Chapter 221: The Game Is Doomed
"My turn, my turn!"
Sitting beside Vigne, Satania's eyes sparkled like twin rubies as she spun the wheel with exaggerated excitement, her hands gripping the spinner as if she were handling a divine artifact. The pointer clicked rapidly, building suspense until it slowed... and landed squarely on four.
She gasped and leaned in close, counting each move aloud, her voice filled with gleeful anticipation: "One, two, three, four...!"
The outcome popped up before her eyes:
[You gain the 'Underachiever' aura. Money -500.]
"That's not fair! Why do I lose money?!" Satania yelled, slamming the table so hard the cups rattled.
Really, Satania? You're worried about the money? You completely ignored the part where the game literally labeled you an underachiever! Or maybe you've just accepted that as your permanent title?
For context, the rules of the board game were simple enough: the first player to reach 20,000 gold would be the ultimate victor. Easy to grasp—hard to win.
"My turn," said Rikka, her ahoge swaying like a metronome as she studied the spinner intently. She spun it swiftly, her cloak fluttering dramatically even though there was no wind.
The pointer landed on two.
['Today is your lucky day.' No reason given. Money +2500.]
"Hmph. As expected of one with the Eye of Truth," she said smugly, crossing her arms. Quite the lucky start.
"Your turn, Gabi-chan," Raphiel said, her tone syrupy-sweet as she sipped her coffee.
Gabriel yawned, barely lifting her head. "Oh." She climbed back into her chair, flicked the spinner lazily with a finger, and watched it turn.
The pointer landed on three.
[You are a being who descended from the heavens. Whether pursuing others or being pursued, you possess a natural advantage. Money +500.]
Raphiel's lips curved mischievously. "Oh my, so Gabi-chan really is a girl who fell from the sky?"
Gabriel rolled her eyes. "Tch. It's just a dumb game. Don't overthink it." She slumped back onto the table, burying her face in her arms with an exasperated sigh.
The first round ended with laughter and teasing—chaotic, but lively.
Then Raphiel's turn came around again. She spun the wheel delicately, her golden hair swaying with each motion. The pointer stopped neatly on a space marked:
[You gain the 'Charisma Aura.' Popularity increases greatly. Money +1000.]
"A good omen, wouldn't you say?" she said, grinning. Her eyes gleamed with that familiar devious light.
The game moved briskly through the second round, laughter occasionally breaking the air. But it wasn't until the third round that things took a turn for the bizarre.
Kouya flicked the spinner absentmindedly, but when it stopped, the card revealed a unique message.
[Destiny's Choice.]
The section contained eight sub-options, each stranger than the last—Enemies, Strangers, Friends, Lovers, Married Couple... and then 'Star-Crossed Rivals,' 'Best Bros,' and 'Best Girls.'
Kouya blinked. Seriously? Who even designed this game?
If only one person landed there, it was harmless. But if two or more landed on the same spot, the later player would have to spin again to determine their relationship.
Raphiel's grin widened. "Well, well. That's a rare one. I wonder if someone will share your destiny, Kouya-kun?"
Her gaze turned teasingly toward Vigne. "Vigne-chan, your turn."
"Alright... here goes nothing," Vigne murmured, taking a deep breath. She spun the wheel, her hand trembling slightly. The spinner clicked, slowing gradually until—
She stopped on the same space.
The room went silent.
Raphiel gasped theatrically. "Oho! Destiny's Choice strikes again!"
Vigne's eyes widened. "W-wait, this doesn't mean anything, okay?! It's just random chance!"
"Oh, but it's fate," Raphiel teased, grinning ear to ear. "Go on, Vigne-chan, pick your relationship."
Vigne hesitated, palms damp with sweat, and reluctantly spun the small secondary wheel. The pointer circled... and stopped on four.
Raphiel clapped her hands. Satania leaned over, reading aloud, eyes wide with excitement. "It's Lovers!"
"S-Satania-chan!" Vigne yelped, her face crimson as she jumped to her feet. "Don't just shout it like that! You guys play without me, I'm done!"
Too bad for her—the others caught her by the sleeves and dragged her back before she could bolt.
Next came Satania again, still giggling.
[You are tricked by a child on your way to school. Lose all your money. Money -500.]
"No way! Again?!" she whined. "No kid could ever trick me!"
Kouya smirked. Yeah right. Two limited-edition rainbow melon breads and you'd follow them straight into a van.
Rikka's turn followed.
[You receive help from a kind stranger. Your grades improve. Money +500.]
"A fitting event for my destined path," Rikka said dramatically, nodding to herself.
Then came Gabriel again. She spun the wheel with one hand, clearly bored. The pointer stopped.
"Oh my, she landed with Kouya-kun and Vigne-chan!" Raphiel's grin widened.
Gabriel groaned. "It's just a game. Don't make a big deal. I'll spin again."
She spun the relationship wheel carelessly, and it stopped on six.
[Star-Crossed Rivals.]
Raphiel's eyes sparkled like a devil's. "How incredible! Destiny binds even enemies together!"
Gabriel slammed her hands on the table. "Incredible my ass! I only feel hatred! Deep, eternal hatred! Can we move on already?!"
By the time the fourth round began, the room was filled with laughter, banter, and Satania's constant whining.
Kouya spun the wheel again, landing on yet another dramatic card.
[Living Together Arc. You and the person you love begin cohabiting. You have officially escaped the ranks of singles. Money +1000.]
Everyone froze.
Raphiel's grin grew devilish. Vigne's face turned bright red again, her back straight as a board. She avoided eye contact entirely, her fingers trembling as she held her coffee cup.
N-no way. Even if this game said we're living together, it's just fantasy... right?
Gabriel groaned again when her next spin brought misfortune.
[Battle Royale! You enter chaos to reclaim what's yours. Money -500.]
She thumped her head against the table. "Ugh. I hate this game. I just want to sleep."
...
As time passed, the turns blurred together, and the clubroom filled with noise, laughter, and ridiculous drama. By now, everyone had some sort of absurd storyline—friends turned rivals, rivals turned lovers, and Satania somehow becoming both broke and happy at once.
The game neared its finale. Kouya's in-game self was already at a wedding ceremony, collecting congratulatory money from imaginary guests. Everyone sighed with relief. Finally, it was almost over.
Then came Vigne's last turn.
Her expression was solemn, like she was about to face fate itself. She spun slowly, the spinner clicking louder than usual. It stopped, and the result appeared in bold.
[Final Twist! You finally realize your true feelings. At the last moment, you break up with your current boyfriend and choose your eternal rival, the one you've always fought and loved.]
The room went dead silent.
Kouya stared blankly, a vein twitching on his forehead.
Seriously? THIS is how it ends?
So the girl who fell for me at first sight and the childhood friend who was supposed to be mine... suddenly dump me for each other?!
He buried his face in his hands.
"This game's garbage," he muttered darkly.
Raphiel, meanwhile, was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. "A tragic but beautiful ending! Bravo!"
"Beautiful my foot!" Kouya snapped, flipping the board. "This game's doomed! Completely doomed! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!"
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