At dawn, the four of them finally arrived at the starting point for this Hunter Exam-Saba City.
The big city certainly lived up to its bustling reputation. Even the morning market was already packed with noisy crowds.
"The exam venue changes every year, so guides have to lead the applicants there."
The Kitsunori guide had taken human form and was holding a map as he led the four of them through the crowded market.
Kaya was utterly drained, with dark circles under his eyes, shuffling along like a walking corpse.
The other three, on the other hand, were bursting with energy.
Don't ask. They had slept soundly during the flight, while Kaya simply wasn't that carefree.
Since this was his first time in a big city, Gon hopped from stall to stall, marveling at everything.
"Stop looking around and keep up," Leorio reminded him.
"Why are there so many people? This crowd is making my skin crawl."
The already narrow streets were so crowded that even walking was difficult. Kaya really disliked the feeling.
"Although the Hunter Exam venue is kept secret every year, no secret stays hidden forever. Someone always leaks the information and sells it to the black market for a high price, and the black market sells it to applicants for an even higher price. So everyone gathered here has access to exceptionally good sources of information," the Kitsunori explained.
Not long after they left the market, the Kitsunori brought them to a rundown restaurant.
"We're here."
The Kitsunori turned around to find the Four-Person Group looking utterly confused.
Kurapika asked, "Are we getting something to eat?"
Gon cheered, "All right! I've been hungry for ages."
Leorio shook his head repeatedly. "I don't have any money. If you're treating me, though, I suppose I could agree."
Kaya abruptly added, "You're not some shady guide who drags us around to shops and restaurants for kickbacks, are you?"
The Kitsunori's face darkened. "I think you'd better stop talking. You're going to give me high blood pressure."
As soon as they entered, a young waitress greeted them sweetly. "Welcome."
Leorio rubbed his hands together, his eyes full of hearts. "Hey, gorgeous. Hehe, here I am."
Gon, Kaya, and Kurapika all stepped to one side in unison, pretending not to know the embarrassing idiot.
It was a typical Japanese-style restaurant. A plump chef was frying steaks behind the counter. He glanced at the five of them and asked, "What would you like to eat?"
Mr. Kitsunori held up four fingers. "Four servings of steak, please."
The owner studied the Kitsunori guide, then gave a strange smile. "How would you like them cooked?"
"Slowly, over low heat, until golden brown and well done."
"We might not have enough steak today. You can have it before ten tomorrow."
With that, the owner gave the waitress a look, signaling for her to take them to the private room beside them.
After leading them into the private room, the waitress asked them to wait a moment and quickly left.
There was only a large round table in the room, without a single chair.
"What's going on?" Leorio asked, puzzled.
"This private room is actually an elevator," the Kitsunori explained. "It takes you to this year's Hunter Exam venue."
"The Hunter Exam officially begins tomorrow. You need to come here before ten in the morning and take the elevator to the exam site."
Kaya yawned. "We're not supposed to just wait here the whole time, are we?"
"No. You can stay at an inn or wait in the restaurant. Assembly officially begins at six tomorrow morning and ends at ten. Keep an eye on the time."
"Then let's head out. It's getting late anyway, and we'll sleep more comfortably if we find an inn," Kaya said.
The other three unanimously agreed.
As they left the private room, Kurapika passed the counter and said to the chef, "Thanks for your help. We'll come back tomorrow."
The chef nodded. "Before ten, or the steaks will get cold. Here's your meal card. Show it to the waitress when you arrive, and she'll take you to the private room."
Kurapika took the card and carefully tucked it into his shoulder bag.
"My work ends here. Give it your best." Once they were outside, the Kitsunori turned and left.
"Thank you."
After saying goodbye to the Kitsunori, the four stood on the crowded main road, feeling a slight chill.
"What? Fifty thousand Jenny for one room? Why don't you just rob us?" Leorio slammed his hand against the reception counter in frustration, sending a loud echo through the room.
For this shabby inn, he would have thought even ten thousand Jenny was a little expensive.
The landlady picked her nose indifferently, her voice thoroughly impatient. "If you don't want to stay, you can leave. Business is great these days. I don't need you."
Her words left Leorio furious yet helpless, his teeth grinding audibly.
Seeing this, Kurapika walked over and patted Leorio on the shoulder.
"Forget it. This is already the ninth inn, and none of the others had any vacancies. We'll just have to pay a little more."
As he spoke, he pointed at Kaya, who was already nodding off on the sofa.
The inn room was sparsely furnished and cramped, with just two small beds, a sofa, and a battered television.
Naturally, Gon and Kaya would squeeze into one bed, while Kurapika firmly refused to share the other with Leorio.
"Fine. I'm not going to argue with you. I'll take the sofa."
Although Leorio grumbled, he respected Kurapika's wishes. After dropping his suitcase, he stretched out comfortably on the sofa and turned on the television.
Kaya lay down on the bed and stretched. "Time to sleep, time to sleep."
"No," Kurapika reminded him. "You haven't bathed in days. Take a bath before getting into bed."
He had only just escaped Aunt Mito's nagging, and now Kurapika had appeared. It seemed that the things in life always found their way back in different forms, whether good or bad.
Kaya obediently murmured his agreement.
Before long, he emerged from the bathroom, drying his dripping hair.
The television was still on, and Leorio was already snoring.
Seeing that Kaya was finished, Gon grabbed his clothes and ran into the bathroom too.
Kaya walked over to the bed and asked, "Want to go for a walk later? I'm not sleepy anymore after that bath. I want to buy something tasty outside."
Kurapika was sitting on the edge of the bed reading. He looked up, about to answer, but froze at the sight of the blood-red necklace on Kaya's chest.
Seeing Kurapika staring at the necklace, Kaya instinctively covered it and asked tentatively, "Kurapika? Are you coming?"
Kurapika snapped out of his daze, his voice trembling slightly. "Yes. I'll go with you after I bathe."
The sound of running water filled the bathroom. Kurapika stroked the blood-red earring hidden beneath his blond hair, excitement stirring in his heart.
He and Pairo had each owned one of that pair of crystals. After learning that his people had been slaughtered, Kurapika had made his own crystal into an earring.
It reminded him never to forget the hatred in his heart, while also serving as a remembrance of Pairo.
Because of Kaya's appearance, Kurapika had unconsciously found himself treating him as Oruto throughout their journey.
When the crystal appeared on Kaya, the answer in his heart seemed a little more certain.
Now, with Kaya's identity in question, Kurapika considered several possibilities.
The first was that Kaya had ties to the Phantom Troupe, but judging by his personality, that seemed unlikely.
The second was that Kaya was Oruto. He might have escaped the massacre, but Kurapika still needed to confirm whether Kaya also had Scarlet Eyes.
Kurapika felt both excited and conflicted.
On one hand, he hoped Kaya was Oruto. At least then he wouldn't be alone.
On the other hand, he didn't want Kaya to bear the same hatred he did.
At that thought, Kurapika calmed down.
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