Chapter 265: Club Activity
...And then Machiko lost.
Because when she was playing Old Maid, the expressions on her face changed way too obviously. Every time she drew a card, her eyebrows twitched, her lips pursed, and her eyes darted away like a guilty child caught stealing snacks.
Aside from her, Raphiel maintained her usual graceful and angelic smile, her posture perfect and her eyes calm, like a noblewoman in a tea party instead of a casual game. Not a trace of emotion escaped that refined façade.
Gabriel, the fallen angel, on the other hand, looked like she could fall asleep any moment. Her head drooped, her hair messy, her entire aura screaming, "I don't care about life." The only thing she seemed capable of lifting was her snack bag.
Takanashi Rikka sat stiffly across the table, her eyepatch covering half her little face, her remaining visible eye glowing with a dramatic intensity. Her lips were tight, and her serious, battle-ready expression made it look as if she were facing an ultimate boss in a world-ending duel rather than a deck of harmless cards. Her every move carried the weight of destiny—or at least, that's what she seemed to think.
But poor Machiko, the black-haired daydreamer, couldn't hide her feelings at all. The moment she drew the Joker, a faint gasp escaped her lips. She immediately tried to mask it by smiling awkwardly, but her trembling hands and shifting gaze gave her away instantly. Everyone except Satania could tell she was done for. The girl's acting skills were catastrophically bad.
And, unfortunately for her, the next player after her was Kouya.
Following his usual rule of "no mercy in competitive games," Kouya didn't even consider sparing her. He simply watched quietly, his sharp gaze catching every twitch on her face. It was like a lion silently observing a trembling rabbit.
So ever since the Joker landed in Machiko's hand, it never left.
"I... I lost..."
Machiko dropped the Joker like a fallen leaf and muttered with defeat in her voice.
"Hehehe, foolish girl! Prepare to face the divine punishment of the great Lady Satania!" Satania declared proudly, one hand on her hip, the other raised high like a conquering demon lord.
Machiko bit her lip and nodded obediently. Even though her shoulders quivered in fear, she still lifted her chin and closed her eyes, awaiting her fate.
A crisp smack! echoed through the room.
Satania's finger flick connected squarely with Machiko's forehead.
"Ahh~"
Machiko yelped in pain, leaning back so hard she almost toppled over. Vigne caught her just in time and frowned at Satania.
"Satania! Don't bully her like that!"
"I didn't mean to hit that hard." Satania rubbed the back of her head, laughing sheepishly. "Guess I got a bit too into character."
Machiko rubbed her forehead and smiled weakly. "It's fine... I lost, after all." Her eyes watered as she brushed her bangs aside, showing her forehead again. "Let's get this over with..."
Raphiel leaned closer, her golden eyes sparkling. "Eh? What's wrong, Machiko-chan?"
What's wrong!? She's shaking like a leaf because of you, you smiling devil!
She's trembling so much the table could vibrate!
"Are you feeling unwell?" Raphiel tilted her head with mock innocence. "Then I won't flick you."
Machiko sighed in relief. "Thank you, Shiraha-san..."
But Raphiel's sweet tone continued, "However, you'll have to answer one little question for me first."
Machiko stiffened. "W-What question?"
"It's easy." Raphiel's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Are you still wearing those cute pink panties today?"
Crack! Lightning struck somewhere in the distance.
Machiko froze mid-breath, her eyes wide and her soul leaving her body.
"I was wrong... I really thought Shiraha-san was merciful..." she muttered lifelessly.
Panty color questions might be fine among girls, but Kouya was right there! There was no universe where she could answer that!
Desperate, she suddenly straightened her back and forced a grin. "Nope!"
"As long as I only have to answer one question, right? Then I'll tell you this—I'm not wearing any today."
Raphiel gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "You're not wearing panties!?"
"How could I not be!?" Machiko shouted, her face twitching. "Of course I am!"
Raphiel chuckled playfully. "Then prove it. Lift your skirt."
"Fine, I'll lift it!" Machiko grabbed her skirt's hem and raised it slightly, revealing her smooth, snow-white thighs.
Before the situation could escalate, Vigne lunged forward, face red. "Raphiel! Stop teasing her already!"
"Okay, okay." Raphiel giggled and waved it off, sticking her tongue out. "Just kidding."
Next came Takanashi Rikka and Alice. Both delivered such soft, hesitant flicks that they were closer to affectionate pokes than punishments. Their movements were so light that Machiko almost laughed in relief. Considering their lack of athletic skill, that was the best they could do.
Then Gabriel's turn came.
The fallen angel lazily raised her hand, barely moving. "There, done," she mumbled.
"Eh? That's it?" Machiko blinked.
"Yeah," Gabriel said solemnly. "It's a delayed ki blast. It'll hit you... eventually."
That's not a ki blast—that's your chuunibyou talking!
At that speed, even a turtle would get impatient!
And yet, Machiko actually flinched backward nervously, as if waiting for it to hit.
How gullible could she be!? Newton's ghost was probably screaming in his coffin!
Finally, it was Kouya's turn.
Ever since the infamous "Underwater Glory" incident at the pool on Monday, Machiko had been terrified of him. The moment she saw him reach out, her heart raced like a trapped mouse's.
"Kouya-san..." she whispered, trembling.
Her expression was so pitiful that it looked like she was about to cry—not from fear of pain, but sheer nervousness.
Kouya bent his finger and gently flicked her forehead, his touch softer than a feather.
"All done," he said calmly.
Machiko opened her eyes slowly, surprise spreading across her face. "T-Thank you, Kouya-san... I didn't think you'd be so kind." Her cheeks turned pink.
Kouya smirked faintly. Somehow, being called a "nice guy" felt more like an insult than praise.
...
The game resumed.
And as fate would have it, Machiko drew the Joker again.
Her forehead still throbbed faintly, and fear returned tenfold. Her fingers trembled as she tried to play normally, but her panic was obvious.
"What's wrong, Machiko?" Satania asked innocently. "You look so nervous!"
Everyone fell silent.
Even Satania noticed? Yeah, she's doomed.
As the Joker refused to leave her hand, Machiko slumped lower and lower, looking like a helpless rabbit awaiting its execution. Her eyes darted around desperately for salvation.
Then Kouya felt a soft, pointed gaze at his back.
He turned around. Vigne was glaring at him, her eyes saying: 'Help her.'
Kouya frowned. "No."
Games are meant to be fair. If you lose, it's on you. There was no room for pity in play.
Vigne puffed her cheeks in anger. "Then I won't talk to you anymore!"
That caught his attention. Come to think of it, she hadn't spoken to him all morning. Not one glance, not one word. Still sulking about last night, huh?
Kouya sighed inwardly, then reached over and drew a card from Machiko's hand.
Her eyes widened. The Joker was gone.
"Phew~" She exhaled deeply, shoulders relaxing, her heart finally at ease. Her eyes met Kouya's, full of gratitude. Maybe... he wasn't that scary after all.
Next came Gabriel's turn. Still sulking from yesterday's foot-playing fiasco, she drew lazily from Kouya's hand—and of course, pulled the Joker instantly. Clicking her tongue, she shot him a death glare.
The cursed card finally began to circulate freely among the players. Laughter filled the room again, lightening the air. Machiko, finally freed from her string of misfortune, could only sit back and smile in relief.
By the time Vigne called everyone to class, the group reluctantly set down their cards. At Raphiel's suggestion, they officially added Old Maid as one of the club's regular activities.
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