𝐀 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐲 || Hᴜɴᴛᴇʀ x Hᴜɴᴛᴇʀ x Rᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

1 x17

CHAPTER TITLE: The Final Phase (Part One)

"Seven of the ten are rookies? Marvelous, marvelous" Netero laughed as he sat in the same room as the other examiners, food on the table in front of them. "Has this ever happened before?" Buhara asked, munching on the meat in his mouth, some of it scattered around his mouth. "Hmm..there's a trend where we'll go many years without a single rookie qualifying. Then suddenly, we'll have a whole bunch of promising newbies. This is the fourth time I've seen it happen." Netero said. "By the way, what are we going to do with the Final Phase?" Satotz asked "Oh, right! You haven't told us yet" Buhara agreed.

"Yes, about that..." Before the chairman could finish his sentence, the door opened and the examiners looked at who it was.

"Sorry I'm late"

"Oh, no, Adonis, you're just in time. We were just talking about the Final Phase" The door closed as the tanned teenager sat beside the chairman, leaning against the sofa with his arms crossed and crossed legged. "Well what do you guys have in mind for it?" Adonis asked, his eyes looking at the old man sitting beside him, curious. "I intend to have them participate in a rather particular fight" Netero announced "Hmm? A particular fight?" Satotz asked, placing down his fork. "First, I want to talk with each of the ten remaining participants.

***

You, Kurapika, Gon and Leorio stood by one of the benches that had a view outside. Your eyes looked at the view that's beneath you. There was a moment of silence before Leorio decided to speak. "Pathetic..." He started, getting all of your attention. "I needed the three of you to do everything for me during the Fourth Phase. I promise, I'll return the favor. So..." He looked away, embarrassed. "Thanks" The three of you smiled at the young man.

"I have an announcement for all the applicants. The chairman wishes to interview the remaining candidates."

"Interview?"

"When your number is called, please come to the reception room on the second floor. Then, we will start with #44 Hisoka-sama"

You had a gut feeling, but you couldn't seem to put a finger on it. Shaking the thought away, in hopes that this was your imagination. You waited for your number and name to be called. When you felt like your number would be called soon, you walked down the hallway. Your own (E/C) eyes saw Adonis walking down the same hallway as you, just in the opposite direction. This made you swallow the lump of saliva down your throat, avoiding every ounce of eye contact with him as you crossed paths. The silence was creating a huge tension between the two of you.

Your number was called and so is your name, you headed to the reception room and knocked on the door, entering the room and closing the door behind you before sitting down. Going face to face with the chairman. "Ah, you must be (Y/N)" He said "It's nice to meet you, mister chairman" You greeted with a soft smile, trying to be as polite as possible. "Is this.. Related to the Final Phase perhaps?" You asked. "Well, you could say that it is related to that. I will be asking you a couple of questions" He said, causing you to put your own guard up and mentally prepare for whatever he's going to ask.

"First, why do you want to become a Hunter?"

Is exploring the world a good reason? Maybe not.

"Um.." You pause and think of an answer. "I.. want to become a hunter so I could explore the world a bit more. Maybe, even get a few jobs to help my parents out whenever I can." You started. "Since being a Hunter has its perks, I could say that this is a great opportunity for me to learn new things and maybe gain experience that could be beneficial for not only myself, but my parents, as well" You were confident as you said this. Netero hummed in reply. "I see, that's a good answer" he commented. "Alright, next question" He looked at his paper before looking back at you.

"Which of the other nine applicants are you keeping an eye on?"

You blinked at his question "Keeping.. An eye on?" You asked and looked down on your hands as you fiddled with your clothing. You were silent for a few seconds before looking back at the old man sitting across from you. "#358.." it was Adonis' number

(This is just a random number, bare with me I had a hard time with their tags so I'll just put a random number)

Netero looked at you in awe "I've been keeping an eye on him ever since the start of the exam. But #405 seems to be an interesting person as well so I am keeping an eye on him." You answered. "I see. Alright, one last question. Which of the other nine applicants you least want to fight against?" You hummed, placing a finger underneath your chin. "#99 is someone that I would fight against the least..As well as #44 and #301" You finished.

When the questioning was done, you walked out of the room, letting out a sigh of relief. "That was nerve racking."

***

Apparently that interview lasted until the setting sun. You couldn't help but think about how fast time flies. "(Y/N)" You turned your head and saw Kurapika walk up to you. "Kurapika" You smile to which he did in return "How did the interview went?" He asked. "It was nerve racking." You laughed awkwardly "You seem to be headed somewhere" You say. "Yeah, I was looking for Gon. Have you seen him?" You shake your head as a no. "I can help you look for him, though" His smile grew a bit wider. "That'd be nice, thank you"

Both you and Kurapika walk down the hallway as the sun beams through the glass window. "Say... (Y/N)" He called, causing you to hum in response. "Yes?" He looks at you. "That music back at the island..." He was hesitant to continue the sentence. You let out a laugh. "Let me guess, you want to compliment me about it?" You continued for him. He seemed embarrassed by this but he couldn't help but laugh and answer with a 'yes'.

"Look, there's Gon" You pointed over to the boy who was looking out the window alone and both of you walked up to him. "Gon" Kurapika called out, getting the boy's attention. "We've reached the final phase of the exam" the blonde started. "Yeah" Gon agreed with a nod and he looked away, a frown forming on his face. Which caused your heart ache a bit, Kurapika looked over to the sunset, not making eye contact with the boy. "Gon." He called again. "Hmm?" the boy hummed in response.

"Did something happen during the Fourth Phase?" You asked the question for the blonde. "When we met up.. You were acting a little strange" You pointed out, leaning against the table. "(Y/N)'s right. And you've been somewhat subdued since we left Zevil Island." Kurapika adds.

"My target was Hisoka" Gon finally spoke, getting the attention of both you and Kurapika, a surprised look on both of your faces. "I waited for the perfect chance and stole his tag, but someone was tailing me, and he got me with a poisoned dart. Soon after, Hisoka took back his tag from the person who got me and left it with me. He said that I owe him now." The boy opened up. "Hisoka said that?" Kurapika questions. "I told him I didn't need his help and he sent me flying." You saw Gon's eyes tear up and you can hear his voice crack and break down. "I was so mad that I couldn't do anything against him. . ." You took out a handkerchief and walked up to him, wiping the tears away.

You felt bad for him. You didn't know how to comfort him properly and you couldn't find the right words to make him feel better, but as soon as you see his sad smile, maybe you didn't have to do that. "After that, I was pretty miserable and lonely. I felt so helpless, I wanted company. . . I wanted to help someone, I guess..."

'' I wanted to help someone''

Ah, a phrase you were all too familiar with.

"That's why I was looking for you two" You knew that the boy was talking about Kurapika and Leorio. You didn't feel sad that he didn't include you. You were capable of handling yourself, Killua's name also didn't fall out of his mouth anyways, that's probably because Killua can handle himself very well, too. "Gon. Leorio and I have only been able to make it this far because of you." Kurapika said and looked at the boy with a smile. "We're truly grateful" "I'd also like to thank you" Gon said in return to the blonde. Your heart felt at ease when you saw their smile.

"Alright you two. How about we go get something to eat and rest up? We have a big day tomorrow"