I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN [indefinite hiatus]

STRESSED OUT

Trigger warning: depictions of blood/gore, language, useless lesbians, violence, greasy men
KASUMI'S POV
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After the announcement, I walked to the centre of the room as quickly as I could, trying my best not to acknowledge her question whatsoever. That was stupid, what would okāsan think if she saw you talking to her? The guards led us out to a hallway painted in bright pastel colours. Hundreds of doors and staircases were stacked up onto each other, the labyrinth, as okāsan called it. The light colours gave off an innocent, almost childlike aura, but what happens in these games are nothing close to it.

All the players lined up to get their pictures taken for the game.

067 was in the line across from me, she kept that iconic stoic expression, eyes focused on the photo booth in front of her. I took the chance to have a good look at her. Her hair was messy and tousled, yet it seemed to suit her perfectly. Freckles dotted her face, most having been on her cheeks and nose. Her lips were plump and red, even more so now from that punch she got from grease beast. Her hands were in the pockets of her sweatshirt, making it sag down slightly. I watched as she rolled her head back with her eyes closed, her hooded eyes closing slowly and opening again after stretching her neck. God, that was hot. I snapped out of my daydream once I realised it was my turn next.

Player 324, the person before me stood in front of the camera, his face slowly contorting into a vulgar pose right before the camera shutter clicked, god I hate men, there's no way in hell this dude is gonna make it through the first game. I step up to take my picture and I consider smiling, but the thought is pushed out of my mind when I think about the way I was raised, how everything was centred around the game, with that, I keep my expression solemn.

I make my way through the stairwells, impressed slightly by the architecture. The first game, it's ppalganbul chologbul. The guards lead everyone to a vast open space and the players began to talk amongst themselves. I notice the thick white line in front of my feet and the dark pink one on the other side of the field. Across the field just before the pink line was an enormous 4 meter tall robot, two guards stationed at each side. I tie my hair back with the hair tie on my wrist. They let us keep hair ties, at least they have some basic human decency. I began stretching out my legs as I watched the player's conversing. I saw 465 walking up to 218, his friendly smile faltering slightly as 218 walked away. Childhood friends, huh.

"Attention all players, after you enter the game hall, please stand behind the white line drawn on the field and await further instructions".

I guess this really is happening

——"used to play pretend, give each other different names"——

I stand up after stretching and look up at the ceiling, the corners of my lips turn upwards slightly as I watched birds flying through white clouds that littered the sky, finding a moment of calm before the chaos about to transpire. This moment was interrupted by a harsh shove to my shoulder, I turn my head slowly, eyes meeting with the culprit. Well if it isn't crusty musty himself, his face contorted into a smug smile, his greasy complexion shining slightly under the sun. Does this dude use bacon grease as body wash or something? I'm legitimately scared. He pulls me in by the back of my neck and says in a hoarse voice, "You better watch your back, ghost bitch. I'm coming for you."