Truth.

Prolouge.

200 tokens.

That was all he needed.

And that was exactly the amount he managed to receive.

He was so desperate to escape.

'Thirsty for the outside world' as Sara phrased it, strangely.

He felt extremely guilty for the children he had to leave behind on the way out; he felt sickened by his own decisions.

Sara, Kanna, hell...even someone younger, Gin, died because of his selfish actions.

But...

The kids...

...They were waiting for him.

However...

There was absolutely no way he'd be able to look Kai in the eye if he was alive now, too, on the other hand.

First he gives away his laptop, his dying wish, then he leaves all of the participants to die.

He surely was a pathetic adult.

Yet, still.

If he were to go back in time, he most likely wouldn't have changed this outcome.

Maybe if someone refused to give him tokens, of course.

Sara, for example.

Perhaps he'd use the tokens he gained for a different use.

Like...getting Kai's laptop back from Sou and Kanna.

He'd give up a hundred of them just for that laptop back.

Yet it didn't matter now, anyway.

Everyone was dead.

Except him.

He shivered at the flashbacks he received, repeating over and over in his mind.

His final words to the high schooler.

"I'm sorry, Sara."

The token was inserted into the vending machine, Q-taro refusing the offer of receiving all said tokens back.

Everyone was going to die except for him, now.

He wanted to look forward, however still noticed the girl in the corner of his eye.

Sara fell to the ground, staring at it.

She looked heartbroken and defeated, her collar beeping and beeping.

The dress up doll, Rio Ranger, menacingly smiled. Revolting.

Q-taro shook his head with guilt as he exited the faculty, escaping the place he had been imprisoned in for a few days.

The outside felt boring, now.

It felt empty.

He hated to admit it, but...he missed everyone.

Keiji Shinogi.
Mysterious and shady, clearly had a ton of secrets, but definitely didn't seem like a bad guy. Very caring, especially for Sara.

Gin Ibushi.
Surprisingly cared for Q-taro quite a bit. 'Muscle gorilla', the kid called him. Wasn't a bad nickname. Gosh, he missed that adorable kid.

Sou Hiyori.
Certainly was a bad guy, always lying and messing things up. Maybe deep down he was otherwise, considering his care for Kanna. Now Q-taro'll never know.

Kanna Kizuchi.
Saw her sister in Sara. Clearly missed her a lot. Of course, she was weak, yet she had good intentions. At least she was with her sister now.

Alice Yabusame.
Otherwise known as Gonbee Yamada to hide his relation to his sister. Called him 'Cubetaro Hamburger'. Hopefully his sister and him could reconcile in heaven.

Reko Yabusame.
Harsh on the strong, kind to the weak. Q-taro obviously experienced the harsh end. It was fine, though. At least she was very caring to those who needed it most. Respectable.

Nao Egokoro.
Lost her professor in the 'second trial', which must've certainly been awful, not to mention literally being threatened moments later. At least Mishima and her can reunite.

Sara Chidouin.
Such a strong young woman, leading everyone the right way, everyone relying on her non stop. Admirable. At least she can be with her best friend, now.

Hell, he even missed the guys who didn't die by his hand, too.

Kazumi Mishima.
Really did seem like a good guy for an old man. Despite his creepy aura, he always knew what to say and was ever so positive. Shouldn't have died so early.

Jou 'Joe' Tazuna.
Definitely was a true best friend, one anyone could ask for. His smile could make anyone smile. Must've sucked getting that sacrifice.

Kai Satou.

...

He didn't know what to think about Kai.

There was something about him that made Q-taro feel ever so special and warm inside.

From Kai, he scented the scent of a lonely person, feeling they were of the same kind.

Of course, naturally, he would therefore wish to talk to him more so he wouldn't be alone.

Never knew he'd care about the homemaker that much.

He refused to believe someone so intelligent, witty, good looking, caring and practically perfect from what he experienced was working alongside the kidnappers.

He had to be a good guy, and Q-taro was so close to proving that.

So close to going through with Kai's dying wish.

The kids were safe and missed him, but at what cost?

They would've been safe and fine either way.

Everyone in the Death Game had families and people who cared about them themselves, Q-taro didn't even think about that.

He'd probably have to find them soon, all the families, and apologise.

Q-taro finished up a final beer before paying the bartender, walking back home to his apartment with his hands in his pockets.

Murderer.

The redhead put his fingers on his hat to pull it down, as if hiding his sorrowful face in shame from the world.

The wind collided against his face and brushed past him.

Actual wind, no fake weather.

Not locked inside.

Minutes later, he arrived back home, pulling out his keys for his apartment from his pocket and unlocking the door, locking it behind him.

He took a heavy sigh as he hung the keys up, making his way up to bed.

Q-taro certainly would have trouble sleeping tonight, regret swallowing him whole.

He was sorry.

So so sorry.

If only there was someone out there who understood what he was going through and could reassure him.

If only someone from the Death Game was alive.

If only that was the truth.