A/N:
I needed to breathe.
Half of my environment here is toxic. Can you believe how much a parent can believe that their children did steal something? How much they can support their child to fight for something because it's their rights? I just know I have a reason why I always write good supportive characters beside my MCs. Because I lacked that support.
Anyhow:
@rama-miss: Damn it! Your theories are so on-point! HAHAHA! It makes me think that I'll so predictable to be a writer of this story. But kidding aside, yeah. Tsuna is in big trouble. Other than his stubbornness, he doesn't want to get involved with the future fiasco. This kid is a pain in the ass sometimes.
@rozielrie: You'll have fun with your own theories. Yie. Inform me later!
@AnEmIg-Chan: I'm sorry. But the tenth generation guardians will come by sometime soon! Just you wait. Hahaha. Albeit in a short while. Regardless, thank you for reading this far.
Don't mind my rant at the start of the chapter. Life being fucked up when I'm trying to chill because I have exams, is not my cup of tea. Especially when my parents are being unsupportive as eff.
Anyway, go on. Thanks for the reviews by the way. HAHAHA.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
"Ops."
They all looked away from Re-Destro, who was running off with his loyal subordinate, to see the person who made that sound. Kneeling on all his knees in front of Tomura is a familiar brunet. They all relaxed when Tsuna made a 'heave-ho' sound as he helped their leader stand up.
"And I thought I was the careless one." The brunet sighed before fixing his grip on the unconscious Tomura. "Spectacular show by the way."
"Tsuna-chan!" Himeko shouted in glee before running towards them.
"Hey, Toga-chan." Tsuna grinned before turning towards the others. "Good to see you again."
"Let me help." Mister Compress offered and helped Tsuna straighten out Tomura. "There we go. Let me direct you to our room."
"Oh sure. Thank you."
"Why are you here?" Spinner asked as they followed. "Shouldn't you be in school?"
"Just visiting for a little while. I saw what happened. Saved some, don't worry. Good job though." The brunet answered as they entered the room.
"You're going to heal Tomura?" Jin questioned as they watched Tsuna remove the bandages after laying their leader on the bed.
"Yup. That's what I'm here for." Then caramel eyes looked over to Himeko. "Want me to heal that or do you want that doctor to do it?"
They didn't ask why he knew Doctor Ujiko and why his tone when he said 'doctor' is laced with venom and hate.
"Hmm... The doctor. I don't want to trouble Tsuna-chan." The girl replied while caressing her injured eye.
A warm smile graced them before yellow flames erupted from the teen's hands. "Thank you. I wish I could've responded."
"You're not part of the league so it's fine." Mister Compress dismissed. "It will compromise you and they'll think you're part of us. We know you don't want that."
Grateful yellow, with right orange, eyes glanced at them before they focused on Tomura.
They continued to watch everything the brunet is doing. For a group of villains, they never felt so envious to see Tsuna take care of their leader. They can hear murmurs of praises and apologies as yellow flames danced around the wounds. After seeing Tomura's breathing is getting evened out, until it did, they sighed in relief. Regardless of how they wanted to be taken care of too, they still like their leader. After Tomura, Tsuna gestured Spinner to come close, yellow eyes were amused and warm. The villain complied.
One by one, Tsuna healed their injuries. It's like it feels natural queuing to be taken cared off by the brunet. The room is just quiet as they are. No one wants to talk as they relished the sense of normalcy the teen has with him. The last time they heard something from the teen was when Dabi came back with a split-face grin on his lips, and told them that Tsuna said 'Hi'. Man. Seeing the brunet reminded them of Magne. The man always has this adverse opinion about the teen. Saying something like Tsuna will report them to the authorities when the latter stayed with them for number of days. They wish he could've witnessed how the vigilante slapped Chisaki for killing him. Tsuna was really furious that day.
They all eyed the door when it opened. Dabi and hero Hawks came in. Both expressed shock on their faces when they noticed Tsuna who is healing Jin who had more injuries than any of them, second to Tomura. The brunet's orange eyes glanced at the two before looking down to Jin who started to panic when he said something he doesn't mean.
"Seriously, Twice-san. I won't judge." The brunet soothed.
"B-But-"
"Okay." Tsuna took something from his pocket. "Make a clone."
"B-But-"
A calming smile was made. "It will be fine. If you want, I'll identify who is who between you two. I'm good at this game, I promise."
"O-Okay."
"What's going on?" Hawks, the hero, whispered.
"Tsuna is trying to make Twice better." Mister Compress answered. Twice made a clone of his as he elaborated further. "He noticed it and wanted to ease Jin's energy."
"Okay." Tsuna placated as he chuckled when both Twice panicked. "Here." He said to the original Twice, handing a white glove with a twenty-seven on it. "Breathe." Twice did. "You're the original."
"How did you know?" The clone quizzed.
"Because of my glove." He answered with a shrug.
"But what if I can make the same glove?" The original asked.
"Try doing so." Tsuna indulged. Twice did. "Now tell me, Third, what does your glove feel?"
"Uhm." The third clone uttered, looking down to the glove. "It's cold."
"But mine is warm." The original gasped before starting to sob. "I'm the original!"
They all looked at each other. That easy?
The brunet chuckled. "Good work." Then he pulled something from his pocket. "I knew something like this will happen, so I made this for you. I mean, I can't give you my glove because I'll still need that. I can't fly later if you have it." They all shuffled closer to see a small black box. He gestured to the mask. "May I?"
"You can just yank it off." Dabi offered.
Tsuna shook his head. "That's rude. And besides, Twice won't feel nice. I just need him to roll the mask until to his ears. It won't be long."
"It's okay!" Twice answered and rolled his mask until his nose bridge.
"Thank you." The brunet beamed and opened the box. It has a purple pair of studs inside. "They're magnets, by the way, since I know you don't have an ear piercing. Your clones may have the same thing on their ears, but yours is warm, while theirs are cold. Everytime you feel warm from it, it means you're the original. They're made with my flames. If you lose it somewhere, don't bother searching for it. I'll make you another. Got it?" He removed the studs and unclipped them. He moved to put it on the right earlobe. "No matter what happens, as long as you feel warm, you're original and you're safe. Got it, Twice-san?"
Twice nodded. "Okay."
Tsuna backed away and beamed at his work. "It looks good." Then he moved to pull the mask down. "There. Now you can trust your clones to follow you and you'll be normal. No one can control you."
Twice hiccuped before sobbing while going for Himeko. "Toga!"
"Dabi." Tsuna called out and motioned for the other to get near. "I know you injured yourself, come here already."
"Aw. You missed me that much?"
Orange eyes rolled heavenward in a jesting manner. "Regardless of how much I love you, I'm straight. And even if you accuse me of molesting you, you're the one who'll be branded as a pedophile."
They chuckled as Dabi came nearer. "I hate you."
"Oh love, you adore me." Both hands lit yellow as they took the noiret's hand. "If you hate me, you won't let me heal you."
"How's school?" Dabi asked softly while Twice went around to introduce Hawks.
"Same old." The brunet answered with a smile.
"Your smile doesn't feel right, Tsuna." The villain pointed out.
Yellow eyes looked up to turquoise ones with a hum.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." A shake of head. "I might not see you for a long time." Yellow flames stopped, yet they didn't let go of the hand. "I know you're not the type to look after others, but promise me something?"
"Sure. What is it?" Dabi nodded.
Tsuna took something from his inner pocket. It was a container with a lot of small colorful marbles. "Remember what I'm gonna instruct you, okay?"
As Tsuna and Dabi had their time, the others started to get to know Hawks. But they can see the glances thrown by the hero, now villain, to the pair. It is unusual to see a teen in hoodie and jeans who can be seen a lot in the TV to be with them, except for Himeko.
"Curious?" Spinner queried, getting the blond's attention.
"Ah. Yes. I heard he was one of your hostages back in the summer." Hawks relied sheepishly. "I thought he's an UA student."
"He's here because he's a vigilante." Mister Compress answered. "Don't worry. He won't speak of us to the police and heroes."
"Isn't it a bit strange for him to be here?" The blond questioned.
The villains looked at each other before shrugging.
"No. Tsuna-chan is normal." Himeko answered with a lilting smile. "He doesn't mind us, and he doesn't mind the heroes. He likes us. Especially Tomura and Dabi."
"Oh."
They all turned to the door when it opened and a man in black suit and black fedora came in without closing the door. They all tensed up but not even a glance was spared to them. "Chaos. I'm here for Vongola Decimo. Ah. There you are. And what are you doing? Seducing youngsters now?"
"Wha-! Of course not!" Tsuna pouted before turning to Tomura and bowed. They all tried to see what he did, but they couldn't. "Huh. I'll miss this one."
"Worrywart." The man huffed. "Come on. We're on tight schedule."
"Yes yes." The brunet stood up and patted Dabi's hair. "I'm going, everyone. Hope I'll see all well again." Then he waved a hand as he strode for the door.
There was a small silence as they watched him go.
"I'll see you, right?" Dabi called out as Tsuna stood by the threshold.
"Partly." The teen responded before looking back with a big grin. "But I'll be fine. No worries."
They didn't know that was the last time they'll see him smiling at them like that.
Tsuna tried to relax his panting. He weakly clenched his hands as he went into another coughing fit. He found himself keeling as he put a hand over his mouth and the other on his chest. The coughing was harsh on his throat and he can't breathe normally with every heave. After seconds of coughing, he rested himself to the wall by the side and tried to keep it together. He's at seventy-five percent of his flames, yet it's already this severe. What more if he's at fifty? Forty or thirty? What will happen at ten? Zero?
Sighing shakily, he tried to stand up. He blinked his eyes as he did and was about to arrange his suit when he noticed a presence. He grimaced at Sero's and Mineta's panicked and worried expressions. He closed his eyes for a second before giving them a smile.
"Hey. Did they start already?" He asked hoarsely. Shit.
"A-Are you okay, Tsuna?" Sero asked worriedly. "You were like..."
"Dying." Mineta continued, earning a admonishing glare from Sero. "What?"
"It's fine. I'll be fine." Tsuna waved off as he arranged his suit. "It was a bad fit. I'll drink some ginger or some med later."
The two looked at each other, unbelieving, before nodding unsure. "O-Okay."
"Come on. You don't want to be late now, do we?" He tried to lighten up. "I wonder how I'll do. Who went first?"
"Todoroki did." Sero answered as they walked out. "It's quite hard, you know. Being in camera."
"What do you think that made me hide?" He joked, causing the two to snicker. "I don't even look that presentable back then. And I hate media. I don't know what to say."
"If you do, give us pointers yeah?" Mineta kidded back, making him grin.
"Sure sure. If I get one." He indulged.
Since Katsuki and Shouto did something amazing minutes after getting their Provisional Hero licences, they were interviewed to give statements, which made the whole class get subjected to do a training to how to be presentable in media. Mountain Lady is their guest teacher for the lesson, and Nemuri is her escort while Shouta is there to supervise.
With all honesty, he rather asks his Dad how to evade the media. But since he has a Reborn for a tutor, it will be impossible. The hitman is all out 'supportive' in his hero career. Heck, he won't even let him go to the league alone. And besides, he still has the skills how to talk in interviews, even though it has been years since he faced the camera. Being the CEO of Vongola company, the front of their ex-mafia turned vigilante group, had made him always presentable. Gah. It's one of the reason why he cursed suits. He couldn't wear his shirts and hoodies.
"Ah. Decimo!" He perked up to see Mountain Lady gesturing him to come up after Izuku has his time. "Let see what you can do."
"Sure." He crossed the stage and went for the stairs to go up. As he ascends, he fixed a polite yet approachable smile on his lips. "Hi Mountain Lady-san."
"Oh!" The lady awed before smiling. "Good to have you, Vongola Decimo. Good work out there today. We saw you assisting civilians to safety."
"Thank you, and likewise."
"So we've been really curious about your identity for four years and we were able to know you last year. May we ask what made you do vigilante works at a very young age?"
He hummed. "I don't really recall having any reasons to save a life. But if it puts you at ease, it's because I cannot sleep at night knowing someone out there is crying for help."
"It has been a little viral that you have helped some villains, is it true?"
"Mountain Lady." Midnight chided.
Tsuna waved it off with a smile. He knew it will come in. "Yes."
"Why?"
"It's in my job description." He answered. "Being vigilante doesn't necessarily fall to being hero if they save people, or being a villain for burning a building. A vigilante is someone who does not discriminate. But of course, that's my opinion and belief about my job, regardless of my current situation as a hero-in-training. I cannot fault others if they see it as something to be scorn of."
"And it doesn't bother you that you get a lot of negative feedbacks about this?"
"No." He shook his head, glancing at his classmates. "Rather than be affected, I accept those negative feedbacks as an inspiration to do better. I'm known to help people get into safety and do not engage into a fight unless necessary, and it is what I do. Besides, not every negative feedback is painful. They have some sense as long as we consider the situation and their mindsets."
"Let's go past those issues, we've been really curious what you can do, so do you have any special moves?"
He chuckled as he pulled his mittens out and put them on. "It's a signal flare for emergencies." He activated his flames and raised a hand heavenward. "Flame burst." And a flame shoots up from his hand with a sharp whistle and bursts like a firework with a loud bang.
"Wow." Some of his classmates voiced in amazement as colorful flakes floated down on them after the flashy show.
"That's amazing." Moutain Lady gasped. "It's like a firework."
"It is inspired by fireworks." He explained as he let his flames and removed his mittens. "Other than it alerts others that something is happening, it soothes those who can see it that help is on the way with the flakes." Then he smiled sheepishly. "Or so they stated it."
"Wow, Decimo. You're full of surprises. Thank you for giving us your time."
"Thank you too. And I'm always happy to be in your service." He bid before he went down the stairs.
He blinked when someone clapped then another until all of them were giving him a hand. He blushed heavily at the praises directed to him. He wasn't even that great!
"Wow, Tsuna! You really did great!" Kirishima lauded. "That was amazing!"
"You even answered the issue like it was nothing." Iida praised. "All of your answers were good."
"Are you sure you don't like the media?" Sero jabbed, making him laugh. "You're natural. You didn't even get nervous with all the camera and flashes."
"Well, I had to act like I'm ready." He answered, garnering all of their attentions. "Facing the media is like facing the mass of people who want assurance that they'll be safe. We can't afford to be shy when we are trying to calm them down and direct them to a safe place now, can we? Every second is important. Who knows, while we idle how to tell them to calm down, one life is already gasping for air somewhere in the vicinity. Instead of wasting it, why not do it so we can save more people."
"Shit. I feel like I'm an interviewer or something with how you said it." Denki reacted.
"It's a little lesson." He waved off. "And don't mind me. You did great in the stage too! Let's praise ourselves for putting a job well done!" Then he patted his own self. "Good job, self."
The Class cheered at his encouragement. On the other side...
"That was amazing." Mountain Lady voiced to the two teachers. "Sorry about the question earlier. It is one of the things I know they'll ask him in real life interviews."
"Sawada answered it flawlessly, so it's alright." Midnight assured. "For someone who ran away from the media for a long time, he can grasp the importance of it and how to do it."
"I agree." Mountain Lady seconded as they watched the brunet give pointers to his classmates. "A lot of shows have been expressing their wants to interview Decimo, but with the UA's protection, not one can do it. I'm surprised that those who came in for Shouto and Bakugou didn't do an impromptu one on Decimo."
"His timing is great." Eraserhead informed as the kids stared at Tsuna with fascination while the latter demonstrates his pointers with Bakugou. "Whenever they're around, he's in his room or doing some training outside. As much as we can allow him to do some interviews, he's the one who denies the exposure. We can't force him since he won't like it. He's pretty 'savage' when he's pissed."
Mountain Lady giggled. "Given his answer on the first question, I don't think he won't do a double take in doing so."
"I second." Midnight nodded.
"Hey! Are you okay?"
Tsuna took a harsh breathing before giving out a laughter. "I'm fine. No worries."
Silence.
"How much?" The hitman asked from the other side.
"Seventy-five at most." He answered before checking Katsuki's room. It was still light out, and he hadn't heard any door opening or footfalls, indicating that the other is down the first floor. Good. "How's the situation there?"
"Massimo is doing well for someone who doesn't want the position. Xanxus is aiding him as you requested. It doesn't necessarily settle well for the other famiglie, but it gives a united front."
"Are they asking him of guardians?" He hummed as he looked out to the whole of UA.
Some murmurs. "Yes. I suggested that he tells them that he has the Varia under his wings."
He grinned. "I thought of the same thing too. It will make him look powerful if he tells them that he had harmonized with another sky. Given the fact that he doesn't have any, and he's pretty close to Xanxus, it's a good diversion. What do you think of his flames though?"
A huff and some shuffle before he heard a door closing. "He only has thirty-five percent. Pretty under if you tell me."
He rested his chin on his arms as he puffed a breath. It's cold. "Do you think it will grow more?"
"He's not as resilient as you, Tsuna. Even if he does promise to Primo that he'll make the Vongola go back to the way it used to, it won't be the same."
"Maa. All he needs is to wait for five more months and the two will be back. If they haven't changed a bit, I'll kill them off my self." He blinked upwards to see some flakes falling. "It changed Mukuro, it will probably change them too."
"You changed Mukuro, Stupid. Don't give the credits to the Vendicare."
He chuckled. "Let me delude myself for a bit."
"If you stay there, you'll be stuck. I'm yanking you out."
He chuckled.
He's out to his balcony and looking out to the sky and the sight of UA while talking to Reborn with his headsets on. It's mid-December evening, and they're trying to do what they can for the future they wanted to change. It's the reason why Reborn is in Italy instead of being at his side. The hitman grumbled how he wanted to be home rather than see someone else. To be fair, Tsuna excused himself from his Dad. But he did promise that he'll bunk in the teachers' dorm again, after Reborn comes back.
He's being cautious since Katsuki might hear him. He doesn't want that to happen. Sero and Mineta already saw him in a fit. The least he can do now is to be careful that no one sees him in that state again.
"Your internship?" Reborn asked again.
"Starting. They had informed us." He closed his eyes and breathed. "I can't think of a place of where I should go."
"Don't ask me. I don't want you to go anywhere not within my reach."
"Who is the worrywart now?" He teased before sighing. "What about Lal and Colonnello? Does Verde want more of my flames?"
"The two are fine with the plan. I haven't heard much from Verde, but he'll call if he needed more. But I think those were already enough. Don't forget, you almost collapsed after giving five out of eight flames, Tsuna."
He quirked a pleased smile at the memory. "I know. Thank you, Reborn. I won't know what to do if you're not here."
"My counterpart will be there to guide you all the way, Tsuna. You know how tight your grip on us."
"I thought it's you who has a firm leash on me." He mused. "I just hope it's enough for all the people who needs it."
A smirk was made. "What did I tell you, Dame-Tsuna."
He chuckled. "Everything will be alright."