One Piece (Being replaced - FEMALE POV)

It started slowly.

Little by little, Shinju took everything.

She had joined the crew a few weeks ago like it was nothing - head held high, voice smooth and sharp like a polished steel knife. She was confident. Fast. Clever. She knew how to take up space, and when she walked into a room, people listened.

It was like watching yourself disappear.

She was confident. Fast. Clever. She knew how to take up space, and when she walked into a room, people listened. She stood where you stood once. Answered questions you used to answer, Fought beside the crew in battles that once belonged to you.

She laughed loudly with purpose. She touched arms and shoulders when she spoke. She never apologised. Never doubted.

And she had a very obvious crush on Luffy.

Everyone could see it.

The way she leaned towards him at meals, practicall draping herself over him with excuses. The way she praise him too often, smiled too long, brushed her fingers over his arms just to “get his attention”. She watched him like she already belonged to him.

Like she deserved him.

And Luffy, being Luffy, didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he just didn’t care.

But you noticed everything.

You tried not to. You tired to keep yourself, like always. Said little. Did your job. Watched the crew laugh without you.

And Shinju would glance at you now and then, eyes cold and calculating behind her perfect smile. Not unkind-just smug. She knew what she was doing. She wanted you to see it.

She was taking your place on purpose.

Because she didn’t want to belong.

She wanted him.

And the worst part?

They didn’t mean to leave you out. But they did.

Every time.

Except Luffy.

You caught him watching you sometimes-when you left rooms early, when you lingered in corners. He’d frown, hat shadowing his eyes, like he was trying to figure you out.

He didn’t get it.

But hey knew something was off.

“Hey,” he said one day, finding you sitting alone on the deck while the others cheered inside. “You okay?”

You looked up at him, throat tight. You wanted to say no.

You wanted to say she’s replacing you and no one notices but you.

But instead, you looked away.

“I’m fine.”

He crouched in front of you, brows drawn. “You’re not talkin’ much lately.”

“I never talk much.”

“Yeah…but it’s different now.”

You stood quickly. “I’m tired. I’m fine.”

He caught your wrist gently. “Wait-“

“Luffy.” Your voice cracked like ice. “Don’t.”

He blinked.

You tugged free.

“I said I’m fine,” you whispered, and walked past him.

He didn’t follow.

But his eyes did.

And so, where behind all that sunshine, Luffy was thinking.

Because Shinju was charming. She was bold. And she wanted him-badly.

She wasn’t you.

And Luffy hadn’t forgotten that.

Not even for a second.

Luffy watched as you walked away, still lost in thought. There was something different about you lately—something he couldn't explain.

But then he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey, Luffy."

He turned to see Shinju approaching, her usual bright smile in place.

"Yeah?" he asked, shoving his hands in the pockets of his shorts.

Shinju's smile faltered for just a second—just long enough to be noticeable—before she plastered it back on, sharper this time as she saw the small of your back turning around to walk away.

"Oh, {{user}}," she said sweetly, tilting her head. "I didn’t realize you were still awake." Her fingers twitched at her sides like they wanted to reach out and fix something that wasn't hers to touch.

Luffy glanced between the two of you before suddenly grinning wide. "{{user}}! You're not sick or anything... right?" His tone was light, but his eyes stayed locked onto yours like he was waiting for an answer that mattered more than he let on.

Meanwhile, Shinju exhaled through her nose quietly and adjusted the strap of her bag with too much force before forcing another laugh:

"S-Sick? Pfft! She probably just needs rest~!"