Chapter Thirty-Six
"So, three days ago, while I was busy signing documents, you were forced to join the Athletic Festival in order to participate in the Boutaoshi because Asano is an asshole and threatened to kiss and tell Isogai's part time job to the board?" He repeated.
"Yup." Karma confirmed.
"And then, you won, so Isogai's secret is safe. But now, their problem is Koro-sensei is refusing to teach them for the next midterm exam because they used free-running to scale the buildings on the way home and injured an old man— enough to land him in the hospital, even when Karasuma-sensei specifically told us not to execute them outside the mountains because it may cause accidents?"
"Yes."
Tsuna sighed as he peered at the garden where their yellow teacher just landed. "Tell the class that I won't be able to help nor am I gonna convince Koro-sensei to teach them."
"Eh. Why?" The other asked as Koro-sensei walked near the patio of the house. This jerk.
"That old man, Matsuka-san, is a principal of a cram school. That cram school houses children. It's more like a nursery of some sort. If he's injured, no one will take care of the nursery. The teacher there can't handle all of those rowdy kids, for two weeks even." He explained. "Also, it's a good lesson for Class E. So they'll humble themselves. Just think about the first time you realized that you have the power to beat people. It's the same thing the Class E is experiencing now. They aren't that 'drunk' in power. They just don't know the consequences of their actions." He waved at Koro-sensei who slowly relaxed as he approached. "And besides, once Koro-sensei said it, he will never take it back."
"Yeah. I figured that too. But when will you be back?"
Tsuna looked down to the paper in his hand where the five children's ratings are written and drawn. His intuition hummed sadly. "Soon. Maybe on the day of exam."
"Two weeks more?"
"Yup. You'll be fine."
Karma sighed. "I miss you already, Nii-san."
He rolled his eyes as the other laughed. "I miss you too, Otouto. It sucks to be two months younger than me, doesn't it?"
"Shut up. You love me."
"And you're failing to seduce me. Anyway, go to sleep already." He shooed.
"Yes yes. Good night, Tsuna."
"Night, Karma." He bid and let the other end the call before he brought his phone down and looked at his teacher who went goo. "Good. You're calm, Koro-sensei."
The teacher sighed. "Being around Tsuna-kun makes me calm."
"Do I get a slap on the cheek too?" He asked as a tentacle took the paper from his hand. "To be treated fairly."
"It is fine. Knowing you, you could've stopped them from doing what they were planning if you were there. You are their rational mind." The teacher said while his eyes scanned the paper in front of him. "This is some fine works, Tsuna-kun. You're filling in your role as a boss nicely."
"It's only temporary." His eyes momentarily darted to the sleeping old man. "Let me ring up Hari-san to get you some sweets, Sensei. Then you can tell me what happened."
Koro-sensei went on about what happened in that first week he was absent, right after Tsuna received the tray of refreshments from the door himself. They didn't even ask him why the snacks were for two people, as if they knew he has shady people under his wings that are outside Kurogane. The brunet relished the moment too, since it's a time for him to relax from all the paperwork he finished right before Karma called. If he didn't know, he's like doing his usual work but more on papers and less walking around.
Koro-sensei bragged at him all the achievement Class E got, back in the Athletic Festival of the school. From the hundred-meter dash, to Boutaoshi— which was the main event. Boutaoshi is like a game of capture the flag, however, instead of a 'flag', both teams target the pole of the opposing team and try to bring it down. The teacher told him how Asano invited some foreigners to their team, which was unfair, but with Isogai's lead after basing all strategies to Koro-sensei's handy book, the class won.
The teacher went on full enthusiastic on telling him every boy did to win. How Ryouma held their pole with Takebayashi. How Karma distracted the other team by going for the audience as the 'playground'. How Itona became the trump card at the end. They were fairly amazed at how good Asano's martial arts was, which is given since the chairman is a martial artist too, and a good one.
Koro-sensei's storytelling went on to his usual escapades. Tsuna listened, nodding at the right places and giving the appropriate expressions. It was the usual. Those times the two of them eat dinner in his apartment.
"Xanxus-san had been flooding me messages to check on you." Koro-sensei chirped with a snicker. "He thinks I let you go off to some Yakuza den without any thoughts."
"We've been chatting." He said while staring at his reflection in the tea. "He has nothing to worry about, really. Everything is fine here."
"But are you okay, Tsuna-kun?" Brown eyes looked up to see the teacher watching him with perspective eyes.
He gazed down to see his reflection. Is he okay? He doesn't particularly feel any emotions, except for a sense of responsibility. Ah- "Have I told you how I met Shoji-jii-san?"
"No."
He can't help gulping, remembering that day. Ah. Why did he think of sharing this again? "It was probably my fifth month in Tokyo when he stumbled on me. If I remember right, he helped me after I killed her."
The teacher stiffened.
He sighed through his nose, a gnawing feeling slowly itching in his heart. "The first person to take care of me back then wasn't Shoji-jii-san. It was a stripper lady in Tokyo whose name was Sou Chiemi. She was pretty. Black hair, dark purple eyes, fair skin. She lives alone too, that's why she took me in when she saw me hiding in the shadows, two weeks after they left me. She was kind. She shares her food and asks me to drink the milk she buys regularly so I grow up taller. Usually, people who have life like hers smoke or intoxicate themselves with so much alcohol, but Chiemi-san doesn't. Her only addiction was staring into space when we have those quiet days and her insomnia."
"She must be really compassionate."
He smiled a little in remembrance. "If I'll think of a mother figure, I'll say her name even though we only spent five months together." He turned his head to the Arcadia, gazing dazely at the white lily as he recalls. The gnawing feeling became scratches, slowly burning. "One night, she came back crying. Her makeup was a mess, her dress was torn on some parts and there was something flowing between her legs. She said her life was over. That she wants to end it. That she can't accept what happened. It went on for some days. I had to do the shopping myself and ask her to eat while she stares off at some space again. Longer. If I don't call her name, she won't snap out of it. Sometimes, I'd hear her breaking down.
"Then she must have snapped. That day, I woke up on her smiling at me. She made us a hearty breakfast, made me eat a cake she baked that afternoon after a lunch, then we ate dinner after we cooked together. It was that kind of special day that felt so nice yet so wrong. My head had been buzzing that day. Then when she tucked me to bed, she apologized. It was only a simple 'I'm sorry' yet it felt so heavy. I stayed in bed, not sleeping. When midnight stroke, I crept out of bed to check on her like I usually do. I found her in the bathroom, a bloody knife in hand and a deep bleeding wound on her jugular."
"Tsuna-kun..."
He shook his head as he continued. He could feel his gut churning with this sense of guilt and ghost pain while caressing an old scar. "She panicked when she saw me by the door. She tried to cover her wound, apologizing, but it hurt her, and it made her cry. Then she asked me to kill her. A quick strike to her heart to make it stop beating. I wanted to refuse. I really wanted to." His eyes dropped to his hands, wrapped around the cup. "But remembering how she cried that night, how she kept on staring in space... I thought if I was going to live the life she had, I'll suffer years and eventually will try to die, because that's the only break I could have."
"So, you did."
He closed his eyes. "It was fairly easy. Take the knife, place it above her chest and slowly let it sink to her heart. It was so quiet that time. I thought she died by just that. But before she did die, she took my hand and expressed her gratitude in her last breath. After that, the first thing I thought was to run. I did." He opened his eyes and glanced at the obviously listening old man and the door where the three should be on standby. "I must have been all bloody when Shoji-jii-san saw me and thought I was being beaten up. The next day, her body was discovered.
"Now that I think about it, she does deserve it. Even if I had to stain my hand, she deserved to be free. To defile her like that, to cause her insanity just because of that fucked up person's cursed libido..." He blinked, trying to rid of the red he's slowly seeing. "I feel like I wanted to go back in time where she was still alive and kill that fiend. To give her at least a good revenge or make her kill him to have her own kind of redemption." Then he shrugged, thinking of rationality. He has been moody these days too. "Well, it can't be helped that the guy got away. Although if I can have the time and power to search for him, I'll torture him." He eyed Koro-sensei. "A woman's purity is irreplaceable. Those who think of sinful thoughts regarding them should have their eyes taken out and be swallowed by them. Of course, you are an exemption, Koro-sensei. You only look and appreciate."
The teacher, who turned from white to pink then yellow, laughed. "You're scary like this, Tsuna-kun. However, this is good for you. To have your own principles and morals established is a good way to have a planned path. Priorities, responsibilities, pride and will are things that needed to be set before we can move forward. It is our driving force. I am proud that you have thought this far for you and for the people involved with you."
Tsuna accepted the pat on his head.
"You were so young to experience such thing. Although murder is a murder, at such age, you cannot consider it as one for the end point asked you to do it. It may have been wrong to take one's life, one way or another, but the situation is understandable. Both of you were victims of circumstances. And Tsuna-kun, I want to apologize. For you to carry such weight on your shoulders all these years must have been painful. It gave you good and bad lessons that you still carry up until now. But that is also one of the things that made you as strong as you are. It made you as the Sawada Tsunayoshi we adore. So thank you. Thank you for trusting Sensei about this and letting me share the weight with you."
He nodded, relishing the warmth blossoming in his chest. "No problem, Sensei."
(Koro-sensei stayed a little more. Asking about Sou Chiemi that Tsuna gratefully provided. The brunet likes to think of the lady occasionally, in a good spirit.)
(Tsuna dozed off while hearing Koro-sensei sing in offkey. The teacher chuckled and tucked the teen to the empty futon behind the set of tables. The brunet will be the only person who can fall asleep at that kind of singing.)
(The teacher suspected that it must have emotional exhaustion that caused the brunet to sleep. To share that heavy load of secret must have taken so much courage from the child's heart, and Koro-sensei admires that.)
("Please do look after him." He bid to the people still listening to him before he took off. He didn't receive a verbal response. He knows Tsuna is well loved since the day his student told him that he's going to a Yakuza den with people he personally knew.)
(Tsuna slept soundly that night.)
"- Nonoka-san went really angry this afternoon. Kiyoji-san said something that must have triggered her. Most of the division tried to stop her from rampaging but, she was really angry. She injured four of the division members and went off." Kaen reported, eyes on his little list. "Then-"
"Wait," He said. "Is Maeda-san back yet?"
"No. Kiyoji-san said Nonoka-san usually goes off the compound when she's angry to cool her head." Kaen answered innocently and checked his watch. "It has been five hours since she went out."
He opened the partition to see the other four with Hariko and Ota. Ota is by the door, outside the partition, probably listening. Anyway... "Can you track her?" He asked to Kanna.
Kanna's brows furrowed. "Who?"
"Maeda Nonoka-san. She went off the compound this afternoon and hasn't come back yet." He answered.
"I saw her walking for the city proper." Seina chimed as they wait for Kanna who whipped out her phone and started to tap in an incredible speed.
"Is it still considered of tracking her if she has been on the same spot for the past three hours?" Kanna asked.
He turned to Ota who straightened up. "Get Seven, Eight, and Nine to move on minimal number. Get Snake to do some tracking. Phone is probable. It's impossible if she doesn't have it with her. She must have dropped her tracking device on that spot."
"Alright." The man responded as he turned to his phone.
"Tell them to come back safely." He added before turning to Kaen as he closed the partition. "Now, how were those injured people?"
Tsuna is currently rating the five heirs. Although he has his bet on Suoh (who has the birthright), he cannot disregard the potential of the rest. So far, none has gotten a 'satisfying' result, except now with Kaen. The young man technically went on ranting and listed all the things he wanted to say since he's the most forgetful child among them. Since the report for the day was 'plausible', Tsuna gave him his full pay and waved him off after telling him not to boast it around. It will cause chaos among them. On the other hand, Watusei got 'satisfying', he got three-fourth of his wage. The rest were still 'lacking', still too hesitant to share anything.
Either way, it's going well. At least they are learning. Once they find the trick, they'll be more aware of their comrades' conditions and vitality. They'll be able to give their cents and be more practical on what decision and orders they'll do. Just because they have one leader, it doesn't mean the other four can't be of help. They are the closest advisors of the leader since they are the siblings. If they are close, all they need is to see that there are people they needed to protect and lead. The only lesson Shoji-jii-san, the relatives and the tutor were unable to teach the five.
It was at the ending of Suoh's report when Ota came knocking and opened the partition. He whispered to Tsuna what happened. Seems like they were able to retrieve Maeda Nonoka who got kidnapped by some thugs which she inevitably fought after they tried to hit on her.
"Can you tell Hariko-san to extend the dinner time?" He waved at Miwa who nodded.
Ota pursed his lips. "Fifteen."
"Thirty." He bargained. "What am I gonna do in fifteen? Take a peek?"
"Fine." The 'store manager' relented before standing up, while Miwa went off. Tsuna was about to do so when the other signed Suoh. "Come with us."
"Yes, Sir." Suoh nodded.
Tsuna shook his head as he stood up. He patted his yukata of dust and wrinkles before stepping out after Ota opened the door for him. He thanked the man before they fell in place. The trip was a little long since the Pig's headquarters are nineteen hallways away.
He tried to feel what's on with the two behind him. what he knows is Ota's younger than Suoh. Eight years in calculation...? Which means Ota is twenty-seven, the youngest Division Leader in their generation. The brunet hasn't heard of what happened about Ota. All they said was Ota got bored and accepted a dare to join the Kurogane, which he did. Since he got accepted in Division One and, he noticed he got a talent of doing some works for the boss directly, especially bossing around and making good impulsive or not decisions, he stayed. Maybe it's the truth? Tsuna never dared to ask too, so he'll just believe that one.
Arriving at the headquarters of Ninth Division, he knocked and opened the door himself. He dismissed Ota's glare as he invited himself in where all people there had their weapons drawn in hostility. After realizing it was him, all of them quicky lowered their dangerous armaments. He eyed everyone before giving his bow to the division leader, Hirano Giichi.
"You're lowering yourself too much, Boss." Hirano chided.
"If I needed to lower myself to show my gratitude and respect to you, I will, Hirano-san." He replied as he straightened up.
Hirano snorted before he nodded at the cushion seat across from his, placed in a small platform with a low table in between. "Please take a sit."
He took his place, eyes wandering around as a cup of tea was served by someone. He eyed it before turning to the Division Leader. "Kaen told me what happened. Is Maeda-san alright?"
"She's fine. When they freed her, she knocked out every kidnapper in sight." The man gazed at him. "If you didn't put a new rule of no killing unless necessary, she could've killed all of them."
"Next time, tell her to injure them greatly. At least they'll get to a hospital first before they die." He kidded as he cupped his drink with both hands. He saw how Suoh shifted from his peripheral. Must have been surprised with that new policy. "I did say no killing, doesn't mean you can't kill in an indirect way."
The man gave a small smirk. "If you weren't my boss, I could've taken you in my division. You're as deranged as everyone who lives here."
"Too late, Giichi." Ota called out from his spot with the vice commander of Harino who grinned. "I've called tabs on him."
"First of all," Tsuna started off. "Should we consider the fact that I might not even join Kurogane and may live a normal life despite having connections with you? And second, I'm born to lead, not to follow." He pointed out. The second point was delivered by his counterpart when some kind of family tried to put Vongola under their wing, instead of the other way around. His counterpart was so disgusted with the notion that he sent Kokuyou Gang to take care of the whole family. Not a speck of dust was left after. "Anyway, the injured after her rampage? Are they fine? Kaen had reported to me, but I want to make sure since that was hours ago."
"They're fine. Shallow wounds." The man waved off.
"A stab on the gut is shallow? A wrong nerve hit is shallow? Do I have to point out that one even broke a wrist?" He deadpanned, earning laughter from the old man. "Yes yes. Laugh, Hirano-san."
"When Dosei said you're a worrywart, I didn't expect that it's to this extent. To even worry of us lowly beings, I thank you, Boss."
Tsuna breathed a sigh. "Don't say that. Even if they say what they say, you are still you. Just because you lost your way, or you're doing what was asked to you or what you're doing, it doesn't mean you're any less human. Please, if you need anything, someone to talk to, someone to listen if you have troubles, anyone in the Division, do come to the chambers." He reached out to the inside of his right sleeve where a safe pocket was patched, took the paper he kept there and placed it on the table. "If anyone wants to rant, my LINE account is there and my number."
He could feel all eyes in the room gazing at him, but he is only watching the man who took the paper. "Isn't this too much, Sawada?" Hirano asked, contemplative with how his brows furrowed a little.
"Let's just say a crazy's sanctuary is a crazy as well." He smiled a little in sympathy. "I won't say I know how it feels. Feeling is rather a shallow term from the experiences you have gone through." He thumbed the rim of the cup. "I want to at least assure you that even if you're feeling pained, you have someone beside you." He looked up to those observing gaze. "It's what Kurogane wants to uphold, right? 'Forged with the strongest iron, even in the darkest side of the world, we are beside one another.'"
The man smiled; amused, amazed, and awed with his answer. "Too bad, isn't it?" 'That you can't stay longer.'
"It can't be helped." He shrugged. He brought his hand down and stood up. "We should be going. Dinner will be served in five. Hariko-san will kill me if I'm any late."
"You didn't drink your tea." The man pointed out as Tsuna wore his slippers again.
"Could have if you didn't lace it with poison." He replied as he patted his yukata again and fixed his coat hanging on his shoulders. "It was quite clean. There was no trace on the rim."
They went out with the Ninth Division Leader laughing. Tsuna led the way to the dining room. This time, Ota opened the door for them before Tsuna came in with Suoh behind him. Instead of going for his place immediately, the brunet went straight to the old man who weakly smiled at him. Tsuna gave a small smile in return.
Everyone said their thanks after the old man cued them to eat. Like any days since it started, Tsuna took the bowl of porridge and mixed it nicely. As the others continued to eat in silence, Tsuna fed the old man who is staring at him.
"I can give you a picture if you want, Shoji-jii-san." Tsuna offered cheekily.
"Have you picked?" A weak question.
He shook his head. "Not yet." 'So please hold out for a little more.'
The old man smiled understandingly. "I see." 'Then I will.'
It was past midnight when someone knocked on their door. Tsuna didn't look, still staring at the Arcadia and enjoying the breeze when the door opened by any of the three for their visitor to come in.
Tsuna heaved a sigh as he remembered what the doctor said that morning. Shoji-jii-san is clinging to his last breaths. All for the sake of his promise to Tsuna. It's nearing the two weeks allotted time limit. But he can give his final decision now, and the old man can go.
"Have you ever thought of leaving Kurogane, Suoh-san?" He queried before turning his head to the eldest of five. "Have a small business somewhere. Get a normal wife and have a family of your own. Maybe have a dream that you would want to fulfill back then. Be a lawyer, an engineer."
Suoh's black eyes stared at him. "I have not thought of those."
"Hm." He hummed under his breath, thoughtful. "Being an eldest is hard, isn't it?"
"Not at all."
He nodded before eyeing the man again. "How important to you your relatives?"
The man stared at him.
"If I offer to step down and give you the position, will you get rid of your relatives?" He asked again, smiling a little.
