Time passed quickly, and a few weeks later, Mukuro, who had only just started his schooling, welcomed the first long holiday of his student life.
"Kids should stay at home during vacation and rest quietly. Don't go running around and messing with grown-ups when they're out making money," Toji muttered with clear irritation as he sat beside Mukuro on the bus.
He had been planning to slip out unnoticed, but his younger brother had tailed him all the way. Worried that if he tried to shake him off, the boy might actually get lost, Toji had no choice but to take him along.
"You're going to the boat races to make money? That's new. I've never heard of making a living that way," Mukuro said, patting the racing newspaper tucked into his brother's chest with a teasing smile.
"What do you know, brat? This is the result of me studying the papers for weeks. If I bet right today, I won't have to worry about money for a whole year," Toji replied proudly. He pulled out the newspaper with a smug grin and began explaining his so-called analysis.
"You'd better be right," Mukuro mumbled. He knew his brother wasn't actually trying to strike it rich through gambling. This was just one of his rare hobbies, so he didn't spoil his fun.
* * *
Before long, the two of them arrived at the boat racing venue that Toji often visited.
"Two hundred thousand yen, all on boat number three!"
Standing at the counter, Toji casually took out a wad of cash and put down everything he had saved over the past while.
"Understood, please keep this safe."
The staff moved fast, exchanging the bills for a ticket and handing it to him.
"Now all that's left is to wait for the race to start. Watch closely and learn something, brat." He tucked the ticket away with a smirk that practically declared victory in advance.
"Yeah, yeah. Hurry up and buy something to eat already, or I'm gonna starve." Mukuro clasped his hands behind his head and strolled toward a food stall nearby. But after several steps, he realized Toji wasn't following. The man stood rooted to the spot, patting his pockets repeatedly.
When their eyes met, he deliberately looked away with an innocent expression.
"Wait… you idiot, don't tell me you bet every single yen?!" Mukuro's eye twitched as he voiced the suspicion.
"My hands moved too fast, didn't notice at the time." Toji shrugged, right as his stomach began to rumble loudly.
"Don't worry. It'll be quick. And once I win, I'll take you out for a feast," he promised, rubbing his belly. He was about to drag his brother toward the seats when he noticed several folded bills in the boy's hand.
"That's my private stash," Mukuro said flatly, holding up the few thousand yen he had secretly saved. "If you win, you'd better give it back right away."
"Relax. What kind of big brother would scam his own younger brother?"
* * *
And so, after Mukuro's secret savings were also spent, the two of them sat down in the stands, clutching bentos and some takoyaki.
The venue wasn't very crowded. Maybe most people preferred watching the broadcast on TV, or maybe boat racing simply wasn't that popular anymore. In the entire stand, only a few dozen scattered spectators were watching.
The race began soon after on the wide lake.
"Boat number three has taken the lead! The hot favorite, number two, has been left far behind! Could it be that the outcome has already been decided?!" The announcer's voice boomed with passion over the loudspeakers, almost swallowing the microphone in his hand.
"See that? This is the result of my analysis. We're about to double our money." Toji didn't even bother eating. He waved the betting slip and looked at his brother with proud eyes.
"If it really works out, that's best." Mukuro let out a breath of relief, but before he could say more, the race shifted.
"Boat three is about to clear the turn and make a run for the finish… wait, boat two is charging forward at unbelievable speed! What a fast corner!"
"Boat two has overtaken! Boat two has crossed the finish line first! The champion is boat number two!"
The announcer's voice rose with tension and excitement as the race ended. Just like that, Toji's all-or-nothing bet instantly turned to nothing.
"We did it! We won!" A small group of young men in the stands cheered wildly, waving their tickets and shouting loud enough for everyone to hear.
"This is boring as hell."
In contrast, Toji sighed, tore up his ticket into pieces, and tossed them into the air, letting the scraps scatter in the breeze.
"I've never seen you win even once since I can remember." Mukuro didn't forget to jab him while he was down.
"That's gambling. You win or you lose. A fifty-fifty chance is not bad."
After gulping down the last of his bento in a few bites, Toji stood up, ready to leave the unlucky place.
"Why… why won't you let me win just once… I bet everything I had… why does it have to be like this…"
A voice filled with resentment suddenly echoed through the venue.
Mukuro and Toji both turned toward a corner. There sat a middle-aged man, hair unkempt, face covered in stubble, staring at the ticket in his hand with near madness. His body was so thin it seemed like a breeze could knock him down.
"You're not gonna end up like that someday, are you?" Mukuro asked, nudging his brother with his elbow in mock concern.
"Ridiculous. Don't compare me to that kind of guy. If you can't handle losing, then don't dream of winning in the first place." Toji's eyes showed nothing but disgust as he glanced at the man.
"They're all liars… yes, that's it! The race was fixed from the start, just to ruin me! Now I have nothing left…" the man cried, his bloodshot eyes darting across the stands.
"Hey old man, if luck isn't on your side, just go home and get a real job. A guy like you was never meant to get rich," one of the young men shouted mockingly.
"Yeah, exactly! Not everyone's as lucky as us," another chimed in, laughing.
Hearing their jeers, the man snapped like a cornered animal. "It was you! You and the boat house set this up! Give me my money back!" He lunged at them in fury.
"Tch, just die already," a blond youth among the group scoffed. With their numbers, they weren't the least bit afraid. Instead of backing away, they rushed forward together, tackling the frail man and beating him to the ground with kicks and punches.
"What the hell are you two looking at? Get lost unless you wanna get smashed too!" the blond yelled after a few punches, glaring at Mukuro and Toji, who were watching with their arms folded.
"Oh? So you think you can fight, huh?" A grin tugged at Toji's mouth as he freed his hands.
"No need to rush. Look over there."
Mukuro stretched out a hand to stop his brother, his eyes fixed on the man lying motionless on the ground.
"Boss, h-he's dying!" one of the lackeys stammered in shock when they finally realized.
The middle-aged man, who had only been struck a few times, was already at death's door.
"You cheated… may you all rot in hell…" His hoarse voice carried a final curse. His head tilted to the side, and then he stopped breathing altogether.
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