Escape Route

Kuroki rushed out of the store, behind Heart Ripper, and strangled her with her cord, which had been recreated with his power. She tried to break free, scratching his hand and attempting to cut the cord, but she could no longer control it.

If he had recreated the cord out of her reach, it would simply have fallen to the ground, as it wouldn't have connected to her heart. But now that he was close enough, the cord she had previously undone was under his control. He tightened it even more around her neck, leaving her desperate. She couldn't replace his cord with hers because it was already linked.

She grabbed his neck and tried to strangle him. Iroko stood up and pulled his cord, injuring her heart. She undid it, but Kuroki remade it again. Iroko wrapped it around his wrist and pulled with all his might. She tried to scream in pain, but couldn't. After an even greater effort, her heart ruptured, releasing blood into her body. She fainted from lack of air.

Kuroki undid the cords, exhausted. Iroko also relaxed, feeling a pain in his chest from earlier.

Kuroki: "Come on, run!"

Iroko: "What?"

Kuroki: "The security is going to arrive soon!"

Iroko: "But how are they going to explain this? She looks like she's sleeping."

Kuroki: "There are witnesses, dumbass! They can see our powers!"

Iroko: "Wait, really?!"

They ran out of the airport, looking for a taxi. As Kuroki had injuries to his hands and neck, he tried to hide them in his clothes. They got into the car.

— What's your destination?

Kuroki: "Downtown... I'll give you directions when we get there."

— As you wish.

The car started moving. Kuroki looked at Iroko, whispering as quietly as he could so the driver wouldn't hear.

Kuroki: "Sorry to involve you in this, uhh..."

Iroko: "Iroko. I hadn't told you my name yet, right?"

Kuroki: "Yeah, Iroko. Now you're an accomplice to murder."

Iroko: "Did she really die?"

Kuroki picked up his cell phone and opened the game app.

Kuroki: "I just earned more points, which means she's dead."

Iroko: "Did I..."

Kuroki: "You're not a player yet, so you won't get any points for this. I'm sorry."

Iroko: "Then make me one. I'm part of the team now, right? I can't just go back to my normal life."

Kuroki: "You're right... let's get to my apartment first, shall we? I swear I won't run away again."

Iroko: "It's okay, I trust you. And... sorry for taking your time. Because of me, that girl had enough time to follow you."

Kuroki: "It's not your fault. She was going to follow me anyway, by taxi or on foot."

Iroko: "I know, but... I risked both our lives because of my curiosity."

Kuroki: "It's not every day you see the supernatural, so it's understandable. Players expect to risk death every day."

Iroko: "She didn't hurt you too badly, did she? She pulled my heart, so it hurts a little..."

Kuroki: "Your injury is greater than mine, so I'd advise you to sleep at my apartment for a few days."

Iroko: "Wait, really? Isn't that a nuisance?"

Kuroki: "Not really, my two other friends sleep there. We all share the same apartment."

Iroko: "Right, your friends... your apartment hasn't been attacked yet? Because, you know... three players would attract a lot of attention..."

Kuroki: "The city is huge. The number of players is increasing, but they still represent a small percentage of Tokyo's population. So, we rarely encounter other players outside of events, except in crowded places like an airport."

Iroko: "I see... speaking of which, I probably haven't been fired yet, so I can go to work, right?"

Kuroki: "I advise you to quit your job as soon as possible. Players can exchange points for money, so it's practically a job."

Iroko: "How much? Is it worth it?"

Kuroki: "Absolutely. Even I earn more than you."

Iroko: "Wait, that... kind of hurts."

Kuroki: "I didn't mean it as insult, sorry."

Iroko: "No, it's okay. At least I can be rich now!"

Kuroki: "If you don't die, of course. Everything comes with a price."

Iroko: "I'm willing to pay with my life."

Kuroki: "Let's see if that statement holds true after someone tortures you."

Iroko: "If that happens, I won't give away any information. I'll kill myself before they do."

Kuroki: "Oi, you shouldn't lose hope that easily."

Suddenly, Kuroki remembered something.

Kuroki: "You mentioned something about revenge. I have no motivation to go after my parents' killers, but if they happen to show up in front of me... it would be a pleasant surprise."

Iroko: "I won't force anything, but if that happens, you can count on me, my friend."

Kuroki: "Right, thanks for the reassurance, Iroko."

Iroko smiled, feeling proud that he had finally earned his trust.

Iroko: "Oh!"

His eyes widened and he put his hands to his head, as if he had just remembered that he had left the stove on before leaving. Kuroki was a little scared, since he wasn't the type to show insecurity.

Iroko: "The cappucinos!"

Kuroki was disappointed.

Kuroki: "Is that what concerns you...?"

Iroko: "Hey, we just wasted two perfect cups of coffee. What is the staff going to do, drink it themselves?"

Kuroki chuckled, surprised by such a trivial concern.

Iroko: "What are you laughing at? This is a serious conversation!"

They arrived at the building where Kuroki lived. It was a normal building, but tall enough to attract Iroko, who loved heights.

Iroko: "Hey, you live up there, right? On the top floor?"

Kuroki: "Yeah, why?"

Iroko: "Yay!"

He jumped in excitement like a child.

Iroko: "That means our strategic meetings will have a scenic background! It'll be hard not to get distracted by the view, but I swear it improves the atmosphere!"

Kuroki: "What are you talking about...?"

Iroko: "Landscaping!"

His face was uncomfortably close, his eyes shining.

Kuroki: "Is that important or..."

Iroko: "Of course it's important! The view can influence our emotions, positively or negatively. If we feel comfortable, it's easier to relax!"

Kuroki: "We're not going to just relax..."

Iroko: "Oh, but you don't understand the implications of my statement. Having a beautiful scenery enhances any kind of activity!"

Kuroki: "Even getting distracted..."

Iroko: "We're at home now, aren't we? It's not like the main purpose isn't to relax."

Kuroki: "Where did you learn all that?"

Iroko: "Landscaping? Curiosity! And a year of architecture, which I dropped out of..."

Kuroki: "Why? Didn't you like it?"

Iroko: "It was all very systematic; if I was working in the field and missed something, I could go to jail. But, of course, it wasn't my main passion either."

Kuroki: "What's your greatest passion?"

Iroko: "I'm still trying to figure it out. Probably something dangerous."

Kuroki: "Then you're in for a treat."

Iroko: "What's yours?"

Kuroki: "My passion? Helping people, being useful in general."

Iroko: "Which is pointless if you don't help yourself first. You shouldn't care that much about people you don't know."

Kuroki: "Don't you feel better after helping someone? You have that spiky smile for a reason."

Iroko looked away, lost in thought.

Iroko: "Nah, strangers mean nothing to me."

He started walking towards the entrance.

Kuroki: "So everything you did was fake? You're going to deny your past as if it didn't matter?"

Iroko looked back at his friend, scratching the back of his neck with a blank expression.

Iroko: "Yeah, the past is meaningless now. What matters is what happens from now on."

Kuroki: "You don't mean it..."

Iroko: "That's strange coming from you... you've learned to forget your past, haven't you?"

Kuroki gasped, offended.

Kuroki: "Forgetting is a strong word..."

Iroko: "So you just don't think about it so you don't get hurt, right? I'm the same. What happened was important at the time, but it's not anymore. We can't change the past."

Kuroki: "What if there was a way to change it...?"

Iroko: "With a power? I don't know how far they can go, but I think changing history is a bit much."

Kuroki: "Blazy is capable of changing history, just not the past."

Iroko: "So you plan to kill as many players as possible to acquire a new power? Sounds neat, sign me up."

Kuroki: "That's not what I said..."

Iroko: "But it's the only way to level up fast, right? So you're gonna wait for them to come, then kill them in the name of self-defense. I like it."

Kuroki: "I prefer to avoid killing if possible..."

Iroko: "Don't fret too much about it, Kuroki. It's either them or us, isn't it? I'm sure the game master will be able to perform some kind of miracle, like granting you a wish for winning the game."

Kuroki: "There is no way to win."

Iroko: "Oh, there is. And I'll help you find it."