The Charm of the Blood-Red Eyes

Coleman had no real interest in controlling or possessing others.

He preferred to appreciate how humans behaved when they were in a state of semi-freedom.

Or, perhaps, he enjoyed watching their reactions when they realized they were being held captive by a madman.

But Coleman did not like to control people.

He found that to be far too boring.

Only those who were free could express the most complete range of emotions.

So, why would he want to restrict their freedom?

If he did that, how could Coleman observe his artistic materials?

However, if the situation called for it, he could certainly act as if he were a madman with an intense possessive streak.

Doing so would satisfy the empathy and desires of certain people.

It would also allow him to blend in perfectly among this group of emotionally unstable individuals.

Why wouldn't he do it?

Although Coleman was, in fact, quite abnormal himself.

Compared to some of the more pathological members of the Zoldyck Family, he was perfectly normal, thank you very much.

He was merely an elegant gentleman.

Besides, intentionally exposing an obvious weakness was far better than letting those insects who loathed the Zoldycks investigate him blindly.

A glaring weakness could resolve a great many troublesome matters.

Including his father's desire to understand him.

It was just a persona; Coleman had simply chosen the role that was least likely to collapse and fit the Zoldyck Family perfectly.

Furthermore, as long as he established the perception that "Coleman is a sick child" in their minds, the persona would never break.

If someone is deeply disturbed, can you really expect them to act normally?

Anything he did would be considered excusable.

Including staying up all night, climbing onto the roof, and drinking full-sugar coffee while admiring the moon.

Even if it were a new moon that night.

Even if the moon only showed a sliver.

But then again, isn't that what makes a madman so unique?

Sitting on the family airship, Coleman gazed at the sky outside with a smile on his face.

His posture was upright, his movements elegant, like a nobleman who strictly adhered to etiquette.

It would have been even better if he could ignore the incessant chirping of Hisoka beside him.

"Hey, little gentleman, I've said so much, don't you have any reaction at all?"

Hisoka stood to the side, leaning over to bring his gaze level with Coleman, who was sitting primly on the bench, and blinked his eyes.

"Aren't you even a little jealous?"

Having spent half the day bragging—both overtly and covertly—about how close he had become with Illumi lately, Hisoka felt this child should be jealous by now.

He had wanted to tease him, after all.

Why was he so calm?

It didn't make sense.

If he were to brag to Illumi about how close he was with Coleman, Illumi would...

Well, he might just ignore him entirely.

"Do you know how Illumi sits when he eats?"

"..."

"Do you know if Illumi kicks off his blankets in the middle of the night?"

"..."

"Do you know Illumi's little habits when he walks?"

"..."

Looking at the bewildered Hisoka with a serious expression, Coleman smiled slightly.

Heh, trash.

Just a piece of trash who only knows how to pester my brother for a fight.

Curving his lips, he set down his coffee cup without even sparing him a glance.

"No, you don't."

"But I do."

Having said that, he smiled and looked at the person who had already frozen in place.

Was there even any point in comparing these things?

Little pervert.

Why wouldn't I be jealous of you?

Because there is absolutely no need to.

He stood up, lightly rose onto his tiptoes, leaned close to Hisoka's ear, and whispered softly.

"Shh, my dear magician, do not try to sow discord between Illumi and me."

"Because, you see, he and I have been the same person since the moment we were born."

So, since 'I' have acquired an interesting tool, why would I ever be jealous?

A current of air brushed past his ear, but Hisoka felt no warmth at all.

It was clearly just words, yet they made him feel as if Coleman already had a blade pressed against his throat.

It felt as if, should he become the slightest bit displeased, his life would be forfeit.

There was not a shred of killing intent, and the attitude was incredibly ambiguous.

Yet, it radiated a bone-chilling cold.

It was as if he had been thrust ten thousand meters into the sky in an instant, his throat constricted by the thin air and freezing currents.

His eyes widened, Hisoka shocked.

This guy...

His entire body's muscles tensed, with only a sliver of consciousness controlling his nerves to prevent him from reacting impulsively.

This was the Zoldyck Family's airship.

If he made a move, he would surely die without a burial place.

Sensing the boy before him stiffen, Coleman chuckled.

He tilted his head, his blood-red pupils swirling like stars.

Enticing those who had wandered into this place.

Dazed, bewildered.

His body felt as if it were sinking uncontrollably, chasing after that flash of red.

But what lay on the path ahead?

Nothing but an endless abyss painted in blood.

Dangerous, magnificent.

Knowing he shouldn't get close, yet unable to pull himself away.

Hisoka stared into that crimson hue, but quickly broke free.

Cold sweat drenched his body.

He forced a smile and abruptly backed away.

"What are you afraid of? I wouldn't eat you, little magician."

The voice was melodious, like the allure of a siren.

But Hisoka knew that within this beauty lay only endless murderous intent.

He held his palm toward Coleman in a gesture of refusal.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to."

He smiled, for the first time so forced, so bitter.

Yet, in his heart, he felt fortunate; it was a good thing he had broken free from that spiderweb-like restraint.

Otherwise, he might have ended up headless.

Swallowing unconsciously, Hisoka was certain that there was definitely something supernatural about this child's pupils!

Something was wrong, very wrong.

Feeling his heart pounding, Hisoka felt annoyed with his own actions for the first time.

But, in the very next second, he felt incredibly excited!

This would be an interesting guy!

I want to become friends with him!

Having regained his composure, Hisoka noticed that the child before him seemed to have gleaned some information from his expression.

The transition from confusion to realization happened in an instant.

Then, he heard the white-haired, red-eyed boy's attitude suddenly take a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.

He smiled, held a finger to his lips, and winked: "Shh, this is a secret, okay? Don't tell big brother."

Coleman only had a vague understanding of his own eyes.

But he knew that these eyes were quite miraculous.

They could bewitch enemies to a certain extent.

Moreover, he quite liked their color, so he had no intention of telling anyone else about this interesting little quirk.

Not even his brother.

He would just treat it as a bit of brotherly fun.

He really looked forward to the expression on his brother's face when he finally figured it out.

He would surely be surprised and annoyed.

Watching Coleman's expressions shift, Hisoka could guess a thing or two about what he was thinking.

By the time he understood what this little guy was planning, his expression had already shifted from astonishment to amusement and helplessness.

"OK, fine. You two really know how to play."

"Mmhmm, you don't have a brother, so you wouldn't understand."

"Even if I did, I still wouldn't understand!"

Hisoka scoffed; who would play games like this with their own brother for no reason?

Coleman curled his lip in disdain, looking at Hisoka as if he were a lost cause. "What do you know? This is called a sense of mystery."

It was an essential skill for hooking a madman: maintain mystery.

Make him feel like you have endless secrets waiting for him to uncover.

That way, he would keep wasting his time on you.

So, what was wrong with being a bit of a riddle-maker?

Hisoka fell into deep thought.

Even so, wasn't this the kind of skill used to pick up girls?

Could this stuff be used universally?

Hisoka: I often feel out of place with you people because I'm not perverted enough.

"Alright, stop thinking about it. Just wait in the town in front of Kukuroo Mountain for a while."

The Zoldyck Family refused to let people without an appointment visit their home.

All things considered, the Zoldyck estate was practically a tourist attraction, after all.

"Hey, but I'm a guest, aren't you going to invite me in for a tour?"

"No."

Coleman refused with a blank expression.

He squinted, watching the sun slowly rise on the horizon.

Right, the night was over, and it was time for him to go to sleep.

He turned his head to look at Hisoka, who looked like an abandoned puppy.

He felt a flash of disgust.

Then, he suddenly realized why his brother was so repulsed by Hisoka.

He was so clingy, just like a big dog!

"You could go look for my brother; maybe he'll agree."

"Then can I go in by myself?"

To this, Coleman only smiled without a word.

"I suggest you don't. If it were another time, it might be fine, but right now the entire family's security should be very tight. Besides, I don't think you want to end up on the Zoldyck Family's blacklist."

His smile carried a hint of a threat.

Coleman didn't want this useful tool to be snuffed out by his father.

"There is an Underground Arena near the Zoldyck estate where you can earn some extra cash. There's also a casino; that's not bad either, but be careful."

Coleman handed over a map, pointing to the two circled locations as he spoke slowly.

"Just don't get caught by someone who's embarrassed and angry, and I believe you can manage that."

"Oh, so that means Coleman is a regular, then."

"...Shut up. No one will mistake you for a mute."

Gritting his teeth, Coleman said in a low voice.

If one of his father's subordinates heard this, wouldn't he be done for?!

A brat running to the casino for no reason—as if he didn't have enough missions from the Zoldyck family already!