Kakegurui: Ten Consecutive Guaranteed Hits

Volume 1 Chapter 40: The Student Council President's Authority

After repeatedly assuring herself that she wouldn't get addicted to gambling, Mary left. At an unknown time, she returned to the classroom and sat next to her friends, observing the situation. Kuroki, who had been observing from here, timely returned.

"Kiyohei, it seems your good intentions weren't appreciated by that lady," Kuroki sat down and clicked his tongue in amazement. "I know that person, Mary Saotome, right? On the first day she came, she won against her classmates and humiliated them right then and there. Her reputation has spread throughout the entire grade."

Kiyohei was taken aback, "Has this incident spread so widely?"

Kiyohei had thought that Kokoro had lost to Mary, and she believed Kokoro would do her best to conceal this embarrassing fact.

"After all, transfer students are always a focus of attention each year. She's a rare person who has won against herself in gambling," Kuroki jokes. "You've also won, but well, you didn't take a single cent from my hand. Your victory hasn't been recorded."

"Recorded? Recorded by whom?"

"By the Student Council."

Seeing Kiyohei's puzzled expression, Kuroki clapped his hands and made a sudden realization expression, "Right, Kiyohei, you don't know yet, do you? Our school's Student Council gathers the most top-tier gamblers. Each of them is strong. The Student Council has specialized departments to record each student's gambling level. If a student has a high level, they might be absorbed into the Student Council."

Kiyohei thought of the impressive Student Council President mentioned in the official introduction on the website, Kirari Momobami.

That young beauty with twin braids, the vivid green lip gloss on her lips still left a deep impression.

Is her gambling ability strong too?

"And what about the Student Council President?" Kiyohei casually asked.

"Of course, she's the most powerful gambler in our school," Kuroki said about the Student Council President, his face showing a complex expression of respect and fear.

"President Kiraori is an unprecedented genius. When she transferred to this school a year ago, she rose to prominence and became unbeatable throughout the school. Her outstanding performance caught the attention of the previous Student Council President. Originally, the previous president wanted to recruit her into the Student Council. But unexpectedly, she directly challenged the president to a gamble and won the position. She became the 105th President of the Hyakkaou Private Academy Student Council and implemented the 'reforms' of the 'Class System' and 'Livestock System'."

This news was unheard of to Kiyohei. When he heard this, his first reaction was that it sounded absurd.

Really? The current class system and livestock system, these survival-of-the-fittest systems, were all implemented by the Student Council President?

Kiyohei had thought it was a reform conducted by the school board.

"Does the Student Council President have such immense power?" Kiyohei couldn't help but ask.

"Well, of course. You could say that the Student Council President is the person standing at the top of this school. They can act independently without needing anyone's agreement, changing policies as they please."

Kuroki whispered, "At Hyakkaou Academy, the words of the Student Council President are like decrees. In fact, even if you were to have all the female students in the school strip naked and stand in front of you, no one would voice any objections."

"Is that so?" Kiyohei furrowed his brow. "The students in this school are either wealthy or influential. Would their families agree to such actions?"

"I'm not too sure about the specifics..."

Kuroki sighed and shook his head with a bitter smile, "It's said that the Student Council President of Hyakkaou Private Academy holds significant influence not only within the school but also in the outside world. Her status is on par with that of a member of the national parliament."

This is a capitalist country...

Kiyohei remained silent for a while, and he could only come to such a realization. As lunch break was approaching, Kiyohei, before leaving his seat, casually asked Kuroki a question that was of great concern to him.

"By the way, Kuroki, what should you do if you're caught cheating or cheating in this school?"

"...You're not talking about me, are you?" Kuroki widened his eyes, thinking that Kiyohei might be holding him accountable after the fact. He quickly waved his hands and said, "If you catch the other person cheating, as long as you make them admit to cheating, then you're declared the winner of the gambling round."

"Of course, the premise is that you catch them cheating during the gambling session. If you realize the cheating afterwards, no matter how much you lost, you can't reclaim it from them."

Seemingly worried that Kiyohei might extend his hand to ask for money, Kuroki added quickly, "This is a rule set by the Student Council President. Everyone who gambles at the school must adhere to it."

"Just winning the immediate match? Is it really that simple?"

Kiyohei raised an eyebrow in surprise. The punishment for cheating seemed incredibly lenient here. Not to mention chopping off a hand on the spot, there wasn't even a fine?

"Of course, before the match, you can also establish your own rules, like not allowing cheating or specifying the consequences of cheating. As long as the other person agrees, it becomes effective. Otherwise, the default punishment for cheating is just that light."

Kuroki explained, "The Student Council doesn't explicitly forbid cheating. Everyone assumes that those who can't catch cheaters are fools and deserve to be deceived."

"So, you mean everyone has the potential to cheat during a match? I see..." Kiyohei pondered.

Indeed, in this context, cheating wasn't prohibited. It only needed to appear "fair."

After all, that's how society works. It's not realistic to have these young gentlemen and ladies rely solely on their intelligence to navigate society. They need to have some tricks up their sleeves to get by. Mary probably isn't aware of this, and Kiyohei Kiyopira isn't planning on telling her either.

As a friend, he had fulfilled his duty by strongly advising her against gambling. If she chooses not to listen, Kiyohei won't be able to do much about it. Mary has just tasted victory in gambling, a quick way to make money. Just like Eve who tasted the forbidden fruit, regardless of how much others advise her against it, she's unlikely to heed the warnings.

Some truths, no matter how clearly explained or how many times they're reiterated, may not be accepted until the person experiences the bitter consequences firsthand. Perhaps awakening Mary's understanding will require more than just persuasion—it might need a resounding and unforgettable defeat to leave a lasting impression.