TRAP OF RYUJI HIGH

[Scene: The Gaming Café, Late Afternoon]

[Aoki, Nomi, and Raizo are huddled in a corner booth, laughing and sharing snacks. The soft glow of neon lights and the hum of arcade machines set a relaxed, carefree atmosphere. Aoki’s phone buzzes on the table, but he ignores it, focused on demolishing Raizo in Turbo Fight X.]

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Raizo: (groaning) "No way! How did you pull off that finisher?! This is rigged!"

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Aoki: (calmly) "You’re just bad."

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Nomi: (laughing) "He’s got you there. But don’t worry, Raizo, there’s always a career in janitorial work after this humiliation."

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[The three burst out laughing. The phone buzzes again, but this time, Aoki glances at it. His face hardens as he reads the message.]

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Raizo: (noticing the shift) "Yo, what’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

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Aoki: (quietly) "It’s from them."

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Nomi: (leaning in) "Them? Wait, you mean Ryuji?"

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[Aoki nods and shows them the message: "Riverside playground. Tonight. You know what happens if you don’t show."]

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Raizo: (reading the message) "What the hell? What do they want now?"

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Nomi: (nervously) "Wait... they said if you don’t show. Does that mean—"

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[Aoki’s phone buzzes again. This time, it’s a photo of the girl the gang took from school, her terrified face staring back at them. Beneath it, a single line: Clock’s ticking.]

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Nomi: (angrily) "Those bastards! They’re dragging innocent people into this now?!"

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Raizo: (panicking) "Aoki, what are you gonna do? This is serious! These guys don’t play around!"

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Aoki: (standing up, his voice cold) "I’m going."

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Nomi: "What? Are you out of your mind? It’s a trap!"

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Aoki: (calm but resolute) "Doesn’t matter. They won’t hurt her as long as I’m there."

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Raizo: (grabbing his arm) "And what if they hurt you, huh? You think we’re just gonna let you walk into a death match alone?"

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Aoki: (shaking him off) "This isn’t your fight."

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Nomi: (standing up, defiant) "Like hell it isn’t! We’re your friends, Aoki. You think we’re just gonna sit here eating nachos while you play hero?"

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[A tense silence hangs between them. Finally, Aoki sighs.]

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Aoki: (grudgingly) "Fine. But if you’re coming, don’t do anything stupid."

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Raizo: (smirking, trying to lighten the mood) "Define ‘stupid.’"

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Nomi: (grinning despite the tension) "Too late for that, Raizo’s whole life is a series of stupid decisions."

[Aoki’s lips twitch into a faint smirk. The trio gathers their things and leaves the café, the light-hearted banter giving way to a growing sense of foreboding as the sun dips below the horizon.]

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[Scene: Riverside Playground, Night]

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[The area is desolate, the dim moonlight casting eerie shadows over the abandoned swings and graffiti-covered structures. The sound of distant water rushing fills the air. Aoki, Nomi, and Raizo approach cautiously, spotting the Ryuji gang waiting in a semicircle. Takashi stands at the center, his imposing figure framed by the headlights of parked bikes.]

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Takashi: (grinning darkly) "Well, well. The man of the hour finally shows."

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Aoki: (stepping forward) "Let her go."

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Renji: (dragging the girl into view) "Not so fast. We need to make sure you’re in the mood for a little… fun."

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[The gang laughs menacingly. Nomi and Raizo exchange uneasy glances, their fists clenching.]

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Takashi: (gesturing lazily) "Here’s the deal, Aoki. You fight me. One-on-one. If you win, she goes free. If you lose… well, you’ll wish you hadn’t shown up."

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Aoki: (narrowing his eyes) "And if I don’t fight?"

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Takashi: (smirking) "Then we all play. Starting with her."

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[Aoki’s jaw tightens as he steps forward, his stance calm but ready. Nomi tugs at his sleeve.]

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Nomi: (whispering) "You don’t have to do this, man. We can figure something out."

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Aoki: (low, but firm) "Stay back."

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[The air grows heavier as Aoki faces Takashi, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Takashi rolls his shoulders, his grin widening.]