Soon February came and with it, Valentine's Day.
As he said he would, Dino tolerated and 'became friends' with Emilio, although it was only when Rosetta was within the vicinity. Whenever she wasn't around they would both revert to being rivals. In fact, now the two of them were rivals in gaining Rosetta's affection and they had plans to confess today.
"Just so you know Cavallone," Emilio stated during their morning encounter, bursting with confidence. "Before the day is over I'll tell Rosetta how I feel and she'll be mine."
"That won't be happening because before then I will have told her how I feel." Dino blurted angrily in response.
"You don't seem very confident, Cavallone so because I'm nice I'll give you one chance." His rival commented while giving him a surprisingly encouraging pat on the back. "I'll hold back for a little while, but time is ticking and I'm not very patient…"
He then walked away, leaving the young Cavallone alone with his thoughts. 'Ugh…I don't know if I'll be able to tell Rosetta in time…' he thought as he rested his head on the front of his locker. 'Not only do I have bad timing but I didn't have any ideas except to present her with this…'
He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Within was not chocolate but a simple trinket - a tiny rose preserved in a hexagonal resin tube which was attached to a small silver chain. It wasn't much, but he felt it would have some sentimental value considering it was a literal representation of Rosetta's name*.
Dino hoped that with his gift he could pull ahead of his competition but he had to admit that Emilio had a pretty good chance too. He couldn't let that get him down though. He needed the confidence to be able to confess his feelings and hopefully presenting her with the necklace would help with that…
"Good morning, Dino." Rosetta greeted happily from behind, making him nearly jump out of his skin.
"Oh h-hey, Rosetta!" Her friend stuttered in response, his voice cracking while he shoved the gift box back in his pocket quickly. "I thought you said you'd be here later."
"I did…but I finished my project earlier than I expected!" She reached into her bag for a moment and pulled out a small clear candy bag filled with some chocolates and tied closed with a cream colored bow. "Here, this one is for you."
The young Cavallone accepted them with a nervous and grateful smile. "Wow, thanks! They look homemade."
"That's because they are. I spent almost all night making enough for everyone."
Dino looked at her curiously. "Everyone…?"
"Yeah. I made some for Uncle Antonio, Emilio, Reborn, and even Squalo. I also thought I'd give what leftovers I had to Romario."
'Wow, there's even some for my old man's right hand man?' he thought. 'I guess I was wrong in thinking there was some just for me…Even so I need to try and take the leap…!'
"Uh, Rosetta?"
Her eyes widened with surprise which then gazed at her friend with curiosity. "Yes Dino?"
He opened his mouth to reply but it got caught in his throat. He tried to force his words out but only ended up swallowing them. Instead he uttered hoarsely, "You…uh…look nice today."
"Thank you…?" Rosetta said in response with confusion just before the bell rang. "Oh, looks like we need to be heading to class."
The young Cavallone agreed but thought, 'I…couldn't do it after all…'
All that morning Dino tried to psyche himself up to confess only to end up choking on his words every time. He was worried that Emilio would've taken his chance by now but surprisingly he held off in doing so. Perhaps he was just overly confident that everything would work in his favor and that only made the young Cavallone feel worse. Still he felt he had a real chance during lunch break, but unfortunately a couple of unexpected visits took it away.
One of them was Squalo who decided to stick around until Emilio approached their table with a grave expression on his face. It turned to shock for a split moment when he saw the white haired male at the table but he still walked up to them.
The white haired teen met his gaze with a glare and stated angrily in response, "You ask, you die."
"Okay…" the brown haired male stated in reply before turning to face Rosetta, adopting a serious expression. "Rosetta, the principal asked me to come fetch you."
The childhood friends exchanged concerned looks while Squalo continued to moodily glare off into the distance. After a moment Rosetta stood and Dino followed shortly after.
Emilio held up a hand in response to stop his rival before saying, "Sorry Cavallone, but this is a private matter. He wishes to meet with Rosetta and Mr. Antonio only."
The blonde narrowed his eyes ever so slightly at his rival, thinking that this could be a ploy to tell Rosetta how he feels. After a moment and realizing that Antonio was needed too, he sat back down. Rosetta then followed Emilio out of the dining area.
While the two males watched them go, Dino suddenly asked aloud, "What do you think the principal needs her for?"
"Dunno," Squalo answered, catching the blonde off guard. "Can't be good though with the way the student president looked." - he then stood to leave - "Heard something may have happened to the main family…"
It took the young Cavallone a moment to register what that statement meant and when he did he asked, "Is that why you stuck around 'till now?" But the white haired teen was already walking away.
Meanwhile Rosetta was feeling a little anxious as she followed Emilio to see the principal. She did meet him on one occasion during her first day, but since then she has never once been to his office.
Obviously since her uncle had been called in too she assumed that she hadn't done anything to violate the school rules but she knew whatever it was it was bad. The grim expression on her friend's face said it all. Rosetta sighed, realizing she'd only get her answer once she was standing face to face with the principal.
Finally the two of them arrived at the office and upon opening the door they saw that Antonio and the principal were waiting within.
"Good. Now that the two of you are here we can begin." The principal spoke in a gruff serious voice.
Mr. Alfieri - the principal as well as Emilio's father - stood taller than even Antonio and had quite a broad build. He had the same hair color as his son, but it was far shorter and more well kept, with streaks of light grey streaked throughout. His eyes were a striking pale amber color that seemed to pierce into your very soul. Despite the serious expression on his face, one could pick out the laugh lines signifying that he's spent most of his life happily. He was wearing a simple dark grey suit with a dull red button up collared shirt finished with a silver tie.
"Would you please check the door, Emilio?" He asked and his son did so, finishing by closing them all within the office.
Rosetta then broke the moment of silence by asking, "What did you need us for, Mr. Alfieri?"
"Unfortunately it's not good news I have to share with the two of you," the principal replied seriously, causing Rosetta and her uncle to tense up. "Just an hour ago we received a report that the entire Mezzanotte main base has vanished, building and all."
"What?!" Uncle and niece exclaimed simultaneously.
"How can that happen? It's not possible!" Rosetta shouted, feeling shocked, angry, and disbelief as she continued. "You must be lying! Show me proof! Now!"
"Those of us who have previously heard the report have chosen to keep this news secret, so I have no proof. However, due to my circumstances I am not at liberty to lie…" Mr. Alfieri undid the cuff at the end of his right sleeve to show her the Mezzanotte emblem tattooed on his inner arm. "…to one of my own."
While gazing at the emblem the tears started to flow from Rosetta's eyes in steady streams before she broke down into sobs. Emilio clenched his jaw while glaring down at the floor in response while Antonio helped his niece to a seat and the principal fixed his sleeve.
Once Mr. Alfieri had seen that Rosetta was a little more calm he decided to continue with his report. "Due to the main base disappearing that of course means that all the people within it vanished as well."
"That means there's a chance that they're all still alive." Antonio hypothesized. "We just need to find them."
"Members that have been stationed near the site have already started investigating it, and others are seeing if they can search for the main family's whereabouts." The other adult explained. "We are working together for the time being, but I fear that without our boss' leadership we may soon fall apart or even worse a massive war may erupt within our ranks."
"What are you getting at…" the bespectacled male asked cautiously.
"Well, the two of you are the only main family left, and out of the two Rosetta is the only one left with pure Mezzanotte blood…"
"Are you suggesting I should take over as the boss?" Rosetta suddenly inquired.
"I strongly oppose." Her uncle rebutted stiffly. "She hasn't been groomed to be a boss. She won't be ready at such short notice."
Mr. Alfieri rose an eyebrow. "Do you have anyone else in mind? Need I remind you that you are equipped for the position but ultimately it must be filled by one of pure blood."
Antonio clenched his jaw silently before Rosetta spoke up with determination. "I'll do it then." - she paused and looked to her uncle - "I won't inherit the title right away of course, but I can learn the ropes from you while we're fulfilling the duties together."
Her uncle considered her words for a moment and then sighed. "There's no changing your mind when it's made up so I guess I'll have no choice but to go with it." He said. "I do have one final question; if the boss has vanished then where is the family ring?"
"I'm ahead of you on that one," the principal replied while opening one of his desk drawers and withdrawing a small ring box. After placing it on the desk he continued, "Your father foresaw this occurrence and sent the ring to me for safekeeping. I now entrust it to you."
Rosetta stood and accepted the ring, then turned to her uncle. "I don't think it's safe for us to stay here."
"Where do you suggest we go then?" Antonio asked.
"It might not be safe at the site, but I want to go see it for myself." She replied.
"Very well. Let's pack our things and go."
A while later Rosetta was standing at the front gate with Emilio waiting for Antonio to arrive with their ride.
"You won't be saying goodbye to Cavallone?" The dark haired male asked hesitantly.
"It would be too hard for the both of us if I did." The brunette replied solemnly before offering a closed envelope to him. "That's why I wrote this for him. It will let him know at least what happened, but not in detail. Would you do me a favor and give it to him for me?"
Emilio received the letter silently before he met Rosetta's steady gaze. For a moment the two stared at each other and in that moment he decided to speak up.
"Rosetta before you leave, I just wanted to let you know that I'll be here for you whenever you need me." He said, looking determined even though his cheeks were turning a bright shade of red. "At first…I didn't want to continue my family tradition in joining the Mezzanotte when I came of age. That is, until I met you and as we became closer I realized…that I love you."
The brunette's cheeks became tinted pink while gazing at him with shock, but her expression quickly changed into an apologetic smile. "I'm…really quite flattered Emilio," she said. "But I…have feelings for someone else."
"Oh, right." His ego quickly deflated but he tried to keep that fact from her when continuing. "Looks like your ride is here. I wish you luck on your journey." - he then held up the envelope - "And don't worry. I'll make sure Cavallone gets this."
Rosetta nodded gratefully before heading to the car that had just pulled up. As soon as she grabbed the handle she heard her name being called and turned back to Emilio to see him looking extremely determined.
"Rosetta!" He called out once more. "I swear to you that you'll be looking my way soon enough!"
She flashed a smile in his direction before opening the car door and climbing in. She gave one last tearful wave to Emilio and the school, knowing that it may end up being quite some time before her return.
Emilio stood at the gate until the last bell rang, then withdrew into the main building. Without thinking he ended up standing before the closest trash bin. He gazed down at the letter in his hand and thought, 'That other person she has feelings for…is Cavallone, isn't it…? Damn, I ought to…!'
He angrily raised the letter above his head and attempted to toss it, but couldn't bring himself to do so. After a moment he brought his hand back down to glare at the letter and growled inwardly before stomping off to find the person the letter was addressed to.
It didn't take him that long to find the young Cavallone standing in front of his locker taking quick glances up and down the hall, obviously looking for his friend.
Just gazing at the blonde who had gained Rosetta's affections without doing a thing made Emilio's blood boil. For a moment he had to wonder though - did his rival even know his feelings were reciprocated? 'Probably not,' Emilio answered his own question in thought.
He straightened up his stature and walked up to his rival, shoving the letter at his chest with no explanation before doing so. The dark haired male then let go and turned away while saying, "That's from Rosetta. I suggest you wait until you're home to read it."
"Is she still here?" Dino asked with a hopeful tone.
"She's long gone by now." Emilio replied. "But the letter should tell you what you need to know." He then turned the corner, leaving a slightly confused young Cavallone to gaze at Rosetta's letter questioningly before rushing home to read it as soon as possible.
Once in the comfort of his own room, Dino tore the envelope open and read its contents eagerly. Her letter was surprisingly short and didn't give much of an explanation. She only wrote that something had happened to her family and left to find out what. The letter didn't say where she had gone or for how long it would be until her return, just that she promised she'd come back someday.
Dino was upset that he wasn't told much but knew somehow that Rosetta would keep her word and that they should someday see each other again. He just didn't know how long that would be. Still he decided that he would welcome her back with his biggest smile and perhaps a long awaited confession….
*Rosetta means "little rose" in Italian.
Also, a bit of a heads up - the story format is going to change a tiny bit as we move forward with the timeline involving Tsuna and the Vongola. I figured it would fit to go with a one-shot style chapter formation, then it will go back to this format eventually.