Disclaimer: KHR belongs to Amano Akira.
Chapter 10: Miyo Mei-Hua
The day the "Golden Dragon of the Center" comes to school wearing two pigtails is not one to forget. That's right, today, Yang Jin-Wei, former respected and tenth boss of the Jijie Family, has his hair up in twin tails wrapped in bright yellow ribbons and beads. With his hair like that and the golden eyeliner, Jin could pass for any other female student, if not for his uniform.
"Um, Jin-kun?" Tsuna says. They have all arrived at school and are waiting for class to begin. That morning, Reborn told Tsuna that there would be another exchange student. Honestly, where did they all come from? Tsuna only hopes they won't be crazy. "Why are you…why is your hair like that?"
"Pft, ponytail idiot," Gokudera smirks, "is your new hobby dressing in drag?"
Yamamoto just laughs like his usual self. "Hahaha, you kinda look like a girl, Jin!" he exclaims. Jin sighs, and Sai holds back a snigger.
"Look, it was not my idea to wear these…these…these thingies!" Jin cries, losing it in the end. He places his head in his palm. "Oh! The shame of this!" Everyone stares in disbelief as the normally calm Jin stammers.
"So…why?" Tsuna repeats. He waves his hands at the outfit. Before Jin can answer, Kyoko walks over with Hana, who stifles a snicker at the sight of Jin.
"Good morning, everyone," Kyoko greets them. Then she spots Jin. "Jin-kun, you look so cute! Is there a convention in town today?"
"Thanks, and no," Jin replies, face heating up. "M-my f-fiancé has d-d-decided to – urk! – visit this we-ek. She's really into fashion, if that tells you anything."
"She pretty much uses him as a giant dress-up doll," Sai clarifies. Jin flushes bright red at this and jabs his friend in the side. "Ouch!"
"Hahaha! She sounds interesting!" remarks Yamamoto.
"Tch! She'd better not mess with Juudaime," grumbles Gokudera.
"So Jin-kun, when will we get to meet her?" Kyoko asks.
"Actually—" Jin starts before he's interrupted by the teacher entering the classroom. The students hastily return to their seats. After the typical morning procedures, the teacher introduces the transfer student. Jin and Sai stiffen at the mention of a new student. Both of them can guess who it is.
"Class, give a warm welcome to—"
"Miyo Mei-Hua," the girl at the front of the class announces, "age fourteen, miyaa. Please call me 'Miyo-chan'! I'm from China, my favorite color is yellow, and I'm engaged to Yang Jin-Wei, miyaa!" Immediately, everyone turns to the boy. This is who he was talking about? The two are complete foils of one another! Cheery and energetic, calm and collected; they make a strange pair.
Her eyes catch everyone's attention. Dark, but bright, they're outlined with just enough makeup to give and accent. Her black hair curves around her face, making it seem round, and is cut to a medium length. Around her wrists, she wears numerous bracelets, and she wears her socks stylishly uneven. A luminescent blush shines. She tilts her head to the side cutely, as if she doesn't understand why everyone is looking at her strangely.
"Hey, hey~! Is something wrong?" she asks. Then she smiles. "I see; you guys are all just so speechless about meeting me! Is that right, miyaa~?" Miyo notices Jin hiding his face, who flinches at her recognition. A grin spreads wide across the girl's face. "JIINN, MY LOOVE~! YOU'RE SO KAWAAII! IT'S BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME SINCE WE'VE LAST SEEN ONE ANOTHER!"
Jin blushes madly as Miyo nearly strangles him in an embrace. "My darling Mei," he whispers softly, "we saw each other just this morning…GAK!" He gasps when Miyo's grip tightens.
Nearly exasperated by now, the sensei cleared his throat. "Miyo-san, please take any empty seat in the room," he informs Miyo. In a flash, she takes the now-empty seat behind Jin, pushing the student who sat there before out and grumbling on the ground. The teacher sighs. "I said, any empty seat…"
Tsuna, Sai, Gokudera, and Yamamoto wait on the rooftop at lunch for Jin to arrive. Throughout the entire class periods, Miyo had stared at Jin, who failed at ignoring her. Eventually, he nervously excused himself from class, but Miyo followed him, leaving the others to postpone their lunch for them. After several long minutes of awkward silence, the others can hear bickering come closer through the door leading to the roof. Jin and Miyo reach the rooftop, arguing about hairstyles.
"—should not be forced to wear such frivolous styles," Jin is telling Miyo. His hair is back to a single ponytail and without the yellow ribbon.
"But Jinny!" she protests. "You looked sooo cute, miyaa! Here, let me help you fix it!" Miyo grabs Jin's hair harshly, and he yelps at the yanking. Miyo's brow scrunches in concentration as she focuses on pleating his hair. Spotting the others, Jin smiles in relief.
"Tsunayoshi-kun, Sai!" Jin calls. "HELP ME!"
"A-alright, J-Jin-kun!" Tsuna replies. He starts for Jin, but Miyo immediately steps in front of him, legs spread and hands on her hips. "M-Miyo-san?"
"'Jin-kun', miyaa?!" she repeats angrily. "Did you just call my Jinny 'kun'?"
"W-wha—?"
"Don't give me that, miyaa!" Miyo interrupts. "I've studied enough Japanese to know that the suffix 'kun' is for those who are close to you and for lovers! Don't you dare try and take him away, miyaa~? Jinny and I are gonna get married soon, and then it'll be illegal for you to steal him away, miyaa."
"WWHAAT?!" Both Tsuna and Jin blush at this. Is this girl crazy?! wonders Tsuna.
"Oi! Stupid girl!" Gokudera growls angrily. Miyo looks at him indignantly. "The honorific 'kun' is just for fellow peers. 'Chan' is informal and for close friends and lovers. How can you get 'kun' and 'chan' mixed up?!"
Miyo immediately stops ranting and places one fist into the other's palm, as if finally realizing something. "I see!" she exclaims. Miyo then runs up to Tsuna and hugs him tightly. "Sorry for misunderstanding! It won't happen again, miyaa~! By the way, call me Miyo-chan! Got it, miyaa~?
"A-alright, Miyo-san," Tsuna agrees. Miyo huffs impatiently.
"It's 'Miyo-chan!" she cries. "M-I-Y-O—C-H-A-N~!" She grins. "Heehee! I'm so glad to meet you! I hope my Jinny hasn't been too much trouble, miyaa!"
"Get your hands off of Juudaime!"
"Mei! You're gonna choke him to death!" Sai shouts. Miyo quickly releases Tsuna, who gasps for air. Miyo apologizes, dipping her head rapidly each time.
"So sorry!" she tells him. "I shouldn't have handled the Vongola Juudaime as such!"
"'H-handled?" Tsuna echoes. Waving his arms rapidly, he denies, "N-no! I'm not going to be the Vongola Juudaime, M-Miyo-chan!"
"Hahaha, seems like that's all cleared up then," Yamamoto says. Yet again, he appears oblivious to the current situation. The Vongola trio introduce themselves to Miyo, who sits by Jin and holds his hand. As they eat their lunches, Miyo's stare whips back and forth between Jin and Sai.
"So where did you guys go, miyaa?" Miyo whines. A metaphorical spotlight shines down on her following melodramatic emotions. "I was left there in China, all alone, with not a soul to talk to, miyaa. Those two boys did not even send me a letter after they left, not even one final phone call, wah!"
"Hey, Jin-kun?" Tsuna whispers. Jin turns his ear to listen. "Does Miyo-san know about the Mafia?"
"I can hear you, miyaa." The two jump when Miyo suddenly appears in between them, frowning. "It's not nice to gossip about others behind their backs, miyaa! But yeah! I know all about the Mafia, Tsuna-san. My bàbà and Jin's uncle are both great bosses of triads, miyaa. They're the ones who set up our marriage."
"Then you should understand why we left, Mei," says Jin, sighing. Miyo seems to calm down at his voice, becoming somber and thoughtful.
"I'm sorry that you lost your position as boss, Jin," she tells him. He stares at her for a moment before realizing that that's all she knows. "And you, too, Sai. But when I'd heard that you two came here, I couldn't help but wonder why."
"Japan is simply a stepping stone in our mission to locate missing Guardians," Jin explains. "Before…the coup d'état, I sent them into hiding." He leaves it at that. As with I-Pin, he doesn't want to worry Miyo too much. While the two are close, their Families do not pry into each other's internal affairs often, meaning Miyo would be sheltered from the truth.
Miyo doesn't entirely believe this explanation, but accepts it anyway. She knows she probably wouldn't like the truth, and, moreover, Jin probably doesn't want to dwell on it.
Then she spots the bento a random female classmate gave to him before class.
"Miyaa!" she exclaims. "Who gave you that petty-looking bento?!" Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a homemade lunch wrapped in pink (Sai and Gokudera smirk at this). Tossing the previous lunch away like trash, she's reaching to place her own bento into Jin's empty hands, something speeds their way.
"Watch out!" Jin and Tsuna warn. Bullets fly through the air, and the group ducks and covers. Stray bullets pummel the lunch to mere strips of sauce-covered plastic. After a few moments, the volley of ammunition ceases, and the group warily gets to their feet, weapons ready. Their enemies appear across from them, holding firearms of various sizes. From their badges, they can tell that the attackers are from the Jijie Family.
"Prepare to die, traitors!" one of them shouts.
"Honestly, this again?" asks Jin. An overpowering aura suddenly emanates from Miyo, who clenches her fists tightly. Her hair floats in the air, twisting and curling like snakes. Everyone flinches at the deadliness of the aura, including the enemies. "Oh dear…"
"W-what do you mean by 'oh dear'?" Tsuna says. Jin straightens before distancing himself from Miyo. The others glance at him expectantly.
"It would be best if we stand by in this fight, everyone," Jin informs the others. "Mei-chan is capable of finishing them off herself. Should we join in, we would only become obstacles. We should leave this to her." He sits down on the ground, and Sai follows suit. Gokudera and Yamamoto turn to Tsuna, who nods. The Vongola trio hesitantly takes back their weapons and move away. The Jijie agents cackle at this.
"Relying on a little girl? How pathetic!" they shout. But they all flinch and silence when Miyo turns to them maliciously.
"How dare you destroy that bento I made especially for my dear fiancé!" she roars. Suddenly, her bracelets glow with bright yellow light and transform into thick bangles with the design of a lotus. "Blossom of the Lotus!" she cries.
Rushing forwards, she slams two clenched fists straight into the faces of two of the thugs before they have the chance to react. Those to go down with thuds!, skidding across the roof. The others watch in wide-eyed horror at the girl.
"Get her!" the leader shouts. Confusing the observers, the thugs' weapons disappear, and they fight with bare hands. One of them launches himself at Miyo, who simply dips down and rams into the man's stomach so harshly that he flies off the side of the school. As more enemies begin to attack, Miyo easily evades, kicks, and punches when needed. One by one, the thugs fly off of the roof and into the distant sky.
Meanwhile, Jin and Sai calmly finish their lunches, ignoring the commotion around them. The Vongola trio follow suit more uncertainly. Minutes later, the roof is cleared of enemies, leaving only Miyo brushing her hands off, normal bangles clinking around. Dashing back over to where Jin is, she embraces the boy from behind. Jin closes his eyes in slight frustration.
"I'm so sorry, Jinny!" she cries. "Those awful people destroyed your lunch!"
"It's alright, Mei-chan," he assures her. She's not listening, however, but reaching into her bag once again. Everyone stares in disbelief when she pulls out a second bento.
"Yep, miyaa! It's a good thing I made an extra!" Miyo exclaims. "And just in case you lose this one, I've got three more, miyaa!"
"Hey, Juudaime?" Gokudera hisses. "Doesn't it seem like those idiots came just so the idiot girl could show-off?"
"I-I don't think so, Gokudera-kun," Tsuna replies. But, for all he knows, daily assassin attempts are normal for bosses. No! Don't think like that! he scolds himself. He turns to Miyo. "Um, Miyo-chan? Why did you come to Japan? You aren't in the same Family, right?"
"That's right, Tsuna-san!" Miyo confirms. A luminescent blush lights up her face. "Actually, the reason why I came to Japan is…to get married to Jinny, miyaa!"
"W-WHAT?!" Jin cries, spraying his drink out his mouth at Sai. "I-it's far too early for that, Mei! I thought we agreed to marry after university studies!"
"Well, I was thinking 'bout that and finally came to a conclusion, miyaa. Since we're both part of the Triad, and either of us could die at any moment, isn't it better to get married as soon as possible?"
Another spit take, this time from everyone present.
"How depressing…"
"Hahaha, I don't really understand…"
But the one who takes it the worst is…Jin. He splutters something unintelligible and promptly passes out on the spot he's sitting.
"Jin-kun!" Tsuna exclaims.
"Jinny?! What happened, miyaa?!" Miyo questions, shaking her fiancé more roughly than she means to. The others look at her in shock. You're the one who caused him to faint! Tsuna protests internally. Yamamoto laughs off the tension.
"I guess he's so excited that he wanted to take a nap before the big day!" he remarks.
"That must be it!" Miyo agrees excitedly. Clasping her hands together, she blushes. "Such a gentleman."
"A-are you really going to go through with the ceremony, Miyo-chan?" Tsuna asks her tentatively.
"Of course we are, Tsuna-san!" Miyo jumps to her feet, brushing off her skirt. Twirling around with her arms stretched upwards, she transforms her bracelets into the lotus bangles.
Hefting Jin up with her arms, Miyo carries him bridal style. She nods to them cheerfully before walking backwards to the door. Frowning at it for a split second (wondering how she's going to get through the door with her hands full), she swiftly kicks the door inwards, splintering the wood and tearing it off its hinges.
"We'll send the invitations by mail, miyaa," Miyo tells them. "You should expect it soon, miyaa!"
"You can't be serious," Sai remarks, shaking his head. Miyo simply smiles at him.
"For once, my dear friend, I am."
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews, again! Hopefully, this chapter met your expectations. I'm not really that great with humor.
In all actuality, I'm not that efficient XD. Normally, I'm a really bad procrastinator, so three chapters in one week probably won't happen again. And yep: I named Jin that because it means 'gold' (but mostly because I like that name).
Anyway, from now on, I'll probably be updating once a week because of school.
Thanks again for reading!