Zoro lightly slammed his head on the counter. At first, Usopp insisted that Zoro go first and try to win the prize himself. He knew Usopp was acting cocky by letting him go first. There was no way he was going to let Usopp win the prize his girlfriend requested. However, after several attempts, Zoro ran out of money.

With a smug grin, Usopp pushed Zoro aside. "Watch and be amazed." With only one try, Usopp won the prize easily.

Zoro facepalmed.

"Here you go, Robin!" Usopp said as he handed the box of fireworks to her.

"Thank you, Usopp. Let's play with these with everyone later," Robin said with a grin.

Chopper peeped over Robin's shoulders. "Oh! A box of fireworks! That'll be tons of fun!"

"Cheer up, Zoro!" Usopp said as he patted his green-haired friend on the back. "It was your fault for going up against me."

Zoro glared daggers at him and said, "One more word out of you and I'll smack your head on that counter. You sound like that ero-cook." He didn't want to sound like a sore loser, but he couldn't help it. Growing up with all his fights and bickers with Sanji has made him this way.

"Speaking of the fireworks, it should be starting soon. We should meet up with the others before all the good spots are taken," Robin said. After receiving a text from Ace, they all went to the beach to meet up with everyone else. Everyone was present aside from Luffy, Nami, Sanji, Vivi, and Sabo.

"Woah! Where'd you get those fireworks, Robin?" Ace asked.

"Usopp won it for me," Robin said happily.

"Usopp? Not Zoro?" Ace smirked when he saw Zoro's annoyed expression. Just from his expression, he could tell what went down to get those fireworks. Ace busted out laughing. "Really? Good job, Usopp! I bet no one had a chance against you, right?"

"Of course not!" Usopp said and gave him a high five.

"We can have a lot of fun with those later. Though, they're not as big and awesome as the ones Usopp and I made during our spring break two years ago," Franky said.

"Very true." Usopp nodded in agreement.

"My my, another night filled with fireworks, how fun! Yohoho! I can't wait," Brook said.

"Have you guys seen Nami?" Nojiko asked. "They said they'll be here soon, but that was over twenty minutes ago. I'm getting worried."

"I'm sure she's fine. She's with Luffy after all," Ace reassured her.

Suddenly, Sabo appeared from the crowd of people. "Yo!"

"Sabo! You're just now coming to the festival?" Makino asked. "Have you been at home this whole time? You should've said something. Your father and I would have came and picked you up."

Sabo chuckled. "I'm not a kid anymore, Mom. I just had an important phone call is all. Are Luffy and the others not here yet? And I thought I'd be the last one to arrive." He paused when he saw Luffy and Sanji approaching the group. "Speak of the devil."

Robin furrowed her brows when she realized their girlfriends weren't with them. "Nami and Vivi aren't with you?"

Luffy looked around. "That's weird. I thought they'd be here. Sanji and I just stopped by the bathroom. We told the girls to go on ahead of us. I'll call Nami." Luffy sat down next to Sabo and dialed Nami's number.

"What took you so long? It doesn't take twenty minutes to use the bathroom unless you're…you know. Then that's gross," Ace said, earning him a smack upside the head by Nojiko.

"Don't be rude," Nojiko said.

"No answer?" Sabo asked.

Luffy stared down at his phone. "She's not picking up."

"She's coming right now." Ace pointed. Luffy quickly glanced up and saw Nami and Vivi appear from the crowd. He immediately noticed something off about Nami. When she sat down next to him, he noticed she sat a few inches away from him.

When Luffy went to touch her, Nami flinched and retracted herself closer to Robin who was sitting on her other side. Luffy opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Nami started a conversation with Robin and Vivi. Luffy sighed. From the way they bonded and acted around the festival, he thought nothing could mess up this night, but looks like he was wrong.

Luffy waited a few minutes for Nami to at least glance at him so he can talk to her. But not once has she even looked his way. Luffy exhaled and lightly grabbed her arm. "Is everything all right, Nami?" Luffy asked.

Nami smiled. "Yes, I'm fine."

Luffy saw through her forced smile. Right as he was about to speak again, the fireworks began. Nami's attention shifted to the fireworks. Luffy, on the other hand, couldn't take his eyes off her. He watched as her expression completely changed from distant to amazement when the fireworks began. He knows for a fact that if there was ever something upsetting or bothering Nami, she would never let it go. Based on her distant expression earlier, she's definitely upset over something.

-x-x-x-

"I don't know, Nami," Vivi said as she tied her hair back after changing into her uniform. "From what you and I heard, Luffy's the only one involved in this. He seems pretty serious about it too." She narrowed her eyes to Nami who was sitting on her bed, still in her pajamas. Nojiko and Robin had already left for breakfast, so of right now, they were the only ones in the girls' room.

"Have you asked Sanji-kun about it?" Nami asked.

"There's no way I can ask him about that. You heard what they said last night. 'Its just between us.' I can't help but feel like a nosey girlfriend for asking him." Vivi turned to Nami and held her hands. "I'm sure it was nothing. Let's get some breakfast and just forget about what we heard last night."

Nami sighed. Vivi pulled her out of the room and down the stairs. "I can't get my mind out of it. Luffy's never the one to keep secrets from me. He's not the type to cheat either."

"You never know. I mean, he can't tell lies. Maybe you can get it out of him." Vivi winked.

At the exact moment the girls reached the bottom of the stairs, Luffy entered the house through the front door. Nami furrowed her brows. Everyone else is having breakfast in the kitchen and here he is appearing from who knows where. What made it stranger was the fact that he entered with a huge grin until he saw her.

"Nami, you're up." Luffy averted his eyes. "We should go get some breakfast before everyone else finishes."

"Where have you been?" Nami asked bluntly.

"Oh," Luffy rubbed his head and smiled, "I was just out for a morning run."

It was obvious he was trying to avoid meeting her eyes. He wouldn't be lying if he looked at her once. Nami folded her arms. "In your sleeping attire? You're never usually up this early."

"Gotta stay in shape if I'm going to stay next to you." Luffy entered the kitchen before Nami could say anything else. She turned to Vivi who had also looked confused.

"Something's definitely off."

-x-x-x-x-

While Usopp washed dishes, Nami was in charge of wiping the plates clean. Whether it be waiting on tables or helping Sanji in the kitchen, she really didn't mind working anywhere in the restaurant, even if it meant she had to clean the toilets. Though to be honest, that's the last job she would go for.

Despite the day being a couple days since the festival, the restaurant was still packed crazy with people. Furthermore, since it's been almost a week since their arrival, there was no need to send out anyone from the crew to promote the restaurant. They were getting more than enough attention already. Everyone was getting used to their jobs and slowly improving. Nevertheless, there were still some broken plates and several spilled drinks (on the guests).

Nojiko entered the kitchen with more dishes for Usopp to clean. "Another compliment for the chef, Sanji. Keep it up!"

Sanji grinned triumphantly. "If only that old geezer can acknowledge my work like those people."

Usopp sighed. "Hey Nami, can you take over? My back is hurting."

"Sure." Nami took out a new pair of gloves and continued where Usopp left off. "Isn't it your break time? Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap?"

"I can't," Usopp said.

"Eh? Why not? You've been working since we opened," Nami said.

Usopp glanced up and noticed Sanji's evil smirk. Nami noticed Usopp's sudden change in expression. She looked back and forth from Usopp to Sanji as she tried to figure out what's going on. Usopp said, "I-I'll be fine. Nojiko, we can switch, I'll handle your tables."

"I don't min-" Nojiko started, but before she could finish, he was already out the door. Nojiko took Nami's old place and grabbed a towel to wipe the plates. "What was that about?"

"He won't beat me," Sanji said to himself.

"Another bet?" Nami asked.

"I mean I have been in charge of cooking the meals throughout the whole day, without breaks… with occasional help from Makino-san here and there. That long-nose made the bet himself. If he lasts the whole day for three days straight, I owe him 5000 belis."

Nami shook her head. "Boys…"

"I guess that's what happens when you keep doing the same thing at work everyday. You start to get bored," Nojiko said.

Nami continued to wash the dishes. All of a sudden, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist. Next thing she knew, she was being lifted with her feet off the ground. She nearly dropped the plate she was holding and some of the water splashed onto Nojiko and herself.

Nami heard Nojiko yell, "Luffy! You're making a mess!"

"Nami!" Luffy said with a grin.

Nami would lie if she said she heard him coming. She honestly didn't. She was still in the air, still in his arms as she said, "Luffy, put me down."

Luffy obeyed, but he still kept the grin. "When does your shift end? Let's hang out on the patio!"

Nami turned around and continued to wash dishes. "Not for another hour. I already promised the girls that we'd have a movie night. A girls' movie night."

Luffy's grin immediately turned into a frown. "All right. Another time maybe."

Nami didn't turn around as Luffy left the kitchen. When he was finally gone, she sighed. This has been going on since the day after the festival. Luffy would try different ways to get her attention or have some quality time with just the two of them. But with every request, there was denial. Nami couldn't help but notice him disappearing at times. Literally. No matter how many times she looked around the house she could never find him. Thirty minutes later, he would show up, avoid any of her questions and act as if he never disappeared.

"What's been up with you two lately?" Nojiko asked. "I've been noticing it for the past few days. Did you guys have a fight?"

"Something like that," Nami murmured.

"Well, if he does anything wrong, just let me know. I'll beat him endlessly if he ever hurts you," Sanji said.

Nami blinked. She lowered the plate and sponge she was currently holding and stared at Sanji. 'If he ever does anything wrong'? Sanji was with Luffy the night of the festival. He knows everything going on with Luffy's disappearances. His secrets. If Sanji thinks Luffy's actions aren't hurting her, then what is he hiding from her?

-x-x-

Nami tied her hair as she looked out the window. It was still early morning and everyone else was still asleep. Well, almost everyone.

Vivi yawned as she put on a sweater. "Why do I have to come along again?"

"Shh! I don't want to be alone on this," Nami whispered. "You're the only other person who knows about this."

Vivi got up and held her hands. She knew what she really meant to say. If she ever caught Sanji cheating on her, she wouldn't want to be alone either. She would need a friend to support her. "Like I've been saying this whole time, you're overthinking it. Once this is all over, in five years, you're just going to laugh about it."

"I hope you're right," Nami said. After Sanji's little clue, she was determined to get to the bottom of this. If Luffy's not going to tell her, then she's going to figure this out herself—of course, with Vivi tagging along.

For the past three days, she's been observing Luffy's movements. Not to be a complete stalker or anything, but she was curious. Whenever she wakes up, she would always find Luffy entering the house through the front door. Today, she woke up two hours earlier to spy on him. Since an hour has passed already, she assumed he'd make his move soon.

Nami lightly opened the door and peeked outside. As if on cue, Luffy exited his bedroom and quietly closed the door behind him. He quickly tiptoed down the stairs. Nami and Vivi were quick to their feet as they followed him while maintaining their distance. When they saw Luffy detour for the kitchen, they quickly hid in the storage room right beside the kitchen.

"What is he doing?" Vivi asked.

Nami shrugged.

A few minutes later, Luffy exited out the front door with a plastic bag filled with food. The girls waited a couple seconds before pursuing after him. At the same time they exited out the door, Luffy rounded the corner of the house. The girls quickened their pace, afraid to lose track of him. For the past five minutes, the girls kept their distance while tailing behind Luffy.

"How long have we been running? I didn't expect to go on a morning run," Vivi whispered.

"Shh, we're nearing the river," Nami whispered back.

Luffy looked both ways before crossing the street to the river. On the other side of the street, Luffy descended down the hill where the girls were slowly losing sight of him. Quickly, the girls crossed the street. When they neared the edge of the hill, Nami raised her hand out to stop Vivi.

"Ow! Nami-"

Nami quickly pulled her down to their knees. "If we go down, there will be nothing for us to hide behind."

Vivi turned to face the river. She was right. If they were to go down the hill, they'd be wide open. There was nothing but a single, large tree sitting by the edge of the river. Coincidentally, that was where Luffy was heading. When Luffy ran behind the tree and didn't appear on the other side, the girls turned to one another, confused.

"Is there a girl hiding inside that tree?" Vivi asked.

Nami shook her head. She pulled Vivi and they both ran for the tree. If this was Luffy's destination, then they've caught him red-handed. Nami gestured Vivi to go to the other side of the tree so they could corner him. Quietly, they neared the tree and hid behind it so Luffy wouldn't see them. Slowly, they each went around the tree. On the other side, they saw Luffy crouching down and murmuring something.

"Its okay, I have your breakfast now," Luffy whispered.

Nami glanced at Vivi then back at Luffy. Without hesitation, she took a step forward, not at all prepared at what came before her.

At the sudden presence of another person, Luffy jumped, blocking Nami's view of what was behind him.

"Nami! What are you doing here-eh?! Vivi too?!"

But his actions were useless. She tilted her head to the side and saw that her eyes were seeing correctly. A small portion of the tree was open and inside it was a small puppy barely a month old. This whole time, Luffy has been keeping this a secret from her. "Luffy…you…"

"You were taking care of a puppy this whole time?" Vivi asked.

Luffy rubbed the back of his head. "Sanji and I found her at the night of the festival. We gave her some food, and then she wouldn't leave us alone. I didn't want to burden everyone by bringing a puppy into the restaurant, so I kept her here and took care of her. I'm still looking for a good shelter that would take good care of her."

"She's so cute!" Vivi crouched down to pet the puppy. "Why don't we just keep her?"

Luffy chuckled. "I don't think Mom would like that." He turned to face Nami. He noticed her expression looked pained, almost guilty. "I'm sorry for keeping this a secret. I was really planning to handle everything by myself, but looking for a nice shelter is taking a lot longer than I expected. I hope you're not too mad at me?"

Mad? If there was someone to be mad at, it was herself. How could she think that Luffy would cheat on her? She hated herself for thinking that. Luffy had noticed her anxiety and tried to get her attention multiple times, but she wouldn't let him. Oh, how she hated herself for doubting him. He loved her. He never stopped loving her. And she loved him back.

"I'm not mad at you," Nami murmured while avoiding his eyes.

Luffy cautiously walked forward and wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. "Does this mean I have you back?"

"Hmm." Nami wrapped her arms his waist and rested her head on his chest. "I love you," she murmured.

"I love you too," he murmured back.

Vivi watched them in disgust while petting the puppy. "Get a room."

All of a sudden, Luffy's phone started to vibrate. Without breaking the embrace, Luffy pulled out his phone from his pocket. "It's from Ace."

"Already?" Nami pulled away. "Everyone was still asleep when we left."

"What does it say?" Vivi walked over to them while carrying the puppy.

Luffy couldn't take his eyes off his phone. "He and Dad want us back for a group meeting."

"Is something wrong?"

"It says it has something to do with the tournament."

March 12, 2016

I know what you're all going to say… "this update took waaay too long!" I know! There's a reason behind that. Some of you may not know this, but I started this sequel the same month Grand Line Academy ended, which is way too fast to update an actual sequel. In other words, I rushed into it. Also in other words…I didn't have a proper ending planned out for this story.

All those month-long updates weren't just from schoolwork. They were from lack of story content. If I could, I would rewrite this entire sequel all over again, because after my little break last year, I finally found the ending to this story. And there are some information that I wish I could've added in previous chapters, but can't. Not gonna lie, it was hard planning an ending for this when One Piece hasn't even ended yet.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is…I'M BACK! And this series will have a true and proper ending that I'm sure you guys will love (or hate, idk its my story).