"I'm just going to go straight to it. How did you find the map to this place? How did you get the info for all this? I want to know it all. You see, I can't fully trust you or anyone here." Kaito's voice was steady but laced with suspicion.
Jiyu maintained his calm demeanor, smiling softly before releasing a gentle sigh. He placed his hands on his waist, his expression a mix of gentleness and seriousness.
"I don't know what to tell you," Jiyu began, shaking his head. "I told Ayame the same thing, and it seems she didn't believe me either." He sighed again, then continued, "I got the map from people who had been here much longer than us. Look, I know it’s hard to believe, but I want to leave this place as much as you do. I understand how you feel." He placed his hand on his chest. "It’s tough to trust anyone, given that we barely know each other, but I’m with you. I want to get out of here with everyone and—"
Jiyu's words were cut off by the sound of footsteps growing closer. The group tensed up, a jolt of unease running through them.
"I'm not sure that will be possible," a voice said as a stranger slowly walked into view.
"WHO ARE YOU?" Jiyu demanded, his eyes narrowing.
The group’s attention snapped to the intruder, a young man in a black hoodie with dark hair and brown eyes. His hands were casually stuffed in his pockets as he approached with a relaxed demeanor.
"Well, looks like you’ve already formed a group. Mind if I join?" he said with a brief, casual smile.
"NO, YOU CAN’T JUST JOIN US! HOW CAN WE EVEN TRUST YOU?" Haruka snapped, standing up and moving toward the unknown person, her fists clenched in anger.
"Huh, really? I even tried smiling this time," he said, ignoring Haruka as he attempted to sit. Kaito stepped in, blocking his path, his face cold and devoid of emotion.
"Sorry, but we can’t just let you waltz in here like it’s nothing," Kaito said firmly.
"My bad, bro. Didn’t mean to intrude." The stranger paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully before adding, "My name is... hmm, what name should I go by? Let’s see… call me Ryuu, as in 'dragon.'" He chuckled as he moved closer to Ayame.
"Hey, baby girl, are you seeing anyone right now? What do you think about marriage?" Ryuu’s grin widened.
"Don't you dare come in here and talk to us like that!" Haruka's patience snapped as she stormed toward him, fury blazing in her eyes.
"I wasn't even talking to you." Ryuu waved her off, his smirk unfaltering. "And don't worry, if you’re jealous, I’m open to two relationships."
Ayame reacted swiftly. In an instant, she grabbed Ryuu’s arm and slammed him to the floor, pinning him with his hands behind his back. "Who are you? How did you find us?" she demanded coldly, her pink eyes burning with intensity.
"Everyone, calm down," Jiyu intervened, his voice steady but commanding. "Let’s give Ryuu a chance to explain."
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Ayame reluctantly released him, and Ryuu slowly stood up, brushing off his clothes with a smirk still on his face.
"Okay, okay, I’ll explain," Ryuu said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "The reason I said it wouldn’t be possible for you to escape is that you’re not being careful. I mean, I just followed you here—no big deal. If I were a spy, you’d all be dead by now, so chill." His grin returned. "Am I accepted now? I mean, you don’t really have a choice."
"He's got a point." Yukito yawned from his portable bed, his white hair sticking out in all directions. "Besides, I don’t want any blood on my hands. Let’s just keep him for now."
"Yay! I’m in! And besides, I know a way to—"
Suddenly, an alarm blared, cutting Ryuu off mid-sentence. The piercing sound echoed through the bunker, freezing everyone in place.
"What’s that alarm?" Akio asked, his voice shaking with fear.
"It can’t be…" Ryuu muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Everyone! Get to your rooms, NOW!"
"What’s going on? What does it mean?" Akio demanded, panic spreading through the group.
"Don’t you know?" Haruka snapped. "When that specific alarm goes off, it means someone tried to escape."
The group rushed toward the entrance, their hearts pounding as the alarm continued to wail. They were relieved to see the camera in the dining area was still off, the red light absent.
"Everyone, we’ll meet again soon," Jiyu whispered, ushering them toward their rooms. "Just be careful for now."
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Meanwhile…
Two boys, Taro and Kazu, were sprinting down a long, seemingly endless white hallway. Both were gasping for breath, their bodies drenched in sweat.
"Are you sure this is the right path?" Kazu wheezed, struggling to catch his breath. He leaned against the wall, adjusting his glasses, which were barely hanging onto his face.
Taro, collapsed on the floor, nodded between gasps. "Yes… yes, I’m sure. We’ll… we’ll find a way out of here." He stood up shakily, determination flashing in his eyes. "Let’s go."
"But I’m too tired to keep going," Kazu panted, still leaning heavily against the wall.
Taro glanced at him, his face hardening. "I can’t let you slow me down." Without looking back, he continued down the hallway, leaving Kazu behind.
As Taro navigated the twisting hallways, he approached a girl wearing a white patient gown. She was sitting on the floor, crying, her face hidden behind long, disheveled hair.
"Hey… are you trying to escape too?" Taro asked, though his voice held little sympathy. Another burden, he thought bitterly. "Don’t worry, I’ll find help when I get back," he added sarcastically, turning to leave.
"STOP!" the girl suddenly shouted, her voice low and chilling.
Taro paused, turning slowly to face her.
"What… what are you?" His voice trembled, his eyes widening in horror. Sweat dripped from his brow, his body trembling as he began to back away, but it was too late. His scream echoed through the hallway, the sound of pure terror: "AAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHH!"
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Kazu, still resting, heard the distant scream and recognized the voice immediately. "Taro?" Panic surged through him, and he sprinted toward the sound, his heart racing.
As Kazu ran, he tripped, sending his glasses flying. Blindly, he groped around for them, his hands touching something wet. Confused, he finally found his glasses and put them on, his vision clearing.
"What… is this?" His voice trembled. His eyes locked on the source of the wetness—blood, smeared across the floor. "Taro…?" His voice cracked as he noticed a leg sticking out from the shadows. He recoiled in horror, realizing it was Taro’s.
"TARO! NOT YOU, TARO!" Kazu’s voice broke, tears streaming down his face. He followed the trail of blood into the dark room, his hands shaking. "What happened to you?!" His voice was drowned out by a new sound—the slow, deliberate footsteps of someone standing behind him.
He turned, and as his eyes met hers, he let out a soul-piercing scream.
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In Akio’s Room…
Akio lay on his bed, thinking about the events of the day, his mind racing with doubts about Jiyu and the group. Slowly, however, exhaustion overtook him, and his doubts began to fade as he drifted into an uneasy sleep.