Chapter 9: Sudden Visit, Sudden Camping

Trafalgar's Apartment

Airi sat on the sofa with Kid who played on his own. "I wasn't expecting you'd be hanging around him", Trafalgar served a hot tea. Airi was caught by the fragrant smell. "I see, you're a huge fan of lemon", Airi commented. "Shut it", Trafalgar sat on his computer chair.

"She's clean. If you put a litter box, she knows where to drop her mess", Airi pointed out. "I still need the landlor-", Trafalgar was interrupted. "I already asked for permission from him", Airi informed. He sighed. "I don't have time to take care of a cat", Trafalgar shot a glare at the cat who just gave a meow. "Also, I hate its sassy behavior", Trafalgar leaned on his table. "I went on the street and looked for signs someone is looking for her but I haven't seen one", Airi said in a soft voice. "If there's a notification, bring it back right away", Trafalgar clicked his tongue.

"What made you so long to answer her?", Kid had a sly smile. Airi stood and bowed very low. "Whatever. If you're done, you can now leave", Trafalgar motioned his hand towards the door. Airi went near Trafalgar's bed and gave the cat a pat. "Sorry, I can't stay longer with you", she gave her a peck on the head. "Eustass-san, thank you. I'll make sure to make amends", Airi also bowed to the man. "No worries, young lady. You can call me anytime", Eustass had a huge smile. "Then, I'll get going", she gave a slight wave.

As soon as the door was closed, Trafalgar searched through the computer for cat food. "Look who's not interested", Kid had a short laugh. "Why are you with her?", Trafalgar suddenly turned serious. "She was standing alone in front of a pet shop near my house. I bet she doesn't want to surrender the cat. We met by coincidence so I suggested she bring the cat to your place", Kid explained. "Is she your type? Then, don't make me your excuse to hang out with her", Trafalgar continued scrolling on his mouse. The cat suddenly jumped on his lap. "Who knows? She's an interesting girl. For some reason, she reminds me of you", Kid made an association. "Idiot. Anyways..", Trafalgar threw an invitation card to Kid who caught it.

Kid's eyes widened. "Are you sure about this?", Kid nearly choke. "Want to be the best man?", Trafalgar said in a bored tone. Kid just laughed uncontrollably.

Park

"A typical place to be the meeting place", Nami looked at her watch. "You're early", Ussop called to her. "I happened to buy something along the way", Nami explained. "Then, I wonder why Luffy called us out of the blue", Ussop looked suspicious. Chopper and Carrot arrived together. "Did he call the Student Council? It's summer vacation, though", Ussop noticed the group. "I guess not. Why are those two here as well", Nami pointed at Zoro and Sanji arguing.

"Oh, Zoro! Sanji!", Ussop waved at the two. In the distance, Chopper and Carrot saw the black-haired lady. "Isobe-san!!", Carrot called her attention. She joined the group. "Luffy called me to come here just a moment ago", Airi informed. "I wonder what's his deal", Nami shook her head. After a while, a white can stops in front of them. They were all dragged inside.

"Let's go and visit the beach!", Luffy announced. The group was startled.

"Oh, did he forget to tell you why he called everybody?", Ivancov peeked from the driver's seat. "Who are you?!", the rest of the group asked except Airi who doesn't care, and Sanji who seemed to be stunned. "Dragon has a friend named Mihawk, he has a vacation resort", Ivancov informed. "I don't even have clothes with me", Nami complained. "How about snacks?!", Carrot whined. "With this moss head? I'm going to spend time with this moss head?!", Sanji was annoyed. Airi was just silent.

"I bet Principal already sent a letter to your mother", Ussop saw Airi's fidgety behavior.

After sometime,

The group went out of the van and looked at the medieval-looking castle-like resort house. It would be a perfect background for a vampire-set-up movie. "Amazing!!!!", Luffy, Ussop, and Chopper's eyes went sparkly. "It looks like a mansion where ghosts can appear anytime!!!", Luffy clapped. "What is there to be excited with", Nami held unto her temples. "What can we expect, summer houses like this are often left uninhabited", Airi commented. "Hey~ Don't add up with the creepy aura", Nami cried.

They saw a few boxes on the back of the van. "Dragon already prepared for your clothes. Also, here is your food stock. Fortunately, the vacation house is in the middle of the forest. Go hunt or harvest fruits if it's not enough", Ivancov dropped the key at Nami's palm and drove the car right away.

"Camp?! This is basically a camp!", Nami screamed.

"A-", the boys looked at her.

"A camp?", Airi finished it.

"This is the worst", Nami looked at Airi's whose eyes are also showing sparkles. "Why are you also excited?!", she had it and sat on a nearby bench. "Let's go!", Luffy spearheaded the journey. "Did you know? Vampires thrive in places like this", Zoro smirked. "Hey, don't joke like that", Ussop had garlic all around his neck. Carrot laughed at his cowardice. Airi went with the flow. She was about to lift one of the boxes but felt her chest tightens.

"It's okay mademoiselle, leave the heavy labor for the gentleman", Sanji carried it for her. "Thank you, Sanji", Airi stood straight. "Of course, anything for a lady", Sanji twirled.

Vacation House

The group gulped looking at the huge door with intricate design. "I smell mystery", Luffy said in a serious voice. "Stop", Nami hit his head. She opened the door with the key. She can't believe they're left on their own. The vacation house is a four-story building with a huge backyard and also a greenhouse. The caretakers took a summer vacation as well so the group was left on their own.

"I have to go and cook", Sanji went on his own. "I just saw a good place to practice swinging", Zoro walked outside. "Don't get lost", they all warned. "Ussop and Chopper, let's go and catch some ghosts", Luffy carried a net. "What are you trying to catch with that?", Airi sighed. "I saw the lake. It looks so wide. Let's go and take some photos", Nami invited. "I'll be helping out Sanji", Airi excused herself.

Lake

"I wish Isobe-san tagged along", Carrot took a photo of Nami in her newly given two-piece. "I am worried about her. She's not a fan of warm places", Nami shrugged. "Luffy-san really pushes everyone, doesn't he? Isobe-san doesn't seem to be the person who would put up with what people will tell her. She just looks like a very independent person", Carrot chuckled.

Nami looked at her reflection in the lake. "Is that so? When I look at her, she just looks like..", Nami stopped and dipped her feet in the cold water.

She's just the exact opposite of Luffy.

She's the person who's just putting up and just sucking on whatever she's being told to.

Flower Field behind the Vacation House

Airi was surprised to see a field of sunflowers. She brought out her phone and took a photo. She sat under the shade of a tree and leaned on the trunk. She looked at her phone. She doesn't usually use her phone to take photos. She opened a file and swiped through the photos.

"Airi, we're going to swim at the lake. You need to change as well", Luffy suddenly appeared. He's wearing swimming trunks. "I didn't bring any swimming clothes", Airi informed me. She looked at Luffy's upper body and saw a scar. "There are tons in the box. Come on", Luffy held on to her hand and started to lead her towards the living room.

Where did you get such a painful-looking scar?

She couldn't bring herself to bring that up. If the same question was asked to her, she probably would find it difficult to answer. "I'm not used to wearing thin clothes", Airi said while being dragged by the lad.

"I got this trying to save someone. I wasn't able to but all I got is this scar", Luffy suddenly said. Airi was quite startled by how easy for him to say it. "Are you also hiding scars? You don't have to worry about it", Luffy smiled very wide.

How can... you say the right words a such a perfect time?

Lake

"Melorin-", Sanji poured out a lot of nosebleeds.

"Sanji, you're going to die. Get a hold of yourself!", Chopper shook him.

"You have very fair skin", Nami complimented. "Ah. I want to rub myself on you", Carrot hugged Airi tight. Sanji got back from nearly fainting. He saw the scenario and turned into stone.

Chapter end.