The House Always Wins | Kakegurui x Male Reader

Chapter X

We hit 10 chapters already....yay!! This stuff is gaining momentum!

Also, Wattpad will delete the message system and absolutely dog shit change you guys can believe that shit? who asked that? No one, but it is what it is, braindead mental fart people making changes to the website I guess..sorry I'm salty.

.

Y/N sat in the laundry store, watching his clothes spin in the washing machine, he pressed his phone closer to his ear, trying to focus on the conversation. "Yeah, no, I'm good, Mom," he said, attempting to sound convincing despite the fatigue in his voice.

His mother was known for her ability to remain neutral, like Switzerland, though she had a tendency to lean toward neutrality more like Italy in World War I—ambiguous and shifting when it came to choosing sides between him and the old man. "Y/N, you've not called for weeks," she said in concern and mild annoyance. "You haven't even replied to the family's chat group!"

He grimaced. "Yeah, sorry. I've been busy. Got a decent job... at a bar-café. Pays well... better than what I'd get in the States," he explained, hoping it would put her at ease. He pulled his clothes from the machine and put them in the basket, then added the panda onesie.

" But I'm also proud of you, Y/N. You haven't come back. We miss you, but knowing that after a few months, you're still trying and overcoming the odds... It could have been easier here, you know," 

Y/N groaned. "I know, but I told you... I needed to find my own way," he replied, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice. The thought of going back home, facing his family, and dealing with the same old expectations was enough to make him shudder.

He stuffed the clothes into the dryer, tossing in a few coins to make it spin, then he leaned against the wall, focusing on the conversation.

Elaine sighed on the other end of the line. "I get it. I really do. But... you know you're always welcome back here. No questions asked,"

Y/N nodded, though she couldn't see it. "Yeah, thanks," he muttered, feeling a bit of guilt for the way he'd left. "How are... uh, the others? Lily and Max?"

"Lily's doing great," Elaine replied, her voice brightening. "She's still obsessed with school, always working on some project or preparing for a competition. And Max... well, you know him. He's into his PC games and gadgets. He's building his computer...again."

"Yeah, that's dog name for you. A tech nerd," he said, despite the annoyance his brother often caused, he missed the kid.

The conversation turned quieter as he asked the question that had been on his mind but he'd avoided asking. "How's... Dad?" he asked, his voice hesitant, unsure of what to expect.

Elaine's response was more guarded. "He's... he's fine," she said, the neutrality going back into her voice. "Still as stubborn as ever. But he's been working hard, as usual. He asks about you, you know. Wonders if you're doing okay."

Y/N rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Tell him not to worry," he replied, trying to keep the edge out of his tone. The mention of his father brought back all the tension and frustration that had driven him to leave in the first place. But even with the bad blood, there was a part of him that still cared, that still wanted things to be different.