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For a "game" where one must get away with killing fellow competitors, the host, Zundamon, was always giddy when announcing a new section of the cruise being opened for exploration after every successful trial. Then again, the green bean of the creature was far from human so it was not surprising that it lacked normal emotions.
Jun, the Ultimate Graffiti artist, was unsure if he would be able to have fun in these new areas without the guilt of his survival. At least Andi, the Ultimate Pop Idol, seemed to be enjoying himself. He chattered endlessly as the two made their way towards the newly revealed hot tub room. Arm-in-arm Jun might add.
"I'm soooo excited!" Andi was gushing, unable to contain his joy. "Seriously, I haven't been near a tub in forever! Idol work is so demanding, like I can just never get a break. Like hello!? My body wants a break too!"
Jun could only nod along as he listened to the other man's prattling. He did not have much to contribute to the one-sided conversation, but he swore he could listen to the idol's voice for eternity. Jun had never been an idol fan nor does he listen to pop music, but there was something angelic about Andi's voice compared to his own scratchy one. From the endless darkness that was this killing game, Andi's voice was the Holy Light guiding Jun. Even though he was far from religious.
Now, despite their linked arms and that they were heading to such an intimate place together, Andi and Jun were not dating. They were simply two men who had taken a strong interest in each other out of all the participating players. That was all. Nothing that would ruin Jun’s stoic bad boy image.
Eventually, they arrived outside of the room without bumping into anyone successfully. Not that there were many people left considering how many have died during the killing game. After peeking inside to ensure the coast was clear, they were met with shiny tales in various shades of blues and teals.
Andi whistled in admiration. “This place certainly has class. If it looked any duller than this, I would’ve demanded Zundamon to redecorate the whole thing.”
“I doubt she would’ve,” Jun chuckled. The green bean of a creature was much too stringy to listen to such a request.
“Just you watch. Andi always gets what he wants.” The idol winked, dare Jun think, flirtatiously. Not to mention with a saucy air kiss added.
Probably just an idol thing Jun concluded. If his cheeks were red, then it was from the heat of the hot tub room. Clearly. Someone like him does not blush.
"Anyways," Jun faked a cough into his fist. "Looks like the hot tub is closed."
"So it is." The idol hummed. "There's instructions on the wall, so it should be easy to get it ready."
The artist was about to agree when the man gave him one of his charming smiles.
"You'll get it ready while I get changed, right?"
Heart skipping a beat, all Jun could do was nod.
"You're the best!" With his bag in his hand, Andi skipped into the changing rooms leaving Jun to deal with the tub himself.
Like the other had pointed out, the instructions were printed out on a giant board on the wall. Although Jun has never handled a hot tub himself, surely it should be easy for someone like him. Andi was counting on him.
First was opening the lid and checking if there was any water left behind. Jun went to do that. Correct, Jun tried to open it. However, the lid was stuck.
"Dang, are these supposed to be hard to open?" He grumbled to himself. As he tugged, it felt as though something was keeping the lid stuck. With one particularly harsh tug, Jun was given two things. An opened lid and an explosion full of red and a disgusting smell.
Blood.
Gore.
Jun would say human remains but there was nothing that remained. Besides the hot tub.
The blue canvas that they had stepped into had been vandalized by splatters of dripped red. Somehow, this was more gruesome than the past deaths and executions that he had witnessed. Jun had to stabilize himself from feeling sick.
"Jun-Jun, what happened?" Andi rushed into the room with his jacket unbuttoned. "I heard a bang and-"
The realization of the room hit him like a truck. Stumbling backwards into the locker room, Andi let out a bloodcurdling scream before an the sound of metal clanging and an "ouch!" was followed.
Quickly racing to the doorway, Jun found the man lying limp against the lockers.
“Shit, are you okay?” Jun ran towards the other man, kneeling down and ready to help with whatever the other needed. In the back of his mind, it was hard to decide which bothered him more: being covered in someone’s guts or their not-date being interrupted. He felt the latter.
“Jun…?” Andi appeared a little dazed, likely from slamming into the lockers.
Completely forgetting his bloodied self, Jun cradled the idol in his arms. “Andi, what do you need?” His voice definitely was not pleading. Cool guys like Jun did not plead in the slightest even during desperate times.
Thick lashes fluttered weakly like damaged butterfly wings, revealing glassy green eyes.
Jun cursed under his breath either from the idol’s beauty or because he refused to have this man die in his arms.
“I… I…”
The artist held his breath.
“... want cuddles.”
Jun blinked. “Huh?”
Weakly clutching the other’s arm, a large pout rested on Andi’s face. “I want cuddles. Do you mind carrying me to our room so we can do that?”
When Jun took too long forming a response, large pleading eyes were added to the mix. “Please, Jun-Jun?”
“Of- of course!” Jun gulped.
Body be damned - he had a man to cuddle. Without another thought, the artist carefully carried the idol back to their room, uncaring of the blood staining their clothes.
~
Anri felt disappointed. Actually, she also felt enraged, disgusted, and plenty of other emotions and synonyms, but to put it mildly, she felt very much disappointed. Her twin brother and his guard dog had the greatest shock of their lives yet they practically chose to be irresponsible almost instantly.
Not to mention, it was insulting how fast they seemingly got over their discovery. She felt more pity for the poor victim being ignored rather than the two men being splattered with gore; ironic considering her position.
As she emerged from her hiding spot, Anri shuddered despite the warmth of the room. Despite the hot tub being slammed shut, she avoided looking directly at it. There was not much evidence she could tamper with and she wanted to avoid touching as much gore as possible.
Anri was not dumb to not notice that the Body Discovery announcement had yet to go off. She had to casually gather others to bring them to the room so that the investigation could properly start. With a final scan of her clothes, Anri left although not before she said, “I’m sorry, Solaria.”