Chapter 11: Farewell × Warmth × Promise
When the morning sun shone through the window, Alistair was already awake.
He glanced over at Gon, who was still snoring away with drool at the corner of his mouth. Looking thoroughly disgusted, Alistair gave him a good kick, sending him tumbling off the bed.
Thud!
"Ow, ow, ow!" Gon clung to the edge of the bed, blinking sleepily. "What was that for?"
Alistair pointed to his stomach. "I'm hungry."
As he spoke, there was a knock at the door.
It was Aunt Mito's voice outside: "Gon, Alistair, time for breakfast!"
Just what he needed—Alistair hopped up, got dressed, and ran straight to the dining room.
After breakfast, Gon couldn't wait to drag Alistair into the forest.
When they reached a patch of grass, Gon pulled out a plate and some milk from his bag.
Alistair looked at him, speechless. "You dragged me out here for a picnic?"
Gon put a finger to his lips, motioning for Alistair to be quiet.
Soon, rustling came from the bushes. Alistair was about to investigate when Gon stopped him.
A moment later, a cute little animal—not much bigger than a puppy—poked its head out. It had brown fur, and looked a bit like a cross between a fox and a bear.
The little creature glanced nervously at Alistair.
Gon picked up the little fox-bear and said, "Don't worry, Alistair's my friend, he won't hurt you." He shot Alistair a look, then handed the fox-bear over.
Alistair stroked the little thing, then fed it some food. Soon, the fox-bear was no longer afraid, and after eating, let Alistair cuddle and squeeze it all he liked.
Alistair rubbed his face against its fur—soft and comfortable. "Where'd you get this little guy? Where are its parents?"
Gon let out an "oh," then said, "Its father was killed by Kite."
Alistair was surprised and puzzled. "Huh? That's not like the old man—he almost never kills animals, unless they're dangerous."
Gon nodded. "Yeah, half a year ago I was trapped by vines in the forest, and the adult fox-bear tried to hurt me, so Kite killed it. I've been raising this one ever since."
Alistair nodded. "Makes sense, then."
Suddenly, Gon grew excited. "Alistair, this little guy doesn't have a name yet—let's name him together!"
"Eh?" Alistair frowned. "I'm not good at naming things."
Gon thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Let's call him Gon-ster—combining both our names. And we'll raise him together."
Alistair joked, "Why not Aligon? Why does your name have to come first?"
Gon pouted, "You're so petty, Alistair. It's because I found him first, but if you want to call him Aligon, that's fine too."
Seeing how serious Gon was, Alistair gave up. "You take things too seriously. Whatever, Gon-ster it is."
Gon happily lifted up Gon-ster toward the sunlight. "Yogada, Gon-ster!"
The two boys spent some time catching fish and climbing trees with Gon-ster. Near noon, they headed back home.
Even before they reached the house, they caught the aroma of cooking in the air. They looked at each other and raced to the second floor.
Last night's dinner, this morning's breakfast, and now lunch—these were the most regular meals Alistair had eaten since arriving in this world.
Aunt Mito's gentle care, grandma's kindness, and being with Gon all made Alistair feel at ease. But thinking about leaving soon made him a little downcast.
After lunch, Alistair stood to help clean up, but Aunt Mito took the dishes from his hands.
"I'll do this. You and Gon go read."
Gon made a face, clearly unhappy—he'd wanted to take Alistair up the mountain to catch beetles.
Checking the time, Alistair forced a smile. "Thank you, Aunt Mito, thank you, Grandma, for taking care of me. I'm heading back to the harbor to look for my master."
Aunt Mito paused in her work. "Alistair, have some fruit first. I have something to tell you after."
"Okay," Alistair replied, returning to the table and fidgeting with his fingers.
After a while, Aunt Mito came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands. She said to Gon, "Go help grandma at the shop. I need to talk to Alistair."
She turned to Alistair, "Come with me."
They walked to a field, the golden wheat merging into the sky at the horizon.
"Aunt Mito?" Alistair's heart was unsettled as he called out softly.
Aunt Mito turned and gently stroked his hair.
Alistair stiffened up, feeling as if he'd been struck by lightning, his whole body tense as a drawn bowstring.
He'd never experienced a mother's touch—neither in his old world nor here.
So when Aunt Mito made that gesture full of motherly warmth, a complicated emotion welled up inside him.
Sensing his nervousness, Aunt Mito took an envelope from her pocket and handed it to him. "This is a letter from your master. Read it—I'll wait. No matter how you feel, sad or upset, remember that Gon, Grandma, and I will always be here for you."
Her eyes were filled with nothing but tenderness and pity.
Hearing this, Alistair's heart stopped for a moment. He had a bad feeling as he quickly opened the letter.
> Alistair:
If you're reading this, I've already left Whale Island to continue searching for Ging.
Anxious? Don't be. Let me explain myself.
First, I'm your master, so you have no right not to forgive me, and I don't have to apologize.
Second, the journey to find Ging is tough. You're lazy, gluttonous, and not diligent. I don't think I could find him with you as baggage.
At this point, Alistair wanted to punch someone. He knew Kite was putting on a casual front so he wouldn't feel too sad, but it still stung.
Steeling himself, Alistair kept reading.
Third, I do feel sorry for you. Three years of living rough has kept you isolated from the civilized world. You've said before you don't remember your past, so I wanted you to experience a real home. Mito, Gon, and Grandma can give you a warmth and harbor I never could.
Fourth, take care of yourself. And look after Gon's family.
Fifth, if you want to see me, join the Hunter Exam at age twelve. Only with a Hunter License can you hope to find clues about me.
Don't let me down. I'll be waiting for your good news.
Your old man: Kite.
After all, Kite had been his master for three years, and his only family in this world. For Kite to leave so quietly was hard to accept.
Aunt Mito watched Alistair standing alone, and hurried over. "You still have me, Alistair. Don't be sad."
Alistair managed a smile. "I'm fine. Thank you."
But Mito could see how forced it was. She sighed deeply, then pulled him into a warm embrace. "Don't worry, I'll treat you like my own son."
In Aunt Mito's embrace, Alistair felt a mother's warmth for the first time. He relaxed a little and nodded quietly.
---
Alistair sat on a cliff edge, staring blankly at the sunset and ocean. Distant boats looked like leaves drifting on the water.
"Alistair! Found you!" Gon ran over and hugged him tightly, beaming. "Aunt Mito told me you're staying on Whale Island with us!"
Alistair answered absentmindedly, "Mm."
Gon quickly apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound happy. I know you must be sad that Kite left. But I just can't help being happy, thinking you'll be here with us."
Gon's words were clumsy, and Alistair didn't quite know what to say. He sighed, then grabbed Gon's cheeks and stretched them out.
"Alright, I'm not mad. But starting tomorrow, let's train together."
Gon brushed his hands away, "Of course! Teach me everything Kite taught you, okay?"
Alistair grinned, "Sure, but you have to pay me."
Gon panicked, "But I don't have any money!"
Alistair facepalmed. "How can you be so gullible? Country bumpkin—too easy to fool."
He glanced at the distant ships and lowered his voice, "About yesterday's promise—are we still joining the Hunter Exam together?"
Gon nodded firmly. "Definitely! We have to go together. But let's keep it a secret from Aunt Mito for now."
Alistair made an OK gesture. "By the way, how'd you find me?"
Gon pointed at his own nose as if it was obvious. "I just followed your scent."
"My scent?" Alistair sniffed himself, unconvinced. "What scent? Are you a dog or something?"
"Yep."
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