Naoki had just increased Miharutaki's favorability, but that wasn't enough. An opportunity to sit face-to-face with so many capture targets was far too rare to squander.
The outcome of the match didn't matter. If she succeeded in pairing up, she would profit. The only thing that mattered was who she paired up with.
If it naturally led to a night together, their relationship would surely advance in leaps and bounds.
She considered it. Only two people might deepen their bond with her that much overnight: Miharutaki Sakura and Ririka. The other three probably wouldn't do anything even if they spent the night together.
Especially Sayaka Igarashi. She'd probably glare Naoki to death the entire time.
This was a rare chance. Naoki needed to maximize the benefits.
Ririka was easy. Even if she didn't act now, she'd be easy to invite later.
But Miharutaki Sakura was a different case. Engaged and upright, she'd never accept intimate invitations under normal circumstances, unless it was a wager she couldn't refuse.
That settled it. Naoki's number one goal tonight was to pair with Miharutaki Sakura.
A million yen wasn't much to student council members. This was just a game. Maybe they didn't even want to win.
After all, if the pairings succeeded, they'd have to follow through. In that case, it felt like the confessors were the ones benefiting.
Naoki fell silent. The room grew awkwardly quiet.
Runa Yomozuki cheerfully broke the tension. "So, no one interested in further chatting? In that case, let's move to Phase Two: Free Time. After this phase, you'll submit your pairing orders."
Kirari glanced at the fidgety Ririka beside her, a bit exasperated. Clearly, Ririka wanted to talk to Naoki, but the setting made it hard.
If they kept this up, Naoki might end up confessing to someone else.
Phase Two was a strategy discussion period. The confessors and choosers could talk among themselves.
Away from the table, Yukimi and Tsuzura finally relaxed and could speak normally again. Mary also perked up.
"Listen up," Mary said coolly, "our opponents may be council execs, but this is still a game of luck. We still have a chance. Just stick to our original strategy spread out our confessions."
"Naoki, what do you think?" she looked to the only teammate she trusted.
"Yeah, I think your plan makes sense," Naoki agreed.
"Alright. Then our confession targets are settled..." Mary said, then glanced uneasily at Mikura.
She didn't trust Mikura not to betray them.
Everyone else followed her gaze.
Without Juraku by her side, Mikura had returned to her usual blank, cold expression.
"Tch, you're all wasting your time," she muttered. "You'll never beat Juraku-sama."
"So you don't want to win?" Mary narrowed her eyes.
"It's not that I don't want to. It's that we can't. Juraku-sama sees through everything. She's the kind of woman who can read your heart like a book."
Mary rolled her eyes. Idol worship again.
But Naoki knew she wasn't lying.
Juraku Sachiko's system profile read: Gambling Ability Rating: S+, Natural Talent: Mind Reading, the ability to perceive opponents' inner thoughts and infer any gambling-related information.
Mind reading was a rare special skill card Naoki herself could potentially draw yet Juraku had it as a natural gift.
"Don't say I didn't warn you. Juraku-sama can tell whether you're holding a flush or a straight."
Most gamblers could guess weak or strong hands based on tells. But distinguishing which strong hand flush, straight, three-of-a-kind was nearly impossible.
This was like being able to tell whether someone ranked third or fourth in an exam just by looking at them. That was the terrifying precision of true mind reading.
Pair-matching was all about guessing thoughts. In such a game, mind reading was unbeatable.
Mary still didn't buy it. "Even if you're right, you're just using that as an excuse to ditch our strategy. You're out. We'll do this without you."
Mikura shrugged, lips twitching in a cold smile. She said no more.
...
The four regrouped and left Mikura out.
"Mary, you take charge of the plan," Naoki said.
"Fine. Then Naoki, you'll confess to Sayaka Igarashi."
Naoki blinked. "Why?"
"Because the Aesthetics Chair seemed a little interested in you. She responded to your comment earlier. Better not pick her."
"The masked VP hasn't said a word, but she's been sneaking glances at you. Could be interested."
"As for Sayaka, she looked... not exactly hostile, but definitely irritated. Least likely to choose you."
Naoki sighed. "Got it."
"Yukimi, you confess to Juraku Sachiko."
Yukimi grimaced. "Why me? I'm scared of her."
"Exactly. That's why it'll catch her off guard."
"...Fine."
"Tsuzura, you confess to the President."
Tsuzura didn't object.
"No idea what Kirari's type is, but she probably doesn't like weaklings. So she's unlikely to pick Tsuzura."
"As for me... between the VP and the Aesthetics Chair, I'll go with the Aesthetics Chair. That VP gives me weird vibes."
During the chat phase, Mary had noticed the VP's subtle movements under her mask. Despite her stoic face, her body language had been directed at Naoki.
Sometimes, attraction starts with curiosity. To counteract that feeling, Mary chose not to confess to her.
With the targets settled, Naoki gave Mary a look and approached Mikura.
"Mikura, we can't trust you completely. But if you do want to be our ally, confess to the VP."
Mary hadn't told Mikura their full plan. She'd have no objections.
Mikura, still deadpan, replied, "I'll do as you say. Don't underestimate my gambler's code. But it won't matter. You'll still lose."
Mary bit her lip nervously. But Tsuzura and Yukimi were reliable. Naoki had no reason to side with the council. If Mikura didn't know the plan, how could she wreck it?
Mary submitted the order list with uneasy hands.
Time for Phase Three: Confessions and Choices.
"Any confessors using perks?" Runa asked.
Naoki raised her hand. "I'm using the Overnight Stay perk."
With so many targets, not going all in would be a waste.
"Wow, someone's bold."
"Me too," Yukimi added. "Might as well."
"Same here. Overnight stay," said Mary, barely hiding her poverty. She was only picking it to save on the wager. Worst case, ten percent debt was manageable.
And like Yukimi said, it was just girls. No big deal, right?
Tsuzura also joined. "Overnight stay for me."
Only Mikura didn't opt for a perk.
After all, she believed losing was inevitable, and she would never spend the night with anyone but Juraku.
"Alright," Runa confirmed. "Four confessors chose Overnight Stay. Now fill out your confession cards. Choosers will select whether they accept the person in Slot 1."
After collecting the cards, Yukimi went first.
She stood, cheeks slightly pink. "I'd like to confess to Juraku Sachiko."
Juraku smiled, noncommittal. "Brave of you."
Whether they'd matched would be revealed only after all five confessions.
Next was Naoki.
She'd just realized the only possible winning strategy but it was too late for this round.
"Slot 2 selection time," Runa said. Cards were collected.
Naoki stood and followed Mary's plan. She faced the stone-faced Sayaka Igarashi. "Sayaka, I think you look incredibly smart. I like that."
Sayaka's brow twitched. A confession from someone she loathed? How horrifying.
And that compliment... sounded almost sarcastic.
She said nothing. The round continued.
Mikura sighed. "Juraku-sama, I'm sorry. You understand, right?"
Juraku smiled lightly. "So you're not confessing to me?"
"It's a gambler's code. I'm sure you didn't pick me either." Mikura turned to the VP. "I confess to you."
Fourth was Tsuzura.
She mumbled shyly, "I... I confess to the President."
Kirari gave her a flat look, completely disinterested.
Perfect. Their plan was going smoothly.
Mary was last. She took a deep breath.
"I confess to Miharutaki Sakura."
Now it was just a matter of waiting.
Runa glanced at the order list and smiled. "Time to announce results for Table 5. First, Yukimi and Juraku matched. Congrats."
Mary's heart sank. The worst-case scenario might be unfolding.
"Second, Naoki and Sayaka matched. Congrats."
Naoki: ...
Sayaka must have really sacrificed her pride for that one.
The next three also matched perfectly.
All five matched.
Mary's face turned pitch black.
How had they all matched? Was the council really that terrifying?
"There's no way all five got it right!" Mary shouted.
Runa crunched her lollipop, eyes flashing. "Accusing someone of cheating? Got proof?"
"I... don't." Mary slumped.
Yukimi and Tsuzura looked like they'd seen death. Thankfully, they only owed 100,000 yen thanks to the perks.
Mikura stayed calm.
Naoki was already plotting the next round.
The host announced the end of Round 1 and offered an overtime match. Anyone could join but the wager doubled to 2 million yen.
"President, let's leave. These amateurs aren't worth it," Sayaka said.
Kirari didn't look thrilled either.
Ririka looked down, clearly disappointed Naoki hadn't chosen her.
That wasn't in Naoki's playbook. This couldn't stand.
"You'll stay for overtime, right?" Naoki called out to the retreating council.
Sayaka coldly replied, "Playing with you isn't interesting."
Naoki stood. "President, stay. I guarantee next round, you'll lose."
Sayaka's expression cracked. "Don't listen to her. She's bluffing."
Kirari's interest piqued. She'd seen that look on Naoki's face once before when she'd predicted the dice would roll a six.
And it had.
"Sayaka, we're already here. Let's stay."
Sayaka sighed. Kirari's decisions were absolute.
The two returned. Ririka and Sakura were fine with another round.
...
Back at the confessors' side.
Mikura scoffed. "You're really stubborn. Got 30 million yen to burn?"
Mary, though shaken, asked, "Naoki, I didn't catch them cheating."
"What if," Naoki said, "they didn't cheat at all?"
Mary stared. "Then we really have no chance. They saw through everything."
Mikura smirked. "Told you. Juraku-sama is unbeatable."
Yukimi hesitated. Doubling the wager made the risk enormous.
They could still use Overnight Stay, so it'd only be 300,000 yen... but if it was hopeless, why waste the money?
Tsuzura said nothing. She believed in Naoki and Mary unconditionally. Quiet as she seemed, she had courage far beyond most.
"Think about it," Naoki said. "Let's say Mikura's right and they know who we'll confess to. Does that really mean we can't win?"
"If they know our targets, how can we win?" Mary retorted.
"Easy," Naoki said. "The order list."
Mary's eyes widened.
"The dealers don't call us by name. The choosers' selection cards only have slot numbers."
"We sat in order before, so our confessions matched the slot numbers. But what if they didn't?"
"What if Yukimi confesses first, but she's actually Slot 3? Even if Juraku knows she's targeting her, ticking Slot 1 would be wrong."
"Next round, everyone picks who they want, but keeps it secret. I'll decide the order list. No one will know their own slot number."
"That way, even Juraku's mind reading won't help. It'll be pure luck."
Mikura stared in awe. Naoki had turned a mind-reading gamble into a game of chance.
The only way to beat Juraku was to roll the dice.
And Naoki Utsugi had just found the way to throw them.
----------------------------------------------------
Still here? Adorable. If you're that hooked, go raid my Patron for more chapters!
[email protected]/_theon