"Well then, let the game begin."
Under Rinji's threat, Kiwatari had no choice but to agree to this gamble that wagered his own life.
The game was Five Card Stud, with Runa acting as the dealer.
Runa looked at the deck in her hands and let out a sigh.
The pressure had fallen onto her shoulders.
She could see through Rinji's plan clearly: this wasn't a simple gamble—it was an attack on the student council's credibility. Trying to stop it was pointless. The moment she was tricked into acting as the dealer, the council's reputation had already been damaged.
The only thing she could do now was damage control.
Reputation could be salvaged once Kirari returned. For now, her goal was to make sure Kiwatari stayed alive.
If Kiwatari died, not only the student council, but the entire school would be thrown into crisis. Once external forces got involved, the student council would have no standing left.
Of course, Runa believed that even if things reached that point, Kirari would find a way to handle it.
Knowing Kirari well, Runa understood that her absence wasn't out of fear of Rinji—it was to prepare fully for the eventual showdown between them.
This school had become the battleground between Kirari and Rinji. Every student was just a pawn to be sacrificed at will.
Perhaps Kirari brought Rinji here knowing he would stir things up.
That chaos was the very variable Kirari needed in this school.
Crunch.
Runa bit down on the lollipop in her mouth, a faint smile curling her lips.
She knew—things were about to get interesting.
"Then, I'll begin dealing the cards~"
With a smile, Runa shuffled the cards quickly and dealt three cards to both Kiwatari and Rinji.
According to the rules, they were supposed to bet after each card, but since Kiwatari was betting his life, the betting phase was skipped.
The cards were face down.
Rinji glanced at his cards: a 5 of Hearts, a 7 of Hearts, and an 8 of Spades.
On the other side, Kiwatari's expression was a mix of intense joy and nervousness.
He couldn't hide it.
He looked… elated.
Rinji glanced at Runa. "You didn't cheat, did you?"
"How could I? I'm a firm believer in fairness~"
"That's good."
She wasn't lying. She had dealt the cards normally, with no tricks.
Even though she was working to help the student council, the best she could do now was minimize damage.
And that meant ensuring Kiwatari won and survived. If he lived, the council's credibility would only suffer temporarily—it could be repaired.
But if Kiwatari died, the fallout would be catastrophic. External systems would likely interfere, and only Kirari's full strength might resolve it.
Still, Runa wasn't acting solely for the council. She, too, was curious to see who would ultimately win between Rinji and Kirari.
Just as Runa prepared to deal the next cards, the door suddenly opened.
Walking in was Igarashi Sayaka.
She walked up to Runa and held out her hand. "Yomozuki Runa, let me take over the dealing."
"Huh? Why?" Runa tilted her head.
"I served as dealer and referee during the 'Debt Resolution Convention.' I'm more experienced," Sayaka said calmly.
Of course, she didn't just come to deal. She had no choice.
In her view, the best way to preserve the student council was to ensure Kiwatari survived.
The current state of the council was dire: Runa didn't care about the outcome, Midari Ikishima had already left and joined Rinji, and Manyuda Kaede had also defected to Rinji's side.
Only Nishinotouin Yuriko remained loyal, and even she was likely only held back by fear of Kirari.
A group made up of defectors, indifferent members, and those simply trying to survive—this council had started falling apart the moment Rinji arrived at the school.
'We must hold on until the president returns…'
Runa glanced up at Sayaka.
"Are you sure you can do it?"
"Of course."
"Then—"
"No."
A loud voice interrupted them.
Next to enter the room was Manyuda, his head still wrapped in bandages. He walked in and immediately blocked Sayaka from taking the cards.
"Manyuda…"
Sayaka gritted her teeth at the sight of the traitor who had betrayed them without hesitation.
But Manyuda calmly adjusted his glasses and said, "I've never heard of changing dealers mid-game. It's against the rules."
"You…"
"Am I wrong? The match has already begun. Unless Yomozuki Runa collapses from health issues, the dealer cannot be replaced."
Looking at Manyuda's composed expression, Sayaka realized he had fully aligned himself with Rinji.
"What does it matter?"
Seeing them argue, Rinji smiled at the table.
"If she wants to deal, I've got no problem with that."
"But…"
Rinji looked at Manyuda and gestured for him to come over.
Manyuda obediently walked to Rinji's side. Rinji glanced at his cards and asked, "What do you want?"
"A wise bird chooses the right tree," Manyuda replied softly.
"You want to join the Anti-Gambling Club?"
"Please, President Rinji, grant me this chance. I was rude before."
Manyuda bowed ninety degrees.
Rinji didn't answer immediately. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth, then held the lighter out to Manyuda.
Manyuda got the message, picked up the lighter, and respectfully lit the cigarette for him.
Puff~
Exhaling smoke, Rinji smiled.
"Alright. I'll give you a chance."
"Thank you, President Rinji. I'll do my best to earn your trust."
"No need—I already trust you."
Rinji patted Manyuda on the shoulder and turned toward the pale-faced Sayaka.
"A lapdog of Kirari, huh? Then you can deal. Make this game as entertaining as possible."
With that, he slipped a ring onto his finger.