BUTTERFLIES - READER INSERT

05. New Routes x Arriving to Our Destination

WHEN THE SHIP WAS TETHERED TO DOLLE HARBOR, you stretched your arms and let out a loud yawn, arms rising in the air as you breathed in the smell of bustling cities, it's not as good as the air back home or on the ship, but it's not an unwelcome scent either. You never had these experiences in your first life, to enjoy living was a new thing, but not unwelcome.

"All of these people..." Leorio mutters, looking around the bustling city and you wonder if he's surprised by it much like you were, "now, for a ride to Zaban," he mutters looking for a bus or car as Kurapika leans into you a bit.

"Most of these people are probably going our way," he says as you nod your head yes. You figured as much, in your first life the hunter's exam was always hectic. It took place in your home city in your last life. You could remember bustling streets, rude people, and hectic situations.

Your eyes follow the young boy as Gon shakes the captain's hand as the older man points to a tree on top of a hill, "guys! Guys!" he cheers, waving his hand at your group as he smiles, "The captain says we should go there!" he yells, pointing to the tree as you hum.

"Let's do it," you say as Leorio looks at you in shock.

"[Name]! you can't be serious!" he yells as he points to the map, "why would we go the opposite way!?" he says, pointing to Zanban city on the map and then to the place the trees at as you glared at him.

"Big brother, when was I wrong?" you asked, a finger jabbing his chest as you looked up at him and he avoided your [E/color] eyes. You had taken out your contacts since the two traveling companions already knew your secret, you saw no point in keeping them on. Perhaps Kurapika could teach you how to keep your emotions down as well so you won't have to wear them again.

"But climbing up that hill would be a waste of time," Leorio argues as you nod a no.

"Look at how full those buses are." You say, pointing to the bus and then the line for the bus. "That bus has already passed twice. We've seen some of the same faces on it the second time around. Do you think the Hunter's Exam will let us catch a bus there? I don't think so." you say, pulling on Leorio to go the mountain. "So let's go! Don't be a dummy!" you yelled, dragging your brother to the tree on top of the hill as he grumbled about your choice.

"Big brother, in my past life all the buses would be shut down and would take you around the city. It won't take you to the exam site," you say as Leorio calms down.

"You know a lot about the Hunters Exam despite not being a hunter in your past life," he says as you nod.

"My mother, in my past life, was a hunter. I was gifted her Hunter card and often surfed the Hunter website. Trust me, big brother... you do not want to catch a ride to the exam site." you whispered to him as Leorio's eyes went wide.

"Your mother was a hunter... do you think that she still is?" he asks as you blink and you never thought of that.

Is your mother still alive? Since you weren't born... is she alive?

𝗫𝗫𝗫

YOU LOOKED AROUND THE DESTRUCTED CITY AS LEORIO MUTTERS SOMETHING ABOUT HOW IT'S CRUMMY; you keep in your tongue. Hadn't both of you lived in Meteor City for quite some time? Perhaps he had gotten too used to living on Cresent Island.

"Oh, there are lots of folks here!" Gon says as you blink.

"Really?" you ask, leaning into him, trying to hear what he was hearing.

"Yes," Kurapika says as he looks at you sharply. "Keep your guard up," he tells you, stepping in front of you. You want to tell him that it's not needed, but Leorio looks around anxiously.