*Step. Step.*
Heavy footsteps hit the wooden floor. Everyone looked back.
He was late because he had to thank the dolphins after landing.
The moment Saiki Kusuo came out of the water, he felt many eyes on him. His pink hair was wet and sticking to his face, and his whole body was soaked. The white lab coat Chrollo had cleaned was washed away when he fell into the sea, so in the end, he had to show up in a shirt that was too long with shorts underneath.
As he walked forward, water dripped from his pants all the way across the floor.
[Sorry, I'm a bit late.] Saiki Kusuo reached out, but his hand was soaked, so he shook it off without thinking. His psychic powers had gone out of control last night and just started stabilizing again—his control was still shaky.
But with just that one shake, all the water on his arm flew off from the force, and the sound it made hitting the floor wasn't normal drips—it was a series of loud thuds. The people watching him all stiffened.
[This kid... is not as simple as he looks.]
[That shake wasn't light. Strange… How can such skinny arms have that kind of power?]
Saiki Kusuo's face darkened. …Yare yare. At least the floor didn't get smashed. These people weren't dumb—there was no way they'd subconsciously ignore that.
Whatever. As long as his family thought he seemed normal, that was good enough.
Saiki Kusuo reached into the box and drew number 91. He held the square target plate in his hand—but then he heard a crack.
…Did I crush it? Well, not surprising. I already memorized the number, so it should be fine.
When he turned around, people actually made way for him. Saiki Kusuo looked down and walked to the back. He always preferred staying in the most unnoticed spot.
Just a little longer. The seven-day exam was about to start. Once he entered the forest, he could find a place to rest right away.
He was completely worn out. His back even started to slump. Not a big deal—he was in the back anyway. He didn't notice how many people were watching him, but he felt the stares, all of them oddly familiar.
How should I explain this…? Ugh, annoying. Would they believe I fell into the sea while getting off the boat?
Suddenly, something dropped onto his shoulders. He looked up—it was the blond guy, Hisoka… no, Chrollo. Chrollo reached out to straighten Saiki's glasses, and draped over him was the white bathrobe from the inn.
Chrollo wasn't the type to care about others. His concern was somewhere else: [You'd better wear your glasses properly.]
Funny, this from the same guy who once pulled off my glasses without hesitation.
"Here's your bag. Don't worry, I'll carry it for now, partner!" He was next in line to draw, and many people were still watching. Chrollo patted Saiki's shoulder, then walked ahead with his own bag plus Saiki's. He seemed to be in a good mood.
That robe was just extra baggage—he wasn't going to catch a cold or anything. But more than that… he's not even mad at me? Normally, someone would hate a person who almost got them killed.
Saiki Kusuo leaned on his knee, feeling surprised.
Chrollo: [Didn't think the eggs I brought for the team would come back too. Really handy ability… though dangerous… Hmm, number 212? Who's that?]
So he's just happy about getting his groceries back. Figures.
One by one, the others finished drawing their numbers, then returned to the ship to wait for the exam to begin.
"Brother Kusuo, are you okay? You look really out of it. How did you fall into the sea? And why didn't you call for help?"
[Hmm? Ah, Killua…] Saiki Kusuo blinked. Not expected, but not surprising either. Yare yare, of course Killua would come check on him.
[Brother Kusuo… you're okay, right?] That was Alluka's voice.
"Killua's big brother isn't hurt, right? He looks pretty bad," Gon added.
"If you're not feeling well, want me to check for injuries?" Leorio offered.
"In any case, you should dry off first. Especially your hair—it'll catch a chill. And don't stay on the shaded side of the boat. Go stand somewhere sunny," Kurapika advised.
"Geez, take care of yourself, will you…" Killua complained, but he was the first to reach out and try to help Saiki Kusuo stand.
Saiki Kusuo pulled back a step. With his power right now, even a small mistake could hurt someone.
[No, I'm fine. Don't worry about me.]
The warm atmosphere suddenly cooled.
Just when Saiki Kusuo thought no one else would bother him and he could finally get some peace, Killua said loudly: "You call that fine? Come on. Brother Kusuo always keeps his back straight! You're the one who told me—playing games hunched over will make you look like a shriveled old man like Great-Grandpa someday. So what is this now?"
This little brat… holding a grudge that long?
Saiki Kusuo would never admit that he heard the worry behind Killua's words. Too many voices around here—he was exhausted. Maybe he was just hallucinating.
Saiki Kusuo looked up. "Yare yare, is it okay to not look weak in front of your little brother? I just fell into the water, my clothes are heavy. I don't need help. You guys should focus on how to pass the test."
After he spoke, he stood up to show he was fine and gave a quick glance toward Alluka, who was clearly worried but hadn't said anything. He nodded kindly. "Don't worry, I'm fine, Alluka. Thanks."
Killua blinked and gave a sly cat-like grin. "Oh~ I see. Since big bro's still got energy, let's get going."
A smart retreat. Well played.
"Tch, big bro and his pride are such a pain. What's so bad about asking for help? Whatever, he looks fine, so let's just act like everything's normal." Killua turned and quickly herded the main group away.
Stupid kid. Don't underestimate a psychic.
After sending the kids away, Saiki Kusuo's attention shifted to the person behind him—Illumi.
Saiki Kusuo didn't say anything. He simply fixed his hair and walked toward the edge of the boat.
*Clack clack.* As Illumi passed by, he offered, "Wanna rest on the boat? There's a bed. I'll wake you up when the test starts."
"No thanks, I'm fine here."
Thanks, but I never want to step foot on that cursed boat again.
Illumi didn't say anything more and got on board by himself.
Good. Got through that without bumping into anyone.
Just as Saiki Kusuo relaxed, a hand grabbed his arm.
?!
"Come sit and rest over there. There's a rock."
Saiki Kusuo looked up. "Yare yare, Chrollo huh… Hey, don't pull me. How are you not traumatized after last night? Why are you still coming near me?"
"Well, you're safe now, right? And you look really tired. I was just worried someone might drag you onto the boat and something weird would happen again."
Saiki Kusuo: "Relax. If anyone tries to force me on that boat, I'll blow it up."
The smile on Chrollo's face froze for a second—just a while ago this kid was still so normal, and now he could say something that scary.
Saiki Kusuo: "That boat's dangerous."
Chrollo: …Yeah, let's blame the boat.
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