"Haa... haa... haa...!"
Run. Run. Run.
Ignoring the voice echoing from behind. Never looking back, never stopping, just running.
"Haa... haa... haa...!"
Run. Run. Run. Just running with all my might.
Abandoning a dear friend, just running.
I know how terrible this is. Out of self-preservation, I abandoned someone close to me in their moment of crisis and fled. But I had no other choice!
Because there was nothing I could possibly do!
"Haa... haa... haa...!"
So I run. Having abandoned her, running is all I have left.
She will definitely be angry. She will hate me. She will despise me. She might even take revenge on me!
Yet, I have no regrets.
If placed in the same situation again, I would undoubtedly do the exact same thing. Because I was completely powerless!
So I forget everything and run.
When she catches me later, I will face a terrifying retribution.
I might die. No, I might suffer a punishment worse than death itself!
Even so, thinking about it now is pointless. Forgetting everything, I ran and ran until I finally reached my destination.
I'm safe here. Even if she finds me, as long as I accomplish my goal first, nothing else matters. By the time she punishes me, I will have already left this world with a smile.
Even if that happens, I will never regret it. How could I? Because that... that would mean my greatest dream had already come true!
Therefore—!
"Therefore, let's hold our wedding ceremony right this second, Wing!!"
"Please explain in a way that makes human sense, Shion."
◆
While supervising Zushi's training, I suddenly sensed a familiar presence.
A presence I could never forget. But that person—Shion—shouldn't be here. She... yes, the person I foolishly mistook for a man for ten whole years was supposed to have returned to the Kazama-ryu Dojo headquarters, leaving behind a swirl of complicated emotions in my heart.
...Never in my entire life has my environment shifted so drastically. To think that within just two weeks of discovering Shion was a woman, we would end up promising to get married.
No, I don't regret it. I truly don't.
When she finally showed her feminine side, she was genuinely cute. I found her deeply endearing. My heart raced, and I undeniably developed romantic feelings for the person I had treated as a brother for a decade...
So I have no real objection to marrying her.
Back then, I told her, "I'll do anything you ask." Those words were sincere. A man must take responsibility for his promises.
So when she said, "Let's get married!" right after our private intimacy ended, I could only nod in agreement.
I did say I'd do anything, but...
Did we really have to skip the entire dating and boyfriend-girlfriend phase?!
As a bachelor, it's not like I wasn't interested in romance...
I spent my youth buried in martial arts, never tasting young love, but I never expected to cross the finish line before even experiencing the race...
"Acting Master! Is something wrong, osu?"
Zushi's voice pulled me out of my reverie.
"No, it's nothing. I was just wondering how Shion is doing."
"...Shion-san, osu? I never imagined Shion-san could become so sweet and clingy..."
"...Yes, I sincerely apologize for that. It must have been quite uncomfortable for you to witness."
Even I never expected Shion to change so dramatically.
Her personality after confessing was so different from the previous ten years that it was hard to believe. She claimed this was her true self, but even accounting for nerves, that was a massive transformation.
...Though having someone love me so openly is admittedly heartwarming.
"Acting Master? Your face is completely melting, osu..."
"Whoops! ...Was it that obvious?"
"You're totally love-struck, osu..."
"I-Is that so? Good grief, I need to stay focused. All right, Zushi, let's resume training!"
"Osu!"
Just as we braced ourselves to begin, a presence approached at blistering speed.
Fast—unbelievably fast! It was already at the door!
This presence... It was the same one from earlier! Don't tell me—!
The door flew open with a bang!
"Therefore, let's hold our wedding ceremony right this second, Wing!!"
"Please explain in a way that makes human sense, Shion."
...It really was Shion.
Why was she here? Hadn't Lady Linna summoned her back to the dojo?
Before I could ask, Shion rattled off words like machine-gun fire:
"Listen to me! Lady Linna came for the Black Book! Lady Bisky fought the enemy at the door! I ran away! And Lady Bisky will kill me! So let's hold the wedding! If we do, my dream will come true, and I can ascend to paradise before I get executed!"
"Please speak in the Common language."
"Ah, I'll go run outside for about three hours, and then I'll head over to Gon-san and Killua-san's room! Take your time, osu!"
"Wait, Zushi?!"
Leaving me alone in this situation?! Whether out of tact or self-preservation, what an escape!
"A-Anyway, please calm down and explain."
"O-Okay. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19..."
Why is she counting prime numbers? Truly an enigmatic woman.
...Though finding even that adorable means I'm already a lost cause.
"Phew... Okay, I'll explain from the beginning."
◆
"...So, Lady Linna went on a rampage trying to retrieve the Black Book. Master Bisky, who coincidentally met her at the arena, tried to hold her back. You abandoned Master Bisky and fled, which means you are guaranteed to face her wrath. Therefore, you want to marry me right away to leave no regrets and pass away at the pinnacle of happiness. Is that an accurate summary?"
"Yes! As expected, Wing is a genius! The only correction is that I won't just 'pass away' from punishment—I think reaching the pinnacle of happiness with you might actually make me ascend straight to heaven!"
Hearing how highly she evaluates me is somewhat terrifying. And how did she arrive at that conclusion anyway? I don't even know where to start correcting her...
"Anyway! Lady Linna gave us her blessing to marry! So let's hold the ceremony! And your wedding attire... ugh, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59..."
"Why are you holding your nose and counting prime numbers again?!"
My wedding attire would just be a standard tuxedo. There's nothing particularly stimulating about that... Shion's wedding dress, on the other hand, is far more intriguing.
A classic white dress... No, for some reason, red suits Shion remarkably well. A crimson gown would be stunning. We can try on multiple dresses together and choose the best one.
"Regardless, if Master Bisky is here, I must go greet her."
"What?! No! That's a death zone!"
Calling your master's presence a death zone... What do you take Master Bisky for? Surely she wouldn't... Well, actually, with Master Bisky, she just might.
"It will be fine, Shion. I will apologize alongside you. Master Bisky isn't a demon... She will forgive us."
"Okay, if Wing says so... But we don't have to go this very second... right?"
Shion slowly inched closer, her eyes looking up at me.
D-Don't tell me...!
"Zushi-kun gave us space... and it's been so long since we had time alone..."
"W-Wait a minute! Master Bisky might come here looking for us!"
"It's fine! She's busy restraining Lady Linna, and she doesn't know this room number! So... please?"
That was the moment I realized my self-control was surprisingly fragile.
That upturned gaze was simply unfair, Shion...!
◆
Two hours later.
"W-We should get going..."
"Now that I've replenished my Wing-energy, I have no enemies! I could fight for ten years... Wait, no, one month is my limit."
What are you talking about...? Needing a recharge every month is a bit concerning... though flattering.
Having showered and washed away any telltale scents, we headed toward Master Bisky's location. Lady Linna should have calmed down by now.
Of course, when Master Bisky sees me, she will probably scold me fiercely for the bet...
Sigh. It was partly my fault, but turning our relationship into a wager was unfair to begin with.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes!" Shion clung happily to my arm.
Please don't link arms so tightly in public, it's embarrassing!
◆
We arrived at Room 223—Kastro's room.
However, only Kastro remained inside the wrecked, doorless room.
"More visitors? How may I help you?"
"Um, we heard Lady Linna was here..."
"Ah, you are Lady Linna's acquaintances? Unfortunately, they have already departed."
"Did Lady Linna recover the Black Book?"
"No. I had already given the Black Book to someone else. Lady Linna seemed to accept that explanation, but..."
So the Black Book was no longer here. Shion had reported Kastro's public announcement during his match against Hisoka, but it seemed the lead had run dry.
"Where did Lady Linna go?"
"...A smiling young girl named Aisha arrived and led them away."
"Aisha-chan?!" Shion gasped.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Why would Aisha take Master Bisky and Lady Linna? Were they acquainted?
"I do not know the details, but they seemed familiar with one another. I attempted to follow, but Lady Linna commanded me to remain here. As her disciple, I must obey."
『Disciple?! To Lady Linna?!』
"Yes. Though not in the Kazama-ryu style itself; she agreed to guide me in Nen principles."
That made sense. Kastro's Tiger Bite Fist was already established. Learning Kazama-ryu from scratch would take decades, but receiving Nen guidance from a master of Lady Linna's caliber would elevate his strength tremendously.
"I see! Then you and I are fellow disciples!" Shion smiled.
"I am Shion, Lady Linna's direct disciple."
"An honor to meet you! My name is Kastro. I will strive with all my might."
"I am Wing. Pleased to meet you."
"Are you also Lady Linna's disciple?"
"No, I practice Shingen-ryu."
After brief introductions, Kastro added:
"They headed toward Aisha-san's room. Though... for some reason, Lady Linna and Bisky-san appeared deeply terrified of Aisha-san..."
Terrified? Those two? Terrified of Aisha?!
Could Master Bisky owe Aisha money? No, that wouldn't explain Lady Linna being terrified.
"Let's visit Aisha-chan's room," Shion suggested. "Thank you, Kastro-san!"
◆
We stood before Aisha's room.
Shion and I hesitated, our hands hovering over the doorbell. The thought of facing Master Bisky's wrath made us freeze.
"Wing-san, Shion-san, you're out there, aren't you? Please, come inside."
『!!』
She noticed us without even a knock?!
"E-Excuse us~"
"P-Pardon the intrusion."
We cautiously stepped inside.
Standing in the room were Aisha, Master Bisky, and Lady Linna.
That was expected. What was entirely beyond comprehension was the scene before our eyes.
"L-Lady Linna?!"
"M-Master Bisky?!"
Master Bisky and Lady Linna were kneeling formally in seiza before us.
And then—
『For turning your romance and misunderstandings into a wager, an act completely unworthy of a teacher and a human being, we offer our deepest, sincerest apologies!!』
Both masters bowed their heads to the floor in a flawless, synchronized Dogeza.
...Huh?
Is this a joke?
Chaos and pure confusion short-circuited my brain.
◆
"Now then, no one will interrupt us here...!" Aisha had said earlier, radiating immense pressure.
『Eeeeek! Forgive us!』 Linna and Bisky had cried out.
"Both of you went too far. To think you would gamble on your own disciples! Bisky aside... Linna!"
"Y-Yes!"
"Gambling on a disciple's genuine feelings of love! I never raised you to behave like this!"
"I am so terribly sorry!"
"Bisky, you too! You aren't my student, but yelling abuse at Wing over a phone call because you lost your bet? Would you like to wash your face in hot soup as well?"
"I'm so sorryyyy!!" Bisky wailed.
Aisha continued her strict sermon for thirty minutes.
To ensure the punishment was felt, Aisha forced Bisky to maintain Ken while actively rotating her aura into Kai (Rotation).
"Bisky, your flow is sloppy! Faster! Once you can rotate your aura at super-high speeds, it becomes the defensive deflection technique 'Kai' that I used against Netero."
"Easy for you to say! This takes insane concentration—"
"Did you say something?"
"N-Nothing at all!"
Aisha also gave Linna a firm command:
"Linna, you must never call me 'Ryusho' or 'Sensei' in public. If third parties discover my true identity, the consequences will be disastrous. Call me 'Aisha-san' when others are present."
Linna suffered immense internal agony at the thought of addressing her revered grandmaster with mere '-san', but accepted it as an absolute order.
◆
When Wing and Shion finally entered the room, Linna and Bisky performed their formal dogeza as instructed.
"Ah... I see. I'm having a dream," Shion mumbled, staring blankly at Lady Linna prostrated on the floor. "Lady Linna would never do this. What a vivid dream... I hope earlier, when Wing and I made love, wasn't a dream too..."
"Sh-Shion?! This is real! Please come to your senses! What are you blurting out?!" Wing cried out in panic.
Explode, normies.
Aisha thought to herself, glaring at the couple with simmering jealousy. I haven't even had the chance to lose my virginity, and here they are flaunting it!
"If it's a dream, I should do more things with Wing... the 48 positions... shibari... ah, my nose is bleeding..."
"Please snap out of it, Shion! Master's eyes are terrifying! If looks could kill, we'd be dead ten times over!!"
Before three single women—a widow, a 57-year-old loli-hag, and a reincarnated former virgin—the couple had flaunted their honeymoon bliss.
The retribution was swift: Linna and Bisky gave Wing and Shion a ferocious thirty-minute scolding that left both of them thoroughly disciplined.
◆
Once the couple left, Aisha turned to the remaining two.
"Now that it's just the three of us, there is something I must tell you."
"What is it, Aisha?" Bisky asked.
"Linna..."
"Yes, Sensei?"
Aisha hesitated, knowing the shock it would cause. But she couldn't hide it forever.
"The truth is... I am currently training a disciple."
"...Pardon?"
"I have taken on a disciple."
"...H-Huh? You don't mean... me, right?"
Aisha shook her head gently.
"Some random nobody is receiving Sensei's personal instruction?! While I am not?! ...Why? Have the fundamental laws of the universe broken down?!"
Linna's sanity completely shattered.
"Calm down, Linna! Aisha is only teaching him Nen basics!" Bisky yelled.
"Impossible... This cannot be... A dream? ...No. That person... That imposter must have brainwashed Sensei with Nen Manipulation!"
"Linna, Manipulation doesn't work on me," Aisha sighed.
"Yes... The only solution is to eliminate the parasite who deceived Sensei! Once they are dead, Sensei will return to her senses!"
"Are all Kazama-ryu practitioners single-minded fanatics?!" Bisky screamed.
"I certainly hope it's just Linna and Shion..." Aisha massaged her temples.
Sigh. Calming Linna down was going to take hours.
Sorry, Kurapika. We might miss dinner tonight.