AN: The shortest chapter ever. It's more filler-y, but still important to the plot. Um, and yeah. I spent forever not updating? (I updated in only 3 months, which is an accomplishment!) Oh, and I drew the cover. I'll add more at the bottom.

Song: Just Be Friends by Dixie Flatline feat. Megurine Luka.

Mochida had seemed almost sheepish as he said, quite gruffly, "Sorry for fighting you."

Tsuna blinked, and replied, "It wasn't your fault."

He understood Mochida's motives—even if he couldn't get Kyoko, Mochida would protect her to the best of his abilities because he loved her.

"I understand why you did it, even if Kyoko-san doesn't. She's dating Ietsuna-san now." The unsaid, 'You should give up,' was still loud and clear.

Tsuna loved Kyoko too, so he could relate to Mochida.

"Tsuna."

Even though Mochida had never said anything bad about him, he was still called "Dame-Tsuna" whenever being addressed, so he was mildly shocked and pleased by this change.

"Yes, Mochida-san?"

"Let's be friends."

Tsuna couldn't help but smile. "Yes, let's be friends."

Even as the bell rang and Mochida returned to his own class, Tsuna couldn't stop himself from smiling stupidly as he walked into his own class. It felt nice to have a friend that wasn't Hibari (and Hibari would never accept the term friend.)

Tsuna, meeting Mochida the next day at lunch again, told him that he had training with Hibari. Mochida only stared at him as if he was an alien, but Tsuna thought nothing of it; anyone who willingly trained with Hibari had to be an extraterrestrial being.

"One day, I want you and Hibari-san to meet," Tsuna then said, and Mochida laughed at the statement. He could only stare at him levelly, hoping Mochida would get the hint.

"You were serious?"

"Yes, Mochida-san."

The conversation died there, and Tsuna wanted to ask, "Are you okay? Do you still love Kyoko-san?" but he knew that it would not be nice for either of them. It would tear open wounds that Mochida just barely started to heal and the walls he built, isolating his emotions, would start to weaken and fall.

"I should go back," Tsuna said, and Mochida didn't reply. He walked away, hoping that Mochida was doing better now that the reality of Kyoko never being his had hit him (in the face.)

Tsuna saw Mochida run into Kyoko afterschool that day. He had been walking to the rooftop when he nearly walked into an intimate moment. He saw the tenderness in Mochida's eyes, but it wasn't unbearable to look at.

At that moment, Tsuna knew that Mochida had truly accepted that Kyoko would never return his feelings.

"I hope he makes you happy."

And he witnessed Kyoko's shock; Tsuna couldn't really blame her.

"Thank you, Mochida-senpai. And I hope you find happiness." She bowed, excusing herself.

Backing away before Mochida could turn and catch him, Tsuna quickly walked to the rooftop, and met Hibari, who merely glared at him.

"I'm sorry for being late, Hibari-senpai."

Hibari rushed him, tonfas out, and Tsuna knew that was the closest he would get for an "apology accepted."

The training session was brutal, as always, and he walked away, rubbing his forearm, when Mochida approached him.

"I want to see your house."

And he couldn't help but laugh. "I would like it if Mochida-san came over."

He felt indescribably happy as he walked home with a friend that didn't threaten him. While Hibari had gone to his house before, he would arrive without notice. He never walked home with Hibari as his friend was busy patrolling Namimori.

As Mochida entered the house, Tsuna couldn't help but notice that it was eerily silent. It was almost as if there was no one home. He pushed that thought aside as he led Mochida to his bedroom.

"Would you like anything?" Tsuna asked, mostly because he saw anime characters do this for their friends. (Even if Mochida responded with a negative, he planned on returning with tea, at the least.)

"Water's fine."

Tsuna just went downstairs and retrieved two cups of water; even if he preferred tea, he would drink the same as his friend. He also looked for snacks, and settled on potato chips—he assumed that was a common snack to offer with water.

Mochida thanked him, and staring at his cup, asked, "You don't know how to host friends, do you?" Tsuna started to panic, thinking he did something wrong, when Mochida continued. "You didn't do bad. It's just that you don't have any friends at school, so I assumed you don't really spend time with people you can call friends."

Tsuna sighed softly, and started to speak. "Y-you're the first, no, second, friend I had here. Hibari-san was the first one here, but he doesn't really accept anything from me. Other than fights, and the trouble I seem to attract."

"I bet he has a field day with that," Mochida muttered.

"Hm?"

"It's nothing."

It was silent after that, until Tsuna asked, "Do you want to listen to music?"

"Sure."

Notes:

- As mentioned above, I drew the cover, and I'll be drawing more, based on the palette challenge. (I'll explain it on my LJ.)

- Hopefully I can post another chapter this month; I mean, I would like to have the tenth chapter out by next month.

- Oh, and I haven't been on so long that I lost my docs (for not updating.)

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