I.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" The announcer's voice rang clearly through the crowded exhibition hall. "Is everyone excited?! The Grand Finale for the Male Welter Division of the World Taekwondo Junior Championships is about to begin!"
The crowd and spectators roared in approval as the two competitors approached the large mat situated at the front of the hall. They were dressed nearly identically with the both of them dressed in a white uniform with a black belt wrapped around their waists and bare feet; the only difference between the two was that the first competitor wore a red padded helmet, chest protector, and gloves while the other contestant and a blue set on.
A referee approached the two fighters and barked out, "Attention!" causing the two to straighten immediately. "Bow!" The two turned in unison and bowed once before the judges watching them from the side and once more towards each other. "Ready!" The two assumed their stances, their muscles loose and relaxed in anticipation. "Begin!"
The blue competitor launched himself forward before pivoting suddenly on his left heel, twisting his hips, and bringing up his right foot in a round-house kick. The red fighter pursed his lips together and brought his forearm up, successfully blocking the blow aimed at the side of his head before striking the blue competitor's side with his free arm.
"Point!"
The blue fighter knocked the other's hand away before twisting his body in the opposite direction, spinning on his heel, and bringing his extended leg around for an underside kick. The fighter in red, nimbly leapt up and away from the blue competitor – placing some distance between them. The blue competitor let out a yell and charged forward once more, this time cocking back his arm and lashing out with a lightning-fast punch towards the red fighter's torso.
The red contestant merely tilted his body to the side – effectively dodging the blue fighter's punch – and delivered an open-palmed strike against his opponent's jaw. The blue competitor staggered backwards from the force of the blow and the red competitor darted forward delivering two more successive blows to the blue fighter's chest and stomach, causing him to double forward in pain.
"Point!"
Not giving his opponent a chance to recover, the competitor in red shifted his weight and snapped the heel of his foot up, catching the blue fighter in the chest and sending him flying across the mat.
"Point!"
The crowed watched with baited breathe as the blue fighter struggled to get back up. When it was clear he couldn't, the referee took a step forward and yelled, "Stop! Match over! The winner of the Male Welter Division is the Red Contestant, Yeong Tae-Il!"
The spectators burst into applause and yelling as Tae-Il relaxed out of his stance and bowed once to his opponent and once more to the judges.
"Incredible! Yeong Tae-Il truly is a prodigy of Taekwondo! That match was over in just over a minute ladies and gentlemen! Truly a sight to behold…" The announcer paused before continuing animatedly, "The next division match will occur in exactly ten minutes and will determine the Female Welter Division winner! Will it be four-time champion Haruto Suzuna? Or will the dark horse, Fiona Strong take this year's gold?! One thing's for sure, ladies and gents… the next match will be just as exciting and unforgettable as the last one! Stay tuned!"
II.
"…-ttable as the last one! Stay tuned!"
Sawada Tsunayoshi peered intently at his smart phone, the words 'World Taekwondo Junior Championship' flashing briefly across the screen. He was sitting on the bleachers in the gymnasium of the Namimori Middle School campus, phone in hand, and watching the recorded competition while the rest of his classmates were cleaning up the various sporting equipment and tools used in their most recent physical education class.
It had been a basketball game.
Tsuna felt extremely lucky that he had been delegated to be the scorecard holder and didn't actually participate in the game.
He wasn't all that athletic and felt that he would have made the team he was on lose. Horribly.
"Oi, Sawada!" The call of his classmate had the brunet jerking his head up in surprise.
"Y-Yes?"
"We've finished gathering all the stuff together… could you wheel everything back to storage? The rest of us have to go get changed."
Tsuna nodded his head and stuffed his phone into his pocket. "Sure, I don't mind."
"Thanks." Before the student left, he turned and faced the brunet once more. "Yeong won that latest martial arts competition, right?"
Tsuna grinned and nodded once more. "Yeah! He won gold in his division!"
"Man that guy… rich, good-looking, smart, and he's a martial artist? The rest of us can't keep up with a guy like that…" There wasn't any heat in the student's words, just exasperation and wonder. "Anyway, just give him my congratulations, okay?"
"Will do!"
"Thanks, see ya, Sawada."
Tsuna waved lightly as his classmate turned and began walking towards the Boy's Locker room. Once alone, the brunet also turned and grabbed a hold of the cart full of basketballs nearest him before wheeling it towards the storage and equipment room located on the far side of the gym.
'Tae-Il is really incredible,' he thought with a proud smile, 'this is his second Junior Championship win!'
"Penny for your thoughts, Tsuna?" The smooth voice broke the brunet from his thoughts and he whirled around to see the smiling face of Tae-Il. Tae-Il was taller than Tsuna – a year older too - standing at an impressive five feet seven inches, and had messy, windswept teal-colored hair and golden eyes which were looking at the brunet with fondness and amusement.
"T-Tae-Il!" Tsuna placed a hand over his racing heart and stared at the other teen. "You scared me!"
Tae-Il chuckled and leaned forward. "Sorry, sorry… I just couldn't help myself… you gave me the perfect opportunity, Tsuna!"
Tsuna's lips quirked into a smile before he responded, "… You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days, you know that right?"
Tae-Il shrugged and said, "Well, then, it's a good thing I know CPR for when that day comes." Tsuna let out a laugh at that comment and continued to put away the equipment and uniforms his class has just used. "Let me help you, Tsuna. Four hands are faster than two!"
"Thanks, Tae-Il!" As the two worked together, Tsuna couldn't help but say, "Congratulations on your win, Tae-Il!"
A pleased smile blossomed on the taller teen's face. "Thank you, Tsuna. I'm glad all my hard work and training is paying off."
"When's the next time you'll practice taekwondo?"
Tae-Il huffed out a laugh. "More like, when's the next time I'm not practicing? You know how busy my schedule is, Tsuna. This week alone I have: three training sessions for taekwondo, four for taekkyeon, and one for aikido. Plus, I have a Kyudo club meeting today and a private lesson scheduled for this weekend and I have to go to cram school every day this week since I missed a few days last week thanks to the Junior Championship."
"It must be tiring, having so many things to do…"
"Honestly? I enjoy keeping busy and doing all these things…," Tae-Il paused before adding in a softer tone, "the only thing I don't like about being so busy is that I can't hang out with you as much as I'd like…"
"Ah, I don't mind, Tae-Il! I know that you try your best to hang out with me and I appreciate all that you've done – and are doing – for me!"
"Tsuna… thanks, hearing you say that makes me feel a lot better."
"That's what friends are for, right? Anyway, now that we're done putting everything away, let's get going! We're still going to hang out at my house, right?"
"Of course, I-" The teal-haired teen is interrupted when his cell phone suddenly vibrates in his pocket with a notification. Deftly, Tae-Il brings it out, swipes in his password, and reads through the text message sent to him. A grimace appeared on his face and Tsuna deflates in resignation.
"Something came up, right?" It's a statement not a question.
Tae-Il flinched at the dejected expression on the brunet's face and nods solemnly. "Yeah… I'm really sorry, Tsuna, but I have to go."
Tsuna sighs before flashing an understanding smile at the taller teen. "It's okay… maybe we can hang out next time…?"
"Of course! Definitely!" The other teen nods his head determinedly. "And I'll absolutely make it up to you, Tsuna!"
"I know you will… you always do."
The golden-eyed teen grimaced once more before moving forward and clapping Tsuna on the shoulder. "… Thanks, Tsuna… believe me when I say that you're a great friend…"
Tsuna smiles once more. "I do believe you… now hurry up or you'll be late!"
Tae-Il returns Tsuna's smile before jogging off with a wave and a yell of, "See you tomorrow, Tsuna!"
The brunet let out a laugh and waved back, watching as the older teen left the gymnasium. He lets out a fond sigh before shaking his head and turning to pick up his school bag. Oh well… perhaps Kyoya would like to hang out with him for a while?
II.
Tsuna isn't surprise when one Hibari Kyoya turns down the brunet's offer. Despite being the – very distant – cousin of Tae-Il, the two couldn't be any more different in terms of personality. While Tae-Il was friendly to most people, Kyoya couldn't stand being surrounding by more than two people.
"Three is crowding… remember that, Small Animal," he had explained, years ago.
"Oh well, sorry for bothering you, Kyoya." Before he leaves, Tsuna asks, "Will you be going to the family meeting? Since you and Tae-Il are cousins and all."
Kyoya shakes his head. "No, the meeting is about the Carnivore's side of the family, I think there's been death."
"Oh… I hope Tae-Il will be okay…"
Kyoya didn't respond, instead, the second-year student reaches out a hand and ruffles Tsuna's sienna locks as if to say, I wouldn't worry about him.
"… Thanks, Kyoya," Tsuna smiles brightly at the dark-haired teen.
The corner of Kyoya's mouth twitches upwards for a moment, before his face smoothes back into an impassive mask. "… Get going, Small Animal, loitering on campus afterschool is not permitted."
"Right," Tsuna says with a chuckle, "I'll see you later then, Kyoya!"
III.
Tae-Il knocked on the front door of the Sawada household, the next morning.
"Good morning, Tae-kun! Are you here for Tsu-kun?" Sawada Nana, a pretty woman who had the same coloring as her son – meaning soft, brown hair and eyes - answered the door with a sunny smile.
Tae-Il nodded in response. "Good morning, Sawada-san and yes, is Tsuna up yet?"
"I'm sorry to say that you just missed him, Tae-kun." Nana placed a hand against her cheek and tiled her head. "He left about ten minutes ago, he said that he would meet up with you at the convenience store down the block."
A frown flashes across the teal-haired teen's mouth before it's replaced with a genial smile. "Really? Thank you, Sawada-san. If you'll excuse me." With a short bow, Tae-Il turns and begins walking down the street. As he turns the corner, his smile falls away and he frowns in worry and concern.
He had just walked past the convenience store Nana mentioned and there was no sign of the brunet, which is why he walked further down the street and to the Sawada household.
His grip on his school bag tightens and his pace quickens as he began to think about all the things that could have happened to Tsuna.
Getting lost or mugged or kidnapped. Getting hit by a car or a delivery truck. Tripping and knocking himself unconscious – which had happened before, when the two of them were kids.
Death.
That last thought has the taekwondo practitioner sprinting down the street, eyes alert and quickly glancing down every alleyway and sewer drain and into every car he runs by.
Tsuna could be in trouble.
Tsuna could be hurt.
Tsuna could be dead.
A snarl rips itself from Tae-Il's throat as his eyes flash in anger. If anything has happened to the brunet, Tae-Il will make them pay!
He turns the corner connecting the street he's own to the street running in front of Namimori Middle, and abruptly freezes in place.
Tsuna.
Gate.
Tsuna is standing by the school gates.
He's fine.
He's perfectly fine, albeit, glancing around nervously.
Tae-Il takes a moment to smooth out the wrinkles in his shirt then plasters on a blinding smile, and makes his way towards the brunet.
"Tsuna, good morning! It's rare to see you at school so early!" While the words he spoke were light-hearted and casual, the tightness around his smile betrayed his true thoughts.
Why didn't you wait for me to walk you to school? Did something happen?
Tsuna jumps in surprise at the voice of Tae-Il and smiles shakily back. "T-Tae-Il… g-good morning…"
Yes, something did happen and I don't know what to do!
Tae-Il levels a look at Tsuna that screams, Tell me.
Tsuna starts to speak, but then his eyes catch sight something behind the teal-haired teen and the brunet promptly clamps his mouth shut, shaking his head with wide eyes. Tae-Il spins around, one arm extended in front of the younger teen while the other lets go of his school bag and his feet slanting into a martial arts stance. Golden eyes sharply survey the other side of the street, but spot no sign of danger or bullies or the like.
In fact, the only people on the other side of the street are fellow classmates who glance curiously at Tae-Il before going back to whatever it was they were doing.
Tae-Il looks around for a moment longer before turning back to face the brunet. "Tell me," he commands in a strict voice.
Tsuna shakes his head once more. "I… I… I-It's nothing, T-Tae-Ill…!"
"Bullshit. Something – or someone – has got you rattled, Tsuna. Tell me who it is."
"N-No! I-It's o-okay… really!"
"It's not, 'okay', Tsuna! Something's bothering you! Tell me what – or who – it is!"
"I-It's okay, Tae-Il! I-I can han-handle it myself!"
The anger and protectiveness and frustration builds in Tae-Il's golden eyes and his shoulders tense for a heartbeat before relaxing suddenly. "… As your friend, I want to help you, Tsuna," Tae-Il says softly, gently, switching tactics to get the brunet to speak. "How can I do that if you don't tell me what's wrong?"
Tsuna grips the strap of his school bag and is silent for a moment. "I… I know you just want to help me, Tae-Il… but…," he looks up suddenly with determined eyes, "… I can handle this… I promise."
Tae-Il grits his teeth in frustration, the anger blooming once more in his eyes. "I can help you Tsuna! Just tell me who's bothering you and Kyoya and I can-"
"Trust me." Those words bring up the taller teen short and he clamps his mouth with an audible clink of his teeth.
Aggravated gold stares into resolute brown.
After a moment, Tae-Il lets out a deep sigh – his body relaxing fully now – as the older teen stoops down to pick up his fallen school bag. "… Alright," he begins after a pause, "I'll trust you to handle… whatever it is that's going on, but!" He levels a stern gaze at Tsuna. "If you need anything, call me, okay?"
Tsuna smiles up at the taller teen. "I will. I promise."
Tae-Il holds Tsuna's gaze for a moment longer before he returns Tsuna grin with one of his own. "Did you eat breakfast yet, Tsuna? Your mother said that you left a lot earlier than normal."
The brunet lets out a sheepish chuckle. "No… not yet… I was kinda in a rush this morning…"
The teal-haired teen lets out a hum before rummaging through his bag. "Hold on… here you go." He hands Tsuna a packaged pastry. "I stopped by the convenience by your house earlier and bought a few… it's a good thing I did too!"
"Thanks, Tae-Il!" Tsuna gratefully accepts the snack and smiles brightly.
"It's no trouble, Tsuna… although, youought to eat it now before Kyoya spots you. He'll still 'bite you to death' for eating outside of lunch hour, even though you've known him for a while, and he'll 'bite me to death' for giving you food outside of lunch hour, even though we're cousins."
Tsuna lets out a laugh. "Well, you know how serious he is about rules and rule-breakers."
"You don't have to remind me…," Tae-Il mutters with a roll of his eyes, "I still remember the first time we met… he tried 'punish' me for having 'dyed' hair when it's obvious that my hair color is completely natural!"
"Haha… can you really blame him though? Not many people have naturally teal hair, you know."
"I blame all that on my family's weird genetics… unusual hair coloring is perfectly normal in the Yeong clan! He knew that even before we first met!"
"Perhaps he just wanted an excuse to fight with you?"
Tae-Il lets out an exasperated sigh. "You know what? That sounds exactly like something he'd do… honestly… he could have just outright asked to spar with me! I wouldn't have said no!"
Tsuna lets out another laugh at the slightly irate – but utterly fond – expression on his friend's face before waving goodbye to the older teen and making his way towards the first year classrooms.
IV.
As Tsuna enters his classroom and takes his seat, the brunet's mind wanders to what happened yesterday and this morning.
He balls his hands up in resolution.
He wouldn't rely on Tae-Il for this.
He would get stronger on his own.
And he would protect his friend from the Mafia.
Well, looky here yet another KHR OC fanfiction! I really should stop making so many OCs but when inspiration hits you just gotta write it down, yeah?
It's hard to differentiate when capital and lowercase lettering, but this OC's name is spelt: tae-il, the last two letters are I and L.
Let me know what you all think and I hope you enjoyed this!