Naoki finished her cleaning slowly, dragging it out as long as she could. Once done, she picked up her supplies and left the meeting room.
Instead of continuing with her cleaning duties, she dropped off the tools in the restroom and slipped out quietly.
Working was just a way to gain Miharu Taki Sakura's sympathy. If she used the same tactic on other capture targets, it might backfire—after all, pity wasn't a universally effective charm.
"Hey, Utsugi-san?"
Naoki turned around on the stairwell and saw the braided girl smiling at her.
"How's the job going after a few days here?"
"Not bad."
The girl clearly had something to say, so Naoki kept her answer vague.
"Mind if we talk?"
Naoki smiled and followed her.
The braided girl led her to a quiet corner.
"Naoki, don't you think this work is exhausting? Other students are having fun, and you're stuck doing chores."
"Well, I need the money."
The girl chuckled. "Have you ever asked yourself why you're in this situation to begin with? If there weren't such a thing as housepet status or the tribute system..."
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect to hear that kind of talk in the student council building."
Where there's oppression, there's acceptance. But there's also resistance.
Not everyone at this academy bowed to the student council president's rule.
The girl wasn't fazed. "You gambled with Kayama, just for this job. Maybe you have other motives too. Either way, someone with your skills doesn't belong at the bottom."
Naoki frowned. "What are you getting at?"
"Do you honestly think Hyakkaou Academy is a good place? Every month there's pressure to pay your dues. You live in fear of being challenged, of becoming a housepet, of being mistreated. Your classmates turned on you over one lost gamble. Is this the kind of school culture you want to accept?"
Now Naoki understood. This girl was part of a faction opposing the student council president—and she was trying to recruit her.
Naoki did agree with some of it, but she hadn't come to this school to live a quiet life.
Still, making contact with this underground group was a good chance to gather intel. They were enemies of the student council, after all.
Strategy didn't always mean joining forces. In fact, someone like the student council president might welcome challengers.
"I get your point. Why me, though?"
"We sympathize with every housepet and every student who might become one. We need people like you to help us change this school."
So it was because of the gamble with Kayama that they reached out to her.
"Can you share more about your group's size and structure? If you're too weak and the student council catches on... well, you know what happens."
Sensing Naoki's interest, the braided girl said, "If you're curious, come to the first floor of the second club building at three on Wednesday."
...
Wednesday at three. Naoki arrived on time.
On the surface, it was a bustling underground casino. But after confirming her invitation, she was granted access.
Men and women alike played cards and slots, but the difference here was obvious—almost everyone gambling was a housepet.
"I knew you'd come," the braided girl grinned. "I already recommended you to the president of the Zensaki Society. You might even become an officer."
The Zensaki Society.
So this really *was* the group.
A secret faction led by Student Council Executive Secretary and Treasurer Aoi Mibuomi, the Zensaki Society claimed to oppose the housepet system and the council president's regime.
In reality, it was just a tool Aoi used to seize more power.
After all, if you wanted to build a force capable of challenging the council, you'd naturally attract housepets and those who hated the system.
Aoi Mibuomi played the role well. Outwardly, he was charming, respected by boys and girls alike. Kind even to housepets.
But his slogans didn't match his actions. If he really wanted to change the school, why not confront the council president directly?
Instead, he built this shadow group, hiding behind others. He avoided confronting real power and used others to climb the ladder.
Naoki didn't like him. He was just another manipulator who didn't have the guts to face the strong himself.
Still, the reason she agreed to come was simple:
Miharu Taki Sakura was one of the Zensaki Society's council members.
Naoki faked enthusiasm. "Oh, I see!"
"You'll understand better once you meet the president."
...
In a VIP lounge on the second floor:
"So you're the one Ina recommended. She said you have great talent—that you turned the tide even after a loss."
Aoi Mibuomi had a pleasant face and a gentle voice. Even as a student council officer, he didn't act arrogant.
If Naoki hadn't known his true nature, she might have believed him too.
Under the oppressive weight of the housepet system, someone like him could really win hearts.
Especially desperate housepets, clinging to any hope.
"Thanks for the compliment. But right now, I'm just a student a million yen in debt."
Aoi's gaze flickered slightly.
Could someone really be that talented if they were on the verge of becoming a housepet?
He needed capable allies, not more burdens.
He didn't invite Naoki to join right away. Instead, he showed her around the lounge, explaining their setup.
"This is the new member? Doesn't look like much," a relaxed male voice said.
A boy with pale blue hair walked over, grinning lazily.
*I haven't even agreed to join yet,* Naoki thought.
"Ah, Nagi. Right on time," Aoi said warmly.
The boy, Nagi Kamishimo, looked Naoki up and down, then smirked. "You don't exactly inspire confidence. Doesn't seem like you have what it takes to be one of us."
"Aoi!"
Another familiar voice. Naoki turned and saw Miharu Taki Sakura.
"Perfect timing, Sakura."
Miharu froze when she saw Naoki. She clearly hadn't expected her to show up here.
"Ina invited me," Naoki offered.
Miharu frowned, looking conflicted.
Naoki instantly noticed: Miharu didn't want her here.
Capture targets' emotions were always worth paying attention to.
Why not? Most people welcomed new members—unless the new member threatened their position.
But Miharu wasn't that petty. So what was it?
"Aoi, is Naoki Uzutsugi joining the Zensaki Society?"
"Ina recommended her. What do you all think?"
Two voices responded almost in unison:
"I object."
"I don't think she measures up."
Nagi and Miharu exchanged a knowing glance. Nagi smirked. "Even Sakura agrees with me. Maybe you should reconsider."
Miharu's voice was cool: "I don't think Naoki has the skill to be an officer in the Zensaki Society. She's not even a housepet yet. She's far from qualified."
Naoki: ...
"Naoki, everyone still has doubts about you," Aoi said gently. "So I need to make sure they accept you."
*You too,* Naoki thought. *But you frame it as their problem, so you still look like the good guy.*
Ina stepped forward. Naoki was her recommendation, so this blow reflected on her too.
"If we're unsure, why not settle it with a gamble? Let Naoki prove herself."
Everyone agreed.
"I'll go," Miharu said, stepping forward.
Naoki's gut tightened. Miharu really didn't want her here.
Why? With three affection points, she should feel positively toward her.
Could it be...?
"What should we bet?" Ina looked around for props.
Miharu grabbed a pair of dice from the table. "Dice okay with you, Utsugi?"
Naoki nodded. "Fine by me."
"Then let me set the rules," Aoi said. "Naoki, you don't mind, right?"
She didn't have much choice.
"Each player rolls two dice," Aoi explained. "The second player must roll a higher total than the previous. The first player bets one chip. The second can fold and pay one chip, or roll."
"If the second rolls and fails to beat the total, they pay two chips. If they succeed, the turn switches. Now the first player can fold and pay two, or roll—but if they lose, it's four chips. And so on."
A snowballing risk-reward dice game.
"Let's use fifty chips, ten rounds," Aoi declared.
Naoki and Miharu stood across the table.
Nagi, Aoi, and Ina watched nearby.
Ina chuckled. "You really picked a cruel rule set, Aoi. To win big, you have to bait your opponent into raising the stakes, then pull ahead. But if you mess up or they pull a big roll early, you're screwed."
"It's a test of nerve, judgment, and skill," Aoi said.
Naoki looked down at her dice. Two dice were easier than three, but still tricky.
She was a novice, after all.
"Let's flip a coin to decide who goes first. Heads for Naoki, tails for Miharu."
Aoi tossed the silver coin. It landed with a light clink.
"Heads."
Naoki would go first. An advantage, if she could make it count.
She rolled.
"One and three," Ina called. "Four total."
Now it was Miharu's turn.
Miharu rolled without hesitation, face unreadable.
"Reveal?"
"Of course."
She lifted her cup.
Two and three.
Naoki winced. Just one point higher. Not luck—control.
Miharu wanted to crush her without mercy.
"That was bold," Nagi said lazily. "If Naoki had rolled double sixes, you'd have lost instantly."
Everyone watched Naoki now.
Would she go all-in with a high roll now? Or keep baiting for a bigger payout?
Naoki: ....
To be honest, she *wanted* to roll double sixes.
The problem was...
She didn't know how.