Note: If some people are still confused or haven't seen my note: This is the new fixed schedule:
Monday, Thursday and Sunday.
Anyway happy reading!
Chapter 886
Night had fallen by the time Ron returned to his room. He didn't turn on the light.
He didn't use Nen to scan the space either, but he could faintly sense a small figure curled up under the covers. The figure trembled slightly as he entered, as if nervous.
"It's not the first time. What's there to be nervous about?" Ron muttered, shaking his head.
He lay down, turned to his side, and reached over.
........
.....
.
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Misty cracked open a boiled egg. She peeled away the shell, revealing the smooth, soft white beneath.
Ponzu glanced over. "Misty, if you do this, the Captain's definitely going to get mad and punish you."
"He's not that petty," Misty replied. "Besides, this was going to happen sooner or later. I just sped things up a little."
"But after we finish this voyage on the Black Whale, we'll be heading into the Dark Continent. Even Big Brother might not be able to guarantee our safety there." She paused, her voice softening. "I think... this is what Machi wanted too."
.......
...
.
Back in the room, Ron's brows furrowed slightly. "Misty? Ponzu? No... too small. Don't tell me… Machi?"
His words made Machi flush with shame and frustration.
Was she really that small? Misty was one thing—she was younger, but even so, gifted in certain ways. Ponzu, though, looked about the same as Machi, didn't she?
"…Captain."
After her identity was exposed, Machi had no choice but to respond.
"So it really is you, Machi." Ron recalled the mischievous glint in Misty's eyes when they'd spoken earlier and couldn't help but shake his head. But it was too late now. He'd have to scold Misty afterward.
"Machi, come closer."
"Yes, Captain."
"Relax. You're acting like this is a mission."
Machi closed her eyes and stayed quiet for a long moment.
Ron, still unsure of her intentions, turned slightly to face her. "Machi, why did you go along with Misty's setup? That prank didn't seem like something you'd normally entertain."
She hesitated, then lowered her head. "Because I needed your help… and I didn't know how to ask for it directly. I thought maybe that was the only way to get your attention."
Ron's expression shifted slightly, but remained serious. "If this is about something important, you didn't need to resort to tricks. Just come to me and ask."
Machi bit her lip. "I know. But before, I wasn't even part of your team. I didn't know if you'd care. If you'd help."
Ron reached out and brushed her bangs aside with two fingers, gently. "Back then, I would've required payment—because you were still an outsider. But now you're part of my team. If something threatens one of us, it threatens all of us. You don't need to bargain for my help. Just ask."
There was a pause. Machi didn't answer immediately.
"I know that now," she murmured. "But part of me... just wanted to be here, with you."
Her words hung between them, soft and unforced. Ron didn't respond right away. Instead, he raised a hand and rested it lightly against her back.
Machi didn't pull away.
Outside, the ship rocked gently in the deep hours of night.
Inside, neither of them moved for a while. Machi's fingers stayed curled in the fabric of Ron's sleeve. His hand remained at her back.
She turned toward him. He didn't stop her. Their movements were quiet, but not uncertain.
They didn't speak.
The lights stayed off.
At some point, the quiet had been broken by faint panting. It faded slowly, leaving only the sound of the ship and their breathing as it returned to normal.
When morning came, the room was still. The blanket had shifted. Clothes were no longer where they had been. The air held a different kind of warmth.
They got up at different times. No words were exchanged about the night.
But nothing needed to be explained.
........
....
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By the next morning, Ron stood in front of Misty's room and knocked.
"…Big Brother." Misty opened the door with her head hung low, like a scolded child.
"You realize what you did wrong now?"
"Whatever punishment you give me, I'll accept."
Ron paused. "…Then you're eating the Black Whale's cafeteria food for the next seven days. Erina won't be making your breakfast anymore."
"What?!"
Misty's face fell immediately. The difference between Erina's cooking and the ship's meals was night and day. Even the chefs on the second deck—elite hires from the Kakin Empire—couldn't compare to Erina's culinary mastery. Her skills were among the finest even in Gourmet Paradise.
Machi stepped out of Ron's room and practically fled back to her own.
Despite being an A-rank Nen user, it was still clear from her walk that something was… off. Her gait had changed noticeably. There was no doubt—Ron's physical condition had long surpassed hers.
Between fusing with Toriko's Nen beast and the continual enhancement from his Gourmet Cells ability, his physicality had reached an abnormal level. Every Nen beast he bonded with provided feedback, improving him even further.
Face flushed red, Machi avoided everyone's gaze.
Bang!
Her door shut behind her.
She recalled the night before. Her fists clenched instinctively. Embarrassment surged through her—but so did a strange, lingering sense of joy.
"So this is what it's like between men and women… It's definitely different."
But she didn't let herself dwell on it. The moment she remembered Nobunaga's situation, her thoughts shifted. She washed quickly, changed into clean clothes, but still felt there was a strange smell on her. Not pleasant, but not exactly unpleasant either.
When she approached Ron, her voice was firm.
"Captain."
"Morning, Machi."
She sat across from him and bit her lip.
"Captain, I need your help."
"What kind of help?"
"Nobunaga's in trouble."
Machi explained, "The Phantom Troupe went after Fourth Prince Tserriednich to help Kurapika get revenge. But they underestimated his strength and abilities. Pakunoda died on the spot, and Nobunaga… it's like he's contracted some serious illness. He keeps coughing, but it's not a normal sickness. Chrollo said only you might be able to help."
Ron listened without changing expression.
"So that's why you did what you did last night?"
Machi lowered her head.
"Can I ask you something?" Ron said.
"Yes, Captain."
"If Nobunaga weren't in trouble, would you have still made that choice last night? And if I can't save him, will you regret it?"
The question caught her off guard. Machi had never considered it.
"You can take your time. But I want the truth," Ron said.
She was silent for a long while.
"I think… yes, I would've. But probably not so soon. Maybe after we reached the Dark Continent. Maybe if something dangerous happened, and I had no choice but to be honest with myself."
"When it comes to men… Captain, you feel different from anyone else." She looked up. "I don't know what that means. But last night, I couldn't bring myself to resist."
Ron thought back.
At first, he had taken the initiative—but partway through, Machi became the one moving forward. She was clumsy, but clearly willing to try. That set her apart from Shizuku or Ponzu.
Their personalities weren't the same either. Machi, coming from Meteor City, was more proactive by nature. In that place, if you didn't take action, you might never get another chance—not even when digging through a garbage heap for survival.
"And no, I won't regret it," she added. "If you try and fail to help, I know that means there really was no solution. I'd never blame you for that."
Ron gave a slight nod and stood. "Then let's eat, and we'll go check on him."
"Yes, Captain."
He took out the breakfast Erina had prepared. Meals for himself, Machi, and Ponzu were laid out in front of them.
Misty, however, carried her tray of cafeteria food, looking pitiful.
She gave Ron her best pleading look.
He ignored her entirely.
He even blocked Machi and Ponzu from offering her a bite.
Once they finished eating, Ron and Machi set off toward the location the Phantom Troupe had designated.
It was on the third deck—a public room that the Troupe had since taken over.
Hooker stood at the doorway.
When he saw Ron and Machi approach, his face lit up with relief.
"Ron-senpai! Machi!"