Everyday Life with the Straw Hats
Chapter 4: A Chef's Romance
"The official paperwork is finally complete" Ms. Smith said as she took a sip from her coffee, "Miia and Centorea are now officially home-stay guests of this residence, and you nine individuals are officially their hosts until further notice."
"YAAAY!" Miia shouted as she once again wrapped up Luffy within her tail and tightly embracing him with love. "now that we are officially living together darling, its almost as if we're…married." Miia whispered into Luffy's ear, but of course Luffy is not at all picking up on her romantic hints…no matter how obvious they are.
"If you say so Miia…hey! We should all go out to eat and celebrate! I could really go for some meat right about now." Luffy declared with his a big enthusiastic grin on his face.
"Great idea darling! Then maybe afterwards Nami, Robin, Centorea, and I could go shopping." Miia suggested.
"I like the way you think Miia, a girl can never have enough clothes." Nami stated with her hands on her hips. Already beginning to think of what fashion is trendy at the moment. "By the way Miia…I would love to know where you got those "D" shaped hair clips. They look absolutely beautiful." Asked Nami.
Miia seemed genuinely pleased by the compliment. "Thank you, but I'm afraid these hair clips can't be bought anywhere."
Nami's face saddened a little bit at that statement, "Oh that's a bummer, but then how did you get them?"
"Well you see," Miia began. "These hair clips represent something very special back in my home village."
"Oh…so it's a cultural thing?" Nami asked in curiosity.
"Kind of but not exactly, these hair clips symbolize something unique to my home village specifically."
"How so?" Robin asked as she took a closer seat.
Miia replied, "have you ever heard of….The Will of D?"
"Are we almost there? I'm hungry…" Luffy moaned as his rubber stomach started to growl.
"You're always hungry dumb ass, what's new?" Zoro snapped at Luffy, annoyed by his complaining.
"I can't help it, eating is what I do best! Well, that and stretching." Luffy said, pulling at his elastic cheeks.
"By the way darling, that story you told me about how you got this ability…you know, the story you told me after we got out of the bath together. Are there a lot of these 'devil fruits' in the world?" Miia questioned, she had a perplexed look on her face. Trying to fathom how a fruit can give someone powers.
Her rubber hero smiled, "Yeah! There's lots of them…for example, Brook and Chopper both have devil fruit abilities."
"Yes, that is true…" Brook replied, taking a sip from a cup of tea he brought with him. "I ate the Revive-Revive Fruit which allows me to come back to life after I've died. This is why I look like a skeleton." Brook then took a step closer to Miia, and adjusted his top hat. "I've been meaning to ask you something, Miss Miia…..may I see your panties? That is….if you wear any."
Miia slapped Brook with her tail with an infuriated look on her face. "Of course I wear them! And besides, there is only one man who would ever have that privilege!" Miia's expression turned from anger to a love-struck look instantly. She turned to face Luffy with a dreamy look in her eyes. "The only one who would ever be able to see something so personal is my lover. Isn't that right darling?" Miia asked Luffy in a romantic tone of voice.
Unfortunately for Miia, Luffy was too busy thinking of food.
"By the way Miia, about that story you were telling us…about the Will of D. we never heard the rest of what you had to say." Robin asked.
"Oh, yeah. On second thought, maybe I'll tell you guys at a later time, if it's all the same to you." Miia said. With a sudden look of worry and concern. "It's a story that my village holds very dear to us. But with recent events back at my home village, it's….very sad to talk about."
"Finally, we made it to this restaurant." Zoro said, "This food better be damn good if it took this long to walk here." Then Zoro gave Sanji a smug smile, "Although, I'm sure it beats that shitty food you call fine dining, right eyebrows?"
Sanji just gave Zoro a silent look as he gave him the middle finger and said, "At least I can walk in a straight line without needing to ask for directions."
Zoro's face turned from a smug look to one of being utterly pissed off.
"Enough talking, let's go in and eat for crying out loud!" Luffy declared with his hands raised in the air. "I. Want. Meat!"
–
The gang walked inside the restaurant and they could already smell all the delicious food. A waitress quickly walked up to them in order to greet them.
"Hello there! Welcome to Home Style Buffet, how may I help you this fine afternoon?" she greeted with a smile.
Nami quickly walked up to the front of the group to talk to the waitress. "Yes, we would like an extra-long table for my friends and I." Nami passed a 50 berrie bill and whispered "And make it snappy."
"50...berries?" the waitress asked with a dumbfounded look. "You can't be serious, for this tiny amount of money?"
Nami put on her best bargaining face. "Yeah, we are pretty hungry, and our captain definitely doesn't want to wait any longer for his food. When he gets hungry, he gets very hungry. Perhaps you've heard of him? 'straw hat' Luffy is his name"
The waitress looked surprise, she's heard the stories of the pirates from the worst generation. And she by no means wanted to upset them. She nodded her head to Nami, took the money, quickly guiding them to their table. They took their seats and made their orders, and the waitress went to go get them their food and drinks. "I will be right back with your things." She said as she left.
"So….." Zoro started, looking at Cerea, "What is your hometown like? Where is it located?" Zoro asked.
Cerea smiled at the question, she was obviously happy to tell her master about her life and culture. "My home is within the kingdom of Camelot, it's a prestigious kingdom where only the finest of warriors reside." She said with a strong sense of pride upon her face. "As for where it's located, it's on the other side of the Red Line, the sea that is commonly known as The New World."
That caught Luffy's attention. "The New World?! You came from the New World! Someday we are going to travel there and explore it to its fullest!" Luffy declared in excitement.
Cerea smiled at him, and then looked at Zoro warmly, "I would be honored if you all come visit my home someday, I would especially like to show you my family, if you wouldn't mind it…master." Cerea said, trying to hide her blush.
"Perhaps, but I gotta ask, why do you keep calling me 'Master' all the time?" Zoro asked, with a confused look on his face.
"Yes, um…you see," Cerea had an embarrassed look on her face, trying to find the right words to express what she meant. "It's common within my culture for a centaur to pick a master, someone who they stand by through life and death, an eternal partner who they will fight side by side with."
"Oh yeah, I kinda remember you describing something similar to me before when we met, that's why I wasn't allowed to ride you, wasn't it?" Zoro asked casually.
"Yes, that is why." replied Cerea, "but now things are different, I see you now as someone worthy of being my master!" Cerea hastily stated with a blush, but also a look pride upon her face.
Zoro's face went from one of confusion to one of pride, and he gave her a reassuring grin. "Well, if that's the case, Cerea, then you chosen the right person to be your master." Zoro said boldly, "Because I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsmen!"
"Really? Wow, that's quite the goal, and I will do whatever I can to help you achieve it!" Cerea declared.
"Yeah, all I have to do is beat Mihawk in one-on-one combat!" Zoro proclaimed ambitiously.
"Oh, is that who you have to defeat in order to achieve your goal? Sir Dracule?" Cerea asked.
"Wait…you know him?!" Zoro responded, shell shocked.
"Yes" Cerea replied. "In fact, the kingdom of Camelot has a treaty with Sir Dracule Mihawk. He helps protect our kingdom, and in exchange, we pay him some of our treasury each month."
"Well" Zoro began, a competitive grin growing on his face, "I guess I will be visiting your homeland no matter what, sooner or later."
The waitress returned with their meals and drinks. "Here you go, I hope your meals are all to your liking, enjoy!" and with that, the waitress left.
Luffy began stuffing his face with the platter of various meats he ordered. "This is so good! I love meat!" Luffy cried with tears of joy pouring from his eyes."
Miia was eating the scrambled eggs she ordered, "It's been awhile since I've had scrambled eggs, these taste really good!"
Zoro was chugging back his booze next to Centorea, while she was eating a salad.
Sanji, on the other hand was barely touching his food, he had a bitter expression on his face.
"What's the matter Sanji? Why aren't you eating?" Luffy asked between bites.
"Its…" Sanji started, with a distraught tone in his voice. "Its just….why do you and moss head have girlfriends and I don't. it's not fair! I've been trying to be on my best behavior and not let it get to me, but its really hard when I see you two with girls who love you and I got nothing." Sanji laid his face in his hands, saying "Its not fair" over and over.
Zoro, being the eternal rival to Sanji, took this golden opportunity to explain why Sanji didn't have a girlfriend.
"It's because you're a creepy pervert." Zoro stated in a deadpan matter-of-fact tone.
Sanji's sorrow quickly turned to anger at Zoro's words, refusing to let Zoro have the last say. "That is not true! My heart is pure! If I had a girlfriend I could prove it to you. I was hoping I would meet a nice liminal girl who would share my feelings, but so far, it's been you and Luffy who has been having all the luck."
Chopper patted Sanji's back, "There there," he said, "When we go to Fishman island, there will be plenty of nice mermaids who may be attracted to you."
"Ha! The day Sanji gets a mermaid for a girlfriend, is the day I say his food is delicious!" Zoro laughed.
Sanji stood up from his seat, with anger in his eyes, which was being aimed solely at Zoro.
"I don't have to take your harassment, enjoy your lunch everyone, because I'm heading back to the house. Good day." And with that, Sanji walked out of the restaurant.
"Damn moss head!" Sanji growled as he was walking down the street. "He thinks that just because he has a girlfriend he's hot shit all of a sudden! If I had a girlfriend, that would really stick it to him."
But knowing his luck, Sanji felt like he would never have a girlfriend at this rate. "It doesn't make sense, I'm the most caring and compassionate for the ladies out of all the us on the crew." Sanji said, his temper flaring up again, but slowly turning back into sorrow. "But….no girls ever seem to share my affection." Sanji said woefully. But then, he heard something.
"Please! Anybody, I could use some help!" a feminine voice cried out in the distance, but it was getting louder.
"Could that be…" Sanji thought, "A damsel in distress?!" Sanji's attitude instantly turned from self-pity to one of courage. He knew that he could not let any maiden be harmed if he could prevent it. Then, he saw her. A lady sitting in a wheelchair was speeding downhill on the road, unable to stop.
"Please, I can't stop!" she cried out.
Sanji's instincts took control. He leaped in front of the wheelchair and to stop it, then safely grabbed hold of her to cushion her fall.
Sanji scraped his knee in the process, but he would gladly do it again to protect a lady. "Are you okay…I hope you are okay." Sanji asked.
"Yes, I am…. thank you." She replied softly.
It was then that Sanji got a clear view of her. She was beautiful. She had pink hair. She was wearing a black dress with white frills. But above all, she had a pink mermaid tail. Sanji could not believe how lucky he was at this moment.
"You're…. you're…. A mermaid!" he gasped, filled with glee.
"Why yes, my name is Meroune Lorelei, but I usually just go by 'Mero'….do you not mind that I am a mermaid?" she asked hesitantly.
"Mind" Sanji started, but then paused, trying to gather his thoughts. "I love it! I've always wanted to meet a mermaid! I've always been awestruck by their beauty! And you Mero are no exception."
That last part made her blush quite a bit. "Why…thank you, you are too kind, good sir." She said, trying to hide her blushing face. "But what is your name, if it's not too much trouble."
"Oh, right. My name is Sanji, and I'm a professional chef." He said proudly.
"really? Then I would be most delighted to try one of your dishes someday."
"Deal" Sanji replied. "By the way Mero, why were you going so fast down the hill just now?"
"Oh, that. You see, I was with this woman named Ms. Smith, she told me that I was going to be staying with a group of home stay hosts, and that they were currently having lunch at a restaurant around here." Mero informed Sanji. "I told Ms. Smith that I wanted to explore the city on my own for a bit, but I guess I will have to find this group of people on my own."
Sanji started to gain excitement at this turn of events. "What did she tell you about this 'group' of home stay hosts?" he asked.
"Well…" Mero started, trying to remember what Smith told her, "She said that there was a guy named Luffy, and that there was a lady named Nami, and…"
"Mero…" Sanji began, a warm expression grew on his face as he looked at her. "That group that you're talking about, those are my friends. I'm a part of that group."
Mero started to gain an excited tone in her voice. "You mean…" Mero said, her eyes full of hope.
"Yes" Sanji replied happily, "my friends and I are your home stay hosts."
"Do you really mean it?" Mero asked again, still in disbelief that she will be staying with Sanji. this man who she has just met on the side of the street. Surely it must be true love. or at the very least, that was what Mero was thinking.
"Of course, I truly mean it." Sanji replied back with a warm smile. "But before we head back to the house where you'll be staying, why don't we go around town for a bit. Would that be fine with you." Sanji asked, with a swift gentleman's bow, "M'lady."
Mero blushed at Sanji's gesture. "Yes, that would be delightful." Mero cupped her hands on her cheeks, trying to hide the blush. "Sir Sanji."
Sanji blushed back as well.
Sanji grabbed the handles of her wheelchair, and off they went. They were going to have an afternoon they would not soon forget. the first stop was a walk through the park.
"Oh my, the scenery is absolutely beautiful." Mero said in awe as she looked around at all the fauna.
"Yeah, it sure is, but not as beautiful as you." Sanji replied sweetly.
"Oh, sir Sanji, you're too kind." Said Mero, once again trying to hide her blush.
After about an hour or so of walking through the park and taking in all the fresh air, they decided to go to the library. Mero said she was very interested in seeing what types of books there were to read.
once they reached the library, the first area that Mero wanted to view was the section on "romance/drama."
"So, you like romance stories I take it?" Sanji asked.
"Oh yes, especially ones with tragedy. They are my favorite." Mero stated happily.
"Well, if that's what you enjoy, who am I to judge." Sanji replied back.
After a little bit of them picking out books that they wanted to rent, Sanji came to the romance isle with a cook book in his hand. He was surprised to see that Mero had at least six romantic drama novels she wanted to check out.
"Wow, when you said you like tragedy novels, you weren't kidding." Sanji said playfully. Mero just smiled back at him.
Now, they decided to head back home. Shortly after they came home and Sanji showed her around the house, everyone else started coming back. Although everyone was caught off guard by Sanji holding hands with a mermaid.
Except for Miia and Cerea, everyone froze in shock.
"D-D-Don't tell me….." Usopp stuttered.
"that Sanji has….." Brook moaned in disbelief.
"A GIRLFRIEND?!" exclaimed all the straw hats. All but one though.
"Oh please, give me a break." Zoro said walking up to see Sanji.
"Isn't it obvious, this isn't his girlfriend, this is all an act, he's staging this to try and one-up me." Zoro explained with an incredibly smug look on his face.
He looked Sanji straight in the eye, challenging his masculinity. "Isn't that right, curly brows? You don't have what it takes to impress a real girl, so you hire one to pretend to date you! How low." Then Zoro turned to Mero, he loosened up when he looked at the mermaid. Not trying to scare her or anything. "So ma'am, how much did this turd pay you? 100, 200 berries?"
"actually, I do genuinely like sir Sanji." Mero said calmly. "and I don't appreciate you talking down to my boyfriend." Mero said with a firmer tone now.
Zoro's face turned from smug to sheer disbelief. He couldn't believe his eternal rival has finally achieved such a goal. he refused to believe it.
Now it was Sanji's turn for gloating. "What was that you said earlier about if I get a girlfriend, you'll say my food tastes good." Sanji said with a tone of the highest arrogance.
"…..Your…..food…tastes….good." Zoro muttered with disgust.
Before anymore gloating could continue, Ms. Smith entered the house.
"Oh, so I see you met your new home stay guest. Good, then here is your paperwork, now I will be going. Have a nice day." And like that, she left, but not without getting a cup of coffee to take with her. "oh, before I forget." she paused at the doorway. "there were some suspicious people hanging around the Thousand Sunny on my way here, you might want to check on that."
"I'll go see what's going on." Usopp stated. "I was going to visit the hardware store around the ship yard, so I'll go check on the Sunny."
So Usopp gathered his trusty gear, and off he went. But not even he is aware of what is waiting for him at the ship yard.