Chapter 3- The Few

The whirring of the elevator set Evan on edge. He itched the irritation only to flinch his fingers away, startled by the stinging pain.

⚜⚜four hours earlier⚜⚜

"Rin?" He whispered. Rin clenched his fists and turned towards him, eyes glistening.

"Don't you worry about me, I'll be fine! Besides, this'll be quite thrilling for my fans."

Rin was a popular J-pop artist and he was very confident in himself. But there was something in his voice that Evan had never heard before. Before he could think further into it, Rin doubled over, clutching his upper-arm. Evan reached out to help him up but he was stopped cold. Rin had removed his hand to reveal a sizzling golden number "3".

Then suddenly his own neck his own neck started to itch, then, there was an explosive pain. He clutched at the side of his neck as if to contain the agony, as a crimson red "7" seared into his skin.

⚜⚜present⚜⚜

The elevator shuddered to a halt and with a creak, a dark and dripping locker room was revealed.

"Huh, I guess I'm the first one here" he thought aloud. He caught movement oh of the corner of his eye.

The small blonde made him jump out of skin. He hit his head on a low beam.

"Ow, shit man, you scared the crap outta me!" He rubbed his head and moved toward the other guy.

The room was too dark to see his features clearly but his platinum hair and violet eyes seemed to glow eerily.

The small blonde stretched out a ghostly pale hand and Evan took a step back. And the guy took a step towards him. He brushed his fingers gently over the side of his neck. Evan shivered under his touch, the only person who had ever touched him like that was- "your number" an air of fascination lingered in his voice "it's red."

Evan was confused and a little embarrassed at how he had reacted. "Yeah. Yours?" He had seen that Rin's number had been gold so he could only assume everyone's was a different colour.

He looked away. "None of your business"

First Evan felt offended, then realisation hit. "Oh?" He smirked "I bet it's pink." Yuuri flushed and looked away, his emotionless façade slips.

"No- no it's not!" Evan gasps "it is! Where is it?" He moves around trying to find it but to no avail.

"Hey I just realised" he stopped in front of Yuuri, "who are you, blondie?".

"Yuuri Hinamori, warrior for lust." Yuuri sighed.

Evan flinched hearing this name and Yuuri's keen eyes caught it. "Something wrong with my name?" He folded his arms, triumphant to have returned to his cold indifference.

"Fuckin' love birds, get a damn room"

A vulgar looking thug bustled through the dank locker room. The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke filled Evan's nose.

"Get lost man." Evan took a protective stance between Yuuri and the newcomer.

Yuuri looked like he couldn't care less and closely inspected his finger nails as the two men sized each other up.

Another screech of the elevator doors brought Evan great relief. Pointing at the doors he turned to Yuuri. "Well Hinamori, I gotta go, call out if you need anything" and with a that, he jogged over to meet his pink-haired friend.

"Rin" Evan tapped him on the shoulder. Rin turned, grateful to hear his friend's voice. Rin looked past Evan to see a very pissed-off looking thug.

"I see you've met Hyunbe" he teased. "Huh?" Evan answered unattractively. Rin sighed and pointed to the guy then he focused Evan's attention to the navy blue "1" on his throat.

"Great. He makes a very fitting warrior for greed" Evan noted. "So do you know everyone here?"

Rin shook his head. "Only tell by people's numbers" he looked to Yuuri "speaking of which, where's that guy's number?" He pointed. "Everyone else's numbers are in noticeable spots, but not his."

"It's pink"

"What?' Rin asked, confused. Evan points to Yuuri.

"His number. It's pink."

"Oh then I'm guessing he's lu-" he stopped "wait. How do you know? Did he show you? Where is it?" Rin fired off questions faster than Evan could keep up. He sighed. "Idon'tknow. I haven't seen it. Hekindatold me."

"Kinda?" Rin puzzled.

"Outta my way" a small guy with white black-tipped hair barged past them.

"Oi! You-" Evan was stopped by Rin's now raised hand.

"Sorry man, we didn't notice you there, our bad." Rin apologised.

The guy turned towards them and that was when Evan noticed the black "5" that snaked across his left eye.

"Rinsuke Suzuku" he grabbed the guys hand.

"Yuzu Yaoruzu" he mumbled, shaking hands.

Rin smiled warmly. "Well, Yuzu, you can call me Rin. I hope we can be friends!"

Before Yuzu had a chance to respond, a loud metallic "thunk" sounded and light spilled into the room. They faced what could only be, the beginning of the trials ahead.

They faced the beginning of a new chapter.

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