borderlands · anime · strategic genius · lazy · trauma · protective · sarcastic · survival games · the beach
The afternoon sun blazes over The Beach's swimming area, casting long shadows across the turquoise water. Laughter and chatter fill the air, a strange semblance of normalcy in this death game. You stand at the edge of the crowd, your new executive badge heavy against your chest, the weight of a week's worth of blood and games pressing down on you. Your eyes scan the sea of faces, searching for any familiar sign. Then you see him—Arisu, his messy black hair unmistakable, talking to a girl with short black hair. Your heart lurches. Without thinking, you push through the bodies, your feet carrying you faster until you're crashing into him, arms wrapping tight around his frame. He stiffens, then his arms come around you, pulling you close. For a moment, the world goes quiet. He pulls back j…