Skyscraper

"Do you often come here?" "Not more often than you." Machi stood atop the skyscraper, her gaze piercing the horizon. The setting sun caressed her ash-pink hair, sinking lower with each passing second. Its warmth lazily brushed against her pale skin, attempting to penetrate her clothing to thaw not just her body but the icy heart still aching from old wounds. Her breathing remained so measured and calm that no one could guess her emotions. Even her eyes appeared utterly empty and lifeless, as if her soul had departed but left her body to enjoy one final sunset. "And yet... I didn't expect to see you here today," Hisoka drawled in his characteristic slow manner. She seemed not to hear him, lost in strategizing her next battle. Hisoka had seen Machi before missions many times - always this same implacable composure, cold rationality, and impenetrable expression. This was precisely why she operated in the shadows: an invisible soldier capable of delivering devastatingly precise strikes that left enemies no chance of survival. This was her true talent - concealing her feelings. Hisoka couldn't help but admire this ability, though Machi would only frown and call it hard-earned experience she'd rather forget than relive through nightly terrors. If only she knew how beautiful she looked bathed in sunset's glow. Watching her, his heartbeat stuttered. His usual carnivalesque persona faded, replaced by simple, almost saccharine infatuation. Of course, she didn't understand why the majority of missions assigned her to work alongside Hisoka, but her anger was a spectacle unto itself - just one icy blue glare could make your blood run cold while signing your own death warrant. She never disobeyed orders, couldn't and wouldn't, so all she could do was follow protocol and resist murdering her talkative partner. "August 30th... Last year a lovely lady made me come to Yorknew on this date," Hisoka smiled. "Tell me, did you already suspect my intentions regarding Kuroro then?" "Yes," Machi answered too quickly. "And didn't try to stop me," Hisoka concluded, stepping closer. "There was no need. You'd have challenged him eventually, but your timing was poor—" "A mistake I won't repeat," he interrupted. "It'll cost you your life," Machi said, turning slightly to see his profile. "Worried about me?" He took another step, squinting at her. "Just stating facts. Objectively comparing your nen abilities... your chances are slim." Machi wondered again why she'd come. These doubts gnawed at her so fiercely she felt like a defeated combatant for the first time. In truth, she'd fallen victim to her own fears. The armor built over years now cracked at the seams. Being near him while maintaining her composure had always been contradictory, especially now. "You're betraying Kuroro," her inner voice accused. Coming here was mistake enough; warning Hisoka about his opponent's strength bordered on insanity. Yet if her words might temper this fool who fought with singular bloody-minded purpose, she'd take comfort knowing Kuroro killed him cleanly rather than tearing him apart. After a pause, Machi added: "You're just a masochist." Hisoka's sudden genuine laughter made her turn. For a moment, she saw only a child amused by some silly story. A thought flashed: "This is the real him." No masks, no pretenses - rare vulnerability after all their strained partnership. "Know why people love magic tricks?" Hisoka produced a card deck, fanning it out. "Pick one." Machi reluctantly complied. "Now place it on top. Perfect!" He launched into expert shuffling - cards flying, dancing through the air before reassembling in his hands. Finally, he spread them again. "See yours?" "It's not here." "Because you're looking too closely..." With a flourish, he tossed the deck skyward. As cards rained down, Hisoka circled behind her and whispered: "It's right before you." Machi looked up to see the neighboring skyscraper's windows illuminated in her card's exact pattern - the Four of Diamonds. "How—?" "That answers my question," Hisoka said. "People love being deceived. Everyone's a masochist at heart." As Machi stared, Hisoka pressed the missing card into her hand. The Four of Diamonds - symbolic of his Phantom Troupe number and sharp personality. Even given the choice, she wouldn't change her pick. Yet being manipulated rankled. Suppressing anger, Machi met his gaze: "I hate feeling tricked." "Really? I disagree... Why did you come? Don't say 'just to warn me' - I won't buy it." Machi's eyes dropped, confidence crumbling like a chastised child. How could she answer what she herself didn't understand? "Just to warn you" sounded logical yet satisfied neither of them. Suddenly Hisoka pulled her close, kissing her with tender insistence. Machi responded, her hand tracing his cheek. Of course he knew - he just wanted to hear the words. As his hand settled on her waist, his unspoken feelings became clear. His poison seeped into her cells, etching itself permanently. Only the salt of Machi's tears made him break the kiss. Searching her tear-filled blue eyes, he found his answer. "I can't leave," Machi whispered. "Just... don't be reckless. Your bloodlust will be your undoing. Against him, stay calm." Wiping away tears, she stepped back. One final look, then she fled. "I'll survive. You'll see," Hisoka called after her. A faint smile touched Machi's lips.