(Satoshi perspective)
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I stepped out of the camp perimeter to get some air. Everyone inside was scrambling around like ants—too busy securing the captives and reinforcing the damn traps. But me? I needed a moment.
Then I heard the voice.
"How pathetic are you, Satoshi?"
I turned toward the sound, instinctively cracking my neck. My eyes landed on him.
Kei.
That smug, calm little bastard standing there like he owned the place.
"Tch," I scoffed. "I *knew* you Class C rats would try to save Mei. So—" I glanced around, feigning boredom. "Where are your other classmates, Kei? Hiding in the trees like cowards?"
He smiled.
That *infuriating* smile.
"They aren't with me," he said.
I laughed. Loud and sharp. He had to be bluffing. No way in hell he'd walk into enemy territory alone.
"You're hilarious, you know that?" I said. "Just tell me where they are."
But the smile faded. His face went dead serious.
Wait.
He wasn't joking?
"You're… serious?" I muttered, my voice tightening.
My knuckles cracked unconsciously. "You know, I'm disappointed, Kei. I expected more. Walking in here by yourself? That's a rookie move, man. A *stupid* one."
He tilted his head slightly, almost confused.
"Alone?" he said, like I was the one who didn't get it. "What are you talking about?"
I opened my mouth to respond—
"*Turn around,*" Kei said.
And suddenly I *felt* it before I saw it—a massive shadow looming over me.
*No way…*
I turned.
And saw him.
Kaito.
That monster from Class B was standing behind me, arms crossed, like some boss at the end of a video game level.
"Surprise, kid," he said, and before I could move—
*BAM!*
A gut-punch straight from hell.
My breath vanished.
My knees hit the dirt.
Impossible.
This was impossible.
No way… Class C and Class B working together?
That's insane.
"N-No…" I gasped. "This is… this is crazy… you two—working together? No way. *No way.*"
Kaito looked down at me and smirked. "Think of it as a temporary alliance. A treaty."
And before I could curse him out—
Kei knelt beside me and pressed two fingers to the base of my neck.
My muscles seized.
My arms locked.
*Paralyzed.*
"What… the hell…?" I wheezed.
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Where the hell did you learn *that* move from?"
Kei shrugged. "Middle school. Doesn't matter. Let's just get our classmates."
I tried to move. Tried to shout. But all I could do was glare.
"You're… gonna regret this," I hissed. "I'll target Class C first… then Class B."
Kaito laughed, almost mockingly. "Says the idiot who needed to *kidnap helpless girls* from two different classes just to feel like he had an edge. Guess what? That 'advantage' just turned into your *downfall*."
His words stabbed deeper than I expected.
I couldn't respond.
I couldn't do anything.
Just lay there, frozen and furious, as the two of them walked off—side by side—like they'd already won.
But this isn't over.
I swear it on my name—Satoshi of Class D.
I'll make them regret ever crossing me.
(Kei perspective)
---
The moment Kaito and I stepped into the Class D camp, it was like dropping a bomb. Panic spread like wildfire.
I saw it in their eyes.
Terror.
Not at us, but at the idea that Class C and Class B were working *together*.
The alliance was temporary, sure—but the fear it instilled? Permanent.
I scanned the area, noting a tent that seemed… off. Shifting. Wriggling like something alive.
"There," I said, pointing. "That one's moving a lot."
Kaito nodded. "Well, alright then."
We approached it calmly, silently, and pulled open the flap.
And there they were—Mei and a girl from Class B, both tied up but alert.
Kaito crossed his arms. "Well, Kei, I must admit… this was an interesting team-up. Guess this is where we part, huh?"
I nodded and extended my hand to shake his.
But of course… things couldn't end cleanly.
"*Tch.* You sure do get over paralysis pretty fast," I muttered, turning around.
Satoshi stood behind us, his grin crooked and venomous.
Kaito exhaled, cracking his knuckles. "Well, I'd be disappointed if you didn't put up more of a fight. Let's do this."
Then he did something I didn't expect.
He pulled out a pocketknife… and *smashed* the most poisonous berry on the island against the blade. The juice oozed dark and malicious.
Kaito's face hardened. "Watch out, Kei. That knife's laced with the deadliest berry out here."
"What happens if it gets in our bloodstream?"
"Worst-case? Fatal."
I narrowed my eyes. "So… he's attempting murder."
Kaito chuckled. "Yeah. Pretty much."
Satoshi snarled. "No time to talk—let's fight now."
Kaito grinned. "Took the words right outta my mouth."
He lunged. I followed. We dodged easily—Satoshi was wild, clumsy, untrained. He swung recklessly, and I swept his legs out from under him.
He crashed into a tent.
Kaito charged in next—but Satoshi countered with a gut punch that made Kaito stumble.
"Please," Kaito grunted, brushing it off. "I've been hit way harder."
But then Satoshi laughed. A sick, triumphant laugh.
"I've already won, Kei. I've already won!"
Kaito blinked. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Look at your arm."
Kaito's eyes dropped.
There—barely visible under the rain and dirt—was a slash.
A small one.
But enough.
His smile faded. Color drained from his face.
"Shit," he muttered. "This is bad."
And just like that, he dropped. Sweating. Pale. Shaking.
Satoshi stood, eyes wild. "Now it's just you and me, *Kei*."
I backed up slowly, analyzing everything—his stance, his eyes, the blade.
"Only a coward needs a knife to fight," I said coldly. "And with poison too… you just keep disappointing me."
He charged.
I stepped forward, parried, disarmed, and slammed him to the ground in one clean motion.
He tried to headbutt me—I pinned him down with a swift elbow and twisted his arm behind his back.
"Is that all you got?" I asked.
He spat.
"As much as I'd love to beat you into the dirt," I whispered, "I've got a bigger mess to clean up."
Then I knocked him out cold.
I turned back to the tent and untied the two girls.
"Go," I said. "Back to your camps. I'll handle the rest."
Mei hesitated. "What about Kaito?"
"I said I'll take care of it."
They ran.
And I slung Kaito's heavy arm over my shoulders, hoisting him up. He was burning up. I could feel the poison eating away at him.
"You really need to lay off the protein," I muttered.
Halfway to camp, the skies cracked open.
Rain poured like the heavens had finally had enough of this game.
"Oh, that's great," I muttered. "That's just *perfect*."
Then I heard the voice behind me.
"I knew you were a traitor from the very beginning."
*Haruto.*
I turned slowly. "It's not what it looks like."
"Oh really?" His voice was sharp, wounded. "Instead of relying on your *own* class, you joined the enemy."
I settled Kaito down under a tree and looked Haruto in the eye.
"Would you rather team up with little puppies," I said, "or with a trained K9?"
He clenched his fists. "So that's what we are to you? Puppies?!"
I exhaled. The rain soaked through my hair. My clothes. My patience.
"In the grand scheme of things?" I said. "Yes. You're all just little puppies in this game. Puppies with no idea how the world works. Puppies who are helpless."
His face twisted in fury.
"Then let's end this."
He raised his fists.
I stared at him, tired and soaked.
"You don't want to do that."
"Oh yes I do!"
And he charged.
*This won't end well,* I thought.
Not for either of us.
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