Catataninfoku -- Yuuki Sorimachi's decision to break away from the Mishiro group and go solo in the series Shibou Yuugi de Meshi wo Kuu (Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table) was based on a very pragmatic and cold-hearted principle of professionalism. As a veteran death game player who views this dangerous activity purely as a means to make a living, Yuuki has extremely high standards of efficiency that often clash with group dynamics. Yuuki realizes that in death games, the presence of other people often becomes a tactical burden or an unpredictable variable that can endanger his life. For him, the group formed by Mishiro tends to consist of amateur players or those who still have emotional attachments, which he considers a fatal weakness that could trigger betrayal or fatal mistakes when the situation reaches its lowest point.
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| Mishiro and Yuuki at Anime Yuuki's desire to complete the game alone was also triggered by his deep understanding of the game's rules, which were often “zero-sum games” or games where one side's gain meant another side's loss. In his interactions with Mishiro, Yuuki saw that the cooperative approach often offered obscured the main focus, which was to win the game with as little risk as possible. By going it alone, Yuuki has complete freedom to exploit loopholes in the rules without having to explain his strategy or worry about the safety of less competent team members. His technical knowledge of how the game organizers work makes him trust his own instincts more than the collective plans that are usually made to accommodate the weakest link in the group. In addition to efficiency, there is a psychological aspect where Yuuki wants to maintain a clear boundary between himself and other players to avoid emotional trauma. He is well aware that in a death game, the death of teammates is almost inevitable, and being involved in a group like Mishiro's would only complicate his decision-making if he had to sacrifice someone in order to survive. By choosing to complete the game alone, Yuuki maintains his objectivity as a “death game expert.” He prefers to bear all the risks himself rather than having to rely on promises of cooperation that often collapse once the fear of death begins to overwhelm the players around Mishiro. Finally, Yuuki's decision to play solo is a form of silent rebellion against the narratives of heroism or friendship that often arise in extreme situations. He is not seeking recognition or brotherhood, but simply wants to return home safely and bring back prize money to meet his daily needs. For him, the Mishiro group represents dangerous idealism in a highly unfavorable environment. By separating himself, Yuuki can apply his methodical approach, taking advantage of the bait or distractions created by other players without having to feel responsible for their fate, thus ensuring that he remains the last person standing when the game ends.*** |