Question

"Eh? What Hiruma said."

After a brief moment of confusion, Killua followed Hiruma's instructions after the latter made an implicit remark.

However, his bouncing transition made his business-like thoughts clear.

Killua did not know what was happening; Milluki was certain of that. He was merely seizing the chance to get something from him.

Hateful!

"Hiruma... So, it was you, you sneaky devil. Did you come to empty my pockets? Who told you about my shipment?"

Milluki said to Hiruma while gasping. His eyes betrayed a sense of helplessness.

"Hehe, of course, it was me. But, hey, do you want me to say it out loud? I don't mind refreshing dearest Killu on some of your maladaptive interests... He'll be more open-minded than the old men."

Hiruma retorted with confidence and mockery.

The instant he did, Milluki furrowed his brows in rage. When Hiruma shook his head indifference and blackmailed, he scowled severely.

"What do you say? You haven't worked out much lately, have you? Let's schedule a few appointments for you. Grandpa won't mind overseeing your new conditioning; he longs for a dependable jogging partner."

Killua chuckled,

"Hehe, Hiruma, you're getting naughtier."

Hiruma's mouth arched in a significant way.

The fat man reminded him with gritted teeth as his face darkened at the insults,

"Dammit! I'm your older brother, you unmerciful midgets, show some fucking deference."

Unapologetic, Hiruma only added a new point.

"How can you be a big brother if you can't support a few of our costs?

Thanks for the early patronage, big bro."

Milluki stumbled as he sat down.

"..."

Helpless, there was repugnance in his tone when he sighed,

"Hmph. Alright, stop; I got the message. When did you get so clever, you dwarf? Aren't you 8? What do you want?"

Hiruma grinned with love.

"I knew I could count on you, big brother,"

Milluki made a contemptuous snort,

"Stop calling me that; it feels disgusting."

Shrugging him off, Hiruma turned to Killua with a smirk,

"You go ahead."

--

--

A minute later,

A spacious hallway in the castle,

"What are you going to do with that money, Killua?"

Hiruma eyed his big brother closer in age as he asked curiously.

"I think I'll have Gotoh buy some chocolate for me outside; why?"

Killua smiled as he counted a stack of bills. He was a little different in this life because he could play with Hiruma.

On the other hand, the boy got along best with the cursed Alluka, who was imprisoned in her small dungeon for the sake of the people's safety.

His feelings for the girl were unbounded, but she rarely walked the corridors.

For years, it's been more like never*...

"Well, perhaps you could have him get me some?"

Hiruma asked, smiling; he wanted to get closer to his brother. It could start with them sharing similar interests in sweets.

He preferred ice cream and fruit-flavored sweets, but he wouldn't be such a picky eater if it meant achieving some of his goals by being friendly.

"Sure thing. Didn't think you were big on this stuff, though."

Killua stated.

Hiruma grinned and was about to respond when he heard cushy steps.

The Zoldyck Castle's corridors were architecturally designed and lit only by candles.

Heels echoed through the dark passage in the aristocratic atmosphere before two figures emerged.

They then came to a halt.

The scowling Killua was the first to react when he saw them. He quickly glanced at Hiruma and said,

"I'll be going first."

Hiruma nodded silently.

"Killu..."

Kikyo had Kalluto's hand in hers. When Killua walked coldly past her, she couldn't help but utter in a longing tone.

"Mother."

Killua greeted without turning back, his hands holding his money.

Hiruma smirked as he watched him do so. He wouldn't bother responding if it were the original.

In his opinion, the woman was nothing more than a bug, and he was willing to kill her if necessary.

"Killu..."

Kikyo fixed her gaze on her white-haired child's back.

When she was finished and returned to her spirits, she turned to Hiruma and asked,

"Hiruma, what were you doing with your brother?"

Kalluto listened with attention when Hiruma replied,

"Just hassling Milluki a bit."

Kikyo shuddered as she learned of her children's wickedness. From pure pleasure... Then, with a joy that Hiruma had rarely seen on her face, she said,

"Your birthday's tomorrow, don't sleep too late; I'll send Kalluto to wake you up in the morning. It's time I teach you both something."

Hiruma nodded with a small smile, thinking of something but not saying it.

"I'll be ready, mom; anything else I should know?"

Hiruma responded in an affectionate and close manner.

It was fascinating to see how the children communicated with Kikyo and Silva in the house, particularly Hiruma and Killua...

It was malleable.

Hiruma was hurrying to run early tests with his system, so he didn't mind playing delicate mind games.

"Yes, can we have a chat? It shouldn't be very lengthy."

Kikyo asked, her robotic eye glowing red. Her tone sounded pressed; for some reason that Hiruma couldn't figure out.

He wanted to say no, but he knew the consequences for his back. It would only complicate matters, especially since Milluki had just been given some motivation...

He was a slacker and a lousy whipper, but not when he had vengeance in his heart.

"Yes."

Hiruma sighed, replying.

Kikyo immediately said to an acquiescing Kalluto.

"Go, Kalluto; I must speak with your brother privately."

The next moment, after Kalluto released her hand, she walked with Hiruma to her quarters.

--

--

Minutes later, finally sitting in his mother's living quarters, which resembled an eastern resting room rather than an assassin's den, Hiruma inquired,

"What did you want to talk about, mom?"

Hiruma chose to be close to Kikyo and always use the mom* word because he was not his predecessor.

At the time, Kikyo wore a deep violet kimono.

The woman sat before her child on the brownish and time-honored Tatami. She said, with a strange melancholy, with the soles of her feet exactly under her buttocks,

"You wouldn't hide anything from me on purpose, would you, Hiruma?"

Hiruma frowned. He told,

"Could you be clearer?"

Kikyo paused. Sighing, she affirmed,

"I saw you earlier. What were you doing with those seeds? No, more like, how did you even make them disappear?

Also, that white light. What was it?"