After dropping Momoi off at her house, Tsuna said his goodbyes. He had taken a moment to explain a few things about Momoi's situation to her parents, which had left them deeply concerned and grateful for his help.
Leaving Momoi's place and heading home, Tsuna's gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. His mind seemed to be preoccupied with his own thoughts.
The following day, Tsuna resumed his routine and returned to school.
Approaching his classroom, Tsuna encountered Aomine, who was positioned near the door, apparently waiting for him to arrive.
Aomine seemed a bit uneasy as he started the conversation, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "Hey, I heard about what happened last night. Thanks for that. I don't know what would've happened to her if you weren't there."
Tsuna responded with a question as he calmly looked at Aomine without stopping his step, "Did you know she was looking for you?"
Aomine visibly flinched, his guilt apparent. "Yeah, I figured."
The previous day, after their practice and Aomine's repeated losses to Tsuna in one-on-one matches, Aomine had been fired up. He had stayed out late, practicing on an empty public court.
However, Momoi, concerned for him and unaware of his late-night training, had searched for him after he didn't come home.
Tsuna's response was composed, and he walked past Aomine, giving some advice. "It's okay if you understand. Just make sure you tell her beforehand next time. No need to stress her out."
Tsuna continued, adding, "Class is starting, so head back to your room."
As soon as those words left his mouth, the school bell chimed, signaling the beginning of the class. Students gathered in the hallway, entering the classroom for the upcoming lessons.
"...Yeah, catch you later," Aomine responded, glancing at the clock on the wall before saying goodbye and heading off.
When the lesson kicked off, Tsuna engaged in listening for a while.
However, realizing he was familiar with the subject, he pulled out an advanced book that wasn't typical for middle school and began studying at his own pace.
Before he knew it, the school day had come to an end. Although a training session was scheduled, Tsuna had already informed Nijimura about his absence due to a family matter.
Stepping out through the school gate, Tsuna's attention was drawn to the group of teens he had confronted and subdued the previous night. Their discomfort was evident, some even shaking with unease.
It appeared that the 'gift' Tsuna had given them had likely resulted in their current state of sickness.
Upon seeing Tsuna approach, the group leader displayed a mixed expression of surprise, excitement, hostility, and perhaps even relief. However, it was clear that his condition was the worst among the trio.
"...It looks like you guys didn't grasp the lesson, huh?"
Tsuna immediately addressed them, not giving them a chance to respond. His tone was casual as if he was used to dealing with such situations.
"I suppose my little gift didn't make much of an impact."
"You son of a bit--"
The curses of one of the teens trailing the leader were cut short as the leader raised his hand, signaling him to stop.
"Do you have the guts to follow us?"
The leader shot at Tsuna, his gaze ablaze with hostility. His eyes locked onto Tsuna's, who met the intensity with an almost expressionless look.
Aware of the curious glances cast their way by onlookers, Tsuna scanned the surroundings briefly. His response was concise.
"Yeah, sure. However..."
Checking his wristwatch, Tsuna continued, his tone carrying authority. "...You've got 30 minutes."
The group fell into a tense silence at Tsuna's assertive words. Another was physically restraining one of the teenagers who had previously hurled curses at him, the anger in his eyes evident.
"...This fucker! Let me go, I'll go fuck this guy."
Ignoring one of his friends throwing a tantrum, the leader began striding away, seemingly ignoring Tsuna's directive. Tsuna's decision to follow them prompted a smirk from the leader, who muttered under his breath as he walked.
"...Cocky brat, you're going to regret crossing us."
Tsuna remained unfazed by the threat. Instead, he found the situation rather amusing. After all, seeking revenge against someone who had so quickly defeated them was questionable unless they had backup.
Continuing down the path, they eventually reached an empty park, its quietness contrasting with the bustling streets behind.
In the park, Tsuna noticed a group of people around the same age as the teen thugs, each adorned with various distinct appearances.
Some were shirtless, a few sported chain necklaces and others had brightly dyed hair. They seemed like characters from a TV portrayal of typical street thugs in Japan.
Upon realizing that the leader was leading him into this gathering, Tsuna's steps faltered. He found himself surrounded by these individuals.
The leader's expression turned sour, and he taunted Tsuna with a mockingly downturned lip. "...Scared, are you?"
While aware of the disadvantageous position he had willingly put himself in, Tsuna remained outwardly composed. He gazed at the group calmly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"Ego really can be a dangerous thing," he murmured softly to himself, his words laced with a hint of self-reflection. "Perhaps I shouldn't have said that."
Inwardly, Tsuna understood the risk of his decision. Yet, his ego and pride prevented him from retreating like a coward.
"What's your problem, huh? Speak up, punk!"
The other teenager reacted with another burst of curses, his frustration clearly evident. The rest of the group displayed puzzled expressions, struggling to grasp the meaning of the English words Tsuna had quietly uttered.
Tsuna diverted his attention momentarily to check his wristwatch once more. His demeanor remained composed as he spoke again. "Time's ticking. You've got 20 minutes left now."
Upon hearing Tsuna's words, the teen, who seemed to possess a short fuse, could no longer contain his anger. He abruptly charged toward Tsuna, his face contorted with rage as he bellowed, "You fucker, I'm gonna kill you!"
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