The afternoon sun hung lazily over the Pirate School, casting a warm, golden glow across the training grounds and the winding stone paths that led back to the dorms. The air was thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass, distant sea salt, and the lingering aroma of grilled meats from the morning's festival stalls. Students lounged on the lawns, some napping under trees, others chatting in small groups about the wild spars they'd witnessed earlier. For the "No Name" crew, it was the first real day of peace since the chaos of the Void invasion and the naval rescue. No battles. No bounties chasing them. Just the simple joy of being alive, full, and together.
Ato lay sprawled on the grass near the cliffs, his arms behind his head, staring up at the fluffy white clouds drifting across the sky. His shirt was still stained with sauce from breakfast, and a half-eaten melon rind rested on his stomach like a trophy. "This is the life," he sighed contentedly. "No Navy, no Vice-Commanders, no one trying to marry our cook. Just clouds and melons."
Manjo sat cross-legged beside him, carefully carving a small melon into a tiny pirate ship with her lightning-charged knife. The blade sparked faintly with yellow energy, making the rind sizzle as she worked. "You're going to turn into a melon if you keep eating them like this, Captain. I made you three already today."
Ato patted his belly proudly. "Worth it. Best decision I ever made was recruiting you. You're a melon genius."
Kojo leaned against a nearby rock, his three swords resting across his lap as he sharpened one with slow, rhythmic strokes. The purple aura of Demon Flow had faded, leaving him looking almost relaxed — though his eyes still scanned the horizon out of habit. "If you keep praising her like that, she'll demand a raise. Or at least a bigger kitchen."
Faramis sat a little further away, tinkering with a small floating gadget that looked like a self-stirring spoon. His goggles reflected the sunlight as he adjusted a tiny gear. "Speaking of kitchens, I've been thinking about upgrading the Beast's Debt's galley. Zero-gravity cooking station. It would make Manjo's lightning-seared dishes even more efficient."
Lemon floated nearby, using his gravity powers to lazily spin a small navigation compass in the air. He was trying to look dignified, but his cheeks were still faintly pink from the morning's "melons" incident. "As long as the upgrades don't interfere with my mother's map routes. I'm not letting some experimental spoon mess up our heading."
Poison sat quietly on the grass, his long black hair swaying gently in the breeze. He watched the group with a small, polite smile, still adjusting to the chaotic energy of his new crew. "It's… peaceful here. I don't remember much, but this feels nice. Like I belong."
Manjo finished her tiny melon ship and held it up proudly. "Look! It even has a little mast. I could make a whole fleet if we had more melons."
Ato sat up so fast he nearly knocked the melon rind off his stomach. "Fleet of melons? That's the best idea I've ever heard! We could sail the Drowned World on a giant melon armada!"
Kojo snorted, not looking up from his sharpening. "You'd eat the fleet before we left the harbor."
The group burst into laughter, the sound carrying across the cliffs. For a moment, the weight of their bounties, the ruined Island of Gold, and the looming EDEN threat felt far away. They were just six friends enjoying a lazy afternoon.
Faramis suddenly perked up, his gadget beeping softly. "Wait… the school bulletin just pinged. There's a 'Free Melon Tasting Event' in the eastern courtyard in twenty minutes. All students welcome. Apparently, they're giving away slices from the Giant Melon that survived the festival."
Ato's eyes turned into literal stars. "FREE MELONS?! Why didn't you say that sooner?!"
He was on his feet in an instant, grabbing Manjo's hand and pulling her up. "Come on! We're going! Everyone! Melon emergency!"
Manjo laughed, nearly dropping her carving knife. "Ato, slow down! It's just melon!"
Kojo stood up with a sigh, sheathing his sword. "If I have to carry you back because you ate too much again, I'm charging interest."
Lemon floated his compass into his pocket and stood, trying to look composed. "As long as there's no gravity involved in the tasting. I'm still recovering from the last time Ato made me lift an entire feast table."
Faramis packed his gadget away, already calculating. "I could use the samples for flavor analysis. Maybe develop a melon-based energy drink."
Poison rose gracefully, offering a small bow. "I will accompany you. Though I still don't understand the obsession… melons do taste pleasant."
The crew set off toward the eastern courtyard, Ato leading the charge like a man on a mission. The paths were lined with blooming flowers and laughing students, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs made everything feel peaceful and alive.
When they arrived, the courtyard was packed. A long table had been set up with slices of the Giant Melon — each piece the size of a dinner plate, glistening with sweet juice. Students were lined up, chatting excitedly as they received their portions.
Ato practically vibrated with excitement. "Look at the size of those slices! It's like the melon gods smiled on us today!"
Manjo crossed her arms, trying to look stern but failing. "One slice each. No hogging. And no throwing pieces at Kojo."
Kojo raised an eyebrow. "Why am I the target?"
"Because you look like you could use some sweetness in your life," Manjo teased, handing him a slice.
They found a shady spot under a large tree and sat down to eat. Ato took his first bite and let out a dramatic moan of pure bliss. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted! It's sweet, juicy, and it tastes like victory!"
Lemon took a delicate bite, then paused, his eyes widening. "The flavor profile is… surprisingly complex. There's a faint gravity-like lift to the aftertaste. Fascinating."
Faramis examined his slice like a scientist, poking it with a small tool. "The cellular structure is denser than normal melons. I could use this for a new stabilizing agent in my gadgets."
Poison ate with quiet elegance, a small smile forming. "It's… refreshing. Like a memory I can almost touch."
Kojo took a bite, chewed slowly, and nodded once. "Acceptable."
Manjo laughed, watching them all. "You guys are ridiculous. But… I'm glad I'm here. Cooking for you idiots feels right."
The group fell into easy conversation, trading stories and jokes. Ato told an exaggerated tale of his "melon dream," complete with sound effects. Kojo pretended to be annoyed but kept stealing glances at Manjo's perfectly carved melon ship. Lemon tried (and failed) to hide his blush every time Manjo laughed. Faramis demonstrated a tiny floating spoon that accidentally launched a piece of melon into Kojo's hair. Poison listened quietly, occasionally adding a dry, witty comment that made everyone laugh harder.
As the sun began to dip lower, painting the sky in soft pinks and oranges, Ato leaned back against the tree, patting his full stomach.
"You know what? This is perfect. No fighting, no Navy, no one trying to marry our cook. Just us, melons, and a really good day."
Manjo nudged him with her elbow. "Don't jinx it. Knowing you, tomorrow we'll wake up to another fleet or a giant sea beast."
Kojo smirked. "If that happens, I'm throwing Ato at it first."
Faramis raised his gadget. "I'll record it for science."
Lemon floated another melon slice over to Ato with his gravity powers. "Here. Don't say I never did anything nice."
Poison smiled softly. "This… feels like family."
The crew sat together as the sky turned to twilight, the sounds of the school fading into a peaceful hum. For a brief, perfect moment, the Drowned World felt small and kind.
But far on the horizon, a single lantern flickered — an EDEN scout ship, watching silently.
For now, though, the No Name crew had melons, friends, and a future worth sailing toward.
And somewhere in the dorms, a very confused King was still trying to wash melon juice out of his hair.