISTER’S ROOM!”

Sanji groaned, Zoro jerked awake, but Law had already turned pale.

A teenage girl’s bedroom. Posters of singers, a pink vanity, stuffed animals lined up. And them—three grown men, in their boxers, sprawled on the bed of a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old girl.

“…We can explain,” Sanji rasped, his voice hoarse.

“Get out!” roared Ace, his face red with fury.

Zoro didn’t need to be told twice. He stood up, grabbed his pants off the floor, and bolted for the door. Sanji and Law stumbled after him, half-dressed, their appearance mismatched and pathetic.

They rushed through the hallway, but the worst awaited them in the living room.

Half of Ace’s family seemed gathered there. Unfamiliar faces, all turned toward them with expressions ranging from shock to indignation. Law thought he recognized an old man frowning, a young girl with her mouth hanging open, a kid bursting into laughter.

No… no… no, I’ve never been this humiliated in my life.

Scarlet red, he dashed out with the other two until they reached the front door. Once outside, they hurried away, nearly running, before darting into an alley.

There, Law leaned against a wall and vomited loudly, his guts on fire.

Sanji placed a hand on his back, pale himself, a cigarette dangling from his trembling lips. “You okay, Law?”

The brunette groaned. “No. Not really. My boyfriend’s been ignoring me for days, I spent the evening getting high and drunk, and I woke up in a teenage girl’s bed after fooling around with two guys.”

A silence weighed heavy.

“Put that way…” Zoro muttered, hair messier than ever, “…we could keep it secret. We were wasted.”

Sanji spun toward him, frowning. “You think that’ll fix anything?! We fucked up, and your plan is to… lie?”

“Listen, dumbass,” Zoro growled, dark circles under his eyes. “Imagine what Luffy would say. You think he’ll want to hear we shared a bed with his boyfriend?”

“Better to be honest!” Sanji snapped, igniting despite the migraine. “Hiding it will only make it worse!”

“Can you both shut the hell up for two minutes?!” Law exploded, his voice cracking. His eyes were wet, his body trembling, his stomach still in knots. “I’m in pain, I’m puking my guts out, I feel like crying. I don’t need you two fighting on top of it.”

The other two froze.

Sanji sighed, running a hand over his face. “…He’s right. Let’s just get back to campus.”

Zoro nodded, more sober than usual.

---

The walk back was silent. Three pitiful figures under the morning sun, wrinkled clothes, dark eye bags. Law lagged a bit behind, hands in his pockets, lost in thought.

What the hell am I going to tell Luffy?

---

Meanwhile, at the dorm, Usopp woke up with a milder hangover. No wonder: he had fallen asleep in Niji’s arms, and the blond had been surprisingly tender. They were crammed into a bed for two, but happy.

Usopp’s phone buzzed. A notification.

> New message in the group: “Vinsmokes in decline?! 🤣”

He opened the video immediately. And there it was… Ichiji, drunk out of his mind, fighting Kid, screaming obscenities, then throwing his opponent off the balcony. The clip ended with him stumbling out of the party, cursing everyone.

Usopp’s eyes widened. “…Oh shit.”

Still half-asleep, Niji peeked over his shoulder at the phone. A mocking smile spread across his face. “Hahaha, what an idiot.”

---

Perona, meanwhile, woke up in Reiju’s room. They had spent the night talking, laughing, and kissing timidly until they had fallen asleep entwined. The goth rubbed her eyes, noticing the pink-haired girl’s strands against the pillow.

Already awake, Reiju was watching her with a gentle smile. “Sleep well?”

Perona blushed, then nestled closer. “…Yeah. Better than I thought I would.”

A comfortable silence settled.

Then a student’s booming voice echoed in the hallway:
“HEY! SOMEONE FILMED ZORO, SANJI, AND LAW AT THE POOL! IT’S IN THE GROUP CHAT!”

The two young women exchanged a look. Reiju rolled her eyes. “…My brothers won’t survive this week.”

Perona burst out laughing.

---

When Zoro, Sanji, and Law finally reached the dorms, their return was immediately noticed. Too many phones pointed at them, too many laughs, too many whispers.

Sanji clenched his teeth. “…We’re screwed.”

Law, pale as a corpse, stared at the ground, his hands trembling. Zoro just shrugged, as if it didn’t concern him.

But inside, all three knew the truth: this night would leave scars.

---

Law did what he did best: panic.
He didn’t even dare return to the dorm—not a chance he’d run into Zoro, not a chance he’d sleep there. So, like a zombie, hair disheveled, skin corpse-pale, reeking of booze and chlorine, he dragged himself to Crocodile and Doflamingo’s apartment.

He pushed the door open without knocking. No strength, no clarity.

Inside, Crocodile, Doflamingo, and several other professors were seated around a large table, papers and textbooks scattered about. Clearly, they were preparing Monday’s lectures.

Law stood frozen in the doorway, lips trembling.

“…Law?” Doflamingo raised a brow, his mocking smile ready to spread. “So, how was your little night out?”

A loud smack rang out. Crocodile had just smacked him in the back of the head.

“Can’t you see he’s in bad shape, you idiot?” He fixed Law with a stern look. “What happened?”

The brunette opened his mouth… and the words tumbled out in broken pieces.

“I—got high… took some drugs, there was the pool… and… and a teenage girl’s bed… with Sanji and Zoro…”

Silence. All eyes turned to him.

“…What?” muttered Mihawk, who until then had been grading papers. He looked up, visibly intrigued.

Crocodile raised a calming hand. “Start over. Breathe. Explain.”

Law drew a shaky breath, eyes glistening.

“Luffy ignored me all night… So I was with Zoro and Sanji… We drank, we did some drugs… There’s a video of us naked in the pool…”

He was practically sobbing, words tumbling over one another.

“Then we went upstairs… I don’t even remember why. We ended up in a bed… talking about my shitty life, or I don’t know… Then… then we started… touching. Well, not really touching… more like… blowing air…”

“…Air?” Mihawk repeated, eyebrow raised.

Law buried his face in his hands, voice muffled. “I—I think Zoro was the bottom, since I’m not really sore.”

A deadly silence fell.

Doflamingo, mouth hanging open, looked at Crocodile as if he had just witnessed a murder. Mihawk coughed into his fist to hide a smirk. Even Shamrock froze, his wine glass halfway up.

Law went on, unable to stop, red as a tomato.
“…Then we woke up in this pink room, covered in K-pop idol posters… It was a teenage girl’s room… Her brother walked in and kicked us out… In front of her whole family! And… and… it was… so humiliating…”

He collapsed into a chair, burying his face in his arms.

Silence. Then Doflamingo burst out laughing.
“HAHAHAHA! Oh fuck, I would’ve paid to see that!”

Crocodile hurled an ashtray at his shoulder.
“You moron, it’s not funny.” Then he sighed, lit a cigar, and fixed his eyes on Law. “Listen. You screwed up, yeah. But you’re not the first student to lose control at a party. Breathe.”

Mihawk, a smirk tugging at his lips, added softly: “…I’ll admit it’s… rather memorable.”

Law groaned louder, regretting deeply that he’d come here.

---

Law barely raised his head from his arms, still drowning in shame. His words had slipped out, and only then did he realize what he had just confessed.

Mihawk froze, frowning. His icy voice cut through the silence:
“…Wait. Zoro?” He slowly straightened, his piercing gaze locked on Law. “Are you saying you slept with my son?”

The brunette opened his mouth, then closed it, unable to say a word. His cheeks burned even redder, and he shrank into his chair, as if he could disappear.

“Mihawk…” Shamrock intervened in a calm tone, laying a soothing hand on his husband’s arm. “It’s not that serious. Law’s just wallowing because he cheated on his boyfriend. No need to draw your sword over it.”

“Not that serious?” Mihawk repeated, jaw tight. “My son, drunk out of his mind, dragged into bed by this brat—”

“Hey, chill out, Dracula.” Doflamingo burst out laughing, sprawling in his chair. “If your son ended up the bottom like he so sweetly put it, then he wasn’t exactly forced, was he?”

“DOFLAMINGO.” Mihawk’s voice cracked like a whip.

“What?!” Doflamingo threw up his hands, feigning innocence. “I think it’s cute. Three idiots high as kites, mistaking a teenager’s bed for a love hotel—that deserves a trophy.”

Crocodile sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’re all impossible.” He turned to Law with a stern look. “Listen. Yes, it’s humiliating. Yes, it’s a mess. But it’s not the end of the world. What matters now is what you’re going to do.”

Law sniffled, shaking his head. “I… I don’t know. Luffy’s going to hate me.”

“Maybe,” Crocodile admitted. “Or maybe he’ll understand you were too messed up to know what you were doing. But you need to decide if you want to be honest, or if you want to run away.”

Shamrock nodded. “Crocodile’s right.” Then, with a sly smile: “And don’t let Mihawk scare you. If Zoro was involved, he’s just as responsible as you are.”

“Exactly,” Doflamingo added, still laughing. “Your son probably enjoyed it more than you think.”

“DOFLAMINGO!”

Silence fell again. Law, caught between Mihawk’s icy rage, Doflamingo’s booming laughter, and Crocodile and Shamrock’s cynical wisdom, curled up even tighter in his chair.

Why… why did I even come here?

🖤🖤

Chapter Text

“Wait…” Shamrock frowned, puzzled. “I didn’t get it. Was it Luffy and Zoro who were in bed with you?”

Law shook his head quickly. “No. It was Zoro and… Sanji.”

Doflamingo burst out laughing, almost taken aback. “Sanji?! That kid photocopied four times over?”

“Yes,” Law mumbled, mortified, cheeks on fire.

Shamrock nodded slowly. “I think he’s the one who has class with you. He’s in my courses, too.”

“…That’s right,” Law confirmed under his breath.

The redhead sighed, leaning toward him a little. “You’ve seemed close these last few weeks.”

The brunette dropped his gaze, nervously picking at his fingers. “Well… yeah. I talked to them when I was with Luffy. But… they were the only ones who noticed I wasn’t okay.” His voice wavered. “I don’t really have friends outside of Luffy’s circle.”

A heavy silence fell.

“Seems obvious…” Doflamingo began with a big, taunting smile. He was immediately cut off by a sharp THWACK to the back of the head: Crocodile had hit him again.

“Idiot,” Crocodile growled.

“What?!” Doflamingo protested, rubbing his neck. “I was going to say friends are pointless. Look at me!”

“Exactly. Which is why you’re a relationship disaster,” Crocodile shot back dryly.

Mihawk, silent until then, rose slowly. His shadow fell over Law, who felt himself shrink into the chair.

“Enough jokes.” His voice, icy, rang like a blade. “I want to understand.” His golden eyes fixed on Law without blinking. “You’re Luffy’s boyfriend. And now you’re telling me that last night you drank, took drugs, and then slept with my son and Sanji.”

Each word landed like a hammer blow.

Law opened his mouth, but Mihawk raised a hand to silence him.

“Think before you answer.” He stepped closer, looming over the brunette. “What does Zoro mean to you? A friend? A lover? A mistake?”

Law’s heart tightened. His eyes stung. He wanted to disappear. But the words slipped out anyway, barely above a whisper: “…I don’t know. I just wanted… not to feel alone. They were kind to me when Luffy wasn’t. I… lost control.”

Mihawk stared at him for a moment, face impassive.

Then, calmly, he concluded: “You have two choices, Trafalgar. Either you keep running and destroy what you’ve got left. Or you take responsibility and talk to Luffy—honestly.”

Law lowered his head, trembling, unable to answer.

Shamrock laid a light hand on Mihawk’s shoulder. “Easy. He’s already on the edge.”

“No,” Mihawk replied flatly. “He needs to hear it.”

A heavy silence settled. Law felt his stomach flip again.

---

The tension was at its peak. Mihawk was still pinning Law with a gaze sharp enough to pierce. Shamrock tried to keep things calm. Crocodile sighed; Doflamingo stifled a nervous laugh.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

“Guys!” a theatrical voice shouted. “You’ll never guess!”

Buggy swept in, blue hair pulled into a ponytail, makeup slightly smeared like he’d just crawled out of a long night himself.

“Katakuri bowled over a drunk student last night!” he cried, bursting into dramatic laughter.

“For god’s sake, Buggy…” Katakuri appeared behind him, looking mortified. He dragged a hand over his face. “Stop. I told you I didn’t see him.”

Buggy doubled over, cackling. “I’m dying! I saw him slip out of our apartment with his tail between his legs!” He waved a hand as if shooing a fly. “What a scene!”

Katakuri flushed slightly despite his imposing build. “I didn’t know where his room was and… he wouldn’t let go of me.”

Silence fell again, every gaze bouncing from Buggy to Katakuri… then to Law.

Buggy tilted his head, frowning like he’d just solved a puzzle. “Wait a second… Hey. You look familiar.” He pointed at Law. “It’s you?! Huh?! You’re Law, right? The guy always stuck to that student… Luffy? The one who spends all his time drooling over my lectures in my class?”

Law blanched, lurching awkwardly upright in his chair. “Uh…”

Heat surged to his ears at once. Every eye in the room was fixed on him.

“…”

Buggy snapped his fingers. “I knew it!”

Doflamingo erupted into thunderous laughter. Crocodile pinched the bridge of his nose. Mihawk rolled his eyes. Shamrock tried to smooth things over with an awkward smile.

Law, meanwhile, seriously considered fainting to escape the humiliation.

---

Buggy barreled on, delighted to have everyone’s attention. “Guess what?” he tittered, theatrical. “I just saw Luffy. He was talking with a blond and a green-haired guy—”

Law jolted to his feet, eyes wide. “What?! When?”

Buggy blinked, surprised by his reaction. “A few minutes ago, near the science lab.”

He didn’t get to say more: Law had already bolted for the door, nearly tripping in his rush, before vanishing into the hallway.

Silence settled.

Katakuri blinked, baffled. “…What was that?”

Buggy lifted his eyebrows, then let out a small, nervous laugh. “No idea.” He finally shrugged, slipping back into his nonchalant air. “But it looked important.”

Mihawk folded his arms, gaze dark. Crocodile shook his head with a sigh. Doflamingo started laughing even harder.

---

Law tore down the university corridors, heart hammering against his ribs. His footsteps echoed in the morning hush, each thud pounding through his hangover-addled skull.

Luffy… with Zoro and Sanji? His hands shook, clammy. His thoughts crashed into each other. What if Luffy had found out? What if Zoro or Sanji had let something slip? What if…

He quickened his pace, teeth clenched. Every breath scorched his dry throat.

When he skidded around the corner near the science building, he finally spotted three figures in the shade.

Zoro, casual, arms crossed. Sanji, cigarette in his mouth, talking animatedly. And between them… Luffy, nodding vaguely, a tight smile on his lips.

Law froze, breath ragged. His eyes locked on Luffy as if seeing him for the first time in ages. The brunette stood just a few yards away, and yet he already felt far.

What do I do? His stomach twisted. He wanted to scream, to run to him, to explain everything, to apologize. But his legs wouldn’t move.

Zoro noticed him first. The swordsman looked up, met his gaze… and clenched his jaw.

Sanji followed suit, lips pinching around his cigarette.

Luffy finally turned his head. His eyes met Law’s. And his smile vanished.

A cold jolt shot down Law’s spine.

---

“What did you tell him?!” Law snapped, voice trembling, almost breaking.

Zoro raised his hands, looking annoyed but frank. “We wanted to wait for you, but Sanji panicked.”

“No, but—” Law began, eyes wide, when a soft voice cut in.

“Law.”

Luffy had spoken. His words fell like a stone into the heavy air. His dark eyes were on the ground, hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie.

“I don’t think we’ve been very honest—with each other. Mostly me.”

“Luffy, wait—” Law tried, taking a step forward.

But Luffy lifted a hand slightly, asking him to listen.

“I know.” His voice was oddly calm, almost tired. “Our relationship… it’s going nowhere. You wouldn’t have done that with Zoro and Sanji if you didn’t feel anything for them.”

A sob slipped out of Law, uncontrollable. “I—I… you shut me out, Luffy. And I started to… to care for them.”

“I know.” Luffy nudged a pebble with his shoe, head still lowered. “You wouldn’t have otherwise…”

A heavy silence fell. Only distant birds and the wind against the lab walls could be heard.

Then Luffy finally looked up. He glanced from Zoro, to Sanji, to Law.

“I don’t blame you.”

“But Luffy—!” all three protested at once.

He shook his head lightly.

“If I was distant,” he said, voice low but clear, “it’s because… I developed feelings for someone else.”

A chill ran through the group.

“W-what?” Law breathed, heart squeezed tight.

Luffy drew a deep breath. “Yeah… since the start of term. I felt bad. I didn’t know what to do. But now… I think I have my answers. It was bound to happen.” He paused, then added softly, “I don’t love you the way I used to, Law.”

The world seemed to stop for Law. Everything he feared had just been said out loud. And yet instead of collapsing, something loosened in his chest.

Why… why do I feel relieved?

His eyes misted. “I think… you’re right.” His voice was barely a murmur. “I should feel worse… but deep down, I’d already replaced you. With Zoro and Sanji.”

Luffy gave a faint smile. Not a happy one—an honest one.

He hesitated, then asked, almost shyly, “I probably have to say who I like… right?”

Law shook his head gently, eyes shining. “You don’t have to. I’m not forcing you.”

Silence returned, but this time it wasn’t heavy. It was strange—full of exhaustion, of pain… and of truth.

---

The silence stretched on, broken only by the sound of Luffy’s footsteps walking away. He didn’t add anything, didn’t explain further. Just one last glance back at them, then he turned the corner, hands in his pockets, his silhouette disappearing behind the building.

Law stayed rooted to the spot. His eyes clung to Luffy’s back until the very end, as if hoping for a rewind, an extra line, a door left ajar. But nothing.

Zoro sighed, finally breaking the quiet. “…Well. That’s that.”

Law whirled on him, voice trembling: “You think that’s funny?!”

The swordsman held his gaze without flinching, but the tense set of his jaw betrayed a contained anger. “No. But you heard him. He already had someone else. It was doomed even before… before last night.”

Sanji, leaning against the wall with a half-burned cigarette between his fingers, let out a bitter laugh. “Doesn’t change the fact we left him hanging like three assholes.”

Law looked away, ashamed. His breath shook. “I… I feel empty. And relieved at the same time. Like… I was just waiting for it to blow up.”

Zoro ran a hand through his damp hair, still messy from yesterday’s pool fiasco. “You weren’t the only one.”

Law looked up, surprised.

Sanji crushed his cigarette under his shoe, then added more gently: “We didn’t go looking for this, Trafalgar. But it happened. And if you ask me… Luffy figured it out before you did.”

Silence fell again. Less heavy than before, but full of uncertainties.

Zoro finally shrugged. “So what now? What do you want, Law? Keep crying over Luffy, or… see where this goes, the three of us?”

Sanji turned his head toward him, eyes wide. “…You can’t just drop that like you’re offering a beer, asshole.”

Zoro raised a brow. “What? Might as well put our cards on the table.”

Law watched them, his trembling hands gripping his bag strap. His heart was still pounding—but for the first time in a long while, it wasn’t fear… it was a gentler kind of uncertainty.

He didn’t answer. Not yet. But he knew one thing: Luffy had closed one door… and two others stood ajar in front of him.

❤️❤️

Chapter Text

Usopp was absent-mindedly scrolling his feed, comfortably nestled against Niji. They’d spent the morning dozing together in front of movies, the hangover slowly lifting, replaced by a soft, lazy calm.

But suddenly, he choked on his breath. “What?!” he cried, sitting up so fast he almost bumped Niji’s chin.

The blond groaned, dragged out of his stupor. “What’s going on, Usopp?”

The dark-skinned boy thrust his phone up, eyes wide. “It’s Law and Luffy! They… they broke up!”

Niji raised a brow, not impressed in the slightest. “And?”

Usopp looked at him like he’d just blasphemed. “What do you mean, ‘and’?! We have to go check on Luffy! That bastard Law must’ve done something to him!”

He sprang up… well, tried to. In his haste, he tripped and face-planted onto the rug, drawing a muffled groan from Niji as he got squashed on the way.

“Usopp…” the blond sighed, rubbing his ribs before reaching out to catch him. “Babe. Stop.”

He pulled his boyfriend firmly back in, settling him on his lap by force. “Look. Luffy just split up. His socials must already be swamped with messages. And I can’t even imagine how many guys are knocking at his door. Do you really think he needs you bursting in, panicking, right this second?”

Usopp worried his lip. “…You’re right.” He paused, then blurted again: “Then I’ll go see Law!”

“No.” Niji tightened his hold and locked his pale eyes on his. “What if it’s Luffy who’s in the wrong? You don’t know what happened. You should wait until things cool down.”

“But Niji…” Usopp protested, already trying to stand.

The blond grabbed him by the waist and hauled him back without gentleness. “No. Stay here.” His voice dropped lower. “Get back on my lap.”

Usopp flushed, his energy melting a bit in the face of his lover’s steady authority. He finally curled against him, hands clenched in his sweatshirt.

Niji stroked the nape of his neck, gentler. “Forget all that for now. Luffy and Law will sort out their mess. You’ve got better things to do than meddle.”

Usopp mumbled a sulky “…maybe.” But when Niji pressed a kiss into his hair, he finally relaxed, sighing against his chest.

---

Reiju and Perona were chatting peacefully when they stumbled—almost at the same time—on the news lighting up Instagram: Law and Luffy are no longer together.

“Huh?!” Perona breathed, eyes wide. “This is a joke, right?”

Reiju frowned, a little puzzled but not nearly as dramatic.

They didn’t have time for a thousand questions before an orange tornado burst into the room. “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!” Nami yelled, completely out of breath, her red hair flying everywhere.

She had dragged Yonji behind her, the poor guy still half out of it.

“It’s not that bad—” the Vinsmoke tried, raising a hand.

“It’s AWFUL!” Perona cried, collapsing theatrically onto the bed. “They were so cute together!”

“So cute?!” Nami piled on, fists clenched. “They were SOULMATES!”

Her voice rang so loudly that Yonji jumped.

Reiju rolled her eyes and stepped in, voice soft but firm: “Girls, calm down. Yelling won’t help. Law and Luffy are adults. If it wasn’t working, it wasn’t. And Nami… you yourself noticed things were off.”

Caught red-handed, the redhead bit her lip. “…You’re right, Reiju.”

“Wait, wait,” Perona cut in, waving her hands. “Nami said Law was hanging around Zoro and Sanji a lot, right? What if that’s related?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “What if Law… loves someone else?”

Immediately, they launched into debate like a TV panel. Theories, suspicions, details dredged from memory. Voices overlapped—Perona playing the impassioned detective, Nami the outraged attorney for lost love, and Reiju trying to temper it all with rational remarks.

Yonji, meanwhile, stayed seated in the desk chair, arms crossed. He followed the debate without a word, gaze drifting. Why am I here…? he sighed inwardly as the girls already started plotting who Law’s secret lover might be.

---

“Hey, check Law and Luffy’s socials,” Doflamingo said, a predatory smile tugging at his lips.

“What’s happening?” Crocodile asked, wary.

Doflamingo raised his phone, holding it like a trophy. “…Law and Luffy are no longer together.”

Silence dropped over the room. Then, immediately, everyone leaned toward the glowing screen, huddled like a pack of teenagers.

Shamrock blinked. “…They announced it publicly?”

“Oh yes.” Doflamingo scrolled through the comments at speed. “And look at this mess. It’s blowing up already: ‘couple shattered,’ ‘poor Luffy,’ ‘Law the traitor’… it’s a circus.”

Mihawk frowned. “Hmph. Typical. No sense of discretion.”

“Tch.” Crocodile lit a cigar, shaking his head. “It’s going to be a management disaster. Rumors will fly.”

“I think it’s hilarious,” Doflamingo snickered, grin even wider. “We’ve got a genuine soap opera on our hands.”

Buggy, poking his head through the door, leaned in. “Seriously?! Wait, move over, I wanna see!”

“Have you nothing better to do?” Crocodile growled.

Buggy shrugged, a painted smile on his red lips. “Absolutely not.”

Katakuri sighed, folding his arms. “It’s student drama, not a matter of state.”

“Easy to say when you didn’t mow down one of the leads last night,” Buggy shot back, cackling.

Katakuri flushed faintly. “…That’s unrelated.”

The hubbub swelled, each with their own commentary. Between Doflamingo’s thunderous laughter, Mihawk’s icy disapproval, Crocodile’s weariness, and Buggy’s theatrical gossip, the apartment was starting to feel like a newsroom in crisis.

---

The room had gradually quieted from last night’s chaos. Perona had found refuge against Reiju; the two were stretched out on the bed, surrounded by cushions and the soft scent of nail polish still hanging in the air.

Perona kept her usual teasing tone, but her gestures said otherwise: her hand rested on Reiju’s waist, fingers idly toying with the fabric of her dress. Reiju, for once, had let her impassive mask drop. She was smiling softly, brushing a stray pink strand from the goth’s hair.

Silence settled—comfortable.

Then, almost without thinking, Perona moved a little closer. Their breaths grazed, and Reiju gave in first, placing a light kiss on her lips. Perona went still for a second, surprised… then answered with a small, satisfied sigh.

“…You’re a good kisser,” she murmured with a sly smile.

“You too,” Reiju replied in an amused breath, caressing her cheek.

Their muffled laughter filled the room when a beep rattled Reiju’s phone screen. She frowned, grabbed the device beside them, and opened the message.

Her smile vanished at once.

“What?!” she cried, bolting upright.

Perona, startled, sat up too. “What is it?”

Reiju showed the screen with Sanji’s name. The words were still scrolling:

It was chaos last night… I was with Law and Zoro. We drank too much, we messed up. Luffy found out this morning. They broke up. It’s over.

Perona’s eyes flew wide. “Wait, what?!”

Reiju ran a nervous hand through her hair, rereading the message like it might magically change.

“They really broke up. Law and Luffy. So it’s not a fake rumor.”

They traded a stunned look.

“We talked for hours with Nami and Yonji last night,” Perona murmured. “We imagined everything… except this.”

Reiju sighed, looking grave. “Sanji doesn’t dramatize for nothing. If he’s saying it, things are truly serious.”

The phone buzzed again in her hand—a new message. She hesitated before opening it, heart tight.

Perona, pressed to her shoulder, breathed:

“…I have a feeling this story is blowing up even faster than we thought.”

Reiju nodded, fingers clenched around the phone, pensive.

The sweet moment they’d just shared had been swept away by a new storm.

---

The room had gradually quieted from last night’s chaos. Perona had found refuge against Reiju; the two were stretched out on the bed, surrounded by cushions and the soft scent of nail polish still hanging in the air.

Perona kept her usual teasing tone, but her gestures said otherwise: her hand rested on Reiju’s waist, fingers idly toying with the fabric of her dress. Reiju, for once, had let her impassive mask drop. She was smiling softly, brushing a stray pink strand from the goth’s hair.

Silence settled—comfortable.

Then, almost without thinking, Perona moved a little closer. Their breaths grazed, and Reiju gave in first, placing a light kiss on her lips. Perona went still for a second, surprised… then answered with a small, satisfied sigh.

“…You’re a good kisser,” she murmured with a sly smile.

“You too,” Reiju replied in an amused breath, caressing her cheek.

Their muffled laughter filled the room when a beep rattled Reiju’s phone screen. She frowned, grabbed the device beside them, and opened the message.

Her smile vanished at once.

“What?!” she cried, bolting upright.

Perona, startled, sat up too. “What is it?”

Reiju showed the screen with Sanji’s name. The words were still scrolling:

It was chaos last night… I was with Law and Zoro. We drank too much, we messed up. Luffy found out this morning. They broke up. It’s over.

Perona’s eyes flew wide. “Wait, what?!”

Reiju ran a nervous hand through her hair, rereading the message like it might magically change. “They broke up. Law and Luffy.”

They traded a stunned look.

“We talked for hours with Nami and Yonji last night,” Perona murmured. “We imagined everything… except this.”

Reiju sighed, looking grave. “Sanji doesn’t dramatize for nothing. If he’s saying it, things are truly serious.”

The phone buzzed again in her hand—a new message. She hesitated before opening it, heart tight.

Perona, snuggled against her shoulder, whispered: “…I’ve got a feeling this is about to blow up even faster than we thought.”

Reiju nodded, fingers tight around the phone, thoughtful.

The sweet moment they’d just shared had been swept away by a new storm.

Reiju stared at her phone screen a few seconds longer. She drew a deep breath before reading the latest message aloud:

> Onee-chan… you need to know. I love Zoro. And I also love Law. I realized it last night, at the worst possible moment. I don’t know what to do with that. I needed to say it.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Perona, mouth slightly open, looked at Reiju like she’d just heard the world end. “…Sanji in love? With two guys at once?!” She let out a nervous laugh. “Okay, I take it back. This isn’t a telenovela anymore—it’s straight-up Game of Thrones.”

Reiju didn’t react right away. Her thumb absently stroked the screen, thoughtful. Then another text bubble popped up, more hesitant.

> Law said it too. That he felt something for us. But… he was breaking up with Luffy. So I don’t know if he meant it or was just lost.

Reiju set the phone gently on the blanket, grave.

“…It’s worse than I thought,” she murmured.

Perona flopped back, arms folded behind her head, mock-blasé. “Let’s recap: Luffy and Law are done. Sanji loves Zoro AND Law. And Law… isn’t even sure how he feels. We’re swimming in chaos.”

She turned her head toward Reiju, a crooked smile forming. “…You know this is going to explode sooner or later, right?”

Reiju slowly nodded, her expression calm and cutting again. “Yes. And when it does… we’ll have to pick a side.”

Perona chuckled softly, leaned in, and set a light kiss on her cheek. “As long as you pick mine, that’s fine by me.”

Despite the gathering storm, Reiju allowed herself a small, discreet smile.

💚💚

Chapter Text

Monday morning was pure chaos.
The university’s social media was on fire. Stories, posts, screenshots — everyone had something to say.

Law and Luffy were the headlines of every rumor, dissected like celebrities: who cheated on who, who cried, who slept with who.
And Ichiji wasn’t spared either: already nicknamed “the Mad Vinsmoke,” his video of throwing Kid off a balcony had been remixed hundreds of times. Some even turned it into a wrestling meme.

Even the professors talked about it in the break room, pretending indifference while their eyes stayed glued to their phones.

In the hallways, whispers followed Law everywhere.

“Look, that’s him, Trafalgar Law…” a girl muttered, a cruel smile tugging at her lips.

“I never paid attention to him before. But honestly, poor Luffy for putting up with that guy,” another replied.

Law lowered his head, clutching his bag tighter against his shoulder. His cheeks burned. He wanted to disappear.

But a rough voice cut through the air.
“Get lost, bitches.”

Zoro had just planted himself between them and Law, glaring coldly at the two girls. His hand grabbed Law’s firmly, dragging him away without giving him a choice.

“Zoro…” Law tried, hesitant.

But the swordsman didn’t slow down. Sanji, who had rushed over from the other side of the hallway, raised a hand.
“Law… Zoro, I wanted to tell you—”

No time. Zoro seized his arm roughly and dragged them both along.

“Hey! Who the hell do you think you are, moss-head?!” Sanji snapped.

They burst into the teachers’ lounge. Zoro opened the door without thinking and shoved them inside, assuming it would be empty.

Except at the back, by the coffee machine, a few silhouettes — Crocodile, Shamrock, even Mihawk — froze mid-sip.

Zoro didn’t care.

He forced Law and Sanji onto the worn-out couch, towering over them with his arms crossed.

“What the hell was that, you idiot?!” Sanji barked, straightening his twisted jacket. “What if a teacher had been here?!”

Zoro raised a brow. “My dad won’t say shit. And Law’s won’t either, since his ‘parents’ are teachers too.”

“Zoro…” Law muttered nervously.

The green-haired man stared at them both, his dark eyes glowing with unusual intensity.

“We need to talk. Right now. Not outside, not in the halls, not under everyone’s eyes. Here. Now.”

He crossed his arms tighter, as if to steel himself.

“Because with all this crap… we can’t keep pretending.”

“Uh… are you sure no one’s here?” Sanji asked, glancing anxiously around.

“Yeah. And we’re fine here,” Zoro said, leaning against the desk, certain of himself.

Law, sitting stiffly on the couch, finally exploded:
“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Zoro stared at him for a second, then shrugged. “It’s Sanji.”

“Huh?!” The blond shot up to his feet. “What the hell?!”

“You’re the one who suggested going upstairs,” Zoro said flatly. “And you kissed Law first.”

Sanji’s eyes went wide. “No way! I’m sure you started it!”

“Me?! You’re insane!”

Law stood as well, his hands trembling. “You’re both wrong.”

They froze, stunned.

Law drew a shaky breath, his eyes glistening. “It was both of you. I… I wanted it. Not because you forced me, not because I was drunk. But because I was lonely, abandoned by Luffy… and you were there. Kind. Attentive. You saw me when no one else did.”

Silence fell. Zoro folded his arms, Sanji rubbed his neck nervously.

“So what now, Trafalgar?” Zoro asked in a low voice. “What do you want us to do?”

Sanji exhaled, his gaze shifting away. “We made a huge mess. But…” He took a deep breath. “Zoro, I won’t lie. I love you. And I love Law too.”

Zoro flinched, his eyes widening slightly. “…You serious?”

Sanji nodded, blushing despite himself. “Yeah. I’ve known since yesterday.”

Law’s chest tightened. His voice trembled:
“I said something yesterday… but I don’t know if you heard me. I said I cared about you both. It was true. But… I don’t know if I said it because I was broken after my breakup with Luffy… or because it’s how I really feel.”

Zoro pressed his lips together. “So… you’re not sure.”

Law lowered his head. “Not yet.”

The silence returned, heavy but different now. More sincere, more vulnerable.

Sanji sat down next to Law, hesitantly resting a hand on his arm. “So we stop yelling at each other, and what do we do? Do we wait until it passes? Or… do we try, the three of us?”

Zoro looked at them, his green eyes shining with unusual intensity.

“I’m not good with words. But if we do this… it’s not a game.”

Law lifted his head, meeting their gazes. For the first time, the weight of the outside chaos felt a little lighter.

Maybe, in the middle of this disaster, there was something worth saving.

---

“Stop!” Sanji raised his hands, cutting through the silence. His breath was short, his eyes glowing with worry. “It’s clearly too soon to try anything. We should… take a step back.”

Law and Zoro stared at him, surprised by his seriousness.

The blond looked away slightly, his fingers trembling. Then he whispered, softer:
“But… in the meantime… come here.”

He opened his arms, awkward, as if the simple gesture cost him all his courage. His blue eyes, though, betrayed his uncertainty.

Law hesitated for a second, then gave in first. He stepped forward and let himself sink into Sanji’s warmth, his tense shoulders finally loosening.

Zoro grumbled something unintelligible, but eventually joined them, his arms firm around the both of them. The smell of smoke, dried alcohol, and cheap soap wrapped around them.

For an instant, the outside world vanished. The rumors, the social media, the accusing stares… all gone.

All that remained was this clumsy but sincere contact: three lost students, broken by their choices, but still able to find warmth in a hug.

Sanji closed his eyes, murmuring almost inaudibly:

“…We’ll see later.”

Law slowly nodded against his shoulder.

Zoro stayed silent, but his embrace spoke for him.

---

The teachers’ lounge door closed behind the three students, leaving silence floating in their wake.

Mihawk set his half-full cup of coffee down, his yellow eyes narrowing.
“…Are they fucking kidding me?” he muttered coldly.

Shamrock, leaning against the wall, smirked. “Not really. They’re just… lost kids. Don’t you remember what you were like at their age?”

“Certainly not screwing around in a fourteen-year-old’s bed,” Mihawk retorted dryly, his fingers tapping the desk.

Crocodile, who had been silent until now, took a long drag of his cigar before exhaling smoke. His violet eyes lingered on the door.
“Hm. What I see is that they’re knee-deep in shit. But…” He paused. “At least they didn’t deny it. That’s more than we could expect.”

Shamrock crossed his arms, his grin widening. “You mean to say you find it… touching?”

Crocodile grunted. “I’m just saying they’re sticking together. And that’s already huge.”

Mihawk clenched his jaw, shooting Crocodile a murderous glare.
“Your optimism disgusts me. What I see is my son sinking into sex scandals and a student incapable of keeping a relationship intact.”

“You’re overreacting.” Shamrock placed a calming hand on his arm. “You heard it like I did: Sanji drew the line. They’ll take a step back. Nothing’s set in stone.”

Crocodile exhaled smoke again, a sharp smile curling his lips.
“Come on, admit it, Mihawk. Did you really expect your kid to get through college like a monk?”

Mihawk didn’t answer, his eyes still locked on the closed door.

Shamrock sighed softly. “Let them breathe. If they hold, good. If they break, it’s their lesson.”

Another heavy silence settled in, broken only by the drip of the coffee machine.

Crocodile finally concluded, his deep voice resonating through the room:
“Either way… this is only the beginning.”

---

The door creaked open, revealing Doflamingo, his wide grin stretched across his face, followed by the imposing Katakuri carrying a pile of papers under his arm.

“What’s going on here?” Doflamingo asked, his tone wavering between amusement and annoyance.

Katakuri frowned slightly. “My class was unbearable today. They were all glued to their phones… Does this have anything to do with something?” he asked, polite but firm.

Shamrock exchanged a look with Crocodile, who stubbed his cigar in the ashtray. Mihawk remained silent, his face closed.

Doflamingo raised a brow, intrigued by the unusual silence. “…What? Don’t tell me I missed a drama.”

Crocodile chuckled low. “You could say that.”

Katakuri gently set his papers down on the table. “…It’s about some students, isn’t it?”

“Students, yes,” Mihawk said icily. “Including my son.”

Doflamingo’s grin widened, his pink glasses gleaming. “Oooh… interesting. I bet this will stir things up.”

Shamrock rolled his eyes. “It already has.”

Katakuri sighed deeply, running a hand over his face. “…So it’s true. The rumors are real.”

💘💘

Chapter Text

Ichiji shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, his usually arrogant demeanor slightly cracked by exhaustion. In truth, he was relieved to bump into someone else hiding away from the chaos of the university.

“So it’s true…” he muttered, watching Luffy, curled up against the wall. “You’re getting your ass kicked too.”

Luffy lifted his dark, swollen eyes, still red from a bad night. “Yeah… except in my case, it’s my love life that’s making headlines.”

Ichiji gave a dry laugh, but it sounded hollow. “At least you’re not walking around as a meme.”

“Oh, I am.” Luffy shrugged. “There are edits of me all over, the ‘cheated-on boyfriend of campus.’”

A silence lingered. Ichiji clenched his jaw, looking away. “…We’re really in a vulture’s nest.”

Luffy nodded, tracing lazy circles in the dust with his finger. “Everyone thinks they know better than us what we should do. But they don’t know a thing.”

Ichiji stared at him longer than he meant to. This loud kid, someone he’d always tied to his brother’s antics, suddenly looked… grown. Tired. Almost familiar.

“Does this have to do with what you told me at that party?” Ichiji finally asked.

Luffy blinked, surprised. “You remember?”

Ichiji raised a brow. “I was drunk, not brain-dead.”

“Yeah…” Luffy sighed. “I didn’t sleep with the other person I love. But Law did—with Zoro and Sanji. So it all blew up. Because we never really talked. We just drifted.”

Ichiji stayed quiet, fiddling with his ring, then muttered in a lower voice:
“I’m not judging. Too much shit’s happened, that’s all. You’re not the only one messing things up.”

A small smile tugged at Luffy’s lips. “…Tell me, Ichiji. Wanna hang out a bit? Just so we’re not alone.”

The Vinsmoke arched a brow, thrown off by the simplicity of the offer. He scratched the back of his neck, then nodded with a fake air of nonchalance.

“Yeah. Why not.”

And without even realizing it, they started walking side by side, two worn-out silhouettes, united by a silent need to breathe away from everyone’s stares.

---

They hadn’t gone far — barely two streets behind campus — when Luffy and Ichiji sat down on a bench. For once, the silence wasn’t heavy. Just… soothing.

Ichiji had lit a cigarette, smoking it absentmindedly without flair. Luffy, meanwhile, gazed at the gray sky, his legs swinging idly.

“This feels good,” Luffy said suddenly.

“What does?”

“Being with someone who doesn’t throw twenty questions at me. Just… being here.”

Ichiji blew smoke to the side, a faint ironic smile crossing his lips. “I’m not about to give you life lessons. I’ve had enough crap of my own.”

Luffy chuckled softly — the first real laugh in a long while.

But the reprieve didn’t last. Just a few meters away, a phone camera flash caught them off guard. Luffy turned his head to see two students grinning wickedly, their phones aimed at them.

“Oh, hell no…” Ichiji growled, crushing his cigarette furiously.

“Wait!” Luffy shouted, but the girls were already giggling and backing away.

On their screens, the picture showed Luffy and Ichiji side by side on the bench — a mundane shot, but enough to fuel gossip.

Within an hour, the photo was everywhere:

“Luffy dumps Law for a Vinsmoke?!”
“Ichiji, new campus crush?!”
“The cheated-on kid and the freak: the unlikely duo!”

Luffy buried his face in his hands. “…This isn’t happening. Damn it, this isn’t happening.”

Ichiji clenched his fists, teeth grinding. “Fucking vultures…” Then, softer, to Luffy: “Listen, it’ll be loud for two days, then they’ll move on. Hang in there.”

Luffy nodded weakly, though his stomach was already twisted. This wasn’t just a breakup anymore… it was a story.

---

“What the hell is this?!” Reiju shot up, her phone clenched in her manicured hand. For five straight minutes she’d watched the same photo of Luffy and Ichiji pop up all over social media, and her patience snapped.

“Reiju…” Nami tried, raising her hands in a calming gesture. “Relax, blowing up won’t—”

“Reiju, baby…” Perona added gently, rising as well. But Reiju brushed her off, not unkindly — just determined.

Her pink eyes sparked with fury. “No. It’s time to set the record straight. We’re finding the bitch who posted that.”

Nami and Perona exchanged a worried glance. They both knew better than to get in the way of an angry Vinsmoke — especially Reiju.

Her heels clacked like war drums against the floor as she stormed down the campus halls. Her designer dress hugged her curves, each feline stride accentuating her poise. Her chest rose and fell with sharp breaths, exuding a queen’s wrath.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced at it, lips tightening: a message from Ichiji.

Ichiji: It’s not true. Seriously. Luffy and I just didn’t want to be alone. But no one believes me.

Reiju hissed under her breath, heels striking harder. “Of course they don’t believe you. You’ve got the reputation of an asshole, Ichiji.”

She gripped her phone tighter, quickening her pace. “If no one listens, then I’ll shove the truth down their throats.”

Nami gulped. “…She’s terrifying.”

Perona smiled faintly, arms crossed. “She’s perfect.”

---

Reiju barged into several classrooms before finding one Kalifa. Honestly, no one dared lie to her. She stormed straight into Mr. Katakuri’s lecture hall.

“Is there a Kalifa here?” Reiju demanded. No — commanded.

“That’s me. What do you want? The Vinsmokes are attention junkies lately,” the blonde sneered, flipping her hair.

“Uh… ladies, this is still a class,” Katakuri tried to calm them.

“Reiju…” Nami murmured nervously.

“Reiju, baby…” Perona whispered, reaching out, but Reiju brushed her aside gently and marched down the stairs, planting herself in front of Kalifa.

Phones were already raised, recording live. Half the campus tuned in instantly.

“Delete the post. Luffy and Ichiji aren’t together. Have some damn respect for privacy.”

“Don’t make a scene, you bimbo,” Kalifa shot back, standing. “Ichiji hiding behind his big sister? Oh no, I’m scared of a lesbian now.”

“Hey—” Perona started.

“Don’t move, Perona.” Reiju stopped her with a flick of her hand. Then, locking eyes with Kalifa: “Don’t make me repeat myself. Delete it, you bitch.” Her stiletto heel slammed against the desk.

“Oh yeah?” Kalifa shoved the desk forward, knocking into the student in front. “You wanna go like that?”

“What are you gonna do, Vinsmoke Reiju?”

The slap of the century cracked through the room, followed by gasps.

“Catfight!” some guy screamed, and chaos erupted.

The class exploded — shouts, laughter, cameras flashing. Students even climbed on desks for a better shot.

Katakuri rose, furious, towering over everyone. “ENOUGH!” he roared, his deep voice booming. But no one really cared: all eyes were locked on Reiju and Kalifa.

Kalifa, cheek blazing red, hissed: “Think you scare me?”

Reiju stepped closer, her shadow swallowing her. “This isn’t intimidation. It’s a promise. Delete. The. Post.”

Cameras zoomed in as Kalifa’s pride crumbled. Under pressure, she finally pulled out her phone and typed furiously. Seconds later, the original post vanished.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the room. Some groaned in disappointment, others immediately spread the screenshot proof of its deletion.

Perona finally reached her, slipping her cold hand into Reiju’s. “You put her in her place.”

Reiju turned on her heel, regal, her pink hair swishing. “This isn’t over,” she murmured. “The next one who touches my family or Luffy… I won’t stop at a slap.”

Katakuri rubbed his temples, drained, but he’d learned one thing: gossip had just met its match on this campus.

---

Yonji, sprawled on the couch with a half-eaten sandwich, nearly choked when his screen lit up with a notification. His eyes bulged.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!” he shouted, nearly spilling his drink.

Plastered across the front page:
“Campus bitches throw down”
And beneath it:
Vinsmoke Reiju: The Scariest & Sexiest Woman on Campus.

Niji burst into uncontrollable laughter. “Oh my god… the GIF! Look, Usopp, look! It’s like an anime scene. The way Kalifa’s head whips—priceless.”

The loop replayed endlessly: Reiju’s manicured hand flying like lightning, Kalifa’s head snapping sideways, and the students screaming “CATFIGHT!” in the background.

Usopp gawked, hands on his face. “O-oh my god! She’s terrifying!” He kept rewatching, shocked yet glued. “What is going on with this family?!”

Yonji hurled his phone onto a cushion. “Unbelievable! First Ichiji’s drama with Kid, now Reiju?! What do we look like, huh?!”

“Like icons,” Niji declared, still crying with laughter. “Seriously, I haven’t had this much fun in weeks. We’re gonna be legends.”

Usopp nodded frantically. “Terrifying legends, yeah! Reiju is… scary! But… sexy, too. I mean… I’m just saying—” His face went beet red as he shrank into his seat.

Niji cackled louder. “Oh no… you’ve got a crush on my sister?!”

“WHAT?! NO!” Usopp flailed. “I said she was sexy, not that—ugh, shut up already!”

Yonji groaned, though his eyes stayed glued to his screen. “Shit… in ten minutes, there’ll be memes of us everywhere. We’re screwed.”

Niji grinned wickedly. “And I can’t wait.”

---

Sanji nearly dropped his cigarette when the video lit up his screen. A shiver ran from his neck to his toes. “…Holy shit.”

Beside him, Zoro burst out laughing, doubled over. “Hahaha! I’ve always hated that Kalifa, but this… this is the best thing I’ve ever seen!”

Law, meanwhile, stared at the screen like he’d just witnessed a horror movie. “What was that slap?! It looked… superhuman. No one should be able to hit like that.”

Sanji dragged a shaky hand down his face, replaying the video. There was Reiju striding down the stairs like a queen, the staccato of her heels followed by the earth-shattering SLAP. The crowd erupted with “CATFIGHT!”

“What the hell happened while we were in the staff room?!” Sanji blurted.

Zoro, still laughing, slammed his fist on the table. “Your sister just became a weapon of mass destruction, that’s what!”

Law, pale, muttered: “…If she can slap like that… imagine what her brothers must go through at home.”

Sanji shuddered, lighting another cigarette. “Tch… trust me, you don’t wanna imagine.”

The three of them sat in silence, eyes glued to the loop — one laughing hysterically, one terrified, and the last already wondering if social media would survive this chaos.

---

Katakuri trudged back into the staff lounge, shoulders slumped like a scolded child. He dropped a stack of graded papers onto the table and sighed, eyes downcast.

Buggy rushed over with a falsely cheerful smile. “Ohhh, Katakuri, don’t make that face! You did what you could, really! Reiju’s… a hurricane in heels. No one stops that.”

Doflamingo, on the other hand, was in hysterics, doubled over on the couch, tears streaming. “HAHAHA! Look at it! The slap of the century! A fucking masterpiece!” He kept looping the clip, shaking with laughter.

Shamrock, more composed, stood frozen before the screen, his seriousness cutting through the chaos. “I have to admit… it’s impressive.” He crossed his arms. “The precision. The speed. It’s practically choreographed.”

Mihawk, behind him, nodded slowly, arms folded. “I agree. Imagine if it had been a kick. The girl would’ve hit the ceiling.” His icy tone betrayed a faint satisfaction at Kalifa’s humiliation.

Doflamingo collapsed against the couch, wheezing. “Hahaha… I can’t… She redefined the word bitch. We need a statue of that girl!”

“Shut it, idiot,” Crocodile snapped with a glare. Then he turned to Katakuri. “And you… why the hell didn’t you step in?! You’re the responsible adult here!”

Katakuri, still slumped, raised his hands weakly. “I tried! I told them to stop… then she yelled at me.” He pouted faintly, looking down.

Buggy patted his arm sympathetically. “My god… you’re two meters tall, you scare everyone… and you got steamrolled by a college girl in a cocktail dress.”

“…She was terrifying,” Katakuri admitted softly, sincerely.

Shamrock chuckled quietly, while Doflamingo dissolved into another fit of laughter. Mihawk closed his eyes with a long sigh, though the faint flicker of amusement in his gaze betrayed him.

Crocodile stubbed his cigar out in the ashtray. “Tch. And this campus was already a shitshow… now it’s turned into an arena.”

❣️❣️

Chapter Text

Ichiji scrolled through his feed, eyes still half-closed. The post about him and Luffy had vanished—buried under the storm caused by Reiju’s slap. His sister was already trending everywhere, hailed as a living legend.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket with a sigh.
“…Your sister… she’s strong.”

“Yeah,” Ichiji replied in a flat tone, almost proud despite himself. “Good thing she stepped in. That’s one less problem to deal with.”

Luffy nodded, his shoulders easing a little. “You’re right…”

Silence fell between them—not awkward this time. For once, no lingering stares, no cameras flashing. Just two guys sitting side by side, catching their breath.

Ichiji straightened up, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “You’ll be fine. Come on, class is starting. If you need me… call.”

Luffy blinked up at him, surprised by the simplicity of the words. Then a small smile tugged at his lips. “Thanks, Ichiji.”

And side by side, they headed toward the building, leaving behind the chaos of social media and Reiju’s sudden fame.

---

Ichiji was making his way down the science building stairs, head low, phone in hand. His face was still plastered all over weekend memes, and he just wanted to get across campus without someone shouting “Crazy Vinsmoke” at him.

He lifted his eyes—
and his heart jumped.

Katakuri was striding down the opposite hallway, tall and steady, arms full of files. Students instinctively moved out of his path, as though his presence was too heavy to ignore.

Ichiji froze.
Shit. Him.

The memory hit him instantly: the car, the panic, that deep voice asking if he was okay… and the night he had somehow ended up asleep in the faculty wing. And him, this ridiculously hot man, who turned out to be… a professor.

Katakuri spotted him. His steps slowed, serious eyes locking on the blond.

Ichiji instantly looked away, heat rushing to his cheeks. Just act like you’re checking your phone. Act casual.

But a massive shadow drew closer.

“…Vinsmoke Ichiji.” That calm thunder of a voice rolled out.

Ichiji tightened his grip on his phone. “…Yeah?”

Katakuri stopped right in front of him. No smirk, no scolding expression—just that overwhelming presence. “We need to talk.”

Ichiji finally looked up, heart hammering out of control.
Shit… I’m done for.

---

Katakuri stood there, files under his arm, gaze steady but not harsh.

“We need to talk.”

Ichiji braced for a lecture, a scolding, some crushing reminder of his screw-ups. But Katakuri tilted his head slightly, his deep voice unexpectedly gentle.

“You vanished this weekend without a word. I was worried.”

Ichiji blinked. One beat. Two. Then he stammered, caught off guard:

“Y-you were… worried?”

Katakuri simply nodded. “You were drunk, injured. I couldn’t leave you alone. So you slept in the faculty wing.”

Ichiji’s cheeks burned dangerously. Why the hell was he saying it like that? Like it was nothing? Like it was normal to take care of a bastard like me?

Katakuri continued calmly: “There’s no shame in it. No one judged you.”

Ichiji, frozen, turned his head away, muttering: “Easy for you to say… The whole campus is laughing at me.”

A soft silence followed. Then Katakuri, towering over him, placed one large, surprisingly warm hand on the blond’s shoulder.

“They laugh because they don’t know. You’re worth more than those rumors.”

Ichiji’s heart skipped a beat. His lips parted, but no words came. He wanted to spit out a cocky comeback, some sharp remark to hide his red face—but nothing would come out.

Why… why is this giant being so damn kind?

He felt doomed. None of the guys he’d dated had ever spoken to him like that, with that softness. It was too much. Way too much.

“…Thanks,” he muttered finally, barely audible.

Katakuri nodded, as if that was all that needed to be said. Then he walked on, steady and unshakable, heading for the faculty room.

Ichiji stayed rooted to the spot, heart in shambles, neck flushed scarlet.

Doomed. I’m screwed. Why the hell is he cute too?!

---

Luffy still carried a knot in his chest from his whirlwind breakup with Ichiji. But the moment he pushed open the lecture hall doors, all of that evaporated.

There, at the front, stood Buggy.

His professor wore a black turtleneck that hugged his frame, suspenders highlighting his build, and his tied-up blue hair spilled neatly over his shoulder. Even his trademark red nose seemed to shine brighter under the tired neon lights of the hall.

Waaah…

All the whispers about him, all the stares—“Law’s ex,” “campus drama magnet”—vanished. Luffy only saw one thing: Buggy.

He sat down, opened his notebook… but instead of taking notes, he scribbled one shaky sentence:

“I think I love you.”

He kept rereading it, heart pounding, gaze glued to the man at the board. Buggy’s voice echoed through the amphitheater as he wrote in chalk—but to Luffy, it was like a lullaby.

His chin rested in his hand, lips parted, and soon he was drooling slightly. He didn’t take a single note, too busy daydreaming. In his head, Buggy would turn around, smile, reach out a hand to him in front of everyone, just like in a movie.

When Buggy lifted his head, sharp eyes sweeping the room, Luffy sat bolt upright, convinced he’d been caught.

Oh my god… he’s even hotter when he frowns.

---

Buggy, usually absorbed in his lecture, turned toward the students. His gaze swept over the rows until it landed squarely on Luffy.

The boy’s heart nearly gave out.

Buggy narrowed his eyes, brows knitting.
“…Monkey D. Luffy. You planning on following my class, or just drooling all over your desk?”

Laughter rippled through the hall.

Luffy blushed so hard he could have combusted on the spot. He wiped his mouth frantically with his sleeve, sitting up like a kid caught misbehaving.
“I-I was! I swear!” he stammered, unable to meet his eyes.

Buggy didn’t answer. He just sighed, turning back to the board, resuming his explanation in his firm, commanding voice. But deep down, he had noticed that dazed, starry look.

And Luffy, despite his embarrassment, only blushed harder. Because at least, Buggy had noticed him.

---

Buggy carried on as if nothing happened, chalk squeaking on the board. His straight posture, dark turtleneck, and tied hair gave him an almost untouchable aura.

But when he glanced to the side, he caught Luffy still flushed, gripping his pen, pretending to take notes while sneaking glances at him.

Buggy quickly looked away, stifling a smirk. This kid… he’ll burn himself out staring like that.

Out loud, he snapped:
“Anyone who can’t focus is free to leave my lecture.”

It was meant for everyone, but Luffy felt like the words were aimed directly at him.

He lowered his head, heart pounding, unable to hide the stupid grin spreading across his face.

And in some corner of his mind, Buggy caught himself wondering why this damn brat always looked at him with those eyes.

---

The class ended in a rush of students eager to leave. Luffy stayed seated until the very last second, clutching a small, crumpled paper in his hand. His chest was about to explode.

When Buggy walked down the aisle to collect assignments, Luffy practically leapt up.
“P-professor!” He thrust the paper at him, face scarlet.
Buggy raised a brow. “…What now?”
“I-it’s… extra homework! Yeah, homework!” Luffy stuttered.

Buggy sighed, snatched the paper without a word, and stuffed it into his pile before leaving.

Later, in the faculty lounge, Buggy settled down with a steaming cup of coffee. Mihawk, Crocodile, and Shamrock were murmuring together. Doflamingo was cackling at his phone, scrolling through memes.

Buggy started sorting through the stack of papers… when the crumpled note resurfaced. Curious, he unfolded it.

Messy, shaky words stared back at him:

“Professor Buggy,
I think I love you.
When I look at you, I forget everything else. Even if you never answer, I had to write it. — Luffy”

Buggy froze, eyes wide.

“What’s that?” Crocodile asked, noticing his odd expression.

Buggy quickly folded the paper, heart racing for reasons he couldn’t name.
“…Nothing,” he muttered, shoving it deep in the pile.

But the faint color on his cheeks didn’t go unnoticed.

Shamrock arched a brow, amused. Doflamingo burst out laughing without even knowing why. Mihawk glanced up from his book, quietly intrigued.

Buggy took a long sip of coffee, as if to anchor himself. Shit. The kid’s serious.

---

Katakuri had barely entered when he dropped the stack of papers, sheets scattering across the floor.

“Sorry, Buggy.” He crouched down immediately, gathering them with his usual meticulous care.

Buggy groaned. “Watch it, damn it…”

But while putting the pile back together, Katakuri noticed the small wrinkled sheet. He unfolded it, assuming it was just some stray note.

His eyes landed instantly on the shaky confession:

“I think I love you. — Luffy.”

Katakuri froze. His eyes widened.
“…What the hell is this?”

Buggy nearly snatched it out of his hands. “Nothing!” he snapped, face flushed with irritation.

But Katakuri wasn’t buying it. His huge arm stayed outstretched, blocking him. “Hold up…” His voice was low, serious. “Don’t tell me… this came from that kid, Luffy?”

Silence. Crocodile and Doflamingo looked up, intrigued. Shamrock crossed his arms, smirking.

“You realize, Buggy,” Katakuri continued, incredulous, “this kid is right in the middle of all the drama with Law, Sanji, and Zoro. And now he drops… a love note?”

Buggy slammed the paper down on the table, cheeks strangely warm.
“Damn it…” he muttered. “I didn’t ask to be dragged into their crap…”

The professors swarmed around them like bees, the note passing from hand to hand.

“When did he give you this?!” Crocodile snapped, nearly grabbing Buggy by the collar. “Is this why Law and Luffy—”

“Easy, Wani.” For once, Doflamingo raised a calming hand. “I don’t think Buggy’s directly at fault here. Look at him—he’s just as lost as we are.”

Buggy, pressed against his chair, lifted his hands defensively. “I just got it! He handed it to me saying it was extra homework. How the hell was I supposed to know it was a love confession?!”

Shamrock chuckled softly, entertained by Buggy’s panic. “Honestly, believable. Buggy’s not nearly subtle enough to mastermind all this drama.”

“Hey!” Buggy barked, offended.

Mihawk, silent until now, simply gave a glacial look. “That doesn’t change the fact that you’re in the middle of this now. If word gets out, it’ll be a scandal.”

Katakuri folded his arms, serious. “We need to handle this carefully. Maybe it was just impulsive. But with the campus in chaos already…”

Crocodile sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Great. Like I needed more headaches on top of my kids’ mess.”

Buggy buried his face in his hands. Damn it, why does this crap always fall on me?

🌺🌺

Chapter Text

The cafeteria buzzed with laughter, clinking glasses, and trays sliding awkwardly across tables. Yet Luffy didn’t hear a thing. He stood there at the entrance, his half-empty tray in his hands, eyes locked on one single person.

Buggy.

The teacher was seated with other staff members, his long blue hair neatly tied into a complicated braid that fell over his shoulder. A few strands escaped around his made-up face, enhancing that strange mix of severity and charm he exuded. His leopard-print shirt, slightly unbuttoned, revealed the start of his chest, contrasting with the nervous elegance of his gestures. He was speaking with Mihawk and Doflamingo, but Luffy was certain Buggy had already noticed him.

Because Buggy had turned his head once.
And their eyes had met.

Luffy’s heart had leapt in his chest, his breath cut short. He’d looked away immediately, blushing to the tips of his ears, but he couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Buggy, as if every movement of the man pulled his attention like a magnet.

Buggy kept chatting with his colleagues, a faint smirk on his lips. But under the table, his fingers tapped nervously against his glass. He could feel the boy’s gaze clinging to him. And, against his will, it unsettled him.

Katakuri, seated beside him, noticed the tension. “Everything okay?” he asked quietly.

“Hm.” Buggy cleared his throat, regaining composure. “Yeah. Just… too much noise, that’s all.”

But he knew it wasn’t the noise.
It was Luffy.
And that damned note still in his pocket.

---

Luffy finally made up his mind. Still holding his tray, he walked toward the teachers’ table, ignoring the amused stares of students who had already pulled out their phones to film.

“Professor Buggy…” His voice trembled a little, but he held firm.

The table went still. Mihawk barely raised an eyebrow, Crocodile set his glass down heavily, and Doflamingo stretched a smile that promised a thousand sarcastic remarks. Katakuri just looked awkward on the boy’s behalf.

Buggy, tense, lifted his eyes to Luffy.
“What now, monkey? Want another extra assignment?”

Color flooded Luffy’s cheeks. His fingers tightened on his tray.
“You… you read it?”

A heavy silence dropped over the table. The teachers exchanged knowing looks.
Crocodile, arms crossed, muttered, “Finally. We’re getting to it.”

Buggy paled slightly, his rings clinking against his empty glass.
“…Read what?” he tried, feigning nonchalance.

“You know exactly what,” Luffy insisted, his voice trembling but steady. “What I gave you yesterday… Did you read it?”

Buggy averted his eyes, fixing on some invisible point above the students’ heads.
Yes, he’d read it. Every word. And it still clung to his skin like a scent he couldn’t wash off.

Shamrock, amused, broke the silence. “He read it.”

“He read it,” Doflamingo confirmed with a snicker.

“Shut up, both of you!” Buggy snapped, too red to keep denying it.

Luffy, his heart pounding, latched onto that truth.
“Then… then you know how I feel.”

Buggy pressed his lips together, unable to answer. Under the table, his fists clenched. Yes, he knew. And everyone around him knew now too.

---

Buggy took a deep breath, the blush rising beneath his makeup. His voice dropped lower, almost rough, loud enough only for the table and Luffy to hear:

“Luffy… I read it.”

The boy’s heart leapt, but Buggy went on immediately:

“But I don’t understand… You just broke up with your boyfriend. It was a whole thing. I don’t know what happened between you two, but… I’m your teacher. You know what that means, right?”

Luffy opened his mouth, ready to respond, but Buggy lifted a hand to silence him, his rings glinting under the cafeteria lights.

“We’re even in public. Everyone’s watching us. And I’m… older.”

A tense silence settled. Far off, you could just hear trays being set down and muffled laughter. Luffy’s fists tightened on his tray, his eyes bright with a mix of shame and determination.

Buggy couldn’t tear his gaze away from the boy. His furrowed brow, his tight lips… he didn’t know how to speak to him without breaking everything, without betraying himself too.

Behind them, Mihawk cut in with an icy voice:
“You’ve already gone too far by answering.”

Doflamingo chuckled. “Too late. Looks like the seed’s planted.”

“Shut up!” Buggy barked, furious, before turning all his attention back to Luffy.
He sighed, his voice softening, almost weary.

“Listen, Luffy. I’m not going to tear up that note. I’m not going to pretend I didn’t read it either. But… this isn’t a conversation we can have here.”

His eyes hardened for a second.
“Find me after class. Then we can talk.”

---

Buggy had leaned forward slightly, one elbow on the table, his long blue hair sliding over his shoulder in a studied motion he didn’t even mean to make. His finely drawn brow arched, waiting.

Luffy clutched his bag to him like a lifeline. His face flickered between a strained smile, the urge to cry, and a deep crimson creeping up to his ears. His eyes fixed on Buggy with the clumsy intensity of a kid who’d just jumped off a cliff with no net.

He wanted to say something, anything. His lips parted, but his breath caught. Instead of a clear sentence, a confused stammer slipped out:
“I-I… I just wanted to…”

His fingers fumbled nervously at his bag, and he stumbled back a little, bumping the edge of the table with a sharp sound. Several heads turned in the cafeteria.

Buggy frowned, his rings clicking against his glass. But he said nothing. He wanted to see if Luffy would hold his ground… or back down.

Finally, Luffy drew a breath, lowered his head, and obeyed. Without another word, he spun on his heel, clutching his bag like a shield, and strode out of the cafeteria.

Around the table, Doflamingo chuckled. “Tame little monkey.”
Katakuri just sighed. “You could’ve been gentler.”

Buggy, tense, didn’t answer. His eyes stayed fixed on the door Luffy had just disappeared through. He’d won that little standoff… but inside, he felt like he’d lost something essential.

---

Luffy walked fast, too fast, his breath shallow. His bag thumped against his hip, but he didn’t slow until he’d left the cafeteria and turned two corners.

At last he stopped in a deserted corner near the vending machines and leaned against the cold wall. His legs trembled.

He pressed his hands to his burning face.
“…I’m so pathetic,” he murmured between his fingers.

He could still see Buggy, that piercing look, that arched brow. The way he’d spoken so low, so serious. “I’m your teacher. You know what that means?”

Luffy gritted his teeth. His eyes stung, and he wanted to smash something.

He’d thought he was brave, writing that letter.
He’d thought he was strong enough to confess.
But facing him, facing that smirk, facing the entire teachers’ table who all knew… he’d crumbled.

He slid down the wall, crouching, his knees drawn up to his chest.
“…I messed everything up with Law. And now…” His voice cracked. “…I’m going to mess everything up with him too.”

A heavy silence fell, broken only by the hum of the vending machine.

For the first time in a long while, Luffy felt alone. Really alone.

And yet, deep in his chest, that stubborn warmth refused to fade. The warmth of his gaze on Buggy.
A ridiculous love. Impossible. But one he couldn’t extinguish.

🤡🤡

Chapter Text

The cafeteria slowly returned to its usual din, but at the teachers’ table, silence had taken on a strange turn. They all still had the image of Luffy leaving the room, red-faced and trembling.

Buggy crossed his arms over his chest, his foot tapping nervously against the tiles.
“…Well. What? Stop looking at me like that.”

“You brushed him off,” Katakuri remarked calmly, his massive arms folded. “You think that’s the end of it?”

Mihawk sighed, annoyed. “Of course not. That kid is stubborn.”

Doflamingo burst out with a sharp laugh, almost covering the clatter of cups. “Stubborn and in love! Did you see his face, Buggy? He looked like an abandoned dog.”

“Shut up!” Buggy snapped, his cheeks red. He clenched his cup in his ringed fingers so hard the plastic cracked. “I’m not responsible for his crap. I didn’t ask for this.”

“But you read it,” Crocodile cut in, his heavy voice leaving no room for denial. His gaze locked on Buggy’s. “And that changes everything.”

Buggy looked away, his lips pressing tight.
“Yeah… I read it. So what? Should I have just tossed it in the trash?”

“You should have been clearer,” Shamrock replied, leaning back in his chair. “The poor kid still thinks he has a chance.”

Buggy clicked his tongue, annoyed, but his fingers stopped tapping.
He could brag all he wanted, something had lodged itself in his chest the moment Luffy had looked at him with that mix of determination and fear.

He ran a hand through his blue hair tied back in a ponytail, tugging on the braid as if to ease his tension.
“Tch… Damn it.”

Around him, the teachers exchanged knowing looks. Buggy was putting on a show, but they all saw he was already more involved than he wanted to admit.

---

Buggy raised his hands theatrically, his glittering rings catching the light.
“I’ve got nothing against him! It’s just… anyone would’ve been flattered, right?” He waved his hand, as if that settled the matter. “Well, except Katakuri, you’re all married… you can’t understand.”

Silence fell.

Katakuri calmly nodded.
“I can understand.”

Everyone turned to him. Even Mihawk raised an eyebrow.

Unfazed, Katakuri added:
“There’s this kid… Ichiji. I think I like him.”

Buggy nearly choked.
“Oh.” He blinked, utterly floored.

Doflamingo burst out laughing. “Beautiful! The giant falls for a Vinsmoke.”

Crocodile growled. “Just what we needed.”

Shamrock smirked on the side. “At least it balances the drama.”

Buggy shook his head, still shocked.
“You’re… serious?”

Katakuri nodded, as calm as a monk. Then he laid a heavy hand on Buggy’s shoulder.
“You should go talk to him too.”

“Huh?!” Buggy recoiled, blush creeping back to his cheeks.

“Fix your hair. And… go.” Katakuri gave him a gentle push with surprising seriousness. “Go on.”

Buggy rolled his eyes, already grumbling:
“Okay, okay! But only because you said so.”

He stood up theatrically, his leopard coat flaring behind him. His fellow teachers watched him leave the cafeteria, half-laughing, half-curious.

“You think he’ll actually do it?” Shamrock muttered as he lit a cigarette.

Mihawk, impassive, took a sip of coffee.
“If he redoes his braid, then yes.”

---

The hallway was nearly empty, dimly lit by flickering neon lights. The hum of the vending machine half-covered the sound of rain beginning to tap against the windows.

Luffy, curled up against the wall, startled when a colorful silhouette crouched in front of him.

Buggy.

His blue hair, still tied in a braid, faintly gleamed under the artificial light. His leopard-print coat smelled faintly of perfume and cold smoke. His usually mocking, painted eyes seemed strangely… serious.

“It’s starting to rain,” Buggy murmured, his voice softer than in class. “And that old leaky roof in the yard… it won’t keep you dry.”

Luffy froze, his eyes wide like a kid caught red-handed.
“P-professor…”

Buggy sighed, crossing his arms over his knees.
“Sorry for saying all that in front of the others. I’m an idiot, I know. But…” He hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before locking back onto Luffy.
“I want to know your version, Luffy. Not what’s on social media, not what your friends say… You. What you think of me.”

The silence between them thrummed, tense.

Luffy swallowed hard, his heart pounding like mad. It felt like the whole world had vanished, leaving only Buggy crouched there, his pale eyes fixed on him.

His lips trembled.
He had dreamed of this moment so many times, but now that Buggy was asking him directly… he didn’t know if he had the courage to speak.

Luffy drew a deep breath, his fingers clenching around his bag strap. His face flushed bright red, his cheeks burning.

“I… I love you.”

The words burst out in a single breath. Too loud, too blunt, but honest.

He wanted to hide, to look away, but his eyes stayed locked on Buggy’s.
“Since… since the start of the year, I think. I… I waited for your classes like they were the only thing that mattered. Even when I was with Law… even when I told myself it wasn’t normal…”

His voice shook, but he pressed on, as if the words had finally broken free.
“When you talk, when you write on the board… even when you ignore me… I can’t look away. It’s like… like you pull me in completely.”

He gave a nervous laugh, a tear slipping from his eye that he wiped away with the back of his hand.
“It’s stupid, right? But I can’t keep it to myself anymore. I love you, Buggy. Really.”

He lowered his head, ashamed, his heart hammering so hard he thought it would burst.

Buggy, still crouched before him, didn’t move. His breathing slowed, his gaze unreadable. His fingers tightened on the fabric of his pants.

He had just heard what no teacher should ever hear.

And yet, he couldn’t convince himself it was “nothing.”

Buggy inhaled, his eyes lingering on Luffy’s flushed, trembling face. He stayed silent a moment, then said quietly:

“I was married.”

Luffy blinked, caught off guard.
“Huh…?”

Buggy looked away, his fingers nervously playing with one of his rings. His voice, deeper now, lost its usual irony.
“The divorce was hard on me. I’ve had time to pick myself up, but… it left scars.”

He paused, weighing his words. Then he looked back at Luffy, his eyes shining under the makeup.
“So… are you sure you could try with me? Not a whim, not a spur of the moment. Be serious? Because I’m not looking for amusement, Luffy.”

His lips pressed tight.
“I want something real. Something stable.”

Luffy froze, his heart thundering in his chest. He had never seen Buggy like this: not theatrical, not mocking, but almost… fragile.

The contrast between his flamboyant clothes, his carefully tied blue hair, and the gravity of his words hit the boy hard.

And instead of retreating, Luffy clenched his fists.
He wanted to say yes. More than anything.

He lifted his head suddenly, his cheeks still burning, but his eyes blazing with determination.

“Yes!”

Buggy flinched.
“…Huh?”

“Yes, I’m sure!” Luffy repeated, louder. “I’m serious. I don’t just want to… I don’t know… fool around or distract myself. I want you. Even if you’re older, even if you’re my teacher, even if everyone says it’s nonsense… I don’t care!”

His hands trembled, but he didn’t look away.
“I can’t explain it, but… when I think about you, it makes me stronger. I’m not afraid to say I love you, and I’m not afraid to fight for it. So yes, I can be serious. With you.”

A heavy silence fell, broken only by the drumming of rain against the windows.

Buggy, crouched in front of him, stood frozen for a few seconds. His lips parted, but no words came. He hadn’t expected this. Not this raw intensity, not this unfiltered sincerity.

His heart gave a painful jolt in his chest.

He ran a hand down his face, letting out a shaky sigh.
“…You’re really hopeless, Luffy.”

But his eyes glimmered, and for the first time in a long while, his smile was neither forced nor mocking.

---

Buggy stayed silent a few more seconds, his gaze locked on Luffy’s as if still searching for an escape. But instead of backing away, he yanked off his leopard coat in a sudden gesture.

He draped it over Luffy’s shoulders, almost engulfing him.
“Now. It’s cold. Go home.”

Luffy, startled, looked down at the warm fabric smelling of Buggy’s perfume and smoke. His heart raced so fast it made him dizzy.

Buggy slowly straightened up, towering over him. His hands rested on his hips, his rings clicking softly.
“You don’t have to worry about what I think of you anymore.”

His lips curved into a faint smirk, but this time without irony. More like a promise.
“We’ll talk about it. Again.”

Then he turned away, his blue hair swaying down his back, leaving Luffy no chance to reply.

Luffy stayed frozen, clutching the coat tighter around him. His face was scarlet, but a foolish smile escaped despite himself.

He had spoken.
Buggy had listened.
And even though there were still walls between them, Buggy hadn’t rejected his feelings.

For the first time in weeks, Luffy felt… light.

🌊🌊

Chapter Text

Ichiji would never have admitted it out loud — not even under torture — but he felt lonely.

His brothers flaunted their lovers everywhere: Niji and Usopp, inseparable like some lovesick couple; Yonji and Nami, always clinging to each other; and even Reiju, who had made headlines with Perona after that spectacular slap. And him? He just dragged his feet across campus, hands buried in the pockets of his beige coat, sunglasses pushed up into his blond hair, ignoring the muffled laughter and whispers that followed him everywhere.

The nickname “Crazy Vinsmoke” waited for him in every hallway. The videos of him throwing Kid off the balcony had been remixed in slow motion, set to ridiculous background songs. Everyone made fun of him.

Ichiji clenched his teeth and walked faster.

“I don’t need any of that,” he muttered to himself. “No friends, no relationship. That stuff never works for me anyway.”

But his fingers trembled slightly in his pockets, and his clenched jaw betrayed the truth.

He looked up when a tall figure appeared in front of him, unmoving like a wall.
Katakuri.

Straight-backed in his black turtleneck, calm and composed, hands in the pockets of his dark trousers. His steady gaze contrasted sharply with Ichiji’s inner chaos.

“…You again,” the blond muttered, caught off guard.

Katakuri stepped closer, calm as ever. “Hey, Ichiji. You look… tired.”

Ichiji let out a short, dry laugh. “Seriously? Thanks, Captain Obvious.”

“Come on,” Katakuri said without taking offense. “Let’s get a coffee.”

Ichiji shrugged, trying to hide the red creeping up his neck.
“Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Katakuri didn’t reply. He simply placed a large hand on Ichiji’s shoulder and gently guided him out of the hallway.

A few minutes later, they were sitting in a quiet corner of the café. Katakuri had set two coffees in front of them.

Ichiji crossed his arms, staring away. “I don’t know what you’re after, but I’m not the ‘heart-to-heart’ type.”

“I’m not after anything,” Katakuri replied, his voice deep but gentle. “I just want to be here.”

Ichiji’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head—and froze when Katakuri lifted his hand.

“Wait. You’ve got something there.”

“What?!”

The tall man leaned closer and, with his thumb, wiped the corner of Ichiji’s cheek. “Jam,” he said simply.

Ichiji froze, ears burning bright red. He wanted to yell, explode, slam the table—but instead he stammered:

“What the hell are you doing…?”

Katakuri smiled faintly, without mockery. “Helping you.”

Ichiji looked away, gripping the hot cup as if it could absorb all his nerves.

The silence stretched, broken only by the low hum of voices around them. Then Katakuri spoke again, calm as ever:

“Ichiji… I don’t know if you realized it, but the other night, I felt something.”

The blond stiffened. “What?”

“You act arrogant, untouchable. But I saw something else. A loneliness you’re trying to hide. And that… it got to me.”

Ichiji laughed nervously. “You’re completely insane if you want me.”

Katakuri met his gaze steadily. “Then I’m insane.”

Ichiji stared at him, lips slightly parted, unable to find a comeback. His heart was beating way too fast.

They left the café together. On the walk to the dorms, Ichiji walked two steps ahead, just to hide his flushed face. Katakuri followed quietly, as if he had all the time in the world.

In front of the building, he stopped. “I’m not used to losing my balance,” he said softly. “But with you… I think I’ll be back for more.”

Ichiji stood frozen.

Heart racing, palms sweaty, unable to admit he had just blushed like an idiot in front of the tallest, kindest—and probably most dangerous—man for his defenses.

---

“What did you just say?!” Ichiji shouted, his voice too loud, drawing several glances.

He slammed his fist against the wall, pain shooting up his hand. His eyes burned with anger… or panic.

“Didn’t you hear me?! For days everyone’s been talking about me, laughing at me! I’m a student, you’re a teacher, and you come to me, calm as anything, and tell me that despite all that, you fell in love with me?! Are you out of your damn mind?!”

The silence around them grew heavy. The students nearby lowered their voices. Katakuri, however, didn’t move. He watched Ichiji calmly, unbothered in his black sweater.

Ichiji gritted his teeth, fingers clenched on the table.“What’s your problem, huh? You think I need some teacher to come play therapist with me? You think I’m… what? Weak? Pathetic?”

His voice broke on the last word, revealing a crack he desperately wanted to hide.

Katakuri slowly set down his cup, his gray eyes steady on Ichiji’s. “No,” he said quietly. “I think you’re strong. But being strong doesn’t mean being alone.”

Ichiji froze, unable to speak. His lips twitched in a nervous grimace. “You don’t get it…”

Katakuri leaned forward slightly, his tall frame nearly looming over him—but his voice stayed soft, never threatening. “Maybe not. But I know what I felt, Ichiji. This isn’t about titles or teacher and student. It’s about you. And that’s something I can’t ignore.”

Ichiji turned away sharply, red to the ears. “You’re insane,” he muttered.

Katakuri gave a faint smile. “Then I’m insane. But I’m not backing down.”

The blond spun around suddenly, as if to flee. His steps were quick, uneven, his heart pounding too hard to calm down. Behind him, Katakuri didn’t move. He stood there in front of the dorms, calm, as if he already knew that sooner or later, Ichiji would come back.

---

Ichiji slammed the dorm door without a word. Yonji mumbled something, Law barely looked up from his book, and Zoro was snoring in the corner. He wasn’t about to deal with any of them. Everyone could handle their own crap.

He crossed the room like a storm, threw his coat onto a chair, and locked himself in his room. The sudden silence wrapped around him like a weight.

He collapsed onto his bed, face buried in the pillow, and groaned into the fabric: “Damn it… what the hell’s wrong with me?”

His hands tugged at his blond hair, still perfectly styled despite the rain. He shot up suddenly and began pacing back and forth, his reflection in the mirror glaring back at him with equal frustration.

“A teacher. A fucking teacher! And me— I blush?!”

He threw a pillow at the wall. “No, no, no, I don’t need that. I’ve never needed anyone!”

His voice echoed, trembling slightly, but he refused to hear it. He grabbed his phone, scrolled through his empty messages, his feed full of humiliating memes about him. Every notification pricked at his pride.

“Shit…”

He dropped the phone and collapsed again, one hand covering his eyes. In the darkness behind his eyelids, Katakuri’s face reappeared. That calm, that deep yet gentle voice, that gaze that hadn’t wavered.

A shiver ran down his neck. “Stop… stop thinking about him, damn it…”

But his heart was beating too fast to listen.

💙💛

Chapter Text

Thursday Noon

The university cafeteria was bathed in a grey light, dimmed by the fine rain drizzling against the windows. Conversations buzzed like a tired swarm — muffled laughter, the clinking of cutlery, and the sighs of students still half asleep from their morning classes.

Zoro walked in without much conviction, a tray in hand. He scanned the room for a free seat, but his gaze caught, unwillingly, on a table tucked away in a quiet corner.

Mihawk and Shamrock.

There was nothing extraordinary about them — no display, no spectacle. Just two adults, married for years, sharing a meal in comfortable silence. Mihawk was reading a file, chin resting on one hand, while Shamrock spoke with gentle gestures and a soft voice. From time to time, the swordsman nodded, lifted his eyes, offered a brief comment that made his husband smile. Nothing excessive. Nothing forced. And yet, everything about their posture breathed quiet harmony — an intimacy long settled.

Zoro sat a few tables away, not joining them. He set down his tray, but his eyes stayed fixed on them.

He always told himself he didn’t care — that their silent displays of affection were ridiculous. But the truth was… he envied them.

They understand each other without a single word.

Mihawk reached out for something. Without even looking, Shamrock handed him the exact cup he needed. The gesture was so smooth that Zoro froze for a moment. They knew each other by heart. Through silence, through glances. That simplicity was what struck him most. Nothing to prove. Nothing to hide.

He remembered when Shamrock had first entered their lives. Zoro hadn’t wanted him there. He remembered the shouting, his refusal to accept that cheeky redhead with the too-bright smile — too invasive, too perfect, too… present. And yet, over the years, he had come to understand: Shamrock had never tried to replace anyone. He had simply fit, as if he had always belonged.
And Mihawk… Mihawk had never seemed so happy.

Zoro sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Maybe that’s what love is. When everything feels as natural as breathing.

His thoughts drifted to Law and Sanji.

Law, with his tired eyes and measured gestures — always trying to analyze everything, to control what he felt, and never quite managing it. And Sanji, the complete opposite — loud, radiant, restless, burning with emotions he never hid.

Two opposite poles. And him, Zoro, caught in between.

I love them differently. But when I’m with both of them… everything makes sense. Like one calms me while the other sets me on fire. A bitter laugh escaped him. Maybe I’m just a masochist.

He looked down at his hands. He remembered their fingers intertwined, awkwardly; their fights, their too-short kisses, that weekend that had changed everything. And deep down, that constant fear — of ruining it all. As usual.

Mihawk leaned slightly toward Shamrock. The redhead laughed softly — a low, tender laugh that didn’t seek attention. He placed his hand over Mihawk’s, naturally. The swordsman didn’t move it away — he simply went on speaking, as if that touch were the most logical continuation of the conversation.

Zoro felt a strange warmth in his chest. They don’t even realize it. That’s the worst part. They don’t do anything, but everyone can see they love each other.

He turned his gaze away, embarrassed. That kind of bond — he’d never had it. Not yet. Could I ever have that? That thing that lasts, even after fights, after silence?

Law had said he needed time to think. Sanji hadn’t said a word, but his eyes had — he loved him. And Zoro? He didn’t know anymore. He wanted both. And he hated that.

He tried to eat, without success. Every glance he stole toward his parents only hammered the same cruel truth — they had found what he was still searching for, without ever having to say it. Balance. Something real. Something steady. Not a fire that devours, but a flame that endures.

Mihawk’s eyes fell briefly on his wedding ring, then back on Shamrock. Zoro smiled despite himself. Even that simple gesture was full of meaning.

Suddenly, Shamrock stopped mid-sentence, glancing up as if he had sensed something. For a brief moment, their eyes met across the cafeteria. Zoro quickly looked away, pretending to study his empty plate, but he knew Shamrock had seen. And understood.

Shamrock leaned slightly toward Mihawk.

“Look,” he whispered.

“What?”

“Zoro. Over there.”

Mihawk turned his head. His dark gaze settled on his son.
The boy pretended to focus on his food, but his shoulders betrayed the tension.

“He’s observing,” Mihawk said simply.

“He’s searching for something,” Shamrock corrected.

“He’s searching for himself.”

Shamrock nodded slowly. “He’s got that look… you know, the one you used to have before me. When you wanted to understand everything, control everything, before you learned to just be.”

A silence floated between them. Mihawk lowered his eyes slightly, thoughtful. “He’s at an age where everything burns.”

“Yes. But you’ve got to burn a little to learn how to love, don’t you?”

Shamrock’s smile softened Mihawk’s stern face..The swordsman let out a quiet, nearly imperceptible laugh.

“You talk as if you’ve become wise.”

“No, I talk like someone who’s survived fifteen years with you,” the redhead teased. Mihawk rolled his eyes but let his hand brush against Shamrock’s in response.

Zoro, unaware, was still watching. That simple contact, that wordless understanding. And something inside him tightened.

I want that. Not a destructive passion, not a consuming fire. Just that quiet certainty. That trust. Something that stays.

He stood up suddenly, without really thinking. Grabbed his tray, heart pounding a bit too fast. He wasn’t hungry anymore. He just… needed to move. To get out.

As he passed his parents’ table, Mihawk looked up. Their eyes met. No words. But Mihawk gave a slight nod, as if to say I see you. And Shamrock offered that gentle, knowing smile — the one that always meant you’re not alone.

Zoro took a deep breath and left the cafeteria, heart tight but a little clearer.

Outside, the rain was falling harder. He walked with his hands in his pockets, no umbrella, until he reached an old bench under a tree. Cold drops slid down his face, but he didn’t move. He thought of their eyes, their gestures.
And of Law. Of Sanji. Two different loves, two opposite forces — but both of them he didn’t want to lose.

Maybe one day I’ll figure it out. Maybe one day I’ll have what they have.

He closed his eyes, letting the rain flow freely.

Inside, Shamrock was still watching Zoro’s silhouette disappear into the rain. He set down his cup and crossed his arms.

“He saw you,” he murmured.

“Yes,” Mihawk replied calmly.

“And?”

“He’s trying to understand what he feels.”

Shamrock straightened a little, his fingers brushing the ring on his hand.

“You think he’ll manage?”

Mihawk smiled — rare, but sincere. “Yes. Because he saw us today. Because now he knows something else is possible.”

Shamrock nodded, soothed. They stayed there for a while, side by side, their cups still warm in their hands, while outside, the rain kept falling.

---

Law didn’t usually stay here. Crocodile and Doflamingo’s apartment wasn’t exactly restful — too much cigar smoke, too many half-empty glasses on the coffee table, too many arguments that sounded like duels. But tonight, he needed it.

Sitting on the armchair by the window, he watched the two men bicker over the electricity bill. Crocodile, cigarette between his lips, leafed through a document with military precision. Doflamingo, sprawled on the couch, tapped on his phone with infuriating nonchalance.

“I told you not to leave the damn AC on all night, Croco-darling.”

“And I told you to stop buying champagne bottles as kitchen decor.”

“It’s art, not decor.”

“It’s bullshit, yes.”

Law watched them quietly. Everyone saw this pair as an anomaly — the cynic and the flamboyant, control and chaos. But after years of living with them, he saw something else. Beneath the jabs and sarcasm was a fragile but real balance. A kind of battered love no one else could quite understand.

Crocodile loved order, silence, logic. Doflamingo loved light, noise, drama. And yet, they stayed together. Always.

---

Law rested his chin on his hand, thoughtful. Maybe they’re not so different from us. Sanji and Zoro had nothing in common either. Yet between them burned that tension — that constant need to challenge, to collide, to return to each other. And him, Law… he had slipped between them without meaning to. Now, he no longer knew where he belonged.

“You planning to sit there all night, kid?” Crocodile muttered without looking up.

“I’m thinking,” Law replied simply.

“Again? You’ll fry your brain at this rate.” Doflamingo laughed softly, setting his sunglasses on the table. “Let him be, Croco. Young people think too much when they’re in love.”

Crocodile shot him a glare but said nothing. Law smiled faintly. They don’t even realize it, but they’re always like this — insulting each other just to avoid saying they care.

Doflamingo got up and came to lean on the back of Law’s chair. “You’re thinking about Zoro and Sanji, huh?”

Law froze. “How did you—?”

“You make that face every time you try to convince yourself everything’s fine.”

Crocodile sighed, still reading. “Told you, he reads people even with an empty head.”

“I love you too, Wani,” Doflamingo grinned.

---

Law turned his eyes away, embarrassed. “It’s complicated,” he murmured. “I feel good with them, but… it’s too soon. And I’m scared I’ll ruin it.”

Doflamingo circled the chair and sat beside him, elbows on his knees.

“Want me to tell you something? Perfect love doesn’t exist. We all think everything has to be clear, logical, balanced. But that’s a lie. Look at us.”

He gestured theatrically toward Crocodile. “We’re a disaster. And yet, we love each other. We hate each other sometimes too — but we always come back. Because that’s what attachment is.”

Crocodile finally looked up, his cold gaze settling on Law. “If you really want something, don’t expect it to be easy. What you feel might not be rational — but that doesn’t make it wrong.”

Doflamingo smiled softly. “Exactly. It’s okay if it’s messy. The point is not to run away.”

---

Law stayed silent. Their words sank deep. He watched their hands — Crocodile lighting another cigarette, Doflamingo stealing the lighter just to annoy him. And in that small chaos, Law understood that despite everything, it worked.
Not because it was perfect — but because they had chosen to love each other anyway.

He rose slowly.

“Thanks,” he said simply.

Crocodile raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“For… not being perfect.”

Doflamingo burst out laughing, genuinely amused. “See, Croco? The kid’s smart after all.”

Law grabbed his jacket, ready to leave. Crocodile stubbed out his cigarette, pretending not to care.

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’ll try.”

---

Outside, the rain still fell. Law walked under the streetlights, thoughtful. He thought of Zoro, of Sanji — of that strange warmth when the three of them were together, of that fear of losing them. Maybe he didn’t need everything to be clear right away. Maybe, like Crocodile and Doflamingo, he just had to learn how to stay.

He pulled his jacket tighter and smiled faintly through the drizzle. Yeah… maybe that’s how it all begins.

🖤💚

Chapter Text

Sanji was only half-listening to Professor Katakuri’s lecture.
Beside him, Yonji was practically drooling onto his notebook, head buried in his arms, clearly exhausted. The blond himself could barely focus on the explanations about logical structures and formulas. His mind was elsewhere—far from the board, far from the classroom, far from everything.

He no longer knew where to begin putting order into everything he felt.

Once, it had been simple. Helping Law manage his stuff with Luffy, hiding his own crush on Zoro, playing the mediator, the confidant, the guy who understood everything without asking for anything in return. But now... everything had changed. The equations had reversed, blurred, mixed. And he, Sanji Vinsmoke, was caught in the middle of it all—completely lost.

He absentmindedly swiped at his phone screen. No messages. Neither from Zoro nor from Law.

He had expected that. He was the one who’d told them to wait, not to rush things. But deep down, he was the most impatient of the three. He wanted answers, clarity, a sign—anything.

He sighed.
Ask for advice? From who?

His siblings all had their own romantic messes: Reiju with Perona, Ichiji with Katakuri, Niji with Usopp, Yonji with Nami... They all seemed to have found their balance—or at least a direction. He hadn’t. He was stuck.

He had thought about talking to Mihawk or Shamrock, but the idea embarrassed him—they were Zoro’s parents, not his. Crocodile and Doflamingo? Same problem—they were Law’s parents. And Zeff... Zeff was just a gruff old boss, not exactly a confidant.

He didn’t have a father to talk to. No adult figure to ask how you’re supposed to love without breaking everything.

He kept scrolling through his phone. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

A hollow feeling clenched his chest. A dull anger rose inside him, without a clear target. Not at Zoro, not at Law—at himself.

He didn’t understand anything anymore. He didn’t know what a couple was supposed to be. He didn’t know how to be a good boyfriend. And he hated this feeling of improvising every step, fighting against a role he’d never learned to play.

He shoved his stuff into his bag and left the lecture hall without a word. Katakuri barely looked up from his desk—he knew Sanji well enough to tell the boy wasn’t doing okay.

The hallway was empty. He walked quickly, with no real destination, his thoughts spiraling.

Nothing made sense.
Too much at once.
Too many doubts.

He eventually sat on a bench outside, as the rain began to fall softly. The cool drops hit his face, but he didn’t move.
He leaned forward, burying his face in his hands, fingers trembling, throat tight.

Why did everything have to be so hard?

“What are you doing out here?” a deep voice asked.

Sanji jumped. He lifted his head, wet bangs stuck to his forehead—and went pale when he saw who stood before him.

Professor Shamrock, holding an umbrella, looked at him kindly. Beside him, more austere, stood Professor Crocodile, arms crossed, coat soaked by the rain.

Sanji’s cheeks burned. The worst possible duo.

“Ah… good afternoon, professors…” he stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.

“Good afternoon, Sanji,” Shamrock replied calmly. “You planning to catch a cold, or should we sit with you?”

Crocodile sighed, visibly annoyed. “You look pathetic, kid. You want a towel or a therapy session?”

Shame flooded Sanji’s chest. Of course. It had to be them—Zoro and Law’s fathers. The last people he wanted to see him like this.

“No, no, I’m fine… I just needed some air,” he muttered.

Shamrock exchanged a brief glance with Crocodile. Then he set his umbrella down on the bench and sat beside Sanji.

“Air’s good,” he said softly. “But you can breathe without drowning, you know.”

Sanji looked down, embarrassed, while Crocodile stayed standing, silent, observing the scene with an expression softer than he probably intended.

“Um…” Sanji turned his phone in his hands for a long moment before speaking again, his voice hesitant.

“If… if you’re always so organized, calm, in control, if you know how to talk things through, solve problems, be… that kind of balanced adult—how do you do it?”

He paused, swallowing hard. His breath shook slightly.

“Because I think I’m good at listening to people, helping, fixing things. But when it comes to me… I can’t figure anything out.”

Silence fell again, broken only by the soft sound of the rain.
Shamrock watched him quietly, hands folded over his knees. Crocodile, still standing, had that half-stern, half-curious expression—like he was trying to understand why this boy moved him so much.

Sanji drew a shaky breath, lowering his voice almost to a whisper.

“It’s… about Law and Zoro.” He risked a glance at them, then immediately looked away. “I know you’re—their dads, technically. And it’s not really your job to listen to my feelings. But I really need advice.”

A nervous laugh escaped him. “It’s stupid, huh?”

Shamrock shook his head gently. “Not at all. Go on.”

Sanji inhaled deeply, then spoke again. “I don’t have any model. No father to ask, no adult to talk to. And… I feel like I’m always one step behind. About love, trust… how not to ruin everything.”

His hands fell onto the bench, clenching tightly until his knuckles turned white. The rain ran down his fingers.

Crocodile took a deep breath, reached into his coat, and handed him a handkerchief. “Dry off before you catch something.”

Sanji hesitated, then accepted it. “Thank you.”

Shamrock smiled softly. “You think we all know how to do this, Sanji?”

The blond blinked, startled.

“We aren’t born adults,” Shamrock said gently. “We just learn to live with our flaws.” His voice was warm but sure.
“You mean well—that’s something to be proud of. But you don’t need to be perfect to love.”

Crocodile crossed his arms. “Shamrock’s right.”
He paused briefly. “You want to understand before you act. But sometimes, you gotta fall first, kid.”

Sanji frowned slightly. “Fall?”

“Yeah. Mess up, get hurt, be an idiot.” Crocodile lit a cigarette, gaze lost in the rain. “That’s how you learn. If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never do anything.”

Silence again. Sanji looked at them both—the quiet kindness of Shamrock, the rough protectiveness of Crocodile. Two opposites that somehow completed each other.

“I think…” Sanji began softly. “I think I’m just scared.”

Shamrock smiled faintly. “Then you’re exactly where you need to be.”

Crocodile nodded slowly. “Fear isn’t an obstacle. It’s a warning. As long as it doesn’t paralyze you, it keeps you human.”

Sanji stared at the puddles forming beneath their feet.
His heartbeat slowed a little. For the first time in a while, he felt like he’d actually spoken to adults—not teachers, not superiors—just people who understood.

“Thank you,” he murmured at last.

Shamrock patted his shoulder. “You don’t have to thank us.”

Crocodile raised an eyebrow, amused. “But if you really want to, bring a damn umbrella next time.”

Sanji laughed quietly despite himself. And in that small laugh, something inside him finally eased.

---

“Would it be weird if I asked for a hug?” Sanji sniffled, voice trembling. His eyes shimmered, half-lost in the rain.
“I really want to cry, but… I don’t want people to see.”

Shamrock looked at him for a moment, heart aching. Then, without a word, he stood and stepped closer. His umbrella slipped from his hand onto the bench, forgotten. He placed a hand on Sanji’s soaked shoulder, hesitated a second, then simply pulled him into an embrace.

The gesture was calm, steady, free of judgment. An adult’s hug for a child who’d never really been allowed to be fragile.

Sanji froze at first, tense, then finally gave in. His fingers clutched at Shamrock’s jacket, as if something inside him had finally cracked open. He didn’t sob loudly—just a few silent tears that mixed with the rain.

Crocodile sighed, glancing at the sky. “You’re both gonna end up drenched,” he grumbled. But his tone wasn’t harsh.
He stepped forward, removed his coat, and draped it over Sanji’s shoulders.

“You don’t need to cry in secret, kid,” he said quietly.
“You just need people who don’t judge you.”

Sanji blinked, surprised, lashes wet. “You… you’re really not like I thought.”

Shamrock chuckled softly. “You think we raised Zoro and Law without going a little insane ourselves?”

A small laugh escaped Sanji between two shaky breaths.
The silence that followed felt lighter, almost peaceful.

After a while, Shamrock pulled back slightly, though his hand stayed on Sanji’s shoulder. “Want us to walk you back?”

Sanji shook his head. “No, it’s okay. Thanks… really.”

Crocodile bent down to pick up his now-soaked jacket. “Then make yourself some tea and sleep. That’ll help more than any answer we could give you.”

Sanji nodded, a shy smile tugging at his lips. He stood, phone in hand, and walked away through the fine drizzle.

For the first time in a long while, he felt a little less alone.
Not fixed, not enlightened—just… understood.

---

Buggy’s dorm smelled faintly of soap and cold coffee. On the desk, a precarious pile of papers threatened to
collapse, and amid the organized chaos, Luffy sat cross-legged on the bed, watching the professor in silence.

Buggy spoke softly, his hands busy arranging sheets of paper, avoiding Luffy’s gaze.

“Shanks and I… we were married for almost six years.” He paused, searching for the right words. “It was… complicated. You know, he went out a lot. Too much. And I tried to act like it didn’t bother me.” He gave a bitter laugh. “I think I was just lying to myself.”

Luffy tilted his head, listening quietly. Buggy gave a nervous smile.

“He’s Professor Shamrock’s twin brother, you know?” Luffy nodded.

“Yeah, I met him once. They kind of look alike.”

“Too much sometimes,” Buggy murmured, eyes distant. “But they’re different. Shamrock is calm, steady, loyal. Shanks… he could never stay still.”

He sat down beside Luffy, back against the wall. Silence filled the room, broken only by the soft patter of rain outside.

“I think… I was just scared of being alone. So I accepted too much.”

Luffy shrugged lightly. “I was scared of not being enough.”

Buggy turned to him, surprised. Luffy smiled faintly. “With Law… it was good, you know? We got along, we respected each other. We argued too. But over time, we stopped understanding each other. We didn’t speak the same language anymore.”

His fingers played absently with the bedsheet. “The breakup was quiet. No yelling, no drama. Just… something we both knew had reached its end.”

Buggy nodded slowly. “That’s often the hardest kind. The ones that end without a crash—they’re the hardest to bury.”

Luffy lay back on the bed, arms spread. “And you? Have you really moved on?”

Buggy took a slow breath. “Yeah. I think so. I stopped waiting for him—that’s a start.”

His tone wasn’t tragic, just gently melancholic—tired but clear-eyed. Luffy sat up again, leaning a bit too close.

“I want to try with you.” The words were simple, unfiltered, sincere.

Buggy froze, heat rushing to his cheeks. “Luffy… you know I’m your professor.”

“I know.” Luffy placed his hand over Buggy’s. “But I don’t care. I’ve already waited long enough. And you said we could try.”

Buggy tried to speak, but no sound came out. Luffy held his gaze—honest, unafraid, unwavering. The contrast between them was striking: Buggy, cautious and scarred by experience; Luffy, free, impulsive, painfully sincere.

Silence fell over them.

Finally, Buggy sighed, his voice softening. “I don’t want to hurt you, Luffy.”

“Then don’t,” Luffy replied simply, with a small smile.

Buggy stared at him for a moment, then laughed quietly, nervously. “You say that like it’s easy.”

“With me, everything is.”

Luffy leaned forward until their foreheads touched—just a small, hesitant, almost childlike gesture.

Buggy’s heart pounded. He wanted to pull away or say something sensible, but instead, he placed a hand gently on the back of Luffy’s neck, as if afraid he’d disappear too soon.

Their breaths mingled, suspended in a fragile moment.

Buggy closed his eyes. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.”

Luffy smiled. “Maybe not. But I want to find out.”

And this time, Buggy couldn’t bring himself to argue.

---

Chapter Text

The rain had calmed down. The puddles glimmered under the streetlights like fragments of fallen stars.

Sanji walked slowly, hands in the pockets of his still-damp jacket. The fabric smelled of smoke and salt—probably Crocodile’s, but it didn’t bother him. It was a reassuring scent, almost familiar.

His thoughts had quieted a little. For the first time in a long while, he hadn’t tried to joke or understand everything. He had simply spoken. And, most importantly, someone had listened.

He looked up at the gray sky. Falling, making mistakes, getting hurt, being stupid. Crocodile was right. Maybe you just had to accept not knowing. And Shamrock too—you don’t need to be perfect to love.

A faint, slightly sad smile curved his lips.

He pulled out his phone, hesitated, then opened the group chat with Zoro and Law. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he slowly typed:

“I think I figured something out today. I’m scared, but I still want to try. Can we talk tomorrow?”

He stared at the message for a moment before sending it. Then he slipped the phone back into his pocket, resumed walking, his breath syncing with the quiet rhythm of the rain.

Maybe not everything was settled yet. But for the first time, Sanji felt like he was walking in the right direction.

---

The afternoon was strangely calm in the brand-new mall near campus. Gaudy posters, reflective shop windows, and Nami, a satisfied smile on her lips, dragging a Yonji who was already on the verge of a heart attack.

“Nami, this is the third store today…” The blond sighed, carrying bags that were practically cutting off his circulation.

“So what? It’s your fault—you told me to treat myself.” she replied without turning around, focused on a pair of exorbitantly priced boots.

“It was a figure of speech, not a military order!” he groaned, stumbling under the weight of the packages.

Nami giggled, perfectly aware of the power she held over him. She turned around, hair still damp from the rain, her orange coat slightly open. “You know what I like about you, Yonji?”

“My legendary patience?” he huffed, ironic.

“No. Your wallet.”

He half-choked, but the truth was he loved it. He loved the way she laughed, the way she teased him, the way she always took the lead like she owned the world.

“Seriously, Nami… don’t you think this is a bit much?”
She shrugged, picking up an elegant beige handbag.

“No. And besides, you said your dad cut you off. So you deserve a reward, right?”

“That’s not how it works…”

She looked up at him, and suddenly her tone softened: “Hey… I know it hurt, everything he said to you.”

Yonji froze, surprised. Nami slowly set the handbag down on the counter, then stepped closer. Her fingers slid around the back of his neck.

“You don’t have to prove your worth by paying for me, you know? You’re worth more than that.”

He stayed silent, searching her eyes. “You mean I can keep my credit card?” he tried, half-serious, half-embarrassed.

She laughed softly, shaking her head.“No, you can forget about that. But… I just want you to understand that I’m here because I want to be. Not for your money, idiot.”

Yonji blushed violently. He wasn’t used to her speaking so sincerely. He opened his mouth to reply, but she stole a quick kiss—just enough to silence him and scramble his thoughts.

“There. That’ll stop you from overthinking.”

“I… I wasn’t overthinking!” he protested, cheeks burning.

“Yes you were. And it shows from three kilometers away.”

She grabbed her bags, let him take them again immediately, then winked. “Come on, I’m hungry. We’re getting a nice dinner. And I’m choosing the restaurant.”

Yonji sighed, but his smile betrayed him. “As long as you don’t pick another place with twelve-digit prices…”

“Too late, I already booked.”

---

The restaurant was far too fancy for a Thursday night. A dimly lit room, golden lighting, servers in black shirts, perfectly white tablecloths. The kind of place where Yonji felt vaguely illegitimate—and where Nami seemed perfectly in her element.

She sat down gracefully, crossing her legs elegantly, while Yonji, nervous, glanced at the prices on the menu. His face immediately turned green.

“This… this is a joke, Nami?!”

“What?” she asked, barely looking up from the wine list.“There are dishes here that cost more than my phone!”

“So? You deserve the best. And so do I.” she answered with an angelic smile.

Yonji sighed deeply. “I’m going to have to sell a kidney. Or two.”

“If you want, I can lend you one. With interest.”

He stared at her, stunned. “You know, sometimes I wonder if you love me or if I’m just your favorite ATM.”

She set down the menu, and for once, her gaze turned serious. “Do you really want to know?”

He nodded, wary.

Nami leaned in slowly, her amber eyes locked on his. “I love you because you’re the only idiot dumb enough to follow me into all my crazy ideas without judging me. Because you say yes even when you’re trembling. Because you blush every time I smile at you. And because despite everything, you always try to understand me.”

Yonji was speechless. The waiter arrived right at that moment, breaking the awkward silence. “Have you decided?” he asked, professional.

“Yes, two tasting menus with wine pairing. And the chef’s dessert.” Nami said without hesitation.

Yonji raised his hands in defeat. “Of course…” he muttered.

But truthfully, he was smiling.

---

A few glasses later, the mood had softened. Nami was talking about herself, her plans, her dreams. Yonji listened, chin resting on his hand, completely absorbed.

“You know what I’d love?” she said, her tone dreamy. “To buy my own house one day. A big terrace, plants everywhere. And a room full of maps and treasures.”

“You want a treasure map in your house?” he asked, a bit lost.

“No, idiot. I want to live like a treasure hunter. Searching, exploring, understanding. And if I find someone who wants to follow that path with me, then all the better.”

Yonji set down his fork, caught off guard. “And… do you think I could… I mean, that I’d be that someone?”

Nami turned to him, then, without warning, slid her hand over his. “Maybe.”

Yonji felt his cheeks burn. She was looking at him, a soft smile on her lips, very different from her usual teasing glances.

“Maybe yes. If you keep following me without complaining too much.”

He laughed weakly, a little nervous. “I promise I’ll only complain a little. For style.”

She burst out laughing—a real one this time. Not a mocking laugh, but a bright, genuine one. Yonji hung on it, unable to tear his eyes away from her.

---

When they left the restaurant, the rain had stopped. They walked side by side, bags in hand. Nami suddenly stopped, looked up at the sky, and sighed.

“You know, in the end… it feels good not to always think about money.”

Yonji shrugged. “Easy for you to say when I’m the one paying.”

She lightly tapped his shoulder, then, against all odds, stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you, Yonji. For everything.”

He blinked, frozen in place, before grinning stupidly. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to hear that.”

---

The girls’ dorm. A pile of blankets, cushions everywhere, a big bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. On the screen, a rom-com played in the background, half-ignored by the two occupants of the couch.

Perona was sprawled against Reiju, her pink head barely peeking out from the blanket. Reiju, elegant even in pajamas, absentmindedly stroked her hair while sipping chamomile tea.

“Why do they always run after each other in the rain in movies?” Perona grumbled, mouth full of popcorn.

“Because it’s supposed to be romantic.” Reiju answered calmly.

“I just think it’s wet.”

Reiju laughed softly. “You’ve lost your romantic side.”

“No, I just kept my dignity.” She snuggled closer.
“But if you want, we can run in the rain together.”

Reiju rolled her eyes, amused.
“You’d be the first to complain if I got your hair wet.”

“Maybe. But at least I’d have a good excuse to hold you close.” Perona murmured with a small smile.

Reiju felt her cheeks flush. “You’re incorrigible…”

“And you’re too perfect for me to resist.”

They shared a knowing look before sinking back into their movie, comfortably curled up together.

---

The door suddenly burst open.

“GIRLS!” Nami shouted as she walked in, a huge smile on her face and cheeks still flushed from the dinner wine.
She dropped her bag on the couch and collapsed beside them.

“I’m in love.” she announced dramatically.

Perona raised an eyebrow. “Again? Wait, did you dump Yonji?”

“No, this time it’s serious. Yonji took me to dinner.” She clapped her hands. “A real restaurant, with white tablecloths and a snobby waiter! And I didn’t pay a thing!”

Reiju gave a tired smile. “I wonder why I never would’ve guessed. He’s taking your relationship seriously.”

“Because he adores you.” Perona sighed. “He’d do anything for you, that poor guy.”

“Maybe… but he said he wants to follow me anywhere. And that he loves it when I laugh.” Nami looked at the ceiling, her smile softer, more genuine. “He’s… really sweet.”

Reiju tilted her head, touched. “That’s what we call a good start.”

“Or a feelings trap.” Perona muttered, though her tone betrayed the joke.

Nami hit them lightly with a cushion. “You two know nothing about romance.”

“Oh yes we do,” Reiju replied calmly, a smirk on her lips. “We’re right in the middle of it.”

Perona, without moving, raised her hand in agreement. “Exactly. In pajamas, with popcorn. Real life.”

The three girls burst out laughing. The screen kept playing a clichéd kiss-in-the-rain scene, but in the dorm, everything felt more sincere: the warmth, the closeness, and that quiet feeling that, despite the chaos around them, they were all going to be okay.

Nami eventually fell asleep on the couch, a peaceful smile on her lips, while Reiju gently turned off the lamp.

Perona whispered one last thing before closing her eyes too: “See? You don’t need rain for it to be romantic.”

Reiju nodded silently, her fingers intertwined with hers under the blanket.

🩷💖💜

Chapter Text

Sanji was sprinting across campus as if his life depended on it. He’d left his dorm with Niji and Usopp slumped on the couch, half-asleep and too confused to ask questions. He’d knocked on Zoro and Law’s dorm — and Ichiji had opened, hair a mess, with Yonji behind him asking what was for breakfast.

Sanji had shoved them back into HIS dorm and took off again. He had told them he wanted to talk. He had said it clearly. So why the hell couldn’t he find Zoro or Law?!

He weaved through students, narrowly dodged Reiju and Perona — Reiju even threw him a cheer worthy of an Olympic coach. Ahead, he spotted Luffy chatting with Buggy near the faculty offices.

Sanji skidded to a stop, hands on his knees, trying to breathe.

“Hey, Luffy! I know we haven’t really talked since… you know, that,” he said, waving vaguely to encompass the recent disaster. “But have you seen the Marimo and the punk?”

Luffy thought for two seconds before pointing his thumb backward.

“Law and Zoro? Yeah, they were with their parents near the amphitheater.”

“Thanks, Luffy! We’ll talk about the you-know-what another day, okay?!”

Sanji bolted again. He nearly collided with Katakuri, who was carrying a steaming coffee.

“Good morning, Sanji. See me after class,” the professor said, unbothered.

“YES, PROFESSOR!!” Sanji shouted as he kept running.

---

He crossed the courtyard, ignored the flood of students leaving class, and ran past the football field. Someone yelled that he should join track and field. Sanji ignored them completely — he had NO time.

In the hallway leading to the amphitheater, he slammed right into Doflamingo and Mihawk.

“Oh— sorry, professor! I’m looking for Law and Zoro!”

“I saw them up ahead, near the fountain.” Crocodile’s deep voice came from behind him like a jumpscare.

“Thanks!!”

Sanji dashed off again, barely avoiding Shamrock.

“Uh— sorry! Ah… later, professor!”

“Good luck, blondie!” Doflamingo yelled behind him.

Sanji waved vaguely without slowing.

---

Finally: the fountain. And there — exactly what he’d been searching for.

Zoro and Law.

The two were deep in conversation, holding each other’s forearms like they were trying to reassure one another.

Sanji didn’t slow. He grabbed their bags he’d carried all this way, and threw them at them like a drill sergeant.

“TAKE THESE—!”

BAM. Zoro’s bag smacked the Marimo in the chest.
Law’s landed on his feet.

Both boys jumped, startled.

Sanji threw himself at them, one arm around Zoro, the other around Law, like his emotional stability was on fire and they were the fire extinguisher.

They froze, eyes wide.

“S-Sanji?!” they said at the same time.

Sanji finally breathed.

He’d found them.

---

Sanji picked up his own bag, still breathless from sprinting all over campus.

“You two are really hard to find…” he panted. He looked up at them, cheeks flushed. “You didn’t see my message?”

Zoro and Law exchanged a guilty look — the kind that screams we’re screwed.

Zoro scratched the back of his head.

“We saw it… but we didn’t know what to say.”

Law nodded, more serious, fingers tightening on his bag strap.

“It was… important. And we wanted to talk in person. Not by message.”

Sanji stood still, heart pounding. All the tension that had pushed him to run bubbled up his throat.

“You could’ve just said ‘ok.’ Or an emoji. Just one. I would’ve accepted that, you clowns,” he grumbled, shoulders trembling with a mix of anger and relief.

Zoro sighed and stepped closer.

“We’re sorry. Really.” He put a hand on Sanji’s shoulder. “We didn’t want you thinking we were ignoring you.”

Law stepped closer too, hesitant but sincere enough to crush all embarrassment.

“You matter. That’s why we took time… we didn’t want to answer carelessly.” He hesitated. “And because… you scare us.”

“What?!” Sanji sputtered.

Law quickly corrected himself:

“Not in a bad way! We mean… you’re intense. Important. You make us think. A lot.”

Zoro nodded, looking a little lost.

“And that’s new for us.”

Sanji opened his mouth… then closed it. A long silence followed — not a painful silence, but a healing one.

He inhaled slowly.

“I just wanted… you to show me that I’m not the only one trying.” His voice softened. “I don’t know how to do this, okay? I don’t have examples. Or normal parents. Or guidance. But I’m trying.”

Zoro squeezed his shoulder gently.

Law placed his hand on Sanji’s other arm.

And Zoro murmured:

“We’re trying too, Sanji. We just… want to do it with you.”

Sanji let out a shaky laugh, eyes glistening.

“Stop. You’re gonna make me cry like an idiot in front of a fountain.”

“Then cry, idiot. We don’t care,” Zoro replied.

“We’re here,” Law added.

“Shit… you don’t know what I’ve been through because of you guys,” Sanji breathed, still winded, gripping Zoro’s hand with one hand and Law’s with the other. “Crocodile-san and Shamrock-san gave me advice.”

“Our… step-dads?” Zoro and Law echoed, stunned.

“Uh, yeah… faute de mieux, okay?” Sanji rested his head on both their shoulders, drained, nervous, honest. “I felt like I wasn’t moving forward. You two had examples your whole lives. My father— well, my genitor — he never taught me anything good. I wanted to be perfect somehow.”

Law let out a short bitter laugh. “Sanji… I talked with Crocodile and Doflamingo. And my parents are idiots.”
He rubbed his neck. “I needed help too. I didn’t know how to do this either.”

Zoro nodded, serious, almost embarrassed. “I watched my dad and Shamrock like a maniac to figure out what being with someone meant.”

Sanji stared, eyes wide.

“…you didn’t even swallow your pride and ask them?”
He turned to Law, almost scandalized. Law looked away, ashamed.

Sanji’s blue ocean eyes fixed on them — so direct that both boys froze.

“Uh— I— hmm…” Zoro stammered, completely thrown off.

Law was gripping Sanji’s hand way too tightly. That look — too sincere, too vulnerable — was lethal. It hit straight in the heart.

Sanji inhaled sharply, trembling.

“I don’t want to wait anymore.” He squeezed their hands until his knuckles went white. “I’m ready.” His voice cracked. “I love you.” Then, softly, almost pleading: “If you do too… please… will you be my boyfriends?”

A heavy, humming silence.

Law found his voice first.

“Sanji…” He took a deep breath, amber eyes shining. “Yes. I want to be your boyfriend.” He swallowed. “You make me feel alive. Even when I’m scared. Especially when I’m scared.”

Sanji blinked fast, overwhelmed.

Zoro stayed silent a moment too long. Then he stepped forward, placing both hands on Sanji’s cheeks.

“Sanji.” His voice was deep, controlled, but trembling underneath. “Of course I want to. I love you, okay?”
He pressed his forehead against his. “I’ve loved you for too long. And it was driving me insane not saying it.”

Sanji’s legs nearly gave out.

Law brought their hands together, intertwining all three.

“We’ll try together,” he murmured. “Not perfectly. But honestly.”

Zoro nodded.

“We’ll learn as three. No need to be perfect.”

Sanji laughed nervously, eyes wet.

“F-fuck… I should’ve hit you guys earlier.”

Zoro laughed. Law slapped his shoulder to hide how emotional he was.

Unable to wait even one more second, Sanji threw himself at them. They grunted catching him, but hugged him just as tightly.

Law whispered in his ear:

“We’re together.”

Zoro added, lower but just as true:

“Together.”

---

Niji and Usopp finally had a free afternoon. They were lounging in the small dorm common room, a mug of hot chocolate abandoned on the table. In the distance, Ichiji and Yonji were wreaking havoc again — they had stormed in to empty the fridge and left just as fast, like two blond tornadoes leaving behind the smell of chaos.

Usopp sat on the floor, back against the couch, while Niji sprawled behind him, absentmindedly playing with his hair.
A rare moment: quiet, soft, drama-free.

“Hey, Niji…” Usopp murmured.

“Hmm?”

“When are you going to introduce me properly to your family?”

Niji blinked slowly, surprised. “My brothers and sister already know you.”

He pulled Usopp closer by the waist into a possessive cuddle, chin on his shoulder as if the conversation were already over.

But Usopp shook his head.

“Yeah, I know. But I was thinking of… a real introduction. Something serious. I want them to like me.”

Niji instantly tensed, defensive. “Why? The only one you need to love is me.”

Usopp smiled gently. “I think you misunderstood. I just want things to go well with them. For our relationship, Niji.”

Niji relaxed slightly, shoulders lowering.

“I guess… that’s normal. But you’re supposed to love only me. That doesn’t change.”

Usopp turned to face him, climbing onto his lap, hands around his neck. “Don’t worry, I love only you.”

Something feline and satisfied flickered in Niji’s eyes.
He placed his hands on Usopp’s hips, caressing slowly, possessively.

Usopp swallowed, then continued:

“And… I’d also like to meet your parents someday. You guys never talk about them. Even Sanji avoids the topic.”

The movement of Niji’s hands froze.

His expression shut down instantly, like a metal door slamming shut.

“Usopp. Stop. You’re not meeting our genitor.”

His voice wasn’t cold — it was sharp as a blade.

“But Niji… you did a FaceTime with my dad, and it was—”

“I SAID NO!” Niji exploded, standing up so suddenly Usopp jolted. “You’re going to stop with that bullshit, damn it! I told you my siblings were fine. Why do you keep pushing?!”

His breathing was ragged. That tone — that sudden violence — Usopp had never been on the receiving end of it.
Even Niji looked shocked by himself.

Something cracked inside Usopp.

“I see…” he whispered, voice trembling. “You’re ashamed of me, aren’t you?”

“What?! No, I—”

“I should’ve known. A guy like me, with someone like you…”
He took a step back, wounded. “I get it.”

“USOPP, wai—”

Niji tried to grab his hand.

Usopp pulled it away violently.

He opened the dorm door without a word and walked out.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Silence.

A terrible silence.

Niji stood there, motionless, fists clenched, eyes wide with panic and guilt. Then his breath began to tremble, turn uneven.

“Fuck…” he muttered. He bit his lip so hard it bled, unable to admit why he had snapped.

Anger replaced panic — but anger aimed only at himself.

He threw a chair. Then another. Knocked over the coffee table, hurled the cushions, ripped down a curtain. He hit things so he wouldn’t have to think. Wouldn’t have to feel.

“THAT OLD BASTARD CAN GO TO HELL!” he screamed suddenly — unsure if he meant his father… or himself.

Even absent, Judge still ruined everything. Destroyed. Contaminated what was precious.

Niji collapsed to the floor, panting, eyes wet.

“Usopp…”

It was the first time he had ever truly been afraid.

Afraid Usopp wouldn’t come back.

---

Usopp dragged his feet down the dorm stairs, moving weakly across the damp hallway. He still felt the door slamming behind him, like the sound had gone straight through his chest.

He wiped a tear quickly with the back of his hand.
He wasn’t even sure he had reacted correctly.
Maybe he had been too dramatic.
Maybe he misunderstood.

But at the same time… Niji’s voice — so sharp, so violent — was still making his hands shake.

Usopp inhaled deeply, but his breath stayed trapped somewhere between his chest and throat.

I barely rebuilt my confidence… and he says that…

Since they started dating, Niji had unknowingly rebuilt a part of his confidence. He had encouraged him, protected him, supported him. He treated him like someone who mattered.

And now…
Why that rejection?
Why such a reaction at the word “parent”?

Usopp felt ridiculous, fragile, almost see-through. All the insecurities he usually hid were rushing back like a tide.

He opened his phone, hands trembling. He checked the boys’ group chat. No one online.
Sanji didn’t answer.
Zoro — impossible.
Law — offline.
Luffy — probably face-deep in a buffet with Buggy.

He didn’t even have Reiju, Ichiji or Yonji’s numbers.
Just Sanji. And Niji.

He hesitated. He could text Sanji. But with everything going on between the Vinsmokes….Didn’t Sanji already have enough to handle?

Usopp slowly walked to the bench near the library, where students sometimes smoked. He sat heavily, hands clasped, staring at nothing.

Why did he yell like that…? Just because I mentioned his father?

He remembered overhearing Reiju talk to Nami earlier about the frozen bank accounts. The discomfort in their voices. The anger in Niji’s.

It was more than a tantrum. Something darker was under that reaction. Something that wasn’t about Usopp at all.

He wished he had someone to talk to. An adult, maybe. Or just… a friend.

His fingers drifted over his contacts and landed on one he never called.

“Dad — Yasopp”

He froze.

His father was always traveling. Always gone. Usopp grew up thinking he shouldn’t bother him with… insignificant feelings.

But today… he hurt. He was scared. And he didn’t know who else to talk to.

Would it bother him if I called…?
Would I just annoy him?

His fingers trembled.
His eyes filled with tears.

He felt like a lost child on a sidewalk.

“Niji… why did you react like that…?” he whispered, voice broken.

He pressed the phone against his chest. His heart pounded too fast.

For a moment, he thought he might press the call button.

But he put the phone down, crushed by guilt.

He didn’t want to bother anyone.
He didn’t want to trouble anyone.

He felt… alone.

Usopp pulled his knees against his chest, hid his face in his arms, and finally let out a quiet sob, barely carried away by the wind.

🩵💜