Author's note: Hi, hi again, minna-san. I know that I should be working on Vongola Style School Trip, but the bunny for this one just wouldn't leave me alone until I write it. It kept rubbing its soft fur against my mind and I can't help but pet it, and then it suddenly multiplied and then, this story came. And I'm a little bit stuck at VSST at the moment, because my bunny for that one is currently asleep. So, yeah... *dodges things thrown her way*
Anyway, this idea came to me almost a year ago when my professor in English told us a story of an actress. This particular actress was on date, but it suddenly got sour. So she went to an elevator and she cried there. When an old lady entered the elevator, she told the guard to let the old lady out and leave her alone. But the old lady told the guard to get the actress out of her building. And ever since I heard of that story, my bunnies kept mulitplying until to the point where it wouldn't leave me alone. And so, tadda!
Anyway, enough with my ramblings and on to the story. Constructive criticism is always welcome. And do point out any mistakes I might have committed. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own KHR!
[EDIT as of 02/25/15: Edited a few mistakes and made a few changes and altered Tsuna's closing line. Also made a few changes on the story's summary.]
It's a beautiful night in the city of Tokyo. Along its busy streets, you see people, rushing about to and fro, each to their own thoughts and destinations. Each with their own lives and their stories. There are couples, going about on their dates, and there are those hopeful singles, who are wishing for someone to be there with them during the night. There are businessmen and office workers, rushing about the streets to catch the train. There are families, about to head home for the night. There are even a few teenagers, clad in their school uniforms, about to head home after a day of hanging out.
Amidst all these people, all these scenes, all these lives, a man in his early twenties, clad in a black hoodie, jeans and sneakers, walked, taking in the scene of normality round him with his eyes, which are slightly covered by the hood of his jacket. He smiles a gentle smile as he pressed on around the crowd, and towards his destination: Tre Cieli, a hotel owned by the Vongola; the same Vongola that sits at the top of the mafia world; the same Vongola the man-in-black-hoodie leads. He stops in front of the hotel, looking up at it with a touch of pride glinting in his eyes. After all, it's one of the handful of things he's proud of.
When Sawada Tsunayoshi took the mantle of Vongola at the young age of 18, he expressed his desire to establish a legal business that is outside of the mafia. Unfortunately for him, the mafia is not so open minded about these things, so they stuck to their guns. But the desire did not leave the don. Fortunately for him, he was able to think of a way to establish a business not completely related to the blood-stained reputation of Vongola.
The idea of establishing a hotel and restaurant business came to Tsuna purely by coincidence. He and Reborn were resting after a mission in a hotel suite in the city. But of course, them being mafia, there are people after their heads. And that usually comes with damage. So when an enemy familgia got wind that they were staying in a hotel and were greatly outnumbered, seeing that it's just the tutor and student combi, they did not hesitate to attack. But of course their assumption that they'll be weakened was quickly thwarted by the two, who were greatly irritated to have their rest taken away from them.
"You know, we should build our own hotel. So that it will be less costly when we have to deal with the damages and we won't cause that much of an inconvenience to the guests," Tsuna said to his now-de-cursed tutor from their position behind a couch. He reloaded his gun (a gift of Reborn for his 18th birthday) and shot an enemy on the shoulder.
"Hmm, that sounds like a good idea. Who knew you can think of useful things, Dame-Tsuna?" his tutor said, taking aim and shooting enemies in his line of sight. His student just snorted at the retort and copied what his mentor was doing.
And after dealing with the pests and after resolving the property damage issue, they left to head back to the Vongola manor. Reborn sat down beside his student, a cup of espresso in his hand.
"So, about that hotel business…" Reborn said as the car drove them home.
After much talking and planning, their plan came into fruition. And soon, they established a hotel business, which soon began to include restaurants.
And now, six years after being Decimo, Sawada Tsunayoshi stands in front of the Japanese branch of his hotel, his pride still reflected in his eyes; pride that comes from knowing that all this came from his own hard work, effort, and perseverance, and not off somebody's blood and life. He took a step towards hotel and entered.
"Excuse me, sir. Kindly take off your hood. It may be an inconvenience, but it is part of our security measures," a guard had said when he entered the hotel with his hood still on his head. Tsuna complied and flashed the guard a smile.
'Good to know they're taking the security seriously,' Tsuna thought. He passed by several businessmen, all looking sharp in their suits and ties, and who eyed him with disapproval for the clothes that he's wearing. Tsuna, too used to being criticized, didn't mind the stares. He's just on a peaceful night out and does not find the need to be in a three-piece suit he usually wears (though at this, his tutor-cum-advisor begged to differ about this issue. As a mafia boss, it is only appropriate to always look sharp and presentable. The brunet's outfit would be more than enough to make the hitman shoot at his student).
He entered the elevator and pressed the button to where the bars and restaurants are situated, a small smile in his lips. Just like the businessmen he passed by earlier, the people in the elevator eyed him and the clothes he's currently wearing, and grimaced, some inwardly, some on the outside. Tsuna just rolled his eyes as he stepped out of the elevator, carrying himself with grace only befitting a Mafioso. He walked around the floor to perform a mini-checkup of the perimeter (a habit he had developed ever since he became Decimo. And also, because he wants to see the progress of their restaurant business). Once content with what he saw, he entered the bar him and his family frequented.
While most bars these days would have a disk jockey playing loud techno and dance music, and would smell like cigarettes and sweat, this bar, his personal and his family's favorite, would have a live performer (in tonight's case, it's a jazz pianist) and have a setting more suited for intimate conversations and business meetings. A balcony over-looking the city of Tokyo is situated on the right side of the room. So instead of heading towards the booths where he and his guardians would usually sit, he went outside the balcony and took a seat by the railings. There weren't many people out in the balcony, which suited him just fine. He just wants to be alone at the moment and relax. Not deal with Mafioso (though, at the back of his mind, he recalls with a little distaste that he'll have a meeting later on in the night with the other two skies of the Trinisette, who also happened to be his business partners for Tre Cieli, and with the Cavallone don and his sworn brother, Dino. But for now, he'll relax and enjoy his time away from the chaos that is the mafia and perhaps, savor a drink while he's at it). He stared at the city lights that illuminated Tokyo with a calm and serene face, relaxing even further as a soft wind blew on his face. A little while after, an attendant approached him with a smile, though his eyes, like the businessmen and the people in the elevator, eyed him disdainfully. Tsuna mentally rolled his eyes as he smiled at the attendant.
"Good evening sir. How may I be of service to you tonight?" though the man said that softly, as what he was taught, there's a tint of disapproval on his voice. 'That would have to be corrected,' Tsuna mused.
"I would like a bottle of Rhum Clement 1952, please. Oh, and no ice," the brunet said, a polite smile on his lips. At this statement, the attendant became surprised and began to reason out with the man.
"B-but, sir, a bottle of Rhum Clement costs ¥142,851. And, n-not to be rude or anything, but are you sure you can afford it?" the attendant said. Truth be told, he expected the man to order a bottle of beer at least, and a glass of wine at most. After all, with how the brunet was dressed, he was almost too certain that all the man could afford was a glass of their cheapest wine, and not an entire bottle of one of their most expensive rums.
At this, Tsuna released a disappointed sigh. And here he thought that at least he would have the common sense and decency to not ask such questions.
"First of all, I would like to chastise you about making such assumptions based on appearance. Weren't you taught to be polite to guests, regardless of what they wear and of their social standing in life? I would have to talk to Shouichi-kun about this," at this, the attendant paled, but did not say anything, lest he ticks the man off even more.
"And secondly," the brunet said, not paying attention to the attendant's pale face, "I am more than capable of buying a whole bottle of whatever this place has to offer."
At this point, the brunet showed him a card with the Vongola emblem printed on it. The man paled even further when he saw that the man he was slightly belittling in his head is actually a member of the upper echelons of Vongola.
"So please, do refrain yourself from making such accusations based on appearances alone, because sometimes, people appear more than what they let on," the don finished as he placed the card back where it came from.
The man nodded dumbly as he apologized to the don, which he accepted with a wave of a hand and a reprimand of 'Don't ever do that again'. He then repeated Tsuna's order, with much more respect and politeness than before, and left to fetch the bottle.
"Not a word about me being here to anyone," the don had said before the attendant left, who affirmed with a 'Yes, sir' before heading back inside the bar.
Once again, Tsuna was left to his own thoughts as he stared at the scenery laid in front of him. Was it really that weird to see Dame-Tsuna in such a high class place, ordering such high class drinks?
Mochida entered Tre Cieli with as much dignity as his currently-suited-up self permitted, his strides confident and determined, and the heels of his leather shoes clanking with purpose against the marble floors of the hotel. He had approached the front desk earlier to notify them that he has an appointment with the Japanese head of Tre Cieli, Irie Shouichi. After a short phone call by the front desk attendant, he was led to a bar situated on the fifteenth floor of the hotel and was told to await for the arrival of the red head and that he could order whatever he fancies, which will be taken care of by the same red head.
So he entered the specified bar, and went to the counter to order a glass of their most expensive wine. He sat at the many chairs lined up, his eyes sweeping in the bar he's currently in, whilst sipping his glass of wine. His lips curved up in satisfaction as the drink slid down his throat, his taste buds pleased with what they experienced. Then his eyes caught sight of the balcony. 'Perfect,' he thought as he rose up from his seat and strode towards the balcony. His eyes swept the balcony for the perfect place to sit and noted that there were only a handful of people in the area, which suited him just fine. Amongst the group of classy and sharply dressed ladies and gentlemen, he caught sight of a man wearing a black hoodie, looking quite out of place with his outfit, and he noticed with faint dismay, that he had taken the best spot for himself. So he approached the man with the intention of claiming the spot.
But as he drew nearer, he was able to make out fluffy brown hair and a heart-shaped face, whose features spoke of regality and class. Even the aura around the man had a certain aura that makes one drawn to him. But then his mind did a double take. Brown, fluffy and unruly hair. A hoodie over a scrawny-looking body. That image stirred something in his mind; a name. A name he know so very well, and a name he certainly didn't expect to be here. Sawada Tsunayoshi, a.k.a, Dame-Tsuna.
Tsuna heard the sound of heels approaching him from his left. Though he did not make any move to look at the figure, he took a sip of his rum as carefully assessed the person based on the aura he (or it could be a she) carried. Maturity with a heavy hint of pride and arrogance. A faint malicious intent, though not enough to cause him to draw out his weapons and be in a defensive stance. An aura like a bully. He had been around that kind of aura for as long as he could remember (even in the mafia, there are those bosses who think they are so good, they pushed the Decimo around and considered him not to be worth their respect. That the Decimo is just a scrawny-looking brat who didn't know what he's doing. Of course, he shoved harder, toppling the pride those Mafioso boasted about and knocking them off their high pedestal of pride and arrogance).
Before he can make tails of who the person is, he spoke (judging by the deep, manly voice the person has, it just HAS to be a man).
"Sawada?" the person said, cautious, yet at the same time, arrogant. He turned towards the sound of the voice, his honey-colored eyes blinking in confusion at the person. He certainly did not look like any Mafioso he had associated with, nor does he look like a member of any of their allied families. But the face, the features, though it had changed in the course of a decade, it was more than enough for Tsuna to recognize the person.
"Mochida-senpai?" he asked, his voice speculative and genuinely curious. At this, the man smirked and looked at the brunet, his arrogance level quickly rising.
"Ah. I thought I was just imagining it, but it really is you, eh, Dame-Tsuna?" Mochida said as he took a seat across the brunet. The brunet just rose an elegant eyebrow, not once cringing at his old nickname, but instead just mused over how rude it is of Mochida to just sit down without being invited. But he did not say anything, too used to be around people of Mochida's caliber.
The raven-haired man, on the other hand, took a look at the bottle of rum Tsuna had ordered for himself.
"A bottle of Rum Clement, eh? That's a rather good choice. But my wine definitely tastes better," Mochida said, putting down the bottle. 'Ah, there it is. Mochida-senpai's I'm-so-great-at-everything-so-worship-me tone,' Tsuna mused with distaste.
"It's been, like, what, ten years? Man, time really does fly so fast, huh? One moment, we're in middle school, the next, we're here at the balcony of one of the world's biggest and most expensive hotels." The man rambled on, and Tsuna just let him be, while he thought of the reason why Mochida would sit with him and talk with him, unless he's… 'Oh, so that's it. He simply didn't come here for idle chit-chat. He wants to snoop around Dame-Tsuna's life and make me appear miserable and unsuccessful while he makes himself big with his ego and arrogance,' Tsuna mused as he continued sipping his rum while pretending to be greatly interested with what Mochida was saying.
"…So, how have you been, Dame-Tsuna?" Mochida asked as he finished his mindless ramblings.
"I've been fine, thank you for asking, Mochida-senpai," the brunet said, then he added more of as an act of politeness and definitely not out of interest, "how about you, senpai?"
And then he rambled on about his life for the past ten years, how he's been very successful with his business and blahblahblah, and more things about him boasting about his achievements and blahblahblah, and how he's such a successful person now, blahblahblah. And Tsuna found out that he's here for a meeting with Irie Shouichi to propose opening a branch in Kyoto, with him as a business partner. All throughout his ramblings, Tsuna just continued sipping his drink while pretending to be greatly interested with every word that comes out of Mochida's mouth. He even gave a few exclamations and gasps to make it realistic.
Mochida seemed to be too pleased as he rambled on how successful he is and bets that Dame-Tsuna's been living an unsuccessful life, judging by the clothes the brunet's wearing. Speaking of which, what is the brunet doing here in the first place?
"So, enough about me. How about you, Dame-Tsuna. What brings you here to one of the world's most expensive hotels?" Mochida asked, clearly stressing the words 'most expensive'.
"Just out for a peaceful night out, I guess," the brunet shrugged. 'A peaceful night out you so conveniently ruined,' he thought with distaste.
"Heh. Is that so? Who knew you could afford to be here, let alone, order something expensive as Rhum Clement. So, what do you do for a living?" Mochida said, puffing up his imaginary fur as he continued basking in his self-proclaimed victory.
"I'm an entrepreneur," Tsuna said, giving out the half-truth. After all, being a mafia boss is not something you admit to anybody.
"An entrepreneur, huh? I bet it's not doing well?" Mochida said, dusting off invisible flakes on his shoulders. Tsuna just mentally rolled his eyes out at the arrogance of Mochida (he really was tempted to outwardly roll his eyes, but as a mafia boss, it's unbefitting and childish, so he held it in. And there's Reborn who would shoot him if was caught doing such undignified things).
"Actually, it's going quite well. But thank you for your concern, Mochida-senpai," the don said, flashing a disarming smile at the raven haired man.
Inwardly, Mochida was unnerved by the calm and collected aura of Dame-Tsuna. It was like, the brunet was superior over him and that he's only worth a dust in the soles of his feet. But no matter, they were no longer children. He will deal with this in a mature manner, like the adult he now is. And besides, if Dame-Tsuna's the one establishing a business, it can't be that good, right? It can't be much of a competition, right? And he's probably lying about his business doing well, right? Then he suddenly had a sudden realization. Along with Sawada, there were always people around him. His friends. But now, Mochida noted, the brunet is alone, with no sign of his friends. A smirk slowly crept its way on his lips.
"Ah, I see," Mochida said, his smirk growing larger. "So where are your friends, Dame-Tsuna?"
At the unexpected question, Tsuna stiffened a little but slowly relaxed. 'Never fall into the bait of the enemy, Dame-Tsuna, no matter how provoking he may be,' his tutor's words echoed in his mind.
"Hmm? They are currently doing their own businesses, I suppose," Tsuna shrugged. 'Which includes dealings which are NOT entirely legal,' Tsuna metally added.
"Oh? What 'businesses'?" Mochida said, leaning forward towards Tsuna.
"Can't say," he just shrugged. Truth be told, he was getting tired of Mochida's arrogance and their one-sided game of Twenty Questions, and just want to be somewhere far away from Mochida as remotely possible.
"Oh? Could it be that they left you?" Mochida said in a mocking tone. Though Tsuna was calm on the outside, he was silently fuming at Mochida. 'Keep your temper in check, Dame-Tsuna. It won't be good if you lose your cool,' he recalls another lesson of his tutor.
"Could it be that, perhaps, they got tired of hanging around Loser-Tsuna and decided to go their own ways? Did they perhaps feel that they are being dragged down by Dame-Tsuna? That they'll probably never amount to anything if they continued sticking with you?" Mochida said, mocking Tsuna, who just sat there, listening to Mochida rant while keeping his temper in line.
"Come to think of it," Mochida continued, not noticing the now dark aura Tsuna has around him, "with how smart Gokudera Hayato is, he could pass off as a scientist. Or even as a successful entrepreneur like myself. And Yamamoto Takeshi is so good at baseball, he would have most likely made it to the major league. And with how smart and intuitive Kurokawa Hana is, she could possibly be a lawyer. Then there's Sasagawa Kyoko. With her looks, she could probably be a model. There's also her older brother, too. Sasagawa Ryohei who is, undoubtedly, a boxing prodigy and it will not surprise me if he becomes a well-known boxer. Then there's Chrome Dokuro, the strange and quiet girl. With her artistic skills, she has the potential to be a famous artist. And I don't know how you bribed him to be a part of your group, but with his strength and his great desire to protect the peace, Hibari-san could easily become a part of the police, or perhaps he could even establish his own bureau for peace-keeping."
Mochida took a sip of his red wine, and continued, finishing his monologue, "But of course, none of them reached their full potential. All because of hanging around Dame-Tsuna and catching his dame-ness. Honestly, I don't know what they saw in you to make them stay with you. But I guess they came to a sudden realization that they'll never be anything if they keep hanging around you so they left you and went about to do the dreams that you've been holding them back from."
At Mochida's little speech, Tsuna clenched his fists tightly so as to restrain himself from ripping the man's head off its shoulders. Yet, Mochida's words stung as it hit a vulnerable spot within him. He knows that they're just Mochida's mindless ramblings but Tsuna can't help if the man's words held some hint of truth. Is he really keeping them from doing what they love by dragging them into the darkness that is the mafia? Is he really such a hindrance for them to reach their full potentials?
Before his thoughts could continue spiraling downwards, he felt a presence approaching their table.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Mochida-kun. I ran into some trouble on the way. I hope I didn't keep you for too long," Tsuna heard the familiar voice of one of his most trusted mechanics and strategist, Irie Shouichi.
At the arrival of the red head, Mochida's smirk grew even wider at the perfect opportunity to showcase his superiority over the brunet.
"I don't mind at all, Irie-san. I was just catching up with an old acquaintance of mine," Mochida said, his smirk firmly in place as gestured a hand towards Tsuna. Shouichi followed the direction where Mochida's hand pointed and his eyes widened. There his boss sat, his head resting on the palm of his hand, whilst his face reflected a blank expression. But Shouichi knew better. He knew that the brunet was pissed and was keeping a tight grip on his temper.
"Eh? Boss? What are you doing here?" Shouichi gasped once he saw his boss. At this statement, Mochida gasped for air as he can't believe what he just heard. No, it can't be true. He must have drunk too much and must have misheard.
"Excuse me, Irie-san, but did you just call Dame-I mean Sawada, boss?" Mocida quaked, his eyes pleading that he heard wrong. But apparently, his luck for the night has ran out and his pride quickly spiraled down.
"Hmm? Yes. He's my boss. Actually, he's the owner of this hotel. You should be honored to be acquainted to such a man," Shouichi said to Mochida, clearly not picking up his distress. Then he turned to Tsuna again, who now had calmed down. "So, boss, what are you doing out here, unescorted?"
"What did I say about calling me boss?" Tsuna sighed, in which Shouichi just laughed.
"I was out for some quiet 'me' time until someone conveniently ruined it," Tsuna said, though his eyes never looked at Mochida, his words stung the raven-haired man.
"So, where are your bodyguards? Aren't you supposed to be escorted when you go out?" Shouichi said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Reborn had let me have some time off for myself and not be tailed by my guardians," he shrugged.
"And how did you manage to convince Reborn-san?" the red head asked warily.
"Simple. I bribed him with his favorite espresso," the brunet flashed a toothy grin at his strategist. In the midst of their conversation, a certain man was left forgotten. Mochida continued to be in a state of disbelief as the two Vongola members talked.
"Do you, perhaps know where Hayato and Takeshi are? They're supposed to pick me up for the meeting," The brunet inquired.
"Ah. Actually, they arrived with me. But I believe they are taking care of some things," Shouichi said, becoming uneasy all of the sudden.
"And that is?" Tsuna arched an eyebrow in inquiry to the red head. However, before he can reply, they heard a familiar voice joining them at the balcony.
"Tsuna! What in the six hells of Mukuro are you wearing?!" they turned around to look at the Storm Guardian's face, which is contorted in distaste. In his hand, he held a hanger that held a three-piece suit (which, Mochida noted, costs a lot more than his entire wardrobe), and on his other hand, a paper bag, no doubt containing shoes. Behind him, they saw the rest of the brunet's guardians with the addition of his tutor, who is subtly glaring at him from beneath his fedora.
"For once, I have to agree with the puppy. What the hell are you wearing, Sawada Tsunayoshi? Have you no shame?" Mukuro said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Yare, yare, Tsuna-nii. You're no longer in middle school. Your outfit does not suit a boss at all," Lambo said, running a hand on his hair.
"Omnivore, you better change into something presentable. Your appearance is unsightly," Hibari said.
"You're, err, looking a little less extreme, Sawada," Ryohei said, his voice lacking its usual extremeness.
"Maa, maa, at least he's wearing clothes, right?" Yamamoto said, but his smile had a certain strain in it. Beside him, Chrome kept her mouth shut as she refused to look at her boss.
All of them, Mochida noted, were wearing high quality (and probably tailored) suits (in the case of Chrome, a dress), all the same except for the varying colors of dress shirts they wore underneath.
"It's good to see you too, Hayato, everyone." Tsuna nodded his head towards his right-hand man. "And why, I'm wearing something comfortable. What? Am I no longer allowed to wear casual clothing?"
"If that's what you're wearing, then absolutely not. I did not teach you to be such a sloppy dresser," Reborn said, taking the clothes from Gokudera and strode towards his student.
"You are to change into these, and you are to go to the meeting wearing this suit. And no, you are not allowed to use the excuse, 'But they're my friends. I don't need to be in a suit'. You are banned from going out wearing such… outrageous and tasteless clothes," the ex-Arcobaleno said, shoving the clothes at his student.
"Of course you guys care more about what I'm wearing instead of whether or not I'm still alive," Tsuna muttered under his breath. Then he rose up from his seat, and looked at Mochida, who sat petrified at his seat.
"As you can clearly see, Mochida-senpai, my friends are right here. And to answer your earlier question about what they do, why, they are my subordinates. They work for me, not because I am forcing them to, but rather, because it's what they've decided to do. And of course, all of them are doing what they do best. While what you have listed earlier is true, I know them better than some outsider like you, seeing that I've actually spent time with them, and not just observing them from afar. And before you make such baseless accusations and before you set yourself high in your own little pedestal, I suggest that you kindly make sure you have your facts right so as you will not lose face. Have a good night, Senpai," Tsuna said with an edge that only comes from dealing with insufferable mafia bosses. Then he turned to Shouichi, and said,
"Kindly have this gentleman escorted on the way out. I have already heard his proposal and as the owner and shareholder of Tre Cieli, I reject it. And do join us once you're done wrapping things up. It's Family Night, and I want everyone present. We'll be at the penthouse,"
He then proceeded to walk towards his family, but before he left, he turned one last time to Mochida and spoke,
"I don't care if you insult me. I don't care how much you demean me and put me down. But if you take to insulting my friends just to make yourself feel better, then that is another matter. You're lucky you'll be able to leave here with your head still attached to your shoulders. And as a little piece of advice, please keep in mind that appearances can be deceiving."
Author's note: Please do let me know your thoughts and your constructive criticism via your reviews. They make me warm and happy and other positive adjectives. Ciao, ciao, minna!