Part 3: Secrets

===Chihaya Korinsu===

Despite the roaring crowd in the Beach lobby, I remained silent, sitting on the stone steps leading onto the card wall. Nearly four hours had passed–still, nothing from Gabura's team. Me and Niko had returned from a trip to the restaurant Tori had cleared, with a chunk of its pantry and kitchen raided. I fiddled with my cast over my hand, the aching muffled by painkillers. A familiar shuffling of a dress sounded beside me.

"Still no news of them, boss?" I asked.

Erina shook her head, her fingers toying with the red diamond necklace. "Maybe... They're playing in a game with no time limit. Could that be the reason they're taking so long?"

I sighed, breaking our eye contact. "I don't know. Part of me can't imagine them... Not coming back. Gabura with her strength, Natsuki with her protectiveness of everyone else, Rafferty with his psych, and Charī with his... Jack of all trades. But at the same time, I don't want to put myself into denial."

"I think we might need to–"

"Erina!" Someone shouted. It was Tori, who had been placed as a scout following her assignment into the Resources Council. "They're back!"

We rose up at once, Erina laughing. "Oh my god, they're okay!" I ran ahead, Tori's second comment unheard as I darted out the door; the pool had already been cleared. Near the parking garage, the pickup truck pulled up, as the driver's seat opened. But something else caught my sights: the trunk was filled with people. Injured, bloodied people.

I slowed down, as Natsuki emerged. "What?" I asked. "But Natsuki, you hate driving, why... And who..."

Rafferty emerged from the passenger's seat, as Charī rushed around to support him. Gabura came out in crutches, huge masses of her hair gone, dried blood adhering to her scalp. I got closer to the trunk; there were four people, each with injuries of various degrees. Erina had followed behind, as news of the return spread, a small crowd gathering behind the parking lot gates at the commotion.

"We need Sasori, stat!" Natsuki ordered.

"Sasori?" Erina asked. "So much time had passed, that she had already gone on her nightly bike ride!"

I cursed, pulling up my walkie-talkie. She had a habit of biking to clear her mind after the games had all ended, and was particularly upset tonight after being convinced the group was as good as dead. "Sasori!" I buzzed in. "Rafferty's group has returned, they've returned with a lot of injured players! We need you here immediately!"

After a few moments of static, she replied. "Oh my god, okay! I was on my way back already, just hang tight for a few more minutes! Thank god!"

I returned the device back to my belt clasp, turning back to the group. "What the hell happened?"

In his beaten, panting state, Rafferty reached into his pockets, and pulled out a card.

The Ten of Hearts.

A chorus of gasps rang throughout the crowd, as Erina's face dropped, leaning her face as if she was convinced she had seen the card wrong.

With this, we were only five cards away from collecting all the numbered cards. We were nearing the end of our journey.

. . .

The next morning...

Maindo's Rankings:
1: Kazetani ♢
2: Nobira ♤
3: Ashikaga ♧

===Zakū Raisunei===

"So, you changed your mind?" I asked. "I'm not going alone anymore?" Me and Maeda sat across from Kazetani in his office, as Nobira leaned against the door, rifle slung across his back. Ashikaga sat in a bean bag chair in the corner, solving a rubix cube, while Shirai flipped through a magazine.

"Maeda has proved to have quite a... Unique way of thinking, as we have seen from yesterday's test game we observed her in. She has also demonstrated to be very capable physically." Kazetani replied. "She's the exact same height and figure as you, so she'll be able to both scale the building and fit through the vent. I think her addition to the infiltration will be of great aid to you."

"How did you even find Maindo, again, on your first day here?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Well, I was in a game with a man named Hiroshi."

Kazetani and Nobira shared a glance, the former's eyes growing soft, before hardening his gaze again.

"I left, but decided to go back in to get some food and search them for any weapons. Low and behold, I found a code that gave the address in his pocket."

"She passed the first trial, which was finding our location, and beat one of our smartest men in a game of intellect." Nobira said, folding his arms. "Girl's tough as nails."

I sighed, as Maeda crossed her arms. "What's so bad about me tagging along?"

Ignoring her comment, I turned back to Kazetani. "So what time are we doing this?"

"It commences at six o' clock p.m." He said. "You see, something revolutionary happened last night: The Beach collected the Ten of Hearts."

My eyes widened. "No way. Actually?"

Kazetani nodded. "It happened when they were dropping weapons off to another group of players. Their base turned into a game venue before they could leave. So to combat the chance of it happening to the Beach, Erina has initiated a new rule: everyday at 5:45, the entire Beach will go outside of the hotel, and stay there until 6:10."

"Smart." I said. "But what about Maindo? Are you not afraid of it happening to your group too?"

He laughed. "Oh please, I've been aware of this possibility since the creation of this group. We've been doing what they just started doing since day one. We can't take any risks."

"So, this Beach." Maeda said. "What are they like? How different are they from you guys?"

"It's generally much more relaxed." Kazetani explained. "They don't hide themselves, and they allow anyone to join regardless of their skills. But I don't think that means we should underestimate them. They have many very talented people."

"Anyone in particular stand out?" Nobira asked from the door.

"Zakū knows these people best; he's happened to play with most of them." Kazetani explained. "Why don't you take it away?"

"Well," I began, tilting my head up, "the single best player in the Beach is probably Rafferty. He's no perfect logician, but he's clever and really good at Hearts games. Charī has a huge advantage of underestimation. Gabura, Niko, and Benkei are all pretty physically strong."

Maeda nodded. "Yeah yesterday Ashikaga took me near the Beach outskirts to point out some of these people. I think I remember some of them. Charīī had that strange mask, Niko was the black foreign exchange student with those cool dreads, and Benkei was... Uh..."

"Reddish hair, eye patch, kind of a himbo. Ring a bell?" I finished.

"Right! That guy."

"They also have a council system." Kazetani said. "There's six: management, security, food, maintenance, mechanics, and resources."

"Oh. So, everyone has their job in the group." Maeda said.

"Exactly." He replied. "Management is governing and archival; security is enforcement, protection, and weaponkeeping; food is cooking, cultivation, fishing, and hunting; maintenance is cleaning, laundering, and upkeeping; mechanics is power, plumbing, and cars; and resources is scouting and ransacking."

"Pretty well organized." She said.

"Anyways," Kazetani said, "let's discuss the infiltration itself. Erina keeps her door locked when she isn't present, and only she has the key. Also, she keeps her windows locked. So, we have to reach her room through some other means. At the back of the Beach is a vent opening near the roof. You can reach it by scaling up the extractor fans on the walls, plus maybe some reaching from the back patios. From the layout of the inside, we know that Erina's penthouse is right behind the vent, so it should lead straight there. From there, you drop into Erina's room, and search it whilst not disturbing any furniture, until you find the book. Then comb through the book for any mention of information that can be used against her.

"When Erina starts going back up to her room, we'll have one of our moles tell you through a walkie-talkie. When you do find something incriminating, photograph it." He pulled out an instant camera, handing it to me.

"What if Erina takes her notebook with her during the evacuation?" I asked.

"From our mole reports, Erina generally doesn't take it absolutely everywhere. Usually just to games in case she needs to note down information. For the most part, it stays inside her room."

"And if there's no mention of her deception in her journal? Why would you literally write down a secret ploy?"

Kazetani paused, before shaking his head. "It's the best shot we have. But I reckon there's a high probability. I mean, from the way she treats it, it's almost like a diary. Additionally, there's also been reports of her showing its contents to Ryota."

"Maybe it's an effort to deflect the notion that she'd be hiding anything suspicious in there." Maeda said. "Or maybe... It's just because there actually is nothing bad in there. Or maybe Ryota is in on it."

I shook my head. "Not a chance. Him being part of the ploy reaps no benefits, and only increases the risk of betrayal for Erina."

"Okay, bottom line is," Kazetani said, "we just have to look and see first, but I do believe there is a good chance she has that information. Sneak into her room, find the book, read through it, photograph anything incriminating, and leave before the evacuation is over. Do not leave ANY signs that you were there–if she catches on that someone has snuck into her room she'd be suspicious and might not agree to cooperate with Maindo down the line. And we need her to let us ally with her, or else we'll have no means of ever discovering where the cards are kept. Got it?"

Me and Maeda nodded, as I set the camera into my lap. "This meeting is dismissed." He announced. "You two are free to do what you wish until we leave at 5:30."

I got up, heading to the door, as Maeda followed me. Ashikaga stretched, putting down her rubix cube, which she had solved and rescrambled at least three times during the duration of our conversation. Shirai closed the magazine, putting a hair clip on the page she left off.

Nobira opened the door as we walked past. "Oh, kids, by the way, I have a little something for you."

We turned around, and he pulled out two chocolate bars from his pockets. "I found these in an old vending machine while cleaning through one of the rooms, I thought I'd pass them out to the kids here."

Maeda smiled. "Oh, thank you! That's very nice." I took my chocolate bar with a quiet thanks and quick smile, before walking away and unwrapping it.

"Kids?" I asked as we walked away.

"Yeah. You know Hideo? He's a tutor, and he has four regular students who came to the Borderlands with him. They're each like, ten or eleven. Anyways, you can have my chocolate." She said, after we had walked far enough to where Nobira couldn't hear or see. "I'm allergic to chocolate, but didn't want to negate his act of kindness."

"Oh, thanks. I guess." I said, my mouth full.

"So what do you want to do now?" She asked, shrugging.

I looked at her, and then at the candy in my hands. "Oh, I was just going to stay in one of the rooms by myself until it's time."

"Really? Isn't that boring?"

"Yup." I said flatly. "Anyways, see you later." I walked away.

Here are the facts: She was ill prepared for the Borderlands. She's nonconfrontational. She was allergic to chocolate, potentially hinting at other allergies.

. . .

As the summer heat just began growing hazy, Kazetani pulled the car up into a parking lot a little distance away from the Beach, and handed me a map and screwdriver.

"Here." He pointed. "Their evacuation should be underway soon. Look at the back from a distance; you should see the vent. It's second to the leftmost vent. Hop over this fence here, then go left, and then you'll be right below it."

I nodded, folding the map into my pocket as I left the car, Maeda behind me, the camera slung around her neck.

"Meet me back here when you've got it." He said. "And keep your radio on; we'll send warnings and alerts when necessary. Good luck."

"Alright." I said, closing the car door. Maeda followed me as I walked across the parking lot, the towering hotel laying in the distance.

"So, not a heavy talker, huh?" She asked.

"I just say what's necessary." I shrugged. "It's not like I'm trying to be edgy or anything."

She fiddled with her fingers as we continued walking, as if trying to pry something out of me. "I... Think you're cute."

"Oh. That's nice."

"That's it?"

I turned towards her, stopping. "So is that why you've been trying so hard to talk to me?"

"Well, yeah? I just say what's on my mind. What do you think about me?"

"Um, no offense, but I find you quite average."

"Really? Like, you don't even want to mull it over?"

"You can't just get me to suddenly like you romantically, and at this point, I don't even know if you can get me to like you as a person. Also, I–" I paused, stumbling over my words.  'Do I tell this girl I just met–ah, screw it. She'll die in one of these games soon enough, judging by her demeanor.'

"Also, I'm not even into girls." I said, emphasizing the finality in my voice as I continued walking.

"Oh, okay."

"You know, you stick out; anyone can tell from a single glance you're new here. If you keep trying to prioritize trivial matters and make casual conversation, you won't make it far. People will be able to tell, and people aren;t kind to newcomers here."

She shrugged. "I've made it past two games so far, a Five of Diamonds and Five of Spades. I think I'm alright."

I snorted, as the two of us arrived at the fence, which was a spiked wrought iron dotted with an occasional flat, brick pillar.. "Yeah, try facing a seven or eight whilst not surrounded by a group of people to save your asses, then talk. Anyways, we have to hop this fence now."

"Is the evacuation underway yet?" She asked.

I pulled out our walkie-talkie, buzzing in to Kazetani. "Hey. Is the Beach cleared yet?"

He replied at once. "They're only about halfway, but I think it should be safe regardless."

"Got it." I put the radio away, rubbing my hands together. I stepped into the stone ledge of the fence, placing my other foot onto the rusted iron bar. With a grunt, I pushed myself upwards, straining as my body weight carried onto the pillar. My weight tipped, and I yelped as I rolled over, crashing on my back. Shaking my head, I dusted off my clothing, backing away. "Your turn."

She got onto the ledge, jumping and grabbing the edge of the pillar. In one swift motion, she pulled herself up and over, landing clean on her feet without any thud. "How's that for being a newbie?" She smirked.

"Okay. Maybe I overestimated your incompetence."

"I did track and also some rock climbing." She said. "So scaling the wall shouldn't be too hard."

"Then let's not waste any time." I said, my head traveling up the height of the hotel. "That should come in pretty handy."

"Hmm..."

"What's the matter?"

"These fans, and hanging gardens, and balconies." She said, her fingers pointing to each fixture as she mentioned it. "I can make out a distinct path towards the vent, but it's strange. It's almost like... Everything was laid out specifically just to lead to the vent. I don't know, it's probably just a coincidence or I'm overthinking"

"That's... An interesting observation." I said. "So, if you can already make out a potential path, then lead the way."

"Alright."

She got onto the railing of one of the ground-level flower beds, jumping onto one of the extractor fans. From there, she reached out to a window stool of the next floor window, pulling herself up. The window stools jut out, each one displaying a potted plant or hanging vine. I followed in her footsteps as she continued her ascension, going from the stool, to a hanging garden on an adjacent window, then onto the awning atop that window.

"Oh, this next jump might be a bit hard." She said. It was an upward leap to another extractor fan.

I shrugged. "It should be fine; just pull me up if I have trouble." She made the jump, grabbing onto the ledge and pulling herself up. I followed, grabbing onto the ledge, but one of my hands slipped. I cursed, gasping, as I dangled off the lethal height by just my hand.

"Oh my god!" She yelled. "Here!" She extended her arm, and I grabbed it, as she yanked me up. My heart settled as my feet felt contact once more.

"Thank you."

"It's no problem. What's with your arm, though?" She asked, pointing.

My eyes widened; my sleeves had rolled up while I dangled, and I pulled them back into place hastily. On my left arm was a dark drown, vicious scar which took up almost a third of my forearm. "It's nothing. I mean, it's not what you think it is. I got it from a game."

"What was the game like?" She inquired further, as she made the next jump.

"Are you incapable of minding your own business for just three minutes?"

"Well, sorry, but I'd be pretty flattered if someone was so interested in me."

"Well, if it isn't apparent, I'm not you."

"Are you incapable of not using sarcasm or snark for just three minutes?"

I sighed, as we passed by Erina's window, making the final jump. "Okay. That's–okay. Touché."

"And would you look at that, we're here." She announced.

I handed her the screwdriver as the sun began setting. She hummed as she unscrewed the corners of the vents, pocketing them. The vent slid off, and she smiled. "As always, ladies first." She jumped into the space, and though it was tight, she was able to squeeze in.

I followed after her, the metal walls pressing into my sides. I gasped, coughing in the trail of dust she left, following her.

"I think I found the exit vent!" She shouted.

'That fast? This operation is going too well.'

She pushed the vent open, dropping down onto the carpet, and I followed after her. The inside of her room was luxurious; the wall had a navy blue hue, with a dark wooden chair rail. The carpet was white and woolen, and the bed was a velvet red. However, the room wasn't in total pristine condition, the cabinets and tabletops were quite cluttered with various papers, stationery, and magazines. In the corner, was the door to her closet, opened an inch, revealing an array of colorful dresses and fine sleepwear. Across the room was a small hallway that led to the kitchen and bathroom.

"We should take off our shoes." I said. "So we don't get the carpet dirty."

"Good idea." She said, slipping off her sneakers.

I glanced at the clock, registering the time: 6:03. We had roughly ten more minutes to search.

"Let's get going, then." She said.

I nodded, heading to her desk as Maeda walked to her nightstand. I put everything I touched back into its original place, opening each drawer. There was makeup in the first, writing utensils in the second, and blank papers in the third. I sighed, flipping through the sheets with no avail.

Maeda opened her nightstand drawers, flipping through the clothes, as I checked the cabinet. Coats, sweaters, and shoeboxes filled the interior, but no book.

My heart began picking up; it was 6:08 by now. Maeda turned to me.