As a popular place for detective novels, Saotome Meari had, of course, read some detective novels, more or less.
However, her opinion was exactly the opposite of Togakushi Yukimi's: reading detective novels had little effect on improving reasoning ability.
Aside from the authors of the last century who pioneered and developed the detective novel genre, many authors of this century have increasingly 'surreal' tricks.
To seek the uniqueness of their tricks, they deliberately 'go against common sense.' Although it sounds reasonable, no one in reality would ever do such a thing.
When reading these books, you will marvel at the author's rich imagination and become immersed in the book. Only when the author reveals the mystery at the end will you suddenly realize.
This immersive experience is not very useful for improving reasoning ability. To improve reasoning ability, it is more useful to do a few more math problems.
Saotome ignored this 'theorist' and walked in front of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, looking at the book's cover and asking curiously:
"Aren't there so many mystery writers? I thought you'd like authors like Shimada Souji or Kyogoku Natsuhiko. Is there anything special about this author?"
Saotome Meari had never heard of this author named Hayasaka Rintsu. She was curious why he would be favored by Ayanokoji.
Ayanakoji smiled and shook his head.
"I like all those authors, but Hayasaka Rintsu is different from the others; he's in a completely different realm, a bit unorthodox."
This was Togakushi Yukimi's familiar territory. She seemed eager to prove she was more proficient in this area than Saotome Meari, so she quickly raised her hand and interjected.
"I know this! Because the author Hayasaka Rintsu combines erotic descriptions with tricks in his books.
This book, "rainbow toothbrush," is a heavy-flavored dessert with beautiful fruit and a sweet, lovely exterior, but a meaty filling inside. It can satisfy both your tongue and your inner desires.
The protagonist, Kamiki Lychee, a high school girl engaging in compensated dating, is very erotic, but the eroticism isn't just in the setting; it constantly overflows into the plot, guiding the story's direction and even serving as important evidence. Especially in "rainbow toothbrush," do you know about the Blue Chapter in it…?"
Togakushi Yukimi grew more excited as she spoke. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka coughed, but she didn't stop. He finally couldn't help but speak, which made her close her mouth.
Saotome Meari's gaze towards Ayanokoji became strange, and she teased him, "The protagonist is a high school girl engaging in compensated dating? So… you like this type of book?"
Ayanokoji lightly coughed, feigning seriousness, "That's just a setting. Actually, the female protagonist Kamiki Lychee is fair, selfless, and tolerant.
She's equally lovely when slowly unraveling mysteries and shedding her exterior, even full of a sense of sanctity, as lovely as you. If you read this series, you'll like this girl too."
"What are you talking about? What do you mean 'as lovely as me'…?" Saotome Meari blushed, not expecting Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to compliment her so directly.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about the casino!" Saotome Meari quickly changed the subject.
"You've recovered so quickly?"
"I can't help it. If I don't pull myself together, I'll really end up like that detective you mentioned, only able to do compensated dating…"
Saotome's expression darkened: "Moreover, I originally wasn't going to open today, but something happened this morning…"
Saotome Meari began to explain why she had undergone such a significant change.
Last night, Hanatemari Kazura went home and got another 300,000 yen from her family. This morning, she waited for Meari at the school gate, and they came to school together.
When they arrived at the entrance to change shoes, Saotome noticed that Hanatemari's shoes contained a row of razor blades. If she hadn't noticed and put them on, her feet would have been instantly covered in blood, and her entire leg might have been ruined.
Upon hearing this, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka couldn't help but straighten up, his brows furrowed.
Hanatemari Kazura was a "livestock," and it was "normal" for her to experience some cold violence at school. Many girls would vent their anger on "livestock" when they lost in gambling. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was already accustomed to this.
However, they would at most scribble on desks or make the other person run errands. "Putting razor blades in shoes" had already gone beyond the scope of cold violence and reached the level of school bullying.
"Saotome, did you find the culprit?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked seriously.
"No…" Saotome shook her head, frowning and gritting her teeth. "I questioned Aiura Kokoro this morning, and she even swore to me that she absolutely didn't do such a thing."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also believed that, given Aiura Kokoro's courage, she wouldn't be able to do something like that.
Who did it, after all? This kind of thing couldn't be ignored.
If Hanatemari Kazura was really cut, it could completely reach the level of a criminal case. The Student Council should probably handle this, right?
"This is my responsibility. If I hadn't taken Hanatemari's money to gamble, she wouldn't have fallen into this situation…" Saotome said self-reproachfully.
Hanatemari tugged at Saotome's arm and smiled softly, wanting to comfort Saotome, "I already said, I'm fine…"
"No matter what, I need to make money quickly." Saotome Meari took a deep breath and looked at Ayanokoji.
"Ayanokoji, according to our previous bet, I'm to work for you at the casino for half a year, and besides paying the venue usage fee, I also need to pay you 500,000 each month, right?"
"That's right." Ayanokoji nodded.
"In that case… can I assume the casino is under my management?" Saotome said seriously, "Ayanokoji, can you entrust the casino to me? I guarantee to pay you the full amount every month."
She was clearly an employee working for free, yet she spoke as if she were the manager. Saotome Meari's ability to subtly change the meaning was truly remarkable.
Ayanokoji didn't correct this point. He smiled, "You make me sound like a landlord. Since you're so confident… alright, I accept."
"Did you hear that, Togakushi Yukimi? The casino is under my management now!"
Saotome Meari slapped the table, her tone firm: "I can let you stay, but as long as you're in this room, you must obey my commands at all times!"
Togakushi Yukimi's face lit up with an excited smile, and she quickly ran behind Saotome Meari to massage her shoulders: "Thank you very much!"
As long as she could stay, helping out was no big deal.
Togakushi Yukimi was very willing to accept this condition.
Saotome Meari, who had successfully taken over as "casino manager," lightly coughed and asked Togakushi Yukimi, "Speaking of which, since you used to operate here, how much money could you earn in a month?"
"Barely enough to cover the casino's usage fee plus the monthly tribute. Sometimes I even had to put money in myself."
"…" All three present fell silent.
If that was the case, why even open a casino?
"What game did you play at the casino?" Saotome continued to ask.
"I played Old Maid. Actually, those seemingly used creases on the back of the playing cards were all intentionally left by me…" Togakushi Yukimi proudly revealed her cheating method.
"...Do people in this school not know how to play games without cheating?"
Ayanokoji couldn't help but hold his forehead and complain. He had only been here for a few days, and he had already witnessed countless people cheating.
Saotome also nodded in agreement beside him; both of the gambling matches she had participated in involved cheating.
"This is home-field advantage. Since you've come to my casino, I can naturally play some small tricks. If you don't notice, you deserve to lose."
Togakushi Yukimi pushed up her glasses, making a statement befitting a senior.
Saotome Meari said unhappily, "In my casino, I would never cheat! Besides, your cheating method is too crude; no wonder you don't make any money."
"Actually, besides my management issues, the location of this library isn't very good, which is why I haven't been operating well…" Togakushi weakly retorted, but was immediately glared at by Saotome and shut her mouth.
"In short, if we want to make money, we'll have to rely on this casino," Hanatemari Kazura concluded.
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