Chapter 30
Invitation to a
Similar but Different Place
While letting my thoughts wander to the Victory Road spreading out
before my eyes, I arrived at Odaiba in no time. In my usual tacky jersey
outfit, I will proudly join the fray in this place of relaxation for ladies and
gentlemen.
「Ah, there
isn't a dress code or anything, right?」
No, no, I mustn't get distracted by unnecessary things. It's not like
I'm participating in some ceremony, so this should be fine. Anyway, let's go.
I didn't know the specific location of the casino, so I thought I might
stumble around the station a bit, but thankfully, the casino was right near the
station. Without hesitation, I charged into a building that looked like a
luxurious hotel. Even if it's my first time, I have to be as confident as a
regular; otherwise, they'll look down on me!
「Umm, what
should I do.」
Compared to the guys around me, I, with my clearly out-of-place age and
appearance, am attracting a lot of attention. But I don't care. First of all, I
have absolutely no idea what the etiquette is or what I should do. I decided to
obediently ask the receptionist-like Onee-san at the place marked
"Information". Everyone has a first time. There's no need to feel
embarrassed.
「'Sup, it's
my first time here. Nice to meet ya.」
「Eh, yes.
Hello.」
「I want to
make a killing, what should I do?」
The capable-looking Onee-san seemed troubled over how to reply to
my frank words. Did I say something weird? Can't be helped, I'll try rephrasing
it.
「Onee-san, just tell me what I should do for now. I've got
money, you know.」
500,000 yen, in fact!
「...Since it
is your first time here, dear customer, I will explain the general rules from
the beginning.」
For some reason, Onee-san seemed to brace herself. Probably
because I understand absolutely nothing, she felt like she had to give a
troublesome explanation. I'll listen attentively like a proper beginner here.
After silently listening to the lengthy explanation, I, a naive little
girl ignorant of the world, had become a loser. To think I would lose before
even fighting, no, that I didn't even have the qualifications to fight in the
first place, was unexpected.
「To think you
can't play unless you have a deposit of 10 million yen or more in a casino
account or whatever... Are you kidding me.」
It seemed I could open an account if I was an adult and had an ID, but I
don't have that kind of money. Even combining the amount I deposited at the Dungeon
Administration, my entire fortune is a little over 1 million yen at best.
It's not enough at all. Trudging along, I sat alone and lonely on a bench in a
park that seemed to fill the gaps in the neighborhood lined with splendid
buildings.
「Who says you
can't play without that much money? In the end, a casino is just a playground
for the rich.」
I feel like I lost even though I haven't lost. Clutching the thin wad of
500,000 yen I took out of my pouch, I let out a self-deprecating chuckle,
"fufu".
「Hey girl,
put that money away. Don't go showing it off like that.」
I suddenly heard a low voice from the bench next to me. It seems he's
warning me.
「Ossan, don't tell me you're mugging me?」
「Look here, I
was warning you, wasn't I.」
Crap. Looking closely, this ossan is a scary-looking person. A
punch perm and a bearded face in this day and age? And he's wearing a flashy,
weirdly patterned shirt. Are you kidding me.
「I'm sorry!」
If you apologize with all your might, most people will forgive you. This
should be fine.
「Shut up,
you'll give the people around us the wrong idea!」
「Ah, I'm
truly sorry about that.」
True. It's innocent little me and a scary-faced ossan. If someone
saw me apologizing loudly, it would look like nothing but some sort of trouble
had occurred. Plus, I'm holding a wad of cash.
「Whatever,
just put the money away already. How long are you going to hold it.」
「Okey-dokey.」
「Anyway,
what're you doing in a place like this? It ain't my place to say, but this area
ain't the kind of place for women and kids to wander around alone. If you got
no business here, hurry up and go home.」
Hmm? Does that mean public order is bad in this neighborhood lined with
beautiful, splendid buildings? It really doesn't look like it, and I can't see
anyone who looks scary besides this ossan. I don't really get it.
「What's
dangerous about it?」
「Just go
home.」
「Hey, hey, ossan.
I can't just go home for nothing. I came here to earn money, after all.」
「Earn money?
Are you selling yourself even though you're a brat? You sure don't look half
bad, but you shouldn't sell yourself cheap.」
What is this guy saying.
「Selling
myself? What's that. I said I came to gamble. Also, I'm a splendid adult.」
「No matter
how you look at it, you're a brat. And you're gambling? Ah, don't tell me
that's what that money earlier was for. So that's how it is, you couldn't get
into the casino.」
「Yeah, yeah,
you're pretty sharp. I never thought they'd say stuff about a casino account or
whatever.」
The ossan let out an ostentatious sigh, as if exasperated. I'm
the one who wants to sigh here.
「Give up on
gambling. The only outcome for someone like you is getting preyed upon. If you
want money, go do an honest part-time job or something.」
This is why I hate ossans with no dreams or romance~. Well, no
matter what I say to the ossan, I can't enter the casino anyway. I
shouldn't dally around, maybe I'll head home soon. It ended up being a
completely wasted trip.
「Aniki! So this is where you were. Please take your cell
phone with you when you go on break.」
The one who appeared running in a panic was a thug who looked exactly
like a petty underling.
「What's
wrong, Takashi. You have to prepare to open the shop, don't you.」
「There is
that, but it's terrible. It seems we can't get in touch with Matsui-san.」
「With Matsui?
Since when.」
「Since this
morning, but Ryuzaki-san and the others are saying he might have skipped town
since last night. The collection bag too...」
「Tch, you go
back to the shop. I'll search where I have an idea he might be, so tell the
other guys.」
After saying just that to the thug, the ossan ran off. He's
surprisingly fast on his feet.
「Ah, and, who
are you? An acquaintance of Tanimura's aniki? Don't tell me
you're his woman?」
「Umm... I'm
not that ossan's woman, but we're like best buds? Like, hobby buddies?」
That punch perm is Tanimura, right. While properly denying the
part I should deny, it might be safe to say this. I don't want to get tangled
up with a thug.
「Is that so?
Excuse me, but I'll be returning to the shop.」
「Shop? Ah,
good work.」
Since we have the "friends" setting going, I nodded with a
knowing look. But these guys, despite their yakuza-like appearance, are running
a shop, huh. I wonder what it is, maybe a food place. I wonder if they'll treat
me.
「Oh right, if
it gets found out that I left aniki's buddy alone, I'll get beaten up
later. You, if you're aniki's buddy and hobby friend, you must've heard
about our shinogi (hustle), right? Wanna come play a bit? We're laying
out the bon (tray), you see.」
What he's saying makes absolutely no sense. Speak so I can understand,
seriously. But somehow, my interest is slightly piqued.
Since the word "bon" (tray) came up, I guess it really
is food-related. It feels like he might treat me, so should I go? Acting like a
know-it-all is right up my alley!
「Nice. Then since I have the chance, I'll drop by for a bit.」
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