After bidding farewell to Gon, Hiro didn't rush on his way immediately. Instead, he brought his fingers to his lips and let out a long whistle.
The clear, melodious sound of the whistle echoed deep into the forest.
A moment later, a huge beast came charging out of the woods the Zoldyck Family's guard dog, Mike.
For anyone who wasn't a member of the Zoldyck Family, daring to enter without passing through the Testing Gate would only result in being torn apart by Mike.
And just as Hiro expected, riding on Mike's back was his embarrassed, chubby younger brother, Milluki.
Hiro patted Mike's head as the beast affectionately nudged closer. Then he looked up at Milluki with a warm, teasing smile:
"My dear brother, have you forgotten something?"
"Oh, Big Brother, it's all just a misunderstanding! A complete misunderstanding!"
Milluki quickly scrambled down from Mike's back, wiping at his sweat as he spoke earnestly:
"I only wanted to find Mike and have him take me back quickly. But that stupid beast ran too far ahead to slack off it's so infuriating!"
Hiro didn't bother responding to his excuse. He simply kept gently stroking Mike's fur and said calmly:
"Mike, seems like someone here doesn't want to eat dinner anymore. How about I just give him to you as a little extra meal?"
Mike turned his large head to look at Milluki, then barked, as if indicating his agreement.
"Wait, wait it's just about losing weight, right? I'll run back this instant, and I won't stop until I reach the front door!"
With his dinner on the line, Milluki didn't dare utter another word. Leaving behind that grand declaration, he charged forward as fast as he could.
"Mike, follow Milluki for me. If he stops along the way, come back and let me know right away."
Hiro called out loudly on purpose.
Hearing this, Milluki who was already a short distance ahead immediately switched from his panicked sprint to a steady, dogged marathon pace, plodding like an old dog.
Mike barked again and dutifully followed behind him.
The hellish weight-loss plan was still ongoing.
When Hiro finally arrived at the courtyard, he spotted the apprentice butler standing watch Kana Liya.
She was a Black girl who, at just ten years old, could take down a hundred fully grown men who dared attack her.
One could only say she truly came from the fiercely independent Meteor City undeniably formidable.
But in reality, she was very kind, and deep down, she wished she could be friends with Killua… but never dared because of her status.
In the original series, seeing how Gon, despite being beaten to a pulp by her, still stubbornly insisted on finding Killua, she was moved by his genuine friendship.
And finally, she uttered that classic line: "Please save Young Master Killua," which left a deep impression on Hiro back when he'd watched the anime.
So in this life, Hiro had taken very good care of her.
"Yo, Kana Liya still on duty?"
Hiro called out to her from afar.
"Good day, Da Shao Ye!"
Kana Liya quickly bowed in greeting, but conspicuously avoided mentioning getting off work.
"Why still calling me Da Shao Ye? How many times have I told you just call me Hiro in private."
Kana Liya looked troubled, stammering for a long moment before finally managing to say awkwardly:
"Hiro… Young Master, good day."
"I give up on you. Alright, let's not talk about this. Have you seen that kid Killua?"
It was better to let the little girl off the hook; if he pushed her any further, she would probably start crying from being wronged.
Seeing that Hiro finally stopped dwelling on the address issue, Kana Liya let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Replying to Young Master Hiro, I… today… didn't… didn't see Young Master Killua."
"Is that so?"
Hiro glanced around, then pulled out a sleekly packaged lollipop and said:
"That kid isn't here, and I even specially bought him this new fruit-flavored lollipop.
Milluki kept begging for it, but I never gave it to him. Never mind I'll give it to you, Kana Liya."
"This isn't… ugh!"
Kana Liya was about to protest when her mouth was suddenly filled with sweet, fruity flavor.
It turned out that as soon as Hiro finished speaking, he'd already unwrapped it and popped it directly into her mouth.
"No!"
A wail came from behind a nearby tree, and in a flash, a figure darted out and landed right in front of Hiro.
With his signature soft, silver hair, it was unmistakably the Zoldyck Family's most beloved the annoying little brother, Killua.
He lunged at Hiro, frantically rummaging through all his pockets, front, back, left, right, up, and down.
"Not here! Not here either! Still not here?!"
From his posture, it looked like Killua was about to strip Hiro completely if he didn't find what he wanted.
"Oh, isn't this my foolish, annoying little brother?"
Lifting the squirming Killua with one hand, Hiro chuckled:
"We just saw each other earlier today how did you suddenly become so enthusiastic?"
Killua flailed his limbs wildly in midair, like a little kitten picked up by its scruff, his claws scratching at nothing.
"Hiro! You trickster! Give me back my lollipop!"
"Who said it was your lollipop? I clearly bought it for Kana Liya."
"I heard you with my own ears don't you deny it!"
"Oh? So you were hiding over there, huh? Why didn't you come out when you heard me calling for you?"
"That's… that's not the point! The point is why'd you give my lollipop to Kana Liya?!"
"Because you weren't honest. You even tried to scheme against your Big Brother."
"…You… how did you know?!"
"I can tell you're up to something just by looking at your face."
"If you don't put me down right now, I'll poop on your head!"
"Go ahead then. Poop and show me. Kana Liya, get your phone ready and record it for me."
"You!!! AHHH! You're making me so mad… mmm! Delicious!!!"
Just as Killua was about to blow up, Hiro smoothly unwrapped another lollipop and popped it straight into his mouth as if by magic.
The furious kitten instantly fell silent, his eyes closing in bliss as he happily licked the candy, completely docile.
On the side, Kana Liya quietly savored her own lollipop, watching the playful bond between the two brothers with envy in her eyes.
Lollipops are so delicious… having family is truly wonderful.
Meanwhile, not far from them, in the thick canopy of a tall tree, two glowing eyes peeked out, watching them silently.
"…Lollipop… I want one too…"
…
The sky had darkened.
After bidding farewell to Kana Liya, Hiro and Killua began their walk home together.
Up ahead, Killua was riding his skateboard, holding his second lollipop of the evening. Hiro watched him for a moment, then said:
"Killua, have you been keeping up with your training lately? You haven't been slacking off, have you?"
"Don't worry, Big Bro. Slacking off? Impossible. I'll never slack off in my whole life."
"Really?" Hiro replied with a faint smile. "I find that hard to believe. After all, as an assassin, failing to notice you've been watched for so long… that's pretty embarrassing."
"…Huh?"
Killua stopped abruptly, looking confused.
"You mean… we were being watched just now? By who?"
Hiro's expression didn't change. "It was observed. Anyway… your adorable little brother saw your embarrassing display of acting like a rascal just now."
Killua's face darkened. "Was it… Kalluto? Damn it, it must be Mom's idea again!"
Watching Killua's reaction, Hiro only shook his head slightly.
Oh, you annoying little brother… you really have no idea what it means to be the Zoldyck Family's favorite.
That quiet little brother of yours, Kalluto… he actually likes you, you know.
Why don't you go spend time with him more often?
Isn't the cross-dressing little brother cute enough?
Without another word, Hiro reached into his pocket and pulled out a lollipop, holding it out to Killua.
"Killua, when you see Kalluto later… give him this lollipop for me."
"Hmph. I'm not taking it. Give it to him yourself."
"Oh?" Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Then starting tomorrow, your meals might end up looking a lot like Milluki's."
"…No, no, no! Fine, I'll take it!"
The moment Hiro threatened his food supply, Killua caved instantly.
"Very good," Hiro said. "And when you give it to him, be nice. Don't act all cool or aloof. You're his big brother act like it."
"Alright, alright," Killua grumbled. "Big Brother, why are you so naggy all of a sudden? You sound like an old man…"
"Oh?" Hiro's smile faded to a deadpan stare. "You don't want to eat anymore, do you?"
"…No! I was wrong! Big Brother! Food! Hungry! Hungry!"
Hiro watched him for a moment longer, then chuckled.
This is how a boy Killua's age should be.
In this life… Hiro thought to himself.
I'll make sure to protect that smile of yours, annoying little brother.