A/N:

@fiahy567: You do know Tsuna didn't take none of the three's numbers, right? Hahaha.

@rozielrie: You like Tsuna being vindictive? Hahaha! I'm surprised. I can see that thought though! Reborn will snoop around and help the Karaage squad to make a good Karaage. Hahaha! I love it! About Nana, if she did graduate in Tootsuki, Tsuna will be one of the 'gems' Senzaemon could've taken to save Erina. He'll keep track of her and ask her to enrol Tsuna in Tootsuki too. However, Tsuna is an unexpected twist of turn, and it made the Director's plan to adjust.

@Tenma Kirin: Vindictive Tsuna is so well liked. Hahaha! Here is the update, by the way!

@CAD270895: Need to search that 'Dioscuri' term. I didn't know that. And yes. Hahaha! I think Tsuna kinda broke her fan too.

@KeyofSolomon.M.E: Was it rushed? Ikumi and Kurase's interaction? I was more focused on Tsuna's thoughts. Gomen. About Dino, I'm not sure. I'll probably look for a way to insert that thought. Hehe. The Chapters are already premade, so I'll have to look for a way to insert that thought. But I think Chiavallone is more on the safe side of ingredients since they do have a ranch and they specialize in networkings.

[Familia Member this week (this is cool)]

Rain - Dazai Osamu (Bungo Stray Dogs) or Obi (Akagami no Shirayukihime)

I'm having a hard time deciding between them, since Dazai fits nicely since he has the perfect rain ability, while Obi is a normal assassin who has a scary yet equally perfect rain personality. What I like about them is the fact that they know when to be serious and when to make things light. For me, being a rain doesn't mean tranquility alone. It also means having that sense of means to stay calm when things are going south. That kind of mentality that strives to help others to feel at ease amidst the chaos they're about to enter. Like how Dazai gives hints and solves things for the detective agency to stay afloat regardless of how apart they were, and how Obi gave Prince Zen a heads up of Shirayuki's kidnapping and doing his best to give them a good ground in searching for his mistress.

(Wait. Are they valid? Hahaha! Maybe I broke a rule somewhere with my choices.)

So here is your update! Thank you for the reviews and continuous support. And I sincerely apologize for the typos and grammar errors. I'll give you a little spoil on what happened during Autumn Election selection of Top Forty. I feel sorry for the one who got erased just for this one spot. Hahaha.

Anyway, go on. Shoo~

Chapter Sixteen

"How was he?" Reborn asked as he took a sip on his espresso.

Dino and Skull looked at each other in contemplation.

They're inside a cafe, two towns over Namimori. Reborn invited them out after he got an information from his insects that the two met Tsuna. (More of after he made his wrath known to those who attacked his student. Revenge for a hitman is not killing those people who did him wrong. It's by making them fear every single day they live with the thought that Reborn is somewhere, watching their every move and one shot away.) It's not like Tsuna doesn't give occasional updates, but situational updates are different from physical and mental updates. Five months can change a person tremendously.

"Tsuna looks healthier." Dino answered, a smile on his lips. "More boyish too. His doe eyes were a little narrower too."

"His hair got longer." Skull added on. "More wild. It's really like a lion's mane. His voice was a little deep and moves just like you."

Reborn's brow quirked up.

"You know, graceful with a purpose. I bet he was cooking without really a mind on it. It's like he was so used to it that he's doing them unconsciously." Skull shrugged.

"His hands were warmer and firm." Dino flexed his hands, remembering those small hands that grasped his. "It's so different from the last time we met. He's more confident too. Like when we fought the Vindice and he found the cure? He's also more sociable and he doesn't hesitate to ask help. You should've seen how carefree he was when he greeted his customers."

"Hmm." Reborn hummed, storing those information away before asking another one. He needs to see that for himself. "What about his friend? Did you meet him?"

"Yukihira? He's like this ball of storm flames with red hair and yellow eyes. He was awesome in the kitchen too, making two hundred plates of egg soufflés in thirty minutes. And he has this sky thing in him. Like he can attract people too? But he's more of a storm." Dino answered.

"He was pretty down when we met him. They had a misunderstanding. But you'll like him. He believes all Tsuna's stories. When we said we'll introduce him to our craziness, he kinda recognize something and asked if they were all branded with chaos. Which was you." Skull grinned. "I bet he'll make Tsuna's head ache. Who knows, he might make Tsuna agree with all your craziness in the future, Reborn. He looks ready for it."

Reborn smirked. "I can't wait to meet him then."

"Is Hibari still asking?" Dino queried. "I can tell him to stop."

"No. He stopped. He went back to his duties as a cloud after I told him something. Even Mukuro and Chrome. Lambo will be ecstatic with your news. He's maturing even though still loud and obnoxious."

"Well, if Tsuna will surprise us once he comes back, we'll do the same with him." Dino beamed.

Reborn smirked. He can't wait to see his student again.

Tsuna arranged the printed papers before carrying them to the kitchen. Soma smiled at him when he passed by to do the wrappings. He was tasked to do it after the redhead reminded him of the egg burritos he did on the buffet breakfast. Humming under his breath, he quickly wrapped some Karaage with lettuce and some herbs, before passing it to the customer, who bought one, with a smile.

With all honesty, he didn't do anything. He was just listening to those four planning things. He wasn't one to plan anyway. (It took him nights to come up with the cure and plan to defeat the Vindice.) He did help on recommending the food and advertising it to the teens and the passersby.

After their encounter with the manager, he just have to run around the district to calm himself up. Soma even assured him that he'll be the taste tester after they finalized their plan so he didn't worry of being unable to help. He even speculated that Soma got so motivated because he got a little pissed.

So when they finished the first batch, he was offered the first ever Sumire Karaage. And he commended Mito for the sauce. Really. He was able to moan at how good it was. It was probably because of the marinate sauce and the new elements in it like the lettuce and herbs. Regardless, the four were glad with his reaction.

"Tsuna! Tsuna! She's here!" Soma cheerfully announced.

The brunet perked up. "Mayumi-chan, can you take over for me?"

"Sure sure." The girl nodded, smiling at him. "Go for it. She deserves a good kicking in the pride."

He grinned in amusement. He let Soma take his hand and pulled him out of the kitchen. They were snickering like kids that were about to do a good prank. The two sneaked up behind the manager. They looked at each other and silently pointed at themselves. They narrowed their eyes before poising like they're going to pull out their swords from their left hips. Some locals, who can see them, snickered at their childishness but they didn't stop. In a mental count of one-two-three, they drew out their cards.

Tsuna had papers while Soma gave scissors. The redhead mutely cackled like a madman as he rolled his eyes on him fondly. The brunet gestured a hand to the manager that Soma answered with a grin.

"You don't have to be secretive, you can just line up normally." Soma started off, startling the manager to turn towards them.

Tsuna caught sight of the new fan in the lady's hand. "Oh. New fan, Soma. She has a new fan."

"Really? You really did break her fan." The redhead admonished lightly.

"Sorry, sorry." He apologized sheepishly.

"Since when were you planning this?" The manager asked, cutting off their conversation.

Soma hummed. "Since three days ago...?"

"Yeah. Since we came back." Tsuna nodded, thinking when did they start to plan.

They relished the shock expression on the woman.

"I mean the hardware store provided the cooking utensils." The redhead started off.

"The Sumire's mark was made by the sheet metal worker." He added on.

"The ingredients came from the vegetable grocer and the butcher."

"The flyers and wrappings were printed by the printer."

"In other terms, everything was prepared by the shopping district overnight!" The redhead finished off. "Na, Mozuya Lady, you said this, right? A place with no competitive power and originality can die out," Soma inclined his head to the right, "was it?"

"It has it." Tsuna said, eyebrows raised in taunt.

"Our shopping district has power." Soma finished off.

"Shut up!" The lady raged. "I had enough of your insolent talks! So what if you have that Karaage?! Sooner or later you'll be crashed by Mozuya-"

"If you're going to say that much," The two looked at the middle school student who butted in their conversation. He probably heard the manager. "then eat some too, Auntie!"

Tsuna moved to the shop. "Mayumi-chan, one Karaage please."

"Here." The girl said while handing him a Karaage. "I'll need your payment later!"

He only laughed and gave the Karaage to Soma. "Here."

Soma grinned and presented the freshly made food. "They're right. You let us try some of your Karaage last time, right? Then we'll let you try ours too. It's done!"

They watched as the manager ate the Karaage and moaned at its taste. And Tsuna just can't resist and bowed a little. "Thank you for your patronage."

"It wasn't much!" Soma said as he removed his towel. "Come on, Tsuna. Back to work."

"You're the one who pulled me here."

"I know!" The redhead laughed.

Later that night, Tsuna hummed as he put a cut-to-bite sized Karaage on a sauce before eating it with rice. He moaned a little, shoulders slumping to lax. Soma stared at him before shaking his head, eating his own share of meal.

He was just happy that everything was successful even though he didn't help much. Mayumi got entrusted to look after the shop by Soma since the chairman doesn't look like he could do it alone. Mito, or now he could call as Ikumi-chan, let him use her given name after they bonded on how to marinate a meat. It wasn't really that... Extravagant. He got intrigued with how she came up with the sauce for the Karaage. He could use it for later preferences.

"It's good, yeah?"

"I can eat it all week." The brunet answered as he put another on his mouth. "Yum."

"Then it's a good thing that you got agitated. We had to have a motivation."

"But aren't you motivated enough when she thought we're going to replicate their Karaage?"

"Why do we have to replicate it in the first place if we could just make something new right in front of her?" Soma snorted.

"I know. We're not even the ones who have this secret sauce."

"So right. But really, it's good that you got irate. Kurase was scared but she felt more inclined on helping us since she heard how hard the fan slapped on your hand. Nikumi too. No wonder she let you call her by her name."

"Very unlike someone who's spreading his nickname on her."

"It's fun to see her get all annoyed." The redhead shrugged. "We're going back to the academy tomorrow."

Tsuna nodded. "Yeah. But it's good Tootsuki doesn't have homework. All about on-hand research."

Soma grinned. "Heh. Someone hates homework."

The brunet wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Who doesn't? It's not like you don't hate it too. I bet your old man won't let you help cook for the diner if you didn't finish them first."

The redhead froze, made a thinking expression before his face went sour. "You're right. Good thing we don't have homework."

Tsuna grinned triumphantly before he sobered up. Soma saw this and frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Soma," He started off, hesitant. The brunet bit his lower lip a little before steeling himself. "I'm part of a secret organization."

"Is this about the forest thing?" The redhead asked.

Tsuna nodded. "They were after me because I'm part of that organization. They got a hold of my location, pinpointed my room in the hotel and attacked me on our first night. In order to keep you all safe, I had to keep them at the forest, and be there at the forest so they won't have an idea of taking any of you as a hostage or something."

"Doujima-sempai knows?"

"He's the hotel manager. The security had to tell him what they see in the CCTV around the hotel."

The ranga bobbed his head in understanding. "About this organization, where are they?"

"I-It's one of the reason why I have to run away, Soma." Tsuna saw how Soma's jaw clenched. "B-But it's alright. They were the ones who gave me my handsome tutor. His words, not mine."

Soma raised a brow. "Handsome? Really?"

"He's the one who said it! He'll beat me up if he gets a hold that I didn't include that. It's already a good thing that it's handsome, not gorgeous or exquisite or something." Tsuna grumbled.

"So what did Reborn teach you?"

His jaw unhinged. "How did you know his name?"

"Romario-san said the name after I asked if your family's brand of craziness has chaos all over it. I connected the dots and arrived to the conclusion that Reborn is the name of your tutor. So?"

"He teaches me my school works, but mostly self defense." Tsuna stared at his rice as his mind gave him a mental image of Reborn. "He's really sadistic. Who would blow up his student with a low tuned bomb if I don't give a correct answer? He always shoots at me to run faster, for being a coward and for shrieking. He always throws his craziness at me. Sometimes he comes up with these confusing games and calls it family bonding.

"But you know, Reborn is the only one who looked at me proudly whenever I accomplish something. He always lifts me up when I'm on slumps, find a way to get me out of my down state and tells me things that will motivate me to do better. He's there when I need him. And even if I'm far, I couldn't forget his teachings."

"He must be really great."

Tsuna snorted. "He calls himself the greatest. And Dino? He was my sempai in Reborn's tutelage."

"He and Skull welcomed me to your family." Tsuna went red. It made Soma grin teasingly. "How cute. You told them I'm a family."

"Shut up."

Soma laughed.

"But it's true." Tsuna beamed softly. "You are a family to me, Soma. A brother in anything but blood. And I promise you with my dying will that I'll tell you everything after I talk to some people. I can't tell you anything about my organization, my position in there and who are part of my family for now without endangering you. And I don't want to see you get hurt."

Soma stared at him before nodding. "I'll wait. Even if it takes years."

"Thank you."

"So who's Skull?"

"He's-"

Somewhere in Tootsuki

"Ah wait." Satoshi Isshiki called out, making the announcer of final forty stop. "We forgot one more."

"But it's already settled, Isshiki." The first seat whined.

"Actually, no." Erina Nakiri seconded as she stared at the last paper on the folder in front of her. "We almost forgot one."

"Tsunayoshi Sawada..." The fifth seat read. "Amazing, he has good grades and the observers gave him recommendations."

"Hmm... He has a good answer on the self-evaluation Chef Donato did." The second seat nodded, sounding impressed. "He also made his group pass and initiated to share the food he makes after getting an approval. The example got followed by his groupmates."

Isshiki resisted to smile. "He also has no redo in every assignments."

"But in his background, he doesn't have any experience in cooking until he entered Tootsuki. You were the tester in his examination test, right Erina?" The sixth seat questioned.

"Yes. He passed after making a garlic soup with potato and pouch egg." Erina answered confidently. "I heard he does his work in Chapelle-sensei's class alone."

"The same thing is stated on Mizuhara-sempai's evaluation on him on the first day of trial. And that was an unusual situation a chef could be in." The third seat stated.

"All in all, he qualifies as one of the forty." The ninth seat concluded.

"He's not in the list. We cannot exempt him out." The first seat finalized. "If he doesn't get in the forty and be with the next twenty, a lot will protest. We cannot have that."

"A crowd's favorite then." The eighth seat nodded. "We won't like it if the alumni suddenly demand explanation."

"Then we must select one to be removed."

"Soma Yukihira then?"

"No!" Isshiki and Erina said in unison, making both of them look at each other.

"Hmm? What is this, Erina? You were adamant on not putting Yukihira on the list just awhile ago."

"It's because where Soma-kun is, Tsunayoshi-kun is there." Isshiki explained patiently. "They cannot be separated. Tsunayoshi-kun swore that if ever Soma-kun get expelled, he'll quit the academy."

A silence.

"They are currently dubbed as the Polar Star dorm twins." Erina added on. "When one is there, the other is near. They also balance each other out. If we want minimum damage from Yukihira, we have to have Tsuna-kun within the vicinity."

"Okay then. It is settled." The first seat finalized. "Tsunayoshi Sawada will be on the list."

Erina and Isshiki looked at each other and had a silent understanding. They were able to back up each other. If Soma gets a hold that Tsuna is not part of the forty or the upcoming twenty, he will probably throw a tantrum. They can't have that. Nor see a put-off Tsuna. They can't imagine the brunet pouting, angry or unhappy. It wasn't Tsuna at all.

'From: xxx-xxx-xxx

Subject: (none)

Message: Told him the story and compromise. He understands. He also wants to meet you soon (his words, not mine). Thank you.

attached photo*'

Reborn stared at the photo attached on the message. It was a selfie of the two. The redhead was clearly holding the phone, smiling like an idiot with a peace sign. He looked like a cat with his yellow eyes. Pretty mischievous too with the way he grinned at the camera. He looks like someone who is very free-spirited and have a devil-may-care attitude, but also a formidable opponent who will never stop attacking until he wins. A storm indeed.

Then there's Tsuna.

True to Dino's and Skull's words, the brunet looks healthier in the picture. His brown hair is longer, looking like a lion's mane and gives him this innocent yet cool look. His body looks fit too, as if he was keeping up his trainings. His slightly narrowed brown eyes were shining in happiness and playfulness, something that wasn't there before. His grin was really wide, like he was going to laugh at something, probably a joke the two shared before they took the picture.

The setting is in an empty diner with half finished food on the table. Reborn wonders who cooked the food between the two. Maybe they both did. But he can't help himself from smirking, almost smiling softly. To even attach a photo as a 'thank you' gift, the two had the gall to give it to him.

Heedless, he typed a message before letting Leon go back to his lizard form and walked towards the house while singing 'I'll make a man out of you' of Mulan movie.

'To: xxx-xxx-xxx

Subject: Chaos.

Message: Good. And I'll be honored to meet him.'