Chapter 168: Dreams Never End

As if pulled by something, I moved away.

Returning from Sora's dream to my own dream.

I had been worried about Sora, but after stabbing Sora, I hesitated a little, "Come to think of it, can I return to the dream?"

Just as Sora explained in Replacement Magic, "Even if you separate your spirit from your main body and replace it with another body, the spirit will immediately return to the main body, receiving a slight impact." Mind and body are a set. The connectivity is strong.

Although it is difficult to let my thoughts interfere with someone else's thoughts, I am relieved to learn that returning from someone else's thoughts to my own body can likely be done automatically, unless there is a serious problem.

That sense of relief gave birth to leeway, and doubts and thoughts that had been noticed but later set aside surfaced.

However, even while dreaming, my eyelids were unusually heavy. It has been an hour and a half since I fell asleep, and my brain is likely transitioning from REM sleep to non-REM sleep.

I am trying to get the kind of rest that I wouldn't even dream of. And after that rest, I believe another dream will overwrite this one, and I will either forget it from my memory or it will become very blurry even if I remember it.

This is why Kurapika kept thinking in the dream until his eyelids closed.

Dreams are for organizing memories of reality.

It is for sorting out what you have forgotten and what you remember, so even if this memory is not real, it will be repeated so that it burns into your brain, allowing you to remember a little bit.

When I pierced Sora's chest with the "point" mimicked by Muma, I thought there would be some kind of resistance or counterattack, but there was nothing.

When I inserted the blade until it was completely buried, I closed my eyes, because this was not what I wanted to see, even though I was prepared and did not hesitate.

When I opened my eyes after burying all the blades, I thought the Sora I had stabbed was gone, and what was pierced in my chest was a flower with rainbow-colored hair, as beautiful as a beautiful flower... it looked lonely. He was a man with ugly eyes.

For no reason, I thought this was a nightmare.

I hate Muma, the one who locked Sora in a dream prison and pushed him into the Abyss, I cannot forgive him.

However... Kurapika could do nothing.

All I could do was take my hand off the blade.

I could have scratched the belly like that, but the reason I didn't act out of hatred was because of the promise I made with Sora... that wasn't the case.

No matter how much I hated him, I had no intention of doing such a thing because of that promise, but that had nothing to do with why Kurapika let go of the blade.

The moment Kurapika saw those lonely eyes, the hatred in Kurapika's heart wavered.

It did not disappear. I am sure I will never forgive that nightmare in my life.

But, what is certain is that this emotion is no longer as strong as hatred.

I felt sad for those lonely eyes.

Kurapika had not yet spoken to that Muma.

When Muma looked at Kurapika with a bitter smile, everything before his eyes was white and empty. Sora probably woke up at that time.

So I should know nothing.

Why were that Muma's eyes so lonely?

Why did I feel sad for that nightmare?

Not knowing the reason, I should have forgotten.

He not only sympathized but also hated Muma.

However, when Kurapika returned to his "dream," he discovered it.

I am sure Muma also did it in a reluctant way.

The hand that stabbed Muma was stained with Muma's blood. Perhaps by returning to his own "dream," the blood was treated as a foreign object, the blood turned into foam, rising like soap bubbles and disappearing.

What should have been blood turned into soap bubbles, emitting the same rainbow color as the dreamer's hair, and floated to the water's surface.

I saw it in the soap bubbles.

"Hello. Nice to meet you, Star Herald."

Muma can control the host's Dream World precisely because the host does not know of its existence. During non-REM sleep, when the brain is dormant, it dominates the brain and goes unnoticed, but if it is detected during REM sleep, it will be crushed like an insect, a powerless existence.

As long as they are aware of their existence, humans are stronger and cannot resist them.

This is why Kurapika could not go against Kurapika's will, and showed that part of the nightmare Kurapika brought back into his own dream... the blood.

I want to know the reason for those lonely eyes.

Kurapika felt sad for him.

Muma's memories are reflected in the soap bubbles of Muma's blood.

This is a young man's memory.

Each one is in a small bubble, I can barely see it, but I can still see it.

I don't even have to see this thing with my own eyes to know why I have such lonely eyes. I felt sad for myself.

A very large soap bubble emitted sound again.

The farewell words Muma said to "him" who was heading toward a dream that was too reckless.

"This is nothing but a useless death, so why don't you stop?"

Knowing the true meaning of these words, Kurapika closed his eyes, unable to resist, and spoke the words he wanted to convey, even though he knew these words would not reach him.

"... You are an idiot... You... just... for that 'friend'————"

I know why you felt sad for me.

Kurapika just saw "himself" in those eyes.

The close friend Flame Soldier lost only a bunch of Muma and myself.

Kurapika continued to be serious in the dream, but as for Sora and the others who were proceeding at the same time as him...

"Hmm, Sora-kun. I don't know what to say, but in that situation, I really don't know how to use this technique."

"You really wouldn't say that, it's all your fault, I'm not wrong."

Fortunately in misfortune, Merlin, who only had a "just in case" body, did not suffer serious injuries like an ordinary person, and the castrated fist did not cause a comical death story.

Instead, the men watching the battle were all mentally damaged, and for Merlin, who feeds on human mental activity, the impact Merlin received was even more uncomfortable than his own physical injuries.

Therefore, although there was no pain, he still sat where he was, his face remaining pale, his expression the same as when he first started.

In fact, unlike the usual changes in Karna's personality, this time it was because Merlin was dreaming, and since it was better not to share his memories than to share them, it happened to Sora while he was sleeping. There was no reason to know about Sirius.

And the memory just before Sora fell asleep was a grand sexual Harassment by Merlin.

In this situation, for Sora to say, "I'm doing something serious right now, so just endure it," would be even more cruel and unreasonable. Indeed, Sora was right, and Sora was also not wrong.

I don't know if the others thought so, but like Merlin, I want to say, "So what?" It cannot be solved, and the Sirius that Sora blew up has still not returned. Or more accurately, I don't know how or if it should be returned.

So for the time being, Gon explained the situation to Razor, who might not have understood it well, and Biscuit returned to her original girl version, using the healing card given to her by Razor to heal the wound on his sleepy Tongue.

Killua stayed by Sora's side to see if Merlin would do anything else. I knew I couldn't act as a deterrent to Merlin, and first of all, I wanted to say to Sora: "Don't get too close to this guy! Learn!" Killua didn't have the courage to say this to Sora, who was also angry out of shame.

Plus, Killua actually still remembered the reason why he was so sad at the beginning, to the point that Sora's prank almost made him forget it, so Merlin calmed down when it happened to Sora, realized his plan had failed, and did not stop Sora's slapping.

"... I mean, do you really need 'that'? If you doubled up like we did before, wouldn't this guy sleep normally?"

"Just as Killua said, that is the safest way, but in that case, Sora would wake himself up from his sleep with a direct death, which is too powerful. Well, I want to do it this way first. Because it is so soft and feels good."

""Die!!""

On the other hand, when Killua asked what he was thinking, Merlin had the same relaxed tension as when he first appeared, honestly revealing that it was intentional sexual Harassment, and Sora and Killua kicked Merlin away at the same time.

He caught the kicks from the two without any resistance, was sent flying directly, and fell into the bushes in the forest with a thud, yet Merlin was still laughing amusingly.

"Hahaha, sorry. Well, I want you to forget that you were bitten by a dog."

"Apologize to the dog, you pest! For me, the slug in my mouth is the worst!"

"Uh... that far?"

Merlin's overly understated apology made Sora even angrier, and as he screamed while wiping his lips with the sleeve of his jumpsuit until they turned bright red, Merlin stood up, looking shocked.

... Eyes further away than the moon, expressing human emotions in an easy-to-understand way. Apparently he was not lying, but he was not telling the truth either.

Regarding this, Killua, Biscuit, and Razor felt that they had been licked.

Gon had a sad expression on his face because Merlin had left him once again, and he hid his true feelings, no longer showing them to him.

And Sora was————.

"... It's just like this. It seems stupid to keep worrying about what I've done."

Saying this, he turned around.

Too defenseless, revealing indifference, clearly stating "I don't need you anymore," and trying to bring Killua back to Gon and Biscuit.

"... Wait, wait! You crushed the air over there, just like that!"

"Hmm? Is Killua still angry? Then I will cooperate with you, but as you can see, the physical damage to him doesn't mean much."

When Killua and the others discovered that she was truly no longer interested in Merlin and had no intention of understanding his motives, she was speechless.

However, Merlin was also silent, but he did not seem surprised.

It was as if only he could understand Sora's reaction... because he didn't want to see that reaction, so he was reacting to the other person's nerves, but it was meaningless. A direction for the future.

"... Are you serious? Are you seriously saying that you have nothing to do with this guy anymore?"

"No."

Killua asked again, dumbfounded, but the answer was the same.

There are some things I want to do and say, but I know that no matter what I do, they will not be conveyed to the other person.

He didn't look frustrated or laughing, as if he was trying to be Hard, he was completely expressionless. Sora had nothing to think about, so he said expressionlessly.

"I don't know what you heard from him, I'm not interested, it's enough for me to just wake up, I vented my anger at the sexual Harassment with the Castration Fist, I really don't care what his purpose is."

Well, I can't forgive you for hurting you and making you sad, I think I caused a lot of trouble for Karna, the cat or loli skin my teacher is wearing is peeling off, you were attracted by him. Sorry, I personally have no more business dealings with him."

"If you feel sorry, just pretend it never happened!!"

Sure enough, not wanting to end with a single word, Sora glanced at the air, seemingly organizing his thoughts. The Binder was thrown at Sora.

The Penetration of the corner hit the back of his head, and Razor was worried, asking: "Are you okay!?" So Razor almost lost his own common sense.

"Yes... well, if everyone is thinking of me and is angry at Merlin, or if they are wary of it, I appreciate that feeling, but you don't have to go that far.

After all, this guy won't do the same thing again, and will silently give up."

"... How can you say that?"

After throwing the Binder back to Biscuit and summarizing his desires and the reason for not needing to be wary, Killua asked again with a dissatisfied face.

I don't like it. If Sora no longer deals with Merlin, he can only think, "I don't care about the opposite of love," "No, be careful." Even if it's disgusting, rather than having Sora's interest taken away by Merlin, Killua felt much calmer inside without a sense of danger and indifference.

However, for some reason, Sora said it in the part where he somehow trusted Merlin.

Although I still don't know what happened while I was asleep, at least I should know that I was about to be killed by him, so I don't know why I can say "I won't do the same thing." I don't like it.

However, this woman, who didn't know whether she was dull or sensitive, didn't understand Killua's feelings, but she knew more about the creature Merlin than Razor, who was reluctant but had a certain understanding.

"Because I woke up safely.

If you fight this person, you know, right? Even Karna is at a disadvantage against this guy. Leaving my own body aside, my body should just be a remnant."

Sora answered softly as if it were a matter of course.

"If this guy doesn't seriously choose any means, we have no chance of winning.

But everyone here is safe, which is why I am not wary of this guy.

... Merlin. Even if the events that occurred are different, you won't change here or there. In fact, although you are an outsider who knows nothing about humans, by human standards, you are still quite kind."

Sora told them how unconventional the opponent they were resisting was, emphasized that they only self-harmed to keep them from falling asleep, and then turned to tell Merlin.

Like a child whose prank had been exposed, he faced his "essence" that he could not hide, his face and tone seemingly surprised by the nightmare that looked away and pouted.

"You, do it yourself, and this time, aren't you the one who worked the hardest? To be honest, I didn't want to do it at all, so I was all slack."

Announcing their victory.

He pointed out that the reason for Merlin's failure was Merlin himself.

To this, Merlin did not answer, turned around, and left Sora.

From his reaction, everyone guessed that what Sora said was not wrong, but Killua, Biscuit, and Razor still couldn't believe it, and opened their mouths for a moment.

I cannot believe it. Even by human standards, he cannot be evaluated as having a "good temper." There are no elements by which one could evaluate him as such. You could say he is "kind," but that kind of kindness stems from a non-human value system that humans cannot understand.

Even though I am kind, I think that even if I seriously consider this, I would be unable to understand each other.

However, Sora turned around to speak to them, and they still did not understand, unable to believe it.

"This guy, or more accurately, a nightmare, feeds on human psychological activity. In other words, it feeds on human emotions.

So, somehow, this guy has a feeling that human happy endings are good. In other words, this guy's tastes and emotions are positive emotions, such as joy and happiness.

... To this guy, it is probably just food he dislikes, but in a sense, because it is food, he hates it more than humans do, and he tries hard not to let that feeling arise.

I hate the sadness of being betrayed, I hate the loneliness of being unable to understand each other, I hate helplessness, despair, and I avoid tragedy more seriously than anyone else... I try to help people.

So, to be precise, I am not a good person. This is selfish shit.

However, because other people's feelings are directly related to his own convenience, this guy helping others is sincere. Even if you are result-oriented and do not feel guilty about wasting someone's life for a human happy ending, if the end of that wasted person is tragic, and that person has been seeking help, you will also regret it. It absolutely helped me.

... Seriously, this guy is trash, has the worst personality, but cannot be a villain. If you see a crying child, even if you lose your arm, you cannot help but reach out."

When I explained again what kind of life the non-human known as "muma" leads, the three stunned people were convinced.

Of course, in essence, Merlin is not the good person they imagined.

However, as Sora said, if others' feelings are directly related to one's own convenience, then in a sense, they will certainly treat others with more compassion than humans do.

Even if he is an example of being inhumane at heart, if viewed by human standards, Merlin is certainly a kind person.

And depending on how you think, you can believe there is no danger ahead because you are not naturally a self-centered person.

If he acted out of goodwill, even if Killua and the others resented him for a lifetime, Merlin might not give up his choice, but this guy did everything for his own convenience, and then blew himself up for his own convenience. I did it, so I don't see any reason to continue.

So I have no objections. On the contrary, his calm thoughts appealed that he should persuade and separate from Merlin as soon as possible.

Nevertheless, Killua could not help but ask.

"... So you're saying you'll forgive me?"

He did not ask why he committed suicide, but asked Sora, who was trying to get him out of a predicament, to forgive him for the rude act of revenge that did not mean much to Merlin.

I know it is best for Sora not to get involved with Merlin and have no interest in him.

She is destined to have no more ways out than she imagines. I don't want them to know my life can only be guaranteed for another year and a half.

If you knew, even the "process" Sora built for the "result" would be nothing more than a countdown to the execution day, and you would feel despair.

But even so, I still couldn't help but ask Killua.

I don't want him to be interested in my questions about Merlin's motives, I want him to forget Merlin, but I still don't want him to forgive me.

I feel that if she forgave me, the anger in my heart could finally be found, and the answers I hold are all fake.

This is why Killua attracts himself, not for Sora, but for his own convenience.

"No, I have no intention of forgiving you."

Sora responded to the appeal with a face that seemed to say, "What is this child talking about?"

Responding to Killua's appeal of "don't forgive."

"... Ah. You want to be angry at me because I'm too sweet to Merlin.

Even if you think so, I am doing something unreasonable, but I don't mean to be childish. I don't care about myself, nor do I care what he is thinking when he does this, but I have no intention of forgiving him for making you uneasy and causing trouble for Mr. Karna.

However, it's useless to blame him again, he won't understand anyway, it's more convenient for me to pull him back quickly, so I'll pull him back. Just like Hanzo."

Killua was speechless again after hearing Sora's direct answer, but Sora understood why Killua kept telling him not to forgive him, and explained again.

Killua's lost words were regained at the end of the explanation. The parrot returned to ask.

"Hanzo?"

"Yeah. I'm just using my Conscience.

In this case, it might not be something that can be called a Conscience."

For some reason, Sora smiled mischievously and answered Killua, who was confused about her being of the same generation as her, and in a way, like Merlin, wanted to forget about this.

With such an answer, I finally understood Sora's intention.

"So, Merlin. We have no intention of taking a step back from the path we chose, so if you don't like this bad ending, you can stop Peeping, or... this time, help us according to our values?"

With a mischievous smile, she turned again and said to Merlin.

In the fourth exam, Sora used Hanzo's Conscience, and if anything happened, please ask Killua, Gon, and his loved ones to help him, so Sora used Merlin.

They didn't have a Conscience, but used Merlin's "swamp" to shamelessly tell them to use them and help them.

I turned my face away, I should have turned away, because I didn't want to see that word, that statement.

Merlin opened his eyes wide, facing Sora.

The look in Merlin's eyes when he looked at me was familiar to Sora.

So I had an idea of what he would say.

"... You really created a story I like."

"This is also what you deserve, you idiot. First of all, what you are not good at is 'me', isn't it?"

Since I had an idea, Sora responded immediately.

After being unilaterally hated and liked, I was unilaterally dumped again, so I have the right to tell Sora.

If Sora herself was not the reason he was dumped, nor the reason he was not good at it, then it is even more so.

"I like you. It's cute, it's interesting, I never get tired of watching it, it almost brought me to the ending I wanted.

But at the same time, I am also very bad at it."

They looked the same, said the same things.

In his own world, Sora is forever imprisoned in the Tower of Avalon... the Demon in the dream, constantly trapped by the sins he committed, now he looks as lonely as Merlin... but, he loves Sora very much. He has a pair of eyes.

There is no distance, that is an eye.

He just had a pair of eyes that looked like they were going to cry out of nostalgia. As if he had met someone he would never see again, but he knew it wasn't someone he wanted to see again, so with a sad, sorrowful smile, the Flower Magician said to Sora.

"Because, even if you let me waste your life, in the end, you will smile and say thank you, right?"

Even if Sora himself were used as the stage setting for the happy ending Merlin just wanted to see, if that ending were the happy ending he also dreamed of, while hating Merlin and cursing him as a piece of shit, predicting that he would smile and thank me for leading me to that ending, I selfishly felt weak.

The frank impression Sora had when hearing this sentence was "What the hell."

After all, that kind of impression, that kind of weak feeling, had nothing to do with Sora.

"It's not that you aren't good with me, you just saw the image of someone else in me. It's not me you aren't good with, that 'someone,' that feeling of not being good with them is probably self-inflicted regret."

Firmly saying: "Don't push the responsibility onto me." Sora turned his back on Merlin and left with Killua.

Watching that back, Merlin smiled bitterly, feeling a bit nostalgic, yet discovering that he was a completely different person.

He muttered to himself with a bitter smile, as if holding back tears.

"... Oh.

I know that even so, I couldn't help but look.

That was such a vivid face. In a place like being Together, why cry?

Sora is the same. It is the same.

For those who know they cannot understand each other, but are still involved with themselves.

Sora and the "he" who wanted to be with Merlin are too similar, not a non-human that cannot be shared with a "but," but "this is why" he is a non-human.

When Sora separated from Merlin and came before Gon and Bisque, he suddenly knelt to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

Killua and Gon hurriedly supported Sora to keep him from falling, while Biscuit and Razor glared at Merlin, preparing for battle, but he shook his head loosely.

"Ah... wait. Seriously, it didn't matter to him just now. Because Mr. Karna used too much aura, his body has reached its limit, he is really sleepy..."

"How much do you want to sleep!?"

Once again, it looked like this would be a contact with Merlin, so Sora leaned on Gon and Killua and told Bisque and the others that it wasn't his fault.

Even if Biscuit hit him, Sora only vaguely responded "Ah... sorry." I will do it for you.

"... Please be gentle with me."

Perhaps because he was half-asleep upon hearing Biscuit's words, he politely made a request, and just like that, Sora's body lost all its strength, he entrusted his body completely to the two of them, and then fell asleep.

In front of a nightmare, I fell asleep again, too defenseless.

"... I know this is the limit, but do you want to sleep here? You"

Killua held him, saying in surprise.

Looking at Sora's sleeping face, he said he would only appear before people he liked or trusted, and he smiled happily, saying he had finally recovered.

He had an urge to tease Killua with a smile, but if he did that now, he wouldn't be able to accuse his apprentice of being a space-breaker or something similar, so Biscuit shifted his gaze from his apprentice to Razor and said:

"For now, we have reached our goal, the rest is GM you I can leave it to"

"Ah.

... Most importantly, this is a sad story GM I don't have the confidence to imprison him on this island."

While Bisque thought about leaving the cleaning and trouble to Razor, then returning to a certain town to find an inn for him to rest temporarily, Razor agreed to throw it all away, but he was really confused. In fact, I was reminded whether it was okay to leave Merlin alone.

Temporarily, later Merlin will use this card Spell to restrict my surveillance, actions, and Nen Ability, and confine himself to G. I. They considered exile, but even if they felt guilty for being the ones occupying the island, they thought it was dangerous and irresponsible to let this person go, so they would rather not let Merlin leave the island. GM they came to the conclusion that doing so would be better.

However, how much do the GM's Nen abilities add up to when cooperating together, even a mold could not really restrain Merlin.

If it is effective, it is just that Merlin himself does not want to unlock his Nen. This person should be able to disable anything binding him at will, escape, or even make a mess.

I know, so I asked.

I can understand what Sora is saying, although I am angry, I also believed it, but Razor still cannot trust Merlin.

So, even if they are not confident, if they are willing, there is no need to worry anymore. Shaking his head, he answered.

"Ah, it's okay. To be honest, it's better for this girl not to know his motives, if you are not interested, it is also convenient.

Also, my idiot apprentice has too good a temper, stupid enough to be annoying, but his survival instinct is amazing, if he still wants to kill me, I will definitely notice, I will not let my guard down.

... I don't think I will provoke this again, just like this child said. So we are done too."

It is said that it is better for Sora not to know anything, and Razor was also at a loss, but this is the truth.

When learning that his future was a tragedy, she did not despair, but could see that he was already an out-of-control motorcycle, and to prevent it from going out of control, it was more convenient for someone who didn't really know.

And although they were kind-hearted, they set priorities with unexpected strictness, so even if they had sympathy and pity for Merlin, they would not naively judge whether it would hurt them.

Biscuit didn't quite understand, but Sora probably made a logical decision based on his own objectivity.

Unless she was sure there was no danger, let alone a little danger, this woman would not turn around so defenselessly toward someone who had once been hurt.

Biscuit knew this very well, so he insisted "It's okay," and Razor didn't want to persuade him anymore, saying his strength was not as good as Merlin's, and didn't say anything else.

"... Then, we don't mind.

As expected, I cannot treat the game's strategy and development the same, but if it is something outside the game, I will try my best to apologize for this matter, so please feel free to rely on me."

Saying this, Razor immediately told Biscuit and the others, "Accompany a Company," saying the GM's healing effect was used to heal Biscuit's injuries. Spell I will give the card to the three of them.

"Healing cards can only be used for one day today, so don't think about using them for game strategies."

Biscuit, who had been warned by Razor, wanted to save the almost unscathed Sora and Killua, but stuck out his tongue and thanked him properly.

Saying thank you, immediately saying "Accompany a Company I tried to use 'Return to Ordinary Town,' but..."

"... Wait!"

"!? Go!?"

Gon, who was supporting Sora with Killua, threw Sora to Killua and jumped out.

Just as he jumped out to approach Merlin, not only Killua, but even Razor and Biscuit stopped him with reprimanding voices. Standing in front of Merlin, he said:

"... Hey, Mr. Merlin... tell me one thing."

"... What?"

There is something I really want to ask.

Merlin's questioning smile was the same as before, but it was far away. Although I was about to shed tears for Sora, the closeness I longed for no longer existed.

It was that gaze that expressed the distance between the non-human and the human to the fullest; that smile was merely an expression of friendship on the surface.

I am certain Merlin does not want to tell the truth. Even Gon knows what he is about to ask, because he has an idea of what he wants to ask.

However, I really want to know.

That is the reason I am asking.

"... Mr. Merlin. Is there a relative of yours whom you do not regret meeting...?"

As if falling into a void, the smile on Merlin's face vanished, and his eyes opened slightly.

His widened eyes looked at Gon as if searching for something.

Searching for the traces you saw in Sora.

"... At first, I thought it was Ging. When I thought I could not talk about things normally, even though it was a topic I brought up myself... I suddenly remembered.

Mr. Merlin, you have called me a 'freak family' many times. If I remember Ging, I could call him 'son of Ging,' but I put it in a broader framework, 'freak family'... so Mr. Merlin has at least one more 'freak'... I think he might be close to a relative similar to me and Ging.

... I think that person might be someone who became a great regret because they did not want to regret it for Mr. Merlin."

What Gon truly wants to know is what happened to that "someone."

I want to know what kind of farewell it was, and why Merlin himself took measures to avoid a great tragedy, continuing and ending it with a small bad ending.

But I think this is something I should not touch myself.

So do not ask about that, just ask who that "someone" is.

"... Ask, what are you going to do?"

Merlin, whose smile had disappeared, looked away again and asked back expressionlessly.

The reason he looked away, turned his face, and remained expressionless was not because he did not want Gon to understand his feelings.

Gon knew this was not admitting defeat, but a struggle that was expected yet impossible to give up, so he answered without hesitation.

"Search for it, find it. Find it, and say it. 'Merlin wants to see you.'"

What Gon wanted to know accurately was not whether he was his relative, but information sufficient to find out who that "someone" was.

I asked if he was my relative because I thought so from Merlin's story, and out of the expectation that if he were a relative, I might find something out if I asked Mito or my grandmother.

However, if Merlin himself is trapped in his own sin and cannot go anywhere, I want to find him myself and tell him.

I do not know what kind of parting that was, but Merlin and that "someone" are not finished yet.

He thinks he is still in the middle of a "process," not a "result," so he does not want Merlin to cut the "process" from himself and end it, so he tells him he will resist.

To such a child, to a child's meddling, not for Merlin's sake, but just because he does not like himself... he is a selfish person, looking exactly like Merlin, trying to fundamentally fight against someone's happy ending. His heart. He answered the child, still not looking.

"A human from three hundred years ago?"

I silently told him that the years have passed, and living on is no longer hopeless.

So I intend to finish it. The insensitive meddling was to let her know that the faint, gentle Dream World story drawn by a child had long since lowered its curtain due to cruel reality.

However, Gon...

"Yeah. I'll go look for them."

I answered immediately.

It was not because of his stubbornness that he could not back down, but Gon responded with a smile as if reassured by Merlin's answer, and Merlin's gaze returned to Gon.

Others looked at the exchange between Gon and Merlin with confusion; except for Sora, who was sleeping very peacefully, the others were also speechless.

Gon said something more shameless than Sora to attract Gon, but he was completely unaware of it.

I smiled, and then the reason I answered immediately with peace of mind.

"If you say that, it means Mr. Merlin does not know their whereabouts after you broke up. You don't have any evidence that Mr. Merlin is dead, do you?

That is why Mr. Merlin has been regretting it, even though he does not regret it. You might be able to recover your regrets, but you are afraid to realize they might not exist anymore, right?"

Merlin's true intention, learned from the information he told him, was that he was a "human from 300 years ago" to push Gon away.

He did not say at the end "I am already dead," and he knew why he could not say it.

"Mr. Merlin himself is also expecting it, isn't he? Even after three hundred years, 'that person' is still somewhere in the world. If there is such a possibility, then the possibility is enough, so you cannot give up your expectation.

If so, please leave the hope to me. I will search and find you."

Just as he said this, the person beside Killua rushed in and said, "Don't be unreasonable."

Of course, it is absurd to think that a human from 300 years ago is still alive, but if the thoughts of the deceased are included, it is possible for them to continue to exist.

Perhaps that "someone's" Nen Ability is something that can take over another person's personality and memories; if Merlin knew, it would explain why he still cannot let go of his expectations.

Of course, if Merlin denies it, that is a dead end.

But Merlin did not deny it. He did not even confirm it, and in the end, he did not answer the name of that "someone," nor did he answer whether he was Gon's relative; he looked away again and fell silent.

After all, Gon must have felt that what he said was insensitive and unnecessary, so he lowered his eyebrows apologetically and apologized, "Sorry, Mr. Merlin." Then he returned to Killua and the others.

I apologized, but I did not give up on anything.

Gon decided to do what he wanted to do, even if he had no expectations, and left Merlin.

"... To you, to you, I lied. I apologize for that."

Merlin did not answer Gon's question, nor did he give him any hope.

However, I threw away the lie I wanted to hide and told the truth.

"I searched the whole world for Sora-kun's happiness, but there was none; that was a lie.

... I have not seen the whole world yet. At most, only half.

He admitted that the words used as the basis for denying Gon's answer, "It doesn't have to be there. I will find it," were a lie.

"... I didn't want to see it, so I didn't see it. Since three hundred years ago, my Clairvoyance has been cut in half.

... So, perhaps in that 'half of the world' there is one. A future where Sora-kun will not be hurt, will not be stolen, and will be happy."

That confession sounded like an affirmation of Gon's hypothesis.

Because my eyes can see the whole world, if I wanted to know the answer, I should know the answer. However, he still does not know what happened to the "human from 300 years ago," and the reason he cannot say "he is dead" is because the answer is in the "half" of the world he does not want to see.

Sora claims that Sora's happiness cannot be found anywhere else in this world; this is unforgivable. Although he did not see everything, not only Gon, but Biscuit and even Killua should not blame Merlin. There is none.

Although he said "I don't want to see it," Merlin's eyes seemed to be trying to see the end of the distance.

In order not to forget important things, and to protect them from being destroyed, I realized I had no choice but to do this.

I do not know what turning one's gaze away is protecting, but those eyes were not the eyes of a fleeting, cowardly person.

If I could put on such a cowardly imitation, I would not have such a painful expression.

Just like the phantom pain in that dream, his eyes hurt, so the blood that rose to Killua's head flowed down immediately, and he said nothing.

Gon said.

Looking at Merlin's painful eyes, his face twisted instantly, as if he were about to cry, but he still smiled.

I smiled and waved my hand.

"... Hmm! Understood, Mr. Merlin! Thank you!!"

He thanked me for telling him the truth; although it was only a possibility, he believed that "Sora's happiness" still existed, and then he left.

"Companion" to send off the four people who were leaving, Razor should hang on Merlin, Spell, I fumbled with the cards while pulling open a gap to talk to Merlin.

"... Hey. Merlin... you said Ging told you when we first met..."

"I won't say it, I don't want to hear it."

Without letting him speak until the end, Merlin pressed his forehead against his knees and covered his ears like a child.

"If you say it to hurt me, I will listen to it without hesitation as compensation for causing trouble, but if it is sympathy or pity, I won't say it, I don't want to hear it."

If Razor said so, he had nothing to say, so he gave up.

When I heard it from Eta, I couldn't believe it.

Why did this battle end with Ging's victory?

Giving up on what Ging said and what Merlin realized and despaired about, Razor Spell recited.

Although I know it is already meaningless.

There is no reason, Merlin can understand, without such a thing, he cannot go anywhere.

"Hello. Nice to meet you, Star Pioneer."

Participated in Succubus I it came from.

He likes beautiful things, and he thinks beautiful things seem convenient for those who create their own food.

So coexistence itself is easy. However, although humans are necessary to me, they are not companions.

I think what people call happiness is beautiful. However, I cannot put into words why I think so.

But, I can only say that it is because it is what I am most familiar with.

That is why, although some people mistook me for a human and approached me, clinging to me, most of them made me believe my expectations were betrayed without permission.

In very rare cases, I would meet someone who understood this creature called me from the beginning, but those people did not want to get involved with me. No matter what I helped with or gave, it did not give me a feeling that I considered beautiful.

I regret it, but it is a pity that I missed my favorite food that I thought I could afford to eat. Even if it wasn't aimed at me, it would be enough to support a family.

Moreover, I have no intention of participating in human affairs as a party.

My eyes look at the present. The world seen with Clairvoyance is like a large painting.

It is interesting to think about how to modify this painting to make it more beautiful. That is why I do not want to participate. I always draw lines.

Unless you look from a distance, you cannot see the whole picture. If the distance is too close, you can only see a part, and even if only that part is beautiful, if viewed as a whole, it will be distorted.

That is why, even if we are working hard to make them more beautiful, we leave the work of adding these embellishments to others.

I did not dirty my hands, and for the sake of overall balance, I deliberately created parts that looked ugly up close.

I watched the painting from afar and kept painting.

I used to do this until I met "him."

It seems that the self in the other world is immersed in the story of the "King," but is not very interested in the existence of the "King."

This is because the Mana and mysteries and civilization of this world are gradually maturing and changing, so there is no need for a country to struggle desperately for a dying mystery, nor is there a need for a brave and upright king to sacrifice himself for it. Perhaps it is because.

The story that fascinates me is the story of the "Star Pioneer" who changed the world.

In this world, the transition from mystery to civilization is too gentle, and the story of the "Star Pioneer" advancing civilization all at once is the most exciting to me, and the results of their Discovery and creation are a beautiful painting to me.

For example, even if the pioneer himself ended his life without being understood by anyone, even if it was the result of sacrificing himself and his family, if this could bring human happiness, then there is no problem.

I didn't think about anything.

That is why I support them without opposing them.

The garden of solitary humans, Mobius Lake, this is everything that appeared before the young man who was about to jump out of the sea and explore the coast.

Afterwards, in order to Eliminate even the slightest danger he might bring from the "outside."

Even if there is no one left, if they return to the "outside," they can still get food. There are also intelligent life forms on the "outside" that are comparable to or even better than humans, so as long as it is food, their mental activities are no problem.

However, because they live in a harsher environment than this miniature garden, even if their intelligence is higher than humans, their thoughts are rough, like animals, and their mental activities as food seem more like food than food.

If she were a pure Succubus it might be fine, but I don't think I can stand it, because I am mixed with humans and mentally closer to humans than pure-bloods. It is troublesome to bring a possible Disaster. Destroy.

That is why I plan to follow his expedition to succeed.

It is all for my own convenience, but there is absolutely no Malice. I really hope for success.

However, I think, if I can no longer follow him, I will Eliminate him and the Disaster before returning to the sandbox.

Nevertheless, the interests are definitely aligned.

But... "he" is...

"Who are you?

I said this first, trying to drive him away.

This kind of reaction is rare, but it is not something that has never happened before. Some people fall in love at first sight.

Rather, the more one realizes their true nature, the more they have eyes that look toward the future, just like my own Clairvoyance; I find it convenient because he understands me.

I never thought I would be hated like a scorpion.

As a result, if only I could see beautiful things, that would be fine.

But "he" is completely different from anyone I have met and associated with until now.

"I understand. This is certainly the least dangerous and also the best. But I refuse.

The reason? It is because I hate doing things the way you want me to."

My Suggestion is often not understood. Even if the Suggestion is considered correct, it is not accepted because it is not trusted.

Without trust, having been hurt a little, one cannot trust their own inhumanity, but one must believe in their own words. Thoughts.

However, the situation is different.

"He" is truly unwilling to do as he is told, suddenly changing plans and causing trouble, and am I not telling him that he will do it?

What's more, although he is unwilling to follow his own advice, he also relies on himself without hesitation.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! What on earth is that spherical naked man!!"

"That's why I told you not to get close!! I mean, even if it's harmless, you got so close to such a naked man, you!!"

Obstacle!!"

"Don't use me as a shield!"

No matter how many times I advise him, he is a miraculous idiot who breaks them all.

"... It seems there is a Snake with two tails here; it is really delicious when roasted and eaten, and it seems to have the effect of immortality. You must go find it and catch it."

"Hehe. Oh, is that what you mean! Fine, we'll roast and eat it right away!!"

"Why are you always honest at times like this, huh!?"

What's more, when I suggest not to go against the grain when things go wrong, he is an extremely annoying idiot who shows a strange intuition and obediently listens.

"... I'm telling you, I have no way to help you. If you want to do something, I won't stop you."

"I know, and I have no intention of doing anything.

I can't do that anymore. If you tear it off that beast, you will die. I say, rather than being taken in by that beast, it is better to be saved; this is my self-satisfaction.... I believe this will bring happiness to everyone."

However, he is a person who will not cross the final line he wants to give up.

So I have no idea when to leave.

Without realizing it, I have shifted from a position where I could see the whole picture to a position where I can only see what he is doing.

I was supposed to just provide a Suggestion, but without realizing it, I have become a painter myself.

I am painting his dreams together with "him".

People who have been involved with me until now, those who did not realize that their nature is incomprehensible and far from human, have become dependent on me, and those who noticed my Suggestion obey even if they have deviated from the path.

"He" is stubborn and disobedient about things he knows are right, only because he doesn't like them, and he never hesitates to rely on me.

There was a time when I was shocked by "him", as he put his stubbornness first, did more dangerous things, and I warned him about what he would do if his actions affected not only him but also his hometown.

I will never forget the answer I gave at that time.

"Hmm? That's why you need me, right?"

He had a look on his face more frightened than mine, as if to say, "What are you saying now?"

This is the premise of normalcy.

More than anyone I have come into contact with, "he" Succubus me, I understand.

Understanding and acceptance.

What "he" wants most and relies on me for most is neither a Suggestion that can produce correct and effective results, nor follow-up actions for his own mistakes... but the cleanup role when the worst-case scenario occurs.

He believes that no matter what he does, he will protect the world he wants to protect.

I don't know what I was thinking when I got this answer.

Emotions are just borrowed from humans and then thrown away. That is why I think the feelings I had at that time were not my own.

I never thought about why I couldn't forget those words.

Because this is a "natural" thing that I didn't even think about.

Even if I don't understand each other, I have been accepted, so I no longer pretend to be someone who makes up for it.

Showing that he understands humans and treats them as his comrades, his efforts to try to make him believe in his Suggestion are truly futile and meaningless to "him". Because I realized

"Wow! What are these guys!? They keep gathering!!"

"Ahahaha, I missed you so much.

"I'm not happy! You guys do something!! It's gaseous, you can't even pull it down with force!!"

Once I stopped making up for it, the chances of being swayed by "him" decreased, and I became more comfortable.

So I think I'll just quit.

At that time, I thought my feelings were "comfortable".

... I feel it is "interesting", but I understand myself the least, even regarding me.

I don't know anything.

So breaking up is inevitable.

Everything started from scratch, and I have no right to regret it.

"You are free to come and see truly beautiful things."

That said, I intend to send it out.

After returning to the miniature garden from the "outside", he wants to explore the other half of the "outside".

Even though I know I can never return home with the sickly body I received from the "outside."

Although he had a wife and children, he faced opposition from his wife, children, friends, and those who praised the achievements he brought back from the "outside," yet "he" did not listen.

To "him," who was obsessed with the unknown, and "him," who knew the world was boundless, they were no longer bonds.

However, I never ignored them. I did not want to listen, because if I had ears to hear, my resolve would waver. This is the importance of this miniature garden to "him."

So I demanded that I stay. This was the first time "he" asked me about anything other than my being at a critical juncture.

I let him stay in this miniature garden and protect it.

I intended to do so without being told.

"His" story was different from what I had originally planned, twisted terribly, but the completed form was beautiful.

Yes.

The story of "him" that I wanted has been completed.

So this is just an aside.

This is convenient for both me and humanity. It is better for the sickly "him" to remain in this sandbox than to "go out" and never return.

That is why these words were "his" last words, and he showed me something beautiful.

I should sincerely bless "him," who will never return.

However... the words that came out of my mouth... the words "I" said were————

"This is nothing but a useless death, so why don't you stop?"

Even I was surprised.

"He" was also stunned for a moment before he made his move.

"What a waste, what a waste!"

"Isn't it? If it weren't for me, the three-day trip to the east would have been fine, but I can only say that you are committing suicide all by yourself."

"Rest assured! If you don't say anything unnecessary, I will be more careful too!!"

The words that should have been conveyed, the words that should have been uttered, were not said.

He only pointed out his helplessness, his insignificance, his weakness, and told him that his dreams would never come true.

"... Ah, right! I am a fool for having even a little expectation of you!!"

"His" last words were anger and disappointment toward himself... which made him regret it deeply.

I know what "he" expected of me.

For the sake of what he wanted to do, it was not that "he" was ignorant, nor that he did not like it, but he even discarded the important things he was powerless to change, so at least... he wanted me to affirm him.

I want you to affirm your dreams and look forward to them. I don't want my actions to only bring unhappiness, so I don't really care about humanity. Even if I die, even if I experience more despair than this, I can treat it as a story rather than sympathize with it, so I want you to look forward to your life.

"He" understood and accepted himself, and me, as a non-human called Muma.

Because it is a nightmare, because it is an existence that humans cannot understand, it acknowledges its own value and needs it.

However, I could not understand each other as much as possible.

I could not give him the words he wanted.

Because he is an existence that cannot understand human emotions and feeds on human mental activity; from an objective perspective, it is rational, and it has disappeared.

... That is what I thought.

I did not doubt it, believing in the word "Muma."

A descendant of "him," similar to the "him" of that day.

Until meeting a human who has the same dream as "him" and will become a pioneer of the same planet as "him."

I stopped using Clairvoyance, isolated myself on an island, and withdrew, because the days spent with "him" were too unreasonable, and I was a bit tired, so I am going to rest.

After resting for a while, I intend to help others find the star pioneer as usual and achieve a happy ending.

Unlike when I was with "him," the position is slightly further away. Do not dirty your hands, do not become a creator.

As usual. As usual....

But before I knew it, 300 years had passed.

Even after 300 years, I do not want to use Clairvoyance. Setting aside the inside of the miniature garden, I do not want to look "outside."

I think there is no point in looking at it, because there are no humans "outside." Yes, that is what I am telling myself.

The reason I don't want to leave this island is because no one can create a story I like. That is what I told him.

I know that if I didn't see it with Clairvoyance, I wouldn't be able to find it, but I take my excuses seriously.

This is how I was pushed to what I had been staying away from.

Without Malice, without good intentions, just like "him."

It was already too late, his expression said it was too late to be surprised, he said... Jin-freaks told me.

"You were just worried about him, weren't you?"

He said expressionlessly.

I immediately answered the question I had asked casually.

I could have given him an island, but since he was an intruder I hadn't seen in a long time and looked very nostalgic, I got carried away and played with him.

"Why did you say that at the time?

Why did you say that what you really meant at the time was a nightmare? No matter how shocked I was, I didn't have to say I didn't understand what I said, so I didn't expect to get an answer; he answered with a face twisted by the pain of his wounds, knowing he was no match for me.

"When your friend leaves you, you aren't just lonely, are you?"

I said this was an incredible answer.

He said my words were the same as those spoken by people who had no ears to listen, and that if one listened, one would waver.

I faced the fact that my words were not just pointing out objective facts, but were words of hope, "So please don't go."

The thing stabbing toward me vividly illuminated everything I did not attempt to look away from.

I do not understand. I do not understand.

I averted my eyes because I did not want to see, but honestly, I do not understand. I do not know what my feelings are.

I cannot say it. I cannot speak the words to send.

I am angry at "him" for leaving me and going off alone.

I am worried about the sick "him." But, I cannot forgive him for jumping out of the human realm again without a second thought.

I cannot approve of his actions.

If you want me to confirm it, I want you to say it out loud.

"You come too," he said.

That is why I said it as if "his" resolve had wavered. Stay here.

But to "him," I am a "Nightmare," so I am not the type of person who would think such things, not passing through.

I am the one who destroyed "his" attachment to me.

"He" must have loved something that could be called "friendship," even if it was too twisted compared to what humans love.

But I did not miss it. In my view, I have no expectations of him.

That is why "he" left so dejectedly.

I thought my friendship was one-sided, and even now that it is a hypothesis, I regret losing it.

The reason I stopped using Clairvoyance is because I did not want to see it, nor did I want to hear it, so I retreated to an isolated island.

Seeing the end of "him" who left me, no one expected it; cherishing "him," loving "him" himself, knowing it would only make everyone sad, yet he jumped out. I did not want to.

I do not want to see it, but I want to believe in it.

Turning expectations that would be easier to throw away into a possibility that cannot be lost without seeing it.

Although I am as selfish as a human, hoping "I don't want you to go," I cannot understand the kindness and trampling "he" gave me.

Atonement, speaking your dreams, is "interesting" to me who was left behind, but "useless."

The reason I do not give up hope is not just because I do not want to.

In order not to let the "process" that "he" built up in the process of dreaming turn into a "fruitless ending," it is necessary to protect the possibility that "it is not over yet." Because this is what I have.

"His" friendship toward me can only be expressed this way.

To continue seeing the same Dream World as "him," the only foolish choice is to see nothing at all.

... Ah, but now I also see a desperate "dream."

A dream that I cannot achieve no matter how hard I try. A dream that is hard for me to see even if I do not have the right to dream.

Because of that dream, I hurt many people who were aiming for my favorite happy ending.

I am sorry. But I anticipated it.

At that moment, I realized that "he" is not a "Trojan horse" but a "person," and although he is not a "Trojan horse," he is closer to a "person" than a "Trojan horse."...

As a "person," if I could express it in more reasonable words...

I dreamed that if he realized those were "my words," he would not look so dejected.

Anyway, even if he understood my true intentions, he would still leave me and go out on his own. I am sure it was decided from the beginning that it would end in a battle.

Even so... I have no ears to listen, but even if I worry about myself, feeling guilty when I ask him not to go, I am not honest, but I am glad people think so....

If you cannot send it away with Nightmare words, then if it is hard to stop it with human words...

"Heh, I didn't think you were this cute. Fine, if you go that far, I promise. I will definitely come back."

"I don't know why you told me not to go, because I didn't expect it to be like this?"

"Don't worry! Waiting lonely after you leave! I will return to you in about 300 years, so wash your neck and wait!"

"Are you going to stop being human?"

I cannot give up on the dream of being able to say goodbye with a smile like this.

"... Really, you're an idiot... Why do you live so long?"

"Who are you talking about?"

Not knowing what he is muttering, he can criticize what he said.

Hearing this, my consciousness suddenly surfaced, and my eyelids reflexively opened.

As consciousness returns to reality, memories gradually fade and are lost.

The remnants of the Nightmare left in my body, perhaps because it continues to lurk within me.

The residue shows, the dream of the past.

A non-human who only loves happy endings and whose emotions are not easily swayed only sees a dream of a dream.

Finding meaning and value in the inhuman and needing it, the beautiful heart-shaped mother dreamed a dream.

Sora forgot the ending of that dream.

"Too silly, it's not over yet, it's not over yet," the memory of the "obsession dream" of the "hope dream" is not enough to remember a dream that is about to rot.

So end the dream and let her consciousness face reality.

"... Killua?"

"... I slept too much. You idiot."

The first thing that caught my eye was a child sitting on a chair by the bed, looking down at me.

The worried face was relieved, and because it was not as cute as usual, it was the cutest tsundere.

Looking at her, doing the same thing as usual, Sora cursed her while unable to help but smile happily.

"... Good morning. Killua."

"... Hmm. Are you alright now?"

Looking around and confirming it looked like a room in an Inn, Sora sat up and greeted him.

"Yeah. I'm fine now. I mean, what about the others?"

"They are resting too."

To Killua's humble or condescending words, Sora answered with a smile, "Yes, yes."

Sora did not know what had happened between Merlin and them, nor what kind of exchange had taken place.

Only from the fact that Karna's Magic Aura was completely exhausted from my body—perhaps because I used it more than I did in Yorkshin—did I understand that it did not end with a calm discussion.

Killua's "I'm not hurt, I'm not tired" was also a lie.

So Sora reached out a hand.

Soft cat fur that hadn't been touched in nearly a week, silver fur that felt comfortable to touch.

Stroking Killua's hair, patting his head.

"Killua. Thank you."

I don't ask what kind of thanks. I didn't even try to evade it.

Killua meekly held Sora's hand, looking away slightly while being petted.

It wasn't that he wanted to escape the pain, but rather his habitual way of masking embarrassment, so Sora ruffled Killua's hair with both hands, and Killua said, "What are you doing? You!" and pulled Sora's hand away.

We both laughed. I couldn't help but laugh at the awkwardness I had felt until now because of our usual interactions.

The two of them laughed until their sides hurt, and Killua said through tears.

"Haha... Hey, Sora. Get ready."

Don't ask, "What happened?" he suddenly announced.

Sora laughed hard, fell onto the bed, looked up at Killua, and waited for the rest of the story.

"I am definitely stronger and more reliable than anyone else, and when someone asks me about the Zoldyck family, I am a Professional Hunter, not an assassin family, and I am the one who appeared first... yours. I will be able to eliminate all my anxieties."

Watching him grow up to be such an excellent person. Even so, be prepared to regret throwing me away."

Looking down at Sora, he announced.

That day, Sora's wish was answered, "Is it okay if I stay by your side?"

I haven't given up yet. I cannot give up.

I cannot let go of my dream. That is why Killua spoke for himself about the continuation of his dream.

When I announced that I would be by your side, dreaming of the future you want to become rather than a continuation of the present, Sora's eyes widened slightly, and he burst out.

Unhappy with this reaction, Killua sat on the chair, lifted his leg onto the bed, and kicked Sora in the abdomen without hesitation, silencing Sora for a moment.

After making Sora faint from the pain, Killua, who had been laughing until just now, suddenly became sullen and asked, "What's so funny?"

"Goho! Kaha! Haha... Sorry."

After all, I only have confidence that I will never regret it."

"I'm going to say it with a smile! I'm going to cry! I am!!"

Sora, choking and coughing, made a funny declaration that drove Killua crazy.

But Sora got up, a smile on his face, sullen, turned around, rested his chin on Killua's shoulder, and hugged him from the back of the chair to answer.

I will teach you why you will never regret it.

"Huhu... I mean, if I regret it, that means the Killua of that time is already thinking about someone other than me, right? You will fall in love with me, I believe she will be a wonderful girl, so I won't regret it. I won't deny that because of my blindness and cowardice, you met such a girl."

Killua dreamed of the future, dreamed of the future of the future, and said, "I don't regret it."

I am happy that he believes in my happiness, and he never denies that happiness, but seeing Killua dreaming of being happy with "someone else" is quite annoying.

So Sora leaned his head on his shoulder with his head and said.

"... Maybe I just hate you."

"This is my fault, and I will continue to work hard to ensure it doesn't happen, so I have no regrets.

No matter what kind of future you walk toward, as long as you are smiling, I will have no regrets."

However, Killua's stubborn sarcasm ended with a simple, handsome answer.

Realizing he was still far from what he wanted to be, Killua clicked his tongue in frustration, masked his embarrassment as usual, and looked in the direction of his gaze, but he still said.

"... I'm the same. If you smile, no matter how it ends, you won't regret it.

That's why... you will never give up. Don't make excuses like 'I chose you'."

It wasn't that all of Merlin's "no regrets" were his true intentions.

After all, for Mandrake, I want to put everything I've done aside, and if she chooses someone other than me, I believe I will regret it.

But a future where she smiles is always better than a future where she doesn't. I know I won't have any regrets. I think it will be a "process."

So I tell you.

I will try my best to say, "I won't regret it."

Sora tells others not to give up on love.

"... Killua is a strong child."

But Sora did not say "yes" to Killua.

I already know she continues to be hurt, afraid, and scared, so much so that I cannot easily say "yes."

So I don't say much. Don't ask again, and it's convenient that Killua hasn't said "yes" yet; I was actually a little relieved.

... If no one has been able to see me as "that kind of thing" yet, if I stick with it for a few more years, maybe when I grow up, I'll be able to see myself as "that kind of thing" too.

I can't overtake them or stand alongside them, but in five years I will be able to see them.

I don't want to regret it, and I don't want it to happen.

That is why I continue to desperately hope to stay like this for a little longer, not to become someone else's.

"... Killua. I love you."

To Sora's whisper, with his forehead pressed against his back, Killua only replied: "I know."

At the same time, he hoped that one day he would be able to return "I love you too" to those words.

He did not agree with the "I love you too" that Sora spoke, but instead dreamed of Sora becoming his own "I love you too," and spent precious time because of the current calm and leisure.

"Speaking of which, how did you wake up?"

"... Hmm, my memory is very blurry, because I fell asleep as soon as I woke up, but I felt like my head was kicked by the sea and I was killed by Kurapika."

"What happened in your dream!?"

Even a foolish story is fabricated as a "process," which is necessary for the ending to become happy one day.

"... Is this a happy ending?"

"Isn't it? Ah, worrying is a loss."

Outside the room, in the corridor opposite the door, the conclusion reached by Gon and Biscuit was not wrong.

With this, the Merlin Arc temporarily comes to an end.

On Sora's side, it was originally resolved because it was an incident caused by Merlin's unilateral meddling, but the problem on Merlin's side has not been solved.

Merlin's solution is scheduled for the Ant Arc, please wait patiently.

Alright, starting from next time, I will return to the original state and enter the "OneTsubo Coastline" version.

That is what it means. This is when the trauma Sora received when falling into ' ' is confirmed.

... This might be the main point of interest for this chapter.