The House Always Wins | Kakegurui x Male Reader

Chapter II

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Y/N's POV 

Y/N was in an underground gambling den, a well-kept secret among those in the know in the heart of Chinatown. The place was a sanctuary of sorts for gamblers of all stripes, a haven where the usual tensions and risks associated with gambling seemed to dissolve into the smoky air.

Here the clientele was diverse, ranging from seasoned veterans to wide-eyed novices, all united by the thrill of the game. And for Y/N, a 16-year-old with a penchant for risk. Casinos were off-limits, but this place? This place was just right.

Tonight's game was "Shadow Hands," a complex but fun game that required luck, a keen sense of strategy, and a talent for reading people. The basic premise was simple: each player was dealt a hand of cards, with the goal being to predict the total number of a specific card (say, aces) that would be held collectively among all players at the table. Bets were placed not on the cards in one's hand but on the predictions of the collective hands around the table. It was a game of bluffs, double bluffs, and keen observation.

The players, known only by their chosen nicknames, added to the game's mystery. Y/N as "CheeseCoffee" (a nod to his unusual culinary tastes), went against "SweetRaisin," "MetalFalcon," and "NeonTiger" among others. SweetRaisin with her vibe, could well have been his aunt in disguise, while MetalFalcon's steely gaze suggested a man accustomed to risk.

The pot was growing. Hundreds of dollars were on the line, a small fortune in Y/N's world.

"SweetRaisin's been conservative all night, but that twitch in her eye when she looked at her cards this round...she's got something good. An ace, maybe two. MetalFalcon's too confident, almost cocky. He's bluffing, has to be. And NeonTiger, there's a desperation in his bets...he's trying to scare us off. But not me. I'll call their bluffs, raise them. This is it, the moment to risk it all."

Y/N's heart pounded as he placed his bet, a bold move that drew raised eyebrows and grudging nods of respect from around the table.

As the dealer prepared to reveal the results, Y/N felt a surge of adrenaline. This was what he lived for, the rush, the uncertainty, the thrill of the gamble. Here in this moment, he was more than just a disappointment, more than just a kid with a thing for trouble.

"I'm raising by $200," Y/N announced confidently, pushing his chips into the center. The table reacted with surprise and wary respect; this was no longer just a game, but a declaration.

"This is it. Watch and learn, SweetRaisin, MetalFalcon, NeonTiger. I've been counting, watching. Every twitch, every hesitant glance at your cards... It's all led to this moment. You're all in on bluffs, and I'm about to call, you fucks."

The players exchanged glances, the silent communication between them almost telling. SweetRaisin hesitated, then matched his raise with a resigned sigh. MetalFalcon folded, a smirk playing on his lips as if conceding the battle but not the war. NeonTiger driven by a mix of desperation and challenge called the raise, his eyes locked on Y/N's.

"And now, the moment of truth," the dealer intoned, the dramatic vibe adding to the charged atmosphere.

One by one, the players revealed their cards, the collective intake of breath a testament to the stakes at hand. When it came to Y/N's turn, he laid down his hand, revealing just enough to secure his victory.

A chorus of groans and reluctant claps filled the room. Y/N leaned back, a victorious grin spreading across his face. "Told you. It's all about reading the room, not just the cards."