"Well then, both of you... what exactly is this perfume you're making?" Giotto sat cross-legged with his arms folded in front of them. After allowing them to bathe and change, the two now sat kneeling before him. Old Man Talbot sat on the porch, playing happily with Fuwa—their playful barks and laughter a sharp contrast to the heavy silence between the other three.
"Lord Giotto, the thing is..." Ugetsu began. "It's a perfume..."
"Forgive me, Ugetsu, but I'd like to hear Leyla speak first," Giotto interrupted. Saya felt a jolt of anxiety. Ugetsu realized there was no way to help her if Giotto remained this firm.
"I... I was just making a fabric spray," Saya answered hesitantly, keeping her head down while stealing glances at his reaction. "In my hometown, when we hang clothes outside, we use this kind of liquid to spray them."
Even if the formula is different, it still kills germs! she added in her mind.
"Interesting. And so you just decided to try making it yourselves?" Giotto's eyes narrowed as he radiated an intimidating aura. "Using sake, wine, and... vinegar?"
"Well... it was actually my first time trying it alone, so I made some mistakes," she bit her lip as he continued to stare at her intensely. "In the methods I've seen, you have to heat camphor with pungent liquids like alcohol or vinegar first."
Camphor dissolves in alcohol, she thought. But if I speak of things people of this era don't know, it might stir too much suspicion or change destiny too drastically.
Saya had decided that, at the very least, she wanted to save this city from the plague. In history, during the Great Plague of Milan, there was one city whispered to have almost zero deaths.
That city was Ferrara in northern Italy.
Their legendary success would eventually become a foundation for European hygiene, urban planning, and strict quarantine protocols. Saya intended to apply the Ferrara method—burning aromatic wood to treat clothes and using body washes—starting with Ugetsu's house.
But she wanted to make it easier and more comprehensive, which is why she tried to create this "perfume." She wanted to keep Vongola safe.
If I am the falling star of change, I should try to challenge the comet of pestilence. Since the story has come this far, I'll protect the Vongola Family! Surely it won't change the timeline too much.
By the time I go back, I might have enough knowledge to start my own brand of perfume and women's products. Learning this won't hurt!
"And so you put it over a fire?" Giotto questioned. "Do you think boiling it with those things will make it dissolve? I think... you're doing it the wrong way."
"Mr. Giotto, I'm only doing what I've seen before," Saya said, her eyes flashing with a refusal to back down. "We don't know until we experiment, do we?"
"In that case, explain the method in detail," the young man demanded. "Even though I've tasked Ugetsu with guarding you, if there is an increased risk to him, I will have to reconsider how we protect you."
Saya choked back a breath. He didn't look away from her for even a second.
"Giotto," Ugetsu spoke up. "I believe she had no ill intent toward me."
"I know that," Giotto replied. "But between intent and actions that could be dangerous... Who knows if someone lighting wheat flour on fire knows it can cause an explosion? Having seen your pot burst into flames, how am I supposed to feel about what happened?"
"That's..." This time, even Ugetsu couldn't argue. Saya felt uneasy but braved the situation.
"I..." she started slowly. "First, the camphor must be dissolved. Once it's dissolved, we increase the volume. But I wasn't sure where to start."
"Then let me ask, why camphor?" Giotto pressed. Saya bit her lip, her heart racing as she wondered if she should reveal the truth. She closed her eyes, trying to find words that wouldn't trigger the timeline.
"Camphor can... eliminate contamination in the air. I mean, contamination on objects or clothes."
Camphor has antibacterial properties and helps with the respiratory system. And this plague is caused by bacteria.
How could she tell them the "Great Plague of Milan" was the Black Death about to erupt in two months? A disease with no cure in this era... people feared it more than COVID. It could kill within three to seven days.
"Camphor has been used as a medicinal base for a long time; it's used in incense and rituals in my country," Ugetsu added. "And Giotto, there was an ill omen in the sky last night. Lady Leyla saw my distress and likely wanted to help."
Saya's eyes widened slightly as she looked at the Japanese man. His eyes were determined, showing he truly believed in her intent, regardless of whether her method worked.
"An ill omen?" This time, Giotto took interest in Ugetsu's words.
"Yes. A four-pointed comet appeared last night—the comet of pestilence." Ugetsu then explained everything, showing his divination tools and the results.
Old Man Talbot, playing with Fuwa, glanced over. He caught sight of an orange flame appearing near Saya. The flame, shaped like a man sitting cross-legged, sat between Giotto and Saya, watching them discuss the comet while Saya listened in silence.
The flame smiled softly before reaching out to touch something in Giotto's pocket. A soft melody played, interrupting the conversation. Giotto pulled out his pocket watch. It was 4:00 PM.
"I forbid you from making any more perfume until we are certain it is safe," Giotto commanded. Saya went to speak but stopped when she met his stern gaze again. Ugetsu checked her pulse and raised an eyebrow.
"Your pulse is strange again."
"Little lady, come to the workshop quickly. Young Ugetsu's sword won't finish itself," Talbot called out. "Your flame is about to change."
"Ah, yes!" Saya excused herself and hurried toward Talbot, leaving Ugetsu and Giotto alone.
"You seem very worried about her," Ugetsu remarked, hiding half his face behind his fan. "Do you like her?"
"She is my responsibility, Ugetsu," Giotto answered. "I'm the one who brought her here."
"Then do you believe what she said?" the Rain Guardian asked.
"Leyla doesn't lie, she is sincere... but it feels like she is often hiding something, which makes me suspicious," Giotto admitted. "Sometimes, having too much intuition isn't a good thing; it keeps me on guard. Even if she has no ill intent, it doesn't mean the danger is gone. To be honest, I think she herself might be a danger to Vongola, both directly and indirectly."
Given that his future self sent her—with all seven flames, vast knowledge, and such beauty—Giotto wondered what his future self was thinking.
He liked her; even now, he found her captivating. But did his future self send her just because he liked her and saw her potential?
My future self must be out of his mind. Definitely. Yet, he didn't know how to send her back.
At that moment, the orange flame next to Saya sneezed and vanished. Talbot, seeing this, chuckled to himself.
"In my eyes, she is just a young girl," Ugetsu said. "Though we haven't lived together long, and she speaks beyond her years... the first thing I feel is that she is certainly not a bad person. As for danger, I think she's just mischievous and curious; she just needs a lot of looking after. Sometimes, she still acts like a child—quite innocent, even."
"Do you like her, Ugetsu?" Giotto asked. Ugetsu closed his fan.
"...She told me that if she were a Daughter of God and had to sacrifice her title to marry me... she wouldn't regret it."
"Giotto, you have the intuition. Do you think a person who has only met me for a few days, being alone with me in my house, spoke those words as a ruse to seduce me... or out of innocence?"
"...Ugetsu... you..." Giotto spoke in disbelief. Ugetsu only gave a gentle smile.
"In reality, she was only saying it to comfort me. Don't overthink it, Lord Giotto."
...
...
By the time the metalwork with Talbot was finished, it was nearly 7:00 PM. Ugetsu came to pick her up, but this time, they went to the mansion's dining room instead of his house.
"Your flame will change tonight, Lady Leyla, but we don't know which element yet," he noted. "Though I suspect it will be the Sky."
"The Sky... meaning..." Saya whispered. Ugetsu smiled. "Ah, Mr. Giotto, then."
"Yes. To prevent any accidents, I thought it best you see Lord Giotto first."
"...Okay," Saya nodded gloomily. Seeing this, Ugetsu added, "Lord Giotto is only worried about you. He may be stern, but he worries for you even more than I do."
"Anyone would worry seeing a pot burst into flames. I know that, but..." the girl looked up. "What I'm doing is really necessary. We just need to find the one right way."
Ugetsu was stunned. "Does that mean you won't stop?"
"Since we're in this together, please help me, Mr. Ugetsu," Saya winked and laughed softly. "I promise this perfume will make you feel much better."
"Feel better?" Ugetsu repeated.
"Well... I saw you sitting in the same spot all night," she said with a knowing smile. "Seeing that, I felt I had to do something. I couldn't help myself."
Ugetsu stopped walking, looking incredulous. "You were watching the whole time?"
The girl blinked, gave a sheepish smile, and looked away. "Yes... pretty much the whole time."
The young man was silent for a moment before turning back. "Let's hurry to the mansion. It's dark, and the dew is starting to fall."
"Yes," she said, walking beside him. Ugetsu stole glances at the girl, unable to hide a stray smile, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in a very long time.
...
...
Giotto was waiting at the head of the table, with G and Lampo in their usual seats. Kevin had a designated chair now, too—a wooden chair with a paper crown taped to it and his name written on it.
"Pedro made it for me, Angel Sister!" Kevin said, running to hug her. Pedro smiled at her, and Saya smiled back.
"Thank you very much."
"Sit," Giotto gestured. Pedro pulled out chairs for Leyla and Ugetsu. Once everyone was seated, the food was served.
"Oh, Mr. Giotto? I'm having some trouble with the translation. Does your room have a Latin dictionary?"
"I do. After dinner, come to my room to get it," the Vongola Boss said. He looked normal despite the afternoon's friction. Perhaps being an adult, he didn't hold onto it, but Saya found herself caring more than she expected.
Well, in time, everything will go back to normal.
Alaude and Daemon Spade were rarely in the dining room. Knuckle was next, and since Ugetsu had brought her, he joined the table even though it wasn't his scheduled day.
G looked between Giotto and Saya, as did Lampo, before the latter asked, "Leyla, is something wrong?"
The girl shook her head. "Nothing, Lampo. I just did a lot of things today."
"Really? Then do you want to stargaze with me tonight?" Lampo asked. "I found a great spot while skipping class."
"I only let you go because I saw you couldn't concentrate," G said while cutting his meat. "You aren't allowed to skip class unless I say so."
"Grumpy old man," Lampo muttered. Suddenly, a fork flew past his face. G, now forkless, wiped his mouth with a napkin as Pedro immediately offered a new set.
"Thanks, Pedro," G said.
"I heard your flame will change tonight, but we aren't sure of the element. I'll have to ask you to stay here until it changes," Giotto said. "For everyone's safety, including yours. I hope you understand."
"I understand," she said. Giotto sensed that while she agreed, she wasn't entirely at ease.
"Then, for everyone's peace of mind, show me the results of your training," G said, flicking a Lightning ring to Lampo. The boy put it on and ignited a Lightning flame.
"Good enough?" Giotto smiled at G.
"You're still an excellent teacher, G. Reliable as always." Ugetsu clapped. "Congratulations, Master Lampo."
"Hmph, I'm your right hand. This much is expected," G said proudly.
"A cruel teacher and a show-off," Lampo grumbled before sensing a murderous aura and hiding behind his frying pan.
"Your reactions have improved," G noted. Lampo looked like he was about to cry.
"When you get forks thrown at you constantly, you have to improve! You show-off teacher!"
"Curse all you want, it's still a success."
"By the way... what kind of resolve did you use to ignite the flame?" Giotto asked. Lampo froze and looked at Saya. His face turned red as he sat huddled behind his pan.
Everyone in the room went silent, staring at Saya. She was stunned into silence until Kevin stood on his chair and shouted, "I'm going to marry Angel Sister in the future! I won't let Brother Lampo take her!"
"I've already decided too!" Lampo spoke from behind the pan. "I won't give up! Even if I'm not brave enough yet, I'll win her over, Leyla!"
"Uh..." The girl was speechless. She had dealt with similar situations before, but this was too fast. "I... I need some fresh air."
"Ah!" Lampo came out from behind the pan to stop her, but Saya had already hurried out the door.
"She's shocked," G said, lighting a cigar. "Confessing your love in the middle of dinner will do that. But I didn't think she'd just walk out."
"She's young, and her society might not be like ours," Giotto said. "It's not strange that she doesn't know what to do."
"I'll go..." Ugetsu started, but Giotto raised a hand and stood up.
The girl walked out in front of the mansion, breathing deeply. The gentle breeze helped her regain her calm. Her heart rate returned to near normal; she had simply been startled.
Suddenly, a smooth texture touched her shoulder. Giotto's black cloak was draped perfectly over her. "Dinner isn't over, Leyla. Aren't you hungry?"
"Well... I am," she admitted. "But I need a moment before I can go back inside."
"Is this your first time being confessed to?" Giotto asked directly. Saya shook her head. "Then it's because it's Lampo that you're at a loss."
"I can feel he's very serious, so I don't know how to respond. If I say something now, how will he feel? Will he overthink it?" she said seriously, not looking at Giotto. "Since he's using me as his motivation, it makes it harder to speak."
Again, Giotto was impressed. He hadn't expected such a thoughtful answer. "So you walked out because of the pressure."
Saya nodded. "I've never had a lover, Mr. Giotto. I've had crushes—admiring someone handsome or kind—แต่ไม่ได้ชอบน่ะค่ะ (but I didn't love them)."
The young man gave a faint smile. He had plenty of experience with love and lust in his youth. "I understand."
"Sometimes I want to know what it's like to truly love someone," she said. "But you can't force these things."
"You have to experience it often, trial and error," Giotto advised. "Intuition will eventually tell you. Some are lucky enough to feel it at first sight, like Kevin's father."
"Kevin's father?" Saya turned. Giotto sat on the grass, looking up at the stars. Saya followed suit, wrapping his cloak tighter as she felt a chill.
"Yes. His name was Anis Giordano, a clockmaker," he shared. "He met Kevin's mother at a flower shop. He was just buying flowers for a friend's wedding, but the moment he saw her, he said he fell in love with all his heart."
"Like Romeo and Juliet," Saya laughed softly, and Giotto joined in.
"Something like that."
"What about yours, Mr. Giotto? Your love?" The young man didn't answer immediately. He thought for a long while before turning to her with a gentle smile.
"I'd like to know that myself," he answered simply, his eyes soft. "Let's go back inside. You've had a long day; you need to eat."
"I'd rather have camphor," Saya teased. Giotto smiled. "Request denied."
He stood up, brushing grass off his pants. As Saya tried to follow, she felt strange, as if her feet were drifting off the ground. "Mr. Giotto."
The young man turned to find her floating. He quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her waist close to stop her from drifting away. Giotto held her tight, looking at the girl in his arms whose hair floated in the air as if weightless.
"The Sky flame. It seems it's the Sky element."
Giotto met Saya's eyes and spoke softly, "Is it... my turn already? It hasn't even been a week, has it?"