Chapter 45 - Memories x Buried x In Dust

"I shouldn't have won. My dad would've been able to defeat me in the first round…"

"Here's your champion certificate, you can show this to the front desk and they'll give you the prize." The referee walks over and hands it over to Killua.

Instead of getting anything flashy, for example, a trophy, all Killua receives is a piece of paper with some writings on it. But to Killua, it doesn't matter. All he cares about is the final prize.

"Gon! Let's go!" Killua yells and hurries over to the front desk. Gon also runs over but stays a few yards behind him.

"Here you go." The lady hands Killua glass box. Inside the container, lies a ruby-colored round stone around the size of a golf ball.

"This is it, Gon. This is it." Killua looks back and shouts anxiously. "Wait...How do we use it?"

"Oh? You don't know?" The lady says. "You have to melt the stone with Nen to liquid and then the person has to ingest the liquid orally. That's all."

"Oh… I was honestly expecting a better way than this...but sure." Killua murmurs. "Can I melt the stone for him?"

"Sure, but he has to be the only one who touches the liquid though."

"And….last question. Hehe. How do I melt it?"

"You just put your hands around the stone and activate your Nen. But you have to control the amount. You can't apply too much power or the stone will shatter instead of liquify."

"Hmm...alright. Thank!" Killua turns around and runs toward Gon. "Can you lie down here for a second?"

"Huh? Oh okay….Why?" Gon asks as he lowers his body onto the ground.

"Don't ask. Just...trust me." Killua carefully takes the Magic Stone out of its case and raises his hand to directly above Gon's body. With the Stone in his hand, Killua starts to apply Nen.

"Is this...how to recover my memories?" Gon asks.

"Yes… T-trust me, Gon." Killua whispers.

"Mmm… of course."

The Magic Stone begins to gradually melt. Warm liquid in the color red start to drip down.

"Gon! Hurry! Open up!" Killua quickly hovers his hand over Gon's mouth.

"Huh? You want me to drink it?"

"Yes! I know it's weird, but just do it!"

Gon opens his mouth. However, after tasting the first drop, he quickly shuts it again.

"Gon!" What are you doing?! One drop isn't enough!" Killua shouts.

"It's really bitter!" Gon's voice is muffled because he's trying to keep his mouth shut.

"Gon please!" Killua kneels down besides Gon and pleads "Just...a few more!"

"It's the most disgusting thing thing you'll ever taste!" Gon argues.

"But if you do this, you'll be able to taste all of the sweet fruit that'll come after this!" As more and more are dripping down onto the floor and going to waste, Killua knows that if Gon doesn't open his mouth soon, they'll run out.

Slowly, and reluctantly, as if sensing how desperate the situation is right now, Gon opens his mouth back up.

"Thanks… Gon." Killua mutters and lets the rest of the droplet into Gon's mouth.

"Well?" Killua asks after he's done. "Do you feel any different?"

"Mmm...No, not re…" Before Gon can finish his sentence, his body emits out a huge shockwave, blasting everyone outward and sending them smashing into the walls.

"Ow!" Killua winces at the pain. "My arm!"

"No! I can't worry about my broken arm right now. Gon!" Ignoring the pain in his broken left arm, Killua runs toward Gon. "What was that blast?! Gon! Are you alright?!"

"Killua…" Gon mutters.

"Yes?"

"Thank you...for believing in me."

"Huh?"

"You didn't give up on me even when I lost my memories, even when I was a completely different person."

"You have to thank yourself, Gon. You are the one who gave me reasons to believe in you."

"So… are your memories back?"

Gon slowly sits up and smiles. "Yes, Killua, I'm back… Everything will be normal again. We'll be together just like the old times! We'll go on more adventures!"

This sentence… these words are the words Killua wanted to hear the most, they are being said to him at the time when he wants to hear them the most, and from the one person he wants most to hear them from….

But deep inside, Killua knows something. Instead of drowning himself in happiness, Killua brings himself back to reality.

"No. I have to take care of something right now." Killua shakes his head reluctantly.

"What is it? Killua." Gon asks soothingly.

"I have to get strong enough to beat my dad. I owe him something, and I want to repay the debt as soon as possible."

"Ah! So you are in a similar state that I was in four years ago with Hisoka!" Gon shouts as he stands up and begins to walk toward the exit. "Sure, if that's what you want to do, then let's do it together!"

"Gon.." Killua mutters the name of his friend again. Then he gives him a determined nod. "Thanks for wanting to do it with me."

"Wait...Killua. You're crying." Gon lifts his hand and wip es the tears off of his friend's face.

"Y-yeah...I'm really happy… And you'll be by my side again in the future."

"I don't care what we do. It'll be fun. Because it's fun to just be with you!"

Slightly blushing, Killua averts his gaze. "Yeah...you never realize how important someone is to you until you lose him."

Gon silently smiles. And puts his arm on Killua's shoulder.

"All I want right now is to be with you forever." Killua says.

And it is true, that's what Killua always wanted, from the bottom of his heart.

Outside, the sun is gradually setting down the horizon. Even though the day is about to end, Gon and Killua's journey isn't.

Tomorrow will be another day, it'll be the beginning of a brand new adventure.

Something else, something new.

Whatever it is, the two friends will overcome it together.