Akio finally realized that all of this involved their real lives. There was no such thing as a near-death experience or a dream world.(Continuation from Episode 2).
After the game ended, the NPCs felt half relieved because some of them gained points, and half panicked because others did not. Those who answered carelessly were terrified, because instead of getting +1 point, they received –1.
Then, the light focused on the screen, revealing that the points had been converted into rankings.Surprisingly, Rank 1—earned by the participant who had collected the most points—belonged to a young man named Kazuhiro Takeda (武田 和弘).
ATTENTION!!
Congratulations to Kazuhiro Takeda (武田 和弘)Below is your respective ranking displayed on the screen.And good luck in the Second Match!!
Everyone stared at the rankings shown on the screen. Many of them were confused about who the Rank 1 holder was, and some began searching for the person named Kazuhiro Takeda.
Rankings displayed on the screen:
RANK しあい – Shiai
Kazuhiro Takeda (武田 和弘)
Raditya Narendra
Gwang Hansol (광한솔)
Rio Ajeng
Akio Sora (秋生)
Tetsuya Ren (哲也)
Kim Aera (김아라)
Sira
Kayzan Rizky
Yon Kobayashi (小林 四 / 洋)
Lee Chang (이창)
Yuki Takahashi
Imura Saki
Inaya Pratama
Syahputra
Luthfi Ardiansyah
Leon Xionera
Alex Ozora
Jefri Merciola
Monica
Yurika Isabela
Taichi Nakamura
Viona Cahya
And 70 other participants.
Names that Failed to Receive a Rank:
Pappo Shiguna
Metome Tera
Serry Alendra
Xavier Alexander
Tutti Amatami
Sherlon
Wady Tonica
Hatia Sasa
Tommy
Tikato
Rey Soata
Firusa Tya
Ofrica
Qwerty Reppo
Lala Wenata
And other participants.
ATTENTION!!
To those who failed in the Nazonazo match, we hope you may meet again—either in another time, or in another dimension.
ENDTHANK YOU ALL!!
Hearing that announcement, those who failed the Nazonazo match and did not receive a rank became terrified and cried hysterically. They knew what kind of punishment awaited them. They began running around as if something unseen was chasing them.
Above their heads, a clear difference appeared:
Red light meant punishment and no ranking
Yellow light meant they had a ranking and would not be punished
Purple light appeared above Rank 1, marking their temporary top status
Those with red lights panicked, realizing that even though their names were not displayed on the screen, they were still marked for punishment.Meanwhile, Pappo Shiguna remained silent, sitting down while gazing at the beautiful aurora together with Sherlon and Tommy.
Before receiving their punishment, they were given a final chance—to reflect on their most beautiful dreams or memories before disappearing forever from the world of Shiai (しあい).
Participants who received rankings cried upon realizing their friends had failed. Some searched desperately, some stood helplessly staring at the screen, and some cried because their lovers had red lights above their heads.
After several minutes passed, those who failed began disappearing from the world of Shiai—pulled away one by one, silently erased from the competition, unseen by those who remained ranked.
NEXT MATCHART
All ranked participants are requested to move to the prepared room.Congratulations—you are the fortunate ones!!
After parting with friends, lovers, and companions forever, the remaining participants felt an overwhelming loneliness.
They entered the prepared room. Inside were various tools: brushes, canvases, acrylic paints, and paint trays.
The participants—including Kazuhiro, Raditya, Akio, Rio, and others—were confused. One of them finally spoke up.
DIALOGUE
Minomura:"What is all of this for? Are we supposed to paint on these canvases?"
Other NPCs murmured in confusion. One of them called out to Ayaka, knowing she would appear again.
Unknown NPC:"Hey, Ayaka, come out. I know you're hiding somewhere. You'll appear on the stage like before, right?"
People looked at him in confusion—would Ayaka really appear again?
Moments later, Ayaka emerged—not on the stage, but standing among them. A beam of light shone upon her smiling face.
Ayaka:"Good evening, everyone! How are you all?""You must be feeling unpleasant… sad, or perhaps relieved?""Oh yes, someone asked earlier what these tools are for.""I'll answer that now—this time, it's not a game or a riddle.""You will be painting.""I, Ayaka, will explain the rules of the next match.""I hope you understand!"
ART MATCH RULES
All participants will paint on the provided canvases
There is no fixed theme—you may freely express what is in your mind
Only the provided tools may be used
Time limit: 30 minutes
When time is up, participants must raise their hands and wait in the designated area
Painting Categories:
Perfect (+10 points)
Cool (+9 points)
Very Good (+8 points)
Good (+7 points)
Average (+6 points)
Okay (+5 points)
Bad (0 points)
Ayaka:"Easy, right? I designed this match so you can reflect on yourselves, calm your minds, and pour your imagination onto the canvas.Are you all ready? If so, please take your positions. The match will begin soon!"
Everyone moved to their assigned places and waited.
However, Jefri suddenly took Rizky's seat because he did not want to sit next to Inaya.
Ayaka:"Why is there always someone fighting just because they don't like who's next to them?""Hey! Why are you arguing? The match is about to start!"
Rizky:"I don't know! He suddenly took my seat even though I was here first—and then he scolded me!"
Jefri:"I don't want to sit next to her. She's my ex. I don't like her—she played with my feelings!"
Hearing this, Ayaka moved Rizky's canvas, brushes, and paints to another spot to prevent further conflict.
Ayaka:"Enough. Let's start the match. If you still don't like it, that's not my problem."
Raditya prayed silently, hoping to achieve the Perfect category.Meanwhile, Rio Ajeng, who excelled in chemistry but not art, felt anxious.Others were still traumatized by the previous match.
ATTENTION:
The match has begun. Participants are expected to paint to the best of their abilities.Thank you.
THE ART MATCH BEGINS
Kazuhiro carefully chose his theme, studying the acrylic paints before slowly pouring his idea onto the canvas with deliberate strokes.
Rio Ajeng struggled to mix brown paint, glancing at others who were already painting confidently. Though confused, she resolved to try her best.
Akio:"Go, Rio! I believe you can do it!"
Rio Ajeng:"Thank you, Akio! I believe I can—and you too, Sora! You can do it!"
Ayaka walked around, observing the works in progress, eagerly awaiting the final results with the judges.
Inaya glanced sideways, making sure no camera was focused on her hands.She quietly pulled two paint tubes—red and green—from the side of a confused participant's table.Without a sound, she emptied them completely and returned the empty tubes.A thin smile formed on her lips.
The participant remained unaware and prepared to start painting.
Minutes passed. Raditya nearly finished his beautiful painting and asked Kazuhiro about its rating.Kazuhiro, however, was still painting—his theme dark and unsettling, yet deeply meaningful.
Moments later, the participant stood before their canvas and confidently opened the paint tube—then froze.Nothing came out.They squeezed harder. Empty.
Their breathing became uneven as they glanced at the digital clock on the wall. Time moved mercilessly.
"Why…?" they whispered.
Inaya stood nearby, hands behind her back, expression blank—no guilt, only quiet satisfaction.
Raditya completed his final stroke, stepping back with relief.
"What do you think?" he asked Kazuhiro. "Is the score safe?"
Kazuhiro didn't answer immediately. His canvas was filled with dark colors—black, gray, deep red—forming a disturbing silhouette. Yet within the chaos lay a hidden pattern, like a scream forced into silence.
"Art isn't about beauty," Kazuhiro finally said."It's about meaning."
Raditya swallowed hard.
The participant without paint panicked, searching for leftover colors—but sharing tools was forbidden.
REQUESTING OR SHARING TOOLS IS PROHIBITED. VIOLATION = DISQUALIFICATION.
Their hands trembled as the five-minute warning sounded.
"No… no…" they whispered.
Inaya turned away, pretending to focus on her own painting.
Five minutes felt like seconds.
One by one, participants put down their brushes. A short siren rang.
TIME'S UP.
The NPC judges examined each canvas expressionlessly.Raditya's score appeared—high.Kazuhiro's took longer—heavy, imperfect, but powerful.
Finally, they stood before the empty canvas.
The participant lowered their head, fists clenched.
The screen flickered.
The lowest score appeared—cold and emotionless.
Among the crowd, Inaya smiled faintly once more.
The art match was over.But its consequences had only just begun.
EPISODE 3
THE END