As much as Nana was oblivious to danger, something inside her stirred, her usual smile completely gone as soon as she laid her eyes on the white-haired visitor.
Blinking a few times, unfamiliar with the first impression of someone evoking such an overwhelming wave of… discomfort inside her, she shook her head, with her usual protocol kicking in.
"...How can I help you, sir?"
She cringed hearing her own voice so apprehensive, and cringed again seeing the man smirking even further, his tattoo wrinkling as his cheeks were pushed up.
Nana in her 38 years years of life had experienced that feeling a few times. Namimori was a peaceful town, even with the occasional weird phenomenon around, but matter of fact was that even the safest places on earth wouldn't placate the innate fear that came with having to walk alone deep into the night in some god-forsaken path to home.
The world could be cruel when you least expect it. Even as she strained her hearing, walking as fast and silently as possible, trying to make herself as unnoticeable as she could, the thought of someone behind her, just waiting for the perfect moment grab her arm, putting a hand over her mouth and disappearing into the night for her corpse to be found in never again was always there.
"You are Nana Sawada, right?"
This was worse. The usual nebulous concept of danger was given human form, as he was smiling at her with the same comfort as a knife pointed at your throat.
But Nana didn't want paranoia to dictate how she treated a stranger. Paranoia was surely what was screaming Close that door right now inside her.
"Yes. Do you need anything?"
Nana was sure she imagined something dark flashing inside the man's eyes for a second, but it was over as soon as it started.
"I'm here to talk to you, Nana, and make you a once in a lifetime offer. What do you say?"
The sudden offer was bold enough to stun Nana, but the man wasn't affected by her raised eyebrows one bit, still maintaining that sinister smile, trying to mimic what any average salesman would do.
Nana swallowed.
Tsuna was in Italy. Iemitsu was at his job, very, very far away.
She was on her own, and the same feeling that told her to run was also telling her that this man wasn't going to take no for an answer.
Would it be too absurd to call the police?
"Nana?"
His voice was as sharp as his smile, and even with the façade of friendliess still on, there was an undoubtedly tinge of impatience there.
"I wouldn't want to impose on you. I can always return later, no worries!"
Later.
She didn't need "that feeling" now to confirm that she was doomed before even opening the door.
But maybe she was really being paranoid.
"Ah, excuse me… I- I have been a bit airheaded lately, so sorry for my impoliteness." She smiled as sincerely as she could, and leaned into the doorframe, putting a hand on her own cheek. "If you don't mind, can we talk here? The house is quite a mess right now."
She had spent all morning cleaning, but a white lie or two wouldn't hurt anybody.
"No problem at all! My name is Byakuran, by the way. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Finally…?"
She tilted her head in confusion, but apparently Byakuran was already expecting to go down this path.
"I am an acquaintance of your son. I have heard quite a few things about you!"
It… didn't sit right with her. Tsuna had brought in his few share of unique allies, some that even sent a few chills down her spine, but something about the way he entonated that didn't feel like the whole truth.
"Truly…?"
"He is studying in Italy right now, no?"
"Ah…" Nana gave out a tiny gasp, surprised that that man really did know Tsuna. It wasn't exactly open knowledge that he was in Italy, not due to any big secret, but it's not like Tsuna had too much interest in saying it to many people either. If Byakuran claimed to know that…
Suddenly, he was the one to tilt his head, a pitiful look on his face looking outlandish out of place.
"Nana, you do seem quite tired. I will just give you my phone, and you can call me if you want to know the offer, how about it?"
The knot inside Nana's chest wanted to explode with happiness after hearing such a clean opportunity to escape the situation, but she thought that if this paranoia had stayed for that long, maybe it was worth keeping her guard up just for a bit.
"It seems fair, yes. Sorry for being such a bad hostess, I don't know what has gotten into me, haha."
Her laughter was stiff, but Byakuran didn't seem to mind as he pulled out a business card out of his pocket.
"Just call whenever you feel like it. I will make sure to pick it up." He said, smiling like a scorching sun.
Not waiting for a reply, Byakuran turned his back to Nana and walked away, not looking back even once.
Nana watched his figure disappear around the corner, her hands trembling as she held the little white card with all her strength.
She had managed to stay put together more or less for the rest of the day, but as bedtime started to approach, Nana once more looked at the little white rectangle with the phone number as she laid down in bed after a good bath.
It was some kind of fancy thick paper, with the letters being colored in a pretty lavender colour, not unlike the one in Byakuran's tattoo.
Nana couldn't help but let out the smallest of giggles. "... Is it his favorite color?"
She had to admit she found it pretty cute, even if the man activated nearly forty years of flight or fight inside her.
Maybe he wasn't so bad if his favorite color was a nice lavender. Or maybe Nana desperately wanted to be wrong about the earlier feeling.
Putting the card aside, she stared at the ceiling for a moment, thinking about what she could even do in that situation.
Maybe I should call Tsu…
If Byakuran was bad news, then surely Tsuna would be the first one to tell her that, and then she could just ignore the number and call the police next time. She was sure that there would be next time, Byakuran was too insistent, too oppressive of a presence to not get what he wanted, but she wanted to have at least some say on it.
Taking her phone, it was just three taps to start a call with Tsuna, but making the call was never really the hardest aspect of it.
He had been busy. Nana wasn't expecting him to be available for calls anytime after all. He had just completed his 18th birthday, he was studying in another country, with his friends and no adult supervision, not to mention lower drinking age. If anything, Nana would think it's weird if he WAS picking up calls more often.
...But reason and emotion never matched exactly, and the familiar pangs of sadness resonated inside her heart as the phone made its last rings before asking her to leave a message.
He will call when he sees that I tried to talk to him.
It might take a few days, but he always calls back.
But Nana didn't want to wait a few days before dealing with Byakuran, or more accurately, she felt like she didn't have a few days before she would find him sitting in her kitchen, uninvited, wanting to talk to her with that same saccharine smile.
As she was about to disk the number, she noticed the screen was shaking far too much.
Another sigh, this time, accompanied by the saddest of smiles.
"...It's just a call, Nana. You have been through a lot worse." She said to herself while giving her cheeks a good but soft slap.
Quickly inputting the number before changing her mind, Nana put the phone to her ear, looking out of the window and with a tiny part (or perhaps most of it) of her mind hoping that Byakuran would be asleep already.
Unfortunately, he was apparently very good at keeping promises, not even needing more than one ring before picking up the call.
From the other side, a sickly sweet and overly familiar voice called her name.
"Nana! It's nice to hear from you! How have you been?"
If it was anyone else, she would be more than glad to skip formalities and jump into the friendship, but this man. Something about him rubbed her the wrong way.
She was hoping it wouldn't show in her voice.
"Byakuran, I have been just fine, thank you for asking. And what about you?"
"Average day, I would say. But we are here to talk about the offer, yes?"
"Ah, yes, I'm sorry." She replied, the initial apologetic feeling being soon replaced by a slight annoyance.
He was the one to ask. It was just polite to reply!
Finally catching his intended audience, Byakuran cut the fluff.
"Nana, I want to offer you an equal trade. Tsuna has told me a lot about your strong maternal instincts. It's impressive to basically raise three children that aren't even yours!"
Something cold formed inside Nana's stomach. If she hadn't met this man in person, she might just attribute that knowledge to him being from around the block and knowing about Fuuta, Lambo and I-pin, but it just took a glance to know that she would for sure notice someone like him around.
Most of all, Tsuna was never the kind to talk a lot about his mother. What in the world would he be telling to Byakuran?
"...Tsu said that about me?"
He laughed. "Tsu. What a cute nickname! But yes. He is more proud of you than you think."
Even with her guard up, Byakuran struck the right spot on her ego. She still couldn't ignore the sinking feeling just yet, but all of a sudden she felt her cheeks get warm.
"O-oh, I would have never imagined…"
It was the type of thing only a friend of Tsuna would know, right? Stalking even crossed her mind, but why would anyone go to such lengths to learn about a housewife nearing her 40s?
"Really, really! But he also told me that they have left already."
Nana's throat got drier in a second. They went with Tsuna to Italy, with no promises of coming back any time soon, and if Nana could be a little honest, the house had been too silent lately. She misses her babies daily, even if the little ones (they might be 9 and 12 already, but they would always be little in her eyes) were better at keeping contact.
"It's unfortunate, but we have to let them go eventually, right?"
"I can't imagine your pain. But I also know that your experience with children would make you perfect for what I am looking for!"
Unconsciously, Nana held her breath.
"And that would be…?"
"...Babysitting!"
…
What?
"You see, I have two children and two teenagers that need some babysitting indefinitely, and you are quite the perfect fit for it!"
"O-oh. Oh!"
Oh!
Nana felt stupid for worrying in the first place. Byakuran was just desperate for a babysitter. No wonder he was so scary! Not knowing who to leave your children can be quite the stressful experience, and Nana remembers the woes of that when Tsuna was younger and she just wanted some private time with Iemitsu.
She laughed sincerely for the first time since that morning, her usual cheery tone coming back in an instant. "Byakuran, you should have told me right then and there! I don't really know the details, but you can count on me, from one parent to another."
And Byakuran laughed too, like they were in some very silly joke.
"I can arrange a meeting with them tomorrow. What do you say?"
"No problem at all, you just need to give me address-"
"I will send you a driver. It would be too much trouble for you to come alone."
Byakuran, despite the weird road he took to just ask for a babysitter, was very quick and professional when arranging the details, and soon enough, Nana got her little paper with all the information about tomorrow.
After each saying their goodbyes, Nana threw her phone on the bed, soon laying down and staring at the ceiling with a smile.
My, my, I'm getting older and more paranoid.
She felt so silly. It was just a single parent searching for a babysitter. Nothing more, nothing less.
She was so silly sometimes.
Nothing bad would happen to her. It was just a babysitting job.
Nana already felt inappropriate when the driver came in. She wasn't going to refuse Byakuran's kindness, of course, but seeing the level of luxury just from the car...
Even if she was wearing her best clothes, a single cushion there probably had the same price of her entire wardrobe.
The car was very spacious and comfortable, but even if she was alone, she didn't feel a bit comfortable taking more space than necessary. Tensing herself up in the most elegant pose she could muster, the ride seemed to take fifty years until it arrived at a building she had never seen before.
It actually left her wondering how in hell he didn't notice that before.
It was corporate for sure, still maintaining that sterile-chic aesthetic, but she had to give props to the architects, because it was sterile-chic in the best way possible.
This also had the unfortunate side effect of making her feel even more out of place.
Byakuran didn't seem to share the opinion, however, waiting at the entrance with a bright smile and no apparent resentment over her simplicity.
"Nana! Good morning, how was the ride?"
"It was great, it was great. But excuse me, I thought the setting would be a little more…"
She gestured with her hands, looking apologetic.
Byakuran made a surprised expression.
"What do you mean? You look wonderful!"
"...Do you think so?"
Byakuran put a hand on his chest, giving the tiniest of bows to Nana.
"I would never lie, Nana."
"Well…" She put a strand of hair behind her ear. "...You are the boss, so I trust you!"
"A good attitude to have! Feeling confident? You will need it, my kids are a bit unruly."
Nana took a deep breath before continuing, enjoying the breeze generated by the artificial waterfalls nearby.
"Let's go, Byakuran."
The interior was as expensive as the outside, and the little confidence she had built up evaporated as soon as every employee there turned their heads to stare at Byakuran and Nana making their way to the elevators.
The relief from seeing the doors close made her tense shoulders drop, earning a giggle from Byakuran.
"They are awfully jealous of anyone with me, don't worry about it. You will do a more important job than anyone else here."
While a bit ashamed of not covering her tension properly, Nana's ear perked up when hearing that last part.
...Byakuran must care a lot for his children.
Smiling at the thought was too natural for her.
"It's very sweet that you look out for your family, Byakuran."
He seemed to have a reply ready for her, but then the doors opened, revealing Nana's next batch of children to raise.
Except that they weren't children at all.
"Eh, is this the babysitter?" A girl with long blue hair said, in an annoyed tone, not bothering looking up from whatever console she was playing on.
"Bluebell! Be nice to the babysitter." Byakuran reprimanded, putting his hand on his hips.
Nana didn't really care for that, however. She was shocked to see that all those "children" were far too old to need a babysitter.
Perhaps the blue-haired girl and the boy beside her holding a plushie maybe needed some supervision, but the older teenager sitting on a chair with long teal hair surely was old enough to stay by himself, and that's not even talking about the red-haired man looking at her with annoyance.
She couldn't even tell if that… thing… standing in one corner of the room was a person or a statue. If it was a person, however, they were also definitely not in need of a babysitter.
Nana was feeling silly for very different reasons now.
"Everyone, introduce yourself! She is here to take care of you, you know!"
Byakuran ordered, and even if he didn't sound serious at all, they took turns introducing themselves by name, one by one.
Nana might have been extremely confused, but she was polite enough to wait for them to finish and return to their activities before pulling Byakuran aside.
"Byakuran," she pleaded in a whisper. "Are you sure they need me here? They look old enough to stay by themselves."
Byakuran himself smiled sincerely. "You will see soon why-"
His sentence was cut short by the sound of something being thrown, more specifically, thrown at someone's head.
"What the fuck was that for, Bluebell?!" The man who introduced himself as Zakuro got up shouting, a vein popping on his forehead, clearly ready to retribute whatever Bluebell had just done to him.
In a flash, quicker than she had ever been in her life, she put herself between Bluebell and Zakuro, who already had his fist up, while Bluebell didn't seem bothered at all.
"Zakuro! You can't beat her! She is your sister!"
His fist didn't drop, but his face was as sour as it could possibly be. He took a look at Byakuran, and then, turned around to go back to his seat while clicking his tongue.
"Whatever. She is not my fuckin sister anyway."
"And stop swearing so much!"
He turned to shoot a look at Nana, who didn't care for it.
Byakuran laughter broke the tension in the room, making everyone turn to look at him.
"You guys are already getting along so well! Don't forget, she is the one in command while I'm gone!"
Byakuran disappeared inside the elevator, and Nana was left alone with her new batch of children.
Zakuro was already using his phone, still grumpy, and everyone was already returning to their activities, with Kikyo shooting her a polite smile before returning to a magazine.
Nana sighed. She was tasked with taking care of said children, and she would do her job.
Even if it killed her.
Uphill battle wasn't quite appropriate to describe Nana's situation. Other than Zakuro, none of the others were really hostile towards her, but she knew that they were working in a different wavelength than her. It was in the subtlest of gestures, the quickest of looks, the specify of the words, that Nana realized that there was… something else there.
She couldn't tell that it was, however, and to be honest, her plate was full enough to worry about something other than getting close to Byakuran's "children". Children that were far too old to be his, even by adoption.
But Nana wasn't one to ask about other people's age.
Trying to be intimidating was never her forte, but wanting to have a little girl was, and for that, she started with Bluebell. She was definitely a far cry from the little, cute, polite girl she had always imagined having, but she had already had a Lambo in her life. It didn't take much warmth, hair-braiding and candy for Bluebell to come running to her every time she arrived, showing whatever achievement she got in her game.
Daisy was more like I-pin, however, but Nana was patient. She didn't mind his occasional whisperings and shyness, and he didn't mind someone there to fix his plushie whenever he needed, nor to give him cool bandages whenever he needed them.
Kikyo wasn't even an effort, with the boy coming to her by his own volition and seemed to take delight in talking with her about fashion. She apparently also had "flawless skin", which meant that every so often she was heading home with a face full of Kikyo's practice makeup looks. Being wise beyond his years, it was almost unbelievable how easily conversation could flow with him.
Zakuro still seemed to hold some grudge over the first day, but once in a blue moon he would ask for her help when his clothes tore away. Baby steps, baby steps.
Even the statue turned out to be warmer than first imagined, with him somehow manifesting in front of her one day where she had tripped over nothing. He had returned to his favorite corner soon after, but Nana made sure to give him an extra cookie that day.
They weren't children at all, but even the mature Kikyo sometimes needed a bit of her guidance. She still couldn't know what their wavelength was, but she legitimately felt like she was making one all of her own with them.
She laughed, she scolded, she listened, she helped. It even broke her heart on the days where she was called to stay home due to their tutoring.
It has been a while since she had this much fun.
The day where she was called directly to Byakuran's office still sent a cold shiver down her spine, even if she was sure she was doing her job properly.
A secretary led her to a different path from the usual, and her heart couldn't help but sink seeing the grandiose doors that guarded Byakuran's office.
"Nana, nice to see you today. Excuse the little detour, but it will be quick, I swear."
From his chair, he offered to sit in front of him with a smile.
Nana sat, serious and professional, waiting for her judgement.
"You have been working with us for a few months, and honestly, you have exceeded my expectations!"
She started to breathe a little bit easier after that, her pose relaxing just the tiniest bit. But she knew not to smile just yet.
"Thank you, Byakuran. It has been excellent for me too."
"Good, good. You have become very close to us, so…"
Byakuran paused, taking out a little box out of his drawer.
"I think you deserve this."
He offered the box, still closed, to a very confused Nana. Taking it, she opened it slowly, gasping at what was inside.
"Byakuran, I'm married-"
"It's not a marriage ring." He replied, serious, but soon enough his smile returned. "We all have one of these. See?"
While the stone on her ring was of the most vivid green, Byakuran's stone shone with the most beautiful of oranges, the light reflecting an endless spectrum of yellows and white.
"You don't need to accept it, obviously, it's just a little something to make it easier to come here. You wouldn't need any scorting whatsoever! Just flash it to any employee and they will follow your orders. And take it as a thank you too, since you don't accept payment."
Nana felt dizzy. Usually, she would never accept something that looked so expensive, from another man nevertheless, but… it felt different. Something very primal stirred inside her as she slowly rotated the winged ring around, the light making similar patterns to Bykuran's own ring.
Was it primal admiration? Primal fear?
Was it something she even had the words to describe?
Byakuran, unlike any other time they were together, didn't press any further, letting Nana play with the ring in silence for as long as she needed.
"I… I- I am honored, Byakuran. Since it has some practical use I will keep it. But if you need it back, don't be afraid to ask for it back, okay?"
She knew that her expression was worried and unconfident, not very fitting for someone who had just received a gift like that, but Byakuran just smiled.
"I won't forget it, Nana. Welcome to the family."
She nodded, and went straight to the elevator after leaving.
Her hand felt heavy after bearing the ring, like it was carrying all the world's evil within it.
Kikyo and Zakuro both seemed to agree with her impending sense of doom, flashing apprehension when they first saw her bearing her new gift.
"Don't worry about it you two, it's just borrowed."
They could feign ignorance all they wanted, but Nana saw, and shared, their dread. Hell, she basically could feel it under her fingertips, even if Zakuro just shrugged and asked if she had brought any food, even if Kikyo's cool smile turned into a frown, deep and sour, just from the sight of it in her hand.
Bluebell and Daisy were ecstatic about it however, and Nana chose to follow their enthusiasm.
It was just borrowed, after all. Just a ring. Nothing more, nothing less.
Nana was being silly, once more.
Silly or not, Nana did feel a bit guilty for not having the happiest of reactions to her gift, and she knew just what to do to make up for it.
The next day, she made use of her new freedom to once more get into Byakuran's office, this time holding a tupperware.
Her best one, mind you.
Byakuran was quick to come to the entrance, even if he lacked his usual smile, seeing who was searching for him.
"Good morning, Byakuran. You have a minute?"
"Just one." He responded, serious, and Nana didn't think it was an exaggeration.
"Marshmallow cake." She said, offering him the tupperware. "Made it for you. Keep it entirely to yourself. Just a little way of saying sorry and thank you for yesterday. I'm really grateful! Now go back to your work."
She dashed out of there, taking advantage of the elevator still being there.
As she entered, she caught a glimpse of Byakuran, still standing in the corridor, still staring at her gift.
Byakuran came more often after receiving the cake. He couldn't stay for long, but his visits seemed out of genuine interest, even if he always enjoyed any sweet Nana brought with her.
Life more or less went back to what it was before.
Nana was enjoying time "babysitting". Bluebell had been enjoying going to buy clothes with Nana. Daisy had been enjoying the home-made plushies. Zakuro enjoyed getting free food if he behaviored well. Torikabuto… was doing his thing, sometimes eating cookies, standing in the corner happily. Kikyo was still enjoying talking about makeup with Nana, and being so perceptive as he was, started to wear his own ring, adorned with a deep purple stone.
She never spoke it out loud, but she was grateful for the camaraderie.
It was easy enough to forget it was on her finger, and she kept living her best life, babysitting people that didn't need it, laughing with those same people, shaping her routine around it.
And then, one day, Byakuran came in wearing a coat Nana had never seen before.
"I have excellent news, guys! We are going to Italy, finally!"
His excitement was contagious, with Bluebell jumping on the sofa and Zakuro not even complaining about it.
"We are going…yay…" Daisy managed to say in his tiny voice, holding his plushie even closer.
Nana was also pulled in the excitement, smiling sweetly at the group.
Even in the middle of that, she did notice Kikyo's blank expression.
"You guys, don't forget to bring me a souvenir!"
Byakuran turned to her. "Souvenir? Nana, you are coming with us!"
"Huh?"
"You are part of the family now, aren't you? So you are coming! We can even see Tsu!"
A solitary heartstring was pulled there.
Tsu had been… quiet, in the last few months. She still didn't get a call back from her first attempt at contact, even if he did manage a message, but she had to wonder if he would stop to meet her in Italy.
"Tsu might be busy…" She said, her voice trailing off at the end.
"Then you will enjoy the time with us!"
Byakuran stayed for a few more minutes before leaving, but even with the memory of Tsuna disappearing for a bit, Nana tried her best to match the excitement of everyone.
That is, until Kikyo pulled her aside as she was using the coffee machine in the corner of the room.
"Nana, you don't need to go if you don't want to."
"Oh, don't be silly, I would love to spend holidays with you all!"
Kikyo wasn't smiling, and his serious face looked so old at that second. Wise beyond his years, perhaps wiser beyond what could be considered humanly possible, because Nana felt that he was staring at a dead woman.
"Let's have fun together in Italy, Kikyo."
Nana had been told she sometimes had a very sad smile. Sometimes for regrets for how she treated her son in the past, sometimes from missing her husband, sometimes from feeling so alone after years of having a full house.
A sad smile from marching to the grave was new.
Kikyo looked at her with the same sad smile.
"Let's, Nana. I promise you it will be great."
They had arrived in Italy at night, but even after an entire day of travelling, Nana didn't have a single second of rest, being dragged by Kikyo to his favorite places, followed by a very excited Bluebell, a very quiet Daisy, and a Zakuro pretending really hard not to care. She could swear that even Torikabuto showed up in a few corners.
Byakuran had to solve some issues as soon as they touched ground, but the night was as fun as it could be. After eating like there wouldn't be a tomorrow, shopping until she felt ashamed of having that many bags, laughing until her cheeks hurt and enjoying the few hours left of business activity, she was ready to head straight to bed.
Byakuran had insisted on them staying in a particular mansion, so there was no kerfuffle of checking in, instead with Kikyo offering to carry her luggage. Saying goodnight to her children, Nana walked the halls of the mansion in awe, enjoying the view like it would be her last.
"You can leave it over that table, Kikyo. Thank you so much for the help." She smiled gently at the boy as he slowly put her bags down.
Nana expected Kikyo to leave soon too, with him also having been moving around for hours now, but instead he stood there, his back turned to her, staring at her luggage with a clenched fist.
"Nana."
She tilted her head.
"Kikyo?"
He turned suddenly, his long hair swishing in the air, and unlike anything that Nana had ever expected, he patted her head.
"You did well, Nana. Very well. Thank you for the last few months."
His face was… strained. His smile, usually so cool and fitting, felt like it was stretched over the expression he was actually bearing.
Nana took his hand, and gently held it, her vision getting ever so slightly blurry.
"It's my job to comfort you, Kikyo, not the other way around."
"But it's not a problem to change roles every so often, no?"
She didn't have an answer to that other than shedding a few tears in silence.
The next day, nobody came to wake her up other than a piece of paper telling her directions to Byakuran's office in the mansion.
She took a bath, put on comfortable clothes, made herself a cup of coffee, and enjoyed the morning sunlight until she felt ready.
She walked in already expecting everyone to be there, facing her directly, but the black coats they wore were a surprise.
"Nana."
Byakuran's ominous aura was more a distant memory than a surprise.
"Good morning, Byakuran. Good morning, everyone."
Her soft voice sounded so loud in that room.
"I assume you already know what is going to happen."
"What is going to happen…?" Bluebell asked, confused.
"I will use your corpse to lure Tsunayoshi."
Bluebell turned, her eyes wide.
"What?!"
Kikyo put a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes darted between Kikyo's face and Byakuran's stern look, but just as she was about to interrupt again, Byakuran got up.
"Kikyo. Leave. Take them with you."
"Yes, Byakuran."
"But Kikyo-"
Bluebell stopped talking when Kikyo pressed her shoulder again.
Nana desperately wanted to tell her everything was going to be okay, and braid her hair one last time, but time was a cruel mistress that only allowed a small smile before they disappeared behind that door, with Nana hearing one last tsk coming from Zakuro.
The morning sunlight was held back by the blinds behind Byakuran, but the rays that managed to bleed into the room gave Byakuran a sinister silhouette. She couldn't see his face, but Nana had a hunch he wasn't smiling at that moment.
She wasn't feeling too cheery, either.
"You didn't try to run away. I thank you for not wasting our time."
Byakuran's tone was flat. No emotion, not disgust, not anger, nothing could be found there.
"You would have found me, regardless."
A hunch only again, but Byakuran was just that type of man in the end.
He got up from his chair, slowly and dragging his feet until he stood directly in front of Nana.
She had to look up to face him, but that didn't bother her at all.
"Don't be too mean to Tsu, okay? He became your honorary little brother, after all."
"What makes you think we could consider you actually family?"
She could say all the moments where he was deliberately spent with her, or the times where he allowed that tiny woman to storm into his office uninvited with cake, or perhaps all the times where he slipped a sincere smile during conversation. Perhaps even the fact he didn't kill her during her sleep too, nor killed her while she was taking her sweet time getting ready.
But she wasn't in an arguing mode either.
"Nothing, I suppose. Do you want your ring back?"
"We are framing you as a spy, so you will keep the ring."
"Mh. Fair enough."
She felt calm. Too calm. Byakuran was going to kill her at any second, but she couldn't help feeling calm. Like everything was going to be okay, after all, even if she knew that wasn't going to happen.
That wasn't Tsuna's friend. That wasn't a babysitting job. She was stupid for accepting. She let her own needs influence her son's life. She had everything to be as regretful as she could be.
But her mind was clean, her heart was steady.
"Any last words?"
Playtime seemed to be over.
Kikyo's face flashed in her mind for a second, and almost as a reflex, she found herself putting her hand on Byakuran's head, patting him slowly.
He didn't show any emotion, but Nana smiled.
"Your hair is soft, Byakuran. You are like Tsuna in that aspect, you two never let me pat your head."
Byakuran didn't move. He didn't lean in, he didn't pull away, he stood there like a statue, waiting for Nana to get satisfied.
But even Byakuran let out a confused grunt when Nana pulled him into an embrace.
And then he let out a bitter, bitter laugh.
"You are holding the man who is going to kill you, you know?"
"Parents often don't make sense when it comes to their children."
"I'm not your child."
Nana held him harder.
"You are not, but you are still so young. You can still…"
...No. That wasn't what she wanted to say. It wasn't the time for a speech like that.
"You are warm, Byakuran. There is warmth inside you. If someday you want to change, you will be able to do it."
Byakuran laughed. Loudly, mockingly, but never pushing Nana away.
"You have gone insane, Nana Sawada."
"You can cry if you want to. I won't tell anyone."
He went silent.
Nana held on onto his white jacket, her ring feeling the heaviest as it had ever been, and they stood there, in silence, for an eternity.
And then she felt a hand gently on the back of her head, and a face being buried onto her hair.
And then nothing as she fell lifeless onto Byakuran's arms.