A WEEK LATER, the nightmares stopped and Tomoko's ankle was fully healed. She was scheduled to play a game that night although she had three days left on her visa. But there was more important news."There are two new members of The Beach." Chishiya informed Tomoko, "They were players in the Tag game. The climber girl and the boy we fought It with."
Tomoko tried not to frown as Kuina applied her eyeliner, "The boy is called Arisu. I don't know the other one."
"Maybe they'll be useful to our plan." Kuina stated, biting on her bottom lip in concentration. She finished her friend's eyeliner and let Tomoko do her own lipstick.
"That's what I'm thinking." Chishiya mused.
"We'll have to do some investigating, then." Tomoko decided, "We're all scheduled to play a game tonight, right? Hopefully, we'll be put with one of them."
"Why wait?" Chishiya asked, "Let's start now."
Tomoko nodded, "Good idea. Kuina and I will speak to the climber, you find Arisu."
And with that, they split off in search of new companions. It wasn't long before Kuina and Tomoko found the climber sat inside the library of The Beach. The library was rarely visited by anyone who wanted to read apart from Tomoko and Kuina, who had reread the mangas so many times they could probably recite them. Usually, it was used as a place for sex or drugs but fortunately, the climber was doing neither of those things.
Tomoko pointed to the manga she was reading, "I wouldn't get too invested if I were you. We only have up to volume four."
Trying to hide how startled she was, the climber placed her book down and stood up from her seat, folding her arms to appear more confident, "Who are you?"
"Kuina," She held out her hand but the climber did not shake it, "Number 11."
"Tomoko, number 8." The woman said. After a few seconds of silence, she tilted her head, "What's your name? You know, it's basic manners."
"Usagi," The climber returned, seemingly unsettled. "I don't have a number to be proud of."
Tomoko shrugged, a light smile on her face, "I'm sure you'll move up the ranks. I was in the Tag game with you. I saw you climb, you were more than good. You'll be promoted soon, I can tell."
"Thanks." Usagi smiled a little.
Tomoko and Kuina exchanged a slight glance before Tomoko folded her arms, pondering, "Is there anything we can help you with or tell you about The Beach? As an executive member, it's my job to make you feel comfortable."
Actually, that wasn't her job at all. Her job was more like: collecting cards for Hatter, instilling fear into the citizens of The Beach just by slinking around like a cat, and trying not to lose control of her anger and fight a loud mouthed militant. The executive position of The Beach seemed glamorous and privileged since you were closer to the leader and you attended special meetings, but it wasn't really. In fact, Tomoko believed she had less freedom as an executive member. But of course she would lie to Usagi to get her way.
"No, that's alright." Usagi shook her head. Then, she hesitantly asked, "What do you think happened to us? Do you know why we're here?"
Kuina spoke this time, "Nobody knows. It's not been confirmed but we can assume only people in Tokyo have been transported here. No military or support from other countries have arrived. Some people say they saw their friends try to escape by boat but a laser came out of the sky and shot them, just like in the games."
After Kuina finished, Usagi turned to Tomoko and waited for her to answer. The woman shrugged, "Oh, I don't know. It's all gossip, isn't it? I don't think it matters, as long as we survive the games and get back home. Speaking of, what do you think about Hatter's policy and the cards?"
Now that the two women had shared their own opinions, Usagi seemed to be opening up — just like Tomoko wanted.
"Well, I think that..." She trailed off, rethinking her decision. She shook her head, "I can't say."
"Oh, c'mon." Tomoko pushed her to answer, "We won't tell anyone what you said. It'll just be our secret, alright? And who knows, we might have the same opinion."
At the last sentence, Usagi gave in, nibbling on her bottom lip anxiously, "I think it's a bit, well, stupid. The system of first come first serve is flawed. I'm sure there are plenty players that are better than the numbers before them but they don't get promoted because they haven't received good cards. Also, it takes so long to collect all the cards and—"
Suddenly, a horn blared.
"Oh! It's game time!" Kuina exclaimed.
As the two left, Tomoko called out, "Great chat, Usagi! Let's continue it later."
It wasn't long before the two had been told which game they were playing (they were in the same one) and they had found Chishiya. He was leaning on the wall behind him nonchalantly, eyes focused on Arisu from across the room as the man met up with Usagi.
"What did you find out?" Tomoko asked him.
"He's extremely gullible." Chishiya told the two with a smirk on his face, "Smart, too. I can tell that he's grieving and that makes him want answers about Borderlands more. We can use that."
Tomoko nodded in agreement before relaying the information she and her best friend had gathered, "The climber girl – Usagi is her name – is less gullible but she wants answers, too. Once you get her talking, she opens up a lot. She's against Hatter and his card policy as well. I'm sure she'd agree with our plan."
"Look!" Kuina hissed under her breath, tapping her friends' shoulders rapidly, "Arisu is heading over to car four. That's the game we're in."
Chishiya watched the man shuffle away with the crowd in interest, "See if he's any good in the games."
"Got it." Kuina nodded, jokingly saluting him.
As she and Tomoko walked away to car four, Chishiya called out, "And don't die!" Although his face was monotone, Tomoko could hear the concern in his voice.
I've come this far, Tomoko thought. There's no goddamn way I'm dying.
🂱
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YOU, ME & DEATH ━━ polyam ann & kuina
Action❛YOU, ME & DEATH.❜ ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄ IN WHICH ... three badass people manage to fall in love and try to escape death after being transported to a dangerous new world ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄ ABOUT ... # LOVE INTEREST ?! polyamorous ann rizuna & kuina hikari # STATUS ?! comp...