The Cycle Continues: Alice in Borderland Novel

40) Crossed Paths

Nine days later...

===Zakū Raisunei===

The afternoon sun beat down in my skin, as the towering hotel of the Beach emerged in the distance. Sighing, I pulled up my walkie talkie.

"So, run the plan one more time." I said.

I was met with static, before Kazetani's grainy voice made itself clear. "Pretend you're considering joining the Beach. A lot of these people have seen you in games before and trust you, especially considering that to them, you have no affiliation with us. Have them take you on a tour and then go into Ryota's private meeting room where he'll give you the basics, but ask if some of the people who toured with you can stay in the room since you feel intimidated by the nature of the Beach. They'll likely all be executives, who also personally know you and your history of isolation, so they'll be allowed—and more than happy—to remain in the room with you. With many of the executives preoccupied, Nobira can sneak in and make off with the cards. The guard he takes out will be perfectly around time for the shift change, too, so if Ryota doesn't see the guard on his way out he'll simply assume the person is being swapped. If we're lucky, maybe, when he does realize that the guard went missing and so did the cards, he'll conclude that the guard was the one who stole it.

"After Ryota has finished giving the rundown and we have green lit that Nobira has gotten the cards, you'll consider the Beach, then reject to stay. That way, Ryota won't receive your cards and put them in the safe where he'll see it's empty. Haga will wipe the security footage too. Overall, a simple plan. All updates will be in your discreet earpiece. Any questions?"

"Nope. Going in." I turned the radio off, walking up to the gates of the main entrance, which had no guards.

Here are the facts: the main entrance has no guards, but the car gate near the parking garage does. Distribution of people was very high; people could be seen in the lobby through the massive windows that out looked to the grand entrance, in the pool, and in the sports center. Despite the recent tension, it seemed most people had recovered, for they were laughing and playing without much seeming concern, which was good, as it meant lowered guards.

"Zakū? Is that you?" A voice asked.

I turned to the voice; it was Chihaya, who was followed by Gabura, Rafferty, Judumai, Charī, and a woman I didn't recognize.

Patches of Gabura's hair were bald but beginning to grow in, a telltale sign of her experience from the Ten of Hearts. The woman next to Gabura leaned close to her, possessing dark brown hair and missing fingers.

I waved, flashing an ingenuine, bashful smile. "Hi... it's me."

Rafferty walked up, sitting into the nearby chair. "W-What brings you to th-the Beach?"

I sighed. "You know, I've been thinking. A lot. And I think it might be time to settle down, but I'm not sure. The Beach seems nice but I'm not yet certain whether it truly is for me."

Gabura smiled. "Well, we'd be more than happy to give you a quick tour of this place. After that, Ryota can give you a detailed rundown so you know exactly what you're joining."

Nearby, Chihaya kept his hands in his pockets, eyes darting to various locations while talking his foot in an odd rhythm. Bookmarking the observation, I faced Gabura again, nodding. "I think that sounds nice."

"I'll l-lead the w-way." Rafferty offered. "W-who w-wants to come w-with us?"

"I'll come." Gabura said.

"Same here!" Charī replied, hopping in place. "You were such a badass in the Five of Hearts, so I've been wondering what happened to you after all this time!"