The silence after Round 1 was heavier than the air itself.
Haruto's counter flashed 9 coins.
Arata's counter: 11.
Everyone else remained at 10.
"Unbelievable…" Haruto muttered, staring at Arata like he was seeing him for the first time. "You—out of all of us—you steal from me? Why?"
Arata's hands shook. He lowered his head. "I… I didn't think… I'm sorry. Please, I'll give it back next round." His voice quivered, the perfect imitation of regret.
But inside, his thoughts were steady.
They already doubt me. Good. Suspicion will spread faster now.
The timer began to tick.
Riku clenched his fists. "Alright, listen up. If we keep accusing each other, we're done. From now on—everyone keeps their coins. No stealing, no giving. That way, no one drops too low."
"B-But if no one dies, we all die…" Aya's voice shook.
"Then we figure it out later! For now, we stay balanced!"
Everyone nodded reluctantly. The timer buzzed.
Riku: Keep.
Daichi: Keep.
Haruto: Steal (from Arata).
Aya: Keep.
Arata: Give (to Aya).
The screen updated.
Haruto smirked. "Now we're even."
His coins: 10.
Arata's: 10.
Aya blinked in shock. "A-Arata… why would you give me coins?"
Arata stammered, eyes wide. "B-Because… you're the only one who didn't blame me. I just… wanted to show I'm not the enemy."
Her heart softened. Riku scowled. Haruto bit his lip.
Perfect, Arata thought, his gaze hidden behind lowered lashes. Divide them by loyalty. Make her doubt the others.
The tension was unbearable.
Daichi finally snapped. "This is bullshit! Someone's gotta die, right? That's the rule! Then let's just get it over with—pick someone and move on!"
Aya gasped. "You—you can't just say that!"
"Why not?! You saw what happened last round! If we don't, we all die. Simple math!"
His eyes darted to Arata. "And we all know who's the weakest here. He's the reason we're fighting."
Riku frowned but didn't speak. Haruto crossed his arms, silent agreement clear on his face.
The timer ticked down.
Riku: Keep.
Daichi: Steal (from Arata).
Haruto: Steal (from Arata).
Aya: Give (to Arata).
Arata: Steal (from Daichi).
The numbers shifted.
Arata: 9.
Riku: 10.
Daichi: 9.
Haruto: 11.
Aya: 11.
Two players tied for last.
"Wait—what the hell?!" Daichi shouted. "You stole from me?!"
Arata flinched, his voice trembling. "I-I panicked again, I thought if I targeted you, Haruto wouldn't…"
"Bullshit!" Daichi roared, lunging forward before Riku pulled him back.
But Aya stepped in, glaring at Daichi. "Stop it! Can't you see Arata's terrified? You're just bullying him!"
Arata's lips trembled, eyes watery. "T-Thank you, Aya…"
Inside, his thoughts purred. And now I have my shield.
The group was splitting. Aya stood firmly by Arata's side, glaring at anyone who accused him. Haruto whispered with Daichi. Riku paced, trying to keep order, but his voice no longer carried authority.
The timer ticked.
Riku: Keep.
Daichi: Steal (from Arata).
Haruto: Keep.
Aya: Give (to Arata).
Arata: Steal (from Haruto).
The counters updated.
Arata: 10.
Riku: 10.
Daichi: 10.
Haruto: 10.
Aya: 10.
A perfect balance.
Everyone froze.
The distorted voice echoed, almost amused.
> "Interesting. One round remains. Only one must die. If you remain tied… all will be executed."
Aya's face went pale. Riku cursed. Daichi's eyes darted nervously. Haruto's jaw clenched.
Arata lowered his head, trembling again. But beneath the quiver of his lips was a smile no one saw.
Now the real game begins.
Round 5 – The First Death
The final timer began to tick. 60 seconds to decide who lived and who died.
Aya grabbed Arata's hand. "Stay with me. I'll protect you."
Riku muttered, "We… we need to choose someone. Just one. Or we all go down."
Daichi pointed at Arata instantly. "Then it's him! Don't play dumb—we all know it!"
Aya screamed. "No! He's done nothing wrong! Why are you targeting him?"
Haruto's voice was cold. "Because he's the easiest choice. And it's him or all of us."
The timer hit 20 seconds.
Arata raised his head. His trembling stopped. His voice came clear, steady, cutting through the panic.
> "If you choose me… you'll regret it."
The others froze.
He looked at Daichi first. "Should I tell them about the money you stole from your part-time job register?"
Daichi's face went pale.
Then Haruto. "Or how about the fact you cheat on every test by hiding formulas in your sleeves?"
Haruto flinched, his face twisting.
Riku's fists clenched. "Arata… how do you…"
The timer hit 10 seconds.
Arata's eyes turned sharp, gleaming in the dim light. His lips curved into a smile that wasn't timid at all.
> "Blame me, and I'll take you all down with me."
The timer buzzed. Choices locked in.
Riku: Keep.
Daichi: Steal (from Haruto).
Haruto: Steal (from Daichi).
Aya: Give (to Arata).
Arata: Steal (from Daichi).
The screen flashed red.
Final totals:
Arata: 11.
Riku: 10.
Aya: 11.
Haruto: 9.
Daichi: 8.
Lowest = Daichi.
The room went silent.
Daichi screamed, lunging for the others, but the floor beneath his chair collapsed. His body vanished into darkness, his scream cut short by a sickening crunch.
The remaining four froze in horror.
The distorted voice spoke.
> "Congratulations. You survived your first game."
Arata sat in silence, Aya clutching his arm, Riku and Haruto staring at him like they'd never seen him before.
His timid mask slid back on effortlessly. He shivered, voice cracking. "W-We… we lived… we made it…"
But deep inside, he was smiling.
The first piece had fallen. And it wouldn't be the last.