After sifting through countless experiences, Shalnark found himself liking the idea of a "hustler" more than he'd initially thought.
Aside from the Zoldycks, whom he considered "family," Shalnark had spent the most time with the other "hustler" in this world.
At first, he figured it was because the "hustler" didn't get in the way, and it didn't matter if he was left to his own devices. Likewise, the "hustler" felt indifferent about keeping the "boyfriend" title, so their initial relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend (or rather, a "playing house" game) continued until now.
As time went on, this "playing house" game seemed to become a habit.
When interacting with the "hustler," Shalnark would consciously or unconsciously assume the role of a boyfriend in their relationship and perform accordingly.
Even in the "real world," Shalnark had engaged in similar performances.
Back then, for several years, she hadn't figured out her feelings for her boyfriend. Her mother, however, urged her day and night to "meet him halfway."
Because she always reported everything happening around her to her mother in meticulous detail, her mother could use these instances repeatedly to illustrate that she actually liked him, and that it was fine if she didn't like him as much, as she could at least be loved. Thus, she resigned from her job and moved to the city where her boyfriend lived.
It was only after a long time that she realized the pain she felt during that performance proved she didn't like her boyfriend. She had been too foolish, realizing it far too late.
She was always a step behind everyone else; she was destined to be a failure.
...No.
She was different now. At least she no longer had so many concerns and could boldly make decisions for herself. Even if she failed, her mother wouldn't scold her.
Interacting with the "hustler" was relatively relaxed. Shalnark didn't feel much psychological burden. It was no wonder the "hustler" could manage the relationships among the members of the extremely evil criminal organization "Phantom Troupe" quite well.
She felt she could perhaps continue performing because this performance didn't cause her pain.
The "hustler" wouldn't demand anything from her. He wouldn't suddenly raise his voice in a scolding manner. She didn't have to consider all the mundane trivialities of the world.
The "hustler" was gentle, understanding, patient, and considerate. He never forced her.
Of course, the reason he didn't force her might be that the "hustler's" strength was inferior to hers.
Shalnark felt at ease in this burden-free relationship.
And wasn't this the closest form to "romance"?
Without the troubles of the "real world," not discussing money or other benefits, just staying together based on feelings. Such pure emotions, unadulterated by anything else, were hard to find after entering society because there were too many things to consider. Ordinary people's romances often aimed for marriage, thus requiring careful examination of various external and internal conditions, weighing them, and also dealing with the other party's family, which was incredibly troublesome.
Was the "playing house" game with the "hustler" considered "romance"?
Unfortunately, for most of the time, Shalnark suffered from sequelae of her brain surgery, causing an emotional perception disorder. She never experienced the "heart-fluttering" feeling that should accompany "romance," not even once.
She had chosen the "hustler" for various reasons.
For instance, the "hustler" could serve as a stepping stone for her to join the Troupe. The "hustler's" appearance and height were good. The "hustler's" personality was relatively normal. The "hustler" was a well-known character with a name in the original manga. The "hustler's" strength was inferior to hers. And, the "hustler" had also chosen her.
If the "hustler" didn't like her type, she wouldn't have felt the need to cling to him, as she wasn't exactly a devoted fan of the "hustler" character.
With Chrollo's Nen ability, after restoring the part of her brain that had been removed, Shalnark could no longer use "emotional perception disorder" as an excuse. Thus, she discovered that she still didn't feel "heart-fluttering."
She hadn't dated early, didn't envy her peers in relationships, spent years unable to figure out the feeling of "liking," and then spent more years to figure out the feeling of "disliking."
As a result, she still hadn't figured out the feeling of "liking"; at most, it was akin to liking a "pet."
Yes, her liking for Killua from the Zoldyck family was actually a liking for a "pet."
Could the "hustler"… change a little? Most importantly, the "hustler" was a paper person, and paper people seemed to be purer than real people.
Shalnark had been staring at the "hustler's" name in her phone's contact list for a long time.
Since she realized she liked the "hustler" more than she had imagined, perhaps she could find a feeling that surpassed "liking a pet" and was more like "romance" from him.
Such an attempt certainly carried risks and could very well lead to hurt.
If the "hustler" hurt her too deeply, then she wouldn't care about the original plot and would just kill him.
Depending on the specific situation, she might not let him die easily. In that case, she would torture him with what she learned from the Zoldyck's interrogation class. Unforgivable bastard.
[Shalnark, I wanna
This feels a bit dangerous. The "hustler" thought.
While kissing her and pinning Shalnark onto the bed, the "hustler" was still pondering whether the Shalnark before him had a problem.
Was he under some Nen ability's illusion effect? Or was this Shalnark a fake?
"Shalnark," the "hustler" probed, "didn't you dislike kissing for too long before?"
"..." Shalnark gave him a slap two seconds later, sending him to the floor.
This was likely the usual Shalnark.
Shalnark hadn't hit him seriously, so the "hustler" returned to the bed unscathed, crossed his arms, and said half-jokingly, "Shalnark, you're really off today. I thought you were fake."
Shalnark displayed clear displeasure on her face. She turned her head, turned her back to the "hustler," curled up, and lay on the pillow. From the "hustler's" perspective, only her hair was visible, like a large ball of silver-white fluff.
Oh dear, she was becoming more and more like a fake, but when it reached a certain degree of fakeness, it actually seemed real. The "hustler" hadn't had private contact with Shalnark again after the boss restored her brain.
Therefore, Shalnark's change was within the scope of reasonable assumptions.
The boss even mentioned "surprises," so they must have had a lot of fun together, right?
Dark emotions settled in the "hustler's" eyes. He reached out his hand towards Shalnark's back, "..."
Eventually, it landed on Shalnark's shoulder.
Regardless of the reason, Shalnark still chose him, didn't she?
The boss, no, Chrollo, was the type to get bored easily. Once he had obtained something, he wouldn't pursue it further. Shalnark would only be the one getting hurt.
And for Shalnark to seek comfort from him, did it mean she considered him a "safe" person?
The "hustler" chuckled gloatingly.
Under normal circumstances, this would be an excellent opportunity to strike back. But when the target was Shalnark, she would likely eliminate him before he could successfully defeat her.
Oh, poor Shalnark, she understood the boss far too little. The women Chrollo fancied were all unfortunate; no woman could hold onto him.
"Shalnark, if you're unhappy about anything, my shoulder is always here for you to lean on," the "hustler" embraced Shalnark, feigning gentleness. "What do you want to do? I'll accompany you."
Shalnark picked up her phone and typed: 【I hope you can like me】
"Eh?" The "hustler" chuckled in amusement. "If I didn't like you, would I still be here with you?"
"..." Shalnark lowered her gaze, her displeasure becoming even more apparent.
"Meaning, of course, I like you." The "hustler" cupped her face, wanting to kiss her. She turned her head to avoid him, so the "hustler" only kissed her temple. "Shalnark, I truly—truly—like you a lot."
"If you really need proof..." he placed Shalnark's hand on the left side of his chest, "Shall I dig out my heart for you to see?"
He actually dared to say that. One must remember that heart extraction was a signature family skill of the Zoldycks, a professional specialty. Even if he wasn't a Zoldyck, with the average ruthlessness of the Troupe members, extracting a heart with bare hands wouldn't be difficult, although the technical artistry would be inferior to the Zoldycks'.
However, he was also certain that Shalnark wouldn't actually dig out his heart. Shalnark was the type to back down; if coaxed properly, she would choose to indulge him.
What followed was unrestrained indulgence.
Shalnark nestled in the "hustler's" arms, seemingly satisfied yet also not, her cheeks flushed, but her brows slightly furrowed.
Alright, the "hustler" couldn't quite understand Shalnark's thoughts at the moment. He was tired from playing and didn't have the energy to think more. He simply held Shalnark, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger.
Shalnark's hair was very smooth. If he let go, it would slip from the "hustler's" hand.
After playing with Shalnark's hair for a while, the "hustler" kissed her sweat-dampened forehead. "Shalnark, you were amazing today."
This was the truth. Shalnark was much more proactive than before, and the result of their duet was naturally more harmonious.
The "hustler" truly enjoyed Shalnark's gradually revealing her desires, especially when she was usually expressionless. Moreover, the better her state, the more honest her performance.
He didn't know what kind of emotional journey Shalnark had been through, but she had become a bit more clingy.
She would shower with the "hustler." Although she seemed a little uncomfortable, or rather, shy, the "hustler" thoroughly enjoyed her evasive glances in the bathroom, to the extent that he had to restrain himself with great effort and control the number of times he teased her—it wasn't fun if he did it too often.
She would play games with the "hustler." Although her gaming skills were inferior to his, she used to not waste time spent with the "hustler" on playing games. She would quickly get to the main point, and their relationship was more like that of bedmates.
She would go shopping with the "hustler." Although she usually seemed accustomed to shopping alone, she invited the "hustler," linked her arm through his, acting like his personal accessory, clinging to him as they shopped, much like the most common couple mode on the street.
She would sleep with the "hustler." Although it failed, it seemed too difficult for her. She found it hard to adapt to having someone beside her, like grit falling into an oyster shell, making it impossible to accommodate an existence other than her own in a short period. To lessen her burden, the "hustler" advised her to try again slowly in the future.
The "hustler" wasn't sure why she suddenly tried to imitate others around her "to be a good girlfriend." Was this her latest interest?
Perhaps the "hustler" could offer advice as someone who had been through it, because after leaving Meteor City, the "hustler" had also tried to imitate others around him "to be a good boyfriend."
That was a game from a long time ago, and he felt a little nostalgic.
Amidst the sound effects of the haunted house at the amusement park, Shalnark hugged the "hustler's" arm tightly, pressing close to him, just like any "girlfriend" afraid of the dark or ghosts. Although the "hustler" found the deliberately created atmosphere of the haunted house uninteresting, any "spider" would find it boring or amusing. The haunted house staff didn't conceal their presence at all, and their movements weren't agile. Without even getting close, the "hustler" had already detected where the staff were hiding, leaving no room for surprise.
For Shalnark, it should have been the same. It would have been better if Shalnark or the "hustler" hid and surprised the haunted house staff instead, perhaps that would have been more interesting.
No, forget it.
Since she was trying so hard, how could he bear to disturb her and expose her? It would be better to pretend not to know and cooperate with her.
So, the "hustler" put away his smile. When the staff dressed as monsters jumped out and, according to the pre-arranged plot, began chasing them with exaggerated movements, the "hustler" scooped up Shalnark in his arms. Like a romantic, strong, and good boyfriend, carrying a sweet, soft, and good girlfriend, he fled from the "terrifying" "claws."
They stayed together for a long time for the first time, "dating" in various places.
Then, the "hustler" discovered that Shalnark had some possessiveness. When other "Spiders" contacted the "hustler," Shalnark would pay attention and become a little unhappy. Especially when the "hustler" received a contact and needed to spend time working, she couldn't focus on accompanying him.
When the "hustler" worked for extended periods, she would sometimes pace back and forth behind him or in other rooms, sometimes burrowing into his arms to ask for affection. In the worst-case scenario, she would completely leave the "hustler's" range of perception, requiring him to search for her and then coax her back.
For some reason, the more the "hustler" indulged her, the more anxious and uneasy she became.
Could the "hustler" then refuse to indulge her?
No, it was too late now. She no longer allowed the "hustler" to leave her range of perception casually. If the "hustler" suddenly hit the brakes now, he might be genuinely eliminated by her.
This precarious, life-hanging situation was quite... stimulating.
In contrast, the "hustler" also gained more privileges, such as being able to play with her hair as he pleased. Her carefully maintained and highly treasured hair felt wonderful, just like her. They also unlocked many places for recreation. Shalnark would be in his arms, clutching his clothes, and softly whimpering amidst the bumps, like a kitten.
The "hustler," who was somewhat overwhelmed in all aspects, felt pain and happiness simultaneously.
It was just a pity that the brake wasn't in his hands.
Yes, the brake wasn't in his hands.
He might be played to death by Shalnark, like a mouse tossed around under a cat's paws until it was on its last breath.
"Not being afraid of death" did not equate to "wanting to die." The "hustler" was a "Spider brain," not a "romance brain." A life ending "under a peony flower" was not within his considerations.
He had long since planted a thorn, then another thorn, until there were enough to sting Shalnark and make the one holding the brake, Shalnark, sober up on her own.
Ah, who was it, he couldn't quite remember. Anyway, it was a "pet" that Shalnark had once kept, and Shalnark had asked that "pet" to research recipes. The "hustler" had casually eliminated that "pet" but wisely didn't go too far, leaving the recipe book in its original place.
The "hustler" had looked at that somewhat strange recipe book and knew some of Shalnark's unique, untold personal preferences.
The first time, he just wanted to test its importance. He never expected it to become a tool to find the brake later.
【Shalnark, you really... understand me very well】
Shalnark finally typed such a sentence. Her intentional disregard and "tolerance" had finally reached their limit.
"Naturally," the "hustler" smiled indulgently, already quietly preparing to escape. Even as a non-combatant member of the Troupe, passively surrendering wasn't his style. "Because I like you very much, I've always been watching you."
"..." Shalnark leaned closer, observing him carefully.
"..." The "hustler" deployed all his lifelong acting skills to their fullest extent here.
"..."
"..."
Finally, Shalnark stood on tiptoe and gave him a fleeting kiss goodbye, along with a slightly weak embrace.
Shalnark concluded with, "Playing with toys too much can lead to a lack of ambition, time shouldn't be spent too long on it, it's time to get back to business," and walked out of the "hustler's" range of perception.
"..."
"..."
The "hustler"... The "hustler" relaxed as if he had narrowly escaped death, slumping onto the sofa.
Based on Shalnark's attitude, the "hustler" believed the game had returned to normal and soon cast his doubts aside.
What the "hustler" never expected was that he would see...
Feitan playing his games and on his girlfriend in his own residence.
"..."
Oh, Feitan even deliberately blocked Shalnark's body, as if the "hustler" had never seen her before. "Spiders" generally had a damn strong sense of possession, and Feitan was a prominent example of this.
"..."
The "hustler": The look of wanting to kill could not be hidden.jpg