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The mood inside the boys' tent was tense. Everyone sat in a circle, silent—until Takuma broke it.
"What happened here?" he asked, voice sharp. "Who was supposed to be on watch?"
Emika's hands fidgeted in her lap. "I—I was," she said nervously. "I didn't even sleep… I was awake all night, I swear. But I don't know how they got past me…"
Airi sighed and rested her fingers against her chin in thought. "Who else was with you?"
"No one," Emika replied quietly, eyes lowered.
Airi's jaw tightened, but she kept her tone calm. "Alright. Let's not panic."
Takuma raised both hands. "We can't focus on this right now. Class C already took five of our pawns—we're falling behind. Our only shot is to find their King. If we take out their VIP, we win."
Airi glanced at him, then gave a reluctant nod. "You're right. Four pawns should scout the area."
Two boys immediately volunteered. Airi turned to Kota.
"I want you to go too," she said.
Kota groaned under his breath. "Figures."
He stood up and looked around. "I'll take Miyako with me."
Miyako, lounging near the back, blinked and pointed at herself. "Me? Why me? I was about to finish my game."
Kota gave her a flat stare. "Just come."
Airi added, "We need everyone helping. Please."
Miyako sighed dramatically and got to her feet. "Fine, whatever."
---
Deep in the Forest
The forest air was thick and humid as the group split off. Kota walked quietly, eyes scanning the ground. Miyako trailed behind, dragging her feet.
Suddenly, a plume of smoke rose into the sky in the distance.
"Is that… fire?" Miyako asked, alarmed.
"Let's check it out," Kota said, already running.
As they reached the clearing, the smell of burning wood hit their noses. Flames crackled at the edge of a collapsed tent. Amid the chaos, a girl with green hair lay unconscious on the ground.
"Wait, Kota!" Miyako shouted. "It could be a trap!"
But it was too late—he dashed into the smoke, covering his mouth with his sleeve. His eyes scanned the scene quickly. Behind the collapsed tent, something shiny caught his eye—a walkie-talkie near a small dug-out hole. He noted it silently, then turned back to the girl.
Without hesitation, he lifted her onto his back and ran out.
---
Back at the Class D Camp
"What the hell, Kota?" Takuma demanded as Kota returned, carrying the unconscious girl. "Why would you bring a Class C student into our base?"
"She was injured. I wasn't going to leave her to burn," Kota said simply, brushing past him.
He laid the girl gently on a mat inside the tent.
Time passed.
Eventually, the girl's eyes fluttered open. She blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling, then sat up in a panic. "W-Where am I?"
Kota knelt beside her. "You're in Class D's shelter."
"Why…?" she asked, confused. "Why did you save me?"
"Because no one deserves to be left behind like that," he replied. "Not even our rivals."
The girl stared at him in disbelief.
Kota stood and walked out without another word.
As he stepped into the cool night air, he recalled the glint of the walkie-talkie near the burned-out camp. He had seen it—hidden in a dug-out hole. That meant someone set her up. Someone from Class C wanted her taken out.
He narrowed his eyes.
"This game," he muttered, "just got a whole lot more interesting."
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Next Time: Chapter 12 – A Pawn That Refuses to Be Sacrificed
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