An Opportunity (Sanji x Nami)

Chapter 4: Heartbreak

Everything had changed; his Nami, his precious Nami, had admitted to being in love or at least having a romantic interest in someone from the crew. He constantly wondered who it could be, and the answer seemed almost clear to him. The dark-haired members who had been close to the redhead throughout their journeys were: Brook, Usopp, Law, and Luffy.

Starting with Brook, he was a skeleton, the oldest of the crew, and a pervert. Moreover, the relationship between them was more paternal than romantic. With Usopp, on the other hand, they had a fraternal relationship, and it was common knowledge that he was in love with Kaya, who, as they knew, reciprocated his feelings. Law... he didn't get along very well with her, beyond matters related to the alliance. He hadn't seen them having any other kind of conversation; he had been very observant about it. Lastly, there was Luffy, their dear captain. Since they met, he has always perceived a fraternal relationship between them. She behaved like the typical older sister, correcting the attitudes of her younger brother. Everyone loved and respected Luffy, but could it be possible that she felt something more than fraternity for him?

This worried him even more. If that were the case, what could he do? He was their captain, and he perfectly understood the sense of gratitude she had toward Luffy; he felt the same way. But in the worst-case scenario, perhaps the redhead might have developed other kinds of feelings for the dark-haired captain.

He could fight anyone for her, but never against Luffy or any of his nakama. He couldn't even try. Above all, he loved and respected them, especially their captain, who was the only one he knew could protect the redhead better than he could.

He finished his third cigarette of the night and, after wiping away the tears that had marked his deep sadness on his cheeks, he adjusted his suit and began his walk to buy the ingredients for dinner. Despite the storm brewing in his mind and heart and his preference not to cook that night, he couldn't go back on his word. After all, he had given his word to Nojiko.

He pondered the coincidences of life while buying the necessary ingredients. He had only returned to ask about the time he should come back to prepare the surprise and ended up discovering something that prevented him from bothering his dear nakama.

A few hours later, Nami returned home alone because Nojiko had told her to go ahead as she had to pick up some books she had lent to some children who lived near the coast.

The first thing she noticed upon crossing the main door was a delicious aroma coming from the dining room, which immediately alerted her but then made her strangely nervous and happy. She would recognize that delicious aroma anywhere; it was a mandarin tart, but not just any tart, it was the special tart that Sanji kun always made for her.

She walked in curiously and saw him. It felt like she hadn't seen him in years. Yes, she really hadn't realized how much she missed him until that moment. She couldn't help but observe him more closely. As always, he wore a spotless suit accompanied by an apron. His hair was a bit messy, but it didn't look bad, in fact, the slight curls of some strands seemed very cute to her. Also, his face reflected deep concentration as he finished decorating the tart.

Suddenly, she was flooded with the memory of her dream, which reflexively made her shake her head quickly, catching the cook's attention.

- Hello, Nami san - said Sanji with a half-smile on his face. However, inside, sadness was hitting him hard.

- Sanji kun, I didn't know you were on the island - she said instinctively as she approached the blond, who was starting to take off his apron.

- I came to see you, Nami san, and I also made dinner - he mentioned with a small laugh.

- You should have told me - she said with a semi-pout - I would have prepared something to welcome you.

- I wanted to surprise you, and Nojiko chan helped me a bit - he admitted with a sigh, which surprised the navigator a little.

- Well...thank you very much, Sanji kun, you don't know how much I've missed all of you - she said somewhat nostalgically.

- I understand perfectly - he mentioned - I think I even miss the marimo - he joked, and Nami burst into laughter. Suddenly, the atmosphere relaxed.

- Let me serve dinner - he said politely, inviting her to sit.

- Sure, I'm a bit hungry - Nami admitted, then sat down while noticing how her nakama had prepared the table beforehand.

Sanji had cooked a delicious soup accompanied by a main dish primarily made of seafood, which was incredibly tender, to the delight of the redhead's palate. And the dessert, her favorite by far. She knew there was no one on earth who could make that delicacy the special way the blond did.

However, the conversation was different. Despite everything being extremely cordial and Sanji kun not once entering his "romantic mode," she could notice something strange about him. He didn't usually avert his gaze when they talked, nor did he usually smile in that... strange way. Something told her those smiles were fake, and something was affecting the blond. She wondered if that was the reason he had come to visit her. Something didn't add up, and that worried her, but at the same time, she felt that if she asked, he wouldn't tell her. Despite having improved that aspect of his personality, he still tried to solve problems on his own. Definitely, something was happening with her nakama.

Dinner ended, and "given the hour," Sanji told her to go rest; he would take care of tidying up everything in the kitchen and dining room. Nami nodded and asked if he would stay to sleep, to which the blond lied, saying he had already rented a room at one of the villagers' houses. This further puzzled the navigator, who again nodded and wished him a good night before heading to her room. She would try to talk to him in the morning.

For his part, Sanji tried to maintain his composure as best as he could throughout the evening, which had not been easy but had finally ended. He put everything in order, picked up his small suitcase, and silently left the house, heading toward the forest.

He walked for an hour, lost in his thoughts, until he decided to sit at the base of a tree to rest. His mind was completely exhausted.

After leaning his head against the tree trunk, he watched the stars that observed his internal battle from afar. Part of him wanted to run away. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he felt it was hurting him. Had he failed again? He knew perfectly well that she didn't owe him anything, and he always loved her selflessly, but for once, he wished all the effort he put in had paid off and that she liked him at least a little. But it was impossible; her feelings blossomed for someone else.

He didn't want to stay on the island. He thought coming had been a mistake. He needed time to be alone and regain his composure. Otherwise, his feelings might interfere with his relationship with the crew.

He didn't know when or how long he had stayed asleep. He saw the sun high in the sky and then directed his sad gaze to the green and lonely forest. After a few minutes of remaining blank-minded, he stretched and headed to the village, where he rented a room for a few hours. After taking a relaxing bath, he set out to buy some provisions.

Indeed, he had decided to return to Baratie.

To be continued...

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I hope you enjoyed it :3

There's going to be actualizations every friday!