Leaving Rokudo Mukuro standing there alone, Sawada Tsunayoshi didn't see that Rokudo Mukuro's face had turned red from his neck all the way to his forehead. He glared with wide eyes and cursed exasperatedly, "Who wants to go see fireworks with you? How childish! Who told you to hug me? Dammit, you evil Reborn, what kind of tricks have you taught him? Such, such.. shamelessness!"
He didn't even know what words to use, standing there and cursing in frustration.
Sawada Tsunayoshi opened his eyes, five heads leaned in beside him. Wow, they looked just like marmots.
I'm fine, but you scared us to death. You suddenly fainted, the doctor said it was because of a fever.
How are you feeling now? I just checked your temperature and it has gone down. Are you still feeling dizzy or in pain?
How could you have a fever? Do you have a cold?
They crowded around, chattering away, a faint smile appeared on Sawada Tsunayoshi's face.
Matsuda Jinpei let out a huff and reached out to touch his forehead. "Why are you smiling? You haven't fried your brain, have you? Then what are you going to do about this month's monthly exams?"
Sawada Tsunayoshi immediately suppressed his smile, replacing it with an expression of agony. "Why do I have to worry about monthly exams even when I'm sick! Can the world just not have exams?!"
Matsuda Jinpei sat back down. "Hmm, sharp as ever. You haven't gone crazy from the fever at all."
Tsunayoshi complained, "Who on earth uses this method? Should I be thanking you for not making me lose any fingers?"
Of course it was my invention." Matsuda Jinpei held up two fingers. "To meet your request, tell me, Mr. Sawada Tsunayoshi, can you still recognize this number?
Tsunayoshi said with embarrassment, "This is three, right?"
Matsuda Jinpei spread his hands wide. "It's hopeless. Tell the doctor to prepare for surgery; the kid is so far gone he can't even recognize numbers anymore."
"Huh?" A phrase Sawada Tsunayoshi liked very much.
Hiromitsu Morofushi appropriately handed over a piece of apple: "There, don't be angry. The temperature has only just subsided, so have some fruit."
Tsunayoshi was pleasantly surprised to find that the apple was actually shaped like a little rabbit; he didn't even know where to start biting. "Maybe just give me a whole apple instead, I can't bear to bite it."
Hiromitsu handed over another piece: "Eat up, eat up. This is a treatment reserved only for patients; you won't have this opportunity once you leave this place."
Only then did Tsunayoshi take a cautious bite; it was sweet and crisp.
It was his first time eating a Little Rabbit apple; in the past, whenever he was sick, all he would get was a lecture.
Oh my, why doesn't Tsunayoshi-kun take better care of himself? He's sick again.
How could you be so careless? You need to dress more warmly in the future.
Memories of the past fell upon my heart, turning into clumps of obscure mist; as I took bite after bite of the apple, they transformed into a sweet rain that washed away all that darkness.
How long was I asleep?
A whole day. It's already evening now.
Furuya Rei came in from outside and closed the door behind him. "The teacher has granted you a three-day leave. Get some good rest; I will take good notes on the knowledge points covered in class and lecture them to you."
It turns out that while he was playing around with Matsuda Jinpei, he had gone out to buy something.
It's as if he would remember just by attending class; it wouldn't even be as effective as their tutoring sessions.
The results of the last monthly exam were already out; his score was far above the passing mark, all thanks to the excellent tutoring they received.
“I brought you some easy-to-digest food. You just had your fever break, so eat something light.”
Furuya Rei put down the bag and pulled up a chair to sit down.
By the way, I heard there's a mixer next year, that you're the one organizing it. That's quite impressive; you've gotten close to everyone so quickly.
Hara Kenji raised an eyebrow: "It's nothing, really. You have to consider who I am, after all. It was easy."
Date Wataru said, "I'm not participating, okay? I'm a man with a girlfriend, we are deeply in love; I don't want any unnecessary misunderstandings."
Hara Kenji made an OK gesture with his hand, winking one eye: "I know, I know, you two are in love, but you don't need to show off your affection like this."
Matsuda Jinpei also said he wasn't going: "It's just sitting together talking, singing, eating. I can do that in my dorm."
Furuya Rei and Morofushi Hiromitsu also stated they wouldn't be going, as the two of them still had things to do at school.
"Ok, ok, then Hara Kenji will have to go play alone." Hara Kenji accepted this well, maintaining a beaming smile, as if he had expected everyone's decision.
However, what he hadn't expected was, "Can I go too?" Sawada Tsunayoshi raised his hand slightly, like a student facing a teacher in class.
"What, you're going too, Tsunayoshi!" Matsuda Jinpei shouted.
Tsunayoshi shrank his neck, startled by his voice: "What's wrong? Is it not allowed?"
"No, I'm just very surprised. It feels like you're not the type of person who would want to be in a relationship. How should I put this? I just can't quite believe it," Matsuda Jinpei said, his words quite hurtful.
Sawada Tsunayoshi responded huffily, "I'm a guy too! I've also thought about having a sweet romance, from school days to the wedding dress."
What do you mean you can't imagine it? Do I look that unattractive to you?
Originally, I was only worried about Hara Kenji, but now I really want to go.
There was no other reason; he just wanted to prove it to Matsuda Jinpei.
Date Wataru spoke thoughtfully, "I see. You're from the 'childhood friends' faction, or the 'love grows over time' faction."
It's not that!
Then you just simply like youth.
It's not that either!
Sawada Tsunayoshi went crazy; no matter how many worlds he changed to, he was still the straight man!
So, you're Shinpachi, after all. Don't mind the fact that Shinpachi is just a Megane, while you are a living, breathing person.
Sawada Tsunayoshi: "Does Shinpachi know you've stripped him of his humanity? If he finds out, he'll definitely come out to beat you up."
Furuya Rei patted Sawada Tsunayoshi's shoulder and said with a look of sympathy, "It's okay. If things develop to that point, it just means high schoolers should save the world, we college students can sit in the back and wait for the results."
Are you giving up that easily? Please, show a little fighting spirit.
Hiromitsu also sighed: "Tsunayoshi, that's just the reality. If I were a high schooler, I would certainly feel it's my duty to save the world, but there's nothing I can do; I'm a college student now."
What's wrong with being a college student? Does being a college student mean being decadent? Apologize to me for the lack of college student-themed manga about saving the world!
Matsuda Jinpei grinned wickedly. "Then list a few manga about college students saving the world for me to hear."
Sawada Tsunayoshi..
Oh no, he is just a middle school student.
Chapter 63: Side Story 2 - A Journey Ten Years Later
It's so cold.
The sensation of water choking in his throat felt terrible.
He struggled desperately, wanting to find help from them, but no one came to assist.
So be it. After all, life is just like that—rotten to the core. It would be better to just sink quietly like this, close one's eyes, then know nothing, caring about nothing at all.
Sawada Tsunayoshi could not help but be affected by the devil's whispers; the moment he closed his eyes, he struggled even harder the next second.
He refused to give up. Why should he give up? He still had so many things to do; he wanted to live.
Gradually, darkness invaded his vision, his heartbeat slowly grew steady.
Sawada Tsunayoshi finally closed his eyes.
After an unknown amount of time, he felt a sense of warmth. It felt so comfortable under his palms. He rubbed his cheek against the pillow; it felt so smooth.
He couldn't help but narrow his eyes, curling his body up and tucking himself into a ball.
A soft, gentle chuckle seemed to come from nearby, tender and low.
Sawada Tsunayoshi opened his eyes, was instantly blinded by the magnificent decor of this place.
There were clearly Western-style large curtains with elegant, cascading tassels, their layered folds resembling the voluminous skirt of a gown. The chandelier on the ceiling shimmered brightly, every single bead sparkling like a genuine gemstone.
And there was the large grandfather clock in front, ancient and majestic; it didn't look like the work of modern craftsmanship, but rather like an antique, possessing a profound sense of historical depth at a single glance.
And there were those seemingly understated ornaments nearby, each one incredibly exquisite.
If you were to ask why Sawada Tsunayoshi could see so clearly, it was because he was spacing out.
A doting laugh came from the side: "So the old me was this cute and dazed?"
Tsunayoshi didn't hear clearly what the other person was saying, because he was already intoxicated by the other person's eyes in the room, which were like water, with a hint of gold flowing through the brown, a handsome, elegant face, with lips that curved slightly to outline his beautiful lip shape.
He had hair similar to Sawada Tsunayoshi's, though it was slightly longer and a darker shade, he wore clothes like a medieval prince, with a gemstone-style brooch pinned to his chest.
Tsunayoshi stared blankly, thinking this must be a prince from a fairy tale.
He had fallen into the water, so how could he wake up in another place?
Are you a messenger from hell?
No, that's not what he meant to say!
The prince let out a soft chuckle, his voice sounding lovely. "No, the Hell Messenger is someone else. I am your Guardian Knight."
"Guardian Knight?" Tsunayoshi repeated in confusion.
Yes, a Guardian Knight exclusively for you.
Sawada Tsunayoshi revealed a knowing look: "Do you think I'm still a three-year-old child? 'Guardian Knight'.. why don't you just say you're Aladdin's Lamp instead?"
Unexpectedly, the man actually fell into deep thought: "Calling it Aladdin's Lamp might actually work, since I really do have the ability to grant wishes for others now."
This person is beyond saving.
Sawada Tsunayoshi relaxed, not knowing where he was or why he was here, but he felt completely at ease. In front of this person, he could fully reveal his true nature, the complaints he had been suppressing could flow out naturally.
He knew!
This is inside a dream!
That person said with a look of pleasant surprise, "Congratulations, you guessed correctly. This is a dream, so you can do anything you want, make any wish you desire."
Tsunayoshi-kun, you are free right now. Please play and enjoy yourself in this dream as you please. I am your Guardian Knight, Vongola, from now on, I will bring you joy and happiness.
Vongola, what a strange name.
"You know Alice in Wonderland, right? You can think of yourself as Alice, too," Vongola said.
First, let me change you into something more practical to move in, because today, you are the king.