Taming the Skylark (A Katekyo Hitman Reborn fanfiction)
Standard disclaimers apply. I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn, Amano Akira-sensei does; though, of course, the OC is mine.
It took Nanami a week to be discharged from the hospital and another for her to fully recover at home. Thus, when the brunette returned to school, it was already October.
"Welcome back, president." As usual, Kusakabe greeted and escorted her from the school gates.
Nanami sighed at the seemingly repetitive shtick of getting into trouble and being forced to take a leave from school. How was she supposed to enjoy her student life and fulfill her responsibilities if she was always absent?
As if sensing her worry, Kusakabe gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, president. Kyo-san and the other council members worked extra hard during your absence, and the dating rumor had already been addressed."
Ah, right. That stupid rumor. She examined her surroundings and found some onlookers still whispering. Obviously, being escorted by the right-hand man of her alleged lover wasn't the greatest idea.
Nonetheless, Nanami could no longer be bothered. Instead of dawdling on matters she could not resolve, she decided to focus on the preparations for the Cultural Festival. She was determined to hold the event for two days and make it a big success as compensation for the poorly-organized Sports Fest that was caused by her unceremonious trip to Italy.
Meetings were called everyday. Everything was proceeding smoothly.
Everything, except for one.
From her seat, the student council president silently watched the disciplinary committee vice chairman squirm uncomfortably under her gaze. It was already the fourth meeting that Hibari Kyoya had missed — or ditched, if Kusakabe's silent admission of guilt was anything to go by.
Nanami was sure she saw him that morning. In fact, he was at Namimori High during the other meetings as well. The man, for all his shortcomings and other eccentricities, never skipped school.
Then, was it his disdain for crowds? Possible but unlikely. Hibari had already attended prior meetings. The skylark would simply perch himself on the window, listen to the discussion and interrupt if he heard nonsense — which, in all honesty, happened way too often for Nanami's liking.
Hibari obviously doubted the capabilities of the council. So, why would he leave them to their own devices? If anything—
"How can I possibly entrust the school affairs to you, herbivores?"
A dreadful silence fell upon the room.
"...is what he would say." Nanami muttered defeatedly as she realized that she had just unknowingly mimicked the skylark aloud.
An indignant snort from Kusakabe broke the ice. Kurokawa could be seen trying to hold back her laughter albeit failing miserably, while Ogata remained on his seat with nothing but a blank stare as if he had just lost faith in humanity.
Before she could commit another blunder that was sure to haunt her forever, Nanami finally decided to pay Hibari a visit in the Disciplinary office. However, her hand stilled before it could knock on the door.
Isn't it better that he's not around? A last-minute realization hit the president. While it was ideal for all committee chairmen to be present, the absence of Hibari Kyoya on the contrary improved the participation of the other members.
She wouldn't go as far as to say that the work was overall better without him since there were certain things that only he — in all his fearless glory — could do. But, admittedly, the workflow had been smoother since people no longer had to walk on eggshells around a hard-to-please man.
After a long period of thought, Nanami brought down her hand and walked away.
But...
It did not take long for her steps to falter, and she begrudgingly returned in front of his office.
To her surprise, someone was now standing on the other side of the door. It didn't take a genius to know who it was.
What, did he sense her leaving and was about to follow her? Nanami waited for him to open the door but to no avail. Sighing in defeat, she was about to invite herself in when the door finally slammed open, revealing a less than amused Hibari Kyoya.
"What is it?" he asked curtly.
She wasn't even doing anything but he's already irritated? It's like their relationship had reverted back to when they first met.
Nanami cleared her throat and decided to tease him a little bit. "Not even bothering to invite the guest inside the room, committee chairman?"
"It's a bother, as you've said. Cut to the chase."
O—kay? He wasn't just irritated. The man was in a bad mood. She breathed out an exasperated sigh. "Why are you skipping meetings? As the disciplinary chairman, you should know how important the role of your committee is in the Cultural Festival."
"Kusakabe attends in my stead and reports everything to me. I see no problem." He answered almost dismissively.
Nanami stared at him for a moment, before her eyes narrowed knowingly. For a confrontational person, he was avoiding her gaze too much. Something was definitely amiss.
"Is there a reason you can't go yourself? If there's something bothering you, tell me. I might be able to help." She offered him a hand to emphasize her good intent. "Just think of it as thanks for saving me when I was hit by a baseball."
Hibari flinched. It was barely noticeable, but with Nanami on alert even the most miniscule change of expression could not escape her.
However, that didn't mean she understood him. How could she, when the man in question barely understood himself?
He felt worried, was her best guess despite the absurdity of the idea. She wasn't wrong. But she wasn't completely right either.
How convenient it would've been for Hibari if that was all there was to it.
"I heard from Reborn-san that if you hadn't saved me, I would've been in serious trouble. Thank y—"
"It doesn't matter. You could've died for all I care."
...
Huh?
Nanami was at a total loss of words. His statement was so uncalled for, it caused her brain to stop functioning entirely.
Hibari walked past the brunette but could not go far as his arm was suddenly captured in a tight hold. He hissed in pain, slightly surprised at the strength of her grip. It was like she would break his arm if he dared to leave.
"What the fuck is your problem?"
A curse word. Needless to say, Nanami was pissed — it was Hibari's turn to realize that. Now, he was sure she would break his arm if he even dared to move a muscle.
"Is that how you answer to someone's gratitude? By acting like an asshole?" She pulled his arm as if forcing him to face her. Hibari only gave her a sideways glance.
"You must be so miserable to thank someone for not leaving you to die like a normal person should."
"I hate to break it to you but you're far from normal."
In a flash, Hibari summoned a tonfa and swung it towards the brunette. Aware of his short temper, Nanami already raised a hand in anticipation. But, surprisingly, the hit never landed.
It was only then did their eyes finally meet. Silver ones reflected shock; bronze muddled with confusion.
A slight movement caught Nanami's attention and she looked at his hand that was holding the tonfa. It was... trembling.
However, before she could ask him anything, Hibari had already pulled his arm free from her grasp.
"Get lost. The sight of you is making me nauseous."
A few days later, during his afternoon patrol with Kusakabe, Hibari ran into the very person he was trying to elude. Standing in front of the lockers was Senritsu Nanami, staring blankly at her outdoor shoes that remained untouched inside the compartment.
He looked away, as if riddled by guilt at her distracted state. Avoiding her was not done out of spite; it was simply a consequence of the solution he came up with.
The skylark wasn't lying when he said that seeing her brought him nausea. For reasons he did not know, excruciating headaches plagued him every time he was reminded of her bloodied figure. And it went without saying that the memory was easily triggered by the sight of the person involved.
A sudden throb on the temple caused Hibari to wince, only further proving his point. He was about to walk away when something caught his attention. It was barely a mumble, but he had sharp hearing.
"Why does it feel like nothing is going the way I want it to?" Nanami sighed. After putting on her outdoor shoes, she exited the school building with her back slumped.
"Did something happen?" Hibari asked Kusakabe, just to be sure. It could mean trouble if the council was slacking off at such an important time.
Kusakabe looked down thoughtfully. "I think it has something to do with the principal rejecting the proposal for a bonfire."
"Of course, he would." Hibari scoffed. "Which of those good-for-nothings came up with such a dangerous idea?"
"It was the president."
...
There was an awkward pause as Kusakabe waited for Hibari's response. Upon receiving nothing — not even an insult that he was anticipating — the vice chairman took the chance and grabbed a paper from his clipboard.
"I actually have a copy of her proposal. Would you like to take a look at it, Kyo-san?"
After a moment of hesitation, Hibari examined the document. "Her plan is well-thought-out but there are loopholes. Getting approval from the City Fire Department would be difficult."
"I see," Kusakabe muttered defeatedly. "If you say so, I guess it can't be helped."
Hibari gave him a strange look. "I never said it was impossible."
Kusakabe's unexpected announcement almost made Nanami scream in the middle of the meeting.
"President, the proposal for the bonfire has been approved."
She jumped out of her seat. "Eh?! How did you—?"
"The disciplinary committee gathered approval from the Neighborhood Association which was then endorsed to the City Fire Department. They said it would be alright, as long as the school uses nonflammable materials for the outdoor design within 50-meter radius of the bonfire."
The council erupted in a cheer. After the discussion, Nanami approached Kusakabe.
"Thank you so much, Kusakabe! I'm sure it wasn't easy. How did you get permission in just a day?"
"It was the chairman's idea to talk to the Neighborhood Association to get an approval from the Fire Department. He said the process would be quicker if we secure a written support from the townspeople," he explained with a smile, delighted to see Nanami in high spirits again.
"I see. I was sure he would reject the idea so I didn't bother consulting with your committee."
"To be honest, he didn't approve of it at first," he admitted hesitantly. "But Kyo-san changed his mind after reading your proposal. He seemed impressed with the amount of thought the president put into it."
"You're flattering me again," Nanami chuckled. Was it his imagination or was the president trying to dismiss the topic? "Anyway, I'd like to set a meeting with your committee regarding the matter. When are you free, Kusakabe?"
It seemed that his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, after all. He guessed that something bad might had happened between them after Hibari stopped attending meetings. Her reaction just now confirmed that suspicion.
"Isn't it better to talk to the chairman directly?" he suggested.
With a perfectly-controlled expression on her face, Nanami replied as if nothing was wrong. "I don't think he'd like that. He doesn't even want to see me."
The nonchalance in her voice had taken Kusakabe aback. Before he could ask anything, Nanami had already set an appointment and promptly excused herself.
Kusakabe thought of asking Hibari, but it was more likely that he would receive a beating instead of an explanation. With a sigh, the vice chairman retreated back to the Disciplinary office.
Nanami just had her last class for the day and was on the way to meet Kusakabe when she came across two familiar underclassmen and an infant talking to an unknown visitor.
She couldn't see his face, but judging from the good amount of female audience he had attracted, it was easy to guess that he was quite the looker. And probably a foreigner, going by the blonde hair and tall height.
"You'll be gone for a week?!" Nanami heard Tsuna scream.
"Yes. Unfortunately, the festival might already be over by the time I get back," Reborn sighed, his shoulders drooped in disappointment. "How sad. I was looking forward to walking around the school eating yakisoba and takoyaki."
"So generic!"
"Will you be bringing that stupid cow with you?" asked Gokudera.
"As much as we want to, I don't think Lambo is old enough to understand what happened," said the unknown visitor. Of course, Nanami made a mental note of how soft-spoken the man was.
"And there's that issue of him being destructive too. It'd be a disaster if that happened in a funeral." Reborn added.
"The Head of the Bovino Famiglia, huh? Barely reaching 40 and dying from a disease," Gokudera paused in thought. "Seems like their family really has weak constitution."
"You say that, but in fact, he's already one of the Bovino who lived the longest. Everyone is more worried for his successor."
It didn't take Nanami long to realize that they were talking about the mafia, and that the unknown visitor was one of them.
"If their family situation is that bad, shouldn't Lambo visit them regularly? This might be the perfect chance to do that."
Reborn grinned at Tsuna's suggestion. "If you insist, I can allow that on the condition that you'll be tagging along. As his boss and the Neo Vongola Primo."
"You just want me to be his babysitter!"
It was then did Nanami finally decide to make her presence known and approached the group.
"Sorry, but I overheard your conversation. Would you like me to apply a leave of absence for you, Sawada?"
"Senpai!"
All of them turned to her with a look of surprise, except for Reborn who seemed to be aware right from the beginning. "There's no need for that. I was just messing with Tsuna."
"Crazy woman!" Gokudera pointed at her accusingly. "It's rude to eavesdrop on people like that!"
With an eyebrow raised, Nanami stated matter-of-factly, "You're literally standing in the middle of the corridor. If you want to keep it a secret, don't talk in a public place."
"You—!"
"Senritsu clan is allied with the Vongola Family. She's allowed to be privy to our secrets." Reborn stopped Gokudera before he could start another pointless fight with Nanami.
"Oh, right!" Tsuna turned to the man beside him. "Let me introduce you our upperclassman. She is the student council president—"
It was embarrassing how Nanami instantly blanked out as soon as she saw the face of the unknown visitor. He was a looker, indeed! He reminded her greatly of her favorite character, Usui Takumi from The President is a Maid!
It was only when he gestured his hand towards her did Nanami break out of her trance.
"I knew it. Not everyone could hide their presence as perfectly as you did," he praised her with a kind smile.
"I've heard a lot about you, Nanami. Nice to meet you. I'm Dino from Cavallone."
Author's Note:
Guess who's back?
Long time no see! I just finished my board exam and will be taking a one-year break before I start working so I'll be writing and drawing a lot for the meantime.
I hope there are still people reading this in 2023. I missed you guys!