Gambling With Ice and Fire (KakeguruiXMaleReader)

Chapter 5: Nails and Cards Pt. 2

  The game was set up again as you, Mary, and Ryota watched with baited breath. Your heart was thumping even more so then before. After so long, deep down you actually felt afraid.

Itsuki: So Senpai, you sure you're fine with betting your own finger nails along with Senpai (Y/N)'s as well?

  Yumeko looked back at you as you give her a nod letting her know that you were okay with it.

Yumeko: Yes, I'm sure.

Y/N: 'If she loses I swear to God I will murder her. But Yumeko.'

Ryota: Hey (Y/N). Are you sure you want to bet your nails as well?

Y/N: It's fine. I refuse to allow only Yumeko to suffer if she loses. I don't know if I'm doing it out of fear for Yumeko, or my own stupidity acting out. I have no idea, but one things for sure, I'll be damned if she loses.

  Itsuki smiled a devilish grin as she thought to herself in her mind.

Itsuki: 'I've added to my collection yet again. After all, I've got this match in the bag. Because I know what half of the hidden cards are. These cards, at a glance, are indistinguishable from the genuine product in the shops. But they're a different line I had produced separately for my personal use. There's just one thing that sets them apart. The pattern stands out above a certain temperature. Since my bag is rigged with hand warmers, after I've laid them out, for two to three minutes, until they cool, the pattern remains visible. After a minute, it disappears. There's no way anyone can catch on. I remember all the positions, you see. So how could I possibly lose? The reason I chose Double Concentration was to raise the difficulty level and protect against lucky guesses. As long as I know each card, I'm sure to win, whether it's poker or Old Maid. It was a struggle memorizing them all, but the returns were substantial. Senpai, those nails are mine!'

  Yumeko and Itsuki began the game after the cards were placed out for the final round. You looked on with fear as it was Yumeko's turn to go up first. She solemnly makes her move as the first cards she flips over reveals to be a pair.

  This was surprising, as even Itsuki showed some signs of shock and surprise at this.

Yumeko: By the way Itsuki, I here your family runs a successful toy company.

Itsuki: They do.

Yumeko: What's the total market value of such a large company, I wonder? Ten billion? Or closer to 100 billion yen, perhaps? This gamble is worth 20 million yen, correct? It hardly seems worth it.

  Itsuki grit her teeth a bit at Yumeko's comment. But your fear faded away gradually as you watched, you noticed Yumeko was doing the unbelievable. 

Yumeko: A word of advice Itsuki. If you're gonna put your family's company on the line, first make sure that you're sufficiently prepared.

Itsuki: 'What is she talking about? My family?'

  Then like a light, it clicked in Itsuki's mind. 

Ryota: Guys, am I under the weather? Or is Yumeko getting every single card she flips over correct.

  Both Mary and Ryota notice the same thing. Every card Yumeko flipped over was indeed a match, and she was definitely going on a streak from what it seemed.

Mary: Yeah you're right, this girl doesn't make a single lick of sense.

  Mary watched with her arms crossed. She wasn't really interested too much in the game, though it was something that seemed hard to not admire. Though with Itsuki, it was clear that she was on the verge of having a mental breakdown.