A Promise Between Worlds

by CrafterofTales

When Emma's life hangs by a thread, a mysterious entity offers her a chance to free her family from the Demon World. The price: she must participate in a competition between people from several worlds, and enter numerous events for the promised wish. Meeting those of other-worldly abilities, she is a child not only relying on smarts and tenacity, but her heart as well.

22. A Hidden Blade

Intermission Arc

Chapter 22: A Hidden Blade

The time was: Preliminary Week. Day Four.

"Hey, old man! We're back."

Upon pushing aside the curtain doorway of the tent, the bright red-haired boy and pale reddish eyes called out to the awaiting merchant inside. Raindrops pelted against the roof of the tent, though everyone was shielded from the weather.

Nagisa Shiota briefly bowed his head in greeting as he followed in after the smiling red-haired boy, Karma Akabane. Wearing brown gloves, they pulled back the hoods of their drenched green capes. Both competitors appeared to be scuffed with dirt and a few scratches. Thankfully, their capes shielded the satchels they carried by the long straps over their shoulders as they enter the tent further to approach the old merchant.

The old merchant sat upon the ground on top of a cushion, in front of him was a rug that had all sorts of trinkets, weapons, and Support Cards.

"Oho! Look who's still in one piece," the old-looking merchant greeted, weary eyes addressing the two entering competitors. "How do you like your new armaments?"

Nagisa nodded gratefully, looking down at his wet green cap, "They've really saved us when it started to rain all of a sudden."

"Yeah. These daggers were pretty good too," Karma unsheathed a silver dagger from his weapons belt, "A bit dull, but useful."

Nagisa grimaced at Karma's words with an embarrassed smile. The old merchant didn't seem to mind Karma's comments as he then asked the two boys.

"So, how did your hunt go? I hope that Challenge Board I gave you provided enough guidance."

Karma opened his satchel, "See for yourself."

Seeing Karma take out a bag, Nagisa did the same from his own satchel. Together, they placed the bags on the ground and sat down. Opening the bags, they showed several pieces of what seemed to be claw-nails of a tiger-like creature.

The old merchant puts on his glasses. He reached over and takes out one of the claws, examining it closely with a magnifying glass he had at hand. "Hmmm. Yes. This is most certainly a monster's claw. Which means you must have received your stars as well."

Nagisa nodded while Karma shrugged in boast, "That kitty was due for grooming anyway."

A sleeping flower was all it took for the monster to sniff and collapse, granting Nagisa and Karma the opportunity to trim and collect the claw nails.

"Thanks again for letting us use that sleeping flower," Nagisa said.

The NPC shook his head, "It's no trouble at all. I'm happy that I was able to help you both, after you helped me look for my missing glasses. Oh dear, that reminds me, where did I put them again?"

Nagisa expressed a bit of discomfort and worry at the whimsical and forgetful merchant, though it was short lived as the old merchant remembered that he still had them on his face.

"Let's see now..." The old merchant said as he accepted both of the given bags and briefly counted each claw collected. "Hm. Yes. Ten in each bag. Well done. This should be more than enough for a trade."

The old man started to clear the rug between him and the competitors. Nagisa and Karma watched as the old man reached under his cloak and pulled out a desk of cards.

"Like we had agreed, in exchange for all twenty of these monster claws, I will give you four Support Cards. However-!"

The old merchant leans forward a bit, "For my special cards, you'll have to pick them by following your gut. Makes it a bit more fun that way, aye?"

Boy, he sure is an eccentric old man, Nagisa said with a bit of a sweat drop he's sure is not due to the rain.

The old merchant then finished setting up all the Support Cards on the rug. Two rows of five facing up and showing every detail of what each card holds, and the third row showing only faced down cards, what description and power they could hold completely unknown.

"Don't worry about picking any "bad" card. All my cards are very useful and I guarantee, very worthwhile."

"Let's see..." Karma started, considering his option for a moment before picking his first Support Card in the bottom row, "I'll take this."

A spell book type of Support Card. It can allow Karma the ability to use magic spells so long as the card remains active. "This is gonna be fun to use. Really makes this competition seem more and more like we're in a video game, right Nagisa-kun?"

"Y-yeah," Nagisa reluctantly agreed. While Karma had a point, Nagisa still couldn't help but feel like this was all just a dream, even though the danger was more than real enough.

Nagisa Shiota still couldn't believe it though. One minute, he had been sleeping after a hectic day and night of Class E's island trip, where for the first time in their lives, they were all in real serious danger without the help of Koro-sensei. And just after they were so, so close to killing their beloved teacher too.

Then the next moment, Nagisa woke up in a strange dimension with Karma beside him, and they were suddenly declared to have been worthy enough to enter the Competition Between Worlds. Nagisa should have probably asked more questions but even after a brief explanation by a disembodied voice, Karma was quick to say yes to joining, and not wanting to be left behind, nor let Karma go into this by himself, Nagisa ended up accepting the invite as well.

It really has been the most bizarre vacation he has ever been to. Although it's pretty clear that this was no longer a vacation now.

Nagisa watched as Karma was then given the option to pick either a random special Support Card, or select another common-tier card. Deciding to try his luck, Karma picked one of the faced down cards.

"Ooo. That's a nice look," Karma said after he flipped the card over. "I think this suits me better than the cloak I'm wearing now."

The name of the Support Card read: Cloak of the Red Devil. Showing an image of a black cloak with torn edges and a purple attire underneath. The description read that this card, or rather the cloak, can boost up the wearer's skills, stamina, strength, and speed. The cloak can even also power up other Support Cards already in possession or in use. Nagisa is amazed by how good of a card Karma got, though he supposes that he shouldn't be too surprised.

"I think I'll save this card up for later," Karma said as he safely put away the support cards in his satchel. "Alright, you're up next, Nagisa-kun."

"Ah. Right," Nagisa said, looking back at the selection of Support Cards. He carefully examined over the readable cards and considered his options. In hindsight, it'd be great if they could get some kind of healing or strengthening, though most of these cards seemed to rely more on creativity than direct combat. Either way, Karma already got the best cards picked, so it was all up to Nagisa to choose something that could potentially put them ahead of the competition.

With his mind made up, Nagisa picked up one of the common-tier card: Bug-Affliction. Its description read that, upon using the card, a random effect will be established upon the user that can either greatly enhance them or deter them. Nagisa wouldn't call himself lucky, but it seemed like this might be a useful card just to hope for something good to happen.

"A good choice, and a funny one at that," the old merchant chuckled, as if foreseeing the kind of shenanigans that card in particular will bring. "Now then, will you be picking out any of these special cards?"

Nagisa looked back down at the selection. Four cards that remained at the top row. All of them facing down. It was a gamble if Nagisa might or might not pick a good card, even if the old merchant promises that there were no bad cards in his stock. Nagisa still felt a little unsure of himself.

"Um..." Unable to decide, Nagisa simply outstretched his hand. His finger slowly drew a line across the air as it hovers over each faced down card, "Maybe-"

Suddenly, he felt his hand be pulled by an unseen force. It was a gravitating sort of pull. Almost magnetic. Something seemed to have lured his finger towards the very last card at the end of the top row.

-!

Nagisa let out a light gasp. The longer he had his hand over that card in the top corner, the stronger the pull seemed to get. It felt as if something, or someone, was grasping at his arm. Though it felt more accurate to say that something inside his hand was being magnetically pulled towards that card. It wasn't anything too strong, but just the sensation of it made Nagisa pause. It was like this card was urging him to pick it, and it will not let go until he did.

Curling his finger slightly with brief hesitation, Nagisa lowered the print of his finger onto the back of the faced down card. "This one..."

"Very well. Go ahead and flip it. See what it is."

At the old merchant's ushering, Nagisa grasped the edge of the card and turned it over. The magnetic pull of it was released, as if in relief, and Nagisa was able to read the name of the card.

"Metallica?"

The card Nagisa held between his fingers has a black and gold theme. A silhouette of a man wearing a jester-like black hat with round gold accessories attached. The man wore a leather black cloak with the torso exposed underneath the x-crossed belt straps. Black and white stripped leggings and dark shoes. There were several scalpel-shaped knives surrounding the silhouette, as if he was juggling them telekinetically.

The merchant's eyes widened, "Oh my… You've certainly picked an intriguing card. What you got there is a Summoning Card. You can summon the avatar of that card or utilize their ability as your own."

"Oh?" Karma said with interest, reading the description of the card out loud, "Can control any properties of iron. Allows up to three uses. Looks like you got yourself a pretty good card there."

"Um, yeah..." Nagisa said as he observed the card a little longer.

"Is this your first time holding a Summoning Card?" The old merchant then asked.

"Y-yes," Nagisa nodded, wondering if it looked that obvious.

"I see. Then let me give you a run down of how to use it. You see, Summoning Cards are very unique compare to all other Support Cards. For you see, these cards have the ability to act on their own accord upon being summoned. They'll follow every command you give, whether in battle or in doing simple tasks."

"Ah, so it's like summoning familiars to work for you," the gaming expert Karma fathomed quickly.

"Precisely. But should you be interested in using just their abilities alone, you can do so without the need to summon their avatar," the old merchant explained, "The avatar can work as an assist while you fight, or serve as a distraction. Or you could even have them fight all your battles completely."

The old merchant suddenly raised a finger, "There is one other interesting mode you can activate as well. If for whatever reason you feel that it would be best for the avatar to work autonomously, you can give the order for them to do so. It's called: Free Will Mode."

He then further explained, "Say for example that there are hidden skills and moves that the avatar can utilize, but because they are limited to follow your commands only, they aren't able to use their abilities to the fullest. Putting it another way, while you might be able to put their powers to use in your own way, the avatar themselves know their abilities best."

The old merchant reached up for his glasses, rubbing his nail against the glass to remove a noticeable stain, "Activating Free Will Mode also prevents the avatar from reverting back to their card, so you won't need to expend any more uses. If you feel it necessary to do so, though, you can always use your stars to renew the usage slots, or even power up your card for a time."

Nagisa was surprised by this new info, resting his hand over his satchel where he had his badge holder and the three stars it carried. He quickly pulled out and wrote in his notebook to save this information for later.

"The only drawback is that these avatars will act no different from you or me. They will require food, rest, all the necessities that every living creature needs."

"Aren't they just living people then?" Karma asked curiously.

"Indeed. These cards are, in a way, alive."

The revelation takes both Nagisa and even Karma by surprise, looking back down at the card Nagisa held in his hand.

"Some people might find it safer to not activate Free Will Mode though, not only to avoid the upkeep," the old merchant said, adding with a tone of warning, "You just never know what sort of person you'll be allowing free reign to."

---

Preliminary Week. Day Five

It was a serious situation Nagisa and Karma found themselves in. They were roaming at a seemingly abandoned city where only the state of ruin remained. Further inside, however, it was not as vacant as it appeared on the outskirts.

"You damn brat! How dare you draw these nipples on my chest?! And with permanent marker too!"

Pursuing Nagisa and Karma was a big, half naked Crabman monster, self proclaimed 'Crablante'. The target of the crab monster's irate was none other than Karma.

I told Karma that monster would get mad after waking up, Nagisa thought to himself, leaping over a chain fence alongside Karma with swift ease. Karasuma's training is truly paying off for these assassins in training and would be saviors of their world. Unfortunately, Crablante swiftly crushed and sliced through the fence like scissors with his big, meaty claws.

They made a turn into what seemed to be another open road between tall buildings. However, they ended up in a parking lot, with another building at the end of it. Without stopping, they proceeded towards the ladder hanging below an iron staircase.

Karma was the first to reach underneath the staircase, running up the wall and pulling down the ladder. "Let's go!"

Nagisa followed right behind him. The boys climbed up the ladder and stepped onto the walkway of the staircase. From below, Crablante caught up but could only watch as the boys fled further up the staircase. The monster's form too big and heavy to use the ladder.

"I won't let you get away!" With a swing of his claws, Crablante punched into the stone wall of the building. A shockwave occurred from the punch, and the side of the building cracked. The lightning shaped scar crept up the building, and it broke away the support of the staircase.

"Whoa-!" Nagisa held onto the railings of the staircase.

Karma, on the other hand, was not so lucky. His grip slipped as he was climbing up the next ladder and he fell back. "Ah-!"

"Karma!" Nagisa was quick to react, catching Karma's hand. Nagisa pulled along and slammed into the railing, feeling the painful pressure against his torso, but persevered to prevent his classmate's complete fall with fierce grit-teeth grimace. He wasn't the strongest, especially compared to everyone in his class, so at best he might be able to hold onto Karma for at least ten seconds.

"This… doesn't look good," Karma said with a nervous smile. He looked down at the awaiting Crablante, who grinned at Karma and Nagisa's predicament.

"Have one more then-!"

All of a sudden, Karma pulled his hand out of Nagisa's grip, surprising the blue haired boy. Propelling himself down by kicking off the railings of the stairway, Karma quickly descended and grabbed onto one of the stem-eye of the crab monster.

"W-what?! OW!" Crablante yelled as Karma yanked the monster's eye down with him. Karma was able to stop his fall by just a few feet, using the monster as his saving grace.

"Looks like your eyes really are your weakness," Karma suddenly stated, his grin becoming more cat-like and cruel as he pulled out a green knife from the back of his pants. "It's a good thing I've been craving for some seafood."

He sliced off the stem of the crab monster's eye. "GAAAAAH!"

Karma soon drops from the severing of the monsters eye, but just as he landed and was about to sprint away, Crablante suddenly grabbed his body in a blind rage.

"Tch-!" Karma's eyes widened then winced as he felt the slowly crushing grip of the crab monster around his body.

"Y-you-! You'll pay for that-! Ow!"

"Karma!" Nagisa yelled as he saw Karma threatened to be crushed by the Crablante. He acted at once, pulling out his pistol when he spotted the thin deck of Support Cards he had sticking out at the pocket of his satchel.

Nagisa pulled out the first card. A quick glimpse at its name, a plan already formulated in his head.

"Metallica - Ability Mode: On!"

The first usage of the Support Card. Nagisa's eyes glowed a vibrant blue, and he sees them. Little bits of silver-colored cells, moving and writhing within the material of the iron staircase. They seemed sentient and miserable. Honestly, they looked pretty creepy, but Nagisa kept focus on the mission at hand: saving Karma.

With a gesture of his card-held hand, the iron staircase trembled. The support railings broke away from the staircase, and moving as if through telekinesis by Nagisa's direction, the railing steadily swung down for the wounded monster who was clutching it's bleeding and missing eye. Too distracted by the pain to kill Karma, which provided Nagisa this chance as he hopped onto the moving railing.

Nagisa grabbed the railing like a ladder, the card still held in between his index finger and thumb, and the pistol on his other hand. He watched as the railing slammed into the monster's upper body and traps the surprised Crablante against the wall. Nagisa fired bullets and was able to strike the other eye of the monster.

"OW! OW! I'll kill you damn brats!" Crablante cursed as he covered his other wounded eye with his claw.

Although now blinded, Crablante refused to let go of Karma, though Nagisa was able to trap Crablante against the wall.

"Oh no-!" Nagisa could see the pain in Karma's face. Karma will have his whole rib age crushed if Nagisa doesn't do something. But what can he do? He was hoping that the monster would drop Karma to protect his eye, but the monster didn't do that. More spiteful to pursue his revenge against the prankster Karma than anything else.

What do I do?! Nagisa had to think. Something that can kill this monster, in one hit even! But he doesn't have the card for that and Crablante's shell around his body was too strong for both his anti-monster knife and gun. Now with both of the monster's eyes either gone or covered by his claw, there isn't any weak point Nagisa can strike. Maybe use his special move? He'll have to get down and close, but the monster was shielding his face, it won't work until Crablante exposes his face.

What do I-?

"Free Will."

Nagisa flinched when he heard a deep, deep and intimidating voice. There was something felt on his cheek and Nagisa looked at the corner of his eye. He spotted the silver - no, the iron cell squirming on top of the skin, looking at Nagisa with that gaping, voided mouth and distressed, scarred face.

Despite having a face like that, the voice that came with it was strong, commanding. Determined.

"Free Will."

The iron cell repeated once more. Nagisa was taken aback, but upon hearing Karma's pained struggling, there was not another second to waste.

Holding onto the railing with his pistol held hand, Nagisa brought forth the Support Card. 2 Usage Slots left.

"Metallica - Free Will Mode: On!"

All the iron cells disappeared from the hanging iron railings, the effect and ability to see them vanished from Nagisa's eyes, and the Support Card glowed as he then held it in his mouth. Using his freed hand to pull out his green knife, Nagisa rushed across the ladder railing, stepping on each bar perfectly, as he then rushed for the crab monster.

Nagisa's feet landed on top of the monster's claw, surprising Crablante. The monster tried to swing his arm at Nagisa, but Nagisa moved quicker, jumping once more from the monster's arm. He saw the monster's lowered defense as its crab eye stared up. Horrifying realization as soon as the monster saw Nagisa's all too friendly of a face, as the boy held out his gun and pulled the trigger.

"GAAAH!" The crab monster's remaining eye was shot once more. Blood spurted out and the monster finally let go of Karma. Karma coughed with the relief of having air back into his lungs again, despite the painful creak of his ribcage. He nonetheless pushed through the pain as he sprinted to the center of the parking lot, kneeling down to catch his breath some more, and Nagisa joins him as soon as he landed, putting away the card in his pocket.

Crablante finally broke through the iron railing that had him pinned down, wildly swinging his stone-crushing arms all around him. "That's it! That's it! I'm not just gonna kill you brats! I'm ripping you to pieces! I'll crush all your bones! And when you're begging for mercy-!"

The blinded Crablante suddenly stops. Nagisa and Karma prepared for the crab monster to make his next move, but the monster did something unexpected. He lowered his claw in front of his chest, feeling something sharp there.

"W-what... what is this-BLURGH?!"

The monster puked out blood. But not just blood. Inexplicable swarm of razor blades fell out of the monster's gaping mouth. Nagisa and Karma were shocked by the gruesome scene, openly wincing at it.

"What… what have you done to me?!" The crab monster choked out, his throat which had no protective shelling inside was completely shredded from the razor blades that suddenly emerged from the flesh, leaving his voice completely rasp.

The monster still held onto his heart, and then a bloody puncture from within broke through the hard shell. The sharp blade of scissors pierced out, the scissors the size of a human hand, and opened its blade through the flesh, welcoming itself out in twisted irony from the chest of the scissor-puncher Crablante.

Nagisa held onto the kneeling Karma's arm as they watch the monster cough out more and more blood, and as he made a single step forward, he slipped on top of the pool of his blood and fell forward. Iron scissor jabbed right back into his chest, and the monster ceased all movements.

"Ah." Nagisa and Karma could only say. There was a moment of silent, and just as Nagisa began to wonder if the monster truly was dead, he hears it.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

The calm sound of someone's heartbeat. It was neither Nagisa's or Karma's, and it definitely wasn't the monster. Rather, it was someone who was standing in front of them. Nagisa or Karma couldn't see him clearly, but there was definitely someone there. The longer Nagisa looked, however, the more he was beginning to notice a faint shimmer in the air, an outline of a tall body what looks like, and Nagisa raised his head slightly.

Ba-ba-bump. There was a skip of a beat, as if in surprise.

"Nagisa-kun?" Karma asked. He had just commented how gruesome of a scene that was and wondered if Nagisa knew what happened, suspecting really, and had a small thought against his classmate as if to say 'huh, you really did have it in you after all.' But when he didn't hear a response from Nagisa, he finds the androgynous boy staring at the air between themselves and the dead monster, and he simply followed Nagisa's line of sight.

"Huh?" Karma was also able to see the faintest shimmer in the air.

"Um…" Nagisa began, as if meeting the gaze of his invisible observer, "Thank you."

Another startled beat of the heart, and a new voice – a deep voice was heard. "…You can see me?"

"Uh, well…" Nagisa's eyes only adjusted for a moment, and yet all of a sudden, the shimmer was gone and he could no longer 'see' the outline of a body. However, he still hears that indomitable heartbeat, now steady.

"No," the invisible man said, sounding as if he was leaning to observe Nagisa in another angle. "Your eyes aren't focused on me exactly. You know my position, but how-?"

The crab monster suddenly lurched up, "I won't die alone!"

In a shocking burst of energy, Crablante thrust his claw for the boys, unknowing of an invisible individual who stood there between them.

"-!" The man knew it was too late to move, though before he would feel the pulverizing punch of the monster's claw, a swift body of blue hair slipped past him, a second time in a row where he was caught completely off-guard. "Wha-?!"

Nagisa, with a steady heartbeat and calm eyes, moved past the hidden wielder of Metallica, and jabbed the green knife into the eye stem of the crab monster. The claw of the monster missed both targets completely. The knife embedded into its eye socket sliced through the stem, losing yet another eye. The monster then fell back down, losing all energy to keep fighting.

"Ah-! Gross! Gross!" Nagisa complained as he caught the eye in his hand, waiting until the eye changed into a gold star, and he sighed in relief. The invisible man beside him watched the boy with muted incredulous, not that anybody would be able to see it.

There was a sudden noise of an explosion somewhere from afar, causing both Nagisa and Karma to jump.

"That sounds like our cue to leave," Karma said, noting that he'll have to ask Nagisa about what happened later, he ushered Nagisa over, "I already got my star with that other eye of that monster. We better get running."

"R-right!" Nagisa said, putting away his star emblem in his satchel, and proceed to follow after Karma out of the parking area.

Risotto Nero watched with a steely gaze at the boys hurried leave. When they left the parking lot completely, he looked back down at the monster who appeared to still be twitching, alive.

"[Metallica]."

There was only a noise of iron shredding through the body of crab monster, turning Crablante into nothing more than sashimi, and turning the area into nothing more than a canvas of splattered blood. With the job done, Risotto began to follow after the boys.

---

"Ehhh? So you used Free Will Mode on that card?" Karma asked as they found shelter inside one of the abandoned buildings, using their flashlight as their only source of light. They sat in the middle of an empty room which looked to be an office area. Settled in their separate sleeping bags, they discussed what happened with the crab monster.

Nagisa nodded, "I didn't really have a plan when I did that. I just…"

He recalled hearing the demand from that little iron cell. He also remembered the words of the old merchant, that info which sounded like a warning to him.

You just never know what sort of person you'll be allowing free reign to.

"I figured it was the best call." And turns out, it was. He made a gut-feeling decision, and the avatar of that card – whoever he is, helped them out. Though now Nagisa has no idea where that avatar is, and looking at the Summoning Card in his hand, the jester-like figure in the card was gone.

"Mm. Kind of a shame. I was going to throw hot sauce in that crab monster's other eye to see if he would let me go," Karma said, rolling to his back inside his sleeping bag, "Or if that didn't work, it would have at least been funny."

Nagisa weakly laughed, though he knew very well how serious Karma is being. Looking back down on the card in hand, he puts it back in his satchel.

"Do you think that guy's still around?" Karma asked.

Nagisa inserted himself further into his sleeping bag. "I'm not sure. The old merchant did say the avatar of the card won't automatically go back into it. I guess that means he doesn't have to follow us if he doesn't want to."

"Hmm…" Karma only said, looking around the room for a moment, "…Well, that's that I guess. Only one more star for us, and we're set to win this event."

Nagisa nodded, feeling enthusiastic before he fell into a deep thought, "…Hey, Karma-kun?"

"What's up, Nagisa-kun?"

Nagisa rested the back of his head against the pillow, "…Do you think that monster's dead?"

"It should be. There's no way anything could survive those kinds of wounds," Karma answered without hesitation.

"Doesn't that make us bad at this if we can't be sure?" Nagisa's eyes softened, "I know he was trying to kill us, but if I could help it, I wouldn't want him to suffer."

"I guess it just couldn't be helped, but you did land a pretty good killing blow. It looked like it anyway."

If that's the case, Nagisa thought to himself as he stared up at the ceiling, then that's the first time I've ever killed anything…

Surprisingly, he didn't feel like it was that big of a deal. It was self-defense anyway – well, technically Karma initiated the confrontation by drawing those nipples on that crab monster's chest, but they did hear that monster had been killing plenty of civilians, so that monster had to be stopped one way or another.

Even so, Nagisa felt fairly calm about it, and he wondered if this is how it will feel when he and his classmates kill Koro-sensei.

"I'm not sure if we should count this as a real kill though," Karma said as he turned over to his side, looking over to Nagisa, "After all, all this is like a simulation, right? So it's not like anything or anyone we've met are real – well, except maybe the other competitors. So don't go bragging to the rest of us that you got your first kill before any of us."

"I-I wasn't going to do that," Nagisa said. It sounded appalling when Karma puts it that way.

"Then maybe we can seduce the next monster if we dress you up like one? Make them think you can be their girlfriend? Black-widow style," Karma deviously smiled.

"I'm not going to do that either!" Nagisa hastily rejected such an embarrassing and downright disturbing idea.

"No fun…" Karma jokingly complained, then turned back in his sleeping position. "Either way, this is pretty good practice for us, right?"

"Ah, yeah…" Nagisa admitted. A good way to train themselves as assassins.

"Sharpening our skills while we're in this competition," Karma reached up for the ceiling, clenching at the mental image of that yellow octopus in his head, "Ah, that reminds me. Do you have a wish, Nagisa-kun? If what they say about the prize is true?"

"Hmm…" Nagisa thought for a moment, "…I would like to be a little taller."

"Isn't that what you said you'll use the reward money for?"

"Ah. Yeah, there really isn't anything else I would want." Just once, Nagisa would like to avoid getting teased and picked on by a lot of people for his height. "What about you?"

"Haven't got a clue yet," Karma answered, yawning, "I guess it'd be fun if I wish for something in our world to change. Maybe have everyone cater to my every whim?"

"I definitely would not want that to happen," Nagisa apologetically, but respectfully and bluntly answered.

Karma laughed, "Right! Right. Especially for you, since I would have made you dress up as my maid."

"I want that even less!" Nagisa shouted at the red-haired boy. Karma merely turned over to his other side, giving a back-handed wave to Nagisa.

"I think we should call it a night. Good night, Nagisa-kun."

"Ah, right. Good night, Karma-kun." Nagisa also felt his yawn coming and turned off his flashlight. He then snuggled inside his sleeping bag and closed his eyes, falling asleep fairly quickly.

---

A few hours later, Nagisa and Karma were still in a deep slumber. The windows around them partially giving light of the moon as they slept on the third floor of the building. With subdued steps and while cloaked, Risotto stepped towards Nagisa's sleeping figure.

He placed a piece of fur in Nagisa's exposed hand and waited for a moment. The fur transformed in a glow and then changed into a gold star, the very same star Nagisa had collected from that crab monster.

I see. So only those recognized as competitors can collect these stars, Risotto fathomed. He had killed a few monsters tonight while Nagisa and Karma had been here. Not one of the monsters he assassinated spared him any of these manifested points for himself. He has a general awareness of this competition and mechanisms, but it seems for a Support Card – or perhaps calling himself an NPC would be better suited, he cannot partake the same race as these boys.

Unless there is a certain requirement I must fulfill in order to present myself as an official competitor, He looked over to the two boys in pondering, then settled his gaze on Nagisa. But it's unknown if I'll have the chance to do so before the end of the Preliminary, which means I'll have to stick by these kids. Not only that, but this boy…

The boy, Nagisa if he recalled hearing correctly, he looked thin and fairly harmless. But as Risotto has learned, appearance can be deceiving, and this boy has already shown himself to Risotto just how abnormal the teen really was. For this competition to choose Nagisa as a competitor, there must be something special about him. Risotto was also most definitely cautious with the red-haired boy. That clever and mischievous look, hiding a violence behind that grin. The boy name Karma.

On the other hand, there was Nagisa. Frail-looking, androgynous, like a small, meek mouse whereas Karma can be considered a cat full of cunning. Yet to make that comparison, Risotto finds himself to be even more cautious of Nagisa, especially after the boy was able to somewhat know Risotto's whereabouts despite Risotto's invisibility. Risotto at least knew how to deal with violent individuals, his own posse consisted of some. But the boy's unassuming presence was enough to let down anyone's guard, and that's what made Risotto feel all the more cautious around Nagisa.

The way this boy had moved. His attack against that crab monster. This was most certainly no ordinary child, he is convinced of this even as he continues to watch over this peacefully slumbering competitor.

Whatever or whoever you are, boy, Risotto thought as his irises glowed its blood color in the dark, You are going to help me achieve my goals.

---

Preliminary Week. Day six.

"Huh?! I have five stars already?! No wait – six?!"

When Nagisa awoke, he found two stars in his grip. Half-asleep, Nagisa reached over to return them to his patch, wondering when did he ever took out his stars, or why for that matter. Once he counted the stars already on his patch however, he realized that he still had all four stars with him, and that there were really two extra stars in his hand now.

"B-but when did-? Did a monster crawl into my hand last night or- no that's dumb. We would have been eaten. Or I would, anyway," Nagisa tried to come up with a reasonable explanation as Karma rolled up his sleeping bag. Karma then walked over to Nagisa, counting all the stars in Nagisa's hand now.

"Hmmm?" Karma said with a glint of curiosity in his eyes, "I wonder, could it be that guy you summoned yesterday?"

"Ah-!" Nagisa said in realization. "You mean, Metallica?"

"Maybe," Karma shrugged, "I wonder if this is a parting gift or if he's still around? He sure is a shy guy. That or he's hiding from us for his own reasons."

"O-oh," Nagisa looked back at the extra stars in his hand, "Like, maybe he doesn't know what to make of us?"

"Could be. He's pretty distrustful of people then. I'd be suspicious of him too," Karma's pale red eyes fall back onto the stars, "Though apparently not suspicious enough if he's willing to give us more stars."

Seeing that this is their chance to enter the competition, Nagisa held out one of the stars to Karma, "Here. Since there's an extra star, that means we'll both be able to pass the Preliminary."

"Oh, that's true," Karma said, his eyes alighted as he was already reaching for the star. He stops, however, seeing Nagisa's outstretched hand before looking back up at the blue-haired boy.

"What's wrong?" Nagisa asked.

Karma was silent for a moment, then retreated his hand, pocketing it in his pants. "Nah. I think I'll get my last star by myself. Makes it more fun that way."

"Are you sure?"

Karma then proceeded back to his equipment, resuming packing away his things. "I'll manage. After all…"

Karma looked back at Nagisa with that cat-like grin of his, "It's a dream of mine to fight inside a real-life video game."

---

End of Preliminary Week. Location: The Wired.

"[Nagisa Shiota - Stars Collected: 6].

[Karma Akabane - Stars Collected: 5].

You have met the requirements of becoming official participants of the Competition Between Worlds. Congratulations on your passing the Preliminary]."

Nagisa and Karma walked down the massive hall along with several hundreds and hundreds of competitors. Nagisa was a bit overwhelmed by all the eccentric looks everyone around them wore. The rest of the competitors seemingly to have come from different time periods, countries, and etc. It was aweing.

But not as much as when Nagisa and Karma saw the city itself: The Wired.

"Talk about high-tech…" Karma said with a whistle, even the mischievous boy couldn't hold back his slight show of amazement. Nagisa could only stare with wide eyes before looking back to where a line of what seemed to be helpers and staff members of the Competition.

There were directions laid about in signs, as well as guide men and women who were surrounded by people. There were apparently pamphlets being offered too, though it seems they already ran out.

"Whoa! Look at how many movie theaters they have here!"

Nagisa overhears one of the competitors, a pink-haired teen with small scars underneath his eyes, wearing a black uniform with a red hood. Nagisa noticed that the pink-haired teen was reading through another pamphlet held by maybe a friend of his. An orange haired teen in what looks to be a black robe, and maybe a sword behind his back though he can't see it because of where the guy was facing, along with so many people crowding around them. The orange hair teen seemed kind of familiar to Nagisa, though he can't quite put his finger on where he's seen him from.

"Wonder where we should start? Hmph. Guess it would have been helpful to have Sensei's guidebook for this sort of thing, and I doubt anyone else here would help out the competition," Karma said as he considered the options presented to them, though Nagisa already has a faint idea. He might feel a little guilty doing so though.

"Hold on, I think I can get something for us," Nagisa said and proceeded to walk towards the pink hair, red hooded teen. There was a pamphlet sticking out in the back pocket of the pink hair teen, but Nagisa made sure his walk was that of someone who simply wanted a view of the city over the railings, overhearing the conversation by the pair he was approaching.

"Oh! We should check out their Manga store- actually, no never mind."

Nagisa could hear the steady heartbeat of this teen. A heart that sounded gentle. Kind.

"Huh? What's with the change in attitude?" The orange hair teen asked, looking at the sudden discouraged pink hair teen. His heartbeat also sounded kind, protective.

"I uh… I really don't want to explain it. How about something to eat?"

"Hmm. There's a food court close by. Looks like in this map, it's-"

As the two competitors chatted, Nagisa, with his sleight of hand trick, took the pamphlet from the back pocket of the pink hair, red hooded teen. He then casually takes out his phone – thankfully brought along ever since he entered the preliminary and started taking pictures of the pamphlet information. It seemed pretty basic, and the information is pretty straightforward. There was a small map of the city's section, which might mean there were other pamphlets of different maps throughout the city.

After taking quick pictures of it, Nagisa overhears an exclaim from behind him. "Eh? Wait. I just had my pamphlet. Did I lose it already?"

Nagisa pocketed his phone and returns to the briefly confused pair, "Excuse me. Are you looking for this?"

"Ah! That's it! Thanks!" Yuji Itadori gratefully accepts his pamphlet back and puts it in his uniform pocket by his waist this time. Nagisa nodded at him and shortly returns to Karma.

"How'd you nearly lose that? You just got it," the orange hair teen, Ichigo Kurosaki asked.

"Ah, yeah, I'm kind of surprised too. Almost thought someone ate it…"

"Eh?"

Upon reaching Karma, who had been surprised by Nagisa's swift taking of the pamphlet unnoticed, Nagisa shows him his phone and the pictures he took of the pamphlet.

"I probably could have just asked them though," Nagisa said, looking back at the other pair of competitors. "They seemed nice."

"Nah. It was a good call," Karma said, reading through the pictures, "Just because they look nice doesn't mean they might be friendly."

Karma added with a subtle discretion in his whimsical tone, "After all..."

We're assassins.

"You just never know what could be hidden in people's hearts."

He gave a brief, unreadable side-glance at Nagisa. Before Nagisa could respond, Karma departs for the stairway leading down.

"Let's go check these places out," Karma suggested. They then began to depart down the stairs that would lead them into the city.

Had they stuck around though, they would have seen Yuji accidentally opening the pamphlet further, and several pages were unfolded down to a trail. "Ah."

"…No way do these people expect us to read all this," Ichigo blanched as Yuji tries and fails constantly to fold the pamphlet back.

---

"-here you are boys," a worker behind the counter of a housing store informed, handing over tickets of their homes addressed. "That'll be where you'll be living for the duration of the Intermission, at least until the next event starts."

Nagisa and Karma accepts the tickets, each ticket having the same address to their shared apartment. "Looks like we'll be living together."

"Hmm…" Karma thoughtfully sounded before looking back at the worker, "Is there a way we can have separate apartments?"

"Huh-?"

"Of course!" The housing worker answered, "If you wish to make a personal request like that, I can help set you up with whatever we have available."

Karma looked back to Nagisa, offering an apologetic smile, "Sorry, but I'm not that good of a roommate. Is it okay if we live on our own? I figured this would be a good way to scout the city some more too. What do you think?"

"Um, sure," Nagisa accepted. Well, Karma is sort of the lone wolf type. It was understandable, though Nagisa hates to admit it, it was kind of a shame.

It might be for the best. I don't want to wake up wearing a maid's outfit all of sudden. Nagisa shuddered at the thought as the worker offered a selection of available apartments demonstrated on the computer screen she flipped over. After Karma chooses one, the worker gave Karma a new address ticket. The two classmates bid the worker some thanks and goodbyes, and they were off for their new homes within the Wired.

Reaching the packed underground train station which will take them to their separate apartments, Nagisa talked to Karma one last time before their trains arrives. "What should we do for tomorrow? Should we meet up somewhere?"

"Hmm. Before we do that, we should check to see what else this city has," Karma suggested, "Call it a hunch, but I think there's more to this place than it just being for competitors to rest. We might even stock up on new ammos and weapons. I did see a couple of stores on our way over here that offer those."

"Alright. That sounds like a good start," Nagisa said as Karma's train finally arrived. The red-haired boy waved at Nagisa before walking up to the train.

"I'll give you a call tomorrow and we'll decide what our next move should be. See you around, Nagisa-kun."

Nagisa waved back at Karma, and watched as Karma's train left the station. On his own now, he waits for his train to arrive, and it did so ten minutes later. He checks the time on his phone. It was still dinnertime, though imagining how packed the food courts around here must be, Nagisa decided to buy something to eat along the way to his apartment.

Stepping onto his train, he takes a seat with his satchel by his side and removed his light green cloak, folding it and putting it away within his bag. I should definitely take care of these stars and cards. I wouldn't want anyone to steal them - huh?

Nagisa's fingers stopped at the pocket that held all his Support Cards. Checking each card, he noticed one was missing. "Where did Metallica go?"

Unbeknownst by him, the answer to his inquiry was observing at him from another spot on the train.

---

Nagisa arrived on foot at his assigned apartment twenty minutes after the train dropped him off, stopping for a moment to get a sandwich at a nearby store for dinner - which was free of charge for competitors, so that was pretty good. It was an apartment complex that reminded Nagisa of his own home back in his world, which made him wonder and worry if his mother was home. He instantly abandons the idea, seeing that this was a completely different apartment complex, and it'd be a horrible case if his mother was around while Nagisa was competing.

He takes the elevator that took him to the top floor. Upon exiting, he walked to the very end of the hall. A view of the city at his right over the fenced balcony. It was a really nice view.

He reached his door number, just a few or so doors from the very last one that was at the end of the hall. Pulling out his key that was given to him by the worker, Nagisa begins to unlock his door-

-when all of a sudden, his neighbor's door abruptly slammed open, scaring Nagisa so much he couldn't even scream his surprise and he dropped his keys.

"I'M GOING TO CONFESS MY FEELINGS TO HER!"

Standing outside the open door, a hulk-like figure of what seemed to be a man. Thick rectangular black brows and thick lips. A sharp black hair cut. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt and beige shorts with sneakers on. Everything about this guy screamed 'manly', and Nagisa was both at awe as well as intimidated.

"Hm?" The neighbor noticed Nagisa, looking around his door that essentially met his height - no, rather, the neighbor had to duck slightly just to avoid hitting his head against the door frame. "Sorry. Did I startle you?"

"A-ah. No...?" Nagisa said at first, nervously smiling, "Well, maybe a little, but I'm alright."

"I see. I'm sorry for suddenly yelling. I was psyching myself up for something important," the neighbor then closed the door behind him and was about to leave for somewhere, but then stopped again. "Huh? I don't think I've seen you around here before."

Nagisa picked up the keys he had dropped before answering to the manly neighbor. "I just moved in. Or, going to move in. This was the place they gave me for the competition."

"Oh!" The neighbor suddenly stated, leaning a bit to meet with Nagisa at an eye-level - or at least, the best level he could give. "Are you a competitor?"

"Yes," Nagisa answered politely, looking up at the tall and fairly muscular guy. "Are you one also?"

"Ah, no..." The neighbor answered, grabbing his chin as he looked up at the ceiling in thought, "I'm a... what do they call it again? N...P...Z..?"

"An NPC?" Nagisa asked.

The neighbor pointed in affirmation, "That's it! An NPC!"

With a look of better understanding, the tall neighbor nodded, "I see now! Since you're a competitor, you must have just gotten back from that uh... test, was it?"

"Yeah. That's right," Nagisa nodded, feeling a bit more at ease around the hulking neighbor. He could hear the heartbeat of the person from where Nagisa stood. It was a strong heartbeat, undoubtedly honest. He felt his momentary fear of the man dwindle away the longer he spoke to the neighbor.

"I see! I see!" The neighbor nodded, smiling. "In that case, you're new to the Wired. If there's ever anything you need help with, just come by my door and ask. I'll do whatever I can to help, especially for a new neighbor."

"Thank you," Nagisa smiled back. "I'll be sure to do that, Mister..."

"Gouda!" The neighbor offered his huge hand to Nagisa's, "Takeo Gouda! It's nice to meet you!"

It was such an enthusiastic greeting, Nagisa worried he might have woken up the neighbors with how loud Takeo was being. Not wanting to be rude though, Nagisa shook hands with Takeo. His hand completely cupped by Takeo's, but the grip of the neighbor was so gentle. Nagisa was impressed, and he smiled all the more. "It's nice to meet you too, Gouda-sama. My name's Nagisa Shiota."

"There's no need for 'sama'. I'm pretty sure I'm around the same age as you."

"EH?!" Nagisa uttered out. No way! This guy was a teenager?! He's huge! Where was this growth spurt for Nagisa?!

They parted hands and Takeo started to face towards the last door at the end of the hall. "Alright then! I look forward to getting to know you! You have a good night!"

"Y-yeah..." Still stunned by the revelation that he was talking to a teen, Nagisa waved at the neighbor. "Good night, Gouda-kun."

Takeo then proceeded to the last door, and without ringing the doorbell or even so much as a knock, Takeo waltz right into the apartment, surprising Nagisa once more. There was a brief silence, and then Nagisa heard the loud voice of Takeo. "Suna! I'm coming in!"

You're already in though... Nagisa could only stand there bewildered. Must be a friend's apartment.

Nagisa certainly got himself an eccentric neighbor, but Takeo seemed really friendly. Respectful even. Certainly, a man among men.

Nagisa then returned his attention to the door. Unlocking his way into what is now his very own apartment. Upon entering and turning on the hallway light, he takes off his shoes and replaces them with indoor slippers, the cases his new home.

A white-wall apartment with a spacious living room. A couch and a cushion chair already provided in front of a TV. At the end of the apartment living room, what might be a sliding door leading to a personal balcony, shielded by curtains. Stepping out from the short entry hallway, Nagisa finds a kitchen immediately to his left, with a kitchen island and cabinets hanging overhead. There was a door at the left side of his living room, which must be where his bedroom is.

Oh. Right... Nagisa thought to himself, walking over to the living room and removing his satchel, setting it down on the kitchen island counter. Since Karma changed apartments, that means I'll be the only one living in this two-bedroom apartment.

Seems like a lot of unnecessary space. But it might end up being useful. For example, if Karma were to come over and stay for the night while they discuss strategies in what to expect for the next event. Then again, Nagisa wasn't sure how much he should hold hope for that. If their other classmates were here, it might have been easier to get Karma to tag along, but since it's just Nagisa and Karma...

I guess it's just like last time, Nagisa sighed before taking out his notebook and pen. He brings it over to the coffee table in the living room, setting it down there, though before he would take a seat, he looks up at the curtained balcony door. Deciding on a whim to see the view behind the apartment, he goes and pulls the pale blue curtains aside.

There was a nice look of the neighborhood. Houses and apartments reaching far, and Nagisa could catch a glimpse of what might be the forest mountains. It's not so bad. I've always kind of wondered what it was like if I lived alone...

And since his mother wasn't here, it made him feel all the more content. He reached for the door handle to take a step outside, though he immediately noticed something off.

This handle feels warm... Nagisa noted. It's not locked either.

Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

A familiar heartbeat seemed to echo within the room, and Nagisa froze. It was only for a second though, and he tried to calmly press his fingers against the balcony door handle-

"You know that I'm here, don't you?"

The deep voice sounded right behind Nagisa, over his head. He stood there for a few seconds, then slowly turned to the speaker in the room.

Ta... Nagisa at first comprehended, Tall...

He really shouldn't feel so jealous, especially at a time like this.

The man stood at the near center of the living room, behind yet somewhat at a distance from Nagisa, with that glowing red gaze in the pitch black of his sclera. A dark complexion. His white hair fell over his forehead. His head covered by a black jester-like hat, with golden bells that seemed to have letter initials on them, though Nagisa could only read R. I. S. and O. The man was maybe six or seven inches shorter than Takeo, but he was nonetheless tall. A black trench coat with his chest exposed, showcasing a muscular yet lean body. A black and white striped pants and black shoes, yet despite having the color white and a small number of gold in the man's appearance, it was like looking at a pillar of leather darkness.

"You have a very quiet presence," the man suddenly spoke, grasping his forehead as he attempts to decipher Nagisa. The boy once more flinched at the deepness of the man's voice. "Even back then, when you slipped past me and struck that creature with quick precision. Without hesitation."

The sight of that unflinching, cold red gaze - the kind that has seen many, many bloodshed in his lifetime. Nagisa was intimidated by such a gaze, but he never looked away. He felt compelled to stare back at those eyes. Curiosity maybe? He feels curious rather than terror, even though that should be the normal human response. He's definitely intimidated though.

"Who are you?" Risotto Nero asked his question to the boy.

Nagisa was a bit lost for words. He should have been the one to ask the man that question, especially since this is Nagisa's apartment the man broke into. However, Nagisa felt far more driven to answer only because of how seriously intense the man's gaze and presence was. The man's heartbeat was as calm as Nagisa, though certainly not harmless in the least bit.

Nervously, Nagisa gives his reply, "Um, my name is Nagisa Shiota. I'm a... well, I'm a competitor."

Nagisa had a small feeling that that wasn't necessarily what the man was asking about. But Nagisa wasn't too sure just how much of himself should he tell the man. Karasuma did instruct him and his other classmates to keep their status as assassins a secret, or else they would have to be brainwashed for exposing what was government intel - especially given to why they became assassins in the first place.

"I'm a student of Kunugigaoka Junior High. Class E," Nagisa continued. "I just... kind of ended up here. I followed after another classmate of mine after he entered this competition. He's living somewhere else right now, but we - or, I might meet up with him later."

It was amazing how clearly Nagisa spoke without so much as a single stutter, like his life depended on it. Or maybe it was.

The jester-like man continued to observe Nagisa. An unwavering focus towards the student as if he would lose track of the boy the moment either of them moves. Face impassive, it was clear enough though that the man was assessing the boy, though what his thoughts could be was anyone's guess. Nagisa just can't read him at all. Not his mood. His face. Nothing.

There was no doubt about it, Nagisa was certain of it now. This man...

He's an assassin.

Nagisa then took the man's moment of silent observation to make an observation of his own. Looking again at the man's appearance, Nagisa had to wonder why he was dressed like a jester with monochrome coloring. The boy just finds it so hard to believe that an assassin would wear something like that in his line of work, and still be able to move around undetected. Especially with those bells attached to the headpiece.

Yet, the fact remains that this man had been undetectable when he attacked Crablante, and was able to hide in this apartment with Nagisa noticing at first. Only did he stopped moving that Nagisa was able to somewhat pinpoint him by the sound of his heartbeat.

"Is there something you find so interesting?" Risotto took notice of Nagisa's soft analytical gaze. Red eyes narrowed, "You seem to be just as curious about me as I am of you."

"Ah. Well..." Nagisa started, grasping his hands together. "I was just wondering... why you're dressed up like a clown?"

Risotto blinked at Nagisa, though that was the barest emotion the boy was ever going to get. Hastily, Nagisa tried to repair the damage he caused, "I-I don't mean to offend! I was just.. wondering."

"Yes. You said that twice now."

Nagisa's head shrunk into his shoulders sheepishly, breaking his gaze away from the man. He ultimately lost this battle of will between them.

"Are you actually nervous around me?" Risotto questioned.

"Y...Yes?" Nagisa responded with a question of his own, frowning slightly, "Should I... not be?"

"You'd be foolish if you weren't," the man answered, lowering his hand from his forehead and pressed it against his hips, "You certainly are an interesting boy."

"Um... Thanks? Maybe?" Well, Nagisa at least appreciated being recognized as a boy. Some people would often get that wrong due to his pigtails.

"Not quite a compliment," Risotto said, taking a few steps to the right, his eyes remained on Nagisa. "You do genuinely appear to be on edge. Yet you remain cordial with me, despite the fact that I have entered your apartment unannounced."

"Well, you were the one who helped us back then, right?" Nagisa asked.

At the man's silent look, Nagisa resumed, "You helped deal with that crab monster for us. It was pretty brutal, but you did save us there. I know I said it before, but I'll say it again."

Nagisa bowed his head, "Thank you for fighting that monster for us."

"...It wasn't necessarily for you that I chose to fight," Risotto said, before lifting Nagisa's notebook he had grabbed from the coffee table, surprising Nagisa. "But you definitely have me intrigued. These notes are very in depth. From the monsters you have encountered to the competitors you came across with in the preliminary."

The man hummed for a moment, looking back at Nagisa. "You've listed all their strengths, and even weaknesses you either deduced or notice. Do you always examine people to such an extent? To write down this much information tells me that you have done this even before entering this competition."

"Ah, well…" Nagisa didn't know how to exactly respond to that, though he supposes he could give something an honest answer. He glanced away as he responded, "I sometimes make notes of people I think are interesting, or that I like. It's really useful too whenever I want to be careful around someone."

His eyes looked sullen for a moment, "I guess it just became a habit for me."

Needing to observe to gauge a person's mood, the self-learned ability to hear people's heartbeats, and to know when to persist or when to back down. To avoid the ire of the one he cannot retort, retaliate, or refuse no matter what. He's able to gain some confidence ever since Koro-sensei came into his life, enough that he would even stand against a psychotic soldier who would not hesitate to torture and kill him. But he supposes even after that, thinking about it now, there's no way Nagisa would still have the courage to stand against his own mother.

Risotto observed Nagisa for a silent moment. He closed the notebook, "Are you not going to ask me what happened to your Summoning Card?"

Nagisa's shoulders jerked, "Oh! Right. Um... Wait, did you take it? I honestly thought I lost it..."

Although, he definitely should have realized that the man would have taken the card. There's no way someone would just let themselves lose their freedom if ever Nagisa decided to, although he hadn't really been thinking about it. He would have assumed that there was a timer or that the avatar would be on its own way. But the fact that he still had that card with one slot usage left, it means that he could still use it.

"You could have stripped my will at any time," Risotto asked, seemingly glaring at Nagisa with suspicion, "Why have you not done so?"

"I..." Nagisa thought for a moment before answering, "There wasn't really a reason for me to do that."

"No reason?"

Nagisa gently shakes his head. "I mean, if you want to be on your own, that's fine with me. Although..."

"Although what?"

The boy hesitated before gathering the courage to face up at the tall assassin, "If it's possible, I like to keep working together with you."

The man was silent.

"I've never seen anything like your powers before. I think they could really help me and my fr- my classmate in this competition." Nagisa thinks back on all his time of trying to kill the unkillable target in his world. How no normal human means can suffice if he and his classmates wanted to save their world. To help Earth avoid the same fate as their moon did.

"I've seen a lot of monsters. Normal weapons alone weren't enough to kill them, especially if we might come across some more in the next event. It would make a huge difference if we could get all the help we can ask for. I know that this isn't necessarily your fight, and my wish after winning is pretty shallow."

"Something about being taller, yes?"

"Y-yeah," a shade of red in Nagisa's face before he calmed down, "But, still, I want to give my best while I'm here. If you'd be willing, I'd also like to understand how your abilities work a bit better. But if you have other ideas, or just don't want to be part of this, I understand."

Somewhat a bit disappointed by how weak sounding his offer must be - negotiations really isn't Nagisa's strong suit - he bowed his head before the man, "For now, I just want to give you my thanks for helping us in the preliminary. That's all."

A long silence. The only thing that could be heard was Nagisa's and Risotto's heartbeat, and the ticking of the clock on the wall - and maybe the muffled yells of excitement from Nagisa's eager neighbor Takeo. In hindsight, Nagisa should have probably considered this a little harder. He knows nothing about this man except having the strong suspicion that he is an assassin.

This man could be just as bloodthirsty as Takaoka, and without being able to tell by his heartbeat or mannerisms, there's just no telling what sort of assassin this man was. Yet all the same, Nagisa still felt compelled to suggest working together with him. Even though this person asserted that his actions against Crablante wasn't necessarily to protect Nagisa and Karma, his powers were still something unique that Nagisa wanted to study it some more.

All in all, there was really only one reason Nagisa wanted them to work together. The boy was just curious about the man, the same sort of intrigue he has against his own teacher who he has failed to kill time and time again.

"...To ask for my assistance - my expertise, compensation is in order."

Ah. Right. Nagisa almost forgot about that. Assassins don't work for free. Although, he wasn't sure if he should say that out loud, considering how cautious the man was towards Nagisa.

"Raise your head, boy."

Nagisa did so, almost automatically with how much the man's voice reverberated, like a command that pressed against his own soul. He's pretty sure that wasn't another power this person. This man was just that charismatic, a leader. He must have led a team at one point.

"For now, I will be taking one of your stars," Risotto said before a card slid up from the back of the notebook. Nagisa was surprised to see the Metallica card right there in the man's grip before he flicked the card onto the table. It slid across the wood before reaching within Nagisa's proximity at the very edge. "Spend it on that card to renew its slot."

"Uh, okay..." Nagisa reached for his pocket before realizing, "Oh, I left it in my-"

The patch of six stars slid across the table and met with the Metallica card side by side.

"-bag."

Though a bit perturbed by how much the man snooped through his things, Nagisa reached down for his patch and the Metallica card. Risotto's eyes glowed as he peered intently at the boy. Nagisa plucked one star from his patch, and with a bit of uncertainty since this is the first time he's doing it, he places it over the slot usage icons in the corner of the image within the card.

The star glowed a bit, and then was instantly consumed by the card. A newly ignited second slot appeared, indicating that Nagisa now has two uses left on the card.

"Slide that card back to me."

Nagisa carefully pressed his fingers against the card's edge and pushed it across the table. Although it seemed a bit weak, the card seemed to work as a magnet as it instantly drew close to Risotto's lowered hand where he picked it up easily, still keeping his eyes on Nagisa.

He's making sure to keep his distance... Nagisa noted. This is indeed a very, very cautious man. Nagisa watched as the man Risotto suddenly went for the TV desk-drawer, finally breaking his gaze away from Nagisa.

Risotto then opened the first drawer, placing the card inside. Nagisa wanted to ask what he was doing until he witnessed in startle as the man bit the print of his own index finger. Blood was drawn as the man held it over his card. Drops of blood fell on top of his card, and within the eyes of Risotto, small iron cells emerged from the blood drops, living pieces of horrified expressions that only he and those like him could see.

After enough drops was made, he swiftly shuts the drawer closed. "This card will remain locked in here. As long as I remain alive, the usage of my power will be limitless - so long as I alone wield them. You will not access this card. If you do, I will know."

There was an undeniable warning in the man's words that made Nagisa immediately nod right away.

"My name is Risotto Nero," the man in leather finally introduced himself. "While your wish may be shallow, it's not the first time I've heard of it. I've known others who have their own simple desires. I have no problem with that."

Having a wish is one thing, but to have a desire, that is something Nagisa will admit to having, and it's not as small as simply wanting to be taller. For one of those desires, he is sure he can accomplish them on his own and with his fellow classmates. This competition was, for the most part, for him to train and further hone his skills as an assassin. With the expiration date of his world having paused while he and Karma are here, they could have more chances at planning the perfect Assassination against their teacher.

"I also have a wish," Risotto stated, surprising Nagisa yet again. "What I aim to achieve, I intend to take it no matter what. If you do not stand in my way, I will help you throughout this competition. However, I require absolute freedom. So under no circumstances are you to ever deactivate my card. Understand?"

He waited to hear Nagisa's vocal affirmation, and the boy did so albeit a bit jittery. There was such determination in Risotto's words that Nagisa just couldn't find the strength nor room to object, not that there was much reason for him to do so anyhow. He did just ask if they could work together. "O-okay. So…"

Risotto suddenly started to walk towards the balcony, which prompted Nagisa to step aside for him to pass. "Our first step should be to assess the world we are currently living in, and prepare ourselves before the next event begins. For now, you should get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

Risotto opened the glass door, "...I'm still not so sure about you. I don't know whether you are just some ordinary schoolboy or anything else that you are not telling me."

His glowing red eyes observed Nagisa one last time, Nagisa eyeing back at him with a hint of wonder of those eyes, as if they're seeing more than just Nagisa in them. "I will be keeping a close eye on you. Do not forget that."

With that, Risotto hopped over the balcony. Nagisa hurried over to see him how he landed, especially since they were so high up, but finds no one there down below. He must have used his invisibility cloak...

There has to be a correlation to Risotto's ability to manipulate iron and his invisibility. He'll have to write it down in his notes. As Nagisa retreated back into his apartment and closed the door, he suddenly had a realization.

"Ah. He knew what my wish was..."

Which meant that Risotto was around when Nagisa and Karma were camping within that abandoned building. "He really is an assassin."

---

"Hey, kid."

Nagisa had just awoke and entered the living room in his plain sleeping wear and signature pigtails. He jumped at the voice of Risotto, and jumped a second time when a round wrapped object was tossed to his face. Catching it, the object felt warm, and he could smell the egg and ham coming from it.

"Eat up. We'll be leaving as soon as you're done and dressed up," the man in black leather said as he sat in the cushion chair that had been moved to the corner of the room. A good spot to guard all his sides while keeping his attention to the whole room, including that who is currently in it.

"O-oh, thank you," Nagisa said. He started to unwrap the breakfast when Risotto called to him again.

"Hold on." A second breakfast sandwich was tossed to Nagisa's way and the boy caught it, blinking in surprise. "Take both of those. You're a bit too thin for my liking."

"Ah. Thanks..." Nagisa said. He takes a seat at the kitchen table and started eating his first sandwich. He tried to avoid eye-contact with Risotto, but the man's blood glowing eyes were practically boring into the boy that Nagisa just can't seem to enjoy his breakfast without feeling on edge. Well, he did bring me breakfast. He's a bit nice at least.

Nice might not be the right word for it, but it does save Nagisa the trouble of getting his own breakfast from whatever leftovers he has in his travel satchel. Especially since this is a newly lived apartment, so he'll be needing to get some groceries that will last him the whole two days of the Intermission. There's also Risotto to consider, so he'll be needing to get extra food now that, by the looks of it, he'll be sharing this apartment with the man.

"Have... you eaten anything yet?" Unable to take this awkward silence for long, Nagisa asked the man sitting in the corner.

"Don't worry about me. Just finish eating. I've also found you some new clothes since there's not much..."

Risotto paused for a moment before finishing, "of anything here, other than what might as well be for sleeping. They should be just about your size."

For some reason, Nagisa thought as he looked at the man's glittering gold accessories of his hat, I have a feeling he was going to say 'style'.

"What is it?"

Nagisa jumped in his seat when the man caught him observing, even though it was just for a brief moment, "Uh, it's nothing, really."

"No. It's not," Risotto refused to relent, leaning forward in his chair as he rested his elbows against his knees. A hand pressed against his cheek as if he was bored of the conversation already. Though if he's willing to ask, that must not be the case. Perhaps he was bored of Nagisa's meekness. "You might as well tell me."

Unable to stand against such a menacing pressure even from this distance, and the fact that Nagisa was pretty sure the man was just asking rather than threatening. "I was just wondering, don't those bells give you away?"

Nagisa looks at the bells and reading its one letter initials. "And do they spell your name? I can see some of the letters."

"My ability can prevent these accessories from making any sound. It's useful to keep my powers sharpened."

Nagisa looked intrigued, wishing he had his notepad with him to write it down. He'll have to remember it later.

"They do spell my name," Risotto continued, "If you're worried that others might be able to tell my identity from that, it rarely makes a difference to me, and they never live long to use it against me. Let alone see me in the first place."

"I-I see..." Nagisa said, eating his sandwich as he definitely intended to never cross with Risotto. He certainly does not want to share the same fate as Crablante. "Then, is Risotto your code name?"

"It is my name."

"Eh? Really?" Nagisa said, nervousness forgotten and replaced with curiosity. "But... isn't that the name of a rice dish?"

"It is."

That was all Risotto will say, and Nagisa decided to let it be. Nagisa recalls hearing the word Nero in one of Koro-sensei's International Language subject. It was an Italian word, the word itself translated to the color Black. Huh, now that he thought about it, Risotto was also an Italian word for Rice. Rice Black. Is it based off of the Italian dish Black Risotto, or Cuttlefish Risotto? He remembered making that in his cooking course with the rest of E-Class. It involved edible black squid ink, it was really good the first time he tried it.

I wonder if that means he's Italian... Nagisa said as he finished his first breakfast sandwich. It's kind of too on the nose though, and I can't really tell from his voice either.

He spoke really good Japanese though, or was it English? Wait, then that would mean Nagisa spoke really good English, although it definitely is his favorite subject. Huh, there was something odd about what Nagisa just thought... (Was he speaking English or Japanese?)

"I like to ask you a question as well, boy," Risotto suddenly spoke up as Nagisa was beginning to bite into his sandwich. Risotto pointed at Nagisa, "That knife you were using against that monster. It's not a normal knife, is it?"

Risotto only caught a glimpse of it before it stabbed into the Crablante's eye. Risotto's Stand Ability has him able to perceive all materials - living and nonliving - that has iron in them. Yet the knife Nagisa had used against the monster didn't have so much as a single iron in it, yet it was still able to kill that monster swiftly.

"Ah. No, it isn't," Nagisa answered. "It's a special type of weapon that can kill... I guess only monsters. But it's harmless against humans."

"I see..." Risotto said, lowering his hand as he leaned back into his chair, "Show it to me later. I'm a bit curious how that weapon is made."

"Alright," Nagisa agreed. "Is... it okay if I ask about your powers?"

"I'll see if I can answer them," Risotto said, not promising if he'll reveal all his secrets with it, which Nagisa understands. An Assassin's greatest asset is their discretion, after all. He hopes they can eventually break the ice though.

"It said on your card that you can control iron," Nagisa said, halfway eating into his sandwich. "But then those blades started appearing from that monster..."

Risotto waited as Nagisa held a pondering look of a clear hypothesis in mind, and Nagisa outright stated it, "I'm not that great with science, but I did learn that there is an element within the human body. Inside the blood streams I think."

Nagisa looked to Risotto as he poses his question, "Did you use the iron in that monster's body to create those weapons?"

"I did," Risotto answered, raising a finger as he showed the print of a finger he had bitten to draw blood. Only for Nagisa to not even see the wound there anymore. "Iron is everywhere. Within the earth, and within people. Considering your observant nature, it's pointless to keep this from you, but I would rather you not tell anyone else about this, if we want to keep our advantage in this competition. You can't tell anyone, not even your classmate."

"Ah..." Nagisa wanted to protest that they can trust Karma, but then Risotto spoke again.

"I don't doubt that you want me to trust that boy, but it's pretty obvious to me that you're not really close friends with him - no matter how long you must have known each other. I don't know what history you have with that boy, but it's clear that he wants to avoid getting close to you. I don't trust him as much as he's unwilling to trust me, to the point where I have no intention to reveal myself to him, even if you ask me to."

He then points to Nagisa with two of his fingers, "This is my next condition in this little our alliance of ours. You will not inform anyone of my existence, not unless I see it necessary to."

Seeing that determined decision of Risotto, Nagisa had to relent, eating the remains of his sandwich for a final bite. It's true that Karma has his mischievous tendency and violence, but there may be time for Risotto to get to know Karma enough for him to trust the other boy. They're going to need Karma's strength for this competition after all.

"I have no qualms of you working together with him. I can see that he isn't someone to underestimate, and could be beneficial to us if you believe he would," Risotto said, lowering his hand once more, "But I won't show myself to him. I'll be watchful of him, though."

Nodding at that, Nagisa finished as sandwich as Risotto got up from his chair. The man added, "I'll be waiting for you outside your door. Go and get dressed, we'll leave once you step out."

"Ah, yeah..." Nagisa said as Risotto went for the front door. He collected and threw away the wrappers and heads for his bedroom. He stops by the coffee table at the sight of the new pair of clothes that looked just like his school uniform of a white t-shirt, cargo pants, and a dark vest. He takes the set of new clothes to his room, and began to change into them. Not forgetting to pick up and conceal his green assassin knife and pistol before he goes back out to meet with Risotto.

---

Nagisa walked the city sidewalk under the blue gridded sky. He left his apartment with Risotto, but the man was nowhere in sight. Risotto was in fact here with Nagisa, having chose to investigate the city with the boy discreetly, and so turned himself invisible. "I will be close by. For now, let us scout the city and look for more intel."

That sounds reasonable enough, though Nagisa wondered what Risotto was able to find out last night. It's honestly interesting how much Risotto is already taken lead for the both of them. A better grasp at this competition than Nagisa certainly has. The man must have carried out countless assignments personally as a profession hitman, either as an agent for the government like Karasuma and Professor Bitch, or an independent contractor like Gastro, Smog, and Grip. It made Nagisa want to work even harder to keep up.

For Risotto to be this steadfast, though, whatever wish the man has, it must be really important.

The Wired seemed so much busier and larger than the cities in Japan in Nagisa's world. Competitor and NPCs walking the streets. He wanted to make conversation with Risotto but decided against it. Besides, with so many people walking past him, Nagisa would probably look crazy if he was seen talking to himself. So he kept silent and continued down the path where he strolls on by shops, restaurants, and even training establishments like a shooting range, self-defense classes, etc.

"Where should we start I wonder-"

"Stop."

Nagisa heard Risotto all of a sudden and paused his walk, before he could even utter an "huh?" A fleeting figure in a black shirt jumped over the railing Nagisa was just walking by. He took a quick step back in reaction, and felt his back bump into the rugged body that kept him from falling.

"Guh-!"

In front of Nagisa, another boy fell on his rump due to the same runner that surprised them both. Nagisa's eyes followed after the sprinter, but the person - whose white hair seemed to be styled like fangs - left as quickly as he came. Nagisa then took a quick glimpse behind him, only to see nothing but a vague shimmer in the air, and the faint red eyes of Risotto who stared after the fleeting figure.

Risotto. He was this close to me the whole time?

Or did he close the distance from somewhere? He must be really fast then.

"Ow ow ow..."

Nagisa looked in front of him once more, seeing the fallen person there. Nagisa at once approached him, "Are you alright?"

He held out his hand to the spectacle-wearing boy. He looked a bit older than Nagisa, with black ruffled hair and wearing a black and white jacket. The boy nodded his head, accepting the hand Nagisa offered, "Yeah. I think so. Did a werewolf passed by us all of a sudden?"

"Um, I'm not sure..." Nagisa said as he helped the boy up. There was a glimpse of something small and red on the skin wrist of the boy.

"I'm only kidding. But then again, this whole place is full of nonsensical things. It probably shouldn't surprise me that there would be something like that here..." The spectacled boy, Shiki Tohno, stated as if from experience, adjusting his glasses. "Are you okay too?"

"Yeah," Nagisa nodded. "You're not hurt or anything, right?"

"I'll live," Shiki huffed, sounding as if there was an inside joke he just made before looking at Nagisa. "I - grgh!"

The dark haired boy suddenly clutched his head. Nagisa looked at the boy in concern, raising a hand for the stranger. "Are you sure you're not hurt? Did you hit your head?"

"Ahh," Shiki sighed, as if whatever had been hurting him disappeared. "Yeah, I'm... I'm fine. Sorry, I get headaches like this sometimes. There's a lot of... things in this city that makes me feel a little nauseous."

Allergies? Nagisa instantly thought. "Do you need to see a doctor?"

Shiki shook his head, "No. I just need to deal with it, and I'll be good."

Nagisa didn't appear convince, though as the boy slowly recovered, insisting once more that he was fine, Nagisa decided to let it go. "If you say so..."

He then reached into his satchel and pulled out a cleaning cloth, "Here. I think you scratched yourself."

Shiki looked surprised at Nagisa's offer, before he could decline, Nagisa pointed, "Around your wrist. I think there's a bit of blood there."

"Huh?" Shiki looked down at his wrist. He pulled back the sleeve of his jacket, and found the red spot Nagisa pointed at. "This is...?"

Ba-babump. A brief skip of the heart, panicked.

Nagisa blinked at the sound of Shiki's heartbeat before looking down at the now clear spot on Shiki's wrist. That's definitely blood, but I don't see a cut anywhere.

Nagisa then pulled out a disinfecting bottle, pouring a little bit of it into his cloth and brought it over to Shiki. "Here. I think I have some bandages on me, is there a cut you see?"

Shiki was surprised when Nagisa started cleaning off the blood from his wrist. "Ah, no, not really. But it's fine, you really don't have to go that far. I... probably got this in the preliminary. It should be healed by now."

Shiki accepted the cloth and cleaned off the rest of the remaining blood.

The preliminary. He must be a competitor then, Nagisa noted the irregular beating of Shiki's heart. There was a brief moment of panic, but then as it came down to normal, Nagisa noticed just how strange Shiki's heart was beating. It was weak, as if hanging on life support. It was actually concerning.

"Um, are you really sure you don't want to see a doctor?" Nagisa asked once more, more so suggesting the idea than asking as he really didn't like how Shiki's weak heart sounded, "I can help you find one if you need me to."

"You're starting to sound like my sister," Shiki japed, finishing his cleaning of his wrist. "Don't worry. I've had my fair share of doctors' visits. As long as it's nothing serious, they'll just send me on my way."

Nagisa really doubted that, but seeing how adamant Shiki was, it seemed unlikely he's going to convince the boy. "Well, alright..."

"But..." Shiki suddenly stated, looking at the cloth that carried a bit of blood, "Now it looks like I'll have to repay you for this. How truly troublesome..."

"Ah! It's okay!" Nagisa hastily said, waving his hands, "It's not a problem at all! You can even keep that if you want."

"No. I'm afraid I can't accept that," Shiki said, suddenly turning down the sidewalk. "Come on. Let me make it up to you."

"H-huh?" Nagisa uttered, seeing as the boy hadn't stopped yet clearly invited Nagisa, Nagisa felt it would be rude to ignore it, and so followed after Shiki. "O-okay. Um, where are we going?"

"I think I've seen a cleaners somewhere around here. Since they're free services for competitors, it should be no problem getting this one washed," Shiki stated, lifting the white cloth in his hand, "I wouldn't want to be so thoughtless to not repay a girl's kindness."

Nagisa visibly and openly flinched, causing Shiki to stop and Nagisa to stop as well. "Hm? What's wrong? Ah, don't tell me. Am I overstepping something? If you have a boyfriend who wouldn't like this-"

"N-no no no no!" Nagisa quickly responded, face bright red with embarrassment. "Th-the thing is... I'm a boy."

"Eh?"

There was a long pause, and a long look from Shiki as he stared at Nagisa's hair. "...Seriously?"

"Y-yeah..."

"Huh... I've never met a boy with pigtails. Is it a custom where you're from?"

"N-not really. They're just kind of special. Someone did them for me and, well, I liked them..."

Shiki takes another long glance at Nagisa's hair, "I see. I think I owe you an apology then."

"It's fine. I get mistaken as a girl a lot, more than I liked anyway..."

"Then wouldn't it make sense not to wear pigtails? So that people won't mistake you for a girl?"

At Shiki's blunt logic, Nagisa sputtered a response, "Ah, well, that's, um... I guess. But they still mean a lot to me, so I don't want to get rid of them if I can help it."

"I see, sorry if I pushed a little too far. I was just curious."

Nagisa shook his head, "No! You're alright. Believe me, I understand."

Shiki then starts for the direction of the cleaners once more, "It looks like I have another reason to make it up to you then. It should be close by now."

"Ah, thanks..."

The invisible Risotto watched from afar as Shiki and Nagisa walked the sidewalk together. Keeping close behind a lightpost as he carefully observed the pair. That blood...

He said quietly to himself, narrowing his red eyes. That was not that boy's blood.

---

After finding the cleaners store. Shiki placed an order of washing the cloth. Since it was only the cloth, the process should take no more than ten minutes. As they sat within the small lobby, Shiki proceeded to converse with Nagisa. "It's really something to have all these stores free and available for competitors."

"Yeah..." Nagisa agreed, "It kind of feels like living in luxury."

"Anything free would make anyone feel that way," Shiki smirked, "Although I have heard that any actual luxuries here in this city are reserved for certain competitors. I'm not sure if there's a way to get them, but I sure would hate to have it."

"Huh? How come?" Nagisa asked, curious.

"Well... the idea of living in luxury being a dream come true to some people, it's honestly overrated," Shiki began to explain, sounding as if he knows what he's talking about. "To start with, if you're living rich, you have to fit a certain image. Otherwise, people would start scolding you for not acting like how a person with wealth should act. Like needing to sit a certain way at the table, getting visited by servants, having them take care of your personal belongings with no moment of true privacy. Then there's the set schedule you have to abide just so you don't try to inconvenience someone living with you. Cause being wealthy means living in a big house along with other people, and if you're alone then that just makes the place feel lonely, with so many useless rooms you don't always visit. It'll feel more like a prison than paradise."

"Huh..." Nagisa said, surprised by Shiki's words as he takes them in, "I always thought that it'd be cool to be rich, but if it's something like that, I guess it wouldn't be as fun as it looks."

"Exactly," Shiki said, "Well, having a little money to splurge on is tempting. If it's only that, then by all means, go have fun with it. It's just that living the rich life isn't all that it's cut out to be."

"Huh, that's interesting to know," Nagisa said. Someone should definitely go tell his mom this then, although anyone who tries to would immediately be screamed at. Nagisa wondered if maybe Shiki knew someone who was rich, and so knew this from their experience, though he didn't want to pry too much, he was seriously curious.

"By the way, what you said just now. About how it feels like living here, are you a competitor?" Shiki asked.

Nagisa nodded, "I am. All this has been pretty new to me. I'm honestly not really sure what to do with it all. I know I should get ready for when the first event officially starts, but I've just been wandering around here."

"I see. I'm kind of doing the same thing," Shiki said. "It's true that you'll have to keep your guard up and get together whatever necessities you need for the next round. But that's not all this Intermission is supposed to be for. Anyone can tell that this place isn't only meant for us to get ready, but seeing all the games, eatery, and even spas I've seen that are free for competitors, yeah, I can see why this place would be a luxury for a lot of people. For everyone to just relax. Although, it's still a bastard thing to do for this place to put us through all that hassle in the preliminary. Like slapping on a bandage and giving you a soda after beating you in the face."

"Ah..." Nagisa said hesitantly. When Shiki puts it that way, it does seem like that. He and Karma nearly did die when they faced against that Crablante, along with other dangers they managed to get through.

"I mean, sure, no competition should be easy, especially with people who want to win. But I'm still kind of wondering what the purpose is for all this," Shiki said.

"Purpose?" Nagisa repeated, asking.

"Yeah..." Shiki leaned back into his chair, looking up a the ceiling in thought, "Like who created this competition in the first place? Bringing in people from other worlds. I'm still wondering if I've officially gone insane, but even insanity has its logic to it. Here, I can't figure out what the logic is behind this competition."

"Huh..." Nagisa could only say, looking down in thought as well. "It is kind of bizarre. I'm kind of also wondering if I've been dreaming this whole time."

"Well, I'd rather not get eaten by a monster just to find out," Shiki said. "And if there's really anyone to blame for all this, it's me who decided to join in all this madness. But..."

He was quiet for a moment, simply staring at the circular ceiling light overhead. "If a wish being the grand prize really is what it's cut out to be, I can't say I blame anyone for wanting to get it, even a false hope for it."

...Hearing that, Nagisa felt a little bit bad of himself for having such a shallow wish. He imagined that Risotto must have a more serious wish than himself, and he wondered if the boy sitting next to him had a wish just as important, especially with how much longing there is in this guy's eyes.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be such a downer. It's just how I've always been," Shiki apologized. "I'm sure the last thing you want to hear is that all this effort we're doing may not amount to anything."

"I-it's fine!" Nagisa said, not wanting Shiki to feel bad at all. "I think it's good to have someone thinking logically. Honestly, my wish isn't all that important..."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Um. Well..." Shoot, Nagisa walked right into that one. Now how is he going to explain it? "It's... um... Well..."

Seeing how hesitant, and even embarrassed Nagisa was being, Shiki observed Nagisa for a moment before waving his hand. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm sure it must be something important if you were picked."

"uuhhhhh," Nagisa highly doubted that. After all, it's not as if Nagisa felt that he himself was anything special. Especially compared to Karma and all the competitors they've seen and met.

Suddenly, they get a call from the front counter. Nagisa's cloth was washed, dried, and ready for pick up. The boys approached the counter and Nagisa accepted the cloth, thanking both the clerk and Shiki. After that, they stepped out of the cleaners and onto the sidewalk.

"Alright then, consider me having fully repaid you," Shiki said.

Nagisa nodded, smiling at the boy, "Yeah. Thanks again. I'm more relieved though that you weren't hurt after all."

"Ah, yeah..." Shiki said hesitantly, deciding push back whatever he was feeling, he looked back at Nagisa. "You know, even though we're competitors, you're really nice. I honestly hope we don't end up going against each other."

Nagisa agreed, finding the idea to be a sad one indeed, even after knowing Shiki for only a short period of time. "Yeah, same here."

Shiki then gave a small wave at Nagisa, "Well, I better get going. Oh, I didn't actually get your name. I'm Shiki Tohno."

"Nagisa Shiota," Nagisa greeted back, and also gave a wave of goodbye. "I hope we get to see each other, ah, but not to compete or anything. It'd be cool to talk to you again."

"Anything would be better than having to fight," Shiki nodded, sharing the sentiment, "Good luck in the next event then, Shiota-kun."

"You too, Tohno-kun."

They then parted ways, Nagisa watched as Shiki resumed down the sidewalk. After that, he then proceeded to go the opposite direction.

"... You're a bit too kind with others."

Nagisa's shoulders lurched back in startle when he heard Risotto beside him. How close was a bit difficult to discern, especially with all the city noise going around that makes it harder to track Risotto's heartbeat.

"You think so?" Nagisa quietly asked.

"There will be people who won't care for your kindness. If it means achieving that very wish. Even that boy, despite not saying it out right, is here for that same reason. Whether you would want to or not, there may come a time where you will have to fight him, and if not him, then most certainly others."

Nagisa smiled sheepishly, "Fighting, huh? There's no way I can do something like that."

Risotto did not respond, and Nagisa could feel the man's eyes bore into him again. They walked by what looked to be a sumo/boxing gym of some kind, judging by the people inside and what they were wearing - a mawashi and boxing gloves respectively. Nagisa definitely doesn't have the physical capabilities to do something like that, even if he would like to be a little buffer than he is now.

After walking several more blocks, they reached what seems to be an arcade, Nagisa was a little tempted to try it out, though before he can decide, he sees two kids playing one of the machines, where a card suddenly popped out from it.

"Huh?" Nagisa said.

"Emma! I won another card!" The green tipped hair boy announced, running up to the orange hair girl.

"Great! Let's go try those games over there?"

Nagisa watched as the children continue to play and earn more cards, drawing him into the arcade as he observes. "Are those...?"

He felt his shoulder suddenly grabbed, stopping him in place. He felt the familiar rhythm within the pulse of the hand, and Nagisa knew it was Risotto. This was the first time the man chose to be so close.

"Keep observing. What do you see?"

Nagisa looked back at the children. He noticed then that the girl carried a rifle, alone with some scars that had Nagisa worried for her well being. She couldn't have been no older than ten. The boy who was with her seemed to only have a fishing rod, and both kids had on their backpacks as they continuously collect cards from the machine.

"Are those Support Cards? Could people win them by playing these games?"

"I don't believe it's that simple," Risotto whispered to Nagisa as the children began to go deeper into the arcade.

"Maybe we can ask them - er, maybe I can ask them?" Nagisa said, remembering Risotto's condition to keep him out of sight.

Risotto still held onto Nagisa's shoulder as if in thought. "Perhaps. Should you need any help from me, give me a signal. I will be watchful."

I don't think there's anything to worry, Nagisa thought. These were only kids after all.

---

When Nagisa learned that he needed to get the highest or perfect score to get an E-Card, he sent a signal to Risotto by rubbing his earlobe. He was thankful that the man caught on and was able to help Nagisa with his aiming at the shooting game. While Nagisa has his practice with a rifle, he wasn't the best shooter in his class. With the help of Risotto, Nagisa could feel that something had locked down the barrel of his bb rifle, and helped him only fire perfect shots, indicating that there was enough iron in the barrel.

I wonder if he could sense iron in anything? Nagisa wondered. Though the longer he did this with Emma and Gon watching in amazement, the more he feels bad since he's essentially cheating. He wished he could have better skills, that little girl's aiming was incredible for example.

Nagisa didn't know if that might have been the tipping point, but after meeting with Risotto out in the alleyway, having been on edge after noticing Emma's own observant nature, Risotto outright asked Nagisa what had been on the man's mind for some time now.

"Are you an assassin?"

Nagisa's blue eyes widened.

"I've been observing you for the past few days," Risotto began. "You said before that you are a student, and yet, for a student to move so swiftly as you did in the preliminary, I had to wonder just what sort of school you've attended that made you so quick-footed. The way you wielded a knife expertly, not to mention, how you weave yourself through the crowd effortlessly last night, and snatched that boy's pamphlet from his very pocket. Even now, your hold of a rifle was immensely well-practiced."

Risotto's red eyes narrowed, "You don't have the body-type of a hunter, so I doubt that that's where you learn how to use such weapons and movements. Yet your focus on your target was like a serpent locking eyes with a prey, while you yourself have the presence of a mouse – such a contradiction is too prevalent for someone who boils themselves down to being a mere student!"

Nagisa did not know how to respond. The impressive deductive reasoning and insightfulness of this man was really on-point. He suspected Nagisa of the very same thing Nagisa had suspected of him. But more importantly…

Why is he posing like that?

Nagisa watched in befuddlement as Risotto grasped his hip and popped out his elbow and knee, his left foot heel off the ground. The man looked like he was taking a photoshoot, which made Nagisa reconsider if the man was actually a model than a killer.

But aside from that, there was something else he noticed about the man. A trait of Risotto that Nagisa has mentally written down as if he had a notepad in his mind.

Weakness #1: He hates illogical contradictions in a person.

Risotto then started to walk around Nagisa. His pace steady and with caution, as if he was a serpent himself. "You give off a harmless presence. Unassuming. Yet that alone would be the perfect cover for when you make an unexpected move on someone, even if you were to stand in front of them."

The amazement was clear in Nagisa's expression as Risotto continued to observe him. "I don't doubt that you might be a student. What I do question is if being a student is all that you are?"

"Fighting, huh? There's no way I can do something like that." That was what this boy said. Risotto paid close attention, and he was certain that Nagisa had not been lying. Yet for this boy to not consider his efforts against Crablante as fighting, there could only be one other word Nagisa consider it as.

Assassination.

Nagisa held his hands together, looking up at Risotto as the Metallica man stopped right in front of him. "Well, kid? Am I wrong in any of my assessments?"

For a moment, Nagisa was speechless. There were many instances in his life where adults would look at him, but never notice or even see him. Not his mother, not his father, not his teachers who gave up on him. The only ones to ever see Nagisa was his E-class teachers, including Koro-Sensei whom he is plotting to kill.

Here, however, it was an entirely new experience. The experience of being seen way too much. And to be seen too much now, there was no hiding himself from such an assassin any longer.

"...No," Nagisa said, glancing away. "Before I answer, can I also ask you something?"

His blue eyes returned to Risotto's red and black gaze, "You're an assassin too, aren't you?"

Risotto did not answer, and that was all the confirmation Nagisa needed.

"The truth is..." Nagisa said, acknowledging that it was pointless to keep anything from this very perceptive and insightful man. "I'm here because I'm training to kill someone in my world. I'm an assassin, and my target: is my teacher."

Nagisa began to explain everything. How in his world, 70% of the Earth's moon was suddenly destroyed. How after that, his class of miscreants and failing students were visited by a strange creature in the form of a yellow octopus, and how this very creature was responsible for blowing up the moon, and now wanted to work as a teacher for Nagisa's class, assigning them their biggest project yet before the end of next Spring: to assassinate him, their very teacher regarded to be unkillable, Koro-sensei.

Nagisa explained about Koro-sensei and his Mach 20 speed, about the reward money that can come out of killing him, the time limit of needing to succeed before Koro-sensei would destroy his world next Spring, how that very time frame has since paused ever since Nagisa arrived to this competition. He told Risotto all of the major parts of Nagisa's situation in his world, and how he's now here to hopefully make use of this extra time to plan the perfect assassination for his teacher.

Risotto was quiet and calm as he listened Nagisa's entire story. When Nagisa was finished, Risotto then inquired, "If you are here only to train, why do you not instead use the wish to kill this creature?"

"Oh, well..." Nagisa rubbed the back of his head, "I feel like that wouldn't really be as rewarding. I mean, it's true that our world is in danger, but..."

Nagisa reached behind his back. He wasn't trying to hide it, nor was he intending on doing anything. Risotto read this well, and so he was unmoved when Nagisa brought forth his green knife, the very weapon - Risotto has an inkling of - was designed not only to kill monsters, but Nagisa's invincible teacher.

"We've all been working so hard, the hardest we've ever done in our whole lives. To be honest, I never took anything in life seriously anymore, until I met Koro-sensei."

Nagisa smiled in fond memories of all the times Koro-sensei has helped them improve their lives, in education and in happiness. "He helped us in so many ways. That's why I don't want to take the easy way of killing him. If possible, I want all of us - our entire class to be able to assassinate him. Because if we do that, it's our way of giving thanks to the teacher who was able to see us like no one else has."

With an innocent smile of no malice whatsoever, he declared as he kept his eyes on the impassive Risotto, "That's why I want to be able to kill him with my own hands, and not just by wishing for it. Oh, and the reward money is pretty good too."

Risotto remained silent as he observed the smile in Nagisa's face. He truly felt nothing from it, but the words that were spoken by the boy was coated in bloodlust. It was a sight unlike anything he's ever seen. This boy...

It may have been fate that brought us together.

When he first felt a hand drew close to his card, Risotto took this chance to lure someone in by using Metallica, however weak it was. It was like grasping hold of another's arm and pulling himself out of his own grave. To have someone use and summon him, then Risotto can make work to claim his individuality and spot in this competition, even if he had to kill his summoner to do so. But as soon as he saw Nagisa's keen senses. His movements. His potential.

Risotto adjusted his plans accordingly. By all means, he may have just stumbled upon someone he could work fairly well with. Nagisa had an absolute understanding of Risotto's profession, he could tell as the boy no longer stood nervously in front of Risotto. The only issue Risotto has about this boy was that Nagisa was clearly too kind. Risotto could see that Nagisa had the eyes of someone who has truly, truly worked to kill. There was an experience, but that lack of hardness meant that Nagisa has yet to truly take a single life, not even counting the Crablante whom Risotto had to finish off himself.

But that was fine, he'll have this boy become a capable killer soon enough. For now, he shall have to dirty his own hands in place of this competitor, as he works to train the young assassin just enough for Nagisa to not only kill his teacher as the boy desires to, but also help Risotto achieve his own goals, and win this competition.

To avenge his comrades.

"I've made up my mind," Risotto declared. He surprised Nagisa as he placed a hand over the boy's head, placing it in between his pigtails. "You and I will be working together. Not simply as allies now. As an assassin, there is still much for you to learn, so we shall use this competition to help you bloom into the killer that you have what it takes to be. A full-fledged assassin."

Risotto then brought his head closer to Nagisa's. The boy stared back curiously, unable to break away that intense gaze of a mission Risotto has chained in his heart, and seeing something in Nagisa as well.

"But you will need to trust every word I say," Risotto said, "Do so, and I promise you, I will personally see to it that you will be efficient enough to kill even your unkillable teacher. It's an honest shame, I almost wish I could recruit you had you lived in my world."

"O-oh," Nagisa stuttered, rubbing his neck, "I mean, it's not that I'm interested in becoming a real-life assassin. I just wanted to kill my teacher, share the prize money with all my class, and that's it."

"That is fine, but you are capable of achieving more than that. Do not sell yourself short."

Nagisa visibly flinch under the encouraging statement, and Risotto took note of that.

He is not used to being given compliments... Risotto thought, No. Rather, there was hardly anyone who recognized this boy for his talents, and he feels self-conscious because of this. His teacher who likely has helped this boy grow more confident in his skills, if the kid is still willing to kill his teacher despite his spoken appreciation, there may be a cold-blooded killer yet within him.

Risotto intends to bring that side out of Nagisa, whatever it takes.

"Your tactical ingenuity and awareness to your surroundings are enough to mark you as a proficient analyst. Such skills are valuable in my line of work. I will help you see just how truly able you are. You could very well be the key to achieving victory in this competition."

Nagisa blushed at the compliment, breaking his gaze away as he was uncertain how to respond.

"Well said!"

Risotto's eyes widened and he abruptly turned from Nagisa, arms spread out in ready to utilize Metallica. Nagisa was also surprised, but even more so when he recognized the voice.

"The determination in your voice, and to see what I have seen in my students..."

Yellow long limbs of tentacles climbed down from the stairwell, as if he had been standing overhead the entire time.

"If you were in my world, I would have asked to hire you as a teacher in one of my classrooms!"

Nagisa's eyes widened as he saw the familiar, yellow octopus in his scholarly outfit and hat. That ever wide and cartoonish grin so prominent in his large round head. "Koro-sensei!"

"Nyuru-fu-fu-fu-fu~!" The scholarly octopus laughed as Risotto glared at him with killing intent. The very creature who had the power to blow up the moon.

---

NPCs Introduced:

Takeo Gouda (My Love Story!)

Risotto Nero (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind)

Koro-sensei (Assassination Classroom)

Competitors Introduced:

Karma Akabane (Assassination Classroom)

Yuji Itadori (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

Shiki Tohno (Tsukihime)

A/N: You can tell how much I enjoy writing by how long the chapter is.

Maxim7: A good guess, but in fact, Risotto is a support card, the hint was that support cards are in fact alive as stated in the Heart of the Cards talk from Solomon. This way, I can introduce side-characters from other series of Anime as this fic will be having loads and loads of characters.

The reason why I don't just have someone like Risotto as a competitor is because there were really up to Two Competitors that were invited to participate in the Competition Between Worlds... with some loop holes installed. But that doesn't mean that anymore people can't compete.

But yeah! You'll be seeing more side-characters being summoned via card, and there is a way for them to become official competitors. With the Competition already starting, other people can just jump right in but they'll need to meet certain requirements to do so.

betsybugaboo: Ah, no. They were supposed to be Ryuuichi and Kotaro from the anime School Babysitters. I was gonna introduce them through either Emma or Garou but... well that didn't end up happening. Maybe next time! Or maybe not...?