wait for me [illumi zoldyck]

48. Do and Don't

Illumi

I freeze in my steps, slowly turning around to face father again, who watches me with a raised brow.

"How did you know?" I sigh, coming to sit back down. My mind wanders back to the time I heard voices in the distance when I was first making my way to the Hano manor. I had dismissed it, thinking that it was nobody, but perhaps that was father's doing.

"I know a lot more than you think," father explains, leaning his forearms on his knees. The question is, just how much does he know?

There's no point in keeping secrets, figuring that he would prefer hearing things straight. I would have considered bending the truth if the alliance with the Akagi family was still on. However, now that it's been called off, I have no reason to hide the truth.

"I'm helping Mr. Hano locate a woman named Rene Federov. She's Mia's great-grandmother."

Father looks taken aback, for a moment. He probably expected me to say something completely different. "And why is that?" he questions, brows furrowing.

I think of ways to explain this situation to him. He is already aware of Mia's ability to communicate with spirits, having learned this many years ago.

"She is the last living person who possesses the ability to communicate with spirits. I'm hoping that she'll tell us more about her family's lineage and abilities."

"You want to use her to communicate with Mia?"

I shake my head. "More than that. Mr. Hano has reason to believe that we might be able to harness Mia's lingering nen energy to potentially bring her back to life."

"Ill," father's expression changes, his tone is stern. He is considering my words very carefully. "She's been dead for a long time. If she was able to come back to life, don't you think it would have happened by now?"

He speaks softly, carefully. Watching me intently as the words leave his lips. Father has never been the type to speak to considerably, yet right now he speaks to me like I may break down if he isn't careful with his words. I frown.

The small fragments of hope within me wither begin to away as the words fall from his lips. Almost like I've been snapped back into reality. The iciness of reality hits me all at once. And I hate it.

"Oh."

"Mr. Hano has become delusional. His motives have digressed. You are my son, and I will not allow you to stray on the same path that he has decided to take." Father's tone imposes no room for contradiction. "You need to think pragmatically, and move on."

I lean back in my chair, feeling utterly shattered. Father's words echo in my head. Blinking slowly, I feel myself becoming dissociated from my surroundings. From reality. The rest of his words become muffled, and a buzzing persists in my ears. 

Father's mouth moves, but I don't register any words. 

I can't move on.

++

Mia

Kyser stares at me, mouth gaping slightly. I can practically see him sift through his head for an explanation. He remains baffled for a few moments. I raise a brow.

"She, uh," he mumbles, cringing slightly at the uncertainty in his tone. "She had some help."

I open my mouth, about to say something. Before any words can reach my lips, Kyser is already making his way back to shore. I'm perplexed for a moment, watching him wad his way back to the rocky cove. Why is he keeping this from me?