家庭教師ヒットマンREBORN! © 天野明

Following the disappearance of his older brother, Sawada Tsunayoshi is left in charge of his sibling's restaurant. With this, however, comes problems that wouldn't have needed to be dealt with had Tsuna simply let Giotto's stupid businessgo bankrupt. №2

Hospitality

[ Part I - Before ]

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

—Lao Tzu

Beta'd by AYMK00

"Brother, why do you want to be a chef?"

Giotto let the warmth of his cheerful grin shine on his younger brother before answering. "To make you smile."

"Tell me, Hayato, do I look like I'm smiling?"

The aforementioned man flinched nervously at the familiar sharp edge of the other's voice. His palms were suddenly wet with perspiration, and his Adam's apple bobbed uneasily as if the inside of his throat was plastered with glue. The formal attire that the man wore, consisting of a red dress shirt, white tie, and a pair of black denim, seemed unfit on him when he looked as if he would, more or less, faint, and he stuttered when he responded to his dear, beloved, precious boss. "N-no, Tenth, but it's what the letter said..."

Of course, years after having outgrown his no-good adolescence, Sawada Tsunayoshi—successful businessman, youngest of the famed Sawada brothers, and current CEO of Vongola Corporations—still managed to find bad luck swarming around him. Today was no different in that sense and the only exception to this was the fact that his small reserves of good luck had waned to an all new low: zero.

He sighed, exasperated; hands coming up to rub his temples. "I can't believe that bastard would do this to me..."

The messy bronze tresses of Tsuna's hair stood up in ways that defied gravity, and his similarly colored eyes were accompanied by tired dark spots and light wrinkles. Tsuna wore his typical office wear, a suit, but he couldn't exactly say he liked suits. He only wore the thing because he felt it wouldn't have been quite right to go to a massive corporate building in sweats and a t-shirt. Tsuna had the face and charisma that embodied both a Greek goddess of beauty and a Roman god of war, except on days like these where he was left feeling restless after a series of unfortunate but likely events.

Earlier that morning, Vongola Corporations had received a letter from the brother of their company head. It was a peculiar occasion, to have received a letter. Never did anyone in the Sawada family take the time to send letters to each other, when they could simply call or even stop by for a visit. Of course, when telling your younger brother that you plan to disappear and leave everything you own in his trustworthy hands, you might reconsider doing it in person.

Tsunayoshi didn't hate his older brother. In fact, they often got along so well that they were believed to have the capability to light up any atmosphere together, and Giotto, out of his many siblings, would sometimes give the impression that he favored Tsuna over all the others. Despite this good relationship between the two, however, even their parents knew there was a lot more to the two sons than simple smiles.

It was when they didn't get along, when their true feelings would show. Giotto and Tsuna's 'brotherly' affections were laced with a large amount of tension which would spark conflict between the two day and night; conflicts that could revolve around anything for days at a time. And not even Hayato, who was Tsuna's closest friend (and 'right-hand man in the business,) could stop them when they turned to bickering. It would either be their father or another one of their siblings to step in and stop the two before it turned physical. Tsuna could have a bit of a temper and be riled up easily, while Giotto never backed down from a fight.

Oh but this time, this time, it was different. It wasn't just a small family spat about who forgot to do the dishes, no, it was much bigger now. Giotto Sawada had the audacity to disappear with his supposed lover; Tsuna didn't know who (or cared, really), as he wasn't interested in his brother's homosexual love affairs; to be brutally honest it gave him the creeps; and while he's out enjoying himself, he leaves his responsibilities with his younger, more financially secure brother; him. If it wasn't one problem that caused Tsunayoshi irritation, it was always another—usually clad in audacious colors, bright blonde hair, and men glued to his arms.

Tsuna let out another sigh. He was a reserved man who dressed in warm colors and dated nice girls from good families. So how, in God's name, was he related to such a man as Giotto?

"I'm hungry..." Tsuna mumbled.

Tsuna knew he wasn't actually hungry; he just had a habit of eating when he was stressed. He also had a habit of pacing, but that was only when he was in unfamiliar places. His office was much too nice, in its dark soothing gray, white, and autumn tones to urge him into a pacing state. In either case, the barely audible voice did not go unanswered. In what seemed like seconds, Gokudera Hayato was gone, then back; a red haired woman trailing behind him through the tall burgundy doors of the Vongola CEO's office.

The woman, Bianchi, was the older half-sibling to Gokudera Hayato. The two, although siblings, were entirely different entities. Hayato was more prone to wait on his boss, hand and foot, and take offense at anything negatively said directed at his boss. In contrast, Bianchi was seen often giving her boss halfhearted respect, and mocking his short stature and feminine appearance. Bianchi had long red hair that framed her body like a tight-skinned red dress, as opposed to Hayato's shiny silver head of hair. They did share similarities though, as both Italians were tall, though Hayato shorter because of his half-Japanese blood; and both with a stark white complexion. And Tsuna knew both held him in high regard and respect, even though they were a bit unconventional in showing it.

And being the loyal employee that she was, Bianchi knew exactly when and how to treat her boss' hunger. Part of her job was to be his personal chef, after all. The least she could do—if not fully show her respect like her younger brother—was her job. There was the one thing that everyone seemed to share at Vongola Corps, including Bianchi and her younger brother, loyalty to their boss.

"Mr. Sawada, I have your food," the head chef purred jokingly as she set a tray in front of her employer. Today she sported a white tank top as well as a black arm band encircling her arm below the exposed tattoo of an intricate scorpion design. Aside from the heavy amount of jewelry, Bianchi also wore denim jeans that matched her brother's, and she wore a pair of peek-toe black heels that screamed occupational health and safety issues. Bianchi didn't dress much like a chef, but she had that aura about her that said otherwise.

Tsuna felt better at work—it was far more comforting than his empty house, and actually had a kitchen. Even if he didn't particularly like to eat, he still needed to, so he'd always end up at his office, even on days off, for Bianchi's food. He'd probably never admit that to her, but then again, she probably already knew.

"You know, Bianchi, I wish you and your brother would just call me Tsuna." Their boss was never one for formality.

"Mr. Sawada is Mr. Sawada." In contrast, Bianchi was never one to listen.

Tsuna smiled wholeheartedly even still. At least the red-head was humorous in her pseudo-respect. She always managed to get him to smile.

The brunette turned his attention to the tray, which sat under a refreshment of some sort along with a bowl of not so traditional Asian-cuisine. He had to chuckle. "Pineapple Fried Rice?"

"I try to mix it up," the woman said lazily; shifting her weight to put a bangled hand on her hip. "Besides, out of all the things you can taste, pineapple seems to be your favorite."

Tsuna's smile grew melancholy. "I guess so," he mumbled in response; picking up the bowl and chopsticks to begin his meal. "If I'm done here..." Bianchi started, walking towards the door, "then I'll be taking my leave."

No response came from the brunette as the door shut quietly; not that anything he said would stop her or anything. Bianchi was one of those free-roaming spirits, so Tsuna wouldn't bother trying to get her to listen. His food was eaten quietly with Hayato deciding it best to stay silent. He was the less adventurous of the two siblings, and he would never take the chance of upsetting his boss. Tsuna was grateful for that, since he really didn't feel like talking, or even eating, but he'd rather forcefully stuff himself then face Bianchi's wrath.

As he set the bowl down on the tray and shoved it aside, the frown that etched into his skin could only grow deeper. So many memories flooded his conscious. He shook his head; clearing his mind of unnecessary thoughts. You could only dwell on the past for so long.

Gathering the courage to speak again; "Tenth..." Hayato's weak voice seemed to stir Tsuna out of his reverie. "What will we do about the restaurant?" His boss stretched back on the chair as another sigh escaped his lips.

Yes; the restaurant. What would he do about Giotto's restaurant?

He honestly felt compelled to let the damn thing sink itself. It was already on the verge of bankruptcy, and Giotto must have just gotten tired of trying to keep it up on its feet. Did Giotto think Tsuna would clean up after him? What utter bullshit. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't do it, and he wouldn't let his brother get to him. Not again.

There was a moment of deciding silence, before the tension in the air lifted and Tsuna let out a strangled sigh.

"...I'll go there tomorrow."

Because the sad fact of the matter was, Giotto always got his brother to do whatever he wanted.

Hayato felt like he had let go of the weight that had accumulated on his own shoulders while he was first reading that letter. He beamed a bright smile, knowing his boss would never say no to someone in need. Although the silver haired man disliked Giotto and all the burden Giotto placed on the Vongola CEO, he knew it was in Tsuna's nature to help out those who need it, and Hayato expected nothing less from his dear 'Tenth'.

"Of course, Tenth," the silver haired man took a bow, before turning to the door. Before he could fully open the door, though, the man remembered an extra detail the letter itself had skillfully excluded. "Tenth, your brother, Giotto-san; he has changed the name of the restaurant. It's apparently now called... 'Il Primo Cuore', I think it means something like 'The First Heart'"

At the peel of laughter from the other man, Hayato quietly shut the office's door.

—Eve O. Reina

I'm going to get a kick from writing this story. I just know it.

I give mad props (aka 'Thanks') to my beta reader AYMK00 who is a far better writer than I am. If you like my stories, you'll like hers.

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