(even when the music's gone)

Aizawa observes silently for the next two days, that Shiraishi continues going to stations for survival skills, rather than the stations for weapons. He wouldn't have mind that much, trusting in her decision, if not because the Careers continue to sneer at her from afar. Most of the time, Aizawa opts to stay away from their vicinity, not wanting to hear their harsh comments about his partner. As the Careers never seem to cross their lines with their remarks against Shiraishi, Aizawa chooses to protect her from afar, still keeping a watchful eye on her without making unnecessary enemies out of hasty decisions.

On the fourth morning of their training, right before they call it a day, Shiraishi crosses the gymnasium and stops at the station for knives. Her action spurs a reaction from the Career pack in a split second, seeing that they are also lingering near that same station for a break. They watch her silently at first, judging her every move. Shiraishi pretends she doesn't notice them and picks up the knives lying down on the station, one by one.

She runs her fingers across the blunt end of the blade carefully, almost shyly, Aizawa couldn't really tell from the expression she is bearing at the moment. The Careers choose this moment to start sneering at her from where they stood at the side.

"Hey, Superstar! You shouldn't play with knives. They're dangerous." One A shouts, and snickers from all four of them ensued from that comment. Aizawa clenches his jaw together, but remains put.

"Yeah! What if you accidentally injure yourself? Your pretty face is all you got, you need to be careful!" One B jeers, and her friends laugh loudly. The other tributes around them have stopped what they were doing, turning to look at the scene unfolding in front of them.

Shiraishi ignores the Careers, feeling the weight of each knives. She likes one in particular; it isn't too long or too big, neither is it too heavy nor difficult to carry. The size of the blade is just nice for her, almost perfect even, and most familiar with the one she often used back home.

"Do you need us to demonstrate how to use a knife? They're not only used for cutting ingredients for cooking yknow?" Two B jibes this time, the implication heavy behind that sentence.

Aizawa's patience is thinning. He has half the mind to head towards the Career pack and ask them to leave Shiraishi alone. He feels oddly protective, even if he doesn't know why. He thinks it's because she's officially his partner for the Games, now, and they're a team, but seeing Shiraishi so vulnerable like this, being taunted by a bunch of bullies-it almost makes him see red.

"Aww Superstar, don't ignore us!" One A jogs over to where Shiraishi is standing. Aizawa stiffens, taking a few steps forward into her direction slowly. "You know, I used to have the Panem magazines you modelled for. Maybe you should have just stayed there you know? You'll be much suited all dolled up and entertaining guests in the Capitol—"

Aizawa is ready to tackle One A onto the ground, even if that means breaking several rules at once. But before he could get to him, in a sudden and rather swift movement, Shiraishi sends the knife she was holding flying across the station and soaring past the head of Two A. The knife lands on the target board right in the middle with a loud thud. 10. Without pausing, she picks up another knife, a bigger one, and repeats what she did two seconds earlier, this time aiming for another target board. 10.

Their jaws drop instantaneously, as Aizawa fights back a half smirk, his steps coming to an abrupt halt.

"Well, what do you know," Shiraishi announces sweetly, turning to look at One A who is still staring at her in shock, "Beginner's luck."

"I didn't mean to do it, actually."

Shiraishi speaks up softly after dinner, when they've settled down onto the couch in the common area for a short chat. Aizawa looks up from the magazine he is reading, a bit confused at first, but then he remembers. "Something just snapped in me when that tribute from One said that."

"Ah." Aizawa shakes his head once, looking back down to his magazine. "You don't have to explain yourself, really."

"Hiyama told me to not show off my skills during the trainings." Shiraishi heaves a sigh, her tone laced with slight regret. "All I wanted was to get a feel of the knives for the Games, I didn't expect I'd lose my temper—"

"Shiraishi," Aizawa shuts his magazine and puts it away. His eyes then meet hers. "You're the one who is going to the Arena, not Hiyama. I thought what you did this morning was brilliant."

She frowns. "Really?"

"Didn't you see the looks on their faces? They were clearly impressed. You did that without even attending the Academy." Aizawa's mouth turns upward ever so slightly. He catches Shiraishi blushing at that praise. "How did you even learn how to throw a knife like that?"

"I…actually practiced by myself after I was Reaped, if you remember." She sheepishly admits, which intrigues Aizawa, so he continues, "I do. But why?"

Before Shiraishi could elaborate further, Shinkai walks into the common area and gives a thumbs up to the female tribute. "I heard what you did in the training centre this morning. Good job!"

"Thanks." She says, slightly embarrassed at all the praises she is getting suddenly. Aizawa finds it difficult to believe that this is the same individual who had, without hesitation, thrown two knives straight into the cores of two target boards. "Hiyama?" Shiraishi asks, a little afraid to hear what her mentor has to say about her rashness during training that morning.

"Well…" Shinkai gestures towards the main door, and two seconds after, Hiyama breezes in while whistling a tune, clearly in a good mood. "You can ask her yourself."

"Amazing, amazing, amazing!" She says in a sing-song voice, rushing to Shiraishi to envelop her into a hug. "Shiraishi, guess what?"

"What?" Shiraishi prompts her mentor to continue. Hiyama plops herself onto the sofa beside Shiraishi, her eyes shimmering with intense pride and excitement.

"The mentors for District 2 just approached me to ask if you want to form an alliance with them." She finally says, "And not just from District 2, but 6, 8, 9 and 11, too."

"Oh." Shiraishi's cheeks blossoms into a slight pink. Then she adds, "Do they…do they want Aizawa, too?"

Aizawa tenses at that, looking away immediately. Hiyama hesitates, looking a bit apologetic that she had brought this conversation in front of him. "They…didn't mention about him. Sorry Aizawa, no offence."

"None taken." He shrugs cooly, pretending to read the magazine in his hands.

"Well? What say you?" After a few seconds, Hiyama asks again, eager to hear her mentee's answer.

"I think…I'll decline." Shiraishi replies carefully, and earns a weird stare from both Hiyama and Shinkai.

"Ha?" Her mentors asks incredulously, an eyebrow raised. "Are you sure?"

"Aizawa and I are already a team, so…"

Hiyama doesn't say anything, but her expression says it all. But they chose you, not him, Aizawa could tell, from the way she is sighing and then gesturing to Shiraishi's room. "Let's talk."

"Hiyama, thanks, but, there's nothing to talk." Shiraishi shakes her head firmly. "I know what you're going to say and…I'm sticking with Aizawa."

"Shiraishi, you don't understand…"

"I actually do." She says with a new found determination that makes both Shinkai and Aizawa slightly gaping at awed with her. "I know what you're concerned of, and…I'll deal with that when the time comes."

A few seconds pass, then Hiyama sighs. "You'll regret it." She says in a tone that is so soft that Aizawa almost misses it. He is somewhat confused, not quite sure what she is meaning, but he keeps mum. When he looks up at his mentor, Shinkai bears an expression he couldn't read, either. The chances are high that Shinkai knows exactly what Hiyama and Shiraishi are talking about, something he hasn't shared with Aizawa.

"I'm going to sleep. Good night." Shiraishi says in an equally soft tone, standing up. Hiyama looks at her retreating back without another word. There's a hint of pain on her face, Aizawa could tell, but Hiyama shakes her head and she too, heads back to her own room.

As Aizawa readies himself for sleep that night, he realises Shiraishi didn't finish telling him her story. He reminds himself to ask her again, when the time is right.

Six days later, Shiraishi and Hiyama find themselves huddled in the living room of District 4's suite, with Shinkai pacing to and fro. Their eyes are focused on the blank screen, knowing that in a matter of seconds, their training scores will be revealed for the entire Capitol and Districts to see. The higher the score over 12, the better their chances are at in luring in Sponsors.

The private session with the Gamemakers went by smoothly three days ago, so Aizawa isn't all that worried—being part of a Career District, Aizawa is almost certain that he had gotten a high score. Watching the Scoring is mostly to gauge the performances of the others, to see what they are about to face in a few days time.

The music starts, and Panem's logo shows up on the screen. Hiyama sucks in her breath loudly, biting her fingernail nervously.

District 1's logo is the first to appear, followed by One A, the number 10 appearing beside his face. "Fuck," Shinkai curses under his breath, clearly irritated at such a high score from the beginning. One B receives an 8, which is relatively still high for a Career, but Aizawa is certain that it'd be hard for her to swallow after her partner's impressive score.

Both Tributes from Two scored a 9. "I expected no less from them." Hiyama pipes up, then resumes biting her fingernail. Aizawa counts the seconds, and then sees his face appear onscreen. Before the private session, Shinkai had advised him to show the Gamemakers that he is versatile and capable of surviving till the end. Aizawa did just that. He holds his breath.

9.

"Good." Shinkai says in relief, but Aizawa has no time to react, because the screen switches to Shiraishi, and—

6.

Shinkai lets out a soft groan. Hiyama looks as though she wants to faint when she sees the score beside Shiraishi's face. But she keeps quiet. As Aizawa glances at her, he notices that Shiraishi is calm, as she always is, her face serene and expressionless.

The rest of the tributes' scores go by in a blur, Aizawa finds himself distracted by his partner's score. She leaves right after Twelve's scores are revealed, with Hiyama tailing behind her, ready to pounce on her and ask what she did during her private session that she is given such a low score?

Aizawa waits until an hour later before he decides to find her. He knocks on her room across his, wondering if she has fallen asleep.

She hasn't, as the door swings open and Shiraishi turns back into her room; she doesn't bother checking to see who her visitor is. She just knows.

"Are you regretting forming an alliance with me, now?" Shiraishi asks, her back against him as she faces the glass panel overlooking Panem.

Aizawa shakes his head, then realises she couldn't see it. "No." He says, taking a few steps into her room. "Not at all."

Shiraishi doesn't say anything then, arms crossed. Aizawa could see her face from the reflection on the glass door; she doesn't look worried or upset, either. "What did you do in front of the Gamemakers?"

She turns her head slightly over her shoulder, and shrugs in a nonchalant manner. "Threw some knives, missed the targets, and tied some complicated knots."

There is something different about Shiraishi, though Aizawa couldn't place a finger on what. The air that she eludes is not the same ten days before, when he first visited her. Despite receiving a low score, Shiraishi is surprisingly still calm, a sense of unexpected confidence in her as she remains tall with her shoulders back and squared.

"I don't think you would have missed." He says, recalling her precise accuracy during the first time he had seen her threw knives. Then all of a sudden, something clicks in his mind and realisation begins to dawn upon him. Aizawa recalls faintly the memory of their first proper conversation together, back in the dining room on their first day of training.

"It's part of your strategy, isn't it?"

Shiraishi doesn't reply, doesn't agree or disagree with him, but Aizawa knows he is right. He understands immediately, knowing that she did it on purpose so that the others won't see her as a threat, not after what she had demonstrated on their fourth day of training. Shiraishi is trying to confuse them, making them doubt her capabilities and skills. It's a completely opposite strategy than the usual, but it is still a strategy, something only Shiraishi could pull off with her current image.

Aizawa tries to hide the smirk that is forming on his lips. He meets her eyes from her reflection. "Interesting." is all he says.

Shiraishi is still quiet, but this time, she smiles back.

"Has the Capitol's perception of me improved?"

He tries to act like he doesn't care about what the citizens view of him, but as the day looms nearer, his fate becoming more and more uncertain, Aizawa figures it's time he values the importance of Sponsors. They do, after all, as much as he disliked admitting it out loud, contribute to some percentage of his winning chance.

"Oh, it definitely has." Shinkai beams, eyes on his tablet. "My sources have been telling me that you're more popular these days."

"And Shiraishi?" Aizawa asks, wondering if her odds have changed after her Scoring the other day. For her to proceed with her initial plan, she must have been confident enough to believe that her position with her Sponsors is stable. And she's right, as Shinkai replies, "Still very much loved. I don't think her score impacted her that much. The Capitol is sentimental, after all, loyal to their favourite child superstar."

Aizawa nods, somewhat relieved to hear that. "She was right."

"Hm?" Shinkai raises an eyebrow, but Aizawa waves his curiosity away. "Nothing."

"Don't worry, you still have the Interview, left." Shinkai continues after a few seconds, looking at the calendar in his tablet. "That's your last way of improving your image, aside from the Games itself."

"All right." Aizawa rubs his thumb over his forefinger, a habit of his when he is in deep thoughts. "Tell me what to do."

Shinkai does a double take, surprised etched on his face. "Really? You're finally asking help from me?"

"You're my mentor, aren't you?" Aizawa shoots back with a snap, and his mentor laughs loudly.

"Okay so, the interview is one last chance for you to speak with the audience, to lure in last minute Sponsors and supporters." Shinkai begins by explaining the significance of the session first. "My advice would normally to try and be yourself but eh," He pauses to make a face, with Aizawa scowling at him in return. "I mean it's fine if you want to maintain that ice cool persona of yours, but do loosen up a bit and be more spontaneous. React well to the master of ceremony, he's a nice person. It'd do you good."

Aizawa takes all that in, not quite sure if he would be able to actually do it when the time comes, but he accepts the advice nonetheless.

"You might want to also throw in some sentimental stories if asked, things that would make the audience sympathise for you, and want to root for you."

"Okay." Aizawa nods. "Thanks."

The mentors watch the Interview in the holding room for District 4; Shiraishi is currently live on air, magically working her charm—she is shy but sweet at the same time, completely at ease—since the second she sat down with the masters of ceremony, Fujikawa Kazuo.

"You were here in the Capitol five years back, do you think much has changed since then?" Fujikawa asks, to which Shiraishi turns to look at the audience.

"The people here are still as lovely and kind as I remember them to be." She says sweetly and everyone in the audience responses with soft awws. Aizawa feels a lump latching onto his throat—Shiraishi is an obvious natural in this, charming audience with her ladylike, elegant persona; he'd never be able channel that same aura as her, that's for sure.

"What do you think of your district partner, Aizawa? A little bird told me that you two have a history together." Fujikawa asks with a suggestive grin, which confuses Aizawa to the core. What history is he talking about?

"Aizawa and I…we sort of grew up together back in Four." The second the words came out from Shiraishi, a gasp rippled across the Capitol audience.

Fujikawa gasps along with the audience. "So you two are best friends?"

"I suppose you can say that, yes."

It is a blatant lie, of course, Aizawa wonders if Hiyama had coaxed Shiraishi to saying that and then telling it to Fujikawa, or did Shiraishi do it on her own accord? Still, the Capitol doesn't need to know that they only just became friends recently, and Shinkai did mention to him to come up with a sentimental story. There is some appeal in that idea, in some ways, Aizawa muses to himself, two best friends in the Games, fighting against the odds for the same fate.

And then her interview is over, and it is his turn. Fujikawa announces his arrival, a cue for him to enter the stage. He walks in confidently, though he forces himself to smile and wave to the audience. They are clapping and cheering for him, so he doesn't think he's doing that bad.

"Earlier, Shiraishi mentioned that you two are best friends. Is that true?" Fujikawa wastes no time to prod further on the subject before.

"It's true…" Aizawa thinks of Shinkai's advice to be spontaneous. "and not true at the same time."

The audience begins to murmur, clearly confused with his statement. Fujikawa reacts in an exaggerated manner; "Eh? What do you mean!"

"It's true that we are best friends," Aizawa clarifies, then braces himself for the lie that is about to come out from his own mouth. "but I'm having difficulties defining our relationship."

"Please elaborate, Aizawa." Fujikawa leans forward, his eyes glistening with obvious interest.

"I'm not usually one to show my emotions," Aizawa forces another smile onto his face, an attempt to make a light-hearted joke inconsistent to his demeanour, "the Capitol would know that, I'm sure."

He hears the laughter in the audience and thinks that maybe he has finally done something right, something that pleases the citizens, and possibly even Shinkai.

"Shiraishi means a lot to me, and she doesn't know but—" He strings those words out, sees from the corner of his eyes that all the audience are sitting up straighter in their seats, holding their breaths.

This is to get Sponsors, this is for the chance to be a Victor.

Aizawa wonders if she is watching his interview, wonders what she will react after she hears him say this. It is a spontaneous, unprecedented plan that had crept into his mind after seeing her interview, and judging from how the Capitol citizens have been acting thus far, it is obvious that they love sentiments and things that could tug their heartstrings.

So he gives it to them.

"—I'm actually in love with her."

It's another lie, of course, and the moment he steps into the holding room after his interview, Shinkai rushes to his side and smacks him squarely at the back. "You've done it this time!" His mentor roars proudly, face splitting into a grin.

Hiyama is there too, right behind Shinkai. Even she is smiling, a sign of approval of his stunt earlier. She lifts up the tablet in her hands, showing Aizawa the front-page that is exploding, trending, with his interview session.

"The Capitol loved your story." She hums brightly, her expression sincere, genuine. Aizawa thinks it's because they're all Fours, ultimately, regardless of which tribute makes it (or doesn't) in the end. "Star-crossed lovers, someone actually started a petition to call off this Games because of what you said. The response is insane."

"I was inspired." Aizawa replies, then searches around the room for Shiraishi. He doesn't find her.

"Shiraishi went to the washroom." Hiyama offers to a startled Aizawa, her expression blank, but tone clearly suggestive. "Don't worry, she's fine. A little shocked, but fine."

An hour later, Aizawa opens his door to find Shiraishi lingering outside his room, at the common area. He's reminded of what he'd said during the interview, and his cheeks heat up immediately. It's weird though, Aizawa thinks, he shouldn't feel this way since it was just a made up narrative, a lie.

Shiraishi rises from her position on the floor, a little embarrassed to be caught. "Uh, I was contemplating if I should knock on your door." She explains sheepishly.

Aizawa invites her in, and she brushes past him into his room hurriedly. "Did Hiyama put you up to this?" He asks after she remains quiet, even though her face indicates clearly that she has something to say.

"What? No!" Shiraishi waves her hands quickly. "I wasn't sure if you were asleep, and I wanted to talk to you about the Interviews, so…"

"Sorry," Aizawa is the first to apologise. He gestures for her to sit down on the couch, and after she does, he follows suit. "I didn't mean to drag you into that narrative."

Shiraishi shakes her hands again. "Oh, no. It's honestly fine. I started it, anyway."

"Thanks for the inspiration." Aizawa half jokes, though his face remains somewhat impassive. Shiraishi gives him a soft smile, before looking away. "Is it just me or is your room really huge?" She changes the topic easily.

Aizawa quirks an eyebrow up. "Your room is exactly like mine."

"Yeah but," Shiraishi scratches her head. "It just seems a lot bigger, for some reason."

"Shiraishi," Aizawa says patiently, "I'm quite sure you're not here to talk about the size of my room."

Her cheeks turn a slight pink at that statement, and Shiraishi rubs her neck nervously. "I actually wanted to discuss with you regarding our…uh…relationship."

"What about it?" Aizawa asks, though not unkindly.

"Hiyama thinks we should come up with a story together." She explains. "Just in case."

"That seems fair." He agrees easily. "Let's start from the basics, then. At what age did we become friends?"

Shiraishi furrows her eyebrows. "Six? No, wait. Five?"

"Five could only work if our parents are the best of friends, or if we stay near each other." Aizawa rubs his chin and frowns. "I think seven is fine."

"Okay. At the age of seven, you started going to the Academy, right?" Aizawa nods. "So how did we keep in touch?"

"Well, children below 13 are not required to stay in the Academy. So I could technically still see you until I was 13. That's when I had to stay in the dormitory. And then I could only go home during the weekends, when I had no lessons and trainings."

From the way she is nodding nonstop, Aizawa figures Shiraishi is probably memorising everything he is telling her. It is oddly endearing, though Aizawa removes that thought immediately after it entered his mind.

"Favourite colour?" Shiraishi asks. "Mine is blue, because they remind me of the sea."

Aizawa nods in agreement. "Yeah, I like blue too."

They exchanged a few more favourites, and some hobbies, before Shiraishi shifts in her seat, her expression slightly uncomfortable. Before Aizawa could ask her what's wrong, she asks, "When did you start liking me?"

For the briefest of moment, Aizawa is mildly confused. He almost wants to say just a week ago, but he stops himself. "Oh. You mean for my narrative…"

"Yes." Shiraishi says flatly, as though there could be other instances. He doesn't miss how her ears have gone red, though. "We need to establish a period where you started liking me first, before deciding on when you were in love with me."

He doesn't know why the answer comes easy to him, maybe because it's just a lie and that it doesn't—shouldn't—mean anything, but he says, "I started liking you since the day we became friends, and when you were Reaped, I thought I was going to lose you forever so I guess that's when I realised that maybe I liked you more than just friends and that I didn't want to lose—" Aizawa stops himself abruptly, realising his cheeks have gotten hot. He doesn't say anything else.

It's the longest sentence he has ever said to her, which surprises her so much that Shiraishi doesn't realise her heart is racing. When Aizawa remains quiet, looking away awkwardly, she takes that as her cue to leave, forgetting that he hasn't quite answered her question fully. "Okay, I think we're good to go." She says in a pitch that doesn't belong to her. "Goodnight, Aizawa."

She leaves before he can tell her goodnight.

Shinkai barges into his room without warning the next day, throwing himself onto the couch as Aizawa looks on from where he stands. "Tomorrow's D-day." Shinkai hides his worries behind a large smile. "I assume you're ready?"

"Hn," Aizawa merely grunts in reply. Silence engulfs them for a moment too long, before Shinkai finally speaks up again. "Aizawa," He solemnly starts, somewhat hesitant, with an awkward tone that Aizawa senses immediately where he is going with his question.

"I have to ask this—" Aizawa grits his teeth, looking away. He doesn't want to hear the question, but Shinkai persists anyway, as he always does, "—if it comes down to just you and Shiraishi, will you be able to go through with it?"

The pieces finally form a complete picture; Hiyama's reaction to Shiraishi's choice the other day, Shinkai giving her an equal look of disbelief. It all made sense now, why Hiyama had hoped Shiraishi would form other alliance instead of one with Aizawa. If it all comes down to that one scenario…

Aizawa has thought about that before. The thought had invaded his mind without warning, but Aizawa had brushed it aside as quickly as it had flitted into his head. "That might not happen." He finally replies, his heart thundering beneath his chest for no apparent reasons.

Shinkai presses his lips together to form a thin line, clearly unsatisfied with his answer. "If Shiraishi is standing between you returning home—" Aizawa flinches, but his mentor continues on relentlessly. "—what will you do, then?"

There is a long pause.

Aizawa answers—

There are only a few places they are allowed to explore at night, but Aizawa finds a spot on the rooftop and invites Shiraishi over. No reason in particular, he says to her when she asks him why he'd called for her. It's an unexpected decision, one that Aizawa thinks the past him would never have made, but lately, he has grown accustomed to her presence, just talking to her in mindless topics, that it feels weird to be alone on the eve of the Games.

"Tomorrow is the D-day." Shiraishi breaks the silence, folding her legs closer to her body. She wraps her arms around her knees, then places her chin on them. "Time flies."

Even though their Reaping had taken place a little over two weeks ago, he could still see it vividly in his mind, as though it happened yesterday. "You're right." Aizawa attests to her statement, remembering the image of Shiraishi marching towards the stage without a trace of fear.

"Aizawa?"

"Yeah?"

Shiraishi pauses, before she asks, "Why did you decide to become a Career?"

Aizawa normally doesn't share his reasons behind his every action to people, let alone someone he'd just befriended for two weeks or so. But with Shiraishi, it feels different, safe. Does he trust her that much, Aizawa wonders. "For my grandmother." He replies after a long silence. "To provide a better life for her. Our life back in Four is...difficult."

"Ah." Shiraishi nods, understanding his answer. Everyone knows that; the privilege of being a Victor, the luxury and glory that come from winning the Games remain high above the pedestal, untouchable, reachable only by those who have earned the title.

"If I win—" Aizawa starts, but Shiraishi interrupts him with ease, "When you win."

Although flattered by her sudden faith in him, Aizawa frowns, and forgets what he wanted to say. There are a million thoughts suddenly flooding in his mind, questions he didn't have answers to. He wants to ask her how she could be so confident, so sure that he'd win; wants to remind her that she's in this together, that she too, had equal and fair chances of winning.

But he doesn't, and moves on with another question. "How did you feel when you Volunteered for that girl?"

"It felt right." Shiraishi says without hesitation. It surprises Aizawa, the firmness in her voice, the boldness behind her words.

"But you're not a Career." He states simply, growing more curious at the passing second. Even if they've known each other for some time now, aside from the fact that she's intelligent and kind, Aizawa thinks he doesn't really know who she is, yet. He couldn't seem to understand her decision. Why would she choose to plunge herself into the problem when she already has her entire future mapped out for her?

"The Capitol was completely enamoured by you, back then. Weren't you allowed to move there if you wanted?"

"I wouldn't have fit in." Shiraishi insists with a firm shake of her head. "I was there for a few months, and all I wanted, despite all the luxury I was given, was to go back home to Four."

"What about Volunteering? You didn't have to."

Shiraishi stays silent for a long time that Aizawa wonders for a split second if she has somehow fallen asleep. When he looks at her, and sees the moonlight illuminating her face, her long locks dancing against her neck to the cold breeze of the night, he finds his breath catching itself on his throat.

"I did it for the girl who died for me." Shiraishi finally says, and that is when Aizawa sees the tears glistening in her eyes. "Do you remember? That year, the Academy didn't choose any trainees to be their Volunteers."

Aizawa merely nods, remembering how Shinkai entered the Games that year, purely by being Reaped.

"She didn't have to Volunteer, but she did." Shiraishi sighs. "That was when I realised that I'd do the same, if given the chance. Remember when you asked me how I could throw a knife like that?"

Aizawa nods, remembering the short conversation they shared before Shinkai interrupted them. "I was adamant on repaying my fate from five years ago with a moment like this, volunteering for another. So I trained by myself, every day."

Aizawa is stunned, to say the least. How big is her heart that she is willing to subject herself to this nightmare? All this for something in the past, something no one would ever fault her for.

"Aren't you afraid?"

"Of course." Shiraishi admits softly, "But this could have been me five years ago. I'm thankful enough."

"It doesn't…work that way." Aizawa laments, feels his heart aching even though he doesn't know why. He had entered the Games with one goal in mind, but he isn't even sure of that now.

"I was already given five extra years. I shouldn't ask for more."

He stiffens, then rubs the back of his neck. "You're talking as if you're not going to make it out from the Games."

"I'm considering my chances against you, Aizawa." She turns to give him a genuine, heartfelt smile. "You're definitely making it out alive."

Aizawa doesn't reply, an uncomfortable feeling settling into his stomach.

As he awaits boarding the hovercraft which would bring them to the location of the Games, Aizawa takes in his surrounding one last time.

The Training Center, nearly touching the sky, the other buildings he'd never see in his own district, the bustling Capitol crowd of happy, privileged, lucky citizens, cheering for them from below, never having to worry that their children would suffer this ill-fate as theirs. Tributes speaking to their mentors, one last time, they're the ones he has to face in the Games a few hours from now, people he might have to eliminate to survive, to go home to his grandmother, to his district.

His eyes land on Shiraishi—Hiyama is whispering something to her, their foreheads nearly touching. Last minute advices to survive, to injure and kill? A reminder to stay alert, stay safe? He'd never know.

He sucks in his breath sharply, then feels a hand clamping down his shoulder. "You all right?"

It's Shinkai, of course, and Aizawa looks at him. He was in this same position years ago, how did he feel then? "Yeah. I'm fine."

Shinkai's expression softens, then says. "Stay alive, Aizawa."

Aizawa merely nods. "I will." He gives his mentor one last smile, and boards the hovercraft.

It takes just a moment for a change to happen.

A moment that usually lasts a few seconds, sometimes even less. It may have been anticipated, it may have not, but the reality is that a moment is usually all it takes to change someone's life forever, in Panem. An ill-fated moment, one could call it, but for those daring and brave, a moment of a lifetime, an honour.

Before the Games begin, as each Tributes stand on their respective platforms, the familiar tune of Panem echoes in the sky, alerting them of an important announcement. They look up to see a large projectile suspended in the air, the President of Panem appearing onscreen—an unexpected moment, for this has never happened before.

The Tributes hold their breaths, waiting for the President to speak. He finally does, a few seconds after, announcing that, by his benevolence and generosity, he wishes to change the rules of this year's Hunger Games.

It takes just a moment to turn the tide around completely.

And then he says it, just a few words, and all the Tributes begin to murmur, their eyes searching for their district partners. Aizawa frowns, not quite sure if he has heard right, but when his gaze meets that of Shiraishi's, it is evident that his ears had not deceived him. The President ends his announcement by wishing them the best of luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour.

When the 60-seconds countdown starts ticking, Aizawa is filled with a new found objective, the conversation he shared with Shiraishi remains vivid in his mind. He is sure that Shiraishi has, too.

The 67th Hunger Games. They will win it, and they will go home together.

( f i n )

Notes:

1) Shiraishi is faster than he realises or even knows, already snatching up one bag of supplies and a knife before she disappears into the forest, before anyone has the chance to attack her. The rest of the Tributes battle it out, 13 of them dead within five minutes.

2) They reunite some time after the initial bloodbath in the Cornucopia, Shiraishi extremely relieved to see that Aizawa escaped the site with just a few minor scratches.

3) The Career pack dissolves on the second day, with One A and Two A dead, killed by Twelve A and B.

4) Aizawa is ambushed by Two B, who nearly delivers a fatal blow on his head. But Shiraishi saves him, throwing a knife straight into Two B's heart, an instant kill—she didn't suffer.

5) Knowing the Capitol is keeping a watchful eye out on their narratives, Shiraishi snuggles closely into Aizawa, both sharing a blanket. She sleeps in that position as he keeps watch, her head leaning against his shoulder.

6) Aizawa obtains a golden trident from his Sponsors on the third day. Shiraishi obtains plenty of bread and water from hers. She shares them with him.

7) On the fifth day, six tributes remain. Shiraishi sets up snares around their site. Four tributes, by the end of the night.

8) Eleven B dies from eating a nightlock, lethal the moment she swallows it. Three tributes, left.

9) On the ninth day, Aizawa drives his trident into One B, a second too late and she would have killed Shiraishi. With only them remaining, the only district pair still alive, Aizawa and Shiraishi are both crowned as the Victors of the 67th Hunger Games.

10) They return home together.

Glossary;

1) Academy - An institution to train future Careers, found only in District 1, 2 and 4.

2) Capitol of Panem "The Capitol"/– A technologically advanced, utopian city, led by a dictator—the President. Its citizens are the wealthiest and the most powerful. Their children do not take part in the Hunger Games.

3) Career – A person trained from young for the purpose of entering the Hunger Games. They're usually vicious, strong, courageous and believe that participating in the Hungers Games is an honour.

4) Career District – Districts who produce Careers, usually the more loyal and wealthier districts, ie 1, 2 and 4.

5) Career Pack – An alliance made out of Careers, a formidable group of people who will not hesitate to kill since they're programmed to be like that.

6) Chariot Ride – an opening event for the Hunger Games, basically a procession through Panem. There are 12 chariots all together, for 12 districts. The 2 tributes of the same district share one chariot.

7) Chosen Tribute – A predetermined tribute chosen by the Academy who enters the Games willingly with the intention of winning. He/She would then volunteer during the Reaping.

8) District – There are 12 Districts in the Capitol of Panem, each districts specialise in different fields. Think of them as 12 different states, for example. Most of the districts live in poverty, except Districts 1, 2 and sometimes 4.

9) Escort – A citizen from the Capitol who becomes the spokeperson/representative of a particular District.

10)Gamemakers – The ones in charge of the Hunger Games, who design and plan the entire Games each year. Those who determines the Scores of each Tributes during their Scorings, and who control the arena during the Games.

11)Interview – Almost like a late night tv show where the Hosts would 'interview' the Tributes one by one following their districts. The host would usually ask them all sorts of questions. The purpose of the Interview is to show the Capitol citizens the personality of each tributes and for them to 'know them better' and to choose their favorites.

12)Mentor – A previous Victor from the same district, who would assist and advise the Tribute throughout the duration of the Games.

13)Nightlock – Poisonous/deadly berries.

14)Panem – The Ruling Government of this universe.

15)Peacemakers – Panem Military (remember, dystopian setting!)

16)Reaped – An act of being chosen by random through a ballot, for the Games.

17)Reaping – An event held annually to choose the Tributes for the Games.

18)Scorings – Rankings given to tributes after their private training session, ranging from one (lowest) to twelve (highest). It gives an idea to the Capitol citizens on which Tributes have the best chance of winning, and can also be a way to lure Sponsors in to invest on the Tribute. Thus, most Tributes desire for the highest score as possible.

19)Sponsors – Citizens in the Capitol who would bet on the tribute they love/support, and would offer monetary assistance which would then be used to buy the require items/tools/gears/essentials to be sent to the Tributes when the Games is ongoing.

20)The Hunger Games – A prestigious annual event where 2 people aged between 12~18 from each Districts are sent to an arena as part of a 'battle it all out until there's one last person standing' for entertainment to the Capitol citizens. This event is televised nationwide throughout the Capitol and all 12 Districts. Other than District 1, 2, 4, Tributes who get chosen from other Districts view this as an act of sending their children to death, as they have little to no chance of winning. This event serves as a reminder of the Rebellion (where all Districts revolted against the Capitol) that happened 67 (well in the books, 75 years) ago. In the books, the protagonists, Katniss and Peeta are from District 12 which is the poorest district of all districts. Throughout 74 years of the Hunger Games, only 1 Victor hailed from District 12 (Haymitch Abernathy).

21)Tribute – The person chosen to participate in the Hunger Games annually. There will always be one male and one female tributes from each districts.

22)Victor – The tribute who wins the Hunger Games ie the last (wo)man standing out of 24 Tributes.

23)Volunteer - A person who was not Reaped, but volunteered to be in the Games. Very common for Career Districts since they WANT to participate in the Games, but very rare for the other Districts. (In the movies/books, Katniss was the first ever to volunteer from District 12, to protect her 12 year old sister who was Reaped during the 74th Hunger Games)

a/n: And it's a wrap! I never had the intention to write a THG fic about the Games itself because that's just too brutal for me so pre-games was the best setting to really explore their dynamics before the Games, and I ended up liking this fic more than I expected. I hope you did, too. The Notes in the end are just something extra that I feel are important for a proper closure to satisfy your hearts haha. Thanks for sticking around!