A/N:

@rozielrie: I'm more of aiming for the best friend/brother relationship. I'm not the most effective romance writer. An evidence to that is bonded vows. Hahaha. But I like your idea. It adds a good spice.

@CAD270895: He will. Training camp tho... Let's see. :)

@foxchick1: Yeah. Memories with his family are what pains him the most.

@Firehedgehog: Thanks.

@Lunary: Hahaha. Too bad the story only revolves around Reborn's, Tsuna's, Soma's, and other Shokugeki no Soma characters points of views only. I wanted to make you see some of the family members' views and thoughts about Tsuna's disappearance, but the story is about Tsuna and his part in the Shokugeki no Soma's world. Anyway, thank you!

@To The EXTREME KHR EnmaFan: I would love to make Hibari come to Tokyo, but he has a duty to protect Namimori and Nana as a whole, especially amidst the missing presence of his sky in their turf. I could see that though. Him, storming to the dorm and demanding Tsuna to cook for him. Honestly, I can't see him and Chrome betraying Tsuna even if the latter betrays them. They're the type to always stick there for Tsuna. And yes, Tsuna will tell his story, but it will be when he's ready. When he's permitted.

So hi! Thank you for the reviews! They did make my days before this new update. I'm honestly shaking with anxiety. Hahaha. There is so much expectation for this fanfic that I'm worried.

Anyway, don't mind me! Go on!


Chapter Six

Tsuna tried not to fidget on his seat. His intuition had assured him that he's not in trouble, but he knew there's more to it.

That morning, he was called out by one of the teachers to go the director's building. He bid his goodbye to Soma who was okay with it. Well, everything is okay with the ranga, as long as Tsuna won't get hurt. Although, the redhead was pretty excited about seeing the clubs in the academy with him. Too bad, he and Tadokoro were the only ones who will see them.

So right now, he's sitting in a cushion in front of a low black table, waiting for the director to come. He's in a traditional Japanese room with tatami floors and translucent sliding doors and walls. The only difference was the fact that they're ten floors high from the ground. He commends the interior designer of the building. It's impressive.

He looked up when the door slid open and Senzaemon Nakiri entered. Tsuna didn't need to straighten his posture, but he did stop his nervous fidgeting as the old man walked in and sat down across him. Just like their first meeting, the old man appraised him with watchful eyes.

"You do not need to be formal around me, Sawada. You're not in trouble." That made him sigh in relief. "But, I must apologize."

Brown eyes met purple ones, silent question is conveyed.

"I dug some information about you for the entire week, Sawada." Senzaemon answered.

Tsuna slowly nodded in understanding, his brain processing the information. "It cannot be helped. It is a standard operation to do such a thing when I came off as a stranger in your list."

"But I'm wondering why the Vongola Decimo was wondering around without his guardians nor his tutor. It is dangerous for you to do so."

He can't help grimacing. "I'm not the Vongola Decimo, Sir. I'm the brother of the Vongola Decimo."

The old man stared at him.

"I was a cover up." Tsuna looked down to his hands that had clenched the fabric of his trousers. "My twin brother was the true Vongola Decimo, hence my missing guardians and tutor."

"Then why were you wandering around?"

"I wanted to get away from my town. Assassins kept on coming at me even though Vongola already announced who is the Decimo between me and my twin. And everything became suffocating. Besides, what will be the use of me now that I've done my part?"

A silence engulfed the room.

"You did the right choice, my boy." Tsuna looked up to see the old man smiling softly at him. It wasn't pity, more like respect. "I do not know what hardship you have been through, but I know you do not deserve such treatment."

"My tutor already pointed out how idiot my father is, no worries." The brunet smiled wryly. "I do hope you won't take away my place in the academy, Sir."

"I will never, Sawada. You are a gifted one. If you can survive the greatest hitman's training, then you can survive the pressure in this school. And I bet Soma Yukihira will not take it lightly if I pull you out." The director remarked. "As a matter of fact, I will give you protection within the walls of the academy and under the name of the Nakiri. My family do not owe Vongola favours, but we treasure gifts. And the famous Vongola intuition is one of them."

"Thank you." Tsuna said in relief. "I will forever be grateful to you, Sir Nakiri."

"No problem, my child. You deserve such break. But, when will you tell Yukihira about this? Secrets cannot be kept forever."

The teen gnawed on his lips. "In due time, Sir. I don't want Soma to be endangered by omerta. I have to consult someone first before I tell him everything."

"Very well. Keep up the good work then. I heard you're the one keeping Yukihira from getting into trouble." The old man joked.

Tsuna chuckled. "I had lots of practice. Who knows what he's up to now."


No. Tsuna takes back his words. He does not have a lot of practice in this kind of situation.

"What did you get yourself into now, Soma Yukihira?" He asked the dejected ranga in front of him.

"A Shokugeki." Soma answered, pouting.

Tsuna hummed, relishing the cute pout on the redhead. It's not everyday that Soma is pouting, and it's cute. "With?"

"Ikumi Mito." He responded snappily, almost excited. "She was closing the Don Research Society under Erina Nakiri's order. And it's unfair because donburi are good, you know. And the RS members ran away when they found out that Nakiri wanted to shut down the RS because her subordinates are that scary."

Tsuna looked at Tadokoro and the guy with pompadour hair style, he knew now as Kanichi Konishi that reminds him of Kusakabe. "What's Shokugeki again?"

"Oh." The bluenette blurted before explaining the cooking competition. "Shokugeki is a form of challenges that settles disputes between students. They must have equal compensation."

"Then what were your conditions?" Tsuna queried on Soma.

"If she wins, I'm quitting Tootsuki." The brunet's eyes flashed orange on that. "If I win, she's going to join Don RS as a form of apology for all the trouble she did."

Tsuna rolled his shoulders and leaned on the counter. "Well, that can't be helped. If you quit, I'll quit too. So you need to win in order for us not to be kicked out."

The brunet chuckled when those yellow eyes brightened. Seriously, Soma will always be like this with him around. Tsuna watched the three proceeded to helping Soma create an ultimate donburi with meat as a main ingredient. It's a challenge since there are possible meats to come up with.

Propping his cheek on his hand, he gazed at the three who are starting to strategize a good donburi to make. His mind wondered to what happened to him that morning though. With all honesty, he didn't mean to pour a little of his heart to the director. Maybe it was the utmost trust the old man gave him even though they only met briefly. Regardless, some of the loads on his shoulders have lifted, making him breath a little easier.

Then when he went out of the building, he got the rumour that one of the transferees challenged one of Nakiri's subordinate with a Shokugeki that will happen in three days. He already knew that it was Soma, but the reason? He extracted just now.

He eyed his friend, who's cooking, with a small smile. Like Director Nakiri, Soma also trusted him even though they only interacted a little on their first meeting. It was so unlike of his friends. Ah. Except for Takeshi since that guy never fails to trust anyone who doesn't hurt him. He doesn't even think Reborn trusted him from the very start.

"Tsuna-kun?"

"Hmm?" He hummed in question, eyes zeroing on Tadokoro who placed a glass of water in front of him.

"I'm also worried of Yukihira-kun." The bluenette admitted. "But we need to believe in him."

"I do believe in him." The brunet responded. "I don't doubt his ability. He's a master of creation."

"I think so too."

Brown eyes surveyed the lady's expression. "Thank you for sticking up with him."

Tadokoro blushed a little but a smile bloomed on her face. "No worries. I like being with you. It's like you're my friends."

"We are friends." Tsuna declared, heart fluttering. "Soma will say the same."

The smile widened. "Thank you."

Tsuna can't help comparing Tadokoro as a rain.


Tsuna ran for the stairs, two steps at a time. When he reached the door, he knocked softly. He patiently waited, dancing on the balls of his feet. When there's no answer, he knocked twice again. He grimaced when soft footsteps were heard approaching the door. The wood opened and an awake Soma came into view.

"Bathroom?" Soma questioned.

He nodded rapidly, panicked.

The redhead snickered as he shuffled out. He took his hand and guided him to the nearest bathroom on the floor. "Come on, Scaredy-cat."

Tsuna blushed a little at the tease. He went inside the bathroom and did his thing. When he went out, he stared at a thoughtful and calculating Soma. The redhead has eyebags under his eyes, yet he looked energized despite the telltale of tiredness on his body. It reminds him of those times Reborn works him to the bone for those fights they had to win for the sake of the family.

Tsuna shook his head. Why can't he move on?

"Done?" The ranga's voice called out. He nodded. "You look distracted."

"Just thinking." Tsuna waved off before staring at the redhead. "How about you? Why are you still awake?"

"Stuffs. For tomorrow." Soma shrugged.

"Can I come to your room?" He asked as they started to walk.

"You won't get enough sleep then." The redhead pointed out.

Tsuna's heart clenched in the thought of Soma staying up late alone. "Don't care. I don't want to leave you alone."

Yellow eyes blinked at him before a grateful smile was shot on his way. "Okay."

When they entered the room, Tsuna mused how messy it was. There are books and notes everywhere. He peered at the one Soma took from the desk and started to read. It was probably the book Tadokoro found. A Japanese steak Donburi.

He was there when the three of them felt so slumped. When Soma ran out of the room to check on his money for the ingredients he will need to buy. And when Soma got the idea. But knowing the redhead, he will find more ways to glow up the food. To make it more delicious than it was. Soma is always on trial and error.

He sat on the bed and took one of the magazine he saw. They were all about food and the chefs. Some were five stars chefs and their amazing restaurants. Flipping the pages, he mused how tasty the food in their pictures. Reborn did say to him that presentation, at any form be it human, things, animals or food, is a must. The way you present yourself is one way of gaining an impression.

He snickered a little when he remembered Bianchi's cooking. If only Bianchi's food looks good sometimes, Tsuna will consider eating it. On rare times, he can sympathize with Reborn. That guy has to avoid every attempt his lover will make just to get away from the poison cooking. He wonders how the lady made Romeo ate her food. Too bad the guy is in the afterlife now after the exorcism they did.

A shiver went down to his spine at the thought of the ghost.

"What are you snickering about?" Soma asked from his perch.

"Nothing." Tsuna gave a twitchy smile. He wants to snicker. "Just some memories."

"Oh. Share." The ranga urged, really intrigued.

"I told you my family is big, right?" He queried. Soma nodded. "My tutor has his fourth lover living with us. His lover has this unique ability. She can make the food she cooks go nasty and poisonous."

"Woah. Does she know?" The redhead questioned, interested.

Tsuna chuckled. "She's aware. But she really loves cooking and she wants to feed it to my tutor. Imagine my sadistic tutor dodging every advance his lover makes to make him eat the food."

Soma grimaced before laughing. "Damn. That will be hilarious."

"Oh. Don't let me start whenever her brother sees her face. He always faints." He grinned, remembering Gokudera's face. Now that he thinks back, Bianchi never covers her face since Ieyasu was announced the Decimo. It always takes the silveret by surprise, causing him to faint right on the spot.

"Why?" Yukihira asked with oozing curiosity.

"Apparently, she baked cookies for him when they were toddlers. Her brother is a pianist at that time and every time he plays, she presents him those poisoned cookies. So whenever they see each other after he grew up away from her, his stomach remembers the aches and faints on the spot." He elaborated.

Soma snickered. "That's nasty. Good thing no one faints on my squids."

Tsuna gave him a deadpan expression. "Remember Juno-san?"

"That," The ranga pointed out with a wince. "is an exemption."

"Huh?"

"Really!"

They stared at each other before tittering again.

"Na, Soma." Tsuna called out when they calmed down.

"Yup?"

"If you need help, you can always tell me." He offered, toying with the tip of the page. "I don't really mind if you borrow some money. As long as I can eat some of the food you'll make, you're paid."

Yellow eyes shone. "That's not a good compensation."

"You were asked to quit Tootsuki, while you asked her to join the research society." He countered.

Silence.

"Why are you so good with this?" Soma whined pertaining to his reasoning.

Tsuna only grinned. This is one of those times he's so thankful he took up Reborn's snarks. "So?"

"Deal! But I'll give it to you once the judges ate their shares. You better eat all of it."

He rolled his eyes. "Since when did I never finish your food, Soma?"

The ranga went red in embarrassment, causing him to laugh. "Hey! It's not funny!"

"Uh-huh." He indulged, still laughing.


Tsuna doesn't know if he should laugh or cry at how many people came to see the Shokugeki between Soma and Ikumi Mito. He made a good mental note of smacking Soma's arm for being a challenger next time. If he didn't say anything about taking the top, he won't be this popular.

Maneuvering between people, Tsuna tried his hardest not to show his nervousness. He's not really good with crowds. Not that he's scared. It's just that there can be a lot of things that can happen in the crowd. Like stampede or crowd bullying. He suddenly remembered those dame days he has in Namimori. They were really the toughest.

Speaking of Namimori, he hadn't texted nor called his mother nor Reborn. The last thing he gave was the beef bourguignon he shipped off for his tutor. Reborn likes those kind of cuisines. Tsuna bet the hitman misses those kind of food. He wanted to check on the others too. It can't be helped since he still thinks of them as family. Not that they'll care about his whereabouts.

Tsuna shook his head. Really. He needs to move on. He can't be stuck on the past. Reborn will smack him if he dwells in there. Or maybe he just needs a closure about the topic. He does feel bitter about it. Or something to take his mind off it.

Like a light bulb, he brightened when an idea crossed his mind.

Sitting on the empty seat he saw, he took out his phone and searched for the note app. He started to rock his head for the exercises he needs to be doing starting tonight. Even if he doesn't have anything to do, he still needs to be in shape. Reborn will surely kill him if he slacks off. Just remembering those kick and smacks, he can already feel the body pain. And it could be a good thing to keep things out of his mind.

"Thank you for waiting!"

Tsuna looked up to see a noirette in their academy's female uniform and holding a mic. Probably the emcee.

"The Shokugeki administration bureau had recognized this match as an official Shokugeki! Soon," The lady gave an idol-ish dazzling smile. "it will start!"

The stadium shook with the intensity of the students' cheers. Tsuna took that as a sign to put away his phone and stood up to go for the railings. Good thing he's near the part where Soma will cook.

"We have three judges!" The lady presented the three people in front of a long table which composed of a woman in kimono and two men in suits. "The theme is Donburi! The main ingredient is meat! Well then, from each corner, both contenders will enter!"

The students cheered again, thundering the stadium.

"The first one to appear is the meat master-" The lady waved her hand to the left. "-Ikumi Mito!"

Tsuna blinked when all of the boys around his age screamed when a hooded person went out of the left corner. When the person removed his cloak, the brunet blushed. Who wouldn't?

Ikumi Mito is only wearing a bikini top with short jeans that almost looked like an underwear with how short it is. She has this very short blond hair and tan skin. Plump lips and good figure. Probably raised in a western lifestyle. She looks really confident too.

"Now next! Soma Yukihira makes his entry!" The lady introduced with a wave of her right hand.

Tsuna can't help himself from curling his hands into fists when the stadium went for a loud 'boo' just as Soma, Tadokoro and Kanichi strode down the right corner. Some even shouted for Soma to drop dead or die for saying those things in the ceremony. There's also those speculation that Ikumi Mito will surely win without knowing how good Soma is.

Even if Soma did say offensive things, he was just being himself and he doesn't deserve such scrutiny. So the brunet raised his hands to cup his mouth and took a good amount of oxygen in the air to ready himself.

"Go Soma!" He shouted amidst the riot. It gained attentions from the people beside him. "You can do it! Go Soma!"

His effort wasn't put in vain. The redhead turned to his position and searched for him. Tsuna smiled and raised a hand, the other still cupping his mouth.

"Go Soma! Show them what you're made of!" He shouted more, gaining his friend's attention.

Yellow eyes glimmered in happiness. The hand that has a towel tied in it was raised like his too. "Thank you, Tsuna!"

"Oho! Ladies and gentlemen, there is one who is not booing at Soma Yukihira. It's our second transferee! Tsunayoshi Sawada!" The emcee announced. This announcement cause him to gain the camera's attention.

But he didn't bother to look up. He just stared contently at Soma who was standing in front of Mito. He can't help smiling when he saw the familiar challenging smirk on the redhead. His friend never fails to make him smile.

"Oh my- Ahem. Now! Let's go through this match's conditions again. If Mito-san wins, the Don RS will be abolished and Yukihira-kun will be expelled. If Yukihira-kun wins, the Don RS budget will increase, their clubroom will be enlarged and they will get more cooking equipment. Furthermore, Mito-san will join the Don RS!"

The bleachers erupted with cheers again.

"I-It's Erina Nakiri!" One of the students shouted causing everyone to look up.

Tsuna looked at the observation box separated from the bleachers. And there she is, walking to sit on one of the plush seat with Arato behind her. She has this shine of expectation in her eyes. He can't help sighing. Oh how he thought his intuition was wrong about all this. Even Erina wants to expel Soma. Either ways, not that Yukihira will get expelled.

Tsuna mused how the ranga pulled out the towel from his wrist and tied it around his forehead. It was cool. And he means it. Soma is always cool. As cool as Takeshi and Hibari. As good as Gokudera when studying things too. The only time he becomes the Soma Yukihira he loves to spoil is when they're in front of each other. But he knew Soma can be much matured than that. Because the redhead is far sensitive than he gives. He knew when to push a subject or not. He knew something is wrong even if Tsuna doesn't show it. And the brunet can see the inevitable time when the two of them will fight over something that will cause them to rift.

Just the thought of that makes his gut clench and his heart crack.

Can he bear such tension between them?

He doesn't know.

"Now contestants, to your kitchen! Let's go!" The emcee cheered and the two stepped back to stand just beside their carts. "The loser loses everything! A decisive match on the tongue! Shokugeki-!"

Tsuna shook his head as he saw the glaze of competitiveness on Soma's yellow eyes. He'll worry that problem in the future. Right now, Soma needs his faith, and he will gladly give it.

"Start!"