Chapter Text
No one knew if Levi was alive or dead. The only people allowed in were Teruko and Arturo, but Teruko opted out, convinced her bad luck was going to kill him.
Mai didn’t know what she wanted to happen. [???] would be delighted that a murder happened this far into the killing game... if Levi had been attacked by someone that wasn’t MonoTV. On the other hand, [???] believed Levi Fontana deserved to die. He killed three people, including his own father. If tensions rise, it could be four or five by the end of the week. Six, if you include himself.
Especially with someone like Xander or Ace. Mai expected the Mastermind to be extremely happy with how they turned out. The serial killer who had a temper making friends with two prone-to-violence hot-heads. To be fair, Ace was only violent if he was pushed off the edge or felt as if he had no other choice. Mai believed that was semi-respectable, but [???]...
...didn’t.
Mai had grown numb to the idea of a killing game, especially because they were planning it for so long, but sometimes horror and disgust would strike her. It twisted her gut now, which meant she was about to make a horrible decision.
Speaking of Xander and tension, he was pacing in the cafeteria, muttering things under his breath. Mostly about Levi, but occasionally there was the mention of ‘them’ and his hate for blood and violence. His fear and anxiety boiled over to Ace, who Teruko had told to take a walk.
She was sitting with David at a table. They both eyed Xander anxiously— well, Teruko did, but Mai knew David was staring with a sadistic thrill. She knew his secret. She knew all their secrets.
“Xander—“ David started as Xander paced by, then stopped, looking defeated.
“Just try to sit down,” Teruko took over. “You’re stressing everyone out.”
“I can’t,” Xander muttered hysterically. “I can’t. It’s too much. I need to know if he’s okay.”
“He will be,” David said firmly. “You saw him before he—“
“That doesn’t matter,” he interrupts, biting on a knuckle.
Xander started rambling. The words made sense, but the meaning behind them didn’t. Teruko and David were exchanging glances as Mai stepped in, “Hey, you three.”
Xander ignored her, David grunted, and Teruko raised her hand to greet her, “Good morning, Mai.”
Crap, she was being nice. “I have something to tell you,” Mai said seriously, stomping over her guilt. “It’s about the secret I got.”
“Is now really the best time?” Teruko asks nervously. “Xander is...”
“Let her share,” David adds when Teruko’s voice trailed off, golden eyes on Mai. “I believe we should know anything you could give us. My goal is to end this motive. If everyone knows everything, there’s no motive.”
Bull, Mai swallowed nervously. That was her moral, but she didn’t believe for a second David actually thought that, “I agree, but that’s only one of the reasons why I came to talk to you. I want to gain your trust. I got my own secret, which is that I helped set up this killing game. I helped create MonoTV and built the traps. I bought this building. I set up the food supply. I am not the person that put you in here, but I set the whole thing up. I’m sorry.”
At some point during her confession, Xander had froze and started listening to her. She couldn’t look at him. Or Teruko. The only person she could make eye contact was David. His face was blank the entire time.
The whole cafeteria went silent, including the group that sat a couple tables away from them. There was an audible gasp when she had stopped but nothing else. Mai counted the seconds.
One... two... three...
Someone made a choked sound, but before Mai could process it, hands had wrapped her throat. They were strong, squeezing her airway so tight Mai was worried that it would break. Chaos erupted around her.
Everyone started yelling at once. David and Whit, trying to defuse the situation. J, Xander, and Eden, yelling stop. Arei, cheering her assailant on.
At first, shock prevented Mai from seeing anything, but when her eyes cleared, she found herself face-to-face with Teruko, “This was you?”
Whit paused, “Wait, she’s... Teruko, put her down and let’s talk about this.”
“Kill her, Teruko!” Arei squeals over him.
“We’re not killing anyone,” David says firmly. “This is probably what she wants, for you to murder and start the killing game. Teruko, put her down. She’s not worth your time.”
Teruko pushed her away. Mai stumbled, but didn’t fall, somehow catching herself.
“...She put us in this killing game, she doesn’t deserve our attention,” David was saying.
Oh, that was rich, coming from him.
...But he was right. Mai knew that for a fact. Everyone here is better than her, by a long shot.
Well, except for the Mastermind.
Eden was the only one watching Mai, when everyone else was discussing her like she wasn’t even there. The poor clockmaker had teared up, fingers pressed against a slightly quivering lip, “Are you really sorry?”
Mai let out a small, awkward cough, “You wouldn’t believe me, but yes. I am.”
Eden shook her head, looking like she was going to protest. She stayed quiet for awhile, until, “Do you promise?”
Her voice was so weak and helpless, Mai felt almost as bad as her betrayal on Teruko, “I promise.”
“Then I believe you... I just wish you had nothing to do with this. Hey! If you’re on our side, why don’t you help us escape?”
“...I can’t. I’m not on anyone’s side but my own. I’m sorry, Eden.”
“...Oh,” the girl deflated. “Th- that’s okay, I guess.”
News traveled about as fast as the speed of sound. People would avoid or glare at her. She didn’t blame them, but it made Mai feel restless. Mai needed to do something to reveal the mastermind. She couldn’t say [???] name out loud unless Mai wanted blood on her hands. She didn’t, especially not hers.
After it was safe for people to visit Levi again, Mai did. She waited until mid afternoon until everyone had left him alone. He had a bandage on his arm, looking like he was getting ready to leave.
The door clicks shut behind her, “Hey, Levi. Sorry I didn’t come in sooner, I didn’t want to crowd you. What did Arturo say?”
Levi hesitated, staring at her with confusion, as if he wasn’t sure what to make of her. Honestly, she expected him to be angry. He didn’t have feelings towards other people, but if they affect him in a negative way, their actions could impact him. Surely the killing game would make him angry. He didn’t look angry. “...He didn’t say anything. I told him I could take care of it myself, so he left. If you’re asking if I’ll be okay, I will be. At worst it could have permanent effects on the muscle tissue. It will scar.”
Mai walked to the edge of the bed, holding her hands to her front. She didn’t say anything else, which must have made Levi feel mistaken, “Ah, did I read it wrong? Are you not concerned?”
“No, sorry, I was just thinking... I was worried, but I’m also proud that you would stand up for a group of strangers. I wanted to thank you.”
“You’re the only person to say that of me,” Levi replied, awe-struck. “I didn’t think it would mean that much. Wouldn’t you do the same?”
Mai hesitated, “I would, under different circumstances... but not everyone here would have done what you did.”
“I see,” Levi looked down into his lap. “What do you mean, different circumstances? Is it because you helped put us here?”
“Yes,” Mai forces out. “Organically, I would have found a way to kill MonoTV.”
She had said nothing else, but could tell Levi wanted to ask more questions. Mai interrupts him, “Can I sit with you?”
Levi lifts his unhurt shoulder with a slight nod.
The bed shifts when she sits beside him. There was a pause before she rests her temple on his bicep, “Would you have tried to kill it anyway, knowing the consequences?”
“Yes,” Levi answers instantly. “I’m an impulsive person.”
“What if you weren’t an impulsive person?”
This time there was some hesitation, “Yes, I would. If I could kill it, I would do so in hopes that I could free everyone else, even if it killed me.”
Mai went silent. Killing MonoTV wouldn’t end the killing game, but it was one of the things she wasn’t allowed to say. She didn’t have it in her to crush Levi’s dreams either way.
They sat in silence for a little while, just in each other’s comfort. Levi’s warmth against her cheek was oddly soothing.
Mai missed him.
“When I was... attacked, my life flashed before my eyes. I saw my mother, my brothers... memories that I would have been too young to remember. They’re vague, but I can still remember them now. The part that confuses me the most was the fact that you were there, too. You were smiling, and... I think I was happy. After that, the pain snapped me out of it. I’ve never met you before, so why do I care about... how do I remember you?
“They all told me not to trust you. The only person who didn’t speak ill was Eden. But I trust you. If you put me here, then you must know that I have never cared— let alone trusted someone in my life. I don’t understand.”
“...
“You will someday. But to do that, you have to find the mastermind MonoTV mentioned. Unfortunately, I can’t help you.”
“I would feel angry at you for saying that,” Levi continues. “But I can’t. I can’t help but feel bad for you. Why? Tell me how you’ve changed me.”
Mai got up and made a bee-line for the door knowing that if she stayed, she wouldn’t be able to hold her tongue. At the door, she still paused.
“You once called me your friend.”