Yamato Inaho was not surprised by Ayanokoji's question and patiently explained: "Of course, that doesn't count. If someone has good dice-throwing skills, there's nothing we can do, after all... this is also part of one's own strength."
It's like playing Landlord and having a 'card counter' in your mind due to a strong memory. This is considered one's inherent strength, and you can't accuse the other party of cheating.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also thought so.
His system is also similar to a "card counter." Although it violates the "fairness" principle, it is not cheating.
"However, when throwing the dice, we have a rule: please throw them from a consistent height."
Yamato Inaho half-squatted down and demonstrated how to throw.
"I'm fine," Ayanokoji nodded.
Yamato Inaho looked at Ibuki Jotaro.
"I'm also fine on my end."
"Since both of you are ready, let's begin the gamble," Yamato Inaho announced.
...
"Kurume, where are you taking me? Didn't you say there was a recommended casino? Why are we going to an increasingly deserted place?"
Meari listened to Kurume's nonsense and followed her to find the casino she recommended, but Kurume led her to a place with fewer and fewer people.
Did Kurume really want her to quickly earn a sum of money? Meari became suspicious of this; she wouldn't be trying to trick her, would she...?
"Alright, here it is, the Music Room."
Kurume stopped, leading Meari to a club room with a sign that read "Music Room."
"Music Room? Can people gamble normally here? If it's a competition of musical instruments or something, then forget it, I know nothing about instruments." Meari frowned.
To Meari, music was something only wealthy families could afford to learn. Even if she was interested, the cost of a single lesson from a teacher was enough to deter her.
She had never dreamed of learning music, and her singing level was just average. If it came to competing with instruments like guitar or piano, Meari might as well concede on the spot.
"Besides, I remember this place shouldn't be on the casino popularity rankings, right? Do we really have to gamble here?"
At Private Hyakkaou Academy, there was an unwritten rule: the lower a casino's popularity, the lower the probability of gamblers winning at that casino.
Either the gambling rules were particularly biased towards the casino's Dealer, or the casino was cheating by using tricks.
Meari actually didn't want to gamble in such an unknown casino. If she got scammed, she'd have nowhere to complain.
"Don't worry, we're in the right place. This is where I meant. The manager of this casino is my friend; she's a very rich young lady." Kurume pulled Meari to the door of the room.
As they arrived at the entrance of the Music Room, they suddenly heard elegant, soothing piano music coming from inside. Meari didn't know whose piece the person inside was playing, but it sounded a bit familiar, as if she had heard it recently in the Cooking Room…
"Relax, this person's gambling skills are terrible…" Kurume guaranteed, pulling Meari and pushing the door open to enter.
Entering the room, the melodious piano music became even clearer.
The first thing Meari saw was a woman sitting in front of what looked like a very expensive piano. The person was playing the piano with her back to them, seemingly unaware that anyone had entered.
She had golden, drill-like princess curls, simply adorned with small hairpins, yet it didn't detract from her nobility. Her movements and posture while playing the piano were incredibly graceful; one glance was enough to tell she had excellent upbringing.
Just looking at her back could make one feel a sense of class disparity.
This disparity was not just external, but also on a spiritual level. Although she hadn't officially seen the other person's face yet, Meari inexplicably felt a head shorter than her, feeling a bit ashamed.
What's so great about playing the piano? At Private Hyakkaou Academy, the most important thing is gambling talent! Meari secretly encouraged herself.
"Remember to silence your phone, she doesn't like people disturbing her while she plays." Kurume quietly closed the door and whispered to Meari.
Meari nodded and complied, silently setting her phone to silent mode. As an audience member, even if the performer's act was terrible, one should show respect and not make noise during their performance.
What's more, the other person seemed to be playing quite well.
Meari suddenly thought of Hanatemari Kazura. Meari remembered that Hanatemari had also learned to play the piano, and she wondered who played better between her and the woman in front of them.
Speaking of which, Hanatemari is also a young lady, how could she be doing so poorly? The other person was playing the piano in an empty Music Room, while Hanatemari could only work as a receptionist at a casino…
Listening to the beautiful piano music, Meari's mind wandered.
The piece ended.
The person's hands lifted from the piano, and she turned to face the two. As Meari expected, the other person possessed stunning beauty, with exquisite makeup, a true young lady through and through.
Meari applauded unreservedly, praising, "You play so beautifully, I was completely captivated!"
Although she didn't know how well she actually played, just praise hard, right? No one should dislike being praised, right?
Hearing Meari's praise, the other person seemed pleased, a friendly smile appearing on her face: "Really? Can you tell how well I played? Let me ask you, do you know what this piece I played is called?"
Music was a blank area for Meari. She braced herself and guessed, "Is this a piece by Beethoven or Bach?"
"...It's Chopin's Nocturne." A hint of displeasure flashed in the woman's eyes as she looked at Kurume Laiwei: "Kurume, what can I do for you?"
"Why ask? Of course, I've brought you a guest. Her name is Saotome Meari, and she's my friend." Kurume said with a smile.
"Since it's a guest brought by Kurume, then I'll pretend nothing just happened."
The other person lightly tossed her hair and hummed, saying with an arrogant tone: "I am the president of the Classical Music Research Society, Ruribird Nadeshiko. If you wish to gamble, you are most welcome."
Meari did not answer directly, cautiously saying, "I just came to ask. If you want to compete in something like piano playing, I'll leave now."
Ruribird Nadeshiko chuckled: "No need to worry. Gambling at the Classical Music Research Society emphasizes fairness, no handling fees, and theoretically no Dealer's advantage. It's a one-on-one battle that emphasizes skill. This gamble is called… [Listen to Heavy Money]!"
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