An Inconvenient Attachment

Chapter 4: Endurance x Phase

Anzu Momoki's POV:

The mustache man really made me feel conflicted but I did not say anything. I could tell Kasumi is in shock, of course it's not like I don't have any questions. How did he consume food? That did not really matter I suppose. Everyone had their sight set on passing this exam.

I would say we have an odd group of people here. I could sense danger from some, some others, I'm not too sure. I think Kasumi and I are best to stay out of the clown's way. He looked like a predator ready to pounce on its prey at any given moment. Even without his aura he could create such an intense atmosphere. Kasumi seems to be having fun with the new group we talked to earlier. She's great with people. If only I could stand up for myself sometimes too. I just can't bring myself to really trust anyone outside Kasumi (and uncle and aunty). It's not as if I don't understand there are bad and good people. Something deep inside me punches me in the guts every time I want to open up. It's like a defense mechanism, I will never be hurt this way.

"You're pretty quiet Anzu-chan," Gon commented, breaking my chain of thoughts. With what I have gathered so far, it seems that Gon is becoming a hunter to look for his dad. I suppose our goals aren't too different, except he has a completely different reason. 

"Ah...y-yeah...I-I," Irrumator. I can do this. I can at least start a conversation. Why am I like this. Because you're still a flightless canary, give it up. Shut up, shut up. 

"Anzu is a bit shy!" Kasumi chimed, still smiling. May the Lord smile with blessings upon her. She always saves you; how can you protect her. Perite. "Anzu loves puff pastries. She loves playing sports; I reckon no one can match her dribbles. You see her walk around like she only listens to MCR and P! but in truth she's actually a huge fan of bubblegum pop (not like you'll ever squeeze that out of her). She-" before she could embarrass me more, I pulled her back into a firm head lock and covered her mouth.

"Mmffmff, Anfnzu, mmfsf," those eyes are looking at me again. Green like emerald. You don't even deserve her. You are garbage, that's why they left you. It is a strange feeling. I always try to not think about it. I have more than I can ever ask for here. Still, I can't stop the tears still flowing for them; I can't stop the tug on my heart string. These green eyes saved me. These green eyes are also the one thing as a reminder of them. Muffled screams and fat tears. I could feel it at my throat. I let go and ran before they could see. Damn it, you are a f*cking idiot. 

"Hey Anzu wait up!" Kasumi called. You really are an idiot. I slowed down my pace and watched from the corner of my eyes for Kasumi and the others to catch up. 

"Are you alright?" Kurapika smiled as he patted my head. He was very gentle and kind, but underneath I can feel he was different to Gon and Leorio. He felt...dangerous. Whoosh. 

That was all I can describe it. We were running as we saw the faintest of a silhouette passing us. Fluffy white and fast like lightning. There he was in front of us. Pure white hair, athleticism displayed without effort; another unbearing killer aura. Kasumi was next to me in awe of his skate. Kasumi loves skateboarding; I cry every time she's in that zone as she talks about it for hours about all her favourite skaters. 

"Hey! Isn't that cheating!" Leorio called out. At first glance it would seem like it if one did not pay attention to Satotz. Luckily I did not need to elaborate as Kasumi was on the trail. She mentioned how Satotz simply told them to follow him. There were no rules, anything should apply. Gon nodded at this and said he was thinking the same. 

Hearing this the little white looked back still wearing that poker face. "Hey you! How old are you?" he asked, boring those slanted eyes at specifically Kasumi. "12!" both Kasumi and Gon called out. They sure are cute.

We were unsure of what he was thinking but he suddenly flipped his deck in the air, caught it gracefully and began running next to Kasumi and Gon. "I guess I don't mind running as well." To this the both of them cheered. I am quite happy for her. She is finally having some friends her age to hang out around. We were raised together since that fateful date, I know the do's and the don't's like the back of my hands. There is no doubts we were privileged, but she was never able to interact much with everyone her age. We were both home schooled and trained hard in martial arts. If it's me there's only her. But if it's her I want Kasumi to be happy with more friends than the world she was restricted in. 

"So how old are you pops?" Killua (as we found out) asked Leorio. It seemed like an innocent enough question. With every question however, we never really get the respond we expected. As much as I am enjoying Leorio's company, and as much as I hate myself for being in shock, nothing could have prepared me for his answer.

"Who're you callin' pops? I'll have you know I'm a teenager just like you guys! I'm only 19!" 

Kurapika and I were able to maintain a constant poker face. Even so, there was the slightest raise at the tip of his eyebrow which suggests he might also be in shocked. I mean, how can you not be? Kasumi, Gon and Killua were not able to hide their emotions so well. 

                                                                                             xxx

It felt like we have been running forever. Many people were losing steam and countless and countless of the 407 contestants already dropped out a far way back. Not from vanity but I would say I had very good stamina. Even so I started feeling it at the back of my shins and my inner thighs. I wonder how much longer we need to go. Stupid, just shut up and run. Shut up I'm trying. 

"Come play with me!" their toothy grin was gone, now replaced with those funny empty gaps I like to make fun of. "Coming!" I shouted back, taking the last good sip of cold water before sprinting at full speed towards the grassy field. We ran and ran and ran. We ran around the greenery in the blazing sun that burnt our skin. We ran and ran and ran some more in our world we once ruled. Smiling, laughing, tripping, crying and laugh some more. Running was our thing. Running kept us going. Running kept us side by side. Running pushed us apart. Run Anzu. Keep running. Come back to me. They would say. 

"Dub, dub," our hearts beat in silent, screaming, exotic rhythms. "Dub, dub," my heart went again reminding me they never left me. "Dub, dub," went my heart which was about to explode in a billion fragments of stained glass. How can I keep running? Everything reminds me of them. Every bit of me is still screaming at their betrayal. Yet every bit of me is still screaming for them to come back. 

"Anzu!" Kasumi's voice pierced through my train of thoughts. Once again I was completely out of it. "Gosh I was getting worried, you weren't answering my questions. What were you thinking about?" 

"Huh? Well I was just-" before I could finish my sentence Satotz sped up pulling the rest of us to catch up with him as well. A lot of people could not keep up. It seemed we have reached our 60km marker. 60km is insane. Just how much longer will we be running?

I noticed Leorio was lagging behind and it seemed like Kasumi noticed it as well. Kasumi, Gon and I were all slowing down with Leorio. Killua glanced back at us and asked what we were waiting for. Upon hearing how we were waiting for Leorio, he scoffed and said we should all run for the exam. Nobody will be waiting for us at the end. I guess he is right. We don't have a choice in the matter. We need to get through the exam, we can't be disqualified here. I am a bit sorry for Leorio though.

Just like that we suddenly hear Leorio's shouts resounding through the tunnel all the way from the back. He no longer had his shirt on and his tie was hanging loosely from his neck. Leorio full charged at us. Kurapika saw this and also gave out a chuckle. He started removing his coat and tucked it away into his bag. 

I am impressed by Leorio, his spirit sure did boost all of our morale through the roof. We were all running seriously now, smiling and talking about reaching the end of the exam. Maybe, just maybe I could become friends with them. 

The first phase of the hunter exam is still going on. Onward we ran towards the door of our future.

---xxx---