Episode 14: Ever So Silent

My eyes flew open as I jolted straight up.

Where am I…?

I blinked my eyes several times to clear away the haziness, obscuring my vision. Once my vision had cleared, I examined my surroundings thoroughly. The place was rather familiar to me. I took a closer look and only then did I recognise where I was.

This is where I first revealed my real gender to Mito-san…

This must be her room…

But…

What am I doing here in the first place…?

I did follow them to the Festival…

And then…

I remembered as the images flashed through my mind. I was paired off with Kurapica. Then, came the candy apple incident. After that, there were five men who had provoked me with the wrong intentions and then…there was Kurapica.

My eyes widened as it suddenly dawned on me.

Kurapica…

He saw me, for who I am…

The real me…

A Kuruta Tribe member…

The same goes for him as well…

So, he must have brought me here…

I pushed back the covers and got back on my feet. I took a few wobbly steps before I could fully regain my composure. It was then I noticed something.

A candy apple…?

There, it was, lying on the side table, well-wrapped. With a puzzled frown, I went over and picked it up.

But…

Who bought it for me…?

I knew that I've never told anyone about my love for candy apples...

Or did I…?

I could not remember. I also happened realise that I was not wearing Mito-san's yukata anymore but rather a nightgown that was much too big for me that I practically disappeared inside it with the hem sweeping the floor. I opened the door and stepped outside. I heard their voices from downstairs. It seemed that all of them were downstairs.

They must be waiting for me…

Waiting for me to wake up, I guess…

At the mere thought of it, my heart filled with that warmth that I had once longed desperately for.

" Hikari! "

Mito-san was the first one who saw me just as I was about to enter the room.

" Hikari, we were so worried! " she jumped up and ran over to me, enveloping me in a tight embrace.

" I'm sorry, " I whispered shyly as I breathed in her familiar smell of lilac.

" I'm glad that you're awake, Hikari. How are you feeling now? " the woman asked as she led me over to a chair.

The moment I sat down, Gon immediately started asking whether I was alright.
" I'm fine, Gon. You don't have to worry about me, " I told him, politely.

" Hikari, did you know that Kurapica bought you that candy? " Killua chimed in, noticing that I was holding on to the candy apple.

Very quickly, I glanced over at Kurapica. I was surprised actually. He was not watching me anymore.

It seems like he accepted me already…

Or rather, maybe he was avoiding eye contact with me. Then I knew why, he did not want me to see that he was blushing.

" It's your favourite, isn't it, Hikari-chan? " Mito-san asked me, gently.

Flushing slightly, I nodded.

" I love candy. "

Killua, I noticed, perked up at this.

" Do you like chocolates? " he asked me, finally, looking at her with newfound interest.

" Yes I do, " I answered him.

" You must be famished, after your nightmare. Kurapica told me about it, " the woman told me, placing a bowl of donburi with toppings on it, in front of me. " Here, eat this. I call it Mito-san's Special. Helps you gain your energy back . "

I gave her a grateful smile as I helped myself to the food, hungrily. I dipped my spoon into the gruel and scooped some of it into my mouth.

My smile widened.

" Wow, this is really yummy! " I crooned contentedly. " Mito-san, you really are a very good cook! "

It was then that I was aware of everyone watching me as I ate. I dropped my spoon and blushed, leaping to my feet.

" I'm so sorry! I simply rushed in and not wait for everyone to eat as well. "

Mito-san shook her head.

" You will eat first and we'll eat later, Hikari, " Mito-san insisted, forcing her back onto the chair.

" A-Are you sure? " I began, looking hesitant.

" Hikari, I suggest you eat first and don't worry about us, " Gon reassured me.

" Really? "

I looked around at all of their faces. All of them nodded.

" You eat up, " Mito-san urged.

I nodded.

For the very first time, I felt safe under the watchful eyes of my newfound friends.

That night, try as I might, I still could not fall asleep so I decided to go outside. Quietly, I pulled back the covers and got to my feet. I tread softly across the wooden floor so as not to wake up Mito-san and her mother.

" Hikari? " Mito-san called out softly, her voice ridden with sleep.

Instantly, I froze.

" You can't sleep? " she asked me.

" N-No, I can't, Mito-san. " I answered truthfully. " Would you mind if I went out for a bit of fresh air? "

" No, I don't mind but please don't venture out too far, okay? "

" Sure. Don't worry, I won't, " I reassured her.

Silently, I pulled the door open and crept past the boys' room and went downstairs, not forgetting to bring my candy apple along.

I pushed open the front door and stepped out, taking a deep breath of the unsullied cool night air and exhaled, relishing the sensation as the night breeze wrapped around me in a cool blanket, invigorating me.

" Can't sleep, Hikari? "

Distressed, I whirled around and looked up.

There he was, sitting on the roof, staring down at her with his intense blue eyes, the same colour like mine.