Chapter 8

Some text is taken directly from the anime

Hitoshi POV

To be entirely honest I was sitting down with my eyes closed. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't trying to fall asleep, I was just sitting there, thinking. To be more specific I was thinking about my choices so far. Before I "died" and was brought here, I wanted to prove everyone wrong, I wasn't a "villain" and I wasn't going to just become one. Well, I happen to realize that I'm not there anymore and that no one will know if I have a little fun every now and then. Besides I've only been hanging out with "villains" since I got here, I could finally live a little, I don't have to be a "hero" here. This society isn't divided by "heros" and "villains" ; there are just hunters, the hunters just do what they want and no one can be mad at them for it. If a hunter wants to kill, they kill, no one (except those with a personal grudge) would care or try to stop you. It's rather relieving, like a breath of fresh air.

The pro hero I was is gone, he might make an appearance again in the future but for now, I'm just me, the one that's been hidden away due to society's ideals and wants, the one that would have become a villain just for fun; the darker side of me that embraces the power I was born with.

Yeah ok, enough of that. I'm just going to do what I want. The end. There's nothing more to say.

"Hey kitten~"

I mentally groaned. I thought the guy didn't want people to know we were here together (he kind of already messed that up but still). I looked up and saw Hisoka standing above me. I sent him a wave of annoyance, I was having a moment why'd he have to ruin it. I overcame a whole mental barrier thing in the span of a few minutes and was still letting it sink in. I devoted my previous life to becoming a hero. My quirk was weaker and the victims were not able to talk or think. But now they can, see but with that power came the inability to shut it off and speak normally without trapping the weaker-minded instantly (I can change the intensity/strength of my magic voice, feel free to compare me to a disney princess [A/N I'm broken])

Hisoka accepted my reluctance to give him attention (the needy brat) and simply kept standing by the tree. When the green and blonde kids emerged from the forest, Hiso sent a small shock of bloodlust to the little green boy- that looks like he could be Midoriya and Kirishima's son based on the hair- to show him the tall wannabe businessman leaning on a tree.

A few minutes later Satotz was talking again, "The second phase will take place in the Visca Forest Reserve, so I shall now take my leave. I wish everyone the best of luck." Satotz then proceeded to leave.

After he was gone the large gates at the end of the path slid open, revealing two people. A lady with mint green hair sectioned off into five ponytails, and a large guy with black hair.

The lady started speaking, "Those who have passed the first phase please step inside. Welcome, I'm Menchi, your second phase examiner."

"And I'm Buhara, the other examiner." The guy behind the lady- Menchi- said.

The applicants all started muttering amongst themselves after a low rumbling sound was heard. "Sounds to me like you're hungry." Menchi said, looking up at Buhara. "Not just hungry, I'm famished." Buhara explained.

That also explains the noise I suppose.

"Well there you have it," Menchi continued, "We'll be cooking!"

This sent the crowd of applicants into shock. Why are they all so dumb, there's a reason there're cooking stations everywhere. I brushed my hand through my hair in frustration. I tuned out the idiotic conversation, I stared at Menchi instead. She was wearing a short sleeved cropped mesh top and short blue jean shorts. She was also sporting an interesting pair of purple boots with pink bow ties. I stopped looking at her when the crowd started laughing. I didn't know why they were laughing, but I was rather familiar with the type of laugh, it was one that though you were spewing nonsense, one made to make fun of you. People often use this laugh when others share their dreams or things that make them happy but aren't considered "normal" or "good" by most people. It's the kind of laugh your fake/toxic friend will use, it's the kind an old school bullies would use, and it's the kind used by people who just want to fit in and are afraid to show their true selves. It's a mocking laugh, and it's a laugh I've used before.

When the discussion started again I tuned it out once more. I don't see the reason behind pointless conversation or small talk. Even when I'm alone with Illumi and Hisoka we don't talk much, we're all on the introverted side and enjoy silence. We'll talk occasionally but usually there's no reason to, we understand each other perfectly fine, besides we can always communicate via emotion if necessary (though Illumi doesn't like it, he's still got the whole "assassins are supposed to be emotionless" thing going on). So this mindless chatter is getting annoying, it's like UA all over again. Though I taunt people less due to my inability to speak normally.

Though I feel like I've missed vital information as the applicants all ran in the direction of the forest. I just kept standing in the same spot dumbly, I could just text Hisoka and ask him to tell me what's going on but he would probably want something in return. I might as well just ask the examiners.

"Hey, is there a reason you haven't left yet?" Menchi asked me.

I took out my phone and opened the "notes" app, I spent a few seconds typing and showed her the text.

Hi, sorry I spaced out while you were talking and didn't really hear what I'm supposed to be doing.

"Oh, you're supposed to get meat from any kind of pig in the forest and cook it to satisfy both our palettes." If she thought it was strange I wasn't speaking, she didn't show it.

I typed on my phone again.

Thank you, would it be too much to ask what you both like?

"No problem! Seeing as you're the only one who thought to ask us, we might as well give you an answer, Buhara will eat just about anything and I feel like sushi today."

Thanks again.

Menchi only smiled, I turned and ran out to the forest. The guy could probably settle for an entire roasted pig so that shouldn't be too hard. And Menchi, she wants sushi, well I grew up in Japan and while I've never actually made myself sushi I have eaten my fair share of it and watched people make it, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out (I hope).

The main ingredient is pork. I can make pork steak for Buhara and Teriyaki Pork Sushi Rolls for Menchi. I took my phone out of my pocket once more and looked up recipes. I'm obviously going to need pork. I'll also need Soy sauce, onions, salt, pepper, and lime for the steak. And Sushi rice, toasted seaweed, crab, spinach, Teriyaki Pork, Soy sauce, mirin, garlic, mayonnaise, oil, eggs, sake, sugar, and salt. I'll also have to make teriyaki sauce using soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey and mirin. I should be able to find most of the ingredients at the workstation and the rest out here in the forest.

Time to get started I guess.

The pigs were huge, to put it simply. The snout has to be that large for a reason right? Animals don't just have random things- like body parts- they don't need. Meaning the snout might be protecting a weak spot. I don't have any better ideas at the moment so I'm going to jump on its head.

I start running at the pig currently charging at me, if I time this right (which I will) I can jump over it and land on its head.

The pig is still a little too far away, but maybe in a few seconds… now! I took off into the air and gracefully flipped onto the pig, landing square on its forehead with my feet. The pig immediately fell to the ground. I stepped off the pig and checked its breathing and heartbeat. It seems to be dead.

I wonder if I can find ginger, onions, garlic, honey, spinach, crab (river crab) and seaweed (more like river-weed, it'll hopefully taste similar) in this forest as well, also some eggs.

I ended up finding the things I needed in various locations. It took me a while to get honeycomb from some not-so-friendly honeybees, but I managed to eventually (though I did end up with a couple stings, nothing a little apple cider vinegar won't fix [don't know where I'm going to get it but no matter]). I carried the ingredients to an empty workstation, predictably I arrived here last. I put the honeycomb down on the counter first and washed my hands. I grabbed a pan for the steak and a wooden board for the sushi. If I follow the recipes exactly this shouldn't be impossible. Though it might be, with the amount of people staring at me. Honestly, it's like they've never seen anyone cook before.

I opened the drawers and cupboards at the workstation and looked at the available ingredients. It seems I am in luck today. All the other necessary ingredients like oil and sugar were here.

~Timeskip until after Hitoshi finishes cooking~

I looked at the food I created. The steak tastes, looks and smells great. The sushi tastes great, doesn't look great, but it smells good as well.

I put the food onto plates and drizzled some leftover teriyaki sauce over the sushi and steak. I walked over to the examiners table, well aware of all the eyes on me. The majority of the other applicants already failed, Hisoka for one. So did the group of kids and Illumi of course. I was also aware that Menchi had been staring at me the entire time I was making her sushi. I had seen her lips move so I assumed she was muttering to herself about all the things I was doing wrong.

"Hello again." Menchi said.

I set the plates down in front of them and gave a small wave.

Buhara immediately dug into the steak, finishing it in 2 bites (it was a big steak mind you). "Delicious." He said, holding up a sign with a circle on it. "I wish there was more of it though."

I nodded in understanding, he was a big guy he obviously needed more food than other people.

"Hmm." I looked back over at Menchi who was still staring at the sushi I made for her. She hesitantly put a roll in her mouth. She finished chewing and swallowed it, a contemplating look on her face. "It doesn't look great, but it does taste good. It's not perfect, but I can't expect perfect from someone who has never made sushi before. You have potential, I'll give you that. Now, I will pass you, but I want you to cook with me when the exam is done, I don't care if you pass or not. I will make a great chef out of you yet!" She said, pure determination in her voice.

This lady wants me to cook with her?

"Hey, what kind of hunter do you want to be anyway?" She asked.

I took out my phone and typed.

I'm not sure yet.

"Well if you still can't decide by the end of the exam (In the event that you pass, of course) I'd be happy to take you under my wing!"

"I'm afraid he's already taken~"

Hisoka said, coming out of literally nowhere. I opened myself to his emotions and was hit by agitation and annoyance, also something else I can't quite put my finger on.

"And who might you be?" Menchi asked.

Hisoka was standing behind me with his arms slowly making their way around my waist. Out of curiosity I felt for Illumi's emotions, they were extremely dull and barely noticeable, but they were still there. He felt the same things as Hisoka with a touch of jealousy. Interesting, who's he jealous of?

"That doesn't matter, all you need to know is the little kitten here already has an owner and he doesn't need another one." Hisoka's arms tightened ever so slightly.

I threw a wave of extreme annoyance at Hisoka. He looked at me and said, "Aww kitten, I'm just looking out for you~."

Menchi just looked at us confused.

"We'll be going now~." Hisoka said, lifting me up over his shoulder, carrying me over to his workstation.

I sighed. Hisoka set me down on the ground and stood next to me.

Menchi, who had apparently gotten over her shock, continued as if nothing had happened. "Alright exam is over! Only one of you passed!"

The applicants all muttered their disbelief and disappointment. This is where I once again ignored everyone.

I don't know for how long I stood there staring into space, but when Hisoka nudged me in the arm after a while everyone was leaving in the direction of an aircraft (where did it even come from?!).

Thoughts?

Whenever Hitoshi zones out it's mainly just because I don't feel like writing everything. I also imagine he'd be bored/annoyed as he's here to complete the hunter exam and everyone else is starting pointless conversations that take up time.

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