growth

                                    

                                          

"Impossible," I muttered, still on all fours, staring at the deck with disbelief. I couldn't believe it—after hours of sparring, giving it everything I had, I still couldn't beat him. How did Zoro get this strong over the years? And why did I feel like I hadn't caught up at all???
I was lost in thought when a pair of boots appeared in my line of vision. I looked up to see Zoro standing there, smirking slightly as he held out a hand.
"Not bad," he said.
I sighed but took his hand, letting him pull me up. My legs wobbled a bit, and my whole body ached. "I'll get stronger, just watch," I said, trying to catch my breath.
A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, and a deep chuckle followed. "You're already strong," he said, a rare softness lacing his words. "But you're not going to beat me. I can promise you that."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling a little. "Yeah, yeah, we'll see."
I grabbed the drink Sanji prepared for me and took a big sip, letting out a satisfied sigh as the cool liquid refreshed me. The heat of the day and the strain from training melted away for a moment. I settled down on the deck to rest my aching muscles, watching Zoro as he meticulously stacked weights on the barbell. I couldn't believe he still wasn't done.
After finishing the setup, Zoro shrugged off his sweaty shirt, revealing his well-defined muscles. He positioned himself and started lifting the heavy barbell effortlessly. My cheeks flushed red at the sight, and I quickly glanced away, feeling a mix of embarrassment and something I couldn't quite name. Was it okay to stare? Zoro glanced over at me, seeing me struggle. He set his weights down and walked over. Before I knew it, he was squatting down directly in front of me, his face just inches away. TOO CLOSE, WAY TOO CLOSE.
"Are you okay? Did we overdo it in our training? Your face is as red as a tomato," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "Should I get you a cold towel?"
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. His eyes searched mine, genuinely concerned. I swallowed, trying to regain my composure and trying not to stare. "I'm fine, just... a little warm, that's all," I managed to say, avoiding his gaze and looking down at my drink instead.
He tilted his head slightly, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "If you say so," he said, standing up slowly. "But if you need that towel, don't be stubborn."
I nodded, watching him walk back to his weights, the moment still making my heart race. I let out a relieved breath I hadn't realized I was holding. My heart was still pounding from how close he'd been, and the way he'd looked at me made my cheeks flush all over again.
I took another sip of my drink, hoping the cool liquid would calm the heat rushing through me. "Get it together, Yumi," I muttered under my breath, giving myself a mental shake.
after Zoro finished his reps he grabbed his towel and wiped all his sweat off. he stood there for a moment, the light breeze carrying the sound of the waves against the ship. The silence felt comfortable, with only the creaking of the wood and the distant chatter of the crew filling the background. Zoro's usual stoic expression softened just a bit as he looked out over the ocean, a rare, relaxed moment in his otherwise intense demeanor.
I glanced up at him, taking in the subtle details—the scar on his chest, the beads of sweat still clinging to his skin, and the way the sunlight highlighted the edges of his face. It was one of those moments where I realized just how much had changed since our days training back at the village.
"Thanks for pushing me today," I said quietly, breaking the silence.
Zoro smirked, his eyes flicking back to me. "Anytime," he said with a hint of pride in his voice. "Just don't get too used to losing."
"Not a chance," I said with a grin. Training like this wasn't just about getting stronger—it was a reminder of the bond we'd had for years, still holding strong even out here on the open sea.

.

"Wow! That looks lovely, Yumi!" Vivi said after smelling one of the roses I had just planted.
"I hope they're not too much in the way," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Of course not, plant as many as you want," Nami said, smiling.
"Alright, Yumi. Your room is ready for you!" Usopp said proudly, pointing at the door.
"Thank you, Usopp," I said, thankful.
I followed Ussop and he opened the door to my new room. It was small, with a single bed against the wall. Opposite it was a desk with a chair, a little lamp, and a small closet for clothes.
"Decorate it however you like!" Usopp said.
"Thanks," I replied, glancing around the room. It felt nice knowing I finally had a place I wouldn't have to leave behind again. I set my parents' spider lilies and Kuina's picture down on the desk before plopping into bed, feeling all the exhaustion from training wash over me. Today had been amazing, and I couldn't wait to see what the rest of the days would bring. Slowly, I drifted off to sleep.

HELLO, I AM SO SORRY FOR NOT POSTING FOR THAT LONG AAA
work just has been so stressful since I got back. I work at like a tech store and since it's Christmas sale and black Friday soon it has just been soo busy that all I've been doing when I get home is sleep T-T. I know this chapter wasn't long but I thought I couldn't keep yall waiting too long so here's a shorter one. I try to make the next one a bit longer and put more action into it. also, THANK YOU all so much for your patience and also 800 READS!!!! I wish I could say thanks to yall in person but I can't keep track of how many people voted or added my story to their library anymore D: so take this message as a personal thank you. Ya'll are amazing and I hope you are looking forward for the next chapter!