Chapter Forty-Four

Secrets.

They were things that Tsuna never liked to share. They could be about him or other people. They could be things that could be beneficial for someone or anyone. They were things that he might have seen or heard, watched or glanced at. Sometimes, he just knew. And if he did speak them to anyone, it would be to the one he thought who really deserved them.

Karma knew some, being as observant and persistent he was. Kimura was counted since they had been classmates for some time. Nagisa was told about it and became a witness on two. Kanzaki knew he played arcade. Karasuma-sensei might have done some background check on him too. There was Ota who came close. Then, Koro-sensei.

The yellow teacher discovered a lot. His living condition, his ability capacity, his biological family, his associates, his works, his scars, and half of his story and personality. He knows how the brunet's mind works. He knows when to push and when to press. He knows when to listen and when to give advices. If the brunet moved like he wanted to be alone, he complies and follows in steps like he would wait.

Brown eyes observed his teacher's patient expression. He's gauging the possibility that Koro-sensei would believe him regarding the story he was about to tell. But it is Koro-sensei. The teacher who spoke half-truth and half lie stories. The teacher who could distinguish if Tsuna was lying to him or not.

Has Tsuna ever lied to him though?

"Last Summer, I kept dreaming about someone who was also named Sawada Tsunayoshi." He started off. "He was pretty different from me. He lived in Namimori, an only child with a mother named Nana and a father who was never home; lived in a house, didn't work, and could leisure. Maybe the only same thing we had in common was that he's being teased too for being clumsy, weak and dumb. He was as pathetic as I was. He even lies to his mother when he comes home injured after being shoved somewhere. He didn't have friends too, and his teachers didn't like him, which resulted to being called Dame-Tsuna.

"One day, a baby hitman suddenly appeared in his room where he and his mother were present. He blatantly introduced himself as Reborn, the world's greatest hitman and a hired tutor by my counterpart's mother. When they were alone, Reborn told him that he was there to teach my counterpart how to be a mafia boss since he was established as an heir by Vongola Nono, or we know as Timoteo de Vongola. With that, his life changed." He eyed Koro-sensei. "If I tell you his story, will you believe me, Sensei?"

"That depends, Tsuna-kun." The teacher answered.

He nodded. "Very well."

He spoke about how his counterpart got his guardians. He enumerated them with a sense of familiarity. How they went through so much in the ring battle with an explanation of what it was for. He told him the trip to the future. What happened to Vongola after nine and a half years, who did it, how Byakuran did it, how Yuni was affected, how Reborn's group died due to anti-Tri-ni-sette radiation. He told him how they played the game 'Choice', how they pulled Yuni to safety, and how it ended up with his counterpart killing Byakuran after Yuni sacrificed herself to revive the Arcobaleno.

He told him about the Simoun. Who are they, how are they related to the Vongola from four hundred years ago to recent, and how did they influence the tenth generation Vongola. He told him about the first generation's story and what prompted Spade's betrayal. He spoke about how Spade found the Simoun, how they ended up fighting due to some misunderstanding, how it pained Chrome, and how the encounter almost killed his counterpart. He assured him though that Vongola and Simoun were in touch; that they reconciled with Spade passing on after defeating him.

He retold about the Representative Battles. How it made all seven Arcobaleno get their own representatives, and made them fight with their assigned opponents in allotted time. He told him about the Vindice and their role in the battle. He told him the predicted outcome of the battle, and how his counterpart made a genius idea with Reborn as an inspiration. He spoke of how they strategized to defeat the Vindice and cure the Arcobaleno after.

Then he told him his counterpart's journey. Recounted every remarkable event like the inheritance ceremony where all previous bosses took their time blessing his counterpart with their own wills. How Reborn kneeled in front of his counterpart and said his loyalties that shocked every mafiosi present during that time. How some mafia families were destroyed with a simple word. How the whole family had their own fun times, even those times they faced hard moments. And then he told him about his counterpart's death, and his dream regarding Xanxus.

That's when Tsuna realized that he also lived those times even if they were dreams. How he was given such vivid experiences to learn such things and relish them even if they weren't his. That even if it was his counterpart, it was also his in a way.

"So, everything you knew about assassins...?"

"They were true. I did do some hacking back then. My intuition was harnessed because of my experiences. It had helped me survive my school life as well." He answered. "Koro-sensei, my counterpart had met you back then."

"Nuah?!" The teacher gasped. "H-How?!"

"You were introduced to him by Reborn. He said you are his better half in terms of the killing profession. If Colonnello was his best friend in some things, then you are his partner. He even quizzed my counterpart the difference between a hitman and an assassin. You had told them about your apprentice, a mistake you created for being unable to teach him properly. The next month, Reborn came with a news that you were caught and your student betrayed you. The family got you out, killed Yanagisawa Kotarou and his fellow scientists after Mukuro discovered what they were doing to you. My counterpart issued the order himself to catch your student, dead or alive. And do you know who killed him for you? My counterpart himself, Sensei. Because he swore that your student doesn't deserve a great man like you as his mentor."

"I-I..."

"Sensei, as much as I can't hide things from you, you can't hide things from me too." He gave a smile. "Reborn was a perfect match for my counterpart. And I think, even if I'm not your favorite student-"

"Tsuna-kun!"

"-we are also a good combination." He snickered at his teacher's pout. "A tad bit childish at some point perhaps."

He watched as Koro-sensei regarded him with cautious eyes before the latter sighed as he relaxed. "You're full of surprises, Tsuna-kun. You won't let me go, will you?"

"I'm not one to give up something when it's a task, Sensei." He replied as he played with his phone. "I am planning to free the Arcobaleno, even before I came to a decision that I needed to do the same thing to you. It triggered this sense of irritability on my biological family, since they could've done the cure if they were smart enough to realize that the Arcobaleno have short life spans. It is also the only thing I could do as a form of thank you to the Reborn in this world. My counterpart died, unable to see his loved ones one more time. In a way, regardless of the fact that we don't know each other, I can still thank them for being there for him." He glanced at the side. "And I won't hesitate killing you myself if you get in my way, Spade-san."

"Nufufufu." Spade chuckled as he stepped out of his hiding place. The doll bowed his head, hand on his chest. "Your life is entertaining enough, Tsunayoshi. I won't want to add more when I like it as it is."

"Good to know." Tsuna harrumphed before turning to his teacher. "Koro-sensei, I am not forcing you to comply to my wishes. You have plenty of time to decide. Remember, we have a deal. And I'm already telling you that I'm taking Verde under my wings to cure you."

"I know, Tsuna-kun." The yellow teacher nodded, blushing a little as his tentacles flail. "I-I'm just very grateful to have someone who would want to take care of me."

He grinned. "Nah. Frankly, you're another debt of Reborn on me after the Arcobaleno cure."

Koro-sensei chuckled, getting the humor. "Of course. If it makes my friend's life a little miserable, I won't mind."

Tsuna stared at the three boxes underneath his name. One box for a school of choice for high school, another for the first occupation choice, and last for the second occupation choice. He hadn't put anything since he got the paper. Karma has been staring at it too, trying to figure out what's inside the brunet's head, and why was he not putting his plans for the future.

(Must be nice to have a career path paved already.)

Koro-sensei gave them the papers to fill up for a career consultation that morning. Just in case someone was able to kill the teacher, and the world ends up being safe; he was urging them to think of their futures after graduating middle school. Then they were tasked to have one-on-one interview with the teacher in the staff room after filling up their papers with their goals. Someone already went on ahead; most were done, some were waiting for their turn, and a few were still thinking. One of the few was obviously Tsuna.

Well, there were a lot of options for the brunet. He could be everything he wanted to be. However, he wanted a quiet life. Having that in thought, he has to pick between choices. He could be a writer (although he's not the fantasy, fictional type nor a wide reader), a freelance consultant (if he has the experience needed), an investor (that could be arranged since he can hide under a name) or a business man (that will take some effort so probably bunkers).

He dropped his head on the table and blew air to his bangs that fell on his face. How troublesome.

"Having trouble, child?" He looked to the side to see Spade- Or Daemon as he pushed, sitting on his table and facing him. "Career paths are quite tricky for children around your age."

He sighed. "Sometimes, they thought those who work already have plans for the future in their heads. The actuality is pretty different since most people do have plans. Like Isogai-san. While some..." He sighed. "I mean I just wanted to survive back then. I've been saying I wanted to have a quiet life by being a hermit in an isolated place with my own house alone."

"Well, that is a plan."

"Yes. But is it a career?" He queried as he sat up and leaned back to the rest of his chair.

"You could find something that you can do as you live that way, Tsunayoshi." Daemon uncharacteristically said in patience. "Think back, what did you say you wanted to be?"

Tsuna bit his lower lip. "I once thought of publishing my notes. I like creating them because information is important, and it can help those people who can't understand the book itself. A lot have praised my way of taking notes too. They said they could understand the lesson they missed after reading it. Like Karma, for example. So, I thought, maybe I could be a writer."

"The problem is you don't have the passion." Daemon read. "True. You don't have the passion; however, you have that drive. Think about it, Tsunayoshi, even if you don't have the passion, as long as you have the inspiration and motivation, you can do what you want to do. You have stated to your teacher, even if you don't like the deed, you have to do it with your dying will."

He stared at the man. "Was there a time you also hesitated?"

"A lot of times." The doll looked down to the paper on the table. "All I had for years was the thought of Vongola and Elena. To make Vongola stronger and avenge my beloved Elena. I have done a lot of things I didn't want to do, even questioned myself of my decisions as I continued to live in this plane. I could've passed on as well, like what they did. But I couldn't. I just love the Vongola my Elena adored."

"Have you ever realized that you changed it too much?" He asked, remembering what Vongola was doing until now. "That the Vongola she adored must have been buried under those blood and sins the past generations have done?"

"Yes. It was a matter of choice between making that organization stay as weak as it is by letting it stay clean, or making it stronger by dunking it to the mad sea of water." Daemon let out a breath. "My Elena died because of our incompetence; however, she loved the Vongola that protects the weak."

"Are you happy of what it achieved until now?"

The doll shook his head before gazing at him. "I'm more marveled with the Vongola your counterpart made, Tsunayoshi. It's weak, yet it is also strong. It upholds the will of Vongola as a whole. It is a group that protects the weak and tightly holds the thought of family. I know they had ups and downs, yet, it is remarkable how they are still there for each other."

"My counterpart is a weak-hearted person." He gave way. "He believes in people's kindness and good heart. It takes a lot of things for him to get angry and really loathe a person. As Mukuro once taunted on him, he forgives people for their sakes. He just has this power to attract people and make them feel at ease enough. Enough to make Alaude-san to seek him out with Secondo at the same time."

"Oh?" Daemon uttered, almost mortified with the thought. Tsuna nodded, causing the mist to laugh.

"Giotto-san talked to my counterpart regarding you as well." He confessed after a second of contemplation, remembering that memory. "He said they understand why you did that. Why you thought that it's Simoun that was making Vongola weak, why you were angry at them for being incompetent due to Elena-san's death, why you betrayed them, why you tried to control Vongola and tried to make it stronger, and rise to your expectations. They forgave you for that a long time ago. All they needed from you was for you to come and maybe apologize for leaving them and not believing in them." Tsuna pulled the pocket watch from his inner pocket in his jacket and placed it on the table. He slid it to the doll. "I apologize for stealing that. I know it's important to you, and I want to return it."

The doll reached out to it, shrinking it and then stared at it before looking up to Tsuna. "You are not what I expected, Tsunayoshi. Thank you."

Tsuna gave a small smile before taking his pencil and went to wrote his chosen high school, 'writer' on the first occupation and 'investor' on the second occupation.

"Hm. That is a good option."

He grinned. "Less work, more money." Then he tapped his temple. "Love to have a wicked cheat sometimes."

Daemon laughed.

Koro-sensei was more or less impressed with his choices. The teacher even laughed when he said that Daemon helped him settle for a career. Koro-sensei admitted that he was worried regarding the brunet's chosen career. There were times the teacher doubted that the teen has already settled for a path even though he couldn't read Tsuna that well. There were also times that the teacher felt assured that Tsuna did so. However, the teacher got concerned when the brunet admitted he had troubles deciding. He was understanding enough to say that he was now happy that Tsuna found what he wanted to do.

The day proceeded as it is. He went to work with Karma, then attended the convenient store. He kicked the redhead out by ten, even though they were living in the same place for three days now. Xanxus asked him to stay for two weeks at most until Reborn didn't give a heads up that the CEDEF cronies have backed out. It's either he says 'yes' or Xanxus would go to Tokyo to hide him somewhere. Karma has been ecstatic since then, and kept on pulling Itona to a game. The latter wouldn't refuse since he liked the distraction. They weren't that worried though, since he has Daemon with him. Jerks, really.

It was around eleven when someone came in. Tsuna looked up from his notes to see Nagisa who fidgeted by the door. It was a tug and that pang of concern that made him stand up. Blue eyes looked up to him, and those tense shoulders sagged in relief, as if the sight of him assures Nagisa of something.

"Good evening, Nagisa." He greeted, casual and normal; as if he didn't notice the tension.

"Good evening, Tsuna." The other greeted softly.

He went out of the registry and beckoned the other to follow. "What would you like to drink?"

"E-Eh?" The teen blurted and went on a small jog to follow the brunet's quick pace. "I-I don't know."

"Have you eaten dinner?" He queried, glancing at the teal-head while halting just by the cooler side of the store. He got a nod. He counted one up to five while softly tapping the lids of the yoghurt from him. He pulled the fifth yoghurt out then took a fruit soda. "Take this."

"O-Oh." Nagisa took them.

"Usually, the fifth drink on the shelves are the ones that are cold enough to drink. The nearest is too warm, the farthest is too cold." He explained. "Do you like chocolates?" He questioned after taking a small box of chocolate milk for himself. "We have good ones."

"Sure."

He took chocolate tabs as he passed the aisle and went for the chips section to get two bags before leading the other to the counter. "Come on in. You can sit on Karma's chair. I kicked him out since ten."

"Ah. He did say you make him go home every ten in the evening." Nagisa nodded as he put the yoghurt and fruit soda on the counter.

Tsuna punched the items in. "I don't want the people in his house to worry, so I kick him out. I only let him stay on rare times."

"He must be pretty excited whenever he can stay." Nagisa snickered while pulling out something from his pocket.

"Nope." He quickly waved off to the teal-head who paused. "This is my treat."

"E-Eh? But Tsuna, they're-"

"I rarely treat people." He explained as he pulled the card he was using as a bookmark to his notebook and swiped it on the cash registry to pay the bill. "Let alone Karma who wrestles with me when I attempt to do so. Koro-sensei is an exemption since I make him sweets. Itona is like a brother to me now since we live in the same place and I share to him what I buy and bring. So right now, you're the one I'd like to treat for a small snack."

Nagisa stared at him before a small smile formed on those lips. "I like this version of you, Tsuna. You look so relaxed and free."

"I am?" He asked back as he sat on his seat again. He patted the one next to him. "That's good. At least I'm starting to learn how to interact with you as well."

"It's more of you need to speak up more." Nagisa pointed out as he joined the brunet and took a bag of chips to open. "We need your insights sometimes."

"I don't think things will change if I say something regarding the situation." He shrugged while taking the other bag to open. "And as long as it's not dangerous, I don't think I need to say something. Everything that happens with us in Class E are like lessons. One way or another, we'll learn."

He glanced the other teen when the latter looked up to him. "What did you put on your career sheet?"

The brunet stared at the other for a second. "Koro-sensei had to make another box for my career plan." He put a chip inside his mouth as he thought of what happened that afternoon. "We got in a little debate regarding my career. I had stated that I wanted a quiet life after all my... Adventures in the past years except for this."

"Yeah."

"So, the first option was a writer. Daemon said it's a nice option since it can be quiet; one book can make me rich, and I don't need to problem about money for a few years." He quirked a smile when Nagisa chuckled at that. "Second option was to be a company investor under an alias so I could live quietly while being a billionaire with some company's help. Koro-sensei argued that I'm being a cheater since I'm earning money without working. But I said I am risking most of my money for possible bankruptcy so it was fair. He got worried that I'll be a hermit for life so he created another box for me."

"What did you put?"

"He-" He corrected. "-put 'pastry chef', because I can do it and it is already one of my jobs. I just wish the second option will come true."

Nagisa sweatdropped and gave an amused smile. "I'll hope with you."

Tsuna 'pft'-ed before eyeing the other again. "What about you?"

"I-I didn't put anything." The teal-head answered, slowly folding the empty bag of chips. Blue eyes glanced at him fearfully. "I... I thought I can be an... assassin though."

He hummed, contemplating. "What did Koro-sensei say?"

"Uh... he saw through me. He told me that I was asking him the risk of taking that profession. It matters with my bravery that I pair up with my skills. Also, he said I do self-sacrifice a lot. So, he wants me to think of another job."

"Well, it is a good option since you have the talent and skills to do it." Nagisa perked up at his answer. "But assassins have a lot in their shoulders most of the time as they live on. They sometimes come to regret killing someone, sometimes they can't refuse a kill that will target the people they knew. There will be times you'll be plagued with so much negative emotions and nightmares as you remember those people you have killed with your hands and with a weapon of your choosing. The idea is inviting, but the deed is too heavy to be carried.

"It's not like I'm dissuading you to be one. But I want you to remember the imposter God of Death. He was all about skills, and he said he gains more whenever he kills. But can you do that? Kill more people just for the sake of skills? Just because you have the talent for it? What if you can be a good psychiatrist with how good you read people, or maybe you can be someone who advocates because you can empathize with the people, since your skill lies with the fact that you can read people well. What if you could use it to a good thing but you chose the wrong path?"

Nagisa looked down to the yoghurt he just opened. "My Mom wants to talk to one of our teachers to give them a transfer slip so I could go back to the main building. I don't really want to go so I informed Koro-sensei. The problem is Karasuma-sensei is out of town for some business-related things, his subordinates are not legible to talk to her because they aren't teachers. Koro-sensei can't show up as he is because of what he is, and Bitch-sensei might not give a good impression."

"Ah." Tsuna uttered softly as he took the chocolate. He had met Shiota Hiromi several times. A good customer in some of the stores he had worked at back then. She's a very... Controlling woman. Ambitious, futuristic, and idealistic.

"I... I don't want to go." Nagisa sighed heavily. "I don't want to leave Class E. I don't want to return to that place and follow my Mom's dreams. I don't want to enter the university she failed to enter or the company she failed to get a job on. But I can't also tell her that I don't want to do them because she'll get angry."

"I heard she wished for a girl as a child." He said in some kind of a passing manner. Nagisa's shoulders slumped further. "She likes to dress you up sometimes, doesn't she?"

The teal-head gave a small bitter smile while touching his hair. "It's the reason why I had to keep my hair longer. Thanks to Kayano, I was able to keep it up like this."

"Did Koro-sensei assure you that he will do something?"

Tsuna chuckled when Nagisa grimaced before laughing a little as well. "Yeah. He did, but I don't think it will work."

"Do you want me to say my opinion on this, Nagisa?" He asked. The teal-head nodded earnestly. "It will be hard but the person who could tell her that you want to stay in Class E is you. I know you know your mother well, I also know you could read her just fine, so I know you'll know the right moment to tell her." He passed him the tab of chocolate. "There will be a time that you have to show her what you do in Class E and it will make her understand. That one specific adversary that you could use for your advantage."

Nagisa took the chocolate slowly, processing what he said.

Tsuna smiled. "Isn't that Class E's specialty? Using their disadvantage to gain opportunity?"

The teal-head beamed. "Yeah."

"Good. Now eat up."

They went out by eleven-thirty. Tsuna bid Nagisa goodbye after walking him to his house. He gave a teasing 'good luck' that the other chuckled at. He passed by a block when Koro-sensei started to walk beside him. He regarded the man with a nod which the latter returned with a smile.

"Can you help me, Tsuna-kun?"

"As long as I can, I will."