Evening at Marineford
As the day's training came to an end, the fading glow of the sunset washed over the streets of Marineford, coating the Marine Headquarters in a warm, golden hue.
Gern followed behind Zephyr, passing through several quiet alleys until they finally stopped in front of a modest two-story house.
"We're here," Zephyr said as he pushed the door open.
A rich, mouthwatering aroma drifted out instantly.
The moment Gern caught the scent, his stomach let out a loud growl of protest. Zephyr glanced back at him.
"That hungry already?"
"Hehe… training burns a lot of energy," Gern replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
"Come in." Zephyr stepped aside to let him enter.
Inside, a short-haired woman emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming pot of stew. When she saw Gern, her eyes lit up, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"So you're Gern," she said warmly. "Zephyr talks about you all the time."
"H-Hello!" Gern straightened instantly and snapped into a formal salute. "Sorry to intrude!"
"Oh, don't be so stiff." She set the pot down and wiped her hands."My name's Lina. I'm Zephyr's fiancée. You can just call me Sister Lina. Come on, sit down and eat."
Before Gern could even respond, his eyes were already glued to the table.
Stewed beef, grilled fish, fresh salad, warm bread—steam rising from every dish. His stomach growled again, louder this time.
"Sit down, kid," Zephyr said, giving his shoulder a light pat. His voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
The three of them sat around the table. Just as Gern picked up his fork, Lina stopped him.
"Wash your hands first."
"Oh! Right!"Only then did Gern notice the dirt and dried blood still clinging to his hands from training. He hurried off to wash up.
When he returned, Lina had already served him a heaping bowl of stew.
"Thank you!" Gern said gratefully before digging in with unstoppable enthusiasm.
"Slow down," Lina laughed, handing him a glass of water. "There's plenty more."
Zephyr frowned as he watched Gern eat like a starving beast.
"You reincarnated as a hungry ghost or something? Lina spent all afternoon cooking, and you're just inhaling it. And seriously—your appetite's almost as ridiculous as Garp's."
"Mmm—'s too good!" Gern mumbled through a mouthful of food.
Lina gently patted Zephyr's shoulder."Don't say that. He's only sixteen—this is when boys grow the most."
"Grow…?" Zephyr glanced at Gern's nearly one-meter-ninety frame, his mouth twitching. "Sixteen? You call this normal?"
Lina covered her mouth and laughed."Even though you've trained so many cadets at the academy… he's still the first one you've ever brought home for dinner."
"Hmph." Zephyr snorted, saying nothing more—but there was a softness in his eyes.
Gern didn't notice. He was far too busy annihilating the food in front of him.
Seeing the empty plates, Lina stood again and returned with a plate of fruit and dessert.
"Here, try this. I baked an apple pie."
"Thank you!" Gern's eyes lit up as he continued eating with unwavering focus.
Zephyr shook his head helplessly, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Midway through the meal, Gern suddenly looked up."Um… Instructor Zephyr? You and Sister Lina aren't married yet?"
Lina flushed slightly and glanced at Zephyr with a soft smile."He said we'll get married once he becomes an Admiral."
"Cough—!" Zephyr cleared his throat and looked away. "That's right."
"Ohhh?" Gern grinned, curiosity ignited. "Then how did you two meet?"
A nostalgic glimmer appeared in Lina's eyes."When I was very young, Zephyr protected me. I was just a child back then… tricked and bullied by other kids. He saved me."
"Oh?" Gern leaned forward eagerly. "Then what was Instructor Zephyr like when he was young?"
Lina thought for a moment, then smiled brightly."Just like now—a hero of justice!"
Suddenly, she stood up, planted her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and declared dramatically:
"I am the hero of justice—Z!!"
Zephyr's face turned bright red instantly. He jumped to his feet."L-Lina!"
Gern froze for a second—then burst out laughing.
"I can't believe it! So you were that passionate even back then! Hero of Justice Z!"
"And that's not all!" Lina laughed so hard she nearly bent over."He was completely hopeless when it came to romance. I followed him all the way from his hometown to Marineford, and he still didn't realize I liked him. I had to be the one to confess!"
She looked at Gern with mock seriousness."Don't ever be like him, okay? A man who makes the girl confess is hopeless!"
Zephyr let out a long sigh, but the warmth in his eyes betrayed him.
Dinner ended in laughter and warmth.
Gern insisted on helping clean up, but Lina waved him off."No need. You trained all day—go get some rest."
"It's okay, really. I can help," Gern insisted.
"Let him wash," Zephyr said dryly. "He ate enough for three people."
Watching Gern clumsily wash the dishes, Zephyr's gaze softened with quiet approval.
When it was time to leave, Lina packed some sweets for him to take along.
"Come visit again next time, Gern."
"Thank you very much!" Gern said earnestly, accepting them with both hands.
As he walked home beneath the night sky, he looked up at the stars, warmth still lingering in his chest.
He knew what awaited Zephyr in the future—the tragedy, the loss, the pain.
And he knew that gentle smile would one day disappear.
"I won't let that happen…" Gern clenched his fist, resolve burning in his heart.
Later That Night
After Gern left, silence returned to the house.
Lina gently closed the door and turned to see Zephyr standing by the window, gazing in the direction Gern had gone. A faint smile rested on his lips.
She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back.
"He's a good kid," she said softly. "Don't be too hard on him."
Zephyr didn't answer immediately. He placed his hand over hers, his thumb slowly brushing against her fingers.
"…Yeah," he finally said. "He's troublesome—but he's good."
Lina stepped around to face him, looking up into his eyes."You've never brought a student home before. Or personally trained one this seriously. You even got Garp involved."
She smiled gently."You really value him, don't you?"
Zephyr huffed quietly, but his gaze softened."He's talented. But more importantly… his heart is in the right place."
He paused, then added softly,"When I look at him, I see my younger self."
Lina laughed softly and brushed her fingers along the lines at the corner of his eyes."That's why you're so fond of him."
Zephyr didn't deny it. Instead, he took her hand and kissed her fingertips.
"Soon," he said in a low, steady voice."When I become an Admiral… I'll marry you properly. At the peak of my career."
Lina's eyes shimmered, but she only smiled and tapped his nose."You idiot. I've been waiting a long time already."
For once, Zephyr didn't argue. He pulled her into his arms, resting his chin atop her head.
"I won't make you wait much longer."
Outside, moonlight bathed the streets of Marineford in quiet silver, peaceful and gentle—as if protecting this fleeting moment of warmth before the storm of fate to come.