Chapter 12

"Isago! Tsuna! That was a marvellous match!" Mom clapped as the two brothers trudged back, one growing from his back pain and the other looking like he was just run over by a truck.

"Mom," Isago groaned, flopping downwards onto the grass. Tsuna did the same, only slower while clutching his back. "I didn't know sports festivals would be so intense…"

"Intense?" Tsuna whimpered, burying his hands in his face. "I don't ever want to attend a sports festival again! I was wearing heart patterned boxers-"

Reborn stuffed a sandwich down Tsuna's throat.

"Stop complaining and think of how you can encourage your subordinates to recover that loss," Reborn himself was munching on a sandwich and choking Tsuna with the food in the process. Tsuna's face was gradually turning green before Reborn let Tsuna go, expressionless.

Isago made a face and sat up to pour Tsuna a cup of water from the water bottles, and handed it to his dying older brother. Tsuna couldn't even thank Isago, he just threw it down his mouth before choking on the water. Tsuna was a choking hazard.

"Tenth!" Gokudera called from afar, running towards his boss and telling him how good a match was.

"That really was a close one!" Yamamoto laughed, scratching the back of his head before sitting down with the family. "Isago, your last burst of power was so cool!"

"Honestly, I never knew I had it in me," Isago chuckled modestly, reaching over for a sandwich himself. Lambo was snoozing on mama's lap, a face so carefree that Isago had to sigh again in relief to tell himself that it was all finished. At least his races for today.

The rest was for his class.

"Extreme, Isago!" Ryohei plopped down from nowhere, grabbing Isago by the neck as he plopped down beside Isago. "That was extremely fast!"

Isago rolled his eyes and felt a wave of calm before irritation built up in his lungs.

The family chattered about the games, sometimes laughing at Tsuna about his ingenious way of stripping half-naked in mid-game. Nothing about him though. He was feeling a bit stuffy. A bit annoyed but he didn't complain. For all those times his brother was ignored, Tsuna deserved it. Isago just wasn't used to it.

But that just made him sound self-centred.

"Isago and Tsuna are so funny," Mama giggled, smiling with half-moon eyes. Bianchi on the side nodded, plating Reborn's favourites before hand-feeding the hitman.

"Ragazzo's speed is good," Reborn munched, sounds of 'num num num' came from his mouth as he continued.

"But he lacks on his power. Baka Tsuna...well, Baka Tsuna is Baka Tsuna."

Tsuna groaned, slapping his own hand across his forehead before complaining about Reborn's fault with the leader-switching-stuff and humiliating him in public. Gokudera piped in, finally realizing that it was Reborn who caused the commotion about the leaders.

Ryohei was chomping on the food beside Isago after Kyoko walked to her brother, pouting. Tsuna's red face was hilarious as he tried talking to her. Isago was feeling a bit overwhelmed until he found Usagi standing afar, staring at him with a boxed lunch in her hands.

Isago's eyes narrowed slightly before excusing himself from the picnic table. He could literally feel his mother and Reborn's gaze on his back as he stopped in front of Usagi. Without Isago knowing though, Tsuna's gaze had also followed his brother's silhouette in curiosity and a darkness that was lingering inside his eyes. Usagi's pink eyes were a bit dim. Glancing once at the large box in her hands, he realized that she had prepared lunch for him.

"Ah," Isago opened his mouth before extending his hand. Usagi's pink eyes blinked, but still accepted his invitation before he led her into the school and onto the rooftop.

Once he had closed the door behind him, he was faced with Usagi's curious eyes.

"Your eye colour changed at the swimming event," she pursed her red lips before leaning back slightly, wind rustling in her ponytail while she sat down, tucking in her skirt before placing the lunch on the ground.

"Are you okay with leaving your family and friends?"

The wind blew again, although not strongly, it was enough for Usagi to shudder a bit. Isago chuckled and knew she was trying to change the topic because she thought that it might be too sensitive for him. Taking off his jacket and sliding it over Usagi's shoulders, he sat down and gestured to her box.

"May I?"

Usagi nodded slightly, blushing before murmuring how Isago could be so perfect. No, he was not perfect. It was just because he had been a girl in his past life and knew exactly what every girl wanted.

"I was actually feeling a bit overwhelmed by them," Isago smiled slightly before realizing that Usagi had prepared his favourites that he had mentioned a long time ago. The reason why Isago was a bit overwhelmed because everyone was there obviously only for Tsuna.

Tsuna was the center of everything. It didn't really bother Isago since it had been a while since Tsuna was even noticed, but he felt unwelcomed, constantly trying to fit into the group by mentioning Tsuna's past. The most tiring thing was when you had to place a facade to just fit in.

Isago's eyes flickered back to the lunch box.

There were three layers to the lunch box, the first layer was divided into chicken salad sandwiches. Sausages and eggs were positioned at the corner with small cup holders with fresh grapes.

The second layer was the main dish, handmade sushi with fresh fish and lamb chops were decorated in a neat and simple manner. On the side, there were small bottles of pepper and salt.

The last layer was handmade mochis and macaroons. The rainbow colours everywhere and placed neatly in a row before Isago lifted his head, grinning at the girl.

"Thank you," he lowered his head gratefully. "I'm glad I didn't miss this."

Usagi's face flushed almost instantly from how intensely Isago said it, cupping her hands onto her warm face. Isago handed her the pair of chopsticks and took one for himself. Usagi cleared her throat, gesturing for Isago to go ahead and try as she watched anxiously when Isago took a bite out of his mochi.

"It's good," he said, surprised. "The outer layer is thin but firmly packed. The insides are fresh- Usagi, did you make this yesterday?"

"I did," Usagi said, flustered at how detailed Isago could tell from her hard work. "The outer layer was the hardest to make, but I followed some cookbooks."

"No, even by following-" Isago knew it was hard. In his past life, he had constantly been an avid baker. Mochis and macaroons were the hardest to do but were also his favourite.

"Usagi," Isago turned to the girl and stared at her intensely. "I'm returning the favour thrice this month."

He was going to bring her to countless restaurants and maybe even cook something for her himself.

"What?" She uttered a bit dazed. "...Okay."

Silence passed comfortably as they sat there, staring at the clouds and eating before Isago threaded his hand through his hair. It was that comfortable gut feeling again that was telling Isago that he could trust her.

"The eye colour thing… It has to do with family problems," Isago was a bit reluctant but smiled warily at the girl. "Usagi, I have so many secrets that will endanger you if you get close. Do you want to know?"

Usagi's eyes widened, slowly lowering her chopsticks.

"I do want to know, but…" Her eyes wandered off to the sky then trailed back to meet Isago's. "Isago, I like you."

Isago smiled ruefully, not knowing what she was trying to pull but waited patiently.

"In all honesty, I did like you only a bit when I approached you and asked you out...but after knowing you for a whole month, I realized that you were different than what I thought." Usagi lowered her eyes.

"Isago, I-"

Isago held in his breath, actually feeling the sincerity in her feelings.

"Hold onto that," Isago held up his hand to process his thoughts then lifted his head. "Usagi, you must know that I don't have feelings for you yet."

Which was partially true and not true. Isago was still a bit conflicted with his own situation about his sexuality, but he viewed the girl in front of him as favourable. He didn't need any love in marriage. Usagi wasn't whiny like Haru or oblivious like Kyoko. She was perfect for him even if he didn't love her.

She nodded grimly.

"But if you're willing to try…" Isago said slowly as her eyes shot up with glimmering hope. "I won't tell you everything I am. When it's time I will."

Usagi held her breath, not daring to blink.

"But that everything might drive you away. Are you okay with that?" Isago waited for her to answer, blinking slowly before reminding her again. "I'm dangerous."

"Are you able to accept me?" Usagi's eyes started to redden and answered his question with her own. "Even if you don't like me- is the current me okay?"

Isago smiled seductively, grabbing her wrist band pulled her in for a kiss.

(⊙ω⊙)

Weeks passed and it suddenly occurred to Isago that he should probably tell Tsuna about his future sister-in-law. Isago was a bit too lazy to delve into the world of fishes- one fish was enough, and he definitely didn't want to waste time on relationships.

"Tsuna," Isago called out nonchalantly as the two brothers hung out in Tsuna's room, one grumbling on his school homework and the other studying high school SATs, Tsuna raised his head, groaning and messing with his hair in frustration.

Reborn was sipping on his coffee beside Tsuna, smacking the desk with his long baton before Tsuna squirmed from the sound, focusing back on his school work. Leon was still resting sickly on Reborn's shoulder. It had been what-almost three months? Leon was beginning to look like a pregnant mother.

"Tsuna, I'm dating Usagi now."

The look on Tsuna's face was priceless, his brother's jaw gaped open then closed like a goldfish and he had wide eyes with the whites showing. For some reason, Tsuna's hand trembled before dropping his pencil onto the ground and picked it up instantly. There was a conflicted emotion that Isago couldn't decipher on Tsuna's face, but that emotion disappeared almost as soon as Tsuna started bombarding him with questions.

Reborn at the side curled his lips up with amusement, petting Leon who was on his stomach now.

"Well done, Ragazzo. Have you kissed her yet?"

"Yeah," Isago replied, turning his gaze back onto his SAT book. "I just wanted to inform you guys."

"K-Kissed?!" Tsuna squeaked, face blazing red. "Wh-what did she-"

Tsuna gestured with his hands as Isago made a face at him.

"Private, Tsuna. Private affairs. I'll wait until the day you kiss Kyoko then we can talk about the techniques."

Something crossed his brother's face before Tsuna started giggling, drool coming out of his mouth, but Isago couldn't decipher it completely again. It was a fleeting emotion that seemed like worry and hurt but it must have just been Isago's imagination. Isago rolled his eyes, going back to his textbook. Reborn beside Tsuna whacked the baton onto his head, earning a yelp from his student.

"Tch, Baka Tsuna. You're losing to your younger brother here."

"Relationships need to be taken slow, Reborn! At least I want it to be...kinda..." Tsuna grumbled, mumbling on how a baby like Reborn wouldn't understand. That earned Tsuna another smack on the head.

"By the way, Reborn," Isago said without lifting his eyes off of his book. "I want to increase my training intensity."

Reborn's face curled up mischievously as a response.

(⊙ω⊙)

Isago wondered if he shouldn't have asked for Reborn to increase the intensity of his training. He woke up after that brutal spar with Reborn, being knocked out almost unconscious to see himself being tied to a rope and hanging in front of a waterfall. It wasn't like he could also break free from the rope-

"...Reborn," Isago snapped to the side and watched his tutor's face go from nonchalant to a cruel smirk before cutting the rope.

After twenty whole times of that Isago got used to fainting and forcefully waking up after 15 minutes.

(⊙ω⊙)

It was the next day at school and Isago waited at Usagi's shoe cupboard before pulling her aside and dashing out of the school. Isago's muscles ached, but he pushed through, ignoring the pain as usual.

"Isago-where are we-"

Isago placed his fingers over his lips, grinning playfully before he pulled her into the main street and gestured for a taxi. Usagi's eyes widened a bit as Isago opened the door, waiting for her to get in first.

"Where are we going?" Usagi asked after she got in and Isago gave the driver the address.

"Somewhere outside of Namimori," Isago stated, checking the watch on his wrist before nodding. "We'll be back when school ends."

"I'm expecting you to help me study then," Usagi smiled cutely, her eyes shimmering because she already knew the answer. "The teacher's lessons are honestly too boring."

"Of course," Isago lifted up her hand, not tearing his eyes away from Usagi's pink ones and kissed lightly on the back of her palm like a gentleman. "I will make sure you pass with the second-highest marks and help you advance through the curriculum."

"Second?" Usagi giggled at her boyfriend's reaction, the driver in the front rolling his eyes at the two.

"First place will be taken by me-" Isago said in a musing way, then chuckled. "I wouldn't even let my girlfriend take my place."

"Selfish," Usagi murmured with an irresistible small pout. "But now I'm concerned about your loyalty because you're too charming."

Her pout almost drove him to poke her on the nose but he held back, knowing that it was not the appropriate time to do so. Gosh, this girl in front of him was so cute that he just wanted to wrap her in his arms and squeeze the life out of her.

"Don't worry about that," Isago squeezed Usagi's hand, smiling slightly. "Too much drama with a third party."

Isago's words remained true no matter what. He wasn't the type to like large crowds or too much drama with relationships. One person was already a bit much for him unless they knew their place well-two? Even if he had the hormones raging in his body, which he had never experienced in his current life, he still maintained the training and endurance from his past life's standards.

After all, women had to put daggers on their feet, learn the art to put on their faces, and go through so many knives to get the perfect face…

Isago mocked himself for being so lucky to be born as a man who didn't need to go through skin burning or eyebrow filling again. He shuddered, remembering the smell of his own burnt skin under the machines. Human flesh being burned did not smell good.

With that, they drove all the way to the location.

(⊙ω⊙)

"Holy-" Usagi was breathless.

Isago had taken her to a small beach outside of Namimori and just in between the next two towns. Because the beach was directly in between, it was almost isolated. He loosened his tie, feeling Usagi's eyes on him before extending his hand towards her as the wind flapped through his hair, making the tie fly sideways on his neck.

"Come on, let's go."

(⊙ω⊙)

"I see," Isago said while they sat on the shore. Usagi beside him leaned slightly on his shoulder as they talked.

"I'm...afraid that you'll change your view about me," she hesitated, eyes lowering onto the sand. Isago shifted closer to her, snaking his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to him, smiling softly. He could see that she was a bit surprised about his sudden action but soon smiled back.

"I won't. Trust me."

"My father," Usagi paused and rubbed her sweaty hands together. "Died when I was eight."

Isago instantly realized why she was so hesitant about telling him. In Japan, widowed or divorced families were not exactly a proud thing to have especially when the situation involved the wife still alive. It was ironic because although he transmigrated into Katekyo Hitman Reborn, women were still far from gaining equality in this world.

Like how women in the anime embodied housewives and girls that needed to be protected. Of course, that raised Isago into more of a person who respected these customs, though he kept an open mind and actually wanted to promote the standing of women.

But not now.

It was still not the time. He had to gather enough power to actually make a statement.

"My mom and I were shunned by most of our relatives since we were the ones to move into my father's family-" Usagi whimpered before Isago started rocking her back and forth, murmuring for her to let it out.

"It wasn't fair!" Usagi buried her face into Isago's chest, sobbing as her words muffled out in frustration. "While I was supposed to be the heir to my father's company-but we were kicked out and thrown onto the streets-"

The wind roared in Isago's ears.

"They said that women weren't supposed to be ambitious- when I told them I didn't want to be a housewife-they said I was ugly-" she heaved, crying. "They-beat my mother-my mother-"

"Is ambition a crime? I just- I just wanted to make myself better-"

Isago's eyes widened, suddenly understanding why Timoteo didn't choose himself as the successor. Too much ambition-Timoteo feared that Isago would turn into a second Macbeth, dragging the entire Vongola down with him.

Was ambition a crime?

No.

They truly just wanted to make themselves better. So why was it shunned?

"I don't know what I should do-I really don't know what I can do-"

"Usagi," Isago whispered, clutching her trembling body in his arms. "Are they still bothering you?"

The girl's quivering chin said nothing, only the wet tears lingering on his face needed to explain everything.

"Usagi," Isago narrowed his eyes, his tone turning extremely cold. "Give me your phone."

Usagi didn't understand but stiffly nodded before handing Isago her red-cased phone. After a few minutes, Isago returned her phone, his number inside her contacts.

"Call me if they ever come to you," he gritted, feeling the rage burn inside of him. Ambition was not ugly. It was what made Usagi her. How dare they say that women were only supposed to be housewives?

(⊙ω⊙)

When Isago returned from school again, he was met with Tsuna screaming at Lambo. Lambo was pouting, his spoiled chubby cheeks were puffed up and crossed in frustration.

"Tsuna is an idiot! You will never beat Lambo-sama!"

Tsuna clenched his teeth, extending his hands before raising his voice again at the five-year-old child. Irritation could be seen in Tsuna's eyes. Isago could also tell that his brother was trying to hold back against Lambo, but Lambo's behaviour didn't make it all that successful.

"I told you so many times! Don't take the bombs out just because you're unhappy! Also, give me back my homework!"

"Baka Tsuna! I already ate it!"

Isago sighed, just coming back from comforting Usagi was already a bit tiring on his mental state, not to mention the daily scene he had to cool down before everything got worse. Isago could see Tsuna's ears flaming in red rage before pulling them away and settling down their attitudes.

"Tsuna, I've already finished my homework- you don't need to do it again," Isago patted Tsuna on the shoulder before reminding him that Lambo was only five and that he would talk with the child. Tsuna instantly calmed down at Isago's words, sighing in exasperation before stomping up the stairs with his shoulders hunched towards Isago's room to get Isago's homework and copy it down on paper.

Isago turned to Lambo, gently coaxing him to never do that again. Lambo's face teared up but instantly sniffed it up the moment Isago took out Lambo's favourite candy from the personal cupboard high up that he had prepared for situations like this. He unwrapped it and handed it to the child.

"See, Lambo-this candy is yours, right?" Isago gestured to the lollipop that Lambo was slurping on. Lambo squealed in glee, nodding before Isago took it away from him.

"That's Lambo-san's! Give it back! Isago! Give it back!" Lambo's arms extended like the baby he was, but Isago only lifted it higher so that he couldn't reach it.

"See Lambo? This is what Tsuna feels like when his own stuff has been taken. You treat people the same way as you want to be treated." Isago instantly lowered the candy and gave it back to Lambo who lowered his eyes guiltily.

"But Baka Tsuna…"

"Tsuna is not an idiot either, Lambo," Isago gently rubbed the baby's head and smiled softly.

"Would you like it if Tsuna called you an idiot?"

"Lambo-san is not an idiot! Lambo-san is the greatest hitman in the world!"

Isago continued to use the 'treat others the way you want to be treated' teaching and hammered it into the kid's brain in the most parental way ever.

Same old day. Same old day.

(⊙ω⊙)

Isago watched the two kids argue in front of them, once again because Lambo did something that intruded on Tsuna's privacy. This time, Lambo stole what Kyoko had gifted Tsuna. Tsuna was on the verge of screaming again, bursting out in fury.

Isago drew a long breath, preparing to stop the two while Reborn watched keenly in the back with an expressionless face.

Author's note:

Dear readers, yes, it is still OC x male.

Don't worry. Also, even if its bad, please comment! Be free to tell me anything!