"Let's not talk about Miharu Taki for now. Explain to me why you sent Shimotsuki Okuri to the casino to trouble me." Ayanokouji Kiyohira sneered: "Are you really that bothered by the tens of millions you lost? If you want it, I can return it to you right now."
"Hahaha, you misunderstood. That was just an excuse I made. That money has already been lost to you, so there's no way I can ask for it back." Mibuomi Aoi denied it with a laugh.
"Shimotsuki Okuri is a new candidate I've recently taken a liking to. Her abilities are very strong, and her memory is exceptionally outstanding. She even directly defeated Miharu Taki Sakura in gambling, seizing the council member seat from her.
It can be said that she is currently my strongest hand. If you hadn't appeared, she would definitely have been my best candidate to face the Student Council President."
Mibuomi Aoi's voice softened as he explained: "Ayanokoji, you have to understand me. I've been preparing for a year to defeat the Student Council President, spending countless human and material resources. I've put all my energy into this gamble, going all in, so naturally, I don't want to mess up at the last minute…"
"So, this is also your final test?"
"Yes, you could say that." Mibuomi Aoi admitted: "As long as you defeat her, it proves that your ability is fully capable of handling this task. I will cooperate with you without reservation, putting all my bets on you."
"Since you've said so, I'm not an unreasonable person either…"
Ayanokouji Kiyohira's voice also softened, as if he had already accepted Mibuomi Aoi's proposal: "But you have to remember, this is the last test. I don't want to waste any more time on this kind of gambling."
"Naturally." Mibuomi Aoi readily agreed: "If you win against her, our Zenshoukai won't have any opponents left who can deal with you."
"Speaking of which… Since you called me, didn't Okuri gamble with you?" Mibuomi Aoi only just remembered this: "She even made a military pledge to me, saying she would get that money back for me today… Where is she?"
"I didn't gamble with her. I left her to Meari to handle. As long as she can win against Meari, I'll give her the money."
"Meari?"
Hearing that name, Mibuomi Aoi scoffed and couldn't help but laugh: "Ayanokoji, do you really think that woman, who has repeatedly lost, can win against Shimotsuki Okuri?
Okuri has an incredibly powerful memory; she can remember everything at a glance. Even I don't fare well against her. If it weren't for her admiration for me, I wouldn't even have been able to bring her into our Student Council."
Mibuomi Aoi had also observed Meari, this newcomer, before. Originally, he had wanted to bring Meari into the Zenshoukai, but the results greatly disappointed him. Meari had lost too many games, even worse than any of his council members.
He completely did not believe Meari could win against Okuri.
Ayanokoji calmly said: "Mibuomi Aoi, your assessment of Meari is truly too poor. You've completely misjudged her."
"I, on the other hand, think you're the one who's misjudged, insisting on treating Meari, a girl with at most a bit of cleverness, as a genius. People like her, who easily get carried away, are the most likely to lose everything in gambling. I don't know how many gamblers with her personality I've seen."
Mibuomi Aoi was very confident in his judgment of people.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira remained noncommittal: "Since you don't believe it, then let's wait and see. I believe Meari will win."
This, in turn, stirred Mibuomi Aoi's competitive spirit.
"How about we make a bet? If Meari loses, it proves that your judgment of people is truly poor, and in this cooperation, you must listen to me."
"And if she wins?"
"If she loses, in addition to the gambling money, I will give you an extra twenty million, totaling one hundred million yen as compensation, is that acceptable?"
"You seem very confident."
"If Okuri were gambling with you, of course, I wouldn't be confident, but if she's gambling with Meari, she will definitely win."
Mibuomi Aoi had personally witnessed Shimotsuki Okuri overwhelmingly defeat Miharu Taki Sakura, so he had absolute confidence in Okuri. Not only that, he also wanted to use this opportunity to establish his "command authority."
"Then it's settled." Ayanokouji Kiyohira agreed to the side bet with Mibuomi Aoi.
"Alright, now that things are clear, don't call me, a grown man, anymore. According to Yagyu Ine's report, Miharu Taki Sakura is still at school, and this is your best chance to spend time with her." Mibuomi Aoi reminded him with a smile.
"Will you regret it? Giving her to me."
"I will not regret it. Every decision I make is carefully considered. Even if I lose everything in the end in gambling, I will only admit my failure and withdraw gracefully, without regretting whether my decision was wrong." Mibuomi Aoi said with high spirits.
He was very confident in himself; even if he lost, he wouldn't doubt himself.
Always like this.
Always.
...
After the call with Mibuomi Aoi ended, Ayanokouji Kiyohira went to the Beautification Committee's office.
There was no light in the room, but the door was locked from the inside.
Sure enough, she's here…
Ayanokouji Kiyohira knocked on the door.
"Who is it? School is already over. Whatever it is, let's talk tomorrow." Miharu Taki Sakura's voice came from inside the room. Her voice was muffled, and even Ayanokoji could clearly sense her mental exhaustion.
"Miharu Taki Senior, it's me… Ayanokoji."
As soon as Ayanokoji finished speaking, a few seconds later, the room door quickly opened from the inside.
Miharu Taki Sakura stood at the doorway, not coming out. Her expression was somewhat complex, showing joy, regret, struggle, and confusion.
She was alone in this room, and she hadn't even turned on the lights.
"Ayanokoji, why did you come?" Miharu Taki Sakura forced herself to cheer up, revealing a kind smile: "Are you looking for me for something? I'm a bit tired today. If it's not urgent, let's talk tomorrow…"
"Senpai, I've already heard from Shimotsuki Okuri that your council member status was taken by her." Ayanokoji interrupted.
Miharu Taki Sakura paused at his words, then said, feigning ease: "Are you here to comfort me? I'm fine. I just lost in a gamble…"
"Actually, the council member status was a burden to me anyway, so it's fine that it's gone. Now I can focus on my work for the Beautification Committee."
"Senpai, doesn't it feel bad to be betrayed by Mibuomi Aoi?" Ayanokoji asked softly.
Miharu Taki Sakura shook her head: "I've already gotten used to his cold attitude towards me this past week, and I probably could have anticipated this outcome, so I'm not too sad. I don't care about Mibuomi Aoi's attitude anymore; I only care about my family.
They arranged this engagement for me when I was in middle school, but now Mibuomi Aoi wants to break it off. I don't know what they'll think, if they'll be disappointed…"
Miharu Taki Sakura lowered her head and gave a bitter smile: "My family is very good to me. All this time, they've also thought Mibuomi Aoi was a good fiancé, and my younger sisters even envied me. I didn't expect…"
Miharu Taki Sakura didn't continue.
She knew from the beginning that this was a "political marriage," and being with Mibuomi Aoi would bring benefits to the family.
She didn't resist her family's arrangements and had always diligently helped Mibuomi Aoi with tasks according to his commands, yet she was suddenly kicked aside at this moment.
For her, what was difficult to accept wasn't being cast aside by Mibuomi Aoi, but seeing the disappointed looks on her family's faces.
"Mibuomi Aoi said he wanted to break off the engagement?"
"Not directly, but I can tell he has that intention." Miharu Taki Sakura turned her face away, feigning calmness: "He's always been like this. He uses my value, and now that my value has diminished, he casts me aside."
"…But, I can't blame anyone else."
She laughed mockingly: "It's also my own fault for becoming weaker, not even winning against a junior one year younger than me."
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