Halo! So, I'm super duper happy! Summer is here! Yay! I know some of you people are also on summer vac, and for some of you, there's really no difference. But whatever. My last day was Wednesday, next year's my last year! I'm so happy. But I'm sad at the same time. Anyways, thank you guys so much for all the reviews! This is the 29th chapter, so I'm hoping that by the 30th, I have at least 100 reviews.

So anyways, I've realized recently, that my story turned from a normal one, into one that seems more like a screenplay. In other words, I think there's WAY too much dialogue. I feel so disgusted. I realized this when I was reading other stories on an iPad. iPads. They make everything seem all professional. So, I realized, mine is not professional at all, since it lacks certain things in certain areas. For example, I feel like I'm putting too much fluff in the LuRo when I know it's not gonna happen for a while, so I'm gonna switch to the other pairings somewhere in this…Anyways, I apologize.

I also apologize for late updates. But, it's summer now, so I'll try to update way more…So anyways, this chap's gonna be sorta split into three different problems…so…sorry if ya' get confused somehow. Here's your update!

P.S. I've decided Perona looks like her timeskip self…Everyone else is pre-timeskip, though. I like her better like that. :p


"…You don't have to flatter me."

"Eh, what do you mean?"

"It's obvious you still think she's better." She looked at him and gave yet another one of the smiles of sorrow.

"Why do you keep thinking that?" he pouted, annoyed.

"Don't deny it, Luffy. You only said that to make me feel better. Of course you prefer her – you do like her, afterall." She gave him a real small smile.

He shook his head, "No. I think you're prettier."

"Stop saying that."

He shrugged, "I don't think Hancock's that pretty, anyways." He waved his hand.

"I would think that that's the main reason you would like her…She isn't the nicest."

"Like you!" he grinned.

"Or the smartest."

"Like you!"

"Stop saying these things, Luffy." She hid a smile.

"Ehhh…Why?"

"Because. You can't simply push all of her qualities away. That's quite rude. There has to be something you like about her..."

"…Mmm…" he thought about it. "Nope!"

She blinked. "What?"

"There's nothing!"

"What do you mean, Luffy-san?"

"Ehh…! Now you're calling me that again!"

"I don't mean to be so formal," she furrowed her eyebrows as she smiled. "But this is serious. You're being dishonest with me."

"Aw. You look sad." He pouted.

"Yes. Because you're being dishonest."

"Sugoi! Look at that...bird...I…see…"

"Stop avoiding this."

He puffed up his cheeks.

"Why won't you answer?" she smiled, amused.

His cheeks grew. "Well, thing is," he scratched his head, "I don't really know what I like about her!" he gave a nervous grin, "Shishi…shi."

She giggled.

"OI! Why are you laughing!?"

"It's amusing; seeing you flustered." She smiled, but and then put on a small frown. "But what are you saying by you don't know what yo-"

"I just don't know! I don't even know why I like her…" he scratched his head, "Maybe I don't…"

Damn it all. He was in an awkward position. It was just yesterday morning when he told her that. But yes. He didn't know why he liked her. He didn't even like her! She was annoying, and weird, and most importantly, she was mean to Robin.

He lightly clenched his fists. However, she still caught that.

"Upset much?" she smiled softly.

He looked at her, surprised, "Oh, yeah. Just thinking…I've never said that before!" he grinned excitedly.

She giggled again, and put the thought away.

"I can see the building from here," she commented.

She lightly kicked the slim, top layer of water from a small puddle. She was upset. She liked talking to him. Even if it was just as friends. Just his company could make her smile. She wished it could last longer. She wished it could last forever.

He nodded, "So we're still skipping, right?"

"Please don't call it that…It makes me feel bad.."

"There's nothing else to call it!" he pouted.

"You could say missing school…It sounds as though we're reluctant to do so."

"…Eh?"

"Nothing."

The two walked in silence.

"How long has it been? Since we arrived?" she asked him, though she already knew the answer.

"Tomorrow's the sixth day." He answered after counting with his fingers.

"It's hardly been a week…" she said, looking down at her boots.

"Yeah! I like it here! Everything seems to go so slow all the time! That means it'll feel like forever with you guys!" he waved his hands in the air excitedly.

She smiled, "Yes…Forever…"

"Forever!"

"Forever…" she whispered. "I wish."

"What?" She looked up to see him frowning at her.

She didn't say anything, and looked down again.

"Robin."

"We're not going to be together, all of us, forever. You know that. Right?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Eventually...We'll all leave. We'll be in each other's memories…But not in our lives."

"What? That doesn't make any sense!"

"It makes perfect sense. We'll change. We'll grow. We'll leave."

"Stop saying that." He demanded, "Stop talking about this. I don't want to hear it. It's only been a week! Stop ruining it!"

"…"

She looked at her boots.

"I'm sorry.." she apologized. "You…you should understand how I think. Negatively."

"Why can't you think of happy things? I think of happy things all the time." He frowned at her.

She smiled sadly, "Yes, I can tell…"

"Then why don't you do it?"

"…Because. Things aren't always so easy. Can we just leave it at that?"

"But…" he sighed. "Okay."

Her heart was pounding. She hated when they these sort of arguments. She hated when they had arguments. She didn't want any other emotions other than happiness to ever come when she was with him.

Besides, arguments also meant another easy way to embarrass herself. She always had to be on top. She always had to have an immediate answer. And when she didn't, she made a small scene, which made things even worse. It was horrible.

"..Did ya' know Nami likes Sanji?"

She stopped. "She does?"

He nodded. "Zoro told me."

She laughed. She didn't giggle, he noticed. She laughed. A long one. Not that he minded. The longer she laughed, the more he could watch her smile. "So you believe him?"

He nodded again. "He told me that Sanji told him that he likes her! And that he, I'm talking about Zoro, thinks that Nami likes him, too! So we just…have to…tell Sanji to ask her out! I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS BEFORE!" he jumped excitedly.

She giggled. It was too short, for his opinion. "I think that Zoro should be the one to convince him. I think they actually have the closest bond when it comes to serious things…Otherwise…they hate each other, and you two are best friends." He nodded.

"That's what he told me."

"I suppose I can talk to Nami later…to develop her feelings more." He grinned and nodded once more. "Do you…do you think there's any more romances in our group?" she smirked at him.

"Uh…Usopp likes this blond girl! And I saw Vivi talking to this one guy…Uh…I forgot his name…Hm." He said simply, tapping his head.

"How does he look like?" she asked him. She loved guessing games. Even if they weren't technical games.

"He has this hair that's sorta brown, but it's lighter. Or maybe it's dark blonde…Hm." He put on his thinking position again. "Oh, whatever! And he always wears this scarf thing and these purple-ish sunglasses."

She thought about it. She knew she had seen him before… What class was he in with her…English? No…P.E.? No…That's it! She was in the same History class as him. But of course, she sat right next to Luffy so she didn't pay attention much to the other students…Anyways, his name was right on the tip of her tongue. What was it, now? … Kohza! That's what it was.

And so, she told him, "Yes, I'm familiar with him." She felt slightly proud whenever she accomplished little things like this. "His name is Kohza."

"Yeah! That's what it was!" he nodded to her, grinning, "I remember now. Vivi said it when she was saying goodbye." He explained.

She nodded. She knew that she wasn't asking about Usopp's crush. Not because she didn't care. She loved all of her friends like family…except Luffy, of course. That…was just creepy. But she just wanted to walk, to enjoy this time. She also knew that she would basically have the whole day tomorrow as well, but it wouldn't feel the same. She would never have this same exact feeling again, so why waste it?

She sighed once he started talking again, "Hey Robin? Are we going to ask everyone else to skip, too, or is just gonna be us?" he asked her, his head tilted.

"Well, I suppose whatever you want is fine."

"Okay! Hm…Well…Hm…Weeell…Hm. Damn, this is hard!" he whined. She giggled. It was nice to know it was hard for him to pick between all of their friends and just her herself. But, it was obvious he was going to pick all of them. It wouldn't be as much fun, he would say. "Oi, Robin. Why don't you pick?"

She blinked, then shook her head, "No, Luffy… I'm fine. You can pick. It was your idea to skip, er, miss, after all."

He shook his head, too, "Nuh-uh! You can pick! Like you said, I came up with the idea, so you should pick this one this time!"

"No, Luffy. Pick. Now."

He started taking light jumps in panic, "Omigodomigod! Ehhh~ This is too much!"

She shook her head, "No, Luffy, I wasn't giving you a time limit I was merely saying that to-"

"Stop pressuring me, Robin!" he whined as he fake cried.

"I'm not."

"…Oh, okay…Well…If I had to pick…" he started before she interrupted him, "You do have to pick." He pouted, "I know, I know! Sheesh! Well…If I were to pick…Then I would pick…Hmm….hmm…HMM…Just us!"

"Just us?" she repeated. She smiled to herself, incredibly satisfied with his choice. He picked her…He picked her. Wait, wait, why would he pick her? "Luffy," she started, "Why would you pick just us?"

He thought about it for a moment.

~LIST OF LUFFY'S 'LOGICAL' REASONS~

#1 He liked Robin.

#2 He wanted to spend more time with Robin.

#3 He wanted to spend more time alone with Robin.

…That was it.

That was it, really. But of course, he couldn't tell her ANY of that, or else he would never, EVER be able to look at her again…Ever. So, he made up a fourth reason. "Because I need to catch up with you, remember?"

She nodded. Of course that was his answer. Afterwards, she looked down to the pavement in front of her once more. It was one of her most obvious reasons that she wanted to end the conversation. She was glad he understood.

The building was close, now. Just somewhere around another three minutes of walking and they would be there. She looked up from the floor only to notice him looking at her. So despite the fact she knew it would end horribly, she looked back at him. Out of other possibilities, she just gave him a smile and a nod. He looked away. Out of embarrassment? Out of awkwardness? Or out of hate? Ah, forget the hate part.

"What's wrong, Luffy?" she smirked. She just had to corner him. Just once. He shook his head, still looking away. "Did I do something wrong?" she asked innocently. As far as her voice, she was upset. As far as her grin and her silent giggling, she was winning. "Did…I upset you? Did…Did I embarrass you? I'm sorry.." she said sadly.

"Ah! No! Nothing's wrong! Nothing's wrong!" he shook his head back in forth along with his hands. "It's okay Robin, REALLY!" he hugged her hips as he started to panic, thinking he hurt her feelings. She giggled, "It's fine, Luf-"

"NO REALLY, ROBIN IT'S OKAY! DON'T CRYY~!"

She smiled at the older yet shorter boy hugging her. She petted the top of his head and slightly played with the soft, black hair behind his head as he fake sobbed to be dramatic. "Ah, it's fine, Luffy. I was just kidding." She gave an embarrassed smile to him as he looked up at her, "Really?" She nodded. "Wow! You're a good actress!" he exclaimed, jumping up. "You should sign up for a McDonald's commercial or something!"

She scrunched up her nose. "McDonald's, you say? I think I'll pass…" she hated the crappy fast food restaurant. It wasn't even a restaurant, in her opinion. "EH!? WHY!? Oh yeah!" he said, hitting his fist against his palm once he remembered, nodding, "Girls hate McDonald's!"

She giggled, "Exactly why, Luffy." He cheered. Apparently he liked small, technical guessing games, too. She stopped giggling once they arrived. "It seems like we're here." She sighed.

"I know. It's sad! I wanted to walk some more with you!" he whined, pouting. She smiled, and murmured, "I'm glad you feel that way."

"You do?" he blinked at her. He wasn't necessarily supposed to hear that. Now, it was her turn to look away. "Robin!" he whined again, "Answer me!"

Nothing.

"Ah, whatever. Point is…hm…the point is…I like hanging out with you! The End!" he hugged her shoulders in an attempt to get her to talk. "Get off of me, Luffy." It wasn't in her usual, commanding voice. It seemed…quieter. Shyer. "Are you acting again, Robin? 'Cuz you seem embarrassed this time!" he laughed to himself as he let go of her. However, he stopped when she didn't react.

He gasped. "Robin…! You're…! Embarrassed!" She bit her lip. "AHA! I DID IT! I MADE YOU FEEL SOMETHING!...But why? Don't you like hugging?" he fake cried again. "Ehhh~!"

She didn't answer. "So you DON'T like hugging!...Then why were you hugging Lucci?" he added quietly.

She finally turned to him and sighed, "Ah, Luffy…Don't take this so personally," she furrowed her eyebrows as she smiled softly, "I just…felt that I had to repay him."

He frowned. "For what? What the hell did he do for you that I didn't?"

"…I can't tell you."

"Of course." He said angrily. "Of course you can't…"

"…I'm sorry. I just realized I've already told you."

"You have?"

"About…Law…you know." He nodded slowly, "He was…somewhat giving me advice to try and…yes.." she sighed.

"Oh…I see… You could've just said that, Robin!" he grinned. "You got me all worked up!" he said sheepishly. She laughed. "But why him?"

"He talks to him occasionally, I suppose. He seemed to know a lot about him…" she explained. Apparently she was a good actress. He nodded. "Okay! I get it now! Anyways, let's go! It's getting cold!" he shivered as she giggled, the both of them walking into the school, the pleasant air helping them warm up, along with their hearts, of course.


Her large, brown, half-lidded eyes watched her two friends as they walked right in front of her, seeming to be into the conversation too much to notice her as they passed by.

She sighed. Her friend was so damn lucky. Her crush was an idiot. Of course he was easy to talk to. And they were roommates, so that just gave her even more of an advantage.

Why did she have to have such high standards? Now, she was stuck with a sweet, friendly, funny, talented guy…and Robin had Luffy…Thank god she had higher standards. She didn't even want to think about dating Luffy. She noted to herself to ask Robin sometime on how she found the idiot attractive.

But, anyways, now she was completely stuck. No wonder Robin was always stressed out. Having a crush was hard. No, no. Having a crush was easy. Making a move on your crush was hard. She put her head in her hands, frustrated. Shouldn't he make the first move? He was the gentleman, right? It was one of the reasons why she had grown to like the moron.

But what if he didn't like her? Maybe that was why he hadn't shown any interest?...Any real interest, anyways. He flirted with every girl she knew. Well, not really flirt. It was more of a swoon.

What upset her most about it, though, was that when he did it to her, she knew it wasn't real. She knew it wasn't sincere. She knew it was just a mere habit. But she fell for him anyways.


"Neh, Robin? Do you still want to sleep? Your headache's gone," he asked her once the two entered their room.

"That's right. It is gone." She realized herself, "Well, it would be a waste of a such a nice night…I suppose I could stay up a bit longer."

"Really? That's great!" he cheered, jumping excitedly again, but then said, "Then why did we go back? We missed out on the taco truck…" he pouted sadly.

"I'm sorry, Luffy.." she apologized, "We could go back…It's…surprisingly only around 9:30…!"

"SUGOI! THANK YOU, GOD!" he cheered again, dashing out of the room and making an immediate turn to start jamming on the elevator button. Robin smiled and followed him, closing the door behind her.

Robin smile slightly grew as she noticed the boy mumbling words excitedly. "Hurry up, hurry up, hurry uuupp~!"

The elevator made it's signature sound of a faraway bell, the doors slowly opening.

"Mugiwara."

The boy blinked but then politely greeted, "Traffy-guy." Well, as polite as he could, at least.

The male frowned at this, "Traffy-guy?"

"Traffy-guy." Luffy nodded, somewhat confused on why they were repeating his name over and over again.

"Girly-ya." The other boy nodded to her as he walked out of the elevator, switching places with the two.

"Hello, Mr. Law-kun." she smiled.

He raised his eyebrows at her in a comedic way. Robin smiled a bit, embarrassed. He was right there for God's sake! He smirked at her and winked before the doors closed. It was his way of

wishing her luck, she guessed.

"Wow. He…really likes you!" Luffy exclaimed, smiling at her. He was a good actor, too! He should sign up for…for…an Olive Garden's commercial! And Robin could have McDonalds! It was perfect! But anyways, he was preparing for this ever since the elevator doors opened. He knew it would come – with Traffy always flirting with Robin any chance he could get. He realized how pissed off it made him, actually admitting someone was flirting with his Robin and all.

She nodded, the smile still on her face. "Yes, I suppose there are reasons you would say that…"

He nodded back, "Yup!" he said, smiling, but then pouted, "You guys even have secret signals! I feel so left out!" he whined dramatically.

She giggled, "It's not that important, Luffy…"

He pouted. Why wouldn't she tell him? It's not like she was some sort of spy…or…A RUSSIAN SPY! His eyes widened as he grinned at the idea, but he knew it wasn't true. But anyways, was he being too defensive? Too protective? Maybe that was why they always had issues. He was getting angrier more often…That was it. He was too protective. But this. This wasn't protective! This he actually deserved to know! They were best friends, right?...Of course they were…But…Was that all they ever were going to be?


"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!"

Zoro had had it. That annoying care-bear had been following him non-stop, whining about her problems and the offer Robin had given her. He wasn't OPRAH for God's sake!

She whined in her annoying voice, "Hey, swordsman! I don't like talking to you either, but everyone is either busy, mean, or perverted!"

"And how am I NOT mean?!" he said, trying to calm himself down as he quickly walked in front of her.

"Because! I can tell you wouldn't actually hurt me!"

He stopped walking and muttered under his breath, "Geez, thanks for teaching me so well, Kuina."

"Who's Kuina?" the girl asked, walking to him smoothly, her dress being so long it gave the impression she was floating.

"My friend," he sighed, finally walking at a pace she could catch up with.

"Haru-haru-haru, does she go here?"

"Nah…She…she died."

Her smoky eyes that contrasted with the rest of pink self widened. "I'm sorry." She said softly.

"Don't be. I've gotten over it. She would've wanted me to. It's a pride thing, I guess…" he said, walking slightly faster.

She blinked at his back before she sighed sadly and mumbled, "Why do you like being alone so much, stupid swordsman?"

She followed him, a bit more respect and happiness in her, though.


She slightly tensed up as they walked outside again, the strong, frigid air hitting the both of them all at once. However, it took Luffy a while to realize it. She rubbed her arms quickly and breathed out, slight fascination occurring when the seeable, denser, form of air came out of her mouth.

"I-I-IT-IT'S SO-S-S-SO C-C-C-COLD~!" he shivered but managed to yell.

She nodded, "Much c-colder than last t-time…" Luffy blinked at her then laughed. "W-What's s-so funny?"

He shivered then smiled, "Your ch-cheeks are all r-red." Her eyes slightly widened. "Y-Yup! Y-You look c-cute... Sh-shi-shi-sh-sh-sh- ah, sc-screw it…"

She was sure they probably became redder. How could he manage to say that so easily? He knew she had a 'crush' on Law! Didn't he know what shame meant? However, she was still beyond happy. She smiled at the ground, embarrassed.

"W-Why're you s-smiling?" he asked her.

Damn it. Might as well tell him. It'll most likely embarrass him than her. "J-Just quite happy th-that you called me c-cute,"

"Well it's t-true..!"

She smiled. "A-Arigato, L-Luffy...for b-being my f-friend.

"Y-You-" he started before she interrupted him, "H-Hey do you j-just want to go to the St-Starbucks ins-side?"

He nodded, "G-Good thing we were t-taking b-baby s-steps!"

She looked behind her and peered her eyes when she realized they were a good nine feet from the school.


He gave a satisfied sigh as the two sat down, warm cups in their hands. "Sugoi…This is SO~ much better…" If she didn't know any better she would've said he was drunk. "I should've worn my scarf…" She giggled. "I feel like I'm stopping the world and melting with you.." he sighed, but then grinned, "Get it?"

She laughed this time, "Fufufufufu! Of course."

"Hey! Robin! Isn't that Nami over there?" she looked at the direction he was pointing at. "I think so…Do you mind if I were to talk to her right now? You could go convince Zoro to come with you and talk to Sanji-san."

"Good idea! I'm gonna go now! See ya' later Robin!" Both got up and left but after a few steps Robin turned back and called his name, "Hey, Luffy."

"Yeah?"

"What were you going tell me? Earlier, outside?"

"Oh, yeah!" he remembered. He started walking to her, "I was gonna say that you don't have to thank me for being your friend! Roommates or not I still would be! Shishishi!" he grinned and hugged her, "I hope you're embarrassed!"

He let go of her and ran off. She watched him leave, the tint of pink still visible. "Luffy.." she whispered. He was getting used to hugging her. That was a good sign, right?


The flame-headed girl sighed as she watched her two friends hugged. She felt as though they were doing it in front of her just to mock her. But she knew it was just her honest jealousy talking…Robin was too damn lucky. She probably wasn't so lucky from her own point of view, but to Nami, she was the luckiest girl on earth. To have someone so straightforward and brave.

She would have to guess Sanji would be more romantic when it came to serious things. And more romantic meant more mysterious. Mysterious was difficult to deal with, but later, it was always worth the wait and confusion.

She never really found herself attracted to blondes. She never really found herself attracted to anyone, really. But when he was flirting, like actually flirting and wasn't in what Nami called Pervert Mode, he always seemed to get the best of her with his stupid flattery and his stupid foods and his stupid smile and his stupid kindness…

She was one of the few dozens of students in the whole school that knew he smoked. She couldn't help but feel flattered just to know he trusted her. But then again, no teachers really cared…except for Smoker. Ironic, correct?

Smoking, however, just somehow drew her to him even more. It was a subtle hint of pure maturity inside that still childish body of his. He would never admit it himself, but he was childish. As childish as Luffy. But then again, they were all childish. Even Robin. Just the other day she told her that she still thought that they were secret cities and buildings underneath Canada. She had reasoned that the area was too large for the amount of people there actually were, her theory being they were all hippies and didn't want to cut down forests and hurt their beloved moose.

She had to admit it was pretty reasonable.