A game of love behind the cards

XXX. 3 out of 4

Y/n listened intently as Kirari began to explain the rules of the game called Tarot.

Kirari: The game we will be playing will use the 22 Major Arcana Tarot cards, which will be laid face down in a circle on the table. Three people take turns choosing cards representing the present, past and future. Each card has a number on it and the total score is based on these numbers. But there's a twist: the score depends on the orientation of the card when it's turned over. If the card is facing up, it adds to your score. If it's upside down, it subtracts, and if the total score is positive, Yumeko wins. If the total is negative, I win.

Kirari then reached into the deck and pulled out a card, holding it up for all to see.

Kirari: This is The Fool. The Fool is the joker of the game. If The Fool is drawn and turned up, Yumeko wins immediately. If it's upside down, I win.

The game wasn't just about the cards; it was a test of their fates, their relationships and their deepest desires. The thought of losing Yumeko or being claimed by Kirari sent a shiver down his spine. Then a question occurred to him. Kirari had mentioned three players, but only she and Yumeko were playing. He turned to Kirari, his voice betraying his confusion.

Y/n: You said that three players would choose the cards. But who will draw the third card? Only you and Yumeko are playing.

Kirari's eyes met his, a gleam of amusement flickering in them as she savoured his realisation. She enjoyed this, the tension, the stakes, the control she was exerting.

Kirari: Ah, very observant, darling. The third player will be you.

Y/n's heart skipped a beat. The weight of the game pressed down on him even more. He hadn't expected to be directly involved, especially not in such a central role.

Y/n: But I am not playing! That is not fair.

Kirari: You're right, you're not directly playing. You haven't put anything on the line yourself, but the outcome of this game will determine who has the right to be at your side.

She paused, letting her words sink in, her grin widening as she saw the realisation dawn on him. The weight of the stakes weighed even more heavily on Y/n, the thought of losing one of them forever was quite overwhelming.

Kirari: Isn't this amusing? There is no one better suited to decide your own future than you. And for that, you will choose the card of the future.

Her voice was soft and confident, every word dripping with the pleasure she took in the high stakes of their game. She relished the control and tension she was creating, enjoying the subtle power play unfolding before her. Y/n felt his heart race as Kirari's words echoed in his mind. The pressure was immense, knowing that his decision could affect the outcome and determine the future of his relationships with both Yumeko and Kirari. He looked at Yumeko, who wore a reassuring smile, more than happy that he would have the last word in all of this.

Runa: Shall we start then?

The group moved into a room next door, where a number of tables were arranged in a circle. In the centre of the circle was a place for Kirari and Yumeko to stand. Runa shuffled the tarot cards with a practiced hand and began to place them in a circle on the table. Y/n felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with anticipation, and he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that came over him. He was deeply unsettled by the game unfolding before him. Though he was a stakeholder, he was not a player and there was nothing he could do to change the outcome. His own future was in the hands of Kirari and Yumeko, and well, partly in his, but if it were up to him, he wouldn't have played.Yumeko went over to him, noticing how nervous and uncertain he was.