"Ten of Hearts, Part 5" (はあとのじゅう⑤, Hāto no Jū ⑤) is the fifth chapter of the sixth volume and the 25th chapter overall of the Alice in Borderland manga, written and illustrated by Haro Aso.
Summary[]
Kuina and Last Boss continue fighting in the Beach lobby, both reflecting on their pasts. Kuina remembers when she was the son of a dojo master and was rejected by her father. Her mother said that her father wanted her to become a prominent heir, but if that was not what Hikari wanted, that was fine. When Kuina presented herself at the dojo, her father rejected her and told her never to return.
Back at the Beach, Kuina is considering a plan. She intends to suppress her fear, close the distance, evade Last Boss's first and most dangerous attack, and take advantage of any weakness caused by fatigue or blood loss, relying on timing and awareness rather than brute force to survive the encounter. She assumes that Last Boss's katana may be slippery or dulled from being soaked in blood, creating a possible opening. Before she can act, Last Boss tries to reach her with his katana, causing her to fall.
Kuina is clearly exhausted and vulnerable as Last Boss overpowers her. He argues that the fear Kuina feels is meaningless in the face of death and claims that fear itself is the only thing her opponent has left.
Kuina remembers visiting her mother in the hospital, where her mother said that Hikari's very different appearance suited her well. Kuina discovered that her parents had divorced and blamed herself, but her mother told her to nurture her happiness instead. Shortly after Kuina offered to take care of her mother, promising to always be by her side, she got transported to Borderland.
Facing Last Boss, Kuina wonders if he has ever felt what it is like to lose a loved one, something that sometimes feels worse than death itself. She mocks him and asks if wielding a sword and having tattoos makes him feel like a warrior. Last Boss dismisses the question, asserting his confidence and implying that the markings are a source of strength. Kuina compares him to a child who depends on his mother, claiming that he would not be there without his mother, so he cannot compare her to him. Enraged, Last Boss shouts at her to be quiet and tries to reach her with his katana. Before he can hurt her, Kuina blocks the attack with a plastic bottle and then kicks him in the neck. While he is on the ground, she strikes him.
The remaining time in the game is 14 minutes, and 30 participants are still alive. Usagi, Arisu, Tatta, and Asahi try to reach the lobby. Tatta runs ahead to get there faster but is shot by Aguni, who later arrives at the lobby, dragging Kuina unconscious by her hair. He releases her when he sees Arisu and the others, and Arisu asks if Aguni is the Witch to see his reaction, but Aguni does not respond. Arisu points out that he himself cannot be the Witch because he was in confinement before the game started. Knowing that Aguni is likely not the Witch, Arisu wonders why he does not help them, which causes Aguni to punch him and knock him to the ground. Aguni then grabs Arisu by the shirt, but Arisu insists that Aguni is not the Witch. Asahi and Usagi do not believe him, which is when Arisu reveals that Aguni killed Hatter, not Momoka. From the expression on Aguni's face, Arisu can infer that the answer is correct.