BETWEEN WORLDS | Ryohei Arisu x Reader

(A/N: based on the title yk what this is gna be about eheheheh)

After leaving the warehouse, Haeru and I wandered the desolate streets of the city, our minds still racing from the encounter with the Jack of Spades. The air was heavy with tension, each step a reminder of how precarious our survival was.

"We can't keep avoiding it," Haeru said finally, breaking the silence. Her tone was firm, but there was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. "We need to join another game soon."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know. The more days we have on our visas, the better. But..." I trailed off, the weight of what we'd just been through pressing down on me. "It's just... how many more of these can we survive?"

Haeru placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip steady. "We don't have a choice, Y/N. If we want to live, we have to keep going."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Alright. Let's find another game."

We walked for what felt like hours, scanning the streets for signs of activity. The city was eerily quiet, the distant hum of machinery the only sound accompanying us. Finally, we spotted it: an oddly shaped building standing out amidst the ruins. It was angular, with sharp edges that gave it an almost unnatural appearance. The sight of it sent a shiver down my spine.

Haeru glanced at me, her expression grim. "That's definitely a game arena."

I met her gaze, my stomach knotting. "If we go in, there's no turning back."

She gave me a small, determined nod. "Then let's do it."

As we approached the entrance, a beam of red light scanned us from head to toe. The doors creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior. My heart raced as I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

As i entered the room i noticed it was filled with people, all of them tense and wary. My gaze swept across the crowd, taking in their faces. There were familiar ones among them: A pretty girl with a short bob type hairstyle(Usagi), her athletic frame radiating quiet determination; A man with a muscular figure (Aguni) standing stoic and imposing; and a hooded man (Chishiya), his calculating eyes flickering with amusement as he leaned casually against a wall with earphones in his ear. A group of people who looked like they'd survived the game from earlier were also present, their faces etched with fear.

But my attention was drawn to two figures who entered the arena moments after us. My breath hitched as recognition set in. Arisu and Karube. From our childhood.

My heart pounded as my eyes locked onto Arisu. His face, though older, still held the same gentle features I remembered. Memories flooded back, and I felt my cheeks flush like I was 13 again. He noticed my stare, his eyes widening slightly. For a moment, we just looked at each other before quickly glancing away, the tension hanging thick between us.

"Hey," Haeru whispered, nudging me. "Isn't that Arisu and Karube? You know, from when we were little?"

"Yeah," I murmured, my voice barely audible. My heart was racing, but I forced myself to focus. There wasn't time for nostalgia.

Before I could say anything more, the voice of the game master echoed through the room. "0:32 seconds until the game starts. There are currently 15 players."

Everyone instinctively grabbed their phones as the rules appeared on the screens. Difficulty: 5 of Spades. Game: Tag. Rule: Avoid whoever is 'it.' Discover and find the symbol hidden in the room. Time limit: 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the hidden bomb will detonate, eliminating all players.

The tension in the room skyrocketed as the timer began counting down. Haeru and I exchanged a nervous glance before making our way toward one of the staircases. The building had seven floors, each one potentially hiding the symbol we needed to find.