Welcome back! :D Sorry for the wait! I have good excuses but I doubt you wanna hear them. v_v Sooo -plops on my top hat- on with the show! -pulls on rope to draw up the curtain but falls through a trap door instead-

-Echoing voice is heard from below-

"...Mai-chan, if you would?"

(She does have a good reason to be late, you know -pulls on rope-)


At a glance, Trafalgar Law was everything and nothing Kid had been expecting.

There was the expected expensive suit, charcoal black, strangely paired with similarly colored gloves, and low heeled boots. His hair was black, and his face accentuated by an almost rugged goatee as well as sideburns.

But it was the way the man looked at him that made him freeze. His eyes were silver, an unusual color, though they weren't what caught him off guard. Kid had enough experience with odd coloring to not let it affect him much. It was the emotion in them, or, more accurately, the lack thereof. There was none of the judgment, the distaste, or sense of superiority that provoked him, as it had happened earlier with the secretary. Nothing about this man's expression was what he had been expecting.

It was almost...

Kid suddenly realized that the man was waiting for an answer, and practically shot up to his feet. Extending his hand, he replied as calmly and with as much politeness as he was capable of.

"Um, yes, it's nice to meet you too."

Trafalgar paused for a moment, Kid thought for a second that he'd screwed up somehow, when the man offered a small smile and took his hand. Kid was used to firm handshakes, or loose quick ones. This man held his hand almost gently, squeezing only once, before releasing it.

'Must be a rich people thing or something.'

"Allow me to apologize for my lateness. I hope you weren't waiting long."

"No! Uh, no. It's no problem. I just got here a few minutes ago."

The man's expression became unreadable for a moment, before he smiled subtly again.

"In that case, we can talk on the way. Please, follow me."

With that, Trafalgar started walking in the direction of the elevators that Kid just now noticed. Taking a deep breath, Kid followed.


It was too quiet. There wasn't even any damn elevator music.

'Didn't he say we were going to talk?'

Once they had entered the elevator, Trafalgar had started shuffling around some folders he had been carrying, folders Kid had just noticed.

"Rather rude, isn't she?"

Kid blinked, then he realized the man had actually spoken.

"What?"

"The receptionist."

Kid shifted nervously, not knowing how to respond to that statement.

'Shit, is this some kind of trick question?'

Trafalgar spoke again. "I couldn't help but to notice the way she was looking at you. It would seem no one has bothered to teach her that staring is rude."

Kid had noticed it, of course. He always hated when people stared at him, it always made his skin crawl to see how they looked down on him. Judged him. Placing him, with utter prejudice, in their neat little mental boxes with perfect little labels attached.

It set his teeth on edge and made his blood burn.

Any other day, he would have made his problem with it known straight up, usually with a lot of cursing and yelling on his end. Half the time blood ended up on the floor.

However, today was different. He couldn't screw this up.

So Kid had gritted his teeth and bore it. He was prepared to do the same through the entire interview.

But maybe he wouldn't have to.

Testing the waters, Kid shot back.

"Yeah, guess not."

"I believe that I will be having a talk with her supervisor. Such behavior is highly unbecoming of any employee of this school. I truly hope you won't let this get in the way of any decisions involving your future."

"No. It won't."

Trafalgar's expression seemed to lighten.

"Good."

Kid noticed Trafalgar's attention shift back to the folders, which gave him the chance to get a better look at his interviewer.

Now that he had the time to soak up more detail, Kid noticed some things he had missed before.

Kid guessed the man to be in his early thirties. He had bags under his eyes, and Kid wondered if he worked late nights, or maybe he just had trouble sleeping. And he wore gloves. Not leather, but a soft yet firm fabric. From the feel of them Kid would guess they were treated to be water proof.

'But why wear them?' Kid wondered. 'Not like it's cold out.'

He'd think they were weird, but Killer had once said that Kid shouldn't criticize other's fashion choices. He didn't completely agree with it, and had even been a little put out, but Killer always gave good advice so he accepted it.

The quirks in Trafalgar's appearance aside, Kid was more interested in the man's behavior.

This was one of the first times Kid had rubbed shoulders with someone of obviously decent financial standing and it not utterly fucking suck, Killer and his boss being the only two that Kid didn't think of as complete bastards.

Everybody else he knew who'd fit into that category, he'd happily stuff in a sack and leave it in the middle of the road for Grand Line traffic.

Kid wasn't one for prejudice, he preferred to hate the individual rather than waste effort on being pissed off at some group, but it was hard not to be prejudices with as many bad experiences as he'd had enforcing the almost knee jerk reaction.

The events of last year made it near impossible.

Shaking off the bad memories, Kid refocused on his surroundings.

And nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Are you all right?"

While Kid had been zoned out, something he realized he had been doing more and more lately, Trafalgar had gotten closer. Almost too close for comfort.

Now, barely three feet away from Kid, just far enough to be socially acceptable, Trafalgar was watching him closely.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"Ah." Taking a step back, the man nodded. "I am sorry if I startled you. You grew rather quiet and did not respond when called."

"Nah, it's alright. I shouldn't space out like that."

He reached up to run a hand though his hair, only to stop when he remembered the gel he'd used on it, and just settled for rubbing the back of his neck.

"It may not be my place, but if something is bothering you, and you wish to speak about it, please feel free to do so."

Kid froze and blinked in confusion for a moment before rushing to respond.

"NO! I mean, no. It's nothing to do with you or anything. I'm sorry if I pissed you off or an-fuc-ah I didn't mean, shi-. Sorry, I'll just shut up now."

Fuck, he was so screwed now.

Kid waited anxiously for the man to politely dismiss him or something. Only it didn't come. What he heard instead shocked him.

Trafalgar was laughing.

With one hand pressed to his mouth, the man was attempting to muffle the laughter trying to escape him.

Trafalgar had a nice laugh, from what he could hear of it. It was soft but deep.

Kid could only stare. For just a minute, Trafalgar looked almost ten years younger.

Calmer now, but with an almost teasing glint in his eyes, Trafalgar spoke.

"I'm sorry for laughing. I've had a long night and your expression was priceless. Know that I am not offended by any means. Please speak freely. I find being able speak bluntly very refreshing after the stiff company I have to deal with on a daily basis."

Kid couldn't help but smile a little. Maybe this interview wouldn't be so bad after all.

"No problem."

They were interrupted by the sound of the elevator's doors opening.

Kid hadn't even noticed it stopping.

"Seems we've arrived."

Trafalgar stepped through the doors and Kid followed after him.

Kid looked around at his new surroundings, it was obvious they were pretty high up from the view of the windows. He hadn't paid attention to which number Trafalgar had pushed, but he was willing to bet they were at least fourteen stories up.

He could finally see a good portion of the campus. In the distance he could see the, to him, over sized sports stadium, alongside the expansive and really well kept gardens. The gardens were in full bloom and were something he admittedly found beautiful. Living so deep in the more rundown part of the city for most of his life didn't afford him much greenery. There were other buildings he could see farther off that he bet either had to do with dorms or classes.

But, overall, the view was impressive.

"Nice view."

Looking again at Trafalgar, he appeared almost lost for an instant before his expression became neutral again.

"I suppose it is."

The way Trafalgar said it made it sound like he'd never noticed himself.

"Don't get much time to look?"

A thoughtful look seemed to settle in the man's expression. He spoke slowly.

"When I am here, I am usually busy working. I've never given it much thought."

With that, he took a few steps towards Kid, stopping at his side and gazing out the large window.

"It is a nice view." The man said softly.

Kid stared at the man. The natural light gave his skin more warmth in color and softened his features. It just now fully registered with him that his interviewer was really, really good looking.

With a really nice smile.

'Wait, what?'

Kid felt his face heat up when he realized he'd been caught staring. In an attempt to save himself from any awkwardness, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"So which office is yours?"

Kid was thankful when Trafalgar replied after only a moment's pause.

"The office we will be using is this way."

That said, Trafalgar turned and started down the hall towards the only door in that direction.

Sighing in relief, Kid followed.

Once they reached the entrance, Trafalgar drew a key out from his pocket and unlocked the door before turning the knob.

While pushing the door open, Trafalgar stepped to the side and spoke.

"Please make yourself comfortable."

Kid walked past the man and went inside, quickly taking note of the space.

It was big, which he'd pretty much expected giving it was the only room down this hall he could see. The furnishings were all dark wood, mahogany he'd guess, and the seating brown leather. Expensive, he could tell, but not very interesting. The office's shelves were stuffed with books, those expensive-looking books that were too shiny to have been read and only have the objective to give a serious impression about the place.

There weren't many other things aside from the furniture and said books but a few little figurines of stuff he didn't care about and what he'd been told by Killer were 'conversational pieces'. Kid didn't really understand but didn't care enough to give them any thought.

He heard the door close behind him and turned around.

Trafalgar nodded and adjusted the folders he was holding before speaking.

"If you would like to take a seat, we can begin."

Kid turned back to the room and walked over to sit in one of the two chairs in front of the desk.

Showing a polite smile, Trafalgar made his way to the other side of the desk and seated himself.

"I hope you're comfortable, we will be here for a while, so if at any point during the interview you feel restless, please feel free to walk around."

Kid nodded and felt his earlier anxiety returning in full force.

"While I do have most of your information already from the application, I find some things don't translate well over to paper and prefer to ask certain questions in person."

Kid nodded in understanding.

"Alright."

"My first question is, what is it that you wish to study?"

'Oh, good, an easy one.' Kid replied quickly. "Mechanical Engineering."

Trafalgar tilted his head. "And your reasons are?"

Kid shifted a bit and looked at his hands thinking about his answer. He wasn't used to giving personal details to people he wasn't completely familiar with. 'But Killer said to be honest.'

Looking back up, Kid spoke.

"Well... I've always loved making things, building things. Little stuff, big stuff. Designing. Working with metal, wood, or whatever. Whether it's taking something apart to figure out how it works or to improve it. Making things from scratch just to see what I can do. I love it."

Trafalgar smiled slightly and nodded in appreciation.

"It is good to pursue what one is passionate about, which I can certainly see that you are. Should you achieve this and complete your studies, what are your plans to utilize your diploma?"

"I'd like to use it to start a business, open a factory, maybe a few other things."

The man was quiet for a moment before speaking. "In engineering there are many paths to take, all demand quite a bit of devotion and time. Which branch are you thinking of studying?"

"Manufacturing and Production."

At this, Trafalgar raised an eyebrow. "Both? And at the same time?"

Kid nodded.

His interviewer fell silent again and gave him a considering look.

"That's quite a lot to take on at once. Both are wide branches of study and allow little room for error. You would have to dedicate yourself very seriously to your studies. Passion can take you far but you will still face many challenges that only real dedication will enable you to overcome. Are you up to it?"

Instead of just answering without any thought that yes, of course, he was, Kid was silent for a few seconds.

"Honestly? If you had asked me that less than two years ago, I would have said hell no. But shit happened and things changed. What I thought I wanted changed. I want more than I thought I could have. But I know in order to get what I want I'll have work for it, harder than I've worked for anything in my life. Am I up to it? I'll have to be."

There was a pause before Trafalgar spoke. "Your ambition is admirable. A trait I greatly value. And if I could give you this scholarship, I would."

Kid felt his heart stop. "What? What do you mean?"

"Mr. Eustass, I can tell you are a smart young man, aware of the world and how it works."

"...Your point?"

Trafalgar straightened up in his chair before leaning back more comfortably and intertwined his fingers.

"This scholarship is for those of outstanding academic achievements, as most scholarships are. I can plainly see your worth, that you are ambitious, willing to commit to a goal and obtain it, clever, and level headed. However, characteristics such as these do not carry well onto paper."

The man reached out to the folders that Kid had, for a moment, forgotten. Pulling them closer to himself, Trafalgar flipped one open to a seemingly random page. From this angle Kid couldn't see much, but he had a damn good guess what was on it.

"Throughout your high school career you showed no notable scholastic inclinations. You passed, but barely. Up until a year ago, you displayed not even so much as a fleeting interest in furthering your education. Again, on paper, hardly what one would call a justifiable investment, so to speak."

Kid clenched his fists, focusing his eyes on his hands, watching his nails dig into the flesh of his palms. Speaking through gritted teeth, he said.

"Well, it seems you had everything you needed for your decision. So why the fuck am I here?"

He bit out the last part. But his question was met with only silence, causing Kid to look up. He tensed at what he saw.

Trafalgar was leaning forward on the desk, hands clasped together and his eyes burning straight into Kid's own.

"You are here... Because I have seen something worthwhile, that I am not eager to see go to waste."

There was another moment of silence in which something clicked in Kid's mind..

"Who are you?"

At this, Trafalgar raised an eyebrow in interest.

"Whatever do you mean?"

Kid growled. He wasn't in the mood for the guy's witty bullshit, his nerves had been grated on all day and whatever this guy was pulling, Kid wasn't going to put up with it.

"You're no damn teacher, I don't care how rich this school is, you don't get clothes like that on some teacher's salary. You're too uppercrust to be some faculty member. And I'll eat that fucking folder if you're the principal. Now, who the fuck are you?!"

The bastard smirked. "You're very perceptive. I am the one providing the funding for this scholarship."

Kid didn't get what was going on, but he knew that if this guy was the one dealing out the cash for this thing then he was loaded... It also made sense why he was here, to an extent.

"Still don't see why the fuck you called me here."

If he really was the one backing the scholarship, then he probably had a say in who got it. Trafalgar had already made things clear about Kid's less than stellar record, so why drag him all the way out here for nothing?

"I wish to make you an offer."

Kid felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He didn't see where exactly this was going but he had a bad feeling about it.

"...What kind of offer?"

"It entails that I pay in full for your education, living expenses, and any other needs in exchange for your companionship. Which would include, but not be limited to, sex."


Cliffhangerrrr. :D -dodges the brick this time- Nyanya! -slips on banana peel- TAT

MWA-HA-HA-HAAAAA! All of you thought this was just going to be your average School!fic didn't you? But homie don't play that! (Those who get the reference are fucking beautiful) Nyahahahaha you will find that in my stories that things are never entirely as they seem. Mai-chan IS my mentor after all. XD

Also, today, Feb 3rd, is the birthday of two amazing people from the OP community! :D Amaitsumi and Xiggymatsu! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! -throws confetti- You would know of Amai-sama for her wonderful translations over on tumblr and Xiggy-sama for her awesome stories! (Fan of Crocodile Hunter myself.) GO FORTH! Spam their tumblrs with well wishes! :D

As for the Shout Outs:
Aerle, Mah-BlackberrehSoS, TheAnalei, The Blond Beagle, robotsftw232, Shining Heart of Thunderclan, xXNightly RainXx, .log, Rumu, and 26 And guest reviewers, Angelmon and VampireFromPluto. :D

To think I'd get so many reviewers, and most of them accomplished writers.. TAT -falls into lake of feels- TWELVE. Twelve beautiful reviews. TnT I never dreamed I'd get that many for my first chapter, much less in the span of less than three weeks. To all who reviewed the first chapter. I have no words but these: I fucking love you. Thank you and good night. ;D

If you see any typos or mistakes, tell me so I can bludgeon them to death with my laptop. Have a great day! :D