Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’ll fix it. Like I fix everything,” Kira said in a mix of defeat and promise. Before Yumeko could run, she grabbed her by the arm. Kira could see the devastated look on her. Seeing her like this doesn’t feel as good as seeing Yumeko become a house pet. The expression on this poor girl was pure sadness.

“I’ll see you next semester, partner,” she said, and all Yumeko could do was nod before she left, running. She ran through the back, avoiding any staff in the way.

Kira looked around the room to see if there were any cameras or witnesses. She looked at the window and caught a glimpse of Yumeko getting in a car. That reassured her a bit, but then, just trailing behind Yumeko, was Suki—and of course, the bitch had their phone recording everything. Kira made a mental note of that.

She ran downstairs and got back to the party. She saw Dori’s mom go upstairs, and just like clockwork, a scream invaded the building. She came running down the stairs, and that was the cue for Kira to put up an act of concern.

“Father, what have you done?!” The rest of the attendees looked at Arkadi, who was not at all buying his daughter’s statement. Michael went upstairs, confirming his dad’s death. His face said it all—sadness, anger, agony—it was all mixed up.

But he was sure of the only person who would do this. “Yumeko,” he said under his breath. Rage in his eyes, the man was set for a mission.

Ryan was driving fast, and Yumeko felt nothing but contempt. “So, it’s done, right?”

“No. It’s just getting started.”

Never play an ace unless you have to. That was her mantra from the beginning. Kira was unsure of what she’ll expect when she lands in Japan. Winter is her favorite season, and Japan is the perfect place to enjoy it. It’s also been on her bucket list to travel alone. Now, she can check off both.

Ever since the incident, the Timurov family has never been stronger. Yumeko’s successful ploy in assassinating Gabriel wasn’t very much loud—at least, not loud enough to stain and shake the Timurov family. It just made them look unbreakable—untouchable even. Kira hates how her father is raining on this foolish image. And most importantly, her sister, Riri, is all up on his antics.

Two weeks from now, she has to go back to St. Dominic’s. But this time—for the first time—not as its president but just a regular council member. It’s now Riri’s turn to feel the pressure she’s been feeling from the moment she was born.

Good luck, sister. You’re gonna need it.

Upon landing, Kira took out something from her bag—a postcard, written on the back with only an address. After getting in a cab, she gave the address to the driver. Her destination was set, and all she could do now is wait.

Ryan pulled in front of the school. “You sure about this?” he said, unbuckling his seat belt. Yumeko didn’t bother to look or reply to him and rushed to get out of the car. She sprint-walked towards the dorms, into the corridor, and lastly to her bedroom. She took her suitcase and grabbed as much of her things as she could. Ryan finally caught up with her.

“Yumeko. I can come with you. I can help, just make me understand. What happened back there?”

Yumeko was almost done with her things, just the photo of her parents waiting. She grabbed the photo, looking at it with a heavy heart.

“Kanarazu mitsukeru yo, okāsan. Yakusoku suru yo (I’m going to find you, Mom. I promise).” She closed her eyes and held the photograph in her arms.

Ryan saw it all unfold.

As soon as she was done packing, she turned around to him. “Ryan. Thank you for staying loyal to me. You are a wonderful friend, and I’ll forever be grateful that I’ve met you.”

Ryan stepped close. “Woah, woah, woah. Hold on, Yumeko. Where are you going with this? You’re not saying goodbye, are you?”

It was now Yumeko’s turn to step closer. Their faces inches apart, her eyes set on his until they dropped. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever be back. But, if I do…” she looked him in the eye.

“Will you wait and come back to me?”

Ryan felt overwhelmed, confused at the pace of the situation. But he was sure of his answer. “Yes, of course. I—” Ryan couldn’t finish what he was about to say when Yumeko turned around and took her suitcase. She had to before she teared up.

“Say goodbye to Mary for me, will you?” He nodded.

As Yumeko walked through the corridor, Ryan couldn’t hold himself back from asking her one last question, so he chased her. “Wait, Yumeko!” he shouted from her door.

“Where are you going?”

Yumeko held her stare forward, those determined brown eyes dead set on a path.

“I’m going home.”

Kira was dropped in front of a lavish and traditional-looking Japanese home. Its architecture was some of the most impressive design Kira had seen. And that’s telling for someone who is the daughter of a millionaire. Kira looked around before attempting to ring the doorbell, but before she could, she did a double take to her right when a familiar figure was approaching her way. It was too hard to tell at first, but now Kira was sure who it was.

“Yumeko!” The girl looked up at the sound. A smile formed on her face. Next, a squeal. Next, she was running toward Kira with that god-awful energy in the morning.

Gosh, she looked like someone who couldn’t hurt a fly. But then again, Yumeko mastered surprising everyone.

“Kira! You’re here!” Yumeko held multiple bags of groceries. In this weather, how could she leave the house in a t-shirt and sweats? Kira had to wear her coat as soon as she landed.

“How long have you been standing there?” Yumeko continued.

“I just arrived.”

“Oh. Great, then let’s go inside.” Kira walked toward the house, but Yumeko went the other way.

“Wha—Hey!” Kira turned around to Yumeko. “This is your house, right?” Kira said, pointing with her thumb back toward the house.

“No. This is my house.” Yumeko pointed using her head, just across from Kira. Okay, she was definitely mistaken.

Her house was across from the beautiful house she was just admiring a second ago. This house was nothing like it. Apart from its traditional aesthetic, this one was smaller and had lots of greens. It was adorable, but definitely not rich.

Kira let out a big sigh and walked toward Yumeko. “It’s alright. I wish that was my house, too,” she said, trying to hold back a chuckle.

The outside might not look lavish, but the inside made up for it. It had a cozy and peaceful atmosphere, one Kira never felt in her own home. Yumeko went straight to the kitchen to drop off her groceries, while Kira went by the open living room, overlooking the back garden.

Kira toured around. It was almost empty if it weren’t for the photographs on the wall. An elderly couple. A young girl. A high school graduation picture. And just in the center of the wall, a young Yumeko with her parents. Kira’s heart tightened.

“Kira-san.” Yumeko joined her, carrying a tray of tea set and gesturing with her head for her to sit.

“Cute home. You live alone?” Kira said, taking a seat by the short table.

“This is my grandmother’s house. She’s in America, but she still owns this. I grew up here.” She took a seat across from Kira before continuing. “Well, after my parents, you know.”

There was silence after, but Yumeko broke it by preparing the tea.

Kira spoke first. “So, you ready to come back, or are you gonna hide here forever?”

Yumeko chuckled, “Oh, Kira. You’re so eager. I’m starting to think maybe you missed me.” Kira rolled her eyes.

Yumeko set down her tea and looked up at Kira. “I invited you here because I need your help with something.”

Kira scoffed. “That’s funny, Yumeko. You disappear without contacting me, and now you had me fly here to Japan just so we can have tea and you can ask me for help. You could have texted or called like a normal person, right?”

Frustrated doesn’t even make up for what Kira feels for Yumeko. This girl owes her a really good explanation before she gets a chance for another favor.

“Are you even aware of what happened after you left?” Kira said, clearly pissed. “You killing Gabriel didn’t do shit,” Kira said, disappointed—both in Yumeko and herself.

She looked down at her tea. “I told you I’d fix it, but I wasn’t able to pin it on my dad.” Kira’s voice turned gutted. “He’s too untouchable, now that I’m nothing to him.

“Plus, if I had known you’d been conspiring that plan with Michael from the beginning, you wouldn’t be suspect at all,” Kira said irritably. She sighed. “Yeah, he’s looking for you.”

Yumeko slowly picked up her tea as Kira continued.

“Just as expected, Michael inherited his dad’s empire. His first move was to obviously find you. I had to wipe all traces of you when it happened. All the CCTVs, and even Suki’s footage. Gone.” Yumeko smiled shyly under her tea.

“But all of that didn’t help. Michael is still persistent about you. Pinning it on my dad made me look dramatically stupid. Not only am I more than invisible to him, but he also made sure Michael can grieve well.”

That got Yumeko’s attention.

“He starts coming to the house. Him and my dad talk in his office for hours. I don’t know what about, but I’m sure it’s nothing good.

“But don’t worry. He has no idea I’m helping you,” Kira said, hoping for a bit of reassurance.

Yumeko put her tea down, looked at Kira with an unreadable smile. “Thank you, Kira. I appreciate you coming and telling me all this. But there’s only one thing I want you to do for me.”

Kira knew coming here would be a gamble. She knew Yumeko didn’t disappear just to hide. But a part of her wished she would. Last semester, Yumeko’s arrival caused a lot of pain in her plan to get a seat on the school board. It set her back far beyond repair. But somehow, after knowing this girl’s motivations, after seeing her determination for revenge, Kira saw the true nature of her father. He hurts people. He sucks them dry of happiness and showers himself with it. She’s had enough.

Kira looked at the girl with full attention.

Yumeko gave her a cunning smile.

“Remember my proposition? I want you to take back control of the school.”

Chapter Text

A week after Gabriel’s death.

Michael has always been cautious.

Inheriting a criminal empire isn’t exactly as fun as fiction stories make it out to be. In fact, it’s stressful, taxing, and overall a place Michael never imagined himself being in. Or he doesn’t want to imagine himself being in. His dad wasn’t an amazing father, either. He expected too much of him. He’s done terrible things; however, Michael still wants him to be his dad. That’s why he tried so hard to protect him. Even then, he was too stubborn. And now he’s dead.

Michael stands in front of the Timurov residence. He was invited by Arkadi Timurov to discuss his father’s resources—or that’s what he thinks this invitation is about. Arkadi helped Michael get into the ropes of his father’s business, and by “get into ropes,” he means failing to see the purpose of the empire. Michael has no choice but to follow in his footsteps, considering he is all alone now. He hopes that by doing this, he’d at least see what his father was so proud of.

“Ah, Michael. Come in.” Arkadi radiates an intimidating presence, holding a drink in his hand and standing by a floor-to-ceiling window. Michael comes in, and the staff closes the door for him.

“How’s everything? All good, I hope?” the man said, maneuvering around his office table to lean.

“Yeah. I got a hold of most of my dad’s clients. They left their condolences.”

Arkadi nods as he takes a sip. Michael senses something is up. “Good. You are turning out just like your father.” The man stops himself, almost choking on his words. “Oh, I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Your father truly was the best in the business. I didn’t mean to stir some memories.”

“It’s alright. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss with me?” Michael said, feeling impatient and wanting this meeting to end.

Arkadi chuckled at his judgment. “Michael, I adore your enthusiasm. Now, that is something your father definitely lacked.” The man moves to his chair and sits down. Michael steps a bit closer to his desk.

“Michael, you attend St. Dominic together with my daughters, correct? Well, Riri told me you’re not part of the student council, or even gamble at all. Said you keep to yourself most of the time.”

“That’s true. I’d rather develop my skills on other things than play and gamble,” Michael said hesitantly.

“Hmm.” Michael can hear his disappointment.

“Your father was a great gambler. Always making sure to take risk after risk after risk. I admire that about him. However, your father isn’t the only risk taker I know. In fact, our group back when we were still students at St. Dominic were more than just risk takers. We called ourselves ‘kakegurui,’ a Japanese term for compulsive gambler.”

Arkadi reaches to open one of his drawers and pulls out a picture frame. He then faces and sets the picture on the table towards Michael. The picture was not foreign to him. It’s the group photo he saw in the kakegurui club.

“Being a gambler comes with a price, you know. A smart gambler wins enough, and a gambler who does it for fun always wins. Of course, it’s the risk that divides these two. But are you aware there’s another element people seem to overlook?”

Michael thinks it’s a test. He knew very little about Arkadi and his father’s relationship outside of business, and now that he’s taking over, Michael can sense Arkadi’s authorship over people.

The man leans back in his seat and continues.

“It’s greed.”

A pause. Arkadi has his eyes dead set on the picture frame.

“Your father was on a mission before he died. I would like you to continue his investigation.”

After her trip from Japan, Kira came home with a lot more confidence. She’s still scared of her father, but again, she’s got an ace up her sleeve. Kira was walking back to her room when she noticed her sister, Riri, sparring with a punching bag in her room. She stopped by her door with a subtle grin.

“Nice form, sister. What did Father have you do now? Did he make you report in front of his hundreds of clients? Or did you finally realize how screwed you are?” Kira said with a petty tone. She’s exactly jealous of her sister. I mean, not as jealous as she was before she found out her father’s true colors. This was more like putting salt in the wound.

Riri exhaled her way to her door, in front of Kira, and said, “What do you want?”

“Oh, Riri, I want a lot of things, you know that,” Kira said tauntingly. “How about you?”

Kira tilted and leaned her head closer. “What do you want?”

It’s the start of the new semester at Saint Dominic’s. The events of last term were some of the most chaotic its leaders have ever seen. The council was in deep need of toxin detox just because of the sheer existence of Yumeko Kawamoto. What the students of Saint Dominic don’t know is that this new semester would bring in a new kind of power. She’s not new to the game, but she definitely has a lot of power.

“Announcement, St. Dom’s!” Runa can be heard through the speakers around campus. The students stilled as they listened to Runa.

“Upon a decision made by the school board, there has been a change in our current student council position.” The students looked at each other out of curiosity. Runa continued.

“Starting this semester, our current Council President, Kira Timurov, is replaced by none other than Riri Timurov, effective immediately.” Many of the students were stunned by the news. Some were conflicted and called bull. Some cheered out of spite for Kira. Overall, the change will definitely affect how the school functions.

“As for the current student council members, they remain to be your representatives until a change in ranking occurs. That’s all for today’s announcement. Good luck, St. Dom’s!” Murmurs and whispers covered each hall of the campus. Ryan and Mary were standing in front of the community bulletin board, looking at a more detailed announcement by Runa.

“Well, it’s official. Do you think Kira’s rolling in her grave by now?” Ryan said, chuckling. He glanced over to Mary, whose attention was elsewhere. She scanned around like she was looking for someone. She sighed in dismay.

“Have you seen Yumeko?” Mary said. Ryan recalled their last encounter. Will you wait and come back to me? During break, he was waiting for her to contact him—or at least give him something that reassures him that she’s safe. But he got nothing. In this new semester, he hopes she comes back. And if she doesn’t, it would make him sad, and he’s already missing her.

It’s lunchtime. As per usual, there is a dedicated area for the student council to eat. Everybody was present except for Kira and Yumeko. It’s expected for Kira to be absent. It must have been a horrible defeat for her. Yumeko, on the other hand, was expected to not show up at all—not at lunch, not at class. They meant never at all.

Rumors spread about what happened at the retreat. How Kira and Yumeko gambled it out during their game of Blackjack. It was known to be a draw, but if they knew Kira, they suspected she didn’t let it pass.

A Timurov gamble to a draw? It sounds insane.

Either they had another game and Kira won, or Kira’s father had Yumeko put out. These rumors sound ridiculous to Ryan and Mary. Unlike them, they actually know what happened.

Lunch went on, and the students murmured at the sight of Riri sitting at the president’s chair. The image was new, and an even newer addition was that Mary was sitting next to her.

After a moment, some students received notifications on their phones. Chimes started to ring one after another—a clear message something was up. Just by the entrance stairwell, some students rushed upstairs to the main cafeteria—where most of the students and the student council were—and clearly started making way for something.

Or someone.

The students’ murmurs became louder as they filled the room. Their eyes were dead set on the stairwell. A figure was seen climbing up the stairs, and their footsteps sounded heavy.

Students gasped at the sight.

It’s Kira Timurov.

She radiated an authoritative energy. Fierce. Confident. Undeniably beautiful. Her iconic blue lip, as cold as ever, sent chills down the council members’ spines—including Riri’s.

But just behind her, another person was grabbing their attention. The very toxin St. Dom was intoxicated by last term. The girl who changed gambling at this gambling school.

Ryan stood up. Mary was about to as well, but Riri grabbed her arm and held her.

Kira looked behind her, as her eyes followed the girl who stood right next to her. Their bodies faced forward, but their heads turned toward each other. They gave each other a grin—or a cunning smile. The students couldn’t handle this moment, filming everything that unfolded.

It’s like fire and ice that never withered each other.

Ryan hurriedly went up to the girl at a respectable distance, eyes soft with contentment.

“Yumeko?”

The girl looked at him and gave him the sweetest smile.

Chapter Text

“So, you’re back. Just like that. No ‘Hi! Guys, I’ll be gone without a trace so better hope I’m still alive!’” Yumeko found Mary’s sarcasm adorable. Yes, she was gone without a word, but not a moment passed when she didn’t think of her friends.

“Well, I’m back now. Does that satisfy you, Mary?” she said mockingly.

Mary snorted at how avoidant Yumeko was. “That’s not the point and you know it. Where have you been?” Mary shot Ryan a look. “This boy here was worried sick about you. And it’s sickening to hear because he always comes to me.” Ryan scratched the back of his neck.

“To be fair, I did leave quite vaguely. But in my defense, I did say goodbye,” she said, maneuvering toward her bed. Mary and Ryan looked at each other before turning around to observe her.

“On a more important note,” Ryan stepped closer to Yumeko, face to face intentionally. “Michael is looking for you. You showing up here is dangerous. Once he finds you, he’ll have you arrested.”

“Wait, arrested? What the hell are you two talking about?” Mary stood close between them. Ryan gave her a look of ‘not right now.’

“I’m aware Michael is looking for me. And if he arrests me, I’d say it’s a waste of time.” Yumeko subtly held her gambling chip, fidgeting with it in her hand. “I didn’t come back here to torment him. I came to find answers.”

“Answers?” Mary echoed.

Ryan let out a big sigh. “What answers are you trying to find? Whatever it is, I can help you.” As always, his thoughtfulness warmed her heart. From the beginning, she expected this path would be a lonely pursuit. She was mistaken time and time again.

Yumeko gave him a smile and giggled. In one quick movement, Yumeko plunged to hug him tight.

“Yeah, yeah. Keep me in the dark, as always,” Mary muttered, rolling her eyes at the sight.

The girl then reached out her hand to grab Mary’s arm and pulled her into the embrace. “Oh, I missed you guys!”

Kira stood on the top balcony of the council office. Hands spread on the railing, looking down below. The circular table took center stage in her eyes. Around it were the council members seated. They were looking at her.

“What’s up, bitches!” Kira said loud enough to make an impression. “How was your break? Did all of you miss me?” she said, walking down the stairs toward them.

She sat at an empty seat across from Riri. The atmosphere was weird and heavy. The rest of the council members shared looks at the siblings and at each other. Chad broke the silence.

“Umm… Kira, you look so pretty! Did you change your hair or something?”

“Oh, shut it, Chad,” Dori said, leaning backward. She slammed the table and added, “This awkward silence is killing me.” Mary rolled her eyes.

“Kira, you’ve been replaced! How’s it feel?” Dori leaned on the table to get closer to Kira.

“You know, Dori, I would feel a lot better if you stopped sticking your nose up everyone’s asses,” Kira said with raised eyebrows and a snarky attitude. Chad snorted at the remark. Dori shot him a look.

“I’m here to support my sister. Isn’t that obvious?” She looked around to see their reaction and added, “And as a council member, isn’t it OUR duty and responsibility to support our president?” A pause. It went quiet again.

“Seriously, guys. You’ve supported me in your little ways. We can do the same with Riri’s council. She is, after all, a member of the school board. It’s only fair to show some respect.” They could hear her sarcasm. Sounded a bit like a threat. Like a painful bait.

Mary had enough and spoke at this performance. “Don’t kid yourself, Kira. You are 100% here to take back your place. Riri can’t even have a single day without you lurking around to ruin it.”

Kira was in disbelief at Mary’s surprising attitude. “Wow, Mary. Didn’t hold back there, huh?” Kira turned her attention forward. “Riri, you don’t need this girl to speak on your behalf, okay? You two have warmed up to each other, and now you’ve got the guts to talk back at me?”

Kira sighed hard, disappointed at the energy of the council. “I left and this council is coming against me. You really outdid yourself, sister.”

Kira stood up to leave when Riri stood up as well and approached her. She leaned in and whispered something to Kira.

After she was done, Kira leaned back and nodded her head.

She looked back at the council and saw most of them staring at the siblings’ exchange. Kira gave them a sarcastic smile before leaving.

Being back at Saint Dominic, Yumeko felt everybody was watching her every move. She heard tons of rumors about her disappearance; (1) She and Kira had another round of Blackjack and she lost; (2) That Arkadi bribed her to drop out of St. Dominic; (3) That she killed Gabriel.

She did. But other people’s reasoning made it hard to believe. They said she killed him because he’s a pervert (which is fair). Or because he didn’t like her for Michael (which is just ridiculous). Or because she’s just batshit crazy (which isn’t exactly right, but close enough).

But among all these rumors, her arrival spawned some new ones. Allegations she doesn’t really oppose or mind. It’s a rumor that feels fun.

A rumor that she and Kira are in a relationship.

Did you notice how Yumeko and Kira looked like they’re a couple? I mean, I can feel the sparks from where I was sitting.

Aren’t they cute? They make an amazing couple.

 

I heard they got really intimate after their battle of Blackjack. I wonder who initiated first.

Yumeko heard these comments while in a restroom cubicle. Listening to them made her smile. Almost happy. Or is it flustered? Either way, this rumor is definitely something she can use to annoy Kira.

When she left the restroom, the hallway was particularly quiet. On her left, down the hall, some students retreated when they were about to approach the hallway Yumeko was standing on. It was weird. Yumeko looked behind her to the other side of the hallway, and lo and behold—Michael Addams.

Yumeko let out a deep breath before walking towards him. He was also walking toward her, and she could sense him clenching his jaw. They stopped at a distance, but their eyes never shied away from each other.

“You’re back.” Michael broke the tension first. “We have a lot to catch up on,” he added.

Yumeko stood there in her usual ‘hands-on-her-back, perfect posture’ façade. “I agree. I heard you’re looking for me. How did that go?” she said mockingly.

“We can cut to the chase right now and say what we really want to say.” Yumeko blinked at Michael’s intense and serious tone. She gulped before saying, “Alright. What do you want to say to me, Michael?”

A beat. Michael gave an unreadable expression. Distraught, dismayed, confused. Michael looked at her like he could see right through her. “My life changed because of you. Meeting you was the most interesting thing this school has ever given me. I saw you as a friend, but I never asked myself if you saw me as your friend as well. Not until I saw how hurt you were when you found out who my father was.”

The girl looked down, needing a break from his eyes. “I couldn’t prevent you from doing what you do. You wouldn’t let me. I tried so hard to prevent anybody from getting hurt.”

Yumeko could hear his voice break, and she finally looked up. Seeing his expression, she almost felt bad.

“I just want to protect people. Is that too much to ask?” Michael’s eyes were full of water but refusing to roll down.

The girl pressed her eyes together to collect herself and faced the boy closely. “Like you want to protect your murderer of a father? You want to protect someone who hurts and kills innocent people?”

Her eyes failed her and she shed a tear. “Your father admitted it. Right to my face.” Michael felt heavy, overwhelmed by this conversation. He blinked and shed a tear as well.

“Trying to stop is what hurts me, Michael. Now that I know the truth, I will do whatever it takes to get what I deserve. Even if it hurts you.” The girl leaned back, getting a good look at the boy’s fragile emotion.

“Hurt me all you want, Yumeko, but I’ve changed.” His tone shifted from scarred to relaxed. “I stopped the hunt for you because I know you’d come back here willingly.” Michael said cunningly, walking toward her slowly as he shared his musings.

“I know you’re trying to find something, and this school can provide you that answer. I’m not going to stop you because I know I’m going to get to it first,” the boy said.

“Is that a threat? Hmm… maybe you have changed.” Yumeko was trying to hide her frustration and anger toward him right now. She suspected that he was referring to the crypto-key his dad was so fussy about. Maybe he also had an idea about Yumeko’s mom’s fake-death incident. Or he was bluffing his way out of this conversation.

However, despite this failed attempt at a threat, Yumeko saw an opportunity.

The girl raised an eyebrow, with a grin, and said...

“Wanna bet on it?”

Michael chuckled at the thought. This girl was totally insane. “Be serious for once. You’re offering a bet because you want to gain something more. That’s just next-level greed.”

“Says the guy who barely takes risks and is afraid to gamble.” Yumeko stood up straight and added, “I’m offering a fair and square solution. And just so we’re on the same page—you are talking about the 30 billion crypto-code, right?”

Michael clenched his jaw, sighed, and raised his eyebrows in confirmation.

Yumeko hummed, “Okay. Glad we cleared that up.”

“For the bet: if you win, I will surrender myself to the police. You won’t have to deal with me anymore, and you go away as a rich man.”

Yumeko stepped closer. “But if I win, you leave this school, this country, and never show your face to me ever again.” Her expression showed strong distaste. His heart beat quickly.

“Deal?” she muttered, offering a hand to seal the bet.

Michael hesitated. If Yumeko found the code first, Arkadi would make sure his life would be hell. He’d make him stay longer handling his dad’s gunmen—something he despised. However, Yumeko running away with that amount of money would make her a target. Her life would be as unbearable as his.

In the end, both of them would lose.

There is no winner.

Michael looked at the offered hand and said, “If you knew me at all, you’d already know my answer.” He took a deep breath and added,

“For both of our sakes, I’ll be the bigger person and decline.”

Yumeko clenched her jaw, disappointed but not surprised by his decision.

“As always, you’re such a pussy,” she muttered before turning around to walk away.

Just like clockwork, as soon as Yumeko found her dorm room, the blue-lipped girl was leaning by her door. Kira leaned forward to face the other girl. She couldn’t see her expression clearly, but her presence alone made her sure it was Yumeko.

“Well, finally you’re here. I’ve got some news for you. He’s ba—” Kira stumbled on her words as she witnessed the girl in front of her visibly upset.

“What is this? What happened to you?” Kira almost gave the girl a real body check, using only her eyes to scan as if the girl were hurt somewhere.

“Michael happened. I met him by the hall,” Yumeko said, trying to compose herself, snapping out of her current state.

“Yeah, that’s why I came down here. Well, what did he say to you?” Kira said.

“He said he won’t arrest me anymore. At least not yet,” the girl continued to walk inside the room.

“Not yet? What does that mean?” Kira said as she followed Yumeko and shut the door behind them.

“He knows about the crypto-code his father was trying to find. Now it’s his turn to look for it.” Yumeko sighed and looked down. If her parents died because of that code, it must mean it’s very important—important enough to cost them their lives. If that code falls into the wrong hands, her parents would have died for nothing.

“You said Michael and your father grew close after Gabriel’s death, right? I think your father might have told him about it. Gabriel said what happened with my parents was a Kakegurui Club decision. Your father must have been the one that called the shots.”

Even though Kira hated her father, not a day passed where she didn’t want his attention and affection. It was hard to hear from the very person her father had hurt just how horrible he was. He was still Kira’s father. Then she realized something.

Kira sighed, overwhelmed by Yumeko’s explanation. “You’re right. My father is powerful enough to do that. If you decide to call it quits right now, I understand.”

Yumeko shook her head quickly in response. “Wait, Kira. No. I’m not gonna call it quits on you. We had a deal.”

“Yumeko, if you’re smart enough, conspiring with the daughter of the person who orchestrated your parents’ death is a bad idea. It would put you at a lot of risk, and—” Kira halted as the girl in front of her touched both sides of her arms, suddenly caging her.

“Kira, I trust you. I know this because I know you are not like your father.” Yumeko let go of the girl. Kira felt its absence sink into her mind for a second, wanting it back.

“I would gamble and choose you a hundred times if it’s possible. So, it’s you who shouldn’t quit on me, okay?” The girl’s expression was pure. She was smiling, so sure about her gamble.

Kira responded with awe, surprised by the girl’s confession. She sighed in defeat, nodded, and said, “You are unbelievable, Jabami.” She chuckled, and the girl reciprocated with a quiet laugh.

Her conversation with Yumeko got her thinking about her future. If her dad was really so horrible that it resulted in people dying, then Kira had to hold onto her integrity and cut ties with him. On the other hand, this was the business she grew up in. Her father taught her how to manipulate her way to get what she wanted. There would be sacrifices and risks involved.

Kira stepped into the council office. None of the council members were present. Only her sister, Riri, stood by her fish tank.

Kira approached the girl. “You got me all alone now, sister. What is it you want to talk about?”

Riri turned around to her sister who was standing beside the circular table, hands clasped in front. “It’s Father. He wants me to join him on one of his business trips. I want you to lead the school while I’m gone.”

Kira scoffed and said, “It’s only the first week since you took over, and now you’re giving it back to me. You’re funny, Riri.”

“I’m not giving it back to you. This is only temporary.” Riri stepped closer to prove her point. “If you won’t accept, it’s fine. I can ask someone else.”

“Does Father even know about this?” Kira said.

Riri only nodded and added, “Also, there will be a new transfer student from Hyakkaou University. She arrives next week. I suggest you tour her around and make her comfortable here with us.”

“What? Are you serious? You’re gonna make me her chaperone?” Kira’s voice raised a bit.

“I’m not. Father is. He has a good relationship with her parents, and he wants to keep it that way when she transfers here.”

“Why me? Why can’t it be you?”

“Like I said, I won’t be here next week. So, I won’t be here when she gets here.”

Kira let out a heavy sigh. This task felt like a punishment. But, in all fairness, this was a responsibility her dad was kind enough to entrust to her.

Either that or he just had no choice since his favorite daughter wasn’t available.

Kira sat in an empty chair near her. Feeling defeated, she shrugged and said, “Fine. Who is this bitch anyway?”

Riri slid a folder on the table toward Kira. When she opened it, attached was an enrollment application. She saw the name and the face of the person her father pity-gifted to her.

Sayaka Igarashi