186 National Theft Game Polar Reversal
"Now, both sides please draw three open cards from the deck." Sitting on his throne, Hikigaya Hachiman watched the three girls place their cards from the deck in front of them, and began to formulate his counter-strategy.
Aoi: [Clubs 8, Spades 2, Diamonds K] Mibuomi → Kamishimo → Ibuki Hikigaya: [Hearts 5, Clubs K, Hearts 3] Shimotsukiuri Ouri → Jabami → Miharutaki
Mibuomi Aoi's point total adds up to 23, while mine totals 21. Not an ideal start. Through the display in his hand, Hikigaya clearly saw the card values being carried over by the three girls. K [4–5–8–10–Q]. 'Unlucky... I didn't draw an Ace. In that case, facing Mibuomi Aoi's face card is overwhelmingly unfavorable.' 'The simplest solution is to assign the 4 to Shimotsukiuri's corps. That way, the total temporarily surpasses Mibuomi.' The predicted difference is only one point, no need to waste an Ace to counter one of his King cards. Hikigaya promptly gave the order and had Shimotsukiuri Ouri move cards 4 and 8 to his corps. Since this column now had three cards, the 4 was also... The first line was formed: 9 + x > 8 + x
"Wow, pressing hard already~" Yomozuki Runa exclaimed as Hikigaya made the first move.
"Haha, how passionate. But unfortunately, I won't be playing your game." Mibuomi Aoi sneered, "Let's settle it on the second front!" His plan was to win the first round, then lose the next two, so he would gamble seriously in this one.
He casually placed card 3 into his corps and covered the last one. The first line became: 9 + x < 11 + x
After arranging the first line, Mibuomi drew two more cards and placed them in the "Kamishimo" corps sequence, flipping one: card 10. Gasps erupted from the audience.
"No way, that's an 11-point difference! Why would Mibuomi choose to fight on this line?! But it's okay, the first line has the advantage." "Could that covered card be an Ace? Is he planning to nullify Jabami corps' King? Then it would be 12 points versus 0!"
Such simple logic couldn't escape Hikigaya's eyes. At this point, it seemed that simply placing card 5 into Jabami's corps would settle it, but...
"Momobami, use card 10."
Card 10, the highest card value aside from face cards, and immune to being killed by an Ace. Now the second line became: K + 10 > 2 + 10 + X
Only the last front remained—Miharutaki-senpai's corps. Point value is 3, Ibuki's corps has a King, Miharutaki's has 3—severely unfavorable. Theoretically, this line should be sacrificed.
But to prevent Mibuomi from using any tricky moves, Hikigaya didn't want to give up even one line. He closed his eyes and began simulating all outcomes in his mind:
First line: If the Queen is used on the first line, the situation becomes: 5 + 4 + 8 + Q vs 8 + 3 + X As long as Mibuomi Aoi doesn't place an Ace here, it's a solid win.
Second line: 10 + K vs 10 + 2 + X As long as X isn't a face card or Ace, the second line can also be won.
Third line: 3 vs K No matter how you look at it, unless an Ace is placed here, there's no chance of victory.
Only one card 5 remains. Where should it go?
After thinking long in his memory palace, Hikigaya opened his eyes—only a few seconds had passed in real time—and gave the command without hesitation: "Miharutaki-senpai, place the final card 5 in your corps." "Shimotsukiuri Ouri, place the Queen in your corps."
Hearing Hikigaya's order, Miharutaki was momentarily stunned. 3 + 5—clearly inferior to Mibuomi's King. Why place it here... But she had no doubts, and faithfully carried out Hikigaya's command.
Once the cards were placed, her confusion was naturally resolved. This card was hidden. From their perspective, there was a five-point difference. But from Mibuomi's view? Seeing Hikigaya's confident expression, he'd likely assume it's an Ace, Jack, or Queen.
This is psychological warfare! Even though her corps was sure to lose, the five-point gap was just bait—to lure Mibuomi into using a powerful card! 'This might not ensure victory, but that's gambling for you!'
Jabami Yumeko quietly looked back at Hikigaya Hachiman. 'My dear Hachiman, even you have finally had to gamble now.'
Since this was under public scrutiny, Yumeko restrained herself. Despite the surge of desire, she clenched her thighs, vowing to have a deep post-gamble exchange with Hachiman about the essence of madness in gambling.
Under everyone's watch, Mibuomi Aoi took the bait and instructed his subordinate Ibuki Soutarou to move his card into his corps sequence.
"All cards are placed—let's reveal the results of Round One!" Yomozuki Runa shouted. The high platform machinery flipped the face-down cards over.
"First line: 29 to 19. Second line: 23 to 21. Third line: 8 to 14!" "Winner of the first round: Hikigaya Hachiman!"
Hikigaya looked calmly at the outcome. All was within expectations. Mibuomi Aoi had indeed used his critical Ace on the bait. Just didn't expect... his hand to be so bad—not even one face card.
'Looks like heaven favors me.'
"Ughhh! How could this happen!" "Why did Mibuomi-senpai lose?! My money!!" "Told you not to bet on the grand match! There's always risk in small games—but in the end, Mibuomi-senpai will still win!"
On the high platform, Mibuomi Aoi, who had just lost the match, showed no disappointment. The result was unexpected—he had fallen into Hikigaya's trap. But no matter—he was planning to win this round and lose the next two anyway. Now, he might as well go with the flow and just lose the two rounds directly.
'Hikigaya Hachiman, you fool. You've completely fallen for my trap, and you don't even know it. From beginning to end, you never realized it.'
With one more win to ascend the throne, Mibuomi couldn't hold back his glee and mockingly said: "Heh, Hikigaya Hachiman—haven't you realized yet?" "Hm? Realized what?" Hikigaya feigned ignorance. "You haven't noticed I let you win this round on purpose?" Mibuomi flipped his hair. "Here's a hint: The outer scheme of the Great Bloom Festival." "You've completely fallen into my trap, Hikigaya Hachiman!"
"You know about the Great Bloom Festival's Memorial Prize, right? The rules are like horse racing. We're all like racehorses for Momobami Kirari's amusement. The casino that earns the most wins the grand prize. The odds never change."
"You didn't even check the odds for your Baseball Club to win the prize, did you? 200x—two hundred times."
He held up a finger for emphasis. "I, Mibuomi Aoi, will use this loophole to win everything." "I've bet 3 billion yen on both [National Theft Game – Mibuomi Aoi Wins] and [Great Bloom Festival Memorial – Baseball Club Wins]."
"If you win, the student council led by Momobami Kirari pays me 600 billion yen. If you lose, you owe me 3 billion—something a commoner like you can't afford, right Hikigaya Hachiman?"
"But I'm kind. I'm more interested in Momobami Kirari than a bug like you!" "Either I become the new student council president, or I get 600 billion, or you fall into ruin." "Whichever outcome, I win." "That's the full picture."
Miharutaki Sakura stood dazed. Though mentally prepared, hearing Mibuomi state his purpose still hurt. Everything was a lie. All her efforts—what were they for? Everything the Full-Bloom Association had done was just for this gamble. Speaking of freeing livestock—it was just meaningless work for Mibuomi's ambition.
"You don't need to resist, Hikigaya Hachiman. Just accept the fate I arranged. Lose the bet, and leave Hyakkaou Academy with my 3 billion yen."
"You done talking?" "...?"
Mibuomi Aoi's smile froze. Hikigaya's expressionless face didn't feel right. This guy... was too calm. Fear, regret, panic—none of the expected emotions were on his face!
"You think you've already won, Mibuomi Aoi? Aren't you curious why the Ougatou sisters haven't shown up yet?" "Hah, still struggling? What are you trying to say?" "Why not ask Chairwoman Yomozuki Runa—which match in the entire venue involves the highest bet amount?"
Not good. Not good. Not good! Mibuomi's pupils dilated, cold sweat streaming. To ensure this gamble's success, he had confirmed with Runa that the Baseball Club involved the highest stakes. Back then, he didn't think much and subconsciously associated Hikigaya with the Baseball Club.
Could it be—?! He looked up abruptly, staring at Yomozuki Runa in disbelief.
Being the student council accountant—if this wordplay couldn't wake him up, he'd be useless. All along, he'd been misled by cognitive bias. He subconsciously assumed Hikigaya was a Baseball Club member. Because club rosters were managed by Yomozuki Runa—no one but the president had access.
But what if... he wasn't?
Suddenly, Mibuomi recalled that strange club registered just weeks before the Great Bloom Festival began—the Service Club with insane odds. What if Hikigaya belonged to that club instead?
No, impossible. No way my plan was seen through that early. If Hikigaya had been plotting since then...
He raised a hand and grabbed his face, hiding it from the camera. Stiffly said: "Yomozuki Runa—are you betraying me?!"
"Eh? Why do you think I'm betraying you, Aoi-kun? I told you, the Baseball Club has the highest wager~" "Compared to your 3 billion, the Baseball Club's bet is 5 billion!"
"Finally caught on, Mibuomi? Your brain really is slow. So easy to fool." Hikigaya had never felt better—like wearing new underwear on New Year's Day. All the seeds he planted had finally bloomed—ugly carnivorous flowers that devoured his opponent whole.
"You look like you can't believe it. Want to contact your men to check the Baseball Club?" 'It's like slipping on a banana peel, hitting fake gold bars with your face, then slapping an old scammer who once conned you—satisfying.'
The more miserable Mibuomi looked, the more exhilarated Hikigaya felt. The long-suppressed frustration was fully released, as he recited garbage insults from the corners of his memory palace to mock Mibuomi.
At this moment, the tides had turned.
Hikigaya Hachiman, standing before him, was not representing the Baseball Club—but the cursed Service Club. Even if Mibuomi beat him, it was useless. Meanwhile, the Ougatou sisters of the Baseball Club were betting in a synchronized gamble outside.
The situation was now fully under Hikigaya Hachiman's control.
Mibuomi no longer needed confirmation from his men. The shape of this gamble had completely flipped. His 3 billion yen wager on the Baseball Club had effectively gone down the drain.
Now, the main priority was recovering the 3 billion yen from the National Theft Game. That must not fail.