Episode 23: Meeting A New Acquaintance

The next morning, the ship had already docked and Kurapica and I were getting ready to get off.

We had already arrived at our destination, the City of Phalytes.

He walked down the plank onto firm ground and then reached out for my hand to help me down just like what a gentleman should do.

" Thank you, Kurapica-san, " I said gratefully.
" Hikari, we have to fetch Senritsu from the airport. Her flight will be coming in at noon. So, we'll be there to meet up with her. We'll leave this city tomorrow so meanwhile we'll just spend the night in a hotel, " he explained to me about today's plan. " Before that, we'll have an early lunch to make up for our skipped breakfast. "

I nodded, eager to meet Senritsu who was clearly someone Kurapica really trust.

Finally…!

Today, I'm going to meet her at last…!

It was partly my fault about our skipping breakfast since there was only one sandwich left in his pack. He had time to pack only two sandwiches and one of which I had keenly ate. I told him to take the other one earlier on since I have had my share but he refused to do so.

Boy, he is really stubborn sometimes…!

I kept insisting for him to eat it and not mind me since he, himself had had nothing to eat seeing as he had much less never even eaten for the whole of yesterday except for breakfast at Mito-san's. He obstinately declined and instead kept offering it to me.

" If you don't want to eat, Kurapica-san then I won't eat as well! "

That was what I had told him and huffily turned away.

I smiled at that thought, my anger dissipating quickly.

It was really impossible for me to stay angry at him for long…

I'm really glad and fortunate to have met him…

Although, I did not like him at the start…

But, once you did get to know him…

He's not bad at all…!

After lunch, both of us headed over to the airport to wait for Senritsu's flight to come in at noon since we were there early.

" Kurapica, did you sleep yesterday? " I asked him suddenly that he was caught

off-guard.

" Uhm, yeah, I guess so. "

I sighed and went over to stand in front of him.

" What do you mean you guess so? " I asked him, putting my hands on my hips. " Did you or did you not? "

" Maybe…a little, " he answered.

I studied his face carefully, especially his eyes.

" You're lying, Kurapica-san! " I cried out. " There are black circles under your eyes! You didn't sleep a wink last night! Just what were you doing? "

Kurapica looked away.

" Kurapica-san? " I continued, determined not to let this go.

" I can't sleep, " was all he answered.

I did not look too convinced.

" Kurapica-san, you are lying again, aren't you? I saw you yesterday, nodding off, about to go off into Lala Land. You were sleepy, alright. I know you were but if you don't want to tell me then it's fine. If you don't want to speak your mind, then tell me frankly, I won't mind if you do. "

The seventeen-year-old looked shocked at my outburst.

" I'm just worried about you, Kurapica-san. I know that I'm also troubling you but I'll try my best not to, " I added, in a more tender voice.

After a few minutes, Senritsu arrived to greet us.

She was a short and chubby woman with long pink-coloured hair with her teeth protruding out.

" Hello Hikari. It's a pleasure to meet you at last. Kurapica's told me all about you, " Senritsu told me in a soft and soothing voice.

Instantly, I knew that I would be able to get along very well with her and soon becoming good friends.

I kneeled down before her and gave her a huge and welcoming smile.

" Hello Senritsu-san! " I cried out, cheerfully and gave her a hug.

" Call me Senritsu is more than enough, my dear. "

She laughed at my behaviour and hugged me back.

It was in the mid afternoon that we managed to obtain hotel rooms because a lot of them were all booked up and there were no vacancies left. Two rooms, to be exact.

I was sharing with Senritsu while Kurapica took the other room.

However, right now, all of us were assembled in Kurapica's room.

" After this, we will be making our way to York Shin City, " Kurapica informed us.

" York Shin City? " I echoed.

Senritsu nodded.

" Yes, York Shin is a city where the biggest auction takes place only once every year. "

" So, what are we doing there? " I asked them.

" I have some business there to take care off, " Kurapica answered, quickly before Senritsu could answer.

" What kind of things does an auction put up? " I pressed.

" Many different and rare things which we don't come across everyday, " Senritsu replied.

I nodded, scrunching up my forehead in concentration.

" Can we go to the auction, then? "

Senritsu looked at Kurapica.

Kurapica nodded his head.

" That's precisely why we're going there, Hikari. "

I grinned.

" I've never been to an auction before! This is going to be so amazing with so many people around and all. "

I could hardly contain my excitement.

" Well, first things first, we have to get to the next city which is Frasia, in time for the blimp ride which will take us to York Shin City, " Kurapica replied.
I nodded energetically.

" Boy, I can't wait! "

That night, when Kurapica knew that Hikari had already fallen asleep, he called Senritsu and told her to meet him at the lobby.

" Kurapica? "

" Senritsu, sorry about the hassle but I need to talk you about something urgently that concerns Hikari, " Kurapica informed her as she took a seat in front of him.

The woman smiled at him knowingly and nodded.

" I want you to look after and watch over her at all cost. "

Senritsu looked at him in puzzlement.

" What do you mean? " she asked.

Kurapica knew that he was breaking his promise that he had made to Hikari at that time when she told him everything about her at Whale Island. He had no choice.

" Senritsu, the reason why I brought Hikari along is because that she is another survivor of the Kuruta Tribe, the tribal Chief's daughter, Hikari Kuruta. "

Senritsu gasped in shock.

"I feel that she is my responsibility, Senritsu. If the Spiders do find her… " he trailed off.

" Kurapica? " Senritsu pressed. " What will happen if the Phantom Brigade do find her? "

" Senritsu, she has the ability to void Nen, " Kurapica answered, meeting her eyes directly. " If the Spiders finds out about this, then we're finished. "

The woman's eyes widened at this.

" You mean… " she trailed off.

Kurapica nodded.

" Yes, what I'm afraid is that Hikari will unintentionally release Kuroro from my control. "

" Oh dear. "

" That's why I need you to cooperate with me, " the seventeen-year-old told her. " since I might not be around most of the time to keep an eye on her. "

" I see, " Senritsu said gravely. " I'll try my best. "

Kurapica nodded.

" Thank you for understanding me, Senritsu. By the way, please do not mention this to anyone which includes Hikari as well. This is only between you and me, Senritsu. "