Chapter 13: A Rival Came

Grocery

"Welcome to the wonderful world of supermarkets", Nami clasped her hands together. "Oh, there are so many foods", Shirahoshi looked around. "Let's do the shopping fast. I bet Luffy will be hungry once we arrive at his place", Vivi smiled. Unlike Shirahoshi, Vivi was permitted by his father to tag along with their maids while shopping.

"Woah, there's so many condiments here", Shirahoshi studied them one by one. "I'll be on this corner", Vivi pointed at the meat section. "I have Sanji's list. Airi, come with me", Nami invited.

The two girls walk side by side. It's the third day that her mother didn't come home. "Why do you always have to disappear randomly?", they saw a woman lecturing a man. The man just laughed it off and apologize. "Isn't that...", Nami squinted her eyes to get a better view. "Sabo-san?", she mentioned the name. Airi recognized him from the café shop.

"Long time no see", Nami gave a hug to Koala. "How have you been?", Koala shifted her aura and had a bubbly conversation with the orange head.

"I was shocked when I heard you're going out with Kid. Are you sure about that?", Sabo asked. Airi sighed and found it tiring to correct the misunderstanding. "Eh? Airi, you were going out with who?", Nami wasn't able to hear all the details. "We need to start shopping. Sanji needs the ingredients", Airi pushed her away from the two.

Koala looked at the raven head. "By the way Sabo, where were you last two days ago? You left us hanging in the café shop", Koala pouted. "I just visited a friend".

Rayleigh's House

Living Room

"You lost again Luffy!", Chopper and Ussop laughed. Luffy tore the cards. "Let's go and have a fistfight outside", he challenged. "Hey, I just bought those", Ussop shook Luffy. "What are you doing here again?", Luffy tilted his head. The two became stiff. "Nothing. We got bored at home", they both said in unison. "That's why I said we'll go treasure hunting in Mt. Fuji", Luffy pouted.

Zoro walked towards the living room. "Oh, I've been looking for you guys", Zoro yawned and sat on the couch. "You got lost again", Chopper sighed. "This year, are you going to run as the school president again?", Zoro put his arms at the back of his head. "Why not. It's fun", Luffy gave a big smile. "I was planning to run. That way, we can now use real swords during the school festival", Zoro explained. "Bring it on, then. Zoro", Luffy chuckled. "Just looking at your energy makes me give up right away", Zoro smiled.

Hospital

Trafalgar made his round and stopped by a room. As he entered, he heard someone sobbing. The braided pink-haired lady leaned on the bed holding into her father's hand. The bedsheet is already soiled with her tears.

His footsteps made the lady aware of his presence.

"Your father is just unconscious as of the moment. He'll eventually wake up", Trafalgar assured. The pink-haired faced him with her tear-stained face. "I'll be checking on his pulse", Trafalgar prepared some devices. As soon as he looked at the man's face, he felt a certain kind of discomfort.

"They said he was caught in a crossfire with mafias", she sniffed and covered her face. "If I remember correctly, he's the chief of police, right?", Trafalgar finished checking on his pulse. The pink hair nodded. Trafalgar sensed how stuffy the room is so he opened the window. He saw flowers blooming from the cherry blossom surrounding the hospital. The wind blew and some petals came in.

" Is he going to wake up?", the lady started to gasp for air.

Trafalgar went closer and took a petal stuck in her hair. He noticed such concern in her eyes.

"He will", he gave the petal to the lady and then stepped out of the room.

Sometime later, her father woke up and stared at the ceiling. "Dad", she dove and hugged the huge man.

"Rebecca, my daughter? Why are you here", Kyros asked.

Rayleigh's House

Luffy just came out from the toilet. He was startled that the lights went out. "Areh? Do we have a power interruption? Rayleigh? Didn't I give my share for the electricity?", Luffy looked around and it was totally dark. He started walking around. He seems to reach the living room.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!".

They popped out the party poppers. Some of them blew a little trumpet toy. Luffy's eyes widened. "Oh, A banquet. Who's having the birthday?", he was excited looking at the food on the center table. Nami slapped the back of his head. "It's your birthday", she reminded me. "Oh, really. That's amazing!!!", Luffy's eyes shone brighter. They just laughed it off. They started partying.

Rayleigh just came home from a class reunion. He also joined the youngsters. "Sensei. You're late", they scolded. "I'm an old man that is single, though", he chuckled.

Airi looked at the cake. "Do you want to eat the cake? We need to wait for Luffy to blow the candle first", Shirahoshi noticed. Airi flushed. "That's not-", Airi was about to explain. "I bet it tastes wonderful. Sanji baked it by himself. I'll ask him to bake at your birthday as well", Shirahoshi's arm hugged her.

"Okay. It's time for the birthday wish!", Ussop clapped his hand. "Is it necessary? What are we, kids?", Zoro furrowed his brow. Chopper gave him a mini-punch. "It's a necessity. Haven't you read Ussop's book?", Chopper lectured. "Let's just do it. Airi wanted to eat the cake badly", Shirahoshi raised her hand. "That was not it", Airi dragged Shirahoshi's hand down. "I'll bake every day for you, Airi-chwan!!!", Sanji twirled.

"Okay then, Luffy. I wish you'll continue being the President. Looking forward to your victory this coming election", Vivi started.

"I wish to take a walk with you again. Anywhere is fine as long as you're there", Shirahoshi smiled.

"I wish you will not eat too much. I'm worried the school budget will be at risk. Also, I wish you'd have more fun this year. Just keep us away from the damages, please", Nami clasped her hands as if she was praying.

"I wish you'd enjoy eating the food I'll cook. Also, I wish there will be more female transferee next semester", Sanji had a nosebleed imagining him in a harem. "It's not your birthday, idiot", Zoro slapped his head. "What's that, moss head?!", he gritted his teeth.

"I wish you the best for doing whatever you wanted to", Zoro raised a glass of wine. "Are you drinking already?!", Nami scolded.

"Luffy. I wish to have more roller-coaster fun with you. This year, I wish we'll catch the biggest Hercules beetle", Ussop laughed.

"Luffy! I also wish that you'll always be healthy", Chopper gave him a hug.

They all looked at Airi.

"They all gave amazing wishes. I'm not good at that but then, I just want to tell you something, Luffy", Airi gripped her arm.

"Thank you for being born".

"Thank you for being alive".

Luffy took some time to go back to reality. He seemed to be dragged by something in the back of his mind. He closed his eyes and smiled widely. "The same goes for you", he replied.

Classes Resume

Auditorium

"Just a few days after the start of the semester, you will be electing your new School Council President. Though, I'm not sure if it's necessary", Shanks gave an opening speech.

"No one would dare to fight over-popularity. Luffy's going to win this again", Zoro yawned.

"You'll never know. I might as well run", Ussop raised his chin.

Class 2-1

"Good morning everyone. Did you have a great summer vacation? I hope you did. Since you're in the preparatory class, don't expect things to get easier this time", Galdino noted. "Also, we have a transfer student. Be nice to her", Galdino gave a signal for her to enter.

The class's attention was focused on her. A braided pink-haired lady entered with an overwhelming aura surrounding her. She has a certain charisma even before saying any words. "Thank you for having me here. I'll be looking forward to getting through this semester with you. My name is Takeshi Rebecca. Please remember that name, I'm planning to run as the school council president as well", she gave a very low bow.

The girl sat behind Airi. She watches how she walked with her fighting game face on. Rebecca noticed Airi's glances and gave a smile. Airi gave a slight bow of the head.

"I heard we have a transferee. I bet my wish was heard!", Sanji came running into the room sniffing. Ussop ran after him. Sanji saw the new lady and had a nosebleed. "So cute!", he was knocked down. Ussop dragged him back into the classroom.

Airi looked outside and saw the full-bloomed cherry blossom tree. She saw someone making his way into the school ground.

"Oh, he's still here?".

"Is he also working here?", Rebecca said in a low voice and chuckled.

Chapter end.