Right now, the smartest move would be to turn down Kirari's offer.
A student council position wasn't essential to Naoki. And after realizing how obviously Kirari wanted to crush her, accepting a gamble against the president felt reckless.
Anyone in Naoki's shoes would think the same.
Even Sayaka had advised her to decline.
But...
Kirari was one of Naoki's capture targets. What kind of girl would Kirari be interested in? Definitely not someone too scared to even gamble with her.
A real woman wouldn't run away now.
"Alright. What's the game?"
Sayaka gasped in shock. Kirari, on the other hand, arched an intrigued brow.
"Oh? I thought you might say no."
"Heh. I wouldn't want to disappoint you. But let's change the stakes a bit. A proper gamble needs equal risk."
Naoki said coolly, "If I lose, I become livestock. But if you lose, you become livestock too."
"Naoki!"
Sayaka couldn't believe what she was hearing. Even after last night's closeness, her loyalty to Kirari ran deep.
Naoki raised her hands. "Come on, Sayaka-senpai. She's the one being aggressive here. I'm just asking for equal footing."
"Heh. Very well, I accept."
Kirari smiled, her eyes gleaming with dangerous delight.
As student council president, Kirari had one terrifying trait: she never shied away from a challenge. She welcomed threats to her power.
And that made her all the more terrifying.
Why did Kirari implement the livestock system? Was it to enjoy creating a hierarchy and watching the downfall of others?
Absolutely not.
If that were true, there'd be no reason to allow livestock students the right to challenge council members to formal gambles, with no limit on stakes.
That rule meant even the lowest-ranked could overthrow the highest. No leader in the real world would allow that.
Kirari wanted to admire the brilliance of those forced into a corner. To see if, when desperate, they could shine.
She wanted people to challenge her. She craved that unstable spark.
Kirari Momobami wasn't just a high-ranking student. She was a lunatic lost to the thrill of gambling.
That's why Naoki didn't worry about damaging Kirari's favorability. She even earned a point.
*System:* Due to your bold declaration, Kirari Momobami's favorability +1.
Score!
Naoki was starting to understand the president's type.
She must like rebellious girls.
Naoki figured she had to go all in. After today, she might end up livestock. Time to rake in that favorability.
Defeat Kirari?
Naoki never seriously considered it. Kirari was the final boss. She didn't have confidence in winning.
Besides, she doubted Kirari would fall for someone who beat her. Kirari enjoyed crushing others, not being crushed.
Even if she could win, Naoki wouldn't.
Her goal was to conquer these girls, not titles. Livestock or council, it didn't matter.
And if she did become livestock?
Well, Naoki had plenty of girlfriends who'd protect her. Someone as sweet as Ririka would definitely shield her.
And the only ones able to bully her were her targets anyway.
...
Sayaka was deeply distressed. She hated seeing anyone hurt. But the gamble had already been accepted.
"So, what are the rules?" Naoki asked.
"You choose. Pick whatever you're best at."
Kirari was being generous. But letting your opponent pick the game was rarely a good idea. It could backfire.
Naoki didn't care. Facing Kirari, she wasn't going to be polite.
"System, scan Kirari's stats."
*Kirari Momobami: Gambling Ability - EX Rank.*
Note: EX Rank cannot be measured by standard metrics.
*Talent 1: Oppressive Aura.* Her natural presence increases your chances of making mistakes.
*Talent 2: Cold Smile.* Her unreadable expressions block mind-reading techniques.
*Talent 3: Lucky Queen.* The universe itself seems to favor her. Luck-based cards like the Koi Card are nullified.
Naoki winced. So luck-based games were out. No dice, no roulette.
Cheating was also risky. Her talents made it too dangerous.
Reading her mind? Useless.
"System, draw cards."
Naoki spent four experience points.
*System:* You received:
* Suggestion (Special Card)
* X-Ray Vision (Special Card)
* Future Sight (Special Card)
* Ghost Hand (Special Card)
Jackpot.
Future Sight was new and amazing. Better than mind-reading.
With X-Ray Vision, the choice was obvious.
"Draw Poker."
She'd played this against Aipuxin. With X-Ray, it was the perfect game. Even bad hands could be folded without risk.
And adding a redraw phase meant she could aim for strong combos.
"Fine by me," Kirari said.
"Let's play for one hundred million yen. One million per chip. Lose it all, and you're livestock."
"If I lose, I'll hand over my position. Do with me as you please."
Naoki: ...
Do whatever she wanted?
That was... tempting.
No! Focus. This was a trap.
If Kirari became livestock, she'd just challenge her way back with a formal match.
"I have one more request."
Naoki looked at Sayaka. "With no one else here, I don't want your secretary shuffling."
"You want a dealer? Sayaka, go get Runa ."
Naoki cut in. "Actually... would you let me choose the dealer?"
Kirari didn't reject it outright. "Who do you want?"
"The vice president."
"Ririka?"
Naoki smiled. "She knows you well, and I trust her. Isn't she the fairest option?"
Naoki's voice faltered. Ririka was Kirari's twin, but also deeply under Naoki's spell.
Kirari's smile chilled slightly. But then she nodded.
"Sayaka, please call the vice president."
Either Kirari had complete confidence... or she wanted to test Ririka's loyalty.
...
Ririka arrived, completely baffled.
Sayaka explained the situation.
A gamble with Kirari. If Naoki lost, she'd become livestock.
Ririka thought back to what Kirari had once said. Now it was happening for real.
What should she do?
"Ririka, it's fine. Just be the dealer. I trust you."
Naoki activated both her Suggestion and Charm cards.
There was no way she wouldn't use Ririka's help.
Under the influence of the Charm Card, Ririka was completely defenseless.
And Suggestion ensured she'd accept her role without resistance.
Unlike Sayaka or Runa , Ririka had no strong sense of self. Raised as Kirari's stand-in, she had no identity of her own.
"Alright..."
Naoki's touch made Ririka's heart race.
Even if Naoki became livestock, she'd help repay her debt.
So, it was okay.
"President, is this really alright?" Sayaka asked, clearly suspicious.
Kirari smiled. "It's fine. Ririka can do whatever she wants."
Hearing that, Ririka hesitated.
She and Kirari had grown up together. Could she really betray her?
"Ririka."
Naoki placed her hand over Ririka's and gently stroked it. "Let's go eat something sweet after this."
Boom. Emotional overload.
"Okay\~"
Ririka's brain short-circuited. All she could think of was Naoki.
She'd do anything for her.
She never once questioned Kirari's commands.
But now? Kirari didn't matter.
Only Naoki did.
Even if it meant betraying her sister.
...
Sayaka was shaken. Was Naoki... manipulating the dealer?
Why wasn't Kirari stopping this?
Sayaka clenched her fists. She believed in Kirari's strength, but unfair games were a different matter.
"Let's begin."
Ririka, committed to helping Naoki, decided to mark the cards with her lipstick. Small signals would distinguish high cards from low.
With Ririka manipulating the deal, Kirari's luck might finally be countered.
And why wasn't Naoki cheating herself?
Because if she got caught, it was over.
If the dealer cheats, and she denies it well, it's the dealer's problem.
Simple as that.
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