Aria's Pov
The first thing I learned about being on the Going Merry: these people ate like they hadn't seen food in weeks.
The second thing: Sanji could cook.
No — not just "oh wow that's good" cook. I mean fall-to-your-knees, reconsider-your-life-choices cook.
I had my first bite — some kind of perfectly grilled fish with a buttery citrus glaze — and actually had to close my eyes. "Holy hell," I muttered around a mouthful. "Is this what heaven tastes like?"
Across the table, Sanji grinned, cigarette hanging off his lips. "Careful, sweetheart. Compliments like that make a man fall in love."
"Too late," I said dreamily, licking the sauce from my fingers. "I'm already halfway there."
Luffy laughed so loud he nearly choked. "I told you! Sanji's food makes you wanna marry him!"
I didn't disagree. Honestly, if the man kept feeding me like this, I'd consider throwing my entire mission out the window and pledging eternal loyalty to the Strawhats. Screw finding all my favorite characters — I'd found lunch.
The ship was lively that evening — food, laughter, sake, someone (Luffy) starting a drinking contest they absolutely couldn't win. Zoro was sitting cross-legged near the rail, calmly downing his share. Robin watched with mild amusement, occasionally flipping a page. Nami was humming as she tucked away her new stash of treasure maps.
And then there was Ace.
My allegedly-not-boyfriend. My "travel partner." My recent bed buddy.
Who was currently sitting very close to Sanji.
Like — uncomfortably close.
The kind of close where every few minutes, they'd laugh at something and lightly bump shoulders, and I'd pretend I didn't see it while sipping my drink harder than necessary.
I mean, I knew what was going on. I'd seen it coming. But watching it unfold in real time was a special kind of emotional waterboarding. Excitement and undue jealousy, sloshing with the sake in my belly.
By the time half the barrels were empty and Luffy was hiccupping on the floor, Sanji and Ace were talking quietly off to the side, both flushed and laughing.
I was halfway through another drink when Ace suddenly looked my way.
He gestured with his head — that "come here a sec" motion that made my stomach do a slow, dramatic drop.
I followed him toward the stern, a little buzzed, a lot curious, trying not to assume anything.
The sea breeze hit us — cool and salty. The rest of the crew was still laughing behind us, the warm glow of lanterns spilling out over the deck.
Ace rubbed the back of his neck, awkward. "Hey."
That was already suspicious. He never started conversations with "hey."
I leaned against the rail. "You look like you're about to confess to a crime."
He huffed a laugh, looking down at the water. "Kinda feels like one."
I frowned. "What's going on?"
He hesitated, eyes flicking toward the deck where Sanji was now wiping down the table. "I think I… might like him."
Oh.
He said it quietly, voice uncertain — like he was still trying to figure it out himself.
And, goddammit, that vulnerability? It got me.
For a second, I just stared at him — the same man who could burn ships with a flick of his wrist now shuffling like a nervous teenager with a crush.
I let out a soft breath and smiled. "You know… I kinda figured."
His eyes snapped up to mine. "You did?"
"Yeah. You've been staring at him like he's the last drink in the bar."
He chuckled, a little embarrassed. "Didn't mean to make things weird between us."
Weird. He said weird.
The sting pricked, but I pushed it down. I wasn't going to be that girl.
"Nah," I said lightly. "We were just having fun. It's fine. Really."
And it was — mostly.
"Besides," I added with a shrug, "I'm also eyeing a few people on this ship. So you're good."
He laughed at that, and for a second, I forgot to feel weird about any of it. That's the thing with Ace — he made honesty easier. Even the parts that hurt.
When we walked back to the party, he gave me a small, grateful smile. I returned it, pretending my chest didn't ache just a little.
No big deal, right? Just my situationship catching feelings for the Strawhat chef. Something I wanted. I'm at least glad the Acesan ship was real.
I exhaled and scanned the crowd again. If Ace was gonna flirt with Sanji, then fine — I'd keep myself busy too.
And by busy, I meant sampling the buffet.
First up: Robin.
She was perched elegantly near the back, book in hand, completely unbothered by the chaos around her.
I sidled up and peeked at the title. "'The History of Lost Kingdoms'? Sounds deep."
She smiled faintly without looking up. "It is."
I nodded sagely. "So… is it, like, about kingdoms that got lost? Or people who lost them?"
She looked at me then, amused, eyes twinkling. "Both, perhaps."
I blinked, brain lagging. "Right. Totally what I was thinking."
Her chuckle was soft and melodic — the kind of laugh that made you feel like you were being gently roasted by an academic goddess. Then she turned another page, clearly done with my nonsense.
Alright, that went… well, I suppose.
Next up: Nami.
She was sitting with her maps spread out, muttering about coordinates. I crouched beside her, trying not to look like a total idiot. I didn't know a single thing about maps or navigation after all.
"So…" I said. "These lines mean… where the treasure's buried?"
She gave me a look. "These lines mean ocean currents."
"Oh." I leaned closer. "Right. Obviously."
She sighed, but there was a little smile tugging her lips. "You're hopeless."
I grinned. "But charmingly so."
"Eh," she said, smirking. "You're alright."
I'll take that as flirting.
Score one for me.
I hung out with her a bit longer. She was nice and we could talk about whatever. Especially out shared love for money. Being a struggling college student up on till I died made me have big dreams of being extremely rich one day. I remember them the life I had left behind.. all those dreams I couldn't achieve..
Yep, that's it. I'm not going to be side about getting isekaied. I'll put that energy into my seducing game.
With that I went to find Zoro.