(Haruto's perspective)
Satoshi and I moved through the thick brush in total silence, our eyes fixed on Reika as she walked deeper and deeper into the mysterious side of the island. I didn't know what she was looking for—maybe a hidden checkpoint, maybe another trap—but the way she scanned her surroundings like a predator told me one thing: she wasn't here for fun.
Then she stopped.
Kneeling, she reached into a bush and pulled something out.
A coin.
Satoshi tensed beside me. "Haruto, it's a coin. Let's jump her."
I grabbed his arm. "No. We have to restrain ourselves, or e—"
Too late.
"GOT YOU!" Satoshi yelled, leaping from the foliage like a wild animal.
Damn it.
Reika's back was still turned, but in one smooth motion, she reached into her pocket and pulled something metallic and black.
A taser.
"RETREAT!" I shouted. "SHE HAS A TASER!"
But it was already over.
*ZAP.*
The electric crackle echoed through the trees as Satoshi convulsed and hit the ground hard. Smoke curled up from his shirt as Reika turned slowly toward me with a devilish grin. Her eyes locked onto mine.
"Aw man," she purred, licking her lips. "I was hoping Kei would be the one I'd get to fight. But oh well… I guess you'll suffice."
I stepped back slightly, checking my pockets.
Nothing.
No blade. No weapon.
She noticed.
"What's the matter?" Reika taunted. "Didn't bring a pocket knife? Wow. I'm disappointed, pretty boy."
Then she charged.
Fast.
I barely had time to raise my arms before I heard the *snap* of a string being disturbed somewhere behind her.
She skidded to a halt mid-attack, turning her head sharply. Her body shifted into a poised stance as her eyes traced the vibrations through the tree line.
"Light movement," she whispered. "Two females just entered."
Her voice turned venomous. "So not only did you bring Kei, Satoshi, and Kaito… but now girls too? How pathetic are you? And since we're deep in the heart of the mysterious zone, our string alerts are delayed. That means they arrived… five minutes ago."
I blinked. "Females? What the hell are you talking about? We didn't bring any girls."
Her expression darkened with amusement. "So it wasn't part of your plan…? How interesting. They probably came for Kei, then."
"Tch. Enough talking," I growled, steadying my breath.
Reika smiled wide. "Okay. But beware… this will be a tough fight."
She lunged forward again—faster than before.
I tried to sidestep, but she closed the gap with terrifying speed. I felt a sting across my cheek, and a thin line of blood slid down my face. A warning. She could've cut deeper.
"What the hell even *are* you?" I breathed, heart pounding.
Reika stood tall, eyes gleaming with sadistic thrill. "I'm you and Kei's worst nightmare."
And in that moment, I believed her.
(Ayame perspective)
---
My legs were trembling, but I kept running.
The moment I crossed into the mysterious side of the island, I felt a chill crawl down my spine—as if the forest itself was watching me. The air grew heavier, the silence more sinister. Mei was holding tightly to my back, and I tried to focus on each step, weaving through the trees.
Then—I felt it.
A click beneath my foot.
I barely had time to react.
*SHUNK!*
A sharp, gleaming knife shot out from the underbrush with a violent snap. Without thinking, I twisted my body and shoved Mei off my back to protect her. Pain exploded through my shoulder as the blade grazed deep into my flesh.
"Aaagh!" I cried out, stumbling as blood seeped down my arm.
"AYAME! Are you okay?!" Mei screamed, already scrambling to her feet.
I clutched my shoulder, trying to force back the tears. "We need to find Kei…" I whispered, dizzy from the pain.
Mei turned to me, eyes wide with a mix of worry and anger. "Kei is stronger than you think! You can't worry about him when *you're bleeding like this!*"
"I just…" I choked on my words. "We need to find our friends… protect them…"
Mei's face softened. She knelt beside me, holding my uninjured hand. "Ayame… You know out of everyone in the world, you matter to me the most. I won't let anything happen to you. You're like a sister to me."
Her voice was trembling, but her grip was steady.
Tears fell from my eyes—hot, fast, and full of guilt. "I know… I'm scared too. That I won't be able to protect you… or Kei… or any of them…"
"They're blessed to have you, Ayame. They are," she said. "But that creepy guy—Aoi Fushimiya—he was right. If we don't leave now…"
Suddenly, I felt it too—a presence behind us.
Mei turned around first, and I followed her gaze.
Standing there, silent and unmoving, was Aoi.
His expression unreadable. But his eyes… cold.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Mei asked, stepping in front of me like a shield.
He smirked.
"Making sure everything went according to plan."
My stomach dropped.
"What… what do you mean?" I asked, tightening my grip on my bleeding arm.
"You're hurt, Ayame," he said smoothly. "Now, tell me—what does the rule state in the survival gauntlet?"
I swallowed hard. "Violence is allowed… as long as it doesn't require hospitalization."
"Correct," Aoi nodded. "And your shoulder… it needs what?"
"A doctor," I muttered, realizing it too late.
"And what happens when you present an injury that requires medical attention to the drones?" he asked like a teacher giving a final lesson.
"They alert the school…"
"And?"
"The exam… ends in a draw. No one wins."
"Exactly." His smile was thin, deliberate. "The choice is yours, Ayame. End the game tonight… or put everything on the line. This is your final gambit."
Then, just like smoke, he vanished back into the shadows.
Leaving us there—me bleeding, Mei shaking.
"He knew," I whispered. "He *knew* I'd get hurt. He manipulated everything."
Mei glanced down at my wound, her expression torn between rage and fear. "So… what do we do now?"
I stared at my bloody hand. My heart pounded with fear, indecision, but also…
Resolve.
"…I'm not sure," I said quietly. "But we'll figure it out. We always do."
I stood, shaky but upright. "We're not leaving until I know they're safe. Until *Kei* is safe."
And with Mei's arm around me for support, we pressed forward into the heart of the island—into the unknown.
---
Would you like the next scene to pick up with Kei, or continue Ayame and Mei's path forward deeper into Class A's territory?