A/N:

A small "I'm sorry for being late again." gift for you. Hahaha.

I hope you like it.

Anyway, go on.

Chapter Forty-Seven

"Tsuna-kun?"

Tsuna blinked and looked up to Megumi. "Yes?"

"Are you alright? You've been staring at your food for the past three minutes. Is this about Soma-kun?" The bluenette worriedly queried.

"Eh? No. It's not." He shook his head as he looked down to his food and started to eat again. "Just thinking of things-"

Megumi's brown eyes narrowed.

"-that aren't what you're thinking about at this very moment." He continued on, with a small grimace. Megumi is pretty scary. "I promise."

"Is this about Hayama-san?"

Tsuna kept himself from tensing as he shook his head. "Nope. Anyway, isn't the second survival purge today. You should get going, Megumi-chan."

"Oh right!"

Tsuna didn't see the worried glance of the bluenette as he stared at his food again. Sighing, he recalled what happened a few days ago, when he visited Shiomi and Akira. The seminar was open, but under the control of Central. Shiomi welcomed him in. And what he discovered was heartbreaking.

Akira was forced to comply to the wishes of the Central to keep their research society from being demolished. Although Shiomi had been devastated about it, she voiced how she could careless of their seminar. But Akira was adamant on keeping it alive and safe. Tsuna could only purse his lips as he watched the professor cry in front of him, thinking and lamenting how she could save Akira from the control of Central. He wanted to apologize and ask for forgiveness, but he knew his apologies won't make it.

He sighed as he stood up with his plates and went for the kitchen. He idly washed his plates and went out to get his mittens and pills before joining Soma who was waiting for him. He bumped his shoulder to the redhead's and took the latter's hand to his. Yellow eyes looked at him in surprise, but he didn't mind. It is his first time to seek warmth from the redhead's hand.

Soma told him what happened to him and Tsukasa. He knew he should've scolded his best friend, and tell him that his defeat was the prize for accepting a challenge that would've dragged him to the Central's side. But when he stared at how moped his best friend looked, he could only sigh and pat the redhead's head. Yukihira, in return, whined and admired his opponent's creation. And up until now, he's not still over it.

He got tugged to venue B where Megumi would be cooking for her society's sake. The venue was jampacked. Soma assured him that it has been always like that. Their dorm mates passed them small flags with Megumi's name. When the participants were called, Tsuna blinked at Ikumi who came in, fighting against a girl with pink hair, while Megumi was cooking against a rough looking cook with a big body.

When the judges got introduced, he can't help his jaw from dropping when he saw a familiar-almost-forgotten albino among them.

"Byakuran!" He exclaimed, gaining his dorm mates' attentions.

"Eh? You know him, Tsuna-kun?" Ryouko queried.

He nodded. "He's a family of mine."

"Heh? Like Alice, right?" Soma noted, staring at Byakuran with sage look. "He's all white."

"Except for the eyes. He has purple ones." He pointed out.

"True. Alice has red eyes. Don't you think they're kind of siblings or something?" Yukihira joked.

He smiled. "Who knows. He has Erina-chan eyes."

"I don't want to have it."

Ieyasu replied.

Silence.

"Tsuna?" Soma called softly, worried at his sudden expression.

"Why?" He questioned. "You were destined to take it, Ieyasu."

"I wasn't destined, Tsuna. Dad brought it up to himself. The position has a lot of responsibilities and priorities. It requires tough decisions. I'll get hunted almost everyday. And you're the one the ring approves. Vongola Primo doesn't like my will."

"Because your will is to continue Vomgola's path."

"I was taught to continue it." A groan. "Dad said it was the job of a mafia boss. I was raised to be a mafia boss. While you're being taught. I don't even think Reborn is teaching you to be one anymore."

"He isn't. After Iemitsu stripped the title from me, he stopped teaching me as a mafia boss. But I'm the one seeking advices from him." He gripped his hand as he ask. "Does he know?"

"Since when did Dad acknowledge suggestions, negations and advices?"

"True." He pursed his lips. "But it has to be one of us who has to take it. And you're already written on the family tree as the mafia boss since birth."

"Fuck it. Then how are you going to destroy Vongola?"

"That's for me to figure out, Ieyasu." He smiled at Soma who sat by the foot of the bed. "Just know that I can't take the position. Hayato, Takeshi and Ryohei-nii-san aren't my elements anymore. I can't bring my storm to that world too. Nor do I want to go back there. I'm gonna change Vongola's path, one way or another, even if you're the one I'm against with. Got that?"

"Yes."

"Good."

The talk ended with Ieyasu saying goodbye when his phone vibrated, saying Iemitsu was calling. Tsuna told Soma what they talked about. The redhead only nodded and told him to tell Reborn because both of them don't want any relation to that.

Tsuna sighed and pulled Soma out of the bleachers as Megumi and Ikumi were announced winners. He ushered him to the others as he went for Byakuran who stood up to meet him. The albino was smiling warmly at him. Since the representative battle, Byakuran had been keeping in touch with him from time to time. Although like Mukuro and Varia, Reborn couldn't trust the Gesso to the extent. It always has a limitation since Byakuran was the one who almost killed Vongola in the future and killed the Arcobaleno in the process. But, if Byakuran wasn't there, Yamamoto won't be walking by now.

"Byakuran, nice to see you again." He greeted with a smile.

"Nice to see you too, Tsunayoshi-kun." Byakuran greeted back. "Are you having fun?"

Tsuna glanced to where Soma and the others were before nodding. "Yeah. Thank you."

"Hmm." The albino hummed. "I didn't really expect these turns of events, nor realized that Iemitsu was keeping Ieyasu somewhere. In every world that my future self have visited, it was always you. Well, there are some worlds where you abandoned the seat, but still, the position still sought you. Do you think there will be a possibility that you'll become the Vongola Decimo?"

He took a deep breath. "There is. Especially now that Ieyasu voiced his desire to not take the position."

"Oh? To prosper or to perish, as they worded it. Are you still planning to change Vongola's ways?"

"I still am." He confessed. "I'll do it. But not now. I want to do it when I'm ready. Right now, I'm going to free myself first from Iemitsu's grasps."

"Ah!" Gesso snapped his fingers, smiling excitedly. "Aria had told me your plan. I will gladly take part. Do you need me to do something? I can contribute."

Tsuna can't help his chuckle. "Sure. Just call Reborn."

"Eh." Byakuran pouted, sulking. "Reborn won't talk to me."

"Message him first. He'll be cooperative. I promise you."

"Tsuna!" The brunet leaned forward to go with the momentum as his best friend pounced on him.

Soma blinked at the albino in front of them before he gave a small bow. "Hello."

"Soma Yukihira, yes?" Byakuran hummed, purple eyes twinkling with interest. "Interesting. No one does such thing to Tsunayoshi-kun back in Namimori. Although Reborn does do things to him. You are the first one I've seen who can reach this level of casualty."

Soma grinned and squeezed the brunet, who blushed, to his side. "I am his brother. If there is anyone who can manhandle Tsuna, it will be me and Reborn only. And some others he permits."

"Then I am honored to meet the new member of the family. I'm Byakuran Gesso, the boss of Millefiore." The albino introduced himself with a lilt smile. "I hope I taste your food in the near future. Especially desserts."

"Oh. I'm currently polishing my dessert making for Tsuna. Can you give me tips of what he likes?" The ranga asked, releasing Sawada from his side as he stepped closer to Byakuran.

"S-Soma." Tsuna tried to mollify, but the redhead didn't relent and Byakuran indulged him spontaneously.

(Tsuna didn't really mind. At least someone from the family accepted Soma like he said to the ranga.)

"Chapelle-sensei." Tsuna called out as he handed the paper he needed to pass to the instructor. "Here is my late school works. I'm so sorry for passing it late. I was careless."

"Relax, Sawada. You're already speaking in French." The instructor assured, causing him to snap his mouth shut and smile sheepishly. "At least you're a breathe of fresh air."

"Do you want me to whip you something?" The brunet offered. "Just a good ol' drink will calm our nerves, Sensei."

"Sure. Please do."

Tsuna looked around the faculty room. When he saw the kitchen, he listened to the instructor's talking as he made themselves some chocolate milk. He got the idea from Blondin who was kind enough to make him some on their last training in the Shino's. Chapelle-sensei relaxed at the first sip, and he listened more about the teacher's thought about the Central's ideology.

It was no brain-er that Azami Nakiri wanted a uniform education. One uniform dish for every class. No creativity nor anything. It was like all chefs are shackled, and reprimanded from doing any different from the given course of dishes. And the teacher speculates that the promotional exam will be the final nail for their coffin. For Tsuna, who is part of the Polar Star dorm, it's their demise. They'll be automatically expelled.

The two stopped talking when some teachers, who approves of Central's ideas, came in. Tsuna turned in his school works and other requirements before bidding Chapelle-sensei a farewell. He was regarded with 'good luck' with the promotional exam.

He went back to the dorms with Soma and the others. When he noticed how down the others were, he asked the redhead what happened. Like he guessed, the exam will be a death sentence for them. He couldn't really assure the others that things will be alright because even he doesn't know what will happen to them. He could only try to cheer them up by starting to talk about mundane things.

"Tsuna." He turned for his door to see Shun. "Are you writing a letter too?"

"No." He shook his head. "I can't fail the promotional exam. Reborn will haunt me."

The auburn quirked a smile. "Can I come in?"

"Sure. You're welcome in my room anytime, Shun. Just don't creep on me." He joked at the last part, causing Ibusaki to slap the back of his head. "Ow. I'll really blame you if I become useless and stupid again."

"That won't be my fault." Shun pointed out as he sat at the foot of the bed. "You're the one who's insinuating things here."

"Am not. I was joking." He pouted before going back to his notes that he needed to review. "What brings you here?"

"I'm going to ask you what was going on the other day." He looked at the other who made himself really comfortable on the bed. "Before Yukihira challenged Eizan-sempai to a Shokugeki."

"It was nothing." He waved off.

"You're not a good liar." He winced at that. "Whenever you lie, you avert your gaze and your mouth tilts a little down. You frown for a second too."

"Am I that expressive?"

Shun shrugged his shoulder. "The first time I saw you expressive was when you were talking with Reborn on the phone. It was unusual for us to see you panic, get teary, worry and be horrified. You were always calm and collected whenever you're with us."

Tsuna pursed his lips as he closed his notebook softly. "I'm sorry."

"It's not something to apologize for, Tsuna. Just..." Shun turned his head away. "I'm just curious."

Tsuna thought of the consequences. Well, the cat is almost out since there is no secret kept between them. He won't be saying things about the mafia anyway. Just his situation. Even though he doesn't want to disclose it, it won't be fair for Shun to be left out. He asked nicely, so he deserves some answers. Probably be vague as possible.

"It's my family." He confessed as he played with his pen. "I can't go to the complete details, since under an oath of silence. What I could say is I was told to inherit a company two years ago. They gave me a tutor, which is Reborn, and I gained friend and allies along the way. Fought hard against enemies that could destroy the no-blood family of mine in the same process. Then suddenly, my father stripped me off my position and handed it to my twin, that I never knew I had. After that, I ran away."

"Ha?"

He chuckled at the reaction. "I ran away, Shun. I'm completely a runaway, hiding within the walls of Tootsuki. Remember when I told you I gained enemies in the process? Although the company I was said to inherit announced that their heir was my twin, the business world still see me as the owner since I did a lot of things. They thought we were trying to fool them. Especially our enemies, so they still follow me around. That, and I'm hiding away from my father. Remember when we went for Tootsuki hotel for the training camp? I couldn't wear my yukata?"

"That's the reason?"

"Yup. They might do things and I don't want them to put you in danger, so I never wear yukata. I can't fight with those."

Shun's mouth hanged. "Fight?!"

"I was taught by Reborn how to defend myself. You don't want me defenseless and get kidnapped without a fight, do you?" The auburn shook his head. "So anyway, I ran away and my father wants me back. He wants me to stay in Namimori for protection which I doubted. So when I came back there after Reborn told me that Kaasan collapsed, I told them I'm not staying long. My father anticipated it and tried to stop me with his work subordinates, but I still got away."

"So you're hiding from your father?"

Tsuna nodded. "Yup. But only five- Ah. Seven, given that one of them already knew where I was and you met Byakuran the other day. There are seven people who know where I am. Then when the Moon festival was about to end, Azami Nakiri-san came in with some of my father's subordinates. Azami-san said so himself that he is associated with my father, my hiding spot was found and they planned to take me away."

"But they couldn't since you're here." The other noted.

He cheekily grinned at Ibusaki. "I have my ways. I was in the dumps for days because I'm scared that my father will do things in Tootsuki, or suddenly comes and tries to take me back or kidnap me. I also felt accountable to all the changes in the academy, since my father is an associate with Azami Nakiri. Like the almost demolition of the dorm."

"So you thought that going back will make him stop." Shun uttered in defeat, obviously able to connect the dots.

"It was the only solution I can think of. He is using all the things he could do to pull me out. He knows my weakness like the back of my hand. But I never thought that Soma was going to challenge Eizan-sempai to a Shokugeki to save the dorm."

"We didn't too." The auburn slumped on the wall he was leaning on. "You guys are so complicated. Azami Nakiri even speculated things about Yukihira's presence here."

"Of so I heard." He hummed, remembering what his best friend told him about Azami's ideals after the call with Ieyasu.

"And Nakiri felt at fault too?"

"Yeah. We both did. We have stupid fathers, you see. Well, mine is more of a... I don't know." He looked back to the celebratory night. "At least Azami-san respects Erina-chan's decisions. He even asked us to take care of her. If you remove the upright personality, the ideals he wants to do in Tootsuki and if he treated Erina-chan nicely in her childhood days, he could've been a good father. Someone I'll probably want as my paternal. Too bad, I'm stuck with someone who can't accept 'no' for an answer."

They basked themselves with the silence. Tsuna let Shun dwell in his thoughts and opened his notebook to continue his readings. He kept his mind from wondering. He kept on thinking how Azami smiled to Erina when the former patted his daughter's head. It won't be that bad if he felt envious of how Azami respected Erina's wishes, regardless of how confident the man that his daughter will come back to him.

He sighed through his nose, idly drawing some things on the side of his notebook. He felt so burdened. From the things Central is doing, Erina's situation, Akira and Shiomi's situation, and now the promotional exam. Aside from that, he's worried of the situation in Namimori. He knew it's his fault that a lot of mafiosi are there. Hibari and the Simon must be tired by now. Just imagining how pissed off Hibari is with all the crowding, damn, he wants to hide under the ground.

"Oi!" He jerked out of his thought and looked back to Soma who was staring at him. "What's with the face?"

"I-I was reviewing." He replied.

"You were muttering, Tsuna." Shun informed from his spot.

Tsuna blinked and looked at his notebook which was full of drawings and stupid doodles. "Oh. They did say idle minds are devils' workshops."

"You know what, let's talk about this." Soma surrendered as he made the chair face the other side where Shun is, before going for the closet and took a cushion to sit on. "What were you thinking?"

"Are you my therapist now?" He kids, looking around nervously.

"Tsuna." Shun pressed.

"I'm still in that phase." He relented, resting his back on the chair's rest. "You can't blame me, Soma, Shun. Even if you say that it's not fault, my father is still associated with this. These things that has been going won't happened if Iemitsu didn't offer his help."

"You don't have to problem everything, Tsuna." Shun advised.

"Maybe you should leave the academy's problem to us." Soma voiced, causing the two to look at him. "I'm not worried about the promotional exam. But Nakiri is planning something. She even asked me to dispose all letters everyone wrote. So you should focus on getting promoted and freeing yourself from Iemitsu."

"Yukihira is right." Shun agreed. "The academy's problem can be taken care of. Yours need more of your attention. Given the chance, you can help here and there when needed."

Brown eyes flitted between the two. "You think so? I mean... I can't settle well if I just stand on the side without doing anything."

"Remember what you told me the other day?" The redhead questioned. "You said you talked to them and planned everything with Reborn. So right now, you're just waiting for the news. You're going to do the same thing. We do the work, you help at some point, then sit back and relax while waiting for your own part. We don't want you thinking of stupid things like sacrificing yourself or some sorts."

Tsuna felt blue eyes glaring at him. "Don't give us heart attacks, idiot."

"I won't." He promised hurriedly, raising a hand to make a vow. "I promise."

"Okay. Who wants to eat desserts?" Soma voiced. Tawny and blue looked at the redhead. "I made some awhile ago. We have to keep quiet though, cause I only made three."

"Let's go." Shun invited as he stood up. "I absorbed too many information today."

"And whose fault was that?" Tsuna jabbed as he did and laid a hand to Soma. "Up."

"Heave-" Soma took his hand and raised himself. "-ho!"

They proceeded to go out and go for the kitchen like sneaking kids.

Tsuna stopped running and started to walk for a cool down. He opened up his jacket and let the wind help him remove the heat he was experiencing. Doing some breathing exercise, he kept his mind attentive as possible. Damn. It was good that he wasn't someone who can forget his routine, nor his body get used to the lack of exercise in a short period of time. It's like the one week no jog was a rest for him before he comes back running again.

As he comes in the dorm's compound, he almost stepped back at the group of people assembled in front of the porch. He blinked and hanged at the back, listening to their chatters and what was happening. When he got the gist, he pulled his jacket off and handed it to Aoki who was wearing a muscle shirt. Apparently, they were called out by Erina to assemble outside.

"Is it okay? Really?" Aoki asked.

Tsuna nodded. "I'll have to cool my body anyway. I've done my jog, so you could have that for the meantime we're here."

The noiret beamed. "Thank you, Sawada."

"Tsuna is alright." He appealed. "It doesn't set well with me to be called Sawada."

"Then I'll call you Tsuna." Sato grinned as Aoki slipped on the jacket.

"You're the only ones who doesn't call him that." Yuki pointed out, causing the two to be sheepish.

"Welcome home, Tsuna!" Soma waved from his spot.

Tsuna smiled back, catching everyone offguard with their greetings. "I'm home, Soma."

"Oh. Tsuna-kun! Welcome back!" Megumi greeted too.

He only waved a hand as a reply before blinking when he felt a cold breeze. He sighed in relief as his body continues to cool down.

"Brr. It's freezing!" Aoki exclaimed, hugging himself with the jacket.

"Winter's in full swing, after all." Shun remarked.

Marui sighed dejectedly. "I guess this is one of our last chances to breathe the fresh morning air outside the dorm."

Sato breathed out too, agreeing. "We've only got until the exams."

"I remember being woken up every morning by Isshiki-sempai to work on the fields. Good times." Marui recalled, feeling nostalgic and shedding tears.

"Yeah." Aoki nodded in agreement, rubbing his arms and tearful. "I guess I won't be able to rise to the cries of Yoshino's chickens or the smell of Ibusaki's smoking."

Tsuna sweat dropped. "Guys. Please don't think like that."

"But Tsuna-kun, if we don't pass, they'll kick us out." Ryouko reasoned to him.

"It will be alright." He assured, causing the others to look at him. "I told you, didn't I? Miracles will happen." 'Especially if we have one Soma Yukihira in our side.'

"Ah! Erinacchi!" Yuki exclaimed.

They all looked at Erina who walked out of the front door, wearing her uniform properly while holding a paper on her left hand and a megaphone on the right. She stayed by the top of the stairs, making it her stage. She looks determined to do something. Purple eyes surveyed them, meeting Tsuna's eyes for a sec then they lingered on Soma's way. Erina took a deep breath before putting the megaphone by her mouth.

"Ahem." The blondie coughed. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of Polar Star dorm!"

"What's this?" Aoki questioned, sweat dropping with Yuki.

"Hmph! Today, as I look out at you all, I see defeated faces!" She continued, eyes going a little stern. The same thing she usually shows when she's with a certain redhead. It caused some of them confusion. "The way you are, you needn't even bother taking the promotion exam! Your results are already decided! In fact, you might as well leave the academy now!"

Tsuna looked around as his dorm mates started to reason out. He blinked and realized that he had seen this. He can't help doing a small gesture of acknowledgement by discreetly putting the side of his fist on his free palm, when he got what Erina was trying to do. He sheepishly pursed his lips when purple eyes narrowed on him. He even felt Shun's and Soma's questioning gazes.

It was a psychological warfare, or what Reborn had conned as psywar. It's a kind of method that aims to influence a target audience's value system, belief system, emotions, motives, reasoning, or behavior. It is used to induce confessions or reinforce attitudes and behaviors favorable to the originator's objectives. Erina is using it to make his dorm mates realize that they're still weak, but has more places to grow. They haven't realized it yet, however, that's the blondie's job. Her aim.

"It has been many a day since I began to stay here!" Erina started, gaining their attentions again. "In that time, I have tasted your cuisine countless times! It has been wonderful! And it has been horrid! I cannot recall how many times I've scolded you over it!" Then she paused just as the sun rays peaked through the mountains for them. "But, more than anything else, your dishes have always been free!"

He smiled as his dorm mates looked at the lady in wonder.

"But with these dejected attitude of yours, you'll never be able to make use of your full skills! Pathetic! How can you settle for this?!" She comically announced, taking everyone of them by surprise.

"B-But how exactly do you expect us to pass?!" Aoki questioned.

"The hows and the whys are irrelevant! You'll pass by dint of your cooking!" Erina answered.

"Woah." He heard Marui exclaiming.

"She's sounding more like Yukihira." Sato observed.

"If you all have the drive to remain here, then I swear on my God's tongue, I will support you all! Those who lack the resolve to do what it will take, leave this place immediately! Those of you that possess it, join me in taking on these exams! Come if you all truly are proud chefs!" She put a hand to her chest and proudly proclaimed, "Follow me!"

Tsuna hurriedly went for the sides and silently cheered with the others. He can't help feeling relieved that his dorm mates were able to cheer up again. When a cold breeze passed by him, he snappily hugged his arms and rubbed them with his hands. Still, he smiled when the others started to cheer and chatter about what Erina was planning.

"Seriously." He looked at his shoulders when he felt a jacket getting draped on them. "You could've told Aoki to get a jacket for himself." Soma scolded.

"Can't help it. He needed it more than I do." He defended, putting his arms on the holes and basking himself with Soma's lingering body heat and natural scent. "Eh. You smell minty and herbal. Somewhat peppermint and lavender."

"Really now?" The redhead questioned, moving to smell his jacket. "I smell me."

"Of course, you would. It's your smell." Tsuna rolled his eyes before stepping away. "And this is my jacket now."

"Don't make me raid your closet." Soma threatened that he pouted at. "So, did you already know what was Nakiri saying?"

"Oh. It's what Reborn always does to me. Psychological warfare." He answered as he took Soma's hand and put one on the pocket of the jacket with his. "He's not the type to cheer me up. He insults me and tells me to suck it up. But that's his own way of trying to make me feel better. I told you, right? He's not the type to sweet talk things with me."

"Oh. You're total opposites then." Soma bobbed his head in understanding as he put his other hand on the other pocket. Tsuna shivered at the cold hand, causing the ranga to grin. "Cold?"

"Your hand is cold. We should really go back inside. I'm not even out of my sweats." He suggested as he took hold of the cold hand and tried to make it warm.

"And breakfast. We haven't have any breakfast." The redhead nodded. "Who's turn it is to cook between us?"

They stared at each other.

"Let's cook together then." Soma nodded, making him smile. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. Your hand is getting warmer."

"Really now."

He sighed. "I just have this feeling that everything will really turn out okay. You'll keep everything afloat, right?"

"I promise. I'm your right hand man, remember? Then leave the rest to me." Yukihira grinned cheekily.

The brunet grinned back. "Alright."