Maybe it was because things with Tsubaki had finally turned physical, but Tsuna had grown much more at ease when facing Tiona and Tione.
Tione's heart was completely tied to him—her worries came from the kind of love one holds for someone precious.
Tiona's affection, on the other hand, was far purer. Compared to Tione's more subtle expressions, Tiona's feelings were open and direct. Treating him like family—that was her way of showing love.
And Tsuna, of course, genuinely cared for both of them.
Perhaps it was because they had met early on, but he truly liked their honesty and cuteness.
Knock, knock, knock!
The sound of knocking snapped Tsuna out of the lingering scent of the two sisters.
The door opened, and Tsubaki stepped inside. She was the only one with a key to his room.
"Yo~ Still lost in the tender warmth of Tiona and Tione's embrace?"
A teasing smile curved Tsubaki's lips.
"No, I'm just… a little happy," Tsuna said with a faint laugh. "It means a lot, knowing they were that worried about me."
"Isn't that only natural? They care about you—really care about you. Of course, so do I."
Tsubaki crossed the room in long strides until she stood before him. Her tone was light, but her eyes gleamed warmly as she answered his sentiment in her own way—leaning forward and planting a quick kiss on his lips.
"Well? Did you feel your big sister's love?"
Tsuna paused, then smiled, nodding.
"Yeah, I definitely felt it."
Tsubaki laughed, sitting down beside him. She gently pinched his youthful cheek and leaned close to his ear.
"I heard all about your little show outside today. You took down an Enhanced Species with one blast, didn't you?"
"It spread through the Familia that fast?"
"Those Adventurers were just talking about you. You beat a monster far stronger than a normal Golem—and in such a flashy way that everyone's gossiping. You can't expect them to keep quiet after that~"
Tsubaki had overheard the Adventurers' chatter herself. Even if some parts were exaggerated, if even a fraction of what they said was true, the scene must have been spectacular.
"It's not like I wanted to fight that way," Tsuna explained. "It was the only option—I couldn't match its raw strength, so I had to get creative."
He then explained the situation with the Enhanced Species and the Spirit Embryo hidden within it.
"Pfft!"
Tsubaki couldn't hold back a laugh.
"You really are unlucky—getting targeted by those spiteful bastards so soon."
Her tone mixed sympathy with amusement, as though she pitied him and mocked the scheming creatures both.
"But you're amazing too. Even with just fragments of information, you've got them so scared they're scrambling to take you down."
"I'd guess it's partly because of what happened last time with Valletta's ambush."
"Ah, Arachnia… She's just as unlucky."
Tsubaki remembered the last time Valletta had tried to ambush Tiona and Tione, only to end up captured by Tsuna instead. Valletta had clearly been confident in her plan to seize the twins—but she hadn't accounted for one unpredictable variable: Tsuna's sudden appearance.
Tsubaki knew he'd only gone because the sisters had called for him. If not for that, Valletta probably would have succeeded.
But fate hadn't been on her side.
And given Tsuna's abilities—unique among all Adventurers in Orario—no one could stand against him, especially those who relied on underhanded tactics.
So yes, Valletta had been extremely unlucky.
"That's exactly why I said those people are vindictive. They never forget a loss. Those shadowy types will wait patiently, then strike when you least expect it."
Tsubaki scoffed at the Dark Faction's underhanded ways.
Still, she knew better than anyone that once they had someone in their sights, they would stop at nothing. Even Tsuna's spatial abilities might not be untouchable forever. She offered a firm warning.
"Tsuna, don't underestimate them. They're a bunch of rats, but they move frighteningly fast. They'll tailor plans around your powers—so next time, don't be surprised if they've already found a way to counter your space magic."
"Hmph. If that's how they want to play, then I don't mind showing them a few fun little tricks of my own."
Tsuna clearly took her warning seriously—but his tone also carried an unmistakable edge. If they wanted a game, he'd make sure they learned what being targeted truly meant.
Tsubaki could already imagine it. Whatever "fun little tricks" Tsuna had in mind, they definitely weren't anything the Dark Faction would want to experience. If it came to that, their organization would probably end up in ruins again.
"Tsuna, how's the situation at the forge?" he asked suddenly, realizing Tsubaki had likely heard the gossip from the smiths stationed there.
"My smiths are about to lose their minds," she said with a sigh. "In just one day, all the weapons and gear they repaired are falling apart again. It's even worse than before. But that's just how things are down in the deeper floors—those monsters are brutal. You can't really blame the Adventurers for it."
Not everyone could afford high-grade or Unbreakable weapons.
"This Joint Expedition is really just a test run, a way to gauge the situation in the deeper floors. It's normal for things to be a mess at first. Next time, before the expedition, I'll make sure they forge extra sets—sturdier, more durable weapons for rotation."
"I'm sure the smiths who want to make a name for themselves will love that," Tsuna said. "They'll finally get a chance to craft without worrying about material costs."
Tsubaki chuckled. "Exactly. Give them a challenge like that, and they'll jump at it."
"Finn gave them an extra day off," Tsuna added.
"An extra day?" Tsubaki blinked, then laughed. "In that case, I'd better go remind them not to stay up all night again. If they keep burning themselves out, half of them will go insane by morning."
She could already picture their despairing faces as they stared at the pile of broken weapons. Sighing softly, she leaned forward and kissed Tsuna's lips once more before standing up.
"I'll head over now. I'll come back later tonight."