Chapter Twenty

Toshinori sighed. "I understand."

"Anyway, do you know a kid named Tsunayoshi Sawada?"

He perked up. "What about Tsuna?"

"I asked Midoriya about him, but he only said he's a friend. He's... He's the only one who did not keel over Stain's overwhelming presence."

"He was there?!" He can't help asking. "I thought it was just Young Midoriya, Young Iida and Young Todoroki?"

"Keep it down. That Sawada kid has a permission to go around. He told Midoriya. The pro-hero with them said to keep it quiet because the kid took flight just to come to their rescue even though he was in Kanagawa."

His jaw slacked. Kanagawa to Tokyo? And fly? That's too far!

"Stain is alive now because of him. He helped the hero killer regardless of his reputation. He said he's a fellow vigilante."

"He is known to be a hero vigilante." Toshinori relied. "He has been under Yuuei's radar since five years ago, helping people escape disasters and not letting any villains from getting any of them. He only became a student after he got caught on video. What I know, is that he does not discriminate. He is willing to lend a hand to even a villain or a criminal to escape as long as their purposes are for the good. He even expressed his wants to apologize to Shigaraki Tomura for calling him hypocrite. If he helped Stain, then it means he acknowledges his ideology but does not approve it."

"Hm. Do you know who are his parents? Mentors?"

"His current guardian is Eraserhead. However, even Eraserhead did not know of his vigilante works."

"That kid is intriguing. Anyway, I'll set that aside."

As he listened again to Gran Torino, his mind swirled of thought about Midoriya, All for One, the current situation and Tsuna.

Just how the heck did Tsuna knew something is happening there?

Tsuna can't help his smile while looking at the flowers at the window sill. They looked beautiful and blooming. They're all the flowers they got from the people who express their gratitude towards him and the agency. They had been making them grow outside the windows with the permission of Agent Rigorous and help from all of the heroes. Dark Haven even stated that the air in their building is fresher than before. Besides, they're good practice for his sun flames.

Unable to stop himself, the brunet took his phone from his pocket, and stood up from his perch. He swiped the camera icon upwards to open it before taking pictures of the flowers. He leaned on the sill while tapping on his phone to sent them to his Dad. Shouta had been monitoring his progress and asking him if he developed more of his flames. Well, he didn't and he's scared of getting more. Tsuna did say that most of his energy reserves get depleted whenever he uses sun flames. It is expected since it's not his main flames. If only he could get some tips from sun flames users.

"A lover?" He glanced at Deva who popped and peered at his phone too. "Oh. Your Dad. I thought it was a lover because you were smiling."

"Dad is my happy pill, along some of my friends." He answered while tapping 'home'. The display picture is the Sawada family picture when he was still three. He clicked it off. "Thank you for helping me make the flowers grow, Deva-san."

"Oh no. You did most of the work." The lady smiled. "Tomorrow is your last day here. We're going to miss you."

He blushed. "I'm not that good. Thank you for teaching me a lot of things too, Deva-san."

"You're adorable." The woman giggled.

"Guys?!" Both of them looked at Starlight who looked tense. "Villain attack!"

"Back to work then." Tsuna said as he followed the hero.

His experience in the agency was honestly superb. He was able to get to know more of lifesaving and more strategies to add to his arsenal. Agent Rigorous teaches him the ropes and how is it done. Of course, he also gets lessons from other heroes who make the strategies. Sometimes, he asks around what to do when a situation happens and what if something like this and that sprung up. In some point, he thought he was overbearing them, but Agent Rigorous told him to keep on asking because he is an intern to begin with, so he needed to learn more.

He was updated on what happened to his friends and Stain. They didn't really gain severe injuries, except for Iida who's left arm got broken from what Stain did to him before Tsuna came into the picture. He was assured that they're alright. He was also informed to what will happen to the hero killer and the decision of the police about their case. Since Tsuna didn't really want the spotlight, and the three knew that, they chose the option that Endeavor 'defeated' Stain, instead of them. He did point out that Stain will be very angry about it, which made his friends sweat drop. He was assured by Sir Tsuragamae, the police officer in charge of their case, that he can visit Stain anytime he wants. He doesn't know if he wants to be grateful of his infamous reputation or not for helping him have the privilege.

He did report to Agent Rigorous what he did when he went out. He apologized for going over his jurisdiction and using his power to let him go around. He did get a scolding which made him a chastised child, but he was also pardoned since he did not know where he was going. He did say his protective instinct was telling him to go somewhere and do something. In addition, Agent Rigorous gave him the permission, so it's alright. No one told them they can't give permission to an intern to wear his hero costume and use his quirk without any supervision from his superior.

The next day, Tsuna stood in front of the heroes who were seeing him off. He has his duffel bag and packet where his hero costume is in. Good thing he requested another set of costume the day before he went off. His Dad will really question him about it. He's already readying himself for it, and the disappointed glare.

"I'm going off now." Tsuna bid with a smile to them. He bowed. "Thank you for taking care of me for the whole week. It was a pleasure to learn from all of you."

"Come back and visit, Decimo." Deva said while putting a flower wreathe on his head. "We will really really miss you and your presence."

"I will miss you too." He smiled.

"I gave you my number, Decimo." Dark Haven called out. "Don't forget to get me heads up if you have problems."

He chuckled. "I will." Then his eyes looked over to Starlight who is already sobbing. "I'm not dying, Starlight-san."

"T-Thank you for saving my flower." Starlight sobbed. "They were given by my siblings as a gift of becoming a pro. So thank you."

"Go and become the encompassing sky you want to be, Vongola Decimo." Agent Rigorous remarked.

"With my Dying Will, Sir." He promised before he started to go down the small stairs and looked over his shoulder. "See you around!"

As he went to the station, Tsuna texted his Dad that he's about to board the train. The ride was an hour and a half long. When he got out, the first person he saw was Shouta who was standing in the middle of the platform. The brunet can't express how happy he was. It must have been all over his face because his Dad opened his arms and he jumped to it.

"I missed you." Tsuna breathed, rubbing his face to his Dad's shirt.

"That's why I'm here now, Dummy." Shouta hummed. "Let's go home?"

"Yes."

Tsuna winced everytime he gets his Dad's stares. He looked down to his desk and listened to him talk about their remarks.

Like he expected, he got a scolding the very day he told Shouta what happened with Stain. Well, his Dad let him explain everything. From why he was there, how he found the five, and his relationship with Stain. His punishment was a cold shoulder for keeping the information for four days. And whenever their eyes met, Tsuna can't look at his Dad. He does feel guilty. At least it's a cold shoulder and his Dad is eating meals with him. Well, except school lunch after his arms got healed.

"Are you okay, Tsuna?" Yaoyorozu asked after Shouta went out. "You have been quiet since you came in."

He smiled. "I'm okay. Sleep deprived."

"I saw the video, by the way." The lady said before smiling a little. "You're relentless."

Tsuna shrugged. He was caught on the video about Stain expressing his wants to reform the hero society. He's having negative feedbacks, but who cares. "Stain needed help, so I gave it."

"Are you going to...?" Both looked at Shouto who trailed off with his question.

"Probably later or tomorrow." He answered as he took his notebook out. "He's not conscious yet. But I'll try getting permission. Aizawa-sensei will need persuading first before I get his permission."

"Is he mad?" Shouto asked, worried for him.

"He is. But it's fine." He waved off. "He'll come around. Before you knew it, I have his permission already." Then he flashed them a grin. "Thanks for worrying."

The two blushed before smiling too.

At lunch, Shinsou and Shouto sat beside him. He was engaged with workplace related topics. Shinsou discreetly questioned him if he's okay from all the feedbacks he's receiving after he was caught on camera helping Stain. All he needed to do was point a finger to his headset which made his friend smirk. Even Shouto snickered at his antic.

Being Tsunayoshi Sawada, version-point-O, made him immune to social media and all the attention. Who the heck cares about the positive and the negative feedbacks? Even when he was Dame-Tsuna, he stopped caring about the things said behind his back because he is Dame-Tsuna. He can't deny that, and nothing they say can make it worse for his non-existing pride at that time. What only mattered to him was the opinion of his family, especially Reborn's who always, always gives him a real talk, a reality check and a literal slap to get himself together.

By afternoon, they were told to gather in playing ground Gamma by All Might for Foundamental Hero Study. Instead of his usual get up, Tsuna removed his coat and folded his sleeves. Some of his fellow boys stared at him when he stashed his coat away before fixing his gloves and headphone. When he went out, he missed how the boys talked about how cool he looked.

"Do you think he's becoming a little aloof?" Sero voiced in concern.

Katsuki, Izuku and Shouto looked up from putting on their own costumes.

"Yeah." Kaminari seconded as he arranged his jacket. "He's being too quiet. Maybe the comments about him siding to the villains are getting into him."

"Maybe not." Kirishima dismissed while patting his armbands. "Tsuna cares less about it. You can see it in his face of how indifferent he is. I think he's more concern about Stain's condition."

"Why would he care about him?" Mineta questioned. "He's a hero killer. He killed a lot."

"Also a fellow vigilante." Satou added. "Remember, before he became a hero, he's a vigilante. Even until now. He follows the rules but he's willing to bend them for his expense if it's for other's gain. He never said he is here to become a hero. Who knows, after he finished studying in UA, he'll study how to be a villain."

"Oi-" Then the boys blinked.

"That kinda made sense." Kaminari mused.

"Shut the fuck up, you extras!" Katsuki shouted, glaring at them. "Don't go saying Tsuna will become a villain! He'll become a hero because he will protect! Keep that in mind!" Then he stormed out, shouting Tsuna's name.

"I agree with Kaachan." Izuku voiced with Shouto nodding with him. "Tsuna swore he'll protect, that's why he became a vigilante. He'll only help villains, but he won't join them."

The boys looked at each other as the two went out too.

"When Sawada came to our rescue, it was the first time I saw him on action." Iida informed while fixing his P.E. uniform. "He didn't think of defeating Stain. He was there to give more time for us to recover and at least slow down the hero killer. He's always on the move to intercept him. The only time I saw him get so worried was when Stain stopped moving after both of them saved Midoriya from that Noumu. He didn't care if we got almost killed by the man, as long as Stain helped save Midoriya, it was a good enough reason for him to heal him. He based it on the end result. He acknowledges Stain's ideology but he looks forward to the future generations of heroes. So I don't think Sawada will pursue such path after graduating as a hero." And Iida nodded at them before going out.

When they went out, they were greeted by Tsuna evading Katsuki's violent advances. For some reason, they felt guilty after speculating that the brunet will become a villain after becoming a hero, with how merry his laughter was while taking Katsuki under his arm and giving the other a noogie instead. Satou mustered the courage and apologized without giving any reasons. The others followed suit. Tsuna only blinked at them in confusion and looked at them funnily. But in the end, he smiled warmly at them and accepted their apologies without asking what's the reason at all.

They never had another chance to talk with Tsuna when All Might came in.

Tsuna eyed the boys who apologized to him as All Might came in with a humorous greeting. He heard what they were saying inside the locker room. The only time he went on was when Katsuki shouted at them to shut up. Well, they have a point there. He could join a villain group after graduating. It's not impossible since he is a vigilante. Who knows what will his mind pick for him.

He feels grateful of how thoughtful Katsuki was. The blond started to explode on him that he didn't mind. Probably got ticked off with Sero's observation. What really made his day was when he was able to capture the other in a headlock and give him a mild noogie. No one gives Katsuki a noogie among them. And he appreciated how matured his classmates were. To apologize to him even though he 'doesn't' know the reason why, is good enough to forgive them. At least they apologized.

"Right on the heels of your workplace experience, this time we'll mix in an element of play." His attention went to All Might, who started to introduce to them their activity after greeting them. "It's a rescue-training race!"

Iida raised a hand immediately. "If it's rescue training, then shouldn't it not be carried out at USJ?!"

"No." All Might replied. "That place is for disaster rescue." Then he stilled. "What I was saying again? Ah! Yes, a race! Now, this is playing ground Gamma!" He gestured to the scenery behind them. "Where densely packed lanes make this construction site seem more like a complex labyrinth! Make a four group of five! We'll do the training one group at a time!"

Tsuna raised a hand to get their teacher's attention. "The odd one?"

"You will join the last group." All Might responded before surveying the class again. "When I've given the distress signal somewhere in the area, start simultaneously from outside the limits! This is a competition to see who can come to my aid first!" Then he pointed a finger to Katsuki who is beside him. "Of course, keep damages to the surrounding buildings at minimum!"

He snickered when the blond looked away with a tut. "Don't point fingers. And don't laugh, asshole."

Tsuna looked away to laugh again.

The first up were Mina, Ojirou, Sero, Iida and Izuku. Sero was the first one to finish because of his tape. If Iida isn't still recovering yet, he could've won. Izuku was fantastic too with how agile he is, the only problem was he slipped.

The next group was Aoyama, Koda, Jirou, Mineta and Shouji. Shouji won, because of how fast he moved. The others did catch up, but Aoyama caught the last place.

Group three was composed of Asui, Kaminari, Tokoyami, Katsuki and Satou. His eyes blinked when he noticed how aggressive the blond had started. It's almost like he's angry and frustrated over something. Tokoyami and him got the first place at the same time. Huh. What happened to Katsuki?

"Hie." He squealed lightly when he saw who he was grouped with. "I can't possibly win against all of you."

Yaoyorozu snorted as Uraraka and Kirishima snickered.

"Tsuna." Hagakure called, a slender hand patting his shoulder. "We're the ones who won't win against you."

"Come on now." Shouto said as he walked ahead.

Tsuna scrunched his face as he went for his designated area. He made his flames manifest when he got there. When All Might counted, he put his arms back, hand behind him. The moment the hero shouted 'start', Tsuna propelled himself and searched the building where All Might is with his intuition. It didn't take long for him to touch down in front of the man. All Might nodded at him before they watched who'll come next to him.

By the time they arrived, it was Shouto who came after him then Kirishima before Uraraka. Hagakure came next after Yaoyorozu. All Might congratulated them. After he ended the class, Tsuna went after the hero.

"All Might-san " He called.

"Yes, Tsuna?" All Might responded.

"Can I have some of your time this afternoon? After school?" He asked, clenching his hands. He has decided anyway, so why back down now? "I want to try something."

Blue eyes studied him before the Symbol of Peace nodded. "Very well, Tsuna. I'll be in my room."

He can't help beaming to the words before he bowed. "Thank you."

When he went to the lockers, Tsuna blinked at Katsuki's scowl when the blond passed by him. He wanted to ask what's wrong, but he restrained himself since he sensed that the other wants some alone time.

The boys were talking about the activity when he was removing his gloves. He honestly feels like a cheat on the activity. Well, maybe everything. Being Fifty-plus has its perks, add on his experiences, wisdom and intuition? He doesn't need to go to school and learn all this heroic stuffs. And that's the thing. He's too good for this. He'll outdo the children and they'll probably get insecure. He doesn't want that. They have bright futures.

Maybe he should laylow? But Katsuki will point that out and he'll get angry, and everyone will know and they'll get angry. He doesn't want that. He sighed.

"You okay, Tsuna?" Kaminari asked from his side. "You look troubled- Oh woah."

He looked as he lifted the shirt he's going to shrug on. "Yes?"

"I know you're packed in your thin body, but man, you have abs." The blond pointed out.

Tsuna looked down on his stomach before snickering. Well, he does have four pairs and keeps getting them into shape because it's an achievement. "It's an achievement I gained after years of training."

"You train?" Kirishima queried from his spot.

Tsuna nodded before he pulled on his shirt in three movements. "My Dying Will will eat me if I don't have a fit body for it, and my enhanced strength won't be strong as it is if I don't train it."

"Does your Dad help you with it?" Kirishima asked.

"I do it behind his back. He's mostly asleep in the morning since vigilante works are at night. And if I didn't, I won't be as I am now." He slipped on his shirt over his pants and picked up his polo. "I'm more of a bad child to Dad for the past years." 'Or maybe from the very beginning.'

"For how many years?" Tokoyami mused.

Tsuna blinked as he looked up to the ceiling. "I started when I was nine? Running around the neighborhood and doing some simple exercises. I got these packs when I was eleven and maintaining it till now."

The boys stared at him.

"Don't look at me like that." He chuckled as he maneuvered his tie to do a knot. "I'm just careful with my quirks so I have to be productive."

"But dude, you were ten when you started going vigilante. No wonder you're so powerful." Sero awed.

Tsuna paused from putting his coat on and looked over to them thoughtfully.

"What is it?" Izuku asked, completely snapped out of his deep thoughts.

"Don't you think I'm a cheat?" He finally asked. "Like I'm too... Good?"

"Of course not!" Most of them exclaimed, making him jump and knock his elbow to his locker.

He winced. "Ow! I got electrified."

"Ha? Did you shoot at him, Kaminari?" Tokoyami queried to the blond.

"No no." He laughed while rubbing his pained elbow. "It's a jolt when a certain bone on the elbow gets hit. Kaminari-san didn't do anything to me." He calmed himself up before giving them an appreciative smile. "Thank you for saying I'm not a cheat."

"Were you worrying about that?" Shouji probed. "Even I feel like a cheat too. With how useful my tentacles are."

"Besides, you did your utmost effort to become as you are now, Sawada." Iida, who had been listening, added. "One way or another, you will find more about your quirk too. So don't feel like that."

Unknown to him, his smile went brighter. "Thank you."

The others blinked and blushed a little at how wide and warm the smile was.

"Enough of that!" Mineta shouted from the side of the room. "I made a sick discovery!" He announced before pointing at a paper peeled from a side with a perverted smile on his face. "Check out this shaw shank-ass hole! Probably courtesy of our sempais!"

All boys perked up.

"And you know what's on the other side, don't you?! The girls' changing room!" Mineta continued as he ripped the paper off complete.

"Cease it, Mineta! Peeping is a flagrant crime!" Iida admonished feverently.

"Hey man! My little Mineta's already a flagrant crime if you know what I mean!" The little man replied back and was about to look when a hand covered the hole. "Wha-! What's the big idea-"

All boys gulped at Tsuna's menacing stare on Mineta. His eyes are glowing orange with reprimand.

"Sorry, Mineta-san, but you don't want to cross the line." The brunet hummed as he turned his gaze at Sero. "Can I have a tape? I want to cover this hole."

"But Tsuna! It's not fair!" Mineta whined.

"It's more unfair if I don't stop you now." Tsuna replied as he got handed a tape. "I don't want my future daughters to get the same fate. But at least I did my part." He put the tape on the hole to cover it and smiled with satisfaction. "There. Now, good luck finding another hole tomorrow. I'm making Cementoss-sensei cover that one."

He patted the young man's head before going out. He was walking for their room when he heard his name being called. He was greeted by the girls who are smiling to him. He stepped back a little when they crowded at him.

"Thank you for being our protector, Tsuna!" Mina exclaimed.

"We will always be grateful." Jirou smiled.

He chuckled. "It's fine. I had female friends too. I grew up protecting them from bad people. And like I said, and I knew you heard-"

"You don't want the same thing to your future child." Asui continued before smiling. "We understand, Tsuna."

"I'll alert Cementoss-sensei instead." Yaoyorozu stated. "We don't want you getting a bad record. Thank you for protecting us. Really. If you need help on anything, just tell us."

"I'll keep that in mind." He noted.

Tsuna went for his seat just as the other boys came tinkering in. He was going to put his headset on when he noticed Katsuki resting his head on his table. The brunet shrugged and put his buds on. He was about to shuffle the songs when someone sat in front of him. Caramel eyes looked up to see Katsuki staring at him with murky red eyes. He looks angry, frustrated, annoyed.

He took one of his bud out and offered it. The blond took it without a word and put it on. The brunet went for his 'lullabies' playlist and clicked 'shuffle'. Katsuki put his arms on the table and rested his head there. He pulled his notebook out and started to do some readings too while humming along to the Japanese lullaby playing. Reaching out, he patted the blond's head before he flipped a page and read his notes.

The others didn't make much noise when they noticed the two. Even the girls whispered while talking, Yaoyorozu took Katsuki's seat while the latter uses hers to seat in front of the brunet. Shouto joined them with their peaceful silence by just sitting on his chair and tapping on his phone. Izuku came in with his expression thoughtful. It went on for an hour before Shouta came in with them like that.

Tsuna tapped Katsuki to wake up. The latter blearily sat up, returned the bud and returned to his seat so Yaoyorozu can sit on her spot. As Shouta settled, he hid his headset around his neck and sat back.

"Let's see here." Shouta said while looking at his notes. "Right, summer break is fast approaching. But of course, it stands to no reason none of you have enough leeway to just relax for thirty."

"Don't tell me..." Kaminari trailed off, glancing back to Kirishima who looked like he knew what the blond is speculating.

Tsuna put his chin on his palm while he thinks too. Well, if it is summer, then it should be-

"We'll be going to a summer break forest lodge." Shouta announced.

"I knew it! Aw yeah!" Kaminari and Kirishima shouted in happiness.

Tsuna sat back as he watched his classmates talk about their plans. He did attend his summer lodgings in his middle school with Izuku and Katsuki. They weren't close back then, but he always watched out for the greenet. It was a good way to keep him busy while his Dad is taking care his own class in Yuuei's own summer lodging. But those times were the slow days of his summer.

Since he 'died' and came upon this new world, he was never good without a family near him. It's like he's vulnerable to danger. Like a clam without a pearl to protect. It's a miracle that he's still not insane from the lack of harmonization to other flames. Maybe because he has tendencies? Or because he has other elements mixed in his Dying Will flames? Perhaps. Who knows.

But he hopes it won't be like those long days because he has his Dad with him.

"However," Shouta cut them off. "Should any of you fall short of a passing grade for the end-of-term test, then you're stuck in school, in Remedial hell."

"Let's do our best, everybody!" Kirishima announced, hyped with Kaminari.

Tsuna sighed. That won't be a problem, right?