Episode 7: An Amiable Invite
I managed to swallow a gasp as I squeezed my eyes shut.
Please…
Please don't find me…!
Please don't…!
Please don't see me here…!
I prayed hard although I remained still.
" Haru, I know that you're up there. Come out! "
I exhaled loudly as I opened my eyes.
I'm found out…!
This guy…
He sure is good…!
I could not help but feel a little admiration for him. I stood up, balancing myself on the branch.
" Man, you are too easy compared to the rest, " Killua mocked as soon as I came down from the tree where I was hiding in.
" I know. I'm only a beginner after all, " I told him.
My straightforward reply had him, I knew and secretly I smiled.
" Well, have you found the others, yet? " I asked him, changing the subject so that he would not feel uneasy.
Killua shook his head. Without another word, he placed his hands into his pockets and walked off, leaving me there, staring after him.
I don't why he hates me a lot…
That he would always scorn me…
Am I really that bad…
Enough to cause him to hate me…?
I allowed myself to be immersed in my own thoughts as I made my way over to where Kurapica was sitting. That was our agreement whereby it was the starting point of the game and whoever was sought out will have to go there and wait for the others to come back.
He heard me approaching, I could tell. Every movement I made, he was definitely there observing…watching.
Why is he always staring at me…?!
I was careful to keep my eyes averted from his as I silently sat down on a rock, a few feet away from him.
I wanted to stay away from him as far as possible. He was always silently scrutinizing me, without even talking to me.
Come to think of it…
This guy, Kurapica…
He has never talked to me before…
When compared to Killua even…
At least, he did talk to me…
Even if it is only to start mocking me…
" Who are you? "
Almost instantly, my head snapped up at his abrupt question. Although I heard him plainly, I did not answer. Instead, I turned away.
" Who are you really? " Kurapica demanded when I ignored him the first time.
Before I knew it, he was there, standing in front of me.
" Wh-What are you talking about? " I started to stammer, feeling frightened.
" I know that you're hiding something from us and I want to know what it is. What are you hiding? "
His eyes were boring into me.
" I-I have nothing to hide, " I told him. " I – "
" Then, why don't you show me your face then? " Kurapica interrupted me.
I heard the challenging tone in his voice.
" No, I'm sorry but that's not possible, " I answered as my hands instinctively pulled the hood lower over my face. " I'm not ready to show my face just yet…Kurapica-san. "
" Yo people! "
It was Leorio.
I guess he was already found by Killua.
" H-Hey, is something wrong? " Leorio demanded as his smile disappeared when he detected the tension in the air.
Without another word, Kurapica turned away from me and went back to his sitting place.
" N-No, it's nothing, " I told him, a little too nervously.
I was relieved that Leorio had chosen to come in at the right time although he did not know it.
" Are you sure about that, Haru? " Leorio asked me.
" Y-Yes, everything is just fine here. There's nothing to worry about, " I reassured him.
He still looked unconvinced despite my assurance.
Both Killua and Gon had arrived. The game of hide-and-seek had already ended and Killua was the winner since he managed to find everyone in record time. Now, all of us were seated at the starting point.
" Nee Haru, my aunt and grandmother, wanted me to invite you to our house. They want to see you. Would you like to come with us, Haru? "
I did not reply. It came too sudden.
Although it's only a yes or no question…
But…
No one has ever invited me to their houses before…
Frankly, I felt really happy and warm inside. This was the first time that I've felt anything like this, since that grisly incident.
" Really? I-I mean, it would not be a bother to any one of you? "
Gon shook his head, no.
" So, does that mean that you'll accept the invitation, Haru? "
I nodded vigorously in reply.
" Thank you so much for inviting me along! " I exclaimed ecstatically.