And not much of the other

Kenta Yokouchi (P1) 10/ 12

Writing a card trick that relies a lot on verbal story was harder than I anticipated. I used bold to try to help the audience keep track of cards, but if it hinders more than it helps please let me know.


"I heard about Yuka from the others. Rough luck there."

It's a surprisingly kind sentiment, made all the more surprising coming from Reiji Kido.

"Did you ask her out too?"

"No! We team up to clear out the hospital sometimes, and she can really kick a demon when he's down. Um, well emotionally and all."

"And you decided she tore me down too."

He winces.

"From what I heard of it, she did not hold back. It's funny to see on the field, but with people, less so."

"You know, I think you are the first person who has sympathized with me about it."

He shrugs. "We are both good at being threatening, but I don't always feel good about it after. I'm a piece of work, and so is she, but maybe I can work on changing that."

There is a silence between them for a moment, but it's not uncomfortable.

"You have a Persona, you know. Did you want to get some practice with it at the hospital? Maybe negotiate with some demons and learn to summon other ones?"

"Would Yuka be there?"

"We don't have to bring her."

"I don't know."

"Ok, then. Did you want to see a card trick?"

Kenta doesn't really want to see a card trick, but Reiji seems oddly excited about it.

"Sure. Show me your favorite one."

Reiji then takes out three cards.

"A demon came up to me in the streets the other day, and said look, I've got a little game I would like to play with only three playing cards. You have This card, This card, and That card. "

He shows Kenta three black threes, the first two three of clubs, and the last a spade.

"He said,all you have to do, is keep your eye on That card. And as he said this, he moved it to the bottom of the deck."

Reiji moves a card in his hand and continues his speech.

"I saw him do it, and I said,it's easy, That card is on the bottom. He said , no that's This card."

Reiji shows a three of clubs.

"I said fine, well if This card is on the bottom, That card must be on the top. He said, no thats also This card."

Reiji shows the three of clubs again.

"I said, while if This cards on the bottom and the top, That card must be in the middle. He said, no that's also This card."

From the middle of the deck, Reiji yet again pulls out a three of clubs.

"I said, while that's not fair, cause you're using three of This card. He said, no That cards on the bottom."

From the bottom of the deck, Reiji pulls out a three of spades.

"I said, yah but that was This card just now. He said, yah, but so is the one on the top. Now it's also That card"

From the top of the deck, Reiji pulls the queen of spades out.

"I said, well fair enough, if That card is on the top and bottom, you're using two of That card. He said, no I'm using three."

Reiji pulls the three of spades from the middle this time.

"That cards is also in the middle."

Reiji puts the card back before continuing.

"I said, while that's not fair, you're using three of That card. He said, no I've got This card."

And when Reiji flips the deck it shows the three of clubs.

"And we've got This card. And This card."

Reiji pulls out the three of clubs from the deck twice again.

"I said, welp you're obviously cheating. And he said, well yah. You've got to remember in life, you get a little bit of This."

Reiji puts down the three of clubs.

"You get a little bit of That."

Reiji puts down the three of spades.

"And not much of the Other."

The last card he puts down is the king of hearts.

"What!" Kenta shouts. "How did you do that! You have to teach me!"

Reiji laughs.

"Not to a beginner."

"A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and not much of the other." Kenta looks down at the cards.

"You know what. I've changed my mind. Let's go to the hospital. "

"Really?"

"Yah. Enough wallowing. After this, you have teach me one of your card tricks. I want to work up to that one.

Kenta does not have a lot of friends. But Reiji is making the effort, and he doesn't have a lot of friends either.

Maybe they can be each other's friends.

That would be nice.


The card trick is called "this and that", by Paul A on YouTube.

watch?v=tScm-eZInBE

The cartomancy meaning was taken from a simple one on teenvogue.

story/tarot-with-playing-cards