"Thinking that this sleepover is already coming to an end fills me with a bit of reluctance..."
In just five short days, we climbed all the way to the 100th floor. Having been assigned our own private rooms, we would be staying there starting tonight. Well, it couldn't be helped. Winning two matches a day without a scratch naturally lands you on the 100th floor in five days at the earliest. Kurapika had been cruising through his victories in fine form as well. I thought he might struggle a little, but below the 100th floor, he still had plenty of leeway.
"Five days... it was quite a journey."
"You did splendidly, Kurapika. I'm deeply moved..."
"You two are seriously amazing, Aisha, Kurapika. To reach the 100th floor so fast under those handicap conditions! For me, all I did was push my opponents as hard as I could, so it was pretty simple."
Leaving me aside, Kurapika was truly remarkable. He fought with an almost demonic, fearsome intensity. The opposing fighters were definitely overwhelmed by Kurapika's sheer aura and presence.
"Being together with everyone was a lot of fun, but this is also great timing. I was hoping to transition from basic Ten and Ten practice to the next stage of training anyway."
Kurapika had grown thoroughly accustomed to Ten, maintaining it effortlessly even while asleep. Over these past five days, I had him focus entirely on repeating Ten and Ten.
No matter how talented someone might be, everything requires foundational steps. A Nen user who neglects the fundamentals will never achieve greatness.
"Che. We're taking our time, so you should've taken it easy too, Kurapika~"
"My apologies, Gon, Killua. While the two of you rest, allow me to forge ahead."
"We'll catch up right away! So go ahead and wait for us!"
"Indeed. I will reach the 200th floor shortly. So heal your injuries quickly, Gon. Let's all grow stronger together."
Mm-mm, a toast to passionate friendship! I need to get stronger too!
"Yes! Let's all get stronger!"
"No, Aisha, you can afford to take it easy for a while."
"Ahaha! You two are awful!"
"Have the two of you been unusually synchronized lately?"
Mainly in the role of the straight man. Ever since this sleepover began, Killua and Kurapika have been getting along strangely well. Well, that's a good thing.
"In that case, we'll take our leave. Gon, thank you for letting us stay."
"Until next time. Wait for me on the 200th floor. Thanks for taking care of us, Gon."
"Sure thing! You're welcome to crash here anytime!"
"Cut that out, you idiot. See ya, you two—hurry on up~"
Ah, what a delightful five days it was. Thinking about returning to a solo room makes me a little lonely.
Can't be helped. We'll have plenty of chances to hang out like this again. Right now, I need to focus on Kurapika's training.
"Well then, let's move on to the next phase of training immediately."
"Yes, that is precisely what I desire."
◆
From then on, everything proceeded smoothly.
Matches and training alike advanced with flawless momentum... truly astonishing momentum. It took Kurapika just two days to master Zetsu... and a mere single day for Ren. At this rate, he could probably learn Gyo already! On top of that, aside from forfeiting a match on the 190th floor after receiving a single attack to abide by our handicap rule, he won every single bout.
In a staggering eighteen days since arriving at Heavens Arena, he reached the 200th floor...
"I fell two days behind Aisha, but now I too am a 200th-floor fighter."
"Yes, indeed. Though we still need to head over and complete your registration."
I knew he was gifted, but this is truly extraordinary.
His opponents were admittedly weak, but for the Kurapika from before Heavens Arena, winning under those strict handicap constraints should have been an immense ordeal.
He is growing at a terrifying velocity...! Carefully observing his opponents' movements, predicting their trajectories, analyzing various martial arts, and converting everything into fuel for his own strength. That is what anyone aiming for the pinnacle of martial arts does—but his learning speed far outstrips the ordinary.
"I can gradually read my opponents' movements now. What they intend to do, what attack they are preparing to unleash."
"It seems your observation skills are being honed. However, do not become overconfident. Becoming arrogant on half-baked strength is the most dangerous trap of all."
"Mmm... you are right. There are undoubtedly countless people stronger than myself."
It seems taking that single hit on the 190th floor was a blessing in disguise. Had he reached the 200th floor with an unbroken winning streak without ever being struck, he might have developed unearned conceit.
Confidence is essential. Without confidence, one cannot display their true capabilities.
Yet excessive confidence turns into hubris, breeding carelessness. That carelessness will inevitably invite disaster upon oneself.
"How is your switching between Ten and Zetsu?"
"Ah, at first, switching to Zetsu was difficult, but now I can perform it smoothly without any unnatural hesitation."
Saying so, Kurapika repeatedly demonstrated switching between Ten and Zetsu right before my eyes. Hmm. Truly well done—at least for a beginner.
"Indeed. It is so fluid that it's hard to believe you only learned Zetsu two weeks ago. You pass for now, but ensure you never neglect this daily practice."
"Understood. ...By the way, what is the deeper significance behind this specific exercise?"
"Questioning the master's teachings without blind obedience... well, that's a bit old-fashioned. As I explained previously, Zetsu is vital for advanced applications. Honing your mastery of Zetsu makes transitioning into advanced techniques exceptionally smooth."
Take Ko, for instance. It is a high-level technique combining Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu, and Gyo; the faster you can execute Zetsu on the rest of your body, the faster you can focus everything into Ko. The speed of Ryu (aura flow distribution) is a paramount skill for any Nen user.
"Could you show me your Ren as well?"
"Of course. ...Haa!"
...I see. It's clear he has been faithfully practicing Ten and Ten every single day. The power and firmness are completely different from when he first awakened Ren. With this output, he could easily deflect the clumsy attacks of bottom-feeding 200th-floor 'rookie hunters.'
"Yes, this passes as well. The speed at which you cultivate internal aura and output it externally is more than satisfactory. Though naturally, there is still much training ahead."
"Truly?! Does this mean I may finally undergo the Water Divination test you spoke of?"
"Yes."
He looks genuinely thrilled. It's only natural to be excited when your training efforts are recognized, not to mention his curiosity about his own Nen affinity.
"Let us begin the Water Divination. ...Place your hands near this glass and perform Ren."
"Like this, right? ...Impure particles appeared in the water?"
"This reaction signifies Conjuration. It means Kurapika's natural affinity lies with the Conjurer category."
"...I see. To be honest, I was hoping for Enhancement."
I had explained the Nen categories beforehand, so he likely favored Enhancement because he judged it to be the most advantageous in combat.
That reasoning isn't entirely wrong. Attack, defense, and healing—Enhancement boasts the most well-rounded balance for pure combat. When mastered, an Enhancer's basic strikes rival the ultimate secret arts of other categories. Furthermore, incorporating other affinities into an Enhancer's repertoire leaves remarkably few blind spots. Chairman Netero is a prime example—though he's far too extraordinary to be a standard benchmark.
The drawback is that it takes significant time to reach full maturity. While other categories can craft tricky, niche abilities capable of pulling off massive upsets against stronger foes, Enhancement doesn't work that way. Pure strength grows reliably, but it offers little element of surprise.
"Conjuration possesses its own unique strengths. It by no means pales in comparison to Enhancement, you know."
Indeed. While a Conjurer has lower odds in a straight, head-on brawl against an Enhancer, all you need to do is avoid fighting a purely conventional brawl.
Conjurers frequently attach special conditions and effects to their materialized objects. If executed skillfully, they can effortlessly neutralize their targets.
"However, when fighting the Spider, the reliable, steadfast power of Enhancement seemed ideal."
"Well, it's not as though you cannot learn Enhancement abilities at all..."
"You mentioned learning efficiency, correct?"
"Yes. As shown on the Six Affinities Chart, learning efficiency peaks at 100% for your innate affinity and drops by 20% for each step away. That means you can learn and express Enhancement up to a maximum of 60%."
"Meaning that in a pure physical clash of bodies, I cannot defeat an Enhancer...?"
"No, that is not true at all."
"What?"
Thinking you can never defeat someone in their primary category just because your efficiency is lower? That is pure illusion!
"That rule only applies assuming both combatants have mastered their primary affinities to 100%. To be frank, in all my experience, Nen users who can truly claim to have 'perfected' their category can be counted on one hand."
"..."
"Furthermore, if your learning efficiency is lower, you simply need to build up enough overall ability so that your 60% surpasses their 100%. Dismissing a Conjurer or Manipulator as incapable of winning a slugfest against an Enhancer is a flawed premise."
"Hah... hahahaha! I-I see! That is entirely true! Even if my Enhancement only reaches 60%, I merely need to make that 60% superior to their 100%!"
Hmph. I was being perfectly serious; laughing at me is bad manners!
"Differences in potential aura, manifested aura, speed of aura flow, Nen technical precision, physical prowess, martial arts skill, and mental fortitude. Even assuming both fighters are in peak condition, these factors can easily overturn theoretical category advantages. ...Though naturally, category compatibility is still a major factor."
"I understand, Aisha. I will become strong within my own affinity."
"That mindset is paramount. Cultivate a firm, unwavering sense of self. Aura fluctuates wildly with emotion, after all."
Aura can swell or plummet dramatically depending on one's emotional state. While it can produce power beyond your normal limits... forcing out unstable aura becomes a distorting backlash that turns right back upon you.
I only hope Kurapika's burning hatred for the Spider doesn't cause his emotions to run rampant...
"What is the matter, Aisha?"
"Ah, nothing... Right, you should think very carefully about what object you wish to conjure. Materializing a physical object requires immense concentration, visualization, and vast amounts of training."
"...Chains would be best."
"Chains?"
"Yes. When I heard I was a Conjurer, chains immediately came to mind..."
"Do you still feel that way now?"
"Yes. Nothing else feels right. That is the sensation."
"Understood. That intuition is vital. Moving forward, we will practice conjuring chains alongside your other foundational training."
There is so much to teach him.
Vows and Limitations. Advanced techniques. What each category can accomplish. And alongside all of that, maintaining his basic conditioning. I also want to extend his Ken duration—he needs to be able to maintain it for at least three hours.
I should definitely ask Bisky for assistance. Doing this alone won't leave enough time. With Bisky's [Magical Esthetician / Piano Massage], we can drastically shorten his training cycles. I'll contact her later.
"For now, let's head up to the 200th floor and complete your registration. If you don't register today, you'll have to start all over from the 1st floor."
"Please spare me from that. I have no desire to repeat the ordeal of endlessly dodging attacks."
Chatting casually, we made our way up to the 200th floor.
—However, it seems things wouldn't go quite so smoothly.
"What is it, Aisha?"
Kurapika asked in confusion as I came to an abrupt halt. Without answering, I glared at the upcoming corner in the corridor and spoke.
"...I know you're there. Why don't you come out, you pervert?"
"Kukuku. Calling me a pervert right off the bat... as cold as ever, Aisha♥"
"Hisoka!"
...Haaah. When I registered, he didn't show up—though I deliberately timed my visit when he wasn't around. This time, he clearly laid an ambush. His presence hadn't moved an inch for a while.
"And what business do you have with us? If you have none, step aside immediately."
"I have no business with you today. Well, truthfully I have plenty, but this hardly seems the time or place♣"
What an utterly repulsive aura. It's enough to make your skin crawl.
...Well, I suppose I'm not one to talk.
"My business is with Kurapika today. I certainly didn't expect you to show up at Heavens Arena. Quite an early reunion, wouldn't you say?♥"
"I had no desire to meet you again. But since we have crossed paths, you will tell me everything you know about the Spider."
About the Spider? Does Hisoka know something about the Phantom Troupe? And he intends to tell Kurapika... he wants to use him for something. Kurapika surely realizes that, but when it comes to information on the Spider, he can't afford to walk away.
"Of course. But standing in a hallway is hardly ideal, is it? Come to my room, let us talk there♠"
"...Very well. Aisha, please wait here. I will return shortly."
"No, I'm coming with you. There's no telling what this creep might pull."
"Fine by me. In fact, Aisha is more than welcome♥"
...Ugh. I already want to go home.
—Pervert Explaining—
"—And that's the gist of it. I want to fight the Boss, but his guard is too tight. If I team up with you, we can stir up the Troupe together, I thought...♣"
"And you think I would permit that?"
"I figured as much♦"
Is this guy out of his mind?! Attempting to use Kurapika just to satisfy his twisted desire to duel the Troupe's leader!
"Wait, Aisha. Let me speak with him. ...Hisoka, aren't you a member of the Troupe?"
"Mm. On the surface, yes♣"
"On the surface?"
"I only joined because I wanted to fight the Boss. Even now, I'm not truly a Spider♠ ...Well, since it's you two, I'll show you proof to earn your trust♦"
Saying so, Hisoka began stripping off his shirt.
Hey, pervert, what are you doing?! If you make a move, I will eliminate you with extreme prejudice!
"Oh? Not even blushing? I was looking forward to that reaction♥"
"I will genuinely murder you."
No, I am feeling authentic killing intent. It feels like putting him down right here would be doing the world a favor. ...Ah, dammit, he's getting even more excited from my threat. Somebody help me.
Hm? A twelve-legged spider tattoo with a number on his back. That's the mark of the Troupe.
—! Kurapika's aura...?! The moment he saw the spider tattoo, his aura surged violently!
His eyes... have turned Scarlet. Because seeing the Spider agitated his emotions? But even so, this aura increase is completely abnormal! It far exceeds what simple emotional spikes produce! Is it just me, or has the very quality of his aura transformed?! What on earth is this...?
"...Incredible. You've only learned Nen for less than a month... it sends shivers down my spine♥"
"Do not mock me. Show me your proof at once."
"Very well. ...Look. Just like that, I'm not a Spider♠"
The spider tattoo peeled right off?! Is this a Nen ability?
"This is my ability. It reproduces various textures on a thin surface. I used it to forge the spider tattoo♣"
"I see. I understand completely. You are a traitor harboring malice within their ranks."
"Kurapika?!"
You're not actually considering joining hands with Hisoka, are you?!
"Rest assured, Aisha. I have no intention of harming your precious Kurapika. It's a simple give-and-take based on information exchange. If our terms don't align, there's no forced cooperation. Fair enough, right?"
"You swear there is no deception in your words...?"
"Of course♥ So, will you team up with me, Kurapika?"
"...Very well. Let me hear the information you possess."
"Gladly. I will tell you the names of the members I know, along with their abilities. Though I only know the abilities of seven of them♦—"
◆
After concluding the discussion, leaving Hisoka's room, and finishing Kurapika's 200th-floor registration, we headed to our assigned quarters.
...What continues to weigh on my mind is the sudden shift in Kurapika's aura. An aura spike of that magnitude is impossible. There's no way Kurapika has developed an ability like that yet. The moment his eyes turned Scarlet, that transformation occurred... Was the trigger his Scarlet Eyes?
"...My apologies, Aisha. For acting on my own..."
"Ah, no. ...It's fine. It is certainly true that having intel on the Spider will drastically raise your survival and victory chances..."
"I see... You remained silent the entire walk back, so I assumed you were angry with me."
Ah, indeed, I didn't say a word after leaving the room. I was so engrossed in analyzing that aura phenomenon that I got lost in thought.
"Forgive me. I was just organizing my thoughts."
"Your thoughts?"
"Yes. ...Kurapika, did you notice your aura swelling exponentially when your eyes turned Scarlet?"
"What? ...No, I am not certain. But now that you mention it, it did feel as though an unusual power was coursing through me..."
Hmm. Kurapika himself doesn't fully understand it yet, but he vaguely sensed something.
"Let's test it once we reach the room. ...Perhaps..."
"Perhaps what?"
"...No, it's still unconfirmed. Let's get to the room first."
"A-Alright."
Could it be that Kurapika possesses an acquired Specialization trait? Let us perform the Water Divination once more—this time while his Scarlet Eyes are active.
◆
"Just as I suspected."
"This is...! The Water Divination result is completely different from earlier?!"
What could this mean? Prompted by Aisha, Kurapika activated his Scarlet Eyes and performed the Water Divination, yielding a totally different reaction from his previous Conjuration result.
"Kurapika, please return to your normal state and test it again."
Following her instruction, he calmed his spirit and reverted his eyes to normal. When he repeated the test... impurities materialized in the water once more. The exact same result as the first time. The Water Divination changes when his eyes turn Scarlet? Why?
"...Kurapika, you are a Specialist. More precisely, you shift into a Specialist exclusively while your Scarlet Eyes are active."
"Only while my eyes are Scarlet? Is such a phenomenon possible?"
"Specialization can be congenital or acquired. Yours falls under acquired, but typically, once someone shifts to Specialization, they do not revert to their previous category. This dual-state phenomenon is exceptionally rare."
"Is that so. ...Specialization is said to be quite unique, but how should I construct an ability for it?"
It seems he can wield unique powers that fit no other category, but by that same token, standard guidelines don't apply.
"Specialist abilities are peculiar. There are cases where the ability is predetermined from birth, and cases where the user's subconscious manifests directly. You can consciously design an ability, but even then, your subconscious plays a heavy role."
"I see... which category do I belong to?"
"That, I cannot say. For now, could you activate your Scarlet Eyes once more?"
"Doing this repeatedly is quite exhausting... but it must be done."
Without activating them, we cannot test anything. While seeing the Spider triggers them instantly, he can activate them without seeing one—he merely needs to stoke his burning hatred. Hatred for the Spider who slaughtered his family, his clan, his friends, his everything!
"...I apologize. Even for verification, I am forcing you through painful emotions."
"Pay it no mind, Aisha. If this yields the power to destroy the Spider, I welcome it gladly."
Yes. For the sake of slaying the Spider, I will endure any agony. So please, Aisha, do not look at me with that sorrowful expression. It makes my hatred waver.
"Phew... I've finally activated them. I will need training to control this at will."
"How does it feel? Do you notice any changes? Does an ability feel like it's awakening, or is something trying to materialize?"
"Let me see... Ah, my physical reinforcement from aura feels significantly stronger. No, my Enhancement efficiency has definitely increased!"
He could distinctly feel his body being strengthened far beyond normal. The difference was undeniable.
"That... might mean a passive ability has already manifested. An automatic activation whenever your eyes turn Scarlet. The question is what the exact nature of this ability is..."
"We will have to test and verify it over time. ...Maintaining the Scarlet Eyes for prolonged periods is taxing, and switching back and forth in a short span is bringing me near my limit."
"Agreed. Let us rest for today. Kurapika, until our testing is complete, matches on the 200th floor are strictly forbidden."
"Understood. Fortunately, I have a 90-day grace period. I will investigate thoroughly during that time."
"Yes. Get plenty of rest. Good night, Kurapika."
"Good night, Aisha."
A Specialist... Luck was smiling on him more than expected. It would undoubtedly make him far stronger than remaining a pure Conjurer. In his Scarlet-Eyed state, his aura reserves swelled massively and his Enhancement efficiency surged. Since his Conjuration affinity remained intact, his chain creation plan wouldn't change.
With this, obtaining the power to destroy the Spider would become much more attainable!
...Yet, overconfidence is forbidden. Just as Aisha repeatedly warned, he was still a fledgling novice who had learned Nen less than a month ago. Resting on his laurels because of talent would cause him to lose battles he should have won. Now was the time to sharpen his fangs. Do not rush, Kurapika. You are steadily growing stronger.
◆
"Ahhh, I'm so bored. Can't fight matches, can't train Nen. There's still over a month left on my promise with Wing. Kurapika is probably way ahead of us by now. Dammit, I want to get back to Nen training soon."
Should I go hang out with Aisha and the others to kill time? ...Hm? Is that... Shion? She's trudging this way... but she has zero energy. Did she fail to make up with Wing?
...Curious. Let me call out to her.
"Haaah... Wing..."
"Yo, Shion...-san. What're you doing around here?"
"Eh...? Ah, Killua-kun! Long time no see! Have you been doing well?"
"Wait, who the hell are you?!"
That's not Shion! She doesn't talk like that! That's obviously an impostor!
"Hahaha, what are you talking about? It's me, Shion! You just called me by name yourself a second ago, didn't you?"
"No. You're not Shion. You're something way softer and gentler."
That's not the Shion I know!
The real Shion would be like: "Hmph, long time no see, Killua. I see you are in good health." That's how she talks! What is this disgustingly sweet, girly tone?!
"Eh? B-But I really am Shion!"
"Liar! The person who was with us didn't talk like that at all!"
"...Ah! Right, I suppose so... There's a reason I talk like this, you see."
"A reason?"
"Yes, the truth is—"
—Maiden Explaining—
"...So you're saying that whenever you're in front of Wing, you get so ridiculously nervous that your speech turns into that stiff, stoic act? And this girly tone right now is your actual normal self?"
"Yeah. That's exactly it."
"You're an idiot. A certified, grade-A idiot."
Getting so nervous in front of your crush that your entire personality flips 180 degrees?!
"A-An idiot?! That's so mean, Killua-kun!"
Ugh, she's throwing off my rhythm completely...
"I can't help it... It's all because Wing is just... s-so breathtakingly cool!"
"Understood. There is officially no cure for your condition."
Forget it. I'm not playing the straight man anymore. I've been doing way too much reacting lately! That's not my character!
"So, after running out of the room, you didn't want Wing to see your nosebleed face when he chased after you, so you hit him with some Kazama-ryu secret art...?"
"Y-Yeah... It's called Mountain Collapse! True to its name, it's a massive technique combining joint locks, strikes, and throws meant to bring down giant men in one blow! Though realistically, you can't use it on someone that massive..."
You're saying that so happily, but the guy you hit with Mountain Collapse wasn't a giant—it was scrawny Wing!
"I see... Rest in peace, Wing-san... He was a good man."
"He's not dead! He properly guarded and took a breakfall!"
Oh, so he survived. Good for you, you didn't become a murderer.
"So what happened after that?"
"...After dragging the half-dead Wing back to his inn and handing him over to Zushi-kun... I felt too awkward to face him, so I haven't seen him since."
He guarded and breakfell, and he was STILL half-dead?! Using a terrifying secret art like that just to hide your embarrassment?! What a terrifying woman...
"Ahhh, I'm suffering from Wing deficiency... It's been 326 hours and 22 minutes since I last saw Wing. I can endure thanks to [Photographic Memory / Treasure Folder], but being so close yet unable to meet him is pure torture... Ah, now it's 326 hours and 23 minutes."
"You're creeping me out."
What the hell is 'Wing deficiency'?! Don't track the time you haven't seen him down to the exact minute! And what on earth is 'Treasure Folder'?! You have way too many things wrong with you! Wait, why am I still reacting to everything?!
"If you miss him that much, just go see him."
"B-But what if he hates me now?! If that happens, I'm confident I'll die of shock before I can even commit suicide..."
What a morbid thing to be confident in. What a high-maintenance woman; I genuinely feel bad for Wing for being the target of her affection.
"You'll be fine. Wing wanted to apologize to you too. He chased after you because he was worried, didn't he? Besides—"
"...Besides?"
"Would a soft-hearted pushover like him really hate someone over that? You've known him longer, you should know that best, right?"
"K-Known each other like a couple?! Oh my gosh~!"
"Is your brain permanently colored in shades of pink?!"
Dammit, I can't hold a normal conversation with her. Somebody rescue me. I take back saying I was bored!
"You're right. Wing... he'll definitely forgive me!"
"Obviously. ...More importantly, what about you? Weren't you furious that he thought you were a guy the entire time?"
You have way more right to be angry than Wing does! You should be demanding an apology, not begging for forgiveness!
"I mean, it was shocking, but it can't be helped... Because it's Wing."
"Got it."
So her feelings are at a level where she rationalizes even that. Wing-san is truly hopeless.
"Besides, don't you think his dense side is adorable too?! He combines strength, reliability, dignity, coolness, and cuteness—he's the ultimate perfect human being!"
"I think the light refractive index in your eyeballs might be fundamentally different from mine."
The Wing she sees in her head is a completely different entity from the Wing in reality. This goes way beyond 'love is blind.' I just caught a glimpse of something truly terrifying.
"If you love him that much, just go confess already. He's denser than a brick wall; if you don't confess directly, he'll never get the hint."
"C-C-C-Cluck-cluck-cluck!"
"Calm down. You're a human, not a chicken. Take a deep breath and settle your mind."
"Uuu, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19..."
"Why are you counting prime numbers?!"
Somebody tell me: how many times do I have to call out her nonsense? How many straight-man jokes do I have to deliver before I'm liberated from this woman?!
"Phew, I'm calm now~"
"Understood. I abandon all attempts to understand you. You belong to an alien species."
Why does counting prime numbers calm you down?!
"A-A confession, huh. I've done it tens of thousands of times in the past, but..."
"Seriously?! And Wing-san never noticed once?! Wait, tens of thousands?!"
"Yeah. Inside my imagination."
"Will you cut it out already?! That's why I said you're terrifying!"
That's not imagination, that's called a delusion!
"Aaargh, whatever! Just go to Wing-san's room right now! Confess or do whatever you want!"
"Y-Yes! Um, what should I say...?"
"Just keep it simple—say 'I love you' or 'I adore you' and glom onto him! Wouldn't that work?!"
"W-What if he rejects me?!"
"Haaah... If you're constantly worrying about rejection, you'll never move forward, will you? You gotta take a shot first! Besides... while you're dawdling, another woman might snatch Wing away—whoa, hey, that was fast!!"
Before I could even finish my sentence, she rocketed off at blinding speed. She really loves him that much, huh.
Love... eh. I don't get romance stuff at all.
◆
Haa, haa.
Running. Straight toward Wing's room.
I had never considered it. The thought of another woman taking Wing away. Because we had spent so much time together recently, I had taken being by his side for granted.
But that was a mistake. Wing doesn't know my feelings. In fact, he didn't even know my gender! He might already be in love with someone else.
I can't bear that!
No, if Wing genuinely dates another woman, as much as it would tear me apart, I would eventually wish him happiness. But having that happen without ever conveying my feelings—NEVER!!
So... even if I'm rejected, that's fine.
...I will confess.
Everything I've rehearsed in my head tens of thousands of times—I will make it real. If I get rejected... I will return to Lady Linna's side. I will dedicate the rest of my life to the martial arts.
...I arrived at Wing's door. Wing is inside. There is no mistaking his presence. I knock and wait for an answer.
"Yes, who is it?"
Ah! Hearing Wing's real voice for the first time in 326 hours and 44 minutes! Ugh! My brain is melting...!
G-Get a grip, Shion! If you get a nosebleed right now like usual, it's game over!
23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97... Alright!
"It's me... may I come in?"
"Shion?! Yes, please come in!"
Ah, thank goodness. From his tone, he doesn't hate me. What a relief~!
"Thank you for coming, Shion. ...I am truly, deeply sorry for what happened before."
"Please, stop. I am the one who acted terribly toward you when you came to apologize. ...Forgive me."
Aaah! Why do I keep slipping into this formal masculine speech?! I wish I could just speak in my normal voice!
"There is nothing to forgive... It is only natural that you were furious. I am fully aware of how grievous my mistake was."
"Let it go, Wing. It's in the past. From now on, as long as you look at me as a woman, that is enough."
"Is that so? Thank you. Still, what a relief. Since I hadn't seen you in a while, I genuinely feared you had come to despise me."
"W-What are you saying, Wing?! How could I ever despise you?!"
"T-Thank you very much!"
Guh-ha! What devastating power behind that smile! Is Wing trying to kill me with cuteness?!
But I won't lose! I, Shion, have no intention of ending things here! I refuse to let it end!
101, 103, 107, 109, 113, 127, 131, 137, 139, 149, 151, 157, 163, 167, 173... I-I endured it! That's the longest I've ever held out!
"By the way, where is Zushi-kun?"
"Zushi went out for a run a short while ago. He won't be back for another two or three hours."
"...I see."
Meaning right now is the golden opportunity! Forgive me, Zushi-kun, but I must seize this moment to confess!
"Wing!"
"Y-Yes? What is it?"
"There is something I need you to hear."
Ugh, my heart is beating so hard I feel like it's going to stop... No, it's beating so fast it might burst!
"Yes, what is the matter?"
"I... I..."
No, use watashi! Not boku!
Wait, what was I planning to say? T-The confession words vanished from my head?! After practicing in my mind so many times!
What kind of confession was it again? Um, that, err, aahhh—right! Killua-kun gave me advice! What did he say again...?
Say 'I love you' or 'I adore you' and glom onto him.
Say 'I love you' or 'I adore you' and glom onto him!
Say 'I love you' or 'I adore you' and glom onto him!!
"Wing! I... I—"
"Eh? Watashi?"
Lord Ryusho! Lady Linna! Give me courage! G-GOOOOOOO!
"I... I love you, Wing! I adore you! Embrace me!!"
"...Eh? ...EH?!"
I-I said it! I actually blurted it out—!!
...Wait? Did I just say something completely insane?!
After that, my memory goes blank for a while... How did it turn into this?
◆
"Heh. So Shion-san was in love with Wing-san all along."
"Is that so? That is quite surprising."
Three days had passed since Kurapika registered on the 200th floor. While training, we took occasional breaks to chat with Gon and Killua, and Killua suddenly dropped this bombshell.
I see. Shion was in love with Wing-san... According to Killua, she went to confess. I hope it went well.
"What's truly shocking is the way she talks. She gets so nervous around Wing that she puts on that stiff act. When she suddenly started speaking in that girly voice, I thought she was an impostor."
Ah, so that's why she spoke that way. Her speech was so different from when she was little, I assumed she simply changed her mannerisms as she grew up.
"I do not know either of them well, but did the confession appear promising?"
"Hmm, probably hopeless, right? Wing's denseness is on a whole other level! She could confess directly and he still might not get it!"
The scary part is how plausible that is. That man's denseness has reached grandmaster territory. The Grandmaster of Obliviousness—truly formidable!
"If someone doesn't fix Wing-san's denseness, Shion-san's love might never bear fruit. Why is he so oblivious?"
"You're the last person who should be talking."
I don't get it.
"Well, in Aisha's case, rather than dense, it's more accurate to call it completely unaware, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Her upbringing may have played a part..."
"I agree my upbringing wasn't ideal, but what on earth are you two talking about?"
If Meteor City's environment was good, most of the world would be bathed in paradise.
"For some reason, I feel like you two are making fun of me."
"You two have been getting along so well lately! Sleeping over together was definitely great! Let's all have another sleepover!"
"Hey, cut that out, you idiot."
"Ehhh~"
Just when I thought we could have fun again. Oh! I had a great idea!
"Gon, next time, why don't we do it once Leorio-san joins us and all five of us are together!"
"Ah, that's awesome!"
"Will Leorio join our side of the fence?"
"Who knows. He feels like the type who'd happily jump in—though for very different reasons than those two airheads."
Hm? Shion's presence. It seems she's heading this way.
After a brief moment of chatting with Gon and the boys, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in~"
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Ah, welcome, Shion-san!"
"Long time no see, Gon-kun. How are your injuries healing?"
Ah, her speech really is completely different. When speaking to Linna or myself (Ryusho), she was far more formal, so this must be her true self.
"Yeah! They're almost completely healed!"
"That's great. Make sure you strictly obey Wing's instructions, okay? Nen is genuinely dangerous."
"Y-Yeah. ...You really sound like a completely different person."
"Right? So, Shion-san, what brings you here today?"
Even Gon is taken aback by Shion's drastic transformation. Naturally so—she seems like an entirely different person.
"I came to say goodbye to everyone, and to thank Killua-kun."
"Goodbye?"
"Thank me?"
"What do you mean?"
Was the thanks for the confession advice? But what about goodbye? Is she literally leaving this place?
"The truth is, I have to leave Heavens Arena soon."
"Eh, why?"
"Did Wing reject you?!"
"N-No! It's not that! My master summoned me. She's been calling for over a month now, so I really have to return..."
Linna summoned her? What could Linna need Shion for?
"I see. Take care, Shion-san! I won't forget what you taught us!"
"Well, we'll run into each other somewhere eventually, right? Stay healthy till then."
"Do your best, both of you. Wing is a wonderful instructor; if you learn diligently from him, you will both become incredibly strong."
Hmm. Come to think of it, has Shion taken on disciples yet? With all her training, she should be well-qualified as an assistant instructor.
"And Killua-kun, thank you so much. Thanks to you, I found the courage to confess."
"Oh yeah, how did the confession go? I've been dying of curiosity ever since."
"I... must admit, I am curious as well."
Seeing her blush and fidget shyly... did it succeed?
"Well... you see... thanks to Killua-kun... kyaaa! It's so embarrassing!"
"Did it seriously work?!"
"Impressive, Killua. What kind of advice did you give her?"
"Mmm. To think Killua possessed such insight. Are you surprisingly experienced?"
"Then Shion-san and Wing-san are officially dating! Congratulations!"
Ah, how wonderful, how celebratory. I need to turn back into a man quickly so I can find a partner of my own—
"Yes! We're getting married!"
"Wait, that makes no sense whatsoever."
WHY?! Didn't you skip several critical steps in the middle?!
Where did all the steps between 'confession' and 'marriage' disappear to?!
"That makes zero sense! How do you go from a confession straight to marriage?! He only realized you were a girl a few days ago! You skipped way too many stages! How on earth did my advice lead to this?!"
"Impressive, Killua. Just what kind of advice did you give her...?"
"...To think Killua gave advice like that. He is far beyond 'experienced.'"
"Then Shion-san and Wing-san are already going to be husband and wife! Congratulations!"
Gon's unflinching positivity is truly something else.
"Wing told me! He said, 'I will take full responsibility! I will take care of you for the rest of my life!'"
"...It's over. Her brain has turned into a flower garden. There's no saving her now."
"You've come to understand Shion-san quite well in such a short time."
"I never wanted to understand."
I completely empathize. To think she was this kind of girl... This is not the Shion I remembered.
"What 'responsibility' could he possibly mean...?"
"E-Eh? Well, that's... that's... KYAAAA! I can't say it out loud! Ah, oh no, my nosebleed is—2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17..."
She suddenly started chanting prime numbers! Is she alright?!
...Hm? Come to think of it, decades ago when Shion was depressed about getting too nervous to win matches, didn't I teach her that counting prime numbers calms the spirit...?
Why did I teach her that prime numbers bring calm? It was so long ago that I've completely forgotten.
"Phew, I've calmed down. Having handled the real thing, I have no openings."
"Don't call it 'the real thing'!"
"?" "What do you mean by 'the real thing'?"
Gon's innocence is painful to witness.
"Well then, I must be off. I have to spend every remaining second by Wing's side!"
Saying so, Shion swept out of the room like a typhoon after throwing the entire place into chaos.
"What a whirlwind of a woman..."
"She looked happy, so isn't that nice?"
"Is Gon's heart incredibly vast, or does his vessel simply have a hole in the bottom...?"
"Perhaps both."
A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. I just want to rest peacefully today...