Title: The Unlikely Duo
Summary: No one ever thought that the shy, easily-scared, five-year old Sawada Tsunayoshi and the aloof, very scary, six-year old Hibari Kyoya could become friends—much less best friends. It was such an unlikely pair after all, a really unexpected duo. But to everyone's surprise, they still did, eventually.
Warnings: OCs, since they're kids and almost (or more than?) half of the crew is from Italy or is not from Japan, and of course, OOCness—but hey, since they're still young and all, their personalities have to yet develop to that of we know (that's what I would argue anyway).
... .. .
Chapter 33: At the school trip
September was finally here, and the Namimori Youchien had settled on what to do for their school trip. Since it was autumn and harvest time in Japan, the kindergarten decided to do some little grape picking.
"Whoa, those are some extreme looking fruits!"
And in order to save money and time, the school decided to do the first and second year kindergarteners' school trip together.
Gathered at the entrance inside the farm were the combined classes of the Yochien, plus the respective advisers of each class. The students chattered excitedly about their approaching activity, while the teachers discussed the best plan to pick the fruits. On the other hand, Tsuna, Takeshi, Kyoko, Hana, and Ryohei stared wide-eyed at the clusters of purple, circular fruits high above them—amazed as it was the first time they ever saw such things.
"What are they called anyway?"
"I think they're called grapes."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Woah."
"Extreme."
The children continued to stare, mouth agape and the pain from their bend necks ignored, until a teacher, Aoki, clapped his hands loudly to call the attention of all the students.
"All right, everyone! I know you're all excited to pick some grapes, but first let us give you some instructions on how to." Aoki then looked beside him at his fellow teacher and fiancée, Tomoe, signaling her that it's her turn to speak.
"Since the grapes are too high up to pick, everyone should group themselves and find a worker that will help you get the grapes. Each group will have a basket, and once you filled it, you may go to the farm's shop over there to take some home, alright?" Tomoe finished. The students replied in understanding, before they dispersed in small teams.
"Where are you going, Tsuna?" Takeshi called out as the brunette ran out from their group.
"I'm going to look for Kyoya-san!" Tsuna replied without stopping. He maneuvered his way then through the crowd, looking for a place where there were none. Finally, when he was a little far away off from the horde, he saw Kyoya standing below a low vine of grapes.
"Kyoya-san!"
Kyoya did not turn. He waited for Tsuna to stand by his side before he acknowledged the brunette.
"Tsunayoshi."
"Sensei said that we should group ourselves and find a worker to help us pick the grapes," Tsuna said after he regained his breath.
"I know."
"Takeshi-kun and the others are waiting over there."
"I know."
"..."
"..."
"You really hate crowds, huh?"
Kyoya didn't answer. Instead, he returned to gazing at the low hanging grapes. Tsuna stared at the fruits too.
"Ne, do you know what they taste like?"
A memory popped in the skylark's mind. "Sweet." He willed it to go away. "But sometimes bitter."
"So would you like to pick some grapes?" Behind them, a man with striking green eyes and auburn hair suddenly appeared smiling at them.
Tsuna and Kyoya just stared at him.
"Ah, don't worry, I'm not someone suspicious! Look, I'm a worker here, see?" The man said as he showed the farm's logo on the front of his long sleeve shirt. Tsuna's face brightened, but Kyoya's remained indifferent.
The man gave them a smile again. He then got up from his kneeling position and took the white ladder standing beside him. "Alright, let's pick some grapes! Now who would like to go first?"
"Me!" Tsuna immediately raised his hand. Hearing Kyoya's answer earlier, he now really wanted to have a taste of those mysterious purple fruits.
The worker chuckled. He first showed the two how to pick the grapes using the ones Tsuna and Kyoya were staring at earlier. He then assisted Tsuna up the ladder to get some of the higher ones while Kyoya looked on with mild interest.
"Careful!" The man said as Tsuna pluck his first bunch. Tsuna tried his best to mimic how the worker did earlier, and when the cluster of grapes finally came off the vine, he immediately turned to Kyoya and flashed him a big smile.
"Look, Kyoya-san, I did it!"
"Hn," Kyoya answered nonchalantly.
"Did—did you just say 'Kyoya' "?
The two children both turned to the worker, whose wide green eyes were now fixed to the skylark.
The worker gulped.
"You... you wouldn't happen to be Akihiro's son, right?"