Emotions are such a bother. Sometimes I wish I didn't have them. But what would remain of my humanity...of me?
Seven
Orithyea
Chapter 12: The Acceptance
"Tsu-kun, someone's waiting for you downstairs. It's rude to make them wait."
Tsuna groaned as he felt the warmth of the blanket suddenly leave him. He grumbled and fumbled for it, eyes still close. With another groan, he forced himself to open his eyes, surprised to see his mother looking at him sternly. Gulping, he rubbed his eyes frantically, trying to wake his body up. As expected, he hadn't manage to sleep well last night. Thoughts of the future plagued him and he didn't possess the heart to face it head on.
He stretched his limbs and yawned. A couple of hours of shut-eye was all he got. It was only when he stood up that his mother's words registered in his mind. In a moment of frenzy, he grabbed his mother on her shoulders, although not firmly. "Someone's waiting for me downstairs?" asked Tsuna.
"Yes—Ah, it isn't—!"
He didn't wait for her to finish. As fast as his short legs permitted, he ran outside his room and went down the stairs, stopping just outside the kitchen, feeling anxious. It was impossible. It was over. The illusion had already shattered into bits. He felt silly, stupid even, to hope that the farce they were playing was still ongoing. Shaking his head, he peered at the kitchen and felt relief, disappointment, and shock wash him.
"Good morning. What are you guys doing here?" asked Tsuna upon seeing his two friends eating breakfast.
"Morning, Tsuna. Sorry we didn't wait for you," said Yamamoto in between biting and chewing his food. "Hayato and I didn't have breakfast at home."
"I-I can see that. But what are you doing here?"
"Your week with Hibari-senpai is over, right? So we thought we can start going to school together from now on. Your house is on the way to school anyway." Yamamoto grinned.
"It was this idiot's idea, not mine," grumbled Gokudera.
Despite being reminded that his time with the prefect was over, Tsuna, nonetheless, was elated at the prospect of spending more time with his friends. He rubbed the back of his head and laughed, embarrassed. "I-I'd like that very much, Yamamoto, Gokudera-kun."
"It wasn't my idea, okay?" Gokudera scowled.
"No need to be shy, Hayato. We can share the credit." Yamamoto beamed at the other.
Gokudera rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He looked at Tsuna. "What are you standing there for, moron?"
Tsuna rushed to sit beside Yamamoto. Throughout the meal, he remained quiet as his friends exchanged mindless arguments. He smiled, knowing that, even though the past week jumbled his emotions, he gained friends amidst it all – friends who didn't mind that he was useless. It gave him a warm feeling, and he liked it.
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Tsuna yawned and rubbed his eyes, finding the class utterly boring. On the good side, however, Nezu the tyrant was on leave and Tsuna didn't want to experience any of his jeering and attempts to humiliate the brunet. He winced upon remembering the time he had gotten a zero on his mathematics test. Nezu wasn't pleased at all and had the brunet answer a college-level question in front of the class.
Under his breath, he grumbled. Why is there such a teacher anyway? Whatever. I'm just glad he's not here. Straightening his back, he allowed his eyes to roam about and chuckled as he saw Yamamoto sleeping behind his book. Gokudera, on the other hand, had his legs up on his table and was reading a book of which Tsuna couldn't decipher the title, although he did notice a picture of a green alien. Now that I think about it, isn't Gokudera-kun part of the Cult Club or something like that?
Out of instinct, his eyes fell on Kyoko, ever beautiful, kind, and sweet Kyoko who was listening attentively to the teacher.
When the bell rang, the substitute teacher for Nezu dismissed the class and went out. Tsuna yawned again and rested his forehead on his desk. It felt like a minute before he felt someone tapping his shoulder. He turned his head to see Yamamoto grinning at him, wearing his bag on his left shoulder. "Let's go to the arcade, Tsuna."
Huh? Is school over already? Tsuna glanced at the clock at the back wall. What? "Eh? It's only ten!"
"Come on, Tsuna. Just this once. Please?" Yamamoto clasped his hands together.
Hesitant, Tsuna said, "I didn't think you'd be the type to cut school, Yamamoto."
"He isn't," a new voice joined in; he spotted Gokudera, who was also wearing his bag, walking towards them, "although I have no idea what made this idiot spur this on." He raised an eyebrow at the baseball player.
"School's security is pretty lax, so no problem about going out. Let's go!"
"W-wait! I haven't even agreed yet!"
"I didn't think you'd be the type to want to attend school," said Gokudera, mimicking Tsuna's voice.
"H-hey!" Tsuna protested. "Oh, fine! Okay, all right? I'm coming with you." Muttering complains, he hastily packed all his things and sighed, knowing there would be no stopping the two. While walking to the door, he found the gazes of this classmates strange. It was no longer of mockery and contempt, but became one of overwhelming curiosity. Tsuna knew it wasn't because they were cutting class, but it was because of who he was cutting with.
Cutting class wasn't something that Tsuna was unfamiliar with which, unfortunately, often led him to being punished by the Disciplinary Committee often. He grimaced upon remembering a certain someone. Once they were in the corridor, Tsuna instantly became alert and paranoid; continuously looking back and forth. "Guys, won't Hiba—the Disciplinary Committee catch us?" He coughed, trying to cover up his blatant blunder. He didn't want his friends to think that he was pining for the prefect.
"Who cares?" Gokudera shrugged.
"Hibari-senpai's a friend." Yamamoto grinned.
To say Tsuna was appalled was an understatement. He blinked numerous times before shaking his head slowly in remorse. What have I brought myself into? We're going to get killed! Tsuna remained silent, simply following his friends. He had to shove both of them inside an empty classroom when one of Hibari's men turned towards their direction. As the sight of the committee member disappeared from his vision, he sighed in relief. "Guys, be more careful!"
"I could've just beaten his sorry ass." Gokudera shrugged again.
"I'm sure Hibari-senpai wouldn't mind that much if we talk to him." Yamamoto grinned again.
Tsuna gave up.
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Tsuna stared at the screen, then at Gokudera's face, then at his hands. He was completely awed at the swiftness of his fingers. He could never imagine someone to be so good at an arcade game, and he found it funny at how Gokudera took the game so seriously. Glancing at Yamamoto, he wasn't surprised that his friend's expression gave the image that this scene was something mundane.
"Want to play anything, Tsuna? Hayato's going to take a while there," said Yamamoto.
"Uh," Tsuna looked around awkwardly, not used to being in an arcade,"nothing really. Do you have anything in mind?"
"Nope. I don't usually play in arcades." Yamamoto sheepishly laughed.
"Eh? Then why did you suggest to come here?" Is he that bored at school? "Hey!" Tsuna's voice loudened. "Now that I think about it, aren't you both going out with anyone? You guys are," he flailed his hands, "super popular. Surely someone should be asking you out every week on the dot of the end of the date."
"Hayato and I are on a break. I get broke, you know." Yamamoto laughed. "It's just Hibari-senpai and Reborn-senpai who's rich. Maybe Mukuro, too, but I don't really see him often." He furrowed his eyebrows. "That guy sure is mysterious. Oh, Hayato, too, but I think he just wants some time off for himself."
They know Hibari-san and Reborn-senpai's rich. I wonder... "Do you know the reason why Vongola was created? And why are you two in it anyway?" Tsuna scratched his head. "I just don't think...uh...you guys would be interested in it." He glanced at his friend who was looking at Gokudera with a wistful smile and noticed that Gokudera's screen finally flashed the game over sign. Huh? "S-sorry. I'm butting in too much. N-n-never mind."
Yamamoto's attention snapped back to the brunet. "It's fine. It just seemed fun." Yamamoto laughed. However, Tsuna picked up the forced tone in it and wondered if he had said anything wrong. "About the creation, we've been told that. Reborn-senpai told us not to tell you, though. I don't know why." He shrugged.
"That guy's a sadist," grumbled Gokudera, finally standing up from his seat. "He was probably toying you. You were going out with Hibari then, weren't you? It's probably to instigate bullshit between the two of you. I'm actually surprised that bird freak agreed to go out with you. It goes against his own set of rules."
"I admit. It really got me curious, and I was scared to ask Hibari-san because I thought it was top secret." Tsuna chuckled. "But he told me about it with no problems."
"Why did you continue dating me?"
"To pass time."
Tsuna bit his lower lip, not knowing what more to say. He was grateful when Yamamoto chose to intervene. "Hey, I'm hungry. Let's have lunch. It's a lot better than just standing here talking." He added, "I'm broke, though."
Tsuna rummaged in his pocket and was crestfallen. "I'm broke, too."
"Can you still afford fast food?"
"...no."
"For god's sake." Gokudera slapped his forehead. "I'll lend money to you two idiots this time, but I expect double the payment, you hear me?"
"Hayato's so nice," cooed Yamamoto, swinging his arm around Gokudera.
"Stop being a moron." He shrugged off Yamamoto's arm and stormed outside the arcade.
Tsuna smiled in amusement. "Hey, Yamamoto, do you like Go—never mind." Better stop being nosy. He rushed off to catch up with Gokudera, who he found was leaning against the wall near the door. Yamamoto caught up with them in a flash.
"So where are you treating us, Hayato?"
Gokudera glared at him. "First of all, I'm not treating, I'm only lending. Second, I'm not a sugar daddy so we're only going for fast food. Understood?" When the two nodded vigorously, he clicked his tongue.
They arrived at a fast food, the first one they saw, since the trio had succumbed to hunger and no longer had the patience to walk some more. It wasn't crowded, however, majority of the people inside were adults. Tsuna gulped as they stared at them in a mix of indifference and disapproving way. While he was indeed used to skipping his classes, he would often stay hidden in school or at home and never wandered outside. I really hate being stared at...
He jolted lightly as Gokudera placed the tray down rather loudly. Tsuna licked his lips at the sight of the burger and fries. Gokudera even bought a shake for each. "I am grateful for thy bounty, O Almighty Gokudera-sama." Tsuna clapped his hands exaggeratedly.
Gokudera smirked. "Yeah, you better be."
Tsuna smiled and started eating, glad that he agreed to skip class with his friends. He wondered if they felt the same as him. To Tsuna, it seemed like Yamamoto and Gokudera wouldn't have any problems in gaining friends. They were goodnatured people no matter how Gokudera might deny it. Tsuna glanced at Gokudera and was surprised to see that he was also looking at him.
"So what happened between you and bird freak?" Gokudera rested his elbow on the table and leant his head towards it. "You've been acting pretty weird after that."
"E-eh? Nothing h-happened." Unfortunately.
"Unfortunately." Tsuna was taken aback and gaped at Yamamoto who was sipping his shake. "You like him, don't you, Tsuna?" The brunet sluggishly nodded and kept his gaze down. "What about Sasagawa?"
Slumping his shoulders, Tsuna started mixing his shake listlessly, not liking the direction their conversation was heading to. But it was something he needed to face. "I...I really don't know. I mean...I've liked Kyoko-chan for years! And then...and then Hibari-san comes and messes my thoughts. I've only spent a week with him! Isn't that shallow of me?" He let his eyes roam about, avoiding eye contact with his friends.
Gokudera leant forward. "Why don't you talk about it with Sasagawa?"
Tsuna almost spat his drink. "Are you crazy? First, that would mean me confessing to her! Second, Kyoko-chan likes Hibari-san. That's like asking me to be murdered twice!"
"If she's really a great friend as you've said, then she should understand instead of bitching about it."
Sighing, Tsuna hid his face in his hands. "How can you always say such logical things in a harsh way?"
Gokudera rolled his eyes. "I'm not an idiot unlike you two."
"Hey!" said Yamamoto. "But I gotta agree with Hayato, Tsuna. If she's really your friend, she'd understand, although you should also consider her feelings when things suddenly go boom," he swiftly opened both of his hands simultaneously, "in your friendship."
"Tch. Just give her some flowers if that happens."
"Or maybe some chocolates."
"Or shower her with stupid compliments. Girls like that crap."
"Or you can take her out on a date. She seems like a nice girl."
Tsuna chuckled as he listened to the two. "You two sure are a ladies' man."
Leaning forward, Gokudera flicked the brunet's forehead. "Bottom line is: girls are bothersome."
"But guys aren't." Tsuna smirked.
Gokudera glared at him. "You're a bastard."
Yamamoto looked at the two. "I'm pretty sure I've asked before, but am I missing something here?"
"Shut the hell up, baseball freak."
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Tsuna was humming as he opened the door to his house. It was a good day, a great one even. Not only did he get to avoid school, but he had fun throughout the day. "Mom, I'm home! I'll be in my room!" He hastily removed his shoes and rushed up the stairs, barely hearing Nana's response. While changing, he resumed his humming, feeling immensely relaxed, which he was grateful for after all the emotional turmoil he's experienced recently.
He flopped down on his bed and simply stared at the ceiling. Today was so fun... I wish there'd be other days like this. He closed his eyes. I didn't think it'd be possible to have friends and to hang out again. Chuckling, opened his eyes and stretched his arm with his palm opened as if reaching for something. I've always been stupid, friendless Dame-Tsuna, but... He clenched his hand. I'm not anymore.
A ringing sound startled him. Instantly sitting up, he stood up and rummaged through his bag for his phone. He gulped upon noticing who was calling. Hesitantly, he pressed the answer button and directed the device to his ear. "Hi, Kyo—"
"Tsuna-kun! Hibari-senpai accepted!"
"—ko-chan."