144. Extreme Dice: Endurance Challenge
The cunning Yomozuki Runa stealthily reached into her bosom and pressed a certain switch.
A high-definition pinhole camera hidden in the ceiling activated, transmitting real-time footage of the scene to Momobami Kirari.
If Hikigaya and Miharutaki Sakura were the same type of gamblers, then Yomozuki Runa and Momobami Kirari were the same type of fun-lovers!
"Well then, since no one objects, the rules explanation is over, and the match officially begins!"
"And since this is a contest of endurance, absolutely no cheating is allowed. To prevent cheating, you'll be using the dice machines I provide!"
Without anyone knowing from where, Yomozuki Runa pulled out two small machines and pushed them in front of the two players. "Now then, place your dice into the dice machines."
Hikigaya Hachiman fiddled with the dice in his hand, feeling a little annoyed.
This gamble, at its core, relied mostly on luck. Mind-reading skills were secondary. As for acting skills... after enduring such a long weekend, Hikigaya Hachiman had seen a significant improvement.
At the very least... his acting in bed had already deceived Yumeko.
A mature man who can deceive his partner in bed can easily handle the facial expressions needed for an ordinary gamble.
With an expression as calm as ever, he placed the dice into the machine.
"OK! Both sides are ready. Now, 3, 2, 1, dice machines—"
"Start!"
With Yomozuki Runa's shouted announcement, an otherwise typical gamble became filled with fiery excitement thanks to her hyped-up tone.
The dice spun rapidly in the air and finally clattered down into the tray.
Hikigaya's gaze sharpened.
'This is really...'
'Bad luck.'
The result in the tray was the one Hikigaya Hachiman least wanted to see. He had rolled the "reverse side" (a 6) on the first round — an utter defeat in terms of luck.
However, thanks to the special rules, even bad luck still left a chance for victory.
At this point, any panic would be meaningless. Since winning directly was already impossible, all he could do was deceive Miharutaki Sakura and drag the match to a draw.
Hikigaya Hachiman remained calm, gazing steadily at Miharutaki Sakura on the other side.
"Now both sides' results are out! So, does anyone want to say [STOP]?" Yomozuki Runa shouted excitedly. After seeing Hikigaya's dice, she felt like the lollipop in her mouth was about to melt into honey.
Miharutaki Sakura had rolled a "front side" (1-5), and she quietly let out a breath of relief. At least in the first round, she hadn't rolled a 6, which gave her a bit more confidence.
According to her plan, she would continue rolling four front sides in a row and then choose [STOP] in the fourth round.
Rolling any further would be too risky, with over a 50% chance of losing — something unacceptable for someone as calculating as her.
She instinctively looked up to observe Hikigaya Hachiman's expression.
'Too composed.'
'As expected, he must have also rolled a front side in the first round.'
Miharutaki Sakura frowned slightly, her calculations falling apart. From Hikigaya Hachiman's expression, she couldn't detect any trace of panic.
His gaze was steady, his posture upright, and even the corrupt look he directed at her hadn't diminished... It was completely the expression of someone certain of victory.
'This guy… is he that confident in his luck?'
'Or is there some cheating method I haven't caught?'
Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze instinctively made Miharutaki Sakura uncomfortable. Being looked at like a mere plaything, she felt utterly belittled.
"Well then, since no one says [STOP], the second round begins!"
The dice machines spun again, and as the rattling sound stopped, the results appeared once more.
Hikigaya luckily rolled a front side, but because he had already rolled a six in the first round, his score remained at "0".
Miharutaki Sakura once again rolled a front side. She instinctively observed Hikigaya's expression.
'Still so calm... he must have rolled the same front side as me.'
At this point, mind-reading was becoming ineffective. What mattered now was their respective resolve.
'Next round... should I choose to call [STOP]?'
'From the fourth round onward, the probability of rolling a 6 exceeds 50%. The safest course is to stop after the third round.'
'But doing so would mean handing over the initiative to Hikigaya Hachiman.'
'Just as Yomozuki Runa said, this has completely turned into a test of endurance.'
'Maybe Hikigaya Hachiman has already rolled a six, but it wouldn't affect him at all. No matter how you look at it, he remains utterly calm.'
"How about it, how about it?! Anyone want to call STOP?"
"Yomozuki Runa-san, I won't back down," Hikigaya Hachiman said casually, slouching in his chair as if the dice result had nothing to do with him.
Miharutaki Sakura's eyes grew colder. Since she intended to crush Hikigaya Hachiman thoroughly, there was absolutely no reason for her to hand over the victory.
Since he wouldn't flee, she had no reason to either!
"Third roll—"
"..."
"Fifth roll—"
Yomozuki Runa was lying back in her chair, drenched in fragrant sweat, feeling like her mind had been completely wrecked by the madness of the two players before her.
Honestly, Miharutaki Sakura's luck was incredible — five consecutive front-side rolls.
But even more outrageous was Hikigaya Hachiman! Despite rolling a six on the very first turn, he was dragging Miharutaki Sakura to this extent purely through acting?
Miharutaki Sakura narrowed her eyes, and cold sweat like fine jade covered her creamy-white back.
The misty breath she exhaled was a clear sign of her unsteady emotions.
It was already the fifth round, but from start to now, she hadn't seen a trace of panic on Hikigaya Hachiman's face.
'Impossible. The probability of rolling seven front sides consecutively is already extremely low. Both of us rolling five straight front sides — could that really happen?'
'Purely speaking from probabilities, it's extremely unlikely, but not impossible. But what if...'
'Still, why does this guy have such a confident look?'
Miharutaki Sakura was caught in intense inner conflict.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya Hachiman had been observing all her reactions carefully. Perhaps it was precisely because Miharutaki Sakura was cautious, observant, and calculating that she hadn't called [STOP] yet.
Hikigaya's acting had completely disrupted her judgment.
He was forcing her into a pure endurance battle.
'But when it comes to endurance...'
'I won't lose to anyone.'