This is the second arc! If you didn't read the first one, you can't understand anything!
Hi everyone!
I'm italian and I'm translating my story in english because some not-italian people ask me to do it, so please forgive me for this poor and basic english!
I accept any advice because I really want to improve my english and I know there are many mistakes, SORRY!
Thank you for reading ~
Special Target 26 - The Ball
The brunette found herself in front of the huge mirror of her room.
Two days before the girl came home from Namimori and the Vongola mansion hasn't changed since some months ago.
Yet, when she woke up that morning, she found herself in a completely different place: her room is decorated with ribbons and confetti, balloons and written cards.
The mother has almost suffocated her with hugs and kisses, holding out a tray with breakfast.
Chocolate milk, toast and jam.
Nozomi looks at the food, puzzled.
Nozomi: Mama ... you shouldn't have ...
The woman squeezes her again and almost suffocates her child. When it comes to Nozo, her mother is very apprehensive.
Just like that moment, she's in front of the mirror and she is decorated worse than a wedding cake by her mother and her best friend Haru.
She finds herself wearing a long white dress as a princess, which reminds her of her eighth birthday. She already knew that it would end that way, her mother loves to make her wear those gorgeous and a bit too bulky clothes.
Even though she hates them with all of herself.
The creator of that dress is Haname.
The top piece isn't so bad: it's a white blouse with a salmon-colored tie and a pin with the number eleven on the top, a white jacket with orange decorations.
She also has a white coat in two layers, with synthetic fur that decorates the first one and some crests similar to those found on Primo-sama's cloak, decorated with chains.
Finally, what she hates the most is the pompous long skirt with three layers, decorated with ribbons and laces.
Kyoko: You're gorgeous!
Kyoko's dreamy face discourages the girl to say that she actually hates that dress, she would gladly have torn her skirt to go around in their underwear. It would have been far less embarrassing.
Haru: Haname-chan has really good taste, I'm sure Nozomi-chan will look great!
Haru's smile is too bright to be destroyed with five simple words. "No. It makes me sick. "
But she can't reveal her thoughts, she must hold them back and smiles as a stupid, hoping they don't notice that her joy is fake.
Haname enters her room and approaches her. She wears a light blue dress and her long raven hair is tied above her head and held in place by some flowers.
Could it be that everyone are dressed with normal dresses unlike her?
Haname: Oh, what a beauty!
Nozomi: No. You can't seriously say it. Haname ... this sucks. Really.
The rain sighs.
Haname: I know that it isn't your taste, however, it is gorgeous.
Nozomi: ...We aren't in the eighteenth century! This big skirts and these flakes ... I look like a gift bag! Please, don't follow my mother's tastes!
Haname: Your mother sees you as a princess!
Nozomi: I'm not a princess and I don't want to be it.
Haname: Because you're a vigilante, huh?
Haname's sentence displaces the girl, who turns to look in the mirror.
Long ago she would have answered "Of course!", however, in that last year everything has changed, both inside and around her.
She paints a smile.
Nozomi: Nope. I am a girl.
The friend comes close.
Haname: The skirt can be pulled off, but it's better if you do it after the dance.
Nozomi looks at her as if she is an angel, came from heaven to give everyone eternal peace.
The door suddenly is opened, a perky black-haired boy enters hopping, approaching the girl who becomes terrified.
- COUSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN! -
The boy throws himself against her and ends with his face in the breasts of the Vongola, who throws him back with a scream.
The boy finds himself on the ground, with the imprint of a hand decorating his face.
He gets up from the floor with energy and brings his hands on the hips, as if nothing has happened.
Nozomi: Kotaro! What the hell are you doing here?!
The brunette is scared, she hides behind the poor Haname, who doesn't understand what is happening.
Kotaro: Today is your birthday, right? I came to give you the best EXTREME wishes!
His shrill voice forces the two to bring their hands over their ears, to avoid being deafened.
Nozomi: Could you stop with this way of speaking? You still talk like uncle Ryohei.
Kotaro: Why should I stop? It's cool! It's EXTREMELY cool!
He put his finger in the nostril, turning it with concentration.
Haname: ... disgusting ... Who is him? Your cousin?
Nozomi: Yes, he is uncle Ryohei and aunt Hana's son. It's a thirteen years old idiot.
Haname: ... why are you hiding?
Nozomi: You don't understand. I only have bad memories of him.
The Vongola suddenly notices that the guy has a patch between the gray eyes, just above the nose. The same patch that his father has.
Nozomi: ... Are you copying the uncle, by any chance? You have even the patch, now.
Kotaro: Hey, Dad says it is very EXTREME. And I love EXTREME things! They are EXTREMELY EXTREME!
Haname: ... It seems to talk to a Kaito ...
Nozomi: He's much more childish, stupid and depraved.
Haname: ... Depraved?
Nozomi: You have no idea of what thirteen years old boys can do these days.
Haname: Oh ... I think I understand.
The boy approaches Nozomi and looks at her from top to bottom.
Kotaro: Cousin, you know you look like a cannolo? You're ridiculous! Hahaha!
Nozomi puts a hand on her face.
Kyoko: It isn't very polite, Kotaro-kun!
Kyoko approaches to the three with some ribbons in hand.
Kotaro: But Aunt, it's horrible! Why Nozo must dress as a cannolo woman?
Haru: Kotaro-kun, don't say these things to a woman! You are really MALEDUCATO.
Kyoko's friend crosses her arms, glaring at the young boy who retreats quickly.
Kotaro: O-oh, sorry ... forgive me aunt Kyoko.
He turns and reaches the door, finding himself with his face in other breasts. This time, however, the breasts belong to a dark-haired woman, who just entered the room.
Kotaro retreats rapidly, surging.
- You. -
The woman looks quite angry.
Kotaro: Sorry, Mom! I haven't done it on purpose!
Hana: What are you doing in your cousin's room? I told you to wait for her to come out!
Hana takes his son by an ear, pulling it.
Hana: And what are you doing back with that horrible patch on the nose?! How many times do I have to repeat to stop copying your father!
She snatches it away by force and the boy brings his hands to his face, sore.
Kotaro: But ... Mom!
Hana: Nozomi-chan, forgive him. He's an idiot.
Nozomi: I know, aunt Hana.
Nozomi smiles to encourage her and the two walk away, leaving the four alone again.
Nozomi: Caesar won't come, uh?
In fact it's better if he doesn't show himself, if he saw her in that dress he would have teased her for a lifetime.
Haname: I know that Simons are busy ... why?
Nozomi: Well, if I had danced with him there would be no problems. Simon and Vongola can't marry or something like this, so I shouldn't go crazy for finding a fucking solution to avoid this mess.
Kyoko: Nozomi!
The mother brings her hands on her daughter's shoulders, watching her through the mirror.
Kyoko: Don't use these words, they're not okay for a beautiful young lady!
She starts combing her hair while Haru keeps the ribbons they picked just before.
Kyoko: And, anyway, don't worry about the dance. The story of the future husband is just an urban legend, so dance with whoever you want and don't worry!
The girl sighs, looking sideways at her friend who smiles.
The main hall is full with distinguished guests among the most important allied families. Nozomi doesn't know those people and she has no intention of knowing them.
Why do so many men participate at the birthday party of a sixteen years old girl? Is it just because she is a Vongola and one day she would probably take her father's place?
She observes the crowd and greets random people, looking for her father and finding him chatting with some men.
It's quite likely that her father held the party to show her what will be her future as a boss, maybe he is trying to discourage her in taking that path. A sixteen years old girl has nothing to do with that world.
She meets the gaze of her father, who smiles at her.
"You're an asshole." thinks, watching him with sullenly glance. Yet, at the end she smiles.
"... But that's why I love you, papa."
A beautiful woman with long black hair and a dark tacky dress approached Nozomi and Haname.
- Best wishes, Signorina Sawada. - she says with a smile, moving her focus on the rain next to the brunette. - You ... are the designer of those wonderful dresses, right? -
Haname raises an eyebrow, puzzled. Surely she doesn't consider herself as a famous designer and she has no idea how she would know about the dresses.
- My name is Duchesse, I am the boss of the Elegantia family. Can I chat with you, honey? ~ -
The woman literally kidnaps the rain, still puzzled and confused enough, leaving alone the poor Nozomi.
Nozomi: ... Was she a woman ...?
The brunette is puzzled, looking at the elegant lady vanishing over the crowd, along with her guardian.
The Vongola finds herself wandering around the room, smiling as a stupid in response to the greetings received from unknown persons.
She even met Diamante, with a fake smile just like hers. She knows that she doesn't like her, especially after the abrupt escape of their last meeting in Spain.
Or is it because of the matter of the "Impure Carrier"?
In fact she doesn't care much about it, Diamante is quickly ran away after being congratulated with her.
She spots Masato chatting with a pink haired guy, it seems that the red-haired man is quite at ease.
She comes over to him shortly after, looking at the unknown boy who's walking away.
Nozomi: Who was it?
Masato: Uh? Him? He's the future boss of Elektrica, a genius! I admire him very much!
Nozomi: I see …
Another woman has stealthily approached her for the birthday wishes, when the brunette turns to thank her she finds herself lost in her deep blue eyes, forgetting about her words.
- Sawada-san? Are you okay? - asks, with a sweet and warm voice. It seems to wrap her in a motherly embrace.
She shakes her head and comes back to the Earth, asking sorry and observing her better: she has dark hair that frames her face and a yellow symbol that resemble a flower, under the left eye.
The woman just smiles and walks away in the crowd.
- Nozo-chan! - the voice of a man forces her to turn again, she's almost exhausted of turning around to greet and thank unknown people.
Anyway he isn't an unfamiliar figure, his particular tattoo on his neck is unmistakable.
Nozomi: Uncle Dino!
Hugs him, she hadn't seen him in years, he should be very busy with the Cavallone family.
Dino: Happy birthday little one! You've grown a lot since the last time I've seen you... how fast the time goes!
Nozomi: Oh... ehm... yes...
She giggles, doesn't know what to say. She isn't used to discuss with adults, even more with old family friends.
Dino: Oh well, now I'm going to talk to Tsuna! Have fun.
The blond man greets her and vanishes in the crowd. She again finds herself in the middle of the room, looking around with fear and anxiety.
She spots a man with long albino hair, still in a corner. She knows him, she has met him in Spain. When their eyes meet, she understands how much he's annoyed to be there.
Slowly walks away, scared to make that assassin angry and asking herself why her father has invited him.
The time keeps going on, she must hurry and choose a partner to dance with, and she feels very uncomfortable. She is alone, her guardians are scattered around the room and Arashi has vanished since before the party.
Arina is with Luca near the staircase, they were chatting. The brunette is fast approaching them with a sad look.
Arina: Why that expression, Undicesima? You should be happy! Today is your birthday.
Nozomi: It's boring ... and I have yet to choose my partner.
Arina: Why don't you dance with Sirius?
The girl turns around to look at the young boss of Notturno, busy in a discussion with a middle-aged man. The guy looks serious and responsible, the opposite behave of the one he has shown months earlier. The brunette starts to think that the young man acts in different ways depending on who is in front of him.
However he is the only known person, she could give up and dance with him.
Yet she doesn't like that idea.
Nozomi: No, I don't want.
Time has passed quickly and a sweet waltz begins to resonate in the room. The girl is terrified because she has not yet decided what to do. She wants to run away screaming, would have been much more exciting.
The people turn toward the center of the room where the poor birthday girl is in panic, she can't even move because of the embarrassment.
What should she do?
She turns toward the stairs behind her, listening to some murmurs. A person with long hair of the color of fire is located at the foot of the stairs, wearing a black elegant suit and looks like a prince who has come to save his princess.
Actually she's a woman, Arashi, but she is so charming that even Nozomi is amazed in looking at her. Her friend was gone all the morning and suddenly appears dressed as a man, at the foot of the main staircase and at the most important time of the party.
The redhead approaches the brunette at a brisk pace.
The two girl look at each other, but they don't need words to understand what is happening.
Nozomi: Thank you.
She smiles, once again she was saved by her. What would she do without her right-hand friend?
The storm also smiles, bowing and kissing her hand, then she leads Nozomi to the center of the room and starts dancing.
For a moment Nozomi confuses Arashi with her friend Claudio, who danced with her in that room of eight years earlier.
Yet Claudio is gone, that red hair belongs to her guardian of the storm.
Her best friend.
Shortly after the girls almost burst out laughing. It is fun looking around themselves and observing the astonished gaze of those present. Who would have ever expected to see the hypothetical future eleventh boss dancing with her right-hand woman?
Nozomi looks for her father and finds in the crowd, watching her with an amused look.
It seems that the two love to play in that way.
When the music ends, the two see that Haname has managed to escape from the woman before and gets close to her two friends.
With Arashi's help they puts their hands to the hips of the Vongola and remove away the last two layers of the bulky long skirt, leaving her with only the first one.
Finally she can move more freely with her miniskirt, she much prefers that outfit.
When she turns around, the guardians have gathered near the staircase with smiling faces and Haname throws the skirt to Arina.
Arina: Go. Do what you want ... as always.
She takes Nozomi's skirt and bends it with carelessness.
Kaito: Boss ... we're bored.
Nozomi: Oh. This is bad! You can't get bored during a party, right?
She glances at Cloud, who has ousted the guy at the music corner with rudeness and has already inserted his own CD.
Luca: Where are he getting his CDs?
Shinji: ... Dunno.
Haname: So? What we have to do?
Nozomi: Let's make this party more HAPPI!
Arashi: Of course. We're idols now.
The Vongola winks and the storms looks at her with shining eyes.
Despite the public isn't exactly used to this kind of shows, the group of guys starts singing and sharing their energy with a synchronized exhibition.
"Be the strong person
Be the true hero!
covered with wound"
Tsuna chuckles, sipping his drink, Kyoko has approached him with a smile.
Tsuna: What should we do with her?
Kyoko: She's perfect as she is!
"Obtain the weight of glory
with your hands"
Well, after all, what you can expect from that eccentric family? They certainly aren't normal.
No, normal life isn't for them, who shares their energy with games, harmonies and smiles.
What the hell could they do in a mafia world? They should become superheroes.
Yet these questions never will have an answer.
"Be the strong person
Be the true hero!
Stand up alone"
At the end, it is just the twisted way of thinking of an idiot girl who has absolutely no intention of changing.
The important thing is being yourself, right?
"For whom
I walk toward
this end of the road?
"This is my family! The family that I want to protect, and I love them more than anything else.
This ... this is the harmony of the eleventh family! "
"Change the world!"
Clover's Arc – END –
(Saga di Clover – Fine – )