55. Hikigaya Hachiman Doesn't Understand Romance
[Use a 40-card deck of playing cards with both jokers removed.]
[Each player will be dealt one card by the dealer, known as a "private card," which only the player can see.]
[After confirming the private card, the dealer will deal a second card.]
[The second card cannot be looked at by the player themselves—it is considered the "public card," and must be stuck to one's forehead.]
[The outcome of each match is determined by the combination of the public and private cards. Ranking: same number > same suit > higher number.]
[Victory is determined by calculating the total value of chips. Each player starts with ten chips, but the value of each chip is not equal—each chip equals one-tenth of their debt.]
[In every round of the game, each participant must pay one of their own chips as an entry fee (if they have no personal chips left, they may use chips of others instead). The maximum bet per round is five chips.]
This relatively simple set of rules was firmly memorized by Hikigaya Hachiman.
The key to the game lies in knowing the value of the public card on your forehead.
Psychological strategies could be used—such as reading micro-expressions of opponents—to roughly judge whether their number is high or low. Based on the theory of a certain famous psychologist, Hikigaya could even use subliminal cues—like placing objects that hint at the numbers "7" or "3" on his body—to further pressure the opponent psychologically.
But all of that was too complex. The simplest and most effective method was—
Cheating.
If by chance you ended up in the same match as someone you knew, and shared your public cards with each other, you could secure victory effortlessly. On the other hand, if 2–3 of your opponents already knew each other and were collaborating, the game would become overwhelmingly unfavorable.
At that point, it wouldn't just be a gambling game—it would become a network-based strategic battle.
Someone like Kiwatari Jun was entirely capable of using underhanded methods outside the game to force others in the Debt Swap Tournament to cooperate with him, thus securing control over the game's outcome. Of course, all of this hinged on the student council's matchup assignments being "neutral" and not deliberately targeting anyone.
Hikigaya glanced at Jabami Yumeko.
'If I don't enter... Jabami will probably be targeted, won't she?'
Hikigaya had two suspicions: the mastermind behind this Debt Swap Tournament was either Momobami Kirari or Mibuomi Aoi.
'Mibuomi Aoi would undoubtedly go after Jabami. Momobami Kirari is in it for the fun—she'd probably just watch Jabami fall into danger with a smile...'
Hikigaya was a bit hesitant.
This caught Jabami Yumeko's attention. In a gentle voice, she asked, "Hikigaya-kun, are you... worried about me?"
"Yeah." Hikigaya didn't hide his thoughts and shared his suspicions with Jabami Yumeko completely, including his own perspective on the matter.
"If all three are people arranged by Mibuomi Aoi, then even you, Jabami, would have no way out, right?"
Hikigaya had a deep understanding of Jabami Yumeko's gambling skills, though not in precise detail.
Jabami's gambling was built upon two main traits: meticulous observation and a madness that dared to go all-in. The fusion of these two elements gave birth to the existence known as Jabami Yumeko—the mad gambler blessed with incredible luck.
But how could she break through when faced with three opponents intentionally targeting her? Even if she managed to decipher the codes they used to exchange signals, there was absolutely no way she could know her own public card. This was a theoretical deadlock—something not even great fortune could solve.
It was like a game of Fight the Landlord: if the two peasants shared their cards, then unless the landlord had an overwhelmingly superior hand, there would be no chance of victory.
Even Hikigaya Hachiman, a self-professed mystery writer, couldn't come up with a solution. There was simply no method he could use on his own without help.
This was... a dead end.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Hikigaya-kun, but—"
"I'll join this match with you."
Jabami Yumeko was momentarily stunned. Her beautiful face turned slightly red, shocked that Hikigaya would interrupt her.
So forceful... Hikigaya-kun.
"Since I promised Juraku Sachiko I'd help her fight against the Full-Bloom faction, and since I've already received benefits from her promise, I have no reason to hide behind the sidelines and just watch," Hikigaya said matter-of-factly, completely unaware of the tenderness in Yumeko's eyes.
"As long as I join, the deadlock can be broken."
"Even if Mibuomi Aoi tries to target both of us—separating and taking us down one by one—my presence will keep Momobami Kirari from standing idly by."
"She wants amusement. The two of us working together will bring her more joy than watching us get picked off."
"I'm absolutely certain of it."
"The real issue now is—who should I declare my debt to? Who should be my creditor?"
Once the debt is reported, the student council would transfer the equivalent amount of money to Hikigaya's creditor. He had to be sure that the person would return the money to him after the Debt Swap Tournament was over.
Whenever finances were involved, Hikigaya was always especially cautious. The human heart could never withstand the temptation of money. He would never enter a deal that was a financial loss. Not even for a woman. That was a matter of principle.
He was willing to go after the Full-Bloom faction, but he would never shoulder even the slightest risk of debt.
Hikigaya Hachiman furrowed his brow, thinking about the people within his social circle at Hyakkaou Academy.
So who could he trust?
Juraku-senpai? She was a partner. If he depended too much on her, he wouldn't be able to demonstrate his own worth.
Sumeragi Itsuki? There was no guarantee she'd let go of her grudge against him. The human heart was unpredictable—if she were won over by the student council in the end, it would be a disastrous loss.
In the end, not everyone was like Jabami Yumeko—the mad gambler whom Hikigaya could genuinely consider a partner.
A subordinate, a tool to be used, and a partner—Hikigaya Hachiman could clearly distinguish between the three.
"How about Saotome-san?"
Jabami Yumeko parted her red lips and offered her opinion.
"Hikigaya-kun, you seem to have a good relationship with Saotome-san, right?"
"Saotome, huh..." Jabami's words gave Hikigaya a spark of realization, but he hesitated.
It was true that he admired Saotome. But he had also caused her to become livestock before. What if she took this chance to get back at him...?
"Hikigaya-kun!" Jabami's clear eyes locked with Hikigaya's. Her small hands tightly held his larger hand. In that moment, Hikigaya felt like he was floating in the air, a gentle breeze brushing across him in a tranquil peace.
All the schemes and calculations in his heart were washed away by the sincerity in Jabami's eyes.
He—Hikigaya Hachiman—had been seen through completely...
"Sometimes, you just have to choose to believe in someone," Jabami Yumeko said with a smile like blooming flowers, making Hikigaya unconsciously nod his head.
'For Yumeko's sake... I'll trust Saotome just this once. Even if I'm wrong about her, the loss won't be too great.'
Hikigaya silently lowered his head, though his mouth was as sharp as ever:
"I understand. Yumeko, can you let go of my hand now?"
"Ehehe~"
"Hikigaya-kun, you really don't understand romance at all~"
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