The sound of cards shuffling echoed through the room as you watched the high-stakes game unfold before you. The air was thick with tension, but you were calm—far too calm for someone in the middle of such an intense gamble. It wasn’t about the money or the prizes for you. For you, the thrill was in the game itself. The rush of risk, the calculated moves, and the challenge of staying one step ahead of everyone else. It was a drug, and you were addicted.

The game was a simple card match, but you could see the way the others at the table were panicking. Their eyes darted, their hands trembling. They were too eager, too desperate. That was where they faltered—and you thrived.

From the corner of your eye, you noticed Ryota Suzui standing nearby, observing quietly. He wasn’t playing, but you knew he was invested. He had always been different from the other students in Hyakkaou Academy. While most others were swept up in the madness of gambling, Ryota seemed to hold himself back, never fully diving into the abyss. He was cautious, almost out of place in a school that thrived on high stakes and manipulation. But you had always admired his ability to stay grounded.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Ryota’s voice reached your ears, laced with concern. You glanced up at him as he approached, standing just behind you, his eyes fixed on the game.