Adella hated watching fights. Unlike Ryn, who got off on seeing Hisoka and Chrollo duke it out, Adella found the No-Holds-Barred Heaven's Arena held no enjoyment for her. But today wasn't about enjoyment. Today was about worry. Gon fought Hisoka today.

She would have been there in person, but the thought of seeing Ryn wasn't appealing at the moment. Sure, she'd forgive her eventually, but not today. Her phone buzzes, and she glances at it. There are multiple unread texts she's been ignoring from Ryn, but this one is from Illumi. She opens it, having confided in him about her argument with Ryn earlier in the week.

He will be fine.

She knows he's just saying it to appease her, but she smiles anyway. Thanks. Are you watching?

She watches the three little dots dance on her screen. Job.

Ah, so she probably shouldn't text him. Okay. Talk later. She hesitates over the send button, biting her lip. Love you.

She sends it before she can think to erase the last part, sighing. Why was this so hard? The announcer on the screen calls Gon's name, pulling her focus back to the matter at hand. She hadn't known the boy long, but something in her just knew they were connected in a way few people would understand. Her mouth is dry as she watches Hisoka opposite him, looking smug.

"Please be safe." She whispers, fidgeting as the ref explains the rules before starting the match. It doesn't start great. Gon tries to strike first, but it is Hisoka who lands the hit. Adella winces, watching as Hisoka taunts the boy, his voice grating to her ears. She bites her lip, picking at her nails.

Hisoka boasts about how he hasn't moved an inch since the fight started, something Adella had noted as well. The screen behind him shows a woman, fuzzy due to the focus on Hisoka, shaking behind him, likely laughing. She scowls at familiar purple hair. Of course Ryn would be sitting ring-side.

Gon scowls, looking like an angry chihuahua, squatting close to the floor. Adella frowns, curious as to why he's taking such a position. He'd already tried a direct approach and it hadn't worked, leaping at him again would just get Gon hurt further. She gasps as he rips a floor panel from the ring and tosses it towards Hisoka, shattering it to create a shower of rubble to hide in.

The camera watches Hisoka searching for Gon. Where was he? Adella leans forward, nail caught in her teeth. Suddenly, a blur of green appears, fist slamming into Hisoka as Gon lands a hit. She gasps, rising to her feet, elated. He'd hit him! She can't stop grinning.

The crowd is in shock, the purple hair rising too, though not in excitement. She can practically feel Ryn's worry and anger through the screen. That's my boy, she giggles, proud he has done what others have not.

Gon earns a critical hit, prompting Hisoka to finally move. Adella watches as Gon pulls a badge from his pocket, handing it to him. Oh. She remembers Ryn mentioning that. Something about Gon feeling like he needed to earn his place as a Hunter after Hisoka had given him back his badge. She could burst from how proud she was.

Amused and finally interested in the fight, Hisoka begins to ramble about nen, listing off his completely made up way of telling someone's type. "Manipulators are argumentative. You should see Illu and Adella when they fight. It's quite… stimulating."

She scowls, yelling at the screen. "Leave us out of this, asshole."

It doesn't matter what Hisoka thinks of them. His demonstration is a distraction, and now that Gon has landed a hit, the real fight begins. Adella sits back down harshly, watching as Hisoka lands a hit, then another. Her finger is back between teeth, worried over Gon.

She can see how this ends, and it isn't pretty. As soon as he begins explaining his Bungee Gum, she turns off the television. She can't watch. With a 6-2 lead, Hisoka will win no matter what. She won't force herself to watch Gon be beaten like that.

Adella grabs her bag by the door, leaving the apartment to clear her head. Her feet carry her to her favorite ramen spot, a dingy hole in the wall that mostly locals frequented. The owners knew her by name, having spent many a night here when she had just moved to the city. The food was cheap and good, with huge portions, and while she could afford nicer, this spot held a lot of sentimental value to her. She'd brought Illumi here for their first date.

"Where is that man of yours?" The owner asks as he rings her up. "Tell me he's being good to you."

She smiles, trying to make it look genuine. "Work. He'll be back soon." She doesn't tell him anything else. He waves as she leaves to sit outside, watching the busy street.

"Oi." She looks up at the man standing over her. "You were at the exam, right? Adella?"

She nods, wiping her hands. "Leorio." Gon's friend. She motions to the chair opposite. "Please, sit."

He does so with a sigh. "I've been meaning to contact you."

That was a surprise. "Oh?" She questions. "Why?"

He huffs, arms folded. "Now I'm a Hunter, I can go to med school, but they already want me thinking about internships."

"I'm sorry," she frowns. "I'm not a doctor. At least, not that kind."

"I know." He leans forward. "But you work for the association, know the chairman; is it possible you could recommend me when the time comes? I swear, I'll prove I'm worth backing."

She laughs. This wasn't the first time someone had wanted her help. Having the chairman's ear meant plenty of wannabe Hunters were scrabbling for her approval. But Leorio was different. She may not completely agree with everything he did, or how he acted sometimes, but she knew his character. She'd seen it when he'd defended Gon against Illumi. "I'll tell you what, Leorio. Prove to me you can get the grades and have bedside manner, and I'll get you whatever internship you want."

His eyes widen, mouth dropping open. Clearly he'd expected more of a fight. "You… really?"

She nods. "I watched you take the exam, not closely but I did. You've got a good heart and strong morals when you aren't concerned about money. Prove to me you can't be bought and I'll help."

He beams, taking her hand. It startled her, but she just accepts he means no harm. It's Leorio. Even if he did mean her harm, Illumi had taught her enough that she'd easily be able to kick his ass. "I promise, I'll do whatever it takes."

"Good," she snatches her hand back. "Now go get a bowl and tell me about how life has been since the exam. I could use the company."