Chapter 62: Chapter 54
(The 25th of December, 1982 –Saturday, night)
Renato loves people.
He's loved them since he was a small kid and saw a little girl crying after someone passing by, a man with the most awful hair ever, accidentally knocked off her doll. He doesn't remember his face, but he does remember the way he knelt down to grab the toy. His honest awkward expression was unlike the confident look people his neighborhood always tried to portray. He doesn't remember what he thought at the moment but he does remember turning to see the girl slowly stop crying. Her face slowly went from anguish to confusion before settling it into something akin to thankful.
At seeing her face, he wondered if he was the same. Did he also wear his face on his sleeve? While he hoped not, at the same time, that day, he realized then how fascinating, how different and interesting people were.
His memory of that moment is oddly clear for the impact it had on his life. After that, he started going to parks to sit on a bench and watch people whenever he had the time and his mother would let him. Those times, people had come back from a war and happiness was difficult to get when you were piss poor, but that's what he felt whenever he went down the street to people watch, his favorite pastime: happy.
The time passed with him trying to gauge the relationships between people and what kind of life they had.
He still does it. He merely realized he loves more bringing chaos to the same people he watches. The reactions he obtains because of it are always gold.
In direct contrast to it, he hates when he's the cause of others' amusement because of his reactions. That's why he's trained his body to only show what he wants it to show. And he's damn good at it, if he says so himself. But there are times even he makes mistakes.
A perfect example would be now. He feels somewhat annoyed because he knows his lips parted involuntarily in a show of surprise at seeing him. Renato is standing next to Mafer, dancing around the topic this dance seems to be about: who could be one of the Arcobaleno. Is he the Sun Arcobaleno, she asks, with that glint in her eye that hints she already knows the answer.
Usually, he would avoid the subject with a silver-tongued skill he's glad he's gained over the years. This time is different and he can't help his distraction. He immediately ignores her question as Tsuna walks inside the ballroom. Beautiful in his walk, posture confident and so unlike him. While he's known Tsuna would attend, he expected to see him as he always does, with that shy demeanor that usually annoys him but he can't help but find it endearing on him.
Not like this as he's never seen him, dressed sharp and to charm. All in black, with only an orange shirt denoting his position as a Sky. A mask so unlike the ones that are common in Italy soil covering all his face with a demonic face.
And damn, does he look good in a suit. And Renato loves suits, he's never hidden this. This just confirms his love has developed into some kind of kink since, apparently, he loves Tsuna wearing suits even more.
He regrets now using a simple domino mask instead of a complete one.
(He really doesn't. He looks damn hot as he is now.)
While he couldn't help opening his mouth, he bites back the smirk that wants to form with expert ease. Stopping his feet from walking forward to meet his little Sky is a bit harder but not impossible. After all, a moment of weakness is permitted. Two? Never.
However, what is surprising is seeing him walking towards him. He wants to frown, didn't they agree to not meet each other? Tsuna's not stupid, he knows—He knows he's made a mistake the second he sees Tsuna stop a couple of steps away from where they are. Confusion and dread settle in his gut at the action, causing him to visibly frown.
He then realizes he's been ignoring Mafer for two whole seconds. As small as his slip-up is, Mafer still notices. Her gaze is on Tsuna, too. She connects the dots, coming to the right—and hopefully not obvious—conclusion.
"Oh. So he's the one you were talking about before, Reborn?" She says with that smooth voice of hers. Her brows aren't visible because of her mask but there's a small frown that can still be seen. She's curious.
Renato can deny it and look defensive or go on as if her words haven't affected him.
His choice is clear as he calmly moves forward. With care many would not associate with him, he grabs Tsuna's bandaged hand. He brushes a finger across the soft material before kissing his knuckles, head bowed slightly in deference as he does so. The kiss doesn't last as he doesn't want others to know of their connection. He still makes sure to send a jolt of flames through his little Sky to gain his attention though.
"Tesoro," he whispers low enough for only them to hear. He then motions him with their still linked fingers towards Mafer. Luckily, Tsuna doesn't react in any negative way, merely choosing to tilt his head to the side as he follows his lead. "Ozora, this is Maria Fernanda, head of the Zevallos famiglia. Maria Fernanda, this is Ozora."
Her eyes are uncharacteristically cold as she extends her own hand for Tsuna to kiss.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone