Even though Yukino had received Megumi's signal—confirming that Utaha was holding number 1—she didn't issue the King's order to player 1 specifically.
After the first round, Yukino had fully grasped how to play the King's Game.
So instead, she gave a single command—to all three of them: Haru, Megumi, and Utaha.
"Serve tea to the King," she declared.
Not just any tea, either. It had to be done properly—with real technique and care.
She even added a gentle warning:
"Coincidentally, I have some training in the art of tea myself. So if anyone tries to cut corners… I won't hesitate to call them out."
Utaha, who had just started to rise, froze. The bunny ears on her head bounced with the sudden stop.
She had been planning to slack off a little—but clearly, Yukino had anticipated that.
Wearing bunny ears while playing cards was one thing. But now she had to make tea, and not just any tea—professionally?
Was this a tea café with bunny girls now?!
Megumi also stood up, and as she moved toward the kitchen, she couldn't help but glance at Yukino, still seated with perfect composure.
I gave her the signal… so why is she holding back?
By choosing not to target player 1 directly, Yukino had essentially rejected Megumi's offer.
Which made Megumi wonder—had Yukino changed her mind?
Or was she still planning to take on both Utaha and herself at once?
Was she still going to punish Utaha while also sending her a message?
You really are impressive, Yukinoshita.
Not a single hint of emotion showed on Megumi's face as she walked away.
It wasn't just Megumi who was strategizing—Haru, as he picked up the tea leaves, was deep in thought too.
He couldn't quite put it into words, but if he had to describe it…
Utaha was a little too cooperative.
Sure, she had clearly shown displeasure and even voiced her embarrassment earlier—but Haru could tell. There was some acting mixed into her reactions.
And if she was acting—what was her real goal?
Haru tapped his forehead.
This is getting complicated. We started off playing Blackjack… how did it turn into a game of Werewolf or Risk?
Now he wasn't just guessing who the traitor was, but also trying to figure out who was the loyalist, the saboteur, and the hidden player.
All three of them prepared the tea seriously. Yukino inspected each cup, and nodded in approval.
"I thought you'd slack off, senpai. But it seems you do know your place."
Utaha stared at her coldly. "Including your own, that's four cups of tea. You sure you're going to drink all of them?"
Yukino replied coolly, "The cups aren't big. Four cups of tea is nothing."
"I didn't say you couldn't drink them," Utaha said with a pause—then smirked. "I said, if you drink that much water at night, you'd better not wet the bed in your sleep."
Yukino's expression darkened. "I see. I was too merciful this round, and now you've failed to grasp the gravity of your situation."
Utaha met her glare with unflinching calm.
Or at least, she pretended to.
The third round began. With Haru continuing his role as the "dealer," Yukino secured another win.
Since Yukino had no idea which numbers belonged to whom, she chose two players at once:"Number 2 and Number 4—fifty push-ups."
Haru glanced at his card.
"…I'm number 2."
On the other side, Utaha's face turned stormy as she revealed hers."4."
She stood up slowly, gritting her teeth. "Yukino… I'll remember everything you've done tonight."
Yukino calmly sipped her tea, looking perfectly at ease.
"With your physical fitness, fifty push-ups shouldn't be too hard."
"I don't want to sweat," Utaha snapped.
She hadn't brought any extra clothes—just a slightly risqué set of lingerie. No pajamas. No change of outfit.
Yukino seemed unusually cheerful.
"I can lend you a set of mine."
But Utaha immediately seized the opportunity, eyes flashing with a counterattack.
"If I wore your pajamas, there's only one thing that would happen."
Yukino arched a brow. "Oh? And what would that be?"
Haru could already see where this was going. He coughed lightly.
"Alright, alright—let's just get the push-ups over with first—"
But Utaha ignored him. Her gaze stayed locked on Yukino's face as she enunciated each word:
"Your pajamas wouldn't fit me. And even if I could force them on, they'd be skin-tight around the chest and hips."
She really went there.
Haru's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he sighed.
Utaha had a knack for seizing every opening. The moment Yukino mentioned pajamas, she struck back without hesitation.
And the worst part? She wasn't wrong.
Between the two of them, Yukino might match Utaha in legs and waistline—but when it came to curves, Utaha definitely had the upper hand.
Megumi calmly crunched on a cookie nearby. Her own chest wasn't exactly small—definitely bigger than Yukino's.
After her line, Utaha looked visibly more satisfied. A smirk even tugged at the corners of her lips.
"What's the matter, Yukino? You're blushing?"
Yukino's voice was icy.
"Senpai, you're staying here tonight. Megumi, would you like to stay too?"
She didn't even consult Haru—the host.
Megumi blinked, caught off guard. "Me too? Um… I'll have to check with my family. It might not work out."
Yukino nodded thoughtfully.
"That's a shame. I was hoping you could be a witness… to see how I properly discipline Senpai tonight."
Utaha's eyes narrowed with a flicker of suspicion.
Yukino continued calmly,
"Grapples aren't the only techniques I've mastered. I'm quite skilled in joint locks as well."
Megumi nodded, almost like she was playing along.
"Understood. I'll call home later."
Yukino acknowledged her, then turned and shot Haru a cold glance.
Stay out of this. This is personal.
Haru nearly laughed aloud.
Personal? But I'm the one dealing your cards!
"Yukino, so violence is the only way you solve problems?" Utaha said, her tone mocking. "If you treat brute force as your strength, that's honestly… pitiful."
Yukino suddenly chuckled.
"Senpai, your dying struggle is quite adorable. Especially with those bunny ears. You look even cuter."
She raised her phone and snapped a picture.
Then she stared into Utaha's slightly panicked eyes and said,
"All human strength is just patience mixed with time. Violence… is merely one form of my strength."
Utaha said nothing more.
Because Yukino was right—violence was only a fraction of her power.
The ongoing card game already proved that much. She hadn't won a single round. And she'd already been pinned to the floor once. Her losses were undeniable.
After finishing the fifty push-ups, Haru remained calm as usual.
Utaha, on the other hand, was lightly panting, clearly irritated.
"Ugh… I knew I'd end up sweating."
It bothered her. Sweat made her lingerie cling uncomfortably.
Yukino, meanwhile, had enough presence of mind to evaluate her.
Her stamina's definitely lower than mine. No wonder she could barely speak after swaying her hips around like that the other night.
Then Yukino's gaze flicked toward the bunny ears on Utaha's head.
Given her prideful nature, even once the King's Game ended, she probably wouldn't back down from further challenges.
Which meant…
A hip-swaying showdown, perhaps?
~~~~~~~~~~
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