Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunter X Hunter series, anime or manga, nor any of its characters. I would like to own Hisoka though +sigh+
Chapter 2: The Spider Members
It was lunch time. The college canteen was, as usual, full of students. Unlike other school canteens however, all Hunter Colleges had canteens resembling more a posh restaurant than an ordinary, and sometimes messy, school cafeteria. The canteen of this college was no exception. There were tablecloths, high back chairs and place settings.
Most students were already seated and enjoying their lunch but some were still trying to find available tables. There was a large, empty table situated right in the center of the busy canteen but the students who still weren't seated didn't dare go to it. Everyone knew there was an unwritten rule that that table was reserved for the Genei Ryodan, the Spiders, the elite group of the most popular and talented students.
At exactly 12:15, the large wooden doors of the cafeteria opened once again, and twelve people entered the hall. The canteen noise dropped quickly and normal conversation was reduced to whispers or silence.
"Ooh…ooh! Those are the Spiders!" gushed one excited freshman to his friend, they were obviously new students.
"Do you see that intense guy leading them? The one wearing an all black outfit? He's Kuroro-sama. Totemo kakkoi, ne?" a group of girls giggled and whispered to one another.
"I heard Ubogin has transferred to another school. Do you think they want to recruit another member? I wonder if I can apply?" a hopeful junior confided to his friend.
"Hah! Fat chance! Prospective members are invited to join. You don't come up to them and volunteer, baka!"
The whispers continued on and on until the object of their discussions reached their table and sat down. After a few more moments, normal activity inside the hall was resumed.
"I can't believe this still happens after all these years," Phinx grumbled to the other Spiders referring to the students' reaction to their entrance.
Sharnock replied while playing on his cellphone, "well you can't blame them. Some classes in this school could be so boring. At least they have something to look forward to."
"Besides, Phinx, this is our last year in college. You should enjoy the attention." Franklin consoled him while trying to adjust his large frame on his chair.
"E, is this our last year already? I didn't know." Shizuku, who looked even more wide-eyed because of her glasses, asked with surprise. Since she was the youngest in the group, the others at the table sweatdropped. Franklin sighed and murmured, "you only started college last year, Shizuku-chan."
Nobunaga stroked his goatee and said with some disgust, "I expect it will get even worse. News about Ubogin's transfer to Kinokuniya Hunter College has already spread."
"So?" Feitan asked which Nobunaga found annoying.
"Everyone will want to take his place in the group!" Nobunaga retorted then turned to their leader and said in a respectful but firm tone, "I have to say this now, Ubogin is irreplaceable."
"Why?" Feitan asked again and a vein throbbed visibly on Nobunaga's forehead. Their leader, Kuroro intervened, "Ubogin is exceptional I agree but we still have to consider replacing him. I know you two were very close Nobunaga, but we need someone to complete the group. We are now even two members short."
"There have always been thirteen people in our group," Pakunoda observed, she combed her short hair and sat sidewards while crossing her legs. This seemed news to Shizuku who started counting the people at the table while the others stared at her in disbelief. "But should it always be so, dancho?" Pakunoda asked.
Kuroro was slightly embarrassed at being called dancho but still replied, "We have to consider the inter-hunter school competitions. There should be enough representatives in our group for every event."
Bonorenofu and Korutopi, the most silent members of the group, nodded their heads in agreement. Feitan sneered, "and what a fine performance Ubogin did in that last tournament. He was totally defeated by that Kurapika guy from Kuruta."
Nobunaga angrily started to get up from the table but it was Machi who now intervened. "That's enough both of you," she said firmly, her ice-cold eyes narrowing at them. "It wasn't his fault. We just weren't expecting anyone to be a threat from Kuruta Hunter College."
"Hai! That's true," Sharnock, always the peacemaker, agreed while nodding slowly. "It was a surprise that Kuruta managed to come up with a winning student after all those losses in the past."
"Does meeting Irumi today have something to do with replacing Ubogin?" For all her childlike naivety, Shizuku could sometimes be blessed with perceptiveness. Phinx shuddered in distaste, "that weirdo! I can't stand the sight of him, he gives me the creeps."
"Still, he is good," Pakunoda said. "Is it true what Shizuku said, dancho?"
Kuroro replied, "Irumi has been very useful to us, taking care of some of the matches that nobody among us is available to compete in. Demo, he has hinted that he doesn't want to hang out with us on a permanent basis."
Phinx snorted, "Is he insane! Being a Genei Ryodan is like royalty. Oh well, at least I won't be forced to look at him over lunch everyday."
"Irumi's a Zoaldyke. That's all he needs to be as popular as we are," Kuroro explained matter-of-factly.
"I hear he has a funny looking friend who has just transferred here," Machi contributed.
"Funny? But I heard all my classmates who saw him say that he was handsome and very charming," Shizuku said with some confusion.
Machi looked at her coolly, "that's what I said, funny."
Franklin gave a soft laugh, "Oh Machi, you've always been hard on guys." Machi just shrugged and asked Kuroro, "So when will Irumi be here, dancho? Lunch will be finished soon."
On cue, the cafeteria doors opened again. Irumi and Hisoka entered and all noise was once again stopped as most students turned to stare at them. Feitan and Phinx smirked at Machi while Franklin smiled mischievously, "well here he is…and his funny friend too," he said innocently.
Machi just glared at them.
