Gon's Fear

After finishing the makeup, the female owner left. Gon held up a magazine for Kazama Daisuke to see.

"Daisuke, look at this."

Kazama Daisuke packed up his makeup kit, casually glancing at the open page, which featured an article about Sagara Katsuhiko.

"Yeah, I see it."

His tone was incredibly flat. Gon's pupils contracted slightly, a flash of surprise crossing her face.

What's wrong with Daisuke?

At this moment, Kazama Daisuke picked up his guitar case and actively took Gon's hand.

Gon's expression shifted. Even more startled, she suddenly pulled her hand away from Kazama Daisuke's grip as if shocked by electricity.

Kazama Daisuke glanced at his left hand, which Gon had pulled away, froze for a moment, then looked down at Gon, saying gently, "Gon, what's wrong?"

The moment Kazama Daisuke looked at her, Gon lowered her head, hiding the fear on her face. She was a very smart and quick-witted child. Having clearly noticed something unusual and knowing about the existence of the creatures called Worms, she immediately concealed her emotions.

"Daisuke, you didn't even talk to me earlier. I'm unhappy."

Kazama Daisuke let out a soft laugh, rubbing Gon's head.

"Wasn't it always like that before? Alright, don't be mad. I'll buy you strawberry milk later."

"Okay."

Gon tried to stabilize her emotions, pretending to be happy as she actively took Kazama Daisuke's hand, turning her face away so he wouldn't see the lingering fear in her eyes.

On the way, Kazama Daisuke handed Gon a carton of strawberry milk. The girl accepted it with a bright smile, drinking happily, as if her previous fear was just an illusion.

However, Kazama Daisuke didn't think much of it, assuming children were easily startled, and didn't take it to heart.

Of course, this was also because Gon was just an ordinary child. If she didn't know Hozer and the others...

The workday ended, and in the afternoon, Kazama Daisuke took Gon home.

"Gon, say goodbye to Uncle Kazama."

"Yes. Daisuke, goodbye."

The door closed, obscuring Kazama Daisuke's figure. Takayama Junko led Gon back to the living room, and the mother and daughter watched a children's show together.

A long time later, Gon shuddered, suddenly throwing herself into Takayama Junko's arms.

Mother and daughter shared a deep bond. Takayama Junko initially thought Gon was just acting spoiled as usual, but the moment she touched her shoulder, she felt her daughter's body trembling and cold. She immediately realized something was wrong.

"Gon, what's wrong?"

Gon raised her head slightly to look at Takayama Junko, her eyes filled with tears, clearly showing unconcealed terror. This panicked Takayama Junko, who quickly pulled her daughter into her arms, gently patting her back.

"Mom, I'm scared."

Takayama Junko didn't understand, but Gon's fear was real. She felt it, and knowing her daughter's current emotional panic, she didn't press, only gently comforting her.

A long time later, Gon's fear finally subsided by more than half, but the remnants remained, leaving her small face pale.

Takayama Junko frowned. Her daughter's state was clearly abnormal. Did Kazama Daisuke do something?

In an instant, several dark thoughts flashed through her mind, and she instinctively felt around Gon's body.

Immediately, Takayama Junko's expression changed, and she quickly shook those dirty thoughts out of her head.

Kazama Daisuke was not that kind of person.

"Gon, what on earth happened?"

Gon was about to speak, but seeing Takayama Junko's worried face, she swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

"It's nothing. I met a big dog on the street and got scared."

The excuse was very clumsy, but fortunately, Takayama Junko knew not to force her, letting Gon go back to her room.

As for Gon, the moment she entered her bedroom, she closed the door, immediately pulled out her pink phone, and called Kusakabe Hiyori.

"Gon?"

"Sister Hiyori, Daisuke is not right. He's not like before. No, that's not Daisuke..."

Her voice was choked with sobs, her words disjointed. Kusakabe Hiyori also listened in confusion. Fortunately, after some guidance and Gon calming herself down, she realized the severity of the situation, immediately terrified.

Kazama Daisuke was a Worm, which meant Gon and Mrs. Takayama were currently in great danger.

Kusakabe Hiyori quickly reassured Gon, then immediately called Tendou, explaining the situation.

And just as Gon called Kusakabe Hiyori, Takayama Junko in the living room also called Kazama Daisuke, who had left not long ago.

"Kazama-san, Gon just..."

On the street, Kazama Daisuke had walked some distance. With a cold expression, he lowered his phone, turning his head to look at the tall building behind him, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

Immediately after, he did something unknown, simply standing in place for a moment. Suddenly, a repairman and a female office worker approached his side. Then, the three seemingly unrelated people walked toward Takayama Junko's house together.

In the Takayama house, Junko and Gon each hung up their phones, their minds filled with their own worries.

Gon waited in her bedroom for Kusakabe Hiyori's reply, while Takayama Junko thought about Kazama Daisuke's vague words on the phone earlier. Several thoughts rose in her mind again, making her feel even more troubled.

Thinking it over, Takayama Junko walked to the bedroom door and knocked.

"Gon, get ready to take a bath and go to sleep."

"Mom, you take a bath first."

"Gon, listen to me, come out quickly."

Takayama Junko's voice grew slightly sterner.

Gon frowned, standing up to open the door.

The mother and daughter entered the bathroom, undressed, and began bathing. Takayama Junko pretended nothing was wrong, checking Gon over but finding nothing suspicious, and couldn't help but fall into deep thought again.

What on earth could have scared Gon to such an extent?

In the dark corridor, theoretically, the footsteps of anyone entering should trigger the sound-activated lights, but when Kazama Daisuke and the other two entered, the lights had absolutely no reaction. If one listened closely, they didn't even make the sound of breathing, let alone footsteps.

In such a dark environment, the three walked silently with cold expressions. If an outsider saw them, they would probably scream in terror on the spot.

Step by step, the three slowly approached Takayama Junko and Gon's apartment.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang. Takayama Junko and Gon had finished bathing but hadn't gone to sleep yet, chatting in the living room while drying their hair.

Hearing the doorbell, Gon's expression changed, while Takayama Junko noticed nothing unusual, only wondering who would visit so late.

Walking to the front door, looking through the peephole at the visitor, Takayama Junko froze slightly, then immediately reached out to open the door.

Gon, watching from behind, felt an inexplicable dread. She instinctively stood up, her entire body turning cold.

"Hello, Takayama-san."

"Tendou-kun, it's so late. Is there something wrong?"

Takayama Junko looked at Tendou Souji outside the door in confusion, while Gon let out a sigh of relief, her pale face gradually regaining color. She had thought...

"Gon."

Tendou Souji waved at Gon standing behind Takayama Junko, his gaze narrowing.

Though young, Gon was very smart. She immediately understood, stepping forward to say, "Mom, I have something to say to Brother Tendou."

Takayama Junko instinctively felt something was going on, but it was inconvenient to speak of.

And in that brief moment of hesitation, Gon had already pulled Tendou Souji into her bedroom. To put Takayama Junko at ease, or perhaps to prevent her from eavesdropping, the bedroom door was left open.

"Brother Tendou, Daisuke is..."

Just as Gon was about to speak, Tendou Souji made a shushing gesture, listening intently.