Chapter 6: Eyes Wide Open

Three long, disparaging hours had passed since the beginning of this ruthless game, the game called Battle Royale. Two people had already died that the students knew about, but they were clueless to any other deaths that may have happened since the start. Truly, there were already three deaths. Several people had already gotten into confrontations, but luckily no one had killed anybody else yet except for Enishi.

At the moment everyone was wandering cautiously throughout the island. Some were sneaking through the forest while others were hiding in abandoned shacks and buildings. Not many people were in the city yet even though there were many abandoned places fit to hide in. Surprisingly, not many people were finding hiding spots. In the other Battle Royales that was the first thing students usually did. In this one, though, only about five or six students were in hiding.

Near the edge of the deserted city was a large subway station. It had large windows all around it, several of which were broken or cracked. There were four mechanic sliding doors, but none of them worked so to enter you'd have to pry them open. The exterior of the subway station was dirty and crusted with rust. White paint had scraped off the side, replaced by the silver of the steel used to build the colossal structure. It was strange that an island had a subway station. Although there were several places on the island, it would only take about ten minutes to walk from one spot to the next. There really wasn't a need for a subway. That didn't matter now though. The subway station was composed of two levels; the top level was the lobby where a passenger could buy tickets and wait for trains to come by and the lower level was where most passengers awaited arriving and departing trains. Holding the subway station up were several columns that were somehow still standing. Cracks in the stone beset the columns, but they were serious enough to actually do some major damage. There were also many cracks in the tiled floor that caused the floor to pop up in some places.

In the center of the subway station was a large counter where tickets could be purchased. Quite a few computers were set at the counter with chairs behind them. People were obviously meant to be working here. Wherever they were now was anybody's guess. Seated behind the counter was Hiro Kurosawa (Boy #21). He found the subway station about an hour ago and had been hiding in it since then. His back leaned against the counter while he bent his knees upwards. With one hand on his left knee and the other hand holding his assigned weapon, he rested. Though his eyes were open, he was asleep. It was an ability Hiro learned to perfect a while ago. It was eerie to see someone sleeping with their eyes open, but it was helpful.

The night was burning hot even though a slight breeze was blowing throughout the island. It was a humid, tropical heat that made everything smell worst. The air even smelled rancid. Though the corpses of Ichigo Yagami, Yamato Sakai, and Hitomi Kawamura were far, far away from the subway station, their stenches had drifted all through the island. That was one of the main reasons Hiro snuck into the subway station. He wanted to get away from the sickening odor, but unfortunately, it drifted through the broken windows. On his way in, Hiro cursed the smell and tried his best to stop smelling it. There was no cure for that though.

Hiro had only been sleeping for seven minutes when the stench of death awoke him. It smelled like the wind carried the stench and past right by Hiro's nose. He cringed and stood up to stretch. Cracking his knuckles, he surveyed the room. No one else had come in for the door he pried open with his bare hands was closed. Hiro made sure to close the door once he entered the subway station so no one would think he was inside. Though he probably got about ten or more hours of sleep before waking in the classroom, Hiro was remarkably tired. His mouth opened wide as a yawn past through his teeth. Clasping his mouth with his left hand, Hiro sat back down. He unzipped his survival pack and brought out a bottle of water. The bottle had yet to be opened so Hiro broke the seal off of it and pressed the quarter-sized hole to his lips. Cool water rushed out of the bottle and hit his tongue and gums. Hiro finished drinking and licked his lips before twisting the bottle cap over the top of the water bottle. Placing the water bottle back into his pack, Hiro leaned his head back against the counter.

Of all the people in this sick game, Hiro was probably the calmest. He seemed to have no problem being placed in this situation even though he knew how wrong it was. Truth be told, Hiro was actually the perfect person to be put into the Battle Royale. He wasn't close at all to his classmates and was in peak physical condition. Hiro was the fastest kid in Class A and was probably the strongest or second strongest. During the class' fitness tests in gym class, he got near perfect scores, awing his classmates. Hiro didn't think much of it though; to him it was just another grade. The only thing that could ruin Hiro's chances in Battle Royale was his morality. The boy was incredibly just and hated seeing people be wronged. If it wasn't for that, Hiro surely would've won the game by now.

The thought to win this thing never came across Hiro's mind though. All he could think about at the moment were his friends, the ones he lost last year. A solemn, gloomy look appeared on his face as he thought about them. Looking up at the darkness of the ceiling, he could almost see their faces staring down at him. They all smiled even though Hiro knew they were in pain. Hanging his head low, Hiro reached into his back pocket and pulled out a black leather wallet. The wallet had several bills stuck inside and a few coins. There was also a credit card and other sorts of cards stuck in the card slots. Stitched into the binding of the wallet were several plastic covers for photographs. There were no photos in the covers, though, save for one. It was slightly wrinkled and the color was beginning to wear away. What it showed was clear as day though. Photographed were Hiro and other kids his own age. Hiro was actually smiling and he was smiling wide. His arm was around a beautiful young girl's shoulders, who wrapped her arm around Hiro's waist. Beside Hiro was a teenage boy grinning with his thumbs up. Clinging onto the grinning boy's back was a shorter boy who was wearing wide-rimmed glasses. He was smiling almost as much as the grinning boy. Behind the girl next to Hiro was another girl who wore a short skirt. She had her arm around the girl and Hiro and smiled cheerfully at the photographer. A small teardrop fell onto the middle of the wrinkled photograph and slipped down onto Hiro's hand. He snuffled and wiped his eyes dry.

CLUNK!

Hiro's head snapped to the side and he stuck the wallet back into his pocket. Picking up the switchblade next to him, Hiro slowly stood up. From the counter he could see someone at the doorway he had opened earlier. Although the person's face couldn't be seen, Hiro could tell it was a girl. The person had a slightly large frame, but Hiro could also see breast pressed up against the door. No guys in his class had a body like that, Hiro was sure. The person was trying hard to open the door. Whoever it was, she wanted to get in real badly. She began pounding the glass with her closed fist constantly. Finally, she managed to smash the glass of the door open with what looked like a chisel. It took several tries, but she managed to do it. Carefully, she stepped into the subway station and looked around.

With her trusty, bloodstained chisel, Yuriko managed to break into the subway station. After getting away from Ando Akabane, Yuriko headed for the city. The abandoned city seemed like a place where the students would hide, but no one was there. How strange. Yuriko wandered around for maybe thirty minutes before spotting the large subway station. It looked like the perfect place to hide and appeared as if no one had chosen to hide in it yet. Even if somebody was hiding there, Yuriko was sure she could kill them. All she'd have to do is plunge her chisel straight into their neck or head and they'd be dead. It would be that easy. Smiling at the simplicity, Yuriko began wandering around the subway station. Simplicity – it was something Yuriko liked. She hated when things got complicated. She always thought things were better off left simple and easy. The easy wasn't as rewarding, but at least you could things done faster.

As Yuriko looked around the subway station, one of the tiles that had popped up from the floor caused her to trip. Her feet stumbled around and her slightly chubby body crashed onto the tiled floor. A few weakened tiles shattered as she landed hard on them. Grunting, she used her chisel to help herself back up to her feet.

So far, so good. No one appeared to be in the subway station. There was no one near the credit card stations and vending machines and no one near the rows of orange chairs. All Yuriko had to search through now was the front counter. It was fairly large and squared the center of the subway station. A part of the counter flipped back and forth when it was moved. It was like one of those doors in saloons from old cowboy movies. Yuriko liked those kinds of movies. It was all about the cowboy entering town, causing a little trouble, and having a shootout with the local posse. That was simple and simple was good. Yuriko planned to do things like that.

She pushed the moving door and stepped into the counter. Just as she walked behind the counter, she saw an indistinguishable figure sitting in a corner. It was hard to tell whether or not the figure was dead, but as she got closer, Yuriko could tell it was breathing. Though softly, it was breathing nonetheless. The figure was wearing a white hoody and black jeans; he blended in perfectly with the counter. The counter was white and cast a long shadow. If Yuriko didn't see the figure bobble up and down like a log floating in a river, she wouldn't have been able to tell it apart from the counter and its shadow.

Luckily, the figure appeared to be sleeping. Yuriko readied her chisel and grinned madly. The insanity of the Battle Royale had obviously gotten to her as evidenced by her looks. Lunging forward, she stuck the chisel out before her. Suddenly, the figure moved swiftly and rolled out of the way. Yuriko landed on one knee and turned to her prey. It was a boy, but who it was, she couldn't tell. Yuriko charged at him once more and swung the chisel wildly in front of her at her opponent's face. The boy dodged every attack made at him, though. Yuriko couldn't tell, but the moonlight shining through the windows showed his right hand thrust forward with a switchblade in it. The blade dug deep into Yuriko's stomach and made her wince. Quickly, she backed away from her opponent and climbed on top of the counter. Waving her hand in a welcoming motion, she ordered the boy to come at her.

Promptly, the boy leaped at her, the moonlight revealing his identity. It was Hiro Kurosawa, the only person who showed her compassion. Though he said only two words, they were enough to convince Yuriko he was being genuine and sincere. Frozen in her tracks, Hiro was able to slash her again. This time, the cut wasn't as deep, but it caused Yuriko to fall off the counter. She was about to stand, but Hiro's body came out from behind the counter and landed on top of her. Hiro pointed the switchblade at her face, but didn't do anything more.

"I'm not trying to play this game," Hiro warned her, "so if you want to live then leave."

Even after she'd tried to kill him, he was still showing compassion. He was giving Yuriko the chance to escape with her life in tact. No doubt it was a true charitable act. However, Yuriko planned on using this opportunity to get her first kill. Dropping the chisel from her hand, Yuriko raised her palms in front of her. Hiro nodded and let her up, even helping her. Yuriko dusted herself off then picked up the chisel.

"I'm sorry I attacked you," she lied, feigning deep regret. "I… I was just afraid. I thought you were gonna kill me if I didn't kill you first."

"No problem," Hiro replied. "Just leave now."

Nodding, Yuriko turned and walked to the doorway. As she slowly walked to the exit, she heard Hiro sigh and turn around. Almost as quickly as she had lied, Yuriko spun around and leaped at Hiro with her chisel. Hiro turned and had no time to react; the flat blade of the chisel scraped his cheek, drawing blood. When Yuriko turned to leave, Hiro closed his switchblade. Now that he thought about it, it was a bad idea for he was unable to flip it back out. Yuriko's speed was incredible for someone her size and frame. Her hand moved about like a buzzing wasp attempting to sting something. Hiro did his best to evade, but he was caught by the chisel's blade a few times. Yuriko managed to push Hiro's back against the counter and raised the chisel for the killing blow. Reluctantly, though, Hiro ducked and punched his fist deep into Yuriko's gut. The girl's eyes widened now more than ever as the air was knocked out of her. Her body dropped to the floor and she clutched her aching stomach. Hiro ran around her and finally flipped open the switchblade.

Catching her breath, Yuriko angrily turned and tried stabbing Hiro again. Hiro was too fast for her, though, and easily evaded her attacks. Yuriko's speed had severely gone down ever since Hiro punched her. As Hiro dashed around his opponent, he swung his blade at her. One powerful swipe caught her across the chest, cutting open the blue t-shirt she wore. Angrily, Yuriko swung her chisel again at Hiro, who dodged the flat blade. Like a ferocious animal hunting down its prey, Yuriko charged straight at Hiro and leaped at him. Taken aback by her random attack, Hiro fell to the ground with Yuriko on top of him. With both hands, Yuriko slammed the chisel down at Hiro's head. The flat blade came so close to Hiro that he could feel the air around him being pushed down. Though Yuriko's speed was impressive, Hiro's was even faster. He dodged the blade being brought down on his face each time. It looked pretty easy, but it was actually quite hard considering Hiro's body from the neck down was immobile.

"Why won't you die?" Yuriko shouted as she brought the chisel down one final time.

Hiro managed to dodge it again, though, and bit into Yuriko's hand. His sharp teeth touched flesh and ripped through it. Screaming in pain, Yuriko raised her left hand and squeezed it. The blood wouldn't stop dripping out, scaring Yuriko. The girl had never bled this much before so she wasn't used to it. Holding it tightly, she searched for Hiro. She found him running towards the stairs that led to the lower level. Before he could run down the stairs, though, Yuriko jumped onto his back and clung onto it like her life depended on it. Though she could have easily killed Hiro then, she had dropped her chisel. Instead, she used her bare hands to try and suffocate Hiro. The mysterious transfer student proved too much, though, as he threw Yuriko down over his shoulders and onto her back. As her body crashed into the floor with a loud thud, the air escaped her lungs and she felt lightheaded. Her killing fury got the best of her, however, and she reached up to grab Hiro's throat. With her remaining strength, she squeezed the life out of her classmate.

Yuriko's grip on his throat was too hard. Hiro could not find a weak spot in it and could do nothing but let it take him. His head began to feel light and he started to lose consciousness. It felt just like when he first fell asleep on the bus. His eyelids began to close against his will and his body got heavy. As he began to drift away from the mortal world, Hiro could see his friends staring at him with sad faces. What do you want? What does this mean? Hiro wanted to leave, but they forbade him. It was as if they wanted him to live a little longer to just kill his classmates.

"What do you want from me?" Hiro uttered. He looked high up at the ceiling and gritted his teeth in anger. Suddenly, the pressure against his neck dissipated and Yuriko's arms dropped to the floor. Confused and wondering what just happened, Hiro felt something warm and sticky on his hands. Looking down at them, he realized he cut her throat open with the switchblade. Crimson red liquid was flowing from her neck as she gurgled hopelessly. Standing up off her body, Hiro dropped the switchblade to the floor and stared at his hands. Blood dripped from the tips of his slender fingers and blotted the floor. Down on the floor, Yuriko stared into Hiro's eyes as she died.

As her last seconds on Earth faded away, Yuriko could only think of her brother, Shino. She wished she had a chance to at least say goodbye, but all she could utter was a helpless moan drowned out by blood. The last thing she saw before dying was Hiro's eyes; even when having killed someone they still showed concern and kindness. It made Yuriko smile, but that smile soon disappeared as her body relaxed and her heart stopped beating.

His heart beating faster than light, Hiro bent over to reach for his switchblade. The sound of a gun cocking to his right prompted him to stop though. Sighing, he stood up straight and turned in the direction of the cocking gun. At the top of the staircase leading up from the bottom floor were Tetsuo Kaneda and some girl he didn't know. Tetsuo stood behind the girl like a pet while the girl pointed her gun at him. Beretta 92F – it was a good gun. Even in the face of death, Hiro managed to find something nice. Chuckling to himself, Hiro raised his hands in alarm and shook his head.

As cows cawed outside, several gunshots rang off in the subway station, frightening the crows away from the large building.

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