They knew Sanji is being hostel with them, even if it didn't seem like it to others. "Is he coming to school?"
"Don't know?" Sanji answers with a shrug.
They stay silent, staring at each other. The rest of the class observed silently. The whole school noticed that the infamous straw hats stopped being the strawhats. You can't be called that when the people who made them 'the strawhats' aren't all there. It was confusing and mysterious why they stopped hanging around each other. After the redemption video it only got more confusing why they weren't talking to each other but no one dared to ask.
"Does he plan to come to school again?" Usopp asks. The whole class leaned a little closer. They all owed Zoro apologies. Some more than others.
"Don't know." Can't really answer that when he doesn't know. He hasn't heard Zoro talk about it and he hasn't brought it up either. He saw that they have more questions but he didn't want to talk to them. He knows it's childish to think that but right now he doesn't care. It's just him and Zoro right now. It can't always be like that, he knows, but right now that's how it's going to be and he likes that. Zoro needs to heal and he's helping with that. "Can I ask a question first? Why did you stop talking Zoro?"
"He didn't tell us." Sanji felt a vein pop at that. What a bunch of hypocrites.
"Hypocrites. Like you or Robin told us when you needed help? You kept that from us too. We trusted you and you left us. We helped only after we found out and when you asked, both of you." He sees their eyes, they knew what he said is true. He turned away, frowning, he didn't want to talk to them anymore. It was making him upset because he did the same thing, but with that as a excuse it pissed him off. "He asked for help." He says under his breath.
No one is able to say anything more because the homeroom teacher walks in getting ready to start class. They go to their seats sad and angry at themselves. Sanji is right. Since their friendship no one has been one hundred percent honest. They gradually learned things about each other. They shouldn't have gotten mad about that but they had spent so long with each other that at this point they thought there was no reason to hide anything anymore.
It's understandable why he did though. He thought he could take care of it himself so he didn't say anything. Nami and Robin understood that the most. They didn't say anything because they thought they could handle it themselves. Why ask for help when there is no reason to? But they soon learned that they did need help. That they couldn't handle it themselves. That it wasn't something that can be solved so easily.
The worst part is they even turned their back when Zoro needed help the most.
They really needed to say they're sorry to Zoro. Try to make it up to him but now it will be harder with Sanji against them.
But nothing's easy, they messed up and now they have to fix it, like with any relationship, friend or lover, they need to work for it.
Sanji was upset almost the whole day, until the last bell ring of the day, signalling the end of school. He couldn't be more happy after hearing that, just knowing he'll be able to see his beloved marimo soon made him happy and have a skip in his step.
Like he predicted Zeff texted him about working so he ran. He ran to Zoro. He needed to see him. He didn't think he could be mad at the ladies, and it wasn't his intention to say what he had, it had just slipped out before he could stop himself, before he could hear what he thought. He didn't regret it though. What he said is the truth. He was hoping that would be it for a while. That they wouldn't bother him. That's why he wanted to see Zoro even if it's for ten seconds, even if they only say one word to each other.
Sanji stops in his tracks, he was a few houses down from Zoro's, his green haired boyfriend stood against the brick wall, separating house from street. Zoro was on the other side of the wall, next to the small gate and lantern, he leaned against the wall laying his head in his arms as he wait. For who?
Was he waiting for him? But how could he know? He didn't say anything to him.
Zoro's head pops up and he stands straight. He watches as Zoro raising one hand in the air and starts waving. Calling out to someone. He looks across from him to see a man waving back.
Who was he? How did he know Zoro? And why is he going to Zoro's house?
The man stops in front of Zoro, they exchange pleasantries then Zoro picks something off the floor next to him. Sanji squints to see it better. It's the backpack. The horrible, worn down, turquoise with flowers, back pack. The man slings the back pack on his back properly then handed Zoro a small bag. It wasn't huge, more like one you'd find in a book store of some sort, a bag they put the one book you bought. As soon as Zoro said something they waved again and he left. Curiosity eating at the blond.
He stood there dazed before coming back to reality when Zoro turned and walks to the front door. He yells out, "Zoro!" The latter turns seeing his blonde boyfriend running towards him.
He's surprised, he didn't think Sanji would have time for him. If last week was anything to go by he thought he would busy this week too. Unexpected but welcomed. "Cook? What are you doing here?"
"What I can't come and say hi to my boyfriend?" Sanji smiled at the way Zoro blushed. Still after their weekend together Zoro is still not use to some things, like calling him boyfriend.
"I thought you would be busy."
"I was about to head home but I wanted to see you." Zoro gave him a smile. "Also who was that?"
"My co-worker. Came to drop off the anime for the manga I was reading."
"Fruits basket?" Zoro nods. "When are you going back to work?"
Zoro shrugs. "I thought this week, since I could walk better but Bonney said she'll text me when."
"Tell me when too."
"Why?" Zoro smiles.
"So- " Sanji reaches into his pocket to get his phone. The screen shows a photo of Zeff, he's calling. "I'm on my way old man." He ends the call then looks at Zoro. "I'll see you some other time. Text you tonight." He slips his phone away and leaves with a wave.