Ichinose Honami eyed the two items curiously. "Would the results be different depending on which one you use?"
Lin Mu rubbed the tip of his nose, slightly embarrassed. (She'd almost uncovered his little scheme.)
But he kept a perfectly straight face as he explained:
"In terms of the results, no.
"They're just different ways of presenting things. In the end, they both reveal the same 'possibilities.'
"But," he continued, his tone shifting to something more like an 'industry insider' trying to sell her on it,
"offering different options gives the student getting a reading more of a sense of participation and a better experience. It also makes me seem more professional.
(Different versions: regular and premium.)
"After all, some people prefer the symbolism of Tarot Cards, while others like the hazy mystery of the Crystal Ball."
What he was really thinking was: Of course the methods had to be different! This was the key to setting different price tiers in the future!
A basic Tarot Card reading: 50,000 points. A Crystal Ball vision: 80,000 points. Both together in a premium custom package: 150,000 points!
Heh heh heh, these were the tricks to raking in points!
(The secret to making money lies within.)
Unfortunately, his 'professional' explanation only made Ichinose Honami even more suspicious.
Who would bluntly say something like, "so the customer thinks I'm more professional"?
Was this fortune-teller really reliable?
But she'd already agreed, and she was already sitting there. It would be awkward to change her mind and leave now.
She had no choice but to steel herself and sit on the little stool across from Lin Mu.
"Then... I'll choose the Tarot Cards." She picked the method that seemed more 'conventional.'
"Okay." Lin Mu peeled the new plastic wrapping off the Tarot Cards and handed them to Ichinose.
"First, shuffle the cards while thinking about your question: 'Will I be able to join the Student Council smoothly?'
"Then draw three cards by intuition and place them on the table in order."
Ichinose Honami did as he instructed.
She shuffled the cards carefully. She didn't believe in fortune-telling, but she was taking it seriously.
When she finished, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She silently focused on her question, then drew three cards from the deck by instinct. Following Lin Mu's instructions, she placed them from left to right on the cloth-covered table.
The three cards were the Upright Hierophant, the Reversed Two of Wands, and the Upright Seven of Swords.
Of course, this wasn't a coincidence.
As she shuffled and drew, Lin Mu had already used Psychokinesis to subtly influence the order of the cards, ensuring that she drew the three he'd 'arranged.'
Combined with the cards' symbolism and the fragments of Ichinose's memories and future that he'd glimpsed through telepathy using his psychic powers, their meanings were enough to form an 'answer' that would hit close to home.
Lin Mu picked up the first card, the Upright Hierophant. His expression grew a little more serious, and he began his interpretation in a steady voice:
"First, the Upright Hierophant. This card represents authority, tradition, rules, and guidance.
"As it relates to your question, it means that joining the Student Council depends on whether you can get help from someone in a position of authority or a mentor. (Miyabi Nagumo helped Ichinose join the Student Council later.)
"The Student Council has its own rules and traditions for selecting members. If you can earn the approval and recommendation of a senior or teacher with influence,
"then your path to joining will be much clearer and smoother. They might even be able to offer you crucial help or advice directly."
Ichinose Honami listened carefully and nodded slightly. The explanation sounded reasonable. Having someone recommend her would certainly help her get into the Student Council.
Lin Mu then picked up the second card, the Reversed Two of Wands, and furrowed his brow.
"Second, the Reversed Two of Wands. The Two of Wands usually represents plans, choices, and hopes for the future. Reversed, it often means obstacles, stagnation, setbacks, or difficulty making a decision. (Manabu Horikita wouldn't recruit anyone in their first year, because he'd arranged for the Student Council to be a stage for his younger sister, Suzune Horikita. That was why they didn't accept a single person during their first recruitment drive.)
"This suggests that you may encounter unexpected obstacles or delays on your way to joining the Student Council.
"Combined with the first card, perhaps the mentor you're hoping for won't come to your aid in time, or something will go wrong during the selection process.
"As for the result... it may not be very promising. There's a risk you won't be selected."
Ichinose Honami's fingers curled slightly where they rested on her lap.
The prediction made her heart tighten. Although she didn't believe in fortune-telling, the thought of possibly being rejected still left her feeling disappointed and uneasy.
Finally, Lin Mu picked up the third card, the Upright Seven of Swords.
His brow furrowed even more. A look of 'confusion' crossed his face, but his tone grew firmer, even edged with a hint of sharpness.
"Strange... There's something unusual about the third card, the Upright Seven of Swords, appearing here."
He pointed to the little figure on the card, sneaking away from camp with five swords in his arms.
"The Seven of Swords is often called the 'Thief Card' or the 'Deception Card.'
"It symbolizes secretive actions, deception, concealment, dishonesty, and gaining an advantage through underhanded means.
"The meaning is clear—"
He looked up, his gaze calm yet seemingly able to see right through her, and stared directly at Ichinose Honami, whose face had begun to pale.
"You're lying."
"You said you wanted to join the Student Council. That's true.
"But," Lin Mu continued, lowering his voice, his words carrying an almost cruel precision, "when this card appears in a spread about you, its deeper meaning is...
"Deep down, you're hiding a secret or something from your past connected to 'dishonesty,' 'concealment,' or perhaps even 'wrongfully acquiring something.'
"That secret is like a thorn, affecting you and making you uneasy and anxious in certain situations. Am I right, Ichinose?"
(Heh heh heh, Ichinose, you wouldn't want...)
"Boom—!"
It was like a thunderclap exploding inside her head, or a bucket of ice water being poured over her from head to toe.
Ichinose Honami's body jerked violently against her will. She clenched the skirt over her knees, gripping so tightly that her knuckles instantly turned white.
The warmth and color drained from her usually gentle, rosy cheeks in an instant. Her face went deathly pale, her lips trembling slightly. Even her breathing stopped for a moment.
The theft... That wretched past she'd tried so desperately to bury and wash away, hoping to start over completely at this new school...
It was the deepest, most painful, and most untouchable wound and secret in her heart.
She'd thought she'd hidden it well. She'd thought that if she worked hard enough, was kind enough, and did well enough, she could cover up that shadow.
But... but why? Why could this strange boy she'd only just met, this Class D student who called himself a fortune-teller, use a few incomprehensible cards to...
Directly, cruelly, and with terrifying precision, expose the truth she feared most?
Panic, shame, and mortification flooded over her like a cold tide.
She felt all the blood rush to her head, only to freeze the next second.
Her mind went blank. Her ears rang, and she could barely hear the surrounding hubbub.
"I... I..." She opened her mouth, her voice dry and trembling, barely coherent.
She suddenly lowered her head, not daring to look again into Lin Mu's eyes, which seemed to see everything.
Her powerful instinct to flee won out.
"I'm s-sorry..." she stammered as she hurriedly stood up. In her haste, she nearly knocked over the lightweight folding table in front of her.
"I... I suddenly feel a little unwell... I'm dizzy... Thank you, thank you for the reading...
"No matter what the result is, I... I still want to try the Student Council interview... I-I'll be going now!"
Before she'd even finished speaking, she turned around and stumbled away, fleeing the little tent without looking back. She vanished into the bustling crowd in the plaza.
Her panicked retreating figure looked as if something terrifying were chasing her.
Lin Mu watched the direction Ichinose Honami had disappeared in, shrugged without expression, and took the nearly melted lollipop stick from his mouth.
He tossed it neatly into the trash can a few steps away, then leisurely unwrapped another strawberry lollipop and popped it into his mouth.
The sweet-and-sour taste spread across his tongue.
He felt nothing at all. If anything, he was a little tempted to yawn.
Had he just hit someone's deepest psychological wound?
He didn't feel anything in particular.
To him, this was simply a test of his abilities and a warm-up.
He was a little concerned about Ichinose Honami's secret, and her reaction had been just as he'd expected.
"An auspicious start."
He muttered under his breath, not knowing whether it was sarcasm or self-mockery.
He sat back down on the stall owner's little stool and adjusted the banner so the words "Accurate Fortune-Telling to Predict Your Path Ahead" stood out more.
Then he leaned back, found a comfortable position, held the lollipop in his mouth, folded his arms, and half-closed his eyes as he began to wait lazily.
He was waiting for the first 'fated customer' who was genuinely willing to pay.
After all, raking in points while lounging around was the real business of the day.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent, falling on the tips of his white hair and outlining them with a faint halo.
The bustle of the plaza seemed to fade away, leaving this little corner temporarily at peace.
Lin Mu's career as a 'charlatan' was officially underway.
His first 'customer' had been free, and he'd scared her off.
But that was fine. He had all the time and patience in the world...
(Event period: May 1 to May 5)
Before you continue