Top. (Reader x Various Kakegurui)

70: I Will Raise My Life

"'I will raise my life'." Runa repeated for you. "She agreed to it. And Yumeko pretty much came on the stage."

"And Kaede?" You sat down calmly.

"He asked if it was permitted and rejected her raise. Saying Yumeko's life plan was a collateral of debt, not a life estimation worth. And we're waiting to hear the results now. Ririka is waiting on your text." Runa admitted. "Kaede said it's incalculable. But I know that the president knows that you know how much each student council member's, past and present, life is worth."

"Oh!" You pulled out your phone. "I'll send it now. My apologies for holding it up. I honestly felt ill."

"I will permit this raise." Ririka felt the vibration in her pocket.

Kaede gasped audibly.

"Listen, do you even realize what you're saying?" Kaede asked increduously.

"I am the dealer. I will be the one to decide what can be wagered. I have received all necessary information." She checked the amount. "Itsuki's family's actual value is several hundred billion yen. Her father is the CEO as well majority shareholder. She stands to inherit it all. Surely, you don't object my allowing a ten billion yen raise?"

You bit your lip. That was your rough estimation of her worth, with just her actual life. Kaede wouldn't take it well.

"Did you say ten billion?! A decision as insane as that-- You don't have the authority! No one willing person here does! It's madness!"

"Are you certain of that?" Ririka removed her mask.

"Kirari!" You smiled as you called out. Kaede's face fell.

She waved to you.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Kaede asked.

"There's no need for you to know the reason." Kirari held her ground. She was one of the only members of the council who didn't take one inch of Kaede's bullshit. In fact, you gulped. You had a feeling about what was going to happen as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

His council... All the ways he's been talking about the school as if she wasn't here... He's... If he loses... He's fired. You knew it.

"But if I had to say." She continued fearlessly. "It's to witness the look on your face right now! Thinking you could overthrow me. To hurt the Princess how you did. You had this coming, Kaede Manyuda. Now suffer your own consequences."

"That's ridiculous!" He growled.

"I never saw that coming!" Runa sucked on a lollipop. "Did you, Princess?"

You shook your head, feeling a tad queasy again.

"Sayaka!" Kirari called out. "Please come down here and do my hair."

You smiled. Kirari always did have a soft spot for Sayaka. In fact, you wondered why the two didn't simply date yet. But that was a question for another day.

And then, there was an unnecessarily long pause while Kirari painted her nails blue to match her lips and Sayaka did her hair.

"My goodness, Runa. Why is the President like this?" You laughed.

"Asserting her dominance." She nodded. "We wait for her, not the other way around. You make us do it all the time."

"Not intentionally!" You giggled at that.

"And that's why you're in charge of her. Comes naturally to you." She handed you a candy to keep you preoccupied. "Are you ready for Kaede to lose?"

"What makes you say that? He could win."

"No." She shook her head.