Chapter Text
The past days were not particuraly kind to Saotome Mary. After the unfaithful meeting with the crazed compulsive gambling addict that is Jabami Yumeko, she got herself in even more troubles than she would have like to. From being beaten to a gamble she rigged herself and horribly lost, to turning into a mitten to winning in 2-card indian poker --that was organized by the committee-- against Kiwatari Jun and Nanami Tsubomi. They won a hefty sum of money from the Student Council that consequently caught their attention, mainly the President herself. Cornered in the President's own domain with Mary's personal space dreadfully being invaded. She was offered a position.
A position she haughtily repudiate and marched away with her anger trailing after her. The nerve of her. She treated me like a fool. Seething, she lurched forward with longer strides. Aimlessly walking the empty halls of the prestigious school, she abruptly turned left only to be met with the she-devil and Suzui Ryota. Suzui hesistanly glanced over while Yumeko's smiling carefree. She stopped on her tracks and sigh. As if this day could not get even more worse. Tsk! Mary thought.
The day the council President election battle happened was the day it went to hell. For Mary's part mostly. Bumping into the Vice President ---who was shockingly the carbon copy of the current President Momobami Kirari. Could really use this information to earn me some money. Mary entertained the thought while it lasted. She was asked to gamble, was forced to gamble against Ririka after receiving an alarming call from a panicking Suzui. With Yumeko getting poisoned, Mary had no choice but to participate in the gamble that the Vice President conspired between Miyo and Miri. They won, of course, thanks to Mary's observant eyes and Suzui's trust in her. They got the antidote and the votes from the sisters. And with Miri officially out of the election battle and Miyo's promised threat of "Next time, you're dead" to which Mary faced head-on with a deadpan expression. Mary's school life could not get even more interesting. Fan-fucking-tastic.
She was definitely going to be the President. To be above those who looked down on her and treated her like a fool. To be on the top and trampled the ones who underestimated her. She promised to the unconscious girl on the bed, face almost centimeters close to one another, and with that unwavering resolve. Mary went her way.
Not long after the uneventful event, Yumeko got herself into yet another gamble with the rest of the Momobami clan after her recovery. Of course, she fucking did. As she was walking down the hall, other students stopped what they were doing and gawked. Whispers ensued around them and Mary felt like disappearing out of existence. Behind her was the cause of such ruckus. The Vice President was walking behind Mary. Mary picked up the pace vigourously walking with the intent of evading the girl. But alas, it didn't happen. Now that they were far away from prying eyes did Mary finally lost her patience.
"Look..." She started and snappily turned around to face the other girl. The Vice President faltered in her steps and looked at Mary with that smiling mask plastered on her face. Mary approached slowly and backed her up the wooden hallwaystrip. Slamming her foot down with a harsh thud just right beside her, the mask girl flinched.
"I told you not to shadow me like that!!" Mary angrily lashed out. She was fuming!"
All the goddam time, too! Even in the damn bathroom! You seriously made me scream!" Done with screaming and berating the girl in front of her, Mary panted.
"....Saotome Mary," the Vice President said taking off her mask.
"I want you to punch me!" She loudly declared face flush and eyes wide with determination swirling behind cerulean eyes.
1...2...3.
"...Come again?" Mary couldn't believe what she heard. What bullshit was she spouting? Mary will never know. The Vice President was now going on and on about keeping the promise and fighting together in the election battle. And Mary was just so tired and exhausted. With a sigh she stared down the quivering girl clutching her mask tightly and shoulders hunched.
“How stupid are you, anyway? You almost got Yumeko killed and used that to threaten me. Then you expect me to keep my promise?” For a moment silence reigned between them and then as if a dam broke came the rushing tidal wave.
“Well, you know what?! I can’t make promises with some stupid idiot, who can’t even decide what to do for herself!!” Mary was fuming. Those bottled up frustration came like raging fire and the mask girl was unfortunate to be burned underneath it. She took a step back, flinching sharply with eyes closed and clenched jaw. She couldn’t keep the tears at bay and they came bursting out of her eyelids, cascading down her porcelain face. She doesn’t understand why this person, this someone could make her feel so small. Could make her come undone. Then she perked up, Mary was bombarding her with questions that speaks volumes on her thoughts and feelings. Yes, she’s crying because it’s the first time someone yelled at her. Yes, she’s afraid of breaking the promise between her twin and yes she’s pissed on not being treated as a human. Ririka blinked away her tears as she stared at Mary. Her vision a bit blurry caused by the tears.
“I could never team up with you in a gamble,” Mary stated
“At least not the way you are,” she pointed out to Ririka. “Out of a million possibilities, choosing one that offers any amount of hope, making that decision for oneself. That itself is what gambling truly means.”
She turned around intending to move forward, but glanced over her shoulder and regard the still stunned Vice President.
“I’m giving you a chance. A chance to prove yourself to me. You’re going to play a match and if you win. I’ll work together with you.” And with that she turned her back against Ririka with a wave.
“And if anyone’s being punched. Maybe it’ll be your cohort at the end of this,” Mary walked off. Twin pigtail hair swaying with each step. Ririka was left to stand and watch after Mary’s retreating form. She was left with her shamble thoughts and maybe her admiration towards the brash blonde. She truly is fascinating as you say, Kirari. Her smile concealed by the mask she put on just a second ago. I want her even more. With that last thought, she followed suit after the hot-headed blonde.