Dimension Jumper (One Piece X OC) [BEING REWRITTEN]

6. Promise

    Ace and I weaved through the bustling crowd with expertise; his grip on my hands noticibly tighter and more secure. Both of us bore small smiles and embarrassed blushes. My eyes softened when it landed on a few photos inside a transparent bag courtesy of the nice grandma from the booth.

    Turns out, she was taking pictures of us while we were off to La-La-Land. She gave us a half price on the ribbon I currently wore as well as gave the pictures to us for free.

    After a while, the crowd of people noticibly lessens as the morning rush passed. We took care in our steps as we headed to a small park at the edge of the village, hands still entwined.

    The park was quite empty except for some street vendors and morning joggers. A few game stalls were held up at random locations in the park, one of them was situated at the park's entrance.

    My eyes roamed to each of the stall's prizes until it landed on one certain item. A cute plush penguin perfect for cuddling was hanging as one of the prizes amidst other plush toys.

    "Hey, let's try this one. You want that penguin right?" Ace's slightly more jovial voice caught my immediate attention. I stopped his stride with a firm grip of his hand. When he looked at me questioningly, I shook my head and pointed towards a pair of mother and daughter. The daughter was begging her mother for the same plush penguin I was eyeing.

    "Let's go sit somewhere; my legs are killing me." I walked away, leaving Ace to stare at my back before he finally decided to follow.

    "You're kind, you know? Kinder than most people I know." The freckled man said softly. My eyes dimmed and my smile turned forced.

"I'm not as kind as you think I am, Ace."

    I kept on walking even when I knew that my company had froze in his steps. My mind wondered into places it shouldn't. Probably the reason why I didn't see the running thief heading towards me with an angry mob in tow.

"Naomi, look out!"

    Next thing I know, I was pulled into a strong chest, his arms securely around me as Ace quickly jumped back to avoid the stampede of angry mobs.

    Everything happened so fast that my mind took a bit of time to comprehend it while I was busily calming my raging heart. After a while of steadying my heartbeat, I finally noticed the muscular arms engulfing my form for the umpteenth time today.

    "Ano... Ace? You can let go now." Silence. Not hearing a respond, I turned my head to look at him with an eyebrow raised in question. Immediately, my questioning eyes widened. Ace's face was mere inches apart from mine. His eyes were gazing deeply into mine that I couldn't allow myself to blink or look away in fear of missing any indication to what he was thinking about through those deep onyx orbs.

    'Wait... Is it just me or is he getting nearer?' Took me a momment to realize it until I could feel his breath on my lips.

'Oh my god.. WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THIS SHOUJO SETTING?! ONE PIECE IS SHOUNEN NOT SHOUJO!'

(If this happened to me, I'm not complaining though 😏)

    I don't know when I closed my eyes but next thing I knew I felt a soft peck on my cheek, inches from my lips. I opened my eyes in surprise and opted to stare at the freckled man who managed to make my heart beats faster than ever.

    He held a soft warm smile on his handsome face, his dark eyes held warmth as he gazed at me. Slowly, his arms loosened its hold on me, coming back to rest at his side.

    "To me, you're an angel that I'm glad to have met. My cute and innocent little angel, but can have naughty thoughts from time to time. My shy little angel that went tomato red every time I tease her. My little angel who is too kind to people around her, that she rather get hurt than to hurt others. No matter what you did in the past, you're still my kind little angel." My cheeks blossomed with his words; never knew Ace was such a sweet talker.

"Ace-"

    A strong gust of wind interrupted our moment. It was so strong, it almost lifted me off my feet, if it wasn't for Ace being my anchor. However, the wind kept on getting stronger, pulling me away from Ace little by little.

    "Naomi, look!" Ace's wide orbs stared above me. I followed his gaze to settle upon the large black hole acting like a vacuum. However, the only thing getting pulled inside it was me.

    "Naomi, it's time to go." Celes's voice rang through my head.

'W-wait! Celes, give me time. Ace.. Ace...!'

    "Naomi, I brought you here so you can meet them ,not him. Child, it's time to let go. You'll see him again someday." That what I was afraid of. The next time I see him might be on the battlefield.

    My eyes found Ace's. He had realized how I was the only one being sucked in. His eyes turned into pinpoints. He was scared, worried. He can't keep me here, the hole would keep pulling me in. With a heavy heart, I sent him a small warm smile, letting my eyes said everything.

    "Naomi..." His grip tightened. "I'll find you, okay? We'll meet again and go on another date, I promise. Just stay safe until then!"

    "Ace..." I know this won't the my last encounter with him, but my heart broke nonetheless. "I promise. Ace... Sayonara."

    With those parting words, I was sucked into the black hole, instantly loosing consciousness.

__________________________________

    Ace stared at the sky long after the hole disappeared with the black-haired girl. His heart ache but he somehow knew that won't be the last time he'd see her. His eyes narrowed, promising himself to find her while he was on his search for that traitor. His mind wandered to the short time they spent together until the end. His lips lifted into a sad smile.

     "And also my oblivious little angel that caused my heart to beat like no other."