KHR: Decimo Primo

The day after Hayato's departure, Tsuna found himself walking through the familiar hallways of the mansion, the weight of the events still heavy on his shoulders. He hadn't expected Hayato to leave so suddenly, but now that he had, Tsuna was left with a bittersweet feeling. His mission had been completed long ago, and while the departure had left a hollow space inside him, he couldn't ignore the fact that he needed to return home. He'd completed his duties as Hayato's temporary bodyguard, but the emotional toll was something he hadn't anticipated.

Bianchi had been there when he had returned from the gates the previous night, still in shock from Hayato's words. She didn't question it at first, just stood beside Tsuna in quiet contemplation. She understood the complexities of the situation better than anyone—Hayato was her brother, after all. But now, with the silence of the mansion enveloping them, Tsuna felt a sense of finality in the air.

Sitting in the kitchen, Tsuna and Bianchi had discussed Hayato's departure at length, as well as the words he'd spoken before leaving.

"Tsuna, do you think he'll be okay?" Bianchi had asked, her voice softer than usual, but still filled with concern.

Tsuna had nodded, his gaze distant. "I think he has to figure that out on his own. He said everything about his life had been a lie, that he couldn't go back to pretending. I understand why he felt that way. He needed to leave. I think he made the right choice... for him."

Bianchi hadn't said much after that, only listening intently as Tsuna continued.

"I told him he needed to find his own path. I don't want to hold him back. I know what that's like, and I can't do that to him."

Bianchi had leaned back, exhaling slowly, clearly processing everything. "I think you're right, Tsuna. But it doesn't make it easier, does it?"

"No, it doesn't." Tsuna had sighed, rubbing his temple. "I just wish I could have done more for him. But at least I could listen. Maybe that's all we can do for each other sometimes."

It had been a quiet conversation, but an important one. Bianchi hadn't asked much about Tsuna's feelings, but he could see in her eyes that she understood. She'd lost someone important to her too, and even though Hayato wasn't gone forever, Tsuna knew the weight of the uncertainty that lingered.

The time had come, though. Tsuna's mission had long been completed, and while he didn't regret his role in accompanying Hayato, it was time to return home. He still had a family waiting for him, and he couldn't put off returning forever.

Packing his things felt like the last step in a long journey, even though it had only been a short while. He took one last look around the mansion before stepping outside, where the air was crisp and the sun was beginning to set. The world outside felt both familiar and strange, the peacefulness of the landscape stark against the swirling thoughts in his head.

As he made his way to the car, Bianchi appeared beside him, her expression a mixture of quiet understanding and resolve. She didn't need to say anything. Tsuna could tell that she, too, had come to terms with the fact that Hayato was gone, at least for now. There was no point in holding on to something that wasn't coming back.

"I'll keep an eye on things here," Bianchi said softly. "You take care of yourself, Tsuna. And don't forget, Hayato... he has his own journey to take. It's just the way it is."

"I know," Tsuna replied, offering a small smile. "I'll keep that in mind."

They stood there for a moment longer, the quiet between them carrying a weight all its own. Tsuna was about to turn away when he suddenly found himself stepping forward again, unable to stop himself. He glanced at Bianchi, her expression softer now, and something flickered in his chest something warm and unfamiliar.

"Bianchi," he said, his voice a little quieter than usual. "I... I'm glad I met you."

Bianchi blinked, clearly surprised by his sudden sincerity. She tilted her head, a gentle smile curving her lips. "We've only known each other for a few days, Tsuna. But... I'm glad we met, too."

Tsuna smiled, feeling his heart race just a little faster. Something about the way she said it made him feel like maybe there was more to their connection than just a brief mission. She'd been kind to him and understood him in ways he hadn't expected, and her warmth made him feel a little less alone.

"I'm serious, though," Tsuna continued, his words coming out a bit more rushed than he intended. "It feels like... like I've known you longer than just a couple of days."

Bianchi chuckled softly, her eyes brightening. "You're not so bad, Tsuna. You're not what I expected."

Tsuna blinked, a little confused. "What did you expect?"

She winked at him playfully, her tone teasing. "Someone a bit more... clumsy and clueless."

Tsuna's cheeks flushed as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

Bianchi's smile softened, her teasing gone. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch light but warm. "No, you're not. But if you ever need a friend, you know where to find me."

The simple gesture made Tsuna's heart skip a beat, and for a moment, he felt as if they shared an understanding deeper than words. Maybe it was silly, but there was something about the way she said it that made him feel more connected to her than he'd ever expected.

Before he could say anything more, she pulled her hand back and gave him one last smile. "Take care of yourself, Tsuna. I'm sure we'll meet again."

Tsuna nodded, his smile lingering. "I'm sure we will."

With that, he climbed into the car, the engine starting up, the journey home ahead of him. As the mansion slowly faded from view, Tsuna felt something lighter in his chest. He wasn't sure what it was yet, but he knew one thing his brief time here, and the connection he'd made with Bianchi, had changed something in him.

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The journey back to his home in Italy was quiet, giving Tsuna time to reflect on everything that had happened. The mission, Hayato's departure, and the unexpected bond he had formed with Bianchi all weighed heavily on his mind. He wasn't sure what to expect upon his return, but part of him was ready for a little normalcy—or as much normalcy as he could get in this strange, new world.

As the car pulled up to the mansion, Tsuna blinked in surprise. Standing at the entrance, looking unusually casual but unmistakably cheerful, was his father, Iemitsu. It was rare for Iemitsu to be home, given his constant travels and work with CEDEF. Seeing him there, waiting, felt almost surreal.

"Welcome back, Tsuna!" Iemitsu called out, waving enthusiastically as the car came to a stop. His booming voice carried a warmth that Tsuna hadn't realized he missed.

Tsuna stepped out of the car, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "Dad? You're… home?"

Iemitsu laughed, pulling Tsuna into a quick, firm hug. "Of course! I couldn't miss welcoming my son back after his first mission. You've done great, Tsuna. I'm proud of you."

Tsuna blinked, caught off guard by the sudden praise. "Uh, thanks, Dad. But aren't you usually busy?"

"Ah, work can wait," Iemitsu said with a grin, ruffling Tsuna's hair. "I wanted to make up for all the training you've had to endure and that mission you just finished. You've earned a break, and I've planned something special for you."

"Special?" Tsuna asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

Iemitsu's grin widened. "Yep! It's been about a week since your winter break started, right? I figured you deserved something to make up for all the craziness. So, I arranged for a surprise."

Before Tsuna could ask what he meant, the sound of an approaching car caught his attention. He turned just in time to see another vehicle pull up to the mansion. As the doors opened, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Tsuna!" a familiar, warm voice called out. Stepping out of the car, looking as radiant and cheerful as ever, was his mother, Nana.

"Mom?" Tsuna's voice was a mixture of shock and joy as he ran forward to meet her. "What are you doing here?"

Nana enveloped him in a tight hug, her smile as gentle and loving as he remembered. "Your father invited me! He said you've been working so hard and that I should come visit for your winter break. I'll be staying with you until New Year's!"

Tsuna pulled back slightly, his heart swelling with emotion. "You're really staying the whole break?"

Nana nodded, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Of course! I've missed you so much, Tsuna. And I can't wait to hear all about what you've been up to."

Iemitsu clapped a hand on Tsuna's shoulder, beaming with pride. "See? I told you it was a good surprise. Now, let's head inside and enjoy some time together as a family. No mafia business, no missions—just us."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Tsuna felt a sense of peace. He glanced between his parents, a small smile tugging at his lips. Maybe things weren't so bad after all.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Tsuna felt a sense of peace. He glanced between his parents, a small smile tugging at his lips. Maybe things weren't so bad after all.

As they stepped inside the mansion, the warmth of the reunion began to settle over him. This winter break was already shaping up to be something special, and for once, Tsuna was looking forward to the days ahead.

The next day was filled with the simple joys of family bonding. Nana's presence brought a lightness to the mansion that Tsuna hadn't realized he needed. The three of them spent the morning baking together, with Nana guiding Tsuna through the steps of making his favorite pastries. Even Iemitsu, who was usually all thumbs in the kitchen, joined in, much to everyone's amusement.

In the afternoon, they sat by the fireplace, exchanging stories. Iemitsu regaled them with exaggerated tales of his adventures, much to Nana's playful chiding, while Tsuna shared snippets of his time at the Mafia school—carefully omitting the more dangerous details.

By evening, as they enjoyed a warm meal prepared by Nana, Tsuna felt a sense of normalcy that had been absent for months. The laughter, the shared moments, and the genuine warmth reminded him of his life back in Namimori. It was a fleeting reprieve, but one he cherished deeply.

After dinner, as they sat together in the living room, Nana suddenly clapped her hands together, as if remembering something. "Oh, Tsuna! I almost forgot. Your friends Takeshi and Haru asked me to give you something. They've been meaning to send it to you, but since I was coming here, they thought it would be easier if I brought it along."

Tsuna's eyes widened in surprise as Nana handed him a neatly wrapped package along with an envelope. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of the familiar handwriting on the letter.

"They… they sent me something?" Tsuna asked, his voice tinged with both surprise and gratitude.

Nana nodded, smiling warmly. "They said it's a Christmas gift. They've been thinking of you and wanted to make sure you knew they hadn't forgotten about you."

As Tsuna carefully unwrapped the package, he found a small, intricately carved wooden ornament. It was simple yet thoughtful, with a design that reminded him of their time together in Namimori. He opened the letter next, Takeshi's cheerful handwriting and Haru's bubbly additions bringing a smile to his face. They wrote about their days, their Christmas plans, and how much they missed him.

The memories of Namimori flooded back as Tsuna read the letter. Despite the distance, he had managed to keep in touch with Takeshi and Haru over the past few months, sending the occasional letter or making quick phone calls when he could. Their unwavering support had been a lifeline for him during the tougher days at Mafia school.

"They really went out of their way," Tsuna murmured, his chest tightening with emotion.

"You have wonderful friends, Tsuna," Nana said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "They care about you a lot."

Tsuna nodded, his fingers tracing the carved design of the ornament. "Yeah… they do."

That night, as Tsuna lay in bed, the ornament and letter placed carefully on his nightstand, he felt a renewed sense of connection. No matter how far he was from Namimori, the bonds he had formed there remained strong. And as he drifted off to sleep, he resolved to write back to Takeshi and Haru soon, letting them know just how much their gesture had meant to him.

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The next morning, Tsuna woke up feeling refreshed and more at ease. After breakfast with Nana and Iemitsu, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the mansion. Before Tsuna could wonder who it might be, the unmistakable voice of Reborn reached his ears.

"Ciaossu, Tsuna. You're not slacking off, are you?"

Tsuna groaned inwardly as Reborn strolled in, perched on the shoulder of Basil. The ever-loyal and polite young man smiled warmly at Tsuna, his presence both reassuring and surprising.

"Reborn said we should stop by," Basil explained, setting a small gift bag down on the entryway table. "I thought it'd be good to check in after your mission."

"Basil!" Tsuna greeted, his mood instantly lightening. "I didn't think you'd come all the way here."

But Basil wasn't alone. Following closely behind him were Naito, who wore his usual carefree grin, and Lunga, who gave Tsuna a casual wave as he stepped in. Raul and Pantera arrived moments later, Raul carrying a basket of baked goods and Pantera balancing a stack of what looked like board games.

"Surprise!" Naito announced, throwing his arms up dramatically. "We figured you could use a little post-mission fun. And I didn't want to miss seeing your place, Tsuna."

Pantera nudged him with her elbow, rolling her eyes. "We're here to hang out, not to snoop."

"Both are valid reasons," Naito replied with a shrug, earning a laugh from Raul and Lunga.

Tsuna blinked, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of his friends. "You… all came to see me?"

"Of course," Raul said, setting the basket down on the kitchen counter. "You've been through a lot recently, and we wanted to make sure you were doing okay."

Reborn smirked, hopping onto the living room table. "They insisted. I just made sure they showed up on time."

The mansion was soon alive with chatter and laughter as Tsuna and his friends caught up. Nana and Iemitsu welcomed them warmly, with Nana quickly preparing snacks and tea for everyone. Iemitsu, ever the entertainer, regaled the group with his larger-than-life stories, much to their amusement.

By midday, the group found themselves in the garden, drawn outside by the crisp winter air and the promise of a snowball fight. Reborn, naturally, took it upon himself to referee and instigate as needed.

"Let's see what you've got, Pantera!" Lunga called out, launching a perfectly aimed snowball in her direction.

Pantera dodged effortlessly, returning fire with her own quick shot that caught Lunga square in the chest. "Nice try, but you're too predictable."

Naito, meanwhile, teamed up with Basil, the pair strategizing as if it were a battlefield exercise. Tsuna found himself caught in the crossfire more than once, his protests drowned out by laughter.

Despite the chaos, Tsuna couldn't stop smiling. It felt good to relax with his friends, to forget about missions and responsibilities for a while. Even Reborn seemed to be enjoying himself, though Tsuna was sure he'd deny it if asked.

As the day wound down, the group gathered around a makeshift bonfire in the garden, sipping hot cocoa prepared by Nana. The warm glow of the firelight illuminated their faces, and for a moment, Tsuna felt a sense of belonging that he hadn't realized he'd been missing.

"Thanks for inviting us, Tsuna," Basil said, his voice steady but sincere. "It's been a while since we've all had a chance to relax like this."

"You've got a nice setup here," Raul added, stretching out contentedly. "And your mom's cooking is amazing."

Tsuna rubbed the back of his neck, both flattered and embarrassed. "I'm glad you all came. It's… nice to have everyone here."

Reborn, perched on a nearby log, gave a rare approving nod. "Enjoy this while it lasts, Tsuna. Tomorrow, it's back to training."

Tsuna sighed but couldn't suppress a small smile. "I figured as much."

As the evening grew colder, the group began to disperse, each thanking Tsuna and his family before heading back. By the time the mansion was quiet again, Tsuna felt a strange mix of exhaustion and contentment.

Standing in the now-empty living room, Tsuna glanced at his parents, who were tidying up the remnants of the day's festivities. He walked over, his smile soft but genuine. "Thanks for everything, Mom, Dad. Today was… really nice."

Nana beamed, pulling him into a quick hug. "Anything for you, Tsuna. You've been working so hard—you deserve it."

Iemitsu clapped him on the back, his grin as wide as ever. "And don't worry, son. We've got more surprises planned for the rest of your break!"

Tsuna chuckled, his heart feeling a little lighter. "I'll hold you to that."

As he headed to bed that night, Tsuna reflected on the day. It wasn't often he got to experience moments like this—moments where he could simply be himself, surrounded by people who cared. And as he drifted off to sleep, he found himself looking forward to whatever the rest of the break might bring.