Hey, Reborn, what are you?"
"... did none of the etiquette teachers get through you even just a little bit? No, even the best people would have a hard time fighting against nature I suppose."
"Ha. Ha. I know it was a bit rude, but I'm serious. What the heck are you?"
Reborn met Dino's stare with a flat look.
"I'm your tutor. And the world's number one hitman. Do you want me to help you regain your memory?"
It was his turn to deadpan now.
"You know what I mean!"
Stroking Leon, his lips twitched mockingly.
"What do you mean? I'm not a mind reader you know."
Yeah right.
Dino was exhausted, having just finished another one of Reborn's exercises; his ribs were aching, there's definitely a fracture somewhere, is that bone peeking out from his ankles?, and he felt like he could sleep forever.
The question had just popped out of the blue.
It's not that he'd never wondered. It just that Reborn and the other super babies had been in the mafia long enough that they're just a generally accepted existence by this point in time. In a world where the world's greatest criminals wield rainbow coloured flames, superpowered and eternally infantile individuals are easier to swallow.
It's an unsaid law; don't mess with them and if you're lucky, you'd never have to cross paths in your lifetime.
Dino had never been lucky in his life anyways, so the way things turned out wasn't particularly astonishing.
If only someone with a worse luck existed somewhere out there. Someone who'd take Reborn off his hands.
"You're thinking of something rude aren't you?"
Didn't you just say you're not a mind reader?!
"Heeey~, you didn't answer my question."
The hit man shrugged. "I'm an Arcobaleno."
"Well duh. What is an Arcobaleno?"
Dino was sprawled on his back on the ground and Reborn was standing somewhere above his head, so to the teen, he was upside down. It didn't do much to conceal the flash of something odd passing through his eyes.
"... we're the strongest. The Chosen Seven."
... the way he said it made Dino feel the weight of those words.
There was something bitter to it.
He hesitated, before deciding to push more. If Reborn really didn't want to discuss it, then he wouldn't get answers and that's that.
"... strongest amongst whom?...Chosen for what?"
Reborn looked up at the sun.
Unreachable. Burning. Searing.
For a moment there, Dino thought a shadow of a man bathed in darkness loomed over him. It was gone within a blink.
"Everyone. And chosen for what?... sacrifice, tribute, heroes, depends on who you ask."
A silence descended between them.
Dino puzzled, and Reborn... Well, he'd almost say he was wistful if this wasn't Reborn he was describing.
"...that's enough. You still have energy to burn talking, I'm sure you can drag yourself back to your room on your own. A boss should be independent and not always have to rely on your subordinates."
"Wait, what?! Hey! Hey Reborn! Wait!"