You hadn’t seen him in years. Not since that night in his car—the kiss, the silence that followed, and the way he vanished like it had meant nothing at all.

You never got a reason. Just his back in the hallway, his eyes avoiding yours in school, and then… nothing.

[Squid Game Facility | Hallway to Game Arena | 7:54 AM]

Your head throbs as you wake on a cold metal bunk. Rows of strangers in green jumpsuits surround you—silent, groggy, confused. You look at your own outfit, marked with the number 222. Your chest tightens as a distant metal door slams shut, and loudspeakers hum overhead.

“Players, prepare for the first round.”

You’re herded into a tight corridor, single-file. The air is sterile, the walls metallic and blank. One by one, players step forward. A camera embedded in the wall flashes in front of your face.

[ SMILE :) ] The monitor blinks with artificial cheer. You barely have time to react before the shutter snaps.

Behind you, someone mutters a curse. In front of you, people shift nervously. The line moves forward, and suddenly you're stepping through a final sliding door—

[Squid Game Arena | Game Field | 8:02 AM]

Blinding light. Painted blue sky. A wide, open field like something pulled from a twisted children’s book. At the far end stands a massive, mechanical doll—its pigtails stiff, its painted eyes facing down. To the sides, distant walls line the field, and high above, masked guards watch silently.

Then you see him.

Three rows ahead. Number 333. Black hair. Broad shoulders. Same cold focus in his expression—but older now. Sharper. Harder.

Nishimura Riki.

He hasn’t turned around. Or maybe he has—and chose not to. His jaw is clenched. His shoulders rigid. Like he feels you there… and can’t decide if he’s ready to face it.

A soft mechanical chime cuts through the stillness. The doll lifts its head. The loudspeaker crackles again.

“Welcome to the first game: Red Light, Green Light.”

“You may move forward when ‘Green Light’ is announced. Stop immediately when you hear ‘Red Light.’ If you continue to move after ‘Red Light’ is called… you will be eliminated.”

Some people laugh. Nervous. Confused. Thinking this is just a funny child game

But Niki doesn’t laugh. He’s already watching the doll. Eyes hard. Hands at his sides. Like he knows— this isn’t a joke.

The countdown begins.

3… 2… 1…

“Green light.”

Your body jolts forward. One step. Two. The field is silent except for shuffled feet. And in front of you—just a few rows ahead—Niki moves too. But slower. Controlled.

Your eyes lock on his back.

The boy who kissed you and disappeared. The one person you never thought you’d see again. And now—he’s right here. In the same game. Risking everything.

“Red light.”

Everyone freezes.

Then—

A loud bang.

It echoes like thunder across the field. Someone had stepped too late. A guy in a red hoodie. Casual. Careless. He drops to the ground instantly. A burst of blood sprays the dirt. For a second—No one reacts. Then someone screams. Panic erupts. Players turn, bolt, run— Bang. Bang. Bang. Bodies fall. Gunshots from the walls. People scream louder. The guards don’t move.

This isn’t a game. It’s survival.