Truthfully Speaking
Part 2
"Nami-San, would you like some more wine?" Sanji asked Nami sweetly. It was dinnertime and here he was. Nothing had changed. It had been several days since the faithful night that Sanji had admitted his love for her but nothing had changed. Almost nothing at least. There was something new, sadness. Even though Sanji had continued showering her with attention there was a sadness in his eyes, in his voice, and in his smile. He probably thought that Nami hadn't been affected by that night, but he was wrong. Nami had spent the last few days trying to gather the courage and tell him what was on her mind.
"No, Thank you." Nami avoided Sanji's eyes and looked down at her plate of food. She couldn't take it. She knew in her heart what she had to do. She promised herself she would was going to do it right after dinner. She couldn't put it off anymore. She had to tell him everything.
Dinner went along just as it always did; Luffy trying to steal everyone else's food, Zoro and Sanji going at it, Usopp telling Chopper another outrageous story, Robin eating quietly but amusing herself with what was going on around her. Then when dinner ended the crew did went back to their own business. Everyone except Nami. She stood at the door of the kitchen but she couldn't bring herself to do anything but listen to the soft clinging of the dishes being cleaned. She gathered up all her courage and tried to knock on the kitchen door but she just couldn't bring her fist to come in contact with the door. She couldn't. She just couldn't bring herself do it. Nami sighed deeply and decided that she would really do it the next night. She turned around and started back to her room.
"Nami-San? Do you need something?" Nami had only gone a couple of steps when Sanji emerged from the kitchen.
Nami turned around to tell him that she didn't need anything and that she was just heading back to room but there it was again. That sadness. There was sadness in the way he asked her and in the way he smiled. She had to tell him. It was either now or never. Nami looked over at the cook standing next to her. He had spent so many days showering her with affection but had she ever appreciated him? Had she ever actually noticed the man that had literally done everything for her? Had she ever given importance to the anything that Sanji done? She knew she had to tell him, he at least deserved that.
Nami gather all her courage one more time. "Actually there is." She turned her gaze to her feet, she couldn't look at Sanji anymore. "I need to talk to you, Sanji. There's been something I've been meaning to tell you." Nami walked over to the side of the ship and looked up at the night sky. It was harder than she ever imagined. The matter had been eating away at her for the past few days but she couldn't find a way to tell him what was on her mind. If not only for her sake but for the sake of the man that loved her.
"What is it Nami?" Sanji walked over and joined her at the side of the ship. Name's face was lit up from the light of the azure moon. Yet Sanji could tell from the expression on her beautiful face that there was something bothering her. There was something going on. Nami had something important to tell him. But what could it be that was so hard for her to say.
For a while they just stood there watching the twinkling stars and the full moon illuminate the night. It was now or never and Nami couldn't keep it inside any longer. "Sanji. Forgive me! I'm sorry that I don't. I'm sorry." Nami blurted out. She loved Sanji but not the same way that he loved her. She loved him only as friend. Nami had been trying to tell him that for the past couple of days but she couldn't hurt him again, she already had by not believing in him. But he had a right to know. He had right to know that she didn't love him in that way.
Nami really didn't want to cry but her tears had just started to fall. A warm but sad smile slowly spread across the face of the cook. "It's ok Nami. I understand." Sanji's hand gingerly wiped the tears on Name's cheeks. He loved her even if she didn't love him back. It wasn't important that she didn't feel the same way. What was important was that he was here for her tonight. That he could be there of the one he loved. That was how much he loved her. He loved her even more than he loved himself. So it was ok. It was ok that she didn't love him back.
Sanji wrapped his arms around the woman he loved. Nami continued to softly cry in the cook's arms. Even if she never thought of him as more than a friend he would never let go. He loved her. He understood. Sanji leaned in as he slowly stroked her hair and softly whispered into Name's ear. "I love you. But maybe I'm just not the one for you."
THE END
