Kapitel 29: Chapter 29: An Unwelcome Reunion
Days had passed since the last conversation with Reiji and Chuuya, but Shizuo Heiwajima still couldn't shake the words from his mind. Tom had hit the nail on the head—there was something about the offer that lingered with him, like a splinter under his skin. He had tried to ignore it, to bury it under his usual routine, but even the familiar work of keeping Tom safe and handling jobs wasn't enough to keep the thoughts at bay.
Tom's office was back in shape now, the broken furniture replaced, the papers organized, and the glass cleaned from the floor. As Shizuo finished wiping down the final table, Tom appeared at the door, his arms crossed casually, watching him.
"Still thinking about it?" Tom asked, a knowing look in his eyes.
Shizuo froze mid-wipe, glaring at the desk as though it was the cause of his frustration. "No," he grumbled, though his tone wasn't as convincing as he'd hoped.
Tom walked further into the room, a slight smirk on his face. "You're not the type to let something hang over your head unless it's really bothering you. I've known you long enough to tell when you've got something on your mind, and right now, those two—Reiji and Chuuya—they're still on your mind, aren't they?"
Shizuo huffed, throwing the rag onto the desk. "Why does it matter? They're just like everyone else. People see what I can do, and suddenly, I'm their solution to all their problems. When they don't need me, I'm left with nothing."
He didn't mention the fleeting loneliness that often followed being discarded. He had felt it before—the empty spaces where promises had been made, and then broken.
Tom didn't respond immediately. He sat down on the freshly cleaned chair, leaning forward slightly as he watched Shizuo in silence. After a moment, he sighed, then spoke, his tone more serious. "Hey, I know we talked about this yesterday, but let's have a serious conversation now."
Shizuo glanced at him, sensing the shift in Tom's demeanor.
Tom continued, his voice soft but firm. "Look, Shizuo. I'm not telling you to follow them blindly. But you've always known when something was worth considering. And the fact that you're still thinking about it means they might not be like the others."
Shizuo's fists tightened, his frustration building. He hated this kind of talk—the kind that forced him to face things he wasn't ready to admit. "I don't need them. I've done fine without anyone."
"Maybe," Tom replied, his voice calm and steady. "But have you ever thought that maybe what you're doing now… isn't enough anymore? You've protected me and the people around us for years, but there's something bigger happening. Maybe it's worth at least seeing what they're building. You don't have to join them right away, but watch them. Maybe it'll lead to something new. And if it doesn't, you'll know you gave it a shot. You won't lose anything."
Shizuo stood there, stunned into silence by Tom's words. His chest tightened as he tried to make sense of it. Why did the idea bother him so much? He had always fought alone, protected those he cared about, without needing anyone else. But now, the cracks in that life were starting to show.
A flash of memory surfaced—another time when someone had promised him something greater, only to leave him shattered. He gritted his teeth, forcing it back.
After a long pause, Shizuo finally broke the tension, letting out a half-chuckle, half-sigh. "Boss, that's… pretty deep for you. Who did you copy that from?"
Tom's serious demeanor faltered, his face flushing slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Come on, Shizuo, don't make me look like some philosopher. I just thought it might help you think."
Shizuo laughed, shaking his head as the tension broke. "Yeah, yeah. Don't start giving speeches now."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Tom said, grinning.
With the air lightened, Shizuo grabbed the rag again, but not before Tom headed out for a business errand. The office felt too quiet, too still. Shizuo realized that he couldn't stand the silence. Deciding to take a break, he left the office to grab some cleaning supplies from a nearby shop.
As he walked along the quiet back streets, the usual hum of the city seemed distant. It was unusual for this time of day—too still. His senses sharpened, his eyes scanning the alleyways and rooftops. Something felt off.
Suddenly, without warning, a shadow darted toward him from the side. Reflexively, Shizuo ducked, just in time to avoid a blade that sliced through the air where his head had been. He turned, his sharp eyes locking onto his assailant.
It was her. The assassin from before—Nobume Imai.
She moved with deadly precision, her katana a blur as she struck again. Shizuo barely had time to react, blocking her with his forearm. The force of her strike made his arm tingle, but he stood his ground.
"Back for more, huh?" Shizuo growled, his muscles tensing as he pushed her away, creating distance between them.
Nobume's expression didn't change. Cold, emotionless, she attacked again, her strikes fast and relentless. Shizuo blocked and countered, his brute strength clashing against her deadly speed. They moved in a deadly dance, the quiet alley now filled with the sounds of their battle—the scrape of metal, the thud of blows.
Nobume's sword whipped past Shizuo's face, narrowly missing his cheek as he stepped back. She was fast, faster than anyone he'd faced recently. But Shizuo had strength—and endurance. He could see the slight tension in her shoulders as she realized he wasn't an easy mark.
Her frustration flickered briefly in her cold eyes, but she pressed on, her movements growing more desperate, her strikes faster, more erratic. Shizuo grunted, blocking a particularly hard blow with his forearm, the force of it sending a jolt up his arm.
"Not bad," Shizuo muttered, narrowing his eyes. "But I've seen better."
Meanwhile, across the city, Reiji walked through the door of Tom Tanaka's office. He had hoped to find Shizuo, but instead, Tom was sitting behind his desk, glancing up as Reiji entered.
"You again," Tom said with a curious smile. "Looking for Shizuo?"
Reiji nodded, stepping inside. "Yeah. Thought I'd see if he had an answer for us."
Tom leaned back, his arms crossed. "He's not here right now, but you and I can talk. Have a seat."
Reiji sat down, slightly hesitant. He had come for Shizuo, but talking to Tom might give him more insight into Shizuo's world.
"You know," Tom began, "Shizuo's been with me for a long time. He's got loyalty, strength, but more than that… he cares. Even if he pretends he doesn't. What exactly are you offering him, Reiji? What's this Vongola thing you're trying to build?"
Reiji leaned forward, his voice steady. "The Vongola is more than just an old mafia family. It's a system of protection, a way to bring together people with unique abilities to fight against the growing threats in the world. And those threats—like the Black Lotus—are dangerous. We need people like Shizuo to help protect those who can't protect themselves."
Tom nodded thoughtfully. "And what about Shizuo? If he joins you, what happens to him? Who looks after him?"
"We do," Reiji replied firmly. "He wouldn't just be another weapon for us. He'd be part of something bigger. We protect each other."
Before Tom could respond, the room suddenly darkened as several figures entered the office, their faces shadowed beneath hoods. Reiji's instincts kicked in immediately. Assassins. They moved like phantoms, swift and silent, weapons gleaming in the dim light.
Tom's eyes widened. "What the—?"
Reiji stood up, pulling his mitten gloves from his pocket. With a swift motion, he slipped them on, and a brilliant orange flame erupted from his fists—the Dying Will Flame. "Stay back, Tom," Reiji warned, his voice hardening.
The assassins didn't hesitate, launching themselves at Reiji with deadly intent. But Reiji was ready, his flames burning brighter as he met them head-on. He dodged a blade, countering with a powerful punch that sent one of the attackers crashing into the wall.
The room erupted into chaos as more assassins poured in, their blades flashing as they aimed for both Reiji and Tom. Reiji's heart raced as he fought to protect Tom, blocking blows and retaliating with powerful bursts of flame. But there were too many.
"Tom, get out of here!" Reiji shouted as he deflected another blade.
Tom, clearly shaken, hesitated for a moment before making a dash for the exit, narrowly avoiding a strike from one of the assassins.
Reiji gritted his teeth, focusing all his energy into the flames. He couldn't let these assassins win. He had to protect Tom. The Vongola wasn't just a dream—it was something real, something worth fighting for.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein