Before the Floraleigh dance, Usopp and Chopper passed by Robin's flower shop. Usopp was cheerily talking with the little reindeer about when Kaya accepted his request to be his partner at the dance. Chopper was so invested that he asked many questions. When Usopp was about to add something about him choosing the best shirt for the dance, he saw Zo come out of the back entrance of the flower shop.

"Oi, Zo!" Usopp waved at the man but Zo ignored him as if he was in a hurry.

Usopp was left wondering… He knew that he was working at the flower shop but why was he in a hurry? Maybe he just forgot something— Wait, wasn't the shop closed during holidays? Why was he there—?

"Usopp? What's taking you so long? You need to tell me more!" Chopper called out. "We don't want Luffy to eat all of the food there!"

"Right, right, I'm coming! So here's what I wore!" He showed his shirt as he caught up with Chopper.

Usopp didn't look back nor look for Zo. Still, he was having trouble deciding whether he should tell Chopper what he saw or not. However, maybe, it was for the best or else his curiosity would've killed him, literally, Usopp thought. Yet, a chill ran down his spine as he looked at the flower shop, then quickly glanced away, and walked faster with Chopper.

'It's better not to think about it anymore…' he mumbled under his breath and caught up with Chopper.

Zoro arrived at the plaza earlier than he should have, and he assumed that the crowd would be quite thin, but he was wrong. People of all ages had already gathered at the plaza since the Floraleigh dance was about to start. The plaza was spacious enough to be occupied by all these people— from a handful of tourists to the townspeople of Rustbay. When the people of Rustbay said that the last two events of Floraleigh were big, Zoro thought they were exaggerating.

Everyone wore their best dress to match the beautiful flowers decorated along the streets of Rustbay in time for the Floraleigh dance— Zoro included.

At first, he was about to wear the boring shirt he had— Doctorine described it as that— but he and Doctorine had a long disagreement regarding his outfit before he arrived at the plaza. So, what he had bought the other day was discarded, and Doctorine dragged him once again to the market, and chose a more suitable, and perfect outfit for the dance.

"Don't act like a kid, swordsman. Don't you want to be presentable for Robin?" Doctorine crossed her arms, annoyed that up until now, the swordsman was acting stubborn.

"I— Don't bring her into the conversation! I don't want that." Zoro chided when she handed him a floral shirt instead of the usual plain ones he wore.

"You're already late and you really think you have time to be picky? Now wear this and go to the plaza! You need to be fashionable at least, and not wear that ugly shirt of yours!" The older woman scolded the swordsman. Even the store seller hid their laugh along with Chopper, who was watching them argue.

Sadly, for Zoro, Chopper didn't go with him, instead he went with Usopp.

He wondered whether he would meet his friends there despite the thick crowd.

Back to the present time, he had a mission: he needed to look for Robin at the dance.

As he arrived at the plaza, he started looking around the crowd when he spotted familiar faces. It was Ben and Erin. Zoro was about to move past, but unfortunately for him, the young woman had a keen eye, and waved at him. Zoro only nodded his head in response despite avoiding them. Continuing on, he saw Nami and that stupid cook, and as usual the cook swooned at Nami, trailing behind her. If he could roll his eyes through his skull, he would've already done that so many times, but, too bad, he couldn't. He ignored the couple and looked for Robin once again in the crowd.

He was about to give up, but no longer than a minute before he was about to leave the plaza, there she was— Robin, clad in her floral puffy-sleeved sundress, who was now surrounded by different people and tourists. Eager as he was to approach her, he just stood there, watching from afar, with a small smile on his face as she walked. There was this unknown force that made him only stand frozen on his feet. Gazing at Robin, it was always that same feeling wherein her aura was pulling him in. He might have been lying, but no, Robin had that effect on him, and even the people surrounding her were in awe. They stopped and appreciated the woman, Robin, she was. She was captivating, and Zoro, too, was in awe. Not just anyone could do that, and Robin was the only one who could do that to him…

'Gods, Robin…' He cursed internally despite knowing that he himself was not a theist, yet he was captivated for sure— every day.

It seemed that thought made Robin hear him, and as her attention landed on him, their gazes met.

Ignoring the crowd that surrounded her, she flashed him a smile, and Zoro's heart skipped a beat even at her usual smile, that was all too familiar for his mind to bear. He was caught in her trap once more, entranced by her sheer gaze, tugging him, and luring him.

Was she teasing him after he had tried to stray further from her? What game was she playing? He was about to compare it to a game of chess although he knew he always lost, especially when he played against her. Should he make his move or not? But what were her next moves?

Time went by, slowly , and Robin, who was easily seen, disappeared among the crowd. He looked for her, tiptoed on his feet, to search for that cunning woman.

If they were playing, Robin had already won because he was now looking for her.

'This is more like a game of hide and seek,' he mentally cursed as he squeezed his way among the crowd. Muttered apologies came out of his mouth every time he bumped into someone. Every time he spotted Robin, she quickly disappeared, and the crowd was already making him lose sight of her. It was like a sport for him, having to chase Robin in this crowd— he wasn't complaining though, he loved a good challenge. If this was what she wanted, then he would play her game. Until later, he found himself in the middle of the plaza, where the Floraleigh dance was held, and unfortunately for him, Robin was there. He then heard faint music somewhere in the background, hinting that something was about to start.

'Fuck,' he mumbled under his breath.

There was no way out of this sea of people…

The crowd that was once out of order, shifted to their dancing positions for a social dance, lining up perfectly. He could have been spectating, but no, he was now in line for a dance and was waiting for a partner just like everyone else. Everybody in the crowd had found a partner. It didn't matter if they knew the person or not, but there was an unspoken agreement where:

When you are on the dance floor, you are NOW a part of the dance floor.

'This is definitely a trap that I can't escape…' Zoro grumbled as he stood along with the other people. It didn't take him long to find someone to be his partner. The cheery sound of strings and percussions resonated, hinting that the dance was about to start.

"Is this your first time joining the dance?" A petite woman asked him, his partner.

Zoro absentmindedly nodded his head, distracted that he had to find Robin among these crowds.

"Relax, whoever you're looking for can wait, first—" The woman clapped her hands to the beat, focusing the swordsman's attention on her.

"You have to dance." There was a smile on his partner's face as she guided him with the steps.

The steps weren't that hard to follow: First, they would move to the side while their hands were on their hips; Second, they would clap their hands to the sound of the beat while they switched positions with their partners; Third step was to jive with their partner, hands held together as they swayed their hips along to the sound of beat; Finally, when they were finished the steps, they would repeat them two times and afterwards, when they heard the sound of the bell, it would signal that it was time to switch partners to the fifth person on your left.

"That was easy, no?" Zoro's partner asked, but to Zoro, it was the exact opposite. Sure, he was dancing, but he was still distracted.

"I'm not made for dancing these steps…" he grumbled in annoyance as he clapped his hands. He even almost tripped himself over his own feet, although he still followed the steps with grace.

Robin… Another clap along with the beat… Robin… Another clap… 'Wait, what's the next step?'

The woman chuckled as she squeezed his hand, hinting it was the next, "Don't worry about your mistake, just go with the flow! What matters is you're having fun! This is Floraleigh! You have to celebrate once in a while."

Zoro huffed but not in annoyance. He was amused that this reluctant woman had managed to teach him in a short time — though it wasn't a surprise that Zoro was a fast learner, after all. Side step, jive, another change in position? He asked himself, although it didn't take him long to know the answer now that the people around him were onto the next step. Before Zoro and the woman parted ways, he nudged his head in acknowledgement, thanking her for her help.

Zoro still hadn't forgotten to look for Robin among the crowd. He hadn't spotted her yet. At the next switch, he had a new partner, and it was a young boy, probably around Chopper's age.

"Mister, let's dance!" The little boy showed his toothy grin, while Zoro only returned it with a faint smile on his face. Just like what the woman said, he would 'go with the flow.'

It was a series of hide and seek. As soon as he spotted Robin, she disappeared. Then when he spotted her again, she had that smile as if she was amused with their silly little game. It had already happened three times— no, many times! He tried his best, not just to find Robin, but also with the dance.

The old lady he had been paired with praised him not just for his good looks, but with the way he dragged her on the floor, saying: "Young man, are you a professional? You are so good at this!" Her own words. Zoro muttered a shy 'thank you' at the lady, and continued on with their dance and his search for Robin on the dance floor.

When he tiptoed again, instead of Robin, he saw that stupid cook, and almost laughed out loud when he was standing outside of the line, instead of dancing with Nami. He looked like a sad puppy waiting , he scoffed under his breath.

As he ignoredmore of that stupid cook's antics, the dance sequence was about to end and he needed to look for her once more.

On the fourth switch, coincidentally, Robin was his next partner. And yet, she decided to switch with someone next to her. Oh, she is not going anywhere , he told himself . She was already within his vicinity, and he wouldn't let her get away from him again. He didn't want another partner other than her.

Following her, he successfully caught her wrist, making her stop on her feet.

"Robin…!" He pulled her closer to him before she got away.

Robin's back rested against his chest, and she slowly turned her head around letting out an embarrassed chuckle.

"You caught me…" she mumbled under her breath, as if being with him had taken her breath away, then after came her soft smile.

When was the last time they got close like this? A week? Days? Had it been that long since the gardens in Ohara? It felt like months ever since that incident but it had just nearly been a week.

A week…

"I missed you." Zoro said on a whim, his impulse kicking his gut once again.

He was never like this. Never at all… However, he wouldn't get tired of saying all those words if it meant being closer to someone that he deeply cared for, and adored. Robin didn't reply, instead, she turned her body to face him completely, then caressed his right cheek, pressing her forehead on his own. It was one of those gentle moments, that every time he was with her, Zoro could always feel time stop. It always happened, but did he want it to change? To stop? Never… Never at all.

Their brief reunion lasted for a moment. The music had changed from an upbeat to a soft and mellow tune, the crowd now at a different position from earlier. The crowd wasn't lined up anymore, instead the partners were scattered but still divided by pairs. All of a sudden, the lights dimmed, except for the spotlight where Zoro and Robin were both standing. Both shielding their eyes from the bright spotlight, they afterwards realized they were standing in the middle of the dance floor, at the center of attention.

They got to be the main event of the dance floor.

Zoro was shy at first, but he sighed deeply. He couldn't leave Robin all alone here now that he had found her, so instead of walking away, he offered his hand, and smiled at her.

"Well…?" He asked her, extending his hand.

Robin chuckled at his gesture, and curtsied before she took his hand.

"A pleasure to dance with you," Robin whispered to him.

Ever since the garden incident, the past few days had been rough. The days had been uneasy for the two of them. Instead of confronting their situation, both of them had the highest of prides, and avoided each other. At the same time of their uneasy tension, they both craved each other's arms— Nami even told Robin a few days before the dance that they were idiots in love, and Robin just laughed because it was partly the truth.

Now here they were, once again, faces close, bodies swaying slowly with the smooth tempo of the music. They were finally this close again, back in each other's arms. At first, Zoro was the one leading them in the dance. He even twirled her— holding her hand above her head and watching her spin. He was never rough. He knew his hands might have been made for battle, but he was always intent on handling Robin gently no matter what.

They made eye contact afterwards, and a soft giggle escaped from the both of them. Zoro, unaware of what was Robin going to do next, quickly caught on when she decided to switch their roles as the music turned upbeat.

With that, the two seemed to capture everyone's attention.

The crowd audibly gasped when Robin dipped Zoro's head, almost touching him to the ground. Robin flashed him a small, yet proud smile when their gazes met. Zoro would be lying if he said that it didn't make his heart flutter and tumble in circles. He almost wanted to kiss that cocky smile she had. They were in the spotlight of the crowd but for Zoro and Robin? They were alone in their own world.

Pulling him back, Robin let Zoro lead their dance once again when the music changed.

"Where did you learn to dance?" She asked.

"From Mihawk. It was when he decided to take a turn in my training. He was so persistent with me learning it since it could be handy in future, and I guess that time is now." Zoro said, which made the woman chuckle.

Like a scene from a film, the people were mesmerized and gazed upon the couple. Some of them were even now distracted, watching them as they danced. The couple had this inexplicable aura, and they were so amazed at how graceful they danced. Capturing their attention, some people gossiped behind their backs, saying, 'Oh, what a wonderful couple they are,' and 'They're such great dancers!' But what they didn't know was that they were having a dilemma which was…

"Before I forget, why are you avoiding me?" Zoro whispered into her ear, and he could sense that Robin rolled her eyes even without looking at her face.

"Aren't you the one who avoided me first?" She bit back and raised a brow, pulling away so that their gazes met.

"But back in Ohara you were the one who pushed me away…" He sounded hurt— well, he was.

"You were leaving, Zoro…" That again. He heard that word again. Of course, he was leaving.

"I know… still I wanted to see you but you kept pushing me away."

Zoro held Robin's hand twirling the woman once more, and when she was back in his arms, back pressed close to his chest, he whispered into her ear, saying, "But I truly missed you, though."

Robin was caught off guard, and immediately, she turned her head around, looking into his eyes.

"I thought you wouldn't say that, because I missed you, too." She faintly smiled.

Flickering lights shone upon the couple, most of the crowd on the dance floor stopped and focused on the couple dancing in the center. Even the musicians were amused by the way Zoro and Robin danced. All were intrigued about how the two had exceptional chemistry, as if the dance floor was made solely for them— Robin and Zoro were the main event for the Floraleigh dance.

Unfortunately, the 'main event' was coming to an end, but Zoro didn't want it to stop there. He wanted to have a real conversation with Robin once and for all. Just the two of them.

"Let's get away from the crowd… This time, we're not running away from each other." Zoro said.

What they both felt, what they both wanted, and what would come after this night— he wanted to make it clear for the both of them this time, before parting ways.

Robin looked at him, considering his request, and moments later, she nodded her head and led him to somewhere secluded, away from the noise of the plaza.

The enthusiastic energy they had on the dance floor was far more different from what they had now. Away from the crowd, it was Robin who led them into a gazebo beside the lake. Zoro didn't ask how she found this place, instead, he remained silent as their hands linked together. Unlike earlier in the dance when they were in close proximity, once they arrived at the gazebo, they were far away from each other. Zoro was leaning against the railing of the gazebo, while Robin was standing outside. There was unbearable silence between them wherein the only noise they heard was the music from the Floraleigh dance albeit faintly.

"I'm really sorry, Robin…" Zoro started.

Once again, he apologized.

Robin sighed deeply and turned, facing him, then said, "You've been saying sorry so many times for something you shouldn't be apologizing about, Zoro. Don't worry, there's nothing you need to be sorry for—"

"Robin…" he cut her off.

For the past few days, all Zoro wanted was to discuss their feelings— both of their feelings. They might have found each other, but it was at the wrong time. Now at this moment, the situation between them got difficult. Instead of Zoro blaming himself, it was Robin who had been taking all the burden, and blaming herself. Zoro didn't want that for her. He wanted Robin to erase those worries. And make it clear for the two of them that they would part ways without any remorse.

Zoro moved closer to her and held her hand,this time looking at her eyes.

"Let's just stop this before it gets worse. We both know that it's the right thing. Just like you said back then, we can't be together after all…" He mumbled under his breath, not looking into her eyes.

That had been the one thing he avoided saying to her in the first place. There was this aching spot in his chest, and even though he didn't want to say it, it needed to be said. Getting attached to any of them here wasn't in any of his plans, but with Robin… He betrayed his own words. He had been happy that he spent his time with her. From the times he had worked at the flower shop until the days they had in Ohara, and up until this moment.

He wouldn't forget what happened, but it was better that they stopped…

Even if Robin didn't say a word, he could sense that she was hurt inside.

"But, I do love you..." He said hastily, and Robin furrowed her brows in confusion.

"What?" She asked.

"What?"

Moments later, he realized what he had said, and Robin, who wasn't the type to get flustered, got flustered as well as the swordsman. Silence wrapped the uneven tension once again, yet not as awkward as earlier. It was moments later when Robin's sudden soft laugh lessened the uneasiness between them.

"Why are you laughing?" Zoro followed suit by laughing with her.

"Nothing, nothing… It's just… You're about to say goodbye since we're parting ways, but you saying that…" Robin laughed once more, and wiped away her happy tears. "Never mind…" She muttered, and went to sit on top of the railings of the gazebo.

Zoro then followed her, and sat beside Robin.

"But you're right… It's better this way…" She whispered as she looked at the still waters of the river in front of them.

"There's nothing you should blame yourself for, Robin." Zoro assured, his hand moving on top of Robin's hand, following her gaze at the river. "I'm sorry that I hurt you, but I did enjoy the time I had with you. Every moment was never a waste of time. And I'm glad that you showed me what I was capable of after all these years."

"Which is?" She asked and turned her head at him, watching this calm moment of him.

"To fall for someone, and tell them that you love them." He smiled feebly.

Robin nodded her head. "I'm glad that someone did that for you, then."

"I wanted her to have the happiness she deserves. I want her to have the love she deserves, and I wanted to say that…"

This time, Zoro looked at her face.

"I'm glad that I met her." There was a gleam in his eyes, like the stars from above, when his gray seeking eyes locked into her brown velvet ones.

Robin smiled before she replied, "I know she was glad to meet you and you should promise her that you will fulfill your dream, since she is definitely going to miss you." She moved closer to him, then her hands fell on to his cheek, caressing it, which made the swordsman lean into her touch, and move his own hand on top of hers.

"Moments with you had been fun while they lasted. Thank you for the memories, Zoro." She said, but despite holding back her own tears, one escaped her right eye, trailing down her cheek.

"I love you." She said for the first time, and Zoro wiped the falling tears with his thumb.

It would be a lie to say Zoro didn't feel his stomach flutter, or his heart skip a beat. He might have found closure to this impermanence he had with Robin and still had feelings for her, but it was better to end it before it got worse.

Nothing much happened between the tension they had, only a kiss, close proximities, a couple of stolen glances every now and then, and light-hearted confessions. Zoro thought it was better that way. It was only a fleeting happiness they both had— fun, but temporary. There was nothing he could do about it. Still, he and Robin simply acted upon what they both felt, and they were just human. The old him would have probably repressed that, ignored it, burnt it down. It was too sappy for the old Zoro, but he wasn't like that anymore. He wanted to hear it once more, but alas, nothing lasts forever.

A still yet comforting silence wrapped the once awkward tension they had earlier. The soft waves of the river, and the airy breeze of that spring night added a pleasant mood between the two. The music from the plaza could still be heard, yet faint, and Zoro had an idea before they ended the night.

"Shall we dance?" Zoro asked her, extending his hand to her, and Robin accepted it without a doubt.

Moonlight gleamed upon them as they stood in the middle of the gazebo. It was their last dance that night and Zoro placed his hand on her waist, gently pulling their bodies close together. Robin relaxed at his touch, not wanting to let go. Her head rested on his shoulder, humming a soft tune as they swayed to the faint music from the plaza. One last time, Zoro tipped Robin's chin before giving her a chaste kiss. It was a short but sweet kiss, although they both felt breathless for quite some time. Robin was the first to pull away, catching her breath from their kiss, her forehead resting on his own.

Zoro didn't waste a moment, and whispered, "I love you, Robin…"

The time they had shared felt long— as if they'd known each other for years. Even though they only knew each other for a month, their memories would be cherished together in their hearts, and minds.

Before they parted ways the next day, they would make the most of their moment under the moonlight until their bittersweet end…

Then, midnight came…

The two of them were all alone in the streets when the dance was still lively as ever at the plaza. They had already called it a night and he walked Robin back to her home. The cold night breeze of February brushed their skin and Zoro had the urge to pull her closer. They were smiles and laughs as they walked but alas, Robin was almost at her home, and it was time to bid their goodbyes.

"See you tomorrow, Zoro?" Robin said, holding his hand.

"See you, too." He said, and squeezed her hand before letting go.

'Tomorrow is the big day,' Robin mumbled as she waved goodbye at him.

He decided to stay at Chopper's home until his last day. Robin didn't have a problem with that, as long as she knew that he was at Chopper's, then everything was fine. It would be better that way.

As Robin was about to open the front door, she saw the lights were on inside her shop, which she remembered had closed before she went to the Floraleigh dance. As she came inside the shop, it was even stranger that the door wasn't locked. She did check all these things before she left, she was sure of it. Even the door of her room upstairs was open.

How come all these were opened? Something wasn't right…

Slowly, she ascended upstairs to her home, getting mixed feelings, mostly overshadowed with eerie ones. For so long she had stayed here in this home, never in her life had she felt any fear when going home. This was the only time she had experienced it. At that moment, she was feeling cold despite her home being warm inside. Once she opened the door, the lights were dimmed, except for the night lamp in her living room, where she saw the familiar figure who was sitting on her plush sofa.

"Miss me, Nico Robin?" A man's voice said.

Yes, something definitely wasn't right…

Robin was quick to act, and ran away from him. As she almost made it downstairs, it was too late. He grabbed her, and pinned her against the nearest wall.

"Where are you going, Robin? Why the rude behavior towards your guest? I haven't even started talking yet." Zo whispered into her ear.