ONE PIECE — The Girl He Never Forgot

Roronoa Zoro × Childhood Best Friend

Roronoa Zoro | Roronoa zoro, Zoro, Zoro one piece

Setting: Grand Line, a small port town.

Relationship: Best friends since birth. Grew up together in Shimotsuki Village. Inseparable childhood partners. Years of separation. Reunion.

Dynamic: Zoro is still his grumpy, stubborn self, but he's noticeably softer around you. He's protective, gets jealous easily, and has a hard time admitting just how much he missed you.

A little backstory

You and Zoro were born only a few days apart. Your families were practically family themselves, so the two of you grew up together.

You were his first friend.

You were there when he first held a wooden sword, when he started training at the dojo, and when he first met Kuina.

You were also the person who would patch up his scraped knees after his ridiculous training sessions.

Zoro was never particularly affectionate with anyone, but he always made exceptions for you.

He'd let you steal his food, sleep against his shoulder, braid his hair when he was younger, and follow him around even when he pretended you were annoying.

When he left the village to pursue his dream, you promised each other that you'd meet again someday.

Neither of you knew that it would take years.

Scene 1: Wait... Is that YOU?

The Straw Hats had just arrived at a small island.

Luffy was running around looking for food, Usopp was looking for interesting shops, and Sanji was shopping for ingredients.

Zoro, naturally, had gotten separated from everyone.

He was walking through the marketplace with his hands in his pockets, looking rather irritated.

"Stupid crew... Can't even walk around without getting lost."

Meanwhile, you were standing at a nearby fruit stall, talking to the shopkeeper.

You had recently arrived on the island yourself, and you were enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

You turned around to leave.

And accidentally bumped into someone.

"OH! Sorry, I wasn't—"

You looked up.

Green hair.

Three swords.

That scar.

Your sentence died in your throat.

The man looked down at you.

"...Watch where you're going."

You blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Your eyes widened.

"...Zoro?"

He stopped.

His expression shifted slightly.

He looked at you again, properly this time.

"..."

Then, very quietly:

"You're kidding."

Your mouth fell open.

"ZORO?!"

His eyes widened.

"Oi—"

You threw your arms around him.

"OH MY GOD!!"

He stumbled backwards, catching you by the waist.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"YOU'RE HERE!"

"Yeah, I noticed!"

You pulled away, holding both sides of his face.

"LOOK AT YOU! YOU GOT SO BIG!"

He stared at you.

Then a small, genuine smile appeared on his face.

"...You haven't changed."

You gasped.

"EXCUSE ME?!"

"Still loud."

You smacked his shoulder.

"AND YOU'RE STILL AN IDIOT!"

He chuckled.

"Missed you too."

You froze.

"...You missed me?"

He looked away.

"Tch. Don't make me repeat myself."

You immediately hugged him again.

This time, he didn't complain.

His hand rested on the back of your head, gently holding you against him.

"Been a long time," he muttered.

"Too long."

Scene 2: The Straw Hats find out

"ZOROOOO!"

A familiar voice echoed through the marketplace.

Luffy came running towards you, followed by Usopp and Sanji.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Then Luffy noticed you standing beside Zoro.

He tilted his head.

"Who's that?"

You smiled and waved.

"Hi!"

Zoro scratched the back of his head.

"...Someone from my village."

You looked at him.

"Someone?"

He sighed.

"My best friend."

Everyone went silent.

Usopp's jaw dropped.

"YOU HAVE A BEST FRIEND?!"

Sanji looked equally shocked.

"THE MARIMO HAS A FRIEND?!"

"SHUT UP!"

Luffy suddenly grabbed your shoulders.

"THAT'S SO COOL! HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN ZORO?!"

"Since we were born!"

Luffy's eyes practically sparkled.

"THAT'S FOREVER!"

You laughed.

"Pretty much."

Nami walked over, smiling.

"Well, that explains a lot."

You raised an eyebrow.

"What does?"

"Zoro occasionally mentions someone from his childhood. We never thought we'd actually meet you."

You turned slowly towards Zoro.

"...You talked about me?"

Zoro immediately looked annoyed.

"Nami."

She smiled wider.

"What? It's true."

You grinned.

"Oh, really?"

"Don't."

"Did you miss me that much, Zorooo?"

"You're getting annoying."

You leaned closer.

"Aw, you missed me."

He rolled his eye.

But the corner of his mouth was lifted.

Scene 3: The old habits

Later that evening, everyone was having dinner aboard the Sunny.

You were sitting beside Zoro.

Sanji had prepared an enormous meal, and Luffy was already on his fifth plate.

You reached over and casually stole a piece of food from Zoro's plate.

He looked down.

"...Oi."

You continued chewing.

"What?"

"That's mine."

You smiled innocently.

"Sharing is caring."

"Get your own."

You stole another piece.

Zoro stared at you.

Then he pushed his plate slightly closer.

"...Just take it."

You grinned.

"Thank youuu."

Across the table, Nami noticed.

"Wait a minute."

Everyone looked at her.

"Zoro actually shares his food?"

Usopp nearly choked.

"HE DOESN'T EVEN SHARE WITH US!"

You laughed.

"He's always been like this."

Zoro took a sip of his drink.

"Unfortunately, some habits don't go away."

You leaned against his shoulder.

"Love you too, mosshead."

He nearly choked.

Sanji dropped his serving spoon.

Luffy burst into laughter.

"HEEHEEHEE! ZORO GOT EMBARRASSED!"

"SHUT UP!"

You were practically crying from laughter.

Scene 4: Something he kept

It was late.

The crew had gone to bed, and you found Zoro sitting outside on the deck.

You approached quietly.

"Hey."

He glanced over.

"Can't sleep?"

"Nope."

You sat beside him.

For a while, you watched the stars together.

Then you noticed something around his wrist.

A faded, old bracelet.

Your bracelet.

The one you'd made for him when you were children.

Your eyes widened.

"...You kept that?"

Zoro looked down at it.

"Yeah."

"But it's so old!"

"So?"

You gently touched it.

"I thought you'd have thrown it away by now."

He gave you an unimpressed look.

"Why would I throw it away?"

You smiled softly.

"Because you kept everything else about yourself so serious."

He scoffed.

"You're talking nonsense."

You rested your head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for keeping it."

He was quiet for a moment.

Then he spoke.

"I thought about you when I was away."

You lifted your head.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

He looked out towards the sea.

"Sometimes I'd see something stupid and think you'd laugh at it. Or I'd find some food you'd like."

You smiled.

"That's actually really sweet."

"Don't tell anyone."

You giggled.

"Your secret's safe."

He glanced at you.

"...I wanted to come back sooner."

Your smile softened.

"I know."

"I just had things I needed to do."

"I know, Zoro."

He reached over and took your hand.

His grip was warm and familiar.

"You're staying with us?"

You blinked.

"Are you asking me to?"

He looked away.

"...If you want."

You grinned.

"Are you kidding? Of course!"

He nodded once.

"Good."

You rested your head against him again.

A comfortable silence settled between you.

Then you whispered:

"Missed you, best friend."

Zoro squeezed your hand.

"...Missed you too."

And for the first time in years, he didn't have to wonder where you were, whether you were safe, or when he'd see you again.

You were right there beside him.

Just like when you were kids.

And this time, he intended to keep you close.