Chapter 113: Blackjack

“That makes sense, but… I won’t lose a single round, so there’s no need to take off any clothes. Hmph, get ready to beg for mercy!”

“HAHAHAHAHA… cough, cough…”

In the midst of boasting, Liyakade suddenly remembered something, her laughter abruptly cutting off as she nearly choked on her own saliva.

Because in the original world, on a certain game’s professional stage, everyone who said ‘I won’t lose a single round from here on out’ ended up losing miserably. So this phrase itself was a flag.

“You look so smug! Serves you right! Hahaha.”

Seeing Liyakade choke, Field, who had been gnashing her teeth in anger just moments before, couldn’t help but laugh as well.

“As expected of Miss Liakade.”

Alice smiled gently.

“Don’t look at me with that kind of expression while making remarks about this sort of thing!”

Liyakade glared indignantly at Alice, feeling as if that comment implied she was an idiot.

“Hmph! I’m raising the stakes to two pieces of clothing!”

Liyakade seemed dissatisfied with the slow pace of the game and, as if in a huff, increased the bet to two pieces. At the same time, she pushed the deck toward Alice.

“Alice, you’re the dealer this round. I’m going to win all your clothes!”

“Raising the stakes… Fine, fine, do as you like. Just don’t regret it later.”

Hearing Liyakade’s words, Field sweatdropped slightly. Honestly, stripping piece by piece was more interesting, but since it was Liyakade’s idea, she decided to go along with it.

“Eh? I’m the dealer first? Well, all right.”

Alice had no objections to Liyakade’s request. After all, Field had already demonstrated earlier.

With that, Alice began clumsily shuffling the cards like Field had done before, then dealt them one by one to Field and herself.

This time, Liyakade’s cards were 5 and 8, Field’s were 2 and K, and Alice’s face-up card was a Q.

“Hit me.”

Without hesitation, Liyakade asked for another card. 5 and 8 added up to 13, which was too low. If she stopped there, she would surely lose, and the risk of busting by adding more wasn’t high.

Liyakade took the card Alice dealt—6 points. Now it totaled 19, a strong hand.

“Hit me.”

Field also chose to draw. K and 2 added up to 12; there was no reason not to add more, and this time Field’s luck seemed to turn around.

“Hehehe, looks like luck is on my side this time. Stand!”

Field grinned, revealing the newly drawn card—an 8 of clubs.

With that, her points reached 20, surpassing Liyakade.

“What!”

Still debating whether to draw another card, Liyakade gasped when she saw Field slap down the 8, leaning back in shock.

She bit her thumbnail, visibly distressed.

“Field’s hand is actually higher than mine… I can’t accept this…”

“Hey, Alice is the dealer this round, so it doesn’t matter if we compare. “

Field reminded the conflicted Liyakade, pulling her hand down in the process.

“Also, don’t bite your nails. It’s unsanitary.”

“That’s true…”

Liyakade paused, then slowly leaned back against the sofa.

Just as Alice and Field thought Liyakade wouldn’t draw another card, she suddenly sprang up.

“Hit me!!! Even if I don’t need to compare with Field, I’m still drawing!”

With fierce determination, Liyakade grabbed the top card of the deck.

She had to show her resolve and authority here—firmly establish her position at home! Watch closely, all of you, who’s really on top!

“So bold?”

Field was taken aback by Liyakade’s aura.

Liyakade held the card up before her face, the curve of her mouth growing wider with madness.

“Mmhmhmhmhmhmhm… Hahahahahaha! 2 points!”

She slapped the card on the table—a 2.

Alice and Field were both stunned by Liyakade’s luck.

Was she truly a gambling demon?

“All or nothing…”

Liyakade clenched her small pink fist, raising it to her chest like a chuunibyou opening champagne.

“Take it all! This is my gambling luck! Hahahaha!”

Her points now totaled 21—a near-invincible position, unless…

“Stand! Let’s reveal, Alice-chan!”

Liyakade’s crimson eyes swept over Alice’s shirt and skirt, as if already preparing to undress her.

“Miss Liakade, you still say you’re not a little pervert!”

Feeling Liyakade’s blatant gaze, Alice pouted in protest.

“You were pretending to be shy when you were naked earlier, so why are you so enthusiastic now? Miss Liakade really is a little pervert!”

“No, no, this is different.”

Liyakade shook her head, making excuses.

“This is just a game bet, nothing more. I’m not looking because I want to.”

Her smug expression said otherwise—everything seemed to be going as she expected.

You wanted me to strip?

Now the tables have turned!

“Let me guess… what color is Alice wearing today? Is it white like last time?”

Certain of her victory, Liyakade continued to tease Alice.

Seeing Alice’s mix of embarrassment and annoyance, Liyakade couldn’t help but feel pleased.

Finally, the tide has turned!

“I’m not telling a little pervert!”

Alice shouted as she flipped her face-down card, slapping it on the table.

“It doesn’t matter what your card is…”

Liyakade tried to keep boasting, but when she saw Alice’s revealed card, her words died in her throat.

Alice’s face-down card was an A.

“Pfft… Hahahahaha, Liyakade.”

Seeing Alice’s hidden card, Field burst into laughter, even mimicking Liyakade’s earlier victory declaration.

“It doesn’t matter what your card is… Liyakade, why didn’t you finish your sentence, hahahaha.”

“Don’t copy me! And stop laughing! You lost too, so what’s so funny? You even have to take off more than I do!”

Seeing her own revealed card, Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

Added together, it was also 21 points—Liyakade didn’t win, but neither did Alice lose.

But looking at Liyakade’s frozen expression and Field’s manic laughter, Alice felt something was off. Their reactions didn’t match a tie—it felt like she’d won.

“That’s right, just as you think, Alice. This round is your win.”

Field noticed Alice’s confusion and explained.

“This is a special rule—Blackjack.”

“If the first two cards total 21, it’s an automatic win, so your 21 beats Liyakade’s 21.”

“I see… So that means I won!”

Understanding the special rule Field mentioned, Alice immediately brightened.

Then, mimicking Liyakade’s earlier words, she teased back.

“Hehe, Miss Liakade? What color are you wearing today? Would you mind showing me?”

“Is it white like last time? Or maybe something sexier, like black?”

“…I won’t… tell you.”

Liyakade realized only after speaking that Alice had said the same thing earlier.

She felt like a boomerang had circled back and hit her.

“Oh right, I almost forgot, Blackjack has increased odds—you need to take off three pieces, Liyakade.”

Field reminded her.

“I got it!”

Liyakade removed her bow tie while urging Field.

“Also, stop making snide comments and get undressed! You lost too!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Field sighed, slipping off her little leather shoes and one sock, placing them by the sofa.

“Does one shoe count as one piece?”

“What else?”

“Fine.”

Liyakade, true to her word, removed her two little shoes.

With a soft ‘plop’, they fell to the floor, revealing her small feet clad in black stockings.

Then, Liyakade shifted her position, hugging her knees as she sat on the sofa.

“Hurry up and start the next round, I’m the dealer now! And stop staring at my feet!”