Gokudera had no idea that while he was stealing a kiss from Saya, someone was watching from the shadows. The brown-haired boy didn't dare open the door until it was over. Gokudera did nothing more, and Saya remained fast asleep, unaware of the secret vow taken in the quiet room.
Tsuna stood in a daze, his fists clenched tight before he forced himself to relax. He refused to give up, even to his most loyal friend. Something inside him was burning—a restless, frantic desire that he struggled to suppress. He took a breath, calmed himself, and knocked on the door.
"Tenth!" Gokudera stood up instantly. "How can I help you, sir?"
"I was just passing by," Tsuna said with a calm face. "Wanted to see if Squalo was still causing trouble for Saya."
"Squalo is with Hibari, Tenth." Gokudera looked flustered, his restlessness obvious to Tsuna's sharp intuition. "I... I need to find Shamal. Please look after her for me."
As Gokudera hurried out, Saya stirred and woke up, rubbing her eyes. "Tsuna-kun?"
"I'm just checking in," Tsuna smiled. "Want to wash your face and go for a walk?"
"Sure! I've been watching movies until my eyes are blurry," she giggled and headed to the bathroom.
They walked to a quiet park nearby. Saya sat and scattered breadcrumbs for the pigeons. "Tsuna-kun, I have a question," she began. "When I was asleep, I felt like I heard your voice. You always find me right before my Sky Flame erupts. Is that a special ability?"
"I feel it when you call," Tsuna admitted. "Dino feels it too. We're connected somehow."
"I saw someone in my dream too," she whispered. "A man who looked like he was waiting for something fun to happen. And... I saw someone like a 'Black Hole' of the Sky. It was terrifying, like the whole universe was being sucked in."
Tsuna looked at the worry in her navy-blue eyes. "I don't know who they are, but Vongola will protect you, Saya-chan. I will protect you."
"Thank you, Tsuna-kun. But don't overstrain yourself. We don't even know who we're up against."
"I'll be careful," he promised. "By the way, Saya-chan... who are Knuckle, Ugetsu, and G?"
"They are the First Generation Guardians," Tsuna explained, taking off his Vongola Gear. "They've passed away long ago, but their will remains in these rings. Want to talk to the one inside?"
He took her hand gently and slipped the ring onto her finger. "I want to see what he has to say to you."
The world shifted instantly. The park vanished, replaced by a magnificent garden filled with red and white roses—the very garden from her dream where an older Tsuna had proposed.
"Vongola has a tradition of proposing in this garden," a voice spoke from behind. "It is said to bless a couple with eternal love."
Saya turned to find a golden-haired man who looked remarkably like an older Tsuna. His orange eyes were gentle, his attire noble and classic.
"We finally meet, Lela." He gave her a smile filled with complex emotions.
"Are you the First Vongola Boss?" Saya asked, stepping closer. "Why do you look so sad? Is something wrong?"
The man didn't answer. He reached out with a black-gloved hand and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "Stay strong, Lela. No matter what happens next... stay strong."
"How can you tell me to be strong when you look like you're in so much pain?" she asked softly.
The man could no longer restrain himself. He pulled her into a tight embrace. Saya, though confused, hugged him back and patted his back gently. "I don't know who you are or what you've faced... but it must have been so heavy, right?"
"I am Giotto," he whispered. "The founder of the Vongola Family. My friends call me Giotto... and they call you Lela."
He pulled back, his face regaining its composure. "Keep the ring for now. You won't be able to use its full power since you aren't the leader, but let me, the Decimo (10th), and Vongola help you."
"Decimo?" Saya tilted her head. Giotto laughed softly. "You'll understand soon enough."
He knelt before her, taking her hand and bringing it close to his lips.
"In my name, 'Giotto,' the First Vongola Leader... I grant the temporary right to wear the Sky Ring to Lela Starfield for the sake of healing and protection. This right remains until the healing is complete."
He kissed the back of her hand tenderly. "No matter what... I... Lela..."
The vision faded. Saya opened her eyes to find herself leaning on Tsuna's shoulder in the park. The pigeons were taking flight against the evening sun.
"Back with us?" Tsuna asked softly.
"Tsuna-kun... I met Giotto. He told me to stay strong... and he called me Lela."
"Sounds like him," Tsuna smiled. "Hungry? Let's get back to the hospital."
As they walked back, hand in hand, Tsuna asked, "Can you call me 'Tsuna-kun' from now on? I want us to be closer."
Saya noticed his ears were bright red. "Sure, Tsuna-kun."
"Next time, let's go to the amusement park. To make up for Halloween. Let's ride the Ferris wheel," he promised, holding out his pinky.
"I... I'm scared of promises because I'm afraid of breaking them," she murmured.
"We just do our best to keep them," he said gently. "I only make promises I intend to keep."
Saya looked at him, and for a second, Giotto's silhouette overlapped with Tsuna's. "Decimo," she whispered.
At 2:00 AM, Reborn entered the room. "Lussuria, Squalo, everything okay?"
"All clear," Lussuria waved. "Squalo took care of some Nocturna spies outside."
Reborn hopped onto Saya's bed and woke her. "Saya... I have a favor to ask. For Vongola."
He pulled out a rusted, ancient pocket watch—Giotto's watch. "I need you to fulfill the destiny of the Vongola Family. If you don't, everything we know—Tsuna, Yamamoto, Gokudera—will vanish. Only you can do this."
"I... I'll do it," Saya agreed, though confused.
A Sky Flame ignited on her forehead where Giotto had touched her, and the rusted watch began to glow. The hands started spinning backward.
"You're going back in time to find Giotto," Reborn said as Saya began to glow with starlight.
"T-this is so sudden!" she cried out.
"Sorry, it's necessary," Reborn smirked. "I'll treat you to a massive sushi dinner when you get back, Saya-chan. Or should I say... Lela Starfield?"
"Call me whatever you want! In the end, I'm just Saya Tomoe!" she smiled as she vanished into the past.
After she disappeared, Tsuna entered the room. "Will she be okay?"
"She has to fulfill her role," Reborn said, showing Tsuna a photo of an ancient oil painting. It depicted Giotto standing beside a woman who looked exactly like Saya. On the back, in faded ink, it read:
"Giotto's Heart, Lela Starfield."