Battle Royale

"There was a little general supply store. I wanted to get my hands on some things, so that was my first destination. That's where I found it."

Shuya looked astonished. Of course. No matter how small this island was there had to be at least one supply store. But the thought never even crossed his mind. Of course it wouldn't have been possible for him to wander around given how he had to look after Noriko.

Shogo sat down where he could face both Shuya and Noriko. He began sorting through a day pack that belonged either to Tatsumichi or Kyoichi. Taking out a bottle of water and some bread rolls, he said, "How about some breakfast?"

Still hugging his knees, Shuya shook his head. He had no appetite whatsoever.

"What's wrong? You feel nauseous from killing Tatsumichi?"

Shogo examined Shuya's face and said casually, "Don't let it get to you. Let's say each person kills one person. The game's like a tournament. It's forty-two, no, forty students, so if you kill five or six, then you'll be the winner. Four or five more, that's all you'll need."

Shuya knew he was joking, but no, it was all the more offensive because he was joking. He glared at Shogo.

Sensing Shuya's anger, Shogo drew back.

"Sorry man, I was just kidding."

Shuya asked in a hostile tone, "So you don't feel nauseous? Or did you already kill someone before Kyoichi?" Shogo merely shrugged. "Well, this time, it was my first."

It was a strange way to put it, Shuya thought, but he had no idea what was so odd about it. He felt confused. If Shogo was the rumored delinquent he was said to be then he might be bold in a way Shuya could never be.

Shuya shook his head and changed the subject. "You know, there's something I don't get."

Shogo raised his brow. The ugly scar above his left brow moved with it. "What's that?"

"The representative...Kyoichi.

"Hey." Shogo pointed his chin up at him to cut him off. "I thought you understood. I didn't have any choice. Are you saying I should have let him kill me? I'm not Jesus Christ, okay? Besides, I can't be resurrected, although I've never tried it out.... "

"No, that's not what I meant."

As Shuya continued, he wondered whether Shogo was kidding again. Was Shogo Kawada the joking type?

"I think the reason Kyoichi tried to shoot me was that he saw me kill...Tatsumichi up close. I killed Tatsumichi. And that was because he attacked me—"

Shogo gave a light nod.

"So it was only natural that Kyoichi would try to kill me."

"That's true. Maybe. But even so I—"

"No," Shuya interrupted Shogo. "Forget about that. What I mean is that Tatsumichi...Tatsumichi came after me even though I didn't do a thing. And besides, I was with Noriko. Why did he have to attack us?"

Shogo shrugged and put his water bottle and bread by his feet.

"Tatsumichi was up for it. That's all. What's to understand?"

"No, well...theoretically, yes, but...I just don't get it. How Tatsumichi could—"

Shogo cut off Shuya's hesitant words, "There's no need to understand."

"Huh?"

Shogo's lips twisted slightly as if grinning, then he went on, "I'm only a transfer student, so I don't know much about you and your classmates. But what do you know about Tatsumichi? Maybe there's someone really ill in his family, so he felt he had to survive. Or maybe he was just being selfish. Or maybe he went insane from fear and lost his capacity for reason. Or there's even this possibility: you were with her. He might have thought you teamed up with her. How can he tell whether he's invited? You and her might have decided he's a threat. Or if you were actually playing the game, then you could use this same excuse to kill him. Hey, did you provoke him at all?"

"No..." Shuya stopped, recalling how he'd reflexively touched his knife when he faced Tatsumichi. Shuya himself had also been afraid. He'd been afraid of Tatsumichi.

"Was there something?"

"I touched my knife." He looked at Shogo. "But that's not enough to—"

Shogo shook his head. "Oh yeah it is, Shuya. Tatsumichi might have thought, I have to beat you, since you're holding a weapon. Everyone's fuse in this game is pretty short."

He said, as if to conclude the topic, "But in the end Tatsumichi was up for it. That's the best way to understand it. Look, there's no need to understand. What it comes down to is this. Once your opponent attacks you with a weapon, you don't hesitate. Otherwise you'll die. You can't afford to think about it. The first thing you do is anticipate your opponent. You shouldn't trust people too much in this game."

Shuya took a deep breath. Did Tatsumichi really want to kill me? Then again, as Shogo said, it might be pointless to think too much about it.

...

Shuya looked up at Shogo again.

"That's right."

"What?"

"That's what I forgot to ask."

"So what is it? Come on."

Shuya continued, "Why are you here with us?"

Shogo raised his eyebrows. He licked his lips.

"Good point. I might be against you too."

"That's not what I mean." Shuya shook his head. "You saved me. No, you also risked your life trying to stop Kyoichi. I'm not suspecting you."