Chapter 32 - Casino Date

It’s already lunchtime, and today’s menu holds a familiar delight: Sammelplatz Pizza—Myrrh’s absolute favorite. The pizza arrived piping hot, filling the air with the rich scent of melted cheese, pepperoni, and a hint of herbed crust. Myrrh’s eyes sparkled as she picked up a thick, cheese-laden slice, the melted cheese stretching with each bite.

“Mmmm! This is the best! Sammelplatz Pizza is my one true love!” she declared, her voice lilting with delight as she sank her teeth into the cheesy, meaty slice. Each bite was accompanied by a muffled sound of satisfaction, her face glowing with contentment.

I, on the other hand, only had a single slice on my plate. The rich sheen of grease glistening on the surface seemed to glower back at me, daring me to take a bite. I could almost feel my arteries protest as I watched molten cheese ooze like lava over the crust. Meanwhile, Myrrh was happily tackling her third slice—this being her “handicap” since she was trying to lose weight, or so she claimed.

At least we didn’t splurge on a full family-sized pizza this time.

The diner itself was alive with energy. Jazz music floated through the air, the gentle plucking of acoustic guitars blending with the murmur of patrons. In the corner, a live band was performing, the lead singer—a blue-haired woman in a shimmering white dress—captivating the crowd. Her voice was smooth, velvety, wrapping around the jazz ballad like a lullaby, while the musicians behind her played a mellow waltz rhythm.

“Hey, isn’t that Dianca?” Myrrh said, her eyes widening as she glanced at the singer.

“Dianca?” I echoed, tilting my head in curiosity.

“Yeah, Dianca Fritz,” she clarified, her voice tinged with excitement. “She’s a famous online game streamer. She sings while she plays—can you believe we’re seeing her live?”

“I’m not really fond of online game streamers,” I said, shrugging. “They annoy me.”

“Dianca is a cut above the streamers you’re used to,” Myrrh retorted, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Her content’s actually wholesome, unlike… well, unlike some girl streamers who just show off their… ahem, assets.” She cleared her throat, but the embarrassment lingered as she broke into a soft, awkward smile. “Anyway, I heard she’s studying at Orbital Tech too, in our year—a WAIFU, like us. Too bad she’s not in our class, huh?”

I turned to get a closer look at Dianca Fritz. She looked ethereal under the stage lights, her green eyes like glimmering emeralds, and her blue hair catching the glow like polished sapphire. She moved with an easy grace, fully immersed in her song, her voice capturing the entire room. Seeing her perform, I could understand why Myrrh admired her; Dianca seemed both radiant and grounded, like she belonged there.

As her song ended, the restaurant erupted in applause. Dianca gave a small, gracious bow, her smile calm yet appreciative. Then she gracefully descended from the stage, strolling through the aisle while patrons scrambled to snap photos, their phones popping up like flowers after rain. With a final wave, she exited the restaurant, leaving a trail of whispers and excited murmurs in her wake.

I glanced back at Myrrh, who was still engrossed in her last slice of thick, cheesy pizza, savoring each greasy bite with a contented smile. I couldn’t help but smile too. “I didn’t know you were into online game streams,” I said, teasing her a bit.

“God forbid a proper lady like me has hobbies,” Myrrh huffed, pouting.

“I thought your hobby was insulting people and being an arrogant little bitch,” I shot back with a smirk.

Myrrh rolled her eyes, but there was a playful spark behind them, and a small grin tugged at her lips. “You wish,” she muttered, taking another triumphant bite of her pizza.

Myrrh’s gaze shifted subtly to my left, her blue eyes narrowing into a sharp glare. For a moment, I thought she was about to give me one of her classic, indignant stares—the kind she usually saved for my sharper comments. But then, just as quickly, she looked back at me, her face softening into a smile that held no trace of irritation.

“Hey,” she said, her tone light and almost mischievous. “After lunch, I’ll show you a place I know you’ll love.”

“Oh?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “And what place might that be?”

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She just smirked, clearly enjoying keeping me in suspense, her expression a mixture of playfulness and mystery.

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We arrived at the Megamall, its sprawling levels stacked with every type of store imaginable. We didn’t linger on the lower floors, though; Myrrh led us straight to the escalators—three in total—taking us higher and higher until we finally reached the fourth floor. There, tucked behind a set of glass double doors, lay our destination: an adult arcade, the casino.

The moment we entered, the buzz of the place washed over us. The chimes and beeps of slot machines echoed from one side, where older patrons hunched over, entranced by the flashing lights. Nearby, groups clustered around tables playing chess and Game of the Generals with intense concentration, while poker games unfolded in quieter, dimly lit corners. On another side, people were lost in the spinning colors of pinball, while others gathered around roulette and baccarat tables, their faces a mix of hope and tension. At the northern end, a sleek bar gleamed under low lights, a gathering place for patrons enjoying a drink between rounds.

“Isn’t this place nostalgic?” Myrrh said with a sly smile. Her tone was playful, though I wasn’t sure if she was teasing me or being sincere. “Considering your hobbies, I figured this would be heaven for you.”

“Three or four years ago, you’d be right,” I said with a smirk. “But I’ve turned over a new leaf—ever since a certain someone did a judo grab on me that nearly dislocated my elbow.” My sarcasm hung heavy, laced with a grin.

“New leaf, huh?” Myrrh shot me a skeptical look, her face smug. “Are you, though?”

“Yeah, I am. But I’m honestly surprised you, of all people, brought me here,” I replied, eyeing her with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Myrrh sighed, but her eyes sparkled. “Oh, please, Zaft. Back then, we were high school students, and minors aren’t supposed to be gambling in a place like this. But we’re eighteen now—college students, practically adults. We can do whatever we want now,” she said, her voice carrying a tone of liberation. She punctuated it with a wink. “Just… in moderation, okay?”

“Fine,” I said, flashing her a grin.

“Just to be clear,” Myrrh replied, crossing her arms and giving me a wry look, “I’m not financing any of your gambling on this date. You’re risking your own money here.”

“Okay, okay,” I agreed, chuckling as I made my way toward a table where an older, aristocratic man sat, idly tapping his fingers, clearly waiting for a challenger at the Game of the Generals.

The pit boss noticed my interest immediately, arranging a seat and setting the game pieces with swift, practiced motions. I took my place across from the old aristocrat, who gave me a polite nod, eyes twinkling with the quiet confidence of someone who had played—and won—this game countless times. Myrrh stood just behind me, watching, her presence both calming and motivating. I cracked my knuckles, feeling a twinge of nostalgia as the game began. It had been years since I last played a round in a casino, but the thrill and strategy of it came flooding back.

As we moved our pieces across the board, my old instincts kicked in, the strategies feeling as natural as breathing. In a handful of moves, I saw my opening—and took it. My opponent blinked, momentarily stunned before he gave a nod of gracious defeat. My victory attracted the attention of other distinguished, tuxedo-clad men nearby, who now eyed me with curiosity and respect. With a small sigh, the old aristocrat surrendered his seat to the next contender, a slight smirk acknowledging my skill.

“See? This is still my jam!” I said proudly, glancing back at Myrrh to share my excitement. But instead of her usual enthusiasm, I saw her staring off into the distance, her expression distracted, almost troubled. My words seemed to jolt her back to the present, and she quickly pasted on a smile.

“A-ah, yes! You’re great! Hahaha…” Myrrh forced out a laugh, her voice wavering slightly. “You keep playing. I’ll grab a drink from the bar.”

“Alright,” I replied, watching her go with a growing sense of unease.

Something was definitely bothering her. I’d first noticed her strange behavior back at Sammelplatz Diner, but I’d brushed it off as my imagination. Now, though, her actions were too unusual to ignore.

“Okay, one last game,” I muttered to myself, focusing on the board as I arranged my pieces for another round of Game of the Generals. But a nagging voice in the back of my mind kept wondering what was wrong with her.

Ten minutes and another victory later, I scanned the room for Myrrh, only to find she hadn’t returned yet. A faint sense of worry crept in, urging me to leave the table and look for her.

Crossing to the other side of the casino, I spotted her almost immediately. She was sitting alone at the bar, a delicate glass of champagne in her hand, her gaze distant until she noticed me approaching. Her eyes widened briefly in surprise before she put on a casual smile.

“Oh, done already?” she asked, her tone light. “How much did you win?”

“Never mind that,” I replied, sitting down beside her, my expression serious. “What’s wrong, Myrrh? Are… are you mad at me?”

She raised an eyebrow, a smug smile quirking her lips. “Oh, how sweet of you to ask. And if I was mad, what would you do about it?”

“That’s not an answer,” I replied, my voice firm but concerned. “Did I do something to upset you? Aside from our usual back-and-forth banters?”

“No,” she said, her expression softening. Then, after a quick glance around, she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Come closer.”

I leaned in as she’d requested, and our arms brushed together, her shoulder pressing firmly against mine. I could feel her warmth, the softness of her against my left arm, making the whole scene strangely intimate.

Keeping her voice barely audible, Myrrh whispered, “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but we’re being followed. Don’t turn around,” she added quickly. “He’s been trailing us since we took that swan boat in the park. I needed to step away for a bit to assess his intentions, but I’m sure now: you’re his target.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine.