Kakegurui: Ten Consecutive Guaranteed Hits

Volume 1 Chapter 11: Never Involve Yourself With a "Stray Cat"

He won several rounds in a row, but Kuroki's expression didn't look too good.

"Kiyohei-kun, why did you intentionally lose to me?" With the crowd dispersing, Kuroki couldn't help but ask, "You didn't put any effort into this game, did you?"

Kuroki had prepared in advance before the gambling started, determined to make Kiyohei lose without any doubt.

However, before he could even make a move, Kiyohei started playing poorly, as if in a MOBA game where a level 1 opponent would directly attack the tower. It was a deliberate display of underperformance.

While winning tens of thousands of yen was indeed something to be happy about, Kuroki didn't gain much satisfaction from it. This kind of victory, which felt like it was being given to him, left him inexplicably displeased.

"...Was it that obvious?" Kiyohei raised his head and gave a helpless smile. "Sorry, I just don't like being watched."

If it were curious or well-meaning gazes, it would be one thing. But from the looks that Kiyohei could clearly sense from these students, they were filled with mockery and ridicule, as if they were watching a "monkey."

This made him feel uneasy, so he simply employed a self-destructive gameplay strategy to drive these people away.

Just as Kuroki said, Kiyohei didn't put any effort into these games. Compared to the current card game, he was more curious about something else.

For example, the "Stupid Dog" name tag on Kumasato's chest.

Kuroki also noticed Kiyohei's gaze and took the initiative to ask, "Are you interested in this name tag?"

Since Kuroki took the initiative to speak, Kiyohei didn't hold back and asked his own question, "Well, I'm curious. Why do Kumasato and the others listen to your commands?"

"Don't you know? Since you entered this school through the backdoor, wouldn't your family give you some basic information about the school!?"

Kuroki couldn't quite understand why Kiyohei, who was clearly forced into the school, knew nothing about it.

Seeing Kiyohei's sincere expression, he gave up asking for the reason and began to explain.

"Did you notice the name tags on their chests?"

After Kiyohei nodded, Kuroki continued, "Those are Housepet Tags.' Every month, the Student Council of Hyakkaou Private Academy collects funds from regular students. Since it's mandatory, it's called 'Up-Nama Kin' or 'Up-Na-Ki' for short."

The amount of Up-Na-Ki determines everything. Among the 100 students who pay the lowest amount, the Student Council designates them as 'Uncooperative Students' or Housepet.'

They have to wear tags around their necks with their ranking and code names. Men are called 'Stupid Dogs,' and women are called 'Stray Cats.' Cattle are treated cruelly within the academy and face retaliation if they resist the Student Council.

They have no choice but to obey anyone's orders."

"Is that so? But why didn't I see this rule in the student handbook?" Kiyohei questioned.

Kuroki sighed, "This is a newly added requirement by the current Student Council President. The Student Council holds power over the entire school, and everything must be done according to their commands.

Even you newcomers are the same. If you can't pay the money, you will also be designated as cattle.

Although it's unlikely that you can't afford that amount, I still want to remind you not to oppose the Student Council."

"Is it necessary to pay this money? Is the Student Council's power that great?" Kiyohei frowned.

Kuroki spread his hands helplessly, "In this school, the Student Council is everything. You must obey their commands."

"Must I?"

"If someone wants to defy them, the Student Council members will come to challenge you. Believe me, you won't fare well if that happens."

Kuroki shrugged, looking helpless. "Even your family behind you would definitely not want to provoke them."

"I see."

Kiyohei didn't ask any further.

The rule of being labeled as "cattle" was set by the Student Council, but... he still had some doubts.

He carefully chose his words and asked, "Do we have to obey everything? What about the girls...?"

Most of the girls in this school were exceptionally beautiful. Each of them would be the center of attention in any other high school, and their lockers would be filled with confession letters from countless infatuated boys.

But here, they were reduced to "cattle," with low status, obliged to obey others like servants.

If... someone were to give them "that kind of command," what should they do?

Were they expected to kneel down and reach out for their "future"?

Men understand men, and before Kiyohei finished speaking, Kuroki chuckled.

"Well, of course, that's impossible! You can order them to do some errands or tasks you don't want to do, but you mustn't make any unreasonable demands.

If the Student Council finds out, they will send someone to deal with you. You'll not only have to pay a huge compensation, but also face punishment depending on the severity."

Lighter consequences include being labeled as cattle, while more severe ones may involve being sent to Syria to join the war or being sent to unscrupulous companies for mining."

Even though the Student Council President herself established these rules, she still takes care of the girls. When she discovers any misconduct by boys, the punishment is not light.

Although boys can also give orders to girls, well... to avoid trouble, it's best to stay away from them."

Kuroki deliberately lowered his voice as if discussing something secretive.

"There was a 'Stray Cat' before. One day, a boy accidentally brushed against her clothes with his hand. She grabbed his hand and loudly accused him of molesting her, claiming he touched her buttocks and acted like a pervert.

That area had no surveillance cameras, so even if the boy wanted to explain, he couldn't defend himself.

Eventually, the whole school learned about the incident, and it reached the Student Council President. In the end, she managed to free herself from the Stray Cat status, while the boy had to pay a hefty compensation and became Housepet.'"

"..."

Kiyohei was stunned. So there are people who intentionally create trouble in this school?

"That boy was actually quite skilled in card games and was always at an above-average level in the school. Once he graduates, he could become the successor of his family and even run for city council. But..."

Kuroki sighed with a touch of sorrow.

Finding Kiyohei somewhat agreeable, Kuroki offered a reminder, "This is my advice to you. Be cautious around the 'Stray Cats.' It's fine to tease them casually, but never have any ulterior motives.

The girls who can pass the entrance exam to this school are not simple. You have no idea how crazy they can get to escape from this status.

Anyway, since then, those who used to lay hands on the cattle are now like they have 'gynophobia.' They don't dare to touch girls anymore, fearing they will become the target of false accusations."

Hearing this, Kiyohei felt relieved.

Fortunately, he learned about the "cattle system" from Kuroki. If he had sympathized with or harbored any greedy thoughts toward a "Stray Cat," and had inadvertently provoked her, he might have ended up socially destroyed in an instant.

Putting himself in the shoes of that boy, no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't find any means of counterattack other than paying compensation.

Once entangled, it would be a fatal blow.

【Absolutely do not meddle around with the 'Stray Cats'.】

Kiyohei firmly etched this rule into his mind.

Amidst the conversation, a quarrel suddenly erupted from the other side of the room.

"Hey, I asked you to buy oolong tea, but you got me a bottle of green tea instead! What the hell were you thinking, you animal!"

A girl sat at a gambling table, crossing her legs with her arms folded, sharply berating a blonde girl.

The commotion was more attention-grabbing than the gambling itself, and almost everyone in the casino turned their gaze towards it. Kiyohei and Kuroki also involuntarily pause their game and looked over.

The one being scolded was a girl with her hair tied up in a high ponytail. She wore her jacket around her waist, and her upper body was only covered by a white shirt. She had the appearance of a feisty girl, and a tag with "Stray Cat" hung from her chest.

"Stray Cat" didn't argue back after being reprimanded but spoke softly, "But you specifically told me it was green tea..."

"You clearly misheard me, and you still dare to talk back? Are your ears even functioning? Stray Cat is just Stray Cat, even your hearing is dull."

The girl scolding her sighed loudly, stood up, and walked around her in circles. It seemed like she had thought of something as a gentle smile suddenly appeared on her face.

"Since you like this bottle of green tea so much, then let me treat you to it. After all, we're friends, right?" Her voice was very gentle.

While "Stray Cat" was still puzzled by her change of attitude, at that moment, the girl suddenly unscrewed the cap of the green tea bottle and raised it high, pouring the entire bottle of green tea over her head!

"It's fine, I'm treating you to this bottle, so drink more." The girl said with a smile.

The tea started flowing down the girl's hair, drenching her close-fitting shirt, the jacket tied around her waist, and her black knee-high socks, leaving a thin stream of tea on the floor.

She clenched her fist, trembling, on the verge of exploding, but ultimately held back, futilely loosening her grip.

She took off the clothes tied around her body, shielding her exposed flesh with them. She raised her head, her gaze not filled with anger but rather a complex expression as she stared at the girl in front of her.

"What are you looking at!?"

Although she was the one resorting to campus violence, she couldn't help but retreat a step in fear under the gaze of "Stray Cat."

But thinking about how she was being watched by so many people in the casino, she suddenly no longer felt afraid.

The girl shook her wrist, pouring the last drops of tea onto the ground. The smile on her face instantly disappeared as she sternly scolded, "Go clean up the classroom right away and see what a mess you've made here!"

She was confident that even if "Stray Cat" was angry, she wouldn't dare to retaliate against her.

The girl didn't argue back, walked to a corner, picked up cleaning tools, and squatted down silently cleaning up the mess.

Everyone in the class watched, but no one spoke up to stop it.

"..." Seeing this scene, Kiyohei didn't know what to say.

In any other school, he would have intervened to stop this kind of bullying.

But in this school, bullying "animals" seemed to be common and taken for granted. He currently didn't have the position to intervene.

And... before understanding the whole situation, hastily judging the relationship between the two sides could easily lead to misunderstandings.

What if the girl being bullied had bullied her before, and now she was simply seeking revenge?

Kiyohei looked at Kuroki, who also had a look of lamentation, having just shifted his gaze away from the scene.

"Well, I know what you want to ask." Kuroki shrugged, speaking before Kiyohei could say anything.

"You see, girls aren't exactly easy to get along with. The relationships between them are complex and intertwined, often forming small groups.

Originally, after losing their gambling debts and becoming 'Stray Cats,' some girls would pretend to be pitiful to get close to boys, just to find a generous fool to pay off their debts.

But ever since that accident of framing a boy, they can no longer find such fools. The way all boys look at 'Stray Cats' has become strange, as if they fear being framed.

Even their gaze towards ordinary girls has changed. Unless necessary, they absolutely avoid physical contact with girls. This has made many ordinary girls, who thought they could find a wealthy suitor in this prestigious school, resent 'Stray Cats' even more.

So, they vent their resentment and dissatisfaction on the 'Stray Cats,' intensifying their bullying. Even those boys who wanted to intercede remained silent after encountering several framing incidents."

Listening to Kuroki's explanation, Kiyohei didn't know whether to sympathize with these girls or pity the boys who saw girls as if they were ferocious beasts.

Because the insane actions of a few girls had implicated others... Kiyohei couldn't blame anyone individually. It was a problem with the overall environment, and he couldn't make hasty judgments about who was right or wrong.

"In fact, they brought it upon themselves. When that boy was wrongly accused, all of them stood on the side of the girl framing him, demanding that he pay the price together. And now they blame their own people."

Kuroki laughed as if he had just witnessed a great show. "Don't think that we boys are treating the 'Stupid Dogs' badly, we only make them run some random errands, do odd jobs. It's nothing worse than volunteer work. We're much better than the girls."