Trial of the Game Master

"Alright brats, settle down."

Starting at new schools is supposed to be fun, right? A new adventure?

"We've got a new student today that wants to join our class for some reason. Don't get any bright ideas, boys. If you get her pregnant, it'll just be a nuisance for me."

Shouldn't people be excited for something new in their lives as well? Someone new? I stepped forward and said the line I'd rehearsed all of last night, "Hello, everyone! I'm Yuki Akimaji. Pleasure to meet you all." Funny. People clapped when I did it last night. Scanning across the room, I manage to find an empty seat near the door. The class continued as if I'd been here for years. I've always been okay with every subject, so I just sat quietly through it all. After school, I returned home to my single bedroom apartment. What kind of high school student lives alone? My parents have been dead for years. I don't even know what they did for a living. All I know is that they were in some accident and I've lived with my uncle and aunt ever since then. As I sat down to start my homework, I realized my textbook is still at the school. It was only 8 pm, so I rushed back over to the school.

The school is eerily quiet at night, but I guess most empty buildings are like that. As I walked down the hall, I noticed a flash. Was that...a number? Shrugging it off, I finally reached the classroom. Why does my class have to be so far into the school? As I reached for my textbook, there's a sound behind me. I turned around only to see the most hideous creature I've ever seen in my life. It was what I imagined an orc would look like: tall with gray skin, pointed ears and the most deranged face. Strangely, in such a moment, I noticed a blue band tied around its wrist. I backed away and turned to run, but was met with another one. Soon, I realized that they had me surrounded. Almost in perfect unison, they all lunged at me. But then the strangest thing happened. One instant they are all after my blood, but in the next instant they are on the ground bloodied. There was no way I could've blinked, but I still managed to miss it. Standing there instead was a boy holding a very bloody sword. Taking a second to examine him, I realized that he was in my class. He had a faraway look in his eyes, but then I saw them move to look at me. The only thing I can think to say is "Who are you?"

I would never forget what he said. "Who am I? Ryusuke Kanasaki, the one who is fated to kill you." Then everything faded to darkness.

The blare of the alarm clock shook me back into the world. Did I set that alarm? Was everything from last night just a dream? As I started to get ready for the day, I noticed my homework sitting on my desk. When did I finish that? Well, I can't complain. It would be horrible if I forgot my first homework assignment. At school, the day went on just like yesterday. I noticed Ryusuke sitting in the corner, but he didn't seem to notice me. During the break, I decided to approach him.

"Umm, have we met?" I didn't know what else to say. Rather than respond, he just stood up and started to walk off. I thought I heard him mumble something as he passed by me, but I couldn't quite understand it.

"Hah! Give it up, new kid." Adachi, one of the local punk kids. "You've got no chance with Ryusuke. But if you want, you can have the honor of going out with me."

"Umm...well." Still, having no idea what to say, I just stuttered. "Come on," replied Adachi, grabbing my arm.

But there it was again. That strange feeling. One instant, I was being pulled along by this boy, but in the next instant, my hand was free and Adachi was on the ground. Ryusuke, who hadn't gotten very far, turned to help Adachi up. "Are you alright? You must be careful or you may injure yourself." He gave a smile, but that smile sent chills down my spine.

The rest of the day went by fairly smoothly. That night, as I laid in bed, I continued to wonder about the past night. Could it really have just been a dream? Then, I sat up. If I went to the school again, I'd probably find out.

The school looked exactly the same as it had last night. I started to wander towards the front door, but was stopped by someone shouting out. "Hey! What are you doing here so late at night?" I turned to see a man in a uniform holding a flashlight. Quickly, I bowed my head. "I'm so sorry. I forgot my textbook and was hoping I could come by and get it. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here. I didn't know this school had a security guard."

"Well, it's quite alright." The guard gave a smile and offered his hand to me. "Allow me to escort you." We walked together for a bit. However, soon after we entered the building, I felt something warm splash on my arm. I turned to see a blade protruding from the guard's chest.

"An enforcer of the law shouldn't lie." I knew this voice! "Isn't that right, Game Master?" Suddenly, the guard's form changed, and it became one of the monsters I saw last night before it fell to the ground. Ryusuke covered my mouth before I could scream. Suddenly, a hollow laugh echoed throughout the halls. "Excellent," said the voice, "you've figured it out so easily, my dear Player. But the true game wasn't just saving her."