Capítulo 20: Chapter 20: The First and the Last
Saturday Dawn
Van
"Thanks for inviting us, Rebecca", Luffy said while stealing chips from Ussop. "It's also my way of saying thanks", Rebecca said while turning her head. She's seated on the passenger seat. "Also, Trafalgar-sensei. Thank you for driving us", Rebecca gave a sweet smile. Rebecca decided to keep the secret about the engagement.
Nami saw something dangling from her neck. "Rebecca, is that-", Nami gasped. Rebecca leaned back but Nami held onto her necklace. "This ring is the latest release. Wow, it's really aesthetic. It cost so much. I wish I could also buy one", Nami whined. Rebecca looked at Trafalgar who was just looking at the road.
You don't have to wear it on your fingers yet. You might be crept with being engaged with someone like me. It's just a piece of metal mixed with gems.
"But then, why is Tra-guy with us?", Luffy tilted his head. There was an awkward silence. "Luffy. Trafalgar-sensei takes his shift in the hospital and at school. He's probably taking this as his break so don't bother him too much", Airi took the guess that the two are hiding their relationship. Nami and Carrot stared at her suspiciously as Airi pets the cat which was initially there before everyone got in the van.
She's too preoccupied with the cat that she just ignored the two. "Fishy", Carrot commented.
Gas Station
Convenience Store
Rebecca is trying to reach a drink from the fridge. Someone went behind her. "Which flavor?", Trafalgar asked. Rebecca felt her cheeks warming up. "Strawberry", Rebecca answered. He took it and dropped it on her head. She, fortunately, caught it before it fell to the ground.
"Do you want to drink something as well?", Rebecca asked. "Anything is fine. Just don't give me something sweet", Trafalgar walked towards the counter. "I should be the one apologizing", Rebecca held grabbed his shirt. "Sorry. Because of me, you have to put up with all of these", Rebecca bit her lip. Trafalgar sighed. "Who said I am just putting up with all of these", Trafalgar walked and Rebecca lets go of his shirt.
Van
Zoro and Airi were the only ones left. "The last time, you didn't join us on the beach", Zoro remembered. "Right. There were things I needed to attend to", Airi fed the cat with some treats. "Then, you might be free this weekend that you decided to tag along", Zoro yawned. "I just want to...", Airi caught herself and closed her mouth.
If she said she just wanted to play in the sea, it's her first time, Zoro might laugh. "It's none of your business", she leaned on the chair and dozed off.
"Do you know? The ocean is very vast. With no walls, it just felt like this world doesn't actually have restrictions".
Rebecca's Hometown
"It's the sea!!!", Luffy shouted.
Airi blinked a few times. "We're here", Ussop stretched and hit Sanji's face. "Moss head. What's your problem!", Sanji roared. "What?", Zoro yawned.
They all went out and stood at the view deck. "Look at that! It's such a wonderful view", Nami pointed at Nami. "I wonder if there are so many fish we can cook", Luffy drooled. "My Aunt cooks deliciously", Rebecca smiled.
Chopper looked at Airi who just went out of the van and saw how she looked captivated by the sight of the ocean. "It's...spectacular", she said in a soft voice. "Ah, Airi. Water is coming out of your eyes. Did you drink too much water?", Luffy also saw her. Airi touched her cheeks and it felt wet. Sanji turned into stone. "Even with your tear-stained face, you still look as pretty as ever", Sanji tried to reach out to her.
"Airi, you're crying", Nami finally said.
Rebecca took a handkerchief and wiped her tears. "Is there something wrong?", Rebecca asked. "I'm just fine", Airi gave a smile. The rest of the crew knew that she always wanted to visit the sea. Whenever they would talk inside the council room, she is all ears when they are talking about the ocean, the sea, and the beach.
Doldo's Residence
The entire ranch belonged to the family. "Are those strawberries?", Chopper opened the van's window. "Ah, there are peaches on this side", Carrot looked at the tree. "You're well-provided", Zoro nodded. "I can't wait to see ladies in this place as well", Sanji is starting to have a nosebleed.
Main House
The crew went down and was met with maids. "Madame, it's good to see you again", the maids smiled. They were surprised that she bought number of youngsters with her.
"Rebecca", a mature woman went down the entrance.
"Melorine!", Sanji was drawn towards the tan skinned lady with an enticing beauty. "Oh my. Thank you for coming all the way from the city. My name is Viola ", Viola smiled. She noticed an older man and went near him. She offered a handshake. "Its good to make acquaintance with you, Trafalgar Law", Violet knew it was Rebecca's fiancee. She shook his hand.
"You must be hungry from the journey. We've prepared some food", Viola invited them inside. "Yes, Viola-chwan!!!", Sanji had hearts all around him.
Nami recognize Airi's excited expression. "We'll visit the beach a little later", Nami held her hand and grabbed her to walked upstairs with the crew.
The main house is amazing with all the touches of traditional life in the country side. "Rebecca, you must have had a lot of friends running around her then", Nami's eyes glittered seeing real gold and silver vases. "I did", Rebecca said with a faint voice. Airi noticed some looming sadness is her eyes.
Pyromaniac!
"I wonder how often you come here. Its tge kind of place you'd be confident enough to bring your own schoolmates", Ussop nodded in agreement to his statements. Rebecca nervously chuckled.
An apple that fell from the same tree.
"Who cares if people comes here, is it for their own sake that this place was created?", Airi butted in. Nami was surprised that she would suddenly interupt a conversation.
Rebecca looked at the girl who was looking at the pond. "If I am to bring people in a beautiful place like this, it would be people who matters most", Airi said in a low voice that was just audible for Rebecca, Trafalgar, and Nami who were near her. Rebecca slightly smiled at her then continue walking forward.
Beach
After eating, the crew change their clothes to play on the water. "Why aren't you wearing any swimming suit?", Carrot asked Rebecca. "I will be watching from here. I actually don't want to catch any flu or heatstroke", Rebecca answered and sat under the large tent they set for them to rest and have their snacks.
Airi was already on the shore. She look upront and gulped. The lady was cherishing the moment. Her first time to feel the wave against her skin.
"Its wide, isnt it?", Luffy stood next to her.
"Airi. Don't you feel like somehow, in your life, you can be free like this uncaged and unpillared vast sea", Luffy looked at the horizon. Airi felt a familiar feeling.
Coldwater splashed on their back. "Time to play", Ussop brought some watergun that can lower the salinity of the seawater. He and Franky worked on it.
At the same time, Trafalgar also stood quite far from Airi. "It was the first and last time", Airi squated and scooped some water using her hand.
"It was the only time I saw him and talked to him. He told me about the sea and how free it felt like. Its just a shame I wont be able to see him for the last time, just for me to agree with what he said", Airi opened. Trafalgar quietly listened. "If you badly wanted to agree with that person, why don't you just see him?", Trafalgar clicked his tongue. Airi gave a short chuckled. "I would, someday but not now", Airi stood straight and went back the sandy shore. She went to get a pail. The group was startled to see her picking every shell she finds.
Nighttime
Balcony
The group finished eating dinner. Airi went out to make a call to her mother. As soon as she finished, she felt something on her feet. She looked down and saw Rebecca folding her leg and burrowing her face on her arms.
Airi was about to go not wanting to invade her privacy.
"I would often get here to have my mind feel at ease. The stars look awesome here", Rebecca said without looking at Airi. The lady turned and saw how the stars are being reflected in the sea. Her eyes widened.
"Did something happen that made you have to ease your mind?", Airi leaned on the rail of the balcony.
"Sensei and I will be visiting Grandfather tomorrow. He requested to be imprisoned here. Unlike the capital prison, the facilities here are not so good. You know, we're not that... well accepted in this place so... Tomorrow, you guys will be toured by my aunt. I know you've done a lot of covering for me. Can I please beg you to do it once more? ", Rebecca raised her head and saw Airi taking a photo of the spectacular view.
" Whatever ", Airi sighed.
"Isobe-san, you're really a reliable person, aren't you? I feel shameful for trying to run as the president when someone like you actually exists", Rebecca chuckled.
"I only had one friend who visited this house. She was a transferee who knew nothing about this household. After that day, my classmates told her our story and she never came back again", Rebecca bit her lip remembering a painful memory.
"I can't say I did everything to live just as a normal child and make it until a teenager but then... it was just difficult to live trying to always prove that I am not what they think of. So, at some point, I just gave up and made myself a thin air ignored by everyone", Rebecca stood up and leaned on the rail next to Airi.
"Honestly, I'm scared", she sighed very deeply. "I was too scared that Luffy and the rest will know my real story. At the same time, I feel so ashame that I am doubting their ability to look past the stain marked on me", Rebecca's eyes started to warm up.
"You're a clock watch and a vintage car, Rebecca, sold in a pawnshop who doesn't know your value", Airi looked at the starry night sky. The stars look so distant because it's summer.
"But you know", Airi looked at Rebecca who is already looking at her. "There will come a time where people will know how valuable you are", Airi gave a slight smile. It wasn't too big but a resting smile. Rebecca's tears fell on her cheeks.
"There are people and there will be people who will soon see how beautiful your heart is", Airi patted on her head. She saw a shadow from the wall and had a short laugh.
Chapter end.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder