Chapter 302: This Is About Trust

"You want to bet your life?"

Shirogane's sudden declaration left Kirari, who was calm even in front of Rinji, momentarily stunned.

But Shirogane remained composed.

"I don't like gambling, so I'm not here to bet with you."

"Huh?"

"I'm staking my life as a guarantee—Rinji won't kill anyone."

"…You're really confident, aren't you?"

Kirari smiled.

"You don't even know him well, yet you're making such bold claims. Should I say, as expected from the president of Shuchiin?"

Unlike ordinary students who might be awed by Rinji's presence or Shirogane's former title as acting president of the Dainippon Bank, Kirari wasn't the type to make assumptions based on background.

From the moment she brought Rinji to Hyakkaou Academy, she had investigated every member of the student council.

A toy company's second son, a former cabinet minister's great-granddaughter, the daughter of a Supreme Court judge, the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family, and finally—Shirogane Miyuki.

Shirogane had the weakest background among them. In fact, his family had lived in poverty for as long as records showed. He came from the lowest rungs of society.

His rise to acting bank president was entirely due to Rinji's support. Contrary to popular belief, he wasn't all that mysterious.

Shirogane was just an ordinary student.

And yet, this ordinary student dared to stake his life against her, all for someone he didn't truly understand.

To Kirari, this was recklessness without cause.

"You're risking your life with no proof? Are you unafraid of death, or do you think I won't dare take it?"

Truthfully, Kirari wouldn't dare. Killing Shirogane would bring consequences she could already foresee—ones involving Rinji.

"Momobami-san, have you ever heard of trust?"

"Of course," she replied with a smile, pulling Sayaka close for a hug. "I trust Sayaka a lot~"

"President…"

Sayaka blushed but was clearly delighted.

"But I trust her because I understand her. Do you really understand Rinji?"

"Not at all," Shirogane said, smiling. "Or rather, I don't need to. He has his own convictions."

"So your trust is baseless?"

"You could say that—but not entirely."

Shirogane's gaze grew firm. Kirari could feel a strong will from this otherwise ordinary student.

"Because Rinji trusts me, I'll trust him. That's all."

"That's completely illogical."

Both Kirari and Sayaka found his reasoning absurd. Sayaka especially couldn't understand why someone with higher test scores than her could say something so irrational.

And yet, Kirari lowered her head slightly.

She recalled a past conversation with Rinji while playing chess.

…

"I firmly believe that an unexplainable variable must exist. Humans aren't rational beings—they're emotional. In chaos, they often make foolish decisions, but those decisions make the future uncertain."

"What ordinary people see are often things that people like us, who claim to see the future, cannot perceive."

"Those who change the world are often emotional, ordinary people."

…

"Shirogane Miyuki, are you that emotional 'ordinary person'?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Kirari smiled and placed all 230 of her chips on the table.

"You've put your life on the line—then I'll bet with you."

"I said I'm not gambling." Shirogane sighed. "I just want you to know—I trust Rinji."

He didn't care about the chips. They meant nothing to him.

Everyone turned their eyes to the screen.

——————————————————————————————————————

On screen, all the cards had been dealt.

Rinji held his cards and smiled at the sweating Miyo across from him.

Normally, in this game, she could choose to fold or pass. With few chips left, she could have stalled with bad hands.

But Rinji had used poison, causing Miri's condition to worsen rapidly.

Their original plan had been to signal each other and decide whether to bet based on their hands.

But now, Miri couldn't respond, and they didn't have time—any delay could mean her death from the toxin.

She had only one chance.

And her hand…

"Three of a kind... the odds of winning aren't bad. Whatever, this is our only shot!"

She instantly pushed all her chips forward.

"All in!"

"All in," Rinji echoed, pushing over his more than a hundred chips.

"Reveal!"

Miyo's hand: 4 of Hearts, 4 of Spades, 4 of Diamonds, 9 of Spades, King of Clubs.

Rinji's hand: 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen—all Hearts.

Three of a kind vs. a straight flush—utter defeat.

From the start, this match had no suspense.

"I... lost..."

Miyo stared at both hands, the world spinning around her.

This wasn't just a normal gamble. The loser would die.

And once you're dead, there's no second chance.

Click.

The chain around Rinji's waist was unlocked. He stood up from the chair and walked straight to the remote.

Picking it up, he turned and looked at Miyo's vacant gaze. "Got any last words?"

In the next moment, the explosives on their chairs would reduce them to chunks of meat.

"No... If anything, I just hope in the next life, I can be real sisters with Miri," Miyo said with a serene smile, accepting her fate. "Sisters who can speak freely without worrying about how others see us."

"Noted. Shame there won't be a next life," Rinji replied, pressing the button on the remote.

Psshh—

The "explosives" exploded into a thick cloud of smoke, and the chains around the two girls' waists were released.