Just Lucky

"Hajime, this is a really bad idea. I mean, this is Nagito Komaeda we're talking about here! I'm fairly certain it won't end well." My peach-haired friend tells me as we lean against our respective lockers.

"You don't understand! Everyone who knows me already thinks I'm some average, loser nobody, but if I can beat the Nagito Komaeda in a gambling match then, I don't know, maybe I'll have an actual chance at being something of significance!" I reply, stamping my foot for emphasis.

"Or you'll end up with an even worse crushing debt that you have right now, one you'll never escape! You're the one who's not comprehending this, Hajime, Komaeda is extraordinary! He's unbeatable, you know that! Please, Hajime, it's not worth it!" She argues, a desperation in her tone, eyes crinkling with worry. I lay my hand on top of hers, giving it a soft, reassuring pat.

"I can do this," I promise, "I-no, this is just something I need to do. I have to do this, to prove to myself and everyone around me that I actually have some worth!" She shakes her head.

"You're going to lose, Hajime. And believe me, life will be even worse as a Housepet. You have no idea of knowing how large he'll want to wager!"

"Come on, Chiaki, can't you believe in me just once?!" I groan.

"I'm always in your corner, Haj. I'm just trying to look out for you. Please, don't do this."

I open my mouth to refute what she just said but immediately trail off at the sound of a new set of footsteps moving down the hall. Naturally we both turn to get a better look. Teenagers are just nosy like that sometimes.

With one rolled-up-sleeve arm, the owner of the footsteps, Nagito Komaeda himself, tucks a white lock of hair out of his shiny green-grey eyes, flashing everyone around him a friendly smile. Not that anyone should be deceived by a cheery smile like that of course. For anyone who had ever witnessed a Komaeda gamble, they already knew he was a merciless demon when it came to gambling.

He had taken millions upon millions of yen from hundreds of students, all done with that stupid, carefree smile. A lot of people chalk it up to cheating, or maybe he knew the tricks to all the games, I'm not sure. Whenever people dared to ask about his gambling methods and strategies, he'd claim it was all merely 'good luck.'

Yet despite everything, the one thing that was certain was that he absolutely adored gambling, like most people in this school. He relished the risk. He plays like...he doesn't care what happens to him in the end. Like. . .he has nothing to live for.

"Hajime, I'm begging you, don't do this!" Chiaki pleads. I shake her off gently.

"It's going to be fine." I promise. And with those words I step away from her, into the center of the hall.

"Uh, Nagito? Nagito Komaeda?" I call out hesitantly, not sure if he would pick up my voice from this far away, or even acknowledge a nobody like me for that matter. But to my surprise, he slowly comes to a stop and turns to face me, eyes wide and curious.

"Yes?~" He asks softly, voice just as smooth as silk. I gulp nervously.

"M-...My name is Hajime Hinata and I would like to gamble with you!" I blurt out quickly. It feels like word vomit, even though this is something I had planned out and rehearsed in front of the mirror even. But it's probably just my nerves.

His eyes widened in surprise, cocking his head to the side curiously. His eyes then run over me, taking my entire pathetic appearance in. I can't help but stiffen under his powerful, dominating gaze, making me both nervous and excited at the same time. After what feels like an eternity, he smiles.

"Mmm, alright. I'd love to gamble with you, Hi-na-ta~," He suddenly leans in close, his face mere inches from mine, "meet me right here after the final bell. I'd hate for anyone to follow us."

He then pulls away just as sudden as he'd leaned in, and flashes me one last smile. "I'll see you later then, Hajime~."

And with that he turns away from me, continuing to make his way down the hall, leaving me behind, flustered and bewildered. I can't seem to tear my eyes away from him until he disappears around the corner.

I feel a strong grip suddenly close around my wrist and I'm yanked out of the center of the hall. Getting spun around, I find myself face to face again with Chiaki.

"I can't believe you did that, Hajime!," She scolds angrily, "You're crazy, absolutely crazy! You're not going to accomplish anything, you can't beat him!" She throws her hands up in the air for emphasis.

"He has to be beaten by someone someday!" I argue back, "it could be me!"

"Except that it won't! I'm sorry, Hajime, you won't be able to beat him." She sighs. I glare down at her.

"I can and I will!" I snap.

Not interested in hearing anymore, I turn and storm down the hallway. Staying any longer would be fruitless, she'll just scold me even more.

-

The rest of the day I spend in nervous anticipation. A match against Nagito Komaeda, I'm going to gamble with Nagito Komaeda!

I couldn't focus on my work at all. I kept staring at the window, tapping my pencil absentmindedly against my desk, having fluctuating fantasies against conquering Komaeda and him draping a Housepet tag around my neck.

Before I know it, the final bell trills and I find myself back in the hall where I had asked him to play originally. I shift nervously from foot to foot, wringing my hands anxiously.

Will he even show up to this pathetic gamble against me? I mean, there are probably so many better matches he could attend where he could make some real money.

Maybe...I should just go home...

"Hajime, I'm so sorry I'm late!"

I turn at the sound of the silky-smooth voice. He's running towards me with a smile plastered on his face. He appears to have ditched his red blazer and had rolled his dress-shirt sleeves just above his elbows. Over his shoulder is a simple beige duffle bag.

He skitters to a stop in front of me, bowing his head slightly. "Sorry." He repeats. I shake my head slightly.

"It's no problem." I mutter in reply. He cocks his head happily.

"Shall we go then? Perhaps we can go to an empty classroom, we shouldn't get much disturbance in one of them..." He suggests thoughtfully. I bob my head.

"Yep, sounds good!" I reply. His eyes light up.

"Excellent! Come with me!~"

He grabs my arm and starts dragging me down the hall before I can react. He looks so excited to gamble it's almost scary.

He takes me straight to some random classroom at the other end of the school. I watch awkwardly as he pushes open the door and checks inside for any people before turning to grin at me. "It's empty." He informs me. I force a smile.

"Err-nice."

He enters first, me following him close behind, pulling the door shut behind us.

"Sit anywhere you'd like, Hinata." He tells me, crossing the room. I glance around helplessly before just sitting at the desk closest to where I was standing. Komaeda approaches the desk in front of me, flipping the chair around so that he can sit directly across from me.

"I always keep a deck on me," He explains, producing a deck of cards from his pocket, "I'm always ready to gamble!"

He takes the cards out of their package, a more serious expression now on his face. He expertly fans them out in front of me, showcasing all of them.

"Check them if you want, Hinata, people always accuse me of cheating." He offers.

"Ah-I don't think that's necessary, thanks." I respond, intimidated just by how expertly he handles the cards.

"Suit yourself," He replies before giggling a little, "that was a little card pun."

He sweeps them all up in one fluid motion and begins moving them in an overhand shuffle.

"We'll do something simple, nothing life-threatening or anything. We'll each receive random cards and play five random poker hands. Whoever receives a higher hand will win the round, royal flush beats straight, full house beats flush, etc. If neither of us draw a common hand it's a tie," He explains, "is that alright with you, Hajime?"

"Sounds good to me." I agree, nodding.

The white-haired boy then deals us each five random cards, taking extra precaution not to look at any of them.

"Ah, before we begin, we have the matter of the wager," He hums, "perhaps...fifteen million yen to start?"

If I had some water I would've done a spit take.

"To start?! I don't have that much money on me!" I protest in response.

His eyes darken dangerously as he stares me down.

"Oh?"

"I-I mean, I can't afford to have a debt like that right now if I lose," I explain sheepishly, "adding that to what I have now...I'd surely be on my way to becoming a Housepet."

"But Hajime, it's way more exciting to put everything on the line!," He insists, "Isn't gambling all about the thrill of the risk?! It's...like your hope and despair are battling inside you! Don't you want to experience that wonderful addicting feeling?! . . .Ah, unless you're not brave enough."

Was it my imagination or did his eyes swirl a little?! Well, whatever, I won't allow him to mess with me like this!

'I'll show you!'

"Fine," I reply harshly, "fifteen million yen it is."

He smirks back at me. "Excellent~ Then let's begin."

He then swipes his cards off the table and examines them. Not that he could do anything about them in a game like this-a game that is entirely luck-based.

I slowly take a look at my first hand.

Two pairs. Not bad. Not as good as I'd like to be of course, but still better than it could be.

"Now then, let's relish the nerve-racking despair of not knowing who's hand is higher!" He chirps excitedly.

. . .Weird choice of words but alright.

"Are you ready, Hinata?" He asks eagerly.

"Um, yeah."

"Wonderful! Then let's begin!"

He slams his hand on the table revealing...nothing. No special combinations or anything.

He laughs, noticing my expression. "What awful luck, isn't it? We're only on our first hand and I'm already closer to losing! Ah-what did you have, Hajime?"

Huh. Maybe. . .I can beat him after all. Maybe his good luck has finally run out.

I proudly place my hand on the table. "Ta-da!" I say proudly. His eyes widened.

"Splendid, Hajime! Kudos to you on securing victory on our very-first hand!" He congratulates me.

What? No-shouldn't he be upset he's losing so far?

". . .Yeah." I mumble. He then sweeps the cards up and begins shuffling them back into the deck so that we may start fresh on the next hand.

"So, what made you want to challenge me?" He asks curiously. The words start pouring out of me before I can stop myself.

"Oh, um, honestly? I wanted to see if I would be able to beat you, since you are unbeatable," I admit, "if I were to be able to defeat you, then I might become someone. Not that it matters. I'm not any good at gambling or any of these games anyways, so this is kind of pointless anyway."

Wow, pouring my heart out to a complete stranger. . .shit!

My face heats up. "Ah, please don't tell anyone what I just said! I didn't mean to say all of that!" I immediately follow up with. He laughs.

"That was extremely honest and you said it all to a no one," He agrees, "but don't worry, your secret's safe with me~ Now then, on to the next hand?"

Like last time, he deals five cards at random to each of us. I flip mine over.

Dammit! Nothing!

The frustration must be palpable on my face as Komaeda gives me a curious look, saying nothing.

"Here we go." He says, placing his cards face-up on the table.

Ah-he has a flush!

I angrily slam my garbage hand down on the desk. Komaeda giggles.

"Calm down, Hinata!~" He teases.

"Shuddup." I grumble in response.

He snatches the cards back up and shuffles. I take a deep breath.

"Why did you agree to gamble with me?" I ask.

"You caught my interest. And rightfully so. Be careful, Hajime, I might just keep you after this is over~"

My cheeks immediately become dusted with pink.

"One way or another I'll make you my pet~" He breathes, "now then, third hand?"

Wait-what did he just say?! I probably misheard. Or maybe it's just a strange mind game...

Nagito deals. I get nothing. Neither does Nagito. It's a tie.

We move onto the fourth hand. Somehow, I come out on top.

The. Fifth hand. Nagito triumphs.

"It appears...we are at a tie." He comments.

"A tie." I echo. He smiles.

"Then, shall we stake it all on one final hand?! Such an exciting gamble, wouldn't you agree, Hajime?!"

I lean back slightly. "Um...yeah, that seems fair."

"Ehehe~ Prepare to be in debt to me, Hinata~" He teases, dangerous glint in his eyes. I shiver.

He collects the cards, shuffling them rapidly. "Ah, this is exciting!" He gushes. I sigh.

"Deal em." I respond.

He deals five random cards to each of us with a grin. "Now, let's begin! The beginning of the end!"

I take a look at my cards. What incredible good luck! A straight flush! There's no way he can beat me now!

I glance over at Komaeda, trying to read his expression. Wow, he has such an incredible poker face, doesn't he? He's truly a professional. Me on the other hand, can't contain my happiness.

"STRAIGHT FLUSH," I boast, slamming my hand on the table, "read em and weep!"

He smiles curiously.

"Well done there, Hajime." He congratulates me.

"Now I believe you owe me that fifteen million yen," I say, "Hehe, I can finally pay back all of my debts! Yeah! Woohoo!"

I do a little wiggly dance in my seat.

And that's when Nagito starts giggling. I freeze.

"Ah, Hinata~..." He drawls out.

"Wh- …Oh no." I groan.

He gently lays his hand on the desk, fanning them out.

"You've got that wrong~"

Son of a bitch!

He has a royal flush.