Chapter Text
🔵E I G H T🔴
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Kira stood staring at the paperwork that was about to strip away everything she’d spent her life fighting for. Her father had already signed. At this point, the whole thing was just a formality, a cruel, bureaucratic performance, because the decision was set in stone: Riri was the new board representative.
There was nothing left to do. It was a done deal.
Riri reached for the pen, her hand trembling as she hovered over the signature line. She couldn't stop staring at it, even though it felt like acid in her eyes. The winner takes it all; the loser hits the pavement. That was just life, wasn't it?
But something else was eating at her: Yumeko, and that drive. Had her father really kept Yumeko’s mother locked away all these years? She couldn't wrap her head around it.
In a different world, from a different perspective, Riri felt like that pen weighed a ton. Every time she looked down at the paper, the letters blurred, fueled by the panic tightening around her throat. It wasn't just about taking a job she never wanted; it was the unspoken betrayal of Kira. She could feel her sister’s gaze burning into the back of her neck, a look she imagined was full of pure hate, but what hurt most was knowing that, deep down, all Kira felt was total defeat. She hated that her father knew exactly how to pit them against each other. But what could she do?
Finally, Riri signed.
The silence that followed the scratch of the pen against paper was deafening. No cheers, no "well done," nothing. Just the sound of Arkadi snapping the folder shut with a look of satisfaction that made Kira’s stomach turn.
Kira didn’t even blink. She knew if she did, the tears she’d been holding back would finally spill, and she wasn't about to give anyone that satisfaction. Her eyes met Riri’s for a split second. What she saw in her sister wasn't the glow of a win; it was a silent "I’m sorry" that didn't mean a damn thing now that the contract was signed. Riri was the puppet now. And Kira? She was officially nothing.
"Congratulations, Riri," Kira said. Her voice sounded hollow, like it belonged to someone else. "Hope you’re up for the job."
Arkadi let out a dry chuckle and gave Riri a patronizing pat on the shoulder.
"She’ll be just fine, Kira. Unlike you, Riri knows when to bow her head and when to strike without letting her feelings cloud her judgment," Arkadi said, standing up. "I’m proud of you, Riri." He didn’t even spare Kira a glance.
And just like that, her father walked out, with her mother trailing behind like a ghost. No goodbye. No nothing.
The second the door clicked shut and they were alone, Kira felt the air finally hit her lungs, but it burned. She sank into a chair, feeling the crushing weight of everything on her mind and body. This was all she had left. She had to get out of there. She had to find Yumeko.
Riri stood there frozen, pen still in hand, looking like she wanted to phase through the floor.
"Kira... I..." Riri started, her voice cracking.
"Don't. Don't you dare say you're sorry," Kira cut her off, snapping her head up. The vulnerability was gone; her eyes were dead. "You signed it. You’re his pick now—you always were. Just make sure it’s worth it. I don't want to see what he’ll do to you if you screw up."
Kira stood up and walked out without looking back. She moved through the hallways with a speed that bordered on desperation. She didn't care who saw her or if Suki tried to flag her down; she just wanted to get to Yumeko. But in her rush, she slammed right into someone, letting out a frustrated sigh at the contact.
The girl with the blue lipstick was about to snap, but she stopped dead when she saw the look on the stranger's face. The girl was new, no doubt about it. Her uniform was perfect, not a single wrinkle. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail with two face-framing strands that didn't quite make it into a full fringe.
"Who are you?" Kira demanded. She made it her business to know everyone on campus, and there had been zero mention of a transfer.
The girl took a step back, nervously shoving her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
"Sayaka Igarashi," she answered, her voice shaky. "I just transferred today. I’m Michael Adams’ cousin."
Kira arched an eyebrow, processing the name through the chaos in her head. Adams. That was a red flag if she ever saw one. Did her father know about this? Did Riri?
"Michael didn't mention he was calling in family backup," Kira said coldly. She was done with being stripped of power, done with the humiliation, and now she was being kept out of the loop on things she should already know.
"I’m not backup," Sayaka stammered, looking down at Kira’s shoes before forcing herself to meet her eyes, clearly overwhelmed by the President’s presence. "It’s... family logistics. My enrollment was approved directly by the board because of the... situation with my Uncle Ray. My parents thought Michael needed some rational company."
Sayaka tensed up instantly, fidgeting with her glasses and hugging a folder to her chest. Her eyes darted from Kira’s shoes to her face and back to the floor. She looked like she was running mental calculations on what to say to avoid being vaporized on the spot.
"I’m not backup or anything like that," Sayaka repeated in a tiny voice, nearly tripping over her own feet as she tried to back away. "It’s a family thing. Last-minute move because of Uncle Ray. My parents didn't want Michael on his own after... well, you know."
Kira let out a dry, jagged laugh.
"Michael doesn't need a babysitter with glasses, Igarashi." Kira took a step closer, looming over her with a look that could kill. "You picked a hell of a day to show up. So do me a favor: get lost."
Sayaka swallowed hard, visibly shaken by Kira’s tone. She scrambled out of the way with a clumsiness that was almost pathetic, bowing so low she nearly whacked herself with her own folder.
"I-I’m so sorry. My calculations said the hallway would be empty. I didn't mean to... get in the way," she murmured, standing perfectly still as she watched Kira storm past.
Kira didn't look back. The conversation was over.
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After striking out at every spot Yumeko usually haunted, Kira gave in and added the number to her phone. She felt like a little kid doing something behind her parents' back, but it was just Yumeko Jabami’s number, right? Nothing to freak out about.
She let out a long sigh as she sent the first text. A simple <<Hey>>, nothing crazy, yet her hands wouldn't stop shaking.
She stared at the screen for a few seconds, waiting for a reply that didn't come. It was pathetic. She was Kira Timurov, the woman who pulled the strings at St. Dominic’s, and here she was, tucked away in a corner of the hallway, obsessing over a text bubble from the girl she’d sworn to destroy. She hated it, and she hated that it was all Yumeko’s fault.
She pulled the scrap of paper from her pocket to re-read the keywords Yumeko had left her. They were phrases that sounded innocent enough on the surface but carried hidden meanings. Some were simple.
- "History class was boring" meant the coast was clear, or was a way to ask if there was any risk. ]
- "Do you have the art book?" was code for having discovered new information. ]
Kira shoved the paper back into her pocket the second she heard footsteps, tucking her phone away in her jacket.
Suddenly, the phone vibrated, and a chill raced down her spine.
Yumeko: <<Thought it’d take you longer to miss me, Madam President. Was history class boring?>>
Kira pressed her lips together. Yumeko was already using the code. She was likely asking if Kira was alone. She glanced both ways down the hallway, making sure no one was lurking.
Kira: <<Way more than I expected. I’m in the West Wing, near the statues. Where are you?>>
Yumeko: <<In our spot. The one that smells like dust and old books. Hurry up, Kira. I have the art book ready to read.>>
Kira locked her phone. Her heart was thumping at a hundred miles an hour, and it wasn’t just the paranoia of Arkadi catching her, even though he was already gone. It was something else, something she refused to put a name to.
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Kira walked toward the restricted wing, skillfully dodging the cameras she’d helped install years ago. When she reached the heavy wooden door, she pushed it open. The smell of dampness and old paper hit her instantly, but it was Yumeko’s silhouette that made her stop dead in her tracks.
Kira leaned against the doorframe, letting her eyes adjust to the dim light before taking a single step. The room was lit, but Yumeko seemed to draw every bit of light toward herself. She was perched on a dark wood desk, her back slightly arched in a way that felt entirely intentional.
Yumeko had her legs crossed, causing her skirt to hitch up and reveal the pale curve of her thighs. Kira felt a dry knot form in her throat. She tried to tell herself the sudden rush of adrenaline was just nerves from the risk of getting caught, but the way her eyes locked onto Yumeko’s legs told a different story. There was a deliberate slowness to Yumeko's movements that made the air in the room feel thick and heavy.
"You’re late, President," Yumeko murmured without looking up from her phone. A small, knowing smile played on her lips, making it clear she knew exactly who was watching her.
Kira cleared her throat, fighting to keep her icy composure from melting away.
"Family business," Kira snapped, finally stepping into the room and closing the door behind her with a click that sounded way too loud in the silence. "And I see you’ve made yourself right at home on private property."
A few yards away in the corner, Mary and Ryan looked up. Mary was sitting on the floor surrounded by files, while Ryan sat at another table with his laptop, looking like he was in a foul mood. When he saw Kira, Ryan’s jaw tightened. It made his blood boil to see how Yumeko didn't even bother to fix her skirt or change her posture now that the President was there.
"Do you have them?" Ryan asked Mary. His voice was loud enough to snap the trance between the two women.
Kira ignored him. She stepped toward the desk, invading Yumeko’s space until her knees were nearly brushing against the girl's exposed legs. The scent of Yumeko’s perfume hit her like a physical weight. Kira felt a stupid, impulsive urge to reach out and smooth the fabric of Yumeko’s skirt, to cover her up, or maybe just to touch her. She wasn't sure what her body was asking for anymore.
"I’ve got the addresses," Mary said. "But they don't look like the kind of places you’d use to hide a person."
Yumeko finally looked up. Her eyes flashed with that intense, manic glow that only appeared when the stakes were through the roof. She leaned forward, closing the distance until their faces were only inches apart. Her skirt hiked up even further as she moved, but Yumeko didn't seem to care. She only had eyes for the woman with the blue lipstick standing in front of her.
Kira felt the entire world shrink down to the narrow space between them. She could feel the heat radiating from Yumeko’s skin, a warmth that seemed to seep through her own clothes and set her nerves on fire. She looked down for a split second, caught by the way Yumeko’s thighs pressed against the dark wood of the desk, and she felt a jolt of something that definitely wasn't hate. It terrified her.
"Addresses?" Kira repeated. Her voice came out lower and raspier than she intended. She forced herself to meet Yumeko’s eyes to avoid getting lost in the curve of her blouse or the line of her hips. "Show me."
Yumeko didn’t move. She stayed right there, suspended in that suffocating proximity, clearly enjoying the way Kira’s pupils dilated and her breathing turned erratic. It was a power play, but one that didn't feel like a bet anymore.
"They're right here, Kira-san," Yumeko whispered, sliding her finger slowly across her phone screen. "But it’s not just one spot. There are three. The files listed three addresses and several medical logs. None of them explicitly mention my mother, but that would’ve been too easy, wouldn't it?"
"Give me that," Kira ordered. She reached out to take the phone, but Yumeko didn't let go. Instead, she held the device firmly, forcing Kira to wrap her hand over hers just to see the screen.
The contact was the breaking point. Kira felt a spark of desire so sharp it made her entire body feel out of sync. She wanted to pull away, but her fingers instinctively tightened around Yumeko’s. Far from being startled, Yumeko let out a shaky breath that brushed right against the President’s neck.
"Three addresses," Kira murmured, making a superhuman effort to focus on the map. Two were warehouses in the industrial district, standard operating territory for the Board. But the third one... she recognized it.
Ryan stood up abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor.
"It’s a skyscraper," Ryan said, pointing at his own screen. "The Vertex. It’s one of the most exclusive complexes in the city, owned by one of Arkadi Timurov’s shell companies. A lot of medical resources were funneled there, and it was the hardest file to crack. If there’s any chance your mother is in there, how the hell are we supposed to get in? It's practically a fortress."
Kira, who had been content to ignore Ryan, finally decided to weigh in. Her hand was still resting on Yumeko’s from their earlier contact, and with every ounce of willpower, she forced herself to let go and straighten up, though the ghost of that touch still burned her palm.
"Alright, considering The Vertex isn't just some random office building, we have a lot of work to do," Kira said, sliding back into her command tone. "That building is one of the main hubs for my father’s business interests outside the Board. The security is biometric, and there are guards on every single floor. If we try to break in like common thieves, they’ll kill us before the elevator even leaves the lobby. Plus, if we just vanish from St. Dominic’s, it’ll scream suspicious, and we can't afford that. Especially not now that Riri is my father’s right hand."
At the mention of Riri, Mary tensed up. There was a lot she didn't know about Riri, and the things she did know weren't exactly comforting. Yumeko licked her lips, watching Kira pace back and forth. The thought of her mother being kept in such a... horrific place made her stomach turn.
A thousand dark thoughts raced through Yumeko’s mind. Even with the President’s presence acting as a distraction, the grim reality threatened to break her. She wondered what kind of hell her mother had endured at the hands of that psychopath, the same man who had made Kira’s life a living nightmare. She wondered if her mother cried for her. She couldn't wait to rescue her, to finally hold her again, even if it felt like hugging a ghost brought back to life.
"And what exactly are you suggesting then?" Mary asked, arching an eyebrow as she looked at Kira with growing unease.
"I’m suggesting we don’t go in like thieves," Kira replied, stopping in front of the window of the restricted wing, her back turned to them. "The anniversary of St. Dominic’s foundation is in two weeks. Traditionally, there’s a gala on campus, but as President, I have the authority to move the venue for prestige and modernization purposes."
Mary raised an eyebrow, setting the files aside. "Are you suggesting we take the entire school to that skyscraper? Kira, that’s insane. Arkadi will never go for it," the brunette said incredulously.
"My father lives for appearances, Mary," Kira explained, turning around with a faint smile. "If I tell him I want to host a high-stakes gambling weekend at The Vertex to attract new Board investors, he won’t just say yes, he’ll open the doors himself. The students will be in the main ballrooms, betting their fortunes, while we... we’ll be searching the upper floors."
Yumeko stayed silent, processing the sheer scale of what Kira had just proposed. The idea of turning a school gala into a rescue operation was so risky it sent an electric tingle through her fingertips. She slowly slid off the desk, letting her skirt fall back into place, and walked toward Kira until she was standing right behind her.
"A large-scale gamble," Yumeko murmured, almost to herself. She imagined the chaos. The shimmer of gala dresses, the clatter of chips on green felt, and above it all, her saving her mother. "It’s perfect. It’s so loud that no one will notice what’s happening behind closed doors."
Ryan, however, didn’t share the enthusiasm. He rubbed his face in frustration, looking at Yumeko. "Yumeko, think about this for a second. If something goes wrong in that building, there’s no way out. We’ll be surrounded by Arkadi’s personal security on his home turf. We’ll be..." he paused, searching for the word, "...defenseless."
Yumeko turned toward him, and Ryan felt his heart break at the look of pure determination in her eyes. "We aren’t defenseless. Besides, we have Kira," Yumeko said. "She knows the system and I have to see my mom, Ryan. Don’t you get it? This isn’t just about revenge anymore. My mother is breathing somewhere inside that skyscraper. Every second I hesitate is one more second she spends in that hell."
Kira said nothing, but her shoulders tensed at the mention of her name. It felt strange to be the pillar of Yumeko’s trust. In her world, trust was a weakness paid for in blood, but the way Yumeko looked at her, like she was the only way out, created a pressure in her chest she didn't know how to handle.
"However, we’ll need a bigger distraction than just a party," Kira added, breaking the silence. "Arkadi isn't an idiot. If he notices the key players of the school aren't at the tables, he’ll send his men to find us. We need everyone, absolutely everyone, looking at a single point. That’s why Yumeko and I can’t just disappear."
"A tournament," Yumeko proposed. "But not just any tournament. A head-to-head match. The President against the best gambler in school. A bet so big that even Arkadi will want to come down and watch."
"And what could you two possibly bet that’s bigger than what you’ve already put on the line?" Mary asked, remembering the previous semester’s wager.
Yumeko looked at Kira. The memory of the poisoned kiss, everything.
"We’ll do a rematch," Kira said, taking the lead. "If Yumeko wins, she becomes the new Student President. No one has ever beaten me. If I win, she becomes my legal property under school rules. That will keep my father glued to his seat. He loves watching people lose their freedom."
Ryan felt like he was going to throw up. The coldness with which they talked about their own lives was too much for him. But Yumeko just smiled.
"Legal property... I like the way that sounds coming from you, President," Yumeko joked, though her eyes said she accepted the risk. "We have two weeks. Two weeks to prep the ground. If Kira and I can’t do it, I need to know I can trust you two to handle the rest." She looked at her friends with hope.
Ryan crossed his arms, puffing out his chest as he tried to hold Kira’s gaze. He felt pushed aside, sick of the President always controlling the narrative, and mostly sick of Yumeko looking at her with a spark she never gave him.
"I can do it," Ryan blurted out, trying to sound much more confident than he felt. "I know systems, Yumeko. I can get into that skyscraper and find your mother while you two do your little act at the tables. I don't need a Timurov telling me how to move."
Kira let out a sharp, nasal laugh, dripping with a contempt she didn't bother to hide. "The Vertex isn’t some video game server, Ryan. For someone with such bad luck, you sure have a lot of confidence. How stupid."
"I know exactly what I’m up against!" Ryan snapped, taking a step toward her. "I’m up against people like you. And I’m going to prove to Yumeko that she can trust me with this. I don't need you, Kira."
Mary, who had been watching the exchange with a growing sense of suffocation, suddenly made herself heard. Her face was pale, and her hands were shaking so badly she had to hide them in her jacket pockets.
"I can’t..." Mary whispered, looking at Yumeko. "This is too much. First murders, then your mother is alive, and now a break-in at a Board skyscraper... Yumeko, I love you, but this isn't a school bet. It’s a suicide mission. I know you want to find your mom, and I know I said I was in, but I can't. This is too much."
"Mary, wait," Yumeko pleaded, stepping toward her, but the brunette was already heading for the door.
"I need to think, Yumeko. I need air," Mary snapped without looking back, rushing out of the restricted wing.
Yumeko didn’t hesitate. She shot Kira a quick look, one that clearly said "don't kill him," and took off after her friend, leaving the other two in a silence thick with tension and badly managed testosterone.
Yumeko caught up with Mary near the main staircase.
"Mary! Stop, please!" Yumeko cried out, managing to grab her by the arm.
Mary spun around, and Yumeko could see her eyes were glassy with tears.
"What do you want me to say, Yumeko? That sure, let’s all go die for a one-in-a-million shot?" Mary let out a bitter laugh. "You’re putting blind faith in Kira. Kira! The same person who forced poison down your throat. Don’t you see she’s just using you to get to her father?"
Yumeko tightened her grip on Mary’s arm, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"I know who Kira is, Mary. But I also know what I saw in those files. My mother is in there. I can’t just turn my back on that. I need you with me because you’re my only real friend. If you’re not there, the whole plan falls apart, and I won’t be able to save her."
Mary sighed, her shoulders slumping. She looked at Yumeko, seeing the orphan girl who just wanted her past back, and her anger began to dissolve, even if the fear remained as steady as ever.
"You’re an idiot, Yumeko. A very lucky idiot."
"Luck decides, not me. Will you help me?" Yumeko asked, giving her the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster.
"Give me until tomorrow. I just... I need to think this through."
Meanwhile, Ryan remained standing in front of Kira, refusing to let his guard down. Kira had taken a seat on the dark wood desk, watching him with a calm that was driving him out of his mind.
"Feel better now that you’ve gotten some of that shouting out of your system?" Kira asked, her gaze steady. "The hero complex doesn't suit you, Ryan. It just makes you look desperate."
"I’m not desperate. I’m protecting my friend from someone who doesn't have a soul," Ryan shot back. "I know you’re plotting something else. This tournament... the 'legal property' thing. You think I’m stupid? You want Yumeko under your thumb forever."
Kira leaned forward, and Ryan caught a strange glint in her blue eyes.
"Whatever I want with Yumeko is none of your business. But I’ll give you a piece of advice for free: if you really want to help her, stop trying to impress her and start memorizing the building blueprints I’m going to send you. Because if you fail, Yumeko won't just lose her mother, she’ll lose herself. And believe me, Ryan... she won't forgive you for that."
Ryan grit his teeth, the sting of humiliation burning in his throat. He wanted to snap back, but the door swung open and Yumeko walked back in alone, looking exhausted.
"Mary went to get some rest," Yumeko announced, looking at both of them. "Ryan, you should head out too. I need to talk to the President alone about the tournament logistics. And... thanks for going along with the plan."
Ryan looked at Yumeko, then at Kira, and finally gave a grunt of a nod. He grabbed his laptop and left the room, making a point to shoulder the door on his way out.
Kira and Yumeko were left alone in the silence of the restricted wing. The air, which had been thick with shouting and tension just moments ago, now felt electric in a completely different way.
"Your friend is a headache," Kira remarked, breaking the silence. "But he’s right about one thing. The Vertex is a dangerous place. Are you sure you want to put your life in my hands, Jabami?"
Yumeko stepped closer, stopping right where Kira’s knees were slightly parted.
"I already put my life in your hands the day I kissed you with poison, Kira-san," Yumeko replied, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And so far, I’ve enjoyed how the risk feels."
"I bet you have," Kira replied, a small smile playing on her lips.
"I propose that whatever game we play, we find out in the moment. That way there’s less of a chance anyone thinks it was rigged. It should be a surprise," Yumeko said, shifting the subject.
Kira arched an eyebrow, tilting her head as she processed the idea. The thought of not knowing what they would face was terrifying from a logical standpoint, yet strangely thrilling.
"Playing blind..." Kira repeated, letting the words linger. It wasn't exactly crazy, but it wasn't safe either. "It’s a well-crafted bit of madness. If we don’t know the rules, we can’t manipulate the odds in our favor. My father will realize we haven't organized a thing."
Yumeko took another step, invading the space Kira was no longer trying to protect. The heat between them flared up again, a reminder that no matter what else they talked about, there was a deeper current pulling them both under.
"That’s the point, President. If we don’t know what to expect, neither will he." Yumeko reached out and, with agonizing slowness, brushed the edge of Kira’s jacket collar. Her eyes followed the movement, settling on where Kira’s pulse was hammering. "I want to see genuine surprise on your face at the tables. I want the fear you feel to be real, because that’s the only way he’ll buy it. Besides..." Yumeko lowered her voice, her gaze turning dark and intense, "...don’t you get bored always being in control?"
A chill ran down Kira’s spine that had nothing to do with the cold. Yumeko’s words hit home. Part of her was exhausted from always playing the same game, following rules that had led her nowhere.
"Fine," Kira whispered, her breath hitching at Yumeko’s proximity. "The game will be a surprise. But if you lose and become my property... I hope you’re ready for the consequences."
Yumeko let out a dangerous little laugh, the kind that came from the back of her throat.
"Oh, I’m counting on it. But tell me, Kira-san..." Yumeko leaned in even further, her nose nearly brushing against the President’s. "What will you do if I win and take your precious presidency? You’d be left with nothing. No crown, no power... just me."
Kira swallowed hard, her heart pounding so fiercely it almost hurt. The idea of losing everything to Yumeko didn't feel like a total defeat. After all, what else did she have to lose? Her eyes dropped involuntarily to Yumeko’s lips, remembering the question that had gone unanswered earlier that day.
"If you win..." Kira began firmly, though her voice was raspy. She forced herself to pull it together, even as her fingers dug into the wood of the desk behind her. "If you win, you’ll have done what no one in this school ever could. You’ll have destroyed me. And I suspect that’s exactly what you want."
Yumeko didn’t answer with words. Instead, she closed the tiny gap remaining, letting their breaths mingle in a silent dance. It wasn't the time for a kiss. The weight of what was coming was too heavy to add more drama or the awkwardness that would surely follow.
"I don't want to destroy you, Kira," Yumeko murmured, and for a second, the gambler’s mask slipped to reveal something painfully human. "I want us to be the only ones left standing when this building comes down. We’re partners. I won’t let you fall."
Kira closed her eyes, allowing herself that one second of weakness, of pure connection, before the world demanded she be herself again. Tomorrow, the logistics of moving the entire school to The Vertex would begin. Tomorrow would be the beginning of the end.
"You should go get some rest and think about how you’re going to beat me, because I don’t plan on losing to you," Kira said, though she didn’t move or make any effort to push her away.
Yumeko gave her one last radiant smile and walked toward the exit. At the door, she stopped and looked at Kira over her shoulder.
"Have a good rest of your day, President. Try not to think too much about the game today. Or about me. Though... I bet you think about me."
Kira was left alone in the shadows, listening to the sound of Yumeko’s footsteps fading away. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her pulse. She looked down at her hands and noticed they were still shaking. She pulled out her phone and looked at the blueprints for The Vertex.
She had so much to prepare. But above all, she had to figure out how to win a bet where, for the first time, she wasn't sure she wanted her opponent to lose.
BET, BET, BET