Whatever was making noise in the store wasn’t one of us; wasn’t human. The place was in disarray, with shelves knocked to the floor and the inventory torn apart. The back door was no longer connected to its hinges, having blasted towards the front of the store. Whatever took that door down wasn’t one of us; wasn’t human.

Konsako-san slowly walked the young girl out of the store, not turning his back on the noise building from the staff room. Kuro-san followed him. No words had been spoken between the three, as they came to the census that this place never belonged to them.

However, one person stood completely aware of what was inside, yet showed no hesitation to walk forward.

Itogaya: “Calm down; it’s not going to cause any issues.” He said with conviction, taking a deep breath as he steadied his heartbeat.

The doctor pointed to the blood pulled against the walls, leading to the staff room. The creature was injured.

Itogaya: “It’s not a threat.”

In disbelief at his assumption, Kuro-san spoke out.

Kuro: “It’s cornered and wounded, and you’re asking to approach it?”

Itogaya: “I never said anything about approaching the creature.”

Kuro: “We don’t draw the line. It does.”

Itogaya: “It should be aware not to draw the line past where it can cross.”

Konsako Akihi: “Where’s the stuff you need?”

Itogaya: “The first-aid kits and medication are likely behind the reception counter. Food, water and clean cloth however… you’ll have to look through the shelves.”

Konsako Akihi: “Okay, but… we can’t let Ishimasu-chan inside.”

Although hesitant to lose numbers, he agreed.

Itogaya: “Then Kuro-kun, can you-”

Kuro: “I won’t.”

Itogaya: “I understand you have no interest in risking your life, however… these supplies are valuable to all; including you. You understand that much, don’t you?”

The boy’s eyebrows furrowed.

Kuro: “We won’t starve in one day. We can go without water for a couple more; or drink from the tap.”

Itogaya: “Assuming the water is safe to drink.”

Kuro: “It isn’t worth the risk.”

Itogaya: “Do you know exactly how long we’ll be here?”

That question had yet to be asked. Perhaps we were trying our best to ignore the possibility of spending another minute in this town; in this game. However, it needed to be approached.

Just how long did we have to fight against these circumstances? When would this game end?

Itogaya: “We have to keep moving forward for this game to end. But we don’t know when it will end.”

Itogaya: “Eight people. Eight people are all we have to work with.”

Itogaya: “Three missing, two injured, one incapacitated. That leaves us with two capable.”

Itogaya: “That includes a child.”

Itogaya: “You can certainly argue against eating and drinking, for now.”

Itogaya: “But, we’re wounded and cornered… don’t make us starve, too.”

They both grew increasingly tense… until the boy made his way to the knocked shelves, and began lifting them in search for supplies.

Not a word exited his mouth, but he too understood that what was worse than a cornered or injured animal… was a starved one.

The four were equipped with defences brought from the factory; foreign objects to utilise in time of need that were easy to carry. At the very least, they could force damage on the creature if it were to approach them.

But to Itogaya-san, that seemed far too unlikely. I’m certain Kuro-san was also realising so, but that didn’t mean he’d leave his back open to the door.

Minutes passed. Soon, aside from the continuing noise of the cornered creature, one could hear the shuffling of cupboards, prescription bottles, shelves and boxes from outside.

Minutes passed. Minutes continued to pass.

The two outside grew nervous in their wait; Ishimasu-san beginning to slide against the wall, cupping her knees against her chest.

Konsako Akihi: “Don’t sit down. You need to be ready to move.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “I’m a bother…”

Konsako Akihi: “What?”

Ishimasu Kanana: “It’d be easier for everyone if I wasn’t here… then they wouldn’t have to worry about me.”

He had no response. Surely, he wanted to tell her otherwise… but it was difficult to deny the frustration he felt having to worry about her also.

Ishimasu Kanana: “It was the same before… I’m sure after I died… they didn’t have to worry anymore.” The girl mumbled to herself, without shedding so much as a tear.

Ishimasu Kanana: “Maybe they’re happy now.”

…She looked up towards Konsako-san, who still hadn’t found a response. His thick pink bangs covered his eyes, and he had pulled his face mask up to cover his mouth.

He wasn’t even looking at her.

Ishimasu Kanana: “If I could change spots… with Kobaya-”

-The automatic doors opened before she could force those words out, as the two inside had left.

And, the doctor shook his head; his hands empty.

In short sentences, Itogaya-san explained that the medication and first-aid kit weren’t in the reception; neither were they hiding under the shelves, ventilation or the dumpsters.

And, they had to have existed… as Michifuku-san only carried one out of the vent with her. Which left one possibility…

…The staff room.

Konsako Akihi: “Do you know what’s inside?”

Itogaya: “There are fixed windows connecting to the room. Kuro-kun was able to determine the creature.”

The rabbit, clumsily treating itself with the first-aid.

Konsako Akihi: “Can you beat it?”

Itogaya: “I don’t know.”

Konsako Akihi: “Maybe if Kuro-san, or even you try-”

Kuro: “I won’t.” He said, slinging the bag of goods around his shoulder.

Konsako Akihi: “Then, Itogaya-sensei…”

Itogaya: “...”

The doctor was silent, refusing to make eye contact.

Itogaya: “Kuro-kun and I gathered food and water before we left, along with clean cloth.”

Konsako Akihi: “Wait…”

Itogaya: “We have to make do with what we have.”

Konsako Akihi: “Itogaya-sensei-”

Itogaya: “We’ll come back later for more supplies, if necessary-”

Konsako Akihi: “ITOGAYA!”

Unlike the small girl, who had jumped at the loud sound, the doctor was motionless. He couldn’t even look at the pink-haired boy.

Konsako Akihi: “What’s with you…? You’ve gone out of your way to risk your life time and time again, but this time you can’t?”

Konsako Akihi: “Did you have a change of heart, or something?”

Itogaya: “That was before we fell to five.”

Konsako Akihi: “Fell to- we still have eight! The others are just-”

Itogaya: “Konsako-kun.”

He understood. He understood, but he didn’t want to understand, because then he would be admitting his powerlessness.

The boy who was so keen on risking his life for others, the boy who lacked an understanding for his own wellbeing…

He couldn’t comprehend the doctor’s ability to switch that off; to look past others, and focus on himself. Even if it was logical, even if it made sense…

He felt alone.

Itogaya: “I’m not trading blood.”

But-

Konsako Akihi: “...Then, can we approach it without fighting?”

Itogaya: “What?”

Konsako Akihi: “Maybe we don’t have to hurt one another. Maybe we can get what we need without putting one another at risk.”

Kuro: “Approaching the rabbit is putting one another at risk. Standing here, doing nothing, is putting us at risk.”

Konsako Akihi: “It might not want to fight…”

Itogaya: “...Kuro-kun is right. Even with your plan, we don’t know if the rabbit can communicate. It might be fruitless, and might get us hurt or worse.”

Konsako Akihi: “...Oh.”

He thought back to his encounter with the rabbit.

Konsako Akihi: “When Kobayashi-san and I encountered the rabbit, I got its attention by yelling at it.”

Konsako Akihi: “But that wasn’t enough, and so it continued ignoring me-”

Konsako Akihi: “-Until I acted as if I didn’t know it was a threat.”

Konsako Akihi: “It charged towards me after the specific words that told it I was prey.”

Itogaya-san seemed surprised, and then he thought for a minute. Could there possibly be a way to communicate between prey and predator, without blood being spilt?

The rabbit had attacked mercilessly and without hesitation, there was no telling what it would do under threat while injured.

But… if there’s the chance, just the slightest chance the rabbit could be reached…

Itogaya: “...Ok.”

Itogaya: “I’ll approach the rabbit.”

And as the night sky refused to change its mind and move, the two of them had changed theirs.

Twenty minutes had passed, and I found myself tended to by Ishimasu-san.

Kobayashi Amano: “...Um-”

Ishimasu Kanana: “Don’t worry, Kobayashi-san. It’s just me.”

She can remember my name, but I can’t remember hers.

I can just blame that on my side, right?

Kobayashi Amano: “What’re you doing here?”

Ishimasu Kanana: “Well, sensei and Akihi-aniki are in the store. Kuro-san is in the bathroom.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “My dog got bit by another dog once… it’s kinda close to your bite.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “Except, you have a hole in your stomach too.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “Haha… this is a lot more blood than I was expecting.” The girl tried to chuckle out, as she battled the urge to vomit.

She began redressing my wound with clean cloth, and although it wasn’t to the level of Itogaya-san’s, she did fairly well.

Ishimasu Kanana: “Does it hurt a lot? I know it probably does, but am I-”

Kobayashi Amano: “You’re not hurting me, if that’s what you mean.”

Kobayashi Amano: “I’d fix it myself, but I guess I’m not in the position for that.”

Kobayashi Amano: “Next to Itogaya-san, you’d be my choice.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “I doubt that…”

Kobayashi Amano: “You’re gentle. I could tell from when I first met you, and I can tell right now.”

Ishimasu Kanana: “...”

Kobayashi Amano: “Speaking of Itogaya-san, you said him and Konsako-san were in the store?”

Ishimasu Kanana: “...Uhuh.”

Kobayashi Amano: “What’re they doing?”

The girl bit her lip, no longer cleaning my wounds. I heard the tap in the bathroom turn off, and Kuro-san stepped out.

Kuro: “They have ten minutes left.”