〖JJBA - EN〗- Last Judgement

Chapter 69: Forgive everything and let it be.

Naples, Italy. September 27th, 1999.

[default: Italian / italics: English]

It was a very special day. And strangely (or not), (Y/N) remembered it very well. Yet no one else seemed to know. But barely awake, the young woman was busy preparing breakfast, large dark circles under her eyes. In the next room, Abbacchio had amused himself by listening to hard rock until very late at night, just to keep her from sleeping. But she wasn't even in the mood for revenge. Not today.

Bucciarati appeared in the kitchen, his hair already combed, and perfectly dressed. A weak smile traced his lips when he looked at the young woman, busy making coffee.

"Oh, hello (Y/N). What an early bird, you know it's your day off?

- Sure. But today is not just any day.

- It's not?"

He pretended not to know what she was talking about. Because after all, maybe they weren't talking about the same thing at all. He wanted to avoid this embarrassment. But she pushed his chair back and gestured for him to sit down. So his hopes were high. Especially when she placed a full breakfast tray in front of him. He raised an eyebrow, examining all the sweets he particularly liked.

"What the...

- Happy birthday."

The young man's heart skipped a beat and he felt himself soften. He had done well to remain hopeful. After all this time, she remembered. And that smile she was giving him and that he loved so much was just for him. So he lost words for a moment, trying somehow to regain a closed and confident expression.

"... you remember.

- Of course I remember. I can even tell you where we were for your first birthday together.

- Really?

- Hiding in an old house to escape men who were chasing us.

- Mm-mmh, you took care of my scratches that day..."

Bucciarati displayed a slight melancholic smile, his eyes staring blankly as he remembered these memories. She sat down next to him, and he gave her a grateful smile.

"Thank you. I don't celebrate my birthday anymore, but I'm glad you haven't forgotten... Please help yourself. You've made too much for me alone.

- I was hoping you would say that."

In nearly two months of working together, their relationship had improved markedly. It was far from like before, but (Y/N) hoped that in time he would forgive her. She only asked for that. Which was pretty hypocritical of her, given her position.

"Say, (Y/N)...

- Mmh?"

She looked up at him, caught on the spot as she was busy stealing pieces of pancakes from his plate. He smiled slightly. Then his blue eyes fell to her lips and he froze, as if trying to resist his urges. And at the same time, Abbacchio entered the kitchen, attracted by the smell. (Y/N) stiffened and clenched her jaw at his mere presence. And Bucciarati corrected himself.

"Hello, Abbacchio.

- ... preferential treatment?

- If you want the same thing, Abbacchio, I can even add you my special ingredient: arsenic.

- Fuck you-

- Don't start, you two."

They fell silent immediately under Bucciarati's orders, who examined them in turn and sighed, rubbing his temples.