The Best (Zoro X Reader)

Chapter XVIII

As soon as you step into your room you felt that overwhelmed happiness taking over you, you had managed well after what happened with your father, staying calm, thanking him and getting to your room to leave your things and as soon as you had the chance you jumped and cheered trying to be as quiet as you could. You celebrated around while putting everything on its place feeling like nothing could stop you know... but you stopped as soon as a box came in contact with your eyes

-Oh no... - you said checking inside the box. That box was everything to you, inside resided pictures of places you always dreamed to see that you found in magazines or postcards, and all your life savings.

You had saved since a very early age, and still you didn't have much. Enough for that trip maybe but not for anything else. You had to make a decision and it was going to be made soon if you wanted to actually see the world, you didn't had many options but you still needed to choose them carefully as it would mean that a lot of things would have to change depending on what you decided to do in the end.

-Hello? - a knock and someone's voice behind the door scare you, you were fast to close the box and placed on the usual spot before opening the door

-Oh, Zoro- you smiled seeing him- it's you- you drag him inside- I did it- you said trying not to sound too loud- I can go!

-I know, I saw you skipping on the way here- he said making you turn red as you really didn't notice yourself doing it, still you couldn't help but to grab the boy and kiss him as your excitement was still really present

-I did it...- you said hugging him, it was nice hugging him he was such a teddy bear even though you knew he would never admit it- thank you

He wasn't good with words but he knew how to reassure you, he hugs you back as a response, quiet yet effective. He only now realized he was inside your room, giving him the opportunity to see it. It wasn't big or small, just the right size and there weren't many decorations as you really never cared for them, everything was well organized thought as it was something your mother always insisted on you doing when you were a little kid.

-You should leave now- you said fearing someone would see you as you left the door open, he let you go kissing you before leaving your room

-I'll see you around stranger- he said closing the door, leaving you along with you, your thoughts and a lack of money

During night you considered your options, you didn't have many ways to earn money so you needed to view your options. In the town you could ask for a shift in the ramen place you loved so much, you had taken some before in secret when you had an idea to ran away but ended up discarding the idea and stopped working there. There was also the school, you were offered to teach a class on history but was a little scared of doing it, so for a time the school has been using another teacher. And your last hope was asking for money, but it was also a thing you refused to do, it was your dream to chase, you needed to fight for it even if it made you work twice as hard for it.

In that moment you thought about Zoro. He was doing what you were about to do and more, he had left everything behind him to work and get the chance to be stronger and get to chase his dream to be the best swordsman. You thought about how hard he worked and how sometimes he'll push himself past his limit just to improve, he inspired you.

In the morning you were fast to wake up and leave to the town, trying to avoid everyone, including Zoro. You didn't want him to know what you were doing as to not bother him with your financial problems. You left so early that when you arrived to your destination it was closed. It was stressful having to wait in there as you knew people like Kahori roamed the town with nothing to do looking to step on someone just to make her day interesting.

-Y/N? - asked the voice you wanted to hear as the principal of the school was arriving there- what are you doing here?

-I... I'm sorry I chicken out for your offer- you said trying to be as nice and respectful as you could- but I would really want to teach the class you told me about... I could use the money

-Oh- he chuckled patting your shoulder- I knew you'll come back, your place is still waiting for you, same thing we talked about

-Same thing? - you asked- are you sure?

-Yeah, Thursdays the 12:00a.m. class- he said- same amount- you bowed thanking him and apologizing for the problems you caused by not accepting the offer before

-I'm really sorry, I should have accepted it before- you said as he kept his usual smile, he was just like Mr. Ito but nicer, something you expected for him as he was his brother

-You know Y/N that I'll always have a place for you in the school- he said as he remembered you when you were a kid, before everything happened. Fill with conviction and dreams, investigating so much about the big wide world and what was to see as you had always tried to be part of it and find things new for you- when can you start?

-Is it okay in 2 weeks?- you asked shyly as you had already asked for too much by asking for the job when you had declined it and now you needed time as you were leaving next week away with Zoro- if not I can start doing some things for the kids, maybe even...

-2 weeks sounds perfect for me- he said- If you come with me I can give you what you'll need and show you what they know and need to learn- he opened the school gate that was barely locked as it was an old building that no one really cared for

-Of course- you said following behind as he entered the familiar place- Mr. Yama...- he turned around with a gentle smile- can we keep this job as a secret from my father?

-Well of course- he said as he kept going- is not my thing to tell, I'm pretty sure you'll do it whenever you are ready

-Thank you again... for everything