Monday morning came by and Kid has just finished getting ready for school when he heard Trafalgar call him.

"Eustass."

Trafalgar's voice sounded so weak and defeated that it made Kid worry. He turned to see the other man, his posture was unsure and his head hung low. He was very different from his usual proud and condescending behavior.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?" Kid asked as he reached out his hand to feel the other man's neck. Trafalgar shook his head slowly and clutched Kid's hand with both of his before he finally looked up.

Kid was taken aback at the sight of those golden eyes. They held nothing but pure sadness.

"Are you going to leave me again?" Trafalgar asked in a low whisper that made Kid's chest twinge. He suddenly remembered the very first time he had to leave his cat for school. He knew Trafalgar was very very sad then, but now he felt it more intensely as he saw how broken the man looked.

"Please, Eustass, don't leave me," Trafalgar pleaded and Kid could hear the desperation in the other's voice as he continued, "Please take me with you. Please."

Kid chewed at his lower lip as he contemplated on what to do. After seeing Trafalgar like this, he just couldn't ignore those pleas. But he really had to attend his classes too and his university is kind of strict when it came to outsiders. Trafalgar doesn't even have any kind of identification card.

"Look, Trafalgar," Kid said as he clutched back at the other's hand, "I really wish I could bring you, but they do not really allow strangers inside the campus."

Even if Kid hoped the other guy would understand, he still couldn't help but feel bad knowing that Trafalgar would still feel really sad regardless of whether he understood the consequences or not.

Trafalgar seemed to look even sadder at this before he suddenly looked up at Kid again. This time, Kid saw a tiny bit of hope in those eyes.

Kid was confused for a moment before Trafalgar spoke up, "I'll be in my cat form so please take me with you!"

"You know cats aren't allowed inside too, right?"

"I promise I'll behave!" Trafalgar replied in a hopeful tone, before he saw the troubled look on Kid's face, making his little founded confidence fade away again.

Kid did not like how little and crushed Trafalgar looked so he sighed, finally giving in to the other man's request.

"Alright, I'll bring you with me. But you will behave."

Kid watched as Trafalgar's eyes brightened up at his statement. Trafalgar's reaction was too pure and innocent that it made Kid smile.

"Thank you, Eustass. You're the best human ever!" Trafalgar exclaimed excitely, earning a chuckle from Kid.

"Yeah, wait for me, I'll just get another bag."

Kid walked through the college halls warily as he made his way to his first class. He knows he's awfully late and he hopes Sir Crocodile won't get mad. But that's not what he's most worried about. Inside his bag right now is of course his dearest cat.

He clutched tighter at the sling of his bag, wearing it instead of his usual backpack just because he thought it would be most convenient for him and Trafalgar. He really hopes he isn't wrong about that.

He slowly turned the knob to his classroom as he stepped inside nervously, his heart beating faster and faster as he now stood face to face with Sir Crocodile.

He stiffened as Sir Crocodile raised an eyebrow at him. He did not know what to do, and was rooted at his place by the door way.

"Mister Eustass, do you plan to spend the rest of my class standing there?" came Sir Crocodile's low voice in his usual tone.

Kid cleared his throat as he forced himself to act normal. "I'm sorry, sir," he said as he went to his seat slowly and carefully, putting down his sling bag against the backrest of the desk chair before sitting down.

He could feel Hawkins observing each and every movement he made so he looked up at the other boy.

"You okay, Kid?" Hawkins asked as he reached to touch Kid's arm.

Then came a very angry meow from Kid's bag which was so loud and intense that it made Hawkins retreat his arm immediately.

Kid looked down and he could see Trafalgar's nose peaking out from his bag. His eyes widened in panic has he immediately pushed the cat's muzzle back in, before covering his bag with his own huge body.

Kid looked up just to see that everyone's eyes were on him, including Sir Crocodile's. He did not even notice that the lesson had stopped.

Oh no, it was only the first class and Kid was already in trouble. He looked around at his classmates before doing what first crossed his mind.

"Meow!" Kid snarled angrily at one of his classmates, trying his best to immitate the way his cat sounded just now.

It seemed to have worked as that certain classmate looked away hurriedly in mild fear.

Kid continued baring his gritted teeth as he growled lowly at his classmates until they all looked away.

He knew he looked seriously stupid but he was so relieved when Sir Crocodile continued discussing where he left off. Thankfully the prof decided to just ignore him.

He glanced at his side and saw Hawkins looking at him intensely. He knew that the other guy knew because there's just no way Hawkins wouldn't see Trafalgar when the cat so directly snarled at him.

Kid sighed. It's definitely going to be a long day.

Hawkins had linked his arm with Kid's as usual as they walked out of Sir Crocodile's class. Kid could feel Trafalgar moving restlessly through the fabric of his bag so he hugged it to his chest, just so the cat inside in would stay still.

Before he realized it, Hawkins had led him into an empty hallway that students barely used since it had a longer route than necessary.

"So," Hawkins began right away, "what's with the cat in your bag?" The long haired man asked, his facial expression never changing.

Kid immediately hushed Hawkins, pressing his forefinger against his lips in a 'keep quiet' sign as he pulled the other closer.

"So I always tell you about my cat," Kid whispered excitedly, and Hawkins nodded.

"He's one very cute cat," Kid continued, earning another nod.

"I really love my cat."

Another nod.

"He's the best cat ever!"

"Okay, and?" Hawkins said, effectively cutting off Kid's fanboying.

"I brought him with me today!" Kid exclaimed as quiet as he can, grinning widely at Hawkins.

Kid studied Hawkins' expression for a while, the other just staring at him.

"Hey, be more excited!" The volume of Kid's voice never changing as he pouted, while nudging Hawkins' arm with his elbow.

"You know, you failed to explain at all why you brought your cat," Hawkins replied with his usual tone.

"Ssh!" Kid hushed Hawkins once again, covering the other's mouth with his hand this time, "It's a secret!"

"Alright," Hawkins whispered back.

"I'll show him to you, he's so cute!" Kid's tone was excited once again as he opened his bag.

"He doesn't like me."

"You never know!" Kid looked around warily just to make sure there were no other students or worse, professors, lurking around the hallway before he pulled his cat out of his bag.

"See!" He exclaimed as he held Trafalgar under its arms as he showed it to Hawkins.

Trafalgar snarled angrily at Hawkins once more, as if telling him to back off from Kid.

"Hey, Trafalgar, don't be angry, Hawkins is my friend," Kid cooed as he hugged his cat, and Trafalgar purred contently against him, meowing softly while looking at Hawkins smugly.

Kid could see Hawkins' eye twitch in the slightest, probably pissed off by his cat. Why don't these two just get along? More importantly, why would Hawkins, a human, be pissed off by Trafalgar, in its cat form?

"So this cat is the same guy that was with you last Saturday at the mall?" Hawkins asked Kid as he kept eye contact with the cat.

Kid was sure he didn't hear that right. Did Hawkins just assume (correctly, anyway) that his cat is human too?

"What? Hawkins, are you okay? Are you saying my Trafalgar is human?"

"Yeah. You called the guy last Saturday Trafalgar too. And they have the same personality."

Kid couldn't fathom how Hawkins could say all these with a neutral expression, as if the existence of a being that is both cat and human is very normal.

"Okay... you're right. How did you know?" Kid admitted. The trusted Hawkins.

"I know a cat-human when I see one."

"And how?"

Kid really already has a hunch that Hawkins does sorcery or whatever kind of magic. Hawkins being related with the unusual or even the paranormal shouldn't even come as a surprise to Kid anymore. He was always prepared for this. Whatever it is that Hawkins is going to reveal right now cannot surprise Kid anymore. You can't surprise me anymore, Hawkins.

"Well, it'd be easier to just show you." Hawkins said as he himself looked around to check if there was anyone within the area. He turned back to Kid once he was sure there wasn't.

And then Kid's eyes widened comically at what he saw, his jaw dropping just as his grip on Trafalgar loosened, the cat complaining angrily as it was dropped on the floor.

There Hawkins stood before him, looking as normal as ever. Except for the golden cat ears on his head.

"You-"

"Yes, Kid, I am."

"You're actually a cat!?"

"I can be but I prefer my human form."

"So you're not some sort of sorcerer that only got here through time travel!?"

Hawkins just stared at him. "And who said cats can't be sorcerers and time travelers?"

Kid's jaw can't drop any lower after hearing that. So Hawkins is actually a human-cat sorcerer from another generation!? What!?

He was brought back to reality as he felt Hawkins hold his chin and close his mouth. He looked at the other, his cat ears still present.

"I'm obviously just kidding. What do you even think of me? I do not do sorcery. I just read cards."

"You look like you do black magic," Kid whispered more to himself than Hawkins as he bent down and picked up his poor cat once again.

"I actually want to try."

"I'm not even surprised."

"What's happening here?" Came an uninvited gruff voice just from behind the two boys.

That voice made Kid jump a little as Hawkins visibly stiffened, unable to move at his place. Kid saw his cat ears flattening against his head as he sensed danger. What the hell, he forgot to retract his ears! Kid then looked down at his arms where Trafalgar is, just lazily swinging its tail. What the hell, I forgot to hide my cat!

Kid swallowed thickly as he turned ever so slowly to look at the new person that had just joined their conversation, clinging on to that little hope that it's one of his friends even though he already knows who the owner of the voice is, after hearing it so many times.

Kid tried to smile as he was eye to eye with the new person, in hopes to make everything look normal.

"Hey, man." Kid greeted awkwardly as he took in the situation they were in. They were caught by none other than the righteous Diez Drake-great-the chairperson of the New World University Student Council, of all people. How they did not even notice him being there is beyond Kid. This guy walks and moves like a dinosaur, they couldn't have missed that. They shouldn't have.

Drake is a very tall guy, even taller than Kid. He also as a broad upper body which is a little bit big compared to his rather thin long legs. Man, never skip leg day. He sports a light brown faux hawk, and his most known feature is the X-shaped scar on his chin, earning him the nickname of 'X Drake' among students-a play of his last name in roman numerals and his scar.

Drake's eyes wandered from Kid, to Trafalgar, to Hawkins, and finally to Hawkins' ears. Kid noticed that Hawkins still hasn't moved at all, but what's weirder is that Kid could see a very faint blush spread across the long-haired boy's cheeks. What's wrong with him?

Drake seems to be really fascinated by those twitching ears judging from how long he'd been staring. He finally moved closer to Hawkins, reaching up to touch an ear, pulling at it gently, Hawkins letting out a little yelp.

"It's real?" Drake asked quietly in awe as he ran his fingers along the outer portion of the ear, making Hawkins purr and close his eyes as he leaned against the hand, his face getting redder and redder by the second. Interesting.

Kid's mind debated whether he should answer for Hawkins or not, since it's very clear that the other is too incoherent to answer for himself. He hasn't even moved from his spot!

Drake's hand slid down to thread Hawkins' hair, carefully pushing back the soft blonde locks from his face, probably checking for human ears, and obviously finding none.

"So it's real," the NWUSC Chairperson finally concluded. At least, Kid did not have to answer anymore.

Kid looked at his phone to check the time. He's going to be so late for his Chemistry class and Prof. Ceasar is going to be so mad. He has to get going.

He stealthily put back Trafalgar in his bag as Drake busied himself petting Hawkins' head. Maybe Kid could just pretend that nothing happened here. At all.

"Hawkins, I'm going ahead. You're gonna be late for Mr. Brook's music class so you better get going too," Kid announced as casually as possible as he made his way to his class, stopping in his tracks as Drake called for him. Here comes trouble.

"You know bringing pets is not allowed inside the buildings," Drake stated matter-of-factly. Everyone in the university knows that rule, and Kid has no escape now. Not from Mr. Dino Guy. Kid closed his eyes as he imagined what could happen to him once Drake reports him to the higher-ups. He'll probably get some days of suspension, and Kid doesn't want that.

The other continued before Kid could even plead him to not tell anyone, "Alright, I'm letting you off the hook for now. I'll just pretend I did not see that black cat.

But I won't pretend I did not see those ears," Drake continued as he turned back to Hawkins, "I like them."

Kid sighed in total relief and thanked the guy before he dashed off to the other building for his next class, leaving behind the Chair and a totally red Hawkins. Yeah, he really should thank Hawkins the next time they meet for charming Drake like that even though all he really did there was stand with his kitty ears out. Still.

For now, Kid had just barely passed Level 1.5 of this game called 'Sneak In And Hide Trafalgar: University Edition'.

And yeah, he invented that game in his head just now.

Finally, it's lunch time. Luckily for Kid, Prof. Ceasar was in a really good mood and Chemistry has passed as normally as possible. No one really minded that he was late and no one ever noticed Trafalgar. Level 2, Cleared.

He hid his phone after he's done texting his friends, summoning them to meet and bring their food behind the gymnasium where he knew no students really went to. There's just plain grass in there, not even benches. What kind of students would want to go or even stay there? Weird ones.And probably sneaky ones, just like Kid at the moment.

Kid had successfully convinced his pack that they eat their lunch there today after he texted them he'd be revealing a "huge secret", after which everyone confirmed their arrival right away. This nosey bunch.

When Kid arrived at the place, he was met by KilGuin's backs, cuddled up together as they sat on a picnic mat. Kid thought that maybe these two had planned a picnic date after school today. Or maybe Killer just brings the mat to school everyday with him, just in case. Penguin's comfort is always at the top of Killer's priorities, along with Penguin's health, Penguin's safety, Penguin's security-Penguin's everything, really.

As Kid got closer to the couple, he could hear Penguin sniffling and wondered if anything was wrong. He stopped right behind them and peeked over the two's heads, realizing they were actually watching a movie on Penguin's phone. Titanic.

"Since when do you watch romance, Killer?" Kid asked, and Penguin immediately paused the movie, pulling the earphone off his ear and wiping his eyes before he turning around, "Hey, Kid!"

"Love changes people, Kid," Killer said as he removed the earphone from his ear as well, cupping Penguin's face to properly dry off his tears with a handkerchief.

Kid snorted as he sat on the mat opposite the couple, placing his bag on his lap. "How dare you say this to me. I do not relate at all. I'm single af."

"Exactly the reason why I said it to you," Killer replied. Smartass. Penguin could only giggle before adding, "You totally should find yourself someone already."

"Why is it always me? It's not like I'm the only single person in our group."

"Yeah, but you're the only one that claims to be the loneliest man in the world."

"And you're the grumpiest."

"Enough of this, please," Kid raised his hands in surrender. He'll never win one against two with this couple.

Thankfully for Kid, the rest of the group started appearing, Wire being the last.

Wire promptly squeezed his huge body into the mat, earning complaints from everyone and some apologies from Bepo.

"This is a mat for two, how can you think you can all fit? There's not even space left for food," Kid said as he pushed Heat's long kinky hair away from his face, some of the strands even made their way into his mouth as he spoke.

Killer only watched them suffer in amusement before pulling out a much larger mat from his bag and setting it out. Kid glared. So he had another one all along? How is this guy even Kid's best friend?

When everything was set up, Kid made extra sure to eat a huge amount of food off Killer's lunch just for some sweet revenge. It always worked whenever he wanted to piss off his best friend when they were younger. Killer doesn't take notice right now, though, as he was happily being fed with home-made lunch, courtesy of Penguin. Kid just stared grumpily at the couple as he stuffed his face with Killer's food. His best friend doesn't even pay him any mind.

"Ah, so, what's the secret, Kid?" Shachi asked while he sipped his drink.

Kid put his spoon down. It's time for the big reveal. He smirked widely as he clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention.

"You all, the reason why I called everyone here today. I have someone to introduce to you," Kid announced as he looked at his friends' puzzled expressions before continuing, "Well, you all know about him already and today's the day you finally get to meet him."

Without further ado, Kid opened his bag and took out Trafalgar, earning squeals from Shachi and Penguin upon seeing the cat.

"Everyone, this is Trafalgar," Kid said as he carried his cat, taking its little paw and waving it towards his friends, Trafalgar just blinking lazily, probably thinking how stupid its human is.

"You're crazy, Kid, you actually brought your cat to school," Killer said disbelievingly.

"Can't help it, he wants to go with me. He's lonely without me," Kid said talking about the events earlier that morning. His friends wouldn't understand. They're probably thinking right now how much of a crazy cat man he is, talking to his cat with meows. How ironic, he thought. It's actually Trafalgar that talked to him using human words.

Kid proceeded on introducing his friends to Trafalgar, gesturing at each of them as he stated their names. No need for further introductions. Kid has already talked to Trafalgar about them at home.

Kid had put Trafalgar on Penguin's lap as the boy borrowed the cat, Shachi and Bepo immediately flocking around on either of his sides. Those three fell in love with his cat right away, just as Kid had expected. They played with and fed the cat (no bread) and Trafalgar seemed to be comfortable around them and of course, it enjoyed the attention, that cat.

"So, Kid," he turned to Killer as his best friend called him. He raised his brows to indicate that he's listening.

"Where the hell did my lunch go?"

So Killer finally noticed. Kid smirked mentally.

"What? Why me?" Kid answered as he tried to sound like the victim.

"You're the only one who does this. You know it's not proper manners, right?"

"Okay, here he goes," Wire said with a sigh, him and Heat covering their ears as Killer went on talking about manners and asking someone if you want something and things like that. Kid has always dubbed it as Killer going 'full mom-mode'.

Kid would deny the accusations in an annoyed tone but deep inside, he's actually happy to hear Killer bitching like this. Because no matter how much less time he spends with Kid as of late, Killer is still the same best friend Kid has always had. Nothing ever really changed.

"What? There's another group here too?" Kid's pack all turned their heads at the sound of a female voice a bit far away. There at the corner of the gymnasium stood a group of students, six of them.

Kid looked at each of them. Of course, there was the orange-haired girl that just spoke. Nami, a student from the College of Business, majoring in Accountancy. Almost everyone in NWU knows her. She's very famous, especially among boys.

Stood beside her is a girl with light blue hair. Kid isn't very sure where she's from, but he may or may not have heard rumors about her being the only daughter of the city mayor.

And then there was a guy with a very thick hair and unusually long nose, hiding behind Nami. He's probably scared of Kid's pack, nothing new.

Lagging behind were two boys that appeared to be... fighting. One was a blonde-haired pretty boy that had half of his face covered with hair. He was also holding a very big pot of food. The other had a green hair and was holding plates, utensils, picnic mats, and whatnot. They were too busy with each other to really notice anything.

Finally, in front of the group is a little boy with black hair and an odd scar below his left eye. He was wearing a straw hat and had the widest smile Kid has ever seen.

"Woohoo! You guys are having a picnic too!?" The boy exclaimed happily as he skipped his way onto Kid's group.

Kid's eyes immediately darted towards Trafalgar, which was still on Penguin's lap. They can't see him.

Upon panic, Kid impulsely threw his body over Penguin's lap, and smiled widely (slash, awkwardly) at the hatted boy.

The boy halted just a few feet away and Kid grew more nervous and uncomfortable as this boy kept on talking and babblering to him and his group. What he was talking about, Kid did not even understand anymore. All he could think of is how Trafalgar moved restlessly against his tummy. He was thankful his cat wasn't scratching him yet but worried at the same time that it might crush under the weight of his body.

Kid sighed in relief when Nami came to the rescue and struck a fist to the noisy boy's head, forcing him to bow and apologize to the group for bothering them before dragging him back to his own group.

Kid felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, knowing all too well who it belonged to without even looking.

"Get off of Penguin's lap, you brute," Killer said and Kid did so. Killer took Trafalgar right away and put him inside Kid's bag stealthily, making sure the other group wouldn't notice.

"Thanks," Kid could only mutter as he sighed once again. That was close! Maybe it's safe to assume now that he had passed Level 2.5 already?

He peeked at his bag, golden eyes staring up at him.

"Sorry, baby," he cooed at the cat as he stroked its head, leaning down to give it a little kiss.

"This is so weird and creepy. I've never seen you like this before," Wire commented at the scene, his tongue sticking out in mock disgust.

"Why, have you seen Killer like that before too?" Kid answered with an eyeroll as he gestured at Killer, who was currently clutching Penguin's hand on his lap while he listened attentively as the other spoke. Those two were lost in their own world again.

Kid too got lost in his own world, his hand inside his bag as he continued stroking his cat. He would chuckle to himself whenever he felt his cat biting and licking at his fingers, trying to catch Kid's hand with its little arms. It must be uncomfortable for Trafalgar to be trapped in such a small space and he feels bad for it, but Kid hopes his cat could endure just a few more hours in his bag.

The group scrambled into their own classes as the lunch break ended, and Kid was once again in a class where no one would talk to him. It was his Advance Trigonometry class and it was held in a huge auditorium, luckily for Kid. At least, there were fewer chances of anyone ever finding out about Trafalgar.

Kid sat at the portion of the auditorium that was nearer to the back, where a fewer students sat than in the front. Usually, the students would sit at the back part whenever they planned on sleeping, or sneaking in food, or playing with their gadgets, or essentially anything that wasn't really allowed in class.

Mr. Phoenix Marco, the professor, finally came through the door and started immediately on the lesson. Not even 10 minutes into the class, a freckled black-haired boy raised his hand and whined loudly about not understanding anything.

"Ace, see me after class," Mr. Phoenix answered patiently, as usual. The class always went like this. The boy, actually older than Kid, would always interrupt Mr. Phoenix's lessons. Sometimes he would sleep and snore loudly. Sometimes he would shamelessly chat with his seatmates. He would also bring food and eat in class, even asking Mr. Phoenix if he wanted some! Kid could see the professor's patience wearing thin, but he'd always keep his calm and tolerate the boy in the end.

This was exactly what Kid needed at the moment: a constantly distracted professor and all the attention as far away from him as possible. Kid smirked and dipped his hand in his bag once more as he played with his cat, while his eyes were glued to the front. Looks like Level 3 is gonna be pretty easy.

The day has finally ended and Kid's last class also went well. He couldn't believe it. He had actually survived SIHT: University Edition, Levels 1 through 4. Should he consider himself as a gaming master now? Because that's how it felt. He had just finished a game where suspension is a probable penalty if he lost. Kid felt giddy and proud of himself, almost skipping his way out of the building while humming.

He stopped on his tracks when his pen dropped, bending down to pick it up. Trafalgar meowed in a slightly angry tone, as the bag shifted a bit.

"Oopsie, I'm so sorry, cutie," Kid quickly apologized in a light tone as he put his pen in his pocket.

"Who's a cutie?" Kid froze and turned around to whoever just spoke. It was none other than Mr. Clown Buggy, the dean of the College of Mass Communication. He vaguely wondered where the dean came from when he realized he had dropped his pen directly in front of the Function Room. Just beside the door was written in big letters, 'DEANS' MEETING'. Kid wanted to laugh and cry at the same time for whatever is currently happening in his life.

"Who's a cutie?" Echoed Mr. Gekko Moriah, the College of Literature dean.

Okay, two deans at once. Kid should brave this if he wanted to win the game. He convinced himself that he was innocent. He's just a random student picking up his pen and passing by. He shouldn't feel guilty, he didn't do any crime at all. Except maybe having a cat in his bag.

Kid straightened himself to look presentable, clearing his throat before the two deans.

"You're a cutie, Mr. Buggy," Kid had no choice but to say with a charming smile (or so he hopes), no matter how much he wanted to cringe. Mr. Buggy, with his "flashy" clown makeup, is anything but cute.

"Which drug are you on, boy?" Mr. Moriah asked amusedly.

"I'm not on drugs, Mr. Moriah, but you're cute too. Especially your teeth," Kid added the last line for safety measures. He hopes Mr. Moriah would take it as a compliment.

"Kishishishi. You're a funny kid," Mr. Moriah replied as he errupted with laughter, but Kid could tell he made the right decision to comment about the dean's sharp teeth.

Kid only then had noticed that he had a much larger audience now. Standing in front of him isn't only two, but eight deans from all the eight different colleges of NWU.

"I'd prefer to be called flashy rather than a cutie," Mr. Buggy snorted from one side.

Kid was sure all the other deans had heard the conversation so he had to compliment them as well. Just to be fair... and to look innocent.

"Oh you're here too, Mr. Jinbe, the man of morals. You're such an inspiration to us students!" Kid said as he turned to the College of Philosophy dean, a huge man that strangely reminded Kid of a fish. The man only nodded and replied, "Thank you. I do my best to make sure the students gain not only knowledge in academics, but also in life." What a great man.

He turned to the next one, Mr. Dracule Mihawk, dean of the College of Arts; which comprises all forms of art, really. Including body arts and kinetics: physical education, as other more straightforward universities would call it.

"You look as great as ever, Mr. Mihawk. I'm sure your students learn well from you." Kid didn't really know how to compliment that man. He seemed to not care much about things.

"Trivial things are but fleeting," the dean answered in his usual poetic tone. Kid did not even expect he could please the man.

"And of course, you're still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Ms. Hancock," Kid complimented the College of Humanities dean truthfully. Ms. Boa Hancock is every bit of pulchritudinous female students could only dream they could ever be. No one was ever a match for her beauty, except maybe the crybaby Shirahoshi, who is a student under Ms. Hancock's own college.

"Oh, I know," Ms. Hancock simply said. She's the biggest feminist ever and harbors an irrational hate to almost every male. Kid never understood why, but she's too pretty, so everyone forgives whatever wrong she does, anyways.

"You too, Mr. Kuma, you're a great prof!" Okay, that was uncreative. Kid had already run out of compliments, and there were still two deans left.

"What about us, boy? Do you think we make a great couple? Fufufu" An unfamiliar blonde man that wore a pink feathered coat and sunglasses (inside a building!?) asked as he gestured back and forth between him and a very annoyed Sir Crocodile. He's probably Mr. Donquixote Doflamingo, the new dean of the College of Science. Kid has never seen him before, but he looks just as odd as Kid had heard from Penguin and friends, who were all from the College of Science.

Sir Crocodile looked like he was already reaching the end of his tolerance meter. Just a little more from Mr. Doflamingo and he'd be stuffing that man's mouth with a handful of sand.

Mr. Doflamingo seems to notice too, as he all but touches Sir Crocodile. He just settled for verbal insults, which would probably sound cute if it wasn't Mr. Doflamingo saying them.

"Mr. Eustass, get out of here." There it was. Sir Crocodile had asked Kid to leave. Kid was actually relieved. He had waited for the moment he could just finally go home.

Kid immediately took the opportunity and flashed a nervous smile as he looked up at all of the deans, more than half of them were ridiculously large even for Kid's standards. He bowed and apologized for being on their way and wished them a nice day, before continuing his way out as normally as he could.

"Fufufu. So that kid was from your college, after all. That's not how you talk to students, my darling," Kid could faintly hear Mr. Doflamingo's voice as he strided along the corridor, his heart beating so loudly against his chest until he was finally out of the building.

That was close. It was like a sudden bonus level where the big bosses all appeared at once. At least he had passed it too. And without any unecessary conversations. He was lucky Sir Crocodile had dismissed him right away. He may have had to stay longer for some talk if his dean happened to be Mr. Buggy.

For now, he only had to take a few more steps to the gate and finally be free. Everything will be over soon.

Each step he took felt like he was walking through a bubble-coated land, his feet just shy of entirely sinking into it. But each and every time, he'd get more used to it, and he'd regain his composture, carrying himself closer and closer to freedom until finally, finally, he was out of the univesity's gates!

He had officially finished the entire game!

He immediately hid just beside the wall of the university, pulling out Trafalgar from his bag out of happiness and hugged the cat.

"We did it! We did not get caught! I was so scared any of the deans would notice!" Kid exclaimed as he lifted his cat, "You did so well, staying quiet throughout my classes. What a good boy!"

Kid felt a presence beside him and turned to look into... no way...

It was Sir Crocodile. He looked as if he was hiding behind the wall as well.

"Uhh, Sir, hello?" Kid chuckled nervously. Just as when he had thought everything is already fine, he just had to be caught by the college dean.

Sir Crocodile's eyes lingered at Trafalgar probably a little longer than they should and just raised his hand to dismiss Kid.

"You weren't caught inside the gates of the university so it's no problem," Sir Crocodile once more sounded calm, but he still looked around warily. He's probably hiding from Mr. Doflamingo.

Kid happily thanked Sir Crocodile and hurriedly went his way home, with Trafalgar slung over his shoulder as he held it. Everything's alright, after all.

SIHT: University Edition, Complete!

Trafalgar had been in a strangely good mood later that day, and the days after that. He wouldn't be so sad anymore whenever Kid left for school and just patiently waited like a good human-cat until Kid returned. It was too good to be true.

Kid would mostly get home to seeing Trafalgar on his usual spot on the couch, either as a human or as a hybrid, but never as a full cat. It disappointed Kid, yeah, but he was getting used to it.

The tanned man would jump on him or sometimes just wag his tail lazily as a greeting whenever he came home, but Kid could see the excitement in the other's eyes all the same.

Trafalgar slowly learned the human ways of living, but it's not like he had zero knowledge to begin with. He had lived a fair uneventful amount of his life as a human, but chose to live the much simpler life of a cat because seriously, even Kid himself would choose to live as a cat over living a complicated human life. Trafalgar's lucky, he had a choice. And he could always switch back and forth between both lives if he ever got bored. That's probably why he's mostly human now. He got bored.

However, Trafalgar still refused to let go of some of his 'kitty practices'. He wouldn't take a bath unless 1) Kid takes a bath with him; and 2) Kid bathes him. Kid had refused once just to see what happens, and Trafalgar actually didn't take a bath at all and just licked his human self 'clean'. Kid had to rethink about his life choices later that fateful night when he went to bed with a drool-soaked Trafalgar sprawled across his chest.

Trafalgar also wore minimal clothing when at home, settling with just either pajama pants or one of Kid's shirts, because they're apparently "more comfortable" and Trafalgar could move "more freely" in them than in his own shirts. At least, Kid's shirts would cover up to Trafalgar's thighs so it was okay that he didn't wear any bottom... well, not totally okay, but kinda acceptable.

Kid's supply of clean shirts would run out twice as fast and he had to do the laundry twice as much if he didn't want to go through the day shirtless, which he does sometimes, anyways, whenever he's too busy to wash his dirty clothes.

There was even one instance when Kid was so sure he still had a clean shirt left but couldn't find it in his drawer, so he just surrendered to the fact that it was going to be another shirtless day and proceeded to do his work. Trafalgar appeared some minutes later wearing the said shirt and just casually plopped down on Kid's lap without any sign of remorse at all. Kid could only sigh and move on with life. He'd have to buy more shirts.

To be fair, Kid saw it as a progress, compared to when Trafalgar wouldn't wear anything at all. Although Kid doubts Trafalgar would ever wear more than a single piece of clothing when at home voluntarily, it was still a good improvement on his part.

"Eustass, take care and do well today, okay?" Trafalgar said as he cupped Kid's cheeks, licking and nibbling softly at his human's jaw.

"Yeah, I will. I'll see you soon, Trafalgar." Kid only patted Trafalgar's head in return. He knew pushing the human-cat off would be futile.

Trafalgar pulled away slowly and Kid saw a mischievous smile spreading across the other man's lips.

"Yes, Eustass, soon. Very soon," Trafalgar purred out the last words as he leaned against Kid's chest, Kid giving him a quick squeeze as a final goodbye before letting go.

Kid rushed outside the door, he didn't want to be late for Sir Crocodile's class. Especially not when it's Monday.

He looked back one last time and saw Trafalgar's head peeking out from the doorway, still with that same naughty smile. Oh, he's so up to something, Kid knows.

But it can't be that bad, right?

Right?

EHTC

Notes:

Hello, people that read this. Do you actually exist? Please talk to me. I feel so lonely for the lack of support. huhuhu I feel like I could rival Kid for the 'loneliest man in the world' title. X'3 /3