"It's really hard to understand just by explaining it, so how about we play a Gift Game together?" Black Rabbit snapped her fingers, and with a crisp sound, a long table descended from the sky.
"Oh, now that's an interesting ability!" Izayoi said, and the other problem children looked curiously at the table that had suddenly appeared.
"Everyone, the rules are simple. Let's treat this as a trial to join the community I'm in." Black Rabbit toyed confidently with the deck of playing cards in her hands.
"Hey, hey! When did we say we were joining?" Izayoi retorted, clearly annoyed.
"Ohohoho, could it be you're lacking confidence in yourselves? If so, that can't be helped. Then again, it's not surprising—you're probably a little intimidated when compared to Mr. Yoru," Black Rabbit laughed in a queen-like manner and slapped the deck onto the table.
Thanks to Yoru's presence, Black Rabbit seemed to be brimming with confidence, acting as if it no longer mattered whether they joined or not.
Aaah! Stupid Black Rabbit, what foolish thing are you doing?! Mr. Yoru just joined, and you're already using his name to bluff! If he gets angry and walks away, everything will fall apart!
She screamed internally, but on the surface, Black Rabbit maintained a casual and calm demeanor.
Please… Please don't get mad at Black Rabbit. And I beg you all—please accept my challenge!
Yoru, meanwhile, had no mind to worry about any of this. He was still thinking about how to obtain the gift that would allow him to travel between worlds.
"Tch, such a cliché provocation. But damn, it really does piss me off. Fine, I'll play along," Izayoi said, arms crossed.
"Please explain the rules," said the curious Asuka and Yō, who also gathered around the table.
"The rules are simple. From this deck of cards, just draw one card. If the card has a character drawn on it, then you win." Black Rabbit said cheerfully. "Now, shall we play?"
"No problem," said Izayoi.
"Let's begin," said the elegant young lady.
"Let's play," Yō said to her tricolor cat.
"Then the contract is established!" Black Rabbit declared, and a sheet of paper glowing with light floated down from the sky.
"What's this now?" Izayoi asked, picking up the paper.
"It's the contract document, outlining the rules and conditions of victory in the Gift Game!" Black Rabbit explained. "Also, as a being under divine authority, I, Black Rabbit, have the right of judgment. My ears are directly connected to the center of Little Garden, so cheating is impossible."
"Alright, alright, let's begin. The winner gets one wish granted, right? I'm really looking forward to this!" Izayoi said, casting a mischievous look at Black Rabbit.
"No lewd requests allowed!" Black Rabbit shrank back in fear upon seeing his gaze.
"Chill, chill. Who would do something like that?" Izayoi waved it off as the surrounding girls gave him suspicious looks.
"Then, the game begins. Please, draw your cards," Black Rabbit said, spreading the deck facedown on the table.
"Hahaha, this is laughably simple!" Izayoi laughed and then suddenly slammed his hand down on the table, sending the cards flying everywhere.
"Eh? Eh?" Black Rabbit stared blankly as cards fluttered through the air.
"I'll take this one."
"And I'll take this one."
Quick as lightning, Asuka and Yō each snatched a card from the air—both were face-up queens.
"Eh? Eh?"
"Looks like we win," Izayoi said as he flipped over the card in his hand.
The King of Clubs.
"No… No way! That's cheating! Cheating!"
"Cheating? Didn't you just say it was impossible to cheat in front of you?"
"Eh?!"
Black Rabbit froze. A moment later, the center of Little Garden confirmed the game's result as valid. Her ears drooped dejectedly.
"How… how could this happen…"
"Hey, you, rabbit over there," Izayoi called out.
"Don't call me 'rabbit'! I have a name, you know! It's Black Rabbit!" she argued.
"We've decided to join your community," Izayoi said with a grin, and Black Rabbit's ears immediately perked up.
"Really? YES! Thank you all so much!" she jumped for joy, so excited that her long blue hair briefly turned a cherry blossom pink.
"But I have one last question. If I don't like the answer, then this is off."
"Eh? Izayoi-kun, what is it you want to ask?" Black Rabbit asked curiously as her pink hair returned to blue.
"Just this—Is this world fun?"
Izayoi looked out toward the majestic city in the distance, eyes filled with scorn for all things.
"..."
The other two also waited silently for her answer.
Because the letter that summoned them said: 'Abandon your family, your friends, your possessions—everything—and come to our "Little Garden."'
So whether or not this world was worth the cost—that was the most important thing to the three of them.
"YES! The Gift Games are divine competitions only for those with superhuman powers! I, Black Rabbit, can swear on my chest that the Little Garden is way more fun than the outside world!"
"Good, then. Little Garden, get ready—this great me is coming to conquer you!" Izayoi boldly declared.
Watching the three spirited youths and the joyous Black Rabbit, Yoru, who seemed a little out of place, smiled bitterly and shook his head before walking ahead alone.
This kind of hot-blooded energy... it's not bad, really.
Too bad... I've lost it already.
"Mr. Yoru, don't go off on your own! Let me guide you!"
Seeing Yoru turn away, Black Rabbit quickly chased after him, offering to lead the way enthusiastically.
"Talk about special treatment..."
Asuka pouted, tossing her hair behind her ear in dissatisfaction.
"Well, it can't be helped. He's a powerhouse, after all. That guy alone probably outclasses the three of us combined."
"Even if that's true, it still leaves a bitter taste."
Asuka muttered, her gaze turning curious and puzzled as she stared at Yoru's back.
"But... if he's that strong, why does he say he's not a true warrior?"
"Who knows. But I'm sure that man carries a story."
Izayoi said meaningfully, a deeper glint of amusement twinkling in his eyes.
"And the more that's the case, the more I want to fight him one day."
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