"Damn it, everyone else gets to play cards while we're stuck sweeping leaves." A girl cursed under her breath, frowning as she forcefully swept the fallen leaves.
"Honestly, there aren't any Student Council members around. Why don't we just ditch this?" another girl suggested, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
The third girl hunched her shoulders. "Let's not. If we get caught disobeying the Student Council, the punishment will be even worse."
These three were classmates and friends, punished by the Beautification Committee for a previous incident and now made to clean the tree-lined pathway.
As they chatted, their conversation turned toward the person responsible for their current misfortune.
"Seriously, I found out she's just a special admission student. Probably broke. And yet she had the nerve to reject us! Her stunt drew the Student Council's attention if not for her, we wouldn't be in this mess."
The effects of the Charm Card had long since worn off. With no way to vent their frustration on the Student Council, the girls naturally turned their anger toward Naoki, the easiest target.
"Yeah, pretending to be all prim and proper. I bet she was just waiting for the highest bidder."
"Right? And did you see her buttering up to the Chairwoman of the Beautification Committee that day? I think she was trying to cozy up to the Student Council, but they didn't even spare her a glance."
Bonded in mutual resentment, the girls' words grew nastier.
...
Naoki, passing by: ...
Talk about bad luck. Just trying to head back to the classroom, and she ran into the very people trash-talking her behind her back.
Though their words stung, Naoki knew full well she had used these Charm-addled students. So maybe now wasn't the time to stir up trouble.
Just as she was quietly trying to sneak past them on the pathway, one of the girls looked up.
"Hey, isn't that..."
"Yup. Our little victim from the 'harassment' incident."
The three girls immediately charged over, surrounding Naoki.
"Naoki-chan, don't be in such a rush. Chat with us a bit."
"Yeah, seeing us like this doesn't spark any thoughts in you?"
Realizing they were looking for trouble, Naoki glanced around.
It was club time. Most people were indoors gambling no one else was around.
She stepped back a few paces as the girls moved forward. "What do you want?"
The girls exchanged glances one smirked, another scowled, the third sneered.
"What do you think? We're out here freezing and sweeping. Shouldn't you make it up to us somehow?"
They wanted revenge but knew that as long as they were ordinary students not livestock physically attacking Naoki could land them in hot water with the Student Council.
"Let's gamble. If you win, we'll drop it."
Hearing them propose Hyakkaou Academy's signature solution, Naoki secretly let out a breath.
"Alright. What do you want to play?"
One of them grinned. "We don't have any props out here. Let's keep it simple rock-paper-scissors."
Naoki thought it over. "Fine."
"No money on the line. We'll each take turns playing you. Best of three. But here's the twist every time you lose a round, you take off one piece of clothing. Sound good?"
Judging by the nasty looks on their faces, it was clear they had no intention of playing fair.
With best-of-three rules, two losses meant shedding two layers. Once the coat came off, it'd be either the blouse or the skirt next definitely indecent.
Meanwhile, even if they all lost once, it'd just mean losing their jackets.
They weren't interested in gambling they were trying to humiliate her.
Of course Naoki didn't want to agree to this sleazy game. But then she realized: this was the perfect opportunity to get them in trouble.
After all, it was Miharutaki Sakura's punishment that had landed these girls here. Now they were venting their anger on Naoki.
If word of this got back to Miharutaki, even if she wasn't directly responsible, she'd probably feel at least a little guilty.
From what Naoki had observed earlier, Miharutaki didn't strike her as a heartless person.
Even if she didn't feel sympathy, this kind of insubordination would reflect poorly on her as a leader. They were actively defying her orders.
This could work. If Naoki played the victim well enough, Miharutaki might start seeing her differently.
Positive feelings usually stem from three sources: admiration, companionship, or sympathy.
People admire the strong, sympathize with the weak, and bond with those who stay by their side.
Sympathy like admiration was fast-acting and powerful.
Even in a school where "survival of the fittest" reigned, not everyone was cold-hearted.
"...Alright," Naoki said, as if reluctantly yielding.
She still had two experience points. Time to draw a card!
System: Congratulations, Host! You've obtained the special ability "Mind Reading." When used, you'll hear your opponent's thoughts related to the current gamble.
Perfect. A card tailor-made for rock-paper-scissors.
Naoki decided not to risk another draw.
"Let's begin."
Her first opponent was a short, timid-looking girl. She didn't seem as hostile as the other two probably just afraid of getting involved.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
In the first round, Naoki casually threw out rock just because it was an easy gesture.
People often defaulted to rock on their first throw. But some, after thinking for a second, would change it up. There was some psychology to it, though Naoki didn't feel like analyzing it now. A few seconds wasn't enough to form a real strategy.
Her opponent? Paper.
"Ah, it's paper. I lost."
Naoki sighed. First round, already a loss.
The three girls' eyes gleamed like wolves. Naoki crossed her arms for a moment, then reluctantly shrugged off her coat.
Maybe the lingering effects of her earlier charm made them stare wide-eyed, unable to look away.
"Wow, she really is cute."
"And her skin's so pale."
Her blouse's top button was undone, revealing the smooth curve of her collarbone.
This whole situation... felt strangely familiar. Wasn't now the time a heroine would appear out of nowhere to save her?
Naoki glanced around.
Still no one.
She had no choice but to brace herself for the next round.