A profound silence and sheer chaos dominated the room.
My single sentence—the declaration that Shion was female—left the three males completely frozen. If I had to put a caption over their expressions right now, it would be a collective: 'Nani... the f—?!'
"H-Hahaha. I see, I see. Quite the unfunny joke, Aisha."
"A-Ah, indeed. You almost had us there! What a clever prank."
"I-It was a joke, osu?! I couldn't tell at all, osu!"
The moment their brains rebooted, they immediately defaulted to dismissing my words as a joke.
Alas, reality is cruel.
"No, I am completely serious."
"..."
Come now, there is no need to look so devastated... Is acknowledging that Shion is a woman truly that difficult?
"Rather, how on earth did you not notice? Killua and Zushi-kun aside, haven't you known her for over ten years, Wing-san?"
"W-Well, that is... It is true we have known each other for over a decade... but Shion never once stated that she was a woman..."
"Did she ever claim to be a man?"
"...No, she did not."
Just how dense is this man?! You've known each other for over ten years, frequently crossed fists to polish your martial arts, and you completely mistook her gender the entire time?! That is an extraordinary level of obliviousness.
"Could Aisha just be mistaken?"
"Not a chance, Killua. By observing a person's skeletal structure and center of gravity, determining their biological sex is straightforward."
Well, that is a skill honed from spending a lifetime immersed in martial arts. (Though in this particular case, I already knew she was female from the start).
"That sounds like an incredible skill, osu..."
"T-Then... is Shion truly a woman...?"
"Are you serious...? There wasn't even the slightest hint of a chest..."
"Judging someone purely by their chest size is exceedingly rude, Killua. Some people are simply built that way. Consider it a rare commodity."
Well, unfortunate as it may be... I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who appreciate a slender build. Probably.
"P-Please hold on a moment. I will contact my master. She should know for certain."
With that, Wing pulled out his phone and dialed. 'Master'—meaning his Shingen-ryu instructor? That must be Bisky.
...Let's listen in on the conversation. I focused Gyo directly into my ears to amplify my hearing!
Click.
"...Hello, Master. Long time no see. Do you have a moment?"
『What is it, fledgling Wing? It's rare for you to call.』
Yep, that's Bisky, alright. Strange how fate works; the world really is small.
If Wing is Bisky's disciple, it makes perfect sense that he grew close to Shion. Shion was Linna's chosen direct disciple, after all. She possessed remarkable talent. If things progressed normally, she should have reached the level of assistant instructor by now.
"Yes, there is something I must ask... You remember Shion, correct?"
『Of course I do! She's Linna's beloved pupil. How could I possibly forget her?』
"I see... Well, what I wished to ask is... Is Shion... well... a w-woman?"
『...How did you find that out?』
"Ah—! T-Then she truly is a woman...!"
『Never mind that, answer me! How did you realize it?! Did you figure it out on your own?! Or did someone have to tell you?!』
"Eh? Well, to my embarrassment, someone else pointed it out to me for the very first time..."
『...WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER!』
Wait. The tone of this conversation is turning strange. Why is Bisky this shocked?
"M-Master? What is the matter? Is there a problem?"
『Is there a problem?! It's a massive problem! Why couldn't you figure it out on your own, you blockhead?!』
Whoa! That shout was loud enough to hear without using Gyo!
Why is she so furious? Is she angry at Wing's sheer density for failing to notice for ten years?
"I-I am terribly sorr—"
『—I JUST LOST MY BET WITH LINNA!』
"...Huh?"
...Huh?
『A bet, you fool, a bet! I bet that you'd figure it out on your own, and Linna bet that someone would have to spell it out for you! Give me back the faith I placed in my own disciple!』
"...I would appreciate it if you also realized the trust lost by wagering on your own disciple's denseness..."
Truly. What a ridiculous reason. It seems Linna deserves a bit of scolding next time I see her.
『Aaargh! That 20 million Jenny shopping spree Linna promised me is gone up in smoke! I'm in the red because of you, you dense fool! Go wash your face in hot soup and try again!』
Slam! The call disconnected with a furious bang... Bisky, that's a bit too harsh...
"...Haha, it appears she truly is a woman. How on earth did I never notice all these years...?"
"W-Well, don't sweat it, Wing-san. I thought she was a guy too."
"Y-Yeah, osu! I had no idea either! Please don't beat yourself up over it, Assistant Instructor!"
"Shion-san bears some responsibility as well. If she dressed slightly more feminine, people would have noticed much sooner."
(Though I'm probably the last person who should be talking about feminine wardrobe choices).
"Now that I think about it... when Shion visited the Shingen-ryu dojo in the past, I recall seeing her walk into the women's restroom..."
『YOU SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THEN, (OSU)!』
Is this man an idiot?! His density operates on an entirely different scale! He's definitely an Enhancer. I'd bet my life on it.
Even his own disciple, Zushi-kun, looked at him with exasperated eyes.
"Back then, I assumed she had simply walked into the wrong restroom by mistake... To think I remained oblivious for over ten years..."
...That, my friend, is entirely on you.
"A-At any rate, I must see Shion and apologize properly!"
"...I'll apologize too."
"I will apologize sincerely as well, osu... To receive so much guidance from her without realizing..."
Killua and Zushi aside, Wing-san definitely owes her an apology. Failing to notice for over a decade is frankly incredible.
Enhancers really are stubbornly single-minded once they get an idea in their heads. I can't imagine him being any other Nen category.
Ah, it seems Shion has returned. Hopefully she cooled her head.
◆
Phew... I've finally calmed down. The nosebleed has stopped, so I can face Wing again. I couldn't possibly let him see me with blood dripping down my face!
Hm? The atmosphere in the room feels strange. Wing is looking at me with an intensely solemn expression. Even Zushi-kun and Killua-kun look unusually tense.
The only one looking normal is Aisha-chan... What happened while I was outside?
...Wait. Could they be furious because of how rudely I stormed out earlier?! Oh no, oh no! If Wing hates me, my life loses all meaning! I have to apologize right away!
"I apologize for earlier. I lost my composure, but I am fine now."
"Shion... I am so deeply sorry!!"
"W-What is this about, Wing?! Are you upset that I shouted at you? That was my fault, so you shouldn't worry about—"
He apologized so suddenly that for a second, I thought he was rejecting a confession!
Though I quickly realized that made no sense, since I've never confessed to him. (In my daydreams, I've confessed tens of thousands of times... and naturally, his answer is always YES!).
Though having Wing confess to me out of the blue would be a wonderful scenario too!
Ah, the possibilities are endless... Wait, no, the nosebleed is trying to return!
61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97...
Phew, safe.
"No, that is not it. I must apologize to you from the bottom of my heart..."
"...What on earth happened?"
W-W-What is going on, Wing?! I've never seen him look this anguished!
Oh, Wing, please don't make that face. Seeing your smile is what keeps me going...
...Though seeing him look this intensely troubled is also breathtakingly handsome!
Quickly activate [Visual Memory / Treasure Folder] to capture and save!
Rare image acquired!! I'm treasuring this tonight.
"So, Wing... why are you this distressed?"
"...I am truly sorry! I... all this time, I believed you were a man!!"
...Pardon?
"My bad... I mistook you for a guy too."
"I am so terribly sorry, Please accept my deepest apologies!"
"...What... are you talking about? ...You thought I was a man?"
I genuinely do not understand what is being said right now.
Wait... what? What does that even mean?
Did Wing... never once perceive me as a woman all these years?
He thought I was a guy the entire time?!
"Aisha-san pointed it out, and only then did I finally realize. This is the greatest disgrace of my life... I do not know how I can ever atone..."
"That's... that's too cruel, Wing. I was by your side for so long..."
How could you, Wing...?
Wing... in the end, Wing just...
HE JUST PREFERS WOMEN WITH BIG CHESTS!! Like Aisha-chan! LIKE AISHA-CHAN!!
Damn it! Why won't my chest grow?! I drink dairy every day! I do bust-enhancement exercises! I've been taking breast-enlargement supplements from mail-order catalogs for years!
No matter how much effort I put in, they refuse to grow a single millimeter...
Ugh, maybe I should just create a Nen ability that enlarges my bust?!
"...I have no excuses. To mistake the gender of my friend... my greatest rival... If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, please tell me. I wish to atone in any way I can."
Hm? Did he just say he'd do 'anything'?!
Oh no, the nosebleed—!
101, 103, 107, 109—It's not working! The stimulation is too powerful!
I can't let him see blood exploding from my nose! I need to get out of here right now!
Anything...
D-D-Does that include a k-k-kiss?!
Guh! Stop thinking! The blood is about to erupt!
Wait, why is Wing chasing after me?! I'm thrilled that you're pursuing me, but please leave me alone for right now!
◆
"Ah! Please wait, Shion!"
Ignoring Wing's calls, Shion bolted out of the room at full speed.
The shock must have been immense...
"Everyone! I must go after Shion. I cannot leave him... no, her alone in this state! Aisha-san, I am truly sorry after you went out of your way to visit, but we will have to speak another day!"
"Y-Yes, of course."
With that, Wing took off in hot pursuit of Shion.
I wonder how that will turn out? Perhaps giving her space would have been wiser, but human relationships are unpredictable. I hope Wing manages to earn her forgiveness.
"Well, it's getting late. Shall we head back, Killua?"
"Yeah. See ya, Zushi. Hurry up and get to the 200th floor."
"Osu! I'm sorry for all the commotion! I will redouble my efforts to catch up to Killua-san and Gon-san, osu!"
What an earnest, upright boy. He has a great attitude and seems very well-suited to Wing's instruction. If he keeps training diligently, Zushi-kun will surely become a distinguished martial artist.
Now then, let's head back to Heavens Arena where Gon and Kurapika are waiting.
◆
"Still, Wing is something else. Not noticing for ten years is ridiculous."
Killua and I chatted as we walked back to Heavens Arena. Naturally, the previous spectacle dominated our conversation.
"Indeed. To witness her enter the women's restroom and not even question it..."
"Right?! Man, I can't wait to tell Gon and Kurapika!"
"Now, now, making fun of other people's blunders isn't very nice. Hehe."
"You're laughing too, Aisha!"
Well, I can't help it. Remembering it is simply too funny.
"Still, while Wing-san was at fault, I do feel bad for Shion-san."
"Yeah... being mistaken for a guy for that long must sting. But Shion is confusing too, with that tone and those clothes."
"I suppose... though in terms of attire, I'm not much different, am I?"
"Nah, you're... different. Your face and voice are completely female. Shion is handsome, but in an androgynous way where you could easily buy her as a guy."
True... She's the type that would be wildly popular with women if she went into theater. Even when I first saw her as a child, I almost mistook her for a boy.
"By the way, Aisha."
"Yes? I won't teach you Nen, if that's what you're asking. You have a promise with Wing-san, remember?"
"That promise was with Gon, not me. ...But that's not it. Well, it is related to Nen, but not about learning it."
"...? What is it, then?"
"Kurapika learned Nen today, right? Has he ever seen another Nen user besides you?"
"No, not since awakening Nen, I believe."
"I knew it. ...Aisha, just how high above us are you?"
...Eh? How high above? What does that have to do with Kurapika?
"How high... Well, I am certainly above a novice like you, Killua."
"Obviously. But I get the feeling you're at a height I can't even begin to imagine."
"Why... do you think that?"
No matter how sharp Killua is, I didn't think he could fathom the depths of my strength. So why?
"Honestly, I didn't feel threatened by the guy Gon fought. Sure, he was stronger than us, but only because of Nen. And his Nen wasn't impressive at all—bottom of the barrel compared to Hisoka or Wing. We'll surpass him in no time."
"I agree. Both you and Gon possess magnificent talent. To be honest, there were times I felt envious of it."
If only I had possessed even half of their natural genius in my past life...
"But how does that connect to my strength?"
"You taught Kurapika Nen. And Kurapika mastered Ten in a single week. Meaning his talent rivals mine and Gon's."
"Yes, that's true."
"And in Gon's room, Kurapika said: 'I learned about Nen from Aisha as well, and I wouldn't dream of challenging those monsters with freshly awakened Nen.'"
—! Brilliant...!
To extract such crucial deduction from a casual remark and connect it to his own observations... What incredible insight.
"Kurapika, who matches our talent, wouldn't dream of challenging those fighters after learning from you. Yet I felt confident I could beat them even now. That means the standard you set in Kurapika's mind is unimaginably higher than the fighters here. You're operating on a completely different plane, aren't you?"
"...I take off my hat to you. To deduce that from such subtle clues is worthy of genuine admiration."
"I knew it. Plus, you cornered the Chairman so badly he had to attack you to survive the exam. That alone told me you were way out of our league."
"Ah, if only you had accepted it as a lucky fluke."
"Are you an idiot? As if that was a fluke."
Well, fair enough.
...Wait. If he realized I was hiding my true strength, does that mean he'll refuse to be friends with someone deceitful?!
"D-D-Does this mean you're breaking off our friendship because I hid my strength?!"
"Why the hell are you jumping to that?! And why are you panicking so hard?!"
Wait, really?! We're still friends?!
"P-Phew... Don't scare me like that!"
"You scared yourself! ...I wouldn't stop being friends over something like that. Everyone has things they don't want to talk about."
A golden aura practically shone behind Killua.
"Thank you, Killua... Someday, I promise I will tell all of you everything."
Yes. One day, I will share my true past with them. Even if they reject me, I want to be honest with them.
"Yeah. It's a promise."
"Yes, a promise."
A weight felt lifted from my chest. I really owe Killua for this.
"Killua."
"Hm? What?"
"Thank you."
"I-It's nothing. ...We're buddies, after all."
"Hehe, yes. We are friends."
"Stop smiling like that! Man, you really had zero friends before this, didn't you?!"
"What a ridiculous claim! If we're talking about who made friends first, I had one before you!"
"Bullshit! Who?!"
"Leorio-san! We became friends three days before the Final Phase!"
"Nani... the f—?!"
"T-That's cheating! You never explicitly said 'let's be friends'!"
"Idiot. Leorio said it best—we were already buddies without needing to say it! Friendship isn't something you plan out; it's something that just happens before you even realize it!"
Killua's words struck me like a physical blow, dropping me to my knees... S-So profound! What deep philosophy...!
"I... I concede defeat..."
"Hah! That makes it my victory!"
Ugh, that smug, triumphant smirk on Killua's face is delightfully annoying!
"Do not celebrate yet, Killua! Even if you defeat me, a second and third Aisha will rise—"
"What final boss are you quoting?!"
"What on earth are you two doing?"
『Eh?』
We had already arrived outside Gon's room without realizing it.
Kurapika looked at us with deep exasperation. Killua and I blushed furiously.
"Good grief. Even though the 200th floor is relatively quiet, making a scene in the hallway is unbecoming."
"...How long were you standing there?"
"Ah, since the part about who made friends first, I think."
"Gon, you should have called out to us if you heard that!"
"Well, you two looked like you were having so much fun!"
"Indeed. Having friends is a wonderful thing."
"Shut up!"
"Leave us alone!"
We bantered for a while longer in Gon's room, but as night fell, it came time to find lodging.
"Kurapika, as much as I'd like to stay, we should look for an inn."
"Right. We need to secure rooms."
"You two are only on the 20th floor, right? No private suites until the 100th floor."
"You're climbing so slowly! You could both reach the 100th floor in a day!"
"It's for Kurapika's training. We'll catch up before your two-month ban ends."
"Ah, wait! I have an idea!" Gon beamed. "Why don't you two just stay in my room?!"
"Eh? But where would we sleep? There's only one bed."
"There are two large sofas! You can sleep on those!"
"Haha, thank you for the thought, Gon, but while I could, Aisha is a—"
"Can we?! I've always wanted to have a sleepover with friends!"
"What...?"
"The...?"
Kurapika and Killua stared at me with matching expressions of sheer disbelief.
"Aisha, are you serious?"
"Yes! The sofas are comfortable, and the bathroom is huge. It saves on lodging expenses too."
"Aisha, you are a woman and we are men!"
"I don't mind at all! It's economical and fun."
『WE MIND!!』 Kurapika and Killua roared in unison.
"I don't see why it matters," Gon said cheerfully. "It gets lonely resting all day. Having everyone here makes me happy!"
"See? Gon is happy, so let's accept his hospitality!"
Kurapika pinched the bridge of his nose. "...Aisha, if we took an inn, how many rooms were you planning to book?"
"Eh? Just one room with two beds, obviously—"
"Gon, I will impose on your sofa until I reach the 100th floor."
"Eh? Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Kurapika?! Damn it!" Killua bolted out the door.
A minute later, Killua burst back into the room, huffing and puffing as he hauled a massive sofa from his own room down the hall. "I'm sleeping here too!"
To think he went that far just to join the sleepover... Killua really wanted to be part of the group.
"You could have just said you wanted to join us, Killua."
"Whatever you're thinking, I guarantee you are completely wrong."
"Hahaha, don't be shy."
"Let's get some rest so Gon can heal. Good night, everyone!"
"How did my life end up like this...?" Kurapika muttered.
"When airheads gather, there's no saving them," Killua groaned.
◆
『Counting sheep... 3,211 sheep. 3,212 sheep...』
◆
Yaaaaawn. Ah, morning sunlight! What a wonderful night of sleep.
"Listen, Kurapika. You MUST reach the 100th floor today at all costs!"
"Naturally. I will fight with everything I have."
"Win without taking a single hit so they give you double matches. Cut the time in half!"
"Understood. All for the sake of—"
『ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A PEACEFUL NIGHT'S SLEEP!』
...Wait, what are they chanting?
"Gon, what happened to those two?"
"I don't know... I just woke up too..."
I don't quite understand why... but Killua and Kurapika seem much closer than yesterday.
A deepening friendship is always a wonderful thing! Though I wonder what sparked it?
◆
[AN]
Here are the details for a new Nen ability. This is a respectable Nen ability in its own right... probably. By the way, Shion's natural Nen affinity is Transmutation.
[Photographic Memory / Treasure Folder]
Type: Manipulation
Description: Manipulates the memory centers of the brain to record and store visual footage seen by the user with 100% precision. Stored footage can be freely recalled at will. It is also possible to project a continuous reel of footage directly into the mind according to customized settings—essentially like having a movie projector inside one's head.
＜Restriction＞
Footage cannot be recorded or saved unless Wing is present in the visual frame.
＜Vow＞
None in particular.