A K I O  D A I C H I

I stood up and dusted my pants, fixing my glasses before approaching Jun — who was talking to another girl. I never really admitted it but I just can't seem to avoid her. I can't have the guts to leave her on her own. Like something was forcing me to stay by her side and not abandon her. It wasn't really a feeling I could get used into.

And I'm pretty sure it wasn't normal.

As I sat beside her, she turned to look at me before giving me a sweet smile. Of course, I just gave her a small smile. I wasn't really fond of smiling to other people. But she was an exception.

I then saw the girl excusing herself before sitting down beside Musume — who was still grieving his sister's death. He was looking down at the floor, his hands on his knees. When I looked at him closely, I saw that his hands were trembling in anger.

I wasn't going to judge. He just lost his sister, who seems to be his only companion in this hell hole. I then saw him standing up, leaning on the wall. His serious look made me realize that he wanted to avenge his sibling.

Looking on my right, Xhion wasn't in a good condition as well. He was glaring at Minho, who was looking straight at me. I could sense a hint of jealousy when he saw me sitting down beside Jun. With no hesitation whatsoever, I glared back at him.

Jun probably noticed our little glaring contest since she gave me a tap on the shoulder before shaking her head no. I nodded in understanding, still feeling Minho's glare boring right to me. I then ignored, looking over where Xhion was. But I widened my eyes when I didn't saw him there.

"Akio, right?" I heard someone asking me as I looked back to my right, seeing Xhion giving me a smirk. I then nodded, standing up. We then shook hands before I sat back down.

Xhion then sat beside Jun, giving her a sweet smile. But I didn't really expect her to feel uncomfortable. She unexpectedly shivered, moving a bit towards me to give her and Xhion some space. Our shoulders touched, making her look at me.

"I'm sorry." Before she could even move back, I put my arms around her shoulder. I already knew her reason. She didn't have to explain.

Xhion's smile fell, looking at Jun with a worried glance. "I didn't scare you, did I?"

She just shook her head, looking down at the floor. She then secretly tugged on my shirt, making me nod. Something was definitely up. And it's not making her comfortable. I looked back at Xhion, meeting his gaze.

"I think you should leave us for a minute, don't you think?" I coldly said as he gave me a nod and a smile at Jun. He then stood up, walking away.

When he was already far from us, I looked at Jun. She was still looking down, shaking a bit. She then looked up at me before she gave me a small smile. I swear that I saw a tint of fear still lingering on her eyes before she looked away.

"Thanks," Jun said as I nodded. She then tried avoiding to look at Xhion, making me confused. I then grabbed her hand as she looked once again to meet my gaze.

"Tell me, why were you afraid of Xhion?" I asked her as I saw her gulp. I could feel her hand trembling on my own. Her small figure cowering next to me.

"He's not himself." I knitted my eyebrows at her answer. What does that mean? Before I could even ask her another question, I heard a girl's voice blaring on the speaker.

"Minho Akagame, please pick a paper from from the left hat." I then saw him standing, approaching the table apathetically before getting a paper inside. He then opened it before speaking.

"Akio Daichi," he said, looking at me. I heard Jun softly gasped as I stood up, hiding the knife on my long sleeves as soon as possible. I looked back to her to see her giving me a worred glance.

"Are you going to be alright here?" I asked her as she looked at Xhion before back at me. I quickly got the message so I grabbed her hand and approached Yuuki.

Yuuki, on the other hand, looked up at me and saw Jun. She then gave her a wave before smiling.

"Can you watch over her while I'm gone?" I asked Yuuki as she nods. Jun looked overwhelmed when I asked Yuuki to stay on her side. I then nod back at her before looking around the room. They were all looking at me, expecting me to answer.

I sighed.

This was it. I just hope nothing bad ever happens to me. I still need to stay alive.

"I choose dare." I was expecting a lot of laughter booming on the speaker. But there wasn't any. Was it broken? I looked up at the speaker before I heard the girl talking.

"Goodluck," she said before she told me to pick a folded paper on the other hat. I then approached it, picking one. As I opened it, I felt like my energy was drained.

D A R E
Wander around the hallway and find a key. After you collect it, one girl will be trapped in a room with the twins. You only have fifteen minutes to look and five minutes to save her. Goodluck.

I then breathed deeply, putting the paper on my pocket. Looking at Jun, I sighed. I already know that I really need to stay alive. For her.

When I was about to open the door, I felt someone hugging me. Looking down, I saw Jun putting her arms around me. She then looked up, giving me a worried look.

"Be careful, okay?" she said as I nodded, returning the hug. Even though I was still mad at her tugging my shirt and sleeves all the time, I can't seem to hold a grudge on her.

After we pulled away, I walked outside and saw a long dimmed hallway on both sides. I could hear a loud slam behind me, making me turn around.

The door was already locked.

I then heard some children laughing on my right like they were making fun of me. But then, their laughing became louder and sinister. Two boys, probably nine years old, had given me a sinister smile at the end of the hallway.

Suddenly, a small girl in a white dress called out my name on the left in short whispers. I turned to my left to see her silhouette running away, still calling out to me and mentioning me to follow.

Knowing I had no choice but to find that key, I then breathed deeply before running to the left. I guess I could handle a little girl rather than two boys.