Descending a dark staircase hidden behind a rusty door in the academy’s basement is a place where the school's rules aren’t just ignored—they’re probably used as poker chips.

The Harukaze Gambling Club.

At the bottom, a door opens to reveal a large cavernous room filled with the sweet sound of chips clinking, cards shuffling, and dreams being crushed. Basically, a perfect spot for every school troublemaker with more guts than brains.

Standing at the entrance, pink hair, lollipop in mouth, and buttons fighting for its life against her chest. Partly unbuttoned? Not enough. Combine that with her completely unfocused gaze, and yep, it’s Hanabi.

"This place... never gets, like, old, right? Or does it? Wait..."

She mumbles, sounding more like she’s recalling an ancient war.

“Welp, time for some games!”

With a carefree grin, she pulls out some Yen from her pocket and starts counting. After getting a number that probably makes no sense, she stuffs the cash back.

“Mhm, got some money to burn~ Hmm... Wait, how much was that again?”

She scratches her head, tries to remember, then gives up.

“Ah, whatever. Too lazy to count it again.”

She starts weaving through the tables, passing by gamblers wearing either the grin of a jackpot winner or the frown of someone who just lost their lunch money. Techno beats are pounding in the background, and the air is thick with smoke and nicotine.

That’s when she spots a new face. Her “senpai radar” kicks in, and she strides over to the newbie, flashing a confident smile, swirling the lollipop around in her mouth.

"A-Ahem."

Hanabi clears her throat with all the grace of someone who tripped into the conversation by accident.

"Heyyy~ You’re like, new or something, right? Or... have I seen you before? Wait, no... yeah, you're new!"

Not knowing how to intimidate someone with actual words, she decides the best course of action is to puff out her already generous chest. It jiggled, it freaking jiggled.

"Just so you know, I’m your senpai here!"