The Sports Hall loomed before Ms. Akasuki, its cracked walls defaced with jagged Ridden graffiti scrawled in red paint that looked too much like blood. Ms. Akasuki clenched her fists, tightened her grip on a peace offering, bag of snacks, the faint rustle of plastic wrappers grounding her.

  The sports fields stretched to her left, where students toiled under the afternoon sun, their shovels scraping dirt for a makeshift farm. Armored Ridden guards barked orders, their voices sharp as whips. “Keep your head down!” one snapped at a boy who dared glance her way. “It’s Ms. Akasuki,” another whispered, only to be silenced by a shout: “Get back to work, maggots!”

  A pit opened in her chest, her heart sinking as she saw her students, from one time or another, scared, their eyes hollowed and drained, reduced to laboring under Takanashi’s thumb.

  Ms. Akasuki pushed forward as her eyes swelled, ignoring what she witnessed, the hall’s double doors creaking as she stepped inside. The air hit her first, a stale mix of sweat, burnt food, and something metallic she couldn't name. The vast space had been transformed into a fortress, gym matts as makeshift bedding, cages of supplies, makeshift weapons and armour from rugby and hockey pads to baseball bats, bows to javelins.

  At the far end, a stage rose above everything else as it held a makeshift throne, cobbled from gym benches and draped with torn banners. Takanashi sat there, slouched with a commanding grin from ear to ear, A revolver glinting at his hip, the Ace of Diamonds. Below him, Akira lounged on the steps, painting her nails a garish pink, her uniform sweater stretched tight. Below the pair, a hologram display flickered nearby, where a few Ridden students played a video game, their laughter jarring echoing against the hall’s wall’s.

  Students moved like ghosts around Ms. Akasuki, burnt smell from some cooking at a fenced off kitchen area, others hauling crates. Their eyes darted to her, then away, as if hope was a luxury they couldn’t afford. Ms. Akasuki swallowed, her throat dry, and called out, “Takanashi!” as if he didn't already know she had entered his kingdom.

  As her voice echoed, sharper than she meant. Heads turned. Akira’s brush paused mid-stroke, her lips curling into a smug smile. Takanashi’s gaze flicked to Ms. Akasuki, his brown eyes cold, unreadable. “Takanashi,” she repeated, softer now, stepping closer. “What’s going on here?” having heard rumours but did not allow herself to believe it.

  Akira’s laugh was a blade, puffing out her chest. “Speak when spoken to, sen…sei…” She stretched the title into a mockery, her blonde hair with pink highlights catching the dim light.

  “It’s okay, Akira,” Takanashi said, his voice low but firm. He leaned forward, an elbow on his knee holding up his head. “This here? Just us surviving.” he carried his smirk

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  Ms. Akasuki approached, climbing the stage steps, her heels clicking against the wood. The bag of snacks felt heavier than before, a flimsy shield against the weight of his stare. “I’m your teacher,” forcing steel into her words. “And this is wrong.”

  Akira stood, slinking toward Takanashi like a cat circling prey. “Unless you’re here to help us get rid of those Scavs, get lost.” Her tone was sugar coated with venom.

  “You know I’m the best bet for the freshmen, as long as they work for us” Takanashi’s expression didn’t shift, but Akira leaned closer to him, her voice soft yet biting. “He’s the only one keeping them out of their games” pointing to a camera, humming, overhead. ‘While you TeAcHeRs cower in your staff room,’ she added, belittling Ms. Akasuki with every word.”

  Ms. Akasuki nails dug into her palms. He spoke of students like tools, not people while Akira had hints of truth in her mockery. She dug deep as the thought of Reo, his shy smile, the anime stickers plastered on his tablet. Sakura’s desperate search for him burns in her head, she couldn’t fail her. “I’m here for a student,” meeting Takanashi’s gaze. “Is Goto Reo part of your club? I’d like him to come with me.” as she tossed the bag of snacks lightly toward Takanashi's feet.

  A murmur rippled through the hall. The hologram game paused, faces turning to watch. Takanashi’s jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance breaking his mask. “The freshmen?” he said, voice dripping with disdain. “Why would I give up a valuable resource for nothing?” kicking the bag to one side.

  “I’m your teacher,” Ms. Akasuki snapped, stepping closer. “I’m telling you.”

  The air shifted. Akira’s smirk widened, and Takanashi rose, his hand drifting behind his back. Ms. Akasuki's face paled as her pulse quickened, but she held my ground.

  “I’m the one telling you,” he said, his tone ice-cold. “We’re free.” He pulled the revolver, the Ace of Diamonds on its hilt, catching the light as he pointed it at Ms. Akasuki . “And I want a smoke.”

  Ms. Akasuki froze, the barrel’s dark eye staring her down. Her mind raced, Hanson’s warnings, students will become monsters. Ms. Akasuki felt she had been a fool to come alone.

  “The teacher’s office must have loads of cigarettes, there's always fresh buds below their windows” Takanashi continued, his voice almost casual. “Bring me them, and I’ll give you information on little Reo.”

  Cigarettes. A petty demand in a world falling apart, yet it held Reo’s fate hostage. She wanted to scream, to grab that gun and demand answers. But the Ridden guards were closing in, their makeshift weapons glinting. Akira tilted her head, watching Ms. Akasuki like a predator savoring a cornered rabbit.

  “Fine,” the word bitter on her tongue. “I’ll get your cigarettes.” Ms. Akasuki bowed her head, the gesture heavy with defeat.

  Takanashi lowered the gun, but his eyes never left hers. “One chance, sensei. Don’t waste it.”

  Akira clapped, her laugh grating. “You’ve done the right thing, honey.”

  Ms. Akasuki turned, her hands trembling, once walking tall, had shrunk, meek as she slunk away. The hall seemed darker now, the students’ faces blurring into shadows. Reo was out there, maybe closer than she hoped, maybe lost forever. But Ms. Akasuki made a deal with a devil, and the cost was still unclear. As she stepped back into the sunlight, the Sports Hall’s doors slammed shut behind her, sealing Takanashi’s throne in its cage of ruin.