Part 1
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Lessons are over.
I still couldn't talk to Class Rep. She didn't seem very eager to talk to me either.
She just smiled sweetly sometimes when our eyes met.
What's that supposed to mean?
It's supposed to be a gesture of goodwill.
But maybe she's the kind of person who prefers to hide her anger behind a smile. If that's the case, I must have done something to upset her.
It sounds a bit far-fetched, but considering the fact that she used to babble on and on in front of me, it's probably true.
However, I can't say anything right now.
I know that all I have to do is speak and everything will come out automatically...
...I can't. As soon as I get up the courage to speak, the words get stuck in my throat. Disgusting.
...Well, she's leaving. My last chance for today is gone.
I could offer to walk home with her, but if I'm not mistaken, she lives on the other side.
Well, I'll take care of that later. Tomorrow. Or the day after. Later.
Damn, this should be my top priority...
— The club, huh...?
Judging by the information received from Senpai, it is, for a second, in a building with clubs. Okay, the cabinet number is known.
Time to go.
After packing my stuff into my bag, I get up from my seat.
I'm usually the last one to leave. Either because I've been enjoying the view out the window for a few hours, or because I'm doing my homework. Either way, on a day-to-day basis, I'm often the last person to leave the school, with the exception of a few teachers and security guards.
However, it is still quite crowded around now. It's unusual to see a class so full.
...
......
After a few minutes I reach the club building.
Another waste of money. I don't understand why the hell a whole building should be allocated to a clubhouse. It's the same size as a normal school, for Christ's sake… But assigned to the clubs...
— ...
Once inside, I felt something strange.
Everything is so unfamiliar...
There is no record of this place in my memory.
I used to think I was just a forgetful idiot.
Is it true?
This is my first time here. I am completely sure of it.
... Did I really manage to join the club?
Then why don't I remember anything...?
— Okay, cabinet 302.
The sign on the door read:
A Board Game Club.
— ...
Okay, I admit, I could have joined here. Still, I'm not indifferent to board games.
(...No, that doesn't explain anything.)
I already have a good collection of games at home. There's no reason to come here.
And yet I joined?
Was I overcome by loneliness?
I don't think so.
I can play with myself for days on end.
As the saying goes, the most difficult victory is over yourself.
Considering how many times I've won this way, I should already be an absolute master. An invincible genius, if you will. I'm not supposed to be interested in the minnows from the clubs....
So why the hell am I listed there?
Okay, it's time to get this over with.
There must be a list of members. I'll see if my name and signature are on it.
If it is, I'll just fill out a resignation form. If not...
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...Then this day was wasted on a joke.
It was wasted anyway.
I didn't get any closer to my goal...
At least I'll get rid of the excess.
I knock on the door.
In response, a "come in" was heard from Senpai.
Hmm? Is there no one else there?
— I'm coming in.
I'm greeted by a clean and cozy room decorated with wood.
Even here, the rich showed off. Each room in the school is decorated to suit its own style.
Specifically, there were several wooden cabinets against the walls, crammed with various boxes. Board games, probably.
Very expensive-looking sofas were placed right next to the cabinets. Just looking at them made a person softer. I have no idea how it works, but it's cool.
Nearby there were several rather large tables with carved ornaments on the legs.
Baroque? Maybe. I'm a sucker for that. But they look high quality. Like everything in this damn perfect city.
The far wall, also flanked by cupboards, but apparently holding something other than board games. In the middle was a table with a kettle on it and a tea set.
And a chair. An ordinary leather chair.
On it gracefully sat a tall girl with loose blue hair of medium length, pleasant eyes the color of uncut sapphire and a rather big ... center of charm.
Ha, damned idiot. Do I have to pay attention to this every time I see her?! It's time to stop, seriously.
Apparently, Senpai is alone in the room. I didn't notice anyone else.
Aren't there supposed to be more than three people here according to the rules?
Why then is there no one?
Although, what do I care? I'll just check out of here and that's it.
Let's go. If you want a date, then you get it.
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Part 2
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(Hmm, this place has been cleaned recently.)
Soon I notice a bucket and a mop in the far corner.
Cleaning - first day of the month or something?
But did Senpai clean up alone? What, the others are not in business?
Okay, though.
— You came after all. — A peaceful voice.
— Well, then... it won't be for long. I'm going to leave the club.
I don't know how I managed to join, it's time to correct this misunderstanding.
Alas, I'm not up to extracurricular activities right now.
— I can do this, right? Do I have to fill out a form or something?
— ...
— Hm?
What's with her?
Senpai always looked cheerful. An independent, self-confident girl with a strong character. I'm not sure there's anything at all that could have knocked her down.
How do I know?
It's very simple.
If you want to get along with my big sister, you can't do without a steely character. She's a demon.
In general... everyone who gets along with my sister automatically becomes worthy of respect for me. Because this monster will devour the weak and will not choke. The charisma gene has completely passed to her. Neither Shiori nor I got a drop.
And that's why the current Senpai looks so strange. Staring at the floor, her hair hid her face, so I couldn't see her expression. But I don't think it's cheerful.
What's she so depressed about?
— Uh... Senpai?
— ...Why?
— Ah...
— You just got here... And you already want to leave...?
That's exactly what I just said...
A few seconds of silence made the awkwardness absolute.
Soon Senpai started up, raised her head and looked at me seriously.
—...No, Kouhai-kun. It doesn't work that way. You can't leave the club until you defeat its strongest member. — So much determination in voice.
— ...
What?
What an absurdity.
— I don't hit women.
It seems that such an answer put her into a stupor.
— ...No need to hit anyone… In the board game club, everything is solved with their help. – clearly pleased with her own phrase, Senpai nods to herself.
— Hmm...
She doesn't want me to leave so much that she invented such a rule on the spot? I bet it's not mentioned anywhere.
Is it even legal?
(Okay... let's say...)
Not to say that I was particularly against it…
— Who am I supposed to f? There's no one here except...
— Exactly! It's me!
— You...?
I don't know why, but it sounds funny. I never would have thought.
— Why the suspicious tone in your voice? For your information, Kohai-kun, I'm the head of the board game club and its strongest player. - After saying that, Senpai raised her chin in a smug manner as if she was expecting praise.
If I had been more relaxed, I would have patted her on the head for sure.
(Yeah... keep dreaming...).
My destiny is to dig in the backyard garden, patting the flowers.
— ...
It's even interesting. Still, I always thought I was a good player. For a thousand games with myself, I managed to almost completely master all the subtleties and nuances of the game.
And if what Senpai says is true, then why not test yourself?
I'm doing shit again, aren't I?
Oh well.
— All right then. Let's give it a try.
— YES!.. I mean, wait, I'll prepare everything. — At first, Senpai almost jumped up and down with joy, but she quickly regained her composure and with a slight blush, she started to look for something in the cupboards.
Is my company really that much fun?
Am I really that charismatic?
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Part 3
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Some time later, Senpai returns with a tray in her hands.
— Sorry for the wait~
— Hmm?
There are not only games on the tray. More tea and various goodies.
It doesn't really feel like a battle.
Maybe, instead of Board Games, the name Tea Ceremonies would be more suitable for the club? Otherwise, where would such a warehouse come from?
Although I don't mind. Quite the opposite.
Senpai definitely has good taste. Of all the sweets that I saw, I didn't find any that I didn't like. Moreover, I even adored almost everything. Considering that I am quite picky in this regard, it is surprising that our tastes coincide so much.
True, such a mountain of food can seriously bring down all the fervor of the battle.
Although Senpai was not going to hold a competition from the very beginning.
So...
Just enjoy the rest.
Senpai puts everything on the table, then sits down and invites me in with a look.
The sofas are so comfortable... It seems to be soft, but at the same time very elastic. They remember the shape of the person lying down.
It's good to be rich.
Ah, we need to get to the table...
Damn.
And I just relaxed.
...Why do these games at all, when there are such sofas here...
I yawn and stretch.
Okay, let's get started.
...
.......
— Is it a draw again?
— Looks like it.
I was right. No one perceived it as a struggle.
Just a leisurely game with periodic sipping of tea with cookies.
Another yawn.
I'm not sure, but...
Could there be sleep-inducing incense here? Or is it just the atmosphere?
Meanwhile, the game changed.
Before that, it was an ordinary children's walker with dice throwing.
You can't get a draw in one round here, but it's quite realistic in two.
As a result, the score for two games turned out to be 1:1.
Senpai tried to come up with topics for conversation, but I, as usual, ruined everything. Still, I'm not too good at it.
Most of the time I just sat and listened to her stories.
She was quite satisfied with that. I guess...
Now it was poker's turn. Blackjack, to be precise.
What, a test of luck?
Hmm...
I guess I'm pretty damn lucky.
After all, the trains always come exactly to my arrival. Isn't that a sign of divine luck, huh?
It's a sign that you know their schedule. An inner voice popped out.
(Ugh... always messing things up.)
So it's not a consequence of my luck?
And what, it turns out, I'm not going to win in this game?
Of course, I know the basic rules and strategies, but still, most of the time, luck decides everything. At least that's the case for me.
As far as I know, a real blackjack game is either a cash game or a strip game.
I would prefer the second option, but now we are playing for conditional chips.
And no, I don't like to undress...
Hmm...
Looks like Senpai is a dealer.
O-o-okay...
Let's see what I can do.