In the VIP lounge, Midari Ikishima's expression shifted the moment she recognized familiar faces people her parents had once introduced her to. Now, seeing them here, she finally understood where these underground gambling dens got their funding.
Wealthy elites craving a thrill but too cowardly to risk their own skins found entertainment in watching desperate debtors gamble their lives away.
...
At the table, Naoki felt a surge of anxiety. But remembering her Failsafe card, she managed to stay calm.
Until Midari stormed in.
"Hey!" she slapped her hand on the table. "This game's for fingers, right? Doesn't matter whose, so let's use mine instead."
There was a manic gleam in Midari's eyes as she grinned down at them.
Naoki blinked, dumbfounded.
Midari snorted at her blank stare. "Don't zone out! I'm offering *my* fingers. No risk for you what's not to love?"
No actually, it was terrible. Naoki had already used her Failsafe card. If she wasn't the one at risk, then the card's benefit guaranteeing she couldn't lose was nullified.
In other words, it was now useless.
Still, Midari was a major capture target. And she *loved* games like this. Refusing might damage her affection.
"Even if I agreed," Naoki hesitated, "would the organizers allow it ?"
"Boss says it's fine," came the cold voice of a staffer.
Naoki: …
Midari, delighted, sat beside her and casually allowed them to lock her hand into place.
Back in school, no one would dare play such games with Midari, given her family background. Only here under the lawless eye of capital did she get her chance.
...
It was too late to back out. The game began.
A mechanical voice echoed through the speaker: "You all know Blackjack. But let me formally explain the rules."
"Each player receives two cards. One face-up, one face-down. The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Aces count as 1 or 11. A hand of A and K is a natural blackjack."
"Players may request more cards. If the total exceeds 21, they bust and lose. When both players stay, cards are revealed. Closest to 21 wins."
Same rules as standard blackjack. The only difference? The stakes.
Naoki eyed Midari, who was visibly thrilled. With her talent for deadly games, Naoki figured things might be okay.
The first round began.
Naoki's cards: 10 (up) and 4 (down). Total: 14. Not great. Drawing a card over 7 would bust her. That's 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K so a decent chance of survival.
Her opponent: face-up 7. Hidden second card.
The dealer turned to Naoki. "Hit?"
Naoki glanced at Midari. "Just to be clear this is your idea. If your finger goes, don't blame me."
"So heartless..." Midari's voice quivered with excitement, her cheeks flushed with delight. "Do it."
"Hit me."
She drew a 5. Total: 19. Excellent.
"Stand."
Her opponent hesitated, sweating profusely. Finally "Stand."
Probably had 15 to 17, Naoki guessed. Most wouldn't risk busting past 15.
The dealer flipped both sides.
"Miss Utsugi: 19. Mr. Nishihara: 16. First round to Miss Utsugi."
As expected. Either the opponent was weak or Midari's freakish luck was doing its thing.
Blackjack was part skill, part luck but luck was king.
"Collecting Mr. Nishihara's wager."
"No, no, wai AAAGH!"
A loud snap.
A severed pinky hit the table with a sickening *plop*.
Mr. Nishihara screamed in agony, slamming against the table.
It was real.
Naoki felt her stomach twist. She wasn't a psycho. This was beyond disturbing.
"Oh dear, Nishihara-san. One finger won't kill you. But slack off again, and you'll be in real trouble," came a distorted voice from the loudspeaker.
The man looked up again no longer terrified, but filled with crazed resolve.
The punishment had pushed him over the edge.
Naoki sensed it instantly. He wouldn't hesitate next time. This was now a war.
"Scared yet?" Midari leaned in.
"Excuse me?"
"You saw that, right? I thought maybe you'd chicken out. But hey, it's not *your* finger. You'll still play seriously, right?"
Naoki realized even if Midari was wild, she wasn't wrong. Everything she said helped ease the pressure.
Round Two.
Naoki: 8 and 7. Total: 15.
Opponent: A face-up.
She was the one in a bind now. She didn't want Midari to lose a finger not even if it could be reattached.
50% chance of busting.
But Midari had insane luck, right?
"Hit me."
Midari's eyes lit up. "You're so bold. I *love* that."
**System: Midari Ikishima's affection +3.**
A 5. Total: 20.
"Stand."
Her opponent: "Hit."
Then again: "Hit."
Fourth card in. He relaxed.
Danger.
"Miss Utsugi?"
She hesitated. Midari's talent wasn't a guaranteed win. And losing a finger *was* still a big deal.
She used her X-Ray card.
Opponent's cards: A, 3, 2, 4 total 20.
Naoki: "What happens if there's a tie?"
"No penalty."
She peeked at the next card. An Ace.
Typical Midari luck.
Naoki looked into Midari's eyes. They sparkled with anticipation.
"You asked for this," she muttered.
"Hit me."
Midari collapsed onto the table breathless, flushed, glowing.
"You drew *another* card...?" she murmured. Her voice trembled like she was drunk on adrenaline.
Naoki flipped it. A perfect Ace.
21 vs. 20.
**System: Midari Ikishima's affection +5.**
**System: Affection now 13. Orange loot box unlocked.**
She'd check it later.
"Reveal."
21 vs. 20.
Mr. Nishihara howled. "You CHEATED! Nobody with 20 would hit!"
"If you'd hit at 20," the dealer said coldly, "you'd have won."
Another finger fell.
The rest of the match was a formality.
With Midari's gambling instinct and Naoki's hacks, they won all five rounds.
The opponent lost every finger on his left hand.
He collapsed. Whether from blood loss or sheer despair, no one knew.
Naoki didn't feel victorious. Just sick.
This world was awful.
"Congratulations, Miss Utsugi. Your debts are cleared," the dealer said, eyes softening slightly.
Even among winners, few walked away whole.
**System: Completed gamble with Midari Ikishima. EXP +1.**
Naoki: Only one?
**System: You weren't at risk. Minimal gain. This EXP was a bonus for working with a capture target.**
So that's how it worked...
...
Naoki rode behind Midari on her bike, leaving the warehouse.
Ten minutes later:
"Where are we going? My place is "
"You got evicted. Can't go home. I'll take you in."
So forward.
Still, it worked in Naoki's favor. If Midari was loaded and generous, she could solve her tuition worries and focus on other captures.
Midari already seemed pretty attached. She was even taking her home.
Naoki activated her Charm card.
She leaned in, wrapping her arms around Midari. "You mentioned a million yen. Still good?"
Midari shivered, feeling Naoki's breath on her ear.
She didn't understand it. Awards, riches, victories they never made her heart race.
But this girl did.
Naoki made her *feel.*
"Sure. Take all the money you want."
Naoki: Is that the card, or is she just this reckless?
Midari hit the brakes, looking back seriously. "Stay with me."
Gambling with Naoki had been pure joy. She didn't want it to end.
**System: Midari Ikishima's affection +2.**
"You need money, right? I've got plenty. It's yours."
Naoki: …
This was escalating fast.
She couldn't be with Midari 24/7. She still had other targets.
No need to panic. They were students. Midari couldn't cling forever.
"Let's keep it business. One million for this job. Next time, call me if you want to play again."
Pushing Midari away would build mystery. Make her want more.
A bit of distance was good.
She hopped off the bike.
"Where are you going?"
"Hotel. Don't follow."
Midari didn't argue. She tossed over her wallet.
Inside: tens of thousands in cash. Even a credit card.
ATM girl, confirmed.
...
As neon lights flickered and nightlife boomed, Naoki spotted a luxury hotel.
She'd never dreamed of staying somewhere like this.
20,000 yen a night. Minimum.
But now\...
Why not enjoy it? It wasn't *her* money, after all.