Michael felt like he'd just been punched in the gut.

"That... that can't be right," Michael said, deliriously, "no... no, this..."

Saeko sniffed and buried her head into her mother's side.

"This is my fault," Kuina whispered, "if I hadn't been so stupid and got my own ticket torn then he—"

"It's not your fault," Chishiya interrupted her. For some reason he felt a strange feeling in his chest that he assumed the others were also feeling. "The decision to give you his ticket was his choice and his alone. All you can do is respect it."

Michael wasn't paying attention to anything the others were saying and turned to Kuina. "Where is the exit?"

"Just around the corner—"

Michael took off and began trying to find the gray exit door as he heard other footsteps behind him. He prayed that a miracle would happen and that his friend would be fine.

This just made him realize how deadly borderland really was. Chishiya was right, they couldn't get too comfortable and forget where they really were.

Michael took a deep breath before turning to where Kuina said the exit door was and when he did...

"Oh thank god," Kuina said from behind him.

Keijiro appeared half unconscious and was lying against the door with a rifle in his lap. His left arm had clearly been shot and he had bruises across his neck.

"What are you staring at, Chitchat?" Keijiro said, weakly.

Chishiya sighed. "Great. You made it."

"You don't sound too happy about that."

Michael crouched down next to his friend and lightly slapped his shoulder. "You think it's funny scaring us like that?"

"Hey, it took all my strength to even make it out the door." Keijiro then winced from his injuries.

Kuina turned to Chishiya. "You're a doctor, do something."

Although Keijiro was hurt he sat up abruptly which startled Michael. "You're a what?!"

"Technically a pediatric heart surgeon," Chishiya made clear, "I don't treat wounds like that. Ann can take care of that."

"Wait..." Keijiro thought to himself. "So you basically work with children?" He then burst out laughing at the thought.

"What's funny?" Chishiya asked.

Michael helped Keijiro up to his feet. "Let's just get back to the beach."

Kuina also went to help; she held Keijiro's right side and Michael held his left. The woman then walked over to them and bowed towards Keijiro, saying a silent thank you.

"Yeah, yeah no problem." Keijiro sighed. "This is my last good deed for the day."

"I hope you feel better!" Saeko said then hugged him.

Keijiro turned to Michael and whispered. "Get me out of here."

The woman and her daughter departed from them and the others began to make their way back to the beach with Chishiya in the lead.

As they walked, Keijiro saw the doctor's hands still stuffed in his jacket. "Is that why you always have your hands in your pocket? Because you're a surgeon?"

Chishiya didn't answer and Keijiro wished he had enough strength to kick the guy in the back.

Eventually, they all made it back to the beach safely without any more interferences and when they got inside the building, everyone was already back from their games. Some gave them strange glances upon seeing Keijiro's injured state.

"Take them to Ann," Chishiya told Kuina, "you should get yourself checked out too." He then  walked off away from everyone else.

"Hey, where are you going?" Keijiro asked but of course he didn't get an answer.

Kuina led them to a white room where a woman with short hair wearing sunglasses was standing. There were medical tools around her and a multiple long tables against the wall.

Keijiro recognized her as one of the executives from when Michael and Fujitaka were first taken to that room.

When Ann spotted the three she removed her sunglasses. "What do we have here?"

Michael and Kuina laid Keijiro down on one of the tables.

"It looks like he's been shot in his left arm," Michael informed her, "it doesn't look too serious."

Ann walked over and observed Keijiro's injuries. "You're right. He'll be fine." She then grabbed some supplies, preparing to remove the bullet. "You two gonna stay here and watch?"

"Yeah, about that..." Michael rubbed the back of his neck.

Keijiro rolled his eyes. "You can go. I won't mind."

Kuina put a hand on Ann's shoulder. "Take care of him."

Ann observed the girl's state. "Seems like you need treatment too."

Kuina chuckled. "Oh, I'll be fine." She then winked. "Just do what you do best. He's special."

Keijiro did his best to seem composed while Ann worked her magic and Kuina and Michael were long gone by now. After treating any other minor wounds, Keijiro was allowed to go back to his room where he could rest.

It was probably past midnight by now but that didn't stop the people of the beach from partying. Keijiro didn't even know he'd fallen asleep through it all until there was a knock at his door.

Before he could respond, his door was instantly thrown open and someone rushed in before throwing themselves onto his bed.

"Keijiro!"

Keijiro lifted his head to see Fujitaka staring back at him with sad puppy dog eyes.

"What happened?!" Fujitaka practically shrieked.

"Nothing new." Keijiro struggled to sit up. "It's only a gunshot wound." He grinned at the gun he took from the tagger sitting next to the one he had when he first arrived in borderland. "Now I have two guns."

Fujitaka inspected every inch of Keijiro's body. "I knew you shouldn't have gone off with that shady man."

Keijiro laughed at that. "This wasn't ChitChat's doing."

Fujitaka cocked his head in confusion at the nickname.

"After finishing our game, Kuina and I ended up in another one unfortunately," Keijiro explained, "we also came across Inori by the way."

Fujitaka's eyes lit up. "Really? I like her."

"Me too, buddy."

The sound of Keijiro's door opened again and this time Michael walked in.

"You two should be asleep by now," Michael told them. He went over and ruffled Fuji's hair. "Let him rest."

"I'm fine," Keijiro said then yawned. "But I'm also tired so shoo."

Fujitaka frowned. "Maybe I should stay tonight."

"I can take care of myself."

Michael looked his friend over. "I can stay as well."

Fujitaka smiled. "Sleepover!"

Keijiro groaned. "You can't be serious."

"I'll go grab my things!" Fujitaka ran back out of the room.

Michael did the same and soon the two boys returned with a bag of their stuff.

Keijiro yawned again. "This is highly unnecessary."

Fujitaka ignored him and happily hopped onto the bed.

"What do you think you're doing?" Keijiro asked.

"I don't want to sleep on the floor," Fujitaka said, making himself comfortable.

Michael, however, took his place in the cushioned chair next to the balcony window.

"Fine." Keijiro sighed. "Now goodnight."

It didn't take long for Keijiro to fall back asleep from the long day he's been through alongside his friends.

****************
Day 7 of Keijiro's Visit to Borderland.

When Keijiro woke, Michael was already up but Fujitaka was still sleeping.

"Good morning sleeping beauty," Michael said as he got dressed.

Keijiro stretched then winced from the pain that shot through his arm. "Jeez, can't I heal faster?" He did his best to try and stand on his own but Michael quickly rushed over to help his friend.

Keijiro pouted. "I'm fine."

"Stop trying to act tough," Michael said, "I'm sure there's breakfast downstairs somewhere. I was going to head out first but..."

"Go. I said I'm fine," Keijiro insisted as Fujitaka began to stir awake.

"Alright, alright." Michael walked towards the door. "Don't come crying to me if you fall and can't get up."

Michael exited the room as Keijiro laughed at that and made his way to the bathroom. Fujitaka started to get ready for the day as well when he fully woke. When they were both done, they left the hotel room next and headed downstairs to the main area.

Keijiro wore his proper beach attire with his hair back in its ponytail. He was surprised to see many people already wide awake and doing what they do best: partying. It was like they had never gone to sleep in the first place.

In the hotel there was a place in the lobby that served breakfast like any other regular hotel would. When they walked in, Keijiro noticed how a few people eyed specifically him, completely ignoring Fujitaka. He could've sworn that he saw a few smirks and chuckles too.

"Over here!"

Keijiro turned to see Michael already sitting at a table with Kuina, Tatta, and... Chishiya. Fujitaka was happy to sit down with them and Keijiro took a seat next to Michael.

"Good morning!" Tatta greeted them with a smile.

Keijiro nodded to him. "Looks like you kept your word." He held out a fist and Tatta was surprised at first but cheerfully returned the fist bump.

"Are you feeling alright?" Kuina asked, "I never properly thanked you for giving me your ticket."

Keijiro waved his hand. "No need to keep talking about it. The game's done and over." His eyes drifted over to Chishiya who hasn't said a word. "Are you going to say anything?"

"I was forced to come here against my will."

Kuina let out a nervous laugh. "He's just kidding. You came here willingly, remember?"

"Something tells me he didn't," Fujitaka mumbled which caused Keijiro to laugh.

Kuina then offered to grab everyone a plate of food and when she was back, the others immediately started to dig in.

"I think we should properly introduce ourselves," Michael said after some time.

"Why?" Keijiro raised an eyebrow. "We already know each other's names, isn't that enough?"

"I don't mind." Kuina agreed. "The name's Hikari Kuina and before arriving at this place I was a clothing store clerk."

Keijiro thought back to how much of a skilled fighter she was. "Clothing store clerk? Are you sure?"

Kuina laughed. "Yup!"

Tatta went next. "I'm Kodai Tatta. I was a car mechanic before borderland."

"That could come in handy," Michael commented. "My name's Michael Hayes and although I'm in college I'm working on becoming a technology specialist."

"That's cool!" Tatta said, "you must be super smart."

"I don't know about super," Keijiro murmured and Michael scoffed.

"Well, I'm Soda Fujitaka." Fuji fiddled with his hands. "I don't really have a profession..."

"Good, I don't either," Keijiro said, "Takeda Keijiro. I like cherries and shooting things... that's all I got."

All eyes then landed on Chishiya and the guy sighed.

"Shuntaro Chishiya."

Keijiro tsked at him. "You forgot the part where you're a certified cat and heart surgeon."

"Pediatric heart surgeon," Chishiya corrected him.

"Literally the same thing."

"It is not."

A series of cheers and whoops caught Keijiro's attention and he saw a few people heading down from the stairs. Some were carrying guns and some were carrying clothes. Three guys in particular stared back at him with cruel smirks and continued on their way.

"Well, I don't like that," Keijiro muttered, with a bad feeling. He stood up from the table which caused the others to turn to him.

"What's wrong?" Fujitaka asked.

Keijiro didn't answer and took off towards his room. He couldn't shake that uneasy feeling he got from seeing those people and when he approached his room door he now knew why.

The door to his hotel room was slightly open and when he stepped inside he saw how the place was turned upside down with torn bedding and smashed windows. The room was a mess and everything and anything that had been inside was now broken.

"Oh god."

Keijiro turned around to see the people he'd been sitting with now walking into the room behind him.

"That's seriously messed up," Tatta commented, stepping over broken glass.

"Who would do this?" Fujitaka frowned.

Michael looked over at his friend and saw the lethal look in his eye. He then looked to where Keijiro was staring and saw the empty spot where his two guns used to be.

"Uh oh," Michael said, slowly moving away from Keijiro.

"What do you mean, uh oh?" Kuina asked him.

"You all must know how much Keijiro loves his guns," Michael started then turned to Kuina and Chishiya, "you may need to get the Hatter involved because there's about to be a massacre at the beach."

Chishiya shrugged. "He's a militant so technically Aguni is in charge of his actions." He glanced to Keijiro. "You should've known the people of the beach would retaliate against a new militant. They want to see what you're made of."

Keijiro finally turned to them and Fujitaka hid behind Michael from the murderous intent in the guy's eyes.

"And it'll be the worst request they've ever asked of me," Keijiro said before walking back out of the room.

"Should we follow him?" Kuina asked.

Michael began to follow. "If you don't want to witness a slaughter house then yes."

Keijiro first made his way to the outside of the beach where the pool and music was. He figured this was where most people went to hang out and when he came into view all eyes were on him. Once again, the music had been shut off and a few giggles surfaced from the many crowds.

Keijiro then spotted the group he saw when he was in the breakfast area. They were sitting and standing around lounge chairs while the guys played with his guns like they were toys.

One guy with one of his guns finally noticed Keijiro's presence and grinned. "Well, it's about time—"

The guy was cut off by Keijiro punching him in the throat and swiftly taking his gun back. The other guy that also had a gun held it up towards Keijiro's face.

"Put it down—"

Keijiro shot the guy in his arm and in his leg causing the other beach people to scream and some even fled the scene. The others who had joined the guys in destroying Keijiro's room held their hands up in fear.

"I told you we shouldn't have teased a militant like that," one girl whispered to another person.

The person responded. "It's not like we would've known he—"

"Are you talking?"

The two's eyes were drawn back to Keijiro who was staring at them both.

"You're speaking in front of me?" Keijiro continued and grabbed his second gun, putting that one on his back.

The girl shook her head. "No, we weren't—" the other person nudged her as if saying to be quiet.

Keijiro turned around and fired into the crowd with his raised gun which made everyone duck for cover. "Pull some shit like this again and I swear I'll kill everyone in this beach—"

"Alright, buddy."

Keijiro watched Michael calmly walk towards him and put his arm down. "I think they get the point."

"Do they?" Keijiro bent down towards the guy he punched in the throat. "Where's your room located?"

The guy coughed violently. "Why? You gonna try and do the same thing to my—"

Keijiro shot the guy in the foot.

"ARGGGHHH!"

Kuina winced from witnessing the scene and Chishiya simply smirked.

"Wrong answer. Try again."

The guy sniffled a bit. "The first floor. My room's on the first floor."

"Hmm pretty convenient for me." Keijiro held out his hand. "Give me your key."

The guy scrambled, reaching in his pockets before pulling it out. Keijiro took it then exchanged it with his own.

Keijiro smiled. "Have fun with your new room." He turned to leave the premises and saw Aguni watching him from the exit.

Keijiro groaned thinking he was most likely in trouble and made his way out of the area with his friends behind him. He tried to pass by Aguni as cool as possible but he then felt a rough hand grab his shoulder.

Instead of the reprimanding he expected, Aguni said something that took him off guard.

"They will show you respect from now on. This is what it means to be a militant."