One of those things often seen in movies or manga are people being shot multiple times, and yet they manage to continue fighting. They appear so strong and heroic, as if it was nothing but a mosquito bite.

But it seems that Sina is no such super hero. It takes one bullet to completely knock her over, and her world consists of nothing but pain as she falls to the ground. She can't see anything but the white lights of anguish, and in this moment she honestly wishes that she'd die. It would have been impossible to describe the flaming hot pain pulsating through her body if Sina hadn't felt it just now. The throbbing of something that is not supposed to be there and the feeling of torn muscle and flesh. Breaking a bone feels like a hot summer day compared to this.

Is she going to die now? She managed to survive so long, the game is just about to be cleared… How could she fail at last?

Sina doesn't notice how Aguni grabs Niragi and storms into the flames. She doesn't hear the computer voice announcing that there are only three minutes left, and she doesn't hear Kuina shouting that there's no time left to waste.

There is only her and the white wall dulling everything around her, and it would have even been beautiful if it wasn't for the pain. Is this what dying feels like? Will she soon start to see her life playing backwards, or will the white just consume you entirely?

Sina is almost ready to give in to it, since the white dulls the pain as well, but something – or someone – won't allow her to. All of a sudden, she feels her body being pulled up, and the pain comes back even worse. Sina can't help but cry out as someone grabs her arm and puts it over their shoulder.

"Will you ever stop getting yourself into trouble?"

She would have laughed at the fact that Chishiya has come for her now if it didn't hurt like hell.

"I… am dying right now… and this… is all you have to say?"

He snorts. That man really dares to snort in this situation. "The bullet missed your vitals, so you're not dying. But you better hold your breath now."

The warning comes too late, and while Chishiya lifts up her body so he can carry her out of the burning hotel, Sina cries out again. It hurts so much that she almost feints, but somehow she manages to stay awake.

"The shot pierced your shoulder, thus it shouldn't be too bad."

"Have you… ever been shot?" It's not possible for her to speak in whole sentences, and it doesn't help that the movement of every single step Chishiya takes shoots another wave of agony through her shoulder.

"No."

"Then… shut… the fuck… up!" Sina wants to slap his face so badly, but she can't move her arms. As they leave the lobby, she expects fresh night air to greet her lungs. But it's the smoke from the bonfire instead, and since they're really close to the fire now, the smell of burnt flesh is almost unbearable. Sina buries her nose into Chishiya's hoodie to get away from the stench, and she realizes she's smudging both their hoodies with blood now.

Chishiya carefully lets her down so Sina's back leans against a stone wall, and it's a salvation for her pain that her body is not moving anymore.

"You're really angry at me, huh?" he squats down next to her, and it's a pity that Sina can't see clearly right now. She clenches her teeth and spits, aiming for his face, and judging by the movement of his arm, it has been successful.

"Maybe I deserved that", Chishiya admits with a chuckle. Sina has to confess that there is one good thing about it. Since she is too busy being angry at Chishiya right now, she doesn't focus on the pain anymore. And she really wishes she'd have the endurance to shout all her thoughts right at him.

He wanted to leave the Beach without her. Whispered something into her ear only to disappear without a trace. Left the surveillance room and the rooftop probably just minutes before she got there. Waved at her from the gallery as she was facing the armed men from Aguni's militia. And on top of that, he told her that being shot in the shoulder is not too bad?

"I… hate you… so much."

"You don't." While she wishes Chishiya wasn't right with that, she stares at him in disbelief now as he opens the zipper of her hoodie and pulls it off her shoulder.

"What the-?" Sina would have longed for him to do this in every other situation, but definitely not now that she's obviously hurt!

Chishiya raises her arm surprisingly carefully, even though it still hurts like hell and she can't prevent herself from whimpering. "You are lucky; the bullet went straight through. Make sure to mobilize your arm as early as possible and it will have a high chance of getting fully operational again soon."

"What are you, a doctor?" She mumbles while Chishiya uses some piece of cloth to bind the wound up, though she has no idea where he took that from.

"Medical student", he answers with a chuckle and Sina flinches one more time as he tightens the knot around the bandage.

"No matter what." Her sight becomes a bit clearer, and she finally can see Chishiya's face properly. He carries his typical smirk, but he actually seems to be worried, and it's the last he deserves.

"You owe me a lot after all you've done, you know that?" Sina manages to squeeze out through clenched teeth, and a smile appears on Chishiya's face.

"I assume carrying you out of a burning building won't be enough?"

"You can bet your pretty ass on that." She'd really want to punch that man right now, or at least hug him, but she doesn't dare to move her body the slightest bit.

"Whatever it is, I'm afraid it has to wait for some time longer." Chishiya shifts his weight, and it's not hard to believe that this position gets uncomfortable with time.

His words don't even surprise her. "You want to leave again?"

"There is one more thing I have to deal with", he replies with a sigh, and Sina even manages to pout despite her current situation. Calming down her breath really helps to ease the pain, and she even manages to talk as long as she doesn't move an inch.

"So more secrets that you won't tell me about. Will you at least promise to come back this time?"

Chishiya puts his hand onto her cheek, and for a moment, Sina honestly hopes that he will kiss her. But he just caresses her skin with his finger, and the suffering caused by his words is already so familiar yet aching.

"I won't make a promise that I can't keep."

And then he does what he can do best: he disappears and leaves her alone one more time.

Sina stares at the bonfire while a single tear escapes her eye. Should she be glad that he came back to her, that he took care of her wound before he left?

The few survivors of the Witch Hunt are gathered close to her now, and Sina didn't even hear the "Game Clear"-announcement. Yet she somehow managed to make it through, despite many others who didn't have that chance. Momoka's body burns together with dozens of others, and all of them were innocent. No single death would have been necessary.

Everyone is in a state of shock, but someone still helps her to get up in the end. The Beach is burning after all, and it won't be safe around the area any longer. It hurts, but Sina's legs are not injured, and soon she finds herself with the others on the other side of the river while she stares at the bonfire that has now extended over the whole Beach area.

This is the end of Utopia. The end of hot showers and meals, of disco music and parties all night long. While they're free of Hatter's rules now, it also means that all the luxury is gone too. During all those weeks Sina has spend in the Borderlands, the Beach has become something like home for her. Most of all because of Chishiya and Kuina.

And now her home is burning to the ground, and none of her friends are still with her. Kuina most likely accompanied Chishiya to whatever he has to deal with, and Sina wonders if they will ever involve her in those mysterious plans.

While she can do nothing but watch the end of what has been her life up till now, she tucks the hand of her unscathed side into the pocket. There might be a way to wash out the blood of the fabric, but the bullet hole will remain. Such a shame.

But as Sina's cold hand embraces the warmth of the pocket, her fingers feel something else. Slightly startled, she pulls out a piece of paper and tries to unfold it with one hand, and she can't help but laugh out.

Chishiya, that beautiful bastard.

There's just one word written on it: the name of a medical university in Tokyo.

And for once, Sina feels hope growing inside of her that she could still get her happy end after all.