Chapter 10: The Beginning of the Confusion
At last, dinner was ready. All the hunters at the headquarters were seated at the table, chatting cheerfully while enjoying the meal. Yuki sat between Kaito and Haruto, staring at the dishes with admiration.
Yuki:
"Oooh, Mr. Taro… You're truly very, very talented."
Haruto laughed and spoke from behind.
Haruto:
"Well, of course it's good. He is our cook."
Daichi cut in.
Daichi:
"Yeah, he's our chef. What did you expect?"
Associate Professor Mitsuni burst into laughter.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Puhahaha! Yuki, our chef really is amazing. Even though he's the only cook in the headquarters, he never complains about his job."
(His expression suddenly turns serious as he looks at Taro's injured hand. Then he gives Taro a faint smile.)
"If his hand weren't injured, you'd be even more impressed by the desserts he makes."
Sora smiled warmly.
Sora:
"Yuki dear, our chef really is that good."
Taro scratched the back of his head shyly.
Taro:
"Ah, you guys are spoiling me."
From another table, Hunter Noah turned around.
Noah:
"Hey kid, was your name Yuki?"
Yuki replied, surprised and a little scared.
Yuki:
"Y-yes, sir…"
Noah smiled, and the woman beside him spoke.
Aiko:
"Hello, I'm Aiko. This is my hunting partner, Noah. And the hooded man over there is Yue, our other partner."
Yuki:
"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Ms. Noah, Aiko… and hello to you too, Brother Yue."
Yue lifted his hand slightly and smiled.
Noah:
"You look really cute, Aiko—"
Yue:
"And just as polite."
Kaito spoke with a serious expression.
Kaito:
"Alright, finish your meals. We need to go to the meeting room."
He turned to Daichi.
Kaito:
"Why would they call us to the meeting room instead of explaining such an important matter here?"
Sora:
"Yeah… that is a bit strange."
Dr. Mitsuni stood up and walked over to Taro, placing an arm around his shoulders.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Taro…"
(His tone was calm, but firm.)
"It's time to change your bandages. Your hand is deeply cut, you know that. You're coming with me."
Taro swallowed.
Taro:
"But the service—"
Dr. Mitsuni:
"The service is over. Only dessert is left, and you made mini cupcakes. There's no need to serve them yourself. I'll tell the assistants."
Taro let out a breath of relief.
Taro:
"Phew… alright, Mitsuni."
He turned toward the roughly fifteen hunters at the tables and smiled.
Taro:
"Ladies and gentlemen—and little Yuki—I'll be away for a bit. The assistants will clean up. Please don't hesitate to help yourselves to the cake."
From the table, Hunter San spoke up.
San:
"Don't worry, chef. We've got it covered. No need for assistants."
Sora smiled knowingly.
Sora:
"Mr. San, I believe you've forgotten about the meeting."
(Turning to Taro.)
"Don't worry, Taro-bro. Just go with the doctor—he looks like he's about to jump on you."
Taro glanced back. Beneath Mitsuni's smile, he saw a frightening glint in his eyes.
Taro:
"Ah… doctor… alright. Enjoy your meal."
The hunters and assistants raised their glasses.
Everyone:
"To the chef's delicious cooking!"
As they walked down the corridor together, Mitsuni spoke in a serious tone.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Haven't I told you to come regularly for your bandage changes?"
Taro:
"Mitsuni, you're exaggerating…"
Dr. Mitsuni:
"No, I'm not. I can't keep watching you hurt yourself every time you remember, squeezing your fist and making the wound worse."
They entered the examination room. Taro sat down on the chair.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Taro… it's been months. You need to let it go."
Taro raised his voice.
Meanwhile, after finishing their meals, the others headed to the meeting room. Haruto was taking Yuki to the twins' room so he could sleep when they heard shouting coming from the infirmary.
Taro (from inside the room):
"So you come here and tell me to 'forget it,' is that it?!"
Dr. Mitsuni:
"I'm not telling you to forget… I'm just worried about my brother."
Yuki looked at Haruto in surprise.
Yuki:
"Brother…?"
Haruto looked at him sadly.
Haruto:
"Yuki, today was a very tiring day—especially for you. Tomorrow, I'll show you around the headquarters, your new room… and maybe we'll even go buy you some new things."
Yuki smiled happily, then lowered his head.
Yuki:
"Thank you very much… I'm sorry for causing trouble."
Haruto smiled, bent down, and hugged Yuki.
Haruto:
"Hey… you're not a burden to us. I'm sure that from now on, many wonderful things will happen."
With tears in his eyes, Yuki hugged Haruto tightly.
Yuki:
"Thank you… thank you so much… to all of you."
From the open kitchen door, Kaito watched them.
Kaito (thinking):
"I believe in you, Yuki… for everything…"