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      Warmth. That was exactly what Eri exuded with her entire being. Her bright smile brought a calmness to her soul and made her feel under a nice warm shroud that protected her from all the hardships of this sinful world. She wanted to send a thousand smiles back, just so that her mood would not change for the worse. And the pleasant warmth would stay longer.       The first time they met was in the hospital wing. As soon as Killua saw the white ceiling and the beautiful, warmly smiling girl in front of him, he wondered if, despite all his sins and life as a serial killer, he had been sent to heaven. It couldn't have happened. But gradually the picture from his first impression began to turn into reality. As it turned out, he was not mistaken with his first opinion. And the stranger was indeed like an angel descended from heaven.        Blonde. Just like him. But unlike Killua, Eri's hair was not ashy white, but gave off a golden hue, and even her dark brown eyes did not spoil her angelic image.       So kind. She was ready to give Killua all of herself. At first he thought she only acted like that with him. But after watching her for a while, the boy realised his mistake. Eri was kind to everyone. No exceptions. Even to this dreadful magician she showed the utmost respect. However, her fear of him was still evident. It's understandable, who wouldn't be scared of a scary guy like that?       " I think I have a fever," Killua sighed heavily, covering his gas with the palm of his hand.       " Wait a second," Eri nodded, opening the nightstand with medical devices. "Where is he? " she began muttering quietly to herself, cursing at the unfortunate missing thermometer.       Eri placed her palm on the guy's forehead for just a couple of seconds, and the guy in turn covered his eyes and savoured the moment, hoping it would last forever and he would lie there with a gentle palm on his forehead.       " I'm going to run to the other office now, and you lie down for a while, don't get up. I didn't feel much of a fever, so bear with me for a while, please," she carefully closed the door and ran down the corridor.       Killua lay there with a satisfied face, knowing that the thermometer was under his pillow. His plan had succeeded. The girl had touched him, though only for a few seconds, and her warmth had infused and overwhelmed him so much that he didn't want to do all the things he did: killing, fighting, maiming others, being in a family of assassins. He was even willing to stop seeing his friends. In general, he wanted to change his life so drastically that it was easier to die and be reborn.       The second time they met, Killua thought, would have to be in a more serious setting. He simply had to impress her. Because of the fever, which then indeed rose by the meanness of fate. The guy hadn't performed to his potential and doubted that a gentle nature like her was watching fights in an arena where he was unrealistically strong, in his own opinion. So there was an urgent need to rectify the situation and show how tough he was.       The second meeting was planned very carefully, but ironically Eri caught Killua at the cafe next to the arena, right as she and Gon were eating speed pies. Jam and pastry were flying in different directions, dirtying everything around them, but people who knew the boys were hunters were wary of them and didn't dare make a remark in the direction of such important visitors. Eri got angry. Who the hell did they think they were! People came to eat in peace, and they made such a mess.       " I'm sorry, young people, " she started as politely as possible, despite the emotions overwhelming her. After all, the hunters might do something. Who knows what those assassins had in mind.       Killua was about to unleash all the bad things he had in his heart on the man who dared to interrupt their legendary tournament. But, looking out from behind the mountain of pies, the blonde in front of him made him forget all the swear words and basically everything bad that was on his tongue.       " You can keep your voice down and be careful. You're in a public place and you're disturbing people with your behaviour," she said unhappily, looking at the wide-open mouth of the guy in front of her.       " We're leaving now," Killua rambled, standing up and taking Gon under his arm.       " What...? " The friend wanted to be indignant, but was unceremoniously interrupted.       " Right now," Killua said, putting the money on the table.       " You don't have to do that," Gon wanted to reprimand him.       " Come on," and he walked out, literally dragging his friend behind him. " I'm sorry," Killua said quietly just before he left.       " Actually, it's not me you should be apologising to, it's ... " But the door had already closed.       Eri wasn't sure if the boy was apologising to her personally. He hadn't given a name, after all, but somehow it seemed like those words were addressed to her specifically.       "You're crazy! " said the angry Gon, breaking free of his friend's grip. " What about our tournament? Why did you even leave the money? Why did you listen to a little girl? " he began to pour in a barrage of questions.       Killua remained silent. He himself didn't know why the hell he'd acted like that. What did he even see in her? Maybe she had a strong aura of nen? Or bloodlust? Who was he kidding. Killua was willing to bet his family's entire fortune that she hadn't even fought once. But her voice made him give up. Just a voice. When had he ever submitted to someone weaker than himself? That's right, never. Until today, of course.       " Are you listening to me?! " Gon's voice brought Killua out of his thoughts.       " Huh? Well, " the boy hesitated, not knowing what to answer, so as not to appear weak and idiotic. " 'It's just that we've been misbehaving.       " Are you sure you're Killua? " Gon began to poke him on the cheek.       " Of course I am! What a stupid question."       " It's just not like you to think about people you don't know. Well, next time we'll continue our tournament," the boy clapped his hands, "I'll beat you for sure! "       " We'll see about that! " Killua cheered up in a flash.       Eri was in a hurry to examine another patient with a fracture, to make recommendations for treatment and generally check on the patient's condition. Fractures were far from uncommon in a place like the Celestial Arena. All the medical staff had a lot of work to do. They had to treat all kinds of injuries, from simple bruises to serious brain or spinal injuries.       " Good afternoon," Eri knocked and passed through after an approving shout of encouragement to enter. " Are you Gon? " She said, looking up from her book.       There were three people sitting in front of her. Apparently the same Gon with the broken arm was sitting on the bed. A blond man, the same one from the café who had been acting horribly, was nestled next to him. Eri's bad luck.       " Hello," the oldest of the bunch addressed her. " My name is Wing. Check this guy and confirm that his arm is all right, because he won't listen to us and he's raring to go," the man pointed to Gon.       " Oh, I've seen you before. You're Erie, right? I remember you were treating Killua and he stopped abruptly. You also kind of scolded us at the cafe. Or maybe it wasn't you. Killua, you remember, don't you? " He turned to his friend.       Killois was silent. Damn, he was silent again. The same Killua whose mouth wouldn't shut, just sat quietly and stared mesmerised at the girl who had come to them.       " Sort of... This, I apologise again. "       " I forgave you a long time ago," Killua exhaled. " But don't act like that again! "        "Of course," the boy nodded vigorously.       Wing, looking at what was happening, just smiled. Seeing Killua like this was just something unimaginable. Is this really the guy who beats up everyone he can and only listens to himself.       " Hello, Eri. Can I help you? " Killua asked the girl moving a large basket of medicines across the floor.       " Hi! That'd be nice! " She grumbled.       Killua picked up the basket easily. It was just like a piece of fluff to him.       " Where to? "       " I'll show you the way, follow me. It's hard to explain simply."       They walked in silence. Each absorbed in his own thoughts. But then two big blokes jumped out from round the corner. "You're gonna pay for this," the first one shouted something along those lines. "I'll smash you into the wall," his "mate" replied. Both ran, not seeing anyone in front of them. Killua and Eri wanted to back away, but these thugs ran, staggering in all directions. The first one ran safely around them, but the second one came straight at Eri, pushing her with all his might into the wall. Killua had time to react quickly and prevented the girl from smashing into the wall.       " You arseholes! " he shouted after them. " How are you? "       " I'm fine," Eri said, touching her head. " You can't say that about the meds, though."       All the medicines were scattered in different directions. Glass jars burst, the pills were run over by the thugs, crumbling them. There was silence. Killua stood still, holding Eri.       " Thank you," she thanked him. " Thanks to you I didn't turn into a scone," the girl smiled, her smile so sweet and warm.       " You're welcome," the boy said, reluctantly letting Eri go. He wanted to touch her or just hold her close to him.       " I have a lot of work to do," the girl sighed, looking at the scattered medicines. " But what can you do."       " I'll help."       " You don't have to, you've already saved me. "       " I volunteered to help. You don't leave things halfway! "       The boys went to get some rags, a bucket, and so on into the evening, first cleaning up and then sorting through what was still usable.       " Thanks, Killua," Eri gave him a peck on the cheek before leaving.       The man blushed horribly and looked away. Eri giggled at him.       " What are you doing! "       " Do strong hunters get embarrassed in front of girls," Eri taunted him.       " I'm not embarrassed! "       " You're blushing! Oh, oh, oh, oh! "       Killua tried his best to show his nonchalance, but his flushed cheeks and ears gave him away.       " Okay, Mr Serial Killer. See you later," she waved goodbye and walked out into the corridor.       The door closed, and Killua continued to stand still. Still she really does make you melt in front of her.       This time Killua took matters into his own hands and personally invited Eri himself to meet on the roof at night. At first the location and time confused the girl a bit, but in the end she still agreed. It's hard to say no to this guy after all.       Killua lay on the roof, putting his hands behind his head and looking up at the starry sky. Eri should have been here any minute.       The door creaked open and a girl appeared behind it.       " Hi," Eri said with a smile.       " Hi, "Killua pointed to the seat next to him.       The girl snuggled to the right of the hunter.       " Did you want to talk about something? "       " Yes."       " Something's wrong," she inquired worriedly. " It's rare to see you so calm."       " I don't even know where to begin."       " Is the news bad or good?"       " That depends on which side."       " Let's look at the good side, shall we? " Eri put her hand on his shoulder.       " Well, we're leaving tomorrow," Killua began. The girl's eyes rounded.       " Why didn't you tell me before! " she said angrily.       " It came out spontaneously, but let me finish," Killua was silent for a second, gathering his wits. " Will you come with us?"       " What? " She didn't expect that. " There's nothing to keep you here. Come with us, see the world, meet our friends. "       " It's too sudden. I don't even know what to say," she said.       " You see, I'd like to be with you. Just to be near you, to help you, to protect you. And if you're far away, I won't have that opportunity. You understand, don't you? " began Killua with despair. " I just can't be without you. You're so kind, so funny. I love having you around. It's... it's so nice and fun and joyful and just... "       Erie gently wrapped her arms around Killua, causing him to freeze with his mouth open, never finishing his speech. The girl captivated the poor guy, making him forget himself. Who is he? Who is he travelling with? And does he need these friends at all? Eri attracted, beckoned, and made him dissolve into feelings.       " I get it. I like having you around, too," Eri said, stroking Killua's back. " Just promise me you won't let the bad guys hurt me. "       " I promise! I promise to honestly protect you always-always! " said the boy with full readiness to do his duty.       " Thank you. Then let's go."