Author's note:
I'm very sorry for once again, late updating the story. I'm currently staying at hospital because of my heart illness and thus, must go back and forth check up with the doctor and must take much rest and not allowed to open my laptop for a long time. It's kind of scary because the doctor said there's a big possibility for heart operation…
Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter even if it just a little! ^_^
South Field, Bertesco Area, Catafalcato Island
As Gelaro had said, the blizzard yesterday night made the snow bulky than before. But fortunately the snow arts were safe due to the special device that Banchiza have made. The snow arts competition continued and due to the bulky snow, participants began to modifying their arts, of course that include the Vongola especially Tsuna's group (Because of Gokudera's insistence).
While the competition continues, Gelaro walked throughout the Catafalcato Island to check all preparation for tonight. The lanterns were all in place and the shops were also ready to be open anytime. As he checked one by one, he could not help but thinking that the event this year will be even more splendid than usual.
After made sure that the preparation is complete, he went back to his mansion and entered the garden within the mansion not far from his room. There, he stood at two gravestones under maple tree.
"Father, Mother, this year's event will surely make the people in this island much happier than last year, since the Vongola Tenth and his family also participate… If only both of you able participate too this year…" Gelaro looked at his parents' gravestone. He slowly kneeled and touched it.
"Boss, the mayor wishes to see you." Brina arrived.
"Just for a minute, then I will be there." Gelaro replied without looking at her, his eyes still on the gravestones.
Brina frowned seeing her boss like that. She knew that one her boss gotten like this means that he had the nightmare and what their family had done to the Vongola makes it worse. "…boss…I think your parents are proud of you. You already take a full responsibility of our actions and reconciled with the Vongola. They must be happy for you…" Brina said before left.
"…I wonder about that…I don't really think so…" Gelaro mumbled. He placed two white Chrysanthemum flowers in front of their gravestones. "…I better get back now…excuse me, father, mother…"
Festival stand area, north area Catafalcato Island
"Wow! Even though the festival is not begin yet, this place already full of people!" Haru commented, seeing the crowds around the area along with Chrome, Kyoko, I-Pin, Lambo and Bianchi. They finally finished the castle after for 3 hours non-stop and decided to break until the night by looking around the island, sightseeing the event preparation and get some lunch while the boys still busy with their snow arts that not proceeding well.
"I heard last night there's blizzard occurred and that's why the snow today is bulkier but the stands and the snow arts are still fine. If there's a blizzard then the arts and the stands suppose to be buried under the snow." Haru wondered.
"That's because Gelaro-san had protected them with some special device. I don't what kind of device but it seems great." Kyoko told Haru. "Oh, look! There are some stands that already open, let's take lunch over there." Kyoko pointed at certain noodle shop.
"Yeah, let's go! Chrome-chan will also join us, right?" Haru looked at Chrome who's looking inside her bag for a whole time. "Chrome-chan, what's wrong?"
"…umm…I…I have something to do… I'll go back to the mansion…" Chrome blushed heavily, she answered with very shy and timid voice. She bowed before running to the mansion direction, not hearing Haru and Kyoko's call.
Chrome took out a turquoise handkerchief from her bag. "I forgot to give this back to Bertesco-san…I have to give it immediately. But…how I should give it…?" Chrome stopped running and lost herself in thinking—again. "Now that I think about it…how should I approach him? Maybe I should greet him first and then give it back quickly to him…no…maybe that would be rude… Or maybe I just ask the judge woman (Brina) to give this to him? But I think I must do it personally since he lent it to me yesterday and even helping me…but…"
"What should I do…?" Chrome muttered.
"Do what?" Gelaro asked. Chrome turned around and shocked to see the said person behind her. Chrome almost jumped foot in the air out of shock. "Hi, Chrome. How are you feeling? Do you get a cold?"
"N-no…I'm fine… Thank you…for yesterday…u-umm…" Chrome tried to find another words that suit for the conversation. "Come on, think! I can do this…I have to do this…! I must do this…!" Chrome said several times in mind, not realizing that she clutched the handkerchief tightly, which make Gelaro noticed her intention. However, seeing the young girl's effort to talk with him, he decided to be quiet and patiently wait for her to give it back.
"I guess it really hard for her to talk like normal people did to me…" Gelaro chuckled.
"H-here…I want to give this back…" Chrome handed him the handkerchief. She lowered her head and shut her eye tightly with her blushing on her cheeks.
"Thank you. You actually could keep it if you want." Gelaro said as he accepted his handkerchief.
"No-no way, it belongs to you so I have to give it back...!" Chrome replied shyly, she looked away from the Bertesco Boss. At this moment, however, her stomach growled loudly, breaking the brief quiet moment. Chrome froze, too embarrass to say a word or move.
Gelaro chuckled and sighed. He patted her shoulder, made the younger girl look at him. "I'm also starting to get hungry, how about we eat together?" Gelaro offered. Chrome blushed even harder and shook her head, refused the offer but Gelaro's grip on her shoulder tighten. "I insist." Gelaro simply said and dragged her with him.
Stella Restaurant, Shopping Area, Catafalcato Island
Gelaro and Chrome welcomed by waitress who immediately set a table for them, since Gelaro and his family are seen by the residence as their savior and protectors. The Bertesco Family has always been greeted warmly by the people of the entire island and will do their best to make them feel comfortable if they coming.
"Please sit here, Glearo-sama and…"
"Chrome. She's my acquaintance." Gelaro answered.
"Is she your girlfriend?" The waitress asked bluntly, whispered in Gelaro's ear.
"No she isn't." Gelaro whispered back, make sure Chrome didn't hear it. "Anyway, I order this, this, and this one." Gelaro showed the menu. The waitress nodded and went to the kitchen to prepare the lunch.
After several minutes, the food already served on their table. Chrome shocked to see the food; its Neapolitan Pizza, Orrecchiette with tomato sauce, agnoloti (pasta folded over with a roast beef meat and vegetable stuffing), and two cups of bicerin (hot drink made of coffee, chocolate and whole milk). Chrome is too astonished by the food in front of her eyes. It was all expensive and Chrome feels bad to eat them.
"What's wrong? Eat. I'm the one who pay so you do not need to worry." Gelaro took a sip of his bicerin.
"But…"
"If you don't eat at this kind of weather, you will easily get sick. Besides, your stomach seems cannot hold any longer anymore..." Gelaro pointed as Chrome's stomach growled. "You also look so thin so you better eat. If you refuse instead, then I will be uneasy…so eat, please?"
"…okay…" Chrome reached her spoon and took the Orrecchiette first. She slowly munched it in her mouth and swallowed it. "It's warm and…delicious…" Chrome began to eat the rest without any hesitation this time. Gelaro smiled as Chrome continue to eat like she hasn't eaten anything for days.
"How is your Italian studying?" He asked when Chrome started to eat the Neapolitan pizza.
"…still same…not much change…" Chrome answered. "I still don't understand words followed by phrase…or to be precise, adjectives that I don't really understand…" Chrome sighed in disappointment of herself. "I still need to learn harder."
"Which one you don't understand? Would you show me?" Gelaro's hand asked for her Italian book. Chrome slightly confused but handed him the book and pointed which one she don't understand. Gelaro read the book and nodded what Chrome pointed.
"Adjectives with different meanings are depending on position. Here, you should use this word like this along with this word…" the times passed with Gelaro teaching her Italian since himself is Italian. Chrome applied every single Gelaro's instruction.
The waitresses observed them with interest. They really doubt Gelaro's words about Chrome only being his acquaintance and also his denial. In their eyes, they just look perfectly for each other. The waitresses began to gossiping that also earned other guests attention that also think the same way while Gelaro and Chrome busy with their lessons and didn't really listen.
"I see…I understand now…thank you Bertesco-san…" Chrome thanked him with her sweet smile. "And for the foods too…"
"It's okay. I also have a good time. Thank you too." Gelaro thanked her back. His cell phone ringing, it was from Brina. Gelaro answered to know that it's almost time for the festival to be start and announced the snow arts already chosen. Gelaro looked at the time and surprised to found it's already 18.00 p.m. They had been in the restaurant for five hours. "I understand we will be there soon."
"We?"
"No, anyway, I'll see you there." Gelaro turned off the phone. "Chrome, congratulation, your team's arts had been chosen to be placed at the center of the lake tonight." Gelaro congratulated Chrome by shaking her hand. Chrome blushed by the sudden contact but accepted it anyway and since she's happy that their arts had been chosen. "Let's go back."
Bertesco Field, Bertesco Mansion, South Catafalcato Island
When Gelaro and Chrome arrived, people already went to celebrate the event since as Brina had said, they already announced the winner and the snow castle already being placed at the center of the lake. Kyoko, Haru, and I-Pin told Chrome enthusiastically and happily about their art had won and they should celebrate it together.
"By the way, Chrome-chan, where have you been?" Haru asked.
"Bertesco-san taught me Italian." Chrome told them.
"I don't know you studying Italian. By the way, where should we go? There are lots of stands at the festival area! Which one do you think is good to celebrate our victory?" Haru asked her companions opinions.
"There's a cake stand that popular with its cheese cakes. Do you want me to show you?" Gelaro suggested. "I could also recommend you some good games stand to you." Gelaro turned to Tsuna and the boys who joined them.
"I think that's a good idea, let's all go there!" Tsuna agreed, followed by everyone.
"I almost forgot, here. When we gathered at the lake, you must ignite your flames and turned on these lanterns. Please don't lose it." Gelaro handed them small round lanterns. He then turned to Kyoko, Haru, and I-PIn "But except those who don't know about Dying Will Flames can just turn it on with usual cigarette." He handed them his cigarette.
"Understand, let's go everyone."
"Yeah!"
Gelaro glanced at the moon. It was a beautiful full moon and the stars were all clear to be seen, brightening the dark sky. "Thank goodness there are no clouds that motioned another blizzard…it kind of reminding of that day though…"
"Bertesco-san, are you okay?" Chrome asked.
"Um? Yeah, I'm alright… Let's go."
Festival Area, North Catafalcato Island
Everyone already split up the moment they arrived enter the area. Tsuna, Gokudera, and Yamamoto gone to shooting game stand, Ryohei and Lambo eating Takoyaki, Dino along with his subordinates play in another game stands and bought some souvenirs, Hibari who don't like crowds just eating in the most far shop while watching them, and the girls eating chocolate banana before go the cake shop that Gelaro told them.
"Are festival…always full of many people like this?" Chrome asked.
"Yeah, it always crowding. You never went to festival before?" Gelaro asked back.
"No…I only heard about it…I used to spend my times at home…I rarely went outside…always alone…" Chrome revealed a bit about her past. Remembering it bring back pain in her chest. She hoped never go back to that times again. "That's why, this is the first time…it's more crowding and livelier than I thought…"
Gelaro felt sorry to hear it and mixed with guilt for bring up such a bad memory that saddened and pained her, even though he's not quite sure. "She really… similar like me in the past…although maybe not really similar but…it also not quite different…"
"I understand."
"What?"
"I understand how you feel…because I also used to be alone… My parents were killed when I was little and they wished for the Bertesco to once again help the Vongola and befriend them like the old days before the Primo retired. But I disappointed them already. I freed Parvento and turned against the Vongola. Even though it's already over…they must be sad and mad at me…" Gelaro told Chrome with eyes filled with regret and smile of bitterness.
Chrome shocked to hear the sudden revelation about Gelaro's past from himself. But on the other side, she felt she could understand about him more. She knew very well the expression, because 'Nagi' also used that expression before and not different from him now.
"I'm sorry to hear that…just forget about what I'm saying… You're not going to some stand or shop, Bertesco-san?" Chrome wiped away her pain and did her best to smile and act normal and cheered up the Bertesco boss.
"No, I should be sorry for suddenly saying random things to you. Can you accompany me until the festival is over?" Gelaro requested.
"But…would it not better to ask someone else to accompany you? I'm not really a good company…" Chrome fiddled her fingers.
"You will be alright, let's go to that shop." Gelaro held her hand and take her with him. They spent their times together, eating chocolate bananas, playing games, dancing traditional Italian dance, watching street performances with Gelaro as her translator and also practice for her Italian conversation. Saw every expression she had made, Gelaro decided to give her something as some symbolism and also as her present for her team won the competition.
"Even though I manage to get some conversation with her, she still lack to begin it…at least I should ake her open up a bit…" It was then an idea came to his mind. "I intend to go at that flower shop… Do you want to go with me?" Gelaro requested.
"Me? But maybe I will just be a bother…and Kyoko-chan, Haru-chan, and I-Pin-chan must be already waiting…" Chrome frowned.
"Just for one more minute." Gelaro pushed her to walk with him to the shop. Chrome gave up and just followed him. Chrome stared at the flowers inside the shop with admiring eyes while Gelaro seriously choose in mind what kind of flower he should buy.
"Gelaro-sama, what kind of flower you want to buy?" The florist asked.
"I don't know…I don't know what kind of flower I should give to her…" Gelaro pointed at Chrome.
"Is that the rumored girlfriend of yours I had heard this morning?" The florist nudged Gelaro with teasing eyes.
"She's not my girlfriend and who started the rumor?" Gelaro panicked. He didn't want there's a rumor around about him and Chrome. It will be quite of an annoyance and Chrome also won't be comfortable with it. "She's only my acquaintance, friend. That's all. Anyway, what kind of flower do you think that suit for her?"
The florist observed Chrome. In his eyes, she's a cute, sweet, and innocent young girl and anyone would be lucky to have her. He opened the book on his desk and turned page to page until he stopped at certain page. He looked at Gelaro who looked at Chrome and grin plastered on his face.
"What kind of girl she is?" The florist asked while looking at the book.
"I don't really know about her… to me, she's a shy and timid girl but also kind but I heard she always confused whenever people kind to her because she don't think her existence will be accept by people and she also seems used to be alone…" Gelaro told him though confused what does it has anything to do with flowers.
"I see…then why do you want to give her flower?"
"Well…I only want to give her as sign of friendship…since our Family (Vongola and Bertesco) have been allies for years and I think I should also befriend her. It's not like out of pity but…it's better if she become more social with her other friends too...and…she also…quite remind me of myself…" The last part was said under his breath. His face showed a bitter and sad smile.
"Then, I think this flower will be good for her." The florist showed him a Honeysuckle flower.
"If you say so, then I'll buy this. Please make it a small bouquet but not too fancy." Gelaro requested. Chrome finished looking at all the flowers inside the shop and walked to Gelaro who hid the flower behind him. "Let's go to the next shop."
"Wait, I want to buy this flower." Chrome showed him a red Spider Lilies in her hands.
"Spider Lilies? You like that flower?" Gelaro asked, quite shocked since Spider Lilies mostly used for funerals.
Chrome nodded. "It's beautiful and somehow nostalgic…" Chrome answered. She paid the flower and they went to the next shop that selling cotton candies and other chocolate sweets.
"How should I give it to her…? This is the first time I give a bouquet of flower to someone except my parents… But I have to give it to her…I cannot let her keep like this…" Gelaro tries to approach Chrome and give her the bouquet but announcement interrupted him from doing so.
"EVERYBODY PLEASE GATHER AT THE LAKE."
"It's already time for the lanterns…let's go."
"I'll give it to her at the lake…"
Lake, Center of the Catafalcato Island
All people of the island gathered around the lake where at its center, the snow castle was placed. Each of them holding the lanterns and cigarettes and also rings in mafia's case, ready to float it and see the lanterns gathered turned into shape of giant bird. The Vongola and Bertesco Family were standing at special place where they could see in every direction clearly.
"Everyone ready?" Gelaro looked at his companions who nodded in response. Gelaro ignited his rings, followed by the others and lighted up the lanterns, made it flew to the sky. The people of the island also lighted up the lanterns. The lanterns that floating in the sky are like thousands fireflies. Once it quite far away in the sky, the lanterns gathered and slowly, every light of the lanterns get even brighter and made the shape of giant bird that brighten dark sky even than the moon itself.
"It's beautiful!" Kyoko exclaimed.
"It's wonderful desu!" Haru added.
"It's really…pretty… I wish Mukuro-sama, Ken, and Chikusa could also see this too…" Chrome muttered wishfully. Her round violet eye could not let go from the bright and beautiful bird that shines the island with its light.
"They can see it." Gelaro said.
"Eh?"
"Next year, you could bring them here. That's why we have to do our best to free Rokudo from Vindice." Gelaro patted her head and gave her the bouquet. "Since your team won the competition, you earn some present and also, because from now on, we are friends." Gelaro smiled kindly at her. "You're not alone anymore. Your family is here for you… I know I sound smug and I don't even know clearly what happened in your past but…you can talk anything with me if you like…" Gelaro rubbed his head with his face reddened a little in embarrassment.
Chrome's cheek flushed red along with her heart throbbing. Her eye began to water with tears that she held back. Even though Tsuna, Kyoko, Haru, and I-Pin already said many times that they are friends, she cannot help but also feel the same way again whenever they said that they are friends. For her entire life, she was always alone until she met Mukuro and followed by the Vongola Family.
"Thank you." Chrome accepted the bouquet happily and sniffed it. The smell of the flowers had filled even more happiness within her heart. "It's a pretty flower…then…here for you…" Chrome gave him the spider lilies flower. "I know it's not enough but this is also for thank you for helping with my lessons and take me around. Also, I think your parents…proud of you… Because, all these people are here and smile right now because of what you had done for them. Because of your hard work, everyone is smiling like this, right?"
Gelaro accepted the flower whole-heartedly and thanked her too. Their attention once again turned to the sky, the bright of the lanterns slowly gathered at one point. In five seconds, the lanterns explode and its sparkles fell throughout the island like shooting star or snow.
"The event already finished?" Chrome asked.
"Yeah, but you can still enjoy the festival if you want or you can just go back to your room." Gelaro answered.
"Chrome, Kyoko and the others are calling for you. Hm?" Bianchi approached and noticed Honeysuckle bouquet that Chrome held. "Where did you get that?" She asked.
"It's from Bertesco-san. He said as present for winning the competition." Chrome showed the flowers closer to Bianchi.
"Gelaro did?" Bianchi turned to Gelaro. Gelaro only nodded. She stepped back a little so she could face two of them. "Do you know what the Honeysuckle symbolized?" Bianchi asked two of them who clear shown their obliviousness.
"Symbolize? What does it means?" Gelaro asked.
Bianchi paused for a while before grinned to both of them and answered. "Devoted Affection."
"EH!" Both Gelaro and Chrome turned red and stuttered. Neither of them could say a word. Gelaro panicked and cursed the florist. Now he knew why he grinned and asked those questions before about Chrome. Gelaro and Chrome looked away from each other until Reborn called them out.
Present time, Library, Vongola UG hideout
"And that's the story…" Gelaro finished as he finished his coffee.
"Devoted Affection?" Mukuro glared at Gelaro with accusing look and began to doubt does he really think of Chrome as his sister.
"H-hey, that time I don't even know that was the meaning of the flower! I only intended it as sign of friendship!" Gelaro defended himself before earned the illusionist's wrath.
"Anyway, why did you tell me this?" Mukuro asked.
"Didn't I already say it to you? Do you feel better now?" Gelaro asked with expectant eyes.
"No." Mukuro stood and left the library to his own room, leaving Gelaro alone without any greet or thanks.
Gelaro, however, chuckled. "He did fell a bit better."
Okay, I'm very sorry. I know this chapter is not good enough. I'm kind out of ideas and many things bothering inside my head… Oops, the doctor arrives and I have to check up now, see you later. Please review anything, alright?
