[https://i.imgur.com/OCT3KwR.jpg]
----------------------------------------
- TESSA!!!!
- DESHYA!!!!!
- GO!!!!
- PLEAAAASE!!!!!
The audience goes wild. The living room becomes a real furnace because of the determination of the two players, and the poker game reaches its climax, its end! The twenty-sixth round is also the last! Deshya's '€1000' bet against Tessa's '€1000'! 200 chips against 200 chips!!! Whoever has the best hand wins it all! She'll emerge victorious from this poker game with all the other player's chips! Who will make it to the top first?! Was it Tessa, who managed to gain a psychological advantage and only once fell below the initial sum of '1000€', or was it Deshya who managed to turn the game in her favor thanks to her madness and her illogical decisions?! They're all going to find out !! The two opponents' cards are turned over on the table and all eyes are on them. Both have a pair of aces, so the highest card will determine who wins this game!!! Deshya holds an '♥2', while Tessa holds the '♥3', which means that if the other card is of the same rank, Tessa wins!!! If Deshya holds a card higher than the '♦J', then she will succeed in defeating her opponent! Then she'll protect her secret! Then she won't put her in danger!!!!
- I'M GOING TO WIN!!!" she screams inwardly.
She believes!!! Deshya totally believes it!!!
However!
- I'M GOING TO WIN, DESHYA!!!!
Tessa is just as determined and convinced of her victory! She doesn't doubt her own game! She's reaching for the top!!! Her army will crush Deshya's!!! She's the one who'll manage to collect all her opponent's chips!!! She believes!!! Tessa wants to beat her!!! She wants to win this game she started herself !!! The crowd is going wild! In euphoria!!! The winner is... Will Deshya protect her secret?! Will Tessa find out?!
The Deshya card that will determine the outcome of this battle — no, this war — is…
This card is...!!
- TESSA!!!!
- OOOOH!!!!
- SHE…
Deshya opens her eyes wide. Some of the crowd raise their fists in the air, shouting.
- SHE WON !!!!!
CHAPTER 24
⎾Revealing a Secret⏌
Korone doesn't believe what she sees in front of her. Maruno finally breathes again and Tessa opens her mouth wide. Some students hug each other: the one they've been supporting has just won this game!!! They scream with joy! They've just experienced a historic moment they'll never forget!!!! Deshya's jaw trembles gently and she freezes, while on Tessa's face a smile begins to form.
She is victorious! She has succeeded in overcoming her opponent!!! She is the one who reaches the first!!! She can only accept her defeat, painful as it is!!!!
- TESSA!!!!
- D-DESHYA!!!!!
- BECAUSE OF A SINGLE ROW, REALLY?!
Exactly: Deshya's card has only one rank of difference with Tessa's card! A narrow victory!! If she hadn't bet the whole amount, then she wouldn't have lost!!! Then this game would have gone o !!! Then she could have kept fighting!!! However, she lost everything! Her 200 chips!!! Her '1000€'!!! Her chances of winning this fight!!!!
It's her defeat! It's a crushing defeat, even psychologically!!! She can't believe it!!!
- D-Deshya!" shouts Korone.
Some students start running towards the winner, and one of them even jumps on her: they can't calm down! The pressure and tension that have reigned in this room for the last few minutes are finally released, so they, too, are letting off steam! They're happy to have been spectators to such a game!
Some are disappointed that their favorite didn't win, but they have no regrets! Who could have guessed that this poker game would have been so exciting! It started with Tessa as the dominant player, Deshya managed to tame the beast and proved to her adversary that she wouldn't be denied. However, her madness also worked against her! She lost several chips! She may have been able to recover, but in the end she bet it all!!!! Deshya believed in her hand, even though it was only a pair of aces, she decided to believe in her game!!! Was it worth it? Tessa smiles broadly and Korone trembles. This game is over! She's won! She's happy!!! Her heart is beating so fast in her chest! It's madness in her heart! Everyone is buzzing around the winner!!!
Deshya wins this game !!!!
- I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!
Tessa smiles, but it's not out of joy: she's stunned! She's lost everything in this round... by Deshya's '♥Q'!!! A card just one rank higher than her '♦J'!!! A queen against a jack! The cards that determined this game!!! Deshya wins!!! Deshya won!!! She overcame the abyss and sent Tessa to the bottom, grabbing the top!!!!
Deshya protects her secret!!!!
- DESHYAAAA!!!!
- What an incredible game!
- Tessa, you were gorgeous too!!!
- My heart exploded at least ten times in my chest, I have to drink water!!!!
All the students start talking to each other or to the two players. Deshya asks them to move away a little because she feels oppressed, although she's smiling thanks to the victory. She can't even understand all the emotions running through her, but she knows one thing: she's happy. She's relieved to have won, to have beaten Tessa in this game. It came down to almost nothing, and she even thought she'd lost at the very end, but she's done it: she's protecting her secret. She takes a breath and rises from her chair before saying she's going to the toilet. Everyone applauds her and starts chatting to Tessa, who has stopped smiling and is watching the Queen of Deshya with a bemused expression. She just can't believe it. She lost everything. Having started the game with a chip and psychological advantage, she managed to get corrupted by Deshya's madness and bet it all... and lost it all. By a single round.
- Tessa, you played well!
- Waaaa, I can't believe you bet it all in the end!!!!
One of the students pats her on the back and the crowd chats with the loser, but they don't taunt her. Some tease her, but even those who were rooting for her don't dampen the mood: they're happy. They're happy to have taken part in this crazy game and can't calm their hearts. They'll never forget what they've just seen today. A battle between two geniuses. Tessa, the one you're afraid to approach because of her aura. Deshya, the one you want to cuddle because of her cuteness. Two dangerous adversaries who would have gobbled up their opponents with ease if they weren't facing someone as monstrous as themselves. Korone stands up and says she's going to check on Deshya. Maruno nods and looks at Tessa. Although she's lost, she starts smiling again and begins chatting to the spectators. She doesn't insult Deshya or say she was just lucky, but…
- I got soundly beaten. She was just better.
Tessa fully accepts her defeat: Deshya has managed to climb that slippery slope all by herself, so there's nothing she can do but stoop with a smile. Next time, she'll win: she promises herself.
The students leave the house one by one and Tessa goes to her kitchen to get a can of soda. She opens it using the nail of her index finger and rests it on the worktop. She sighs before taking a drink, closing her eyes.
- What a game, though.
Tessa bows her head and looks at the boy who has just entered her kitchen. The third member of the 'Fox Incorporated', Maruno Uffite. He sits down next to her and dangles his feet, smiling.
- I really thought I was going to explode at the end," he admits.
- I was convinced I was going to win, but I guess I'd blown my chance.
Tessa starts to smile, noticing what she's just said.
- Or rather, Deshya ate all my luck with her madness. Craziness.
She continues to drink and Maruno turns his gaze to her.
- Honestly, Deshya is someone I'd like to play against once," he says. However, I must admit that she lost her mind completely at the end.
- I told myself in the middle of the game that she was only doing it to confuse me, since I play well against other people's logic, but considering what she did at the end, I'm not so sure," admits Tessa.
- I think Deshya was herself.
- Perhaps…
- When she bet everything at the end, she could have done it to force you to give up, but at the same time, it would have been totally idiotic. If you'd kept your cool, you could have bet the minimum amount and asked to
see, then only Deshya could have lost.
Maruno cracks his fingers with a smile.
- She just liked the risk. That's who Deshya is," he admits.
Tessa drinks the whole can before throwing it into the garbage can, but just misses. She stretches her right arm, then her left, before smiling broadly.
- She loves risk too much. Faced with a pro or in a game where her life would be a danger, would she act the same way?" she asks, addressing Maruno.
The boy returns her smile and chuckles before replying.
- If Deshya is like someone I know, then I fear for her life. However, they are different…
- Oh, you mean her?
Maruno nods. Tessa scratches her cheek.
- I still think that Deshya's madness and her madness are different..." she retorts.
- I'm sure of it too. However, whether it's Deshya or her, these are opponents who have to play on their opponent's nerves…
He chuckles before jumping off the worktop and facing Tessa.
- I mean, you were completely in her game at the end.
Tessa sighs and crosses her legs.
- I could have kept my cool and not bet it all like a madwoman, but I admit I was pissed off that I hadn't managed to win before, so I wanted to totally crush her!
She slams her fist into the palm of her other hand with a smile, but sighs with a grumble and drops her head back.
- I should have played better. I suck…
- No, you don’t!
- I still lost. I'll have to take a forfeit, and what's more…
Tessa doesn't finish her sentence, but she's disappointed that she doesn't know what's under Deshya's hood. From now on, she must take it upon herself not to bother him with it... Tessa totally regrets having lost this game and realizes how foolish she has been. She swings her legs in frustration and wishes she could go back in time a few minutes to stop gambling like an idiot. Maruno looks at her with a smile and shoves his hands in his pockets.
- I'm going too, I hope Deshya doesn't ask you to come to school in a cute dress!" he teases her.
- I expect worse..." admits Tessa.
Maruno laughs and leaves the kitchen, heading for the entrance hall. He notices the little girl coming down the stairs one step at a time and stops before leaving the house.
- Is Deshya all right?" he asks.
Korone jumps up the last two steps with one foot and nods with a big smile.
- She's been holding back for a loooong time, so she makes a big poo-poo!" she smiles.
- I didn't want to know, but good for her!
He sticks out a hand to show her his thumb and winks an eye. Korone places both hands in front of her mouth and Maruno opens the front door.
- I'll see you again sometime, little one!" he says.
- Yiss! Bye bye, handsome guy!!
Korone waves both hands in front of her and Maruno closes the door behind him. The little girl joins Tessa in the kitchen and jumps up onto the chair. Tessa gazes at Korone, arms crossed.
- It was a superb match! I loved it!" says Korone with a smile.
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
- I'm disappointed to have lost anyway," admits Tessa.
- Deshyshy is crazy! Maddie!
- M-Maddie...?
- Yes! She's so crazy!
- Ahah, she really is.
Tessa smiles, bowing her head. Korone claps her hands.
- But Tessa was very strong! You imressed me! Impressed, I mean, hihi!
Tessa giggles and gets off the worktop before opening her fridge.
- Poker is a lot of luck, I was just luckier for a few rounds. When Deshya started acting crazy, I was completely dominated.
Tessa crouches down and grabs the bottle of orange juice. She stands up, closes the fridge and asks Korone if she'd like some too. The little girl nods and the sound of footsteps can be heard on the stairs. Tessa grabs three glasses and pours some juice into the first. She turns and offers it to Korone, who takes it with both hands, thanking her. As she dips her lips in the juice, Deshya enters the kitchen.
- I took my time..." she says, scratching her cheek.
- As long as you flush..." replies Tessa.
- Aaaah? Who do you think I am?!
Tessa smiles and pours herself some orange juice before asking her friend if she'd like some too. Deshya accepts and sits down next to Korone.
- Deshyshy, too strong! Too crazy, you even scared me!
- S-Scared...?" exclaimed Deshya.
She scratches her cheek and Tessa passes her a glass of juice before sitting down opposite them.
- You didn't scare me personally, but you made me want to hit you a few times," she admits.
- A-Ahah…
- Deshyshy was like 'Wraaa! I'm a demooon!! I bet it all, blaaah!'!
Korone puts down her glass and pushes it away before looking proud.
- I'll stake all my money on it. Challenge me if you dare, Tessa!!" she says.
Deshya and Tessa admire the little girl before breaking into hearty laughter. Korone picks up her glass and smiles, amused by her own performance. Tessa leans back against the back of her chair and looks at the two girls in front of her.
- So, Korone is going to live with you for a while?" says Tessa.
Korone nods and answers for Deshya.
- I'm going to live with Deshyshy! She's like my... b... b—b... Big-sister!!!
Deshya questions the little girl with her eyes, but Korone scratches her cheek.
- I still find it hard to say, hihi....
- Why is that?" asks Tessa.
- A-Ah, it's…
Korone looks down and opens her mouth, but says nothing. She lowers her eyelids before closing her eyes... and begins to smile again.
- It's because I won't be living with Deshyshy for long, so when I part with her, I'd rather think I'm parting with a friend than a big sister.
Korone finishes her glass of orange juice and jumps out of her chair.
- I'm waiting for you in the living room, Deshyshy!!!
- H-Hey! Korone, wait!!!
The little girl runs out of the kitchen and into the living room. She settles on the sofa and looks through the windows: the curtains have been opened after the game. She closes her eyes and smiles.
- Just... one more time, eh..." thinks Korone.
Meanwhile, Deshya stays in the kitchen with Tessa and sighs, resting her head against her fist
- Why did she run away like that...?" she wondered.
- You've got a bet to make, I must say.
Deshya blinks and turns to the one she loves. Tessa finishes her orange juice in turn and leans back to place the empty glass on the worktop. Tessa smiles as she stares at Deshya.
- As promised, I won't bother ya again with what's under yar hood, if ya really have something.
- B-But do you really think I'm hiding something... Like what?
It's a question Deshya has been asking herself for some time: does Tessa suspect she might be a fox girl, or is she thinking about something else? Tessa tilts her head gently to the left.
- Go figure, but you don't want us to see you without a hood, so my first thought was that you didn't want us to see your hair... I'm thinking, do you have a wig or do you already have a bald spot?
- H-Huuuuuuh?!
Deshya stares at her with a bewildered look and Tessa shows her teeth with a smile.
- Maybe you don't want us to see your gorgeous hair, so I wanted to see it first!!! Ahah!!
Deshya sighs with relief and relaxes in her chair, eyes closed. Tessa asks if she's all right, but Deshya nods.
- I just can't believe I've managed to win..." she admits.
- You were crazy enough to upset me, I must say.
- A-Ahah, that's the way I play…
Deshya scratches her cheek as she sits down comfortably in her chair. Tessa sighs and rests her chin on her head, staring at Deshya.
- Anyway, what do ya want me to do as a bet?
Tessa crosses her legs.
- Do ya want me to eat grass? Do ya want me to do the chicken dance? Do ya want me to go to school dressed as Sailor Moon or even Yuni?
- Y-You've got one of Yuni's outfits at home...? I didn't know you liked Precure.
- We all have our secrets~!
Deshya opens her eyes wide and finally smiles. Tessa is right: everyone has a secret - or rather, several. Deshya has managed to protect hers and is relieved, but she wonders how long she can keep it secret. Her two parents have always been the only ones to know, but Korone is a new addition to that list. Although her situation is different from that of people like Tessa or Maruno, Deshya has to get used to the idea that one day, for one reason or another, someone will learn of her fox ears and understand the truth. Hiding them under false ears is complex and impractical, so the hood is the only solution. She has to protect this secret from everyone for as long as possible, until she can at least find out if discovering the truth about her animal attributes is a danger to anyone. If Korone can manage to be safe for a few weeks, then maybe she'll start to believe that knowing the truth about herself isn't a danger.
Maybe then Deshya will agree to explain everything to Tessa and a few other friends, like Amora or Maruno.
For the time being, however, she must protect this secret as much as possible. She mustn't risk being caught out like today: she must refuse such proposals. Deshya has learned her lesson and touches her stomach, reassured that she hasn't developed an ulcer from all the stress. Tessa taps her fingers on the table.
- Would ya like to give me a bet some other time?" asks Tessa.
Deshya blinks and shakes her head.
- N-No, I'm just thinking..." she replies.
Deshya has had an idea for a bet since the moment Tessa arrived at her house, but she hesitates to ask... Is it respectable? Can she ask such a thing? If Tessa refuses, Deshya won't be able to stand it, so should she dare? Should she give up? Deshya starts to giggle and Tessa questions her with her eyes, but her friend tells her that everything's fine.
- I feel like I'm playing poker again, asking myself such questions, ahah!" she says to herself.
Deshya stands up and takes a deep breath. She could put this idea to rest and choose a game that requires less courage, but Deshya refuses to give up. It's because she was able to fight fearlessly and daringly that she defeated Tessa during the poker game: so she must continue with this strategy. She's got to be fearless! Deshya starts to blush and grits her teeth: it's more complicated than she thought. Tessa raises her eyebrows, surprised to see Deshya's expression change like that. The girl in the fox sweater smacks her cheeks and bites her lower lip.
- Y-Your bet is....
Deshya closes her eyes and takes courage. If she doesn't ask now, she'll never get another chance! She must ask him! Order him, even! It's her token for losing! It was in the rules! Deshya opens her eyes and stares
Tessa.
- Y-You've got to k-k-ki-kiss me... o-o-on the mouth…
Her head turns as red as a tomato and she purses her lips together, wanting to escape the gaze, but she continues to stare at Tessa. The latter observes her with a stunned look, not even blinking.
- Ya... Ya want me to kiss you... on the mouth?
Deshya nods furiously.
- My bet is to kiss ya?
Deshya nods again and holds her hood. Tessa stands up and squints.
- Are you... sure?
- Yes!
Tessa blinks again and Deshya puffs out her cheeks.
- So-Sorry, I'll find a—
Before Deshya can even finish her sentence, Tessa grabs his chin and raises it without warning—
— before kissing her on the lips, eyes closed.
Deshya's eyes are wide open. Time has stopped for her and her heart is beating so fast it threatens to explode in her chest. Not only is Tessa kissing her for real, it's not just a short kiss: seconds pass. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. On the eighth second, Tessa removes her hand from Deshya's chin and spreads her mouth before running her tongue over her lips. She nods with a shrug.
- You taste good," she says. Probably the orange juice.
Tessa doesn't even bother to pull her sleeve over her mouth and places her hands on her hips.
- Is that all it was? I was expecting something horrible.
Deshya is frozen in place, her only movement the blinking of her eyes. Tessa tilts her head and waves her hand in front of her gaze, waking her up. Deshya feels the warmth of her face and claps her hands against her cheeks before nodding several times.
- T-T-Thank you! I-I mean, hm, yes, yes the bet, yes, it's good! W-We'll see you Monday, I lov— I WANT TO SAY see you soon!!!
Deshya runs to Korone and takes her in her arms. The little girl lets out a cry of surprise and Deshya dashes into the entrance hall before opening the door. Tessa waves her hand in confusion and watches them go, observing her fox tail wagging in all directions with speed. Deshya closes the door behind her and hops out into the street, Korone still in her arms.
- Deshyshy blushes a lot!" laughs the little one.
- We're having a sushi party! Lots of sushi!!!" said Deshya.
- Waaa!!! Yiiiiss, I've never tasted them!!! Sushiiis!!!
Tessa watches Deshya start to run down the street, her fox tail still excited. Shaking her head, she closes the drapes and looks down at the table she's been tidying up as the spectators leave. She grabs her phone with a smile.
- What a strange girl, though..." she thought aloud.
Before turning on her phone, Tessa sees her reflection on the black screen. She blinks and takes a quick look at herself with the 'Camera' application. She touches her cheek and squints.
- I-I'm blushing...?
She turns around and looks at the place where Deshya was before slowly opening her mouth. She touches her lips and her eyes slowly widen... but eventually she closes them and sighs.
- Well, whatever.
This poker game ends with a Deshya victory... or rather…
Two wins.