Pain {Kakegurui FanFic}

2.

I gulped as both girls sat at the table, the room absent of light and the whole class crowded around them. I stood relatively close to where Suzui was  so I was able to clearly see what was going on. Yumeko looked around, blushing in excitement. I felt my gut twist and I prayed that Mary would go easy on her or at least be slightly more lenient than usual.

"We'll be playing ballot rock-paper-scissors, a game that our class made up!" Mary said before explaining the rules to Yumeko. I zoned out, knowing that Mary would have the advantage in this game as about 21 students would be voting in Mary's favour. I wasn't included in those 21 students; Mary knew how I felt about cheating and I had warned her that I would never participate in it.

"That sounds easy enough...let's play!" Yumeko said and Suzui spoke up to try and stop her. Yanking on his HousePet tag, Mary pulled him close and snarled at him to go and fetch the chips. I panicked but kept the same neutral face as before, placing a hand on Mary's shoulder.

"Mary, don't be so hard on him, I'll go get the chips instead." I said, my tone becoming slightly sharper at the end of my sentence. Mary huffed and let go of Suzui, glaring at me in anger. I knew she hated the fact that I was kinder than most to HousePets and she'd probably be mad at me for showing her up but I could deal with that later. I coolly brushed aside her glares and got the chips, gently placing them down on the table. I watched Yumeko looking at me with interest, probably trying to figure out the extent of Mary's friendship with me. Mary glared at me before turning back to Yumeko.

"Okay we'll start with 120 chips, each worth 10,000 Yen. You can determine how much we bet each game. Would you mind if Aiko was the dealer?" Mary said and the whole class began to get more excited with anticipation. The amount of chips would mean that one round would be able to get very high stakes if one of the girls wished to do so.

"Let's bet two chips to start with and no of course I don't mind." Yumeko said and Mary nodded in agreement. The reminder of the class quickly drew their chosen symbol on a piece of card and slotted it into the silver ballot box. I watched as they did this, remaining by the table as I wasn't going to vote due to being the dealer.

"Let's play our cards at the same time." Mary said and Yumeko nodded before looking at me. I usually gave the signal in this game and this time was no different.

"Please go at the same time on Scissors. Rock, Paper, Scissors." I said and both the girls drew their cards, Yumeko with a rock and Mary with scissors. Some of the class groaned at Mary's loss, the other half congratulating Yumeko for her win. I sent a quick smile at her and turned to Mary.

"Yumeko wins this round by 2 chips," I said whilst removing the two chips that Mary had bet on and giving them over to Yumeko before asking her, "and how many chips would you like to bet?"

"Fifty chips please." She said without missing a beat. The class gasped collectively, horrified that she would even consider betting 500,000 Yen on a simple match. I nodded, accepting her bet, leaving the rest of the class stunned. Although I thought it was reckless, this was a gambling school and Yumeko had the right to bet how many chips she desired.

"I didn't know that you were such a risk taker." Mary teased as I collected 50 chips from each girl before placing the heap of chips in the middle. Yumeko laughed at this and we waited once again as everyone filled out their cards again. Suzui gave me a worried look and I smiled back at him.

"Are you ready? Rock, Paper, Scissors." I said and both of the girls drew rocks. "A draw. Please reselect a card," I said whilst giving them a moment. "Alright, Rock, Paper, Scissors." Yumeko drew scissors and Mary drew rock. Mary giggled in delight and I couldn't help but feel put off by Yumeko and her calm manner.

"Mary wins this round by 50 chips. Yumeko please decide the amount of chips for the next round." I said whilst giving Mary her chips that she had won. Yumeko thought for a second before holding up two chips. I nodded and placed two of each of the girls chips on the table. I couldn't help but feel anxious as I waited for the game to resume. Yumeko seemed...different, as if she didn't care about winning or loosing that much. The girls drew once again and Yumeko won with a paper trumping a rock. Yumeko smiled once again before pushing over most of her chips.

"Let's go with 50 chips again." Yumeko said and Mary's eyes widened with interest. I glanced over at Yumeko, realising that she was serious and I prayed that she knew what she was doing and that she didn't burn through all of her chips.

"The bet has been placed at 50 chips which amounts to 500,000 Yen. Please go and draw the symbols." I instructed and everyone bustled about until we were ready.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors." Both girls drew Paper and I watched Mary smirk. "Rock, Paper, Scissors!" Mary won with a paper and become ecstatic, scooping forward the chips that she had won. I contemplated ending the game here as I could sense that Mary was getting to full of herself and I didn't really want to watch Yumeko crash and burn. I opened my mouth to suggest stopping the game when Yumeko spoke up first.

"The rest of my chips on this round please." Yumeko said and Mary laughed. It was 216 chips vs 24 chips and I began to feel bad for Yumeko. As everyone left the betting space I turned to Yumeko, frowning slightly.

"Yumeko, you don't have to continue playing if you don't want to." I said kindly, trying to make her see reason but she just politely shook her head before declining my request.

"The real showdown is about to start!" Was all that she said and I frowned again but didn't push it any further. I could feel Mary's cold gaze on my back but I ignored her.

Mary drew a scissors, taking the last of Yumeko's chips. I gasped as I estimated Yumeko's loss which was around 1.2 million Yen. Suzui looked distraught and I glanced at Mary who seemed delighted.

"Looks like I've run you dry Yumeko!" Mary giggled and despite the fact that something was off about Yumeko, I didn't want her to become a HousePet on her first day.

"Let's play one last round." Yumeko suggested and I shook my head in protest. Mary had already destroyed her enough, so I don't know why Yumeko would even suggest that. I opened my mouth to protest, shaking my head and causing my pink hair to fall out of my messy bun and fly everywhere when Yumeko stood up and emptied her bag across the table.

Bundles of money fell out onto the table, making me gasp in shock. Yumeko calmly sat down, holding some of the money and giggling in delight.

"Let's bet ten million Yen."