217- Hachiman Hikigaya's Identity, Exposed!
As long as he lowered his noble head and wore the collar, he could become Kirari Momobami's dog, and from then on forget all the troubles of life. However, if he did that, all of Hikigaya's previous efforts would be in vain, and his dream of becoming the master of Momobami would turn to dust.
"She really is a woman who loves to go back on her word... We clearly agreed that I would only face her in an unfair gamble after defeating all the other student council members."
Even when facing such an unfavorable situation, Hikigaya Hachiman's expression didn't show a hint of panic. At this point, he had no choice but to play his final card.
He asked, "President, how much is my life worth?"
"Hm?" Kirari blinked, a delicate curve forming on her lips. She knew now that the man she valued had been pushed into a corner and was preparing for his final counterattack. This last dance before being devoured—it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Kirari's eyes rolled upward slightly, and she said:
"The value of a life, by my standards—"
"Brains, looks, and family background."
"Hikigaya-kun's family background is ordinary, not worth much. As for looks—compared to top male idols, entertainers, and actors—he's just average." Kirari unceremoniously began to evaluate Hikigaya like a product.
Indeed, from those two angles, even if his appearance was pleasing to Kirari, Hikigaya was still just an inexpensive, common product.
But only his intellect was what fascinated her.
"But Hikigaya-kun's brain is quite amazing. However, if we measure it by academic achievements, it's still not top-tier. And if we go by gambling standards… I don't need a plaything to gamble for me."
"With that brain of his, if paired with an excellent family background and a political career, he might have a bright future. But born into an average family, he can't reach high places."
"So even the brain that Hikigaya-kun takes pride in can't fetch a very high valuation."
"Of course, many in our school would still want to take him as their dog.
Like Sachiko… but those offers don't count, because my bid is the highest.
Hikigaya-kun can only become my dog."
Hikigaya accepted Kirari's analysis calmly.
Indeed, based on Japan's reality, Kirari's valuation was fair, just, and objective.
Looked at this way, he was simply a generic product on the mass-production line for "ordinary people."
Momobami Kirari might be someone who often broke her word, but it was precisely because she honored some promises—like not opening Hikigaya's personal file yet—that led to her misjudgment of the current situation.
"The tide turns," Hikigaya whispered. "But I think the price of my life should be over 4 billion yen."
"No cheating allowed~ Hikigaya-kun, I've already made it clear. So be a good boy and become my dog~"
"Do you remember what you told me that day in the hospital, President?" "It's now time to open the file."
File?
Kirari was briefly stunned, quickly recalling the promise she made with Hikigaya when they formed a contract in the hospital.
Hikigaya Hachiman was a banquet, to be slowly savored piece by piece. At the time, she had only reviewed his elementary school file.
"That was a big oversight…"
But she wasn't too flustered inside. Did Hikigaya really think a file from his middle school years could boost his valuation to over 4 billion yen? Impossible.
Hikigaya, seeing her underestimation, actually smiled instead of getting angry. "President, how about we make a bet?"
"Hm? What shall we bet on?"
"If, after reading my middle school file, you think my life is worth more than 4 billion yen, let me experience 5 more minutes of Supreme Authority, like last time."
"If you think I'm not worth that, I'll willingly become your personal pet for life."
"How about that?"
Hikigaya bared his fangs. If Kirari loved playing the part of a wicked, unpredictable woman, then as such, she needed to be properly punished.
Like what happened backstage at the Festival last time, this time he wouldn't hold back.
He would fully dominate Kirari and let her know there's a price to pay for stabbing people in the back.
Of course, a normal person would smell something fishy and back off from such a gamble. But Kirari?
She never missed an opportunity to take a risk.
"Wonderful"
Kirari's luscious legs, wrapped in matte-finish stockings, tightened together.
As sharp as she was, she could clearly sense Hikigaya's intentions, but this kind of gamble—so reckless and full of potential danger—was what truly thrilled her.
"Then let's do it~"
Kirari opened the digital file she had stored in the corner of her tablet.
It contained the full personal record of Hikigaya Hachiman.
For someone of her status, uncovering everything about Hikigaya was all too easy.
Any confidentiality agreement signed with publishers was just waste paper.
Even privacy protected by law was laid bare before her eyes.
"This is…" Kirari's pupils contracted, her violet-blue eyes showing visible disbelief.
The file recorded a series of novels published by Hikigaya in middle school:
After School, Journey Under the Midnight Sun, Malice, The Mystery of Japanese Astrology...
Each of them best-sellers.
In Japan's entertainment industry, mystery novels sit at the very top of the cultural hierarchy—above manga artists and even famous actors, not to mention light novel authors.
These titles were well-known, even to Kirari herself.
The popularity of the books also brought great recognition to the pen name: Higashino.
In the world of mystery novels, he had a large fanbase.
In fact, the royalties from these books had long since exceeded the initial 1 billion yen that Haruno Yukinoshita gave him.
Over the years, he had handed over the royalties to his partner, Haruno, for financial management.
Most of it had been invested in government bonds and long-term stock holdings.
Only about 1 billion yen could be liquidated—no wonder Kirari couldn't find it, as it was all under Yukinoshita's name.
With this, everything finally made sense.
Kirari Momobami fell into deep thought.
Her mind retraced Hikigaya's relationship with the Yukinoshita family, and his series of monstrous accomplishments since entering Hyakkaou Academy— All of it finally explained.
Chapter 218: Betting His Entire Life
His reasoning ability and mind-reading skills, which he had mastered and utilized to become a mystery novelist, were already evident in middle school.
It seems that Hikigaya Hachiman was born a genius gambler.
Compared to his peers who were still indulging in low-level gambling, Hikigaya Hachiman, who possessed such terrifying abilities in middle school, was like an adult bullying a child.
Without a doubt, Hikigaya's life was already worth far more than 4 billion.
Even if he didn't continue to create such super-popular works, he could just wait for the copyright to mature and create a series of derivative products, and his second half of life would be very comfortable.
The surprise attack on Hikigaya Hachiman had failed.
The small gamble between Hikigaya Hachiman and him ended with Momobami Kirari's defeat once again.
Momobami Kirari calmly put down the tablet in her hand, without feeling any negative emotions such as regret over the failure of her actions.
All she had was uncontrollable excitement.
The man she liked had once again exceeded her expectations.
'The destined god-slayer is still continuing his story'
Momobami Kirari's expression was calm, and her eyes were filled with gentle inquiry as she asked:
"Hikigaya-kun, do you like gambling?"
"I don't like it, but I've bet my entire life on it."
"Did you win?"
"I'm planning to win."
The question and answer, although not rehearsed in advance, seemed to know the answer in each other's hearts, responding quickly to each other.
This kind of heart-to-heart dialogue was still completed while Hikigaya's mind was divided.
Juraku's movements became faster, and Hikigaya's face began to twist in agony.
If this continued, he would reach the edge of collapse first.
"Ah" Kirari smiled, lifted the black leather choker in her hand, and put it on her neck without hesitation.
Her noble body knelt down on the ground under the gaze of Hikigaya and Juraku, her hands together, and she crawled towards Hikigaya Hachiman on her knees.
"President, don't—"
Hikigaya wanted to stop her, but it was too late. Kirari's movements were fast, and in the blink of an eye, she was by Hikigaya's legs.
At this distance,
the faint smell of leather and Juraku's sweat intertwined, filling the air, wrapping Kirari in the male hormone scent from Hikigaya Hachiman.
However, to Hikigaya's surprise, Kirari's face didn't show any surprise.
"Surprised, Hikigaya? This isn't like you." Juraku said with a teasing tone: "Do you think Kirari left me in the meeting room for what?"
Hikigaya's heart seemed to skip a beat. It turned out... Kirari had known from the beginning. The thing he had been trying to hide had been under Kirari's nose all along.
"How shameful—"
Hikigaya's face turned red. This was still a bit too much for him.
Kirari's eyes were fixed on Hikigaya Hachiman, her nose twitched twice, and she took in the unique scent of Hikigaya and Juraku's mixture into her body.
She kept getting closer, her head held high, letting Hikigaya appreciate her noble appearance and experience the taste of supreme power.
Momobami Kirari was a woman who, after losing a bet, would unreservedly carry out the terms of the wager.
She didn't need Hikigaya Hachiman's orders; her body would instinctively do what was most suitable for the role.
She was harsh on others, but even harsher on herself.
Momobami Kirari didn't know what kind of emotions drove her to do all this, but she just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to relax and reward Hikigaya Hachiman, her "plaything," during the brief interval after losing the bet.
After all, it was only five minutes.
She needed a reason to indulge herself, to escape the heavy reality.
An uncontrollable excitement welled up in Kirari's heart, and her mouth slightly opened, as if her saliva was about to spill out.
Her noble and cold face revealed a look of intoxication.
Her dazed eyes sparkled with a pink glow, and her long eyelashes involuntarily rolled up, revealing the whites of her eyes.
Her emotions began to uncontrollably feel pleasure, forgetting the troubles of reality.
She was intoxicated. Her orchid-colored eyes became filled with tenderness and charm, and a peach-colored aura emanated from her sensual lips.
This was also a first for Kirari.
Together with Juraku, they began to use their hands and mouths.
The noon air was somewhat dry, and the air conditioner's outdoor unit emitted a humming noise; the meeting room's chairs, which had not been maintained in years, occasionally creaked; Hikigaya Hachiman, like a laborer picking cotton, was overwhelmed and panting; Kirari's moaning, Juraku's crazy laughter...
All these sounds intertwined and played a beautiful symphony in the spacious meeting room.
The symphony gave Momobami Kirari an unprecedentedly wonderful experience.
It was also her first time observing another woman's feet up close.
The curves were winding and beautiful, the toes were plump and long, and a row of exquisite toe nails seemed like a masterpiece carved by God, crystal clear like jade, and delicate like a treasure.
The bright red nail polish underlined the pinkish hue, and the crescent-shaped nails were lovely.
Finally, Momobami Kirari, as if possessed, lifted Juraku's jade-like feet and bowed her head to kiss her lovely, long big toe.
She affectionately rubbed her cheek against it, feeling the warmth emanating from Juraku's foot, and revealed a peaceful smile like a baby.
She didn't mind that Juraku's feet had just touched her food.
A harmonious and gentle picture, no one broke the silence.
They enjoyed the brief moment of tranquility after their souls had mingled.
Finally, when the five minutes were up,
Momobami Kirari slowly stood up and removed the collar from her neck. Her soft, pink tongue shyly and awkwardly came out, and she licked her lips to erase the traces that were not worth mentioning to others.
The charming color on her face disappeared, and she put on her noble mask again.
"I've fulfilled the terms of the bet"
"Uh... I understand."
This time, it was Hikigaya Hachiman who became reserved.
This unprecedented visual feast made him unsure of how to describe his emotions.
Or perhaps there were no words that could express this wonderful journey.
This was a journey that belonged only to him.
Hachiman's wonderful adventure.
Fortunately, nylon was a material that absorbed moisture, and Juraku smiled, swinging her jade-like legs to remove the moisture from Hikigaya's body.
Hikigaya adjusted his pants and stood up again.
"Shishiba Yua will probably arrive at school this afternoon, so be prepared, Hikigaya-kun," Kirari said, smoothing out her short skirt with her hand. "I'm looking forward to it, the day when I'll gamble with Hikigaya-kun"