In Mutsuki's usual black canvas bag today were filled all sorts of classic board games.
Besides playing cards, there was chess, Othello, backgammon, and Karuta, though most of them were only briefly displayed before she put them away.
After all, many of the others were meant for only two players.
"Originally, I wanted a chance to play just with Sensei, you know?" Mutsuki openly admitted her intentions. "But now that there's an extra person, to avoid leaving anyone out, we'll have to give up on many of the games I wanted to play. Such a shame∼"
I understood. Mutsuki had intended to sneak a private moment with me, but the seemingly harmless Aru had beaten her to it.
Not wanting to stop her, she chose to join in, so that everyone could enjoy themselves together…
Clearly, Mutsuki, who had shared relatively close moments with me (though not the final step), had a crush on me.
Got it? Understood?
Anyway, in front of the "extra" Aru, Mutsuki pretended to be disappointed, shaking her head before smiling:
"But∼ I also brought games that are more fun with more players. And since Aru-chan joined us, it might even be more enjoyable∼"
"Hmph, of course it will be," Aru said confidently. "Though there's a bit of luck involved, since these are strategy games, someone as wise and brilliant as me, destined to be a great president in the future, will have no trouble at all!"
…It's fine if she wants to think that way.
"Then∼" Mutsuki opened the small box of playing cards. "Let's start with the most basic game: Old Maid∼"
Old Maid, as the name implies, is a game where victory is determined by whether you draw the "Old Maid" card. After removing one of the Jokers, the remaining 53 cards are dealt evenly, and players take turns drawing from each other's hands clockwise.
Whenever a pair is formed from the drawn card and cards in hand, it can be discarded. The first player to discard all cards wins.
The player left holding the unmatched "Old Maid" at the end is the loser.
The rules are simple, games are quick, and it combines psychological strategy with luck. Perfect for warming up the mood…
If Aru weren't one of the players.
"Why is this happening again!?"
Minutes later, looking at the single Old Maid card left in her hand, Aru cried out in disbelief.
I glanced at the ceiling, thinking that our cute president might have no clear awareness of her own facial expressions under tension.
I deliberately delayed picking a card for a while, enjoying Mutsuki's reactions as she jumped between surprise and panic, then teased:
"Ku fufu∼ What a shame∼ Another loss for Aru-chan, and another victory for Sensei∼"
Though not as fixed as Aru's losses every round, I indeed had the most wins.
The reason was simple: Mutsuki deliberately let me win, and I tacitly cooperated.
"Ugh…" Aru quickly regained her composure. "No wonder our Problem Solver 68 business advisor has such skills. It's only natural! Hehe, sharp insight is a trait all excellent entrepreneurs should have!"
Ah, so she quickly realized she was being toyed with, huh?
Though the game's results were already determined, Aru's natural talent made it genuinely entertaining.
Still, I felt slightly embarrassed at her sincere praise, and laughed awkwardly:
"Is that so? Don't fall in love with me over something so trivial, okay?"
However, that joke seemed to hit a nerve, prompting the girls to protest vehemently.
Mutsuki immediately furrowed her brow and stretched out her words indignantly: "Se∼nse∼i, what strange things are you saying? Falling for someone just over a few rounds of a game? That's not going to happen!"
Aru squinted, confused: "Do people like that even exist? Hmm… maybe someone greedy forced it? True feelings aren't that cheap."
"Exactly∼ Games are about who you play with… For example∼"
Mutsuki nodded in agreement, then suddenly raised a corner of her mouth and hugged my arm:
"Yaha∼ As long as I'm with Sensei, it feels so much more fun than usual, though I don't know why. Hey, Sensei∼ pat∼"
At that moment, I realized the slip I'd made.
The feelings between me and the girls, in their eyes, were something sacred, not to be trivialized. I never meant otherwise.
Yet given that recent events had made them slightly anxious, it was natural for them to over-interpret and imagine something negative from my careless words.
"Sorry, I understand now."
Sincerely apologizing, I went along with Mutsuki's mood, gently stroking her silver hair. Normally mischievous, she showed the rare expression of a purring cat enjoying being caressed.
At the same time, I didn't neglect Aru, who was watching expectantly but hesitant to speak, and brought her over for a head pat as well.
The cozy, warm moment lasted until I, driven purely by curiosity, placed my hands on Aru's curved ears and Mutsuki's pointed ones, signaling the end.
Both girls shivered simultaneously, then forced smiles, signaling it was time to continue the game.
It seemed I had found a little weakness of theirs.
Of course, I restrained myself for their sake. The two blushing girls rubbed the spots I had just touched, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Phew…" Mutsuki regrouped and put on her habitual mischievous grin. "Well, we've had enough of Old Maid. Next, let's play something different∼"
Aru, having lost repeatedly with no fun, quickly nodded: "I agree with that. But what should we play?"
Mutsuki looked at me: "Sensei? Any ideas?"
Focused on the cards, I mentally recorded the new content visible only in my light-screen.
——
Conversion Ability: [Yoke-Free]
Effect: The user can expend stamina to make their words more persuasive
Source: Successfully romancing Rikuhachima Aru
——
Aru! You're serious about this!
While marveling at it in my mind, I started thinking strategically.
At first glance, this new ability seemed strong, but then I realized my overwhelming charm already covers persuasion.
After pondering, I decided I could experiment with it at a suitable moment during the game.
So, I offered a suggestion.