Chapter 53 : Day After Tomorrow!!

January 21, two days after encountering the "Nen Exorcist" Abengane.

Germain made his way back to the Princeton Hotel, the walls adorned with imitation oil paintings glowing softly with light as he walked. Strange figures, both men and women, drifted past him in the corridor.

Standing before room 1514, Germain rapped lightly on the door, allowing those inside a moment to prepare before he swiped his room card to gain entry.

"I'm back," Germain announced, though there was no immediate response.

After securing the door, he stepped into the opulent suite. Its spacious hall and open-air balcony bespoke luxury, and the three independent rooms were equipped with every amenity imaginable.

Naturally, room service was top-notch.

Bisky and Shizuku were engrossed in a game of chess beside the sofa. Bisky, brow furrowed in concentration, leaned over the board, while Shizuku sat back, an air of calm about her.

"This game of chess..." Bisky pondered for a moment before looking up suddenly, as if just noticing Germain's arrival. "Ah, Germain, you're back?"

Startled, she stood up abruptly, inadvertently upsetting the chessboard and sending black and white pieces tumbling to the floor.

"Oh, Shizuku, look what I've done... I'm terribly sorry." Bisky apologized, hands clasped together in embarrassment. "I've been rather scatterbrained lately..."

"It's alright," Shizuku reassured, unperturbed. She began gathering the scattered chess pieces, returning them to their positions on the board with practiced ease, adjusting her glasses as she did so.

"I remember where they all were."

Bisky's demeanor shifted from frustration to contrition in an instant, her expression now gentle and understanding, as if the incident had never occurred.

"Shizuku, now that Germain is back, our collaboration is of utmost importance and should take precedence. Let's set the chess aside for today, shall we?"

Without awaiting Shizuku's response, Bisky adopted a demure pose, hands clutching the hem of her skirt as she approached Germain.

"Germain, what did the doctor say?" she inquired, concern etched in her features.

A few days prior, Germain had visited the "Nen Exorcist" to rid himself of a "negative trait," with all his "Pressure" dissipating through Bisky's "Ms. Cookie."

However, a lingering "ailment" remained, as Germain had mentioned before.

Curiously, Shizuku set the chessboard aside, his attention now fully on Germain's response.

"I first went to the public hospital for a thorough examination. They believed my narcolepsy to be more of a 'psychological issue' and recommended I see a psychiatrist."

"So, I turned to the 'Hunter-specific website' and searched for renowned psychiatrists nearby."

"After a discussion, the specialist concluded that I was too guarded and unwilling to open up, making conventional psychological treatment for narcolepsy unlikely."

Upon hearing this, Bisky was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter, hands clasped in amusement.

"What's 'too stubborn'? Weren't you kicked out by a psychiatrist? Hahaha... I'm laughing so hard..."

If it weren't for her refined demeanor, she would have almost rolled on the carpeted floor with laughter.

Germain remained composed despite Bisky's mockery. He retrieved a piece of paper from his dark cloak.

"Nevertheless, he still prescribed a treatment plan for me, which includes maintaining a balance between work and rest, increasing physical activity, psychological counseling, medication, and so on."

Bisky gradually ceased laughing, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingers, then picked up the white paper, quickly scanning its contents before nodding repeatedly.

"Just follow the psychiatrist's advice. There's nothing wrong with these plans, and the medications are standard. Ultimately, it's up to you to manage and alleviate the narcolepsy."

Bisky returned the psychiatrist's instructions to Germain.

Germain folded them twice, turning them into small squares before tucking them into the pocket within the hunter's dark cloak.

"Have you obtained everything on the list?" Germain settled onto a solitary sofa, its plushness threatening to engulf half his body. "You should have acquired everything by now, right?"

"More or less."

Bisky perched on a swing chair suspended between two wooden posts, gripping the ropes tightly and swaying gently.

"Shizuku and I handled most of it ourselves. I made a few additional purchases on my own initiative. In any case, the combined funds of the three of us are quite sufficient. Provided, of course, you didn't swindle me, otherwise I'd be out a lot of money."

Shizuku straightened the chessboard and brought over a fruit platter adorned with apples, oranges, strawberries, peaches, and the like, all uncut and merely rinsed under the faucet.

"According to the original plan, we'll rest tomorrow. Departure is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, correct?" Shizuku popped a plump strawberry into her mouth. "Is there anything else?"

"That should be all, right?" Bisky reached for a strawberry and bit into it. After a couple of bites, she grimaced. "Wow, it's so tart. How did you manage to eat it?"

"I reckon it's rather tasty," Shizuku remarked stoically as she consumed the third strawberry. "Not every strawberry is as sour as this."

Bisky sighed, selecting an apple and cautiously taking a bite. Upon confirming its sweetness, she resumed eating.

"Shizuku, like me, you were brought here temporarily," Bisky began, "Have you ever 'traveled' with Germain before? Don't you harbor any doubts? You always seem so composed."

"I don't fully trust Germain either," Shizuku replied while peeling an orange, her fingertips stained yellow. "But Germain is correct; some things can only be confirmed firsthand."

"I see," Bisky nodded, extending her palm toward Shizuku, gesturing for a piece of orange. "In this aspect, you two are quite alike."

Shizuku gazed at Bisky's white-gloved hands before comprehending and placing the orange peel onto her palm. "Thank you," she said.

Bisky withdrew her hand, silently inspecting the complete orange peel before discarding it into the trash.

"There's still a process to undergo," Germain announced, producing his cellphone and accessing the memo, which he then placed on the tea table. 

"This is the 'Dark Continent Experience' I've compiled. Take a look."

Bisky became intrigued, picking up the phone and swiftly scrolling through the content.

The material wasn't extensive; she finished reading it in ten minutes and began reviewing it again.

Shizuku joined her this time, their heads close together beside Bisky. As Bisky's fingers navigated the screen, their six eyes moved in sync, occasionally blinking in unison.

********

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