The two matches with Miharutaki had only earned Naoki two points of experience not much, but enough to satisfy her. After all, she was mainly aiming for affection points.
Now that she confirmed her seduction worked on Miharutaki Sakura, Naoki moved on to the next step of her plan.
She wasn't aiming for pure love; her goal was to complete her mission. And while most school romances were sweet and chaste, going further could yield faster results. Why spend ten days earning affection when one passionate night could do the trick?
Besides, the system always picked attractive targets. Naoki herself was a bit curious, too.
Last night, she could tell from Sakura's flustered reaction that she had gotten under her skin. Naoki was determined to push a little more today. Maybe she could finally make her lose control.
She recalled the moment Sakura blushed after seeing her undo a button. Unlike most rich girls, Sakura had clearly been raised with strict discipline. She likely had no dating experience.
That made her all the more vulnerable to seduction.
People always fell harder for their first love. This was the perfect opportunity to gain affection points.
While overhearing classmates discuss monthly dues, Naoki realized it was the end of the month.
The bottom 100 in monthly payments were labeled livestock. But in truth, anyone who couldn't pay the minimum 100,000 ended up demoted. It didn't matter where you ranked if you couldn't cough up the cash.
Some students paid enormous sums to boost their status or join the Student Council.
Naoki needed to pay her debt one million yen. If she didn't, she'd become livestock. That wasn't an option.
She had received the Sumeragi Card from Mayoi Namashima, but she hadn't used her money yet.
Naoki submitted her payment through the Student Council. They would transfer the amount to Mayoi. That meant her debt status was cleared.
She also paid the ten-thousand-yen minimum using her part-time job earnings.
Now, her pockets were completely empty.
**System: Gambling ruins lives.**
...
At 3 PM, during club time, Naoki headed to the Student Council building for her part-time job. Today, she planned to take things further and approach Miharutaki directly.
She couldn't let the affection she sparked yesterday fade away.
But halfway there, a group of delinquent girls blocked her path.
Mayoi Namashima, cold-faced and holding a thick wad of cash, stopped in front of her. "Naoki, care to explain this?"
Mayoi was much taller, and with that icy glare, she was pretty intimidating.
"Nothing serious... Just returning the money. Student Council moves fast, huh?"
"I didn't get any notification. Last time I saw you, you were broke. Where'd this money come from?"
"Uhh..."
To be honest, Naoki didn't know why Mayoi was angry, nor why she was digging so deep.
No problem. She just needed to dodge for now.
"I won it gambling the last two days."
"Really? And where are you heading now?"
Naoki glanced at the Student Council building. No use hiding it.
"Cleaning duty. I think a bit of manual labor builds endurance."
"Huh." Mayoi gave her a look like she was some kind of oddball.
"Whatever. I'm bored. Come play that game with me again."
Gambling with lives? No thanks.
"I heard a rumor. A cruise ship in the city is hosting a death gamble. All the debt-ridden folks got invitations."
"I wanted to sign up, but they rejected my application in the preliminaries."
Naoki: "...Guess there's no helping that."
"But I found two girls who were invited. The organizers allow proxy players. All you have to do is inherit their debt. Winnings go to you."
"Naoki, wanna come with me?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Naoki had already turned her down once. But someone like Mayoi lived for the thrill of death-defying games.
To win her over, Naoki had to walk that line with her stand beside death.
If she said no again, she'd break character. That could erase the affection she had earned.
"Alright. I need money anyway."
Mayoi's eyebrows lifted in delight.
"Relax. I'll cover your debt entry fee. Any winnings are yours."
The game would last a week aboard the cruise. They needed to request leave in advance.
Naoki had planned to see Miharutaki again, but her priorities shifted. She finished her cleaning quickly and applied for leave.
"I'm going overseas with my parents."
The Student Council didn't pry. They issued the pass.
In this school, teachers barely existed. The Student Council ran everything.
Friday, 7 PM.
Naoki hopped onto Mayoi's motorcycle. They arrived at the docks.
The sea was pitch-black. The towering cruise ship cast a shadow over everyone.
Why were rich people always obsessed with these dangerous games? Maybe watching desperate people struggle was their true entertainment.
Naoki sighed. The world was too cruel.
Beside her, Mayoi was practically bouncing with joy.
"We're here to gamble," she said, handing over their invitations to the staff.
The staff double-checked their faces. Two high school girls stood out like sore thumbs.
"You're playing on someone else's behalf?"
"Yep."
Still skeptical, the staff stamped their invites and returned them.
Knowing what horrors lay ahead, the staff couldn't help but pity them. Even they, hardened by years of witnessing this, flinched at the sight of such young players.
"This ship is the Black Wheel. Every few months to a year, it hosts deadly gambling events. I only found out because someone under me got an invite."
As they boarded, Mayoi explained everything she'd uncovered.
The cruise interior was lavish. Drinks, desserts, and gourmet food filled the hall.
Contestants arrived one after another, each tagged with a number and nameplate. By 9 PM, nearly ninety players had shown up.
"Where are we headed, Mayoi?"
"International waters, obviously. Everyone signed waivers, so death isn't a risk out there."
And once the ship set sail, no one could escape.
Most contestants weren't eating. Tension filled the air.
A woman with long hair approached them.
She said she was here because she had fallen for a streamer, showered her with gifts, maxed out her credit cards, and was eventually dumped.
Now, she was in ruin.
"Debt collectors have come so many times. Everyone knows I'm broke. My house is trashed. I lost my job. There's no way to live anymore. Why are you two here? You look so young."
Naoki cut in, grabbing Mayoi's arm. "Our parents ran off after racking up massive debts. Now the collectors are after us. We're just students. We can't pay."
The woman gave them a sympathetic look. "We're all just victims."
**System: Exactly.**
Most contestants were drowning in debt. If anyone showed up just for fun, they'd instantly become targets.
Mayoi had a death wish. Naoki didn't.
She had to blend in.
"Mayoi, I'm curious. Don't your parents care about your... lifestyle?"
Mayoi shrugged. "As long as I'm happy, they support whatever I do."
Must be nice.
Unlike Miharutaki's family, who probably forbade her from hanging out with shady people.
Ancient noble families were all about rules. Her divorced parents, poverty, and flirtatious looks all red flags.
Naoki shook her head. What was she thinking? They weren't even dating, and she was already imagining meeting the in-laws.
That would never happen.
Graduation would end everything.
"Want to eat something? We might not get another chance."
A server brought over grilled steak. Naoki couldn't resist and grabbed one.
Thick, juicy, and perfectly seasoned delicious.
She paired it with salmon head soup and two rolls. Full and satisfied.
At 11 PM, the food disappeared.
A masked host took the stage.
"Dinner should be over. Let me now explain the rules. The game starts tomorrow at 3 PM."
Announcing the rules early gave them time to plan.
"Our game is a classic: six-player Russian Roulette."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Mayoi looked thrilled. Her favorite.