Chapter 10: The Faculty and Staff

Vacation House

Airi went downstairs. Female rooms were located on the third floor. They stayed in one after Luffy told about ghost stories he heard from his Grandfather. She heard footsteps and saw Ussop and Chopper headed to the greenhouse. They were talking about getting seeds and cuttings from the interesting-looking plants. Airi reached the second floor. The door next to Airi opened. "Oh, you're also up", Zoro yawned while carrying a bamboo sword. "You just destroyed the punching bag outside. You have to replace it", Airi wrote in a small notebook.

"Melorine!!! Is that the beautiful lady Airi?!", Sanji opened the door of his room. He requested another room because he dislikes the thought of staying in one room with the moss head.

"Good morning, Sanji, Zoro", Airi greeted. "Are you going to cook with me again?", Sanji's eyes are turned into hearts. "I have nothing else to do", Airi nodded.

Kitchen

Airi noticed Sanji toned down a bit. "Why didn't you agree with the marriage? Pudding-san is popular and you both have the same hobby", Airi opened. Sanji breathed in to calm himself.

"I was actually chickened out when I received an invitation card. After which, my that old geezer called. I can't even call him my father", Sanji chopped the meat. Airi helped in peeling the vegetables.

"I was supposed to get married to Pudding-chan and transfer to Wales. I never told anyone, especially Luffy. Who knows what he'll do", Sanji had a weak smile. "The night before we went to Charlotte Mansion, Luffy visited my apartment and asked me what I wanted to do. How could I burden him with what I wanted? He got mad and punch me for lying. When he suddenly burst out in Big Mom's house, I was relieved", Sanji opened a Lolipop plug it into his mouth.

How can I burden him with what I want?

"Why-", Airi stopped peeling and looked at Sanji's back. The blonde faced her and smiled.

"That's just how he is", Sanji didn't finish the question but was confident his answer will suffice, whatever the question was.

Someone made a sound knocking on the opened door. The two averted their stares and saw a familiar figure.

Greenhouse

"Chopper! Look, it's a Hercules", Ussop raised in the air. "You're so lucky. I also want one!", Chopper whined.

"Did you ask permission to enter this place?", they heard a new voice. He was wearing a black polo slightly opened on the chest. "Tra-guy!", the two said in unison. "How come you're here?", Ussop asked and went near the man.

"The School principal called us to have a meeting here", Trafalgar explained. "Since you're also here, can you tell me more about herbs?!", Chopper's eyes brightened.

Kitchen

"You look like you're having fun", Robin commented. "Robin-swann!!! Are you here for a vacation?!!!", Sanji twirled toward her.

Franky pushed his face away and started to check on the fridge. Fortunately, he saw some soda. "Yohoho! I knew Sanji-san will be here. Oh~ Isobe-san, I saw a piano in the hall. Would you like to sing with me?", Brook peeked.

Dining Hall

Nami and Carrot were startled to see some Faculty and Staff gathered around. "Where is the principal, though?", Shanks asked while drinking tea with Brook. "He might not want to see his son causing too much trouble", Rayleigh chuckled as he took some smoked octopus.

Sanji and Airi arrived to serve the breakfast.

"What is this?! I feel like I'm in an Italian restaurant. BON jour!", he said then dug into the food.

Carrot and Nami sat next to Robin. "What's happening here?", Nami asked. "The Principal wanted us to have the meeting here but I guess he just wanted us to come here as well. Did a bear eat him along the way?", Robin held unto her chin. "Stop that", Ussop sighed.

Luffy finally woke up and saw the banquet. He dove into the hall and gobbled without noticing the whole Faculty. "Oh, Shanks. You're here", he smiled. "That's sensei for you", Shanks laughed. "Luffy, I saw a wonderful lake outside. Would you like to walk with me?", Boa invited. Sanji burned in jealousy.

Airi just sat in between Trafalgar and Kuma. "It's noisy", Trafalgar sighed then neatly removed the fish's bone. Airi observed.

Where are we? In the surgery room?

Airi raised her head and saw that Trafalgar is already looking at her. "Do you have something to say?", Trafalgar's eyes twitched. "Where's the cat?", she suddenly remembers. "Eustass-ya brought it to the office. I wonder how he's managing", Trafalgar smirked.

"Oh, you guys know each other", Kuma joined the conversation. "Isobe, if you were to go on vacation, where would it be?", Kuma asked the question he asked everyone. Airi knew it was coming. She heard the same question a year ago but didn't give an answer. "Anywhere is fine", Airi said as she drinks the soup. "Anywhere is too broad", Kuma commented. She knew Kuma wouldn't stop so she just gave a quick answer. "The sea".

Lake

She wonders why she needs to wear something thin again. She felt a warm towel hanging around her shoulder.

"It's cold here and you're wearing such thin clothing", Trafalgar clicked his tongue. Airi turned and saw him not wearing a swimsuit.

Luffy, Bon Clay, Ussop, and Chopper are dancing together. The rest are fishing. The others are having a competition about who can swim faster. The ladies decided to do sunbathing. Airi, who hates the hot sun, stayed in the shaded area.

"They're having fun", Airi suddenly said.

"Why don't you join as well?", Trafalgar sat on the rock and brought out his book.

"Zoro pushed me into the cold water so I was forced to swim with them. I'm taking a rest. Shouldn't I tell you the same thing?", Airi can see him reading in her peripheral vision. "I've got more important things to do", Trafalgar defended.

Airi left the man and disappeared.

Trafalgar raised his head and took the time to listen. The waves of laughter echoed in the air.

Luffy finally spotted the man. "Oi! TRA!! Come on!!!", Luffy waved at him. He pretended not to see. A clothe covered his face. He removed it and checked a pair of brown trousers and a white tops. "He's calling. If you don't want to go back wet, you should at least use some swim wears", Airi appeared once more.

Forest

"They say some bears wander here", Luffy repeated what Robin said. "Don't say such things!", Ussop scolded. "But then~ they also said snakes are huge here", Luffy added. Nami slapped the back of his head.

"Sanji! Food!", Luffy searched for the lad but was nowhere to be found. He followed Zoro who got lost on his way.

Buggy and Ussop held unto each other when they heard a rustling sound. "Kyah!", they shouted.

"Kyah?", Carrot tilted her head. "Yohoho. What mystery lies on this mountain?", Brook laughed.

They decided to reach the peak and watch the sunset from the highest point.

"Say, Tra-guy-san. Let me sell your pictures. I'll get 50% of the pay", Nami winked at him and started taking pictures using her camera. He didn't mind but ignored Nami. "I'll also take photos of Rayliegh-sensei and Shanks-sensei!!", Nami's eyes turned to the money sign. "You're scary, Nami. We're on vacation and you're still thinking of earning money", Ussop sighed.

View Deck

The group was amazed at the spectacular beauty of the lake and the mountains that surround it. Zoro and Sanji came arguing again.

They took photos and also pointed at some locations that looks perfect for a field trip. They bet the school principal brought them there to try the next field trip location beforehand.

"Let's have a group picture", Shanks suggested. They made use of the camera timer. Airi just listened to the voices and felt the warmth. It's something she can't get used to.

"1-2-3!".

The picture turned out chaotic for it looked messy. "One more", Nami sighed.

"It's perfect", Airi said as he looked at the photo.

People are obsessed with orderliness. Everything needs to be neat and clean.

Chapter end.