In a vacant room sat a round table.
Three chairs were placed around it. Sitting in them were Inbami Miyo, Yobami Miri, and Rinji.
Iron chains were tied around their waists, and explosives were attached to the underside of each chair.
In front of each of them was a single button.
"Let's settle this with a round of poker."
Rinji smiled at the two visibly uneasy girls.
"The winner gets to press their button. Pressing it unlocks your chain, allowing you to stand up and grab the remote nearby."
He gestured toward the remote control not far from the table. It had three switches, each corresponding to the bomb under one of the chairs.
"If you want to live, you'd better win—and activate the bomb under my chair."
"Playing with lives like this... Is that even allowed in this school?" Miyo asked grimly.
"Whether it's allowed doesn't matter anymore. It's not like poisoning your opponent was ever officially approved either, right?"
"..."
Miyo realized what a dangerous person she was dealing with.
Rinji's terror didn't just stem from the forces backing him. It was his absolute ruthlessness when it ca to taking lives.
But if she didn't defeat him, she couldn't win the election or beco the clan head.
She looked toward Miri, who also looked tense.
'I have a reason to beco the clan head—even if it costs my life.'
She not only had to survive, she also had to seize Rinji's votes.
"Fine."
Miyo forced herself to calm down, her eyes sharpening as she looked at Rinji.
"Let's begin."
"Good. That's the resolve I like. Let see what kind of face you'll make just before death," Rinji grinned viciously.
He turned to Runa, a mber of the election committee.
"I'll leave the dealing to you, Runa-san."
"Sure~"
It wasn't her first ti overseeing a death match. Runa showed no discomfort and began dealing cards to the three of them.
"And so, the life-or-death match officially begins."
---
"Hmm... There sure are a lot of students here. Rinji ntioned sothing about a student council election. So that ans the president hasn't been chosen yet, huh."
Shirogane Miyuki scratched the back of his head.
Since there was no current student council president, all he had to do was pick up Rinji and leave—or so he thought.
The problem was, he had no idea where Rinji was.
He'd planned to ask a student, but everyone fled the mont they saw him. Even when he tried to call out, they had already vanished without a trace.
"Tch, what's with this school?"
"Excuse …"
A girl's voice ca from behind. Shirogane turned around.
Standing there was a girl in a kimono, her long black hair straight and smooth.
It was Nishinotouin Yuriko. She had just recovered from being poisoned by Miyo and had co out after hearing from her clubmates that a golden-haired student in a black uniform was wandering the campus.
Though the uniform and hair color matched, Yuriko recognized that he wasn't Rinji but soone else.
"Hello, classmate."
Though he had no idea why she was wearing a kimono, Shirogane was simply relieved to finally find soone willing to talk to him.
"Hi. Are you a student from Shuchiin Academy?" Yuriko asked cautiously.
"Yeah, I'm here to pick up a classmate."
"The one you're referring to... is it Takamine Rinji?"
"Yes, that's him," Shirogane smiled. "Our principal said he could return to school early, so I ca to get him."
"Ah, that's wonderful news."
Yuriko's face lit up with joy.
That demon Rinji was finally leaving. It was good news for the entire school.
"And may I ask your na?" she asked politely.
"Oh, I'm Shirogane Miyuki. And you are?"
"I'm Nishinotouin Yuriko, head of the Traditional Culture Club. Also..."
Halfway through her sentence, Yuriko paused, sensing sothing was off.
Shirogane Miyuki? That na sounded familiar...
"Umm... Can I ask sothing?"
"Sure."
"Are you... the student council president of Shuchiin?"
"Yes." Shirogane nodded.
"!!?"
Yuriko's smile vanished.
She began trembling uncontrollably.
Now she rembered. Before the student council here had dissolved, his na ca up repeatedly in discussions about Rinji.
Acting director of the Dainippon Bank. Shuchiin's student council president. Rinji's superior.
Soone capable of standing above Rinji—what kind of terrifying monster must that be?
Yuriko instinctively took two steps back, her face full of fear.
Shirogane: ????
"Umm... Nishinotouin-san?"
"President Shirogane—no, Lord Shirogane—if I've offended you before, please forgive ."
"No... you haven't offended at all."
Shirogane had no idea what this girl in a kimono was going on about.
At that mont, approaching footsteps echoed.
Kirari and her attendant Sayaka walked over.
"You're getting more timid by the day, Nishinotouin-san," Kirari chuckled, then turned to Shirogane. "You must be Shirogane-kun."
"Yes."
"I'm the forr student council president of Hyakkaou. Although the presidency is still being contested, I can act as your host during your visit."
"That's very kind of you," Shirogane smiled awkwardly.
He finally felt like he'd t a normal person.
"Please follow , Mr. Shirogane."
"Eh? Where to?"
"To see your student council treasurer. Rinji is currently in a gambling match," Kirari smiled. "And maybe… place a bet yourself."
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