Chapter 10

My heart pounded nervously as I walked up the steps. My dish looked presentable enough- at least, I hoped it did. I'd roasted the meat over a medium flame until it looked done after cutting the inedible parts off and covering it with the barbecue rub I'd made. After that, I'd poured the tangy sauce on it and put it on a plate. The pork was surrounded by frilly lettuce and sun-dried bite sized tomatoes as decoration.

So far, no one has passed the test yet. Menchi's been failing everyone who comes up without even tasting most of their dishes, while Buhara just passed everyone. I was focused on not burning the meat, so I didn't know if my friends have gone yet. I'm probably one of the last contestants too...

I put the plate down on the table, bowing. "I hope you find my meal appetizing enough," I said. Menchi looked over the pork scrutinizingly while Buhara simply took a bite. He smiled and held up the sign with the green circle- one examiner down, one more to go.

Finally, Menchi grabbed her fork with a sigh and took a bite. Silence. I waited nervously.

If I failed now, I wouldn't remember what half of this show was about, and I'd have to wait until next year to take it again- but by then, all the phases would've changed, and I'd also be dealing with different people. In other words, this was my only chance.

Menchi finished chewing and swallowed. A thoughtful look crossed her face. Then, she held up a sign with a green circle.

My eyes widened. I passed! "Th- thank you, Menchi-san and Buhara-san!" I said and bowed again. "No little girl, thank you. Finally, an edible meal that actually has some decent flavor... all these other dishes haven't even been good enough to taste!" Menchi complained. "Go wait in the room behind us. Everyone who passes goes there," Menchi said.

I nodded and walked to the back, wondering who else was already there. I stopped. There's... no one... Are you kidding me? She failed everyone except for me?

I sweatdropped at the empty area. But that means that Gon... won't be able to find his dad... and Leorio and Kurapika, and I guess Killua didn't really want to become a hunter... he said he wanted to take the exam just to see how hard it would be, but still...

As I was thinking this, I heard a loud commotion outside. A lot of people were talking. Should I come out? Or should I wait here? A few minutes passed.

"Hey kid." Menchi's head popped into the room. She looked a bit disoriented. "We're going somewhere else by airship... the chairman's here. The second phase is being redone," she said.

I blinked. "Uh, ok..." I followed her into the airship that was outside, parked next to the forest. "By the way, What's your name?" Menchi asked. "Aki Arata. Please just call me Aki though," I said. Menchi nodded as we finally boarded the airship.

"Aki!" a voice called. I glanced down the hall and saw Gon and Killua standing there. "See ya later," Menchi said and gave a smile. I waved and returned the smile, running down the hall to meet my friends.

She really is a strange one... no one's satisfied my taste buds like that for a while, at least no one that young, Menchi thought as she saw the girl run down the hall to her friends.

There's something in her eyes, a sense of wisdom that doesn't belong in the eyes of such a young girl... almost like she doesn't belong here, and she knows it.

On top of that, she's made friends with numbers 403, 404, 405, and 99... I've been keeping my eye on 404 and 99. Their auras are... unique. They must be monitored at all times. Honestly, though... who is she?

Menchi grinned. Whoever she is, I know she'll grow up to be an amazing person and hunter... And with that, the gourmet hunter turned around swiftly and began walking down the opposite direction.