Clear to cloudy
Target 20: Family visit
Kotsu comes home from one of his final days as a first year. As soon as he opens the door none other than Tsugemora is standing right inside seemingly waiting for him. Oh no… what's going on THIS time!?
"Good day, Nii-san!" the bodyguard proclaims doing honors.
Kotsu lazily sighs. "Tsugemora… what do I owe the pleasure?" he asks while putting up his jacket and taking off his shoes.
"Time!" Tsugemora answers with WAY too much vigor.
"Time…?" Kotsu asks as the two go in the living room, Kotsu realizes that there're quite a few people here. Including Murphy, the accident hitman, Cotton naturally, Ren is still there and Reborn too. Then there're two more people. Both of which Kotsu recognizes. Upon seeing them he's immediately woken up. He almost falls back preparing to defend himself. The two people are Jute, Cotton's eldest brother, and… Geraldino!? What in the world is he doing here?!
"Yo Secondo," Geraldino say smirking, his cyan eyes piercing Kotsu's very soul freezing it to the core.
"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-what're THEY doing here!?" He frantically asks shaking and pointing.
His mother pokes her head out of the kitchen. "They're here to celebrate Tsugemora's birthday sweetie! Isn't that exciting? He's turning 13 today," She says with a smile and Kotsu realizes what Tsugemora meant by time being the reason he was there. looks back to Geraldino and Jute. To be honest he's only scared of Geraldino as Jute never really resorted to violence.
"Don't worry. I ain't planning on attacking this time around. Not with HIM around," He says pointing to the kitchen.
"That's right Nii-san! Come! Come!" Tsugemora says pulling Kotsu along into the kitchen where he sees a man he's pretty sure he's never seen before. Brown beard and in a suit with a few scars on his face.
The man turns to look at Kotsu. "And who might this be Tsugemora?"
Tsugemora does honors proudly. "This is Nii-san, father! As you can see he's still alive and well!" He proclaims with an immense sense of pride and Kotsu gulps seeing just how strong-looking and brooding this large man is. THIS is Tsugemora's father.
"I see. So YOU are the candidate Primo has chosen. I must say I certainly expected him to pick someone more… suited. No offense,"
"N-none taken sir," Kotsu says frantically trying his hardest to seem as inoffensive as humanly possible.
"Oh please! I should be the one addressing YOU as sir. That is… IF you end up being the chosen one. Anyway I'm Gerald," he says brushing that last comment aside, while holding out his hand and Kotsu quickly shakes it. He also makes the instant connection between his name and Geraldino's.
"S-so… Geraldino is named after you sir?"
He nods with a little chuckle. "Seems my brother was quite fond of me,"
Kotsu laughs as well mostly nervously, due to the fact that Geraldino isn't doing anything for the specific reason that Gerald is here. Just how strong is this man…?
Reborn is suddenly in the kitchen as well. Naturally right behind Kotsu. "By the way Kotsu. Geraldino and Jute will be staying here for a few weeks," Kotsu almost faints at the simple thought of having a man who tried to murder him and another man who may or may not be equally as strong living in his house.
His thoughts are however taken off that horrifying subject for just a few moments as the doorbell rings suddenly and he runs to open up. Reborn smirks. "Also… I took the liberty of inviting over a few of your acquaintances," He says and Kotsu opens the door to see none other than Fumie and behind her Rinoka, who's hiding almost.
"Hey Kotsu-kun! Mind if we come in!? I heard it's Tsugemora's birthday!" She says in her usual cheery manner. But Kotsu has the slight feeling that Fumie is not there to see Tsugemora. Those two never got along very well… instead she might be there just to be with Ren… As for why Rinoka is there… Kotsu honestly has no clue.
"Well um… come on in… we might be a bit… overbooked I guess is the right word," He says laughing a bit nervously.
Kotsu gladly lets them in with Rinoka tiptoeing her way inside. She blushes seeing Kotsu so close to her again. "H-h-hello Kotsu-san…" She says before almost sprinting inside. Kotsu closes the door and there's a bit of a preparty going on while Kotsu's mother and Gerald are preparing everything in the kitchen.
Kotsu looks to Tsugemora who's having a blast, however it's clear that someone among all of them are kind of ruining the mood. Specifically Geraldino. Tsugemora can't seem to let his cousin out of his sight.
Geraldino just grits his teeth, getting up going to a cabinet grabbing some paper and a pen, sitting in a corner for himself. "I know I'm not welcome alright. I only came because Reborn-senpai said I should. And I'm grateful for that," He says to himself mostly as he seems to start drawing. Kotsu can't help but find it almost childish that a guy like him draws.
Around the room people are starting to settle into little groups. Rinoka sitting on the couch hugging a pillow with Jute by her side. "Hey um… you alright there miss? You seem rather pent up," He says with that big brother tone he's known for.
Rinoka jumps a little hearing him speak to her. He DOES look rather intimidating after all. "I-I-I-I'm… I'm fine sir…" She says trying to hide her face in the pillow when Jute gently pushes it down to show her a friendly hand.
"that's good to hear. I'm Jute Rossa. I'm Cotton's older brother," He says and Rinoka grabs one of his fingers shyly shaking which he finds kind of adorable.
"W-who's… Cotton…?" She decides to ask not really knowing anyone in the room other than Kotsu and Fumie. Jute laughs a little before pointing to the table.
"The little troublemaker there," He says.
Cotton is jumping around the table with a lighter flailing it around almost setting fire to the house while Tsugemora and Murphy of all people try to stop her. "Hey you little pest! Stop making trouble at Nii-san's house!" Tsugemora tries grabbing after her but she just jumps over it.
"TIAHAHAHA! Cotton-heika is no pest! She is the overlord of the universe and you mere mortals shall not catch her!" She yells and Murphy grabs at her as well.
"Come on Cotton. Be a nice little girl and give the fire to the adults," He says well aware he is the only adult out of him and Tsugemora. Cotton jumps out of the way, but drops her lighter and before it goes out it hits Murphy's hair setting fire to it and he quickly runs to the kitchen to put it out while Tsugemora finally catches her.
"Geez you little annoying parasite," He says. "Imagine how badly that could've gotten. You'd definitely have gotten Jute angry," He says and Cotton pouts looking at her big brother.
"Cotton-heika is not afraid of Jute-nii-san like Tsugemortal is afraid of that mean-looking man in the corner!" She yells referring to Geraldino who's still drawing by himself. However Tsugemora gets a little bit of a cold sweat when he sees someone approach the gangster.
Fumie stomps over to the ice wolf angrily and points at him when she's right in front of him. "Hey you! You were the one who involved me in that game without my approval!" She yells and Geraldino looks up from his drawing.
"Yeah? What of it?" He says standing up towering over the young girl. "You gonna do something about it?"
She pokes him on the chest not intimidated in the slightest. "Apologize!" She demands and Geraldino is a bit taken aback. No one's ever dared to talk in such a demanding tone with the sole exception of his father.
"Haaaa…" He starts with a smirk. "You want ME to apologize to a little girl like YOU. I'll snap you in half in a second," He says with an intimidating glare.
But Fumie doesn't back down. "Now you listen here pal! I don't care WHO you are, but you can't just bring other people into YOUR mess without asking for permission!" She tries again when she suddenly feels a hand on her shoulder.
It's Ren. "Now now Fumie-san. Let's not ruin the party. It's meant to be fun for everyone," He says grabbing Fumie and Geraldino's hand and forces them to do a handshake. "There. Be friends you two alright?" he says in his diplomatic and kind voice.
Geraldino quickly pulls his hand back. "What's with this goodie-two-shoes? What are you? My mom?" He asks and Ren just chuckles.
"Not quite but I AM Kotsu's big brother. I must say I was really impressed with the level of effects in this game you two play," He says before grabbing Fumie and walking away before things escalate which Kotsu is honestly a little happy about.
Geraldino just sits down again and keeps drawing. After a few seconds another shadow covers his light. "WHAT?!" Kotsu jumps a little as Geraldino glares up at him. "Oh. It's just you. If you're here to brag about your win I'll be sure to tell you I'll kill you if we ever fight again," He says and Kotsu just shakes his head.
"I… wasn't going to do that. I… just wanted to see what you're drawing…" He says looking over seeing a really. And I mean REALLY crude drawing.
Geraldino chuckles confidently. "I know. A true masterpiece if I do say so myself,"
Kotsu looks quite confused. "Y-yeah… It's a nice… cat…" He trying to compliment his drawing and Geraldino's expression changes quite quickly as Kotsu can see he almost snaps the pencil with his finger.
"It's a house," He says and Kotsu finds the most logical thing to do right now to just… back away slowly.
"CAKE is served everyone!" Kotsu's mother says and everyone takes a few minutes to get to the table in an orderly fashion which seems like an impossible task given the types of people that're there.
Kotsu's mother comes in with two large cakes since one wouldn't be near enough. She puts one in front of Tsugemora who's sitting at the end of the table with Kotsu and Gerald at his sides, the prior feeling quite out of place in front of the large man. "Happy birthday Tsugemora-kun! And thank you for being Kotsu's friend. And thank you everyone for coming to celebrate," She yells into the room and everyone starts eating with most not being able to not do crazy stuff, like Cotton trying to steal everyone's cake with Jute trying to stop her.
Tsugemora laughs happily at the sight of so many people coming to his birthday party. "This is SO AWESOME NII-SAN! Everyone you know are gathered here JUST to celebrate my birthday!" He exclaims happily, Kotsu wondering how exactly his childhood birthdays went. He always seems so happy to simply be around Kotsu, but how was he before this. When he first met the young boy he seemed a lot more… hard and cold.
"Y-yeah. But these aren't just the people 'I' know Tsugemora. They're also people that YOU know," He says looking down the table with a smile. Tsugemora nods as the two start eating their cake.
Gerald looks at Kotsu with wondering eyes. "Young man… may I ask… is it true what Reborn has reported? That it was you who defeated Geraldino?" He asks and Kotsu almost chokes on his cake, but nods almost embarrassed.
"Y-yeah… that was me…"
Gerald looks almost disappointed over at Tsugemora much to Kotsu's surprise. "So you have not even surpassed that traitor of our family yet Tsugemora?" Tsugemora shakes his head and Kotsu looks confused at Gerald.
"W-why'd you say something like that? You know how strong Geraldino is!?" He asks thinking back to that battle. By far the toughest guy he'd ever met and even Reborn complimented his strength.
"Wanting my own to surpass someone is not a bad thing, boy. Do not be mistaken. I did not say it disappointed me,"
"Oh… well… if… MY dad had said something like that to me…I-I'm pretty sure I'd feel like I've disappointed him…" He tries to redeem his previous statement.
"I see. Where IS your father anyway? I do not see him here…" He says looking around for Kotsu and Ren's dad.
"He's… not around… some dad he was…" He says as silently as possible. Almost like he's afraid of someone hearing it.
Tsugemora's eyes go wide and he leans over quickly. "I believed your father was just on a business trip Nii-san!? W-where is he!?" He yells out, luckily not interrupting the conversation on the other side of the table. Kotsu is once more stunned at the almost childish innocence Tsugemora portrays. HOW can he be on a business trip for… however long Kotsu's known Tsugemora!? He's honestly lost track of time at this point.
"I don't know… He left a long time ago… but… I'm glad he's gone. I never got to know him properly. All I know is that he was a criminal. And when my mom found out he ran away without a word. That… jerk…" He says gritting his teeth angrily at the thought of his father. "A-anyway can we change the topic I don't like talking about someone I don't know!" He almost pleads after getting slightly uncomfortable talking about his father.
"I see. If you wish for it, boy… I can find your father and have him brought to justice. The Vongola family has a lot of intelligence agents. Finding a single man with a criminal record should not be difficult," Gerald suggests with Tsugemora instantly on board with the idea.
"That would be amazing! Bring down the man making Nii-san sad!"
"W-what!? T-that was nowhere NEAR what you were supposed to take away from that!" Kotsu says and Gerald finally decides to change the subject.
"I see… well I have a little issue I'm still trying to figure out. And you may be able to shed some light on the situation, boy," Gerald says finally changing the subject much to Kotsu's pleasure.
"Yeah… I… can't really see how I'd be able to help but… sure," He asks, now quite curious as to what kind of question he's about to be asked.
"I have been trying to figure out how on earth a young boy like you managed to defeat Geraldino. That boy is very powerful, and until now you have not shown any semblance of strength or intelligence. No offense of course,"
Kotsu gets a little annoyed at that statement though to be honest he completely understands where Gerald is coming from. Kotsu is not the smartest or strongest after all. "That's um… complicated I guess…"
"I see. In that case I would like for you to show me," He suddenly says and Kotsu almost chokes on his cake as he coughs a little.
"Y-you want me to WHAT!?" He asks finally grabbing the attention of the others.
"I challenge you to a sparring match," Gerald says and Kotsu gulps.
"S-sorry I don't think I ca-" He starts however he's interrupted.
"He accepts your challenge," Reborn says getting up. "But I want you to assure me Gerald. You will NOT…" He starts looking deadly serious and Kotsu looks relieved. 'Oh good… he wants him to not hurt me… phew…' He thinks before his safety is shattered. "… hold back against him," Reborn finishes and Kotsu looks elsewhere for support but everyone's just cheering him on. Dammit! This family is CRAZY!
The two are escorted into the garden where Gerald puts on a ring with a green gem in it much like Geraldino's blue gem. Kotsu looks to find any way out of this situation, but Reborn hands him his purple ring and fork. "here. Give him hell Klutsu," He says and Kotsu lifts an eyebrow.
"K-Klutsu?"
"Yeah. Figured calling you Kotsu is too kind for an idiot like you. It's a combo of klutz and Kotsu. Klutsu,"
"S-suuuure… but… can I NOT fight Tsugemora's dad? He seems… REALLY strong," He complains and Reborn shakes his head.
"This is going to be MUCH more important than you think it is," He says before suddenly pointing Leon at Kotsu.
"Wai-!" Kotsu starts before he's shot and his hyper dying will activates.
Gerald smirks. "I see. So this is the reason you defeated Geraldino," He says and everyone looks on his mother's heart jumping a little seeing her son, cool and composed unlike he normally.
"K-Kotsu…" She says being reminded of him and Ren's father.
"That's right Gerald-san. I don't want to fight you. But. I see there's no way around it. So…" He lights his ring up, his fork growing to the long staff size he used against Geraldino. "Let's do this Gerald-san,"