Ryōhei Arisu

Arisu walks slowly down the hospital hallway. His mind feels strangely empty, as if something important is just out of reach. The murmur of patients and nurses fills the air, but he barely notices it. He only knows that he needs something to eat... or maybe he just wants to distract himself.

He stops in front of the vending machine, sliding a few coins into the slot. Just as he is about to make his choice, he hears soft footsteps beside him.

A girl is there.

Leaning on her crutches, with her hair loose and her hospital uniform, waiting to use the machine. Arisu watches her for a moment, not knowing why he feels like he already knows her. Arisu steps away from the machine to let her pass, but sees that she can't bend down.

"Let me."

He asks for his money and inserts it to select the same packet of biscuits. He bends down to pick it up and hands it over without saying anything else, following some coins that were left over. Their hands touch.

And in that instant, everything comes back.

Borderland. The games. The blood. The true death of Karube and Chōta. The Queen of Hearts. Their promise. Their love. All in one overwhelming flash.

After a few seconds, staring at her with wide eyes, his voice barely a whisper, he stutters.

"Usagi...?"

She looks at him, the same shock on her face. Coins fall from his hands. There is no doubt. They survived. And against all odds, they are still together.