This fiction is using information from the manga.

Also, at parts where we don't know what happens, I had to improvise so please don't be mad and say, "This never happened." or "They never said that."

Chapter 1

I participated. Even though my class' "game" is over and the "winner" has gone home, I'm still here. Still on this accursed island, plopped in the middle of the vast waters.

Everyone went mad. They killed or got killed. 'Which one am I?' you might be asking. Well, of course I'm in the latter group, but it's not like I murdered as if I were on a shopping spree. I fought just enough for people to walk around with a missing limb or two. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm weak or sympathetic. It's just that I didn't want to waste my energy on people who were bound to be killed later. But you know, just for the record, I made a few moves when it counted. In my eyes, the "game" is more like a chore I have to complete so I can have some leisure time later for playing chess with the old men around the neighborhood, since that was the one of the only forms of entertainment I could afford.

It's too bad that this "game" hasn't ended yet. Well, for me at least.

When I first washed ashore here, I thought it would have been nice to die like that. Without pain, without suffering. Just quietly sink to the bottom of the cold sea like a forgotten message in a bottle... To be honest, I've always loved the sea and didn't think the idea was bad at the time. Before I was entered in the "game," every year during summer break, I would bike, sit on the docks and watch the boats haul in their small catch until the sky turned black. I loved how the setting sun's reflection on the water's surface seemed to spread out and sparkle like stars and how the water, cool and clear, slipped through my fingers, so pure, it's as if it could wash your soul of sinful burdens buried under your skin and chained to your heart. But instead, I lived.

But anyway, getting back to the matter at hand, I heard there's a new class coming. Now I have to watch the "game" all over again, like a broken record.

(Four hours later)

Overlooking the school, I perched myself in a tree, lanky and brittle, but I was able to hide among the lush leaves and twisted branches.

Some of the kids have left the building and are heading for the dense forest for cover. All spouting waterfalls of chilling sweat and burning tears that mixes together on their way down the kids' cheeks. Unable to comprehend what's happening, they are pushed over the edge with the insecurity and anxiety that their own life will be stolen from them by the people they trusted most, classmates, friends, and crushes. Fueled by the adrenalin and fear.

It's like a repeat of my class. They're all the same.

The first boy that stepped out carried a cross bow. Pretty lucky, compared to some of the ridiculous junk they call "weapons." For example: Mika Yazawa, one of my best friends, received a rock in her supply pack. A rock, can you believe that? Now think about it. Yes, a rock can do some substantial damage if used efficiently, but we're on an island for Heaven's sake, you can find a rock anywhere.

He seemed to be the "Genital Giant" type, they don't last long, I can tell you that. But I guess, you never know... He just might be able to rise up to the occasion. Personality, state of mind, belief, conception, it can all be changed in the blink of an eye. So who knows, maybe he'll win. My eyes followed his back as he hid in a corner of the building... He's hiding. Disappointing, but you really can't expect much from Junior High students.

Attention traveling back to the school door, my eyes widened at the next boy covered in scars, "Kawada?" I whispered to myself, covering my mouth with a shaking hand in disbelief.

After a few minutes of letting the facts sink in, I realized that this outcome wasn't as unexpected as it appeared. In the end, I guess it's no surprise that he won our class's "game" since he wasn't exactly the most caring and empathetic guy in the first place, which may have made it easier to take out your own classmates later on. But I mean really, getting in the class that was picked, for a second time?

I chuckled to myself. What an unlucky boy. It was almost funny.

'I would definitely have to tease him about it later if we ever meet up.' I thought, making a mental 'To Do' list.

Kawada looked both ways, like you would when crossing the street, and with a solid face, sprinted into the woods.

I then noticed a, I believe what most people would probably consider handsome, guy with slicked black hair that made him look like a gang leader or something. His skin, flawless and radiant, looked like it was chiseled out of white marble. His long slender legs took lofty strides as if he were walking on air and even from my distance, you could clearly tell that he carried himself with a certain mix of dignity and pride but conservative at the same time, like he knew he was far above us but wouldn't say it out loud. However, the most prominent aspect of him was his eyes. His eyes were empty like a black hole, they just seemed to suck you in and surrounded you with cold and darkness, maybe because it's just like the saying, 'The eyes are windows to the soul.' He was not the usual kind of arrogant boss who is so full of himself, but instead the very opposite, a calm and composed person. Not tears, no sweating, no nothing. There are no signs of a reaction to the thought he has to kill his fellow classmates in order to survive. Quite the poker face but it makes me wonder what's going on in his mind.

Like Kawada, Mr. Gang Leader also dashes to the woods, but in the opposite direction.

A couple of students later, Genital Giant finally comes out of the bushes and with his cross bow in hand, hauls himself onto the cross gable roof.

"Good plan." I commented, an excited smirk playing out on my face like a fox. Taking out the prey from above where their vision is lacking, he's smarter than I gave him credit for.

Oh, he shot a girl, her hair tied in a neat braid and held by a ribbon, in the head. That was fast. Usually, people under this sort of pressure will wait for the second or third chance that comes their way, in order to give themselves enough time to calm down and get a steady hand so they won't miss. But look, first few minutes up there and a girl is pinned to the ground... Nice shot.

Down the hall of the school, his face portraying the very image of optimism and confidence despite the situation he was unknowingly thrown into. Won't he be in for a surprise once he steps out that door. Greeting him on the outside are eerie winds sweeping across the dirt and a fresh corpse lying on the ground with a puddle of blood surrounding her head. In realization of the identity of the motionless student, he drops to his knees, completely drained of his upbeat energy that seemed to shine like the sun only a few moments ago. While the new boy is grieving over the loss of a classmate, an arrow slices his cheek from behind, barely missing his head. Swinging himself around, he comes face to face with Genital Giant, who is now standing on the roof, pointing his weapon at the boy, and releasing heavy pants, "A-heh! A-heh! A-heh!"

"Akamatsu... What have you done? Why?" the boy shouts. Grabbing his supply pack and backpack, the boy uses them as a shield and covers his vital organs in case Genital Giant decides to shoot again. "We don't have to play! We can beat this if we stick together!"

Genital Giant shook his head, "No! It's me they'll kill first! Even the girls! I don't want to be killed by a girl!"

God, men and their pride. It's not that bad being ended by a girl. Although the guys that ran into me didn't exactly submit to a peaceful death...

"That's why I did it! That's why I have to kill first!" he reasoned, raising his crossbow and preparing to take the third shot.

"No! Nobody has to kill! Listen to me! We can beat this! We can hook up with the rest of the class!" grinding his teeth, the boy states, "No one is going to kill you." But whether the boy really believed his own words was beyond me since people can lie so easily when their lives are hanging in the balance.

Whether he was lying or not, this act is simply hilarious! That he's not gonna let anybody kill Genital Giant... What a joke! I'm sure that they both heard the instructor say that it's, "Kill or be killed." or something along those lines, like mine did. It's that kind of naivete that gets you killed. Don't they know the rules? Only one person survives. Well... I guess I'm an exception.

(Flashback)

I was walking along the ledge of a cliff with the sharp jagged rocks looking up at me from below. And may I mention, it was not the best idea. The soil and mud squished under my weathered sneakers, the grass, slippery and wet, left green stains on my uniform whenever I sat down to rest, the air was humid like steam after a hot shower, and occasionally, droplets of water would slide off the leaves and splash onto my head which I had deducted that it was likely that it had rained recently, either a day or even hours before. The ledge crumbled beneath my feet and I fell into the ocean.

By some miracle, I missed the rocks but the waves were still pretty rough. The impact of the fall knocked me out for a number of days, maybe even longer. How my body was able to stay afloat, how the soldiers seemed to overlook my disappearance when collecting the collars from other dead bodies, how my own collar didn't go off at the end of the "game" like it was suppose to, and how I had survived that fall with my life was a mystery to me, even to this day. Some people might say that it was a sign. A sign that I still had a purpose that remained unfulfilled, a sign that I was meant to stop the "game" once and for all, a sign that I was meant to live... but I don't believe one bit of it.

When I regained consciousness, I was washed up on the shore of an island. Weather it was the same one I was previously on, or a different one, I didn't know.

My waist length golden hair was entangled with green algae and tiny shell pieces. My hazy emerald eyes were bloodshot and I couldn't get the taste of salt out of my mouth. A few rips and tares in my loose dress shirt and short plaid skirt, a slight headache from the intake of salt water, a bloody scrape or two, but alive none the less. I wasn't sure if I should be thankful or curse my God damned luck.

I didn't want to go around calling for help and making smoke signals, out of fear that the ships would come over and shoot once they found out that I was alive since in the beginning, the instructor mentioned that they had the authority to. No boats came within a good ten miles around here so I was pretty much stranded for the next two years. Living off the land wasn't as hard as I had anticipated, since it seems the villagers were evacuated, similar to the previous island, leaving food in the fridge and small gardens in the yard. Besides, even if this was the same island, I probably wouldn't have recognized it, since I tried to stay away from places like these, where people could be resting. I even started considering living here for the rest of my life, but all too quickly, I had to pull myself out of a fantasy and into reality. I had to start asking questions and observe my surroundings.

Why did people leave all their belongings here?

Why were food and pets still in their places and not taken along?

Why was the village evacuated?

It was then that I realized that the "game" had or will be taking place here. I could have abandoned this island and swam to the mainland but that would be risky. Besides, I wanted to see what happens to the next class. The next group of "players" on Death's list.

Oh? Dropping his shield, the boy stands up and raises his hands in the air, totally defenseless and open to attack. "Trust me on this, Akamatsu. Like I'm trusting you not to shoot me." he reassures.

Does he really trusts Genital Giant that much? You don't see that everyday. Or maybe this kid's scheming something. Sometimes, you really can't tell what people are thinking but so far it seems to be working like a charm.

"I've already played! I've played the game! Who trusts a killer? Whose friend am I now?" Genital Giant screeched in between sobs.

Or not. Too bad, it probably would have benefited them both to have one less enemy... that is, if one of them doesn't have any ulterior motives hiding under their facade.

"Shuya?" came a soft voice from the doorway.

Time seemed to freeze as both boys looked at the small, petite girl, somewhat resembling a delicate china doll, who stood under Genital Giant, wondering what was going on. Soft lips, silky hair, and slender limbs, she was in mint condition, except for her right leg which supported a steady stream of blood that stained her sock. It appears that the instructor may have went a bit overboard again. But I guess that's okay, it makes the "game" all the more interesting because predators often go after weak or injured prey first.

Genital Giant positioned his crossbow at her head and screamed, "Idiot girl! Get with the program!"

As he was about to fire at Doll, the boy, apparently called "Shuya," leaps for the arrow that, from before, skimmed his cheek. Plucking it out of the dirt and throwing it with such precision while still in midair, it hits Genital Giant in the left shoulder. I suspect Shuya must have frequented an activity having to do with throwing, possibly baseball or darts. Falling head first and landing on his back, Genital Giant is temporarily out for the count.

Shuya grabs Doll's bags and taking her hand into his, instructs her to stay with him and run... Uh oh. Shuya and Doll are heading in my direction. I hope they don't notice me, it might become a messy situation to explain to them. Besides, I'd rather not have the instructor and his observers know about me just yet. Absorbed in their own thoughts, the two students rush right past me without a second thought, even though I was only a few feet away from them. Close call, but a bit too close for comfort.

Everyone else after that couple was pretty boring if you ask me. Girls grouping up. Gangs coming together. Lovers waiting for each other and so on, predictable. However, for some reason or another I always had Mr. Gang Leader figure walking around in the back of my mind. He's somewhat similar to me. I want to see what happens to him. I want to know more about him. I think I'll catch up and see where he takes me for now.

Looking around to make sure no one was coming out, I hopped off my perch and bolted in the same direction as he did. This should be a fun "game."

This is my first revised chapter of the story so two more chapters to go until I can continue this story!

If you have no idea of what I'm talking about, check out my comment at the bottom of chapter four and you'll find out.