DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL

The next day after the events of the previous chapter...

Mizuki was woken up by her alarm clock.

Today is that day, huh? This is the day where my fate will be decided and will challenge my every being. Mizuki said coldly, letting out a big yawn.

Mizuki turns off her alarm clock and puts on her glasses.

4:00 A.M in the morning, if I hurry up now...I should arrived in that location at exactly 6:30 A.M. Mizuki said coldly, stretching her body Time to go and get ready! Mizuki said enthusiastically, feeling determinated.

Mizuki started preparing for her departure.

After several moments of getting ready she finally finished and decoded to book a Transportation Service.

After a few moments of waiting finally someone picks up her reservation. Luckily, the driver was just nearby so it got to her location a bit too early.

Hello, it's me! Luckily, you're the one that I've got. Mizuki said appreciatively, adjusting her glasses.

I can tell that you are in a hurry. Now, get in! The driver said enthusiastically.

Mizuki immediately goes inside the car and it drives away.

Excuse me? This address that you have sent me...your destination, are you perhaps one of the participants of that International Reality Show? Tomodachi Ie, right? The driver asks curiously.

Mizuki's eyes widen.

"I think I somehow know the reason why." Mizuki taught to herself, immediately composing herself.

Uhm, that's right...how did you know? Mizuki asks curiously, adjusting her glasses.

Well, because just earlier before I picked up your reservation...I was just about to arrive in our quarters, because I also transported another person in this specific location as well! The driver said enthusiastically Now that I think about it, his location was just near your apartment complex! The driver said suspiciously.

"I knew it, that's obvious though. But, something just does not adds in to it...If you think about it again, their secrets...and the one living the closest in the apartment complex where I live in is...Yushiro. That just means that my suspicion about his secret being connected to The Reality Show is somehow true, I still need to see it for myself once I have arrived there! The others might have been there too and I won't be so shocked if I see the other three there. What the hell is Yushiro's reason for joining though? He lives in a middle class family, his Father owns a small yet popular cafe downtown while his Mother is a housewife...So, why?" Mizuki taught to herself, adjusting her glasses.

Are you alright, Ms? You're spacing out for a bit too long! The driver asks warily.

Oh, I am fine. Mizuki said calmly, adjusting her glasses.

Is that so? Just tell me if you feel any discomfort, alright? The driver said reassuringly.

Thank you for your concern. But, that isn't needed. Mizuki said calmly, clearing her throat I appreciate it though... Mizuki said coldly, looking away.

I see, you're welcome! The driver said enthusiastically You're quite a tsundere too, huh? The driver said sarcastically.

Mizuki eyes him coldly and just lets out a sigh, ultimately looking away.

"If I were to go up against them in this show and we're about to compete for the prize pool...I just don't know how it might end, I don't want to have competition with them...But, I'll do anything to get those prizes no matter what it takes. I'll just pray that I won't see them in this location later..." Mizuki taught to herself, clenching her fists tightly.

May I ask what time is it now? Mizuki asks expectantly.

It's already 5:30 A.M in the morning! The driver said enthusiastically.

How far are we in my destination? Mizuki asks expectantly.

Half an hour of ride if we will not get caught in a traffic jam somehow. The driver said enthusiastically.

I see, thank you for your response. Mizuki said appreciatively, adjusting her glasses.

"I deduced my time of arrival there with precision, huh?" Mizuki taught to herself a cold smirk forming in her face.

You know what? I just get this feeling but...I think you have what it takes to win the Reality Show. The driver said reassuringly.

How could you even tell? Mizuki asks curiously, her arms cros around her chest.

I don't know, your way of talking, the way you carey yourself, etc. based on what I have been seeing now, I can tell that you have what it takes! You're a strong contender...So, good luck out there. The driver said enthusiastically.

Is that so? Well, thank you for your kind words. I just hope that your words really came true... Mizuki said calmly, adjusting her glasses.

Yes, we'll have it manifested. The driver said reassuringly.

Mizuki then looks out of the window and saw the hospital building where her mother is admitted.

"Mother, just wait and see... I'll make sure that by any means necessary, that prize pool will be mine alone and no one else. I will get us out of this hellhole, I swear..." Mizuki taught to herself.

So, do you have any ideas on how this Reality Show will play out? The driver asks curiously.

I don't have any damn idea, they're so secretive about it. I think they'll reveal it once all of this participants have gathered in this address, I have a feeling though...that this will not be like any other typical reality show. Mizuki said coldly, adjusting her glasses.

I see, it's good that you know how to think clearly and expect the unexpected! That will help you for sure. The driver said enthusiastically.

Yes, obviously. Mizuki said coldly, letting out a sigh.

By the way! My name is Katsuo Sumeragi. Katsuo said calmly.

Is that so? Well, I am certain that you have seen my name back when you accepted my reservation, right? Nice to meet you. Mizuki said calmly, adjusting her glasses.

You're smart! Katsuo said sarcastically.

So are you. Mizuki said coldly.

Hm? How so? Katsuo asks expectantly.

I am not blind nor deaf. Mizuki said coldly, letting out a cold chuckles.

"Something is strange about you, that is." Mizuki taught to herself, adjusting her glasses.

Quite mysterious too, huh? Katsuo said sarcastically.

The car suddenly stops.

Seems like we are finally here! Katsuo said calmly.

What time is it? Mizuki asks expectantly.

6:30 A.M, exact time! Katsuo said enthusiastically.

I see, here's your tip! Thank you. Mizuki said appreciatively, adjusting her glasses.

Mizuki gets her belongings and gets out of the car.

Thank you! Good luck on your journey inside the house. Katsuo said sincerely.

Katsuo drives away.

So, this is the location? Mizuki said coldly, eyeing the big house in front of her from top to bottom.

"The architecture sure is solid, I can say right now and for sure that the aesthetics inside is quite great and will give a ambience of a comfortable house." Mizuki taught to herself, stretching her body.

A man in black approaches Mizuki.

Are you one of the participants? The man asks coldly.

Yes, I am. Mizuki said coldly, eyeing the man from top to bottom.

Let me get your credentials if you really are one, what is your participant number and your name also show me the email that the management have send to you. The man said authoritatively.

"This man seems like a real deal though, I will definitely know if this guy is jusy a con or something...I can tell from here that he is really working for this show, what the hell is with this bodyguard men in blakc type of shit though? Quite stereotypical." Mizuki taught to herself, adjusting her glasses.

Sure! My name is Mizuki Nishina, 20 years old. I am the 20th participant of the show, as for the email. Mizuki said coldly, pulling out her phone from her pocket.

Alright, let me see it. The man said coldly.

Mizuki tosses her phone to the man and the man immediately catches it.

I know that was intentional, I'll let it slide. The man said irritatingly.

"Wow, quick reaction time and reflexes... It's easy to tell that he is trained, I can tell his role now...The Guard of the house, maybe?" Mizuki taught to herself.

The man reviews the contents of the email.

You have passed, you can enter Tomodachi Ie now. The man said coldly.

Great! Now, give me my phone. Mizuki said calmly.

No, can do! One of the rules are gadget confiscations, throughout the course of the reality show until you got out of the house you are not allowed to hold your gadgets. The man said coldly.

I should have seen this coming! Mizuki said irritatingly Whatever. Mizuki said coldly, letting out a sigh.

Mizuki enters the entrance gate.

Let me show you in the area where the other participants are waiting for your arrival, follow me. The man said authoritatively.

So, that means that I am late even after those efforts, huh? Mizuki said coldly, letting out a sigh.

She follows the man quietly.

"This is it, the day that will either change my life for the better or worse." Mizuki taught to herself, steeling herself internally.