A knock was heard at President Netero's office.
"Come in" said Netero
The door opened and Kurapika stepped into the room.
"Kurapika Kuruta. Please, have a seat" Netero said as he pointed at the only seat available in front of him.
"Excuse me" Kurapika said politely as he took a seat.
"I just want to have this interview to gather information for the final part of the exam" Netero said
"That's fine with me" said Kurapika.
Netero pointed at the ten pictures laid out on his table.
"I'm only going to ask you two questions. I want you to point at a picture that best answers the questions" Netero said with a smile.
"Okay" Kurapika said as he nodded his head.
"First question, who are you most interested in?" Netero asked
Kurapika stared at the pictures for a bit until he finally pointed at Aoi, Gon and Hisoka.
"I'd like to say these three right here" Kurapika said
I see. Interesting. Next questions. Who do you not want to fight against?" Netero asked
Kurapika did not hesitate. He immediately pointed at the pictures of his four friends. Gon, Killua, Leorio and Aoi.
"These four. I do not wish to fight these four. But, if it comes to fighting them, then I won't hold back" Kurapika said.
Netero looked at Kurapika. He sensed something odd from the Kuruta.
"May I ask you one more questions?" Netero asked
Kurapika looked at him in confusion but answered.
"Go ahead sir"
"Out of these four pictures you picked. Who is the one person you sincerely do not wish to fight?" Netero asked
Now, Kurapika hesitated. He was staring at Aoi's picture for a long time. Netero watched his every move, every emotion, every facial expression Kurapika made.
"Judging by the looks you made, I assume it would be number 406?" Netero asked as he picked up Aoi's picture to show Kurapika.
"Yes sir." Kurapika said quietly
"Why is that?" Netero asked. Eager to know what makes this girl so special to the Kuruta
"She has been an interesting person to me ever since we first met. I sincerely do not wish to fight her at all. She is important to me" Kurapika said
"Oh? She's that special?" Netero asked, interested to know more
"Yes she is. If I do end up fighting her, I would forfeit no matter the circumstances. I don't mind fighting my other friends. But not her." Kurapika said
"You seem to show a lot of emotions towards this girl. Can you explain to me why?" Netero asked.
"It's because..." Kurapika started to say but paused.
"Because what?" Netero said as he put the picture down.
"It's because I'm in love with her"
Kurapika stood in between Hisoka's wicked gaze and Aoi. He was not going to let Hisoka harm the girl he loves.
"Well. Time's up" Hisoka said as he calmed walked towards Kurapika.
As soon as they were shoulder to shoulder, Hisoka leaned in and whispered to Kurapika.
"You should check Aoi's right hand she has a spider tattoo on it." Hisoka whispered and walked away
Kurapika's eyes turned scarlet. Should he believe Hisoka? Was Hisoka saying that to Kurapika just to mess with his mind? But what if he is telling the truth? Does Aoi really have a tattoo of a spider on her hand?
Kurapika didn't know how to react. Could it be, that the girl he loves is a member of the Phantom Troupe?
After Kurapika's fight with Hisoka, Kurapika and Leorio stepped outside of the building and into the garden alone.
"What's up Kurapika? You didn't look okay back there" Leorio said as he leaned onto a pillar.
"I don't know what to do Leorio" Kurapika said
"For what? What did Hisoka whisper to you?" Leorio asked
"He said..." Kurapika said as he trailed off. Should he trust Leorio?
"He whispered to me that Aoi has a spider tattoo on her hand" Kurapika said as he looked at the ground
"You're not serious are you? Did Hisoka really whisper that to you?" Leorio asked, surprised
"I'm not kidding. Hisoka said it to me like he was telling the truth" Kurapika said
"I see. Then it all makes sense to me now" Leorio said as he started pacing back and forth.
"What do you mean Leorio?" Kurapika asked
"I remember, back at the hotel, Aoi purposely switched rooms with Ponzu so that she can speak to Hisoka. She did seem like she was hiding something dark from us. I also recall her having a habit of playing with her glove every time we talked about the Spiders." Leorio said, nodding to himself.
"What is this suppose to mean then?" Kurapika said, unsure of what's the truth and what's not.
"This could possibly mean, if Hisoka is telling the truth, that Aoi is a member of the Phantom Troupe" Leorio said in a serious tone.
Kurapika's eyes turned scarlet again. Could this really be happening to him? Has his life been turned upside down?
"Oi! Kurapika. Snap out of it" Leorio said while snapping his fingers in front of Kurapika.
"I don't want to believe it" Kurapika said, annoyed
"I don't want to believe it either." Leorio said. "But let's discuss a matter of whether or not this rumor is true. What will you do?"
Leorio looked at Kurapika. Kurapika's face showed anger and betrayal.
"That's why I'm talking to you" Kurapika said. "I need your opinion. What should I do?"
Are you in love with her Kurapika?"
Kurapika lifted his head and stared at Leorio. He was a bit surprised to hear him ask that question.
"Are you in love with Aoi?" Leorio asked again.
Kurapika hesitated to answer. He is in love with her. But how could he fall in love with a possible Spider member?
"Yes Leorio. I'm in love with Aoi" Kurapika said
Leorio sighed and leaned on the pillar again.
"This is troublesome" He said
"Why do you say that?" Kurapika said
"Well, Aoi's going to kill me for this but, she's in love with you too"
Kurapika's eyes widen. She loves him too?
"Really? Are you telling me the truth?" Kurapika asked
"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be lying on a serious topic wouldn't I?" Leorio said "She loves you Kurapika. Maybe you two don't see it, but it is obvious to me. I just can't believe it came to this. Aoi, being a member of the Phantom Troupe. IF she is a member though"
"What do you think I should do?" asked the Kuruta
"If I were you, I'd remove her glove and see what happens from there" Leorio said
"Check her hand huh?" Kurapika said as he started to think.
Is that the best option? When should he look at her hand? During the fight with Aoi? No. He refuse to fight her.
He'd rather forfeit the match than fight her.
"Your decision Kurapika. It's either you check or hand or ignore Hisoka's rumor" Leorio said.
"Let's go back. I made my decision" Kurapika said as the two of them headed back inside the building.
Kurapika's eyes slowly opened after inhaling that sleeping gas. The warmth that was on his hand was gone. He slowly looked up to see Hisoka.
Hisoka looked down at Kurapika. He was carrying Aoi in his arms.
"Aoi!" Kurapika said as he tried to get up.
He couldn't. Somehow, this sleeping gas has paralyzed his body too.
"Sorry but you won't be able to get up until another hour or so. But I am surprised you woke up from this" Hisoka said
"What are you doing with Aoi?" Kurapika said in an angry tone
"Doing my job" Hisoka said with a smirk. "I'm bringing her back to the group. That's all"
Kurapika's eyes changed color. He knew Hisoka meant taking Aoi back to the Phantom Troupe.
"Don't you dare take her away" Kurapika said angrily
"Sorry. I'm just taking orders. She even told me that she wanted to come back" Hisoka said
"What?" Kurapika said, confused
"She was hoping to not hurt your little feelings. But I guess I decided to make this happen between you two"
"Aoi..."
Hisoka started to walk away, still carrying Aoi with him.
"NO! Aoi!" Kurapika shouted out to her, hoping she can wake up from his call
Hisoka turned around once more.
"If you love this girl so much, look for her. Find her. I'll be nice and even give you my phone number to contact me" Hisoka took out a card and threw it in front of Kurapika.
"You'll see her again. Probably in half a year. We have important business to take care of. Until then, I hope you get stronger"
With that, Hisoka disappeared along with Aoi. She was out of his sight. Kurapika lost Aoi.
"Damn it!" Kurapika shouted as he slammed his fist to the ground.
He looked around the area. The rest of his friends were still asleep. He picked up the phone number Hisoka gave. Maybe he can help lead him to Aoi's whereabouts in the future.
What Kurapika didn't notice was another ball rolling towards him. More sleeping gas popped out and put Kurapika to sleep once again.
He couldn't believe he let Hisoka take Aoi away from him. He must find her. That's his number one priority now.