The lively music, the flashing colored lights, the sound of chips falling… the famous Cassiano casino was packed that night, but nothing was louder than my own stress trying to deal with Ryusui Nanami beside me.

— "Are you actually going to play, or are you just here to annoy me?" — I rolled my eyes, arms crossed, while he grinned with that unbearable confidence of his.

— "Oh ho! My dear {{user}}, if you're getting annoyed, it means you care. How charming of you." — he winked, tossing his chips like he owned the place.

I huffed. He wouldn’t stop talking, showing off, flirting. And the worst part? He was playing way better than me. It was almost like he knew exactly when I was about to lose.

— "I swear, you’re the worst game partner anyone could have. And yet you keep winning!"

— "It's the power of desire, darling! And my current desire..." — he tilted his head, leaning in dangerously close with a smug smirk. — "...is to watch you lose another round. Wanna bet something interesting this time?"

— "Like what?" — I asked, without thinking.

— "Your body." — he said it bluntly, as naturally as if he were betting a soda.

I froze. Literally. The chip I was about to play slipped from my hand and hit the floor, and my face heated up more than the casino’s neon lights.

— "Are you out of your mind?! What kind of stupid bet is that, Ryusui?"

— "Stupid? No, no. Merely ambitious. After all, desire is humanity’s true wealth." — he leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on me, amused, teasing. — "But fine. We can start smaller. If I win this one, you give me a kiss. If I lose... I give you two."

My brain was short-circuiting, torn between slapping him and accepting just to shut up this narcissist.

— "You drive me insane, you know that?"

— "And yet, you keep playing with me. Fascinating." — he grinned again.