(POV In-ho/Frontman)

"Being in that position you must always expect treason. Treason, revolts and riots. Also there will always be the risk of being discovered, so you need to make one last emergency plan in case all hopes are lost and you need to get out of here without leaving any evidence behind. Come up with something and never tell a soul – but on this island you always have to be prepared." Oh Il-nam's voice echoed in my head as I remembered the conversation we had all these years ago. Together we had worked on one emergency plan, one last escape in case one day someone would discover the Squid Games and after his death I had completed it: on this island I had built a subterranean explosive device – so much explosives that it would blow up the whole island including a wide area of the sea. And connected to those explosives there was a one-man-rescue-capsule with ejection seat. As soon as one would hit the emergency button the capsule would be catapulted outside, high in the air, towards the mainland, equipped with a parachute – and at the same time a 10-minute-timer would start to count down and once the time was up the whole island would explode.

One-man-rescue-capsule. It meant one of us could be saved. And I knew in a heartbeat who of us that would be.

"Gi-hun, listen to me.", I shouted out of breath as I pulled him behind me." There's another way out, one last emergency exit, but it's difficult to use. So when the moment is there you have to trust me one last time and do as I say, do you understand me?" At some distance I heard the guards entering the tube; they must have broken the door. "In-ho, I'll fight with you. I don't care about the past, I'll be on your side until the very end.", Gi-hun said firmly and I smiled: "Don't worry, we will get out of here for good."

I led the way through the tunnels as fast as I could – we wouldn't have much time left, the guards were behind us and sooner or later they would find the right way to find us. Finally I saw the massive iron door to the emergency chamber. "In there!", I shouted, slammed the door behind us and locked it with the huge latch. Gi-hun's gaze wandered over the cubic meters of explosives and I could see how it clicked in his head.

"You...you're going to blow up the whole island?", he asked in shock. I shrugged my shoulders as I started to prepare the rescue-capsule." The games will be stopped once and for all. Congratulations, Player 456, you succeeded." I gave him a weak smile while I actually felt acknowledgment and admiration for him. Gi-hun came back to the games planning to stop them – and in the end it was a complete success for him. He really wasn't to underestimate. I continued preparing the ejection seat as he interrupted me:

"In-ho...I forgive you.", he said slowly and I winced, turning around to him in amazement. Suddenly everything fell in place and deep peace spread within me. "How come?", I asked.

"You could've left me behind but you decided to save us both. You proved to me that you actually care. And Mi-na... you sent her away with the players so she could protect them and also so she would be safe, right? I can see how you love your sister. And I think everyone who is capable of love is worth being saved.", Gi-hun explained and again I could see the pure kindness in his eyes, that same kindness that had fascinated me for so long. I exhaled – the rescue-capsule was ready; ready to save only one of us. And I knew what I was about to do.

"Gi-hun..." I put my hand on his cheek, "I have never met someone like you and now that we found each other I feel like all my life I was waiting for you. You were right all along: this world can be saved as long as people like you walk the earth. You were the one saving me, you've given me back my life. I'd let the world burn for you but you are the one thing I can not sacrifice. You are the one to kill and die for." With that being said I pressed my lips on his, wrapping both of my arms around him. I felt tears running down my face as I gathered all my strength: it was time. I grabbed Gi-hun's waist and pushed him into the rescue-capsule, immediately strapping him in with the seat belt. I heard the click as it snapped into place, now attaching him onto the ejection seat. I looked into Gi-hun's face and could see the realization in his eyes.

"No! NO, YOU CAN'T DO THIS!", he screamed, tugging at the belt, throwing himself against the bonds, tears running down his face. Outside the iron door I heard noises: the guards had almost reached it. "I'm sorry, Gi-hun", I whispered, smiling through the tears, "But you are the one I need to save." "NO, IN-HO, LET ME OUT, YOU WILL NOT SACRIFICE YOURSELF", he raged, still fighting the seat belt. I deeply inhaled.

"Farewell, Seong Gi-hun. Don't forget me." My voice broke. "I love you."

"IN-HO! IN-HO!", he screamed as I pushed the emergency button and he was catapulted through the tube in the ceiling that would lead him into safety. At the same time I heard the timer starting to beep and the digits 09:59 appeared, starting to count down.

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Author's note: I'm not crying, you are... Hope you enjoyed and don't worry, this is not the end of our story. We all deserve a happy ending as much as Gi-hun and In-ho. Love yall, feel free to leave comments :)