I've never had any problems with Kiriyama. Not until today, at least. I mean, I've heard about the things he and his gang do. There's some sketchy stuff there. But I figured, as long as he stayed away from me, I'd do the same for him. In fact, the only form of interaction we had was always indirect. He and I were always at the top of the class – and even though I'd never admit it, I always saw him as a competitor for that top position.
I guess that's why I wasn't surprised to see that he was playing. I mean, yes, I was physically surprised when bullets emerged from nowhere and sliced open my gut. But the fact they were from Kiriyama? Not a shocker. A part of me always suspected that he'd try to come out on top in The Program too, just like school. I guess I showed him who's number one.
The fire reaches high into the sky. No one could survive an explosion like that, not even Kiriyama. I'm pleased with myself. Really, I am. I built the bomb. I made the plan. Kiriyama is crispier than bacon on burnt toast. I could have beaten The Program. That counts for something. But at the same time, I'm disappointed. Could have doesn't mean much. Like, I could have saved Yutaka's life. At the end of the day, Yutaka is still dead, and my intent doesn't count for shit.
That's my one regret right now. Yeah, I know that without duct tape, my intestines would be around my ankles. It reminds me of a joke – why is duct tape like The Force? Because there's a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. And right now, the universe is my gut. I'm not going to survive much longer. But like I said, my one regret is Yutaka. I dragged him into my plan, and he's dead because of me. Because I shot Keita, because I couldn't protect Yutaka from Kiriyama. When I found him, I thought I was saving his life, protecting him from an early elimination and taking him with me off the island. As I stare at the gaping hole in the back of his head, I realize I might as well have pulled the trigger myself.
The sound is so soft that I barely hear it above the inferno raging in front of me. But I do hear it, the pad of a footstep. Someone's found me, and I realize how stupid I've been, standing next to an explosion that can be seen from all over the island. I spin around, ready to pull the trigger. But I hesitate, because there stands Kiriyama, without a scratch on him. The submachine gun explodes in his hands and I can't help but scream as tiny holes bore through my body.
I fall backwards, my body feeling limp. This doesn't look so good for me anymore. Kiriyama slowly approaches me, getting a fresh clip of bullets for his gun. But I barely notice him anymore. Why are my thoughts drifting to my friends? I thought my whole life was supposed to flash before my eyes, so where are all the ladies?
I won't lie, seeing my friends fill me with more regret. Yutaka knew how I felt about him, but what about the rest of them? Could they see past my pompous attitude? Did they know that without them, I'd be lost? Did they hear the words beyond my sarcastic remarks, my selfish attitude?
Kiriyama looms over me. He's ready to take his spot at the number one position. Well, I may be down, but I'm not out. My friends may not ever know how much they matter to me, and that's my own fault, but I know how I can make it up to them. Kiriyama dies right here, right now. I will be his last victim. That will be my legacy in The Program – I may not have taken down the system, but I'll kill the one guy who prevented me from doing it.
Prepare to tie me for the number one position.
"Clutch shot, motherfucker," I say, forcing all my energy into raising the gun towards his face. I see Kiriyama stumble back, but it's too late. He's mine. I fire the gun, watching the bullet explode from the end of my gun, making a beeline for Kiriyama's throat. A single sidestep, that's all it took. It almost looks like he stepped before I fired the gun. Anticipation – he knew I wasn't finished, he probably knew before I did. Just like he knew I had a bomb – it's the only way he could have made is out of the barn in one piece.
He swings his arm up and fires a single shot that pierces my chin. Blood begins to gather in the back of my throat as I struggle to breathe. I choke and sputter as I run through the last couple of seconds over and over again. A single sidestep. I missed the shot. I failed.
Kiriyama stoops to pick up his dropped items, and he stares into my face. I see the slightest hint of smile, but that's not possible. Kiriyama never smiles – even I know that. But it's written all over his face – he's number one. And he knows it. Who else can take him down if not me? I watch him turn his back on me, and he looks almost disappointed, like he expected more from me. Someone else will have to take him down.
Shuuya.
I don't have much time left. My coughing and sputtering stops – I can't breathe. I see the nail a few inches from my hand. I grasp it and begin to scratch into the metal behind me.
Take the shot…