Fanfiction Reborn (All X OC) 7 days with Vongola

Chapter 14: Week 2 : Day 4 (midnight) : Hibari : Jinnai Kaede (1)



 

 

"Not at all," Saya answered honestly before pausing to think carefully. But after digging through her memories, she truly found nothing. "I really don't know, Reborn-san"

"It's alright," Reborn replied with a gentle smile. "So, no need to worry. I was just asking out of curiosity."

"...Understood," the girl replied simply before glancing at everyone in the room. "I must thank all of you for helping me."

"Don't think too much about it," Ryohei said, causing Saya to offer a sweet smile and nod. That made Ryohei freeze for a moment, a faint blush creeping onto his face.

"Oh, and Shamal, Lussuria, and Ryohei—you three are responsible for Saya's physical condition. Shamal will provide the medical information to Gokudera and Giannini for crafting medicine. Meanwhile, Yamamoto and Squalo, you two should prepare for the Rain attribute flames."

Reborn finished assigning everyone's roles just as the bracelet Saya wore began glowing again. She lifted it for a closer look, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The orange light slowly faded away, replaced by a vivid purple flame.

"Looks like it's the Cloud today," Reborn said. But before anyone could react, another version of Saya—an exact replica—stepped out from her body.

"Wha—what is this!?" the original Saya cried out, stepping back in alarm until she almost toppled over the window ledge. A steady hand caught her shoulder just in time, preventing her fall. When she turned, she found Hibari sitting calmly on the window ledge.

The clones of Saya—four in total—walked toward Tsuna, Yamamoto, Ryohei, and Gokudera, just as they always did.

"Oh my, Sawada-kun, you're injured! Are you alright?" one clone near Tsuna asked.

"I'm fine! Just... back up a bit, you're too close!" Tsuna stammered, trying to distance himself as the clone leaned in, concern written all over her face. Meanwhile, the clone beside Yamamoto examined his injuries.

"Yamamoto-kun, have you been overexerting yourself?"

"I'm fine, really," Yamamoto replied with an awkward laugh, gently pushing the clone back. Internally, though, he couldn't help but blush, remembering how she had kissed him so passionately last time. The sweetness of that moment lingered, even though a week had passed.

And just yesterday evening, they had shared a breath-to-breath connection during an emergency. While those incidents were accidental, if it happened a third time, Yamamoto might seriously consider using his own sword to perform harakiri—just to save Saya from embarrassment.

"Gokudera-kun," another clone said, wrapping her arms around Gokudera's neck and gazing at his lips. The boy glanced over at Hibari, who was now holding Saya's hand while igniting the purple Cloud flames. It was only a matter of time before things returned to normal. Gokudera sighed and led the clone out of the room, leaving behind a stunned audience.

"Hey, you squid-head!" Ryohei shouted just as his own clone approached, smiling sweetly. She dashed behind him, leaped onto his back, and shouted, "Let's go, Mr. Kangaroo!"

A bit bewildered, Ryohei hesitated for a moment before grinning. "Alright, let's go all out!" With that, he charged out of the room, yelling at the top of his lungs, "EXTREME!!!"

"Hey, Ryohei, it's midnight!" Dino called out, rushing after him.

"Wait for me, Boss!" Romario followed suit, leaving the scene in chaos. Saya could only stand there, stunned, as her final clone emerged. This one turned to Hibari, her eyes soft and tender, her demeanor far gentler than Saya herself thought she could ever be.

The clone gazed at Hibari for a moment before smiling faintly, as if relieved. Then, with a voice as gentle as wind chimes on a summer day, she asked, "You're healed... aren't you?"

And then, something miraculous happened—Hibari smiled. "Thanks to you," he said.

"...Good to hear," the clone replied before casting a knowing glance at the real Saya. "See? Hibari-san isn't as scary as you think."

Hibari scoffed softly, his ears reddening. At that moment, the clone transformed into purple Cloud flames and merged back into Saya's body.

Saya stepped over to a nearby scale. Her weight was back to normal, but something felt odd. There was a sweet, strawberry-like taste in her mouth, even though she hadn't eaten any.

"I dislike crowds," Hibari declared before lifting Saya onto his shoulder and leaping out of the second-story window.

"Ahhh!" Saya screamed, expecting to hit the ground, only for Hibari to land smoothly. He began walking away with her still draped over his shoulder. "Where are you taking me?"

Hibari didn't answer, continuing his stride.

"So, today's Cloud result is the same as usual, which means the Cloud attribute isn't Saya-chan's natural flame," Reborn observed as he watched Hibari carry Saya away. "Looks like the capsule worked. There's hope for a cure now."

Reborn sighed quietly, his mind drifting to the information he had uncovered about the Nocturna Family and Saya's past.

What a tragic girl she was.

 

 

"Uh… would you mind putting me down? I think I can walk on my own…" Saya's voice carried a hint of unease as Hibari continued to carry her slung over his shoulder. He marched forward without a word, taking her to what appeared to be a hospital garden. In the distance, the sound of metal striking metal echoed faintly. Saya attempted to glance around but found herself teetering precariously off Hibari's shoulder, dizziness creeping in as the blood rushed to her head.

"Blood's rushing to my head! Put me down! Put me down!" she pleaded, her voice tinged with panic.

"Kyouya-san, I've finished setting up the tents," Tetsuya announced calmly as Hibari finally bent down to place Saya on the ground. Once seated, she made a slight pout, looking up at him.

"...What?" Hibari asked, his sharp eyes narrowing.

Saya didn't reply immediately, choosing instead to stare at him for what felt like ages. Hibari's gaze grew icier, a razor-sharp glare that could cut through steel. "If you're wasting my time, I'll bite you to death," he threatened flatly.

"W-well, it's just… When you carried me over your shoulder, all the blood rushed to my head! Even though I told you to put me down, you didn't listen!" Saya exclaimed internally as she braced herself, putting on the guise of a timid rabbit before a roaring tiger. Sensing the tension, Tetsuya interjected.

"She's probably feeling dizzy, sir," Tetsuya explained briefly. Hibari glanced over at the tents. There were only two—one large green one and a smaller one.

"Only two tents?" Hibari questioned, his tone laced with displeasure.

"From what I've heard from Reborn-san, it seems… you'll have to stay with her all night, and perhaps… um…" Tetsuya hesitated, fumbling over his words.

"…Speak," Hibari ordered, his irritation clear.

"You might… have to hold hands with her all night," Tetsuya finally admitted, choosing his words carefully. Hibari scowled deeply, his discontent tangible.

Before anyone could say more, a loud commotion broke out not far from them. Saya turned to see figures darting about—Gokudera, Yamamoto, Dino, along with Rinji and Naoka, were all tossing something back and forth, shouting as they did. However, rather than catching it, they kept throwing it further and running away.

Saya squinted to get a better look. Upon closer inspection, it became clear—it was I-Pin.

"W-what the…?" Saya blurted out, utterly baffled. Suddenly, someone flung I-Pin high into the air, where she exploded like fireworks. The night sky lit up with colorful sparks that spelled out the message: "You'll pay for this, heartbreaker!"

"What… just happened?" Saya muttered, thoroughly confused by the bizarre spectacle.

"Hmm… the pure, untainted love of a maiden," Tetsuya commented, his tone almost philosophical. It took Saya a moment to piece things together, but when she did, understanding dawned on her.

...So I-Pin-chan likes Hibari-san, huh? The thought brought a faint smile to her lips. Hibari's piercing gaze shifted toward her, as though sensing her amusement. Saya simply raised a hand to cover her mouth demurely before turning to Tetsuya.

"Well, since we'll be here all day and night, why don't we play a board game to pass the time?" she suggested with a playful tone.

 

 

"Tetsuya placed the final piece on the board, declaring 'Checkmate,' which caused Saya's face to fall slightly, disappointed after losing more often than winning. She let out a yawn as Hibari sat nearby, engrossed in reading a book. Saya's curiosity was piqued when she caught a glimpse of the book's cover—it was Rashomon and Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

Judging by how much had been read, Hibari was likely in the middle of the short story In a Grove.

Rashomon and Other Stories, a book by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, deals with themes of murder and abduction, presenting conflicting testimonies from the plaintiff, the defendant, and even the spirit of the deceased, making it nearly impossible to discern the truth and resolve the case (author's note).

Saya had read it long ago, back when she was younger. Her mother had forced her to read it as part of her training to fit into the social circles of models and celebrities.

Every aspect of Saya's education—academics, reading, and every activity—was under her mother's watchful eye. Her mother demanded perfection so that Saya could embody the ideal young lady. Similarly, her father pushed her toward the business world, equally fixated on perfection.

Both parents sought perfection, but Saya did not. She didn't want it.

However, her mother, Mikasa Tomoe, took great pride in boasting about her daughter, claiming that Saya was a forward-thinking modern woman who understood the complexities of life, lived with profound philosophy, and appeared as a mysterious, intriguing figure—a beacon of hope for the world.

But the image her mother wanted Saya to project was completely at odds with her true self. Her mother never cared about Saya's feelings—only about the persona she displayed.

After losing her grandmother at the age of seven, Saya became emotionally unmoored and sought her parents' love to fill the void. She began obeying their every demand, unconditionally and foolishly.

At the same time, Saya became cruel to those beneath her, especially her personal servant. She vented her frustrations on those who couldn't retaliate, developing a particularly nasty disposition. Reflecting on that time, Saya found it hard to believe she had become such a person.

If it hadn't been for her personal servant, who had cared for her since childhood, constantly reminding her of her true self, Saya might have done far greater harm to herself and others.

Every time Saya looked in the mirror, she only saw a stranger staring back. She was no longer 'Saya Tomoe,' just a shell with that name.

'I want you to love yourself, Miss Saya,' her servant once told her. 'Please stop destroying yourself for the sake of others' demands. I miss the kind, gentle young lady you used to be. Please come back to me.'

Saya, awakened by her servant's words, realized she wanted nothing more than to be a normal girl—carefree and frivolous, like other children. But her surroundings, her inner conflicts, and her stubbornness told her otherwise. Her mind waged an endless battle, like a stormy sea, tearing her apart.

She rejected her servant's kindness and pushed herself harder, relentlessly striving for something she didn't truly desire. In the end, it nearly broke her.

Saya came close to losing her sanity from trying to meet everyone else's expectations.

She had to see a psychiatrist and was accompanied by her ever-loyal servant throughout her recovery. However, rumors began to spread at her school—wild stories claiming Saya had become mentally ill or even schizophrenic. These rumors quickly gained traction.

The social circles she was part of reacted in various ways, from distancing themselves to outright trampling on her reputation to elevate their own. It was then that Saya truly saw the face of humanity—the ugliness that emerged when she was no longer of use or interest to them.

Yet her servant stayed by her side, always kind and supportive, never leaving her behind. This unwavering loyalty and kindness made Saya realize the true treasures in her life.

Jinnai Kaede—that was the name of her servant. Saya would never forget it for as long as she lived.

It was because of Jinnai that Saya's perspective on humanity began to shift, little by little, until she became the person she was now.

Curiously, as time passed and countless events unfolded, Saya found herself becoming more true to who she really was. She could now read whatever she wanted. And though she had moved past Rashomon and Other Stories, she still remembered parts of it and spoke aloud:

'The truth is never singular; it always depends on the individual's perspective,' Saya said.

Hibari was silent for a moment before replying, 'I suppose that's true.'

'...Everyone in this world carries both lies and truths of their own. So, if I said I might make all the cherry blossoms in Namimori bloom again... would you be angry?'

Hibari's hand, still holding the book, twitched slightly. Meanwhile, Tetsuya chimed in:

'Kyoya-san once had Sakura Fever. He doesn't hate cherry blossoms, though—he's just allergic.'

'Oh,' Saya said, as if understanding something. 'Actually, I once had Sakura Fever too. It was so painful that I still remember it vividly.'

She looked up at the moon above, letting the gentle breeze tousle her hair, recalling the agony of that illness.

'But no matter what, I still love cherry blossoms. I fell in love with Namimori the first time I saw pictures of it on the internet. That's one of the reasons I moved here and changed schools. Silly, isn't it?'

'...Maybe,' Hibari replied, glancing at Saya as she gazed at the moon. For a fleeting moment, his heartbeat felt... different.

Unbeknownst to him, a rare smile graced his lips. But it lasted only a second before he scowled and closed the book, looking toward the other side of the garden.

The distant sound of a motorcycle grew louder and louder until it roared into the garden, leaping over the wall. The bike skidded to a halt with a screech, carving up the ground before stopping right in front of Saya, who instinctively moved back.

"Why didn't you just ram into the gate already?!" The small infant dressed in leather with a purple pacifier sat in front of him, wearing a helmet that seemed almost comically oversized for his small stature. Nearby, a young man dressed in a plain white crew-neck T-shirt, faded jeans, and battered red sneakers—so worn that his little toe peeked out from one shoe—straddled a sleek, bright red motorcycle, customized to perfection.

"If I crashed, my precious 'Rebecca' would've been totaled!" the young man retorted sharply. He turned toward Saya, pulling off his helmet to reveal a pale face, sharp brown eyes, and damp black hair styled in layered locks that clung to his head from sweat. The moisture tamed his usually unruly hair, making it appear unusually neat. His youthful, cheeky expression hinted at mischief, but there was an undeniable glint of fighting instinct in his eyes. "Ah, finally found you."

"Jinnai…" Saya froze in shock, taking slow, unsteady steps backward. Her trembling eyes betrayed her unease, and both men quickly noticed her discomfort.

"Who are you?" Tetsuya asked cautiously as Hibari stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of her.

"Making a racket in the middle of the night…" The young man in a school uniform glanced around the garden, his sharp eyes noticing the long trail of damage carved through the lawn. "And destroying property." Without hesitation, he flexed his wrist, and a tonfa snapped into his hand.

"Oh no, this is bad," Jinnai muttered, taking a step back as he dodged Hibari's initial strike, careful to keep the fight away from his prized motorcycle. "I'll compensate the hospital for the damages, okay?"

"Not bad," Hibari remarked, ignoring the young man's words as he swung his tonfa again with precision. The scruffy youth deftly dodged the blows, flipping backward and landing in a crouch nearly seven meters away.

"I really don't want to fight," Jinnai said, his voice calm but firm. "If I get serious, it's going to be a big mess."

"Please don't fight Jinnai, Hibari-san!" Saya yelled desperately. "He's someone I know! Jinnai, stop this right now!"

"As you wish, young lady," Jinnai replied smoothly, lowering his hands while keeping a safe distance. Hibari, however, didn't relax his stance. "All right, I'll introduce myself properly, then. My name is Jinnai Kaede. Reborn invited me here as the Cloud Flame user, and I'm here to escort the young lady back home."

With a smug grin, he jabbed a thumb at his chest, flashing a dazzling smile as if showing off pristine white teeth. Yet while his confidence was on full display, Saya's heart sank into an endless abyss.


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