SQUID GAME [TWICE VERSION]

Red Light, Green Light

All the players gathered in the vast, silent space. They roamed their eyes around, absorbing the sheer size of the place. At the front stood a large doll wearing a yellow dress, with two people beside it in red hooded jumpsuits. Suddenly, the large doors slammed shut, startling some of the players.

Hundreds of players positioned themselves along the lane as the announcer began to speak.

“Hey, look at that big-headed doll. It looks creepy.” Momo said, pointing at the eerie figure,
“Why did you even join this game, by the way?” she asked, glancing at her friend.

“I joined this game because of someone.” Mina answered, her expression calm and unreadable.

“Who’s that someone, then?” Momo pressed curiously.

“You don’t need to know. Just listen to the instructions.” Mina scolded, her tone firm.

With that, the announcer began speaking.

“The first game is Red Light, Green Light. You may move forward when it shouts ‘GREEN LIGHT’ and must stop immediately when it shouts ‘RED LIGHT.’ If your movements are detected afterward, you will be eliminated.”

“Wait, what? I don’t understand!” Sana exclaimed, wide-eyed.

“Stop yelling. I don’t get it, either.” Momo muttered, creasing her brows in frustration.

“Those who cross the finish line without being caught within five minutes will pass this round.”

The first shout echoed, and two players took the lead. As the doll shouted ‘Red Light,’ all the players immediately froze. One player nearly stumbled but managed to halt just in time.

But unfortunately, he was still detected.

“Player 312. Eliminated.”

A deafening gunshot rang out, and Player 312 collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

“What the. . .? What was that sound?” Jeongyeon muttered in shock, her face pale.

The second shout started, and the players began to move cautiously. The player in the lead glanced back at the fallen body. Blood trickled from the lifeless player’s mouth, causing another player nearby to panic and attempt to back out.

But the doll had already shouted ‘Red Light,’ and the terrified player was shot as he tried to retreat. Blood splattered onto the face of a nearby girl, who screamed in horror.

Chaos erupted. Players began running toward the doors, only to be taken down one by one. Sana, terrified, attempted to flee, but someone grabbed her hand, pulling her down as they both fell.

---

When Momo saw blood splattered across the girl’s face, she immediately panicked and tried to run backward, her eyes fixated on the terrifying doll.

But in her hasty retreat, she tripped, landing on top of a short woman who had caught her just in time.

“Momoring, stop moving.” the girl said, her voice steady. It was then that Momo realized it was her high school crush, Kim Dahyun.

Momo froze, not knowing what else to do but follow Dahyun’s instructions.

---

Nayeon hid behind the body of a fallen player, feeling safer with the corpse shielding her than risking being shot. Her childhood friend, Yoo Jeongyeon, watched her from afar, trying her best to remain still. Jeongyeon hadn’t taken her eyes off Nayeon since the game began.

---

At the very end of the lane, Chaeyoung hid behind her girlfriend, Myoui Mina. She figured that as long as she was covered by someone, she might be safe.

“Son Chaeyoung, don’t you dare move, or that damn doll will detect you.” Mina warned her sternly.

---

Back with Sana, she was still frozen, eyes squeezed shut, waiting for any sign that she might be hit. She hadn’t noticed that the person who had pulled her down was now lying on top of her. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find her ex-lover, Chou Tzuyu, poised above her, not moving an inch.

Players around them continued to run, scream, and panic, but Tzuyu’s intense focus on the game made her seem unaffected by the surrounding chaos.

After what felt like an eternity, the remaining players calmed down, freezing in place. The doll turned back and once more shouted, ‘Green Light.’

Everyone hesitated, fearful of making the same mistakes they’d just witnessed. But then, after three calls of ‘Green Light,’ one brave player began moving forward, leading the rest by example. Encouraged, the others followed his pace, advancing carefully as time ticked away.

Tzuyu gently helped Sana to her feet, observing her clumsiness as she moved. Just as Tzuyu had predicted, Sana stumbled once again at the sound of ‘Red Light,’ causing Tzuyu to panic.

Shot.

Fortunately, someone standing in front of Sana took the hit. She was safe for now, and Tzuyu could finally exhale in relief.

As soon as the doll shouted ‘Green Light’ again, Tzuyu positioned herself protectively in front of Sana, determined to avoid any more close calls.

“Sana, please be careful. If you can’t move quickly, go slow. We have time, so don’t rush and risk stumbling again.” Tzuyu urged, her voice laced with worry. It was unusual for her to speak out, but she wanted Sana to be safe above all else.

Mina and Momo had already crossed the red line and were now cheering Sana on from the finish.

“Come on, Sana! You can do it!” Momo shouted, hoping to motivate her friend.

The clock was ticking. Only fifty seconds remained.

Tzuyu deliberately slowed her pace, staying close to Sana to protect her. Sana kept stumbling over her own feet, and Tzuyu couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated. If it hadn’t been for Sana, she’d have already crossed the line by now.

Thirty seconds left. Sana tripped over another fallen player, but Tzuyu was quick to react, catching her just in time. They both froze, locked in place, eyes meeting as they held each other steady.

With ten seconds left, Tzuyu quickly helped Sana to her feet and all but dragged her across the red line.

They’d made it, thanks to Tzuyu’s relentless determination.

Sana looked over at Tzuyu, who was focused on watching the remaining players still trying to cross the line. A small smile tugged at her lips.

Despite everything, Tzuyu was still the same person she had once loved.