CHP 50: Growing Closer
Killua put the basket full of vegetables next to the refrigerator, just like the day before. He glanced up at the girl who was busy cutting some carrots at the time. Alluka was beside her, learning how to cook. Any girl of age thirteen and above would have to take turn to cook. It was Minera's way of nurturing them. It was supposed to be Alluka's turn and since it was her first time, Scarlet decided to help.
"Alluka-chan, what would you like to cook?" Scarlet asked theblack haired girl.
"Hmm…anything that is easy to learn. I can't do much yet since it is my first time," Alluka replied.
She was washing some turnips and potatoes. Scarlet told her to make some vegetable soup and fried chicken. Some children were absent that day because they decided to follow Tear to town.
"They won't be coming back until dinner, so you don't have to cook much. There's just us, your brother, Minera-san, five kids in elementary and three in kindergarten. Twelve people…" Scarlet muttered.
"You divide them like that?" Killua asked.
Scarlet snapped her head at him. "Don't you have anything better to do?" she glared.
Killua sweat dropped. He rushed out of the kitchen to the guest room. Minera was there, on one of the sofas, knitting a sweater of sort. Killua sat beside her. He sighed and the middle aged woman giggled.
"It's so hard to befriend her," Killua complained.
"She rarely opens up to boys her age...and older. I think she just despise boys because of her stalkers," Minera explained.
"Did any of her stalkers do anything to make her despise them?" Killua was curious.
"Hmm…I'm not so sure, but one time, it was just a coincidence… We are always getting sponsors because Tear never stops looking. It was almost a week after she came here, a son from one of our donators came by to donate more children's books. He caught sight of Scarlet and started to flirt with her," Minera said.
"What did he say?" the boy leaned in closer to listen.
Minera chuckled and said, "Nothing much. He boasted about how many books he had donated and that the orphanage is very thankful of him for that. He also said that he was popular with the girls. I guess that was true because all girls his age are always trying to flatter him."
"I see…that kind of explains why. I mean, who would love people who boast about themselves…" Killua muttered.
Minera patted his back. "I'm sure you'll get to her one of these days."
There was a knock on the front door. Scarlet rushed to open it. Her smile turned into a frown when she saw who it was. It was a red haired boy. His hair style was almost similar to Killua's. Minera whispered to the silver haired that it was the boy she had just told him about. Killua observed him from afar while Minera greeted him. Scarlet was already back in the kitchen. The boy was older than Killua, about a year or two. He somewhat gave the same atmosphere as Rock, but not the mean and forceful one. It was more like Rock who is always proud of his power and talent. Killua understood why Scarlet didn't like him.
"Onii-chan! Lunch is ready! The children are all gathered. We're waiting for you and Minera-san," Alluka said, running up to her brother.
"Would you like to join us?" Minera asked the red haired boy.
"S-Sure, I'd love to. Getting to eat Scar-chan's cooking, it is an honor," the boy said.
Killua glanced up at him before walking to the dining room. Alluka followed from behind, humming a song. She didn't care at all about the red haired boy. Scarlet gave out a death glare when she saw the boy. Killua stared at the girl who sighed.
"He's joining us for lunch," Minera said, so the girl would not protest.
"Sure, why not? It is thanks to him we have so many books to read," Scarlet said with a sarcastic tone.
Minera shot a stern look to the girl, before smiling back to the boy. Killua soon learned that the boy's name was Daniel, son to a very large fortune. His father owned two five-star hotels in town. He was talking about it throughout lunch. Since there was only Killua there who was above Scarlet's age, he thought of Killua as a rival.
"I'm all done," Scarlet announced, standing up.
"O-Oh, already? That was fast," Daniel said.
"Killua, help me with the dishes, okay?" Scarlet said ever so nicely, to make Daniel jealous.
"Uh…sure. I'll be right there," Killua replied.
He picked up all of the dirty plates and cups he could. Then he walked to the kitchen where Scarlet was. She was washing her own plate at the time. Killua went to put the ones he had collected. He glanced up at the girl.
He didn't know why, but he had the urge to ask, "Are you okay?"
Scarlet sighed. "Do you think I am? Daniel would come every three days to see me. Donating more books was just an excuse…"
"You know this for a fact?" Killua asked.
"Yes. One time he stayed until dinner. He sat with me to watch the stars after that, still he never stopped talking about himself," Scarlet complained.
She started to wash the dishes Killua had just collected. Killua wiped them as she handed one by one to him. He didn't know what to say.
"Sorry for getting angry all of a sudden…" Scarlet muttered.
"It's okay, I guess… I don't mind. Heck, you can come to me whenever you have anything to complain about. I understand that you hate boys my age, so think of me as one exception where you could get mad at. They are your sponsors and donators. It'd be bad if you ever get mad at them," Killua said, bravely.
He just hoped he had said the right thing. For the first time since he came here, he saw her laugh. Blood started to rush to his cheeks. She thanked him for what he had said. He looked away, embarrassed.
"Onii-chan!" Alluka called out to her brother who was busy playing a kite with a four-year-old boy, the one who threw a stone at him that one time.
"What's up, Alluka?" Killua asked, turning to his sister.
"Umm…Scarlet-san wants to go out to town to get some milk, eggs and flour. We're all out of them," Alluka explained.
Killua was confused. "What does that have to do with me?" he asked.
Alluka grinned sheepishly and said, "I thought you could accompany her. It would be hard for her to carry all of those things by herself."
"Are you playing matchmaking?" her brother asked.
"Just go, nii-san! It'll be good for Scar-san too!" the boy said, pulling at Killua's shorts.
"Not you too…" Killua groaned.
"Killua, can you accompany Scarlet out to town today? I have some business of my own, so I can't go with her…" Tear suddenly appeared.
Killua gave up. He knew that if he refused, Minera would come and convince him anyway. Since the first time he met Daniel, Daniel hadn't been bothering Scarlet at all after that. Although he still flirts with her when he came by, he stopped whenever he caught sight of Killua. That was when Minera came up with an idea to make Killua a guard of sort to Scarlet so that she won't get into bigger troubles. Besides, it was an opportunity for Killua to talk to her and find out whether she was Mana or not.
"They asked you to come with me?" Scarlet asked the silver haired.
"It's not like it's the first time…" Killua shrugged.
"Fine…but, it is convenient to have you. I don't have to carry the groceries myself!" Scarlet giggled.
"That's one of the reasons why I have to come with you. How many bottles of milk are we buying?" the silver haired asked with his hands in his pocket.
"Hmm…I'm not sure. Tear-san asked me to buy a carton. I think I might buy two since you're here," Scarlet muttered, smiling to him.
Killua turned away from her gaze. He could feel his cheeks burning for no reason. Scarlet looked exactly like Mana, but her confidence and courage far exceed Mana's. He had been having doubts about whether she could be Mana. Then again maybe a change of personality can occur when a person lost their memories?
"Well, we're here. Wait here, okay?" the girl said.
"Okay…" Killua replied.
Killua looked around. He kept on wondering how to make Scarlet remember. It was almost two weeks and the last time he communicated with her was when they were hanging the clothes together, which was three days ago.
Scarlet came out. "Sorry to keep you waiting! We can come and get them in an hour, the shopkeeper said. In the meantime, let's go and buy the flours and eggs."
Killua nodded. "Okay. By the way, is there a time limit?"
"Hmm…if you mean what I think you mean…then, we have to get back before dinner. Tear-san needs the eggs and milk," Scarlet replied.
The boy nodded again. She started her stroll to the next shop. She was humming a tune, which was the same tune that Alluka would hum.
"Did you teach that to my sister?" he asked.
Scarlet turned to him. "Yeah... I always sing this song to put the younger ones to sleep… She must've overheard it. Why?"
Shaking his head, he replied, "Nothing. Just curious…"
After buying the rest of the groceries on the list, they went back to get the cartons of milk. They were back exactly on time for Tear to cook dinner. Scarlet said that she would be eating late because she wanted to take a nice long bath. A fifteen-year-old girl was to help Tear that day. Killua rested on the sofa, sighing. Alluka sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"What's up?" he asked his sister.
"Nothing…I was just thinking that we should go traveling again soon…" Alluka replied, hugging his arm, "We've been here too long."
"I guess you're right. The next day marks the fourteenth day we're here…" Killua muttered.
"I know you wanted to get to know Scarlet-san and find out whether she's Mana or not…but…" Alluka's words were interrupted when her brother patted her head.
He smiled and said, "We'll go somewhere soon. Give me two more days. Please?"
Alluka smiled and nodded. "Okay, two more days!"
A couple of minutes after dinner, Killau went outside, expecting that Scarlet would be stargazing. She was. Killua stared at the girl on the grass. She was wearing a nightdress and long pair of socks. Her hair was loose, resting on both of her shoulders. She looked exactly like Mana even more.
"Onii-chan! It's almost my bedtime! Are you not going to tuck me in?" Alluka shouted from the window of her room.
Killua sweat dropped. He turned to his sister with a look only she understood. She laughed before locking the window. Scarlet stared at the boy who was wearing an undershirt and his boxers. He was all ready to go to sleep. He scratched the back of his head, faintly blushing. Scarlet didn't say anything and went back to stragazing. She hugged her knees. Killua took a seat beside her.
"There aren't much stars tonight…" Scarlet spoke up.
"Y-Yeah. I guess…" the boy replied, looking up.
There was only a couple of lonely stars. They were quiet apart from each other. It made him feel like the stars were him, with Mana, or Gon. He kind of understood why Scarlet would look at the stars.
"S-Scarlet…this may be sudden, but have you ever thought of who you were before you're…ummm…reborn?" Killua asked.
"Sometimes…I do, but I love it here. They're all very kind to me, even though I'm a stranger…" Scarlet explained.
"I don't really think it is a coincidence…my friend went missing right about the same time as you were found by them…"
There was a brief silence before Scarlet stood up. Killua stood up after her. She was wrapping her arms around herself.
"Well, that's a new way to flirt with me… You expect me to believe that?" she blurted.
"No, of course, not. I'm just saying…that I think you might be that friend of mine," Killua explained.
"Why would I believe that? Because I lost my memories?" she asked, backing away.
"M-Mana, if you're really Mana, I beg of you… You have to remember. You have your Mom and Kurogane waiting for you at home…" Killua said.
"Shut up…" Scarlet muttered.
"You have Gon, Kurapika, Leorio waiting for you…" Killua kept on trying to convince her.
"Shut up…" the girl muttered, backing away again.
"You have a message bottle you have to read…" Killua said.
"I said shut up!" Scarlet screamed before fainting.
Killua caught her before she met the ground. Tear and some kids ran out to where they were as the scream pierced their ears just now. Killua turned to Tear with a troubled look. Tear sighed. She didn't blame Killua at all. She asked him to tuck her in bed instead.
"I'm really sorry…" Killua muttered an apology.
"It was never your fault. She has been like this whenever someone asks about her past…" Tear explained, gazing at Scarlet, "But she never fainted before… Could it be a new reaction? What did you say?"
"I told her people are waiting for her to come home…and that she has a message to read from her mother…" Killua replied.
"Hmm…let's wait until she wakes up. We'll ask her why she fainted…" Tear decided.
They went to sleep after that.
Scarlet opened her eyes and found herself floating in the air.
"Where am I?" she muttered.
"Mana?" she froze when she heard the voice.
Scarlet turned to her side. She saw a girl, scarlet haired, wearing a nurse dress, hugged by a silver haired boy.
"Is that Killua?" she wondered.
She watched as Killua inched his face closer to the girl. The girl, Mana, hesitantly did the same. Their lips met and Mana's tears streamed down her face again. He rested his chin on her head.
"I'm sorry I left..." Mana muttered.
Killua didn't have the chance to say anything.
"Okay, I confirmed receipt of the money. Stop with the act, Romeo and leave, right now," the doctor interrupted.
The two immediately pulled away from each other. Mana blushed furiously while Killua tried his best to keep his cool. The nurses and patients around them froze in place.
"U-Ummm...I h-have to go and h-help out the others..." Mana stuttered.
"Uh, right...I'm gonna get change first and then, head out," Killua replied, scratching his cheek with his index finger.
Mana made her way to another ward to start healing the wounded there. Killua went to his bed to change his clothes.
"You sure made a scene there, Mana," another nurse said to Mana, teasing her.
Blushing furiously, the girl stuttered, "I d-didn't realise that t-there were so many people around..."
The nurse laughed. Mana was still blushing. They heard the door of the ward opened. Killua popped his head, looking around. Mana walked up to him.
"You're going now?" she asked.
Scratching the back off his head, he replied, "Yeah...I thought I'd say goodbye...before I head out..."
"I see...what have you been up to all this time? I heard that the Hunters were called out to exterminate the Chimera Ants..." the girl said.
"Yeah...we're going to defeat the King in a few more days..." Killua explained.
Mana bit her lower lip before saying, "Good luck with that..."
Killua waited for her request to tag along but none came. Mana took off the ring which was a present from her mother. She placed it inside Killua's right palm. As if knowing her answer, he clenched his fists as she did too. He muttered that he would cherish the ring. Turning his back to her, he said goodbye.
"I'm sorry, Killua..." she muttered as he walked away.
The scene faded. Scarlet rubbed her eyes. When she opened them, another scene appeared. It was scene in front of a hotel she had never been to before.
"Mana!" a black haired with green highlights called, rushing up to Mana.
Mana turned to her left as she bit her lower lip. The boy and Killua stood beside her, staring at her, disbelieved. She forced a smile. Scarlet could see that they were somewhat shocked or surprised.
The girl's hair was short, going only down to half of her neck.
"You changed a lot!" the black haired said.
"Why cut your hair?" Killua asked.
Mana didn't answer, looking away from their gazes. Mana was making a dreadful look.
"What's the matter with you?!" Killua shouted.
"Killua, that's enough…" the black haired, Gon, said.
He stopped and turned his gaze towards the ground.
He opened his mouth, "Does this have something to do with his date tomorrow?"
Both Mana and Gon were shocked. Mana held the string of her sling bag.
Gon spoke up, "It can't be true…it's just a date. Mana, you're okay with it, right?"
Scarlet's surrounding went dark again.
"Why am I seeing this…?" she wondered, "They're not my memories, are they?"
"Gon…Stop it," she heard and turned to her right. Another scene started to play. It was the continuation of the scene from just now.
"But, she's definitely okay with it… Mana?" Gon muttered, half guilty.
Killua was about to burst, but Mana held his right hand before he could. He could feel her shaking. He turned to her with wide eyes. She shook her head slowly. Killua stood still, Mana walking passed him.
"Gon…" Mana spoke up. Her eyes seemed to be teary.
"Mana…" Gon looked stunned.
Forcing a smile, she stammered, "I'm sorry…I am a-always cheating and t-toying with y-your feelings…"
Gon was confused. "What do you mean?" he asked, glancing up at Killua.
Mana took a deep breath and said, "It's time for us to break up."
Killua and Gon were both shocked at what she had said.
"What? W-Why? You didn't really cheat on me, right?" the boy asked in stutter.
The girl looked at the ground before gazing into Gon's eyes. She nodded once, glancing up at Killua. She was still forcing a smile as her tears streamed down her cheeks.
She told him everything, "I always sleep with Killua…I find comfort in him, but not in you, my boyfriend. I toyed with your feelings. You are always busy and so is Killua...but, he never fails to notice my change of behaviour…when you fail to do so. You have your own problem to think about. I have no room in your heart. Gon…we should break up…"
"What? No! I won't allow it!" the black haired boy protested.
Mana stated her views, "You went on a date with someone who has feelings for you… Doesn't that mean you're returning her feelings?"
Gon widened his eyes. "N-No…I was going to tell her…no, I told her that I can't give her what she wanted…"
The girl interrupted before walking, "We're over. I'm sorry to have cheated on you…and toyed with your feelings…also, for being selfish. I don't want you to get hurt because of me… This is my decision. Gon, goodbye…"
She left Gon and Killua there, frozen, shocked and stunned.
The scene faded again. Another scene appeared. It was in a woods, a very dark one. She could hear a girl crying.
"You dare oppose me…" an eerie voice said.
"Come one, cut her some slack…she loves the boy," another voice, somewhat a little cheerful, said.
"No! I can't allow it. She will be a distraction to my brother. I will have to dispose her before Kaa-san finds out more of this," the eerie voice, a little calmer than just now, said.
"Hmm? What are you going to do?" the cheerful voice asked.
"I will erase her memories and make sure she never remember Killu…"
"Interesting…"
"Then, you will dispose of her."
"What? Why me?"
"Because you're good at it. But, don't kill her. She has proven useful to become one of Killu's weaknesses…"
"Find…I'll do it…"
Scarlet sat up in bed, catching her breath. Killua woke up too. He was sleeping beside her bed, on a chair. She stared at him.
"Oh, good…you're awake…" Killua smiled.
He rubbed his eyes, glancing up at the girl. Scarlet was staring at her hands on her lap. She didn't say anything. She looked scared. Killua bit his lower lip. He wanted to apologize but he was afraid that could cause her to throw a tantrum or something.
"Onii-chan, let's go now. You promised," Alluka interrupted their moment together.
"You're going?" Scarlet asked him.
"Y-Yeah. You've been unconscious for two days… I've promised my sister to start traveling again after two days, which is today," Killua explained.
"I see… Will I…ever see you again?" she asked.
Killua gazed into the girl's eyes. Scarlet stared blankly at him. She wasn't sure, but she felt like she didn't want to lose him. Killua placed his forehead on hers. Her face was red in an instance.
"I…hope you'll find Mana soon…" Scarlet whispered.
"I hope so too… Goodbye…" Killua whispered.
He took one last glance at her before closing her room door. Scarlet's tears trailed down her face. She stared at what Killua had slipped into her right hand. It was a ring, a very familiar ring.
