Chapter 16: Let's Go Together

"Ahhhhh!! Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting, disgusting!!

I'm going to take a bath now, I'm going to take off this jumpsuit!! Regardless, I'm wearing a bra and shorts underneath, so why shouldn't I take them off?!"

"Quiet, stop it, you idiot. If you do that, you'll be just like that pervert."

Killua finally kicked the back of Sora's knee hard; Sora had been saying the same thing ever since the incident with Hisoka, making him feel as if he'd been bitten by a dog.

Even so, I could understand how uncomfortable she felt being held by that clown, and I sympathized with her, so I tried to endure Killua's words, listen to him, and try to comfort him, but I really did take off the jumpsuit. I no longer hesitated, because I started to try.

Fortunately, Killua's remark about "being just like that pervert" seemed to work; Sora pulled the zipper back up, completely covering her skin.

I had thought she lacked the sense of shame women usually have, but sure enough, she seemed to have a sense of disgust and crisis regarding perverts.

Or perhaps it was just that Hisoka was so disgusting that it reached a level where any sense of shame or danger as a woman vanished, but this possibility didn't please anyone, so Killua tried not to think about it.

"Woo~, what should I do? I wanted to go home before the exam even started. If it weren't for Killua, I definitely would have gone home."

Killua glanced at Sora; he rubbed the goosebumps on his body that still hadn't disappeared and complained about his disgust for Hisoka.

There were some things I couldn't ignore, so Killua's voice was naturally harsh.

"……If I'm here, why don't you go home?"

"Hmm? Because that pervert definitely isn't just targeting me, Killua is too."

Killua's sharp question was answered by Sora, who tilted her head slightly.

I knew it even without Sora telling me. Hisoka had been looking at Sora with a sticky bloodlust, but he knew that his bloodlust and gaze were also aimed at Killua.

So I felt sympathy for Sora from the bottom of my heart, that she was able to withstand that kind of killing intent that always sent shivers down her spine, even to the point of just glancing at him.

But now, that sympathy had vanished, and there was only an unreasonable irritation in my heart.

"……Then what do you mean by that?"

This time I didn't answer the question. However, Sora, with an expression of not understanding what she was saying, tilted her head toward Killua even more than before.

"……If you don't want that pervert looking at you, if you don't want to get involved anymore, if you want to run away, you should run away now, don't worry about me.

Why, because I'm being targeted too, is that why you can't run away? ……Why protect me?"

Killua clearly knew how unreasonable his words were.

What I want to say to Sora here is that when Hisoka attacked me unilaterally, I apologize for running away alone without helping her. I know this is a reward for not blaming me.

The reason he didn't dodge Hisoka's attack and was able to handle all the cards on the spot was because if Sora left, his attack would likely be aimed at Killua, so she didn't run away. I realized this.

I was happy that she let me get close enough to protect me, even though I had just met her. Even though Killua knew he couldn't even say "Let go of Sora!", I asked about eight o'clock.

Faced with this question, Sora asked him with a blank expression.

"Does Killua care about running away?"

Killua blushed, glared at the woman who had easily seen through her stubbornness and exposed her true intentions, and said nothing.

I didn't have the sincerity to affirm it, so I made such a vague remark. That's why I couldn't even deny it.

Even if it was only temporary embarrassment, I couldn't say a denial like "I don't care if I abandoned you."

The reason I couldn't say more was because before Killua could say anything, Sora said something with a slightly troubled expression.

"You don't have to worry. Or rather, say 'What are you doing, stop it!'"

"What do you mean, I'm weak!?"

When his feeling of "wanting to help" was denied in a troublesome way, Killua yelled at her.

Even though Killua was angry at her, Sora still nodded honestly.

"You will definitely be stronger than me.

Honestly, if Killua could join forces with me against a difficult opponent, I would be happy, but that would only increase the workload. That's why, when things get dangerous, it's best to run away first, just like before."

Killua couldn't say anything with a different meaning than before and stared at Sora silently.

In fact, Killua even miscalculated the skill gap between himself and Sora.

Even without the cheat ability of the "Death Eye," he knew he was still no match for Sora; even if he rushed at the opponent she was struggling with, he would be killed in seconds. I know that if it's done, she is the least troublesome person.

Even so, he was still angry at being called "weak" by others, but this time he couldn't even stir up any anger.

Although angry, and angry at being called "weak," the angry Sora hurriedly chased after the embarrassed Killua, cursing herself while wanting to go somewhere, "Aren't you an idiot?".

"Killua, I like meat buns."

"Hmm?"

After being caught up, Killua turned around at the sudden words.

"I know it's better for you not to help me and let me run away, but I'm angry that you let me run away without hesitation, so after the exam is over, treat yourself to a meat bun."

I mean, every time you abandon me and run away, you get a meat bun."

"Huh!? What is that!!"

It's fine to buy one or two meat buns, but if you complain about the price you decided, Sora would casually say: "Don't underestimate my greed, until you buy me something delicious, I will follow you like a ghost." That's because, she said childishly.

Killua realized that it was meaningless to be stubborn after the other party abandoned him, and spat out harsh words: "Don't treat me like a child, you are a bad person."

Killua didn't notice.

Under Sora's greedy suggestion, he didn't realize that the guilt of abandoning her, which had accumulated because Sora didn't blame him at all, and the restlessness Sora felt because he abandoned her, had disappeared.

She didn't look mature at all, but she didn't realize that Sora was much more mature than her.

＊＊＊

For some reason, Sora and Killua were excited about the meat buns in the convenience store. When Sora said how disgusting it was to eat a slimy bun in the microwave, Killua laughed out loud. Saying the time you don't do that is over. Not love.

A deafening bell rang, and both of them frowned, turning their eyes toward the direction the sound came from. Wrapped in a black suit that looked like formal wear, reminiscent of the maids in Killua's house, a gentleman with a unique beard stood on top of a thick pipe extending along the wall.

After confirming that all the students were paying attention to him, the gentleman stopped the bell that looked like a toy.

"As of now, the reception time will end.

Now, let's begin the Hunter Exam."

The solemn words of the opening.

That person silently dropped from the pipe to the ground and instructed the students to follow him.

While leading the students, he told them about the severity of the Hunter Exam and that the risk of death was not uncommon; currently, the examinees in this Underground Tunnel would not be returning.

The man confirmed that all approximately 390 people were ready to take the exam, then proceeded with the exam.

When asked about the number of people, Sora and Killua said, "There are quite a lot of applicants," but in reality, only 405 people reached the exam site, while there were only 10-plus people before Hisoka. This person himself did not realize that he had run off before the reception time ended, either because of injury or because he was involved in Sora's trouble and was afraid.

"What kind of test is this?"

"……I just wanted you to exempt me from the written test."

"Wow, I agree with your opinion."

Thinking they would be guided to the first exam site, Sora and Killua, though without the slightest sense of tension, talked frankly and earnestly.

However, in less than five minutes, I sensed a change in the surrounding environment.

It started as just a gradually faster pace, but eventually the fast pace turned into a brisk walk, the brisk walk turned into a jog, and the group at the very front finally started running at a marathon speed, and the people behind followed suit.

Before I knew it, when everyone started running, the man introduced himself as the person in charge of the first exam and stated that he would take everyone to the second exam site. If you ask "What about the first exam?", the answer is that it has already begun.

Follow Examiner Satotz to the second exam site.

Saying it was the first exam, Ritz did not look back.

"……Strange test."

Killua nodded at Sora's mutter, put down the Skateboard in his hand, got on, and started running.

"I brought it, but I don't think it's useful."

"If you think so, you are a person with Fortune Telling. Or rather, Killua is cunning. Let me on!"

Sora wanted to jump onto Killua's Skateboard from behind, but he accelerated, avoided Sora, and said, "No, no, I'm in front. If you fall, I'll point and laugh." He left Sora behind and continued forward.

That said, I didn't want to leave it behind, so I ignored the disgusted gazes of other examinees who said, "Why are you bringing this thing, you kid?" When I ran the Skateboard, someone shouted at me, "Hey, kid! You're dirty!"

Turning back, a man wearing a large black suit and sunglasses was complaining: "Isn't this cheating! Hey!!"

"What the hell... this is a test of endurance!"

Hearing the man's words, the surrounding students nodded in deep agreement and looked at Killua with critical eyes, but the boy who seemed to be the man's most important partner, about the same age as Killua, was between Killua and Sora. The 18-year-old blonde disagreed with the man's point of view, and although he might not have meant to, he scolded the man by saying things like following Killua.

"Generally speaking, you can bring your own test!"

Saying this, Killua widened his eyes and stared at the blonde who was reprimanding his companion.

"What's wrong with me?"

Noticing Killua's gaze, the blonde man, presumably the blonde man, tilted his head and asked, but Killua just said "By the way" and did not answer.

I did not answer because there was no point in answering.

The shape of the face itself was almost there, but I felt that the overly neutral features and physique were surprisingly similar to Sora, and for a moment I seriously misunderstood. Killua did not speak, his interest shifting to a boy about his age.

They naturally did not realize it, but in fact, no one knew that a strange synchronicity had occurred at this moment.

Just as Killua mistook the blonde youth Kurapika for Sora, no one knew that Kurapika saw Killua's face for a moment, seeing the face of the person he had lost three years ago.

＊＊＊

Unlike Killua, she did not mistake the person, but those cat-like eyes, as well as her self-disciplined attitude, ignoring the critical gazes of the people around her, strongly reminded her of Sora. Kurapika shook his head to drive away those traces, now trying hard to focus on the exam.

However, perhaps because I had a dream this morning, I couldn't erase her from my mind.

"Isn't it bad? I don't care what you think, what I look like in your eyes, because I am still me."

"On the contrary, if I can remember a person by looking at me, and be able to keep that person alive in my heart for as long as possible, that would be an honor."

Her words were vivid.

Just as she said, because she lived in Kurapika's heart because of the person he saw, she told herself again.

Kurapika met Sora's brothers for the first time.

The origin, the principle of color change, the color change itself is different from mine, those points that should have been the only ones to change eye color, such as commonality.

Regretting that I was too selfish at the time, since then, I sincerely tried to respect her as a person named "Sora Sikiori" rather than "a person like my compatriot," but I think I couldn't do that too quickly. I was reminded.

Mother was in a place more reckless, noisy, and bright than anyone else.

A calm and anxious father, yet he could say hard words without hesitation.

I saw the reflection of my best friend in that smile that believed in me, protected me, relied on me, and smiled.

I know, each one is a trivial, one-sided aspect, and it is good for everyone.

However, is it because of Sora's appearance that he can be both a man and a woman, an adult and a child? So vividly bringing back the person lost in Kurapika's heart, shattering the sincere Sora that Kurapika wanted to "respect" as an individual.

And the other party herself, at the very least, spoke honestly when apologizing; she ignored the fact that she didn't treat herself as a person at all, and simply forgave him, saying: "Isn't this okay??"

As he himself said, no matter what Kurapika thinks, Sora cannot be anyone other than Sora. No matter how much Kurapika looks like her parents and best friend, she will never be a parent or a best friend.

"Once the body is lost, that person can only live in other people's minds."

"Kurapika. As long as you remember, the people you love are still alive. And even I cannot kill them."

While telling Kurapika that the beloved person will never return, he told her where they live, how to protect them, keep them alive, and let her catch a glimpse of another person; I felt relieved about this.

However, although he no longer felt guilty because he thought she looked like someone, the self-loathing in his heart still existed.

I have always been worried.

I like Sora, I admire her, I want to be Together with her, I hope her happiness is above all else, but in the end, it is because she is like someone who is important to me. I can't help but hate that I didn't see the individual.

I certainly want to fall in love with a person named Sora.

However, this self-loathing was resolved by breaking up with Sora.

If I had stayed with her all the time, it might never have been resolved, so in a sense, this is an achievement of hurt.

Somehow, she is a bit like someone who is important to Kurapika.

If a person has so many similarities, in a sense, this would be a natural result.

Precisely because Sora is very similar to others, there will always be people who are like Sora in some aspects.

After breaking up with Sora, Kurapika could almost always see people who had a relationship with him.

I saw traces of Sora in Gon's ridiculously straightforward movements and Leorio's immature yet generous demeanor.

Even in the most trivial exchanges and actions, I was searching for something similar to her, and when I realized I was trying hard to remember her so she wouldn't disappear and die, living on in my heart, I couldn't help but smile.

I have correctly seen the person named Sora, and I am very happy to confirm that the person named Sora likes her.

"What is that old man's name?"

"Osa... I'm still in my teens, just like you all!!"

"No way!?"

Kurapika's consciousness was pulled back from the past to the present by the commotion behind him.

"Ah!! Even Gon...!!"

(Let's go)

Honestly, I agree with Gon's surprise, but I don't want him to make a fuss during the exam, even if he is still a child. And although he is in his teens, he is estimated to be nearly 20, so while thinking that Leorio should be more mature, Kurapika quickened his pace and left Gon and the others for the moment.

Even in such an awkward exchange, when I was a little ahead of the others, all three of them thought, "Sora seems to be doing this."

"Killua. What are you making a scene for? Come with me too!"

"!?"

Tall for a man, slightly short for a woman.

"What, did you catch up to me?"

"? Who? Killua's older sister?"

"Older sister? Aren't you the older brother?"

"Hmm? Did you make friends right away? Nice to meet you, kid! And you too, uncle!!"

"You said you aren't an old man! I'm only in my teens!"

"Is that 19 years and some months?"

"I am a true youth! Or rather, I was born in March, so I am still eighteen!!"

The defensive line against being hurt by different people with only similar voices was quickly Eliminated by the back-and-forth exchange, and expectations grew higher and higher.

After the genderless person in the back row reacted exactly like Gon to Leorio's words, they smiled and wanted to name Gon and the others.

"Ahaha~ sorry, sorry. Then everyone is young.

What is your name? I—"

Before saying my name, I turned around.

Regardless, if it is different, I want to see it with my own eyes and despair.

Most importantly, after hearing the name, I don't seem to know what kind of face I should look back at.

"-Sora?"

It was Kurapika who told him the name, not himself.

My feet stopped involuntarily, and I stood there.

If she was 18 three years ago, it wouldn't be unnatural for her appearance not to have changed much, but she hadn't changed since three years ago, as if Kurapika had stopped, as if time had stopped.

A beauty that miraculously blended the beauty of both men and women.

Although she was tall for a woman, she was uneven, so her figure was like that of an immature youth, which could be seen by both adults and children.

The few and the omnipotent.

A mysterious person who is the same as everyone else, everyone has that face.

However, only the hair was vastly different from Kurapika's memory.

Kurapika didn't know if it had bleached to the limit or if something had happened.

The black hair that was originally suitable for the expression of a crow's wet feathers had completely lost its color, turning into white hair like an old person, which also contained the opposite of her innocence.

"... Kurapika?"

Sora also noticed the presence of the person in front, gently opened her deep blue eyes, and called out her own name.

Gon, Killua, and the others were confused by Kurapika's sudden stop, calling out Kurapika's name before she could say her own, and calling the other person's name; the three looked at each other, and I asked: "Are you acquaintances?"

Kurapika could not answer this question, even when other students shouted at him, "Why did you stop! You're blocking the way!"

I don't remember anything now, such as what I was going to say or what I was going to do when we met again.

However, Kurapika could do nothing but hope this was not a dream, and if it were a dream, he would not wake up.

Sora did not stop.

Gon and the others were startled by Kurapika's words and appearance and stopped for a moment, but she ran over briskly and grabbed Kurapika's hand without hesitation.

"!"

"Kurapika, what are you doing? You are going to become a Hunter, aren't you?"

She said with a smile to Kurapika, who had been pulled suddenly and almost fell.

She didn't say long time no see, nor did she say she wanted to see him again, as if they had just parted for a while.

"Let's go together."

From the day Kurapika met her, she had casually spoken of her long-held wish, and it had come true.

"... Ah... let's go. Together."

In his blurred vision, Kurapika returned her hand; her hand was as warm as in his memory, but much smaller than he remembered.

Promise me you won't let go of my hand.

"Yeah. By the way, is Kurapika your older sister?"

"Don't twist it!!"

However, 0.5 seconds later, he easily threw away that vow, and at the same time, his weapon, the Wooden Sword, was thrown with all his might toward Sora's forehead.