Just a few minutes after Chishiya had closed the door behind him, I heard the sound of an engine starting on the street below. Panicked, I jumped up and ran to the window, throwing it open. I caught sight of him driving away in our commandeered car toward Shibuya. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

A loud sob escaped my lips as I collapsed helplessly to my knees in front of the window. The bitter pain gripped my heart tightly, radiating out in waves through my entire body. Suddenly, breathing became difficult, as if a massive weight was pressing down on my chest, pinning me mercilessly. The helplessness of not being able to do anything to help him was the most unbearable part of the situation.

How was I supposed to wait here quietly for hours, not knowing what might happen? How could I sit idly by while Chishiya, and every other remaining player, risked their lives? Did he really think that I, with my sprained ankle, was incapable of helping? Or was that just an excuse to keep me here, to keep me out of harm's way?

As comforting as the thought was - that he wanted to protect me - I didn't want to be the helpless little girl that everyone felt they needed to shield.

My hands reached for the ID card hanging around my neck, and I studied his photo on it for what felt like the hundredth time. Would I ever see him again? And if I did, would we still be able to stay together? If Borderland was just a simulation, then Chishiya wouldn't truly die, and neither would anyone else who had "died" here. But maybe the world we thought was real was the simulation, and Borderland was the real world. Or... no. I couldn't think about that now.

It didn't matter how much I obsessed over it - we wouldn't know anything for certain until all the face cards had been won. The Queen of Spades had told us as much before she died. And what reason would she have had to lie to us in her final moments? That meant something had to happen, just as Chishiya had said.

Startled, I lifted my head when I heard another engine roar outside the house. Weakly, I pulled myself up to the windowsill. A few cars and motorcycles raced down the street, all heading toward Shibuya. Apparently, I was the only one left behind.

"Damn it, Chishiya! Do you really think I'm just going to sit here like a good girl?" I yelled furiously out the window. "That would be too easy for you, wouldn't it?"

I slammed the window shut in frustration, grabbed Chishiya's gray-and-white cardigan, and threw it on. Not because I didn't have my own clothes, but because wearing it made me feel connected to him in his absence. I grabbed my crutch, just in case I needed it, and took the elevator down to the ground floor.

Out on the street, I sat on the steps outside the building, waiting for the next vehicle headed toward Shibuya. As reckless as I was being, I still had enough sense to know that I couldn't walk there in my current condition. I had to rely on someone to take me.

I waited several unbearable minutes, my feet tapping restlessly. But no vehicle came into sight or earshot. I groaned in frustration. Fate seemed to be against me.

What now?

Slowly, I stood up and went back inside, making my way down to the basement. Most of the storage units were already broken into. I suspected Chishiya had done it to find useful items, like my crutch. I hoped to find something that could help me.

At the very back of the basement, I finally found what I was looking for. First, though, I had to clear out a pile of junk blocking the way. After making enough room, I dragged out an old bicycle and wiped it down with a dusty rag lying nearby. I took the elevator back up to the ground floor, pushing the bike along. It wasn't the best solution, but it was faster than walking. And since the swelling in my ankle had gone down considerably, I figured I could manage riding a bike.

Still, I wasn't sure if I could make it to Shibuya in time. The only advantage I had was that I used to ride my bike often in the real world to transport groceries, so I at least had plenty of practice.

I climbed onto the seat, which was slightly too high for me, and pedaled off. Chishiya's warning to stay behind echoed in my mind, but... what can I say? I just couldn't help myself. Even if he got mad at me later, I knew I would do it all over again. I was stubborn that way, especially when it came to Chishiya.

I pedaled as hard as I could, keeping my eyes on the two airships in the sky. Along the way, I passed a few players walking toward Shibuya on foot. I glanced back briefly and realized I recognized two of them. One of the women was definitely Kuina. She stared at me in disbelief as I sped past.

"Hey! That jacket belongs to Chishiya!" she shouted indignantly after me, but I was already rounding the next corner, my focus unbroken.

I felt a strange, uneasy sensation about Chishiya, though I couldn't pinpoint why. Maybe I was already too late.

I hadn't even considered what I'd do if I encountered the King of Spades on my way, but I pushed that thought out of my mind for now.

As I neared my destination, a player suddenly stepped out in front of me, spinning around at the sound of my bike bell.

"Izumi?" the woman exclaimed, astonished.

When I realized who she was, I slammed on the brakes, skidding slightly as I came to a halt.

"Usagi! Fancy seeing you here," I said, mildly surprised, as I let the bike fall to the asphalt.

"Why are you riding a bike?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"I'm looking for Chishiya. Have you seen him?" I asked without preamble.

She gave me a long, searching look, her brow furrowing.

"No, I haven't. Is that... Chishiya's jacket you're wearing?"

I smiled sheepishly.

"Yes. I need to find him."

"I didn't realize you two were so... close," she remarked, still surprised.

I didn't reply, but the blush on my cheeks probably gave her all the answers she needed.

"Where's Arisu?" I asked, hoping to deflect.

"We've split up temporarily to look for weapons to use against the King of Spades. He shouldn't be far from here," she said, glancing up at the sky. "We should expect the King of Spades to show up soon. You shouldn't be wandering around alone. Let's find Arisu first, and then we'll look for Chishiya together."

I hesitated before nodding. The main Shibuya crossing was only a few meters away now. Chishiya had to be nearby. Still, I agreed it was safer to stick together. Usagi was a fearless fighter, and I felt somewhat protected by her presence.

Leaving the bike behind, I continued on foot with Usagi.

"So, you and Chishiya, huh?" she said, still sounding surprised. "How did that happen?"

I turned my head away, embarrassed.

"That's a long sto-"

A series of gunshots interrupted me, shattering the air. I flinched violently and stared at Usagi in shock.

"We need to see what's happening," she said urgently.

I nodded, and we both started running toward the Shibuya crossing.

From a distance, I heard Arisu's voice, spurring Usagi to quicken her pace while I fell behind, my injured ankle protesting with every step. A sharp pain tore through it, and I gasped. Clutching an old motorcycle wreck for support, I looked down to see my ankle swollen again. I had pushed myself too far.

Usagi didn't notice I was lagging behind. Arisu's voice seemed to fuel her determination, and I could understand that. I would do the same for Chishiya.

But my foot wouldn't cooperate anymore. I leaned against the motorcycle wreck, breathing heavily, as Usagi stopped a few meters ahead, relief softening her features.

"Arisu," she said.

Just as I registered Arisu standing there, another voice made my skin crawl at its very sound.

"Ah, I almost forgot about you," the sinister voice snarled. Then he raised his arm, aiming his weapon at Usagi. I shrank back, crouching protectively behind the motorcycle in a tight ball. I heard Arisu shouting desperately for Usagi.

Peeking out cautiously from behind the vehicle, I saw him - Niragi -or rather, what was left of him. The burns covering his body and his tattered clothing made him look like the last remnant of a devastating zombie apocalypse.

But then my gaze caught on something else, and my breath hitched in horror. It was Chishiya. Like me, he was crouched behind the wreckage of a vehicle, using it as a barricade. Our eyes met, and he didn't look surprised to see me - just concerned. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him.

"And who do we have here? If it isn't my sweet little doll," Niragi sneered, now pointing his weapon directly at me. I froze in fear.

"What was your name again? Tsuyu or something? Doesn't matter... You've always annoyed me with your smart mouth."

He fired a few shots in my direction, but I huddled behind the motorcycle, which likely wouldn't withstand much more of his assault.

"You always looked at me with such disgust, right from the start. That look of deep disdain - you wanted me to notice you, didn't you? A little bit of attention, just for you."

Bullets pelted the motorcycle again. I barely managed to crawl out from behind it before the vehicle crumpled under the barrage like an empty soda can.

When I finally raised my head, Niragi's face was twisted into a grotesque grin. But the boiling anger in my stomach began to rise.

Bracing myself, I gripped a nearby traffic sign for support and stood, despite the pain in my ankle.

"Niragi!" I shouted, my voice full of defiance, hoping to draw his attention. "I think you've got it all wrong. If I ever looked down on you, it was because I pitied you. You're utterly alone in the world - this one or any other. I pity you because you'll never know what it's like to care for someone with all your heart. And no one will ever miss you when you choke on your own hatred and die in agony. Everyone is responsible for their own happiness, but you? You blame others for your misery because it's easier than admitting your own mistakes. Isn't that right?"

Niragi growled and swung his gun back toward me.

"You little bitch! Don't act like you know anything about me! You're all no better than I am!"

As he fired, I flinched and raised my arms to shield myself. A split second later, another gunshot echoed.

Lowering my hands hesitantly, I saw Chishiya's back in front of me. A red stain spread across his white jacket before he collapsed. I caught him just in time, preventing him from hitting the hard asphalt.

"Why did you do that?" I whimpered, pressing my hand desperately against his bleeding wound.

"I figured I'd try something new," he said weakly, managing a faint smile.

Arisu and Usagi rushed over, both visibly shaken.

"How can you smile right now?" I sobbed, tears streaming down my face.

"It's the people I've met here," Chishiya murmured. "Like Kuzuryu... or Arisu." His tired eyes shifted toward Arisu before landing on me. "And, of course, my little stalker who never listens to a word I say."

Through my tears, I managed a faint smile.

"Hey!" Arisu suddenly interjected. "What were you trying to tell me earlier?"

Chishiya groaned in pain as he tried to respond. I pressed harder on his wound, as if trying to bear his pain with him.

Finally, he spoke again, his voice raspy but clear:

"I've always thought good people were idiots. I couldn't help but mock their diligence and determination. I hated their good intentions." He gave a weak laugh. "But really, I was just jealous. They had something I didn't." His gaze drifted back to Arisu. "I felt like the saddest, most pathetic, useless person in the world. And that... that was awful."

His words struck me deeply, revealing just how much he had changed over the past few weeks. I remembered how carefree he had been back at the Beach, indifferent to everything except his own goals. He had always kept himself apart from the troubles of others.

Chishiya was proof that people could change for the better if they allowed themselves to.

"I understand," Arisu said softly.

"I knew you would," Chishiya replied.

A mocking voice interrupted the moment.

"Tough luck. Hunting rifles aren't as deadly as you think," Niragi rasped, still half-dead on the ground but evidently alive enough to spew his venom.

Arisu stood up immediately, while I glared at Niragi with pure hatred. He lay sprawled in the street, yet his presence still managed to disrupt everything around him.

"Do me a favor," Niragi sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "Don't act like I'm the bad guy. If there were 7 billion people like me, you know what would happen? You'd be the bad guys. You just got lucky. Lucky to belong to the majority."

I wasn't sure what to make of his words. To me, they sounded like just another excuse to justify his cruel actions-actions that, in truth, had no justification.

But my thoughts were interrupted by a shadow falling over us, darkening the street.

We looked up to see the King of Spades' airship hovering above.

Arisu immediately sprang into action, running over to Usagi, who had stood up and was also staring at the sky.

"It's starting."

Don't be surprised if the dialog differs slightly from the original. That's because I translated it 1:1 from the German. I just didn't feel like writing out the scene in English again 🥲

Oh, and I guess you noticed but this FF has a new cover.
What do you think of it?