Chapter 162-164: Fujiwara Chika's Board Game
Ishigami Yuu watched as Fujiwara Chika opened the box, revealing many small paper cards, and asked, "So, it's a board game?"
"That's right!"
Holding a rulebook, Fujiwara Chika proudly said, "This is a game created by combining all the experience and wisdom of our board game club! This game is not just a game, it's life!"
"..."
Ishigami Yuu quietly watched Fujiwara Chika continuously praise her game, then turned to everyone and said, "I think everyone should not play this game. Fujiwara-senpai is absolutely incapable of creating the highly-rated game she claims it to be."
"Ishigami-kun, you haven't even played it, how can you say that so arbitrarily?"
Seeing Ishigami Yuu and Fujiwara Chika arguing, Shirogane Miyuki, as the President, could only interject, "Well, since we happen to have time today, why don't we play it to pass the time?"
Looking at Shirogane Miyuki, who actually agreed to play the game, Ishigami Yuu said in shock, "President, are you serious?"
Shirogane Miyuki leaned close to Ishigami Yuu's ear and whispered, "Although I don't really trust her games, Ishigami, think about it. After all, we're guests today, and Secretary Fujiwara also bought us such thoughtful gifts. For such a small matter, let's just go along with her."
Ishigami Yuu heard this, recalled the headphones Fujiwara Chika had given him, took a deep breath and said, "Alright then."
Shirogane Miyuki and Ishigami Yuu agreed, Shinomiya Kaguya also agreed to play the game, and Kaede and Eriri were quite interested in this homemade board game, so they all agreed.
However, Fujiwara Moeha did not agree, choosing only to be a spectator, and even pulled the somewhat interested Shirogane Kei to be a spectator as well.
Next to her friend, Fujiwara Moeha whispered, "Kei, don't play Sister Chika's game immediately, or there will definitely be no good outcome. Let's first see what the game is like, and if it's really okay, then we can consider playing a second round."
Shirogane Kei reviewed Fujiwara Chika's various behaviors since they met. Although Fujiwara Chika was a very kind senpai and friend to her, she also felt that Fujiwara Moeha's words made a lot of sense.
"Okay, then I'll be a spectator for now too."
So, the participants in this game were Fujiwara Chika, Shirogane Miyuki, Shinomiya Kaguya, and Ishigami Yuu, the Student Council quartet, plus Kaede and Eriri.
As one of the game players and also the rule explainer, Fujiwara Chika first took out a few small pawns, wrote everyone's names on them, and then neatly laid out the other game event cards on the coffee table.
Looking at the rows of movement squares laid out, Kaede asked, "Fujiwara-senpai, did you base this on Monopoly?"
"Hehe, I referenced a part of it! The way to determine winners and losers is also very simple: whoever earns the most money in the end wins!" After saying that, she handed the dice to Ishigami Yuu, "So, the first person to start is Ishigami-kun, who just now disliked my game!"
"Ah, I knew it would be like this, but it doesn't matter, I'll go first if I go first."
Holding the dice, Ishigami Yuu casually threw them onto the table.
He rolled a three, so he moved three spaces forward.
"Unlucky space." Seeing the spot he landed on, Ishigami Yuu's heart couldn't help but go "thump-thump-thump." He picked up the card and saw a small person being hit by a car drawn on it.
...Fujiwara-senpai.
Fujiwara Chika immediately looked and said, "Ah, this is a traffic accident event card! Okay, now roll the dice to determine. If you roll a 1..."
"Bang!"
The dice were rolled again, and it really was a 1.
"If it's a 1, what happens?"
Along with Ishigami Yuu's question, everyone couldn't help but swallow.
And Fujiwara Chika, with a faint, unchanging smile on her face, said, "Alright, Ishigami-kun is dead."
"..."
Ishigami Yuu glanced at the dice, then at Fujiwara Chika. "What happens when you die?"
"It means you died. Everything is over, and Ishigami-kun immediately ranks last and is eliminated from the game."
Ishigami Yuu heard this, yet instead of disappointment over losing the game, he looked relieved. After removing his game piece, he warned the others: "Everyone, please be careful. This is absolutely not an ordinary trash game."
"It's just that Ishigami-kun, your luck was terrible!"
Shirogane Miyuki had already expected this and nodded silently.
Kaede and Eriri exchanged glances, immediately raising their vigilance by a thousand percent.
Fujiwara Moeha and Shirogane Kei were now huddled close together, their eyes fixed intently on the game.
Fujiwara Moeha whispered, "Kei, wasn't I right? This game is definitely not simple."
Shirogane Kei nodded in agreement: "We should just remain spectators. I don't want to die in the first round; that would be too embarrassing."
Next, Shirogane Miyuki threw the dice. It was also an Event space, but his luck was good; he only had to choose between going home to study or going out to play.
However, the "Bookworm" card he received after choosing to go home and study caused his expression to freeze slightly.
Then it was Kaede's turn.
"OK, it's my turn."
Holding the dice, Kaede took a deep breath and threw them.
His luck with the dice was quite good; he rolled a 6.
Moving forward six spaces, he landed on an Event space marked "Club."
Fujiwara Chika looked at it and explained, "It's a Club space! After a dice roll judgment, if you roll a four or higher, you can join!"
Kaede nodded, threw again, and rolled a 5.
"OK! Asakura-kun successfully joins the club, so here is the Normie card for you!"
Looking at the card he received, Kaede twitched his lips. Could he really be considered a normie?
He glanced at Eriri beside him. Hmm... perhaps he really could be?
But regardless, no major accidents had occurred.
Next was Eriri, who rolled a five, landing one space behind Kaede.
She flipped the card over and saw a heart drawn on it, marking a Love space.
Picking it up, Eriri curiously asked, "Fujiwara-senpai, what is this?"
"Ah! It's a Love Event! Eriri-chan, your luck is great!" Fujiwara Chika rushed over, her eyes shining, and said, "The player who lands on this Event can become a couple with the person closest to them on the board!"
"Eh?!"
Eriri exclaimed, then looked at the board. Wasn't the person closest to her Kaede?
Ishigami Yuu, who was across the table still reading the rule manual he had received, couldn't help but rub his stomach after seeing this scene, feeling stuffed again.
After becoming a couple in the game, Kaede and Eriri each received a Boyfriend card and a Girlfriend card, signifying their relationship.
After reviewing the rules for this section, Ishigami Yuu said, "After becoming a couple, when certain events are encountered, a dice roll will determine who pays for the expenses incurred."
"Hmm? Didn't they just become a couple?"
Kaede was stunned. It was just a game, but did it really have to be like this?
Ishigami Yuu shook his head and looked toward Fujiwara Chika: "For that, you'll have to ask Fujiwara-senpai."
After learning this, Eriri laughed and tugged Kaede's arm: "Kaede-kun, it doesn't matter. It's just a game, isn't this more interesting? Besides, I have a feeling your money will run out first!"
"...I don't think so." After accepting this setting, Kaede also smiled and said, "Didn't you see? My last two rolls were a 5 and a 6. My luck isn't worse than yours, Eriri."
As the two began to bicker, Shinomiya Kaguya, who was preparing to roll the dice next, had a thought.
'So that's how it is. Fujiwara-san's game has a function like this. If my luck is good enough, couldn't I become a couple with the President...'
With a blushing face, Shinomiya Kaguya threw the dice.
"Hmm? 4 spaces. Not too much, not too little."
Looking at the number she rolled, Shinomiya Kaguya said this as she moved forward four spaces, landing on a Lucky space.
"If it's a Lucky space, what happens?"
"Of course! If it's a Lucky space, good things happen, naturally!" Fujiwara Chika spun around and answered, "Kaguya-san was cheated by a scumbag, but she successfully extorted ten million yen in consolation money!"
"What kind of luck is that?!"
Shinomiya Kaguya stared wide-eyed at the smiling Fujiwara Chika.
Besides, is ten million yen a lot? If someone really dared to deceive her feelings, they would probably be sunk into Tokyo Bay within half a day, right? Would they even dare to live?
For some reason, Shirogane Miyuki suddenly shivered.
As the consequence of landing on this space, Shinomiya Kaguya received a "Distrust Men Card."
Seeing that even Shinomiya Kaguya couldn't escape misfortune, Kaede looked at Fujiwara-senpai with a scrutinizing gaze: "Fujiwara-senpai, you came up with the content for all these events, didn't you?"
"Huh? How did you know?"
Sure enough... everyone thought the same thing. Only Fujiwara Chika's mind could come up with such bizarre events.
But no matter what, they were already on this pirate ship, and they had to finish the game.
For the next two rounds, everyone's luck was acceptable. Shirogane Miyuki still encountered study-focused events, Shinomiya Kaguya focused on earning money, and Kaede and Eriri only had small monetary expenditures.
Just when they thought nothing major would happen again, Kaede landed on a space.
He flipped it over: Date (1)?
Seeing this card, Fujiwara Chika finally showed an expression of seeing something interesting, stood up, and announced: "Dating Event Number 1! This space only activates if the player who lands on it is in a couple. The content is: the boy sees a pretty girl on the street, and then rolls the dice!"
"Uh..."
Kaede looked embarrassed and asked Fujiwara Chika: "Senpai, could you tell me what effect the roll will have?"
"Hehe, you'll know when you roll!" Fujiwara Chika held up a finger and said, "I'll give you a hint: pray you don't roll below a 3!"
Everyone who heard this looked over.
Eriri was the same, pulling Kaede's sleeve with a "kind" expression and saying, "Kaede-kun, you're on a date with me, and you're still looking at other girls?"
"Eriri, it's a game, a game!"
"I know!" Eriri said cheerfully, "Kaede-kun, this is a test for you! Fate decided you must face this choice right now. Good luck!"
Hmm, he had a feeling that if his luck was bad, something unpleasant would happen when they got home.
Taking a deep breath, Kaede somewhat tremblingly threw the dice.
After rolling twice, the dice stopped.
The number was 5.
Kaede breathed a huge sigh of relief and looked at Ishigami Yuu: "Ishigami, what happens with a 5?"
"Uh... let me see." After flipping to the page about Dating, Ishigami Yuu said, "Rolling a 4 or higher is judged as a success. Asakura-kun's heart remained still as water when faced with the temptation of other girls, and his relationship with his lover improved. Both players receive a 10,000 yen reward."
"Yay! That's great!"
Eriri happily grabbed a 10,000 yen game currency, while Kaede looked at her speechlessly: "You're happy now, but what was that expression earlier?"
"Hehe, it was just the game, just the game~~~"
It must be said that Kaede truly avoided disaster and was one of the luckiest people in this first phase.
Ishigami Yuu died at 3 spaces, Shirogane Miyuki became a bookworm by studying the entire time and didn't interact with other events at all. Although Shinomiya Kaguya earned a lot of money, the initial "cheated by a scumbag" incident truly dealt her a heavy blow.
As for Eriri, although her luck was neither good nor bad, thanks to her couple bond with Kaede, things went smoothly, and she even made a small profit.
As for Fujiwara Chika... "Yay~~~ I successfully got into Todai, my luck is so good!"
She didn't cheat, did she?
Seeing Fujiwara Chika, who had landed on the University space, and specifically Todai, everyone felt that she must have secretly cheated due to her status as the game designer.
But Ishigami, holding the rule manual, flipped through it completely and couldn't find a way for her to cheat.
For now, they would assume she was genuinely lucky.
After another four rounds, Eriri landed on the "Marriage" space.
"Eh, eh, eh? Marriage?!"
Eriri looked at Kaede beside her, blushing and heart pounding. Kaede hadn't expected this either, and smiled as he looked at Ishigami Yuu.
Ishigami Yuu quickly flipped to the Marriage page and read: "Marriage, similar to the previous Couple event, the player who triggers this event will marry the player closest to them."
Closest to Eriri... "Eh? Shinomiya-senpai?"
Eriri looked in shock at Shinomiya Kaguya, who was equally stunned. Two girls?!
"Ah, wait." Ishigami Yuu suddenly realized, and looked at a card placed in front of Eriri: "Because Sawamura-san and Asakura-kun are already in a couple relationship, the distance rule is waived, and the two directly become husband and wife. The married couple will share the space effects."
"Phew~~~~"
"Phew~~~ That scared me."
Shinomiya Kaguya and Eriri each breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, they received 50,000 yen in gift money from each of the other players. Although it was fake currency, Kaede felt that Eriri was exceptionally excited.
Although most of the events were unique, it seemed Fujiwara Chika had set up more than one Marriage space, likely in preparation for a larger group of players.
Thus, very quickly, Shirogane Miyuki landed on a Marriage space.
"Ah, is it my turn too?"
Shirogane Miyuki looked at the Marriage card in his hand, his heart involuntarily speeding up.
Shirogane Miyuki had seen the situation with Kaede and Eriri, and it was impossible for him not to feel envious, but for him, who hadn't even taken the step of dating, thinking about marriage was still too early.
However, he could certainly satisfy the urge within the game!
As expected of a game made by Fujiwara Chika!
Shinomiya Kaguya across the table also grew nervous and began searching the board. After the scene that had just occurred, they all knew the marriage rule: it was with the person closest to them... Fujiwara Chika?!!!
Ishigami Yuu looked expressionlessly at the distance between the various players on the board, then said with a hint of schadenfreude: "Ah, the President is going to marry Fujiwara-senpai."
"Eh~~ I'm marrying the President~"
Fujiwara Chika sat down next to Shirogane Miyuki with a beaming smile and happily said, "President, please take good care of me!"
Shirogane Miyuki offered a stiff smile: "Uh... Ahahaha~~~"
Kaede also noticed Shinomiya Kaguya's stiff expression, and decided to stir the pot: "Hmm~~ I'm curious, Fujiwara-senpai, could I ask what type of man you like? I imagine Senpai must be very popular at Shuchiin, right?"
"Eh? Popular?"
Faced with Kaede's question, Fujiwara Chika scratched her cheek awkwardly and laughed, saying, "Oh my~~ I'm not *that* popular~~~"
Although everyone wanted to make a comment about Fujiwara Chika's outwardly humble but inwardly smug appearance, everyone was actually quite interested in this question. They had never really asked Fujiwara Chika what kind of man she liked.
Oh, except for Shinomiya Kaguya. She hadn't yet recovered from the terrible news of Fujiwara Chika and Shirogane Miyuki's "marriage."
Fujiwara Chika thought for a moment and said, "Hmm~~ Boys, well, I've had fantasies too. First, he definitely has to be taller than me, but how much taller doesn't matter. However, he absolutely cannot be fat! As for appearance, having regular features is fine!"
"Oh! That's not a high demand at all."
"These aren't the most important things, though. The most important thing is!" Fujiwara Chika paused, held up a finger, and said, "The most important thing is someone who strives to achieve their goals. In my opinion, someone who constantly works hard for their goals is the best!"
So she likes hardworking guys, huh? This is the first I've heard of it.
Kaede looked at Fujiwara Chika in surprise. He had thought she would prefer someone she could have fun with, but her thoughts on choosing a partner were unexpectedly serious.
But… hardworking?
Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the President.
"Uh… why are you all looking at me like that?" Shirogane Miyuki's heart tightened, and he quickly looked at Ishigami Yuu, who was sitting next to him. "Um, Ishigami, can we start receiving the congratulatory money now?"
He just wanted to skip this part quickly.
Ishigami Yuu nodded blankly: "That's right, after marriage, you can receive 50,000 in congratulatory money from other players."
Kaede and Eriri handed over the money directly. Thankfully, they had gotten married first, so after one transaction in and one out, they still earned 50,000. Although their combined total assets couldn't compare to Shinomiya Kaguya, who was in first place, they were still in the middle tier. Much better than Shirogane Miyuki, who was in last place.
After seeing Kaede and Eriri's actions, Ishigami Yuu looked at Shinomiya Kaguya, who was still in a daze: "Shinomiya-senpai, you need to pay the congratulatory money. Don't forget."
Shinomiya Kaguya suddenly flinched, her mind filled with the words "congratulatory money." Then, under everyone's gaze, she pulled out her wallet and, with trembling hands, took out five 10,000-yen bills.
"Um… that's not real money…"
Fujiwara Moeha, who had been observing from the side, noticed this scene and keenly sensed that something was amiss. But she didn't show it, narrowing her eyes and deciding to continue observing.
Coming back to her senses, Shinomiya Kaguya shyly put the money away and then handed over five 10,000-yen game coins from her large stack of game currency.
Taking a deep breath, she knew her reaction had been a bit excessive and quickly adjusted her state.
'It's fine, it's fine. It's just a game, no need to take it to heart.'
Next, the game continued. Kaede and Eriri, being married in the game, shared the square's effect and landed directly on a vacation square.
However, this wasn't a beneficial square but rather an unlucky event. After paying a total of 100,000 game coins, they also had to remain in place for three rounds.
"Ah, Kaede-kun, didn't you say you had good luck?"
Eriri tugged on Kaede's arm, looking displeased.
Kaede's expression was quite awkward at this moment: "Uh… I didn't want this to happen either. It's an accident, an accident!"
Unable to move for three rounds, they would likely be caught up by Shirogane Miyuki very soon.
And indeed, Fujiwara Chika soon landed on a square.
"Huh? Childbirth?"
Fujiwara Chika held the card, saying shyly, "Oh, I didn't expect to become a mother at this age!"
Ishigami Yuu also spoke up at the right time: "Congratulatory money: 100,000 yen."
Hey, hey, hey, why is it more than for marriage just now?
Kaede and Eriri grumbled as they each paid out 100,000, seeing that at this rate, Shirogane Miyuki would soon overtake them.
Upon seeing this, Shirogane Kei couldn't help but glare at her brother: "Big brother, you're terrible!"
"It's a game! It's just a game!!!"
As for Shinomiya Kaguya… she once again fell into a very strange state, but thankfully, with Eriri's reminder, she didn't take out her wallet again.
Kaede leaned close to Eriri's ear and whispered, "Why did you stop her? It was quite entertaining."
Eriri rolled her eyes at Kaede and replied, "Oh, something like that is fine once. If it happens too many times, I'm afraid Shinomiya-senpai might be too embarrassed to keep playing."
So that's how it was. Kaede thought about it, and it made sense.
However… one, two, three… nine consecutive times, Shirogane Miyuki and Fujiwara Chika successively landed on the childbirth squares, directly having nine children.
The congratulatory money from these births alone was enough to bankrupt Eriri, who wasn't very lucky to begin with, making her the second player to be eliminated.
"Ugh…" Eriri pouted, saying glumly, "Lame game."
And right on Eriri's heels, Kaede, upon landing on a startup square, failed a dice roll and immediately lost five million yen, also being eliminated.
Compared to Eriri, Kaede didn't have as much attachment to the game. He breathed a sigh of relief, glad to exit early and prepare to watch the chaos from the sidelines.