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Us four, excluding Killua who is resting inside one of the blimp's room gather.

"Pathetic..." I heard Leorio mumbled. Gaining eyes on him from Gon and Kurapika while I still gazing outside the window.

"I needed the two of you to do everything for me during the fourth phase." He continued determinedly, "I promise I'll return the favor."

"So... Thanks," he said with a tint of pink, looking away to the side.

The two smiled at him as I closed my eyes in content, softly curling my lips.

Kira by my side, snuggle her head to my jaw to my cheek in understanding.

A notice. "I have an announcement for all applicants. The chairman wishes to interview the remaining candidates," Bean-san notified.

"Interview?" Leorio asked among us.

"When your number is called, please come to the first reception room, on the second floor."

"Then we will start with #44, Hisoka-sama." When Bean-san said Hisoka's name Gon reacted.

Somberly he turned and his eyes focused at the distance. Me and Kurapika knew something must have happened.

Third person's POV

"Well, have a seat," the chairman, Netero offered.

The fuschia-haired magician spoke, "Don't tell me that this is the exam's final phase."

Yet instead received a quite vague answer: "It may be related..."

"I'll just be asking a few questions to satisfy my curiosity."

Hisoka took a seat on the cushion opposite to the old man.

Netero: "First, why do you want to become a Hunter?"

Hisoka: "I'm not particularly interested in becoming a Hunter, but..."

Netero: "But?"

Hisoka: "A Hunter's license can be very useful."

Netero: "Oh, any examples?"

Hisoka: "For example, Hunters usually can't be punished when they kill someone."

Netero: " I see. Then I'll move to the next question. Which of the other nine applicants are you keeping an eye on?"

Hisoka: "#99, #95."

Netero: "Ah..." My granddaughter, huh?

Hisoka: "#405 is also on my radar, but it's #99 and #95 I'm keeping an eye on. I would love to take them on one day. Kukuku."

Netero: "One last question. Which of the other eight applicants would you least want to fight?"

Hisoka: "That would be #405. Though #99 is also up there. If you're asking whom I least want to fight at this moment, my answer would be #405. #95 is almost ripe, I'll look forward to a chance to battle her."

Netero: "Ah, I see."

Hisoka: "I should mention that the one I most want to fight at this moment is you."

Netero: "Yep, nice job. You're excused."

Hisoka went out and thought once he was out the room, That old man is too crafty... He left himself so undefended, I lost my edge.

This reminds him of a certain girl. The gift of tranquility that it loosens other's tension.

He smirks lustfully, soon...

The interview continued to other applicants one by one, each with their own opinion.

Pokkle: "I'm watching out for #404. He looks to be the most balanced applicant left. I definitely don't want to fight #44 and #95. To be honest, I doubt I can beat them."

Killua: "Has to be Gon. Since we're the same age. I don't want to fight #53. I don't think it'd be a very interesting fight."

Netero: "What about my granddaughter?" Netero wiggles his eyebrows.

Killua: "Shut up!" He bangs the door close on his exit.

Bodoro: "I've got my eye on #44. He has a real presence. #95 as well but she, #405 and #99 are still children. I couldn't bring myself to fight them."

Gittarackur: "#99. #44, #95."

Gon: "Who am I watching out for? #44, Hisoka. A lot's happened, so I've been watching him. I can't choose one out of #95, #99, #403, and #404."

Hanzo: "It has to be #44. He's the most dangerous here. Or #95. And #44 is the one I least want to fight."

Kurapika: "I'm watching #405 for positive reasons, and #44 for negative reasons."

Netero: "How about #95 for romantic reasons?" He raised one eyebrow. Of course Netero picked it up from his sources, which will remain a secret.

Kurapika: "..... If I'm given ample reason, I'll fight anyone. If not, I would prefer not to fight anyone."

Netero: "There is a reason. Té-chan is pretty and kind, many would be your competition." He smiled knowingly.

Kurapika left with a red coloring on his face.

Netero chuckled. How he loved teasing young people.

Leorio: "#405. I owe him, and I hope that he passes the exam. So I'm hoping I don't have to fight #405."

Netero: "Té-chan, welcome! I'll just ask some questions. First, why do you want to become a hunter?"

She shrugged.

Morté: "The license is useful, free lodging and transport, also no attempt to arrest when killing. I have another reason to participate, though..."

Netero: "Hm? That is?"

Morté: "To meet you."

Her grandfather paused, touched and smiled softly at her.

Netero: "Last questions: who do you keep an eye on and who do you least want to fight?"

Morté: "I'm watching out for #44 and #301."

Netero: "As expected, you know your competition."

Morté: "An assassin keeps track of possible hindrance and ally."

Netero: "True."

Morté: "The ones I least want to fight are #99, #403, #404, #405."

"Hmm, the results were more lopsided than I was expecting," he remarked as he draw the bracket. Té-chan is very popular, hoho. Well, she left a huge impression on the second phase.

Gon stared the evening glow on the sky and clouds when he was called.

"Gon." Kurapika along with Morté steps out of the shadow.

The two of them realizes something off with him and agree to talk it out with their friend.

She had asked Kira to wait for her at the room—more like grounded due to certain issues—since the interview started.

Kira is not exactly as caring as she is with others like how she is with her lady.

"We've reached the final phase of te exam."

"Yeah." Gon nodded in agreement.

"Gon, are you really alright?" Morté puts a hand on his shoulder.

She shakes his shoulder a little at the pause. "Gon?"

"Um... A-ah, Morté, sorry I'm not used seeing you without your cloak!" he exclaimed.

"....." She blinked.

He starts waving his arms up and down in panic. "You look pretty though!"

Morté giggled. "Thank you, Gon." She shook her head in resignation. How honest.

"It's a good thing you don't use that cloak anymore, you don't need to hide anymore."

"Even if I want to use it again, I can't."

"Ah, yeah..."

Within the span of one hour waiting with much spare time, Kira came back.

Right when Morté is opening her cloak. Killua had reminded her of the deal.

Kira's eyes sparkled and without warning she steals the cloak.

With the clothing in her mouth she quickly conjured flames and throw the fabric in.

"Wait!" Her lady's order fell on deaf ears just this time.

Too late, the fire ate away the given sacrifice, giving it black burns and holes.

Morté's outstretched hand retreated back slowly and unsurely.

She glanced at Kira, blinded by the bright radiance of her glee.

Kira looked like she's having a field day.

Morté ducked her head as she sighed in defeat. At least she still have her mask on and safe, and she would like to keep it that way.

As punishment Kira is grounded as long as they're in the blimp until the start of the final phase.

"Gon? Did something happen during the fourth phase?" Kurapika's voice brought her back to reality.

"When we met up, you were acting a little strange. And you've been somewhat subdued since we left Zevil island."

"My target is Hisoka." Morté found herself listening closely. "I waited for the perfect chance and stole his tag, but someone else was tailing me, and he got me with a poisoned dart."

A mixed feeling of pride and anger appeared.

"Soon after, Hisoka took back his tag from the person who got me, and he left it with me. He said that I owe him now."

"Hisoka said that?" She stayed quiet. She knew Hisoka would keep favors to motivate the ripening of fruit.

He would later seek him out.

"I told him I didn't need his help, and he sent me flying."

A pause. "I was so mad that I couldn't do anything against him..." His voice faltered.

Drip. Drop. Morté snapped my attention to him, his tears falling down, his eyes glistened in frustration.

She didn't know what to do. Helplessly, she clenched the hem of Kurapika's garment.

She wanted to reach out to Gon, but she don't know how, she had forgotten all these years.

Before she could decide what to do, Gon wiped his tears with his sleeve and smiled sadly.

"After that, I was pretty miserable and lonely. I felt so helpless, I wanted company..." Just like her. "I wanted to help someone, I guess."

He looked down and bumped his fists together. "That's why I was looking for you and Leorio."

"Gon. Leorio and I have only been able to make it this far because of you. We're truly grateful." Kurapika truthfully reassured.

Yes, that is what I can't give: a confirmation, a reassurement that conveys heartfelt emotions easily.

"I'd also like to thank you." Gon smiled. "You too Morté, thanks."

She smiled inwardly.

Gon has deepened his bond with his friends. And the remaining ten applicants are about to begin the exam's final phase.

Alone with Kurapika, Gon went to meet up with Killua, Morté faced him.

"Thank you, I couldn't do anything for him. I didn't know what to do."

"No, no. I think you've done plenty just being there listening to him."

She tug his clothes; he bent down when he understood, but for what he didn't know.

When his face is level with hers she leaned in closer.

With her free hand she grab hold of her mask and tilted it upwards.

He stiffened, she had kissed his cheek. Puffs of breath rolled down from the shell of his ear to his neck and he surpressed a shudder.

Closely she whispered in his ear, "Thank you."

She pulled away. Kurapika stayed in his position in shock.

Turning to the corridor, she took a step.

"See you tomorrow Kurapika. I hope you pass the final phase."