A Web of Pride and Misfortune [Hunter X Hunter]

2- landing in a tough spot

ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ!

Rule 2: Better safe than sorry.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ Miko's Karaoke Bar, Jan 6

'If you drop me, I'm going to kill you, okay?'

'Silly goose! If you're dead, how would you kill me?'

'My residual Nen will hunt you down, Miko, and that's a promise.'

'Ooh, scary!'

'Why you-'

'Ow ow ow!-'

After a bit of bickering, the two went out the back towards a small area for truck drop-offs, where Miko promptly turned into his true form— a Kiriko. Without hesitation, he sharply spread his wings and took flight, as Lin held on to his claws for dear life.

The view of the land sped under them, a blurry mixture of greens and buildings. The wind howled in their ears, but none of them paid any attention to the noise and chatted away animatedly.

Lin stretched her arms just as a thought hit her. 'Oh! I dumped behind some people for this shortcut. I wonder how they're doing?'

Miko shrugged. 'They'll be fine. Don't worry your darling head off about them. Save your energy. You'll need it, Linnet.'

'Don't call me darling,' Lin huffed. 'It's weird.'

'Aren't you rude!' Miko sighed. 'I was complimenting you, yet you call me weird. Why am I even helping you?'

'Oh, I could do this all day! First, I worked for you in your cafe that was understaffed but still attracted customers like crazy. Second, you owe Kite a huge favor, and he got me in contact with you. Third, anytime you asked me for something impossible, I did it. Fourth—'

'Fine, fine, you win,' he interrupted her. 'I'm sorry about that. I know why I'm helping you, and it's because you're a good person.'

'Ehh...?' Lin fumbled, caught off guard by his sudden change in attitude. 'I... uhm, in all honesty, you're a better person than I am, but... thank you?'

'Oh, look, that's Zaban City. All those skyscrapers and busy streets... isn't it an eyesore!'

'What's with the sudden aggression? You're the one who's an eyesore.'

'Excuse you! I didn't even insult you...'

By the time the two of them touched down, their throats were drier than a desert, so they went to the local 7-11 for refreshments.

'... and that's why you still owe me $100 for making me pick all those exotic flowers for your spring-themed cafe decorations.'

"Ah, drop it, Linnet."

"Very well. But only because I'm a nice friend, got that?"

They stepped to the counter to pay for their drinks. As Lin reached out to pay for a bottle of water, Miko stopped her.

'I'll pay, okay?'

'Really? Why?'

'Well, you're entering the Exam in a few minutes. I might not ever see you again.'

She instantly laughed, but Miko remained serious. A heavy silence descended upon them.

Lin hadn't really thought about it too much. Dying? When she had learned Nen already? Ridiculous. However, Miko had been delivering people to the Exam since forever. How many of them were Nen users? And how many of them ever came back?

A shudder ran through her body involuntarily.

I can't fail. I won't! Dying is off the table, too. Allow his words to get to me and I won't be in the right shape.