187 National Theft Game Falling into the Abyss
"What's happening on stage? Why hasn't it started yet?" "Something's not right. Look at Mibuomi's expression—could something have gone wrong?"
The murmurs from the audience reached Mibuomi Aoi's ears, making his expression even grimmer. He forced a calm demeanor and wiped the sweat from his chin. "Heh, I underestimated you, Hikigaya Hachiman." "But now, I'll win the next two matches. You won't win a single round."
"Do you still think you can beat me, Mibuomi?" "The moment you saw someone like me—a commoner from a civilian family—stand on the same stage and gamble against you, you should've realized what your true ability is." "Very soon, you'll fall into hell, Mibuomi Aoi."
Aoi: [8—3—K] Hikigaya: [3—2—10]
Hikigaya withdrew his contempt and looked at the base cards each side had drawn. "Strategically belittle your opponent; tactically respect them." This was Hikigaya Hachiman's principle in gambling. "15 versus 24, the situation's bad for me."
His three female aides once again drew five cards from the deck. The data was transmitted to Hikigaya's tablet: [A-6-9-10-10] "No face cards at all. Definitely not a good hand." "To win, the troop deployment must be flawless. And Mibuomi Aoi must not have an extremely good hand."
Since both sides use the same 52-card deck, and only one face card has appeared on the field so far, the chance that Mibuomi Aoi has a face card is high. "But… there's only one more 10 left. The chance he has a 10 is small."
Hikigaya quickly analyzed the current information and looked toward Mibuomi Aoi, who had the first move this round.
Slap—
With a cold expression, Mibuomi Aoi personally placed one card face-down on his troop, launching an attack against Shimotsukiuri Ouri. He targeted the unit with the biggest strength difference.
Hikigaya Hachiman narrowed his eyes: [3 < 8 + X]
From the start, the point gap was 5. That meant if the opponent added a card of 9 or higher, no matter what Hikigaya placed next, he couldn't win.
"Should I give this up outright?" "No—draw fire."
Hikigaya quickly made a decision and ordered Shimotsukiuri Ouri to place the card with the smallest value besides A—6—on his unit.
"Hah! Hikigaya Hachiman, you think I'll make the same mistake again?" "Trying to calculate even in a unit where I hold the advantage?"
Mibuomi Aoi sneered coldly and decisively played another card on his unit. The card previously played was then revealed: 2.
"As expected of Mibuomi-senpai! Now it's Hikigaya who's losing cards!" Ibuki Sotaro praised admiringly.
The battlefield now looked like this: 3 + 6 < 8 + 2 + X
If Hikigaya didn't add another card, this point was clearly Mibuomi's. Without hesitation, Hikigaya ordered: "Add a 10." The previously set 6 was revealed.
"Heh, a 6? Just as I expected." Mibuomi swept his bangs back and confidently pointed at the table: "Hikigaya Hachiman, even if I don't know your third card, I've already won the first battalion."
He then turned his attention to the second battalion, where Jabami Yumeko was. He directed Kamishimo Nagi to play a face-down card.
Yumeko's scarlet eyes shimmered slightly. She had deduced the best move—but wouldn't share it. She wanted Hikigaya to enjoy the thrill of teetering on the brink.
In normal circumstances, this level of deduction wouldn't slip past Hikigaya. But now? With billions on the line, his companions and lover's hopes on his shoulders, and his greatest rival across from him—could he still see clearly?
"Yumeko, use the 10!" Hikigaya's voice rang out.
Jabami Yumeko shivered, her body tightening as she bit her thumb hard. "Exactly right. That's Hikigaya! Even now, he's thinking clearly~"
There were already three 10s on the field. With both players using a standard 52-card deck, the odds of Mibuomi drawing another
10 were very low. At this point, the gap was just one point. If Mibuomi didn't play a face card, he couldn't win. And if he did, Hikigaya still had the Ace.
Playing the 10 was the perfect solution.
[2 + 10 = 3 + 9] [2 + 10 > 3 + X (where X < 9)] [2 + 10 + A > 3 + X + face card]
Mibuomi's face grew thoughtful—he had deduced the same logic. But he didn't know Hikigaya's hand originally had two 10s.
"But it doesn't matter. My troops hold the advantage overall. If the second battalion is a draw, I'll settle it with the third!"
He smiled and ordered Ibuki to play one of his last two cards in the third battalion.
[K + X > 10]
If Hikigaya had an A, using it in the third battalion was clearly optimal. Trade A for K, then add another card to secure victory. That's where the Ace must go, thought Miharutaki Sakura.
But her thoughtful look didn't escape Mibuomi's eyes. "You're thinking of putting the A there, aren't you? But too bad, that's a trap."
Mibuomi inwardly laughed. He'd played a 5, a decoy to lure Hikigaya into using up his remaining cards. "Even if he uses the A against my K, he won't know what I'll play next. As long as it's a face card, it beats the revealed 10."
But... Only I know my last card is another K.
"Miharutaki-senpai..." Hikigaya spoke. "This round, let me handle it." "What?!"
Everyone was shocked. Hikigaya stepped down and took her place.
"W-why, Master Hikigaya... are you doubting my loyalty?" Miharutaki's eyes reddened, thinking of all the "ways and positions" she'd offered him—only to be cast aside at the crucial moment.
"No." Hikigaya's eyes were clear. He bent close and whispered in her ear. Her face flushed red, and she stepped aside without further complaint.
"Whoa~ What a dramatic turn! Hikigaya's taking the field himself—with such intimacy too!" Yomozuki Runa shouted gleefully.
Mibuomi's face clouded. Why replace Miharutaki now? Did he see through my plan?
No, calm down, Mibuomi! This must be reverse psychology. He wants me to think the A will go in the second battalion, so I switch to targeting the third—that's his real goal.
Cunning, Hikigaya! But I've seen through it. You're on the second level—I'm on the third! Victory in this psychological war will be mine!
Eyes bulging, chest heaving, Mibuomi locked onto Hikigaya's hands. As Hikigaya placed his card in the third battalion, Mibuomi instantly slammed his final card on the second. The card he had previously set in the second battalion was revealed: 8.
"Come on, Hikigaya! The final choice is yours!" "Make your move!"
To everyone watching, it seemed Hikigaya was now caught between two battalions, unable to win both. The key—where to place the Ace. One wrong move, and it's over.
Mibuomi began shouting frantically, trying to disrupt his thinking: "You're hesitating, aren't you!?" "Do you know whose turf this is? Your gamble and mine aren't equal!" "You pay the student council to gamble—I don't owe you anything!"
Kamishimo Nagi joined in: "Mibuomi-senpai asks—do you even have money?!"
"The student council president can be Momobami Kirari, me, or anyone else—but never a delusional commoner like you!"
Seeing Mibuomi's bloodshot eyes, Miharutaki couldn't help but lean into Hikigaya. 'To destroy someone, first drive them mad...' she thought. Her former fiancé was on the brink of collapse, and it was all his own doing.
"Let it all end!" She buried her proud head into Hikigaya's chest.
Yumeko also walked up and hugged his other arm.
The crowd wailed in envy—how could a guy like Hikigaya get a harem? Yumeko lifted her soft thigh and rubbed against him. "Hachiman~ hurry and decide~ I can't hold back anymore~"
"Alright." Feeling their warmth, Hikigaya said loudly to Shimotsukiuri: "Shimotsukiuri, you make the final move." "Say goodbye to your past."
Shimotsukiuri was no longer unresponsive. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she trembled forward, placing the final card onto Miharutaki's battalion.
She knew—this was the end. She had just destroyed the final pillar of the "Full-Bloom Association" with her own hands.
"Farewell, Mibuomi-senpai." Shimotsukiuri closed her eyes in pain.
There is nothing crueler than destroying the ideals you once believed in.
At that moment, Hikigaya Hachiman became a true demon. But to lead a misguided girl back to the right path—though evil in action, it was good in spirit.