Hey, back like a creep :)
Sing. about .chocolate: LOL OMG, you don't know how much your review made my day! I don't want to abandon this story! and everytime I hear music from my playlist, I probably think of 303249238 more scenes for this story! But I am having so much trouble writing the latest chapter I'm on, hopefully I can get these flowing again with my poor organizational skills! nd Omg, a love live idol? Cracking me up... And yes, what is a story without a little character development? I promise, I want Kurapika to be awesome loveable character in this story too! And thank you! Thank you for everything you said about Retz, all the hmms, this is where I laughed out loud in my car with my family and they looked at me like I was crazy. Made my day, hope you like this chapter, this one is one of my favorites.
Guest (1): Thank you! I also love long chapters. I hope these stay long... enough, but honestly, chapter 1 will probably be the longest. I listened to Pit of Vipers and I think I can work it in... ;)
Guest (2): Don't worry! They're all already prewritten waiting to be posted every month on the 15th! At least... a couple of them are... geez, if I ever catch up to my prewritten chapters, I have no idea how long it'd take to get them out ^^;;
Snow Fairy of the Valley: I'm so glad you thought this was brilliant! I'm happy you're excited for my story, I am too!
734L-M157R355-151: Thank you! You don't have to use the past tense, it's still ongoing! Parallels between these arcs and the actual arcs... I don't think there are any except that this story has arcs. The paralells I'm working on are in personality. Like how Killua is amazing at everything, so in this one, he is! and Gon has raw energy to become the best, and he does in this one too! :D Hope you'll still read, it should be a good one...
Awesome, glad we still got people on board. Remember, I'm totally open to hearing song suggestions, I want this to be an experience for everyone reading! On that note, remember you don't have to listen to all the songs posted, but there are a couple songs I will put astridges (***) by, that means it's probably be best to look up this specific song if nothing else. I'll specify why I would want you to look it up in the actual section and by the astridge. The compiled list so you don't have to look it up is on my tumblr, HunterXAU!
Yes, I may have forgotten to warn you... This story can get a bit cringy... it's about singing and to blow it out of proportion!? Why miss the chance! Let's go!
I want to thank my editor for all her help and putting up with all my whining that my story isn't really good, which she promptly helped me with: Canzie (Her tumblr is canzie-gum and whats-wrong-aniki)
Musica Academy
For the musical elite, anyone serious about being a World Star or Idol,
a diploma from this school is the ticket to fame. Anyone who graduates from the school are almost guaranteed
a fantastic career in the entertainment industry. People from the surrounding regions flock to enter the prestigious school.
Great Talent, great wealth, reputation, or connections are the only way in, some applying for years and never even getting chance to audition.
There is no age limit of students or of school year standings, ranked only by talent and completion of required criteria
of every year. This school is the crème de la crème of the crème de la crème, creating what everyone truly calls
World Stars.
Chapter 2: The Buck stops Here
Gon walked up the broad walkway that led to the steps of the academy, greeting everyone he walked past. Most people happily greeted him back after hearing interesting and good rumors of him yesterday, and then the others that played with him in gym considered Gon a good friend and greeted him joyously. The bright boy was quite popular even though it was just the second day.
"Or so I've heard…" A pink haired man said, standing by one of the trees that flanked either side of the school's entrance. The long haired blackhead regarded the boy as he skipped up the steps.
"I've heard things myself… reports from my fans… That he's trying to befriend… Killu?" Illumi asked Hisoka, as though the concept of people trying to get close to his adorable little brother was foreign. Hisoka looked over at his musically trained friend with a slick subtle smile before letting his eyes slip closed in mischief.
"I dunno… But I do know that one's pretty interesting. I'll keep my eye on him and see if he really deserves it though…" Hisoka commented. Illumi frowned.
"Killua doesn't need friends distracting him from his goal of being a World Star. He'll be the best of all the Zoldycks and bring great fame to the Zoldyck name. None of us needs friends…" Illumi said, almost in thought. Hisoka gave his friend a deadpan stare.
"What does that make me, Illumi?" Illumi looked over at the muscular man next to him with a appraising look but then just decided to turn away with a swish of his hair, heading into school. Hisoka's face dropped into one of surprise.
"Illumi? Illumi?!" Hisoka cried out, pushing off the tree and following after, annoyed.
Gon walked through the halls on the way to his locker, looking left and right to find that striking hair color he couldn't get out of his mind. Others said morning to him inside as well, and he absent mindedly replied but he was too focused on finding his friend at the moment. He was so lost in his goal he almost didn't acknowledge Zushi calling out 'morning' for Gon's attention.
"Gon!" Zushi cried more forcefully when he didn't give more than a floating greeting and ran to catch up to the speedwalking boy. Gon blinked and whirled around, recognition lighting his face.
"Oh! Zushi! Sorry, Hi!" Gon said as Zushi fell into step with him, and they continued to his locker.
"Man, what were you thinking about for you to be spaced out like that?" Zushi asked, chuckling.
"It wasn't so much that I was thinking, but that… Hey, do you know where I can find Killua?" Gon asked as they reached his locker. He opened it and took off his bag to transfer his camo bento box into the metal cavity.
"No, Gon, I tell you, no one other then you continued to try and befriend Killua after the 2nd or 3rd time they were told to buzz off. No one exactly has tabs on him, so the only time people see him is when he comes for class…" Zushi shrugged. Gon sighed.
"Aw, I was hoping to talk to him before class so I didn't get in trouble for trying to talk with him. Ah, maybe I can get him to sit next to me?" He put a finger to his chin in thought. "Oh, wait, then I wouldn't get anything done…" He muttered under his breath and Zushi chuckled.
"Wow, I don't know what you did after first period Gon, but you seem hell bent on befriending him, and so many people have you on their radar now. I hope everything goes well for you this school year." Zushi sighed, feeling overwhelmed just knowing what Gon planned on for the year. Gon gave him a bright rejuvenating smile.
"Thanks Zushi! I hope you work hard this year too! We don't have any classes together today do we?" He asked. Zushi shook his head no. "Aw… well, you should know, me and Killua have every class together!" Gon gushed. "I'm so excited, it gives me so many chances to get to know Killua's true skills! " Zushi laughed.
"If he sings! I hope you get to see him sing in person one day. But you can always get recordings of his concert in the library. They're old ones from two years ago, but at least they're free because of that. The Zoldycks don't let anything recent out if they could still make money off it. They have alot of online stuff copyrighted pretty hard too." Zushi said.
"Wow, alright, maybe I'll get around to that…" Gon nodded. He pulled out his schedule and checked where his first period was. "Oooh, Perfect pitch! Illumi was talking about that class yesterday." Gon said, waving the schedule in Zushi's face.
"Illumi? You met Illumi and he was talking to you?" Zushi asked, shoving the paper away from his face. Gon's face darkened slightly.
"Not exactly. We went to the upperclassmen's harmony class for our harmony class and he was there teaching class that day."
Zushi nodded absorbed. "That's something typical to see in classes with Zoldycks. The teachers love having such prodigies to lean on…" He said, but he was more curious why his bright disposition suddenly darkened. He waited for him to continue his anecdote to explain it.
"Well, he wanted people to sing examples of advanced harmonization, so he asked for those who aced this 'perfect pitch' class. He ended up asking Killua to sing…" Gon muttered, his voice getting deeper at the thought of that scared Killua in his memories. "I don't know what Illumi was doing, or if he even knew what he was doing to Killua, but Killua looked so uncomfortable… and Killua couldn't say no… I don't know why, but it seemed like Illumi knew this too, but asked anyways!" Gon clenched his fist, angrily. Zushi thought that Gon could go on ranting forever on how protective he was of Killua, or how scared Killua was, or how inconsiderate Illumi was, so he waved his hand in front Gon to catch his attention.
"Aah, don't worry Gon, you won't have to worry about it, right? Him and Illumi aren't even in the same grade! He's fine!" Zushi said. Gon's eyes finally lightened and gave Zushi a smile, but it seemed sad in nature.
"Thanks Zushi… but that's only during school hours. He lives with his brother… I hope he's ok outside of school…" Gon looked off as though he could see into Killua's home life. Zushi's lips trembled in the effort to say something comforting to his older friend, but nothing came to mind. Thankfully, Gon cheered himself up and faced his younger friend with a smile.
"I'll be going to class now, maybe Killua's already there, waiting for me! Thanks for the talk, see you at lunch!" Gon said, starting to jog off.
"Ah, right! See you at lunch! I'll meet you by my lockers again! You have to tell me what happens in your classes, it's always interesting!" Zushi giggled, trailing off and starting to talk more to himself as Gon got farther. He walked off towards his own class, Gon still on his mind and a smile on his face.
-o0o0o0o0o0o-
Gon leaped into the room, lighting up most people's faces with smiles.
"Gon!"
"Hey, Gon!"
"Wassup man!"
Gon waved hi to everyone as he scanned the room. He knew Killua shared every class with him, Killua said so himself, so he knew he'd get to see him eventually. He was either here now or would come later like yesterday. But he saw him, in the back, he was as distinguishable as diamonds among coals. If Gon was thinking properly, he'd probably realize that was extremely offensive to everyone else (even if most people would concur with that for most Zoldycks) but he also didn't say it aloud, so no one will be the wiser.
Killua was originally looking out the window from his back seat, his hand propping his head up, but when Killua's eyes roamed over to land that heavy gaze on him, Gon thought his heart skipped a beat.
One silver diamond shaped ear-ring winked at Gon from under Killua's feather hair, and he wore a sleeveless gray hoodie, the ever present silver and blue headphones gracing his collarbone and dark blue jeans, with faded colors down his thighs. Gon felt his mouth go dry and felt a heat settle over his cheeks as he made his way towards Killua like a mindless being with no thoughts in his head. And it was true. Gon's mind had went blank when he saw Killua, he had never seen someone look so cool, and star-like, and… gorgeous! Killua looked absolutely gorgeous today. Well, he was gorgeous yesterday too, but Gon didn't expect him to keep up the bar everyday. He truly was a charismatic star who was photo shoot fresh everyday.
Killua had heard Gon come in, how could he not when almost everyone wanted to greet him and get his attention, like he was some star or… a Zoldyck! With all those people in the room, Gon would certainly overlook him. Everyone was so nice to him, and all Killua did was push him away, as it should stay, he doesn't deserve friends, not really. And everyone was just out to use him. Once Gon realizes what Killua could do to advance himself in this academy, he'll use him just the same. That's how it is for everyone in this forsaken school: business and how to use the next person to advance their own careers. It seemed like a criteria for you to get accepted into the school, be self absorbed and self involved. But curiosity and a sadistic sense of self-loathing to see if Gon really did sit elsewhere or give someone else his attention to feed his misery caused him to look up and seek out the kid. He was surprised and not prepared when he saw Gon looking straight at him, passing all the students who wanted his attention, and with that… face!
Killua felt his eyes widen and his cheeks heat up. Gon looked at him like there was no one else in the room, in the world, or he couldn't care less that there was. (That would be a problem with the fact he was also making his way over, who knows what embarrassing thing he'd do with no regards they were in public). His expression too bright, and the morning light catching his eyes made his amber eyes glow. He didn't have that goofy smile on his face, but that slightly parted mouth, like he was a dope who was caught off guard, was no better. In fact, it made Killua super keenly self aware. Why exactly was he looking at him like that? Was there something on his face?
Gon was getting closer, and Killua leaned off his arm, tilting back in his chair, as though an unforeseen force was going before Gon and giving off pressure. He felt his cheeks heat up further as it didn't seem Gon was in the right state of mind, and most of the class was following Gon's movements, and thus the scene. And that face he was making made his chest squeeze in, what was that? Anxiety? (Yea, like he didn't get enough of that from his family), so he did the only thing he knew to do, lash out. He got out of his seat before Gon reached him, giving himself some breathing room from Gon's suffocating aura, and held up a hand.
"What the hell are you looking at, stupid?!" He cried, cringing internally at how his voice had gone up a couple octaves as it does when he's stressed. Gon blinked, but his outburst seemed to have brought Gon out of his stupor. His smile returned tenfold from what Killua remembered it yesterday, and Gon vaguely gestured to Killua's body, making Killua's face heat up again self consciously.
"You!" Gon replied, like it was obvious. The class broke out in little murmurs and 'aws.' Everyone knew how fashion savvy the Zoldycks come in everyday, some of their wardrobe coming even from professional fashion lines they got to keep after doing a show, but most students gave up commenting their admiration, for it was either too much to do everyday or they were rescinded their affection. Killua's arm crumpled back up to his body, his bangs falling over his red face, sharply contrasting his porcelain skin. Gon took that opportunity to continue his original task of joining Killua's side. "You look amazing!" Gon continued, eyeing him up and down like he was some mannequin. Killua snapped to and sharply shoved the heel of his hand onto Gon's sternum, causing the air to be forcefully expelled from his lungs, cutting off any more speech.
"Shut up!" Killua grounded out quietly, eyeing the rest of the class to see if they were still watching. Most had gotten back to doing whatever as they let Gon be all shiny by himself. "How can you spew such embarrassing things like it's nothing." Killua glared, focusing back on Gon. Gon felt a shiver go down his spine as those crystal eyes burrowed into Gon's.
"What? It's true. You look like a true World Star already! You have piercings and everything…" Gon said, leaning to the right to see the earring in Killua's left ear more clearly. He raised a hand to touch the ear but Killua's quickly slapped it away.
"What? I can also put 6 more earrings in. 8 more if I'm tricky. It's only natural for a World star to have piercings for that pro look." Killua huffed out, crossing his arms and giving Gon the side of his face, watching from the corner of his eye. Gon's mouth slightly fell open and nodded as though learning something for the first time.
"Yea, I should get one soon… They sound like they hurt, and it seems like a lot of work to make sure it doesn't get infected and stuff…" Gon said, rubbing an ear. Killua smirked mischievously.
"They sure do, they take a drill gun, and they pop them in like a cannonball to a ship~!" He snickered and then laughed melodiously as Gon gave out a small whimper, likely imaging it.
"Moah, are you making that up, Killua?!" Gon whined, giving him a punch in the arm. Killua recoiled, holding his arm as he laughed.
"Well, it's not far off. Haha, I can't even imagine the look on your face when you get one…" Killua let his chuckles die out, but then a contemplative look came over his features and Gon sobered quickly, leaving Killua to say what seemed to come to his mind.
"What even are you? Why are you still being nice to me? After I was so mean to you yesterday? I thought you got the message that I wasn't going to be your friend when I told you to leave me alone yesterday after gym?" Killua asked, meeting his eyes with serious musing. He was met with amber fierce eyes, a resolved smile on Gon's face.
"There's no way I'd stop trying to be your friend Killua! You're so cool and cute-"
"Haaah?!" Killua interrupted, a blush over the bridge of his nose. Gon waved it off to continue.
"But you seem so sad all the time, and you say you don't like to sing, so there's no way I'd leave you alone when what you probably need the most right now is someone else to keep you company. I want to find out why you don't like singing, and then tell you why you're wrong!" Killua listened intently after Gon seemed to speak so sincerely but his face soured when Gon spoke about proving him wrong and blah blah blah.
"You're gonna prove me wrong? You-" Killua started, challenge clearly written on his face, Gon leaning in competitively.
"Class is starting." A sharply dressed man said coming in with a clipboard under his arm. Killua and Gon blinked at each other before looking over at the clock. When did the bells ring? They didn't even hear it. Killua shrugged and headed towards his seat. Gon looked conflicted as he hesitantly reached out for Killua's back and a whine came forth. Killua's ears perked up and he turned back around with a crocked eyebrow. Taking that as a good sign, Gon gave him a lopsided smile and gestured to the front. Killua's heart flopped around before settling down again at Gon's smile, but he forced himself to focus on what Gon was implying and scoffed away the feeling.
"No." He said, like it was obvious.
"C'mon, I wanted to sit up front, but I also wanted to sit with you." Gon explained, stepping closer to Killua.
"No, I sit back here cause I refuse to participate and I told you, we're not friends, so why would I want to sit next to you. You better hurry, this one's a strict one and you're already not in your seat." Killua said in hushed tones as the teacher set up in front. Gon smiled softly. If Killua really didn't care to be friends with Gon, he wouldn't have given him such a nice warning on the teacher and to get to his seat. He had to remember that there weren't assigned seats, so maybe one day he could get Killua at least a little closer. Gon skipped to the front and sat in a seat closer to the door.
"My name is Knov. This is Perfect Pitch 205. In this class we'll be learning how to properly and precisely hit notes during a transition. When moving from one note to the next, you shouldn't have to hit every other note on the way there unless you've developed your hatsu for that kind of singing. Most people have that kind of trouble when it comes it sharps and flats, so that's what we'll work on first." Knov began writing on the board as he spoke what they'll do for the year as a sort of hand written syllabus.
"A lot of Broadway numbers have sharply changing pitches and notes, something I compose and perform most often, so later in the year we'll sing those as practice. Sometime before or after, depending on how I gauge all of your guy's abilities, we'll be using piano notes and songs that you'll all need to imitate as precisely as the piano itself. Understand that that's often what composes of my tests and exams as well." Knov said against the board as he wrote. Some people grumbled as they copied down what he wrote.
Killua bobbed his head and looked out the window in boredom. What an easy class (as most of his were), his parents had him do this most days for warm up, imitating classical piano pieces with his voice as the instrument and hitting notes straight on was a must especially for harmonization. A pinch off and the chords were in discordance.
"For today, I'll be lecturing on different types of broadway types, musicals, and music."
Gon's head threatened to bob forward in boredom too. This class sounded interesting, but lecture? He thought he left that behind in his last school. But no, he had to pay attention, this was important, and it was something the Zoldycks, or at least Illumi, thought to be important to ace.
Gon looked up at the teacher, his notebook cracked open to write down notes. This Knov guy seemed super strict, so it was kinda funny to try and imagine him in broadway show, like The Whiz or something. He's never gotten into broadway as an interest, although many people commented he should with how loud and animated he was, but he has tried high school plays before that were fun and he should probably at least learn since it's useful for World Stars to be flexible in anything. Gon wrote down some plays Knov advised the class know about to look up later and wondered if Killua was already dying in boredom because he's knowledgeable in all this already.
Gon peaked back and saw Killua had subtly lifted his headphones so that they were still angled downwards but cupped his ears, so he was probably listening to music. Killua sure liked listening to music. He wondered what kind of music Killua liked, and if it helped to be so into music. He blinked as he realized he was dazing off again and almost missed Knov listing off the plays they were about to listen to soundtracks from.
Maybe it was better that Killua refused to sit with me. How distracted would I be… especially with how eye catching he is today… Gon thought, writing down the plays, his tongue slipping out sheepishly. At the last thought, Gon felt like he didn't take in enough of Killua's look and turned to see it again. Knov had turned off the lights so everyone could see the clips better, and the lights from the window practically created a spotlight on Killua, making it look like he could start a ballad solo or something right then and there. Gon should take it picture… it would last longer than his memories. He forced himself to look forward and focus on the songs the colorful broadway characters were singing on screen.
Focus…
Gon made his way to the back of the classroom, Killua picking his stuff up into his slack bookbag. He looked up and a vein popped on his head.
"Seriously? I'm not walking to class with you, you shouldn't wait for me!" Killua gruffly said. Gon shook his head, that ever present smile on his face.
"You don't have to walk with me, but I'll walk with you. We're heading to the same class anyways!" Gon shrugged, giving Killua another carefree smile. Killua slumped and really began to think he was dying… This guy was too nice, it almost made Killua think he could smile like him one day. But Heaven knows Killua have tried before to make the most of his situations before and he's only got burned. He won't make the same mistake again. He straightened himself up, gave Gon a side glare and moved past him as Gon followed.
"I should get a restraining order on you." He said casually as he walked out the class, Gon by his elbow.
"You wouldn't do that." Gon piped easily. Killua's eyebrows furrowed.
"What makes you say that?" He grumbled, eyeing everyone parting for him to walk through, a weird glint in their eyes as they noticed Gon by his side.
"Mhh… you're not annoyed yet." Gon chuckled. Killua whipped his head to look at Gon.
"Huh?! In what sense of mind do you think that's true? I'm totally annoyed!" He huffed, but Gon just chuckled, his eyes closed in the action.
"It's your eyes." Gon said, opening his own and pinning Killua's with an intense and appraising gaze. Killua's breath hitched, again feeling revealed under his honest stare, and Gon finally lightened it with a bright smile. "You let alot of your emotions show through your eyes. Like yesterday, I could see when you were shutting me out because I asked you to sing." Gon explained. Killua finally recovered and managed to roll his eyes as he returned to looking ahead, approaching his locker.
"That sounds so weird, it sounds like something only you detect. No one's ever 'read' me through my eyes." Killua said, putting in his locker combination. Not hearing Gon's reply to his snarky remark, he turned around to find Gon looking around as though trying to recognize something. As Killua met his eyes, Gon's eyes lit up.
"Killua! My lockers right here!" He cheered, skipping a couple lockers down and pointing to one. Killua's jaw fell.
"Seriously? This must be some sick joke. How are you so interwoven in my life and you just got here?" Killua asked, switching out the books within his locker. Gon giggled, making his way back over to Killua.
"If this really is a joke, it's a nice one, because I get to be with you all the time!" Gon said, leaning against the locker by Killua with boyish charm. A blush fell over Killua's features before he slammed the locker shut, turning away from Gon.
"Damn, how can you say such embarrassing things with a straight face?! Come on already…" Killua grumbled, slugging his bookbag over his shoulder and marching off down the hall. Gon lit up as Killua had beckoned they go together and trotted after him.
"Yea!"
Illumi stood in the middle of the hall down from where they came from, people moving around him to keep moving. Illumi's black eyes watched as Gon skipped happily around Killua and his eyes narrowed when he saw a glimpse of Killua's face when he turned to Gon, a small smile on his lips.
"So, the rumors are true, huh? Killua doesn't need anyone distracting him…" Illumi said monotonous. He twirled around on his heel and headed down the hall to his own higher classes. He'll have to think of a way to deal with that threat to Killua Zoldyck's fame and focus.
Killua and Gon entered the auditorium and Gon almost tripped over himself trying to take it all in in a circle. The black plush seats sloped upwards from the large mahogany stage with giant red stage curtains like professional stages. There were also second story seats that surrounded the stage's three sides. It was huge.
"This is our school's auditorium?" Gon asked amazed. Killua looked at him from the corner of his eye, biting the inside of his cheek to keep a fond smile growing on his lips. He looked like a little kid getting spoils or toys. These kinds of stages were nothing, and the seats would be twice this much in a Zoldyck concert.
"Yea, it's pretty nice for a school auditorium. But you know you shouldn't get used to such a small stage." Killua said, placing his hands behind his head braggingly. Gon gaped at him, one peak at him and Killua held back his snicks.
"This is small?! That's amazing!" Then his face got a determined look and Killua openly stared at how contagious the feeling was. "I can't wait to play on a World Stage 100 times this size!" He bristled with such excitement, Killua's heart began beating a little faster.
"S-stupid, that's so weird... " He grumbled and shoved Gon slightly before sharply veering left and sitting in one of the very back rows of the auditorium. Gon spazzed out a moment but followed suit.
"Killua, this is too far! Would we even hear the teacher from this far?" He asked, a slight whine in his voice. Killua rolled his eyes.
"Of course. If they're getting World Star's to teach us, it's like a minimum requirement for their voice to be able to reach this far. In fact, what class is this, Physical Singing? That might be one of the things we work on in this class." Killua explained. Gon pouted and Killua noted with an annoyed huff.
"If you're so worried, go further up! Geez…" He muttered. Killua wondered if Gon would really move. He thought back to yesterday how Gon had left Killua to go himself without much of a second prompting and suddenly it seemed like it wasn't unlikely Gon would decide Killua's holding him back and drop him altogether. Bringing himself out of his thoughts, his sad clear blue eyes roamed over to Gon to see what he'd decide. His eyes widened seeing Gon settled back in his chair seething.
"Geez, Killua's so impossible sometimes. There should be some kind of compromise…" He grumbled. Killua's eyes glistened.
He stayed.
Killua scoffed out a court laugh.
"Maybe if we were friends, but seeing as you're still trying to win my favor, I don't have to do a thing for you." He chuckled, poking a teasing finger into his cheek. He quickly withdrew while laughing when Gon turned his head, playfully trying to bite him. This time when the minute and late bell rang, it was clearly heard by everyone as it echoed impossibly loud in the chamber. The teacher made himself known as his footsteps clicked on the steps of the stage and he appeared from around the curtain, coming from backstage.
He had long silvery white hair and a draping scarf covering most of his clothes.
"Welcome everyone, to Physical Singing! I am your teacher for the year, Kastro." He made a huge dipping bow and the students applauded, some fans giving squealing welcomes. Gon noted Killua was right about hearing the teacher, it was as though he was not three rows away from the front.
"Most World Stars do dance routines before or during singing. It is unbecoming to breath heavily into the mike just because your health or lungs isn't the best. So in this class we'll be doing a lot of physical things while singing or talking." Kastro boomed. "Plenty of monologues and theatrics, dance routines and numbers! I am very excited for this year, especially seeing as…" Kastro pointed off impossibly accurately, even with all the stage lights, off to the back where Killua was sitting with Gon. "... We have a Zoldyck in our midst! Let's hope you'll be participating, yes?" Kastro asked, clasping his hand. Killua playfully stuck out his tongue to mock disgust towards Gon, and Gon covered his mouth to prevent from laughing to loudly in the echo sensitive room.
"We'll see!" Killua replied, lowering his voice into his chest cavity to create a more resounding boom to carry his voice to the front as efficiently as Kastro sent it to the back. Gon thought Killua was really amazing, he was right next to him, but he didn't have to raise his voice to an annoyingly loud volume that might have hurt his ears. Would Gon learn how to do that in this school? In this class?
Kastro gave a small bow in his direction than readjusted so he could address the whole class scattered in the different seats in the auditorium.
"Now, I'd like to get a grasp on everyone's ability, so of course we'll be doing pre-test today! Not everyone will be able to finish today, so just make sure to sign up for the spot you want to perform! I'm very excited to hear this year's abilities! Now, obviously, everyone's routine will be freestyle and ad libbed, you all can work in groups or alone, but I want everyone moving during the whole number! I'll have my little assistant fairy down here in the front for you to give your song choice so when you perform you have your instrumentals." Kastro informed. Gon lit up but when he turned to Killua, he was already looking at Gon waiting for him to turn to him.
"No." Killua stated and Gon's face fell.
"Awww, come on, whyyy?" Gon whined as students got up and began signing up their songs and order of performance.
"I already told you I don't sing." Killua huffed, and crossed his arms. Gon's eyebrows furrowed downward on his forehead.
"Why, Killua! Why?!" Gon cried, grabbing Killua's arms theatrically. Killua pried him off and then flicked his forehead.
"Geez! Because-because, Because Gon! If the people listening are the only ones benefitting from my singing, why should I sing? They get a free show and they can't reciprocate it to me in exchange because I know I won't like their singing!" Killua exclaimed, and Gon blinked at him. Killua retracted back into himself and his seat and folded his arms again. "Aren't you going to sign up? You won't get to sign up for a spot you want if you don't hurry…" Killua muttered. Gon stood, slightly still dazed, then cupped his jaw as he turned deep into thought, walking down the aisle to the front.
Gon finally figured out why Killua didn't like singing… But that was a bigger problem outside of Killua. Gon couldn't just teach everyone how to be a great singer for Killua… how could Gon help Killua like singing more…? Gon made it to the front and looked down at the sheet. Not as many people signed up as Gon thought, and one scan around, it looked like most people were still trying to figure out what song they wanted to sing. The first couple of slots to go first were already taken, and Gon would have liked to go first, but it can't be helped. He should actually be thanking Killua for telling him to go up faster before he got a real bad spot. Gon pouted as he placed his song number and name to go around 4th. Killua helped him so much, and now he didn't know exactly how to help him with his problem. For Gon, singing was so much fun, but apparently it's not fun enough for Killua, that he needs to know he gets something in exchange for his voice. Maybe he sang too many concerts? Too used to having people pay to hear and praise his voice? Gon sighed as he made his way back to Killua who looked back at him with thinly veiled curiosity.
I'll finally be able to hear him sing! Killua thought as he sat up a bit straighter in his seat, Gon sitting next to him, still in deep thought. Killua waited a beat before nudging his shoulder with his own a bit. Gon looked over.
"Well…? What'd you put? What are you gonna sing?" He asked, his voice getting tight with excitement. Gon smiled lightly. Killua obviously still held some delight for singing. Maybe Gon just had to remind him… He'll have to think about this more in depth after school and make up plans to help Killua through it. For now he should just enjoy the performances before his own.
"Secret~!" Gon sang out, wagging a finger in Killua's face. Killua groaned and sank into his seat dramatically.
"That's laaaame." He groaned, annoyed. "What place you get?" He mumbled under his breath.
"I signed up for forth. I would have wanted first, but the first three were already taken." Gon said. Killua nodded numbly.
"This is gonna be a boring class…" He muttered. Suddenly Kastro was next to Killua and they jumped, Killua scooting up next to Gon in surprise.
"I take it you won't be signing up to sing, Killua?" He asked, casually arranging his grading rubric on his clipboard. Killua and Gon exchanged looks before looking back at Kastro.
"N-no…?" He said testingly. Gon knew why he seemed so cautious. He already received a zero in Kite's class, could he afford another one? Kastro looked over with a warm smile.
"That's understandable. I know the skills of everyone of the Zoldycks, and especially their performance training is top notch. You won't learn much from this class, huh?"
Killua shook his head numbly, and Kastro nodded at the confirmation.
"Alright, want to help me grade these kids? Make fun of how they can't go 30 seconds into a song without huffing into the mike?" Killua scoffed out a couple chuckles.
"Yea…!" He said, holding out his hands, and Kastro gave him another clipboard with a grading rubric on it. Gon watched Killua's face as he scanned the paper, his tongue tip between his teeth in a half smile, concentrating. Gon was happy… he hoped he could make Killua happy too, keep him this precious.
"They'll need to be able to sing loud enough for us to hear them from back here, everytime we can't make out their words or they fade out from huffing, it's half a point off. It's a scale of 20 points." Kastro explained briefly, pointing at Killua's sheet to show where things go. Killua nodded, seemingly thrilled to have power in his hand.
"Yea, ok." He turned to Gon. "Hey, don't expect me to go easy on you. In fact, I'm gonna be twice as hard, for making me wait to hear you sing. You better be good, man." Killua said, scanning the paper again. Gon chuckled.
"I think you'll be surprised." Gon said, pointing at the paper. "You might as well put full points right now!"
Killua pulled it away, a smirk on his features. "We'll see." He began writing little notes in the margin to busy himself. A few minutes later, Kastro stood from his seat in the back next to the boys to address the whole auditorium.
"Alright, we'll get started. If you signed up on the sheet and there's no one signed up above you, you'll be moved up to go next. We'll now start with… wait a sec, the first three are singing the same song…? Oh! You guys are gonna be a group?" Kastro asked, looking back up. Three boys in front stood up.
"That's right. When we Amori brothers perform together, no one's better than us!" The leader said in the middle. They jogged up the stage as the assistant fiddled with her phone to bring up their music.
"Ha, unless literally anyone else performs…" Killua snickered. Kastro held a finger to his lip to signal him to be quiet, but a smile was threatening to spill. Killua used the clipboard to cover his mouth and smile. They entered center stage and positioned themselves in a triangular fashion.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah" They began, moving out to the front of the stage in a swishing movement. "I'm telling the world, here and now… That I'm gonna love you and love you, I take this vow (yeah)" The leader sang out while the other two brothers sang out the harmonizing vocals. They shimmied side to side, snapping in time. "You captured my heart, so long ago… Still there are some critical things, that you should know (yeah yeah yeah)" The brothers began to sing harmonization with the leader as they went into chorus, sliding across stage to switch positions.
"What is this?" Killua muttered annoyed. "They're not moving at all! I've seen people with asthma move more than these guys." Kastro barely held back a barking laugh but waved a placating hand in front of Killua.
"Wait, maybe it gets better."
"Do I give all I am… To be now and forever your man? Do I take you to be? Without question, the woman for me?" They sang, stepping in sync and domino motions. They spun around to switch position again. "Do I promise you? I do, Do I promise you? I do, I do!"
"They're not doing anything! I'm giving all of them F's!" Killua huffed, starting to cross X's on the papers. "This is not the assignment!"
Kastro sighed, and looked down at his own notes."Yea, I can't grade them if they don't do what they're told… I can only assume they don't have the abilities which is why they're staying safe and doing what they know will sound good."
"I can only assume they're doing it to keep their fans…" Killua said, leaning over to Kastro and pointing to the groupies at the front of the stage, swaying with their words like it was a concert.
"This love has been worth…! The waiting for, This love doesn't matter to me If it's not yours!" The big one sang.
"As we become one… Through and through… I dedicate all of my life To loving you (yeah yeah yeah)!" The youngest sang before they all launched back into the climactic chorus again, and the girls squealed. The boys once again did the minimal movements.
"Do I give all I am To be now and forever your man? Do I take you to be? Without question, the woman for me. Do I promise you? I do! Do I promise you? I do, I do!"
"But they are pretty good…!" Gon said, admiring the potential World Stars as they performed. This was all impressive to Gon, it seemed like everyone in this whole school was better than him. He clenched his fist, he won't lose to them! He's a little behind from not being here for a year, but he'll show them that he could keep up with these people.
"To have and to hold, Our passions unfold, I promise a life you won't regret! For better or worse, No one can reverse the way that I've felt… Since we met, And you ain't seen nothing yet!"
"I'll marry you, Imori!" A girl cried out, causing a new wave of squeals. The other students started to become annoyed with the boys little movements and the girls fanning out over the boys.
"Do I give all I am… To be now and forever your man? Do I take you to be? Without question, the woman for me…? Do I swear all my life? We'll be happy as husband and wife?" They sang as the leader also ad libbed vocalizations and words. As the song winded down, they began to shift back into their beginning shuffling.
"Do I promise you? Do I promise you? Do I promise you? I do…!? Do I promise you? I do, I do (I, I do)." They 'Oooh'd out in vocalization before they spun back into their triangular formation and bowed to end their performance.
The class gave polite applause while their groupies gave screaming praise. The brothers tipped their hats towards the teacher as they moved off stage. Kastro politely bowed his head back but Killua pulled at his face to mock them. Killua chuckled while nudging Kastro for a laugh but he was looking down for the next person.
"Oh wait… If they were the first three, that means…" Gon thought aloud.
"You're next." Kastro confirmed, pointing at the schedule. Killua looked over at Gon mischievously.
"You better not do what they did! You'll fail just like them!" Killua said, rapping his pen on the board that had a bunch of giant red X's. He flipped his page to a new rubric as Kastro laughed at how many there actually were.
"No, I move alot more during my performances. It's more fun that way! Plus, it's one of my favorite songs! There's no way I'd be able to stay still through it. Just watch me work, Killua!" Gon bragged, stretching his arms up above him. Killua leaned back haughtily, the pen tip on his lips.
"Ok, I'll see." Killua said. Gon jogged up to the front and began to walk up to center stage. The students welcomed him warmly.
"Hey, it's Gon!"
"Whoo! Go Gon!"
"Yea, man, Whoo! I can't wait for this one!" Gon smiled warmly to everyone, but it felt a bit tight on his lips. The only thing he was really nervous about was having his voice carry to the back of the auditorium to Killua. And impressing him. He hoped he liked his performance, it was a song he could always dance to freestyled and it was great and fun every time.
Gon looked up at the lights and he felt his heart thumping with that familiar great excitement and he suddenly felt lighter than air, ready to give his best.
"Alright, go ahead!" Gon said with a wink. The girl played the upbeat music and with it, Gon started tapping his foot. The music revved and people already began to clap. Gon's head snapped up and he began to bellow out the words.
"I got bills I gotta pay! So I'ma gonn' work work work every day! I got mouths I gotta feed So I'ma gonn' make sure everybody eats! I got bills!" Gon started, doing hip swings with snap movements of his arms. He moved to stage left in a peppy step as the quick verses spilled out his mouth fluidly.
"All these bills pile up my desk They looking like a mount'" Gon threw his hands out to mime a mountain. "All the little kids run around I can hear their stomach growl, (grr!)" Gon first cupped a hand to his ear then leaned over like some sort of wolf. He started making his way to stage right in another peppy step. "There's a full moon out, And my girl just keep on howlin', (Oooh- ooh!)" Gon howled out comically. "Said she gonna leave me if I don't come home with 50 thousand! (50 thousand?)" Gon theatrically put a hand to his chin questioningly and exasperated. He placed fisted hands in his hair for the next verse and moved as though stress pacing.
"Aw damn, aw damn, aw damn, aw damn…" He turned around to go the other way, "Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man…" He then started stomping like a tantrum child, "Aw damn, oh man, aw damn, oh man!"
Some students who really like Gon and his brand started to stand up and dance along to his song, while the others just stayed in their seats and clapped along, bright smiles on their face. Everyone watching was completely swept up into Gon's pacing and brightness. Killua's foot was tapping, a smile unknowingly on his face. Gon wasn't even that good of a singer, but his delivery plenty made up for that. Gon began to rhythmically wave his arms and bounce around the stage in his dancing, filling the whole stage with his presence.
"I got bills I gotta pay, So I'm gonn' work, work, work every day! I got mouths I gotta feed, So I'm gonn' make sure everybody eats! I got bills!" Gon began to dance around largely on stage, mimicking the actions theatrically and almost comically as he sang out with energy.
"Woke up and I bumped my head
Stumped my toes on the edge of the bed
Opened the fridge and the food all gone
Neighbor's damn dog done pooped on my lawn
Hopped in the car and the car won't start
It's too damn hot but I still gotta walk
Behind the old lady in the grocery line
Praying that my card won't get declined" By now, most of the students were up on their feet to enjoy this performance, even Killua was sitting up further in his seat. Killua couldn't believe it, Gon was actually really good. Killua could hear with his trained ears that Gon wasn't the best, but he was hitting every note in perfect pitch and that rustic voice gave great character to his performance, it was charming to listen to, sucking Killua further in.
"Aw damn, Aw damn, Aw damn, Aw damn, Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man, God damn, oh man, god damn, oh man…!" Gon moved to begin a series of b-boy moves, fancy footwork and peppy steps. "I got bills I gotta pay So I'm gonn' work, work, work every day! I got mouths I gotta feed So I'm gonn' make sure everybody eats! I got…!"
In the interluding music, Gon showed off his solo style dances. At this point, Killua was just impressed that Gon didn't sound as winded as he would have imagined someone would if they moved as much as Gon did. The only thing Killua could gather after all this was that Gon had a set of lungs on him. It was impressive. As the music quieted down to a calmer beat, Gon bent down over one knee. Killua scooted up closer in his seat, concerned he had moved too much, concealing how tired he actually was and was now keeling over in exhaustion. He was prepared to move in a moment's notice, but then Gon began singing again, gesturing to his shoes.
"And my shoes, my shoes… I said my shoes…!" The audience began laughing at the exaggerated distressed face Gon was making as he sang. "...Ain't got no soul~!" He sang out, raising up as he prolonged the note. The audience laughed as he continued his performance joyfully, still as loud and clear with no indication of breathing heavily yet.
"I got bills I gotta pay
So I'm gonn' work, work, work every day
I got mouths I gotta feed
So I'm gonn' make sure everybody eats…" The music dropped off and Gon froze with the music before getting reanimated, shouting with the rest of the crowd: "I got bills!" Then everyone was on their feet dancing along with Gon as he led it. Killua blinked and then realized he was standing up with the rest of them. He looked over to see Kastro smiling smugly at him.
"I take it you pass him?" Killua blushed and sat back pointedly.
"Shuddap..." He grumbled. He had no idea he was so swept up with Gon he had stood up when the music came back after the drop. This was dangerous if he was thinking of Gon as a friend… What should he do…?
"I gotta pay
So I'm gonn' work, work, work every day
I got mouths I gotta feed
So I'm gonn' make sure everybody eats
I got bills!"
"Mama got bills! Yo' daddy got bills! Yo' sister got bills! Yo' auntie got bills! I got bills. Yo' Uncle got bills! Everybody got bills! Everybody got bills!" As the song ended, Gon made a loud whimpering exhausted noise as he dramatically spun down to the floor in a fake pass out. Everyone who wasn't already standing jumped up out of their seats and gave a roaring applause, delirious in Gon's infectious performance. Killua let out a laugh at the standing ovation Gon got. Kastro finished casting the grades.
"He's very impressive with great potential. I'd say he has great physique to sing while moving. There won't be much I could teach him either, like you. I'd just have him work on it some more so that it's not even detected that he's tired… see that?" Kastro said, leaning over to Killua to point out Gon as he stood up, his chest heaving. "It wasn't heard during the performance, but during a concert with multiple songs he has to sing, his endurance isn't very large. He'll need to work more on his endurance for top notch performance level." Killua nodded, watching Gon make his way over still catching his breath.
"Yea…" He mumbled.
"You gonna make any marks for Gon?" Kastro asked, pointing at Killua's empty paper. He flusteredly flipped the page before Gon could make his way over.
"Shut up, you got your own grades, you can't honestly say you'll use mine…" Killua grounded out so the ever nearing Gon didn't hear.
"I wonder…" Kastro said, looking away mischievously and Gon sat down next to Killua.
"Killua! Did you see that? Did you hear me? Did I do good?!" Gon asked, gripping Killua's arm. Killua pushed Gon's face away then wiped Gon's sweat back onto Gon's hoodie.
"Whatcha asking me for? All those people you passed by on the way here told you how good you are." Killua said, crossing his arms over his chest. Gon shrugged as he looked on at Killua.
"I want to know what you thought of me." He admitted, and Killua glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "At least how you scored me since you said you'd be doing it harshly? Did you take off a lot of marks?"
Killua gave him a cat-like smile.
"Secret~!" He snickered and Gon's mouth dropped. "No, Killua, that's not fair, turning that back on me! You're too mean." He moaned.
"Shush, watch the next round." Killua said, pushing one finger onto his cheek and guiding his head forward. Killua dazed out, and barely registered Kastro taking the clipboard back from him as he noticed Killua was no longer taking tabs on the others.
Ok, so if I think of Gon as my friend… what does that mean? I don't have to sing for him… I don't have to do crap for him…
And once he figures that out, when he finds out you won't do a thing to help him in the industry… He'll drop you like everyone else. Don't get close…
That's true… Killua thought blankly, not even bothering to look over at Gon, as if to gauge that from Gon's face. But what if it's not like that?
And if it is? What will you do then?
Yea… So now what? The bell rang and Killua stood, Gon following his lead.
"It's time for lunch! Yay, I get to eat lunch with Killua! What do you usually eat, Killua?!" Gon exclaimed, scooting out into the aisle.
"Lunch with me? I'm not eating with you." Killua said, a tightening in his chest threatened to cut off his speech but he kept his face neutral. He focused on his meditation training and forced the overwhelming feeling down to concentrate on the task at hand. Brushing Gon off. Just in time too, Gon did that pout thing.
"Why not? We're finally friends!" Gon asked. Killua huffed, bowing over in annoyance.
"Like I said, you're the only one who said we're friends, so that was all in your head. I never said I was your friend!" Killua explained, then hoisted his cat branded earphones up onto his ears. "I'm eating by myself." He muttered and pulled out his phone to blast his music and drown out anything else Gon might say. Gon reached out to stop Killua from leaving and indeed give him all the reasons why they actually were friends when something else stopped him.
"Oi! Gon!" Gon whirled around and Killua turned around as well against his better judgement. He backed up against the doorframe so others could move past him and not seem so obvious he was curious what someone wanted with Gon. Gon blinked then beamed at the three teens in front of him.
"Wow! It's the… er… Yamori brothers!" Gon shouted trying to remember what they introduced themselves as. They bristled in annoyance.
"Amori!" The front one shouted. Crossing arms. "So, you think you're so great huh?" He asked. "With your giant following you gain in a day, and your huge performance you made to show us up? Who do you think you are? Huh? We've been here for a couple years, and I don't think you're honoring your seniors properly!" He shouted, poking a finger in Gon's chest.
"Wah?! I'm not?!" Gon freaked, looking up at them with honest eyes. It was a very important thing for the japanese to treat their elders and seniors with the utmost respect, and Gon always tried his best to follow it. He failed? What should he do?!
Killua's eyes narrowed in the three idiots' direction. 'Who did he think he was?' 'Treat elders with respect?' Killua knew these dorks, they were second years when Killua was still a first year himself. They're obviously not so great, and could use a couple more years at the academy, but it seems they're picking on this rookie to prevent their social standings and fan base from getting any lower. How pathetic and underhanded. He rejoiced inwardly that he gave all of them zeros. His eyes roamed over to Gon to see him genuinely freaking out, like some idiot who hurt someone's feelings. Gon, don't fall for it. Killua thought, now narrowing his eyes at him as though to convey his thoughts through psychic means.
The boys involved didn't realize Gon's fanbase had also lingered behind to video what was going on and give Gon their support.
"Don't let them talk to you like that…!"
"Gon's great, they're just jealous…!" They murmured to themselves as they watched on and texted their friends and other fans of Gon what was going down.
"I didn't know I wasn't respecting you! What should I do?" Gon asked earnestly. The brothers were taken aback by Gon's gullibility, but they wouldn't let this chance pass.
"No! We won't take this. You gotta leave the school." The oldest said, crossing his arms. "Only if your out of our sights will we consider forgiving you."
The small crowd around them exploded into dissent and criticism of the boys.
"No way!"
"That's dumb!"
"That doesn't even make sense, you suck, Amori's!"
"Gon, don't do it!"
"Don't leave meee!"
Gon blinked at the request, and Killua realized he was holding his breath after they had said that. He let it go and then turned his eyes to Gon. "Don't do it…" He muttered under his breath. Gon met the eldest's eyes with fiery determination.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that." Gon stated seriously. That again took the brothers back. The biggest one stepped forward menacingly, and Killua took one towards the situation too. They won't be able to stop him if they try anything on Gon.
"What the heck man?" He asked, his hand curled into a fist, and Killua mimicked it in his pockets. "You just said you were sorry for stepping up in our business and asked us how to make it up! Now you won't do it!?"
"I want to make it up to you. But I can't do that. This opportunity is something I can probably never find ever again somewhere else. This is my only chance and I was taught growing up never to let my chances slip away, I have to grab this with both of my hands." He held up his hands, clenching his fists in resolve, and Killua found himself relaxing, uncurling his own fists. He's got this… he won't fall for it, and he won't do what they say. "So tell me something else I can do to make it up to you, but I won't leave for no reason." He said, and Killua could've fell over.
Seriously?! You don't have to do anything for them, idiot! He thought angrily, so fed up he could have just left, but he needed to know what Gon did next. What the idiot would say next. The brothers appraised him thoughtfully and the youngest lit up with an idea.
"Fine. We think your not being respectful because you just tried to show us up after a performance. You need a couple more years before you can do that to us. At the Academy we have Music Showcasing where students can sign up to perform and the Chairman plus judges award a winner every season. We've won that thing before, so if you can beat us in the winter contest, we'll forgive you, but if you don't come in first place, you're not good enough to stay at the school anyway. It'll just be disrespectful to us if you just tried to show us up here then fail to even win something we have before!" He said, a finger raised. His brothers nodded their approval before the eldest added.
"N-not just the school, the whole music industry! We want you out!" He sniggered. Killua's face contorted in anger. WHAT?! What kind of ridiculous, hair brained scheme- it didn't make any sense, none of their reasoning made sense, there's no way Gon would-
Gon, who was previously looking down in consideration, glanced up.
"Fine."
Killua collapsed against the doorframe, barely able to hold himself up, but he didn't have to do much to keep attention off him, everyone listening exploded, voicing their dissent.
"No!"
"Gon, that's dumb!"
"You'd have to win first place, that's hard to do!"
"Don't leaaave meee!"
The brothers smiled evilly.
"Great. So, you have to win first place for us to forgive you. If you don't, you leave the music industry."
"No." Gon said, and everyone froze in shock, Killua whirling around to look back at Gon's face. No?
"No, I don't want your forgiveness anymore." Gon said, shaking his head, his eyes bright with determination. Killua could have face-palmed. Then why agree idiot? There's no need for the contest anymore!
"If I win the contest, it'll show I belong here… I'll finally able to prove something to myself too. I won't need your forgive then either. I would show I had the talent to beat you at your own game; there won't be a need for me to say sorry. If I win, it's because I had more talent than you." Gon looked each of them in the eye, hoping his words would reach them.
"If I beat you, you guys should work harder to get better instead of picking on kids with more talent than you! I shouldn't have to lower myself so you guys can feel better. I'll take this challenge, so we can both get better at what we love, and reach for a better standard of us!" Gon exclaimed, then a warm smile lit his face, the warmth hitting everyone around him. "Let's get better and sing together! This school is not only to learn but to make connections with everyone around us. If I lose, I'll still leave and get out the music industry, because if I can't win a simple showcase… there's no way I can become a popular world star… and find that guy…" He said, seeming to talk to himself at the end. He lifted his head to meet every single one of the brothers in the eyes with a warm glow. "So let's work hard until the contest and have a nice fair competition!" He held out his hand. Killua blinked, his eyes bright as he looked at this… light that illuminated the world.
He was almost mine… Gon… Killua thought sadly.
"Oh gawd, Gon…!" A fan sobbed out infatuated.
"That was beautiful!"
"I hope you win Gon!"
"You suck, Amori!"
"I wanna try harder now too!"
"He's so inspiring and amazing!"
"This is so going on social media so I can show off my new fav!" The brothers again felt pressured to not be shown up in terms of values, so the eldest hesitantly let his hand out and Gon grabbed it in a deal sealing shake.
"You have to get first place…" He reiterated, and Gon nodded.
"Or else I leave." He agreed. They let go and the fans began filtering out, reviewing their photos and pictures and chatting about what just happened as they headed to lunch.
"Wow, Gon's so amazing!"
"They way he handled them was so hot!"
"I wish he'd handle me!"
"Oh my gosh, Patrisha! Don't be a perv!" Laughter echoed and faded away down the hall when finally Gon turned around from the brothers, his face lighting up in a more friendly way.
"Killua!" He cheered, running towards him, but Killua's was less than amused.
"You dum-dum, why the hell would you agree to something like that?" He said, his face in a neutral frown. Gon stopped next to the white haired teen with a smile.
"Because I needed to make it up to them! But then after they explained the music contest thing, I knew it was just a way to truly test my abilities! And it'll be fun! I just need to win." Killua's frown deepened.
"I don't think you understand how difficult it is to win those things! Not every student sign up for it. When they do, they train and practice for weeks! They take it very seriously, because they can use it as leverage in resumes and applications. It's a huge thing to be placed first in a showcase from a school full of the best; to be the best of the best. And their deal was that you don't have to only beat them, you have to get first place! This was stupid, if you think this was really your greatest opportunity, you wouldn't have made such a narrow chance of you winning." Killua scoffed. Gon frowned but then smiled again.
"I know. I did that on purpose. My dad's a World Star, and I think the only way I could ever become someone who could surpass him is by being one of the best! I want to win first place too, Killua." He admitted. Killua blinked at him with owlish eyes.
"Your dad's a World Star? Who?"
"Neh, Killua, you said the students train hard for the showcase. I don't know how to train to become better, think you could tell me how?" Gon asked, twiddling his thumbs. Killua blinked, dumbstruck.
"What? Why the hell should I help you, moron?" He asked, turning away and moving out the room.
"What? W-well, why not?! I mean, well, then why did you wait for me instead of leaving?" Gon asked, following after him. Killua's eye twitched because he didn't really have an explanation that made sense to his brain or wouldn't give Gon the wrong idea.
"I wasn't the only one who stayed behind, Gon! Don't you have somewhere to be?" He asked, throwing a glare over his shoulder. Gon froze as Killua got farther away, finally escaping from him.
"Oh man! Zushi's waiting for me!" Gon shouted out and sprinted down the other direction. He took a quick detour to get his bento from his locker but then ran to where Zushi was located, close to the cafeteria.
"Zushi! Oh, man, I am so sorry! I had no idea how late it was, I was held up after class because-" Gon slightly panted, giving a deep bow.
"The Amori brothers?" Zushi finished for him, a small chuckle on his lips. Gon straightened up in surprise.
"How did you…?" Gon asked, holding his bento to his chest. Zushi turned the phone he had in his hands over to show him a feed on facebox, relaying the video of Gon talking and making the bet with the three older students. Gon blinked.
"Wow, so everyone knows about it already?" Gon asked surprised.
"Should be if they checked the Academy class page." Zushi said, turning the phone back to him to watch the end of the video. "You're really amazing, Gon!" Zushi said, turning to head inside the cafeteria. Gon blushed lightly and rubbed the back of his head.
"Thanks, Zushi. I try." He said walking in with him. As Gon walked in, the cafeteria lapsed into silence before it became louder in their buzz now that the topic of conversation was inside.
"Wow… is it really that big a deal?" Gon asked as he noticed plenty of people pointing and talking like he was already famous.
"Well, yea, for a couple of reasons. You basically told the whole school you're confident enough to win first place in a contest that we highly regard. Some people who might have been willing to sign up are threatened by you and see you as competition, some others see you on their radar as someone to use to advance their own careers, and then there are others just excited to see new and amazing talent. Let's just say this winter showcase will be… eventful." Zushi said, heading to a line for a salad.
"Mhh… Do you think you could explain to me the Music Showcase to me a little more?" Gon asked. Zushi nodded happily.
"Yea! So its seasonally, thus making it quarter annual. There's a fall showcase in October, winter showcase in December, the last day of the semester before winter break. Spring showcase is in March and the summer showcase is in May, the day before summer break. The judges change every showcase but the Chairman is always the main one, and he always try to get alumni of the school as the other guest judges. You give a performance like it's a number in a concert, original only and the criteria they grade is normally the things we learn in school such as perfect pitch, range, physical singing, dance routines. So because of that, it's rare lowerclassmen apply, normally it's only seniors. When underclassman apply, they don't expect first place, they barely expect to place, they just want the experience. It was amazing when Amori's won, but that year… and specific showcase… was an exception. It was weird." Zushi explained. Gon nodded.
"Cool… so I need to work really hard to be able to beat seniors with years of learning and experience…" Gon said slowly, and he felt his chest tighten. His eyebrow furrowed upward, a worried smile on his face. "I can do that, right?" he breathed out. Zushi got his salad and turned to Gon.
"You ok?" He asked slowly. Gon smile tightened but before he could say anything he heard his name.
"Hey, Gon! Over here!" Gon turned around to see Ponzu standing up, flagging him down at a table with Pokkle and others he didn't recognize. He focused on his friends to ignore the sudden dread feeling that tried to creep up on him and smiled while waving back.
"Ponzu!" He cried out.
"Come sit with us!" She shouted, waving towards the table.
"Sure!" Gon cried back and turned to Zushi. "You don't mind, right?" He asked. Zushi smiled back. "No, I didn't really have anywhere specific to sit anyways!" They made their way over.
Hisoka lowered his phone to watch Gon trot across the cafeteria.
"Hmmm… this winter showcase will be a real interest…" Hisoka hummed in a silky voice. Illumi looked up from his pasta and cocked his head curiously.
"Why?" He asked. Hisoka gave his friend an irked frown.
"Do you not check the school's feed?" He asked, waving his phone around Illumi's general sight. Illumi slurped up a strand of pasta with the same neutral face and waited a moment before he answered.
"No. The only reason I use social media is to post self advertisement and eye candy for my fans. I wouldn't even do that if my parents didn't tell me to." He admitted with a shrug. Hisoka sighed.
"Why do us two have to be such anti-social freaks…" He smirked playfully. Illumi's eyebrow twitched downward in a hint of irritation.
"Me? I'm not antisocial, Hisoka, I decide not to have any friends. What's your excuse?"
"I'm shy. Hey, Illumi, what does that make me if you say you don't have any friends?" He said, leaning his head on his hands. Illumi's eyelid drooped, over it.
"Then show me the video that's so important." Illumi said, holding out his hand. Hisoka smirked over at him.
"I'll show you if you tell me what I am to you." Illumi blinked.
"You're an idiot. I have my own phone. You just failed my friendship test, now you're nothing to me." He said, pulling out his dark custom designed phone. Hisoka's mouth dropped open in shock but then a smug smile graced his features.
"That just means I was your friend, so I just have to make it up to you now. Illumi, you like chocolate-?" Illumi's hand found Hisoka's face and pushed it back away from him.
"That's rude and insensitive, I don't like chocolate and I'm not allowed to have any chocolate, none of the Zoldycks are cause sugar is bad for the throat. Don't get me anything." Illumi said, clicking through his feed. With his hand flush against Hisoka's face, Hisoka couldn't see the small pink tinge settled on Illumi's cheeks.
"Then you forgive me?" Hisoka asked, muffled against the hand.
"Right, whatever." He muttered, although the words were able to be made out clearly, and pulled his hand from Hisoka's face. Hisoka sent a victorious wink towards the fans watching and most of the girls squealed in excitement.
"Found it." He chirped and played the video. Hisoka sexily placed a nacho chip into his mouth while making fanservice eyes at those watching, idly listening to the video he already watched to get a feel for where Illumi was in the video. He blinked in surprise and looked towards Illumi (to the dissatisfaction of the girls watching) when he heard Illumi pause the video as Gon was about to shake hands with the Amori brothers.
"What's wrong? Too much excitement for your doll face?" Hisoka asked as he watched Illumi drill holes into one spot of the video.
"This was after class?" He asked. Hisoka raised a confused eyebrow.
"Yea."
"Mhhh… no good…" Illumi muttered intelligibly again, staring at his fluffy haired brother glaring intensely in the background by the door. He played it, Killua moving out of sight again.
"What's no good? Those loser brothers? I know, it's hilarious, they definitely won't get first place, but they don't need to to get rid of that adorable shortie. But he seemed pretty confident, so that's why the winter showcase will be interesting." Hisoka said before popping another corn chip in his mouth.
"If he loses he leaves, huh?" Illumi reiterated. Hisoka nodded, but his pale friend wasn't looking at him. Illumi looked up and over to where Gon was sitting.
Alright, Killua isn't with him right now… So he might have come to his senses… but if this kid doesn't leave him alone, Killua might get distracted again. I'll wait and see what happened next first… Illumi thought, satisfied for the moment.
"It's boring." Illumi decided. "It'll be ametuer hour, like watching kindergarteners in an art contest."
"Ouch, Illumi, what if I wanted kids? You insulted our child's artistic ability-" Illumi interrupted him by slamming his hands down on the table and standing.
"I'm not hungry anymore." He stated. "I'm in the orchestra room." Hisoka pouted after him, some of Illumi's fans also crying and whining their agitation.
"I paid for these nachos and I plan on finishing them! Adios, Illumi." Hisoka huffed. Illumi closed his eyes in relief as he walked. Thank goodness, he needed a break from that headache. He walked out the door in sophistication but almost ran into three colorful teens.
"Oh." He stated to stop the string of curses he might have said in his surprise. The boys looked nervously at one another before they threw the younger forward.
"I-Illumi, s-sir!" He said, wringing his hands together. "We need you to apply for the winter contest…!" He said. Illumi cocked his head habitually.
"Why? If I compete, it won't be a contest..."
"It's Gon! It's a very hard business, and it's dog eat dog. We need to get all our competition out of the way… Even if we acknowledge we'll never be as good as you heavenly Zoldycks…" He said, and Illumi idly noted they were trying to suck up to him, "But we rather try to keep the amount of rookie attention grabbers out. This is for serious peoples, and we're happy to crush the rookies so there's no one else in our way! We'll settle with being at the bottom, but not below rookies who don't know their place. So if you compete, you'll definitely get 1st place, then Gon would have to leave the school and the music industry!" He piped.
"How would you know that Gon would keep his promise and leave the school?" Illumi asked.
"We saw it in his eyes when we talked to him. He'll definitely keep his side of the bet. We just need him to lose…" The eldest replied. Illumi tilted his head and delicately placed a finger to his lip. He was going to wait to see if this Gon guy was gonna be problem, but he supposed he shouldn't wait for there to be a problem in the first place. Illumi already recognized him as a threat to Killua, so he could just deal with him this way. He leaves the school and Killua never sees him again, and Killua remains focused with no one to distract him. He'll be the greatest World Star and it'll all be because of his wonderful and attentive older brother.
"Ok." Illumi stated, moving the finger into the air in confirmation. "We sign up after Fall showcase right? I guess my father would want us to enter one once in our time here at the Academy, and it is my senior year. I'll do it and make sure Gon loses. Good bye losers." Illumi stated and walked past them. The three brothers frosted over at the burn of being shouldered off by someone much more talented than them.
"Well… well, we don't have to worry about Gon anymore… He'll be out of here real soon. He doesn't even seem like he knows much about the showcases, so his ignorance will be his downfall." The eldest said to his brothers, as though a comfort. "He won't make a fool out of us again, treating us like opening act or something. Let's go practice for the fall showcase guys." They moved away from the cafeteria.
Gon placed the empty bento box in his locker. "I would have never guessed that Ponzu and Pokkle were getting together an a capella group! They all seem really nice." Gon said, closing his locker and checking his schedule.
"Yea, you should have joined! They asked so nicely." Zushi said, giving Gon's arm a playfully punch. Gon shook his head, and just barely held down the rising gut feeling.
"I need to concentrate on getting better for the winter showcase." Gon said.
"You know you can sing in groups right? You're friends with Killua, right, you should ask him to sing with you! There's no way you'll lose." Zushi exclaimed, fisting his hands. Gon frowned, remembering what Killua said. He doesn't like to sing for others for free and if he doesn't think he'll like their singing. He had to remember to keep that in mind to think through it to help Killua, but for now he knows not to push it anymore.
"No, Killua won't sing. But that's ok. I don't want to depend on someone else's strength to win, if I'm not strong enough to do it solo, I can't call myself a World Star!" Gon said. Zushi frowned.
"Gon, you're putting alot on yourself, putting yourself up against people who are about ready to graduate and go out and be World Stars! You're still learning-!"
"Isn't Killua my age? If he contested, don't you think he'd win?" Gon asked and Zushi leaned back a bit in surprise.
"B-but that's different! He's been trained relentlessly, it's diff-"
"If he knows that much already, I can too. I just…" Gon rolled his neck when the dreading feeling threatened to lock up his muscles. "I'll just need to cram. And find someone to teach me. Killua may not sing with me, but I think I can get him to teach me. I'm close, I almost got him to, back when the bet was first made. Leave it to me Zushi, this concert will be nothing!" Gon assured, and they heard the minute bell ring in warning.
"We gotta go to class, but I'll see you tomorrow, right? See you, Zushi!" Gon exclaimed, running off in one direction. Talking to Zushi was just giving Gon stress right now, and he felt the only thing that would really ease his heart was seeing his super cool friend in class and those baby blue eyes that takes his breath away. He looked at his schedule one more time, seeing he needed to go to Range 111. Gon briefly wondered why the numbers were in the hundreds if they were second years, but if Killua had it, he shouldn't think he was lacking or anything.
Gon ran into the class, his whole being becoming at ease when he spotted the white haired teen in the back. The late bell just began to ring so Gon settled for the brief look he got of Killua and just parked it in the front. He felt much better just knowing Killua was in the same room so he'll concentrate in this class.
A plump small and blond lady walked in wearing a cute woman suit with little frills about her neck.
"Welcome class! I'm Mrs. Burnly~" She rang out in a high vocal pitch.
Opera. Killua thought after he heard her voice. Immediately he decided he didn't like her.
"This is Range 111! Some of you may be wondering why it's in the hundreds! Range isn't taught to first years, so this is the basics of Range, technically! Now, for this class, we will be focusing on increasing people's range. The voice is an instrument and a muscle, and you make muscles stronger by exercising it everyday. You increase your range by pushing outside of your safe range every once in awhile! They say it takes a month to increase your vocal scale by an octave."
Lies. Killua thought with annoyance. She probably just wants to sound noticeable. Or maybe that was true for normal people who didn't work on it until the moon was high in the sky. He shook his head to get out of his thoughts.
"Now, I'm sure you all are getting tired of it, but you all know I need some sort of benchmark to appraise you all towards! It's time for a pretest! I promise it won't take long, especially with Mr. Zoldyck's help. C'mon, get up here while I tell them about the test!" She said, urging him up. Killua's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Should he go up there? He doesn't know what she's gonna ask him to do, and she didn't ask him to sing, but she might when he's up there.
"Why?" He asked, keeping his voice neutral and his head propped on his hand. She turned her attention back on him as she spun around with papers in her hand.
"Teacher assistant!" She sung, and Killua stuck his tongue out in annoyance. That was a bother, but at least she wasn't asking him to sing. He stood up and started making his way to the front, Gon finally turning to watch him. He tried to catch his eyes, but like the first day, he seemed to avoid it.
"Alright, so I want each of you to fill out this questionnaire, Killua will be passing it out," Killua gathered the papers into his arms as she handed it over and he glanced over it as he walked to the first row of desks. "It asks questions like, 'if given the option to sing a song, which would you sing!' and 'what's your favorite color'~! Nothing hard, I just want to get a basic understanding of how you all are." She went by her desk and pulled aside a podium with a small microphone on it so it stood diagonally from the back corner.
"As you finish your papers, come line up to this side of the desk here and give your papers to Killua then cross over to stand behind the desk here. You'll sing into the microphone from the highest pitch you can and scale down to the lowest you have. You can scale down in one giant stream, you can scale down with your hatsu, anything you like, I just want to know your highest pitch and your lowest. Then pick a note, any note, to sing your do re mi! I'll take that as the range you're most comfortable singing in." She said, clapping her hand together adorably.
She's like a teddy bear… Gon thought before his attention was arrested by Killua moving closer to his location in one seat up front. Gon again tried to catch Killua's eye as he moved closer, opting to ignore the teacher's idle chatter. Killua felt annoyed at how hard Gon was trying so he finally flicked his eyes over and gave him a quick flash of his tongue that was meant to be mean, but all Gon did was light up from finally getting his attention. Killua slumped as he passed out the papers to the person next to Gon. Maybe it would have been more effective to keep ignoring him.
He stepped in front of him, and for some reason, this specific paper decided to stick to the one behind it and Killua struggled to separate it. And then Gon was looking at him like he was the light of the world, shamelessly observing him, and the disgruntled expression on Killua's face deepened, along with the shade of red on his cheeks.
"Screw it…" He muttered embarrassedly and slapped down about 3 to 4 papers in a bundle. "Pass it down…" He muttered comprehendible. He felt his stomach twisting into knots and he could have dropped the papers with how nervous he felt. Now that he passed the lump of papers to Gon, he actually didn't have any more papers to pass out so he went and stood to the left of the podium, leaning against the teachers desk to wait for the students to finish and room filled with idle chatter as they filled the sheet out and the teacher herself sat herself down in one of the empty student desks facing the podium and hummed in a beautiful pitch to herself as she waited.
Killua could feel the eyes on him as he waited, fiddling with his nails. Of course the students would stare at him, especially if some were his fans, but it was when he felt Gon's heavy gaze on him that he truly felt unnerved. How annoying, he should just take a hint and stop trying to make eye contact with him, and with how often Gon was looking up, he was going to finish that worksheet half past never. Killua huffed and looked out the window when the first person finally made their move. Gon gaped at the person walking up and looked down at his sheet. He was only half done! He should put a move on or he'll never finish.
A line started to form by Killua as he collected the sheet of the person waiting to go up to the podium next and those behind that student held onto their sheet as they waited for their own turn. The first student went up behind the podium and Mrs. Burnly straightened her back as she readied her pen, Killua looked on bored.
He sang out from the E above middle C down to a resounding E below middle C. Killua huffed the hair out of his eyes as he collected the sheet of paper behind the person who went up next. That wasn't even 1 and a half of octave… Poor range Killua thought. He figured for this class this teacher would try to get them to be able to sing in 3 full octaves, from high C to low C, which Killua could already hit, and then some. The guy's range was obviously bass, as Killua expected most guys' to be until this teacher expanded their possibilities. Next girl carried her voice around like a swing as she sang from a high A to middle C and her vocal range was soprano. One after the next and the next, it was all very predictable. Killua listened to all these poor excuses for range and the predictable safe ranges, idly collecting papers, zoning out as to not fall asleep while standing, so he didn't notice when Gon was next and standing right next to him.
"Hey, Killua." Gon said lowly through his mouth. Killua almost jumped, no one really tried to talking to him yet as they prepared to sing. When he saw who it was, he wanted to facepalm himself for being so unattentive.
"What?" He asked through almost unmoving lips.
"What's your safe range?" Gon asked, fully facing him with curious eyes. Killua huffed, trying not look over Gon's sheet curiously.
"I don't have one. I can sing whatever I feel, in whatever range I pick. I'm not inclined to any specific range." Killua muttered back to him. Gon cocked an eyebrow but other than that, his smile never moved.
"Ok, which one's your favorite?" Gon tried. Killua furrowed his eyebrow but before he could even open his mouth, "Next!" from Mrs. Burnly. Gon moved away, taking away his golden hue eyes with him, and Killua missed the warmth that radiated off him.
Whatever… who cares what my favorite range is, I'm suppose to sing what I'm told. Killua thought as he looked towards Gon standing behind the podium. Killua found whenever it had to do with Gon, he was immensely curious, barely able to remember to pick up the waiting student's next sheet before giving his full attention to Gon's pretest.
Gon gave a few testing hums before he started at the highest pitch he had. Killua unconsciously bit his lip, blown away as Gon probably had the highest pitch he's heard besides girls who trained specifically to hit pitches meant for dogs. He probably almost hit the high end of Killua's range. Gon began to descend slowly before plunging down like an IMAX cinema intro, and it went so low, the resounding vibration Killua usually felt in his chest when Gon speaks around him spread out to his whole body, reaching every fingertip and strand of hair, and he swore some of his organs moved. The low note (probably lower than what Killua could go) had Killua gripping the table behind his back, and some of the girls in the class swooned and cried out in bliss as quietly as they could as not to disturb Gon or accidentally make him stop. It was like the whole world was shaking with Gon's caressing note, and that tone was enough to reach somewhere deep inside Killua, someplace he forgot about himself. Somewhere that was locked and trampled on and thrown out by all his training and drills and schooling, somewhere that held something that Killua fed lies, where he said I don't like to sing…
Gon reached in and knocked, cracked it open a little and tried to pick up what was broken. A heavy blush fell over Killua's cheeks as Gon broke the note and began his do re mi's in his bass range and Killua placed a hand over his mouth with the realization.
Dammit.
Killua wanted to sing with him...
Killua timed it for when Gon just finished his last do.
"I have to go." He stated, and placed the papers down on the corner of the teacher's desk where the students could still place it before they move to the podium, then began moving out the room. He hoped turning his back on the students after speaking and bringing attention to himself would hide the massive blush burning up his face. He needed to get out of there, and out of Gon's sight and away from his freakn' light!
Gon looked after Killua when he spoke, one foot in the direction of his seat. His face betrayed the sad feeling he felt. What happened? Was it something he did? He was hoping to gauge Killua's reaction of his singing after he finished, see if he was impressed, but he left before Gon could even turn around. Was that his fault?
Wait, you could be overthinking this. He might just need to go to the bathroom! Yea… He was able to ease himself into the seat with that thought, but he still felt like going after him. The teacher frowned when Killua turned to leave.
"Oh, pooh! There goes the eye candy, girls!" She giggled scandalously. "Well, hopefully he'll be back…" She said turning more seriously. "This is his participation grade, since I've heard so much about how he will not sing~" Gon worriedly looked over.
"Hah?!" He asked. "W-well, I'm sure he'll be back…!" Gon assured. "So, you can give him 100, he already did so much!" Gon tried, leaning over trying to point out Killua's name for her to put 100. The teacher pulled the clipboard away.
"Mhh… I agree, but if he's skipping the rest of class, I'm not awarding him for that. He'll get the 100 when he comes back." She said and gave a resolved nod. Gon huffed and put his head in his hands. Well, Gon won't have any of that. He'll give Killua 10 minutes, then he's gonna find him and drag him back to this room if he has to. Friends don't let other friends fail! Even if Killua doesn't think of Gon as his friend yet.
Outside, Killua barely walked 2 feet away from the room, a hand over his chest while his heart beated wildly and a hand on the wall of lockers to keep himself up. Closer to the bathrooms, he finally let himself fall against the lockers and slid down to the ground.
What's happening to me… This has never happened before
At least not for a long time…
Ok, so I want… to sing with someone my parents didn't tell me to… that just means I can't! Because I never could…!
Isn't that why you stopped singing in the first place? To stop the pain that came with the restriction on your own voice?
Killua put his hands over his ears as though that could stop his internal voice.
There was never any pain, I was trained for my parents, it'd be ungrateful if I denied them my voice they worked on so hard!
Are you serious!? You never asked for this! That's what was beat into you head, you don't feel that way! So what if you want to sing, doesn't he make you happy-
Killua's eyes snapped open.
Nope, that was another problem for some other day. That dumb idiot is screwing with thoughts, and he had enough. He stood up. He won't let Gon make him all weird and trippy. He was gonna walk back in and ignore that fool like his life depended on it, because he could swear his life does. The life he knows anyways.
What does it mean if I want to sing with someone…?
Forget it, think about it later. Killua walked back to the room and placed his hand on the knob, but hesitated. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding then opened the door, making sure to keep looking ahead and not where he knew Gon's seat was.
"Killua!" Came the childish call, like his mother just came in after leaving for a week. Instinctively upon hearing his name be called, he turned to look. Mistake.
Gon's eyes were bright and pouring every emotion into him, like he didn't know how to control his expression. Did he even? Then with his face, and all the attention and care Gon gave him, coupled with the memory of his voice, god, his voice, Killua's face flamed on and his knees buckled slightly, grabbing the edge of the podium as he passed. He gave a dark glare at the person standing there as to give off some passive aggressive frustration and then moved back to the desk.
"I'm back…" He muttered and shoved his earphones on, pulled out his phone to blast his music and then continued picking up papers, all the while pointedly not looking at Gon.
This sucks… He thought, looking out the window while trying not to wince at the loud music in his ears. It scrambled his thoughts so no coherent ones could form, and he needed that. He hopes he never wants to sing with anyone else ever again if it felt like this.
Gon pouted at the reaction he got from Killua when he walked in. He seemed to be in a bad mood. Did his singing do that?
C'mon Gon, you shouldn't do that to yourself! You're being conceited, Killua might be going through something really serious that has nothing to do with you! And you have to be there for him! Gon nodded in agreement with his conscious. Right! He'll wait til after class to talk to him, and hopefully make the white haired idol feel better. The teacher got Gon's attention and pointed out on her clipboard she gave Killua the 100, and Gon smiled feeling better then mouthed a 'Thank you'! Killua didn't have to worry about his grades now. Gon looked up at the clock. 20 more minutes until the end of class…
-o0o0o00o0o0o-
The bell rang and Killua blanched at the situation. His bookbag was still in the back and Gon was seated closer to the door even if he was at his seat in the first place. He'll definitely cut him off before he escapes. His face fell into annoyance as he made his way to the back of the class. He picked up his bookbag and sighed before chancing a glance over his shoulder. His breath hitched in his throat when he saw Gon by the door with a small sad smile on his face, but then he just ducked out the room, with what was most definitely his new groupies following after him.
He just… left?
Killua gripped his fists at his sides. What the hell… why was Gon so… nice?!
Gon walked down the hall, slightly scuffing at his shoes. Gon wanted to wait for Killua, they even had the next class together, but he could see in Killua's eyes the last thing he wanted was to be bothered. So as much as Gon wanted to be in the loop, he'll give Killua the necessary space for now. His face lit up a bit in thought of tomorrow. He asked Mito for extra money to buy Killua his chocolates, so after school he'll definitely be able to make him feel better tomorrow. He's a little scared of how he'll fare with this school's academia, but he'll get through it. He did pass 9th grade year already! Gon looked down at his schedule to figure out his last musical class of the school year.
Note Recognition.
Hm, no number? So he guessed it was just something people had every year to keep up on that skill. He trotted his way to the class, excited about what he'll learn this year in that class. He'll be on his way to be a World Star in no time!
He entered the room and saw a pretty, tall lady in a long skirt and blouse.
"Good afternoon!" Gon greeted her, stepping up to her. "I'm Gon!" He said, sticking his hand out. Thinking back to his other classes, there weren't a lot of time when the teacher was already in the class and not coming in with the bell.
"Hello, Gon! Welcome to Note Recognition, I'm the teacher, you can call me Palm, please take a seat anywhere you like." She hummed, but her voice sounded like it was slightly strained as she spoke. Gon cocked his head curiously but kept smiling.
"Right! Thanks." He went and sat in the front and took the time to examine the room. The room was a bit bigger than the usual classrooms and in the front was a grand piano along with a white board while in the back, the teacher's desk was placed to the left and the usual leisure area was to the right.
Wow, a grand piano…! I don't know how to play that. Will we learn in this class? Gon thought. But, no, that's not very possible… It wasn't instrument 101 or whatever the class would be called. Gon supposed he has to wait for class to start to know the learning objective this year. Gon noted the people walking in, feeling a bit nervous when student after student streamed in, some who knew him greeted him kindly, but Killua had yet to walk in. He took a calming breath. Killua would come, he hasn't skipped a class yet.
True to it, seconds before the late bell rang, Killua sauntered in with his fine-tuned grace and his eyes met Gon for a brief happy second before it moved away and he made his way to his usual back seat. Gon's face fell a bit but then Palm began talking and he focused again, trying to push thoughts of Killua out of his mind.
"Hello class, I'm your teacher. But I think we can all agree I'm a little too young to be called a Miss, so let's just stay on first name basis, shall we? You all will call me Palm!" She said, holding a hand to her face.
"I don't think you're all that youn-" Some student tried to call out sassily.
"Do you want to die?!" Palm interrupted in a strained voice. Everyone leaned back in their seats shocked and she withdrew back within herself. "Oh, that's no good… Sorry, but you should know better than to talk about a woman's age! I promise I'm very nice, class, just… listen to what I say, okk? And no one fails!" She did a clumsy little curtsey and Killua face fell in annoyance.
She's mental!
"Welcome to Note recognition! In this class we'll be sharpening the skills of recognizing notes and note sounds. By going off what was taught last year, by the end of this year you should be able to see a note on the music staff and sing the sound it makes, hear a note and recognize what note it is, and sing a note while another is also being played." She said. The class grew into outcry by the last objective.
"What?!"
"That's crazy! We need silence to focus on our music notes!"
"Palm, that technique is too advanced!"
"Silence… please, quiet…!" Palm said out in sweet voice. "I need you to be quiet so I…" She started to strain. "So I can EXPLAIN!? Please? Thank you.." She said, getting them to finally quiet down.
"You know this class is ongoing every year, so you'll have to learn it eventually. But I want to show the higher ups that I am capable of teaching such techniques! So yes, one of your exams will concise of being able to sing a whole song while a whole different song is being played… in your ears." She said, pointing to her head with what was probably supposed to be a charming smile, but came out much creepier.
Was her hair getting messier? The class thought.
"So! Pre-test! I want to know if you all can sing a note I tell you, I'll play the piano note to double check." Palm said, going behind the piano and sitting down, looking a lot more elegant than she looked not too long ago. "You'll come up, I'll say a note, you sing it out: Meeee-me-me-meeeee… And as you hold out the note at the 4th 'me', I'll play the piano note. It should line up quite nicely. If not, you get a point off. You can adjust your voice before the 4th 'me' as you want to try and hit the sound you think is correct, but you must hold the constant note by the 4th one. We'll do this for 5 notes and the pretest is out of 5 points! Simple, right? Not too hard…?" By the end of her sentence, she took on that straining begging tone to her voice. The class all nodded and voiced their consent vigorously. Killua rolled his eyes. This was gonna be a trying class.
"Who wants to go first?!" She asked back in her pleasant voice. The class hesitantly looked around before a student bravely volunteered.
"Great! Come on up, er…" She checked her roster. "David!"
Gon watched the students go up one at a time nervously. They got 3 out of 5s, 2 out of 5s, even zeros, no one getting full points yet. Gon's never done this before, he's sure he'll fail as well.
"Next!" She called out as she wrote down the score of the last student walking back to their seat. Gon looked around at the small pool of people left, including Killua.
"I'll go..." Gon shrugged. Killua bit his lip to stop from bursting out laughing. He looked like he was walking up his death! Killua can't believe Gon was still so scared of failing and looking bad, and he gets this puppy dog look on his face as though to escape judgement. Actually, Gon probably can't control his emotions too well, his face is too honest, so it wasn't like he was doing it on purpose. This guy was such a dork…
And you wanna sing with him!
Killua's face fell again. Ugh… that was true.
Gon gave Palm a cautious smile and she gave back an encouraging one.
"Ok, E over middle C!"
-o0o0o0o0o0o-
Gon sat back down then put his head in his hands. 1 out of 5. And that was only because Palm took it easy on him and offered Middle C. Gon normally hummed that note most times when tuning his guitar to keep reference so he knew that one. How embarrassing, but it was how most students were finishing. He shouldn't feel too bad. The last of the students went until it was Killua's turn. Gon thought Palm was gonna let him pass like the other teachers and the class would continued, but then she looked up.
"Killua? You're the last one." Gon bit his tongue to prevent himself from saying Killua's line of 'he doesn't sing' and maybe add a 'I'll sing for him!' He'll let Killua take care of it as he does in the other classes, but Gon won't let him take a failing grade. He turned back to face Killua to see what he'd say but was shocked when he saw Killua was nearly by the front already. Everyone else seemed just as floored as Gon… Would they finally hear the blessing that was Killua's singing? He stopped at the front beside the piano and spun around on his heel to face the students. He swivled his head to look at the teacher.
"Ok, you'll get-"
"I don't sing." Killua said matter-of-factly. Palm froze up and everyone braced themselves. What is he doing?! She'll go off!
"B-but…" She started in a strained voice. Killua refrained from rolling his eyes. She'll get voice nodules if she keeps that up. "Everyone needs to take the pre-test-, I need to know your ability so I can-!" Her eyes began to shake and Killua sighed.
"It's note recognition, right? So you don't need me to sing, I just need to recognize the note. So, play a note on the piano and I'll tell you what note you just played. That's fine for now, right?" Killua asked. Palm seemed to calm down but a couple haters in class bristled.
Who does he think he is, just making every teacher bend the rule for him? Too high and great to sing to us commoners, just sing, Zoldyck!
"Er… Alright… That makes sense. It's similar enough. Alright, I'll play now. 5 notes." Palm said, and positioned her fingers. Killua zoned out, his eyes on the top of the piano to focus on the notes she was about to play.
Ding…
"B over Middle C."
Ding…
"G below low C."
Ding…
"A below Middle C."
Gon watched on, barely able to keep his mouth closed. Killua was really amazing after all! He-!
"No way! That's not fair!" Someone shouted and both Palm and Killua's murderous glares zeroed in on the student, but by then others were also voicing their dissent.
"Yea, we all were failing from your test and now he gets something easier!"
"Easier?!" Killua ground out, fists at his side. Palm shook her head.
"No, no, it's not any easier. I would even say it's harder. If any of you took this test, I'm sure more of you would get zero out of 5s!" Killua crossed his arms, satisfied with the scold.
"Well, at least make sure he's not cheating!"
"Yea! He's looking, like, right at the piano! He can just see what notes you're pressing!"
Palm cocked her head, mostly surprised at her students' childish behavior then swung her head Killua's direction as though to say 'Do you mind?' Killua sighed out heavily then turned around to face the board.
"Great. Let's go." He droned. Palm fixed the class with a scorning glare then looked down at her keys.
Ding…
"G below Middle C." He said, his voice bouncing off the board and back to the class, the acoustics seeming to harmonize with his own voice.
Ding…
"High C." Palm gave the class a daring glare then turned to Killua.
"I'll play 3 more to make up your other three." She said. The same student stood up.
"Sorry Palm, I still can't take that! How do I know he's not looking in the reflection of the board to still see the keys? Just make him sing!" Even other students began to think he was stretching it.
"No, man, c'mon…"
"What your accusing him of doing require more skills and is a lot more work than just recognizing the notes she's playing!"
"Ya, just let it go..."
Killua had twisted the top half of his body to give the student an angry side glance. He huffed and turned towards the door. Gon stopped himself from hopping up and following Killua and also shouting at every student in here for being childish. Though it was mostly the one student now. Palm watched as Killua went through the door but left it open before she turned to the class, her voice strained.
"What is with all of you?! I should have you know it's rude to push your emotions on someone, you have to let them see how professional you are first and hope your feelings are reciprocated-!" Gon was a little confused if she was still talking about Killua and was vaguely wondering if he should stop her when Killua's voice rang out from down he hall.
"Play it. Give me 5." Palm blinked in shock.
"O-oh! Ok, er, here they are!"
Ding…
"A over high C."
Ding…
"D over low C."
Ding…
"B below Middle C."
Ding…
"G over Middle C."
Ding...
"B below high C."
The class was shocked into awe as Palm looked up from the piano. "All correct…" She strained. They heard Killua's footsteps coming back and the class exploded into murmurs of how amazing Killua was.
Gon was barely able to keep his eyes in his head. Killua really was amazing! The fact he knew that so well even with the noise distortion from being farther away from the noise source… and accurately knew the notes even while he was still in the classroom! Killua really was amazing! It kind of explained why Illumi was so bent on having Killua sing with him even when offered a whole classroom of senior prospective World Stars.
Palm stood up from the piano as Killua sauntered back in, his eyebrows set slightly in anger, and she placed her hands on her hips.
"I hope you all are satisfied now, he's proven he has great note recognition." She said and his following fell in love with him all over again.
"Oooh, Killua~~" They swooned. Gon watched him make his way back to his seat and waited until he sat to finally reboot his brain and look away. He really was amazing! Gon just wanted to know more about him, what else can he do, the music he can write… He hasn't been this captivated with the concept of someone since his father. He gripped his fists in determination. He'll definitely become friends with Killua!
The bell rang soon after Killua's test and everyone moved to leave as soon as possible. Gon figured Killua looked as good in a mood as any so he waited for him. Killua looked up from his phone, possibly having just played some music (and Gon wondered what kind of music he listened to) and spotted Gon waiting for him, a wide smile on his face. Killua's lips stretched out in an annoyed grimace.
"I'm getting tired of you harassing me!" He barked.
"You don't mean that!" Gon laughed off easily, his deep voice tempting Killua to keep him laughing.
"Grm… What do you want?" Killua grumbled, sliding his bookbag further up his shoulder and shoving one earphone away from his ear. Gon walked beside him as they made their way out the school.
"In Range…" Gon said, slightly trailing off. Killua stiffened but tried not to let it show.
"What about it?"
"You left right after my test, and you looked a little weird…" Gon said, and Killua rubbed a hand through the little fringes at the base of his neck nervously.
"I… so? I needed to go!"
"I figured, but I wanted to know if you were alright… if you needed to talk about it?"
Killua glared at the sun-kissed teen next to him and hoped the flush on the cheeks would be taken as anger.
"No, there's nothing to talk about, and even if there was, I wouldn't talk about it with you!" He said and made himself briskly walk away from the other.
"Ah…! Killua!" Gon shouted after him, giving a short chase before thinking better of it. "If you ever need to talk, just know I'm here! I'm great at keeping secrets!" He tried, then let his arms fall at his side. He hoped that was enough as he watched the starlight teen walk angrily away, both headphone housings planted firmly on his ears.
Gon probably would've given more chase if he didn't just remember he still needed to surprise Killua with the chocolates. He got excited thinking about what Killua would do when he gives it to him. Will his eyes bulge out of his head? Will he finally give him a full bellied laugh and sing from happiness? Gon began jogging towards his house. He shouldn't overdramatize this. He doesn't know how much Killua loves chocolate, he's only heard about the extent from Zushi and he might have been over-selling it. Gon's never even seen Killua eat chocolate. Or eat. Once they're friends, he has to ask where he eats lunch too. Suddenly feeling the weight of the money Mito gave him in his back pocket, his jogging picked up in resurgence as he made a beeline for the chocolate shop.
Killua felt his muscles unwind as the beats in the music infiltrated his body, reaching every crevice and transporting him to another place. He sighed through his mouth, letting the music take him away to a realm where he could think without his chest flipping out in anxiety. Music always did calm him since he was younger.
~Turn your face towards the sun
Let the shadows fall behind you
Don't look back, just carry on
And the shadows will never find you...
Now that he was on his lone walk home, maybe he could sort out his thoughts of what happened earlier.
You know what happened, Gon's voice was nothing like you've ever heard before.
Of course I have, Milluki can reach that bass no problem, he can probably go even lower than Gon.
But the feel of his voice… Killua had to hold down a shiver as he thought back to how it shook him to his core. Milluki doesn't sing like that. He doesn't sing with half as much feel as Gon does. None of us do anymore.
~Lost in the rock and roll
Got lost in a promise
Of a love I never known...
What does that mean, we don't sing with feel?
Just that, since we were of age to properly start learning the basics of music, the joy of singing was sucked out of us.
How can you think that? Thoughts like that border on anarchy. Do you think you would have half as much skill you do now without the help of your parents and older siblings? You are who you're able to be because of how they raised you. Killua vaguely remembered when he was growing up how Milluki would call Killua spoiled, he was the most spoiled of them all because of the extra training and attention he received.
~Shadows chase me far from home
I remember when my heart was filled with gold…
Gon sings just fine, and he seems to still have that shine in his eyes for the music. Killua remembered promising himself to never sing unless his parents ordered him too. It was too much of a bother and people took advantage of his voice for selfish reasons. He wanted to use his voice for his own, like before, when he was younger.
~And you know
I've been burned
I've been burned
I've been burned…
He also resolved not to sing with anyone who didn't impress him or he didn't deem as good as him. He figured singing won't be fun unless there was someone else just as good as him, and for the 10 years of his life he's been singing, he's never found it outside his family. Did he think Gon was as good as him…? No way...
~You've seen me lose control
It's not worth
It's not worth
It's not worth
My soul…
Killua realized with a start, it probably wasn't the skill of Gon he wanted to pair his voice with. He saw in Kastro's pretest that his voice could use some work (although his sandpaper like voice had it's rustic charm… another shiver suppressed). But it was probably what Gon represented, what Killua was always chasing in the fact he refused to sing with anyone. He didn't want to sing with anyone unless it was fun. He wanted his warmth and charisma and smiles and stage presence, and how much would Killua let loose paired up with a fool like Gon on stage? Would his infectious performance seep into Killua and cause him to act like a clown up there too? Killua fought back a smile. How fun!
~Turn your face towards the sun
Let the shadows fall behind you
Don't look back, just carry on
And the shadows will never find you...
Yea, Gon represented something he lost when he was younger. That was the only reason he wanted to sing with him. Killua covered his mouth again, biting his lips in thought. That made Gon dangerous… Killua knew he'd probably react to Gon against his will, his happiness will probably want to make him burst out in song like no one's ever made him feel. He'd have to keep away and be careful. Gon may have earned his brand of 'worthy' but it didn't mean anyone around him and Gon get to hear their voice dance together. They weren't deemed worthy to listen to him. Focus… Killua's goal was to carry the Zoldycks name and become the best World Star, exclusive and expensive. He couldn't do that by throwing his voice around this way and that. (Or so he was told).
Careful… Focus and Keep distractions at bay.
This won't be a problem as long as he can finally get through Gon's head they weren't friends.
Killua smiled at the outcome he came to just as he heard a text message come in through his headphones, the music briefly muted down to a low volume and a ding came out prominently. He pulled out his phone, quite happy with himself for resolving this situation himself so nicely. Just as he thought of how proud Illumi might have been at how he came to that conclusion somewhere in the back of his head, he registered the text message came in from Illumi. Killua cocked his head curiously and looked up, seeing his house coming into view not far down the street. Why would Illumi text him, isn't he home? It wasn't like Killua was coming home late, he would get there soon, he could tell him whatever then.
He opened the text anyways with a shrug and his eyes widened.
Mom's mad at you. Careful.
What? Damn. Killua shoved his phone in his pants and bit his thumbnail in slight panic. That's right, Kite said he'd send the email out by Wednesday. He supposed he should thank Illumi for the warning. That way his eardrums wouldn't burst as soon as he walked in. And maybe he could even come up with a quick lie to get him out of it. Ugh, what lie could he come up with for an F?! The grade was what it was. Now all he could do as he walked up the walkway was prepare himself. He paused his music and shuffled his headphones down away from his ears and around his neck. He held the knob and breathed in a steeling breath.
Opening the door revealed the same quiet hallway he always walks down, and it was still quiet. The quiet before the storm, huh? Killua tiptoed in and closed the door so that it made no noise as it closed. He continued tiptoeing and looking left and right, expecting any of the doors to suddenly swing open with a screeching opera singer behind it. Also, he was wondering where Illumi was. If he knew mother was mad at him, he was somewhere to behold her wrath. If he spots him, he'll know to avoid going that way.
A door he had already passed swung open behind him and he froze, briefly and quite hysterically thought about diving into one of the rooms to his left.
"KILLLUA!" She cried out. He cringed and turned around on his heels. He saw she came out the door of the music recording booth room, same one as yesterday, but normally when it's closed, it meant no one was inside. He was just hoping that was the case when he passed it but obviously not. He didn't bother to answer her and just stick his hands into his pockets, letting his eyes fall onto a random space to one side. "What's this I hear about an F?!" She screeched. He knew she didn't want an answer. "You better have a good explanation!" He knew she wouldn't listen to reason, so he waited for that beat to pass that she let hang that was suppose to be where the kids try and explain themselves.
"This is not acceptable! I come home from the record company, ready to go into training with my little baby Kalluto, convinced my good boys are doing their best in school, then I see in my inbox an email from your teacher!" She shouts. "I'm thinking it's to tell me my boy, my darling, star boy, was too good and needed to be transferred to a higher class, and I needed to explain again that you'll stay where we put you, but NO!" Her voice began getting in higher pitch and faster pace in hysteria and Killua considered rebelliously lifting his headphones over his ears to cushion the sound waves she was belting out. "You're FAILING! Killua, we Zoldycks do not FAIL! We have a reputation to keep at that school! And when I find out you are failing because you would not sing?! Killua, that is ridiculous, we did not give you our blood, sweat, and tears just to fail about something so simple as singing! Well…" Her voice took on a dark tone Killua recognize as the start of her issuing out the punishment, but he still remained unanimated. It seemed to decrease the severity of the punishment most times when the kids just took it like pin cushions.
"You didn't want to sing in school? Then get ready, you're singing now. Then you'll have an excuse not to sing." She said, pointing towards the music booth room she just came out of, her sleek glasses gleaming menacingly. Killua finally animated at that, looking up with panic in his eyes to meet his mother's eyes for the first time since she spotted him.
"Mother, no, I-!" He cried out and her lips crumpled up in anger.
"NOW!" She said and the words died in his throat. His eyes fell to the ground as he trudged forward to the room she pointed at.
"We'll start with music demo number 4 then go with every 4th song after that." She said as Killua passed under her arm and into the room. Killua sucked his teeth, "tsk," but still went into the room. The mother's accessorized face looked down the hall and pointed.
"Illumi! Get him 8 bottles of water and the tell the physician to expect Killua at midnight." Killua would have been surprised that Illumi was so close to his location if his attention wasn't arrested by what she just said.
"Midnight? Mom, you can't-" Killua cried, not caring at how his voice had climbed up several octaves in his panic.
"AH-AH-A, do your warm-ups!" She shrieked over him in delirious anger. He gave one stomp of his foot and stormed further into the room. Illumi, who was down the hall, cocked his head.
Mom? Killua doesn't call mother that unless he was really prepared to talk his way out of her punishments. He thought. "Yes, mother." Illumi said and crossed the foyer into the kitchen. Illumi took out his phone while placing the water bottles on a tray to text Milluki.
Until Midnight. He wrote then picked up the tray, balancing the bottles on them to transfer them. He let out a breath to dispel the clenching protective feeling from his chest before he entered the room and do something he would regret. He knew Killua had to endure this, it will make him stronger. They all went through this as punishment and it makes them more disciplined and better than any of those wanna be World Stars at the school. Illumi will encourage this because he's worked way too hard to make his brother 10x better than himself. He entered as Killua placed his booth headphones on and Kikyo was angrily punching settings into the sound board. Killua dragged his droopy kitten eyes to Illumi and he had to crush his emotions Killua tried to revive in him. He pointedly ignored him.
"Here's the water, mother. I'll alert the physician. If his voice gets too hoarse, don't keep him or the physician won't be able to do much." Illumi forewarned.
"I think I know the limit of my son! Leave us!" She said, grabbing the water and slamming it down next to her. Illumi held back a sigh and graze his eyes over to Killua to see how he was faring before he left. He was happy to see Killua set his eyes to gorgeous deep freeze cold stone again. Good. Never let them see weakness and they can't feed off it.
"Alright." Illumi left the room and left the door open. Even if he closed it after him, she'd open it again. Heading up the main stairs to their bedrooms, he could already hear Killua's explosive voice sing a very dramatic and taxing song, echoing out to the halls of the house. Passing Milluki's room, he heard Milluki already had music blasting through his room's radio system. Illumi walked in his own dark room and nimbly dialed the volume on his room's radio system up on his way in. He focused on those music notes instead of the yelling singing Killua was belting and that Illumi could still hear from the second story.
He may encourage this as necessary discipline but he rather not hear his adorable baby brother's voice be tried and strained until it couldn't make another noise. Just thinking about it prompted him to turn back around and put the radio to it's full power and close his door. He closed his eyes to compose himself then decided it wasn't enough and he moved to his bed, shoving headphones on his ears and blasting a random piece of music from his list. The two musics clashed together to make a mosh of nonsense but it was fine. It drowned out the noise. He knew if Killua was singing like that til midnight, no dinner would be served at the table, and it'd be delivered to their rooms by their butlers. But Illumi couldn't even think about food right now… Sigh, and he was so excited to tell Killua about his decision to partake in the winter showcase. Thinking about his lovely brother cheering him on just wanted to make him win some more but now wouldn't be the best time… He sighed as he could swear he heard Killua hit an explosive high note. No, no, that's ridiculous, he wouldn't be able to hear him through the clashing music. But no one was really settled in the house when mother made a punishment. He hoped he could just sleep tonight.
Honorable Mentions:
Question- from Assassination Classroom [Submitted by Dragonbooks249 on ao3] (The theme of Gon trying to become Killua's friend, I really liked it but couldn't find a way to put it in properly! Really cool song, you should look it up! Gon would sing it.)
Featured Music:
I do- Boyz II Men
Bills- LunchMoney Lewis
Towards the Sun- Rihanna
=End Chapter 2=
Is it obvious how much I love Killua yet? Really obvious? Awesome, I really love him, get ready for some unneccessay praise of Killua! X3 It's not that bad, I promise. Isn't Gon a loveable idiot? Did I warn of the cringe yet? LOL. I'll just tell you now, those thought conversations in Killua's head with the bold and italics is a fight against Illumi's voice that's so embedded in his head. :) But he doesn't know it's not his own voiced thoughts.
Another side note, please tell me if you guys don't want me to answer reviews at the top or not at all. If nothing is said about it, I'll keep doing it. And also, would you guys rather have me put the features music list at the top so you guys know what it is before it comes up? (I list the songs in order of appearance in the chapter) Thanks! Remember to check out the music list on youtube for the specific songs I used for the story! It's posted on my tumblr since Fanfiction messes up urls pretty bad.
Please remember to go ahead and submit suitable songs. I want to interact with my audience :D
I also have a tumblr where these things can be submitted, where I'll be posting my own fanart (Cause I'm a dork) and short stories/ behind scenes: Its HunterxAU now, twila-star (pen name! :D)
=Update= (6/11/2017)
Now, I'll also be adding honorable mentions before list of featured music (which will also be going up on the youtube list). These will be songs that either fit the theme of the chapter, but I couldn't find a way to incorporate it, or songs that a character could have sang as well, and I had to decide which! It will be specified!
Thank you!
