When the cherry blossoms fall to the ground...
And the scent of perfume fills the air...
The air sparkles with a new life and light...
As the gates of Whole Cake Academy open for the day...
"Ulti, are you going to invite your brother to Family Weekend?"
Black Maria and Ulti were enjoying the weather outside, the falling leaves billowing in the wind of the school. Ever since they started coming to Whole Cake, they felt more at peace than when they were at Wano County. Maria had taken a job at a nearby maid cafe and was quite the hit there when she played her samisen. Ulti went to the rec center after school and joined the fighting club there. It was there when people learned not to face her when she attacked with her forehead. The girl had a hard head that could knock out even the toughest opponent. Both of them had gotten used to their new lives in the suburbs, not even once considering going back soon.
Ulti tapped her chin, fixing her mask in the process. "I've considered inviting Page-chan to school, he's been constantly sending me emails and calling every night before we go to bed. He says that Kaido has something big planned for the next gang meeting and wants us home for that."
Maria sighed happily, leaning against the tree she was laying on. "Anything for Kaido-sama, I will make sure that we make it home in time for that meeting. Being in Linlin's territory for too long will cause me to go insane."
"She's not as bad as they said she was. I was expecting a scary monster lady who was huge and act people's souls!"
"You have an active imagination."
Both girls laughed and watched their peers leave school for the day. However, a dark and murderous feeling washed over them, causing the two to leap on their feet. Looking around, they tried to track the one giving them a slight death threat. To their surprise, it was the third year that had fought the two of them when they came to Whole Cake...
"Doesn't that girl look like Kaido-sama's lost child?" Maria mused, staring at the red haired girl who had turned her eyes away from the two.
"What? Kaido has a child?" Ulti exclaimed before she was hit over the head. "Hey!"
"Have you not been paying attention at all? Before Kaido took over the Wano County, there was a man of great stature with a company that ruled over. His name was Oden or something, but he was such a powerful influence that Kaido's own child was swayed by his words. Eventually, the child vanished and was never seen from again. In retaliation, Kaido and the top officers took over the county and now they're on top." Maria informed her.
"Oh! That child! What was that name...um..." Ulti was drawing a blank.
Maria facepalmed, not understanding how she couldn't connect the dots. "Nevermind! We need to keep an eye on that one. Apparently, she got in through the scholarship program here. There's just something mysterious about her."
Ulti shrugged. "Who cares? I just want to get back to the apartment so I can begin my video chat with Page-chan!" Steam puffed from her ears in frustration. "The WiFi sucks, but at least we get a clear connection."
Maria patted her head in a soothing manner. "You two are just the cutest things."
Yamato noticed that her father's minions were staring at her. She tried her best to avoid those two and protect Ace's little brother in the process. Wearing this disguise all the time wasn't safe, but it was the only thing keeping her from exposing herself to them.
Luckily, Rouge was picking her up today. The pink haired woman was a kind soul with a brave face in danger. No matter what happened in life, that woman would always be a few steps ahead of the game. This was the woman who was the queen to the king of the most powerful company in the country.
If it wasn't for her, Yamato would've never been freed from the life she was going to live. The night she would never forget was when Rouge had come to set her free.
Rouge had a pension for adopting children that were in terrible situations too. Ever since she gave birth to Ace, her love for children grew. Being close friends with Dragon and his family was also beneficial as well, given that their resources from the Revolutionary Army helped keep them both in hiding. While there, she met Luffy's mother, who at the time was taking care of a runaway by the name of Sabo. Both the children became close friends with each other and considered themselves brothers.
Once the heat for Roger went down, Rouge and Luffy's mother settled down in a nice suburban town not far from many different schools. This is where they met one of Roger's students, Shanks, who was dating Makino at that point, and found life here was much more relaxing.
Both women had husbands that gallivanted all over the place, so they kept themselves sane by raising the children, keeping the house together, and getting jobs to pay for the bills. Luffy would be born in the few years that passed, his grandfather coming by more often to check up on the women. Sabo and Ace took a sacred vow to take care of their little brother and would protect him from danger.
A trip to Wano was in order to meet up with the family that Roger had spoken so highly about. They had wanted to meet Lady Toki and her children, but the trip turned into adoption.
Rouge heard a slight noise behind her, making her clutch Ace's hand tighter. They had accidentally wandered into a separate part of town from the others. Ace stood ahead of his mother, acting as her supposed guardian while trying to put on a brave face. The noises behind them got louder, causing the pink haired woman to gasp in fear.
"Who's there? Show yourself and stop scaring my mother!" Ace exclaimed, growling at the pile of moving garbage.
Emerging from the pile, to their shock, was a tall girl. Her hair was long and white that was bound between orange rods into a ponytail at the back, which faded into aqua green and then blue the further down it goes, and ended in rectangular locks. Her kimono resembled her hair, being white with green dots, an aqua sash around her waist, and brown sandals. While she looked of nobility, her eyes showed her true nature; scared and sad.
Rouge immediately ran towards the girl and embraced her. Ace stood behind his mother, warily eyeing the girl in case she did something reckless. Said girl was surprised that the lady she had been following all day embraced her like that, making tears run down her face.
"Young lady, what are you doing out here in the open? Where are your parents?" Rouge asked the child.
She turned away, not wanting to face the nice lady. "I ran away from home because papa doesn't believe in my ideals! He said that I could never be like Oden-san. You probably think that's silly too."
"You want to be like Oden?" Rouge mused, patting her head. "I don't find that silly at all. In fact, my husband knows the man you want to become. I know you can be just like that too."
"Really?" Her eyes started to shine brightly. "You really think so?"
"You don't believe my mom or something? When she says you can, she means it!" Ace protested, getting in the girl's face.
"Hey! Who asked you?" The girl yelled back, getting up in his face. "She's much nicer than you!"
Rouge laughed as they began to butt heads with each other. "You should run along back to your father then. I'm sure he's worried sick about you."
"No he isn't. He's probably somewhere drunk off his butt." The poor girl crossed her arms and sighed. "He's always drunk and never spends time with me. That's why I ran away from home!"
Ace turned to his mother, his eyes in full pouting mode. "Can we take her with us? I want a sister!"
"I'm not gonna be your sister, I'm trying to be like my idol!" The girl protested, shaking her fist at him.
Rouge shook her head at the two bickering. "I would love for you to come with us if you need a place to stay. What is your name sweetie?"
"You can call me Yamato! Thank you...um..."
"You can call me Rouge or mother if you want to."
Yamato buckled herself into her seat as she gave Rouge a soft smile. "You didn't have to pick me up mom. I could've walked home."
Rouge laughed. "I guess I should tell you that Ace came home today. I was going to keep it a surprise until we got home though..."
This made the red haired girl eyes light up. "No way! When did he-? Why didn't he-?" Before she could say anymore, a tapping noise interrupted their happy thoughts.
Stussy gave Rouge a closed eyed smile, Kalifa standing behind her with a worried look on her face. "Why hello there Rouge, long time, no see! I haven't seen since the last neighborhood watch party. How is your little one?"
Rouge kept her mouth in a thin line before faking a sweet smile. "Stussy, it's been too long." Not long enough for you to butt your face in everyone's business. "How have the boys been doing? I see Kalifa has been attending the same school as my eldest daughter."
"Lucci and Kaku are fine, but you'll see them this weekend when we come for the events!" Stussy winked in a friendly manner. "Let me guess, your young man is coming to support his sister? How is he doing in college? Probably slacking off with those ingrates he calls friends."
Rouge's face fell so fast that Yamato pushed herself backwards to avoid the full force of anger that she was about to unleash. "Listen here Stussy, you can speak your venom to everyone else and they won't bat an eye. However, if you disrespect my son like that again, I won't hesitate to dropkick you right in front of the school."
Now red in the face from embarrassment and anger, Kalifa tugged her aunt by her purse and proceeded to drag her away. "I'm terrible sorry for my mother's actions Ms. Rouge. Sometimes she has no filter and does this stuff on purpose."
Rouge huffed as she drove away from the two. Yamato waited until they were far enough away before taking off her wig and makeup. Removing her disguise, she sunk deep into the chair to relax herself.
"I'm sorry that you have to endure that women and her brat all day. Do you at least spend time with Luffy while you're there?" Rouge had finally calmed down from the whole ordeal.
"I love him like my little brother and we do see each other from time to time. Today I saw him with a small child hanging from his leg. It was kinda cute." Yamato giggled at the way Miss Monet had to pry her sister off his leg. "I just want him to feel comfortable and not worry about being the only guy there."
Linlin sighed as she fell onto her bed that night. Tomorrow would be Family Fun Weekend and as usual, her siblings were fighting over who got to go and do all the events. Katakuri was an automatic pick for his athletic abilities, but Oven and Daifuku were both arguing about wanting to go too. Pudding also got to attend for the sole purpose of serving delicious homemade treats and usually took one or two sisters with her. The chaos got worse at dinner when they asked for her opinion on who should go. This resulted in Linlin leaving the room and heading to bed for the night.
With her hair brushed and gown on, Linlin made sure her door was locked before opening her closet. The house they occupied had hidden compartments that certain rooms were able to access. Since she was considered the head of the family, she got to have the biggest closet along with the biggest compartment.
Inside the compartment, however, was the biggest shrine to her crush ever. Pictures of Luffy were pinned all over the walls along with pieces of the boy's hair and a straw from his hat. There was even a plushie form of the boy she had Brulee secretly make her.
Linlin hugged plushie Luffy and gave a small sigh of happiness. "You challenge me so much and yet demand so little! How is it that a man like you exists and I have to contend to being your vicious rival? Perhaps one day I'll confess my undying love for you and we can date." Kissing the plushie, she rolled around on the ground with a pink face. "Or maybe you'll ask me out first! If you do that, I just might die of shock. Even you being cold and indifferent towards me would make my heart race."
Yup, just a normal night in the crazy tsundere life of Charlotte Linlin.
Black Maria: *Holding both Ulti and Page One* Excuse me, but these are my emotional support dino children.
Next Episode:
Monkey D. Luffy, My first true friend.
Luffy: Robin-senpai, you are an amazing girl! Can you tutor me?
Robin: I don't see why not. Let's meet after school.
Me being by his side.
I don't think it's fitting.
When I am by his side.
Do I really not just make his embarrassed?
Next Time: My Diary With You! Can Robin Show Her True Feelings?
Sorry for the info dump of Yamato's backstory this chapter. I just wanted to get her/him out of the way so that the arc can lead to the next one I have planned.
Speaking of which, I may have to do the Robin chapter earlier than planned. The Family Weekend Arc took way too much planning and I have to edit some things to make sure it turns out well.
Which means, it's time for another voting for the next character focus chapter!
Like last time, I'll give you two female characters and you have to vote for the one you want to have a day with Luffy. The one with the most votes gets the chapter.
Pick between:
Carrot Episode: Carrot's Special Training! Stretchy Guy and Rabbit Girl Save the Day!
OR
Hancock Episode: Sentimental Gaze! A Maiden's Struggle For Love!
Place which episode you would like to see next. Which ever doesn't win will be made into a chapter at a later time.