"Hello, I'm" - the line he said for the umpteenth time that month faltered when Yusuke found himself facing a bunch of people he knew - "your waiter for today," he finished lamely. "I would introduce myself, but I hope you guys know my name by now."

"Yusuke-kun," Maman exclaimed happily. At her obvious enthusiasm at seeing him, Yusuke had to smile.

"Hello Maman," he greeted. His eyes fell down to Tsuna, who gave him a small, fake smile. Yusuke made a note to ask him what was wrong later. Lastly, his eyes went up to Tsuna's shoulder, where Reborn was narrowing his eyes at him. Yusuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes, knowing Reborn was probably calculating the probability of this meeting being a coincidence. Damn. It wasn't like Yusuke was stalking them. He had been working here for a little more than a month and how would he know they would come here?

"Hey," he said, casually greeting both Tsuna and Reborn.

The Acrobaleno looked like he had something to say, but Yusuke didn't have time for his questions now. He had a job to do.

"So, what's the occasion?" Yusuke asked, making small talks as he put down the menus he had in his hands.

"It's Mama's birthday," the Acrobaleno replied in that baby pitch of his.

Yusuke glanced over at Maman in surprise. "Happy Birthday, Maman," he congratulated.

Maman smiled at him. "Thank you, Yusuke-kun."

Yusuke hummed. "So Tsuna, you decided to take Maman out to eat so she wouldn't have to cook today?"

Tsuna's head shot up in surprise, obviously didn't think he would be addressed to. He looked like a student caught not paying attention in class by a teacher once again. Reborn looked like he wanted to kick Tsuna in the head for not being in tune with his surrounding. Yusuke wondered if he made a mistake in addressing Tsuna.

"Something like that," Tsuna murmured. Maman's smile faltered at the unenthusiastic response. Reborn and Yusuke's mouth both lowered a notch to a not-yet there frown.

"Well," Yusuke said, trying to dispel the gloominess hanging around the table. Not only was that not the way to celebrate a birthday, it also reflected badly on Yusuke as a waiter, not to mention the mood can affect other customers as well. He casted a quick look to other tables, nodding inwardly in satisfaction to see the tables he served was still in a jovial mood. "Maman, order as much as you want. This meal is on your son."

Maman giggled on cue, but it sounded a little forced.

Yusuke reined back his sigh, knowing that wouldn't help the mood at all. Yusuke's gaze flicked to the clock briefly, knowing he stayed for over seven minutes at this single table by now. He should get moving. "You guys wanna look at the menu first, right? Tell me what drinks should I bring you guys first, and I'll come back for the order later."

"What drinks do you have?" the Acrobaleno asked innocuously. It would have been an innocent question, if not for the tinge of challenge his voice held.

"Cold water, hot water, cold tea, hot tea, soda and milkshake," Yusuke listed monotonously.

"What type of soda and milkshake?" Reborn shot back just as soon as Yusuke was done. "Tap water, filtered water, or boiled water? What kind of tea do you serve?"

"Coke, Sprite, Pepsi and Fanta," Yusuke replied, struggling to keep his voice leveled. He refused to let go of his professionalism as a waiter. Behind Reborn, Tsuna finally lifted up his head to watch the battle unfolding before him with a bemused look. Maman looked on, appearing for all intents and purposes, oblivious to the tension. "Milkshake include vanilla milkshake, chocolate or a mix of both. Tap water. And I'm sorry I don't know what kind of tea we serve but I'll be sure to ask if that's what this customer wants."

Yusuke held Reborn's gaze after he was done, daring him to ask about something else. Finally, Reborn nodded. "No, that's fine. I'll get coffee."

Yusuke swore he saw Reborn's lips twitched with satisfaction when Yusuke realized he forgot to list coffee as one of the choices and Reborn made Yusuke name all the subcategories for all the drinks he listed. Bastard.

Yusuke turned to Maman and Tsuna instead. "What would you have, Maman, Tsuna?"

"Sprite," Tsuna replied, putting his head down again. Maman's gaze landed on Tsuna worriedly.

"Maman?" Yusuke called, pulling her attention away from Tsuna.

"Oh, sorry," she said, giving Yusuke an apologetic look for holding him up. Yusuke smiled back to show he didn't mind. "Umm... hot tea, please, Yusuke," Maman ordered, as her gaze once again fell onto Tsuna.

"Do you want to know what kind of tea is that?" Yusuke asked teasingly.

Maman started for a second, brought out of her mood. Then, as she registered his question, a genuine smile slowly spread across her face. She giggled softly. "No, that's fine," she replied.

Yusuke nodded, glad to see her in a better mood. He ignored the contemplating look that Reborn gave him. "One coffee, one Sprite and one hot tea coming right up," Yusuke said, before leaving.

xxx

"I'm going to the toilet," Tsuna murmured, listlessly scooting out of his seat. Reborn watched him go and inwardly cursed Iemitsu. Expect a phone call from me after today, Iemitsu. You shouldn't make promises you can't keep.

Reborn turned to tell Mama that he also needed to use the restroom, but then a loud shattering noise reached his ears. Reborn whipped around to assess the situation, already knowing that the cause of the commotion could not be anyone other than his no-good student. Of course Dame-Tsuna would get into trouble the second Reborn stopped watching him.

Reborn knew in the back of his mind that due to his bad mood, he was being unnecessarily harsh, but he couldn't find it in him to care at the moment. He needed to do damage control.

An angry teenage waiter towering over Tsuna, who had fallen; a shattered cup laying beside him with orange liquid leaking out. By then, everyone in the restaurant stopped moving to watch the commotion.

"Goddamnit, it's you, Dame-Tsuna. Could you, for once, not get in people's way!?"

A fellow student of Namimori Middle School. Can he use that? Reborn considered his options even as he ambled towards the pair.

Someone else got there faster.

"Ayame," Urameshi called, edging his way through the crowd to the waitress. He grasped her wrist and tugged her towards his direction. "C'mon. Go take a break. I'll clean this up."

"But, Yusuke," she exclaimed hotly, pointing at Tsuna who was so stunned he didn't know what to do. Reborn resolved to increase his surprise attacks on Tsuna. It would do no good for Vongola's heir to freeze whenever something unexpected happened. "He-"

Urameshi brought his hand up and flicked Ayame's forehead.

"Ouch," she cried, whirling to direct her glare at Urameshi. "What was that for?!"

"He's a customer, Ayame. I'm sure this is not how your dad taught you to handle customers." It was stated matter-of-factly, but was a rebuke in itself.

Ayame's eyes widened at that and she dropped her head. Reborn wondered about the story behind it, although it had more to do with an interest in Urameshi's involvement rather than the girl's background. "Sorry," she said.

Urameshi bonked Ayame's head, causing her to looking up wide-eyed. Urameshi gave her a crooked smiled and ruffled her head. "Go take your break, brat."

Ayame nodded and went, obviously still upset, but the slump at her shoulders were no longer there.

Urameshi sighed and began to clean up the shards of broken glass. "Are you alright?" he asked Tsuna.

That stunned Tsuna out of his stupor. "I'm sorry!" he exclaimed. "I didn't mean to bump into Ayame."

Urameshi waved it off. "It's fine, it's fine. Stuff like this happens once in a while."

"But still..." Tsuna's eyes widened when he finally noticed Urameshi was picking up the shards with his bare hands. Reborn added observing his surrounding to the extensive list of things he needed to teach Tsuna. "Get a broom!" Tsuna exclaimed, hands hovering over Urameshi's like he wanted to pull his hand off away, but he wasn't confident that he could do that without accidentally cutting Urameshi's hands on the shards. "You can get hurt."

Urameshi laughed like he found the idea that some broken glass could hurt him funny. "I have tough skin," Urameshi said after a moment. "I'll be fine."

"But-"

Urameshi stood and Tsuna scrambled up with him. "C'mon," Urameshi said. "Let's get that orange stain off."

"Are you sure it's alright?" Tsuna asked quietly as he followed behind Urameshi, eyes remaining on Urameshi's hand the whole time.

"Don't worry about it," Urameshi said confidently. Tsuna looked at Urameshi and nodded after a moment.

Reborn followed silently, employing his skills as a hitman.

"Just let me throw this away first," Urameshi said, heading into the kitchen. Tsuna didn't follow, opting to stand by the door instead.

"Oi, Tao, do you mind taking over for a bit? Five minutes, and then you can get back to your break," Reborn heard Urameshi shout.

The next voice was considerably lower in volume, probably because of the distance. "Why the fuck... didn't even warm...seat..." Reborn heard pieces of what was being said.

"Watch your language, brat. You'll get back that five minutes later. No need to throw a hissy-fit."

There was a choking noise and a general sound of laughter from the kitchen, followed by heavy stamping noise.

"Hissy-fit?!" a boy of eighteen burst out of the kitchen. His face was contorted to a murderous look.

Urameshi looked on, amused. "If you cater our customers with that look, all of them would run away, ya know?"

"Fuck if I care," Tao muttered, rolling down his sleeves to cover the tattoo on his arm and fixing his white button-down. A uniform of the restaurant, Reborn deduced, judging from the fact that the girl Ayame and Urameshi also wore the same clothes. "I'm a fucking delinquent anyway."

Tsuna let out a low "Hiie!" at the words Tao spoke.

Tao glanced over at him. "Who's this?" Tao asked, taking a step towards him. Tsuna took a step back and miraculously didn't trip over anything. Tao huffed at the reaction but didn't appear to be surprised. "Don't tell me you picked up another one," Tao said, turning to face Urameshi.

Urameshi rolled his eyes. "No, he's a customer and you're a handful already. Now get to work."

"Five minutes," Tao reminded warningly but went all the same.

"C'mon," Urameshi said to Tsuna, already turning away. "Next stop, restroom."

xxx

Reborn got there before Urameshi, partially because the other man was ambling slowly and mostly because even as Urameshi declared himself off duty at the moment, customers still called for him to write down orders. Urameshi stopped by three tables as he made his way towards the restroom, taking down an order at each before folding the paper into an airplane and sending it in Tao's way.

His aim was impeccable. It always hit Tao's head.

Tsuna's bad mood was mostly erased by the time they reached the restroom, sharing a small grin with Urameshi at the recollection of Tao's enraged look.

Reborn blended into the background using Leon's ability of camouflage and watched as the two men entered the restroom.

"Just rub your shirt with water," Urameshi advised as he went to one of the sink. "Orange juice stain isn't too hard to get out."

Tsuna nodded headed towards the other sink, doing as Urameshi told. "It's off!" Tsuna said, turning towards Urameshi with a smile.

Urameshi turned off the water after washing any small remains of the glass off his hand and nodded. "That's good," he said, taking some paper towels.

He handed Tsuna one, which Tsuna accept with a thank.

"So," Urameshi started, eyeing Tsuna. "What's up with you today?"

"Hiie!" Tsuna exclaimed, obviously shocked that Urameshi noticed something was off. Reborn was somewhat surprised too. He didn't think Urameshi paid much attention to Tsuna. "Erm," Tsuna said, calming down a little. He avoided Urameshi's eyes and shook his head. "Nothing."

Urameshi raised an eyebrow, undoubtedly knowing it was a lie. It wasn't hard to tell. Reborn would have to teach Tsuna at the very least not to avoid someone's eyes the next time he told a lie. "I don't think so," Urameshi said.

"Just leave me alone!" Tsuna exclaimed, turning to run as usual when cornered.

Urameshi casually leaned to his right, blocking Tsuna's path. "Maman's worried, ya know?"

Tsuna's eyes widened with shock. "I-"

Urameshi's eyes softened but didn't relent. "Today's Maman's big day. There's no reason to ruin this day for her. Tell me what's wrong and maybe I can help."

"I'm not the one ruining it her!" he shouted. Tsuna's hand clenched into a fist.

"Yes, you are," Urameshi refuted calmly and without much sympathy.

"Shut up!" Tsuna yelled. "You don't know anything!"

Tsuna froze when Urameshi straightened up, standing to his full height. "Then tell me, Tsuna," Urameshi said, taking a step forward. "Tell me so I can understand."

Reborn's eyes shifted from Urameshi to Tsuna, wondering if his student would break. On an unconscious level, Tsuna knew Urameshi was a powerful man. At his current level, he had no way to beat him. Tsuna had every right to fear Urameshi and given his timid character, Tsuna would undoubtedly run. Yet somehow Urameshi managed to goad his cowardly student into shouting at him without any Dying Will Bullet.

Reborn had no idea whether he should be impressed by Urameshi's ability to get under anyone's skin.

At Urameshi's abrupt change, from an apparent bully to a caring friend, Tsuna's defense shattered. His hand clenched into a fist once again, so hard that his hand was shaking. "My father promised that he'll come back to celebrate my mom's birthday," Tsuna revealed through gritted teeth, spitting out the word 'father' like it was a curse.

Understanding dawned on Urameshi as he thought back to before. A table for three: Mama, Tsuna, and Reborn. "He didn't fulfill it," Urameshi surmised.

Tsuna shook his head violently, his mob of brown hair moving back and fro. At the sight of his student suffering so much, Reborn resolved to add in an extra kick to the head for Iemitsu the next time he saw him in person.

Reborn knew his student. No matter how much bullying Tsuna had suffered, Tsuna never once sought retaliation. Reborn's eyes fell to his student's closed fist once again. Against his father, it just might be the first time Tsuna would ever start a fight.

Reborn found the idea, for the lack of other words, messed up, but if anything could prompt Tsuna into action, it was anything or anyone against his own Family. And Mama was not just Family, but also family.

Reborn decided he wouldn't be informing Iemitsu that the next time he come home, he just might be greeted with a black eye. Let the man brag about his cute son then. Meanwhile, Reborn would continue being an exceptional tutor.

Tsuna nodded his head in answer to Urameshi's statement, signifying Urameshi guessed correctly.

Reborn assumed Urameshi would start the coddling next, but he didn't.

"So what?" Urameshi asked, leaning against the wall once more.

Tsuna's head shot up. "He broke his promise to okaa-san!" he exclaimed. Orange flickered into existence on Tsuna's head and Reborn's eyes widened imperceptibly in surprise. Although Dying Will Flames resonates with one's emotions, Reborn didn't think Tsuna would be able to summon his flame on his own at this stage, however unknowingly. Just what was it about Urameshi that made the flame in Tsuna respond not just once but twice? "He haven't came back to visit even once in the past few years and the one time he promised to come back, he breaks it. I hate him!"

As his last statement registered , Tsuna froze, unable to believe he really said he hated his father. Tsuna's flame, no longer fueled by any intense emotion, faded away and Tsuna collapsed.

Reborn jumped down from where he was watching, alarmed as Urameshi caught his student and slowly lowered him down with Tsuna's head against his legs. Leon returned to his original form at his fedora, canceling the camouflage.

"Move," Reborn hissed as he went to his student's side, checking Tsuna's pulse and his pupil dilation. It was only when Reborn concluded that Tsuna was only unconscious and that there was no other damage to him that some tension left him.

"So you were watching," Urameshi finally said.

Reborn whirled in his direction, outwardly remaining cool while inwardly feeling every ounce of the anger that simmered inside him. Reborn found Leon-gun in his hand, pointing towards Urameshi as it had many times before. "Did you purposely provoke him for this reaction?"

"No. I didn't know this would have happened. I only wanted to know what was wrong since he looked depressed when I saw him."

Truth, Reborn's senses told him, yet he didn't lower his gun. In fact, he moved it higher, so it was pointing right at Urameshi's heart. "Stay away from him," Reborn warned. "Comply or I'll shoot right now."

"You'll only be spilling blood for no reason," Urameshi said. "I told you, I have no intention of harming him or Maman."

"Yet this happened," and it wasn't hard to see what was the 'this' that Reborn was referring to.

Guilt seemed to flash across Urameshi's eyes but instead of assuaging Reborn's anger, it intensified it. How dare Urameshi feel bad when it was him who brought his student to this state. Later when Reborn had cooled down a little, he would also admit a partial reason for his extreme reaction was because of the guilt Reborn himself had bore.

Reborn knew Urameshi was a dangerous man and yet he allowed Tsuna to go with him. All that to see Urameshi's intention or in other words, for the sake of Reborn's blasted curiosity. And now it was his student who paid for the price.

"I didn't intend for this to happen," Urameshi said lowly, meeting Reborn's eyes. There was a tense silence between them, until it was broke by a groan.

Tsuna's eyes fluttered opened. "R-reborn?!"

Tsuna shot up to a stand and Leon immediately changed back into his chameleon form.

"Baka-Tsuna," Reborn said, giving his student a kick. Tsuna yelped. "How could you fall asleep in a place like this?"

"I fell... asleep? In the restroom?!"

Urameshi gave Reborn an amused look before standing. "You must be really hungry or something to faint like this," Urameshi said, offering up an excuse.

Tsuna blinked before sheepishly scratching his head. "I must be, then," Tsuna agreed, giving him an embarrassed smile.

"Well, I won't hold you from getting dinner then. Just one thing." Urameshi looked at Tsuna. "I'm going to assume you grew up without your dad being around."

Tsuna's shoulders slumped and Reborn wonder what Urameshi was trying to drive at. "Yeah," Tsuna said, eyes on the ground.

Urameshi sighed and carded his hand through his hair. "Before, when I made light of your father not coming back to celebrate Maman's birthday, I was being an ass. I'm sorry." Tsuna's head shot up to stare at Urameshi, undeniably surprised. Urameshi gave him a rueful smile. "Don't look at me like that," Urameshi said, ruffling Tsuna's hair. Reborn tensed and Urameshi looked towards him with rue in his eyes for a second.

Reborn found the tension unconsciously leaving him, because the regret Urameshi displayed was undoubtedly sincere.

"I still meant it though," Urameshi continued, turning back to Tsuna. This time, it was Reborn's student who tensed up. "When I said you're ruining Maman's birthday."

Surprisingly, there was no loud denial this time. Instead, Tsuna bowed his head in acknowledgement. Reborn saw a fleck of orange in his student's eyes just before his brown hair covered it.

"I know," Tsuna said, unexpectedly mature. "I- I was thinking about what you said, Yusuke-san." Tsuna looked up then and the orange sheen in his eyes was undeniably there. "I should try to make up for my father's absence instead of wallowing in self-pity, right?"

Urameshi's hand slowly fell from Tsuna's hair. "Bingo," Urameshi said. "You got it. Instead of making your Ma remember that today is the day her husband broke a promise to her, let her remember today as the most wonderful birthday she celebrated with her son and" -Urameshi glanced briefly towards Reborn- "his tutor."

Tsuna slowly nodded. "I understand, Yusuke-san." The flecks of orange faded from Tsuna's eyes. "Thank you for telling me this."

Urameshi smile. "Good to hear that," he said, moving to leave. He paused when Tsuna didn't follow and twisted his head back. "Is there another problem?" Urameshi asked.

Tsuna flushed and squirmed in his place uncomfortably. "Um, you can go back first, Yusuke-san. I still need to use the toilet."

An amused smile appeared on Urameshi's face, although he unsuccessfully tried to hide it. "I'll see you later then," Urameshi said.

"Don't take too long, Tsuna," Reborn ordered, before jumping onto Urameshi's shoulder.

Urameshi gave him a look of surprise but didn't comment as he exit the restroom.

"You did a pretty good job taking care of that," Reborn started without any preamble. "I believe you when you said you only wanted to fix Tsuna's problem." You may also just have a positive effect on him, was something Reborn left unsaid.

Urameshi turned towards him with a grin, but Reborn wasn't finished. "You should have just minded your own business, however."

Best to get this through Urameshi first, before he get anymore ideas of recklessly interfering. Grooming an heir, especially for a syndicate like Vongola, was a delicate process, and Reborn would not have anyone -especially not Urameshi- undo any of his hard work, intentionally or not.

Urameshi stopped to looked at him. "What's wrong with worrying about a kid?"

Reborn didn't bother turning to face Urameshi. "The situation back there could have easily turned for the worse because you went into the situation without knowing all the details." Reborn turned to face Urameshi, efficiently silencing him. "Did you know for Tsuna's entire life until recently, Tsuna thought his father disappeared because his father told Mama to tell him that he 'became a star', believing it would be 'romantic'?" Urameshi's eyes widened. "Or maybe that Mama was in a jovial mood, making a feast this morning once she heard he was coming back, only to become sad when he called last minute to say he couldn't make it? How did you think Tsuna felt when he saw Mama trying to remain upbeat despite feeling disappointed? How did you think he himself felt when he found out his father was alive but didn't visit them even once for the past decade?"

Reborn scoffed and jumped off Urameshi's shoulder. "Always keep your student's best interest in mind," Reborn said, the words echoing to himself as an reminder aloud as he walked back to his table. "That's what it means to be a tutor."

xxx

Tsuna was smiling when he came back to their table and initiated conversation with Mama. Mama glanced at Tsuna in surprise but beamed in happiness and went along with the mood. By the time Urameshi returned to their table to with their drinks, the atmosphere around the table was cheery.

Urameshi professionally took their orders and smiled at them but left without making any small talks. Satisfaction coursed through Reborn upon noticing that Urameshi seemed to be in a pensive mood.

When Urameshi returned with their orders, there was a change that Reborn couldn't really pinpoint.

"Hello again," Urameshi said with a smile, putting down the three dishes that they ordered. There was still one more in Urameshi's hand. He put that one on their table as well.

Mama blinked. "We didn't order this, Yusuke-kun," she said, glancing up at him.

Urameshi nudged the dish closer to her and smiled. "Happy Birthday, Maman. This is on me."

"Oh, you don't have to," Mama said, surprise and happiness evident on her countenance.

Urameshi shrugged casually. "I wanted to. Now, more tea?"

xxx

The female waiter from before - Ayame- came by later on with another can of Sprite and slid it in front of Tsuna.

"Sorry about before," she said, not quite meeting Tsuna's eyes.

"Oh?" Maman voiced, looking from the girl to Tsuna. "A friend, Tsu-kun?"

Tsuna spluttered and flushed. Reborn kicked him in the head to get him to stop.

"I'm a student at Namimori Middle School," the girl answered. She smiled, pride evident in her voice. "My father opened this restaurant."

There was also a hint of brittleness in her voice. Reborn wondered.

"Helping out this late at night? Such a diligent girl. Tsu-kun has much to learn from you," Mama said, ignoring Tsuna's scandalized "Okaa-san!"

The girl blinked at the exchange between mother and son, before giggling a little. "Today's Maman birthday, right? Would you like anything else?"

"Maman?" Mama asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Should I not call you that? Yusuke calls you Maman so..."

Mama smiled. "It's fine. Call me Maman if you like. What's your name?"

"Ayame," the girl answered.

"Ayame-chan," Mama said. "We're full now, but thank you for your offer. Can you give me the check?"

"Actually," Reborn said, stopping the girl from leaving just yet. "Give it to Tsuna. It's Mama's birthday after all."

His student looked like he wanted to shout "EH?!" on top of his lung, but settled down when he recalled he wanted to make his mother happy. Reborn nodded in satisfaction that he wouldn't have to kick his student, after all.

In the recess of his mind, he also finally acknowledged that Urameshi handled Tsuna pretty well.

"But Reborn," Tsuna whispered, leaning close to him after Ayame left to fetch the check. "I don't have any money! How am I suppose to pay?!"

Reborn flashed out some cash. "You'll just have to be a slave and pay me back."

"No way!" Tsuna exclaimed, cartoon tears streaming down his eyes.

xxx

"Bye, Maman," Ayame called as they left. "Tsuna and aka-chan."

Tsuna turned back and gave a sheepish smile, while inwardly lamenting.

Yusuke-san waved in the background, before swirling away to take orders.

"Thank you, Tsu-kun, Reborn-kun," Okaa-san said, turning around to face them halfway through their walk home. She beamed happily. "I had a lot of fun today."

At the face of his mother's smile, Tsuna had no choice but to smile back. If money was the price to keep his mother happy, he would gladly pay it.

...Even if he was now in debt to his sadistic tutor.

xxx

In his spot on Tsuna's shoulder, Reborn tilted his fedora and smiled.

Notes:

Aka-chan means baby.

Also, Tsuna's father, Iemitsu, was never mentioned in KHR until the Varia arc, but I decided to mention him a little earlier here.