Even if you wanted to see me perform a telekinetic transfer of a small ball, you wouldn't need to stuff the ball into your chest, would you?
Ikishima Midari's thought process was as unfathomable as ever.
"What I perform is just magic, which requires specific props, not just any bouncy ball will do."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira found an excuse to explain his actions while putting the bouncy ball back into Ikishima Midari's hand.
"That's really a shame..."
Ikishima Midari said it was a shame, but there was no sign of anger on her face; instead, she poked Ayanokoji's shoulder and said with a mischievous smile, "Ayanokoji, I didn't expect you to have designs on that woman, Miharu Taki Sakura... You're really bold."
"What, are you jealous?"
"Of course not, I wouldn't be jealous."
Ikishima Midari snorted, eager to try, "What I mean is, if you need it, do you want my help? I can't wait to see that woman fall!"
Ayanokoji said speechlessly, "What, do you have a grudge against her? And... what do you mean by 'falling' when you're with me? Can't you say something nicer?"
"She's the young lady of a prestigious family, and she has an engagement with Mibuomi Aoi, but you're interested in her. Isn't that a misfortune?"
Ikishima Midari stretched, smiling, "I don't have a grudge against her, but I gambled with her once before and lost to her. If I can make that serious person fall, it'll be like winning back what I lost."
"You gambled with her? When?" Ayanokouji Kiyohira was a little surprised.
"Before you came to this school."
Ikishima Midari put her hand on Ayanokouji Kiyohira's shoulder and recalled.
"At that time, I had several casinos, and I hadn't paid the rent for a long time. She sent her subordinates to urge me many times, but it was useless, so she came in person and gambled with me. As a result, I lost to her."
"I'm also very concerned about my reputation. I must win back what I lose. So I deliberately didn't pay the rent last month, planning to get even when Miharu Taki Sakura came to find me, but... she didn't come, and you did."
"Do you regret it?"
"Regret what? I should thank her..."
Ikishima Midari looked at Ayanokoji, as if seeing something delicious, licked her lips and said, "If it weren't for the opportunity she created for me, I don't know how long I would have to wait to meet someone as interesting and to my liking as you..."
"So... your way of thanking her is to drag her down?"
"You're the one who's interested in her, don't pin it on me."
Ikishima Midari chuckled and asked with interest, "Speaking of which... she's Mibuomi Aoi's person, aren't you worried that Mibuomi Aoi will come after you? If he knows you're interested in his fiancée, he probably won't let you off."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira had heard these words many times.
What they were worried about was not Miharu Taki Sakura's feelings, but that Mibuomi Aoi would cause trouble for him, but in reality, what Ayanokouji Kiyohira was least worried about was Mibuomi Aoi's attitude.
However, his deal with Mibuomi Aoi was not something he could openly discuss.
He flicked Ikishima Midari's forehead: "You don't have to worry about these things, I know what I'm doing."
"Indeed, you do have a way with girls, so of course I don't need to worry about that."
Ikishima Midari pouted, "However, make sure you don't overdo it and get beaten to death by Mibuomi Aoi in a fit of rage."
Ikishima Midari's demands for Ayanokouji Kiyohira were very low.
She didn't need him to keep his distance from other girls, nor did she need him to love her deeply or be particularly good to her. It didn't matter who he liked or who he wanted as a girlfriend... as long as he was still alive.
"Ayanokoji, speaking of which, which casino did you bet on? I bet ten million on your casino, so don't let me lose everything."
"What did you say about betting?" Ayanokoji didn't understand.
"Betting, don't you know? The Ryōran Festival has a betting segment."
Seeing Ayanokouji Kiyohira looking bewildered, as if he really didn't know, Ikishima Midari simply took Ayanokouji Kiyohira's hand and led him towards a building not far away.
As they walked, Ikishima Midari said, "You know about the Chaotic Award, right? During the Ryōran Festival, all casinos will be listed on the Student Council's roster and participate in a competition. The casino that earns the most money during the Ryōran Festival will win, and the winner will receive ten million Japanese Yen."
"I've heard about that." Ayanokoji nodded.
"The casino that wins the Chaotic Award competition will receive a prize, and outside of the competition, the Student Council, as the organizer, also operates its own odds on the side, which is the 'Ryouran Prize Memorial'."
As she spoke, Ikishima Midari led Ayanokouji Kiyohira to a service hall.
There were three or four counters, with an employee working behind each, and above the counters, it read "Ryouran Prize Memorial Betting Service Desk."
There were large screens on all four walls of the hall, displaying the names and serial numbers of each club's casino, followed by an odds ratio.
Long queues formed in front of each counter, with students looking up at the odds displayed on the screen while discussing with their friends which casino to bet on later.
"The rules of the Ryouran Prize Memorial are the same as 'horse racing' and'sports lottery'; you choose the casino you favor and then place your bet. If that casino wins, you can exchange your memorial ticket for winnings based on the odds."
"The betting rules are simple, and the minimum amount is also very cheap. Even if you lose, you can buy it as a souvenir for the Ryōran Festival. Many people choose to buy a few bets, just in case they win."
Ikishima Midari paused and added, "Of course, like me, choosing to bet a large sum of money on one casino is also a good choice, as the strength of each casino is clear. If you choose the right casino, the probability of winning is actually not low."
"At least, it's much higher than the probability of winning if you gamble yourself."
"So, you bet on me, thinking I can win?"
"Not really, it's just that I have money with nowhere to spend it. Since I have to bet anyway, I might as well bet on you." Ikishima Midari quickly replied.
"..." The rich lady's words were just that simple and unadorned.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira's gaze scanned the odds, then he found the casino he owned, and his eyes instantly narrowed.
Wait... the odds for the Literary Club are 500 times?
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"