The Arcobaleno

Chapter 25 - Her Decision

Anastasia drew in a shaky breath, trying to keep her trembling to a minimum as she settled into the armchair across her parents. She felt Renato settle into place behind her, standing vigil like a knight would to a queen. Both in reassurance and in the off-chance that she would need someone guarding her back, something she felt grateful for. Despite consciously knowing that it was highly unlikely that anything dangerous would happen, her instincts were screaming at her to keep her guard up.

"What's this about sweetheart?" Her mother uttered carefully, the concern in her voice prominent. 

Grey eyes glanced upwards, catching sight of the near identical concerned looks gracing not only her parents faces but her brother's as well. For a minute, the teen simply took in the sight of her current family. 

A breath left her, shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. Impulsively, she reached up her right hand to grasp at her pendant, with her return so did her connection to her Miods. Nowadays, their respective orbs would constantly hum with that bond, a silent way to let them know that they were together. 

It had always been a sort of comfort for her, back then and even now.

"I have something I need to tell you." Anastasia finally said, finally managing to force the words out of her mouth. "All of you." She added, staring meaningfully at her younger brother.

Hadrian frowned, but settled into a seat next to his uneasy mother. 

"I am Azazel."

The silence that followed her statement was brief before the room erupted with sound as both her parents and Hadrian rushed to speak over one another.

"What?!—"

"Seriously?!"

"That time back then— that was you?!"

"That is so cool!"

Anastasia blinked, disbelief obvious on her face. Behind her, Reborn had aimed a pointed look at Hadrian; the culprit for the last heard sentence, who was sheepishly rubbing at his neck. "What?" He raised his hands defensively, at the hitman's raised eyebrow. "It is cool okay! Imagine having Azazel as a sister okay, imagine being related to one of the most powerful Meister in history! Wouldn't you be excited too?"

Anastasia let out a small giggle at her brother's response while Reborn simply let out a knowing smirk, remaining silent throughout the entire interaction. Next to Hadrian, her mother shook her head exasperatedly, as her father pinched at the bridge of his nose, looking upwards as if praying for strength. All the while, her brother's face has yet to shift from barely held back excitement. When it looked like Hadrian about burst, her father intervened.

"You are serious?" The dark-haired man questioned, eyes staring evenly at her. Anastasia could feel how Renato shifted, ready to strike if necessary, the teen raised a hand to halt the tense hitman.

"Yes." She responded, head held high, an orange tint in her grey eyes. "That's why those men targeted during the mock-tournament back then."

"The government knows about you?" Her mother exclaimed, panic clear in her voice.

Anastasia shook her head. "The government as a whole do not. However, there is a man in the government who does."

Seeing the alarm on their faces the girl hurried to continue, "Don't worry, we've working to cut off the man from pursuing further 'investigations'. Not to mention no one would likely believe his tale about me, nothing concrete could be traced back to you or Hadrian. I've made sure of that."

The girl reassured, her eyes downcast as she shrunk in on herself. Behind her Reborn frowned, glancing worriedly at the dishearten girl. The hitman moved to place a comforting arm on the girl, when he was beaten to it by a furious mother.