I Choose In The One Piece Class, Do I Have A Choice?

"Hey? Beauty Instructor, I opened my mouth. Why did you?" Finn teased, flashing a mischievous grin.

"You did that on purpose!" Ain shot back, her eyes narrowing in prideful defiance. She couldn't believe she had fallen for his trick. The moment the enticing aroma of the Qinglian osmanthus cake had drifted towards her, she had lost control for a fleeting second. And Finn had noticed.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Unbelievable!"

Ignoring her protests, Ain grabbed a piece of the cake. Finn chuckled, leaning back lazily. "Oh? Didn't you just say you weren't going to eat?"

"Well, you're the one eating in my room! You think I wouldn't try it?"

With defiant resolve, Ain took a bite, savoring the delicate sweetness. The cake melted in her mouth, its flavor unfolding in layers—like a lotus blooming on a snow-covered mountain. A wave of bliss overtook her senses. "Oh… my… this is incredible!"

Her moment of indulgence didn't go unnoticed. Tashigi chimed in with a soft laugh, "Maybe slow down a bit? There's plenty for all of us."

Ain paused, realizing how caught up she had become, nibbling at the last few crumbs in a vain attempt to hide her earlier outburst. Her face reddened. Finn, amused, gestured with a hand. "Eat up. I made sure there was enough for you too."

Ain's stubborn pride warred with her hunger, but her stomach won out. She couldn't deny it—the food was extraordinary. "Who cooked all this? It's divine!"

As Ain marveled over each dish, from the tender meat to the intricate flavors, the tension in the room softened. But then, as the meal wound down, Ain hesitated. Something weighed on her mind.

"Finn," she began, "I actually have a favor to ask."

"Go ahead," Finn replied, now casually enjoying his ice cream.

"It's about my teacher—Zephyr. After his surgery to receive the robotic arm, he's been suffering from unbearable pain due to rejection. He can barely sleep."

Finn's eyes darkened with understanding. "You want me to help ease Zephyr's pain."

"Yes." Ain's voice softened. "Your healing abilities... they're incredible. If you could help him..."

Finn put down his ice cream. "I'll do it, Ain. You don't even need to ask."

Ain's eyes brightened. "Really? You mean it?"

"Of course. Zephyr's a man I respect deeply. I would never leave him in pain if I could help."

Ain felt a swell of gratitude, and her hardened view of Finn began to shift. She smiled genuinely for the first time. "Thank you, Finn. You've really surprised me."

"But now that you've mentioned favors," Finn added slyly, "I do have one to ask in return."

Ain raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"

"I'm forming a special, independent unit—a warship crewed entirely by female marines. I need someone to lead and train them. Someone strong. Someone like you."

Ain paused, her expression shifting. She respected Finn's abilities, but this request... it was unexpected. "You want me to be their instructor?"

"Exactly," Finn said. "You're perfect for the role."

Ain hesitated. She had planned to continue following Zephyr once he recovered. But now, Finn was asking her to make a different commitment. "Are you asking me as a trade for healing my teacher?"

Finn shook his head. "No. Even if you say no, I'll still help Zephyr."

Ain was taken aback by his sincerity. If he had made it an exchange, it would've been easy to refuse. But his openness left her in a moral dilemma.

After a long pause, she nodded. "Alright, Finn. I'll agree... but under one condition."

"Name it."

"If you can assemble a full crew of female marines within three months, I'll join you as their instructor. If not, our deal is off."

Finn grinned. "Deal."

Ain felt relieved but added one more request. "And... if I become your instructor, will I get to eat like this every day?"

Finn glanced at Tashigi, both of them laughing at Ain's unexpected request.

Tashigi reached out to Ain with a smile. "You don't have to worry about that, Ain Instructor. We eat like this all the time."

"Wait, what?" Ain's eyes widened. She had assumed this feast was a rare treat, not their daily routine. For a moment, she regretted the three-month wait she had imposed on herself. Three whole months without this food?

She glanced at Finn and whispered to herself, "You'd better gather those marines, Finn. I'm not missing out on these meals for long..."