On the following morning, Ayano woke up again and went through her usual routine — from home to school. But this day, she didn't visit her mother. Instead, she wandered aimlessly, drowning in darkness with no source of light at all.
She was completely alone. Arriving at a park, she sat on one of the benches, staring at the ground. It was raining. People were walking back and forth with their umbrellas — except for Ayano, who sat getting soaked under the falling rain, until someone placed a cloud above her head.
Ayano looked up, deeply depressed, to find a man with white hair holding an umbrella above her.
Ayano: "Who are you?"
???: "Just someone who wanted to protect you from the rain."
Ayano pushed the umbrella away from herself.
Ayano: "Go away."
???: "You don't seem okay at all."
Ayano: "As if you care."
???: "I don't know what's wrong, but maybe I can help?"
Ayano: "Oh really? Do you happen to know a way to make a lot of money all at once?" she said this with complete sarcasm.
???: "Yes."
Ayano: "Huh?!" She had been joking and didn't expect that response at all. "How?"
???: "Follow me."
He handed her the umbrella and began walking. Having no other option, she simply followed the man.
As they walked, Ayano felt a bit scared.
She was wondering whether or not she could trust him. She was extremely nervous.
Eventually, they reached a narrow alley and stopped in front of a café.
Ayano: "A café? I already work in one"
???: "Who said anything about working?"
He entered the café, and Ayano followed behind him.
It was an ordinary café with customers sitting inside. There was nothing special about it.
The mysterious man approached the bartender.
???: "Hello, can I get Rose drink?"
The bartender looked carefully at him and Ayano before speaking again.
Bartender: "Yes, please — this way."
The bartender stepped forward and opened a door labeled VIP – For Special Customers Only.
Of course, the man and Ayano followed him. She was thinking: Now what? Are we just going to go down and have a drink? Maybe I shouldn't have come at all... What is this? But as soon as they went downstairs, Ayano was instantly shocked by what she saw.
It was a massive room filled with tables. Some people were sitting, others were dressed like referees supervising them. Loud voices filled the space completely. Ayano saw chips and cards on every table. She didn't need any more proof — it was gambling.
Ayano: "Damn it, this is gambling?!"
???: "Of course, what did you expect?"
Ayano: "I... I—" she was interrupted by the bartender
Bartender: "This way, please."
The bartender walked ahead,Fear and anxiety twisted inside ayano, but her feet moved on their own,
following the man.
They reached an empty table, and both Ayano and the man sat down.
Bartender: "I'll leave you now."
He walked off, and a masked referee approached them instead
Referee: "Welcome. What will you be playing?"
???: "Do you know poker?"
Ayano: "Poker? No..."
???: "Alright, let me explain."
He explained all the rules to her.
???: "These are the standard poker rules, but here we play a slightly different game. Want to play?"
Ayano looked at the table, swallowed hard, and whispered with a trembling voice.
Ayano: "I... I'll play."