〖JJBA - EN〗- Last Judgement

Chapter 99: La Madre.

Naples, Italy. May 1st, 2001.

"You still have a choice. Swear loyalty to Giorno Giovanna and la famiglia. Or waive your rights and the protection of Passione."

One by one, the members of Passione knelt down to kiss Giorno's hand. Some preferred to leave rather than pass under a fifteen-year-old kid's orders. But la Squadra's mere presence in the room was enough to convince many. Passione watchdogs. Led by the one, the only. La Madre. (Y/N) Zeppeli.

"Please excuse my delay," she announced as she entered the room. "I had a few other things to attend to."

Immediately, she bowed to Giorno who couldn't help but smile. She gave him an amused wink when he motioned for her to straighten up. Dressed in a suit that kept scratching him, Narancia held back a laugh, until he received a nudge in the ribs from Mista who rolled his eyes. It was the handover ceremony. And as the new Boss' close guard, they had to be beyond reproach. (Y/N) stood behind Giorno and put both hands on his shoulders, while various men filed past to swear loyalty to him. At her touch, the teenager relaxed slightly, as if relieved that she was there to support him if ever something went wrong. She leaned over to whisper to him.

"You're handling it like a pro, caro."

Giorno raised his head proudly, putting his free hand on the young woman's to thank her. Some might say he was just another pawn, and as Madre of the Mafia she was the real boss. But the truth was that they needed each other now. She was Death, he was Life. Or maybe it was the other way around.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. No problem. Without stupid rebellion. And the wine flowed freely. Even for the youngest, whose low tolerance to alcohol did not allow them to remain serious for long. And while she was chatting with Lampone, her former team leader who had taken a few wrinkles since the last time she had seen him, (Y/N) suddenly felt an arm go around her waist.

"Mamma~," Trish said in a plaintive voice that betrayed the number of glasses she had already emptied. "Mista doesn't want me to put make up on him!"

(Y/N) chuckled lightly, before taking her little protege's face in her hands.

"Tell me, cara. Are Mista and Narancia in the same condition as you?

- I don't know what you're talking about!

- Sure."

Trish clung to (Y/N) like a child to her mother, while the young woman resumed her conversation as if nothing had happened. When, as if back from the dead, a very familiar face appeared in front of her. She raised an eyebrow, before giving him a small smile.

"Pannacotta Fugo...Nice to have you back with us."

He gave her a somewhat embarrassed nod, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment before Narancia suddenly clung to his arm, completely drunk. Trish suddenly escaped to run after Mista who was sneaking by to get another drink. (Y/N) stifled a light laugh. They were each as bad as the other. But they were finally happy, that was what mattered most.

"You are radiant."

That deep, almost terrifying voice could only belong to one man. She didn't even have to turn around, bringing the rim of her glass to her lips, a slight smile lighting up her face.

"Mercurio.

- (Y/N)."

Risotto faced her. He looked deep into her eyes, and she thought she saw a delicate smile curl his lips for a moment.

"I'm surprised you're not wearing your hat today.

- Prosciutto and Illuso kept pissing me off with this. Not classy enough according to them."