curse of the oni | 𝖟𝖔𝖘𝖆𝖓

3 ♱ Confessional Box

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

- Matthew 7:22-23

THE deal they both agreed on was this: Sanji will cleanse Zoro of all his sins, turning him from a demon to a saint-- if possible-- and Zoro will remain living within the human world once again. Despite that, he has a lot to adjust with. It's been about 400 years when he became an Oni and was sealed away by the Japanese priests. Unfortunately, Zoro doesn't recall much of his earlier life, so he assumes he's always been a demon since birth and didn't discovered his full potential until now.

On the other hand, Sanji had retain his side of the promise. He shows Zoro around the cathedral: the lounge, the cafeteria, the showers, the courtyard, the laundry room, the church, and-- of course, the library, where they had their first encounter. Nonetheless, he doesn't show the green-hair man where Judge's office resides, afraid that his Father will be capable of apprehending Zoro as. . . not human. Though it's less likely, Sanji rather not risk it. Besides, he sees no reason as to why Zoro needs to visit Judge at all. He has Sanji instead.

In their last stop, Sanji walks down the Church's center aisle, Zoro following him from behind. He explains to the elder about the interior of the church, pointing out the sanctuary in the altar, the pulpit and the lectern, and lastly, the confessional box.

"Here is where the penitent confesses with himself, the priest, and God. It's a way for reconciliation, and guards against any scandal." Sanji looks over at Zoro, a look of agitation quick to embellish his front as he sees the green-hair yawn obnoxiously. "What? This is boring to you?"

Zoro crosses his arms. "You're going to teach a 'demon' to learn about 'religion'. Ain't that sort of an irony to you, curly? If you ask me, it's kind of a lost cause."

"We had a deal! And to satisfy my end I'm going to need you to cooperate with me!" Sanji chastises him, hands on his hips. "Besides, you can at least owe me your damn kindness after breaking my wrist and forcing me to cut my own hair."

Zoro smirks, his eyes never leaving from the blonde. "You sort of asked for it, curly."

"Curly", Sanji thinks to himself, feeling his eyebrow twitch. "How much I loathe that stupid nickname."

It's useless for Sanji to tell Zoro his name. Even attempting to spell and abbreviate it didn't help. The green hair somehow refused to call the blonde by his name and insisted on the nickname "Curly" instead. He finds amusement in it, he knows, but Sanji does not.

"I'm going to kill you," Sanji mutters, turning on his heel towards the confessional box. Clearing his throat, he raises his voice, and says, "Anyway-- come towards me, so you can see the inside of the box and understand how it functions."

Zoro rolls his eye again. "As if I have to, anyway." Nonetheless, he does as told, approaching the blonde and standing before the confessional box. There's a damp stain in the front due to the excessive scrubbing required to get rid of the red-colored paint. Despite that, the good thing is-- it's gone.