Disclaimer: I don't own Hunter x Hunter (nor any of the other references I included)
Once upon a time, Erin didn't like the idea of expressing her emotions. For her, letting others know what pleases her and what pisses her off is also the same as letting them know how to manipulate her. The only exception would be the times when she had to be agreeable once in a while if only to appease the people that would be beneficial for her.
That was how she coped with her family and their expectations of her as the eldest child. For years, she forced herself to keep up a front; she needed to be better and successful in everything that she'll do, especially with her studies. She needed to become a role model for her siblings and, at the same time, be the 'pride' of her family.
And even though she wanted to reject their ideas, she couldn't help but to grow accustomed to it that it got ingrained inside her head, festering on her thoughts like maggots and emptying her original self. She was so used to people deciding for her that she barely knows what she actually wants for herself.
She wants to stop all of these. And once she thinks of an idea, it sticks.
She loved her family, but she knows that indulging their whims would only be bad for her mental health. So she decided to just let herself go and do whatever the fuck she wants as long as it's not illegal.
Her stupid brain has decided that it was the right moment to have that epiphany right in the middle of the department store where throngs of people were idly passing by, not even minding her internal crisis. And the first thing she ever did to spite her family was to buy the first item that she set her eyes on which, coincidentally, was an otome game.
Her family wanted a role model? Then she'll be the best one that they'll ever see by rebelling and dismantling their toxic traits one by one.
Her experience was just like Killua's, although less violent and more on the emotional manipulation and pressure. Plus, she's dumber than her younger friend and less... of a prodigy than he is.
Anyway, this random purchase led to one thing to another, including becoming a closet anime fan for a while, and then completely letting go of herself to enjoy what she freely wants, until she became the Erin that she is today. She clearly remembered the thrill that she felt when she played her first otome game because it was the exact same bliss as what she is feeling right now.
Erin eyed the beautiful view surrounding her as she strolled around the bustling plaza, appreciating the towering Gothic-styled architecture and the attractive players alike. She had to thank whatever god made her land in the middle of AiAi City this time because, for the first time, she actually isekai'd into the closest isekai trope she could ever attain!
She glanced up briefly before sighing in disappointment. I was kinda hoping that a notif regarding my stats would suddenly pop up. I really, really want to experience the gamer trope at some point. But then again, this place is more of an otome game than an RPG.
According to her research, this city was based on the Mont-Saint-Michel which was a perfect fit for the atmosphere on the streets of this city. That and the glowing heart floating in the sky was a dead giveaway for its name and the promising cliched situations to whoever visits the place.
Despite the usual buzz in the city, there were hardly any crowds in the middle of the plaza due to the blazing sun at this time of the day. At the other side of the plaza, she spied a ditzy-looking girl in a short naval school uniform who appears to be late for something based on how she furtively glances around the area.
I bet that girl will still bump into me despite how spacious the plaza currently is. She thought idly before glancing around and, apparently, she really is the only one in the middle of the plaza. She looked back and noticed that the girl had now spotted her and was now regarding her with a determined face.
Holy shit, she really intends to bump into me!
"Excuse me, coming throu— ah!"
The girl barrelled into her and went toppling over, still with as much grace as she can, the coffee on her hand spilling on both hers and Erin's clothes. The girl looked up at her with a winded look, her lips pursed in a cute pout. The fuck? That's not a mere bump, she fucking pummelled me!
Well, at least she's cute… Erin didn't mind the scorching drink that was now drenching her clothes. Casting aside the small messenger bag clinging into her petite form, she tucked the stray hair behind her ear and, channeling her inner Gon, gave the girl the brightest smile she could give.
"Are you alright?" Erin asked, lending a hand towards the girl. The other quickly clasped her hand and used it to stable herself into place.
"I'm fine," The girl smiled shyly. "Thank you for helping me."
Erin had to bite her lip from smiling widely at the scene. It was just her luck that the girl has the prettiest set of eyes she has ever seen aside from Kurapika's scarlet ones! The girl looked at her with her big emerald eyes as if waiting for her what to do next. And she didn't actually mind if she's an NPC because, not to sound creepy or anything, Erin really has a thing for pretty eyes, especially if it's someone with a cute face and personality.
As soon as the girl's eyes settled on the spilled coffee on Erin's shirt, the latter gave a small gasp. She hurriedly brought out a handkerchief from her pocket and attempted to wipe away the mess, but due to the reputation of the city, the girl tripped on her own feet instead and fell towards her.
Erin laid sprawled on the ground, her bag poking her side painfully. Meanwhile, the girl was currently straddling her. Accidental or not, Erin didn't know nor mind.
"I'm sorry!" The girl didn't mind their compromised position and continued to wipe away the mess from her shirt.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Erin calmly replied, reassuring the other with a wave of her hand. "I don't actually mind as long as you let me get to your best ending~"
Might as well enjoy my stay. She grinned to herself, eyeing the other girl. I don't mind having fun in this city for a bit.
Biscuit followed the strange man with an odd sense of fashion and makeup that the kids introduced to her earlier that day. Although she got to admit that the red-haired man has quite the attractive features, particularly his well-toned body which he had no qualms in showing off back at the lake, and to which she couldn't help but appreciate. Even so, he still reeks of danger that even she wouldn't want to associate with.
She knows this because it takes a liar to know one, especially since she spent decades hiding her original form. Also, the way he looked at the kids earlier while they were heading towards their next destination was downright creepy. Luckily, her students quickly noticed the man leering at their backsides and called him out.
Hisoka only proved her theory further when they led them to a sketchy city called AiAi, but she really couldn't blame him because even she also got distracted with the people inside the city. A good example would be the dreamy brunet in front of her.
"You want me to model for your hairstyling?" Biscuit swooned at the promise of a cute guy giving her possibly the best haircut of her life.
"There's no point in hanging around this city!" Killua grumbled after scolding Biscuit's other student from almost getting tricked over a cliche encounter. "Hisoka, let's head somewhere—"
Despite still admiring the piece of beauty in front of her, Biscuit kept a close eye on the boy beside her, quickly checking out whatever made the white-haired brat falter. She saw him turn rigid and subtly shifted his head towards a specific direction, narrowing his eyes.
Hisoka seemed to have noticed this and also trailed his eyes towards the same direction.
From the weeks Biscuit accompanied the two boys, she observed that Killua clearly knows what he wants and was quick to discard whatever he deems as unimportant to him, a complete opposite of Ging's son who seems to have a hero complex. She deduced that the brat's attitude could've been due to his upbringing as a Zoldyck. But surprisingly, he was greatly protective of his friend which was unlikely from what she heard of the work reputation of the Zoldyck family.
She watched with slight interest as Killua stalked towards the middle of the square where a crowd was steadily growing, and plucked whoever the unlucky person got the ire of the boy.
"Hey, what gives!" Someone shouted from the center of the crowd. "You can't do this to me without due process—"
To Biscuit's surprise, Killua dragged back a girl like how a mother cat carries her kittens but instead of the neck, he handled the latter from the collar of her shirt. The crowd easily parted to let them pass through as they went back to Biscuit's group. The boy, then, dropped the newcomer on the floor before them.
Biscuit couldn't help but raise a brow at the spectacle and, as a habit, quickly appraised the girl sprawled in the middle. Aside from the unique aura emanating from her, Biscuit can conclude that the girl was nothing special compared to the unbridled talent her new students have shown her. She could even sense that the other hasn't even been able to successfully unlock her nen.
Wait, Biscuit paused. She eyed the girl's hands and noticed that the latter was not wearing any ring that was necessary for anyone to enter the game. No ring and nen? Then how did she even get inside the game? Before she could question the newcomer, her student decided that it was the right time for introductions.
"Hi Erin! We haven't seen you for a while!" Gon chirped, offering his hand towards the newcomer.
"Yo wassup Gon!" The girl, now named as Erin, grabbed the boy's hand and steadied herself up. She looked around the group to observe them for a while before squinting her eyes. "Oh, um, hi Biscuit and company, I guess?"
"You know me?" Biscuit asked with a suspicious tone.
"Uh," Gon started, looking expectantly at Killua with wide eyes. Killua only shrugged.
"As part of Gon's ragtag group of suicidal friends, I have to at least have some sort of weird power to be part of their group, yes?" Erin replied as if that answered the blonde hunter's question.
Gon laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, um, what she said!"
"What." Biscuit stated flatly.
But before Biscuit could demand an explanation, Erin grabbed her hands and shook it eagerly as if she was a celebrity or a promising client waiting to be scammed. "Plus, you're Biscuit! How can I forget a queen like you?"
"Queen?" Killua scoffed at the side.
Biscuit immediately forgot her initial issue with the girl's lack of nen and grinned at the title she was given. Forget being suspicious, the kid was one of the best people she'd ever met! She side-eyed her two students, specifically Killua, as if to show her displeasure at them. "I like her! Why didn't we meet with her earlier?"
Gon rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Because we didn't know she was here?"
"In my defense, I just got here." Erin replied. She then ruffled Gon's hair, messing up his previously spiky styled hair. "I can't believe that I actually missed you guys! It was hell week back in my place, finals were coming up and I really, really wanted a breather."
"What about Killua?" Gon suddenly asked.
Erin perked up from the question. "What about him?"
"Don't you miss him?" Gon asked, looking at her with an imitation of a sad, puppy eyes. "He just passed the hunter exam too!"
Erin huffed, folding her arms in front of her. "I'm not talking to him, I'm not his friend remember? He said so himself."
"Really?" Gon asked her with a dejected look before sneaking a mischievous look at his friend. Erin could see Killua widened his eyes before waving his hands wildly as if to say no to whatever his friend was planning.
Gon ignored his friend and looked at Erin with another sad look. "Can't we have another group hug?
Catching up with what Gon was implying, Erin only shrugged and then proceeded to open her arms wide, inching slowly towards the kids' direction. "Well, if that's what you really want, I can't really resist my most hardworking and cutest friend!"
Gon beamed at her compliment.
Meanwhile, Killua looked ready to bolt out any second, but before he could escape, the corner of his lips curled into a smirk. "I can't be your friend because I'm your master, remember?"
Erin suddenly halted, her face morphing into a horrified look as an influx of memories regarding the said boy's short but sadistic training with her resurfaced.
"Can't you be friends with your master?" Gon asked, questioning the logic of his friend.
"Tell that to Illumi." Erin muttered lowly. "And my master can't be a little bitch like you! To be honest, I'd rather have Leorio be my mentor, at least he knows how to treat delicate, little girls like me."
"But you're older than him." Killua quipped. "Also, your intellect is the only thing that fits the definition of little."
Erin only gave a close-lipped smile at the boy while playing with the strap of her bag. "That's very nice of you to say, Killua. You know what else is little?"
Biscuit almost snorted. Is she going to make a dirty joke?
"What is?" Gon wondered out loud before Killua could comment further.
Erin took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. She did this for a couple of times until she visibly relaxed and then opened her eyes again to take a peek at the people with her. "Nevermind,"
"Is it your height—"
But before Killua could finish what he was saying, she threw her bag to the ground with a loud thud. "Your fucking life after I pound you to the ground, you cheeky fucker! You know I'm sensitive with my height!" She snarled while making strangling gestures at Killua with her hands.
Biscuit could only blink at the girl. I wasn't expecting that kind of answer, she's short tempered but she has guts, I guess.
Killua smirked. "Oho, so we 'gon fight?"
"We would have if you just attacked me without asking, now are you sure I'm the only one who's all talk?" Erin opted to spread her arms wide in front of her as if daring the boy to attack her first. "Where's your Godspeed now, Zoldyck!?"
Godspeed? What? Was that the name of the electricity nen Killua was developing recently? Biscuit glanced back and forth between Killua and Erin with a confused look.
"You're really trying me, Erin." Killua chuckled darkly. "If you weren't Gon's friend," He stopped, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
"Huh? I thought you were her friend?" Gon asked.
"Boys, boys, no need to fight over me or else Hisoka will be jealous of me." Erin said as she wagged her finger in front of the two.
"Wait, wait, hold on, you have a student?" Biscuit got in the middle of the girl and her student before the latter decided to retaliate on the obvious taunt. She frowned at Killua. "A brat like you?"
"I know right!" Erin exclaimed, immediately looking away from Killua. She attempted to pick up the bag she just threw but was unable to because Killua thought that it was fun to kick it towards the other direction. Frustrated, she threw the next thing she could get her hands on which was her shoe. The other simply dodged the item.
Hopping on one foot, Erin gave Biscuit a frown. "You should've been my master instead, master Biscuit! At least you get to teach me something effective, unlike this sadist here."
"That grandma is much more of a sadist than me!" Killua stuck his tongue out in retaliation. And then an idea must've formed in his mind because his expression suddenly transformed into a dark one. "But if you really want a more sadistic training, I'll give you one, especially since I learned a new move."
Before he could proceed with electrocuting the girl, he was smacked in the head by Biscuit. "What did I tell you about calling me grandma!?"
Gon only laughed while Killua rubbed his head, muttering darkly about how Biscuit was even older than her mother.
"You're older than the medicine student?" Hisoka suddenly asked, eyeing Erin up and down as if he suddenly had a realization.
"And what about it?" Erin, still hopping, wobbly crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the jester. "At least I know that I can't be your type because I'm older than your preference. Good riddance too, if I say so myself."
Instead of getting offended, Hisoka only wetted his lips with a swipe of his tongue. "If you don't want the Zoldyck, I can be your master instead. In exchange, you'll do me a few favors here and there."
Erin only gave the jester the stink eye. "Don't get near me, Hisoka. I know you just straight up showered in a murky ass lake with no soap and all. Disgusting, I tell you."
Hisoka raised a brow at the girl. "I didn't know that you were such a stalker."
Killua coughed at the side.
"As if I would stalk you weirdos," Erin rolled her eyes. "Although I have to admit that I was once excited to meet you guys. Well, I would have until I got here for real. Because as of what I'm feeling right now, I would really like to have unmet you at all."
"Harsh." Killua noted.
"Even me?" Gon eyed her sadly.
Erin shrugged. "Eh, not really. But I have my reservations when it comes to your other friends though."
"That's actually not a problem," Hisoka shrugged. "In fact, it only excites me to know that one of my little kittens likes to keep an eye on me."
Erin only inched away from the jester while the two young hunters hovered protectively near the girl, glaring at the said man. Biscuit only looked at their dynamics weirdly.
"Oh, don't glare at me like that," Hisoka purred. "It only turns me on~"
Now it was Erin's turn to inch closer towards the two boys in protection, one less shoe be damned.
"Okay, he needs therapy." Biscuit finally admitted.
"You think?" Erin huffed.
The rest of the group nodded at Biscuit's suggestion. Hisoka only gave them a Cheshire's smile as if he didn't say anything wrong in the first place.
"I just remembered something." Gon frowned, easily dismissing Hisoka's little stunt. "Leorio purposely lost his fight back at the Hunter Exam to touch her girl opponent."
Erin barked out a laugh before she waggled her eyebrows at Gon. "That's the idea, Gon!"
"Huh?" Gon only tilted his head in confusion.
Killua tossed the bag back, rather forcefully, to the girl out of spite, his eye twitching and his face slightly red from the innuendo. "Did you even do the exercises I told you to practice?"
"That hurts, you little shit!" Erin complained loudly as she got hit right in the leg, almost making her topple over. "Of course, I did the katas thingy you taught me! I even squeezed it in between my hectic college life if that's what it takes to become an awesome fighter. Who do you think I am?"
"Really." Killua asked her with a flat voice, not believing what the girl just said at all.
Meanwhile, Goreinu, like the sensible person he is, and probably feeling left out already, used that time to introduce himself towards the newcomer. "Hello, my name's—"
Erin raised a hand to halt the other guy. "Wait, hold that thought. I know you, I just can't exactly remember your name. Also, don't even attempt to insert yourself with a self-insert character.
"It's Go—"
"Aha!" Erin snapped her finger. "It's Gorilla! I'm right, am I?"
Goreinu only gave out an awkward cough, not really sure what to say next.
"It's Goreinu, stupid." Killua corrected her before squinting his eyes towards the girl. "Who names their child gorilla? Did you do that on purpose or are you that dumb?"
"That's my secret, cap." Erin put a finger on top of her lips before winking. "I'm always dumb. But, yeah I guess he's not as worse as Kondou's so he can't be a gorilla." She faced Goreinu with a serious look. "Piece of advice, don't ever stalk your crush nor talk about how hairy your butt is, okay?"
"Okay?" Goreinu asked unsurely.
Killua pointedly ignored her. "Anyway, shouldn't we leave this city?
"Why should we? We won't be bored in here." Hisoka asked, another grin already spreading on his face.
And then Killua paused like he suddenly had a massive realization. It was only for a second, but it was enough for Biscuit to know that whatever the boy had realized was an important piece of information if that was how he reacted. Also, it must've been something to do with the lie Hisoka told them earlier because the boy's stance suddenly shifted towards a defensive one and against the said jester. Whatever information it is, she needs to ask him about it later when the others are gone.
"Sadly, I gotta agree on Hisoka on this one. This place is the best! In the span of the days or is it weeks?" Erin paused before shrugging to herself. "—that I've been here, I've had, like, five flings, okay? Two boyfriends and three girlfriends to be exact!"
"Wow, that's a lot!" Gon gave a little gasp while Goreinu looked at her with a scandalous look.
"Thank you, thank you." Erin bowed as if she had just finished doing a performance in front of a crowd. She snickered before continuing. "I live to please people."
Killua smacked her again, this time on her right arm. "That's the purpose of this place, idiot! You do know that most of the people in this city are not real, right? Especially the ones you just flirted with!"
"That's actually kinda sad if you think about it." Goreinu commented.
"I know! But at least I get to be loved!" Erin grumbled, rubbing the sore limb Killua just hit again. "Unlike you heathens who only gave me nothing but misery and violence. I mean, I know we all have our kinks, but I don't like being hit this much!"
Killua only sighed. "You weren't loved enough when you were young, weren't you?"
"Like you're one to comment." Erin grumbled. "Heir of the Zoldyck, my ass."
"You could also please me if your offer still stands~" Hisoka commented suggestively.
Erin blushed furiously before attempting to chuck her messenger bag at the jester, which failed miserably, and then accidentally hitting Goreinu right in the face.
"Okay, that's it. Who let you inside a kids' show?" Erin pointed her finger towards the jester. "The next time I come here, I'll bring restriction orders for me and the kids."
"You can do that?" Biscuit asked the girl with a curious look.
"What was that?" Goreinu groaned as he picked himself up and the bag that hit him. The bag must've hit him pretty hard because when he picked it up, he accidentally opened it and spilled its contents.
"My readings!" Erin cried.
While fussing over her now dirtied papers, she didn't notice that Hisoka used that distraction to close the distance between them. He frowned, eyes narrowed. "It's rude to point at people."
Erin looked up at the tall man and took a shaky breath. She put down her arm guiltily, grimacing at her rudeness. and their closeness with each other. "Oh, um, sorry, Hisoka."
Hisoka only petted her hair as he grinned at her reaction. His eyes slowly trailed her petite form. "Such a submissive kitten~"
"Motherfucker tricked me!" Erin swatted away Hisoka's hand before pulling at her hair in disbelief. "And your eyes are making me feel dirty, I'm going to sue them next time!"
Hisoka used the girl's reaction to distance himself from her and went back to observing his other preys. He also gave the boys' forms another onceover.
Killua glared at the jester while Gon looked even more confused than before.
"Maybe it's the effect of the city?" Goreinu suggested, chucking the now crumpled papers back inside the bag.
"Really now." Erin raised a brow at the man. "He's Hisoka. Do you think this city would have an effect on his weirdness? He could even be the source of all the city's weirdness for all we know."
Goreinu only grimaced. "I don't know, we only met him today."
"I—,"
"Okay, let's get back to business." Killua suddenly interrupted, inserting himself before Erin decides to involve them into another nonsense conversation.
"To defeat the Huns?" Erin snickered.
"Why is it, Erin, that whenever you're here with us, our plans always get derailed?" Killua groaned. "Gon and I just want to finish this game and find his dad, is it that difficult to do?"
"Uh,"
"Maybe, I guess? But, for me, I think we should've progressed a little by now if you could just shut your mouth!" Killua was now openly glaring at the girl as if daring her to make another stupid comment.
Silence suddenly descended among the group.
Biscuit only eyed the argument with curiosity while Goreinu looked at Killua's outburst with wide eyes. Meanwhile, Hisoka only smiled widely at the unfolding drama.
Gon broke the silence by giving a low whistle. "Wow, Killua hasn't gotten angry like that for a while now."
"I know right," Erin stage-whispered back at Gon, furtively glancing at Killua. "I think I just made him out of character."
Killua only ignored the two as if they weren't talking about him at all. He schooled his face back into his usual look of something cross between apathy and an amused expression. "Anyway, where do we head now?"
"We should probably try recruiting Tsezguerra?" Gon suggested. "Even if he doesn't join us, we should at least meet with him so that he'll be included in our binder list."
Killua looked at his friend with a small smile, his eyes slightly twinkling as if his friend held the secrets of the world. "That's actually a great idea, Gon."
"Fucking simp." Erin muttered under her breath.
Killua only gave her another glare before coaxing Gon to continue telling his idea towards the rest of the group.
N/A: Hello, hello! If you think that this story doesn't have any plot anymore then needless to say, I think so too hahah :( I guess the story is getting shittier by the chapter, although I do have fun writing the funny parts, but after I reread it for a couple of times, I'm like,,, what the fuck was I thinking? Anyway, I might not be able to update as frequently as compared to before (exhibit a: this chapter) because I have class and work at the same time (the amt of readings and backlogs is no joke oh no), and writers block(?) is real! Togashi pls give me more arcs so that I get to be inspired to write more :(( joke.
Intensifieshine: Thank you so much for the reviews! You made my days so much hehe also I had fun translating your reviews since I don't know Portuguese (? correct me if I'm wrong) it's heartwarming to know that my story is being read from other countries too :00
And to my other reviewers, especially the anonymous ones, it makes me happy that I made you guys laugh with my cringey jokes. I mean,,, why
Thank you for all the favorites, likes, and reviews! Till next time! (if i dont discontinue this lol)