LIAR GAME—REQUIEM
It was barely a month after Liar Game—the final stage. Nao Kanzaki was graduating from her university, and the only person she saw at her graduation ceremony was Shinichi Akiyama—and he just appeared amidst the crowd for a while and then disappeared. Nao sighed as she thought about how the 54 million dollars that Yokoya gave her had helped in her father's recovery. Now that the game is finished, there is no chance for her to meet Akiyama again. Or so she thought?!
Nao found a woman in black standing beside her suddenly. In her hands was a black card. "Kanzaki-sama, konichiwa. I am from the LGT Office. You are invited to a revival round, called Requiem. Please show up on the date and time indicated."
"But, I already finished the game!" Nao said.
"Unfortunately, a foreign investor has decided to revive the game. You HAVE to play, because he promised that if you and Akiyama-sama joined the game, he will waive the debts of all players of the game, even those that you haven't met before." The woman said.
"Fine, I guess I will find Akiyama." Nao took the card reluctantly and went home. She changed out of her kimono and wore a flowery dress with cardigan. She remembered Akiyama's words of whether she can get used to his lies. She simply picked up her bag and took a bus.
"Knock knock!" Akiyama opened the door, dressed in a white shirt.
"What's wrong?" He asked, looking down at her.
Nao handed him the card. "Please join the new game! There are others we have to help!" She bowed.
It was afternoon. Akiyama and Nao are now getting off a plane. It seemed the game is getting more extravagant. Nao shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun.
"Welcome to the LGT Office, Los Angeles. My name is Lira, and I am the overseas LGT Officer in charge." A blonde woman speaking fluent Japanese strode towards them.
Akiyama looked thoughtful. The foreign investor did not mind spending large amounts of money bringing them all to his backyard where he could watch the game unfold splendidly.
"Come with me to the foyer, tonight will be a welcome feast for you. The game starts tomorrow."
Nao tentatively walked behind Akiyama.
"Nao-chan!" A voice that sounds like it belongs to neither sex called out. It was Fukunaga. He enthusiastically shook the hands of Nao, and put an arm around Akiyama who shrugged out of it hurriedly. "I can't believe I can see you guys again, though I see you guys kept in touch, huh?"
"W-what do you mean, Fukunaga-san? I just saw Akiyama-san a few times, that's all." Nao stuttered.
"Did I mention Akiyama?" Fukunaga asked drolly as Nao blushed.
Just then, they reached the building. It looked like a nondescript hotel. They were ushered to a ballroom, where servers were setting up food.
"Are you sure there will be food a monk can eat?" A bimbotic voice sounded. It was a young-looking girl, still dressed in those typical Japanese uniform, as she pointed at a guy wearing clothes like a monk.
"Harimoto!" Nao gasped. He nodded at her.
"More champagne, please." A high-class sounding voice said. Nao turned and saw her taking off her sunglasses, revealing a beautiful profile.
"Yukina-san!" Yukina and Nao hugged each other.
"The party started without me?" The doors were opened and in strode Yokoya, who looked emotionless, staring at Nao who is behind Akiyama.
"Who said I was late? I am always on time." A shrill, high-pitched voice sounded, and Akiyama groaned inwardly as he saw his ex-nemesis, Katsuragi Ryou.
"Is everyone present? There will be 15 people in this round. You are able to choose your group of 5 people so this is a chance for you to mingle!" Lira announced from the stage and then left.
"So may I join your group, Akiyama-san?" Yukina asked.
"Sure!" Nao nodded vigorously.
"It's clear that the other group will be Yokoya and Harimoto. " Akiyama analysed.
"Aaargh!" Nao was just going to eat a piece of cake when somebody knocked into her from behind. Akiyama hurriedly grabbed onto her, and she did not fall face-flat on a large chocolate cake.
"I'm so sorry! My name is Sakiko, and I am only 15 years old, so… I have no idea why I'm forced to join this game." The person who knocked into Nao is a teenage girl who was dressed shabbily.
"I'm fine. Do you want to join my group? We're all very nice people, so don't worry." Nao smiled at the girl.
"Erm, excuse me, can I join your group too? I don't know anyone here and you looked approachable. Oh, I'm Wan Ting, from Singapore." Another girl came and talked to Nao.
So now Nao has her team. She looked around to see the rest: she recognized Kimura Kei, another teenage boy, a gorgeous looking man, a homeless-looking drunk, and a successful businessman type. They all looked like they are getting on well with each other indeed.
After dinner, Nao, Akiyama, Yukina, Wan Ting and Sakiko moved to the lounge. She got to know them. Sakiko was an orphan in Japan, and Wan Ting was an exchange student from Singapore, and they all seemed like very nice people.
"Oh well, I hope we survive another round!" As if he could read her thoughts, Akiyama nodded at Nao.