It was when Mary found herself in the midst of Yumeko's arms that she began to realise just what these feelings inside of her meant. She'd been fighting these feelings ever since yesterday, reasoning that they didn't really mean anything and that it was just hormones.

But, now that she was pulling away, Yumeko's ruby eyes singing happily into hers, she realised that these feelings did in fact mean something. Yumeko had turned her into a house pet. A pathetic little house pet. But, Yumeko had also turned her life into a ball of excitement, a ball which was constantly being spun around as if it were inside a roulette wheel. But, rather than landing on a number and colour, it landed on Yumeko.

Mary lost her status, but in response, she gained Yumeko.

The gambling freak. The enigma. The girl who would save everyone from Kirari's tyrannic reign over Hyakkou Academy.

"Saotome-san! Please let me call you Mary," she begged.

Mary pretended to think about it for a few moments, but it was as if her mind had become one with Yumeko's. No sooner than when she opened her mouth to stutter out a "Fine" in response, Yumeko's lips were open to express her excitement.

"Yay! In that case, you may also call me Yumeko!"

Mary's pride was still aching. But, for once, she was willing to set aside her pride for this brief moment of bliss.