They returned to the table, each receiving ten chips each worth 10,000 yen.
That's right. The minimum bet for this match had been raised to 10,000.
First, they each paid a blind bet.
Then, one player was chosen at random to cut the deck. In subsequent rounds, the loser would do the cutting.
Each player was dealt five cards.
After viewing their hands, each had one chance to raise the bet. The other could choose to call or fold.
If both stayed in, they'd enter the next phase: a chance to exchange up to five cards.
After the exchange, there would be one final chance to raise.
If both agreed, the cards would be revealed and the winner determined using standard Texas Hold'em rankings: Royal Flush at the top, High Card at the bottom.
This was a variation of draw poker.
Naoki calmly activated her Koi Blessing card. She had no fear. With a luck boost, the odds were in her favor not foolproof, but enough to risk it.
After the first deal, Naoki looked at her hand. Just a high card K.
Her brow twitched.
Was her luck really that bad? Not even the Koi Blessing could save her?
Across the table, Aipuxin saw her two pair solid, if not spectacular.
Thanks to her x-ray contacts, she could see Naoki's hand.
A worthless spread!
She smiled gently at the girl before her. Her earlier fantasies of soaking Naoki with cold water had vanished.
Now, all she wanted was to make Naoki her personal livestock. They'd eat lunch together, cook together, and Naoki would never be allowed to talk to any other girl.
Naoki didn't know what Aipuxin was plotting, but her predatory stare made her shiver.
Was she planning something twisted? Licking her shoes?
Aipuxin's innocent face belied her cruel heart. She lured Naoki into gambling by pretending to be warm and friendly.
Naoki examined her hand. Poor as it was, it might work in her favor.
If Aipuxin knew her hand, this would be the perfect bait.
"I'll raise by two chips," Aipuxin said after a brief pause.
She wanted to win but not scare Naoki into folding.
Naoki sighed. "Maybe my luck really is bad. But judging by your expression, Aipuxin-san, your hand's probably not great either. Guess I'll leave it to fate."
"ALL IN."
She shoved all nine remaining chips forward.
Aipuxin stared in shock. Had Naoki given up?
Then came a rush of joy.
She had three eights and a pair of kings in mind a full house, if she could draw one more. Naoki had nothing but a high card.
No way she'd lose.
"Aipuxin-san, not calling?" Naoki asked with a wink.
Aipuxin felt an arrow of pink pierce her chest.
Of course she'd call!
She knew Naoki's hand. This was just a bluff.
"Of course I'm calling," Aipuxin replied, pushing forward her stack.
In the draw phase, she exchanged one card.
Three eights and a pair of kings.
She could hardly breathe. A full house!
Naoki's face stayed calm. If she couldn't trust the Koi Blessing, what was the point of gambling?
"I'll exchange all five."
That made sense to Aipuxin Naoki's hand had been garbage.
She waited smugly while Naoki placed her cards facedown, hiding the new hand.
The last visible card: a 7.
Fine. It didn't matter. She couldn't lose now.
Naoki's expression didn't change. She hadn't even checked her cards.
Let's leave the suspense for the reveal.
"Showdown," Aipuxin declared, laying her cards on the table. "Three eights and two kings."
Gasps and chatter rose around them.
"Aipuxin-senpai's luck is unreal!"
"That's a monster hand, especially in a high-stakes match!"
Aipuxin sighed. "Naoki, I'm sorry. I didn't want to beat you."
Naoki flipped her hand.
First card: Q.
Second: Q.
Third: another Q.
Aipuxin's smile froze.
No way... Could she have four of a kind?
Fourth card: Queen of hearts.
Fifth: 7.
"Impossible! You drew four queens from a full reshuffle?! You cheated!"
Naoki blinked. "Coming from you, that's kind of rich."
She hadn't even looked at her new hand.
Aipuxin burned with humiliation.
Even cheating hadn't helped her.
Naoki: "Well, this clears my debt. I'm leaving."
System: Congratulations! You completed a high-risk gamble with Aipuxin. EXP +3!
Naoki smiled. Just enough to buy another card.
She redeemed one EXP.
System: Congratulations! You received 'Charm' gain super S-Rank allure toward women for 5 minutes!
Again with the charm cards?! Was the whole pool filled with them?
Still... if the goal was to win over girls, maybe it wasn't that bad.
"Naoki."
Aipuxin's voice was soft.
She wore that warm smile again.
"Your debt's gone. Want to play another round? For fun."
"No thanks. My luck's used up for today."
Naoki kept it polite. She still needed to build Aipuxin's affection.
Aipuxin sighed. "Then... let me treat you to some cake."
Huh? The charm card had expired. Why was she still being so nice?
Residual effect?
Naoki considered. Cake didn't sound bad. Might as well accept for the favorability points.
Aipuxin's eyes lit up. Her affection rose by two points now 12.
...
At a quiet café, the two sat across from each other.
When their cakes arrived, Aipuxin smiled. "This is the first time I've shared tea like this with someone. It feels... nice."
Naoki tilted her head. "Don't you have lots of friends, Aipuxin-san?"
Aipuxin's smile faltered.
Yes plenty of people around her. But none ever sat down with her like this. None treated her like a friend.
They followed her for the show, for the chaos. Once the match ended, they vanished.
Those she beat in gambling? They'd never share a cake.
"Naoki, I've taken a lot of your money. Even if you won it back... why would you eat cake with me?"
Naoki took a bite. Sweet.
After unlocking the system, she didn't care about petty grudges. Missions came first.
"Because you offered. And the cake's really good."
System: Aipuxin finds your innocence sincere. Affection +3.
That worked?!
Wait... Aipuxin's type was starting to feel familiar.
She was a lot like Mary Saotome attracted to kind, simple girls.
Mary hadn't transferred in yet, but as a major character, she'd be a key target.
Until then, might as well practice the act with Aipuxin.
Aipuxin stared at Naoki. The thrill was gone, but the warmth in her chest remained.
Naoki was just too kind.
To protect her... she had to make her her personal livestock.
It was the only way to keep her safe.