Chapter 145: Sisters

After hanging up the phone, Sora sighed and stood up.

But before she could leave the bed, the person on the bed grabbed Sora's wrist with his left hand and pulled her back.

"Where are you going?"

Kurapika glared at him, and Sora turned her bandage-wrapped face toward him, giving him a faint smile.

"You all say this isn't my fault, but I am indeed the reason that stupid sister betrayed me, so shouldn't I go too?

Unlike you, I am not injured. It's not that I cannot move, nor that I cannot fight, so I cannot leave it to those children."

Hearing Sora's words, Leorio sighed heavily, then poked her head.

"You really don't know what we are talking about.

I know it is pathetic to leave everything related to you to children younger than you, but you had better be injured like Kurapika!

If you really feel sorry for us, seriously, don't try to do anything yourself, remember to stay quiet!!"

Kurapika felt a bit disappointed that what he wanted to say had been said first, but seeing Sora being persuaded, he pouted helplessly. Fading for her.

"You are right... but Sora, there is only one answer. Based on this answer, I might let you go find Gon and the others."

While agreeing, Kurapika spoke, all the while gripping Sora's wrist tightly, with no intention of letting go.

Hearing this, Sora stared at him clearly, and even though she was wrapped in bandages, he was dumbfounded. But Kurapika ignored Leorio and continued the conversation.

"Sora... do you want to see your sister?"

"I don't want to see you."

Sora answered the question immediately.

I only know that the blank face is no longer there. However, because most of it was covered by bandages, it was impossible to know what expression Sora had when she answered.

I don't know if it was a blank expression of thinking of nothing, an expression of anger and sadness, or a helpless smile, very similar to the Goddess as the "Body Personality."

But she said yes.

"I don't want to see you, and I don't want to see Umi either."

A clear denial.

She declared that she did not want to see her sister, who had protected her, saved her life, and posed a question that could never be solved.

"Kurapika, the reason I feel I must go is not because I want to see Umi, nor because I feel I must see her. Just as I said before, I am the culprit and the trouble for Killua and Gon. If I am in trouble, I cannot leave everything to them and stay here quietly, so I am just going because I don't want to go.

I don't want to see anything on the sea."

"... Why is that?"

Kurapika asked Sora why she didn't want to see her sister.

However, compared to Leorio, who was speechless while asking, Kurapika didn't really think about it.

Somewhere in my heart, I felt I was expecting Sora to say, "I don't want to see you."

This question was nothing more than a question to find out why such a Prediction was made.

"Is it just because I am cowardly?

I told you the day before yesterday... although the Flame Soldier is fake, he said his feelings for you were real, but I am afraid Umi's feelings are real. I am afraid of knowing Umi's true feelings."

A face with an unknown expression, but a tiny bit of expression finally let me know what kind of face it was.

The lonely Sora smiled as if regretting something and said.

"I was proud to tell Killua what kind of person Umi was, but I might know nothing about Umi.

Parents said that associating with someone like me was a waste of time, so they spent all their free time associating with me, and I think Umi thought the same. I have clear memories of avoiding her, I have memories of being strangled, even though I wanted to praise her.

... But I also have memories of her being kind to me, so I don't understand why. I can't believe it now, but I remember saying, 'Sister, play with me.'"

"............ Hmm, I don't know why, I misunderstood the stuffed toy I played with when I was a child and threw it into the pot without hesitation. Yeah, that sister has always been an idiot, without any distortion."

"Don't hit the punchline!!"

Just when I thought she was talking about why she didn't know her, why she didn't know her, for some reason, these heartwarming memories accompanied by this sisterly punchline, the two listened with great interest. An indescribably pitiful face. Reflexively interjected.

However, Sora, even wearing bandages and having no eyeballs, seemed to know her gaze was very distant, and said: "No, I'm telling you. Please sympathize." Since this was definitely a situation with no choice. But for the sake of sympathy, the two only said "Oh, oh...".

By the way, this traumatic family drama was when Sora was 5 and Umi was 6. Although she learned to dissect small animals as part of her elementary Black Magic, she was a 6-year-old child, and she hated it too much.

"Didn't you start hating me from that time? She knelt on the ground to apologize, so I think she didn't mean it.

That feeling, although the direction is different, I really don't understand why she would be like my sister... I think I already have the answer, but I am still not confident in that answer."

Even with a punchline that left one not knowing what to say, I don't know if this is still a good memory for Sora.

With such memories, she said with a sad smile that she gave an answer that made her hesitate, which is why she gave the answer "I don't want to see you."

"First of all, because I know that even if the answer I give will never come out, that is because I came up with an answer that is convenient for me. I am afraid of being told that I don't intend to save or save her... I don't want to hear it, even the answer I gave.

I mean... that is the answer I should get for facing Umi correctly, but I don't have the right to get such an answer now. Such an answer... will only bring unnecessary regret."

For Sora, this is an unusual complaint.

Kurapika also had a good impression of the Flame Soldier, and understood that he could predict Sora's answer "I don't want to see her" because he really liked her, because she was "fake and real."

That was the same whimpering. I felt uneasy because it didn't look like Sora.

However, the next words were typical of her.

"I don't want to see you. But that is not an excuse for me not to move.

Even if I realize that the answer I gave is wrong, and because my answer is correct, even if I carry unnecessary regrets, I still want to go to Killua and Gon.

I cannot bear the fact that they are hurt by Umi's hand because they are afraid of such things and did nothing. Even if you want me to be quiet, I can't do it. You can't say you are still alive. It's just that I didn't die... so I'm sorry. Let me go."

Because I don't want to die, because I want to live.

From the moment he fell into this world and met Kurapika, he declared that he was only driven by the madness he carried with him.

Kurapika saw her like this, and while holding Sora's wrist, he muttered to himself.

"............ What a coward, huh?"

Denying Sora's self-esteem.

Just like myself, although I know he is no longer by my side, I have no regrets about the past; even though Sora knows the shadow puppet is "both fake and real," he did not waver.

She is not a coward; she regrets and hurts just like me, and Kurapika realizes that his answer "I don't want to see him" is precisely because he did not stop it, even though he has always been sticking to it.

From the moment she became the Wizard's apprentice to the moment she suddenly defeated the Wizard, she always gave the same answer.

I have never let go of this answer, "My sister's view of me, only by facing myself correctly in this world can I obtain the answer." Because of this answer, even the miracle of "Magic" has gained people's attention. It is precisely because he denied and killed the witch from the very beginning that he "perceived many things." Ninjutsu and everything else even gave her a little, until today.

This is not cowardice.

Even the will to say "I don't want to see you" is not a pitiful wail, but the strength to face and accept the past.

Knowing it is impossible, yet unable to let go of that illusion that cannot be spoken, unable to face one's own past. A strength completely different from oneself who puts friends in danger.

That is why Kurapika raised his head to answer.

"Ah, I can understand your feelings; I want to tell you to be quiet, but I know you are not someone who can truly be quiet.

But you know, I am not the type to just let go and let you walk away on your own, right?"

The answer has already been decided.

Even before she held my hand, no matter how hard I gripped it, no matter how I cried and begged her not to go, she appeared incomparably painful and sad, yet she was still thinking of me, "Don't worry." I knew from the beginning that I would smile and let go of my hand.

Even so, I still cannot let go.

"Sora. I won't let you go. I will never let you go alone."

Kurapika could not give the answer Sora wanted; Sora looked down at him with the smile Kurapika knew from the beginning.

The wrist in Kurapika's hand trembled slightly.

I know I am afraid that the action of letting go of his hand will touch the "lines" and "points" in my field of vision.

Even so, Kurapika did not let go.

Leorio has some understanding of Sora's response to Kurapika and should stop the attempt to strangle Sora, or more accurately, let him take Kurapika's hand off Sora's wrist, not knowing whether he should do so.

Because he understands the intentions of both sides, Kurapika feels a bit regretful for Leorio, who cannot stand on either side, but ignores him and continues to speak.

He did not let go of Sora's hand, but instead materialized a chain from his right hand, which had emerged from Sora's, and said.

"——Then I will go too."

"【Eh?】"

Not only Sora, but Leorio also let out a dumbfounded sound.

Leorio does not have to stand on either side.

I am sure I have no right to scold Sora, and I have no right to be scolded by Sora, but only Leorio is qualified to scold us, and I have already prepared myself.

I cannot give you the answer you want. I cannot let go of this hand.

Although I don't want to see him, I have already obtained the answer that cannot obtain any answer, but I will not let him go alone to find someone who has to be hurt by any answer.

Because he is always, always the person who helps me when I need it most.

Like her, I have no confidence to appear at the right time to provide help.

This is the reason why we have been Together from the beginning.

If you don't want to sit down, I want to support you to make you stand up.

That is how it is, because I want to.

Because that is why it is necessary.

This is the reason why I chose Kurapika.

"……Even if you know you make us sad and angry, you have no other choice, right?

In that case, even I have no right to complain."

I just smiled to deceive people, making excuses for the dumbfounded Sora.

Please don't be sad, Kurapika wrapped himself with his materialized thumb chain while making a wish he knew would never come true.

Using his scarlet eyes, "Absolute Time", to heal the wounds.

His own lifespan, the future, and her future time, Kurapika is being used to protect and survive.

＊＊＊

(I will not betray……! I will never betray my friends!)

Killua grabbed the top of the Pendant and scolded his brother in his mind, but the older brother in his heart did not care about Killua's words like a real brother.

Not knowing that he didn't recognize it as a word, that face which seemed to treat it only as the barking of a dog or cat made Killua even more frustrated.

"Killua"

Retsu seemed to be frightened by Killua and boldly walked out of the shop to talk to him.

"Can you believe me?"

Killua asked this question with sad eyes, unable to speak.

It is an opponent full of doubts, yet there is still no decisive blow. If Retsu is truly unrelated to Omokage, I know Killua does nothing but be very rude.

Even so, why did Retsu see the battle with the sea last night? Even so, I still cannot understand why they still stick to themselves and try to follow them.

But this question was answered by Retsu himself, even without Killua asking.

"Gon and Killua are trying their best to win back their friend's eyes, right?

I want to help too. Gon and Killua friends arrive when death hand"

Regarding the words "as friends," Killua was completely speechless.

First of all, they should not have anything to do with Sora's eyes. Because I think the reason is more than enough.

Furthermore, Killua could not answer anything either, because he felt that pushing his own ideas and not listening to others' opinions was no different from being treated like Illumi.

If I cannot trust Retsu, I know I am even less trustworthy than during the Hunter Exam.

Even so, although Gon and Sora both know that they are the heirs of Zoldyck, they have been by my side unknowingly, always smiling at me and holding my hand, so that is why. I think I should also believe in Killua.

I think...

(If you treat me as a friend, then I must believe you... I think.)

But somehow, this guy—)

I am glad you said you are my friend, and not just Gon. Although he certainly wanted to repay the kindness shown to her, Killua could not trust Lettu.

Just like when I am Together with Gon, just like when I fought Sieg, my suspicion comes first.

Killua could not figure out if it was because of how they met, because of the current situation, or if there was "something else."

"... I will leave immediately after I guide you. That is not a problem, right?"

"Yeah, if you do that, we will be relieved.

Hey Killua. I have no other leads, let's go to the place Retsu said."

No matter how much Retsu begged him to believe in her, Killua would still frown and say nothing; perhaps it was because he thought this way that he agreed to a Compromise, and then let Killua Compromise again.

"... Understood."

Sure enough, Killua could not even say he disliked it; it was impossible, he did not trust her, and there was no reason to say so, so he frowned, agreed, and walked away.

Seeing Killua agree to her suggestion, Lettu breathed a sigh of relief, then flicked her skirt and said, "Okay, let's go. This way." Walk.

If you look at the situation, this is a completely normal child. She just looks like an ordinary girl, is she thinking too much of herself? Killua thought to himself that he was the type who couldn't learn much just like Gon, but there was still a vague feeling lingering in his heart.

"Oh, think about it, what was the call from Sora about?"

"Ah, right. It seems Hisoka snuck into the hospital last night."

"Eh!? Hisoka!?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

Even if you have a vague feeling, if you talk while walking, it will eventually become something you don't care about.

Gon remembered the call from Sora and asked Killua, and Killua also told Gon the information he exchanged with Sora and the others. "Hey," he tried to get out of the mosquito net, so they had a fight, and Gon calmed them down.

If you look from the side, you can only see ordinary friends when moving forward.

It was so natural that I didn't notice. Everything about Lettu's appearance was different from yesterday, so she put it in the box she was carrying yesterday, and she didn't always hold it, so later Killua and Gon didn't notice this discomfort and regretted it.

The clown Puppet was the only safe luggage besides the pajamas Retsu was wearing. Neither of them noticed that Retsu was no longer holding it.

Then, Killua's Shadow... the Shadow of Retsu's Puppet, unlike Gon's and Retsu's, was the only one that stretched out like a Shadow master in the twilight.

I didn't realize I was in the Shadow of a tall human, unlike Killua.

＊＊＊

"That's it."

Retsu pointed to a Western-style building in the woods, about an hour's walk from the town.

It should have been a luxurious mansion originally, but most of the outer Walls were covered with vines and moss, and the windows were broken.

There was also a graveyard nearby, so it was a ruin that could only be described as a "haunted house."

"I see... it really is that kind of feeling."

"That window matches the scenery Sora saw."

"No."

The balcony on the second floor that was just pointed out.

Of course, if you look at the plains from there, it should match the scenery Sora talked about.

However, there is no need to go into these ruins specifically to look at the scenery from that window on the second floor.

From the outside, it was as bad as Killua said, but when you look at it with "Ryu," you can see a faint aura throughout the ruins, so Killua was sure this was the correct answer.

But at the same time, it would be nice if this faint aura was just the aura of Omokage left in the ruins, but I know this is an optimistic expectation.

89 out of 10 points, knowing this is a trap, Killua had enough, crossed his arms, and thought for a while.

I know this is a trap.

However, Omokage backed off last night, saying: "I'm not ready to take the main course yet." The "main course" is almost certainly Kurapika's Scarlet Eyes.

If this trap was meant to catch Kurapika and was still in preparation, that would be a good opportunity.

If you want to take the Scarlet Eyes from Kurapika, you will definitely use the Flame Soldier. If we manage to protect the Flame Soldier... the situation will be reversed.

Omokage's ability to create or even Copy an opponent's ability is a threat, but conversely, if the human creating the Puppet is not that strong, then the threat is greatly reduced.

According to Kurapika, that limping Flame Soldier was running around without any Obstacle, so it could be strengthened a little, but the Flame Soldier used an ability similar to Nen besides stealing Sora's eyes.

Leorio, Kurapika, and even Sora were forced to defeat the Flame Soldier, not because he was strong, but because he fell into the worst mistake. Perhaps the Flame Soldier's own physical strength is stronger than a normal person, but it should also belong to the category of a normal person.

Of course, even if his physical ability is at the level of a normal person, having Sora's eyes is too painful.

It is far less accurate than Sora's own "real thing," and it seems he didn't see "death" at the beginning, so it might be a little better, but even so, it is an opponent you should definitely avoid fighting at close range, so you must get a Flame Soldier. It is still as difficult as dealing with a talented person.

But... this is possible.

If it's not as crazy as Sora's killing or Nen, then there is a way to do it. If it is 2 vs 1 instead of 1 vs 1, the chance that we can bring things to our advantage will increase.

However, this is based on the assumption that the trap in the mansion is a "trap to catch Kurapika" and the Flame Soldier is alone.

At that time, anyone other than the Flame Soldier, Omokage, and Umi would be desperate; if it wasn't Kurapika but someone else caught in the mansion's trap, then entering the mansion would be like suicide.

The risk is high, but if we succeed in catching the Flame Soldier, the threat from Omokage will not exceed Sora's sister Umi. If it is just Umi, as Sora said, you can count on Omokage self-destructing due to pressure. I cannot cut it.

So, for now, Killua recounted the various possibilities he came up with, the benefits of protecting the Flame Soldier, and the risks of meeting not only the Flame Soldier but also Omokage and Umi, and asked for Gon's opinion.

"Hmm... we certainly want to get a Flame Soldier, but if there is no guarantee that there is a Flame Soldier here, it is too risky for us to go in alone, isn't it?"

"Yes."

To Gon's unexpectedly calm view, Killua agreed and put down the feelings he couldn't get rid of.

He is right; if it is confirmed that the Flame Soldier is in the ruins, we still have an advantage in moving, but the possibility of gambling is too bad.

First of all, considering that Umi attacked the Totoria area on the same night, it is better to think that the scenery Sora saw is a trap to lure them and Kurapika into the ruins.

Then Umi is more likely to be here than the Flame Soldier.

It seems that Killua and Gon will not enter the ruins, and afterwards, I proposed a plan to hold a strategic meeting with everyone, and Gon agreed.

"... Hmm, before that, should I enter the ruins?"

However, Retsu timidly raised her hand and offered a further proposal.

"Huh? What are you saying, you?"

"No, because if it's a trap to catch Gon and the others, even if I enter and am irrelevant, they will think I am just a child testing my courage. Unless I do something very strange, they might let me go. I'll go!"

"I only know that the room allocation of that mansion is better than nothing, so I'll go!"

Killua asked back, his tone sounding dumbfounded—not surprised, but dumbfounded.

However, this was, after all, the shallow wisdom of a child; Killua set aside the fact that he was a child himself and laughingly interrupted her proposal.

"You idiot, if the other party hasn't noticed our point of contact, we might be able to use it, but why would you think we are unrelated children even if we came together?"

"Uh..."

"Killua! Retsu told us she wants to help us, but this way of putting it is too terrible!"

Killua's point was correct, so Letz glared at him in frustration and fell silent.

However, since Gon also agreed with Killua, he pushed aside the rebuked and sulking Killua, thinking it was his own fault, and spoke face-to-face with Retsu.

"But Retsu. Thank you for your feelings, but as Killua said, I think he knows that if we have come this far, Retsu is not irrelevant. I don't agree with this, because there is no guarantee they will..."

"I am very grateful to Retsu for guiding me to this point! So, I beg you, please don't do anything dangerous for us."

"... Yeah. Sorry. I was shallow and stupid."

Under Gon's persuasion, Retsu's slightly reddened face hung low, and she obediently withdrew her proposal.

Then she smiled shyly.

"... That's quite nice."

"Hm?"

Although Killua carefully persuaded Gon, Gon knew he could not deny that he was treating him as an obstacle. He raised his dumbfounded voice.

Seeing him like this, Retsu seemed a bit angry, but she still seemed to be having fun, laughing happily and telling him why she said such things.

"I've always pretended to be a man; this is the first time I've been treated like this..."

Just startled by these words, her cheeks flushed a bit more.

Killua looked at the two of them, his expression as if to say: "What are they doing...?"

It would have been fine to say "Let's go now," but Killua looked like a different person, smiling shyly at Retsu's words. When I saw Sora, I told him that I couldn't say anything.

(... Is it my fault?)

Looking at Retsu's face, she was as embarrassed as she was, but at the same time, I heard a voice.

"Yeah. Then why don't you be a little gentler? Princess."

"Hm?"

Everyone raised their voices in confusion. I didn't understand the situation or what he meant.

Leaving Retsu aside, Gon and Killua recognized the speaker by the voice, but they were powerless.

It would have been good to foresee it; although I should have foreseen it to that extent and remained vigilant, Gon and Killua still underestimated her... the "Magician" known as Umi.

I thought I would never do such a thing.

Although I barely knew her, I was certain she was not the type of person who would do such a thing.

She felt she could not forgive herself for doing such a thing.

But Sora, my sister said.

She said Umi is a "Magician."

Unlike those who are tainted by the thoughts of the electorate, who forget their original intentions and are obsessed with honor and authority, unlike those "sincere" people, they carry their "work" with a high degree of purity and for the purpose of their own noble pride. Even if I was taught to be someone who doesn't mind being stepped on, I forgot Killua and Gon.

So when you realize what happened, it is already too late.

"!?"

"! Retsu!!"

Just as the space behind Retsu shook like heat haze, a brave young girl's arm reached out from the space, grabbed Retsu's neck, and as my half-body was swallowed, I finally understood, and my body moved.

Gon, as if begging for help, tried to grab the hand Letz reached out.

And Killua—

"! Go!!"

I called his name reproachfully, grabbed his neck, and pulled him back.

In order not to pull Retsu's hand, in order not to drag Gon along, or to prevent her from being overwhelmed by Gon, dragging Retsu in... in order not to let Umi appear like this, Killua cut off Retsu and Gon and stopped.

Seeing this, Retsu widened her eyes.

She said nothing.

She was dragged into the space replaced by Umi, but the eyes in her widened eyes still shook sadly.

"Retsu! Retsu!

Killua! Why did you stop me!?"

"Wow... my bad... suddenly... my body moved..."

After Retsu was dragged into the space that swallowed her, that haze-like fluctuation subsided and turned into an unremarkable space.

Gon, who was struggling in that space, rushed over, shouting Retsu's name and questioning Killua.

Killua's face turned pale as he answered Gon's angry question.

This answer had no lies. That is why he realized his choice was cruel.

At that time, when I stopped Gon, I didn't think of "doubting Retsu."

Retsu is also Omokage's friend, and this is also a strategy. I didn't think it was a trap to lure Retsu into becoming their hostage; they didn't pretend to be kidnapped by Umi to try to enter the ruins.

So this was a very fast move. Killua's true nature and heart.

Even if she truly had no connection to Omokage and was a victim of their collateral damage, Killua chose Gon over Retsu.

No, it doesn't matter. If he chose Gon over Retsu, it is not something worthy of praise, and even if it is something that should be blamed, it is not the worst.

(I am... because I was afraid... If Gon wanted to save Retsu, I gave up on letting Illumi pull him in. I was afraid he would come over by himself... so I just stopped him.?)

It is unclear whether it was because Retsu was more important, or if he stopped just for Killua's own self-preservation.

However, right in his mind, as if mocking his actions, a voice rang out, disappointed in himself for making an obvious mistake.

"You betrayed your friend."

Illumi's Curse echoed in Killua's mind over and over again.

"... No, I'm sorry Killua for yelling at me. Killua recklessly helped me, but I'm sorry for saying something selfish."

Killua understood the significance of his actions better than anyone, and when he realized he had been startled, Gon's anger subsided, and he followed behind Killua with a pitiful look on his face.

But of course, Gon did not give up on his intention to save Retsu. If Killua regretted his actions, even knowing it was a trap, he could not back down.

"Killua, let's go help Retsu."

Judging by what Umi said, Retsu is likely a hostage to lure us in, so we just need to enter the ruins as requested. Umi, you said you don't have a hobby of bullying young people.

"... Ah. Right. Understood."

I had a bad premonition about his behavior, which seemed different from Umi, but even so, based on what I said last night, I still said to Killua, "Let's be safe," and made a Suggestion.

Then, the two made up their minds and glared at the ruins, and at the same time, the main gate opened with the creaking sound of rusty hinges.

Gon and Killua had no choice but to step into the entrance, even though they felt they were being toyed with by an overly excellent performance.

"... Where does it turn? Split in two?"

"... No, not just Umi, there might be the Flame Soldier and Omokage, so don't leave... let's go upstairs for now."

Killua, having regained his usual calm, responded to Gon's words and decided where to go.

Aside from being the Flame Soldier, I don't believe the two of us can compete with Umi and Omokage, but the worst-case scenario is better than 3 against 1. Aim for a room where you can see the scenery you will see, Flame Soldier.

Fortunately, there were no horror-game-level death traps on the way to that room. It was nothing more than an eerie ruin.

However, the room had a balcony that could be seen from the outside. When Sora opened the door to the room that matched the scenery he saw, Gon and Killua were speechless.

Placed in the center of the room, the once luxurious room was now full of dust and spiderwebs, with tattered cushions and worn-out chairs, and sounds squeezed out from within.

Gon muttered, "Why...?"

Killua's lips trembled, with the same eyes as Retsu when she was dragged away by Umi... and Retsu when he chose Gon and abandoned her.

"Why?"

"--Sora?"

Sitting in the center of the room, head slightly bowed as if asleep, with pure white hair, like an old man, his features, the length of his limbs, the luster and color of his nails, all were present. It was a male. A woman possessing both beauty and femininity, girlhood and cuteness, androgynous and asexual beauty, arranged in a perfect balance while maximizing a boy's innocence.

A human who could only be Sora was sitting with his eyes closed, just like he was sleeping.

But I know you are not asleep.

She cannot sleep when she is alone, but she sleeps especially lightly; although she knows she would definitely wake up if someone entered the room, she doesn't need that kind of knowledge about Sora right now.

The reason I was able to determine he was not sleeping was a simpler story.

I was not breathing.

It was indeed difficult to tell because they were sitting and looking straight ahead, and Sora's clothes were the usual loose jumpsuit, but no matter how you looked, Sora's chest and abdomen were moving up and down. None.

It looked like he was not breathing.

This made Killua think, "Why?"

"Wh-what... Sora... how... how..."

"Killua, calm down! That's a Doll!"

But this time, Gon grabbed Killua's arm and pulled him back.

Gon's words, "Why?"

Sora, who shouldn't have appeared, was there for decoration. And since he wasn't breathing at all, he thought of the worst possibility; although he wanted to deny it, he was too shocked to think of anything else, and his thoughts began to function normally.

First of all, Killua had spoken to her on the phone a few hours ago, how could she be here? I should have wondered that first.

Last night, if I had used the Space Replacement of Omokage and Umi that allowed me to Escape, perhaps it was possible, but according to Sora, it is not such a convenient Magic. He said it was the result of spending a lot of time and energy preparing, and if he could really do it, he would go there himself instead of ambushing him here. Meddling.

Like the Flame Soldier, this Doll was most likely created by Kurapika's heart.

Omokage said he would turn the opponent's "number one" obsession into a doll, so I think everyone can create a doll, but there might be multiple people obsessed with the same number of people, so if there are multiple people obsessed with the first, maybe everyone can be turned into a doll.

It is clear that Kurapika cares about and is as obsessed with Sora as the Flame Soldier is.

Actually, I can't completely throw it away either, but even so, I still tried to cut off the Flame Soldier when Sora's eyes were stolen, so if I don't do it well, I will be attached to Sora instead of the same speed. Should be.

Even if you are not a Human Collector, even if you are an honest person without such terrible tastes and hobbies, you would mistakenly think, "Shouldn't this woman be stuffed and left for future generations?" Such a rare appearance, even without the Omokage as big as eyes, is a "doll." Concluded.

"... Ah, ah... sorry, Gon, I panicked a little...

... Well, if it's a toy doll, you should use a doll! What kind of nightmare is it for him to become an enemy..."

Thanks to Gon, his thoughts were functioning as usual, but realizing that the workload might be too much if he worked, Killua apologized to Gon, rushed in, looked at the doll again, and was speechless once more.

Gon was pushed by Killua, Gon's face turned pale, and when facing Sora's doll, the blood on his face drained away all at once.

The Sora doll was still sitting in the chair.

Sitting in the chair, eyes closed, child blood and other things you see hand stomach...

The two suddenly discovered that the face that should have been bowed was silently facing Gon and Killua directly.

I know that if it were more than just a doll, it would move, but the Sora doll was still not breathing, which was not strange.

Coupled with Sora's overly neat appearance, looking like a sleeping or dead expressionless doll, it was the Uncanny Valley itself, giving them a sense of horror, so when they looked away, they actually moved without a sound, staining Gon's thoughts pure white.

The doll stained their pure white thoughts with fear.

".............................. Sora..."

Slowly, this time, the doll's lips began to squirm before the two of them.

The well-proportioned, glossy lips trembled, emitting a faint sound, but that voice was not Sora's.

A strange, hard, and inorganic sound—it sounded more like a noise than a voice spilling from her mouth—as she awkwardly lifted her arm from the chair's railing.

"…………ki……ru……ah…………. go…………n…………."

"What happened? Come here……"

It raised its arm as if beckoning them to call them over, but the arm was clumsy and unnatural, like a robot with rusted joints, and the voice was not Sora's either.

Most of all, the smile on the face of the doll—which still had Sora's eyes closed—was definitely Sora's face, yet it was twisted enough to make him believe it was not Sora's face.

It was far from the radiance of Sora's name; there was none of her gentle affection, nor the pained smile that would cause them a shred of worry, nor even the terrifying smile that would summon enemies.

With a twisted smile that rejoiced in the misfortune of others, and the ugly desire of a hungry ghost preying on others, she wore clumsy puppet joints; even so, the joints were too loose, and I bent my limbs in directions I should not have.

"Th—what is this?"

"I, I don't know! Me too!!"

When I realized it was Sora's doll, I had expected it to fight us with her puppets like Flame Soldier and Hami, but unlike what I imagined, the Flame Soldier and Hami being talked about were facing us directly. Unlike Sora, although he was Sora's puppet, Gon was pale from words and deeds that didn't even count as human, let alone Sora; Killua, who also had the worst complexion, reacted in the opposite way.

To those two, "that thing," which could be called Sora's Puppet, opened up as awkwardly as a puppet manipulated by a child.

An empty cathedral cavern containing only Pitch Darkness opened up, and Killua and Gon gasped in the hollow eyes.

Looking at them with hollow eyes, the puppet deepened its twisted smile and spoke in a voice that could not be called a voice.

"My……my eyes……and……Mika……I don't care. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

Like a completely broken artificial voice, with barely any speech, even Gon began to approach Letz with movements that could only be described as forcibly moving his arms and legs. He ran.

However, just before the two screamed in terror, the puppet's words suddenly stopped.

Suddenly something pierced the chest of the Sora doll, as if something were growing, and that force pushed the Sora doll to the ground with a twisted smile.

Killua and Gon were even more puzzled to see something stuck in Sora's back.

A Dagger, with a blade as clear as Crystal and colorful gems embedded in the hilt, and a fallen puppet, pinned to the floor after being pierced through the back.

I didn't even think about how the "failed" Dagger that "she" spoke of, which I saw last night, entered this doll, but I don't know why "she" would do this.

However, this person herself easily provided the answer.

"Exactly…… Putting aside character, even the puppet's appearance relies on Replacement Magic. As a Puppet Master, don't be arrogant with a third-rate class."

"………………No matter whose heart you use, you cannot reproduce that child. That child is a bug of the world. Even if it is supposed to be Sora, even if it is directly connected to the inside of ' '... a third-rate girl like you... you who haven't seen the content, can't reproduce it, right?"

A voice of contempt, pity, and mockery came from behind, and Gon and Killua jumped up and looked back.

The corridor behind them was Hami.

As always, there was no hostility or Malice. Even in this dilapidated place, as long as she was present, the scent of decay would vanish, and the mansion would return to its former glory and luxury. I passed Killua and looked around the room.

There was no hostility or Malice.

But she was angry again; they all knew the stinging sensation on her skin.

As usual, the reason for their anger was unknown, but this time, they were able to guess who they were angry at.

Sister Sora, I am sure she was angry at the doll and the Omokage who made it.

That is why Hami used a Dagger that seemed to be a subspecies of that Gem Sword to stab the Sora doll standing beside her from behind, just like the glass shard dance of last night, even though everything was strange.

But I don't know why I did this.

It was clear that Sora's personality was not copied, so it was understandable that the person who made it, Omokage, would throw a tantrum and destroy it, but at this moment, Umi did not like that puppet, and Gon and Killua were the reason for destroying it. I didn't think of it.

No, I thought of a hypothesis, but I couldn't say it out loud.

There was still not enough evidence to prove it, so Killua, and of course Gon, wanted to say something, but in the end, they couldn't say anything.

So, instead, Gon asked why he entered the ruins, knowing it was a trap, knowing it was a Sora doll and a very tasteless horror production.

"……Miss Hami. What about Letz?"

"This dilapidated backyard."

"【e?】"

If you feel that Umi is in a bad mood, and there is a motive for Letz being kidnapped, which does not match her personality, she will not give you an answer easily, and Umi will respond immediately. Moreover, if this answer is true, then Gon and Killua's reaction to the answer that Letz is not in the ruins at all would bother them.

However, the person who interrupted him didn't seem to understand what Gon and the others were making a fuss about.

"What? I told you last night, I don't have a hobby of bullying young people, and I have no intention of using those helpless children who have no power."

"If it weren't for those perverts telling you not to let them escape when you came, I wouldn't have done anything; honestly, it was just in the way, so I told you to leave."

Except for Hami, the parts that Gon and Killua thought "didn't look like Hami" made sense.

The intention of the hostage was Omokage, and Umi seemed to have taken her away from them out of consideration so that Letz would not be involved.

Gon finally breathed a sigh of relief, and although the guilt on his face when Killua was about to be swallowed by the fluctuations of that space disappeared, it also made him feel that he had "failed."

If there was no need to worry about Letz, Killua spent all his thoughts on "how to escape from Hami."

Fortunately, the puppet in the room was blocked by Hami, so there was still a place to escape, but considering Hami's Replacement Magic, I realized it didn't matter if I was taken behind or not; when I clicked my tongue, still trying to figure out what happened in the room behind me……

"———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————"

"！?"

The puppet, which I thought had been blocked by Hami's attack, seemed to have been temporarily blocked as well; while being pinned to the floor by the Dagger stabbed from behind, it moved its hand and reached out to break it. It squirmed with a voice that seemed to be words, making Gon and Killua surprised by the sudden attack and fearful of the overly typical horror production.

However, that thread-like hand struggling in the air, in the exact shape of Sora, was crushed and shattered immediately after he spat out his Tongue.

Gon and Killua saw Hami, who had moved from the corridor to the room again using Displacement Magic, stepping on the hand of her sister's doll with her beautiful feet without hesitation, making both Gon and Killua freeze.

This might be because they couldn't see it, but Gon and Killua might hesitate to hurt them, let alone destroy them; despite what the puppet had said and done so far, they could only say that they were not Sora. The Hami stepping on the hand of the completely empty Sora doll was a terrifying sight different from the Sora doll.

That night last night was also a drag, but I don't know if I realized that I was pulling the two children down in a different meaning than last night. Started talking.

"Sorry, I surprised you. Seriously…… you are an artistic person, you shouldn't use such an obvious failure, just throw it away……"

"In a way, I envy the shamelessness of being able to put down such a failed product without feeling ashamed."

"Wh……why……is Sora's doll like this?"

Hami began to say things that were unclear as to whether he was apologizing or just trying to disrespect Omokage.

If Killua were to run away just like that, Sora's Doll and his actions tonight would appear in his dreams, so he temporarily set aside the question of how to escape from Hami and waited for her answer.

And Hami, as expected, answered me without hesitation.

"Because it is 'empty'. Even if it is just a Doll, it is a 'Yorishiro'. The Spirit Shrine is a 'void' Container that should not exist, right? Initially, this personality was an extra attachment. This is proof of failure."

"So the more loyal it is to that child, the more empty that child's Doll becomes, lacking personality. Changing to a fake personality is useless. This is a bottomless Imaginary Uro; I was swallowed, and in the end, it will not activate."

"Well, that third-rate is third-rate, so this doll is not a bottomless pit. But precisely because it is a half-baked Copy, I cannot replicate that girl's personality."

"Because I want to be resurrected after my body is completed. It will be satisfied."

The expression on "Sora" made Gon and Killua think of the Goddess who appeared in Yorkshin; Gon and Killua looked confused, but to some extent, thanks to that Goddess, they understood Hami's explanation.

At the same time, I remembered seeing Sora's Puppet, even after being crushed by one of Hami's hands, still writhing and struggling, searching for Gon and Killua's eyes.

Possessing Kastro's corpse at Heaven's Arena and using Manipulation on it to search for the thoughts of the dead for Sora and Killua.

In other words, I was able to understand that the state of this Doll was the same as that of the Kastro zombie at the time.

"Well, there is room for sympathy for Omokage as well. If it were a dead person like us, using the thoughts of the living as a medium for personality replacement would be fine, but in the case of the living, personality replacement does not work. Unless it is captured by the person themselves. Since there is none, one can only rely on Concept Replacement."

"... Stupid. Even if I am too strong, do you think the concept of the personality of that child I have always given to others is that easy? I wish I could give up."

"Hehe... I know? That girl has been a ghost for a long time, so even if the ghost itself is not scary, when did the living person, my partner who died, used to crawl into my bed and say she was afraid, not knowing there was a difference. Isn't it cute?"

Gon and Killua were single-minded; Hami called out Omokage's name for the first time and spoke in a tone of sincere sympathy.

However, that sympathy vanished in an instant, and the story suddenly changed. No, if viewed from Hami's perspective, it must have been a connected story.

He talked about the episode, "How could my sister have a personality I cannot understand," which was the basis for sympathizing with Omokage, "I wish I could give up."

Compared to Sora, she was more like Killua's brother Illumi, possessing a cold aura, but also soft like Sora, innocent enough for her age, yet she was much more mature than her appearance suggested, a mother rather than a sister... From that sentence, I saw the power of inclusion.

For the first time, Hami said something nice and affectionate to her sister: "Cute."

From the back of the Sora Doll, he took out the Dagger sewn into the ground and used that Dagger to smash the head of the Sora sister Doll to pieces.

By the way, in the original movie and novel, Gon and Killua usually enter the ruins voluntarily. I don't think Retz was taken hostage.

After noticing that "an aura remained in the ruins," I didn't think of it as a trap, but entered to explore normally.

... I accidentally skipped it in the movie, and when I read the novel again, I thought: "Wait, little brother, are you going to leave without caring about Killua!?" This doesn't mean I overestimated Killua, does it?