Chapter 36 – The Third Remaining Problem
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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Until the end, Tsuna couldn’t provide Mukuro with any precise response.
At first, he had thought it was just the reckless and curious behaviour of youth. But the explanation he received turned out to be a profoundly deep sentiment. This feeling wasn’t shallow. Instead, it was firmly rooted in the existence of the other.
Yet it felt like it was becoming even more perplexing.
As Tsuna gazed at Mukuro, who was quietly seated in a chair while receiving an IV drip, his emotions were more complex than ever before. The child’s physical condition wasn’t much of a concern—just weakness, minor dehydration, and nutritional imbalance. After a good rest following the infusion, everything should be fine.
The problem was how to position Mukuro in his life.
Reverting entirely back to the way things were before seemed impossible now. No matter what, they had shared their most intimate moments, especially since Mukuro had laid everything bare. Should he scold someone who had hurt himself? But accusations were stuck in his throat due to those astonishing statements, making them difficult to voice.
Most importantly, looking at this perpetrator with a pale face, Tsuna found it hard to speak harsh words without mercy to him. However, considering Mukuro as a ‘possible romantic partner’ seemed incredibly absurd as well.
There was no retreat. Moving forward was also impossible. The only seemingly feasible option was to delay things. Perhaps spending some time apart after Mukuro went to university would be a turning point that could bring relief to both of them.
Sighing to himself, Tsuna instructed Mukuro to be obedient. He then left the hospital to return to his hotel room. There was a need for a thorough cleaning at home. But there wasn’t enough time right now. Tsuna roughly tidied up. He then carried a bowl of hot porridge and went back to the hospital to accompany Mukuro during the IV drip. Since Mukuro’s right hand had a needle inserted and he couldn’t move it while his left hand was weak, Tsuna had to feed him.
Both of them remained silent. Tsuna carefully scooped up the cooler edges of the porridge with a spoon, blowing on it anxiously before feeding it to Mukuro’s lips. At this moment, Mukuro was as gentle as a lamb. He silently swallowed each mouthful. Tsuna was starting to feel a strange illusion as if everything had returned to the beginning. The child before him seemed exceptionally fragile with a cold and stubborn demeanour. Yet he was also quiet and obedient.
As if from another world, a somewhat melancholic emotion rose within him.
Due to his stomach being empty for too long, he couldn’t feed him too much at once. It would burden his stomach. So after finishing a bowl, Tsuna put down the spoon. Mukuro looked at him quietly. There was a bit of porridge soup stained the corner of his mouth.
Tsuna silently packed up the disposable container and pulled out tissues to wipe his mouth clean. Then, he finally received a call from Reborn, questioning him leaving the company. Tsuna explained that there was an accident involving his child at home and that it was urgent.
“Since your personal matters affect work, I hope you’re mentally prepared.”
A voice devoid of emotion came through the phone from the other end, sending shivers down Tsuna’s spine. He was about to explain further but the other party hung up. Hearing the busy dial tone, Tsuna’s face was full of frustration. After wavering for a while between calling back to be scolded or facing a day of punishment, he ultimately chose to just delay.
After receiving the IV drip for two hours, the urge to use the restroom arose. After all, having several bottles of fluids injected directly was no joke. When Mukuro had to use the restroom for the first time, he didn’t even say a word and just stood up by himself. He held the IV drip bag up in his left hand and walked away. However, when he returned, it didn’t take long for Tsuna to notice that the back of his hand had swollen. He quickly called a nurse.
“It came off.” The nurse skillfully removed the needle and inserted it back in while advising him, “Don’t move around. Otherwise, we’ll have to insert it again.”
Tsuna nodded in agreement. Mukuro didn’t react, as if that hand didn’t belong to him. After a while, he stood up again. He naturally attempted to lift the IV drip bag by himself, but Tsuna took it from him.
However, Mukuro remained standing without moving.
“…Let’s go.” After a subtle silence, Tsuna spoke first. Mukuro’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. It was as if he had just come back to his senses.
Tsuna brought him to the restroom. He stood in front of the toilet. Mukuro leaned against the wall with his left hand and awkwardly completed the task. But he encountered a small issue while fixing his pants. After struggling a few times to no avail, Mukuro lowered his head and extended his right hand as well.
“Your hand can’t exert much force. Let me help you.” Holding his right hand, Tsuna turned back and hung the IV drip bag on the dedicated hook above the toilet. He lowered his gaze, not looking at Mukuro. He then quickly helped him adjust his pants.
The lack of communication wasn’t because of embarrassment. It was just that Tsuna was starting to find this intimate care awkward.
Tsuna understood that even if he tried his hardest, the awkward atmosphere between them couldn’t be turned over. Moreover, facing Mukuro, who couldn’t even be bothered to talk to him after his nearly explosive confession, he didn’t know whether he should make an effort to start a conversation.
The IV drip continued until 8 p.m. In the middle, Tsuna asked the hospital nurse to order takeout. Mukuro’s dinner was another bowl of porridge. By the time he was done being fed, the IV drip bag was almost empty.
Tsuna’s mind had never truly settled. Now, it was a jumble. Leading Mukuro out of the hospital’s entrance, it felt as if a stone was weighing down his heart.
Suddenly, his arm was grabbed. Tsuna was startled, reacting by swinging his arm back with great force. Mukuro, who was still a bit weak, was caught off guard by this forceful motion and stumbled backward. He fell to the ground.
Mukuro remained seated on the ground as if he had forgotten to get up. He had a dazed look on his face. Tsuna himself was stunned by his own action and only rushed to help Mukuro up after a few seconds.
“Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… uh!”
Seizing the opportunity as he bent down, Mukuro suddenly kissed him forcefully. Mukuro’s arm hooked around Tsuna’s neck while his other hand firmly held the back of his head. He also bit his lips aggressively.
It was unclear whose lips got cut. But the taste of blood spread in the mouth. There was squeezing, licking, biting—every method of invasion and attack was employed. It was almost like a desperate frenzy.
Tsuna struggled with all his might to break free. The counterforce caused both of them to end up sitting on the ground. He looked at Mukuro, who was still catching his breath, with a gaze akin to looking at a monster.
“What are you doing?!” He growled in a low voice. Seeing the curious looks from the people coming out of the hospital entrance, he immediately stood up. “Have you lost your mind?!”
Did this guy get an overdose of IV fluids and had his brain filled with water too? What the hell with two guys passionately kissing in public?
Faced with Tsuna’s anger, Mukuro calmly wiped the corner of his injured lips with his thumb as he stood up. He brushed off the dust from his pants. Putting his hands in his pockets, he lightly and swiftly descended down the stairs. He turned back and smiled at Tsuna, who was still on the upper steps. It was as if nothing had happened. “Let’s go home.”
Tsuna felt like he was going crazy! What was driving Tsuna insane wasn’t just this issue at home. But another situation was waiting for him at the company as well.
“Hug-… huh?!” Tsuna, standing close to the door, watched in wide-eyed disbelief as a chilling silver dart barely brushed past his ear. It then lodged itself with a sharp thud on the wall by the side of his face.
His lips moved like those of a fish out of water. He gasped for breath several times before he finally regained his voice, “Don’t do such dangerous things!!!!”
“You got in the way of the target,” Reborn said, holding the dart between his fingers. He lightly ran his index finger along the sharp tip to test its sharpness. Hearing this, Tsuna immediately took a big step sideways, turning his head to look. Indeed, there was a dartboard hanging on the door. The dart that had nearly hit him was now securely hanging in the 20-point section.
“Reborn… I really had some urgent issues yesterday…” Wiping away some sweat, Tsuna inwardly lamented, should I have shown some initiative by going to your office to apologise?
Swallowing nervously, he waited with bated breath for several seconds. Reborn then glanced at him casually and declared in an imperial tone, “No next time.”
“Absolutely!” Tsuna breathed a sigh of relief and quickly made his stance clear.
“Also, you don’t need to work overtime tonight.”
“Huh?!” He was just thinking how fortunate he was, but then he heard Reborn continue, “There’s a business dinner tonight. Don’t be so nervous. These are all companies we have collaborations with. They’ll treat you with utmost respect.”
“Utmost respect…” Tsuna’s lips twitched. It’s not like they’re showing utmost respect to Tsunayoshi Sawada as a person, “The Deputy Director of the Marketing Department has that kind of stance…?”
“How long do you want to pretend to be an ordinary employee?” Reborn lowered his tone and sized up Tsuna’s attire, “This dinner is of a higher level than you imagine. Most of the attendees are the next generation of those in power. Deal with them in your role as an heir.I’ll send you the relevant information about the key important people.”
You just said not to be nervous!
In an instant, Tsuna’s frozen demeanour conveyed itself to Reborn even from a distance. But it wasn’t enough to sway the orchestrator’s plan. “It’s also time for you to step into this social circle. It’s a good opportunity.”
Because of this matter, Tsuna’s heart was in his throat the entire day. Thinking about the so-called dinner, he felt incredibly uneasy. Just before it was time to leave work, Reborn walked into his office with a set of suits.
“Change into this.”
When Tsuna held the Italian handmade suit, he felt like his own taste was being scorned. He placed the suit on the table and stood up, indicating that he was going to change clothes.
However, Reborn showed no intention of leaving. He continued to watch Tsuna.
Tsuna looked back at him in confusion.
Unmoved, Reborn even raised his chin, “I said, change into it.”
…Fine.
They’re both men. So there’s no need to feel embarrassed about this. Tsuna resigned himself to the situation and removed the new suit’s dust cover. Inside, the shirt and tie were already prepared. He took off his blazer, loosened his tie, and unbuttoned his shirt one by one. As he was about to slide the sides apart, the collar on one side was suddenly yanked over by Reborn.
“What are you doing?” Tsuna looked up at him in surprise, only to meet a pair of pitch-black pupils that were chillingly intense.
“I remember that you don’t have a lover.” Reborn sneered coldly, “So, what’s the explanation for these?”
Following his sharp and powerful gaze, Tsuna saw the hickey marks on his collarbone and chest. After a few days of settling, the fresh red marks had turned into a dark purplish hue. In some places, Mukuro had applied a bit too much force, leaving them with a bluish-black bruises.
This is bad! Ahhhhh!
He only remembered to apply concealer to the area above his neck. But he completely forgot about the marks on his body!
Instinctively, Tsuna tried to pull up his shirt. But Reborn forcefully pulled the collar down, exposing half of his shoulder and revealing more of the marks. Tsuna knew that all these marks put together looked rather exaggerated and easily evoked thoughts of being violated or mistreated.
“Reborn… this…” He stumbled over his words, feeling incredibly awkward. His hands are still futilely tugging at his shirt.
“Who did this?” Reborn blinked slowly. With just that simple movement, he exuded a terrifying pressure. It was as if some deadly weapon had been unsheathed. “Was your recent leave related to this?”
No… please don’t be so perceptive…
“Were you willing?”
For some reason, Tsuna felt a strong urge to nod. He hadn’t quite rationalised the situation for himself. It was an unpleasant matter to discuss. He didn’t want his tutor to delve further into it.
But under that intense scrutiny, Tsuna’s head shook slightly. He trembled at the thought of lying under that severe gaze. He hadn’t grown to the point of being able to lie to Reborn.
In the depths of his translucent pupils, a coagulated stream of black magma seemed to flow. Reborn half-squinted, rapidly piecing together and connecting clues in his mind. If it was someone forcing themselves on him, he knew his student hadn’t become so weak that he’d remain silent like a helpless girl.
Reborn understood Tsuna’s interpersonal relationships better than anyone. If there was one unstable factor…that is…
Cloaked in a black suit, the man exuded an oppressive aura that could freeze anyone. He pronounced a name.
“Rokudo Mukuro?”
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*Author’s Note: The tutor was really angry now. -YXF
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Next update: Tomorrow
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