Early the next morning, Villa 21 at Chencora Point.
"Squeak!"
The door to Rimo's room was gently pushed open.
Rimo, whose senses had long been sharpened through Nen training, instantly detected the disturbance the moment the door moved. Even without opening his eyes, his awareness similar to maintaining a light state of Ten had already locked onto the intruder.
But in the next second, Rimo suppressed his aura slightly and pretended to still be asleep, the corners of his mouth curling up faintly.
The small figure tiptoed closer to his bedside.
"Hmph! Bad Master… yesterday you promised to tell Nion a story, but you didn't! I'll scare you!"
Just as Neon Nostrade leaned close to shout into his ear
Rimo suddenly opened his eyes.
"Ah !"
Startled, Nion lost her balance and fell backward onto the floor, letting out a soft whimper.
"Which little troublemaker sneaked into someone else's room?"
Rimo chuckled, looking at her pitiful state.
At this moment, Nion had already scrambled back to her feet, her face flushed red with embarrassment after being caught.
"It's your fault, Master! You clearly promised to tell Nion a story yesterday, but you didn't!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Rimo raised an eyebrow slightly.
"How do I remember a certain little lazy pig falling asleep before the story even started?"
"T-Then Master could have woken me up!"
Rimo couldn't help but reach out and gently rub her head.
"That's not how it works. Children should sleep early."
Just then
A petite figure sitting beside Rimo stirred.
Machi Komacine slowly sat up, her pink eyes locking onto Nion with a faintly cold gaze.
After a brief silence, she turned to Rimo.
"I'm going to wash up."
Without waiting for a response, she walked straight toward the bathroom.
Rimo watched her back and couldn't help but smile slightly.
Ever since last night, when Machi insisted on sharing a room, he had already realized
She was jealous.
Normally, Machi was calm and composed, shaped by the harsh survival environment of Meteor City, far more mature than her age.
Yet Nion's sudden appearance had unexpectedly brought out a more childish side of her.
On the other hand, Nion instinctively shrank back a little.
She was clearly intimidated by this cold older sister.
Seeing that, Rimo gently patted her head again.
"Don't be afraid. She's my companion. She just isn't used to strangers yet. Once you get to know her, you'll realize she's actually a good person."
"Oh… I see."
Nion nodded, only half understanding.
But she grasped one key idea
Afraid of strangers.
That was something she understood very well.
After all, growing up surrounded by Mafia members in black suits within the Nostrade Family, it had taken her a long time to adjust to unfamiliar people.
"Mmm! Nion understands!"
Her eyes suddenly filled with determination.
"Nion will definitely help Big Sister!"
Rimo blinked.
He wasn't entirely sure what she had interpreted but it didn't sound like a bad thing.
"Alright. Go eat breakfast first. I'll come after washing up."
"Okay! Hurry up, Master!"
Nion obediently ran out of the room.
After she left, Rimo entered the bathroom.
Inside, Machi was already brushing her teeth.
Through the mirror, Rimo looked at her and laughed lightly.
"Machi… are you jealous of a four-year-old?"
"Hmph."
Machi neither confirmed nor denied it, simply snorting softly.
Rimo stepped closer and gently ran his fingers through her hair.
"You don't need to be. You'll always be special."
He paused slightly.
"After all… you were the one who picked me up."
Machi froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the sudden softness.
After rinsing the foam from her mouth, she muttered:
"I'm not jealous."
Rimo couldn't help laughing.
His hand, however, became a bit rougher as he ruffled her hair.
"Tch!"
Annoyed, Machi slapped his hand away.
Rimo didn't mind.
He casually picked up the cup Machi had just used and began rinsing his mouth.
Technically, after integrating abilities akin to extreme physical enhancement, maintaining bodily purity similar to constant Ten, he didn't actually need to wash.
But habits were habits.
Without them, something always felt off.
Machi glanced at him.
"Isn't your cup over there? Why use mine?"
"Details like that don't matter. Too much trouble."
After finishing up, the two were led to the restaurant by a Mafia subordinate.
It seemed Wright Nosla had already recalled several members of his staff overnight restoring some order to the villa.
Inside the dining hall, Rimo found everyone already gathered.
Not just the members of the Phantom Troupe
But also Wright Nosla and Nion.
Rimo raised an eyebrow.
"Why's it so crowded? Did you all plan this?"
Chrollo Lucilfer calmly set down his utensils.
"No. We're waiting for you."
"Waiting for me? Why?"
Nobunaga Hazama snorted.
"Deputy Leader, don't tell me you forgot we still need legal identities."
Rimo paused.
Then it clicked.
They weren't talking about fake IDs.
They needed legitimate registration something that required official channels, fingerprints, and records.
Given the current situation surrounding the Yorknew City Auction, moving without proper identities would attract unnecessary attention.
Especially with the Nostrade Family already under pressure from rival Mafia groups.
"Right… I almost forgot."
At that moment, Wright Nosla stood up respectfully.
"Since you're awake, Mr. Rimo, I'll arrange for the officials to handle your identification immediately."
He gave a slight bow, then stepped out to make a call.
With her father gone, Nion seemed a bit uneasy again.
She ran over and grabbed Rimo's clothes.
Rimo immediately picked her up.
"Nion, don't be afraid."
He turned slightly toward the others.
"Let me introduce you. These are my companions."
His tone was calm but the implication was clear.
These were not ordinary people.
They were monsters who walked freely through the underworld of Yorknew.
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