SOUR CANDY | killua z. ✔

17 | care

"OW! CAN'T you make the water any cooler?" 

"Stop being a baby," Sen scrubbed at Killua's scalp.

Because someone decided to spend their first beach trip flopping around on the sand like a fish— and subsequently didn't know that sand got everywhere— Sen had to drag Killua to the bathrooms as soon as the applicants were let back on the airship.

"How was I supposed to know it would stick?"

"It's only sticking because you have poodle hair."

"Oi, say that again—"

She's very, very glad the bathroom was empty. Sen didn't particularly care if anyone walked in on her washing Killua's hair in the sink, but the dramatic boy would make a big fuss. And then the hair washing would take even longer.

From the hallway, the PA occasionally called out for an applicant to visit Chairman Netero for their interview.

Sen gently parted the pale strands, looking for any stray sand grains. 

"Alright, I think it's all out," she shut the water off. "You're a free man."

Killua shoved himself away from the sink, shaking his hair out like a dog. 

He took in his surroundings and froze, visibly becoming more horrified by the second.

"Why the hell am I in the girls' bathroom?" 

She rolled her eyes. "Because there are no other women left in the applicant group to walk in on us."

"Applicant 297, Sen, please report to your interview."

Saved by the PA.

"See you," she was already walking out the door. "Don't forget your skateboard."

(What Sen didn't see on her way out: Killua, red-faced and shy. When was the last time someone treated him so tenderly?)

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁

Sen sat straight-backed before Netero. 

"Hm," the old man glanced over the papers spread out in front of him. "Why do you want to be a Hunter, Sen?"

"I don't. I'm here on family business."

The vague, straight-to-the-point explanation her brother drilled into her head. The one Sen should've been using the whole time, instead of bearing her entire soul to her new friends.

"Yes, I'm aware of what happened on Umishin," Netero looked at her knowingly. "Did you know your brother was one of the only Hunters involved in the investigation?"

"Yes."

"A few months ago, Kotaro personally approached me at the Association Headquarters," Netero stroked his beard. "Stubborn boy. He wanted access to Trick Tower's location. I couldn't give it to him because the site was already scouted for this year's Hunter Exam. At that point, the coordinates were classified."

The man leaned forward, searching her face. Sen was careful to keep it blank. It was one thing to reveal her own secrets; revealing her brother's was out of the question.

"How coincidental that his unlicensed sister, who has no desire to be a Hunter, shows up at the Hunter Exam. Why?"

"I want to show off the license to my sisters," Sen lied. "Sue me."