As the sun began its slow ascent over the horizon, Sanji couldn't help but whistle a cheerful tune while he polished silverware in Baratie's dining room. The morning light reflected off the cutlery, casting playful shadows on the wall, mirroring the fluttering feeling in his heart. Today was a day like no other; he would be working alongside Hana, the radiant hostess who had captured his attention from the moment she walked through the restaurant's doors.
"Morning, Sanji!" Hana greeted him with her usual warm smile as she sauntered into the restaurant, her eyes sparkling like the ocean waves outside.
"Ah, bonjour mademoiselle Hana!" Sanji replied, a little too enthusiastically, as he bowed and handed her the stack of freshly polished forks. He couldn't help but feel a sense of giddiness bubbling inside him like champagne. "Can I get you anything? A coffee, perhaps? Or would you prefer tea?"
"Tea would be lovely, thank you," Hana replied, her voice melodious even when discussing such mundane matters.
"Coming right up!" Sanji practically skipped to the kitchen, leaving Hana chuckling at the door.
In the kitchen, Zeff raised an eyebrow, watching Sanji's uncharacteristic eagerness. "What's gotten into you, brat?" he grumbled, stirring a pot of simmering sauce with a critical eye.
"Nothing, Chef Zeff! Just excited for another day at Baratie!" Sanji responded, trying to sound nonchalant as he brewed Hana's tea.
"Since when are you so eager to work the front of the house, huh?" Zeff narrowed his eyes at Sanji, his suspicions growing by the second.
"Can't a guy just appreciate a change of scenery every once in a while?" Sanji retorted, carefully pouring the tea into a delicate china teacup.
"Uh-huh," Zeff muttered, not entirely convinced but choosing to drop the subject for now.
As Sanji returned to Hana with her steaming cup of tea, the other cooks exchanged puzzled glances. They had never seen their talented sous chef so invested in working at the front of the house, let alone being so blatantly smitten with someone.
"Guys, do you think Sanji's okay?" Patty whispered to his fellow cooks, concern lacing his voice. "I've never seen him like this before."
"Maybe he's just... happy?" Carne suggested hesitantly, as if the very concept was foreign to them all.
"Let's hope that's all it is," Patty sighed, shaking his head and returning to his own preparations for the day.
Back at the front of the house, Sanji couldn't contain his grin as he watched Hana expertly arrange plates and glasses on the tables, her movements fluid and graceful. Today would be a day to remember, he was certain of it - a day filled with laughter, light-hearted banter, and perhaps even the start of a deeper connection between him and the captivating hostess who had stolen his heart.
As Hana watched Sanji from the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but notice his enthusiasm to be working at the front of the house. It was almost endearing how eager he seemed to engage with her, even as he continued to flirt with female customers - though not quite as fervently as before. She found herself studying him more closely, taking in his sharp features and charming smile.
"Could it be?" she mused internally. "Is our dear Sanji actually smitten with me?" The thought brought a mischievous grin to her face, accompanied by a twinge of jealousy when she noticed Sanji's lingering attention on one particularly attractive patron.
"Alright," Hana decided, steeling herself for the game ahead. "Two can play this game." With that, she shifted her demeanor to one of playful sarcasm and sly wit, hoping to keep Sanji on his toes.
"Sanji," she called out sweetly, beckoning him over to help her adjust a table setting. As he approached, she looked him up and down, arching an eyebrow. "My, don't you clean up nicely? Did you dress up just for me, or is this your daily attempt to impress the ladies?"
His cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink, and she could see both confusion and excitement dancing in his eyes. Hana felt a sense of smug satisfaction at his reaction.
"Uh, well," Sanji stammered, trying to maintain his usual suave composure, "one must always look their best, especially when working with such a beautiful hostess." He glanced at her, attempting to gauge her response.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Casanova," Hana replied teasingly, her eyes sparkling with humor. "Now, be a dear and give me a hand with these plates, won't you?"
As they worked together, Sanji found himself captivated by Hana's wit and charm. He couldn't quite tell if she was flirting or simply toying with him, and it only served to heighten his interest in her.
"Are you always this enchanting?" he asked, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips, "or is today a special occasion?"
"Sanji," she responded with feigned innocence, batting her eyelashes, "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
As they exchanged barbs and laughter, Hana reveled in the exhilarating dance of flirtation and wordplay. She could see that Sanji was growing more and more intrigued by her, and it only encouraged her to continue playing her part in this delightful game.
The bustling kitchen of Baratie was alive with the sounds and smells of culinary magic. Amidst the symphony of sizzling pans and chopping knives, Hana found herself at the center of attention from her fellow cooks. She couldn't help but notice Carne and Patty attempting to outdo each other in their efforts to win her over.
"Hey, Hana," Carne began, flexing his burly arms while hefting a large tray of vegetables, "need any help carrying that?"
"Thank you, Carne, but I've got it," she replied sweetly, effortlessly balancing the tray of dishes on one arm.
Not one to be outdone, Patty chimed in with a boisterous laugh, "You know, Hana, these desserts I'm making are almost as sweet as you!"
As Hana rolled her eyes at their blatant attempts, she couldn't help but appreciate Sanji's more subtle approach. Though he still flirted with female customers, his focus had shifted to her, and she was amused by his transformation into a lovestruck fool.
"Sanji," she called out, catching him mid-flirt with a blushing customer, "I could use your help with something."
"Of course, my dearest Hana!" He spun on his heel, leaving the customer flustered and confused as he rushed to Hana's side.
"Ah, there you are," she said with a teasing smile. "You didn't forget about me while chatting up that lovely lady, did you?"
"Never," he assured her, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "What can I do for you?"
"Could you taste this sauce?" Hana asked innocently, holding out a spoonful. As Sanji leaned in to taste it, their faces inches apart, she watched him squirm under her gaze.
"Absolutely divine," he murmured, his eyes locked on hers. "Just like you."
"Thank you, Sanji," she replied, a coy smile playing on her lips as she turned away. "Your approval means the world to me."
As Hana moved through the kitchen, effortlessly rejecting Carne and Patty's advances while allowing Sanji's flirtation, it was clear to everyone that something had shifted in their dynamic. Sanji's infatuation with Hana grew more apparent by the day, and she reveled in the attention and lighthearted games they played.
What a fun game we're playing, she thought, watching the other cooks' futile attempts to gain her favor. But little did they know, she had already chosen her dance partner for this exhilarating tango of romance. And as she exchanged heated glances and playful banter with Sanji, she knew that their story was only just beginning.
The restaurant buzzed with life as the dinner rush approached. The clatter of pots and pans, the sizzle of hot oil, and the chatter of hungry patrons filled the air. Sanji weaved through the bustling kitchen, his eyes darting to catch glimpses of Hana as she gracefully navigated the throng of customers, her tray laden with plates that showcased the culinary delights of Baratie.
"Table three needs their appetizers!" Carne bellowed over the din, sweat beading on his brow.
"Got it," Sanji replied, his attention momentarily drawn away from Hana. He turned back to see her flashing a warm smile at a table of customers before gliding towards the kitchen counter to pick up another round of orders.
"Sanji!" Zeff's voice cut through the noise, pulling him out of his trance. "Stop acting like an idiot and remember you have a restaurant to tend to!"
"Right, Zeff," Sanji muttered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Despite the reprimand, he couldn't help but steal another glance at Hana.
As the evening wore on, the dining room became increasingly crowded and the pace in the kitchen picked up even more. Hana expertly maneuvered around the restaurant, seating guests and delivering dishes with a natural ease that belied her relatively short time at Baratie. Her poise and charm put everyone at ease, and her laughter and banter were infectious.
The kitchen staff watched in awe as she worked, especially Sanji, who found himself entranced by her every movement. They exchanged brief smiles and words when they crossed paths, but the flirting that had become commonplace between them was absent, replaced by a newfound focus on their work.
"Need some help with those?" Sanji asked as he saw Hana approaching the counter, her arms filled with empty plates.
"Thanks, Sanji," she replied gratefully, handing them over. Their fingertips brushed for a moment, sending a jolt of electricity through both of them. They shared a knowing look before quickly returning to their duties.
Throughout the evening, Hana's performance continued to impress. Zeff watched her with cautious approval, his stern expression softening as he took in her efficiency and professionalism. Sanji couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride as he saw the head chef nod in satisfaction at her work.
As the rush began to wane and the kitchen gradually quieted down, Hana silently thanked her previous restaurant experience for helping her handle the chaos with grace. She knew she had made an impact on everyone around her - particularly Sanji, whose smitten gaze hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Great job tonight, Hana," Sanji said as they crossed paths near the end of the shift, his voice tinged with admiration.
"Thank you," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I couldn't have done it without such a wonderful team behind me."
"Of course," he grinned, a hint of his usual flirtatious charm creeping back into his voice. "We make quite the pair, don't we?"
"Indeed we do," she agreed, her heart fluttering at the prospect of what could come next. As they locked eyes for a lingering moment, the promise of a budding romance floated between them, just out of reach – for now.
The clatter of dishware and chatter of satisfied customers filled the air as the last few patrons filtered out of Baratie. Zeff approached Hana, a rare smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Well, Hana," he began, rubbing his hands together in appreciation, "You handled that rush like a seasoned pro."
"Thank you, Chef Zeff," Hana replied humbly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced around the room, her eyes meeting those of her coworkers. "I couldn't have done it without everyone's support. You all make a great team."
"Indeed, we do." Sanji chimed in, leaning casually against the counter, a slight flush painting his cheeks as he caught Hana's gaze.
Clearing her throat, Hana turned back to Zeff. "There is one thing I could use some help with, though" she admitted, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "I don't know much about wine, and I think it could really boost sales if I could describe and sell it better. Would you mind if I asked Sanji to help me with that?"
"Of course not," Zeff grunted, eyeing the pair with suspicion. "But remember, this is a restaurant – not a dating service."
"Understood," Hana nodded, her cheeks warming at his insinuation.
Sanji's grin widened, excitement bubbling within him. "I'd be more than happy to help, Hana. Let's start tomorrow, shall we?"
"Tomorrow sounds perfect," she agreed, a subtle sparkle in her eyes betraying her enthusiasm. As their gazes locked for a moment, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation – a hint of something more simmering beneath the surface.
As the staff dispersed and began their tasks, Hana couldn't help but steal glances at Sanji. The way his strong hands expertly maneuvered through the kitchen, the focus in his eyes as he concentrated on his work – it was alluring, and she found herself drawn to him.
But she also knew that the game they played, this dance of flirtation and subtle advances, was essential for maintaining the electric tension between them. For now, at least.
As Hana and Sanji parted ways for the evening, their fingertips brushed against each other's briefly – a fleeting, electrifying touch that left them both yearning for more. The promise of tomorrow hung heavy in the air, leaving them both with butterflies in their stomachs and a growing sense of anticipation.
For now, they would have to be patient and let their budding romance unfold at its own pace. But one thing was certain – the connection between them was only growing stronger, and neither could wait to see what the future held.