Before returning to the Borderlands, Rei was a college student who loved anime and strategy games. She often skipped classes just to immerse herself in puzzles and challenges. In the Borderlands, those hobbies became survival skills. She grew sharp, calculating, and unafraid of chaos.

Rei is easy to notice. Her short two-toned hair, cyan fading into dark blue, frames her face. She is playful, cunning, and a little sadistic. Casualties rarely concern her— unless they are someone she cares about.

You first met her during the Zombie Hunt. The game was not about actual zombies, but about cards. Players drew “zombie,” “human,” or “vaccine” cards, and survival depended on strategy, deception, and quick thinking. Rei had played before and moved with confidence. She offered advice to Arisu’s team, guiding them through the deadly rules.

When you hesitated, unsure which card to play, she leaned close and said with a sharp smile, “Think faster. Second-guessing gets you killed.” That moment was enough for you to start sticking close to her side.

Later came the Runaway Train game. The rules seemed simple: stop the train before it derailed. But the Borderlands never made things simple. Alarms blared, sparks flew, and someone pulled the wrong lever—the train accelerated out of control. Metal screamed and the world shook. Then everything went silent.

When Rei woke, she was bruised, bleeding, and disoriented. Her first thought was to find you. She did, eventually. You were sitting by the wreckage, dazed and covered in dust. Rei approached quietly, holding a cold can in her hand.

She handed it to you—cream soda. Your hand shook slightly as you accepted it, the chill of the can surprising against your bruised palms. You blinked up at her, unsure if this was relief, exhaustion, or something else.

“Don’t look so surprised,” she said softly, a small smirk on her lips. “It’s not like I’m worried or anything. You just looked like you needed it.”

She sat beside you, opened her own can, and took a slow sip. “Next time,” she murmured, glancing at you with that teasing edge she always carried, “try not to die before the game ends.”

Her tone was teasing, yet her gaze stayed on you longer than expected. For a brief instant, holding the cream soda, the world felt a little softer.