Chapter 288

"Cherry blossoms drifting down—

A brief and fragile dance—"

"A bit Basho. I don't care for haiku.

Don't say ominous things like cherry blossoms drifting down."

"Oh, hey. It's fine.

Let me sing a line."

Everyone looked at the strange exchange between Basho and Senritsu with puzzled expressions.

"Not like that.

Isn't she from Amustol? The Koza family seems to have claimed it as their own territory. But isn't it strange that she has a Japan accent?"

"Oh?

Even if you say that to me."

"…You said Aisha used to live in Japan, right?"

"Yes. But you aren't from there."

Sim and Meleoron said this, and Bell tilted his head further.

"So you are from Amustol, aren't you?

You moved to Japan later."

Hearing Senritsu's words, Basho's expression changed.

"Oh, yes, I remember.

That girl, isn't she Kazama Style? He seems very talented.

Japan is the birthplace of Kazama Style jujutsu. If I remember correctly, Amustol should have the headquarters of the Kazama school. Didn't you go back and forth in that kind of relationship?"

"Ah, yes.

Aisha is indeed Kazama Style."

Meleoron agreed.

"You can't understand that accent at all.

Didn't you live in Japan when you were a child? Then you could have had it."

While we were talking about these things, Uranus and the others returned.

"Aisha and the others, are you still talking…

What are you talking about?"

"Secret conversation."

"Uh…"

"What, you started it, didn't you?"

"Mm, mm. Mm."

Yes, the bell rang, and Basho continued.

"I was talking about you being from Japan."

"Yes?

…Mm, that's right. I'm not hiding anything.

Ah, Basho is also Japanese, right?"

"Of course.

Born in the same island nation, don't you think we get along well?"

"…I don't think that's important."

Dalzollene looked at the two who were still keeping their distance.

"Why did Wese leave?"

"I'm sure I wanted to ask her something.

…I'll be right back."

Senritsu said this upon hearing that. Because I was also talking here, I didn't really understand the content of the conversation, but Senritsu was inexplicably expectant.

Aisha and Wese also returned here.

"Sorry to keep you waiting.

Uranus, are you done?"

"Yes, we are finished here.

…Come to think of it, Mr. Neon, how did you end up in Ai-Ai?"

"Hm?

Ah, this town is worth a stroll.

That lineage has a lot of fashion, just because it's called a romantic city.

There are a lot of things like cosmetics, it's hard to choose."

Is that so… yes. I have no connection. I don't care.

"That's it!"

Mr. Bell snapped his fingers. That?

"You guys!

Even if you want to fall in love, you can't do it in such sloppy attire!"

Uh…. Mr. Bell, you said some harsh things.

Uranus and I were pointed at alternately, and as I withdrew my emotions,

"Ah, I see. Perhaps such a thing is possible.

Clothing is a mirror of the soul. Changing clothes is an important ritual to prepare before going out.

... None of you have put on makeup. No matter how good the Material is, it is too much of a waste..."

Somehow, even Mr. Neon got on the boat and said some strange things...

Uranus pressed his hands together, and the siblings and guards kept their distance to avoid getting involved.

"Hey, Bell, don't say unnecessary things!

Neon too.... You know I am a man...?"

"Yes. I was surprised to hear that.

Looking at her again, I couldn't help but think, since she is so feminine, why doesn't she take the next step."

"That's right, if you are willing, you can pretend to be a serious girl.

Aisha, you are actually quite cool, aren't you? I think you dress sloppily on purpose."

"That is not right, a woman cannot ignore her appearance.

Even if I am in the City of Love—"

Yabu. I have a feeling these two will get along very well. If you go out, this is an Absolute dangerous pattern. I know.

"... Uranus"

"Yes. —Nijiro."

Uranus stepped back and slipped into the crowd. I also made full use of the Hidden form to conceal myself in the crowd I created.

"Oh!? You ran away!"

"Where did you two go? I can't see them anymore."

"Miss, please don't chase after them blindly alone anymore!

... Please stop doing this! A valuable movement Spell—"

You seem to have caused some chaos, but let's stay away until things cool down. Uranus might be the same. Even so, I cannot ignore him, so I must follow him. Wow, how did this happen...

Bell scratched the back of his head,

"Really... I intended to ignore this situation and run away, this is normal.

This is truly a load of romantic nonsense."

"Aren't these two a good match?

It fits my breathing very well just like now, and I am dressed like a man and a woman."

"Ah, do you think so too?

That's right, their personalities are also completely opposite to their actual genders.

I haven't known him for long either, but surprisingly—"

A former bandit gang leader and a Mafia boss fell in love with others.

While worried, the siblings and the members of the escort group looked at each other.

Sorry...

I observed the situation from the other side of the crowd to avoid Discovery, but it seems about two people were chatting, and I had no chance to go back. Going back now might be suicide...

I thought it would be good if Neon and the others left, but it would be bad if Uranus and I were away from my siblings for a long time.

"—Aisha"

I nodded slightly without looking at the voice. Uranus joined me. I didn't want to be pretentious over there, so I wouldn't lose my natural posture.

"What will you do?

I left inadvertently, but I can't just let it go like this."

"Good, but...

If I go back now, I can only see a future where I will become prey to those two."

"Yes.

I can see the same future.

I want to apologize for this, so I will continue to observe the situation for a while."

Several NPCs were chatting happily around us.

…………

Irritated.

"... Aisha.

I understand how you feel, but please relax."

"I know..."

"…

But well... this is a protracted war.

Aisha. Can I talk to you?"

"Yes"

If you don't do this, you won't keep your sanity. I want to distract myself from the surroundings. If Uranus and I are hidden, we should be able to talk like other couples around us without being noticed.... Yes?

"I, that Neon and...

I met the Nostrade family in Yorkshin."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. During the auction."

"After many things happened, I returned to Yorkshin after being escorted by the Brigade."

"..."

I don't know why, but I know I will do a lot of research in Yorkshin.

After handing the Phantom Troupe over to Netero, we managed to kill Yorkshin without becoming a target of the Mafia. Leaving the rice paddies. Gon is the same.

That is to say, we participated in the matter of the Brigade crusade, and I am afraid the Mafia has not discovered it yet. If I had discovered it, my father would have given me this information.... However, Kurapika will know later.

"Do you know that the Mafia community is frantically looking for the Phantom Troupe?"

"Well..."

Of course. My father is also very angry. I cannot forgive you.

"But the Mafia community has declared the war over.

I am no longer following the Brigade."

"Why?"

I haven't heard such words from my father. No, I think it's because there's no need to speak.

"Because I know that the Phantom Troupe is from Ryuseigai.

The Mafia avoids the risk of confronting Ryuseigai. This is a political decision.

The Mafia hasn't found Kurapika either, right?"

"..., yes.

As far as I know, he has not become a target of the Mafia."

Perhaps I am at least connected to them. In order to Collect Red Eyes, I couldn't help but get involved in the underworld...

In fact, the most credible intelligence Kurapika has should be the intelligence his father investigated. Flipping through the Computer pages, you will find a lot of information about Red Eyes, but when it comes to its whereabouts, it seems to be all lies. If you keep searching the Hunter website, it will cost you Yen...

Even so, because I am from Meteor City... Hmm? It feels complicated to me.

When I was lost in thought, Uranus looked worried,

"Aisha—

After all, is it the Koza family?"

"..."

It's no use Hidden it, so I will tell you.

The head of the family, Dominic Kosa, is my father.

... But I myself once denied Kanto this body is already

I have reconciled with my father, but I am not Mafia or anything."

"..."

The world doesn't see it that way, does it?

In my eyes, Aisha is the daughter of a Mafia boss."

... Even if you say that, there is nothing you can do.

I don't intend to give up my surname, Koza, just because I don't want to be seen this way. Living as Aisha, I can't stand it now...

"... No, I'm sorry. I heard a strange sound.

You cannot choose where you are born..."

Uranus's voice was full of sadness.

That's right... You certainly cannot choose where you are born.

You cannot choose the parents you are born to, you cannot choose the children you will give birth to.

... I am fine. Many things happened, but I am happy now. I have ended my lamentation over the misfortune of my birth.

Uranus is still in misfortune. I don't know if he will be happy in the end either.

"Then, from your perspective, how is the situation?

The relationship between the two

"Hmm"

Bell and Neon said it would be better not to unnecessarily take care of Aisha and Uranus. Just when everyone was tired of listening, this happened suddenly.

The siblings looked at each other and immediately thought of the answer to Bell's question.

"... I don't know if they are friends."

It seems to be the answer. Neon whispered "Ah", and Bell made an embarrassed expression.

"Even so, it's still better...

Leaving Aisha aside, Uranus hasn't had any friends until now."

At Meleoron's words, everyone made a "Wow..." expression. Bell crossed her arms,

"It seems so...

He is not just a love wreck, he is also a friend wreck."

Sim wanted to protest that he said too much, but he couldn't say anything. In short, it's too real. If it weren't for Gon, it might still be.

"... They won't come back, will they?"

Bell whispered. ──I thought if we talked, he would come back sooner or later, but at this rate, as long as we keep talking, he might not come back. I don't think they would leave these siblings alone to run away very far, I think they are observing what is happening nearby... but at least they don't seem to be within the range that can be detected by 'Ryu'.

"Phew... these children are hopeless."

"You are—"

A Binder appeared with a bow and smoke, interrupting my voice. Hmm, this is me!?

"──Another player has used 'Communication' on you──"

"Hey!?"

Uranus groaned. "Ouch!"

"Whoa!? You're too close!"

A voice came from the other side. I was hit... Should I stay a little longer?

Everyone's attention is focused on us, but there is no sign of them approaching us. We never move. If it's not good for you to chase us, we will run away.

"Hey. Please come back quickly."

"No, I don't want to be your toy."

"If you don't do it, then that's it."

Uranus showed me a suspicious face.... Yes. I can't believe it.

"We won't be back before the weather gets cold."

"Hm? And then?"

"You won't be back before we break up?"

... Well, that's not the case. At least it's dangerous for Mr. Bell and Mr. Neon to be Together.

When Uranus was silent,

"Do you want a minute?"

... Uranus. I want to talk to you too.

"If you don't come back, I'll be in trouble."

"Eh..."

If you say so, you have no choice but to go back.

"Dalzollene, if that's a lie, I won't forgive you."

I see. I can usually see through it, but if it's someone not in front of me, I can't see through the lie. I can't do it just with my voice.

"This is a negotiation about the future. It's not a lie, not even a frivolous story."

"As for that young lady and your companion..."

"Fine, I don't care."

"Neon, do something..."

"Impossible."

"Mr. Dalzollene?"

The other party is bothering me over there. Neon feels like a selfish young lady. Even Mr. Dalzollene, who answers immediately, is the same.

"Whew..."

"What are you going to do, Aisa?"

"This seems to be an important matter, so I have no choice but to go back."

"Mr. Bell, Mr. Neon."

"Promise me you two won't turn us into dress-up dolls. Otherwise, I won't come back."

"Hmm..."

"I get it. Promise."

"What a pity..."

"I promise you too."

Uranus shrugged. If I hadn't promised him, he might already be in his own head...

I walked to where everyone was. Uranus glanced at me,

"Even if it's the same young lady, it's really different..."

Hmm? Well, I didn't grow up like that. Even if someone tells me I'm a Mafia lady now, I don't know what to do.