𝐴𝑢-𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑢 𝑆ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠

7. Childhood friends

  Killua remembers when he first met Gon, his first friend since childhood.

   They met each other at the age of seven. Young and innocent. Unknown of reality waiting ahead of them in the near future growing up together. Later becoming something they never thought can happen.

  Where they met wasn't uncommon, a more natural place where most youngsters go and hang to play whatever they like doing most. Coming across another who likes the same activity, who eventually becomes best friends forever.

   Most say forever in friendship is an understatement, due to unlikely situations that can occur in the future that could cause problems for the two or more. Soon splitting and acting like  the whole entity of their friendship was a spell waiting to dissolve.

  Which sadly happens to a lot of people nowadays.

  That's what the young, smart Killua thinks while riding along his skateboard across the smooth pavement while licking a pink bunny lollipop gifted by his teacher with the highest score on a test. He didn't boast and took it as a gift in gratitude. Ignoring the looks handed in his way either proud or jealous. It's just a lollipop, nothing big. Spoiled he assumes.

  Taking out the lollipop out of his mouth again to lick some of the sweetness off onto his tongue, he saw a kid sitting alone beneath a blooming pink blossom tree leaning back on the bark. He put his skateboard into a smooth halt and put his foot down on the ground. Careful eyes watching out for the boy, why? Curiosity of a child.

  The lonely boy had messy black spiked hair covered in blossoms, a few blowing away every now and then by the chill breeze.

  Glad he wore his thick sweater since he hates the cold no matter what anyone says. Shaking his head, watching the lone boy's knees bent up to his chest with folded arms on top of his open knees, head rested on his arms looking forward with an emotionless face.

  Killua was curious and turned to see what he's looking at, but he only saw a red butterfly fluttering in the open air looking for a flower. He raised a brow even though it was just a normal everyday insect, but the other boy never took his eyes off the butterfly.

  Thinking the boy was being weird, not really into making weird friends and taking his leave, the lonely boy finally stood up now holding a wooden bug net. Was he seriously gonna catch a butterfly? For what purpose? Can't have them as pets considering they don't live very long no matter how pretty they are. Just watch from up close or afar in speculation without harming them.

  What he thinks was correct, the boy was lowering his stance to prepare himself to catch the red flapping insect minding its business, about to get ambushed by a kid with a bug net. Killua watches in silence as though he's trying to catch it with him.

  The lone boy was too preoccupied to notice Killuas' existence, focused on the task at hand. He slowly inches closer without startling the butterfly. Tanned arms covered in colorful band aids, including legs and face-raised up beside his head and pounces with sluggish grace, he trips on his feet causing him to face plant first to the ground.

  The butterfly seemed startled of the failed capture and fluttered away as fast as possible to avoid any other possible capturing hat no doubt will happen any time soon.

  Killua watches the butterfly fly away, then turns his head to see the boy getting up on his scraped knees groaning in pain. An empty dirtless hand rubbed his nose, small fingers gently graced a purple band aid on his left cheek in disbelief.

  He pushes himself with a bit unsteadiness due to the rather ungraceful fall, releasing out a heavy sigh when relaxed. Lifting up his net, he glares at it and snaps it half out of frustration before setting himself down in the previous position when seeing him. Except now hiding his face, trembling.