❦ Oki Yaba ᯓᡣ𐭩 Privileged Player || Ch. 1 ♔♙
Preface : After you've survived in this mysterious land for weeks, your team finally decided to settle in the hotel. And it's the beginning -- or returning of somethings in your heart.
Chaper warning : Mention of death, inapprociate convo
Note : First time long story -- Before reading please go check overall warning in the M.list. -- and a lot of setting describing and OC {~3k words}
Jump Chap : Chap. 1 (♛)/ Chap. 2 {Come when 25 notes}
On the mystery land full of ruins and abnormal growth plants like apocalypse movie film. The place is too silent, with no talking sound, no engine noise or even sign of human life. It looks like a mirrored image of Shibuya city, but it’s completely and eerily different. At the center of city, there is a small group of survivors walking past the crossing, willing to find place for temporary rest.
“Because of Y/N. Our lucky angel helps us. So, no one died!” Said by the man who walks at very front of the line.
“Uh... It’s not all because of me, Isamu-San. Because everyone was in harmony.” You said humbly, make the guy with dark brown hair in a Quiff style slows down his step and turn to pat your shoulder “Oh, Y/n! Good employee should be complimented, you know?”
Breathing hitched with your shoulder stiffened, but you kept your expression neutral. Still walking along with him, fingers dig into shoulder straps.
“Well, well, manager, stop treat everyone with your employee standard.” Miyuki, who is your closest person in the group helped you by taking Isamu’s hand off and working beside you. She gave him a mouth smile but not eyes until he pulled out and walked to the front like before.
“Thank you, Miyuki-San.” You whispered, she just smiles back and keep walking with you. Her brown ponytail sways along each stride.
“But it’s the truth that you saved us, Y/n. We all might die, if we don’t have you” A guy with short hair who was in behind you said playfully. He’s Akira.
“No no no, we were just lucky. I would say it was coincident that we got question about something I’m good at, I’m grateful that my skills are useful.” You answered back with same demurely. Still don’t know how to handle sudden praise.
“Yeah... literally lucky.” Ayako, the fierce sharp beautiful woman with blonde curling hair beside him muttered with sarcasm and gave you a glance.
To understand how you got here, we must go back a few weeks. When everything was normal. You were a staff member at the famous café in the business district. You started from part-time when you were college student for paying education fees until now you were full-time one for gaining your Master degree dream.
The abnormal started on business day. Everything went fine like always, rushed time in the morning, chaos break in the noon, tired but still active in the afternoon, and chill almost after work in the evening. You just finished your evening shift, changed cashier position with your friend and went to change in staff room. You heard slight noise from the crowd outside, but you didn’t care that much. However, when you came out of the room, every went silent, no people, no noise. There’s nothing like it was removed completely in the seconds.
At first, you thought your coworker just pranked you until you walked out of the café. Even people outside disappeared. Confusion hit you hard as you were stunned, stand still like a dumb rock.
Your conscious came back when you felt something pressed your shoulder, you flinched and turned to the cause – It’s Miyuki, the regular customer who always order you coffee for herself or sometimes for others too in the mid-morning. She came out of opposite building with others and asked you, ‘What’s happened?’, but no one had a clue.
Then the red laser line shot down, straight to the nearby building, you and others started to follow that light, with that the survive game is started.
Now, it’s been third week since the weird situation happened. You decided to gather team with Miyuki for more survive chance. To help each other and gain more information. Literally, you hesitate to say that you’ve settled in. You know basic rules such as the different meaning behind the suits card told type of game, the number on card game as the reward to add more days in visa, the high number of games you clear, gain more days but more difficult too and etc. but still have no idea how to get out of this world. You still think maybe it’s just a dream. It's too fantasy to be real.
“That’s hotel can be our base” Said by the last person in the group who hasn’t been mentioned, the calm and quietest one, Nagi, glasses woman in the short hair. She lifts her head from the map and points directly to the medium-sized but decorated luxurious hotel near us on a few feet. “There’re water tank on the rooftop, maybe might has electric generator too.” Lifted her glasses as she commented.
“Good job! Nagi. Alright, let’s go!” Isamu leads again.
“And who choose you to be our leader!?” Ayako frowns but doesn’t take it seriously anyway.
Once you come inside, the hall is larger than it looks. The color is set in white and grey tone, comfortable to see. The furniture is chosen meticulously in minimal but luxurious terms from its own material. Everything keeps aesthetic, it’s worthy of famous hotel. However, there’re some sights of abnormal like the dry flower in the vase, from lacking of someone takes care of it. Or even now the hall is still dark because no one uses this room for long.
Everyone moves to the seating area near the checked-in counter, take a seat on large table with amenities like reading material, tissue box, coasters and others. You place your backpack on the couch, your back feels lighter and relaxed from carrying stuff for long.
“There’s Vending Machine over there. I think I’ll find something to drink. Uhh… You guys want anything?” You turn to ask others who sit chilly like they can merge into the couch.
“I want coffee! Better pure expresso, Y/N” from Isamu
“Mine and Nagi’s is Oolong tea.” Miyuki answered as she wiped the table with wet wipe. Another with short hair was also busy organizing her stuff.
“Jasmine tea with peach favor” Said by Ayako who eyes focus on a woman magazine in her hands
“And Akira-San?” You turned to the last person who just came back from light switch over there (Obviously it’s not working, the room is still dark) and didn’t give you answer yet.
“Mmm… I think I’ll go to check the control room. Shall we go together?” He said with smile on his face.
“Never mind, Ayako-San. You said your feet are sore, didn’t you?”
“Uh... Yeah. I’ll wait here then” She slightly gives you a quick glace before turns back to magazine.
“Y-yes” after that you guys head to the left hallway. While walking beside him you feel nervous. In fact, the person you feel close talk to often is Miyuki, second is Nagi-San, she’s not talkative person but always helps you in the game.
When you arrive at the vending machine Akira just look at you and wait for you to say something.
“T-thanks?” the word slipped out from your mouth made him laugh. Did you say something wrong?
“Ah... I’ll go to the control room” Then he left. Just you and the vending machine now.
You’re still confused about what happened, but you throw those thoughts away. You turn back to the machine behind you. Hand picks the wallet as eyes scan the beverage on the shelf, find the right cans you have to buy. Your head calculates the price and money in the wallet. Will it be enough to buy?
Luckily you have enough money. You take them out, plan to put them in the cash payment slot before selecting the beverage. But you can’t find it.
“Eh? Why? Where should I pay?” you start to look around the machine. find the way to pay, or do you have to select first? You have no clue.
“This machine is set for hotel guest only. You must have the key card to buy them” Unknow male voice was loud from behind you as he inserted the card into card slot on your right. You flinched from him who stood behind you too close, trapped you between him and vending machine. Hot breath slightly hits your back of neck make you goosebump and freeze.
“Apologies, miss. I didn’t intend to intrude on your space.” As if he sensed the nervousness you got. He stepped back, made more space for you to breathe. You move away from him a bit as lift gaze to look who he is.
You think you’ve never seen him before because with his look, it’s memorable, you might remember him although you just walk past him in the street once. He looks so calm and mature with his act like a gentleman. Dressing in a dark tailored suit which your eyes just dart at it for seconds, you know it’s expensive. No sign of mess or disorder, neatly combed hair, well-fitted clothes, clean and organized composing. How does this guy survive without any wound and dust on him?
“Don’t you choose the drink?” His deep voice snapped you out of your thought. Make you jittery a bit.
“Y-yes? Wait! It’s your card.”
“It’s fine… I’ve planned to buy it anyway.” In calm tone. He moved more for you coming closer to the machine. Hands are back in his pocket naturally as he watches you select the drink.
“Uh…” your finger stopped midway before reaching bottom, hesitated to press it. You don’t know how many orders you can choose at one time, or there’s quota limits?
“It’s all free. Feel free to order”
“Y-yes!” you hurry order the drinks you want. After all cans fall down to the receive slot. You immediately kneel down and take them into your arms like you’re stealing something before the real owner comes back, that makes one fall off your arms, roll away from you. “Ah!?”
“Here” He bent down and handed it to you.
“Thank you” Fingers touched slightly when you took it back. You step back for him to use the machine next.
“Not just for you, right?” He asked as he pressed his order, the Koicha.
“Yes… I came with my team.” You glance toward the group of people in the lobby. His gaze follows yours as he kneels to pick up his drink.
“Uh… thank you for everything. Could I ask you one more? Where could I get the card--” You’re about to turn back to him but then sudden voice interrupt.
“Y/N, you need any help? I forgot you might stuck with the machine’s hotel system” Calm tone of Nagi voice caught your attention.
“Nah, I’m good. I was helped by—uhm…” That man is gone.
“Let me help you carry them. You already had the card?” She said as took some of cans from you, noticed the card on it.
“Eh? Yeah…” Did he forget? But there is no way... he gave it to you?
When you come back to the seating area. There’s only Ayako stays here. Seems like Isamu went out to smoke. Akira still hasn’t come back and Miyuki… maybe she went to wash up. You and Nagi place each can to the seat of everyone before you take a seat… time to rest.
A moment later, the middle-aged man strolls back, the scent of smoke is still clinging on his shirt. At the same time, you heard step from another way, the woman in ponytail who comes back with bags of vary breads.
“Look what I got! Many breads from a small vendor booth outside.” She gives everyone different one or more. Then stop to you, raise her brow like, “Which on do you want?’
“I can eat everything… Thank you” You got Melon-bread one.
“Finally, we can have other thing than can food” Blonde said. She put away her magazine and started to eat.
“Didn’t you say you were going to bathroom? Why did you end up outside?” Nagi asked in confusion.
“Yeah, but the plumping system isn’t work. So, I went out to find bottle of water to use instead” With this sentence, you feel ting of… curious? More like you sense something wrong… What about the guy… How he--
“Anyway, I think I saw $%#@-San” Quiet girl continued conversation, snapping you out of your thought --- Wait… you hadn’t caught the rest of what she said.
“No way, Nagi. Maybe it’s similar person who has style like him” Isamu said as he started to eat his fav, Yakisoba-bread. Meanwhile, Miyuki stays calm, but her gaze drives unconsciously like she’s thinking something. You’re just munching your dinner with ears on them in the middle of... awkward? Maybe not? But you think it is.
“What do you guy talk about?” Akira who just came back from checking electricity system. Before everyone realized, the lights had already turned on.
“About our former CEO” Ayako answered cheery as she shifted in her seat, made more room for him. The man sits down and starts to have his own meal. Still confusing about this situation.
“Akira-Kun has been employee for a few months, right? You never meet him. And Nagi said, she thinks she saw him here.” Isamu explained briefly what happened to the young man who just came.
“Uh… Is it weird??” He is still confused.
“Akira-Kun… the reason he was a former is… he’s in coma” Sudden fact slipped out from Miyuki’s mouth made atmosphere became more awkward. Silent again…
“Oh, come on, no way he’s here. Maybe Nagi saw other, moreover a ghost” The Quiff guy laughed, but clearly, it’s not from humor.
“If he’s a ghost, I think we might see many ghosts who died in the games” Nagi added
“…Is he a bad guy or something?” Finally, you spoke to change the convo tone, and it helped. Everyone turns to recall memories and consider words to talk about him, except Akira.
“Mmm… He’s good at planning and organizing our business, he made our company develop further in the gold age. Akira, you said you applied here because of our company’s popularity, right? It’s from that man. However, I feel that man is too confident, always looks down at us, such a narcissistic and very strict. If work is not passing his verify, we must redo or worst, fired.” Isamu shared his opinion first.
“You’re biased. He’s not that bad” Ayako argued.
“You either, Ayako. You used to tempt him, didn’t ya? You had infatuated in his charm.”
“What!? I’m not! Work with him is fine. Since we have had a new CEO, we have to work harder. The new one manages poorly like shit. You just like him because you can interfere!”
“Ayako!!” The man shouted.
“Enough, both of you.” Miyuki calms them down.
“Seem like he is a great CEO” You commented
“Yeah, he is. He's a reliable leader we can depend on completely.” Nagi said.
“Hmhp… That damn seducer?” Isamu is still disputed. He really doesn’t like him.
“C’mon, He’s hot, gentleman and good-looking. Sadly, he’s not my type. I prefer more… young and golden energy.” Blonde turns to winks at Akira beside her.
“You just weren’t chosen.” He still bit her.
“Shut up! I refuse to lower myself to compete with Kotoko. That damn bitch, Stick beside him like an ugly leech. Eventually? Died alone huh.”
“Ayako!! You’re being too far!”
“What? All it’s true. Still heartbroken from your old crush? She’s slut, I know you secretly think like this.”
“This bitch!” Isamu stands up with rage, clearly trying to fight her. Everyone in the group tried to stop him and cool him down.
“Anyways, we lost him when Shibuya-incident 6 years ago.” Nagi brings topic move out from the sensitive point.
“That fox, he lured her to that place. That day didn’t have any outplace work appointment.” He muttered under his breath
“W-What about Miyuki-San? Are you his secretary too?” Akira turned to Miyuki.
“Yes, I am. Mmm… I think same as everyone about his work. However, mmm… I think he’s quite romantic.” She said as she tried to recall old memories of her former boss.
“Wait—He had a lover!? / That Casanova!?” The couple of them who just argued moment ago said at the same time.
“Yeah… He always asks me to prepare him postcard and other woman stuff. He always sends them to his girl. Mostly is the postcard he writes himself and bouquets. Sometimes other things too.”
“Damn cliché. Are you sure he doesn’t send to some of his mistresses?”
“Of course not. He always sends to only person.”
“See?? You’re biased. That bitch just fell herself. It’s not his fault.”
“Tch. Shut up” But this time there’s no real bite among with them. You relax slightly from lighter atmosphere.
“Although…” Miyuki cut mid-sentence, made everyone turn attention to her again.
“Ha! What is it! Tell me.” Isamu still tried to find some dirty of him.
“Oh- it’s not that big point. Mmm… it’s just strange for me. He always sends her a feather in the box……...” With that word your brain is not working anymore – W-What thing? Wait she still talking? You saw everything but your ears can’t listen what she said.
thud thud thud thud, just your heartbeat in your ears. Is it still beating? Why is it drum so fast? Am I breathing? Fuck- How to breathe? What—
“Y/N!” You snapped from calling with a big gasp. Miyuki touched your shoulders.
“Are you alright? Your face is so pale.” All of gazes turn to you.
“Yes! I’m fine. Very fine” nervous grins on your lips make everyone turns back to conversation.
Wait – What is coincidence?
