Forbidden Request

After a long while, Killua finally released Gon from his tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, Killua." Gon lowered his head, anxiously twisting the hem of his clothes between his fingers. His voice was filled with guilt. "I shouldn't have ignored you and charged ahead on my own."

"Idiot." Killua rubbed his messy black hair. A relieved smile finally tugged at the corners of his mouth, the lingering fear in his eyes gradually replaced by warmth. "What nonsense are you saying? You're all right. That's all that matters."

The two exchanged a smile. The little unpleasantness caused by their argument completely vanished in this moment of reunion after surviving death.

Nanika quietly leaned against Killua's side, her small hand clutching his clothes. Her pure-black pupils stared unblinkingly at the side of Killua's face. Only when Killua's gaze swept over her did the corners of her mouth curve slightly, revealing a smile so faint it was almost impossible to see.

Inside the medical pod, Netero watched the two of them, a trace of gentleness flashing through his eyes. Zeno leaned against the wall and silently shook his head. Illumi hid in the shadows, the silver needles at his fingertips gleaming coldly. The three men, each of whom had lived for nearly a century, watched the two youths with complicated feelings.

In the corner, Saitama rose onto his tiptoes and stared fixedly in Nanika's direction, creeping toward her with tiny, nearly silent steps.

After he had moved three steps, he happened to meet Zeno's gaze as the old man turned around.

His body abruptly stiffened. With a whoosh, he straightened his back, clasped his hands behind him, stretched his neck rigid, and instantly tilted his head up forty-five degrees, staring fixedly at the ceiling.

Only then did he slowly begin humming "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm"