"I don't think that is a good idea, Luffia." Zoro's stern voice echoed in the basement, making a few of the people around raise an eyebrow, curious about what he was talking about.
"Eh? Why not?" Luffia's face is frowning and it may look cute and adorable, but Zoro strongly believes that the idea is not good.
"Since when does having a machine gun attached to your sports car a good idea? Especially if you are going to use it in the race?" His hands are on his hips, standing exasperated while demanding answers from Luffia.
It might be a dope idea, but no, he will not allow it. Yes, they might have a license to build weapons because that is also one of Franky's specialties, but it does not mean they will incorporate it into their cars. No, he won't allow it.
"It's like I am in a movie! It will be cool!"
"No."
"But Zoro..." Her eyes watered while begging him to agree. Most people would falter, but not Zoro. Sometimes, he might, but not this time.
"No. You can ask Franky to do it and he might, but take note that if you do that, prepare not to talk to me for a week." He threatened.
"What?! No! I don't want that!" The idea of not talking to Zoro does not sit well with her. It's boring without Zoro as if something is missing in her life.
"Then don't do it."
"But it will be cool to have it!"
"Ask Franky to install it in the ship or whatever, but not in your car." This is the compromise that Zoro can do. It is a bad idea to have a machine gun installed in Sunny Go, but whatever. It's not like they will be using that ship in a competition like her car.
"Oh, good idea! We have a cannon and now, we can have a machine gun! Yosh! Franky!" She shouted while running off towards Franky to tell him to install a machine gun in their ship. Zoro can only sigh before shrugging.
That's when he felt a hand slapped his head.
"Oi!" He shouted at Nami who was frowning.
"Idiot! As if it's not enough that the ship has a cannon, now you gave her the idea of installing a machine gun in it! It's a cruise ship, not a damn warship you moron!"
"I have to do something because she's dead-set on having a machine gun. Unless you'd like her to have it installed in her car?"
"You could have just denied her!"
"What difference does it make? The ship already has a cannon installed. A machine gun is nothing." Zoro shrugged before walking away from Nami who was sighing while massaging her head. Luffia alone is giving her a headache, now Zoro too. Those two are cut from the same clothes, no doubt about that.
"Jinbei! Tell those two to stop the damn idea!" Nami shouted for Jinbei who was just on the side, listening.
"I don't think it's a bad idea." He shrugged. She should have expected this answer because Jinbei is used to the mafia world. Having a machine gun within sight is nothing new to him.
Nami can only groan while watching Luffia hug Zoro while telling him that Franky agreed to the idea of installing a machine gun in their ship.
"Alright, I think that's enough talking about machine guns Luffia. We need to practice. When will your sisters drop by?" Zoro said while fixing his riding uniform.
"They'll be here any minute now, so as Kidd! Oh, by the way, did you know? Dad found out about Marco and Ann's relationship! Shishishi!"
"Is he still alive?" Zoro can't help but ask. Knowing Roger, he does not doubt that Marco is in the hospital right now.
"He is. Ann was there and she threatened Dad. Mom and Gramps too."
Zoro winced when he heard that Garp is also there. He met the old man a few times and if someone asks him to describe Luffia's grandfather, there's only one word: crazy. He pities Marco. Not only did he dealt with the father, but also the grandfather.
"I'm surprised he's still alive if your father and grandpa are there."
"Gramps approved though. He's okay with it."
"Did he eat anything weird? I don't think he's the type to approve the three of you dating that easily." Just thinking of Garp sends shivers down Zoro's spine. It's really impossible.
"Nuh-uh." Luffia shakes her head. "He approves of you as well from what Ann told us."
"Wait, does he know - "
"Beats me. Ann just said that Gramps is ok with you." Zoro can't fathom how and why Garp suddenly changed his mind, but it's good news for him. At least all he needs to worry about is Roger.
Both of them stopped talking when Ann and Sab arrived for the practice. They've done test drives for the past couple of days, making sure that they are prepared for the upcoming race.
As soon as the twins are geared up, they both got into their respective cars to start the test drive. Thousand Sunny Building has a small car racing field intended for practices. For years, they've used this field to practice before getting into the competition.
Not long after Ann finished her test drive, Sab followed suit. While she's on the field, Kidd arrived.
"Jaggy!" Luffia waved her hand which prompts Kidd to walk towards her and Zoro.
"Nifty place." He said while watching the maneuvers of the blue sports car in the field. "Is that Blue?" (AN: In the previous introduction, I used Aokuro and Akaren when introducing Sab and Ann's nicknames, but in the original storyline, I used Blue and Fire Fist. I'll use Blue and Firefist to make it a little easier.)
"Sure is." Zoro smirks. He was reminded that Kidd does not know Sab is Blue or that Luffia is Lucy.
"Didn't know I'll get to meet one of the most mysterious riders out there." Kidd shrugged, whistling with approval as Blue's maneuvers are pretty good.
"Shishishi! You'll be surprised of who Blue is." Luffia's excited. She will see how Kidd will react once he finds out.
The test drive took about 15 minutes before Blue stopped the car and got out of it, greeting Franky and Usopp. This is when Luffia, Zoro approached them followed by Kidd. He's curious about the three mysterious riders. No one knows who they are, and yet, Luffia managed to drag them into the competition under her name.
While they are walking, Firefist approached Blue and the two took off their helmets, revealing their identities for Kidd to see.
He stopped walking, blinking his eyes rapidly upon seeing who the driver was. It was none other than Sab.
"You'll catch a fly. Close your mouth." Snapping his head to the side, he saw Zoro smirking at him before walking away. Good thing he did, Kidd would love to smack that smirk off his face.
"Who could have thought that the most mysterious racers are the three of you." He said as soon as he was within earshot. "And I assume you are Lucy." Kidd told Luffia.
"Yup!"
"You're trusting her to drive?" This question was meant for Zoro while he's pointing to Luffia. He knew Luffia for quite some time now and from what he knew, she's quite reckless.
"She can be a hell of a driver." Zoro shrugged, earning a kiss on the cheek from Luffia.
"Take your PDA somewhere else."
"You're just jealous. Bleh!" Luffia had the guts to stick her tongue at Kidd while hugging Zoro like a monkey that she is. There's no doubt she's flaunting her relationship in the display. This just made Kidd roll his eyes at her before diverting his attention to Sab.
God, Kidd swears that he had never seen someone this hot in riding gear. The riding gear is not revealing, contrary, it is designed to protect your body in case something happens, but there's just something about her wearing it that makes it so fucking sexy.
"Is this your part-time job?" He's trying to sound casual about finding out that she's Blue and also hide how he is enjoying the sight in front of him.
"You can say that. Surprised?"
"A bit. You're not too bad."
"How about you show me what you got?"
"Is that a challenge?" For some reason, their faces are getting closer to one another while not breaking eye contact. There's an undeniable attraction between them that Kidd can no longer deny.
"Maybe. Are you going to back down?"
"Never."
While they are busy staring and challenging one another, Luffia made her way towards them, standing while observing the situation.
"Is that how you guys flirt? So boring." Her voice was so loud that everyone can hear it.
Usopp just muffled his voice, trying not to laugh, so as Nami. Zoro, on the other hand, did not even try to hide his laughter.
Luffia earned glares from Sab and Kidd. Before they could reprimand her, she bolted away, running towards Zoro. Leave it to Luffia to ruin the atmosphere.
Shaking his head, Kidd stepped away to wear his riding uniform, leaving Sab for the meantime.
"Don't interrupt their flirting Luffia. You're being a bother." Nami said as soon as Kidd is gone.
"We are not flirting."
"Uh-huh." Ann smirked at her twin sister. "I could have sworn that your faces are this close to kissing."
"No, it is not."
"Sab is so slow. You should have yanked him closer then kiss him. Like this!" Luffia did not hesitate to demonstrate how to pull someone for a kiss. Fortunately, that someone is Zoro. The green-haired man was not prepared to be pulled over while she plants a soft kiss on his lips before letting go. "See, easy?"
The twins gaped at Luffia. Since when did she become this bold? Okay, it's not like they are against a display of affection, this is natural, but for Luffia to do this? They can't believe it.
"O-Oi!" Zoro can't help but blush. He's not a virgin, but it doesn't mean he'll go kissing his woman in front of other people, especially not in front of her sisters. There's a proper place, somewhere private for this kind of thing but it seems Luffia does not care.
She just smiled at him before kissing him again, further torturing her overprotective sisters.
The twins are known for being overprotective of their sisters. Maybe they see Luffia as someone innocent and needs to protect her purity. Little did the twins know that she is a little devil hiding behind an angel's appearance. At this point, Zoro is the one who needs protection because Luffia did not stop after two smooches. She gave him several kisses, making his whole face redder than an apple.
"Luffia, stop molesting Zoro!" Usopp shouted, taking pity on Zoro's sanity. God knows how Zoro is trying to contain all the hidden lust he has and this little devil won't stop tormenting him.
"Shishishi!" She laughed devilishly before planting a kiss on his cheek and stormed off to find food, leaving Zoro with the shocked twins. Talk about awkward.
"Is she always like that?" Ann turned to Usopp.
"You have no idea." Usopp answered. They often see Luffia clinging to Zoro, kissing him whenever she feels like it.
"You know, I was kind of worried that you are going to take advantage of our sister, but it seems like the opposite." Sab said.
"She will be the death of me." Zoro sighed.
Of all the years that the twins knew Zoro, never had he done something to disrespect Luffia. He is always a gentleman to Luffia. There was one time that Luffia ran to the kitchen wearing nothing but a towel. He was the one who got mad at her for doing so and demanded her to get dressed properly.
Luffia never cared about personal space when it comes to Zoro. She never did and now that their relationship progressed, it seems all her inhibitions are gone, driving Zoro into madness.
Zoro is a man and the twins knew that even though he's a gentleman, there must be times when he felt the urge to do something more than just kissing. They can understand that, but he might be controlling himself from doing so. Sab can tell. He's not the type to be driven by lust, but his patience might not last if Luffia's always like that, tempting him.
"Well, what can we say? Good luck." Sab shrugged before walking away to get water, followed by Ann who tapped Zoro's shoulder.
He found a seat to watch Kidd with his practice. He's a little embarrassed that Luffia has to act like that, especially in front of her sisters. It's not like he dislikes it. He likes it, but it's just a little embarrassing.
Embarrassment might be a foreign word to Luffia because as soon as she came back, she sat on Zoro's lap while drinking an orange juice.
"Is it Kidd's turn?" She asked Zoro.
"Yes, it is." He answered. "You could have used this chair." There's a vacant chair next to Zoro, but she did not use it, opting to use Zoro's lap.
"But I like it here. You are so warm and I like it." Kiss.
Maybe Zoro should get used to the fact that Luffia will always be like this. He'll just pray that his patience will last.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Straw Hats are not the only one who is busy with their preparation with the race. The Whitebeard family is also preparing. Marco's motivated to practice well, not like he's not on normal days, but this time, he has a lot of motivation to win.
"What got you so worked up? Never seen you try this hard." It was Thatch who asked. He is accompanying Marco during his practice.
"You know Firefist is going to be in Luffia's list of racers right? Let's just say that Ann and I agreed that if I win, she's going to let me meet my ultimate rival." That was their deal.
"Pretty nice." It is, indeed. Especially when Ann promised a special prize for Marco when he wins. Just thinking of what it could be is making Marco excited.
"By the way, when are you going to introduce Ann to the public?"
This is another topic that they talked about during their stay at Sunny Islands. They agreed that they will go public once everything is settled with her parents. With what happened during the dinner, it seems that they are ahead of their expected schedule. They can go public anytime they want.
"Anytime, yoi."
"Why not reveal it after The Grandline Busines Awards? That will be next week."
The Grandline Business Awards is the most prestigious award events in Grandline. This is the gathering of many business elites which includes WGC. This year, Ann's been nominated for the best invention of the year.
"That's a good idea. I'll ask her about it, yoi."
"But it might not be a good idea to appear in the red carpet together, especially when her father might be there. He might go berserk for all we know." Just thinking about a mad Roger is making Marco quiver. That man is deadly scary when it comes to his precious daughters. Despite that small fear, Marco won't back down at all.
"Good point." Marco was reminded of the deal between Whitebeard and Roger. What were they thinking when they signed that deal? Oh, they were not thinking at all. Who will think when you are drunk?
He's just glad that it was a coincidence it was him and Ann. Had it been a different man, he's not sure how he will take it. He's not going to let her go.
"I'll go back to my office. I'll practice again tomorrow, yoi." Marco bid his farewell to Thatch.
After taking a shower in his private bathroom in the office, he proceeds to get dressed to check his emails before calling it a day. As he opens his drawer, his eyes landed on the gold bracelet placed on top of a cushion. The bracelet is simple, with a key and a small heart. The heart has embedded letters on it. Letters M and A on both sides, symbolizing their names.
Right next to the bracelet is a very small box with a small keyhole. The box is very slim, one wouldn't think there's a diamond ring inside. The key in the bracelet is for this box. When you open it, the holder of the ring rotates so the ring is in full display and goes back sideways when the box is closed.
It just looked like a very small notebook.
Yes, it might be too early for them to think about marriage, but Marco is starting to think about it. Maybe not this year, but in the future, when she's ready. He can't help but smile just thinking about the possibility of marrying her. He knows she's the one for him and no one else. What he hopes for is that she is thinking the same.
This is not like any of the relationships he had in the past. This one is different. Maybe because he's already at the right age to get married, but it just feels right.
He's planning to give the bracelet to her this evening, but he won't tell her what it's for. Not now. He figures they can enjoy the dating stage for now and will think about getting married when they feel like it is right.
Ann is still young and she may want to do a lot of things before settling down. Marco will just wait till she's ready.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"Zoro! I need you to test the other bike!" Franky shouted while preparing the bike that he built for Zoro to test. He and Usopp tested it before, but they just want to ask Zoro how it is when driving it.
"Luffia, get off me. I need to test that bike."
"No! I like my position. It's comfortable." She stubbornly said before wrapping her arms around Zoro's neck, proving her point that she won't get off his lap.
"Luffia, stop molesting him. You'll get your chance later!" Usopp joked. This has been the trending joke in SHI. Luffia's always assaulting the poor man, molesting him whenever she wants.
Zoro can only sigh before shrugging his shoulders. It's not like he dislikes their position, but he needs to test that bike and Luffia won't allow him. One may get annoyed when their girlfriend gets this clingy, but Zoro is not. Sure, it gets annoying, but it never got to a point that they are arguing about it. This is just how Luffia is.
"Sab-sis, can you test this bike instead?" Franky was left with no choice but to ask one of the twins. They can drive their bikes very well. It may not be a pro-level, but it will be enough for the test.
"Sure." Sab agreed after seeing that Luffia won't let Zoro go.
"You can drive a bike?" Kidd can't help but ask. Sure, it's not the first time he saw a woman driving a bike, but a racing bike is different than the normal bikes out there.
"Of course. Want me to beat your ass?"
"Huh. As if. Why don't you show me what you got?" That is a challenge that Sab won't hesitate to take.
She smirked at him, telling him to watch and learn.
After wearing her gear, Sab mounted the racing bike, starting its engine. Kidd thought that she was damn sexy after driving that racing car, but this time, she's much sexier than he expected. Seeing her ride on that bike is such a turn on for him.
Is there anything she can't do? Probably not.
"You look like you wanted to pounce on my sister." Ann told Kidd as soon as Sab was on the field, testing Franky's bike.
"And that's a bad thing? I thought you agreed on hooking us up?"
"No, but keep your pheromones in check. You look so ready to devour her. Ask her out first before thinking of sleeping with her. My sister is not a one-night stand woman."
Kidd frowned at Ann. Not because of her reminder, but because he felt offended that she thinks he does not know what Sab is worth for.
"I know. You don't have to remind me."
"So, when are you going to ask her out?" Ann and Luffia's very curious when Kidd will make his move.
Kidd is silent for a moment before thinking about last weekend where he spent a day with the children and Sab. It made him realize a lot of things. Maybe it is worth it to give these feelings a shot. Maybe it is time for him to know what dating someone feels like. He's still hesitant, but he's never denying that he's planning to ask her out one of these days. He's just not sure how.
"One of these days."
"How long is one of these days?"
"WUSS!" Luffia shouted at Kidd. It seems that she's listening to the conversation.
"Oh, shut up." He rolled his eyes at her. "I don't know how."
There was an unexplainable silence between the four of them before Ann laughed. Like laughed out loud.
"Are you serious? A playboy like you does not know how to ask someone out?"
"I only know how to ask someone for a one-night stand. Not on a date." Kidd grumbled, irritated that he's being laughed at.
"Shishishi! At least you have plans." Luffia approved, satisfied that one of these days, her sister and Jaggy will be dating.
"Just take her to dinner." Ann suggested.
"Yeah, yeah. Easier said than done." Kidd is not sure how he's going to bring it up anyway. Was he supposed to ask her: Hey, do you want to grab dinner with me?
He's pretty sure that's not how it works. Well, to be honest, he does not know how that works anyway when he's never asked someone on a date.
He might have a rich experience when it comes to sex, but when it comes to dating, he has none which makes this whole asking out ordeal unnerving. For some reason, he's getting cold feet whenever he thinks of asking her out.
It's already a big step that he's not denying his attraction to her. Asking her out is another one.
"But you already look like a couple." Another voice rang in Kidd's head. When he turned around, it was Nami.
"How?"
"Dude, you've been sharing drinks since that party in their house like a damn old married couple. And don't think I didn't see you two in a coffee shop sharing one coffee cup. That smells like a couple to me."
"Oh, now that I think about it, they do!" Luffia said, realizing that Sab and Kidd are acting like it was nothing new to them.
"That was nothing." Kidd thinks nothing of it, it just feels natural.
"Tell me, would you drink from one of our glasses unless necessary?"
"No."
"See?" Nami shook her head before leaving.
"Nami's right." Ann said as soon as Nami's gone.
"Still, doesn't make it easier. But I'll think of something. It's not like I am in a hurry."
Luffia and Ann are satisfied with his answer. They've done all they could, now, it's up to the two of them whoever asks one out first.
"I'll bet 500 that Sab will ask him out." Ann said all of a sudden.
"Oh! Oh! I'm betting 500 that Kidd will be the one to ask her out!" Luffia answered.
"Ok, ok! I'm noting that down." It was Usopp who was so silent but suddenly became active once they started placing bets.
"Another 500 on Kidd." Zoro smirked.
"Ok, list down 500 for me on Sab. SUPER!" Franky joined them in placing bets.
"Fuckers. Don't bet on us!" Kidd growled but none of them stopped. Soon, Nami came back and placed her bet too. There's nothing Kidd can do but roll his eyes and groan.