Chapter 18: A Place Where We Can Die

Hotel

Airi entered the hall and saw a lot of people gathered. She noticed how everyone is wearing masks. Airi and Kid wore it before even entering the hotel. "I will steal everyone's attention now that I have a goddess beside me", he gave short laugh.

"We got late. Sorry that you needed to pick me up at home. Mother doesn't really allow me to go out at night. Maybe she just doesn't care enough today", Airi looked up at her partner.

"No worries. I have no plan of attending this party as well", he said with bitterness. Airi noticed his irritation but didn't bother to dig deeper.

"You're late", a group of individuals swarms over them. "Oh, you brought someone", Hawkins noticed. "Is she the one at the cafe? I thought you were just kidding around when you said that", Jewel hang her hand around Airi.

Dressing Room

Rebecca looked at herself in the mirror.

"There's no turning back. If this is the only way I can redeem ourselves back", she cupped her face and stood up.

For a man, he never knew before. For a man, he never talked to. For a man whom he never saw.

She's willing to risk it all to salvage whatever could be saved from their family's reputation.

She walked towards the door and held on to the doorknob. Still, her heart can't calm down. The lady, in her pink gown, flinched as soon as she heard someone knocking.

"Its time to go", the voice reminded her of someone. She wore her mask and opened the door only to be welcomed with a certain surprise.

Hall

Table

"What do you mean you know who the bride is?", Kid nearly choked. "She's my classmate. I clearly remembered the name in the invitation card", Airi revealed. "Heh. So, what is she like?", Apoo asked.

"Why do you need to ask me? You'll get to see her later", Airi reached for the glass of water. "I like you already", Jewel placed her arms around her again.

"If she's your classmate, that means it's just another kid", Hawkins looked at Kid with a poker face. "Hey. What do you mean by that?", Kid raised his voice. "Now~ Now~ Knowing Law, I bet he's not thinking seriously about this matters. Ever since he was 0% romantic and yet he steals the heart of every single woman", Apoo gritted and bit on the table napkin.

"Who cares anyway? In the high society, this and that doesn't matter", Hawkins sighed.

The Masters of Ceremony introduced the couple and they made their way in the platform. The crowd gave a clap. After a speech from someone wearing a pink coat, they all cheered and seems to come to a certain agreement. Airi wasn't able to hear much because their table was filled with noise and they don't seem interested.

Soon, the man of the night went to sit with the group. "You look sharp tonight", Apoo teased. "You didn't tell me you're marrying a pink-haired like me", Jewel elbowed.

Airi saw Rebecca just standing on the corner. She's the lady of the night and yet she's being ignored. Airi bit her lip and stood up. She made her way through the crowd until she's standing a few meters away from her.

Near the Balcony

She saw this scenario couple of times. "I guess. Congratulations", she said and removed her mask. The pink-haired lady gasped. Airi put her mask back. "You're wearing your hair down", Airi noticed. "And you braided yours", Rebecca had a short chuckle. She stood next to her and they both watch the crowd getting busy with something else.

"Monet-san warned me about these matters. I should get used to it. You see, Trafalgar-sensei's foster father is a well-known man. Wherever he goes, people will do business with him. Father didn't come even after I dressed up so well. He was opposing this decision of mine for quite too long. I was just surprised that it was... Trafalgar-sensei", Rebecca looked at the table where he sat. Kid was pinching his cheek.

"Oh, you didn't know?", Airi noticed. "I just learned about who it was today. When I opened the door, I felt like my heart is going to jump out any moment soon", Rebecca sighed.

"How about you? Why are you here?", Rebecca looked at the raven head. "I'm not even sure but I just found a reason why", Airi raised her hand and a butler came to serve a drink.

"It's wine, don't worry", Airi passed one to Rebecca. "For social gatherings like this, I just had so much recollection of someone who was just on the sideline. Even if she's as equally important as the man himself, she was just cast aside... And was ignored", Airi sipped through the glass.

Rebecca went closer to Airi. "Thank you", she pressed her lips together.

"For standing next to me", Rebecca added holding back her tears.

Hotel Room

Airi assisted Rebecca to reach her room.

"You didn't tell me you have a low tolerance for alcohol", Airi grunted as she pushed her down the bed.

"Grandfather. Sooner or later. You'll get out of prison", Rebecca chuckled. Airi sighed and removed her sandals. She pushed Rebecca to lie down at the center of the bed. She opened the balcony door to let some breeze enter the room.

She heard a knock on the door. Airi clicked her tongue as she saw the person. "You're the one who is supposed to be taking care of her", Airi said in annoyance but kept her tone steady. "Was I the one who let her drink?", Trafalgar entered the room. Airi was about to leave when she saw Trafalgar measuring Rebecca's temperature. Airi had a small pout and cleared her throat.

"You know your limitations, right? She's vulnerable right now... So", Airi felt ashamed of what she is trying to say.

"I get it", Trafalgar had a short laugh as he looked at Airi mockingly.

Airi felt so much irritated now so she marched away from the room.

The next day,

Council Room

"Luffy, can't you just turn down your offer to the hospice?", Nami whined. She was supposed to shop for clothes with Robin this afternoon.

"No. What's been said should be done. I am a man of my own words", he said as he sat mightily on the chair.

"I feel like cheering on Nami this time", Airi leaned on the center table. "That's rare. Did something happen?", Ussop looked at the drained Airi. "Not to mention Trafalgar-sensei accompanying us", she felt like her brain is going to explode.

First, she slapped her.

Second, she tried to warn her about not being tempted.

"Here's some shaved ice for you to calm down", Sanji offered. "Whether you like it or not. We'll go to the hospice later", Luffy marked his word.

"Why?", Nami cried.

Trafalgar's car

"Airi. You look pale. Are you sick?", Chopper noticed. "Don't mind me", she burrowed her face on Carrot's shoulder. "Areh~ You can sleep on my shoulder all day long", Carrot bit into her ears.

"Ouch", she softly whined.

"It's too cramped here. Why don't you walk? You're good with you legs, right?", Zoro pushed Sanji away. "Stop moving, we're getting squeezed here", Ussop and Chopper whined.

Nami-Carrot-Airi

Zoro- Sanji Chopper-Ussop

"Oh, Tra-guy. You finally bought another car. What happened to the old one?", Luffy asked while seated on the driver's seat. "It's wider than the last one", Luffy opened the small drawers. He found a sanitizer, gloves, photos, and some lemon candy.

"I'll have this", Luffy ate without asking for permission. "Who said you can have them?", Trafalgar said with annoyance.

"Luffy seems too close with Trafalgar-sensei", Carrot noticed. "Ah, we knew Law-san for a short time. Luffy shared the longest with him", Nami informed. "I heard you came from the same Middle High. Did something happen during those days?", Carrot asked intriguingly. Nami pinched on Carrot's nose. "I'll tell you. Maybe next time. Those two share a close relationship because of a certain person", Nami gave a weak smile.

Hospice- Backyard

They reached the place. After parking, Luffu dashed out as soon as possible. "Wait for us", Nami called out.

"I knew this would happen", Nami looked around and saw how serene the place is.

"Are you coming as well?", Nami watched Trafalgar leaving the car. "I have an old acquaintance I also want to visit in this place", he informed.

The group walk towards the hospice and saw a couple of people in the backyard. Some of the are smoking, others are just getting drunk.

"They're sick and yet..", Chopper looked at Trafalgar who just remained silent. "It's their decision", Trafalgar knew what Chopper could be thinking. "I don't want to work in such a place like this. It is as if assisting someone to die", Chopper clenched his fists.

Receiving Hall

"Oh, Sen Academy. Your president already arrived. He's with Shigure", the receptionist informed. "They're at the dining hall", she added. The group just sighed and went to the dining hall. Trafalgar stayed.

"Thank you for accompanying them", the receptionist gave a smile. "There are some people I just want to meet", Trafalgar leaned on the desk.

Storage Room

"It's good to see that you're already a changed man. It makes me think that his death wasn't wasted at all", Shachi said while putting cases on the pillow.

"Where's Penguin?", Trafalgar looked. "He's being instructed by Suga-sensei", Shachi informed. "He's the total opposite of you", Shachi chuckled.

"Then, are you still with the Donquixote?", Shachi asked.

"Next year, I will be taking over his position", Trafalgar answered. Shachi grabbed on his collar and bit his lip. "It's the wrong man. Kid, Hawkins, Beige, Apoo, and Jewel was able to get out of that filthy place. Why can't you as well?", Shachi pushed him against the wall. "What do you think will Ace think of...", Shachi stopped when he saw Trafalgar's darkened expression. He lets go of him.

There was a knock on the door.

"Sensei, the doctor wants to meet you", Airi said behind the door.

Frozen at the spot, she just waited until the door opened. When it did, she looked up to Trafalgar's face.

What do you have to do with that person?

Chapter end.