Chapter 54: Goodbye

Coming down from Mount Kujukuro... or rather, I hadn't climbed much to begin with... in any case, after arriving at a nearby town, Sora said.

"Why are you all in such a bad mood?"

Sora asked Kurapika and Killua curiously, and the two glared at Sora and insisted: "We are not!!"

Even with such a reaction, the other party did not quite understand, and tilted their head to continue asking.

"It's terrible when you shout and scream, isn't it?

Killua still understood, but what exactly was Kurapika angry about? Don't worry, Killua. A kiss on the forehead is just like a greeting."

"How do you know so much, when you don't know anything at all!?"

Responding to Sora's question and intending to follow up on Killua's line, not only Killua and Kurapika, but even Leorio, who was almost unrelated to this, decided to retort.

"No... that's how it is, but it's not like that, Sora..."

As expected, when the three of them reached a wonderful consensus, Sora was very unhappy, but he did not understand why Killua and Kurapika were in a bad mood.

From Leorio's perspective, he wanted to kindly and politely teach him how to prevent his own mental diabetes, but it was annoying that the two of them didn't know why they were in a bad mood, but they would never notice. There were some things I didn't want to do, so I casually changed the subject.

"I mean, what on earth is wrong with your concept of chastity!?"

"What is a greeting kiss!? Make it clear whether you are a slut!!"

"Who is a slut!? In the country where I studied abroad for nearly five years, kissing on the cheek is a friendly greeting, and I'm used to it!"

As expected, Sora turned to Killua and apologized for the "slut" line.

Although it was mainly to change the subject, Kurapika and Killua, who had witnessed Sora's true nature with their own eyes, were skeptical that the kiss on the forehead did not match her nature. So I calmed down a little.

However, Killua said: "Oh, I see." His mood dropped slightly.

Gon gave a wry smile, and Leorio was surprised that the two showed such an easy-to-understand reaction. Leorio listened to Sora's story, dumbfounded.

Anyway, it was meant as small talk, and Sora answered as small talk.

"Leorio, let me tell you, since it's a greeting to the closest people, even those of the same sex will be treated ruthlessly, and in fact, there are more people of the same sex, so don't get your hopes up too high.

Also, it depends on the degree of intimacy and the other person's personality, but in fact, I don't actually do many serious kisses. Usually, it's this kind of Air Kiss."

While explaining, Sora grabbed Kurapika's shoulders and pulled them face-to-face, presumably because the person closest to him was about the same height, and he made a "Chu" lip sound, signaling him to practice the Air Kiss.

Of course, Kurapika blushed and froze.

"You did that on purpose!?"

"What!?"

Leorio decided to make a reasonable thrust, but after all, this didn't work on the natural villain of the rare type.

And Killua, who should have been calm for once, heated up again and said angrily: "Well, an Air Kiss is an element you can get used to!"

But even though Killua was angry at him, Sora did not back down, but answered with a somewhat disgusted, indifferent look.

"No, if you are an ordinary person, an Air Kiss is normal, unless you are family or lovers, but the Clock Tower is the best place for magicians to study Magic, so people there are basically individualistic. I'm very snobbish and have no interest in others, so first of all, I hate contact with others, and regardless of whether there is such a culture or not, I almost never do it."

Then, where and how did you get used to it? Except for Kurapika, who heard the sound of lips touching so closely that his ears were tense, everyone thought about it, but before they could ask this question, Sora looked further away and continued to explain.

"... So the people who do that kind of thing are not just sociable, they are crazy weirdos who specialize in Reverse Vector, so this is not an Air Kiss, but a Gachi Kiss.

Flat is that type, and I got used to it because I used to put it on my cheeks and forehead when I was excited, instead of greeting. Also, Luvia is not that kind of person, but she treats me like a younger sister, so she kisses me sometimes.... Yeah, I don't mind Luvia occasionally, and she is of the same sex, so I didn't hate her very much, but now that I think about it, Flat is still quite annoying."

The explanation ended there, and everyone finally agreed.

"... Law"

"... Hmm"

However, as Killua and Kurapika thawed, Sora was confused again and gave him a terrible nod. This woman did not understand that her words had completely identified Luvia and Flat as enemies of the two.

Fortunately, Sora, who had come, could not go home, so it was impossible for these two people to cross the world line, so even if they were identified as enemies, there was no problem with Flat, so it didn't matter if they didn't understand.

... However, although it might be a coincidence, at the same time, Flat, who was attending a professor's lecture as usual, felt a chill down his spine.

"Well, come to think of it, something like that happened..."

The two friends' moods were different again, and Gon hurriedly changed the subject, trying to change the mood.

When Killua was scolding Sora, he talked to Gotoh and told him that the last time he flipped a coin, he must have caught the coin with his left hand, but the coin was in his right hand.

"Yeah, I was fooled too, it was too easy, and it was embarrassing when you proved it."

"It was probably something like that, Gon."

Kurapika seemed to have learned the trick from Gon's explanation, so he took out a coin and demonstrated it in practice.

Just like Gotoh, with Gon's dynamic vision, I could clearly see his left hand grabbing the coin. But this time I watched it after knowing he was cheating, so I was more confident and convinced than when I was with Gotoh.

Just like Gotoh, Kurapika asked: "Which one?"

"!?"

However, the coin was still in Kurapika's right hand, just like Gotoh.

"Why!? Hey, why!?"

"In short, Gotoh had two coins.

Hide one coin in the right hand, lift the other coin, take it with the left hand, and let the other person see it."

Gon, who was confident in his kinetic vision, immediately lost his confidence and begged Kurapika with teary eyes to tell the truth.

"There is a trick to this, when you ask 'Which one?', lift your fist a little higher than the other person's eyes, then clench your fist, and casually drop the coin into your sleeve."

"Oh~~~ ah!"

After saying so much, Gon clapped his hands to show agreement.

As Killua said, it was a simple cheat that required some skill, but it wasn't that difficult either.

"Well, I only used that trick at the end, I think it was just a warning. Gotoh is a very serious person and doesn't like cheating."

Looking at Sora who was watching with a smile, Gon, who had a frustrated look on his face in the field, followed.

"You really are a stubborn person~"

"What? All of a sudden."

To Gon, this was an abrupt line, but to Killua, it seemed like something he had been wanting to say ever since he learned he was staying in Japan on a tourist visa. Stingy.

"You passed the Hunter Exam!? Then you can stay abroad forever without a tourist visa using your Hunter License!!"

"That's what we said, too."

Leorio told me, and Kurapika and Sora looked at me with eyes that seemed to say, "I'll handle it well."

"Uh~, I decided to use it after I did everything I was supposed to do."

While feeling sorry for the three of them, Gon expressed that his stubbornness would not yield. Asking why.

"Well, first of all, I want to go and say hello to the person who took care of me... I want to get in touch with Kaito somehow and return the lost item... and most importantly..."

"I will strike back with a slap as a reward for this Plate I handed to Hisoka!! Until then, I have decided not to use my Hunter ID!!"

The reason for the first half was politeness, but the most important reason was Gon's personal selfishness.

Everyone already knew his personality and his relationship with Hisoka, so no one would say things like "When?"

Instead, Sora asked a relatively basic question.

"Hmm? Gon, do you know Hisoka's whereabouts and contact information?"

Hearing this, Gon widened his eyes and stared at Sora.

And a few seconds later, everyone laughed awkwardly, and the whole group felt weak.

Killua's muttered "... idiot" had already exposed everything about Gon.

Kurapika was the first to recover the Hatsu that had been lost due to Gon's vagueness.

"I know, Gon."

At this, Gon and Sora said sharply, "Eh!? Why!?"

I knew Sora's reaction was definitely the usual overprotectiveness.

I don't find it annoying. Rather than being angry because of his relationship with Hisoka, I felt more guilty when asked with a worried look.

While answering, Kurapika apologized in his heart for the Emergence of guilt.

"I heard it directly from him."

When Leorio asked if it was during the final exam, Kurapika replied that it was after class.

Looking back, after the match between Killua and Illumi, Kurapika had been clinging to Sora, partly because he couldn't see Illumi, so he had incurred Illumi's resentment. I remember there was a time he didn't leave her.

In other words, even if Leorio and Gon were present, it was very important to separate them from her, and if possible, this was something they didn't want Sora to know.

Leorio asked while understanding to that extent.

I trust Kurapika, but I know he will blame himself soon. Because of this, Leorio, like Sora, could not trust and monitor without asking.

By the time he realized it, it was too late to regret, and Leorio asked with a refusal-like determination, because that best friend who made him pursue his dream of becoming a doctor was enough.

"I wanted to ask you this before, but what did Hisoka say to you at that time?"

After a few seconds, fortunately, Kurapika did not reject him, and Kurapika quietly taught everyone Hisoka's words.

"-"Let us teach you some good things about the Spider""

"One"

Everyone's eyes pierced Sora.

Sora raised her voice reluctantly, covered her mouth, and moved her gaze away from Kurapika.

"... Sky"

Of course, I couldn't ignore this reaction either.

Kurapika just turned his gaze to Sora with a blank look, but Kurapika glared at Sora with slightly angry eyes, pulled away, and asked.

"What are you Hidden?"

"I, I'm not hiding anything, I'm not hiding anything! I just remembered something I completely forgot! It's true!"

Sora shook her head violently, denying the "Hidden thing," but the answer was completely something, presumably she admitted she had information related to the "Phantom Troupe Spider."

Kurapika also had the same reaction as before and her "promise" to him, so I really believed the words "I forgot, I'm not hiding anything."

However, I still don't know what that information is, but for Kurapika who is familiar with Sora, no matter how I look at it, I can predict that it won't be easy information.

If I hadn't done well, I thought this woman might have fought with one or two members of the Brigade, and if that were the case, I would be relieved that she was safe. In fact, she completely forgot one thing, she shouldn't have forgotten to hurt her own head, so she held Kurapika's head and muttered, "... I hope this is a secret."

It's a headache, but Kurapika can finally take care of himself, assuming any information is undoubtedly meaningful to him, and even if he is not qualified to say it, he is definitely doing one or two sermons he wants to "do." He raised his head and asked, "So? What do you remember?"

However, when it came to this question, he turned away and said, "... Wait until Kurapika's story is finished, if I say it now, it will definitely be a mess..."

With the words "I will be a mess," I am convinced that she did not "obtain highly credible information about the Spider" as expected, but that she herself was involved with the Spider and did something, but once I'm convinced, I agree with what she said.

In fact, both the conversation and the air had already loosened.

"... Is it true?"

"It's true. I promise."

When I glared at him again, Sora looked back and stared straight at Kurapika, so I decided to shelve the matter for now, and Kurapika sighed wearily, then said Hisoka.

"... I went off-topic, but that's what Hisoka told me. I don't remember telling him about the Phantom Troupe, so during the first exam, did you hear about it from Leorio, or did anyone else talk about it? Hmm..., I can see scarlet eyes, so maybe I just put a sickle on it."

In any case, "Spider" is the mark of the Phantom Troupe. That's why those who approach the Phantom Troupe call them that. I am interested in the information provided by Hisoka, who knows this.

"--So, after class, I asked Hisoka about this."

Having said so much, Kurapika passed by him without even looking at him.

"September 1st, I'll be waiting for you in Yorknew City."

Everyone was silent, confused by the content, which was simpler than imagined.

"September 1st, that's more than half a year away."

"What's happening in Yorkshin City?"

"! Southern Peace Auction!"

Gon and Killua tilted their heads; Sora, who had come from another world four years ago, understood immediately and answered.

"What is that?"

"This is the world's largest Auction."

Gon, who was very unfamiliar with this world, could not yet understand Sora's answer, so when he asked, Leorio briefly explained it before asking Sora.

"Ah, I participated in it a little bit for work last year. I have never been there myself."

Kurapika glared at Sora, as if saying, "You again, it's you again." Perhaps it was because of the previous topic, but this time, there was nothing to feel guilty about, so Sora answered immediately, and the answer was even more honest than before. He thought about it. I breathed a sigh of relief; it was a peaceful job, and the conversation resumed.

"From September 1st to the 10th, rare treasures and national-treasure-level valuables from all over the world will be gathered there.

This is the place where the most money in the world gathers, and the dead come for these things to satisfy their desires."

After such an explanation, everyone finally understood the meaning of Hisoka's simple message.

Of course, such a place would very likely be visited by the Phantom Troupe with the intention of stealing or illegally selling stolen goods.

At the very least, it was more efficient than chasing intelligence on the Phantom Troupe's appearances. Kurapika thought that even if they weren't there, as long as he could find heretics related to them, he could get more accurate information next time.

... I still don't know whether to "take revenge" of my own will, but I just chose a path carrying feelings of "hatred" and "I cannot forgive," wasting the choice she gave me. I am doing just that.

However, if you don't understand it, you can't stop to think about it. Although there is still more than half a year, it is already too late to participate in the Auction in any way.

Even if this choice meant losing many things, Kurapika could not let go of the first chance to face them directly, because they took everything away.

"So Hisoka should be somewhere in Yorkshin that day."

"Okay, thank you!"

Gon's innocent and naive answer made Kurapika feel a little more at ease amidst his tangled and confused mind, and he answered with a calm face.

However, that smile quickly turned into an angry and sullen face, and he shifted his gaze to Sora.

"... So, Sora. Is my story finished?"

When Kurapika spoke, he was awkwardly turning his face away from him, not to mention Sora, whose eyes were still blank, groaning, "Ah!"

However, since he had already promised to talk after he finished speaking, Sora seemed to have given up, so he put his hands together and lowered his head to Kurapika.

"I'm sorry! Kurapika, I'm sorry! I didn't hide it, but I really forgot!"

"I've already heard it."

Although I wasn't angry enough to say it out loud, I knew she was a woman who would be taken away if I revealed it, and I could imagine this might be a story Sora didn't want to talk about if possible, so I'm going to talk about it," Kurapika said, deliberately pushing him away so he wouldn't be distracted and forget.

Hearing this, Sora showed a genuinely frustrated expression, regretting that he had reacted so quickly, but Kurapika didn't need to feel guilty. On the contrary, you can hit Sora.

That was because she looked straight at him and said it, even though she was frustrated.

"Um... last December, the Phantom Troupe, I fought the Leader and blew the Leader away! Sorry, I forgot to mention it!"

"Wait a minute, what did you do!?"

Involuntarily, everyone who should have been unrelated, including Gon and the others, rushed in.

This was about what Kurapika expected. As expected, they were fighting.

However, after all, this was something that happened recently, better than I imagined; the Phantom Troupe Spider, unexpectedly, I had to fight the Leader instead of a member, and then blew him away, which was an incomprehensible feat I had accomplished.

"Ah, the Leader was really too young, no matter how you look at it, he was in his twenties."

"I don't care about that!!"

However, the person who uttered this meaningless confession seemed to have spat out the hardest thing to say, making the field feel refreshed.

"What on earth are you!? What on earth are you doing!? Forget about that thing!

Or rather, is the Phantom Troupe Leader still alive!?? I wouldn't mind if he died, but to be blown away by such a casual treatment, and to be completely forgotten, clinging to him until now, how pitiful!?"

"Kurapika! I understand how you feel, but calm down! If you shake me like this, even Sora won't be able to say anything!!"

Kurapika grabbed Sora's shoulders and shook him violently, constantly saying things that were unclear whether they were anger, preaching, or just asking questions, and Gon intervened to stop him.

However, the person doing this still threw out a bombshell as usual.

"Isn't the Leader still alive? My comrades all burst into laughter and didn't care about me at all; I only had a working relationship with them. Do you know about the Gem Dynasty jewelry exhibition?"

"That was your job!!"

As far as I know, it was a rare incident clearly revealed as a crime by the Phantom Troupe, and I arranged to visit the collapsed art museum.

Regarding their crimes, although the museum had collapsed, I felt the number of casualties was small, but when I learned that Sora was involved, I was convinced.

The collapse of the museum was definitely his fault. A very good answer.

From the beginning, I knew she was an unconventional woman, squatting down on the spot.

Kurapika, who had squatted down, barely pulled himself together and said:

"... Sora. Tell me all the information you know about them."

Sora's information was as meaningful as Kurapika thought, and more importantly, although Sora was worried about himself and didn't want to talk, he had no intention of backing down.

Kurapika did not back down because he could say that the choice, whether it was his intention or not, was entirely his own will.

For the "Scarlet Eyes," he slaughtered the Kurta Tribe in a way that trampled and humiliated them. If Sora met the Phantom Troupe guys, Sora would very likely see them too.

If it weren't for Sora using Direct Death, they wouldn't have noticed that her eyes were even more beautiful and precious than the Scarlet Eyes, but considering the destruction caused by the museum's collapse, it is possible. Gender equals none.

Not for the sake of revenge for the "past," no matter what he did, but for the "future" he wanted to protect, Kurapika swore to destroy them by any means necessary, and lifted his lowered head. I looked up and demanded he look straight at Sora.

All three were worried about Kurapika, not knowing how to encourage and comfort her, feeling confused.

Sure enough, Sora, who knew he was weak because of this topic, turned his face away without any tension, and suddenly widened his eyes.

It was just that he seemed to feel what kind of determination was in those straight eyes, and he widened his eyes instantly.

Sora smiled and answered.

"No."

"Didn't you promise not to hide anything from me?"

A rejection was expected. This was why Kurapika made the request using Sora's kindness, sincerity, and love for him as a shield.

However, Sora did not back down, just like Kurapika.

"Yeah. If you obtain the 'thing' that is the 'reason' itself, I will tell you before that happens.

So, not now. If you don't know why I didn't tell you a month before the Auction, then give up on participating in the Auction, instead of telling me you want to know everything. If you find out when the time comes, it will be too late, and it will be the same as death."

Apparently, he had no intention of hiding it from the start, so he set conditions.

However, Kurapika did not quite understand what that condition meant; he stood up with a puzzled look and asked back, "If you are running out of time, why not tell me now?"

"The reason I can't tell you now is that you... no, you must find and understand it yourself. If it is like that, it is indispensable.

I know you don't understand. But if you knew 'that', I think you would understand why I didn't tell you right away and be convinced.

I agree.... If you know 'that', but still don't understand why I didn't tell you, or if I didn't tell you because it was a waste of time, from now on I will listen to what you have to say."

For some reason, not only himself, but also the other three, Sora told them to look for the "thing", which left Gon and the others who were listening beside him confused.

Kurapika was irritated by this even more mysterious reaction, caught Sora's last words, and said, "So you are that confident?"

I don't want to back down now, but Sora won't back down more than I do. I believe that even if Kurapika were tortured like Gon during the final exam, he wouldn't speak until he met Sora, so in the end, I had to quit and give up.

However, Sora countered Kurapika's final stubbornness with a retort devoid of any Malice.

"That's not true. If I, because of my selfish judgment, made you waste a lot of time on what you want to do and your life, then there is no other way to make up for it or compensate."

"How can you say such things with a straight face!?"

Kurapika blushed as usual and yelled at him to hide his embarrassment, because this was a sincere and genuine apology, not just because he had Absolute confidence.

Kurapika's consistent reaction made the three who had been watching in terror in the tense atmosphere react with their usual surprise, wry smiles, and frustration, which is why it was decided this way!

"Shut up!" Kurapika's face turned even redder, and he turned away sullenly.

Even as he turned to leave, he still muttered in a voice like a mosquito.

"... Understood, I will definitely find it as soon as possible. So, you can rest assured.

Even if it's just your own selfish judgment or misunderstanding, I will find out soon, and I won't pay enough for your selfishness in the future, so I don't need that kind of thing."

I don't know what Sora's "thing that is indispensable as a Hunter and cannot be taught now" is.

So, even though I knew the chances of me understanding and obtaining it before the Yorkshin Auction were very low, Kurapika still declared, "I will find it immediately."

To such a declaration, Sora answered with a smile.

"Yes, I understand.

You can do it, so do your best."

Leorio and Killua said at the same time regarding such an exchange.

"You guys are having an Explosion."

Ignoring the relatively serious demands of the two, Kurapika's face was still flushed, but he returned to calm, cleared his throat, and told everyone.

"Well, I will take my leave here."

"Huh?"

Kurapika gave a wry smile as if he had encountered trouble, because Gon thought they would always be Together naturally from now on.

"I was able to reunite with Killua, and I have reached the end. I need money to participate in the Auction, and I also have to find out what 'thing' Sora is talking about.

First of all, as a serious Hunter, employer work looking for

The question I am most worried about still hasn't found an answer, "Am I planning to take revenge on the Brigade?" Kurapika answered with a bright smile, perhaps because he was convinced that this was his will.

"Really..."

"Kurapika. See you in Yorkshin!"

Not just Sora, but Leorio and Gon were also relieved by this smile.

However, in order to take the exam to become a doctor, when Leorio's hometown country Gon announced that he was going home, Gon said, "Good luck to him!" to cheer him up.

"I also have to report to my master that I passed the exam."

"Eh!?"

In the end, not only Gon, but even Killua raised his voice at Sora, and Sora put his Finger to his lips, muttering as if he had just remembered. Or rather, Killua's voice sounded more pitiful.

"Isn't a phone call okay?!"

Perhaps he couldn't bear having to break up with his partner, which was also half the reason for running away from home, so Killua showed rare selfishness toward Sora. I apologized repeatedly.

"No, I reported by phone, but I messed up a lot during the exam, so I was told to come back as soon as it was over! But I ignored it and stayed here. Expelled from the sect."

I don't mind being expelled, but that teacher is someone I met after breaking up with Kurapika, someone who took care of me, so I can't be unfair."

I have many complaints about Sora's explanation, but I cannot do such an unfair thing for my own benefit. I disregarded my benefactor's orders, came to Padokia, trained the three of them until I could clear the game of the Trial Gate and the Maid. Once I understood what he was doing, I couldn't say anything selfish.

That is why I was angry at the reaction to the child himself, and sullenly said, "Ah, yes, yes! I understand!!"

Gon smiled awkwardly and offered a Suggestion to his friend's reaction, which was too easy to understand because he wouldn't listen.

"Hey, Sora, is it troublesome for us to follow? It's my selfish fault that Sora couldn't go to that master immediately, so if possible, I want to apologize directly. What kind of teacher is Sora? 'I'm interested in someone.'"

"Yeah, if it's not troublesome, I also want to say thank you to that person.

When Gon hinted that he was a bit considerate of Killua and mixed in his true feelings, Kurapika also joined the trend.

However, Sora's answer was direct and unexpected.

"! Absolutely not! Especially Kurapika, absolutely not! Don't get involved in this!!"

"!?"

When Kurapika said, "Tell me everything about that Brigade," he refused with a Sword like no other.

I cannot imagine anyone else I would not want Kurapika to be involved with more than the Brigade.

With that indescribable look, let me say it first.

"... I don't listen, but I'm almost 60, so I'm very tolerant, and I have a troublesome personality, trauma, and abilities. So I really respect and love him because he taught me common sense and trained me so that I could live here."

For some reason, he started talking about his positive impression of his teacher, deepening everyone's doubts, but he said "I love you, but..." first, and the reason why he absolutely didn't want Kurapika to be involved, making the lonely Gon want to get involved. He said it in a tone of deep disgust.

"I don't want you all to see a really old, handsome nude magazine in front of me, and then open it up and leave it on your desk or sofa."

"Is your 60th birthday coming up soon!?"

"I'm sorry!!"

"Thank you for taking care of me..."

"You don't need to feel indebted to that old witch, do you?"

Everyone was very satisfied with Sora's response; he had voiced his complaints, apologies, gratitude, and frank thoughts.

At the same time, Kurapika and Killua also understood what those indescribable eyes of Sora's were.

They were the eyes of an adolescent daughter seeing her father lying in front of the TV after drinking Beer, or walking around the house in only his pants after a shower.

To put it bluntly, they were eyes looking at something dirty.

Although he had been talking about his teacher with those eyes, when he finished, Sora rubbed Killua and Gon's heads with his usual brilliant smile.

"So I'm sorry I can't take you with me, but I'll go see you after I finish listening to the report!

My master might get angry and force me to do some troublesome work as punishment, but I will finish it quickly.

So wait for a little while, okay?"

Gon answered happily: "Yes!"

However, the slight upturn of her lips was not completely Hidden, so her reaction was simply heartwarming.

Regardless, once everyone's destination was decided, Leorio said "Let's meet again" and swore to reunite, and Sora agreed.

"That's right. The next time the five of us meet—"

Everyone listened to Sora's words.

"September 1st, in Yorkshin City!!"