image [https://i.imgur.com/cL4GyrP.jpg]
----------------------------------------
After losing her chips several times, Deshya manages to get back on track a little, without being too happy about it. She doesn't win much, and Tessa continues to be the one with the advantage in this game: whether it's her sum or psychologically. Deshya is tired and doesn't understand the feeling of frustration that has been gnawing at her for several rounds, but when she plans to swap two cards and keep only the ♠5, a flash occurs in her mind. After sighing, she finally understood. She now knows the reason why she feels this lack! The feeling of frustration suddenly disappears and she decides to keep all her cards, now free of a feeling that was preventing her from concentrating and playing well. When it's her turn to play, she makes a decision that shocks everyone in the room. Even her opponent.
Because she bets a total of '620€'! 124 chips!!!
Everything she owns, absolutely... EVERYTHING!!!!
- I-Is she crazy?!" shouts a student in the crowd.
No one can stay put. The crowd goes wild, the excitement is insane! Nobody could have expected such a bet! Tessa stares wide-eyed at Deshya, unable to close her mouth in the face of this... madness!!! Deshya has bet it all! If she loses this round, it's the end of the game!
- W-What's she doing?!" wonders Korone, staring at Deshya.
She doesn't understand such a move at all. Why bet it all? Does she have a straight and then consider that she can't lose? Korone can't believe it: not only does it require too much luck, but it wouldn't make sense to bet it all! An incomprehensible decision! Tessa thinks, tries to understand this madness on Deshya's part, but she can't! She doesn't know what to think! Deshya shows no emotion, but the flames of her mind return! They scorch the whole room, suffocating everyone! While engulfing everything in their midst!
For the first time in this game, Tessa's heart is racing! It's madness! Madness!!!
CHAPTER 22
⎾The Red And Black Clash ; Craziness⏌
The crowd didn't even try to calm down: they just kept shouting, euphoric. Such a bet was unpredictable! Perhaps the poker game will end on this eighteenth round!
- Has she lost her mind...?" wonders Tessa through gritted teeth.
She looks at her hand, sweating, hesitating what to do. If she wins this round, then she wins the game: should she bet on that and decide on her hand... or—?
- I-I give up!
She refuses to face Deshya! She retreats, she flees !! She gives up!!! She furiously lays her cards on the table and the crowd's howls increase in intensity: she's not happy! She didn't dare accept Deshya's challenge, so they don't hide their displeasure. Maruno turns abruptly to Tessa, perturbed.
- Hey, Tessa! Do you give up?!" he shouts.
Tessa stares at him, her teeth clenched and her expression angry.
- D’ya really think I'm goin’ to give her a chance to win any more chips?!" she replies. I'm not stupid!
- But if she's bluffing, then you could have won!
- Ya don't think I asked myself that question?! But I've only got one high card, I'm not going to risk my chips for any reason. If I had a pair, that's another thing. Besides, I do what I want, I'm the one who plays!
Tessa aggressively passes him his cards and slams her hand on the table.
- Deshya, what the hell are you doing?!
She's upset — or rather, confused. She can't understand why Deshya has bet it all. Deshya takes all her chips back and looks at Tessa without smiling, without showing the slightest emotion. You'd think she'd be lifeless, but the flames burning all around her prove otherwise! She's woken up! Her heart finally beats in real determination!!! Her goal in this game is no longer not to lose, but to win!!!!
She wants to defeat and crush her opponent... but that's not all!!!
- Let's move on to the next round, Tessa.
She doesn't answer her! She's taunting her! She offers him a sweet smile, but it's the one that annoys Tessa!!! She pisses her off!!! She annoys her!!! Tessa clenches a fist and Deshya hands Korone back her cards. She looks at them, imagining she must have a straight, but then—
- I-It's just a pair?!" cries the little girl.
- W-What?!!
- A pair, hardly???
- While she kept all her cards...?
Maruno snatches them from Korone's hand and looks at them.
A pair of 5's... with the highest card being a 7. A decent hand, but much weaker than they thought! Tessa frowns.
- A pair of 5s, barely...?
True, Tessa would still have lost, but if she'd had a bit of luck and a pair of her own, she wouldn't have hesitated to face Deshya's challenge. She wouldn't have given up and would have bet the bare minimum before asking to see... and she would have won. She would have put an end to this poker game!
- She bet it all on such a weak hand...?! Was she really bluffin’? So I wouldn't bet? But even to bet EVERYTHING? She went crazy from the pressure...?" she wonders.
Tessa shakes her head: she mustn't be fooled by Deshya's bluff. She's just trying to unsettle Tessa and gain a psychological advantage: as long as Tessa doesn't fall into her trap, she's convinced she'll win outright. This is just one last desperate attempt to survive, so as long as she keeps her cool, the situation doesn't change. Tessa is certain of it! She can still see victory ahead, within her grasp: Deshya's attempt has failed! When she notices that Tessa isn't falling for it, she'll lose what little hope she has in herself! She'll fall into the abyss and no more light will shine for her!!! This will be the end, the end, the end!!! Tessa smiles as she looks at Deshya, but the latter faces her without returning it: she remains neutral. Korone shuffles and the crowd calms down, impatient to see what's going to happen for this nineteenth round: from now on, the minimum bet is '100€'! 1/10th of the initial sum, a total of 20 chips. Korone places the two cards on the table and everyone turns their attention to them. Everyone's hearts are pounding! What's going to happen in this game? Everyone wants to know!!! Everyone!!! The cards are as follows: the ♦Q and the ♦10.
This means... !
- A-A royal flush!!!
- A color is even possible!!!
- I don't believe it, I don't believe it!
- OOOOOH!!!
- All in again, Deshya!!!!
- I'm going to explode my skull!!!
One more time! Once again, it's possible to have a royal flush! The strongest hand in poker, the luckiest hand possible, a guaranteed win!!!! Deshya and Tessa challenge each other with their eyes: they want to hold her! The ♦J, the ♦K and the ♦A! The royal flush! Is it possible?! Will this hand finally see the light of day during this nineteenth round?! Everyone is waiting for just one thing: the answer to this question! Korone offers the three cards to the two players with sweaty palms: Deshya's behavior worries him. Has she hit rock bottom and can't think straight? Does she want to finish this game, even if she loses? Has the pressure finally eaten away at his spirit?! Korone doesn't want such a thing to happen: Deshya must get her act together quickly, or else...! Tessa looks down and observes the three cards she's just received: the ♦9, the ♥10 and the ♠K.
- If I keep my ♥10, I'm certain to have at least a pair. However, if I keep the ♦9 and the ♠K, I can have a straight if, by chance, I manage to get a jack. Or maybe I just keep the ♦9 and pray for a straight flush or even a flush..." she thinks.
If she keeps her '10', then she's playing it safe and making sure she has little better than a high card; if she keeps one or both of the other two cards, then she's betting everything on luck. However, Tessa makes up her mind quickly.
- If I don't have a straight or a flush, then chances are I'll have to give up this round... So next time, I'll be forced to bet after Deshya: if I'm unlucky, then I'll lose chips. Is this really what I want? I'm still in the lead, even psychologically, so don't give her a chance, stupid!
With these thoughts, she asks to exchange two cards So she keeps her ♥10, which ensures she has at least one pair. Deshya asks to exchange her three cards before cracking her neck on both sides and keeping her composure. She still shows no smile, or any other emotion. Yet Deshya can feel them. The flames of her mind!
- Here.
Korone offers two cards to Tessa, who graciously grabs them. She looks at them hoping for at least a 'two pair', however—!
The ♥A and the ♣8.
Her hand is a pair of 10s with an ace as the highest card. A hand that Tessa likes, but that worries her a little: if Deshya does indeed hold better, she'll lose a few chips. Tessa is the first to bet in this round, so she has to decide without keeping everyone waiting. After a little thought, she decides what to do.
- I bet '120€'!
A total of 24 chips join the fight! 20 more than the minimum amount! The crowd starts to get slowly excited, but the calm is still not broken. They're glad Tessa didn't go down, but what they're really interested in is whether Deshya will give up or not. Tessa looks at her opponent, waiting for his decision. There's also the possibility that she'll give up, noticing that her hand isn't good enough: losing even the minimum possible, which is '100€', would be disastrous for Deshya, both in terms of his total sum and his mind. In short, Tessa expects her to play it safe if she doesn't even have a pair, or even a 'two pair'.
- You gave me a good scare with your €620 bets, but you didn't fool me. I'm not that stupid," Tessa smiled inwardly.
Barely a second has passed since Tessa staked her '120€' and she's made up her mind. Everyone in the living room is watching her intently: what will she decide this time? Give up or bet? How many chips will they join the fight? 20? 25? Perhaps 30? Calm may have returned, but it can quickly be shattered depending on Deshya's decision. She moves her hands and—
- I bet…
She won't give up! She believes in her hand! She closes her eyes and pushes in several chips. Deshya has decided that her bet will be—
- '500€'.
A total of 100 chips in one go !!! 500€' from the first bet!!! A huge amount! Astronomical!! Almost all of her money!!!
- WHAT?!!
The silence is suddenly broken: the crowd roars! Excitement! Of incomprehension !!! Of euphoria!!! Tessa hits the table with her right fist and stares straight into Deshya's eyes: she's bet '500€' without the slightest hesitation!!! She doesn't show the slightest fear: she's confident! She's confident in her hand! She's confident in her cards! She doesn't back down, she doesn't run away, she doesn't give up!!!!! She does it! She dares! She bets a total of 100 chips!!!!
- She's gone mad!" exclaimed Korone.
The flames in Deshya's eyes burn everything! Absolutely everything! It's almost impossible to breathe, they're suffocating! The spectators shout and cheer Deshya, encouraging her! No one can believe it: she's lost her mind! She's lost all sense of fear! Tessa stares at Deshya's 100 advanced chips, trembling, unable to make a decision without even hesitating.
- W-What the hell is she doing?!" wonders Tessa. I-Is s-she-she trying to piss me off?! She's... What's she doing?!! I don't get it!
Tessa clenches her fists, while the crowd continues to get excited in all directions. The shouts and screams don't even reach Tessa, who is too focused on the absurd wager Deshya has just uttered. It's huge! If Tessa manages to win this round, Deshya will only have '120€' left: in short, the next time she loses, it'll be the end! She'll be below the minimum '75€' and the game's over! Tessa will be victorious!
- Then why do you bet so much?! Are you that confident in your hand, Deshya?!!" wonders Tessa, her heart beating even faster than before.
She bites her fist, trying to calm herself: she has to understand this behavior. She has to decide whether to give up here or continue betting.
- Give up... I see! She's trying to do that, I'm so stupid!
Tessa stops clenching her fists and smiles: she challenges Deshya with an ember gaze. Their flames but Tessa takes a step forward.
- I bet '100€' more and I ask to see !
She doesn't give up, even in the face of this immense sum of money! She bets! She adds 20 chips to the fight! She faces Deshya's 100 with her 44! Tessa smiles broadly.
- You want me to crumble under the pressure of your chips and give up so as not to give you any more of my chips, don't you? I won't let you! I'm gonna gobble you up, crush you, defeat you, DESHYA!!!!
Her flames are growing! Her smile portends victory, Tessa believes in herself with all her spirit! She's got a good pair, so she's moving forward! She doesn't flinch in the face of Deshya's immense army, and she faces it without fear! The only question now is whether Tessa will win Deshya's 100 chips, her '500€' bet, or lose her 44 chips, her '220€'! If Deshya is the loser of this round, then she'll drop to '120€'! Hardly enough money! 24 chips!! A total which is almost the same as the current minimum possible bet!!! That would be disastrous! This could herald the end of this game!!! Deshya will lose hope, she'll be sunk so far into the abyss that she won't be able to see any light at all! Surrounded by darkness, hope will no longer exist for Deshya! Tessa will be the only one bathed in light, the only possible winner!
But!
- S-She smiles!
- OOOOH?!!!
- Does she have a flush?!
- I don't believe it, I don't believe it !!!
- I should have brought a camera, raaah!!!!
Deshya smiles!
Deshya smiles!!!!!
Tessa begins to breathe more rapidly, her eyes wide open: Deshya is bathed in her own flames!! Fear no longer exists in her world ! Darkness is not allowed in her world! She grabs her cards with confident hands. The crowd roars with excitement, Maruno even rises from his chair. Korone's mouth is dry, but she can't afford to drink: she has to know! She must know Deshya's hand! Will she win Tessa's bet or lose '500€' all at once?
?! Go up the slope smiling or fall into the abyss with no way back?!!! What's going to happen?!! Nobody knows! Even the Gods are sweating over this round: even they have no idea what the outcome will be!!!!
- GO!!!
- DESHYA !!!!
- TESSA !!!!
- A QUINTE!!!
- A COLOR!!!
- A STRAIGHT FLUSH !!!!
Maruno gives a big smile.
- A ROYAL QUINTE FLUSH!!!" he shouts.
Tessa shakes her head, her mouth unable to close.
- Y-You can't have a royal flush, can you... D Deshya?!
She can't believe her luck! She switched all her cards, so it's unthinkable that such a thing could happen! Sure, Tessa managed to hold a four of a kind while shuffling all her cards, but a royal flush?! Tessa refuses to believe it! Is she really going to lose? Has she fallen into Deshya's real trap?!!!! Her opponent's cards fall face-up on the table! They're out in the open! They'll know which hand Deshya has!!! They'll finally know who's going to win this round!!!! Is it the girl with the purple hair or the one with the fox ears? Who will win the other's money? Who?!! The tension is unbearable!!!! Everyone turns to Tessa: if she has a better hand than Deshya, then she wins this round! Then she wins! She'll be one round away from beating Deshya once and for all!!!
- Are you winning, Tessa?!" yells Maruno at her.
She doesn't offer her answer directly. She looks at Deshya's three cards with wide eyes and a short breath. She freezes, as if time has stopped around her. Deshya's hand…
It's not a royal flush.
The hand she holds... Her three cards... Tessa has a pair of 10s, the highest card being the ace... While Deshya, she... She...!
- ...I…
Tessa finally blinks: time resumes. Whoever wins this round... This abominable pressure eating away at everyone's heart... Every eye is fixed on Tessa: her hand can put an end to all Deshya's hopes. If her pair of 10s is better than her opponent's three cards, she'll win '500€' in one go. Tessa stares at Deshya for a few moments before dropping her cards.
- ...you…
Deshya smiles broadly. The gleam in her eyes is not only that of the flames... but also of something else. Her expression is…
- …
Maruno shakes Tessa and yells at her to say what hand she has. Tessa looks at him and opens her mouth—
—before laughing.
- S-She's laughing...?
- Has she lost her mind too?
- I bet it's contagious! We're all going crazy!! Waaa!!!
- Shut the fuck up.
- I'm sorry.
Tessa grabs her cards and turns them over, staring at Deshya. She tries to calm her laughter, but just as they think she's about to stop, she resumes. Maruno opens her eyes wide at Tessa's cards and one of the crowd points to them.
- T-This means that the winner of this round is... is…!
Deshya sits down and cracks the back of her neck. She doesn't say a word, just looks at Tessa and smiles. The latter continues to laugh and throws away her cards before smiling broadly.
- It's me!" she screams.
Deshya only has a high card. Tessa has a pair. So Deshya's '500€' goes to Tessa.
- S-She has only '120€'!!!
- No more…
- Deshyaaaaa, I was betting on you!!!!
- Waaaa, she's nuts, I must say!!!!
- I have to admit that '500€' in one go... Plus, with a high card?! Stupid.
- However, if Tessa had taken a little more time and thought things through without worrying, she probably would have understood that asking to see was a bad idea..." thinks Maruno. If she had bet her money without asking to see, Deshya would have had to put it all on the line or give up: at which point Tessa would surely have ended the match or destroyed Deshya completely. She was fooled in her psychological game.
Tessa picks up Deshya's 100 chips with a sigh of relief, a smile still on her face. She'd been so afraid of losing this round... but no: it had all been a bluff. An astronomical bet designed to make Tessa give up.
However, it didn't work.
Before mixing, Korone drinks to dehydrate herself, but she doesn't pour the water into her glass: she finishes her whole bottle in one go. She sighs happily and holds out the bottle with her two small hands to Maruno.
- Can I have another drink?" she asks.
- O-Okay…
Maruno grabs the empty bottle and rises from his chair, complying without grumbling. Korone starts mixing, but she does so slowly: she stares at Deshya, squinting.
- 500€' in one go, even for a bluff, was far too much... She's really lost it..." she thought.
Tessa felt the same way. At first she was afraid that Deshya really did have a superb hand, like a straight, and all that pressure made it hard for her to breathe: when she noticed that Deshya didn't even hold a pair, she was able to reassure herself and began to laugh like a madwoman. However, even if she finds the situation amusing, she doesn't understand Deshya's decision at all. 500€' is too high a bet when she only had '620€'. So she goes down to '120€', while Deshya goes up to '1880€'.
24 chips against 376.
Tessa has about 15.5 times more chips than Deshya. It's hard to believe that this game won't end in victory for Tessa. Not only does Deshya have almost nothing left, but whether she shows it or not, this defeat is bound to play on her mind: she must be devastated. She must be at the bottom of the abyss, and not even the flames that have managed to revive in her eyes can light her way.
- It's over..." thinks Tessa.
She can play it safe and wait until she has a very good hand before betting. Maruno returns with the filled water bottle and places it in front of Korone, right next to her glass. The little girl thanks him with a beautiful smile and finally stops shuffling. She places the first two cards of the pack on the table and everyone turns to them:
The ♠A and the ♦6.
- No straight or flush this time..." sighs a student in the crowd.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
The three cards are offered to the two teenagers, who observe them for a few moments, but both give them back to Korone at the same time: they exchange their whole hand. Korone puts them to one side and offers three new cards to Deshya, then to Tessa. Tessa looks at them and prays for a good hand, like three aces, but…
The ♦6, the ♠10 and the ♦2.
- A pair of '6s' with the highest card a '10'... It's not much, but it's still a pair.
Tessa looks up to observe Deshya, but before she can, sounds of excitement ring out.
- I'm all in.
Deshya's 24 tokens advance. His entire army. Her remaining '120€', the little bit of her army that still allows her to survive in this poker game! Tessa wonders why anyone should be surprised: after all, she doesn't really have a choice. She could bet '100€', which is the current minimum stake, but it wouldn't make any difference: if she loses them, she'll only have '20€' left, which is well below the '75€', the minimum accepted to stay 'alive' in this game. In short, Deshya prefers to bet it all: this seems logical to Tessa. She turns to Maruno, who also seems to be mildly shocked.
- Why...? Did she do something I didn't notice?" she wonders.
Tessa doesn't understand the excitement coming from the spectators, but she finally shakes her head.
- It's just because it's possible that we'll end the game with this round, nothing more! Don't think about such trivial things, Tessa," she thinks.
She looks at Deshya and notices the confidence emanating from her, which surprises her. Shouldn't she be in the depths of the abyss, unable to see the slightest light of hope or victory...? So how can she smile like that? If her hand isn't stronger than Tessa's, she loses this game, after all. Given all the effort she's put into surviving, Deshya can't simply not care anymore: that's what Tessa thinks. In fact, she's convinced of it.
- Do I bet or not?" she wonders.
If she doesn't back down from this challenge, she can finish this game with just €100. The minimum amount she can place on the board. Just 20 chips, which would take Deshya from '120€' to '220€'. From 24 to 44 chips. In short, nothing at all. Tessa scratches her head, but decides quickly.
- I bet '100€' and ask to see.
It doesn't move backwards, but stops dead in its tracks. The tension is back in the living room: it's possible that this twentieth round will be the last of the game. It's not impossible to think that Deshya will lose to Tessa, 0 chips to 400, a defeat caused by the absurd bet Deshya made the round before. Nevertheless, Deshya turns over his cards with a smile and shows them to Tessa. If this hand is less strong than a pair of 6s, then Tessa wins, the only exception being if Deshya has as his highest card a rank above 10, such as jack, queen, king or even ace. Like everyone else, Tessa looks at Deshya's three cards and swallows loudly: this poker game could end on this run…
- S-She has a pair...
Tessa blinks. Deshya's hand is—
A pair of aces!
The cards ♥5, ♠J and ♣A present themselves to Tessa, which means only one thing...!
- ...you win.
Deshya wins this round! Students in the crowd sigh in relief or grunt in displeasure, as Deshya grabs the measly 20 chips she's just won. In reality, even if she manages to survive, she only has a total of 44 chips, compared to Tessa's 356: the difference is so enormous that it's impossible to celebrate this small victory. Korone can't even smile, because this game is far from over if it goes on like this. Tessa can always bet the minimum and ask to see directly if she feels like it, which will prevent Deshya from taking a good win. In short, Tessa allows her to climb the slope little by little, but so slowly that Deshya will be mentally exhausted, unable to think straight and falling for Tessa's trick. She'll have to back down in the face of numerous challenges, and will be afraid to make the slightest risky move: her mind would be completely defeated. Korone obviously doesn't want this to happen, but having lost her '500€', she really thinks it will. She glances quickly at Deshya before mixing and doesn't hide her astonishment.
Deshya is still smiling.
- Is she amused, or is she just pretending to hide her doubts and fear from Tessa?” Korone wonders.
Tessa tilts her head towards Maruno.
- Why did you all seem shocked?" she asks.
- What, this round?
- Yes.
- Aaah, that's because Deshya grabbed the cards Korone gave her, but she put them down without even looking at them.
- Ah...?
- She did it so fast you probably didn't notice, hehe.
Tessa settles back in her seat and stares at Deshya with squinted eyes.
- She didn't look at her hand like that, she wouldn't have been disappointed if she had bad cards...?" wonders Tessa.
She can understand his strategy: in any case, she would have lost on her first bet. However, what Tessa doesn't understand is that she could have looked at her cards, and if it wasn't even a pair, she could have folded. Tessa crosses her arms, but has no more time to think about it: Korone places the two cards on the table. Everyone is watching.
The ♣J and the ♣10.
- Another possibility for a royal flush...?!" shouts one of the students.
- Hmm... I'm starting to think it's rigged.
- Are you sure the kid's not cheating?! And you too, Maruno?!!!
Maruno turns around, gritting his teeth.
- Why would I cheat, huh?!
Korone offers the three cards to Tessa and Deshya before observing each of the pack, wondering if there's cheating in the air. Although Tessa doesn't always have the best cards, it seems impossible for her to lay down two cards of the same suit or almost the same rank every time. Are the Gods so amused by this poker game that they've decided to make it even more interesting? Korone is certain to get the shuffle right this time and would never dare cheat.
- I guess we're just spectators to an incredible game, that's all..." she decides to believe.
Tessa looks at her cards, but they don't show a flush, a straight or a pair, so she decides to swap all three. Unlike her, Deshya keeps one in her hand. Tessa squints, suspicious of this card.
- She must have a pair or is looking for a color..." she thinks.
Although she managed to win '€100' in the previous round, she can't play too risky or she'll lose it all: in short, Tessa is convinced that she's not looking for a straight, but has a pair. There's also the possibility that she's going for a 'flush', but that seems to be just as likely. Tessa picks up three more cards and looks at them with a neutral expression.
The ♠6, the ♦3 and the ♥A.
- I've only got one high card…
However, she still has an ace, so she can't be beaten. Nevertheless, if Deshya holds a pair, then Tessa can't win... She immediately understands that the best solution is to fold and not give Deshya a chance... However, a flash crosses her mind.
- W-Wait, it's true…
Tessa grits her teeth as she stares at Deshya. She just remembered something she herself said before the game started. That rule she made all by herself…
- We're in the twenty-first inning, we're not allowed to lie down any more..." she thinks.
From this round onwards, no one can fold. Whether Deshya or Tessa, an opening bet is mandatory.
- Shit, I'm going to lose money on my own rule…
She regrets this decision, but she could never have imagined in advance that it would bother him directly, or that it would make him feel bad. Rather, she hadn't really thought about it. Tessa smiled quickly.
- It's not impossible for her to bluff by keeping a card, like when she bet everything and kept her three cards... Besides, even if I can't fold now, I only have to bet once or twice the minimum and I'll be fine. I mustn't forget that she won't be able to fold afterwards either, so it can quickly turn to my advantage~!
These thoughts immediately put a smile on her face, and the frustration of not being able to go to bed goes away as quickly as it arrived. So she decides to bet the bare minimum, a total of 22 chips, '110€'. She glares at Deshya, asking what she's going to do without speaking a word. Tessa already suspects that she's going to call and then decide what to do: bet '110€' more or give up in the face of risk this round? It seems the most logical choice.
- Everything.
But is Deshya still acting logically? Deshya smiles broadly and pushes all her chips in. She bets—
- I bet my '220€'!
Absolutely everything! These 44 chips, she bets them all! She doesn't even play it safe: she doesn't hesitate at all!! With a crazy smile, she bets everything she's got on her!!! If she loses this round, it's the end of this game!!! The crowd can't help but get excited: Deshya may have lost her mind, she manages to make things even more interesting! Maruno smiles as she sweats, while Korone still can't figure out what's going on behind her head: is it because she's crazy, or is it because she's completely confident in her hand? Does she have a high card or a straight? Is it even possible to understand her actions? Are they worth understanding?! She doesn't know! Korone can't grasp Deshya's thoughts!
- T-That chick!" exclaims Tessa.
Her smile taunts Tessa. She challenges her, calls her a coward and makes one thing clear: she's going to lose. She's going to lose this round. She's going to lose her 22 chips and pass them all to Deshya! Deshya could bet her clothes, her house even: she'll never lose this round! It's a smile without hesitation, an evil expression! Tessa can't stand it! She can't believe she'd dare bet everything like that!!! It's not the first time she's done it, and this time it's with an even more intense smile that she bets everything she's got!!! She challenges her: if Tessa bets again and asks to see, she can defeat her. She can dominate Deshya and force her to her knees, she'll be the winner of this poker game! She'll be the one who reaches the top first, no problem! If Tessa gives up, she only gives Deshya '110€', but then she runs away! Then she thinks more in her opponent than in her own cards! So she refuses to face her and calls her bluff! Perhaps this is the best solution, perhaps fleeing the battle and abandoning her troops is what she must choose…
But Tessa refuses! She refuses to give up!
- I... I bet '110€' more and I ask to see !!!
She continues! 220€' against '220€'! 44 chips against 44 chips! This round can be the last of this game if Deshya has only one high card that has no aces!!!! It's not an impossibility! Tessa didn't succumb to Deshya's pressure, she dared to face her without backing down a single step!!!! All eyes are on Deshya: they want to know. Which hand does she have? Is it better than Tessa's? Will this be her last round? They all want to know the answer to this gnawing question! Deshya stops smiling and grabs her cards. She turns them over gently, eyelids lowered. Tessa smiles broadly: has she lost hope...?! Had Deshya used a bluff and really believed it would work? If she holds a high card with no aces, then Tessa wins!! She'll beat her!!!
However... However…!
HOWEVER !!!!
- Tessa…
Deshya looks up and smiles broadly in turn.
- Thanks for the '220€', stuuuuupid!!!!
- OOOOOOH!!!!
- I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!
- I'm going to piss myself, I can't believe what I'm seeing!!!!
- Waaaa!!!!
- I really should have filmed the whole thing, damn it!!!!
Korone, Maruno and Tessa watch Deshya's hand with bewildered expressions. His cards... What Deshya has is... It's...!
- A straight?!
The ♦8, the ♥9 and the ♠Q!!! A straight that starts at the '8' and ends on the queen!!!! So Deshya was certain of victory as soon as she saw her cards!!!! Deshya collects the 44 chips, laughing, while Tessa grits her teeth: she didn't even show her hand! Deshya dares to take everything for herself! She doesn't care what Tessa has: she knows she's won. She doesn't need confirmation! Tessa throws down her cards and clicks her tongue. Maruno picks them up and looks at them before handing them back to Korone.
- You only had a high card, why did you bet a second time...?" he asks.
- I'd already started this round and I thought she was bluffing to force me to give up, so I thought I'd have a chance of winning the game if I didn't fall for it... but it looks like I've fallen into her real trap.
With a straight in her hand, Deshya could never have lost: it would have been highly unlikely, in any case. Tessa now understands that her strategy was to make her think she was bluffing to force her to bet again, and thus win more than just a bet. Tessa clenches her fist: with a simple high card, she should never have bet again. She should have given up and accepted defeat. She let Deshya play on her mentality, which is not a good thing at all: she needs to calm down. Tessa needs to think about the game and not get 'corrupted' by Deshya's madness. If she gets carried away, then the roles will be reversed: Tessa will be led on a leash by Deshya, which could mean the game taking an unpleasant turn for her. Tessa has managed to break Deshya's spirit throughout this game, but now that her opponent has started to stake everything on it, she'll have to do better. As if she didn't care about losing, Tessa has trouble playing with her mind. What to do then? She doesn't understand what Deshya is up to, and the way she's taunting her is so irritating that Tessa can't stand still... She feels like getting up and losing her temper, frustrated by her behavior. Tessa manages to calm down, but her heart is still beating rapidly. Korone finishes shuffling and puts down the two cards, swallowing loudly, praying that they're not yet the harbingers of a possible straight.
The ♦9 and the ♥5.
- E-Enjoy the possibility of a straight..." sighs Korone.
- Damn!" smiled Maruno.
Possessing the '6', '7' and '8' cards is a guaranteed victory Both players understand this immediately. They challenge each other's eyes before turning their attention to the cards they have just received. In this Twenty-second round, Deshya has '440€' and Tessa '1560€': 88 chips to 312! Tessa prays for good cards and looks at them.
The ♣A, the ♦6 and the ♥J.
Unfortunately, it's not a straight from the first hand. So she can't do anything with her three cards, however, Tessa still decides to keep the ♦6: if she manages to get lucky, she can receive a '7' and an '8' to have a straight: so her chances of winning will be at the maximum! She could trade all in and hope for a pair, but Tessa decides to go for it: she wants the straight. She wants to hold a hand that would shatter Deshya's hopes! Force her to play like crazy and lose everything! If she can do that, the whole advantage of this game will be on her side! Tessa wants to beat Deshya to the punch! So she swaps two cards and lets out a smile as she turns to Deshya, but it quickly disappears and she looks at her in shock.
- I'm not trading anything.
Deshya... keeps her three cards. She gives none away! She believes in her hand!
She's the one smiling!!!
Tessa grits her teeth and violently grabs the cards Korone offered her before holding them firmly. Unfortunately for her, she's holding cards ♦6, ♣8 and ♦J.
- I-If only that jack were a '7'...!!
She wants to scream in rage, but does her best to keep a neutral look on her face: if she shows Deshya her frustration, she'll let her know that she hasn't managed to get a straight, or a good hand. Tessa only has a single high card, so she doesn't think she can bet anything with that, especially as Deshya hasn't exchanged any of her cards.
- I bet '265€'," says Deshya.
- ... Huh?
Tessa looks at her with wide eyes. Deshya smiles and pushes a total of 53 chips. Some time passes before the crowd starts to get excited. Tessa grits her teeth as she shakes and puts down her cards before clenching her fists.
- D-Deshyaaa!!!
She just bet €265! Anyway, if she loses all that…
She'll only get '75€', the minimum accepted to survive in this game!!!
She pushed her chips without hesitation!!! She faces defeat with a big smile, she's not afraid of anything anymore !!! Does she still know what fear is?! Does she still have a good head on her shoulders?!!! People doubt it!!! Deshya just risks victory in every round, as if losing doesn't matter to her anymore!!!! It's as if she's asking Tessa to defeat her and prove that she's stronger!!!! Tessa wants to bet, to make her understand that SHE'S the one who's going to win, though!!! Tessa wants to push her chips, her army, crush her opponent laughing, though!!!! Tessa wants to bet an astronomical amount and then prove to Deshya that she won't lose to her, though!!!!!
HOWEVER !!!!!
- I-I give up!! I won't bet against you!!!
She refuses!!! She backs down from Deshya's challenge!!!! This disappoints everyone and the students start grumbling, which pisses Tessa off even more. She bangs her fist on the table and throws her cards away.
- You think I'm going to bet anything with my high card?! She's got at least a pair, if not better!" she shouts.
- I have a high card too.
- ... Huh?
Tessa freezes and turns to Deshya. The latter picks up the 53 chips she has pushed to her side before showing her cards with a totally neutral air, as if life had left her body.
- See?
The ♠7, the ♠4, the ♠3. Three cards of the same suit, but of low rank. She has an even weaker hand than Tessa!
- If I had... bet…
Deshya nods.
- You would have won.
She returns her cards to Korone before tilting her head.
- I could have swapped the ♠7 or ♠3 hoping for a straight, but oh well.
Deshya looks Tessa straight in the eye before smiling broadly.
- It's more fun this way, don't you think, Tessa~?
Tessa clenches her fists and jumps to her feet. The crowd goes wild as Maruno moves to calm her friend down, but Tessa stays put before shaking her head in rage.
- What are ya doin’, Deshya?!" she screams.
Her opponent didn't reply, still staring straight at her. Her smile irritates Tessa even more, preventing her from maintaining her composure. Her lack of response makes her want to punch the wall behind her, but she holds back.
- Answer!" shouts Tessa.
Deshya finally stops smiling and touches her lips with her forefinger. She tilts her head with a teasing expression, but so faint that only Tessa can see it.
- Let's play, shall we?
Tessa is speechless, unable to reply to anything. The room is completely silent, and Deshya finally breaks the silence by turning to Korone.
- Would you mind mixing it up? So we can start the next round?" she asks gently.
- O-Oh... Yes.
Korone nods slowly and picks up the two cards on the table, including Tessa's three discards. Maruno helps her and Korone thanks him. He replies 'You're welcome' with a small smile before turning to Deshya. Tessa sits up and grits her teeth, frowning, not at all understanding what's going on with Deshya. At first, she thought she'd simply lost her mind under the pressure, but now she understands there's something else to her madness. Unlike Tessa, Maruno knows exactly what's going on. He can understand it because he's already seen Deshya play seriously, just under a year ago, but also because he knows someone else who's like Deshya, although probably a little different all the same. If that's what he thinks, then any round can probably be the last one from now on.
- Will you survive her madness, Tessa?" wonders Maruno with a smile.
Korone shuffles and the twenty-third round is about to begin. Deshya smiles not out of madness, but because she's happy: she's managed to understand what was wrong with her. What was frustrating her? What was preventing her from playing well? The feeling of lack that had been eating away at her from the inside. She's so happy to be free at last.
- All because I was playing against Tessa and my head was a little elsewhere…
Deshya looked at the one she loved, squinting happily. She'd played it too safe because she was afraid of losing, so Deshya had completely forgotten that part of herself.
A side that loves danger.
Playing with defeat and death every second.