Editing Kakegurui Trip Fulltext (section)

==Chapter 2, part 6==

After Yumeko was relieved of the bag and handed her coin card, we sat at the bar for a drink.
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The rows of glasses and bottles on the shelves was quite the sight. Back on the ship the choice seemed generous but it was nothing compared to what was on display here. The bar stools were not the most comfortable though. Light piano music was playing in the background.
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''"It's all very classy, as you'd expect form Hyakkaou"'', Mary said while picking up a long, thin, chocolate covered cracker. 
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''"So how did you do?"'', I asked.
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''"Hehehe... I won't have to worry about lunch money for a while"'', she said with a wide grin while chewing on the cracker. She was clearly in an excellent mood. ''"You want a fruit plate? My treat."''
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''"Yay! Thank you, Mary-san!"'', Yumeko grabbed Mary's free arm.
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Mary pushed her away. ''"No, not you. You've won more than I did."''
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Yumeko looked dejected. Then something caught her eye. A girl was sitting one seat away form her. She was wearing the long-sleeve school uniform jacket, unlike most here who wore the summer vest or only the shirt.
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''"Good evening"'', Yumeko said with a cheerful voice while turning to the girl.
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The girl trembled and didn't reply. Then she hunched as if she wanted to hide.
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''"I saw you earlier. You've been sitting at the bar for a long time. Aren't you going to play any games?"'', Yumeko asked with an honest smile.
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''"... I'm fine"'', the girl finally said with a voice so quiet I could barely hear it from where I was sitting.<br>
She was short. There was no way her feet were touching the ground and it occurred to me she had to climb onto the bar stool earlier. In her hands was a coffee cup.
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''"Since we're at a casino, we should have some fun! My name Yumeko Jabami. May I ask for yours?"''
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''"... Mitarai"'', the girl replied with the same timid voice.
[[Image:Kakegurui.trip.04.mitarai.meet.webp|frameless|right|300px|Mitarai is drinking her coffee]]
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Mitarai had a short haircut with long bangs. She was still hunching and looking down. The hair covered most of her face but I saw her eyes were moving around quickly as if she was looking out for danger. She sipped from her coffee cup with slightly trembling hands
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''"I'm sorry, Mitarai-san. Yumeko must have spooked you a bit, huh? Would you like a fruit plate? It's on me because I.... ooh..."''<br>
Mary spoke with a calming, guardian-like voice, but stopped half-way as she noticed something.
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I noticed it too now. Mitarai was wearing a housepet tag.<br>
The trip and accommodations were free so it wasn't infeasible for a housepet to be here. It didn't seem likely that one would willingly spend their free time among fellow students, though. They had to endure plenty of bad treatment from them as it was.<br>
Was Mitarai trying to strike it rich at the casino? Did someone order her to come here as a servant? 
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Yumeko was sitting closest to her and must have seen the tag earlier. ''"Sorry to trouble you. If we meet again, I look forward to it."''
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Mitarai didn't reply.
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The lights suddenly dimmed. One of the VIP seating balconies overlooking the hall was illuminated by spotlights. Standing on it was a girl dressed in black. People around us whispered. ''"What's going on?" "Is something wrong?"
<br>''<br>
The girl in black spoke with a loud, clear and confident voice. ''"Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, all who have come to Ryouran Island, I hope you are enjoying yourselves tonight! I am Kifune Izayoi, the manager of this casino!"''
She swung her right arm high up, then rested the hand in front of her, waist-high. A bow followed. It was an exaggerated move, but not inelegant. 
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There was applause. Some of the students from other halls were heading here, making the crowd thicker. ''"What's this about?" "Is there a show of some kind?"''
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Kifune waited for more people to gather and then went on with her speech. ''"We will be holding the Ryouran Island Poker Tournament tomorrow! It's the main event of the summer camp! Many of you expected it, no doubt! I'm proud to announce that you will not be disappointed!"''
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''"A poker tournament? I didn't know about this. Did you, Saotome?"'', I asked.
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''"Shhh... Shut up and listen. If you're not careful, you'll get involved in something weird"'', Mary whispered back.
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''"Anyone can sign up for the tournament as long as they pay the entry fee! All the money from sign ups will be quadrupled and given to the winner!"'', Kifune continued.
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The whispering in the crowd got louder. 
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''"Yes, you heard that right! The winner takes all and the prize money is much more than the fees collected!''<br>
''It is our way of showing our gratitude to our guests! If we can make your stay even a little more joyous and thrilling, there would be no greater happiness for us! We will announce what the prize money will be just before the tournament begins! I invite you all to participate!"'' Kifune was looking around the hall while speaking.
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''"Also, anyone can place bets on who will win! Wager as much as you want! You don't have to bet right from the start! If you wait until there are less participants left in the race, we will still take your bet! The payout depends on how many players are still competing at the time of betting, of course!"''<br>
''"To sign up for the tournament, please speak to a staff member tomorrow evening! Well then everyone, the night is still young! I wish you all good luck and hope you enjoy yourselves to the utmost!"'' Kifune ended the announcement with another bow. 
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She maintained the bend forward pose for a while but quickly raised her head to look around the hall again. Her gaze turned towards us. She was obviously looking at Yumeko but I felt targeted just the same. A chill ran down my spine when I saw her expression. There was no sense of challenge in Kifune's eyes. It was the look of mockery towards an inferior.
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I looked at Yumeko beside me. Somehow I already knew what I would see. She was smiling and it was not in a calm or inviting way. It was the same expression she had back on the ship. A smile of someone who has madness welling up inside of them. I shivered again.
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Kifune left the balcony and the lights returned to normal.<br> 
Mary grabbed Yumeko by the shoulders. ''"You're not planning on signing up, are you? That's something only an idiot would do! You'd be like a moth flying into a flame! I can't stop you, but I sure as hell won't join you!"''
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Yumeko wasn't listening. She was still staring at the balcony where Kifune made her speech.
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Mitarai was gone. Only the cup with a little bit of coffee left in it remained.
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