Sachiko was not expecting Sakura (yes they were on first name basis, because yes, they were best friends, even if Sakura wouldn't accept it yet) to consider the offer, let alone show up, yet there she was, outside the den, with a scowl twisting her pretty features.
"There you are. You're late." She snapped, pointing at her watch.
1:05.
Sachiko just shrugged.
"Apologies, Beautiful." Sachiko said smoothly. It warmed her heart to see the other girl do a double-take.
"What did you just call me?"
Sachiko raised an eyebrow. "You never said I had to call you by your last name, just that I couldn't call you by your first name."
"I hate you." She grumbled, cheeks tinged with the most subtle shade of pink. "Let's go, Juraku."
"Whatever you say, cutie-pie," the flush only spread, to Sachiko's pure delight, as Sakura deliberately turned away from her, heading towards the gambling den entrance, back impossibly straight- with that ridiculously long ponytail swinging behind her.
Not that Sachiko was one to talk, given the length of her own hair, but still.
There was a girl "guarding" the den, a first year, most likely, given her stature. Twin bangs, not too unlike Sakura's, framed her young face, but as she turned to survey the both of them, it was clear that the hair at the back of her head was cropped back. She squinted at Sachiko with something that appeared to be suspicion, but her gaze instantly reddened as she glanced at Sakura.
"Miharutaki-san!" She squealed, clapping a hand over her mouth. "Is that you?"
To which Sakura gave a slow nod, caught off-guard by the sudden fascination.
"I- um- I've watched most of your games! You're really incredible!" She gushed, and Sachiko furrowed her brow, unsure if she was referring to Sakura's gambling feats or athletic ones.
Sakura, though, was the picture of confusion.
"What?" She questioned, and Sachiko let out a chuckle.
"You have a fanclub, baby. Surprised?" She elbowed Sakura in the ribs, and the latter swatted her hand away.
"Don't call me that, Juraku. Address me by last name only." The girl at the entrance mimicked Sakura's glare, aiming it at Sachiko and nodding along. Sakura cleared her throat. "Anyway. Juraku and I have business with Nishinoutouin-san. May we enter?"
"Of course, Miharutaki-san!" She flushed scarlet, clambering to open the double-doors that were the entrance to the Traditional Culture Club, before tending a clumsy bow at Sakura, who looked entirely confused by this display of devotion.
Sachiko herself was no stranger to fans. Being tall, hot, and a great gambler, it was no surprise to her that there were people out there ready to devote their entire brings to her. Given that Sakura fulfilled the same criterion, it shouldn't have been such a shock to her either, but Sachiko supposed that her engagement with Mibimbo shielded her from the full force of the fans.
"My name is Habakiri, by the way! Habakiri Naoe! And- and I can write down my number too, for later!"
God, what a desperate loser. Sachiko rolled her eyes.
"Cute." Sakura mumbled, and for a moment Sachiko thought she misheard her.
"What?"
"What?" Sakura retorted, stony defiance setting into her features, as well as the tips of her ears turning pink.
"Did you just call her cute?" Sachiko said, disbelieving.
"Well, it's nice to finally have someone in my corner, for once." Sakura defended, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Oh, please. There's a whole fanclub devoted to you, you just don't-"
"Ahem." A third voice interrupted, much calmer and refined than the riled up Sachiko and Sakura.
Really, Nishinoutouin Yuriko was the picture of refinement- what with her long, dark hair elegantly styled and held back with a red ribbon, and a traditional kimono. She was sitting on the floor, legs crossed in her lotus position, voice low and soothing. A teacup sat next to her, and the board for the classic "Life-or-death" game laid out in front of her.
"Juraku Sachiko. I believe I banished you from this den? You know, as a student council member, I'm allowed to do that." Nishinoutouin spoke slowly to Sachiko, as if she was beneath her, and it irked Sachiko to no end. Honorary student council member, Yuriko. Hardly the real thing.
At Nishinoutouin's words, however, Sakura gave Sachiko a sideways look of suspicion, before it turned into a look of wide-eyed realisation.
"Oh, dear Yuriko." She said her name scathingly, insultingly, causing the first year (yes! Nishinoutouin was a first year. In the council. The audacity!) to flinch. "I'm not here to play. My friend here will. I'm just here as her patron."
The other girls' eyes widened in sudden realisation as Sachiko smirked cruelly.
"You played me." Sakura hissed, balling her fists. "I'm-"
"Your friend?" Nishinoutouin's slit-eyes locked on Sakura. "And who may you be?"
"That's Sexy. She's the Queen of Dice, second-best in our year, after me, of course. Engaged to Mibimbo, and has her own fanclub she is oblivious to." Sachiko supplied, smirking as she saw Sakura and Nishinoutouin's faces pale and colour respectively.
"None of that is true!" Sakura quickly rectified. "Juraku's just being herself. My name is Miharutaki Sakura, and I'm not worse than Juraku at gambling."
"I love how you didn't deny that your fiancé is a bimbo, darling." Sachiko cackled, savouring the mortified look on Sakura's face, as it morphed from embarrassment to the most acidic of glares.
"Another word," the other girl leaned in threateningly "Another word and I will absolutely destroy you, Juraku Sachiko."
"With what, those noodle arms of yours?" Sachiko scoffed. "Just go and play the game, knockoff Rapunzel." She patted the other girl on the back, expecting Sakura to back off, but instead, with a surprising agility, she managed to wrestle Sachiko's arm and pin it behind her back.
"Call me by my last name, Sachiko, then I'll play. But you're to provide 100% of the funds. And split the winnings equally." Sakura said, voice low and threatening, bangs tickling the back of Sachiko's neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Habakiri, blushing scarlet as she witnessed the scene. "And don't you dare back out. Got it?" The grip tightened, and Sachiko almost let out an ungodly whimper.
"Okay, okay!" If Sakura didn't let her go soon, her hold would leave burns. "I get it, you have muscles. Let me go!"
"Miharutaki-san."
"...Miharutaki-san." Sachiko forced the words out, adopting a disgusted expression.
"Good." Miraculously, the vice-like grip ceased on Sachiko's arm. "I'll play now, Nishinoutouin." Sakura smoothed down her skirt, before mirroring the other girls' cross-legged stance.
Sachiko shot Habakiri- who was still observing the scene out of the corner of her eye- a glare, rubbing her arm, before she sat down next to Sakura.
"Very well, Miharutaki-san," Sachiko wondered if her ears were playing tricks on her, but she could've sworn Nishinoutouin's voice was tinged with slight disgust as she said Sakura's name. "Habakiri-san talks of you all the time, you know? I'm interested to see what kind of player you are." Ah. That explained it.
"A fair one. Not a dirty cheat like Juraku." Sakura curtly replied, and Sachiko gasped in mock-offence. "What are you willing to bet, Nishinoutouin-san?"
"Hmm." The slit-eyed girl pretended to consider, slender fingers resting on her chin, but the barely-noticeable glance sideways at Sachiko gave away what she was thinking. The Juraku heiress had a networth of 3.67 billion yen, and was known for being very careless with her cash. To Nishinoutouin, this was probably an opportunity to milk.
On the other hand, while Sachiko could very well throw around millions of yen and it wouldn't leave a dent in her accounts, the Traditional Culture Club ran on a budget. So...
"Let's start of easy for the first round. What do you say for 1 million?"
"Fine by me." Sakura's voice was icy. "But I'm still not entirely sure what it is we're playing."
Nishinoutouin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I'd have thought Juraku would have informed you," she spat out Sachiko's name as if it were a disease of sorts.
"It wouldn't be the first time she's left me in the dark, then," was the smooth retort. Sachiko didn't know whether to feel offended or guilty at this. She settled on the former, shooting the both of them slightly petulant scowls.
"Alright, alright. If you're done bonding over me, then, Nishinoutouin?" Sachiko addressed the younger girl.
"Yes?" She sounded uncertain. Good.
"I would like to propose a little side-bet for you." It was a little amusing to see how quickly the colour drained from the first-year's face, she wasn't going to lie.
"O-oh? And why would I accept?"
"Because..." Sachiko leisurely took her time, sitting down cross-legged, and savouring the way Sakura's dark eyes tracked the movements of her legs, "you want to save your dignity," she leered at the younger girl.
"What are the conditions?" Nishinoutouin pretended to act unfazed, but it wasn't fooling anybody, let alone Sachiko.
"On whether Sakura discovers your clever little cheat." Nishinoutouin swallowed, hands fidgeting with a strand of hair.
"Cheat? What cheat?" She said, pretending to be affronted, but the flush in her cheeks gave up the ruse.
"The one you use to win in that infamous game of yours: Life or Death. You know." Sachiko placidly shrugged, entertained by the multitude of facial expressions passing over the councillors face.
"I- tsch! Very well." Of course she'd give. People like her folded so easily. Probably why they gave up poker and made a game of their own- a game based on luck, rather than tells. "What are your conditions?"
"Easy. You win, and you and your club gets 1 billion yen." Sachiko said, grinning at the frozen expression on Nishinoutouin's face and wide-eyed look on Sakura's. "If I win, though..." The older girl paused, for the sake of theatrics. "...you have to give up your council seat to me. Oh, and give Gorgeous over here a recommendation as well, since her fiancée hasn't bothered to give one." She said airily, dismissively waving a hand at Sakura.
"I am so going to beat the shit out of you, Juraku." Sakura gritted her teeth, but Sachiko only smiled loftily in return.
"Love you too, babe. Can't wait to have those hands of yours all over me," she winked, savouring that pretty shade of scarlet that covered Sakura's face as she tried to disguise her embarrassment by glaring daggers at Sachiko.
"So. Nishinoutouin." Sachiko put a lid on Pleasure for now, and turned back to Business. "What say you?"
"No."
"So you're a cheat?" Sachiko's hand crept up to Nishinoutouin's knee, which the younger girl slapped away. "Tss, no respect towards your elders, hm Yuriko?"
"I-! Fine! Whatever, Juraku! See if your little pawn can find anything on me!" Nishinoutouin folded her arms prissily, nose in the air.
"Excuse you?" Sakura's voice was like a velvet whip, soft, but with a dangerous edge. "Just who are you calling a pawn? You treat your elders with respect, Nishinoutouin! I raise the bet to 10 million!"
"Very well!" Clearly not one to let go of her pride, Nishinoutouin attempted to match the intensity of Sakura's glare, but failed pathetically. Sachiko had to reign in a laugh.
"Kumagesu! Come explain the rules to our guest here!"
One could say it was a little odd how the new girl refused to let anyone in her vicinity save for the lollipop-loving dwarf, but Runa took it all into stride. Who wouldn't want to spend time with her, after all?
Still, it was a little strange how the eccentric girl with looped braids seemed to remain indifferent to any company other than present, and never one to shy away from awkward questions, Runa asked her exactly that one day over lunch.
"Dear Runa! Don't think so lowly of yourself," Kirari giggled, elegantly picking up her ramen. By now, the two were fully on first-name basis, with Runa finally having dropped the "Momobami-san" in a burst of fearlessness, and with the other girl simply chuckling and admitting that she had been hoping Runa would get the hint after all that time.
"I'm not, nya-ha! I'm just stating a fact. It is a little bit weird that you don't really spend time with anyone other than me. I thought your goal was to make friends?" She questioned the taller girl, who simply smiled mysteriously in response.
"Yes, It was. Originally. But..." a melodious sigh escaped her blue lips (to match with her nails and eyes. Yes, Runa had asked. Not that blue lipstick looked bad on Kirari. Just a little eccentric, as most things about her were).
"But?" Runa probed with a raised eyebrow.
"People here are so boring. I haven't had a good match since that council member- whatshisname?"
"Miboumi-san. The Treasurer."
"Yup! That's the one. But even he refused to play a second round with me. I swear, everybody here is so afraid to fall into debt around here..." Kirari trailed off wistfully. "If I were in charge around here, there'd be a systematic hierarchy based on wealth, and those in debt could have a chance to repay it through labour."
Runa blinked. "Like... modern slavery?"
"Eh..." Kirari clicked her tongue. "Technically not, since nobody's forcing you to consent to high stakes matches. But still. In a way, people would have an illusion of freedom, since they're not technically slaves, but in reality the stakes would be higher."
"Hey, that's actually not a bad idea!" Runa grinned. "Maybe you'd make a good president, hm? I mean, you could totally do it!"
It was meant to be a joke, but the faraway look in Kirari's ocean blue eyes (Runa decided they were more like oceans- with variance in temperature and impossible to comprehend depth) suggested she might actually be reading into it.
"President. Hmm..." then Kirari blinked, and righted herself. "No, I don't think so, Runa. After all, I'm only a first year, aren't I?"
"But you're sooooo good, Kirari!" Runa gushed, for some reason feeling the need to chase this ridiculous idea. "I mean, you did beat a student council member already, right? And so many people would totally support you when our current president leaves the school! I know that Miboumi is the only real candidate for presidency when she leaves, and he's got a ton of supporters, but practically the entire year is in love with you, Kirari! And then, Sacchan has her followers, and can probably be persuaded to-"
Kirari cut her off with a raised hand, as an unpleasant look crossed her face. "I do not want to run against Miboumi-san." She said, and by her expression it was plain that she was taking this seriously now.
"I want him on my council. He's smart, and social. And I've heard he has connections."
"If you're talking about Miharutaki-san-" Runa started, only to be cut off once again.
"Ooh, Miharutaki-san? Sounds fancy. Who are they?"
"Doesn't matter." Runa amended. "But Miboumi's very mysterious. You never really know what's up with him. I mean, it's clear he's going to run for President once the current one graduates. I mean, who goes around saying stuff like that to their superiors?"
"Well, you know what they say!" Kirari seemed unperturbed, the singsong lilt to her voice ever present. " "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." " she chuckled. "But, it's not like I really have a chance to run for President. Though if I did, you'd be the first on my council, Runa."
Kirari sent a smile her way- a genuine one, one that wasn't veiling icy intent or positively leaking honey, and Runa felt something inside her melt at this... affection. Sinister and eccentric as Kirari was, she had her tells.
"Thank you." Runa's voice was uncharacteristically soft. "Now, let's go! I heard the Astrology club were looking to one-up you. You up to beat their asses while I watch?"
A soft giggle. "Of course."
Yuriko didn't know what the game was with either Juraku or Miharutaki. Certainly, they didn't seem like the types to work together. What with Miharutaki's silent stoicness in contrast to Juraku's loud, ostentatious self, they were quite a pair.
Still. Something about them unnerved her. With Juraku, whom she had played (in both senses of the word, or so she liked to think), there was a certain fierceness behind her teasing. Once she dug her claws into you she would sink them ever-deeper, and not let go until she bled you dry. Yuriko saw that playing out right now. There was venom behind that snake's smile that she shot her every minute or so, and the complete trust she placed in Miharutaki also gave her the pre-defeat chills.
This was her first time playing Miharutaki, but Yuriko instantly decided she didn't like her. Didn't like how her confidence never wavered, how her face remained impassive throughout the game, nor how every time she lost miserably- courtesy of Kumagesu, her best dealer- a damning smirk would tug at the corner of her lips, never failing to make Yuriko sweat. If Juraku was the snake, then Miharutaki was the mongoose: appearing timid, yet demonstrating a prowess and skill set that made her unflappable.
Supposedly.
Yuriko supposed that the confidence could've been all for show, and that the fact that she kept raising every round was only a testament of how much she despised Juraku, like Yuriko, and wished to send her money down the drain.
Which would've been a logical explanation, other than the fact that the side bet remained imprinted into her mind.
"Final round." Yuriko swallowed. "Are you sure you would like to keep going?"
"Getting nervous, are we Nishinoutouin?" Juraku jibed from the side, earning her a decidedly pitiful glare.
Miharutaki raised a hand in an attempt to silence Juraku which, miraculously, seemed to work.
"This game is ridiculously boring," She said, voice as cool as ice.
Next to her, Kumagesu gasped. "How dare you?"
"And I don't think I like your dealer either, Nishinoutouin-san. She seems to favour you quite a bit." Her voice was nonchalant, but Yuriko detected the slightest bit of pride.
She detected the cheat. She detected the cheat.
Instantly, she felt the blood rush to her head.
How?
"I don't think you'll mind too much if I switch it up a bit, would you?" It wasn't a request.
Yuriko audibly swallowed, hoping that it wasn't to noticeable how sweaty she was getting in her kimono. The first rule of poker was to have a good poker face, after all. Probably the reason Yuriko always hated poker, and invented her own game. But now? If Miharutaki discovered her cheat, then the key to winning would be "fake it till you make it".
"I don't see why not." Yuriko replied coolly.
"I see. So you wouldn't mind if I chose Habakiri-san as my dealer?" Habakiri- Oh. The girl by the door.
Habakiri Naoe, the worst dealer of the lot. Paid double the entrance fees to enter the club, hoping for some protection. An impressionable girl, and, worst of all, an ardent worshipper of Miharutaki-san, a name Yuriko very much hoped she would never get the displeasure of matching to a face.
"No, I wouldn't. Habakiri-san?" Yuriko raised her voice, hoping it would hide the quake of it.
"Yes?" A timid voice answered, muffled slightly by the door.
"Miharutaki-san requested a change of dealer. Would you-" Yuriko didn't even finish the sentence, before the girl eagerly bounded through, cheeks flushed, smiling at her idol, who, for some incomprehensible reason, smiled back.
"Of course! Anything for Miharutaki-san! I mean!" She clapped a hand over her mouth as soon as she realised exactly the gravity of what she had said. "I'm so sorry!" She tended a clumsy bow in Miharutaki's direction, who just chuckled in return. Yuriko could've sworn she heard her mutter "You really are cute." under her breath, but dismissed it.
"Sit down, why don't you?" Miharutaki patted the dealers cushion, as an offended Kumagesu stood up, cheeks tinted red from slight anger and embarrassment as she stormed off.
Don't worry, Kumagesu. I'll make it up to you with a nice, hot cup of tea later...
Today was officially the best day of Naoe's life. Or worst, depending on how you looked at it.
See, on one hand, she had always idolised the untouchable second year Miharutaki Sakura, and knowing she'd been specially requested to deal for her made her want to squeal. On the other hand, however, she was operating under Nishinoutouin's rules, and that meant... well.
She gulped, as she took a seat between the two, perhaps taking a little more time than necessary to admire her idol up close.
She wears her collar with the first button undone? So cool! I ought to do that too. I'm pretty sure that skirt isn't regulation length either.. oh wait! She's a second year, she's allowed to wear it slightly shorter. It looks about, what, 30 centimetres? 35? I'll have to write that down...
Naoe was torn from her thoughts by Nishinoutouin clearing her throat.
Unbeknownst to the two players and Juraku, who was still sneering at Naoe and Nishinoutouin, she had been listening to the game playing out, and, needless to say, she was disappointed- crushingly disappointed- in Miharutaki's loss. It wasn't surprising: given that Nishinoutouin was cheating, but still. But seeing her in the flesh, looking so calm, cool and collected in a way Naoe never could (probably that ponytail. It made her look so authoritative, but Naoe never had the patience to properly grow out her hair), and seeing the winner Nishinoutouin looking so unnerved confused and excited her simultaneously.
After all, there was a reason the dealers had been switched up, right?
Or Miharutaki-san is paying attention to you like you've always wanted her to-
No! No time for wishful thinking. Another mass of scarlet attacked Naoe's cheeks as she forced her gaze away from Miharutaki-san and towards Nishinoutouin.
"Okay, okay." Naoe shakily picked up the tin with the swords. She gulped, hating to have to do The Deed. Surely, if she messed up, she couldn't be blamed, right? But at the same time, it would mean that the Traditional Culture club would be no more, and so Naoe's protection would expire. But if she cheated-
"Wait." Naoe froze at how harsh Miharutaki-san's voice sounded. She involuntarily locked eyes with Juraku, who simply mouthed "Here it comes.."
"Habakiri-san," the harshness morphed into a surprising gentleness which had Naoe melt at once. Shyly, obscuring her no-doubt flaming face, she turned to face Miharutaki-san, who was smiling- smiling- at her.
Naoe's world felt complete.
"Would you mind showing me your hands?" Still smiling kindly, Miharutaki-san extended one of her (delicate, gorgeous, smooth, perfect) hands towards Naoe. And what was she to do other than accept?
"Of course not, Miharutaki-san." Was it just her, or was it getting hot in here?
The older girl's carefully manicured palms rubbed circles across Naoe's smaller ones, her face furrowed in an expression of concentration, not unlike the one she wore when gambling. To be looked at like by Miharutaki-san was a new high Naoe did not know could be reached.
"You have such pretty hands, Habakiri-san," Miharutaki-san murmured, and Naoe's breath hitched. Out of the corner of her eye she could've sworn she saw a flash of annoyance on Juraku's face, but in an instant it vanished.
She continued rubbing circles until Nishinoutouin cleared her throat. "Ahem. If you are done doing whatever it is you're doing, could we perhaps continue the game?"
"What dear Yuriko means is- Honey, stop your weird flirting with Habakiri and win this game. And discover the cheat." Yep. There was no mistaking the sourness in Juraku's expression now. Naoe balked at the crass way she spoke to Miharutaki-san, but then again, this was Juraku. Of course she would address the Queen of Dice in such a demeaning manner.
Miharutaki-san tensed, but chose to ignore the slight against her honour and dignity, as with one elegant motion, she turned Naoe's hand over and fluidly pulled the metallic ring off. "Such pretty hands," this time her tone had dropped below zero degrees. "Such a shame they were about to be used to perpetrate such an ugly cheat."
Naoe gasped. Nishinoutouin paled.
"You're remarkably crude for somebody on the student council, Nishinoutouin," If it had been anybody else, Naoe would have said that they had snarled. But this was Miharutaki-san, who was far too dignified to snarl.
"You act as if your fiancé is any better. I don't think I've ever seen him gamble, hm? Other than- what was it- oh, yesterday, when he lost against the new girl!" Juraku piped in, still sneering.
"You smug dick, Juraku. Mention my engagement one more time and you are going to get it. Hard." The steely glint in those eyes made it clear the threat was not empty, but Juraku looked thoroughly unfazed.
"My apologies, Cinderella. Continue with your no-doubt incoming roast of Nishinoutouin, please and thank you."
"No problem." Miharutaki-san said through gritted teeth. "As I was saying: your cheat is ridiculously simple. And you, Nishinoutouin Yuriko, are ridiculously foolish."
Nishinoutouin gulped. "I-I-" she attempted to stutter pathetically, withering under the calculated glare Miharutaki-san shot her way.
"Silence. You are not worthy to speak to your elders." Nishinoutouin shut up, and once again Naoe was in awe of how commanding and perfect Miharutaki-san's voice sounded in this moment. This was certainly a moment to remember when she stood in front of the mirror later and practised pitching her voice to be more controlled and cool, like Miharutaki-san's.
"These rings. These entirely identical rings that all your members- save for you- wear. You think they'd go unnoticed? They're large, chunky, metal and crudely made. This one right here was made several sizes too large for Habakiri's hands. And why?" Miharutaki-san picked up the "Death" sword, and threw it up in the air, along with the ring. With a simple "click!" They merged together. "It's because," Miharutaki continued, voice deadly calm. "The rings are magnetised."
A shaky breath from Nishinoutouin.
"You have your dealers "surreptitiously" move the rings to move the death sword towards squares other players have bet, don't you? But even that's not guaranteed, which shows just how foolish you really are. Now, for the fifth round, I suggest a compromise. As I suppose you are about to suggest that Habakiri-san was the only one who magnetised her ring, and that the rest are simply initiation symbols, I assume you wouldn't mind if for the final round, Juraku took Kumagesu's ring and dealt for us, would you?" Such unfailing logic in the face of defeat. Miharutaki-san was truly a marvel to be around, Naoe thought. If only one day she could be like her, or be with h-
No. No no nope nope nope nope nuh-uh. Concentrate on the game, Naoe.
"I wouldn't. At all." Nishinoutouin's voice was barely a whisper. "Kumagesu?"
The fifth round, predictably, was won by Sakura. Aoi had once jokingly told her before an important gamble- "may the odds be in your favour" (he was a massive hunger-games fan, her fiancé was). And she supposed that here, they must have been.
Throughout the game, Sakura bet with Aoi's favourite Martingale strategy: raising her bet double every round, so that one "lucky" round would secure her win. And she was confident she could. Countless games behind close doors with Aoi assured her she was more than competent to beat a Student Council member.
And since they played 5 rounds, with the bet starting at 10 million, her- well, technically her and Juraku's- winnings were 160 million yen, plus a Council seat for Juraku and a recommendation for her.
But seeing Nishinoutouin brought down to almost tears didn't bring her the sadistic pleasure it most likely bought Juraku, who cackled mirthlessly at her defeat. The red-eyed girl grinned at Sakura, eyes gleaming with mirth, satisfaction and something else, and suddenly a cold realisation struck her.
"You played me." Nishinoutouin gulped, shrinking in, perhaps thinking the statement was directed at her.
Juraku giggled- a demonic sound to Sakura's ears. "Well, I wouldn't say she played you. I mean, in the end, you outclassed her, didn't you, Sweets?"
"Please, for the love of all that is good and great, just call me Sakura." She sighed. The other girl really was as insufferable as she was attractive.
"I knew I'd get through to you, Sakura. Do you acknowledge that we're best friends now?"
"No, and fuck you." She said sharply, taking a little pleasure in seeing Juraku do a double-take.
"What?"
"I said," Sakura drew her syllables slowly, "Fuck. You. Fuck you for making me do your dirty work. And fuck you for stringing me along just because you felt like it." Her voice was scathing, like liquid fire. She took a perverse pleasure in watching that grin slide right off Juraku's annoyingly perfect face.
"You knew the cheat already, didn't you?"
Silence. She wasn't even bothering to deny it. And that was all the confirmation Sakura needed.
"But you figured it out far faster than I did, my dear Sakura." That voice: smooth, velvety, and dripping with condescension. Oh, how Sakura wanted to wring Juraku's neck in that moment. "Kudos to you. I suppose my only question is: why bring in Habakiri?"
Because I could've sworn I saw something vaguely metallic on her finger before but couldn't be sure and so I played the game based on the assumption it was a ring and called her in because out of all these people she seemed least opposed to my presence and kind of cute.
Was what Sakura thought.
"There is always a method to my madness- you of all people ought to understand that, Juraku." Was what she answered.
"My! Aren't you a clever one. I can see why you have such avid followers like little Habakiri over here." Juraku said patronisingly. Sakura growled, before standing up.
Feeling all eyes on her, she extended a hand to Juraku, who took it, still wearing that stupid, sexy smirk of hers.
"It's hot when you take control, baby," Juraku all but whispered, eyes still glittering with malicious intent, and Sakura's anger- finally- boiled over.
This was it. Juraku had this coming from the moment she had approached Sakura that morning, with that all-knowing half-smirk, perfect complexion and ludicrous offer.
The slap resonated across the room, leaving both Sakura and Juraku reeling from the pure force. Habakiri gasped, but Sakura took no notice.
"You. Me. Library Prep Room #2. After School. Tomorrow." She forced out.
"What for?" The smirk was unshakeable.
"To gamble. Obviously" injecting that Juraku condescension into her tone seemed to be doing gods work for her.
"And the stakes will be...?"
"Nishinoutouin's council seat, of course."
Notes: Didn't expect to get this far. Probably won't publish anyway but whatever. I was always interested in Sakura and Sachiko's dynamic, not gonna lie. They both just are polar opposites with pretty much identical jobs on the student council. Strange, yeah? Thought I'd give a little backstory. I've always seen Naoe as a younger Sakura with short hair, so I thought it would be interesting to incorporate her starting off as a Sakura "fan". Did I do well? I guess only future me can tell (or if I can work up the nerve to publish this ig).
Next chapter: Sayaka recruits Midari to help her impress Kirari, a new arrival spreads even more discord, Sakura sets out the conditions for her and Sachiko's bet.