Editing Kakegurui Trip Fulltext (section)

===Chapter 1, part 2===
The next morning we all gathered and boarded the ship docked at the pier, along with the other students. It wasn't extravagant, but large enough to carry several hundred people. Impressive for a school trip, for sure.
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The sound of the waves and the sunlight on my skin were soothing. It would have gotten too hot in my short-sleeve, if not for the gentle breeze. The blues of the ocean and the whites of the reflections made the view from the deck be like an endless moving paining. I was having a great time... so far. 
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The other students on the deck were equally in a good mood. How could they not be, with such a great view and free drinks from the bar. Although this looked like a vacation, it was technically a school trip. The school uniforms remained mandatory. 
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Someone was not having fun, though. That particular someone was right next to Yumeko and me.<br>
''"Why me... Damn it. I should not have played that game"'', Mary kept saying, or rather, she was chanting it like a curse. 
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''"Mary-san, please don't be so gloomy. Let's make the best of things and have some fun!"'', Yumeko said.
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''"Shut up! Don't talk to me! And don't touch me!"'', Mary shouted.
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---
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Mary had lost the poker game. Her hand was three-of-a-kind kings. A very lucky draw, considering it was just a quick one hand game. After her card change, it was clear that Mary was already thinking about how she could exploit Yumeko's obedience during the trip. However, when Yumeko declared she would not change any of her cards, Mary's gleeful expression snapped back to neutral. When it was time for the showdown, I instructed them to reveal their hand.
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The moment Yumeko revealed, Mary fell to her knees. It was a full house. Yumeko jumped up and down with joy. Once again, I was baffled by Yumeko's incredible luck. To think I was trying to prevent this game from happening earlier. I guess I just have to watch and see where her luck takes her. It almost feels like Mary was manipulated into going on the trip... and into obedience.
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---
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''"Excuse me, may I be of assistance? I have brought you some water"'', someone said. Without looking up, I took the cup that was offered and gulped it down. It was very refreshing.
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''"Thanks for the service. But why are so many of you here? Is something wrong?"'', Yumeko asked.
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So many? I wiped my mouth and looked. There was a group of people and they were bowing to us. Then the girl in the middle raised her head. ''"Yes, I'm afraid we have something to apologize for"'', she said.
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The group was dressed in fancy black suits that looked like a military uniform of sorts. It was a jacket with shoulder pads and shiny gold colored buttons. The woman's variant had an apron-like jumper skirt instead of trousers. The girl who spoke wore a wine-red ribbon as a tie, while the ribbons of the others were black.
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''"Wait... You are..."'', Mary started saying with tension in her voice. 
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''"What an honor that you know me, Mary Saotome-sama. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."'' She crossed her legs inside her skirt and bowed gracefully. ''"My name is Kifune Izayoi. I am the manager and owner of the casino on Ryouran Island, the destination of this ship."''
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I instinctively bowed in return. ''"The boss of the casino on Ryouran?! So that makes you the boss of the Kansankai... or is it the chairman?"'', I asked. 
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Kifune narrowed her already slanted eyelids and softly laughed. ''"I guess you can call me the boss, Ryota Suzui-sama. As you said, I lead that organization, yes. I'm also a student at Hyakkaou Private Academy, just like all of you. I'm in my third year."''
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[[Image:Kakegurui.trip.03.kifune.meet.webp|frameless|right|300px|Kifune introduces herself]]
Kifune had long, black hair, but her face remained fully visible because of the hairband she wore. Her expression was gentle but reserved. It was as if she was a sheathed sword; at rest but ready to strike when needed.
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''"What I want to apologize for is his terrible negligence"'', Kifune said while pushing one of the boys from her group forward. He was frightened enough to tremble. ''"He was the one handling the sign ups for the summer camp back at school."''
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After winning the poker game, Yumeko rushed to the registration desk with three application forms in hand. It seems that this was the guy who took them.
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Kifune looked at her subordinate with suddenly widened eyes.<br>
''"It so happens that when receiving your forms, he reserved rooms for Saotome-sama and Suzui-sama. For whatever reason he did not reserve a room for you, though"'', she explained.
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''"I-I'm so sorry! There were a lot of last-minute applications as we were about to close... "'', the boy tried to explain, stumbling over his words.
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Kifune raised one eyebrow. ''"What did you just say...? You're going to blame the customer for your mistake?"'', she asked him coldly.
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''"N-no... Not at all! It was my mistake. Please forgive me! I beg you!"''
The boy was crying now. The situation felt uncanny as his distressed weeping was accompanied by the calming noise of the sea. 
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''"Kneel before her"'', Kifune commanded with controlled anger. ''"Bow your head to our guest, all the way to the deck. Or would you rather we toss you into the ocean?"''
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As the boy looked like he was entering a state of panic, Yumeko intervened. ''"Please stop. I'm sure we can sort this out somehow."''
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I was relieved. Humiliating the poor guy even more would solve nothing. 
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Kifune slowly turned to Yumeko and spoke with a more relaxed demeanor. ''"No, this is a matter of principle for us. As long as we are welcoming guests, it is our prime responsibility to guarantee the best possible service. We can not be negligent."''<br>
Kifune grabbed the boy's hair. ''"Hurry up and do it"'', she said to him. Her eyes narrowed again but her gentle smile stayed.
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The boy groaned as his head was pushed onto the deck. It hit the wooden planks with a bonk.
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''"Wait... this is going too far!"'' I couldn't ignore it any longer, and took a step forward. 
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Kifune, who was also kneeling, ignored me and spoke to Yumeko instead; ''"This negligence is also my fault as the one in charge. I offer my deepest apologies."''<br>
She stood up, took a step forward and made a pleading gesture to Yumeko. ''"As a substitute, we can offer you a VIP suite. It will be prepared for you immediately. Please forgive me."''
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If one of us would be upgraded to a VIP suite, this would actually be great! I looked at Yumeko, expecting her to speak but she remained dead silent and her gentle smile was gone. She was staring into Kifune's eyes intensely.
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''"There is one other thing"'', Kifune continued. ''"Because of this incident, we don't actually have your name. I'm terribly sorry, but may I ask you for it?"''
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After a brief pause, Kifune got her answer. ''"Yumeko Jabami."'' 
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''"Ah, I see"'', Kifune said with widening eyes. Her tone and demeanor now changed again. Her shoulders trembled slightly and she began to speak in a more mocking, almost provocative way.<br> 
''"So... you are Yumeko Jabami-sama. Then perhaps, offering you the VIP suite free of charge may be a slightly problematic thing to do. The suite is normally reserved for government officials and the like. It's incomparable with the regular rooms. It would create inequality between you and the other guests in a way that could be seen as uncalled for..."''
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''"Hey, you"'', Mary interrupted. ''"Stop it with that attitude."''
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While I was overwhelmed by the situation, Mary was not. Knowing her character, it was safe to assume she was angered by what just happened. She spoke loudly and didn't bother with politeness, even though she was addressing a third year student. It was a way of talking that usually gets a customer what they want.<br>
''"If you are sorry, then just fix it. No need for fancy excuses. Just do your job. Let them know on the island there is one extra coming, and all that."''
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Kifune immediately turned towards Mary and changed pose. It looked like a habit from combat training kicked in, making her assume a stance with more balance. If physical violence was coming, she was prepared for it.<br>
''"Saotome-sama, although it's technically a summer camp, it's essentially a luxury vacation. Free of charge, no less. If you are unable to accept our hospitality, be due to our shortcomings, it is a truly regrettable thing. I guess there is nothing we can do to stop you from returning home now if our services are not up to your standard."''
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''"So we pay for the VIP suite or one of us is kicked out? Is that what this is boiling down to?"'', Mary said, cutting through the fancy language.
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''"Oh no! Neither! Not at all!"'', Kifune replied quickly while smiling again. She seemed oddly pleased with this turn of the conversation.<br>
Kifune stepped towards Yumeko, getting slightly too close for comfort. ''"I have no intention of charging you anything, Jabami-sama. Instead, I propose we sort this mess out with a gamble."''
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Mary was clearly not done talking to Kifune, but kept her silence. She stood beside me with a sour face. 
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''"... A gamble, huh?"'' Yumeko hesitated again before speaking.
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''"Yes! It's just a simple diversion. Please accept it as one of our services.''<br>
''If you win the game I'm about to present, Jabami-sama, I will prepare the VIP suite. You will also be assigned personal staff and receive complementary room service. Additionally, a VIP seat in the casino will be at your disposal. It's a great spot with a view of the whole place from above. I would even offer a bunny girl entourage if you were a man.''<br>
''This is to your liking, is it not, Jabami-sama? Let us play a game."'' Kifune spoke with narrowed eyes and a wide grin. This was rude politeness at it's peak.
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Despite the fair weather and warm summer sun, a shiver ran down my spine. What on earth happened to this girl that made her this way?
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''"That's nice. So what happens if I lose?"'', Yumeko said with a calm voice and a blank expression.
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''"Well, you'll need to sleep somewhere of course, so I'll get a linen room prepared for you"'', Kifune replied.
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A linen room is where hotel staff keeps housekeeping equipment. Bed sheets, detergents, mops and the like. It's technically usable as a sleeping spot if a mattress can be fit in.<br>
I started protesting and Mary backed me up; ''"Don't accept this, Yumeko. Everyone will look down on you if they know you sleep in a utility closet."'' It didn't help.
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''"Let's do it"'', Yumeko said.
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''"Wonderful! It's on then."'' Kifune flicked her fingers and pointed at Yumeko. 
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