A/N:

@shironeko black: Here it is.

@Eater2891: Although you can't see this, it's not a slash.

@Tenma Kirin: Here it is.

@Firehedgehog: Thanks.

@qiaraz97: Thanks for reading.

@Gold1992: There are no more assassins coming after Tsuna because Reborn announced that Tsuna is not the Decimo anymore and he threatened every single family from going after his student. Nice theory about why Mafia and Civilians can't be mixed, Soma being a sun and thank you for appreciating the snowball fight. Oh, and Tootsuki is involved with mafia, but in culinary field though. Remember Noir? Yeah.

I am terribly sorry for being unable to update for so long. As much as I love creating stories, I love studying as well. School is less life, but still a life.

Anyway, go on. I'll try to update this week on Saturday.

PS. Hope you notice what day today is. Hahaha. Sorry in advance.

Chapter Fifty

Tsuna sighed as he paused from putting crust on the pie he's making. He pouted as he stared at the ingredients he has in front of him. After a second of contemplation, he sighed again.

"You'll become an old man if you sigh again."

Tsuna's back snapped straighter as he turned to the door. His eyes widened before a big warm smile graced his lips. "Doujima-sempai!"

Gin Doujima returned the smile. Like always, the man is in pristine suit, wearing a dark brown fedora over his head and a scarf hanging from his nape. It has been nearing four months since the brunet last saw the man. He must have been really busy too, with all the changes in Tootsuki.

"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Gin?" The upperclassman questioned as he enters the kitchen the brunet was using.

"I'm sorry. It still doesn't sit with me that I can call you that, Gin-sempai." He sheepishly replied as he let his fingers continue their work. "How have you been?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" The man questioned, taking a sit on one of the stools.

Tsuna stopped working and reached out for a plate of pie with a fork on the side. "Here, Sempai."

"Classic apple pie." The man hummed, eyeing the dish with expert eyes. "Like how Shinomiya worded it, quality."

"Coincedence?" He tried to answer, only to gain a raised brow. "Fine. Perfection. Reborn is a perfectionist."

"So why were you sighing?" Gin questioned as he cut through the pastry.

"Soma and Kuga-sempai went to the mountains to search for bears." The man stared at him. "It's Soma thing. He wants to embrace the habitat of a bear to get a clue on how he will cook his bear meat." He then washed his hands to start putting the fruits inside the moulder.

"Oh. That is a good strategy." Doujima nodded posing the utensil to his mouth. "And the problem is?"

"Well, they hitched it off. And I wanted to come, but knowing my sky flames, I'll attract animals. I don't want to attract all the bears in the mountains." He wrinkled his nose in irritation as he dismissed how his upperclassman froze after tasting his pie.

"You're worried about that?" The man questioned.

He nodded. "Kuga-sempai will really get weird out if that happens. So, no way."

"You'll probably become a greater help. But then, knowing Yukihira, he will push you to finish your taste testing first before helping him."

The brunet paused from moving his hands, staring at the bowl of fruits. "I honestly don't want to disturb. Sometimes, well, it's just my opinion, but I think I'm just bothering Soma? Like I cause him distraction? For example, everytime I'm with him in some competition, I think I'm the reason why he loses?"

"You do know you're his strength."

Tsuna moved his hands. "I don't know. I think he was doing perfectly fine before I came in to his life. But this is negativity, Gin-sempai. Don't mind me."

The brunet kept working as they shared a tensed silence. He was putting finishing touches on the pie he was about to put in the oven when his companion spoke.

"The situation must have been very stressful for you to the point that you're thinking like that, Tsuna." Gin said in an understanding voice.

He pursed his lips as he put the pie to the oven. "It is partly my fault why Azami-san succeeded in taking over Tootsuki."

"It was no one's fault. If you feel responsible, Erina also feels accountable. It will be the same thing if you went to a different school. Iemitsu will find you. He will do anything to pull you back to Namimori, even if it means to use your school as a hostage for you to succumb."

"It's just that I feel guilty." He sucked a breath as he clenched the countertop with his hands, knuckles turning white. "I get to be treated like a normal student, get secluded from my friends and watch them get expelled. It hurts. I couldn't even do something to save the dorm. Soma and Shun also told me to focus on attaining my freedom, but how can I do so when I feel so useless, sitting around and waiting for a call? Like a king who is lounging on his seat, not even helping his people with their suffering?"

"Then apologize." He looked up to the man who is gazing at him with sympathy and solace. "After everything, apologize. You did your best to hide, but some things aren't enough. So apologize."

Tsuna contemplated before smiling weakly. "Thank you, Gin-sempai."

Gin smiled back. "It is the least I could do for an underclassman of mine."

"It has been a tough week." He shared as he sat on the stool within his side. "I couldn't contact Reborn, because he seems busy. I was busy too since Erina-chan conducted lectures for us about Hokkaido. Add on the promotion exam and Iemitsu, even Akira's problem about the Shiomi seminar."

"Ah. You know what happened?"

"Yes. Shiomi-sensei told me what happened when I visited them. I could only apologize for all the things I caused."

"Then maybe your freedom is getting nearer, Tsuna." Brown eyes stared at the man who smiled. "I have met half of your family."

Tsuna can't help smiling widely, regardless of his surprise. "Really? Chaotic as always, are they?"

Gin can't help his laughter. "Yes. Really really chaotic. Almost destructive. Yukihira will really fit in with them."

"I know. I've been telling him, but he won't believe me." He exasperated fondly as he took the pâtè Lorrain on the side and took one slice to give to the man before serving himself one. "Please eat. I think you're as stressed as I am."

"Thank you, Tsuna." The man expressed that he only smiled in answer.

Tsuna didn't see Soma until the next day.

He was flexing his cooling hands as he walked to the corridor of the second floor. He just finished making his latest pie that he shared to the staffs after tasting it. Well, his exam was about pies. And, there are a lot of pies. Meat pie, vegetable pie, fruit pie. There's also a mixed pie. It was so varied that he doesn't know what to serve. Not like he attended Azami's lecture. He could probably whip up something that is classified delicious. Although he knows Azami is more on French cuisine, it can't be helped if Tsuna is an all-rounded.

He's going for Soma to check on the redhead. Knowing that one, he has to be supervised. Although, he thinks that wouldn't be needed this time since it's Akira they're talking about. Soma wants to have his revenge after losing in the classics, and it's a great opportunity, now that Akira is the ninth seat in the Elite Ten.

He already checked on the others since he literally have everyone's phone numbers. Even Hisako gave hers to him. They assured him that they're doing great, planning for their fights against the other Elite Ten. He wanted to assure them that everything will be alright, but even himself is not sure. How can he assure them if he can't assure himself that everything will be alright? That things will be okay?

He sighed in weariness. He was going to passby a door when it opened. Brown eyes met green ones. Tsuna abruptly stopped walking and stared at Akira. It took seconds before he moved again. He nodded politedly to the dark-skinned male before going on his way.

"I'm not blaming you." He stopped walking and looked back to see Akira looking at his own hands. "I wanted to. I really do. But your scars kept on entering my mind whenever I start to do so, and always reminds me that you're trying to gain your freedom too."

"I'm still sorry." Tsuna apologized softly. "If I didn't come, you won't be forced to do these things."

"If it's for Jun, I'll do everything."

"I know." Tsuna clenched his hands as he continued in a soft voice. "I'll do the same thing if it's for Soma."

"You really treasure Yukihira, don't you?" The other pointed that he can't help smiling at. "You're such a sap."

"Am not." He pouted before smiling again. "Everything will be alright, Akira."

Akira pursed his lips before giving a small smile. "I'll hold you on that."

Tsuna waved at his friend before he continued on. He clenched his chest as his heart flutter with happiness. He has been blaming himself of what happened to Shiomi seminar. And to have Akira say that he doesn't blame him... He felt so happy. Because he now knows that Akira isn't mad at him like how he shows to the Central.

"Tsuna!" Soma greeted with a smile as the redhead walked out of his kitchen with Kuga. "Let's go bath together!"

He blinked. "With all the glory?"

Yellow eyes blinked back. "I'll scrub your back."

"Your call." He shrugged before falling in steps with the two. "So, something happened?"

"We talked with Hayama." Soma shrugged, nonchalant, although Tsuna can see the invisible frown. "He guessed I'm working on five-flavor berry, while he was on Cajun blend spice. I asked him why he looked gloomy when he got what he wanted. He's in the Elite Ten. He said it's for Shiomi-sempai."

"Oh." Then he jabbed a thumb to their upperclassman's way. "Then what's wrong with Kuga-sempai?"

"That's the thing!" Their senior exclaimed as they entered the baths. "I can't understand! Why did you just slink out of there all quietly, Yukihira-chin?! That was your chance to challenge him to a Shokugeki!"

Tsuna started to remove his clothes as he listens to Kuga rant on about what happened. He glanced at Soma who has been quiet about it, trailing off with his words of response. It was a good thing the upperclassman was so busy that he didn't question the brunet's scars.

He took the basin of body wash and such that was handed to him by Soma, who opened the door. They were greeted with the sight of Gin in twisted triangle standing yoga pose. Tsuna can't help his smile as his two companions stood still.

Gin had been one of the people he had trusted with his scars. When the man invited him to bath when he was at the Tootsuki Hotel as a stagiaire, he got pulled in with the yoga exercises. It was so sudden that he thought it was a dream. He really would have if the man didn't invite him the next day. Like he had said, if he isn't surrounded by competitive people, he's surrounded by weird ones.

Just what level of weirdness should he assume here in Tootsuki anyway?

"Gin-sempai." He greeted.

"Tsuna. Come and join me." The alumnus invited.

"Yes, Sir." He responded dutifully as he patted his best friend's back and entered the bath.

"What's the matter, Yukihira? Looks like you have something in mind." The man queried.

"Doujima-sempai." Soma greeted.

Tsuna let the three talk as he washed himself. He joined Gin on the bath, doing the same yoga pose the man was doing. Afterwards, Soma tagged in too. He listened to them. Just listening. He couldn't put his own input because he knew it's not his place to say something. It was Hayama's problem. He wants to help. Really. But he doesn't know how. The only one he knew who could help them is Soma. Always Soma. Because like what Erina has said, his best friend is the breath of fresh air.

Just like Soma had been to him.

"You knew." The redhead accused on him.

"What?!" Kuga exclaimed, staring at him with wide eyes. "You've known and you didn't say anything, Sawada-chin?"

He held his hands up in surrender. "In my defense, it was not my story to tell."

"Since when?" Soma questioned.

"Since the first purge. Remember that you can't contact him? He was already part of them." He sighed. "It's all for Shiomi-sensei, just like what he had said." He stared at Yukihira as his intuition nudged him. "No offense, Soma."

Yukihira's brows furrowed in question.

"Tsuna is right, Yukihira." Doujima agreed. "Hayama wants nothing more than to protect Jun and give her a place to belong. And for that goal, he has no choice but to defeat you, Soma Yukihira."

Tsuna moved away as the ranga cupped his face. "So that's what he means by a 'stop along the road'."

The brunet closed his eyes when the water splashed as Soma ran out of the bath and went for the dressing area. Kuga shouted the redhead's name and followed with Gin.

"Aren't you going too?" The alumnus queried.

"Coming." He breathed before standing up.

He went to collect their basins and shampoos before going out. He took his time to dress up, knowing Soma will take his time to search for Akira. He took towels with him, one for his head, the other is for Soma and Kuga as he collected their own clothes. He walked along the corridor and tried to get where the three ran off.

He kinda understood how his best friend felt. Even he would be pissed if his opponent is focusing on something else instead of him. It's insulting and disappointing. Knowing Soma, he wants a fair battle of Shokugeki. Something that can compensate with the Classics. And if Hayama is not taking the battle seriously, Soma will be very angry. A huffing and puffing fish.

When he got there, he passed a towel to Kuga before handing the folded clothes. Gin bid him goodbye while Kuga walked away to dress inside his room. He waited for Soma alone to get inside again and close the door of the rooftop with force. Like what he expected, the ranga is huffing and puffing. He took it upon himself to put a towel on the wet hair and handed the other's clothes to him.

"He better focus on me now." Soma grumbled as he pulled his coat off and started to shrug his shirt on. "That Hayama..."

"I won't nurse you to health if you get a fever." He threatened as he took the wet coat.

"But Tsuna..." The other whined. "Can you believe him?! He was focusing on other things!"

"I know." He answered as he started to walk away, holding the coat in his arm and led them away where Hayama is. "He's half at fault and half a victim here. Just focus on your dish." Then he looked back by his shoulder to glare at the redhead. "And don't get sick. That was reckless of you."

"I'm sorry."

Tsuna sighed as he stopped walking and approached the other instead. He took hold of the towel and started to dry the other's hair. "Get your revenge and I'll do my best on my exam too. You said so, right? You'll do your best to keep things afloat?"

"I will. I promised you." Soma nodded, closing his eyes. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

"You're not staying up late?" He asked, causing the other to pout. He chuckled. "I'll stay up with you then. I'm gonna think of what I'm going to do with mine anyway. Probably by three, we can go to sleep?"

The redhead's smile was a little lighter. "Okay."

Tsuna just watched his best friend do things with his dish, barely speaking as the process goes on. Even when the next day came. The two diligently worked their dishes separately. He only excused himself to make what he planned and handed a piece to Soma as the other gave him his. He even met the man who guided the redhead and Kuga to the mountains. The guide was really pleasant to talk with about bears, and he couldn't help himself from asking if the man has ever seen a human box with a bear. (Bear always reminds him of Ryohei.) The man laughed at his joke. If he only knew.

That night, Tsuna cooked for the both of them. He wanted Soma to think as much for his dish. Besides, his pie was done, anyway.

"Tsuna." He looked up to Soma. "When you said take care of Hayama,"

He can't help chuckling. "You're still into that?"

Yukihira nodded. "When you said that, what did you mean?"

The brunet leaned back to his seat. "Soma, have you thought about what have you been doing for the past year? Or even when this... Everything happened?"

The ranga cocked his head to the left in confusion. "No."

"One," He raised a finger. "you saved Megumi-chan from getting expelled countless of times. Two," He added a finger. "you improved Shinomiya-sempai's personality. He became more relaxed than he ever was. Three,-"

"Master?"

He added a third finger. "-you saved the Sumire's shopping district. Four," He added another. "you saved those hundred knives. Five," He showed his palm. "you made Hisako feel better. Six," He raised his other hand's index finger. "you distracted Erina-chan from Nakiri-"

"Nakamura-sempai." The ranga corrected.

"-Nakamura-sempai when he arrived. And seven, you saved the dorm." He closed his fingers and brought his hands down to the table. "Eight, you're going to help Akira. And you're the only one who could."

"Why not you? Why does it have to me?"

The question made him think. "Because you're already doing it without anyone telling you to do so? It's like you didn't have to be pushed to do something. You're doing it already. In a sense, you're cooking to save someone in an unconscious way."

"That did not make sense." Soma voiced.

He shrugged. "You'll see it when you realize it."

The redhead stared at him in deadpan. "You're not helping."

He only grin teasingly. "Then don't ask questions."

Tsuna ran out of his room as he undid two buttons of his chef's coat. He just finished having his dish getting tested. Good thing his intuition was guiding him to do things while he worries for the others. They were against Elite Ten for God's sake! There's no guarantee that everyone will pass or something!

"Tsuna-kun!" He looked back to see Erina running from his left when he entered an intersection. "Are you going to-"

"Soma. I'm going to Soma. He is the nearest with Takumi-san and Megumi-chan. He's probably with Akira at the moment." He gasped and took the other's wrist. "Come on! We need to check them out! And the others too!"

They started to run again.

"How was your exam?!" Erina questioned as they rounded a corner.

"I passed mine and ran out immediately! Yours must have been the same!" He responded, matching his running with the panting lady.

"Yes! Do you know where their room will be?!"

"Probably at the lounge! Gin-sempai showed it to me this morning to keep my mind at peace!" He pulled the other to cross the lobby. "This way!"

They ran faster until Tsuna stopped in front of a door. Both of them panted. The brunet took a deep breath to calm his nerve before he opened the door for the both of them. He was greeted with Soma, Shiomi and Akira inside the room. Akira gave him a nod with the light of hope back in his eyes. His own eyes flitted to the redhead who grinned at him and gave a peace sign.

He can't help himself from laughing as his eyes watered a little. He went past his best friend, who started a conversation with Erina, and walked for Akira. He dropped himself on the dark-skinned teen who squawk in surprise.

"I'm so glad you're back, Akira." He whispered, hugging the teen who awkwardly yet surely hugged him back. "Thanks God."

"Maybe what you said about the H in the Yukihira means hero was right." The other said, thinking.

Tsuna chuckled before he parted from the other. "You still remember that? I thought you dispelled that as a nonsense?"

"You're the one who said that. And it came out funny, so how can't I?" The other puffed.

He rolled his eyes and eyed Shiomi who was smiling at them. "Shiomi-sensei. It's good you're here."

"Thank you, Tsuna-kun." The professor expressed before a worried frown settled on her face. "About Akira though..."

"Yeah! Yeah!" Soma shouted as he strode towards them. "Besides, what do you even mean back there, Hayama? You've just saved me, you said."

Tsuna gazed at his friend who had his head hanged.

"Anyway, just quit Central and go back to a regular student." Soma simply stated.

His intuition ticked him when Akira didn't say anything, and his eyes widened. "Don't tell me-"

"I have a few things to say on that matter." They all turned to the door where a blond man was entering. "Excuse me. I am Azami Nakiri-sama's aide." Aida introduced himself.

"Aida-san." The brunet uttered in surprise, gathering Soma's attention.

"Good to see you, Sawada-san." Shawn Aida's eyes went for Erina who huffed and flipped her hair away from her shoulder. "Erina-sama, because you left the house, I've had to go to all our old customers and let them that we have no choice but to cancel the taste-testing services we used offer." The man sighed, resigned. "Well, it's fine. You are Azami-sama's daughter, after all. I am under no delusion that you will be inclined to listen to me. It's in your genes."

"Excuse me!" They all looked at Shiomi who cut the two's conversation. She looks terribly worried. "What exactly... Are you here for?! Did Hayama do something?!"

Aida shifted his gaze to Akira who looked calm. "Akira Hayama, you understand, no?"

"What do you mean?" Tsuna voiced, just trying to verify something that his intuition had hinted him.

"In lighting of the outcome of the previous concluded math, Akira Hayama has been expelled." The man announced.

He could only grit his teeth as Shiomi gasped. "What?! Wha- Hayama-kun, what is he talking about?"

"That's the agreement we made. If I wasn't able to fulfill Azami's wishes, I would leave the school. I was blinded by my goal of ensuring the continuation of my research and ended up betraying Yukihira and the others." Akira explained. "I had it coming."

Soma's and Tsuna's eyes met, both shades darker with controlled emotions.

"I've also received a word regarding the outcomes of the examinees on the other routes." Aida informed. "Would you like to know what happened?"

"Yes." Tsuna and Erina voiced in sync, not bothering to glance at each other with the given situation.

"All have been defeated by the Elite Ten. Even Alice Nakiri and her aide, Ryou Kurokiba. And yes, even your assistant, Hisako Arato." The man stated.

The brunet tightly clenched his hands, hair shadowing his eyes. He can feel his flames curling in devastation with the news they received.

He can't believe it. All his friends effort. Fuck. He knew it. He should've given up himself from the start. If he did, the others won't be in this kind of situation. They won't get expelled. They will be able to get their dreams. They'll reach their goal. Damn it. What should he do now? Talk to Reborn and tell him he's surrendering himself?

"-na... Tsuna!"

He looked to the side to see worried green eyes staring at him.

"Your hands are bleeding." Akira pointed out.

Tsuna let his fists slack as he took a shuddered deep breath. His gaze went to Shiomi who's on verge of crying then to Akira. Damn it. "Don't pack your things yet. Call Alice and Kurokiba too. Tell them not to pack their things yet. As well as the others."

"What are you-"

He can't help himself from shaking as he gave a shaky smile. "Things will be alright, Akira. Trust me."

"No!" Hayama shouted, standing up. "Don't sacrifice yourself for us! You said so yourself! You're trying to gain your freedom! What the use of all the hidings you did if you surrender yourself?!"

"I'm just one person against to all the dreams that could've been reached!" He can't help shouting. He can feel the corner of his eyes stinging. "I'm only one person. One sacrifice will be enough to stop all this. He wants me, then be it! If it will bring back everything, I'll do it! It will only cause me my freedom. Just not your dreams." He closed his eyes tightly to stop his tears. "Just not your dreams, Akira. I-I can't take those away from you. From all of you."

Silence.

He took a deep breath, opened his eyes and smiled reassuringly to the two. "J-Just don't pack yet, okay? Everything will be fine. Please excuse me. I'm gonna talk to Soma."

He walked out of the room and ran for the room the others were. He can feel his heart clenching and pounding inside his rib cage. It's painful, frankly. But if it will save anyone, he'll do it. His freedom doesn't matter.

"Soma!" He shouted as he comes in.

"Tsuna-kun!" Megumi and Erina exclaimed.

He stared at Megumi and Takumi. "Good. You two passed."

"What is it, Tsuna?" Soma queried.

"I'm coming back to Namimori." He declared, causing yellow eyes to widened, while the others stared at them in confusion. "Take care of things here."

"What?! Nakiri said the same thing, and now you?!" The redhead yelled.

"I don't care anymore. If it can save the others, I'll do it." He stated before looking at Erina. "Where is your father? Or Aida-san? If Aida-san is here, it means Nakamura-sempai is within the vicinity."

"What?!" Erina gasped.

"If you want to talk to him, you should hurry." They turned to Rindou, who was nursing her cup of tea. The lady smirked. "Because very soon, he'll be taking off on his private helicopter to the next venue."

Purple and tawny eyes met before Tsuna took Erina's hand and they ran for it. They heard Soma's, Megumi's and Takumi's shout for their names, but they didn't heed. They ran for the stairs, not even thinking twice to take the slow elevator. They ran with all their might, taking the stairs by two or three, assisting each other so none of them will tip and fall.

Tsuna banged the door opened and covered his face as strong gusts of wind attacked them. At the elevated helipad is a running helicopter. He can see Azami approaching the aircraft where Aida was waiting by the door. He tugged Erina who was still panting and both of them took the small steps as the others caught up.

"Father!" Erina shouted against the deafening sound of the helicopter and the strong wind.

The man looked back to them.

"Uhmm father." The blondie hesitated, but Tsuna squeezed her hand.

"What is it, Erina?" Azami questioned. "Don't tell me you're still hanging around those people? In a few days, all of them will be expelled. Just give up on them already." Then his black eyes gazed at Rindou who arrived in a sated pace. "Well, as long as we don't have any mishap with people who like to give exams that allow a little too much freedom. Kobayashi, you are not allowed to attend the next exam location, understood?"

The redhead lady pulled a languid expression. "Give me a break! I figured that even if I didn't do it, someone would beat them down eventually."

"Father!" Erina called. "About the students who failed the exam, could you possibly... Somehow... Please give them more leniency?" Tsuna felt the blondie squeeze his hand. "Please, father! I beg of you! Everyone...! Alice...! Hisako...! Please give them back!"

They watched as the man turned his back and gestured to Aida. "My schedule is pressing. We must hurry."

"Yes, Azami-"

"Nakiri-san!" Tsuna can't help shouting over the air, causing the man to look back to him.

"Tsunayoshi? What is it?" The man entertained.

He took a deep breath and stared at the man with unwavering eyes. There's no turning back. "Take back all the expulsion you stamped on each rebel students."

Azami's eyes widened in delight. "Oh."

"Yes. Tell Iemitsu to pull out-"

"I knew it'd come to this."

Tsuna's eyes widened as he looked to his right to see Soma who covered his mouth. Yukihira has this determined look on his face, yellow eyes flashing red. The brunet could feel the storm flame on the other, angrily and protectively curling around his own sky. Dark yellow eyes glanced him, causing his mouth to snap shut.

Fuck. His best friend is so scary.