56. Hikigaya's Kind Reminder
"Saotome-san, long time no see!"
Jabami Yumeko swung her arms as she ran up and threw herself into Saotome Mary's arms, who was dressed in a maid outfit. Soft and bouncy pressed against flat, youthful cheeks rubbing against each other, leaving Saotome both flustered and embarrassed, her face flushed red and her body frozen in awkwardness.
"W-What the hell... so suddenly! We're not even that close, you know!"
Finally regaining her senses, Saotome pushed Yumeko away with both hands and protectively crossed her arms over her chest, glaring warily at the woman in front of her with a lovestruck expression. She then cast a questioning look at Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Because Saotome-san has been busy with the casino stuff, I've really missed you," Yumeko said, clasping her hands behind her back with a hint of regret in her tone.
She looked around the second library room with wide, curious eyes. "So this is the casino you set up, Saotome-san? It's so refined."
"Well… it's alright, I guess. But don't tell me you two came all this way just to compliment me?"
"Saotome, I came to ask a favor."
"A favor? Hearing that from you, Hikigaya, is really something else."
Clearly, Saotome hadn't completely let go of her grudge against Hikigaya. It was because of him that she had almost become Juraku Sachiko's personal livestock.
Tossing her twin golden ponytails in frustration, she said, "Go on, what is it?"
"Mm... I'd like you to become my creditor..."
"Huh?"
Hikigaya had already anticipated her shocked reaction, so he laid out the entire situation regarding the Debt Swap Gambling Tournament to Saotome Mary.
To be honest, this was only the second time he had ever explained something so thoroughly to a girl since coming to this academy.
Saotome instinctively rubbed her pale chin. "So basically, you're going to report a debt of 50 million yen to the student council, and then the student council will transfer that amount of money to me?"
"Is the student council really that generous? Would they just hand out money like that?" she asked, her voice full of skepticism.
Indeed, the student council's methods seemed completely irrational to normal people. But the student council president, Momobami Kirari, was a wicked woman who didn't see money as money—her only principle was to amuse herself.
"Hard to believe, I know. But it's true," Hikigaya said calmly. "So, I hope you can temporarily hold this 50 million yen for me. After it's over, I'll give you 5 million."
"Would that be alright, Saotome-san?" Jabami Yumeko blinked her large, watery eyes with a pitiful expression.
Saotome's face flushed red again as she instinctively turned her body toward Hikigaya.
"Just for holding it for an afternoon and I get 5 million yen? I can't think of any reason to say no. Deal."
As Saotome gave her firm answer, Hikigaya felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
A strange feeling began to grow in his chest—probably the feeling of making progress in a relationship by relying on genuine trust?
"...Thanks."
Hikigaya didn't say much more in terms of gratitude. Sometimes, trust between people didn't need too many words.
"Since that's all, I won't be seeing you off. I still have guests to entertain later."
Even though she had agreed to Hikigaya's request, Saotome's tone remained sharp. She picked up a rag and began wiping down the gambling table on her own.
Hikigaya nodded and turned to leave with Jabami.
Out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly noticed a poster with the casino rules by the door, and instinctively started reading the rules of Saotome's casino:
[Dice Game: Pick One of Three, Compare Values]
There are three different dice. Each die has identical numbers on opposing faces, so each die only yields three possible results when rolled.
• Red Die: 2 / 6 / 7
• White Die: 1 / 5 / 9
• Black Die: 3 / 4 / 8
The player chooses one die, and the dealer chooses another. After both roll, the higher value wins.
Up to three rounds per session.
Hikigaya stopped in his tracks, his mind racing.
As repayment for Saotome Mary's trust, Hikigaya decided to give her a kind reminder:
"Saotome, your casino game..." Hikigaya paused thoughtfully. "It's cleverly designed. If you always choose the advantageous die, you can maintain a 5/9 win rate. You've probably made a decent profit from that, huh?"
"Not bad," Saotome replied without even looking up, casually saying, "About 200,000 yen a day. The people who come here are all average students, so the stakes are small."
Hikigaya subconsciously glanced at her outfit. A cute and lively maid costume radiating youthful energy—no doubt a major reason the obscure second library had been brought back to life.
"Watch out for the Martingale strategy."
"If you run into a gambler who looks well-funded and skilled, it's best to switch to another game."
Hikigaya ultimately gave his assessment.
"You talk too much. I don't know any well-funded, hostile gambling experts at school."
However, it was clear that Saotome Mary didn't take his words to heart and casually brushed them off.
A casino is a casino because it's designed to make steady profits without loss.
Among the gambling elites at Hyakkaou Private Academy, there was a tacit understanding—though unspoken—that they wouldn't casually challenge or sabotage each other's establishments. The idea was to make money harmoniously. Everyone made money together, and most of the profits came from ordinary students.
Ordinary people—those on the level of someone like Aiura Kokoro—made up the bulk of the student body. And when it came to such students, seeing through Saotome's meticulously designed games wouldn't be easy.
Not everyone was Hikigaya Hachiman.
Having said all he could, with a clear conscience, Hikigaya then took Jabami Yumeko and headed to the Student Council's activity room to submit the debt application.
.
.
.
Inside the Student Council activity room, there were currently only two people on duty. Hikigaya immediately spotted the nameplates on their desks.
"Student Council Treasurer... Manyuda Kaede, and Beautification Committee Chair—Miharutaki Sakura."
Hikigaya's gaze locked onto the woman with long hair tied in a high ponytail, quietly reading a book.
This person... Juraku Sachiko had mentioned her before.
She was a third-year senior, the head of the Beautification Committee, and, more importantly, held a status Hikigaya was particularly interested in—she was Mibuomi Aoi's fiancée.
A fiancée, huh... Hikigaya didn't know how deep their feelings for each other ran, but if he were to snatch Miharutaki away, Mibuomi Aoi's fake, hypocritical mask would surely come crashing down.
A strange idea stirred within Hikigaya's heart. But he quickly rejected it himself.
"Only punish the true villain," he reminded himself internally.
Miharutaki Sakura had also noticed Hikigaya Hachiman and stood up to ask, "What brings you to the Student Council, student?"
"Hello, senpai. We're here to file a debt report."
Miharutaki's expression remained composed. She had clearly seen many students like Hikigaya before—opportunistic types. But as long as one had the courage to face the risk of gambling loss, the Student Council had no reason to turn anyone away.
She gestured toward the man beside her, the stern-looking Manyuda Kaede, who wore black-framed glasses and had a meticulous air about him.
"How much debt do you wish to report, and who is the creditor? You need to state both truthfully."