Reunion on the Eve of the Auction

Yorknew's morning was shrouded in dark clouds, the damp air carrying the greasy scent of street-side pancake stalls mixed with gasoline. Ryan arrived early at their meeting place—an old burger joint near the auction venue. The dimly lit interior smelled of cooking oil and coffee, jazz murmured from the radio, and the corners of the yellowed promotional posters by the counter had curled up. He wore a gray hoodie, with a manifested double-edged dog-leg blade at his waist, its cloth-wrapped handle hidden beneath his jacket, and a canvas backpack on his back containing a notebook, folding knife, and energy gel. He chose a corner table by the window, ordered an iced coffee, tapped lightly against the rim with his fingers, and watched the door. The promise at Mount Kukuroo still echoed in his ears. After Heaven's Arena, he had trained alone on Greed Island. Now that they were reuniting, the undercurrents surrounding the auction were already stirring.

Just after ten, the bell chimed as Gon burst through the door, his green jacket bright against the gloom, a huge backpack slung over his shoulders. His smile cut through the clouds. "Ryan! We finally meet again!" He lunged toward the table, making the chair squeak, and said excitedly, "It's been so long! You feel stronger!"

Killua strolled in after him, his silver hair tinged gray. With his hands in his pockets, he leaned against the table. "Tch, you've even got your blade hanging there. What're you planning?" He glanced at the handle at Ryan's waist and snorted. "Don't tell me you got yourself into trouble again."

Ryan smiled and took a sip of coffee. "Trouble? Not yet. What have you two been doing since Heaven's Arena? We've been apart so long, we should catch up."

Gon's eyes lit up as he clenched