#aib masterlist

Nothing made sense to you on your first sojourn in the Borderlands. Though you are still in Tokyo, it was in fact, the complete opposite of how it was yesterday. Filled with lively locals and foreigners, cars motioning forward and backwards and the sky bluer than blue. But now it was just you and you alone.

Your mind wandered and let your feet look for anyone else in this strange world, but the answers that you seek forward happened later that night as you looked up at an LED screen with the directions towards a game arena. Curious as you thought, you followed the directions and found yourself on your very first game.

A 9 of Hearts.

Everyone in the waiting room looked scared for their lives, gripping the phone in their hands. As the game progressed, you found yourself easily winning, just having to lie, toy with people's feelings and twisting their words. Clearing the game, you left the arena with the card in your hand and a woman in black seemingly waiting for you.

"I've never seen someone enjoy a hearts game before" The woman spoke to you with a sinister smile on her lips. "I could use an heir to my legacy. What do you say?" Mira extends her elegant arm and hand out for you to take. You had your cautions about trusting someone like her who radiated a mysterious vibe, but in a place like this, its kill or be killed. So you held your hand out to her, holding her hand. Mira's smile widened, very much pleased that you made the right decision and hand in hand did she brought you back to a "utopia" called the Beach.

The Beach is a community of players that had a sole purpose - play to collect the cards and then leave the country. Needless to say, Mira did all the talking as she introduced you to the higher ups and executives of the Beach. Though you played only one game but the fact that it was high numbered heart card was enough to brandish your name to Hatter. Mira is the only one they have known to be a good heart player and your contribution earned you a nice spot as an executive to the utopia.

With Mira on your side, you didn't needed to participate in the games. Being the protege, she gave you enough visa days, telling you not to let your guard down and join games whenever Hatter requested for you. The Beach was an odd yet fascinating place, maybe if you didn't take up Mira's offer, you'd find yourself drinking spirits, dancing on the dance floor and making most of your days here.

One night, a few militants caught two people lurking by the bridge, immediately taking them into one of the cars and were carried to the meeting room. Your eyes shined at the sight of a lanky boy with unkept hair. Though the Beach had a fair number of male members, not one caught your eye, most of them made your head hurt even if it was just your first time seeing them.

Looking into the cards that they have collected, you noticed how some were duplicates like clubs and spades, but on the very last was a 7 of Hearts card. Bringing the card to Hatter, he let out a loud laugh while holding onto it.

To say that your eyes didn't leave Arisu would be an understatement. Hiding inside the hotel, you would often watch him from afar. When the militants came back that night from scouting, you were quick to head to the pool area as you knew they would take interest on the newcomers, especially Niragi. And just in time, you were quick to stand in front of him, pulling Arisu behind your back as you fended him.

The rest of the members of the utopia were in shock to see someone, a woman, talk back at Niragi. Normally if they do that, they'd get slapped or dragged by him to his room for "lecturing", cursing to yourself as you broke one of Mira's rules - "do not cause a scene", you were slightly ready for what was to come but Hatter came just right on time.

"Bring Arisu with you, Y/N. I'd like to see him in tonight's meeting." Hatter said before telling the people to go back to their business, the music blaring on the speakers coming back to life. Slowly, you tapped on Arisu's shoulder. "Let's go now" you said, taking the lead and heading to the meeting room.

"I'm terribly sorry for not introducing myself." You gasped, stopping in your tracks as you turned around to face Arisu. "I'm Y/N" holding your hand out to him, he slowly extended his and shook hands with you. His hand felt warmth against your cold one, as if bringing warmth and life into you.

"How long have you been here?" Arisu asks, crossing your arms over your chest, you slightly shrugged.

"I guess I got here when the Beach was newly established" You answered

"What's your specialty, Y/N?" Arisu asks once more. Hearing him say your name made your heart beat faster, feeling blood rushing to your cheeks as you blushed.

"Hearts" you answered. You didn't want to lift your head up and meet his eyes, while you knew from a reliable source that Arisu obtained the heart card by killing his friends, you on the other hand enjoyed the thrill of playing with people's thoughts and feelings. Remembering how you waltzed among the dead bodies of the players while your white tennis shoes' soles stained blood red.

For the remaining days, you mostly kept to yourself. Afraid that you would expose a part of you - your growing affection for Arisu. You would ask others to have food brought up to your room, fearing that you might come across him within the premises, during meetings you would sit beside Mira and follow her, meaning leaving the room immediately.

You couldn't face Arisu again, not yet. Not when you see him in a way you thought he wouldn't see you.

Arisu, on the other hand, wanted to talk to you again. Through the highs and lows of the Beach, he couldn't find you. Seeing you during the meetings made him happy, he wanted to run up to you but you were always quick to leave.

He then thought, were you avoiding him?

When Hatter died, you pretend to feign sadness and shock. Though you liked the Idealist Sect running the community, it still doesn't sit right with you that someone like Aguni from the Militant Sect would be the new person to sit as number 1. You weren't close with Kuzuryuu but him being number 1 felt much better.

It only then became much worst when the militants caught Arisu in Aguni's now new room. This used to be Hatter's. Slipping out of the comforts of your room, you dashed towards where they are and before Niragi could hit on Arisu more, you used your body to shield him. Feeling the barrel of the rifle hit your back and spine, it hurt, but Arisu's bloodied state hurted you more.

"Stop it!" Everyone turned around, surprised to see Mira standing by the doorway, eyes wide particularly at you. "Let us go now, Y/N. You have no business here." She calmly spoke.

Now everyone's eyes were on you. You shook your head, wanting to bring Arisu's head on top of your lap but the militants took hold of your forearms, dragging you away from the room. Their hold now replaced by Mira's tight grip on you.

"You shouldn't have done that, sweet child." She spoke, low tone and deadly. "You think you're free to fall in love? Never." She says, dragging you back to the confinements of your room. "Tonight, a game will commence. And it is my favorite game!" She spoke gleefully.

If Mira says she likes the game then it could only mean one thing, a heart game. Your eyes slightly widened, remembering that the remaining numbered card left is the 10 of Hearts. As the orange sun slowly sink down on the other end of the world, you slipped out of your room and spent the remaining hours looking for Arisu.

As the game commenced, you slowly walked away and out of Mira's eyesight. If you were standing next to her, she would take you back to the headquarters. But that was the last place you would want to be in. Your main goal is not to look for the witch, but find Arisu. Tagging along with Usagi, Asahi and Tatta, you agreed to search for Arisu in the main building.

Stealthily, you had to hide from the eyes of the militants as they continued to shoot anyone mercilessly, lifting their lifeless bodies into the fire of judgement. Just like what Mira said, you didn't needed to use your brain for a heart's game, add the fact that all you need is someone willing to die for you. It all makes sense, Momoka would never kill anyone within the Beach, and with her being tagged as the witch it seemed fitting that she would do a reverse grip.

Pressing your ear from door to door, you were growing tired and your feet started to hurt from all the running. But your efforts didn't waned when you heard muffled screams from inside a room in the fourth floor. Opening the door, you slowly closed the door behind you and carefully removed the tapes off Arisu's hair and face, careful not to hurt him.

"Who are you?" Arisu asks as you removed the tape from his mouth. You didn't answered him, instead you kept removing the tapes until his eyes met yours. No words were spoken and only silence filled the air. As you loosened the ropes from his arms and ankles, Arisu latched himself onto you, hugging you tightly as he pressed your small body to his.

The warm feeling coursed all over your body. Mira trained you not to feel, but here you are, loving the warmth he's giving you; slowly wrapping your arms around him.

"I'm sorry" were the first words that escaped your lips, slowly backing away. "I have a lot to explain but for now, there's a game that needs to be cleared." It didn't take long before Usagi, Asahi and Tatta came into the room. And this time, you didn't leave Arisu's side. Both being experienced heart players, the two of you explained how the mind of the game master works, slowly bringing the three of them to the conclusion that Momoka is the witch.

As the five of you went back to the lobby, Aguni broke the silence and confirmed that he's the witch. Guns turned to him, everyone tried to bring Aguni down, but Arisu kept begging to differ. Hitting a nerve in Aguni when he brought up his life and friendship with Hatter.

"Arisu stop!" You cried out, before Aguni could raise a hand at Arisu, you pushed him away and a loud slap sound resonated the lobby. Falling down to your side, you felt hot tears brimming your eyes while soothing your cheek.

"Y/N!" Arisu yelled, crawling to your side and slowly helping you sit up. Somehow when Aguni hitted you, he stopped and mellowed down as well. For what it's worth, the community had never seen you cry. Seeing tears falling down your porcelain skin made everyone stop from their actions.

Did it hurt? Yes it did. But were you willing to put yourself in front of Arisu again? Yes. You didn't want to be an heir anymore, much less to be the next Queen of Hearts. All you wanted now is to go home, hand in hand with Arisu and away from this nightmare.