Alice In Borderland (various x reader)

"We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for staying at Seaside Paradise, Tokyo." I whipped my head around as the PA chimed in and I furrowed my brows in confusion. "As a token of our appreciation, we will now commence a game with all 58 participants in the venue."

I gaped ahead of me at the screen that displayed the 10 of hearts logo and I felt my breath get caught in my throat. Mumbles around the beach in other corridors could be heard and the shuffling of feet echoed through the hall as the announcer commanded we all assemble in the lobby.

"The beach is a game arena...?" I mumbled to myself. I almost couldn't believe it... this moment everyone in the beach had waited for was happening although not in the way anyone would have expected.

I felt my body move out into the corridor as I stumbled along behind the small crowd that was moving down the stairs. I watched all the emotions on the faces of those who I was passing. Some excited, others looking scared to the core while most looked confused. I believed I fit into the latter as my gaze wondered all around the ground floor looking for hints of what the game could be.

My pondering however, was interrupted by the figure of Usagi frantically running down one of the side hallways with a distressed look on her face. My concern was apparent on my face as it contorted in worry and I felt my heart clench in sight of her clear discomfort.

"Usagi!" I called out, moving out of the way of the running crowd and towards the female. I glanced at her in worry but before I could utter another word, she collided with me, wrapping her strong arms around my neck, pressing herself against me tightly in a hug. I tensed slightly as I felt her warm breath waft over my neck and my heart pounded in my chest. Once I had overcome the initial shock, I reciprocated, squeezing her sides gently hoping to be of comfort to whatever had perturbed her.

"(name).." she panted with a shaky voice and despite the situation, the way she uttered my name had my mind wandering but her shuddering figure in my grasp soon pulled my mind back to the situation in front of me. Something was seriously wrong, and I felt another pained tug at my heart for the poor lady in front of me.

"Usagi...?" I peeled her off me gently and swiftly moved my palms up to cup her face gingerly in my hands "What is it? Are you alright?"

I knew something had happened as I had never seen this stoic woman so beside herself before, but she ignored my question glancing quickly behind her before softly grasping my hand, threading her fingers through my own, bringing me closer for a second before saying "we have to move!" and I felt myself pulled along behind her.

My protests could be heard as I called out begging her to slow and explain herself. Her previous state worried me to the core, and I couldn't erase the image of her trembling figure in my arms from my mind.

As we entered the lobby, Usagis pace slowed and I took this as the opportunity to catch her arm and spin her. She lost footing slightly and fell into my chest but my prepared arms stabalized her and I clutched her arms bringing her ear down to my lips.

"You don't have to tell me what happened right now, but once we finish this game, you are explaining everything to me... understand?" my tone was low and I purposely breathed tenderly on her neck and watched her face heat up with a light pink covering them before I pulled back, staring into her eyes. "Come on..."

I snatched up two phones, swiftly passing one to Usagi feeling our fingers brush against each other for a split second before merging into the crowd that had gathered in the middle of the room. I confusedly stood up on my tip toes trying to see what everyone was staring at but my attempt seemed futile until Usagi started weaving her way through the crowd, grasping my hand tightly in her grip creating a slight gap for me to follow behind. As I felt her soft hand clasp around mine, it was my turn to blush as I felt my cheeks get red, trying to shake off this feeling.