Running while holding Ayano's hand, Tadashi entered the depths of the place.
Ayano: "Where are we going??"
Tadashi: "A safe place."
He entered a room with her and shut the door tightly behind them.
Tadashi: "We're safe here."
Tadashi turned to Ayano and found her trembling completely, lost in thought, and shivering.
Tadashi: "Ayano."
She didn't reply; she didn't even hear him—she remained stuck in her imagination, staring at the ground. So he fired a bullet that grazed her shoulder.
Ayano screamed.
Ayano: "What's wrong with you??"
Tadashi: "Come back to reality—can you?"
Ayano: "O-okay…" She held her wound in pain.
Tadashi: "Good. Stay here."
Ayano: "Where are you going?"
Tadashi: "I have to do something."
Ayano: "You gonna leave me alone!?"
Tadashi: "You're safe here. Just lock the door."
Ayano: "How will I know when you're back?"
Tadashi: "I'll knock in a special way."
Tadashi knocked to show her: two long knocks followed by two quick ones.
Tadashi: "Got it?"
Ayano: "Yes…"
Tadashi: "Alright. Stay here."
Tadashi left, leaving Ayano alone.
Minutes passed, and Ayano waited. She sat scared and anxious, hearing nothing but gunshots—until she heard something else that eased her heart: Tadashi's special knock on the door. A smile appeared on her face, and she stood immediately to open it. But as soon as she did, her expression changed completely. She backed away instantly—she saw something she didn't want to see.
Ayano: "You… what are you doing here?!"
Kyle: "Did you miss me?"
Kyle pointed a weapon at Ayano, increasing her terror.
Ayano: "How did you kno—?"
He cut her off.
Kyle: "The knock? I've known that bastard for a long time, and I know how he thinks. Looks like he hasn't changed at all."
Ayano: "W-what do you want now?"
Kyle: "I don't know… maybe revenge?"
Ayano: "If it's money you want, I can pay you..."
Kyle: "As if money's what I care about now."
Ayano: "No, seriously… I have money..."
Kyle: "Alright then—but slowly."
Ayano slowly stepped toward him until she stood before him.
Kyle: "Good girl. Now st—"
Suddenly, several bullets flew into the room, forcing both of them to duck. Taking advantage of his distraction, Ayano kicked Kyle between the legs.
Kyle: "You little—!"
He fell from the pain, and Ayano immediately ran out of the room. But Kyle chased after her.
Outside, bullets were flying everywhere. Ayano didn't care about anything except getting away from Kyle. She ran while protecting her head.
Kyle: "Stop right there!"
He ran after her as fast as he could. The chase continued until they both reached the area where weapons had been distributed. Exhausted from running, a bullet grazed Ayano's leg, and she collapsed to the ground.
Kyle: "I got you. Finally. No more running."
He aimed the gun at her. On the ground, Ayano was shaking, almost crying. She began to wonder—was all this even worth it? In the end, all she wanted was money for her mother. Maybe if she had dropped out of school and found another job, it would've been a kinder fate than this. But it was too late.
Kyle was about to shoot, but before he could—a finger snap sounded behind him.
When he turned around, he found the King standing behind him.
Kyle: "The King?!"
King: "No need to kill her. The game is already over."
Kyle: "But…"
King: "Put the gun down."
His tone made it clear—he wasn't joking.
Kyle: "Alright..."
King: "Good."
As soon as Kyle lowered his weapon, the King drew a gun and shot Kyle in the leg, making him fall to the ground.
Ayano: "?!"
Kyle: "What is this?! What are you doing?!"
King: "Nothing. Just making sure you're in your place."
His mask fell—and behind it was Tadashi?!
Ayano: "Tadashi!"
Kyle: "You bastard—what's going on?!"
Tadashi: "Nothing. I just gave you what you deserved. And thinking about it… this is the perfect chance to get rid of scum like you."
He aimed his weapon at Kyle, but Ayano, resisting her leg pain, stood between them to protect him.
Tadashi: "What are you doing?"
Ayano: "Stop."
Tadashi: "You know he's hurt many people, right?"
Ayano: "I do. But… I don't believe killing solves anything. If you want him to pay for his mistakes, isn't it better for him to stay alive and actually do it?"
Tadashi: "I don't care about him. Move."
Ayano: "Tadashi, please…"
"Tadashi, please…"
Hearing those words, Tadashi sank deep into his memory—he remembered something he never wanted to remember. He lost balance, stepped back, holding his head.
Tadashi: "Shut up... damn it. Don't talk like her."
Ayano: "Like who?"
Suddenly, sirens rang out everywhere, followed by the voice of the real King through the speakers.
King: "Well done, everyone. This game is over."