The “Fake” Exam
♯
──Autumn, Luna Island, at the beach.
The jackpot time of the first day of the 《School Trip Battle Fortissimo》 has ended,
and even after almost all the casino game participants have left, we
couldn’t move a single step from the spot.
“Hehe…♪”
At the edge of my gaze, standing against the backdrop of the sinking sunset with a gentle smile,
is a lone girl. Though her eyes are covered by a mask,
the overall impression she gives is best described as “refined.”
Her light brown, long hair is as well-groomed as a doll’s,
and her height is somewhat petite. From her expressions to her gestures, she exudes a natural charm
that effortlessly draws people in.
(Wait, no… that’s not the point.)
I almost got lost staring at her, but anyway.
“Sarasa Saionji”──the already vanished 【Phantom】 pointed to her with those words.
Of course, that alone could be a misunderstanding or a mistake,
but he harbored a strong fear toward “Sarasa Saionji.”
It’s hard to believe he’d get something so fundamental wrong.
Besides, the girl herself is proof that his words weren’t mistaken.
“I’m so happy. I never dreamed we’d reunite in a place like this.
I thought I wouldn’t see Yukki or Rina until graduation at the earliest…
so I’m truly surprised. Could this be some kind of surprise?”
Beaming with a joyful smile, evident even through the mask, she tilts her head slightly.
The name “Rina” she mentioned──that’s the big issue.
Sarasa Saionji’s real name, “Rina Akabane.” While Himeji Yuki is one thing,
this is information scarcely known across the entirety of Academy Island.
It’s a name only someone connected to the Saionji family would know.
For an outsider to know it narrows the candidates down to just one person.
“──It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Sarasa. No, now it’s Shion Hagoromo…
isn’t it?”
With a voice as if savoring the words, Sarasa, who had been silently standing beside me,
finally took a single step forward.
“It’s not exactly a surprise. I never imagined you’d be here, Shion.
So, if anything, I’m the one who wants to ask. Is this some kind of surprise?
An elaborate scheme to shock me and Yuki?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. I’m just an ordinary high school student,
visiting this island by chance for a school trip.
I heard about the Academy Island event and slipped away to come here…
but I told my friends, so it should be fine.”
“…I see. Come to think of it, Luna Island is a world-famous tourist destination…
not just for Academy Island but chosen as a school trip destination for all sorts of schools.
I knew our school trip schedules overlapped because we talked about it before,
but I never thought the location would be the same.”
“Wonderful deduction, Rina. I’ll give you a reward.”
Saying that with a fluffy smile, Shion reaches out to pat Sarasa’s head,
standing on her tiptoes. Sarasa lets out a quiet “Ngh…” and accepts it silently,
her expression showing a mix of emotions. There’s a hint of joy at reuniting with a friend,
but it feels overshadowed by other, more complex feelings. A sense of awkwardness, perhaps.
Well, that’s only natural.
“…”
Himeji, who has been silent since Shion appeared, wears her usual cool expression,
but the face paint developed by Kagaya-san speaks volumes about her inner thoughts.
The pale pink cat whiskers stretched taut across her face, paired with her narrowed eyes directed at Sarasa,
carry a shade of “protest,” as if questioning something.
Regardless, Himeji sways her silver hair lightly and turns to face the girl again.
“…Sarasa-sama. No, perhaps I should call you Shion-sama now?”
“Hehe… Yes, it’s been a year and a half, Yuki. Have you been well?”
“Yes. I myself am fine… but, um. You’re safe, Shion-sama?”
“? Yes, of course. With the strong bloodline running through me,
I won’t lose to anything except cedar pollen.”
After exchanging slightly misaligned banter with Shion, Himeji glances briefly at Sarasa.
…Well, it’s only natural their conversation doesn’t quite mesh.
After all, Shion’s circumstances starkly contradict the facts Himeji knows.
And the mastermind behind that “lie” is none other than Sarasa.
“…Ugh. Fine, I get it.”
As if escaping Himeji’s transparent gaze, Sarasa shakes her luxurious red hair loosely
and raises both hands slightly in resignation, as if admitting all guilt.
Her eyes, behind her glasses, waver faintly as she continues in a slightly stiff tone.
“That’s right. Just as Yuki says──no, just as Yuki thinks,
I’ve been lying to both you and Shion all this time.
I said Shion was ‘kidnapped’ by someone.
So, to lure out the kidnapper, I became her ‘stand-in.’”
“Kidnapped? …That’s shocking. So I’ve been kidnapped this whole time?”
“Yes. Officially… no, unofficially, that is.
On the official Academy Island record, I’m ‘Sarasa Saionji.’
The kidnapping story was the second lie to deceive the Saionji family.
…In short, my lie has a double structure.
That’s how I smuggled Shion off the island without anyone noticing.”
“? But I was told by Grandfather that I was sent to the mainland…”
“I’m the one who told you that, right? Sorry, Shion, that was a lie.
Changing your identity, your name, your hairstyle, and your makeup─
all of it was to keep my lie from being exposed.
The Saionji family is still searching for you with bloodshot eyes.”
“My goodness… It’s like I’ve been caught in some grand magic trick.”
Shion says this with a tone mixed with surprise and intrigue.
…Well, that’s understandable. Sarasa had kept this lie tightly under wraps.
The first lie was one thing, but only I knew about the second one…
and even that was almost by accident.
Neither Himeji nor Shion herself knew about the double-layered lie.
“…So, is that how it is?”
Having processed Sarasa’s explanation, Himeji, with her hands clasped in front of her,
murmurs in a clear voice.
“Shion-sama was never kidnapped to begin with…
All the conspiracy theories surrounding the Saionji family were nonsense,
and in reality, everything was orchestrated by Rina.
Shion-sama was secretly taken to the mainland by none other than Rina’s scheme,
living a high school life under a fake identity… is that right?”
“Ugh… Well, yeah, that’s about it.”
Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, Sarasa affirms Himeji’s pursuit with a voice tinged with unease.
Meanwhile, Himeji maintains her calm expression, seemingly lost in thought.
“Um… I’m sorry, Rina.”
At that moment, Shion, swaying her doll-like hair, speaks up again.
“I’ve mostly grasped the situation, but… why did you tell such a lie, Rina?”
“…Does it matter, the reason?”
“It does matter. If I don’t know, I won’t be able to sleep at night,
and I’ll miss my favorite morning horoscope.
Why did you resort to something as outrageous as a kidnapping?
Why did you keep it a secret from both Yuki and me?
It’s puzzling, and it bothers me.
Usually, Rina would explain things more clearly, I think.”
“Ugh… Well, that’s true, but…”
Sarasa groans, her expression showing she’s been hit where it hurts.
…“Usually” likely refers to their middle school days.
I’ve heard the real “Sarasa Saionji” didn’t attend a regular school
and was taught by private tutors.
Naturally, she would have had opportunities to study alongside Himeji and Sarasa.
(…Hey, Shinohara!)
Just as I pictured that scene in my mind, my uniform is suddenly yanked with force.
At the same time, a refined face leans in close.
Her faintly flushed skin and the red hair brushing my cheek.
Her whispering breath tickles my eardrum, making my heart skip a beat.
(W-What the heck, Sarasa!?)
(Don’t ‘what’ me…! E-Excuses! Can’t you come up with some clever excuse!?)
(No, at this point, there’s no excuse to make… It’s already out in the open.)
(I know that! But if I mess up my answer here, it’s game over!
You’re an accomplice, so think with me! …Please, just think!)
(Uh, alright… Hmm, then…)
Struggling to stay calm under her overwhelming proximity, I whisper a “reason” I managed to come up with.
Sarasa, perhaps realizing how close she was, lets out a “!?” and overreacts,
but after a deep breath, she turns back to the girl in front of her.
Adjusting her red-framed glasses with a theatrical gesture, she declares,
“Reason? The reason, you say? Isn’t it obvious if you think about it?
Becoming Shion’s stand-in meant I could become the Saionji family’s eldest daughter.
The top VIP of Academy Island… That’s right, I wanted to be treated like a proper ojou-sama!!”
“…Hehe.”
“! H-Hey, Yuki, why are you laughing!? This is a pretty serious moment!”
“N-No… I didn’t mean to interrupt. It’s just that Rina and the phrase ‘ojou-sama treatment’
are so completely mismatched…”
“Tch… I thought so too, but Shinohara said…!”
Sarasa, her cheeks faintly red, points an accusing finger at me.
…Well, sure, I bear some responsibility, but this whole premise was doomed from the start.
“Shinohara…?”
As I shrug, Shion tilts her head curiously and whispers in a bell-like voice.
Turning to me with graceful poise, she continues.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves.
I got caught up in this important reunion and neglected my manners.
Allow me to start anew──I’m just an ordinary high school student, Shion Hagoromo.
And… brace yourself for a shocking revelation, but that’s a fake name.”
“…I know. I’m Hiroto Shinohara, and that’s my real name, not a fake one.
I’d only heard about the real ‘ojou-sama’ through stories,
but… you’re not as stiff as I expected.”
“Of course. If I acted high and mighty, my identity would be exposed in no time.
So, right now, I’m just an ordinary high school girl.
My dream is to become a YouTuber.”
Saying that, she mimics some streamer’s gesture with a refined hand movement (adorable as heck).
“But, putting that aside… there’s still something important I haven’t asked.
Shinohara-san, Hiroto Shinohara-san.
I don’t recall anyone by that name among the Saionji family’s retainers.
Who exactly are you? Are you my enemy, or my ally?”
Her straightforward question carries a hint of caution.
…Well, it’s a natural question from her perspective.
Surrounded by Himeji, a former Saionji maid, and Sarasa, who’s currently acting as her stand-in,
it’d be weird not to feel suspicious about some random guy standing there.
(Explaining everything is a hassle, but I can’t just brush it off either…)
I ponder for a moment, but no good answer comes to mind.
Then, Himeji, who had been standing quietly beside me, sways her silver hair and speaks up.
“I’ll answer for him. My Master is my Master, Shion-sama──
the one who holds the highest rank in Academy Island right now
and might become the first-ever 8-star.”
“! I don’t know about this ‘Yatsuboshi’ snack, but I just heard something even more astonishing.
Yuki… did you just call this person ‘Master’?”
“Yes, I did. I said it with absolute certainty.”
“W-What…?”
Shion staggers dramatically, as if reeling from shock.
…Come to think of it, she’s technically Himeji’s “former master.”
She might have some complicated feelings about this.
As if confirming my guess, Shion puffs out her soft-looking cheeks.
“I see… So the one Yuki serves now isn’t Rina, but you.
Being sweetly called ‘Master’ every day…”
“I don’t know about ‘sweetly,’ but yeah, that’s about it.”
“I’m jealous… Yuki used to say she wanted to be my bride.
When did she get stolen away… sniff.”
“…That’s not it, Shion-sama. That was just a figure of speech, like ‘I admire you’…
Besides, calling someone ‘Master’ has nothing to do with being a bride.”
“Is that so? I thought it went Master → husband → spouse or something.”
“Please, don’t make it harder for me to call Master from now on…”
Himeji glances at me with her clear blue eyes, her cheeks faintly red before quickly looking away.
The gesture is so ridiculously cute that my breath catches for a split second.
“Ahem!”
At that point, Himeji lets out a deliberate cough to steer the conversation back on track.
“Anyway. We’ve gotten quite off-topic, but…
the reason Rina lied to both Shion-sama and me
obviously isn’t because she ‘wanted to be treated like an ojou-sama.’
Even Rina wouldn’t be that reckless.”
“I see… Then, what other reason could there be?”
“Yes, Shion-sama. To put it simply, Rina lied to keep us out of it──
though this is just my speculation,
the core of this lie is about ‘helping Shion-sama escape Academy Island.’
Instead of three years in Academy Island, filled with 《Duel Games》,
it was about giving Shion-sama a normal high school life as a gift.”
“Huh…? But I’ve never once said I wanted that.
It’s true I longed for a normal life, but saying so would get me scolded by Grandfather…
So I never told Rina or Yuki. Your reasoning contradicts itself.”
“From your perspective, yes. But──please don’t get mad──
I heard your sleep-talk almost every day.
Most of the time, Rina was there with me.”
“! Ugh… Yuki, you can be so mean sometimes.”
Placing her right hand on her cheek, Shion whispers in an embarrassed tone.
Seeing her like this, Himeji softens her lips fondly and continues in a gentle tone.
“I believe Rina, knowing Shion-sama’s true feelings, decided to make them come true.
However, the current head of the Saionji family, the strict Masamune-sama,
would never bend his will.”
“Yes, Grandfather is very stubborn…”
“Exactly. For Shion-sama to enroll at Ouka Academy as a freshman,
participate in the Star Acquisition Game,
and prove herself as the Saionji family’s heir…
that was Masamune-sama’s set path.
Asking to leave Academy Island would’ve been dismissed outright.
…That’s why, I think, Rina planned the ‘kidnapping.’”
“? But even so… shouldn’t she have at least told Yuki about the plan?
Yuki is a one-in-a-thousand maid-retainer.
With her help, the plan’s success rate would’ve skyrocketed.
And why was I, the key person, kept in the dark…?”
“Probably… Rina was thinking about what would happen if the lie was exposed.
Imagine, Shion-sama. Someone who stole the Saionji heir’s position as a stand-in,
kept Shion-sama from participating in 《Duel Games》,
and even sent her to the mainland…
that would undoubtedly enrage Masamune-sama.
That applies to me or even Shion-sama.
So Rina made sure not to have any ‘accomplices’ until the very end.”
Himeji’s clear blue eyes and Shion’s probing gaze turn toward Sarasa in unison.
“…”
As for Sarasa──she’s probably made up her mind.
After a brief glance at me and a small nod,
she faces Himeji and Shion squarely and speaks boldly.
“Yes──that’s exactly it.”
Her slightly stiff voice carries an affirmation free of any deception.
“Yuki’s guesses are all correct.
I knew Shion’s true feelings and planned the kidnapping on my own.
I thought if I left things as they were, she’d be found eventually,
so I volunteered to be her ‘stand-in’ to make the search for Shion stop.
Everything, every single thing, is spot on.”
“Ngh… You’re not going to hide it anymore, huh?”
“There’s not a single scrap left to hide with.
It’s far more productive to come clean than to keep struggling──hey, you two.
I have a little request. Could you pretend you didn’t hear any of this?”
Placing her right hand on her hip and swaying her luxurious red hair,
Sarasa speaks quietly.
As Himeji and Shion tilt their heads in confusion,
she continues in a serious tone.
“Of course, just acting like you don’t know is fine.
Yuki, you can keep believing Shion’s still kidnapped,
and Shion, you can keep thinking you’re living as an ‘ordinary high school student’ under the Saionji family’s orders.
That way, no problems will arise.”
“…Rina, are you serious? I can’t wrap my head around it…
That choice just puts all the blame on you alone, doesn’t it?
It’s unfair. It’s downright cruel.”
“That’s what I’m saying. If we’re all going to be punished,
it’s better for one person to take it than three, right?
Besides, it’s ridiculous for you two to be punished for something I did on my own.”
“Mgh… Now you’re using logic to corner me.”
Shion lets out a dissatisfied murmur,
while Himeji, though silent, turns her whiskered cheeks away with a pout.
…Well, it’s no surprise. From a purely rational standpoint, Sarasa’s suggestion might make sense,
but knowing all the context and intentions, anyone would resist swallowing it.
Especially between close friends.
And then──
“…I understand.”
After a brief pause, Shion, who had been deep in thought with her hand on her cheek,
suddenly nods. Ignoring Sarasa’s bewilderment,
she approaches us with refined steps and gracefully extends her hand toward the silver-haired former retainer.
“Huh… Shion-sama?”
“Yuki, come here. It’s time for an important, very important──strategy meeting.”
With a gentle, clear voice tinged with a mischievous smile, as if plotting something,
Shion Hagoromo takes Himeji’s hand and turns her back on us.
♯
“Haah…”
A few minutes later.
Letting out a heavy sigh while watching the two head toward the rocky shadows
was none other than Sarasa.
Her earlier confident demeanor is gone, replaced by an expression of unconcealed vulnerability.
It seems she was putting up quite a front.
“Good job, Sarasa. …Well, uh, tough break.”
“Don’t say it so casually… idiot.”
A reproachful tone comes back, but even that feels feeble.
Eventually, as if standing became too much effort,
she slumps onto a nearby bench.
“This is the worst… I never thought it’d come out like this.
I was so close to fooling them for three whole years…
I thought Shinohara and I would be the only ones to take the punishment.”
“…I’m still casually included in the headcount, huh?”
“! W-What, are you saying you’re backing out now?
If you do that, your lie will──”
“I’m not backing out. …I told you before, didn’t I? I won’t lie to you.”
Clearly, her mental state is fragile, as she immediately panics.
To reassure her, I say it firmly and sit down beside her.
The bench isn’t very wide, so our shoulders brush slightly as I settle in.
Trying not to focus on that, I continue slowly.
“Besides, I’m the one who brought this on myself…
I was telling a ridiculous lie too, and it just happened to clash with yours.
That’s why we had no choice but to form this ‘accomplice relationship’ to protect each other’s lies.
But Himeji and… Hagoromo, was it? Those two are different.”
“Yeah. They just got dragged into the ‘kidnapping’ I planned on my own.
No matter how much they protest, I’m not changing my mind.
…But.”
Her voice falters slightly, and she speaks hesitantly, as if afraid.
“They’re not mad, are they…?”
“Mad? You mean Himeji and the others?”
“Yeah. …Of course, I lied to keep them from taking the blame.
I can say that from the bottom of my heart.
But even so, I did deceive them.
The fact that I kept fooling Yuki and Shion for over a year doesn’t change.”
Shaking her red hair lightly, Sarasa lifts her face slightly.
Her ruby eyes, through her glasses, are fixed on the rocky shadows where Himeji and Shion disappeared.
“I’m not trying to say pretty words.
Yuki was Shion’s attendant, you know?
They lived together for nearly a decade, closer and deeper than family.
And I tore them apart by saying it was a ‘kidnapping.’
That’s just cruel, isn’t it?”
“Hm…”
I let out a sound that’s neither agreement nor denial.
…Could someone like Himeji really not notice Sarasa’s intentions at all? That’s a question,
but I don’t think Sarasa’s opinion itself is wrong.
Feeling guilty in this situation is only natural.
“And Shion, too. To keep the lie going, I was the only one contacting her regularly,
but she had no contact with her family otherwise.
I can’t even count how many times she said she wanted to see Yuki.
And every time, I’d think to myself,
‘Is what I’m doing really meaningful?’
It’s true Shion dreamed of being an ‘ordinary high school student,’
but was that something she wanted so badly she’d give up seeing Yuki for it?”
Clutching her hands tightly on her lap, Sarasa murmurs in a hoarse voice.
I can understand her feelings, but… well, that’s another question, isn’t it?
It’s already strange for the sheltered Saionji heiress to be suddenly ordered to live outside Academy Island,
and there was no send-off or anything.
It’s entirely possible Shion figured something out.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to confirm that here and now.
All we know for sure is that Sarasa is feeling down.
So, maybe that’s why.
“…What’s that, Sarasa? You were worrying about something like that?”
I say it with a deliberate smirk.
Instantly, Sarasa, sitting beside me, shows a confused expression,
then starts to snap back with a “W-What do you mean──” but I press on regardless.
“I get it. I know your worries are a big deal.
But come on, isn’t it a bit late for that?
Knowing you, you probably agonized over the same thing a year and a half ago.
Which would make Hagoromo happier?
How could you spare Himeji from suffering?
You must’ve thought and thought and thought until your head spun.”
“Ugh… Yeah, exactly. I worried so much, and no matter how long I thought, I couldn’t find an answer.
I even had sleepless nights, which isn’t like me.
I probably worried enough for a lifetime.”
“If you agonized that much to reach your answer, isn’t that good enough?
…It’s not about which choice was ‘correct.’
Sure, you might’ve ended up deceiving them,
but because of that, Hagoromo got her dream of an ‘ordinary high school life.’
Himeji, indirectly, got to help fulfill her friend’s ‘wish.’
At the very least, this is a miracle that never would’ve happened if you hadn’t chosen the ‘kidnapping.’
There’s probably a lot more, too, right? Like, for example…”
“Hm… Like meeting you, Shinohara, or something?”
“…Huh?”
“Eh? …W-Wait, no, no! Scratch that! That didn’t count!
I was just… remembering stuff!
I was trying to recall all sorts of things, and your meeting was just one of them!
It’s not like I’m consciously treasuring it as an important memory or anything!”
Sarasa’s ears turn bright red as she rapid-fires denials like a machine gun.
Her momentum almost makes me blush too, but I manage to keep my cool and continue.
“W-Well, sure, if you hadn’t told that lie,
I wouldn’t have become the ‘fake 7-star’ either.
So in a way, my ‘strongest’ status is a byproduct of your lie.”
“E-Exactly! The fact that you’re hailed as the strongest in Academy Island right now
is thanks to me. You should be grateful.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I shrug with a wry smile.
Sarasa when she’s embarrassed has such a devastating gap from her usual self
that changing the topic is my only defense.
“Anyway… the point is, there’s no need to worry about it now.
I’m not saying there’s no chance Himeji and the others are mad, but…”
“But what?”
“…If that’s the case, I’ll apologize with all I’ve got.”
Unable to come up with a better solution, I scratch my cheek and give a mundane answer.
I half-expected her to scoff, but contrary to my prediction,
she lets out a soft chuckle and looks up at me with her ruby eyes, as if peering from below──
“Hehe… Well, if that’s the case, I feel really reassured.”
──and says it in an unusually honest whisper.
♯
It was about ten minutes later when Himeji and Hagoromo returned.
Sarasa and I sit on the bench, facing Hagoromo,
with Himeji standing like a referee in an odd formation.
It’s rare for Sarasa and me to sit side by side,
and even rarer for Himeji not to be nearby, making the setup feel strangely off.
Amidst this, the one to gracefully break the silence was none other than Shion Hagoromo herself.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Rina. And Shinohara-san, too.
Without further ado, I’d like to share the results of our discussion──
the consensus between Yuki and me.”
“…Alright, go ahead, Shion.”
“Yes. First and foremost… I have to say a big thank you to Rina.”
“Huh… Thank you?”
At Shion’s sudden statement, Sarasa shakes her luxurious red hair, visibly puzzled.
“What do you mean…? I was fully expecting to get complaints.”
“Complaints? Why would I have any complaints about Rina?”
“Why? Isn’t it obvious?
I’ve been deceiving both you and Yuki all this time.
I thought you might even despise me for it…”
“Despise? That’s impossible. Absolutely not.”
Shion shakes her head quietly, clearly and calmly refuting Sarasa’s concerns.
“Because thanks to Rina, I’m living incredibly happy days right now.
Did you know, Rina? Ordinary high school students attend classes together in big groups.
During breaks, they chat aimlessly with classmates,
get praised like crazy for good test scores,
get scolded for walking at the back during long-distance runs in PE,
and stop by Western-style cafés with friends on the way home.
I had no idea such a world existed or that it could be so much fun.
Rina, you taught me all of that. You expanded my world.”
“Tch…”
“…I’m sorry to interrupt when you’re about to cry, Rina,
but I agree with her.
From the bottom of my heart, I’m truly glad Rina is Shion-sama’s friend.”
“Yes. It’s probably Grandfather’s greatest achievement.
…However.”
Just as Sarasa’s expression wavers on the verge of tears,
Shion subtly shifts her tone.
Her cherry-blossom lips curve into a smile, and she places her index finger on them,
flashing a mischievous, captivating grin that could charm anyone.
With refined elegance, she declares,
“There’s one concern──Rina, who’s been acting as ‘Sarasa Saionji’ in my place,
and Shinohara-san, who’s reigning as the ‘7-star’ in my stead.”
“…Hold on, I’m not exactly doing the 7-star thing in your place.”
“In essence, you are. If I had enrolled at Ouka Academy as ‘Sarasa Saionji’…
and followed Grandfather’s plan to debut as the Saionji heir,
I’d surely be a 7-star by now. Because I’m really strong.”
Shion smiles brightly.
It sounds like a joke, but also like she’s dead serious from start to finish.
She’s truly a mysterious girl.
Regardless, she continues.
“Since Rina’s lie is still holding up, things are going well for now.
But that might not last forever.
So, I want to test it──whether Rina and Shinohara-san are truly suitable to stand in for me.
I need to confirm that.
Otherwise, I can’t keep living as an ordinary high school student with peace of mind.
In other words, this is a test.
It’s definitely not because I was lonely after not seeing you for a year and a half
or jealous that Yuki was taken… nothing like that.”
“…Really?”
“Really. I’ve never told a lie, you know?”
Saying that, Shion loosens her lips into a chuckle and sways her long, doll-like hair.
Her understated yet captivating gestures exude an invisible aura of dignity,
and she continues in a fluffy tone.
“Here are the rules, both of you──
exactly three days from now, right after your 《School Trip Battle》 ends,
come to Lake Heidi.
The most beautiful, most famous, and most sought-after scenic spot on this island…
I’d love for Yuki to come too, if possible,
but as long as Rina and Shinohara-san meet this condition, the test will be ‘passed.’
I’ll have a wonderful present waiting for you.”
“Lake Heidi…? Are you serious, Shion?
That’s, like, right in the middle of the S-rank area, isn’t it?
A super exclusive zone you can’t enter without over 10 million chips.”
“Yes. That’s exactly why I chose it.
Only one in tens of thousands can reach it…
but as 【Violet】, I’ve earned nearly 2 million chips today alone.
By three days from now, I’ll surely reach the S-rank area.
And if you can’t do what I can, I can’t acknowledge you as my substitutes.
That’s a fail.”
“Fail… and then what?”
“Obviously, I’ll return to Academy Island.
As Sarasa Saionji the Second, I’ll start a story of overcoming challenges.
And, by the way, I’ll take Yuki back.”
“W-Wait, what!? What are you talking about, Shion!?”
“…Um, Shion-sama. The ‘by the way’ part is news to me.”
“Yes, because I didn’t mention it.
…After all, Yuki doesn’t believe for a second that Shinohara-san will lose, right?
So this condition shouldn’t be a problem.”
Shion flashes a sly smile, leaving me, Himeji, and Sarasa speechless.
To summarize her ‘rules’──
three days from now, by the end of the 《School Trip Battle Fortissimo》,
Sarasa and I must collect 10 million chips and reach the S-rank area.
If we fail, the test is a ‘fail.’
We won’t be recognized as Shion’s substitutes, and she’ll return to Academy Island.
In short, it’s the worst possible outcome, collapsing the ‘lie’ Sarasa and I have been upholding in an instant.
“W-Wait, hold on, Shion.”
That’s why Sarasa, shaking her luxurious red hair, hurriedly speaks up.
“If you do that, everything up until now will be for nothing!
I’m fine with taking the punishment,
but you’ll end up living a confined, restricted life… Is that okay!?”
“No? Not at all. I love my life right now.”
“Then──”
“That’s why I want you to pass.
Or rather… if you can’t even clear this condition,
you’ll get found out eventually, you know?
When a much stronger ‘enemy’ than me shows up.”
Gracefully deflecting Sarasa’s counterargument, Shion smiles faintly.
Her tone is, as always, a mix of seriousness and jest,
yet it somehow feels logically sound.
Her aura or presence seems to swallow us up, convincing us.
At that moment, Himeji, who had been quiet, speaks up with a sigh.
“By the way… when I heard this plan earlier, I naturally opposed it.
But Shion-sama pleaded and overpowered me, so to speak.
I’ll support Master as usual,
but I’d like to keep a direct line open with Shion-sama at all times.”
“A direct line? You mean a line for Yuki to fawn over me?”
“That’s not it.
Shion-sama is certainly strong, but if left unchecked,
she might get carried away and self-destruct.
To be honest, the worst outcome of this test is Shion-sama suffering a fatal defeat.
If her mask breaks and her face is exposed, it’s basically game over.
I’ll make sure to prevent that.”
“Hehe… I’m so happy. With Yuki’s help, I’m a hundred times stronger.”
“…Um, this isn’t exactly the time to be happy.”
Himeji mutters in exasperation, but her whisker makeup twitches slightly with joy.
…It’s the perfect image of a maid being strung along by her master.
Perhaps this kind of exchange was a daily occurrence in the past.
Suddenly──swaying her doll-like hair, Shion turns back to Sarasa and me.
“Anyway… my ‘test’ is as I explained.
Collect 10 million chips within three days
and visit Lake Heidi in Luna Island’s S-rank area.
Since I’m summoning you two, I’ll secure my own entry license as well.
Sorry to Shinohara-san, but I’ll borrow a bit of Yuki’s strength…
to avoid a fatal defeat.”
“…No clause about not stealing too many chips from us, huh?”
“Hehe… Who knows? I’m just an ordinary high school student,
so I’ll play the game efficiently.
If I think you two are ‘easy targets,’ I might snipe you.
…Both of you, do your best, okay?”
With that, Shion flashes a bewitching smile.
Sarasa and I exchange glances, but it seems this decision is final──
we have to earn a cumulative 10 million chips by three days from now.
If we can’t, it’s instant ruin for both of us.
It’s unclear how serious Shion is, but that’s exactly why we can’t dismiss it.
We have to earn an absurd amount of chips by the final day,
surpassing even last year’s top player, 【Phantom】.
(And that’s while dealing with the already troublesome second-years of Academy Island──)
…Unconsciously, I clench my fist tightly.
Thus, another test game, running parallel to the 《School Trip Battle Fortissimo》,
quietly begins.
♯
──Luna Island, Day 1, Night.
After parting with Hagoromo and the others,
Himeji and I returned to the hotel rented out by Eimei Academy.
The location is in what’s called the transit district of the C-rank area.
It’s not particularly notable but serves as a convenient midpoint with access to various districts.
Since renting out an entire hotel isn’t enough for thousands of students,
our classmates are spread across several nearby hotels.
Having finished dinner, it’s now past 10 PM, entering complete free time.
“Kua…”
A sleepy voice suddenly echoes in the room──
the source is my roommate, Yuki Tsuji.
He’s wearing a baggy black sweatshirt,
leaning against the headboard of the bed.
In unisex clothing, he honestly looks like nothing but a cute girl, which is a problem.
“You sound sleepy, Tsuji. Should I turn off the lights soon?”
“N… Yeah, maybe. But since we’re here, I kinda wanna keep talking a bit… kua.”
“…Alright. Well, if that’s what you want.”
Tsuji directs his drowsy eyes at me, his speech slightly slurred,
and I give up on various things, flopping onto the bed on my back.
I close both eyes, trying to secure some mental bandwidth.
“Phew…”
Honestly, there’s a mountain of issues to think about.
Strategies for the 《School Trip Battle Fortissimo》,
securing a 【Stranger】 to replace 【Phantom】,
and dealing with the real ‘ojou-sama,’ Hagoromo.
The ultra-difficult exam game thrust upon me by Hagoromo Shion. Today,
being the first day of arrival, I couldn’t move as freely as I’d hoped, but starting tomorrow, I’ll need to
seriously push forward with the strategy.
And—just as I was thinking that far, a faint zzt of noise ran through the earphone in my right ear.
“Nihihi… leave the support stuff to your big sisters, Hiro-kyun. The analysis of the [Black Ring] is mostly done, and we’ve got our eyes on some games that’ll be easy to rake in chips from.”
“Yup! Look forward to it, Onii-chan. With my super-duper [Magic Eye] that’s so strong it could outshine the [Black Ring], I’ll make your chips multiply a billion times in no time!”
From the earphone, I could hear the mischievous grin in Kagaya-san’s voice, and Shiina, who seemed more excited than usual—perhaps because of the trip, or maybe due to the top-secret mission.
While I was feeling a somewhat warm amusement at their antics, Kagaya-san suddenly lowered her voice slightly and continued.
“Oh, and… sorry to keep you waiting, Hiro-kyun. We finally figured out the identity of [Phantom].”
“Up until now, we were only investigating influential figures outside Academy Island, but thanks to you noticing something important, Hiro-kyun, we shifted focus. A former student of Academy Island… and when we looked into it, we hit the jackpot right away.”
“First off, the name is Rindou Kai. He’s the eldest son of the Rindou family, and he’s the same age as you guys, Hiro-kyun. The Rindou family is, well, a super-rich household. The current head is the principal of Amanezaka Academy in District 17, and their policy is all about ‘prioritizing talent’…
basically, they fight with a small, handpicked elite group after rigorous selection.”
“And—here’s the thing. That eldest son has been missing for the past three years. His enrollment at Amanezaka’s middle school division vanished, and yet the Rindou family hasn’t made any statements about it.
And that timing matches perfectly with when [Phantom] started appearing… I mean, [Phantom] has consistently been helping Amanezaka in the [School Trip Battle Forteissimo], so it’s pretty much a sure bet.”
As I quietly chewed over Kagaya-san’s explanation, I fell silent. …I see. That does sound like it’s safe to assume they’re the same person.
If it’s someone at the level of a principal from another district, it’s not impossible they could’ve had some connection with Saionji—aka Himeji—three years ago. The conditions line up perfectly.
(Well, now that we know their identity, there’s not much we can do about it…)
I can’t help but think it would’ve been better to figure this out sooner, but there’s no point in regretting it now.
And then, at that moment—
“…Hm?”
I thought I heard a light knock knock sound, and I lifted my eyelids.
Tsuji didn’t seem to notice, still half in a dream,
but judging by the fact that the sound from the earphone cut off abruptly, the knock was definitely real.
I quietly got up and headed toward the door.
And without much mental preparation, I opened the door with a click—and there,
“Ah, um… sorry for coming by so late, Shinohara-kun. Mind if I drop in for a bit?”
“Likewise, my apologies for disturbing you at this hour, Master. We’ve come to visit together.”
“——”
My thoughts completely froze at the sight of the two girls speaking in hushed tones.
No—no, it’s not like they’re unexpected visitors or anything. The people standing in front of me are the same ones I was eating with just earlier, and frankly, people I see almost every day.
The reason I couldn’t react was probably due to the gap between their usual selves and now.
“Wait… huh? Uh, Shinohara-kun?”
First, standing there peeking cautiously through the door gap was Tatara Fuuka.
She was dressed casually in a white T-shirt paired with blue-toned track pants and shorts underneath.
There was this healthy, almost alluring vibe radiating from her entire body, and because there wasn’t much skin exposed, my eyes were involuntarily drawn to her collarbone and legs.
Maybe because she’d just gotten out of the bath, there was a faint, pleasant scent wafting from her, making her seem more mature than usual.
And then, poking her head out from behind Fuuka was the silver-haired maid, Himeji Shirayuki.
I should’ve built up some resistance to her by now. After all, I see her every day in her uniform, maid outfit, and even her negligee.
Sure, I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t skip a beat every time, but I thought nothing could shock me more than that.
“…?”
But I was dead wrong about that—because, of all things, Himeji was wearing a yukata.
It was probably one provided by the room, with a soft, cute design.
It wasn’t particularly revealing, but instead, it had this… “carelessness” to it.
The lines of her body were clearly defined, the waist tie looked like it could come undone at any moment, and it just screamed femininity in every way.
The unique charm of traditional clothing was making my brain spin.
“? Um, Master? Is it difficult to let us into your room?”
“—! Ah, no, sorry. Come on in.”
Himeji’s words snapped me out of my frozen state, and I shook my head slightly as I said that. …That was close. I almost lost consciousness there.
Anyway—Himeji and Tatara stepped into the room, looking around curiously at the interior before both sitting on the edge of the bed.
I gave Himeji the bed I’d been lying on earlier, while Tatara sat near Tsuji’s feet.
By then, even Tsuji had finally woken up,
muttering in a sleepy daze, “Huh… what’s going on? Is it, like, morning already…?”
Perhaps to cover for Tsuji as well, Himeji gave a small cough to clear her throat and took the lead.
“Ahem. …I apologize for visiting so suddenly, Master, and Tsuji-sama.
As we discussed briefly during dinner, we wanted to take this opportunity to go over the current state of the battle.”
“Yeah, exactly!” Tatara chimed in, hugging a cushion to her chest and nodding vigorously.
“The [School Trip Battle Forteissimo] kicks into full gear starting tomorrow, right?
So before that, I thought we should settle on our overall strategy and share it with everyone. I mean, I am the class rep, after all!”
“So, a late-night strategy meeting, huh? You guys are full of energy, seriously… but fine.”
Tsuji grumbled lazily, yawning as he sat up.
She grabbed her terminal, which had been tossed by the pillow, and projected the live leaderboard for the [Duel Game] as she continued.
“For now… what we’re looking at is the power balance at the end of day one.
According to the rules of the [School Trip Battle Forteissimo], a district’s total score is calculated as [the chip count of the top five players × 1 + the district’s average chip count × 5].
When you line up the seven districts, the top spot goes to Shinra High School, the only one to break a million chips on the first day.
Following them are Ouka, the St. Rosalia & Tsuyuri Alliance, then Eimei, Amanezaka, Otowa… in that order, it seems.”
[EMBED0018_HD.jpg]
“Mmm… It’s a tough start, huh. Got it, we’re slightly behind…”
“That’s right. Well, as Fujishiro-kun said at the port, the real issue is probably the ‘school district average,’ right? When it comes to individual rankings, Eimei is doing pretty well. Shinohara-kun is currently the third-highest earner, and Himeji-san is within the top ten. Honestly, they’re super reliable.”
While slightly raising their face,
Tsuji speaks words of praise
in a sincere tone.
The inter-grade competition [School Trip Battle Forteissimo]—the overview of its first day
is, in essence,
as Tsuji summarized. The top school district,
Shinra, has designated [Phantom] as their [Stranger] slot. This [Stranger] can be changed at any time, so it’s not a fixed number,
but for now, that’s how it stands. The second and third places are predictably occupied by school districts with multiple 6-star players, and Eimei’s current rank is fourth.
Thanks to [Monopoly Roulette-clockwise, my individual performance doesn’t seem too bad either,
but that’s not enough to win in [School Trip Battle Forteissimo].
That’s the tricky part.
“…That said, there seem to be exceptions to that.”
“Yes. Currently, Shinra High School is in first place, but their school district average is far below Eimei’s. The vast majority of their chips were earned by a single player… the strongest [Stranger], known as [Phantom]-sama. In other words, at least for this moment, Shinra is at the top solely because he’s under their banner.”
“Yeah. As expected of the joker of [School Trip Battle Forteissimo], huh.”
Nodding in agreement with Himeji’s explanation, I once again lower my gaze to the terminal. …Player name [Phantom]. According to Yagura and Mitsuru, he was apparently hiding for a while after [School Trip Battle Forteissimo] began, so he likely only started participating in casino games for two or three hours. Yet, his earnings are over 700,000 chips. If he were to challenge high-rate B-rank games all day, who knows how wide that gap would grow.
Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Himeji continues, gently swaying her silver hair.
“Yes. Therefore, our goal is clear.”
“Right—earn chips as quickly as possible and reach the upper areas as soon as we can. Ideally, we break into the B-rank area by tomorrow morning, challenge high-rate games like crazy, and aim to reach the A-rank area… That’s probably the minimum starting line to win [School Trip Battle Forteissimo]. At the very least, Himeji and I need to fight on that stage. There’s a high chance other strong [Strangers] besides [Phantom] are in the upper areas.”
“A-rank area! That’s, like, 1 million chips!? Amazing, you two are truly Eimei’s aces! I’ve gotta work hard too… but, mmm, can I make it that far?”
Clutching the cushion at her chest anxiously, Tatara says this. Seeing her, Himeji and I
exchange a brief glance and nod—our thoughts are aligned. A gloomy face doesn’t suit the class president of 2-A.
That’s not the only reason, but still.
“Yeah. In terms of skill, I think Tatara’s top-tier too… but this time, I’d rather rely on you to manage Eimei’s camp. The key to [School Trip Battle Forteissimo] is definitely raising the ‘school district average,’ but that’s something I can’t do much about. Tatara’s way better suited for it.”
“Eh…”
“I agree. Increasing your own chips and raising the school district average are on completely different levels of difficulty, but I can confidently say Mitsuru-san is better at the latter.”
“W-Wa…”
“…Yeah, I’m on board too. You’re the ‘class president,’ after all, right? Rather than diving solo into high-rate games, you’d be way more effective commanding everyone here in the C-rank area. And with that kind of strategy, I can help too—I can’t let people keep saying it’s all Shinohara-kun’s show forever, you know.”
“R-Really… Okay, thanks, everyone! I’ll do my best!”
Clenching both fists tightly at her chest, Tatara responds, and I nod, saying, “We’re counting on you.”
After that, we discuss finer details and strategies for about an hour—
right around when the date changes, it’s not
Tsuji but Tatara who starts dozing off. She tries to resist at first,
but eventually lets out a “Funya…” like a dying gasp (?) and slumps
against Tsuji, falling asleep. Mistaking him for a pillow or something,
she looks incredibly comfortable.
“…Um, Tatara-san. That’s, like, a bit too defenseless, don’t you think…?”
With a troubled gesture, placing a finger to his forehead, he lets out a faint sigh.
Supporting Tatara’s shoulders in a gentlemanly manner,
he gently lays her on the bed, pulling away from her. Then, while draping a thin towel blanket over her, he says,
“Mmm… How about a quick break? It’s still early to wrap up, but I’m getting sleepy, and my brain’s not working. I’ll grab some coffee from the lobby downstairs. One for Tatara-san too.”
“? I heard Mitsuru-san isn’t fond of bitter things…?”
“That’s exactly why it’ll wake her up.”
With that,
Tsuji grabs his terminal and slowly leaves the room. Whether he really wanted caffeine or was just flustered by Tatara’s closeness… his true intentions are unclear, but
this leaves just me and Himeji in the room (aside from the soundly sleeping Tatara).
“Uh… By the way, Himeji,”
So, keeping my voice low to avoid waking Tatara, I look into Himeji’s eyes and start.
“Earlier, Saionji was asking Hagoromo if she had ‘any complaints,’ right? Hagoromo denied it, and you said you agreed with her… but is that really true?”
“…? Really, meaning?”
Her glossy hair, perhaps shinier than usual after a bath, sways slightly as she tilts her head in question. My heart skips a beat at the gesture, but I suppress my fluster and continue.
“No… Sure, it’s probably your wish for Hagoromo to be happy, but you didn’t know anything about this until now, right? One day, your best friend gets kidnapped, the master you were supposed to serve disappears, you end up leaving the Saionji family for some reason, and now you’re supporting me. No matter how you look at it, there’s way too little in it for you.”
“Is that so? I think meeting you, my master, was already the correct route choice.”
“…Are you teasing me?”
“Not at all. …But, yes, you’re right. The fact that I admire you, my master, is true, but bringing it up in this context might’ve been a bit abrupt.”
Himeji says these ticklish lines in her cool, clear voice. The “mask” of Luna Island comes off at night, but even without her signature cat-whisker makeup, it’s easy to see the soft, faint smile on her face.
In any case, Himeji lifts her clear, emerald eyes and quietly continues.
“Complaints, you say… It may sound repetitive, but I have no negative feelings toward Rina whatsoever. It’s nine parts pure gratitude, and the remaining one part is something close to an apology.”
“Eh… Apology? What do you mean by—”
“Exactly what it sounds like, my master. Just as Rina has been lying all this time, I… and Shion-sama, too, have at least one secret we’re keeping.”
She says this in a tone as if revealing something precious, a mischievous smile on her face. Her words don’t seem like a lie, but they also subtly imply ‘I can’t tell you the details,’ leaving me no choice but to drop the pursuit.
As if seeing through my thoughts, Himeji continues in her calm tone.
“However—once you and Rina pass Shion-sama’s ‘test,’ we plan to reveal our secrets and apologize. To that end, I have two roles. Supporting you, my master, and… keeping Shion-sama in check. It’s an utterly dishonest act for a dedicated maid, but please forgive me just this once.”
“Forgive? I’d rather you do it. Keeping Hagoromo’s rampage in check is exactly what I want. If we left her unchecked, who knows what kind of chaos she’d cause…”
“Indeed. Having been trained by the Saionji family since childhood, Shion-sama’s strength is the real deal. Once, she slipped past Masamune-sama’s watch and participated in a middle school event battle, mowing down tens of thousands of participants to take the win. …However,”
As I freeze, my cheek twitching at the intense anecdote, Himeji suddenly pauses, her expression cool. Then, peering into my eyes with her clear, emerald gaze, she continues.
“You, too, have talent that rivals Shion-sama’s, my master. I can say that with certainty because I’m the one closest to you. …Or rather, you’d better, or we’re in trouble. If you lose to Shion-sama… if you fail her test game, you’ll be expelled from Academy Island immediately. If, if that happens…”
“…What happens then?”
“—…What should we do? I was just speaking hypothetically, but it feels like the world’s going dark. I might’ve blacked out for a moment…”
“!”
My heart races again as Himeji sways her hair, clutching the chest of her yukata.
At the same time, I think—indeed, if that happened, I’m not sure I could stay sane either. Saionji would be punished, I’d face heavy consequences, I’d be separated from Himeji, never able to return to Academy Island, and probably never find the person I’m searching for. That’s a hard pass. Hagoromo Shion’s test game… this is one I absolutely have to win.
So,
“Alright, Himeji. It’ll be a hassle, but I’m counting on you.”
“Yes. Both you, my master, and Shion-sama—I’ll take care of it.”
Himeji and I exchange a small, soft smile and a quiet nod.
[Second Semester Inter-Grade Competition [School Trip Battle Forteissimo]—Day 1 End]
[“Shinohara Hiroto”: Held Chips 8,409]
[Held Black Rings: 5 Types
Autopilot / Double Action / Number Build / Magnet / ???]
[To Reach S-Rank Area: 9,991,591 Chips Remaining]
♯
—Luna Island stay, and [School Trip Battle Forteissimo] Day 2 begins.
“Well, well… That was a truly splendid game, young man.”
Having won the first game, I’m showered with fervent praise by Kururugi, the [Oni God’s Miko].
“How do you get that clutch? With five or more players using [Black Rings], the battlefield was hard to read, yet you threw in an additional ring to push the betting rate to the limit, forcing everyone to fold… And unless I’m mistaken, your hand was the weakest [1]. Truly, even as an opponent, I was thrilled.”
“…Well, that’s how it goes. It’s basically a ‘bluffing’ game, after all.”
On the morning of the second day, in the C-rank area, a [☆5 High Risk] casino game called [Fake War]. The winning move I chose—essentially just ‘acting’—is meticulously explained by Kururugi, who sways her ponytail and lets out a sigh.
“No… You say that, but it’s no small feat. I was one of those ‘folded,’ and I didn’t suspect for a moment that your hand was the weakest. I’m genuinely impressed, yes. Relying too much on [Black Rings] is something to reconsider.”
“You don’t look that impressed… Besides, you ended up in the plus overall, didn’t you?”
“Well, yes, but… that scene earlier was just so striking.”
Kururugi sways her ponytail slightly. In terms of chips earned, I’ve got her beat, but she’s definitely among the winners. The 6-star [Oni God’s Miko] is, as expected, not to be underestimated for even a moment.
That aside—as Kururugi said, the casino game [Fake War] ended in a big win for me and Himeji. Each player is dealt a card with a number from [1] to [100], and players decide whether to bet based on their hand… The one with the highest number among those who bet wins—a very simple game. You can ‘fold’ anytime before the final bet is set, so bluffs and rings fly endlessly.
Thanks to that, my compatibility with the game was excellent, and with a [☆5] risk rating, the betting rates were decently high, resulting in a final profit of +153,290 chips. Himeji earned just under +120,000 chips, and together, we finally secured the license to enter the B-rank area.
Perhaps learning this through terminal info or something, Kururugi lets out a faint “Hmm…”
“So, you two can now step into the B-rank area. Like Shizuku-dono, I’m falling a bit behind… Yes, I need to step up.”
Saying this, she immediately starts searching for the ‘next’ casino game, true to her word.
(Hm…?)
At that moment, I feel my terminal vibrate faintly in my pocket. Checking the screen, I see a notification from Eimei’s group chat. Among several groups running in parallel, there’s one titled “Most Important (Busy People, Check Only This)!” managed by Tatara and
Tsuji, who transfer key info from other chats here as needed.
Recalling this, I open the chat and immediately spot these posts.
‘—[Violet] is seriously insane.’
‘Got it. The long-haired girl, right? No idea which school she’s from… Actually, she doesn’t seem to be wearing Academy Island’s uniform, but anyway, she’s crazy strong.’
‘Oh, that girl? We faced her too! Super refined and super cute, like a doll, right? I think she was collecting a ton of [Black Rings] yesterday…’
‘Her forces are already set, aren’t they? Today, she’s not messing with rings—she’s straight-up chip-hunting. We thought we had a decent number of rings, but before we knew it, our chips were less than half… Total defeat, total defeat.’
‘Yeah, yeah. It’s like I didn’t even think to resist…’
As I skim the flurry of ongoing discussions, I quietly bring my right hand to my mouth. …Only two hours into the second day, and [Violet] has already joined three games. And she’s crushed them all. She was strong yesterday, but now it’s like her strength has ‘crystallized’—of course, [Black Rings] are part of it, but the bigger factor is likely something else.
“I’m not sure if I should be happy about this, but… she’s doing well, huh, Hagoromo.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Nodding softly at my words is none other than Himeji Shirayuki. She pulls out a terminal seemingly linked to Hagoromo and continues in her usual clear voice.
“Shion-sama—or rather, player name [Violet]. My role involves approving and proxy-using [Black Rings], as well as providing remote voice support… But as expected, she tends to get carried away at critical moments, which can be a bit risky. Still, to win three games in such a short time, her natural aptitude must be incredible.”
“…I see.”
I nod slightly at Himeji’s words. …In short, it’s like an unfinished genius player has been paired with the ultimate support commander. With a massive arsenal of powerful [Black Rings], she’s reached a level of strength that’s genuinely untouchable.
(So, if I end up facing Hagoromo… or worse, if she gets poached by another district?)
The moment I think this, a faint chill runs down my spine.
Considering the test game, the chances of Hagoromo helping me, Saionji, Eimei, or Ouka are slim to none. Shinra already has [Phantom]. But, for example, the St. Rosalia and Tsuyuri alliance or Amanezaka could easily set their sights on [Violet]. After all, she’s now the second-most powerful [Stranger] after [Phantom].
Frowning slightly at the omen of chaos, I let out a small breath.
♯
Casino game [Slot Card]—.
The first game I joined after reaching the B-rank area was titled as such.
‘Yoohoo! You guys pumped or what!!’
The dealer is an overly hyped woman in a bunny outfit. Her outfit is quite revealing, but her enthusiastic smile and mic performance push her playfulness over her allure. Including me, there are five player participants.
“…Pumped… but still sleepy. This is… jet lag…”
The first is Minami Shizuku, muttering under her wolf-eared hood. An ace leading the St. Rosalia & Tsuyuri allied district. She currently holds about 250,000 chips and apparently secured her B-rank area license just before Kururugi. Her languid blue eyes catch mine for a moment, but she succumbs to sleepiness with a small “Fwa…” yawn.
While I’m distracted by her, another voice calls out from the side.
“Hiroto, Hiroto! I’m so happy we get to play a game together again!”
“Minami-san and Shinohara-kun, huh… The upper areas are full of strong players, seriously.”
Voicing their thoughts, the Shinra twins—Mitsuru and Sumire—appear. Tilting their matching masks diagonally, Sumire, with her long hair fanning out, dashes toward me. She envelops my hands with her soft ones.
“Wonderful. Let’s play fair and square, okay? You and your maid over there!”
“No… The participant limit is five, so I’m only assisting. Also, Sumire-sama. It’s great that you’re friendly with my master, but you’re a bit too close.”
“Oh, is that bad, is it bad? But this way, I can see your face so clearly!”
“Too clearly, that’s the issue.”
As Sumire tilts her head, still holding my hands, Himeji lets out a faint breath. …I completely agree. Even knowing Sumire’s actions stem from ‘affection for someone she’s fond of’ rather than ‘romantic interest,’ this close distance—where I can see the sparkle in her eyes—could easily cause misunderstandings.
To shake off those thoughts, I turn the conversation to Mitsuru.
“By the way… You guys aren’t with [Phantom]?”
“What’re you talking about, Shinohara-kun? [Phantom] has over 300 million chips. Yesterday, he came down to the C-rank area for us, but normally, even this B-rank area is too low for him. He’s probably racking up chips in the A-rank area by now… probably.”
“…Probably? That’s a pretty vague way to put it.”
“Yeah, well. It’ll come out eventually, so I’ll just say it—he’s been out of contact since last night. After jackpot time, no read receipts on messages, no answers to calls. We’re kinda freaking out, wondering if this is a sign he’s cutting ties.”
“Cutting ties…?”
I parrot back, muttering. …Out of contact since last night? There’s only one possible reason. At that timing, he met the person he feared. I don’t know the details, but it’s no surprise he can’t perform at his best… maybe.
Anyway, Mitsuru shrugs slightly and continues in an ambiguous tone.
“So, we’re here to scout a replacement [Stranger] who’s the talk of the town. We considered [The Jet-Black Demon King], but he’s too elusive. For skill and rings, there’s really only one choice.”
As he speaks, Mitsuru glances briefly behind him.
There—though I didn’t want to believe it—stands a single girl, poised elegantly.
“Hehe…♪ I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon. It must be because my fortune today is super lucky.”
(W-What, we’re facing her right off the bat…!?)
Hagoromo Shion—or rather, player name [Violet].
Yes, the fifth participant is none other than Hagoromo. Even through her mask, her cheerful, beaming smile is unmistakable, making it hard to feel wary. For now, she’s a freelance [Stranger] unaffiliated with any district, but her chip earnings since yesterday exceed 400,000. Her strength naturally draws attention.
And then—,
‘—Alright, everyone, sorry for the wait!! Let’s get started with the game explanation! You ready?! Yoohoo!!’
Almost simultaneously as I finish connecting with the other players, the dealer in the center energetically thrusts her right hand skyward. My first game in the B-rank area. With betting rates about to skyrocket, I pause my thoughts and turn toward the dealer.
Waiting for all eyes to focus, the dealer continues in a chipper tone.
‘Okay, baby! Once again, the game I’m running is [Slot Card]!! A super fresh and fun game blending slots and poker!’
‘First, exactly five players can join! No more, no less, so if you drop out mid-game, you gotta have a substitute!’
‘Here’s the deal! [Slot Card] is basically a player-versus-player game. Once it starts, one of the five becomes the [Joker Parent]. Everyone else gets randomly assigned one of [Diamond], [Heart], [Spade], or [Clover]… These correspond to the slot’s digits! Normal slots have three spinning reels, right? In this game, there are four, and each is tied to a player. Revolutionary! Yoohoo!’
‘So, the four players who get a mark can freely choose their digit’s number! Since it’s based on poker, the numbers are A(1), 2, 3… J(11), Q(12), K(13)—13 options. It’s all luck anyway, so if you’re stuck, just pick what feels right!’
‘Once everyone’s numbers are set, it’s betting time for the [Joker]! You predict one combination of the four marks’ numbers and call the number of chips you’re betting. By the way, the minimum is 1,000 chips, and the max is 10,000!’
’Then comes the fun part—payout judgment! In my game, if:
[I: The [Joker Parent]’s declared number combination perfectly matches the marks’ numbers], or
[II: Regardless of the [Joker]’s declaration, all marks’ numbers are the same],
the [Joker Parent] wins! Big jackpot, tons of chips! For II, the matching number is the multiplier. For I—or if the matching number in II is [A]—it’s a special 20x! 10,000 chips turn into 200,000 in a flash! Of course, the four players split the payout, but since that’s harsh, I’ll chip in to make it a five-way split!’
‘But if the [Joker]’s prediction misses, I take all the bet chips. Call it a table fee? Bet big if you wanna tribute me!’
‘Now, if you’re thinking “No way you’d hit that prediction,” you’re spot-on! That alone wouldn’t make [Slot Card] work. To heat things up and make it a game worthy of my management, we’ve got a gimmick ready!’
‘That’s the Permanent Retirement Rule—!’
‘The [Joker] player can, by forgoing their turn’s bet, designate one number from A to K as “permanently retired.” That number can never be used again in the game… In short, the available numbers dwindle, boosting the hit probability in this devilish slot game!’
‘The game runs three rounds per set! [Joker] and other marks are randomly assigned, but no one gets the same role twice in one round, so no worries!’
‘By the way, [Black Ring] usage is unlimited… but timing is critical! [Slot Card] settles every turn, so bet chips and rings go fully to the [Joker] if the bet hits, or to me, the dealer, if it misses… In other words, if anyone but the [Joker] uses a ring, it’s “single-use”! Yoohoo!’
…And that’s that.
Casino game [Slot Card]—a quirky slot game where four players, each tied to a poker mark, choose their numbers, and the [Joker Parent] tries to predict them. The [Joker] only wins if they nail all four numbers or if all numbers match, but the “Permanent Retirement” rule lets you manipulate probabilities. And the payout for winning is massive.
“…This is, how should I put it, a game where reading other players’ moves is incredibly tough.”
Having mentally sorted the rules, Himeji Shirayuki mutters softly. She glances briefly at Hagoromo across from her, then turns back to me, swaying her silver hair.
“Reading the thoughts of all four opponents is clearly beyond human capability, so normally, the first few turns should focus on narrowing numbers with the ‘Permanent Retirement’ rule. But that makes the early game a mere formality, and forgoing the parent turn risks putting other players ahead. In other words, this is…”
“…Yeah. A rule built on the assumption of [Black Ring] usage.”
I nod slowly, picking up Himeji’s reasoning.
That’s probably it—compared to any casino game I’ve played so far, [Slot Card] has an unusually narrow strategic scope. Without the “Permanent Retirement” rule, betting would face 13^4 (28,561) number combinations, with only 14 “winning” patterns. To raise the odds, you’d need to stack retirements, but that leaves no room for strategy.
However, as I’ve already experienced, Luna Island’s casino includes “non-standard” elements by default. The island-approved cheat item, [Black Ring]… In short, [Slot Card] only functions as a game when players masterfully wield their rings.
With that in mind, I check my own rings again. Of the rings I currently hold, the ones likely usable in [Slot Card] are these three:
[Autopilot]—Freely manipulate dice rolls.
[Number Build]—Alter a card’s number by up to 3.
[Double Action]—Perform a “once-per-game” action twice.
(Ugh…)
I barely suppress a grimace.
It’s painfully clear now that I’m in the B-rank area… My hand is, frankly, too weak. In Academy Island’s ability terms, it’s 2-star, maybe 3-star at best. Trying to compete with [Phantom] or [Violet], who hold hundreds or thousands of [Black Rings], with this feels almost embarrassingly futile.
‘Nihi! Hiro-kyun, Hiro-kyun, we’re all set over here!’
(…Thank you, Kagaya-san.)
I tap my right ear’s earpiece, responding silently in my mind.
Right—while [Slot Card] assumes ring usage, I don’t actually need to hold those rings. Just like before, I can brute-force it with [Company]’s cheating. That said, unlike Academy Island abilities, [Black Rings] are “things you bet,” so they can transfer to others depending on the situation—that’s the problem. If I don’t use them in a scenario where I can definitely retrieve them, my cheating will be exposed instantly.
(It’s tricky to time, but… gotta do it.)
‘—Okay! Now that the rules are clear, let’s kick off the game!’
As I steel myself, the bunny-clad dealer energetically declares the game’s start. The augmented reality (AR) casino space envelops us, and a roulette wheel with four marks and a joker appears before us, spinning with a whir.
And… shortly after, each player’s mark is set. I’m [Spade], Minami is [Clover], Mitsuru is [Diamond], and Sumire is [Heart]. Thus, the first turn’s [Joker Parent] is drawn by Hagoromo Shion—or rather, [Violet].
“Oh my, I’m the [Joker Parent] right off the bat. What to do? Today really is my lucky day. I should’ve bought a lottery ticket.”
Hagoromo smiles gleefully, her voice bubbling. From the rules, drawing [Joker Parent] on the first move seems to have little advantage, but she probably isn’t overthinking it. Her pure enjoyment is so endearing I almost let my expression soften.
But immediately after, Hagoromo places a black-decorated ring on the table.
“Then, before my bet… I’ll use a [Black Ring] right away. Its name is [Copycat]. The effect is this—henceforth, any player who becomes [Joker Parent] can only choose the same action as the previous player. This effect automatically lifts only if that action becomes impossible.”
“Too long, incomprehensible… Say it in four lines.”
“It was four lines, you know? Besides, I didn’t say anything complicated. In short, just mimic the previous player’s action.”
Hagoromo smoothly handles Minami’s quip, summarizing concisely.
[Copycat]—a ring that affects not just your turn but others’ actions. Setting aside its extremely powerful effect for now, using it first is a slightly questionable play. Plus, the restriction’s purpose isn’t clear.
Sharing my doubts, Sumire tilts her head in a nearby space.
“What does that mean, what does it mean? We have to do the same as the person before? Um, um… Mitsuru, what’s so great about that?”
“Hmm, let’s see… If we had to match the ‘declared numbers’ too, then the second [Joker Parent] onward—since the others can just shift their numbers—would never guess right. Maybe it’s about raking in chips on the first turn and assuming everyone else misses…?”
“? But, but, we can use [Black Rings] too.”
“Exactly. So I can’t quite read the intent yet…”
Mitsuru nods vaguely, narrowing his eyes slightly.
…Sumire’s doubt is valid. Since players other than Hagoromo can use rings too, just restricting actions lacks a decisive edge. There might be a “ring that nullifies ring effects,” but using a ring single-use outside a [Joker Trap] is quite inefficient.
But—Hagoromo, [Violet], makes a move completely unlike our predictions.
“And now, my turn. My chosen action is to designate a permanent retirement—I’d like to seal ‘the number with the lowest multiplier rate among the remaining numbers on the slot.’”
A faint murmur ripples among the players at Hagoromo’s declaration.
Designating the lowest multiplier number as “permanently retired”… In this case, [2] is sealed on Hagoromo’s turn. And since the next [Joker Parent] must “choose the same as Hagoromo,” the next lowest multiplier, [3], will be banned. As long as [Copycat]’s effect persists, this cycle repeats endlessly.
(But what’s the point…? If everyone keeps taking the same action, the game never moves. No one can even place a bet…)
—Then, realizing something, I widen my eyes slightly.
Indeed, [Copycat]’s restriction alone is almost meaningless. However, the ring has a “release condition” that it’s voided if the action becomes impossible. [Slot Card] has five players, and one set is three rounds… meaning up to fifteen numbers could be retired. But poker has only thirteen numbers, A to K. [Copycat]’s effect will lift before the third round ends.
“…Hey, Himeji.”
Feeling an uneasy premonition, I whisper to Himeji beside me.
“If all numbers get designated as ‘permanently retired,’ what happens?”
“Yes. In that case, the four players can’t select any numbers, so their answers are automatically blank. At that point, it’s judged as ‘all four answers matching,’ resulting in an unconditional victory for the [Joker Parent]. The multiplier rate is 20x, by the way.”
Himeji answers instantly in her cool voice, swaying her silver hair.
If all numbers are sealed, the [Joker Parent] wins unconditionally… If the game proceeds as predicted, the fourteenth and fifteenth [Joker Parents] are almost guaranteed 200,000 chips. That’s more than I’ve earned so far in a single moment—a massive win. Of course, it’s not guaranteed Hagoromo will be that [Joker Parent], but she could manipulate that with rings.
And—the terrifying part of this strategy isn’t just that.
(Whether by chance or intent, I don’t know… but two people, right? If Hagoromo’s plan works, there’ll be two winners in this game. Besides Hagoromo, there’s one more slot for a big win.)
…Yes. The most menacing aspect of her strategy is likely that.
If this were a move for Hagoromo’s solo victory, the other four could team up to crush it. But it’s not. It’s not just one person who’ll profit big. So, instead of rashly disrupting her plan, aligning with it keeps open the chance to be the “second” winner. But any interference means you’ll never taste that reward.
“Hehe… I’ll just say, ‘How’s that?’”
—Hagoromo Shion, or rather, [Violet].
The rightful heir of the Saionji family is now poised to dominate with overwhelming power.
By the way, the other three—Minami and the Fuwa siblings—seem to have grasped Hagoromo’s intent to some degree. They stare at the table’s center, some calmly, some tensely, some ambiguously. [2] is permanently retired, vanishing from the slot board. The roulette spins again, its needle designating Minami Shizuku as the next [Joker Parent].
“Mm…”
Seeing this, she glances at Hagoromo with sleepy eyes. Shaking her head slowly, she lifts her terminal with a languid gesture—instantly, a [Black Ring] materializes with a shimmering effect.
Placing it on the table with a clink, Minami speaks in a flat tone.
“Getting wild right away is… troublesome. So, early interference. I’m using the [Double Action] ring… Perform the same action twice. In other words, I designate both the smallest number and the next smallest as ‘permanently retired’… [3] and [4], logged out.”
“Oh no, I’ve been interfered with already. I’m bummed… But I don’t mind if numbers disappear faster. It just means the number of winners shifts from two to three.”
“Normally, yeah… But that’s shallow thinking. [Double Action] is a classic. Lots of dealers use it, so others probably have it too… Right?”
Minami says, glancing at me with her sleepy blue eyes.
…I see, that’s her angle. If three people, including Minami, retire “one extra” number, all numbers will be “permanently retired” in exactly two rounds. In that case, the third round yields one 200,000-chip gain and four 40,000-chip losses, so all five players end with a tidy 40,000-chip profit. The dealer watching nearby is already turning pale, but for players, there’s no reason to disrupt this.
“…Yeah. No need to hesitate then.”
Chosen as the next [Joker Parent] Mitsuru also uses [Double Action] with a vague smile. My turn follows suit. Together, we retire [5] through [8], meeting the conditions for Minami’s “cooperation route.”
(If this keeps up, Hagoromo’s group gets a 40,000-chip profit too… Not a bad outcome to accept. But her original plan—‘two winners’—would’ve netted 160,000 chips, so she might try something again…)
Gauging Hagoromo’s thoughts as she smiles gracefully, I watch the game unfold.
For a while, turns proceed without major upheaval, and now Minami and Mitsuru have each completed their second [Joker Parent] turns. With [2] through [11] all sealed, the [Joker Parent] role returns to Hagoromo Shion.
At that moment.
“—[Black Ring: Gravity Field] activated.”
Before Hagoromo can declare any action, Mitsuru’s voice cuts in with impeccable timing. He places a black ring on the table, a slight smirk on his lips.
“[Violet]… I’ve heard the rumors about you. A [Stranger] tearing through various areas, known for relentless ‘domination’ with a ton of rings. So, I’m sealing you. [Gravity Field]—you can only use one more ring in this game.”
“Oh my… Is that so? That’s quite a lonely thing to do, isn’t it?”
“It’s just a game. No hard feelings, but anyone outside Shinra’s crew is an enemy. That said, if you’re willing to lend Shinra a hand, that’s a different story.”
“Yes, yes! We’d love to be friends with you!”
Mitsuru throws out a provocative deal, while Sumire approaches with full-on friendliness. But Hagoromo lifts her face with an elegant, almost mesmerizing gesture.
“I’ll have to decline. I’m not the kind of girl who sways at such confessions. And—once again, I’ll use the [Treaty Breaker] ring. Its effect nullifies the [Copycat] I used earlier… So, you’re free to act as you wish now.”
(Huh…?)
“…Meaning, unclear…”
My inner voice and Minami’s mutter sync perfectly at her far-beyond-expected declaration.
And no wonder—at this timing, “lifting the restriction” is nothing but a bad move. Sure, the usable numbers are down to [Q], [K], and [A], but the odds of hitting a bet are still 4/81. That’s not a number you can guess without rings. In that case, Hagoromo, under [Gravity Field]’s effect, is at the biggest disadvantage.
“I can’t believe you’d make such a mistake… Something’s off. What are you scheming…?”
“It’s a secret. Or… am I really that highly regarded?”
“Well, yeah… You’re a cute girl, after all. Your face, your voice, your gestures… Total bias.”
“Oh my, another confession! This must be my prime time…”
Minami mutters flatly, while Hagoromo places her hands near her mask’s edge, looking shy.
Anyway, as I spin my thoughts, [Slot Card] finally enters a proper “betting” phase for the first time. The four players choose numbers for their marks, and the [Joker Parent] makes their call.
A simple rule where the 《Joker Dealer》 predicts the sequence. The prediction must be correct,
or if all four numbers are the same, only then does the 《Joker Dealer》
side win.
—And then,
“My prediction is… let’s go with this. The bet is 10,000 chips.”
Speaking in a refined tone, Hagoromo Shion said this and laid out four cards in front of her—naturally,
they were face-down at this point, so the numbers written on them were unknown—
and unfolded them. The bet was 10,000 chips. This was the maximum number
of chips that could be wagered in a single bet. Considering that in the C-rank area, bets were fought over
in units of tens or hundreds of chips, this was literally on a different scale.
“Ngh…”
At the same time, three number panels appeared in front of me. The background was adorned
with the 《Diamond》 mark, representing my affiliation, and they were lined up from left to right as 【Q】
【K】【A】.
(Since the Ring can’t be used, there’s no way Hagoromo Shion could correctly predict the sequence… but)
Minami, Tsuji, and Sumire still hadn’t finalized their numbers,
not a single one of them.
Most likely, everyone here was on guard—sensing some kind of “intent” in Hagoromo Shion, who calmly
bet the maximum number of chips despite it being a situation where landing a successful bet
should be impossible. They were suspecting there might be some fatal “trap.”
(The suspicious part is definitely her using 【Treaty Annulment】. By using the Ring
to nullify 【Copycat】 there, she’s clearly putting herself at a disadvantage… But what if
that was a fake? What if it was a counterfeit…?)
As my thoughts reached that point, I quietly brought my right hand near my ear.
…When Hagoromo Shion used 【Treaty Annulment】, there was indeed a jet-black Ring
placed in front of her. But that was just a visual effect.
Something like that could easily be replicated with the terminal’s augmented reality AR function.
So, while keeping my gaze fixed on Hagoromo Shion across from me, I lowered my voice and asked,
“—Kirigaya-san. I have one question. Was that 【Treaty Annulment】 from earlier real?”
“Huh!? Real, you say…? Got it, I’ll check real quick. Umm…”
“…It’s fake! It was just a color change, Onii-chan!”
(Damn… I knew it!)
Hearing Shiina’s response cut in abruptly, I gritted my teeth and bit my lower lip.
That’s right—that’s what it means. Hagoromo Shion hadn’t used 【Black Ring】 at all
since being affected by 【Gravity Field】. The restriction being lifted was likely
due to 【Copycat】’s own mechanics. That Ring was designed to have its effect
limited to “one turn” from the start. And Hagoromo Shion, taking advantage of Tsuji’s
【Gravity Field】, was now attempting a surprise attack.
“—Hold on a second.”
So, with a theatrical gesture, I placed a hand on my jet-black mask and spoke in a calm tone.
“You guys probably suspect it too… but that 【Treaty Annulment】 was a fake.
Even accounting for the effects of 【Gravity Field】, 【Violet】 can still use the Ring.”
“…Hmmm? Do you have any proof…?”
“Nope. I don’t, so it’s fine if only those who trust me go along with it. If 【Treaty Annulment】
was a fake—if 【Violet】 is still holding onto the Ring—then nine times out of ten,
it’ll be something that lets her ‘peek at the numbers chosen by the player.’ Or maybe
something like ‘after-the-fact’ or ‘substitution’… Anyway, any Ring that guarantees
a correct prediction will do.”
“Ngh… So, peeking. Something a stalker-san would be good at…”
“What, are you a pro at stirring up trouble where there’s none? …Anyway, if 【Violet】’s
strategy is as I predicted, then in theory, a Ring that lets you ’tamper with your numbers
after the 《Joker Dealer》’s prediction is revealed’ should counter it. Ideally, we’d need two.
Two, to prepare for the possibility of a follow-up after a change. Since I have 【Number Build】,
if there’s one more person with a similar Ring effect…”
“【Number Build】? That’s… Mitsuru, Mitsuru!”
“Yeah, I got it, Sumire. I’ve got 【Number Build】 too.”
—And then, with a small shrug, the one who spoke was Fuwa Mitsuru,
the 5-star from Shinra’s group. While fiddling with his terminal with his right hand,
he flashed an ambiguous smile.
“Since my recruitment pitch got shot down, I guess I’ll ride with Shinohara-kun here.”
“…My goodness. I’m shocked—suddenly getting rejected like this.”
Hearing Mitsuru’s sarcastic words, Hagoromo Shion gently placed her right hand on her cheek.
With her doll-like long hair swaying softly, she redirected her gaze through her mask
straight at Mitsuru.
“What, you don’t need me anymore? Even though Shinohara-san might be lying?”
“Well, sure. Shinohara-kun is a mysterious guy whose emotions even Sumire can’t read.
But I like to think I’ve got an eye for people. Whether Shinohara-kun is lying or not,
I’d rather bet on him than you—it’s more likely to lead to a win. Besides, if it’s 【Phantom】,
we can still win from here. If a 【Stranger】 would lose at this level, I don’t need them.”
With a faint smirk, Mitsuru spoke provocatively, readying his terminal to use the Ring at any moment.
In response, Hagoromo Shion murmured only, “…Is that so?” in a quiet tone, then gracefully stepped back
without saying anything more.
At any rate, this finalized the four numbers and the 《Joker Dealer》’s bet—
the second round of 【Slot Card】, mid-game. For the first time since the game began,
the call rang out.
“Get ready! Here we go! Everyone, reveal your numbers at once—”
“—No, Shizuku-dono!!”
And… at that moment, a voice so loud it felt out of place forcibly interrupted
the progress of 【Slot Card】. The source of the voice came rushing toward us,
cutting through the air with a tatata sound, then slid to a stop with a zzaa in front of Minami,
drawing a wooden sword from her waist at the same time. Maintaining a low stance,
she—Kururugi Senri—glared at, for some reason, Hagoromo Shion.
As her ponytail, swaying from inertia, settled back, Kururugi continued quietly.
“My apologies for being late. But… it’s dangerous to go along with this woman’s invitation,
Shizuku-dono. 【Violet】 is not an ally. Let your guard down, and we’ll all be taken down together.”
“…My, you’re saying some rather alarming things. Have I done something?”
“Don’t play dumb. I’ve reviewed the entire game log—you used a Ring, limited to one
by the effects of 【Gravity Field】, to contact Shizuku-dono, didn’t you? You offered
half the victory reward as compensation to use Shizuku-dono’s 【Black Ring】
to crush the boy’s strategy.”
(Wha—!?)
My eyes widened internally at Kururugi’s accusation.
I was outplayed—that was my most honest reaction. The 【Black Ring】, limited to one
by 【Gravity Field】. Because of that, I thought we could definitely crush her if we teamed up
with two or more people. But Hagoromo Shion, it seems, used that one Ring to contact Minami.
She was trying to secure infinite possibilities with limited resources.
It wasn’t certain, but if it worked perfectly, it was a bold move that would hit flawlessly.
In response to such an accusation, Hagoromo Shion elegantly brought a hand to her mouth,
letting out a refined laugh and nodding.
“Fufu, you caught me. I was this close to pulling it off… But still, how unfair.
I would never betray someone who cooperates with me, you know?”
“Is that so? But to win from that situation, you’d need to consume several of Shizuku-dono’s Rings.
Those would go to you as the victor, but how would she get them back?”
“I’d be very, very grateful. And your favorability would slightly increase.”
“…You’re quite a brazen one, aren’t you?”
With sharp eyes and a low voice, she was the 《Demon Shrine Maiden》 feared by all at Academy Island.
Even under her scrutiny, Hagoromo Shion maintained her calm demeanor without faltering,
causing Kururugi to finally let out an exasperated sigh and release her combat stance.
She sheathed her wooden sword at her waist, brushed off her knees, and stood beside Minami.
“Fufu—passed, haven’t I?”
Seeing the two of them, I could tell Hagoromo Shion let out a small chuckle.
And so, she quietly revealed her cards. 【A】【A】【A】【A】… In this game,
where matching numbers are automatically treated as a “hit,” this was undeniably
the least valuable choice. It was a hand that clearly assumed the use of a Ring.
Displaying such a hand, Hagoromo Shion gave an elegant smile.
“There you go. …As you can see, I’m fine with losing this game.
After all, without their cooperation, there’s no way I could win.”
“Ngh… That’s true. …And?”
“Minami Shizuku-san, and Kururugi Senri-san.
…Are you two perhaps looking for a strong 【Stranger】?
If so, I’d like to nominate myself. I may not look it, but I’m very strong, you know? Quite a bargain, don’t you think?”
“…Hmmm? A strong 【Stranger】 is neither here nor there…
but a cute girl is always welcome. So, I’m all for it… What about you, Kururugi-chan?”
“Hmm… Indeed. As an enemy, perhaps not, but as a comrade, you’re welcome.
Cuteness isn’t important, but I’ve sufficiently confirmed your strength.”
“My, to have both my strength and looks acknowledged. What a wonderful place…
Well then, for the short time we’re together, I look forward to working with you.”
Smiling happily and swaying her doll-like long hair softly, Hagoromo Shion beamed.
(W-Wait, seriously!? You’ve got to be kidding me!)
Meanwhile, I could only scream internally. …【Violet】, a force to be reckoned with,
rivaling 【Phantom】, wielding an incredible number of Rings and game sense.
That she’d join 《School Trip Battle Forteissimo》 as a 【Stranger】
—that alone might’ve been manageable. But the worst part was who she allied with.
The dark horse of 《School Trip Battle Forteissimo》, a coalition academy
boasting multiple exceptional high-rankers.
Kururugi Senri. Minami Shizuku. And now, Hagoromo Shion.
Three individuals at 6-star level—or perhaps even more dangerous—suddenly joined forces here.
“…Tch…”
The casino game 【Slot Card】 continued for a while after that… but my head
was so overwhelmed by the sudden emergency that I could no longer focus on the game.
【Grade-Based Battle 《School Trip Battle Forteissimo》 · End of Day 2 Scores】
【Third Place: Eimei Academy – 1.91 million chips】
【Second Place: Ouka Academy – 2.7 million chips】
【First Place: St. Rosalia & Tsuyuri Coalition – 10.27 million chips】
