CHAPTER FOUR
episode two

The sun rose, casting a golden light across the city's empty streets, its warmth providing no comfort to the survivors. They had taken refuge in a mall, its once-busy halls now reduced to nothing but silence. Without power and people shopping, the place felt cold and lifeless, every shadow stretching across the tiled floors. The group had quickly realized that most electronics were now useless, leaving them to scavenge for essentials in dark stores.

Rika sat alone in the quiet, tucked away in one of the empty stores for a moment to herself. Earlier, Karube and Arisu had ventured out to find more medical supplies, leaving her to keep an eye on Chota, who was resting a few stores away. Shibuki had offered to watch over him to give Rika some time alone. Surprisingly, the woman decided to stay with them after the game.

Rika had done her best with what they had, wrapping both her legs in gauze after applying burn cream to the blisters that stretched across the backs of her calves. The pain was dull now, manageable with the painkillers Karube had forced into her hand upon his return.

Chota wasn't as lucky. His burns were severe, the bubbling skin of his leg hidden beneath carefully applied bandages. The antiseptic had done little to ease his pain, and the look on his face when he'd thanked Rika for trying stayed tucked in the back of her mind.

She leaned back against the wall, her freshly changed clothes a small comfort in the dark. She had traded her smoke smothered hoodie and shorts for a pair of black leggings and an oversized shirt she'd pulled off some racks in a store. It was clean, simple, and loose enough to let her bandages breathe.

Next to her, a new messenger bag sat propped against the wall. She'd scavenged it from a store on the first floor, stuffing it with supplies she hoped would be useful. A flashlight, bandages, snacks, a water bottle, and whatever tools she could find were tucked inside, along with the registration phone and her personal one-which was now completely useless. Still, she kept it. Her pepper spray and keys had also found its place in the bag.

Karube had been insistent about her taking both the painkillers and antibiotics when he returned earlier, shoving the pills into her hand with an annoyed look. "You're not going to be any help to anyone if you can't walk," he'd muttered before softening. "Just... take care of yourself, alright?"

Rika had swallowed the pills without complaint, the bitterness lingering on her tongue when Karube disappeared back into the depths of the mall.

The morning somehow felt heavier than the night before. Despite the sunlight streaming in through the mall's glass ceiling, the knowledge of what they'd been through rampaged through her. Over and over like a broken record. There was no escaping the games. No way to go back.

The familiar dull throb in Rika's legs faded into the background of her busy mind as the medicine finally began to work its magic. She gave herself a moment longer, brushing through the tangled mess of her hair before tying it into a ponytail. Her Vans, though worn and scuffed, were slipped back on with reluctant care. She winced faintly as she stood, grabbing her messenger bag and slinging it over her shoulder.

The sound of Arisu's voice had drifted toward her, carrying through the quiet halls of the mall. She guessed he was speaking with the others, sharing updates on his most recent search. From the snippets Rika caught, his news wasn't promising-not even vehicles seemed to work in this strange new world.

She sighed as she trudged toward the furniture store they'd claimed as their temporary base. The thought of her apartment lingered in her mind. She wanted to go back, even briefly, to gather her things-items that felt like pieces of herself. But Karube and the others had insisted she stay put until her pain was manageable.

She hadn't argued, though her stubborn nature tempted her to. They had a point, and she couldn't ignore the gratitude she felt for their concern. After all, she'd spent years patching them up-Karube, especially. Cleaning up his bloody scrapes and cuts from fights had been a regular occurrence in their childhood. When Arisu and Chota entered the picture, they simply became extensions of that routine.

The low hum of conversation guided her to the heart of the store. She found them nestled in a staged living room area, the kind designed to look like someone's home. Chota lay sprawled on a display daybed, a variety of random devices scattered around him while Arisu occupied the couch nearby. The second her footsteps crossed into their space, both boys turned to greet her with small, tired smiles.

"Find anything good?" Arisu asked, scooting to one side of the couch to make room for her.

Rika shrugged, slipping the bag off her shoulder and depositing it into his lap with an unceremonious drop. "Got some snacks," she replied, watching as his eyes lit up with childlike excitement. He dove into the bag, rummaging through its contents like a kid opening a gift.

With a small, amused shake of her head, Rika sank into the couch beside him. She stretched her arms out lazily, folding her hands over her stomach, letting her head tilt back against the cushions. Her gaze drifted upward to the store's high ceiling, the faint lines of sunlight spilling through the glass above.

"How's your legs?" Chota asked from the bed as he fiddled with an old radio he held in his hands. He turned one of the dials, though the static remained unchanging, a faint crackle barely breaking through.

Rika glanced over at him, squinting. A part of her wanted to tell him to worry about his own wounds-his leg looked far worse than hers-but she swallowed the bitter retort. "Good," she replied instead, "I could probably go for a run."

Chota's face lit up in amusement, though before he could respond, Arisu reached over and tapped her on the head with a pack of candy. "That's not gonna happen," he said, though there was a playfulness to his words as he leaned back into the couch and opened the snack.

Rika rolled her eyes at the gesture, lips twitching into a faint smile. Arisu nudged her hand with a Reese Cup, and she hesitated for a moment before taking it.

"A jog?" she attempted again, her voice teasing. This time, Arisu didn't bother with candy and gave her a light smack with his hand instead.

"Fine," Rika grumbled, her head rolling to the side in mock defeat as she unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth.

Chota shook his head at the interaction, a faint chuckle escaping him. "No running for us," he commented, catching the Reese Cup that Arisu lazily tossed his way. He grinned, unwrapping it immediately.

Arisu shifted beside her, pulling his phone from his back pocket. He focused on the screen, checking the Visa days displayed there. After a moment, the screen went black, a loading symbol flashing briefly before fading into nothingness. He frowned, tapping the phone's surface with his finger. "It's useless if we can't charge it, huh?"

Rika turned her head to look at him, "Maybe they'll have new ones at the next game," she offered, her mind already cataloging possibilities.

At that thought, she reached down, grabbing her bag off his lap, pulling out a small notepad and pen she'd stolen from one of the nearby stores. As Arisu hummed in acknowledgment, she smoothed out the paper and began to write.

The pen scratched against the page as she created a list: things they needed, things that had gone wrong, things they knew. It was messy and disorganized, her thoughts spilling onto the paper in no particular order, but it helped to focus her racing mind.

After a few moments, she paused, lifting her head. "Where's Karube?" she asked, glancing at the two boys.

"With Shibuki," Chota replied, "They're still looking through the mall. Checking the stores for whatever's left." He wiped his hands against his pants, crumpling the candy wrapper before tossing it across the room into a nearby trash can. It missed, bouncing off the rim and landing on the floor.

Rika leaned back into the couch, her pen tapping rhythmically against the edge of the notepad.

By the time her brother and the office clerk returned, Chota had managed to get the radio working-popping in an old music tape to fill the empty silence of the mall.

They gathered in the makeshift kitchen area of the furniture store, using a display table as their dining space. Karube and Shibuki had brought back a surprising haul-more food and even a portable oven, which Shibuki had already started. She worked with practiced efficiency, heating up canned goods and ramen to make a warm meal.

Upon his return, Karube passed Rika a pocket knife he found in an outdoor store. She accepted it with a smile, tucking the weapon into the waistband of her leggings. They didn't know what they would run into anymore, or who-so it was better to be safe than sorry.

The gesture reminded her of the self-defense 'lessons' Karube had given throughout the years. His fighting style was, as she liked to call it, chaotic brilliance-a wild, unpredictable mess. She wasn't quite as erratic, but his lessons had given her the confidence to handle herself in a pinch.

"I feel alive again!" Chota exclaimed, gulping down the steaming ramen Shibuki had served them.

Rika leaned back in her chair, her bowl already empty save for the thin layer of broth coating the bottom. She lazily twirled a chopstick in the liquid, elbows resting on the table and her head propped up by her hand. Beside her, Arisu was halfway through his serving, eating slower than the others to savor the taste.

She turned her attention to her beer, picking it up to finish with a gulp. Karube was the only one who joined her in that choice of beverage. Thanks to their Father, it ran in the family.

As the meal wound down, Shibuki broke the comfortable silence, leaning forward slightly. "So," she began, her gaze sweeping over the group. "What were you four doing? You know, when everyone disappeared?"

Rika couldn't help but shake her head at the memory, the absurdity of it hitting her all over again. She bit back a laugh, glancing toward Arisu, who had gone still beside her.

He cleared his throat, his cheeks tinting slightly pink as he sat straighter. "We were, uh..." He paused, glancing at Rika as if asking for backup. She didn't give it to him, choosing to watch him struggle with an amused smile.

"We were in a restroom," he finally admitted.

Shibuki's eyebrows shot up. "All of you?"

Chota looked up from his now-empty bowl, nodding in confirmation. "Yeah, same stall and everything," he added, as if that clarified anything.

Shibuki blinked, her confusion evident. "Why?"

"I asked myself that same question," Rika interjected dryly, leveling a sharp look at Karube, who burst into a chuckle at her tone.

Her brother then looked to Shibuki. "What about you?"

Her expression of amusement faded at the question, Rika's brow perking up at the sight as Shibuki began to answer. "Work," She said, her voice steady, though Rika could tell it was a well-placed lie. With her job, she had long since trained herself to catch the slight hesitations and tonal shifts that most people missed. But the boys either didn't notice or didn't care.

So, she held her tongue, even though a retort itched at the back of her throat.

"I was in the meeting room, organizing work materials," Shibuki continued, her voice gaining more confidence as she spun her tale. "And then everyone disappeared from the office."

Arisu tilted his head slightly, watching her. "Did you see or hear anything?"

Shibuki shook her head, her hands fidgeting slightly on the table. "I don't remember. I arrived here three days ago, and they forced me into a game, just like everyone else. Everyone died, except for me."

Karube leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with an unimpressed look. His playfulness from seconds ago was now gone. "Did you use them all as bait?" he asked bluntly.

Shibuki's expression hardened, her frustration slipping through. "Say whatever you want," she snapped, "I just... I just wanted to survive."

Rika let out a bitter laugh as she crushed the empty beer can in her hand, the aluminum groaning under her grip. "And that girl just wanted to go home," she said, her voice sharp as she shot a cold stare at Shibuki.

The woman's eyes dropped to the table, unable-or unwilling-to meet Rika's gaze.

Karube took a long sip from his beer, breaking the silence without saying a word.

The awkwardness settled heavily over the table, like a fog no one wanted to acknowledge. But Rika was never one to shy away from this type of thing.

Yet Arisu, ever the peacekeeper, was the next one to speak up. "What game was it?" he asked, leaning forward, elbows braced against the table.

Shibuki hesitated, her hands clasping together tightly. "It was at a subway station," she began, "They used poison gas. Everyone was vomiting blood... it was even coming out of their eyes."

Rika's stomach twisted, and she was grateful she'd already finished her meal.

"Isn't it strange?" Arisu said after a pause, sitting his chopsticks to rest in his bowl. "For us, everyone disappeared yesterday. But for Shibuki, it was three days ago. Why at different times?"

Karube frowned, leaning forward as realization dawned. "You're right. That doesn't add up."

"Even the vegetables I found were rotten," Arisu continued, his brows knitting together in thought. "If it's only been a few days since everyone disappeared... then what's the explanation?"

Rika stayed silent, her fingers playing with the crushed beer can as she listened to the conversation unfold.

"Maybe time works differently here," Shibuki suggested, shaking her head slightly. "I don't know. But even among us, the time when people disappeared isn't the same, right?"

Chota stared into his empty bowl, his voice barely above a whisper. "Did we time travel while we were in the restroom?"

The theories swirled around the table, their voices rising and falling as they tried to piece together the puzzle of their predicament. But Rika's mind drifted elsewhere. None of it made sense, and that lack of clarity grated against her instincts. Her job was to untangle mysteries, to make sense of the senseless-and yet here she was, utterly lost.

Her thoughts snapped back to reality when Chota winced, his face contorted in pain. A sheen of sweat covered his forehead, and tears glistened at the corners of his eyes.

Rika straightened in her seat, worry flaring to life. Her legs, at least, had responded to the medicine, the pain dulled to a faint ache. But Chota's injury was far worse. It needed real treatment, not a quick fix.

She gripped the edges of the table as she stood. "If there are other people out there, we should try to find a doctor," she said, her eyes looking over the group.

With that, Rika turned on her heel, grabbing her bag from the chair and slinging it over her shoulder in one fluid motion. "I'm gonna look around," she said, her voice leaving no room for argument. Without waiting for a reply, she walked toward the nearest exit.

"You're hurt too. You should rest!" Karube's voice echoed after her, his words laced with concern. And a touch of exasperation.

Rika responded with nothing more than a dismissive wave over her shoulder, her pace unyielding as she rounded the corner and disappeared from view.

She wasn't planning on going far, anyways. The throbbing in her legs was manageable, but the weight in her chest was not. The suffocating conversation and the ache of uncertainty left her craving air-solitude. It was an old habit of hers, a coping mechanism born of years spent navigating her own internal battles.

The boys mostly understood her need to be alone, though her brother could never fully suppress his stubborn protectiveness. His yelling had been proof of that, but she wasn't in the mood to ease his worries.

Her hand brushed absently against the strap of her bag as she walked, her mind twisting with thoughts she couldn't quite untangle. Shibuki's story stuck with her, the images of poison gas and blood-slicked floors clawing at her imagination.

Rika shook her head, forcing the thoughts down. Fear and hesitation would only get her killed. She had to focus, to stay sharp.

When night fell, Rika reluctantly made her way back to the mall. The cool air outside had offered her some respite from her busy mind, but it did little to lift her spirits. Her search for a doctor-or any other human being-had been fruitless.

Now, as she stepped through the mall's dimly lit entrance, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the silence, she was yet again reminded of just how alone they were.

In the lower level, Rika spent a moment tending to herself. She peeled off her leggings with a wince, swapping them for a loose pair of white sports shorts, allowing her bandaged legs some much-needed air. Her shirt was tucked into the waistband, and she checked the knife her brother had given her, sliding it into the side pocket of her bag.

With her wounds tended to and another painkiller taken to dull the worst of the ache, Rika headed toward the unmoving escalators. Each step up the cold metal was slow and quiet, her hand trailing along the railing for balance. As she reached the top, the faint murmur of voices caught her ear, pulling her from her thoughts.

She stopped halfway, eyes narrowing as she tilted her head to pinpoint the sound. Karube and Arisu were standing a short distance away, leaning against the railing in front of one of the stores. Their whispers carried across the empty mall, and though she couldn't make out every word, their expressions piqued her curiosity.

Rika furrowed her brows, softening her steps as she reached the top and moved closer. She stopped just around the corner, close enough to hear without being seen.

"Let's join the game tomorrow night, just the two of us," Karube spoke quietly, staring down at the dark mall below them.

"What?" Arisu's response was quick, "We still have three days left on our visas."

Karube turned to face him, "It's better to get used to the game while we still have time to spare. We'll probably have to beat the next game with Chota's injured leg, not to mention Rika's-no matter how much she pretends. If we don't learn how to clear the games with just the two of us, we won't be able to protect them."

Rika wanted to scoff. Mostly at their failed attempt to go unheard.

Arisu sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he mulled it over. "You're right, but..." He hesitated, glancing toward the railing as if searching for the right words.

"We can-" Karube began, but the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted him.

Both boys snapped their heads toward the noise, surprised to see Rika as she stepped into view.

"You know it's rude to talk about people when they're not there to listen," she said, adjusting the strap of the bag on her shoulder, her sharp gaze fixed on her brother.

"Rika," Karube started, his tone defensive, "We weren't trying to-"

"Save it," she interrupted, holding up a hand as she closed the distance between them. Her gaze flicked between the two, "So, what's this about leaving me and Chota behind while you two play heroes?"

Arisu opened his mouth to respond but faltered under her piercing stare. It was Karube who spoke instead, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's not about leaving you behind and you know that. It's about making sure we're ready. Someone has to learn how to clear these games properly if things go south. You know damn well Chota's leg isn't healing overnight, and you're still limping even if you're too stubborn to admit it."

Her playfulness faded, her head tilting slightly. "So your brilliant idea is to split up? Risk both of your lives just so you can play guinea pigs for a system none of us even understand yet?"

Karube opened his mouth to retort, but she cut him off, stepping closer to jab a finger into his chest. "If you get yourselves killed, who's supposed to protect me and Chota then, huh? You ever think of that?" Not that she needed protection, what she needed was to get her point through to him.

He used anger, she used words.

For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air. Arisu was the one to break it, his voice quieter than usual. "She's right, Karube. Splitting up could make things worse. If we're not careful, none of us will make it."

Karube's jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "And if we don't prepare, we're sitting ducks! I'm not saying we go in blind-I'm saying we get ahead of the curve while we still can."

"Getting ahead of the curve doesn't mean rushing headfirst into danger," Rika shot back, "You're no good to anyone if you're dead. And frankly, I'm not about to lose my little brother because of some half-baked plan you didn't even bother running by me first."

Karube stared at her, the stubbornness in his eyes clashed against hers, a simple battle of wills that neither of them was willing to back down from.

"I'm coming with you," Rika said matter-of-factly, her arms crossing over her chest in a defiant stance that made it clear she wasn't asking for permission-she was simply stating the inevitable.

Karube blinked, "No you are not," he shot back, his voice lined with that familiar protectiveness that always seemed to flare up whenever her safety was on the line.

"Yes I am." Rika was quick to respond, her gaze moving to the one standing between them. "Tell me, Arisu, who was the first person to open the door when shit went wrong in the game?"

Arisu's eyes dropped to the floor, avoiding the direct confrontation. "You were," he muttered after a pause.

Rika smiled, turning back to Karube, her expression now one of triumph. "See? Thank you."

Karube's eyes moved between his sister and Arisu, frustration rising. "This is ridiculous," he grumbled, running a hand through his hair. "What if you have to run, huh? You need to rest while you can, not stretch yourself until you break."

Rika's gaze hardened, "You're ridiculous for thinking that I wasn't going to say anything if you and Arisu decided to leave tomorrow. I'll go with you guys, Shibuki will look over Chota. Maybe we'll even find a doctor."

Karube stared at her for a long moment, as if searching for the words that would convince her to back down. But Rika stood her ground, unwavering.

"I'm not letting you do this alone, Karube," Rika said, "We're in this together. You're not going to run off and get yourself killed because you think you can handle it. You need me just as much as I need you."

Karube opened his mouth, as if to argue, but the words caught in his throat. He knew she was right, even if he hated admitting it. He could never win an argument with Rika once her mind was made up.

"Fine," he muttered, the fight draining from him. "But don't say I didn't warn you. You're going to be the one complaining when we're neck-deep in danger."

Rika gave him a forced smile. "I'll take my chances."

Karube's gaze lingered on his sister for a beat longer. Then, with a sigh, he gestured toward the furniture store. "Come on, let's get some rest. We'll need all the energy we can muster for tomorrow."

Arisu let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, glancing between the siblings with a small smile. "So... does this mean we're all on the same page?"

"For now," Rika confirmed as she adjusted the strap of her bag, turning to head back toward their temporary home.

As she walked away, Karube shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Still bossy as ever."

"Still reckless as ever," Rika called back without looking, disappearing around the corner to bed down for the night.

-
4162

AH TAG GAME IS NEXT