Monopoly is a game centered around virtual wealth management. The basic mechanics involve rolling dice to land on specific tiles, buying and selling properties, earning money, or bankrupting opponents. Whoever accumulates the most money wins.
The rules are simple, but due to its randomness and open-ended gameplay, it has become a globally popular entertainment project, evolving into various forms and styles, including board games and video games.
For example, what Fujiwara Chika brought today is a hybrid version of Monopoly and The Sims 3.21 Final Edition.
The basic rules: the game ends when someone crosses the goal three times, and the player with the most money wins. Everyone starts with ¥1,000,000. Actions are determined by dice rolls, and the number rolled indicates the number of steps. Each tile on the map corresponds to a special event or opportunity. Landing on one triggers a card draw and its effect.
This is said to be the final project of the school's tabletop club—a masterpiece into which they poured all their effort. It hasn't been released to the public yet, so Fujiwara Chika brought it for the student council to test.
Naturally, everyone initially refused, but they couldn't resist Fujiwara's persistence, and Natsukawa Kanade was somewhat interested, so the game began smoothly.
"I'll go first."
To test the game's performance, Ishigami Yu rolled the dice first.
"Three… Let's see, an event tile?"
"Oh, the event activates immediately. Ishigami-san, please draw an event card."
Fujiwara Chika handed him a stack of cards.
Ishigami picked one at random and read it.
"The hero saved the damsel, but was misunderstood and locked himself at home for three turns."
Ishigami blinked.
"Surprisingly normal? That's what worries me."
"Does this mean you skip turns?" Shirogane Miyuki nodded. "My turn… event tile."
"Looks like… you met your true love?"
"Wow, lucky break, Shirogane-senpai," Ishigami clapped.
"Haha, not bad."
"Why are you so happy? Read the fine print!" Fujiwara reminded him.
"To support your partner, pay half your funds each round."
These cards have permanent effects! They can only be removed by drawing a break-up card or character elimination.
Shirogane Miyuki and Ishigami Yu: "…"
No problem! If it's for your partner, half your assets is nothing!
"Wow! Shirogane-senpai is so dreamy!"
Natsukawa Kanade: "…"
As expected, this game is addictive. The two student council boys lost their minds in the first round.
Natsukawa Kanade watched them cheer and thought, "This isn't something to celebrate, right? They just lost half their money."
"My turn. Five… another event tile?"
Natsukawa raised an eyebrow.
Three people in a row landed on event tiles, but event and chance tiles should be evenly distributed.
Did Fujiwara rig it? Kanade suspected something.
But after shaking each die, he found nothing unusual. Must've been coincidence…
"President, is something wrong?" Kaguya Shinomiya asked.
"Nothing, just wanted to switch dice."
"Let's see the card… 'After confessing and being rejected, you're heartbroken for one round…'" Kanade's brow twitched.
He glanced at Fujiwara Chika, who looked like a curious baby.
"What's wrong, President?"
"Nothing. Your turn." He handed her the dice.
"No rush. Let Kaguya-chan go first." Fujiwara passed the dice to Shinomiya.
She rolled.
Four… chance tile. Effect: "You meet someone you like, decide to earn money to support a family, and gain ¥10 million." Kaguya's cheeks flushed.
She never thought she'd play such a role, but earning money to support the president… wasn't bad!
"This isn't fair!" Shirogane protested. "We both met our partners, but why does she earn money while I lose it?"
"Events and chances are different, don't worry," Fujiwara consoled him.
"I have a feeling… Fujiwara-senpai wrote these events?" Ishigami raised his hand.
"Bingo! Correct! But no prize."
"Never mind, I take it back. Everyone, be careful—this game might be trash."
Kanade nodded slightly. He'd already noticed.
"My turn, my turn!" Fujiwara rolled a perfect arc.
Six! Event tile. Effect: "Shotgun wedding." Fujiwara looked thrilled.
"Ignore all conditions and marry the nearest person… it's the president!"
Lucky from the start! Married characters share assets and tile effects. "Our assets have doubled, President!"
"But it's only ¥2 million…" Kanade shrugged.
Compared to Kaguya's ¥10 million, that was nothing. But at least they'd share resources and card effects, and Fujiwara was always lucky… so maybe not bad.
Still, there was a downside. As a pair, they'd be the first target for elimination. Though Kaguya had the wealth advantage, fast money could vanish just as fast, while they had numbers…
Kanade glanced around and saw only Kaguya watching him and Fujiwara seriously. He felt a bit relieved.
He was sure his only opponent was Shinomiya.
Ishigami's turn was skipped, so it was Shirogane's turn.
Event: "Discovering your partner's family background increases pressure. All future gains/losses are doubled (fixed percentages unaffected)."
"Shirogane-kun, go for it! For love!"
"Of course! I'll do my best!"
Kanade: "…"
Can you stop flirting in front of me? It's annoying!
He wanted to punch those two idiots—especially Ishigami. What are you cheering for? Just play!
"Whistle… I feel like someone's watching me…"
"My turn again," said Kaguya.
Chance: "Your family grows, so you work harder… Gain ¥10 million."
Kaguya: "…"
So the president married someone else! How else would his family grow? Rely on Ai Hayasaka? She didn't want Ai to have a child and leave her alone as the godmother!
"My turn… Let's see… 'Gave birth to quintuplets and spent a fortune on their nutrition. Lost half my assets.'"
"Great! Quintuplets!" Fujiwara rubbed her belly like she was really pregnant.
"That's not good. We lost half our money," Kanade complained.
He thought Fujiwara might bring luck, but she was just dead weight. If he wanted to win, he'd have to rely on himself.
Third round. Shirogane's turn.
Event: "Eloped with your partner. All payments now cost double again (fixed percentages unaffected)."
"Eloping… is an option, but tough."
"Don't give up, Shirogane-kun! Eloping is manly!"
"You're right, Ishigami. Life's hardships won't beat me!"
Kanade: "…"
I told you to play! Isn't this a total disadvantage? You're already the poorest!
But it's fine. Kaguya's assets are up to ¥25 million… No, wait, Shirogane and Shinomiya aren't allies. How could this become real…?
Rubbing his temples, Kanade felt a slight headache. This game was dangerously addictive. He almost got hooked.
"My turn… My relationship failed again, and I feel lost…"
Wow, the president's a womanizer! He cheated on his wife. Unforgivable!
"That's why I said it's just a game…" Kanade sighed.
He finally understood. This board game was absolute garbage—horribly awful. How could he have been so blind to find it interesting?
But the game continued…
Among the five players, only Kaguya Shinomiya kept earning money, so she naturally became the final winner.
However, she looked exhausted and felt no joy in victory.
Though Shirogane's assets had dwindled, he stayed motivated and fought to the end.
After Ishigami Yu heroically saved the damsel, a popular rom-com unfolded.
And Natsukawa Kanade… could only see himself suffering five consecutive heartbreaks, staring blankly at Fujiwara Chika, who had given birth to nearly a football team's worth of kids but hadn't earned a single yen.
As expected of you, pink octopus head.