Chapter Text
After receiving so many slaps, you begin to not feel them.
It was a game, a few rounds of Ddakji to earn some quick cash. Generally, Arisu loved games, he played them consistently—though after this he had some standards: preferably not ones that resulted in enough slaps to make his cheeks burn.
The man had approached him about twenty minutes ago. He wore the most touristy, floral button up you could imagine, with a straw hat topping his wavy hair.
“Well well, you look like a washed up dude wanting some fun. Kidding, kidding, but if I may ask, would you like to play a game? You could earn some quick bucks!” He exclaimed.
The man had seemed too excited to be in a dirty subway station in Shibuya. Arisu was glad he couldn’t see his own expression, because it probably looked disgustingly confused.
Although, the word bucks made a switch in Arisus head light up. If he came home with some money, perhaps his dad would be appreciative?
“How much?” Arisu (maybe a little too blatantly) asked. His mind twinged as he realized he probably came off as extremely impolite.
“10,000 yen every time you win a round of Ddakji.” He casually responded.
Arisus eyes almost bulged out of his head at the man’s words. 10,000 yen? Of course it wasn’t enough to get his dad off his ass, but it’d be enough to make a good dent!
Something like this had to have a catch. What crazy person would just go out and give strangers that much money for flipping over paper on the dirty subway floor?
“What’s the catch?” He asked, and the man replied. “I get to slap you everytime you lose.”
Arisu squinted his eyes slightly, trying to read past the man’s intentions. “That’s it?” He asked.
“Yup, totally legit.” The man replied, placing a suitcase Arisu hadn’t even noticed on the ground.
Was this guy some sort of sadist?
“Well?” The man eagerly awaited.
If Arisu could win a couple times, surely he’d satisfy his dad for a while. He’d lost track of how much he owed him, but one thing's for sure—
Arisu wasn’t going to be easily forgiven. He had downloaded this dystopian playing card mod for an Alice In Wonderland game he had bought purely in sheer boredom. He didn’t think much of it, despite the website being seemingly sketchy. It ended up containing a virus, therefore hacking into his pc, and stealing lots of info (including his dad’s banking information).
Of course, his dad got mad at him and his brother tried to cheer him up, but it resulted in him feeling more shitty about himself. His brother was always just…better than him in so many aspects.
Arisu didn’t have a job, no source of income.
So you could say Arisu was a tad desperate due to the fact he couldn’t live alone. He lacked essential skills, and had zero money. He was in the trenches.
So, Arisu accepted the offer. When would an opportunity like this ever happen again?
As if the man expected it, his finger deftly opened the latches on his suitcase. It displayed a neat array of two Ddajki. A red, and a blue one.
“Pick a color.” He smiled, turning the suitcase to face Arisu.
His instinct was to go with blue, so he did.
“You know how to play?” The man asked, and Arisu replied with a yes. There weren’t any games that had come to light that Arisu hadn’t played before.
Arisu stood up, holding the blue folded paper in his hands. He locked his eyes to a point on the red paper that now sat on the floor, and he threw his paper against it.
It didn’t flip.
“Aw that’s quite a shame for you.” The touristy man spoke. Before Arisu could fully turn his head, it was snapped back with a slap to his cheek.
“Jeez..” he mutters, rubbing the stinging red of his cheek, “you weren’t kidding.”
Arisus phone was vibrating on the small bench he was sitting on. Chota was calling—he was going to meet up with him and Karube.
They’d just have to wait a little longer.
“No answer. Think he’s okay?” Chota asked, slipping his phone into his pocket. Arisu hadn’t answered and was late to their hangout, so he was a tad worried.
“He’s probably fine. He said he was walking through the subway stations.” Karube replied, tossing his cigarette bud into a nearby garbage bin.
The two sat in a booth at Karubes workplace—a dingy bar. It was pretty empty during the day, so it made a great hangout place for the three of them. Plus, Karube got to see Emi when she was working
Karube reached into his pocket and Chota was met with a small velvet box. The box was a ring holder.
“Look dude, I know we’re close but not that close.” Chota exclaimed.
“Relax! It’s not for you!” Karube shot back in a hush, “It’s for Emi. I’m going to propose this weekend.”
Chota peeked out of the booth and at the bar where Emi cleaned before disappearing into the back room to clock out.
Karube loved Emi, maybe even more than he loved Chota and Arisu. She was sweet, beautiful, kind hearted, she had made Karube a better person as a whole. The bond the two had was unmatchable by any.
He couldn’t wait for next weekend. To get down on one knee, and if she accepted, to kiss and hug her more passionately than he ever had.
“Wow, you’re going to get married?! That’s so cool! Though, who’s going to be your best man? Me or Arisu?” Chota whispered.
“It’s if she says yes,” Karube paused, “But who says I can’t have two best man’s?”
Arisu locked his gaze with my paper on the ground, lining up his shot. Who knew he’d fail abysmally at throwing paper?
Then he throws it…
He misses again, and Arisu is met with another slap.
“One more.” Arisu says, picking the blue Ddakji off the ground, “one more.”
Arisu was about to throw it, but the man interrupted him.
“Why don’t you try flipping it?” He said.
“What?” Replied Arisu.
The man grabbed the folded paper out of Arisus hand and it turned it over, “like that.”
He shook his head confused and looked at the strange man, before averting his gaze to the Ddakji on the ground.
Then he threw it.
When the red Ddakji on the ground flipped, Arisu cheered, “yes! Yes I did it!”
“Well congratulations dude!” The touristy man said.
“Here’s your money.”
The man handed Arisu some yen, but amongst that was a business card.
“Call the number on that card. Tell em “Hatter” gave it to ya!” The man now known as Hatter spoke. “Of course that is if you want a chance to earn some real money.”
That intrigued Arisu.
“How much?” He asked.
“Well I can’t give you a definite answer, but it’ll be a lot. It’s like a game show.” Hatter smiled. “Winning makes living like a Utopia, you know?”
Arisu looked down at the business card. It was cheap cardboard, and had a series of shapes: Triangle, circle, square, followed by a number to contact below. Arisu wasn't any entrepreneur but he had to admit—-this business card was pretty lame.
Before he could ask any more questions, the man was already walking away, and waving from the subway he boarded.
When the subway passed, Arisu saw someone across the tracks—a blonde man with a white sweater, looking down at what seemed to be the same card. The two locked eyes and Arisus widened in return as the man waved at him, and Arisu awkwardly waved back before a passing train obstructed his view.
“Man, when the hell is Arisu going to get he-“ Karube began before he was interrupted by Arisu sitting at the booth.
“Sorry I'm late!” Arisu began, “I got distracted in the subway.”
“By what?” Chota questioned.
“Oh just some…tourist,” answered Arisu.
“Well, now that you're here, guess what.” Karube spoke proudly.
“Uh-you got a new job?” Arisu spoke.
“What-no! My job is perfectly fine, I don’t see you getting one.” He spoke with offense, “something better.”
“Just tell him before he offends you even more!” Chota replied impatiently.
“Fine, fine. I’m gonna propose to Emi next weekend.” Karube boasts, holding out a small velvet box.
“Finally! I’m so happy for you guys!” Arisu smiles. Do Chota and I have to brawl it out for best man?”
“Wha-“ Chota protested and Karube interupted.
“Well that’s a fun idea!”
“I’m not fighting Arisu!” Chota said.
“I’m kidding, we’ll go against norms or something and I’ll have two.” Karube chuckled, “I’m so looking forward to whatever honeymoon we’ll have too.”
“Gross, keep that to yourself!” Chota exclaimed.
Arisu didn’t want to admit how much he’d been rooting for the couple.
“What tourist decides to go into the subways?” Chota decides to change the subject.
Arisu debated whether to tell the two about his interaction with Hatter, but they would probably never let him live it down for losing a game about throwing paper onto more paper—plus, wouldn’t it be cool to come back super rich?
“I don’t know, he needed directions.” Arisu replied, “But wow his outfit was something. It looked like he was visiting Hawaii not Shibuya.”
“Wait what do you mean?” Chota asked.
“He had this excessive float print button up, a fedora type hat, shorts, and sandals. He also had a suitcase!” Arisu laughs.
“That guys gonna get slimed!” Karube replies with a laugh.
Arisu smiled as the three of them laughed. When he was rich, he’d buy his friends whatever they’d want.
“Well since you’re so late, we gotta run. Karube decided to not use an ash tray for his smokes on my front step so I’m making him go clean it.” Chota chuckled.
“It’s your fault for not giving me one.” Karube scoffed and stood up, Chota following after.
“Just don't smoke?!” Chota argued back.
“Bye Arisu!” Karube said,
“See ya!”
Arisu called the number that evening, getting told to meet at the nearest bus stop during the next day, at 1:40 am. It was oddly specific. Perhaps they had other candidates? Was this actually legit? It was oddly cryptic, and maybe that should’ve fuelled his gut to tell him no, but he was desperate.
Arisu went to the stop the night after. He wore a blue “Sunny Climate” t-shirt that didn’t do a good job of shielding her from the rain pounding against him. Shit, he should’ve checked the weather. Arisu himself probably looked crazy, waiting at a bus stop in the middle of the night, as well as in the rain in a t-shirt? Oh well.
He stood shivering for what seemed like an eternity, before a van pulled up, not taking a second to waste while he opened the door.
Arisu walked over, taking a step, and pulling himself into the vehicle that immediately moved once he was not so carefully seated.
This was nerve wracking. God- he hadn’t even brought anything to defend himself! A part of him was fully convinced that it was his time.
It wasn’t just him in the van, he was surrounded with people who were…hopefully sleeping. Arisu hid his confusion through his deteriorating confident facade. What kind of sketchy shit was he getting herself into? He didn’t get enough time to figure it out, before a gas filled the van, and he joined them in their slumber.
Loud. Loud is what Arisu was awoken to. The noise was a melody played obnoxiously enough to wake one from their slumber abruptly. Instead of the usual dim light he awoke to in his home, he looked up to a blaring white light, causing him to squint his eyes as he sat up, brighter than he was used to.
He noticed numerous of the same teal tracksuit with numbers on players as he looked around. They all looked like scared ants—and he loops himself into that category. Arisu looked on his own, the number reading “456”.
Most people began flooding to the middle, but Arisu stayed seated on his bunk—elbows rested on his knees, and hands pressed together. What was all of this? Arisu has never seen a gameshow like this.
Multiple (let’s call them soldiers) dressed in red stood at the front of everyone, and a large screen lit up, black text on the white screen and an automated female voice. “Players, we understand your confusion, but please stay calm. We welcome you.”
Some people called out, and Arisu didn't blame them, but a few caught his eye.
“What the hell is this? You took my stuff.” A man called out. He had shoulder length black hair, and half of it was up in a bun. He also had a couple facial piercings. His player number read “212”.
One woman spoke up before the voice responded “Did you strip us to get us in these?” She questioned. “Seriously, you can’t just knock us out and expect us to be chill with it?!”
“Hikari Kuina,” the screen said, “Player 240. Debt: 300 million yen.”
The video of the woman getting slapped appeared on the screen.
Wait-When the hell did Hatter have a camera?!
Suddenly she seemed more embarrassed, and Arisu twinged with a bit of pity.
Then they started to read out more names along with videos of them getting slapped, and debts ascending to the billions. He learnt the man with the face piercings was almost 1 billion yen in debt. Arisu did grimace a little, but was refocused when his own name was spoken.
“Ryohei Arisu. Player 456. Total debt, 1.2 billion yen.” The voice announced, the familiar sight of him getting slapped by the man, appearing on the big screen. Even Arisu was surprised because he wasn’t completely sure how much he’d gotten stolen from his father.
Arisu was startled by somebody calling his name and two figures scrambling up to his bunk.
“Arisu!” Karube spoke through his teeth. Arisus eyes widened when he was followed by Chota.
“What…what the hell are you both doing here?!” Arisu questioned with shock.
“How else do you think I’m gonna pay off that ring?” Karube countered.
“And I’m just broke,” added Chota.
Chota was an anxious person and it prevented him from so many things. He had gotten fired from his last job because the thought of making phone calls was worse than death.
He had full capabilities to work it’s just—his own anxieties stopped him. He felt guilty being here knowing most of these people had real problems, and he wasn’t convinced he’d win at all.
“But, Arisu, why are you in so much debt?” Chota added.
“I was buying a game and it hacked my dad's account.” He winced. Karube deadpanned and Chota sighed.
“So wait, did you guys play Ddakji?” Arisu asked.
“Yeah, Hatter? After Karube left, he approached me. It clicked that the touristy man you were talking about was him.” Chota chuckled.
“He came up to me on my way to the bar to pick Emi up. I won a couple of our games.” Karube proudly spoke. “You weren’t joking about his outfit, because wow.”
“Please sign a player consent form at any of the tables, and proceed to the door behind, which will lead to the arena of the first game after taking a photo.” The automated voice spoke. The three hadn’t even noticed how quick the lines at the tables were filling up into the voice said something.
Getting to a line, Arisu stood behind Chota and Karube.
“Your friend makes quite a show of himself,” said the person behind him. It was only until Arisu realized they were talking to him, he turned around.
He was met with the familiar blonde guy who had waved at him in the subway.
“Oh hey it’s you!” Arisu pointed.
“Oh wow, it really is me.” The man replied with a subtly amused expression.
Arisu looked down at his number, noting it to his mind.
“067”.
“I’m Arisu, what’s your name?” Arisu asked.
“Funny. I don’t think we know each other well enough to exchange that.” The man mused.
“Well…it’s a name-Nevermind.” Arisu trailed off embarrassed.
“Well, I guess if you put it like that.” The man said.
“Put it like what? I-“
“Maybe in the future I’ll tell you my name.” The man spoke. “If I decide you earn it.”
“Okay…it’s nice to meet you.”
“Well, Goodluck Arisu.” The man spoke. Something about his tone made him interested in this man, and he could feel the man was aware of it.
“Yeah, you too-“ Arisu began.
“Arisu!” Karube interjected, “it’s your turn!”
“Sorry.” Arisu quickly turned around to face the consent form.
The red, triangle masked guard standing in front of him made him a tad uneasy. Even though they had a mask on, Arisu could feel them looking at him.
The form read:
A player is not allowed to stop playing.
A player who refuses to play will be eliminated.
If the majority of players wish to stop playing, the games will be terminated.
Hey, at least it mentioned games. Arisu was good at games.
Arisu looked at the red guard in front of him, hesitating to sign. Why would anyone give up this amount of money?
“Please sign the consent form.” Spoke the guard.
They had a choice to be here, and that mindset would carry them through every vote. Either way his hesitance wasn’t enough to influence his decision, Arisu signed the waver and headed to get his picture taken.
When Arisu got past the doors, he was met with an array of colorful walls and stairs going many different directions, and it was a sharp contrast to the bright dormitory they were just in.
A man ran into him from behind after getting pushed by two guys that now walked past Arisu. One was a larger man, number reading “101”, and the other was the one with the bun earlier “212”.
Okay, they had some attitude.
“Watch it,” 212 barked, glowering.
Arisu apologized and turned around to see who had run into him. The man wore a hat and his number was “199”.
“Sorry, they pushed me I swear.” The man spoke apologetically. “Do you know anything about this? Did they tell you what we’d be playing? They knocked me out and brought me here.”
“I’m not sure, I’m sorry.” Arisu replied, “and I think I would stay wary of those guys.”
“Yeah, they seem like some freaky power duo. Anyways, I”m Tatta” the man smiled.
“Arisu!”
Arisu stepped to get his picture taken and was met with a smiley face on a screen. The word “Smile” was on it, and the domed camera on top made the smile more unnerving than happy. Arisu looked up at the camera, and he smiled.
The camera shuttered and took his photo.
He didn’t have time to worry about how it looked. Arisu was determined to not add a loss onto his roster, and win these games!
Arisu managed to spot his friends before entering the game arena. In the little waiting area they were in, Arisu saw Chota and Karube talking to a woman.
“Yes, I believe it’s going to be difficult.” The woman said with a finger to her lip.
“Yeah. I wonder if there can be multiple winners?” Chota exclaimed and the woman smiled.
“Chota stop talking to strangers.” Karube hissed, ignoring the woman’s eye roll.
“She’s not a stranger, she’s Shibuki!” Chota argued back.
“Well when did you meet…Shibuki?” Karube asked, resentment lacing his words.
“Like…five minutes ago…” Chota muttered embarassed.
“He can talk to whoever he wants.” Shibuki scoffs towards Karube.
“Yeah, but not to a cocky woman!” Karube grew more annoyed.
“What when did-“ Shibuki protested before Arisu finally interrupted, walking over.
“Hey hey…calm down. I don’t think she plans to screw with him.” Arisu interjected.
“Yeah,” Chota sheepishly agreed. This was one of the few women who have gone out of their way to talk with him, “Besides, wouldn’t it be useful to have more team members?” Chota wanted to feel useful and help his team. It’d be great if they all could win!
“Fine.” Karube crossed his arms.
Then, large green doors with a spade on them opened in front of them.
They were met with a large scape of what seemed to be a mock display of outside in one way or another. They were in a huge room lacking a roof revealing the blue sky that birds carelessly flew over, and a long sandy path beginning with a red line stretching across horizontally.
When Arisu looked ahead, an unusually large doll stood in front of a tree.
There were so obviously fake clouds on the walls with little black rectangles poking out of them.
Players flooded into the arena, and Karube spoke to Arisu and Chota.
“So, this looks easy. I’m assuming we’re running.”
“Well obviously we’re running. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.” Shibuki scoffed under her breath.
“You know, do you always have something to say or are you just a bitch?” Karube shot.
“Karube!” Chota quickly interjected.
Great. Running. Arisu and Chota weren’t the athletic type themselves.
“Lovely. I hate running.” Chota muttered.
“Who would lose at running?” Karube boasted.
Arisu and Chota deadpanned at Karube. They were both super unathletic, and if it was something on speed they’d be screwed.
Arisu noticed a woman with short hair a few feet away doing a couple stretches. Her number read “001”.
“Hey!” Arisu called out “Do you think we’re running?”.
He wanted her opinion since she seemed athletic, but she didn’t seem to be fond of him interrupting her stretches.
“I wouldn’t see why not.” She called back.
Arisu went to mimic a couple of her stretches, and his teammates awkwardly mimicked them—well besides Karube who seemed to have an idea of what he was doing.
Arisu wanted to call out to the woman again, but the automated voice spoke first.
“The game you will be playing is Red Light, Green Light. When the light turns green, you will proceed, and when it turns red, stop.” The voice continued. “Rule: Players have 3 minutes to cross. Rule: Players caught moving during red will result in elimination. Rule: Players who fail to make it across in time will result in elimination. Rule: Players are not prohibited from sabotaging each other."
Arisu noticed a large timer on the far right corner of the large arena light up. He’d played this game countless times with Karube and Chota when he was little, and even then, the timed chance of when you could move was an aspect in many modern games!
Arisu was ready to run, to run like a man with 1.2 billion yen in debt. He dug his foot into the ground and got ready.
“Game Start.”