"—There's no problem on our end. How about over there—… I see, got it. —Yeah, I'll wait at the hotel first."
With those words, Kurapika ended the call and slipped his cellphone back into his pocket. He turned to the group who had been watching him—Gon Freecss and the others—and told them the thing they most wanted to hear.
"Aisha called. It seems the battle is over."
"Then—!"
"Yeah. Aisha won."
At that single statement from Kurapika, Gon burst into cheers—then suddenly remembered they were inside a hospital and quickly clamped his mouth shut with an awkward look.
"See? I told you Aisha would win. Worrying was pointless."
"Shut up. I know Aisha's strong, but when the opponent is that Hisoka, you can't help but worry."
Hearing Leorio Paradinight say that, Killua Zoldyck nodded as if that made sense.
Killua had never doubted Aisha's victory. Someone who had casually crushed even the Phantom Troupe wasn't going to lose to Hisoka now.
Leorio actually agreed with Killua. But remembering the indescribable terror he had felt from Hisoka Morow during the Hunter Exam kept him from feeling completely at ease.
During that encounter, he had sensed with his own skin that Hisoka wasn't just "strong." Perhaps that intuition showed that Leorio's own talent shone just as brightly as Gon and the others'.
"Aisha said she's heading back to the hotel now. It seems Hisoka didn't launch an attack on Dominic like we feared. She asked that we head back first and wait for her there."
"So this whole thing is finally settled."
"Yeah. Now all that's left is going to Greed Island."
"Well, first we've gotta see if we can even play the game."
"The Greed Island player selection exam."
The Greed Island player selection exam.
It was a selection event held by one of the world's greatest billionaires, Battera. On the day the Southern Peace Auction ended—at that exact time—the auction venue itself would immediately be used as the site for the selection test to determine participants for the game.
The first qualification to participate was simply knowing that the selection exam existed.
To keep useless people from gathering, information about the selection was restricted so that only individuals with a certain level of ability could learn about it.
The clearest example was the Hunter Site. Anyone who could access it would see the announcement, since Battera had personally used his connections to post it there. Only professional Hunters could normally access the site—aside from a very small number of people who illegally peeked in. And if someone was a pro Hunter, their abilities were obviously far beyond the average crowd.
However, even if someone knew about the selection exam, it didn't mean they could participate.
The second requirement was 12 million Jenny—a massive sum from the perspective of ordinary people.
Battera wasn't directly collecting the money. It was simply that the selection exam took place at the Southern Peace Auction venue immediately after the auction ended.
In other words, if you weren't attending the auction, you couldn't join the selection exam.
And to attend the auction, you had to purchase the auction catalog for 12 million Jenny.
Of course, this was another form of pre-screening. Anyone unable to prepare even that amount of money wasn't worth bothering with.
Only those who cleared these conditions could earn the right to participate in the selection exam.
Naturally, Gon and the others qualified. They had already purchased the catalog required to attend the Southern Peace Auction. Their earnings from the Heavens Arena hadn't been wasted.
Each catalog came with an admission ticket allowing up to five people to enter, so one was more than enough.
"I wonder what they'll make us do in the selection exam?"
"They'll probably check if we're strong enough to beat Greed Island, right? Don't tell me they'll make us use Hatsu in front of everyone."
To gauge a Nen user's strength, there were several indicators. The most obvious were the amount of aura shown through Ren and the user's ability itself—Hatsu.
If someone had a large amount of aura, that alone gave them an advantage in battle. And even if their aura wasn't particularly large, possessing a useful ability made them valuable.
Killua didn't mind the first method, but he wanted to avoid the second.
Showing your trump cards to complete strangers—especially other Nen users—wasn't a good idea.
In the worst case, every participant in the exam might see it. If that happened, Killua had already decided he'd simply show basic Ren and pretend to be an Enhancer.
"We won't know until the selection exam begins," Kurapika said, "but I'm sure they'll take things like that into consideration."
"As long as that's the case. Anyway, there's no way we'll fail, so let's just take it easy."
"Hmm… but there are tons of people way stronger than us. Maybe I'll train as much as I can with the time we have left."
"…Yeah. If I'm not training, something just feels off. It's all Aisha's fault."
"That's true. Because of the Phantom Troupe, we haven't been able to train properly these past few days. It's unsettling."
"You guys…"
Leorio felt his eyes grow moist at how pitiful the three of them sounded.
For the record, when Gon said "people stronger than us," he meant Nen users from the Kazama style and the Phantom Troupe. If those were their standards, ordinary Nen users would have every right to get angry.
While chatting like that, the four of them eventually returned to the hotel.
All that remained was to wait for Aisha.
They passed the time freely—extending the duration of their Ken, polishing their Hatsu, or practicing parts of Aisha-style training while teaching and learning from one another.
Then it happened.
The balcony door opened, and Aisha returned.
"I'm back."
"You're not mistaking that for the entrance, are you?" Killua said.
Considering that Aisha kept entering and leaving through a balcony dozens of meters above the ground, Killua's retort was only natural.
Well—it wasn't like Aisha actually wanted to come in through the balcony.
"I had a feeling… this time's souvenir is Hisoka, huh…"
That's right.
Aisha had carried the injured and unconscious Hisoka all the way here on her back.
Naturally, she couldn't exactly walk through the front entrance of the hotel with someone that badly injured, so she had no choice but to use the balcony.
Aisha laid the unconscious Hisoka down on the bed and took a breath.
"Phew. Sorry to keep you all waiting. And thank you for guarding Dominic-san."
"Yeah, yeah, that's fine, but… whoa. You really beat Hisoka to a pulp…"
"And yet he's got an ecstatic look on his face. That's so like Hisoka."
"Yeah… Even when I fought him, he gave me a really creepy feeling."
"Maybe fighting Aisha pushed him over the edge."
His entire body was covered in blood and swelling, yet the heavily injured man lay there unconscious with an expression of bliss.
It was basically a horror scene.
Or the sign of an extreme masochist.
Either way, it suited Hisoka perfectly.
While everyone was recoiling at Hisoka's miserable condition, Leorio suddenly noticed something.
"Aisha, hey—your left cheek is a little swollen!"
"It's true! Did Hisoka hit you!?"
"No way! Aisha actually took damage!?"
"Impossible! Hisoka… what a terrifying man!"
For Aisha to take a direct hit from an enemy—
For Gon and the others, it was a shocking, earth-shaking event.
Meanwhile, Aisha herself was beginning to seriously wonder what kind of being she was in their eyes.
"Well, my injury isn't important… Leorio-san, can you heal Hisoka's left hand?"
"His left—whoa!? I-it's torn off!?"
"Yes. Can you do it?"
"…The cut's pretty clean. If I reconnect it and use [Palm Healing Technique / Hoimi], it should probably work. But if too much time has passed since the severing, it might not."
"If it's impossible, that's fine. Just do what you can."
Why did she want Hisoka's hand healed?
Leorio didn't know.
He had previously healed Franklin Bordeau when he was on the verge of death. If Leorio hadn't treated him then, Franklin would have died within days.
But Hisoka was different.
Losing his left hand wouldn't immediately lead to death. Even if there was heavy bleeding, that could be stopped simply by sealing the wound. There was no real need to go as far as reattaching the hand.
Still, Leorio had no particular reason to refuse Aisha's request.
"Alright. Just the left hand, right?"
"Yes. You can leave the other injuries alone."
"Got it! Leave it to me—[Palm Healing Technique / Hoimi]!!"
He aligned the wrist properly and poured aura into it.
A warm light enveloped Hisoka's wrist as the wound slowly closed.
"Hey, Aisha," Killua said. "Why are you healing Hisoka?"
"I'm curious as well," Kurapika added. "It was Hisoka who challenged you. Whatever injuries he received in that fight are the result of his own actions. You bear no responsibility."
"Yes, I know that. I don't feel responsible for him. But if possible, I'd like Hisoka to remain in one piece."
"Is there some reason?" Gon asked.
While everyone wondered about it, Aisha turned her gaze toward the one who had asked the final question—Gon Freecss.
Aisha kept staring at Gon intently, and Gon returned the look with a puzzled expression, unsure what she meant.
"Well then, Gon. Do you want to defeat Hisoka Morow?"
"Of course! I've only been beaten by Hisoka so far. I'm going to get stronger and definitely beat him someday!"
Gon answered instantly. Hearing that reply, Aisha smiled gently.
It was exactly the answer she had hoped for, and it made her happy.
"I see. Then what if, when that time comes, Hisoka isn't in perfect condition—and that's how you win?"
"Huh? …Hmm. I wouldn't like that. Even if I won while Hisoka wasn't going all out, it wouldn't make me happy."
Once again hearing exactly the words she expected, Aisha smiled and spoke to Gon.
"Right? That's why I want Hisoka to return to perfect condition."
"Huh? Then… you're doing this for me?"
Gon's eyes widened in surprise at Aisha's answer. He had never imagined that reason.
Of course, Gon wasn't the only one she had in mind.
"Hehe, not just you, Gon. I'm sure Kastro also wants to face Hisoka at full strength—and defeat him."
Yes—Kastro, the martial artist burning with determination to defeat Hisoka.
He possessed talent greater than most people, and yet he worked tirelessly to improve himself. He was a true martial artist, even by Aisha's standards. Having fought both Hisoka and Aisha, Kastro had gained an even stronger mindset as a warrior, and Aisha held a favorable impression of him.
She wanted him to be able to fight Hisoka with complete satisfaction.
"Wait, Aisha," said Kurapika. "Does that mean you're not going to capture Hisoka like you did with the Phantom Troupe?"
"No. I'll still have him restrained with your chains to a certain extent. Just because he isn't a member of the Phantom Troupe doesn't change the fact that Hisoka is a dangerous murderer. However—"
"So you're saying he won't be judged by the law like the Troupe," Killua Zoldyck finished.
Aisha nodded.
It was pure selfishness.
Not because she felt any special affection for Hisoka—but because of her feelings for her friends and for her disciple's disciple. Allowing one criminal special treatment while others were punished by law… it was nothing but selfishness. Aisha understood that perfectly well.
"Even if he isn't judged by law, he'll have to accept some restrictions. You don't have any objections at this point, do you, Hisoka?"
"Huh?—Whoa!?"
At Aisha's remark, Leorio Paradinight—who had been treating him—glanced at Hisoka's face.
And immediately locked eyes with him.
Hisoka had already regained consciousness.
"…So you noticed after all ♥"
"Your breathing changed for a moment. Now then—do you have any complaints?"
"Hmm… depends on the conditions, I suppose ♣"
"You're not really in a position to be picky…" Leorio muttered.
"We won't take away your combat ability. However, you'll stop killing people unnecessarily. Kurapika."
"Understood."
And so Kurapika used his Chain Jail ability, Judgment Chain, to embed the Chain of Judgment into Hisoka.
The rules imposed upon him were as follows:
1. You are forbidden from attacking others unless they challenge you first. However, combat undertaken to help others does not violate this condition.
2. Condition 1 does not apply to Aisha. However, if you challenge Aisha once, you must wait at least one month before challenging her again.
3. You are forbidden from directly or indirectly forcing others to challenge you.
4. If you fight Gon or Kastro and are defeated, you must turn yourself in within six months and atone for your past crimes.
5. You are forbidden from contacting Nen exorcists. If you unknowingly encounter one, you must leave within ten seconds after realizing their identity. Any further contact afterward will count as breaking the rule.
These became the Chains of Death placed upon Hisoka.
Rule 1 would suppress Hisoka's killing to the greatest extent possible. However, exceptions were allowed for combat performed to help others.
Rule 2 was a kind of mercy from Aisha. If Hisoka were completely unable to fight anyone, he might lose control.
Rule 3 prevented Hisoka from creating enemies intentionally just to provoke battles.
Rule 4 was, in a sense, preparation for the day when Hisoka's role was over. Though thanks to the privileges of a Hunter License, his punishment might not end up severe.
Rule 5 existed to prevent Hisoka from seeking out a Nen exorcist to remove the chain.
"My, my ♠ Are you sure about that? Asking me to challenge you to a fight, Aisha ♣"
"It's fine. You wouldn't enjoy just waiting for enemies to appear. And besides…"
"And besides?"
"I had fun too. Fighting you."
Aisha said that with a bright smile directed at Hisoka.
Yes—Aisha had enjoyed it as well.
The mind games, the tension of the battle, the deadly struggle against Hisoka who fought with all his cunning and strength.
In the end, she had won overwhelmingly—but she felt that the battle itself had been worth a fortune.
Hearing Aisha's honest feelings, Hisoka recalled the vivid memory of their deadly fight and answered with a delighted expression.
"Ah, yes ♦ It really was fun ♥ I'm looking forward to the next time we fight ♣"
"Oh, just so you know—just because you challenge me doesn't mean I'll always accept."
"Ehh? That's not fair, Aisha ♥"
"I have things to do as well. I can't spend all my time entertaining you."
The two of them laughed together.
Watching them, there were about two people whose moods gradually worsened—but that was hardly important.
"Anyway!" Killua suddenly raised his voice. "Now that things are finally settled, what are we going to do next?"
Killua sounded slightly irritated as he redirected the conversation.
Aisha looked at him curiously. For some reason he seemed annoyed, but she simply assumed it was some kind of adolescent moodiness.
She was partly correct.
But she didn't truly understand.
Poor Killua.
"So then—should we train for the selection exam?" Gon suggested.
"Nah. Since we're here for the Yorknew Dream Auction anyway, why don't we join some random auction or something?" Leorio said.
"But there's nothing I really want…"
"I'll gather as much information as possible about the Scarlet Eyes," Kurapika said. "They might appear in one of the auctions. Even if I can't win the bid, identifying the buyer will make tracking them later easier."
"As for me, I might just walk around Yorknew and see the sights during my free time," Aisha said.
"In that case, why don't you come to the Tag Sale Market with me, Aisha? Gon and Killua seem like they're going to train for the exam anyway."
Right after everyone else had stated their plans, Leorio spoke up with perfect timing.
Aisha responded cheerfully.
Meanwhile, Killua looked like he had just been beaten to the punch and ground his teeth in frustration.
"Sure, let's go together, Leorio-san."
"Oh? Then maybe I'll come too. I've always been curious about the Tag Sale Market."
"…Wouldn't it be better to train until the exam, Killua?" Leorio said.
"I will train. But you need breaks too, right?"
For some reason, sparks seemed to fly between Killua and Leorio.
But Aisha had absolutely no idea she was in the middle of a battle between men.
Poor Killua.
Poor Leorio.
"Then the three of us will go together, alright?"
"…Yeah."
"…Sounds good."
Truly pitiful.
◆
Just as they were discussing their plans in a hotel room, Aisha received a message from El Hospital.
The message said that Dominic had regained consciousness.
Dominic had already recovered from his near-fatal injuries, but he had remained asleep without waking up. Now, at last, the hospital had contacted her to say that he had finally come to.
As soon as she heard the news, Aisha hurried to the hospital.
After arriving, Aisha spoke briefly with the receptionist before heading straight to Dominic's attending doctor.
The thing she was most concerned about was Dominic's condition—especially the possible infection that had been unclear when he was first admitted.
Fortunately, it seemed that her fears had not come true.
There were no wounds or bleeding inside the abdominal cavity, and no infection had been detected.
Just as the hospital had said, he had regained consciousness. Though he still didn't have the strength to stand because of blood loss and having been bedridden for so long, his condition was stable.
At last feeling relieved, Aisha made her way toward Dominic's hospital room.
When she reached the door, Aisha knocked and waited for a response.
She could sense the presence of one person inside.
It didn't feel like someone who was asleep.
So it seemed true—his consciousness had returned.
"…Come in."
A few seconds after she knocked, a reply came from inside.
Aisha swallowed nervously before slowly opening the door.
"Excuse me."
"—! …It's you."
When Dominic saw who had entered, he involuntarily sucked in a breath.
He must have expected a hospital staff member.
The appearance of someone he hadn't expected clearly shocked him.
"What do you want? I thought I told you never to show your face to me again."
"…I'm sorry. But…"
At Dominic's sudden rejection, Aisha faltered.
She had come all the way here thinking she should explain everything he might not understand—but now that she stood before him, she had no idea where to begin.
Dominic was also unusually flustered.
The sudden reunion left him unsure how to react, and the words of rejection had slipped out instinctively. He hadn't forgiven his daughter—but now that they had met again, wouldn't it have been fine to at least talk?
But then another thought followed: a man shouldn't go back on his word.
Those conflicting thoughts left Dominic slightly confused as well.
"Today!"
"Y-Yes!"
"The weather is nice… wait, it's raining!"
"Huh? Oh—yeah, that's right!"
"…."
"…."
Silence filled the room.
Dominic's cheeks seemed slightly red.
Aisha noticed the color and mistakenly assumed it meant his complexion had improved.
"Ahem!"
Dominic cleared his throat, deciding to erase that embarrassing moment from existence. Then he looked at Aisha again.
"…Were you the one who saved me?"
"…Yes."
"I thought so…"
The last thing Dominic remembered from that attack was Aisha's sorrowful expression.
He didn't know why she had been there, but the fact that he was alive now could only mean that his daughter had saved him.
But how had she saved him from that hell?
What had happened to those fatal injuries?
All the questions that had been piling up since he woke were now directed at the daughter standing before him.
"Explain everything that happened."
Only then did Aisha finally gather her thoughts and begin speaking clearly.
"Understood… The ones who attacked the underground auction held by the Mafian Community were the Phantom Troupe."
"What!?"
Even Dominic's eyes widened in shock.
The Phantom Troupe was infamous throughout the underworld. Dominic already knew that countless mafia groups and major figures in the criminal world had fallen victim to them.
But even so, he had never imagined they would do something as reckless as making enemies of every mafia organization at once.
At the same time, however, it made sense. If it was the Phantom Troupe, it wouldn't be surprising for them to possess Nen users powerful enough to cause that level of destruction.
"Then what happened to the Phantom Troupe!? How did the Community deal with it!?"
"P-Please calm down. I don't know how the Mafian Community responded. I'm not part of the mafia. But according to what I heard from my companions, they fought members of the Phantom Troupe, and most of the mafia suffered heavy losses."
"…I see."
Dominic had leaned forward angrily toward Aisha, but her words helped him regain some composure.
After all, there was no way Aisha—who had nothing to do with the mafia—could know the full details of the Community's situation.
"So then… what happened to the Phantom Troupe?"
They were a monstrous group capable of overwhelming countless mafia members. Mafia-employed Nen users likely wouldn't stand a chance against them.
Had they stolen the auction items and escaped without consequence?
The thought made Dominic's anger boil.
But the words that followed from Aisha instantly scattered those thoughts into the sky.
"I captured them all."
"…Hm? Ah, sorry—could you say that again?"
Dominic asked her to repeat herself, wondering if he had misheard.
Aisha looked slightly concerned that his consciousness might still be unclear, but she calmly repeated the same words.
"I captured them all."
"…"
Apparently, he hadn't misheard.
Captured?
The Phantom Troupe?
All of them?
Who? How?
The impossible information threw Dominic into confusion once again.
"…Was it the Shadow Beasts?"
Eventually, Dominic arrived at that conclusion.
The Shadow Beasts—the strongest Nen users of the mafia, proudly controlled by the Ten Dons. If it were them, perhaps—
"No. My companions and I did it."
"…."
That reasonable explanation was instantly denied by Aisha's next words.
"H-How?"
"We defeated them and rendered them powerless."
At this point, Dominic felt like nothing made sense anymore.
Just how strong was his daughter?
She defeated them?
What kind of upbringing had Misha given her?
No—this wasn't the time to think about that.
Shaking his head to refocus, Dominic continued questioning Aisha.
...
"I don't even understand what you're saying anymore."
Just how strong was his daughter? She defeated that? What kind of upbringing had Misha given her?
No—this wasn't the time to think about that. Dominic shook his head and continued questioning Aisha.
"Where is the Phantom Troupe right now?"
"…I can't tell you that."
"Why not?!"
Not only had they started a war with the Mafia community, they had also killed Dahl and Zaza—men who had served him faithfully as his guards for years. After being humiliated this thoroughly, Dominic was in no mood to let them go.
If they had been neutralized and captured, then all the better. He intended to deliver retaliation in the form of death.
But his daughter refused to tell him their location. His anger flared, and his tone inevitably grew rough.
"The Phantom Troupe will be judged under the law in the proper place. I've already contacted the Hunter Association and arrangements are being made. I cannot tell a member of the Mafia where they are."
If she revealed their location, Dominic would surely contact the Mafia and have them apprehend the Phantom Troupe.
If that happened, the Troupe—currently incapacitated by Kurapika's ability—would be unable to resist. Not only would they be captured, they would likely be dragged out of that room by force and die immediately for violating the Chain Jail conditions.
Worse still, the Mafia might extend their reach to Gon and the others staying at that hotel.
As long as that possibility existed, Aisha had no intention of discussing the matter with anyone—even Dominic.
"..."
Seeing her firm refusal, Dominic understood she would say no more. Judging from what he'd heard, Aisha's combat ability was formidable. Forcing the information out of her was likely impossible.
Besides, there was something about using force against Aisha—who still carried the likeness of his late wife—that he found himself resisting.
"Fine. Forget that matter. Next question. You were the one who saved me, but were you also the one who healed my wounds?"
"No. Someone else treated you."
"…I see. I'd like to thank them. Bring them to see me sometime."
Dominic might be Mafia, but he believed he understood honor.
His pride wouldn't allow him to ignore someone who had saved his life without offering thanks.
Aisha's vague wording bothered him slightly, though.
"…Understood. If I see them again, I'll pass along the message. However, I can't guarantee they'll come."
Aisha wanted to avoid any conversation that might hint that Leorio possessed healing abilities.
Nen users were rare. Among them, healers were even rarer. If people learned of Leorio's existence, countless individuals would want to keep him close.
She didn't believe Dominic would necessarily do that, nor did she want to think he would spread the secret—but years of habit made her instinctively protect such information.
"…Alright. In that case, tell them I'm deeply grateful. And if possible, I'd like them to visit my home. I intend to provide an appropriate reward."
"Yes. I'll be sure to tell them."
Dominic himself understood to some extent why Nen users concealed their abilities. He knew all the abilities of his subordinates, and several would become easy to counter if revealed.
He assumed the person who healed him was avoiding appearing for similar reasons.
"Um… there's something I'd like to ask as well."
"…Go ahead."
"Have you… awakened to Nen?"
"..."
It was a natural concern for Aisha.
Dominic had taken Franklin's Nen bullets and suffered near-fatal injuries. It wouldn't be strange if the powerful aura he was exposed to had forcibly opened his aura nodes.
In fact, if he hadn't awakened Nen, it would almost be like possessing a one-in-ten-million lack of talent—opposite to Gon and the others.
Dominic looked away from Aisha's gaze, staring at him intently. After letting out a sigh, he answered.
"Yeah. I've awakened. I can clearly see that aura flowing out of my body."
"I thought so…"
Aisha didn't consider his awakening Nen to be a problem.
When aura nodes are forcibly opened, the aura leaking from the body drains one's stamina. But Dominic, in that state, barely had enough life force left for it to overflow.
Being unconscious likely allowed his body to naturally retain what little aura he had.
Dominic was a grown man—and a Mafia boss who understood how Nen users were handled. He likely wouldn't do anything reckless.
Still, out of concern born from experience, Aisha gave him a warning.
"Even though you've awakened Nen, please don't become overconfident in that power. If you intend to use it, proper training is necessary—or it might come back to bite you."
"I don't need you to tell me that. Besides, I have no intention of using such a power. I've already stepped away from the front lines."
Those were Dominic's true feelings.
After shifting from a militant faction to a moderate one, he had distanced himself from Mafia conflicts.
He still trained his body somewhat, but only to the level of a strong ordinary person. He had no desire to dive into the monstrous world of Nen users now.
Besides, combat ability wasn't particularly required from the top boss of the Mafia anyway.
"If that's the case, then that's fine."
"Yeah."
"..."
"..."
Both of them had already asked what they wanted to ask and said what they wanted to say.
Well, not entirely. There were still things left unsaid—but neither of them could bring themselves to voice them.
And the atmosphere between them wasn't one where either could casually make small talk to fill the silence.
Thus, silence once again took over the room.
How much time had passed?
An hour? Ten minutes? Or perhaps not even a minute?
Regardless, to Aisha, that silence felt endless.
But she couldn't remain like this forever. Deciding it was time to leave, Aisha spoke.
"…Um, I shouldn't strain your health, Dominic, so I'll be—"
"I—!"
Dominic suddenly interrupted her.
Startled by the sudden shout, Aisha—who had been facing the door—turned back toward him.
"Is something wrong…?"
"I'm a man who repays those who help me! If someone saves my life, I repay that debt! So I'll allow you to visit Misha's grave! That's all! I won't allow anything else! I won't acknowledge you as my daughter, and I won't say you can come and go freely in my house! The only thing I allow is visiting the grave!"
It was the greatest concession Dominic could make.
An awkward attempt at reconciliation from a man who still couldn't erase the resentment he held toward Aisha.
But that clumsy sentiment still reached her.
Understanding the full meaning of his words, Aisha's eyes filled with tears as she spoke.
"Th-thank you… very much…!"
"Don't misunderstand! It's not for your sake—it's for my own pride!"
"Yes! Thank you very much!"
"That's enough! Get out already!"
"Y-yes! Then… please take care."
Dominic looked so agitated it seemed like he might fire a gun if he had one.
Ignoring that, Aisha finally said her farewell and moved to leave.
But Dominic called out to her one more time, gazing sadly at her slightly shorter hair.
"…Misha's hair was longer."
"—! Yes! I'll grow it out again!"
And with that, Aisha left Dominic's hospital room.
Left alone, Dominic sank into his thoughts.
Seeing Aisha reminded him of Misha. Remembering Misha made him think of Aisha again.
No matter how much he tried to hate her, she was still the daughter left behind by the wife he could never fully hate.
Even now, Dominic didn't know how he should treat her.
Perhaps the day would never come when he could truly forgive his daughter. Perhaps a future where they lived together as parent and child would never exist.
But even so, he felt like he had taken the tiniest step forward—far beyond the empty days he had spent living in despair.
With a somewhat refreshed expression, Dominic muttered softly.
"…Misha. I think I'll try looking forward and living a little longer too."
Suddenly wanting to see the iris flower field and his wife's grave, Dominic pressed the nurse call button to begin arranging for an early discharge from the hospital.
=======================================
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