Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter!

I am having so much fun with this! And I hope you're having fun reading this!

This is also out early because someone managed to predict something as a small challenge, so enjoy!

Read and relax

Marco opened his eyes as he woke up, seeing he was at the hotel room and turned to see no Ace next to him. Marco sat a bit more up as he tried to wake up more, when Ace came out of the bathroom, giving a smile to him. "Hey. You're up." Marco nodded, looking at his clock to see the time was almost 8am. "Yeah. Have you been up long?" Ace hummed. "Not really. Maybe half an hour." Marco nodded and then he noticed Ace had on normal clothes, not the suit or hotel shirt. As he was about to ask him, Ace spoke while he motioned to a bag. "I have some spare clothes here if you're interested." Marco blinked. "You do? When did you get those, yoi?" Ace hummed. "When I ordered the hotel room, I had a bag delivered here and they brought it up a few minutes ago. I got a spare set too if you want. You know, so you don't need to use the fancy suit. Also, breakfast at the hotel ends at 9am. Wanna head and eat? And then we can find something to do?" Marco smiled. "That sounds like an idea, yoi." Ace smiled. "Good. Now, get dressed and we can get something to eat."

Marco nodded and got up, taking on the clothes, which were just some jeans and a shirt. It fit him well, but then again, there wasn't a that big of a difference between him and Ace in clothes size. They then went to the hotel restaurant and sat down to eat, chatting as they did. They also tried to figure out what to do after breakfast, and they figured they would go out and enjoy the day, maybe go to a museum, eat dinner, look a bit around and such. It sounded nice. When they had eaten, they went back to the hotel room and Ace put the suits in the bag, and gave it to the receptionist, telling him that someone would pick the bag up in a small bit, leaving a password for it. The receptionist took it and gave a goodbye as they checked out. Marco making sure he had the bag with the lamp Ace had bought for him with him.

Then they then went on with their day, just enjoying each other's company. They went to a couple museums, and a restaurant to eat lunch. As they did, Marco was just taking a sip from his glass, Ace hummed. "So, this is date number 4. Which means you have 2 dates left to find out my middle name. Remember, you placed a bid and won 20 more dates. So, any thoughts on what my middle name is?" Marco gave a chuckle. "I have no clue, yoi. I have tried a bit, and I will try a bit more. What happens if I don't figure it out?" Ace hummed. "Nothing special. Just if you do, you get a surprise present you will really like, you and your P." Marco nodded. "I will do my best, yoi." Ace smiled. "Who knows, maybe you're able to figure it out, you are a smart man, Marco." Marco smiled, glad he felt that. Ace hummed. "And you have gotten some hints too, you just don't know it." Marco nodded, he would remember that.

Marco was about to respond, when Ace's phone rang and Ace answered it. "Hey, Sabo, what is it?" The line spoke, before Ace sighed. "Right now?" The line spoke again and Ace nodded. "I see. Meet you in 30." Then Ace hung up and looked at him. "There is a small emergency I need to deal with. You got a ride? Or should I call one?" Marco nodded. "No issue. That happens. I can call Pops, yoi." Ace nodded. "Sounds good. I hope you'll be happy with the lamp." Marco smiled. "I am sure I will. I still don't know what to say, it was so expensive. You didn't need to, yoi." Ace smiled. "I wanted to. Now, I need to leave, so bye."

They then stood up and gave a proper goodbye with a kiss, and Ace left. Marco then called Pops and asked if he could pick him up, which he could. Pops got there quickly, and when Marco got in, Pops smiled at him. "How was the date? It ended early I feel." Marco nodded. "Sabo called with an emergency it seemed like, so he needed to leave. But we had a blast, even met Benn." Pops blinked. "Benn?" Marco nodded. "Yes. And I learned something, yoi. He is a PI, and has helped train Ace." Pops blinked. "Really?" Marco nodded. "Yes, so I think he is a man of many hidden talents, which now that I know it, makes a lot of sense, yoi." Pops nodded. "I can agree with that. He does seem like a man with secrets and has a lot of knowledge, so this fits." Pops smiled at him. "I am glad you had a good date, son." Marco smiled. "I am as well. It really was perfect."

Then they got home and Marco went to his room to put the lamp up and marvel at it. It was so perfect. It complimented his room perfectly, the way it gave off the light. It fit even better when he put it on a fade between some colors, them being blue, yellow, green, and purple. It had more colors, but those were the best ones he felt. The lamp was mesmerizing, and so was Ace. Marco really needed to try and figure out his middle name, he would do some searching. So he went to do that, but after a couple hours, he still had nothing. He had tried to Google, but no luck there, and then he tried some apps which most used and that required full names, like a payment app they had, but once again, no luck. Then he got an idea and went and looked over all the paperwork they had with Ace and his company, but again, nothing. This was hard. But then again, finding middle names could be hard, and this was Ace, meaning it would be extra hard to find. But he would still try.

-x-

2 days later, Whitebeard sat in the meeting room at his office building, waiting for Ace. Luffy and Sabo were already here and they were waiting for Ace now, who was a bit late, but they hadn't heard anything yet, so Sabo said he was probably just caught up in traffic. Marco was also here, same with Thatch. After a couple minutes, Sabo gave a breath and looked at his clock. "I will be right back, I need to use the bathroom. Ace should be here soon." Whitebeard nodded and Sabo left, after being told where it was. As he had been gone for maybe half a minute, a phone rang, Sabo had forgotten his phone on the table. Luffy took it up and smiled as he answered it. "Ace!" He heard the other line speak, before Luffy made a sound. "He went to the bathroom. We're waiting for you." He heard the other line speak, before Luffy blinked. "I don't know how." The other line spoke again, before Luffy nodded and held the phone out to him. "Ace told me to give you the phone so you can put it on speaker while I go and get Sabo." Whitebeard nodded and took the phone, and as he had, Luffy left.

As the door closed, Whitebeard put it on speaker and placed the phone on the table. "You're on speaker, Ace. Luffy left." He heard a breath. "Good. I am not too sure if I can make it to the meeting." Whitebeard blinked. "We can wait for you if traffic is bad. I have no other important meetings today." Ace gave another breath. "I am not stuck in traffic, instead, I am stuck at the hospital, because they will not let me leave!" Whitebeard felt worried, before a voice spoke, either a nurse or a doctor, a female. "Ace! You have 2 broken ribs! 3 bruised ribs! And a gunshot wound! You are not leaving!" That made Whitebeard feel more worried. What had happened?

Ace spoke up annoyed. "You can't do anything for the ribs! It needs to heal! And the gunshot wound was straight through, it hit nothing bad and you've stitched me up already!" The nurse or doctor spoke again. "No! I am sick and tired of you sneaking out when I go get something for you! Be it something you asked for or medication or stuff to redress your wounds! You are staying here!" Ace spoke again. "Do I need surgery?" The nurse/doctor answered. "No, it was not necessary." Ace spoke again. "Do I need another blood transfusion?" The nurse/doctor answered. "No, you didn't bleed that much, we needed one bag." Ace spoke. "Do I need some type of medication only a medical health professional can administer?" The nurse/doctor answered. "No." Ace spoke again. "Then why am I here!" The nurse/doctor answered in an annoyed tone as well. "You got shot! You broke ribs! Only half an hour ago you coughed up blood! The wound is still bleeding!" Ace spoke annoyed as well. "I am not coughing up blood anymore! You can't seriously hold me here just since you want to redress if it bleeds through!"

The nurse/doctor gave a loud argh, before she spoke. "You are staying! I flagged your file and you are not allowed to discharge yourself without my approval!" Ace spoke more annoyed. "You must be the most annoying nurse there is! Why can't I get someone else!" The nurse spoke. "Because the others are afraid of you! I think you forget my father was in the mafia! You don't scare me!" Ace gave a swear. "The one nurse in the entire world who is not scared. Why do I always get you?" The nurse spoke. "Because, when your name is mentioned, they call for me, no matter if I am off. And I say I will handle you if I get 250% overtime, and I do, even when I am on call and here. You are a very difficult patient." Ace sighed. "This system sucks. I want to leave!" The nurse hummed. "Nope. You need to be close in case something goes wrong!"

Ace gave an annoyed breath, before he spoke, seeming to be thinking of something. "Wait, Whitebeard, is Curiel available at your business today?" Whitebeard blinked. "Yes. He is here today." Ace spoke, sounding satisfied, seeming to speak to the nurse again. "Curiel is a fully licensed doctor. Release me into his care so I can go to an important business meeting?" The nurse spoke. "Only if I can speak to this doctor. Last time I did, it wasn't a real doctor!" Ace hummed. "It's not my fault you didn't check." The nurse spoke in an annoyed voice. "Which is why I will this time!" Ace sighed, before he spoke to them again. "Would it be possible to ask Curiel if it is okay with him that he watches me for an hour." The nurse hummed. "3 hours." Ace sounded annoyed. "One hour." The nurse spoke. "Three. If he does not agree to 3, you are staying here until tomorrow." Ace gave a breath and spoke to them again. "Please tell me he is available, because I am going insane here." The nurse hummed. "If you would just relax and let us do what we need to do, this would go more smoothly." Ace spoke fast. "Will never happen. Please tell me Curiel is available." Whitebeard nodded and asked Curiel to come to the meeting room.

When he did, they explained it quickly, before he was put on the phone with the nurse, which was still on speaker, and Ace had an input now and then to say it wasn't that bad, he was fine. When the gunshot wound was mentioned, Curiel blinked. "A gunshot wound?" Ace spoke before the nurse. "It was a clean through and through shot! They have stitched me up and I am fine." Curiel spoke. "It is normal procedure to keep a gunshot wound patient overnight." Ace spoke. "I swear, is every doctor like this?" The nurse hummed. "You mean worried for people's life? Yes." Ace sighed. "I am fine. The only thing I need is to maybe redress the wound. We've been over this. I don't need anything from the hospital." Curiel seemed to be thinking, and asked for his test results and what medication and such he had gotten, which was just a weak pain relief and a blood transfusion, as well as a local anesthetic for the wound when they sewed it.

When it was all talked through, Curiel nodded. "I can watch over him for 3 hours, no issue." Ace gave a breath. "Thank you, I owe you." The nurse spoke. "That's fine. But don't you dare call in an hour and tell he ran away or send him back. If he starts to bleed out, call 911 and tell any hospital but Graham Memorial." Ace spoke. "I am not that difficult." The nurse hummed. "You are. What do you say, Dr Curiel?" Curiel said it was fine. Ace then gave a thanks, before he hung up and then Sabo and Luffy came back a bit later, and Whitebeard said Ace would soon be here. That had Luffy happy, but Sabo frowned a bit, before he asked Luffy to grab a snack, which he did, and Sabo looked at him. "What is up with Ace?" Whitebeard wasn't sure what to say, when Sabo sighed. "Is he injured? Is he at the hospital? Is Bay refusing to let him leave?" Whitebeard blinked. "Is this normal?" Sabo hummed. "Somewhat. Maybe we should postpone this?" Whitebeard shook his head a bit. "Curiel said he could watch him so he could leave now. He is on his way." Sabo nodded. "Nice."

Then Luffy came back and they waited for Ace, who came half an hour later, and he looked fine. Then they got the meeting on track. As the meeting had been going for an hour, Luffy said he was a bit hungry and left to grab something to eat from a cafe close by, Sabo with him. As they were gone, Ace stretched a bit, and as he did, Thatch looked at Ace. "Ace, your shoulder!" Ace blinked and looked at his shoulder, and they did as well. He had a blood stain on his left shoulder. Ace sighed. "Of course it had to bleed through. I should go home and change it. Wouldn't pass up a shower." Curiel blinked. "No. I said I would watch you for 3 hours, it is 2 hours left." Ace sighed. "Come on. I won't bleed out that easley." Curiel shook his head. "Still. Maybe you ripped your stitches? Maybe you had some swelling that went down and made an artery bleed again." Ace sighed. "Fine fine. Where can I change it then?" Curiel blinked. "No, I will change it and check out the damage." Ace gave a breath. "Fine, get what you need." Curiel nodded and left.

As Curiel was gone, Ace gave a breath. "Is there any way I could get a cup of coffee?" Whitebeard nodded and said he could get something, while Marco went to check on Luffy and Sabo. As he was on his way back, he met with Curiel, who had grabbed the first aid kit he had, and they headed back together. As they did, they also met Luffy and Sabo, Sabo blinking. "Why are you here? Who is watching Ace?" Whitebeard blinked. "We just needed to get something for him. He wanted a cup of coffee." Sabo rolled his eyes. "I swear, why did you leave him?" Curiel blinked. "He didn't seem to bleed that much? It was only a small stain." Sabo moved a hand to his nose. "He started bleeding and you just all left? Well, you need to learn this as well." Curiel blinked. "Learn what?" They were now by the door to the meeting room and Sabo opened it. "This." When it was opened, the room was empty, and the window was open. "Ace leaves if he can avoid being looked at by a medical professional." Curiel walked to the window. "We are on the second floor!" Sabo nodded. "No issues for him. He has escaped from the 6th floor once. Let's see."

Sabo then took up his phone and started to speak. "He sent a message, which says 'Tell Curiel I am fine, it is not that bad and I will change it after I have showered. The meeting is mostly over, you can handle the rest. Love you.'" Sabo looked at them. "Ace does this. Now I need to make a call." Sabo then called someone, before Sabo spoke. "Ace got shot, ran away as usual, on his way home now." Sabo was silent for a second before he nodded. "Yes. If you could make sure he won't bleed to death, that would be good. Thank you, Mika." Sabo chuckled. "Yeah, she's pretty annoyed, but she let him go. We had a meeting. I can explain fully later." Sabo nodded. "Sounds good. Speak later." Then Sabo hung up, before he looked at them. "There. Someone will check on him and be sure he won't bleed to death." Curiel looked shocked. "This is… normal for him?" Sabo nodded. "Yes. If he can avoid a medical professional, he will. Which also includes running away." Sabo then looked at Curiel. "Don't take it personally, he does this to everyone." Curiel nodded, seeming shocked.

Sabo then clapped his hands. "Now! Let us finish this meeting!" Whitebeard nodded, and they did. When the meeting was over, Sabo and Luffy left, and as they were gone, Curiel spoke. "Ace actually ran away?" Whitebeard looked at him. "It sounded like he usually does this, son. Please don't feel like it was because of you." Curiel nodded. "I will try. I just.. Did he jump down?" Whitebeard hummed. "Knowing Ace, he did, but he knows some parkour. Or more like, he is amazing at it." Curiel nodded. "Good to know. I will remember that." He and the others then left, except Marco.

And as they were gone, Whitebeard looked at Marco. "When are you meeting Ace again?" Marco hummed. "In 2 days, yoi. I will ask how he is then." Whitebeard nodded. "Sounds good. I hope he is fine." Marco nodded. "Same, and I have a feeling he is, yoi. I think Ace knows when he needs help or not, or so I hope." Whitebeard nodded, he hoped for the same.

-x-

Later that day, Marco looked at his phone when it rang, to see it was Sabo, so Marco answered it. "Hi, Sabo, do you need anything, yoi?" Sabo hummed. "No. But I wonder. How is it going with you and Ace? I heard he took you to the last charity gala?" Marco nodded a bit, relaxing in his chair. "He did. He also bid on a very expensive lamp and then gave it to me, yoi. But he said all sales were final." Sabo sighed. "Yeah, I wanted to talk about that." Marco blinked, feeling a bit unsure what Sabo wanted to say about that. Maybe Sabo thought he was with Ace for his money? "What about it, yoi?" Sabo gave a breath. "Ace is used to being liked and used for his money, looks, or status. He is used to throwing money at people for them to love him, and I don't want him to do it for you, as you are so nice and I want this to last. Just, Ace will try and buy you the world, and you need to just say no. I mean, you don't need to, but Ace can go… overboard."

Marco nodded. "Yeah, I kinda figured that one out when he got someone called Aveil to make a suit for me, yoi." Sabo chuckled. "Yeah, I heard about that and wanted to warn you. Ace isn't used to people saying no and meaning it. So, just be yourself. And I am sure it will all go fine." Marco nodded. "I will. Thank you for warning me, so I can talk with him about it, yoi." Sabo chuckled. "No issue. You're a good man, Marco." Marco smiled, glad Sabo felt that.

The next day, Marco sat in the living room and watched Haruta as she opened the letter, taking a breath. This was the letter which said if she got into the school she had applied to and if she got the scholarship she was aiming for. Then she opened and read it. When she had, she gave a sigh. "I didn't get the scholarship... That was the only way I could afford it. But I did get in. I can't afford it without the scholarship." Pops moved a hand to her back. "It is okay, daughter. There is still next year, and you can go to another school too." Haruta sighed. "I know, but I don't want to move away full time yet, and to go to a good law school, it would be at least a 6 hour drive one way. I don't want to go to a bad one. I guess I can wait one more year. This one is a great school, and until then I can work and try to make some money."

Marco nodded and moved a hand to Haruta's leg. "Sometimes, being patient will reward itself, yoi. And I believe you will get the scholarship next year, yoi." Haruta nodded. "I hope so. With a scholarship, it still costs 35k a semester, because I don't think I will qualify for a full scholarship next year, I barely managed to do that for this year I feel. I can qualify for the almost full one next year." Marco smiled and felt proud of Haruta. She knew this was the right way and that it might take a bit of time. They then did their best to cheer Haruta up, and it did look like it worked. He felt bad for her as she was a great person and so smart. That was probably why she got in, but she might not be eligible for the scholarship this year as only a selected few got it.

The day after that, he was out with Ace, and while they talked, he mentioned that he would head home a bit early, as he had promised Haruta to join her, eat ice cream and watch a movie she liked. It had Ace blink, looking concerned. "Is she okay? Did something happen?" Marco moved a hand up. "Nothing bad, yoi. She just didn't get the scholarship for the law school at Moby Dick University, and she feels a bit down since she doesn't want to go to one of the others as they are not as good, and doesn't want to move so far away yet either. She is just feeling a bit down, and I want to cheer her up, yoi." Ace smiled at him. "You are such a good brother, Marco." Marco smiled and moved a hand to Ace's. "So are you, yoi. Sabo and Luffy seem to love you and you care so well for them." Ace smiled, before they started to chat again. Ace did look to be in thought now and then.

Marco then hummed. "Also, how are you? Curiel felt bad you ran away, yoi." Ace hummed. "I am good, nothing too bad. And Mika did check on me, a friend. I am known to do things like that." Marco nodded. "We learned that, and will be more on the alert if it happens again, yoi." Ace gave a small sigh. "Please don't. I mean, I am not fond of being in the middle of attention when I have an injury. So I try to get away if I can." Marco lifted an eyebrow. "You escaped from a window on the second floor, yoi." Ace chuckled. "I did. At least it wasn't the 6th, I have done that." Marco nodded. "Sabo mentioned something like that. I hope you're telling the truth and that you're fine, yoi." Ace smiled at him. "I am, I promise." Marco nodded and smiled, feeling Ace spoke the truth. They then enjoyed the dinner at the restaurant they were at. It wasn't a high end one, but a nice one. Ace also said since Marco had to leave early, they wouldn't classify this as a date, so he still had 2 left, and that was good to know.

When the clock was nearing his time to leave, they asked for the check, and when Ace tried to pay, Marco stood his ground so he could pay, saying it was the least he could do after last date, with the lamp, and Ace had said on date three, they would start cover each others bill, and this felt right. Ace did try to argue a bit, but Marco insisted, and paid before Ace could. Ace didn't look too happy, but there was nothing he could do now. When they were outside the restaurant, they shared a goodbye kiss, and arranged to meet again on Friday, which would be nice.

Marco then left for home to spend time with Haruta and watch a movie. He had a feeling it would be a Disney or Pixar movie. When he got home, he had gotten all he needed on the drive home, before he moved to sit down with Haruta, watching the movie, which ended up being Sing 2, a movie Haruta hadn't managed to see yet and wanted to, and he didn't mind. As the movie was about halfway through, Haruta's phone rang and she moved to look who it was. As she did, she blinked and looked shocked beforeshe spoke. "Pause the movie." Marco nodded and did. "Who is it, yoi?" Haruta looked to be half panicking and tired to breathe calmly. "It's Moby Dick University. What if they call and say I am not allowed to apply next year?!" Marco moved a hand to Haruta. "Unless you have broken a major rule, that is not it, yoi. Just answer it before they hang up. Maybe there was a mixup." Haruta nodded and took a breath, before she answered it.

"Hello?" Started Haruta, and Marco heard a woman speak, and when she paused, Haruta spoke. "This is she." The woman on the phone started to speak again, before Haruta looked extremely shocked. "W-what? How?" The woman on the line spoke again, which had Haruta blinked. "Who?" The woman spoke again on the, before Haruta blinked. "If you can't say who, how do I know this is legit? That this isn-" The woman on the line spoke again, which had Haruta nod. "Yes, I have a digital mailbox." The woman spoke again and Haruta blinked and reached for her laptop on the table as she had checked a few things before they started the movie. Marco then saw Haruta going to her digital mailbox, logging in, before she said she was, then a letter popped up as it gave a small sound as well, as Haruta said. "I got it… Wh-" The woman spoke again on the other line as Haruta read the letter.

As she got a bit down on the first page, she moved a hand out to his arm and grasped it. "T-this is real? This is happening?" The woman spoke again and Marco could see Haruta looking emotional, happy emotional. "I- thank you." The woman spoke again and Haruta nodded. "Yes. I will see you at the start of the semester in July." The other line spoke, before Haruta nodded. "Okay, see you the week before." Then the line hung up and Haruta looked shocked, emotional, and happy. As Marco was on his way to speak, Haruta beat him to it in a shocked voice. "I got in… With full scholarship… all paid for…" Marco started to smile. "Was it a mix up, yoi?" Haruta shook her head. "No…" Marco blinked and felt confused, how did she get in then? She had been declined.

Haruta turned to look at him, she looked shaken, shocked and happy. "Apparently, someone paid my scholarship in full, with full benefits of the entire University. They even paid for a dorm room, but I don't need to use it, I can even rent it out if I want to. And I even got a personal driver each weekday between 7am and 5pm… didn't knew they even had that… And I didn't believe it, but they sent this-" Haruta turned her laptop and showed the letter she got in her digital mailbox, and it was an admission letter from Moby Dick University, which stated that her entire scholarship in full, with all the benefits possible, like meals in the cafeteria, use of the school amenities, like the pool, private library, silent room, and everything she wanted got payed for. As well as a private driver from the school if she wished on weekdays between 7am and 5pm at her disposal if she needed it, and she just needed to notify the driver the day before and his number there. He looked at it, and it looked legit. It even had Haruta's score in entry tests, and many more things no one else had access to. This was legit.

Marco looked at Haruta. "Did they make a mistake and you got the full scholarship, yoi?" Haruta shook her head. "No. Someone apparently called, paid for it in full and all this. They said they couldn't tell me who it was because it was confidential or something. But-" Haruta looked at him with excitement and hope in her eyes. "I got in! I got a fully paid scholarship and more! They want me to show up the week before the semester starts to show me around, show the dorm, which is a private dorm only for me, and give me all I need." Haruta looked ecstatic. "I got in!" Haruta then hugged him, and Marco hugged back, feeling a bit floored himself. "That is amazing! I am so happy for you, yoi!" Haruta nodded. "I just wish I could know who it was. So I could thank them! Someone must really believe in me. This kind of scholarship costs like 600k a semester! And that's without the driver!" Haruta stood up and ran out, saying she needed to tell Pops and everyone.

As she was gone, he soon heard excited laughter and yelling, before a thought popped in his mind, and he took up his phone to dial a number, which was answered after a few rings. "Hi, Marco. To what do I owe this? Are we still on for Friday?" Asked Ace, and Marco hummed. "Yes, we are, yoi. But are you responsible for this?" Ace sounded confused as he spoke. "Responsible for what?" Marco gave a breath. "I told you I don't want you to buy me everything I want, yoi. And as you said to me and I will say back, 'I am not a damsel who needs to be paid for'." Ace hummed. "And I didn't get you anything. I guess Sabo didn't warn you about that too. I searched Haruta up, I got to look at her scores when I told the school I would pay for her. The only reason she wasn't chosen, was since another woman had a father who funds the school and had worse scores than Haruta. I don't stand for discrimination like that. Haruta's scores are so amazing, she will do great, I am sure of it."

Marco gave a breath, moving a hand to his face. "I should have said I don't want you to buy everything for those I know as well, yoi." Ace hummed. "But this was her dream, and not only that, but I know she will do so amazing. Her test scores are really high, and not only that, but her essay was perfect and captured you all so well and I just couldn't not pay the scholarship." Marco blinked. "Haruta mentioned us in her essay, yoi?" Ace hummed. "Not only did she mention you, you were the main subject. She deserves this so much, she has done everything right, much more than some of the pretentious people who got the scholarships." Marco blinked. "Her entry essay was about us, yoi?"

Ace hummed, but before he could speak, he heard someone speak behind him. "How did you know that, Marco? No one but the school read that…" Marco looked at Haruta. "Haruta, I did not know about this, I-" Haruta looked shocked. "You know who did this? Don't you? Who was it! I need to thank them!" Marco gave a breath, before he moved and showed the caller Id, which said 'Ace D Portgas' with a heart, call him a Romeo, but he liked it. "It was Ace, yoi. We are dating, and I told him about what happened, and he paid for all this. He got to see your test scores, and essays. He is so impressed by you, yoi. You didn't get the scholarship since the one who did had ties to the people funding the school and Ace didn't like that."

Haruta blinked. "You're… dating Ace?" Marco nodded, and then Ace chimed in, and since he didn't have the phone close to his ear, Haruta could also hear what Ace said. "There is this very nice video of us kissing on my plane when we had our date. You could show it to her. And Marco, just tell her how proud you are of her and that you believe in her. I have seen her work, and she really is as promising as you told me." Haruta looked emotional, she then moved and hugged him tightly, before she spoke in a sincere and emotional voice. "Thank you, Marco. For believing in me." Marco blinked, before he hugged back. "Haruta, I've always believed in you, yoi. And I will never stop." They then hugged for a bit, before they parted and Haruta looked very happy, so much she even had slight tears in her eyes.

Haruta then looked at the phone. "Thank you, Ace. For doing this. Is there anything I can do to repay you?" Ace gave a chuckle. "There is nothing you need to do, besides keep going as you have. You have a talent, Haruta, and I would hate it if that went to waste just because of favoritism." Haruta nodded. "Thank you, so much!" Ace chuckled. "No issue. Now, go change the world! I know you will!" Haruta smiled and nodded, before she said she needed to go prepare for something in her room.

As she was gone, Marco moved the phone back to his ear. "Ace, why did you do this, yoi?" Ace sounded confused. "Because she wanted to go to this school and she needed a scholarship for it. So I gave it." Marco sighed. "Ace, I don't want you to buy me everything in the world, yoi." Ace hummed. "And I won't. But she wanted this. Are we still on for Friday?" Marco nodded. "We are, and I am looking forward to it, yoi." Ace chuckled. "Same." Then they hung up and Marco would be sure to speak more with Ace on Friday. This was a lot. But, Haruta was happy, which was good.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

This one was nice to make, and I hope it was good

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