Morath, from a distance, looked like your standard port town. Ships, homes, and some warehouses spread along the dock. Following Natsumi and Rylen, Tsuna’s expectations shattered at the sight of flashing signs, narrow alleys, many stores, and the amount of people they passed. It’s like I’m in Osaka. I wonder how many people live here. Natsumi spun back and glanced at him. Surely to make certain that he was still behind her. A flow of wind felt as if it grasped his arm, realizing Natsumi had reached out to him. Quickly moving her finger towards her lips, she dragged him down an alleyway.

A sigh escaped Natsumi’s mouth before she pinched her nose and inhaled through her mouth. “Like hell I’m giving my hard earned Drax to those guys. My blood was almost on this money! So, I’m gonna go spend it and you’re gonna help me. Rylen can’t gripe about it when it’s all gone.” She gave him a confirming nod. “Any complaints?”

Tsuna shook his head. “Not like I have a choice. I’d otherwise get lost in the crowd.” Rylen was right not to call them a corporation. They’d have fired her already if she dodges responsibility this way.

“Wonderful!” Natsumi’s sharp canines showed themselves through her huge smirk. “The question is what to spend a thousand Drax on? There aren’t that many unique shops in this town and we’ll need to get something that we can’t go back to Leora’s with. So they won’t know we used it on junk.”

A faint rumble erupted from the crater Tsuna called a stomach. Remembering how long it’s been since he’d had food. Before he could suggest anything, Natsumi’s attention was fixated on the origin of the noise. Those ears are more sensitive than Rylen’s. Speaking of which, what race is she?

Natsumi’s thumb launched upward in front of Tsuna. “I have approved your recommendation for food. There’s this great place a couple of blocks from here with an expensive menu that I’ve been dying to try. We eat, come back empty-handed and bellies full, and Rylen can’t say anything! Ohoho, I’m getting all excited!” Pivoting on the tip of her toe, she stepped off.

Tsuna quietly chuckled as she stepped ahead. “It’s free food. I hope this place is good.”

***

Sloppy meat marinated in what appeared to be gravy and blended into a dish, splashed onto Tsuna’s face as the cat waitress dropped it down. The residue splashed on his face, leaving him deadpan. What the hell is this? He peered at the meal, then at Natsumi, who enthusiastically accepted her bowl, then turned his concern to the waitress, who studied him in a way that made him feel as if he were being targeted.

The tanned waitress’ tail unwrapped from her midriff and pointed straight down as she reached for a napkin and went for Tsuna’s face. “Let me get that for you, sir! My clumsiness got you all dirty!” She took the napkin and held out her other hand. “Just set your chin here.”

Tsuna’s eyes narrowed, immediately taking the napkin from her hand, then wiping his face. “No need, I’ll take care of it!” That ought to hold her off.

The waitress stood straight with a broader smile. Her eyebrow curled as she tipped her head toward him. “As you say! Natsumi’s trained you well. Any other human she brought in here would’ve fallen for that. They’re usually just horndogs looking for a good time.”

Tsuna eyed Natsumi, now choking on her food. “Does she draw in that many men?”

Natsumi’s fork clashed against her near empty bowl. “This again, Kiyomi?!”

The waitress shrugged. “It’s the truth, is it not? You’re the only Minhki who brings Humans and Elves to a joint in our district. Other Minhki would get as far from here as possible and slip away to a better part of town to not dine in a trash heap.”

“You make me sound like some dusty whore and that couldn’t be further from the truth!”

“A hopeless romantic whore, then.”

As she alluded to the building, Tsuna glanced around the area. Appearing old in structure and in need of renovation eventually, if not soon. The chairs were hard and the wooden legs quivered with every slight movement, but practical. “Why is this part of town in as bad a condition as it is? It didn’t look that way from the docks.”

“They built the docks next to the human residential area, which is the newer part of town. Where we are now is what the Morath used to be before it grew. It’s a wreck, but we can barely get our hands on the tools to fix the place up thanks to the various vendors who won’t sell to Minhki. They hate us. It’s as plain as day.”

A sadness overcame Tsuna, producing a churn of emotions twisting around his gut. So, they treat people here like that too. His heart swelled, looking around at the Minhki in the building. “Not all of us are like that. Not every human hates you because you are different.”

“It’s not the first time we’ve heard that one.” Kiyomi huffed as she averted her gaze. “Big mouth politicians from Elysia, fake heroes looking for favor, they all come around here shouting that they’ll make things right for us. Make this place shine so that no one could even tell the old from the new. And every time it’s bullcrap. There was a time where it felt as if it were an everyday occurrence. It was enough to make me lose faith in our home being really fixed. That this is how we’ll be forever, because we don’t have the tools to do it ourselves or the means to leave. We make do with what we have and what we have is not enough. So save it. I don’t want to hear another lie.”

Her defeated tone reached out to the other patrons of the shop as they gave her sympathetic nods. The restaurant fell silent in the reality that their home may never become more than what it was. Shockingly, Tsuna slammed his fist into the table. “Yeah, it makes sense to feel this way, since people lied for their own benefit. And now an outsider arrives, repeating the same words others have said. Even if you don't believe me, I fully understand it. No one should be judged by the way they look or their culture. And for that, here's my promise!” Tsuna spoke, his words dripping with uncertainty. No turning back. “I will provide you with the tools you need. I want to prove to all of you that someone will fight for you. Even if you won’t fight for yourselves.” The feeling escaped. His pride swelled, chest deflating as eyes around the room fell onto him. Kiyomi’s eyes latched onto him and another Minhki gave him a similar look to the degree they were obviously staring. The girls in the room followed suit, each of them showing an expression akin to Kiyomi’s. I might’ve made a mistake… This is a lioness den!

Natsumi’s hands slapped on the table, rattling its rickety legs. The room’s attention drew to her as she proudly raised her voice. “I’ve told you that my man is the one with the apple red hair and the scruffy face!” She turned her attention to the staring women in the area. “And if any of you here have eyes on him, I’ll kick your ass!”

What is she talking about? Red hair, scruffy face… Zio?! Was she even paying attention? Everyone else is staring at her now, so… The restaurant fell mute again as Natsumi sat back down. Turning calmly to his bowl to evade the spotlight, Tsuna grabbed a slice of meat and nibbled on its edge. Hey… This is pretty good. Its texture was smoother than it looked because of the brew in the bowl.

Kiyomi placed a finger on her lip, gesturing towards Natsumi. “Way to keep up with the conversation, Natsu. If this isn’t your man, then he is available, yes? This one gives me the feeling that I can actually trust him. Maybe, if he does what he says, some of our girls can reward him with something… Special.”

Tsuna’s eyes went wide, noticing Natsumi’s fervor leaving as she stared at him. The attention returned, sweat forming in his palms as he gulped. “I’m married.” The room erupted in a synchronized gasp.

“Married!?” Natsumi and Kiyomi yelped. Natsumi grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled herself closer. “Why did you never tell me you’re married?”

Tsuna sarcastically jerked his head with an expression of bewilderment. “W-Why would I bring that up when you never asked?! We just met!”

“That’s the stuff you bring up to a girl you just met!” Natsumi said.

“Like hell it is, you weirdo!”

The scrutiny of him waned as the two shouted and the restaurant returned to normal. Natsumi released him, then sat back in her seat before twirling her tail into her hands. “Then tell me about it. Surely you’ve a story to tell. Like a reason you’re here without your partner.”

Tsuna took another bite of meat. “Y-yeah. As you know, Natsumi, I’m not from around here. Where I’m from, I was happily married and was searching to get the two of us a place.” It only took a second for Natsumi’s tail to wave. Clearly, she was interested. Kiyomi leaned closer, her ears perking up as he began.

Natsumi turned a glare towards the third party. “Kiyo, aren’t you supposed to be working!?”

“I run the joint. I can sit here as long as I want.” The door swung open, a family of Minhki walking in and taking a seat at an open table. Kiyomi’s mood changed as she let out an audible groan before smiling around and forcing a smile. “Welcome to Titania’s! How can I help you?”

With Kiyomi gone, Natsumi leaned forward and planted her elbows on the table to hold her head up. “How long have you been married for? I wouldn’t have taken you as much of a romantic, but you’ve clearly gotten more comfortable since you’ve been off the market.”

Tsuna heard an unmistakable purr roll from her question. Oh no. I think I just made a mistake. Though his answer removed other eyes from him, now he was in Natsumi’s. I need to figure out a way to spin this. “Newly married. We were together for most of our lives and the day came where we were both honest with each other.”

“Newly wed? Then why are you here? You hitched a ride with Zio and Old man Rylen, but wouldn’t you prefer to be together with your forever partner?”

“I do. More than you’d think.” The events in Japan and at The Crossing played in his mind. What could he have done if he knew this power was resting within him the whole time? “I need to figure out how to protect her. Yesterday made me realize how dangerous it is for people who can’t defend themselves. If something were to happen.” His story contorted with reality. Licking his dry lips, then taking a breath, he looked Natsumi in the eyes. “I have a power that I’ve never had before, and it scares me. Controlling it could take years or the rest of my life and that’s time I can’t afford to waste.”

Sensing his discomfort, Natsumi leaned back. “You’re talking about anima, aren’t you? Trust me, that fear you have isn’t unique. For me, it was like running from my shadow until I flew headfirst into a kirin. It terrified me at first, but when my anima swooped me away from a jacked up jaw from its hooves, I accepted it. We’ve all had that fear once. Well, those who can control it. Skip to some years later and now I’m a pro! Able to call up the wind without even thinking about it! Sounds pretty cool, right? But we’ll talk about me later. When did you realize you could control it?”

“Yesterday and it just kind of happened. My heart doesn’t beat anymore. It stirs like a roaring motor, burning me up from the inside. I don’t sweat, but it feels like I should. Fire can shoot from my hands, but I’ve never been able to bring the fire out of my body until I’m in danger.” He wiggled his toes. “I’ve even destroyed my shoes.”

“What you describe sounds like something that happens to everyone. Except for your heartbeat. We should get that looked at. Allow me to give you a brief tutorial on control. Do you know what ethertwisting is?” She held her finger forward before Tsuna could answer. A rush of wind whirled around her finger, converging at the tip into a ball. “It’s the control of the users’ ether and how they can ‘twist’ it with the surrounding ether. When you turn that ether into something that is unnatural, something bent to the user’s whim, we call that anima.”

“Huh… If people could do that, then why would they need to use guns?”

“Not everyone can do this. Even people who have an excellent control of their ether. Which is why that garbage known as ‘ethertech’ exists. Don’t tell Rylen I said that, by the way. The hardest part is learning how to twist outside ether with your own.”

The sphere on her finger sounded like a breeze in an open field. The direction of the wind shifted every second, going from left to right, upward and downward, rotating atop her finger. Tsuna held out his palm, tunneling his focus into his hand. A moment longer he stared, yielding no result. “I couldn’t do something like that if I tried. It all feels so hopeless. There has to be another way to protect her, otherwise my life may as well be over.”

Natsumi’s eyebrow jerked as she tilted her head. “Not much self-confidence you have there. If you don’t believe in yourself, what could you ever achieve? It’s obvious you’re putting too much concern on your partner than yourself. If you’re in no shape to take care of yourself, how can you expect to take care of her?”

“Because I can endure. I’ve dealt with shit for so long, I know nothing can break me down. My town treated me like an outcast. Friends turned their backs on me. Labeling me a delinquent, because of the things I did and what I look like… And now that I think about it, they only reinforced the reason I did it. I became numb to their titles and judgement. It became my identity. A delinquent who stole, fought, lied. A boy who had no hope of succeeding, who everyone thought they’d find dead in an alley. I thought so too… Until she came into my life. Losing her is something I won’t stand for. If something did… I’d… just…”

“Stop.” Natsumi hopped out of her seat. “Relying on her will get you exactly what you’re afraid of. Think, if she were to disappear, then what? You’ll go on a warpath? Hurt people? That line of thinking is unhealthy, and what you need before anything else is to heal. Otherwise you’ll keep letting yourself down until you’re in the darkest of places where even her, your brightest light, won’t reach.” She drew a sack from the inside of her jacket and set it on the table. “Kiyomi!”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Her sharp pitch pulled Kiyomi’s questionable attention from another table. “Yeah, Natsu?”

“I’m leaving you extra money, so save it for my next visit. I have work to do and you’d better not forget that I left so much!” Kiyomi returned a gentle smile and a waving tail. Natsumi’s eyes fixed on Tsuna. “And you! Blaming yourself for things out of your control! Luckily, you have Natsumi Lu’Kara to show you the right way! All you have to do is take the first step!”

Enthusiastically, she moved her hand in front of him, urging him to take it. Have I been playing a victim this whole time? What could I have done back then?! What else was I supposed to do? There’s no proving anyone wrong when they already doubt you. Once you fail, it only makes their beliefs fact. What should I do? He gave a plain response. “I’ll do whatever I have to.”

“That’s not a suitable answer! A villain does what they have to. A thief does what he has to. Doing what you can is all that matters and we have to accept what we can’t control and what we can. Can you take that step?”

The air around the Minhki had shifted. His eyes fell towards the ground, then shot back into hers. Could she be right? Maybe it’s not too late! This world could be a new start! Hope swelled within his heating chest as his arm flung back, then into hers. The clash of their palms reverberated through the building and shaped a grin on Natsumi’s face.

“That was your first lesson and we’ve got a long way to go! Believe in yourself and nothing can stop you!”

***

“Fresh air!” Natsumi said with a stretch that made her bones cackle. “The real ocean smell and not the musk of smelly ass pirates! I always forget how clear it is on this side of town. But this is only my second time here, so.”

The area opened up before Tsuna, making it clear they were approaching the town’s edge. Buildings became scarce, replaced by cargo and containers spanning along the coast and isolated by wooden walls. “Is this the town’s edge? What’s out here that we’re looking for?”

“Relax, my dear apprentice, and let me tell you a story. About a girl who knew nothing about her parents, her culture, or where she’s from. An orphan from the start, who survived days without the taste of a warm meal. The other orphans were frightened of her and the caretakers cared little, for she differed from the rest. They would mock her freakishly deformed ears because they knew she could hear them. They detested her monstrous tail because-.”

“Hold up. Stop right there.” Tsuna interrupted, waving his hands. “There’s no point to this, is there?”

“Of course there is!” With a snicker, Natsumi shrugged and turned towards him. “An excellent story always makes the children feel better. Raise their spirits so they won’t give up on their hopes and dreams. The point is, I’m different. I struggled. In the end, I’m here and living my best life. Whatever happened to me because of my race didn’t matter because I stayed positive and that’s the first step. Being happy with yourself. A Minhki can make a living working hard if she doesn’t let others drag her down!”

“Doesn’t that seem unfair to you? Comparing your struggle with another person, then make the claim they should be able to do it as well. You and I could have two totally different limits. What would be better is if the struggle did not exist at all.” Tsuna wrapped his fingers around his chin. “And if hard work makes life better, did you, being a ‘Men-kee’, have some of the opportunity denied to you?”

“‘Min-qi’. Sharpen the end and don’t drag out the ‘ee’ sound.” Natsumi stroked her ears. “I mean, yeah. People did not want me for certain jobs, but not everyone is a jack of all trades. I figured maybe they didn’t need someone of my skill set and there were better options. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Yeah, yeah. But how can a person work hard when no one wants to give them the chance? Using myself as an example, I’d go out, beg for forgiveness, and show humility. Every time they bastardized me for my past mistakes, my father not being in my life, or because I looked different.”

“Bastardization comes with the territory of being the special one. Not that it’s a good thing. Should it occur? No. Should it stop you from being happy with yourself? Also, No. For the brief time that I’ve known you, you haven’t struck me as a delinquent, if that makes you feel better. Lingering on that kind of stuff will obstruct you more than help you. It’s best to move on that forget the past.”

“When I caused trouble, the people didn’t let me forget. Their stares, the way they’d run away when I’d be doing something as simple as crossing the street. Little did they know I turned my back on that behavior when my wife fell into my life. She made me happy. She made me feel like nothing in my past mattered.”

“But it does. It was constantly eating at you. It’s eating at you now. Waiting to snap again when you go low. The reason you’re having trouble handling your ether is there because of that. It may seem like I’m prying, but I promise you, it’s very important. Contrary to public belief, ether control is very emotion focused. It being so, those who can manipulate it are usually true at heart. Still, that heart can be anywhere on a moral spectrum.” Natsumi halted and searched around. “Not a soul in sight. This should be a pleasant spot.”

He pinched his nose as the stink of rust rushed through his nostrils. Aged steel containers surrounded the area, the creaking of the rust almost indistinguishable from the ocean's kiss on the dilapidated pier close by. Tsuna glanced around the space as Natsumi shifted her direction towards him and propped her fists onto her hips.

“This is anything other than pleasant. What are we doing here?”

“We’re here to train you how to ethertwist or at the very least see ether! Remember how I mentioned not everyone can do this? Those that can have a lingering flow of ether around them if you try to sense it. It requires your focus. A ton of focus. Try to sense mine and we’ll move on from there. If you’re finding trouble doing that, we’ll try something else.”

“Focus? In a place that smells like shit and where the water is loud as hell?”

Natsumi lifted her hands to the back of her head, averting her eyes. “Well, it wouldn’t be a test without disturbance. Give it a shot.”

After a groan, Tsuna squared himself and stared at Natsumi. This smell is toxic. It’s so strong that it’s hard to even think straight! His forehead thumped. Maybe if I can hold my breath, just maybe, I’ll be able to recognize what she’s talking about. The minute he inhaled, Natsumi snapped her fingers.

“Keep breathing. I need you focused, not passed out.” She pointed at the dark spot on her nose. “Besides, my nose is much more sensitive to smell. If I can ignore it, then you should be capable of it too.”

Damn it! I have to endure. Like I always have! Ignoring the smell, he focused harder. Straining his body, he still saw nothing. My body can’t hold out like this for much longer. If I just hold out! A sharp whistle came from behind him, a portion of a container falling to the ground. The moment his head swung around, he heard Natsumi’s voice.

“Don’t!”

Still, nothing appeared to him. Just a Minhki standing in front of him, disciplining him on what he was now believing were lies. Recalling the conversation that had led up to the moment, his mind scrambled. Emotions. Try to control my emotions. How can I block out the sound when things are falling down around me? How can I overlook something that stinks? Wait… Isn’t that what I’ve been doing all of my life? Blocking out the people who doubted me. What they said, what they did. If I can do that… then! Now fully locked on Natsumi, black spots developed in his sight. No, I won’t lose! I can’t afford to! I need to do this!… For…! A voice reached out to him, followed by the figure of a Japanese woman.

Mom?!

“I see it now and this is the clearest I’ve ever seen you. Looking too far into the future will cause you nothing but stress and anxiety. Living in the past will keep you there. Live for the now, Tsuna.”

He pressed on. The words echoing until the vision faded. The strain proved fruitless, as he could still see nothing. He slumped to a knee, the Minhki almost moving to help him but refraining as a glint flashed from his red eyes. The voice returned.

“Let go of what’s keeping you back! Ask yourself where you would like to be, not what could you have done! Be the better you because it’s all for you!”

All for me? As if he’d figured out a puzzle, his mind cleared. The judgement discarded, the glares banished, their words forgotten. Japan was no longer where he lived, but now a piece of the past. A new identity could take form if he wanted, but Tsuna was too true to himself to reject his character. Maybe now was his chance to be the man he should’ve been from the start and maybe create something better for himself.

“The Minhki's viewpoint is correct.” Infernus’ voice took him by surprise. “Acting on your next step could save that girl's life. Failing to learn history will leave you with a deep sense of despondency. Know that you can do it. Know that you will do it. Change.”

Energy surged through Tsuna’s body, granting him a strength that felt as if something had been physically holding him down his entire life. He shot back up, straightening his back and looked at Natsumi with a determined zeal. It will take more than this, but this is only the first step. I will grasp this power and find my mom and Emiko! Natsumi’s cheeks lit up a faint red color while she took a step back from Tsuna’s intense presence. Her first step revealed something in the corner of Tsuna’s eye. A tint of green vapor, almost hazy in appearance, extended from Natsumi’s shoulder, gradually withdrawing into her body like a flowing tide. “There! Your shoulder!” Tsuna pointed at her. “That aura going into your shoulder. It’s faint but undeniable that it’s under your control!”

Natsumi’s jaw dropped as her head jerked backward. The essence hastily retreated into her body as she blinked twice before muttering. “C-Congrats! I knew you could do it, my apprentice! How though…”

Tsuna collapsed to a knee, the black spots nearly covering his sight. As Natsumi rushed over to him, her eyes snapped towards his hand, then she kneeled down to hold him up with her shoulder. “H-How was that?” His panting continued until he resolutely set his other foot on the ground.

“I-Impressive! Especially for a first timer!”

There was a waver in her voice that hinted at something. Though Tsuna picked up on it, he disregarded her odd behavior. “There’s more to learn, right? Give me a minute and I’ll be ready for whatever you have to throw at me next!”

Natsumi twitched, jumping back and throwing her hands in front of her. “Nevermind that! You’ve had enough for the day! And I need to consult the rest with Rylen! He’d be proud to hear of this progress!”

Tsuna raised an eyebrow. Bullshit. Didn’t we sneak away from him? He shouldn’t have any idea what we’re doing.

Natsumi went on, speaking more emphatically than usual. “So! Tell me about this wife of yours. How did you two first meet?”

“Heh, funny you asked that. How we met happens to be one of my favorite memories of her.” Tsuna smiled. “Are you sure you want to hear? It’s a long story.”

“I-I want to hear everything. I can only assume by the way you look now that you had to fight for her or something, is that it? Did you save her from a group of bandits? Or was she a childhood crush?”

“You’re practically right. Switch the roles around and the plot and you’ll be spot on.”

“Well, don’t tell me that! You’ll spoil the story! Go on, tell me while we walk back!”

I’ll keep it blunt. Can’t spoil where I’m from.

***

Twelve years ago in Yanagawa, Japan

“Help!” Tsuna said, face hidden in his hands. Before him were three boys, who, by the style of their hairstyles and facial features, were obviously brothers. The tallest of them swung his fist, the impact knocking Tsuna off of his feet and onto the concrete. The bandages on his arms uncovered, showing the cuts beneath. It’d been unmistakable that this was not the first time they’d done this. The bruises on his legs showing how brutal they’d been.

“I was nine-years old, born in what I’d consider the boonies. My skin color being tanned and my distinct features were an unfamiliar sight for some who’d never traveled out to see more than what’s around them. Being a half Black half Japanese boy without a father especially.”

“Aww, look at the monster crying for help.” The Eldest boy said. “Like anyone would want to help a monster as dirty as him!”

“Maybe we should show him a lesson again.” The youngest of them scoffed as he cracked his knuckles. “Monsters don’t get to cry because all they do is hurt people!”

“We’ll keep monsters from bothering anyone else. Starting with this one.” The third child declared. “He doesn’t even have a dad, probably ate him and his black soul made him dirty!”

It didn’t take long before I turned into a victim. The appearance is the first impression. It decides whether you’re going to talk to a person or not. Here, it was about why I differed from them. Somehow tying that to how my father wasn’t in the picture. It only developed from there. I dealt with years of belittlement, bullied over something as stupid as looking different. But it’s what kids do. Sometimes adults too… But one day, someone had enough.

“Get away from him!” A voice cracked from behind them.

The shadow blocked the setting sun. Raising a single finger high into the air.

“You call him a monster, but you’re beating him up. Only monsters pick on kids!” The finger dropped, pointing straight at the eldest of the brothers. “And that monster is you and your two minions!”

“I’d always had my head down in school. Thought taking my eyes off the world would help me get through it. Like maybe if I didn’t see them, then they didn’t see me. Little did I know, someone’s eyes had been on me for some time. I don’t recall seeing her, but I will never forget how I felt when I saw those blonde twin-tails come to my rescue.”

“Get out of here, pipsqueak!” The middle sibling stepped forward and pointed in another direction. “You’re not supposed to protect monsters! You’re supposed to-!”

The girl moved, the light shining in Tsuna’s face again. He’d shielded his eyes from the sun as he heard a thud. No longer blinded, he saw the brother on the ground holding his face. She strode to the side, hopping on her toes and throwing a finger into the air again. With a grin, she shouted.

“Knockout!”

“She was an unusual girl who grew into an unusual woman. Fascinated with video games and fantasy, escaping the world around her to believe she was more important.”

“Shinichi, get up!” At the sight of his brother in pain, a rage overcame the youngest. “You’re gonna pay!” He said as he reversed a punch and swung at her.

The girl ducked under his swing and landed two rapid blows to his stomach, and finished with an uppercut and a stylish flourish. Brushing the tip of her nose with her thumb, she raised her finger again. “Knockout!”

The eldest kept his composure. His two brothers on the ground in front of him made him hesitantly lick his lips. He strolled in place, sizing up the girl who had more than proven that she was not to be taken lightly. Tsuna watched as the two of them squared off in front of the sun. Setting a scene that reminded him of old samurai films. The boy tightened his fist, suggesting he was fit to attack, then proceeded. The girl’s hand stretched out, stopping him in his place. He’d noticed she pointed at his shoes.

“You should tie your shoes. You’ll hurt yourself if you trip and fall.”

Taken aback by her remark, the boy peered down and saw she was telling the truth. His eyebrow lifted as he glanced back at the girl.

“What are you waiting for?” She said, her eyes averting to the sides. “Tie them so we can fight.”

“Regularly finding herself in situations she 5placed herself in, she reacted to them with a sense of humor. Treating it all like it was a parody.”

With a laugh, he went to tie his shoes, diverting him from the smirk that formed on her face. Swiftly, the girl swayed her leg high, landing a kick across his jaw. She winked and once again tossed her finger in the air. “Knockout!”

Tsuna looked up to see his three bullies lying on the ground, and this one girl left standing. Her attention then turned to him, skipping to him and reaching out with both of her hands.

“No need to be scared anymore. Come on.”

Tsuna was uncertain whether he should feel scared or secure. This girl he’d never seen before, in moments, proved she was tougher than the bullies who’d tormented him. Cautiously, he took a hold of her hands, and with her help, stood up straight. “T-Thank you.”

“It was like seeing an angel in person. Someone who randomly came into your life at your lowest and made you think you could fly. She was… Is… the light in the dark that I needed. Then she told me her name, Emiko Sawano. The name that I’d never forget.”

***

“She told me she was only helping someone in need, but always implied there might’ve been more to it. I don’t know. She’s weird like that.” Tsuna laughed. “Both of us are military brats, our fathers both from overseas. Couldn’t get us apart even if you pulled us from both ends, her parents would say. It wasn’t until some years later when things got rocky.” He peeked at Natsumi, who was wiping away a tear. “You better not be crying because of that story.”

“N-No!” She sniffled, wiping around her nose. “It’s the rust! I swear!”

“We’ve been walking for the last ten minutes. I’m sure you can’t smell the rust anymore.” A glimpse of the area ahead and he could tell they were back on the populated side of the town. “Are we almost where we need to be? Leora’s?”

“Close. You’d better make a charming impression. That woman’s a hardass for no reason most of the time. Rylen will undoubtedly give us an earful too, so expect it to get noisy. So, as my new apprentice, I need you to put on the best performance you can so we can get out of this with the least amount of punishment possible!”

Tsuna wanted to laugh, but the thought of what was ahead kept him from doing so. You really are always up to no good. “I’ll do my best.”