[Hunter X Hunter] How Is My Favorite Blonde Beauty a Man?

When the wild girl Duolin came down from the mountains at sixteen to take the Hunter License exam, she nearly failed because she didn't know how to buy a ticket.

Luckily, at the last moment, a blonde "beauty" named "Kurapika" came to her aid, and she made it onto the boat heading to the exam site.

Duolin secretly vowed: I'm going to become Kurapika's very best friend!

To repay this kindness, she became Kurapika's famously devoted little sidekick.

When Kurapika became a bodyguard for the Nostrade family, Duolin went and applied to be a maid.

Neon: You're so attached to Kurapika. Do you like him?

Duolin declared righteously: No, I only want to look after my big sister!

When Kurapika fought the Phantom Troupe to the death, Duolin went along to take a knife for him and bury the bodies.

Chrollo: Did his pretty face fool you too?

Duolin answered firmly: No, I willingly follow my big sister as a kindred spirit, drawn to her pure heart. A bad guy like you could never understand the bond between us!

"Friends?"

Chrollo smiled at her. "You wouldn't go this far for someone if you were only friends."

Duolin didn't understand. She left his words behind and continued to go at her own pace alongside Kurapika.

Until one day, Kurapika claimed he didn't have long to live and said they had to cut ties.

Duolin broke down on the spot, bursting into tears as she clung to his leg and wailed: Big sister, don't leave me! So what if you're sick? We'll get you treated. I want us to be together for life!

Deeply touched but still feeling that something was off, Kurapika replied: Well, I don't want to leave Duolin either. But what do you mean by big sister...?

-

Duolin grew up in the mountains. Her master hated men so much that there were hardly any males in the environment she lived in, not even animals.

Before she left the mountain, her master drilled it into her over and over: Men stink, men are ugly, men are cruel! They carry deadly viruses, and any intimate contact will kill you. Stay away from men. Staying alive comes first!

Kurapika, fragrant, beautiful, and gentle: "Then, will you entrust your life to me?"

Duolin, forgetting everything in a second: "I will!"

*

The main story is told in first person, though it occasionally switches to third person for the writing style and plot progression.

There are some original additions, a lot of them. The original plot and setting mostly mix the old TV version with the manga.

Neon won't die, and the Phantom Troupe will be wiped out. Read with caution if that's not your thing.

An experimental return to writing. I'll do my best to update daily.

Theme: The appeal of a beautiful, strong, tragic blonde is that even an exceptionally oblivious puppy girl can be charmed into grinning like a fool.