Kishimoto? No way, what the hell is going on! This can't be real! But she's wearing the clothes that Kato offered her on our first mission. Kurono looked at Nishi and was relieved to see the same confused expression reflected back. Did I really – did we really go back in time? How the fuck is that even possible!

Nishi looked at Gantz, wondering if the ball had something to do with it, but it was truly hard to believe even Gantz had that kind of ability. It was quite clear they had somehow gone back in time since there were already familiarities. Nishi looked at Kurono, who was awestruck over Kishimoto; no surprise there, though he guessed it was probably because he missed her. I suppose he was telling the truth after all, but if he somehow ended up back in time, why the hell do I know about it?

Just then, another person began to transfer into the room; it had them looking up since the person was tall. Kurono's eyes widened, and he couldn't help the happy tears that sprung to his eyes upon seeing his best friend again. Kato! I don't believe it! I really did go back in time! "Kato, it's really good to see you again."

Nishi rolled his eyes, placing his hands in his jacket. I think I might puke.

Kato stared at Kurono while pulling at his arm and looking around the room in confusion. "Uh, thanks Kei, but where'd the alien go?"

Kurono gave a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry about it, it's over for now." Kurono looked at Nishi, who shook his head, telling him he shouldn't say anything. "But they deserve to know, we have a chance to change everything, and you said you would help me."

Nishi frowned. "That was before these idiots came back, I did not agree to help you help them, in fact, I barely agreed at all; I believe I said, 'if I see potential in other players;' I already know these two don't have any, and yours is still questionable too."

Kishimoto and Kato exchanged confused glances as the other two continued their odd conversation, wondering what happened in such a short time for them to act so familiar with one another.

"They won't believe you," Nishi finally said with a slight sigh of defeat.

Kurono, who now stood to the side of Nishi after a couple of minutes arguing with the boy, replied, "If what's happening really is what we think has happened, then I have to try. I'm not suggesting we go and tell all of them about it, just them, just Kato and Kishimoto." Kurono looked at Nishi with a determined frown. "Okay?"

"Whatever, but you're wasting your time on those two, and we don't even know how this happened ourselves, let alone explaining it to someone else."

Kurono grinned. "Which is why you're gonna help me."

Nishi looked at Kurono in disbelief. "Over my dead body."

Kurono chuckled. "Isn't that something we wanna avoid this time? If you help me, then I can help make sure you don't die."

Nishi narrowed his eyes. "And I told you I don't trust you."

Kurono shrugged. "Trusted me enough to ask for help last time."

Nishi curled his hand into a fist. "And I ended up dead."

Kurono huffed. He's so damn difficult. "I said things are different now."

"Tsk, so you have an epiphany and suddenly I have to trust you? Fuck you Kei."

Kurono gritted his teeth. Why does he keep calling me Kei? What's up with that? It's creeping me out. Before Kurono started lashing out again, Kato interrupted them. "Kei? What's going on? Do you two – know each other? I mean, did you meet before tonight?"

Kurono, still slightly giddy over seeing his friends again, turned and smiled at Kato. "Sorta, it's hard to explain, but I will soon, just try keep an open mind for now, okay?"

Kato tilted his head; compared to just a few hours ago, Kei was suddenly acting so different, so confident and calm. "I guess?"

Kurono looked at Kishimoto. "You too, just trust me." He smiled at her. Damn, she's still as hot as ever. Kurono inwardly shook his head. Focus, this isn't about that right now. And besides, I got someone else waiting for me. Even if I don't get Kishimoto, it's still enough to see her again.

Okay, here are your scores.

The four gathered near to Gantz as it displayed images and obscure information. This time, Nishi kept quiet, wondering if anything else had remained the same or not.

Kurono looked at his friends and said, "Don't worry, Gantz is scoring us right now."

Nishi clicked his tongue; didn't he realize how utterly odd that sounded? He's supposed to be as clueless as the rest of them. Kei's subtleness sucked. He's absolutely useless.

Kato looked at Kei with confusion. "Scoring us? What does that mean? And how do you know that Kei?"

Kurono closed his eyes. Crap! That'll just confuse them even more; I'm not good at this. "Uh, oh, just a guess is all." Kurono looked at Nishi as if asking for help.

Nishi shrugged with amusement. "You're such a moron."

Kurono frowned angrily. Don't insult me, help me you asshole!

Dog.

0 points.

You have too little motivation.

You stick your tongue out too much.

You wag your tail too much.

Miss Melons.

0 points.

Your breasts are too big.

You wander around too much with no underwear on.

Kurono almost chuckled; besides the fact that it felt strange reliving events that had already happened, it was amusing.

Kishimoto blushed as she crouched in front of Gantz. "Is that supposed to be me? Hey! Boobs? And no points? I think this thing is trying to piss me off."

Kato noticed the display change to himself. "Huh? Kato-cha?"

Kato-cha (lol.)

0 points.

Hey, Kato-cha 😊

You almost died on us,

What is the meaning of that?

Nishi couldn't believe it; everything was the same as if what happened before was just a dream. This just takes déjà vu to the next fucking level.

Nishi.

3 points.

Total 90 points.

Only 10 more points to go.

Nishi gritted his teeth; seeing his score again made him angry. I was so fucking close, goddammit.

Kurono looked at Nishi. Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I understand why he was so pissed off now; only ten points left, that must have really sucked.

Kurono.

0 points.

You've been looking at Miss Melons and getting too many hard-ons.

Kurono's eyes widened. Oh fuck! Kurono covered his face with his hand.

Nishi looked at him and laughed. "I guess you forgot about that Mr. Boner."

Kurono turned to his friends and shouted, "It's not my fault she's so – oh hell, never mind." Kishimoto hid slightly behind Kato. "Sorry…" Kurono avoided their gaze with a blush on his face. What the hell am I even apologizing for anyway? She's hot! That's a compliment!

Gantz returned to its original status.

Safe to say Gantz doesn't realize what happened either, Nishi thought with a frown.

Kurono sighed. "So you're probably wondering what's going on."

Kato and Kishimoto frowned in confusion. "Aren't you?" Kato asked.

Kurono gasped lightly and scratched his head. "Uh, well I – kind of – already do… look it's really difficult to explain how right now." Kurono looked at Nishi. "Would you just help me out here."

Nishi chuckled. "Nope, I'm leaving." Before Nishi reached the door, Kurono grabbed his arm. "Fuck off," the teen snapped.

Kurono released Nishi's arm. "Things are different whether you like it or not, and as much as I just want to pound your face in, you're the only other person who knows what's going on. We're all you got, so just fucking suck it up."

Nishi frowned when an image of Yoko appeared in front of him, smiling.

We're all you got, so suck it up.

"You told them before," Kurono said.

Nishi leaned against the door, feeling extremely frustrated. "An action regretted since day one."

Kurono chuckled. "Well, technically it is day one."

"Then you understand my reasons. See ya." Nishi turned to leave, and Kurono grew angry and grabbed Nishi to slam him against the door.

"Do you wanna die again! Is that what you want! Fucking hell Nishi, I'm trying to be patient, I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt! I'm trying to give us a chance to survive!"

Kato stepped forward. "Kei, calm down."

Kishimoto held her right-covered hand to her mouth, shocked by Kurono's outburst.

Nishi gritted his teeth and shoved Kei back, no longer calm. "I had ten points left! Ten! Do you have any idea how demoralized that feels! To come so close to freedom, only to fucking die because of you useless fucks!"

Kato frowned and stepped beside Kei. "Kei had nothing to do with how you got here."

Kishimoto nodded. "That's right."

"You don't even know what you're talking about, hypocrite, so I'd keep your mouth shut if I were you."

Kei narrowed his eyes, trying with tremendous effort to keep composed; Nishi had a lot of repressed emotional anger from that mission, just like Kei did from the buddha mission, which was why he had lashed out at the previous mission's players. "Nishi, I get why you're angry, but after everything that happened, give me one good reason why any of us should have helped you. You call Kato a hypocrite for wanting to help people make it home despite the fact that he lashed out at the Yakuza, but when it comes to you getting in trouble, you want that same help for yourself despite that it was you banging on about how useless we all are and how pointless teamwork is. Isn't that why you're really angry?"

Kato stared in surprise, he didn't know what the two were talking about, but something about Kei was suddenly different. The Kei I knew was different from the one that helped me on the train, but now it feels like that Kei is different to this one somehow.

Kishimoto didn't know what to say, nothing made sense at all, but she was alive and couldn't help but feel relieved despite trying to kill herself.

Nishi walked away but didn't attempt to leave this time; instead, he stopped in front of Gantz, contemplating Kurono's words for the third time. Nishi had no intention of helping Kurono or his useless friends, but as much as he hated to admit it, Kurono was right. I will not die a third time! I only have ten points left, so I'll just have to deal with it until I get them. Nishi chuckled inwardly. And after that, who cares if they die; that won't be my problem anymore. Nishi turned to face Kei, who stood the closest to him and glanced behind at Kato and Kishimoto, frowning at them before he faced Kei once more. "I will explain everything I know, but as for the rest, that's up to them, got it?"

Kurono sighed in relief, satisfied with Nishi's reply. "Things will be different, you'll see, they can do it if you give them a chance. They did it before, and they can do it again."

Nishi didn't look convinced, but nevertheless, he began to explain. "You better listen carefully because I will only explain this once to you idiots…" Kato and Kishimoto gaped in surprise as Nishi explained to them all the information he had learned in the year; his theories on how the ball worked, the points menu, the weapons, and suits and how they functioned; every detail was carefully explained, it was hard to believe that it came from a kid.

Kurono was surprised too; there were things he still hadn't learned. I asked him to explain somethings, but damn, I didn't expect a fricking guidebook.

Even though Kishimoto and Kato looked shocked by what they heard, it was clear they had kept an open mind like Kurono had asked. "So then, we have to do this again?" Kishimoto asked, chewing her lip. "And we have to – defeat aliens if we want to get free?"

Nishi pursed his lips and leaned back against the ball. "Correct."

Kurono smiled at his friends. At least they're accepting it; I knew they would. I guess one hard part is over, now we just have to-

"So why didn't you tell us!" Kato shouted.

Suddenly, Nishi and Kurono were slammed with déjà vu once more. Kurono thought that if Nishi explained everything properly, they'd avoid this situation. Goddammit Kato, why'd ya have to be so moralistic; even after everything Nishi told you, you still wanna lecture him?

"If you had explained all this in the beginning, more of us might have survived, in fact, you intentionally fed us with a story that was completely false!"

Kato, Kurono whined inwardly, watching Nishi start to get angry.

"Why didn't you tell us what was going on?" Kishimoto asked softly.

Kurono worriedly watched Kato stalk up to Nishi, not out of concern; he was more worried about what Nishi might say.

"I want answers," Kato gritted out.

Nishi glanced at Kurono; the older teen could tell he was annoyed, and he gasped when he saw the slight grin on Nishi's face. Damn it, Nishi, don't say it, do not say it!

Nishi looked up at Kato, his memory strong as he said, "Because I knew that while they were dying, the target would drop its guard."

Kurono slumped. He fucking said it; I can't believe it.

Nishi narrowed his eyes at the anguish in Kato's eyes as tears began to form, tears for absolute strangers. Pathetic, and Kei wants me to help this moron?

Kurono stepped forward. "Kato-"

"Monster!" Kato shouted. "Those were human beings who got killed, how could you just stand by and watch!"

Nishi took a step back this time, anger getting the better of him again. Maybe this will get through his thick skull. "Human beings? Do you honestly believe they deserved to live?"

Kato gritted his teeth. "Yes!"

Nishi sneered at Kato in disgust before turning to face Gantz. "Gantz, bring up the people who died."

The ball began to display the deceased, showing each one in an individual square; the amount was overwhelming. Kato looked at the display angrily. "All those people, they simply mean nothing to you, they're lives are just carnage to you!"

Nishi curled his hands into fists and turned to Kato. "Those who come here only deserve to survive if they're smart enough; that's my opinion. But let's talk about yours for a second, shall we? You said they all deserve to live, but did you ever stop to think about what they did before they got here?"

Kurono narrowed his eyes when he remembered the two who hunted and killed homeless people for fun, who sexually assaulted his teacher on the previous mission, and who killed god knows how many before that.

Nishi turned and walked to stand in front of Gantz. "It's true, most of these people didn't mean anything to me, but I remember every single one of them, and let me tell you, none of them deserved to survive." Nishi faced them as he began to pick out deceased players in a specific order. "Sora Tadashi, worked at a community center helping troubled kids; he was in fact, a pedophile who sexually assaulted, and probably raped, both girls and boys." Nishi narrowed his eyes at the next one, having a personal vendetta for the player. "Yuuma Daikei, a reporter who claimed to be a pacifist. Yet to save his own skin, and just for the sake of his job, he almost got me killed by shoving me off a roof into an alien's gut. These two, they used to sacrifice people after tricking them into believing they were reaching some kind of enlightenment when they died, and one of them even pushed her so called friend to the alien so it would kill her instead. This guy, despite being mentally unhinged, tried to kill us because he thought we were some kind of key to stopping this whole thing. Tell me Mr. moralist, did they deserve to survive?"

Kato's anger faded slightly, but his frown remained.

That's a whole lot of dead guys. No wonder he's so totally fucked up in the head; I mean, I would be too, I guess, Kurono thought.

"Oh, and let's not forget those who died tonight."

And he's not finished, great.

"Goro Suzuki, a politician who accepted bribes from the cabinet and most likely blackmailed a bunch of em. And what about those two Yakuza's, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't one of them attempt to rape big tits over there? The one you almost choked to death because of it?"

Kato gritted his teeth, fists clenched. "That doesn't give us a right to-"

"You might think I'm a monster for giving others false information, and I couldn't care less; at least I admit it, but you're so bent on being a good little moralist that you can't see the difference, and that's why you're a hypocrite."

"Nishi, has anyone ever reached a hundred points?" Kurono asked with slight hesitation.

Nishi frowned and looked at the ball before pointing somewhere in the second middle row. "Her," he stated calmly.

"Wait, I thought you said if you reach a hundred points you can go free, so why is she there?" Kato asked with suspicion.

Nishi turned to face Kato, his face void of emotion, but anger was in his eyes. "Because she preferred to die than be free and forget about me." Nishi walked away from them, leaving Kato absolutely dumbfounded by his words. "Oh, and Kei?" Nishi turned to face Kurono with a slight grin. "Don't forget your suit this time."

Kurono realized what Nishi meant and returned the grin. "I won't forget. And you make sure to keep your mouth shut, got it?"

Nishi frowned, knowing exactly what Kurono was talking about. "Tsk, whatever."

The three watched Nishi walk out of the apartment.

Kurono gasped and told his friends to wait for him while he caught up to Nishi outside the apartment. "Nishi, wait a second."

Nishi glared at Kurono as he stopped halfway down the stairs. "What?"

Kurono chuckled. "You know, I didn't expect you to be so honest," he teased.

"Fuck off. What do you want anyway?"

"We still have a few things to talk about, I think we should come up with a plan or something concerning our situation."

"What exactly is there to talk about, isn't it enough I agreed to your other plans already?"

Kurono sighed in frustration. "Would you just meet me outside my school tomorrow? Is that really too much to ask?"

Nishi rolled his eyes. "Fine." The boy then disappeared, quite literally.

Kurono frowned after him. "Asshole."

Kurono returned to his friends inside the apartment and smiled. "Let's go home."

…

The cab stopped outside of Kishimoto's home; Kurono and Kato waited for her to return from changing. "Kei, can I ask you something?"

Kurono looked at Kato, still couldn't quite believe this was all real, that he could even talk to his friend again. "Yeh?"

"Are you and Nishi, like, friends? You seem to know each other even though he's just a middle-schooler, but a few hours ago you acted like you'd never met before."

Kurono groaned inwardly before scoffing. "We're definitely not friends; we just – know each other, it's complicated right now, but I promise to explain a lot more soon, okay? I know it's confusing, but you just have to trust me."

Kato nodded with a smile. "You got it Kei."

Kishimoto soon returned with a smile on her face as she handed back her clothes to Kei through the open door. "Well, thanks – for letting me borrow your clothes."

Just as Kishimoto shut the door, Kato leaned over. "Oh, wait," he called with a blush.

Kurono rolled his eyes. Here we go.

"Uh, what's your name?"

Kurono glanced between them; now that he'd let go of the grudge he had toward Kato for 'stealing' Kishimoto from him, he was amused by their awkwardness.

"My name's Kei – Kei Kishimoto," the girl replied shyly.

Kurono turned to peer through the back window as the cab drove away. I should have told her that her original self is still alive; that was dumb. But I guess I wanted some things to stay the same, and this time, I won't be such a jerk about it. Kurono chuckled quietly. Who knows, maybe I'll end up with her after all.