Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m not gonna do what you want.” The teals voice rung out in the courtroom; also known as the dastardly Main Game grounds.

“Your collar…?!” Safalin was stunned - the collars are vicious to take off, she knew that much from experience.

He muttered to himself, exasperation clear, “Exit’s that way, huh?”

Hope shone throughout the group, whether silenced or not. They all glared at him, making him want to shrivel up in a hole.

“I-It’s futile! This facility has a defense system!” The teary-eyed pleaded.

All went unknown to Shin as he staggered over to the doors, clumsily & tripping over himself a few times.

He needed to live.

After so gracefully being given the chance to live on, he’d take it no matter what.

No matter what.

To defeat the odds… Takes will. Determination. Certainly Shin can have that much, right?

.

.

.

Light seeped into the corridors of the 3rd floor as he took off again, bullets shooting into him.

“Urk… Got weapons like this, too?!” He spat through his teeth, clenching onto his torn shoulder for the sake of him.

It was excruciatingly painful. The blood stained his clothing, turning it a freakishly calming rose-like colour.

No. It’s impossible.

No…

No.

NO.

He couldn’t…

He couldn’t die. That isn’t..

He couldn’t just-

…Go against fate.

He couldn’t go refute fate’s longing, it’s wish, either. As long as that 0.0% was looming over his head, in this game, he was destined for failure.

Huh.

How cruel, after everything he did to play around it, suppose he played a losing game. Maybe the opponent cheated? Or did he?

Oh well.

“Ahaha… No dice after all.” His nails dug into the wound, shoulder blade shattered.

He heaved, body still fighting for preservation.

“Pathetic! After all I did…” His hand slid to his forearm, checking his pulse.

It was getting slower, for sure.

Tears flowed down his face, resolute with this outcome.

He quietened for a moment, reminiscing on all he did.

‘The riffraff…’ From breakdowns,

‘You wrote that message for her, didn’t you, Miss Sara?’ & accusations,

‘The laptop! Right! Before the Main Game…’ & amnesia,

‘I’m the Keymaster.’ To falsified actions,

‘So please… Give us more time, Miss Sara!’ & begging,

‘My real name… Is Shin Tsukimi!’ & unwanted revelations.

He really was a bad person, wasn’t he?

“Maybe I should’ve believed… In everyone.” He murmured, chuckling softly.

Maybe his biggest mistake of all was distrust. All his actions leading to that were of suspicion, weren’t they?

He wondered whether if would’ve been better to trust everyone. It would’ve been, wouldn’t it? All the others lived by Sara’s commands. But Sou’s distrust got him the laptop from Kai, so what then?

Perhaps there is no right answer. Perhaps, no matter what route you branch off into, things don’t change. Perhaps Jou, Kai, Nao & him were fated to die.

How ironic. It’d mean his effort was useless & had no impact whatsoever.

“..Miss Sara.” He spoke on instinct. Maybe he could help her out; just this once. Maybe.

The person addressed lowered their head, a sign of attentiveness.

“There’s actually just one thing wrong in your reasoning,”

He could do this one thing.

“& I’ll show you what it is; my.. Final present.” A cat-like smirk grew.

He could do this.

An apology, of sorts.

He fled over to the hidden corridor, now needing to tweak something special for her.

.

.

.

In the room of rubble, his body further weakened. Shin felt so hazy to the point where he bashed into the walls, leaving wavy, red trails to the computer.

The original code was meant as a fail safe for if they didn’t vote Kanna & she inevitably passed:

-if{Sara.Chidouin}=Enter{Jou.AI}=Mean.

But… She didn’t die. So, he changed it.

-if{Sara.Chidouin}=Enter{Jou.AI}=Nice.

Hopefully… She’ll enjoy it.

As his vision blurred & his body weakened, he heard rapid footsteps outside the area.

“Sou! Where are you?!” He heard the familiar voice of the ginger. Say, in the… Lobby? Echoes weren’t exactly accurate tells of location around here.

He wondered how Keiji would feel about him finally leaving this plane of eumythia, the blonde having wished death upon him for so long.

“I don’t have much time, Miley.” A blue of black & green resided in front of his slumped body.

“Heya Shin. Couldn’t beat the odds, huh?” Hiyori gave a warm grin.

He giggled, “C’mon now, don’t look so shocked. I’m just making sure you go early.”

Bringing Kai’s knife to Shin’s neck, Hiyori whispered to him.

“Good night, Shin.”

Maybe in another world, he could’ve been happy.

.

.

.

The teal awoke in a bed, hands clammy.

What?

Was it a dream?

No, he remembers the feeling of Kanna’s hands, the bullets, Hiyori’s soothing voice, Sara’s accusatory one.

So, how was he alive?

Shin attempted to gather himself.

The basics! Name, occupation, the situation.

His name was Sou- no, Shin Tsukimi. His name was Shin Tsukimi. He was self-employed, beginning his own website to garner money.

& what just happened?

Fuck knows.

Last thing he knew, Sara had voted for him, he escaped execution to discover there was a defense system & altered an AI… Then Hiyori went & finished him off?

Now he’s here.

Okay. That’s under wraps. Now…

…Where, in specific, was he?

Chapter Text

With a fair bit of difficulty, Shin sat up. Looking around the room he was in, he realized something. The room looked eerily similar to his bedroom when he was in high school.

How was that possible? He couldn't have just gone back in time, since that didn't make logical sense. Although, it wasn't entirely impossible that when he died he'd.. been transported to another universe? But how? And why him specifically? It didn't make sense, but given the fact that there were definitely alternate universes, it was definitely possible.

Although, something caught his eye. It looked like a plush version of Hatsune Miku, but he'd never owned something like that.

He got out of the bed, went over to the shelf it was on and picked it up. Upon further inspection, it had something written on the tag. "For the future :)"

Weird. It was written in the way that Hiyori would message him, but it was unlikely that he'd written it. In fact, Shin doubted that Hiyori even knew who Miku was, so it was near impossible. What did it mean by 'for the future', anyway? Why would Miku be important to him?

He placed the plush Miku back on the shelf, and just decided to check if there was anything else out of place. He opened a drawer, and found a bunch of test results. All A's, but.. not from what he assumed was last year or this year. Had he dropped out of school in this universe? That wasn't very smart.

He closed the drawer, and decided to check if there was anything different with his laptop, maybe check the year, and if he was in fact in the past in a different universe, see if there was a good school nearby.

The laptop didn't have a password, which probably meant that he was actually in the past, but he looked at the date in the corner of the screen just to be sure. Huh. Same year as usual, but.. why did he feel younger? He didn't even have the back pain from the consistently horrible posture. So.. was he just younger in this universe? He had to find out. Even if it was close to impossible, he needed to know. Though, before that, there was one thing he had to check.

He walked over to his closet, and opened it. Hiyori's scarf wasn't there. He hadn't seen it anywhere else, so.. Hiyori hadn't gone missing yet? Or had the two just never met? The latter was more appealing to him, honestly.

After checking on that, he decided to actually check if he looked the same as he did in high school, since that'd solidify his theory. He left the bedroom, and went to the nearest room that had a mirror in it. He had to check. He had to find out if this universe was, in fact, somehow in the past, but at the same time in the present.

He looked at the mirror, and what he saw was his high school self. aka, what he looked like when he was in high school. but.. how? That didn't make any sense. How did he look like a teen even though the last time he'd checked he was 21? What in the world was happening?

Chapter Text

Shin walked out of the room he was in with a look of utter confusion on his face. Since he hadn't seen anyone else yet, and he was fairly sure he still lived with his parents in this universe, he assumed that they were both on a business trip. Great. No other help with understanding this goddamn universe.

He went back to his bedroom, after deciding to just.. enroll back into school. What else was he gonna do with his life? rot away in bed? ..that didn't sound too bad, but he still opened his laptop again, and searched up what the nearest high school was.

"Kamiyama High School? That's the closest, huh?" He thought out loud. Although, it wasn't as embarrassing as it would be, since he was apparently home alone. He clicked on the link to the enrolment forms to the school, and filled them out. It was fairly easy to do this, since he'd had to do it in the past, so he got it done within about half an hour.

Now he'd have to wait for an email back from the school itself, to know if he could actually attend there or not. He guessed it would probably take a while, so he decided to shut the laptop, and read something. If he had any books in this universe, that is. Although, when he looked over at the shelves, he saw about.. 3 whole series of manga. Huh, guess he was a bit of a nerd in this universe. Although, when he checked what the books were, he read "Death Note" about 12 times, so he guessed that there were 12 books in that series. Since that wasn't particularly long in his opinion, he took volume one off the shelf, and sat down on his bed to read it.

…

After he'd finished the book (it was pretty interesting, actually), he thought it was probably a good idea to check if he'd gotten an email yet.

Thus, he just leaned over to his desk, picked up his laptop, and returned to the position he was sitting in before, and opened the laptop. He did, in fact, have an email.

Since the email said that he could, in fact, attend Kamiyama High School, he had to buy the uniform.

He wrote down the address that the uniform shop was located, and then looked around the room for his wallet. After ten minutes, he found it hidden behind some books. Smart, but he'd probably be putting it somewhere easier to find when he got back.

He then left his bedroom, and walked to where he remembered his parents kept house keys when they weren't home. He grabbed the keys, left the house, and locked the front door before he actually started walking away.

.(im not writing the whole experience of him buying his uniform)..

Once he'd gotten back home, he immediately went back to his bedroom to double check the email to find out when exactly he could get out of the house.

Monday the tenth of April? That was tomorrow! Although, given that when he was looking for books earlier he'd also seen an abundance of notebooks, he decided to check if those were all blank.

They were somehow actually all blank, so he decided that they would be fine to use as school books. The next issue was that he wasn't even sure what class he was in. Maybe that was a part of the email that he hadn't read? He read over the email again, and saw a jpeg file attached to the end of the email.

He didn't usually click on random stuff, but he did this time. The jpeg file was apparently what class he was in, and what subjects he had that term. Class 1-A, apparently.

After checking the time, and finding out it was close to 9pm (he wasted a lot of time, huh.), he went to the kitchen, grabbed a pack of cup noodles, boiled the kettle, and made himself some cup noodles for dinner.

The noodles were surprisingly good, but he still had to sleep despite the fact that he was tempted to cook more. He went back to his room, found some pajamas, got changed into them, and somehow, as soon as he got into bed, he fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Shin was absolutely dreading today.

By some mysterious miracle, he’d travelled past the weekend into the next week. Yay!

Putting on the uniform was a hassle - he’d bought his current size instead of the one from high school (Shin had a growth spurt a few years later than how he was now). Consequently, the teal would cuff his clothes.

The doppelgänger knocked open the front door, ignoring breakfast entirely. A habit from the death game.

Kamiyama High:

So… Class 1-A? That should be-

Ah, here! But first he had to go to the headmaster’s office. How boring.

The trip was overall uninteresting. He’d seen somebody, apparently his tour guide, named Toya Aoyagi. He seemed pretty casual except for that he was beside a ginger.

A genderbent Sara. Disgusting.

His name was Akito Shinonome - one letter added to the amount on each name…

Ugh.

“So, Shin Tsukimi, correct?” The two-toned individual questioned.

Shin tensed, forgetting that he put that name in.

“Right.” He gave a subtle nod.

“In Class 1-A?” He assessed.

He only nodded instead of a verbal response this time.

“Hold on, isn’t that An’s class?” The Sara-wannabe raises a brow.

…Who the fuck is An?

“It is. It’s also one of Rui’s friend’s class.”

“The one that believes school is optional? Mizuki Akiyama. They’re in today.” ‘Akito informs.

Huh… Odd. This Mizuki Akiyama is similar to him. Of course, they should be a responsible person, but who’s him to judge after getting 4 people killed, including himself?

“Here. Will you be alright, Shin?” Toya checks.

“I should. Thanks.” He narrows his eyes, ignoring any sort of eye contact.

“You’re welcome. Akito & I are to get going. See you.” He holds a hand to his chest, familiar with the action after seeing Alice do it so many times. It was usually used as a positive thing.

“Farewell.” He sighed, already tired of that day’s events.

The hallway was bustling with people; he could assume that he was moderately early.

Gripping the door handle, he delved into memory once more. Was the display going to be endless darkness, mutters of settling the score fro ma familiar policeman, a feminine scream? Or was it going to be a green-haired man popping out?

Who knew?

“Jeez, this was a mistake.” He groaned, entering nevertheless.

“Ah… The new student - Shin Tsukimi. I sincerely welcome you to Kamiyama High.” The teacher lowered his head, doing the same action as Toya.

The teacher reminded him of Mishima. Does anybody residing in this class have the same connections that Nao & Mishima had in relation to this one? Mayb-

A bell ringing snapped him back to reality, now realising he was next to the teacher’s desk.

Great. He’s introducing himself. That’ll be fantastic considering he regrets this & wants to go home now that he’s getting memories back.

“Class, welcome our new student. He’ll be joining us from now on.”

‘He’ll.

He.

His heart leapt, going 173 miles per hour.

Validation. Something he’d never understood since Hiyori had accompanied him.

“So, may you introduce yourself?” The person beside me inquired.

“…Shin Tsukimi.” For the second time since he’d joined this school, he raised his head.

The previously scarf clad man- boy’s eye bags were prominent. The lack of glow in his eye was eternal.

A girl with pastel pink hair tied in a side ponytail reeled. It would be fitting if he were being suspected of manipulating a young girl who’d lost her sister, but he wasn’t.

What’s up with her?

“Shin, sit next to An. Please. An, raise your hand.” The booming voice of a weak teacher sounded through the class. Some people had twitched their eye subconsciously, others had covered their ears.

Shin did nothing. It felt nothing like the confines of everyone in the death game belittling him.

Alice, Kanna & Q-Taro we’re the only 3 people from that game he respected. Alice, he voted for Shin. Kanna, it’s… Kanna. What else to say? Q-Taro? He made an attempt to actually keep Kanna alive by bribing Sara. Also, the baseball player had voted for Shin.

The girl with black hair alongside deep blue highlights raised her hand. Stars glittered within her hair, wearing an earring in an ear. The girl had sideswiped bangs, bringing attention to her eyes filled with a mesmerising, azure tint. They had life, unlike his.

“I hate this.” Shin muttered under his breath, keeping his head low again to avoid the gaping stares boring into his head.

Taking a seat, he ran his hands through his hair.

Fuck. He forgot to brush it properly.

“Heard that you’re being shown by one of my friends, Toya. How’re you holding up?” An leaned back in her seat, colliding with the table of the pink-haired from earlier.

Great, he can observe both of them!

-

An anomaly that he found whilst analysing the room was that there are few people who actually stand out. Others have brown hair whilst the trip that Shin was in has teal (him), shaded (An) & pink hair (unknown to him). These people are quite odd.. Even Toya had it. Akito did, it being an uncommon hair colour in this place.

There was also a purple haired alongside a greenish-grey & a blonde fading into orange. Toya walked up to them.

Huh.

A bell rung for the second time, signalling a break.

Fan-fucking-tactic, now he has to deal with Akito again. Toya’s alright! It's just Akito. Sara-wannabe. Mr 15.5%.

Ew.

Collecting his things, he notices 3 boisterous figures (actually… 2 boisterous, 1 in the background).

“Because I am the world future star, Tsukasa Tenma!” The blonde shouted, making others in the corridors complain.

Again, it doesn’t reach the judgemental tones of Sara, her saying that Shin had put the sacrifice for Jou to grab on purpose.

“Fufu, of course, Tsukasa.” A tall, indigo-haired boy nodded along with his antics.

“Rui, can we leave? I’m getting a headache.” The greyish-greenish girl tugged on the quieter boy’s (Rui’s?) sleeve.

The rest of the conversation was muffled.

So, blondie is Tsukasa. Purple is Rui.

How frustrating… They both remind Shin of Hiyori.

Oh well. Guess he should go to Toya.

Chapter Text

The breaks in this place were… Odd. To say the least.

There were different friendship groups, some more obvious than others. This was similar to the death game.

In the death game, there were the specifics of ‘cliques’. You had Sara to Keiji to Jou (siding to Gin aswell, later on), Nao to Mishima to Reko (somewhat to Alice), Kanna to Shin himself, Q-Taro to Gin, Q-Taro to Kai… There were a lot.

Here, there was only a few recognisable ones:

An to Toya to Akito, Tsukasa to Rui to the green kid… There’s a pink one?

“Emu! How many times have I said to go back to your school?!” Tsukasa berated.

“B-But… Nobody there is so wonderhoy as here!” She whined.

Excuse him, what the fuck? Wonderhoy?

“Argh!” The blonde pouted, crossing his arms.

Okay… So Tsukasa to Rui to the green one to Emu.

Then there were the smaller ones, Rui branching into just Tsukasa then the green one- he needs to get her name.

Toya to Akito, An to Akito, Toya to An… Then Shin to Toya?

There was also Shin to An, Shin to Mizuki (An so kindly introduced them both!), he saw Rui to Mizuki earlier.

“The school is odd, isn’t it?” The green girl that hid behind Rui previously began conversation.

Shin nodded, seriously dreading social interaction.

“…Do you not like talking to people?” She tilted her head.

“No, not particularly.” The teal muttered, going to play with his scarf… That wasn’t there.

“I didn’t expect that- there’s a place quiet in here you can go if you don’t wanna be around people. I wasn’t gonna share it but I think you’ll make decent company…”

-

He then followed her around to a close-to-empty room, the only thing there being instruments.

“The music club only go in here after cleaning time, so you’ll be good. Another place is the rooftop if you want to go there.” The girl fluttered around, blush overwhelming her cheeks.

Ah. Right. Not much a social person. Not used to it, therefore embarrassed at the action.

For good manner, he asked: “Can… I get your name?”

Her eyes widened.

“I- Uh… Nene Kusanagi. You?” She lowered her head.

“Shin Tsukimi.” He crossed his arms, it being a sign of bordering himself off.

“N-Nice to meet you.” She lifted her head again.

“Likewise.” He responded.

Her persona completely changed after a chat with him. That’s awfully odd.

“So… What are your hobbies?” Nene delved further into him & his background, interest piqued.

“I…” Holy shit what did Shin do?

Guess he’ll have to make some assumptions. “…I like technical things. Gaming, coding.. I sometimes do card trading.”

Great. Literally everything he could think of that related to the death game in one way or another.

Gaming: attractions, coding: BACKDOOR.SMUT/Kai’s laptop, card trading: the main game.

Just fantastic!

Nene’s eyes sparked joy.

“Have you ever played Yu-Gi-Oh?” Oh… This girl has taste.

-

“Oi, Toya, where’d the new one go?” Akito leaned against the wall.

“Shin went by himself for a while. I saw him walking with Nene though, so he’s likely with her.” The two-toned softly replied.

“…The weirdo combo’s guardian?” The ginger raised his eyebrow.

“Right, my partner in class as well! Very quiet though.” An cut into the conversation.

“That’s one do the things that makes him stand out, really. Being with a duo such as you two & being quiet isn’t particularly a common go-to.” Toya shrugged.

“…Huh. He’s weird on me.” Akito comments backhandedly.

“Weird on you?” The starry girl questioned.

“Yeah. He just kind of avoids me for some reason.”

“See, gingers suck.” An adds, snickering.

“You!-“ Akito bites.

-

“TSUKASA, WOAH… THAT SOUNDS SO POW, POW & WOOOOSH…” Emu was enamoured in Tsukasa’s stardom, jumping about.

“Hahaha! Of course, what else should you expect from a world future star?!” Tsukasa matched the energy, ignoring other students’ irritated aura.

“Fufu, as much as I’d like to continue talking, I’ve just noticed that Nene’s missing…” Rui smirked, confused on where she’d go.

“Huh?! That’s- That’s correct! Where could Nene have went?” Tsukasa bit his lip, staring at the ceiling.

“Oooo! Maybe she’s practicing by herself?” The pink intruder bounced.

Rui was amused at this, yet doubted the possibility, “No, she doesn’t go by herself to practice. She forgets her cues.”

Toya walked over to the trio, excusing himself from his teammates’ bickering.

“Ah, Nene should be with Shin, if that helps?”

“…Shin?” Rui twisted around to make eye contact with the new member of chat.

“Ah- he’s a new student. A lot like Nene, actually. I saw her with him earlier on.” The said person elaborated; it was helpful, surprisingly.

“I see… That narrows it down significantly. Thank you, Toya.” Tsukasa added, grinning politely.

“WAH?!” Emu’s eyes were shot wide, directed to the other 2.

“It’s my pleasure.” Toya nodded, backtracking to the few he’d abandoned.

-

“I win.” Shin smirked, triumphant with his victory. He had some knowledge from Toya that Nene was an undefeated gamer & that he’d gone against her himself in an arcade.

The green-haired recalled the events of the duel they’d just had, stunned at his skill set; “Good game. Wasn’t expecting you to use a dimension reflector to summon a blue eyes ultimate dragon…”

“Strategic playing.” Shin answered, nonchalant.

*Knock knock!*

“Nene, are you in here?” A voice tumbled from the exterior. It sounded familiar, but he couldn’t put a tag on it.

“Yeah. Come in, Rui.” She raised her voice, shuffling her deck for another round.

Since he arrived, another small group had been made: Nene to Shin.

Chapter Text

Shin looked over to the door as it opened, and saw Rui, the one Nene was hiding behind earlier on.

"Nene, why didn't you let anyone know you were gonna walk off?" Rui asked Nene, who had paused with shuffling her deck.

"Oh, well um.. I didn't realize that I was gonna be gone for long, so.. I didn't think it would be important.'' she continued shuffling her deck. "And, Shin's really good at Yu-Gi-Oh, so that's what we're doing here."

Rui turned his attention to the teal haired boy, who was trying to avoid any eye-contact with him. "Would I be correct in assuming that you're Shin?"

Shin nodded. "Yeah, that's me."

Rui thought for a moment, before speaking again. "Well, I heard from Toya that you're new to the school, so I welcome you to Kamiyama. Although.."

Shin tensed slightly, which didn't seem to go unnoticed by Nene, though she didn't mention it. "..I am curious why you would only be joining now, and not earlier on in the school year."

Shin had expected someone to ask about that, but not someone who wasn't in his main class. So, he did something he was able to do particularly well. He lied. "Oh uh.. I just moved houses and this school was closer."

Rui looked suspicious, but didn't press further. Instead, he glanced down at his watch. "Ah, I see. Well, the bell is going to go off again in a few minutes, so I'd better make sure Emu knows that as well so she can go back to her own school. Farewell for now."

After Rui left the room, Nene looked over at Shin. "..You alright? You looked kind of tense when you were talking with Rui.. He's not a bad guy, he's just a bit odd, if you get what I mean."

Shin nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Probably just tired. I get what you mean, though, don't worry."

She didn't look convinced, but she didn't ask more questions.

Right after she'd dealt the cards for the next round of Yu-Gi-Oh, the bell rang, signaling the end of break.

"Oh.. I guess we don't have time to play another round, huh?" she said softly, picking up the cards.

"Yeah. Although.. we could play again tomorrow or during the next break?" He suggested.

"That'd be nice.. Oh, and before I forget to ask.. can I get your phone number? It'd make planning stuff easier, but if not then it's okay.." She looked up at him.

Shin nodded, taking his phone out of his pocket. "Yeah, sure. Just give me a second to find out what it is.."

He opened the settings app and there he found his phone number, so he showed the screen to Nene, who took a pen out of her blazer pocket to write it down on some scrap paper she had from one of her classes.

"Thank you..! I'll probably text you after I'm done with my job, just so you know.. I should go now, see you later, Shin..!" She said, before leaving Shin alone in the room.

Guess he should also get to class.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

The rest of his classes were uneventful, since he knew most of what was being taught already. Although, that just made the classes seem to take longer, somehow, so at some point he started drawing in his workbook. It wasn't that good in his opinion, but it was Hatsune Miku (he couldn't seem to get her out of his head..), so that was a plus, he supposed.

At some point, An had looked over at what he was doing, and tapped him on the arm. Instinctively, he flinched, before looking over at her.

"That's a really good drawing. do you draw a lot, or are you just bored?" She whispered, so that the teacher couldn't hear her.

"..Thanks. I don't draw often, no, like you said, I'm just bored." He responded quietly.

"Huh. Well, you're really good at art, so I think you're doing pretty well for someone who doesn't draw often." She commented, before turning her attention back to the teacher.

Shin looked down at his drawing again. It wasn't just the regular Miku anymore, it was a sort of.. emo looking Miku. He didn't know why he drew her like that, but he decided not to think much of it.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

After school had ended, Mizuki offered to walk him home, after finding out that he lived nearby her via.. continuous questioning. He accepted the offer, since he probably needed a distraction from his thoughts.

"So, Shin, what do you do in your free time?" She asked, starting up a conversation.

"Well uh.. Not much, I guess." He paused, trying to think of something that she might know about. "..I like listening to music, if that counts."

Mizuki seemed intrigued. "Oh? Me too, what kind of music do you like?"

"I mostly just listen to whatever spotify recommends, which lately has just been vocaloid stuff. It's played this one specific group a few times, though, and their music is.. pretty good." He took his phone out of his pocket again, this time to show Mizuki the group he was talking about. It was called Nightcord at 25:00, but that was all he really knew about them.

"Ooh, yeah their music is good." Mizuki seemed humored, somehow. She looked to her left, and stopped walking. "Well, I'm gonna go home now, seeya tomorrow, maybe!"

"Bye, Mizuki." After she'd gone inside her house, Shin kept walking.

He forgot to grab his headphones this morning, which was bad, since it was getting relatively loud, due to all the cars around. He just tried to endure it and kept walking.

He had a feeling that, maybe, it wasn't as loud as he thought it was. Maybe, he was just overreacting. He walked a bit faster.

His head was starting to hurt the more he told himself he was overreacting to the noise, so eventually, he just stopped walking all together, and took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself down.

It didn't work all that well, but after a minute, he kept walking. He was nearby his house anyway.

Chapter Text

The exhaustion hit Shin as soon as he were welcomed to his room. The day had been unreasonably frustrating - why was being normal more difficult than a death game?

Ruffling through some of the papers on his desk, a specific one caught his eye.

Shin hoped for Kanna’s safety. No matter what, the 0.0% loomed. Perhaps, it was positive. Just maybe.

Autism, huh? That explains a bit on his conversational exasperation.

A sickening feeling boiled within his chest. The fear of his sacrifice being for nothing, nothing at all, swirled. What ifs spiralled, making him hyperventilate.

-

In another universe, Sara had just discovered a specific middle schooler was a human, having been drilled to death beforehand.

-

Calm the fuck down, Shin. She’s okay. She had been okay. Your death is not in vain.

Actually…

Curiosity struck him. Were they being watched by outsiders? It’d make sense, considering the mechanics. They could’ve just put them against each other with weapons, as if wrestling, yet they chose a whole ordeal upon the issues.

…

They called it death game by majority, didn’t they?

Shin retrieved his laptop from his bag, searching it up.

‘Kimi ga Shine -Tasūketsu Death Game-’

Video Game.

So… It really was a game. Playing with lives of the innocent (apart from Sara, possibly?) just for it to be publicised… 98% of players enjoying our suffering?

This was absurd. No… Everything will be okay.

The protagonist, Sara. Of course. If she was the protagonist, then that makes Shin the antagonist, does it not?

Interesting.

-

“Sara… I gave you a compromise, & yet.. Guh!-“

-

Enough of that, before he throws up… He could listen to some N25, couldn’t he? There was the stupid homework to do.

Maybe Nene could talk lat-

“Ahaha… My name is Honami Mochizuki. I’m here today with a friend, Kai Satou. Thanks for employing us!” A timid yet soft voice rung in Shin’s ears.

What the fuck? Kai?

“No worries. You can call me Mr Tsukimi.” A deeper one chuckled. Formalities we’re shared before discussion of a holiday, needing Honami & Kai to take care of Shin due to irresponsibility of him.

Kai Satou. In the same house as Shin Tsukimi. Where he’d be recognised.

“Keira! Meet our housekeepers!” An aggresive female flung open the door.

Shin simply nodded, letting himself be dragged by his mother.

KeirakeirakeirakeirakeirakeIRAKEIRAKEIRAKEIRA-

That’s not his name. It’s not. He’s said this before, has he not? Keira. That name doesn’t plaster upon him. No. It doesn’t.

Then again, the only person he’d ever confided that in at his world was Hiyori.

…

Was this where all the deceased people went once they expired? In that case, would Reko be in this place?

“Ahaha, glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Honami, Sir Kai. This is my daughter,” The grip on his wrist was let loose, returning to crossed arms.

“She shows more masculinity due to the horrible crimes that affect these parts…” Father lied off his tongue, giving a disgusted glance Shin’s way.

…

It was unfair. After being so supportive the past few months, he gets crushed down. Typical.

Fucking typical.

“Anyways! We’ll be heading off. Keira, be good for your lovely caretakers.”

-

“Sara Chidouin.”

“Keiji Shinogi.”

“Alice Yabusame.”

“Kanna Kizuchi.”

“Gin Ibushi.”

-

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ke-“ Honami began.

“Shin. It’s Shin. They… Aren’t the best at being supportive.” The boy cut her off.

“…” Kai stayed silent.

“Okay. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Shin.” Honami nodded with a sweet smile, correcting herself.

Shin may not be religious, but he was thanking god within a mental state.

“You too, Honami. Kai.” The teal held his gaze at the homemaker.

“Apologies, he’s awfully quiet.” She giggled for the effect. It reminded Shin of Keiji’s breakdown when talking about Megumi.

“Understandable. I’m not the most social person, either.”

“You seem like you’d be nice to talk to. Is there anybody you speak to often?” Honami took a seat, tilting her head.

“…There’s been a few.”

Kai cut in to the conversation; “If you don’t mind me asking, who would they be?”

…

“I met somebody recently. Her name is Nene, she follows some of my gaming interests.” He begins to ramble on.

“There’s another person… Kanna. Kanna Kizuchi. She’s a bit younger; oddly, she uses a bucket as a hat.”

Kai stiffened, abruptly going to make eggs benedict despite the time.

“A weird fashion choice! Might have to consult some of my friends about it - now, I’ll go help Kai with the cooking.”

Shin took that opportunity to dip.

“What the fuck..?” He whispered to himself, before going onto his homework.

Later, he could talk to Kai.

Chapter Text

The homework was confusing, to say the least. Shin was considering asking Honami for help, but he did not want her to think he was incapable of doing mathematics. However, the teacher did say that he just had to put the answers, so he simply just used his calculator.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on his bedroom door, along with a voice.

"Shin? The food is done, if you're hungry!"

It was Honami. Shin sighed (not obviously, though).

"I'm fine, but thank you for the offer."

The door opened, and Honami walked in. "Are you sure? I take it you haven't eaten since lunch, so are you sure you aren't hungry?"

Shin thought for a moment. He.. hadn't eaten at all today, actually, but that wasn't something he would say out loud. "Yeah, I'm sure. I was with a friend earlier this afternoon and she gave me something to eat, so it's fine."

Honami looked a bit worried, but it wasn't quite clear to him if she actually was worried or if it was a different emotion. "Alright. I'll make sure to remind you to have something to eat later, okay?"

he nodded, and the door closed, so he assumed that she had left the room. He actually let his mind wander for a few minutes, and thus, he ended up thinking about Kanna.

God he hoped she was still alive. Then again, he could always.. No. That wasn't an option. He wouldn't put himself through that again, not even as a video game. He could feel his eyes getting damp, and wiped the tears that were forming in his eyes. Like hell was he gonna cry with other people in the house.

He sighed, and went back to his homework.

…

He finished his homework relatively fast, and since he didn't feel like actually crying today, at least until later on, so he decided he would have that talk with Kai now.

As he was about to open the door, he heard a conversation. He wasn't in the mood to annoy today either, so he turned back around and picked up his headphones and phone, to listen to N25.

However, when he unlocked his phone, he saw two separate notifications. one that said it was from Nene, and one that said it was from Mizuki. He checked the message from Nene first.

nenekusanagi and shintsukimi dms

nenekusanagi: hey shin! its me nene by the way.
shintsukimi: hi
nenekusanagi: how are you?
shintsukimi: fine, just tired. you?
nenekusanagi: ah, i see. im good. what are you up to?
shintsukimi: nothing really, i was just gonna listen to some music actually
nenekusanagi: oh cool, what type?
shintsukimi: i recently found this group called N25, and their music is pretty good, and its in the like,, vocaloid style type genre
nenekusanagi: oh ive heard of them, is their music good?
shintsukimi: yeah, i suppose. i dont really have an opinion, honestly.
nenekusanagi: oh okay
shintsukimi: i just got another notification, hold on.
nenekusanagi: oh okay! don't feel pressured to text me back or anything though

amia and shintsukimi dms

amia: heyyy shin! Mizuki here, I got your number from a friend of a friend hehe, hope ya don't mind!
shintsukimi: oh
amia: you good?
shintsukimi: yeah im fine
amia: okk! anyway, yknow how you were talking about n25 after school?
shintsukimi: yeah why
amia: what would you say if you were given the opportunity to join?
shintsukimi: what do you mean by that?
amia: hehe, dont worry! anyway, it's getting kinda late, i'll text you later!
shintsukimi: ok bye

…

weird. What did she mean by that? Not that he had much time to think about that, since immediately after he opened Spotify, there was a knock on his door, and it opened to reveal Honami, with a plate of some eggs benedict.

"Hey, Shin. I just wanted to make sure you had something to eat before you went to bed and before Kai and I go to sleep as well." She smiled warmly.

"Oh, thanks." He said somewhat quietly, searching up n25.

Honami placed the plate on his desk, before looking at Shin with a slightly concerned expression. "Make sure you eat it, okay?"

Shin nodded, and Honami left the room. After putting on his headphones (with noise canceling on, it was just better.) and shuffling the discography for n25, he got up and picked up the plate.

He just stared at it for a minute or two.. maybe 15, before actually eating some of it. To him, it was a normal amount, but to others.. much less than that.

He put the plate back where Honami had placed it, before he got changed into his pajamas. He made sure that he actually took off his binder this time, since he'd been wearing it since yesterday, maybe even longer.

He sighed, and got into bed. Despite how many blankets he had, he was still cold. So he simply just sort of curled up (like an egg.), and went to sleep.

Chapter Text

The first thing that Shin realised when he woke up was how much pain he was in. Shit, he had been binding for too long. That meant he'd have to not wear his binder today. Which, on a day he had to go to school, was not great.

Another thing he noticed, was that that the plate from last night was gone. So either Honami or Kai had come and gotten it at some point?

He got out of bed, and quickly got ready for school, i.e. putting on his uniform, and double-checking that he had the right books in his bag.

After that, he picked up said bag, grabbed his headphones and his phone, and left his bedroom.

It didn't seem like Honami was there, so he assumed that she had somewhere to be. She did look like a teenager as well, so she'd most likely just gone to school.

However, Kai was still there.

Shin didn't say anything to him, though, deciding it would be a better idea to wait until later that day to talk to him.

Or, that was the plan, at least.

"I assume you're not going to have breakfast before you leave, then?"

"..It's not even that important, I'll be fine." Shin turned around to at least look in Kai's general direction.

"It's the most important meal of the day, actually." Kai said, still wearing that same blank facial expression.

"Not to me." Shin turned back around, and then left the house. If Kai was there, he didn't need to lock the door, right?

…

Something that Shin wasn't expecting happened once he arrived at the school, though.

He saw someone that he recognised, and not in a good way. He could easily recognise those godforsaken green eyes, even if it was pitch black.

Hiyori was there.

Shin stood completely still for a moment, before running over to the green haired man, and punching him.

Not that it did much, but it caught Hiyori's attention, at the very least.

"Aha, good morning to you too, Shin." Hiyori smiled. It disgusted him.

"Cut the crap, you son of a bitch, what the hell are you doing here?! Why are you everywhere? Is it really just fucking impossible for me to go anywhere without seeing you?!" Shin yelled.

Apparently An had heard, and rushed over to see what was happening.

But before she got close enough to stop Shin, he attempted to punch Hiyori again, however, someone had stopped him.

"Now then, Shin, didn't I tell you that resorting to violence was unnecessary?" Hiyori had a tight grip on his wrist, after having narrowly avoided being punched again.

"Shin! What's going on? Who is this guy?" An questioned.

"That's not important right now, An. Just give me a few minutes." Shin tried to push her away, but, given his (lack of) strength, was unsuccessful.

Hiyori kicked Shin in the leg, and laughed as he struggled to stay standing.

"I didn't think it was even possible, but have you gotten weaker, Shin?"

Right as Shin was about to respond, Hiyori punched him in the gut, and he lost his footing, thus falling over. Along with that, he also lost consciousness as soon as his head hit the ground.

…

A few hours had to have passed before Shin regained consciousness. He was in a room that was unfamiliar to him, and heard a voice that was familiar.

"Shin! You're okay! Thank god.. An told me what happened, so I decided to come and wait until you woke up before I went to class." Mizuki could talk fast, that was for sure.

"..Mizuki?" Shin sounded.. kind of feminine. Oh god, he wasn't conscious enough to make the effort to sound like a cis guy.

"Woah, thats new.. Yeah, it's me. How are you feeling? You think you're okay to go to class?" She didn't sound like she was gonna make fun of him, surprisingly.

"A bit light headed, but it's fine. I can probably go to class." He sat up, with Mizuki's help. It was then that he realized that Mizuki definitely wasn't going to make fun of him. She looked concerned for his physical state, not like she was gonna laugh at him. That wasn't something he was used to. Though, it's not something he can actually get used to, at this point.

"You sure? You shouldn't overdo anything, especially with the vibe I'm getting right now."

"The.. vibe?" He asked. Mizuki smiled.

"The vibe that you're like me. By that I mean, not cisgender." She laughed.

"Wait, you're trans too?!"

"Yeah, of course! why else would I say that?" Shin knew for sure now that he was going to be able to get along well with Mizuki.

"Huh. We should still go to class."

Mizuki nodded, then helped him stand up.

But, there was another complication that Shin noticed as soon as they got near the classroom. Hiyori was in their class.

"Fuck." Shin cursed under his breath. Luckily, Mizuki didn't hear him, and they kept walking.

The teacher spent about 5 minutes scolding Mizuki for being so late, but as soon as Shin pointed out that it was technically his fault, since she was late because she wanted to make sure he could get to class okay, the teacher stopped, and just told them both to get to their seats.

After a few minutes had passed, the bell rung, signaling a break. He had been unconscious for a while.

An immediately turned to him. "You okay? That guy from earlier is in our class, so if you wanna stick with either me or Mizuki during break, you can do that."

Mizuki nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you if you're with me!"

This kind of support was unfamiliar to Shin, but he pretended it wasn't. "Thank you, Mizuki, An, but I'll probably be fine.."

He glanced at Hiyori, who was looking directly at him. "..On second thought, that'd be nice."

Mizuki then hugged him. "Then you can stay with us during breaks! Only if you actually want to, that is. Don't feel pressured or anything."

Shin was relatively confused as to why she hugged him, but he felt.. warm. Thus, he hugged back.

Maybe he'd underestimated school in its entirety.

Chapter Text

“AKITO!” An ran over to the Sara-ripoff, Shin in hand.

“Jeez, An- Can you let go of the kid?” He pointed to the teal, his wrist uncomfortably pale.

“Aha… Sorry~” Shirashi apologised, not sounding sincere in the slightest.

“Agh… Yeah. It’s cool, I guess.” Her personality reminded him of Jou. An over-optimistic, gaudy girl, somehow best friends with a ginger (who was likely traumatised… Actually, that sounded like Toya).

Sara’s long lost sibling crossed his arms, eyes stern & cutting to the chase; “So… Why are you here with us of all people? If you need Toya, he should be on library duty, or with Tsukasa.”

“Just somebody I want to avoid… That’s all.” He played with his shirt cuffs in turn for the usual scarf.

’Just found a secret room… That’s all.’

No. Shut up.

“Hm. The lettuce head from earlier, right?” Ah. So he had heard of it. At this point, everybody had… Frustrating. He wondered how Kai would react, knowing he was with that group & all that.

“Yep. Just kept on staring at Shin. Hey, if your comfortable, what’s your deal with the guy? Not saying he’s like, nice or whatever, but-“ She diverted her attention to Shin after confirming.

“An, you’re rambling.”

“Oh. So…?” Do people not learn how to respect others’ privacy here? Oh well.

“It’s kind of… Complicated, per se.”

“Mhm.” An nodded vigorously, not getting the hint.

“I can’t really… Whatever. Let’s just say, he was… Really… Excessively creepy, on the brink of frightening. Quite manipulative, thinking back, but I still liked him. He was more or less my first friend. I can’t really say what I feel for him… But I feel like I was just a pawn in the life-long game of chess.” Shin inclined his head to the blue hues of the fleeting sky, sun shining bright on the sweet summer day.

Thorpe… Wait, why is he thinking about that performance?

“Oh… Sorry.” An’s mood dimmed.

What the fuck did she expect, he literally tried to fight him despite it being his first appearance?

Somehow reading the no longer scarf-clad’s mind, Akito voiced the shorter’s thoughts, “An, he literally tried to square up. Why do you think a twink like him would do so if there were no reason?” Akito scrunched his face.

“Oh. Good point.” An looked blank.

“Anyways. You made friends with the weirdo duo, right?”

Huh?

“Oh? Ah- Sorry, that was impolite… Probably.” Shin internally cursed himself.

His suspicion of people was getting too far. He’s out the game now (by death, nevertheless), there’s no need.

An quirked a brow; “You mean like… Tsukasa & Rui, weirdo duo? Didn’t expect you to be friends with people like them? I see you as the type to like people like Toya.” That was a lot of likes in a sentence.

“You do realise he’s met Nene Kusanagi?” Akito sighed, rubbing his temples. Whether it was due to the likes, the people, or the stupidity radiating off of this girl.

“What?!” An sputtered.

“Is she a fool or a fool?” Shin commented without realising it.

“Can I go with both options?” Akito smirked towards Shin. Fuck.

“HEY!”

“Aw, offended, are you now?” The boy held a hand to his chest, raising his head to look down at the punk.

Shin got out his phone, replying to Kai. How he got the homemaker’s number? Honami.

-

K.Satou: A friend of Honami has told her that you’ve encountered the true Sou Hiyori.

S.Hiyori(Tsukimi): right?

K.Satou: Do you need supervision on your way back? I’ve heard of his… Obsessions.

S.Hiyori(Tsukimi): if you want to, go ahead. just remember I’m a grown man.

K.Satou: In high-school?

S.Hiyori(Tsukimi): a grown man whos body has regressed.

K.Satou: If you say…

S.Hiyori(Tsukimi): i can feel the doubt & im not even near you, kai. stop it. as difficult i find it to believe, we arent in the ‘game’ anymore.

K.Satou: …

S.Hiyori(Tsukimi): suppose ill see you later. whether at the house or not, your choice.

K.Satou: Farewell. Stay safe.

S.Hiyori(Tsukimi): yep.

-

“Oooo… Who ya texting?” An gave a nudge, Shin just barely avoiding it. He doesn’t doubt he’d plummet to the ground if that touched him.

“A person.”

“Who though?”

“A person.”

“Who is this person?”

“Somebody I know.”

“Is it Mizuki?”

“No.”

“Nene?”

“No.”

“Toya?”

“No.”

“Uh… Rui?” The half-dyed-half-not-haired teenager bit her tongue.

“No.”

“…Tsukasa?”

“No.”

“The creepy dude?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Oh my god just give me a name…” An whined.

“Keiji.” SHIN WHAT THE FUCK?!?

“Huh?”

“You said to give you a name, so I did.” NOT A FUCKING TRAUMATISED GUN DUDE WHO VOTED FOR KANNA. NOT A GOOD IDEA, SHIN. NOT. A. GOOD. IDEA.

“Is that who you were texting or…” She trailed off.

“No.” WHY THE ACTUALLY HOT BUFF GUY…

“Oh.”

“Are we forgetting I’m here?” Akito glared at An.

“Yes.” WHAT THE FUCK TO YOU MEAN, HOT GUY?! SHIN YOU GAY, HORNY BITCH…

“Damn. Brutally honest. I preferred it when you were kinder to me, but meaner to An.”

“Oh well. Deal with it, Ed Sheeran.” KEIJI SHINOGI. NOT SO FRIENDLY POLICEMAN. 9.5%. PISS HAIR.

“He- He went for the American singer…” An wheezed, clutching her stomach.

“From Halifax, actually.” Akito weakly defended.

“Since how do you know that, Canadian?” SHIN TSUKIMI HIMSELF, SIMPING FOR HIS ARCH-NEMESIS (well, apart from Sara, of course, but close enough).

“THE SLANDER-“ The girl’s reaction catches so inquisitive eyes & whispers.

Including a certain ‘lettuce-head’, as Akito puts it.

(If only he knew how dangerous it was to tease Hiyori.)

A glint of amusement shone through his eyes, staring whilst…

…Tsukasa talked to him, cheerful about the new lad.

“Oh, there’s Rui & Nene.” The second steel-minded jabbed his index finger to the purple & greenish-grey wombo-combo.

“So, Ed, anything in specific about this clan?” Oh for fuck’s said please don’t say they’re going to talk to Tsukasa.

“Gah… Those two without the star is actually sane. Kind of. Nene is a pacifier.”

“Mmm. Could get that impression from her.” Oh shit- they are. Crap.

“You should head off. Me & Akito are gonna go find Toya.”

“It’s Akito & I.” The Chidouin sibling got pulled into An’s grasp.

“Ugh…” Shin groaned, running his hands through his locks.

Oh fuck it all.

Shin walked over to the quad, taking a seat that so coincidentally happened to be between Nene & Hiyori.

“Oh. Shin. Hi.” Nene’s eyes glittered, her scurrying through her bag.

“Heya… An ran off with Akito, so I’m joining you guys. Sorry if that’s a bother.” Shin scratched at the back of his hand.

“No, not at all… Actually, since we’re at a table, do you have Tetris?”

“Indeed”

“Hm. How about it?”

“Sure.” He shrugged, leaning near the table after swiping away the texts with Kai (y’know, the ones that he didn’t have an opportunity to delete since An was pestering him? Those ones).

“AHAHA! Right! It’s only proper of a star! I don’t believe I’ve introduced myself to you both…” Tsukasa pressed his hands on the table near both Hiyori & Shin.

“Shin Tsukimi.” The boy took pride in his straightforwardness.

“How simple, Shin! My name is Sou Hiyori. I take jobs related to coding & programming… One of my favourite hobbies to do in the meantime!” Unfortunately, he couldn’t scoot any closer to Nene without her possibly being uncomfortable, so he had to stay put.

“Nene, mind switching with me? My ears are aching from being so close to Tsukasa…” Rui grinned.

“That’s a lie.” The gamer rolled her eyes.

“What are you possibly referring to?”

“Ugh. Fine. But you’re eating the vegetables today.”

“What? Nene… You’re so cruel, you’ve wounded my heart, see?” He made a show of swiping his hand across his eyes.

“I don’t care… Just move already.” She stood up behind Rui, still totally enamoured in her game.

The plum-like being swept his body over nearer to Shin. “I saw what happened earlier. I’m confused why you’re here… There are other people in this school, y’know?~”

“I’m aware.” Shin zoned out at this point reminiscing to back when everything was so much simpler; when he wasn’t forced to devote his life to a death game.

“Hm, hm. Still doesn’t answer why you’re with somebody you seem to dislike. For a reason that he hasn’t shown, in fact. Sou seems to be a decent person…” Rui rambled, staring at Shin’s intakes neck. It had a circular ring, a burn… Sou did too, paying attention. Hm.

“If it isn’t personal… You & Sou both seem to have a burn around your neck?” Purple strands littered his face, Shin had observed.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” The liar strummed his fingers on the table to the pattern of IDSMILE.

“Just thought it’d be related, was all. Is it?”

‘Hikare atte sonzai tsuzuru sekai naraseta nara,
Nee kono mama de mama de irareru ka na,
Awai kitai ni toosenbo fusaide aimai shirankao,
Kouyatte tsunaide irareta nara,
Itai itai no docchi da…’

“Perhaps, perhaps not. Maybe if you pry further, the truth’ll be revealed. Or, I’ll seal the memory off by then.” Shin’s eyes may have softened, yet his body tensed.

“What a cryptic figure you are.”

“I try my best.” A smirk was restrained.

The bell’s obnoxious ringing signalled.

…

Shin didn’t feel like going to class.

-

Sitting on the rooftop alone & cross-legged was nice. Loitering silhouettes across the street, silence engulfing the area.

Ah… If only he had time to enjoy it more.

‘As the world falls to the ground…
Oh, girl, it’s you.
That I-
-Fly away.’

“So this is where you were! What a shock!”

If Shin had more energy, he’d probably reply, tense up, do something about the other’s presence… But he didn’t have said energy to do any of that. Thus, he refused to reply nor tense up. All his body could do was stay still, watching the clouds come & go, form & break, collect rain & empty it onto the area near the all girl’s school.

“No response?” The lime-haired sat next to him, resting his hand onto Shin’s knee. The teal pursed his lips.

“Hm… Won’t you speak to me, my dearest Shin?” Hiyori purred.

“I’m not… Bothered.” The shorter switched his posture so that his head was tucked into his knees. Undoing the crossed position, Shin hid his face.

“…Are you sad, as of the moment?” An unfamiliar tone struck the usually suit-bearing boy. An octave deeper, words chosen carefully.

“Do you expect me to not be? I have no clue what’s happened to anyone.”

“Kanna was still alive before I went here.”

Huh? Kanna was still alive? He was certain Sara would kill her as soon as his breath cut, his heart stopped pulsing blood for the brain.

“She…”

“Is safe.” An abnormally soft expression plastered Hiyori’s face.

“Thank fuck…” Of course, that clears up something he pushed to the side, but that wasn’t his priority concern.

What was, however, was that he was part of the death game. Without anybody’s knowledge until after Shin was dead. Meaning that it was most likely…

…Hiyori was a floor master.

Chapter Text

Shin sighed, walking back to the place he called home. Kai hadn’t walked with him.

“Oi, Shin.” The voice if a familiar Shinonome burst into his ears.

“Akito. What do you need?” Shin carefully curated his expression to not give away any fear.

“I’ve been walking a seperate way home. Also, you look weak. So I’m here.” The ginger shrugged, walking beside the teal.

Shin internally winced at the underhanded comment, fiddling with what should’ve been his scarf, but instead was his shirt collar.

“I see you doing that a lot.”

“Doing what?”

“Fiddling your hands.”

“Yeah.”

“…”

“…”

“Ah. This little brat.” Akito grimaced, not meaning for Shin to hear that statement (at least, if how quiet it was gave any hints).

“…” Shin stared blankly at the brown-haired girl, her wearing an apron. A bit like Kai, then. Maybe a housewife?

“Akito.” She narrowed her eyes at Shin.

“Ena.” The man being named tilted his head up.

It’s uncanny how alike him & Sara were. Bastard.

“…Who’s your new boyfriend?” She pointed to Shin, him freezing up.

Boyfriend! Boy! Shin internally simpered. He liked ‘Ena’.

Ah. Right. This is Akito’s sister(?). Can’t get too happy.

“A friend. I thought your lesson didn’t start until 6? It’s half past 3.” Akito peered judgementally, Shin realising how he sheltered the shorter’s body with his arm.

Maybe he wasn’t related to Sara. Sara would never do something like that.

“Yeah, well… I finished my call with my statue early.”

“You mean the subject.”

“Same thing, idiot!” She screeched.

“They aren’t, swine!” He shouted, Shin going tense - attempting not to cry, scream at the to shut up, to run away over into the safety of Hiyori’s arms.

Safety? Ah, fuck off.

“Ugh. Whatever.” She humphed.

“Anyways, shoo.” Akito dragged Shin by the wrist.

Fuckfuckfuckfuck. Don’t have a panic attack. Don’t have a panic attack. Calm down. He isn’t gonna hurt you. He isn’t Sara. He isn’t Keiji. He isn’t your mother. He isn’t your father. He isn’t Miley. He isn’t that stupid fucking hallucination.

“Can you let go of me?” Shin, somehow acting apathetic, spat out.

“Uh, sorry.” The other crossed his arms on his chest. Envy struck Shin, him shoving his hands to his pockets.

“I wonder what’s up with Keiji…” Shin sighed, not realising.

“Keiji?” Akito parroted the name.

“…I said that out loud. Jeez. Just ignore it.”

“Hm. Fine. But I have a question to ask.”

“Hm?” Shin furrowed his brows, apprehensive.

“You’re always tense with me, yet completely fine with Toya & An… There’s the creepy seaweed dude, but he’s literally a polar opposite. So.”

“You remind me of somebody. For said ‘creepy seaweed dude’, that’s a second question & also a whole different matter.”

“Of who?”

“A person?” Shin was dumbfounded.

“You’re just like Ena… What person?” The Sara-wannabe groaned.

“A high-schooler.”

“Can you elaborate any more than that?!” Akito swerved his head towards Shin, not even attempting to hide his anger.

“…Haha. Ahahaha! Wow, you're suspecting me because of that?! I've changed my mind. Let's do a trade.”

“I’ll return the laptop… If you give me 50 of your tokens.” The former death game candidate muttered.

“Huh?”

“Yeah. I’ll give the high-schooler’s information for some of your information, Ke- Akito.”

“Ke?”

“You heard me. An eye for an eye, that’s how life works.”

“Agh… What do you want from me?”

“Do you recognise the last name Chidouin? Satou? Tazuna? Or a girl named Ryoko?”

“I’ve met a guy with Tazuna as his name.”

“Oh?”

“Jou. Jou Tazuna.”

“Hm… Mind if I get some of his information?”

“Uh…”

“He’s an old acquaintance.” Shin elaborated. Psh, ‘acquaintance’. Shin literally killed Jou in an attempt to killed that gaudy rat’s best friend. Trial & error, as they say.

“Got his phone number. Shocked how you haven’t seen him - he’s a second year at Kamiyama.” Akito gave Shin’s phone back after typing in the first sacrifice’s number.

“Hm… The girl’s name is Sara, & she tried to kill me. Ke is for Keiji. Anyways, this is my stop. See you tomorrow, Akito.”

Great, now Shin had to talk with Kai…

-

“I’m back.” Shin didn’t bother speaking any louder than a casual-Shin-conversation way.

“Welcome back, Mr.Tsukimi. Did you have a good day?” Kai stood at the kitchen area, somehow hearing him.

“It was alright, apart from a revisit to the past.”

“I guess so.” Kai tilted his head, his mouth twitching upwards.

This kid really was Gashu’s, huh?

“Oh! Shin! You’re here.” Honami greeted from the relaxation room.

“So I am, Mochizuki.”

Fuck. Shin thought of relaxation room instead of lounge, didn’t he?

“Kai, I have a request, if that’s alright…” Shin trailed off, joining Kai in the cooking area.

“What is it, Shin?” Kai answered, inquisitive.

“Did you know Jou is here as well? Reko, Nao & Mishima probably, too?”

“…Right. I’ve been meaning to ask…… What happened whilst I was away?” Kai asked. Hasn’t he asked this before? Oh well.

“Long story short, Reko & Nao died with me. We found your father on the next floor after you died. A kid named Rio was shot claiming he was his father too, so have fun with a dead brother.” He continued.

“Sei…”

“Ah. That’s Rio’s actual name. Fair enough.”

“…”

“Anyways, I have Jou’s number, so I’m gonna text him later. Anything else?”

“No; I’ll see you at dinner.” Kai shook his head.

Shin went off without a word.

-

“What a pain.” The teal groaned, entering his room & slumping down.

It’d been such a long day.

Perhaps he should just… disappear.

Chapter Text

Another thing Shin didn't understand about high schoolers, was how the hell they managed to do homework.

He'd thought to do his homework before anything else since it seemed easy, but it seemed he was wrong. Very wrong.

He stared at what he was actually supposed to be doing for a few minutes, before he decided it'd be better to just give up. Geometry was just.. too complex.

He was about to open Spotify, when his phone rang instead. He glanced at the name on the screen, and instantly tapped the answer button. It was his mother.

"Keira, Ms Mochizuki told me you didn't eat much of your dinner last night. If you want to keep your grades high, you need to eat." Oh. So that's what this was about.

"Mom, I just wasn’t that hungry. Besides, I’ll do well in school anyway. Why does that matter?” He was lying. He was hungry at the time, he just didn't want to eat anything. Was that really so bad?

His mother sighed. “It matters because you rarely eat. If you don’t eat, you aren’t going to be able to focus at school, and you’ll get bad grades.”

“Why is the concern always whether or not I get good grades?” He didn’t think that through. As soon as he said it, he regretted it. “I-I mean, of course my grades are important, but I kind of wish it wasn’t always your main concern with me.”

He didn’t even need to hear her response to know she wasn’t happy with that. He just knew, based on how she’d been when he was in high school the first time. It seemed like even with alternate universes, he was always stuck with the same goddamn situation.

“Keira, we’ve been over this a million times. Your grades are the focus because if you do badly in school, you’ll be disappointing your father and I, and you won’t be able to get into a good university. Do you really want that?” As much as Shin would hate to admit it, she was right. He didn’t want that at all. Maybe that was why he ended up friends with Hiyori, because at least she’d said he was good at something.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” He hated saying that. He hated saying those words. Especially to his mother.

“Of course you’re sorry. You always are. Look, just eat your dinner tonight, either all of it, or at least most of it, and we won’t have to have this conversation again. Okay?” That was definitely something Hiyori had said in the past. Not that it was important right now, since this wasn’t Hiyori. This was his mother.

“Right, okay.” His mother ended the call, probably so that she wouldn’t have to hear whatever, if anything, Shin was going to say next.

He highly doubted he had the energy left to do anything after that call, so he put his phone down on his bedside table. Right when he was about to lie down, there was a knock on his bedroom door.

Shin quickly wiped any tears that may have been forming in his eyes, before getting up and opening the door. It was Honami.

“Good evening, Shin! I just wanted to let you know that dinner is ready, and.. Are you okay?” She asked, once she’d properly looked at him.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” He looked past her, into the hallway. Kai was nowhere to be seen. Odd.

“Alright.. Well, dinner is ready, but Kai had somewhere to go, so it’s just you and me.”

Shin nodded, and followed Honami through his own house. He didn’t exactly leave his room much, so he still didn’t quite know his way around.

Once Honami had stopped walking and sat down at some table, He sat down as far away from her as he could.

He stared down at his plate. Or rather bowl. Honami had cooked spaghetti for their dinner, so it had been served in a bowl. He stared down at it.

Once he'd realized that about 5 minutes had passed, he quickly glanced at Honami. She was probably halfway done with her spaghetti.

He looked down at his bowl again, and did exactly what his mother had told him to do earlier. Although, he felt sick.

Honami seemed less worried than she did yesterday though, so he guessed that was better.

After he'd gone back to his room, he realized just how bad he felt.

Thinking for his own benefit for now, he ran to the bathroom and..

He threw up.

Chapter Text

The cycle repeated.

Wake up, put on his binder & everything else, go to school, ignore everyone apart from Nene & Toya (at times, Mizuki, An, & Hiyori), never end up eating, going to the house, greeting Honami & Kai, go to his room, answer any messages from his schoolmates, sometimes get shouted at by his ‘mother’, have something Kai made, throw up, do homework, sleep, repeat. The same cycle for around 4 months now.

He was sick of it. Everything was now so boring.

It was bland, stupid, plain. Nothing felt fulfilled.

Nothing was… Thrilling.

There was no excitement, no joy, no emotion whatsoever.

Just another part of life he’d came apathetic to, he guessed.

He supposes that’s how he ended up playing what he swore he wouldn’t.

‘I have a gun with four bu-’

RINGGGGG!~

Oh for fucks sake…

‘-llets, I hope to ta-’

RINGGGGG!~

Dammit.

‘-ke four of you with me!’

Ugh…

“Keira.” His mother shouted at him. Oh, one of those days.

“Yes…?”

“I’ve just received an email from the school I’m sending you to, the one we spoke about a few weeks ago.” Huh?

“Which one are we referring to? We spoke about a lot of schools……” He couldn’t remember about what happened at all. He shut it out.

“Miyamazuka High. The girls only school, that should teach you that this… Gender, LBQTG nonsense, that it’s all in your head.” …Huh?

Girls only.

Girls only.

Girls only.

Girls only.

Oh.

“Correction, LGBTQ.”

“Don’t talk back to me, fucking brat. This is why we regretted throwing out your sister.” Bastard… You fucking bastard.

“Anyways, yes.” Shut up.

“I’ll be getting the uniform in a few days - I hope for you to meet somebody in a few days as well.” You don’t… You don’t have the right to speak ill about a sibling. Your child.

“She’d somebody who’ll be in your new school, & hopefully get you believing in what you should again. She matches your high intellect - the only thing that redeems you - so you should get along.” …He’d end up blocking her out.

“Yes… Thank you, Ayaka.”

“What did you just say?” Her voice was filled with anger.

“Thank you.”

“You DARE call me by my name? I am your MOTHER. You treat me with RESPECT.” Oh.

“Of course, Ayaka.” That time, it was intentional.

“You know what? I’ll bring you over there now. Be ready, their family should put you in your place. Oh, don’t dress slutty. Or tomboyish - that’s not the daughter I raised.” Fuck you too, Ayaka.

Shin noticed how quickly he reverted to ‘Sou’ from ‘Shin’. This time, he’d given up on redemption.

“I’ll be sure to dress respectfully, Ayaka.”

She hung up.

Knock knock. Kai’s voice vibrated from the other side of the wall, asking him if he was alright.

“I’m fine. Go slit your wrists again & stop bothering me.” That triggered himself, but ignorance is bliss.

Kai fled.

“Ahahaha… Haha…… Oh my. Oh my, indeed. This- ahahahaha! Woo, that’s- Heeheehee………”

Girls only. He was going to a girls only high-school.

Only for those who identify as female.

He doesn’t identify as female. He’s male. Ah his he going there?

…His parents are narcissistic & refuse to believe they’re wrong.

Ah, but…

“They aren’t wrong. They… Dammit, they’re trying to do the right thing. Aren’t they?”

‘No,’ the logical portion of his thoughts told him, ‘it is all a tactic for emotional abuse.’

Fuckfuckfuckfuck.

He hadn’t even noticed the many messages from the other people he knew, ones he wouldn’t answer for ages.

Now did he notice the new fuel on his phone, named ‘Untitled’. Or was it there since the beginning?

‘Yes,’ the side that desperately clawed for the past told him, ‘they are trying to change! They want what you want; a child who would make them proud. This will make them proud!’

He glanced over to the most recent messages on his phone.

Mother> I’m outside. Hurry up, otherwise you’ll end up hurting Honami & Kai even more than you already have.

He hurt Honami?

Shin quickly changed into casual wear: Demin shorts with a white t-shirt, a purple jumper resting upon the garments. White socks covered his feet, & the shoes were trainers painted in black.

“Bye.” He sped through the railway, grabbing some food. He already had a laptop tucked under his arms which he’d put in his bag (which was placed on the coat hooks. Very helpful…).

“Shin.” A masculine voice rang out.

“What, Kai?”

“…Nao went back as well. She’s going to that school.”

“Thanks. Is she joining the same time as me?”

“No, she started at the beginning of the year.”

“Okay. Could be my escort, then. I’ll see you later, Kai… & I apologise for what I said earlier. The Sou side of me is surfacing.”

He nodded, turning away.

“Ah, Shin!” Honami gave a bright smile, now heading back to her home.

“Honami - what do you need?”

“I’ve heard that you’re transferring to my school. I’m joyous that you’ll be joining, of course, but… I hope it isn’t unsettling or highly dysphoric.”

“So do I. I’m going, see you later.”

“For now!” She waved him off as he trudged out the door.

.

.

.

“Took you long enough. Get in.” Ayaka rolled her eyes, her having unlocked the side door.

He went in with no complaints.

“Again, hurry up. We don’t have all night.” Shin dropped his bag onto the floors of the vehicle, strapping himself in with the seatbelt.

Shin sustained his silence.

“Finally.” She hit the accelerator immediately, the seatbelt keeping him mostly in place. “Gh-?!”

“Stop being a wimp.” She rolled her eyes, “Now. Rules. You will treat the Asahinas with respect. They are a prestigious family, & we both need you to get your shit in gear. You don’t want to be a lifeless nobody.”

She swerved on the corner, safely - a shocker, considering her gruff attitude.

“Their daughter, Mafuyu, will be studying with you. You’re staying there for the night, in the guest room. In fact, since they’re close to the school, I’ll try to arrange you there for a week. Here’s your uniform.” She chucked it, not to Shin’s concern.

A week. An entire week, seven days, of them. He didn’t think he’d survive.

“Every Friday, from after the school day to 6 in the evening, you’ll be practicing for exams. They’re months away, so you have to train your mind to stop thinking about petty shit like friends & games. Do I make myself clear?”

Nene, Toya, An, Mizuki, Rui, Tsukasa, Emu & Akito would take extreme offense to that. Hiyori - or Midori? - even more so than the rest.

“Yes, Ayaka.”

“I will hit you in front of them if you act like this. They wouldn’t care.”

He fucked up. Badly.

“I’m aware, se- Ayaka.” Just saved himself form saying ‘self-righteous brat’. Good job, Shin!

“Then stop it.” She spat out.

“…”

They didn’t talk for the rest of the journey. At one point, Shin swore he saw white sparkles engulfing a café. Eh, maybe just his imagination…

.

.

.

“Good evening, Mrs.Asahina! Thank you for having my rowdy daughter here, aha!” Ayaka held a hand to her chest.

It looked nice when Alice & Toya did it. It looks disgusting on her.

“It’s no issue at all! I know some people who have used Mafuyu here as an example for what they should be. She’s planning to go into a medical degree - but that isn’t important! You two should introduce yourselves.” The other mother looked polite. Too polite, like how Ayaka acted.

Huh.

“Of course, mother.” The younger, yet purple-stranded girl smiled at said ‘mother’, before turning to look at the teal-headed with a calculating gaze.

Shin bristled, unnoticed from all but her.

“My name is Mafuyu Asahina, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Like said before, I’m planning to be a doctor.” The smile she wore looked sickeningly sweet.

“…” It was fake. As fake as he saw Sara’s to be.

“She’s not particularly catching up, is she… Her name is Keira Tsukimi. She wants to be a game designer, but of course, that isn’t a real career. I’m trying to push her into being an officer, but I’m not sure how it’s going.”

Shin was not being a Keiji ripoff of all things.

“I guess that’s a topic for them to focus on!”

“Ahaha, yes, we’ll be sure to do so. Anyways, I think we should get straight to studying, right?” Mafuyu glanced Shin’s way.

“Right. I’m sorry for not saying anything before, by the way. I was simply observing the area, in case I ever have to use any phrases that describe the furniture in things like creative writing.”

“Oh, I see! My apologies for believing you were showing disrespect. Hurry along now! I don’t want to waste any time!” The other purplenette pushed them towards the staircase, where Mafuyu proceeded to beckon the boy to her bedroom.

“I’d prefer to not mask, for both of us.” Shin started the conversation.

“Ah, what mask?” Mafuyu tilted her head, the teal skimming around the room before landing on the fish tank.

“The smile is an inch too wide. You want a softer smile, one that doesn’t go up to your eyes. There’s a lack of body gestures, which could come off as robotic. Your eyes are dull whenever you believe there are no peering onlookers.”

“Ah, thanks for the help with it…” The same dull-eyed girl seemed genuinely startled.

“Nobody’s seen through that apart from me? That’s kind of enlightening. Anyways, take off the mask, thanks. I cannot act happy for any longer without killing someone.”

“Neither can I.”

“I’m not studying for the sake of me, I don’t care about what why one of them say. Who goes to your, almost our, school?”

“A few people.”

“Ones that stick out.”

“There’s a few.” She drawled.

“Any that catch your attention?”

She looked away, towards the computer. “…Emu. Emu Otori.”

“Oh. Her.”

“…?”

“I’ve seen her at Kamiyama.” He shrugged.

“…You were at Kamiyama before this
idiocy?”

“Yeah. What on it?”

“Did you meet Mizuki?”

“Yes. She was in my class. A decent lassie.” Shin complimented.

“Your eyes are empty as well.” Mafuyu abruptly changed the focus of conversation.

“I know. Have been since- Since something.” Since the first main game, the second, when he destroyed his monitor, one of the attractions, when he thought his first life was over & he wouldn’t be reborn.

“Your mother is a brat.” Another swap.

“So is yours, inherently.”

“I know.”

“Good to know the truth.” He tugged on his hair, “Oh, two things.”

“What?” Shin liked her blunt, straightforwardness.

“First, call me Shin. Second, a notification from your nightcord.”

“Oh, thanks.”

He didn’t respond like how pleasantries go.

“…Is this you she’s talking about? ‘My friend hasn’t texted me today, he said he would. It’s not the actors by the way’.”

“Probably. Let me just…” Shin opened his phone to find hundreds of messages.

“I’ll leave her in the dark a bit longer, actually. Anyways, I’m tired, forgot the time, & am going to sleep.”

“The guest room is immediately on the left of this door.” She pointed in that direction, as if that’d emphasise her point.

“Cheers.” He left.

…That’s gonna be a schedule to get used to & then be bored of again.

Chapter Text

As soon as Shin entered the guest bedroom, he put his bag down in front of the door, in the hopes that it would prevent anyone from opening it, and flopped onto the bed. He didn’t even bother to take off his binder, he was too exhausted from the events of the day.

However, despite his goal being to take a nap, he heard two voices talking down the hallway. one of which, he recognised as his mothers- no, as Ayaka's.

"I'm not particularly surprised that she isn't studying right now. She never gets good grades anymore, so there's not really much to expect from her." Really? His own mother, saying she can't expect anything from him? Not that he was surprised by that fact, but it still hurt.

To know that his own mother couldn't see his worth. Did he even have any in the first place?

No, that wasn't it.. right?

He did have some kind of use in this world, didn't he?

Unless she was right. He didn't bother to pay attention during classes here, and he doubted he would at that godawful girls school. That wouldn't get him good marks. That'd just fuck him over.

“Then I understand why you’d want her to spend time around Mafuyu. She’s a very good influence, though I do think she needs to put more thought into who she's spending her time with.." Mafuyu's mother. Despite barely knowing her, Shin already despised this woman.

He pressed the palms of his hands on his eyes, in a somewhat physically painful way to hold back tears. Why did his mother's words upset him so much? It wasn't like she was right.

He had worth, he knew that.

Unless, of course, he didn't.

That would make sense. He never did think he'd amount to anything, but hearing it from his own mother, made it feel definite. Like there was no way to change it.

That felt bad. It gave him this feeling that even if this was his second life technically, he couldn't change anything. He was stuck as someone who could barely manage to do anything right or the way people wanted to, and therefore could never amount to anything.

He had no purpose in this world. Or any, for that matter.

He didn't deserve a second life. He doubted he even deserved the first one, at this point. He wasn't a good person, even Kanna must've known that.

Yet, somehow, even if he wasn't religious, God had decided that he was worthless enough to get amusement from the life of.

There was no real reason as to why he was alive.

He felt his hands dampen, and wiped them on his jacket. He was crying over something as simple as the truth.

Maybe things would be better if he could just disappear. if he died without coming back, the world would be better. Kids like Kanna wouldn't have to suffer through knowing him, in that case.

There was a knock on the door.

"Dinners ready." Mafuyu. Shin really didn't want to deal with anyone right now, especially not someone he was being forced to be around at an all girls school.

She knocked again.

Shin ignored her.

The door opened.

It wasn't who he was expecting, though.

It was Ayaka.

He didn't even need to look at the door to know that. He could simply tell from the fact that she basically threw open the door. Mafuyu didn't seem like the type of person to do that.

"Keira, are you serious? You're supposed to have been studying for the past half hour, but instead you've been doing what, just lying there?"

"I-"

"I don't want to hear it. Don't even bother with coming to dinner if you're going to be like this." She closed the door. Or rather slammed it.

Mafuyu opened the door after the sound of Ayaka's footsteps disappeared.

"Do you want me to bring you back anything?" She asked.

What?

"What do you mean?"

The door closed, and Shin could tell that Mafuyu had sat down on the opposite side of the bed from him.

"The plan was to go out someplace nice for dinner tonight. Do you want me to bring you back something to eat?" She clarified.

Shin shook his head. "I'll be fine. Don't worry. just focus on whatever else you have to worry about."

The weight of another person on the bed was suddenly gone. "Okay."

The door opened, and closed again.

So, he was going to be alone for about 2 hours now?

Fun.

Shin sat up, then stood up. He walked over to the door, and picked up his bag. He'd put his phone in there as well, so he was hoping that it wasn't damaged in any way.

Luckily, it wasn't.

When Shin unlocked it, however, he was reminded of the Untitled song that he'd come across.

What harm could come from playing it?

He tapped the play button, and the phone screen got to a level of brightness that should've been impossible.

When Shin had stopped rubbing his eyes to be able to see properly, something was odd.

He was in a completely gray world, with barely anything in it.

Chapter Text

The monochrome atmosphere enamoured him, an aura of gloom heavy in the air. There seemed to be no ceilings, nor any walls. Truly something unbelievable.

“Seriously… This timing fucking sucks.” He forced out a dry, bitter chuckle. “Imagine if Kanna randomly appears behind me.”

.

.

.

Okay, good. Nobody there. He wasn’t that delusional just yet.

Alrighty then - time to theorise. The immediate response is that he was kidnapped. Again. Possibly by ASU-NARO. Which coincidentally happened to be the very moment he clicked on a suspicious, unknown file that popped up on his device.

That sounded a lot like them, but it didn’t explain the flash of white that shone at him…

“…”

“Aha, Meiko? Not gonna talk to the new kid? That makes you seem shy, y’know.”

“Silence, Luka.” The quoted woman perked up at the sight of short hair - & it not being Ena.

“Mhm, fi…” The person trailed off, stunned.

A man with deep-blue hair & a presumably aggressive demeanour approached Shin from behind, observing- no, criticising him.

“…” The teal twisted around to meet the other’s eyes.

“You.”

Shin narrowed his eyes slightly, tensing. An expected presence, yes, but hostility is a must.

“Who are you?” The man continued, fixing his posture.

“…”

“It sounds like you’re asking in such a first-things-first way, Miss Sara… Well, I’m Sou Hiyori.”

“Well?”

“Sorry, I can’t help but be a bit suspicious! I’m just a job-hopper.” He waved his hands, forcing a grin.

“Liar.” He accused.

“…Eh? I apologise - there’s no idea to what you’re talking about.”

“Anybody who enters here is never that happy-go-lucky.”

“…Ah. I see.” Shin’s grin slowly fell.

“Guess there’s no point in pretending, huh.” He continued, sounding like a hollow shell. If Kaito looked into the other’s eyes, the only phrase he could use to describe them was ‘dead & lost’.

“No. State your name.” The second demanded.

“…” This man definitely wasn’t the most reliable. He sounded like Sara, of all. But he’d left that name behind long ago.

If Shin had to choose…

“I’m Shin Tsukimi.”

…He’d prefer to live in the present, despite what a past self would say. There wasn’t certain death looming over his head any more.

“Kaito.”

…

Shiiiii-

“No last name?”

Please don’t be who he thought it was - otherwise he was fucked.

“Those like me in this place are made of one person’s emotions. We don’t have last names, but if we did, then it’d be their’s.”

“Does that include the people sent here, like myself?”

“By logic, yes. Now, can you stop asking stupid questions?”

“One more: who would you consider the leader of this place? If I’m sent here, then I must have some relation to them.”

“She doesn’t want you to know that.”

“Oh? ‘She’? That decreases the choices significantly.”

“…”

“An Shiraishi?”

“Nene Kusanagi?”

“Emu Otori?”

“Mizuki Akiyama?”

“Mafuyu Asahina?”

“…”

“Ah, keeping your silence, huh… Well, good on you. It’ll end soon, anyways.”

The tension was sharp, the teal not only suspicious of the other(s?), but feeling moderately less shit about himself.

“When are these guys usually here, let me ask?”

“She doesn’t want you to know.”

“Eh, alright then. See ya.”

Shin clicked on the rotating file again, & was sent back to his newer room.

“Hm… I guess I could interrogate somebody here, later on.” Purple hair & a string-pulled smile flashed in his eyes.

For now, though…

Sh1n: Hey nene?

N3Ne: Yeah, wassup?

Sh1n: Can I get Rui’s #??? Got a few questions for him.

N3Ne: Sure, I guess?

N3Ne: ——————

Sh1n: Thanks.

.

.

.

Sh1n: Hey Rui, Shin here. You up for making any AIs?

I guess it’s time to put something from the past into use.

Ru1: Oya? I didn’t know our Shin had such knowledge. I’m certain I can incorporate some AI into my next show…

—

“I didn’t realise you could tolerate people, Kaito~” Luka giggled, a hand on her cheek.

“That boy is definitely more tolerable than others. Especially you. He knows how to get what he wants, & at least tries, unlike you brats always lazing about.” Meiko crossed her arms.

“Tch. He’s just a change to this state. What the watcher has done before is ridding itself.” The male thought on his chat with the other.

“…What an enigma.” Miku raised her head thoughtfully, thinking about the others.

Chapter Text

???: Shiiiiiiiiiin! ^^

A song came from his phone, waking him up at the most terrible hour: 4am.

Sh1n: Who is this? (He had a feeling he knew, but just to make sure…)

???: Guess! :D

…Okay, so, quick recap of the last few months. One, wake up in his past self after dying. Two, he goes to Kamiyama. Three, he meets people. Four, Hiyori. Fuck. Five, his mother is an actual asshole, so he goes to a all girls school. Six, a big wide grey world found by opening a music file…? That’s pretty much accurate. Now he’s getting a message from (probably Hiyori-) somebody he doesn’t know.

Sh1n: No.

???: Awww, youre no fun! :( Fine, it’s Hiyori!

Shin couldn’t remember whether he gave his number to him, but it was likely that he did not. He saved him under a name that was sure to get him a slap.

Sh1n: Thought so. Why am I being texted at 4 in the morning?

Seaweed Hair: Waaaaaait, it’s not 3?? :/ I so thought it was 3!!! ;(

Sh1n: …Am I getting an answer or what?

Seaweed hair: My heart is wounded! :( I juuuuust wanted to know whether you’d need my uniform! :)

Shin stared at his screen for a few moments. Then he said, out loud, “Fucking idiot.”

Sh1n: I don’t. What makes you assume that?

Seaweed hair: Wellllllll, what if I said a little birdy told me you signed up for the other school? ;)

Sh1n: I’d fucking block you.

Seaweed hair: But… I’m your faaaaaavourite friend! >:0

Sh1n: Whatever. Now what the hell are you talking about?

Seaweed Hair: Look outside your window :D

Sh1n: It’s unlocked, dickhead.

A moment later, a sound of rustling & walking could be heard.

Hiyori smiled, “Heeeeya, Shin!”

“Shut. Up.”

“Y’know, I just can’t understand why you’re being so mean…”

“Because you woke me up & I’m tired. Also, I’m starting to feel a bit more like myself.” That last part wasn’t meant to come out.

He was being stared at he was being stared at he was being stared at he was being stared at he was being stared at-

“Oh? We’re really the same, huh!”

Unlike before, his heart wasn’t crawling out of his chest. It was just thumping really loudly (which wasn’t much of an improvement, but at least he didn’t do anything just yet).

“…Yeah. What do you mean by borrowing your uniform?”

Sou tilted his head back & forth. “Well, that little birdy gave me the idea to get you out of here. You’ve done it once, why not do it again, ahaha?”

“Where to?” He challenged.

“My place, of course! Well, actually it’s better to say our place, but that’s something for later. You’ve been getting a small head. Maybe even smaller, choosing to stay in her grasp.” Hiyori slumped against Shin’s shoulder, him still being stared at with interested eyes. A sharp intake of breath could be heard.

“W-What? There’s n-no… There’s no p-point.” His heart was now trying to break out of it’s cage, yet again.

The other knowingly grinned. “No point in staying here? You’re finally learning, Shin. Now, let’s head off.” Despite his attempts to stay, Hiyori already had a tight grip on his wrist, & was collecting all Shin’s belongings.

.

.

.

“Shin, can you pretty please take this bag?” He let go of Shin to pass him his bag, & it was really, really heavy.

Hiyori then kicked him off of his feet, eyes going wide, but he then picked the smaller one up.

“What are you-” Shin began to shout, but Hiyori shut him up by shoving him into his shoulder.

“Aren’t you the one who told me to shut up, Shin? You should start following your own advice.”

The teal-haired bit him, causing a hiss. “Ouch! Anyways, down we go.”

& Hiyori jumped out the window, leaving Shin to hold on for dear life.

Chapter Text

OhmygodohmygodohmygodohmYGOD-

The air whipped his face, lashing out in refusal of the fall. Harsh, brutal, unforgiving to his frail self.

"Well. That was boring. I was hoping for a bit more 'AAAAAAA!', Shin? Not the complete silence! How cruel can you be?" Hiyori whined, bottom lip puckered out. What has life come to, if he's trusting SOU FUCKING HIYORI of all people?

"Very." Well, he killed Joe, so... Yeah, he guessed so!

A sigh from the other. "Anywaysies, let's-a-go!"

The trip was very, very bland. Including the random topics of mushrooms that Hiyori kept on going on about. The streetlights were somewhat dull, flickering on & off in a way that'd make epileptic people hate the city - but everything was dull but his friends, to be fair to the lamp... Why was he justifying a lamp? The lamp did nothing good! Or bad(?)! It wasn't even sentient! Oh, is that a cat over there? Nope, never mind, just a shadow from the garbage on the ground.

The path seemed so weird. Why did pavement exist, again? Something about the Greeks, wasn't it? Ah, it was that or Egyptians. ("It's... The Romans, Shin. You're really quite stupid!" A memory echoed far back in his mind.) Maybe the English. They did everything in History; or just Europe in general. French revolution, Spanish revolution, any other fucking revolution out there. Oh, & the World Wars. So, did Germany create nazism as a title, or a concept? Did a German guy go 'huh, Jews are bastards, let's kill 'em all!' before Hitler? Because Hitler was Austrian.

Shin's brain should go in an oven. Explosion. Boom boom. Flames striking his face, blends of blue & red as his skin melted, gaps in what should be there but wasn't, blood sizzling & painting everything red - & then black as he fell unconscious.

"Here we areeeeeee!" Hiyori's voice boomed, blowing him out of his thoughts, sadly with no difference in color. A modernistic apartment complex revealed itself, white blinding even throughout the night. Tall as a skyscraper, higher than the clouds. Seemed nice to jump out of. He should ask for a trampoline.

They entered, Shin slung over Hiyori's shoulder, the lift smack-dab in the centre of the reception doing it's casual lifting thing as Hiyori continued droing on about hell-knew-what. Tuning in, he discovered that it was STILL mushrooms. "Okay, why are we still talking about mushrooms?"

"Because they're fun, Shin. What, do you not like mushrooms?" Hiyori's face was flat, him seeming to deflate like a balloon.

"I don't like you." He promptly shut up as a ding rang, signalling they'd reached their floor. Exiting, the lift was within the room.

"Here we are, again! Surprise! You've been kidnapped!"