CHAPTER TWO
episode one

Everything was gone. Everyone.

The welt on Rika's arm had grown red and tender due to how many times she had pinched herself, desperate to wake up from whatever this was. But the dream never ended. She was still here, standing in a world stripped of life, a silent Shibuya that felt like a cruel parody of the bustling city she called home.

When they decided to split up to search for... well, anyone, she didn't argue. But a knot of dread had formed in her stomach. The thought of losing sight of Karube and the boys, of getting separated and trapped in some endless labyrinth of nightmares, was almost too much to bear.

Still, answers were needed.

Rika moved cautiously, her hands buried in her hoodie pockets as she walked. The silence around her was deafening. The familiar city sounds—the constant hum of chatter, the distant rumble of cars, the shrill beeping of crosswalk signals—were all gone, leaving only the soft scuff of her shoes against the pavement.

Her first stop was the café. The glass doors, usually swinging open with the flow of customers, were still.

She pressed her hand against the cool surface and peered inside. Tables and chairs sat untouched, cups of coffee left behind as if the patrons had simply vanished mid-sip. A newspaper lay sprawled across one of the tables, the headline glaring at her in bold black letters, though she didn't bother reading it.

Her reflection stared back at her from the glass—pale, wide-eyed, and far more fragile than she would ever admit. She quickly fixed that.

"Hello?" she called, her voice echoing faintly in the stillness. No answer.

She moved on, her pace picking up slightly as unease crept along her spine.

The laundromat was next.

Rika pushed open the door, the soft jingle of the bell startling her in the quiet. Inside, the hum of machines that usually filled the space was absent. Half-folded clothes were left forgotten on tables, while laundry baskets sat abandoned on the floor. She hesitated, her eyes scanning the room, but there wasn't a single sign of life.

The longer she searched, the more the dread settled in her chest, heavy and suffocating.

Her final stop was the convenience store—the one she'd meant to visit for toothpaste. She shoved the thought aside, forcing herself to focus as she stepped through the automatic doors, the motion sensor not even bothering to respond to her presence.

Shelves of snacks, drinks, and household goods lined the aisles, completely untouched. It was unnerving, like walking into a photograph of a world that no longer existed. She wandered through the store, brushing her fingers against the packaging of a toothpaste box she didn't even bother to pick up. Her throat tightened.

"Is anyone here?" she tried again.

Nothing.

By the time she stepped back onto the street, the weight of the silence had become even more heavier than before. Papers skittered across the ground, carried by a breeze that did little to cut through the quiet. Cars sat abandoned in the middle of the road, some with doors left wide open.

It was as if time had stopped the moment they entered that bathroom stall, and when they walked out, they had stepped into an entirely different world.

She wandered for a while longer, her head swiveling as if expecting someone—anyone—to emerge from the shadows. But all she found was the emptiness of Shibuya. She even tried her phone again, not that she had anyone to call, but for the simple fact that she wouldn't mind having music to calm her nerves.

After an hour or two of no luck, she finally turned back, retracing her steps toward their agreed meeting point.

She spotted Arisu first. He was jogging toward her, his eyes widening the moment he saw her. Relief spread across his face like a flood.

"Did you find anyone?" he shouted, his voice carrying through the empty street as he picked up speed to reach her.

Unlike him, Rika couldn't bring herself to run. She continued walking at the same measured pace, her body feeling too heavy, mind too fogged by disbelief. But she had wiped the fragility away from her features, masking the weakness completely as if turning on a switch.

"No," she replied simply, her voice flat. Her hands clung to the strings of her hoodie, tugging at the frayed edges. She had even pulled her hood back, afraid she might miss someone passing her.

She stopped in front of Arisu, her eyes lifting to the towering buildings around them. Glass windows reflected the eerily empty streets, leaving only them.

"None of this makes sense," She added.

Arisu nodded, he opened his mouth as if to respond, but no words came. The sound of footsteps echoed down the empty street, drawing both Rika and Arisu's attention. They turned in unison, spotting the familiar figures of Karube and Chota running toward them.

"There's no one around. At all." Karube's voice was firm as he came to a stop in front of them. His eyes swept over Rika, scanning for any sign of harm.

If they weren't in the middle of such a bizarre situation, she might've found it amusing. She was the older sibling, but Karube had always taken it upon himself to watch over her.

Chota stumbled to their side, hands on his knees, panting heavily. Sweat glistened on his forehead, the heat of the day still clinging to the air even as the sun began to dip behind the skyscrapers. The golden light that bathed the city earlier was fading fast, leaving the streets cold and gray in its absence.

They stood at the intersection—the very one they'd dashed across mere hours ago, dodging cars and chaos. Back then, it was packed with life, crowded with people hurrying in every direction.

Now it was just them.

Rika sighed heavily before dropping to the ground. Her legs crossed beneath her as she slumped forward, resting her head in her hands. She needed to think, but her thoughts were like static, jumbled and useless.

How could everyone just disappear? Within seconds? It didn't make sense. None of this made sense.

"What are you doing?" Karube asked, crouching beside her. Concern was etched across his face as he studied her slouched form. "You okay?"

"I'm thinking," Rika replied, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

Karube didn't press her further, but he didn't move away either. He stayed at her side, his presence grounding her even as her mind spiraled. He had a knack for that.

Arisu was the next to drop, sitting cross-legged next to the girl. One by one, the boys followed suit, forming a loose circle on the pavement. Whether they were resting or waiting for something to happen, none of them could say.

"Could it be an evacuation drill?" Chota asked, his tone hopeful. "An event? A flash mob, maybe?"

Karube shook his head, his hand absently brushing through his short hair. "The scale's too huge for that."

"If only the four of us remain here..." Arisu began, his voice soft. He leaned back slightly, letting his hands rest in his lap as his eyes flicked between them. He was studying their reactions. Then, to Rika's surprise, a small smile curled across his lips.

"This doesn't seem so bad to me," he finished.

Karube's brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. "What?"

Arisu laughed, leaning forward like he was sharing some grand secret. "Don't you find this exciting?"

Rika let out a groan, burying her face in her hands again. She muttered something unintelligible into her palms, but whatever it was, it was probably better left unheard. Her brother, however, seemed to echo her thoughts perfectly.

"Are you insane?" Karube snapped, his tone sharp.

Chota chuckled, his shoulders shaking as he shrugged nonchalantly. "No, he's right. This is kinda nice. I mean, I don't have to go to work." He grinned, clearly enjoying the absurdity of their situation.

Rika lifted her head, fixing him with a glare so sharp it could've cut glass.

Nice. Alright. They're crazy. They're both crazy and stupid.

"Have you guys gone crazy?" Karube asked, and for a moment, Rika wondered if her brother could read her mind.

Chota's grin only widened. "No one's here to get mad at us. And we can eat and drink whatever we want, right?"

Arisu's laugh grew louder, his body rocking forward as if this was the best joke he'd heard all day.

Karube turned to his friends, his expression deadpan. "You'll be a virgin for your entire life."

The comment hit Chota like a slap, wiping the grin clean off his face. His head snapped toward Karube, his brows raising in shock.

"I don't want that," Chota mumbled with a frown, eyes darting awkwardly to Rika. The only girl around. His lips parted, as if to say something else, but Karube didn't give him the chance.

With a sharp smack to the back of Chota's head, Karube cut him off.

"Don't even think about it," he warned, his tone serious, though a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Arisu doubled over with laughter, nearly losing his balance as he tried to steady himself on the pavement.

"I was kidding!" Chota protested, rubbing the back of his head and shooting a sheepish glance at Rika.

She rolled her eyes, unimpressed, but there was a flicker of amusement behind her them. It was ridiculous—they were ridiculous—but it was better than sitting in silence, letting the weight of the situation crush them completely.

Arisu stood abruptly, clutching his belly. He then stretched his arms wide, spinning slightly as he yelled, "Alright!" His voice echoed through the hollow streets of Shibuya, carrying far into the night.

Chota immediately followed suit, leaping to his feet and screaming at the sky, voice raw and unrestrained.

Rika exchanged a knowing glance with her brother, their expressions mirroring the same look. This wasn't unusual behavior for the boys. The absurdity of it all—the hugging, the yelling—might have been comical if not for the glaring fact that the population of Shibuya had just dropped to four.

Karube let out a heavy sigh, the kind that made him sound far older than his years. "Stop joking around, you guys!" he spoke, stepping forward to catch Arisu in a playful headlock.

The boy yelped in mock protest, laughing as he struggled against Karube's grip. "Okay, okay! I give up!"

Rika shook her head, suppressing the faint hum of amusement tugging at her lips. With a grunt, she pressed her palms against the pavement and pushed herself to her feet. She crossed her arms as she watched them, unfazed by their antics. This was normal for them. What wasn't normal, however, was the silence of the city around them. The absence of the people that once occupied it.

She opened her mouth, ready to tell them to get a grip, when something bright flickered behind her, cutting through the darkness.

Rika was confused, turning sharply to face the source.

The towering skyscraper behind them lit up, the massive screens embedded across its surface flashing white. The sudden brightness stung her eyes, and she squinted against the glare, her hand instinctively raising to shield her face.

The boys fell silent behind her, their laughter snuffed out as they followed her gaze.

The screens pulsed with light before a message appeared in bold, black letters.

'WELCOME PLAYERS, THE GAME WILL COMMENCE IN A MOMENT.'

"Game?" Rika murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She had questioned it at the same time as Arisu, the word simultaneously slipping from their lips. She rubbed her eyes, blinking hard to ensure she was reading the words correctly. But the message didn't change.

Instead, it shifted, the letters rearranging into a new announcement.

'THIS WAY TO THE GAME ARENA.'

A large arrow appeared beneath the words, pointing toward a street on their right.

For a moment, none of them moved, their eyes fixed on the screen in stunned silence.

Arisu was the first to react, his hand shooting up to point toward the direction of the arrow. "Over there!" he called out, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Rika's eyes followed his gesture, landing on a flickering red light in the distance, barely visible between the shadowed buildings.

"Lights!" Chota exclaimed softly, taking a hesitant step forward.

Karube's jaw tightened as his gaze swept over the group. He was the first to speak with certainty. "Let's go."

Arisu nodded in agreement without hesitation, his excitement sparking again despite the strange circumstances. Chota followed, his steps quickening to match the others as they broke into a sprint.

Rika lingered for a second longer, her feet rooted to the spot as her mind raced. Her body ached from the whirlwind of events, and part of her wanted to grumble at the sudden change in pace. Still, she knew staying behind wasn't an option.

She let out a short, resigned breath before taking off after them. The cool night air whipped past her face as she ran, her hood sliding back once again to expose her hair. Strands of it brushed against her cheeks, carried by the breeze.

"Damn you, hood," she muttered under her breath, her irritation blending with the rising adrenaline in her chest. She wasn't sure what they were running toward, what this game was, but she knew there was no turning back.

At some point, Chota slowed his pace to match Rika's, his steps falling in sync with hers. His usual wide grin was subdued now, replaced by a smaller, softer smile—a show of quiet comfort.

Rika noticed it right away, her own lips curling upward in response, though the expression felt foreign on her face. She wasn't one for open displays of emotion, but something about Chota's earnestness made it hard not to mirror him.

Without a word, he held out his hand, palm open and waiting.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking up to meet his. She could see the subtle traces of fear etched into his features—the tightness around his mouth, the slight furrow in his brows. It was fear she recognized because she felt it bubbling in her own stomach.

With a small nod of her head, she reached out and took his hand.

His fingers curled around hers gently, and with a tug, he pulled her forward, urging her to keep pace with Karube and Arisu. Her Vans scraped against the pavement as she moved, the sound oddly loud in the stillness of the city.

They slowed once they reached the towering GM building, the colorful lights buzzing faintly with electricity. It was an odd sight—so much of the city was dead, yet this building glowed brightly, a beacon cutting through the dark that drew them in.

Rika tilted her head back, her eyes tracing the illuminated sign at the top. The building loomed over them, Chota's hand remained in hers, a small gesture as they stopped between her brother and Arisu.

For a moment, none of them moved.

Then, reluctantly, they pressed on.

The entrance glowed as they stepped inside. Rika's eyes were immediately drawn to a white television screen mounted against the far wall. The same bold, black letters from before filled the space:

'THIS WAY TO THE GAME ARENA.'

A sign at the end of the hall flickered on with a low hum, drawing their attention. The arrow it displayed pointed further ahead, its glowing light almost commanding them to follow.

Rika's gaze flicked toward Karube, searching his expression. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his brow furrowed as his eyes stayed glued to the sign. She swallowed hard and looked down at her hand, where Chota's fingers gave a small, reassuring squeeze.

She wasn't sure if it was meant to comfort her or himself, but she appreciated it all the same.

Arisu was the first to move, his steps cautious but deliberate as he led the way down the dimly lit hall. The rest of them followed close behind, their pace slow and hesitant.

When they turned the corner, a bright red elevator sat waiting, its doors reflecting the faint glow of the hall's lights. To the left of the elevator was a small alcove, where a sign sat beneath a row of untouched phones.

'ONE PER PERSON.'

Rika stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the counter. The phones were lined up neatly like they were waiting just for them. Something about the sight sent a flutter of confusion through her chest.

"What is that?" she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else.

She hadn't realized she'd stopped walking until Chota gave her hand a gentle tug, pulling her forward with a quiet, "Come on."

The motion snapped her out of her thoughts, and she blinked, her focus returning to the others. Karube stood at the front now, his expression unreadable as he stepped toward the counter. Arisu lingered just behind him, his gaze darting between the phones and the elevator.

With ease, Rika unlatched her hand from Chota's and stepped closer to the counter. She reached out and picked up one of the devices, the smooth, cold surface resting in her palm. Bringing it to her face, she pressed the power button.

Her brows raised in surprise as the screen flickered to life, bright against the dim hallway. "It works," she said, her voice laced with curiosity and apprehension. The screen displayed a loading symbol, its circular animation accompanied by bold text at the bottom.

'FACE RECOGNITION IN PROGRESS.'

Behind her, the boys followed her lead, each of them picking up a phone from the row.

"It has facial recognition," Chota muttered, holding his phone close to his face as the scanning process began. He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to ensure the device captured every angle.

Rika stayed silent as her own phone unlocked with a soft chime. The screen shifted, displaying what looked like a digital card. Two apps were installed: Game and Visa.

Her thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating for a moment before glancing at the others.

"Can we use these?" Karube asked, gripping his phone tightly, his knuckles whitening.

Arisu tapped his screen, frowning slightly. "There's no signal."

"We can't make calls," Chota added, frustration evident in his voice as he swiped aimlessly.

Before anyone could respond, the screens suddenly shifted to white. A robotic voice echoed from the phones' speakers, "Please wait for the game to commence."

Rika's eyes locked onto her screen as a timer appeared at the bottom, counting down in bold numbers.

02:00.

"Two minutes until registration closes. There are currently four participants."

Registration?

"What is this?" Arisu muttered, voicing what Rika—and likely the others—were thinking. He looked up from his phone, his wide eyes darting between their faces, searching for answers none of them could give.

Rika only shrugged, her fingers tightening around the phone. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she stared at the countdown.

"A game," a voice answered.

The sound cut through the air like a knife. Rika hastily turned around to face the source, the others mirroring her movements in perfect sync.

At the end of the hallway stood a woman, her figure partially hidden by dark shadows. She stepped forward, heels clicking softly against the floor, her posture poised and deliberate. She was dressed in a crisp white blouse tucked into a sleek black skirt, a purse hanging from her shoulder.

Rika instinctively took a step back, lowering the phone from her face. Her instincts screamed to be cautious, and, well, she listened.

"A person!" Chota exclaimed, his tone equal parts relief and disbelief.

The woman stopped a few paces away, her head tilting slightly as her eyes lingered on them.

"Hey," Karube started, his voice shifting into something more serious, he took a small step forward, his body unconsciously placing itself between them and the stranger. "Do you know where everyone went?"

The woman moved forward silently, her steps echoing softly in the corridor. She slowed as she reached Chota, who stood frozen in place, his eyes darting awkwardly between her and his friends. Without a word, she reached into the front pocket of his button-up shirt.

From his pocket, she retrieved the name tag that was sticking out—the kind issued at his workplace. Holding it between her fingers, she turned on her heel and tossed it down the hallway. It sailed through the air, tumbling end over end until it passed an invisible threshold.

A sharp hum tore through the silence as a red laser shot from the ceiling, striking the tag with precision. The force of the impact sent it hurtling to the ground, where it skidded across the cold tiles, smoke curling from its edges.

The group flinched, the boys jumping back, startled by the sight. Rika, however, remained still. Her eyes narrowed as she tracked the smoking tag, slowly, she tucked the phone into the pocket of her hoodie alongside her own.

"What was that?" Karube asked as he took a step forward. But before he could get too far, Rika grabbed onto his wrist, yanking him firmly back into place. "Don't," she said, her tone sharp with the command.

The woman's gaze shifted to Karube, then to the scorched name tag lying a few feet away. Her expression didn't waver, "Once you cross the borderline, you can never return," she explained, her eyes lingering on the group. "You have no choice but to participate in the game."

Karube's jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides, but he said nothing as she passed by him to grab one of the phones for herself.

Arisu, however, wasn't as composed. Without thinking, he took a hesitant step forward, his gaze fixed on the still-smoking name tag.

"Arisu!" Rika snapped, her hand shooting out to grab his arm. She pulled him back sharply, her other hand still holding onto her brother.

He turned to her, his wide eyes filled with a touch of defiance. "I just want to see—"

"Don't be stupid," Rika was quick to say, cutting him off. Her grip on his arm tightened as she glared at him, her expression a mixture of frustration and fear. "Did you not see what happened? Do you want to end up like that card?"

Arisu opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself, the intensity of her stare silencing whatever protest he had planned. He let out a reluctant sigh and nodded, his shoulders sagging slightly as he stilled in place.

Rika released her grip on both boys but didn't take her eyes off Arisu, her own breathing steady but shallow. "Good," she muttered under her breath, though her voice carried more exhaustion than relief.

A sudden gasp broke through the air, pulling Rika's focus upward. Her eyes snapped to the end of the hallway, where a younger girl stood clutching a backpack, her wide eyes darting between them.

"Thank God!" the girl exclaimed, relief washing over her face. "Geez, I thought I wouldn't find anyone here!" She sighed loudly, her body relaxing as if she'd been holding her breath this entire time. Without hesitation, she started rushing towards them, her footsteps echoing against the tiles.

"Wait! Stop!" Karube called out, his voice sharp.

"Don't move!" Arisu added, his hand shooting up as if to physically stop her. But their words fell on deaf ears.

The girl, who looked barely out of high school, crossed the invisible borderline before she could even realize what kind of mistake she had just made. She halted abruptly at their yells, her backpack slipping slightly from her shoulder as she turned to face them. Her expression was a mix of confusion and alarm, her wide eyes silently asking the question: What did I do?

None of them answered.

Instead, the woman from before stepped forward, her heels clicking softly as she approached the girl. She held out a phone, the screen glowing faintly in the dim light. "My condolences," She said, her voice devoid of any emotion as she placed the device into the girl's trembling hands.

Rika caught sight of a name tag hanging from her purse, reading Saori Shibuki. From what she could catch before the woman turned away, she saw that she was an office clerk. For what business, she couldn't say. The tag was out of sight by then.

Without another word, she turned and looked down at her own device.

The girl stared down at the phone in her hands, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something—but no words came.

Rika inhaled deeply, her fingers fumbling for the phone in her hoodie pocket as it buzzed softly. The robotic voice from earlier making its return.

"Registration has closed. The game will now commence."

The screen shifted, displaying the details of their 'game':

"Game: Dead or Alive."
"Difficulty: Three of Clubs."

"Three of Clubs?" Chota muttered, holding up his phone as he squinted at the display. "What does that mean?"

Rika's brow furrowed as she glanced at him, mind racing with possibilities. "At least it's a Three," she said, "Low number means less difficulty, maybe?" She ran a hand through her dyed hair, tugging slightly at the strands in frustration.

Her eyes flicked back to the card symbol on the screen. "Maybe the suit means something? Like... different types of games?" She shrugged, her voice laced with confusion. "I don't know. I'm guessing."

Arisu nodded along with her words. "It makes sense." He assured, giving her a small smile before turning back to the phone in his grasp.

If this had been a normal night—if the world was as it should be—Rika's eyes would be glued to her computer screen right now. She'd be scouring over documents, piecing together leads for an article that would go unnoticed by most but would mean the world to her. Being an investigative journalist had its perks. Working from home, unraveling mysteries from a safe distance—that was her comfort zone.

But now? Now her mind was running at a million miles per hour, trying to solve a puzzle that felt impossible. Every detail since they'd stepped out of that bathroom stall was a piece of something larger, but none of it fit together.

And the last thing she ever expected was to be playing games. Truth be told, she was ready for zombies to invade the planet. She guessed this was better. In a way.

The voice from the phone only continued, its sound cutting through the silence. "Rule: Select the correct door within the stipulated time."

"What?" Arisu whispered.

"Leave the building within the time limit."

Before anyone could process the announcement, a sudden ding! sounded from behind them. Rika turned to face the source, her eyes locking onto the red elevator as its doors slid open with a soft hiss.

The interior walls were pure white, almost unnervingly pristine, and in the center hung a single poster. The word START was printed in bold, black letters.

The woman, Shibuki, stepped forward, heels clicking against the tiles as she approached the open elevator. She paused just before stepping inside, sparing a glance back at the group. Their expressions mirrored one another—confusion and hesitation.

The woman sighed, the sound laced with faint irritation. "You'll die if you keep spacing out."

Her words sent a jolt through Rika, pulling her out of the confused state. There was no warmth in her tone, no attempt to comfort or explain—just a cold, matter-of-fact statement that left no room for argument.

Without waiting for a response, Shibuki turned and stepped into the elevator.

"Wait!" the younger girl blurted, her voice cracking slightly as she hurried forward. She clutched the straps of her backpack tightly, knuckles white as she followed the woman inside.

Rika turned to her brother, then to Chota and Arisu, who stood on either side of her. Their eyes darted between Rika and the elevator. She could see the hesitation in their posture, the way they questioned every move being made.

"We should just get it over with," Rika said, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm as she gestured toward the elevator, already moving forward before anyone could respond.

Karube hesitated for only a moment before following her, his steps smacking against the tiles. Chota trailed close behind, his usual grin replaced with a tight, uneasy frown. Arisu lingered at the back, his feet shuffling slightly before he finally gave in, trailing after the others.

The elevator was cramped, almost claustrophobic. The walls were blindingly white. It made Rika's head hurt. There was a reason why she preferred the stairs at her apartment. As the group packed inside, their bodies pressed awkwardly against one another, the air seemed to only grow heavier with unspoken tension.

Rika found herself standing in front of the woman and the younger girl, examining each of their expressions with a quick glance. The woman held a calm confidence that felt almost unnatural, while the girl clutched her bag so tightly it looked as if she might rip the straps.

Karube moved to stand beside his sister, while Chota claimed the other side, his shoulder pressing against hers. Arisu leaned into the corner, his eyes glued to the START poster.

With a soft whir, the elevator jolted to life, its smooth ascent marked by a faint mechanical hum. The doors closed with a finality, sealing them inside.

Rika pressed her palms against her sides, her fingers brushing the fabric of her hoodie as she focused on her breathing. The enclosed space felt suffocating, the silence between them thick and heavy. She hated tight spaces. Absolutely hated them.

Arisu broke it first, his voice a whisper. "Does anyone else think this feels... weird?"

"Of course it feels weird," Karube muttered, he leaned slightly to the side, his head brushing the edge of the elevator wall. "None of this is normal."

Chota shifted uncomfortably, his phone still clutched tightly in his hand. "It can't be that bad, right? It's just a game. Maybe we picked the right one."

Rika let out a slow breath, her gaze fixed on the glowing numbers above the door. "We didn't pick anything," she said quietly, "We're here because we didn't have a choice."

The young girl behind her gulped in fear, her grip on her bag tightening as her eyes darted nervously around the small space. Rika glanced at her briefly before looking back at the rising numbers. She didn't have the energy to offer comfort—not when she didn't even know how to comfort herself.

The elevator continued its ascent, the hum of the machinery the only sound breaking the silence.

And then, just as abruptly as it had started, the motion stopped.

Ding!

The doors opened.

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