Still Doll

A Crass Invitation

As Kurapika assumed, as soon as the cruise arrived at the coast, the search for Kuroro Lucifer came into full stop.

Given that the Mafia didn't seem eager to catch the culprit due to their inexplicable connection to Ryodan's origin, Fram and his gang had no choice but to cease as well, though the look on the sharp-nosed hunter's eyes was telling that he so badly wanted to get the bastard. It was apparent to them all, though, that Kuroro did manage to escape. Of how, no one ever knew. Kurapika could come up with ideas and theories, but he figured it didn't matter anymore. He successfully escaped. Good for him.

However, he knew Meniandro wasn't over him just yet. One look at the maniac's eyes as they parted ways from the ship (Dmitri still courteously greeted him goodbye in spite of their poker game commotion) he knew he wouldn't let it go so easily.

Kurapika was certain he was up to something, and all he had to do was to wait for him to make a move so that he could teach him lesson not to mess with him before someone else did.

And so wait, Kurapika did. A week passed but still no Meniandro tried to approach or contact or pester him, which was good. But that didn't mean the week wasn't pedophile-free: the night before the week ended, he received a very short message from an unnamed number. Kurapika knew who the sender damn well enough without recognizing the series of digits by the sheer contents of the text.

'Yeah. Still alive, don't worry.'

Kurapika didn't bother reading it twice and casually hit the delete button. 'Lucky you, then,' he mentally grumbled.

Exactly one week after, another message appeared on his phone. It was short, too.

'What's up? The Mafia can't possibly still be looking for me.'

'He must be really bored... or frustrated,' Kurapika peered down his phone and deleted the message without a second look.

On the third week, on the same time and day he received the two previous messages, came another. It was longer this time and bore a definite intention.

'I'm back in York Shin, got another pair for you. Will be staying on the condo for the time being. See you soon.'

Kurapika heard himself snorted after reading. He didn't know if Meniandro had him stalked and monitored, and wouldn't want to risk being caught should he sneak one night to be laid. He didn't want the perverted billionaire blackmailing him with a reason such as sleeping with a master thief and murderer. Let him be sure of it but had no concrete evidence. 'Too bad for you, you need to hold that back or else deal with yourself for a while.'

He didn't bother replying and erased the message out of habit. 'Wait for nothing.'

But he became a little startled at the text message he received the next day, exactly the same time, from the same set of numbers.

'It won't hurt to reply, you know.'

Without a single ounce of care, Kurapika deleted it.

On the next day, on the same time, the same thing happened.

'If you still won't reply, I'll call you. You have a day. Same time.'

'Now that's being unreasonably demanding. Who the hell do you think you are?' Not obliged to follow such order, his finger went straight for the delete button. 'Call all you want. I don't care.'

It didn't surprise him, but Kurapika honestly didn't expect Kuroro to call when his phone rang a different ringtone the next day. He whipped it out and stared at the vibrating, noisy device. The screen displayed a now so familiar series of digits that he had subconsciously remembered. For a second, Kurapika weighed over a decision should he answer it or not. In the end, he let his cool take over and hung the phone up. He set it on silent mode next and retreated to his bed to sleep.