Chapter 78 - Vol 2, Chapter 26: Two Worlds Meet

A/N: Don't forget to check out my original novel: Can I Magic Please. It's like really good. 😉

ANYWHOOO. ENJOY THE CHAPTER

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Yuzuki led Shizuku through the bustling corridors of Heavens Arena.

Neither of them spoke much.

They never really needed to.

Yuzuki walked with his hands in his pockets, still wearing the same sunglasses he used to conceal his Six Eyes.

Shizuku walked beside him, her expression as blank as ever.

Every now and then, she glanced at him as if confirming that he was truly there.

Yuzuki noticed.

He smiled softly.

"It's been a while."

Shizuku nodded.

"Mhm."

Another few steps passed in silence.

Then Shizuku asked in her usual monotone.

"You got stronger."

Yuzuki chuckled lightly.

"I had to."

Shizuku tilted her head.

"Because of revenge?"

Yuzuki glanced at her.

Then nodded.

"Yeah."

Shizuku considered that for a moment.

Then simply said,

"Okay."

Yuzuki smiled.

That was one of the things he appreciated most about her.

Eventually they arrived at Yuzuki's assigned room.

He opened the door and stepped inside.

Bisky was lounging on the couch while eating dessert.

Wing sat nearby with a cup of tea.

Zushi was reading a magazine about martial arts.

The moment Yuzuki entered, all three looked up.

Then their eyes shifted to the girl standing beside him.

Bisky's gaze sharpened instantly.

Wing adjusted his glasses.

Zushi blinked.

Yuzuki smiled.

"Everyone, this is Shizuku."

Shizuku raised one hand slightly.

"Hello."

Bisky's eyes narrowed.

"So this is the 'closest person' you were talking about."

Yuzuki nodded.

"Yep."

Bisky studied Shizuku carefully.

Then her expression softened slightly.

Because despite Shizuku's blank demeanor, there was an unmistakable warmth in the way she looked at Yuzuki.

Bisky crossed her arms.

"Hmph."

Then she smiled.

"Well, if Yuzuki trusts you, I suppose that's good enough for me."

Shizuku nodded.

"Okay."

Yuzuki gestured toward the room.

"Have a seat."

Shizuku sat beside him immediately.

Naturally.

As if that spot had always belonged to her.

Zushi stared with wide eyes.

Then leaned toward Wing and whispered.

"Master… she's really pretty."

Wing sighed.

"Zushi."

Bisky leaned forward with obvious curiosity.

"So."

She rested her chin on her hands.

"Tell me."

"How exactly did the two of you meet?"

Yuzuki and Shizuku exchanged a glance.

Yuzuki scratched his cheek.

"It's kind of a long story."

Bisky grinned.

"We have time."

Wing took another sip of tea.

Zushi leaned in eagerly.

Yuzuki exhaled softly.

Then began.

"I'm from Meteor City."

The room fell silent.

Bisky's eyes widened slightly.

Wing's tea paused halfway to his lips.

Even Zushi sensed the significance of those words.

Meteor City.

The lawless dumping ground of the world.

A place where society abandoned what it did not want.

Bisky looked at Yuzuki differently now.

"For real?"

Yuzuki nodded.

"Yeah."

Bisky sat back slowly.

"Well…"

"That explains some things."

Yuzuki smirked.

"Like what?"

Bisky pointed at him.

"The murder eyes."

Wing coughed awkwardly into his tea.

Yuzuki ignored her.

He continued.

"When I first met Shizuku, I was dumbed there. And she saved my life."

Shizuku nodded.

"He was small."

Yuzuki's eye twitched.

"…I'm still small."

Shizuku looked at him thoughtfully.

"Smaller."

Zushi accidentally snorted.

Yuzuki sighed.

"Anyway…"

He leaned back.

"Things were… difficult."

He did not go into full detail.

But he explained enough.

How he had survived in Meteor City.

How Shizuku had shown him kindness.

How she had become the closest thing he had to family.

As he spoke, Bisky listened in complete silence.

The usual teasing vanished from her face.

Wing's expression grew thoughtful.

Zushi looked heartbroken.

And throughout it all, Shizuku sat quietly beside Yuzuki.

Occasionally nodding to confirm parts of the story.

When Yuzuki finally finished, the room remained quiet for several moments.

Then Bisky stood abruptly.

She walked over to Yuzuki.

Placed a hand on his shoulder.

And squeezed.

Not hard.

Just enough to convey what words could not.

"I see."

That was all she said.

But Yuzuki understood.

He smiled softly.

"Thanks."

Bisky then turned to Shizuku.

Her expression became warm.

"Thank you for looking after him."

Shizuku blinked once.

Then nodded.

"Mhm."

Bisky grinned.

"Well then."

She clapped her hands together.

"If you're important to Yuzuki…"

"…then you're welcome here anytime."

Shizuku's blank smile appeared.

"Okay."

Yuzuki looked around the room.

At Bisky.

At Wing.

At Zushi.

At Shizuku beside him.

Two completely different parts of his life.

---

The kitchen of Yuzuki's room was alive with motion.

Steam rose from simmering pots.

Oil crackled in a pan.

Knives flashed rhythmically against a cutting board.

And at the center of it all stood Yuzuki.

Focused.

Calm.

Completely in his element.

Bisky leaned against the counter, watching with bright eyes.

"I still can't believe you cook this well."

Yuzuki didn't look up.

"I've told you before."

Bisky pouted.

"Yes, but I thought you were exaggerating."

Wing stood nearby with his arms folded.

"The knife control alone is impressive."

Zushi nodded enthusiastically.

"Yuzuki-san looks like a professional chef!"

Seated at the table, Shizuku Murasaki watched Yuzuki in silence.

Her expression remained blank.

But her gaze never left him.

Yuzuki glanced over his shoulder.

"What?"

Shizuku answered simply.

"You look cool."

Yuzuki nearly dropped the spatula.

Bisky's eyes widened.

Then she began grinning like a shark.

"Ohoho~"

Yuzuki cleared his throat.

"Please ignore her."

Shizuku tilted her head.

"Why?"

Wing discreetly adjusted his glasses to hide his smile.

Zushi looked between the two of them with sparkling eyes.

Twenty minutes later, the table was overflowing with food.

Perfectly grilled meat.

Rice.

Miso soup.

Vegetable side dishes.

And a large platter of crispy tempura.

Bisky clasped her hands together.

"I could cry."

Yuzuki placed the final dish down.

"Eat before it gets cold."

That was all the permission Bisky needed.

"ITADAKIMASU!"

The others quickly followed.

For several moments, the only sounds in the room were those of satisfied eating.

Then Bisky froze mid-bite.

Her eyes widened dramatically.

She slowly turned toward Yuzuki.

"…Marry me."

Yuzuki deadpanned.

"No."

Wing chuckled softly.

"This truly is excellent."

Zushi had tears in his eyes.

"It's the best meal I've ever had…"

Shizuku took another bite.

Then another.

Then looked at Yuzuki.

"It tastes like home."

Yuzuki paused.

His expression softened.

"…Yeah."

The conversation flowed naturally after that.

Bisky told exaggerated stories about expensive gems she had discovered.

Wing spoke about his years of training under the Shingen-ryu.

Zushi eagerly discussed his dream of becoming stronger.

Shizuku contributed occasionally with short, oddly specific observations.

And Yuzuki simply listened.

Smiling.

Laughing.

Teasing.

The warmth of sitting around a table with people who genuinely cared about him.

People from entirely different worlds.

And yet somehow, they fit together.

As the night wore on, laughter filled the room.

And for a brief moment, Yuzuki allowed himself to believe that perhaps…

He was no longer alone.

---

Elsewhere in Heavens Arena, in Chrollo's private suite, the atmosphere was far quieter.

Chrollo Lucilfer sat by the window, looking out over the city lights.

Behind him stood Machi Komacine, Pakunoda, Shalnark, and Shizuku Murasaki was absent, still with Yuzuki.

Pakunoda crossed her arms.

"What do you plan to do about Yuzuki?"

Chrollo remained silent for a few moments.

Then he spoke softly.

"For someone raised in Meteor City…"

"…he is remarkably pure."

Machi frowned slightly.

"Pure?"

Chrollo nodded.

"He still believes in justice."

"He refuses to kill indiscriminately."

"He wants to become a Hunter in order to protect others."

A faint smile touched Chrollo's lips.

"I like that."

He turned away from the window.

"And I want to keep it that way."

Shalnark blinked.

"So you really do want to recruit him."

"Yes."

Pakunoda tilted her head.

"Wouldn't joining us stain him?"

The question lingered in the air.

For a moment, Chrollo said nothing.

Then his expression grew distant.

Haunted.

"The clearest way to protect him…"

"…is to keep him close."

His voice was quiet now.

Almost vulnerable.

"If he remains within my sight, I can guide him."

"I can shield him from the worst parts of this world."

Machi studied him carefully.

"You're serious."

Chrollo nodded.

His eyes drifted once more toward the city lights.

And beyond them, toward the memories he could never escape.

"I will not fail him."

The room grew silent.

Everyone understood what he truly meant.

His next words were barely above a whisper.

"Not like I failed Sarasa."

No one spoke after that.

Because in that moment, they all saw it clearly.

Chrollo Lucilfer—

The leader of the Phantom Troupe.

One of the most feared criminals in the world.

Had decided that Yuzuki was someone worth protecting.

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