บท 65: Chapter 65: He's a monster!
Noticing that Midorima had brought an unexpected guest along, Tsuna furrowed his brow. However, he quickly deduced that Takao had invited himself, thanks to Midorima's disapproving headshake.
In response to Takao's friendly greeting, Tsuna rose from his seat and approached Takao, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You've got quite the vibrant personality. Shintaro should consider himself lucky to have someone like you around," Tsuna remarked, his face adorned with a warm smile. Takao, feeling a bit bashful, scratched his head in response.
Before Takao could respond, Tsuna's amiable smile vanished, replaced by an oppressive aura that seemed to envelop Takao entirely. Tsuna's voice carried a weight that made Takao's heart race.
"But...we're having a reunion here," Tsuna spoke, his words laced with an undeniable authority. "I hope you understand and can give us some time alone."
Takao's pupils widened as he felt the sudden, overwhelming pressure bearing down on him. It was as though his very soul was being squeezed, leaving him utterly speechless with his mouth agape.
Under Tsuna's intense gaze, Takao's face drained of color, his legs gave way, and he clumsily collapsed onto the floor.
Midorima let out a sigh and stepped forward, breaking the tense atmosphere. "That should be sufficient, don't you think?"
Tsuna shook his head, signaling to his butler, Sebas, to assist Takao in leaving the cafe. Sebas adeptly guided Takao out, leaving Midorima and Tsuna alone.
Midorima couldn't help but glance at Takao's departing form and muttered to himself, "This is why you should heed my advice."
As Sebas escorted Takao out of the cafe, a group of Shutoku players emerged from the school gate and noticed them.
"...Am I seeing things, or is that a genuine butler escorting Takao?"
Miyaji rubbed his eyes in disbelief, voicing the question on everyone's mind.
Otsubo remained silent, his expression baffled. Kimura hesitated before confirming, "...I'm seeing it too."
Seeing a foreigner in a butler's uniform efficiently ushering Takao out of the cafe astonished them.
"Hey, does anyone else feel like something's off with Takao?"
Concerned by Takao's struggle, they exchanged puzzled glances and approached him. They tried to communicate with Sebas to find out what was going on.
However, Sebas didn't speak Japanese, so he merely gestured toward the cafe's interior. The presence of Midorima and Tsuna in the cafe added to Shutoku's bewilderment.
They considered entering the cafe to find out what was happening, but Sebas, who had handed Takao over to them, was now stationed at the door. His presence seemed to serve as a barrier, preventing anyone from entering.
Feeling uneasy about the situation, they gathered around the trembling Takao. Otsubo offered his support, helping Takao to his feet.
Miyaji expressed his concern, asking, "What's happening, Takao?"
Takao, looking as pale as a ghost, stammered out his response, "I-I don't...know..."
His legs still felt like jelly from the strange encounter inside the cafe.
Otsubo observed the situation with a deepening frown. "Can you stand up by yourself?"
He decided to give Takao a chance to stand on his own. Takao, however, struggled immensely, trying to find his balance. He wobbled precariously before collapsing to the ground.
This sudden turn of events took aback Shutoku's players. Instinctively, they rushed to help Takao. Otsubo, being closest, reached out and caught Takao, aiding him in regaining his footing.
"This... is s-strange," Takao managed to stammer, his face still drained of color. He felt his body had betrayed him, leaving him with little control.
Visibly shaken and still pale, Takao addressed his teammates with a quivering voice, "That... guy... h-he's a monster."
Otsubo's eyes widened as he pivoted to look through the cafe's window at Tsuna. He couldn't shake the feeling that Takao's unsettling state had a connection to Tsuna.
Inside the cafe, Tsuna nonchalantly motioned to an empty chair opposite him.
"Come, have a seat," he invited calmly.
Midorima settled into his chair and regarded Tsuna calmly, making a minor adjustment to his glasses.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Midorima inquired, his directness mirroring his usual approach.
Tsuna gently shook his head at Midorima's no-nonsense attitude, "I was actually at your team's final game last year."
Midorima raised an eyebrow, "You were? Why didn't you come and say hello?"
Midorima's question prompted a subtle smile from Tsuna.
"I stumbled upon someone intriguing..."
He paused momentarily before adding, "Besides, I didn't feel like it was the right moment to reconnect..."
Midorima's skepticism showed on his face. He had a hunch that Tsuna might have some ulterior motives. "Is there anyone else aware of your return?"
Tsuna contemplated momentarily, his hand propping up his chin, before replying thoughtfully, "...Akashi should know of this soon. I bumped into his father earlier today. But apart from you, nobody else knows."
Understanding the situation, Midorima nodded, suggesting, "You should probably give the others a heads-up."
Tsuna dismissed the idea with a shake of his head. "I think surprising them will be more fun. By the way, can you tell me about this 'Generation of Miracles' thing? It sounds quite impressive, haha."
Midorima waved off the notion with a dismissive tone. "It's just some nonsense the media cooked up..."
A waiter approached his side, inquiring about his order.
While sipping his coffee, Tsuna continued, "But your last game was quite pathetic, Shintaro. Toying with your opponents like that? You think you're a god?"
Midorima's gaze grew intense upon hearing these words.
Tsuna set his cup down on the table and added, "By the way, feel free to order anything from the menu. They mentioned that it's all on the house today..."
Midorima gave a slight, knowing shake of his head. He figured that Tsuna must have dropped a significant sum to secure the entire cafe for them.
And his hunch was accurate.
Tsuna had indeed paid a substantial amount to the café, equivalent to a month's earnings, to ensure no one else would enter. This arrangement entitled them to complimentary service for the day.
Tsuna's words continued to echo in Midorima's mind as he ordered the same coffee Tsuna had been sipping.
"Quite arrogant, you say?" he mused, recalling Tsuna's earlier remark. That's what Tsuna had been implying, after all.
Yet, Midorima remained unswayed by this.
Midorima, a man of pride, fixed a penetrating gaze on Tsuna.
"In sports, empty words are as ineffectual as echoes," he asserted. "It all sounded like empty rhetoric."
He threw down the gauntlet. "So, demonstrate the weight of your strength and give me a reason to take your words seriously."
Midorima didn't buy into Tsuna's supposed arrogance. He had climbed up the ladder through relentless training and unwavering self-belief. He had always believed that his skills would triumph over anyone and anything.
Tsuna chuckled and replied, "That's precisely why I'm here. I'll show you exactly why you've been living like a frog on the bottom of a well."
Midorima couldn't help but smirk, adjusting his glasses. "Let's see what you've got."
---
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