Chapter Twenty-Five

Tsuna stared at the smooth stone on his desk before turning to Katsuki who looked away. He pursed his lips to hide his grin before deciding to put his bag away and sit on his chair. He played with the rock while conversing with Shouto and Yaoyorozu, stirring away from what happened yesterday. He can't have it being the topic all the time, right? And besides, he only took Shigaraki away, he wasn't the victim.

"Tsuna?" He eyed to the front to see Izuku putting a planet decorated bag on his table. "I-I told Mom, so she baked you some cookies. She wanted to see you personally. But since we're doing the forest lodge, I told her that after we get back from there, we can invite you over."

He blinked at the greenet before smiling. "Thank you."

Izuku's freckles became prominent as he flushed and waved his hands. "N-No! Thank you for yesterday. I-I really thought I was a goner."

"He'll let you go even if I didn't come. Uraraka was nearby. I happened to just come in time." He remarked. "But I'm glad you're okay, Izuku. My head was killing me when I sensed you're in danger."

"Someday, I'll do the same thing to you, Tsuna. I promise." Izuku vowed, determination in his eyes.

"I'll hold up on that." He responded.

Both smiled at each other before Izuku went for his seat when the bell rang. Shouta came in a second after, looking just like he always is, sleepy. But there are also moments that his Dad doesn't look sleepy and surely well rested. There are just times that Shouta won't go to work after the OJT. He's taking one or two days out, then he'll be out of the house after dinner. At least he's not slacking off. Besides, being a teacher, a father and a hero at the same time is not an easy job.

"Morning." The hero greeted, scanning them with his black eyes. "Ready for the closing ceremony?"

There was a murmur of 'yes'.

"Now regarding to what transpired yesterday," Shouta started off. "I won't go to details, but the police and some hero agencies are doing their best in searching for the villain who threatened the mall's safety. With that thought, we, teachers, were called in early this morning to have a meeting regarding the forest lodge. We have noticed that the two different incidents always involved Class One-A. It won't be a surprise that the Villain Alliance will know where we are going again, since their ring leader found those who went to shopping yesterday without even trying that hard."

Those who were together when the incident happened winced.

Shouta raised the lodge guide for the class to see. "So with that being the case, we ought to be more wary of the enemies' movements." Then he tore it apart in two. "The destination for our regular school trip will likely be changed. And the new destination won't be announced until the day of the event."

"What?!" Some of them blurted in surprise.

"Guys," He called out to settle them. He got a grateful look from his Dad. "it can't be helped. It's either that or we'll get attacked again. Remember, the priority of our teachers is our safety."

"Sawada is right!" Iida agreed.

"I already told my parents." Sero remarked, grimacing.

"So basically, the school can't control how and where this information will spread." Yaoyorozu commented.

"We're just lucky they haven't cancelled the trip altogether." Mina reckoned.

"You..." They all looked at Katsuki who glanced at Izuku, who's at his back. "Should've killed them. Even it meant breaking a bone or two."

The brunet hid his smile with the palm of his hand as the class react to the ash blond's comment.

"Hey Bakugou!" Hagakure called out in a scolding manner, her uniform angling a little to see Katsuki. "Did you not hear the part about how knee deep in it? And you of all people know, of our bylaw state that public displays of our individuality is forbidden."

Black eyes and caramel ones met and both cringed. If only they knew he smuggled his weapons out and used his flames to reach where the scene was happening.

"Whatever. He should have cracked a few skulls in the process." The blond dismissed.

"K-Kacchan."

Tsuna snickered.

After Shouta gave a final instruction, they were asked to go for the auditorium. But while the others stayed a little, Tsuna received a text from his Dad that he needs to go for the staff room. Leaving his bag, he went out. He waved at those who called him out and said that he's going somewhere.

The hallway is quite noisy with students buzzing about the summer. Well, it is a season to be excited for. There are the beaches, swimming pool, the amusement parks, the cafes to be visited, and watermelon. Heh. There are also the festivals and the fireworks. He wonders if he'll see the fireworks again in the current year. He hasn't missed one since their apartment has a rooftop he can lounge at for the view.

His mind wondered to his life the previous year. During that summer, Tsuna didn't really invite his Dad to see the fireworks since Shouta will be out to make sure that no villains will use the occasion to do villainy stuffs. It's usually the thing. Tsuna understood since he was four— since he realized how busy a hero could be. Watching fireworks is one of the things his family members here in the new world don't know about him.

Tsuna pulled out one of his bud after arriving by the staff room. He checked his phone to see if there was any more message, but there was none. Well, he shouldn't be nervous because his intuition is not alerting him of anything. It's actually pretty happy on something.

"Tsuna?"

He turned back to see who called him. His brows furrowed a little. "Hitoshi? Dad? What's happening?"

"I'll explain inside." Shouta answered, ruffling his hair before passing him to open the door.

"Don't think about it too much." Hitoshi assured as they get inside.

"Just curious, I think?" Tsuna guessed. He automatically closed the door behind him, and greeted the teachers inside with the purple head. "I mean I'll be informed if you were in danger or not, Hitoshi."

"I know." The other nodded, smiling appreciatively.

"He's not in trouble." Shouta clarified as they got near to the teacher's table. "I called you both since this is about Shinsou. Your quirk brainwash is quite a good individuality to practice for villains. True, it's usually for villains, but it will be nice to turn tables sometimes, doesn't it? That, and your merit for being able to reach the battles in the Sports Festival. You can thank Tsuna for pointing out some good points about your quirk too.

"With that in mind, I'm taking you in as my apprentice for the next semester before you get transferred to the Department of heroic the next year, although it will depend on your performance too."

Tsuna cradled his head as his mind thought of million things. "Shot. I think my head just got fried."

"You think?" Hitoshi rebutted before saying an 'ow' when the brunet gave him a small kick on the side of his leg.

"Shut up. I'm thinking whether to congratulate you first or start planning how to tell Uncle Hizashi that we're having a small celebration over this." Then he turned to his Dad. "Class A, right? I will drive him harder if not A."

"That's a thought to see." Shouta hummed. His face is not betraying any emotions of what he thinks. "We'll see."

Hitoshi bumped his shoulder to the brunet's. "Either class is fine. At least we'll be in the same department"

"True." He smiled before he hugged the other. "Congrats, Hitoshi. You're slowly reaching your dreams."

Arms hugged him back. "Yeah. Thanks to you and your Dad."

"It was Dad who expressed his interest first." Tsuna said as he pulled back and ruffled the already messy hair. "I approached you because for once, I want you to think that there are some people who will appreciate your quirk for how useful it is. Understood, Hitoshi Shinsou? Never be insecure about it."

The purple head chuckled, trying to get away from the other's grips. "Yes."

"Now, since that's done. Off you go, people." Shouta shooed off. "The auditorium needs your presence."

The two looked at each other before answering. "Yes Sir!"

With that, their semester is sealed nicely.

"Already packed?" Shouta queried, hovering on him from the back of the couch.

Caramel eyes slid from the TV to see the man. "Yup. Just relaxing and waiting for my powerbank to charge up."

"Want me to spoil you about the trip?"

"Nope." The brunet's attention turned back to the TV. "Where's the fun in that?"

"True." His Dad chuckled.

Tsuna glanced to the man before quirking a smile.

In just a few hours, both of them are going out of their apartment to go for the academy. It's the day of the summer forest lodging. His classmates are pretty excited for days and had been packing their things.

Glancing at the time, Tsuna got off the couch. He took his uniform shirt and started to put it on as he went for the kitchen. He checked his intuition first where his Dad was. Since it said 'clear', Tsuna searched for the first aid and took the aspirin bottle. He took one before putting it inside his pocket. He swiped the packed snacks off from the counter, which he made last night, before going out. He put the containers inside his bag, with the aspirin bottle at the side. He checked the house to remove electric appliances.

His head started to throb last night. It hadn't moved from there, but it's not bad to be wary, right? He hadn't said anything to his Dad. He doesn't want him to worry, anyway. He just hopes danger isn't lurking somewhere.

"Tsuna? Have you seen my weapon?" Shouta called out from his room.

The brunet went for the hanging man and took the capture weapon that immediately latched on him. He went for his Dad, who went out and grinned at him for his new 'look'. "Found it."

"You look dashing." Shouta 'admired' with a chuckle before taking the weapon. Then he frowned at the brunet. "Are you okay, though? You look out of it."

Tsuna smiled before hugging the man. "Nothing. Just thinking that this is our first summer lodge together. I don't know what to feel."

"You should feel excited at the least." The other said, hugging him back. "I love your hugs."

"I love you too."

Both of them laughed at that. Taking their bags, they went out of their apartment and locked the door for the safety of their homes. While walking for the school, both talked about mundane things. Shouta didn't say anything about the lodge. Just relieving some past experiences about it and asking Tsuna what he experienced to his. Tsuna shared his things, not the feeling.

When they got to Yuuei, Tsuna stayed outside the building while Shouta went inside. Pulling in his buds, he listened to his playlist, Korean this time. It's a kind of thing he had been at since he got his phone. Although he listens to international news too, to keep his vocabulary and grammar checked on other languages, but he hadn't had any Chinese and German at the moment. He's still searching for good songs to start with. Spanish is half way with Russian. French is quite easy since they're almost the same with Italian in some sense. And since Korean is like Japanese in most senses, it's quite easy too. English is easy, he even has the perfect 'L' and 'R' with him.

He suddenly remembered when Shouta and Hizashi asked him about it. They already know he watches international channels since he was four, and they thought he's just interested to the pretty people and such or the alien language so he'll phase out. There were times that he gets to give directions to foreigners who are lost whenever they're out of the apartment. He was in his last year in elementary by then when Hizashi caught on him talking in different languages to some foreigners who have remembered him, all in the same day.

To say he was flustered how the 'Present Mic' approached him and talked to him in English while in the middle of a crowd was understatement. The two interrogated him by then, asking him how did he learn all the languages he was able to speak, why didn't he tell them about it, and since when did he learn. After three days, right on his birthday, he received his first android phone with his Dad's and Hizashi's numbers in it already. The first thing he did was download a music downloader and took all the Italian lullabies he knew.

Tsuna looked up when someone took one of his buds. It was Izuku, blinking curiously on the ground while crouching beside him. He surveyed the place, noticing some have already arrived. He might have been so absorbed to his music that he didn't notice them.

"This one is good." Izuku mumbled. "What language is it?"

"Korean." He hummed. "They're becoming popular these days."

"They have some upbeat songs. It's like I can understand them a little with how good it is." The greenet mumbled before green eyes looked at him. "You and Kacchan haven't talked?"

He shrugged. "The last time we talked was when I checked if he was the one in trouble. But we'll be fine. One way or another."

"I hope so. It doesn't settle well when you two aren't talking."

"Not at all. I'm more concerned if both of you aren't on each other's throats." He chuckled when the other spluttered. "You'll understand someday."

"You need to tell me things." The greenet pouted. "You're so secretive sometimes."

"You are too." He pointed out. "How are you and your mentor?"

The other beamed. "He said he's eating nicely. Really. Thank your for giving him a chance to live. I-I don't know what will happen if he dies with those injuries."

"I can't do much for his quirk, you know." Tsuna sighed. "And his eyes. I'm not really an expert. I know things, but not really good at it."

"We acknowledge that. And... There's nothing wrong with it, Tsuna. You accepted my flaws too, even though we weren't close or friends even. If you can, I will too."

"Thanks."

"So about your quirk,"

Tsuna snickered as he poked the other's side, making the latter squirm. "Curious, aren't we?"

"It's just really really something. I mean I haven't seen such quirk. Add on your enhanced strength too! Did you know that All Might's quirk was registered as an enhanced strength? It's almost like..." The greenet went near a little to whisper. "We're brothers by quirk."

He can't help his laughter, making Izuku smile. "Your theory is awesome."

"Midoriya!" Both looked up to see Iida coming in.

"Go on." He urged. "Once you come back, I'll tell you how my flame quirk works. Then you can come up with secret moves with me."

Green eyes widened before an excited gleam passed by on them. "Okay. Here's your earbud." He took the handed earbud. "I'll be back before you knew it."

He laughed softly at the showed eagerness. "Take your time. We have the whole week to talk about it."

The beam he got was mischievous before Izuku ran off to see Iida and Uraraka. Tsuna stayed on his perch. Shouto came up to him to greet him and talk about mundane things. Tsuna handed him a container of cookies that the red-white head stared at in fascination. He can't help ruffling the teen's head with that cute expression.

When Iida called that the bus arrived, Tsuna was at the last to come in. He sat at the very front, and Shouta, who came out of the building just when he climbed the bus, sat beside him. The vehicle started to roll off and drove away from the academy grounds. Tsuna was about to turn to his window when he sneaked a glance to his Dad. One look to the man made him sweat drop.

"Do you want me to announce something?" He asked. "I'll do it before they start to do their own things."

His Dad handed a paper with a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

He smiled understandingly as he scanned the paper. "Since I'm the odd one out, the teacher-in-charge is technically my partner in all activities. Won't that be nice? We're partners-in-crime at home and here too."

"We're inseparable." The other grinned.

"I wondered what I did in life to promise myself to never separate from you. We never visited a shrine, right?" He asked while opening his bag and taking a container from it. "Not that I'm complaining. I love you, Dad."

"I know." His Dad hummed.

He stood up and handed the container to the hero before facing the rowdy crowd. He let out some of his flames that made his Dad sag in comfort. "Okay, everyone."

All of them froze in their places. Works like magic.

"I have a small announcement to make." He said in his orotund voice before looking down to the paper and scanned it again. "The bus will be stopping in one hour intervals." He rose a brow at it and peered at his Dad who shrugged. That was a blutant lie since he technically tasted sand in his mouth. Anyway... Expect the unexpected. "So in a sense, you can do all the things you can do in that one hour."

Shouta rose a brow at him in mid-bite. The brunet's left side of his lips moved a little. Hey. No one told him he can't say a hint about it.

"Then after that, we will arrive in our secret forest lodge. Don't forget to be near the bus when the hour is almost up. Iida-san," He eyed the noiret who stood up in attention. "Aizawa-sensei trusts you to keep the class in place. You up for the job?"

Iida saluted enthusiastically. "With the responsibility entrusted to me, I will do it with honor."

Tsuna smiled. "Good to hear. With that, go and do your things. Let's expect the unexpected, yeah?"

"Yeah!" Most of them hollered.

"I wonder if they'll get it." His Dad thought out loud for the both of them as he sat back.

"They'll think about it once we arrive at the site." He took one of the cookies and bit on it before cheekily smiling. "Where's the fun in it if they get it at first thought?"

Shouta chuckled. "Right."

Tsuna took in his gloves first before going down the bus. He waved at the bus driver. When he was out, he stared at Izuku who was being bothered by Pixie-bob, a member of the Wild Wild Pussycats. Instead of dwelling much on them, he went for the child on the side. He crouched down beside him and stayed there, hearing Mandalay instruct them.

He suddenly remembered the first time he saw the Wild Wild Pussycats. He was nine when he first met them with Shouta. They didn't know him by then, since his relationship with Eraserhead wasn't really a secret, but something that should be asked first, and they didn't so the two stayed silent about it. Anyway, he knew their names, their quirks and what they do after hearing them talk about their rescue missions in the forest. Their quirks are quite nice too, good for rescue operations.

Too energetic though.

So as Mandalay said, the lodge they'll be staying at is at the base of the mountain that can be seen from their spot. Since it's just mid-morning, they have at least three hours to get there and have lunch. But given Pixie-bob's quirk, that will be bothersome. And the energy. God. It's like she's Reborn on too much caffeine and all of his guardians in sugar high and alcohol.

His mouth went 'o' when his classmates got dumped to the forest with Pixie-bob's quirk, earth-flow. He stood up and pulled on his gloves.

"Smuggled that out again." Shouta pointed out.

"I have like one more pairs in my packet." He waved off as he went for the railing after Pixie-bob retracted the earth to its original place. "We'll be there before you know it."

"I know. Keep them in place, yeah?"

"Yes, Sir." He glanced at the kid before flicking his hand. "Catch!"

The kid's eyes widened and fumbled to catch the thing he threw.

"Nice hat, by the way." And with that he flipped in the air and activated his enhanced strength to smash the 'creature' that was going to attack the others with the help of Iida, Shouto, Katsuki and Izuku. "Yo."

"Tsuna!" Most of them shouted.

He laughed. "You missed me that much?"

"Behind you!" Mina shouted.

Tsuna put a hand to his back and shot off a flame blast before nodding his head to the direction. "Let's blast our way. Plus ultra?"

"Plus Ultra!" All of them shouted before they started to run.

Back at the bus stop, Shouta looked over the railing to see an orange flame somewhere in the trees. He smirked when he saw it. He's not worried. He knows Tsuna will look after his classmates. Just a tad bit to the extreme.

"Hey Eraser." He looked back to Mandalay, who glanced at the forest. "Who was that kid? Playing favorites?"

"Not at all." He waved off as he started to go for the bus. "He won't like it if we mix up our private lives with our school personas. He doesn't like being unfair."

"Then who was he? He even used Kouta as a shield." Mandalay said, lips quirking in admiration.

"He just knew you won't touch a kid." He answered as he boarded the bus with them. "He's Tsuna, by the way. My son."

"What?!"

He looked at the kid who's staring at the candy he caught. "Eat that. He has more to give later."

The kid glared at him before moving away.

"What were you saying again?" Mandalay questioned as the bus moved. "You have a son? Why didn't we know about this?"

He shrugged as he sat down on his previous seat. Heh. Whenever Tsuna's not in sight, he goes back to his placid self. "We had an agreement that we only tell it to those who ask. You just asked about it, so I just told you about it."

"For how many years?" The lady asked again.

He blinked. "Eleven years. He's fifteen now." Huh. His son is growing up.

"You took him when you were nineteen? How did you even manage to raise him?"

Shouta covered the lower part of his face with his capture weapon to hide his smile. "He said so himself, family members are partners."

Mandalay's expression went to shock before it became happy. "I want to meet him."

"You'll have fun with him." He looked over the window.

"Hmm."