Alice in Borderland

Chapter 51 - Midnightshower

As soon as we arrive at the beach, I get out of the car and head for my room. I jump straight into the shower and need half the night to wash the animal carcasses and blood from my body. The cold water makes me shiver all over, but I'd rather do that than sleep with my body covered in blood in my bed with the white sheets.

The fall from the hedge has not helped my rib pain. As soon as I have dried off, I smear Aguni's green ointment on the affected area and pull my black bodysuit over it. Since it's past midnight and I won't be leaving my room tonight, I leave it on and walk into the main area of my room. I cringe when I spot a person on my bed and take a step back.

"Relax, it's just me," Kuina says and I instantly relax. She chews on her straw and grins at me with satisfaction. I notice Kuina wrinkling her nose.

"Leopard guts," is all I say, giving her a quick hug, "What are you doing here?"

"Chishiya was supposed to come check on you, but number two wouldn't let him out of her sight, so I'm here".

I sit down next to her on the bed and pull the blanket to me since I'm freezing. Kuina is still grinning, but I also see a spark of concern in her eyes. She's grown on me by now, and yet I think it's a shame that Chishiya isn't here.

"Did you play today too?", I ask her.

"Yes together with Ann in a factory," she answers. Kuina doesn't seem to have any bruises or wounds which means that the game was an easy one for Ann and Kuina. I'm glad nothing happened to her and when she sees my relieved expression, she squeezes my hand briefly.

"Sayuuri, are you okay?"

"Sure, the ointment from Aguni really helps".

"I wouldn't ask any further. But someone knew you would answer like that" she says, smiling wryly. I just shake my head and a soft smile spreads across my face.

"I hit the ground pretty hard, which didn't help matters. I also spit blood briefly, but only once," I answer honestly. Her smile disappears for a moment before she furrows her eyebrows. I don't want to dwell on the subject, and fortunately she seems to understand. I carefully reach for the water bottle on my nightstand to quench my thirst and a metallic aftertaste mixes with it.

"Why did you pull your hand away?" she asks out of the blue, and I just give her an incomprehensible look.

"What do you mean?"

"On the beach."

I look at her in surprise and can't stop myself from choking a little on the water. Did Chishiya talk to Kuina about this or something? If so, it could mean that maybe he's manipulating me, or maybe he really thought about it. When I don't answer, Kuina takes her straw out of her mouth and smiles slightly.

"I'm not as smart as you two, but I have eyes".

I don't know how to respond to that. I just became unsure and panicked at that moment. The truth is that I have no idea what Chishiya is thinking. When his eyes fell on our hands I didn't know what was going on in his head and if he didn't find the touch repulsive. His facial expression didn't tell me anything, and that scares me.

"I don't know for sure"

"Were you going to pull that one away?" 

"Yes," I say quickly, changing my mind in the same second, "No."

She looks at me just as confused as I feel inside. I snuggle under the covers and look out the window for a moment to gather my thoughts.

"Do you want to spend the night?", I ask her and laughing, she lies down next to me. One of her dreadlocks tickles my nose and I blow it out of my face, which only makes us both laugh harder.

"Are we going to play cards again tomorrow, or Ludo?"

"I hope so," I say, hugging my pillow closer to me. I'm completely overtired and my eyelids are getting heavier. I spend the next half hour still talking to Kuina, but I only ever mumble short replies as I keep falling asleep briefly. Kuina seems in contrast to me still quite awake and with her grin I get the fear to wake up the next morning with Edding face paint.