169 As long as the money is in place, greed knows no bounds
"Hey, hey, hurry up and pay, Hikigaya-kun."
"Thank you for your patronage, that'll be six million yen~"
Rurichou Nadeko's voice rang out once again. Hikigaya had no intention of reneging. He handed over his bank card to Kurume without hesitation and asked her to withdraw six million yen from the school's ATM.
In the now empty music room, only Rurichou and Hikigaya remained.
At that moment, Rurichou Nadeko stood up, lazily stretched, and made as if to leave the gambling table.
Earning six million yen in one go, she had no interest in continuing the game.
This had always been her gambling rule.
Gambling was merely a means to make money—once the money was earned, it was time to stop. Fat sheep weren't easy to slaughter, especially not dangerous ones with a reputation like Hikigaya Hachiman.
Rurichou Nadeko had a clear understanding of her gambling: in the first round, she could rely on information asymmetry to catch even gambling pros off guard, which was essentially an invincible tactic. But if it continued, the risk of exposure would increase.
Of course, if the profit was high enough, Rurichou Nadeko was willing to take that risk.
But now... it seemed unnecessary.
Having earned six million yen, and once her family sent her living expenses, she'd be able to buy a basic Steinway piano. No need to risk gambling further with Hikigaya Hachiman.
"You plan to quit after one win, Rurichou-san?"
"Sorry, Hikigaya-kun. You don't seem like someone worth gambling against, you know?"
"You're a little too weak~"
Hikigaya Hachiman's face darkened. This was his first time encountering someone like Rurichou Nadeko. Win his money and just walk away?
"There's actually two hundred million yen in the bank card I just gave to Kurume," Hikigaya said casually while flipping a one-yen coin between his fingers—dropping a number Nadeko couldn't ignore.
Sure enough.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Rurichou Nadeko froze mid-step toward the piano.
What? Two hundred million?!
Her breathing became rapid. This... this amount would be enough to buy the top-of-the-line Steinway piano. This wasn't a number she could ignore.
Suddenly, her always-upheld gambling rule began to teeter on the edge.
"With six million yen, at best you could buy a second-hand Steinway, Rurichou-san."
"Let's do some simple math: win six million, go all-in once and you'll have thirty-six million, all-in twice and that's two hundred and sixteen million—this is practically a risk-free deal~"
Hikigaya's voice was like a devil's whisper, slowly opening the Pandora's box in Rurichou Nadeko's heart.
He left out any mention of what would happen if she lost, instead painting an enticing vision to lure her in. As for the consequences of her losing... Hikigaya suddenly thought he needed a piano teacher for Komachi.
And right here was a master, saving him the trouble of finding a top-tier instructor.
As for paying Rurichou Nadeko's salary? That could be deducted from the debt she'd owe him.
Would she bite the hook? Hikigaya doubted she could resist her inner greed for money.
'That's right, that's right!'
Just as Hikigaya predicted, the naïve and innocent Rurichou Nadeko stepped right into the trap.
'If I win two more rounds, I can earn two hundred million yen and buy the best Steinway piano! Sure, a basic one would suffice, but it could never compare to the best. Some special qualities I may not deserve now, but the piano still must have them…'
'But if I lose...'
Rurichou hesitated. If she lost one round, she'd have to ask her family for help. Lose two, and even her family wouldn't be able to save her. She'd be forced to become Hikigaya's livestock...
'What should I do?'
In the end, boundless greed won over, filling Rurichou Nadeko's mind completely.
'I have to realize—this might be the only chance I ever get in my life.'
'A chance to win two games and ascend to heaven, to enjoy the best piano in the world!'
'If I rely on fleecing small fry, who knows how long it'll take to afford even an entry-level Steinway? But today, a super fat sheep is right in front of me—and I'm supposed to back off?'
'No. Absolutely not!'
'This is Rurichou Nadeko's opportunity!'
'And besides, Hikigaya Hachiman doesn't seem nearly as dangerous as the rumors say. There's no way he can beat me! In "Coinweight Queen," I'm invincible.'
Rurichou Nadeko, performing internal self-hypnosis, finally sat back down at the gambling table and licked her lips greedily.
Her originally pure and noble golden curls now appeared seductive due to her moral descent.
The once-innocent Rurichou Nadeko didn't realize how terrifying it is to enter a gamble thinking you're invincible. Right now, all she wanted was to drain the fat sheep dry!
"Then, as you wish, Hikigaya-kun~"
"I won't go easy on you~"
"Your two hundred million yen—I'll take it."
Hikigaya Hachiman nodded as if indifferent: "Of course, if Rurichou-san can manage that."
Soon, Kurume returned, panting heavily, lugging a safe provided by Hundred Flower King Bank—six million yen really was heavy.
"Here, I withdrew the money. There's still…" She wiped the sweat from her brow, but before she could finish, Rurichou interrupted.
"Sorry, Kurume, could I trouble you once more to withdraw all the remaining money?"
"Ah, eh?" Kurume was dumbfounded. There was still one hundred and forty million yen left—what did she need that for?
She instinctively looked at Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Just do as Rurichou-san says."
…
"Well then, let's begin before Kurume comes back."
Rurichou Nadeko could no longer suppress her ambition and took the initiative. She casually scooped a handful of coins from the giant piggy bank, rested her cheek on one hand, and stared at Hikigaya Hachiman with deep, enchanting golden eyes—tossing the coins in one by one before him.
Setting aside the fact that they were gambling, Rurichou thought Hikigaya actually looked kind of handsome when he was thinking seriously.
'Then once I get my new piano, I'll have you be my listener~' Rurichou began fantasizing about her blissful future.
"Six million yen, all-in~" Rurichou pushed the money she'd withdrawn earlier toward him, gazing at Hikigaya dreamily: "Now it's your turn, Hikigaya-kun."
"Call."
Hikigaya said little, grabbing a handful of coins and tossing them in as well.