I'm kinda older than I was when I reveled without a care

So… there.

-Team (Lorde)

~K27~

A visit into the future-

"Kyoko-san?"

"Yes, Gokudera-kun?"

"The fireworks are quite beautiful."

"Indeed… I'm sure he would've loved to see the Summer Festival with us, like this."

"We'll be back down under again in ten minutes' time. Just enjoy it while you still can."

"…"

"K-Kyoko-san, here. You're crying again."

"Thank you…"

"…"

"…"

"Kyoko-san, can I ask you something?"

"…"

"Ok. Would you take back the time the Tenth came back almost ten years ago?"

"…haha. Gokudera-kun, if I wanted to, I would've been a pastry chef already."

"That's good, Kyoko-san. That's nice to know."

"Gokudera-kun…"

"Yes? Do you want to go already?"

"Nah. I'm just relieved… that despite everything I still stuck up to him. Like how he did for me."

~K27~

"Rise and shine," I heard Bianchi say as she opens the curtains, making me curl up and hiss.

I quickly remember Tsuna and turn only to see that I was now lying in my bed. I turn red at the thought of being treated like a kid and enveloped in the covers.

"If you're looking for Tsuna, he left two hours ago. He told me to give you this," she throws to me a set of keys. "For your room and your car, in case you feel stuffy."

I sigh. "Can you ask him to stop spoiling me? I feel like I'm using him."

"Tell him yourself, hun. He won't listen to the likes of me. Oh yeah, can you take Fuuta and I-pin to school? The other kid won't come. I hope Maman arrives already."

"Ok, now I feel useful. Thanks, Bianchi-san."

"Just call me Bianchi. You're almost an adult, anyway."

"Erm, okay."

"I'll be out this time, too. I have to visit my dad. He's trying to force me to marry this old man with a big mole on his nose. Yeesh. I'll try pounding on him that no matter how many times he try, it's still a no."

"Are you seriously still in love with Reborn?"

"Until I die," she answers dreamily, starry-eyed as she ties her hair up in by a mirror. "He's with Tsuna and my brother. I think Takeshi's here to watch over you or something."

"Oh…" Great! He's going overboard. Good for me, woohoo!

"Anyway, hurry up. It's almost six. The kids are waiting."

"Umm ok…" I say as I jump on my feet and hastily made the bed. The last thing I needed was to come here without doing anything decent.

"Kyoko, can you tell me why you agreed to this?"

I turn around. Bianchi was prowling by the sofa, with eyes keenly fixed on me. She looked intimidating with folded arms. She was not kidding around.

"I... love Tsuna?" OHMYGAWD WHAT CAME OUT OF MY MOUTH?! S-SERIOUSLY THAT SOUNDED STUPID LAWL-

Even Bianchi was stunned. I'm sure with what she saw from two years ago this was one of the last things she needed to hear.

"Does this mean you don't know the consequences of your actions? The possible risks you're taking? The deathtrap you are treading onto? Don't you have a rational reason why?"

"I-I don't." My voice sounded so small.

Bianchi just shook her head, all the while giving a lopsided smile.

"You love-struck idiot."

I couldn't talk back because now Bianchi was now shooing me off. But once I heard the door slam I heard the sentence that I didn't expect her to say.

"Don't be the same as Maman."

~K27~

"Yeah, Nana-san would come here with Iemitsu-san on Friday. It happens four times a year. Why?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering about their relationship. I never even saw Tsuna's dad."

Yamamoto-kun was the one driving us back through a shortcut. Fuuta and I-pin were almost late because we nearly got lost. Whew. Good thing I'm no longer driving.

"It's… you should ask Tsuna about it. He's a fun person, though. You should talk to Iemitsu-san."

"I'm supposed to. So…" I turn the windows and was now inhaling the morning air. It just feels so fresh. "How are you?"

"Good. I'm playing baseball again. You know, when we have inter-matches with other Mafia families for fun," he laughs breezily. We were now surging through the forest of the manor. It will take a couple of minutes before we reach the place. "Your brother's luckier. He gets to fight for real. Being a pro and all." There was a sudden change of tone in his voice.

"Oh…"

"It's fine though! Better than nothing, anyway," Yamamoto says quickly, now grinning from ear to ear. "And I often get to make sushi. I think to expand dad's business here. Tsuna already made plans to buy an empty lot a couple of yards near the market-"

He didn't need to hide it. There's still a shred of doubt even in Yamamoto's decision to follow Tsuna. Judging from how his hands tensed up behind the wheel, I guess he doesn't want to talk about it. I stop pressing further.

"Kyoko-san."

"W-what?" Well, he made the first move so…

"How's Namimori?"

"Same as ever, when I visit. I was in Tokyo most of the time but yeah. Still the same as ever."

"How's dad?"

"Still as fun. Why don't you visit, anyway?"

"I visit twice a year. During his birthday and New Year's. I often ask him to come to Italy but he often asks who will run his restaurant when he's gone, haha."

"Okay."

"How's Haru?"

"Still as wide-eyed as ever. She might visit soon and finish her schooling in Italy."

"Wow, cool. Good for her then! What about you, Kyoko-san?"

"U-Umm, I don't exactly have a scholarship. Plus it's probably expensive-"

"You can ask Tsuna. He'll help you."

"Yeah…" Gosh, why is Tsuna always the solution to everything? The less I wish to not be the burden, the more I'm inclined to add an extra shuttle to his train of thoughts. "Speaking of which, any chance Lambo would come with Fuuta and I-pin to school?"

"Hmm… I don't think so. None of us managed to make him come out."

"When did it start?"

"A couple of months ago. It was during the time I-pin came back from China. We were celebrating Fuuta's test results. The kid's really smart. Suddenly he gets up and leaves. Never left since."

"What a little bugger. He's just jealous of Fuuta?"

"Well, can't blame him. He's just ten."

"Didn't you try talking to him. You're good with kids, right?"

"You're stating the obvious again, Kyoko-san," Yamamoto chirps. "I'm just good with kids. And… the three aren't exactly kids, per se." He's voice suddenly becomes laced with a bitter melancholy I didn't expect to hear from him. "Just like how we're no longer high schoolers."

"And yet we don't know any better," I sigh. We were now past the front gates. Yamamoto didn't quip back.

~K27~

I tried knocking at Lambo's door to no avail. I even tried baking some cream puffs but he still won't come out. It got into my nerves in just ten minutes. But knowing a little bit of psychology and common sense, I didn't raise my voice to get my point across.

"Can you let me listen to your problem? We're worried about you," I almost pleaded. Persistent little brat once I get my hands on you-!

"Nice try, but you can't help me, old lady!" I heard his muffled mocking behind. I was itching to kick the door open when Hibari-san surprisingly passed. I quickly stood up straight. Damn, the Namimori Junior High days was still ingrained on my brain no thanks to him.

"No progress, I presume?" his right eyebrow rose.

"No, sir- err, Hibari-san." Honestly, he still scares the (beep) out of me.

"Word of advice: don't kick the door. The wood's fine oak. One of the rarest in Sicily."

With that statement, he walks off. I nearly dropped the phone Yamamoto left me to take texts and calls here on Italy from my hand.

Hibari was acting funny. He looked… tamer.

"Why the gawking, Kyoko-san?" said Yamamoto suddenly from behind. " Oh…" he notices the ex-disciplinary head turning out of sight. "Hibari's been like that ever since he lost his second fight to Mukuro. Don't worry, he still doesn't like crowding. That's why he didn't come to the Summit. Shall we get going, then? Dinner's about to get served."

I followed him slowly back downstairs and onto the dining room. Fuuta and I-pin were present already. Fuuta was reading a freakin' Calculus book while I-pin was busy twisting her fork around her thumb. They stopped what they were doing and earnestly beckoned us closer.

"So Chrome and Gokudera-kun's the only people there, Yamamoto-kun?"

"Just call me Takeshi. My surname's a mouthful even for me, haha. Yeah, they are. You can count Mukuro too if you want."

"W-will they be alright?"

"Of course! That's really cute Kyoko-chan, being concerned with Tsuna~"

"Kyoko-nee is?"

"I hope you two kiss already, Kyoko-neechan!"

My gawd, I'm not seriously. Fuuta and I-pin can't possibly. Ohmaigawd.

"W-We still don't intend to kiss. I believe that the first kiss is reserved only for marriage-"

"Tsuna-nii and Kyoko-nee are getting married?"

Geez, I don't know whether Fuuta is acting like an idiot or he's just limited to being book smart.

"L-let's just eat, shall we?" I say hollowly as I shuffled almost weakly to an empty chair.

"That's kinda strange, y'know," said Fuuta. "Gokudera-nii told us he has already kissed and made out with Haru-nee the night he arrived."

"He said that women should be good in bed as Haru-neechan was. What does he mean 'good in bed', nee-chan? Does it have to do with bed-picking?"

"M-my goodness. That moron who was better at me in Analytic Geometry-" I glared at Yamamoto, who just shrugs almost jokingly. "Why does he have to tell that in front of children-"

But Fuuta was ready to animatedly discuss about it to I-pin.

"I can tell you I-pin all about it. We're discussing about it in Bio earlier. I don't know the specifics but-"

I put my hand in his mouth to silence him. Once I let go, he meekly sat by his table and began to slowly chew his food. I-pin follows suit when she looks at me.

"You're so uptight, Kyoko-san," Yamamoto said as he sat beside me. "It's normal to engage in pre-marital intercourse even in Italy. It's not an offense."

"Easy for you to say, you're a guy," I said heavily, munching now on the small potatoes and taking my time chopping my piece of pork chop. "Well, whatever. Can't blame her. You were quite an ass to pull that on her."

"That was a long time ago," he smacks his lips at the wine. "I already called her a year since then. She said she forgave me. Besides, Gokudera is a better partner than I'll ever be."

I can sense the impatience in his voice. With this I grin. Time for payback.

"So… you have, pardon the colloquial term, 'moved on?'"

"It's no longer an issue worth talking about, Kyoko-san. I'm seeing a lot of women since then."

"But none was as good as she, right?"

"And if I said 'yeah there's none,' would I still have a chance? I'll never. It just doesn't feel right for us to be together. And I thank her a lot. Gokudera's more mature than back then all thanks to Haru-chan."

With that, he stabs his salad and eats without even looking at me. I could still hear his unspoken words that he tried uttering.

~K27~

"I want to apologize to him," I told Tsuna a day later when he arrived. He just continued looking at me as I leaned back on the chair and stared at the coffee cup in my lap. "But I don't want to sound half-assed. Yamamoto-kun's just so… different. Just as how the kids are different or Hibari is. I wouldn't be too surprised if even my brother's much more an adult. Gawd, I feel like such a kid in front of them-"

"It's a pretty tough world to adjust to," Tsuna just caresses my head. "I'm sorry if I seem so overprotective. I promise I'll make up to you-"

"N-N-No!" I quickly wave it off. The air was cold in my bedroom balcony, even when I've already doubled my garments. I stole a glance at his suit. I envy wearing corporate attire. "I should be making myself useful. And I know, to prevent that kidnapping incident from happening again, I should stay here."

"You sound like you're sick of being cooped up."

"Nah," I smile at him. "I'm sorry I've been useless to you. You're busy managing affairs and I suddenly come here to add further nuisance to you."

"Kyoko-chan, you were never a nuisance. Ever. If you were, I wouldn't have come back in Namimori two years ago." With that, he embraces me.

"Tsuna-kun?"

"Yes?"

"Do you wish to kiss me?"

"Ahahaha. Yamamoto-kun told me about that earlier. I wouldn't force you to if you don't want to."

"Umm, but if it's the only useful thing I can do-"

"Kyoko-san," his hand suddenly clasps onto my shoulder. "I don't want you to think that you can be my play thing, ok? All I need is to see your smile. If you're happy, I'm happy."

I look up at him. His beam was unwavering.

"You should get some sleep," I then murmur. "You're up early to another meeting again. I'll cook for you early tomorrow to show you my skills."

With that, grunts yes as he walks to the sofa. "Can I sleep here? I'm too tired to go back."

Judging from how he briskly walked to my bedroom, I'm sure he had energy to spare. What a liar. I don't tell him though and simply nod serenely.

"I'll be taking the bed though. The stiff neck from last time is getting to me."

"Okay. Good night, Kyoko-chan." Soon enough, his head was lolled to his side as he began to snore quietly. I quickly blanket him and bade him good night too.

~K27~

"You really take things easy don't you, Takeshi?" I grumble as I began to chop more tofu for the soup later. It's been a week since he forgave me and we were close as ever (to me anyway). "I wish I was a guy. I'd still look like I'm having fun even if I'm going through hell."

"Maa, maa. Be careful what you wish for Kyoko-chan. The end results might not be pretty," he says as he presses the sticky rice in his hands.

"It's just… I don't get it! Here is Tsuna, getting ambushed while trying to befriend every damn Mafia famiglia and he looks as right as rain. What the heck's with that?"

"He just doesn't show it to you, Kyoko-san. But Tsuna's going through rough times lately. The Vongola's a shadow of its former self. His goal for the Vongola's quite ambitious. He intends to purge it from its impurities and bring it back to square one. He wants to mold it back to the ideal family the First wanted it to be."

"Well. That's… optimistic of him." Yeah, how… easy to do.

"So he tried removing some of the departments inside the Vongola which is rampant in corruption, like smuggling and drug dealing since two years ago. The Ninth couldn't handle the job thoroughly. He isn't as young as he was. Or as pure as we are. The people he assigned were vulnerable to bribes. The Tenth took care of that. And many resented him for it. That's why the ambushes happen often."

So the attempted assassinations weren't even from other Families but from his own men.

"That's a shitty job for him to be in," I sigh as I sift the tofu aside to chop up the onion greens next. Yamamoto was rolling the rice now.

"Well he can't do it alone. That's why we followed him here."

"Why can't he quit? Isn't he tired of this?"

"The Ninth's son might kill him if he tries to. He already has no intention in getting the Mafia chair like Tsuna. Besides, he doesn't want to. He often tells us it's ok for us to abandon him while it's still early. But we never listen. We're not children anymore, haha."

To think that… even Yamamoto-kun would follow him. As well as Hibari-san and Mukuro-san… it's definitely amazing. His resolve must be really strong.

"He has a dream, see. He said he wanted to change the Mafia world. Pretty romantic, he'd often say. But so far, things are shaping up good. He doesn't even need to fight wars against other families. They'd listen to him in the end because of his persistence."

"Not like the old Tsuna who'd give up on the spot," I add up as I quickly chop a large slice of beef.

"Please chop this when you're done Kyoko-san. Oh, I think the noodles are ready." With that, he turns around to get the noodles and other toppings.

I take a deep breath once he left. Really, all of them are unbelievably incredible. Especially Tsuna… to think that he's actually succeeding to achieve his dream…

His dream…

Even the reason why I'm here… am I helping him? Or I'm just- "OWWWWWW!"

Well that hurt.

~K27~

It puzzles me whether Tsuna has no bedroom to sleep in or he's just too lazy to walk there. Most of the time he'd suddenly appear in the balcony and stumble at the steps. Of course, I let him sleep there with no objections but it's been two months already and I think I'm getting tired.

"Kyoko-san," he murmurs as he wakes me up one night. It was past nine when I went to sleep after a day playing with Fuuta and I-pin.

"H-huh," I mutter groggily while wiping my eyes. I first notice his eyes glinting gently by the moonlight. He apparently shifted the curtains.

"I've been thinking lately, if this will work. So far I've been letting myself get buried with my duties I barely have time for you."

"Eh, what are you talking about?" Umm, I have been thinking about this as well during my brief stay in Namimori but now I'm fine with it. Presumptively at least.

"Maybe it's better if we just call this off. I don't think there's a point in continuing this relationship. I'm now like Hibari-san. I'm married to the job. I-I don't think I love you as much as before-"

"Tsuna-kun you can't be- this can't be-"

~K27~

"Kyoko-san! Kyoko-san!"

Sure enough I truly did open my eyes. It was that time I noticed I was shaking so bad. Tsuna was now here after his one-week business trip somewhere in China and was now almost panicking as he attempts to shake me to my senses.

I couldn't even utter his name as I tried sitting up from my bed.

"Are you alright? Y-You were having a bad dream-"

I said nothing as he offers me a glass of water. I drank it all in one gulp. My stomach then hurt.

"A-are you leaving again tomorrow?" I ask him as I return the glass. He nods his head.

"It might take me a month before I get back. But I can arrange it if you want to come-"

"Oh no, no, no! Please. I'm perfectly fine here," I say hastily. He now sits beside my bed and looks at me worriedly.

"I'm really sorry. Something just come up and I have to check our international turfs in-"

"It's ok. Please," I say, not fully masking the tiredness in my voice. It's been only three months and yet I'm already feeling like this. This isn't like me. I don't like giving up this easy. "I'll try adjusting for you. Yamamoto-kun tells me of how amazing you are and the price for your amazing-ness. That's why I'll do my best here to aid you-"

He just looks at me with sad eyes. I beam wider.

"You know how I hate melodrama, right?" I pat his cheek. "You should make the best of what you're doing right now. You don't have to sacrifice too much. You already had me go on a cruise last week."

"But I wasn't there," he says through gritted teeth. "Kyoko-san, the last thing I need is for you to feel like you regret even coming here in the first place."

"What the heck, if I can spend all I want why won't I be satisfied? Hahaha!" I crowed.

"Kyoko-san, I'm sorry-"

"Just-" I say as I lead him back to his sofa. "Sleep. You have a long day tomorrow," I say as I pet his big head of hair. "You shouldn't be too worried about me. I've never felt better here."

"You're obviously lying, Kyoko-san."

"And you're obviously overreacting. What can I do? My boyfriend's the head of a Mafia family. It's my fault for even saying yes to all this," I scoff while helping him take of his coat. He obliges rather hesitatingly. I notice the tea bag charm from one of the pockets and give it to him. "Besides, it's better than having no news from you at all in Japan." I now place a pillow on his head and let him snuggle inside the blanket.

"I'm sorry."

"You keep apologizing when it's my fault," I laugh. "I didn't even try calling you at all. I thought you were mad because I didn't even say goodbye to you back then-"

"It's my fault. I just- I'm sorry-"

I really wanted to stuff a pillow to his face because he makes me sorrier.

"If this will make you sleep, ok. I forgive you for everything. And I mean everything that happened then and what will happen later. Will that make you sleep now?"

He shakes his head and beckons me closer. "There's something else I need to sleep soundly," he laughs. He cups his right hand as if to whisper something. God, he should just tell me-

And then he kisses me. On the cheek.

I was stupefied for a while that he actually continued kissing it until I finally pulled out with my face turning a beetroot color with every second.

I really wanted to either curse or just beat him to a pulp. Unfortunately, sleep was getting to me and my hand was too fixated on the cheek he kissed so I'll leave it at that. I DID NOT ENJOY IT OK.

"Good night," he simpers almost smugly I nearly chucked him out of the room. He closes his eyes before I do though. Defeated, I just snuggle inside my bed while muttering death threats.

Still. I never recalled a time when we kissed. Ever.

Is this then, my first kiss?

I shudder.

Somehow I heard a chuckle from the sofa.

Eff you.

~K27~

A visit into the future-

"N-no."

"Don't rush in, Haru."

"B-But Hayato, Kyoko-chan's- Tsuna-san's- God, oh god-"

"Gokudera have ninety seconds left before we get sighted by enemy planes or the main infantry to get here. Miura-san, I suggest you come with Gokudera. Get a headstart on the plane."

"WAHHHHHH! OK, Yamamoto-kun. WE'LL FIGHT!"

"Roger."

"T-Tsuna-"

"K-Kyoko-san, we'll be going now. Christ, we must- It's what Tsuna would want- Kyoko-san?"

"After all this time, that b-baka T-Tsuna-"

"I'll carry him."

"H-he- T-to think that idiot-"

"K-Kyoko-san-"

"Just hold onto him tight. Just like how Tsuna- he- he- holds on that charm.. till now. Follow me, Yamamoto-kun. Tsuna wouldn't want us to cry on a moment like this."

"You're stronger than I thought, Kyoko-san. Let's do this then!"

~K27~

When my brother came pounding down the gates two weeks later after Tsuna left, I was more than inclined to shout at him for not returning earlier.

Much more, I was really surprised with the person he was with that I nearly dropped the peach cobbler I made for Fuuta and I-pin (I added an extra for Chrome in case she returns).

"Hey. Didn't get to see you since our date in Tokyo."

"H-Hana-chan!"

I kinda feel guilty for hugging her first instead of my brother, who was just grinning when he ruffles my hair next.

"Good to see you, Kyoko."

"That's a kinda predictable response, even for you brother," I said as I hugged him.

"She's just saying plainly how boring you are now, Ryohei-kun," Hana said sarcastically as he elbowed him. "How's your education going, Kyoko-chan? You didn't quit becoming a chef, did you? I'll kill that stupid Tsuna if you had."

"He had me enroll in a cooking school here in Sicily. I go every Tuesdays and Thursdays," I laugh. "Come with me to the veranda. I-pin and Fuuta are there."

"It's a good thing they're no longer kids. I wouldn't be able to hug them then."

"Oh right, you had an allergy thing with kids."

"A pretty unlucky quibble to be born with. I always thought I'd live a recluse."

"Hana, you can't be extremely serious-!"

"I was! And then your stupid brother had to text the wrong number-"

"Extremely not! You fell in love hearing my extremely manly voice-"

"As if! I called you a creep, idiot!" she mock-punched him.

"Nah, Hana was- And I remember when we skyped each other-"

"Who knew your brother has the brains to use Facebook-" Hana whispers to my ear.

"You forgot to use make-up-"

"You said you loved me no matter how ugly I was-"

"I extremely didn't say you were ugly!"

"Yes you did!" I defended Hana. Fuuta and I-pin were looking at us, their smiles getting wider at the sight of us arguing. "I remember back before the prom MMPPH-"

Hana's arms were folded as she looks at my brother rather expectantly. He was now(attacking) attempting to shut me up. The bad thing was, his hands covered even my nose and I was now struggling to breathe.

"Ryohei-niisan! Hana-neechan! Welcome back!" said I-pin as she dashed to hug the two. Fuuta stood up and nodded politely. Immediately, my brother lets go and effortlessly lifts up and spins her.

"You're looking more like the girl in my teenage dreams, now that I think about it!" he laughs. Hana was about to burst just by looking at nii-chan.

"He still hasn't realized the ten-year-bazooka as I had. I just realized later when I found out about this Mafia business that it was I-pin all along," she whispers. "The boy of my dreams also turned out to be Lambo too."

"Aren't you going to tell Kyoko about it?" said Fuuta, grinning quite naughtily. I looked at the two. Both instantly turn red.

"Uh yeah…" they said in unison. Both try looking away from each other and stare at their sides rather awkwardly.

"They're engaged," piped up I-pin.

"DON'T-" Hana nearly threw her bag at her as the shade of her cheeks became darker. "IT'S NOT YET OFFICIAL-"

"WE'RE NOT PLANNING THE WEDDING SOON. WE'RE NOT TO THE EXTREME-"

"MAYBE IN FIVE YEARS-"

"I PROMISED HANA WHEN I BECAME WORLD CHAMP I'LL-"

"Ok! Ok! Chill!" I said as they continued freaking out. "I'm not upset. Wait, this is too much to process." I sunk in a chair. Fuuta and I-pin's smiles were strangely wide as of now as both of them remained standing side-by-side, with hands itching to hold one another's. "S-Since when?"

"A month ago," said my brother. "I wasn't able to tell you since I was training for a match, and I don't like using phones…"

"I didn't want to spill it to you first. I'm really sorry for keeping it from you, Kyoko-chan-"

"Calm down you two," I sighed. "It's just- wait, how long were you guys together again?"

"Two years. But still it just feels fine. I mean, there's no other guy who'd stick up to me as this blockhead did."

"And there was no girl who wasn't scared of me as Hana was."

Both of them smiled at each other.

"Sure we had many arguments that were trifling…" Hana said.

"Still you were extremely forgiving when I apologized," my brother said.

"And you don't get mad at me when I say you have horrible fashion sense-"

"I admit that's true-" he laughs. "That's why you often had your say."

"You don't like it when I'm wearing skirts, so we're even!"

"I'm just conservative-"

"I know. I know. And I don't mind it now."

"I can't explain it Kyoko properly but- I think-"

"There's a gut feeling that-"

"This person's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Both embraced each other after they uttered the same words. The two kids were whooping and clapping as they munched on their cobbler.

I just looked in dumbfounded disbelief at them. I can't seem to comprehend. It's just been two years and they want to get married already? Are they nuts? W-Wait, this is not supposed to be a scene from the movies, right?

"I'll be living in your house. I already found work there, so I'll be returning in Namimori tomorrow to begin earning for the starting money. Ryohei would try earning his share too on the wedding preparations."

Looks like the two figured out the gist of what a couple should do. At least until the wedding.

"Kyoko, are you mad?" My brother asked slowly.

I just looked at him for a few seconds, unsure of my reaction. I was actually okay with it, to be honest. I just.. isn't it a little too fast?. They don't exactly see each other often but still- my brother is an open book so it'll be easy for Hana to know if nii-chan was really mad or happy. Hana's a hard worker and one of the most efficient cleaners I met and got to Tokyo University, so it'll make a perfect fit. Hana's not stupid anyway, but my brother-

I couldn't sleep that night. I was busy thinking about possible reasons they decided to get engaged out of the blue. Even when Hana bade goodbye and my brother left to join Tsuna and crew, their voices continued echoing even from the palazzo's walls themselves.

It was a good thing Tsuna never proposed to me yet. If he did, I wouldn't be able to give a straight answer. I mean, we never even talked much since he got here (not that I'm blaming him) and he's got a lot of things to take care of) and when he does come, all we do is sleep or just talk about his work and how I'm coping with life here…

I called Haru and told her about their marriage.

"WHAT?! DAYUM. SHE BEAT ME TO IT!"

"It's a good thing they're not making out though."

"What the hell, you don't think having sex-"

"Don't say that word!"

"Oh, Kyoko-chan. Sweet, sweet Kyoko-chan. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having-"

"Easy for you to say. You make out with Gokudera when you have the chance."

"And Tsuna-san's not making a move on you? What a pussy. Just break up with him."

"E-Excuse me?"

"Look Kyoko-chan. What's abnormal is if a man doesn't harbor any sexual intent towards you, now that he's almost a young adult, for crying out loud! We studied that young men like him should at least try kissing you when the two of you are together-"

"Uh… he did kiss me once."

"That's good then! It won't be long then. If he's a pretty conservative guy like you then he'd propose to you soon if he really wants to have sex with you."

"Goodness, Haru I think-"

"Welcome to adulthood Kyoko-chan. You're almost twenty as well. I also had the same thoughts as you back in freshman year. But then shit happened. So here I am, reborn!"

"Uh…"

"If you want to ask, let him make the first move. So far, Hayato's worried about you. The more you pretend to be fine, the more people will realize."

"What are you talking about?"

"You don't like being trapped there, don't you?"

"That word is kinda harsh…"

"Kyoko-chan, I'm sorry first and foremost. I thought you would be happy there since you looked so empty without Tsuna in your life, but if this continues to happen-"

"I'm fully aware that this was bound to happen. And Tsuna tries to make up for lost time. I-I don't honestly blame him," I pause and stare at the array of designer clothes that awaited me in my walk-in closet. "It's just I want to help him. To be his strength. I don't want to be his damsel. It doesn't feel right for me."

"That's the first time you were completely honest with me, Kyoko-chan." I can imagine her smiling on the receiving end. "You should tell Tsuna about this when he comes back."

"Yeah."

"Kyoko-chan, it's okay to make mistakes. You shouldn't be scared of speaking up about your feelings. I'm sure he'll be all ears. Kay bye. I still have three papers to finish."

"Y-yeah. Thank you so much, Haru-chan."

"What are girlfriends for, heyyyyy."

~K27~

Turned out, Hibari returned earlier than expected. And he asked for my audience up in the rooftop where the helicopters from the Vongola often lands in.

He was looking at the scenery and was unleashing his inner coolness when I walked up to him. It was a windy day too, so I had to blink a couple of times and try pinning up my hair.

Hibari-san's back remained turned as he spoke.

"I overheard your conversation with Miura Haru. It appears that you aren't satisfied with your treatment here in the Vongola headquarters."

There was no malice in his voice. I took a deep breath because I was really freaking out. If Hibari-san was the one summoning me here then something was definitely up.

"I didn't tell Sawada Tsunayoshi. But if you really intend to leave, then please do so immediately. I'll inform him as soon as you take the first flight home."

I didn't want to sound stupid so I let him ramble on.

"If you intend to… soil our grand agenda, I will not hesitate to bite you to death. Now, if you really intend to turn tail, please pack as much clothes as that idiotic Sawada Tsunayoshi lavishly spent on you and get out of this place this instant."

Yup he's pissed.

"Hibari-san, can I ask you a question?" I really wanted to ask it for a long time since two years ago.

"You still haven't given me an answer. Do you intend to leave or not?"

"Not if Hibari-san answers my question," I say, almost trembling. He wasn't turning around, but I could catch a glint of his steel tonfa in his left arm.

"Five seconds for you to ask then." Oops, turned out he was just checking the time.

"Why did you follow Tsuna, of all people? And up until now?"

"Two questions were poised, Sasagawa Kyoko," he now turns with those crazy slits he calls eyes fixed almost rabidly at me. Only they were not as intense as the ones I remembered during our junior high school days, or in our high school days either. There was a kind of control in them. He looks once more at his watch before smirking. "I can only answer one."

"In that case… why did you decide to follow Tsuna up to now?" I was slowly backtracking. He was, after all, still peering at his wrist.

"It's a pretty simple reason, Sasagawa Kyoko. I want to become stronger. Once upon a time, a man named Rokudo Mukuro made me realize what a stubborn, spineless twit I was. Only when I decided to join the baby in their ludicrous dream to become the most powerful Mafia family in history did I realize how weak I was even from the likes of Yamamoto Takeshi. I was an immature moron, if you would point it that way." He beckons me forward. Naturally, I followed him as his slender hands appear to caress the walls. The pinks, oranges, and turquoise of the darkening sky was now almost at its peak. He now turns his head at me. "I got defeated by Sawada Tsunayoshi one time. It utterly shuttered my ego, to be frank."

I just nod assiduously at him. He smirks again as he turns once more and appears to be talking more to the dying sun than me.

"The baby told me that anger clouded my judgment. In his words, I was still 'a brat with more raging hormones than all the pre-adolescent boys combined.' I listened to his pieces of advice and, long story short, I accepted becoming a pillar of the Vongola."

"Have you never hesitated before?"

"I already have nothing to lose and everything to gain, Sasagawa Kyoko," I see a shadow of melancholy in his lips. "There was no reason for me to refuse."

"W-What about Kusakabe and the others?"

"They haven't weakened their resolve and followed me. So then, will you give me your answer?"

He was now turning his head to peer in my direction. So far, the Vongola did a good job in making me lost for words. To the extent of making Hibari-san less a ticking bomb and more a collected Gandalf… h-how did Tsuna do it?

I let the wind run through first. The sky blackened and Hibari-san continued to wait. He wasn't really angry at me after five minutes. I didn't really expect myself to remain intact after how much I made him wait.

"I want to help Tsuna as much as I can too," I said finally.

Hibari merely looks at me, yawning.

"You can just tell him, Sasagawa Kyoko."

I'm sure his words will hurt more than any hit I might suffer from him afterwards.

~K27~

I approached Reborn first about the matter.

"I want to become a Mafia member," I said as straight out as I can that night. It had been three days since Tsuna and the others returned. Since they came back, there had been a kind of oppressive tension lingering in the palazzo. Tsuna didn't sleep at my bed anymore and was too busy discussing with the others some clandestine operation not even Yamamoto-kun and onii-chan know of no matter how persistent I was in squeezing out a drop of info from them.

"Just the answer I was waiting for," Reborn clapped his hands together. "In that case, follow me Sasagawa Kyoko."

And with that, I brought up the rear as I followed him in a maze of staircases down into one of the most deepest places I've been in.

"This is where the inner circle of the Vongola specifically conduct their meetings. Signals cannot even penetrate these ends." He tilted his fedora to the side and lit up a torch with a flame gun. "What made you decide now?"

"It's the first time Tsuna didn't sleep with me."

He laughed. "Worried, aren't we? Here we are." An old, stone door was present. Reborn knocked on the metal knocker that resembled Tsuna's hairstyle.

Tsuna was more than displeased when he opened the door. He looked absolutely terrible. He looked like he hasn't washed for days and his eyebags were big enough to nestle chicken eggs inside. The moment he saw me, his eyes were so protuberant they looked like they were about to fall out.

"Kyoko-san, what are you doing here?"

"She's the person you need to make your plan a success," Reborn said before I could open my mouth.

"Kyoko-san, please get inside. I need to talk with Reborn," he says as he almost yanks me in and leaves before I was about to tell him to watch it. This wasn't the normal Tsuna I had limited interaction with. He slams the door shut.

"Hey, Kyoko-san! Join us. You wanna play Halo?"

I was too busy staring at the door to realize that all the other Guardians, with the exception of Lambo were just behind me. I earnestly press my ears against the dusty stone wall just to check what they're talking about.

"That's won't work, Kyoko-san," Gokudera sighed. My brother turned on the almost hundred-inch Plasma TV from behind. I had a bird's-eye view of Tsuna and Reborn. Tsuna was predictably not happy.

I turned around. The place looked more like a pad than the dungeon I imagined it to be. The walls were painted a warm color of brown and there were scattered papers all around, dotted by the random seats the guardians were sitting on. My brother led me to a sofa. Hibari-san looked intimidating in his metal seat. Gokudera and Yamamoto were seated in beanbags while Chrome was absent-mindedly eating chocolates in a rocking chair.

"-she shouldn't be here! I've told you already since that time to stop meddling in my affairs. I'm trying to prevent her from getting herself into trouble again-"

"Oooh, looks like Tsuna's really mad," my brother boomed as he offered me a bowl full of popcorn, to which I politely refused.

"This is foolish," sighed Hibari-san as he dons his earphones and begins sleeping by the table beside him.

"Tsuna, how many times have I told you to stop pampering her? It was her choice. She is no longer a child. She has to know the consequences."

"I'm rather fed up with your machinations, Reborn! This is not the same as back in Namimori. Kyoko-san could get killed. You know that already."

"Tsuna, if you weren't stronger than this present form of mine, I would've killed you already. How long have I told you, over and over that sometimes you have to trust other people? She is not a weak-willed princess, if that's how you idealize Kyoko to be. If you truly love her, then you should give her a chance."

"And what do you propose her to do?"

"It's easy. She just needs to be your decoy."

The door then opens behind us, and I suddenly feel my skin prickle.

"So you've heard," Tsuna says quietly as he takes a stool and sits at the edge of the table. At once, Hibari-san yanks off his earphones and turns to look at the baby. Reborn stands at the top of the table and folds his arms expectantly. Gokudera-kun scrambles for the papers and sits by Tsuna's right while Yamamoto-kun stands by the left. Chrome seats herself beside Hibari while my brother was at the back of Reborn. I take a random pink fold-up chair and makes my way beside Chrome. Tsuna looks at the papers Gokudera-kun gave him.

"Kyoko-san, if you don't know there is one thorn we have to achieve phase one in my plan to establish allied families around the world. They're the Sopportare family from Milan. They've been one of our questionable allies and despite any diplomatic talks, intelligence implies a coup to happen with them at the head. There had been ten unsuccessful attempts on my life since the summit. It's a good thing none of them had discovered the palazzo. Unfortunately, the only way for me to prevent a war from happening would be to kill Lorenzo, their boss. And the only time he might appear, according to reports is tomorrow night in an opera performance in the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The only problem is, that moment I appear, he might try to launch an uprising along with six of our allied families at the same moment. By then, I have to deploy the Varia troops as well as the Yamamoto and the others in all parts of Italy to quell them."

"Then why don't you just decline his offer?" I ask.

"If I do, he might think we know his plot. So I really have to attend."

"Umm, what does this have to do with me?"

Tsuna looked at Reborn first before answering.

"I won't be the one in the upper box, Kyoko-san. You will be me."

~K27~

I had to take a crash course in boss swag before donning the awfully heavy wig and the loose suit that I had to fit. In addition, I had to wear five-inch shoes to be able to garner Tsuna's height. It was extremely difficult to walk.

"So, do I look like Tsuna yet?" I asked Gokudera-kun once I put on the brown contacts. I had to blink rapidly because it hurts the first time.

"Close enough," he nods. Since I agreed to the plan, Gokudera-kun's been uptight lately. Tsuna told him to guard me while the Varia assassins do their job to take out Lorenzo and his possy.

"Good." We were now driving to the opera house. The Varia had gone ahead. Tsuna-kun went along with others ahead to fend off the other families in case we failed.

"The Tenth said," Gokudera said in a blunt manner. "You just have to sit and watch. You don't have to do anything else, alright?"

"Ok, no need to get pissed off."

He said nothing as the car came to a halt. He then opens the door. "Follow me then, Tenth."

Soon enough, I went along with him past the stairs and inside of the grandest buildings I've ever been in. It looked truly exclusive for the elite. Somehow I felt small of a sudden. Gokudera immediately forced me back to reality when he opens the door to our box. A bottle of wine was waiting for us.

Gokudera locks the door as we sat inside.

"We just have to wait for their signal," Gokudera says. His phone rings and he quickly answers it. "Yes. Yes, we've just arrived. Alright," he gives me the phone.

"Kyoko-san," his breath was ragged as I heard Yamamoto and my brother animatedly discussing something about an Intramurals next year. "Please arrive safe."

He really needs a break.

"Maybe after this," I bite my lip. I'm breaking the rules of Girlfriend101 again! "You can sleep in my room again?"

There was a crackle of static and babble in the background before I heard him laugh. "Okay."

"Bye then," I tell him.

"I love you," he said, giving me goosebumps again, just in time for the curtains to part and for a song to erupt.

I give the phone back to Gokudera. He was standing by my side the whole time and barely moved a muscle. It was almost two hours when he finally nudged me to reality.

"Just act naturally," he whispered as a female singer was now singing her own monologue as she walked around the stage. I was never really a plan of opera or plays in general.

Then an explosion suddenly resounds just a few yards from one of the upper boxes. Screams then erupt and Gokudera was now holding my arm and running past the stairs.

"That's the signal. They must have killed him," said Gokudera, with a pistol in hand, keen to go to the door and into the foyer when-

A gunshot resounds and his hand was bleeding, a bloody hole now visible.

"Shit, Mushroom-head, Shark-face I need you two here-" Gokudera muttered at his collar as he turned to my front, taking out another pistol from his left hand. "Kyoko-san, go on ahead- FUCK-"

His curse was justified. He shoots just in front of me only for a body to magically appear and fall with a bullet wound to the chest. Another invisible thing suddenly pressed to me keenly and then attempted to clam up my mouth. Shit, I can't breathe- god-

The last thing I saw was Gokudera-kun haplessly busy shooting the people firing in front before attempting to rain more bullets at me.

~K27~

Once I opened my eyes, I was tightly bound to an operating table. This place seemed to be a hospital, still squeaky clean and painted a neutral color of white.

"Kukuku, you're awake," says a person I can't see. Suddenly, I'm swiveled up front and facing a baby that eerily reminds me of Reborn, only this kid had green hair and pacifier. The baby adjusted its glasses as it looks at me interestedly. "Welcome. I am the Arcobaleno Verde. Make yourself comfortable." Instantly, the buckles tightened at me and I had to get lungfuls of air to breathe normally. "You will become my test subject from now on, Sawada Tsunayoshi."

Next Chapter: I'll show you how stronger I've become.