The Voyage Begins

Morning light spills over the horizon, marking two days since Raiyo visited the Hunter Bureau. That means today is the day.

One problem.

He has no idea where to go or how to get there.

With a tired sigh, Raiyo rubs his sleepy golden eyes and decides to head back to the Bureau. There's no point in wandering aimlessly when he can just ask the receptionist.

Upon entering, he spots the same woman from before, busy typing away at her computer. As he approaches the desk, he lazily asks, "Where do I go?"

The receptionist barely registers his question at first. The moment she really looks at him, her heart does a little flip. He's so cute. Wrapped in his slightly oversized hoodie, sleepy-eyed and soft-voiced, he gives off an effortlessly adorable aura.

She holds back a squeal and clears her throat, quickly asking someone from the back to take over. "I'll show you the way," she says with a smile.

Raiyo simply nods and follows behind her.

A few minutes later, they arrive at the port, where a large wooden ship is docked. A captain stands at the front, calling out,

"All aboard! All Hunter examinees!"

Raiyo takes a step forward, then pauses. Turning back to the receptionist, he gives a small nod. "Thanks."

She smiles warmly. "Good luck."

With that, he heads up the stairs.

At the entrance, a man with a clipboard stops him. "Name?"

"Raiyo."

The man scans the list, nods in confirmation, and waves him through. "You're good to go."

Raiyo steps onto the ship, he doesn't bother finding a proper seat. Instead, he plops down on the floor, back against the wooden wall. The gentle sway of the ship, the rhythmic rocking of the ocean—it's all so relaxing.

Within seconds, he's fast asleep.

A few hours later, Raiyo stirred.

A harsh wave slams against the boat. Then another.

His golden eyes open slightly as he processes the situation. The ship is being tossed around violently, rain is pouring, and people are screaming.

Another powerful wave crashes, sending objects tumbling and passengers flying.

Raiyo, however, remains perfectly still. Cross-legged, elbows resting on his knees, chin in his hands—completely unfazed.

To him, this is simple. A matter of balance and control.

Minutes pass. Then thirty. Eventually, the storm eases.

The boat is a mess. People are sprawled out, exhausted, and shaken, like they've just survived a near-death experience.

Raiyo, still in the exact same spot, is completely drenched—his white hoodie clinging to him from the rain. But that's hardly a concern. It'll dry eventually.

Raiyo glances around, then laughs.

They're so weak.

Shaking his head, Raiyo stands and begins walking. As he does, he notices a door he hadn't seen before. Pushing it open, he steps into a large indoor room filled with people.

He blinks. "What?"

The word slips out before he can stop it.

There was an inside area? The entire time?

So I didn't have to sit outside and get soaked?

Annoyed, he sighs, spotting a rack for wet clothes. Without hesitation, he peels off his hoodie and hangs it up to dry. Just as he does, someone bumps into him.

A young boy with spiky hair, carrying a basket of rags.

"Sorry!" the boy says quickly before rushing off toward someone who looks ill.

Raiyo doesn't react much. Just watch for a moment before turning back to the room. As he scans the area, he notices two canopy beds. One is occupied. The other is free.

He doesn't hesitate.

In a flash, Raiyo dives onto the soft bedding, twisting and turning with a rare, genuine smile.

It's been so long since he's slept on something this comfortable.

Within moments, he's curled up, fast asleep once again.

__

"Attention! There's another storm on the way, and it's even worse than the last one!" Raiyo hears, waking him up. As he listens, he watches all the facial expressions of most of the examinees.

Terrified.

He grinned slightly, trying to hide his laugh.

"We have lifeboats! Those who have had enough can use them to go to the nearest island!" The speaker announces.

Raiyo just continues to stay in his canopy as he hears a door creak open.

"So, only four of you are all that's left? Give me your names." Raiyo looks to see who's talking, and he notices him as the ship's captain.

"My name is Leorio." Raiyo looks at him, a middle-aged man with a suit and tie on.

"My name is Kurapika." An older boy who's in his teens, with blonde hair and brown eyes, says.

"I'm Gon!" The same boy that had bumped him earlier, exclaims.

Raiyo rubs his eyes as he grabs his hoodie, which is finally fully dry.

"Raiyo." He says out loud, making the four look at him.

"What?" He asks.

"Hey, are you always that sleepy?" Gon asks him, making Leorio flail his arms around.

"That's rude!" He exclaims to Gon.

"Mmm... yeah, pretty much." Raiyo yawns as he puts on his hoodie.

"Well, why do you want to become hunters?" The captain asks.

"Huh? What does that matter to you? You're just the guide here." Leorio stuffs his hands into his pocket.

"Just answer."

"Why should I?!"

Gon raises his hand. "My dad is a hunter, so I want to follow in his footsteps."

"Hey, stop there, kid!! Don't talk so easily. Show some cooperation." Leorio tells Gon.

"I was just answering the question."

"It doesn't matter. I just wouldn't get carried away and answer so casually."

Raiyo scratches his head as he walks up to the front. 

"I want to become the strongest Hunter and find my mentor back... even though it sounds like a lot of work..." he sighs defeatedly.

"Hey!" Leorio yells at Raiyo.

Raiyo quickly looks back, his eyes furrowing at Leorio, before turning back to his normal self, yawning.

He doesn't feel like saying anything back.

"Wha-?" Leorio surprised by his action.

"I agree with Leorio." Kurapika says.

"Hey, show some more respect to your elders."

"What an old man," Raiyo says as he puts his hands over his head.

Leorio glares at him.

"One can simply evade the question with a little lie. But I consider lying to be a dishonorable sin that falls short of greed." Kurapika continues.

"Hey! It's Mr. Leorio!! Did you hear me?!" Leorio tries to interrupt.

Everyone ignores him.

"Also, giving an honest answer to a person I don't know... It is not a reasonable alternative for me. I can't speak of my reasons. It's personal."

"Oh... I see... Then, the two of you can get off my ship." The captain glares at Kurapika and Leorio.

Raiyo softly giggles, finding it funny.

"What?" Kurapika asks in surprise.

"You still don't get it, do you? So, listen up, the Hunter Exam has already begun."