As Above (So Below)

Chapter Four: Pilgrimage

Suguru attempted to mute the cries of the girls' in his brain. Tried to turn off the switch. There was too much happening, too many swirling emotions threatening to consume him. Cry, scream, accept, die. Everything compressed itself into a point that turned him numb when Yu lowered his hands. He and Hanami stood there as the cameras closed in. The Capital was watching. They were always watching. The Games didn't begin when one entered the arena, the Games never stopped. They were every day, every waking second, every breath under the watchful eye of the Peacekeepers and the law. And now Suguru had to play gracious if he wanted any chance at survival.

He had exactly zero expectations to live through this, but he decided the instant the blinking camera appeared in his face that he would fight tooth and nail for it. That even if he came home a shell of the person he was, even if a different Suguru returned, and even if the thought of that terrified him more than death itself, he would come back.

The lens crept towards Hanami first, capturing her glowering stare in all of its glory. Broadcast live to the Capital was the snarling face of a teen girl ready to enact revenge. And while that's exactly what Suguru was feeling, the same rage, the same disbelief, he forced his face into a neutral, almost peaceful expression. One that he knew would win someone over.

Suguru preferred to be alone. He had acquaintances, he had a friend at one point, and he got along with everyone he interacted with, but it wasn't to say he had a large throng of people on his side. He did, however, have a way with people. An ability to win them over with a glance, because for the most part everyone liked Suguru. He was kind and hardworking, most people in town had seen him, he did favors for those in need, and if someone asked around about him, the typical response was along the lines of "He's a good kid.". It wasn't charisma, so to speak, it was more so the fact that he was reliable, believable. Suguru could be trusted, people put their faith in him, and it made them want to give him what he needed to make things work. If Suguru wanted something, or wanted someone, he ended up getting it based on good graces alone.

So he slapped on the face he hadn't used in years, and looked at the camera with hooded, wanting eyes. I can win, they said, you know I can.

If this had been any other situation, one of the boys in his years would have whistled. They did frequently in his younger years. Suguru won teachers over with ease when it came to extending deadlines and pushing back tests, and the boys in his class thought it was magic. But currently, they watched him stare into a black camera lens, pleading for mercy, and it didn't have the sparkle. It was more frightening than anything.

As the camera finally backed up, getting the entire stage in full view once more, Suguru felt a disgust wash over him. Sure, he'd dodged the oversight on the farms, and avoided the law in town, but now, every move he made would be an act. A falsified version of himself. A second Suguru.

Yu stepped back up to the microphone, tapping it again. Suguru wondered if it was a nervous habit, or if Yu really distrusted the rusting mic that much.

"Now, will the tributes please shake hands." Yu backed up from the podium and allowed space between Suguru and Hanami. Suguru reached out first, Hanami caught his hand in a firm grasp. She crushed as much feeling as she could into the simple handshake, communicated that they may have the same home, but she would not die. Suguru said the same back.

The girls' sobs had softened to tight sniffles. Suguru refused to look back down. Whatever shield he had managed to erect would surely fall. While the camera focused on him, he had to look untenable.

When Hanami dropped Suguru's hand, Yu took his chance for one final word, "That concludes the Reaping. Happy Culling Games!"

In an instant, the previously motionless Peacekeepers on either side of the stage swallowed both Suguru and Hanami and herded them toward the door to the building. There was a change. From person to tribute, as Suguru crossed the threshold.