Mikaël lightly combed his green locks, his calloused yet slender and smooth looking fingers slowly untangling them he stretched. The annoyingly high pitched shriek of his alarm clock right beside him didn't bother him, compared to the low purring of his flight engine before—

The memory made him narrow his eyes before he blinked, hazy yellow turned a bright shade of gold as he chased the sleepiness away. One hand gently rubbed his eyes as the other turned his alarmer off.

He pushed the cover aside, making way for his long lightly tanned from running legs and letting his feet into his fluffy cat printed slippers. The sound of his soles carefully hitting the wooden floor echoed as he blindly searched for the footwear until the sound of them swishing against the ground reached his ears.

He smiled, breaking into a yawn. It was four in the morning, his body felt sluggish and his mind numb. Why would he wake up so early? They had a tournament, the meeting was at nine, but as captain, he had to go earlier.

Whose idea was it to make him captain anyway— ah, yeah, it was Shuzocchi's.

Shaking his head, he reached the bathroom, a light chuckle slipping past his lips. The Italian styled shower, courtesy to his manager, seemed oddly tantalizing to the sleepy Mika in need for a wake-up call. He turned the water on, letting it fall as he dumbly stared at his reflection.

Smile.

Pinching and pulling on his cheeks to stretch and relax his face muscles, he pushed a grin on his face.

Genuine, genuine.

Massaging the now slightly reddish skin he forced a grimace before beaming dazzlingly.

Perfect.

Taking his pajamas off he went into the shower, the hot water greeting his sore and tired body.

Grabbing a sticky note from the yellow block, Mikaël hurriedly wrote down a word for his fast asleep housemate. Grabbing his duffle sports bag and key he didn't forget to steal one of the lying treats before stealthily exiting the condo and locking the front door.

He felt like a ninja. It was gratifying.

::

"'S that all we'll need?" the third year asked, his eyes going over the neatly written checklist before gazing at the girl's pinkish hues.

She nodded, refraining a yawn. "Yes, we already checked three times," noticing the usually cheery male didn't seem fazed she hurriedly added. "Ah, but we can look again, Mikaël-sempai!"

Lifting his golden eyes to meet hers once more he chuckled. His eyes crinkled, his lips curling up into a smile. He hummed. "Seijurocchi," he called, looking up to see his vice-captain speaking to another manager. "Come here."

Giving the template back to the second-year manager, the green-haired captain gently pushed her forward. "Could you go over the list with Satsukicchi one more time please?" Not waiting for the other to answer he beamed. "Great, then I leave it to you two."

He trotted away, leaving them behind to join Coach Shirogane. The man, as usual, overviewed the team with a fatherly yet stern gaze. His arms were crossed over his chest, enhancing the air of authority around him.

"How are you doing Coach? Not too tired?" Mikaël asked, his tone a tad lower than usual, probably from how early it was.

The grey-haired man hummed. "I am doing magnificently, Lamarre-kun," he answered evenly. "Are you excited? You seem restless," he inquired, his voice smooth.

Mika grinned, the flash of worry in his eyes cleverly hidden behind a thick veil of gold. "Of course, it's us third-years last Nationals!" His voice got an octave higher by the end of his sentence, and he couched into his fist.

"My, don't get sick Lammare-kun. The team still needs its captain."

Laughing sheepishly the third-year nodded. "Yes, Coach," earning an approving smile from the older man, he released an unnoticeable sigh. Silence settled between them, golden eyes darted to and away from the Coach's figure, unsure.

Shirogane raised an eyebrow, his eyes displaying both his amusement and apprehension. "A problem, Lammare-kun?" Though he already knew what the problem was.

Mikaël paused, his hand reached for his left earlobe. His fingertips grazed against the indigo gem of his jewelry, something he earned got from his mother's box, and he found himself calming down.

"Could I borrow some of your time, after the Nationals, Coach?" He inquired, unusually sober and devoid of even the tiniest bit of sham cheeriness.

Shirogane's eyes sharpened. His face more severe for an instant before softening. He hummed.

"Of course."

::

"Non, you don't have to come."

A sigh.

"It's alright. I understand."

"Don't worry mamiecchi. Take care of Francchi."

"Oui, oui, oui— Non! Don't ask Claudecchi, I'll—"

He rubbed his temples, silently inhaling.

"He's busy these days. I don't want to trouble him."

"Bien sûr, I'll ask a friend to take lots of pictures— Oui, and to film too."

"A girl? Oui, she's one, I mean— Non, we aren't like that!"

Knitting his brows, he refrained a loud sigh.

"A friend, I tell you she's just— You know what, I'm hanging up."

"What? Oui, oui me too."

A whisper.

"Yeah, I love you mamiecchi, Francchi too."

"—Oui! Now I'm hanging up for real!"

He rolled his eyes, simpering as he stared at the contact name before turning his phone off and stuffing it in his pocket.

::

"You're frowning, Mika-sempai," Shogo drawled from beside his captain. His brown eyes staring at the creases between the teen's eyebrows as his head rested against his hand for support. He smirked. "Unhappy 'cause you ain't playing?" he taunted.

Mikaël's sharp gaze turned more severe, flickering his golden eyes to the silver head he stared him up and down, before going back to the match. "I'm not you Shogocchi. I'm not playing because I decided to, not because I was told to warm the bench."

Haizaki's nose scrunched up in distaste. He clicked his tongue to look back at the match against Shōei Junior High. Frankly speaking, he didn't understand why Mikaël was so interested in them, or their captain to be more accurate. Sure, the boy, like Mikaël, belonged to the Six Kings. Though they had slowly been demoted to Generals and more recently Crownless Kings with his teammates' rising potential. He was sure their name would become Crownless Generals with how things were going. Haizaki didn't see the spark Mika noticed in the Iron Heart.

To Shogo, perhaps Kiyoshi was a good player. His physic was above average and his mental fortitude a bit impressive. He had good coordination and seemed like an okay captain, well Mikaël remained the best— cough, he digressed. Kyoshi was soft, maybe a bit too much for Shogo and whenever he saw the other grinning dumbly— even if he didn't get along with Murasakibara, much like him he wanted to crush him.

Shogo's eyes turned to his Captain and Mentor, and he sighed silently.

Giving out water bottles to the players Mikaël who, despite being captain, hadn't played once, didn't forget to congratulate them on their overwhelming— No, crushing victory.

His jovial tone carried his usual cheeriness and happy-go-lucky character, hiding the brief melancholy and guilt in his heart. Seeing Shōei's dispirited team leave the gym, he rubbed his earlobe, the cold gem calming his nerves. His eyes flickered to his team's Number Six, and he sighed.

"Captain?"

Gold blinked to gaze at absolute magenta.

"Are you coming to the locker room?"

He hummed, shaking his head.

"I have to take care of something, I'll take my bag and go," he paused. "Also, good job out there Seijurocchi!"

Akashi nodded, a sound of agreement slipping past his lips as he turned around, leading the way to the changing room.

::

"Before going on the court, I would like to say something," Mikaël began, eyes sharp and oozing with authority, daring anyone to speak up. A skill acquired from observing Nijimura for so long.

The players around him nodded. Though not all that used to this demeanor, they had already experienced it and seeing as this was the finals, they could understand it. After all, it was the last one for the third-years as Junior High students.

"Especially you, Daiki, Shogo, Ryota" he listed not adding any prefix to their names. His eyes rested on each one of them before going back to the team. "Kamata West Junior High isn't strong," the team smirked. "But they aren't weak either."

"Compared to us, their firepower is," he trailed off, mentally calculating the difference between his souvenir and present situation. "It's negligible. The problem and their trumps are the twins. Number Eight and Nine."

Some heads turned lightly while a few pair of eyes flickered to look at the two figures. Both were less than 180cm tall and shared an uncanny almost creepy resemblance. Especially their mannerism, the similitude was kind of concerning.

"Them? Come on Cap' they don't seem that strong," Aomine barked, casually jabbing his thumb their way as he leaned his head on Kuroko's light blue hair. His eyes a bit dull, lacking their former light when he spoke of basketball. Mikaël felt a pang in his heart but quickly dismissed the matter.

"And that's true," the third-year confirmed, making the tanned player snort. "They aren't, but their goal is to make you fool. Then gain points. They'll rile you up, and before you know it you're out."

The three targeted second-years nodded.

"That said, Seijuro, Kentaro, Tetsuya, Astushi and I will begin the match. No is not an answer, got that?"

::

"Congratulation, Lammare-kun," Coach Shirogane greeted as the teen entered the teachers' lounge and walked up to his office. "On winning the Nationals."

Mikaël dipped his head in acknowledgment before beaming and bowing, greeting the Head Coach. "Thak you, Coach."

Shirogane hummed, his wrinkled hands expertly skimming through his papers before putting them away in a drawer. He reached for a new blank sheet of paper and took his fountain pen. "Go ahead."

Rubbing his earlobe, Mikaël swallowed. "It's about my future—"

Coach Shirogane nodded, humming in encouragement as his pen glided against the white sheet.

"—And basketball."

Shirogane's movement didn't stop, like flowing water he continued to taint the blank paper with black ink. The silence stretched between the two and at last, the much older man's writing stopped. Closing his metallic blue fountain pen, he gently set it aside.

Hands crossed over his desk, he carefully nested his chin atop of them. His face broke into his default fatherly smile, and he hummed, eyes crinkling.

"I already know, Lammare-kun," he reassured. "How long do you think I have been watching over you?"

::

Pink petals fluttered under the cool spring breeze. A banner hung to the school gate as a reminder of the graduation ceremony as students entered the school grounds.

Standing in front of the entrance, Mikaël calmly gazed at the building he called his school. A light smile was painted on his face, his eyes a strange blend of nostalgia. He felt troubled, unsure of how he should behave.

He inhaled, calming his nerves. His phone buzzed, sending a low vibration in his leg as he took it out from his pant pocket. Glancing at the sender's name he raised an eyebrow at his manager's name. A quick read, his lips quirked up, he chuckled.

Swiftly answering back he put his phone in his school bag and entered Teiko Junior High school. Clearly, this time would be the last.

A somewhat melancholic yet cheerful air to himself, the third year went to his class, his steps noticeably light.

Shyly standing before the older green head, the girl carefully stared at the ground. She bit her lower lip, her half-lidded eyes swimming with anxiousness. Inhaling sharply, probably to give herself courage, she bowed.

"Please Mika-sempai, could I have your second button?" She inquired, her posture stiff as she anxiously waited for the other to answer her.

"I'm sorry Fujioka-san, I already have someone."

Her back turned stiffer, she shakily exhaled. "I see... I wish you well Senpai!" She bade before running away, probably to regroup with her friends.

Left alone Mikaël sighed. How many girls had come to him already? He didn't remember it being so bothersome in his former life, or maybe he didn't find it as troubling before. Who knew?

Gently combing his short locks of green, he let his hand slide to his earlobe, gently rubbing the indigo gem to soothe his nerves.

"мгла," he murmured eyes closed, his mood pensive as he remembered the engraved letters on the earing's cold silver rim.

The sound of a branch snapping brought him back, his eyes shifted from dull indigo to a bright gold shade.

"Ah, I was looking for you!" The intruder exclaimed in a reprimanding tone. "Coach Shirogane requested for you."

Mikaël's gaze softened at the sight of his underclassman. His lips curved into a genuine smile as he refrained a chuckle. His eyes crinkled happily, the deep melancholy carefully hidden behind a thick veil of gold.

"Sure, I'll go right now," he promised, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he walked up to the other teen. Standing in front of the other he paused. His golden eyes met the other's bright pupils, and he found himself entranced.

Much like every time he used to stare into those deep colorful pools.

His right hand, which was in his pocket, contracted into a fist before relaxing and fishing through his pant pocket. He felt a somewhat chilly and smooth surface against his fingertips, his heart constricted before wildly drumming against his chest.

"Here," he said, letting the small object fall into the other's hand who took them out reflexively. "A present," he whispered.

Not giving the other another glance, he spared them a slightly pained smile before setting off to the Head Coach.

Taken aback by the unexpected gesture, the teen dumbly stared at the dark brown button. A deprecative smile rose to their lips. What?

::

"Мой господин, a letter from Sir Timoteo," A short-haired lady announced as she walked up to the dignified blond.

The man sat at an imposing desk, a thick stack of paperwork stood proudly before him as he carefully read over some armament documents. His right hand, not far from his quill and seal gently tapped against the wooden surface, unbothered by the girl's entrance.

Undeterred Natalia, his secretary, and guardian stopped before his desk. As her position allowed her, she had already opened and read the letter. Carefully placing the envelope at the edge of her Boss' desk she straightened her posture. The blond, Aleksey had changed document, putting the previous one in his trash pile.

"It appears Federico Ferrino, the third person in the line of succession to the Vongola Famiglia was found dead a week ago. The circumstances are unknown, only his bones remained," she cleared her throat. "As of now Enrico Fermi, Massimo Ranieri, and Federico Ferrino, Sir Timoteo's direct successors were all declared K.I.A."

Her brown eyes flickered to gauge her Boss' reaction, seeing none at the death of his distant cousins, she proceeded. "From this point, the number of successors has considerably diminished. Sir Xanxus, though he is a suitable candidate cannot be considered. Мой господин, as a direct descendant, though not from the current Boss, it seems your name was evoked."

She paused, cautiously waiting for the platinum blond, almost silver-haired man to answer.

He put the file he read down, reclining in the black quilted armchair he languidly crossed his legs. His hands resting on his knees, he gave off a regal air as he stared down on his guardian. A flash of dark orange coursing through his golden eyes, his face as cold as one could be.

"Is that so?"

Natalia nodded.

"But I am not interested," he paused, eyes glinting a ferocious scarlet as his face remained entirely blank. "Don't they already know?" he inquired, his tone dropping as the sound of statics, slowly echoed in the room. The temperature appeared to sink a few degrees.

Refraining the chill, Natalia nodded, bowing.

"They do, they are looking into the possibility of another heir into a distant descendant of the first Vongola Boss, Lord Giotto."

"Another cousin?" Aleksei wondered aloud, his voice even as his face displayed mild curiosity at the idea. A grin crept up his face, a flash of orange went through his golden pupils. "Look into it."

Natalia nodded, she bowed.

Her eyes looked up, and she saw her Boss was back to his papers. Turning, she reached for the silver-coated doorknob.

"Nonna, take these," he gestured, not moving from where he was as he pointed to a pile of documents. "Check them."

"Yes, Мой господин," she ceremoniously answered as she took the large stack of paper. From a quick scan, she could already decipher a handful of foreign languages.

From Portuguese to Spanish, which looked common in Europe, to more exotic and singular semantics like Latin or Ancient Grecque. She didn't bat an eyelash, long used to this kind of work. Exiting the majestic office, she swiftly took her phone out.

A single dial and her first task were done. Information gathering wasn't her field of expertise. Now, to read these documents.

Oui: Yes

Non: No

Bien sûr: Of course

мгла/mgla/: haze, mist, fog, brume 

Мой господин /Moy gospodin/: My lord 

This chapter was a bit longer (and boring?) than usual, but it had to be done! 

Teiko Arc is now over, the next chapter should be a bit more on the KHR side than the previous ones.

Thanks for reading^^