Chapter 64: Stories of Different Stages

I am very clear on what Sora does as a Hunter, so I had already anticipated that the reason he let Zushi monitor him was because of "Deadmind," but Wing's "Dead Spirit" exceeded expectations. When it was revealed that this was "an idea," he was taken aback.

"Wait!

Then, as I inadvertently fell into the situation where all the targets telling me not to take my eyes off them were left in the Arena, Sora still stared at the Arena with blue eyes and answered.

"No, it's fine, because what you need to worry about isn't the other party or the situation.

Or rather, keeping an eye on them is the insurance; more accurately, Zushi and Gon have absolutely nothing to worry about. The only one I'm worried about is Killua."

Saying this, no matter how much he stared, he couldn't find the "Dead Spirit" he had found at the beginning. Perhaps having given up, the color in Sora's eyes dimmed, and he turned his back to the ring and walked to the nearby supermarket. Carrying it.

"But please don't tell Zushi about this. Because it could become a gap.

"May I ask, Mr. Sora? I don't have as much knowledge about the spirits of the dead as you do, so could you explain various things from the beginning?"

Sora spoke while walking, and Wing, not knowing how to respond, asked doubtfully.

"First of all, what I discovered wasn't an ordinary ghost; it's likely the dead Nen of six people fused together. Chaos, chaos, that's how it is.

Perhaps they were all 200th-floor fighters who had a feeling like 'I don't want to die,' and it fused together? In any case, my goal is to steal a living person's body, take it over, and then resurrect."

"Which area is good!?"

Explaining from the beginning again, Wing rushed in, bare-handed. In Sora's story, there wasn't a single element anywhere that could be called "good."

However, Sora's mastery of Nen was still higher than Wing's, or even higher than anyone else's in this world.

"Hmm, to be precise, no problem, or rather, the probability of it successfully taking over someone else's body is extremely low."

Sora placed a finger on his lips, looked up at the sky, and answered.

He was wearing a female outfit I had never seen before, and his childish movements were truly cute, but the words spilling from his mouth were not cute at all.

"I don't know if it's a coincidence, or the thought of someone with the ability to absorb others' Aura, having absorbed someone with a similar aftertaste, but regardless, the thoughts of the dead are low-level.

Here, Nen users recite 'Nen' in their own way, and it's not uncommon for them not to even understand the Four Major Principles, so even the Dead Spirit Nen hasn't become a proper ability. Having absorbed others' Aura as mere energy, I cannot convert it into a person, and I even absorbed others' personalities. The one who absorbs it is also a powerful Dead Spirit, so he might not be able to convert it into energy by crushing his personality.

Because of this, if it were one or two people, it would feel like multiple personalities, or the absorbed personalities would mix to become a new personality, but if it were six people, it should be a consistent personality. Because we didn't go bankrupt without one person, our ego was cast in a shadow, we have almost no human wisdom or reason, but our current state is that we are obsessed with the 'resentment' that connects our common ground."

Sora's story was quite interesting, but I still didn't know why Sora said "it's fine" to Zushi and Gon, and why he said he was worried only about Killua.

Even he himself knew that from this stage of explanation, he couldn't possibly understand everything, so Sora held up his index finger and continued to explain like a teacher.

"Just listening to this, the other party sounds like a disaster of Nen Ability, and that is indeed true, but the self-esteem of multiple people is a mixed bag. Chaos, chaos, because of this, it is basically in a state of 'no one can perceive it.'

You see, in ghost stories and horror stories, there are situations where 'there shouldn't be any inspiration, but for some reason, the wavelengths seem to match,' right? Conversely, because of my blurred and shattered ego, I am no longer on the same wavelength as anyone, except for sensitive types like me.

That is why not only Gon, Killua, and Zushi, who are still amateurs at 'just in case,' but also Mr. Wing and the fighters on the 200th floor didn't notice its existence. If you had noticed, I wonder if this request would have come to me a long time ago?"

Someone told me, and I agreed.

Of course, just as Sora said, there were six dead souls wandering in the Heavens Arena, but strangely, I hadn't realized this until now.

Wing never considered himself a super-powerful Nen user, but even so, the Nen of the dead is an unparalleled power; let alone just waking up, Wing, Gon, and Killua, who had almost no training, should have been able to notice something from someone with malice or killing intent, as well as ordinary people with slight intuition.

However, I didn't notice it at all, and the other 200th-floor fighters didn't even talk about it. Just as Sora said, it's hard to believe that the Dead Spirit is a very special situation, but it has a powerful Aura; presumably, it is a fact. Even if I had it, it couldn't compare to anyone's wavelength, and I couldn't get its recognition.

The Heavens Arena is a special place where many Nen users are stationed, and this might be stimulating the fact that no one noticed the Dead Spirit Nen.

There is no doubt that the post-mortem Nen is huge and powerful, but as Sora said, the Nen users here have all reached the point of "starting" in their own way without knowing the Four Major Principles. There are very few people who can preserve and hide their abilities.

That is to say, since many powerful Auras are always mixed together, Wing speculated that no one knew of the existence of the Dead Spirit Nen because the Aura of the Dead Spirit Nen also disappeared.

Apparently, this is the reason why she couldn't get rid of it even if she found it.

"And it is not only ignored because it doesn't match anyone's wavelength, but it is also difficult to take over someone else's body. Because I don't know what system it was originally, and I am in a state where I am in any system, rather than in any system.

If you can switch between systems and use their Aura and abilities, it's only because you have already accepted all systems, they are mixed together, in a state of chaos, in an inactive state.

Because of this, I have lost most of my physical interference power. 'The Dead Spirit and they are the same; they might be the strongest predators, but to the living, they are basically invisible, unnoticed, and powerless. I want to resurrect.'"

... There is an exception.

At the supermarket, Sora put the curry ingredients into the basket with Wing, ending the explanation of the first act.

After listening to Sora's explanation, I finally understood why he said it was fine, but the last sentence reminded me of Sora's unsettling words.

Zushi and Gon have nothing to worry about.

Sora said he was only worried about Killua.

Killua is the only exception.

"... Is Killua-kun's wavelength consistent with the wavelength of the dead?"

"Killua is the perfect target, and not just because he's on the same wavelength."

Recalling Sora's explanation, I tried to guess why Killua would be an "exception," but Sora denied Wing's guess.

"It absorbed all attributes and became murky, chaotic, chaotic. So, I am looking for a vessel that can resolve the chaos.

Even if it doesn't lose its physical interference power, it's not something that can easily occupy a person's body from the beginning. Because this momentum is too great, a half-baked vessel cannot contain it; it exceeds capacity, and the vessel will shatter.

In this regard, Killua is an outstanding talent. Gon and Zushi can also be said to be the same, but the afterlife Nen has one more condition for the container, and Killua satisfies this condition... So far, the dead's Nen is Killua. I didn't notice, and even if I did, I couldn't interfere, so don't worry for the time being, but don't let your guard down either."

"Condition?"

With the story of a vessel worthy of possessing a large amount of Aura, I understood why Killua became a target.

Indeed, it's hard to believe he is a child not yet twelve years old. There is no doubt that this would be a vessel that could withstand the death of 6 people.

However, as Sora himself said, if it were just this, not only Killua, but Gon also possesses the same conditions; he is a masterpiece full of talent.

While choosing curry meat, Sora chatted about how Killua possesses conditions that Gon and Zushi do not, making him the perfect target for the dead.

"This is not limited to that dead person; it can be said to be all kinds of guys who want to resurrect, but that kind of guy rarely harms the target's body because it's for resurrection, and it's even difficult to use the Manipulation System to take over the body."

This is why those guys are naturally easily taken over; their targets are people who have the opportunity to be used.

... In my heart, 'Imaginary Uro' is human. I have suicidal thoughts, lack confidence, don't know what I want to do, the land I stand on is uncertain and fragile, and I really want to disappear somewhere in my heart. They take advantage of those who want to know if they should stay.

If you don't want that body, if you want it to disappear, then their usual method is to give it to you, threaten it, use sweet words, make you throw it away, and take over your body."

Hearing Sora's words, Wing muttered with a pained expression.

"... Killua-kun, you aren't 【a target】 because Zushi or Gon-kun have something you don't, but because you don't have it?"

I remember when I was asked "just in case," I decided it was too early to explain "Burning" now.

Accompanied by Wing's "Ren," the boy's usual optimistic and confident demeanor changed completely; he wasn't trapped in the corner of the room, but was startled, trapped on the ceiling.

And in order to register for the 200th floor, to surpass Hisoka's aura, when Wing hit the aura of the two who were in a "clothed" state with his "Kneading" aura, it was billions of times more unpleasant than his own. It was his brother's aura, he said.

Wing knew nothing about Killua.

However, I can roughly imagine how he was treated due to the famous Zoldyck surname and his past words and deeds, what his life was like, and where he is now.

Although I know nothing about "Nen," I know the horror of "Nen" better than Gon, or worse than me, Zushi.

It is not hard to imagine that he has grown to the point where he is imprisoned and bound by the threat of "Nen," with nowhere to go.

Laughing happily with Gon and Zushi, his chest was still empty. Wing sadly lowered his eyes, as if he had seen something.

"Wow!"

Just as Wing lowered his eyes, Sora whipped Wing's hair with both hands.

Wing's hair, which had always been part of his bedsheets, became even messier, and he shouted, "What are you doing!?"

Looking at Wing like that, Sora couldn't help but say with some surprise.

"Mr. Wing, Killua's sympathy for him is disrespectful to him, because he doesn't have the things that Gon and Zushi have.

The form of happiness varies from person to person; not having the same things doesn't mean one is unhappy, and wanting to obtain them is the problem. To sympathize as if you can obtain it is the greatest insult." I don't understand.

Furthermore, emptiness is not a bad thing. What is bad is that it has always been this way.

Emptiness means you can fill it with anything you like; what we should do is not sympathy or pity, but a future filled with what she wants—isn't that exactly what you are looking forward to?"

Sora held Wing's head with both hands, made eye contact, and scolded his senior.

I was angry because I shouldn't just think that Killua is unhappy.

Hearing this, Wing's eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled lightly at the reprimand.

"……Is that so?"

I thought it was just as Sora said.

Wing sympathized with Killua's past, thinking that even his happy smile was a symbol of misfortune, and concluding that Killua would never be happy was just an insult.

So I apologized, "I'm sorry," but Sora reminded me, "You don't have to apologize, so please don't make that face in front of Killua." I forced myself to hold back my laughter, and Sora gave me a skeptical look.

I laughed because it reminded me of Killua, who had always radiated a sense of utter jealousy toward me and Zushi.

Recalling the youth's unusually age-appropriate appearance, a youth who was taken care of by Sora to the point where he didn't need to be jealous at all, Wing couldn't help but relax his cheeks.

Sora looked at Wing suspiciously, but decided to let it go and restarted the conversation.

"So, back to the topic, there is an 'emptiness' of anxiety in Killua's heart, worrying that he will go off track while walking on the road, but at the same time, this is also the 'freedom' he wants, so there is no need to be overly sensitive about this point, because there is no chance to take advantage of it.

However, even if you cannot physically intervene in the thoughts of the dead, it is in itself 'an unpleasant atmosphere that makes you feel negative,' so if you are around, you will definitely feel depressed and have negative thoughts, even if you don't notice its existence, and then, in a casual moment, you might think 'I want to die.'

Taking advantage of this opportunity, that person intends to absorb the target's aura and take away the completely empty body, so I hope Mr. Wing will be careful.

For now, the perfect target is Killua, but everyone has an 'emptiness' in their heart, and the opponent is an existence that expands 'emptiness,' so if Mr. Wing feels uncomfortable today, please don't hesitate to call me. Because it might be nearby.

Also, take a good look at Zushi's mindset. He might have complicated feelings about Killua and Gon, so it is possible he will take advantage of that."

"……Is that why you praised Zushi when you first met him?"

I understand the reason for Zushi's admiration; this is quite sudden, and I know it, but I am once again overwhelmed by the terror of this young student, and because of physical reasons, Sora is not suitable for teaching others "Nen." I truly regret it.

If it weren't for this, Wing seriously thinks she could have been a better teacher than him, and laments that Sora's advantages were not utilized.

He did not realize that Wing was more than enough as a teacher, and if he were inferior to his student, he would not feel frustrated or inferior.

There is one more thing he doesn't know.

"Alright, I will be responsible for protecting Zushi.

But Sora. If you need anything, please feel free to ask me. I am not as gifted as you, but I am still your teacher, and also the teacher of Gon and Killua.

I have the responsibility to protect you, and also the right to want to protect you."

To Wing's gentle words, Sora smiled happily and replied.

"……I agree.

Thank you. Mr. Wing. It's okay, I'm relying on you properly; Mr. Wing is one of the Nen Users I respect."

While saying this, he leaned close to me with a bitter face and said such words.

"……So, soon, Mr. Wing. Can I rely on you for a while?"

"? What is it?"

Wing tilted his head and asked back, and Sora suddenly grabbed his arm and begged him.

"As expected, I can't stand this outfit, so please change clothes!"

"No!"

Of course, he was rejected immediately.

＊＊＊

Sora's inexplicable charisma and Wing's refusal immediately attracted strange attention in the supermarket, but neither the person who said it nor the person who responded attracted the attention of the people around them.

"Or rather, you are so shy, why are you dressed like this!?"

"Preventing stalking is a disguise! Women are scary!!"

"I didn't even ask, I'm sorry!"

After reflexively rejecting Sora's plea, it was somewhat incomprehensible; when Wing asked a fundamental question, Sora answered almost immediately, and Wing also apologized immediately.

At Heaven's Arena, when Biscuit was fighting, because she couldn't watch Sora's matches and training due to work, she watched them on Sora's behalf, and she knew there were fans who had reached the level of Sora's stalkers.

So, after apologizing for not noticing that I didn't have to ask, I put my hand on Sora's shoulder and tried again to correct Sora's paranoid delusions that were going in an acquired direction.

"Sora, please calm down first.

There is nothing strange about Sora's appearance today. It suits you very well. The reason I asked what happened is because I know your usual fashion trends, so I was surprised."

However, such an innocuous line could not dispel her painful obsession, and Sora argued with tears in her eyes.

"... But I said it doesn't suit me, Killua. Walking around in these clothes, I feel like I'm being stared at..."

"Regardless of what you think, Killua is just masking his own embarrassment. His gaze is that of a male stalker you'd want to avoid! Please correct my misunderstanding!"

Of course, Sora's rebuttal is also a mistaken illusion, so Wing firmly denies and corrects it.

Even so, thinking about it carefully, Wing still feels a rare sympathy, thinking that if he were dressed like a woman, he would be a beauty hard to be pursued by a male stalker, and if he were dressed like a man, he would be a female stalker.

"... Come to think of it, I just remembered, Sora, haven't you realized you're very beautiful?"

"Hm? Yes. I've known since I was born."

After sympathizing with her, I remember that Sora is a woman who wouldn't feel embarrassed even if a man or woman complimented her appearance, and saying "Yes, I know," I really don't understand why he feels this outfit doesn't suit him, so when I asked him back, just as Wing remembers, Sora answered with a straight face, without any boasting.

Weakened by that graceful statement, I asked: "... Then why do you think it doesn't suit you?"

"... I've known I was beautiful since I was born, but even though I'm called beautiful, good-looking, or handsome, I'm only ever told I'm cute... If I leave Gon today, it'll only be once. That might be because I talked to Tempa and did something stupid, so he might follow me..."

"Cute and beautiful are completely different systems, so I feel this kind of cuteness doesn't suit me."

Regardless of how she looks, Wing feels that her every word and action is already cute enough.

Wing certainly thinks Sora is cooler than cute, or rather, she is a beautiful beauty, but this image is only possible because she hasn't worn such a cute style until now and has always dressed like a man. Today's appearance made me realize it.

If she kept her hair short, it might not suit her very well, but her current hairstyle should be said to be slightly longer than a bob, emphasizing Sora's femininity which wasn't very noticeable before, and wearing a cute rabbit-ear hoodie. The ruffled shorts and knee-high socks are very coordinated.

No matter how you look at it, she doesn't look like a skilled abolitionist, nor does she look like a professional Hunter. Sora looks like an ordinary girl right now.

I smiled bitterly and stroked Sora's white hair, as if to return it early.

"Don't worry. Sora is truly cute."

"There's nothing strange about it. You are an ordinary cute girl, and as my apprentice, I am proud of you, so walk around with your chest held high as usual."

Saying this, I followed her to the checkout counter, but even so, Sora still pouted and muttered, as if not completely convinced.

"... But Killua said it doesn't suit her."

Although he knows he is masking his own embarrassment, Wing cannot tell if Killua was serious or hurt, but Killua thought for a moment that "Sora was taken away," and hit himself and Zushi; I only understand that the jealousy I felt was completely unnecessary and meaningless.

(Killua, you are so loved by us, there's no need to be jealous.)

While saying this, Wing said in his heart, although he knew it was a bit irresponsible, he still let Killua take care of the little apprentice he couldn't convince.

Although he considers himself an adult with a more spiritual philosophy than himself, he is actually still too young to convince his young apprentice, while making excuses that he is also more suited to children.

＊＊＊

"Damn it, what is he..."

Killua continued to mutter to himself about Sora, who was shopping with Wing.

"Zushi, what are you doing? Come here quickly."

Hearing Gon's words, Zushi, whose face was slightly red and who was still staring in the direction Sora left, finally pulled himself together and turned around excitedly.

"Killua's older sister, you are so kind and beautiful! I envy you so much!"

"Ah!?"

Zushi naturally thought Sora was Killua's older sister.

Not knowing if he should be angry at Zushi's words, but annoyed by Gon's reaction, he said: "You! Gon!"

After Gon apologized to Killua with "Sorry, sorry," he also explained to Zushi with a smile; Zushi knew it was his words, but didn't know where it went wrong.

"Ahahaha, you're wrong, Sora isn't Killua's sister. Although they look alike, there is no blood relationship."

"Sora is a companion we made when we participated in the Hunter Exam, she is Killua's thought-sister."

"Gon!"

Gon's explanation made Killua even angrier, but this time he didn't apologize.

Instead, he was a bit angry, but looking at me with a strong look of annoyance, Killua was confused: "... What is going on?"

"Killua, why are you so stubborn? I actually think Sora's outfit today is cute, why don't you just say it?"

"Sora, when you thought you were attracted to Killua, you almost cried. Even if you saw it, why are you still so stubborn and say it doesn't suit you? Is it okay for Sora to cry?"

"Eh!? Killua, did you say that?! You look cute and it suits you! Why did you say that!?"

When Killua let go of his hand, Gon scolded Killua for what he actually did with a reproachful expression, which was unusual for him.

Killua himself felt guilty for the mean and harsh words he said to the two of them, so he withdrew his gaze and said again: "No! It doesn't suit you! What's wrong with saying that!?"

Zushi was even more frightened by this echo, and Gon sighed in annoyance.

Beside Zushi, for some reason today Gon's eyes were very scary, and Killua wanted to escape back to his private room, but his arm was pulled by Gon, stopping him.

Of course, for Killua, it would be easier to shake off Gon's arm and run away, but he couldn't do it.

"I won't let you go, Killua. Even if Sora forgives me this time, I won't forgive him until he apologizes to Sora."

This time, those eyes carried intense anger.

Killua looked away, pouted his lips, and turned to leave, but he couldn't shake them off and escape.

＊＊＊

Killua was taken to Gon's private room, made to sit on a chair, and sulked in dissatisfaction.

Seeing Killua's attitude, Gon sighed wearily.

"Killua. I'll ask you again, why did you lie to Sora and say you didn't look good to him?"

"For some reason, Sora thanked me for being grumpy, but if I didn't do it well, I cried. Do you want me to cry?"

Gon's words made Killua's face look like it had been poked in a sore spot, but if he could honestly apologize here, he wouldn't have said such abusive words in the first place.

So Killua sat cross-legged on the chair and insisted: "I didn't lie!"

"Or rather, how can you guys be so cute, how can you say such embarrassing things!!"

It was completely a back-and-forth line, but when I tried to mention the part where Killua was more suspicious, not only Gon but also Zushi answered with blank faces.

"Hm? After all, Sora really suits you and is cute. What's there to be embarrassed about telling the truth?"

"You are so beautiful, even if you are so beautiful that you are too nervous to speak, complimenting you is not an embarrassing thing, but it is embarrassing that all you can think of are clichés."

"You guys are shameless!!"

Treating them with courtesy, a typical stupid idiot Killua thought he was asking the two of them if they were idiots, but despite being rude, Killua still spoke his true feelings aloud.

It was the two of them who were offended; both tilted their heads, seemingly unable to understand from the bottom of their hearts why Killua was so embarrassed.

Zushi, who was tilting his head just like that, suddenly asked about the matter that had just caught his attention.

"Come to think of it, when you said Sora's outfit suited or didn't suit you, did you mean that Sora's outfit was completely different from usual?"

Hearing Zushi's new question, not only Gon, but even Killua, who had originally been angered to death, suddenly turned and walked away. The two seemed to recall Sora's story: "The most terrifying thing in the world is a woman."

Zushi was left completely confused by the two's reaction. The two hesitated for a while, not knowing how much to explain to him, before Gon decided to give him at least a basic explanation.

"Sora usually wears men's clothing, and lately it's always been short hair, is it a bit longer than Killua's?

So, when Sora dresses like that, he looks like a cool guy, how should I put it... he is often liked by troublesome women, so in the past when Sora was a fighter here, he had such troubles too. Just like what happened two years ago, so I don't think he was there, but he disguised himself and wore something completely different from usual."

To Zushi, the appearance and demeanor of Sora he saw earlier were everything, and to him, he only felt that he was "a very beautiful and kind older sister," so he usually dressed like a man, and if his hair was short, he looked like a man. I don't know where to be surprised at one incredible fact after another, such as that we were still the same fighters until two years ago, but regarding the information on "countermeasures against same-sex stalkers," or rather, in the end, just like Gon and Killua, his expression became somewhat distant, and he said: "... Sora-san, thank you for your hard work."

"That's why you're so shy and lack confidence, it's such a waste, even though you are such a beautiful person."

"That's right. So I want Sora to believe that she looks good in pretty girl's clothes, but Killua has become strangely stubborn..."

Zushi was satisfied with Sora's words and actions. Although Gon agreed, the story returned to Killua's meaningless stubbornness. He glared at Killua again, and the person being glared at turned and walked away defiantly.

With such a reaction, Gon sighed countless times, stood in front of Killua's chair, and looked down at him.

"... Killua. Apologize to Sora."

"... Don't do anything you have to apologize for."

"I said it. If you really feel it doesn't suit you, then Killua is prioritizing your own stubbornness and said some terrible things to Sora. Apologize to Sora properly, and honestly tell him it suits you."

I know I'm stubborn, but Gon being more stubborn than usual confused me even more. Frustrated by Gon's profanity, and not knowing if he was being mean, Killua stopped looking away; he also glared at Gon and said,

"It has nothing to do with you! Anyway, I just put it on temporarily to disguise myself, I don't need to build confidence! You can dress him up however you like!!"

Instead, what are you doing? Even though he hates you, you keep praising him for looking good! It doesn't matter if it fits or not, but I don't want to see the outfit you hate the most!!"

From Killua's perspective, he didn't understand why Gon would be angry at him because of his stubbornness and say "it doesn't suit you," or why Sora hated the idea that it didn't suit him.

Honestly, I think it suits her very well, and if I can only see Sora wear this once, I think it would be a pity.

However, when I saw Sora so shy and reluctant, I really didn't want to keep seeing him like that.

"You don't look good in it" was nothing more than stupid pride, but Killua really wanted Sora to look like Sora, smiling naturally. In Killua's view, Gon's behavior was even more unbelievable and unforgivable.

So when I was glaring at Gon and yelling, Gon's originally glaring eyes suddenly returned to his usual look.

Her smiling eyes were as gentle and calm as the sea.

"... So that's how it is. Killua was considering Sora's feelings well."

For some reason, Zushi, who had just been suddenly relieved by Killua's words and started smiling, and who was completely out of sync with Killua, was even more confused and dumbfounded.

Looking at the two, Gon apologized: "Sorry, sorry." Then he sat on the bed and continued to speak.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Killua.

... But Killua. Sora might not actually dislike dressing like a girl."

The last few lines seemed a bit lonely and painful.

So Killua asked: "What do you mean?"

The reason I asked was because I didn't want to see my best friend in a painful state.

Did she want to know "some" of Sora's, to make him become that kind of "reason" in the eyes of this ridiculously smart person?

"... Killua. Sora was almost forced to marry when he was about ten years old.

He said it was at that time that he started keeping his hair short instead of long, and he hated the appearance of a girl."

Gon was a bit hesitant about whether he could say it from his own mouth, but given Sora's personality, if Gon talked to him, he obviously wouldn't be angry. Knowing he couldn't ask, Gon told Killua. Sora told him on the airship heading to Padokea.

Zushi was taken aback and said: "He was going to get married at ten!? What is going on!?"

Before that, Gon wanted Killua to know, so he told the wide-eyed Killua.

Telling Sora about the wounds he hadn't made himself aware of.

"Killua. Killua already knows who Sora's family and Sora's parents are, right? Then you know, right?

Sora's parents are the worst kind of people. Even if Sora really didn't like it, resisted, let alone respected Sora's wishes, he didn't even try to persuade them. They were people who were suppressed and locked up so they wouldn't go crazy.

... Because he was a girl, he was treated like this, so I think Sora doesn't want to dress like a girl anymore.

Sora himself didn't realize this. It wasn't until I pointed it out that I realized I had started hating skirts from that time on.

... Sora said that situations where children are treated like her are not uncommon, so she doesn't think she is sensitive enough to be hurt by such things."

Zushi was confused by Gon's words for a while, but in the end, he was speechless.

No wonder. Compared to violent abuse, Zushi probably didn't know, and didn't want to imagine, an environment where a person's dignity was trampled upon, but it was not uncommon.

Killua didn't say anything.

I wasn't speechless; I just stared at the floor silently, as if enduring something.

Killua gritted his teeth and endured it, because if he opened his mouth, he would be filled with uncontrollable anger toward her parents, who had hurt Sora like this.

"... Killua said the same thing. Rather than wearing pretty clothes that Sora doesn't want to wear, if Sora wears the clothes that make him most like himself and smiles at me, then I don't mind. So, if you really don't like that outfit, I won't call you cute or pretty anymore.

... But, Killua. Sora said to Kurapika: 'Why don't you grow your hair out?', he said, 'I want to see Sora with long hair', and I made a very happy expression. I really don't want to look like a girl, I don't think I dislike it."

Mentioning Kurapika's name, Killua gritted his teeth.

The moment I looked back, I was disappointed, but also fascinated.

It was just hair that was a little longer than before, and it accidentally grew to his shoulders, but this alone showed that Sora was undoubtedly a "woman," which greatly changed the atmosphere.

It's not that short hair doesn't suit her, but I definitely think Killua prefers Sora with long hair.

I think the gentle and beautiful Sora with long hair is very pretty.

Thinking that the reason I have this thought is not myself, but that even when he is not there, he will steal the man by Sora's side, it is really frustrating.

I can't help but wonder why I wasn't there, and why I couldn't be the first to say "long hair," even though I know it's unreasonable and irrational.

Gon looked at him with deep eyes, as if understanding Killua's frustration, and said:

"This is why Killua should tell Sora the truth, even if just once.

To Sora, I think whether Killua feels she is suitable, whether Killua wants to see her, is more important than whether she is worthy of him."

Gon said.

Just like Kurapika's words, Killua's words also had meaning.

He said this might be the power to heal a wound Sora was not aware of.

Killua did not respond to Gon's words.

However, I kept staring at the floor, looking regretful.

"You don't look good! Idiot!"

I just watched the meaningless words I screamed, and Sora's crying face after those words, repeating constantly in my mind.

＊＊＊

Gon said nothing to Killua, who was staring down at the floor.

Not knowing what he was thinking, but unlike his sullen appearance, Gon knew his own words and actions were being faced; Gon decided not to interfere anymore and continued to explain some things about Sora to Zushi.

"Just now~"

Sure enough, it would be very complicated to talk about what happened when they came from another world.

Gon and Zushi were the first to open their eyes, followed closely by Killua, who raised his head for fear of being scolded.

"!? Sora! Your hair! What happened!?"

"Huh? What happened to your hair?"

Gon shouted involuntarily, and Sora said the same thing as Gon's question, not understanding the point of the question, and tilted his head.

The originally astonished Gon and Zushi, seeing the hair forcibly cut into a short tail from behind the tilted neck, suddenly lost their strength, making Sora even more confused, and Wing also guessed what was going on.

"……Ah. I thought Sora-san had suddenly cut her hair."

"Oh, so that's it, I didn't cut it, it wasn't convenient for cooking, so I bought a hair tie to tie it up."

Sora, convinced by Wing's words, explained while picking up the hair tied behind her neck and shaking it so the three of them could see.

Apparently, all three of them were surprised, thinking she had cut her hair while shopping, because she looked shorter from the front than during the Hunter Exam since she had tied her hair together.

"……Really, hair length is something that can really change a person's atmosphere."

Zushi somehow regained the strength in his weak body and muttered.

From Zushi's perspective, he couldn't help but wonder how Sora could look like a man, but after seeing the real thing, he seemed convinced.

Gon and Killua also learned again that Sora looked like a woman with long hair, but if she combed it up, she could look both male and female, and revert to being asexual.

By the way, I felt that if I became Sora, today's outfit would not suit me, but strangely it didn't feel out of place.

However, when her hair was down, it was still not as clear as a woman. Looking at her whole body, one could tell at a glance that she was a woman, but just the rabbit-ear hoodie made her seem like a handsome guy who liked to wear pop and punk clothes, reminding one that she was still a rare beauty.

Gon, who had been looking at Sora with a wry smile, gently shifted his gaze to Killua.

She tilted her head again and asked if Sora had noticed Killua.

"What's wrong, Killua? You look like you haven't realized reality yet, because the pigeon was hit by the pea shooter."

Although it was an incomprehensible expression, Sora's metaphor was actually quite subtle.

Even after learning that Sora hadn't cut her hair, Killua didn't completely relax, standing still with his eyes open.

As expected, Sora's question thawed him from his freeze, and as always, he insisted: "It's nothing!"

Seeing this stubbornness, not only Gon, but even Zushi, who knew the situation, sighed helplessly, and Killua glared at the two of them.

"……You guys, what happened while we were away?"

"……Well, in a sense, they seem to have deepened their friendship."

Not only Sora, but even Wing and the others were confused, but I could imagine that if I chased too closely, Killua would just go crazy, so I didn't ask anything in particular and took the things I bought to the kitchen.

Gon and Zushi rushed over to help him, and Killua stood up from his chair as if he couldn't help himself.

In the small kitchen, everyone was busy helping to make curry, but Killua stood behind Sora, waving his arms without saying a word.

"Hmm?"

The back of the head, or rather the back of the neck, felt a slight relief, and at the same time Sora turned around, her own hair sticking to her cheeks.

When I turned around, Killua was standing there.

She used her cat-like Transmutation fingertips to pinch the hair tie that held Sora's hair together, revealing a cut that looked like it had been made by scissors.

The hair was longer than before, but it was still far from "long hair."

Even with short hair, Sora looked good enough. Even with short hair, her feminine appearance was not unnatural.

I don't want Sora to dress like that.

Admittedly, if you don't like it, it doesn't matter how good it looks.

Killua was still thinking.

The moment I thought I had cut my hair, shock swirled in my heart, and I couldn't let go of the regret of tying my hair behind my back.

I like it very much.

I don't want to lose it.

——Especially if Sora herself doesn't mind.

Killua's sudden uncharacteristic behavior, although just a little prank, made not only Sora herself, whose hair tie was stolen, but even Wing, Gon, and Zushi look at him expressionlessly.

After glaring at everyone like that, Killua turned around and muttered in a low voice.

"…………Correct…………"

"Hmm?"

I couldn't help but ask back.

The voice was too soft, but it wasn't as if it couldn't be heard.

But when Sora asked back in disbelief, Killua moved further away from Sora and said yes.

"……You think it looks better with your hair down, don't you think?"

As usual, the completely dishonest Killua not only had his expression change, but even his ears turned red.

Gon and Zushi, who knew the situation from Killua's true feelings, were all smiles, and even Wing, who shouldn't have known the situation, showed a gentle smile, annoying Killua into going all out.

"What are you doing with that face!!"

Gon and Zushi, who were nearby for the moment, grabbed them in anger; the two apologized to Killua, but they still looked at him with lukewarm eyes, wanting to tear Killua apart.

"Right, right, right, calm down, Killua. If you keep going berserk, the curry you ordered will be changed to a stir-fry."

As someone who had already become a curry-mouth, he was given a threatening phrase that was too obviously annoying.

Although Sora had been pulled away, he still smiled wryly and said to Killua, whose face was still red and whose lips were pouting.

"——Killua, thank you."

It was a smile, a voice that seemed very happy with the wry smile.

Hearing Sora's words, Killua's face turned even redder, and he turned and left.