To Be A Normal Kid DISCONTINUED REWRITING

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen: Plots

There was a young man in the kitchens that Tsuna found himself being drawn to. The kid was only a bit older than him, but it was obvious that he'd been raised in the less legal side of society. The kid introduced himself as Jacob. His accent gave away his American birth and upbringing. It was a wonder how he managed to end up working for the Italian Mafia, but Tsuna didn't ask. It wasn't his place to.

Jacob had light brown hair that was styled in a bob. He pulled it back out of his face and into a clip as best he could. He wore the standard uniform of the Vongola Kitchen Staff, off white pants and jacket, but his undershirt was pastel yellow. His shoes were black cowboy boots and Tsuna assumed his casual clothes matched the footwear better than his uniform. As is the standard of all grunts, there were barely visible hidden weapons on his person, one being a handgun and the other being a dagger.

"You're a really nice kid, Tsuna." Jacob smiled toothily.

Tsuna, who had been allowed by the Head Chef to help with making food for his classmates and teacher, grimaced. "Not really," he said, stirring some miso soup the chefs had decided to make for their Japanese guests. Tsuna was proud to say that he was trusted to be in charge of that particular dish. "I'm a very selfish person."

"Oh?" Jacob was making an American dish the Head Chef had also approved of, "Pray tell?"

"Yeah," he was quiet for a minute, "I want to live my life, completely away from all this." The gesture and words were vague, but by the way Jacob and everyone within hearing range - which was everyone because all of the kitchen staff were listening in and keeping an eye on him in case they needed to take care of him - stiffened, he knew they understood what he meant. "I ran away from the two people I see as siblings because they had families to return to. I've claimed another sibling without actually asking his input first. I made him buy me a cat-"

"I don't think any of that's selfish." the older boy cut him off. "You said you wanted to live as a civilian, I don't see a problem with that. And the whole 'running from your siblings' was just to keep them safe, right? And the new one you claimed, I'm sure he's not upset. Have you asked him? Besides, if he was really upset with you, I don't think he would've bought you a cat."

"But-"

"Nope! The way I see it, you're not selfish. I'm sure everyone here will back me up, right guys?" There was a chorus of agreements from the rest of the kitchen staff that made Tsuna smile. "Though I have to ask," Jacob said, "If you wanna live as a civvy, what brought you to Italy? Based on what you said, you know about our profession."

Tsuna turned off the stove, the soup now done. "I had no choice. Reborn's newest student is in my class. I'm fairly certain he rigged the system so we'd end up coming to Italy. As for knowing, well, 'knowing' is a bit of an understatement."

Jacob turned his full attention to Tsuna, his dish of stir-fry - done as any American Chef would do it - also done. "What do you mean it's an understatement?"

Honestly, Tsuna didn't know why he was so comfortable telling Jacob this. He'd only know the eighteen-year-old for the better part of an hour! Not to mention, the rest of the kitchen staff that were all listening in. "My earliest memories are of the Estreno Labs." The pin-drop silence that took over was deafening.

After a few moments, the Head Chef cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to hear that, Tsuna,"

"No, it's fine. I'm sorry to have put a damper on everyone's mood."

"It's quite alright," the man walked over with a spoon, "You're a good cook. I would offer you a place on my staff, but I think you'd just turn it down."