Sorry I'm late with this. Had so much to do this upcoming week.

Disclaimer: Does not own KHR. Just the OC's.

Warning: Zucchini mentioned. Nuff said.

"The itallics"- Is speaking in another language (French)

"The bold"- Is speaking in another language (English)

"Both"- Is speaking in another language (Italian)


But I don't want to be the centre of anything.

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Several occupants seated on the same row as us gave me another curious glance like I was some alien from outer space. Most of the time I reacted by openly staring back at them as I gnaw on Akira's sleeve while the latter went through paperwork he carried around, reading the article word by word and kept vigilant for any errors. Other times I would try to hide behind Akira's arm when the staring continued.

I have spent the past few hours sitting on Akira's lap gnawing on one of his sleeves as a form of entertainment, with my pacifier I spit into his eye back in the airport stuffed into his pocket and quite possibly contaminated. This is the only option left.

I tried reading Akira's paperwork but apparently with the small text grouped into large paragraphs, it ended up hurting my eyes just trying to read it. I didn't bother to indulge myself in reading and decided to find something else.

That something else being Akira's sleeve.

"Well there goes my shirt," Akira mused, trailing his gaze from the paper in hand to his soaked sleeve, "And possibly your appetite."

Akira had grown worried with my food schedule having to read that developing babies such as myself need to be fed regularly. However the case is different with me, I only go to Akira for food when I wanted only he doesn't know that.

Most of the time, I rejected the bottle of milk by smacking it away from my mouth when the man insisted I drink my milk while frowning fiercely at him.

Akira looked like he wanted to cry at that point in time and the poor passenger seated next to us gave me the stink eye.

The passenger is an old man, older than Damien with silver streaking in his black hair and short beard. The man despite being physically older is bulky in size hinting he might be doing some exercise to keep that physique. Has a sharp nose and bright blue eyes. In my opinion I could consider this man to be very salty, not in a sense of taste but attitude with all the scowling as a default resting bitch face.

The man surprisingly made no complaint about my behavior when I slapped the bottle away when I expected him to bitch about it to the flight attendant or Akira. All he did was cross his arms over his chest, grumble under his breath for several moments and sit there minding his own business.

"Your kid?"

Both Akira and I turned to the male passenger, blue eyes staring intensely in my direction. I can't help but stick closer to Akira. While weary of him dropping him dropping me like before when Damien is around, Akira is the only comfort I have left.

"Y-yeah," Akira stammered, "He's mine."

"The boy will ask for food when he wants to. Just look for the clues," The man gruffly said.

Akira is not the only one baffled with the man.

"….Excuse me?"

The man let out a heavy sigh, breathing heavily out of his nose almost seemingly frustrated with something or likely someone.

"I have nephews,"He gritted out, turning his head aside to stare something with his blue gaze focused in another direction, "It's hard at first but in the end you will get used to it. The whole thing."

With that he kept silence, not further elaborating his statement as if he expected Akira to figure it out himself.

I squinted at the man for a bit longer, studying his face to see what prompt him to suddenly provide advice and his barely concealed reason to do so. From my position it's hard to see all his face, just only one third of it is shown. For a while longer, I thought about his sudden short story and it then dawned on me.

Oh.

OH.

If I'm not a baby right now, I would have snorted so much just trying to hide my laughter bubbling up from within.

This man who looks like the type of person that does not like to socialize, prefer solitude over company if the choice is given and always have this atmosphere as if the man broods all day – yet embarrassingly admit a small piece of information that's personal to some stranger just to help Akira from pulling his hair out.

In this troubled world, no act of kindness if too small to perform.

Ugh. When did I suddenly turn poetic?

Akira chuckled awkwardly, "I'm new at this."

The other turned to face him and arched an eyebrow, "I can tell."

Akira smiled before turning to face me where his smile turned strained and softly whispered to himself, "Okay goodbye. I'm dead."

Luckily the man did not hear his words.

With that left in the air between them, the place descended just as a beautiful city came into sight. All my previous thought pushed aside as I stare out the window in awe with the traditional houses down below.


"Welcome to Italy, Perugia!" A group of attendant's chorused together in Italian, poised in a slight bow as passengers on the flight made their way off the plane. Some being kind enough to return the gesture with a greeting of their own.

I could barely manage to understand them since it has been months since I had spoken in that language. With my Italian rusty due to the lack of usage, processing words from those speaking in Italian will take time.

Akira collected my pram once more with an aid of one attendant helping him to set it up before he settled me into the seat, pushing my pram forward towards the immigration checkpoint, humming a random tone as we made our way.

I never been to Italy personally and the closest thing to me being in Italy itself is through Bobby who went to Florence during the summer holiday with his family. The country simply interest me; the history, the environment and eventually the language.

First it started with measly research about Italy when I was in middle school and being inspired to know more from a game that resolves about the country itself. It eventually became a thing for me to learn languages such as French, German, Italian and Spanish but tried a little with Japanese; got to learn the basics only.

I gave up hope trying to learn Chinese and Latin.

The good thing about me being bilingual was that after meeting Bobby and Robert, the two influenced me greatly, I get to cuss without anyone having a clue what I said and get to fool around such as the time with Robert who attempt to flirt with a girl in French not knowing that I told him a curse word.

He ended up getting slapped in the face.

I got yelled at.

Robert had been grumpy for a whole month after that incident, pushing me harder in our regular workout routine before he finally relented, knowing he would have done the same if our roles were switch.

I laughed at him and he flipped me the finger.

There is a difference between him and I; he is a social butterfly and I'm the socially awkward one.

Passing through the immigration was a breeze and no one batted a single eyelash at Akira when he handed our passports, merely giving me a small wave once they noticed that a baby is present before being swept off to the exit.

Akira didn't have to stop at the baggage claim for anything since he had everything hand carried onto the plane and now shoved under my seat. He left his shoulder bag hanging off his form.

We made our way past the crowd patiently waiting for their luggage, watching as people try to fit into the small remaining space close to the belt with their carts before someone else could take the spot, I watched them interact a bit longer, trying to see if the man from earlier is in the crowd but ended up not finding him.

With a shrug I turned my attention forward to the automated glass doors nearing.

"Well home sweet home, "Akira said in French once we pass through the doors, "I think?"

Akira seemed uncertain but the nostalgic tone in his voice reveals that he is familiar to the area, pushing my pram to the row of taxies waiting for potential customers. He approached one, reverting back to Italian as he conversed with the taxi driver leaning against his car.

As they talk, I found myself scanning the crowd eagerly waiting for their love ones to make their way past the gates and blinked when the man I had been looking for earlier came strolling out with his baggage dragged behind him. Just several steps out of the building, he stopped and smiled to the two small toddlers shouting at the top of their lungs that had flung themselves at the older man.

Following behind the two toddlers is the mother who happened to have the same brown hair like the kid. The two children are a blond and a brunette. I don't think those kids are his children seeing how the mother looked like the man meaning the two must be related.

So that's why he meant with the nephew story back on the plane.

Akira's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, kneeling down to my side and lifted me out of my pram, "Time to get into the car, Shiro," he said once again in French.

I didn't have to do much but simply latched onto him, patiently waiting for the entire folding the pram routine to kick into place. While doing so he is using one arm which in my opinion is quite a feat meaning he's getting more efficient in caring for me. He nodded the driver to the pram for the man to store it in the trunk of the car and rolled his shoulder before looking at the same direction I had been staring at.

"Huh," Akira simply said, "Good for him."

The taxi driver standing to the side piped up having to hear his words, "Excuse me?"

Akira switched back to Italian, "Nothing."

With a shrug, the driver placed Akira's duffle bag next to the pram before closing the trunk shut and made way to the driver's seat as Akira slid in, settling into his seat. The driver grunted as he settled into his own, turning the keys to the engine which came to life with a roar loud to my ears.

"Seatbelts please," The driver advised with a glance thrown over his shoulder, not letting Akira to follow his instructions as the man stepped on the gas and just like that we drove off to the city square.


The driver flashed us a smile once Akira shakily handed over the money, "Thank you sir!"

"Y-yeah," Akira stammered out, clinging to me like a lifeline with me doing the same and practically glued myself to him, "Have a great day."

The bastard of a driver had the gall to look unaffected at how both Akira and I are, simply not acknowledging the fact his insane driving made me realize how having both legs on the ground is something I had taken for granted.

He nearly took out an old lady crossing the road on our way to the city square!

Poor soul.

She chucked a zucchini at the car in retaliation, curing up a storm.

With one last smile, the driver took off leaving us behind in a slightly bustling city square with people going about in their lives and the occasional tourist taking photos of their surroundings.

Akira had to gently pry my hands off from his jacket, settling me back into the pram, "That took several years of my life," He mumbled unhappily, "Note to self; renew will when you have the time."

He pulled out a blanket from his duffle bag, using it to cover me from the cold winter air and situated a baby size wool hat onto my head. While it's not snowing here yet, it is still winter and cold as hell. Akira made sure that everything is tucked neatly, stepping back to evaluate his handiwork and gave a nod when he was satisfied.

The sun had already reached the highest point in the sky from what I could observe as I crane my head enough to estimate the time of day by the sun. Getting to Italy took several hours, just under five at most but without knowing where I originated from I could not determine the time difference and do all the estimated calculations.

"Better hurry up before the cold gets to us," Akira piped up from behind, pushing my pram forward quickly but not enough to frighten me by the speed. That's a plus. "We have a long way to go," He added with a grumble.

We passed houses, building that date back several centuries ago. Its old architectural features ever so present despite the old age and slightly modern modification added to fit the modern life style. It's nice to see the past still preserved until today.

Akira kept walking in a certain direction being familiar with the area from how pointed out everything around us like how he frequents this restaurant when he stayed here with his high school friend.

He had been hesitant talking out loud to me at first. The entire first part of the conversation very wince worthy, even I would feel the same if our roles were switched. Eventually he relaxed and began freely filing up the silence with his rambling.

The buildings began to thin out when we made one specific turn and trees popped into sight as we made down this narrow road leading to a tall dark blue iron gates that are connected to very high cobblestone walls that stretched into the forest.

It looks like a large private property.

Those gates and walls are there for a reason.

At the side a small guard room with one guard getting up from his seat to peer out of the window, staring curiously at us when we approach. The man moved away, returning back to his desk momentarily before coming out to meet us.

"Stop right there," The guard ordered, "This is private property so I suggest you leave before I have to use force."

Akira stopped several meters away and disregards the warning, "Is the Giglio Nero Nono present?"

I tilted my head and strained my ears to hear Akira's now suddenly interesting conversation.

Ninth?

Giglio Nero?

The guard looked startled with his statement and immediately went for his gun, a hand on the holster but not yet drawing the weapon out. I sank deeper into the chair, letting out a soft whimper when the man looked threatening.

"There is no notice of any visitors," The guard mentioned warily, staring at Akira with narrowed eyes, "Turn back."

"Mother fucker–" Akira said angrily, "Look Brooke. If you don't get this stupid ass gate open I swear to god I'm going to tell everyone about that horrible butterfly tattooed on your butt after getting hammered that one night."

'Brooke' looks floored.

I snorted, holding back a laugh which my guardian had mistaken it as a choke. He leaned forward to stare into my pram with concern written on his face.

His gaze met mine once again. I smiled at him.

A hesitant reply from the guard, "…Quinn?"

Akira's expression turned from concern to a look of regret and was that close to face palming himself.

He ran a hand over his face, "Hello, Brooke. It's so nice to hear from you again but I like to go inside a warm building and not have both mine and this kid contracting hypothermia. Also I want to see Aria."

"OH MY GOD QUINN. IS THAT YOU?! I'LL NOTIFY THE BOSS RIGHT AWAY–"

Brooke ran over to the guard house, not bothered to even go inside as he leaned over the window and slammed a hand over a button. A loud beep resonated followed with the gates creaking opening. Akira took off when the gates moved.

"I'll be going on ahead. See you!" he waved at the man.

He didn't even give the guard a chance to reply.


I stared at the large building before us; 'that' building being a fucking mansion which screams 'important and historical' to me. Whoever this friend Akira had mentioned, that person has a high status to own a large place like this.

The mansion is tall with walls painted white and roof shingles in the color of brick red. At some places the paint is chipped off and some obvious cracks is seen compared to the houses at town. This house could be older than them.

Surrounding the house is a forest making this place tucked in a blanket of green if seen from above and hidden from unwanted eyes. There is nothing extravagant about this place save for the building itself but it felt like home. Not an actual home to me but it has this peaceful atmosphere. A family oriented feel to it.

"QUINN!"

The wooden double doors flung open by a teenage girl around the age of seventeen with dark hair that reached her shoulders, dressed in a long red turtleneck and black slacks who threw herself at Akira with her arms outstretched.

The latter reacting by engulfing her in a hug of his own with a wide smile on his face. He genuinely looked happy. The sadness I saw from before when he found me, wiped away.

Or hidden.

"I thought we went through the 'hang off of Quinn' phase back in high school," Akira joked.

She laughed in reply, pulling out of the hug to stare up at the man. Only to rear back her hand shaped into a fist and punched Akira in the gut with an honest to god smile on her face.

Akira choked when the hit land and stumbled into her fist, using the teen to hold himself up despite how he manage to almost get incapacitated with just a well placed hit to the stomach. With a strained smile on his lips, he shakily greeted the teen.

"H-Hey Ar-Aria."

The teen reacted to his greeting negatively, her smile turning into an irritated scowl.

"No calls. No letters. No emails. No visits," She listed down, "Literally you disappeared for almost a year making me worried sick if you were hurt or worse, only to come back one day out of the blue?!" The irate teen is almost shouting at Akira, clearly upset with him.

"All you had to say is 'hello'?!"

Several people eventually came to the door having to hear the commotion. Five men stood at the door decked in black suits and stared at the scene with wide eye. Half of them looked puzzled with the situation while a small portion could only sigh as if they knew.

She must be that friend he keeps on mentioning.

No one had noticed me yet but I'm fine watching this drama unfold.

I like her.

Akira winced, reaching up to rub his ears, "I know that you're more than angry–"

"Livid," She corrected.

"–but as much as I like to stand outside, someone here does not."

He then pointed at me as an indication. Aria paused in her verbal onslaught and followed his line of direction; soon enough I found myself staring into a new pair of stunningly beautiful blue eyes,

Something about her seems familiar….

She blinked several times before both her eyebrows rose up in surprise and immediately set to action once Akira's words set in.

"You're right," She nudged the man to my direction and trailed behind him, "Better bring that baby inside. Are you babysitting someone's kid?"

Akira directed my pram towards the entrance when the group had moved aside, leaning forward slightly with curiosity. He greeted the others casually like he did with Aria before finally addressing to her question.

"No. I adopted him."

Everyone is stun into silence which ticked Akira off somewhat.

"What?" He replied defensively, "Can't expect me to raise a kid?"

One of the men in suits answered in a heartbeat, "Knowing you, pretty much."

"Tazaru," Aria had said sternly like a mother having caught her child taking a cookie to the only colored man of the group yet with a blindingly bright blonde short beard. The man sent an apologizing to her.

"Rude," Akira retorted, picking me up from my pram and steered over to Aria who is positively shaking with excitement. Her blue eyes brighten up when I came into sight. "Meet Shiro."

With so many eyes focused on me, I instinctively drew closer to Akira almost wishing to hide inside his jacket with the sudden feeling of shyness.

Aria cooed, "He's adorable."

She peered forward, coming close so that I could see her face more clearly and took note of a small orange tattoo under her left eye. A warm smile appearing on her lips when she noticed that I'm paying more attention to her instead of Akira. Her smile made me return the kind gesture, a small tug on my heart strings that make one impulsively act out.

"Hello there, Shiro. I'm Aria and those scary looking men over there–"said mentioned group squawked in protest, "Are my famiglia."

"The ugliest bunch I ever met save for Aria, "Akira added not so quietly, feigning innocence when several pair of eyes turned to him.

He laughed and so did the others, their annoyance to Akira's statement melting away leaving behind a comforting feeling in place. I can tell the others are to be considered Akira's friends from how they interact but not as close as he is with Aria.

You know friends are truly friends when they both start insulting one another with a smile on their faces.

When their laughter had settled down, Aria took the chance to talk with Akira while the others inched closer to our group wanting to come near but seemed wary. I turned my attention to the two adults talking above my head when the others seemed fine standing quite a distance away.

Aria noticed my action and wiggled a finger in front of my face.

"Can…can we talk somewhere private?"

Aria stopped playing around, blinking once before turning to Akira who had inquired that question quietly from the lack of looks sent to him from the others. I can hear him since I'm literally in his arms and right next to his face. The bright smile on Aria's face toned down and a hint of concern flickered in her eyes that were searching for something on his face and seemed to find an answer.

Akira had his lips pushed together in a thin line, trying his best to steel his features and not give anything away but sadly failed. His sad eyes gave him away and Aria pinpointed it quickly.

She is kind enough not to point it out with an audience before them.

She gave a slight nod, "Of course."

"If you may," She held out her hand for me, waiting for him to pass me over. Akira took the hint and handed me over albeit reluctantly, expressing his concern when Aria expertly held me. He even hovered around her once the transfer had been made, reaching out to touch my blanket when it seems like she is having trouble.

"Be careful–"

Aria hushed the man, "I know how to handle a child, Quinn. I'll be careful with him."

I stared at Akira confusingly. When Damien had referred to the male with the name 'Quinn' it drew out a negative response but when Aria and the others had used it, there is not heat or snark. No reaction.

Nothing but a small smile.

What made them special?

I shoved the thought down, Akira or Quinn, one fact still remains the same; He is an enigma to me. If I want answers, I have to wait for a long time.

"Alberto," Aria called out and immediately brought out a response from the side group. They quickly straighten up, regaining their composure like soldiers standing before their sergeant. The one Aria called out took a step forward, a tall male with short brown hair and brown eyes.

"Yes?" Alberto replied.

She walked over to the male and handed me over to the man, who acted like Akira during our first encounter, awkwardly cradled me against his chest and I could tell that I'm not the only one sending a dubious look at the teen. She stepped back, a grin in place as knowing her smart move had enabled the man from returning me back to her.

"I'm going to have a talk with Quinn," She explained, "On a personal matter that I have to attend to and I task you with keeping an eye on Shiro while both Quinn and I talk. Privately."

Back up.

I feel much safer with Akira than being left alone with these people.

That's saying something.

He nodded, "Of course."

"Excellent," She clapped her hands together in delight and whisked Akira off to another part of the building, the latter shouting over his shoulder that If I need anything like food or to be change, a manual can be found in the shoulder bag in the pram.

"Don't worry," Aria comforted as she led Akira into a room, practically shoving him inside when the male had to dig his heels into the floor, "He's in safe hands."

"…I don't know how to feel about that statement."

"Aw…Shiro is going to have such an overprotective father."

The door clicked behind them as they disappeared out of view leaving behind a small mismatched group of stating at the place the two had last stood. Alberto's neutral mask slipped away to reveal the mortification he felt being given the responsibility to take care of a kid.

He slowly turned to the others that equally felt the same about the situation.

"…how do we do this?"

It was nice knowing Aria.

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Just a part of something bigger.


Aria is still young here being 17 while Akira is 20. They met in high school.

I can't tell you more because its considered a spoiler.

(I wonder if people noticed how special I begin and end a chapter)

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