!
The next morning.
The pale sun had just risen over the line where sea met sky. The Going Merry was docked by the rippling shore, and faint golden light streamed through the windows into the dormitory.
Reiner had just woken up and thrown back his blanket when he saw Sanji standing before the full-length mirror in the corner, carefully fixing his hair.
Reiner, Sanji, and Brook were all people who paid attention to their appearance, so there was nothing unusual about the sight.
But today, Sanji's eyes carried a faint hint of good cheer.
"You're this happy so early in the morning."
Dropping his feet to the floor, Reiner rose and lazily walked over. He ran a hand through his golden hair and asked,
"Heading out?"
"Yeah. Before we said goodnight last night, Pudding and I agreed to exchange some cooking experience today."
Sanji answered casually. As if confirming his own words, he subconsciously muttered, "I never expected Miss Pudding to be such an incredible pastry chef."
"Exchanging experience, huh." Reiner could no longer suppress the smile tugging at his lips. "You sure have a lot of excuses. Isn't this just a date?"
"Shut up!"
Sanji's old face reddened as he shouted, "I made breakfast for you guys. It's in the dining room! I'll be back before lunch!"
"It's fine if you don't come back."
Reiner mercilessly continued teasing him. "If you've got what it takes, you can even stay the night at her place."
"Who are you saying doesn't have what it takes?!"
"What? You really want to stay the night at her place?"
"Hey! When did I ever say that, bastard?!" Sanji hurriedly retorted.
Perhaps because of the noise, Usopp, Franky, and the others also sat up one after another, rubbing their eyes as they looked over