"Nothing, just discussing study problems with Mr. Takeuchi," Tsuna chuckled and waved his hand casually.
This sentence immediately made those who were eavesdropping lose interest, and they went back to playing their own games.
The complete opposite of those people was Shouko. She knew that Tsuna had almost finished learning the high school curriculum, so why would he need to ask Mr. Takeuchi?
But before she could ask, he interrupted her and said, "Aren't you playing with Sawara? Where is she?"
"She went to play volleyball with Ueno and the others," Shouko replied, raising her hand and pointing at the girls in the distance.
Tsuna looked in the direction she pointed and really did see Sawara in the back. He could understand why. After all, it was boring to just sit and chat during physical education class.
He retracted his gaze, turned his head to look at Shouko softly, and said in a gentle voice, "Then, shall I tell you a story?"
Shouko nodded happily without hesitation. "Okay, okay! I want to hear the part of Anohana that you didn't finish last time!"
She remembered how Tsuna only told the beginning last time, and then had to stop because it was too late. Aunt Miyamura had forced him to go to bed, and he never brought it up again. It had been hard to get him to continue.
"Alright, I'll start from the beginning again, or else you'll forget some of the details. The class just started, so we've got plenty of time."
"Yeah!"
Miki, who was sitting nearby resting, was also drawn over by their conversation. When she realized Miyamura was telling a story, she naturally sat beside Shouko and began listening attentively.
She felt that a story told by the top student had to be different from the rest, and opportunities like this weren't common.
Tsuna noticed but didn't pay her much attention. Whether she was there or not, he was telling the story to Shouko; the others were just extras.
Some girls gradually gathered around, and some boys also sat down to listen. But most of the boys left after hearing it was just a story and went off to play games.
Even Sawara and Naoka, who were far away, were drawn in by the commotion. Feeling a bit tired, they sat down to rest and listen as well.
"Dong... Dong... Dong...!" The bell signaling the end of school rang.
"Okay, let's stop here for today." Tsuna picked up his water cup and took a drink. Without it, his throat really would've been sore after storytelling like that.
"Miyamura, you haven't finished! What about Menma??" Miki asked with dissatisfaction, standing up quickly. Her tone carried a bit of a whine.
"Yeah, Miyamura! At least finish the story!"
Sawara echoed. Her tone wasn't as dramatic as Miki's, but a closer look revealed that her eyes were slightly red.
Tsuna noticed that some girls had red eyes, but he ignored them. Taking Shouko's hand, he shook his head at the group and chuckled:
"You'll have to pay to listen next time. I need to go home."
He looked toward the corners of the field and, seeing no sign of Mr. Takeuchi, confirmed the teacher had left. Then he led Shouko through the crowd.
"Damn it! Why stop right at the good part?! Are your lips cursed or something?" Miki cursed while watching them leave.
"Yeah! Babies don't have butts!" another student joked.
As the two walked out of the school gate to wait for the others, Shouko gently pulled her hand away and said in a muffled voice:
"What about the rest? I want to keep listening." This time, she really couldn't stand being interrupted.
Tsuna looked at her, on the verge of crying, but also trying to smile. He raised his hand and gently patted her head, speaking softly:
"Alright, alright. I'll continue when we get home. It's not safe or calm enough to listen here on the way back."
They waited five or six minutes until the other three students walked out of the school gate. Then they parted ways at an intersection, said their goodbyes, and walked home slowly.
As soon as Shouko got back to the living room, she couldn't wait to urge Tsuna to continue. Meanwhile, Yuzuru, confused by the fuss, simply went to play with Hachiko at home.
Shizuka had left a small note on the coffee table:
"Yaeko and I went shopping. If you and Shouko or Yuzuru get hungry when you return, there are snacks in the fridge. But don't eat too much; we'll still have dinner tonight.
-From your most beautiful mother!"
After reading it, Tsuna crumpled the note and tossed it into the trash, then sat at the coffee table with Shouko to finish the story.
By the time it ended, Shouko was crying, and also happy to receive the first "achievement" of her life.
"Hmph!" Shouko sniffled, glaring at him with teary red eyes and sulking. "Don't talk to me or try to comfort me! I'm breaking up with you for five... no, three... no, one minute!"
Tsuna almost burst out laughing at her adorable reaction, but managed to hold it in.
In the end, Shouko didn't even last a full minute. She lightly hit him to vent her emotions, then apologized with a pitiful expression.
----
"This Saturday, there'll be a fireworks festival by the river. Let's all go,"
Shizuka said casually over dinner.
Daisuke swallowed his food and looked at her. "Do we need to buy tickets?"
Tsuna quietly ate without speaking. It had been a month since the story that made Shouko cry, and life had returned to its usual, peaceful routine.
The last time he mentioned it to Mr. Takeuchi, the teacher approved it the next day. The trio behaved for two weeks, then started acting up again.
"Yeah, you need tickets for Saturday, but not for Sunday. The problem is Sunday will be packed, so I'd rather go Saturday," Shizuka explained, interrupting Tsuna's thoughts.
"Sure. Nishimiya and I are both off that day, so you can shop with her, and I'll tag along to help with the kids."
Tsuna followed up with, "Alright, Dad, I'll leave Yuzuru in your care." Then he transferred the slightly fatty piece of meat from his own plate to his father's.
"You little rascal." Daisuke laughed and scolded him, then added, "You and Shouko, be careful, alright?"
"Don't worry," Tsuna replied casually as he chewed.
"Then it's settled. I'll ask Aunt Nishimiya if she's going too."
"Grandma Ito? She won't go. She sleeps early now—doesn't go to events like this."
"You should still ask," Daisuke said firmly, rejecting Tsuna's assumption.
"I'm full." x2
"Dad/Husband, remember to do the dishes."
"Yeah."
---
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