Chapter 14:Photos that Remind Us

Cafeteria

"This place is huge. It's nowhere close to where I came from", Rebecca commented while looking at the packed cafeteria. "You said you moved here because of your father's work. I hope you'll adjust well", Coby gave a friendly smile. "Thank you, Coby. By the way, the lady in front of me. She looks like an ace student", Rebecca was referring to Airi. "Oh, Vice-pres? She is indeed an ace student. She ranked one since the first year", Coby said with excitement. "That's pressuring to know then. I'm just behind her and her oozing atmosphere is affecting me", Rebecca chuckled.

She saw a familiar figure and left Coby narrating about how Airi was like an icy presence that freezes people when they approached her carelessly.

Rebecca sat in front of Trafalgar who is eating a rice ball while reading a book. "Sensei, we met again", Rebecca gave a huge smile. "Oh, how is your father?", Trafalgar looked at her for a brief moment then back to the book. "He's doing fine. Thank you for visiting the room that day. I felt really scared and alone. Are you working here as well?", Rebecca tilted her head. "Part-time. I'll soon be having my exam", Trafalgar felt obligated to answer. "I just transferred here. Father's assigned location changed", Rebecca informed. Trafalgar closed the book. "Have a great time here then. Don't get sick", Trafalgar stood up. "Yes, sensei. See you around", Rebecca waved at him.

Nami and Airi were watching the girls hiding at the posts gritting their teeth. "Is that the transferee? I won't wonder if she'll be bullied in her first week. That was a bold move to talk to Law-san alone and in public", Nami sighed. Rebecca looked behind and saw Airi. She awkwardly waved at her as well. "She's waving at you", Nami elbowed Airi. The raven head just raised her hand. It surprised Rebecca and finally gave a wider smile.

Student Council Office- After Class

"Hey! Luffy. Start cleaning as well!", Ussop said while holding the duster. "Really? I will still be the president so why do we have to?", Luffy whined. "You can never be sure. What if some kind of miracle happens and you were kicked out of the position", Ussop nodded. "What kind of miracle is that?!", Luffy had a wrestling competition with Ussop.

The three ladies entered as well. "Just think of it as a cleaning operation", Airi started moving some boxes. "I also called some people who can help", Nami pointed at Zoro and Sanji who are arguing while walking towards the office.

They started cleaning and saw a lot of random things probably brought by Luffy.

"When did we have an aquarium with two octopuses?", Chopper hid behind Carrot while the octopus crawled out.

"Not to mention these bugs", Nami held a box filled with beetles. Ussop and Chopper gulped. "Don't throw them, please", Luffy joined the two as they begged Nami to leave them alone.

"Ahhh! No wonder I smelled something bad last time", Carrot opened the locker with unwashed dishes. "Luffy!!!", Nami went berserk and slapped Luffy's head big time.

"Hey. Someone grew carrots inside the locker!", Ussop raised his hand.

The group started to have a riot. Airi silently sorts out papers. At some point, she saw a huge photobook. She scanned and saw a lot of memories of the Council. Even Vivi's photos were there. She smiled knowing that only one person would bother to keep something sentimental.

"Then, should we throw this out as well?", she raised the photobook. Nami flushed and stole it right away. "Ah! You're also keeping a personal item", Luffy pointed at the orange head. "It's not personal. I was keeping documentation!", Nami reasoned. "Since it's our last day, why don't we just look at them", Carrot suggested. "Like a closing ceremony?", Airi asked innocently.

"Don't make it sound like that!!!!!!!", the group surrounded her. She let out a short laugh. While looking at the photos, they recalled a lot of memories. They all sat on the couch with Ussop and Chopper on the floor.

"Oh, I remember this. Vivi was about to leave the country but we asked her to come back", Chopper pointed to a picture where they were raising their hands with an X sign. "What's with the X sign?", Carrot asked. "It's a sign of disagreement?", Nami looked at Luffy who thought of it.

"OHHH! This one. It's the game we had with that fox!", Luffy laughed. "It wasn't fun!", the rest of the group except Carrot and Airi commented.

Probably, even if no one says it, none of us would like this to end.

Luffy looked at Airi's hand slightly shaking. "Airi", Luffy called her attention. "What should we do next with the school festival?", Luffy smiled widely. Airi pressed her lips together. "What? Did you think that Luffy might not be the School Council President this time around?", Zoro hit the point. "I wasn't-", Airi was about to react but calm herself. "I already have my plan written down", Airi sat straight.

Corridor

"Are you going to do something first?", Nami asked. "Yeah, I'll see if I can join you", Airi waved her hand as the group left. She held onto the locker and tried to regulate her breathing. The emotions might have overwhelmed her.

"Are you dying?", she heard someone's voice.

"How can you casually ask that question?", Airi opened her locker and wore her outside shoes. "This weekend, attend your check-up", Trafalgar crossed his arms as he leaned on the wall. "What time will be your shift?", Airi bit her lip. "You want me to be your attending doctor? I'll charge double", Trafalgar smirked. "Whatever, also, what coffee do you commonly drink?", Airi gulped.

I should've just asked Eustass-san.

"A bribe?", Trafalgar had a short sarcastic laugh. "At some point, I will need to tell your parents about it", Trafalgar stretched his arms and started walking away. "I'd prefer any kind of tea. My shift will be 7 in the morning", he said before disappearing.

"I shouldn't have asked", Airi clicked her tongue and then walked outside the building.

Someone sighed behind the walls. She wondered what kind of relationship those two have. They don't sound romantically involved. Rebecca peeked at Trafalgar walking towards the clinic.

Roger's Residence

She entered the house. "I'm home", she said in the empty hall. The maids are probably cooking or tending the garden.

She walked upstairs and saw a huge portrait in the middle. It was a drawn image of the man of the house. He had a warm smile painted on his face. Her mother went out of the room and saw her daughter looking up at the portrait. "Your tutor will be here later. Go change your clothes", her mother instructed. The older woman bit her lips while watching her walk in the corridor.

Airi's Room

She noticed how Nami's documentation are well taken. She tip-toed and looked for something in her cabinet. A book suddenly fell. She bent to pick it up.

To kill a mockingbird.

As she stood up, something else fell again. This time, it went under her bed. She bent and slid her hand under the bed. She saw the back of a photo and flipped it. Her eyes softened looking at it. It took her some time to just savor the warmth in the photo. She placed it back to a certain page and closed the book.

Airi finally grabbed the old camera she found somewhere in the house. She heard someone knocking. "I'll be there", she responded.

"Your mother said she'll be eating outside", the maid informs.

Takeshi's Condominium

"Dad, I'm home", Rebecca entered and saw Kyros reading a newspaper. "How did your first week go?", Kyros opened his arm knowing that her daughter will dive into him. She leaned on his firm chest.

"Living in the city is really challenging", Rebecca sighed. "Sorry. If you want, I can ask my superior to-", Kyros was about to get his phone. "There you go again. I can do it", Rebecca chuckled. She stood up and went to the kitchen.

"What do you like to eat? Dad?", Rebecca twirled and wore her apron.

"Stew", Kyros answered. Rebecca gave an okay sign.

"By the way dad, our family portrait will be delivered this weekend. I can go and get it", Rebecca volunteered. "Right. How can I forget something important? I need to report that day as well", Kyros massaged his temples. "It's okay. I'll also take it as a way to be familiarized with this place", Rebecca washed her hands and started peeling vegetables.

Chapter end.