Chapter 12

My tactless, thick-skinned, and unexpected question shocked Kurapika.

"He" didn't seem to be anticipating my question in that way, though. Or assuming it would come up at all. Based mostly on her response at this point, I was able to make a reasonably certain assumption about her gender. After observing her face's discoloration and reddening, I had little room for doubt. However, I couldn't be certain until I heard a spoken response.

I had been wary and doubtful of Kurapika's lovely bishōnen-Ikemen face and voice, which seemed to straddle the line between man and woman in look, tone, and pitch, thanks to Severus.

Leorio, the stereotypically macho, testosterone-filled man, seemed to be thinking the same thing as he struggled to understand Kurapika's adorable features and distinctive appearance. He was a basic, uncouth old man despite having a great education and mind. He watched Kurapika through his glasses and kept a watchful eye on "him" as he waited for "his" response.

I wasn't sure if Leorio never asked in the episodes because of the shōnen plot's prevailing power or the shōnen genre's oppression, or if he wasn't interested in the answer. Or perhaps he did, but it wasn't captured on camera… However, based on his curious expression right now, I could deduce that the shōnen force was most likely preventing him from asking. The plot's and genre's dissuading characteristics were horrendous…

Thankfully, as a reincarnator, I was immune to all of these annoying and bothersome things, so I didn't have to worry about them. I could do as I pleased, and I was already doing it.

"A… Am I a woman? I presumed it was self-evident that I was a man… Why are you suddenly interrogating me?" Kurapika's face grew more and more brightly red. She even had her tattered hands covering her chest. Indifferent to guilt or shame, I regarded that flat chest with a cruelly inquisitive gaze.

I had a strong affection for flat things. But unlike the other body types I also admired, I wasn't very skilled at identifying and doing in-depth research into flat surfaces…

… I had a thought pop into my head.

I blurted out, with a sly smile. "You wonder why I'm asking this now, huh? Just let it be known that I am a man who values accurate research and fact-finding."

"Gon, you kid…" Leorio murmured as he gave me a stinky, uncomfortable look.

I returned the same look, implying that he didn't need to expose me because I was indeed what he thought I was—a pervert. Men needed to support one another through thick and thin because they had it tough. Men should not be outing each other when there is work to be done and important issues to be addressed.

If he thought I was doing something else, I'd be thrilled… In the future, I would directly have one less rival for love.

Leorio gave me a stern stare. But then, with a deadpan, he shook his head and went back to being silent. He then grabbed a cigarette from one of his pockets before leaving the room; he was macho, not sluggish in the head.

"Where are you headed?" Leorio left so abruptly that Kurapika, who was generally an introverted being and didn't seem to know who she really was, questioned. She really wasn't a social creature… This was most likely because she was a loner since the Kurta incident.

"I'm going outside to smoke for a moment." Leorio answered, turning away from us. He got ready to shut the door.

"Where were we again?" I grinned and remarked as soon as the door closed.

"What on earth is going on, Gon? What are you trying to do?" Kurapika inquired, her voice shaking.

The big snake in the room had stopped eating. He had lost his appetite. Before I cut short the joke that was frightening the helpless woman, he shot me an accusatory and acidic look.

I huffed. I also sneered at Severus, who had misunderstood me and was harboring far too many immoral thoughts for someone his age. Even though he was an adult snake, he would always be my child in my eyes and in my heart.

Feeling generous, I told. "Don't misunderstand me, Kurapika; I'm merely interested in you… Should we reach a compromise? I have an unusual skill. If you tell me what your true gender is, how about we strike a deal?"

"A skill? What kind of talent do you have?" Kurapika relaxed, but she still regarded me with suspicion and skepticism. Her eyes were also filled with curiosity and a strong desire for strength. She didn't immediately dismiss my claims and intentions. She appeared to have seen a little of the world.

I didn't mince words or try to be diplomatic. I let her know. "You can get strength from me either after or during the test. Everything will depend on how harsh I decide to be to the other candidates and how close we can get… I don't mean this in a twisted way, of course. I just need to be absolutely certain of your identity… I have more worthwhile things to do. I won't make an extra effort to assist someone I don't believe in and who does not have complete faith in me."

"Give me some power… How precisely are you going to do that?" Kurapika's expression became more menacing, and her voice became more urgent.

I smiled, knowing she was probably thinking about some web-weaving bandits. "Until you demonstrate some sincerity, and we can land, we won't move forward with discussions and negotiations. But I have a few choices. I can support you however I see fit, lending, giving… as long as I believe it will be to my advantage. For the moment, you only need to be aware of these facts…"

"You can lend me power?" Kurapika asked with shock and desire. She had seen my strength earlier.

"Hahaha… Yes, but don't be greedy and obsess over anything you saw on me. I worked hard to gain my current strength..." I laughed. She was thinking about lovely ideas. Of course, I wasn't going to give her anything from me.

Kurapika experienced a flush. Her graceful and lovely ideas had just been read to me as if they were a book.

… She would regrettably come to realize that nothing in this world was free or easy… Not that she wouldn't find out eventually in the conventional plot… But unlike Nen vows and Nen covenants, I wasn't interested in her lifespan.

I asked when she went quiet. "What will you do then? Mr. or Mrs. Kurapika… Will you tell me the truth about yourself in the most frank and open manner possible?"

After a minute, Kurapika started to respond. "I… I am… I am a…"

The words were spoken slowly at first, but after a while there was much less hesitancy, and I grinned as I listened intently.

I wasn't surprised when she finally responded fully. Because I had foreseen and hoped for more than just her acceptance of my offer… However, after learning the truth about her and realizing what I had assumed, I was unsure whether Leorio and her two other friends were simply that gender analphabetic, or if the world was this different.

By the time we disembarked from the big boat and landed, such were my foolish thoughts. I totally overlooked the fact that I would still be ignorant of gender if it weren't for the kingsnake that likes to wrap itself around my body.

I don't believe I'd have made available my services so quickly if not for his humble reservations.

Even before we boarded the ship, he was already my real MVP.

He didn't want me to think of him as my kid, so I changed the rhyme I usually use and listened to what he was saying. It was just that once the habit of acting like a micromanaging mother was formed, it was harder to break.