Episode 12: Petty Revenge
Kurapica watched Hikari from afar. Although, he deliberately lagged behind her, he was much aware of what was happening.
She was staring at everything like she had never seen any of them before.
Especially the people…
He observed.
Then, suddenly, her whole face lit up as she smiled.
She must have something that she really likes…
Following her gaze, Kurapica saw that she was staring at…
Huh, candy apples…?
Don't tell me that she really loves them…?
Unconsciously, a smile tugged at his lips. He was really amused at her unpredictable behaviour.
Kurapica lost his smile as he stared at the scene that unfolded before him in the next moment.
The owner of the store had started yelling at her.
What is he doing…?!
Why is he shouting at her…?
She's just looking at the apples right…?
I don't see anything wrong in that…
Kurapica continued to watch everything that was taking place.
Soon, he realised that the commotion had attracted several passer-bys and they were whispering to one another.
" Would you look at that, a pretty thief! "
" I think she uses her face to distract people and when they aren't looking, she'll just steal anything of the rack! "
" Do her parents teach her any good intrinsic worth? "
" Shame on whoever her parents are! "
Why are they being so cruel…?
They can't just judge her like that…!
He felt a surge of anger coursing through him at their senseless and brutal remarks.
Run, Hikari…
You don't deserve this treatment…
He found himself wishing.
As if on cue, the girl turned and took off. She was not quick enough as he caught sight of the tears. It tore at his heart.
Who are they to talk to her like that…?!
Without thinking, Kurapica strode up to the store. He picked up one candy apple from the whole lot. Glaring at the storekeeper, he flashed his hunter licence identification card at him.
" If that's not enough, I have money, " Kurapica told him resentfully.
The storekeeper looked at him, bewildered.
" Please do treat your customers with respect, mister. Hikari was only just looking at your candy apples and not taking them, " the Hunter said icily, placing his money down and walked off, leaving a very shocked storekeeper in his wake.
That felt better…
I have taken crying to comfort myself.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. I stared at my reflection in the still lake water. Red and puffy bloodshot eyes and blotchy cheeks, not that I care. I did not care about how I looked at all. To me, looks did not matter to me. I closed my eyes and tried to push away the images of what happened earlier on but failed.
" Do her parents teach her any good intrinsic worth? "
" Shame on whoever her parents are! "
My parents…?
They are not fault…
They weren't the ones who taught me to steal…
I did it on my own accord…
My father died…
But, it was not in vain…
He died valiantly…
In order to save the tribe…
" Hey, there's a chick over there! "
I looked up, startled.
I didn't know anyone was here…
At least, I thought so…
Quickly, I scrambled up to my feet.
There were five men blocking my way.
" What is a beautiful girl like you doing out here alone in the night? " one of them asked, taking a step forward.
Instinctively, I took a step back.
" You know, blond hair and blue eyes are very uncommon on this island, " he
continued. " You must be an outsider. "
I did not reply as I scanned the surroundings behind them, looking for an opening. As if sensing what I was about to do, all of them stepped forward, tightening the circle around me so that I could escape.
" Don't provoke me or you will all die, " I whispered imperceptibly.
They laughed.
" You can't possibly save yourself and yet you want to kill all five of us? You must be out of your mind! " another spoke up, still laughing.
" Don't think that I won't, " I told them, solemnly. " Then, you'll wish you've never been born. "
" Well, we'll take your warning into consideration. You really are being difficult, aren't you? " he continued, brandishing a pocket knife at me.
All of them did the same.
" You can't hurt me with that, " I said, softly. " I'm warning you to leave me alone. Please take my advice and do leave. "
They did not want to take my advice neither did they want to leave as they continued to back me until my feet was against the mouth the lake, almost close enough to touch the water. I knew that my only escape was to jump into the lake but I could not swim, at least if the water was too deep in. Then, I would drown but I was not going to take my chances. I turned back to them. I had no choice since they were not going to listen to me and take my advice as they should be. Quickly, I scanned the surroundings once again. There was no one around but us.
" So, what is it going to be? Drown inside the lake or come with us? "
I gave them an innocent smile as my once blue eyes turned blood red.
" Maybe, none of the above? " I suggested sweetly. " I think you picked the wrong girl. "
The men gasped in horror as they took a step back when they caught sight of my eyes.
" I told you to leave me alone, didn't I? " I murmured tenderly, stepping forward as the men drew back.
" What are you?! " the same man who had refused my advice yelled. " A monster?! "
" If that's what you want to call me, " I sneered.
Then, I raised my left hand and immediately, the man was sent flying through the air.