Earlier this morning, we finally reached the surface.
The Sunny is currently anchored in the bay, and I can see its lion-like figurehead in the distance as we walk across the… “beach”? At least I think that’s how it’s called.
Our steps aren’t fast, but no matter how carefree everyone act we’re aware that we need to hurry back on the ship. We needed supplies, so we went to the nearest village to take care of it. But as pirates we would inevitably get unrequired attention if we stay around for too long.
Now that I think about it, I don't even know the name of this island. I lived my whole youth—I turned thirty just a few days ago—like most merfolk of the Ryugu Kingdom: hidden below the protective surface of the sea, always fearing of being kidnapped and enslaved.
Until just yesterday, the Sun was still a mystery to me. Something my people had been dreaming about for centuries, but that I never saw with my own eyes. Now, its gentle rays caress my face, my arms, and even my recently-split tail. It does that together with another mystery of the surface world: people living under the Sun call it “wind”. It’s a bit like currents, but without water.
I'm learning so many new words since I met the Straw Hats! I feel silly sometimes, asking questions about apparently obvious things, but they never make fun of me.
Oh, the wind is stronger now! I love this warm yet cool sensation against my skin. And I also love the smell of the ocean: instead of damp and still, it’s salty, fresh, and ever-changing here on the surface.
Sounds, too, are carried out differently through the... “air”. Especially people’s voices: they’re so ringing! And the most vivacious of them all is my captain’s.
I smile and glance at him. Luffy is strolling across the white sand with a weathered stick in one hand and his golden hat with the red band in the other. He’s humming a funny song about islands and cardinal points; it’s quite silly but I like it.
Monkey D. Luffy is just a boy, not even a man yet, but he’s my captain now. Mere words will never be able to fully express how grateful I am to him, but I need to tell him anyway so I whisper, “Thanks for accepting me as the tenth member of your crew.”
After hearing my words, Luffy stops. He turns towards me and puts his straw hat on my head. I’m taken aback at first: I don’t know why, but apparently that old hat is his treasure and wearing it feels... wrong?
However, Luffy looks at me with those honest eyes of his and I understand it’s alright. “You are the eleventh,” he says, with just a hint of melancholy in his voice.
What does he mean? Other than him, there is Zoro (I still feel tense around him, but I know he's actually kind), Sanji (with his delicious vegetarian dishes he expressly makes for me), Nami (the greatest navigator I ever met—she even knows sea currents better than most sea folks!), the cute Chopper and the knowledgeable Robin, Usopp (I instantly became friend with him!), the resourceful Franky, and Brook with his sometimes nostalgic, sometimes joyful music.
There are nine of them; shouldn’t I be the tenth member then?
Unless Luffy is talking about—no, stop with such thoughts! Learning how they lost their original ship was painful enough; I really hope they haven’t lost an actual member too...
As if reading my mind, Luffy reassures me, “Don't worry, the person I'm talking about is ok.” He speaks these words while absentmindedly drawing a cross-shaped symbol on the sand with his stick.
Puzzled, I look at it for a while.
“Before we reach the next island,” Luffy continues, “we'll have plenty of time to talk about it.” Then he turns to the rest of the crew, which is following close behind. “Hey guys, we should tell her about Vivi!”
“Sure!” they reply happily.
Only Robin remains silent. A sad smile lingers on her face, and I wonder if her story is somehow interlaced with that “Vivi”... I can't wait to learn about it, and about all their other adventures!
Then, it finally dawns on me: from now on, I'll be part of their adventures too. Of our adventures.
I put a hand on the straw hat, and squeeze it slightly before giving it back to its rightful owner.
Luffy pushes it down on his head and grins at me from under its brim. “Welcome to our crew!” he says, and I smile back at him. I’ve tears in my eyes, but joy fills my heart. I’m a Straw Hat too, now.
I’ve found a family at last.
I think this is my first self-insert fanfic ever. Furthermore, I rarely write stories using (mostly) the present tense, but this time it’s… fitting?
Since this is an experimental piece for me, any comment about the writing itself (or the story in general) would be really appreciated. :)
In the future I may turn this ficlet into a longer story, in which case I'll develop my simple self-insert into an actual character.
I already have some ideas about it, but time is never enough for all the projects I've in mind... ^^’