AN: I accidentally posted the wrong chapter. Thanks so much, Ashlyn-i!

XOXOXO

On my way to the bathroom during lunch break, I met Law in the corridor.

"Hey, I really should thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said, smiling enigmatically. "This planet has remained unchanged. On the downside, I'll have to continue my work."

I rolled my eyes.

"Of course, it'd be possible that this planet was only created last night. In any case, it's an honor to have known you and Portgas-ya. I hope I get to learn more about you," he said, walking past me with a wave of his hand. "See you after school, Kyonko."

I went to the clubroom in the old complex later and found Basil in his usual spot. He looked up at me and said, "For three hours, you and Portgas D. Ace had disappeared from this world."

"I'm reading the book you lent me," I told him. "I should be able to return it to you in a week."

"I see," he responded without looking up.

I knelt down in front of him and looked up. "Basil-sempai, can you tell me if there are many others like you on this planet?"

"Plenty."

"Does that mean there will be those who might attack me like Kuro did?"

He set his book down on his lap and locked his eyes with mine. "I won't let them," he promised.

I smiled.

XOXOXO

After school in the clubroom, I met Chopper. When he saw me, he nearly went in fits of tears and practically threw his arms around me. "I'm so glad you're alright!" he wailed. "I-I thought that you w-wouldn't be able to come back!"

"Chopper-kun, are you okay?"

He then gasped and backpedaled away from me. "N-no! I shouldn't be doing this! If Portgas-kun sees this, the same thing will happen again!"

Law conveying Chopper's apology came to mind, and I realized what it was about. He must have thought that we goofing around together had elicited rage from Ace. Well, I guess that's partially true. I mean, if Ace were to see us like that in any other day, he wouldn't overreact like yesterday. Besides, today, he's in a good mood, so if he were to be here right now…

Someone cleared his throat loudly. Turning around, we found Ace by the doorway, wearing an evil smile.

"Having fun, Chopper?" he said as he lifted the paper bag he was carrying. "Congrats!" He hummed a cheery tune, skipping towards him. "You've gain a level in manliness! Come! Time to change!"

Chopper recoiled in fright, but with Ace's swift moves, he was dragged down while crying, "Noooo!"

"Stop moving! Resistance is futile! This time it's a butler costume! Aren't ya glad that you don't have to cross-dress anymore?"

I went out the room, sighing. Although I felt sorry for Chopper, I was kind of looking forward seeing him in his new outfit. I'm sure he'll look ultra cute as a butler.

XOXOXO

I finally handed the SOS Brigade application form to the Student Council, but made a couple alterations to it.

Instead of writing down "Saving the world by Overloading it with fun—Superbly awesome brigade", I changed it to "Support Organization for the Student Council Brigade". I also included the club's activities to "providing all sorts of consultation services to any problems people may encounter at school, and to actively participate in local community services."

Frankly, I didn't know what I put. I just put it on the application form just to sound smart.

Anyway, the Student Council accepted it and now the SOS Brigade was officially a club. If I hadn't made any changes, there'd be no doubt that the form wouldn't be accepted. Applause for Kyonko.

When I spilled the good news to Ace, he was eager to carry out the club's first actual activity: wasting a whole weekend by looking for the paranormal. Again.

Apparently, the two aliens and the time-traveler said that they couldn't make it because they had something important to do. If I hadn't known better, I'd say that they were purposefully ditching. Ace didn't seem to have any qualms about it, so I ended up waiting all along for Ace at the train station.

Ace gave me the designated time for us to meet up, and I decided to come thirty minutes earlier. There was no way that I was going to be scolded for being late again.

Eventually, Ace arrived, looking surprised to see me here already. He grumpily raised a hand in greeting and walked towards me. I smiled in thought whether he was upset that perhaps having a low attendance was a bad thing or that he was going to be fined due to the club's unwritten rule. Of course, Ace will have to pay for the both of us in the café.