Yare yare, I already know everything about the games I made. There's no surprise at all.

But I guess I'll play along with Alluka and Nanika.

That night, Saiki Kusuo played video games with Alluka at his company. Nanika was having a new kind of experience. Saiki Kusuo would pay attention to Nanika's feelings. If Nanika was curious about what would happen if they went somewhere in the game, Saiki Kusuo would guide the character there.

He could sense it through telepathy—Alluka didn't even have to say anything for him to know what Nanika wanted.

The two innocent kids had no clue. They just felt super happy playing with their big brother.

When they got tired, Alluka fell asleep leaning against Saiki Kusuo. He covered her with a blanket, saved the game at the save point, then carried her in his arms to the CEO's office.

The office had a much fancier vibe. Saiki Kusuo didn't turn on the lights when he entered. Using his night vision, he quietly opened the hidden bedroom door. Moonlight came through the glass, casting shadows across the desk—shadows that didn't seem quite normal.

"Why?"

The voice came from Illumi, who had been sitting silently in the CEO's chair, waiting.

Saiki Kusuo stayed calm. He already knew Illumi was there.

[Is there a problem?]

"You think it's not a problem? It's fine for Killua to go out—he has the strength. But Alluka? That thing inside her is not fine."

…After all this time, Illumi was still the only one who stayed so on guard around Alluka.

[Alluka is family. Great-Grandpa said we shouldn't be afraid of her.]

"Sure, but the fact she could be used… that's also true. Can you really protect her? With your psychic powers?"

Saiki Kusuo understood. Illumi usually didn't talk like this—so sharp and tense. It was only because he saw Alluka's unpredictable powers as a big threat to the family.

[Big brother, you don't have to worry,] Saiki Kusuo said, using the title Illumi liked best—something he rarely used.

[Killua is going to take the Hunter Exam. And Mom and Dad don't plan on letting him stay outside for long, right? One Hunter Exam is enough time for them to have fun.]

Easing Illumi's worry wasn't too hard—just add some limits. Time was limited—the exam period. The location was fixed. Keeping watch would be simple. Illumi could just disguise himself and join the exam. Hisoka showed up every year anyway, and the test content was usually pretty predictable.

Outside, Alluka might face all sorts of unknown threats. But the Hunter Exam? That was easy—basically no one had Nen, and the examiners were all familiar faces.

"You sure Killua will be okay with this setup?"

[It's not a setup. I'll guide him to make the choice himself.]

Yare yare, like I even need to guide him—in the original story, he joins anyway.

The wind from the air duct blew through, lifting Illumi's hair and casting soft, shifting shadows that faded like the breeze.

"…Alright, I'll trust you," Illumi said, walking past Saiki Kusuo. His long hair brushed Alluka's cheek, making her squirm in his arms from the tickle. "Just like you trust that you know your little brother, I'll be waiting at the exam site."

As soon as Illumi left, Saiki Kusuo finally relaxed.

Illumi wouldn't actually do anything—but his big brother pressure was intense as ever.

It affected Saiki Kusuo too. Illumi's Nen needle was still in his head, constantly shouting things like "Be scared! Be scared!" like cheerleaders on the sidelines of a soccer game. Of course, Saiki Kusuo didn't even know what fear felt like. All he truly felt was annoyance.

He gently placed Alluka on the bed, then carefully laid down next to her.

The Hunter Exam, huh… Hopefully, it won't be too much of a pain.

The next day, Killua walked confidently into the company building wearing a mask. It was obvious he hadn't learned anything from his disguise lessons.

"Hey, I'm here to see Joe Busi," Killua whispered to the front desk. Joe Busi was Saiki Kusuo's alias as the company's president.

"You're here to see the boss? Do you have an appointment? Our boss doesn't usually meet with anyone."

"I need an appointment?" Killua said in surprise. "Just let me in—he's definitely waiting for me."

[Killua, come outside.] Saiki Kusuo couldn't watch anymore and sent a message.

Considering all these companies were under the Zoldyck family, why would Killua think he needed to go through all this to find him? Yare yare… If Illumi wanted to track them, there's no way they could escape anyway.

— 2 minutes later —

"Hey, it's not my fault! You didn't say I was supposed to wait outside!"

"Hehe, Killua, don't be mad—" Alluka was super happy to see Killua and ran up to hug him.

[Yare yare. So, where are you taking us to play, Killua?]

"U-us?" Killua patted Alluka's head, then suddenly emphasized, "Us? Did you just say us? Brother Kusuo, don't tell me you're…!"

[Yeah, I'm not comfortable leaving Alluka's safety just to you. As her big brother, I should help protect her. I'll hang out with you two for a while.]

Killua's face tightened. "Brother Kusuo… you're not here because Illumi sent you to keep an eye on us, are you?"

He's really cautious—well, that's a good thing.

Saiki Kusuo: [The answer's easy. You know who I'd choose between Illumi and someone else.]

Of course it's Alluka.

Killua: [True. Everyone in the family knows how much you spoil Alluka. Whatever she asks for, you always make it happen! The only thing you haven't done is getting her a star from the sky!]

Saiki Kusuo: No, I gave her a meteorite necklace once. You guys just didn't know it was a real meteorite.

"Hmph, well then…" Killua crossed his arms, acting all serious, but Saiki Kusuo knew he was grinning inside.

It was obvious Killua liked Kusuo, too—definitely more than he liked Illumi.

"Then let's go on an adventure together!"

"An adventure? Where are we going?" Alluka happily played along, just like a good sidekick.

[Anywhere you want. You get to choose.]

To avoid suspicion, he didn't name any specific place. Saiki Kusuo carried a small backpack. Inside were some bits of gold and gems, and three books of different thicknesses so he could swap out items or books to pass the time.

After so much practice, he was used to rotating books to study.

His butler Gotoh would organize his room, including his books and tools. That's right—Gotoh, who took care of him closely, had long known he had a swapping ability. But Gotoh never suspected anything, just thought it was Saiki's unique Nen ability.

"I've found something super fun. You guys will never guess!" Killua stood in the middle of the street, yelling like he wasn't raised in an assassin family.

—[We're taking the Hunter Exam!]—

The Hunter Exam, huh? No need for telepathy—he could guess that much already.

But Killua didn't say it out loud. He just raised a finger to his lips like it was a secret and coaxed Alluka to start walking. Saiki Kusuo walked behind the two of them, hands in his pockets. Before taking the exam, they'd still have to go through some trials. Bringing Alluka along might be a bit tricky… or not?

Yeah right—with a psychic like him watching over them, what could go wrong?

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