"Meari, what is your choice?" Shimotsuki Okuri gave Meari some time to buffer, then asked again.
In her opinion, this was a good choice for Meari, as it could exempt her from an 80 million yen debt. If it were him, he would definitely...
Shimotsuki Okuri still had some good feelings for Meari, as she, like herself, came from a humble background and was good at studying, with a determination and drive to climb higher.
However, upon hearing that Renshochen could offer to "recruit" her in exchange for the gambling fund, Shimotsuki Okuri was somewhat puzzled. In her opinion, even if Meari had value worth recruiting, she was not worth this price at all.
"Of course, I choose to refuse! At worst, I'll bear a debt of 80 million; I'm not going to be subservient to anyone!" Meari's attitude was very firm.
"Aren't you working under Ayanokoji right now?"
"We are partners; he wouldn't treat me as a subordinate!"
Meari retorted, then instead "persuaded" Shimotsuki Okuri: "I actually think you should leave Zenshoukai. Look at that Mibusakaomi; he can ruthlessly kick aside even his fiancée. When you lose your usefulness someday, you'll definitely be abandoned too!"
Shimotsuki Okuri shook her head and said softly, "You don't understand. This is Mibuomi-sama's gentleness. Because he knows he is doing something very dangerous and doesn't want her to be implicated, he found an excuse to kick her out."
Mibuomi Aoi's thoughts were not a secret. Meari rolled her eyes, mercilessly exposing him: "Dangerous things? Isn't he just trying to become Student Council President? As if no one knows his ambition.
And not wanting Miharu Taki to be implicated? If he were really that gentle, he wouldn't have involved Miharu Taki Sakura from the beginning, instead of planting all his own people in her Beautification Committee."
These things were not told to her by Ayanokoji, but rather inferred by Kurume Kurumi and told to her during casual chats.
During those days at Zenshoukai, she didn't do anything, but she did get to know most of the people there.
She noticed that those wearing Beautification Committee armbands were all familiar faces from Zenshoukai, and with a little deduction, she guessed the answer.
"That was Miharu Taki Sakura's choice. If she didn't want to, Mibuomi-sama would absolutely not force her."
Shimotsuki Okuri also retorted, then showed a look of yearning: "Renshochen-sama said that becoming Student Council President is just the first step. His true ideal is to abolish Momobami Kirari's Livestock System and create an equal campus... I am willing to contribute my strength to his ideal, and I believe Miharu Taki is the same."
"Leaving aside Miharu Taki's thoughts, I just want to laugh when you talk about Mibuomi Aoi's ideal."
Meari scoffed, "Oh, please. Someone like Renshochen is a selfish person. He's a politician. All the sweet talk he tells you is just to trick the public into voting for him. Do you really think he'll do that? Once he becomes Student Council President, even if he abolishes the Livestock System, he'll immediately turn to other new systems to maintain his own class."
Shimotsuki Okuri shook her head and said coldly, "Renshochen-sama is different from the other rich people in the school. He is very gentle and polite to everyone. I believe he is the kind of person who is willing to sacrifice for his ideals. Please stop slandering him!"
Meari suddenly realized something.
This Shimotsuki Okuri had already been "brainwashed." No matter how much bad she said about Mibuomi Aoi now, she wouldn't believe it; she would only consider what she said as slander.
"I remember Ayanokouji Kiyohira once told me something that's quite fitting for you right now," Meari suddenly said.
"What?"
"Admiration is the farthest emotion from understanding," Meari said faintly. "I'll give you a piece of advice: blindly admiring someone without choosing to understand and deepen your perception of them is a pathological relationship. In the end, only you will be hurt."
"I am willing to believe in Mibuomi-sama. As long as it is to achieve Mibuomi-sama's ideal, even if it means sacrificing myself, I am willing!" Shimotsuki Okuri's tone was firm, not wavering in the slightest due to Meari's words.
...Why doesn't this girl listen to advice? Meari sighed helplessly.
She was clearly a smart girl, yet she turned out to be a love-struck fool.
Meari felt she couldn't communicate with her.
Shimotsuki Okuri had the same thought; she also believed Meari was impossible to communicate with.
Mibuomi-sama offered her such a good condition, yet not only did she not accept it, she even slandered Mibuomi-sama's true intentions!
Originally, she had some good feelings for Meari, but after these words, she completely lost all good feelings for Meari and resolved to defeat her and then make her apologize to Mibuomi-sama!
Meari also noticed that Shimotsuki Okuri's gaze towards her was becoming increasingly unfriendly, and she was not surprised.
Now that neither of them could convince the other, it was time to let their skills speak for themselves.
Although Meari was currently at a disadvantage and her chances of winning were slim, there was still a possibility of a comeback.
It's the tenth round.
Meari rolled and got a combination of [32646].
She kept two 6s, put three dice into the cup, and rolled [126].
Taking another 6, she rolled again, getting [33].
Her result in this round was actually quite good, getting the combination [66633].
Now she had two choices: fill in points in either the "three-point" or "six-point" slot.
Choosing 3 points would give her 6 points, while choosing 6 points would give her 18 points.
Unfortunately, the previous "Full House" dice pattern had already been used, otherwise, she could have gotten 24 points in this round alone.
But even if she regretted it, it was useless. Each dice pattern could only be used once, which was the most challenging aspect of this game for players.
When to use a dice pattern to maximize profit is something no one can say for sure; one can only gamble.
Meari also started gambling now. She didn't choose the seemingly higher-scoring "six-point" option, but instead chose the "three-point" column to fill in her score, gaining 6 points.
Indeed, choosing "six-point" seemed to yield a higher score, but once she chose "six-point," it meant she basically lost the chance to get "bonus points," which was her only opportunity to turn the tide, and she absolutely couldn't miss it.
Shimotsuki Okuri felt the game was decided; she already had victory in her grasp.
However, she didn't let her guard down. Meari still had a "six-point" slot left. The closer it got to the end, the calmer she needed to be. Even "Three Dragons Meeting" matches with a ten-thousand economic difference had seen comebacks. Although the chance of a comeback was small, it wasn't impossible.
With a calm expression, she shook the dice cup. In the first round, she got [24555].
She kept [555] and rolled again, getting [36].
Seeing her about to roll again, Meari couldn't help but clench her fingers. Shimotsuki Okuri's luck was too good!
She hadn't filled in her "five-point" column, and there was also a chance for a "Liar's Dice" which could net her 50 points in one go. If she really rolled it, she would truly have no hope.
However, luck did not favor Shimotsuki Okuri this time; her third-round roll was still [36].
Shimotsuki Okuri was a bit disappointed, but not too regretful. Three 5s was already a good hand. She filled it into the "five-point" slot, gaining another 15 points.
After this round, Meari's score was only 107, while Shimotsuki Okuri's score had already reached 175 points.
There was already a huge gap between their scores, and it could be concluded that Meari was finished in this game; even with bonus points, it would be difficult to win.
Last two rounds of opportunity.
Meari glanced at her score sheet. The "four-point" and "six-point" slots were still empty.
Next, she could only gamble on these two numbers.
Meari's fingers unconsciously tightened around the rabbit foot pendant on her neck. Even while wearing a maid uniform, she hadn't taken off this pendant. She always kept it with her as a lucky charm.
She didn't expect this pendant to bring her luck; she just felt that when she touched it, it was as if she received encouragement from Ayanokoji, allowing her to calm down in desperate situations.
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