ATOS Chapter 20

Chapter 20 – Souvenir 

Novel Title: 跨越千万星辰 (Across Thousands of Stars)

Author：御小凡 (Yu Xiaofan)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 泽田纲吉 (Sawada Tsunayoshi -MC), 六道骸 (Rokudo Mukuro -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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Shoichi is an easier person to get along with than Tsuna imagined. But currently, his stomach is not in a good condition. He is often seen subconsciously clutching his stomach. On the plane to Hokkaido, Tsuna saw him take medicine twice. The way he frowned because of his stomach pain was very worrying.

“Drink more water.” Tsuna, who was sitting next to the aisle, stopped the flight attendant and asked for a glass of warm water. He then handed it to Shoichii, “Or would you like a glass of warm milk? Have you eaten breakfast?”

Smiling helplessly, Shoichi thanked him and took the cup. But he didn’t drink it. He just put it on the buckle on the back of the chair in front of him, “This has nothing to do with eating or not…But it’s because of my anxiety. It caused a habitual spasm of my gastrointestinal smooth muscle…”

As he spoke, he lifted his glasses and widened the smile on his face to make himself look more convincing, “Actually. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Stomach aches caused by anxiety…?

This made Tsuna worry about the purpose of their trip. After all, even when negotiating with dealers, it’s common to enter some conflicts. Although the interests of the company and the other parties are on the same line, each has its own position. How to stick to their own principles and maximise the benefits on their side while the other party insists is also what Tsuna and Shoichi want to fight for.

However, Shoichi fully proved with his actions that Tsuna’s worries were unnecessary. As he had imagined before, he was basically a follower. Even though Shoichi has to take medicine from time to time, once he enters his working state, he is a completely different person. His thinking and logic are surprisingly clearly delivered. He does not have an aggressive attitude when speaking. But because of the rigorous wording, the other party cannot refute him.

For this reason, their ten-day itinerary went by smoothly. They even completed the scheduled work in Sapporo one day ahead of schedule. So after Tsuna and Shoichi discussed the matters, they decided to stick to the original schedule and only use the last day as everyone’s free activities day. This can be regarded as a reward for everyone.

The two section chiefs consciously did not act together with the people below them. Although the two of them are usually not very strict, the relationship between subordinates in the hearts of professionals will bring pressure to some extent. They are unwilling to give the others such pressure. So the result is, they singled themselves out.

“You know… we can take a look around too.”

Contrary to Tsuna’s expectation, Shoichi made an invitation towards him. He originally had planned to stay in the hotel for the whole day. But Tsuna, who seldom gets together with friends in normal times, happily agreed. He took out the clothes he had prepared, changed into them, and went out with Shoichi.

The two of them removed their suits and leather shoes. They now put on some casual sports clothes. They looked surprisingly unanimously like college students going out on a trip, with cameras hanging on their shoulders. They looked very professional.

“Is this an SLR camera?” They got on the bus arranged by the hotel and went to Odori Park as the first stop. Tsuna sat by the window, looking at the camera that Shoichi was fiddling with.

“Well, not really. If it’s an SLR camera, the lens can be switched. If I don’t intend to go out for photography, I won’t carry so many things with me. This may be classified as a micro-SLR since the lens can’t be changed.” In order to explain the camera, Shoichi generally raised it in his hand. The lens is too big compared to his thin body, “I just got used to bringing it around with me. But I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to actually use it today.”

Once the work status is released, Shoichi’s current dressing and speaking style really make Tsuna feel like he is a ‘tourist’. Looking Shoichi up and down, he smiled with great interest, “It seems like Shoichi is a person who likes to travel.”

“…It wasn’t like that before.” Putting the camera on his knees, he lowered his head to wrap the anti-fall strap around his hands a few times, “But for a while now…”

For some reason, Shoichi paused as if he was in a daze.

“Travelling is indeed a very relaxing thing to do. When you put yourself on a road going somewhere, some other troubles don’t seem so important anymore.”

Shoichi’s tone sounded very calm. It was as if the lines of his profile were looking softer than usual. Maybe it’s the expression or maybe it’s just because of the light. Tsuna was stunned for a while. Somehow he didn’t know how to continue. So he could only say ‘oh’. He then turned his head to look out the window.

The acacia trees with tall crowns are lined up along the street. At the end of spring, they always have plump white bouquets on them, looking content.

Tsuna put his fingers on the glass window. The acacias quickly backed away as if they were sliding past his fingertips.

“Look. That’s the Sapporo TV Tower.” Shoichi’s voice suddenly sounded very close. Then, Tsuna heard a crisp shutter sound so he moved away a little. Shoichi pressed the shutter again, staring intently at the red TV tower through the lens, “I heard it looks more beautiful at night.”

“Really…” Tsuna somehow thought of Mukuro. These days, because of work, he doesn’t have time to think about other things.

Since they met, this was the first time that they had been separated for such a long time. Within so many days, the two of them had no contact at all.

The sense of loss in his heart increased.

“Tsunayoshi?” Tsuna was patted lightly on the shoulder. Tsuna came back to his senses, looking at Shoichi with a little uncertainty. But this uncertainty was also controlled within the range that would not make others feel uncomfortable, “Let’s go down?”

Only then did Tsuna realise that the bus had stopped. Only himself and Shoichi were left on the bus. So he quickly stood up, “Sorry. I was lost in my thoughts just now.”

“Don’t think too much. It’s been quite tiring these days. Our physical and mental exhaustion should not be underestimated.” Shoichi smiled indifferently and walked towards the bus door first.

Tsuna sighed. He then picked up his bag and followed.

They went to the northern end of Odori Park. The two stopped and walked, soaking in the faint fragrance of acacia. The mild weather quickly made them feel a little hot so they were rolling their sleeves to their elbows as they held up their cameras to take pictures from time to time. Meanwhile, Tsuna just browsed the surrounding scenery casually.

He himself is not very into travelling. He seems to be able to stay at home for the whole day. This attribute has been fully manifested since he was in junior high school. Even in a country full of amazing cultural landscapes like Italy, he still stays in the dormitory like a reckless person, turning a blind eye to everything.

When it comes to this, he couldn’t help but think of Mukuro who is also a homebody. So is he staying at home now? Or is he having fun outside?

Tsuna stared at the fountain in a daze on the spot. Those crystal liquids were as bright as broken diamonds in the sun, making people’s eyes hurt a little looking at it.

“Would you like to drink some water?” Shoichi bought two bottles of mineral water at some point. He asked tentatively while handing one to Tsuna, “Why don’t we go back to the hotel early in the afternoon?”

“Eh?” The bottle of the iced mineral water was wet. Tsuna took it over and was about to open the lid. He then stopped because of Shoichi’s words, “Do you feel uncomfortable?”

“I’m fine. But are you okay?” After taking a big sip of water, Shoichi showed a worried expression, “Because I don’t think you look very good. I’m really sorry, I didn’t take your body into consideration. I invited you without asking if you’re okay about it first.”

Tsuna’s eyes widened in an instant. He hastily denied, “That’s not the case! I really want to go out for a walk. But there’s something that I’m worried about. That’s why I’m always so absent-minded. The one who should say sorry should be me. It’s rare that you specially invited me to……-“

“-Something you’re worried about? Is it a problem at work?” Shoichi put the bottle of water into the side pocket of his backpack, signalling to Tsuna to continue walking with the flow of people. Since his hands were stained with a lot of condensation water from the outside of the mineral water bottle, he hung the camera around his neck.

Even if he was asked this way, Tsuna didn’t know how to answer. Maybe in the eyes of others, his troubles were not considered troubles at all. So why bother having a cold war with a high school kid? Why did the two of them end up like this for odd reasons?

But I am very sure.

Very sure.

For Tsuna, that child is not just a cohabitant. The way he took care of him over the past few years has gradually filled his life to the point where it has become a part of him. It is because of such importance that he was at a loss when facing the coldness between them.

Tsuna thought negatively about what he should do if this continues?

Probably the face he put on had a strong sense of distress so Shoichi thoughtfully didn’t pursue the question any further. He deliberately talked about the next location as if he avoided the topic completely.

Now that he has come to Hokkaido, it is naturally impossible not to go to the Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. Looking at the bronze statue of Dr. Clark pointing at the horizon should not be missed. If the direction of his finger was followed, it pointed to the other side of the pasture fence where there was nothing but green along the horizon. It expanded the line of sight. The colour is so bright that people can’t help but squint their eyes.

Just as Shoichi was taking photos everywhere with his camera, Tsuna leaned against the fence of the ranch and waited for him. This vast scene made him unconsciously fascinated.

Many things in this world will change. But whether it is the intersection of blue and green at the extreme point of view or the breath of green grass in the breeze, they must exist in this world much longer than the time he would have existed.

Tsuna closed his eyes and suddenly understood what Shoichi said.

When you are heading somewhere, facing some almost ancient nature, you will find that in front of this huge existence, what you are entangled with is just like a joke.

From the perspective of time, a human life is nothing but only a moment it consumes.

Suddenly laughing heartily, Tsuna leaned on the fence and bent down, “Really… What the hell was I thinking?”

He quickly took out his mobile phone and pressed to call Mukuro without any hesitation. He waited for a while. But the other party answered in the end.

“What’s the matter? I’m in the middle of taking a nap.” With a very cold tone, the boy’s voice changed slightly through the earpiece. It sounded closer to the inorganic substance and it sounded icy.

“Well, I’m sorry to call you at this time.” Tsuna looked at the green colour that was enough to soothe his eyes, “Muku, let’s make up.”

There was no answer from the other side.

Tsuna wondered whether the child raised his eyebrows or frowned when he heard this sentence. He thought it was quite interesting. So his tone of voice became light naturally. He didn’t know that his smile now was like a breeze caressing the grass, with an intimacy and cosy tenderness. But this image conveyed the feeling very clearly.

“We’ve never been apart for this long. So I really miss you.”

The act of telling someone you ‘miss them’ so frankly may sometimes be a very effective magic. Tsuna secretly sighed for himself who seemed extremely immature during this period of cold war. He has lived for more than 20 years in vain. Or is this the sort of ‘father vs son’ problem that arises in every family?

“So, let’s make up.”

After he finished speaking, he stopped talking completely. The silence on the phone lasted for half a minute before he heard Mukuro’s voice again.

“Chocolate.”

Huh?

Tsuna was still in a daze when he heard the other person add, “Aren’t you in Hokkaido? Remember to bring a souvenir for me when you come back.”

With the corners of his lips raised, Tsuna responded in a low voice, “Okay.”

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*Translator’s Note: Why does this look like a couple making up instead of father and son making up? 😂 I was still a little distracted when I was translating this chapter. Please inform me if there were any mistakes. Thanks. -K

☝🏻Fanart of MukuroXTsuna

Next update: 2023.08.14

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