AN: *Crawls out of the hole* Hello? Long time no see. Sorry for that, but the new chapter is finally here. It's cheesy, turned angsty at the end and sucks in some places, but I hope you will like it. Enjoy!
The kiss is clumsy and inexperienced—which isn't a surprise given it's his first kiss. Despite the confidence he puts in front of everyone in his yokai form he never kissed before—but Rikuo doesn't care, embarrassment paling in comparison to the euphoria he feels at kissing the girl of his dreams. Tsuna's lips are chapped due to being bitten often, a nervous habit that she still has even after all these years, but soft and taste like sakura lip gloss, and he feels like he can kiss her forever. Unfortunately, soon their lungs burn, signaling they are out of oxygen and have to break apart.
Which they do. Panting and out of breath, they look into each other's eyes, trying to process what just happened as their hearts beat wildly. Then Tsuna speaks up.
"This was…" she whispers, breathless and giddy at once with the realization that her feelings are mutual and she had her first kiss with Rikuo-kun. Kami-sama, it feels like she can fly to the skies without the help of her Flames right now. "...my first kiss, oh my god."
"Mine too," Rikuo whispers in turn, caressing Tsuna's face with his hands and wonders. Wonders if this is what Grandpa felt like with Grandmother. What dad felt like with mom. Because this is what Rikuo feels like — at the top of the world, ready to take on anyone and anything and proclaim his love for Tsuna to everyone, humans and yokai alike.
Which he will do eventually, but not now. Tonight is just for the two of them, two teens in love.
"Hello! Earth to Rikuo-kun," Tsuna calls to him with a giggle when he continues to look at her with wonder in his eyes without saying a word for a few minutes now. "Are you okay? Lost you here for a little bit."
"I'm fine," he assures her with a dopey smile. "Just happy and feel like can take on the whole world with you by my side."
"That's sweet, Rikuo-kun," the brunette says with a blush, feeling her heart flutter with happiness and love. It'll take time to get used to this now that they are together. Together. What a foreign thought, but she likes the sound of it."But let's not get ahead of ourselves, yeah?" she taps him on the nose playfully. His smile only gets wider at her gesture. "Let's tackle this festival first, and then maybe the world if you want."
"If my princess wishes so, then who I am to decline?" he asks, offering her a hand like a prince from the fairytale, and the future Decimo is stricken by yet another similarity between her now boyfriend— boyfriend!— and Yoru with these words and tone in which the nickname was spoken. What the heck?
Are they connected somehow? Tsuna asks herself. Because there has to be something. Suspicious trick of light earlier today when they ran into Yamaguti and his gang; bruises on both of them when Rikuo was busy with his clan; their sometimes similar mannerisms that pop up more and more; and lastly, her Hyper Intuition's whispers that she met Yoru before. All of it points to some kind of connection.
But what kind? She can ask Rikuo of course, but what she can say? Hey, Rikuo-kun, you know this yokai that likes to pay nightly visits to people? If so, how do you know him? Considering his reaction to possibly finding Lord of Pandemonium when she met Kiyojūji Paranormal Investigation Squad, the question will make him uncomfortable and she doesn't want to make their first date awkward by asking strange questions. Of course, if Reborn was here, he would've scolded her and told her to get to the bottom of the mystery simply because "she's a future boss and is supposed to know these things". But he isn't here so to hell with the mystery. She's on vacation, and as much as she liked Yoru as a friend, she won't let him get in the way of her first real date. Not to mention, if this connection was important, either he or Rikuo would talk to her about this. Right?
Right.
And so with this matter put to rest for now, Tsuna takes the offered hand.
"Lead the way then, my knight," the brunette replies with a smile.
Getting a smile in return, they intertwine their fingers together and disappear into the festive crowd.
Mindful of Ichiro-san's warning and the fact he would transform come sundown, Rikuo returns his girlfriend— this progress in their relationship still feels a bit like a dream— to the Ienaga Household just in time for dinner.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Tsunami offers, a prize they won at the festival in her hand. It's a sakura flower hairpin which Rikuo won for her. He has a similar keepsake too — a golden clam pin that she won for him. Knowing the subtext, the young Decimo wonders if she bounds Rikuo to Vongola with this without his knowledge and permission or if she's simply overthinking things again like with Yoru and Rikuo hours ago.
Stupid brain. Why can't it focus on the happy thing?
"Thanks for the offer, but I gotta go. The Clan is probably in disarray without me," And I need to confront Tsurara, Rikuo adds to himself. He notices a melancholic look on Tsuna's face, which simply wouldn't do. "But if you need me to stay, I will."
"I'm fine," the assurance tastes bland on her tongue, and judging by Rikuo's doubtful look he can tell it's a lie.
"If it is about the date," brunet says, hesitant, "or if I rushed things with the kiss, please tell me so."
Great going, Tsuna, the young Decimo scolds herself. Barely even started dating and you already managed to give him the insecurity. Looks like you're still a Dame.
"No, no, it's not you," she hurries to assure, taking his hands in hers, squeezing them for comfort. "The date was wonderful and you made me very happy. It's me. I'm overthinking things as usual," she lets out a tense laugh at that. "It's about my family."
"Will you tell me what it is?" he asks. The doubt was gone from his eyes, but he still looks worried. Worried for her and it's painful and comforting in equal measure.
Rikuo is too loving and nice for his own good.
"I will," Tsuna promises and she intends to keep it. The worry and doubt may gnaw at her now, but she won't repeat Dad's mistakes and keep Rikuo in the dark. He deserved to know what he was getting into. "Just not now. But never doubt that I love you."
"I love you too and will be by your side," Rikuo makes a vow of his own as he kisses Tsuna softly, "no matter what secret you have."
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me," Rikuo tells her lovingly. "Good night and sweet dreams, Tsu."
"Good night and sweet dreams to you too."
And with this promise made and squeezing Tsuna's hand for the last time, Rikuo left. Young Decimo watched him go before entering the house.
Too preoccupied with the date and the conversation that happened moments ago, neither of the teenagers notice the glowing red eyes that spied on them before disappearing.