Once we finished the attraction, Keiji, Sara and I headed back into the Ruined Corridor.

I sigh. "Welp, that was stressfull... At least it's over." Keiji nodded in agreement before taking the clear chips out of his pocket. "Here's the Clear Chips. We'll split them equally." He handed one of the stars to Sara and pocketed the other one. The girl scratched her head. "Still...Sou wasn't there, was he?" The detective hummed in thought. "Sure enough... Maybe you just can't do the attractions alone after all."

Suddenly Reko ran up to us. "Ah! You guys are safe!? Sorry, but you gotta come with me!!" I put my hand on her shoulder. "Reko, are you okay? What happened?" She nodded feverishly and pointed towards the entrance of the Ruined Corridor with her thumb. "I found the beanie bastard in his bedroom!" My eyes widened in surprise, but Sara just got a very serious expression on her face. "Take us to him."

Reko wasted no time in leading us all the way other to a bedroom which I can only assume belongs to Sou. We met up with the others, who were already there, and entered the room.

Sou was passed out on the ground again, and there was a plank on the bed.

"What the-!?" I instantly ran up to the passed out guy on the ground and inspected him after checking for a pulse. "He's breathing... There's also a shit ton of wood and splinters in his hair..." 

I looked behind me and saw Sara pick up the plank. Reko looked over her shoulder. "H...Hey, what the hell's this...?" Keiji also examined the wooden plank in Sara's hand. "Hmm, well... Seems just the right size to carry and swing around." 

Kanna walked up to me with a worried look in her eyes. "You don't mean...Sou was..." Gin squeezed Mew-Chan closer to him. "I...It's the same situation, meow...! As before...!" Keiji sighed and nodded his head. "Sure is..."

God, this is just like what happened in the Hidden Room...

I turned Sou onto his back and shook him. " Hey, wake the hell up!" I kept shaking him until I finally felt his body shift on it's own and saw his eyelids slowly open. "Urgh..." Kanna pressed her hands to her chest. "S...Sou!"

I stood back up as Sou shakily tried to get baack on his own two feet. He grabbed my arm for support, which I reluctantly obliged. He gripped his head tightly. "Oooof... Oww, man... I fee awful..." Once he found his balance, he let go of my arm. Kanna stepped in front of him. "What in the world happened?" Sou looked around the whole room, confusion clouding his eyes. "Eh...? T...That's what I wanna know... Where is this place... When did I get here...?"

Wait... What??

Reko moved Kanna to the side before snarling at him. "Cram it, you bastard...! Like hell anybody's gonna worry about you now! What're you plotting!? Tell me!" She then grabbed him by the hoodie and lifted him up into the air as she stared him down. Sou reflexively gripped her wrists. "W...Waugh!? Hold on...!" Keiji put a hand on Reko's shoulder. "Now, now. Violence isn't the answer, Reko." She didn't listen and just let out a "Tch!"

Sou looked even more confused than before. "W...What is it...? You're so mean suddenly..." I couldn't help but feel my blood boil simply from here feigning innocence. "Oh no, you do NOT get to play the victim in this situation, you monster! You fucking deserve this!"

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Sara??" She nodded. "Calm down. I know how you feel, I feel the exact same way, but this is not the time. Reko, put him down." The girl in question sighed and reluctantly did as she was told.  Sara stood in front of Sou and crossed her arms. "Sou... Where have you been?" 

After he put his scarf back in place, he started trailing off. "Uh...u-um... I think... I was investigating the laptop in the hidden room... Err...uhh... And then..." Reko groaned in frustration. "Shut the hell up!! That laptop crap was all before the Main Game!!" Suddenly a look of realization crossed Sou's face. "The Main Game...! That's right! Before the Main Game, I need to... I need to check the data on the laptop...! But the password...umm..."

Wait...

WAIT

Does he have D.I.D!?

Now Q-taro was starting to get pissed. "Y...You completely lost yer mind, man!?" Keiji put his hand up to signal for Q-taro to calm down as he turned to Sou. "...The Main Game's long since ended." 

Sou looked like he got punched in the gut. "W...What do you mean, Keiji!? Over...? All of it...!?" He gripped his head. "W...Who...died...?"

Oh no...

I looked back at Sara who had a blank look of bewilderement as she stared at Sou.

Fuck

Sou started scanning everyone's faces. "Who...!? Who isn't here... Nao...!? Q-taro raised an eyebrow. "H-Hey... Don't tell me, your memory's..." Sou kept going. "Or else...was it Kai...?"

He then loked at Sara and coverd his mouth in shock. "It can't be... Joe...!?"

Sara took a step back as her eyes began to water. "Stop..." However, Sou didn't get the message. "Miss Sara, that can't be it, right!? Joe...Joe died!? Why!?" Suddenly Sara gripped her head and shut her eyes tight. "Stop! Stop!! Stop!!! STOP!!!"

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Before anyone could even react, Sara bolted out the room while letting out a blood curtling scream.

"SARA!!" I ran after her without a second thought, hearing someone follow my lead as well. 

We chased after Sara until she bumped into one of the wooden chairs in the lobby, which caused her to trip and fall flat on the ground. I instantly got onto my knees and flipped her onto her back. "Sara, are you okay!?" She kept breathing heavily and weeping on the ground without saying a word. I helped her sit up and hugged her to me tightly.

She latched onto me just as tightly, while she tried to calm down. I rubbed circles on her back. "Sara, breathe. Remember the breathing exercise you did with me before the Main Game started?" She nodded lightly. 

I pulled back a tiny bit so that I could look at her face. "Well I know a similar thing that can help. Say 5 things that you can see." Sara looked around the lobby. "C-Chairs...couch...y-you...lamps...vines..." 

I nodded. "Good, now tell me 4 things that you can feel around you." She let out a shaky breath. "M-My uniform, the rug...you and...my hair..."

"Alright, now 3 things that you can hear." Sara started to look more focused as she directed her attention to the room around her. "Your voice...the vent...and...a breeze outside the window...for some reason..."

I smiled and pulled back further. "2 things you can smell." She furrowed her eyebrows in thought. "Uhh...deodorant and...clean clothes?"

I laughed. "Alright, last thing, one thing you can taste!" Sara finally smiled and shrugged. "Nothing since we haven't eaten yet."

I stood back up and gave Sara a hand. "Feeling better now?" She nodded and grabbed my hand. "Much better. Thank you, (F/n)." I pulled her up and squeezed her hand. "You got it, Sara. You can always count on me!"

After Sara's breakdown was handled, I noticed that everyone else had just been standing off to the side not wanting to interfere and make things worse.

Yikes... Awkward.

Keiji was the first one to speak up. "...You okay, Sara?" She nodded and rubbed her neck in embarrassment. "Y-Yes... I'm fine."

Reko crossed her arms in frustration. "Goddamn piece of shit! He's spouting more stupid lies!!" She sighed and tried to calm down. "So's it really a lie...?" Q-taro wondered aloud. Reko's head immiediately turned in his direction. "Obviously!! He's at a disadvantage , so he's pretending like he doesn't remember!!"

Is he though??

"I mean, it's still possible that he has D.I.D or that the kidnappers pulled some bullshit to confuse us. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt unless proven wrong." Keiji hummed in though at both Reko and mine's theories. "Valid points from both of you. That said...he's not going to answer us like that, either."

"Um... Could you trust Kanna to handle it?"

Everyone looked at  the girl in question. "Kanna, what do you mean?" I asked. She fiddled with the bucket on top of her head. "I'll try to find the truth behind what Sou's thinking...! I'm sure he'll be less wary with me than the rest of you...!"

To my surprise Keiji smiled and nodded. "...Sounds good." Reko looked absolutely outraged. "The hell're you going on about!? That guy's, like...a bad influence on Kanna!" The detctive motioned to the girl in question. "...We've been underestimating Kanna, I'd say. She might be a stronger girl than we thought." 

Kanna looked at him in admiration. "Mr. Policeman...!" Keiji gently cut her off. "...But don't let him use you, Kanna." His face turned dark. "Adults with bad intentions...are scarier than you can imagine." Kanna stayed quiet for a moment before balling up her fists and giving Keiji a determined nod. "...Right!"

With that, she ran back in the direction of Sou's room. Her small footsteps slowly fading.

Reko shook her head. "I ain't gonna accept it... I just..." I put a hand on her shoulder, causing for her to look at me. "Reko, Kanna may be young, but she's not stupid. Let's believe in her, okay?" Reko stayed quiet for a couple seconds before nodding reluctantly and squeezing my hand on her shoulder lightly.

"...What do we do now, meow?" Gin adressed the elephant in the room. Q-taro put his hands on his waist as he re-examined the lobby. "We got three whole days. No use in rushin' the attractions and hurtin' ourselves." Keihi nodded and fished out the wallet he got earlier from Safalin. "...It might be wise to discuss how we're going to use these tokens, too." Gin looked down at the ground in thought. "...Tokens...meow..."

[Negotiation]

Everyone split up. Some went to do attractions and some stayed in the lobby. The ones who stayed were Keiji, Gin, Alice, Sara and I.

I turned to the ginger girl. "You in the mood for buisness?" She nodded. "Yeah. Let's hear them all out and come to a decision together, like always." We exchanged a smile and started talking to our potential buisness partners.

First was Keiji. "Hey guys, just to try it out... Want to trade 20 tokens?" I furrowed my brows. "Maybe... Why do you wanna trade?" The detective looked off to the side. "Ranger, was it..? That enemy of ours said that the more tokens you collect, the better. Put another way, who knows what'll happen if you don't have very many."

I nodded. "That's a good point." Sara tilted her head in thought. "...Buy why trade with us?" Keiji smiled. "Well, if I'm gonna give my tokens to anyone first it's gonna be you two. Besides..." He smirked. "You're cute, Sara. I wish you'd just remember it already." Sara flushed a bit before motioning for me to walk away.

I smirked and elbowed Sara in the side. "Sooooo, how about that?" She sighed and shook her head. "I'd rather hear out all the options before deciding. What about you?" I shrug. "Well, I usually just go along with what you think, so sure!" Sara tilted her head. "Actually, why is that?"

Hmm...should I answer right of the bat?

Nah!

I smirk and do double finger guns with a wink. "Cuz you're cute~!" Sara blushed and laughed loudly as she held her stomach. "Oh my God, (F/n) SHUSH! Hahaha!" I giggle and hold my hands out. "Relax, I'm just teasing! I generally just usually have the same thought process as you." Sara nodded at my answer and we moved on.

Next we moved onto Gin. "Big sis Sara, big sis (F/n)... You two want tokens, meow?" Sara smiled down at him. "Well what's your reason for trading, Gin?" The small boy shuffled his feet on the ground as he talked. "I've been told not to do this kind of...trading money stuff, meow. It's kinda like gambling... It's scary, woof." He quickly turned cheerful again and beamed at us. "So if it'll make you two happy, I'll give you some for free, meow! 10 tokens!" I tapped my cheek in thought. "We'll consider it Gin."

The last person we talked to was Alice. "Sara Chidouin, (F/n) (L/n)... I have something to say about Reko." I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? Go on." Alice crossed his arms. "Do either of you have any inklings about what Reko's treasure?" I tilt my head. "Treasure?" He nods. "Yes. Hmph... You see, I tied asking that mustachioed man at the Prize Exchange if there were items not present on the counter. It appears...there is a secret prize menu." Both Sara and I were shocked. "A secret prize menu!?" He laughed in amusement. "Mwahaha... If you wish to hear more, come to the negotiation table, Sara Chidouin and (F/n) (L/n)."

I turned to Sara. "You agree to negotiate with him?" Sara nodded and turned to the ex-prisoner. "We'll negotiate with you, Alice." He grins. "Mwahaha... Very good." I motion for him to continue. He gets the message. "...Right, Reko."

"You see, I tried asking that mustachioed man at the Prize Exchange if there were items not present on the counter. And he answered readily, that there is a secret menu." Sara put a fist under her chin and raised an eyebrow. "What's on it?" Alice's expression turned serious. "...There is...a treasure. And it appears 20 of Reko's Me-Tokens are required to purchase it." 

Sudenly Sara's eyes widened. "A treasure...! Could that be..." Alice stifened up and clutched at his chest. "H...Have you an idea about it, Sara Chidouin!?" She nodded. "When she first introduced herself, she mentioned something dear to her... God, what was it??" I think for a second before snapping my fingers in realization. "I got it! It was bongos! She mentioned something about her 'precious bongos'."

Alice took a step back. "(F/n) (L/n)... That is incconcievable!" I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "Huh? Why?" He stayed silent for a moment. "...Do either of you know...the name of Reko's band?" I racked my brain for a sec. "Uhhh nah, sorry. I've never even heard of Reko before this." Sara looked to be deep in thought. "Her band's name...? Hmm..."

"Ah! I got it! ...Skullnutz, was it...?" She asked. Alice grinned in amusement. "Wrong. That's the name of her new band. She used to be in a different band. Samurai Yaiba...! The band of legend!!" He suddenly pulled out an old article with a picture in it and became even more extra than he usually was.

"Allow me to introduce its former members... Masterful of even the most tempestuous of scores, banging out the tunes like a many-armed goddess... The keyboard player... URSHEEN!! The man who balances out novice technique with overwhelmingly demonic presentation... The bass guitar... STRONGHOLD!! The once-in-a-century talent, a mass of chaarisma commanding an angelic voice and a hellish growl... The guitar and vocals... RECO!! And the guardian deity of drums who protects the band's backs... Was MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!"

Sara looked bewildered. "Wha!? You were part of the band too, Alice!?" I shrugged. "I mean it's not that surprising. I think he'd fit right in!" Alice smiled and nodded. "...Indeed. Though I can't play at all, so I just tried to blend in..." Sara raised an eyebrow. "You can't play...but you joined a band...!?" I snort. "Again, it's not totally unheard of, Sara." She pouted and crossed her arms.

Alice continued. "...It was to round out the numbers. I also did things on the managment side. I told you before, didn't I? That Reko has changed now... She wasn't always someone who could get along harmoniously with people... The Reko I know...antagonized everyone, and was alone. Such that she wouldn't even approach someone meant to round out numbers."

Wow he...looks pretty sad...

He clenched his teeth. "I would always clean up the messes. Search for replacement members and such. Someday she'd be grateful to me. So I believed...and endeavored as an average older brother." He looked right at us. "It was in those times...that I gave her some bongos." I smiled. "Well there you go! There's the bongos!" 

Alice chuckled. "Haha... It was merely a joke gift. As expected, she was indifferent. Her cold eyes stirred with no emotion..." He sighed and looked down at the ground. "But it was then that I realized. Those cold eyes were the very same ones Reko had whenever she looked at me. She neither respected nor looked down on me. She was simply indifferent..."

Alice snapped out of it and forced a grin onto his face. "So to call those bongos her treasure...? Don't make me laugh." He laughed but there was no humor in it. "...Why not try purchasing it?" Sara offered. Alice's head snapped back to look at us. "W...What!?" I nodded. "It's possible that Reko's treasure are the bongos you gave her Alice. You can't rule it out!"

He stayed silent.

Sara gently smiled at him. "Just collect 20 of Reko's tokens." Alice suddenly started panicking. "I can't do it...! I-I can't speak with her!" As he was about to walk away, I pulled him back by the handcuffs on one of his wrists. "We'll help you get them!" His eyes darted back and forth between us. "You two...!?" Sara nodded. "Yes. We can collect her tokens. So please, buy the bongos and give them to Reko."

We waited for Alice to respond for a good half a minute. "...V...Very well... Hmph... If you insist, I'll have your help... Understood? 20 of Reko's tokens! Bring them by this time tomorrow!" Sara tilted her head. "T...Tomorrow morning?" Alice furrowed his brows. "Obviously! I'll lose courage after more than one day!" I smile at him. You got it Alice. We'll bring them and you'll give Reko the bongos, alright?"

Alice looked down at the ground, but I saw a ghost of a smile appear on his face. "Urk...Sure..." With that, he walked away.

Well... That's it for discussions.

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[Word Count: 3051]