Chapter 158: Your Enemy Is My Enemy

I won't say I'm going to take it off, but it is clearly a work uniform that doesn't match my size.

He is still taller than Killua, but the gap has shrunk to less than 5 centimeters.

Her features are still a rare, androgynous beauty, but compared to a few minutes ago, she is clearly much younger.

However, the faded hair and azure eyes prove that time has not turned back.

With a suspicious expression, seemingly aware of his current situation, Sora thinks that no matter how he estimates it, it couldn't possibly be over thirteen years old.

"……You, what do you mean!?"

Biscuit is the first to move.

She mutters to herself with trembling lips, grabs Sora by the shoulder—she is already absurdly close to him—and then shouts.

"What is this, how can I envy you! You don't even need the Rejuvenation Pill, I envy you!! How can I envy such plump skin? You tell me too!!"

"Hide your true feelings a little, you old hag!!"

Sora and Killua rush in from behind Biscuit; Biscuit lets out a sharp huff and a cry of envy, completely unaware that he isn't worried about Sora at all.

Puzzled, Biscuit must know that her behavior in this situation is called "Baba," so she honestly apologizes, "Yes, I'm sorry," and then leaves Sora.

"That... Sora's current state should be that catfish's fault, right? But why only Sora?"

Whether it was Biscuit's fault or thanks to this, everyone is temporarily freed from the deadlock of confusion and bewilderment; Gon cheers up and guesses the reason for Sora's current situation, but now that things have come to this, doubts follow one after another to serve as a reminder.

However, this question is easily solved by Sora, who is younger than usual but has his usual pouting face.

"……No, I might not be the only one. You guys are getting younger too."

"Huh?"

Gon and Killua are startled by his words, and Biscuit's eyes light up as she happily raises her voice. Punish yourself, old ghost.

Sora ignores the happy Biscuit, rolls up his excess sleeves, and carefully observes the two of them, pointing it out.

"You two, haven't your clothes gotten a bit bigger? Maybe your shoes are easier to understand than your clothes."

Gon and Killua look at each other and check their clothes and shoes.

As for their faces, I can only think, "If you look at it... is that so?", but the clothes are definitely wet and sticking to their bodies, so it's hard to say, but they feel a bit big.

More about the shoes. Until recently, these shoes were definitely the perfect size, but while they aren't at the point where they fall off while walking, they are making thumping sounds. Clearly oversized.

"I don't know if it's the power of the water, the power of the catfish, or a combination of both, but for some reason, if you get hit by the water, it's not about how many years younger you get, it's more like 'I will stay young until about 10 years old'."

"Ah... well, to have this effect, you have to do it. Most players wouldn't notice the effect at 5 or 6 years old, if you do it at 10 or older, even if no one can return to before they were born, there might be players like me and Gon who become 2-3 year old toddlers. Assuming there are no players under 10, setting the age is safest. Is it safe?"

Although they are convinced that they are no exception, they wonder why there is a difference in their years of rejuvenation compared to Sora. Understand and agree.

Gon nods in agreement with Killua's addition, but immediately thinks of another question and tilts his head.

"……Is there any point to this?"

"Isn't there? There is an item called 'Witch's Rejuvenation Drug' in the 'Witch's Medicine' series, which might be related to that, but at the very least, this incident here shouldn't be a fixed event; the probability of it happening randomly is very low. The developer, the Game Master, this is the interesting side."

"How can you say that?"

When Gon asks a basic question, Sora responds with a wry smile, and Killua asks him why he thinks so.

Then Sora points his finger at me with a complicated expression. That complicated face is very much like Gon watching a mandrake running around, screaming too low.

Noticing that she isn't using Nen Ability to maintain her girl-like appearance, but is letting herself rejuvenate into a true young girl, he points to Biscuit, who is obsessed with her own skin, and says:

"If it were a recurring event, you would get some information. So, if it were an event with this kind of impact, that old hag couldn't possibly delay; she should have been the first to try and capture it."

""I see.""

Not only Killua, but Gon also nods vigorously at Sora's reasoning.

Sure enough, Sora's words and the two's tacit understanding seem to reach their ears, and Biscuit replies, "Sorry!!" When he just shouts and doesn't hit her, it proves that what he was told wasn't a rude suggestion, but a favor.

Bisque, angered by this reaction, also knows that such opposition will only dig her own grave, and is ecstatic about the current situation so that her dignity as a teacher will not be damaged further.

"……Well, if it's an in-game event, it wouldn't be a situation where you keep getting younger or never return to how you were. But what do you plan to do now?"

"Since I've come this far, I'll go fetch water as planned. Companion, let's go home. Just as I guessed, if it's just a game element with no special meaning, then once you leave the forest, it will likely be resolved."

"Master, don't say things like 'I live here'."

"No, there's no reason to say that!!"

But the story doesn't disappear.

While proposing, Sora warns Biscuit with a puzzled face; he barely responds immediately, but his face is verbally saying: "Why did you find out!?" I don't understand.

On top of that, little Biscuit wants more spring water, so even if he goes to a nearby town to buy a Container, he will return. Return, "when," Magnetic, Magnetic, and the three disciples have a big argument.

＊＊＊

A certain GI town. In a corner of a park bench, a child is sitting and playing with a paper doll, which seems to be his own creation.

If that's the case, there are very few things, but even so, it can be called an ordinary child.

However, this child is not ordinary.

Dressed in a luxurious windbreaker with shiny short hair, the child looks like a beautiful girl; it can be said that he is unusual in many ways because he is eye-catching, but even that is insignificant.

What is unusual is that, apart from those NPCs who look so conspicuous but just follow the routine, real players don't even look at a child like a zashiki-warashi at all. No one knows of the child's existence.

If you notice it, a second look won't be wrong, and by minimizing your presence through perfect "Hidden," you can act confidently and secretly.

An expressionless child, you can't believe he is a child... Kalluto Zoldyck is listening to the conversation conveyed through the paper doll secretly trained as a wiretap.

《Shall, are you really going to let that child in? 》

《Yeah, Zoldyck's ability is certified; if the conditions are cleared, even the captain can't complain. 》

《I thought so too, but that child is Sora Sikiori... 》

"So, Komachi. If Kalluto Zoldyck is attached to Sora Sikiori and he is also sweet to Kalluto, then he is the perfect hostage. Pakunoda and the Phantom Troupe, we aren't interested, but I assert that Sora Sikiori has nothing to do with the reason I joined, so there's no harm in keeping him by my side now. 》

《……Well, it would be convenient if he could be kept by your side as a lookout point. 》

"……Ha. That Pakunoda woman is really a foul."

The expression on Kalluto's face after hearing this is that of a child appropriate for his age. Like a child, he pouts his lips in frustration at the current unfavorable situation.

However, I knew from the beginning that I would not be trusted; my caution and the reasons I admitted for joining the group were within my assumptions, so I told myself this was not bad, but not good either, and I unlocked my ability.

After that, Kalluto considered the "condition" given by the Brigade to move and clear things, but he just lacked the motivation.

Even if I tell them it's not bad, I cannot shake the feeling that I haven't gotten what I wanted and that I am taking a detour.

"... What am I doing?"

Therefore, as I spat out a self-deprecating monologue, I looked back for a moment. As if to convince himself that his actions and choices were correct, Kurt began to recall the circumstances that led to the current situation.

Not as good as the heir Killua, but because he was the youngest child, Kalluto was overprotected and raised in a box in the Zoldyck Family; unlike Killua, Kalluto was dissatisfied that the Zoldyck Family's miniature garden was everything in the world. I did not miss that.

Needless to say, his turning point was Yorkshin last September.

Not denying where I want to go or what I am doing, I used the body of someone who gave me completely different values. Letting Kalluto fly out of a miniature garden called Zoldyck.

"Just because I want you to love me doesn't mean you have to kill yourself.

You are loved enough just because of who you are, not because you are special. At the very least, Master is definitely not someone special; he loves you as the only one who is not someone else's sect, and I am also grateful that you worry for Master without any reward."

These few words alone were enough to make me happy.

But if that were all, Kalluto would not have left that miniature garden. At the very least, having joined the Phantom Troupe, I never thought that if I didn't do well, I might harbor hostility toward my own family.

The words the clear-eyed person said to his younger brother released the hope that had been stifled in Kalluto.

"Do you think it's impossible for someone who engages in murder to show his concern for his family?"

I thought those who were unworthy of the Zoldyck would be thrown out without mercy.

I was convinced that my brother was under the same Curse as I was. That is why my brother's education was so terrifying that my heart seemed to freeze.

However, if you think you must make him "special" to fit the Zoldyck, it is a terrible contradiction, because he loves you as the "only one who is not special" and strongly does not want to throw him away. It hasn't completely disappeared, but it makes me feel much lighter than before.

I can say without hesitation that I like my house.

This is the reason Kalluto left home.

Of course, my mother hysterically opposed it, but I didn't expect my father to agree readily.

Perhaps it was because Kalluto himself said, "I don't hate assassinations like Brother Killua, and I will definitely return home. Rather, for the sake of my family, I want to become stronger, and I want to understand this world." And he allowed it.

I felt happy and proud of this trust, but this is the reason Kalluto felt a little guilty.

The words I told my father, I did not lie about the reason for leaving home.

However, the reason Kalluto wanted to be strong for the sake of the family and wanted to understand this world is probably different from what my father wanted and assumed.

Kalluto went outside to retrieve the "older brother" of the Zoldyck sealed deep within his heart.

He jumped out of that miniature garden because he wanted to find the "older brother" taken away by a mysterious "thing," and the power to face that "thing" without fear.

If you ask me why I am in G·I with the Phantom Troupe now, I can only say it is a matter of course.

The Zoldyck Family does not have the ability to retrieve the "older brother" Kalluto longs for, nor the power to face "something."

So, knowing that "that" can only be sealed in the deepest part of the house, it is not bad to go outside to look for it, but to get what I want in the boxed-in Kalluto, where should I go? I don't know if it is the best thing.

Therefore, a man who only seeks power, who is not even willing to sacrifice one of his own father or grandfather, and who cannot overcome them, temporarily asks to join the thief Leader of the "Phantom Troupe."

The Phantom Troupe itself has nothing to do with the reason for joining. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Phantom Troupe.

I just wanted to grow by seeing people with Nen up close who are not my family or enemies, and I wanted to learn about this world from them, as they are well-versed in the underworld in a different direction from my family. That is all.

If there is any other reason, it is that my eldest brother has a relationship with the Brigade Leader, and I feel it is better than people I don't know at all.

It was entirely the shallow wisdom of a child; as expected, Kalluto realizes it now and regrets it.

However, the fact that Kalluto has a connection with Sora-Sikiori, the Phantom Troupe Spider Kalluto, was seen as the No. 4 "candidate" for the Phantom Troupe and was not turned away.

The current Kalluto is just a "candidate," not a formal member.

As the paper doll Shalnark said, it is said that as long as certain conditions are met, Kalluto will be recognized as a member, so it can be said that he is currently on probation.

The condition is to "find the exorcist."

Recalling the scene at that time, Kurt clenched his hands tightly like autumn leaves. He gripped his palms hard, his nails digging deep into his palms, and his palms bled, suppressing the surging anger and humiliation.

I know I don't have much confidence in this Phantom Troupe.

By the time he asked to join the Brigade, most of Kalluto's information had been snatched away by a woman named Pakunoda, and as a result, far from contacting Sora, she even knew Kalluto had a secret crush on Sora.

However, partly because Pakunoda's ability is Hard, he admires her, but Sora has nothing to do with the reason for joining the group.

I didn't ask her any questions about the Zoldyck Family itself, perhaps because she didn't want to make an enemy of the Zoldyck Family.

Kurt regretted joining the Phantom Troupe superficially without imagining the existence of someone with the ability to read memories, but he was undoubtedly a naive child, yet he was by no means an idiot. I can say for sure because I knew at a fairly early stage that it is impossible to extract this information at will just by touching it.

But it couldn't be helped. While Kalluto was making vows, he gritted his teeth, seeing that Kalluto was a foolish and exploited child.

"... I will definitely find it."

Kalluto knew well that the "condition" set by the Brigade was just lip service.

The Phantom Troupe wanted to keep Kalluto by their side, but the conversation between Shalnark and Machi just now proved that this is a partner they do not wish to become a formal member.

Taking Sora as a hostage is convenient for me, but for the Sora Phantom Troupe, ideally, Kalluto, who might become a Judas spreading information, is kept as is and killed as a "member candidate."

If it is as Kalluto imagined, Pakunoda's ability is a Constraint of "member colleagues exist, do not read Memory." "Member candidates" might not conflict with Pakunoda's restrictions, but if they officially join Kalluto, they will not be able to extract information from Kalluto, so this position is the most convenient for them.

That is why I know I set it as a condition of "finding the exorcist," which I did not expect.

However, I also know that if the conditions are met, the Brigade can only admit that it is Kalluto's formal member, even if it is only lip service.

It is pathetic and disgusting to rely on him after leaving home, but Kalluto has a powerful backer named Zoldyck.

Although she tried to extract information about Kalluto as an individual and Sora, she did not try to extract information about Zoldyck, and it would not be detrimental to them; this is not Kalluto's optimistic wishful thinking.

Anger and humiliation made up for the lost motivation and cheered him up again.

Joining the Brigade for my own purposes might be meaningless, let alone taking a detour, but I don't want to just go home and rely on the authority of my family.

Thus, Kalluto stepped up as a substitute again, determined to at least execute the completely uninvited "find the extermination" to at least clear the name for himself and the Zoldyck Family.

However, before putting this determination into action, the motivation would be weakened in another way.

"Kalluto?"

A confused voice with a sub-frequency of "Why are you here?" called out to me.

Thinking the exact same thing as Kalluto, he turned his head forcefully.

Just like that, those big, pitch-black eyes of hers widened, and she stiffened.

There was a beautiful girl, described as being "like a doll" just like Kalluto, though the direction was different from Kalluto.

The gothic lolita black dress and bonnet that Mother often wore could only be described as "doll-like," but what made the impression of a doll even deeper was that the hands and feet were ball-joints like a doll's. What was going on?

Kurt noticed this and was startled, but upon closer inspection, these joints were not real ball-joints; they were just wearing tights and long gloves printed with those patterns.

But honestly, for a Kalluto, it seemed even more unnatural that it wasn't real.

The girl in the gothic lolita was too beautiful.

It was magical; she didn't look like she was wearing fancy gothic lolita clothes, even though she wasn't wearing makeup. I don't think it was born into this world, but at the same time, I don't think it could have been created by human hands.

... While thinking about things like escaping reality, if you stare at each other for a long time and the story doesn't progress, even if you have deep faith in Kalluto, your calm self will whisper somewhere in your brain that you have a thought of "I can't believe it," and you ask the other party for confirmation.

"... Ah? Sora?"

Listening to Kalluto's words, the magical, beautiful girl with white hair in a gothic lolita outfit, who looked about 10 years old, blushed, lifted her skirt, and ran away screaming.

"Wrong person!!"

Kalluto remembered "The Brigade had no choice but to kill him and use him as a hostage," the anger and humiliation slightly wrapped in the aura were disturbed, the "Shadow" dissolved, and signs of fading appeared. Rice field.

Sora instinctively reacted to the presence that suddenly appeared, just reflexively turning his gaze in that direction.

Then, I discovered a child who looked too familiar before my eyes, and I couldn't help but call out that name.

At that moment, I had already forgotten my current appearance and looks.

The Spell card Sora and the others were holding returned them to the nearby town, and they did not return to their original ages.

Perhaps this rejuvenating effect could be resolved over time, rather than a limited range. No one doubted this.

That was because even Gon and Biscuit, who were unfamiliar with the game, had roughly grasped the movements of this game called G. I.

This G. I. had a risk of death in addition to Player Hunter, but even so, for people used to games like Sora and Killua, this game was quite user-friendly.

Since it is a game you can participate in, you learn the death traps of the death traps after you die, but that's not all.

Perhaps because of the inconspicuous affection of the Jin clan, but the death flags that might appear in the game capture gave warnings and hints casually in the event, so if you capture it carefully, you won't die in the event itself, bad luck... For example, unless you are lucky enough to draw 5% bad luck, you are unlikely to die even if you are trapped in the capture itself.

So, if there is no early warning, even if it really happens, there is no hint of a solution at all. There is nothing special, and even if it happens, it will end in an accident. I am convinced that this is just a joke by the developers.

Since the amount of aura has not changed even in the child form, there is no major disadvantage in terms of combat, which confirms that the guess is close to the truth.

So, for the time being, they agreed not to move for the rest of the day, just to be safe, but... since then, why did Sora have to wear Sora's clothes? The one he disliked most, being left behind? To put it bluntly, it was Sora's indulgence and Biscuit's eighth strike.

It all started when Biscuit felt that the spring had rejuvenating effects and asked for a refill, but was strongly opposed by the three disciples.

The reason Sora and Killua opposed it was because of this, don't use extra Magic Card! Gon was the only one who was serious and sincere. Although Biscuit used similar abilities, unlike Biscuit who only deceived the surface, he had the ability to make him rejuvenate. Worried about Biscuit, he opposed it, saying there was no risk.

On the other hand, even Biscuit was ashamed of her desires. If Gon continued to persuade her, she would regret giving up... I said with a straight face.

"That's right, Master! I'm already a monster, so our goal is a beautiful and cute ordinary human grandma, not a perverted Haihoi monster like Loli Baba!!"

"It's okay, my master looks like a monster, that's the gap between how I look now and how I really look!!"

Needless to say, "Who is a monster!?"

However, the problem is that in Sora's view, this sentence doesn't even count as a joke. It's not uncommon for people as young as monsters. It's as unintentional as Gon's worry.

Because of this, Biscuit's anger has subsided, and Chaos can only say: "Isn't there any other way to say it!?"

However, I understand that he didn't mean anything by it, worried that he was too obsessed with youth, but that didn't change the fact that Sora's words annoyed him.

Therefore, Biscuit did not give up on the spring, but killed time and lashed out.

Well, I became Biscuit's dress-up doll.

Sora didn't want to put on Biscuit's clothes, his hair had been messed up, and he was treated like a doll, but he could still endure it.

What I couldn't stand was that Biscuit, who was excited because it was delicious, went to call Gon and Killua to show them.

I could still endure the same-sex Biscuit, but I couldn't stand being seen by the opposite sex I knew, and I couldn't stand the fact that Sora himself thought "I am the least suitable for myself," and Direct Death destroyed the inn's wall. The result of running away is the current situation.

... Sora, who ran away with the single-mindedness of "I don't want to be seen by the opposite sex I know," was seen by a Kalluto who was "an opposite sex I know." Although he was a child, the only action he could take was to run away.

That's why, in response to Cult's confused "Sora?"

However, it was not a Kalluto who agreed to it.

"No, you're lying!? Huh!? But why is Sora at my age, or rather Sora! What's with these clothes!? World!!"

"Gyaa!! I know! I know, so don't keep shouting my name!!"

Kalluto shouted Sora's name without any Malice and chased after him. Sora turned back to Kalluto, while blocking Kalluto's mouth, and retreated to the back alley.

The sect didn't understand Sora's appearance or looks, nor did he understand why he was locked up by Sora and taken to the back alley, but he believed that Sora would not hurt him. He was left to be tamed.

After a while, I understood why Sora wanted to take me into hiding.

"Hey, I heard Sora's voice and the voice calling Sora just now, are you there!?"

"Hey! Where did that idiot go!?"

"Sora, I'm sorry! You were distracted!"

On the street, he saw his brother, a boy who claimed to be his brother's friend, and a strange girl who now looked like Sora, looking for Sora. Were you forced to wear it like when you first came out?"

And as a sect, he also knew that meeting Killua here would only cause trouble, so while thinking that it would be more convenient for Sora to hide with him, he suppressed his aura and erased any signs.

Not knowing that Sora and Kurt were lurking beside them, the three of them ran away earth-shatteringly. I finally let go of Kurt's mouth and took a deep breath.

Kurt asked with a look of disgust.

"... Sora, what are you doing?"

"... Now I want to ask that."

Sora covered his face with both hands and answered quite seriously.

"Hehe, even your age has changed, it's really like a game world, you're doing well here."

For the time being, it wasn't just Sora; Kalluto did not want to run into Killua.

He seemed moved, but he wasn't that surprised, because his eldest brother could change his appearance almost at will, so from Kalluto's perspective, being ten years younger might not be such a rare ability.

"But Sora. You are so cute! The clothes you wore to work last year were beautiful, and now you are truly so cute!! If your mother were here, I believe she would tell you to bring her home like this and make her your daughter. About!!"

"……Kalluto, I am happy for you, but don't say any more. Also, don't tell Kikyo about this…… it's a bit scary……"

From Kalluto's perspective, Sora's Gothic Lolita outfit was far rarer than his eldest brother's subspecies, so he was usually pale, but when he got excited, I simply couldn't believe it when I first saw him last year. Honestly praising Sora.

However, in the eyes of a woman standing in such a complex situation, being praised or killed were the reactions she most wanted to escape, so she squatted down on the spot, covering her face and pleading.

Sora's reaction, although higher than when he was a child, was much smaller than his usual back, but it was very fresh, so Kurt laughed happily and said, "You are so cute." Hanging on that word.

"Ah! So cute that Kalluto wants to take you home!!"

Or more accurately, a Kalluto! Why are you here?"

However, Sora's disgusting counterattack to that follow-up attack touched upon the point that Kalluto did not want to be attacked.

On the contrary, this question was only raised recently.

"……Kalluto?"

This was a question asked in one go to change the subject from her current appearance, but seeing Kalluto unable to answer, Sora raised his head.

His face was much younger than the Sora that Kurt knew, but his eyes were the ones Kurt was familiar with.

The eyes carried a gentle radiance, and even if they were too beautiful to look at directly, they made one want to look.

She smiled with the "adult" eyes that Kalluto craved. She asked with a childlike expression, with the all-encompassing smile that Kalluto knew, the smile she had always given Kalluto.

"Kalluto, what's wrong?"

That gentle voice and smile made me want to vomit everything out.

After leaving Zoldyck, he realized he was helplessly naive, and because of this, he gave information that put Sora in a higher priority of danger than the Phantom Troupe, and took him hostage. I want to cry and complain about the current situation of being killed, helpless.

But Kurt bit his lip and endured it.

I don't want to continue doing things like that, being pampered, satisfied with what I have, and giving up what I truly want. Not that.

If it were true, when I realized it was Sora, I shouldn't have gotten involved.

No matter how much we look alike, if someone says "a complete stranger who looks a lot like Sora," we all have all the elements that could make sense, because of his age and beauty, so it's best to ignore him.

If I ignored him like this, even if Pakunoda read my memories, the story would end with what Pakunoda said, "Hmm? If Kalluto's memories were read, Sora would know you are in the Phantom Troupe and that you have already made contact with yourself."

If the Phantom Troupe's information is leaked to Sora after contact, Kalluto will be punished as a traitor. Kalluto already understands that, even if only for a short time, the Zoldyck family name is not scary here.

I knew I would die when I left home, but to die in this way, to make my family sad because of death, to bring shame to the Zoldyck name……, to make Sora sad. It's too disgusting.

Because of this, Sora, whose gaze was close to him, stared silently at the silent Kurt, without saying a word.

Just like trying to read something from that silence, from a silent Kalluto.

And Kalluto said nothing, just lied randomly, I couldn't even move.

From his own silence, he remained motionless, seemingly appealing for Sora to learn something.

I don't know how much time I spent on such a seemingly idle wish and action, was it a few minutes, or more than an hour.

However, for Kalluto, he only knew that Sora had been silently staring straight at him.

When they tried to accuse and read something, it wasn't that either of the two broke the silence.

"Kalluto?"

"Hmm? Oh, really. What are you doing here?"

"！?"

I thought I was hiding my existence in the "shadows," but I wanted Sora to know, I hoped Sora would remain ignorant. Done.

To the Brigade's Machi and Shalnark.

"This is the worst!" I screamed in my heart, but somehow, I managed to suppress my heartbeat, and Kurt replied flatly, "……Nothing," without even turning around.

(Calm down…… I used to speak like this too, it shouldn't be unnatural…… but Sora…… Sora……)

I heard that I wouldn't know the specifics until after officially joining the team, so I don't know much about them, but even so, the Brigade still recognizes Sora and the "Chain Bastard" as natural enemies. After the Yorkshin incident, and that "Chain Bastard." I know he is one of the people who came to his home, Kukurou Mountain, with his brother's friend.

Because it involves the exiled Leader, I can't get it now, but I know the Phantom Troupe wants to finish off Sora, this "Chain Bastard," as soon as possible.

I know Machi and Shalnark's direct combat power is not strong, and even within the Phantom Troupe, they don't want to kill Sora and the others so aggressively, but even so, I know meeting Sora here is bad, I must cheat somehow, but how to cheat? Although Kurt was about to cry, he still shook his head desperately.

However, Machi and Shalnark said: "Because they don't know Kalluto's intentions."

"Kalluto, what is that?"

Before Kurt could answer this question, Sora said.

"……My cat ran away, if you find it, I will give you a 'Gaelgade' as a reward, can you help me find it?"

Kalluto somehow swallowed the sound of "Hmm?".

Kurt, who was educated not to act like an idiot but to stay calm and survive in an emergency, guessed Sora's intention from the lines Sora said while looking down with a slightly fake voice.

"……NPC? What is a Gaelgade?"

"It's a fish, a fish you can eat, low level, but it sells pretty well."

Kalluto thought that keeping silent was better than saying bad things, and that judgment was correct.

Machi and Shalnark drew their own conclusions from Sora's words.

Because standing in front of Kalluto, I thought Sora's face could be completely seen by Machi and Shalnark who were talking to me from behind, but he was a little shorter than me, and the person who wanted to see Kalluto's eyes was looking down, so I could see Sora himself. It seems they couldn't see Sora's face because he was a bit depressed, as that big hat called a hat covered his face.

Because of this, Sora was nothing more than a "Gothic Lolita girl" to the two of them, and judging by Sora's lines, they seemed to have concluded that Sora was an NPC earning a little pocket money.

For their honor, Machi and Shalnark both found Kalluto, and when they realized Kalluto was not alone, they were vigilant and "healed."

However, since NPCs are dolls made of "kindness," if you look at them with "growth," they look like they are wearing the same "outer garment" as a Psychic, rather than sticking to it.

If Sora had a gem, he might have noticed the unusually large aura on him, but fortunately, he ran away quickly after wearing Biscuit, so Sora is the current Sora. No suspicion, because he didn't have anything, and it was natural for the two of them to mistake him for an NPC, just as Sora thought.

"My cat ran away, if you find it, I will give you a 'Gaelgade' as a reward, can you help me find it?"

"What, Kalluto. Are you trying to accept this guy's quest mission?"

To make himself look more like an NPC, Sora mechanically repeated the same lines in a falsetto, intending to disguise his voice.

The NPCs in the designated card-grabbing event were almost as natural as real people, but there were also NPCs who were nothing more than town mobs, NPCs for earning pocket money unrelated to game strategy, and NPCs used for activities like this. Perhaps because they couldn't allocate many resources, the lines for those NPCs were often read off-the-cuff, so Sora's slightly unnatural tone also seemed like an NPC to the two of them.

So Shalnark didn't seem to have the slightest suspicion, pointed at Sora who was looking down, and asked Kurt.

"I just listened to the story. Genthru also sounds like a weapon's name, so I was curious, but I don't need Fugura."

"Haha, isn't it? You thought that name was a weapon."

When I responded to Shalnark's words as usual, showing my stubbornness, "I have no interest in the game," Shalnark smiled and agreed.

Machi kept staring at Sora, but did not make her look up.

Originally, she had no interest in the GI game; the people playing the game were those who obtained cards by attacking other players rather than doing events in the game, because she never thought there would be a meaningless event. Being ten years younger than her, even if she felt some discomfort toward the girl in front of her, she could not resonate with Sora.

"My cat ran away. If you find it, I'll give you a 'Galaxy' as a reward. Can you help me find it?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Kalluto, don't forget the conditions. If you don't disturb us or get in our way, you can hold your activities separately."

Sora repeated the same thing like a stiff mechanical NPC, Shalnark treated it appropriately, and then said to Kalluto.

His facial expression and words seemed gentle, but Kalluto understood, because he possessed the same Manipulation system as him.

This person thought, "I should be able to manipulate him in an emergency," so he should be magnanimous toward himself.

And I know people don't think I'm strong enough to be vigilant enough to think that way.

"You said you weren't interested!!"

"Really? For some reason, I'm still interested in this game."

"Oh, then why don't you do it yourself?"

So, this time he replied with a completely natural reaction, but even so, Shalnark was very casual with Kalluto, while Machi expressed that it was troublesome and just let the two of them leave, with Shalnark hurriedly following behind Machi.

The sharp-intuitioned Machi didn't notice, which made me feel relieved, but just like Shalnark, this seemed to prove that Kurt was thinking "I'm not that cautious," and Kurt bit his lip in frustration again.

While eavesdropping on the conversation between Machi and Shalnark, I realized that telling myself "not good, not bad" right now is the most shameful thing.

Neither good nor bad means it is not trusted, nor is it protected.

I can move freely alone now, the two of us have already left, and all of this is, "If I'm here it might be useful, but it doesn't have to be. I'm not afraid of becoming an enemy." Because Kalluto is not an idiot, he understood that evaluation and couldn't help but feel a little lost, wanting to cry.

Sora whispered to such a Kalluto.

"My cat ran away."

"No, you can disguise yourself as an NPC now!!"

I blew away the frustrated tears I had put on for the NPC Sora insisted on, and Sora looked up and laughed.

"Haha, yes, I'm relieved now.

... And Kalluto. Thank you. He improvised and knocked on my deception."

Hearing the words of thanks, Kurt's cheeks flushed slightly, and he looked away, making a reaction similar to Killua, which made Sora smile.

However, Kalluto could not bear to see Sora's reaction as usual, and the tears that should have flowed down slowly blurred his vision again.

"Huh? Hey, what's wrong, Kalluto!?"

"... Sora, aren't you going to ask anything?"

Sora was terrified by Kurt, who was crying harder than just a moment ago, and Kurt rubbed his eyes rudely and asked Sora.

His conversation with the Phantom Troupe was quite intimate. Kalluto questioned why he didn't ask at all what the "conditions" Shalnark mentioned were.

"Hmm? If Kalluto doesn't want to say it, I won't listen, and frankly speaking, I already know the situation.

Did you join the Brigade? No, he said 'conditions,' so I'm currently in an examination period, right? The motive is unclear, but if you understand this, and I know why you are here, why not tell me."

However, unlike Kalluto, Sora answered too easily.

And stepped in. Crossing the line drawn by Kalluto.

"... You didn't say anything, are you trying to protect me?"

Everything was already understood.

"I don't understand why you would leave your beloved home to join the Brigade, those guys in the Phantom Troupe... I know you love me more.... They want to use that feeling as a 'hostage'."

Although Sora understood, he also knew that this conversation would definitely be known by Pakunoda, but Sora still spoke up.

As if loving Kalluto, with a smile on his face.

Knowing that this further increased Kalluto's value as "Sora's hostage," Sora still smiled at Kalluto.

He smiled to prove that Sora also liked Kalluto, he said.

"Thank you, Kalluto.

"Hmm?"

Sora showed a brilliant smile, took off his hat, and grabbed the bewildered Kurt's shoulders.

Then, as if measuring his body temperature so Kalluto wouldn't look away, I pressed my forehead against his, letting him take it to heart, and declared.

"——The enemies of this child Kalluto, without exception, are my enemies."

Declaring war on the Phantom Troupe, not on Kalluto, but on Pakunoda who reads Kalluto's memories.

Although admitting that Kalluto is worth being a hostage to him, he told him to be prepared for it. If you make a mistake, I will declare with my beautiful heavenly eyes that I will not forgive you.

Her eyes were so beautiful that she could instinctively know that this was the end, even if there was no boundary.

Perhaps her words proved that the prey in these eyes was not herself, but more importantly, for Kalluto, what she said was more important than the azure blue of Sora in front of her, because it was more shocking.

"... Sora. That is..."

"I told you, Kalluto. The reason I can't call your enemies my enemies is because you are an Assassin... your enemies are the targets of your work, and I like you, so I am your enemy." Because sometimes you want to protect your enemies.

... Because I don't want you to kill an innocent person under the demands of resentment, so I can't call your enemies my enemies.

So... if you are not an Assassin now, I can turn your enemies into my enemies. If you are selfish and say that someone who is not your enemy is your enemy, I can scold you and stop you... so your current enemies are my enemies."

The day he took Killua out of the house, Kurt stepped on the ground and asked: "Why!?"

Why are Killua's enemies only Sora's enemies? He asked in a low voice, why not call his own enemies Sora's enemies.

I agree with this answer. Not because he likes Killua more, but because his position is different. I am quite satisfied with the answer that Sora cannot call Kalluto's enemies his own, because Kalluto is proud of his identity as an Assassin and has no intention of quitting.

... I am happy, but even so, the feelings and wishes I want to express will not disappear.

About a year later, this wish came true.

"... Sora. I... am different now... but I..."

"You wouldn't want to stop being an Assassin, would you? That's all I know. But if things are definitely different now, even if it's only for a limited time, your enemies are my enemies."

Unable to wipe away the falling tears, Sora lowered his eyes and answered, telling him that he had not stopped being an Assassin like Killua.

Although he was as unwavering as ever, clearly saying it was only for a limited time, and although he was not an Assassin, he still said: "Kalluto's enemies are my enemies."

But I cannot believe my own words.

The reason Kalluto called out was because he was satisfied with these words and wanted to say: "Sora's enemies are my enemies."

"But! I am a member of the Phantom Troupe! I am only a candidate member now, but I am still... a friend of Sora's relative's enemy!?"

Little is known about the fate of the Phantom Troupe and Sora. Even so, he already knew that even without being told, the Phantom Troupe and Sora themselves had almost no direct connection.

The person who had a direct connection with him was not Sora, but the one called "Chain Bastard." Sora knew he could not forgive the Phantom Troupe, because he was important, because he was important.

To Sora, "Chain Bastard" was more important than anyone else... if he was worse than himself... brother Killua I know it is more important than that.

I have a young but intense jealousy, and I want to kill him. But rather than killing him and being hated by Sora, I don't want to be hated by Sora, and I don't want to make Sora sad.

Even though you have always respected what is important to me, I feel pathetic and hate myself for trampling on what is important to Sora because of jealousy.

That is why I am confused. I am worried.

For Sora's sake, he is struggling with whether to infiltrate the Brigade and betray them, or to treat even Sora as his enemy.

"... Kalluto. You like me and Killua, but you don't like Killua's friend Gon and other humans, right? Do you hate people?

Some people might hate you because of your pettiness, but you are different, aren't you? So ask me now, 'Is this okay?' I am sure he is asking.

The Brigade has nothing to do with you, they are my enemies, but the reason is that you are Kurapika's enemy, so even if you join the Brigade, you will not be my enemy. I am quite sure you were not involved in the attack on the Kurta clan, so if you say you are Kurapika's enemy, I would rather be angry. I will never allow it.

... So it's okay. Kurt, even if you are taken hostage, I will not give up anything. I will not give up, because if I do, I will not be able to forgive the Phantom Troupe.

I will not lose anything or give up because of you. You are worthy of being my hostage, but you are not my weakness. I will be strong so that won't happen, so it's okay."

Just as he saw that Kalluto was not the youngest child of the Zoldyck Family, but an unremarkable Kalluto, he said that even if I join the Brigade, it is nothing more than a Kalluto.

He told me that even if he was Sora's most important person, he would not let Kalluto be seen as an enemy because of unreasonable resentment.

He said that even if Kalluto became a hostage, he would recognize its value, not its weakness.

The things Kalluto feared and was confused about were answered, and their foreheads moved apart.

However, Kurt just hugged Sora, whose physique was not much different from his own, and the tears he had been holding back overflowed.

"... Selfish thing... I just said..."

Regret collapsed. However, this frustration was wrapped in Sora's kindness, minimizing the damage Kalluto suffered.

What was even more frustrating was that I hugged it while crying, but still declared it was Kalluto.

"I also want to become strong... so that Sora won't become my weakness... so I won't become a burden to the Zoldyck Family... so I can say that even if my brothers didn't protect me, it's fine... that's why I left home!"

Kalluto himself expressed "good" to Sora's "good."

Facing the young Sora who said he would become stronger, Sora placed a small hand that looked like a maple leaf like Colt's on his back; that hand was also small, but one day it would grow rice paddies.

"... Yeah. You will become strong. Now, you have no reason not to be able to say it."

The Wizard's apprentice quietly, unhurriedly, yet clearly asserted the future Kalluto wanted.

"Ah, right, Kalluto. You aren't being monitored by the Brigade, so you have a certain amount of freedom, right?"

After Kurt, who had been hugging him, calmed down from crying for a while, Sora asked this, and Kurt rubbed his red, swollen eyes and answered with a puzzled look.

"I think I'm being ignored because I'm not being handled much, but I can't let this Phantom Troupe know."

"Yeah, if you are identified as an enemy instead of a hostage, that's fine. I don't need it."

Even if Pakunoda currently knows about this exchange, it is within the Phantom Troupe's assumptions, but since the Leader has not been exiled yet, Kalluto should take the initiative to disclose the Phantom Troupe's intelligence at a stage where Sora cannot reach it. In that case, as Sora said, rather than treating him as a hostage, it would be better to deal with Kalluto quickly.

He declared that he would "become stronger," but Kalluto, being well-educated by the Zoldyck Family, knew that there were few opponents at this stage who could defeat members of the Phantom Troupe, so he could not act as a Spy. I can assure you, but Sora also knew this, so he didn't expect it.

On the contrary, there is no information Sora wants to know. I have enough information to provide.

"Kalluto, if you are free tomorrow, come to the inn in this town, and then, look for the bedside table drawer in the corner room on the second floor, I will plant it there."

"? What?"

"Contact information for abolitionists other than me."

"!?"

Kalluto's eyes were black and white because he couldn't understand what he had just said, but Sora didn't care about his confusion and continued.

"Isn't the condition for you to join the troupe the Brigade's 'find the memorial service'? Instead of not being able to read, wait until I figure it out and send someone I know, so I will give it to you.

Of course, if you don't want to use it, feel free. If you are looking for an Exorcist other than me and him, then go ahead."

Sora said to Pakunoda, who read Kalluto's memories from Kalluto and the Brigade.

However, the chance of Sora reading that this provocation was known was very low.

I will tell you, reading is the answer to Kalluto: "If you ask me that far, I don't think you will use it?"

"Pakunoda's Hatsu is certainly troublesome, but she doesn't read her mind, but her memories. Well, if you don't do that, the memories you read will be mixed together, and the other party will definitely have an overload of capacity, so it is more of a control valve than a Constraint.

So, if you don't ask precise questions to some extent, you shouldn't be able to understand anything.

Even if the Phantom Troupe doesn't trust you, if you don't expect them to trust you, so if you don't treat them that way, they shouldn't often read your memories and miss information. It's troublesome, and most importantly, if you peek into your memories too much, there is a high chance that you will end up becoming an enemy of the Zoldyck Family, so you shouldn't do anything like poking the bush unnecessarily."

To Sora's speculation, Kalluto nodded repeatedly, as if moved.

In retrospect, Pakunoda interrogating me and reading my memories was only the first day. It is frustrating that the information was leaked on the first day, and it is precisely because I was too cautious about Pakunoda that I can say I have never been asked any questions by Pakunoda since then.

After confirming his speculation about Kalluto's reaction, Sora went a step further and entered Kalluto.

"Kalluto, it's quite unnatural right now, so I hope you take this opportunity to use the Zoldyck connections to find an Exorcist; even if you don't like it, I cannot support it by reading."

First of all, the Brigade cannot expect me to leak information about abolitionists. Don't bother asking, 'How did you find the exterminator?' You shouldn't try to read it.

... Of course, this is my own Prediction, and it is high risk for you. If you are discovered, even if you turn Zoldyck into an enemy by using him as a Spy, he will very likely kill you, so if you don't want to, you don't have to. Personally, I don't want to.

But... not only did he find an Exorcist who was considered "impossible," but if he is a Trojan horse, he was able to send him in because he underestimated himself. If you could point out the failure of... the Phantom Troupe over there, wouldn't that feel great?"

Kurt, impressed by his own wisdom, looked up at Sora and said, "So that's how it is." The last question couldn't help but widen his eyes.

Sora, himself and his lover, the Chain Bastard Kurapika; therefore, I don't want to send an Exorcist who is familiar with me.

I know from these words that the wisdom and Suggestion are precisely because I understand the helplessness of Kalluto.

The benefit is of course on Sora's side, but Kalluto knows the risk is higher than what Sora said.

Nevertheless, Sora prioritized rewarding Kalluto's frustration by risking himself and even his beloved, and paid the price for it.

If so, Kalluto's answer was already decided.

"... This is for the best!"

"Correct!"

If Sora believes in his own success and takes the risk, Kalluto is willing to take his own risk.

That kind of risk, of course, was not to himself, nor to Sora; although he was somewhat annoyed and swore never to visit Sora's precious "Chain Bastard," Kalluto's eyes were still a little red, but still, just like the name of the person in front of him, I smiled brightly and stretched out my fist.

Facing that fist, Sora smiled and said, "Contract established," and as if to prove it, he hit his own fist against it.

"... Hm?"

"... That?"

Upon striking, Sora and Kurt noticed each other at the same time.

At some point, Sora was looking down at Kalluto, and Kalluto was looking up at Sora. The height difference, which should have been within 5cm, suddenly exceeded 10cm as usual.

... Sora suddenly discovered that the Nen Ability that had been applied to her, "making her return to around 10 years old," had disappeared, and she had returned to her original appearance of 22 years old this year.

Even when wet, she didn't notice any changes, so it was too natural when she returned, and because it was custom-made, it wouldn't break even if Biscuit returned to her original form, so Sora was wearing the Gothic Lolita dress she had on; of course, because she didn't feel it was Hard, Sora, who realized she hadn't paid attention at all, was the first to leave...

"... Ahhhhh!"

Look, don't look, Kalluto! I'm taking it off right now, so erase it from your memory!!"

"Wait, Sora!

Even if you don't look good in it, it doesn't matter if you act like a child. The complex of doing this made it spin more violently, and she screamed.

It's the temperament of someone who loves Gothic Lolita more than an adult, but for Sora, Gothic Lolita isn't just for adults or children; even if it were a masked *idar or U*toraman, he would still wear Gothic Lolita. I hope you can forgive me, because this is an unnatural thing that doesn't suit a level of understanding like yours.

By the way, it goes without saying that this understanding might be misunderstood, and Sora's Gothic Lolita suits him even as an adult.

So, from Kalluto's perspective, I don't know why she started crying here and taking off her clothes, but I knew from the first time I met her that she was really bad at dressing like a woman, so somehow Sora became a slut. I calmed down to persuade him, stopping him by saying I would rush to a nearby store to buy suitable clothes.

... However, it's a pity, because of Sora's screaming, when Kurt bought the clothes and returned to the back alley, he was discovered by the three people looking for Sora; Sora was right there in the back alley, sitting in a corner crying with her face buried in her knees.

"... I'm sorry, Sora. Sora's enemy is my enemy, but right now I cannot stand on Sora's side."

Biscuit apologized to the crying Sora, and Killua and Gon, who were following behind her, quietly left the scene, muttering for a moment: Brother Killua, I express my heartfelt support.