Chapter 15: The Interconnectedness

Hospital

Patient's Room

Trafalgar entered a room and saw an old lady watching the television. "Children are constantly being abducted and the government doesn't seem to act upon it", the old lady grunted. "Yes, yes. So, Emi-san. Please refrain from a lot of news. That's not good for your heart", one of the nurses chuckled and let her sit properly.

"Oh, it's the handsome doctor again. Why can't I just hire you to take care of me for the rest of my life?", the old lady laughed and raised her sleeve. "I'll be checking on your pulse", Trafalgar gently raised her hand. The old lady watches Trafalgar as he administers injecting the medicine in her veins. "Sensei, are you happy?", she suddenly asked. The nurses looked at each other. "We'll be checking on some patients as well, sensei", the gulped and rushed to go out.

The two were the only ones left. "Why would you ask?", he said with all politeness he can squeeze from his tongue. "You just look so lonely whenever I look at you. Not to mention those dark lines under your eyes. You should get yourself a woman!", Emi slapped his back. Trafalgar cleared his throat and stood up. "Please drink your medicine regularly", Trafalgar gave a bow. "Sensei, what are you most scared of?", Emi held onto Trafalgar's sleeves. The man looked at her. Her skin is starting to get paler each day and her pulse is weakened. "Being found out", he answered. Emi lets go of him. "So I hope you found someone you can share your burden with as well", Emi chuckled. He nodded.

Corridor

Trafalgar recognized someone's back. She was frantically looking for someone. He just watched in amusement. The lady went to the desk.

"I...", her voice cracked.

"What is that?", one of the nurses looked at her. She's wearing a white shirt and a pair of blue pants.

"I wonder if I can ask if Trafalgar-sensei is on duty", Airi clenched her fists.

"Oh, another fan? Are you also going to give him a letter? Just to let you know, he's actually receiving tons. You've got a lot of rivals, young lady", the nurse laughed. "I wonder what you girls saw in such a dull and intimidating dude like him. Unlike me, I'm kind and I will hug whoever needs comfort", he boasted while closing his eyes. He was imagining patients flirting with him. The other nurses pinched his back. "What's your problem?!", he complained. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the man already crossing his arms.

"I'm here for a consultation", Airi said with a straight face. She was emitting a rather freezing atmosphere. "I need to check on someone", the nurse packed his things and left right away.

"You're early", Trafalgar commented.

Airi turned and saw him in his lab gown.

"I didn't know Trafalgar-sensei had a sister", Doctorine passed by. Airi nearly choked with what she said. "I'm-", Airi tried to butt in. "Law. Make sure you finish your report before going home. You'll be presenting in a case conference", Doctorine patted her back.

Where is the resemblance?

The two walked and passed by a man-size mirror. Airi looked intently at the mirror. "Young girls nowadays are really conscious with how they look like, don't they", a patient sitting at the Longue chairs commented. Airi gripped her arm and tried to ignore the statement.

Airi closed the door behind her. "Remove your shirt", Trafalgar prepared a machine and connected some apparatuses. She found herself heating up. "On that note", Airi slowly sat on the bed. "You can face the other direction", Trafalgar said with a straight face.

Tch. He must have seen a lot. There's nothing to be ashamed of.

Airi removed her shirt and faced the other direction. Trafalgar started connecting some gel-like apparatuses. He remained silent while seeing carved histories into her skin. He was about to open his mouth. "Don't say anything", Airi gripped her arm and bit her lips. His slender fingers ran through her skin. His touches are gentle.

The check-up ended. Airi wore her shirt and remained facing the other direction. Trafalgar wrote something in a paper. "Go to the counter and purchase this medicine", he instructed. "Am I dying?", Airi asked. "Unfortunately not. Your heart is weaker than the average that's why you just have to take drugs and change your eating habits. Also, you should at least jog every other day", Trafalgar crossed his feet. Airi was hesitant to look at him. She took out something from her small sling bag. "Thanks", she dropped something on the table and then hurried to leave the room.

Trafalgar picked it up and smirked.

Chamomile Tea. After some more sleep deprivation, your entire eyes will be filled with darkness.

Trafalgar looked at the mirror on his side. "We do look the same, don't we", he said under his breath.

Pharmacy Area

Someone patted Airi's shoulder. The black-haired lady turned and saw Rebecca giving off a smile. "Did your check-up go well?", Rebecca asked. Airi went stiff. "How did you know?", Airi gave off an intimidating look. Rebecca gulped and stepped back. "I overheard you and Trafalgar-sensei talking", she nervously chuckled.

"It's just a minor injury. You don't have to concern yourself", Airi looked away and kept the medicine in her bag. Rebecca saw it. "Ah, I'm on my way to visit an old lady in this hospital. See you in school", Rebecca gave a bow. Airi felt bad for not saying anything. "Your grandmother?", Airi asked. "Nope. She's an old lady that admitted the same day my father was rushed to the hospital. She doesn't have any family members attending to her so I just came to visit", Rebecca narrated. Airi saw her carrying a huge thing covered in newspaper and also a bouquet of flowers.

"Then, I'll see you in school", Airi excused herself and exited.

How nice of her to visit someone who's not her family.

Room

Rebecca peeked and saw the old woman watching the news. "Why don't they just go and raid the factory", Emi sighed. Rebecca chuckled and went inside. "Good morning, Emi-san", Rebecca greeted.

The old lady's eyes lit up. "Oh, young lady. You're here again", Emi made space in her bed for Rebecca to sit. She also turned off the television. "Oh, it's Saturday today. How have you been, dear?", Emi stroked her braided hair. "Want to re-do it? I kind of messed it up", Rebecca removed the hair tie. "Can I?", Emi excitedly asked. "Why not?", Rebecca purposely made it messy because she heard Emi's desire to tie her daughter's hair again.

Cafe Shop

Airi felt warm so she decided to take a shade and drink some cold drinks. "Oh, young lady", Sabo noticed her as she entered. The place is fully packed. "No more space", she commented and held the doorknob. "You can share a seat with me", a middle-aged man wearing a flowery polo offered. Not wanting her effort to be wasted, she took the offer. She observed how the man is just silently reading a book. Crime and Punishment.

"Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most", Airi found herself uttering a quote coming from the book. "You are well-informed, young lady", the man put down the book. He was rather tall. His sunglasses hide his amusement for the lady.

"What's your order?", Koala came with a menu. "Blueberry shake and french toast", Airi ordered. "He hates bread", the man just commented. Koala nodded and left. The man crossed his leg. "When have you read this book?", Doflamingo asked. "I think when I was 12", Airi recalled. "What else did you read?", Doflamingo leaned forward.

"War and Peace", she answered.

"If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war", Doflamingo quoted as well.

Airi found the excitement of talking about books. Since she was a child, no one ever talked about this matter. They say they're too young for those books.

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so", Airi quoted and slowly looked at the man. He smirked and had a short laugh.

"Hamlet, eh?", he seemed to remember something. The two went on talking about classical books. "You are a peculiar young lady. No youngsters usually appreciate those books", he remembered Buffalo and Baby 5 rejecting his offer for them to read the books he bought. "Uhm, that's why I'm the different one", Airi looked at the book Doflamingo put down.

You're unlike anyone else of us.

"Your peculiarity makes you special, young girl", Doflamingo gave her a pat on the head. She felt something warm up inside her. "Let's have another exchange of quotation the next time", Doflamingo stood up and towered over the lady.

He's really tall.

He paid at the counter and left.

Koala came with Airi's order. "He paid yours as well. Is he your friend?", Koala asked. Airi shook her head.

Chapter end.