Chapter Text
“We’ve been dating for years and yet you won’t play a simple game with me?”
“I’ve never been much of a gambler and never will be. I prefer calculated risks for attainable goals”.
“But you know that I love gambling. I just want to play with you, that’s all”.
“I know you well enough to know better than to trust in such a claim”.
“I can understand that. It’s a reasonable position. But we’re a couple. You’re someone I love dearly. So, surely something like this should be fine?”
This conversation was turning into a familiar one. It was a conversation Kyoko had gone through with Celes many times. Just around the table they were sat at in their flat, they had gone through it multiple times. But Kyoko had known Celes for a long time. The two of them had been roommates for a while and then there was their time at Hope’s Peak before that. Gambling with Celes was never a good idea, not unless you were ready to lose something. You were certainly going to lose and Celes always had something she wanted when she gambled, whether it was entertainment or something more. Even when she sought entertainment, that required unique games, rules or stakes that Kyoko was not inclined to casually agree to, not even for her girlfriend.
No matter what, she always has her gambling luck. That’s why she likes to try and make games interesting, even when they should be simple. First, it helped to make things more entertaining. Second, there was her pride. Adding extra factors allows for skill and daring to be more of a factor, thus giving more value to her victory.
No, games with Celes were not simple. That was what Kyoko had deduced during the time she’d known Celes. So she had repeatedly refused to play against Celes, to the other girl’s annoyance.
But this time…
“Actually, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll play with you”.
“Really? Why the sudden reversal?”. Cele was clearly surprised, though that was quickly replaced with curiosity. She even leaned closer. In response, Kyoko shrugged and gave a nonchalant look in response.
“It’s really not complex. You’re simply right. I should try to trust you more. You’ve done more than enough of that to deserve the same in return”.
Celes had, over the years, become a lot less secretive than she had been when they had first met. She had disclosed a lot to Kyoko, confiding messy truths that she had long hidden behind her elegant exterior. She even disclosed her true name. Unfortunately, Kyoko was unable to offer the surprised reaction that Celes had sought from this reveal. While she had respected Cele’s wishes in regards to her identity, it was a very obvious lie. Celes herself grudgingly admitted that she was right, as was everyone who had pointed that out in the past. Yes, maybe pretending to be a German-French noble was “a bit too much”. The way that she gave that admission had made Kyoko laugh. Celes had been annoyed at first, though she ended up saying she was glad to see Kyoko laugh. “It’s a delightful sound” was what Celes had said.
At the present moment, Celes was now smiling confidently. It was a particular smile that Kyoko tended to see when Celes was about to pounce on an opponent. “Perhaps it is more that that. Maybe it’s because you’re curious. You may not be a gambler, true, but that does not mean it can’t intrigue you. I’ve seen you while I’ve played others. I’ve known you’ve been interested as an observer, especially as it is something that matters so much to me. Your capacity for curiosity is remarkable, as suits the Ultimate Detective. So, perhaps it is time to apply that to exploring the field field of gambling more thoroughly, with me of course”.
“You might be right”. Kyoko gave a slight smile. Celes did the same, offering an expression that was smaller than her display of confidence, but much more genuine in terms of the affection offered.
“Plus, there’s the matter of what I might ask as a wager. Surely that is something you’re a bit curious about. It could be anything. I am quite imaginative”.
“You’re right again. So, what’s the wager?”
Celes grinned and moved to whisper in Kyoko’s ear. This was a pointless gesture, but Kyoko went along with it. Then Celes put forward her wager.
Kyoko frowned. It was not the wager itself, but the roundabout way that the idea was being proposed. “You know I’d do that anyway? I’ve always been open to experimentation”.
“I know. But I think it’ll be more fun this way”. Celes then, in a teasing tone, added “Plus, I might lose just to see what you might do with such an opportunity”.
Kyoko felt her face start to burn up at the thought, while Celes started to laugh.