The Jack of Hearts | Chishiya Shuntaro

7

Hi! Thank you for your messages. They have been really encouraging and have helped me stay motivated!!!ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ💚

I hope you like it 🥰

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''Ugh, why are you still alive?'' exclaimed Urumi with a disgusted sigh as she passed me when I exited the confinement cell a second ago. She continued walking, her contemptuous gaze fixed on me for a brief moment. Despite her disdainful remark, I remained stoic, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. She wasn't worth it.

Unintentionally, I found myself following her through the seemingly endless corridor, keeping a deliberate distance between us. Eventually, I veered off into a corner, distancing myself from my former group, and settled on the floor. I hugged my legs tightly and rested my chin on my knees. Although I could sense Ippei's worried glances directed at me, I refused to meet his gaze. I didn't know whether Chishiya would help me this round again or not. Nonetheless, I was determined not to show any signs of interaction.

As the round concluded without any casualties, an initial sense of relief washed over me. However, that feeling swiftly transformed into a fervent desire for Urumi and her group's demise. Yet, all these conflicting thoughts canceled each other out, and I convinced myself that this situation had no emotional impact on me.

As I sat there, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my current situation. Waiting had always been a sore spot for me, as I loathed relying on others for assistance. It reminded me of a time in my past when I found myself in a similar position. Back then, I should have taken matters into my own hands and fought tooth and nail to save myself. Yet, here I was, helpless once again, and I didn't even feel like I had the strength to engage in conversation with Banda, let alone anyone else. Avoiding his gaze seemed like the only option as if by not making eye contact, I could shield myself from any additional pressure that might be placed upon me. I knew he was trying to approach me, but I didn't even look up when he passed me to get downstairs. He probably wanted me to follow him just like he had on our previous round. However, my determination remained unwavering.

Lost in my thoughts, I had no sense of how much time had elapsed. But as I sat there, contemplating the decision to trust Chishiya, my mind was consumed with uncertainty slowly. However, I waited for him because something inside me insisted that I should trust him in a way I didn't understand. Still, I also forced myself to be rational. But I was doing nothing to live. Being sensible sounded funny in my case.

After it felt like an eternity in my thoughts, I felt a movement before me. It was as if a spell had been broken, and I was brought back to reality with a jolt. When I looked up, Chishiya and I made eye contact for a split second, and he walked towards the hallway we had just come out of with his hands in his pockets. As I tried to regain my bearings, I glanced at the screen, expecting to see that the round was almost over. But to my surprise, there were still twenty minutes left.

I turned my gaze to Chishiya's back, walking down the hall, and watched him enter the cell I used every round. A rush of adrenaline coursed through me, fueling a sudden burst of excitement that left me feeling electric. Without thinking, I leaped to my feet, ready to follow Chishiya wherever he might lead me. But then, a twinge of caution crept over me, a reminder of the dangers that lurked around every corner in this place. With a pang of anxiety, I glanced around the room, scanning the faces of those nearby for any sign of danger. To my relief, I saw that Urumi's group was nowhere in sight, and those who were present seemed to be lost in their own worlds, indifferent to my presence. With a newfound sense of confidence, I made my decision and set off after Chishiya, but I couldn't shake off the fear of getting caught.