Chapter Text
Itsuki stepped out of the hall. Tears were threatening to flow down her flushed cheeks, but she controlled herself. They were tears of happiness, after all. Victory, because (god knows playing with her heart was risky but so worth it to see Manyuda-senpai’s eyes glint with calculation and cunning and even him teaming up with Yumeko to beat her, the “traitor”, it was all worth it.) Her ambition? Becoming the president? It all seemed to be fading away, bit by bit.
I chose to lose the third-party bet of my own volition. I chose to watch Manyuda regain his gambling fire, the spirit that awed me when I first spoke to him.
A small voice inside her told her that it was a bittersweet victory. Manyuda was used to looking down on her, using her as a pawn for his own gains in the Student Council. She would never see the day that they were equals in skill and heart and soul. The imbalance between his perception of her and her perception of him was too great.
“You simply pitied me, didn’t you?” Manyuda’s voice. Harsh, disbelieving. Itsuki’s chest ached. Pity, how she wished that was the extent of her feelings.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and Itsuki quickened her pace. She had to clean up before anyone from the Greater Good game caught up with her - she was out of the election, so it didn’t matter anymore. Maybe I’ll go find some others who are disillusioned with the election, play a few small gambles to pass the time, Itsuki thought idly. Revert back to my old games with temperature-sensitive cards and-
“Sumeragi!”
No. Not him. Itsuki started running.
“Explain yourself, Sumeragi!”
A hand yanked her back and she cursed inwardly. What Itsuki had in stealth, Manyuda-senpai more than made up for with his height. She glanced back, and was relieved when her eyes caught his and he was still glowering at her with the force of his earlier anger. Smirking, Itsuki thought, at least he still has some semblance of ambition in him.
“What’s there to say?” Itsuki toyed with her nails in a show of nonchalance. Much to her annoyance and irritation, her heart started pounding as Manyuda stared down at her.
“What did Yumeko Jabami mean by me being ‘shockingly obtuse’? And that part about you finding out what was in your heart…” Manyuda trailed off, confusion and astonishment warring in his eyes. “She didn’t possibly mean you…”
“Ah, who knows what she meant?” Itsuki cut him off.
Yumeko’s right. Manyuda-senpai is completely obtuse. He has no idea what I’m thinking. And it’s obvious that he’d never be interested in me as an equal. We’re both afraid of being deemed worthless, and we’re both ambitious, but that’s where the similarities stop. He doesn’t trust me. Has no faith in my talents.
Manyuda’s gaze shifted to one of sharp perception. She felt his eyes drilling into her, seeking an answer. After a while, he sighed and looked away, out of the window. Itsuki was overwhelmed at the change that had come over him since the game ended, his white hair now accentuating the deep resolve set in his jawline. His glasses clear, reflecting the brownish hues of his eyes.
Stop dreaming, Itsuki. She almost slapped herself.
“Well, if you’re not willing to talk, then I guess we’ll have to gamble over it.”
“What?” Itsuki stammered.
Manyuda shrugged. “I have an answer I want, and it’s with you. You obviously wanted to tell me something back there, but since I’m apparently an obtuse, senile old man, I’ll have to gamble it out of you.”
“Didn’t you even listen? I’m out of the presidential election. I don’t want the seat anymore.”
“I’m not talking about that.” Manyuda insisted. “A bet outside of the election. If you win this game, I’ll stop asking you why you sacrificed your 100 votes to see me get 40 coins in Greater Good. If you lose, you tell me the truth, and don’t give me that ‘I believe in you so by extension I saved myself’ line.”
Itsuki’s temper rose. “You-”
“So?” Manyuda sounded smug, but there was a slight nervousness to his voice. Almost as if he didn’t want Itsuki to accept outright.
“No. I want something in return if I win. You have to fulfil one wish of mine."
"...Deal."