Choice

Late at night, the entire school lay in deathly silence. The once-bustling shopping street was nearly deserted, and even the student dormitories were swallowed by darkness.

Only the teachers' office still glowed with a faint light.

Chabashira Sae sat alone at her desk, repeatedly reviewing the records of students in her class.

At last, the computer screen stopped on Kato Satsu's profile.

"Kato Satsu"

"Written exam: Not taken"

"Interview: Not attended"

The unusual record made Chabashira's pupils tremble.

"This is simply impossible."

Chabashira covered her mouth slightly. Her expression wasn't one of shock, but of contemplation.

On the second day of school, the first thing Chabashira-sensei did when she entered the classroom wasn't start the lesson. Instead, she announced that Nagasawa Kuraku of Class 2-C had been expelled for fighting.

The school seemed to take the matter very seriously. They explained exactly what had happened and even provided security footage.

Satsu had never expected that. He could understand Horikita Manabu wanting to make an example of someone after just taking office as student council president and having his new rules broken right away.

But providing the security footage had put Satsu in the spotlight. Nobody was blind; everyone could see what Satsu had done to make Kuraku suddenly change his attitude.

More importantly, the whole school now knew how humiliated Matsuyama had been. There was no hiding the fact that it was his zodiac year now.

"I hadn't planned on keeping my promise to Kuraku, but now he'll probably come looking for me himself."

Satsu rested a hand against his forehead and closed his eyes. "Why are there so many problems?"

The day's classes had been tedious and dull, but an announcement after school caught everyone's attention.

"Club activity introductions will be held at the First Gymnasium at five o'clock. Interested students are asked to attend on time."

Hearing the announcement in a sweet female voice, Satsu immediately got to his feet. But after a moment's thought, he asked without much hope, "Ayanokoji, want to go together?"

"Judging from his eyes and facial expression, he doesn't seem to have any bad intentions." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

"Sure."

Ayanokoji stood as he answered.

"Wait."

Suzune spoke up. "I'm going with you."

The two of them were taken aback. Ayanokoji was the first to ask, "I thought you were the type who wasn't interested in anything."

"You're right about that. I'm not interested in joining any clubs. I just want to take a look."

As she spoke, Suzune turned to Satsu. "Are you coming or not?"

"Of course!" he replied firmly.

Though they headed in the same direction, each had a different purpose. As soon as they arrived at the First Gymnasium, they went their separate ways.

Satsu darted through the many clubs. The school didn't have many students, but the number of clubs was astonishing.

At last, the club of his dreams appeared before him: the Board Game Club!

"With my mind-reading ability, I'll never lose at any card game! Small points, here I come!"

With that thought, Satsu went to the Board Game Club's entrance.

"I'd like to join the Board Game Club!"

"Sure, welcome aboard, junior! Come on in! We're having a club activity right now."

"Uh, don't I need an interview or have to fill out some paperwork?" Satsu asked, puzzled by the enthusiastic upperclassman.

"Oh, our club isn't that strict. We're just a bunch of people who get together to play cards. Everyone's welcome, and nobody's forced to stay."

"Even people who aren't club members can play. I only became club president because we needed someone to recruit new members, so they picked me on the spot."

"Oh, right. We've been talking for ages. I'm Dao Jin, from Class 2-B."

Satsu was practically laughing inside. Did this mean the place was full of ATMs? He'd be rich in no time!

"Ah! You guys don't play for points?"

Faced with this bolt from the blue, Satsu couldn't help exclaiming, "If you don't play for points, what's the point of playing?"

"Wouldn't that make it gambling? The school expressly forbids gambling. We don't do that."

"Ah, okay."

Seeing how serious Dao Jin looked, Satsu didn't press the matter. After all, it wasn't a game you could play alone. It didn't matter how much he argued if nobody would play with him.

"Well, well! If it isn't Kato Satsu from Class 1-D. What a small world!"

The speaker was none other than Tano Matsuyama.

"Didn't expect you to be here too, Matsuyama," Satsu replied.

"A no-name defective from Class D thinks he's good enough to play cards?"

"Who's as famous as Matsuyama-senpai? Everyone knows it's your zodiac year."

The two traded barbs, but their verbal sparring didn't last long.

"If you want to play, how about I play you?"

Satsu had no reason to turn down an idiot who was practically handing him money.

"Sure. What are we playing? How many points are we betting?" Satsu asked confidently.

"Typical idiot from Class D. You think I'd play you without making preparations? There are seventeen people in the Board Game Club, and ten of them have taken my money. Just wait—I'm going to crush you." (Tano Matsuyama)

"We'll play an improved version of Old Maid. I'm betting everything you have!" Matsuyama said viciously, his sharp gaze as if he wanted to devour Satsu whole.

"The loser will be expelled and hand over all his personal belongings, including his points!"

"Kato Satsu, I'm going to take everything you have once and for all!"

Matsuyama practically roared as he slammed both hands onto the table with a thunderous bang.

"What makes it an improved version?" Satsu asked calmly.

Matsuyama immediately explained the rules in detail. After making sure Satsu understood them, he replied:

"Fine. But if we're playing, let's do it in front of everyone. Set up a table outside."

"Haha! So you want to make a fool of yourself? Fine! Saves me the trouble of filming it." (Tano Matsuyama)

Matsuyama agreed with a cold laugh. Before long, everyone had set up a stage inside the gym.

Today was the club welcome fair, so the gym was already crowded. Now that the two of them were putting on a show, they quickly drew everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for coming to watch the Board Game Club's masterpiece: the improved Old Maid tournament, Choice!"

"I'm today's host, Dao Jin from Class 2-B!"

With Dao Jin's passionate opening, the atmosphere in the gym was instantly electrified. Many people were already urging them to hurry up and start.

In the distance, Suzune glanced over briefly, but she had no intention of joining the crowd.

"Allow me to introduce our contestants! Kato Satsu from Class 1-D!"

"And Tano Matsuyama from Class 2-C!"

Only then did Suzune finally start moving.

When she pushed her way to the front, she spotted Ayanokoji and the Yamauchi trio standing right across from her, all of them watching the stage intently.

Onstage, Kato Satsu and Tano Matsuyama were already seated.

"The two players have agreed that the loser of this game..." Dao Jin deliberately drew out his words, piquing everyone's curiosity. "Will be expelled immediately and hand over all their personal belongings on campus!"

The announcement caused an uproar.

"Isn't that taking things too far?" Ike shouted, clutching his head. He seemed to already be picturing Satsu's humiliating expulsion.

Ayanokoji showed no expression. He simply watched the stage in silence.

"Kato Satsu." (Horikita Suzune)

The words Satsu had spoken at the student council's hearing that day came back to her.

"Give me all your points, and I'll get Matsuyama expelled!"