Settling In.

Chapter 7: Settling In

The sun dipped below the horizon as Reinhart and Gon made their way back from the river, the warm light casting long shadows on the path ahead. Reinhart's thoughts raced, still trying to process everything. It was undeniable now—this was the world of Hunter x Hunter, and the boy next to him was none other than Gon Freecss, the same age as him and destined to become a prodigious Hunter.

While Reinhart had two years to prepare for the adventures ahead, more immediate concerns weighed on him: where he would stay, how he could train without attracting attention, and—perhaps most confusingly—why the system had been so quiet since his arrival.

Gon walked a little ahead, his energy never seeming to dip, even after an active day. He turned to Reinhart, flashing him a smile. "You're gonna love it here! Aunt Mito's cooking is the best, and Grandma always has the best stories. Plus, there's plenty of space to run around and explore. They'll let you stay with us, no problem!"

Reinhart nodded absently, still lost in thought. Staying with Gon's family seemed like the obvious solution. He had no memories of his past in this world, no connections, and no one was looking for him. Yet, the thought of relying on others again, after everything he'd been through in his past life, gnawed at him.

But there wasn't much choice, was there?

"I don't really have anywhere else to go," Reinhart admitted quietly, glancing at Gon. "I don't remember much before today."

Gon's smile softened, his carefree demeanor shifting to one of concern. "It's okay, Reinhart. You can stay as long as you need to. Aunt Mito's super nice—she's helped me with everything since forever. Don't worry, she'll make sure you're okay."

They continued walking, the village coming into view as the smell of cooking fires filled the air. The sight of the modest houses, the laughter of children playing in the distance, and the calm of the place made Reinhart feel a strange mix of comfort and unease. It was peaceful, far removed from the life he had before.

As they approached Gon's home, Reinhart's heart began to race for reasons he couldn't quite explain. A woman stood on the porch, wiping her hands on an apron. Her expression was warm, but there was something about the way she carried herself that reminded Reinhart of his mother—before she turned harsh. His stomach twisted in that old, familiar way.

"There you are, Gon!" Mito called out, her voice gentle but firm. "I was starting to worry."

Gon bounded ahead, pulling Reinhart by the arm. "Aunt Mito! This is Reinhart. He doesn't have anywhere to go, so I thought he could stay with us. Is that okay?"

Mito's eyes settled on Reinhart, and though her expression was kind, Reinhart felt a strange pang of fear, almost instinctive. His chest tightened as she stepped closer.

"Of course, he can stay," she said gently. "Any friend of Gon's is welcome here. It's no trouble at all." Then, her gaze shifted to Reinhart, and her smile faltered slightly. "But... do you really have nowhere to go? No family?"

Reinhart swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "No... I don't have anyone."

Mito frowned, her eyes soft with concern. She knelt slightly to look him in the eye, and though her voice remained gentle, there was something commanding about her presence that made Reinhart feel small. "Are you sure, Reinhart? No family? No place to return to?"

The question struck something deep within Reinhart, and he found himself flinching, his heart racing. He didn't want to think about the past—not here, not with her looking at him like that. His past life was supposed to be over, and the memories of his mother were ones he'd rather leave behind.

"No," he said quietly, his voice tight. "There's no one."

Mito's face softened again, and she reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. You're safe here, alright? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Let's get you settled in."

Reinhart managed a stiff nod, feeling both grateful and unnerved by her kindness. The subtle tension between his gratitude and the unease gnawing at him made his heart pound. It was irrational, but something about her concern reminded him too much of his mother's gaze before things had gone wrong.

They entered the house, and Reinhart was hit by the warmth of the cozy interior. The scent of food and the crackle of the fire brought a strange comfort, yet that unease remained, like a shadow just out of sight.

At the table, an elderly woman—Gon's grandmother—sat, smiling at the newcomers. "Oh, and who is this? A new friend, Gon?"

"Yes, Grandma! This is Reinhart. He's going to stay with us for a while," Gon explained excitedly.

The old woman nodded, her gaze kind but sharp, as if seeing something deeper in Reinhart. "Welcome, dear. It's always good to have company. You're in good hands with Mito."

Dinner passed in a blur for Reinhart. He ate mechanically, his mind elsewhere, running over everything he needed to figure out: the system, his training, the two-year window he had to prepare. But for now, the quiet was comforting, and he listened as Gon told his grandmother about their day.

After dinner, Mito showed Reinhart to a small guest room. "It's not much, but you'll be comfortable here," she said. "If you need anything, just let me know."

Reinhart nodded again, thanking her quietly before she left him alone.

Sitting on the bed, Reinhart felt the weight of the day pressing on him. He had barely adjusted to this new world, and already he was living with people he barely knew. He closed his eyes, trying to focus.

"System," he whispered.

For a moment, there was nothing. Then, a faint flicker of light in his mind.

"System online. Welcome back, User."

Relief surged through him. He hadn't lost it.

"Show me my status," he commanded, wanting to understand where he stood now.

A screen appeared before his mind's eye:

---

Name: Reinhart

Age: 10

Level: 1

HP: 100/100

Strength: 12

Agility: 14

Intelligence: 10

Endurance: 11

Nen (Locked)

Skills:

Basic Survival (Passive)

Fishing (Basic)

Stealth (Basic)

---

Reinhart blinked, his initial reaction one of surprise rather than disappointment. His stats were better than they had been on Earth. He felt stronger, faster—better prepared. But he wasn't close to what he needed to be.

"Assign two points to Agility," he muttered, realizing how important speed would be. The system complied, and he felt the subtle shift in his body.

The challenge now was to train, grow stronger, and develop without raising suspicion—especially from Mito. There was something about her that made Reinhart wary, though he couldn't quite place it. He would have to train carefully, in secret, so no one would notice his progress, especially the kind but stern woman who had so quickly taken him in.

Tomorrow, the real work would begin.