"In that case... Who will be first to show off their true colors? It's time to test it out!" Erimi smiled. "Let's go over the rules again."

You sighed as you took a seat on the couch. Was it really that hard to understand? Finger in the guillotine, take turns cutting ropes until it falls. Whoever takes their finger out first loses.

"W-Wait!" Ryota's voice unexpectedly called out. "Hang on one second!"

"What?" Erimi was not amused.

"You brought in that guillotine... you must know which rope's the winner, right How's that gonna be fair?"

"You mind quitting it with the useless chatter, wimp?" Erimi shot back, causing Ryota to flinch. You and he both knew he was anything but physically a wimp. But you did have to agree that mentally he was always seemingly fraught with distress. "Open this box, and you can connect the blade to any of the ropes you want. I'll let our dealer decide which one to connect sound good?"

"Roger that, Ma'am!" The dealer herself spoke up with a salute.

"Ah, good, that'll make it fair!" Yumeko smiled sweetly.

"Enough talkin'! Let's get this show on the road!" Midari complained.

"Do you understand though...?" Erimi giggled. "In a few minutes, one of your fingers might be sent flying through the air. An opening act drenched in blood... one perfectly suited for the launch of this election! Now... shall we get started?"

You sat on the couch as everyone left for the referee to attach the rope, staring at your phone.

YN: Kirari and Ririka's birthday is soon. I'm going to do something special for the both of them. You're invited if you aren't busy.

Kaede: I don't think it's a good idea for me to be near the president right now. Do what you will, but come home to me. Speaking of, where are you?

YN: I'm with Yumeko, Midari, Ryota and Erimi Mushibami. Someone's going to lose a finger!

Kaede: 🤦‍♂️

You laughed as your phone vibrated again.

Kaede: Can you refrain from sleeping with that boy? That really does upset me.

YN: Okay, but I won't guarantee he won't replace Midari as the person who joins us 😘

Kaede: 🤦‍♂️ see you later.

Slowly, everyone filtered back in at the call of the referee.

"Okay, everyone... fingers in the guillotine, please." She requested. "Are all of you betting a single chip on this match?"

"What else, man? None of us has more'n one. Stop playing dumb and let's do this!" Midari gave a crazy look.

"Ah, very true, very true!" She laughed. "Right! No need to wait another moment! Let the 'finger-cutting guillotine' game begin!"

You beckoned for Ryota to join you on your spot. A separate loveseat with a great view of the game. He came over and sat down with a sigh. As he put his head in his hands, you rubbed his back.

"Relax. They'll do wonderfully. This game was practically made for them, you know."

"I can't. I get so nervous." He shook his head. "This is too crazy. Cutting off fingers? Why?"

"That's how the Mushibami's play. Hence, why I don't gamble with them." You shrugged.