Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applied. Refer to the first chapter of this fan fiction, thanks :)

Reaper Game: Reload

by masamune11

...

[Chapter 4]

[ Day 2 part 1: Of Tour and Ramen ]

I had suspected from the start that such thing—me, waking up in the scramble suddenly without clear explanation on how do I get here—would happen, sooner or later. The buzzing sounds of footsteps, horns, and icon music of Shibuya practically woke me up like an alarm clock ringing ten times, without pause.

No. I was not confused. Trust me, after three times playing a game—in which you have to fight for your own existence, blacking out after supposedly fulfilling your objective in this game—; this would not faze you a bit. As I snapped open my eyes, I could almost breath the air and know that we're back in scramble. One day had passed, and that, without any mission being sent into my cell phone.

Ah, about cell phone… Minato should have one, shouldn't he?

I slowly got on my feet, realizing that my injuries—though minors—are gone. Clean and ready, like new. There was an urge to ask this person about how and why things unpredictable like before happened, but judging on how things had wrapped up so far, I doubted that he will answer much. If there's something I can be sure of, that is this person is a fighter—an experienced one at that.

And apparently, said person was still lying on the scramble and did not give any sign of waking up in several minutes to come. I sighed; I could go there and woke him up myself and asked questions—like what did he do in the last battle (after analyzing what happened before, I am very positive that the android is not part of psych), who the heck is that blond man with wings (could he be a reaper? Reapers have wings, though his is not similar) or how do the enemy knew of the teen. Again, I doubted he would give the answer. The teen was confused enough—more than myself, perhaps.

So many questions, no one seems to have the answer though. Take example of yesterday: how come they could battle the noise without being transferred into a whole new plane. Had Joshua tweaked the rules? Nevertheless, I would not get an answer about this from the blue-haired teen—

—speaking of which, he was starting to get around.

"I hope you have a good rest," I said, straight to the point. No point in taking indirect advances, yes? "Cause it seems we'll be busy for today as well."

Of course, standing next to the guy and voicing my opinion just like that… surely the guy understood what I was saying, right? However, when I saw him rose and spun around to search something missing, I could easily guarantee that he's not heard of me. Yet.

"Oi," I eventually raise my voice a bit, just to make sure that he hears. Minato slowly turns around to meet my gaze and nods; so much for staying silent, I guess. Slowly, the bluenette stands on his ground, hands beating around his shoulders. I guess it's natural; if I were to wear those kind of uniform in broad daylight like this, that would be the first thing I will do to stay clean.

Oh, and speak of the devil, at least someone does not forget his duty.

My cell phone rang once and I automatically reached out to it. One message, and I could already predict it as the mission-for-today memo. What I was not aware at first, however, was the fact that I'm the only one to open my own cell. Arisato Minato, on the other hand, slowly approached me, obviously wanting to know what have I got in my arsenal.

I mean does this guy even have a cell phone? Good question.

"You don't have one, do you?"

"I had."

At least he made a point that he once had one.

It's not really a long silence, because we have silently decided that the SMS message is more important than such trivial (but a bit unbelievable) matters. So, both of us quickly read the details. As I reach the last words, however, I cannot comprehend the mind of this week's game master. I mean, who the heck will give such vague mission? Is Joshua going hei-hoo again and decides to pick a madman as the game master? …Well, Kariya is a possible candidate in his assumption, not counting his laid-back attitude, of course.

"I guess this means there will be more fights ahead?" Minato asks quietly. I don't have to search his face again to feel that he's growing cautious—be-careful-of-what-you-wish-for cautious.

I sigh and put my cell phone back into my pocket. Yes, Minato is making a good point, but unhelpful in any ways. In this game, growing stronger is essential. As days come to pass by, the last day goes in hand; and the enemies grow stronger than before. Surviving becomes the key. And today, surviving becomes their main mission.

I could easily recall the message in my mind. It is not that hard, considering how simple those words describes what they must do today; the most obvious message, applied for the whole 5 days left.

"Don't run. Stay alive."

"Seems that way," I nodded and once again scanned for my surroundings. Minato left me to do the work. Perhaps he realized that I am doing something important? But surely, Minato should also be able to help me scan the entire area. Wait, had I yet not explained how the pin works in the first place? Or maybe the teen had already felt that crazy sensation when everybody's voice invades your personal beliefs and paradigm first-handedly.

I sighed once more and concentrated, just to reach Shibuya's daily tune. The buzzing of people surrounding us felt so alive; Shibuya is just as the same way as I remember it, with the fast pace of life, the melody of bustling streets, and—oh, was that despair that I feel? That, sometimes, makes up Shibuya as well. Aside from anything ordinary, I sought for something… off. Anything. It's better this than having danger rushes in without us noticing, right?

But no, I found nothing wrong.

Loosening the grip on my headphones, I opened my eyes and let out a sigh of discontent. Well, perhaps I should be glad that there's nothing wrong going on around us, but I had to admit that this… sense of rightness just screamed to my instinct that everything is. Not. Right.

"So, did you find anything?"

Minato's voice snaps me to reality. I noticed that he scan the area—not mentally, of course—visually, as though he also notice the unnerving rightness. "No. But my instinct sense danger, aside from the nature of the game itself, of course."

"I see…"

Silence, but not for long, because Minato decided to voice his mind once more.

"Say… are we supposed to stay here?"

I lift an eyebrow in response, "not really. I mean, there were no specific messages as of where should we go—"

"Care to guide me around Shibuya then? You see, this is not the first time I've been here, but I don't know my way around. So… I think this would be a good chance to actually feel the air of the city and all—"

At that response, I wanted to face-palm, comically.

In the end, I decided that being a tour guide during a reaper game is pretty much rewarding, to some extent. Oddly enough, I noticed Minato always cringed at every takoyaki stand we happen to cross upon. And that behavior… somewhat reminded me of a very reserved Shiki. Oh, and that's not the only thing why he resembled the girl close, because Arisato Minato found standing in front of Lapin Angelique is pretty much enjoyable… and alluring. Those two qualities did not match for me, nor did the store have ever offered me the relevant model to take.

The teen asked whether we could enter the room—a request that I turned down almost instantly before dragging the said boy away from the gothic-lolita store.

"But I want to see what's inside!"

I easily dismissed his comment as though they were buzzing bees—unimportant, at least than how said teen's tummy growled. We stopped, clearly because both of us knew we need to eat. I saw the teen smiled lightly, and stopped bickering for a moment. I sighed once again, understanding without even asking where we should go.

"Fine, we'll eat for now," I rolled my eyes and started walking away from the teen, knowing that Minato would follow me anyway. Whose tummy was growling, then?

In hunger, we walked down the road, passing some crowds cheering for minor band. Apparently, a certain female singer was invited (and encouraged) to have her show in the A-East. But really, I'd rather stay out of this concert first and had my stomach filled. Minato would appreciate that, right? Why am I thinking of this? Let's just say my eyes were still so good that they detected twinkles and sparkles brimming from the eyes of my partner. It does not take a genius to say that Minato is eager to watch the concert—whoever was present.

"I wonder, who's singing…"

"Later Minato. Food comes first."

"Oh, hi kid! The usual? I see you brought a new face here!"

I smiled placidly as we entered the infamous Ken Doi Ramen shop. The owner and I had been going along by far for a while, which is quite understandable considering of what me and my friends had done in the past. Ever since that three-week game, I had been hanging out on this store much often than I should, to the point that Ken Doi usually offered me a free ramen bowl, once in two or three weeks. Not that I'm complaining, but…

"So, your order?" the owner asked again while sorting up ingredients in his place. I dragged Minato to seat in the nearest seat available, which was on the rim of the long-chair. The ramen shop was not really crowded at the moment. Perhaps most regulars are were watching whatever concert was running in A-East.

I felt Minato poked my shoulders, so I looked back at him. "What is it?"

Minato made a look and was clearly confused at how easy I converse with the man. "He could see us?"

…Oh.

My hand swiftly pointed at a certain logo made by the wall of the shop; graffiti made for the purpose of the game, drawn by the shape of skull and cross. "I never really explained about that during our tour, but that logo made us visible during the game, in certain shops." I explained in low voice. There's no way that we would converse about the Game in front of a certain civilian, right? Minato nodded in understanding and smiled.

"So, The usual kid?"

Again, that baritone voice picked my attention again. I realized we've been ignoring the ramen shop owner for a bit just to discuss about the logo painted invisibly (at least, not to normal civilian's eyes) on the wall. In return, I just gave the man a friendly apologizing grin.

"Sorry for ignoring, Ken," I said, "And like you said before, he's new. I'll have shoyu, then. What about you, Minato?"

"…the same?"

Obviously, said person did not have any idea about what to order, and I didn't blame him. "Well Ken that makes it two bowls. My treat," I concluded and gave the other teen a look. Yes, perhaps I'm being too generous, but seriously, I doubted Minato has the money to pay his own lunch today. Besides, shoyu ramen is not that expensive, at least compared to the ramen next store.

"Well, two shoyu ramen, coming right up," the merrily working shop owner stated and began running his hands with ingredients. At least, while waiting for Ken to finish his preparation, they could get to know each other, right? Well, our first meeting was not civil (what do you expect from participants of the Game?). It's better to restart things a bit.

"So, Minato," I finally started but paused. What was it again that I want to ask? Ah, his background at least. "Where are you from?"

Apparently, said teen was busy with his earphone but stopped as he noticed me asking. "Iwatodai. I applied to Gekkoukan High School," he said in finality, not realizing that his eyes were deep in shades of sadness and.. longing. Perhaps, this person is reminiscing something worth remembering—or it was just me. Perhaps this is where Shiki would stop pursuing information about this teen, but I'm not her. In this dangerous situation, it's much better to know each other more.

"You seemed well-versed in using your psyche, Minato. You've been in battles such as these, before?" I asked, hoping that I would bring any reaction—from the simplest gesture to a glimpsing eyes—and realized that Minato was staring mildly at the wooden board in front of us. He was entranced, as though certain memories were trying to resurface but some invisible forces were trying to prevent them from happening.

When he seemed to lose his focus altogether, I decided to draw the line.

"Oi, Minato," I uttered mildly at first, trying to bring him back to the present. Minato did not present any positive response. Instead of an affirmative response, his eyes went unfocused. Not a good sign. Promptly, I managed to grip his left shoulder and harshly shook it. Modesty be damned; I was worried!

"Minato!" I exclaimed and felt the glare of concern from the other side of the counter. It seemed Ken Doi noticed the worried tone in my voice and decided to come near both us. I'm glad that Minato snapped out almost immediately. His head slowly turned to me in bewildered stare, as though he had seen something incomprehensible.

"You okay there, kid? I think you need some rest. Why don't you go home?" Ken Doi stated and put our orders in front of us. Somehow, I lost my appetite due to this disruption.

I thought Ken Doi was right. But going home would not resolve anything, not when we're in the game to begin with. I was sure Joshua, as usual, put invisible borders to prevent us from crossing out Shibuya. In short, going to Iwatodai—where ever that was—is a complete impossibility.

"I'm alright, sir, thank you," Minato managed softly. Ken Doi was bout to comment, but Minato insisted some more words, which left the former quickly shut his oncoming words. "I'm sorry to cause you much trouble."

He was met my eyes for a moment, and I thought who I was not Minato. That inhumane stare was too cold for a teen that had the impulse to visit Shibuya's tourist points a few hours ago. And what was this unsettling feeling that silently clawed at the back of my mind?

"What is it?"

"…no, it's nothing. Let's eat."

He lied—I could see it easily, really—but I decided to drop matter at that. At least, I wouldn't want to risk him going stagnant like that. My lost appetite never returned, but I kept eating on my shoyu ramen just to calm my nerve.

This could not go on; one way or another, Minato must talk.

[To Be Continued…]