5986 MINI-SCENE ~ CROWD ISSUES

… how has it come to that…?! Damn it, how for Hell's sake has it come to have this weak yet warm sensation nestling into the palm of his hand…?!

Gokudera clenches his teeth while scanning their surroundings uneasily. By 'their' it refers to how he and the one following close behind him have ended up separated from the rest of the group in the chaos of the crowded Matsuri Summer Festival.

Damn! I lost the 10th already! No way I'd lose the last person I'm in charge of! How can I call myself a Vongola Guardian again if I can't even protect the ones around me, tsk…!

Gokudera's grip tightens around the fingers he has trapped in his hand to avoid their owner being swallowed by the crowd and disappearing far from him.

He'll definitely reunite safe and sound with the 10th! He's putting his honour on the line for it!

"G-Gokudera-san…" "…" "GOKUDERA-SAN!" "Hum? What is it, Stupid Woman?" "C-can you let go of Haru…? Embarrassing-desu…"

TILT. Gokudera's green eyes meet with insistent chestnut eyes shining uneasily above some pouting cheeks, and suddenly the warm sensation from before – that he had occulted for other priorities – finds its way back to his face at full speed.

Why is this stupid woman blushing… no wait, before that: why does he feel hotter than usual himself… True, now that he thinks about it, this warm pressure in his hand is unsettling, or maybe it's… the crowd, most probably, yeah it's that damn crowd fault again… And why would he let go of his way to win over the crowd that already swallowed the 10th just because this stupid woman finds it embarrassing…

"It can't be helped so just shut up and follow closely, Stupid Woman. It's no big deal so don't make a fuss, tsk…" "A-Ahiii…?! What do you mean, Aho?! Don't hold Haru's hand as if it was normal!"

TILT. Gokudera's expression freezes, some very unexpected thoughts dashing through his mind.

"Haru is not a child anymore! No need to hold hands just because there are so many people! Embarrassing-desu!"

SNAP. All previous troubling thoughts stop abruptly, leaving Gokudera with a deep blush of angry shame at hearing the real motive behind her embarrassment.

Why in Hell did his mind wander into expecting something else…?! This Stupid Woman is just messing with him, as usual…!

"I said it's no big deal!" "It is!" "It is NOT!" "IT IS!" "You're more a brat to complain about it!" "Ahiii?! What?! How dare you, you aho childish brat!"

About five minutes later, the crowd is diligently letting them pass, too afraid by the sparks fusing between them as they cross the Festival while holding hands with determination, shouting at each other very mature comments such as 'if you let go first, you're the brat'.