Chapter 12 – The Final Killjoy Match
Time continued to go by. The time came that Azuma Koyama reached rank 99 and was only a few battles away from reaching rank 100. With every battle, he got closer. The arena began to talk about how the score was already settled, Azuma Koyama would be the first to reach rank 100.
Azuma Koyama is now one match away from rank 100. He and Hiroki approach the reception desk to schedule their final game. Hiroki expresses his disappointment in Junto.
“I’m disappointed. I thought that I would get to battle Junto. Maybe he wasn’t the last one we needed after all. We just need to wait until someone within the ten rank range wants a ranked battle. That could be weeks away.”
Junto enters the arena.
“WAIT!”
Azuma and Hiroki look at Junto, who is walking towards them.
“I want to challenge you. I reached rank 89 so I’m allowed to challenge you to a ranked match… the final ranked match in Killjoy.”
Hiroki smiles sadistically.
“I’ve waited so long for this. I’ve always wanted to see which one of us could withstand the most. You did everything I expected. You brought Killjoy back to its former glory. If it wasn’t for you, we’d probably both still be sitting below rank 95 waiting for new opponents.”
Junto looks unphased.
“Then you can thank me with a match.”
Azuma Koyama smiles as he gets involved.
“Hiroki has been dying to face you. So, how about a 2v2 match? I’ll bring Hiroki and you can bring ANY player you want, regardless of rank. You could even bring Kosei Yamada.”
Azuma Koyama looks at the receptionist.
“Is this ok?”
The receptionist nods.
“I accept these terms if both parties agree. The final match Azuma Koyama needs to reach rank 100!”
The arena looks on in suspense. Junto looks at Azuma and Hiroki.
“I agree.”
Azuma Koyama nods his head.
“Then we shall schedule the match for three days’ time so that we all have time to prepare.”
After the match is scheduled, Hiroki laughs as Junto begins to leave.
“Junto, you will be our final stepping stone. You are the last obstacle we need to crush.”
Later that day, Junto sits alone in a Killjoy den with Genki. Junto is deep in thought as Genki begins to speak.
“This sounds like quite the predicament. Of all the players you met on your journey, you can only pick one person to sit at that Killjoy table alongside you.”
Genki swirls and then sips a drink before continuing.
“Want me to join you Junto, or do you plan on asking Kosei Yamada? Hell, I’m sure even Taisei or Kimiko would fight alongside you for this battle if you asked them.”
Junto thinks back to the words that Kosei said about Azuma Koyama.
‘If you want to beat him, it needs to be done psychologically…’
Junto thinks about the players that he has fought with in his mind. Junto turns to Genki.
“I know who I need to fight alongside me. You’ve been playing Killjoy longer than anyone I know, so I just need a little information from you.”
The day of the fight comes. The arena has never been this full. Killjoy players cram the arena, all the way up to the door. Both veterans and rookies have come to see if the legendary Azuma Koyama will reach rank 100 on this fateful day. Junto sits at the Killjoy table opposite Azuma and Hiroki. The empty seat next to Junto draws questions from everybody in the arena. Azuma gets impatient.
“Where’s your partner, Junto?”
Hiroki jumps in and jests.
“Don’t tell us, you’ve decided to forfeit?”
Junto sits relaxed on the chair as he retorts.
“My partner will be here soon. Just hang on for a minute.”
At the registration desk, a shadowy player has approached the counter.
“I’m Junto’s partner for the upcoming match.”
The receptionist looks scared.
The arena goes silent as the sound of somebody walking at a slow pace towards the Killjoy table echoes. The echoes are followed by the sound of something on wheels being dragged. Everyone in the arena waits for the figure to head into the arena and make himself public.
Finally, a hospital patient comes into view.
People begin to talk amongst themselves whilst looking at the feeble, weak man who is walking towards the Killjoy table. A group of female rookies begin to find this dull.
“Who is that guy?”
“Junto brought along a guy who needs a drip? I guess Azuma Koyama is gonna wipe the floor with him after all.”
A Killjoy veteran standing nearby looks nervous and gulps as he overhears the rookies.
“Don’t be so sure. I never thought I’d see that face again.”
The rookies look confused as he continues to monologue.
“He used to be a rank 99 himself. He’s even KILLED someone in a Killjoy game. Killjoy’s rules were forced to change because of his sadism. He didn’t even play the game to win, he just played to torture people. It’s because of him and him alone that nobody’s ever reached rank 100.”
“I can’t believe I’m seeing him again...”
“The world nastiest Killjoy player! Tenma Onizawa!!!”
Azuma Koyama looks on in fear.
“It can’t be!”
Azuma Koyama turns his head to focus on Hiroki. As Hiroki speaks, Azuma sees him take on the appearance of Fuyuki.
“What’s wrong, Azuma?”
Azuma clenches his Killjoy cards.
“I can’t let it happen again. I won’t let it happen again.”
Tenma Onizawa takes the drip out of his arm and kicks it to one side. He then pulls off his stray oxygen tube and throws it to one side.
“I’m prepared to die in this game, are you?”
Azuma Koyama begins breathing heavily. He debates pressing the Killjoy button before the match has even begun.
Three days ago…
Junto enters a hospital. A mysterious patient looks over at Junto.
“What do you want?”
Junto shows the back of the Killjoy cards to the mysterious hospital patient.
“I want to give you a chance at revenge. We need to beat Azuma Koyama.”
The hospital patient coughs a wheezing cough as he attempts to chuckle.
“I’m too low of a rank now. I haven’t played since the incident. Besides, I’ve only just fully recovered. In three days, I’ll be as healthy as I was before the incident. Why would I put myself in that position again?”
Junto wears a determined expression.
“I was challenged to a 2v2 against him and his new apprentice. The rules state that I can bring anybody of any rank to join my side. If he beats me, then he reaches rank 100. I can’t let this game end. Nobody can reach rank 100.”
With this remark, the hospital patient sees himself in Junto. Junto continues to speak.
“As for why you’d play after just recovering… You loved this game as much as I did. We both don’t want it to end, ever.”
In the shadowy corner of the room, the light gleams over the hospital patients mouth to show a sinister expression.
“Well, I better dust off my Killjoy deck then.”
Back in the modern day, Tenma Onizawa has sat down at the table. He looks at Azuma.
“Just today, I made a full recovery. Remember what you said to me all those years ago, because the same statement applies here. I’m not here to win, I’m here for revenge.”
Azuma and Tenma stare fiercely at each other.
