The Players (3)

"She's been punished."

Karuizawa Kei sat down, looking pleased.

With her opponent now unable to even protect herself, any further attempt to cause trouble would be nothing more than a pipe dream.

"No wonder."

Oreki nodded.

This was for the best.

He had been wondering how to resolve the situation quickly so he could deal with Kiyoko.

As it turned out, things had worked out perfectly.

The other party had essentially taken care of herself.

It was likely that her misdeeds had finally come to light.

To do something like that in a restroom—she really was something else.

"How did the mission go?"

"It went very smoothly."

"That's good."

"She didn't even ask me why; she just agreed to join the Tennis Club."

Karuizawa Kei felt a bit puzzled.

But judging by her demeanor at the time, Kiyoko didn't seem like the type to be afraid of her.

If that was the case...

Why had she agreed so readily?

That was the real question.

However...

"Since things have reached this point, let's just eat first."

With that, Karuizawa Kei picked up her knife and fork to enjoy her dinner.

Truffle risotto, pasta...

Good grief.

A meal like this had to cost at least a few thousand points, right?

Without a decent stash of savings, one really couldn't keep up with her eating habits.

"Ahem!"

Oreki gave a soft reminder.

He tapped on the table.

"There's something I forgot to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Uh... actually—"

Oreki leaned in close to Karuizawa Kei's ear and revealed the truth about the hundred thousand points.

She froze in place upon hearing it.

The knife and fork in Karuizawa Kei's hands clattered onto her plate.

She looked at Oreki with a pitiful expression.

"No way... then, then all of this..."

Looking at the dishes she had ordered, Karuizawa Kei felt a pang of regret.

If she had known, she wouldn't have come to such an expensive place.

"It's fine. I'll treat you this time."

Oreki generously pulled out his terminal.

A mere few thousand was just pocket change.

By tomorrow, he would be a millionaire.

Even if it was just a million yen.

"Thank you!"

Karuizawa Kei let out a sigh of relief.

She then grew worried.

"But... Oreki-kun, you..."

"It's fine. Just consider it payment for this mission."

"Hmm..."

"Next time you successfully complete a task, you can tell me what you want."

"Anything at all?"

"I'll do my best."

"Mm!"

After finishing dinner.

"I'll walk you back."

Oreki stood up to pay the bill.

It came to a little over ten thousand points.

If other students saw this, their jaws would likely hit the floor.

Spending ten thousand points on a meal on the very first day.

That was roughly equivalent to five hundred yuan.

Leaving the restaurant, the two walked one after the other.

The dormitory building wasn't far from here.

It served perfectly as post-dinner exercise.

Oreki took this opportunity to ponder Kiyoko's intentions.

That she had readily agreed to join the Tennis Club was within his expectations.

It would have been strange if she hadn't.

Oreki vaguely sensed...

That Kiyoko and Sakayanagi were the same type of person.

Both enjoyed seeking out interesting people as opponents.

However, Sakayanagi was more proactive.

Kiyoko was more passive.

She intentionally drew attention to herself, then waited for others to challenge her.

The entrance exam was a prime example.

If she truly wanted to remain inconspicuous, why not just finish the paper randomly and hand it in?

Instead, she chose to manipulate her scores.

Exactly half marks in every single subject.

Wasn't that an obvious attempt to attract attention?

"This is far enough, thank you..."

Karuizawa Kei waved goodbye to Oreki.

As she left, she cast a few lingering glances at Oreki.

Of course.

Oreki himself didn't notice.

--Tomorrow probably won't be very relaxing...

He sighed inwardly.

Afterward, Oreki turned and headed toward his own room.

It was time to sleep.

--To be continue