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Part 1
Yashiro: (When I arrived 10 minutes late at the appointed time, everyone from Simulation Department have already gathered)
Yashiro: I apologize for keeping you waiting!
Mao: It’s fine. Have you finished your work?
Yashiro: Yes, thanks to you
By the way, what situation is this?
Yashiro: (On the table, there are a lot of drinks)
(There were clearly too many glasses lined up for the number of people here)
Akehoshi: I thought beer is the best way to have a toast, so I ordered some
The cocktails look delicious and I even found a rare fruit wine too
Kou: For which I stopped him there
Mao: Well, with five people, I'm sure they will finish it eventually
Many of them can handle their alcohol
Though I wish you wouldn’t include me in the head count
Yuragi: Mao, I recommend this frozen cocktail. It has a low alcohol content so it is easier to drink
Mao: Heh, thanks. I’ll take it
Kou: So that is the reason why. It would help us if you drink anything you find interesting
Yashiro: I understand. Then I will feel free to take it
Kou: Well, now that we all have gathered, it’s time to start
Ito, can I have this toast with you?
Yashiro: Okay then, with your permission…
Mao-san, happy birthday
Kou, Akehoshi, Yuragi: Happy birthday!
Yashiro: (Today is Mao-san’s birthday celebration.)
(We all raised a glass and made a toast.)
Yashiro: By the way, the reason you chose this place, is it because of that?
Yashiro: (The part where I was pointing my finger --- The shelf by the wall which was lined up with board games)
Yuragi: Yeah. I think it's perfect for Mao if it's a game bar
Akehoshi: Especially, it would be fun to play games with everyone that's why the 3 of us planned it
Let’s name it the “Ukyo Birthday Cup”
Yuragi: You get 1 point for every 1 win. For every 10 points ahead, the prize winner will receive a party favor
Yashiro: This would be the winning prize?
It is certainly a gift for Mao-san?
Yuragi: That is what I prepared, but it is boring if I just give it to him
Mao: So in other words, the person who will win, they are going to steal the present for me?
Yuragi: Yup. If you want it, you have to be the overall champion
Yashiro: A birthday party where the main character is being provoked…..
Maybe this is the first time I am experiencing it
Mao: There’s a lot of things I still want to delve into but okay fine have it your way
Yashiro: (.... Even though it’s not to the full extent, this still feels like Mao-san)
(And so, the birthday present to be won… The “Ukyo Birthday Cup” has begun)
Part 2
Mao: Yes. That’s my win
Yuragi: No way….
Akehoshi: Isn’t he too powerful?
(We already played various types of board games for 9 times)
Yashiro: Mao-san got 9 points right now…..
Akehoshi: He’s winning by himself~
Kou: As expected, there is no room for more evidence
Mao: There is no way I’d be happy to be taken for granted,
And I have no intention of doing so
Akehoshi: In fact, if you slack off, won’t you be punished?
Yashiro: (That’s true….)
(Mao-san would not be pleased if he just lets the player win)
(Everyone understands this and played the game seriously, even Mao-san who dared to accept the game)
(It was very typical)
Kou: Well, Mao is really good at games
I pretty much knew this was going to happen
Mao: So, what are you gonna do?
I don’t think it is possible to turn the tables now
Akehoshi: Well, there’s still that though
If you win the last game, you’ll get 10 points
Yashiro: That’s what you promised, isn’t it?
Mao: Then what’s the point of the game so far
Kou: Of course, it would turn out like this
Yuragi: This is the real decision, and it’s the most serious one, so go for it
Ito too
Yashiro: I understand
I will do my best, if you let me
Mao: Isn’t everyone on fire somehow?
Well, I accept
So what will be the last game?
Akehoshi: I think this would be the best choice
Here ya go
Yashiro: (From Akehoshi-kun’s pocket, a playing card slipped down….)
Yuragi: I heard you can bring games to this place
Yashiro: I understand. So we are using playing cards
Kou: Board games have a strong theoretical element, so I guess Mao can win with experience
With this, I think this will be a different game
Mao: OK
So with this number of people, President card game? Or like poker?
Yashiro: (Kou-san, Akehoshi-kun, and Yuragi-kun each exchanged glances and smiled in amusement)
Kou: This is the final game after all
Akehoshi, Yuragi: Old Maid game!
(Ukyo Birthday Cup. The Final Game: Old Maid
which foretells a storm, has begun)
Part 3
Yuragi: …..
Yashiro: (Yuragi-kun hands me a card without saying a word)
(Ever since the game started, or even before that, he has been completely expressionless)
Akehoshi: Yura’s expression is really hard to read
Well then, I’ll do this
Yup, Ito-san, here ya go
Yashiro: …. Please wait a moment
(Akehoshi-kun, you are the one who is always trying to make me pick a card)
(He can control his facial expressions, such as smiling on purpose or looking sad)
Yashiro: Well, I will take this
(The card I picked — It was the Old Maid
My heart suddenly started pounding loudly)
Mao: Then the next one is me
Yashiro: (The position of the card that Mao-san is pondering. It is a huge responsibility)
Yashiro: Mao-san, here you go
Mao: ….. Ito, your poker face is good
Yashiro: (It seems that the tension is making the muscles stiffen and the facial expression to disappear)
Mao: Then I will get this one
(The card that Mao-san pulled is the Old Maid)
Yashiro: (That’s a relief…. Or is it?)
(It’s a good development since the Old Maid now falls in Mao-san’s hands but there it also became suspenseful in another sense)
Kou: Is it my turn to draw?
Mao, isn’t it about time for the Old Maid to appear?
Mao: Are you playing games with me?
That’s what I want, Kou
(The Old Maid went round and round and as the result of the fierce battle….)
Mao: Yes, the last one
Yashiro: Aaaaah!
Yuragi: Lost again….
Kou: Even without the Old Maid, it’s definitely Mao who comes in first place
Yashiro: I’m sorry, it was like as I had been drawn to the card
Akehoshi: It’s not your fault, Ito-san. Your poker face was good though
Mao: Yeah. I couldn’t read Ito’s expression at all
I was reading the expressions of the three. I can kind of understand their tells because we have known each other for a long time
Kou, Akehoshi, Yuragi: !
Yashiro: (While looking at the reactions of the 3, he can tell the location of the Old Maid….?)
(If you think about it in that way, then it is no surprise that Mao-san won in this game as well)
(As expected, I guess he really understands them well)
Kou: So you saw through my tell
Yuragi: Aaaa, failed to steal the present away
Akehoshi: The winning prize will be presented
(A large gift box was presented to Mao-san)
Yashiro: Mao-san, congratulations
Mao: Thanks
Kou: He looks happy considering he knew he was going to win
Mao: I knew that, but how you feel when you actually receive it is another matter
Yuragi: That’s the conclusion
Yashiro: (When you look at Mao-san, you can tell even without words)
(.....He’s really happy to receive it)
Yuragi: ….. Hey, how about in the next game, we’d give 20 points?
Mao: No way, it’s already over
Kou: Mao was so strong that it was settled quite quickly
There’s still some time left, isn't there
Yashiro: ….. So that means
Akehoshi: Revenge match decided~
Mao: You’re not going to keep playing until I lose, are you
Yashiro: (Yuragi-kun starts shuffling the cards without questions asked)
(It looks like this lively night will continue)
END