"Kyoko-chan," Tsuna entreated, "you don't have to –"
"Nonsense, Tsu-kun," she interrupted, handing him a rake with another in her opposite hand. "You shouldn't have to clean up the baseball field all by yourself."
It was the end of the school day, the midday breeze and the soft shivers of the grass replacing the uproar of middle school student chatter. P.E. had occurred as expected; Tsuna's very existence cost one team an automatic loss in the scheduled sports match, baseball being the one that took place today. Ienobu had cut class, again, so he was unable to even try to intimidate their classmates into helping Tsuna.
Gokudera-san had graciously offered to rake the leaves and put away some of the forgotten equipment in Tsuna's stead. However, three NDC members, ones that Tsuna knew were on good terms with Ienobu, had arrived and dragged Gokudera off somewhere. Tsuna planned on telling his brother later to stop harassing Gokudera so much. Gokudera was really trying to be civil and well-mannered with the Sawadas, perhaps so much so that Tsuna felt a bit unnerved by the behavior. Still, at least he didn't insult otouto anymore. Gokudera-san just stared uncertainly at Ienobu now.
It wasn't like Gokudera or anyone could ever replace Tsuna's brother or anything. Tsuna just thought the Italian deserved a chance.
Kyoko was passing by the baseball field, having just completed her own classes for the day. Tsuna tried to tell her that he was fine. He really, really, not really tried, but Kyoko-chan was already sweeping some sporadically arranged leaves into a pile.
"You shouldn't let your classmates just leave you to do all the clean-up work," Kyoko lightly chided. Tsuna just shrugged off the statement.
"I don't mind." And he really didn't. It became a habit to all these chores.
"I mind," Kyoko countered. "We were supposed to go to the bakery today and choose a cake flavor for Ienobu's birthday, remember?"
Tsuna cringed, his hands and shoulders freezing on the spot. It was a tradition for Ienobu and Ryohei to get a birthday cake for Tsuna and for Tsuna and Kyoko to get one for Ienobu. It began all those years before when all four had first met. Birthdays had become not very memorable for Tsuna as the years passed, however, and he felt ashamed for forgetting.
"We still have time," Tsuna insisted, looking over to Kyoko. "There's still about a month left."
"True, but I thought it was a good excuse just to go on an outing together. We haven't really been on a date or anything ever since you asked me out, you know."
At that, Tsuna paused entirely. Yes, it was only about a week ago when Tsuna had confessed. Despite his embarrassment and being near nude at the time, Tsuna arguably felt happier than he had been for years. To be with someone he admired, someone who did not care about how no-good he was, Tsuna thought it was only a fantasy. And with Kyoko-chan, they could help each other get past what everyone else says and just be happy as they are.
But then… Tsuna forgot about how he would actually spend time with Kyoko as boyfriend and girlfriend. What did couples do again? Watch movies, eat out, visit the park together or something? Their group of friends has already done those things many times. How was Tsuna supposed to make any outings with Kyoko-chan romantic?
As Tsuna was pondering on his next move, Kyoko took the initiative and draped an arm around is back. She felt him tense, quickly relax, then tense again. Kyoko used her other hand to pull Tsuna's gaze to hers. He began to burn inside as Kyoko smiled softly with half-lidded eyes.
"Since you forgot, I think you owe me one, Tsu-kun."
They've only kissed once, on the day Tsuna's Dying Will manifested thanks to Reborn. Tsuna was still in shock and awe over the whole endeavor at the time. Now, Tsuna was quite conscious and in fair control of his body. Only a fair amount, mind you, with his heart pounding hard against his chest and Kyoko slowly pulling Tsuna's face closer to hers.
"Hey, Kyoko – oh, I didn't see you there Tsuna."
The disruption startled Tsuna to fall backwards, Kyoko following to land beside him. At least the landing was on the cool grass, not concrete, so the back of Tsuna's head was not very hurt. Kyoko groaned into the turf as Tsuna looked to their visitor.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," laughed Takeshi, scratching his cheek in slight embarrassment. A barely visible blush even graced his face.
"I-It's fine, Takeshi," Tsuna waved off, smiling timidly. Kyoko sat up, frowning once before letting herself grin.
"Were you looking for me, Takeshi?" she asked.
"Yeah, Hana's looking for you, said something about 'dragging Ryohei-baka out of another stupid mess'," Takeshi air-quoted.
The Yamamoto was still smiling, but Kyoko's face showcased her worry at his message. Her brother must have gotten into another very extreme fight. "Can you help Tsuna clean up the field while I go help Hana?"
"Sure!"
"Thanks Takeshi!" As Tsuna tried to say something, Kyoko gave a quick peck on his lips. "I'll see you later, Tsu-kun." With that, she was off. Tsuna stared as she disappeared from his view.
Takeshi grabbed Kyoko's abandoned rake and pulled Tsuna up from the ground. "Come on, Tsuna! There's work to be done!"
The disarming smile was enough to distract Tsuna from the warmth of his lips. "You don't have to –"
"I insist." Takeshi slapped a reassuring hand on his friend's back. Tsuna's feet remained level, thankfully. "My old man's busy with Ienobu's training, and the baseball coach is sick, so I've got nothing else to do anyway."
Wait, the coach is sick? Takeshi usually practiced on his own if a coach or teammate was unfit for duty. But he was already adding more leaves to Tsuna's pitifully small pile near the bleachers. "Alright," Tsuna relented. "Thanks." Ienobu's laziness was rubbing off on Tsuna.
Takeshi was Kyoko-chan's male counterpart, the school's male idol and most popular student. He was the baseball star, and the subject of quite a few loving female admirers. Despite his popularity, Takeshi took it all for granted. All he wanted was to play baseball, so all the awe was usually forgotten by him.
Why couldn't Tsuna be more like Takeshi? Forgetting his popularity, Takeshi was able to shrug off most problems thrown his way. Even when his mother passed away, he was still able to smile. He didn't worry about grades or bullies. Takeshi held a steady stride, walking through life confidently and carefree.
Tsuna needed to take a page out of his book. What would Takeshi do if he was dating Kyoko-chan? What would Takeshi do if he was drafted as a mafia boss?
"Oh," the taller teen suddenly said, "I never got to congratulate you and Kyoko for finally getting together. Ienobu kept saying you'd only ask her out until after we graduated, but I knew differently."
Uncomfortably, Tsuna started chuckling. "I guess. I just… felt like I'd die if I didn't tell her soon." In more ways than one.
"To be honest Tsuna," Takeshi went on, "I'm a little jealous of you."
He's what?
"You found someone you really liked, and you went and poured your heart out to her." Tsuna turned to look at Takeshi. His sweeping had slowed, his smile still there. "I kind of wanna know how that would feel like. To be star-struck and in love, I guess. The closest I ever get is all those love letters my… fan club gives, but I hardly even know them."
Tsuna hid a shudder. He and his brother never had much pleasantries with Takeshi's adoring fans, with how the Sawadas "distract Yamamoto-san from baseball," so say those harpies.
"The problem with them," Takeshi continued, "is that all they really do is praise every single thing I do. At least Kyoko-chan and Hana offer helpful advice, pointing out how I can improve." Tsuna looked at Takeshi again. He stopped sweeping all together. His voice lowered, now only just louder than the midday breeze, but Tsuna could hear it crystal clear. "And I was also wondering if you could give me some advice, too, Tsuna."
"About what?" You aren't supposed to talk like this.
"Baseball," he answered. "Lately, no matter much I practice, my average is dropping and my fielding is screwing up," he elaborated, leisurely descending into a despondent tone. No smile. "My team is expecting me to do my best in the next season, but I doubt I'll be able to be much of help with my performance going down the drain. What should I do?"
No, Takeshi should not be acting like his entire career was over. He relished in baseball. He was a star and an amazing player.
"Why are you asking me? You should probably ask someone else other than, uh, Dame Tsu –"
"Come one, Tsuna," Takeshi interrupted. "Help me out here. I love baseball, but I'm just not making the cut. What inspired you to confess to Kyoko and fulfill your dream?"
"I…" Tsuna gulped in a deep, deep breath. Fulfill my dream… It's still a little blurry. "I guess it's like what Hana told me once: 'You should get at least one thing straight in your life, seeing how your grades aren't doing too well.'"
Takeshi turned his head to look at Tsuna, but the shorter teen did not return his gaze.
"You know what your dream is, Takeshi. It's to play baseball. Ryohei wants to box. I think Ienobu is considering working at TakeSushi because he likes your dad so much, and Hana's going to become Prime Minister sooner or later."
Both of them snickered at Tsuna's last line, if only for half a second.
"My dream… I know that I want to be with Kyoko-chan, but I don't know what else I want to do." Tsuna sighed, closing his eyes. "There isn't really a sport or hobby that particularly interests me. You know how to hit and catch a baseball. Me? I don't have any notable skills to even compare to yours. I'm not worth a second glance."
"Then why'd you confess to Kyoko?"
"I… Next to Ienobu, she's always there for me. Without her, I don't know where I'd be right now." Tsuna slowly turned around. He made eye contact with Takeshi. Neither person appeared pleasant. "She's someone worth fighting for, with all of my dying will. If I didn't put all of my effort into telling her how I felt, it wouldn't be worth going through the next day, knowing I never tried hard enough. If baseball means that much to you, then don't give it any less than everything you have."
Takeshi kept staring at Tsuna. It was like he was searching for something, but all Tsuna had to offer were his words. Then Tsuna realized he was gazing unblinkingly right back at him. Tsuna shivered, his arms becoming rigid with his shoulders fixed in place, and faced his back toward Takeshi.
"Just work harder at everything, I guess," Tsuna stammered uncomfortably. "That's what Hana keeps telling us: stay focused to improve our grades. Stay focused on doing better. Just switch that mentality onto baseball, right?"
Laughter filled Tsuna's ears, a one-armed embrace pulling him to Takeshi's side. "Of course! Work harder and harder! We should listen to Hana more, right Tsuna?"
More goodhearted bellows drowned out any response Tsuna could have made. He just meekly nodded.
"Don't let people keep saying you're dame, Tsuna. That couldn't be farther from the truth."
Tsuna gave a genuine smile, devoid of all nervousness. It felt good to be helping someone that usually gave Tsuna advice instead.
X
Elsewhere…
Reborn let his mouth curve into a smirk. The cameras he had set up recorded the entirety of Tsuna's conversation with Takeshi Yamamoto. While Tsuyoshi Yamamoto was a man past his prime, and his loyalties purely to his own, his son could easily become a valuable asset to the Vongola. Takeshi is even a close friend to Tsuna, sweetening the deal. Yes, the baseball player was someone to keep an eye on.
"What the hel… What's got you so smug, Reborn?"
Ah, yes, and Ienobu was growing more compliant to his ever-caring home tutor's lessons. Reborn noted that as a sign of progress. Dame Tsuna was still essentially Dame Tsuna. Ienobu was starting to prove he isn't quite the Baka he was at first glance.
"Nothing that concerns you," Reborn replied as Leon morphed from the sunglasses and headset back to his natural corporeal form. And Tsuna's progress at the moment actually was unnecessary information for Ienobu to know. The twins loved each other – no doubt about that – but Reborn required more observation on each brother acted without the other influencing his decisions.
Ienobu still waited for a real answer as he looked at the baby on his shoulder. The sun glared from behind his miniature top hat, causing Ienobu to squint his eyes. "Remind me why you had to come with me on a grocery run?" He rattled the plastic bag he was carrying for added effect. "Ain't like you need a babysitter."
"A teacher can't spend time to get to know his students?"
"If by getting to know, you mean a twisted interpretation of child abuse…"
The insubordinate student was promptly reprimanded with a physical strike directed to his throat. He coughed and gasped for breath but was otherwise steady on his feet.
"Your tongue still requires some work, I must say," Reborn stated plainly.
Once his breathing resumed as normal, Ienobu spat out a choking spit. "I rest my case," he uncomfortably crooned.
"I'm surprised Dame Tsuna and Nana have allowed such a vulgar mouth to go on for so long. Considering your position in the NDC, I had expected more discipline from you."
The Baka did not respond. He kept walking, his eyes vaguely shifting to the general direction of Namimori Middle. As Reborn regarded Ienobu, the hitman churned upon further tests he should provide for the brothers. The early signs of their intuition were showing. That needed to be considered.
Oh, what a shame these were Iemitsu Sawada's children. They had inherited both the Dame and Baka traits the father shamelessly flaunted every day. At the very least, both boys had some skill in terms of combat. That is, if the things Ryohei has said to Master PaoPao held some truth.
"Yamamoto-sama doesn't like me swearing," Ienobu eventually murmured, his throat still sore. "I saw you watching us the other day, so you know how he gets when I do something he doesn't like." He rattled the plastic bag again. "Getting groceries for TakeSushi is just the first tier of punishments."
Hmm, Baka Ienobu was a little too forthcoming with that information. Is he still trying to build up Tsuyoshi Yamamoto as a viable threat against the world's greatest hitman? Perhaps Reborn should pay a visit with Yamamoto in person during one of Ienobu's training sessions to dispel any more hopeless fantasies.
Nevertheless, Yamamoto was more valuable alive. He was already giving intermediate training to Baka Ienobu, allowing more time for Reborn to focus his efforts on Dame Tsuna. Plus, the man sired Takeshi Yamamoto. The Guardian candidate would be more willing to join the family if his father remained alive.
As Reborn continued to muse upon further plans and as Ienobu continued to spout about Tsuyoshi being capable of far worse than what Reborn could do – yes, Reborn must schedule a meeting with the swordsman very soon – the hitman hopped off the boy's shoulder and somersaulted onto the top of a garbage container. A kendo stick had protruded from an alleyway. Ienobu's side was hit, but he took hold of the weapon and pulled, bring its owner against the Sawada's knee.
Reborn observed from afar as more assailants, six in all including the one currently on the floor clutching his nose deluged out of the alley. They were about Ienobu's age, waving around random wooden weapons. Ienobu in turn dropped the grocery bag and used the kendo stick to block and parry the initial barrage of attacks. As he backed up, he hurled his weapon into the crowd, the stick rebounding off of one of his attackers. Ienobu reached under his coat and pulled out his swords.
From the neutral theatre masks and formal striped vests the attackers wore, they identified themselves as members of the gang the NDC had been experiencing difficulties with recently. Reborn's investigation assured him that this "Trad 6" group was just another misfit group of delinquents, the type of small fry who possibly knew some things about mafia but nothing too great of significance. A Namimori Disciplinary Committee-esque group lacking the same type of leadership that has made the NDC as effective as it is. As it stands, however, this Trad 6 gang was a convenient source of sparring partners for Ienobu.
Ienobu moved fast, dodging constantly and stepping in to make a cut on his attackers. He knew he was outnumbered, so he couldn't afford to let himself get cornered. Every block he made coincided with each parry. Let the enemy become its own worst threat as the delinquents kept accidently hitting each other. Ienobu didn't come out unscathed, obviously. He received his own bruises and a hit right across the side of his face. However, he returned in kind by thrusting a sword through the offender's shoulder.
Ienobu was going to win this fight, but for all Reborn knew, it could simply be the Vongola blood resonating well with Ienobu at an early age. The boy's violence was fueled by arrogance, and that arrogance would be a liability without the finesse to needed to back up that confidence. Reborn acted the way he was because he knows he is that good. Ienobu only thinks the Baka that he is could be that good.
As the last of the aggressors fell from the savage beating Ienobu gave with the hilts of his weapons, Ienobu gave a brooding look at his home tutor. "Did you send these a-holes out to get me, Reborn?"
"Nonsense, child." Reborn walked away, leaving Ienobu amid the mess of bodies and out of sight of the police officer making his way toward them. That girl who had been watching Reborn these past few days had called the authorities when she spotted the street brawl.
Reborn was satisfied by what he saw today. Both of his students were making progress. All he needed to do was just keep the pressure up and they would become adequate mafia members worthy of the Vongola name.
X
The Next Day…
It was a free period, study hall. Tsuna's classmates were taking advantage of their absent teacher and simply conversed with each other. Kyoko-chan was supposed to be tutoring him, as Reborn had explicitly told him to get better grades or those lovely hounds would enjoy a new playmate, and it wouldn't be Tsuna.
Alas, Kyoko-chan was with her brother and Kusakabe-senpai, discussing the details of the fight Ryohei had found himself in yesterday. So, Tsuna had to contend with a different tutor.
"See, Tenth! This is how the equation works!
Otouto was also supposed to be here, but Reborn had other plans for him, apparently. Ienobu was… not accepting, but rather more tolerant of Reborn's lessons. Maybe he was finally going to be shot with the Dying Will Bullet?
"If you can't quite visualize it," Gokudera-san continued, "you can always draw the graph itself and trace the shapes!"
"… Let me get a ruler."
"Allow me, Tenth! I will get you one right away!"
While Gokudera-san went off to find one, Tsuna stared absentmindedly at his worksheet.
Tsuna really did need to get a hobby.
Then, someone burst in through the door. It was one of the baseball players, Tsuna recognized. He stumbled into class and shouted, "Yamamoto is about to jump off the roof!"
Takeshi?
"He stayed after school yesterday and practiced like hell on his own," the student continued as everyone in the classroom stared with stupefied eyes. "He went too far and broke his arm!" The class stood in a speechless silence. The baseball player insisted on all of them going to the rooftop, and they all did.
Gokudera-san's footsteps neared Tsuna. He asked for a response from his boss. Tsuna was too numb to say a thing. He got off his chair and sprinted around his classmates in the halls to the top of the building. He paid no attention to their complaints or protests, jumping up the stairs and even shoving an unsuspecting prefect blocking a doorway into the crowd.
There was already a crowd on the rooftop, calling out to Takeshi. His right arm was in a cast. He stood on the other side of the safety fence at the very edge, his back facing his peers. His black hair fluttered in the wind as if weightless. Takeshi leaned slightly back, looking as stress-free as he always did. Tsuna failed to voice any words straightaway, all of Takeshi's peers and admirers already begging their idol to get away from the ledge.
"Hey, Yamamoto-san! This isn't funny!"
"Yeah, you're taking this whole thing way too far!"
Takeshi maintained his posture. He didn't look away from the sky, ignoring everything and everybody around him.
This had to be Tsuna's fault. He said something wrong yesterday. He tried to act all wise and cool, and now Takeshi is contemplating suicide.
The Yamamoto chuckled suddenly, startling everyone present. "Sorry, guys," Takeshi tried to say soothingly, only succeeding in chilling most of the congregation with his tranquil demeanor, "but after the baseball god threw me away, I'm just not good enough to play anymore. It's not worth it for me to keep trying."
"You're wrong," Tsuna muttered, quietly. Somebody seemed to have heard him, however, as Tsuna was pushed and shoved to the front of the crowd. He found himself in the empty gap between the students and the edge of the roof where Takeshi threatened to jump. When Tsuna glanced accusingly at the crowd, they shook their heads encouragingly with unsure smiles. When Tsuna looked to Takeshi, they stared at each other in the eyes.
"Tsuna," Takeshi called, snapping his friend out of his own short-term paralysis, "I'm sure you can understand why I'm doing this." The background noise of the crowd ceased. "To keep on failing over and over again, wouldn't you prefer to just be done with the whole thing?"
"No!" Tsuna shrieked. It was the first thought to cross his mind. "I mean, uh, I just –"
"It's alright, Tsuna," Takeshi tried to calm him with his smile. "I know how fidgety you get. You know, you don't have to watch this."
Tsuna froze.
"This… this whole thing is just something that I have to do. I just wanted a quiet moment before I did it. No one has to see –"
"What if I wasn't the only one here to see this?" Tsuna interrupted. He hesitated for a moment, looking to his feet. When the chatter behind him began again, Tsuna stood straighter and said, "What if Ienobu was here? And Kyoko? Hana? Would you tell them to turn away?"
Takeshi's smile faltered. "They don't… they wouldn't…"
"They'd grab you by your neck and pull you away from the edge. They would berate you for being an idiot, for trying to throw away your life like this." Tsuna took a bold step forward. And another.
"But –"
But they aren't here. I am. I have to be the pragmatic one this time. "Did the doctor say that your arm will never heal?" Tsuna questioned. "That you can never, ever play baseball again?"
No response. Takeshi kept his eyes trained on Tsuna as he lowered his head.
"What did the doctor say?"
"… My arm will heal," he muttered, "but what use is it if I'm no good at baseball?"
"Like you said, I don't have to be here." Tsuna took another step forward. "I don't have to watch you do this. I don't have to be your friend. I don't have to try harder to stop you. I don't have to be so no good, but I also don't have to try harder to be better, just like you. I don't have to be the only one here willing to come out and really try to help you."
The audience of students felt an uncomfortable chill run through them as Tsuna spoke. Even Ienobu never spoke in such a low tone. The twins' voice could be fearful, nervous, excited, and intimidating, but never so cold.
"I don't have to do any of those things… just like… how you don't have to care about leaving all of us behind."
You make that jump, you're wasting something special, Takeshi. We're friends, and we can help you become better. That's what we have to do. We make sure we pick each other back up. We have to pick up the pieces and stick them back together.
"A good Mafia Boss doesn't let good potential go to waste," Reborn said. "And he doesn't let his allies and subordinates follow through with stupidity."
But Tsuna couldn't force himself to say anything more. His throat was dry, and he was another step away from breaking down into tears.
"I care," Takeshi spoke up, startling everyone. Tsuna remained as still as a statue. "I care, Tsuna. I just… didn't know how to show it."
As Takeshi climbed his way over the fence and back onto the safer side of the roof, the crowd of students let out a collective breath of relief. Takeshi wasn't smiling, but he was alive… and Dame Tsuna was the one how saved him.
"Takashi!"
A single man, taller than everyone on the rooftop, barreled through the mob and came right at Takeshi. The boy was engulfed into a hug, lifted off his feet and staring nervously at his embracer.
"Dad," Tsuna heard his friend murmur, "I'm sorry."
Yamamoto's response was drowned out by the sudden exclamation behind the crowd of students. "Everyone, get back to class!" it said. An influx of NDC members were suddenly amid the students and were forcibly herding them back inside the school building. Tsuna and the Yamamotos were completely untouched. As the crowd dispersed, Hana revealed herself as she approached the three.
"Do you require an escort, Yamamoto-san?" Hana asked, imposing and her fists hitting her hips.
"No, Hana," the man said. He relinquished the hug but kept a hand on Takeshi, who had his misty eyes looking away from anyone. "I would like to speak to my son in private."
"Of course." Hana made a hand motion. Tsuna's legs were frozen, but he turned his head to see a few prefects move to guard the roof entrance.
"And you, Tsunayoshi," Yamamoto gave him the family smile, "thank you for being there for Takeshi."
That was too much. Tsuna was going to break down into tears right this instant. He couldn't take any more of this. Yamamoto was smiling but Takeshi was so sad and –
Before Tsuna could have any sort of breakdown, he was dragged out of his stupor by the arm. Hana pulled him back inside the building. She set him at the base of the staircase, Tsuna of course tripping over his own two feet when they got there.
"What happened?" she asked harshly, her voice reverberating across the vacant hallway.
As Tsuna pulled himself to his feet, he let out the gasp of air he had sucked in when Yamamoto-san made his presence known on the roof. "I – what – you –"
"Why did Takeshi decided today was the day out of all the days he's lived that he was going to die?"
"I –"
"Deep breath, Tsuna."
"But –"
"Breathe."
And Tsuna did. He let his breathing resume a normal pace and slunk against the wall. Hana let him recompose himself.
"Can you speak coherently?" she said sharply.
Tsuna nodded slowly, closing his eyes as the sweat trailed down his face. "Yes, yes."
"Tell me what happened."
Tsuna opened his eyes and brought his head to gaze at Hana. Her scowl hid much, but her eyes gave away her legitimate concern for what just transpired on the roof.
"Tell me what –"
"Takeshi almost died," Tsuna finally said, his voice hoarse, "because he gave up. He thought his arm injury was the end of it, but he didn't jump. He's still alive. We have to make sure it stays that way."
Hana was startled by Tsuna's determination as he spoke, but she blinked away her surprised expression.
I might have to become mafia boss, Tsuna told himself, but I will never forget what really matters.
