Chapter 9

Some lines are taken from the anime

Do you guys have any specific characters/groups you want Hitoshi to interact with in the future?

Hitoshi POV

I was sitting down on a bench in the aircraft looking out the window. We were approaching what looked to be a mountain with a large crack down the middle. Well, whatever it is we do, I just hope I don't have to participate. As far as I'm concerned I passed the second exam and don't need to do anything else. Hisoka told me he had to retake the second exam, so he left to go with the other examiner and applicants.

The aircraft slowly descended until it came to a stop on top of the mountain. I left my spot and went to stand outside with the other applicants. I watched Menchi explain a few things then jump down into the ravine. Around a minute later she came back up on an updraft with an egg in her hand.

Applicant 255, who had been causing problems the entire phase started voicing his doubts. In the middle of his whining he was cut off by the green haired kid who yelled in excitement and jumped into the ravine with his 3 friends.

The other willing applicants followed soon after. A few moved away from the edge of the cliff and sat down on the ground.

"So, I hear you're the only one who passed the original second phase." A voice said next to me.

I turned to my right and saw an old dude who looked like he should be six feet under. I gave him a small nod not really knowing what else to do. "Hm, I'm Isaac Netero, the 12th chairman of the Hunters Association. Who might you be?"

I took out my phone and typed a message.

Hitoshi Shinsou.

"Are you perhaps mute?" He asked.

Something like that.

I left my answer kind of vague and deleted the words after he read them in case the questions continued.

Netero turned to Menchi who was standing next to him looking at the applicants still in the ravine. "Menchi," he started gaining her attention. "I trust you will finish the exam and give everyone fair judgment this time. I'll be taking my leave along with Mr. Shinsou here. Take the applicants who passed back onto the airship when you're done."

He turned to me again with a smile on his face. "Come along now Mr. Shinsou, we'll be going to my office in the airship."

I quickly typed a message on my phone and shoved it in his face.

Just Shinsou's fine, drop the Mr. You could ask me before telling me to go somewhere you know.

"Hm, well then Shinsou, would you like to accompany me to my office?"

Alright.

I put my phone back into my pocket, I'd have to charge it soon. If it dies I'd have to use JSL to communicate, and I doubt anyone from a different universe knows it. I sighed quietly.

I followed Netero back to the airship/aircraft, whichever. I'd call it an airplane but it doesn't look like one.

We entered the ship and turned down a few hallways before coming to a stop in front of what was presumably Netero's office. We went inside and sat down on opposite ends of a table in the room.

"Tell me, do you know what nen is?" Netero started.

Is that why he brought me here? Because he thinks I know (of) nen? Hisoka has been using his aura (mainly bloodlust) a lot during this exam, but I'm assuming he already knew of Hisoka due to last year's exam. Illumi also revealed he had nen at least once, so he'd talk to the chairman as well, probably. Unless he already knows Illumi is a Zoldyck (I'd assume he does, as Illumi is not here). I haven't given away that I know (of) nen, but he probably assumes I do because of Hisoka (the needy brat). Anyone who hangs around Hisoka and isn't worried is either a) super oblivious and innocent or b) just as tainted and a tad bit suicidal (or c) completely smitten [but we ignore this one]).

I typed out my response. I'm not going to lie to this old man, he seems like one of those people who're always ten steps ahead.

The entire time I was running through my thoughts Netero was still just looking at me and smiling, it's like he can see right through me.

I know of it, yes.

"I thought so." He said, clearly satisfied with himself. "Moving on, earlier you said- wrote something interesting, am I right to assume your voice ties into your nen ability?"

Something like that.

"I'm not going to get a clear answer am I?"

Who would willingly reveal their cards? Why should I tell you anything? If I'm in here because you want to "save" me or something, you're trying to help the wrong guy.

"If I was in your position I probably wouldn't say anything either, and you're right of course you have no reason to tell me anything. And no, I'm not trying to 'save' you, I was merely curious. Let an old man give into curiosity once in a while, it's not everyday I run into people like you."

People like me? Does he know I "died"? No, that's not possible, he must just mean nen users, though I don't use nen.

"Don't worry your pretty little head too much, I merely meant someone who peaks my curiosity, doesn't happen everyday. Although I've seen two, possibly a third, of you in this exam alone. It's very interesting indeed. Thank you for your time Shinsou, we'll most likely be talking again soon as I will need to talk to all applicants later today. You may leave."

I stood up and left his office. Don't worry your pretty little head, he said. Ew.

"Let me introduce myself to the 42 candidates gathered here." Netero said.

Netero had all the remaining applicants, including myself (duh) gathered near the front of the airship in a big open space. I suppose this is what he meant when he said 'we'll most likely be talking again soon'.

"I am the Chairman of the Selection Committee for this year's Hunter Exam, Isaac Netero." He finished.

"And I'm his secretary, Beans." The green being from the beginning of the exam said.

After Beans introduced himself Netero continued speaking, "I was going to show my face at the last stage, but I heard about what was happening and had to step in."

I actually continued to listen to him rather than ignore him. I hoped he actually had something interesting to say.

Beans went on to explain what would be happening next for us. Food sounds good, maybe they have coffee. Sleep doesn't seem like a horrible idea either.

The applicants all started going off in different directions to do whatever it is they were going to. The green haired and white haired kids ran off full of energy (wherever did they get that?). While the older two of that group went off to- presumably- get some rest. The guy who talked to him at the very beginning of the exam- Tonpa, was it?- called after them and started to talk to them.

I eavesdropped on their conversation to hear Tonpa (?) warn them about all sorts of possibilities. A load of bull, if you ask me. I actually kind of like that group. They remind me of a few people back "home" (it's not really home anymore), and the Tonpa guy gets on my nerves and annoys me simply by breathing.

"Kitten~, let's go get some sleep. Illu texted a room number~." Hisoka whispered.

I took out my phone and shot him a quick text.

1 New Message from Little Kitten ️

Little Kitten ️: How do you keep coming out of literally nowhere?

"That, little kitten, is for me to know and you to never find out~, now let's go."

Hisoka grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of the room Illumi was supposedly in. Hisoka knocked on the door when we got there. Illumi flared his nen a little, as if saying, 'come in'.

Hisoka opened the door and pulled me along behind him, he then shut the door and locked it.

He hugged me and shoved his face in my hair, "I missed you." He mumbled.

"But, you see me everyday?" I asked, confused.

"Mm." He hummed.

Illumi walked over to us, having already shed his disguise. He pried Hisoka off me and hugged me from behind. "I thought we agreed on no contact until we were alone, Hisoka." He said, glaring at Hisoka. "You were with him in the open the entire time during the exam while I've been watching you two."

"Oh~ Are you perhaps jealous? Hm Illumi?" Hisoka asked.

"Jealous? Why- I don't-."

"Ah shh," Hisoka held a finger to Illumi's lips, "You are jealous, the way you're currently holding Hitoshi proves it, all the time you spent glaring at anyone who so much as looked at Hitoshi proves it, and the way you are staring at me right now, also proves it."

"Assassins aren't supposed to have emotions, there's no way I'm jealous." Illumi defended himself.

"Aw~ you're cute when you're in denial~."

"I'm still here, you know." I said quietly, "Also Illumi, if you want me to still be alive in the next few minutes, please loosen your hold on my waist and stop tightening it every few seconds."

Illumi's hold loosened but he didn't let go. "Hitoshi is sleeping with me tonight," Illumi stated. "You will not be joining us, you can sleep on the floor next to us or on the other bed, whichever you prefer."

Hisoka growled quietly.

I sighed, this has happened before. The two of them ended up cuddling in their sleep. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up squished between the two in the middle of the night.

"Illumi, let go. I'm going to go take a shower, you two sort this out amongst yourselves, don't resort to violence, use your words." I said.

Illumi reluctantly let go of me, I felt both of them looking at me while I walked in the direction of the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later I stepped out of the shower. I was wearing a bathrobe and a pair of shorts. I looked over to find Hisoka and Illumi kissing on the bed. Why am I not surprised? "Wake me up at 8 am." I said.

I got a thumbs up from Illumi, who was now lying under Hisoka. I averted my eyes and draped the bathrobe over a chair and slipped into the other bed.

I stared up at the ceiling of the room, it was plain white. How boring. I must have been staring at it for a very long time as Ilumi slipped into bed next to me. "Why aren't you sleeping?" He inquired in a whisper.

"Can't." I responded.

"Oh, do you want me to knock you out? I can suffocate you to the point of unconsciousness, or I can hit you in the head with a brick. I can also just hit a nerve in your neck hard enough that you pass out."

I blinked. "That's not how sleep works, Illumi. Being knocked unconscious is not restful." I stated.

"Oh."

"Can you just hug me or something?"

He nodded and pulled me into his chest. He's surprisingly warm. I soon drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Thoughts?