Raindrops pelted loudly against the passenger side window of the discreet black car, bringing Killua slowly back to reality. His mind had been full with his usual daydream: an open road at his feet, not a cent in his pocket, but he was free to travel whatever way he wanted to, for better or worse. Sighing, he watched his breath fog up the glass, wondering if this rain was going to make him late for class. He hoped not, lateness was highly looked down upon at Hunter University and the college would dock him points, meaning his parents (read: his mother) would finally have an excuse for him to pester him about dropping out.
He felt awkward actually wanting to get to class on time, he hadn't been such an exemplary student in his previous schools but this was a place he actually wanted to stay in. If he graduated, he could become anything he wanted. Power and wealth were not new to him, but prestige from his own accomplishments? That was worth playing the good school boy.
Naturally, his parents expected him to become the heir of their "Family", with this degree he could become that. In the same way, they also knew he could choose any other occupation with that very same degree. They weren't fools, but they knew when to pick their battles and he had fought furiously to get admitted so they had allowed him. It was a risky gamble and his parents were cautious people, as expected of Mafia assassins who specialized in hits of high profile persons. A single mistake could send him right back to the large, prison-like mansion he unfortunately called home and a life of methodical murder.
It was worth it to taste freedom, even if it was partially an illusion.
Lulled by the rain, he had almost returned to his daydream when a flash of green flew by the vehicle, traveling far too swiftly in this weather. His eyes were keen and even in the pouring rain he could make out a person on a bicycle, weaving effortlessly in and out of traffic.
'Idiot,' he thought, already losing interest. 'Maybe he'll crash? That would be funny.'
His focus returned to the droplets running down the window, permitting his mind to think of a future with open roads.
Gon was late, she didn't know how, but she was incredibly late. Her clock had mysteriously become unplugged and thrown across the room but she didn't recall doing it. Then again, she had been fighting a giant white cat-bug in her dreams and it had gotten pretty intense, so she might have reacted badly when the alarm had gone off. A potential theory she'd have to investigate further, later, because if she didn't leave the house now she was going to get her first tardy and ruin her perfect attendance record.
She had worked so hard to get into this college, the only one in the world that would allow her to fulfill her dream: finding her father. He had attended Hunter University and passed with flying colors, then he had disappeared and no one of normal standing could gather any information on him. However, a Hunter graduate could get access to the files, no problem.
Her memories of him were vague, he had left when she was very young, and most of what she knew had she learned from Mito-san, her aunt who raised her. He was a Hunter, what kind of Hunter that she didn't know, but if he was willing to leave everything behind, even her, to achieve that dream, she would find out why. She would become a Hunter and find him herself no matter what it took.
Gon hurried to the bathroom, tugging on her uniform: a short-sleeve, white button-up shirt and forest green shorts. She had opted out of the skirt for convenience, she was far too active, and also had a tendency to climb trees. It was a simple outfit but elegantly cut, as you would expect of such a prestigious school.
Hunter University was elite for a reason; you had to be extremely wealthy, influential, or abnormally gifted to enter. Gon was definitely not the first two, but she was talented. She studied feverishly for weeks before she attempted the written exam, barely passing. Thankfully, she was able to breeze through the physical exam, astounding the examiners and ensuring her a spot in the school roster.
Gon could hear the rain pouring down outside, groaning as she realized it would make it that much harder for her to reach the school on time. While traveling by bike was a good way to save money, she didn't like to ride in the rain since cars couldn't see her very well. If she got hit, she couldn't afford a new bicycle.
Pulling on her green hoodie, she grabbed her backpack and rushed to her bike. There was no time to make a lunch, a decision that pained her, but if she pedaled quickly she could make it in time for breakfast in the cafeteria.
Darting in and out of traffic, she glanced briefly to one side to check if the car was going to merge in front of her and saw a pale male figure in a black car.
'Huh,' she thought, puzzling over his expression as she rode on, 'he looks so sad.'
But then a truck cut in front of her, making her jerk her attention back to the present. She dodged, but the car behind her wasn't so lucky. It's front bump was took most of the damage, but it wasn't going anywhere and from the loud, angry shouts coming from both the vehicles, neither was traffic.
"Oops," she said, sticking out her tongue in her usual apologetic manner as she circled around the crash. "I hope no one needs to get somewhere anytime soon."
Killua was not only late, he was pissed. Some morons had wrecked ahead of them in traffic, causing all the movement to stop. If he had stayed in the car like his driver had wanted him to, he would have probably missed class entirely. Running through the rain had not been an enjoyable experience but at least he managed to get the licenses plates of the vehicles responsible for his delay. He'd pay them back later.
His clothes were soaked by the time he reached the campus and of course the rain chose at that moment to cease. Thankfully, he had a spare uniform in his locker. If he had time, he would have head directly to it so he could change but he doubted his professor (Bisky, he hissed with dislike) would have believed his excuse.
In the end, he arrived a minute late, soaked and angry like wet cat.
'Great,' he thought vehemently, 'Late, wet, and now I have to deal with my least favorite professor. Just wonderful.'
"Mister Zoldyck, I understand that you live farther away than most but lateness is no excuse for such an… appearance." Professor Bisky looked him up and down, frowning disapprovingly at the puddles forming underneath his feet. She was short and young looking, but he suspected she was much older than she acted. Especially when it came to disciplining, she sounded like an old hag who was well into her fifties.
"It was raining," he spoke slowly and carefully, trying not to let his urge to slice her throat leak into his voice. "There was a car crash that blocked traffic and I didn't want to be late. So," he gestured to his dripping clothing, "I ran the rest of the way."
"Right, well, go change into something dry first and then come to class," she replied dismissively, turning back to the chalkboard to finish writing down the notes for the day. She muttered to herself, "Honestly, young people these days…"
Killua did not know if that meant he wasn't going to be marked tardy, but he frankly didn't care anymore. Walking quickly to his locker, he snatched his clothes and headed to a restroom to change, wincing at the squelching of his shoes.
So focused on the horrendous sounds his shoes were making, he didn't notice the person in front of him until they grabbed him by the shoulders to stop him from running into them.
He jerked back in shock, falling into a defensive stance.
"Oh, sorry," the young woman said, still holding her hands up. "I thought you were going to run into me."
"I was," he admitted, almost sounding as if he didn't believe it himself. The whole day had been off kilter so far, why not this as well?
Her long black hair was held back by a green headband and it draped over her should as tilted her head in interest, inquiring brightly, "What kind of style was that? I don't think I've seen it before. Oh, and my name's Gon! Nice to meet you!"
"Killua." He forced himself to relax, oddly his heart still racing. "It doesn't surprise me, it's a style only used by my family." The color of her hoodie caught his attention. "Hey, where you riding a bike earlier?"
"Yeah," she responded, blinking, "How did you know?" Her eyes widened as she took in his appearance, "Oh! You're that guy in the car!"
"Huh? You saw me?" He asked incredulously, after all she had been going by extremely fast.
"Uh huh, you looked so sad, I kept thinking about you after I rode by," Gon answered honestly, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion at the way he flushed.
'Okay, so she did see me.' Killua was impressed and mortified. Really, this day needed to end already. "I had a lot on my mind."
She nodded understandingly, then gestured to his clothes, "Well, I'll leave you to change. Maybe we'll have a class together? I hope so." She grinned, her tawny eyes sparkling, "By the way, did you run all the way here in that amount of time? That's so cool!"
He scratched the back of his neck, modest but smirking, "It wasn't that far."
"It was three miles away! In the rain! That's amazing," she protested, unwilling to let his accomplishment pass unnoticed.
The gong of the school clock resounded through the hall, distracting the pair from their talk.
"Oh, right, class. You better go," Killua said, feeling regretful that the conversation had to end already. He looked over at her, noting her hopeful expression. "I'll see you later."
"Okay! Bye then!" She waved, still smiling as she headed down the hall opposite his direction. He watched her go, unable to continue walking until she was out of sight.
"…Wait." He said, aloud in the empty hallway. "Did she cause that wreck?"
