Days Before the Training Arc

Shoyo explained the curriculum and everything they needed to know about the Hunter Training Academy before taking his leave. Since Erika's getting in through his recommendation, they have no tuition fees to pay. Emily still isn't completely sure about her decision. She worries if she'll end up regretting it, but...

"You were so against me leaving, mom. I'm surprised you changed your mind so quickly."

"You know, I also thought about becoming a Hunter?"

"What, for real?!"

"Huff, yeah. I knew I would never do it though."

"Does it have anything to do with my father?"

"Yes. In the end, it was no more than a silly fantasy. After seeing each other for over half a year, I thought, 'Would we be more than just lovers if I also became a comrade by his side? Someone he could leave his back to.' I thought a special kind of relationship would evolve from that. But not too long after, he left. Mr. Kusakabe gave me the little push that I needed to have trust in your father again. That wouldn't have happened if you didn't suddenly want to become a Hunter, so I have you to thank as well. That's why I'm allowing you to do this, with the 2-year condition of course."

"You're the best, I love you, mom!"

She throws herself into Emily, embracing her with a hug.

"Now then, I'm eager to talk about your love story, but I'm sure you're hungry."

"Don't worry, I'll go out to get something to eat real quick! I don't have much of an appetite so I'll stop by the convenience store."

"It's late, you need to be careful."

"I know."

"I'll give you some pepper spray."

"Hehe, thanks."

***

Chifuyu's Pov

My school should've already received the news that I won't be attending there anymore, but I still stopped by to say my farewells to my teachers, friends, and my basketball team.

For some reason, Mike didn't like it when I told them I'd be training to become a Hunter. I guess he did just tell me he'd be doing the same, he must think I'm trying to one-up him or something. My teammates and coach decided to throw a party for me at the gym. We had pizza, donuts, soda, and played basketball for a few hours completely exhausting ourselves. I promised to keep in touch and left after we partied for several hours. We had to get permission to stay on campus after hours.

Ariel kept on bugging me about saving a donut for her so I did.

I stop at a park and make sure nobody's around before telling Ariel the coast is clear. She gracefully emerges from my shadow, same as she did in the courtroom and at my house. Ariel closes one eye and sticks one hand out as she thrusts her hips to the side holding it with her other hand.

"Hm."

She gestures her hand twice prompting me to give her the donut.

"Hope you like it."

"If it's not to my liking, I shall eradicate the human race."

"What?"

"Haha, I merely jest!"

"Haha."

?

'Chomp'

The fateful bite, what is in store for humanity? Will we live, will we die? That remains to be seen. Tonight, this loli vampire will either grace us with her benevolence or destroy us with her wrath.

"Master."

"Yes?"

For some reason, I stood at attention. Why am I afraid of someone calling me master?

"This donut..."

This donut?

"...IS THE TASTIEST SHIT EVER!!"

"LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO"

Ariel has a potty mouth.

"Go where?"

"Oh, uh... It's a saying, like, you say it when something good happens."

"I see. I'm interested in learning how you humans talk now. But that's not important at the moment, this donut is... revolutionary!"

"They're pretty good."

"Master! How could you?! They're more than just some satisfactory form of sustenance, these should be hailed as a form of higher being!"

"You're saying... we should make a religion out of them?"

"Correct!"

"I only have a couple like every few years."

"Blasphemy! I'm sure if you have enough, you'll see how foolish you've been."

"You've literally only had one bite."

"I'll finish it now. When I eat human food, I always devour it in a bite or two. But this first donut of mine shall be savored."

We sat at the park for over 5 hours as Ariel took her time eating the donut. After each minuscule bite, she would relish in the donut's overpowering tastiness. I fell asleep after 3 hours.

After taking her sweet time, she woke me up with a face of victory. I looked at her with my baggy half-open eyes and asked how many bites did it take her to finish it. The answer was 87.

This fateful day that had the fate of humanity riding on the line would be known as The Bite of 87 for generations to come.

The next day, I got 2 dozen donuts with an array of flavors and ate them all. Ariel showed me the light.

She saved me twice.

Glory to whoever made donuts.

***

I spent some quality time with my parents as well as Ariel who they accepted as family. I was only going to stay a few days, but that turned into a week. Plus another week of helping pack up everything so they could move to District 5. I'll be staying there as well with Shoyo at one of his houses. (He's rich)

The plan is to finish my high school education on top of receiving training to become a hunter by the time I'd be graduating, so in 2 years.

Erika and Dakota's parents allowed them to transfer to the Hunter Training Academy. We'll all be busy and it might be a while until we see each other. I'm leaving for District 5 tomorrow, so we went to an amusement park and had a blast. Some kid who was behind us on a roller coaster threw up on Dakota though. Yep, definitely a blast.

"Thanks for inviting us, Chifuyu."

"Don't thank me, this is the night before I leave. Of course I wanted to hang out with you guys."

"I'm kinda regretting coming here. You think I could sue that kid's mom for assault? Cuz I was definitely attacked!"

"It was an accident. They apologized, didn't they?"

"An apology isn't enough, I need to be compensated for having my night ruined. I couldn't get myself to eat anything after that!"

"Stop crying, you were just gonna get the same overpriced hot dogs."

"Hehe."

"Like you're one to talk, you always get churros!"

"They're better, and I get my money's worth."

"That's it. Hop on when we get back home, I need to beat you in a game to feel better."

"One: I wouldn't lose to you. Two: I don't have time, I have to get up early."

"Sounds like excuses to me."

"Whatever."

"Come on you two."

"Pff."

"Hmph."

"Haha."

"Hahahaha."

"Hahaha."

We all laughed.

After leaving the amusement park, nobody said anything as we walked back home. Eventually, we got to a street where we'd have to part ways.

"Don't leave us behind, Chifuyu."

"I'll try not to," I said with a smirk.

"This'll be the start of my popular phase."

"Sure."

"Hehe. I'll work my butt off, and make sure Dakota does the same. So don't worry about us."

"Thanks guys, for coming with me down this path."

"We're friends, aren't we?"

"I don't think just friends would go this far..."

"Best friends!"

"Eh..."

"The bestest friends ever!"

"Maybe."

"Dakota, Erika. Let's make a promise."

This isn't a death flag.

"Let's not contact each other until we finish our training. To serve as motivation for the next time we meet. Our promise is to become strong."

"Bro thinks he's a shonen main character."

"Sounds fine to me, Chifuyu."

"Alright, let's put our hands together."

"Ready when you are."

"Sigh."

"We promise..."

"To become strong!" All 3 of us said in unison.

"That was corny."

"Okay, let's leave before Dakota ruins it."

These surprisingly harsh words were spoken by Erika.

We turned around and waved each other off, we're setting off on a new journey.

"We'll see each other in 2 years, at Sabaody."

To be continued