"Hey Mom, you seen Rika-san?" Saya asked, more to fill the silence than anything else. Also, you know, to avoid thinking too hard about yesterday's… situation.
After her mom had yanked her out of there, they'd had a talk, decided Saya would just go with whatever Yuriko chose. Simple enough.
Not that it'd matter if there wasn't even a need for it.
"No, I haven't," Yuriko replied, frowning slightly. "In fact, I was looking for Shizuka-chan too, but I couldn't find her either."
She needs to ask something medical, that's why she too was searching for.
Saya frowned. Something felt off. But she shoved the thought aside.
"Busujima-san's out on the lawn. Let's ask her." She turned, but that unease didn't go away.
Outside, Saeko was as always practicing with her sword. Same precise movements, same eerie calm. But there was something different, subtle, but there.
She was calmer than before, sure. But how much? Enough to hold back? Or just enough to kill without hesitation?
Seeing them approach, Saeko paused mid-swing, lowering her bokken slightly. The way she tilted her head, that slight narrowing of her eyes, she'd already picked up on something being off.
No need for pleasantries then.
"What happened?"
Saya didn't waste time. "Shizuka-san and Rika-san are both missing. Have you seen them?"
Saeko's grip on her weapon tightened ever so slightly.
"Think they just… bailed?" Yuriko mused, arms crossed, brow slightly raised.
At that, both Saya and Saeko stiffened, eyes widening slightly.
Shit. That was possible. More than possible.
"Wouldn't blame them," Saya muttered, rubbing her temple. "Maybe they just decided, screw this, let's ghost while we still can."
"You don't have to worry about that."
Saya's head snapped up, and Saeko, who was usually unshakable, whipped around so fast it was like her instincts had kicked in before her brain could process it. Sweat dotted her temple. She still wasn't used to that damn presence sneaking up on them.
"You know where they are?" Saya asked, her voice firm.
Orochimaru didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out a scroll, unrolling it with practiced ease. A burst of smoke cleared, revealing an arsenal laid out before them. Swords, kunai, spears, firearms, and some others.
"Choose what suits you best," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But don't limit yourselves."
His tone alone made one thing clear. This wasn't casual chit-chat anymore. Orochimaru was dead serious. Which, honestly, was kinda terrifying.
But hey, no time to stand around and question life choices.
Yuriko and Saya grabbed spears, solid reach, good for keeping things at a distance. Plus, a few kunai and pistols, because why not? Always good to have options.
Saeko? Yeah, no surprise there. She went straight for the katana. And not just any katana, this one was sharper than hers, probably cut through bone like butter. She scooped up some kunai too, because being prepared never hurt.
They figured he was heading to the military base he mentioned yesterday. What they didn't know was that his clones had already left with the pass loop.
Instead of going that way, Orochimaru turned toward the centre. The others exchanged looks, confusion clear on their faces, before silently following.
Once they reached the centre, Orochimaru finally spoke. "A game is about to begin. Anyone who steps outside the boundary dies."
His golden eyes swept over them, sending a shiver down their spines. Something about the way he said it, so casual yet absolute, felt downright eerie.
"Th—"
"Don't speak until I say so." His voice was sharp, cutting through Yuriko's words like a knife.
She shut her mouth instantly, eyes narrowing. Yesterday, he'd been playful, almost indulgent. Now? Now there was no mistaking it. He was calling the shots.
Orochimaru pulled out another scroll, his movements slow, deliberate. "You might want to take a few steps back."
No hesitation, they all moved. Fast. No telling what was inside that thing. They knew damn well his scrolls could hold more than just weapons. Some things inside them could still breathe.
"The game is simple," he continued, unfurling the scroll. "Kill or die. Either you take a life, or you lose yours. The ones left standing get to walk away. No deal. No consequences."
Saya and Yuriko's eyes lit up at the same time, flicking toward each other. They didn't need words. They already knew what they had to do.
Not that either of them believed it would be that easy.
Even Saeko, calm as ever, shifted her stance. She understood too. This wasn't some simple test.