𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄 [JJK x OC]

12: Beginning of the Beginning

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3rd person

"On your marks," A voice blares throughout the Kyōtei stadium; all those in attendance clutched their bets close in hand, muttering desperate pleas as they gambled their fortunes away, placing them in the hands of the racers. The sound of the speed boats and their revving motors filled the air as the announcer continued, "Get set," Silence fell across the stadium as every attendant waited with baited breaths as the lights on the track flashed from red to yellow and then, a second later, green and all at once the race began.

Watching it all with a smile in a section devoid of anyone else was Toji Fushiguro. He clutched his ticket tightly; he'd spent quite a bit on this bet, as was his vice, and though he hardly ever won, he had a good feeling about his chances this time. Things were looking up for him; the ink had barely dried on his contract with the Star Religious Cult, and he'd been paid half his take upfront. That much was worth celebrating in his eyes.

"I was wondering where you'd run off to. Should've known you'd be here." Kong sighed as he waltzed across the aisle of barren seats to where Toji sat. The mediator hummed as he watched the six-speed boats round a corner, "What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Toji scoffed, waving his ticket in front of Kong's face with a toothy smirk across his scared lips. "I'm making money."

Kong couldn't help but sigh. "Ten years, and I've never seen you win a bet." Realizing that Toji wasn't leaving until the race was over, he relented. He sat on a chair near Toji, intentionally leaving a wide berth between them. "So, what's this got to do with your job?"

Toji groaned as he leaned back into his seat and spoke with a feigned offense coating his every word. "Man, give me a break! You're treating me like some jobless bum."

"Because you have been for years." Kong huffed, a faint smile slowly forming on his lips as he shook his head. Toji was much the same as he remembered; he had worried that his years with his wife, away from this profession, had changed him. But it seemed it hadn't. "As the mediator, I must report your activity to the client, and gambling boat races don't read so well."

"I'm up against the Gojo clan's kid and the Kamo's prodigal daughter. It would have been hard enough individually, but with them both together, I wouldn't be able to do a thing if I popped in. They have to be worn down by some idiots first. I have it handled; you worry about doing your job." Toji explained, a faint pride gleaming beneath his otherwise passive voice.

Kong scoffed. "I've already done my part, dumbass. Also, what were you thinking about letting go of the initial deposit like that?" 30 million yen had been afforded to Toji, a sign of goodwill. Yet, all of the money had disappeared from his account. Despite his role, Kong had no idea where the money had gone. Coming to this place, he feared it had all been gambled away, but the bet Toji had made wasn't even a fraction of the deposit.

"I already told you I'm wearing them down." Toji shrugged as he sat up, edging closer to the end of his seat as the racers neared the final turn. "Don't worry, I'll get that money returned to me, just like with this race." He smirked, flaunting his ticket to his mediator.

Though his smile was short-lived, the racer in the first lane, who'd led the pack for the entire lap, hesitated as the race ended. His grip loosened from the accelerator as he came face to face with the finish line, and out of nowhere, another crossed the line, snatching victory from his grasp. "Number 6. Hateno crosses the line first, followed by number 1, Dogouchi!" The announcer blared.