Hanatemari was puzzled: "Ayanokoji, don't you care if people play privately? If they play privately, they don't need to pay one-twentieth of the venue fee, so how could they come here?"
"My purpose in setting up this game was not for gambling, but for entertainment." Ayanokoji shook his head, then suddenly asked: "Hanatemari, do you think gambling is fun?"
Hanatemari Kazura's face showed a bitter smile: "How could it be fun? When gambling, I'm always on edge, afraid that I might lose all my money and become livestock…"
Hanatemari's answer did not surprise Ayanokoji. Ayanokoji smiled and continued to ask: "Do you think you have fun when you play Landlord?"
"I…" Hanatemari hesitated for a moment and said: "I don't know if I'm happy, but I should be enjoying the game…"
Hanatemari Kazura is not a girl who likes to compete with others. She often accommodates and caters to others, a typical people-pleaser.
But when playing Landlord, she clearly invested her emotions, unwilling to show weakness, and argued with Togakushi Yukimi because of the game. This was a feeling she had never experienced in other gambling games.
Saotome Meari seemed to grasp some of Ayanokoji's ideas: "Ayanokoji, are you trying to create a casual game for leisure and entertainment?"
Whether it's Texas Hold'em, dice, Stud Poker, roulette… these games are more geared towards stimulating gambling, with the goal of determining a winner and earning money from opponents.
The game of Landlord, like Mahjong, is long, highly entertaining, and has diverse gameplay. It leans more towards a casual game, not suitable for gambling… but more suitable for mass entertainment.
Could it be that Ayanokoji means he wants to create a game that allows people to relax and enjoy themselves?
"Exactly!" Ayanokoji looked at Meari with appreciation, smiling as he placed his hand on the table: "Don't you feel that this school is too hostile? It's time to add some fun to this school."
From the day Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped into the Teaching Building of this school, he had disliked it greatly.
It was clearly a school, yet it was like a real casino, instigating people to gamble.
Students didn't act like students at all, not studying all day, constantly indulging in gambling, putting all their assets on the casino, and in an instant, they would become "livestock," unable to recover.
Moreover, this was not like an ordinary casino where you could leave after winning a bet. Instead, you had to stay here day after day, gamble every day, and even wanting to leave was a luxury.
In this environment, only three types of people could be cultivated—submissive, spineless workers; slick, compliant businessmen; and… gamblers whose minds were filled with nothing but gambling.
In high school and university, it's impossible for people to be categorized so quickly; besides differences in family background and intelligence, there aren't usually significant distinctions.
Only after a decade or more of navigating society do these three types of people slowly become discernible, and even then, the differences aren't too obvious.
But this school is like a petri dish with a strong catalyst, and gambling is that catalyst. In just three years, or even less, it can differentiate people.
This place is truly terrifying, isn't it?
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka has money, status, and is reasonably intelligent. He also knows that gambling is a very bad habit. He's an outsider who wouldn't easily get involved.
But even he, with his clear self-awareness, was almost infected by the fervent atmosphere emanating from this school, nearly unable to resist joining the ranks of these people.
How does that saying go? If you think this school is bad, then go build it, change it, instead of complaining about the environment from the sidelines.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka isn't a particularly responsible person; he has no intention of changing this school.
However... this school is, after all, a place he will spend three years in. If the day-to-day routine here is just gambling, then at least he hopes to add some 'flavoring.'
This school is too oppressive. He hopes to bring a touch of vitality and a relaxed, joyful atmosphere to this oppressive school with Landlord.
As for other things... that can wait.
Saotome Meari believes in the potential of this game. She believes that once it spreads, Landlord will definitely become a 'hit,' a favorite at the card table.
But she thought the same as Hanatemari and asked worriedly, "Ayanokoji, even if this game becomes popular, not many people will come here to gamble. Besides, even if we charge a one-twentieth tax, that won't make much money, will it?"
"Well... you'll know in a few days when this game becomes popular." Ayanokoji smiled, not fully explaining his thoughts, just keeping them in suspense.
"Tsk..."
The three present strongly condemned Ayanokoji's enigmatic behavior, but Ayanokoji just smiled without a word, as if saying it aloud would render it ineffective.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door of the room: "Hello, is anyone in this casino?"
"Yes, we're not open today..." Hanatemari Kazura scurried to the door and opened it. To her surprise, the visitor standing at the door was none other than Miharu Taki Sakura.
Hanatemari Kazura recognized the Beautification Committee Chairman and immediately panicked, instinctively stepping back two paces.
Could it be that because they didn't attend the opening ceremony this morning, the Student Council has come looking for them?
Ayanokoji noticed that Miharu Taki Sakura had no one else behind her; she had come alone.
It seems... it shouldn't be official business.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stepped forward, placed his hand on Hanatemari's shoulder, and patted her shoulder with a smile: "Relax, Senpai Miharu Taki probably isn't here for you."
"I'm indeed not here for her. The person I'm looking for is you, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."
Miharu Taki Sakura's gaze fell on Ayanokoji, her expression as serious as ever: "You didn't attend today's opening ceremony, did you? Come with me to the Student Council."
Hearing that Ayanokoji was to be taken to the Student Council, Saotome also instinctively stood up: "Is only Ayanokoji going? Weren't we two also absent?"
Miharu Taki Sakura looked at Saotome Meari, as if she had seen someone who interested her, her gaze lingering on her for a moment before she turned her face away.
With a calm expression, she said, "Hanatemari Kazura, Saotome Meari, you two also didn't come, but you both attended Senior Juraku's party, so you have a legitimate reason and don't need to be punished."
"Ayanokoji also attended, so why is only he being punished!" Meari couldn't help but say.
Ayanokoji's face showed understanding: "Meari, I know why. It's probably because Senior Juraku couldn't wait and wanted to use this as an excuse to see me."
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