New year had pass behind for two weeks. Smiles from fireworks already withered, replaced with hard reality of ordinary days of works or study. Responsibilities never had holidays nor would wait for a brief of time. It was the meaning of life for us humankind, to be breathing and alive.
Rain has been through since sunrise, with several thunder clapped on distance away. Slow morning for everyone, with street less crowded unlike the usual. But for certain girl in a taxi, this day was her special day. She has just finished her first lesson when an official message from the guild came in. A potential partner for her has requested an interview right away. After getting a permission from her teacher, she called a taxi from her high school and now they on the way toward the guild.
The taxi drove in reasonable pace under the rain that pouring the city of Vanskoria. An old name for a modern city, which not that surprising since the city itself were founded nearly 300 years ago. Even now everyone could still saw the remnant of the old age in the building architecture.
“It’s rather weird to have rain in these days.” said the taxi driver.
The girl just smile politely. Her gaze shifted toward the scenery outside where the gentle rain has brought certain color in her heart. A moment later her phone rang, her beloved sister called her.
“Hello dear sister.” Her soft voice answered sweetly.
-Is it true? You have an interview offer?-
“Yes, i’m on the way to the guild.” She said with a little smile.
-So soon? Are you sure? Should i go there right now? I mean your last interview was a bit mess.-
The girl pondering for a moment. “I’m okay sister. It’s a sudden request to meet right now so i can not be late.”
-If you said so. Talk to me later okay?-
“Later.”
Just when she cut the call, a message came to her phone. She did not have many friends in the school so she already know who message her.
Unni!! I heard you went to the interview! Why you did not called me!!
It’s from Song Yae, the only classmate that would talk to her casually. The other tends to ignore and stay away from her.
Is he handsome? From what family? Kyaaa my Unni is getting enggange!
Smiled at how her friend hype, she wrote back to calmed her.
I am still on taxi, will contact you later. I just hope he is a decent guy, nothing more.
Unni is always like that! You should asked a prince for your partner!
Another smile, another color on her heart. She would rather welcomed a decent man with decent personality rather than a wealthy and handsome man with trashy attitude. Those combination would bring chaos for his surrounding and would left another person to take care his trash. But for now she needed to hold her thought and just wait until she met him. For the rest of the trip she exchanged messages with song until her driver informed her that they had arrived.
The taxi slowed down before pulled over in front of a government-like building. The girl came out with a red colored umbrella, quickly walk toward the entrance to avoid her coat drenched from the rain. Several men tilted their gaze, locked at the beautiful creature that passed them. Other, like a security in front office, offered her to take her coat.
“Thank you.” said the girl politely.
Under her coat were a pair of long sleeve shirt and over the knee skirt, both with white color with a bold black stripes on the side. A golden and red emblem with flower ornament pin was all the identification she needed. Immediately everyone recognize the emblem and nodded with respect. It was an emblem of one the most prestigious high school in Vanskoria.
“How can i help you Miss?” said one of the front officer. He tried hard not to staring the tall girl in front of him too long.
“Yes, i believe i have appointment for this afternoon.” She said while took out her ID.
A few second passed as the front officer check on his computer after confirming her ID. “Yes, we have expecting you. Please proceed to 2nd Floor to the north corridor. Our staff would guide you from there.”
She let a smile and took her ID back. “Thank you.”
“Miss Hana, Good luck with your interview!” The front officer smiled brightly.
The girl’s steps halted for a moment, before nodded politely again. Then she walked toward her designated room, where her future partner awaited.
…
“Not so sunny day to start the week, but work is work.” said the bald man in suit. “It won’t finished by itself right?” he added with a smile, opening a door with a sign interview room and inviting Hana inside.
“Please sit down.” He pointed to the sofa, urging Hana to sat down.
For a minute the bald officer gone to the back of the room, then came back with two cup of tea and a plate of cookies. After a brief of pleasantries he pulled out his tablet and change his face into business like attitude.
“I’m not going to sugar coat things here Ms. Hanna.” He started. “Both you, and your partner, should you decided to accept him of course, are not in favorable conditions.”
The bald officer looked at Hana’s face and sighed. She was a beauty, anyone could see that. Deep blue eyes that radiate intelligence, oval face with full lips that attract gaze to it. She was tall, with more than enough meat where the should stood out to make opposite gender charmed. But the most noticeable was her hair. It was pure silver, glittering under the light and looks so beautiful. Yet it was her hair that bring misfortune to her.
“Yes i understand my circumstances Mr…” her words trailed off.
“Call me Yang.” He answered. “I know that sounds weird, but i have a bit of asian blood in me.”
Hana tilted her head, a bit hard to believe what the bald officer said. He was big, brown colored skin, and his name is Yang. Dismissed any unnecessary thought, she nodded slightly.
“Like i said, i understand that my hair color bring bad luck for me.” Her gaze fell into the brown colored tea on the table. “They said it bring misfortune and nastiness for the partner. That's why many would called me the cursed child.”
Yang lost of words for a moment. It was crazy that the girl itself would bring it up. When he read up her history before, he was kind of understand how she felt right now. Already 18 years old, the last 4 years filled with 8 broken interview, each potential partner withdrew when they saw her hair color personally. It’s kind of unsettling that in modern days like this people still believe in superstition. But who was he to judge? Society followed it’s own rules and even he alone could not swim across the river without drowned if he decided to refuses the rules.
Coughing awkwardly, Yang decided to play it safe. “You are a beautiful girl Ms. Hanna, with high intelligence to support that. I wish you would find the right path for yourself.”
“Thank you Mr. Yang.” She smiled. “About my potential partner…”
Again, Yang sighed. Her potential partner had even more troubles than she was. “Yes, like i said before, the situation is not favorable. While yours and his mana compatibility rate exceeded 90%, Mr Leon, 16 years old, is a bastard child. He came from the cocoa plantation village to the south west.”
He coughed again, his heart sank as he continued Leon’s personal information. “Because of that, he is a bit difficult on financial aspect. Also he has Hunter examination last year, which his final score barely passed for becoming a Hunter.”
The cold rain outside became the only sound between them. As an officer, Yang saw hundreds of soul pairs every year. Everyone in this city who had compability rate above 75% had their “the interview” going. A few, like a case in front of them, excel with above 90% rate. But he had never seen a pair which consisted a cursed child and a bastard child, even more so when one was so talented while the other was below average. He could not help but to felt worried in his heart. Unlike other young Hunter or Witch from normal background, a bastard did not have support from their family, something that will make huge difference in this world, both financially and privileges they desperately need.
“Speaking of which, he has just arrived and would be here shortly.” Yang said after he saw a message on his tablet.
Hana felt her hand became colder when she heard it. She had mixed feeling about this interview. This was her last chance to be a pairing, someone who give support toward a hunter, her very own hunter. The other path was set if they failed to be a pairing. She would be sent by her family to be married off to a well establish hunter as a concubine if she lucky, or even worse, to be a mistress that held no status.
A hard knock interrupted her train of thought. The door opened and a boy came in without waiting.
“I’m sorry i'm late.” a voice which could be described as teenager ambiguous voice greet them.
Hana turned her head when she heard the voices. Her eyes analyze the boy with careful stare. He has medium to tall height for boys, just a few centimeter higher than her. His auburn colored hair was long, tied on the back with simple rubber hair. The big grey eyes stared back at her, sending a chill on her back. Something was bothering her when she looked at him, but she could not understand what make it of it. Maybe his because his face looked dirty and sweaty, or maybe his black jacket and jeans already worn out. No, something else troubled her.
“Please sit down. Don’t make the lady wait any longer.” Said Yang with a smile.
The boy nodded. “Einstein come here!” He said while holding the door.
A cat suddenly came to the room with a short meow. Black colored fur with long tail and golden bell on it’s neck. Hana’s eyes widen in surprised when the cat suddenly jump into her lap, purring lightly, before closed it’s eyes to take a nap.
Hana blinked several times in confusion, looking to the cat owner for an explanation.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Ah, i’m sorry, Einstein had a thing with beautiful girl.” said the boy with a grin.
Yang scratched his bald head at the boy cringe attempt to flirt with the girl. Maybe it worked because Hana get a blush on her face right now. Following the flow, he decided to push it a little further on.
“I think we can started the interview right away.” He said while stand up. “I will come back in two hours. Please enjoy the time together and i wish the best for both of you.”
When the door closed hana felt both panic and flutter in her heart. No other her interviews before reached this stage. Usually her partner would came with their guardian, asked several question, then withdrawn with polite excuse. And now, she was left behind with a boy which she had to known him in two hour before deciding what to do with their future.
“Sorry about Einstein. He is being impolite like any other cat.” He said while sat down on opposite of her.
“Ugh, can i eat this? I’m so hungry!” He said while pointing at the cookies.
Hana startled by the question. “Uhm, it’s on the house i think.”
She watched in awe as the boy took the plate and ate all the cookies like he was not eaten anything in three days. Seeing the behaviour in front of her she felt a tinge feeling of relieved. Hunter usually came from high class society, with much annoying etiquette and hard to follow demanding behaviour. This boy however, was down to earth attitude. Probably because he was a bastard child? Not knowing what it has to do with his attitude, Hana just shrugged off her own thought.
“Slow down please, no one going to take the cookies away.” said Hana with smile.
The boy gulped the cookies, then drink the tea in front of him before pointing Hana’s tea cup with a gesture wanted to drink it. And before she could answer, he casually took the cup and drink it.
Hana failed to process the whole things. She just stared blankly toward the boy.
“Name is Leon. Nice to meet you beautiful.” He with a carefree smile.
Snapped from her thought, Hana put a wry smile to answer him. “My name is Hana. Funny to meet a boy like you Leon.”
“Man, no boy.” He snorted.
“Any man, gentleman, would give his lady a sweet introduction, not indulges himself in gluttony world and give her a disturbing sight.” Replied Hana in flat tone.
Leon gave a confused looks before the girl pointing at her empty cup. “You did not ask and just left the lady thirsty. What a man you are.”
The boy’s lips cramped when he looked at Hana’s face. “S-Sorry.” And after a few second he added. “Please don't smile like that. You are scary.”
“Oh you learn your lesson fast. Never upset a beautiful girl, they tend to take it personally.” Said Hana, still with devilish smile on her face.
Einstein woke up at the right timing. Stretching his paw and yawning, then jumped to the table to find the cookies has long gone. Staring at his owner with accusing looks, he decided to sat on the table and start to lick his paw.
“What an adorable cat!” Said the tall girl while get up. “Not like his owner though.” She added
“He just following me around and causing trouble. He is a rude cat y’know.” replied Leon while yawning.
Hanna shrugged. “Well, i guess he is his master’s cat after all.” Then without saying anything else she went to the back of the room.
Leon rolling his eyes in disbelief. He admit that he was being ridiculously stupid at giving first impression. Now that he had time to think, what should they do in this room? How the interview going? He knew nothing at all. He just knew that a match for his pair has shown up and they were scheduled to met here at this time. His heart skip a beat when he read her profile on the email. She was tall and beautiful girl, attending top high school and already finished her pair training.
Hana popped from the back room. She wore an apron and carrying a spatula on her left hand.
“They have a full apartment set in here, including kitchen with few ingredient. I will cook something so you can function like a decent human being.” She said in cold tone.
Now it’s Leon turn to stare blankly toward the girl, no, the goddess in front of him.
“You don’t want my cooking?” asked the girl with eyebrow knitted.
“NO! I want it! Please dear Goddess Hana! Please let me have a chance to taste your cooking!” said Leon while kneeling in front of her.
Hana snorted. “Yes, yes, stop with those puppy eyes.” She held a meaningful smile while turned to the kitchen. “While you wait, go take a bath, you smell like chicken.”
Leon snapped and started to sniff his jacket, before grimace in disgust.
“And leave your clothing behind, i will laundry them. They have this washing machine that could dry the cloth really fast.” said the girl from the kitchen.
On the living room, Leon, 16 years old, felt his heart beating so hard that he afraid the will pop out. No girl had ever pampers him like this before.
…
Hana crunched on the kitchen, with her hand knocking her head in stressed manner. She felt her face was hot and her heart beat so fast. What’s with cooking him and laundry his clothing? Is she his wife or something?!! What should she do next? Asking how many children should she bear for him?
AAAHHGHHH!!!!
“Oh god, this is embarrassing.” She murmured. Her mind playing the self loathing song for a few moment when suddenly a croaked voice came from the bathroom. “And he sing in the shower with that ugly voice? Really?”
Fighting the urge to slammed her head to the table she woke up and continued her cooking. There was just enough ingredients to make a simple dishes for two, aside from the cookies for snack.
A few minutes later Leon showed up from the bathroom. Using a bathrobe he stood aside the dinner table with a proud smile like a puppy that has done a excellent task from his master. Now his face already cleaned, he looks even younger than before.
Hana chuckled. “Get us something to drink please. Then sit like a good boy okay?”
Like a good boy he is, Leon carrying Hana’s order without objection. He watched her back while she was working. Her healthy looking hips behind that skirt, her back figure that resembling hourglass, and her long hair that sway around when she moves. Leon couldn’t help but to gulping hard. She was beautiful, and she was potential pair for him. Is it true she would want to become his? Why would anyone did not wanted a girl like her? If it was him, he would snatched the girl at the first sight. For sure his little brother below agreed with him. Responded to his thought, his little brother decided to stood up when he catched a glimpse of back of her neck.
Gulp
Leon frantically hide his boner when Hana came to dinner table with a big bowl of spaghetti and a plate of vegetables mix.
“What?” She asked when saw Leon has strange looks on his face.
“N-Nothing. Just a bit unused just wearing bathrobe while eating. This looks so good by the way.”
Ignoring the stupid answer, Hana took off her apron and sat down. Her eyebrow twitched when Leon already take his plate with fork to dig in the dishes.
“Stop! Sit properly and say thank you before you started. Manner on the table please!”
Leon shuddered at Hana’s scolding. It was something new for him who grew up freely, both in good and bad way.
“T-Thank you for the food.” He said awkwardly.
Hana smiled. “That’s more like it. I’ll take a bit and you can have the rest.”
Again, the boy felt his heart beat a bit faster than usual and his chest felt warm. Rain was still pouring in mild manner outside, dyeing the city with lazy atmosphere. Hana stared at the pair wannabe who eat her cooking like it was the most delicious food in the world. Half her heart wanted to scold him again for rude manner he shown, but the other half enjoying the sight of some boy who purely enjoying something and not caring anything else.
He really is still a boy doesn’t he?
Secretly chuckled in her mind, she ate her portion in her own pace. The initial embarrassment and question about what she was doing still remained in her heart. She tried to remember the lesson she had on her training day. Why she cared so much about him? Why he being hungry bothered her? A few seconds later something came in her memory and made her eyebrow twitched in discomfort.
Maybe because of that huh?
She muttered alone in her heart. Her hand pour a glass of water and put it in front of him.
“Calm down. You will choke if you eat too fast you know.”
Leon took his glass and drink it in one gulp to finished his meal.
“Oh my god, i’m stuffed!” He said while burped.
Without thinking he raised his leg into the chair near him and reached his small shoulder bag to reach a cigarette. Only on the last second from lit his cigarette he felt something was wrong.
On the other side off the table, Hana already stood up with her arms on her hips while held a cold and dark smile toward him.
“W-What? What did i do wrong?”
When the smile turned even colder, it was that moment he knew, he fucked up.
Ten minutes later Leon felt his head already hurt from too many bow toward the girl. Hana has been chew him out about manner like a mother scolded her son.
“The worst of all! You tried to smoke in this place?! This is public place! You will be fined if the found out!”
That got Leon’s attention above all else. His face paled when realize he has just dodge a bullet.
“I-I didn’t know that! Oh goddess Hana you have just safe me!” He said earnestly, only to be met with Hana’s death glare.
“Oh is that so? I preached that long and you thank me just for that?”
Leon’s lips felt cramped when he realize he just got another extra 10 minutes of scolding time.
When the storm passed, Hana found herself loathing for her behaviour earlier. She went from a girlfriend mode then escalated quickly into wifey attitude before suddenly take turn into mother be-like in one go.
She watched her potential pair doing the dishes for his punishment. Whats with this boy anyway? He had no manner, barely passed his test, rude, showing up late with smelly clothes. Why i care so much? Because this is “the interview”?
Finishing the dishes, Leon sat down in front of Hana awkwardly. Even he could felt the air was getting heavier, and the worst of it is that he barely understand what he is doing in here. For a moment both of them drown in their own thought.
Finally Hana decided to break the ice. “What are we doing here really?”
Her question hang in the air. Leon felt the air getting even heavier as second passed by. He knew its time to get serious about this whole interview.
“H-How this interview supposed to be going anyway?” He asked.
Frowning her lips, Hana answered. “Odd question. Almost as if you did not know anything about this.”
“It’s not that i did not know.” He muttered. “But i never formally received a hunter training so…”
The answer caught Hana off guard. “You never- but how?”
Pondering a bit, Leon made a uncomfortable gesture. “I’m an unwanted child, mother is a mistress. When father did not want me we just lost everything. No right, no money, nothing. We desperately hang our hope to a mother old friend for living. From him i received training to be a hunter. But it’s just some basic knowledge and skills.”
Hana felt a sting in her heart. “I’m sorry to hear that. Must be hard for you.”
“Life is life, nothing good would come out if you just wait with open plate and silver spoon on your hand. You have to go out there and earn your own share.” He said with a shrugged.
Those words got attention from Hana. “What share are you looking for? Wealth?” She said carefully, clearly baiting him to bring something out from his heart.
Crossing his hand on his chest, he made a confident grin. “To make my own family name. I’m unwanted child, i have no family name.” He shrugged his shoulder. “So i thought i should make it my own. And in this town, the only way is to be the best Hunter.”
“That’s…” That was way above the the clouds dream. Hana felt it was impossible dream, but another sting was felt on her heart when she heard it.
“But to be a Hunter, i need a pair. And that’s why i’m here.” He added, still with grin on his face.
“Ugh…” She groaned. The confident grin from Leon made her uncomfortable. “Yes, that’s why we have interview. We see the partner, we asked question, we answer, then we decided.”
“Oh i decided it already.” He answered quickly. “ Please tell me, what should i do to make you my pair?”
That statement was like a big hammer destroying all Hana initial facade. Her lips were half open, clearly surprised beyond belief .
Feeling her face getting hotter out of control she closed her mouth with her hand and decided to take tactical retreat.
“I-I think your clothing already dry. I’ll go take a look.”
Without another words she escape to the bathroom and locked the door.
“Oh my god!”
Mixed feeling sank in her heart. Between her screaming in silent and unspoken cursed words, Hana could felt unbelievable happiness creeping in the back of her mind. She was so close to achieve her dream. To be a pair, to support her own Hunter. All she needs to do was say yes.
Hana slumped on the floor. Hugging her knees, her mind wandered toward the buzzing washing machine. His clothes were already done for some time ago, yet she felt reluctant to take it out.
No, i cannot make decision based on my own feeling. That’s not how i do things in my life.
Huffed hard, she woke up and start doing what she need to do. Now with much more better determination and clear head.
In the dining table Leon felt his heart throbbed with confusion, anxiety, and a bit of guilt.
Did i mess up somewhere? Why she just run away like that?
Not understand what the women wants, Leon ruffling his long hair in frustration, which only made his slightly wet hair tangled.
When Hana came out from the bathroom, their eyes meet each other only to find awkwardness has spreading between them.
Hana coughed. “Sorry about that. Your clothes already dry. Go change and then we can… talk.” She smiled wryly. “Yes, we need a lot of talk.”
Leon who knew no other way just nod and make his way toward the bathroom.
Taking a deep breath, the silver haired girl looking around the dining table. She never noticed it before. How boys were naturally untidy and just clumsy in the kitchen. The chair that just left as they were after used. The bag and it’s content which spread on the table. And the how wet around the sink because the water just scatter around when he washed the dishes earlier.
It’s annoying and cute at the same time, she thought.
Suddenly her mind distracted by Einstein's meow under her feet. His golden eyes glowing with plead looks.
“You are hungry are you not?” She said while petting him. His soft fur trigger some happy feeling on her.
Hana made two cups of coffee and fed Einstein with some left over meat. Watching the small creature eating with such vigor reminds her of his owner.
“Uh, please slow down little one. No one going to steal your meal you know.”
And just like his owner, the black cat just ignored Hana with a snort and continued to eat greedily.
Hana let out a sigh with wry smile. “What a cat you are…”
The two of them sat down with a cup of coffee in their hand. Leon put a decent result on ironing his cloth, a bit untidy but Hana said nothing. Or rather, she felt a bit of guilt not to iron it herself.
“Thank you for taking care of me.” He said while took a sip on his coffee. The taste a bit to acid for him, but it still better than his usual cup of drink.
Hana waved her hand. “It’s may not what you think.”
She took her cup with both hands, enjoying the warm heat from it. “Let’s talk before decide… our future.”
“The interview is a special event that held by the guild for someone who qualified as Hunter or witch, to meet with their pair. Should they agreed each other, they shall proceed with the soul pairing process. From then on, they are going to be an inseparable pair, both for dungeon diving or ordinary life in this city.”
Exchanging meaningful glance, both agreed that they really need to sit down and talk about it properly.