Chapter 32.1 - Recruitment Period and Strange Group [5] – part 1 (1/2)

32. Recruitment Period and Strange Group [5] – part 1

The president, who was silent after having her gimmick pointed out,

「…Y-Y-Y-You accuse me of such a thing? Do I look like someone who would cheat using a g-gimmick card…?」

She seemed unable to hide her trembling, and retorted about three breaths late.

(Still trying to cheat her way through even after being found out…)

In contrast to her appearance, she was quite a coercive person.

「Even if you say that… There’s solid evidence here.」

I turned my gaze to the deck on the desk.

On the back of this card, a small x is closely marked from the top left to the bottom right.

If you look carefully at them – there is an『error mark』with one line missing from one of the x’s.

The error mark is made to be able to understand the number written on the surface of the card at a glance by『what position its in』from the top left to the right.

「For example, if it is the card at the top of the deck… the error mark is at the『seventh position』counting from the top left to the right. The x on this position is printed with one line missing, right? In other words, this card is-」

And as I flipped the face down card,

「So it’s a card of『7』after all.」

The result appeared as expected.

「Uwaa. You really saw through it, amazing!」

「It’s an unpleasant level of insight…」

「…Kuh」

The president, who could no longer talk her way out of it, bit her lower lip regretfully.

It seems that she finally admitted her cheating.

「…W-When did you realise it?」

「Of course, from the very beginning.」

「F-From the beginning…!?」

「Yes. In a match『Don’t trust the tools that the other party brings out』- an acquaintance of mine,『The Master of Play』Bamboo Geezer taught me. So as I cautiously examined the card, sure enough… they were gimmick cards.」

I was taught a lot by bamboo geezer, such as a typical gimmick card and common methods of cheating.

「B-But! Even if you unraveled the secret behind the card, how did you set up such a hand!? The cards were handed out and even shuffled by me. You didn’t touch the deck even once!?」

She pointed at the deck placed on the middle of the table.

(…This is troublesome. What should I do?)

Bamboo geezer didn’t particularly forbid me from speaking, but…

I don’t really feel proud going around announcing the tricks behind cheating.

「E-Err you see… It’s kind of a『secret』ー」

「T-That’s too cruel! P-Please Allen-kun, tell me! I won’t be able to sleep tonight…」she said, clinging onto me.

「S-So close… You’re too close, president…」

Taking in her slight sweet scent, my heartbeat started beating a little faster.

And then,

「Now now, Allen-kun. Don’t be stingy and tell meー」

「I am also super interested…」

Lilim-senpai and Ferris-senpai circled behind me and lightly poked at my sides.

It seems that both of them are also interested about the trick behind the cheat.

「Haa… Understood. But, please don’t tell anyone else?」

「Thank you, Allen-kun!」

「My lips are sealed tight, so rest assuredー」

「I super reassure you…」

Then I taught the trick behind this cheat.

However, this is not such a big deal.

First of all, I ran『card collection』as soon as this betting game started.

The method is very simple.

When both parties reveal their hand and returns their cards to the deck – just hide the cards you’re looking for under the sleeves of your uniform.

I repeated this several times and made a royal straight flush『under the sleeve』.

After that, discard all your hand at any time you like, and at the same time place the five hidden cards on the deck. That way, the card I’m pulling will definitely be a royal straight flush, and certain victory is guaranteed.

「-Right? You can cheat however you like without ever touching the deck, right?」