The Good Book (NAMIXVIVI)

Divided Attention

The chime of the bell announced the end of English class, and with it, a new wave of apprehension washed over Vivi. Math with Sanji. While not as boisterous as Luffy or as eccentric as Franky, Sanji had a way of looking at you, intensely focused, that always left Vivi feeling a little self-conscious. Especially today, with her heart a tangled mess of emotions about Nami.

As Sanji settled into the seat beside her, he offered a friendly nod. "Hey, Vivi," he greeted, zipping his bag open. "Ready for a pop quiz? Usopp told me Mr. Rayleigh is giving every class one. You should've seen how distressed he was."

Vivi managed a small smile, relieved that Sanji seemed more focused on math than on her. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, pulling out her textbook and attempting to organize her thoughts alongside her writing utensils.

Sanji, ever observant, noticed the slight tremor in her hand and the way her usual bright eyes seemed clouded with worry. "Everything alright, Vivi?" he asked, his voice genuinely concerned.

Vivi hesitated, debating whether to confide in him. Sanji was a good listener, always offering a practical perspective and a calming presence. But could she burden him with the confusing whirlwind of emotions she felt for Nami?

"It's nothing, really," she dismissed, forcing a light tone. "Just a bit tired, I think."

Sanji didn't pry, but his brow remained furrowed with concern as he pulled out his notebook. She thinks? He spent the rest of the class patiently explaining the more challenging concepts, his clear explanations and knack for simplifying complex ideas making even Mr. Rayleigh's toughest problems seem manageable.

Vivi, despite her emotional turmoil, found herself drawn into the logic and elegance of mathematics, Sanji's calm guidance a welcome anchor in her storm of emotions. Maybe, she thought, she could approach her feelings for Nami with the same clear-headedness and courage she found in facing a difficult equation. After all, sometimes the scariest problems had the most beautiful solutions.
"Alright, Vivi," Sanji said, tapping his pencil against a particularly tricky equation in their textbook. "This one's kind of a curveball. What do you think the first step should be?"

Vivi, still trying to shake off the lingering unease from her earlier conversations, stared blankly at the equation. A jumble of numbers and symbols swam before her eyes, refusing to make sense. "I... I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I can't seem to wrap my head around it."

Sanji, sensing her distress, set down his pencil and turned towards her, his expression open and encouraging. "Hey, it's okay," he reassured her, his voice calm and steady. "Let's break it down together, step by step. What's tripping you up?"

Vivi, heartened by his patience, pointed to a cluster of variables. "This part here," she mumbled. "I can't remember how to isolate the 'x'."

"Ah, classic Rayleigh tactic," Sanji chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Trying to throw us off with a bit of algebra. But don't worry, we'll solve it together!" He picked up his pencil and, with a few deft strokes, began to break down the equation on a spare sheet of paper. "Remember that distributive property we talked about yesterday? This is where it comes in handy..."

As Sanji patiently explained the process, his voice calm and reassuring, Vivi felt her anxiety begin to recede. His clear explanations and logical approach to the problem had a way of calming the storm of emotions swirling within her.

"See?" Sanji said, finally reaching the solution. "Not so intimidating after all, right?"

Vivi, a genuine smile finally gracing her lips, nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Sanji," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You really have a knack for making even the most confusing things seem clear."