Hikigaya Challenges Kakegurui

241 Don't be so hasty, no one's fighting with you ❤

The people had left. Only the tear-stained ground remained, a trace proving they had once been here. Jabami Yumeko nestled in Hikigaya Hachiman's arms, and asked curiously: "Hachiman~ do you think Shishiba-san really lost her memory in the end?"

"Who knows?"

"Whether it's real amnesia or just pretending— the so-called act of reconciling with others is merely self-deception and deceiving the other person. The other party knows they're being lied to, and you yourself are also being lied to by them. It's just a chain reaction of falsehoods. In the end, it's nothing more than hypocrisy, suspicion, and deceit."

"Human nature doesn't change that easily. It's just that through training and pretense, those raw, true emotions are suppressed."

"But even if it's fake—after pretending long enough, it becomes real."

"I see~"

Pretending for too long, even falsehoods can become reality... Such sorrowful words.

Yumeko lifted her finger and drew circles on Hachiman's chest, blushing. After pretending for so long, she almost forgot her truest emotions. It had been a while since she'd seen Hachiman with another girl— she almost thought she had become his only girl.

How long had it been since Hachiman and Juraku-oneesan did those things? Yumeko couldn't remember clearly anymore, but the burning desire in her heart told her—she wanted it now!

The space, large enough to hold over a dozen people, now felt small and stifling. Saotome Mary and Aiura Kokoro, the two outsiders, squirmed uneasily. No one spoke, but the increasingly thick pink atmosphere— what was going on? It was as if something major was about to happen.

Alert, Saotome Mary finally decided to break the silence: "U-Um… it doesn't seem like we're needed anymore, so we'll be going now?"

"Mhm~ Suit yourself." Juraku Sachiko nodded.

With the permission of the master of this private domain, Saotome quickly grabbed Aiura's hand and fled out the kneeling door as if escaping.

Now, the nuisances were gone. The sensual atmosphere in this private space grew thicker.

Miharutaki, Naoko, Houko, and Sado Mikura sat side-by-side on the nearby sofa. Before them, a grand scene was unfolding.

Juraku Sachiko pulled out a pre-prepared leather collar and fastened it around Hachiman's neck. With a yank on the leash in her hand, Hachiman was forced to lift his head and look at her: "Hikigaya Hachiman, you bastard... letting my personal pet go on your own. You've got some guts~"

Clatter~ As she spoke, Juraku Sachiko's red patent leather high heel fell to the ground.

Her small feet, wrapped in semi-transparent black stockings, brushed lightly against Hachiman's skin like willow branches swaying in the wind, bringing an itching sensation to his heart.

Hachiman suppressed the turmoil in his heart and cooperated with Sachiko's performance. He knew she was just using this excuse to make the next act more exciting. In truth, she had no intention of letting Shishiba Yua become her personal slave out of affection.

She also knew that he understood her intentions, but still said such overly theatrical words.

It was a game where both sides knew the rules, yet neither of them broke the illusion.

"Then… how does Juraku-senpai plan to punish me?"

Hachiman, eyes down, nose still, lips closed, heart calm—his hands behind his back, playing the role of a passive participant, mouth cooperating with Sachiko's performance:

"You tell me~ Hikigaya Hachiman~"

By now, Sachiko had lifted her delicate foot to Hachiman's eye level.

Hachiman hesitated, glancing at Yumeko, then at the four girls lined up on the side. They were all his people now. Yumeko enjoyed this kind of thing too, and Juraku Sachiko was also his woman. Looked at this way, he had no reason to refuse anymore.

Hachiman slowly opened his mouth—

But what happened next shocked everyone.

The moment he opened his mouth, Yumeko suddenly leaned forward from behind, hugging his waist, her cheek pressed against his, and opened her mouth along with his.

Po...

Miharu Taki Sakura and the others were stunned, their lips parted in surprise. They had never imagined that there could be such a way to play.

Cunning Yumeko—just to tightly grasp this source of endless pleasure named Juraku Sachiko— even though she hadn't lost the gamble, she still fulfilled the bet.

That bet she and Sachiko secretly made during the final moments of the idol gambling match.

If Sachiko lost, she had to do those things with Hachiman. If Yumeko lost, she and Hachiman would both become Sachiko's slaves, cleaning her feet. Now, Yumeko had fulfilled her end of the deal.

And even more— Through the narrow gaps between Sachiko's black-socked, snow-white toes, Yumeko hugged Hachiman's head and pushed it toward her own... then—

"Yumeko~ Don't be so hasty. Hachiman-kun won't fight with you for it~"

"Hachiman-kun, you take care of the other side~"

...

Juraku Sachiko felt weak all over. Supported by Sado Mikura, she barely managed to stand. Taking the cup of hot water handed to her, she took a sip to avoid fainting from dehydration.

Even for someone like her, who excelled at manipulating hearts, this level of play was simply too extreme. She didn't even need to manipulate—Yumeko was already manipulating herself.

For the first time, Juraku Sachiko felt a strong sense of defeat.

A Yumeko like this… she didn't even have the right to make a move against.

It was like trying to ruin someone by exposing their scandal, only for them to confess every dark secret of their own first.

Covered in flaws, yet flawless.

With a lack of enthusiasm, she said, "That's enough for today~ I'm tired."

"Eh, what a shame~" Yumeko wiped her lips, still stained with the blended breath of both Sachiko and Hachiman, intoxicating and thick.

"Hah… A shame? Yumeko Jabami, you really are…!" For the first time, Sachiko felt this woman was troublesome.

Shaking her head, she stopped bothering with Yumeko. This woman was no longer someone she could deal with.

She turned to the now-dressed Hikigaya Hachiman and said: "Hachiman, your gamble with Momobami Kirari —is still ongoing, right?"

"Mhm."

"Then, as a reward for your performance today, I'll give you a piece of intel. Yomozuki and Igarashi have entrusted all their gambling matters to Manyuda Kaede."

"There's only one final obstacle left between you and the gamble with Kirari."

"Defeat him—and I'll hand over the position of Disciplinary Committee President to you."

"Don't let me down, Hikigaya Hachiman."

242: The Hundred Devouring Family Take Action X Miss Yor's Call for Help

Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward. In front of a traditional mansion, two heavy gates stood tall, showcasing the family's former glory and the weight of history.

The bronze door rings echoed as they were struck, as if resounding with the authority of supreme power. Pushing open the gate revealed a lavish courtyard.

At the center was an artificial rock mountain, stacked unevenly.

Along the path, peach blossoms bloomed, blending beautifully with the flowers and grass on the ground.

At the end of the path stood a mansion in traditional style.

Rosewood-made furniture and columns filled the space, and a finely painted family crest adorned the surrounding screens.

At the center of those screens sat Momobami Kirari, poised on the throne symbolizing the highest authority, her hands elegantly folded before her abdomen.

Her orchid-blue eyes were like a bottomless icy pool.

Her cold voice echoed in the enclosed space: "Now that all the heads of the families are present, let's begin."

"Why exactly are we doing all this for a mere young girl?" "The former family head would never have accepted this!"

As Kirari's words fell, the sound of various aged complaints rose from behind the screen. The Hundred Devouring Family's members had long been fed up with Kirari.

"Just thinking that these are our kin brings tears to my eyes." "Greed is everywhere, self-preservation is routine, and malice is unsurprising..." "The old exploit their age, and the young indulge in luxury and debauchery under the family name, disregarding ordinary people entirely, bringing endless disasters to the Hundred Devouring Family."

"The Yinbami clan's registered company was exposed for illegal human experiments, and a massive corruption case was uncovered, swallowing the Hundred Devouring Family' resources." "The Mushibami clan's Yakuza group was hit hard, repeatedly." "The Warakubami clan's overseas spies suffered successive failures." "The Komabami clan's control over politicians has hit rock bottom..."

"A bunch of useless trash. As the head of the Hundred Devouring Family, I hereby reject all of you."

Momobami Kirari's words were like detonating a deep-sea bomb, causing a storm in the hearts of the family heads present. Furious voices soon refuted her:

"What insolent things are you saying, you little girl!" "Even your grandmother wouldn't have dared speak to us this way!" "You've overstepped, Momobami! You're unworthy of the position of head!" said the Komabami family head.

Just as Honebami Miroslava said, today was the day they launched the plan they'd long been preparing within the clan. They were going to force Momobami Kirari to fight.

Yet Kirari didn't get angry at their ambition to overthrow her. She only smiled faintly.

"A clan like this, does it even need to continue existing?" "Oppression through power? Seniority? Such tactics are outdated." "If you have complaints, bring them on. You are most welcome. Come challenge me in the Eden I created. If you succeed, I don't care if you take the position of head."

As her voice faded, all previous complaints vanished. The air froze. From behind the screen bearing the Honebami family crest, a voice came first:

"This is unacceptable. The inheritance of the family head has been a rule of the Hundred Devouring Family for centuries and cannot be broken."

The Honebami clan traditionally did not partake in internal power struggles.

Whoever was the main family, they followed, and they were solely responsible for eliminating threats to the Hundred Devouring Family.

They were staunch supporters of the family head and of the clan's rules.

The Momobami clan had been the main family for over a century, deeply bonded with the Honebami.

Traditionally, the head's succession was only open to challenge once they passed age 70.

Before that, the head's direct descendants defended the position.

If the head died before 70, a direct descendant would take over until adulthood.

If any branch attempted to kill the head outside the rules... They would be immediately destroyed.

This was absolutely forbidden. Once discovered, the branch's power would be devoured by the rest of the clan, and their surname stripped, reduced to the lowest class of "bami."

The family hierarchy: Momobami → Branches eligible to attend meetings → Branches that retained the surname but not eligible to attend → "bami".

"What's so unacceptable about it, Honebami head?" Kirari's tone remained gentle. "Things have already spiraled beyond control, haven't they?"

"Hearts rise and fall. Lecturing is pointless. Breaking bones is the best textbook."

"Agreed!" "Seconded!"

Ambitious voices echoed—these people did not hide their greed. After all, this opportunity was presented by Kirari herself—a golden chance to realize their ambition.

What a... foolish and arrogant woman!

"Select the most outstanding youths from your clans and prepare to enter the Eden that Momobami Kirari spoke of." "Naturally." "She'll pay dearly for her arrogance and rudeness."

Dark voices whispered boldly in Kirari's presence.

"Of course, challenging me isn't without cost," Kirari said coldly. "If one fails during the challenge, they shall live as my personal livestock."

"Furthermore, their family must obey me absolutely. If they continue their duplicitous ways, I will purge them by order of the head."

"Think it through, then send your very best to challenge me."

Kirari didn't say it directly, but everyone understood: "Best" referred to high school students under 18.

Older clan youths had mostly taken official roles and lost their drive. High schoolers, however, were in their prime for ambition and competition.

Her eyes were a deep abyss, able to swallow souls.

Kirari knew full well these old geezers wouldn't miss this chance.

And neither would she. They'd give it their all, sending their best. She would then devour them—crippling the next generation of each family.

The Hundred Devouring Family had been fractured for long enough.

"It's time to end this chaotic clan." She stared silently out the window into the moonlight.

.

.

.

"Sister, how have you been doing in Japan lately?" Yuri Briar, Yor's younger brother. Like Yor, he had crimson red eyes and short black hair. He was an Interpol agent. Dressed in a black suit and black gloves, he carried a suitcase.

Due to unexpected delays, he had only now arrived in Japan.

Seeing her only family, tears welled in Yor's eyes. She wanted to give him a big hug.

"Sorry, Sis. I was held up tracking a killer organization recently."

At that, Miss Yor silently pulled her hand back and calmly asked: "What killer organization?"

"Ah, that's classified, Sis. Can't tell you."

"Not even your sister?" Yuri froze. For someone like him, confidentiality was meaningless—nothing outweighed his sister in importance.

"Actually... it's two organizations. We've been tracking a killer known as the 'Thorn Princess' active in Japan. Also, there's an old organization here with mostly white-haired members... but that's all we know. Sis, you have to be careful in Tokyo."

As Yuri babbled, his eyes kept darting to Blair.

He felt like... something about his sister had changed? Maybe... her vibe? Was it... married woman energy?

Wait. Married?!

Yuri's eyes widened. He blurted out: "Sis... don't tell me... you have a boyfriend?!"

"Eh? A boyfriend?" Yor froze.

She wasn't exactly dating Hachiman Hikigaya...

But how could she explain living together? She couldn't possibly say it was for a bodyguard job.

Her public identity was a regular office worker.

Despite her strength, being a bodyguard was too out of character.

She frantically waved her hands. "Of course not! How could I possibly have a boyfriend? Ahahaha..."

To Yuri, her reaction was suspicious—classic lying criminal behavior.

"Then what are you doing in Tokyo?"

"What job...? Of course, I... uh..." Yor's mental CPU overheated and froze.

"Who is it?! Take me to meet him!"

.

.

.

Hikigaya and Yumeko sat at the station waiting for a bus. Today, they planned to visit Miss Souko at the hospital.

But then Hikigaya's phone buzzed.

It was a message from Miss Yor.

[Yor: Mr. Hikigaya, help!]

Hikigaya's eyes sharpened. After a brief hesitation, he replied: [Hikigaya: What happened?]

[Yor: M-my brother came to Tokyo, and he insists on meeting you.]

"Me?" Hikigaya was confused. He didn't even know her brother. Was he a fan or something? But that didn't make sense—he never showed his identity online.

[Hikigaya: ?] [Yor: He's an Interpol agent. He found out I'm not going to work and thinks I have a boyfriend and am being kept! If he finds out the truth, it'll be bad. Please help me this once!]

Damn it! Hikigaya swore, rubbing his temples.

This stupid woman... she's a killer but didn't cover her tracks... Now a 16-year-old like him had to act as her older, sugar-daddy boyfriend in front of an Interpol agent?

He was no good at acting!

Yumeko, noticing his anxiety, asked curiously: "Hachiman, what's wrong?"

"Miss Yor's in trouble." Hikigaya summarized it briefly.

Yumeko's mouth opened in surprise, hands covering her lips.

So if the performance failed, Yor's identity might be exposed?

Hikigaya nodded gravely. "If her brother really is a seasoned Interpol agent... yeah, that could happen."

Suddenly, a wild soap opera played in his mind:

Cold-blooded assassin sister vs. Interpol brother who vows to arrest her after learning the truth. In the chaos, the boyfriend (him) is killed, the sister goes rogue, and the siblings become enemies.

He thought: Yor was 10 years older than him? When he was born, she was in grade school.

What if his own sister, Komachi, dated someone older than him? He'd definitely hunt that guy down.

No wonder her brother wanted to meet him.

He shook his head, deleting the strange thoughts.

No question, he'd help. Yor was his bodyguard and maid, after all. As long as it wasn't too much, he'd help his people.

[Hikigaya: How long until you arrive?] [Yor: Around... 30 minutes?] [Hikigaya: Got it. I'll handle it. You just don't blow your cover.]

The bus approached. Hikigaya apologized: "Sorry, Yumeko. We were supposed to visit Miss Souko today."

"It's fine. Visiting my sister can wait. Handle your business first, Hachiman."

"I'm off then."

He jogged onto the bus and waved at Yumeko.

As she watched him leave, Yumeko squeezed her legs together, her eyes dreamy. "Being my boyfriend... and then pretending to be someone else's boyfriend right in front of me...

This feeling... Wonderfull~"

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello everyone! I'm VarieTL.

I have posted a new Fanfiction!

A crossover of Danmachi and Fate this time

Danmachi- The Heroic Legend of Emiya!

After slaughtering his way through the Holy Grail War in a single night to save his sister, Shirou Emiya was transported to the labyrinth city of Orario.To repay Hestia for a meal she gave him, he resolved to offer his strength to this unreliable goddess.The path of justice has not yet come to an end—as long as the sword remains tightly gripped in his hand, there is no need for hesitation."Whether god or man, no matter who tries to harm the ones I wish to protect, I will defeat them with the sword in my hand!""Watch closely—this is my Unlimited Blade Works!"This is the story of a hero of justice who sweeps away evil in Orario while also uncovering the truths of the world.

As Always

Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on Patreon VarieTL