A/N:
@catherineeeee: Oh. Hahaha! I'm so glad you liked the chapters. Especially Dabi and Tsuna's interaction. I'm skeptical about at first, cause I don't want to give you an image of DabixTsuna thingy, but since you liked it, I feel relieved. Tsuna and Aizawa though... Mwahahaha! They'll make up. I promise.
@BlankInk: Here is the chapter(s)!
@Fragments of Imagination: Hahaha. I don't mind you being greedy. It makes me feel happy cause it means you like the story regardless of the typos and grammar errors. Thank you.
@Leila Heolstor: Oh my God! Same!! HAHA!
@Ramamiss (Guest): Thank you! I'm relieved you like it.
@rozielrie: Hahaha! One of my favorite scenes as well as a reader and an author. It's like I could already hear that tiktok trend 'I never heard silence quite this loud' whenever I read it back then. Hahaha. Iemitsu is still in Giotto's bloodline. I have. plan on the Tenth generation guardian of Tsuna. But that will be on the latter chapters. Tsuna and Aizawa's problem will be resolved, I promise. Hahaha. And AFO? Pft. I think he won't want to see Tsuna after talking to the latter.
@qiaraz97: Thank you won't suffice to your sympathy for 50 y/o Tsuna. He does need a hug. Regardless, Thank you.
@nailaazzahra742: Here it is!
@Amaryllis Flick: Can I just gush over your review? It's over the top and I just have to read it a lot of times cause it makes my day. Hahaha! Regardless, thank you. And Reborn is just being Reborn, all flirty and comfortable because Tsuna is comfortable with him. Hahaha!
@Natsu Lucy1: I'll say you have no responsibility to hold if Reborn decks Tsuna for insulting the former's sideburns. Hahaha!!
@Tsunachii27: Here it is! Hahaha!
@mykaelamatsukaze: Thank you for reading this far! Here is the next chapter(s)!
@bbbk027: In terms of skills arsenal? He will. But it would be Giotto's personal persuasion on the brunet, saying that Tsuna is stronger than him. Just imagine the whole month of persuasion for Tsuna to accept that fact. Hahaha! And yeah. Tsuna has no choice but to tell Shouta the truth.
Here is the updates! Kinda have a shitty week and extra shitty day because of all toxic necessity in my household. Don't mind me ranting. I'm just pissed cause I can't stop crying for whole one hour and I can't use my words verbally.
Anyway, go on. Shoo. Hahaha!
Chapter Thirty-Four
Fuyumi stared at the scene in front her. Her Mom, Rei Todoroki, only smiled softly with a finger to her lips, as if asking her to be quiet, while caressing a brunet's head. The said brunet has his head on his arms that he put on the side of the bed while sitting on the chair they always put there. He appeared to be in a deep sleep, snoring lightly but not annoying. She decided to comply.
Being raised in a traditional Japanese household, working quietly became a common practice for her. She prepared the food she made and put it on the table she set up in front of her Mom, who was already sitting when she came in. When she sat by the side, Rei smiled at her.
"Sorry if Tsuna-kun startled you." Her Mom apologized in a whisper. "He just finished crying so I told him to sleep."
"O-Oh." She uttered weakly.
"He had been staying in a friend's house for two nights before he went here the other day. This is his third day here, actually." Caramel eyes looked down to 'Tsuna'. "He's having trouble finding a place to stay."
"Is he a friend of yours?"
"Shouto's." She gaped, making her Mom giggle. "He's the child who sent me kiddie pictures all the time. He laughed when he saw those hanging, by the way."
Her eyes darted to the wall in front of them where those kiddie pictures were pasted. "Really?"
"He said he wants to be a kid sometimes, and his Dad doesn't really appreciate his drawings, so he sent them to me. But I think he's just being considerate. Like making me feel that I have a five years old son who wants me to be happy with simple pictures."
Fuyumi nodded slowly as she offered the plate of fruits. She and Natsuo have been really curious of the pictures. Everytime either both of them visit or just one of them, they will notice the colorful drawing. There has been twelve now, pasted on the wall and look cute. It's like even though the pictures are 'kiddies' with stick figures and all, they still have this 'motion' in them and have these weird plots. For instance, there's this nine people in the picture and looked like they're having a picture.
At first, it kinda bothered them because they thought a kid is troubling their Mom. Natsuo suspected that it's their Dad, or that a stalker is doing it. But when they saw the nurse hand Rei a new arrived picture, and giggled before asking them for a tape, they would talk about plot before admiring it. When they asked her about it, she'll smile and point at the initials on the low right corner of the paper. Who the heck is Twenty-Seven? But if it makes their Mom better, why not?
When Rei asked her how has she been, she tackled about her life. She avoided mentioning their Dad, more on Shouto though, and her friends. Her Mom listened, laughing at the jokes and putting her input too. All while caressing the brunet's hair. She talked about their relatives who checks in them and the likes. She also talked about Natsuo, who couldn't come since he's busy and all. Her Mom understood.
When a nurse came in, Fuyumi saw the fond look on the worker whenever her eyes catch a glimpse of the brunet. They talked a little, asked if Tsuna needed a blanket (which Rei answered a no, because the teen is going out that day) and went out to see more of her assigned patients. The second oldest child of Todoroki family concluded that the brunet has been kind to them too.
"Sleep more, Tsuna-kun." Rei said.
Fuyumi gazed over to see the brunet sitting up and blinking his eyes blearily. He's around Shouto's age.
"I'll be fine, Rei-san. I need to get going. I have to find a place to stay at today." The brunet rasped, rubbing his eyes with his hands in an endearing way.
"Tsuna, you just need to ask him." Her Mom advised. "It doesn't have to be this way."
"I'm just..." The brunet sighed and looked defeated. "I'm afraid to be judged by him."
"He'll understand."
The teen sighed again, eyes dimming further. "It will take time for him understand." Then those caramel orbs slid to her and they went wide in surprise. "O-Oh. Sorry."
"This is my daughter, Fuyumi." Her Mom introduced. "She has been here for..."
"Two hours." She supplied before offering a smile. "Hi. Nice to meet you."
She got rewarded with a beautiful warm smile. "Likewise, Fuyumi-san. I'm Tsunayoshi Sawada. You can just call me Tsuna."
"Hm." They looked at Rei who hummed before clapping her hands together. "Why don't you invite him to our house, Fuyumi?"
"Eh?" Both of them blurted.
"Just for three days? He's pretty helpful. He can help you with the chores as a payment. He has been doing it for me." Her Mom added on.
While Tsuna argued about it with her Mom who cheerily answers, Fuyumi paused to think about it. Well, he is Shouto's friend. Her brother isn't the sharing type, although he has been outgoing and talkative about his school since he visited their Mom for the first time. Add on the fact that the brunet can make their Mom animated and cheerful and giggle even. The whole situation begs her to get to know the brunet, right?
She wants to know how can he make such changes. Who knows, Natsuo might even meet him later on.
"I don't think-"
"It's okay." She cut off Tsuna who stopped talking to listen to her. Respectful. "I heard you're Shouto's friend. If he was in my shoes, he'll invite you over."
The teen blushed. "T-Thank you."
"Aw. Tsuna-chan is so cute." Her Mom cooed jokingly.
"Rei-san!" The brunet whined in indignation, making her smile as Rei giggled.
They stayed a little longer before bidding her Mom goodbye. Tsuna hugged her Mom, and they murmured at each other. As if feeling hopeful, Tsuna's shoulders were lifted after they parted. Tsuna asked if she needed anything to the store before they go straight to the Todoroki house. She said yes, so they went for the supermarket. For some reasons, Tsuna parted with her after they entered, and promised that he'll find her before she checks out. Fuyumi held in to that since the brunet looked trustful enough.
Since she's making dinner for four that day, she added more ingredients. There is a possibility that Natsu will suddenly come home unannounced. She was searching for two more ingredients when Tsuna found her. The brunet gave her a friendly smile and asked if he can be of help. She asked if he ever saw the aisle for soy sauce. He guided her there and helped her get the usual she uses. After getting the last thing they needed, they checked out and went out. What she really observed is, Tsuna is a gentleman.
When they got in her family's compound, she giggled at the awestruck expression of the brunet. She kinda noticed the nostalgia in those eyes that she dismissed. When they entered, Tsuna murmured an apology for intrusion. She ushered him to the living room first after dropping off their shopping bags in the kitchen. He offered help on getting ready his bed, which she declined because he's technically a guest.
"Fuyumi-nee?" She looked back from arranging the futon to see Shouto by the door. "A guest?"
"Ah. Yeah." She answered and made the final touches. "He's staying for three days." Then she faced him. "Mom's request."
"Ha?"
"It's Tsuna." She supplied.
She blinked when her brother's face lit up before frowning. She followed him out and to the living room where the brunet is. The moment Shouto called out Tsuna's name, the latter turned around and stood up. The smile he gave was so warm and heart fluttering. What surprised her the most was Shouto initiated the hug between them. The smile slowly dimmed and Tsuna hugged her brother back, so tight. It was as if watching the most resilient person breaks down in front of her. So she left them alone.
"Fuyumi." A gruff voice called, making her jump and stop from slicing the ingredients.
"Dad!" She exclaimed in shock. "Don't scare me like that. And welcome home."
"We have a guest?" Her Dad, Enji Todoroki, queried, frowning a little.
"Ah. Yes." She answered, wiping her hands on her apron. "He's currently with Shouto."
"Shouto?" The frown deepened.
"Oh. So you could turn it off?" Both turned to Tsuna who showed up by the door with Shouto behind him. He has this inquisitive look on his face. "Don't your eyebrows get burn off too?"
Hers and Shouto's eyes widened at the blunt question.
"You're our guest, Decimo?" Enji questioned.
"Yup. Please take care of me." Then Tsuna bowed before smiling at her. "What can we help, Fuyumi-san?"
"Uhm..." She hesitated while looking back and forth from his Dad and Tsuna.
"Don't you have papers to work on, Endeavor-san?" The brunet offhandedly asked. "They won't read themselves."
"Right. Excuse me." His Dad stated and went out.
Todoroki siblings looked at each other then to the brunet who smiled sheepishly. "I thought it will be uncomfortable, so I send him off a little."
"N-No. It's fine." She assured. "I'm just surprised that you can talk to him like that."
"Trust me, we didn't start in a good foot, Fuyumi-san. Ask Shouto, he heard me go insolent in front of your father." Tsuna smiled while looking over. "So what can I help?"
"Maybe wash the radish?" She asked.
"Sure." He answered and took the radish.
She and her brother looked at each other again before getting hooked with Tsuna talking about their Mom.
"I'm back." Natsuo announced as he peered the living room.
"Welcome home!" Two different voices answered. His brows furrowed when he didn't recognize the other voice. Shouto doesn't greet him whenever he comes back.
"Oh. Damn. Sorry, Fuyumi-san. Habit." The male voice apologized sheepishly.
"It's okay, Tsuna. We know you're weird." He heard Shouto pointed out, almost teasingly.
Natsuo went for the kitchen where he can hear the conversation.
"That was just one time, Shouto Todoroki. Want me to flick you on the forehead again?"
"Now now, boys." Fuyumi admonished. "Finish those up. Geez. Do your teasing later."
"Roger." Both Shouto and the owner of the voice answered before cracking.
He stood by the entry to see who it is. Well, Fuyumi is still the same, cutting in the board. Shouto, though, is by the table, peeling carrots. And then a brunet, with spiky gravity-defying hair and caramel eyes, is chopping the carrots that his brother finished peeling. He's quite short, a little taller than Fuyumi, and probably around Shouto's age. Somewhat familiar too. Like there's this telltale on his gut that's saying he saw the brunet somewhere.
What he didn't expect though, is when those caramel eyes looked up to him as his chopping stopped. The brunet bowed his head to him in greeting. This caught his siblings attention before they turned to him.
"Eh? You're the one who went back?" Fuyumi questioned before smiling. "Are you going to stay for dinner, Natsuo? We're having beef burger."
"Sure." He shrugged as he entered.
"Ah, this is Tsuna, by the way." Then she ruffled the brunet's hair who blushed. Shouto shot a knowing look to 'Tsuna' who childishly let his tongue out. "He's Shouto's friend and the one who sends the kiddie pictures to Mom. He's staying until tomorrow."
"He's Natsuo." Shouto introduced, gesturing to him. "Like his hair? He got it from Mom."
"Shouto!" The brunet blushed in embarrassment.
"What? You like mine and Fuyumi-nee's hair too." His little brother answered before turning to him. "Tsuna's cool, Natsu-nii. He can make him go away."
"Really?" He awed, knowing who that 'him' is.
Tsuna bowed his head again to him and gave a warm smile. "Tsunayoshi Sawada, you can call me Tsuna, Natsuo-san."
Then it clicked, and his eyes widened. "You're that guy who helped Stain, got kidnapped by the Villain alliance and helped All Might!"
Caramel eyes blinked while his siblings cringed. Then Tsuna chuckled. "Yes. I am."
"W-Woah!" He interjected. "Dude, I'm not that fan of heroes, but you're so cool back then."
"T-Thank you." The brunet stammered, blushing hard. "It's an honor to meet you too. I heard great stories about you."
"I hope it's not from Fuyumi." He stated, earning a small glare from his older sister who is stirring the soup she's making.
"Oh no. It's from Shouto and Rei-san. They're quite talkative when I persuade them to talk." Tsuna replied. "They said you're a college student. I wanted to be a normal student too. But due to my..." He looked at Shouto who looked surprised with what he said. "Past doings, I got forced under circumstances."
"The vigilante works, right?" Natsuo queried before nodding. He knows that. He had been updated constantly by his friends. "I understand. But I don't think it's that bad. Shouto's doing just fine."
His little brother hummed in agreement, nodding at Tsuna who smiled before turning to him.
"Do you want to help with the dinner, Natsuo-san?" The brunet queried while moving the chopped carrots to the plate beside the board. "It will be appreciated."
He cheerfully nodded. "Okay."
He didn't see how Fuyumi and Shouto laughed quietly as Tsuna engaged him with some talks about his course and some mundane things. It was the same thing that happened to Fuyumi while they were preparing dinner yesterday. Before the eldest figured it out, she's already comfortably playing snake and ladder with the two teens. The board game was the thing that Tsuna excused himself for when they got inside the supermarket.
It was hook, line, and sinker.
If Natsuo got absorbed playing with snake and ladders, Shiratori and Guess the Hero with them, to the point it was too late for him to go back to his dorm, his siblings didn't say a thing.
(Tsuna reminding their Dad that he has paperworks to do was so hilarious that Natsuo laughed uncontrollably for thirty minutes.)
(It took him five minutes to stop laughing again after Shouto motioned him 'I told you so.')
Shouto watched him arrange his bag before taking his shoes.
"I have my phone on airplane mode." Tsuna informed while putting his shoes on. "So I won't be reachable any time."
"So how do I know that you're okay?" He asked. Knowing Tsuna, he can be reckless too. Like that night he volunteered to find that civilian's sibling.
"I'll be the one to contact you." His friend answered before standing up with a smile. "I think it will take a while for me to go back home... If I'm..." Then he smiled.
"Don't think like that." He chided before wincing. "Not like I'm one to speak."
"Hey now." Tsuna went closer, but not stepping. Always respectful. "Don't think like that. Someday, you'll forgive. I told you, right? All of you will forgive."
"I don't know." He confessed. "I acknowledge how great he is of a hero. Why he deserves it, but... I just don't know."
"That's a step." The other complimented, putting a warm hand oved his head.
Shouto leaned on the touch. Whenever Tsuna does that, he feels warm and soothed. A pat on the shoulder, a hug, a side hug, a ruffle on his hair and a big warm smile. He likes receiving all of them. He wonders if Midoriya or Bakugou feels the same when they see the brunet? Have they hugged Tsuna as he does sometimes? Do they know that he gives the warmest, coziest and relieving hugs? Maybe Aizawa-sensei feels the same.
Homey. Warm. Accepting. Soothing.
Even when Tsuna is experiencing something bad, he's always smiling. There are times that he sees him sullen and thoughtful. As if regretful, guilty and resigned. But once he calls out, the brunet will hide them. He'll smile like everything is fine, he's not hurt and he's well. If only his eyes weren't dim.
"I hope Aizawa-sensei understands." He murmured as he stared at those caramel eyes.
Tsuna's smile soften as he drops his hand. "This isn't the hardest fight I got, Shouto. I even fought someone and met them in the same place all the time without regarding each other. That's also my fault. That's more unbearable. The problem now with Dad is that, I can't bear being treated differently. That's why I went out." Then he sighed. "I know I sound and act like I'm running away, and frankly, I'm more of a coward than a brave person."
"What? You're not!" He negated.
"You just think I am brave because of the things I did so far, but believe me, I am a coward. I can do things for other people, but I couldn't deal with my own problems." The brunet smiled ruefully. "Someday, you'll understand."
"But not now." He continued.
Tsuna nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Shouto."
He's brows furrowed a little. "Why does it feel like you're becoming Mom?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like... Like..." He bit his lip.
"Like I'm going away?" Tsuna supplied. Shouto nodded. "Not yet. Not now, I think."
"Ha?"
"It's kinda complicated. Let's just say that there is a possibility that I might go away." Then he smiled cheekily. "With that, you won't get tired of me."
"I will never." He swore. "Midoriya made me realize that my quirk is mine, but you're the one I befriended first. It will take hundred of years for me to doubt you, avoid you, and leave you alone."
Caramel eyes stared at him before Tsuna smiled. "You can break a heart with that promise, Shouto."
He blushed. "I don't like anyone."
"I know." The brunet grinned before taking his bag from the floor. "Tell Fuyumi-san-"
"Fuyumi-nee." He corrected.
"No way. I haven't said anything to Endeavor-san and Rei-san if I could call Fuyumi-san as my sister."
"Natsu-nii told you to call him nii-san yesterday." He pointed out.
"I didn't say yes." The other countered without a beat. "I'll ask Rei-san first, then Endeavor-san. Man. It will kill your Dad once I become one of his children."
He smiled amusingly, remembering his Father's face whenever Tsuna reminds him of the paperworks he needed to do and the renovation he needed to take care of in the training room. It was always priceless. "You're the only one who can shoo him away. Even Natsu-nii commended it."
"I just know how pain in the ass the paper works are." Tsuna winked. "Anyway, I'm going. See you anywhere?"
He chuckled. "See you anywhere."
He watched Tsuna open the door, wave at him before closing it.