Chapter 5: Riza

"Welcome to Riza, everyone!"

I looked out from beyond the railing, taking the amazing sight in front of me. After two full days of sailing with a marine escort, the Silver Fang finally reaches its destination.

After the whole incident with the Galley Pirates, the marines agreed to escorting us the remaining part our voyage in case more daring pirates shows up. And also, they need our statements and witness reports down at the base to sent the captured pirates their proper way to prison.

Got to say, seeing actual non-corrupted competent marines is still boggling my mind. It's like everything I know about this world is turn upside down.

That aside, when we reach Port Riza, I took the first chance of a break I get to take in the amazing sights of the fishing port.

Riza is a pretty large port, at least half the size of Loguetown. Its buildings made of white concrete with blue roofs with a few exceptions here and there, different coloured flags decorate the streets and doors. The stalls by the docks are completely packed with people, housewives, other traders, etc; the stalls themselves are packed to the brim with all sorts of assorted seafood, from the humble cod to fresh sea breams.

There is also an enormous white building at the background, one flying the blue seagull flag of the marines with cannons pointing outwards facing the docks, and us. That must be the marine base of this port.

"Quite a beauty, isn't it?" Silvia pointed out.

"It is." I nodded. Got to admit, it's pretty exciting to be in a new place. It's like I'm a kid again!

"As much as we love to have you admire our humble town, I'm afraid you guys know the drill."

A booming voice from behind calls out from behind us, the captain of the marine vessel standing right behind us with arms on his hips.

He is Captain Lewis Strongheart, aged at least in his forties. He has a brown buzzcut with a scar on his left temple and dark grey eyes along with scruffy beard on his square jawline, dressed in a marine captain jacket with its sleeves torn over his naked chiselled and overly buff biceps and chest along with standard-issued navy uniform pants that is stretched to its limit from his muscular thighs tucked into a pair of dark brown military-grade boots.

When you think of military officer, mostly like someone like him comes to mind.

Like seriously, it's like I'm looking at marble here!

"Thanks again for the escort, Captain Strongheart." Silvia bows to him.

"Save the thanks, Silvia; I'm just doing my job." He laughs, the planks shook with each bellow, "But we DO have to take your statements down at the base."

"Do you need everyone?" She asks.

"Nah, just those involved that aren't unconscious or in the medic bay."

With that, the group that will be giving statements would be Silvia herself, Lee (whose arm is in a sling), Gord, Sam, me and a few others. The rest were given the rest of the day off to recuperate.

Got to admit, this isn't what I planned my first time in a marine base to be.

As a witness, to arrest pirates no less.

"Is that everything?" The marine interviewing me asked, I nodding in response. That got him to put the paper he was writing aside, "Thank you for your time. You may go."

Getting out of my seat, I head out of the room into the corridor, where the others are sitting down on the bench near the door. The moment I left, one of the sailors went in and closes the door behind him.

I let out a sigh as I lean on the wall next to the door. Recollecting the entire fight was much exhausting than I thought. Never in my life would I've thought I would be giving statement for court. And yes, there is a court hearing in this world. Although according to Sen, it's just for show as the criminals are always found guilty and sent to Impel Down almost immediately.

Talk about brutal…

"Everything alright?"

I turned to the direction of the voice, the same marine who leaped onto the ship that day is walking up to me with a cup of hot drink in his hand.

"Oh, yeah." I answer him, "Sorry to have worried you."

He let loose a chuckle as he stood next to me, leaning on the wall alongside me, "First time meeting pirates?"

"Mm." I nodded, "Didn't know they were that scary…"

"They are." He noted, sipping from his cup, "You guys have some good fighters among you to fend them off so well. Most merchant ships would have suffered a lot worst than you guys did."

"You could say that…" I muttered out. Got to say, we were really lucky with Galley and the rest. If it was Buggy… or god-forbid Don Krieg? I'm pretty sure I won't be talking to him right now.

"…Tell you what." He got up turning to me, "I'm getting off-duty in about ten minutes. How about I give you a tour of Riza?"

"What?" I raised an eyebrow in confusion, "No, no. It's fine. You don't have to bother-"

"It's not a bother at all! It's the least I can do for your troubles." He assures me, "Wait for me by the gate. Trust me, you won't regret it."

He then power walks down the halls, leaving me there completely dumb-founded over what just happened.

"You alright, Rein?" Sen asked as he walks up to me from behind.

"I think… I've just got a date…"

After more than ten minutes of teasing by both my mentor and the other sailors INCLUDING Silvia, I am now right outside the base's gates waiting for that marine… Lieutenant? Or was it Petty Officer that get custom outfits…?

Still, I can't believe it. A date in my second week in this world. I mean, seriously? We only met like two days ago! We don't even know each other's name! I mean, even if he is picking up girls, he should have chosen someone prettier. Like Silvia, or Justin! Not a kiddie person like me!

Wait, did I just mentally compare myself to the other girls? Am I actually jealous of their hourglass figure?!

NO! Stop brain! Stop it! No thinking like a woman! I'm a MAN, damn it! MAN!

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

I'm brought out of my mental turmoil when the marine that has asked me out is jogging towards me in what I presume is his civilian outfit, a black short sleeved button-up shirt that has it first two buttons unbuttoned to show his bandages with a pair of light-grey pants and brown sandals.

"Did you wait long?"

"N-Not really." I tell him, mentally punching myself to stop thinking this as a date, "You know… I never got your name."

"Oh! I've never introduced myself properly, did I?" He chuckles, "I'm Suiren. Lieutenant of 20th Marine Branch."

"Nice to meet you, Lieutenant Suiren. Name's Rein." I greeted with a smile. He seems like a nice guy. "So, where do we begin?"

"Why don't we begin the docks?" He stated with a smile, I nodded as he leads me on this town tour.

Silvia peeked behind some walls with Lee right next to her, a grin wide on her face, "Wanna bet how look it will take Rein to figure it out?"

"Hm… looking at the situation and the fact she is fidgeting like a lamb…" Lee muttered before raising a beri note, "1000 Beri she wouldn't figure out until we set sail."

"Such little trust in her…" She sighed, raising a beri note of her own, "1000 Beri on tomorrow morning."

"1000 that it will last till tonight, tops." Sen added his own.

"…Tail them?"

"Tail them."

Got to admit, at first glance this place looks packed with all sorts of people. But in reality, it only looks that way due to our timing in arriving here.

For starters, we arrived in the morning, an hour before noon; the entire interview session along with me waiting for him to get off work took about two hours minimum. As such, it is around late-afternoon now close to evening, meaning there aren't as many people in the streets as previously.

The docks are no exception, with most of the fishermen are back in the docks sorting out their gear and fixing their nets and such. From what I can tell, their fishing methods are usually net-casting or harpooning larger sea creatures like sharks.

"Most of the fishes that were caught are sent to the market a couple blocks down from here." Suiren pointed out, "Those that doesn't make the cut are usually cut up and made into chum for tomorrow's catch."

"That's cool." I nodded, "And the stalls that sell the seafood here?"

"They're more of a side-business; promotion, if you will. It's to show the quality of their catch to the fishmongers and restaurant cooks, and to convince them to buy from them."

"You sure know a lot about this Lieutenant."

"My family is a line of fishermen." He explains with an embarrassed chuckle, "I've grew up around these docks."

"Oh! Suiren! You're off duty?" One of the fishermen calls out from their place on the docks. They seem to be surrounding something that is emitting smoke.

"Yeah! Thanks for the hard work!" He greeted.

"Good timing! We just got out the brazier and started cooking up some spare turban shells! Why don't you and your new girlfriend join us?"

"Whoa, there." He laughed a little, "She is not my girlfriend. I'm just showing her around. Besides, she's way too young for me!"

Wait, young? But he's about the same age as me, right?

"Lieutenant, how old are you?"

"Oh, I'm 24 this year."

"Huh, just a few years older then." I noted. So, he is a little older. The age difference isn't that far.

"Wait, few years older…?" He asked, "Rein, how OLD are you?"

What is that question-Wait a damn minute…

"How old do you think I am?"

"Um… 15?"

"WHAT?!" I nearly screamed out in anger, "I'm 20!"

"SERIOUSLY?!" He shouted out in shock, "Aren't you a little short for someone that age?"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING TINY?!" I charge right at him as he starts to run, we both becoming a circle of me chasing him and him running from me. The nerve of that guy! I bet he thought I was some kid that came stowaway on the Silver Fang!

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have assumed!"

"Then let me hit you!"

We eventually tired out and my anger somewhat dissipated after all that running. Still a bit upset at his assumption, though.

"I'm really sorry." He apologized again, "It's just your height and… well…"

Say it, I dare you…

"Come on, now." The fisherman wave us over, "It's all a little misunderstanding, nothing to blow a fuse over. Why don't we treat you to some delicious turban shells? We just finish grilling it~"

I'm about to reply, but then my empty stomach betrayed my thoughts by letting out a loud growl. I felt my face grows hot as the fishermen all laughed at that before I sheepishly sat down next to them on a crate that pulls out for me. Suiren joins me, sitting next to me but unable to face me.

After getting handed a hot steaming shellfish off the charcoal brazier along with a toothpick, I dig into my late lunch with an improved gusto. Got to admit, shellfish caught fresh sure taste amazing, especially so close to the sea. Even without any condiments, this turban shell taste great!

"Good, isn't it?" One of the fishermen chuckles, "Freshly caught shellfish is always taste better than what you can find in the market."

"If you add soy sauce, it tastes even better." Suiren points out.

"Oh, really?" I asked, sipping on a little stock from the shell. Why does stock make from shellfish taste so good~?

"Yeah."

"So, you just arrive in town?" One of the fishermen asks me, "From the Silver Fang?"

"Yeah, part of their crew." I stated, "I'm one of the Ship Guards."

"You? A small lass like yourself?" I felt my nerves splinter for a moment but manages to reel it in. He treated you some food, Rein. The least you can do is not lash out like some brute.

"I'm a lot tougher than I look."

"I'm sure you are, after that little debacle with Suiren!" He laughed, I let loose a small nervous chuckle at that poke, "Speaking of, how's your dad doing, Suiren? Is that leg of his getting better soon?"

"Just got out of his cast." The marine Lieutenant explained, "Although the doctor stated that he still needs a week of rest to properly heal up."

"That's a relief." The fisherman sighs, "It is pretty tough to reach our quota without him."

"Bad catch?"

"Not really, just it is much harder to find good fishing spots without him." He explains, "Your dad has this ability to find the best fishing spots almost all the time, which I admit we have been relying for too long."

"Yeah. You know, there was this one time…"

Sen, Silvia and Lee all hid behind the fish stall looking at the scene going on, ignoring it's owner's vicious glare.

"That is quite a mood going on between the two, huh?" The captain points out, "Add an additional 1000 beri to my bet."

"Oh ho~? Feeling lucky, huh?" Her quartermaster snickers as he collects the bill.

"Additional 2000 for me." Sen mentions, flaunting his bill towards him.

When the two 'lovebirds' stood up, they panicked before dashing to in front of the stall and starts acting like they are browsing the product. They passed them, unassuming of their presence before Silvia gestures the two guys to follow her.

Lee is a little late to notice as he is actually browsing the fish, his captain forcefully drags him by his collar to catch up.

After a few more words were exchanged, we both left the docks and is slowly wandering the streets with Suiren leading, with the sky gaining a light shade of yellow signalling the approaching evening.

"That took longer than expected, but there's still some time before sun fully sets." He stated with a smile, "Why don't I show you to the night market? It's at the plaza-"

"Lieutenant, did you thought I was a kid when you ask me out here?"

My question causes him to stop, he turning to face me with an awkward expression on his face. If he thought I was a kid from the beginning, then when he asked me out, was it as a man to a woman, or an adult trying to cheer up a kid? Just the thought that he only saw me as a kid, it angers me.

"…Well, that thought did came to mind." He stated rubbing his neck in embarrassment, "But whether you are a kid or a grown woman, it doesn't matter. You looked troubled by the entire pirate incident, so I thought to cheer you up a little."

"…Just for that reason?"

"Yeah, why?"

He's just that nice of a guy, huh? I guess it's not much of a date then I thought. Not that I want this to be a date! Nope! Just two guys hanging out! Two GUYS, hanging out!

"N-No reason…" I muttered, trying to stop my heart from fluttering. Keep it together, Rein! You are NOT developing a crush now, no matter how handsome he is! Nope! Na-ah!

"Oh. In any case, let's head over to the night market! There's plenty of stuff to do there!"

Once again letting him take the lead, I follow Suiren towards the town plaza.

The night market is exactly like I thought it would be, but a lot more bustling than I thought.

From what Suiren said, this night market is a once a month event, in which almost everyone set up stalls to sell whatever they want. And he means whatever.

There are stalls of all kinds set up all over the plaza in a somewhat circular pattern with the lamps somewhat lighting the area up selling a variety of stuff, from small knickknacks of all kinds like keychains of fishes to more detailed works of jewellery like pendants and rings and even clothing of all sorts. There are even stalls that sell street food, the smell of fried and stewed food permeates the air as the stalls line up with fried seafood on sticks as well as a large hotplate that is used to cook up some fried noodles and other savoury dishes.

My mouth is watering just from the smell alone.

"I take it you want food first?" He noted, I nodding in response. The turban shell isn't that filling, even though it is pretty delicious. Now, I want some carbs in my stomach!

Wait, do I even have enough money?

I check my wallet with the money that Silvia has left me the moment she found out about my date. Says it was my pay, a bonus for helping fight off the Galley Pirates; it totalling at about 20 000 Beri. Looking at the closest food stall, a single small plate of noodles costing about 400 Beri. Guess I've more than enough for a little splurging…

Now… what to choose…

"Two plates of Fried Squid Noodles, please."

"Coming right up!"

I turn around just in time to see Suiren standing in front of the same noodles stall I was looking at, handing over some Beri coins and taking two paper plates filled with piping hot fried noodles with rings of squid scattered in them. "You're looking at it, so I bought it for you." He tells me as he hands me one of the plates.

"I can pay for myself, you know."

"Yeah, but you're my guest. Letting you pay is kind of against the whole thing."

…And some people think chivalry is dead. I dig into my noodles and finds it to be really good. Got to love fatty street food~!

The rest of the evening is spent wandering about the night market, looking at all the small stuff on sale and trying out other food stalls. Some of the stuff are mostly inconsequential, like plastic keychains of fishes and the works. But it is when I saw the jewellery stalls that gave me pause.

For a fishing port, they sure made some nice-looking jewellery.

The rings, pendants, necklace, ear-rings, etc, all of them look wonderful. The metalwork looks well-made, very detailed markings and shapes along with some of the prettiest gemstones I ever seen. Although I'm pretty sure they are fake, most like plastic or glass.

"Rein."

I turned around just as Suiren places something into my hair, "I knew it, it suits you."

Huh? What did he put in my hair? I looked at a nearby mirror the jewellery stall has placed out usually for hairpins and ear-rings, nearly gasping at my appearance. A steel hairpin that has a water lily ornament is tucked neatly between my bangs on the left side on my hair. It looks really pretty-No! Stop! Stop looking pretty!

I took out the hairpin in a hurry before turning to Suiren with what I assumed is an embarrassed face with how hot my face feel, "Don't do that!"

"Huh? Why not? You look so pretty."

"I don't want to look pretty!"

"That's a shame." He stated feeling my hair a little, "You have such a pretty face with such luscious locks…"

My face heated up even more at the fact his hand is touching my hair as well as his handsome face is pretty close to mine. Okay, stop blushing, Rein! Stop your heart from fluttering! You are not gaining crush! This is not a crush! Not! A Crush! Stop thinking it like that! Stop it! STOP IT!

Silvia squeals at the actions of the supposed 'couple', as it looks like they are kissing from their angle, "Oh my gawd! She is crushing on him SO badly!"

"Can't wait to see her reaction when she finds out." Sen chuckles.

"We might get to see it sooner than we think…" Lee noted, gesturing to his two fellow stalkers to an elderly man heading towards them.

"Hey, Suiren!"

My heart nearly jumps out of my heart when we were interrupted (NOT!), as an elderly man with clutches under his arms limp towards us. He has greying black hair with a black growing beard under his chin and is shirtless with a pair of brown pants that has a red sash around his waist and a pair of leather sandals, one of his foot being wrapped in white bandages.

"Dad? Why are you doing out of bed?" Suiren asked in surprise. That's his dad? Wasn't he injured or something?

"It's the night market! Like I'm going to miss this." He stated with a laugh, before turning to me.

His gaze seems to scan me from top to bottom, before he let out a sigh. Wait, was he disappointed?

"Suiren, you didn't tell her, did you?"

"Tell her what, exactly?"

That had me confused. What did Suiren not tell me?

"You know, about your… you know." He points at the lieutenant's bandaged chest. That seems to gain some clarity before horror seems to fill his features. Okay, now I'm curious.

He slowly turns to me and with a shaking breath, he asked, "Rein… did you think I'm a guy this whole time?"

"…Aren't you?" What is he going at?

He let out a loud sigh, before turning to me, "Rein…"

"I'm a woman."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…Sorry, what?" I blinked, "Are you trying to be funny now?"

He let out another sigh before grabbing my hand and places it on his chest. Not sure what's the point, I mean his well-chiselled chest-hang on…

Why does it feel elevated…? And the overall shape… it feels like a-OH MY GOD!

"You were serious?!" I screamed out in shock pulling my hand back, "All this time, you were a woman?!"

"AM a woman."

"WWWWHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT?!"

"Till the end of the day, folks!" Someone in the crowd shouts out as everyone starts giggling and chuckling. Wait, did everyone know about this?! Was I the only one?!

"I win!" I heard Sen shouted out, I notices him among the crowd taking money from Silvia and Lee. D-Did he just… what?!

"R-Rein… are you okay?" I hear Suiren asked as he-SHE places his-HER hand on my shoulder.

I could only fall down on my knees as my brain just short-circuited.

The world is really a mysterious place, isn't it?

…

To be continued…

Yeah! This one is a bit tricky to do, but I ended up writing an entire romantic date with a punchline at the end. Hopefully, people don't find this too much or too cheesy. I suck at romantic situations.

But yes, Suiren! She is one of my OC from the original fic, but she is a lot different there than here.

Here, I decide to further develop her personality, giving her a more of an accidental-yuri arch-type you find in some harem shows, the one that is too androgynous to tell about his/her gender.

And for the entire town being part of the joke… it's a last minute thing as I only wanted the crew to be one that is part of the joke but then I thought about it and decides to write it like this.

With that, I thank you all for reading this!