Gambling House Construction

"Um... what's going on with you two?"

Star Color watched Tamiya Emi and Masumi Kamuro lock eyes in a silent standoff—they sure had energy to spare. Was this a love triangle? Probably not... since he didn't harbor any romantic feelings himself.

"Star Color-kun sure is popular with the ladies."

Star Color felt a strong sense of déjà vu at that line, so he just laughed it off.

"Haha, am I? Not really. I do have normal male friends, like Classmate Katsuragi and everyone's favorite, Classmate Totsuka."

Come to think of it, the people around him really were a bunch of strange women. The radio-wave girl Classmate Morishita, the reformed kleptomaniac Classmate Kamuro, the invisible girl Miki Yamamura, the Hanako-of-the-toilet Classmate Sakayanagi, the possibly-not-human Classmate Akaya, and the disguised arthropod.

Only Classmate Tamiya was normal...

What was this, "immortals lined up like hemp"—was he some kind of abnormal-woman containment center?

"Tamiya, who are you making that face for?"

Whoa... so this was the legendary catfight...

Star Color had no choice but to shift his aura, adopting a softer, more pitiable look.

"Um... please don't fight anymore."

His violet eyes shimmered like water, those big, dewy orbs brimming with innocence and helplessness. A face as pure and flawless as an [Ichimatsu Doll] appeared right in the center of their line of sight...

(Star Color's Obscure Fact: Ichimatsu Dolls are handmade figurines, and a lot of people say they're creepy. Actually, in Japan, dolls are considered lucky charms that attract wealth, ward off evil, and block misfortune—similar to Zashiki-warashi. But because of the uncanny valley effect, people make up all kinds of horror stories about them. The author personally doesn't find them scary; the more you look, the cuter they get.)

Bleh—Star Color felt sick at his own sickly-sweet act. He actually hated pretending like this.

His small frame, those sparkling eyes, that endearing expression—it completely captivated both women.

An indescribable, inexplicable cuteness lingered in their hearts, softening them from the inside. The saying "women have no resistance to cute things" really wasn't empty words.

Both of their hands couldn't help but reach out and pat Star Color's head.

"Grr... there are still people in the classroom, so stop petting me."

Star Color dodged their hands, sensing a hint of disappointment from both of them.

"Whether it's Classmate Tamiya or Classmate Kamuro, you're both my most important friends."

Come to think of it, Classmate Kamuro had changed a lot. Had she planned from the start to act aloof and cold, then later hit people with that [moe] vibe—a weapon of mass destruction? No guy could withstand that.

"I don't need that."

Masumi Kamuro crossed her arms.

Star Color figured he'd have to correct her attitude toward people sooner or later, or she'd trip up in society. He was busier than a teacher at this rate.

He sensed Miki Yamamura approaching—if he didn't pay special attention, he might not have noticed her at all. Miki Yamamura might as well rename herself after the vengeful spirit from that [Hong Kong] horror movie.

Star Color greeted her.

"Ah—good afternoon, Otonashi-kun, Tamiya-san."

He'd gone to a bit of trouble to get Classmate Tamiya to include her in the class's little group. Luckily, the girls in Nishikawa Ryoko's circle were kind-hearted and quickly accepted Miki Yamamura.

Now, Miki Yamamura still seemed a bit introverted—internet slang would call it [social anxiety]. But she was slowly improving, so the future looked promising.

"Yamamura-san, good afternoon."

Tamiya Emi noticed Miki Yamamura's presence and casually greeted her too.

Masumi Kamuro was shocked by Miki Yamamura's [invisible person] ability. She prided herself on her perception (from her thieving days), yet she hadn't sensed Miki Yamamura approaching at all—and from such close range.

"Ah—sorry..."

Facing classmates she wasn't familiar with, Miki Yamamura still got nervous.

"Classmate Kamuro, could you tone down that [disgusted] look in your eyes when you see people?"

Star Color made a weak jab.

"I... I can't help it."

Masumi Kamuro turned her head away, avoiding Miki Yamamura's gaze so she wouldn't put pressure on her.

"What a tsundere."

"Who are you calling a tsundere!"

Kamuro glared at Star Color, who cowered pitifully behind Tamiya Emi.

"Don't scare Star Color-kun and Yamamura-san."

Tamiya Emi shielded Star Color, while he made faces at Kamuro from behind her.

Furious, Masumi Kamuro clenched her fists, then finally stomped back to her seat without looking back.

(Afternoon)

"I'm really sorry. I'll compensate you with the appropriate points."

Masumi Kamuro returned the three bottles of beer she'd stolen—every single one—to the store clerk. In front of everyone, she bowed her head sincerely and apologized.

Star Color leaned against the wall on the other side, feeling like a parent watching their kid mess up and then successfully reform. Truly, I'm the best.JPG.

Masumi Kamuro, who had reached the [Good Ending], received forgiveness from the 'Shop Staff.' After all, the most sincere and earnest attitude is often what moves people the most. And Masumi Kamuro being a pretty girl was a plus point in a certain sense—haha, what a shitty looks-obsessed society...

After Masumi Kamuro compensated the staff and the shop with points, the burden seemed to lift, and she was completely at ease. The usually unsmiling Kamuro actually cracked a smile...

"If Kamuro-san smiled more often, I bet a lot of guys would chase after you."

Star Color gave an honest evaluation.

"I don't need any other guys..."

Masumi Kamuro reverted to her usual cold and tsundere expression, looking a bit displeased, her face red as she stared at Star Color.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing her gaze, Star Color stared back.

"No, nothing."

(Evening)

"You actually have free time to look for me. How's school life, [Gambling Officer]-sama?"

Standing behind the Pachinko parlor, Zhou Changqing lit a cigarette. Star Color also pulled out his own [Rations].

"The Gambling Officer-sama likes smoking too?"

"Yeah."

Star Color handed Zhou Changqing a bank card.

"There's about five million Neon yen in the account. I'll send the password to your other phone later. Go buy some copper coins with magnetic cards from headquarters for me."

"What do you need those for?"

Zhou Changqing took the card, frowned, and asked.

"I'm going to set up a [Gambling House] at this school."

"Huh? You want to corrupt those kids?"

Zhou Changqing was a bit taken aback.

"What are you saying? Am I corrupting them? I'll give you a commission afterward, don't worry."

"Alright, alright, Gambling Officer-sama, you're right."

Hearing there was a commission involved, Zhou Changqing chose to go along with Star Color's strange idea.

"The school's Pawn Shop is also ours, right? Hehehe."

"You're trying to replicate that [Pachinko parlor] plan from back then, exploiting the rule loopholes?"

Zhou Changqing, upon hearing the two keywords [Copper Coins] and [Pawn Shop], instantly connected everything. This guy was going to recreate the best exploitation case in history, the [Three-Shop Model], on campus—though now it had degraded to just needing the [Two-Shop Model]. After all, the [Pachinko parlor] had the [Neon Police] backing it, and now the Kisen Group could even wield some political influence.

"That's right."

"Speaking of which, Gambling Officer-sama, there's a problem that's come up recently, and I need your help."

Zhou Changqing spoke a bit awkwardly, making his request.

"Oh, I'm fine with it. I've got nothing better to do anyway."