[fic] Tomorrow, In A Year - Chapter Two [KHR]
Title: Tomorrow, In A Year
Author mercymelucretia
Rating: PG13
Characters: Sawada Tsunayoshi and almost everyone else
Genre: Drama, Humour
Warnings: AU, TYL
Summary: In a worls where he has never met Reborn, Sawada Tsunayoshi lives a perfectly normal life. But he has no idea about the people he is about to meet...
Chapter Two: Take Care of Yourself
Sawada Tsunayoshi went to work. Like every day, nothing spectacular. Although he would never admit it, secretly he was disappointed at his life. Okay, he had a job which paid off well, he was neither homeless nor mentally unstable, but still, something was missing. The problem was he didn't know exactly what that was. He always thought and said was he was happy and content with his life if someone asked, but somehow there was still a void.
But to be honest, Tsuna knew exactly what was missing. A social life.
Yes, it's as sad and pathetic as it sounds.
At least now that he was working his social standing changed. Maybe a bit. A little. Well, at least he wasn't everybody's punching bag anymore.
"Hey, Sawada, could you please check these reports for me? You know, my girlfriend and I are having a date today and I can't be bothered to be late at any rate. Geez, I have to hurry. Anyway, you're the best. Bye." And with that one of Tsuna's co-workers rushed out of the office. What a nice guy.
Why does things like always seem to happen to me? I didn't even have the chance to say no. But I guess it can't be helped. Otherwise I may be even fired and I can't let that happen. Man, I would also like to have a girlfriend, going on dates...
"Sawada! I told you a thousand times not to slack off during work! I bet you don't have half of your work done and it's already, let me see, 4 pm.", shouted his boss, also one of the very nice people Tsuna had to deal with on a regular basis.
"Oh yeah, well... I do my best. I swear."
"If you want to keep your job, you better stop talking and start working."
Then why does he starts talking to me? That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
Unbeknownst to him, he had absolutely no idea about what was going to happen that day.
After painful hours of demanding work, including doing stuff that he was obviously not qualified for in any way and almost losing all what was left of his sanity, Sawada Tsunayoshi made his way to the nearest restaurant he could find. Unfortunately, he had no idea where to find one. The problem was that Tsuna became over the time very picky concerning his choice of eating place. Sometimes he mentally cursed his mother's brilliant cooking skills. Of course there were also other reasons but they were far too embarrassing to admit.
As the young man was walking along the road, he spotted a person, possibly a teenager, feeding stray cats. Because this teen was the only other person around, Tsuna decided to ask him if he knew by any chance a good restaurant. After all, it was worth a shot. And most importantly, what could possibly go wrong?
"Excuse me."
No reaction. Okay, second try.
"Excuse me, mister."
Nope, still no sign of reaction. Perhaps a different strategy will work.
With that in mind, Tsuna approached the boy. Just as he was about to make contact with him, the boy, or better said young man, was faster.
"I already heard what you said." was his short response.
Wait a minute, haven't I seen this guy before? He seems awfully familiar.
"Eh, then why didn't you answer me the first time I asked?"
"I decided to ignore you."
That guy has apparently no idea of social skills.
"Why did you do that? It's not really friendly, you know."
"Well, you didn't recognize me. So why should I acknowledge you being here?"
Shit, I knew I knew him from somewhere. But from where do epresumably know each other? He definitely can't be someone from middle or high school, he looks much too young for that. What age could he be, anyway? Barely eighteen, I guess.
"Sorry, but I have no idea where we could have met each other. Could you please give me a hint?"
"Okay," he sighed. "I work with you every day. I even have my desk beside. I'm Kozart Enma."
Oh, that was unexpected.
"You are... But that's... What are doing here anyway?"
"Doing what I do every day."
What was it that I wanted to ask? Damn, I feel so stupid. He must think that I am some kind of jerk who doesn't care about the people around him. I have to fix this, immediately.
"Well, Kozart-san, would you like to eat out with me? You know, it's what co-workers usually do, isn't it? Maybe... Do you happen to know a restaurant near here that's any good?"
He hesitated. Tsuna could clearly see it in his face, especially the way he averted his eyes and sighed. After seconds which seemed to drag on for hours and copious amounts of awkward silence, Kozart Enma finally answered.
"I do know some good restaurant around here, except that it's a bit far away from here. We would have to walk for about ten minutes to get there." Enma said.
"So, Kozart-san, where are you taking me exactly? I mean, we have been walking for more than ten minutes already and I'm starting to get really hungry."
It was the best to say that Sawada Tsunayoshi was not the best at initiating conversations with new people. Especially people like Kozart Enma. Apparently Kozart wasn't someone who liked to talk. At all. Every time Tsuna started to ask him something, he would either say nothing at all or give just laconic answers. After almost losing all hope for a normal small talk, Tsuna decided to just stop trying even if that meant enduring awkward silence.
After about seemingly endless twenty minutes, the awkward duo arrived at their destination.
A sushi shop.
Luckily the shop was still open. Tsuna himself wondered why in the world his new acquired companion (even if he was rather strange) was taking him to a sushi shop. Sushi itself was good food, but not something you ate every day as if it was perfectly normal. At least in his world.
"Um, Kozart-san, why did you choose this location?"
And why did I even have the idea for all this?
"Why I chose this place? Well, the food is reasonably good although not many people frequent it. Because of this the prices are lower than in other sushi shops. That's why."
"I see. But... why in the world are the people who work here?" Tsuna said as they stepped into the shop.
Of course, Enma didn't answer Tsuna. By now, Tsuna thought that this strange guy had quite obviously a bizarre understanding of social etiquette. Trying not to waste too much thought on that, Tsuna began to get the attention of the staff. Similarly to other things in his life, he didn't succeed.
"Okay, I'm done. Sorry, Kozart-san but I can't waste my time waiting for someone to serve me when apparently no one is here. Hell, if the service here is always is so bad no wonder nobody ever goes here." And with that Tsuna made his way to the door only to almost crash into the shops owners.
Yeah, the universe probably hates Sawada Tsunayoshi. A lot.
"Wasn't the door locked? But who cares, welcome to our sushi shop!" Laughed the younger one of the two men who entered the place.
How can he be happy about this? We could have stolen all their money and trashed the place if we wanted to. Okay, not me, but others surely would!
"Okay...Then we would like to order."
Little did they know that the following events would later go down in history. The history of the sushi shop, to be exact. Not much can be remembered by the participants, but truly it was a legendary night. Or something like that.
It has to be said that Sawada Tsunayoshi wasn't exactly one able to hold his liquor and thus, he rarely touched a drink except for formal occasions where he would simply nip on his drink. But alas, his companion Kozart Enma had the reputation to never get drunk along the bars of Namimori. And, after having a few drinks, he became extremely persuasive. Much to Tsuna's misfortune.
Several drinks later...
"Hey you, barman you, gimme another drink, for God's sake!" Tsuna said furiously while shaking his glass (well, as furiously as he could get which wasn't a lot, though).
Said "barman", Yamamoto Takeshi, was very amused by the two visitors of his family's sushi shop.
Somehow, he wasn't very sure, he thought that had seen one of the two men. The brown-haired man, to be specific. This crazy, gravity-defying hair which never seemed to have seen a proper comb was awfully familiar, it almost scared Yamamoto. But he had absolutely no clue where he could have seen it before because it would have certainly caught his attention. To save his sanity, he decided against finding out who that man exactly was. Also, he would probably never see him again, so it didn't matter anyway.
"I need a friggin drink man, hurry up!"
Yeah, and he didn't want to see him again either.
The next day Tsuna waked up with a massive headache. And a pineapple on his night stand.
Wait what?!
With a rush of adrenalin, Tsuna spurted down the stairs to ask his mother. She had to know something. For example what he had done last night. And how in the name of logic he had brought home a pineapple out of all things.
Just as he about to speak, his mobile phone ringed. Much to his own surprise he received a new text message from... Enma?
How did he get my phone number? I don't remember him giving it... But I don't remember as well why I brought a pineapple home. Heck, I hate pineapples!
"Hey Sawada, last night you were very drunk, for sure. I still can't believe that you did, well, you know what. I mean, I wouldn't have done it, but hey the results were awesome. Anyway, it was fun with you, we should definitely meet up another time. You really are an entertainer. But hey, take care of yourself. Enma." read Tsuna out loud.
At least Tsuna had not to go to work that day. His headache was killing him, it felt like his brain hated him for being so careless with alcohol and revenged itself with causing him terrible pain.
"I never drink again. Ever. No more alcohol in this house." he said to himself as he searched for some remedy.
Suddenly his mom, always with the best timing, entered the kitchen and cheerfully proclaimed that his father would come to visit next week.
Life surely couldn't get any better for Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Curse you, universe...
Author mercymelucretia
Rating: PG13
Characters: Sawada Tsunayoshi and almost everyone else
Genre: Drama, Humour
Warnings: AU, TYL
Summary: In a worls where he has never met Reborn, Sawada Tsunayoshi lives a perfectly normal life. But he has no idea about the people he is about to meet...
Chapter Two: Take Care of Yourself
Sawada Tsunayoshi went to work. Like every day, nothing spectacular. Although he would never admit it, secretly he was disappointed at his life. Okay, he had a job which paid off well, he was neither homeless nor mentally unstable, but still, something was missing. The problem was he didn't know exactly what that was. He always thought and said was he was happy and content with his life if someone asked, but somehow there was still a void.
But to be honest, Tsuna knew exactly what was missing. A social life.
Yes, it's as sad and pathetic as it sounds.
At least now that he was working his social standing changed. Maybe a bit. A little. Well, at least he wasn't everybody's punching bag anymore.
"Hey, Sawada, could you please check these reports for me? You know, my girlfriend and I are having a date today and I can't be bothered to be late at any rate. Geez, I have to hurry. Anyway, you're the best. Bye." And with that one of Tsuna's co-workers rushed out of the office. What a nice guy.
Why does things like always seem to happen to me? I didn't even have the chance to say no. But I guess it can't be helped. Otherwise I may be even fired and I can't let that happen. Man, I would also like to have a girlfriend, going on dates...
"Sawada! I told you a thousand times not to slack off during work! I bet you don't have half of your work done and it's already, let me see, 4 pm.", shouted his boss, also one of the very nice people Tsuna had to deal with on a regular basis.
"Oh yeah, well... I do my best. I swear."
"If you want to keep your job, you better stop talking and start working."
Then why does he starts talking to me? That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
Unbeknownst to him, he had absolutely no idea about what was going to happen that day.
After painful hours of demanding work, including doing stuff that he was obviously not qualified for in any way and almost losing all what was left of his sanity, Sawada Tsunayoshi made his way to the nearest restaurant he could find. Unfortunately, he had no idea where to find one. The problem was that Tsuna became over the time very picky concerning his choice of eating place. Sometimes he mentally cursed his mother's brilliant cooking skills. Of course there were also other reasons but they were far too embarrassing to admit.
As the young man was walking along the road, he spotted a person, possibly a teenager, feeding stray cats. Because this teen was the only other person around, Tsuna decided to ask him if he knew by any chance a good restaurant. After all, it was worth a shot. And most importantly, what could possibly go wrong?
"Excuse me."
No reaction. Okay, second try.
"Excuse me, mister."
Nope, still no sign of reaction. Perhaps a different strategy will work.
With that in mind, Tsuna approached the boy. Just as he was about to make contact with him, the boy, or better said young man, was faster.
"I already heard what you said." was his short response.
Wait a minute, haven't I seen this guy before? He seems awfully familiar.
"Eh, then why didn't you answer me the first time I asked?"
"I decided to ignore you."
That guy has apparently no idea of social skills.
"Why did you do that? It's not really friendly, you know."
"Well, you didn't recognize me. So why should I acknowledge you being here?"
Shit, I knew I knew him from somewhere. But from where do epresumably know each other? He definitely can't be someone from middle or high school, he looks much too young for that. What age could he be, anyway? Barely eighteen, I guess.
"Sorry, but I have no idea where we could have met each other. Could you please give me a hint?"
"Okay," he sighed. "I work with you every day. I even have my desk beside. I'm Kozart Enma."
Oh, that was unexpected.
"You are... But that's... What are doing here anyway?"
"Doing what I do every day."
What was it that I wanted to ask? Damn, I feel so stupid. He must think that I am some kind of jerk who doesn't care about the people around him. I have to fix this, immediately.
"Well, Kozart-san, would you like to eat out with me? You know, it's what co-workers usually do, isn't it? Maybe... Do you happen to know a restaurant near here that's any good?"
He hesitated. Tsuna could clearly see it in his face, especially the way he averted his eyes and sighed. After seconds which seemed to drag on for hours and copious amounts of awkward silence, Kozart Enma finally answered.
"I do know some good restaurant around here, except that it's a bit far away from here. We would have to walk for about ten minutes to get there." Enma said.
"So, Kozart-san, where are you taking me exactly? I mean, we have been walking for more than ten minutes already and I'm starting to get really hungry."
It was the best to say that Sawada Tsunayoshi was not the best at initiating conversations with new people. Especially people like Kozart Enma. Apparently Kozart wasn't someone who liked to talk. At all. Every time Tsuna started to ask him something, he would either say nothing at all or give just laconic answers. After almost losing all hope for a normal small talk, Tsuna decided to just stop trying even if that meant enduring awkward silence.
After about seemingly endless twenty minutes, the awkward duo arrived at their destination.
A sushi shop.
Luckily the shop was still open. Tsuna himself wondered why in the world his new acquired companion (even if he was rather strange) was taking him to a sushi shop. Sushi itself was good food, but not something you ate every day as if it was perfectly normal. At least in his world.
"Um, Kozart-san, why did you choose this location?"
And why did I even have the idea for all this?
"Why I chose this place? Well, the food is reasonably good although not many people frequent it. Because of this the prices are lower than in other sushi shops. That's why."
"I see. But... why in the world are the people who work here?" Tsuna said as they stepped into the shop.
Of course, Enma didn't answer Tsuna. By now, Tsuna thought that this strange guy had quite obviously a bizarre understanding of social etiquette. Trying not to waste too much thought on that, Tsuna began to get the attention of the staff. Similarly to other things in his life, he didn't succeed.
"Okay, I'm done. Sorry, Kozart-san but I can't waste my time waiting for someone to serve me when apparently no one is here. Hell, if the service here is always is so bad no wonder nobody ever goes here." And with that Tsuna made his way to the door only to almost crash into the shops owners.
Yeah, the universe probably hates Sawada Tsunayoshi. A lot.
"Wasn't the door locked? But who cares, welcome to our sushi shop!" Laughed the younger one of the two men who entered the place.
How can he be happy about this? We could have stolen all their money and trashed the place if we wanted to. Okay, not me, but others surely would!
"Okay...Then we would like to order."
Little did they know that the following events would later go down in history. The history of the sushi shop, to be exact. Not much can be remembered by the participants, but truly it was a legendary night. Or something like that.
It has to be said that Sawada Tsunayoshi wasn't exactly one able to hold his liquor and thus, he rarely touched a drink except for formal occasions where he would simply nip on his drink. But alas, his companion Kozart Enma had the reputation to never get drunk along the bars of Namimori. And, after having a few drinks, he became extremely persuasive. Much to Tsuna's misfortune.
Several drinks later...
"Hey you, barman you, gimme another drink, for God's sake!" Tsuna said furiously while shaking his glass (well, as furiously as he could get which wasn't a lot, though).
Said "barman", Yamamoto Takeshi, was very amused by the two visitors of his family's sushi shop.
Somehow, he wasn't very sure, he thought that had seen one of the two men. The brown-haired man, to be specific. This crazy, gravity-defying hair which never seemed to have seen a proper comb was awfully familiar, it almost scared Yamamoto. But he had absolutely no clue where he could have seen it before because it would have certainly caught his attention. To save his sanity, he decided against finding out who that man exactly was. Also, he would probably never see him again, so it didn't matter anyway.
"I need a friggin drink man, hurry up!"
Yeah, and he didn't want to see him again either.
The next day Tsuna waked up with a massive headache. And a pineapple on his night stand.
Wait what?!
With a rush of adrenalin, Tsuna spurted down the stairs to ask his mother. She had to know something. For example what he had done last night. And how in the name of logic he had brought home a pineapple out of all things.
Just as he about to speak, his mobile phone ringed. Much to his own surprise he received a new text message from... Enma?
How did he get my phone number? I don't remember him giving it... But I don't remember as well why I brought a pineapple home. Heck, I hate pineapples!
"Hey Sawada, last night you were very drunk, for sure. I still can't believe that you did, well, you know what. I mean, I wouldn't have done it, but hey the results were awesome. Anyway, it was fun with you, we should definitely meet up another time. You really are an entertainer. But hey, take care of yourself. Enma." read Tsuna out loud.
At least Tsuna had not to go to work that day. His headache was killing him, it felt like his brain hated him for being so careless with alcohol and revenged itself with causing him terrible pain.
"I never drink again. Ever. No more alcohol in this house." he said to himself as he searched for some remedy.
Suddenly his mom, always with the best timing, entered the kitchen and cheerfully proclaimed that his father would come to visit next week.
Life surely couldn't get any better for Sawada Tsunayoshi.
Curse you, universe...