Gambling Academy – Part 1

A/N: You know how sometimes you have an idea in your head, but it doesn't translate quite as well when you actually write it? I think that's the case with this. Haha. But oh well, I'm going to finish it anyway. This is a crossover with an anime I watched a while ago on Netflix, called Kakegurui. I was randomly thinking the other week that I could so imagine Finn there. Then I tried to imagine other characters there, etc, and so this idea resulted. Let's call it a mini series of short chapters. Haha. I have ideas for more parts to follow on, so I'll see how it goes. And you don't have to have watched the anime – I explain things a little in here.

Finn could never resist the thrill of a good gamble. Maybe he was a little addicted to it, but if he was, then so was everyone else in the school.

Hyakkao Private Academy consisted of kids with rich parents, who gambled it all away to try and increase their ranking in the school. Finn's father had fallen into a bit of good fortune, and had inherited some money after the passing of a family member. It was nothing though, like the money the other kid's parents had. They were the children of wealthy and influential businessmen and politicians in Japan.

A good game was electrifying and exhilarating, and Finn couldn't keep himself from coming back for more. He'd won a bit of money for himself, from versing some of the other kids in his class, but Finn had his eye on one of the older Student Council members. Aspen was both charming and intriguing, and his gambling stats were good, even if there were rumours that he got his position by sucking up to the Student Council President, Nyx.

Finn had gone to watch a number of Aspen's matches, imagining with anticipation the day he would beat Aspen, and make him take notice of him. The idea of Aspen becoming his house pet was an enticing one, but he berated himself for thinking such thoughts, and getting ahead of himself.

Seeing Jai – one of the students from his class, and Finn's own friend - down the hall, Finn picked up his pace to catch up to him, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Hey… Jai!" he exclaimed, smiling at him when Jai turned to face him. He looked tired, although Finn didn't blame him. The dog tag at his neck was visible for just a moment, before Jai quickly tucked it under his blazer, out of sight.

"I'm going to challenge Aspen to a match," Finn announced, looking proud of himself. "Will you come watch?"

Jai frowned, looking uneasy. "Finn, you know what happens when you get mixed up with the Student Council members," he warned, "If you become a house pet-…"

"But I'm going to win," Finn interrupted, cheerily. "I'll show you. And Aspen will be my pet. Just wait and see."

Jai shook his head, lowering his voice. "You can't trust them-…" Before he could comment further, he froze when he heard Clae's voice behind him.

"Fido. Come here," Clae commanded, sternly.

Finn gritted his teeth, glaring at Clae, his half-brother. They shared a mother, but she'd gone and married a politician, taking Clae with her and leaving Finn behind. Everyone knew Clae was loaded with money, and he was a Student Council member himself, delighting in that fact. Knowing Jai was Finn's friend, Clae had forced him to play a high stakes gambling match against him. Clae had won of course, and Jai had become his house pet. Finn knew it was all because of their rivalry, and he'd sworn to win enough money to free his friend of his debt. House pets were forced to obey, their ranking low in the school, and they were treated as such.

Jai turned stiffly towards Clae, taking some steps towards him, before stopping and bowing his head. "Good," Clae said, languidly, patting his head like an owner might pet the head of his dog. "We have some business to attend to. You shouldn't hang around with such low life types, like Finlay." Adjusting the stack of books in his arms, he passed them to Jai to carry, as he often did now.

Jai remained silent, taking the books, although Finn snorted at his words. "There's no honour in beating students who are younger than you," Finn responded, sticking out his tongue at Clae. "You'll regret it."

Clae merely laughed, his eyes glittering as he turned away, and gestured for Jai to follow. His words seemed to echo through the hall as he started away. "You may think you're funny, little brother, but you're still a loser."

Once he'd saved up enough prize money to challenge him, Finn strode up to Aspen's locker, closing it with his hand and leaning against it with a mischievous smile. Aspen finally looked over at him with a questioning – and slightly annoyed - look, although he flashed him a charming smile in return. "Do I know you?"

"Not yet, but my name's Finn," he replied, flicking some hair behind his ear, confidently, "And I'd like to challenge you to a match."

"Really?" Aspen replied, his expression turning almost amused, confidence in his voice. "How could I say no to a kid like you? I do hope you know what you're doing, going up against a Student Council member."

"Oh, I know," Finn laughed. "I've been watching you for a while. I'm not scared."

"Good, good," Aspen replied, turning away slowly. "Meet me in classroom 3E tomorrow afternoon. I'll be expecting you."

Finn nodded a few times, watching him go, his grin widening. He could already feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He wouldn't lose; he felt invincible, and luck was surely on his side.

No one could possibly ruin his victory.