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They formed a team of five, although Arisu wasn’t thrilled that Niragi was their member in this game, he didn’t have much choice but to join since Usagi grabbed the bracelet and put it on her hand.
When everyone joined the game, they stepped in front of the big metal gate around which was a wall of storage containers.
Arisu felt a rush of excitement mixed with apprehension: thinking this might be his last game this time made his heart pick up a pace. Although he managed to beat all the games so far, there was no guarantee he would succeed in this one as well. This was the first face card game they joined, and the assumption was that these games would be the hardest.
The door moved aside to reveal the arena behind it. The team carefully stepped in and proceeded to the center. All around them were containers, but the center was empty. They all looked around and noticed five people approaching from all sides.
So is this the opposing team or…? Arisu thought as these strangers approached them.
“Welcome… I’m the King of clubs.” The man standing in the middle of the group spoke up. From the way he held his posture was obvious he was a leader, but the fact that he was butt naked took everyone aback.
Arisu couldn’t believe his eyes. Will the king play death games with us naked? Is this for real!? He’s joking… He must be joking. He struggled not to look at the man below his waist and felt the warmth creep up to his face.
“My name is Kyuma. Nice to meet you.” The man took a few steps forward. “Why are you guys so quiet?”
“You’re freaking them out,” one of his team members spoke up. “Put some pants on.”
“Why should I?” Kyuma spread his arms. Not a hint of embarrassment could be caught in his body language. “Living life in our natural state is humanity’s true form.”
Arisu refused to get distracted by the man’s appearance. He took a step forward and asked, “Who the heck are you people?”
“Who are we?” Kyuma started. “We’re the citizens of this country.”
“Citizens?” Arisu asked, confused.
“Sure. Citizens.”
“What do you mean?” Kuina added.
“We’re all living here, right? In this land. We created this game. That man, Shitara. All his ideas,” Kyuma pointed at one of his members.
“Well, to be fair. This is all a new experience for us,” Shitara said.
“When you play a face card game, you’re competing against citizens fighting for their lives. Anyone who loses is killed. So… these are games of life and death for us citizens as well,” Kyuma explained, then turned to the huge screen above and said: “So… The game we’ll be playing is…”
Female voice from the screen started: Difficulty of the game: King of Clubs.
The game: Osmosis.
Both teams try to collect points. The team with the highest total score at the end of the game wins. Players divide these points amongst themselves before the game begins. The minimum amount is 100 points. Shows on the screen: You’re free to divide the points any way you want. Talk it over as a team and decide.
Kuina raised her hand.
“Yeah, you got a question?”
“How do we remember all this?”
Kyuma came closer. “This will be a brief demonstration: You’ve got a random number of points now. Your bracelet shows your individual points. Let’s try a battle. A battle’s outcome depends entirely on your current points. To initiate one, all you need to do is touch your opponent.” He comes to Niragi and touches him.
“Hey!” Niragi protested and took a step back.
Bracelets chimed and showed points.
Niragi: 2000 – 500
Kyuma: 3000 + 500
Kyuma looked up. “Whoever has more points wins. The winner gets 500 points from the loser.”
The scores have been updated.
10000 : 10500
“So you don’t know the opponent’s score until you battle,” Arisu added.
“Yeah. So you know what that means? Right?” Kyuma locked eyes with him. A strange feeling coursed through Arisu’s body leaving him perturbed. Kyuma proceeded, “But you can try something else to help yourself– pair up with a teammate. For example… You two.” He pointed at him and Usagi. “Try holding hands.”
Arisu tensed. They both visibly hesitated.
“Oh, wow. What’s this? A bit nervous, are ya?” Kyuma chuckled.
Finally they held their hands. Arisu still didn’t like the idea, but he and Usagi were a team, after all.
“Oh, would you look at that? Cute couple.” Kyuma still smiled. Arisu noticed the twinkle in his eyes and his stomach made a somersault. Having this man so close was making him nervous that his palms started to sweat.
“All right.” Kyuma proceeded with his explanation. “If teammates hold hands like this, they’re able to battle using their combined points allowing them to beat an opponent they couldn’t defeat on their own. Also, you can collect items. Touching an item will earn your team points as well.”
It was hard to focus on the rules when the king was naked. Arisu almost caught himself looking at the man’s private parts that weren’t so private anymore.
“And finally, we come to these poles. Bases are a big part of the game. They can turn the tide.” Kyuma pressed his palm on the big metal rod. It started whirring and buzzing as he touched it. “If you manage to touch your opponent’s base… 10000 points are yours. Exactly why you need someone to protect your base. But while a player is touching their own base, they have infinite points.”
Arisu’s eyes went wide. “Infinite? How do you battle someone with infinite points?”
Kyuma gestured. “Come here…”
Arisu took a sharp breath and walked closer, trying to keep his gaze up. It was hard as well to look the man in the eyes, especially when Kyuma landed a hand on his shoulder.
My life depends on it. I need to focus. I need to focus… I–
Bracelets chimed once more. Arisu’s breath caught in his throat.
Arisu: 2250
Kyuma: infinite
“I was touching my base so you lose 10000 points.”
Arisu: -7750
Kyuma: 3500 + 10000
“I would gain 10000 points.” Kyuma looked him in the eye. Arisu locked eyes with him.
Usagi interjected. “What would happen to him in this situation?”
“His score would have dropped below zero. Which means…” Kyuma pointed his two fingers under his chin. “Shot down.”
Usagi continued: “So if you try to touch the other team’s base and their goalie touches you you lose 10000 points… you die and the opponent’s team earns 10000.”
“That’s right.” Kyuma confirmed. “And after completing a battle of touching opponents base players are temporarily out of commision. Inactive. If you touch an opponent while they’re out of commision your wristband will give you an electric shock. Enough to knock you out, so you need to be careful.”
Since no one had more questions, Kyuma declared: “You know the rules now. Split up your points and the game may begin.”
“Wait,” Arisu spoke up again. “Tell me something, before we fight… If we beat all the games here, will we go back to our world?”
Kyuma raised an eyebrow. “Your world? What is your world? You’re making it sound like your world must be the real one.”
Arisu gaped. “W–what are you talking about?”
“Hmm, you say the real world…” Kyuma smiled softly and took a step closer to him. “How many real conversations did you have back there? How many heart-to-hearts? Our flaws, our pride… That all is exposed here. In this world. This world is more real than any you left behind. These games are conversations. Let’s really talk, you and I. Let us expose our true hearts. Face me with everything you have.”
This stuck in Arisu’s head. When they locked their eyes again Arisu felt as if he saw his past and the future that he didn’t know even existed. He had a strange feeling about this man right from the start. Even before he saw him face to face there was some invisible pull. Kyuma’s presence had on him some sort of impact even when he just appeared in his field of vision.
Their team left. It was time to split the points and start the game.
But Arisu didn’t want to start.
“Let’s split them evenly!” Tatta spoke up and interrupted his train of thoughts.
Usagi reacted. “No… We’re not going to split them evenly. We can’t win like that.”
Arisu agreed. “Usagi is right. It’s like Kyuma said. That’s an important decision for the game. The initial point split is crucial. We need to think it through.”
“You got a plan or what?” Niragi asked.
“Yeah. I have a plan.”
_________
Game begins. Remaining time: two hours.
The clock started ticking.
Arisu and Kuina were searching together for items. Usagi was teamed with Niragi, they went in another direction to hunt for additional points.
Kuina found something inside one of the containers. She pressed a button on the device and got 2000 more points.
Both celebrated their small victory, and when they closed the container door they saw Kyuma on their right. That startled them both.
Kyuma had his back pressed against the container and his arms crossed over his chest. When they spotted him, he pushed himself forward and walked towards them. “Look, we can’t avoid each other forever… You wanna battle or what?”
Kuina turned to Arisu. “We should stay close.”
“Yeah…” Arisu nodded.
“It’s two on one, we’ll take it slow.” They held hands.
Kyuma spoke: “I couldn’t help but overhear. Sounds like there’s an issue. You’re fighting with one of your teammates…” he then faced Arisu. “You have a certain strength about you… The look of someone who has faced death. A man will do whatever it takes. That’s why it’s so strange. Your confidence… Why on the earth would it be shaken now?”
Because of you… I… I…
“Now… let’s go.” Kyuma stretched his hand to him and walked closer. “Let’s not end our lives with regret. If you’re gonna die, wouldn’t you rather give it everything you got?”
Arisu let go of Kuina’s hand.
“Arisu?” Kuina gasped, surprised. “What are you doing?”
Arisu looked down and clenched his fist. He looked back at Kyuma, saying, “You said that to learn the truth I have to face you with everything I’ve got. I wanna learn more about who you are. I’ll battle you alone.”
Arisu accepted his outstretched hand. As he accepted his hand, his skin tingled, and his heart skipped a beat.
Their bracelets chimed. Both looked down.
Kyuma: 2000 – 500
Arisu: 4600 + 500
Arisu stared in disbelief at their numbers. After that he went inactive.
“Oh, dang it.” Kyuma groaned, but he didn’t seem too bothered.
“Did you give everyone equal points?” Arisu asked, looking up.
“Yeah. Everyone got 2000.”
Arisu didn’t expect to hear this. He was convinced that he was going to lose this round. He assumed that Kyuma had taken most of the points for himself.
I guess I was mistaken… you’re not that kind of person after all. I misjudged you though.
Kyuma broke the silence. “My four teammates and I are equals. We live and die together.”
_________
“They split the points evenly,” Arisu informed his team.
Usagi turned to him, surprised.“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Each 2000,” Kuina confirmed.
“We need to put the pressure up and try to find as many items as we can.”
_________
There was a new update in the points.
Players Team: 24500 – The King’s Team: 28500
Arisu and Kuina paused and looked at the new results. “They overtook us! They must have been in our base,” Arisu exclaimed.
One player on the King of Clubs team points has had their score fall below zero.
“It seems they sacrificed a member of their team,” he gasped. “Now three of them got 10000 points each.”
They ran to their base to meet with their team. Arisu’s mind raced. There’s only one hour left… We need to win this, but then it means… They will lose. He will lose…
“We can’t get to their base if they’re defending it with such a high number of points!” Niragi said, annoyed. “And it’s your fault!” He spat at Tatta.
“Calm down. It’s no one’s fault,” Arisu said. “But you’re right about attacking.”
“Then how do we win this thing?” Usagi asked.
“We have to split up again. Forget the battling. We’re going to continue searching for items. Items are the key,” Arisu ordered.
The King of Clubs has secured an item.
“Shit! We have to be faster.”
_________
Players Team: 35000 – King’s Team: 35500 points.
Arisu’s team secured the last item.
“What do we do now? We need only 500 more points…”
“There’s nothing we can do,” Tatta said.
“We can’t give up! There must be something we can do,” Arisu paced while thinking about their options.
8 minutes remaining.
_________
Arisu held the bracelet all smeared from blood and put it into his pocket. He knew where he had to go.
In his ears rumbled and his heart pounded as he ran. He knew what he had to do even though he didn’t want to do it.
“I knew you’d come,” Kyuma said when he noticed him approaching.
“I figured I might meet you if I come here. I was thinking the same thing,” Arisu smiled awkwardly.
The King stood tall. “The ocean sure is large. At the end of life, we humans want to see something big,” he admired the endless water.
“You’ve defeated us…” Arisu started.
“And are you sure you have no regrets? You know… I’m a little bit disappointed.”
“Disappointed in what?”
“You gave up so easily…”
Remaining time: 5 minutes.
“We don’t have any other options, really. Besides, one needs to know when it’s the time to give up.”
“Hmm…”
“Say, Kyuma… Before I die, tell me the answer.”
“I can’t do that. I mean, you’ve given up.”
“I guess, you’re right. Then… At least, before I die, can we shake hands? You can take that as my death wish…”
“Shake hands?” Kyuma turned to him again. “The game hasn’t ended yet, you know? If you touch me now, we’ll battle and I’ll win.”
“From what you told me earlier… I finally understand. I should have listened to my teammates’ feelings more. And waited for them to come around. Then maybe we would have understood each other better. Though you and I are enemies… Though we’re adversaries… I know it’s crazy for me to feel this way, but I appreciate what you’ve done. You helped me realize something very important.”
To accept my true self I denied for years… You’re not even aware of this.
“There’s no more time for me to do anything about it though. So at least, before I die… Since you made me realize it, I’d like to at least shake hands with you,” Arisu scratched the back of his head and looked away, battling his blush that threatened to appear on his face.
I wish I’m not such a coward…
“Okay… Since it’s my rival’s final request, I will gladly do it,” Kyuma accepted his offer and it was hard to believe it.
“Thank you, Kyuma.” Arisu smiled even when he wished to burst out crying.
I will save them… But I have to kill you instead…
Arisu’s heart tightened uncomfortably.
Should I do it? But if I don’t do it they will all die because of me… I have to do it for them, for Tatta. He lost his arm so we can get this chance.
“Arisu… I enjoyed competing against you,” Kyuma gave him a smile.
Don’t say that…
Arisu bit the inside of his cheek.
Kyuma outstretched his hand to him. Arisu took it while secretly holding Tatta’s bracelet with another.
There has been a change in points for both competing teams.
I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…
“Huh? How did that happen? You have 14950 points? What kind of trick is this?” Kyuma asked when he saw their numbers.
“It’s not a trick,” Arisu said and showed him the bloody bracelet.
“Holy shit… You’re more fucked up than I am.” The confusion and disappointment was visible in Kyuma’s eyes. He dipped his hands in his hair.
“This was thanks to my teammate,” Arisu admitted.
“Looks like we’re the losers after all…”
“It seems to me you’re afraid of dying…”
“No. But I made a promise to Shitara who died earlier… He said he’ll beat the shit out of me if we lose. I don’t like the idea of being beaten in heaven. And everyone who trusted me will be angry.” He looked up. “I’m sorry, guys.”
“It was just like you said. In this game, both our teams battled each other with all our might and all our souls. And… Kyuma… You were once players too, weren’t you?”
It seemed that Kyuma refused to speak. Arisu could see that he was mad at him, but he proceeded. He wanted to get the answer. “Your feelings for your teammates are the same as ours… They came from surviving deathmatches over and over again. Together. Just like us. Isn’t that right? But even after clearing games you couldn’t return and could only become the citizens of this land. Please… Tell me. Is that true?”
“If that’s how it seems to you, then that must be the truth,” Kyuma said but didn’t look at him.
You hate me now… Don’t you?
“If that’s the truth… then… there’s no point in continuing to play,” Arisu added.
“So you’ll quit playing the games?” Kyuma finally looked at him. But Arisu wished he didn’t. Even though Kyuma tried to hide his pain, Arisu could see it in his eyes.
“I can’t quit now, but also… I can’t proceed. I wish I could be as tough as you.”
“You’ll never be like me. There’s no need, really. The choice is always yours alone.”
Time has run out. Since the King of Clubs Team has fewer points the game is over for all their members.
“Arisu… Well done.” Kyuma said and turned to pass right beside him.
“Wait!” Arisu grabbed his forearm.
If I don’t do this now, I never will.
Arisu was surprised by his own reaction and looked back at Kyuma who was as confused as he was.
“I don’t want you to die…” Arisu said softly.
“Once we meet here, one of us has to die. Those are the rules,” Kyuma said calmly.
“If we hadn’t met in this game, we could…”
The two of us had only known each other for two hours and I already feel this way? Arisu knew it's ridiculous, yet it felt real.
“It’s exactly because we met in this game, that we came to understand one another.”
“If we’d met somewhere else… We could have… We could...” Arisu leaned in and closed his eyes. He was convinced that Kyuma would dodge it, maybe throw a punch at him, but when he felt their lips connect a wave of relief washed over him. Kyuma parted his lips allowing him to slip his tongue in. The kiss was passionate and wet, but painfully short.
Kyuma broke the kiss. There was not much time left after all.
“I’m sorry, Kyuma…” Arisu felt the pain overwhelm him.
“Arisu… I hope you find your own true reason for living, not just someone else’s. I pray for that from my heart,” Kyuma said and walked away.
“And I hope I’ll find you on the other side!”
Kyuma turned and smiled brokenly. “Good luck with that.”
He stopped on the edge of the ocean and looked up. He was speaking to the skies, but Arisu couldn’t hear the words he was saying.
A red line appeared, shooting through Kyuma’s naked body. The body fell lifeless into the water, and Arisu had trouble comprehending what had just happened.
He is dead… He died…
Tears rolled down his cheeks and he started sobbing.
The player team has cleared the game.
The explosion followed shortly after and The King of Clubs fell to the ocean.