Dog Eat Dog

by V0id Dw3ller

Gin Ibushi doesn't really understand what's going on. When he woke up on the floor of a dark, scary room with a robot telling him about a 'First Trial,' he didn't know what to think. Regardless, he scrapes out of the room without a scratch, hoping that he could just go home and see his mother again. Instead, he's greeted by a cavalcade of strangers, each one weirder than the last.

5. Don't Do It, Albatross With You!

"Hahahaaa… The votes have been tallied."

Gin swallowed, the pit in his stomach yawning ever wider.

"C-Crap," he heard Big Sis Anzu mutter. "Was he really the right choice…?"

Giggles cleared her throat with a chuckle. "Let's announce the results! At zero votes: Sara Chidouin, Ranmaru Kageyama, Anzu Kinashi, Megumi Sasahara, and Shin Tsukimi!"

Big Sis Megumi wet her lips, eyes wide. "I'm… Safe? Really?"

Cotton Candy grinned. "Holy Hell!"

Beside him, Samurai Girl facepalmed.

"Heeheehee~ At one vote, all alone, we have Gin Ibushi!"

"W-Wait…!" Big Sis Anzu yelped. "Th-That was five people with no vote, right? That means…!"

Big Bro Shin hissed. "Gin's a candidate…"

Gin stared at the ground, arms loosely wrapped around Mew-chan. He couldn't bear to meet their shocked gazes.

Giggles continued. "At two votes, we have Hinako Mishuku and Mai Tsurugi!"

"A-Ah…" Big Sis Mai sweat heavily. Who the heck voted for her!? Gin's head swiveled to stare at his fellow participants.

Hinako chuckled dryly. "Hey, it looks like one of you listened to me, at least…"

"Miss Hinako…" Mishima furrowed his brow, sharp jaw twitching. "Don't tell me…?"

"And finally, at three votes: Kazumi Mishima and Gonbee Yamada!"

Stripey chuckled. "Fools… The lot of you. Not one vote for Megumi Sasahara?"

Samurai Girl furrowed her brow. "Why wouldn't you vote for her yourself…?"

He scoffed. "I was merely being practical with my vote. I took the old man up on his offer. Despite my distrust of the Inspector, I'd rather cast my vote with no guilt."

"I see." Mishima's glasses sheened. "My thanks, Mister Yamada. It seems you have more sense than you let on."

Stripey scoffed again, turning away.

"So…" Big Bro Shin sweat. "Mishima, Hinako, Mai, Gonbee, and… Gin. One of them's going to die?"

Samurai Girl's jaw tightened. "So it would seem…"

"So you were lying," Big Bro Shin said, clutching his scarf. "Ranmaru's certainly not the Sacrifice, and I'm not inclined to believe that you're Alice Yabusame."

"That's…" Samurai Girl averted her eyes, fiddling with her checkered tie. "I'm sorry. I- I was just… scared."

"Sara…" Big Sis Anzu softened. "You were worried we'd vote for you?"

"I really am sorry!" Samurai Girl wet her lips, nervous. "I was worried when Megumi claimed to be the Keymaster. And when you started accusing Ranmaru… I would have felt like a hypocrite if I had abandoned him."

"So that's why…" Cotton Candy blinked, before grinning. "Hey. I don't blame ya, Sara. You saved my ass!"

Old Guy cleared his throat. "I hesitate to paint you as a villain, Miss Chidouin. I can understand how it would seem perfectly practical in the moment. It's quite evident that Mister Kageyama isn't the Sacrifice, then?"

Cotton Candy shook his head. "Nah. I'm not the best actor, either. Sorry for lying…"

"Haha… How saccharine." Shorty grinned, gaze low and dark. "Quit patting each other on the back. I think I've figured out who voted for Q-taro."

"Ah…" Cotton Candy gulped. "W-Well…"

Big Sis Mai blinked before breaking into a scowl. "That's right…! Ranmaru… You voted for Sara, didn't you? To cover up her vote!"

"My, my… Isn't that a bit of a leap in logic…?" Old Guy sweat, polishing his lenses.

"Were you lying to protect your friend… or yourself?" Stripey muttered. "I find myself unsure how to feel about you, Sara Chidouin."

"H-Hey! Mishima's right! Why're you throwing all these accusations around?" Cotton Candy scowled. "I voted for Gonbee!"

"Ranmaru… It's okay," said Samurai Girl, head low. Her gaze turned up to meet Big Sis Mai's, tearful. "Mai… I can't excuse it! I swear, I didn't know that Q-taro would die…"

Big Sis Mai scowled. "... Why did you lie about it, then? I wouldn't have been so angry, if you hadn't. Why did you cover up your vote with Ranmaru!?"

"... I was nervous," Samurai Girl frowned, "that if I just voted for someone else, I'd be accused of wrong-doing…"

"So instead, you just made yourself look even more suspicious," Shorty scowled. "You're not terribly intelligent, are you, Sara?"

"H-Hey!" Big Sis Anzu yelped. "There's no need to be so hostile! Sara was just scared! I was scared, too!"

"... But you didn't vote for Q-taro," said Big Sis Megumi. "Her, Gin, and Shin. They all sealed his fate. Looks like we can finally put that to rest, huh?"

"S-Stop…" Gin muttered. All this arguing was starting to hurt his ears. Big Bro Shin looked over in concern, but Big Sis Anzu didn't seem to hear him, focused on the conversation.

"Hey, you aren't exactly a saint, yourself!" Cotton Candy protested. "Quit blaming Sara when you voted for Gonbee! You claimed you were the Keymaster, too! Sara only did that because you did!"

"And what reason would she have to do that?" Big Sis Megumi sneered. "I was only trying to protect myself. Don't be hypocritical."

"Says the hypocrite!"

"S-STOP IT!" Gin screamed. The conversation halted, everybody turning to stare at him in differing degrees of bewilderment. He wilted under the stares, yet continued. "J-Just stop, nya… All this arguing doesn't even matter…"

Big Bro Shin swallowed. "Ah, he's right… Sara and Megumi's lies don't really matter right now, do they? After all, they aren't candidates for voting."

"Ha. Nice to see somebody with a brain." Shorty rolled her shoulders. "Fact of the matter is; we've only got five choices. Sara and Megumi don't matter anymore."

"I suppose we should figure out the roles, then?" Old Guy asked, a finger to his chin. "I don't expect you to vote for myself until I've proved my intentions, after all."

"I-It's obvious, mew…" Gin whimpered, chest as heavy as a stone. "I'm a safe vote, right? 'Cuz the Sage can't lie…"

"Wh-Wha…!?" Anzu reeled, eyes wide. "Don't be stupid, Gin! We're not voting for you!"

"Ah, but he's telling the truth, isn't he?" Shorty sniffed. "He's the Sage, and he's only got one vote. Logically speaking, voting for him would secure our survival." She grinned, gaze distant. "Horrible, isn't it? Killing a child for your own sake…"

"Yet, you keep insisting that we do the same to you," Big Sis Megumi frowned. "You had two votes, as well, didn't you? I can't help but find that suspicious…"

Shorty laughed. "Think what you want. It doesn't matter to me."

"Look, voting for Gin…" Big Bro Shin grimaced. "It's unthinkable. Let's just talk this through logically, okay? Who's most likely to be the Sacrifice, and who's the real Keymaster?"

Stripey grunted. "I suppose now would be an opportune moment to reveal my hand. My words earlier were a fabrication." He swept a hand out in front of him, rather melodramatically, in Gin's opinion. "Alice Yabusame… stands right before you!"

"... Yes. I'd figured that much," said Samurai Girl, deadpan. "Who else could it have been?"

"Wait, really? Aw, shit." Cotton Candy wilted. "In my defense, I was really frazzled…"

He went summarily ignored.

"C-Crap…!" Big Sis Anzu muttered, again. "I knew I shoulda voted for Megumi…"

"... So you did know Reko Yabusame, then?" Big Sis Megumi bit her thumbnail, brow furrowed. She paused for a moment before muttering. "That's one hell of a coincidence… How many…?"

Gin's ears perked at the words, though he doubted that anybody else heard them. What did she mean by that…?

"I don't appreciate your usage of past tense, Megumi Sasahara!" Stripey growled. "This other Reko is not my sister!"

Samurai Girl hummed. "Not much room for doubt, there. At least we've figured out the Keymaster…"

"But it still narrows our options, huh?" Big Bro Shin sighed. "Mishima, Mai, or Hinako…"

Wait! "H-Hey…! Don't count me out, woof! I'm a valid option! I'm the safest bet, mreowr!"

"Gin…" Anzu rubbed a piece of sweater between her fingers. "You're too selfless…"

"That's not it, mew…" Gin swallowed, voice quivering. "I'm really scared, too… But that's why I can't let anybody die…! I'm useless, meow… So isn't it better if I die here? All I've done is drag everybody down…!" His breaths hitched, and despite his best efforts to fight it, sobs wracked his frame.

Megumi stared at him, expression unreadable. "... You still blame yourself, don't you?" She looked down at her holster. "Okay. Let's talk this out. We've got three volunteers, right? How about all three of you plead your cases? We'll wing it from there."

Big Bro Shin cleared his throat. "'Course, if anyone wants to admit it right here…?"

Three full beats of dead silence passed before the man wilted. "Right. I thought not…"

'It was a good effort, I guess.'Gin frowned.'Nobody wants to vote for me because I'm just a kid, but… We've only got 20 minutes…! It's not fair…'He puffed out his cheeks, frustrated. "Hey! I'm gonna plead my case, too, woof!"

"Gin…"

"If you're including Shorty, then you should include me!"

Shorty chuckled. "He's right… You shouldn't hold double standards like that…" Her grin dropped. "Wait." Her face reddened. "Stop callin' me Shorty!"

'Fat chance, Shorty!'Gin didn't say, because it made his mom proud when he was polite.

"Fine." Big Sis Megumi leaned over her podium, gaze intensifying upon the boy. Suddenly, he felt very small. "Gin, give me your statement. Why should we vote for you?"

"U-Uh… I feel like a perp, meow…" he stuttered, mouth dry.'Big Sis Megumi's kinda scary…'

Her expression remained set in stone. "Gin. Answer the question."

"H-Hang on a moment, Megumi…" Samurai Girl cleared her throat. "Would you mind if I gave it a shot…? I think I might have better luck."

Big Sis Megumi craned her neck over to look at the high schooler, freeing Gin of the intensity. He sighed in relief. "... Looking to redeem yourself, Sara? I can respect that."

"You did the same thing…" Big Sis Anzu muttered from beside Gin.'I don't think my Big Sisters like each other very much…'Over at her podium, Big Sis Mai was scowling at Megumi, orange eyes blazing.'... At all.'

Samurai Girl turned to Gin, much less intense than Big Sis Megumi. He relaxed a smidgen. "You're gonna interrogate me too, meow?"

"It's not an interrogation…" She hid a grin behind a hand.

Gin's expression flattened in annoyance. "It was kinda cool, nya. It's just hard to speak when you're being glared at."

"Well, I'm not going to glare at you," said Samurai Girl cleared her throat. "Gin… Why do you want us to vote for you? Hinako, Mishima, and Mai have all offered themselves up as well."

"That's just it, woof!" Gin scowled. "Big Sis Mai and the Old Guy and even Shorty are all being really brave! I have to be brave, too, meow…" He wilted. "It wouldn't be right, mya…"

"'Right?'" Samurai Girl's eyebrows raised. "What do you mean? What wouldn't be right?"

Gin's saliva grew thick in his mouth, drills whirring in the distance. "Mister Q-taro…" he said, voice quieter than ever. "I owe him, mew… I can't let anybody else die…" His breath hitched. "A-And I already did, woof…! No matter what I do… The Sacrifice is still going to die! I- I can't do anything to s-save them… I'm a total failure, mreowr…"

Samurai Girl looked away for a moment, eyes soft. "Gin. Would you really feel better if we voted for you?"

"... I don't know…"

"We'll consider it, okay?"

"Wh-Wha-?" Big Sis Anzu burst in, eyes wide. "Sara!"

Samurai Girl held up a hand, eyes not moving from Gin. Big Sis Anzu silenced. "But… We're going to question everybody else, too. It wouldn't be right to leave any stones unturned, right, Gin?"

"I- I guess, nya…" Gin relented. She had a point, didn't she? Even if Gin was a safe vote, they should still find out as much as they could, right?

Gin didn't really know. His head hurt.

"Did you want to try somebody else, Sara? There's three other candidates, excluding Gonbee. Or Alice, I suppose." Big Sis Megumi frowned.

Stripey chuckled. "I told you it was folly to place your suspicions upon me, didn't I? I've nothing to fear."

Shorty raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly concerned about garnering goodwill, are you…?"

Samurai Girl turned to address Big Sis Megumi. "We're running out of time, aren't we…? I'll take Mishima, I suppose…"

"Right," said Big Sis Megumi, nodding. "I'll talk with Mai and Hinako, then?"

"A-And what are the rest of us? Chopped liver?" Cotton Candy whined.

"Might as well be…" muttered Big Sis Anzu.

"I heard that!"

"Eep!"

Big Sis Megumi sighed. "If you want to pitch in, then do. Please try not to stall our discussion."

"Got it!" Big Sis Anzu pumped her fists. "You'll see, Sara! I'll do my best!"

Samurai Girl smiled, though Big Sis Megumi seemed a bit put out. "What about me…?" She sighed. "Okay, Hinako. Why should we vote for you? Please try to keep it succinct."

Shorty grinned. "Alright; five words or less, then. I don't want to live."

"H-Hwuh…?" Big Sis Mai grimaced. "I'm getting really concerned about this girl…"

Big Sis Megumi seemed unimpressed. "That's it?"

"Hey, you wanted it short and sweet," said Shorty, shrugging magnanimously.

"That was more clipped and bitter than short and sweet, meow…" Gin muttered under his breath.

Big Sis Megumi sighed. "Well, it doesn'tseemlike you're lying. Don't think I'll underestimate you due to your age, though. The way I see it, you're the likeliest candidate for the Sacrifice."

"I already said," Shorty sneered, "think what you want. It doesn't change anything. I know you're not going to vote for me, anyway."

Stripey harrumphed. "Well, that seemed easy, at least. I'd appreciate you not wasting my efforts, Hinako Mishuku."

She groaned. "Aw, shut it, Old-Timer. I didn't ask you to save me."

Sara cleared her throat, addressing Old Guy. "Mister Mishima… Why would you want us to vote for you?"

He chuckled, adjusting his spectacles. "Please, Miss Chidouin, there's no need for such formality. As for your question, it's not a matter of 'want,' rather 'necessity.'" He sighed. "I don't wish to witness the deaths of anyone else younger than myself. Of course I wish to continue living, but… I couldn't look my students in the eye ever again if that came at the price of a youngster's life."

Samurai Girl hummed, brows furrowed. "You've… Got a point, morbid though it may be."

"Think of it this way, as well…" Mishima's head lowered, sending his spectacles falling to the tip of his nose. His dark, sharp eyes stared directly into Sara's. "I'm the only one with three votes who can't be the Keymaster. Voting for Gin is unthinkable, yes? And Miss Mishuku and Miss Tsurugi… I'm afraid that one of them is doomed."

Samurai Girl said nothing more, mulling over his words. Gin swallowed.'Old Guy… Is he gonna die? This isn't fair…'

Big Bro Shin grimaced. "I… I don't like this. Mishima has some good points. I've got a feeling that watching the Sacrifice's death… will be a horrible experience."

"N-No shit!" Big Sis Anzu yelped. "Watching anybody die… I wanna go home…"

Gin whimpered in empathy.

"Alright, Mai. You threw your hat in the ring, too, right?" Big Sis Megumi questioned the baker. "Why is that?"

Big Sis Mai looked away. "... We had barely figured anything out, and the vote was coming…" She sighed. "I got worried, and just… blurted it out, I suppose. I don't really want to die, but…" Her gaze sharpened, posture straightening. "If it saves the others… Then I'll do it! Vote for me!"

Big Sis Megumi hummed. "That's altruistic of you. You were close with Q-taro, right?"

"H-Huh?" Big Sis Mai glared, caught off guard. "What does that have to do with anything? Are you saying I'm suicidal because I watched him die, or something?" She scoffed. "I have no reason to lie to you, Megumi. I really did like Q-taro, but… I only met him today. I'll survive."

"Right." Megumi nodded. "I think I'm understanding your perspective."

"... What would you know?" Big Sis Mai muttered, so quiet that Gin was sure he was the only one who could have possibly heard her.'Why does Big Sis Mai sound so… bitter?'

"D-Dammit…!" Cotton Candy growled. "We're not any closer to a solution than we were before!"

"... I wouldn't say that, Ranmaru," said Samurai Girl, face grim. "I think I know who I'll vote for."

"Shit, r-really?"

Giggles sneered at them from her position overseeing the podiums. "Five minutes left!" Laughter bubbled from her lips. "You'd better put a wrap on your discussion…!"

"Damn it!" Big Bro Shin slammed a fist into his podium, eliciting a flinch from Gin. "S-Sorry… I still don't feel right not knowing the Sacrifice. These last few minutes… We should spend them trying to weed them out!"

"I'm inclined to agree," said Stripey. "I don't feel like placing my life under a dice roll."

"... What if…?" Big Sis Anzu muttered, before gaining more confidence. "What if we sorted through the votes? Like, everybody says who they voted for? That way, we'll be able to tell who had two votes!"

"You're assuming that everyone would tell the truth if we did that," Shorty sighed.

"Why would anybody besides the Sacrifice lie?"

"You never know when somebody has an ulterior motive." Shorty crossed her arms, scowling. "Adults are vicious animals, clown. They'll do anything to get their way."

"Well, I don't see you giving any better suggestions!" Anzu shouted. "Quit acting so superior when you don't have anything to contribute!"

Shorty rolled her eyes. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Old Guy hummed. "Miss Hinako and Miss Kinashi both have valid points. There's no harm in giving it a try. We must be running short on time."

"Well, okay…" Shorty huffed. "You go first, then."

"Very well. My vote was for myself. Singular, I assure you."

Big Sis Anzu perked up. "Alright! I voted for Gonbee, er, Alice? The guy with the dumb hair!"

"D-Dumb!?" Stripey gasped, affronted. "Your hair looks much the same, Anzu Kinashi!"

"D-Don't say things like that…! Now I'm gonna hafta find a razor…"

What did she mean by that!? "D-Don't lop off your hair, Big Sis Anzu!"

She sighed. "Well, you know my vote…"

'Looks like it's my turn, huh?'Gin swallowed. "U-Um… I voted for myself, meow…"

"Gin…"

Samurai Girl cleared her throat. "Shouldn't somebody be keeping track?"

"I have been," said Shin. "One vote for Gonb- er, Alice; one for Mishima; one for Gin." He cleared his throat. "Um, make that two for Mishima, counting my own vote."

Stripey sniffed. "I already told you: I voted for Kazumi Mishima. Though, I've recently had regrets as to that decision." He side-eyed Big Sis Megumi.

She sneered right back. "I voted forAlice, myself."

He smirked. "Ah, just as foolish as I had assumed. You certainly don't defy expectations, Megumi Sasahara."

"... I look forward to throwing you back in the clink."

Shorty sniffed. "I voted for myself. I was pretty surprised that even one of you voted for me."

"If you aren't the Sacrifice, that is," said Big Sis Megumi.

Shorty rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Big Sis Mai gulped. "E-Er… I voted for myself. I was looking down at everybody's faces and…" Her jaw clenched. "I just couldn't b-bring myself to do it."

"Big Sis Mai…" Gin's gut twisted. "You can vote for me… It's alright…"

"Ha… I'm afraid that's not an option, Gin."

"I guess it's my turn, huh? I wasn't really the Sacrifice, so I voted for Alice…" Cotton Candy groaned. "Feel pretty dumb about it now…"

Big Sis Mai's eyes narrowed. "You said that before, too…"

His eyes widened. "I-I'm really telling the truth this time! Really!" He blinked. "Fuck, I said 'really' twice…"

Samurai Girl cleared her throat. "It's down to me then…?" She closed her eyes. "... I voted for Mai."

"Huh…?" Big Sis Mai's eyes widened, and she staggered back a step. "B-But that's not…!"

Samurai Girl's eyes sharpened. "Not what?"

"N-Nothing…" Big Sis Mai looked lost.

"... That's three votes for Mishima; three for Alice; one for Gin; two for Mai…" Big Bro Shin's eyes dulled. "... And one for Hinako. Looks like we've found our Sacrifice."

Samurai Girl halted, not a single nerve in her body twitching.

"Huh?" Shorty's eyes widened. "B-But that's not… What? Who the hell… would lie for my sake?"

'Shorty… She's gonna die?'Something gnawed in the pit of Gin's gut. He felt sick and horrified at the thought, but…'That… doesn't seem right. After all she's said? I guess she was scared to die, too…'

"Time's up." Giggles grinned. "Please, make your votes."

"W-Wait…!" Shorty shouted, eyes wide and terrified. "Don't vote for me, fine! But don't vote for Mai, either! Gin and Mishima: they're your only options!"

"H-Huh…? Shorty…?" Gin mewled, head cocking. "What do you mean, mreowr…?"

She panted, sweat coursing down her forehead. "V-Vote for the professor. Vote for the kid, even. If you don't… We're all going to die…!"

"Hinako…" Big Sis Mai's jaw tightened. "I'm really sorry. You getting the Sacrifice… It must be horrible."

"... Fuck you," Shorty sneered, pupils shrunken down to pinpricks. "If you vote for Mai… We'll all die…"

Samurai Girl grinned. "That reaction told me everything I need to know. Please, everyone…" She clenched a fist in front of her face, sweating. "Vote for Mishima!"

Old Guy cleared his throat, disturbed. "I've got a horrible feeling… Please, listen to Miss Chidouin."

"Hey!" Giggles cackled. "I said time was up! You don't want to be punished, do you…?"

Swallowing, Gin looked down at his voting tablet. "... I can't, meow…"

His mitten lowered to his own face, and he confirmed his choice.

Gin was sure Giggles had to have reached a new, unregistered pitch with her screeching cackles. Big Sis Anzu winced in pain, covering her ears with her hood. "Shut up…! SHUT UP!"

"The votes…" Giggles sobered, "have been tallied. Let's hope this game continues, hmm?"

"... I think I know who the Sacrifice is," muttered Big Bro Shin. "How's he gonna take this…?"

"Gonna take what?" asked Gin, head cocking.

The man jolted, eyes widening when his head snapped to the boy. "A-Ah… Nothing, Gin. Don't worry about it…" His voice lowered, and the pit in Gin's stomach growled with vicious hatred. "... I hope I'm wrong."

"One vote for Gin Ibushi!"

"Gin…" Big Sis Mai wet her lips, averting her eyes. "Don't worry. I'll prove that you're not to blame."

"M-Mreowr…?" Why was she acting so weird?

"One vote for Kazumi Mishima!"

He inhaled shakily, pocketing his glasses. "Well, it would seem that this is it…"

"Mishima…" Shorty seemed resigned, more than forlorn.

"One vote for Mai Tsurugi!"

Thick rivulets of sweat poured down the baker's face in droves. She swallowed, staring intently at Giggles.

"Two votes for Kazumi Mishima!"

"Really? We're doing it like this?" Cotton Candy gaped. "Just fuckin' tell us!"

He went ignored. Again.

"Two votes for Mai Tsurugi!"

"I've got a bad feeling…" Big Sis Megumi grit her teeth. "Hinako's not really the Sacrifice, is she?"

"... I'm not. I'm really not."

"Three votes for Kazumi Mishima!"

"Old Guy again… Please… stop this, nya…" Gin sniffled, heart pounding wildly in his chest.

"Three votes for Mai Tsurugi!"

"The more and more I think about it… The less sense Hinako's behavior makes sense for the Sacrifice…" Big Bro Shin muttered. "Are we safe, though? Looks like nobody voted for her…"

Spiders wriggled in Gin's skeleton, their spindly legs scraping against bone.

"Four votes for Kazumi Mishima!"

"Please, don't feel too bad for me. I'm quite content with my fate." Sweat poured from Old Guy's forehead down to the corners of his mouth. He grimaced at the taste.

"Four votes for Mai Tsurugi!"

"Please…" She clenched her eyes shut. "P-Please…"

"B-Big Sis Mai…?"

"Five votes for Kazumi Mishima!"

"This is it…!" Samurai Girl's jaw stiffened. "Will my gamble pay off…?"

"Y-Your gamble…?" Cotton Candy blinked.

"Six votes for Kazumi Mishima!"

"Ha…" He sighed, head craning upwards to the fake night sky. "I must thank you… Morbid though it may seem."

Shorty panted in relief. "Y-You… Good to know some of you have some sense…"

Big Sis Mai was going to live! Gin almost melted with relief.'I feel horrible, though… Old Guy's gonna die, instead… I don't think I can take watching somebody else die…'Gin wondered if Big Sis Anzu would give him another hug.

"N-No… No…!" Big Sis Mai yowled in horror? What? Why…?

Gin's head snapped over to Big Sis Mai. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, mascara running. Her face twisted in horror, pale and thin. Her jaw quivered violently. "N-No… It's not fair… I did everything right, didn't I…?"

"B-Big Sis Mai…? A-Are you okay, nya…?"

"G-Gin…" She turned to him, panting. "I-I'm sorry… I let you down…"

"Wh-Wha…?"

Big Sis Mai crossed the gap between them, scooping him up in a tight hug. Her arms trembled violently.'No… Does this mean…?'Gin whimpered. "Y-You can pet me if you want, nya… I don't mind…" His heart throbbed in his ears, wet and fleshy. "B-Big Sis Mai, y-you aren't… N-No…!"

Her left hand came up to his hood, obliging. Gin found little comfort in the motion.

"I told you…" Shorty smiled, eyes void of any passion. "I'm not the Sacrifice."

"Heeheehee… Speaking of the Sacrifice…" Giggles grinned, wide and leering. "It's time to announce the roles…!"

Big Bro Shin grimaced. "I'm fairly sure we've already figured them out."

"Ignoring any unneeded remarks, let's start with the Sage! Ding-ding-ding! It was Gin Ibushi!"

Gin shivered in Big Sis Mai's embrace, horror dawning upon him. He felt cold, like all of his blood and organs had frozen in his body.

"Next up, we have the Keymaster! We really threw you for a loop there, huh, Gin? Sure enough, it was the convict: Alice Yabusame!"

The man harrumphed. "Enough prattling. It gives us more time to undermine your sickening little operation."

Giggles rolled her eyes. "Ooh, terrifying. Last, and certainly least, we have the Sacrifice! She came so close, but yet, stopped just short of the finish line: Mai Tsurugi!"

'No. No…!'Gin gasped, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "N-NOOO!"

Giggles picked at her ear with a pinky. "Wow. That was loud. Don't do that again."

Gin broke out of Big Sis Mai's embrace, rushing over to Giggles, hackles raised. "I won't let you, woof! Take me!"

"... You're really starting to annoy me, you know that?"

"P-Please… Please don't hurt my Big Sis… I'm supposed to protect her…"

"G-Gin…" Big Sis Mai's shaking voice carried over to him. "D-Don't get yourself hurt o-on my account, okay…?"

Gin whirled around. "B-But…! I have to save you, nya! I have to!"

Big Sis Mai smiled, mascara ruined in a streaked, dirty mess. "Gin. The only thing I want you to do is take care of yourself. Can you do that?"

"I- I don't know…" Gin sobbed. "I don't know…"

"You can." She shuddered, looking past him at Giggles, before her gaze sharpened. "You've got some pretty amazing big siblings right there, don't you?"

"Oh, my god…" Big Sis Anzu's hands were covering her mouth when Gin turned. Through his blurry vision, he could barely make out her paper-white face. "Mai… Why would anybody do this…?"

Giggles sneered, cackles bubbling from her lips. "This Death Game is an important event. We need to carry it out swiftly and efficiently."

Cotton Candy's lips twitched. "I don't get it. I don't get it at all…"

Big Sis Megumi stiffened. "Mai and Mishima… They're really going to die?"

"Of course! The professor will be the main event, of course. Mai is just an…" Giggles hummed, "appetizer, if you will."

"Th-That's all my life amounts to…?" Big Sis Mai's face went red and purple, veins bulging from her neck. "What's the fucking point!? Why do I have to die!?"

Giggles rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop complaining, will you? I assure you, this is all for a very good cause." A malicious grin twisted itself onto her face, the image searing into Gin's mind. "Now, hurry up and die. I like things swift and efficient, after all."

"N-No… No!" Big Sis Mai span on her heel, bolting away from the Game grounds.

Big Sis Anzu grinned, almost manically. "Ha! Yeah, run! Go, Mai!"

Giggles seemed unbothered, brushing some dust off of her shoulder. She smiled. "Wrigglers! Drain Mai Tsurugi dry!"

A horrible, bassy thrum reverberated through the room, thick metal snakes pouring down from the ceiling, set straight for Big Sis Mai. Gin choked. "B-Big Sis Mai! Watch out!"

"A-Ah!" The woman screeched, tripping over herself in an effort to avoid the wrigglers. "G-Get the hell away from me!"

"Giggles! Stop!" Gin bolted towards the vile woman, shoving her with all of his strength. Though she stumbled slightly, she stood stolid and annoyed. "Let her go, woof! Please!"

"Hahaha… Don't be stupid, Gin. There's no room for trades."

Just then, almost to punctuate her words, an awful screech rang through the room. It was an ugly sound, like someone's throat had been scraped dry, their vocal chords stretching and tearing with strain.

Gin whirled around.

Big Sis Mai had been caught by one of the snakes.

"G-Guh…! N-No…" She pulled at it with all of her might, heaving with effort.

Another penetrated the flesh of her stomach.

Another stabbed into her leg. An arm.

"S-Stop…" she whispered, collapsing to her knees.

"Mai!" Big Sis Anzu rushed forwards as Gin stood stock-still, heart pounding in terror.

"Wait!" Big Bro Shin grabbed her arm, earning him a bewildered stare from the teenager. "Miley… If we interfere, you'll punish us, right?"

"Heeheehee… That certainly would make the game pass by quicker…" The doll leered at Big Sis Anzu.

Big Bro Shin hissed. "D-Damn… There's nothing we can do! Don't get yourself killed, Anzu!"

"B-But… Ah…" The girl wilted, eyes wide and helpless, flickering between the man and the dying woman.

"Killed, hmm?" Old Guy frowned.

"P-Please, meow…" Gin whispered, falling to his knees. He prostrated himself before the Laughing Doll. "Stop… Don't hurt Big Sis Mai anymore…"

"Hmm…" Giggles grinned, pulling a strange joystick out of her pocket. "Alright! Since you're just so darned cute, I'll tell you a way to save her." She held the button out to him. "This device slows the wrigglers. If you press it enough times… They just might stop."

"Th-There's no way, nya…" Gin, barely feeling any control over his limbs, cradled the button. "You're too cruel, woof…! You won't really let her live!"

"Oh, you're just going to abandon her, then?" Giggles grinned, wide and pleased. "I guess I can't expect anything better from the coward that killed Q-taro…"

The world buzzed. The drills whirred. The button…

The button.

"Gin…! Don't fall for it!" He vaguely heard Shorty shout in the fading edges of his hearing. "Miley's full of shit! There's no way that Mai's going to survive something like this!"

"She's right…" Samurai Girl grimaced. "Any way you look at it… Mai's done for…"

"I wouldn't be so quick to give up hope." Old Guy stepped towards Gin. "Mister Ibushi; everybody's rightly afraid to try and save Miss Tsurugi." His eyes glinted with determination. "But I have nothing to lose. Stall those machines…! I'll give my all to save her, the consequences be damned!"

"O-Old Guy…?"

The elderly man rushed over to Big Sis Mai, writhing on the ground. She thrashed and wailed, desperately attempting to escape the machines' grasp. Still, through his blurring vision, Gin could tell that her efforts were gradually weakening.

"Gin… He's not going to be able to save her…" Big Sis Megumi warned, expression downcast. "Please, stop."

Gin looked down. Without even realizing it, he had been mashing the button with all of his strength. He felt disconnected from his own body, like this was happening to some other boy. Why would something so horrible ever happen to him, after all?

Gin… What had he done wrong?

"clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick"

Old Guy strained, slowly sliding out the wriggler from Mai's stomach as the woman sobbed in agony. The man panted and heaved. "Miss… Tsurugi! Hold on!"

"A-Ah… Make it stop… P-Please…"

"clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick"

Mai choked and writhed, straining against the machine. The wriggler attached to her stomach slid out, Old Guy falling down on top of it.

"clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick"

"Ha…!" Old Guy sprang to his feet, a manic look in his eye.

"... 'T hurts…" Big Sis Mai groaned, clutching her wound. Old Guy swallowed, stepping back. Steeling himself, he wrenched out another wriggler.

"clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick"

Big Sis Mai's body… slackened. Her breaths throaty and shallow, she slowly relaxed across the floor, staring glassily out at the rest of the group. They stood helplessly, watching Old Guy struggle and flounder.

Big Sis Mai… Expired.

"Miss Tsurugi…?" Old Guy looked down at the woman, horror written across his features. "Oh… Oh, no…" He knelt down, placing his fingers to her throat as the wrigglers retreated, full and satisfied. "I… only prolonged her suffering, didn't I…?"

"clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick-"

A hand grabbed hold of Gin's mitten. "Gin…" He couldn't make out her face through his tears. "You can stop, okay? Just… Just stop."

Gin's hands quivered. His body felt cold and rotten. His stomach felt windless, like somebody had slammed a dumbbell into his gut. "B-Big… Sis… Mai…" he gasped, voice broken and cracked.

"I'm sorry, Gin. She's… She's gone," said Big Sis Megumi, the bright gold of her police star gleaming blinding light into his leaking eyes.

"A-Ah…" Gin couldn't muster the energy to scream.

'Mister Q-taro… Big Sis Mai… Why? Whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywh-'

"Hahaha… Nice going, Gin. You know, you're still as cute as button, even when you're sobbing like that," snickered Giggles. "It's a shame, too. Maybe if you had begged me for that button a little sooner, Mai would have been saved." She sighed magnanimously, taking Gin's chin in her hand, forcing him to stare into her warped, soulless eyes. "You know, Gin… You should really be thanking Professor Mishima.Without his help, you wouldn't have been able to prolong her suffering nearly as much. As it is, though… I'm sure she died in absolute agony."

Gin gagged, stomach curdling like milk. "W-Whuh… M-Mreowr…"

Then, the next moment, Giggles' hand was off of him, the woman sprawled across the floor.

He looked up, bewildered.'Was that Big Sis Megumi…?'

Contrary to Gin's thoughts, the policewoman looked just as bewildered as him, her hand wrapped around the empty revolver.

"A-Argh…! You bitch!" Giggles sneered up at her attacker. "You'll pay for this!"

"Shut up! Shut the hell up!" Big Sis Anzu panted, clutching her bleeding knuckles. The fury of a thousand bursting suns burned within her rose eyes. "You…! Get away from Gin! Stop trampling on him! If you try to hurt him again… I really will kill you!"

"W-Woah… Clown girl's not playing around, huh, Sara?" Cotton Candy murmured. Samurai Girl didn't respond. "Sara?"

"Anzu…" Samurai Girl whispered the name like a prayer, eyes wide and astonished. She clutched her chest, looking perturbed.

Giggles stood up, wiping the blood from her lip. "Anzu Kinashi. Now you've done it! You're on my shit-list, now!"

"I don't care!" Anzu yowled. "Just- Just get away from Gin; that's all I want." She raised her fists up, snarling at the taller woman. "If you get any closer, I won't care what happens to me!"

"... Fine." Giggles spat, looking unamused for the very first time. "Kazumi Mishima. Do you have any last words?"

"Just…" The old man sighed, all of his years weighing down upon his shoulders. He was still knelt by Big Si- by the body. "Just a request, is all. I won't plead for my life; death is all I deserve for a failure of this magnitude."

"Ask. Don't waste any more of my time."

He inhaled, pulling his spectacles out of his pocket, looking down at them with an unreadable expression.

'It's… Getting hard to breathe…'Gin swallowed, head buzzing and swimming. Drills whirred in his ears, making it harder and harder to make out the next words.

"... Miss Hinako."

"H-Huh?" Shorty blinked, bewildered. She had been staring at… the body with a distant look on her face. "Me?"

"Yes. We've known each other for such a short time, but… You are the person I trust most with this." Slowly, Old Guy struggled to his feet. He crossed over to the confused middle schooler, placing his spectacles in her hands. "Please, honor a foolish old man's last request?"

"I… Can't promise you anything." Shorty grit her teeth, looking away. "I'm not going to live."

"Hmm…" Old Guy smiled. "Well, there's no sense in listening to a deluded old fool like me. I've caused much suffering, trying to play hero. But this favor isn't for my own sake."

"Just… What is it?" Shorty glared up at him. "What do you want from me?"

"Nao Egokoro. I need you to give those glasses to her." He sighed. "I never married, nor had any children. But that girl is my most precious student. With her, I never needed to have a child. I imagine she's worried sick over me. I just want her to have closure, is all. Tell her to forget about this old fool, would you? To carry on, and live to her full potential!" He chuckled, smiling like a madman for the final time. "That is all a teacher could ever want from his student, after all."

Shorty stared, eyes wide and bewildered. "This Nao girl… She's on the outside. How am I meant to…?"

He smiled wryly. "You're one of the most gifted youngsters I've ever met. I'm sure you'll find a way."

"Mishima… You really are a stupid old man, aren't you?" Shorty scowled, eyes veiled by a curtain of raven curls. "J-Just go die already, would you…?"

"J-Jesus, kid…" Cotton Candy muttered, disturbed.

"Mwahaha… I know you don't mean that. Or, at least, that is my foolish hope." He turned around, serene. He stood straight and tall, hands at his sides. He didn't look quite so frightening like this, Gin thought; a moment of clarity in the roaring static.

"Miley. I'm ready. I just want you to know that you are a repugnant individual, and I quite detest you."

Giggles snickered, adjusting her volcano hat. "Is that all? Shut up and die already, you long-winded coot."

"N-No…! Somebody stop her!" shouted Big Bro Shin, hands splayed out in desperation.

Big Sis Megumi stepped forward, hand flying to her gun. "Miley…!"

"Hahahaha…! I wouldn't recommend that, Inspector." Giggles leered. "Unless you wanted me to reveal some…Uncomfortabletruths?"

"K-Kch!" Big Sis Megumi halted in her tracks.

"Huh?" Samurai Girl broke out of her trance. "Wh-What does that mean…?"

Giggles rolled her neck luxuriously, sliding a hand under her ascot. "Activating collar device: Boiling Point!"

"H-Hoh…" Old Guy swallowed. "A-Ah… My neck…!"

His collar glowed a bright, magnificent orange. He clawed at it in anguish. "H-Hot…! S-Stop…! Kaugh…"

"M-Mishima…" Shorty's fist tightened around the spectacles.

"Stop it! Stop!" Big Sis Anzu screamed from beside Gin. "Hasn't he suffered enough!?"

"Oh, calm down, would you?We're only boiling his blood…"

The fog over Gin's thoughts grew heavier and heavier, his ears burned and throbbed. Drills whirred in his brain, punctuated by an incessant, pervasive clicking. He tried to sob, but his throat was too dry, causing him to gag.

"G-Gin…?" Big Sis Anzu knelt down to his level, hand outstretched in concern. "Gin…!?"

Gin couldn't hear whatever she said next, the drilling and clicking tearing through all of his coherent thoughts, demanding eminence. His vision swam, his heart pounded, his costume weighed him down like a blue whale on his shoulders.

The scent of burning flesh reached Gin's finely tuned nose, and he could hold on no longer.

Mew-chan slipped from his grasp and he fell, silent, into a warm, yellow oblivion.

---

"You two…? I can't say I expected this…"

"Hey there, old-timer. You got screwed over, too, huh?"

"So… it would seem. You seem well, for a dead man."

"Could say the same 'bout you, hahahahahaaa!"

"It's not fair… I was going to take Gin, you know? I didn't want to hurt anybody…"

"I know. Weren't yer fault. They killed you fer nothing. Boils my fuckin' blood…!" A pause. "Uh… Sorry, prof."

"Think nothing of it… A-Ah, I just remembered… I suppose you two know, as well?"

"Yeah… It was lonely up here, all by myself, ya know! Not that I'm glad you guys got hurt…"

"We have until the morning before they… re-purpose us, huh…? How awful… After everything I did to survive… What's the real me doing now, I wonder? Probably working the front counter, again. I hope she gets to bake for real before…thishappens."

"... I hope you survive, Miss Tsurugi. I can't see myself making it very far."

"Hey, let's not beat ourselves up too much. Hey, Mai, you're rememberin' the good times, ain'tcha? Let's hope we'll have those fer real! And here, too. While we still have time."

"Heehee… You're too kind, Q-taro~ Truth be told… It hurts my head, trying to remember. All of those scenarios, all of those horrors… all of our friends; I think I'd go insane if it wasn't so hazy. Even when I won… It wasn't a happy time. You're right: we should just… enjoy ourselves, while we're here. All the awful stuff… It doesn't have to matter for these next few hours."

"Mwahaha… Well said, Miss Mai. Let's have our final hurrah, as it were. Though, I'm sure we'll be back again, soon enough."

"I hear that! Drinks're on me!"

---

Sara frowned, staring out at the chalkboard.'All those human lives snuffed out behind the scenes… Such a damned waste. These kidnappers… Just how far are they willing to go?'Her heart pounded against her ribs. It could happen to her, too… She was only mortal.

"Shit… That was a fuckin' horror show," moaned Ranmaru from beside her. "Mai and Mishima… They didn't deserve that, dude… That coulda been me."

"But it wasn't." Sara straightened her posture. "What's important is that we weren't discovered."

"'Discovered…?' We kinda were, though, weren't we?" Ranmaru sweat, staring at her incredulously. "No need to make us sound so damn sinister, either… We're just tryin' to survive. I don't wanna hurt anybody…"

"Neither do I, Ranmaru. The sad fact is," she whispered, crocodile tears pricking at her eyes, "we might have to. You remember their stares, don't you? When we confessed…?"

"W-Well, yeah, but… besides Mai, they didn't seem too upset," Ranmaru's brow furrowed. "I mean, you weren't trying to hurt Q-taro! Blaming you would be like blaming Gin! Or that Shin guy, even."

Blaming Shin…? Sara hid a smile. There was an idea. Shin certainly seemed more perceptive than most of their comrades. Megumi was a concern, as well. The cop pretended to be virtuous, but who was to say that she really had their best interest in mind? She certainly hadn't rushed to help the victims of the Main Game. "Right. I'm just nervous."

"Don't worry, Sara," Ranmaru patted her shoulder with a bandaged hand, sliding the knife over to her. "I'll cover for you, if anything goes wrong. You've been good to me; it's only right that I return the favor."

Sara didn't want to die. Recently, Sara had discovered that there was somebody else she didn't want to see die. Nobody was expendable, of course. Human life was precious. The best possible scenario was for the rest of them to escape unharmed.

Yet Sara was a realistic person. She knew the likelihood of such a miracle was bordering on non-existent.

Ranmaru had been reliable, yes, but…

She couldn't allow the fiery light in those gleaming, rosen eyes to be snuffed out. No matter what.

She couldn't allow herself to die, either. Under any circumstance.

And when the game only allowed for two victors, one would need to compromise.

"Thank you, Ranmaru. You're a wonderful friend," Sara apologized.

He grinned, lapping it up. "Anytime!"

Idly, Sara wondered howherand Joe would get along.

---

"Woo! Go, Muscle Gorilla!" Gin cheered as the mammoth of a man slammed the pitcher's throw into the stratosphere. "Kick their butts, woof!"

"Heehee~ Right on, Gin!" Big Sis Mai beamed at him, baseball cap fit firmly over her chocolate locks. "Crush 'em, Q-taro!"

Muscle Gorilla beamed at them while he ran, teeth shining brighter than the July sun sweltering down on them.

First base!

Second base!

Third base!

Home Run!

Gin whooped and hollered, screaming his support for the redheaded muscleman, Big Sis Mai joining him in an angelic harmony.

"I gotta say, Gin! This was a great idea!" Big Sis Anzu cheered. "You're the greatest, meow!"

"No, you're the greatest, meow!" Gin blushed, swaying happily.

"Hey, what about me? No love for the programmer, huh?" Big Bro Shin smirked, returning with their various delectably atrocious foodstuffs.

"You're the greatest, too, woof! All of you are!"

"I must say, I didn't expect to enjoy this event so much. Sports aren't really my, er, what do the kids say? Vibe? Yes, that's it! My 'vibe.'" Uncle Mishima grinned manically, posture as horrible as ever.

Big Sis Megumi raised an eyebrow. "Your age is really starting to show, old man."

He wilted. "Boohoohoo…"

Gin patted him on the shoulder, handing him a french fry. He had taken his mittens off, first, of course! "Don't be sad, Uncle Mishima! Being old's the greatest, woof! You get to lord your experience over everybody else!"

"C-Can't say I'm much of a 'lording' person…" He sweat, chomping down on the fry.

Big Sis Mai sighed in contentment. "This is great, Gin, really.I just wish it was real."

"H-Huh…? Don't say weird stuff like that, mreowr!" Gin cocked his head, bewildered. Of course it's real! It's… right there?

What… happened? The entire baseball stadium had disappeared, leaving him and Big Sis Mai swimming in a featureless, bland void.

"B-Big Sis Mai…? What's going on, mew…?"

"Hmm? What's not to understand, young man?" replied Uncle Mishima… Old Guy? Mister Mishima? Gin's head felt fuzzy. "This is the end. For us, at least."

"M-Mya…? I don't get it…"

"It's easy, kiddo!" Mister Q-taro grinned."This is where you go when you're killed!"

"B-But… Wh-Wha… You're scaring me, meow…"

Mister Q-taro's neck cracked and throbbed, blood pouring down his broad chest."Gin… Yer not dumb, are ya?"

"... N-No…"

He looked to Big Sis Mai for help. Various deep gauges were sprinkled across her body, her flesh pale and lips blue. "Gin…We're here because of you." The wounds didn't bleed.

"I- I didn't…! Th-That was Giggles…!" Where had Gin's costume gone? Wasn't he wearing it a second ago? The boy had no defenses left, clad in a plain white T-shirt and shorts.

He wanted Mew-chan. He wanted Big Sis Anzu and Big Bro Shin. He wanted Big Sis Megumi.

… He wanted Mister Q-taro and Big Sis Mai back. He wanted Mister Mishima back.

He wanted to go home.

"Gin. Why do you think you deserve something like that? There's no such thing as a home for murderers…"Mister Mishima's burning hot nails scratched across the boy's chest, slowly. He watched, paralyzed, as the blood steamed and the wound cauterized the second the skin broke.

"... M-Mom… H-Help…" Gin sobbed, wracked with horror and guilt and shame and crushing despair and anger and hysteria.

The woman appeared before him, casting away the distorted mirages of Mister Mishima, Big Sis Mai, and Mister Q-taro.

"M-Mom…?" He stumbled towards her, desperate for an escape. Mom would make everything better. Mom made them go away.

She turned her head towards him, lip curled in disgust. "Oh."

"M-Mom…?"

She scoffed. "I never raised a killer. You aren't my son."

How could she say that!? Didn't she recognize him? His mom would never… "M-Mom…! It's- It's n-not my f-fault! P-Please… Please s-save me…"

"My son is dead. I want nothing to do withyou." She walked away, and the banishing light vanished.

Gin curled up in a ball, numb. The teeth and claws of his victims came down, and Gin Ibushi was rent limb from limb, without a sound.