AN: Originally, I had the game included with this update. Unfortunately since I'm still tweaking that portion to fit properly, it's taking me forever to post. So I decided to separate it in two. Hopefully I'll be able to tweak the latter half until I'm satisfied before posting within a few days. Wish me luck!

Part 10:

Asami-sama had instructed Kirishima to remain behind and observe. Ever the dutiful right hand man, the secretary follows the command to a T and has taken a front row seat to view the happenings within the Green Room. Neither the two security guards nor the security manager made a sound to disturb the other. The control room was in a complete study of concentration.

Minutes later, as soon as Asami-sama on the screen reached for his phone, Kirishima has his own place before his ready ears. He presses the receive button as soon as it begin to vibrate.

"It's me. Prep the Red Room for a game of Hanafuda. Have a dealer present."

The secretary was likewise to the point.

"It will be ready in ten minutes, Asami-sama."

The call ends as abruptly as it began.

Kirishima then swivel his chair about face and gave the exact instructions to the security manager, in addition to a few more details.

"I want the room wire tap ASAP. Bring in a male dealer, average build and plain-looking. Have the close up camera zoom in on Takaba-san from the dealer's perspective and activate the hidden camera on the card table facing the dealer. That is all."

The manager promptly made his bow of acquiescence and left to execute the secretary's order.

Kirishima swivel his chair back in place and flips a switch to route the Red Room display for his earlier setup. One of the security guards immediately hands him a head set.

After a brief sound check with the dealer in the Red Room and crossing out a mental checklist verbally, all was set. The secretary resumes his role as an observer.

The young man really did love games especially when his opponent looks as sharp as the man before him. This was going to be fun. It has been a while since he had a challenge.

"Shall we continue to the Red Room?"

He was game.

"Sure. Lead away."

The older man nods his head and proceeds to rise from his chair. Without prompting, the behemoth at the door opens it and waits for the young man to pass before he completes the procession heading out.

The young man counted his steps, make note of the number of turns and scan for an exit route all in the space of the few minutes they took.

The Red Room was aptly named; deep rich red tones punctuated the décor. There were no paintings or mirrors of any type. The room itself was half the size of the previous and seems to mete one function only: gambling. A card table befitting those found in a casino was at the center of the room. The oak wood stained a dark red color contrasted with the green felt carpeting the table. The markings on the felt outlined the card positioning for each player. Only two fitted leather seats were place before the plain-looking dealer.

The older man raise a hand and gesture him to take a seat furthest in. He obliged, mimicking the other's nod and gesture back for the older man to join him.

Just as they were getting comfortable, there was a brief knock at the door before the behemoth from before opens a door allowing a short stubby man to enter. The fellow inclines his head in greeting while carrying a tray of cards still wrapped in plastic.

The young man was quick to sound his disapproval.

"I thought we'll be playing with my deck?"

The short fellow turns to his boss, seeking approval before speaking. The man received a nod before preceding.

"It is club policy to conduct all gambling games with the utmost fairness. Each Hanafuda set requires two color decks be placed in the auto shuffler. We apologize for any inconvenience."

The young man slouches back into his seat. He didn't like the control atmosphere one bit. It would dampen his abilities.

The tray was place beside the table and left of the dealer. With the hand-off complete, the stubby man does a full bow towards his boss once more before he dismisses his self out the door. The behemoth resumes his place outside of the room. It was only the three of them now. However, considering how one-dimensional the dealer's behavior was, they might as well be alone.

With a giddy laugh, the young man leans forward and claps his hands before rubbing his palms greedily against each other. He was eager to begin.

The dealer took that as his cue.

"Before we begin, gentlemen, please define your marker conditions."

That dampen the young man's spirit just a notch. He thought they were going to start playing. So he cried out a comment that sounded quite like a kid being withheld his favorite desert.

"More rules?"

The older man, if not anything else, is pretty consistent in his behavior. Nothing seems to faze him. The young man was tempted to try.

"Didn't I say, 'twenty rounds, winner collects the pot in the form of a question or request'? Isn't that enough?"

The young man is convinced the small grin aim his way was indulgent at best. He didn't like being patronized.

"As much as it pains me…"

Judging by the other's amusement clearly displayed via his eyes, he was far from feeling any pain. The young man's own were reduce to slits. He didn't like being trifled with. It was the reverse he enjoyed. Still, he bide his time and listen.

"I believe a clarification is in order. First off, all twenty rounds must be played. The first to back out, forfeits all monetary or conditional gain via a request."

The young man quickly nodded in agreement to hurry the other along.

"Secondly, one shouldn't ask for the impossible."

Again he nodded in agreement.

"Lastly, all payment must be made in full; however it must be made freely."

"What is that suppose to mean?"

The older man lit up another cigarette before he continues after a puff.

"Let's say for instance, you wish to have our dealer beheaded. That would have been an illegal request by rule number three. As it were, his life is not mine to give; he is merely at my employment. His permission would be required. I doubt he would agree to such a thing. However, if you wish for him to be fired, that can be arranged."

The young man took a minute longer than necessary to mull over what was left unsaid. This fellow is a crafty one. He'll have to add a few rules of his own to make it more interesting.

"Fine."

He pause a moment for affect then spoke with unhindered amusement.

"I have a few conditions too."

He waited to see the other's response. After taking another stinking smoke, The older man merely wave his hand, gesturing for him to continue.

"Dealer doesn't play. No cheapy calls. No wilds. Five point score and up. Combos only. The set ends after first koi-koi only when the points are over five. A draw is considered a set. Deal?"

The other seem to take forever to reply.

"I have a fourth condition to add."

Frustrated, the young man rolled his eyes and gave the older man a bored look.

"I expect a clean game."

His eyes rounded in surprise. He gave off a bark of laughter and carried on until his eyes water. He hadn't laugh like that in years. The other two remain stoic while he was tickled by the rule. Finally quieted, the young man flashes a genuine smile and said, "You have my word."

And the game commences.

Comments to Reviewers:

Chickie434: No need to apologize. Real world higher priority. I'm just happy that you're taking time out of your busy schedule to not only read my story but review it as well. Thank you for the feedback. It keeps me motivated to finish with the updates. I'm glad you like the Club Fetish bit. The game portion will be up next. As for Akihito, don't worry about him, he'll be up the chapter following the game.

Takkie: Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm glad you think I got Asami down. He's a hard person to write a POV on. I get naughty thoughts from him (maybe its just me) and have to reel it back some. Hmm, my Akihito seems a bit naughty too (I guess it is me! lol). I do intend to finish this fic. In fact I plan to finish all my fics.