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THAT NIGHT, THE FOUR of them had set up camp using two tents they had found. They had also created a fire and they huddled together, comforting each other and helping each other in whatever way they could.
Akuji was making everyone some vegetable stew and whilst it wasn't an amazing quality, everyone ate it as fast as possible as they were all hungry and tired. Kuina patched up the injury on the side of Usagi's head - and Arisu, the most affected of them all, stared numbly into the distance.
"You know," Arisu stated, finally breaking his silence, "when Kyuma and I were talking at the end of the game, I figured something out. They were all players to begin with and then eventually, they started making the games themselves. I mean that we might not be able to ever get home even if we beat every game because our world might not even exist anymore."
Those words shocked Akuji to her core.
"But we have to!" She exclaimed, going as far as to even stand up in alarm. She began to pace, wringing her hands in distress, "If we don't go back, that means all of it was for nothing! Everything we did would be for nothing. Tatta's death would be for nothing. And we'd have to create our own games, then. We would just keep killing and killing just to survive and I don't want that!"
She couldn't have it be all for nothing. If it was for nothing, if she couldn't go back home, that meant all the sacrifice was for nothing. She could've been with her best friend this whole time or they could've died together! She could've helped people instead of using them and sacrificing them. Akuji could have protected Tatta; she could have actually bonded with him instead of lying and using it to betray him later on. Akuji could've been brave this whole time, not some pathetic, cowardly murderer.
The group fell silent as Arisu began to sob, unsure of what to do or say. How could they comfort him if his words were true
Instead, Akuji sat beside him and pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her face inside as she began to softly weep with him. She'd always hated being seen when she cried, like it made her weak or small for not being able to keep it in. And now that she was in Borderlands, she hated it even more: crying wouldn't solve any games or extend her visa days. But, just this one time, she allowed herself to be vulnerable with her friend. It was the least she could do since she was the one who had caused his loss.
"That might not be true." Kuina stated eventually and Akuji and Arisu looked up at her with teary eyes, "There might still be a way to get back. I'll keep trying, I'll keep playing the games. Tatta won't have died in a vain."
Akuji sniffled, wiping her eyes and snotty nose on the back of her hand. Suddenly, she felt a lot like a child, especially a fifteen year old. This reminded her of the time when her father died and she was a mess - but her mother, even though they hadn't always had the best relationship (it was usually far from the best), comforted her and made her feel relatively okay again. Akuji hadn't known these people for a long time but their presence comforted her and reminded her that she would be okay for now.
"Me too," Akuji nodded in agreement. "I'll keep fighting, I have to."
And it seemed that the four of them would be okay and they would protect each other and they would stick together - at least until the morning, when Kuina decided she would leave.
"Do you really have to go?" Akuji asked, ready to give the woman another hug even though she'd already given her a countless amount. She was devastated to see her friend go, but a smaller part of her was happy. With Kuina gone, Akuji wouldn't be able to sacrifice her if it ever came to it.
Kuina nodded as she pulled a backpack onto her shoulders, "I'm worried about Chishiya and Ann. I have to find them."
"Okay, please take care. Good luck, I hope you find them." Akuji told her before pulling her into another hug.
"Don't worry," Kuina said, pulling away. She gave her friends a small, hopeful smile before she began to walk away, "We'll see each other again. Be safe, all of you."
Once Kuina had left, Usagi held up a handful of leftover plants that Akuji had not managed to use the day before, "Come on, we have to go hunting. This is not enough for another stew and we can't survive on plants alone."
It took Arisu a lot of convincing but soon he left his depression cave inside of the tent and joined the two girls in trying to hunt. They went to a nearby field in an attempt to catch an animal.
"Guys, over there! Catch it!" Usagi suddenly hissed under her breath at them, pointing to a rabbit not so far away.
"Really? A bunny? They're my favourite." Akuji muttered under her breath sourly before taking off running after it. She dove to catch it but her fingers barely brushed its fur. It ran towards Arisu but since he wasn't fully focused, it ran right by him.
"Come on, guys, put your back into it!" Usagi called to them teasingly.
Akuji pouted at her as she collected herself from the floor, "You're not even doing anything."
Usagi was about to reply but then she caught sight of the rabbit again, chasing after it. She was quite close but as she leaped for it, it veered off into another direction - straight toward Akuji! The girl waited until it was close enough and she jumped to catch it. Unfortunately, it veered again and all the girl ended up with was scuffed hands and knees.
"Good try, let's keep going!" Usagi told them, clapping her hands for them. She by far was the most enthusiastic, keeping the morale of the group up considerably well on her own.
As soon as they spotted the bunny, both Usagi and Akuji dashed after it. The animal led them on a wild trail through bushes and around and around in circles. Both girls made a jump for it...and ended up on top of each other.
"This annoying rabbit!" Akuji huffed, blowing her hair out of her face.
The two heard laughter above them and they looked up to see Arisu stood over them, laughing so hard he couldn't breathe. Eventually, he grabbed Akuji's hand and helped her to her feet but when he grabbed Usagi's hand, she pulled him right down onto the floor beside her.
"Come on!" Akuji groaned, hands on her hips like an angry mother, "I thought we were supposed to be hunting."
"Okay, help me up, then." Usagi said - but it was a trap. When Akuji grabbed her hand, she pulled her too the floor as well and Akuji couldn't stop herself from laughing.
Maybe things weren't so bad after all.
AUTHOR NOTES usagi 🤝 arisu taking care of akuji even though they barely know her
usagi 🤝 akuji making arisu feel better
akuji 🤝 arisu both being sad but comforting each other
