The Jack of Hearts | Chishiya Shuntaro

2

As I heard an alarm, the door opened, making me realize the guesswork was done for now.

Although I knew even jack wouldn't lie in the first round, I got really anxious after I called out my suit to the empty cell; it was dreadful for a few seconds. I didn't know how many rounds it would take, but I was sure this stress won't be bearable as time passed with no sleep. Not for me, not for anyone.

When I left the cell and looked right, I saw Ippei's big smile. This gesture instantly changed my mood, and I felt relieved walking toward him with a shy smile.

"We will be fine. This game is not that difficult," he said. Then, he looked to his right with the same big smile when he noticed Chishiya approaching us. I learned his name from the big screen with all the players' names; we hadn't officially met. He was probably going to the big guardroom where everyone was heading one by one. Chishiya responded with a nod and walked past us with hands in his pocket.

Everyone was gathered in the guardroom, like at the beginning of the game. The screen showed there was no loss, as expected.

I was between Chishiya and Ippei, but the one in the white hoodie stood a little further away from us as if he was isolating himself. My back against the cold wall again, watching the group's 'thank you' ceremony. I wondered, for some reason, if this place was making people even more polite. But then it occurred to me that people stand on the good side of others to survive.

"I wonder how long this will last." I overheard the person with the bangs; there was a hallway entrance between us.

His partner, the blue shirt, answered with a monotone voice. "Either the jack will start killing people, or someone afraid they'll be killed will start killing others. Until one of those things happens, this will never end." The lack of emotion on his creepy face bothered me for no reason.

''That's exactly right,'' muttered Chishiya.

Both possibilities were worse: people dying meaninglessly, or this game would last long. Even though there was sufficient food and our visas were frozen, it would not make the situation more manageable. I did not want to be stuck here forever. Also, I did not want people to kill each other. I've witnessed multiple brutal scenes, but here the situation was different. We had the opportunity to get through this game with zero losses, except for the jack. Well, it was in theory. In reality, things always work differently. At some point, unfortunately, death will be inevitable and necessary for this game.

"As long as we're all telling each other, we'll be fine," said Ippei, facing us both. I couldn't be sure if he said it thinking of the three of us as a group or if the others were involved. However, trust was more fragile in large groups. That's why I shouldn't be part of it in the following rounds, only trusting Ippei.

"I wouldn't be sure," Chishiya responded after a few seconds as if he was considering something, expecting something to happen. This sentence bothered me because I felt agitated for some reason. I wondered what he was thinking about.

And between my thoughts, when I heard someone yelling, I jumped a little because it was coming from the corridor next to me.

"What's your goddamn problem!?'' a harsh voice was heard, and then some guy fell across me, there was some distance, but I could clearly see his ghastly eyes. Someone must have pushed him because he rolled on the floor and looked fearfully at the voice owner in the hallway. Everyone, including me, was looking at him, trying to understand what was happening.

''Hurry up and tell me, fucker!'' the same voice owner shouted.

I watched the blue-shirt guy walking towards him. I thought he would help him, but he whispered something in his ear, causing the boy to startle more. I could also see the doubt in his eyes, but I couldn't figure out why. Everyone was still watching them with interest.

''Looks to me like you want another beating. Huh?!'' The big guy rushed forward and grabbed the boy's hair, making him groan with pain, and then landed a solid punch to his face.

The scene was disconcerting. Although I tried to look away, the boy's wounded expressions were so familiar. So familiar that I couldn't turn away or focus on something else.

The blue-shirt guy went to his old place without doing anything else. I reached for the collar around my neck and tugged it as if to loosen it, even though it hurt my neck. I was trying to breathe, but everyone was still watching.

Everyone was still watching the boy's groan and sob with pain.

Everyone was still watching as I fell to the ground because someone pushed me down the stairs. They were laughing as blood flowed from the open wound on my chin.

They were laughing when I opened my locker and found rotten eggs all over my stuff.

They were all laughing when everyone was mocking me because I played awful volleyball during the physical education class.

And when someone intentionally threw the ball in my face.

I felt weak, trapped, and alone.

I felt suffocated.

I was begging without words for help. But even I couldn't help myself; why would anyone do that for nobody?

It was like a nightmare.

A nightmare that pulls you deeper so you can't wake up.

No, you can wake up. Breathe. They are not the ones you should focus on now. Breathe. Only memories. You are aware of that.

I clenched my fists and pressed my nails into my palm to return to reality and prevent my trembling.

I needed to do something.

I needed to stop him.

I gritted my teeth and was about to rush toward the bully until I felt a hand on my upper arm after one or two steps.

The hand owner pulled me back.

''It is not wise of you to get involved,'' Chishiya spoke below his breath. He was unnecessarily close, still holding my arm. A chill ran down my spine because of his low voice.

''W-what-'' I looked at him misty-eyed, not knowing what to say. All this happening was overwhelming, and my brain couldn't bear it.

''Calm down. You can't help him.''

"It's c-club.'' When I heard the boy's miserable voice, I gave him my attention, turning to him. The bully was still hurting him, and I couldn't stand the fact that people watching them without even moving a finger. Like the way the people had watched me when I was bullied. Like the way I am watching right now.

I squirmed, trying to save myself from his grasp, but he squeezed my arm even tighter.

''Then how am I any different from my bullies?" I whispered to myself without thinking, as if I was talking to myself.

The bully hummed with satisfaction. ''Don't wait so long next time,'' and stood up as if nothing had happened.

I was relieved for a second that the poor boy was freed. Chishiya must have noticed this, too; from my relaxed arm muscle, he finally let go of my arm and opened the distance between us.

The bully passed by us, and when he turned his back, I realized his suit was not the club. Ippei must have noticed this, too, because he opened his mouth to say something – probably about his actual suit, but Chishiya stopped him as well by shushing.

I was grateful to him for this act because the bully would get what he deserved. While part of me thought I shouldn't be the judge of this, the other part was sure he hurt many people in the real world too. And I had zero empathy for them that I would do the same.

I watched him get past everyone, but no one said anything. I smiled slightly to myself.

''Now the game is really starting.''