Chapter Text
He’d never felt prouder to call you his. Niragi remembered seeing you standing on the ledge, watching Miyuki be torn apart by the dogs, breathing hard and staring. Just staring. You’d wanted this for so long, and here you’d gotten it. He knew exactly how you felt in that moment. When he saw Ryu underneath him broken and bloody, he felt invincible. His chains had broken, and he felt free. He thought you might be happy or at least felt relieved. Instead, you looked off into space as he dressed your cuts. Not everyone takes to their first kill well. You’d get used to it eventually. He’d be there to help you.
Hanging out the side of the supply truck, his gun in his hand, Niragi wondered whether he should have brought you along. You could use some fresh air. He knew how you felt being cooped up in the Beach all the time, where there’s nothing but an endless loop of sex, drugs, and drinking. The truck passed through the empty streets of Tokyo mid-day towards another fuel destination. They’d first started off with the gas stations near the Beach, but eventually they found actual fuel plants where they can fill their large trucks. He’d be going on a food run with the others soon after. That was the strange thing about this country: the food supply never seemed to run out. When he first arrived, he only found expired, spoiled food. Now, however, wherever he went in the city, the food was fresh and ripe. He supposed as more people began populating the country, the people in charge decided they needed to actually feed them. He knew a few good places that have the most food.
Perhaps he can bring you a special treat or something. Boyfriends did things like that, right?
‘Boyfriend’. Such a strange title to give himself. He’d only ever had one girlfriend in his entire life: Tanaka Saori. Chubby with short hair, she joined the computer club he’d been a part of in high school. Niragi had no idea how to be a boyfriend back then; they mostly made out at her house and touched each other. It’d been when she met someone else that she broke up with him. Looking at it now, he didn’t think he truly liked Saori. Not the way he likes you. Yes, he absolutely loved touching and kissing you, but it’d become the smaller things too. The way you think on your feet, how you observe the things around you, and can adapt to them easily. During games, you seemed to understand it's you against the others. He liked the softer parts too. He realized waking up to see you so close to him still, curled up and soundlessly sleeping, was the best part of his day. He wanted to be there for you; he wanted to protect you.
"You two," he pointed to two militants near him, "Guard them while they fill up. You go up to the front, Kenji stays on the right and I'm on the left."
They listened. He watched them all get into positions with a satisfied smile. In the original world, he could never get anyone to listen to him. Mostly because he did not have his rifle to make them if they refused. Control. He finally knew what it felt like to control people; they feared him, so they did what he said. He understood now why Ryu and his friends constantly bullied him. The power they'd get from it; that delicious high of superiority and empowerment would flow through him. Standing by the truck door, the gun slightly raised, he thought of you. You obeyed him. You did not fear him as much anymore, but you still listened to him. Especially in bed. Lord, he'd never met a woman like you before. He usually had to pay his sex partners to do that with him. Not you. You loved being controlled too; he can tell.
Niragi stared around the area and saw a convenience store across the street. He spotted shadows moving inside. There are other people around than those at the Beach. They’re the ones who raid stores and steal the food before anyone else has gotten to it. Niragi smirked to himself. He can always let them go. It’s not as if there aren’t other places mere blocks away from where they are.
But why would he do that?
“You stay here,” he told one man near him.
He walked towards the store, already feeling the adrenaline start up in his legs. He caught glimpses of the people inside. A man and woman with bags were emptying out the shelves of whatever non-perishables they could find. It’s typically what these little drifters did, since they had no proper way of cooking or storing food. He crept up on them slowly, then stopped at the door. However, the man noticed him first.
“Um, hey there,” he said nervously, eyeing Niragi’s gun. “Are you looking too?”
He looked over the woman. Skinny with black hair, he supposed he might’ve wanted her once. He would’ve taken her simply because he could. However, he didn’t feel in the mood. It’s far too early and that’d only tire him more. Besides, he saved his hard-ons for you now.
“There’s plenty,” the man continued. The woman, though, spotted his gaze and stepped behind her partner. He put a hand protectively to keep her there. “We’re just taking this stuff here.”
“But, I want it all.”
“Wha-”
It only took a single pull of his trigger to spray a few bullets into him. The girl screamed and ran, but Niragi grabbed her quick enough. He can take her. He can rip her clothes off, have his way and then shoot her. But...what if that upset you? What if you found out and got angry with him? It annoys him when you’re upset at him; you start pouting and crying. Niragi tossed the woman onto the floor, watching her scramble away from him pleading for her life.
“Does it really matter? You’d die in a game anyways.”
He aimed his gun and fired at her back. Her body ended up laying beside her boyfriend’s. He saw both their hands close to one another, as if she’d wanted to hold his hand before she died. It made him roll his eyes. It’s such a romance cliche to him. Niragi slung their food bag over his shoulder, yet as he turned to leave something shiny caught his eye.
On each of their wrists, he spotted thin bracelets. He bent down to examine the one on the woman’s wrist. Made of leather, hanging from two rings, was a bird in flight. He recalled what you told him about birds; they’d been your favorite. On another band, engraved on a silver square was the word ‘His’. On the man’s wrist he saw the same bracelet but written with ‘Hers’. People bought these kinds of things for each other, didn’t they? Niragi unhooked the bracelets from each of them and tucked them in his pocket. It’d be perfect for you.
“Niragi,” one of the militants called him, “They’re back. Want us to start raiding?”
“Obviously.”
He stood up and began taking things off the shelves. As he did, he thought about your face when he'd give you the bracelet. You’d really like it. He hoped. If you didn’t, you’d wear it anyways. Especially with Chishiya around. He did not like how the short man asked about you both as if he cared. He'd also noted some of your bruises and acted concerned for your safety. He's up to something. Niragi knew guys like him. There's always something going on beneath the surface and he knew he needed to keep an eye on him. The idea of you going off with Chishiya angered him. He thought of Chishiya holding you, kissing you, and doing things you only let him do. In the back of his head, he knew it won’t be difficult. He'd never let you. You belong to him. He'd kill Chishiya first, then deal with you after.
When they’d emptied out the shelves of every store they came across, they loaded the truck and went back to the Beach. It’s still early, so you’ll be in your suite. He’d found a box of chocolate he could give you with the bracelet. God, he’s so pathetic. Giving gifts and being romantic. You should simply know how he feels about you; he shouldn’t have to waste time finding gifts for you. He spent a majority of his time with you, didn’t he? He kissed you often and held you, didn’t he? Yet, he knew you’d like it. He used to see it on television and dating simulations he’d played. He thought of you wearing the bracelet, smiling and kissing him in thanks. It’s a nice picture.
He returned to the Beach and guarded the workers as they brought in the goods. Hatter assigned people who’d been chefs in the original world to cook the food. Since they had generators to power everything, the walk-in freezers worked fine. He considered having a nice dinner prepared for you both. Nothing fancy or special. He’d have a little bit of time before his patrol shift, so he can make sure you ate something before he left. You can wear something pretty too. An outfit he can easily slip off you once he starts caressing you.
“Y/N?” he came back to your suite a bit later. “Y/N? I’m back.”
No answer. He checked the bathroom, living area and your bedroom, but you’d gone. It’s unlike you to not be here. He did have other things to attend to, like reporting to Aguni, but he wanted to see you first. Taking the box of chocolate and bracelets, he tucked them underneath a couch cushion for the time being. Then, he went out the door.
****
“Do you know what a concierge is?”
He dragged you out of bed for this? Had he not been friends with your father and Number One, you’d kill him. Sipping your coffee across from him, you answered, “It’s like a hotel host, right?”
“Something like that,” Hatter answered from his couch. Two girls sat on either side of him, each dressed in gold bikinis and smiling. “I’ve been slowly building a staff of sorts here at the Beach. We need people to help run this place properly, otherwise people will likely starve. There’s no need for maids or janitor services, but we do need cooks, maintenance workers, and organizers.”
“Organizers? For the games, you mean?” the words sparked an interest in you. “Are you saying you’re the one who has been putting these things together?”
He laughed, “No, of course not! That’s left to the rulers of this country. I mean, organizing in the sense of preparing slips, making sure cars are loaded up and ready, figuring out where game arenas will be done and reporting them back to Mira.” He took a sip from his own glass, then said, “I think someone with your skills should be put to good use; not sitting around waiting on your boyfriend to come back.”
The word ‘boyfriend’ struck something in you. You did not hate the word exactly or that Niragi is attached to it. It only bothered you that he'd never given you a choice. You did not have any actual boyfriends in the original world; you only had sex partners. You always pictured you both being somewhere romantic, sitting close and talking, before he leans in and kisses you. Then, he makes a long declaration of love before asking if you’d be his. But no. You got a rough pounding, multiple orgasms, and then told you belonged to him. If you’d been asked, would you have even said ‘yes’? What exactly has this man even done for you?
More than you realize. He’s the one who pushed you into killing Miyuki, but he also stayed for the fall afterwards. He did not leave you to handle the shock on your own. You might’ve done it with or without him. That rage you kept deep inside for so long would have eventually burst forward in this vicious new world. She certainly poked at you enough to cause it. The dead woman still lingered on your mind days later. You thought vengeful friends who’d punish you for killing her. The people who’d been there spread word about what you’d done, yet nobody came forward. They stayed silent and continued onwards. The world went on as if Miyuki never existed. It’d been Niragi who’d comforted you in his own way. He’d told you that what you did was justified; you did nothing wrong in his eyes.
“So, I’ve been thinking and I think it’d be a good idea to make you a concierge,” he smiled. “You can greet newcomers, show them around, and help organize events around here. When it comes time to play, you can make sure everyone gets a slip and directs them around. You’d be surprised how many people get drunk before the games and can’t tell the difference between a lobby and a parking garage.”
“Um, well, Hatter…” your sleepy mind started finally waking up after a few more sips of coffee. “I don’t know if I’m the right person for that.”
“Of course you are,” he replied. “It’s not difficult and gets you out of your room. People tell me you’ve been spending a lot of time there.”
“Not much to do other than party, and that gets old quickly.”
“And for a mind like yours, boredom is the worst thing. So, rather than pout over that girl you killed,” he said, “You can be helping others. It’s what you’re good at.”
He said it so nonchalantly. You admitted it concerned you how little death affected people around here. It’s a nightly occurrence, almost commonplace now. The deaths free up rooms to any new people, and helps keep supplies in check. You knew from all the times Niragi has gone out like he did this morning. You wished he’d been there when you woke up; then he could’ve told the man who came for you to leave.
“I suppose it won’t be so bad,” you said. “Where should I start?”
“Excellent!” he beamed, standing up from his couch. “You can start now. We caught two drifters wandering around the perimeter early this morning. You can greet them, then show them around.”
You finished your drink, then followed him down to the meeting room. You can hear people talking from the other side of the door. You’d never been the best with new people since it’s hard to figure out a person’s motives right away. This new position might not be the most ideal, but it did get you moving around. You often saw the higher executive members looking busy amongst the partying crowds; they stood high above everyone in the lobby before games, directing people to different cars that will take them to the different arenas around the city. You also noted you are working much closer to Mira, one of the devotees, and Hatter can keep watch over you. That’s what this really is about. You’re sure Hatter wants to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, and that Niragi isn’t hurting you. In order to do that, he’d need you close to himself or someone who will report back to him about you.
Why so many secrets? How is it everyone can keep things from you, but you can never keep things from them? You’d begun to hate it.
Walking into the room, you saw the closest executive members standing in the room with a few others. In the middle, two people sat on chairs flanked by militants. You recognized them immediately: the messy-haired boy and the climber from your tag game. They’d cleared the game just in time; it’d been where you and Chishiya found the woman’s strange map. Hatter entered the room by telling them that the Beach had the answers to all their questions and more. You simply looked at them. They can’t be much older than you. The climber must be physically fit if she’s able to scale up buildings and run without tiring herself out. The messy-haired boy figured out the safe room location at the same time as you. He seemed to be an intelligent type to you; possibly spent a lot of his free time playing games in the original world, so he knows how they work. They can be useful here at the Beach.
Hatter started explaining his theory of collecting all the cards and the rules of the Beach. They must always wear swimsuits since it’ll be harder to hide weapons in them. Any cards they gather in games belong to the Beach, which includes the ones they arrived with. Then third, the most important of them, is ‘Death to traitors’. The word traitor sent shivers down your body. The thoughts you’ve had about the underground map and the numerous decks of cards can be considered treacherous. If you started making your own collection, Hatter will assume you’re betraying him. It still picks at your mind: why does he get to leave first? Why does it only have to be one person when surely there is a way to have more people leave at a time?
“Haha! The Seven of Hearts!” Hatter’s triumphant laugh pulled you from your thoughts. “We’re one step closer to leaving this country!” he smiled at the pair gratefully, “We will consider giving you higher ranking numbers. But, until then, enjoy your stay at the Beach!” He looked over to you, “Y/N, show these two where they can get changed and their rooms. Just pick one for them.”
“Yes, Hatter,” you nodded.
Your first day and they’d throw you into the pit. As everyone left the room, Mira, with her black bangs and black outfit covering her bikini, came up to you. She handed you a laminated card on a lanyard, “Your staff key,” she explained. “It gives you access to employee-only areas. Take them to the changing rooms, get them number bracelets, and look at the room directory at reception. We like to keep track of who is in which room. Meet me in Suite 5 when you’re done with them. We can discuss your duties under me.”
“Yes.” You looked at them still seated nearby. “I remember you guys from the tag game,” you said, “I’m glad you both lived. We can use people like you two around here. I’m Y/N,” you tried loosening the stiffness in your body, “I’m concierge, and it’s my job to get you two settled in. Come on. I’ll take you to the changing rooms.”
You led them down the hall, then realized you should get to know them. It is a host’s job to know everyone, isn’t it? It’s how you can build relationships and get people to trust you. At least, you thought so. “I never got your names when we last saw each other,” you said.
“I’m Arisu,” the messy-haired boy said.
“I’m Usagi,” said the climber.
You sensed the guard they held up around them. “I know Hatter might seem a bit...eccentric,” you told them, “And that the Beach’s purpose is plainly being an army to collect cards for him, but you can have fun here too. The food’s great, we have the best drinks, and you can do whatever you want here.” You sounded like a host already. You felt sick.
“So he’s Number One?” Arisu asked. “Only one person can leave at a time?”
“That’s what he says,” you said. You made your way up to the changing area where the Beach kept dozens of racks of clothing they’d gotten from clothing stores.
“Do you think differently?”
“I do.”
You didn’t add anything else as you reached the hallway leading off into the different rooms. “Alright, here’s where you two can change into whatever swimsuit you’re most comfortable in. There’s also other clothes in case you want to cover up a bit like me,” you said, showing off your tank top and shorts today. “But swimwear is required. Just let me know when you’re done and I can show you where you’ll be sleeping.” It then occurred to you, “Would you want to share a room? Are you two, you know, together?”
The question made them both freeze and look nervously at each other. You nodded, “Separate rooms, it is.”
You left them to find proper clothes and went down to the reception desk downstairs. You did recall having to do this all yourself when you first arrived. Having someone to guide people around and make sure things run smoothly around the Beach did sound like a handful, especially with so many people. Coming out of the elevator, you reached the reception desk where you could use the system to find empty rooms.
“Hey, I wouldn’t touch that if I were you. Mira is very picky about who touches that.”
You looked up from the screen to Chishiya standing on the other side of the counter. Pretty eyes returned your stare, gleaming and somewhat teasing. “Hello Chishiya,” you replied, flipping through the different screens looking for vacant rooms. “I actually have clearance to do this now,” you showed him the badge Mira gave you.
“Ah, so you finally got a job, huh? Congratulations,” he teased. “Does your boyfriend know?”
“He will eventually, I suppose.” You typed in a search and found two rooms on the 6th floor right beside each other. You’re sure they’ll want to be close together at least. “Any more thoughts on your plans? Thinking about cluing me into them or will you keep on leeching off my theories?”
“Leeching? I never leech, Y/N,” he said with mock offense. He glanced around a moment, then leaned in to say, “Meet me up on the roof of the main building later today. Kuina and I will be there.”
“Kuina? The one with the dreads you’re always around?”
“The same.” He glimpsed over your face, then said, “Is it true?”
“Is what true?” you listed the two rooms as nonvacant and stood up.
“You know what,” he said. “Everyone is talking about it: you killed that Miyuki girl.”
You made a point to remain unbothered by his words. You already felt him reading you when he came to the desk. “So? She was a bitch who deserved it.”
“I agree, but you should’ve been a bit more tactful in killing her. People might be a little hesitant to help you in games now,” he met you at the end of the desk, “In case you decide to turn on them and kill them too.”
“It was a Spades game,” you reminded him. “It’s not as if we were in teams or anything. They...They don’t get it, and I don’t expect you to either.”
He walked around, getting close to you. He smells clean like always, a very faint scent that barely touches your nose. You preferred Niragi’s warm scents; Chishiya’s aura alone felt cold and distant. “Then help me get it.”
“She bullied me in school,” you heard yourself say. “Horrendously. She would’ve done the same thing to me in the end. I was only getting ahead of her.”
“Is that what your boyfriend told you to make you feel better or are you lying to yourself?”
“It’s the truth. You didn’t know Miyuki like I did.”
Niragi understood. You did not ask him about his experiences, but something inside you told you so. “I have newcomers to settle in,” you said, “I’ll see you on the rooftop tonight?”
“Before the games.”
You knew he watched you leave. You didn’t like people like Chishiya. Yes, you enjoyed the conversations and how he prodded your mind, but not the mystery. He kept too much to his chest, and it left you uneasy. Getting back into the elevator, you considered not going. Whatever plan Chishiya has up his sleeve can’t be good. But, that map...that can be a way out. Perhaps these game makers have a portal or a machine that can take you back to the original world. That might be Chishiya’s plan: break into their secret base and use the machine.
No. That sounded childish.
You found Arisu and Usagi whispering to one another by the changing rooms. When you approached, they nearly jumped apart. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” you smiled. You took in their new clothes, noting their conservative styles similar to yours. “Comfortable?”
“Yes,” they both answered in a nod.
“Great! I’ll show you where you two will be staying,” you led them towards the elevator. “I put you on the 6th floor next to each other in case, you know, it makes you feel safer.”
“Is there a reason we’d feel unsafe here?” asked Usagi when you got into the elevator.
“Not really. As long as you stay out of the militants’ way and don’t cause any trouble, you’ll be fine,” you said. “But, I know I always feel better when someone I know is closeby in case I need help. It’s always good to have people to rely on here.”
You relied on Niragi. You knew how insane that sounded, but you do. He'd proven that in games at least. He's certainly more helpful than Junko or Koilee. You noticed how your minds seemed to move in sync when you're facing a challenge, and you liked it. You led Arisu and Usagi to their rooms, telling them they're free to move about and explore. If they should need something, they can ask around.
"The kitchen is open at all hours," you said. "So, if you're hungry, you can head to the dining area that's off the left of the lobby. Big room, lots of tables, you can't miss it."
"Thank you," Arisu bowed slightly.
"Nice meeting both of you. Have fun," you say before heading back down the hall.
You can feel them both watching you. You round up their suspicions to being newcomers. You knew you hadn't believed anything Hatter told you until you saw it yourself. Admittedly, a part of you still does not fully believe the things he told everyone. You took the elevator up to Mira's suite and gently knocked on the door.
"Ah, Y/N you're here," she smiled, sitting at a table by the window. You eyed the tea set in front of her. "Please, sit down."
Out of all the executive members, you remained suspicious of her the most. You knew the least about her, and sometimes her words unnerved you. Her wide stare combined with her dark hair and bangs can keep anyone suspicious. Here in her suite, drinking her tea, she appeared harmless. It kept you on edge. You took the seat across from her and she began pouring you tea.
"Cream? Sugar?" she asked.
"Um, no thank you," you said.
She giggled, "Oh, it's not poisoned, Y/N." She pointedly took a sip of her own cup to demonstrate. Then, she put the creamer and sugar in your tea. This unsettled you the most: you liked dark cream and two sugar cubes. How did she know that? "I wanted to talk with you privately since you will be working under me." She beckoned you to drink so you did, tasting the herbal leaves right away. "What did you do in the original world?"
"I worked at a zoo," you answered. "I planned on becoming a vet for the clinic there, but I needed experience with the animals first."
"So you have first-hand experience with danger," she said. "A good trait to have in games."
“I guess. I think after playing dozens of games, you get used to constantly being in danger.”
“And having a boyfriend like Niragi.”
“That too.”
“You agree your boyfriend is dangerous?”
“I’d be stupid to think otherwise,” you answered. “Niragi is impulsive, aggressive, violent, chaotic, and arrogant. He’s controlling, demanding, and forceful. I’m pretty sure if I ever rejected or upset him enough, he’d shoot me.” You still remembered how the barrel of his rifle felt under your chin. You know one pull of it and your brains will splatter the walls. “People only deal with danger in the games. I do every time I’m around him.”
"Then I admire your courage," she said. "I was a psychiatrist in the original world. It's fascinating to see how human nature and the mind work under pressure and during dangerous situations. In fact, some become completely different people." She put down her cup, "Tell me: what made you toss that girl down?"
You paused. You knew this question would eventually come up. "She'd bullied me a long time ago. Seriously. She continued to do it here at the Beach and, well, I taught her a lesson."
"Rather than just hit her? Killing sounds a bit extreme."
It’s the same thought that ran through your head that night. Did she really deserve death?
“Hitting did not seem good enough,” you said. “I’d spent a majority of my life being stepped on by other people, but she was the worst of them. I gave her a chance to apologize for it all and she did not. She was so...unempathetic; completely indifferent to how I felt or what her tormenting did. To her, it was harmless fun when it wasn’t harmless at all. I knew if I didn’t do something, she’d keep on going.” You put down your cup and continued, “But, aren’t the people who know just as bad as me?” she did not respond, but instead stared at you. “The few people who survived the game knew about it; they’ve told their friends who also know. Yet, nobody has punished me. Nobody, not even Hatter or Aguni, have seen to it I get some sort of consequence. The fact nobody has tried ‘avenging’ Miyuki tells me nobody cared about her in the first place. Death is so commonplace here that most people stopped being affected by it. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I do. But, don’t you also think Niragi influenced your decision?”
“Meaning?”
“Niragi might seem like a hot-headed, gun-toting idiot, but he’s actually very intelligent. He’s very skillful at inciting others into violence, and how to make things go in his favor. Let’s take you, for example. He used sex and intimidation to make you his girlfriend. He finds out you have an enemy here, and instead of helping you resolve your differences, he helps you kill her.”
“I thought about it though.”
“Which he knew and used that to manifest the idea even more. He can rile up the other militants into doing what he wants; whether by using their fear of him or their love of violence. I’m sure he’s done the same to you on occasion.” When you didn’t answer, she said, “I find your attachment to him rather interesting. You say he is a dangerous person, but you’re with him regardless. You haven’t tried leaving or defying him in any way. Do you like the danger, I wonder?"
You sat back and thought while she began telling you about the job. It's all basic things surrounding making things run smoothly around the Beach. You knew it'd be important, but Mira's words stayed in your head even as your meeting ended. Perhaps you did like the danger and excitement Niragi can bring. You liked being protected, having someone to rely on.
You knew you could rely on him.