Under the moonlight, the train moved forward slowly. After leaving the town, it sped across the wilderness along the tracks.
On the train tickets that Kisho and Amos had obtained from the Huntsdon shopping mall, there was no indication of the train's destination.
So no one knew where this train would ultimately arrive—whether it was the site of the third pre-exam test, or the official Hunter Exam venue.
Or perhaps, the train itself was the third pre-exam trial ground.
As time passed slowly, the examinees who were forced to sit at the same table inside the carriage began to chat quietly.
Although no one knew whether the people beside them would become future rivals, or be eliminated in the upcoming test, gathering some information through conversation was always a profitable deal.
More importantly, it helped pass the long and boring hours.
The atmosphere inside the carriage gradually warmed up—of course, except for Kisho's table.
There was no one at this table who could liven things up.
Kisho rested his chin in his hand, wearing a resentful expression, as if he was still trapped in self-isolation over losing hundreds of millions of Jenny.
Amos held a sketchpad, flipping page after page as he drew portraits of the good-looking or distinctive examinees in the carriage.
For example, the only woman present in black combat gear, carrying a gun, both beautiful and cool, seated on the left side of the third row.
For example, the man on the left side of the fourth row, wearing a cold expression, holding a blade while resting with his eyes closed.
For example, in the same row as their table, the fat man who occupied two seats by himself and was chatting animatedly with his companion.
—Of course, the guy to his right, the one reading a book, was also quite worth drawing. But he didn't dare.
Chrollo was still reading that thick book of his, as solid as a brick. No one knew how he could still see the words clearly in the dimly lit carriage.
The last person at their table, Tonpa, seemed to want to find something to do to pass the time.
He leaned sideways, rummaging through his shoulder bag.
"Hmm… found it!"
He reached into his bag and pulled out a can of juice, placing it on the table. Then he raised his hand and scratched the back of his head.
"Sigh, I've been rushing around and haven't even had dinner yet."
As he spoke, he frowned at the tightly shut door of the front carriage.
"I wonder if the train provides meal service."
Then he looked at the other three at the table and smiled kindly.
"How about I treat you to some juice to fill your stomachs~"
Chrollo smiled gently without even lifting his head.
"Thank you, but no need."
Amos said coldly,
"I don't have the habit of accepting food from others."
But Kisho suddenly snapped out of his sulking, smiled, and nodded.
"Sure! Thank you~"
Amos: "…"
Chrollo: "…"
An outlier has appeared among us.
The two of them simultaneously turned to look at the one who gave a different answer, their gazes turning strange.
So you don't share even the slightest bit of the traits and vigilance associated with Meteor City, huh, Kisho?
From now on, no one better say this kid came out of Meteor City. Anyone who says so gets punched!
Tonpa's slightly forced expression from being rejected by the first two instantly turned beaming when he heard Kisho's reply.
Chuckling, he took another can of juice from his bag and handed it to Kisho.
"Alright~ here you go~"
At the same time, his eyes turned sinister.
Heh heh, once this white-haired brat drinks his specially prepared juice, he probably won't make it to the next test. He'll spend his time running back and forth between his seat and the restroom.
As a first-time examinee, you're still too young, kid.
Although the other two were quite cautious and didn't fall for it—slightly disappointing—but—
He looked at Kisho, curling his lips.
The "Rookie Crusher" had achieved a successful first strike!
With a snap, Kisho popped open the tab on the can, held it in his hand, and raised it to his lips—
"Hey!" Amos stared at Kisho with black lines across his face.
"You—"
Before he could finish, Kisho raised an eyebrow at him and smiled.
"I just happen to be a little thirsty."
Amos didn't continue. He let out a cold laugh.
"…Heh."
Seeing Kisho's expression, he felt reassured.
He had thought the kid had been stunned stupid by the devastating news of losing hundreds of millions of Jenny. Fortunately, while he might be dumb, he wasn't completely dumb. There was still hope.
Seeing Kisho's movement, Tonpa also smiled and opened his own juice.
At that moment, Kisho raised an eyebrow at Amos, his eyes signaling wildly.
Amos sighed helplessly and looked at Tonpa, who was about to pick up his juice.
"Mr. Tonpa, give me a can too."
Tonpa froze.
"…Didn't you just say you didn't want one?"
Amos spoke indifferently.
"I've changed my mind."
Tonpa: "…"
While cursing the annoying brat in his heart, he still put on a cheerful expression and turned sideways to rummage through his shoulder bag for another can of juice.
In the less-than-one-second moment when he turned his head away from his own juice, Kisho had already swapped the two cans.
As if nothing had happened, Kisho flashed Amos a triumphant smile.
Amos sighed. He might as well play along with the kid.
Just then, Tonpa handed him the juice.
"Here~"
Amos took it, and under Tonpa's expectant gaze, set it aside.
"Thanks. But I don't feel like drinking it now—I'll have it later."
Tonpa froze again, black lines across his face.
After adjusting for quite a while, he finally forced a smile.
"…Ah, sure."
—Damn brat!!
Thinking this, as if using juice to douse his anger, he grabbed the can on the table and drank it in one gulp.
Seeing this, Kisho and Amos simultaneously turned their heads to look out the window.
Then, in the reflection on the glass, they saw themselves and the guy across from them, their smiles impossible to suppress.
A moment later.
Tonpa, who had been waiting to see Kisho's reaction and enjoy the spectacle, didn't get the result he expected. Instead, suddenly, his own expression changed.
Severe pain—
And a stomach rumbling like chaos breaking loose…
When he realized what had happened, he abruptly raised his head and stared at Kisho.
The kid was staring back at him, tilting his head and showing a friendly smile.
"Mr. Tonpa, the juice is delicious—but don't drink it next time, hahaha!"
Tonpa: "…You!"
Kisho raised a finger and pointed toward the restroom at the back of the train.
"Mr. Tonpa, shouldn't you go grab a spot first? I see people heading that way already!"
Tonpa suddenly stood up, threw down a "Just you wait!" and rushed toward the restroom in a flustered panic.
Kisho burst into undisguised schadenfreude laughter.
Amos's lips curved slightly.
"Did you notice something off about him from the start?"
"Yeah." Kisho nodded, then shrugged.
"It was just a vague feeling. Anyway, neither can had been drunk from. Swapping them wouldn't hurt."
"Well…" Amos muttered. "You're pretty smart at times like this."
But when it comes to things where you really need to be smart, you act like nothing's wrong.
Of course, Amos only dared to complain about that in his heart.
He subtly withdrew his gaze from Chrollo.