Once he was satisfied with everything he’d written he folded the piece of paper neatly. Writing a letter was certainly old fashioned these days but in his opinion it was far more touching than sending the same message via mobile.

He checked his watch for the third time within few minutes. The King was late. The former idol remembered well that the scheduled moment for the next order was supposed to be at 8 am. He started to clean away the dishes from the small desk in front of his couch to bring them back to the kitchen when the door opened and he turned his attention towards it as he held the plates with a glass on top of them. The folded letter was hidden in the pocket of his pants.

“I guess it’s too obvious by now. So much for my dramatic reveal moment,” he referred to his wounded condition and held a hand against the wound that was covered by the fabric of the shirt. He didn’t have much time, he knew this well. So he went for it. He reached for his mask and removed it to show his face, slightly pale by now with cold sweat on his skin. “Surprise,” Sho ripped off the small voice distortion devices that had rested against his neck and he glanced at the older male with tired eyes. “I guess now you are wondering why the hell did I do this .. it’s a long story and I doubt that I have much time to tell everything,” he grimaced in visible agony and sat on the couch more lazily, weakening gradually. “Truth is .. I’m a former champion. I used to be like you. I became a so-called victor of this game once, too. It’s been .. few years. I’m not sure. My prize? I became the man who would do the King’s dirty work during the next game. If I refused, he would destroy those close to me. I have a lot of blood on my hands .. but the King tricked me. He lied to me. Even though I obeyed to him, those I treasure the most got involved and destroyed. That was when I had enough,” he confessed with a lowered, hoarse voice, his eyes closing and tearing up as he fought to stay conscious.

“I wanted out of the game .. I wanted the good people out of the game with me. I already tried it once before but Matsujun managed to stop me. He failed the second time .. He was too busy mourning my “death” to notice the gun I had hidden underneath my sleeve .. one pull of the trigger and I had saved him. Another pull of the trigger and I had saved Dara. I wanted to save you, too, but the King wouldn’t allow it .. he turned my attempt into another sick twist of his game,” he laughed bitterly with his eyes shut. “He is always one step ahead huh .. “

With great regret I must inform my dear players that the bus broke down. I have arranged a new ride home for you but there is a problem. This taxi has seats for five players only.

With 11 players still in the game .. You can do the math.

No one will leave this hotel until 6 more players have been terminated.

I don’t care how you will take care of this problem.

Just.

Do it.

------------

Unlike Sho, Jun had just stood there motionless, even when he could hear Aiba being dragged away from them. It wasn’t like he didn’t care, he was just petrified. Petrified over losing yet another family member of his. 

There were few people Jun sincerely and deeply cared about and three of them had been ripped away from him in the most brutal way someone could possibly imagine. There was no denying that he was in unbearable pain and he wasn’t quite sure how he was supposed to keep on going. Even if they managed this whole ordeal - which he doubted more and more as the minutes passed - how were they supposed to keep on living life? Life without Arashi.. Was that even a life? It was the only life he knew, the only life he cared for. And that life was no gone. Nothing more, than a memory. 

But as much as he wanted to cave in, give up, scream out in agony.. He couldn’t. He had to remain strong. He had to keep it together - for Sho. He had lost so much more than Jun. Not only had he lost three of his brothers, but his wife as well. The only person Sho had left was him. So if Jun wasn’t there to support him, who was? 

After the exits had been opened again, he walked together with Sho and Dara towards one of them, but stopped in front of it. With his eyes on Dara, he told her to take him outside and get a taxi. “I’ll be right there.” 

Jun could tell from the look she was giving him, that she understood. He needed a moment - alone. 

Once everyone was gone, Jun turned around and stared at the stage in front of him. How many times had he stared at that stage, deep in thoughts, while trying to think of new things they could do for their concerts? How many times had he given instructions to staff, while standing here? How many times had they filled this entire space and given their everything for the fans? 

Tokyo Dome. Once upon a time, it had been their dream to perform here. And ever since, they had performed here countless times. Always improving, always giving it their all. 

Now that dream had turned into a nightmare. All the good memories overshadowed by the pain and despair he was feeling now. 

Without even realizing it, Jun had mindlessly walked towards the stage and after stopping for a moment, climbed back onto it. Aiba’s body had been removed, but the puddle of blood had remained. 

That’s what finally broke him down. 

Turning around, Jun glanced around the empty dome and bit his lip painfully hard in an attempt to keep it all inside, but he couldn’t. Before he knew it, he had sunk to his knees, his own emotions and pain and tears overwhelming him. 

@kwnxtales