Queen of Diamonds | Shuntaro Chishiya

[Chapter 8]. Lost Dog

Didn't particularly follow the manga with Arisū and Usagi arriving but past that scene, I will follow manga strictly at least with my own plot as well. Setsuna is my own character.

Manga spoilers ahead.

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A day has passed. Setsuna barely left her room. She kept having this gut feeling about Chishiya. She really was starting to form knots of emotions over him?

She buried her emotions and got up from her bed. Her hair dishevelled in random directions.

As she brushed her hair and gazed upon the mirror reflection. She sighed, it felt really good to be alive still a second time.

She left her room and was met with Chishiya of all people. "Oh, it's you." Setsuna's eyes refused to meet his pity ones.

"Ah, it's me." He replied holding his hands up sarcastically.

"Seems unlike you to show up alone without your guard dog Kuina." Setsuna was about to walk past him but he raised a brow at her remarks.

"I think I figured it out," Chishiya says turning around. Setsuna stopped dead in her tracks. Figured it out?

"Your expression says it all. You know you don't have to say it. When Momoka said 'aren't you afraid of what they're capable of?' That leads me to believe there are others here manipulating the board." He stepped forward taking a strand of her own locks feeling how soft her hair was. He made a 'tsk' sound followed by a normal chuckle. His eyes slanted causing her to hitch a short breath. She wouldn't move but why? She was afraid to say the wrong word or sentence that could backtrack his beliefs.

"Hmm, humans are despicable creatures, Setsuna-san. What are your true intentions? Let me guess, watch over the games and act clueless? Let people die at their own disposable? I would watch where you walk," Chishiya already had the most terrifying smile plastered on his lips. He leaned in holding her still. His lips briefly touched her left ear.

"You know it don't you? You could be one of them? But a simple mistake could get you or more killed? Don't worry, I wouldn't want to make myself an enemy either. Your secret is safe with me." He pulled away petting her head causing quite a diversion in the corridor to make the others around believe they have someone going on. He swiftly left her shocked and puzzled standing there.

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"Ladies and gentlemen!! The night is once again upon us!" The Hatter stood at the balcony exclaiming upon 200 beach members.

"Do not falter! This is a battle with fear!! You have the courage to defeat calamity! You have the tenacity to ward off despair! On the moment where you must believe in the will to live, you will certainly make it so!" Many cheers were heard among the members.

Setsuna heard the loud ruckus from the lobby and appeared to be standing next to a confused Arisū and Usagi.

"The Hatter seems to be going crazier each day..." Setsuna says and inhales in a sharp breath. "Only a small amount of time before he loses himself. He cares for everyone... he trusts too easily and is broken from the inside out." Setsuna observed the man. Arisū nodded incomprehension. Usagi was glad to see someone else she sort of knows.

"FIGHT MY COMRADES!!"

Was the last The Hatter has said before backing away from the balcony.

"What a cold reality..." Arisū says underneath his breath. Meanwhile, Setsuna pulled her black mask over her mouth. Her white hair pulled over her head up high. She plans to take part in at least one new game. Her weapons were intact on her body.

"The Beach is a way to cope with your despair." Setsuna turns around leaving the two. She needed fresh air but from the corner of her eyes, she saw Chishiya talking to Kuina with his hood up over his head.

"Setsuna-san!" The voice of Fumiko was heard from the loud bass being played in the background.

Setsuna didn't want any more people to discover her more than what Chishiya is unravelling about her. I need to buy time. There's no way I could deceive him.

"H-Hai... I am quite busy. Many game venues are popping up in the city tonight. It's a must that everyone participates." Setsuna noticed their bracelets with a number on them.

22 and 23.

She wondered why the Hatter never particularly gave her a number. Chishiya had No. 9. But why is it now Setsuna is paying attention to this.

"Earth to Setsuna? Would you like to join us in a group of 4? We need one more but we can easily pick someone up." Zara asked but before she was going to decline the offer to turned around and ran far away from the scene leaving the two sisters puzzled.

She knew something was off. She found Kuzuryū sitting on a beach chair. Maybe she could ask him what Mira is planning— no don't be silly! He would run and tell her everything. He's worse than a lap dog stop!

"Kuzuryū-kun...?" His eyes were closed but upon hearing his name he peeled one eyelid to see Setsuna towering over him.

"Is there something you need?" He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Excuse us," Setsuna motioned a few of the militants to leave. But none bulged.

"Leave." She warned a second time. Her eyes glaring daggers at the three. The three stepped aside far enough to not hear what she was about to say.

"You had a choice to leave. Why didn't you? Following her around like a lost dog will later get you killed, but you're not afraid of dying? I don't understand..." Setsuna gritted her teeth. She had her reasons to stay as so did he.

"I could be saying the same about you. You're at your wits and ends, I wouldn't be seeking out answers now considering we're getting closer to the finish line." This took Setsuna off guard. Her eyes widened as her head lowered towards the ground.

"The games are mere distractions for what's actually about to come. Every night, the number of players drop. My vision of the borderlands would be united under a fairer law and order instead of an illusion." This made Setsuna realize what he was saying. Maybe this wasn't an illusion, Mira could be playing both sides with the players and citizens.

"No. You have a more viable role. You've been chosen to be a king when it comes to players vs us, am I correct? There won't be any other way to leave. Either we win or they die..." she placed a finger beneath her chin.

"Hmm, foolish way of thinking of it like that." The former lawyer closed his eyes dismissing her. The three militants came back but she already pushed her way out of there.

I'll participate in a new game like everyone. I'll prove my worth, just you watch!

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Chishiya didn't particularly eavesdropped on her conversation. He heard one faint line:

"following her around like a lost dog will later get you killed, but you're not afraid of dying."

Kuina pulled him away before he could hear the rest. But he has taken a favourable liking to Setsuna. She was fascinating to him. Almost as if he wants to dissect everything about her.

He never particularly liked the emotions he was feeling towards her when she was vulnerable on her bed recovering from her injuries.

"Chishiya-kun, what do you think?" Kuina pulled him out of his thoughts.

He sighed, "the three of them will be perfect for our plan."