After finishing the cleaning duties at a deliberately slow pace, Naoki picked up her tools and left.
Once she exited the meeting room, she didn't bother with actual work. She stashed the tools in the restroom and snuck away.
The cleaning was just a tactic to gain sympathy from Miharutaki Sakura. Using the same method to gain favor with other target characters might backfire.
After all, not everyone buys the "pitiful girl" act.
"Hey, Utsugi-san?"
Naoki turned toward the voice at the stairwell and saw the braided girl, smiling at her from a short distance away.
"You've been working here a few days. How's the job treating you?"
"Not bad."
Judging from her tone, it seemed the girl had something more to say. Without knowing her intentions, Naoki kept her answer vague.
"Come talk with me for a moment?"
Naoki gave a slight smile and followed.
The braided girl led her to a secluded corner, then finally got to the point. "Naoki, don't you think this kind of work is exhausting? Other students are having fun, but you're stuck cleaning after class."
"Well, I need the money."
The girl chuckled at the nonchalant response. "Have you ever wondered why you're in this situation while others aren't? If there were no livestock system or monthly contribution fees..."
Naoki raised a brow. "Didn't expect to hear that kind of talk in the Student Council building."
Where there's oppression, there's resignation.
But rebellion also exists.
Not every student at this academy truly submits to the Student Council President's rule.
The braided girl remained unfazed. "You even challenged Kayama just for this part-time job. Of course, maybe you had other motives. But with your talent, you shouldn't be here."
Naoki frowned. "What are you getting at?"
"Utsugi-san, let me ask you do you really think Hyakkaou Academy is a good place? Monthly fees. Constant fear of being challenged. One wrong move and you become livestock, an easy target for bullies."
"Your classmates turned on you over one lost bet. Do you really like a school like this?"
Naoki had heard enough. This girl was clearly part of a group opposing the Student Council President and she was trying to recruit her.
Naoki didn't disagree with everything she said. But she hadn't come to this academy for a peaceful school life.
Still, joining this mysterious group might give her valuable intel on the Student Council.
Strategy didn't always mean standing on the same side.
On the contrary, someone capable of enforcing a livestock system like the Student Council President was more likely to welcome a challenger.
"I get your intent. But why approach me?"
The braided girl smiled. "We sympathize with every student forced into livestock status or on the verge of it. We're all classmates working hard together. Utsugi-san, we need your strength. Help us change this school."
So it was her duel with Kayama that caught their attention.
"Mind giving me a clearer picture of your group's size and intel? If you're too weak and get caught, you're screwed."
Seeing Naoki's resistance soften, the girl replied, "If you're truly curious, come to the first-floor lobby of the second club building this Wednesday at 3 p.m."
...
At exactly 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Naoki arrived at the spot. On the surface, it looked like a bustling underground casino. But after confirming her invitation from the braided girl, she was given access.
Men and women crowded around poker tables and slot machines. Unlike normal casinos, nearly all the gamblers here were livestock.
"Knew you'd show," said the braided girl with a grin. "I already recommended you to our Zensaki Society's president. You might even become an officer."
Zensaki Society it was just as she'd guessed.
The Zensaki Society was a secret organization led by Aoi Mibuomi, the Student Council's Vice President and Treasurer. It opposed the Student Council President's rule.
Outwardly, they claimed to stand for reforming Hyakkaou Academy and abolishing the livestock system.
In reality, it was just Aoi's tool to seize more power for himself.
After all, recruiting people who opposed the livestock system was the easiest way to build a faction against the Student Council.
Aoi was a good actor. On the surface, his reputation in the academy was stellar. He was friendly to all, even livestock.
But when you thought about it if he truly wanted change, why not challenge the President head-on?
Forming a resistance, recruiting followers... it was just a way to avoid direct confrontation.
Naoki didn't hold him in high regard. To her, Aoi was just another manipulator afraid to face the strong, willing to use others to achieve his goals.
Still, she had her reason for getting involved.
Miharutaki Sakura her target was one of the Zensaki Society's officers.
Thinking this, Naoki feigned interest. "Oh, really?"
"No rush. Once you meet the President, things will make more sense."
...
In the second-floor viewing room
"So you're the one Ina recommended? She says you turned a losing game into a comeback."
Aoi Mibuomi was striking and affable. Despite being a Student Council exec, his demeanor wasn't overbearing.
If Naoki hadn't known his true nature, she might've been fooled.
Compared to the President, Aoi's friendliness could sway hearts especially among the desperate livestock.
"Thanks, but I'm just a student a million yen in debt."
A flicker passed through Aoi's eyes. If she were really that capable, would she be on the verge of becoming livestock?
Zensaki Society already had plenty of livestock. What they needed were capable members.
Aoi didn't extend an invitation right away. Instead, he showed Naoki around the casino.
"So this is the new recruit? She doesn't look like much."
A boy with light blue hair strolled over, relaxed and grinning.
Naoki: *I haven't even agreed to join yet.*
"Nagi, glad you're here," Aoi greeted casually.
Nagi full name Nagi Kamishimo eyed Naoki with amusement. "You seriously think someone this timid has what it takes to join us as an officer?"
"Aoi!"
A familiar voice rang out. Naoki turned and spotted Miharutaki Sakura.
"Sakura, great timing."
Miharutaki looked stunned to see Naoki here.
"Ina-senpai brought me," Naoki explained.
Sakura frowned, clearly unhappy.
Naoki caught that reaction. Sakura didn't want her here.
That kind of emotional cue from a capture target was important.
Why?
Normally, people welcomed new recruits unless that recruit threatened their status or interests.
Sakura didn't seem like the petty type. And besides, nothing had been decided yet.
"Aoi, is Utsugi Naoki joining the Zensaki Society?"
"Yes. Ina recommended her. What do you all think?"
Two voices replied almost simultaneously.
"I object."
"She's not qualified."
Nagi and Sakura exchanged glances.
Nagi smirked. "Even Sakura agrees. You should think twice, Aoi."
Sakura's expression remained cool. "Utsugi isn't livestock. If she wants to join as an officer, she's far from ready."
Naoki: ...
"Ah, Naoki-san, some still have doubts. So I need to ensure everyone's on board."
*You too, huh?* Naoki thought. *Playing the nice guy, but really pushing the rejection onto others.*
Ina, feeling the heat she had recommended Naoki, after all stepped forward. "If there's doubt, let's settle it with a gamble. Let's see if she has what it takes."
Everyone quickly agreed.
"I'll go first."
It was Miharutaki Sakura.
Naoki's hunch grew stronger. Sakura really didn't want her in this group.
Why? Despite a positive affection score, Sakura opposed her entrance.
Could it be ?
"What should we wager?" Ina looked around for props.
Sakura picked up some dice from a table. "Utsugi, how about dice?"
At this point, Naoki had no choice but to accept.
"Sure."
Aoi stepped in. "Since Sakura chose the game, I'll set the rules. Any objections, Naoki-san?"
As a guest, she had none.
"Each of you gets two dice. Take turns. The goal is for each roll to be higher than the last."
"First player bets one chip. The second can either fold losing one chip or roll. If they roll and fail to beat the previous total, they lose two chips."
"If they succeed, it loops back to the first player, who can fold for two chips or roll. If they fail this time, they lose four chips. And so on."
It was a simple high-roll game but the further it went, the higher the risk.
"You'll get 50 chips total. Let's play ten rounds," Aoi declared.
Naoki and Sakura stood on either side of the table.
Nagi, Aoi, and Ina watched nearby.
Ina chuckled. "You sure came up with a fun rule, Aoi."
"If you want to win, just roll high like two sixes. But that only nets you one chip. To win big, you have to bait your opponent into raising, then outroll them. High risk, high reward."
"It's a gamble of nerve, strategy, and dice control."
Naoki studied the dice. Two were easier than three, but she was still a novice.
"Let's flip a coin to decide who starts. Heads for Naoki, tails for Sakura."
Aoi flipped a silver coin. It landed.
"Heads."
Starting first meant an advantage if you could roll high.
Naoki shook her dice. At least they didn't fly out of her hands.
"Ready."
Ina peeked over. "A one and a three. Total of four."
Sakura's turn.
She shook the dice calmly and set them down.
"Open?" Aoi asked.
"Of course."
Sakura lifted the cup. Two and three.
Just one point higher. Sharp, controlled.
Not a coincidence. She wanted to crush Naoki from the get-go.
"Bold play, Sakura," Nagi commented. "If Naoki rolls two sixes now, you're toast."
All eyes turned to Naoki.
Would she go for it now or hold out for a bigger pot?
Naoki: .......
Honestly, she wanted to roll those sixes.
The problem?
She had no idea how.