#11: Our Burdened Shoulders

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Car 

"What are these kinds of stuff?! I can't even sit properly!!!", Zoro complained. Airi also felt uncomfortable sitting next to Zoro. "Ussop's bugs, Chopper's cuttings he got from the greenhouse and forest, Sanji's fish, Nami's-", Airi stopped. "Nevermind", she opened her phone and saw a message from her mother. 

"Stop complaining! Switch seats with me", Sanji started to have an argument with him. 

Airi read another message. 

Young lamb, I did a good job taking care of the cat. Treat me to a coffee once you're back. 

-E.K-

She raised her head and already saw Carrot reading her message. She immediately put her phone in her bag. Carrot gave a wide smile. She went to whisper something to Luffy. "EIHH?! Airi's got a boyfriend?!", Luffy shouted. He caught the attention of the group. Carrot giggled. Airi doesn't want to bother clearing the misunderstanding. She leaned on the car seat and saw Sanji's soul evaporating in the air. 

Roger's Residence

Airi entered the house and was greeted by a maid. "I heard you just came from a field trip. Your mother is upstairs and is waiting for you", she informed. 

Airi breathed deeply and went upstairs. Every step was like stepping into shattered glasses. As soon as she reaches the last stair, she saw her mother drinking wine since her room was half-open. She was about to enter but she met eyes with her mother. "Stay there", she said with a cold voice. 

"Oh, did your daughter arrive already? I'd like to meet her", a voice of a male came from the inside. Airi knew right away that it was one of her mother's short-time partners. Sooner or later, she'll dispose of him. "No need to. She's tired", she stood up and went near the door. Airi looked away, unwilling to look into her mother's eyes. "Do you have anything to say?", she raised her chin. "I apologize. I didn't know it'll take us three days to stay there. I'll be staying here for the rest of the break", Airi oathed. "I even spent time and money to look for a good tutor", her mother said with bitterness in her voice. "I'll make sure your efforts are not wasted", Airi said as she walked past her. 

Airi's Room

She opened the door leading to the veranda, the sun is already setting and the city lights are starting to fill in the darkness. "Tell me, are you free now?", she whispered in the wind. 

The knock on the door destroyed her silence. She marched and held unto the knob. "Madame, your mother will be dining outside. Would you like me to bring your dinner to your room?", the maid asked. "Don't bother, I'll be eating outside as well", she informed me. "I would call the chauffer then", the maid was about to leave. "Don't. Someone will fetch me", Airi said in a soft voice. The maid was at a loss because all she heard was "stop". 

In front of the gate

Airi wore pants and a moss green turtle neck blouse. The maids and workers are peeking from the windows. They've guessed it's a school business but wonder why they have a tingly feeling about it. 

The raven-haired saw a car heading in her direction. She gave a reserved wave. The car stopped in front of her. The car window rolls down. "Red, eih", Airi was referring to the eye-catching color. Kid was about to open his door when Airi already made her way in front of the passenger seat. She opened the door. "Why didn't you wait for me to open it", Kid unlocked the door.

As the lady sat on the car chair, Kid chuckled. "Turtle neck. Looking at you makes me feel hot", Kid drove them away from the house.

Family Restaurant

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