Sakura sat on the edge of the cot in the nurse’s office. The late morning checks had wrapped up, and for the first time in hours, the room was still. Around her, faint murmurs and quiet sobs drifted from the other injured students, but they felt distant, muffled by the heavy fog of her thoughts.

The nurse had stepped out a while ago, and the uneasy silence weighed heavily. Her gaze dropped to the worn floor tiles, their dull pattern providing no distraction from the shadow that loomed large in her mind as her shoulders ached, the only respite, under the weight of her axe.

Muffled by her thoughts, Yuma tried reaching out “Sakura, Sakura!, Hey, Sakura!” The voice pierced through the haze, and she blinked, startled.

“Sakura, are you even listening?” Yuma stood a few steps away, her bandaged arm cradled awkwardly against her side. Despite her light tone, concern flickered in her eyes.

“Sorry,” Sakura murmured, shifting the axe aside. “What were you saying?”

“I asked if you’re okay,” Yuma said, stepping closer. “You’ve been sitting there, staring at the floor like a robot in standby mode.”

“I’m fine,” Sakura replied, forcing a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just… tired.”

Yuma sighed, crouching down to meet Sakura’s gaze. “You’ve been carrying that axe around since yesterday. You need to rest before you collapse.”

Sakura shrugged, her fingers brushing the worn strap on her shoulder. “I’m fine, Yuma. Really.”

“Sure, and I’m a medical expert now.” Yuma smirked, nodding toward the bag of medical waste on the nearby table. “Speaking of which, the nurse hasn’t returned yet. I should drag that bag to the school boiler incinerator before it gets too late.” She hesitated, then added, “I’ll pass the digital ID board in the lobby, maybe it’s been updated.” Her voice faltered. “Maybe there’s something… new.”

Sakura’s head snapped up. “The lobby?”

“Yeah.” Yuma nodded, grabbing the bag awkwardly with her good hand. “Caught a glimpse before…” as she felt a lump in her throat forcing out “all of this”

Sakura stood, her chest tightening. “Let me take that for you.”

“What?” Yuma frowned. “I can handle it…” She hissed in pain, wincing.

“You’re half-bandaged and still trying to play hero.” Sakura stepped forward, lifting the bag easily. It wasn’t heavy, but the faint, sterile smell of antiseptic and blood made her wrinkle her nose. “I’ll drop this off at the incinerator and check the Student ID board while I’m there.”

Yuma gave her a sceptical look but relented with a shrug. “Fine. Just don’t take too long. I’ll be on edge if you’re gone too long.”

Sakura chuckled softly. “It’s a five-minute adventure, In and out.” She slipped the axe from her shoulder and handed it to Yuma. “Be my hero, Yuma, protect the office till I am back.”

“Cute.” Yuma rolled her eyes, but warmth flickered in her expression. “Be careful, okay? Don’t let anyone corner you out there.”

“I’ll be fine. Hold down the fort,” Sakura said firmly, shouldering the waste bag.

As she stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, the faint hum of overhead camera’s tweaking accompanied her steps. The air was cool, the quiet eerie. “It’s just a quick trip,” she assured herself while her grip on the bag strap tightened as her thoughts drifted to Reo.

She had just reached the stairwell, the incinerator wasn’t far, just past the main stairwell, as she descended, adjusted her grip on the bag and quickened her pace, when a voice echoed from above. “There she is! The murderer!”

Sakura froze mid-step, her blood running cold. Peering up, she saw three silhouettes leaning over the railing on the above-floor landing. Their faces were shadowed, but their jeering tones were unmistakable.

“You think you can just walk around like nothing happened?” one of them shouted, their voice sharp with anger. “You killed Kai! You killed our friend!”

Sakura’s chest tightened, her pulse pounding in her ears. “I didn’t” she began, but her words were drowned out by the sharp whistle of something cutting through the air. A rock smashed into the wall beside her, scattering dust and chips of plaster.

Another stone followed, this one grazing her arm. She hissed in pain, clutching the bag tighter, turning on a dime she ran to the next set of stairs.

“She’s trying to run!” one of the kids yelled. “Don’t let her get away! We’ll make her pay!”

More rocks came hurtling down, clattering against the stairs and railings. Sakura ducked, her instincts kicking in. She bolted down the stairs, the echoing thuds of her footsteps mingling with the sharp cracks of stones hitting metal and concrete.

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“Stop running, coward!” another voice taunted, but Sakura didn’t look back.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she darted around the landing, narrowly avoiding a stone that ricocheted off the banister. The bag swung awkwardly at her side, its weight throwing off her balance, but she held onto it tightly.

Another rock flew past her head, missing by inches. Her foot slipped on the edge of a step, and she stumbled, catching herself against the wall. The sound of laughter from above stung more than the scrape on her palm.

“Where’s the drones now, huh?” one of them jeered. “Think you’re so tough without them doing your dirty work!?”

Adrenaline surged through her veins as she reached the bottom of the stairwell. She turned sharply into the adjacent hallway, her heart hammering against her ribs. The shouts from above grew fainter as she sprinted toward the incinerator, her focus narrowing to just getting away.

Finally, she rounded the corner and pressed herself against the wall, panting heavily. The bag dropped to the floor with a dull thud as she leaned back, her hand trembling against her chest. Her mind raced, their accusations echoing in her ears. “Murderer.”

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She hadn’t killed Kai, not intentionally. The game had forced her hand, and she had done what she had to do to survive. But would anyone believe that? Did she even believe it herself?

The distant sound of footsteps snapping her out of her thoughts. She wasn’t safe yet. Gritting her teeth, she grabbed the bag and jogged down the dim corridor, glancing over her shoulder every few steps.

The sting on her arm where the stone had grazed her still burned, as she shook her head, forcing her focus forward. The incinerator wasn’t far. Just a little farther.

Lost in her thoughts as her head twisted down the hallway, Sakura didn’t see the obstacle in her path. Her foot caught on someone else hanging out of a door, and she stumbled. The bag slipped from her hand, and she hit the ground hard, her palms scraping against the rough floor. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth where she’d bitten her lip.

“Well, well,” a familiar, mocking voice cooed from the shadows. “What do we have here?”

Sakura scrambled to her knees, her eyes snapping upward. Akira stood a few paces away, leaning casually against the wall. Her group of girls emerged from the shadows behind her, their smirks cutting through the dim light like knives.

“You’ve been busy, haven’t you, Sakura?” Akira continued, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. “But you should know better than to walk these halls alone, especially with the winning from your game.”

Sakura’s stomach twisted, knowing her reputation as Kazuto's girlfriend before his execution , but she kept her expression steady. “I don’t want any trouble.”

Akira laughed, a high, melodic sound that sent chills down Sakura’s spine. “Trouble? Oh, sweetie, trouble found you the moment you stepped onto my floor.” She motioned to her friends. “Check her ID. Let’s see how much this little gamer’s worth.”

One of the girls stepped forward, yanking Sakura’s ID from her pocket before she could react. She scanned it with her own, and a sharp beep echoed through the hallway.

“Zero points?” the girl said, blinking in surprise. “What the hell? Where are your points?”

Akira’s smirk faltered, replaced by confusion. “Zero?” She stepped closer, tilting her head with exaggerated curiosity. “What did you do with them all, Sakura? Buying lavish meals? No you're that piggy, Did you blow it all on makeup? Perfume? Clear not” with a mocking wipe of Sakura cheek, her laughter rang sharp and cold.

“It’s none of your business, but I am helping the Nurse out,” Sakura muttered, her jaw tight. She reached for her bag, but one of Akira’s girls kicked it away.

“Oh, it’s my business now,” Akira snapped, her voice losing its playful edge. She grabbed Sakura by the front of her shirt and hauled her up. “What kind of game are you playing, huh? You think you’re better than us? That you’re some sort of hero?”

Sakura’s hands shot up, gripping Akira’s wrist, but the other girls closed in. One shoved her from behind, sending her sprawling back onto the floor. The first kick came fast, slamming into Sakura’s ribs, driving the air from her lungs. Then another. She curled tighter, her arms wrapping protectively around her torso. Each blow reverberated through her, a sickening pain. The cold floor beneath her offered no escape, its rough surface biting into her flesh.

“Maybe this will earn us some credits, put on a show for the camera girls” Akira sneered, raising her foot.

Akira turned to the nearest camera, blew a kiss at it before turning back to Sakura, suddenly before the blow could land, a loud, commanding voice rang out. “That’s enough!”

The hallway seemed to freeze as Riku stepped into view, flanked by her group. The dim light caught her vintage corset and oak staff, her eyepatch glinting with theatrical menace. Behind her, Alchemist, Emi and Kaito held makeshift weapons, their expressions steely.

Akira straightened, her hand still gripping Sakura’s shirt. “And who invited you, queen of make-believe?”

Riku’s crimson gaze locked onto Akira, her voice cold and measured. “I invited myself. Release her.”

Akira laughed, a sharp, humourless sound. “Or what? You’ll hit me with that stick again?”

Riku smirked, lifting her staff and slamming its base against the ground. The sound echoed sharply, and her group stepped forward in unison. “This is your only warning, Akira. Leave now, or face the consequences.”

For a moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, Akira released Sakura and stepped back. She smoothed her skirt, her smirk returning. “Fine. Take your little charity case. But don’t think this is over.”

Riku didn’t respond, her gaze unwavering as Akira and her group retreated down the hallway. Only when they were out of sight did she turn to Sakura, her expression softening.

“Duchess, can you stand?” Riku asked, extending a hand.

Sakura hesitated, then nodded, gripping Riku’s hand as she pulled herself to her feet. Her ribs ached, and her breath came shallow, but she forced a weak smile. “Thanks, Riku.”

Riku smiled, a hint of pride in her posture. “You’re welcome, my lady. And now, you’re coming with us.”

Emi stepped forward, “ My lady, we don't need her, it’ll just split the winning? We need ever point after The Alchemist little stunt”

“What?” Sakura blinked. “Why?”

“Because, my dear,” Riku said, a mischievous glint in her eye, “a Duchesses as brave as you shouldn’t be wandering the fade alone.”

Kaito stepped forward, offering Sakura her bag. “Come on. You’ll be safer with us.”

Sakura glanced between them, then nodded slowly. Maybe, just maybe, some extra point will see her and her friends through this madness.