----- G9
It would appear that the gun was not as effective as he had anticipated.
At close range, yes, but long range, he seemed to have been unable to hit Ryuhei on target. Another disadvantage of the gun was the rate it used up ammunition, just like he had previously read. That meant that the machine was inefficient. Most inefficient.
Kiriyama turned the handle of the clinic door. Inside were three variables that he had seen with clarity before he had opened fire. In his mind, he quickly passed over the few details he could remember.
Ryuhei Sasagawa, Boy number 10. Was originally being bullied by Mitsuru Numai. Favourite subject: Sport. Most disliked subject: Maths. Most regularly purchased lunch: Anything containing rice. Ryuhei likes Rice salted. Sometimes he would get his mother to make it that way. Home life: Better certainly than Hiroshi or Mitsuru, yet less than myself of Shou. The house lacked emotional attachment or support but was not violent. It has been suggested that emotional attachment and support is critical in a child's development. A theory held by behavioural psychologists...
He continued to recall any facts that he could remember at high speed as he swung the door open and walked inside.
The smell on the air was that of blood, and there was a whimpering sound coming from a doorway that inevitably would lead to a larger room, if Kazuo was familiar with the architectural design. It was a style most commonly used in suburban housing that incorporated business facilities, including clinics. A most efficient piece of information to have remembered. Indeed.
The whimpering sound was vastly likely to be that of Yuko Sakaki, girl number 9 who showed strong religious conviction, something Kazuo found highly... interesting.
He moved at a casual speed into the larger room, which was a little larger than he had anticipated, yet only a little.
There was Yuko, in the corner, her body language expressing quite clearly that she was scared. Interesting. In the centre of the room was a large amount of blood, and Ryuhei's body. Kazuo could not detect any sign that Hiroshi was still there.
"What happened?" Kazuo asked.
It seemed Yuko had not been expecting this, as she entered more whimpering, before calming down enough to say "Hiroshi poisoned Ryuhei..."
Kazuo nodded. From the way she spoke, the likelihood of her lying was fairly high, though he knew there was no way to tell for definite. It would be advantageous to find out if she was or not. "What is your weapon?"
Yuko looked around nervously, before her eyes fell on an object near Ryuhei. "A fan!"
This reaction made it even more likely she was lying. She had actually had to look for it, and considering the situation, it was unlikely that she would forget her weapon. It was also unlikely that Ryuhei would have been holding it if it was hers. The fan was probably Ryuhei's weapon. Probably. Though he wouldn't know for sure, Kazuo knew it was wise to assume things when the likelihood was this high. He had to play the odds. That was how casino's worked, and how they always ended up making money. "And Hiroshi?" he asked.
"He... took Ryuhei's knife and ran!" Yuko cried. "Please... don't... shoot"
Kazuo tilted his head to the side. It was an intriguing request. The gun was inefficient, and he had not been able to kill Ryuhei, yet it appeared Yuko had. Kazuo theorised that most members of the class would feel more intimidated by him than Yuko. She would make an interesting partner certainly, as she was evidentially more lethal than she seemed. But Kazuo knew the truth, and would keep an eye on her. If he knew what she was up to, she wouldn't be able to outwit him. The probability of it was low. Very low indeed.
"Don't shoot..." Yuko repeated, her voice trembling with fear.
"Alright." Kazuo said coldly, lowering the gun.
----- F5
Oh... what the hell am I doing?
Haruka couldn't help but laugh.
This is fucking ridiculous!
She was currently walking around with her police baton raised threateningly, as if anyone who saw it would be completely overcome with fear. Oh, what are you playing at? You really think you can try stop the fighting? Really think your the policewoman now? Ha!
"This is pathetic" she mumbled to herself. She knew that she had to do something to stop her class from killing each other, but acting like a little policewoman was more comical than helpful. "What I need..."
"You just need to calm down!"
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"I'm your father! What I say goes!" Mr. Tanizawa said harshly.
Haruka hated everything about her father. His stupid looking moustache... the way that when he shouted, he always spat at her... and the way he hurt her mother.
"Haruka please..." Mrs. Tanizawa called out from behind her daughter. "Daddy just slipped. It doesn't matter..."
"You heard your mother! Now scoot!"
But Haruka wouldn't budge. "You didn't slip! You meant to hit her! Don't fucking patronise me!"
"What you need, young lady, is to calm down and learn some manners!"
Calm down...
Haruka rubbed her eyes. She was beginning to feel sleepy. "What I need..." she mumbled to herself, staring up at the sky.
"What I need is a gun..."
She moved forward once more, angrily swatting the branches of the trees out of her way with the baton.
"Yeah right... my fucking lucky day... what a fuck up..."
Haruka looked up. The voice had been very close. Someone was near. Definitely a girl... and it sounded like... Hirono.
Haruka smiled. Hirono was a bad girl, yes. Probably playing as well... maybe she'd have a gun. She knew what she had to do. Stop people from playing the game. Whatever means necessary...
As Haruka crouched down behind a large tree, she saw Hirono briefly through the leaves. The other girl was still muttering to herself.
"Stupid ass... just my luck... ah fuck it..."
Haruka gripped the baton even tighter in her hands. Hirono appeared through the leaves once more... she was only a few meters away from Haruka, and it seemed the girl was soaking wet, and covered in mud. Haruka stared on in confusion.
"Stupid puddle." Hirono muttered spitefully. "Thinks its so tough just coz it's all big and muddy and just coz I fell in. Little shit."
Haruka tried to suppress her giggle at this. The image of Hirono falling into a puddle was more than amusing. Poetic justice in a way. However, it seemed to be a bad move for Haruka. Hirono had heard.
"Who's there?" Hirono cried, raising the gun. "Mitsu, that you?"
Haruka leapt back so her back was to the tree. Ah crap...
"Who is it? Hey, I heard you alright, just come out!"
Silence.
"I'll shoot!"
More silence.
Hirono sighed. "Ah screw it. Fucking badger or sommat... stupid puddle..."
Suddenly, a new darkness was cast upon them. Hirono looked up at the sky. The moon was once more being blocked by clouds. Ah crap...
Sinking to the floor, Hirono fumbled around for her flashlight. Probably won't work... sodding thing. Just my luck...
Haruka gripped the baton tightly again. Hirono had threatened to shoot. She has a gun... Haruka smiled. What I need...
Is a gun...
----- H5
"Yumiko?"
"Where's Yoji?"
"I'm here? Where are you guys?"
The three of them were completely lost in the darkness, fumbling around in the ruins blindly. The concealing of the moon had completely taken away their ability to see in the shadows of the ruin, and Mitsuko was probably in there with them by now.
Yoji had one hand out to the side, one pointing in front of him. The one to his side ran against the stony wall, and the one in front stopped him from running flat into something... or someone. There was supposed to be a solution to mazes... if you turn left every time, or was it right?
"Guys! I dropped the gun! I dropped it!"
Yoji looked around, trying to work out which direction Yumiko's voice had come from. Somewhere to the left...
"Yumiko?" he cried out.
There was no response.
A new sense of panic washed over Yoji... what had happened?
"Yumiko!" called out another voice from even further away. It was Yukiko...
Yoji stumbled forward blindly, in the direction Yumiko's voice had come from. Please let her be OK... please!
Yukiko was crawling on all fours, trying to keep her breathing under control. Surely everyone would be able to hear her at the rate her heart was beating. Yumiko...
She couldn't be dead... she simply couldn't! They had always been best friends... Always! Yumiko had always been there for Yukiko when it mattered most. She couldn't loose her now.
I'm coming Yumiko... Yukiko thought determinedly, as she moved forward at a faster pace.
Yoji was sure he was close now. He didn't want to call out for Yumiko again... she hadn't answered last time anyway, and he didn't want to give Mitsuko another change to locate them.
He stepped forward again... stumbled, and nearly fell flat on his face. He had trodden on something... a loose rock, or something like that.
He reached down with his hands, his fingers moving across the cold and damp stone floor. They came to rest on something metallic. The gun!
Yoji picked it up slowly, his hand automatically gripping it by the handle with a finger on the trigger. Something about it... something felt uncomfortable. Yoji didn't want to hold the gun. He shuddered.
He slowly backed away into the corner. Yumiko wasn't there... What could have happened to her?
In his head though, only one answer would present itself. She's dead...
Yoji stared into the darkness, the gun raised. He was shaking with fear. Mitsuko could be anywhere. She could be standing right in front of him and he wouldn't know! Right in front of him! She could be inches away from his face!
Yoji felt his finger press down on the trigger. Gasping, he released it immediately. No... no... calm down Yoji...
Yoshimi smiled. "It's nothing to get worked up about."
Yoji whimpered. "But... now it looks really crappy... it really sucks!"
"Yoji..." Yoshimi said soothingly. "It's... it's only a pastry..."
Yoji looked up at her, and slowly smiled. She was so beautiful. And so kind... always looking out for him. "But... it was a really nice pastry... and some of the filling fell out..." his voice trailed away. Yoshimi was right. It was only a pastry.
They both started giggling at the same time.
Yoshimi sighed. Yoji had always been unpredictable. He was the type of person who could well throw an anger fit because he dropped a pencil, then not be bothered if his house burnt down. But still... it did make him cuter. Yoshimi knew that with Yoji, at least he was always honest with how he felt. It might not always be easy, but truth never was. It was better than going out with someone who always lied about their feelings. Yoshimi didn't want to live a lie.
"We could get ice cream afterwards..." Yoshimi suggested, an Yoji nodded.
"Yeah, OK. Oh oh oh! I know a place that does the most divine chocolate ice cream ever!" he squealed excitedly.
Yoshimi laughed. "You're such a dork."
Yoji grinned, but then felt someone behind him, pushing him to the side. He glanced up to see a tall girl with long hair walking past. She'd pushed past without even saying 'excuse me'...
"Oh... Mitsuko..." Yoshimi said, glancing back at Yoji, "Are you OK?"
Yoji nodded, glaring at Mitsuko, who still seemed to be unaware of his presence. She smiled down at Yoshimi. "Me and Hirono found some guy downtown who sells a good time. Just a few pills, we're going to try them tonight. You up for it?"
"Erm..." Yoshimi bit her lip. "... sure. OK."
"Great, see you tonight. Hiro's place." Mitsuko said, moving away once more slyly through the crowd. It was as if she had never been there at all.
Yoshimi moved over to Yoji, who was looking severely pissed off. "Sorry about that..."
Yoji didn't respond for a while. "She pushed straight past me..."
"She can be a bit... eager to get through crowds..."
"But she made me spill some more filling from the pastry!"
Yoshimi sighed.
Was that sound the wind or someone's breathing?
Yoji whirled around in a panic, the gun pointing in one random direction, then another, then another. He targeted invisible enemies blindly. Where was she? Where was Mitsuko hiding? Where the hell are you?
"Who is the extra?"
Yoji's face curled into a snarl. Mitsuko never cared about him. Never cared about Yoshimi. She was playing for definite... a selfish bitch. She didn't deserve to be spared. She killed Yumiko...
Yoji could never forgive her for that.
Where the hell are you?
There was a sound from behind him caused Yoji to whirl around again, the gun aiming blindly. Had he imagined it? Where was...
Then he felt it. Something on his back. A hand... someone was grabbing him from behind!
Yoji grinned, but then felt someone behind him, pushing him to the side. He glanced up to see a tall girl with long hair walking past. She'd pushed past without even saying 'excuse me'...
MITSUKO...
Yoji swung around, crying out into the night. "NO!" I will kill you!
He fired the trigger.
The sound echoed around the ruins.
Everything felt like it was in slow motion. Yoji's chest rose and fell with breathing slowly, his heartbeat ringing in his ears.
Then he felt something fall against him. A body... Mitsuko's body falling against him. He cried out once more in fear as he and the corpse fell against the wall.
Then, the moon once more showed it's face. It peered gently through a hole in the clouds, casting it's gentle light peacefully on the land below.
Yoji opened his eyes in horror. For a flash of a second, he glanced down at the body he had just shot.
Short hair.
The body had short hair, not long hair like Mitsuko!
Yoji screamed, pushing the body away, and running as fast as he could, not daring to look back. Yumiko... I shot Yumiko... Oh fuck! Jesus Christ! I MURDERED her!
"Help! Yumiko! Yoji!"
Yoji came to a halt. Yukiko... that was Yukiko's voice!
"Help! Please!" her voice shook as if she was crying. "Mitsuko, please no!"
Yoji stood rooted to the spot, tearful and trembling, the gun still clutched in his hand. I killed her...
Murderer...
"Help!"