I'm woken up by being gently shaken.

"Ngh..." I groan as I look up to see Sara. "Wake up." I sit up and rub my eyes. "Do I look like shit? My makeup is probably very smeared..." Sara thinks about how to answer that. "...You do have racoon eye." I groan again. "Shit..." Keiji speaks up. "Reko told me she found a makeup bag in her closet when we searched all the rooms. Maybe you have one too?" Well that's surprising. "That would be so fucking good to have." I walk over to the closet and, surprise, surprise, there's a makeup bag. I take it out and check it.

It has all the makeup items I use at home along with the same makeup wipes...

"Creepy shit... I use all this stuff... The only thing I don't recognize is this pocket mirror." I say and show them the plain, silver pocket mirror. "Alright, well, after you're done with that, you two want to show your faces to everyone? They're worried, so..." Keiji shrugs. Sara nods "...Yes." I sit down on the bed and start removing my smeared makeup. "Same. I won't take long, don't worry."

After I'm all done we head outside the room.

[Memory Level ... 20]

(A/n: (F/n)'s Memory Level shows her memory and closeness to the deceased characters.

The more she remembers her friends and lets her grief out, the better her mental health state is.

This also affects her dreams every night with whether they're happy or filled with despair.

Instead of avoiding thinking about Joe, the mc SHOULD remember both him and Kai.

That's the only difference ^^)

As soon as we enter the large, bright living space with lots of greenery, I noticed the people there.

Reko, Nao and Gin.

A singing voiced echoed through the room.

That's Reko's voice...

"What a pretty voice she has..." I try to make a positive comment and Sara nods in agreement.

"Entranced by it, (F/n) (L/n)?"

I jump and turn around along with Keiji and Sara. It was Alice who suddenly spoke up. He glances between Sara and I. "Hmph... You both look awful." I roll my eyes. "Thanks... Really needed that Alice." Keiji tilts his head. "Why're you listening in from the wall? Isn't she your sister?" Alice looks flabbergasted by the mention of his relation to Reko alone. "How annoying! We're strangers now, I tell you!!"

Yeah we could have guessed that from what you said during the Main Game.

Alice sighs. "Reko...is surely singing with pure feelings out of grief for the dead. I don't care to introduce unnecessary distraction with my presence." Keiji gets a small amused smirk on his face. "Pretty conscientious for your sister, eh?" Alice glares at him. "...Always the provocative one, aren't you." I snort at the exchange. "Touche."

There's a moment of silence.

Alice's face turns more relaxed, yet still serious. "...You all... What do you...think of Reko?" Both Sara and I make confused noises before I speak up. "Well...uhh... I mean, I like her. I think that she's really nice and caring. She has her moments when she's kinda mean and a tad bit bossy on the guys but overall, I consider her a friend." Sara nods to say she feels the same.

I wonder where that came from?

Alice smirks. "Mwahaha... I see." Keiji sighs. "I'd say that she's got no mercy for men, such as Mr. Policeman here." I turn to look at him with wide eyes. "Keiji! You're talking about his sister right now!!" I scold him. He just shrugs as if to say 'Doesn't make it any less true, kid.' Sara cuts in. "Kind to the weak, harsh on the strong... That's the impression I get."

Sara the peace maker strikes again.

Alice looks in Reko's direction and smiles sadly. "...She was different before." Sara tilts her head. "Before...? Was she kind to everyone?" Alice's smile disappears and he looks straight at Sara. "...No, the opposite. Since Reko's birth, she's brimmed with vitality, and had talents in music and charming others. She was harsh even on herself... But especially harsh on those who didn't act, without regard for whether they were weak. She's undergone a startling change." Keiji speaks up. "Due to your murder case, I take it...?" Alice looks shocked for a moment before his standard shit-eating grin reappears. "Mwahaha... Exactly right..."

Damn... I can't tell whether to be happy about that or sad. I mean, she changed for the better but it was because her brother was sent to prison...

This is REALLY messy.

Alice coughs. "...Sorry to make you three hear these trifles." I shake my head. "It's okay Al-"

"Sara!! (F/n)!!"

Reko runs up to us and hugs us. "You both came to!!" Nao also gets over and joins the hug. "Guys...!!" Then there's pitter patter of small feet and both of the girls let a certain cat-dog boy glomp us before joining the hug again. "Big sisteeeeeeers!!"

I have to steady myself from the sudden force before bursting out into giggles. "Hey guys...!" Reko gives us a smile. "You two okay?" Nao starts to tear up. "Y...You guys can't push yourselves, okay...!?" Sara manages a genuine smile and pats Gin on the head. "I...I'm fine. Just...a little exhausted."

I doubt it but I won't say anything.

"I'm okay... Still very much grieving, but just give me time and I'll be fine." I assure them. Gin looks up at the both of us. "I'm glad you're both awake, meow..."

It's so nice and warm...

Everyone must be exhausted, body and soul...

But their kindness...is very comforting and helping to lift my spirits.

I hope it's the same for Sara. I really do.

Both Alice and Keiji watch our little reunion from behind us. Reko stares firmly at Alice. "...The hell you lookin' at?" Her brother takes a step back and looks at his feet. "E-Er, sorry..." With that he walks away, probably to avoid any more uncomfortable moments with his sister.

Poor Alice...

Reko turns back to us with a smile as the group hug ends. "So, you guys know the sitch?" Sara turns serious again. "What happened while we slept?" Reko sighs. "Other than being brought to Floor 3... Nothin' yet." Nao rubs her wrist. "We were feeling at a loss too, so all we could do was rest as instructed..." Gin hugs Mew-Chan closer. "But that bad doll girl's nowhere to be found, woof. Should we look for her, meow?" I shake my head. "I don't think that's a good or safe idea, sweetie..." Sara nods. "We should check if this place is safe first. Some trap might already be set into motion..."

Damn she's back to her calculating mode so quickly... I guess she's the type that tries to be productive while grieving.

As if he read my mind, Keiji speaks up. "...Sheesh, I was about to say don't overdo it. But you're getting serious quick, Sara. Alright, sitting around's not my style either. Let's take caution exploring the area."

With that we all head in a random direction that leads us to a ruined corridor. Q-taro is there kneeling by a hole in the wall. Once he hears our footsteps he looks at us and notices both Sara and I. He grins and stands up. "Sara! (F/n)! Ya both okay now!?" Sara and I smile but only I speak up. "I guess we're pretty okay... As good as it gets anyway." I shrug. Q-taro gives us a thumbs up. "Thank goodness... I knew you guys was tough, but... Y'never know, y'know..." Sara frowns and looks down. "I'm...not strong at all..."

Oh hell no.

"Sara don't say that shit!" I hug her gently. "You're one of the strongest people I know!" Q-taro frowns as well. "You guys really suffered... Sayin' not to sweat it after that's just insensitive. But lemme say this! You've done nothin' wrong!! Miley's just a true piece'a crap doll! Don't you ever blame yourselves!!" I smile. "Thanks Q-taro. We appreciate you saying that a lot." Sara nods beside me. Q-taro hides half of his face with his hat and hunches over "No need fer thanks... I couldn't do nothin'. So Kai...his dying wish... I wanna see it through...!!"

His eyes suddenly have such determination in them that it amazes me. I hope I'll be able to move on soon and get to figuring out how to escape this fucking death game finally.

Even Keiji seems surprised. "Q-taro..." He doesn't say anything more than that and the redhead speaks up. "I'm goin' back to searchin'. Wanna find clues, whether it's about an exit or about the kidnappers." Sara nods. "We'll...do our best too." With that I pull away from Sara and Q-taro walks off in another section of the hall to look for clues. Gin watches him for a second. "...That gorilla's...actually a good guy, meow." I pat his shoulder. "Guess so, huh... I hope he'll give us more reasons to believe that in the future."

We head back to the Lobby and follow a sign that says "Relaxation Room". We find it to be a regular sitting area with a door that leads to a patch of what looks like the outside. Alice is sitting in one of the chairs. Reko and him make eye contact before she turns to us and points in a random direction. "Ahh... I'm gonna look over there. Come tell me when you guys wanna go elsewhere."

Jeez... I hope they're relationship mends a bit before we get out of this place. I at least hope they'll be able to tolerate each other and be able to work together by the end.

As Sara and I stare after Reko, Alice's voice snaps us to attention. "You, Sara Chidouin. There's a courtyard here... Don't you think it odd?" She rubs her chin. "Maybe it leads outside? He smirks. "Hmph... Of course it wouldn't. It's only the appearance of a courtyard." I sigh. "Bummer. Can't say I didn't see that coming though." Alice turns to look out the window with a slight glare. "A fake sky...a fake feeling of freedom... This place is no different from a prison."

Well I guess he would know.

Keiji steps up to the table. "Can we talk for a sec, Alice?" The prisoner narrows his eyes at him. "I refuse... If you have buisness with me, come when I'm alone, Keiji Shinogi." The blond picks under his colar. "Right then."

Hmm... I wonder if this is about the whole Sou being murdered shtick?

We walk back into the lobby and I see Nao whisper something to Sara from the corner of my eye before we head over to the Monitor Room. Turns out that the name was very fitting. I also notice Kanna standing by another doorway. "Whoa... Loads of monitors." Keiji mutters to himself. Reko scratches her head as she sizes the place up. "Almost like...some kinda security room, ain't it?"

Bzzz...

"Huh? Hey is something buzzing for you guys too?" I ask. Sara nods. "Yeah... Maybe it's one of the monitors?" I shrug. "Worth checking out." With that I took the left monitors and Sara looked to the right.

After pressing my ear up to the third monitor I hear Sara say "I think I found it!" I turn to her. "Really?" After I walk up to said monitor we stare at it for a while until it finally fully sparks to life.

...Huh...?

"My, my... What is this all of a sudden?"

The man on the monitor... But HOW...!?

"Mishima!?"

After my outburst I immiedietly look at Nao. She looks like a deer caught in headlights. "...Professor Mishima...?" She mutters.

"Ohh! Why, if it isn't miss Nao!"

Nao runs up to the screen. "It's not...a video...? You're talking? To me...?" She looks completely bewildered,she's definetly not alone though!

"Yes, I am looking into your eyes and talking with you, miss Nao."

Nao puts a hand to her chest. "T...T...This is...unthinkable..."

Yeah! It should be impossible because...Mishima is dead... So how on Earth...?

"Are the people behind you your friends? It's nice to meet you. My name is Mishima."

Keiji tilts his head. "Nice to meet us...?" I put a hand on my forehead as I take a step forward.

Hold the fucking phone! So, we now have some sort of Mishima simulation here?? It's obviously not the real guy because 1) the real Mishima died and 2) this simulation doesn't remember us.

Why is this even here??

"I am Kazumi Mishima... I teach Japanese and art to high school students."

I notice Sara step forward with a flabbergasted expression. "Is this a video call...?" She asks. I resist the urge to facepalm at the deduction.

"A video call? What could you mean...? Something is odd here... Hmm..."

The Mishima simulation stays quiet for a moment.

"Ahh... I see now. I'm... I've remembered. I am an AI program of Kazumi Mishima. An artificial intelligence."

"Yeah, I infered so much myself!" I say as I hold my forehead in confusion. Reko grips onto her hair. "...An artificial intelligence...!?"

"Precisely. I am a replica made from copies of Kazumi Mishima's memories and emotions. Everyone, I suppose you met with the real Kazumi Mishima?"

Keiji checks behind the monitor. "On the back of this monitor... The'res a photo of Mishima's face. If that's the truth... Are all of these AI's of different people...?"

Wait... Would that mean that there is an AI of me here too??

"Mwahaha... What a strange sensation. I would love to meet and speak with myself...!"

I wince and rub my arm. "Um... About that..." Gin speaks up to finish for me. "The old guy's...gone, woof..."

"...What did you say?"

Nao stiffles as she tries to brush away her fresh tears. "Ahh... The way you talk...everything... It's the professor... Like the professor is actually here..." Reko hugs her from behind. "Nao..."

Suddenly before I can even react, Sara runs for the monitors.

"Big sis Sara! What's the matter, meow?" Gin yelps. I jog up to her. "Hey Sara, what the heck? What are you doing!?" I try to grab her shoulder but she brushes me off as she starts checking the backs of the monitors in a frenzy.

It took me a slight moment to figure out she was looking for a Joe AI...

Yikes...

I see Kanna start checking too. "Sister... Why aren't you here...? I...miss you too..." I get a realization moment. "Wait, is there a Kai-?" I cut myself off.

NO

NO WE ARE NOT DOING THIS!!

I can't get desperate like this! With how those two's searches are going, I can only assume that there isn't one of Kai.

Wait...but maybe-?

N O

I see Sara stop. She takes a deep breath but I swear I saw her glare at Nao for a split second before shaking her head.

Shit...

I walk up to her and spread my arms out to ask if she needs a hug. She glances at me before limply putting her head on my shoulder. I hug her as I look back at Nao. "Professor..."

"AaaUUUaaahhh!? What are you doing!?"

A woman with green hair appears on the rest of the monitors before I can even process it!

"Ah, ooh, ahh...! Who was it!? Who went and started up the Mishima AI...!?"

I back up. "W-who the fu-!?"

"I get it...! So then...Ranger...! It was you, wasn't it...!?"

"Hey, don't get mad! Everybody seems pretty pleased, don'tcha think?"

ANOTHER PERSON!?

Everyone turned around to get a look at 'Ranger'.

"Hey there! Ya bastards slept well?" The doll asks as it puts a black cardboard smile in front of its lips.

I step forward. "Let me adress the elephant in the room... WHOM THE FUCK ARE YOU!?" The doll cackles. "Hahaha! I like your attitude, ya bastard! As for me, I'm the Dressup Doll, Rio Ranger!" I sigh. "Oh great, another pun name. Just what we needed..."

This is so weird. It has the body of a girl and the voice of a guy, not to fucking mention that it- fuck it, HE'S wearing Joe's hairclip, Kai's apron and Mishima's tie!

Ranger puts a cardboard cat face to his lips. "I'm gonna support y'all on this floor! Best regaaards!" I roll my eyes. "Oh great." Keiji tilts his head. "Err... What about Miley...?" Ranger tilts his head. "Ehh? You prefer the ladies, do ya? Sheesh." He looks over at the girl on the screen. "C'mon over here, Safalin! For they have so humbly requested a girl!"

"Ah, oof, sniff... But I'm angry at you right now..."

Ranger rolls his eyes with his cardboard smile. "Yeesh, it's creepy when they all talk at once!"

"C...Creepy...!? You're awful! Boohoohoo..."

He groans. "Just joshin'! You're real cute, so move it already!"

Suddenly the woman from the screen runs into the monitor room with a wide smile on her face.

"D-Do you meeean it?"

...

Why does this girl look like a doctor, melon milkshake?

Ranger turns back around to us. "NOW." With a clap of his hands, the monitors, except for the Mishima AI, turn off. The 'Safalin' girl bows to us. "Good to meet you, everyoneee... I am the Vice Floor Master, the crying doll, Tia Safalin..."

I turn to Sara. "Am I dumb? Because I don't hear the pun..." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "Tia Safalin, tears are fallin'? That's what it is." My expression turns sour. "Oh that is messed up."

Q-taro fixes his cap. "What a calamity!!" Ranger 'smiles'. "Now this is perfect. Let's begin explaining the rules of Floor 3!" Nao takes a glace at him from her spot by the Mishima AI. "T-The rules of Floor 3...?" She echoes. Ranger nods and points to us. "Yep. You bastards are probably hyper on-edge after suspecting up a storm in the Main Game, right? And so! We thought of some wonderful festivities to let you reconcile before the next Main Game!"

I pull on my hair. "Say WHAT!?" Reko puts a hand up in shock. "Wait!!! We're doin' one again!? A Main Game...!?" Ranger puts a side view profile of a smug grin in front of his face. "All depends on you assholes! Hahaha!

This is fucking absurd!!

I notice Ranger look beside me. I check what he's staring at.

...

Oh shoot

It's Sara with her blank look... She's PISSED, I can tell!

Ranger steps up to her. "Whazza maaatter? My face scare you? C'mon, Sara Chidouin!"

"Shut up..."

The doll tilts his head. "...Hmm?"

She glares at him and grits her teeth. "Before your stupid explanation...take that off...!"

Ranger stays silent and unfazed by her anger.

"That thing...you're wearing...!! Isn't that... Joe's hairclip...!?"

...

Ranger just stares at her with some cardboard eyes on his face.

"...Ahah."

Suddenly, Ranger's eyes started cwirling with insanity...

"Sure enough...you recognized this clip...? It feels good, y'know... Feels like it's full of the dead's regrets..."

He chuckled before leaning close to Sara's face.

"The regrets of Joe Tazuna... That bottomlessly cheerful, softhearted moron."

Surprisingly enough, Kanna cut in with an accusatory tone. "Then...that skirt, too... It must be sister's...!!" I decide to join in. "Not to mention Kai's apron and Mishima's tie! What the fuck!?"

I honestly shouldn't be surprised about how messed up this place is, yet here I am. Disgusted with a doll wearing clothes that dead people had.

Ranger just rolls his eyes. "...Whewww." 

Next thing I know, he's right in front of my face. "You bastards got any right to condemn me?" I push him away. "B-Back the fuck up, creepo!" He laughs for a solid 5 seconds before pointing at me and putting an artificial smile in front of his face. "You will be super fun to mess with! I can't wait!"

Fucking asshole

Ranger gets his composure back before waving his hand dissmissevly. "This topic's donezo! Now everybody come see what's past these monitors! We'll have a fun game... Hahaha...!" He finishes with the cardboard smug grin before skipping off in another direction, Safalin jogging up behind him. I nudge Sara. "If I ever get pissed enough to hit him, hold me back. I don't want to get you all killed." I finish off with a grumble. Sara just nods before pulling me on the arm and following after the group.

As we step into the other room, I notice that there's a huge counter with a couple items and numbers next to them. There's also pictures of everyone on the wall, including a photo with half of Sara's face and half of my face. Lastly, there's another doll behind the counter with a strange mustache that's wearing an orange uniform.

(A/n: I legitimately couldn't find any fanart of him, I'm sorry about that. I'm sure you all know how he looks though XP)

Reko jumps back as she notices him. "Whoa!? Who's this guy!?" The doll doesn't even budge, just blinks at an incredibly slow pace. Ranger jumps onto the counter and sits down as he puts an arm around the doll's neck. It doesn't react at all. "That's the receptionist doll. And this is the Prize Exchange!" He gestures to the whole counter before turning to his Vice Floor Master. "Safalin, hand those things out." She nods and picks up a box from behind the counter. "Okaaay..."

Everyone was handled a wallet of some kind from the box. Of course, Sara and I only got one. Curious, I opened it as Sara looked over my shoulder. Inside were some weird golden coins with...that half and half picture of our faces from the wall??

I looked over at Safalin. "Hey, um, what the heck are these?" She fiddles with the ribbons around her arms as she adresses everyone. "Those are Me-Tokens. Everyone has been given 100. The only exception are Sara and (F/n), who have 150 since they have to share." 

Once again, we're an exception. I can't tell if that's good or bad...

Keiji narrows his eyebrows at her as he fiddles with one of his tokens. "Huh... So let me guess, you can trade these tokens for the prizes on display here?" Ranger jumps off the counter and does jazz hands with his free hand. "Correct! Just what I expected from you!" With that, he begings to adress everyone. "The prizes are things related to clearing Floor 3, and personal information profiles...and more!"

I roll my eyes. "Well this sounds just great..." Keiji tilts his head. "...You're making information into prizes? Ranger nods. "However..." Safalin finishes for him. "You cannot trade for prizes using your own tokens." Gin scratches his head in confusion. "What's that mean, woof...?" Ranger rolls his eyes with a cardboard catface smile. "You can only use tokens you get from others! And if you get a lot from somebody, you can nab that person's personal info. In (F/n) and Sara's case though, you have to pay for each of their infos seperately! Talk about a rip-off!" He laughs obnoxiously.

Yep. We got another prick to deal with.

Awesome. Wow. Just what we needed.

Ranger continues. "Those tokens signify trust. All y'all bastards are gonna be selling, buying, stealing, and surrendering those suckers! In short, it's a game of buying and selling trust!" Sara narrows her tired eyes at him. "Buying and selling...trust..." She nods after processing the information and scratches her cheek. "What if (F/n) and I accepted everyone's tokens and told everyone the info from the prizes?" I look at her surprised. "Hey, that's actually a good idea! I second this plan!"

But of course, Ranger wasn't pleased. He groaned and stomped his foot childishly. "Waugh, y'all are boring! Some real game-breakers. Geez louise..." Safalin takes over. "All of you will experience 9 attractions located around the third floor, and earn the right to challenge the Main Game." Poor Gin looks super confused as he reaches for my hand. "M...myow...?" I just squeeze his hand in hopes to reassure him.

Ranger picks up the explanation, no longer moping. "Whenever you clear an attraction, you'll receive Clear Chips... And if you don't collect 10 within the time limit, the same amount for a certain pair, you'll die before the Main Game starts!" Nao staggers back. "N...No...!!" 

Suddenly, Ranger pulls a dick move and puts a cardboard Mishima drawing in front of his face. "Mwahaha...! Please do relax, miss Nao! Unlike in the Main Game, if you do well, then no one will have to die!" Nao looks like she might burst into tears again. "P...Please stop... Don't impersonate him...!!"

Oh HELL no

I stomp up to Ranger and pull Nao behind me. "Okay now you've went too far asshole! Back the fuck up!" He tilts his head at me before he-

"(F/n), c'mon! It's all in good fun! You can understand good humor when you see it, yeah?"

...

He did not just just impersonate Joe right in front of me. He did NOT!

I clench my fists. "Correction, NOW you've went too far!" Ranger laughs with no remorce. "Oh man! Watching you lose your composure over your dead compadres is the BEST! You might be even more entertaining than Sara!" I inhale. "I will fucking kill him if someone doesn't hold me back!" Sara immiedietly grabs my shoulders and drags me away from Ranger as I glare daggers at him. He just sticks his tounge out at me as he nudges Safalin to signal her to continue.

I don't know how I won't kill him before the day is over.

"Most attractions require a group of two... However, one cannot do the same attraction twice." Keiji scratches his neck as he gazes at Safalin. "Tokens and Clear Chips... I'm starting to see what you're getting at."

Ranger pulls out a skull mask that only exposes one of his eyes. "Now, get what you need to do? Clear attractions to collect 10 Clear Chips. Use the Me-Tokens you've received however you want... Though you can only trade with others' tokens! By the way... The more tokens you get, the better. There's a grand prize, too... A ticket to the surface! It's first-come first-serve, so you snooze, you lose!"

Excuse me!? That's an obvious trap with a catch! They wouldn't just allow escape without huge consequences!

The doll ignores everyone's surprise. "Your time limit is 3 days! relax! You've got plenty of food and clothes, and even time to rest, so sleep soundly! We won't put any traps or any other trickery in your personal rooms, so use 'em freely!"

He points to a huge screen above the portraits. "Now, let the Sub-Game... The Trust Barter Game, begin!"

With a snap of his fingers, the timer starts.

[Author's Note]

I accidentally wrote "the voice of a gay" while writing the description for Ranger XD

If that isn't gold, I dunno what is!

Also I added the explanation of the pun from Safalin's name because I personally didn't get it until someone told me.

Just so you guys know, in this fic there is one more monitor than on the pictures from the gameplay. For those of you who have played the game till the end, know why that is!

Who's ready for more Ranger shenanigans?? Cuz there might be a lot, depending on how the plot goes!

Anyways, that's about it for this week. Love you!

Kaja is finished here ^^

[Word Count: 4638]