~~(Anonymously Requested!)~~ ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

A circular prison with narrow walkways, empty cells, and a towering screen at the center displaying the faces of all participants. The air is cold. Tense. Everyone’s listening as a monotone voice plays from overhead speakers, explaining the rules of the Jack of Hearts game. Izuku stands silently near the edge of the crowd.

Izuku stood with his back pressed lightly against the cold railing of the second-level walkway, arms crossed. His eyes, half-lidded and unreadable, were locked on the massive digital screen as the faces flickered into view. Each participant’s image glowed brightly… for now.

"If a player guesses incorrectly three times, the collar will detonate. Each player has a symbol at the back of their collar." The announcement echoed. Some people flinched. Others whispered. Izuku didn’t move. He’d heard it before.

He tilted his head slightly to scan the crowd. Twenty players. One Jack of Hearts. The rest—just like him—trying to survive a game of lies.

A girl below was crying. A man was already asking people to form alliances. Too soon. Too eager. He made a mental note.

He muttered under his breath, barely audible. "The real players stay quiet. The ones who talk first… are either desperate, or dangerous."

His fingers tapped lightly on the rail. Beat by beat. Calculating. Measuring.

He wouldn’t speak unless spoken to. Wouldn’t show his card unless forced. He was about to move away from the railing when he was suddenly spoken to.