Our Alpha (One Piece Fanfic)

7. A Ghost of the Past

    I let out a tired sigh, fixing my blouse while walking down the stairs of the university. Fawkes glides down the stairs to land on the handrail. His carmine eyes observed me periodically in concern. I gently stroked his head when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

    "I'm okay, Fawkes..."

    "(Y/n)-san!"

    I turn my head to see Ace running towards me, a large smile on his face before it faded when he sees my tired look. "Are you okay, (Y/n)-san?"

    I smiled gently, walking towards him. I stand close in front of him. His cheeks are red as he notices the lack of distance. I slowly bring my hand up, only to poke him on his forehead. Letting out a small pained groan, he stumbled back, covering his red forehead with his hands.

    "It's (Y/n)-sensei or Professor to you, Ace," I chuckle at his pout. My eyes softened as I gaze at the boy who reminded me so much of a close friend of mine. "I'm fine, Ace... Thank you for your concern."

   He looks to the side, ears red. "I-I see... Ano, are you free after 3, sensei? Maybe we can-"

    "Professor (L/n)!"

    Both Ace and I turn around. Ace has an annoyed yet dejected look on his face. A young blonde girl runs to me with a soft smile. I send her a gentle smile. "What is it, Kaya-chan?"

    The girl searches her bag before holding out a file. "Marco-sensei asked me to hand this to you. It's Korrie-sensei's lesson plans on DSC. He thought that you might need it as a reference to plan your own. He also told me to ask you if you can send it to him by this Wednesday? He needs to review it and put it on the Teachers' Data."

    I grab the file, thanking the young aspiring doctor. With a bow, she left hurriedly, saying she had an appointment at 2 pm. I look at the quiet boy beside me with a rueful smile. I ruffle his head of black hair. "My apologies, Ace. It seems that I'll be busy for the next few days. Maybe another time? We can bring along your friends if you like?"

    Ace looks at the ground sadly, mumbling about how he wanted it to be a date before looking up at me with the brightest grin he could muster. "It's okay, sensei! Another time then..."

__________________________________________

    Other than my small panic attack and my necklace breaking, my first day as a professor ended quite uneventfully. I send Fawkes off to fly home first at the university's gates. I sigh, rolling my shoulders to rid of the sting caused by Fawkes's weight on it nearly all day. 'The workers are still at home... I should buy them takeouts.'

    "How's your first day, Professor (L/n)?" A familiar gruff voice greets me. I smile at the white-haired officer.

    "Quite dull if I do say so myself, Officer Smoker. The kids are rowdy, yes... but nothing I couldn't handle. They were quite surprised when they saw me enter the class as a professor instead of a student." Smoker huffs amusedly.

    "That was your big plan, wasn't it?" We fell into step with each other, heading towards the main road.

    "I have no idea what you're implying," I answered monotonously, but the grin on my face is all he needs to get his answer. He walks me to his car. Not the police car, but his own.

    "What are you doing now?"

    "I'm planning on buying takeout for the boys. My kitchen doesn't have enough ingredients to feed them all. Can you recommend a restaurant or something?" Smoker opens the passenger door for me. Muttering a small thank you, I slip inside.