Gianni: Gabriel... I know what you will s...

Gabriel: (He punched him violently.) Eye for an eye!

Gianni stepped back by the force of the hit. No one dared to move or talk. It has been a while since they saw their eldest brother in such anger. Gabriel badly glared at his brother for long seconds, but everyone understood that, despite his tense body, he didn't plan to punch more Gianni.

Gianni: I guess I deserve that one.

Gabriel: I think so too. (His tone was cold.) You went against Father's orders, and you injured her. You are an adult; how could you be so careless and do that to her?

Gianni: It was an accident! What did the doc say?

Gabriel: Fortunately, you didn't break her bone. The bruise will disappear in few days. (He looked at everyone.) No one can touch her without paying the price.... Accidentally or not!

Gabriel left to his room to take a shower and change himself.

Enzo: Gianni... you should put an ice pack on this...

Gianni: (He smirked.) Gab still has a good punch... (He touched his painful cheek.) I prefer to wait if Dad wants to add his own touch...

Upstairs, Salvatore waited for his daughter. When she was done with her shower and was wearing her pajama, he put ointment on her black eye. She tried to not frown when her father touched the area, but she couldn't hold herself. Salvatore kept a straight face but inside he was fuming.

Salvatore: We are going to have dinner and you will take a painkiller. It's maybe better if you stay home tomorrow.

Suki: I can go to school, I will put the eye patch, it's okay.... Otô-san... you will not punish Gianni, right?

Salvatore: He made a mistake, he hurt you, he has to assume it.

Suki: But I also hurt him... even if it's not visible, Gianni was hurt.

Salvatore: So what? Do you expect me to punish you too?

Suki didn't know what to answer, she was nervously playing with her hands.

Salvatore: I would be a very bad father if I punish my daughter for the reason you give me. You tried to protect yourself. You did well, don't feel guilty. Your brother was at fault.

Suki: If you punish Gianni... he will hate me even more...

Salvatore: I don't think that Gianni hates you... let's go downstairs first, I will take my decision later.

Suki followed her father and they found Gabriel in the corridor, coming from his bedroom, wearing a black jogging, his hair still wet. The young man exchanged a look with his father, and they went downstairs. When they entered the dining room, Gianni was sitting at the table. His cheek was red, and Suki noticed it. It couldn't be her father's doing, he stayed with her the entire time. Was it Gabriel? She looked at him, but he avoided her gaze, so she stared back at Gianni.

Gianni: What? Am I that ugly? Tinkerbell has a strong punch... stop staring at me like that, it doesn't hurt that much!

Salvatore: I hope that you will take your role as an older brother more seriously Gianni. You are supposed to protect Suki, not hurt her. I will not "punish" you because your little sister pleaded for you, but it will be the one and only time.

Gianni: I know that I made a mistake, and I am ready to face the consequences, but I still think that she needs to learn how to defend herself. In our world, a weakness like her is...

Salvatore: My daughter is not a weakness! (He spoke louder.)

Gianni: (He looked at Suki.) You know what I mean!

Gabriel: We can protect her, just like we protect each others!

Suki didn't understand why they were always talking about protection or danger. She lived in neighborhoods well more dangerous by the past and she never encountered specific issues, so why were they so worried? They were privileged people, with money and bodyguards. Even her school was for rich people.

Gianni: I know... but... look at her, small, frail, naïve... an easy prey!

Salvatore: I understand your concerns, I am her father. But even if I am glad that you are worried about your little sister's safety, I don't want her to learn how to fight.

Gianni: As you wish... she is your daughter after all... not mine...

The dinner continued in that weird atmosphere. When they were done, they joined the rest of the brothers in the living room. The little girl followed her father, feeling that she had to.

Davide: Brother, you really didn't miss her... she looks like a panda!

Gianni: Shut up! I'm tired, I'm going to sleep! (He left the room.)

Suki: I'm going to sleep too... good night... (She bowed and left.)

Dante: That kid...

Suki quickly went upstairs after her older brother. She stopped by her bedroom before going to Gianni's one. She shyly knocked at the door.

Gianni: Enter! (She opened the door.) What do you want?

Suki: Gianni... sorry... for your face... (She handed him the pomade.)

Gianni: Thanks, but it's nothing... you don't need to worry about me! Keep it for yourself.

Suki: Otô-san already put some on me...

Gianni: (He sighed but took it.) Does it still hurt a lot? (He stared at her eyes and knew that it did, even if she said the contrary.)

Suki: No... It's... not that painful now...

Gianni: Kid... you are not good at lying, so it's useless to do it!

Suki: Yes, a little. I am sorry... that you were punished because of me.

Gianni: I am the adult, so stop acting like one, taking responsibility for everything and go to sleep, it's late!

Suki: Ah... yes... sorry... good night...

Suki quickly left her brother's bedroom, not wanting to annoy him. Gianni looked at the ointment tube he was holding for few seconds. That little girl, that he rejected since the moment she entered his family, was the only one worrying for him right now.

Gianni: That kid is really stupid... (He smiled.) Ouch... it hurts... Fu**!

The night passed quickly. Suki tried to not sleep on the injured side of her face, but during the night, she woke up 3 times because of that. So, in the morning, she still had her black eye but also a tired look. Salvatore tried to keep her at home, but Suki didn't want to miss her classes. Gianni joined them during breakfast, and he put the pomade tube in front of her. She looked at him and the young man bruise was already barely visible.

Gianni: Stop staring at me like that... it's weird.

Suki: Your bruise... it disappeared...

Gianni: (He smirked.) I am not a fragile little doll like you...

Salvatore: Gianni. I don't think that your comment is necessary, knowing that you are the cause of this!

Gianni: (He looked at Suki with serious.) I am a fighter; my body is used to receive hits and it heals pretty quickly, so as I said, don't mind it, it was nothing... my private part suffered more...

Suki's red face showed her embarrassment and regrets to have hit her brother in his sensible spot. Gianni chuckled at her reaction, but Salvatore sighed heavily. He wanted to curse at his son, but he took a lot on himself because of his daughter's presence.

Salvatore: Suki, if you are done with your breakfast, let's go. I need to have a chat with that school director, so I'm driving you, as you absolutely want to go to school today.

Suki: Is it because of Mr Tanaka?

Salvatore: Exactly. We didn't have the time to talk about that last night because of that... incident... but I want to make thing clear with your school about that matter. That man has nothing to do with you and he absolutely has no right to approach you.

Gianni: If one of those guys try something, just kick them at the exact same spot that you did to me!

Suki: What? I could never do that!

Gianni: It's the best and easier way to take down a man!

Salvatore: Gianni, that's enough! Suki, let's go.

Suki stood up and made a hand sign with a small smile to her brother before following her father. She was surprised when Gianni smiled back.

Before leaving the house, Suki put on her face the eye patch gave by the nurse. She asked her father if it didn't seem too weird and Salvatore told her that even like that, she was still really cute.

They arrived in advance at school and Haru came to greet Suki and her father. He was worried to see the little girl with an eye patch. Even if Salvatore was, at the beginning, not a big fan that his daughter's only friend was a boy, he was glad that she had a precious friend that worried about her. The two children went to their building and Suki explained what happened to the young boy.

Haru: Excuse me Suki... but your brother are not only scary... but a bit crazy too!

Suki: (She chuckled.) I can only agree... even if most of them are also very kind... My brother Gabriel that you saw is the best.

Haru: The one that has the same eyes' color? (She nodded.) He seemed even more scarier than the other one who was super scary... I never saw the twins, but Vito is not the kindest either... I saw him fight by the past; it was crazy.

Suki: Really? Does he fight often? With Davide, they hate me the most, so I don't really approach them too much. But my last brother, Enzo is also really kind with me, since the beginning. (She smiled but frowned.) I have two kind brothers, two that don't like me but tolerate my presence for my father's sake and two that would love that I do not exist... it's not that bad...

Haru: Speaking of one who is not in Suki's team... (He nodded in the other direction.)... your brother just arrived with his friends.

Suki and Haru didn't stay here longer and quickly joined their respective classes. They would see each other in few hours for lunch break anyway. At the same time, Salvatore had a very explicative meeting with the school director. He apologized several times and promise that something like that will never happen again.

The morning passed really quickly, and it was already the lunch break. The two friends were looking for a table in the cafeteria after choosing their menu. Suki spotted Vito with his group of friends in the center of the room. They were laughing and teasing each others are always. Her brother's new girlfriend was sitting on his laps. It was still awkward for the little girl to witness such scenes.

Boy: Hey Vito... What happened to her? (He nodded, talking about Suki.) Is she doing cosplay? (He took a photo.) Look... she is just like that anime figurine... just the hair are a bit different...

The teenager showed to his friends the picture of an anime figurine wearing a school uniform with long black and pink hair, in a sexy pose. Vito didn't like the comparison at all.

Boy 2: Dude, that girl clearly doesn't have the same boobs!

Girl: You're gross!

Boy: (He was zooming on the photo.) I know but she still have a little something... for sure, a future beauty...

Vito, not knowing why, was fuming inside. Hearing his friends talking like that about that girl pissed him off, but why? He didn't care about that illegitimate kid, so why?

Mary: Vito, are you alright?

Vito: Hum... (He stared at Suki who finally found a table.)

Boy 2: (Their friend stood up and left.) Where is that idiot going?

Girl: That guy is a bit weird, no? Fantasying on imaginary girl...

Boy 2: He watches too much anime... I don't get what they found sexy in characters that look likes kids... pervert...

The boy went to Suki and Haru's table and sat in front of the two children who were talking quietly. Vito was observing while listening to his friends, and what they were saying reminded him of the incident that happened with Suki at Gianni's club. He had heard his brothers talking about it and that fu** had the same weird thoughts about Asian girls in uniform. Vito saw Suki and Haru's expression change for an uncomfortable one.

When Vito's friend sat at their table, Suki and Haru didn't understand what was his intention. The little girl shyly answered to his "Hi", not wanting to attract everyone's attention.

Boy: It's the first time that I see you from so close... you're really cute you know... and you have beautiful eyes...

Suki: ... Thank you... (She was embarrassed.)

Boy: You must wonder why I came to see you... (She nodded.)... You make me think at her... (He showed them his phone.)... Do you know that anime? (She shook her head.) You look exactly like her with that eye patch... if only you had pink strands of hair... brief... let me take a photo with you!

Haru: It's weird!

Boy: You shut up! I didn't talk to you! (He stood up and made Suki standing too.) Come on...

Suki: ... No... I don't want....

Haru: (He stood up too.) Please, she doesn't want to tak...

Boy: If you don't want to have your ass beat up, shut up!

Haru was maybe afraid of being hit by that boy, but he couldn't let his best friend being harass like that without doing anything.

Haru: Stop! Let... let her go!

Suki: ... Please...

Boy: (His smile disappeared.) You're ruining my good mood!

When Vito saw his friend standing and forcing Suki to do the same, he stood up too and went to the table. He couldn't bear to see that guy manhandling that kid.

Vito: What the fu** do you think you're doing?! (Suki looked at him with her shining eyes, silently asking for his help.) Let go of her and erase those photos, fu** pervert!

Boy: Why do you care? I thought that you hated her! And it's just a photo, I'm not a perv'!

Vito grabbed Suki's arm and pushed his friend. The teenager didn't like it and tried to push Vito too, but Suki's brother dodged him.

Haru grabbed Suki's wrist and they stepped back from the two teenagers. Some students came closer but stopped when Vito gave the first punch into the boy's face. The beast mode was on, and no one was brave enough to try to stop him.

Suki: ... Vito!!! (She looked around, but no one intervened.)

Boy: (He punched back but Vito barely moved.) Fu** you Vito!!!

Vito: (He attacked again and pushed him on the floor.) I hate fu** perverts like you!!! (He punched him several times.) I will kill you!!!

Suki couldn't retain her tears at the scene that was going on. Everything was her fault, again. The crowd dispersed when the school's staffs arrived to separate the students fighting.

Teacher: Stop that! Mr Smith, Mr Jones, our school is not a fighting club! (Vito stood up from his position, fists still clenched.) Mr Jones, are you alright? You should go to the infirmary.

Jones wiped his bleeding lips and badly glared at Vito.

Boy: I don't need to... it's nothing...

Teacher: I insist, please follow me. (He left with him under everyone's stares.)

Teacher 2: Mr Smith, why did you fight with Mr Jones?

Vito: Not of your concerns! If you want to punish me, do it, I don't give a fu**!! (He turned himself.) Mary!!

Vito's girlfriend came closer, and Vito grabbed his little sister's forearm and dragged her out of the cafeteria. Haru and Mary followed them, worried. He walked to an empty class and entered inside with Suki. Without a word, he lifted her to make her sit on one of the desk and took off the eye patch, surprising her.

Suki: Vito...

Vito: Stop crying like a baby! You're pissing me off! Mary!

Mary: Yes? (She approached and saw the black eye.) Oh shit!

Vito: Cover that with make-up!

Mary: I don't have make-up that can fit her skin tone! Her complexion is so white!

Vito: I don't care, find something, ask your friends but cover that! (Mary quickly left the room.) Fu**... you should have stay home!

Suki: I'm sorry... it's your friend...

Haru: She didn't want to take photos with him! It's not Suki's fault... so, please... don't yell at her.

Vito turned himself to face the young boy with a deadly glare.

Vito: The microbe has more guts than I thought!

Suki: (She jumped from the desk and put herself between the two boys.) Vito... please, don't hurt him.

Vito stared at her with intensity. She was so small compared to him, but she had the courage to face him to protect that boy. After few seconds, he turned himself and kicked one of the chair. The two children stepped back. Vito sighed to calm himself. He slowly turned himself again to face the two friends.

Suki: Vito... I'm sorry... I will explain everything so you will not be punished... I...

Vito: Shut up! You're giving me a headache! Sit and don't move until Mary comes back! Such a pain in the ass!

Suki and Haru sat in silence. Vito looked like a time bomb right now and the two children didn't want to test his patience. Mary came back after 5 long minutes with a bunch of make-up. She sat in front of the little girl and tried to cover the black eye. She was not a professional make-up artist, but she knew enough to do a beauty make-up. She applied different tint of foundations and even if it was not perfect, she succeed to dissimulate a little the bruise.

Haru: It's a bit... weird...

Mary: Hey, I don't have her skin color, I can't do better!

Vito: (He looked at Suki.) Why did you put the other stuff?!

Suki looked at Vito's angry face with questioning. Mary frowned a little. She was helping them, and Vito was yelling at her.

Mary: If I only put foundation, it's still too visible but with a full make-up, it's more natural.

Vito: The fu** it's natural! She's only 11! You made her look like a bit**! Clean that!

Mary didn't talk back even if she was hurt by her boyfriend's words. She knew that if she said something that do not pleased him, he will dump her without thinking twice.

Vito: Hurry up! Half of the lunch break is over already!

Mary: It's done... but it's not perfect so don't be mad at me!

Vito: Hum... thanks, it's better. You, go back to the cafeteria, finish your lunch, go back to class and don't create any more troubles! Understood?!

Suki: (She stood up and nodded to Vito.) Thank you... Mary...

Mary: Yeah... you're welcome... She is polite at least...

Suki and Haru didn't waste a second to run away from Vito and his crazy character. When they entered back in the cafeteria, a silence followed, and everyone stared at them. The little girl was not wearing her eye patch anymore and even with the make-up, she thought that they could see her black eye. She blushed a lot and looked down.

Haru: Suki, don't mind them... In 2 minutes, they will forget about you... let's sit, eat quickly and go somewhere else.

Suki smiled at her friend, and she sat. Haru told her that Mary had covered pretty well her black eye and that if people didn't stare at her from a very close distance, it was not visible. The little girl felt reassured. Few minutes later, Vito and Mary were back.

Vito's friend didn't show up during lunch break. After his passage at the infirmary, the school director was informed of the incident, and as it implied a Smith, he preferred to call the student's parents to send him back home. But Jones felt humiliated and at the end of the day, he waited for Vito in front of the school to finish their fight.