Day 2: About her Parents

Cornelia got the box ready. She counted the packages over and over again to make sure that they were in the right amount. Her mother was busy in the kitchen, preparing some breakfast for everyone. Once she was done, she went to help her mother.

"Is it ready?" her mother asked.

"Yes, Kaa-chan. I'll head out after lunch like always," she replied calmly.

She placed the plates on the table and went to get the plate of bacon her mother had fried. Gon came down the stairs. He smiled when he saw her. She gave out a small smile to him. She placed the next plate full of toasts on the table. After that, they sat down. Her father was already out for the day along with Ging, saying that they had some things to discuss.

"Let's eat then," Mrs Koizumi smiled.

Gon saw the box near the front door. He asked, "Are you heading out?"

Munching on her toast, the girl replied, "Yes...after lunch."

They ate quietly after she answered. Mrs Koizumi glanced up at both of them. A smile formed across her face. Gon was watching Cornelia as she ate. She was bothered by it but she didn't want to care. When they were done, he helped her do the dishes while her mother went to the living room to read her book.

"Can I ask?" Gon suddenly spoke.

"What is it?" she asked without looking at him.

Gon took a glimpse at the living room, replying, "Forget what I said..."

They were done with the dishes. The girl went upstairs to pack her clothes. Gon went to the living room. He saw Mrs Koizumi on the sofa, reading a quite thick book. She smiled at him when she saw him looking at her. Gon gave out a small smile.

"I hear you're from Whale Island..." she started a conversation.

"Yeah. I was raised there. Ging was born there..." the boy explained.

Ging and Mr Koizumi announced that they were back. The two turned to them. Mrs Koizumi stood up to prepare some coffee for them. Gon observed her. She looked frail but she was high spirited. The two men sat in the living room, still chatting about something of no importance to Gon.

"Gon..." Mr Koizumi called.

"Yes?" Gon turned to look at him.

The man smiled and asked, "Will you look after Cornelia?"

"What do you mean?" the boy was confused, looking at his father.

"We're going to whale Island with her," Ging explained.

Gon was a bit surprised. The two men said they had discussed this with each other. Cornelia could not say no because it is where they come from.

"It will take about three days to get to that island. Plus, you have to walk a few miles to get to a town that has a port," Mr Koizumi explained.

"Where is that?" Gon asked.

"North from here..." they heard an answer.

All eyes turned to Cornelia. She didn't look happy. Mr Koizumi gave out a small smile to her. She went straight to her mother to help her with the coffee.

"Kaa-chan, I can't seem to find my favourite yellow dress and my scarf," she muttered.

"Oh, I hang your dress in another wardrobe... I'll get that for you. I haven't seen your scarf anywhere," the mother replied.

"Okay... Why is Tou-san making them come with me?" she complained.

Chuckling, her mother replied, "Consider them going to head to their home. They are after all, from that island..."

"Hmmm..." Cornelia hummed.

Her mother went to serve the men their coffee. Cornelia made some tea for herself. Then, she went back to her room to double check her belongings.

"Do you have everything?" Mrs. Koizumi asked her daughter.

"Your box of 6 packages of flour...my backpack... Yup, I have everything," the girl replied.

"Be back in a week, right?" Mr. Koizumi asked.

Cornelia nodded to his words. She bid them farewell and started her walk out of town. Gon insisted on helping her carry the box even though it was just a small box. Cornelia slowly shook her head. He and Ging walked behind her in case if anything happened. They soon reached the exit of town. The road to the next town is quiet and a bit dark because it is surrounded by the forest. Some insects and bugs were making sound. Gon and Ging glanced up at her. She took a deep breath and stepped into the road.

"Is the road always like this?" Gon asked.

"Used to it..." was all she replied.

Gon and Ging looked at each other. They followed her through the road. Cornelia didn't say a word as she carried the box. She could sense that they were being watched but she hardly cared. She is a hunter and as a hunter, she was taught to always stay calm and strong. Gon approached her.

"We're being watched…" he whispered.

"I know, but if we don't stop, they won't make a move," Cornelia replied.

Gon looked at her and said, "You really are used to this, huh?"

Cornelia sighed, staring at the road in front of her. "Kaa-chan was struck by an incurable disease when I was seven. Tou-san is…well, he was really devastated to hear the news. He didn't want to leave side up to now, so he's been doing simple works around town as a plumber, carpenter…things he's capable of doing."

"This flour?" Gon asked.

"Kaa-chan is a great baker. We use our own processed flour for it. It is our secret ingredient. By the time she knew she couldn't do much work, she decided to sell her flour around the globe. I had to deliver them," she continued.

They soon arrived at the neighbouring town. Cornelia headed straight for the port to buy them tickets. She left the box with Gon and Ging.

"What'd you talk about?" Ging asked.

"Her mother and how she ended up doing this work…" Gon explained.

"We are going back, right? I haven't seen Mito for a long time," Ging asked.

Gon nodded. "Can we bring her with us?" he asked.

Cornelia suddenly came by with three tickets. She told them that they still had an hour before the ship would depart. They decided to grab something to eat. They went to Cornelia's favourite restaurant. She was a regular there. The cashier and some of the waiters greeted her happily. She flashed a smile to them and took a seat.

"How have you been, Cornelia?" a waiter asked.

Cornelia took the menu from him, replying, "Good. How are you, James?"

"Never better. I'll get back to the three of you," James replied.

Gon and Ging schemed through the menu. Cornelia did the same thing. Ging asked her what she would recommend them to eat. She told them the first food she had and her most favourite one. She also told them what not to order unless they are challenging themselves to eat it. Gon noticed that she could go on and on about what she likes and what she doesn't like. They ordered the food, ate and then, left to head to the port. Gon held the box for her. She didn't argue this time. They were out of topic to talk about.

"So, have you ever travelled after becoming a hunter?" Ging suddenly asked.

Cornelia turned to him, explaining, "No. I have to take care of Kaa-chan and Tou-san. She has a disease and he's not doing that great. He's been blaming himself for her illness."

"That explains a lot…" Gon muttered.

"What do you mean?" Cornelia asked.

"Your parents are worried about you. You're too distant and you have no close friends," he explained.

"I don't need friends. They're just going to drag you down," she sighed.

"What do you mean?" the black-haired boy asked.

"One time I have this friend. She was great and very nice. I've been bullied a lot. She would come help me up on my feet again. Then, one day, it was her birthday…Kaa-chan fell down the stairs. I was already by her house that time when the news came. I was forced to leave, but she didn't let me. She made me choose and of course, I'd choose my mother…" she explained, sighing, "After that…I didn't want to have friends if they're going to make me choose things like that."

Gon nodded. "You're right. I mean, your friends should know that your mom is more important. She was at fault," he remarked.

The ship came and the boarded it with ease. Cornelia decided to take a rest in a cabin she rented. She took the box with her. Gon decided to help around the ship like he would always do, so his father tagged along. He was still trying to understand how his son has turned out to be.

"Ging…" Gon spoke up.

"What's up?" the father asked.

"Can I be honest…?" he asked.

"What is it? I am your father…so you can tell me anything," the older black-haired said.

"I think I'm falling for her…" Gon sighed.

"Do you always fall in love with a damsel in distress?" Ging joked.

Gon blurted, "What? No! I mean…she's interesting, quite strong in nature. I mean, she has no friends, but she doesn't seem lonely."

Ging smirked. "You are falling for her…" he cooed.

Blushing, Gon replied, "Well, yes, I am. She made me want to take care of her. You know, be by her side, listening to her troubles and stuff…"

"Yes, you said the same thing about Mana that one time…" Ging remarked.

"Mana's different. She has to be protected. She's very vulnerable, not that Cornelia isn't. Cornelia is vulnerable too, but she never showed it to others," Gon explained.

"You know this for a fact?" Ging raised a brow.

Gon puffed his cheeks angrily. "It's so hard to reason with you!" he complained.

Ging laughed at his son's reaction. He knew that his son was pissed off, but he wanted Gon to think things through before really deciding what to do. He wanted Gon to be sure of his feelings towards Cornelia. He didn't want her to end up like Mana and leaving Gon the way the scarlet-haired did. He wanted his son to be happy.