PAWNS [squid game]

□15□

Somehow, Jiah felt safer knowing Junho was here.

She could take care of herself, yes. She could handle herself, yes. But, it made her mental burden lighter.

"The circles are like the weakest. Then, the triangles. They do more of the onsite work- handing out the games and food. Squares are on top. They handle everything as seniors," Jiah informs.

"And who is above the squares?" Junho asks, typing away on his phone.

Jiah shakes her head. "Nobody that we've seen. All we see is the three shapes. There's an intercom that announces stuff, but it doesn't have a face."

"And what happened last night..?"

Jiah slides down the stall to sit on the floor. Junho follows suit and they end up sitting face to face on different walls. Jiah pulls her sleeve over her hands and rests her arm on the toilet.

"We thought it was just the games.. But, Dicksoo and a guy got into it. He killed the guy. Instead of reprimanding him, the money went up and they considered the man 'eliminated'."

"Killing is okay here.. Between competitors," Junho figures.

"That's why we have this team going. Just an alliance to watch each other's backs, you know?"

"Anything else you can think of right now?"

Jiah sighs and looks up at the ceiling. "I think that's all. If I find anything else out.. how do I tell you?"

"We'll meet here every day at the same time," Junho decides, "In the meantime.. Get some rest if you can."

"Doubtful," Jiah scoffs. "Do you think you can figure anything out? Like as far as what the games are going to be?"

"I can try.. Can you do me a favor, too?"

"If I can manage," Jiah agrees.

Junho slides his phone into his suit pocket. "Look for a man named Hwang Inho."

"Inho.. How old? Do you have a picture?"

Junho opens his phone again and slides through some photos before landing on one of him and an older man.

"It's my brother. I found one of those brown cards in his room, but he's been missing. I think he's part of the games."

Jiah takes a minute to digest the photo and memorize Inho's face. When she nods, Junho turns his phone off to save the battery.

"We started off with 456 people," Jiah reveals.

Junho winces and lowers his head.

"It's hard. I can't lie."

"Why did you come here?" Junho wonders.

Jiah pokes Junho's phone before he slides it into his pocket. "The same reason you came here."

"The money.. Your boss and the girls," Junho sighs.

"Family," Jiah corrects. "I have to help them."

"Well, I hope that we can help each other, too," Junho forces a slight smile.

The bathroom door opens and Jiah and Junho hurriedly help one another stand. Junho holds a finger to his lips as a door opens further down from them and a woman hums to herself.

The door doesn't lock. Jiah looks at Junho and mouths that they'll meet up later and to be safe. Junho nods and Jiah eases the door open. She takes a step out right when the main door opens and Deoksoo walks in.

Jiah holds her hand up to Junho- Deoksoo unable to see due to the door.

"What? Want a threeway?" Deoksoo jokes.