Chapter 48

"And that scares you."

A second of hesitation passes before he nods.

"He didn't explain much. I was asked to host the Arcobaleno and present them as such at the Ball. Everyone will know of their presence even if not their identities. Though people are not stupid, they will know who most are because most of the Arcobaleno are already well-known"

"I get it. What I'm worried about is that it means Checkerface already contacted them and…"

Renato hasn't said anything. Not that he's obliged to share everything with him, but they're friends, aren't they?

"The man you came with. He probably didn't tell you because he doesn't want you to dwell more into our world."

He starts. How did she—?

Her eyes shine with mirth. "It's written all over your face, little Sky."

"That doesn't explain how you knew he was one of the Arcobaleno," he almost snaps.

She raises an eyebrow. "He's well known among our circles. The Greatest Hitman, they call him. And a couple knows he's a strong Sun. Is not hard to put two and two together."

He grumbles halfheartedly before letting out a soft sigh. "Sorry, I'm just worried about them.

"I take you to know some of them?"

He gives her a tight smile. "I've met everyone, but one. I consider them precious friends."

"Wasn't that your objective?"

"My goal was to find a way to fix the arcobaleno curse."

"And you thought you didn't need them to do that?" she says in a soft tone. "You told me you were going to follow your intuition. Your intuition led you to them, right?"

Tsuna hesitates. She takes her silence as an answer.

"Your intuition is stronger than mine, follow it."

"It's just… I don't like where it's leading me."

"And where's it that?"

He swallows. It takes him two times before he can talk. "Here. Without a way to return to the future. As the Sky Arcobaleno."

She doesn't show her shock, she's too skilled to do it, but he can see the hint of pity in her eyes.

"Don't pity me. I chose to give up whatever I needed the moment I went through that portal."

"Then why do you look so unsure?"

"I shouldn't; you're right." He looks up at her, eyes hard. "I'm not."

She smiles at him, this time open and honest. "I'm glad."

Tsuna blinks before smiling back. "Thanks."

This time the silence is nice, even Luisa is smiling, even if her smile has too many teeth to be a nice one.

"And now what are you going to do?"

"I'll follow my intuition as always. And if I've to stay, well, it doesn't matter."

"It does matter. Though I'm happy to hear you're at least sharing your problems."

"You kind of are one of the only people I can be completely honest with."

"That's not true and you know it, Tsunayoshi."

He holds his head between his hands, suddenly weary. "… Yeah."

"You seem tired, do you want some help with that?"

"Um?" He looks up. "Er, sure."

She taps her chin with a finger. "Maybe winding out will be good. My son recently gained a Cloud and he's been itching for a good fight in weeks. What do you think?"

Dread settles inside his stomach at the carefree request—as if two people beating each other is a perfect way of relaxing.

With how normal she seems to be at times (classic method of misdirection), he forgets she's a Vongola through and through. He's learned to associate that word with crazy, he shouldn't have lowered his guard.

"Do you think it's wise? The Ball starts in a couple of hours."

She stands up, whole body lighting up at the mention of a fight. "It'll be perfectly fine. Why. If these old bones would let me I would fight you myself."

The horrific thing is that his Intuition tells him is that all she's saying is true.

He swallows. "I can't accept, Daniela-san. I promised Re—Reborn to join him at the shooting range."

Her eyes shine golden and he knows she doesn't believe him. Something that sounds weirdly like Lambo says 'busted' inside his mind. But even with that raised eyebrow telling him how easy he's to read, Tsuna doesn't back off.

She sighs with a smile. "I'll call one of my men to accompany you there then."

Tsuna bows lightly in thanks and turns around to open the door.

"Tsuna." He doesn't turn around. That tone is too serious for him to want to catch a glimpse of it. "Remember that the Arcobaleno will be at the Ball. It'll be their debut. I recommend you to not hang with any of them. If others see you together they will assume you're their Sky."

He nods stiffly, opening the door to see a man already waiting for him outside.

"It was nice talking to you, Daniela-san."

"Likewise, Tsunayoshi."