Chapter 5: Jabami Yumeko's Craving for High-Stakes Gambling
Just as she was about to explode—
The class bell rang again, as if casting a sealing spell on Saotome Mary. In an instant, she returned to her usual carefree and cheeky gyaru persona.
"It's okay, Hikigaya-kun. Even if you don't want to play this time, I know you'll definitely play with me next time~"
Mary firmly believed this. In this academy, no one could escape the vortex of gambling. It was only a matter of time.
She was genuinely looking forward to the day she could make Hikigaya Hachiman her plaything. Ever since he entered the class, Mary had felt a deep sense of provocation—a soul-level rejection. Something about him fundamentally clashed with her.
She recalled the vow she had made on her first day at the academy:
"People are born standing on different starting lines."
"Stamina, intellect, looks, sensitivity... and money."
"To categorize people as winners or losers based on that alone—I absolutely refuse to accept it."
She wanted to prove her worth as a special scholarship student! The disgust she felt toward Hikigaya was likely because his ideals stood in stark opposition to hers. This was a clash of beliefs, and she was determined to turn him into her loyal dog.
A nondescript female teacher walked back into the classroom.
"Quiet!"
Standing beside her was Jabami Yumeko. She held a delicate handbag in front of her straight legs, shielding herself from the prying eyes of the male students. Her face was flawless, adorned with an impeccable smile. Her uniform was perfectly maintained, and her crisp princess-cut hairstyle exemplified elegance and nobility.
"Hello, everyone. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Jabami Yumeko. I may be just an ordinary girl, but I hope you'll treat me as one of your classmates."
She gave a slight bow.
A chorus of howls erupted from the class.
"She's so cute!"
"Her name's Jabami, huh?"
Even Ryota Suzui, previously downcast, blushed deeply, completely smitten.
Hikigaya Hachiman firmly believed that a woman like Jabami Yumeko could make anyone feel like they were falling in love just by meeting her gaze. Looking at her standing there, he never imagined she'd end up being his classmate. This had to be... fate's guidance.
"Uh... I'd like a volunteer to show Jabami-san around the campus. Suz—"
"No need, Sensei," Yumeko suddenly interjected, having already spotted Hikigaya sitting in the corner. Her face lit up, and she waved enthusiastically. "I'll tour the school with Hikigaya-kun."
"Oh? You two know each other? That's fine then. You two explore the school together."
"Then your seat... let's put you to Hikigaya's right."
"Yes!"
Yumeko skipped cheerfully to Hachiman's desk. "Looking forward to learning from you, Hikigaya-kun~"
"Ah... sure," Hachiman replied, starting to recite prime numbers in his head again.
In a blind spot where the two couldn't see, Saotome Mary rested her chin in her hand, grinding her teeth, eyes locked on them with venomous intensity.
.
.
.
The two of them strolled side by side through the school corridors, admiring the extravagantly crafted central fountain.
Yumeko placed a hand on her chest and turned toward Hachiman, stepping closer. She looked up at him with a soft, enchanting gaze.
"This school really is amazing. I'm so glad I transferred here. Don't you think so, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Well... I guess." Hachiman couldn't handle her charm, stepping back slightly. "But I have a feeling when you say the school is 'amazing,' you don't just mean the scenery."
"Eh? Why do you say that?"
"Gambling. You know about it, don't you?"
"Gambling... huh? Poker, mahjong—regular stuff, I know the rules."
Using his height to look down into her serpentine eyes, Hachiman coldly uttered, "Lies."
He rested his hands behind his head and continued, almost to himself.
"Actually, I think you've known about the academy's gambling culture from the beginning. Maybe you don't know the exact rules, but you knew gambling—a technically illegal act outside—is openly practiced at Hyakkaou Academy."
"Someone like you, Yumeko—beautiful, with a bag full of cash—you'd get invited to a game almost immediately."
"If I'm right, the loser who can't repay their debt gets labeled. Guys wear a dog tag, and girls are branded as strays."
As Hachiman laid out his deductions, Yumeko flushed with visible excitement. Her legs tightened together, and she covered her mouth, letting out an eerie giggle, clearly aroused.
Hachiman shivered slightly at her reaction.
"But gambling... really is something to look forward to, isn't it?"
After a pause, Yumeko crossed her index fingers in front of her chest and curiously asked, "But how did you know my bag was full of cash, Hikigaya-kun?"
Expressionless, Hachiman pointed to his ears and eyes. "In the car, I heard the sound of bills shifting inside your bag. And the way the leather folded... wasn't consistent with a light load."
Yumeko's eyes lit up with admiration. "Your observation skills are... so thrilling, Hikigaya-kun."
"Anyway, if you plan on gambling, be careful."
Hachiman shrugged, offering a sincere warning as a sign of respect toward their growing connection. It was clear Yumeko's acting and gambling skills were excellent. The money she brought—and probably her tuition—were likely won through high-stakes games.
Ten bets, nine losses. Lose once, and you fall into ruin. As someone striving to be a winner in life, Hachiman wouldn't indulge in such a base game. For him, gambling was just a means to an end—an ascent to the top of the academy.
He was playing the game of life.
Hyakkaou Academy's system suited him perfectly.
"You're so serious, Hikigaya-kun. I was just joking, you know~"
Yumeko waved her hand cheerfully. "Class is about to start again. Let's head back."
"Eh, I can walk on my own..."
Flustered, Hachiman felt the delicate warmth of Yumeko's hand wrapping around his arm. On his very first day of school, he was walking hand-in-hand with a girl he'd just met?
No, no, no—what kind of development is this?!
But... her profile really was stunning...
"2, 3, 5..."
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.
The moment class ended, Yumeko was quickly swarmed by classmates. In contrast to the cold emptiness around Hachiman, her desk was surrounded wall-to-wall.
"You're so cute, Jabami-san!"
"Welcome to Year 1, Class A!"
The voices gradually quieted as the girls made way.
Mary Saotome approached Yumeko with a commanding presence, her eyes sweeping over Yumeko's curvaceous figure. Then, like flipping a switch, she wore a sweet, kind expression.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Saotome Mary. Let's get along, okay~?"
"Likewise, Saotome-san," Yumeko replied with a gentle smile.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Mary turned and bent toward Hachiman.
"Say, Hikigaya-kun, are you free right now? How about a round of gambling with me?"