"愛"と呼ばれるこのゲーム: This game called 'Love'.

Summary: They've fallen in and fallen out of love. Numerous promises were promised by him, but never fulfilled. They both held undeniable attraction for each other. No one admitted it to them. It was then, at the darkest part of his life, she rescued him then he realized it so-he decided to pursue her, even if he regretted and had to fight off all the love rivals he had, even if he had to. Rfem!27. Semi-AU.

A/N: Yeah, I've promised this. So, here it is. Inspired by 'One Day – David Nicholls' (Book.) It's a touching tale. I've always been inspired by sad things, not happy things, I'm afraid.

Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or Starbucks. If I owned KHR, r27 would be canon! And if I owned starbucks, I wouldn't have to dream of drinking Starbucks every time I walk pass one.

Dedication: dream-of-silent-death: Happy birthday(belated or early)! This fic is for you, XD.

Prologue

"So Iemitsu's daughter was finally born?" Reborn stood there, replacing the bullet shells with new bullets.

"Yes." The ninth Vongole boss answered, clutching his sceptre tightly. Finally sighing in relief, he thought that he was finally assured that Iemitsu's daughter was safely born. Pursing his lips as he stood in the tall majestic teak wooden throne, he thought that he needed a guard for her, after all, she might be targeted with Iemitsu out and Nana not being able to protect herself and the baby.

He gestured for Reborn, who was sitting by the large dining table at the opposite end of Timoteo. Reborn stood up promptly, took his gun with him and stuffed it into his jacket.

He approached Timoteo with caution, eyeing at him with wariness. He knew Timoteo wanted him to do something for the girl. He could already expect bodyguard missions, babysitting chores that he would obviously refuse it outright.

The ninth placed a hand on his shoulders. Timoteo thought that Reborn was tall for a six years old kid, as he watched him growth. He grinned triumphantly and watched Reborn narrowed his eyes slightly. Timoteo thought that he would grow up to be a great hit man eventually, with thousands of female admirers, like he used to be.

Timoteo watches as Reborn slipped his hands inside his jacket, ready to morph his now chameleon into a gun. Black orbs darted to his sceptre, staring at it, and Reborn, as on cue, expected Timoteo to do this. Timoteo let out a sudden gush of huge dying will, so big that Reborn almost fainted. It was an everyday ritual which Timoteo would practice, but this time, it was different, the killing intent was there.

He did that yesterday on his birthday too, October 13th; though it was a very mellow one, and he reasoned it as being a birthday gift. Reborn thought that it's the most stupid and ridiculous gift ever, but chose to remain silent and kept stoic about this atrocious gift.

Reborn got back up on his feet, and dusted off the dust on his trousers.

Timoteo spoke to explain his actions.

"Reborn-kun, you've passed the test. Congratulations. I wanted to test whether you could take on this mission." Timoteo explained, placing a hand and ruffled Reborn's head-because he couldn't ruffle his hair, since it was covered with his trademark fedora.

Reborn chose to keep a discreet distance away from him now, a meter apart, he calculated, just enough time for him to escape. He felt his jaw clench, as much as he didn't want to escape, he would not survive the next wave sent my Timoteo, he knows that. He's still not strong enough. He clenched his fists. As Timoteo views the decision made my Reborn, he smiles, choosing to be vigilant was the right option, he knew it, he was the one made for this job.

"It's about Iemitsu's kid isn't it?" Reborn inquired, cocking his eyebrows.

"Yes it is. I want you to-" Before Timoteo could finish the sentence, Reborn finished it for him.

"Protect her?" Reborn guessed, carefully and slowly removing his hand from the jacket. The test was over, he confirmed, and was assured, by his intent.

"No. You are to be her fiancé. I've decided it." Timoteo declares, as Reborn's eyes slowly grew larger.

2 years later.

"Reborn? You've arrived at Japan already?" The long, quiet hallway caused the voice to be reverberated as Reborn walks silently, not talking unless necessary. Reborn could feel his eyebrows twitching in annoyance, but chose to ignore it.

"Yes." He repeated, losing patience. He didn't particularly liked Iemitsu, and knowing Iemitsu, if her daughter's personality turns out to be like him, he'd immediately object against this engagement. He already couldn't stand Iemitsu. If there were 2 of him, he would die, figuratively. He couldn't figure out him, why a mature adult would act so childishly.

Reborn had his head held high, as he walked to Starbucks. He was itching for a cup of hot espresso, hoping to calm his nerves before he smash his new phone because of that damned Iemitsu.

"Ahaha, Okay. I've just arrived at the airport. Where are you? I don't see you at the arrival hall." Iemitsu asked, letting out a laugh. Reborn frowned-it wasn't just his voice that he hated about him. He hated his laughter and the very existence of him. It was like he was born to hate him, but he couldn't explain why exactly.

"Starbucks." Reborn candidly answered, as he put away his phone to order his drink.

"Ah okay. I'm going there now. Don't move alright?" Reborn did not answer, he was simply frustrated now. "Hello? Reborn?"

Iemitsu muttered a curse before hanging up. Reborn smirked, satisfied that he could finally not talk to the idiot for a while. The teenage girl at the counter batted her eyes repeatedly when she saw Reborn. He was well aware of that affect he had on people.

"U-Uhm, mister, here's your espresso." Reborn grabbed his espresso and smiled to her. Finally, heaven, he thought. The girl at the counter couldn't stop blushing as she mans the cashier. Although Reborn was 8, he looked like he was 13 now. He can't help it if he looked more mature than his age.

Reborn then stepped outside Starbucks, waiting for Iemitsu. He leaned against the glass of the store, feeling lazy.

He looked straight into the black drink, thinking about the future, just as he was deep in his reverie, a voice broke his string of thoughts.

"Reborn! It's been awhile!" Iemitsu exclaimed, enthusiastic. Reborn contained his 'tsk' and gulped the last of his espresso, aiming and throwing it in the bin a meter away from his reach.

Iemitsu had apparently brought his wife along, as well as someone he had never seen before. It was a girl, probably his daughter. She was hiding behind Iemitsu's wife, hugging her legs tightly.

"Reborn! You've grown taller again! Are you really only 8 years old?" Iemitsu questioned, smiling. Reborn resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Reborn ignored his question but greeted the woman known as Iemitsu's wife, Nana Sawada.

"Ah ah, let me introduce you my daughter, Tsunaruhime." Iemitsu said, and went behind his wife's legs to pluck and force his daughter out of the embrace with his wife's legs.

"Tsuna, this is Reborn, your future husband. Reborn, meet Tsuna, my cute daughter and your future wife, do take care of her or I'll kill you!" Iemitsu introduced while Reborn's gaze fell on the puff of brown hair.

She had gravity defying hair covering her crown, though the rest of her hair was straight and long. The girl slowly gazed into Reborn's black irises, and as they lock eyes, something was certain between them both. Reborn felt something unexplainable overwhelm him, something he never quite experienced before in his whole life. Her caramel eyes… held something.

For a moment, Reborn thought it was charisma. Then he realized, it wasn't it.

For the first time in his life, Reborn felt his lips curved into a smile, and that breath-taking smile was what made Tsunaruhime gave him a shy smile in return. There was no words needed, but all that was need was eye contact.

That instant, was the turning point of their lives, for the better or for the worse.

/End Prologue/

E/N: How was it? I'm so into this fic now, after the prologue, omg. I'll definitely be uploading chapter 1 soon, if you guys think I should continue.