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It’s inevitable how you fell for one of the most dangerous troupes with Class-A Bounties on their head — let alone the enthusiastic manipulator of the group. The typical outgoing character pulling their apathetic lover out of their comfort zone to experience what she had been missing out on, even reached the point of comparing you and Feitan as long-lost siblings based on your personality.
This wasn’t your life before. You were only a bodyguard protecting Neon as instructed by your boss, serving under the Nostrade family longer than the others. How is it that a mere bodyguard shifted their ways to become a member of the Phantom Troupe, you ask?
Maybe curiosity.
Staying in the Nostrade family has made you feel like a babysitter taking care of a teenage daughter on her rebellious stage of puberty. It made you feel superior towards them. You knew you wouldn’t grow into this lifestyle forever, but you didn’t know how to find another job as drastic and expensive as this.
Not until the biggest auction in York New City came into view.
You were only there because Neon wanted to add another treasure to her collection — completely unaware of the Phantom Troupe’s presence as you kept an eye out in the front entrance with Kurapika and Melody. You moved faster than both of them, already wrapping your nen thread on one of the culprits. You were lucky to find another use of your nen other than manipulating one’s emotions.
Though, you were unlucky that they had seen through your string, immediately pulling it as they dragged you to them. This was your end, you thought — already accepting your fate. As any bodyguard should with loyalty to their boss, you were prepared to die and withhold information regarding the family you are serving.
However, you were only shocked to see them sparing you — even going through lengths of making you join the Phantom Troupe.
“You seem bored, why don’t you join us?”
Those words caught you off guard. Join the Phantom Troupe? Are they crazy? Despite being completely unaware of your background? It took you quite a while to gain the trust of Light Nostrade, yet these criminals did it in a heartbeat. It almost makes you want to laugh at the irony.
That was the start of your new profession — from being a bodyguard of a teenage daughter to a Class-A criminal that has billions of jenny in their bounty.
Though, you weren’t close with the members that much. Ever since replacing Uvogin, they started feeling wary of your presence — all criminals do whenever they cross paths. However, you were a different story.
You refuse to show any emotions, even smiling has proven difficult as your members observed. It was similar to staring at Feitan with longer hair and a bit taller, which made him irked.
You then explained to Chrollo — and to the other members as they are all nosy — your ability to tie ultra-thin threads to victims based on their emotional resonance. The ability to comprehend one’s feelings and making them act impulsively on your command has been your strategy to confuse your enemies into manipulating their thoughts since day one.
“Could you demonstrate?” Chrollo asked.
“Of course,” You replied as you glanced at all the Troupe members, trying to pick your victim.
Phinks caught your eye, immediately stepping towards him while keeping eye contact which made him shift in his place.
“What, you looking for a fight?” He retorted.
This made you chuckle, still maintaining eye contact, “Why, are you afraid?’
That did it. Phinks grabbed your collar in a fit of anger before slamming you against a concrete wall. It was obvious you ticked him off easily, making him a perfect candidate to feature your ability.
“You’re angry, aren’t you? Frustrated that you’re being looked down on? Why not let Feitan experience your anger?”
His eyes widened with fear as he slowly released you, turning around to Feitan ready to destroy his guts.
You turned to Chrollo with a finger up in the air, “Heartstring Script. I’m a manipulator who can make these nen threads control my victim. Some mistook me as a conjurer because of my strings, though.”
Everyone caught up as they all started using Gyo to see your thin string beaming with aura attached to Phinks as he’s still busy catching up to Feitan. He doesn’t even look like a zombie under your command unlike other manipulators.
“Can you stop before I kill him?” Feitan stressed whilst avoiding Phinks’s futile attacks.
“However,” you said as you ignored the male, “I need to know the victim’s dominant emotion or consequences happen. I’m unable to fake my emotions either, hence why I’m like this.”
“What are the consequences?” Machi asked.
You only shrugged in response, “Don’t remember. Haven’t been wrong yet, I think.”
This made the members stare as you released the thread, making Phinks snap out of his angry state.
“Well, isn’t that interesting?” Nobunaga said, “Don’t you think, boss?”
Everyone stared at Chrollo, waiting for his reaction. He only gave you a small nod with a somewhat reassuring smile — signifying his satisfaction with your ability. You only gave them a bow with Phinks clearly agitated for being the test subject.
Unbeknownst to you, a particular member was already eye-ing you from the start.
The Troupe started inviting you to missions, trying to test your ability and physical endurance against enemies. You dismissed it — hell, it was better than your bodyguard job. You can do whatever you wanted without any restrictions unless it is under Chrollo’s command, which you didn’t mind most of the time.
As time goes on, you have developed some sort of connection with the Troupe’s manipulator — Shalnark.
He seems to be the only one who gets along with everyone the best. It didn’t take too long for him to approach you also with a smile on his face. It made you feel like he had other plans with you as he kept having small conversations with you, but Machi reassured you that it was in his nature to act like that to his co-member.
Despite that, you felt different with him — different in a way that if anyone outside of work talks to him, they would be killed seconds after. Was that too much? Of course not. You’re a criminal now. The Phantom Troupe is known for stealing and killing their victims. Fortunately, Chrollo granted you permission to erase everyone who you think is a hindrance to your missions.
Is it jealousy? You don’t know. Even the Troupe noticed how you act when Shalnark is around despite your nonchalant personality.
“You’re acting like he’s gonna die,” said Phinks.
You were traveling to your next mission alongside Phinks, Feitan, Shizuku, and Shalnark. You glanced at him for a moment before turning your gaze back on the path, “Test subjects are incapable of constructing opinions.”
Phinks simply clicked his tongue at your remark, not minding to talk to you any further.
“...I only wish for his safety is all,” you replied after a while, gazing at the blonde in front conversing with Feitan.
“Everyone,” Shalnark called out, “Want to see who kills their boss first?”
You stopped in your tracks, staying behind Shizuku as you looked around to see if any of them will agree with Shalnark’s idea.
“I’ll pass,” Phinks replied.
“He’s scared he’s gonna lose,” Shalnark taunted, causing an irk to form on Phinks’s forehead.
“Such a loser,” Feitan added with a mocking expression.
“Oh, yeah? Let’s see who’s the loser when I get a head start!” Phinks exclaimed, rushing inside the enemy’s building.
“Enhancers, am I right?” Shalnark chuckled, turning to you as the others followed behind.
That turned you on. The way he also knows how to make others do his job. Coming from a manipulator, it was impressive.
You were staring in awe that you overlooked an enemy sneaking up on you. Shalnark vanished from your vision, appearing beside you as he injected his antenna to the enemy.
“Careful there, don’t want our new member to die on us,” Shalnark said with a closed-eye smile.
He’s definitely your type.
You gave him a small bow as a thank you. As much as you would like to show how appreciative you are, you couldn’t. Shalnark then pulled out his phone to control his pawn as you went on ahead with Shizuku.
“Impressing your crush?” Feitan commented.
Shalnark only gave him a chuckle, “Something like that.”
As you proceeded further inside, you could already hear Phinks causing an uproar in the next room. You stopped in your tracks, feeling a certain presence from behind.
Shizuku noticed, “Aren’t you coming?”
You shook your head, “In a minute.”
Shizuku nodded as the others continued forward. You let out a sigh at the enemy’s attempt of ambushing — didn’t even bother to conceal their presence. Strings were already wrapped around their body before they can even jump forward.
“Is this fear I’m sensing?” You casually said, pulling them towards you.
Two fell down with a thud as you wrapped your thread tighter, almost enough to slice them open.
“Next time,” You walked towards them, “I’d rather you consider your choices before trying to attack my beloved.”
You pulled out your gun, “If… there even is a next time.”
The silence broke with gunshots firing over and over, leaving bullet holes in the bodies of the already dead enemies.
“Your beloved, huh?” A voice echoed in the room, “I like the sound of that!”
Shalnark said as he let out a laugh. You were distracted that you were unaware of his presence behind you.
“Oh, Shalnark.” You turned around to face him, “You weren’t supposed to witness that.”
“Despite your feelings coming out, you’re still collected, huh?” He spoke.
You only tilted your head, not knowing where he was going with this. Your thoughts were cut off when he stepped towards you, grabbing your arm where your threads were still connected to the enemies, “I wonder what would happen if you can manipulate me.”
You lowered your head, “That would be impossible as I would fail to determine your emotions.”
Shalnark simply chuckled at your reply, “Still oblivious.”
He grabbed his phone as he controlled the enemy from before into shooting the man behind you.
“I could have handled that,” You commented, staring at the corpse behind you.
“Wouldn’t want ‘my beloved’ to tire her hands out,” Shalnark expressed with a wink.
You only stood there stunned, not even knowing how to react.
“Told ya I’d win,” Phinks said in the other room.
It seems like they finished the mission. As much as you would want to reunite with your members, Shalnark was still standing in front of you.
My beloved.
He chose the worst possible timing to enter the room.
Turning your gaze slightly, you let out a sigh, “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“You started it,” He replied, still keeping his signature smile before continuing, “You’re hard to read… but not impossible.”
You gave him a confused look, “You’re saying that as if you’re attempting to read my emotions.”
“Maybe I am,” Shalnark laughed as he hid his phone and took his antenna from the corpse.
A brief silence settled between you — heavy, but not uncomfortable. His gaze lingered longer than necessary, curious, almost knowing, while your threads stirred faintly at your fingertips before going still again.
“…You’re persistent,” You muttered.
“And you’re not stopping me,” He replied lightly.
That alone said enough.
No words were needed to say there was something between you two. You’re criminals — you don’t need labels when you’re living on borrowed time. However, by all means, you still want to stay by his side whether you would be accomplices or bandits living in an uncertain world.