If there was an award for “most cursed existence,” you were certain you’d win by a landslide. Seriously, who else wakes up in a chimney? You couldn’t even begin to understand how you ended up in this claustrophobic, dusty trap.

The soot clung to your skin, and you’d been sneezing non-stop. Every time you tried to wiggle free, you just managed to wedge yourself further in. You were cold, miserable, and growing more annoyed by the second. Just as you were about to scream out your frustration, you heard it—a laugh. Not just any laugh. An infuriating, smug laugh. You craned your neck in what was probably the most painful angle imaginable and squinted up to see… Killua Zoldyck. Of all the people to witness your humiliation, it had to be him.

“Hey,” he said, his smirk so wide it was practically illegal. “Why are you chilling in a chimney?”

You glared at him, deadpan. “Because I felt like it. Thought I’d test out my new hobby.”

That only made him laugh harder, which annoyed you to no end. His silver hair shook as he doubled over, the sound echoing mockingly in your ears.

“Wow,” he finally said, wiping a tear from his eye. “You’re even funnier than you look.”

Before you could retort, he leapt up to the edge of the chimney with an ease that made you irrationally jealous. One quick yank later, you were out of the dusty prison and into the fresh air—though now you were covered in soot and probably looked like a disgruntled chimney sweep.

You brushed yourself off, muttering curses under your breath. “I guess I owe you a thank you—”

But before you could finish, he slung you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

He didn’t even blink.“You’re funny, so I’m keeping you around. You’re coming with me to the Hunter Exam.” You protest but he cuts you off.

"You're mine now” he said, his tone far too casual. You begrudgingly accept his 'invitation'

As you dangled helplessly over his shoulder, you couldn’t help but wonder: Why did the universe take such joy in your suffering?