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━━ℳira lay on her back, staring at the dull concrete ceiling. The air inside the massive hall was thick with the scent of sweat, damp fabric, and unwashed bodies. A few dim lights flickered overhead, barely illuminating the countless rows of bunk beds stacked against the walls.

Despite the constant murmurs of the other players, despite the heavy tension that never seemed to fade, her thoughts were fixated on only one thing.

Or rather, one person.

Lee Myunggi.

The memory of him-his touch, his voice, the way he had looked at her that night-was a wound she refused to let heal. She had made the choice to keep her distance, to keep him safe. But that didn't stop the guilt from gnawing at her, relentless and unforgiving.

She rolled onto her side, squeezing her eyes shut. Just a few more hours until lights out. Maybe, just maybe, sleep would grant her some reprieve from the storm raging inside her.

But as she turned, she felt someone watching her.

Her instincts flared, sharpened by days of survival in this twisted place.

And then-

"Why did you vote to end the games, señorita?"

She barely had time to react before Thanos' voice slithered through the air, laced with mockery.

Mira inhaled sharply before sitting up. The bastard was standing near the open center of the hall, his signature cocky smirk in place. His purple-dyed hair looked softer than it should have, considering none of them had showered properly in days.

Nam-gyu stood beside him, a hulking presence, arms crossed over his chest.

Mira clenched her jaw. "Get lost, Su-Bong. I'm not in the mood."

She moved to step past him, but Nam-gyu shifted, blocking her path. His beady eyes glinted with amusement.

"Feisty as always, huh?" Thanos chuckled. "Yah, you should shut your pretty mouth, princess, before you talk back."

Mira tensed just as his fingers tangled in her auburn hair, yanking hard enough to make her wince.

Big mistake.

With practiced ease, she twisted her body and drove her knee up-hard-into his groin.

A strangled grunt left his lips as he collapsed, curling inward in pain. Nam-gyu flinched but didn't move fast enough to stop her from shoving him aside.

Mira exhaled sharply, shaking off the lingering sting in her scalp before leaning down slightly.

"Next time, think before you talk, motherfucker," she said, voice deceptively calm.

Thanos was still on the ground, gasping for air, as she turned on her heel and made her way back to her bunk.

The other players had fallen into a hushed silence, watching the scene unfold. But no one stepped forward. No one helped him.

Because here, in this godforsaken place, it was every man for himself.

Mira climbed onto her bunk and yanked off her green player jacket, leaving her in a white tank top. The number imprinted on the fabric felt heavier than it should have.

She let her head hit the pillow, exhaustion settling in. But before sleep could claim her, she heard footsteps approaching.

A familiar voice.

"You just can't stop making enemies, can you?"

Mira sighed but didn't bother opening her eyes. "What do you want, Junseo?"

Junseo scoffed. "Maybe to check if you're still alive. That was a pretty reckless move."

Mira turned her head slightly, cracking one eye open. Junseo was standing near her bunk, arms folded across his chest, dark eyes filled with something between amusement and concern.

Yuro was behind him, leaning against the metal frame of another bed, his usual indifferent expression in place.

"I handled it," Mira muttered.

"Yeah, I saw," Yuro said, voice flat. "But that idiot's not the type to let shit go."

"Let him try something," Mira replied. "I'll break more than his pride next time."

Junseo smirked. "You're lucky Myunggi wasn't around to see that. He'd probably-"

"Don't," she cut in, her tone sharp.

A beat of silence stretched between them.

Junseo exchanged a glance with Yuro before shrugging. "Fine. Have it your way."

With that, he moved away, disappearing into the maze of bunk beds.

Mira sighed, pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes.

But before she could relax, another presence settled beside her.

Namra.

Mira turned her head slightly. The girl sat cross-legged at the foot of her bunk, quiet as always. But her dark eyes held something unreadable.

"You think pushing people away will keep them safe?" Namra asked softly.

Mira stiffened. "I don't need a lecture."

"I'm not lecturing," Namra murmured. "I'm just saying, we're all running out of people to trust."

Mira exhaled, the words pressing against something raw inside her.

But she said nothing.

Because if she did, it would mean admitting that she was afraid.

And Mira had never been good at that.


Later Mira woke to the sound of heavy footsteps.

At first, she thought it was just another Player who couldn't sleep. But when she blinked the sleep from her eyes, she realized someone was standing right beside her bunk.

Myunggi.

He wasn't saying anything. Just staring down at her, arms tense at his sides.

She swallowed hard, pushing herself up into a sitting position. "What do you want?"

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "Come with me."

Mira frowned. "What-"

"Now," he said, his voice low, urgent.

Something in his tone made her move without question. She slid out of bed, following him through the maze of bunks until they reached a quieter part of the hall, away from prying eyes.

When they stopped, Myunggi turned to face her fully, and the frustration in his gaze was undeniable.

"You're reckless," he said, voice tight.

Mira frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," he snapped. "Thanos. Nam-gyu. The way you keep acting like nothing fucking matters. And don't tell me that you're trying to protect me, because that's bullshit."

She crossed her arms, something defensive rising in her chest. "I can handle myself."

"That's not the point!" His voice rose slightly, and she could see the way he was struggling to keep himself in check. "You're making enemies. You're putting a target on your back."

Mira swallowed but kept her expression neutral. "I've already got one."

Myunggi exhaled harshly, raking a hand through his dark hair.

For a long moment, they just stared at each other.

Then, quieter-more vulnerable-he asked, "Why won't you let me protect you?"

Mira's breath hitched.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Because how could she tell him again that she was afraid?

That she was afraid of losing him.

That she was afraid of what it meant to need him.

So instead, she said nothing.

And the silence stretched between them, heavy and unspoken.

Until finally, Myunggi let out a bitter chuckle. "Right."

He took a step back.

Then another.

And without another word, he turned and walked away.

Mira stood there, watching him disappear into the dimly lit hall, her chest tightening with something she couldn't name.

Because for the first time, she wondered-

Had she already lost him?

And if yes, was it her fault?