Once upon a time, there lived a scorpion and a frog.

One day, the scorpion said to the frog,

“Mr. Frog, I want to cross the river, so would you please give me a ride on your back?”

The frog refused.

“How would I know that you wouldn’t try to sting me, Mr. Scorpion?”

The hesitant frog asked.

To that, the scorpion laughed.

“Of course I will not,”

He said with a smile,

“Because then, I shall drown as well!”

The frog was not convinced.

“What about when we reach the other side, wouldn’t you kill me then?”

The scorpion shook his head.

“No, good old Mr. Frog. I wouldn’t do that! I would be much in debt to you, that death shall hardly be the proper thanks!”

The frog thought about it for a moment, and then agreed.

“Very well,” he said, “hop on.”

The frog swam and swam, but half way there he felt a sharp sting in his back.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the scorpion’s malicious grin.

“You fool!”

The drowning frog said,

“Now you shall be dead too!”

The scorpion shrugged.

The two slowly sank into the murky depths.

…

“Why? Because self destruction…’tis in my nature.”

“So, the enemy we are fighting against is a Boss-type.” I concluded, as Tanaka finished his summary of what happened to him earlier.

He nodded.

We neared a corner, and he held up his hand, signaling for us to stop.

…

Silence.

He held up a finger.

One.

The second finger went up.

Two.

And finally, the third.

Three.

He let out a sigh of relief.

“Alright, we can proceed.”

We walked in silence for a bit, before he turned to me once more.

“Say…Kurose-kun. How much do you know about RPGs in general?”

I kept my gaze on the path ahead.

“Just the basics. System-wise.”

“I see…”

Tanaka seemed to be deep in thought for a fraction of a second, a cloud of indecipherable emotions flickering by in his eyes.

…

I observed him out of the corner of my eye.

“Well…based on my experiences, I think that the boss we are facing is the stationary-type. The type that only appears at certain areas, and automatically targets anything foreign that enters its range.” he eventually said.

“…You are well-versed with the types, Tanaka-san.”

“Heh, only slightly more than the average person.” he chuckled, giving me a sheepish grin, “Want to know my secret?”

I smiled.

“Only if you are willing to share.”

At that, his grin got broader.

Leaning closer, he whispered his next words, as if they were classified material.

“You see…I’m actually a mangaka. The type of story I draw usually involves gaming elements, it’s most popular with my shounen audience nowadays.”

My expression remained the same.

“A mangaka, huh. That would explain why you seem more excited than scared right now.”

Tanaka’s eyes brightened at my words.

“That’s right! I think anyone would be scared, waking up in this strange place all of a sudden…yet, for me, this is the best plot material! I am scared, but I am hundreds of times more excited! It’s a weird feeling, anticipation yet fear for what is about to happen. It’s the chance of a lifetime, to experience for myself what my characters feel like…I-”

He paused, as if suddenly aware that I was beside him.

“Sorry, Kurose-kun. I have this bad habit of rambling on whenever something interesting happens. Please forgive this old man for acting so childishly.”

…

Forgiveness…huh.

I gave him another smile.

“There is no need to ask for forgiveness, Tanaka-san. I don’t mind.”

He smiled back lightly.

“Kurose-kun, you are surprisingly calm too? Since this is the second floor, I assume that this is the first time you have been summoned by the Colosseum as well?”

I nodded.

He tilted his head slightly in curiosity.

“Eh…is that so? You seem to be taking things quite well too. You don’t look worried at all.”

I turned my unwavering gaze toward him.

“People say that about me a lot.”

He held my gaze for a short while, before releasing a hearty laugh.

“I see, I see! You know, Kurose-kun. You remind me of Makoto, the protagonist of my manga.”

“Ah, then I must definitely put your manga on my reading list. It will be interesting to see what kind of character ‘Makoto’-kun is.”

He chuckled.

“You won’t be disappointed. Once we beat this boss, I will definitely tell you more about- Kurose-kun, watch out!!!”

Before he managed to finish what he was saying, he leaped toward me, sending the two of us tumbling into the middle of the hallway.

Mere seconds later, the spot where we were standing moments ago exploded into a chaos of flames and smoke, the walls and floors surrounding it no longer existent.

“Kurose-kun, are you okay!?”

He gave me a frantic look, as I sat up, eyes narrowed at the scene of carnage in front of me.

…

“I’m fine. What about you?”

His face relaxed.

“I’m fine as well. Thank God.”

He turned his head around to survey the scene, his eyes filled with dread.

“Looks like we have entered the range for the boss. Let’s relocate first, and then think about what to do.”

I did not respond.

Then, I nodded.

“This way!”

We dashed around the corner, and around a few more before he finally stopped, opening the door to a classroom.

“Quick, let’s hide in here.”

He hurried me into the room before him.

I stood near the entrance, observing the layout of the classroom.

He entered the room shortly after.

Click.

The door closed quietly.

…

I did not turn around.

“We are safe for now…” he said, his voice lower than before.

“Is that so?”

I could feel his gaze on my back.

“But…we won’t be safe forever.”

Footsteps sounded behind me.

I could feel his presence just inches away.

“So, let’s stop playing this game, alright?”

Rustle.

The sound of something being taken out of his pocket.

“You know…in the end, only one of us could survive.”

He began to laugh quietly.

Then, I felt a sharp pain spread across my back.

The pain of something sharp being driven into my side.

Wine red blood began to flow from the wound, dripping on to the merciless, shining blade, and finally on to the ground below.

He smiled.

“So, this is goodbye…Makoto-kun.”

——————————

I was walking down the hall toward lunch when all of a sudden, I was grabbed and pulled behind a corner.

…

I sighed.

“What is it now, Tomo-kun?”

He released his hold on me.

“Mikage…you traitor!”

He sniffed, looking at me with the eyes of an abandoned puppy.

“Oi…you need to calm down a little, Tomoharu. Stop jumping to conclusions.”

Yuu appeared from behind him, pushing up his glasses as he spoke.

“But but but- I always thought that Mikage-chan will tell me first if he ever got a girlfriend! Traitor! Betrayer! Baka baka baka!!!”

He ran down the hall sobbing, ignoring the weird glances that people directed at him.

“And off he goes.” Yuu commented, watching beside me as Tomo disappeared around a corner.

Yuu waited for a moment, before turning to me, his glasses reflecting the sunlight.

“Well, is it true?”

“What is?”

He re-adjusted his glasses, smiling.

“There’s no point in speaking in circles with me. You know exactly what I am talking about.”

I gazed at him for a second, before looking away, smiling.

“It’s not.”

“Positive?”

“Absolutely.”

At that, he nodded.

“Well, I won’t pry any further then. But, I have to say that it is strange for you to take notice of someone. You know, you are pretty good-looking, so lots of girls have their eyes on you. Yet, you are nice to all of them just the same.”

“Hmm…thanks for the compliment?”

He sighed.

“You know, your personality really gives me a headache at times…but either way, it’s lunchtime. Better hurry, they are serving the sacred salmon lunch today.”

…

I chuckled.

Yuu really likes that lunch set. Just a little too much.

He frowned at my laughter.

“What are you laughing at? Come on, let’s go.”

Before I could even reply, he began to drag me toward the cafeteria.

Fifteen minutes later, we sat down at an empty table.

“I couldn’t find Tomo-kun anywhere.” I said, as Yuu parted his chopsticks.

“Forget about that idiot. Itadakimasu.”

I swept my gaze around the cafeteria once more before giving up.

“Itadakimasu.”

Before I could begin eating, I noticed Yuri standing on the other end, surrounded by a group of guys.

She was looking around the cafeteria, as if she was searching for someone.

…

I turned my attention back to my meal.

“Look, Akimori-san is over there. Quite the popular one, huh…wait, she’s heading this way!?”

Focus on the salmon. The sacred salmon lunch.

“Oi, Mikage, she’s making a beeline for our table.”

Sacred salmon…

“Mikage?”

Salmon…

“Is this seat empty?”

“…”

“…”

I gave an inaudible sigh.

“Please go ahead.”

She sat down beside me, sliding her tray on to the table.

The guys behind her glared daggers at my back, settling down on to the table right next to ours.

“Eh…well, I’m sure you two have already met. My name is Saga Yuuto, also in the same class. Nice to meet you, Akimori-san.”

Yuri nodded.

“Nice to meet you, Saga-kun.”

I continued eating calmly.

“…Is the salmon good.”

I paused, glancing to the side where Yuri observed me silently.

“Well…it’s better than most of the other things they serve…Why?”

She remained expressionless as usual.

“Because you seemed to enjoy it.”

…

I smiled.

“Then, would you like to try some for yourself?”

Yuri gazed at me, and then at the salmon, then back at me.

She nodded.

I picked up a piece of the salmon.

“Open your mouth…”

She opened her mouth, and closed her eyes at the same time.

“Ah…”

“AH~!”

Before the food could reach Yuri’s mouth, it was snatched up by someone else.

“Mastery, 5/10. Texture, 5/10. Flavor, 5/10. Overall, 5/10. It just barely passes!”

Tomo chewed on the fish, voicing his opinions.

“T-Tomoharu!? When did you get here??? And also, how dare you insult my sacred salmon…”

I sighed.

“Hmph. Mikage-chan isn’t allowed to feed anyone but me. I’m his childhood friend, his best friend after all. He obviously likes me more than you!”

At that, he gestured directly at Yuri, as if issuing a challenge.

“…”

I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the chaos.

“Kurose-kun.” she said, completely ignoring him.

I opened my eyes, beckoning her to continue on.

“I have been wanting to ask you this.”

“Stop ignoring me-”

I turned to face her directly.

“What is it?”

She fixed her tranquil gaze on me.

“Will you go out with me?”

…

…

…

“EHHHHHH!?!?!?”

The guys from the next table joined in the chorus.

——————————

“So this is what you mean by ‘going out.’”

Yuri and I sat across from each other in a cafe, waiting for our orders to arrive.

She nodded.

“The cake here is really delicious.”

“I see.”

She turned her gaze to me, her head tilted slightly in curiosity.

“Kurose-kun, do you not like sweets?”

“‘Mikage’ is fine. And, it’s not that I don’t like sweets…it’s because…”

I glanced at a table a short distance away.

The two people sitting there jumped in surprise, proceeding to cover their faces with newspapers.

Yuri leaned over to look as well.

“Those two have been following us since we left the school.” she said, maintaining her gaze on the two, making them shift uncomfortably in their seats.

I sighed.

“Never mind those two.” I said, as the waitress arrived with the orders.

Yuri’s face brightened, looking completely content as she picked up a spoonful of her cake.

Then, she paused.

I took a slip of my coffee.

“Here.”

The cake appeared in front of me.

“…Thank you, but it’s fine…” I said, politely refusing her offer.

The cake edged closer.

“For the salmon earlier.”

“You don’t have to…and also, Tomoharu ended up eating it, so-”

The cake shifted even closer, until it was directly in front of my mouth.

…

“Thank you for the cake.” I said finally, giving into her demands.

“Hey, wait, what are you doing to-”

“SHHH! Be quiet, Tomoharu. They will hear us!”

…

I can hear you two just fine.

“You have interesting friends…Mikage-kun.” Yuri commented.

I took another slip of my coffee, trying to ignore the commotion behind us.

Then, I put the cup down lightly, fixing my gaze on her.

“So, what is it that you wanted to discuss? You didn’t just call me out to eat cake, right?”

Her eyes met mine.

“I did call you out to eat cake.”

…

I picked up my coffee again.

“And to thank you.”

I paused.

…

Her eyes shone in the sunlight; emotionless, mysterious, yet intriguing.

…Thank you, huh.

I guess it wasn’t the salmon that she was referring to.

I smiled.

“You’re welcome.”

——————————

“Nothing, nothing…still nothing.”

Kyoushiro ruffled his hair in frustration, as he scanned the ground in front of him.

“After hours and hours of searching, we have nothing that will tell us how the guy ended up here…Is this even possible?”

He sighed, rubbing his temples.

“He wouldn’t be here if it were impossible.” Sai said, still searching the area for potential clues.

“Now’s not the time to be sarcastic, Chief. You know I meant to ask if it was humanly possible.”

“Who knows.”

Kyoushiro sighed again.

“You know, I really don’t want to say this but, if this really has anything to do with the ‘Kuro’ guy, he must be an alien or something. Nothing he does makes sense. How are we supposed to catch someone like that!?”

When he was complete ignored by Sai, he continued.

“You should stop, Chief Kurose. The analysts left three hours ago. The professionals found nothing, what more could we find? Plus, I just sent home the last patrol, so we need to end this soon as well. We can’t section off the area forever; the old evidence is non-existent, and the new won’t be introduced any time soon.”

He looked toward the figure of Sai, who was still deep in thought.

He sighed once more.

“You know, that stubborn-streak of yours is both admirable and annoying at times. I’m heading off to the restroom, let’s go back after that, alright?”

As he headed toward the direction of the public restrooms, something caught his eye.

A small, silver-tinted cellphone.

He walked toward it with a confused expression, curious as to how he had never seen it during the search of the grounds before.

“Hey, Chief. Come take a look at this.” he called out, picking the object up.

Sai looked up, his dark blue eyes narrowed.

He rushed over immediately, taking a position beside Kyoushiro, leaning over to see what he was holding.

“It wasn’t here before…maybe one of the investigators lost their cellphone while searching?” Kyoushiro said, flipping open the cover.

The cellphone buzzed suddenly, and he gave a startled jump, almost dropping it.

“What the- Woah, twenty new messages!?”

He pressed the mail icon.

A long list of messages appeared, all from different senders.

“Ehhh…why are there so many spam mails? …Most of them don’t even make any sense! ‘Kiša is Bosnian for Rain???’ ‘Unless- is a good way of thinking about things???’ And what’s with the smiley face at the end?”

He stared at the contents for a bit more, before sighing.

“I guess we can ask around the headquarters for the owner.”

He began to close the lid of the phone.

“…It’s not spam.”

He paused, turning his gaze to Sai, who stood beside him with a surprised expression that he had never seen on the latter before.

“??? What do you mean-”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was pushed to the side.

Clang.

The sound of metal hitting bone sounded in the strangely empty field.

He sat there in the grass, shocked.

The still figure of Sai lay facedown in the grass beside him, the smell of sickly-sweet blood filling the evening air.

“You-what are you-”

Their aggressor smiled.

Clang.

The fading sunset stretched across the eerily-red skies.

Buzz.

The cellphone screen flashed once, before it went blank, as if nothing was ever found in its contents.

The true message, presented in its acrostic-form, disappeared without a trace.

KURO-

LOOK BEHIND YOU. ☺

———————-

Kurose-kun, a little bird told me that you were on a date with a cute girl today?

Ame appeared beside my throne, as soon as I entered Floor 72.

…

“Your ‘little bird’-san is correct, Ame.”

I walked toward the other end, taking a seat on the throne without looking directly at him.

Ehh…really? Oh my, what a surprise! Kurose-kun is all grown up now, isn’t he?

“…”

I could feel him lean closer.

But the little bird also told me…that she was the same girl whom you rescued in the labyrinth that other day. Akimori Yuri-chan, right?

…

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

“That’s correct.”

I could hear him laugh softly in the darkness.

Don’t be so tense, Kurose-kun. That wasn’t entirely your fault, so I forgive you. But, don’t commit the same mistake a second time, alright?

I tightened my grip on the armrest.

Then, I silently took a deep breath.

…

My hands relaxed.

“I understand.”

Good, good. Now…that is quite a grand event you are planning tonight, Kurose-kun.

He gestured toward the central screen.

On it, a large group of people stood around a tall clock tower, as if waiting for something.

Floor 31, huh. Are you sure about this?

I nodded.

Well…this isn’t against the rules, so I’m fine with it. But, anything beyond that is a no-no, okay?

“…”

He waved, preparing to leave.

Then, he stopped.

Ah, I just remembered…you aren’t planning on going in your current outfit, right?

I shook my head.

“I will be going in this.”

As I spoke, trails of sparkling white crystals appeared in the air around me, engulfing my entire form.

My! What a “magical” transformation! I like that outfit…we match quite nicely, don’t you think?

I placed one hand on my face, adjusting my new mask.

“Glad to hear that.”

——————————-

“So everyone is here tonight.” a blond-haired young man said, counting off his group members with his steady brown eyes.

“…Erm…actually…it’s just you and me right now…” the silvery-white-haired girl beside him said quietly, her voice trailing off.

“Huh…wasn’t that guy with us a few minutes ago?”

“Well…he’s over there…”

The girl gestured toward their other teammate, who was sleeping with a book on his face, underneath a tree a small distance away.

“That bastard…what is he thinking, wandering off when the trial is about to begin!?”

He stormed over to his teammate.

“Get up already! I know you are awake. It’s going to start soon…hey, are you even listening to me!?”

Just as he finished speaking, the crowd around them became dead silent.

In the middle of the forest clearing, on top of the sky-high clock tower, now stood a masked figure cloaked in the purest of black.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for waiting patiently for the commencement of tonight’s trial. Without further ado, I, moderator [Kuro], shall explain the upcoming event.”

The group listened in silence.

The young man sleeping underneath the tree did not attempt to lift the book off his face.

“Tonight, we have for you a very special ‘Hide-and-Seek’ game! The rules are as follows: One, one person will be chosen at random at the beginning as the ‘Oni.’ Two, the ‘Oni’ can pass his role to anyone on this floor through physical contact. And three, the person who is the ‘Oni’ when the hour is up, shall be, without fail…eliminated from the Colosseum.”

The last statement drew a crowd of gasps from the audience.

The man quickly silence the group with a wave of his arm.

“Now, I shall not stall you any longer. Time is ticking…”

He paused in mid-sentence, looking up as a timer appeared in the sky.

Time remaining: 1:00:00

“…Hey, you should get up. Right now. Hey-”

The blond-haired young man stopped short, as he caught the sight of his friend’s face, now only partially hidden behind the book.

“Hide-and-Seeking, huh.”

The anonymous young man’s bright red eyes gleamed in the shadows.

“…Let the game…begin!”

Floor Eight- End.

--------------------

Here comes the annoying important message from Hikaru:

As promised, both Ame and Mikage got more screen time this chapter! Well, Ame only had a few lines but, at least he's still well and twisted as ever. Also as promised, a new character has been introduced!

Anonymous: ...

At this point, the bulk of the main characters have been introduced. Some are still waiting for their chance to appear, but they will eventually when the timing is right.

Regarding the release dates and speed. Let's just say that I pre-plan the chapters three of them at a time. So, sometimes there will be slower updates, since it is probably my planning day as well. But mostly, the speed depends on how fast I can go without losing the quality. Since this is a mystery fiction, details really matter here, and I prefer to make sure things will work out before I publish anything that I will regret (hopefully, none yet). So that is how it is, but to all the readers who have been patient with me so far, thank you very much! I hope you will continue to support me and Colosseum 72, and see you next time!

-Hikaru