Chapter 29 – Learn to Enjoy It
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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The black Benz joined the traffic on the main road smoothly like a drop of water. But unfortunately, it was inevitably forced to stagnate in the long queue during the rush hour of commuting.
The interior of the car is filled with the smell of new leather since there is no perfume in the car. The smell was relatively strong but it was not unpleasant. Along with other brand new details, it could be assumed that the car probably hasn’t been out of the shop for long.
The air conditioner keeps the humidity and temperature at a pleasant level and the seats that fully consider ergonomics can also give people the most comfortable experience. It was as if he was separated into another world.
But Tsuna is not feeling comfortable at all now. The reason is naturally because Reborn in the driver’s seat has been silent since their departure.
Ahhh, what do you want to say? Just hurry up and give me a good scolding!
Knowing that the other party was dissatisfied with his performance, he definitely acted like ‘you have to reflect on yourself’. This made Tsuna feel very anxious. Several times when he thought about it, this approach was to seriously catch him in a deadlock. But the main point was abandoned.
The car only moved a distance of less than ten metres within ten minutes. A car with excellent acceleration is quite aggrieved at this time. This feeling of anxiety which seemed as if time had stopped made Tsuna uneasily hold on to his seat belt. But he then nervously let go. But then he repeated the action over and over like an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“Handphone.”
Tsuna was stunned for two seconds before realising that Reborn had spoken. He asked back like a fool, “What handphone?”
Reborn put his hands on the steering wheel and squinted his eyes at him, “Your phone has been ringing for a long time.”
“Ah…Ah!” The anxiety Tsuna felt due to the existence of Reborn caused him to not notice that the phone had been vibrating for a while. He set it to vibration mode since the meeting and forgot to change it back. He hurriedly took out his mobile phone from his pocket. When he saw who the caller was, he answered the phone in a more casual tone, “Huh? Why did you call? Oh, I happened to be stuck in a traffic jam. Eat on your own first. Just save some for me and I’ll go back to reheat it… Huh? Of course I’m not in the subway… It’s a colleague’s…”
The other party seemed to be very curious about him coming back in someone else’s car. But he didn’t say much. After all, they were on the phone. He just said a few words and then hung up.
“Tell me.” Reborn paused and hooked the corners of his mouth forward as if he had encountered something ridiculous, “How does it feel like to be an adoptive father?”
Adoptive father – What did you call me?
“You know about Muku?” This surprised Tsuna. He thought that Reborn knew nothing about himself after their separation. After all, he was like that. He really didn’t know anything about him after they were separated.
“Whether it’s as a personal assistant or as your instructor, information like this is a must-know. I’m a professional after all.”
Tsuna didn’t know which aspect Reborn was referring to. But from Tsuna’s point of view, no matter what he does, this guy seems to be a professional anyway. The professors of the department also often come to Reborn for opinions.
What an incredible person.
“The Millefiore incident was very famous in Japan at that time. But I didn’t expect you to play a small role in this incident.” What Reborn said naturally meant that Tsuna had adopted one of the children. Regarding the matter of the victim, for Tsuna himself, this can be regarded as a rare impulsive event in his smooth and quiet life.
The fact that Reborn was talking to him made Tsuna feel less nervous. He interjected, “To be honest, I didn’t expect it either. Although I adopted the child, I still don’t feel any real sense of being a father.”
“Real sense? What kind of real sense do you want to feel?”
Except with Iemitsu Sawada, Tsuna has not discussed the matter of Mukuro in detail with anyone else. When Reborn mentioned it, he also had the desire to talk about Muke, “Well, for example, my adoptive son has never called me ‘Baba’ or something like that. But if I was really called ‘Baba’, I would feel embarrassed. So this is already okay?”
He was not aware of what it was like for other adoptive families. But in Tsuna’s opinion, adopting a 12-year-old child is quite a delicate matter.
Although it is undeniable that Mukuro is already a gentle and family-like existence in his life, the autonomy and independence he dared to show made Muku rarely rely on Tsuna after adapting to daily life. It may also be because the difference between Mukuro and him was only 10 years old. Thus, it is not enough to constitute two generations apart. Tsuna can’t really treat him completely as a son.
“I don’t think you look like a father either. After all, I’m amazed enough that you’ve managed to raise a child yourself.”
This sounded a bit condescending. But Tsuna has nothing to refute. He has always lacked a stable temperament and he himself knows it. And it really bothers him now that he has a teenage kid, right?
Reborn fell silent again after saying this.
Tsuna didn’t know how to bring up the topic again. So he could only stare at the rhythmic light version of Reborn’s fingers tapping on the steering wheel. But it can’t be seen at all that it is the irritability caused by waiting. On the contrary, it is done as leisurely as if humming some ditty silently.
It looks like you’re in a good mood? Tsuna pondered.
Surprised by this speculation, Tsuna sat forward a little bit. He blinked and tried to continue the atmosphere that seemed to be gradually relaxing.
“How did you feel about today’s meeting?”
But Reborn knocked him back to his original state with a single question. The stone in his heart moved back to its original position. Tsuna leaned his head against the window, looking at the unchanging scenery outside. He answered wearily, “It wasn’t very good.”
“You complained even before I asked you how you felt, huh?” Reborn slowly turned his head and placed his gaze heavily on Tsuna.
The temperature inside the car seemed to drop a few degrees. Tsuna sat up straight suddenly, “It’s not a complaint! I’m absolutely not complaining!”
Reborn is still really scary! Tsuna acknowledged to himself.
Ignoring his frightened animal-like reaction, Reborn smiled disdainfully. It contained enough weight for Tsuna’s self-esteem, “The so-called focus actually has two meanings.”
Tsuna lowered his eyes and didn’t look at him. But these words still entered his ears one by one.
“As the literal saying goes, you are the centre of gravity of the world where the focus of everyone’s eyes is on. On the other hand, people’s eyes can also be like sunlight. That is where the focus is not only scorchingly hot, but also painful.”
In fact, he can understand what Reborn was trying to say.
When he was in the meeting today, he fully experienced that being watched by all kinds of eyes would make people feel uncomfortable. It was like being exposed to the scorching sun. Not everyone yearns to be under the spotlight. Not everyone likes to be judged by many eyes in front of the stage.
“When you are in such a position, the gaze that was casted on you can never be anything but kind.” The deep male voice commanded with an unquestionable tone, “So get used to it.”
At this time, the traffic queue that had been blocked for a long time finally moved forward slowly. The Benz moved forward a little bit with the traffic flow, which gave people the illusion that the time that was stagnant began to flow again.
“Whether it’s jealousy or not, mediocre people don’t encounter these problems. That is because they don’t have enough capacity to handle them. In other words, these vicious things are an acknowledgment of your capability.”
Tsuna raised his eyes and looked at the marble-like profile of Reborn who turned around, showing his tenacious will. At such times, this man will lose his disguised gentlemanly demeanour, revealing the charming aloofness of an Italian man.
“If you don’t want to be troubled by their ugly jealousy, then you’d better learn to enjoy it.” Finally it was their turn to stop in front of the red light. The next time the green light turns on, they should be able to get rid of this horrible situation of moving slowly like a turtle.
In just a few words, he said that Tsuna should learn to enjoy the jealousy of others. How easy is it to turn the cold wind into a boost and obstacles into a stepping stone? In the end, most people may be torn and tripped. They may no longer cheer up.
Out of the corner of Tsuna’s gaze, he glanced at his own reflection in the rearview mirror. He was looking full of distress. How could this face inherit Iemitsu’s shares that have the absolute right to speak?
“Reborn, what you said sounded really simple. For you, this may not be difficult to do… No. It is already natural for you.” He said lightly. This was not a refutation. It was not even a complaint. He couldn’t tell what it was.
“Are you trying to tell me that you can’t do it?” Reborn’s voice was calm. No emotion could be heard from the question.
If possible, Tsuna would not want to do something that he is not good at. But he has not had time to say this. Many times before, many things are not done when people want to do them. But only after they have to be done. He has been much luckier than ordinary people. He has enough guidance in life, a job without worries, and even a good life.
There is no reason why he can enjoy the convenience brought to him by this identity. But he has to accept the responsibilities of this identity. There is no such happiness in this world.
“How is that possible?” Tsuna turned his face and smiled wryly, “I still have this level of awareness. Reborn, I took what you told me back to China. They did not stay in Italy.”
Reborn grumbled and turned the steering wheel. He let the car make a standard arc to the left at the intersection, “Then I’ll wait and see.”
Please look forward to it.
Tsuna thought of these words but he couldn’t say them.
Tsuna, who lacked self-confidence from the bottom of his heart, maintained a bitter expression. But he suddenly noticed another thing, “Do you know the address without me even telling you?”
Really, didn’t this guy just come from Italy? He didn’t ask Tsuna for directions once he got in the car. But surprisingly, he was driving in the right direction.
“Do you think everyone is like you? Stupid Tsuna.”
Startled by the last calling, Tsuna immediately became dumbfounded. How long has it been since he heard this nostalgic nickname? At that time, because of his unfamiliarity with Italian, he couldn’t find the way even with a map in my hand. Several times, he called Reborn for help. But the other party took him back with a smirk every time. After that, Tsuna will find that his ‘special guidance’ homework has doubled. And for a long time, when Reborn played darts, his hands slipped very frequently……
“I should be the one to say this. Do you think everyone is as great as you?”
There is no annoying traffic problem anymore. The Benz’s speed is very fast. Seeing the familiar convenience store appearing in the field of vision, Tsuna realised that they are about to reach the apartment he lives in.
“Ahhh! Just stop here. The paper towels at home are finished.”
Because he was just dropping Tsuna off, Reborn didn’t stop in the parking lot. He just stopped by the side of the road. Saying goodbye politely, Tsuna got out of the car and walked around from the front.
“Hey, Stupid Tsuna.” Reborn, who rolled down the car window, put his elbows on the car window and turned his head to the outside. Tsuna had already walked up the street. But when he heard him calling, he turned around and walked back.
“What do you want?”
Reborn poked his head out and looked at him. He didn’t speak for a while. When Tsuna was about to be seen as puzzled by him, his facial features suddenly softened, “Although it is not satisfactory, you worked hard today.”
Huh……?
Tsuna slightly looked at Reborn in a daze. Until the other party let out a low laugh like a hum, he realised that he was praised by Reborn.
This is such a rare experience. Tsuna suddenly became a little overwhelmed. He touched the back of his neck almost shyly, “I…”
“Tsuna?”
An unexpected voice interrupted his words. He raised his head and saw Mukuro was walking out of the convenience store’s door with a plastic bag in his hand. He was looking over at him under the streetlight.
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*GLOSSARY: ‘Baba’ [爸爸] means father/dad。
Next update: 2023.09.04
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