GAME AFTER-English Version

8-Game Over

CHISHIYA'S POV

As soon as I felt the cold liquid enter my body, I took one last look at Kiyo and really hoped that we'd be able to find her this time.

The doctors, as they had told us the day before, also linked us to each other, or rather, linked our minds to each other.

I woke up, as my player, in the same place as the previous day: in the Shibuya crossing, which was also the starting point for the Borderland levels; however, this time too I didn't find the others and I still had the uncomfortable feeling of not being in complete control of my actions.

Our players were, basically, identical to us in physical appearance, but the clothing was different and so was the fact that sometimes, our behavior and our "true essence" were as if overshadowed by those of the player.

It was really weird. And I didn't like it at all.

Another really strange thing was participating in the Games firsthand; I was aware that other people were just NPCs, but seeing them die was...I don't know how to explain it. As a doctor, unfortunately, I was all too used to seeing death, but here it was different.

To make matters worse, my player was completely insensitive to it. It was one thing to maintain professional detachment, but total indifference was another story altogether. I felt emotions (or rather, I didn't feel them) that didn't correspond to how I actually felt.

It was extremely annoying, but there was no way around it.

I was again forced to play Games to advance through the levels, alone. Then, finally, I met Kuina at the 3 of Diamonds Game, which we passed together.

"Where the hell are the others?" She asked me.

"I have no idea." I answered her.

"Do you feel weird too?"

"Like I can't control my choices?"

"Exactly."

"Yes." I looked at Kuina, with her improbable attire, or rather, the one of her player. "And if you asked me, it means you feel the same way."

"Yeah...it's like sometimes, especially during the Games, my player takes over. Like now for example. She's forcing me to go to the Beach."

"Mine too."

"Well, at least we can go there together."

We walked to the so-called Beach, which was a sort of safe base but also the level of the Game of the 10 of Hearts.

We encountered several NPCs, then after what seemed like days, we also found Niragi.

"Then maybe the experiment didn't fail entirely." He said, walking towards us. "But where's Kiyo?"

"We don't know." I replied.

"And where's Arisu?" Kuina asked.

"And how should I know? I thought he was with you." Niragi looked at us.

"Why do you have that rifle?" Kuina had a strange expression.

"Oh, enough questioning! It's my player who has it and as much as I've tried, I can't get rid of it, though-"

"Then, you're also not in control!" Kuina interrupted him.

"Of course I'm in control." Niragi slung the rifle over his shoulder, but it seemed more a subconscious action than a voluntary one.

"No, you're not!" She continued. "Not on everything at least."

"Oh, whatever!" Niragi surrendered. "How many levels have you passed?"