ON A CERTAIN BREAK, we students received a message from the school. It was about an amusement facility that had been under construction in the basement of Keyaki Mall. It seemed to be a fusion of a game center and a casino, and I, having won the lottery, decided to check out the pre-opening.

There were only a few, but I could already spot some students who had received an invitation.

However, amidst them, I noticed our homeroom teacher trying to be inconspicuous but standing out due to her extraordinary outfit—a bunny girl costume.

“Did you quit being a teacher and get a new job?”

“Ah, Ayanokōji!?”

Chabashira-sensei, who almost fell backward in surprise, was not dressed in her usual suit but in a bunny girl outfit.

“What’s this all about?”

“…This is… work.”

“Well, I didn’t think you became a bunny girl just for fun…”

Perhaps my calm response helped Chabashira-sensei regain some of her composure, as she cleared her throat.

“A casino inside a school—don’t you think it’s like oil and water?”

“Of course, I do.”

Looking around, there were poker, roulette, and many other games that seemed too stimulating for students to play with.

“Right now, there’s an effort to teach the handling of money. For example, teaching the mechanics of stocks and letting students practice trading. This casino is one such experiment.”

“So, by betting money, you teach its value. It might work well, but isn’t there a risk of it backfiring?”

“That’s why they’ve invited only a select group of students. Seeing that you’re one of them, it’s safe to say they’ve chosen those who can participate with moderation.”

Indeed, now that she’s mentioned it, that might be the case.

Most of the participants were students with high academic abilities and aptitude.

To put it bluntly, students like Ike or Hondō were nowhere to be seen.

“Then, I’ll just take a look around.”

I was interested, so I decided to try various things.

That was the plan, but Chabashira-sensei grabbed my shoulder.

“What is it?”

“I was saved by your calm composure. As a way of thanking you, I’ll show you the ropes.”

“No, thank you.”

I shook off her hand and started to walk away.

Chabashira-sensei hurriedly came around.

“I’m sorry, I’ll tell you the truth, so please cooperate.”

“I thought so. It’s clear from your expression that you’re in trouble. Perhaps one of the teachers will give a lecture to the students in a one-on-one setting first, right?”

Looking at the other students, I could see that each had a teacher by their side, so I had predicted this.

“…Did you understand that and try to run away?”

“I wasn’t trying to run away, but I thought you teaching me wouldn’t be necessary.”

“I definitely want to teach you, Ayanokōji.”

“Are you embarrassed to be seen by other students in that outfit? Just guessing.”

I received a fierce glare upon giving my answer.

“Let’s go, Ayanokōji.”

Apparently, she had no intention of discussing the bunny outfit any further and started walking.

Reluctantly following her, we stopped at a poker table.

“This seat is free, perfect. Do you know the rules of poker?”

“I do, to some extent.”

“Here, we’re using simple closed poker.”

You’d buy all five cards at the start, and then you could exchange any number of them once to make a hand. Those were the rules of the game.

“I’ll play against you.”

“I don’t mind, but do I get anything?”

“Unfortunately, there’s nothing. But on the flip side, there’s no penalty for losing, so no need to be wary.”

In that case, I could just purely enjoy the game… 

At Chabashira-sensei’s signal, the dealer dealt the cards.

“Now, let’s check your hand.”

“Before that, may I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“It’s less interesting without anything to bet on.”

“I won’t deny that, but that’s the rule. The school hasn’t set any betting terms at this stage.”

“Then why don’t we make an arrangement between you and me, Chabashira-sensei?”

“…Well, that’s true. But no betting money.”

“I understand. If I win, let me take a photo of you in that bunny girl outfit.”

“What!?”

“If it’s not about money, the school shouldn’t complain. Plus, it adds some tension this way, right?”

Chabashira-sensei, eager to return to her former appearance, knew she couldn’t afford to lose the inevitable battle.

“If I win, you’ll have to dress up in something embarrassing. You’re okay with that, right?”

“Understood. Shall we begin then?”

“Ah, so nonchalant… Alright!”

I checked my five cards without letting Chabashira-sensei see.

Meanwhile, it seemed the rabbit in front of me… no, Chabashira-sensei was doing the same.

With a somewhat grim face, Chabashira-sensei requested to exchange three cards.

On my end, I requested to exchange two.

“It’s nice to have something at stake.”

But this time, it was just about exchanging cards and revealing hands. There was no strategizing with chips, so it was fair to say it all came down to the luck of the draw.

“My hand is… a two pair.”

She revealed her hand. The two cards she kept were a pair, and the three she drew made another pair.

“Too bad. My hand is a three-of-a-kind.”

I had actually aimed for a flush. Luckily, I was able to draw two cards of the same number, beating Chabashira-sensei.

Glancing at the pouting bunny girl banging the table, I took out my phone.

“Now, as promised… you understand, right?”

“Damn it… Kill me!”

“No, I won’t kill you…”

I didn’t know what she was misunderstanding, but I had Chabashira-sensei, who closed her eyes in humiliation, stand against the wall.

Then, I mercilessly took her picture with my phone.

“The humiliation… The humiliation!”

For a while, Chabashira-sensei kept muttering that.

Afterward, I woke up in bed.

“Well, it had to be a dream… obviously.”

But later, I would be terrified by the photo saved on my phone.

 

 

Author’s Comments

Shōgo Kinugasa

 

During the school festival, my family of four got really into a spot-the-difference illustration. I won without holding back, thinking I had shown my father’s dignity. But I feel like my daughter’s affection for me has decreased a bit.

 

Tomose Shunsaku

I had the pleasure of drawing Chabashira-sensei as a bunny. She looks good being embarrassed in various outfits. Personally, I enjoy drawing the bunny girl costume with shiny highlights and reflections.