"Jyuudaime!! You're so cool! As
expected of you!!"

I only smiled at Gokudera's compliments, a bit embarassed since I've never really been complimented by anyone other than mom.

Suddenly, a strong slap on my back startled me, almost knocking me down. Glancing past my shoulders, I cringed a little when a loud voice boomed.

"THAT WAS EXTREME, SAWADA!!"

Again, I gave a smile to onii-san. Yamamoto just laughed beside him. His wooden sword neatly strapped behind him in its bag.

"Haha! Senpai is right, Tsuna! That was cool!"

I rubbed the back of my neck, now fully embarassed from being complimented by them.

"W-we should probably go back home now. It's getting dark," I suggested.

"Good idea, Jyuudaime! Let me escort you home!"

"Haha! I'll accompany you halfway!"

"We don't need you, baseball-freak!"

"LET'S EXTREMELY GO TOGETHER!!"

"Not you too!!"

As I watched the three of them arguing with each other in front of me, I unconsciously slowed my steps and silently followed them from behind.

Seeing them smile, I can't help but wonder when, how and why I'm with them. They're talented and have something they're proud of while I... I have nothing. Yet, somehow, we met and stuck on each other like gum.

Everyone I've met sees me as someone who has a strong heart, someone who never gives up. That's why they don't need to know. They don't need to know about it.

About the real me. The truth about myself.

They don't need to know how I always cry in my room after the bullying, how I always lose hope of having any friends, how I always held back my tears in front of mom, how I almost snapped but held it in for the sake of others.

They don't need to know what's in my mind, not even Reborn. They don't need to know how horrible it was, the thoughts that came when I was sad. They don't need to know all of that.

That's all in the past. I have them now. And they're the only thing that matters to me.

"Hurry up, Dame-Tsuna. You're lagging behind." Reborn ordered.

Shaking my head as a futile attempt to clear my head, I smiled again and ran towards them, towards my friends, my saviours.

My future.