"I forfeit the match"
We were all surprised to hear Kurapika say that.
"What?" I said, shocked at this.
I was just about to remove my glove and forfeit as well...
"Satotsu, I want you to declare Aoi her victory. I forfeit" Kurapika said as he started to walk back to the observation area.
"Wait Kurapika, Why did you forfeit?" I asked
He stopped walking and turned around with a sad smile toward me.
"I have my reasons Aoi. Please don't question me." He said and then turned back around.
That broke my heart. He was sad towards me. Did Hisoka really tell him the truth? Does Kurapika now know about my membership with the Phantom Troupe?
"Let's move on to the final match then. #44 Hisoka versus #406 Aoi" Satotsu said
Hisoka calmly walked towards the middle and right in front of me. I glared at him.
"Did you tell him?" I said so low that only he could hear me
He smirked. "I don't know. How about you find out"
I was annoyed. He really did tell Kurapika. I just know it. It's over. My chances with Kurapika is over.
"You two may start the match" Satotsu said
With that, I took out my flute and charged at him.
"It's about time we fight!" I shouted as I swung my flute at him.
Hisoka dodged my attack and jumped behind me. Then he whispered in my ear.
"Will you be coming home with me?" He said
I swung my arm back to strike him but I missed that too.
"Or should I just do something else to bring you back?" He said as he took out some cards
"I made my decision Hisoka. But that depends on what you told Kurapika" I said.
I looked at Kurapika and he had a hurtful expression on his face. It made me sad to see him like this.
"Tsk tsk. If I told you now it would ruin the surprise" Hisoka said as he charged towards me and I dodged
"If you did tell Kurapika the truth, you didn't have to go that far!" I shouted and threw my flute towards Hisoka while summoning my bass out.
My flute didn't even hit Hisoka. He just blocked it in between two of his fingers. I was surprised
"What..." I couldn't say anything.
"You are wasting my time now girl" Hisoka said, his facial expression was changing to that evil, scary expression from earlier.
"I...I..." I didn't know what to say. I was speechless.
"What will it be Aoi? Your decision." Hisoka said, taking out a single card, revealing the joker card once again.
"I did make a decision..." I said
"And what is it?" Hisoka said, staring into my eyes with that evil look of his.
"I am willing to go back..." I said
"That's a good girl" Hisoka said as he walked up to me and stroked my cheek.
"But...I don't know if I want to..." I added.
Hisoka stepped back and looked at me with his creepy smile.
"Well then. Force it is" Hisoka said
He threw the joker card towards me.
I don't know why, but my body wouldn't move. I just stood there and stared at the card flying towards me! I'm going to get hit!
But I didn't. It grazed past my cheek and hit something else.
I heard a loud groan.
Slowly, I turned around. There, I see the joker card stuck on Bodoro's forehead. Blood gushed out from his head as he fell to the ground. Dead.
"B-Bodoro..." I said quietly.
Bodoro just died. All because I didn't answer Hisoka in time. This was all my fault. If I answered sooner, he wouldn't have died!
"Now, will you come back with me like Chrollo ordered me to Aoi?" Hisoka said as he grabbed my face and forced me to look at him.
He was staring at me with cold-blooded eyes. He looked like he had the thirst to kill for a long time. He was psychotic. A murderous psychotic with a true lack of empathy.
I was shaking. I felt really scared. I felt paralyzed. I couldn't move again.
Hisoka let go of my face and I dropped to the ground. I just sat there. I stared at Bodoro's corpse.
"Oi! Proctors! Do something about this! Aoi is in danger!" Hanzo shouted
I ignored all the voices that were calling out to me. All I just was just sit there and stare. Stare at those dead eyes. Stare at the person that could've been alive if it wasn't for my selfish thoughts.
"Hisoka, you've broken a rule and killed an exam candidate, you are disqualified from the exam. I'm going to have to ask you leave this vicinity immediately" Satotsu said, standing in front of me.
"I wasn't interested in this exam anyways. I got what I needed" was what I heard Hisoka say. "I'll be waiting for you Aoi"
With that, I could hear Hisoka's footsteps leaving the room.
"I would like to have a meeting with all examiners in my meeting lounge immediately" Netero said as he walked through the doors.
"Please come through here everyone" Menchi said as Hanzo and Pokkle followed.
Then I heard running footsteps towards me, my friends calling out to me.
"Aoi! Aoi! Are you okay?"
"Miss Aoi!"
"Oi! Aoi! Snap out of it! Wake up!"
I felt someone shaking me. I still stared at Bodoro's body.
"Aoi. Look at me"
That last voice was Kurapika's. That made me snap back to the real world.
I looked up to see Kurapika's eyes meeting mine.
"K-Kurapika..." I said quietly.
I felt like I didn't know how to speak. I'm too shocked after what just happened.
"Are you okay?" Kurapika asked
"I...I think so..." I said
"Okay. I'll be waiting inside the meeting room" Kurapika said and left the room.
Killua, Gon and Leorio looked at each other, not sure what to do.
"You two go" Leorio said to Gon and Killua. "I'll stay here with Aoi until she's better"
They both nodded their heads and followed Kurapika. As soon as Killua and Gon left, Leorio picked me up.
"Aoi, are you sure you're okay?" He was holding onto me, making sure I don't fall to the ground again.
"Yeah..." I said
"Bullcrap. Tell me, what were you and Hisoka talking about?" He asked.
"Please don't make me answer" I said, scared to say anything.
"Kurapika spoke to me. I'm pretty sure you remember when he asked to be alone with me" Leorio said
"Yeah. What did you guys talk about?" I asked, afraid to know the answer.
Leorio just looked at me. He looked like he was scared to answer as well.
"We spoke about you. He said that Hisoka mentioned something about you." Leorio said
That's it. The truth is there. Kurapika knows the truth.
"What about me?" I asked
"I'm sorry Aoi, but I promised Kurapika not to tell you. I can't say anything else" Leorio said, looking away.
"I see" I said, look down at the floor
"You should know this Aoi" Leorio said
"Know what?" I asked, looking at his face again.
"I care about you. Whatever you did in the past, I can forgive you for it. I'm here for you. The past means nothing to me. I don't know about Kurapika but I am still your friend. Don't forget that" He said
That made me want to cry. My past. My horrible past. Leorio said he can forgive me for it. That made me feel joy. But what if Kurapika cannot forgive me?
"Thank You Leorio." I said as I hugged him.
Leorio can be a bit idiot. But he is there when it comes to sensitive events.
"Let's go to that room. I'm pretty sure they're waiting for us. Stay calm. Okay?" Leorio said as he patted my head.
"Okay"
So we walked through the doors and entered the meeting room. Everyone was sitting, waiting for Netero. We sat next to our other friends. Leorio sat next to Gon while I sat next to Kurapika.
Kurapika didn't even bother to look at me. He just kept staring ahead. I can't blame him. Hisoka whispered the truth about me to him. I just know it.
"Lady and gentlemen" Netero said as he walked to the front. "Because of the tragic event Hisoka has done. I decided to make all of you Hunters"
We all looked at Netero.
"All of us? Even though some of us lost?" Pokkle asked
"Indeed. All seven of you worked hard to get this far. So I made the decision to reward each of you with a Hunter's license." Netero said with a smile.
With that, Menchi and Lippo handed each of us our Hunter's license with our names on it.
"Wow! I'm a hunter now! Mito is going to be proud of me!" Gon shouted in joy.
"Huh? Didn't think it'd be this easy to get this thing" Killua said as he flipped the license like a coin
"Yes! Here I come medical license!" Leorio shouted.
I stared at my license. My name is on it. Now that I have it, do I just leave my current group and meet with Hisoka outside? How can I leave here without hurting them?
"Now that all of you are Hunters, I hereby dismiss you all. Enjoy life as a Hunter now" Netero said, smiling and waving at us.
We all left the building and just stood outside. I caught a glimpse of Hisoka leaning against a pillar before disappearing.
"Oh Aoi!" Hanzo called out to me
"Huh?" He approached me and grabbed my hands.
"We're both Hunters now! Aren't you happy?" He asked
I looked at Hanzo's face. He looks so happy. Too bad he doesn't know who I truly am.
"Yeah. Sort of" I said with a slight smile.
"Well, now that the Hunter exam is finally over. I can ask you this question" Hanzo said
"What question?" I asked, confused
"Will you come back to Japan with me and be my wife?" Hanzo proposed.
He proposed to me!?
"Huh? Hanzo likes Aoi?" Gon questioned
"You never noticed Gon? It was obvious since day one" Killua said
"Oh...I didn't notice..." Gon whispered
"Wow, you're proposing to her Hanzo? Bold move" Leorio said
I looked at Kurapika. He was glaring at Hanzo with jealousy.
"Will you Aoi?" Hanzo asked again. Eager to know the answer.
I smiled and looked at Hanzo.
"Hanzo, I would love to come with you and visit Japan. But I cannot marry you. I like you, as a friend" I said
"I see. Is it because of him?" Hanzo said, eyes darting at Kurapika without making obvious for anyone to see.
I nodded my head.
"I understand. I can see that you're in love with him." Hanzo said with a sigh. "Well, at least I tried. I really do hope to see you again though."
"Same here" I said
"If you ever come to Japan or want to see me, here's my number" Hanzo pulled out a card from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Now you're giving your phone number to her!?" Leorio shouted
"Woah" Killua said
"This is goodbye then. It was nice meeting all of you" Hanzo said. "Aoi, I was lucky to meet you. Hopefully, I can find a woman just as pretty and strong like you"
I gave a nervous laugh. That sounded creepy but I'll take it as a compliment.
"It was nice meeting you too Hanzo. I hope we can contact each other" I smiled
Hanzo then walked up to Kurapika and said something that only the two of them can hear.
After that, Hanzo took off and went back to Japan.
"I'm not good at saying 'farewell' but this is a goodbye from me too" Pokkle said as he shook our hands
"See ya later Pokkle!" Gon shouted
Pokkle waved at us and went the opposite direction from Hanzo.
Now, it was just the five of us.
"So, what now?" Leorio asked
"Are we going separate ways?" Gon asked
"If so, I'm tagging along with Gon." Killua said as he lightly punched Gon's arm
"Cool! I was planning on going back to Whale Island. You can meet Mito!" Gon shouted in joy.
"Sounds like a plan to me! I don't want to go back to my family right now" Killua said with a smile.
"Well, if that's what the two of you are going to do, then I'm going on a journey to become a better doctor" Leorio said as he flashed a smile.
So everyone is going to separate. Maybe this is a good opportunity for me to leave before things get too emotional.
"What will you do Miss Aoi?" Killua asked
"Well, I'm going home" I said with a sad smile. Home.
"It was nice being with you guys. I really enjoyed it. I'll miss all of you" I said
I was about to walk away until someone grabbed my hand. I turned around to see Kurapika.
"Kurapika?"
"Aoi, can I look at your hand?" He asked
My eyes widened. He wants to see the tattoo.
I purposefully gave him my left hand to see his response.
"No, not your left hand, I need to see your right hand" Kurapika said as he grabbed my hand hand and held onto it.
My head was pounding. Is this going to happen now?
"W-What do you want to do with m-my hand?" I stuttered
"Can I remove your glove Aoi?" He asked
Now my heart was racing. He's going to do it. My tattoo will be revealed to my friends.
"Kurapika, what are you doing?" Gon asked, confused
"So you're going to do it huh? I'm sorry Aoi" Leorio said as he looked at me with a concerned look.
This is what Leorio was talking about. I could feel tears forming in my eyes but I held them back. I have to be prepared for all the rejection and hatred amongst them.
"Can I Aoi?" Kurapika asked a bit harsh as he squeezed my hand.
I couldn't do anything. All I did was nod my head.
Slowly, Kurapika removed my glove. I could tell he was nervous because his hand was shaking.
I looked at the ground, without saying a word until my glove was fully off. There, revealed my spider tattoo with the number four on it.
"No way...Miss Aoi?" Killua said confused
"So it is true. Oh Aoi..." Leorio said
Gon just stood there and stared at me.
"Hisoka was right. He whispered to me to check for a spider tattoo on your right hand. Aoi. Are you a member of the Phantom Spiders?" Kurapika asked
He looked deep into my eyes. They were scarlet. I could see the hatred, sadness, betrayal look in his eyes. I've hurt him now. My heart breaks even more. It's over. This entire friendship, relationship, closeness we all had is over.
"Answer me!" Kurapika yelled as he squeezed my hand really hard.
I winced in pain.
"Hey Kurapika, you're hurting her" Leorio said
"It-It's okay Leorio." I said. "I'm sorry Kurapika. I'm so sorry. I am part of that group."
"Were you there when my clan was assassinated?" He asked
I nervously swallowed my own saliva. How should I answer this?
"I-I...I was...but...but something happened there...that made me regret it...I..I witnessed something there that made me leave the group...Do you...hate me now?" I asked, tears streaming down my face now.
Everyone looked at Kurapika. He was shaking. I can tell his emotions were all over his face.
I looked at Leorio. He had a disappointed look on his face.
I'm sorry was what Leorio mouthed to me.
"How could you..." Kurapika said quietly
I just looked at him. Not sure how to answer.
"How could you do this to me!?" Kurapika said, water in his eyes.
"I-I...I'm sorry...I-I...I changed...I'm not a killer anymore..." I said, stuttering.
"Where are they?" He asked
"They who?" I asked
"The rest of the group! Where are they!? Take me to them Aoi!" He screamed
Kurapika was squeezing my hand really hard again.
"I can't..." I said as I trailed off
"Why not!?" Kurapika shouted
"B-Because...I know what you're going to do to them...and I don't want you to hurt them...they're my family..." I said as more tears streamed down my face.
It hurts for me to say this in front of everyone. These guys are like family to me too. But I highly doubt they're still willing to be my friends.
"Aoi, please...please don't make me do this..." Kurapika said
He then took out his knife and held it up high.
"Kurapika! No!" Leorio shouted
"Don't do it!" Gon screamed
Leorio, Gon and Killua grabbed Kurapika to prevent him from harming anyone. Kurapika let go of me as I took a step back.
I was shocked. Was he really going to kill me? That really hurt. I feel like my heart shattered into a million pieces. I can't be mad at him for that. I do deserve his hatred. It was wrong of me to fall in love with him in the first place. I just wish Hisoka can come here and save me from this situation.
"Hey, what's that?" Killua said as he pointed at a small round cue ball rolling towards us.
The ball stopped and released some smoke and gas around us. We were all coughing after inhaling the smoke. Pretty soon, each of us were falling to the ground. I didn't realize that it was sleeping gas.
With my eyes feeling heavy, I tried to look at Kurapika. I see him reaching out to me
"Aoi..." He said towards me
"Kura...pi...ka..." I said.
I reached my arm out too. Trying to grab his hand.
Just as our hands were about to touch, I looked at him one more time before fully closing my eyes to sleep.
The last thing I saw from Kurapika, was seeing a single tear down his face.