Chapter Twenty-Seven

Karma peered at his phone. No messages. He turned to Nagisa who looked over too and eyed him curiously after. He can't help frowning.

He texted Tsuna that afternoon, right after Koro-sensei asked him to come to the Summer Festival. He expected some reply within a few minutes, since Tsuna was never the type to not answer him when he messaged the other, but it has been hours and there is still no answer. He did ask Koro-sensei if Tsuna was coming, and the Octopus told him that the brunet said yes. But he's not there.

Did something happen?

"Did you try calling him?" Nagisa suggested.

"Great idea." He perked up and dialed the number. He waited for a second before the call connected. "Hello? Tsuna? Where are you?"

"Somewhere high." Then he heard some soft rustle.

"What? Where?" He asked as he looked around. The brunet doesn't mean a building, right? Oh man. Happy thoughts. Positive thoughts.

"You won't find me there, Karma, so stop looking around."

"You said that, then it means you can see us?"

"Yup." Gold eyes roamed around again. "You're near my location."

"Can you come down here?" He asked, glancing at Nagisa who looked at his way too, almost worried. "The class isn't complete without you."

"Or you and Nagisa just miss me that much?"

He turned away to hide his blush. Well, it's his first time spending some time with Tsuna and Nagisa, and the class. "I-It's not."

There was a rustle from the other side. "Now now, Karma. No lying."

He blinked and turned to Nagisa. Tsuna is learning to tease and joke around him now. "I'm not."

"Hm? I could see your red face from here."

He blushed. "I'm not blushing."

"He is blushing!" Nagisa shouted to the phone, causing him to take a step back. "Tsuna! Come over! Koro-sensei is already branching out!"

"I know." Both of them turned around to see Tsuna walking towards them, phone still pressed to his ear while his eyes were roaming around. "Everything was visible from my spot."

Karma took in the casual attire and the loose jacket on the brunet's shoulders. Other than in Okinawa, this is the most relaxed state he had seen the brunet. "You look lazy."

"I couldn't go to work today because of the festival, so I slept a lot." Tsuna shrugged while tucking away his flip phone. He smiled a little to them. "Good evening to the two of you."

"Good evening, Tsuna!" Nagisa greeted back with a smile. "It's been days since I last saw you."

"Been busy here and there." The brunet waved off as he took out his new phone. Before they knew it, their picture was taken. "This could be a good phone desktop wallpaper."

Karma and Nagisa turned to each other in wide eyes.

"E-Eh! Tsuna! Delete that!" Nagisa blurted in embarrassment.

"No way." The brunet shook his head and hid his phone away from reach. "I'm gonna use that as a wallpaper later."

"Sawada!"

Karma watched Tsuna get swarmed by their classmates. That stoic face lit a little with how everyone started to chatter around him and talked about the things they got from the shops. He looked around to see if Terasaka and his group are within sight. He sighed in relief when they weren't. If there are people who could take Tsuna's attention, it's them. They're so rowdy that the brunet get pulled in their crowd too.

He followed the group around when they started to move, still crowding at Tsuna. They made him try a bunch of food and let him watch them play some of the games. Some even laugh at his reaction, since the brunet keeps on nodding and exclaiming surprised interjections. Karma didn't mind, really. If he had never spent this kind of event with friends and classmates, Tsuna didn't have the luxury. At least he was able to come here every now and then, even alone. But the brunet? Knowing him, he'll be at the convenient store right now, working.

"Here." Karma turned to his right to see Tsuna handing him an apple candy. "I saw it, and it reminded me of you."

"Is it because of my hair?" He tested while taking in the sweets. He's not really the sweet eater person, but since Tsuna is a pastry chef, he couldn't help eating as much.

"Slight." The other answered while looking around. Gold eyes took in the little trinkets in the brunet's arms and the mask at the side of his head. He looks like a kid.

"Why though?" He queried as he took a bite.

"They reminded me of your eyes." Brown eyes gazed at him as he took another bite. "They're brighter gold when you're happy."

He felt his cheeks warm a little.

"How was that for a pick-up line?" The brunet questioned, causing him to freeze.

"You little-"

It was his first time chasing around, but really. Tsuna's beaming expression was quite worth it. Not like that time-

Karma's eyes widened when they all turned to Tsuna's direction after hearing a cough and a sound of liquid splatting on the floor. Gold eyes took in brown ones that were wide as well, staring at bloody hands as his mouth and nose bleed. With blood at the front of his shirt, Tsuna looked like he's dying.

Trepidation thumped in the redhead's heart as his mind kicked him to check on his friend. Why now? Tsuna was okay a minute ago. He even looked like he was about to sleep with how drowsy he was. Shit- The amount of blood-

"Karma! Look up!"

"Huh?" He uttered as he looked up, just as a spark came flying in before it made a loud sound as it burst to a colorful firework. He stopped running as he got mesmerized by the colors.

"This is fun." He turned to Tsuna who stood beside him and also watching the fireworks. "It's my first time seeing this and it's fun."

Karma noted that night, that those brown eyes turned caramel in happiness.

Tsuna stared at the door in front of him. He didn't dare make a face just by the thought of why he was called up there when it's time to go for the gym to attend the assembly. He sighed through his nose before raising a hand to knock. When he heard a word of permission to come in, he opened the door and stepped inside the room.

The Chairman's office is as Tsuna expected it to be. For a mastermind of the installation of 'Class E', his hideout didn't match his colorful mind. The walls are on some shade of color, and there are a lot of awards, trophies and certificates that adorn the walls in both sides. There are the usual office table with its swivel chair, papers, laptop and some pens on their holders. There's also a complete sofa set, with two couches and two one-seater chairs. The room is pretty dark though, since the lights are off and the glass wall behind the Chairman can illuminate as much. The Chairman looks as pristine as ever too. Like a normal person who 'wants the best for the students of Kunugigaoka'. If only the people knew what kind of scary creature is behind those faces.

Either way, he bowed slightly in respectful greeting. "Good morning, Chairman Asano."

"Sawada, right?" The Chairman called cheerfully as he rounded the table and walked towards him. "Good morning. It must have been a hassle to come here when you're called up to the assembly."

"As long as I don't have to face punishment for missing it, it's fine, Chairman." He answered softly, almost unheard.

"Please sit. I would love to chat with you." The man directed him to the couch with his 'friendly' smile.

Tsuna felt a sudden Deja vu as he sat down. Readied tea set on the table, as if the Chairman knew he won't refuse to come. His intuition cackled at the ridiculous thought. "Thank you. I should pour the drink, Chairman."

"Oh. You don't mind?"

He put on the Vongola Decimo persona of his counterpart as he reached out for the pot. It's not hard to pretend after seeing it and doing it for 'years' in a dream. "Not at all." He didn't miss the slight falter of those purple eyes. He smelled the tea as he pours on the chairman's cup. "Chamomile, Sir?"

"Ah yes. Good for calming nerves, as they said." The Chairman answered, then caught himself.

Tsuna grinned behind his mask as he nods outwardly while putting the same liquid on his own cup. "I heard that too. But I usually prefer green tea. It has some good bodily benefits."

"You're quite knowledgeable about them." The Chairman remarked as the brunet put the pot away.

He hummed. If he was any normal, he could've blushed. But this is a battle of wits. You lose when you get caught. "Curiosity is a powerful thing."

"I learned that you shared the top rank with Asano-kun." Brown eyes subtly watched the other drink on the tea. "That's a fit for someone who was put in Class E last semester."

"Thank you." He expressed and took his own cup to drink. Again, he didn't miss the flicker of amusement in those eyes. "It was also one of my proud moments."

"Have you thought of transferring here in the main building?"

'I knew it.' "Sometimes." 'Whenever your son asks.'

"I could give you a free pass right away. You have such a talent that's befitting to Class A. We can nurture it here in the main building, with Asano-san and the other top four at your sides to help. Even the teachers."

"Thank you." He expressed again before putting the empty cup down. "But I have to decline." There was a surprise in those eyes. "Seeing as you look confident, I figure you already have one of us, however, I cannot exchange the education I can acquire in Class E to go to Class A." He gave a small smile. "You are an educator; I hope you understand the sentiments of a child who wants to be educated properly."

"The main building can give you that level education." The other persisted. "We will accommodate what you want and what you need. It will be the perfect place for you, unlike Class E's environment."

"To inform you, before I was transferred to Class E, the last lesson I remembered being tackled in Mathematics was Geometric Theorem, which we finished last semester in our class and migrated to trigonometric geometry after we started to the very basic of Algebra since, why not? Not everyone of us can understand the numbers and letters. Then I realized it. Your teachers lack a lot, Chairman." Then he leaned forward to get a wrapped candy from its container. "You know what's more lacking about them?" He put the candy in his mouth and went thoughtful of the flavor. Strawberry. "The fact that they failed to see the capability of their students. It didn't matter with the environment if the teachers are that incompetent. I hope you remember Takaoka-san. Your son, Asano Gakusho, was smart enough to see the pattern of my works though. I bet you heard about the news of him offering me to transfer too. Do you know how many times he asked me though? That was the ninety-second time in the past three years."

Chairman Asano stared at him in contemplation.

Both turned to the door as it opened and the blond child came in. Young purple eyes turned to the Chairman then to him. "Sawada."

He took three more of the candies as he stood up before bowing to the Chairman. "Thank you for the tea and chat, Chairman. I hope we do it again sometime in the future." Then he straightened up before moving away from the table.

"That's not the only reason, is it?" He stopped beside young Asano when the Chairman spoke. "There's a deeper reason why you're refusing to be transferred here again."

"You're amazing, Chairman." He praised openly. "Since you got my real intention, why don't you discover the reason too?" He glanced at Asano as he went out. He turned back to the man and bowed slightly again. "I'll be going now. Have a good day."

Then he went for his left and didn't look back. The assembly must be still on going, so he decided to get milk for him and Karma before going for the old building. He sat by his chair and read up the old materials as he waited. He wasn't surprised when the Class came in with disgruntled expressions in their faces.

"What's up?" He asked to Okuda who sat in front of him.

"Uhm. Takebayashi-san went back to the main building." The girl answered with a small frown as her shoulders slumped. "It was announced in the assembly and he gave some speech. They really hurt."

"Oh." He uttered with a nod. No wonder the Chairman was so confident.

"What's with that guy?!" Maehara yelled and hit the board with the side of his fist. His face was light red as his eyes glared. "I can't believe he even threw away a chance at ten billion yen to ditch us!"

"And he even said this place was hell!" Kimura added, annoyed as well.

"Even if he was forced to say that, that's just wrong." Okano opined too.

"It is true that Takebayashi-kun's grades suddenly improved, but I believe that's only because he was taught by Koro-sensei in Class E." Kataoka remarked, gaining their attentions. "If he even forgot that much, then I can't look at him the same way."

"Anyway, we can't sit still after he said all of that! I'm gonna-"

"Maehara-san, catch!" Tsuna called out as he threw a candy.

"Ha- Eh!" The blond caught the candy and looked at it. "Sawada-"

"There is no use getting worked up on it." He said as he planted his chin on his hand, elbow on the desk. "He made his mind. Besides, he'll realize what's wrong in the main building one of these days."

"Are you sure, Tsuna?" Karma asked as the redhead came in. He looked amused with the situation too. "He's quite welcomed in there."

"I'm-"

"Tsuna-kun!" They all perked up when Koro-sensei came flying in. The teacher looked winded and fretting. "Chairman said he offered you too!"

"Oh? What did he say?" He asked more while bribing Karma with the strawberry milk. The redhead's focus went for the drinks.

The tentacles flailed around. "He said you and him drank tea and you went to get some of his candies! Then he offered you a place in Class A!"

"Is that all?" He questioned as he felt someone focusing on him. Maybe he should get some pliers soon. He suddenly feels itchy. That fucking fake.

"What?!" The class burst in exclamation.

"Is that the reason why you weren't in assembly?"

"Are you going to accept it?"

"Sawada, you cannot do it!"

"Sawada-"

"Calm down." He calmly asked as he flickered a candy to Karma who caught it. The redhead looked constipated with his expression after realizing what he did to distract him. "I declined him."

The class heaved sighs of reliefs.

"I told you, I rather have Koro-sensei as my teacher over hundred ones lined up to teach me. Besides, it was obvious that he got one of us already with how confident he was. Too bad I expected the proposal." He hid his yawn. "Also, the main building's lesson plan and teachers are lacking. They're hundred steps behind Koro-sensei's curriculum."

"You should've said something earlier." Karma jabbed to him, almost feeling betrayed if his eyes didn't show amusement on the matter. Well, Tsuna declined the son, now the father. That's two strikes, right?

"Even if I did, you'll be more worked up on Takebayashi-san. I tell you, he'll come back after three days or a week. If I can't stand the general people in the main building, what more for him who is, as you said it, being forced to say things about the class. Don't get worked up. It will make you feel more tired."

"But won't it be good if we confront him?" Kurahashi asked aloud.

"You could do that, then get more worked up at that time." Then he gazed at Koro-sensei who look solemn. "Knowing Koro-sensei too, he'll try to convince Takebayashi-san to reconsider. Either way, everything will be fine."

The class's atmosphere visibly went lighter. He hummed under his breath as he folded his arms on the table and watched everyone talk lighter.

He honestly doesn't remember how he suddenly got fond of the class. Maybe they grew on him? Those times they genuinely got worried over his injuries and that strong will to protect them because they're kids, while he's too matured to be one? He wanted to retain that small innocence they have. But it can't be helped if they're learning more of the reality as they dived deeper.

Which reminds him... His eyes turned to the hidden cameras around the room. The disciple of God of Death is watching them more thoroughly. Tsuna is having goosebumps already. It was subtle on the first semester, but it seems like he's intending to move now. He should probably do something to, at least, cut off his power. He's being a nuisance lately, killing people here and there.

What a fake.

"S-Sawada." Takebayashi uttered in surprise.

He nodded. "Good to see you too, Takebayashi-san." Then he walked past him.

"U-Uh." The brunet paused and looked back to see the other facing him.

"Yes?" He queried, curious and patient. The teen still hesitated. Tsuna heaved through his nose. "I heard there's an ice cream truck near here. Do you wanna eat some, Takebayashi-san? My treat?"

"O-Okay." His classmate answered.

He went on and led the way.

Contrary of what those people who are close to him say, Tsuna isn't really stingy nor frugal like ants. He just doesn't have things to spend money to. His food is always sufficient for two months or so with how preserved they are, his school supplies and books are given by the bookstore he works at as part of the contract, and his bills can be paid every two months since he pays with large amount. Even if he wanted to treat Karma, the redhead will argue of paying for it so he can keep his money. He has to trick the other so he could pay for their small snacks.

It's probably a week after Takebayashi transferred to the main building. Koro-sensei has been very persistent of watching the teen with their other classmates with the use of the camouflage Karasuma-sensei taught them. A lot participated, while he really didn't. Even in the confrontation. He was firm on what he said that Takebayashi will come back. The main building is a toxic place as long as their batchmates and Chairman Asano with his own faculty of teachers are there.

He glanced at his classmate. The latter must have seen Koro-sensei and got some words of wisdom that addled his mind for a bit. But it's good that they crossed paths that night. He can probably give some peace of mind so Takebayashi can think about his choices.

Tsuna led Takebayashi to the ice cream truck he knows. It was near the park so they could easily sit down on the nearest bench. He picked three flavors, two scoops each, in a small bowl with sprinkles after some whipped cream. He was tempted to get marshmallow but he got reminded of Byakuran. Less person to eat the kid's beloved sweet then. He urged Takebayashi to do the same and payed with his money before he asked the other to join him to sit on the bench nearby.

They sat there, eating their ice creams in silence. Brown eyes didn't hesitate glancing at his classmate then to the time. Nah. He's not worried about the convenient store. It's within sight and the manager steps in sometimes. He'll be surprised about the fact that Tsuna is late, but he'll understand. Either way, he and Takebayashi ate in a comfortable silence. He's more worried that his classmate is running late to go home. Won't his parents scold him or something?

"You're not angry?" The teen asked on him suddenly.

"Of what?" He asked back before taking a spoonful of his cold treat.

"Of me, saying bad things about Class E after transferring to the main building."

"Frankly, I would've had if I was there." He replied. He wants seconds on the chocolate. Maybe there's a crunchy chocolate ice cream in the store? "But I wasn't, so I can't."

"Oh right. You were offered by Chairman Asano during the assembly, but you declined."

"He told you that?"

He watched Takebayashi nod at his peripheral. "He said you'll regret it soon."

He made a 'pft' sound of amusement. "I would never."

"Why though? The main building almost has everything so it makes a perfect place for us to study and do things."

"First of all, the education there is too slow. I know you realized that by now. Second, they're pain in the bums. They'll be all friendly because you're dissing Class E after ditching us. If you don't, you're just someone equivalent to a garbage. And third, why would I want to be in a place where my bullies are swarming and Chairman Asano is not doing anything about it? Knowing him, he must have known my reputation in school as much as you do."

"I-I didn't take that to consideration." The teen uttered in surprise. "I thought you just like Class E."

"That too. But it's fine. Let him think about it." He waved off before scooping a lot of ice cream from his bowl.

"He's opening a private school tomorrow and he wants me to give a speech since he's holding another assembly in school." He shared with a sigh.

"Let me guess," He hummed while still holding the plastic spoon inside his lips. "he wants you to diss Class E again, like a final blow?"

Takebayashi nodded solemnly. "Yes."

"What's wrong with it?"

The teen faced him, looking shocked and incredulous with his question. "A lot of it is wrong! He wants me to say all the wrong things that Class E don't do! He wants me to say that I want all of you to be reeducated!"

He blinked. "Oh? So, what's wrong with it?" The other slumped. "I mean, if you want to do it, do it tomorrow. If you don't want to do it, don't do it tomorrow. Is it that hard?"

"But if I don't do it, they won't accept me again."

"Do you really need to go back? You have a better class you can be in. I mean, why did you even leave Class E?"

"W-Well, my family."

"Then you have Kanzaki-san to relate with." He pointed out. "Hayami-san, Nagisa, Chiba-san. There are people that can relate to you."

Uncertainty crossed the other's face. "I'm not good with assassination?"

"Do you have to be good at it?" The teen stared at him. "Have you seen Hara-san? Okuda-san? Sousuke perhaps? You're not the only one who feels insecure about his incapabilities." He took more spoonful. "But we both know that Class E students have something special about them. Do you know what's special about you?"

A shake of head.

"It's your determination to study hard. Takebayashi-san, none of us are really good with all of the things surrounding us. All of us are learning under our own kinds of teachers. If you can't be good at assassination, why not do the brainy stuffs? Formulate plans that can corner Koro-sensei, use your knowledge in Chemistry to create the strongest poisons. Maybe memorize and summarize the things Class E can't understand from texts."

"Y-You could do that too. You're also good at everything, Sawada. You can fire a gun, follow Koro-sensei's movements, academically on par with Karma and Asano Gakusho, and you can fight."

"I'm not that good." He denied before drinking the melted ice cream. "I don't know how to socialize with our classmates. I can't talk freely because I always think that I'm going out of character. It's because I'm known to be soft-spoken, passive and emotionless that I can't talk to anyone first. You get me, right? It takes for you to approach me before I could talk to you. Have you seen me approach anyone openly?"

Takebayashi went thoughtful, eyes on the left, before he shook his head after realization. "No."

"See? In Class E, we are balanced. There are some who are insecure about their studies. The others are struggling socially, mentally, emotionally. Even physically. But, that's what Koro-sensei's presence is for. To help us overcome our walls. He and the teachers are not there for us to study assassination alone, they are also there to help us gain our own kind of confidence for ourselves."

Takebayashi looked down to his almost empty bowl. "But my family..."

"Takebayashi-san, your family's opinion now does not matter. Let them eat their words after you become a successful surgeon or a doctor someday. Remember, you were the one who moved first when everyone got some 'virus' during the summer vacation. Do you think anyone of us can think that fast? Sometimes, those who knows a lot about the textbook cannot beat those who has the experience and prior knowledge, and vice versa." He reached out for the trash bin and segregated the plastic bowl and spoon. "Someday, I will see the shocked faces of those people who bullied me because I became successful." Then he coughed and winced at how dry his throat. "I said too much."

"A-Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just parched." He stood up and stretched. "Well, in the end, the decision is up to you, Takebayashi-san."

"How can I transfer to Class E, then?"

"Hm?" He asked before smirking. "You'll find a way. You're a Class E. And besides, you only talked to me to strengthen your resolve and give you more reason to do your plan tomorrow." He arranged his bag. "I'm going to work. See you tomorrow in class, Takebayashi-san."

And he left him there.

(Takebayashi thought of how rational Sawada's arguments, and Koro-sensei's words.)

(He does feel proud of his achievements so far because of Class E. Which makes all arguments true.)

(He made his decision while staring at the glass plaque in his hands that commemorates how good of an educator Chairman Asano is.)