"Don't be so anxious, I didn't say I wouldn't go on a date with you..."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira was a bit exasperated and had wanted to tease her a bit longer, but he didn't expect Kurume to just blurt it out.
It seemed she really wanted to go on a date with him.
Ayanokoji thought for a moment and said, "A date is fine, but I might be a bit busy these next few days, and I'm not sure when I'll have time... When I'm free, I'll arrange a time with you in advance, okay?"
"Okay."
Having received a satisfactory answer, Kurume finally released Ayanokoji.
She quickly scanned the casino. Good, Meari hadn't returned yet.
She had come to find Ayanokoji while Meari was in the restroom. If Meari had been there, she really wouldn't have dared to grab Ayanokoji's collar.
However, Hanatemari Tsuzura did notice the situation here. She walked over and asked with concern, "Kurume, what's wrong? Did Ayanokoji make you angry? Why do you look like you're about to punch him?"
Kurume felt a bit guilty, but still pretended to be righteous and said, "Because this guy just mocked me, saying that I look completely out of place in a maid outfit and that my personality is especially bad, which is why no customers come to me! I was so angry that I wanted to hit him, but thankfully I held back..."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira couldn't pretend he didn't hear that and couldn't help but retort, "Hey, I didn't say that. Don't frame me..."
"See? He still won't admit it!"
"..."
Hanatemari Tsuzura looked at Ayanokoji with a gentle gaze and softly said, "Ayanokoji, if you said it, you said it. Just apologize honestly and get her forgiveness, there's no need to lie."
Hanatemari looked at Ayanokoji with a very gentle gaze, like a devout and gentle nun giving guidance. If Ayanokoji had truly said it, he would definitely apologize under the "nun's" persuasion.
But the problem was, he really didn't say it...
"...Alright, I apologize. I hurt your maidenly heart." Under Hanatemari's gaze, Ayanokoji reluctantly apologized.
"That's more like it, I forgive you... Don't forget our promise!"
Kurume Kurumi felt a bit guilty for forcing Ayanokoji to apologize. Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly saw Meari return, quickly said a word, and then pretended as if nothing had happened, moving away from Ayanokoji.
Meari was unaware of what had just transpired. She walked towards Ayanokoji with a bright smile, "Ayanokoji, when I came back, I saw that the other casinos were already closing. Let's close too."
She had earned over 800,000 yen today and was very happy.
"Then let's close."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira stood up, and just as he was about to say that business was over for the day, a new customer, a girl, suddenly arrived at the door.
"I'm sorry, we're closing today and not open for business. If you want to gamble, please come back tomorrow..." Meari said this as she walked in front of the customer, and then she showed a surprised expression.
"You are... Shimotsuki Okuri?"
Meari recognized her.
She was her classmate. Although they didn't interact much, she had never targeted her either, so they were acquaintances.
Moreover, she was the champion of the first Dou Di Zhu Competition, and Meari had unfortunately lost to her. Why was she here at this time?
"Shimotsuki, are you here to gamble or to drink coffee? Or are you here to participate in the Dou Di Zhu Competition?"
Meari said, "If you're here for the Dou Di Zhu Competition, you're a bit early; we start in two days. However, if you want to sign up, you can add your name now..."
Shimotsuki Okuri was the previous champion, so Meari naturally assumed she was here for the Dou Di Zhu Competition.
However, the Dou Di Zhu Competition was held on the last three days, so she was early.
Shimotsuki Okuri shook her head, "I'm not here for the Dou Di Zhu Competition, I'm here to gamble."
"If it's gambling, let's wait until tomorrow. We're closing today."
"I'm not looking for you."
Shimotsuki Okuri shook her head, her gaze passing over Meari, and she looked up, staring at Ayanokouji Kiyohira, saying in a low voice, "Ayanokoji... I want to gamble with you."
"You want to gamble with me?"
Ayanokouji Kiyohira was truly surprised this time, and he asked in wonder, "Why are you looking for me? I don't think I've ever dealt with you before."
He hadn't had much contact with her, so why would she look for him?
Shimotsuki Okuri stared at Ayanokoji, her eyes under her bangs looking at him faintly, and she said, "I am a member of the Zenshoukai. I accepted Mibuomi-sama's order to gamble with you. I want to reclaim the eighty million that belongs to Mibuomi-sama from you."
A member of the Zenshoukai?
Ayanokouji Kiyohira was even more confused.
Setting aside when Shimotsuki Okuri joined the Zenshoukai, he had become a strategic partner with Mibuomi Aoi. Why would she suddenly send someone to ask him for money? Had the cooperation broken down?
Moreover, the money wasn't in his hands right now.
"Shimotsuki, you've got the wrong person. The money is with Miharu Taki Senior. I haven't won against her yet," Ayanokoji frowned, "Since you're also a council member, haven't you coordinated with her?"
Shimotsuki Okuri enunciated each word clearly, "Miharu Taki Sakura is no longer a council member. I inherited the position of Zenshoukai council member from her. She said that she had already lost to you in a gamble and returned the money to you. I am here to reclaim this money on her behalf."
Her words truly came as a surprise to Ayanokouji Kiyohira.
He walked towards Shimotsuki Okuri with a cold expression, "Shimotsuki, could you say that again? You said she's no longer a council member?"
"Mm." Shimotsuki Okuri nodded, "I gambled with Miharu Taki Sakura, and she lost to me, losing her council member status as the stake. I am now a Zenshoukai council member, responsible for getting the lost money back from you."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira's brows furrowed.
This was too strange. Why would Mibuomi Aoi suddenly target Miharu Taki Sakura and send this girl to find him?
Was he deliberately sending this girl to find him, just to inform him about Miharu Taki's removal?
"I'm going out for a bit." Ayanokouji Kiyohira decided to go find Mibuomi Aoi himself.
However, as he tried to leave, Shimotsuki Okuri blocked his path, standing in front of him, her voice soft but firm, "I want to gamble with you and get back the money that belongs to Mibuomi-sama."
"Move aside. I don't have time to gamble with you right now. We can talk about it tomorrow when I'm free," Ayanokouji Kiyohira said in a deep voice.
"No, I made a military pledge to Mibuomi-sama that I would get this money back this afternoon. I don't want to disappoint Mibuomi-sama." Shimotsuki Okuri shook her head, still blocking Ayanokoji's path, standing at the entrance of the Cooking Room.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira had no time for her, but it was also inconvenient to be rough with her. He looked at Meari, "Meari, help me pull her away."
Only a girl could physically handle another girl.
Meari nodded and had just taken a step forward when Shimotsuki Okuri immediately said, "Don't lay a hand on me. I have a surveillance camera on me. If you touch me, I'll send the video to the news department and make sure your club can't operate."
Meari stopped and looked at Ayanokouji Kiyohira for help.
Camera...
Ayanokouji Kiyohira looked down and scanned Shimotsuki Okuri. She indeed had a camera on her, and its placement was a bit private—on her chest.
She seemed very nervous too, and noticing Ayanokoji's gaze, she immediately added, "My camera is networked and will transmit data to my email in real-time. Even if you snatch my camera, the video won't disappear!"
This really put Ayanokoji in a difficult position.
This girl had thought of everything so thoroughly, making it hard for him to act.
If it was just about handling this situation, Ayanokoji had many methods, but those were methods for dealing with "enemies," not for dealing with this innocent girl.
Although Ayanokouji Kiyohira was a bit annoyed, he didn't feel much ill will towards this girl.
He knew that Mibuomi Aoi had instigated her to do this, so his anger should be directed at Mibuomi Aoi, not her.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira tried to call Mibuomi Aoi, but he didn't answer.
Being blocked by her wasn't an option either. Just as Ayanokoji was thinking of just gambling with her and quickly getting rid of her, Meari spoke.
"Ayanokoji, if you're in a hurry, can you leave this to me?" Her tone was firm, "This time, I won't lose again."
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