12:00.
The moon hung above, witnessing everything that unfolded. A gentle breeze blew, guiding the wandering clouds across the black sky.
Beneath the moon—inside a junkyard—two people gambled their fate just to stay alive on this earth.
Their eyes held certainty.
One to survive, one to save.
The darkness of the night favored one side, but thanks to a lone streetlamp, the arena wasn't completely swallowed by the shadows. The wind hit them both, lifting their hair and clothes.
———
Stay safe…
———
Lis appeared beside Krisna.
A smile slowly softened Krisna's tense face. "Heh, watch me, Lis. I'll be fine."
Krisna took the first step, approaching the girl who pointed her rifle at him.
His heart pounded violently. Even in the cold air, sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping down slowly.
Tap…
Without a word, the girl unleashed a volley of bullets.
Reflex saved Krisna—his shield bloomed like a flower, giving him space to withstand the barrage. The kinetic force made it vibrate.
"Plea-se… don't break…"
While hiding, Krisna threw something from behind the shield. The girl shifted slightly, but thick smoke erupted from the object.
"Ughh."
Her vision blurred by the dense fog.
Krisna moved fast, sprinting through piles of scrap so she couldn't track him. While running, he prepared his spear.
Boom— the wind slapped him hard. Objects fell, dust swirled, and the smoke dispersed.
From behind the haze, the girl stood tall—now with a black mask covering her mouth. Her blue eyes locked onto Krisna's, filled with murderous intent.
Goosebumps crawled up Krisna's arms. His heart raced even harder.
The girl charged with kicks and rapid strikes. Krisna blocked with his shield.
"D-damn…"
He was pushed back further and further.
"Ha… ha…" He let out a sudden laugh, making the girl glance at him.
As Krisna tilted his shield, their eyes met briefly—before he lunged with his spear. She dodged, retreating to gain distance.
Krisna's breath was heavy, his hands shaking violently. Fear began to shift into something else.
A smile bloomed on his face, loosening the tension. Damn, her hits are heavy…
A brief moment of calm settled between them.
Krisna inhaled.
"Hey… you, what's your name?"
"…None of your business." She reloaded her weapon.
Krisna sprinted toward the towering heap of junk. She chased, but the terrain favored him, slowing her down.
He kept running, dodging every shot.
———
What's your plan?
———
Lis appeared again.
"You'll see."
———
Watch out!!
———
The girl jumped from atop the scrap heap, blocking Krisna's path. Her eyes sharpened again.
Gasping for breath, Krisna said, "Hey… before you kill me…" he wiped his sweat, "I… wanna know your name."
Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"No reason… just curious about the pretty lady in front of me." Krisna hid one hand behind him, stepping back slowly.
She paused—closing her eyes for a second.
"My name… is Yuki."
"So, Yuki, huh? Alright then, Yuki… who sent you?"
"That doesn't matter to someone who's about to die!!" She fired again.
Krisna took cover behind his shield.
The peaceful plan failed—time for Plan B: capture.
While defending, he stepped back… until his back touched a lever.
With his left hand, he pulled it.
In an instant, a metal trap dropped from above Yuki—ready to catch her.
Yuki tried to dodge. But Krisna threw his spear; its tip spun and released electricity.
Yuki was stunned, and the trap slammed down, pinning her.
Panting, he whispered, "I… did it."
The shock and metal impact knocked Yuki unconscious.
Krisna approached the trapped girl, pulled out his spear, and released her from the mechanism.
Up close, Yuki's hair looked even more beautiful—its softness like pure white snow.
He slowly reached out, brushing her hair: smooth and soft.
———
What are you doing, you creep.
———
Krisna froze—realizing his hand was touching Yuki's hair. He pulled away quickly, not wanting to be that guy.
He carried Yuki to his cabin, hands still tied. He placed her on the cushioned seat and stepped outside.
He stared at the night sky decorated with stars. Cold wind brushed him, but he felt nothing unusual. Then, a falling star streaked by.
Clenching his fist, he whispered, "I hope… I can save…"
———
I'm curious, who do you
want to save?
———
Eyes closed, he answered, "Shut it… better pray with me."
———
Fine.
Maybe… I want to see her again.
———
He opened his eyes slightly, glancing at Lis. "See who?"
———
Nosy.
———
"Hahaha…"
After the fight, the night fell silent once more. Most slept for tomorrow—while a few fought to see the sun shine again.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Daylight returned, shining gently. Birds flew with their families—then landed in the junkyard where Krisna stayed, searching for worms.
While they were busy pecking around, Krisna sneaked from behind… and at the right moment, he threw his spear, striking one of the birds. The others flew away in a panic.
Grinning, he said, "Finally, meat!!"
———
Savage.
Bread tastes better…
———
Ignoring Lis, Krisna lit a fire—while waiting, he plucked and cleaned the pigeon. First step: remove the guts. Second: pluck the big feathers. With the thin feathers remaining, he burned them briefly over the flame—just enough, not too long, or they'd char completely.
Cut, boil, and done: boiled pigeon.
"Hey Lis, look. Tastes great." He offered it.
———
Tch.
———
"Hahaha."
While he was enjoying his meal, he heard a noise from the cabin—seemed Yuki had awakened.
Krisna stood, walking toward the cabin while gripping the cooked meat.
When he arrived, he saw Yuki struggling to free herself. She was so focused that she didn't notice Krisna standing there, eating while watching her.
"Hi, Miss."
Yuki flinched, then glanced at Krisna waving casually.
Seeing her, Krisna couldn't help but smile. Yuki's weapons were hidden away; now she was just a helpless girl.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. Fear overwhelmed her—so different from the emotionless killing machine she'd been last night.
Krisna walked closer—feeling pity and needing answers, he removed her mouth restraint.
"Alright then… why were you hunting me?" Krisna asked, eyes locked on her forehead.
"S-sorry… I just wanted to survive…" Yuki answered.
Hearing that, Krisna raised an eyebrow. "You mean… you haven't… eaten?"
Yuki only nodded weakly, tears falling.
From her gestures alone, Krisna could tell how ruined the surrounding area was. He'd gone out once—and saw no stores, nothing. Just slums, big trucks passing sometimes. No patrols. No order.
Krisna left the cabin—then returned with a piece of bread and water. And of course, his spear, just in case.
Using the spear, he cut Yuki free and offered her the food.
The moment she got the bread and drink, tears welled up again. "E-even though… I came to kill you…"
Her crying figure reminded Krisna of someone he once loved…
Without thinking, he gently patted Yuki's head. Slowly and softly. She calmed under his touch.
Someone precious to him.
Before Krisna was thrown into the world of Blue Archive.
When he was just a young boy who didn't understand life and relied on his mother—
He once met a girl crying alone in a park.
He rushed to her and gently patted her head to comfort her.
When she turned to look at him—Krisna's heart suddenly pounded, his cheeks flushed.
He reached out a hand. "M-my name is Krisna… what's yours?"
"M-Mio."
Her name was Takanashi Mio; hair like the night sky, soft and beautiful. Eyes like a doorway to tranquility. A face as cute as a doll.
Mio was half-Japanese—her father Japanese, her mother Indonesian.
She was shy, with few friends. That was why she had cried alone in the park.
Thankfully, she and Krisna went to the same school—different classes, but they became friends all the way until high school.
In his heart, Krisna kept quiet about his feelings. He didn't want to ruin the friendship.
But… on June 13, 2016.
Mio died—hit by a truck right in front of Krisna's eyes.
He couldn't speak. He froze, watching her blood stain the rough asphalt.
His tears fell uncontrollably as he saw the girl he loved… struck down.
Krisna approached Mio, holding her hand as it grew cold.
As if given a last moment, with a breath that shook her entire body, Mio whispered,
"Kr-Krisna… I… love you…"
Krisna immediately replied, "I love you too! Don't die!!"
Slowly, Mio closed her eyes. The hand he held had already gone cold…
Watching the one you love die right in front of you—who wouldn't break?