KHR: Decimo Primo

Tsuna stood at the entrance of the Cavallone Headquarters, his bag slung over his shoulder, his breath visible in the cold air as he gazed out at the vast, snow-covered landscape. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind. Lessons, challenges, and unexpected friendships had all come and gone in a blur. While he had tried to enjoy his winter break, he knew it was finally time to return. Mafia school was starting its second semester soon, and he couldn't afford to be late.

Dino and a few of his subordinates stood by, offering their final words of farewell. Despite their hectic schedules—repairs still ongoing and the aftermath of the Irregolare Familigia's attack demanding attention, Dino made sure to carve out a moment to see Tsuna off. His warm smile was unchanged, but Tsuna could sense the strain underneath, how his shoulders seemed to carry the weight of his responsibilities, even behind that friendly demeanor.

"Take care of yourself, Tsuna," Dino said with a nod, his hand coming to rest on Tsuna's shoulder in a gesture that was both reassuring and heavy with meaning. "Don't forget what we talked about. Stay strong, but don't forget to rely on those around you. You're never alone, no matter what."

Tsuna nodded, a feeling of gratitude settling in his chest. Dino's words lingered, but a part of him still felt unsure. He wasn't entirely certain of how to rely on others just yet, but he appreciated the sentiment. Maybe one day, he'd understand it more fully.

"I won't forget," Tsuna replied, offering a small but sincere smile before turning to the car waiting nearby. The comfortable, easy atmosphere at the Cavallone headquarters felt distant now. As much as he had grown fond of the people there, his path lay elsewhere—for now, at least.

With a final wave, Tsuna climbed into the car, settling into the seat as the engine hummed to life. Beside him, Reborn, ever-present and ever watchful, sat with his usual calm composure, his eyes scanning the scenery as the car began to pull away.

The drive back to the mansion was quieter than usual. The soft hum of the engine and the occasional rustling of snowflakes against the windows were the only sounds in the car. Tsuna leaned his head against the window, lost in thought. The few weeks spent at the Cavallone headquarters had opened his eyes in ways he hadn't expected. He had learned so much, but it was clear to him now: there was still so much more ahead.

"Reborn," Tsuna said quietly, breaking the silence. "I think I've learned more in these few weeks than I did in all of my time at school."

Reborn's gaze remained fixed outside the window, but his lips curled up slightly at the corner. "You've been learning more than you think. But that's only the beginning. You're far from done."

Tsuna sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's just... a lot to take in. The things I've seen, the things I've heard. I thought I understood the mafia, but being there—it was different. It's not just about power and control. It's about balance, about making the hard choices."

Reborn shifted in his seat, turning his eyes to Tsuna for a moment. "Good. That's the first step. You've started to understand that much. The rest will come, one step at a time. But don't expect it to be easy."

Tsuna nodded slowly. "I won't. I just—I don't know how to do this."

Reborn chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, Tsuna. Nobody does at first. You just have to try. And when you fail, you get back up again."

Tsuna offered a small, tentative smile. Reborn's words always seemed so simple, yet somehow comforting. It wasn't the first time he'd heard something like that, but somehow, it felt more meaningful now.

As the car continued its journey through the snow-covered roads, Tsuna's thoughts drifted back to the mansion. It wasn't much of a home, not in the way he imagined a home should feel. But it was where he had to be, at least for now. The familiar sight of the gates slowly came into view, and Tsuna felt a knot form in his stomach. Mafia school awaited, and with it, a return to the pressure, the lessons, and the expectations.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the grand entrance, and Tsuna took a deep breath. The familiar smell of the mansion—the scent of polished wood and freshly made tea—greeted him as he stepped out, and he briefly closed his eyes, letting the calm wash over him. It was a contrast to the world he had just left, but it was home, in its way.

"Home sweet home," Tsuna murmured under his breath, the words more for himself than anyone else.

Reborn stepped out behind him, stretching and adjusting his jacket. "Don't get too comfortable," he said with a grin. "You've got a lot of work ahead of you. Mafia school starts again tomorrow."

"I know," Tsuna replied with a sigh, feeling the weight of the upcoming semester. It wasn't just about academics. Mafia school was about survival, learning to navigate a world that didn't exactly have room for mistakes. Tsuna didn't know if he was ready, but he had to be. There was no turning back now.

The maids greeted him as he entered the house, their voices a familiar backdrop as they busied themselves with dinner preparations. Tsuna gave them a distracted smile and moved toward the living room, where his father, Iemitsu, was sprawled on the couch, flipping through some paperwork. When he noticed Tsuna, he set it aside and looked up with a smile.

"Welcome back, Tsuna," he said with a relaxed tone, though his eyes hinted at the ever-present concerns of the family business. "How was your time away?"

"It was... eye-opening," Tsuna replied, dropping his bag beside the door. He was tired, but there was something almost comforting about being back in the house, despite everything. His father, despite his responsibilities, always made sure there was a semblance of normalcy, even if it was fleeting.

"That's good," Iemitsu said with a thoughtful nod. "You'll need all that insight for the second semester. I hope you're ready for it."

"I guess so," Tsuna said, sitting down on the couch next to his father. "It's just... a lot to think about."

"Well, you'll have plenty of time for that," Iemitsu chuckled. "But for now, relax. Dinner's almost ready, and you can think about the new semester tomorrow."

Tsuna smiled faintly, leaning back against the couch. Maybe he wasn't quite ready for all of this. But for now, he had a moment of peace, a brief reprieve before diving back into the whirlwind of mafia school and all that came with it. He glanced at Reborn, who had already made himself comfortable across the room, his eyes glinting with that familiar challenge.

Yeah. Tomorrow would come soon enough. But for tonight, Tsuna allowed himself a quiet moment of normalcy, the warmth of home—however strange it may be—settling around him.

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{Mafia School}

Tsuna stood at the entrance of the classroom, his bag slung over his shoulder as he surveyed the familiar space. The chatter of students and the rustle of papers filled the air, a stark contrast to the quieter days at the Cavallone Headquarters. He took a deep breath, stepping forward to join his classmates.

Raul, ever vibrant and energetic, was lounging near the window, his dark green hair catching the sunlight. He glanced over and gave Tsuna a nod. "Sawada, glad you survived the break. Naito's been driving us crazy with his 'epic training stories.' You'll hear them all eventually, whether you want to or not."

"Hey! They are epic!" Naito protested, puffing out his chest.

But something about Naito's demeanor felt different. Tsuna noticed his classmate's gaze wandering more often toward the female students in the room, his smile taking on a new and unsettling edge. As Naito animatedly recounted his vacation escapades, Tsuna caught a glimpse of Pantera sitting nearby, her expression darker and more somber than usual. She exuded a quiet intensity, her eyes narrowing each time Naito launched into another enthusiastic story.

"Anyway," Naito continued, oblivious to the shift in the air, "over the break, I had this grand realization! I spent time...uh, researching!" He grinned, the meaning of his words clear enough to draw a few awkward chuckles and disapproving glances from around the room. Tsuna gulped, already dreading where this semester might go with Naito's newfound "interests."

Lunga, sitting beside Pantera, sighed and shook his head. "Let's just say his research didn't involve much studying."

Tsuna couldn't help but feel uneasy. Pantera's usually calm demeanor seemed strained, her responses curt whenever Naito's antics were brought up. The air around her felt colder, her sharp gaze enough to make even the most confident students falter.

"Tsuna!" A sharper voice cut through the noise, and Tsuna turned to see Raul, the fiery Storm and Sun Flame user, approaching with his usual confident stride. His crimson hair was slightly mussed, but his sharp eyes were as intense as ever.

"So, did you spend your break training?" Raul asked, his tone half-joking but still carrying a competitive edge. "Because I've been working nonstop. I'll beat you next time we spar—count on it."

Tsuna raised his hands in mock defense. "I… wasn't exactly training, but I'll do my best. I'm sure you've gotten a lot stronger."

Raul smirked, clearly satisfied. "You'd better be ready."

"Don't get too ahead of yourself, Raul," came a calm, measured voice from the door. Basil, ever composed and polite, entered the room with his usual grace. His blue hair was neatly combed, and his uniform was impeccable. "Strength without strategy can be a double-edged sword."

"Oh, come on, Basil," Raul groaned, though his tone lacked real annoyance. "You're always so serious."

Basil smiled faintly. "Seriousness is required when preparing for what lies ahead. The mafia world doesn't forgive recklessness." His gaze shifted to Tsuna, and his expression softened. "Sawada-dono, how was your break?"

"It was… enlightening," Tsuna replied, feeling the weight of his words. "A lot happened, but I think I learned some important lessons."

"Good," Basil said with a nod. "Each experience strengthens us for the challenges ahead."

As the group settled into their seats, the conversations naturally turned to how they'd spent their breaks. Naito rambled on about his "grueling" mountain climb and a chaotic dinner party hosted by his family, though the details were often sidetracked by his newfound fascination with the opposite gender. Pantera's glare only deepened as Naito gleefully shared these tales, though she remained silent, her aura growing heavier with each word.

Raul, on the other hand, proudly described his training regimen. "I've been perfecting my Storm Flame techniques. No way I'm letting anyone here surpass me."

"Sounds intense," Tsuna said, genuinely impressed. "I… mostly helped out with things at the Cavallone Headquarters. It was… educational."

Naito leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Wait, you were with the Cavallone? That's so cool! Did you get to see their boss in action? Dino-san's famous!"

Tsuna hesitated, memories of Dino's strained smile flashing in his mind. "Yeah. He's amazing, but… it's a lot of responsibility."

The room grew quiet for a moment, the weight of Tsuna's words sinking in. Even in a school filled with mafia heirs and aspiring leaders, the realities of leadership were not lost on them.

Before anyone could respond, the classroom door swung open, and their homeroom teacher strode in. Dressed sharply as always, the man's presence commanded instant silence. He adjusted his glasses and set down a stack of papers on his desk.

"Welcome back, first-years," he began, his voice firm but not unkind. "I trust you all had a productive break. This semester, we will be delving deeper into advanced combat tactics, strategy, and leadership principles. However, to start things off, we have a special activity planned."

The students exchanged curious glances as the teacher continued. "Next week, we will be going on a field trip. Details will be provided later, but I advise you to prepare yourselves. This will not be a simple excursion."

The room grew quiet for a moment before a loud cheering resounded throughout the whole classroom, Tsuna noticed many of his classmates excitedly chatting to their close friends about where they could be headed for the trip, many thinking about a visit to places such as Mafia Land, Vongola Museum, and some normal sightseeing locations like the Colosseum, Venice, etc.

As Tsuna saw this he couldn't help but think to himself " I guess even if this is a school where we mainly learn to become mafia members I guess, kids my age still have this side to them huh." 

As Tsuna smiled as he thought this the class finally calmed down after the teacher quite them with a threat of extra homework which resulted in most of them quitting afterward the homeroom class continued onward with the teacher announcing generic updates for the second semester which caused everyone to be bored especially Naito who just slept through it.

after the homeroom period the day carried on with its usual rhythm. Combat lessons began, and the students lined up for sparring matches. Tsuna was paired with Raul, whose aggressive style kept him on his toes. "You're improving, Sawada," Raul admitted grudgingly after their match.

Later in the strategy class, Basil's calm, analytical nature shone as he dissected hypothetical scenarios precisely, which impressed even the teacher. "Always think three steps ahead," Basil advised Tsuna during a break. "Reacting alone won't always save you."

Reborn made sporadic appearances throughout the day, observing quietly during lessons or offering cryptic advice that left Tsuna more confused than reassured. At lunch, he appeared out of nowhere to steal a bite from Tsuna's plate, earning a startled yelp. "Always stay vigilant, Tsuna," Reborn said with a smirk before vanishing as quickly as he'd come.

The students began to wind down as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Tsuna found himself sitting by the window, watching the faint glow of the sunset. Despite the day's challenges and chaos, he felt a small sense of accomplishment. The semester was just beginning, and he had no idea what lay ahead, but he wasn't alone in facing it. For now, that was enough.