SHARPER || Chishiya Alice in Boarderland

-25- I hate him

The sharp sound of gunfire echoes between the buildings as we sprint, the soles of our shoes slapping against the bloodstained pavement. My breath comes in ragged gasps, and a stench of death clings to the air, thick and suffocating.

Suddenly, a voice cuts through the chaos.

"HERE!"

I whip my head to the side, my neck straining as I spot Arisu crouched behind a burned-out car. He's yelling frantically, his eyes wide with desperation, and for a brief moment, I forget to breathe. Arisu's alive!

But his gaze isn't on me—it's fixed on something to my left.

"Yuki, keep moving!" Takumi hisses, grabbing my arm and yanking me forward just as the deafening crack of a rifle splits the air.

A bullet whizzes past me so close I feel the heat of its trajectory. Behind us, a man screams and collapses, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

"Thanks," I gasp, stumbling to keep up with Takumi's pace. My heart feels like it's about to burst from my chest.

"What the hell was that?" he snaps, his voice taut with fear and adrenaline.

I glance back, my chest heaving as I search for what I hope to see. My heart leaps when I spot them—Kuina and Ann darting between cover, their movements quick and precise as they make their way toward Arisu.

"Look!" I say, pointing at the scene unfolding before us.

Takumi follows my gaze, his expression transforming from tense to relieved in an instant. "It's them," he breathes, a faint smile breaking through his grim exterior.

"Come on," I say, now gripping his wrist and pulling him forward.

We weave through the carnage, ducking behind wrecked cars and leaping over debris. My senses are on overdrive—the sharp smell of gunpowder, the metallic taste of fear in my mouth, the distant screams blending with the pounding of my own heartbeat.

As we get closer, I wave my arm, trying to catch their attention. "Arisu!"

Arisu's head snaps up, his eyes locking on mine. Relief washes over his face, and he gestures for us to hurry. Kuina and Ann reach him first, sliding behind the car just as another spray of bullets shatters the glass above them.

"Let's go!" Takumi urges, pushing me forward.

We dive behind the car, skidding to a halt next to the others. My chest heaves as I try to catch my breath, leaning against the dented car door while I quickly take stock of everyone.

"You made it," Arisu says, his voice steady but still strained, his eyes darting around like he's ready for an ambush.

"Yeah," I manage, swiping sweat off my brow.

Takumi let's out a breath of relief, "Barely."

Kuina grins at us, her face streaked with dirt but her spirit undimmed. "Took you long enough," she says, her tone laced with teasing warmth.

I roll my eyes, though a small smile tugs at my lips despite the chaos around us. "I didn't exactly have a straight path to get here, Kuina."

"Straight path or not, you're here now," she replies, her teasing softening into something warmer. "And thank god for that."

"Don't thank god." Takumi says out of breath, "Thank her for being so persistent."

Her grin softens, and crouches closer, looking between Takumi and me, her dark eyes glimmering with something unspoken. "I missed you two," she says, her voice quieter this time.