16 Chapter 16: Thugs?

Following their previous encounter, the trio decided to grab a bite at a nearby fast-food joint. Midorima ended up tagging along. Tsuna opted for a BigMax, Kuroko chose a Vanilla shake, and Midorima ordered a Vegetarian Egg MaxMuffin.

As Tsuna munched on his burger, he turned his attention to Kuroko and inquired, "Hey Tetsuya, what made you train so late? Your dedication is impressive."

Taking a moment to respond, Kuroko answered, "Well, I'm not exactly blessed with natural talent in basketball. So, hard work is my way of trying to get better."

Kuroko's response elicited a nod from Tsuna, who had previously informed Kuroko he preferred not to use last names outside of formal occasions.

"I see," Tsuna replied thoughtfully, recognizing Kuroko's commitment. Meanwhile, Midorima maintained a quiet demeanor, watching the exchange.

Tsuna's next statement, however, was direct, almost blunt: "You know, Tetsuya, you may not be physically strong and your fundamentals might be lacking..."

Kuroko cast his eyes downward at Tsuna's frank assessment, and Midorima seemed taken aback by Tsuna's straightforwardness. It was not within their culture to speak so bluntly like this. He was well aware Tsuna was speaking the truth, but the words still stung a bit.

"But your training approach could use some adjustment. While you can build technical finesse that capitalizes on your low presence, remember that strong basics are the foundation."

While Tsuna respected Kuroko's hard work, he believed that refining fundamental skills was crucial before delving too deeply into technical aspects. He understood that a strong physical foundation was essential for any athlete's success.

As Tsuna continued to explain his points, Kuroko's eyes widened with surprise. While his words were a bit painful to hear, Kuroko couldn't deny the truth in them. He couldn't argue with the facts Tsuna was laying out.

Then, a sudden realization hit him. Tsuna's critique had sparked an idea in his mind. Could his low presence, which had always been seen as a disadvantage, actually be turned into a weapon? The thought of dribbling the ball undetected by opponents ignited a spark of excitement within him.

Swiftly downing the rest of his shake, Kuroko stood up, his decision made. He bid his farewell to Tsuna and Midorima.

"Thank you for the insight, Kazama-kun," Kuroko expressed his gratitude before leaving the two behind.

As Kuroko departed, Tsunayoshi pondered, "Did I come off too strong?"

If Tsuna had known that his words had triggered Kuroko's unconventional idea, he might have been left quite speechless. That wasn't exactly what he intended to convey.

Meanwhile, Midorima looked at Tsunayoshi and commented wryly, "...Even though your critique wasn't directed at me, it was still pretty intense."

He shook his head slightly while adjusting his glasses, his focus quickly returning to his meal. Kuroko's epiphany hadn't particularly concerned Midorima, who was more engrossed in his food.

"...Yeah, maybe I came on a bit too strong," Tsuna admitted after a brief silence.

Midorima, focused on his food didn't respond verbally. He agreed with Tsuna's sentiment, though. What Tsuna had told Kuroko was intended for Kuroko's improvement. Tsuna offered valuable advice; if Kuroko couldn't take it well, it was on him.

'He's actually giving out a favor to help others with their skills,' Midorima thought, mildly impressed by Tsuna's willingness to share his insights.

Midorima's gaze shifted to Tsuna, who seemed to relish his burger with unusual intensity. He couldn't help but ask, "...Aren't you accustomed to eating burgers in the US?"

Tsuna's expression softened as he smiled in reminiscence.

"No, not really. My family was very strict about my diet, so I never really had any."

The memories of his past life overlapped with this one. Even before, Tsuna rarely indulged in fast food due to its unhealthiness, and he had the luxury of having a personal nutritionist and dietary expert as he also trained very hard in martial arts.

"Interesting," Midorima commented.

After Kuroko left, Tsuna and Midorima conversed for a while longer. Eventually, they parted ways, heading home in different directions.

Walking leisurely down the street, Tsuna gazed up at the sky, relishing the simple pleasure of a carefree stroll. A gentle smile graced his lips, showing his contentment.

However, a frantic cry from a nearby alley abruptly shattered the peaceful ambiance.

"Help! No, stop!"

Tsuna's expression turned serious as he turned his attention towards the alley. "Should I call the police?" he mused aloud, although he doubted that dialing 911 would be the most effective course of action here. Trusting in the relatively safe environment of Japan, Tsuna quickened his pace and headed towards the source of the distress.

As he approached the alley, Tsuna caught sight of a familiar pink-haired girl. She appeared to be cornered by a group of teenagers who seemed to be high school students.

Without hesitation, Tsuna closed the distance between himself and the group, his concern for the girl outweighing any fear of potential danger.

One of the teenagers seemed uncertain and questioned the leader, "...Are you sure about this?"

Hearing this, the leader scoffed, "What's the big deal? There are no security cameras here. And you've messed around with random girls before, right?"

"But most of the other times, they were drunk. This girl isn't."

Another teenager gave the hesitant one a slap on the back, chiming in, "Come on, does it really matter?"

As this unsettling conversation played out, Momoi, who had been listening, was utterly terrified. Overwhelmed by fear, tears rose in her eyes, and she felt helpless.

"I thought Japan was supposed to be safe. I guess I was wrong."

Suddenly, an unexpected voice broke through the tension. Everyone turned to see Tsuna walking up to them nonchalantly. Recognizing the voice, Momoi shifted her gaze to Tsuna and immediately rushed to him, seeking comfort in his embrace.

Tsuna held her tightly as she cried, comforting her during this distressing time. Given her age, this kind of experience was undoubtedly traumatic for her.

"...Should we just get out of here?"

One of the teenagers, who had been uncertain earlier, proposed. The group's supposed leader shrugged and turned, appearing ready to leave the scene.

However, Tsuna was not about to let them off the hook so easily.

"You think you can just walk away now that I'm here?"

The leader stopped in his tracks upon hearing this challenge. He turned back to face Tsuna, a mixture of surprise and annoyance on his face.

"What did you say?"

"Ego can be a dangerous thing," Tsuna muttered in English to himself before switching back to Japanese. "I said you need my permission to leave."

If the guy's ego hadn't been so easily provoked, Tsuna might not have been able to intervene.

Given Momoi's ongoing distress and vulnerability, leaving her in this state could severely affect her mental well-being. Unfortunately for the guy, his ego had put him in a difficult situation.

"Satsuki, stay behind me," Tsuna instructed Momoi, who was still sobbing. Momoi vigorously shook her head, attempting to dissuade Tsuna from taking any rash actions. However, Tsuna reassured her through his actions, gesturing that she should trust him. "Don't worry too much. They're just troublemakers. I need to put them in their place."

Filled with doubt, Momoi could only stand helplessly behind Tsuna. She watched his back, which appeared broader and more resolute than ever, as he approached the group.

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