The next day after class, Mary approached Naoki holding three dice of different colors, excitedly announcing she'd come up with a new way to make money through gambling.
"Magic dice? Manipulating probability to win cash?"
"Exactly. Each die is countered by another. We let the customer choose first, then pick the counter-die. The win rate is five out of nine, not unbeatable, but good enough for the house."
"You're pretty clever, Mary," Naoki praised her.
"And each person can only play three rounds per day. That way, the chances of someone catching on are lower."
Naoki reminded her, "You do know the fatal flaw in this setup, right?"
"Of course. Even if the win rate favors us, one lucky high-roller could bankrupt us in a single round."
"But who would bet big on a silly dice game? I doubt any real threats would bother."
Even as she said that, Mary's confidence began to waver. What if someone from the student council decided to target them? They could lose everything. Forget paying Naoki back she'd be buried in debt.
"Guess I have no choice," Naoki said, handing her ten million yen. "Consider it an investment."
Mary hadn't expected him to support her this much. They'd only known each other for a few days, yet he was willing to risk so much for her.
**System: Mary's favorability toward you has increased by 1.**
After hearing Mary's gambling plan, Naoki didn't head to the casino. Instead, he wandered around the academy. Passing by the club building, he noticed a flurry of students entering and exiting the first-floor hall, setting up for what looked like a major event. Curious, he walked closer.
That's when he spotted Mikura Sado directing the setup.
"Hey there," Naoki greeted casually, startling her.
Her surprise quickly turned into irritation. "What are *you* doing here again?"
"Just curious. What's going on?"
"Hmph. I'm helping Juraku-sama organize an event." Her tone was tinged with pride, maybe because of what Naoki had said about getting close to Sachiko Juraku.
Was she trying to show off her usefulness?
"Oh? What kind of event is it?"
Mikura rolled her eyes. "A matchmaking party hosted by the student council."
"Another gambling setup?"
"Naturally. It's about confessions and choices. If the couple matches, the boy wins. If not, the girl does. It's surprisingly popular. Some people even end up actually dating."
Naoki looked bewildered. "So... does this matchmaking event include a section for girls who like girls? If so, I'd love to join."
"Wh-what are you saying?!" Mikura's face turned bright red. "That kind of thing... it hasn't happened before."
"It's Juraku-san's event, right? I strongly suggest adding a girl-girl matchmaking section."
Mikura groaned internally. What was this girl up to?
Still, she couldn't deny the idea had merit.
No this must be a ploy to attract Juraku-sama's attention!
She hurried to keep up with Naoki. "Are you really going to talk to Juraku-sama about this?"
"Why not? I'm sure there are lots of girls like that here. You included, right?"
"W-what?! Don't say things like that!"
"So, no plans for a boyfriend?"
"Of course not! I'm Juraku-sama's livestock! Why would I need a boyfriend?!"
"Exactly, which means you swing the other way. But..." Naoki pointed to her own neatly filed nails. "Juraku-sama wears polish, which means you two probably haven't done anything yet, huh?"
Mikura's face looked like it might explode from embarrassment. Why could this girl say such things so casually?
"You've been with her for so long, and still haven't done *that*? That's kind of pathetic."
Mikura froze. She couldn't deny it. She'd never even gotten Juraku-sama into bed.
While she stood there dazed, Naoki slipped into the student council building and walked straight into the Public Morals Committee office.
"Juraku-sama, I want to file a complaint!"
"Sorry, Juraku-sama. I couldn't stop her," Mikura said as she rushed in behind.
Seated behind her desk, Juraku Sachiko turned slightly, her pale face serene, her eyes watching them with amused detachment like a predator calmly observing small animals.
Naoki caught that glint in her eyes and knew: her proposal had a chance.
"I want to protest the matchmaking party. There should be a section for girl-on-girl matchmaking."
"That's an interesting suggestion," Juraku said coolly. "But there's no precedent for it."
"You're the organizer. You can change the rules whenever you want."
"True. But why should I listen to you?" Her slit-like pupils narrowed on Naoki, sending a chill down her spine.
But fear wasn't part of her reaction. Juraku's demeanor told her one thing: she wanted to play.
High-ranking people never agree to things freely. If you want their help, you have to make it worth their while.
But there's a trick. Let them think *they* initiated the deal.
Juraku was clearly the dominant type in relationships. Which meant she liked shy, passive girls more. That didn't mean Naoki couldn't take the lead she just had to *appear* passive.
Naoki shrank back slightly, like a bird being stalked by a snake. "So, what would convince you to accept my suggestion?"
"Mikura."
"Yes, Juraku-sama?" Mikura answered, feeling an ominous chill.
"We'll settle this with a gamble. You'll face off against Naoki. If she wins, I'll add the matchmaking section."
Mikura's heart dropped. Juraku-sama was giving *her* the final say?
Was she testing Naoki's skill?
"And if I lose?"
"Then you become my personal livestock. Are you willing to stake your fate on this?"
Naoki: ...
Everyone wanted to make her their pet. Being too popular is a curse.
Mikura gritted her teeth. She hated Naoki, but if she lost and became Juraku-sama's livestock...
And what if Naoki seduced her master? She couldn't let that happen.
She'd have to *secretly* throw the game and let Naoki win.
"As my livestock," Juraku said coldly, "if *you* lose, you'll also face punishment. Remove your collar."
Naoki: !
"What?!" Mikura looked shattered. Removing the collar meant being abandoned.
"No, Juraku-sama! I won't lose! Please don't throw me away!"
She suddenly became hyper-focused, her eyes full of fire.
This was going to be a brutal match.