Friday morning, 10:30. The sky was bright and blue with not a single cloud overhead. Cora lit a cigarette and puffed it a couple times, nervous for what's to come. He couldn't think of what to wear, so he decided to come in this normal attire: his white button up shirt covered in bright pink hearts underneath his gargantuan, black-feathered coat, some basic khakis, and his traditional hat. He didn't start until 11:00, however as Sanji told him in the interview, "if you're on time, you're late." After tossing the cigarette to the ground, he knocked on the door and waited for him to open the door. The restaurant didn't open until noon, so he understood if no one would immediately come for him. The wait wasn't very long as Sanji seemed to predict when Cora would show up, and was quick to react to the knock.

"Good morning," Sanji said in a warm tone, opening the door for Cora and welcoming him in. Cora walked in and was shocked seeing the restaurant so void of people. He can actually see the tidied marble-topped tables, each of which being occupied by a couple wooden chairs stacked on top. The decor of the restaurant looked very similar to the sea's with its oceanic prints on the walls and the giant glass fish fountain right in the middle. "Since today is your first day, I wanted you to come in early so I can teach you everything about this place. You see, this whole restaurant is my pride and joy, and my goal is to provide the best food and drinks to the lovely citizens of this town." Sanji gave Cora a menu which was only a full page long, but had much variety with meat dishes, fish entrees, different types of rice, and sides. He flipped it over and saw an extensive wine selection, hand picked by Sanji himself.

"You sure love wine, huh?"

"I've spent many years researching and trying different types of wines and spirits. Even when I was young, I'd sneak a glass or two from the kitchen."

Cora laughed, "You're such a troublemaker!"

"Hey, a chef's gotta go to extremes sometimes." Sanji lit up a cigarette, "hey, let's get that tour started, shall we? I want to be able to show you everything before we open."

Cora nodded.

The whole tour took about an hour, and included an incredibly brief walkthrough of the dining area and explaining what each front of the house operations were. The majority of the tour was dedicated to Sanji talking about his wine collection.

"Alright, you ready big guy?" Sanji asked. Cora, struggling to stay awake from the massive amount of information he was fed, nodded his head. Sanji reached underneath the counter and picked up a small black apron tied up in a roll. "I'm going to have someone tailor your uniform to your, uh, size, which should take a couple days. Until then, what you're wearing right now should be fine. The only thing is I need you to remove your coat. I don't want to hear anyone complaining about feathers in their food."

Cora nodded yet again, taking his coat off which already began shedding all over the floor. It's interesting to see it still fluffy and bulky, even despite having it shed for at least a couple decades. It's also amazing that it's still in perfect condition after that long, despite its nauseating smell of cigarettes and ashes. Cora unrolled the apron and stuck his neck through the top, tieing the two strings around his back when he made a realization. "Hey Sanji, how long are these things supposed to be?"

Sanji noticed that the apron was only long enough to barely reach the bottom of his waist line. Cora's long legs made his apron look like a bib. Sanji cracked up and tried hiding it at first, but completely lost it seconds after. "You look...ridiculous!"

Cora was red in the face with embarrassment. "Isn't there anything bigger?"

Sanji tried speaking, but everytime he looked up was knocked back down by his own laughter. "No! No there...there isn't!"

"WH- WHAT KIND OF STAFF DO YOU HAVE?"

Sanji picked himself up, wiping away his tears, and put himself back together. "Okay, okay, so maybe you don't have to wear the apron. Just your normal attire should be good enough." Cora ripped his apron off and threw it aside. "Anyway, we open up in fifteen minutes. Start setting the tables up with glasses and utensils, I'll start setting up the kitchen. Looks like my damn employees are coming late again."

"Again?"

"Yeah, we've only been open for a week and they've already begun slacking off. Coming late, lounging about, and backing my orders up. It gets annoying telling them over and over to get their shit together."

"Why not fire them?"

Sanji sighed, "they're all I've got sadly. I'm not enough to run this whole restaurant by myself."

Cora gleamed down, but darted his glowing eyes at Sanji. "Maybe I can help you out back there!"

"In the kitchen?" Sanji snared, a drop of nervous sweat dripping down his face. "Listen, the kitchen is a pretty busy place... and there's so little time, I can't possibly teach you everything before we open." Sanji tried his best to turn him down; he knew Cora was as pure a soul as anyone might expect, so he didn't want to turn him down too harshly.

"Ah... I understand," Cora quietly acknowledged, "but! I will still help you by keeping our customers happy and pleasured!"

Sanji smiled. "You'd already be doing a huge favor for me, big guy."

With that said, Cora felt a rush of giddiness return to him. If there were anything he was good at, it was making that first impression to wow people. With twelve minutes left to open, Cora ran around the dining area making sure each table was set up nicely with proper utensils and towels, as well as wine glasses. Cora looked up at the glass door and saw a crowd of people already lined up and waiting.

Two minutes until opening, Cora kept rehearsing his lines to himself repeatedly. Good afternoon, gentlemen. Right this way. Here are our menus which include our extensive wine list on the back. Can I get you anything to drink in the meantime? He said these things over and over and over again until it felt like second nature. The Marines never talked this way, and he and Law definitely would never talk like this; if anything, this was the total opposite of how they'd treat each other. Something about this sort of talk felt off and unnatural to Cora, but he knew he had to be hospitable in this sort of environment, and more importantly he didn't want to blow this chance at a career.

One minute till opening. Cora grabbed the key and started making his way to the door. He wanted to greet everyone warmly, so he prepared a big smile on his face, unlocked the doors, and opened them.

Opening.

"GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!" he belched out, grinning with his mouth wide open and arms reaching out. It only took him about one and a half steps before he tripped over his own feet, and fell face flat on the ground. Everyone just stopped and stared, but this awkward silence was followed by a burst of laughter from everyone. Ah shit...so this is the impression I'm getting, isn't it? Cora got himself back up, brushing the dust and dirt off his shirt, and cleared his throat. "Right! My name is Corazon, and I will be serving you all! Who's first?"

The laughing ceased gradually as one guy, who looked like he had just woken up, made his way to the front. He was wearing a fancy uniform, black suit and black tie with a white shirt underneath, that he looked like he went to bed with because of how wrinkled it looked. He didn't say anything. He simply just stared at Corazon, snapping his neck all the way up just to make eye contact, and proceeded to walk through him.

"H-hey! I have to seat you."

The guy just looked back at him in shear apathy. "No, you dumbass, I work here."

Cora wanted to say something back at him, but didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone. It was already bad enough he made a fool of himself within the first thirty seconds. He cleared his throat again, and grabbed the reservation sheet that he hadn't noticed the first time around. "Marie, party of two!"

Back in the kitchen, Sanji and his small crew of just three cooks had already set up each station. Lunch rushes at the first moment of opening have been typical, so everyone on the shift was ready for what's to come. However, Sanji was feeling a lot more antsy than normal. Having a newbie working their first shift is always somewhat of a gamble. He looked out into the dining room and saw Cora walking a couple to their table, even being a gentleman and pulling their chairs back for them. Sanji has hopes that he will do well. His nerves were slightly calmed until he heard the door bust open next to him.

"Larry!" Sanji shouted in a frustrated tone. "For Christ's sake, this is like the third time in a row you've come late."

"I'm sure you get that every night," Larry snickered ever so smug.

Sanji, even more unimpressed than ever before, grabbed him by the collar, nearly lifting him up because of how lanky and light he is. "Listen, next time you crack something like that again, I'll...I'll..." Sanji loosened his grip, not wanting to finish that statement. "Listen, I have a newbie training today, and the last thing I need is for you to piss me off. I need you to do your job, and help him out."

"Relax, boss, I'm sure I can't make him look dumber than he already does."

Sanji tossed him at the door. "Then go."

"Oi! Sanji!" Cora called out, waving a small sheet of paper. "I took my first order!"

"Good job," Sanji took the paper and read the order. The handwriting was so bubbly and round, the dots on the lowercase i's being replaced with hearts, he had to do a double take. He almost questioned it, but instead chose to go along with it. After all, he was happy enough that it was legible. "Psst, before you go," Cora leaned close to Sanji. "You see that skinny bastard walking that group over to their table?"

"Yeah! I remember him! He shoved everyone aside and called me a dumbass."

"That's Larry...he's one of the guys I was telling you about."

"Irresponsible?"

"With a mix of immature and unpredictable...that kid seriously drives me crazy. I want you to watch over him, and make sure he doesn't make himself look like a goddamn idiot."

Cora laughed, "I think it's too late for that!"

Sanji laughed with him. "Alright, alright, go ahead and take care of everyone else. I'll go ahead and start this order."

"HEY BOSS!" Larry slugged his way over. "I got their orders! They asked me for my recommendation on the steak! I told 'em well done!"

Sanji sighed.

"Julie, table for one!" Cora called, proceeding to walk her over to her table. "Can I get you anything to start?"

"Yes, babe, let me get a piece of that, " the lady responded flirtaciously.

Cora looked behind him, but didn't quite see what he thought she was referring to. "Pardon me?"

"Let me just get a slice, mmmm…"

Cora was even more confused. "Piece of what? Dessert menu's on the other side, ma'am."

"Gimme some sugar , babe."

"There's sugar packets in the middle of your table…"

The lady just looked at him with a dead expression on her face. "Yeah, uh, just get me a water."

Cora shrugged and walked back.
Larry was already cracking up as he heard everything. "You idiot! She was just trying to get in your pants!"

Cora still shrugged but with a smile. "Well, that's too bad."

"Man, I would've jumped on that offer right away. Can't believe you missed that chance."

"I'm sure my roommate wouldn't appreciate it, anyway."

"Ooooh, roommate? A dedicated man. I see, I see!" He winked and nudged at Cora. "What's her name, ehh?"

"His," Cora corrected.

Larry stopped. "Oh, well."

Cora could feel the slight disappointment Larry was emitting, and couldn't help but feel a tad offended. "How about we just get back to work." He walked away to seat the next group of people. It seems as if every interaction he's had with Larry so far have all been pretty annoying even for him. Cora walked back to the entrance and called out the next group's name, "Tran!" He was already getting used to the job of a waiter, and it was especially easier with his grand memory he'd obtained from the Marines.

"Yes, I am Tran!" A man, nearly as tall as Cora, towered over everyone and approached the front.

"Ah, yes, right this way!" Cora proceeded forward. "My name is Corazon, and I'll be se-" Before he could finish, the man accidentally stepped on Cora's fur coat and snagged him backwards like a damn slingshot. Cora's legs flung upward, sending him flying and falling right on top of his customer. Unfortunately, someone else was also behind Tran, causing a chain reaction of a trail of dominos. The person in the very back of this line fell right at the end of the table, launching plates and utensils into the air. Cora heard, the cooks heard, and Sanji heard, all of them looking out the small kitchen window. Cora turned into a frog for two seconds, leaping ever so high towards the catapulted silverware. It was as if time had slowed down, and everything in the background had stood still. Cora extended his lengthy arms forward. However, he angled himself wrong and only ended up hitting the ground flat on his belly. Shit, shit, shit...surely I'm going to get shit for this.

He waited for what seemed like forever to hear the inevitable crashing noise. He didn't hear a single thing. He was afraid he might've activated his silent ability. He didn't. Miraculously, the dishes landed safely on Cora's back. He lifted his head up and over his shoulder, seeing from the corner of his eye everything in one piece. Everyone saw, and started applauding at his coordination.

"Yes, yes, thank you everyone, thank you!" Cora wanted to take in all this gratitude and stood back up, gravity pulling the dishes from his shirt and the floor taking them from him. Cora cringed and looked back down, thankfully all the dishes were still in one piece. "Phew... I! I meant to do that!"

Cora quickly took Tran to his table and took his order, apologizing many times for the incident. He waltzed over to the kitchen area to deliver the order and looked in through the opening, watching how hard at work everyone was; cooking, frying, gathering dishes, it all seemed to flow nice and evenly as an assembly line would. He stood there mesmerized, imagining how fun it must be in the middle of the action.

snap snap snap "Oi, Corazon!" Sanji snapped at him, physically and verbally. "Order for Table 7 is ready!"

"Ah! Yes! Table 7, gotcha!" Cora grabbed the plate and went on to deliver the food, thinking about everything he just saw. He admired how fast paced everything was, and how busy and focused everyone looked. It reminded him of his time at the Marines, but rather with more food and not as many knives. Looks like fun. "Can I get you guys anything else, maybe some more water?" The couple nodded, and Cora reached for the water pitcher. He began to pour it over their glasses, but he missed one minor detail: the pitcher was empty. He awkwardly laughed it off. "Ha! Silly me! I will be right back." Cora briskly walked over to his station to fill up the pitcher with water.

"Well, well! Look who it is!" Larry slapped Cora's back, almost making him drop the whole pitcher.

"Don't do that!" Cora snapped.

"Aw, I'm just teasing you man!" Larry smacked his back again, water splashing out of the pitcher.

Cora grunted. Why oh why did I get stuck with this guy, of all people? Well, there's no use in getting angry. Maybe if I just ignore him he'll stop.

"Catch anymore ladies, hmm?"

Cora lightly shook his head, keeping his head down and avoiding eye contact.

"Well, let me know when you find one, will ya?" He nudged Cora's elbow, but this time he ended up hitting a sensitive nerve. Cora's arm twitched violently, launching the water pitcher outward right in Larry's direction. He didn't lose grip of the pitcher, but all of the water launched out of it and splashed all over Larry, leaving him totally drenched.

"Whoops...I'm...so sor-"

"You IDIOT!" Larry slapped Cora. "Do you have any idea how long this will take to dry off?"

"But it's just water…"

"No! I JUST had this dry cleaned!" Larry snatched the pitcher straight from Cora's hands and smashed the bottom half on the counter. "You're going to pay for this... " He pointed the broken, sharp edge at Cora.

"I think you're overreacting just a bit…"

"YOU SHUT UP! YOU DUMB MOTHERF-"

"HEY!" The two of them turned to the side and saw Sanji standing in front of the doors as if he had been there this whole time. He eyed the broken pitcher. "What's going on here?"

"WELL! THIS GUY RIGHT HERE-"

"Did he break that expensive pitcher?" Sanji's uncovered eye glared.

"He got me all w-"

"Did. He. Break it?"

"W-well! He!"

Sanji lifted the bangs covering his left eye, glaring with both of his eyes now. "Don't say another word. I saw everything that happened." Larry shook with fear, gripping the tablecloth and taking a loud gulp of his own saliva. "You broke it. Do you have any idea how much that costs?"

"Ah...uh...not that….much?"

Sanji laughed. "You make me laugh. You're a funny guy, have I ever told you?"

"So I'm….I'm off the hook?"

"Hah!" Sanji laughed even harder now. "Good one." His laugh suddenly turned into a scowl, and not even a second later Larry's neck was already trapped in a death grip. "I've had about enough of you. Get out of my restaurant, and never come back."

Larry tried hard to speak what he had to say, but couldn't even get a breath in with how tight Sanji held him. Sanji finally let him go, and Larry crawled out of the restaurant in a panic.

Cora was speechless, to say the least, as he would've never expected to witness someone as chill as Sanji to seem so angry. "Sanji….holy…"

He sighed and headed back to the kitchen. "Don't worry about it. Let's just keep on going, we've got a long day ahead of us."

"Sanji! Wait!" Cora ran up to Sanji, whom just ignored him and proceeded walking away. "What are we gonna do?"

Sanji stopped walking, and just paused for a few seconds. "No big deal. I'll help you out until my other staff come in. Anyway, he was pretty much useless." That being said, he disappeared back into the kitchen before another word could be said.

Cora felt bad. First day on the job, and he already noticed one of the restaurant's major flaws: the lack of responsible staff. A chef can cook up some of the world's best food, but won't receive any sort of recognition if they don't have a functional team. He wanted to help change that in any way he could, but he knew he couldn't do it alone. It was then, a light bulb had light over his head.

If I'm going to help Chef Sanji out, I'll need to get some help first! From the one person I can trust with my life...and who's trusted me with theirs. Perfect.

He sat down to think about his plans. Tragically, he failed to notice a fork sticking out from his coat as he was about to take his seat.

Poke.

He felt that. He snapped his fingers.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"