Chapter 290: Rise of the Net Match

Totobami Terano's sharp gaze locked on Kirari's smile.

"'Welcome' huh. Drop the act," she said. "You're the one who said the winner of the election becomes the next Momobami head."

"I did," Kirari replied with a smile.

"Because of that, the elders are in chaos. They sent us here in a panic," Terano continued. "But I suppose it's not surprising. The position of student council president at Hyakkaou no longer means what it used to."

Originally, the Hundred Devouring Families had little interest in Hyakkaou. Despite it being a prestigious school, it was still "just" an educational institution.

But two years ago, Kirari inherited the family headship—and shifted her focus to Hyakkaou.

Once she became president, she ruled with an iron fist. By taking control of graduates' social and financial networks, she centralized all influence and reshaped the financial world.

Thus, the position of student council president became synonymous with power.

To control Hyakkaou meant controlling Japan's fiscal power.

"Power is our family's ultimate pursuit. We deeply regret overlooking Hyakkaou back then," Terano said. "And you—effortlessly gained what we all sought, only to toss it away and let the branch families scramble. Is this a game to you?"

"Of course," Kirari answered cheerfully.

"You gained everything we longed for so easily… and now you toss it aside. I'd love to strangle you right now."

Terano's eyes burned with fury.

Kirari, seeing that expression, looked delighted.

"And one more thing. The elders said something… something that we couldn't believe."

Terano's voice sharpened.

"You arranged for his son, Takamine Rinji, to be enrolled here—didn't you?"

The room fell silent.

The remaining student council members knew Rinji—but didn't understand who "that person" was.

But the representatives of the Hundred Devouring Families looked visibly shaken at the name.

"Yes," Kirari answered without hesitation. "He's here. After all, to make the game more interesting, I had to introduce some wild variables."

"Do you even understand what you're doing!?"

Terano's voice trembled with anger.

"You messing around was already unbearable. But now you're letting that force get involved—this is a catastrophe for the clan! This isn't something we can resolve internally anymore!"

"I never said it had to be resolved internally," said Kirari calmly.

"In a test site full of unknowns, where disasters may strike at any moment, animals must not only fight constantly but also adapt to environmental changes. Isn't that a beautiful thing?"

"You…"

Click.

At that moment, the student council door was pushed open.

Rinji walked in from outside, and everyone turned their heads toward the blond-haired boy who had just arrived.

"Rin...Rinji?"

Every member of the Hundred Devouring Families felt a moment of cardiac arrest.

Before they came here, every elder or senior from their respective clans had repeatedly warned them: winning the student council presidency was important, but under no circumstance should they get involved with Takamine Rinji.

On the surface, the academy appeared to be mired in internal conflict among the Hundred Devouring Families.

But in truth, it was the families themselves caught in the center of the gambling storm.

You might win everything—or lose your life.

And Rinji's existence was precisely what pushed the Hundred Devouring Families to the brink.

"Not bad, Kirari. After I persuaded a bunch of students to drop out, you started enrolling new ones? And these newcomers sure are unique."

Rinji didn't even bother acknowledging the wary looks from the family members. He simply pulled a chair to Kirari's desk, set down a bottle of red wine and two glasses, and sat himself across from her.

"I've been here since day one, and you vanished. As the 'chess master,' your toilet break was a little too long, wasn't it?"

"All to make the game more interesting. After all, with everything you've done, if I didn't prepare something in return, wouldn't you get bored?" Kirari smiled.

"True. Let's hope the next game is even more entertaining."

Rinji returned her smile and placed a glass in front of Kirari, pouring her a drink.

Neither of them showed the slightest hostility toward each other. To outsiders, it was as if two old friends were catching up.

"So, Kirari, I've made my move. It's your turn now. What's your next play?"

"I plan to disband the student council and hold a re-election."

"Mmhmm~ Not bad."

Rinji chuckled.

All of his recent moves had been aimed at undermining the credibility of the student council. But now that Kirari planned to abolish it outright, all his efforts were rendered moot.

Once a re-election was held, the student council's previous bad debts would be wiped clean. It would be a complete reset.

"One vote per person?"

"Yes. Chips will serve as ballots. Whoever has the most chips becomes the new president," Kirari explained.

"How troublesome. I've already gotten a bunch of students to drop out, and there aren't many left in the Anti-Gambling Club. So we're low on ballots."

As he spoke, Rinji poured wine into his own glass.

"But since you're using chips as ballots, I assume they can be won through gambling?"

"Exactly."

"It gets more and more fun. Playing alone is boring, after all."

Kirari swirled her wine glass, her smile radiant. She teased, "Rinji-kun, after being at this school for so long, have you finally found the joy of gambling?"

"I admit gambling has its thrill, but not because of the dream of getting rich overnight," Rinji replied with a grin.

"What truly draws people in is the feeling when a tennis ball hits the net and hovers midair—the anticipation, because no one knows which side it'll land on. That's what makes gambling exciting. It's the unknown—only the gods know the outcome."

He paused, then continued.

"But if you analyze the ball's spin, the angle it hit the net, the coefficient of elasticity, wind speed, direction, and humidity—you can accurately predict which side it'll fall on. The only reason it seems uncertain is because most people don't have all the data. But if you do have all the data, then the result is predetermined."

"Are you saying, for you, victory is inevitable?"

"I can't think of a reason I'd lose. Even if constant victory is boring, I can't help it," Rinji said with a smile. "So Kirari, make the 'tennis ball fly even higher.' Only then will it feel like a real match."

"Of course."

"Excellent. Let's drink to the game to come."

Rinji raised his glass.

Kirari raised hers as well.

"Cheers."

"Cheers—to the tennis ball rising from the net."

Clink.

The two glasses collided with a crisp sound. Then they drank in unison.

Meanwhile, watching the two toast, Sayaka expression turned extremely grim.

The same went for Yuriko.

They now understood that all their ambitions and desires were just toys.

Every student in the race for the presidency… was nothing more than a plaything in the game between Rinji and Kirari.