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Chapter 118: Makomo and the YukimiBotamons' Encounter
"This is...?"
Kanae stared blankly at her own hands, utterly bewildered. Thanks to the Nen Suyan had poured into her, her ghostly form had transitioned from an illusion to something solid and tangible.
But before she could even ask him what was happening, Suyan unceremoniously pulled her onto the bed alongside them.
Suyan had never been able to stand the sight of a crying girl. Especially not one like Shinobu, whom he had already marked in his mind as a future Contracted partner. Furthermore, in all the time he had known her, this was the first time she had ever broken down in front of him.
After she had poured her heart out to him so vulnerably, he forgot all his calculated plans and gave in to impulse, fully materializing Kanae right then and there.
"I'm so sorry, Shinobu," Kanae whispered immediately, not bothering to question the mechanics of her resurrection. Her eyes brimmed with genuine sorrow. "I'm the one who burdened you with all of this. You were never meant to carry this weight... It's all my fault..."
Yet, despite Kanae's heartfelt, overdue apology, Shinobu didn't react at all to the sister she missed so desperately.
"Shinobu?" Suyan lowered his head, looking at the girl in his arms in confusion.
It was only then he realized that—perhaps because she had finally cried and vented the suffocating pressure she had held inside for years, or perhaps because she had subconsciously felt Kanae's presence—Shinobu had experienced her first true moment of peace since her sister's death.
She had fallen fast asleep against his chest.
Her hands still gripped his collar in a death grip, clinging to him like a lifeline, terrified he would disappear.
"Shinobu?" Suyan couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.
He had gone out of his way to give the venomous little Shinobu the ultimate surprise—the chance to see her beloved sister again—and she chose the climax of the reunion to pass out?
What kind of timing was that?
Suyan opened his mouth, preparing to gently wake her.
But Kanae shook her head, stopping him. "Let her sleep," she said softly. "She needs the rest."
Without hesitation, Kanae pressed herself closer, wrapping her arms around both her sister and Suyan in a warm embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered. Her pink eyes gazed deeply at the man before her.
She didn't know what kind of miracle he had performed to make her solid again, but between the kiss her sister had given him and the safe space he had provided for Shinobu to release her trauma, Suyan had more than earned her deepest, most sincere gratitude.
"You don't need to thank me. I am your 'ex-boyfriend,' after all," Suyan chuckled, throwing back the excuse he had used to tease Shinobu earlier.
"Ex-boyfriend?" Kanae blinked, completely lost by the reference.
Suyan didn't bother explaining. Carefully, he pried the sleeping girl from his chest and transferred her into Kanae's waiting arms.
"I'll leave Shinobu to you," Suyan murmured. "I need to step out for a bit."
Without worrying about Kanae watching, he manifested the Dimensional Gate that led to Greed Island directly in the air. Taking the hand of a rather stunned Makomo, he stepped through.
He had previously promised the girls in Greed Island that he would return every night, no matter what. Besides, given the current emotional climate, he couldn't exactly do anything improper with the two sisters anyway.
It was far better to leave Shinobu in Kanae's care and give the siblings a night alone together.
It wasn't until Suyan and Makomo completely vanished from sight that Kanae finally snapped out of her daze.
Looking down at her sleeping sister, she sighed in awe. "This Mr. Suyan... really is a miraculous person, isn't he?"
"Sister... don't go... don't leave me alone..."
In her sleep, Shinobu sensed a shift and let out a string of anxious murmurs. She restlessly buried her face deeper into Kanae's chest.
"Mhm. I'm right here," Kanae replied soothingly.
Just like she used to do when Shinobu was little and ran into her room during thunderstorms, Kanae gently patted her sister's back, humming a soft, comforting lullaby.
Perhaps recognizing that deeply familiar aura, the tension in Shinobu's sleeping brow finally smoothed out completely.
Meanwhile, Suyan had arrived in Greed Island with Makomo.
Perhaps influenced by Shinobu's emotional breakdown, Makomo's spirits seemed a bit low. She hadn't even mentioned the candy she was so desperate for just moments ago.
"Here."
Suyan ruffled Makomo's hair. Using Greed Island's mechanics, he conjured a fresh tin of White Rabbit Creamy Candy and handed it to her. Taking one out, he unwrapped it and popped it directly into her mouth.
"So sweet~"
As the rich sugary flavor exploded on her tongue, Makomo's energy began to return.
Right on cue, the two YukimiBotamons made their appearance. With their signature chirps, they launched themselves like fluffy missiles straight into Suyan's chest.
"Wow! Such cute little puppies~" Makomo exclaimed around the candy in her mouth as she watched the adorable creatures snuggle into Suyan.
"Mi!? Mi!!"
Hearing her words, the two YukimiBotamons shrieked indignantly at Makomo.
Who are you calling a stupid dog!?
Infuriated, they detached from Suyan's chest and launched themselves headfirst into Makomo's forehead like fuzzy bowling balls.
"Ouch! That hurts~" Makomo rubbed her forehead, looking up at Suyan with wide, pitiful eyes.
Suyan picked up the two YukimiBotamons, placing one on each shoulder. He laughed and said, "Little Makomo, you shouldn't call them that. They're YukimiBotamons, not puppies. And strictly speaking, they are your seniors."
Hearing that, the two YukimiBotamons puffed out their chests and chirped proudly at Makomo.
"Mi! Mi!" Their round eyes were filled with absolute superiority.
Think you can just walk in here and claim the spotlight? Know your place, rookie!
"Seniors?" Makomo tilted her head, confused.
"That's right," Suyan said, petting her head. "They've been my Nen Beasts for over two years now."
Makomo: "..."
"Suyan!"
Suddenly, Busujima Saeko's voice rang out from behind them. She had just stepped through the Dimensional Gate, returning to Greed Island.
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