Chapter 108: If Mourned

Things that retain their original form, things that can only be called wrecks, things that are still new, and things that are very old.

Many ships that have run aground due to ocean currents can be seen as part of the island.

And among the tombstones and corpses of the warships themselves, the most conspicuous one is that heavy warship.

It might be a bit small for a warship, but it is still a size incomparable to other vessels.

The bow of the warship has already sunk into the island's pier, almost becoming a part of the island, and barnacles cover the outer walls of the warship, so it must have been shipwrecked a long time ago, though it is said to have rotted away. No impression.

Unexpectedly, this warship is not yet dead; perhaps it can still be used as a ship.

"Welcome, everyone."

In front of such a warship, a man and a woman, who seemed to be an old couple, spoke first with gentle smiles, leaving the surrounding students bewildered.

The old couple smiled to ease their confusion.

The old couple told the students that they were the managers of a hotel converted from a warship, and that there were three days left until the fourth Hunter Exam, so they should take a rest at this hotel.

With this explanation, the doubts, tension, and caution caused by the exam so far were instantly resolved, and the examinees let out cheers.

Sora also ran excitedly, trying to enter a warship that looked like a guest room, but before Kurapika could scold him, he was stopped by the old couple, "I understand how you feel, but don't be shy!"

"Please wait a moment."

"Oh, I haven't gotten the room key yet. Sorry."

"No, before that, I need 10 million Jenny as a down payment for the accommodation fee."

"…………Eh?"

A few seconds later, not only Sora, but almost all the students taking the exam raised their voices.

After waiting for a while, the old couple did not resolve the students' doubts and confusion in the form of "I'm joking," but just continued to maintain the smile they had at the beginning.

"Is this also an exam? Well, in a sense, this is the most Hunter-like exam."

Saying this, Sora jumped around the wrecked ship.

The old couple demanded payment for accommodation that would allow them to stay in a super-luxury hotel in Yorkshin for six months, and even though they were booed by students saying, "Can you afford such a high fee??!", they said there were treasures in the shipwrecks around here, so they would give them room keys in exchange for them, so no matter how I think about it, this is a practical exam for treasure hunting.

"It's not that there might be treasure, but that you are asserting there is treasure."

"……But even if I find it, I have to hand it all over to that old man, right? That kind of thinking doesn't motivate me."

By the same token, Kurapika jumped from one ship to another looking for a ship that had not yet been raided and might contain treasure, agreeing with Sora's words, while Leorio, who arrived a little later than the two, also complained.

Although he had a noble goal, the miser Leorio kept his motivation off because the money he found did not become his own, but he was simpler than a miser.

"Alright! Take it!"

"Whoa!? What! Sea Hanzo!?"

"Who is Sea Hanzo!!"

When Hanzo was diving in the seabed looking for treasure, Sora was surprised to find a glittering golden crown, and when he poked his head out of the water, he got angry as soon as he raised his voice.

Leorio watched the exchange between the two, thinking he understood his anger, and also understood Sora's sincerity.

"! That is the crown of Juro III!!"

"What!?"

Honestly, Leorio didn't even know which country Juro III was the king of, but he did know it was very valuable.

Since it was part of the Hunter Exam, they might have thought the treasures here were prepared in advance and nothing special, but if they didn't do well, these would be real treasures worth more than 10 million Yen. The moment he saw the physical object that might be lying there, he completely forgot the premise that it wouldn't be his even if he found it, and his motivation suddenly reached its maximum.

"Puh-ha! Hey, look, look! There's something like this!!"

And this time, Gon appeared from the sea surface, holding up something that looked like a cane with many glittering Stones embedded in it, showing it to Sora and the others beside him.

Kurapika, like Hanzo's crown, carefully explained: "The Sun that was originally intended to be given to the Queen!" Sora whispered before taking off his top and jumping into the seabed to look for more valuable treasures.

"Kurapika. That's glass, not a Jewel."

"I see. Then it must be a bed leg."

"Boha!"

Sora, a Jewel Mage with a keen eye for gems, discovered from a distance that the stones embedded in Gon's prop were not gems, and pointed out that Kurapika was indeed a national treasure; perhaps he didn't think so, and he easily agreed and corrected it.

"What are you doing?"

"……Who do you think is to blame for this, man?"

Kurapika asked with a dumbfounded look, unable to truly understand Leorio's eccentricity.

Just as Sora was clutching his stomach and laughing, this time, Killua, who was diving in the sea like Gon, suddenly appeared and said, "I'm going too!!" holding up a luxurious necklace that looked like loot.

"……Killua. Come here for a second."

Sora looked at Killua's voice and turned to him with a smile.

For some reason, the smile that seemed to make him laugh turned into a slightly awkward smile, and while Killua was confused, he obediently swam to Sora's side.

And even if he said, "Lend it to me," Killua still tilted his head and handed it over obediently. I know very well that he is not the type of person who would steal what I found, so I am not worried about his behavior.

Sora is certainly not a person who steals others' achievements for his own benefit.

But before Killua could ask, "What on earth is that thing?"

"Evil spirits, go away!!"

"Eh!? Evil spirits!?"

Startled by Sora's sudden fastball, not only Killua, who handed the necklace to Sora and shouted, but even the onlookers Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and the other students nearby raised their voices in unison.

And the person in charge, who even stunned the irrelevant people, replied with a straight face: "Yeah, yeah, I'm possessed."

"So far, this seems to be a Curse that increases the number of victims.

If I kill them, my Jewels will shatter, and I won't be able to pay for the hotel, and I hate killing people who are waiting for new victims to make things easier, so I'd rather let them sink to the bottom of the sea where they can never be found again. I think, but isn't that bad?"

Sora explained as a matter of course to the crowd who were stunned by his answer, and then tilted his head.

For this woman, exterminating ghosts might be no different from exterminating insects.

"... Yes, Assistant Karima."

Killua was told that what he thought was a Treasure, something extremely disgusting and dangerous, and he finished the story with a stick, as if he no longer had the energy to dig into it.

Gon and the others discussed it quietly and decided: "Once we find the Treasure, let's show it to Sora first." Or rather, the people who were watching the exchange just now, although they were meeting for the first time, had come from far away to see Sora.

"It doesn't matter, such short-tempered people are rare, most of them are just there."

"... Sora. That is not a follower."

After recovering from Sora's excessive exorcism (?), he continued to explore the wrecked ship, but from Sora's perspective, the subsequent actions deep in his heart began to inhibit his motivation in many ways.

If you follow me, tell me this is not a lie. Although I know there is no harm in it, I want to tell her I don't like her presence, but since she was born and raised in a world where she naturally appears in that area, it is highly likely that nothing I want will come to pass. Kurapika gave up and entered the ship that had somehow caught his attention.

I thought this ship was relatively new, but it was an old sailing ship with no machinery on board.

The damage was terrible, but there wasn't a single corpse that looked like a sailor. Or rather, there weren't many.

Thinking that other students had already taken something important, Kurapika stepped on something while preparing to leave the ship.

"!?"

I carelessly picked up what I had stepped on and muttered in a hoarse voice.

"... Why... child reply but... in a place like this..."

"? Kurapika, what's wrong? Did you make a Discovery?"

When Kurapika was stunned by the impossible, the impossible, Sora called out to him from the ship's entrance.

Hearing this voice, Kurapika came back to his senses, stuffed the Pendant into his pants pocket, and lied to him: "No, it's nothing!"

In the Pitch Darkness of the ship, I hoped no one noticed my obviously poor complexion.

This is unbelievable. This is impossible.

The fact that it is here should bring Kurapika the happiest possibility, but I cannot help but feel confused.

Because I truly know.

Just as Kurapika thought, this is impossible.

For the Kurta Tribe, who hide in a settlement deep in the forest, this is impossible.

The fact that something like this is here now is because it is a convenient dream for Kurapika.

Kurapika could not be happy, because he knew that the Pendant engraved with the Kurta Tribe pattern was not hope, but proof that this was a dream.

Kurapika sat on the bed in the guest room, staring at the Kurta Pendant found in the shipwreck.

Unwilling to look for other Treasures, he said something random to lie to Sora and left, took the Pendant to show the old Maid, and asked how long the ship carrying it had been on this island, but Kurapika anticipated it. I did not get an answer.

What kind of answer were you expecting at first? Kurapika didn't know either.

The contradiction of back and forth, like keeping a room when you can't find anything but this Pendant, I just need to be convinced that "this is it" without questioning it.

That's what a dream is. Yes, even if the subconscious tries to convince me, I just can't accept it.

The possibility that people of the Kurta Tribe escaped from the Brigade on that ship and survived must be like this. World dream then, even if it is true, Kurapika cannot accept it.

Because I really know everything.

The settlement of the Kurta Tribe is located deep in the forest. There is a river, but the sea is far away, and it is not surprising that you don't know of its existence unless you have a longing for the "outside" like Kurapika and go to investigate.

It is impossible to use a ship to escape from the Phantom Troupe.

Even if it is the same "impossible," if there were a Flame Soldier here, and they were participating in the Hunter Exam Together, or if the massacre of the Kurta Tribe had never happened in the first place, then Kurapika would certainly not have any doubts about this. dream

I was able to enjoy a temporary reunion in a world that exists only because it is a dream, because it is impossible, but everything here is nothing more than the possibility that there might be survivors of the Kurta Tribe.

Even in a dream, this is just a possibility, not reality.

An illusory hope, too illusory to return to reality.

So I cannot accept Kurapika. Kurapika knows that if he accepts it, if he finds happiness in that hope, then when he returns to reality, he will realize it will fall from his palm, nothing will be left, and he will feel despair. Reality dream unacceptable.

Kurapika's head was a mess of contradictions, and he had to admit that the reality before him was impossible, because he wanted to believe his dream was real, and he just couldn't help it. Looking at the Pendant in my hand, I couldn't help but think, "Impossible."

"Kurapika. What's wrong?"

"!"

Even if told it is impossible, if I think of a specific reason why it is impossible, I will realize this world is a dream, so I keep thinking about why it is impossible, rather than somehow denying this dream. And Kurapika did not notice.

I forgot that the room prepared for me was a three-bed room, and the manager told me my roommate might leave, I didn't know when that roommate would come, and didn't even notice.

She didn't even realize her roommate was Sora.

"... Sora..."

Kurapika hadn't noticed until he approached, looked down at him, spoke to him, and hurriedly clenched his palm to put the Pendant away.

Even if I hide it now, Sora has already seen it, and although I feel that doing so would be suspicious, Sora didn't say "What is that?" or "Why are you hiding it?" He said with his usual bright smile.

"When I was told I had a roommate, I thought if it was someone I didn't know I wouldn't like it, what if it was Hisoka, but I'm really glad it's Kurapika!"

There might be another person in the same room, but if you are here, I don't mind anyone except Hisoka. If it were Hisoka, I would take you to sleep in the field."

"... Ah. It is indeed a hundred times better than sharing a room with Hisoka."

Kurapika was clearly doing something suspicious, but Sora didn't mention it, just happy to be in the same room as Kurapika.

Is this just a convenient "dream" based on Kurapika's own desires?

Or would the real Sora do this too?

If you think about it carefully, this dream will turn into a lucid dream, and you will realize it is a dream, so Kurapika, like the Pendant, had the same indigestion problem when he bent down to answer her story.

While answering, he pretended not to notice the contradictions in his mind, but because he wanted to believe this dream was real, he could not accept this contradiction. Caught in an empty maze, I inadvertently responded to Sora's words, answering half-heartedly.

"Ah! The sea Wind feels good, it's just that my hair is sticky and disgusting!"

"... That's right."

"Has Kurapika taken a bath?"

"... No."

"May I go in first?"

"……Ah."

"I might be in there for an hour, but is that alright?"

"……Ah."

"…………Do you want to go in together?"

"……Ah………………!?"

At first, Kurapika was listening properly, but gradually he only responded with a Fixed "Ah."

"I think this is terrible, because you aren't listening to what people are saying."

However, Kurapika's anger was suppressed by Sora, and he wore a somewhat surprised expression.

It is my fault for not listening to what Sora says; if what Sora says isn't taken seriously, then that is Kurapika. I have no right and no authority to scold her, saying: "Mind your gender."

So Kurapika blushed and apologized honestly, "……I'm sorry."

"Mm, I don't mind."

Sora forgave Kurapika with ease, but she did not go to the Shower Room, instead sitting beside Kurapika to continue talking.

"Kurapika. I wish for your happiness forever."

Sora's sudden, Heavy wish was declared as if it were empty talk.

"So, if you don't want to say it, then don't say anything; you want to keep it Hidden, I don't want to expose it, I don't want to make you feel guilty, harboring guilt." Difficult times.

"Kurapika. The last thing I want you to do is give up the means to make yourself happy. So…… don't forget."

He told Kurapika why he didn't ask anything about the Pendant, which was clearly Kurapika's secret, and why he didn't forgive him for not listening to what he said.

Sora only told Kurapika that he could not forget or make a mistake.

There was no hesitation, no doubt, and no contradiction in his words; in his wish, Kurapika was able to accept and respond.

"…………This is correct."

She wanted her happiness above all else.

This is not a convenient dream you made. If you wake up, this is not a dream that will turn into foam.

That proof…… it was gone after the third exam ended, it should have been returned to Sora, but the Earrings hanging so naturally on her ears…… they are not a souvenir borrowed from an older sister, but they are Absolute-ly mine.

"Sorry for making you worry…… It's not that I didn't want to talk, but that I didn't know what to say, or how to say it."

"So don't worry. His thoughts seemed to be boiling, I'll forget about this for now."

Sora felt that Kurapika's words and smile had greatly lifted Kurapika's spirits, and she stood up again, revealing a brilliant smile worthy of that name.

"I see. That's fine. Then I'll drink hot water first."

"……And? What exactly are you doing? Coming in together?"

"Come in!!"

Kurapika was teased by Sora's words and blushed into his pillow.

＊＊＊

Just as I said to Sora, it is precisely because I don't want to realize that this is a dream; if I don't realize that this is a dream, I have no reason not to be able to accept it. Try not to forget that you have a dream. The Pendant.

However, once he gave up on this thought, Kurapika was helpless.

When Kurapika had nothing to do, all Kurapika could hear was the sound of the shower or the bathtub filling with water, and Sora's pleasant humming.

"……Don't think about it. Don't let your mind wander."

Kurapika lay on the bed, covering his ears and talking to himself. But if such things were easy to feel helpless about, he wouldn't have experienced this anxiety in the first place.

"……Mm, you idiot. If you hadn't teased me like that, I wouldn't have noticed. Honestly, you were already embarrassing, why say that? Even if I was joking, what would you do if I said 'come in'?"

Thus, Kurapika continued to vent his complaints, including unreasonable ones, which welled up from his chest instead of being able to mutter to himself, completely innocent.

I vented my complaints, blaming everything on Sora, trying my best not to let anything unnecessary appear in my mind.

On the airship after the second exam, after the battle with Hisoka in the final exam, Sora's balanced body under the jumpsuit that hid her body lines was spared from Hisoka's sexual Harassment. The subtle feeling, everything was so different from me, so soft.

Every time Sora was exposed, I felt shocked and unable to calm down. However, for other women, that level of exposure was nothing more than "looking cold."

When he held her, Kurapika kept trying not to think about it; just as he guarded against Hisoka, he held her tighter, just because he wanted to hold her.

If you think about it carefully, you would want to die of self-loathing.

For Kurapika, the level of cleanliness and innocence was on par with Sora's nature; merely because of the realization of "bathing with the opposite sex," he would feel guilty and self-loathing.

……First of all, Kurapika realized that Sora is the "opposite sex," which is fatal for Kurapika.

I don't want to be conscious like that.

After the second exam, on the airship, Leorio asked: "Do you like me as an older sister or as a member of the opposite sex?" I was sincere before, but now it's different.

But I don't know what the difference is. I don't want to think.

When you realize that this is a dream, if you give that "love" a name, even if nothing changes on the surface, just like the dream you are having now, you can only feel that happiness in the bottom of your heart, I cannot chew on it.

Because she did not see Sora.

To Sora, Kurapika himself is a precious happiness, even if he continues to be saved because of his existence…… because he is her beloved "younger brother."

Because there is only "younger brother."

Sora never thought of Kurapika as the opposite sex————

"Oh! I finally have a room!!"

"!"

I tried not to think about it, but Kurapika stood up from the bed, his voice unsure of whether he didn't understand the atmosphere, or in a sense, he read it best.

"Leorio?"

"Oh? What are you doing in the same room? Well, you don't have to worry about him more than someone you don't know at all, and it's best for Hisoka to sleep outside, so it's fine."

Apparently, the third roommate seems to be Leorio.

Leorio noticed that Kurapika was already up, saying the same thing as Sora, and threw his bag onto the empty bed.

"Do you have a room now?" Kurapika thought for a moment, but looking back now, I remember someone telling me that what Leorio brought back triumphantly might have been the main cannon shell of this warship, rather than a valuable Treasure.

Perhaps he had searched the shipwreck once more and finally found enough treasure to pay for a night's lodging.

"It was troublesome twice, so I understand very well that you are exhausted."

Especially since he fell into the sea; you can imagine that his entire body was stuck with sea breeze, seawater, and his own sweat.

So, unless you really hate taking a bath, I can understand wanting to take a quick shower to get rid of that sticky feeling on your body. It is a very normal feeling and action.

It's just that Kurapika didn't expect him to throw his bag and the shirt he had already taken off onto the empty bed and head straight to the Shower Room without saying, "Let me use it first."

Unfortunately, Sora had quickly washed her hair and body; she wasn't taking a bath, but rather soaking in the hot water. Leorio said, "I still have a roommate, and I'm taking a bath right now." You must not have noticed.

And although the person taking the bath also noticed that Leorio had arrived, she didn't feel that there was anything wrong with heading straight to the Shower Room without saying a word, and she was having a good time.

In the bag in the corner of the washroom, Leorio was somewhat flustered by Kurapika's panicked voice, "Wait, what are you doing!?" Without realizing it, I opened the frosted glass door of the Shower Room, and while taking off my pants, I thought, "What is this guy doing?"

Sora was glad that it wasn't a unit bathroom, but if it were a unit bathroom, it would have a shower curtain, so she was out of luck.

"……Hmm?"

"……Teeth?"

The only and greatest stroke of luck in this misfortune was that Leorio had already taken off half of his pants, but he didn't take them off completely; instead of throwing my feet out of the bathtub, I used it as a pillow, immersing my body in the hot water.

In other words, both were in a state where they had completely hidden the trouble of being seen, so they did not fall into the worst situation.

But that does not mean it would end peacefully.

"……Ladle?"

"Leorio!!"

Sora and Leorio looked at each other with an expression of "I don't know how this guy got here." From the bathtub, one could see Sora's ears and shoulders turning red. Immediately after, Kurapika appeared, went crazy, grabbed Leorio by the neck from behind, dragged him out of the Shower Room, and then slammed the glass door shut. From Sora's perspective, she could only see Kurapika's arm, so she probably tried her best not to look.

Then he pushed Leorio to the ground. Kurapika glared at Leorio with red eyes, as bright as when he faced Majitani's eyes, and stomped on his stomach with his foot to keep him from escaping.

"Pah!"

"What are you thinking!! You pervert!!"

Leorio screamed like a frog being crushed to death as he was stepped on hard, but Kurapika of course didn't care. Rather, his purpose in stepping on him might have been to make him spit out his internal organs.

And although Leorio didn't do it on purpose, he also knew that his mistake was one thing, so he didn't protest this attack, but instead said, "Wait, wait, wait, wait! I am completely at fault! But please understand I didn't do it on purpose!!" While apologizing, he explained enthusiastically that she had no intention of sexually harassing her more than Hisoka did.

By the way, Leorio probably understood why Kurapika was so angry, even more accurately than he did himself, so to calm the anger a little, he said, "I mean, I didn't see! Seriously, look, 'No!' He was submerged in the bathtub, so he only saw the face and feet!!", but Kurapika's anger could not be suppressed.

On the contrary, this was nothing more than a large-scale suicide Explosion.

"It's not 'I didn't see it,' it's just 'I couldn't see it'! Anyway, why didn't you close the door as soon as you discovered Sora!? You wouldn't look away or close the door yourself until I caught you or Sora kicked you out!!"

Kurapika pointed out that the reason Leorio didn't see those parts of Sora that you don't want others to see wasn't because Leorio was a gentleman; it was just a matter of luck and Sora's posture. Seeing it for real, Leorio knew he wouldn't choose to leave immediately, so he apologized while saying, "I'm sorry!"

Kurapika raised his fist and hit him again, screaming, "I'm sorry!"

"Kurapika. Enough. Stop."

"!? Sora!"

Hearing Sora stop Kurapika from inside the Shower Room, Leorio thought, "I'm saved!" and was convinced.

Perhaps because he didn't yet know the setting of Sora's values as a Magician, Leorio threw back at Kurapika, "No, no! It's usually the opposite! I was blocked by a glaring look."

However, Kurapika's reprimand was irrelevant to begin with, even though he had no right to attack Leorio.

"No, that's not it. I'm going to stop it because I was already dizzy when I came out, and if there's nothing to hit, I'll just get indigestion."

"He'll be out in five minutes, so Kurapika should tie him up."

"Is that so?"

"I'm sorry! I am seriously considering this matter, so please forgive me!!"

Kurapika was convinced that he was not protecting Leorio, nor was he forgiving him, but was only stopping him because he wanted to hit him himself. Leorio was trampled by Kurapika while desperately trying to protect himself.

Afterwards, it is said that Sora's practical wrestling Training course continued until Leorio rolled his eyes.

"……I went too far."

Kurapika and Sora believed that Leorio didn't do it on purpose, so Sora smiled as if to deceive Leorio's eyes, and I decided to let him lie on the bed.

Then I realized that the Sun had set, and the sky had changed from blue to red.

Kurapika stared at the sky for a while; the color of those eyes was very similar to his own and his clansmen's eyes. Kurapika could not take his eyes off the crimson sky and said to Sora behind him.

"……Sora…… just for a moment, come out with me."

＊＊＊

"Even so, in the Hunter Exam, it is rare to get such reliable companions."

It wasn't just Leorio who wanted to quickly forget Leorio's suicide Explosion story; the people who heard it felt the same, so even though the story didn't happen, the three of them were still a bit excited about the Hunter Exam.

Sora and Leorio listened to Senritsu's treasure hunting on Warship Island and the test of escaping before the once-in-a-decade abnormal weather, and then, Senritsu whispered.

"Is that so?" Sora asked, tilting her head. Senritsu smiled at Sora, who didn't quite understand the meaning of her words, and affirmed, "That's right."

"Usually, since it's an exam, people around you will think of you as an opponent, and you can't even establish a temporary cooperative relationship; that's a common story."

Professional Hunters don't get along as well as their classmates. Since we passed the same test, we all know what kind of unscrupulous means the other party used to pass in the past, and it is not uncommon for them to be disliked."

As she spoke, Senritsu also remembered that 'peer Professional Hunter who forced people to drink boiling water with vicious means,' using a tone of disgust that could be understood even without Senritsu's ability. Her feelings. She explained why it was difficult to find reliable companions in the Hunter Exam.

Also, I just complained lightly like this.

"The exam in the second half of Warship Island was originally supposed to be to correct that self-centered way of thinking; as long as you can accept it, that's what you need to do. On the contrary, I feel like I was reminded."

Although it couldn't be helped that we couldn't cooperate because it was our first meeting, there were too many people who wouldn't stop dragging others down even when cooperation was a test, and in the end, half of them turned into Seaweed when they escaped. Hehe. I probably relied on luck to escape the exam and pass it, but you seem to be able to cooperate very harmoniously."

Although it was a cooperative test, there was no time limit, and those who didn't use the warship but tried to escape on a poorly repaired boat were swallowed by the whirlpool and sank. Leorio.

"Well, what do you think? If it were the five of us, the argument would definitely be settled, but if we were to cooperate with all the remaining students……"

"……In that case, Tonpa is truly more of a Demon than Hisoka and Killua's brothers, and that Needle jerk. No, if it fails, it's very likely to be annihilated, so why not do something more?"

"But I'm sure you know that you aren't trusted by anyone, and you are considered an annoying person."

However, as expected, if the Hunter Exam were in a format of "cooperation among all Examinees," both expressed that it would likely not proceed smoothly depending on who the remaining Examinees were. Just as Senritsu had anticipated, Senritsu's smile and trust remained unwavering.

"I know Tonpa, so I know how you feel, but I think the results will be much better with you all Together than when I am with you."

After all, the only acquaintances before the Hunter Exam were Kurapika and Sora, so it wouldn't be surprising if you two had to rebuild a relationship of trust after only interacting for a month three or four years ago. But you have already been friends for several years; when I see people trusting and cooperating like this, I think it's a pity. If you had even a little bit of sensitivity, you would be half-doubting, thinking of everyone around you as your enemy and shrinking away.

Originally, you didn't come Together with the exclusive thought of "I can't trust anyone but these guys," and you didn't act as a group, did you? You can judge by seeing if it is a connection through calculation or a true connection, and you want to trust the other person connected through such a bond."

As expected, Senritsu seemed to have already known the veteran who had taken the Hunter Exam for 30 consecutive years, hoping that the five of them would dispel the doubts of other stubborn applicants through mutual trust.

This expectation was embarrassing, but Leorio looked awkward and turned to leave, perhaps because he did not respect his companions or himself.

Sora responded like an adult, accepting it, and answered obediently: "Really? Thank you."

His answer was simple, like adult social etiquette, but when he answered "thank you," it was as innocent and pure as Gon's, a smile without any ulterior motives.

At these reactions, Senritsu laughed again.

"……However, thinking about it again, Kurapika is truly lucky."

While changing the Towel on Kurapika's forehead, Sora said this with a childlike innocence and a purely happy smile.

"Just as Senritsu said, it is normal for everyone to think of those around them as their enemies and to be nervous during every exam. First of all, if it weren't for this year, Kurapika and I would not have been able to meet again.

So…… I am really glad that this child took the exam this year. …… Leorio, Gon, and Killua also took the exam, and Kurapika's place of employment is with Senritsu. This child is truly blessed."

Dipping the Towel into the washbasin, cooling it, wringing it out, and placing it on Kurapika's forehead, Sora made Kurapika breathe a little easier.

Sora looked at her as if relieved, then looked up and said to Leorio and Senritsu.

"So, thank you. Leorio. Senritsu. For meeting Kurapika.

Although this child's distrust of humans has improved significantly, his personality is still troublesome, but you still patiently interact with me.

Thank you for being the important factor that makes this child want to be happy, still want to believe in humans, and not want to be alone."

Sora thanked the two with a smile as beautiful as the azure sky, fitting for the name.

Senritsu had thought that all of this could be said to you, but still…… at first it was just curiosity and sympathy, and the desire to connect with her, an Exorcist who might be able to break the Curse. That is to say, Senritsu's actions, calculated as Kurapika, regardless of the motive, were a factor in making someone happy, and she replied: "You're welcome."

In order to return to the original body, he became a resident of the underworld, but through Sora's words, I feel that I am able to recover a bit of the part of me that I should have as a human. Lost.

For someone who has been cursed by themselves, is it worth living to do something that makes others unhappy in order to break the Curse? I feel my anxiety is slowly disappearing.

It was too humble, but Senritsu, who was definitely saved, smiled happily.

However, Leorio, who was also thanked, did not smile.

He did not feel embarrassed or awkward for looking away, but looked straight at Sora.

As if seeing through something.

He looked at Sora with serious eyes, as if discerning something.

Realizing this, Sora asked: "What's wrong?"

Leorio answered one question after another with a serious face.

"Is Kurapika just your 'younger brother'?"

＊＊＊

Without a word, Kurapika jumped from one boat to another.

Sora also followed Kurapika silently.

She didn't ask anything, nor did she make small talk, just followed along.

Silently listening to Kurapika's request.

Carrying half the kerosene given to her by the Hotel manager and his wife, she went out with Kurapika as she pleased.

Kurapika stopped in front of the boat he was looking for and finally opened his mouth.

"……This should be the boat of the Kurta Tribe."

Talking about an impossible existence.

I ignored the voice in myself complaining that it was impossible.

"……Yes."

Sora just answered quietly.

Don't ask me why I think so.

She did not touch upon the contradictions of this world.

Silently guarding Kurapika's happiness…… continuing to guard her dream.

That is why Kurapika does not think about why the impossible is impossible, ignores the contradictions, decides not to look, and accepts it.

"I'm sure they escaped from the Brigade and were shipwrecked…… there were no bodies or cargo, so…… perhaps after being shipwrecked on this island, they somehow survived and escaped from the island."

An impossible possibility.

He desperately wanted to bring it back to reality, talking about the possibility he wanted to become reality, no matter how low.

Impossible. It was impossible for the Kurta Tribe hiding deep in the forest to take a boat out to sea and escape the Brigade.

The number of the massacred Kurta Tribe announced by Medea matched the total number of compatriots Kurapika knew. I knew that everyone except myself had been massacred, including those who had entered the village from the outside, who were not pure Kurta either.

It is impossible.

The possibility that there are survivors other than me.

If there were such a possibility, Kurapika would not despair.

No matter how low, I hold on tightly to that possibility, can only look at that possibility, and move forward. Even revenge would not be considered.

I despaired, I couldn't trust anyone, I had hit rock bottom…… but I didn't want to be alone, even if I wanted to die, I didn't want to.

This possibility is the possibility of denying what Kurapika gained while getting hurt in the process of walking from the day he thought he had lost everything.

While hoping, it is something that completely denies everything.

Kurapika stepped into the boat again, which should have been impossible.

Then, he opened the lid of the kerosene can he was carrying, and without a word, sprinkled the kerosene on the boat.

Sora followed him inside as well, but he only watched it and said nothing.

After Kurapika finished spraying the kerosene, Sora silently handed over the fuel tank in his hand and took the empty one.

And after Kurapika finished spraying all the kerosene, he finally said, "Can you lend me your fire?"

"……I don't have matches or a lighter. You could use a gemstone…… but wouldn't it be better to ask someone else?"

Sora also broke the silence, pointing behind him with a slightly mischievous smile.

Kurapika seemed to have noticed it too; without any confusion or surprise, he said, "Yes," and then turned around.

"Leorio. Lend me your fire."

When Sora told me this, I was hiding because I wasn't doing well, but it is sad to remain stubborn even when someone points it out. Come here.

"……To be honest, I'm not talking nonsense. My two roommates are both acting very strange, so I don't know why…… I'm just a little curious."

Sora's professional wrestling training session seemed to make her roll her eyes, but she didn't faint. That said, although Sora's professional wrestling technique hurt her whole body, she still followed the two of them to watch the situation.

Kurapika felt a sense of intimacy toward the stubbornness of not being able to call his presence "worry," smiled slightly, and just said, "I understand," as he reached out his hand.

Leorio took out a paper match and handed it to him.

Did he hear what he said to Sora, or did he know without asking, or was he trying not to ask?

Either way, Kurapika knew it was Leorio's kindness and said nothing, repeatedly saying "Thank you," took the match, skillfully lit it with one hand, and then opened it into the kerosene.

Unlike gasoline, kerosene is difficult to evaporate, so it would not catch fire or cause an explosion once lit. I silently watched it again.

I don't know what the two of them were thinking as they watched this burning ship.

Kurapika watched with a mourning heart.

The two of them probably didn't know they were cremating this ship, grieving for the possibility that a brother might have survived instead of them.

Kurapika still could not accept the possibility that he could not bring it back to reality and would only despair again.

But I cannot turn a blind eye and pretend it didn't happen.

Because this is what I wanted from the bottom of my heart, even though I knew I would deny my past.

That is why this action is a joke.

To get rid of the possibility that I wished existed but was impossible, I burn this possibility here and now, sink it into the sea, and mourn the evidence that I obtained the "present," because I wished it existed but it did not.

……The Pendant engraved with the Kurta crest was also sent into the sea in the same way…… I sank deep into the bottom of my heart, so deep that even I could not take it out.

Do not let go. Will not forget. However, at the same time I let myself know that the "Kurta Tribe" was a "past" I could never reach, wailing sounds echoed around me.

"What!?"

"……A ship whistle?"

Leorio was startled by the sudden sound and looked around.

Sora was also startled by Kurapika's words, smiled vaguely as if somewhat convinced, and cast her gaze toward the warship where the Inn was located.

"Ah…… come to think of it, Killua and Gon are exploring the warship?"

"……That. Is that their job?"

Leorio made a weary sound at the two children who suddenly surprised them, pretending that knowing the truth would make them lose their minds, but Sora smiled.

"Ahahaha, but it's a good time, the crying woman bungee jumping is just like crying.

……Very suitable for a funeral."

I was a little surprised that Kurapika understood the meaning of Sora burning the ship and sinking the Pendant into the sea, but he soon realized it was not strange.

Because this is a dream.

Everyone here is an extension of Kurapika's heart, not himself.

So Sora understands Kurapika's mood, Leorio is worried about him even if he has to pull his weary body, and Gon and Killua, not knowing what Kurapika is doing, will take action to mourn Kurapika's kin.

This is all a wish you created.

It never happened.

Such a world does not exist.

There is no such possibility.

Everything is a dream.

A foaming dream, merged with reality.

But…… but still……

"……That's right…… it's a funeral knell."

Kurapika responded to Sora's words, looking at the past, the ship burning, disappearing, sinking into the sea, the impossible possibility.

This possibility cannot return to reality.

But…… Gon and Killua's innocence, unknowingly, put my heart at ease.

Leorio's clumsy and unobtrusive kindness made me feel comfortable, even if I didn't listen.

And…………

"……Well, Kurapika. It's getting dark, it's a bit cold, let's go home.

Let's all go home together to eat and sleep."

Dyed deep red into indigo, that person narrowed eyes very similar to that indigo, smiled, and reached out a hand.

Someone who gives you a place to belong, even if you want to go home together.

Someone will tell you that you are not alone.

……Someone who wants Kurapika's happiness more than anyone else and feels happy for it, this is by no means a "dream."

This is not an impossible possibility.

It is no longer a "past" that is out of reach.

This is something that can return to reality……

"——Ah. That's right."

Kurapika grasped that hand.

Even though I knew this was a dream, I never let go of that hand in order to bring it home.

---If a dream lets us talk

If it is a dream story, it exists precisely because it is not real.

But this does not mean you cannot bring it back to reality.

If I bring it back to reality, the name will change.

Dreaming of the past is a delusion that goes against reality;

Dreaming of the future is a hope that builds reality.

Two "dreams" that go against reality and build reality, even if they do not match reality.

Can we talk about "love" and "love" dreams?