Chapter 11: Our Burdened Shoulders

Car

"What are these kinds of stuff?! I can't even sit properly!!!", Zoro complained. Airi also felt uncomfortable sitting next to Zoro. "Ussop's bugs, Chopper's cuttings he got from the greenhouse and forest, Sanji's fish, Nami's-", Airi stopped. "Nevermind", she opened her phone and saw a message from her mother.

"Stop complaining! Switch seats with me", Sanji started to have an argument with him.

Airi read another message.

Young lamb, I did a good job taking care of the cat. Treat me to a coffee once you're back.

-E.K-

She raised her head and already saw Carrot reading her message. She immediately put her phone in her bag. Carrot gave a wide smile. She went to whisper something to Luffy. "EIHH?! Airi's got a boyfriend?!", Luffy shouted. He caught the attention of the group. Carrot giggled. Airi doesn't want to bother clearing the misunderstanding. She leaned on the car seat and saw Sanji's soul evaporating in the air.

Roger's Residence

Airi entered the house and was greeted by a maid. "I heard you just came from a field trip. Your mother is upstairs and is waiting for you", she informed.

Airi breathed deeply and went upstairs. Every step was like stepping into shattered glasses. As soon as she reaches the last stair, she saw her mother drinking wine since her room was half-open. She was about to enter but she met eyes with her mother. "Stay there", she said with a cold voice.

"Oh, did your daughter arrive already? I'd like to meet her", a voice of a male came from the inside. Airi knew right away that it was one of her mother's short-time partners. Sooner or later, she'll dispose of him. "No need to. She's tired", she stood up and went near the door. Airi looked away, unwilling to look into her mother's eyes. "Do you have anything to say?", she raised her chin. "I apologize. I didn't know it'll take us three days to stay there. I'll be staying here for the rest of the break", Airi oathed. "I even spent time and money to look for a good tutor", her mother said with bitterness in her voice. "I'll make sure your efforts are not wasted", Airi said as she walked past her.

Airi's Room

She opened the door leading to the veranda, the sun is already setting and the city lights are starting to fill in the darkness. "Tell me, are you free now?", she whispered in the wind.

The knock on the door destroyed her silence. She marched and held unto the knob. "Madame, your mother will be dining outside. Would you like me to bring your dinner to your room?", the maid asked. "Don't bother, I'll be eating outside as well", she informed me. "I would call the chauffer then", the maid was about to leave. "Don't. Someone will fetch me", Airi said in a soft voice. The maid was at a loss because all she heard was "stop".

In front of the gate

Airi wore pants and a moss green turtle neck blouse. The maids and workers are peeking from the windows. They've guessed it's a school business but wonder why they have a tingly feeling about it.

The raven-haired saw a car heading in her direction. She gave a reserved wave. The car stopped in front of her. The car window rolls down. "Red, eih", Airi was referring to the eye-catching color. Kid was about to open his door when Airi already made her way in front of the passenger seat. She opened the door. "Why didn't you wait for me to open it", Kid unlocked the door.

As the lady sat on the car chair, Kid chuckled. "Turtle neck. Looking at you makes me feel hot", Kid drove them away from the house.

Family Restaurant

Kid went to park his car so Airi went ahead. She sat on the side of the restaurant. She saw Marco talking to some unknown people. Airi kept her head down.

"Hey. That kiddo went back", Squalo elbowed Marco. "Oh, we have Airi again", Marco raised his hand.

Marco walked towards Airi. "Are you alone?", Marco looked behind. "He was just parking his car", Airi answered. Marco sweatdropped. "Are you dating Law?", Marco's shoulder slightly went up. "Who said I was with him?", Airi drank water. "Oh, young lamb. Did you order already?", another tall man appeared. Marco made his way and studied the man's physique. He looked older and also rough for Airi. "Make it fast, young lamb. The waiter is already waiting", Kid made eye contact with Marco. Airi's stomach grumbled.

"Sorry I was late. Law insisted that I'd with him somewhere ", Kid sighed.

Donquixote Mansion

Hall

Trafalgar walked towards a familiar room. "Welcome back, Law", a man wearing a suit and pink furry coat sits in the middle. He was oozing arrogance and a desire to manipulate. On his sides are sickening dolls tied into strings. He asked a wood craftsman to create certain models who artistically captured humans' emotion of "despair".

"I'm not back. I'm just here to settle some score", Trafalgar bit his lip. "Don't be like that. I even wanted to accompany you to buy your suit for your wedding. Do you like white or black one?", Doflamingo, the leader of the house spoke. Trafalgar looked around and saw his bodyguards well-armed.

Donquixote is an underground organization hired by the government itself for information leakage and some dirty tasks. The highly regarded society class wants to keep its reputation clean, not wanting to dig deeper into the sewage system of reality. They don't want to stain their hands with blood. Monet entered and served wine. She also passed a glass to Trafalgar. "You grew so tall, Law. If I knew you'd turn out to be this man you are now, I shouldn't have hesitated when Doffy asked me to take you instead", Monet smirked and exited.

Doflamingo threw a photo in front of Trafalgar. "You've got one final task", he said while stabbing the photo with a dart he found lying on the table.

He marched outside holding onto the photo. He looked at it bitterly.

As he is walking in the corridor, he stopped by a room.

Ah, ah. You should be scared of Corazon. He's a total jerk when it comes to children. I bet you won't last long.

"Does it bring back a memory?", Buffalo asked. Trafalgar was expecting another one. "If you're looking for her, she's already married. And no... Not one of Doffy's associates. She married someone she fell in love with", Buffalo passed by him.

Train Station

Trafalgar took the train. He doesn't want to use the car to go to Doflamingo's territory. He'll just urge him to carry the mission right away.

He saw a group of youngsters talking about something on their phones. The three youngsters laughed while talking about a seemingly interesting topic.

Law. What's with the long face?! Cheer up. Kid, come on. Let's drag him.

A memory flashed in his mind.

Law, it's okay. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to.

His eyes felt heavy. He hasn't slept well ever since the camping. His shifts were too hectic and the hospital got busy due to accidents and stroke issues.

"Why can't people just stay at home?", he clicked his tongue.

Family Restaurant

Marco joined the table worrying why his previous patient is dining with a questionable man he never met before. He noticed how Airi would just nod with Kid's story. In Airi's eyes were hints of interest, not with the man but with the adventurous story he is narrating. Airi held unto her shoulder. "Heavy?", Marco interrupted. Airi nodded.

Marco stood up and went behind her. He slowly put her hair on one side. He started massaging her shoulders gently. Kid looked at him suspiciously. "Who are you? Man?", Kid furrowed his brow. "I'm Airi's personal nurse", Marco laughed at his own description. "Is that so?", Kid looked at Airi who had her eyes closed.

"Are you an old woman? You're still 17 and yet you're having problems with your muscles. Are you exercising well?", Kid bombarded her with questions. "It just feels so heavy", Airi looked at the parsley left on the plate.

The one that is always being left behind. Just a decoration.

Chapter end.