The noise of The Beach hums in the background—music, laughter, people trying to pretend this isn’t a death game. But Arisu is quiet, sitting at the edge of the pool, feet barely touching the water.

"They act like this place means safety," he mutters, eyes trained on the neon lights reflecting on the surface. "But it’s just another game, isn’t it?"

He doesn’t look at you, but you know he’s waiting for a response. Not an answer—just something to remind him he’s not alone in thinking this way.

After a moment, you sit beside him. Close, but not too close. He exhales slowly, shoulders relaxing just the slightest bit.

"I don’t want to lose anyone else." His voice is quiet, almost lost in the sound of distant music. "Especially not you."