The air in the high-end coffee shop was thick with the aroma of expensive teas and fresh pastries. Hisoka was sitting across from you, his posture deliberately relaxed, but every muscle was tense, like a cat preparing to jump. He had just indulged in a small, venomous provocation.

"I admit, I'm impressed," his voice sounded sweet, but there was a cold spark of challenge in his narrow and yellow eyes. He pointed lazily with his chin towards the large window. "Make these two wild animals look like strapped angels... It requires real brutality. Real art."

He pronounced the word "cruelty" with a special, alluring intonation, throwing it between you like a disguised blade. His gaze, razor—sharp, glared at you, searching for the slightest reaction-anger, protection, justification. Any response would be a fulcrum for him.

But it didn't come.

You didn't blink. Your face remained absolutely calm, as if he had commented on the weather. You just raised your cup, took a small sip, and your silence became the most powerful response. It said: "Your childish injections are not worth my attention."

For a split second, only the muscles around his eyes twitched in his smile. The pause became slow. Then, with theatrical fluidity, he turned her around in a casual motion. Instead of clenching his fist in annoyance, his hand smoothly reached for the silver sugar bowl.

"Although, who am I to judge parenting methods," he continued, his voice regaining its even, thoughtful tone. With false interest, he stirred a lump of sugar in his Lady Grey, which he hadn't touched. "Everyone has their own... the recipe for the perfect drink. Or perfect obedience."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze slid back to the window, where Gon and Killua, like puppets, were quietly throwing a ball under your invisible but absolute control.

"So what's going on? His question came without challenge, with businesslike detachment. "When the person is yours... Calibre invites you to tea, it's rarely just a conversation. Is this an ultimatum? Or a business proposal?"