[Video>Action]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[The video feed pops on to Kaiji this night, who is sitting on a ledge overlooking the ocean. The phone sits next to him, pointed upwards. He's smoking a cigarette and looking thoughtful.]

A whole month now. That's how long I've been here. Hard to believe. It's gone by so fast. Especially since the last place I was, time seemed to stand still.

I know sometimes shit gets crazy here. The shadows every night, people getting hurt, big fights like at the casino... But trust me, it could always be worse. Hell, I'm sure a lot of ya know that already. We've all been dragged into this. A lot of us have nowhere else to return to. But that means one thing - we're all in this together. We can all help each other out. We can figure this place out, maybe make it safe again someday. No more shadows, no more Dark Hour.

[He takes a long drag of his cigarette and finishes it off, tossing it into the sea and watching it fall.]

I need to go back sometime though. It's already too late - what's past is past, and even though it's not my fault, there were some guys back there that were counting on me. I don't know what I can do to fix it, but... Shit, at this point, they probably think I'm dead anyway. Does it matter anymore? By this point they might--

[Kaiji cuts his muttering off, shaking his head and squeezing his eyes shut. It might be hard to see from the angle and the light, but there might be some tears there.]

I've fucked up a lot, and I probably will keep fucking up too. I'm not smart, or lucky, or brave, or anything like that. But I can promise you guys this: while I'm on this island, I'm on your side. I'll fight by your side. Let's show these monsters what we're made of.

[Kaiji absently wipes a sleeve at the corner of his eyes.]

Fuck it. I'll be at the bar.

[Feel free to meet him there. Like a lot of you, he's in a talkative mood and doesn't want to sit alone, for a change.]

Comments

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

We are lucky to have you at our side. I know that much.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Thanks I guess, though I don't know how true that is.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Determination counts for quite a deal.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

We'll see how long I can keep it up. I just have to remember that this place is infinitely better than the last place I was, and that helps.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Should I ask about the last place?

At the bar.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

[Miki seems unusually friendly for just having walked into the bar.]

Hey it's camera-guy! So what was all the crying stuff from earlier? You seem like you know whats goin' on! You did stop that thing after my fists couldn't!

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

I wasn't--- [A sigh.] My name is Kaiji, by the way. And I only kinda do. I probably don't know much more than everyone else who got brought here.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

It's OK to cry sometimes! As long as it's part of some big motivational speech it pretty much guarantees that you'll win.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Right.... I don't know if I was trying to be motivational or... I really don't know why I felt the need to say any of that. I guess I just needed to get some shit off my chest or something.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

Well it made me want to go out and defeat these monsters! It has been a weird week though, this is the best I've felt since I got here. I don't think I ever felt this good at home!

[Audio]

[berry-paunch.livejournal.com]

...I'm the same.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

I figured I wasn't alone in this. Dunno if that's a good thing or not.

[berry-paunch.livejournal.com]

As long as we can protect people while we're here... It's better than not doing anything at all.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[But he's so used to doing nothing! It's so much easier to whine that do anything, right?

He sighs.]

Right. I was given this second chance, so I suppose it's the least I can do.

[berry-paunch.livejournal.com]

Second chance?

[Action]

[techno-logical.livejournal.com]

[Well, April had seen the video and had plans to go to the bar anyway. So, she's just gonna be approaching him with a small wave.]

Hey, Kaiji...

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Kaiji's slouching over the bar, beer in one hand and cigarette in the other. He gives her the same wave in return.] Hey, April.

[techno-logical.livejournal.com]

[She's just gonna go take a seat next to him.] How're you?

[Cause yep, she spotted him tearing up during the video earlier.]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[He smirks ever so slightly.] Ya know, I'm not even sure. For some reason I can't seem to keep my big mouth shut today.

[techno-logical.livejournal.com]

You're not the only one. It seems like everyone is spilling their guts today, myself included.

[April gives a sheepish laugh, before she turns her attention back to Kaiji, her expression turning a bit concerned.] ... But, seriously though, you okay?

[action]

[a-mans-job.livejournal.com]

[Ryoma slides onto the stool next to Kaiji.]

You want some more training?

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Kaiji fiddles absently with his beer glass for a moment before answering.] Yeah, I guess after everything I said tonight, I do.

[a-mans-job.livejournal.com]

Hm? What happened?

[Ryoma pays attention to his phone kind of intermittently at best.]

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

[Kaiji grins, a little sheepishly.] Nothin'. The less people hear me making an ass outta myself, the better.

But yeah, I'm ready for more. No broken bones yet, after all.

[a-mans-job.livejournal.com]

Yet.

[Look at this wolfish grin. Kaiji, how do you not run away screaming every time Ryoma talks to you.]

But it'll have to wait 'til after I get what I came here for.

[And with that he's going to order a beer.]