"The old world. It's funny, though—the old world was never too kind to me, so why yearn so deeply for it? Well, it's egotistical to expect kindness from life, or to think life actively favors others, anyways."

===Charī Kasutoro===

– – – – – –

I had finally done it. I think I finally broke them.

It's been two years since then, and I think my tactic has worked. At first, once the initial euphoria of entering the most prestigious high school in the entire area passed over, each low grade was met harshly.

However, as they became conditioned to the lackluster scores and increasing notes home, their expectations of me slowly wavered, and began sinking. No more perfection. No more excellence. I could just do what I pleased.

But now, it all came crashing down. Though it was now time for me to start bringing my grades back up, I found that I no longer even wanted to do so. I no longer had the motivation to try, or study, or put any effort into anything for that matter. Was this my true self all along? Was my complete excellence just molded into me by my parents?

"What's on your mind?" Nakata asked. My thoughts crashed like colliding trains.

"Uh... I was just thinking."

He sighed, giving a smug smile. "I told you so."

"What? That I should've planned out my idea better?" I asked, slurping up a bite of ramen. He drummed his chopsticks on the table, earning a dirty stare from a nearby patron.

"Yeah. You really should've." He said, his voice flat.

"Mmm. This place is really good." I said, pointing to the bowl in front of me. "What is this place called? The Golden Bowl?"

Nakata nodded, his eyes focused on something behind me. I turned around; it was a young girl with short, platinum-white hair, talking to one of the cooks in the distance, pencil and clipboard in her hands.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He said, uncrossing his arms, and smoothing out his hair.

"Dude, that woman's like, seven years older than you!"

Nakata scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, and how exactly is your love life?"

"It's excellent, thank you very much."

"If you're talking about that girl from Poland you're friends with online, I doubt that counts."

"What? No–what I mean is that I have no need for love. Why should I need someone else for myself to be complete?"

"Okay, sure, let's go with that." He replied, picking up an onigiri.

"No, really. I mean, all I really want from life is to know what I want. I don't know. You're kind of like, the only person who I talk to, haha."

"That's not true." He said. "You're certainly more popular than me, that's for sure."

"Yeah, but you're the only true friend I have." I said. "That I can talk to about this sort of stuff. Everyone else at school is kind of just... Icky. Especially the elites, considering everything they've done. Especially to... Yeah. It's just not fun."

"There's still good people at our school though." Nakata reasoned. "But I guess you're right."

"So I guess those are the two things I want in life. A clear direction... And more people I can trust, I guess."

"I feel like life has something in store for us. Well, maybe not me, but you're definitely going to go somewhere." He said. "Your brain is too special to be bound."

I smiled. "Thanks."

– – – – – –

"Okay, it's time to plead for my life, huh?" The policewoman asked.

"Hello there, player." Banda greeted, tilting his head back and smiling. "How do you begin your verdict, dearest friend?"

"I have lived my life in the best possible way, I have always saught justice and that is the reason I became a police officer. I have gone through more than my fair share of hardships and I believe I should be kept alive because there's people out there who need me..."

I yawned.

"If I remain alive, I'll ensure you are taken off death row and you can continue living a normal life.. I'll have everything cleared, okay?"

"So many words, so little meaning." Zakū murmured into my ear beside me.

Banda bore his eyes into her, staring hard, as if searching her soul. "Always seeking justice, hmm?"

"Yes."

"A fan of euphemisms, I see?" He asked. "A seeker of justice who's always lived her life in the best way possible? Does that include murdering people—children—in cold blood, and pulling every string to justify it?"

The policewoman stood stunned, the color beginning to drain from her face, shaking her head. "Please..."

Banda's video feed cut off to static, and a moment later, she was flung off the edge.

Her scream carried all the way down, ripping through the air and pounding into my ears, until it all ceased with a single, wet splat.

"Oh my god!" The office worker screamed, putting his hands over his mouth.

The girl wailed, and Ryoko shuddered, inching back against the wall, as the blimp continued to cast its eerie shadow over us.

The businessman's face was pale, as he adjusted his shirt and smoothed down his pants, attempting to keep his composure.

The feed went back on, as Banda wiped away a non-existent tear. "So sad that she had to go, it's truly a tragedy. Pandering was something I always disliked, though. Next!" With that, he returned to his joyful smile, adjusting some things out of frame on his table.

"Good riddance." Zakū murmured, sliding his hands into his pockets. "At least she's taken care of."

Behind us, someone made a snarling noise. We turned around; it was the homeless man, who had began twitching in his spot. Everyone soon turned back around, but I kept my eyes on him for a few additional seconds.

"Um... I'm up next..." The boy stammered. "Oh my god... Oh my god..."

"Just ask if you can switch spots!" The girl shouted. "If you ask nicely I'm sure he might oblige!"

"You better be joking." The businessman said. "That man is a convicted serial killer who just flung a woman off a roof without second thought, you'd think he'd be the person to just rearrange the spots after a 'pretty please?' Have you lost your fucking mind?"

"Well at least I'm doing *something* to change the course of the game—"

"Can you actually just shut up." Zakū sighed, rubbing his eyes. "You're holding up the game."

"Who do you think you are to—"

Banda cleared his throat through the microphone. "Well?"

The student was shaking, and he clenched the handcuff with a tight grip, gulping before sliding it on.

"Hopefully player two will be nicer. My friend, how do you plead?"

"I... uhm..." His entire body was quivering as if he was in an earthquake. "My life has always been living for others and I feel that I could deserve some sort of say in my life... I was forced to go to an extremely expensive academy... I'm a great student but..."

"Curious. How good are you!"

"R-Really good! Yeah, I would... I would say I'm pretty good. Anyways, I was abused and bullied throughout my time at school..."

"What grade do you normally attain, by the way?"

"Uh... B?"

Banda remained silent, his face hardening. Then the feed cut, and the boy's face dropped, all color draining. "No... No! No! Please!"

The rope slung him off of the platform, and his body was launched into the air in a wide arc before plummeting down.

His scream carried the way way down, until it was cut off with a horrific crack and splatter.

"Stay in school, kids. He might've lived if he didn't overstate his abilities. That concludes his plea."

Without being prompted, the homeless man got onto the platform next, shackling himself to the rope. He stood straight, clasping his hands together, as if waiting for the Jack to say something, instead of the other way around—how it's been the past two turns.

"Prepared and willful. I like it." Banda said, a smile growing on his face.

"Cutting to the chase." The homeless man said. "I need a better life. That is all. Nothing more, nothing less."

Me and Zakū turned to face each other, himself raising an eyebrow.

"Short and to the point. I also like that." Banda said, his smile still present as he started nodding.

The man remained silent, awaiting his judgement. Banda's smile began fading, as his signature leer took over, hard eyes boring into the homeless man's. "...Life can be cruel. I am saddened that you have entered my Game Arena".

The feed cut.

"Aww." I said. "I guess I have to go now."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" The homeless man asked, turning around. "So a man dies, and all you think about is the fact that you're up next? Disgusting."

In a moment of seeming clarity, his strange demeanor—body lurches, head jerks, and muttering—halted.

"You're the one who chose this arena." Ryoko said. "We all know the consequences, and the lack of connection anyone would be willing to have with strangers. There's no need to take offense to that. How do you think we feel? We just saw our friend fall to his death!"

Then, the feed came back on. Banda was still present. "Well, sir, I would like to congra—"

"Wait." He said.

"Pardon?" Banda asked.

The man turned to face us again, his body jerking again. "I've been homeless and in and out of mental institutions practically my whole adult life. Sympathy isn't needed, but an ounce of empathy is. And none of you guys have a shred of that. I've decided by my judgment that it isn't right for these people to survive because of me. My life is nothing. I'm taking my leave now."

"...As you wish, player three."

My heart drummed in a sudden flare. The man didn't wait for the rope to yank him off; he simply stepped off the edge. He didn't scream, all that followed was silence.

Banda's face was cloudy, as if lost in a mist of thoughts. "He rejected his life for his ideals. That man has my utmost and utter respect."

"You just had to fucking say something." Zakū hissed.

"How was I supposed to know it'd set him off?"

He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "You're right, you're right. I guess part of me is to blame to for causing that ruckus with the policewoman earlier, which might've contributed to his sudden outburst."

I sighed, adjusting my mask and shirt collar. "Well, I guess it's my time to shine!" I stepped on the collar, chaining myself to the rope. "Hello, Mr. Jack of Hearts."

"...We'll isn't it nice to see an old friend. I was wondering if you would enter this arena, knowing what happened the last time you were so high up. I have a question for you."

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Actually, this isn't the question, but could you be so kind as to take off your mask? It's quite hard to discern your voice through this wind."

I tilted my head downwards, then back to Banda, before swallowing hard and nodding. The straps were pulled loose, and the mask slid downwards. I ran my fingers between my thick hair and the slab of metal, drawing it up and off my head.

The wind caused my hair to flow gently in short waves, as my head craned upwards, making eye contact with Banda's screen, my one free hand holding my mask.

"Much better!" Banda shouted. "So now that that's taken care of, let's move on to my question, shall we? And that is... If you enjoyed the King of Diamond's Six of Diamonds Philosophy?"

"I'll have to think about that." I said, rubbing my chin. The wind felt raw against my face; it was not used to being exposed bare. "It was neither fun nor boring. "I saw it as just an obstacle I had to overcome in order to survive. I guess that extends into how I plead."

I took a short breath, then continued. Perhaps what he's looking for is candor. "I won't try to sugarcoat anything about myself. I've done some wicked things to survive. Perhaps more than the average person. But I just saw those as necessary acts to preserve my own life, and I don't think that I should be vilified for doing so. I'm simply just... Gray. I wouldn't say I'm evil, but I'm no saint. I won't betray my friends, but I will do what I have to to survive. I will be as frank and honest as my circumstances allow me. That is how I plead."

Banda remained silent, studying me. I paused, and then, I smiled. "Although, I am saddened that my net theory turned out to be false."

"...You have been the most interesting player that I have ever met, Charī."

"Well, I've had a good run." I said, looking over the edge. "You can cast your judgment now."

"I admire your courage with how you speak, and I adore that attitude of yours. Your ideals greatly interest me."

"Oh... Thank you." I said.

"Anything else to add?"

"No, I think I've said everything I wanted to say."

"...Alright. But now that I think about it, I admire your beliefs so much that before my verdict is given, you have permission to ask me one question."

"Favoritism." The office worker muttered behind me.

I paused, looking at Zakū, expecting him to feed me a question that would gain us the most insight. But his stare was blank, aimed to the ground. "It's... fine." He said. "Just ask whatever. Don't try to ask a question you think would get me the most information. Just... Ask a true question."

I turned back towards Banda. "Am I, in your eyes, a good person? Are my actions justified?"

"Well, good and bad are too broad terms, too black and white. No one is definitively good nor bad, no matter how much of a saint or sinner you are. Everyone's just gray. Your actions were for your survival. I would say you're justified."

I nodded. "Alright..."

"You would've made a good citizen, Charī." He said. After another second, Banda sighed.

Before the feed was cut off.

I swallowed, turning back around, smiling at Zakū.

"Charī..."

"It's okay. I still think it's all just a strange dream."

He walked closer to the platform. "We'll... Never know how Ascension to Hell ends."

"Finish it for me." I said, handing him my sketchbook. He grabbed it, mouth agape, looking into my eyes one last time.

I closed my eyes, and gave him one last smile, before turning around. But inside, my heart was roaring against my chest like a constant rhythm of drum beats.

The rope threw me off.

A scream pushed against my lungs, but I kept it down. The air rushed against my skin, as if I was undergoing the initial wormhole to the Borderlands.

I arced over, my body beginning to plummet. I suppose, in the end, I didn't have too many regrets. I got to see the inside of the black tower. I made friends.

Friends.

I didn't finish Ascension to Hell, but I knew Zakū and the others would.

But, as the ground came closer into view, one thing became apparent.

This wasn't a dream.

===Zakū Raisunei===

Charī Kasutoro... Now deceased.

And just like that, the world moved on. The next man, the business man, stepped onto the platform at Banda's command.

I squeezed my eyes shut, rubbing my hand over my bridges of my nose and eyes, shaking my head. 'The homeless man almost won the game for all of us. He just had to open his mouth'

"Ideals..." The man murmured under his breath, before turning to face Banda. "So, I suppose I may begin pleading?"

"Of course, my dear player. Go right ahead."

I took a series of deep breaths, placing a hand over my heart, which pumped like machinery. 'Focus, Zakū, focus.'

"I... I have connections in the former world!" He shouted, standing up straighter. "I'll accommodate whatever needs or wishes you desire. I'll carry out your will even when you're beyond the grave. I'll be of infinite use to you."

'So he pleaded with ethos. So far, we've seen all three types of appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos. And I doubt he'll be spared. So that means neither of the three typical forms of appeal will work.'

"Infinite use to me, you say?" Banda asked. "Well isn't that interesting."

'Okay... Let's do what I always do to ground my mind.' With that, my mind cleared, as if pushing aside a table full of junk, and a faint visualization of a blank list came into mind. Here are the facts: Banda's criteria is definitely against pandering, lying, and poor academic performance–and it may be against sugar coating or fluff, and pity stories. Banda's criteria is for courage, concise pleads, and above all else, ideals.

"Use me as your tool. I'm of utmost use to you. Whatever you wish to carry, I will accomplish."

"Hmm... No thanks!" Banda said, before cutting off the feed.

The businessman gasped, yanking his arm away from the chain, but it didn't budge. "No! Fuck you! I did everything in my power and you have no idea what you're missing–"

The rope hurled him over the edge. He screamed, his voice deep, the sound slicing through the sky, causing a flock of birds from a nearby building to fly away.

"Next!" He shouted, not giving the man another thought.

It was the female student's turn. By now, the process had become routine; she snapped herself to the rope and cleared her throat.

"Okay, let's quick fire this... I have A's across the board. I do volunteer work on the weekends. I have had the hardest life among all my friends, and I'm not afraid to throw them under the bus."

"I'm going to pause you right there." Banda said, smiling with his eyes closed.

'Yeah, this isn't going to end well for her...'

"You are saying that you are willing to cause the deaths of others for your own survival?"

"Well duh. This is a Hearts game. That's needed. I don't deserve to be vilified for that."

"I feel sorry for you. I truly do. If only I could feel empathy for you."

The feed cut.

"Ikari..." Ryko murmured. "I'm so..."

"Shut up!" The student–Ikari–hollered. "Don't act like you didn't try to throw us under the bus too. Enjoy survival, you bit–"

She was launched off the building, her sharp scream splitting through the air–the loudest one yet.

"Ne–ext!" Banda enunciated.  Ryoko stepped forth, chaining herself to the rope with a stiff hand.

"I know... So..." She muttered. "I..."

Banda frowned through the camera. "My dear friend, you certainly seem sad. Think happy thoughts! Remember, you could be the winning player, after all!"

"Winning player..." She said under her breath. "Okay Ryoko, think."

'Two players left–think Zakū.'

"Say, why don't I give you a hint since you seem to be having some trouble?" Banda asked. "What are your thoughts on the Borderlands? That seems like a great place to start in our plea."

'What if the mere act of talking goes against his criteria? That'd be quite a cruel twist...

"Well, the Borderlands? I guess my answer is obvious, it's awful!"

"I see." He said, nodding.

'Okay... so if I were to not speak when I'm up, would that be the solution to the game? It's clever too; if you don't speak, you can't infringe anything on the criteria. However, there's also a chance that he's aware of this, and silence for N amount of time goes against the criteria.'

"All I want to do is to clear this game and leave this place. All I want is to go back to the past world... So my plead to you is to consider the dreams, desires, and love, of me and everyone behind me."

'No... Such a simple yet clever solution would be more appropriate for a Diamonds game instead of a Hearts game. But you never know.'

Banda's eyes were downcast, before he gave way to a sigh, shaking his head. "I wish you the best of luck, player seven. I give my kindest regards to you and those late players before you." And with that, the