#fortifiedwagerfic

[maidflowery]

Made photocards out of Fortified Wager illustrations I had created so far!

a very small Aventurine shrine is being born

[maidflowery]

POV: You got Protected by Aventurine's Shield

Read the full chapter here

Maidflowery here! I always took my time with the lighting process. Did you guys see the difference?

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♠♠♠ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 10

���︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 9】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐕𝐒 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 (3)

POV: Aventurine

Owing to the nature of his profession, Aventurine had crossed paths with all kinds of individuals.

From riches to rags; from good to bad.

"Mr. Aventurine, while we initially praised your proposal, after reviewing your background, we've encountered a particular issue—namely, your past...”

“—I do! I do think your idea is fascinating. Still, no offense, but... you understand why my company can’t openly support someone like you, right?”

Those who were enamored with him and wanted to use him.

“Why?! Why do you have to kill your master?! It’s already bad enough that you’re a former slave, but a murderer?! How can we be together?! Papa won’t be fine with this!!”

“You're tantalizing to the eye, and your words are meltingly sweet, like honey... But at the end of the day, they belong to a gilded pauper. Don’t overstep your bounds. How about this: Be mine, and we can discuss this project further.”

Those who feared him and wanted him gone.

“All Avgins are treacherous bastards! Don’t trust any of his words! Lies, all of them!”

“If he kills before, then he’ll kill again. It’s him or us!”

After a multitude of such encounters, he developed a knack for reading their behavioral patterns. All he had to do was recall a similar individual from the past and make a conjecture based on their likely actions and tendencies. As a result, most social interactions became a routine for him—a game of guessing cards, one might say. And his guesses were usually right; it wasn’t even a gamble.

Human were selfish in nature. They made decisions that suited their own needs, depending on how they felt at the moment. As such, they ended up saying things they didn’t mean or couldn’t support, and decisions they later regretted or went back on.

The you of that night was most likely the same.

Hence, he had fully expected you to run.

He had expected you to make a mad dash for it, perhaps stumbling and tripping a few times with your newly obtained wealth in hand, before Billy Burnett could do anything to you.

But you didn’t.

The girl who almost bolted from the building from the sheer embarrassment, vanishing at every sign of his approach, didn’t run.

“Of course I know, you piece of shit!”

Hearing a dull, snapping sound, Aventurine instinctively turned around.

You were crying.

Under the flashing, drifting colors of the venue, the transparent tear droplet shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

Surely, nothing could be more beautiful, was his initial thought as he processed the sight.

“But so what—?! So what if he killed his master?! I’d have done the same!!”

It occurred to him that you were crying for him.

Billy roared back, “Shut up!! You're just a pathetic slut serving tables!! Do you really think I can't destroy you?! That worthless slave won't protect you from me!!”

Though you shook and trembled, you stood tall, unwavering in the face of such a menacing and fearsome opponent.

“Watch your language! Aventurine is one of our most valued customers, and we do not tolerate any form of abuse or mistreatment toward him!”

You, who couldn’t hold his gaze for even a second, now stared straight at Billy. His fist could strike at any moment, yet you glared at him with eyes fierce and determined, like tempered steel.

He couldn’t look away.

“—Given that this behavior has persisted, we are left with no choice but to ask you to leave and ban you from returning!”

Even as you spoke of those lines, you sometimes tripped over your words and stuttered, trembling the whole time—yet you remained unyielding.

You could lose everything, yet you gave it all at that moment—just for him.

Was there ever someone who fought this hard for him?

His mind retraced the past, searching for any patterns, resemblances, or any individuals—all the way back to when he first met Madam Bonajade, where he had to advocate for himself, and beyond.

He could recall no one.

╔══ ≪ ♠♣♠ ≫ ══╗

Big Baddie made two huge mistakes that night.

SLAM—!

“What... did you just say...?!” Big Baddie growled, about to pop a vein as he slammed his hands against the table. “Did you just threaten to ban me for the sake of that good-for-nothing slave?!”

His first mistake was saying that to an Aventurine’s fan.

THUMP—!

In response, you brought your feet on the table, stomping on it!

“There. Is. Nothing. That. Isn’t. Good. About. Him!!!”

With your arms folded behind your back, your right hand tightly clutched the emerald and the sapphire collar pin. You’d sneakily retrieved them so you could return them to Aventurine later.

Suppressing your fear, you exhaled, and...

“—Where do I even begin?! He has the most mesmerizing, luxurious blond hair that glimmers like spun gold in the sunlight. I mean, it’s not just blond, it’s practically ethereal! I can only imagine how soft and silky it must feel to touch! Don’t get me started on those eyes! His eyes are a stunning blend of violet and cyan, like a breathtaking sunset blending into the twilight sky. It’s like they were painted by the divine artist of history, a magical combination that captivates anyone who dares to gaze into them. Oh, those entrancing colors! It’s as if each hue tells a story all its own! One moment, they glimmer with an electric energy, bright and vibrant, and the next, they hold a mysterious depth that pulls you in! And let’s talk about his style! I mean, he carries himself with such confidence, as if he knows he’s the most stunning person in the room. He always manages to look effortlessly perfect. It’s like the universe conspired to create the ultimate dream guy, and here he is, gracing us mere mortals with his presence! When he strides into a room, his jacket flows around him like the tails of a majestic peacock, effortlessly catching the light. With each step, he exudes a sense of confidence and grace! When he reaches his destination, with a swift yet graceful flick of his wrist, he’d flap his jacket! And then, comes the moment when he tips his hat. With a charming smile playing on his lips, he tilts his head slightly forward and raises the brim of his hat just enough to reveal those stunning multicolored eyes! Honestly, it’s downright unfair how gorgeous he is! The star of the show is when he says, ‘All in!’ with that killer smile on his lips! Such wild, bold sexiness, it can paralyze a man on track! When he won, he’d never fail to treat everyone! He feeds the poor! He helps those in need! His grace and compassion extend far and wide, rivaling the ocean! What is he?! The second-coming of Messiah?! And let’s not forget about his personality! He’s kind, funny, and charismatic! He’s always thoughtful when asking a question, while being fully considerate of my feelings! Not to mention, he treated me to exquisite desserts, and even shared his drink when I choked! It’s like he’s the complete package—a dazzling appearance paired with a heart of gold! Ah, right, I also found out about his cologne recently, such a breath of fresh air it was—"

...unleashed all the vocabularies you’d learned from kindergarten to college!! Apparently, the God of Linguistics was with you tonight, as you had no trouble speaking out loud!!

The entire time, camera flashes endlessly went off around you. Some even blatantly recorded the whole thing.

“—SHUT UP—!! SHUT THE FUCK UP—!!” Big Baddie screamed, clutching his head.

Weak.

Even though you kept it to around 400 words or so! Someone who couldn’t withstand a fangirl’s rant shouldn’t be criticizing their idol in the first place!

At the same time, deep down, you wished that even a single word would reach him, though you dared not look at him. Actually, you’d understand if he left already.

Also, yes, of course you were aware of how you came across right now. Despite acting coy earlier, you just revealed to everyone that you were a rabid fan of Aventurine. And that you knew of his past. ...And that you sniffed him.

In fact, murmurs from the crowd reached your ears.

— “Uh, the fuck? That’s honestly so creepy.”

— “It’s the so-called Main Character Syndrome...”

— “Ugh, I’m dying from the cringe.”

— “Can someone take her away? Please?”

Clear liquid trickled down your cheeks as you steeled yourself.

But Aventurine endured worse than this, for his whole life...

No, these weren’t tears. These were merely the sweats of a fangirl desperately trying to defend her idol, using any means necessary. You raised your hand to wipe it, only to notice it was trembling—your legs were shaking as well.

...Whelp! Nobody said bravery is the absence of fear!

Then, you suddenly remembered a major issue!

“...Actually, I take it back. You’re no piece of shit.”

He called Aventurine “shit painted with gold,” didn’t he—?!

“You, who extort money from orphans, are even less than that!"

Hearing this, Big Baddie was stunned for a moment, but then flashed you a sinister grin.

“...Well, don’tcha just say a bunch of interesting things? Seriously, who put you up to this? Your manager is which bastard?”

Naturally, Big Baddie didn’t remember Marius. You also used a broader term for the twins so he couldn’t figure it out.

Tilting your head slightly to the side, you gave him a meaningful, taunting smile. You squeezed the gems harder as if they were prayer beads, wishing for strength.

“No one.”

“So, an outsider? Who was it?! Was it that bitch from the pub?! Need I remind her that I know which kindergarten her kid goes to?!”

Big Baddie glowered frenziedly at you, like a feral beast ready to pounce.

“...”

Instead of answering, you gave him a knowing smile, secretly maintaining your breathing.

“I know! It’s that old coot who lives under the bridge! I should’ve broken her other leg as well!”

“...”

Your trembling hand wrapped around the gems so tight, you could feel their girdles digging into your palm.

“It’s the fisherman—”

Big Baddie’s guesses—or more like, victims—went on and on.

The single mother whose child’s beloved stuffed toy was torn apart in front of them. The widower whose late wife’s ashes were scattered in the street. The woman whose dog was poisoned. The farmer whose field was burned overnight.

You were quiet the whole time, listening not just to Big Baddie, but also to your surroundings.

After your latest antics, more and more people gathered to see what was happening. Some, as mentioned earlier, even took photos and recorded everything.

Sure enough, they had something to say about the situation.

— “Wait, is this for real? If so, isn’t that guy just deplorable...?”

— “Didn’t he drink truth serum or something like that? I saw it in the show advertisement...”

— “That waiter said he punched her manager...”

— “I know this guy! He’s Billy Burnett! He drowns people in debt with his sky-high interest rates! When someone can’t pay, he beats them to pulp!”

— “I know the farmer whose field was burned personally!”

— “I saw the news about that local fisherman!”

— “Eek! Why is such a dangerous guy roaming around freely?!”

— “Why isn’t he arrested yet?!”

— ...

Right? That’s the normal reaction, right?!

The world hasn’t gone completely insane, after all!

You wanted to believe everyone’s heart was the same. Well, except for those who dined on the exclusive floor during Judith’s incident—if their skin were cut, no blood would come out.

But honestly, it was most likely due to the fact that you were in the main dance venue instead of the exclusive floor.

Your smirk deepened.

While maintaining a provocative grin, you asked him, “Aren't you basically admitting to your crime? Aren't you afraid someone will report you to the police?”

“The police?! Pfft, ahaha!” Big Baddie scoffed at you as if he’d heard the stupidest shit ever. “Do you see me getting arrested!? They work for me! I’m the law! I’m absolute!”

All traces of expression vanished from your face.

You couldn’t believe it.

You couldn’t believe he’d take the bait.

True enough, someone convinced they could do no wrong often ended up creating their own weakness. Such was Big Baddie’s second and also biggest mistake.

Judith’s incident must’ve been easy to cover up in the first place, as few guests dined on the exclusive floor. Moreover, they appeared to be closely associated with the CEO.

But in the main dance venue, people from all over the world, from different classes and backgrounds, gathered just to watch the lucky gambler set more records in his winning streak. The game was guaranteed free of foul play, thanks to truth serum and other measures. And unlike in the exclusive floor, cameras and recordings were allowed.

At this sacred table reserved for Aventurine, Big Baddie confessed everything as if he were in purgatory. He seemed nonchalant—proud even—boasting about his crimes as if they were meritorious deeds. He even admitted to having the police wrapped around his little finger, all while the cameras rolled and the audience watched.

Try to escape this!

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

The plan for tonight was simple:

Approach Big Baddie → Get punched (almost) → Return the wallet and phone → Run (do not actually run)

Anyone with eyes could see that it ended in a massive failure.

Moreover, there was a certain clause in the NDA you’d signed:

‘—Failure to adhere to the plan, engage in suspicious activities, or undertake actions that may damage the reputation of Primavera will result in severe consequences, including, at a minimum, permanent exclusion, and potentially legal action.’

It perfectly described what you did tonight, so a permanent ban was pretty much guaranteed at this point.

Above all, you really, really shouldn’t have punched Big Baddie.

In fact, your initial plan was to fake getting punched in front of a crowd, creating a classic "male Karen vs. retail worker" scene that would surely go viral the next day.

And yet, you ended up punching him instead.

Regardless of what was said or done, the person who threw the first punch would always be seen as the culprit, as it was a decisive act that set tone for the situation.

You were going down either way—there was no changing this fact.

The weekly free fine dining and Lazuli Bells. The casual banter and occasional venting sessions with the friendly bartender, Teo. The one-sided fangirling moments with the shy Celine. The bickering with Marius. And above all, watching Aventurine’s spectacular match—

—All of it would end after tonight.

“Why the hell are you laughing?!”

Seeing that you just stood there, grinning like a fool, Big Baddie lashed out.

“Because I’m happy.”

“What’s there to be happy about?! You’re fucking dead meat after this!”

“Oh, wouldn’t you want to know?”

In fact, no one would ever know.

If the first one counted, then tonight would be your second meeting with Aventurine.

A disgraceful first meeting, and an even more disastrous second one.

However, unlike that night, you didn’t just stand by while people badmouthed him.

Hence, if you could somehow go back and relive this night, you'd do it all over again.

“Shut it, mouthy bitch! Just admit you’re scared!”

“...Scared?”

Your smile twitched.

“Of a guy bragging about his crimes like they're some kind of heroic deeds?”

Perhaps—no, you were afraid of Big Baddie. But after seeing his most recent behavior?

“I’m embarrassed for you!!”

Your palm held the warm, faceted gems you needed to return later.

But first, to create an opportunity to flee amidst the chaos.

Your face, hidden beneath the butterfly mask, twisted as every muscle contorted to form one word: disgust.

You drew a deep breath, silently bracing yourself.

"—If I were you, I’d die from sheer fucking shame!”

There, more than seven words.

“YOU—!!”

Then, Big Baddie’s fist flew toward your face.

Now, count to three and duck...!!

You didn’t even get to count.

“Huh?”

In the next moment, your vision spun upward as a strong tug yanked at your right arm. Without warning, you were falling, seized by gravity. You reflexively closed your eyes.

CRASH!! SHATTER!!

A loud bang, followed by the sharp shatter of glass, boomed in your ears. People were screaming. At the same time, your back landed against something soft and velvety—the premium leather couch of Primavera.

What just...?

Cautiously, you pried your eyes open, then they flew wide.

He was all that you could see.

A pair of violet-cyan eyes, inches from your face, pierced you as their owner towered over you, his hands on either side of your body.

However, no trace of his usual nonchalance or cheerful demeanor remained, to the point where you almost suspected he was a completely different person. He was expressionless, completely devoid of emotions. Only his multicolored eyes, which bore into you, seemed to hold a subtle, lingering hint of something.

Yet, he was undoubtedly your idol, Aventurine.

Did he... help me?

The you reflected within his eyes showed a confused expression.

Once the shock faded, you realized you couldn’t move. He had positioned himself between your legs, pinning you underneath him. Yet, it wasn’t painful or suffocating, as he was careful not to crush you. Still, having to stay in this position, legs hooked around his waist, constantly reminded of his presence...

You reflexively twisted yourself, and your weak, vain struggle was met with a derisive chuckle.

“Someone’s clearly been working hard to earn those gems.”

As he spoke, his violet-cyan eyes flicked to your hand clutching the emerald and collar pin. Only then did you notice his hand firmly pressing against your wrist.

A roguish grin tugged at his lips, not reaching his eyes, yet still undeniably alluring. His shirt was open for some reason, revealing his toned, lean chest. His tousled blond hair was even more ruffled than before. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from such a wildly tantalizing figure.

“Just a reminder,” he went on, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he stared at you. “No amount of wealth can reverse death.”

These words held every bit of the laid-back man’s seriousness.

Yet, you didn’t pay them any heed—you couldn’t.

Because you saw what was going on behind his back.

“Die...”

Having missed his first punch, Big Baddie was more enraged than ever. He tore the table, which was nailed to the floor, ready to hurl it at both of you!

No...!

This all started with your plan. Aventurine was just an innocent bystander who got caught up in it!

“Aventurine—! Watch out—!”

You pulled him, not knowing where the strength came from. In the next moment, the position was reversed, with Aventurine beneath you. Even he was surprised, his eyes widening. You shielded him, desperate to protect every inch of him.

“BOTH YOU AND THAT WORTHLESS SLAVE CAN DIE TOGETHER—!!”

Please, just not Aventurine...!

Such was your heartfelt prayer as you clenched your teeth, bracing for the impact.

Instead of bone-wrecking pain, you felt an arm wrap around your back, pulling you into a tight, protective embrace.

Then, you heard him speak, right beside your ear.

“Fortified Wager.”

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　１１】

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♤♤♤ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 ６

POV: Waiter-ing with You

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ５】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

“As you can see, my hands are full. As such, I’ll be requiring your assistance.” Then, with a slightly trembling hand, you brought it closer toward his mouth. He nibbled slowly and unhurriedly, gazing at you the whole time. “…Did you especially choose this one so I’d lick your fingers clean?” ♢♢♢ “There’s cream on your cheek.” “Eh? Where—…” With that, Aventurine leaned in and kissed the spot on your cheek. “!!!!!!!!” That one, tiny spot started burning like crazy. “There. All taken care of. I'd use my hands if they weren't, you know…”

~Cinderella & the Big Bad Wolf~

╔══ ≪ ♡♡♡ ≫ ══╗

“It’s amazing, what you did with the phone and the wallet.”

“!!”

Just like that, you were falling. You couldn’t even let out a scream. A pair of strong hands steadily wrapped around your waist and legs, lifting you into a bridal carry. Thus, instead of sprawling up on the floor, making a fool of yourself, you ended up on top of his lap.

His luminous violet-cyan eyes were enough to lock you in place. Then, the dashing gambler flashed a smug grin, as if he’d just won the ultimate prize.

You didn’t know what to make of that.

N-no way... is he going to rat me out to Big Baddie? Maybe they are friends after all!

All kinds of negative thoughts swirled in your mind, and you instinctively struggled to break free.

“Relax, I’m just offering a helping hand.”

But then, a husky whisper reached your ear. Hot exhalation swept across your neck, and you shuddered as if you were singed.

In such a close proximity, you could see each movement of his tantalizing red lips. Your throat felt dry all of the sudden.

“W-what...?”

A pathetic stutter was all you could muster, one that could easily be drowned by the wild thumping of your heart.

He continued, “That vile lecher is drooling all over you. I merely did what he’s dying to do right now.”

“Huh...?”

“What’s this? Mr. Aventurine can’t keep his hands off her, too? I get it! Such an interesting woman she is!” Big Baddie chimed in, as if on cue.

Hearing that, multicolored eyes left you, and you suddenly could breathe again. Thin layer of ice encased his gaze as he acknowledged the other party.

“Yes, I’m quite taken by her.”

“Kehehe! Of course, of course...” Big Baddie’s eyes narrowed as a perverse grin spread across his face. “So, after you are done with her... Can I...?”

“No.”

Although Aventurine was smiling, his tone was final, and Big Baddie was disgruntled.

Then, the blond gambler turned to you and whispered, “...Or would you rather go to him instead?”

Aventurine gave you a carefree, no pressure smile. But you didn’t miss it. The way his eyes narrowed for a split second when he said the word “him.”

Why did he seem... angry?

“Once I let you go, everything is out of my hands.”

Despite saying that, his grip around you tightened.

A realization appeared in the back of your head.

This was not offering a helping hand. Rather, a “choose your poison” situation.

After all, was Big Baddie the type of person who’d take ‘no’ for an answer? He’d probably look for you later in the staff room. Actually, he might just snag you right away. And to avoid that, you had to remain like this.

“...Well?” the gambler urged you for an answer.

Meekly shaking your head, you placed your hand on his shoulder, pulling yourself closer toward him.

“Good answer.”

Aventurine smiled in satisfaction.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

Hello, it was you again.

Life had treated you well.

Despite the ups and downs, surely, as long as you kept going, you’d manage somehow.

Even the fiercest storm had an end, and the sun would shine again.

Yes, everything would come to an end, eventually...

...Even the fact that you were sitting on top of the lap of the Primavera’s richest gambler. Also, a manager of the Interastral Peace Corporation. And most recently, a planet conqueror???

It should have been a dream come true as an Aventurine fan, but reality had proven to be too much to handle. You had to sit upright and maintain a straight face at all times as he continued to play poker against Big Baddie.

“Ms. Aschenputtel?”

Suddenly, you heard Aventurine speak and turned around. Wrong move.

Damn!

His face was so close!!! So much so that you could even count his individual eyelashes!!! This was why you had to maintain your posture, otherwise you might crash into that stunning face of his!!!

Above all, your heart was threatening to burst! Any more of this, and you might die on the spot! You were only human, okay! And your idol was only 30 cm away from your face!

“...W-w-what is, it?” You asked back, stuttering more than usual.

“Do you hate me or something?” Aventurine asked sadly.

No, seriously. The usually cheerful, laidback man knitted his eyebrows, frowning, looking like an abandoned puppy. You almost saw an illusion of drooping ears and tail on him.

“N-no...”

“I see. That’s a relief!”

Ah, his 100-watt smile was back.

“I-it’s just...”

Having found your voice, you decided to set boundaries. Hello and welcome, personal space!

“‘It’s just’...?”

Aventurine tilted his head.

‘Excuse me, but I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable sitting on your lap. In the first place, this sitting arrangement violates my boundaries.’

C’mon! Spit it out! You were usually an outspoken person!

“This is... uh, something, on your lap, is uncomfortable...”

Curse it! Curse this mouth that wouldn’t stop stuttering in the face of your idol!

“Something on my lap?” Aventurine blinked. Then, something seemed to have dawned on him. “Aah, make sense. No wonder you were shifting a lot.”

Then, casually, he sat you down next to him, right beside the tall window.

R-really? This easy?!

It just made all your struggle to keep up and endure seem like a joke!

Well, you did just tell him that you were uncomfortable to his face. Unless he was shameless, there was no way he could keep going after that.

But then, Aventurine reached for the ornate pouch strapped to his left thigh.

“Poor thing. This must’ve caused you some discomfort.”

No, well, uh, sure, the golden crest did stab your behind from time to time, but you had a much bigger problem to worry about. Namely, the fact that you were sitting on top of him as he continued to play with Big Baddie. For everyone to see!

Was this guy playing dumb? Yeah, he had to be.

To top it off, he also placed you right beside the window. Something told you it was deliberate so that you wouldn’t escape. But where there was will, there was way. You could just stand up and casually walk past him toward the dance venue—

Except, he suddenly extended his long legs forward, blocking your only exit.

“I’ll take this off real quick and then we’ll resume.”

Aventurine grinned, unlatching the golden hooks on his thigh strap one by one.  

No, this guy wasn’t playing dumb, he was playing you. Also, “resume” what? Resume playing poker, right? Right?!

Even his move seemed deliberately slow, as if he was taking his sweet time. Heck, he didn’t even bother looking your way. He knew he had you cornered on all sides.

Climbing the sofa was still an option.

...And yet, your brain decided that was the best moment to be a rock. To just sit there, fixated at every single movement his slender, gloved fingers made.

Clink! Thud!

Just like that, the glossy black leather pouch, decorated with a shiny golden emblem, slid to the floor. Even though it looked expensive as hell, the owner didn’t even spare it another look.

Instead, a pair of violet-cyan eyes stared straight at you. Aventurine beamed as if he had done you a huge favor.

“There. No more issues, right?”

‘No more issues,’ my ass!

Then, Aventurine extended his hand, beckoning to you.

“Come here.”

...He had to be the most shameless guy on earth.

Then what did it make you, the person who slowly yet surely reached out to take his hand?

Obviously, you couldn’t tell him you were uncomfortable with this seating arrangement anymore.

You awkwardly straddled his legs, feeling his gaze on you the whole time.

Time was passing painfully slowly as you brought yourself down on his lap.

A man’s thigh is firm, but also slightly soft...

Briefly, such a thought flashed across your mind, and heat spread across your face. You quickly dismissed that thought, desperately focusing on the flashing lights and the bustling venue.

Of course, you were only sitting sideways on his lap, lest his fans killed you. Speaking of his fans, they were watching you from every corner like a hawk. Some even sat together, gossiping while glaring dagger at you. Discussing your execution method, no doubt.

You couldn’t even blame them. You’d be too, if a random “waiter” who didn’t even splurge for the lotto tickets suddenly walked up and sat on top of their idol. That was just an abuse of power! And plain unfair! Heck, you’d be leading the entire meeting, and the subsequent ones after that.

...You faintly realized that you might be dissing yourself like this to escape reality.

Suddenly, Aventurine spoke again, reclaiming your attention.

“Hey, Ms. Aschenputtel...”

“What?”

What is it this time?

“Your hand.”

The blond grinned, acting all chirpy for some reason.

My hand?

When you were dumbfounded, not quite catching what he meant, he took your right hand in his. Immediately, the memory of how he brought it to his lips was revived and your face started blazing.

“W-what are...?”

“You can always scratch at my clothes instead.”

Saying that, his thumb softly caressed yours. You immediately shot a glance at your own fingers.

...Ack!

True enough, your bad habit had reared its ugly head. When you were nervous, you had the tendency of picking your nails, making them uneven and chipped. The sorriest-looking one was your thumbnail! Not to mention, Aventurine was the first to notice!

Before you could retract your hand, Aventurine placed it on his shoulder. Caught off-guard, the slight tug made you lurch forward...!

In the next moment, his narrowed violet-cyan eyes were all that you could see. His well-shaped lips, curved into a smirk, were only a hairbreadth away from yours. No, actually, from an outsider’s perspective, it seemed as if the two of you were kissing!

Aventurine looked as calm and as unperturbed as always. In contrast, you were freaking the shit out.

“I-I-I didn’t mean to...!”

You hurriedly pulled yourself back, trying to create a distance between yourself and the ultra-good-looking face before you, no matter how small.

But Aventurine leaned forward, rendering your effort futile. As he spoke, his warm breath tickled your lips, sending shivers throughout your body.

“You didn’t mean to do what? Did you do something?”

“I—... no, it’s nothing.”

Because now that you thought about it, nothing had happened yet. I-it wasn’t like your lips touched or anything! Not that you were disappointed about it or anything!

“Haha!” Aventurine let out a playful chuckle. “Don’t people usually apologize after they had done something? So, Ms. Aschenputtel...”

Saying that, he suddenly closed the distance between the two of you, his lips right next to your ear.

“Do something to me first.”

A husky, tantalizing voice spoke, full of provocation.

Flustered, you instantly withdrew and lost your balance. If not for the hand that securely supported your back, you’d have fallen to the floor.

His multicolored eyes narrowed further, taking in every minute detail of your reactions.

No.

This won’t do.

You’d really die from a heart attack at this rate!!

You were about to run away, but his arm softly wrapped around your waist, confining you.

“M-Mr. Aventurine...? Please let me go.” You asked, half-pleading, your pride be damned.

“Why? So you can run away again?”

Crap! Did he guess your thoughts? No, whatever expression you currently had right now must’ve given it away.

“N-no, I’m just...”

“Then, you won’t be going anywhere, right?”

...You shouldn’t have said that.

“Great! Something tells me this is going to be a long game, as I’m rekindling my friendship with an old pal.”

The “old pal” he was referring to, who had long faded into the background by this point, jolted. But from the look of Big Baddie’s face, it was obvious he also didn’t know there was some kind of “rekindling” going on.

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

Finally, you got to witness the high-tension game between two professional poker players! A match full of twists and turns! Nobody could catch a break! One wrong move could spell your complete defeat!

...Was what you wished you could say.

“Ms. Aschen~, Ms. Aschen~! Ah, fold.”

The one who cheerfully called out to you—with a nickname, no less—was, of course, Aventurine.

You slightly turned around so as not to crash against his face. Even from the corner of your eyes, you could see that he was smiling from ear-to-ear.

Absolutely no burden at all. Absolutely carefree. The only thing that changed from his demeanor was how he was acting increasingly chummier with you, as if the two of you’d reached the pinnacle of ultimate friendship or something.

“...What is it?”

“Tell me more about yourself. How long have you been practicing magic tricks? Fold.”

“Not that long, about... a few months, perhaps?”

“Only a few months? And yet, you displayed such an excellent feat! Ms. Aschen, you’re natural. How wonderful! Fold.”

Did he have to praise you so much? And so sincerely? ...Well, if that was what he wanted you to think, he succeeded, at least.

“A-ahem.” You cleared your throat, feeling your blush creeping to your ear. “It’s nothing much, I merely practiced it for a summer job—well, at first, anyway...”

“Oh? Does that mean you've discovered your passion for it? Then, Ms. Aschen, are you planning to pursue it and go professional—”

“—Ha! If she’s already between your legs, I’d say she's a pro!”

The one who gruffly spoke of such vulgar words was none other than Aventurine’s opponent, Billy Burnett, aka Big Baddie. As his losses mounted, he became increasingly snappish—toward you, anyway.

It was already a pre-established fact that Big Baddie was afraid of Aventurine.

Facing his cowardly outburst, you maintained a shy, demure waiter front, dropping your head. Your experience waiting tables expanded your patience, making it as vast as the ocean.

“See? She doesn’t even try to deny it. Women are all the same!” Big Baddie snickered.

...Yes, yes, whatever.

“Just ignore him, Ms. Aschen. Some people just aren’t born with intellect.”

Aventurine spoke in a clear voice that could be heard by anyone. Then, without breaking eye contact with you, he tossed some cards onto the table. You could hear the Big Baddie gasp.

Silence ensued.

“Congratulations, you’ve got the winning hand! Well played!”

The dealer announced with a lively and enthusiastic voice, as if it weren’t the dozenth time this had happened. Thus, another iron suitcase joined Aventurine’s side of the table. That was the last of the Big Baddie. For now, anyway.

“—So, Ms. Aschen, where were we?”

Then, for the dozenth time, Aventurine turned to you, resuming where you’d left off.

“Right, where were we...?”

You answered awkwardly. Hey, progress. You were no longer on the verge of exploding every time your idol’s heart-stopping eyes stared straight at you. You could also form short, proper sentences!

After that, the small chats would continue, mostly initiated by Aventurine. You had to give it to him, he was such a good conversationalist. You much preferred to be treated like air, though—for the sake of your survivability and escape.

Yes, that was right. Tension? What tension? This felt like waiting for ice cream at the Beskin-Rubbens counter on a hot Saturday afternoon with Nancy—only this time, with Aventurine!

...Speaking of which.

Amidst the casual conversation, your attention wandered slightly. There was something you’d been curious about.

Standing beside the table was the man who oversaw the entire game, the Dealer. He made sure to avoid drawing attention the entire time, blending with the background. Only his ecstatic winner announcements served as a reminder of his presence.

Knowledge of various casino games, cash handling experiences, and communication skills were no longer enough. They also had to be unbending in the face of irresistible temptation (bribery), unyielding in the face of absolute power (bigshots who threatened to fire their ass and raze the entire place to the ground), powerful(in case things got physical)—and above all, the courage to do the right thing (prevent that lucky bastard from bagging the entire nightclub’s earning). That, along with passing other tests, including but not limited to psychology and IQ tests. ~Ch. 2

Yet, this was the same guy who passed every round of Primavera's strict, nearly impossible tests. The Dealer with the specs of a literal hero—the Chosen One!

So how could you not get curious?

You sneaked a glance at him.

Unexpectedly, he didn’t look like every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Stone gray hair slicked to the back with hair gel. Round, golden eyes, gleaming with friendliness and amusement. Primavera’s crisp uniform really accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs.

Compared to Aventurine’s frivolous, princely appeal, the Dealer had that dependable and kind older guy vibe to him.

The Dealer noticed your gaze and gave you a friendly smile.

—!

Eep, you got caught staring!

But... when he smiled, he was kind of cute?

“—Ms. Aschen, what are you looking at?”

All of a sudden, Aventurine lowered his face to meet your eye level, blocking your view of the Dealer. For some reason, he was puffing his cheeks, obviously sulking.

...Adorable.

But you immediately regained your senses.

“Eh, oh no, my bad, did you say something?”

You felt bad. Anyone would get annoyed if they were ignored, right? Moreover, Aventurine had been carrying this conversation, always picking topics that were relevant to you, yet unobtrusive in nature.

“It’s fine!”

His smile was back... was it because of how downcast you seemed?

“My bad, this game is dragging on, isn’t it? I’m bored to death myself. I really wish this guy hadn’t kicked off this whole thing.”

...Oi, is that something you should say in front of the ‘old pal you’re rekindling your friendship with’?!

Then, Aventurine lit up as if a brilliant idea had just occurred to him.

“Right! Would you like light refreshments? I’m feeling peckish myself. You can order whatever you like, it’s on me.”

“Really—?!” You said, a tad too happily.

...In fact, even Aventurine looked slightly taken aback. But then, his gaze softened.

“Of course.”

After that, Aventurine sent the Dealer to fetch the menu for some reason. You couldn’t quite catch his name—Kyle? Kayel? Cael...? Anyway, the Dealer returned and handed the two of you the menu, grumbling under his breath, “Why me...?”

“Alright, which desserts would you recommend to me, Ms. Aschen?”

Aventurine spread open the menu on the table, and the fancy, now familiar desserts of Nightclub Primavera greeted you.

You struggled to keep your cheeks from loosening. All this time, you had to be sparing with your choice, so you usually went for the main course. But now, you were being treated to the exquisite dessert!

“Ah, there are so many to choose from...!”

“I never said you had to pick just one. Go ahead, order whatever suits your fancy, as many as you like.”

This time, you had to stop your legs from kneeling in worship of Aventurine.

“Then, what kind of desserts do you like? Any foods you avoid due to allergies?"

“I’ll go with whatever Ms. Aschen likes. Allergies? Eh. Sure, I have that, I guess. But I can't remember what food I'm allergic to. It’s nothing to worry about.”

How can it be nothing to worry about?!

Food allergies are the most common reason for lawsuits in restaurants anywhere, okay?

Above all, what if something happens to him?!

You glanced at your idol to see his expression, only to find that he was smiling like always.

Oh, well. Based on your experience as a waiter, someone who said “I’ll go with whatever you like” usually just didn’t know what to order or to expect from the place.

No, actually, ever since you first met him in this nightclub, besides drinks, had you ever seen him eat anything?

I don’t think so... I wonder why?

At the same time, he never failed to treat everyone else to fancy meals...

...Is he the god among gods?

Anyway, in that case...

“Then, may I bring your attention to our mini fruit tarts? We always make the cream from scratch and use the freshest fruits!”

You decided to put on your waiter (real) mantle and explain the menu and ingredients to him. Since you could only choose one meal set per day, you researched the Primavera menu extensively, prioritizing the most delicious options first. The knowledge you’d gained over time was finally being put to good use!

“—Ah, but you can consume dairy, right?”

“Yep, no problem at all. This one sounds good, we can order it.”

You jotted it down with the notepad and pen Marius provided you.

“Let’s avoid nuts because you might be allergic to it.”

“Fine with me.”

“As for this red velvet cheesecake—...”

Only after checking with Aventurine and looking at his expression would you proceed. You could somehow tell when he was genuinely smiling. ...Well, you had spent the past hour in such close proximity to him.

Then, after a bit of this exchange...

“—this biscoff has a melty mochaccino inside!”

“...”

You realized that you were speaking by yourself. Until a moment ago, Aventurine would give an ecstatic reply, but now he was quiet.

N-no way, did he get tired of hearing me talk?!

You were anxious—until you laid your gaze on his expression.

Aventurine rested his cheek on his hand, staring straight at you, smiling tenderly. His gaze was half-narrowed, his violet-cyan eyes exuding a soft, warm glow.

Serene.

It was the only word you could think of to describe the look on his face.

Rather than someone nodding off, he seemed like someone who was immersed in listening to his favorite song.

Noticing that you’ve stopped speaking, Aventurine asked you.

“Why did you go quiet?”

“—! Oh, no, no... I was wondering if I spoke too much.”

...Embarrassingly enough, you got entranced by his expression!

“Haha! Of course not. I can listen to you all day, Ms. Aschen.”

And you too, to his joyful laugh.

Before you could think of a reply, Aventurine went on.

“You’re looking out for me, aren’t you? You’re kind—really kind—and truly dedicated to your work. How charming you are, Ms. Aschen.”

Aventurine beamed widely. Even though it was nighttime, the sun was here.

“Not really, I’m just...”

Your face simmered with heat. As if that wasn’t enough, even your fingertips were red!

“Haha, see? Very charming.”

As you lowered your flushed face, you could hear him laugh once again, teasingly this time.

“I think that’s enough desserts! Let’s place the orde—”

—You stopped yourself in time. You wore the waiter’s pants here!

“We haven’t ordered drinks yet.” Aventurine casually interjected.

Why did it feel like he wanted to prolong your suffering—ahem, play around a bit more?

...Also, when it came to drinks, you always ordered Lazuli Bells, never trying anything else...

Celine, your best buddy in this nightclub, knew this. Even the bartender, Teo, knew this.

Eh, why not?

“Then, shall I recommend you our specialty? Lazuli Bells!”

Hearing that, Aventurine’s smile froze.

...Huh?

“May I know why?”

Even though his smile, tone, and attitude were the same as usual, something had definitely changed.

“...Do you not like flowery concoctions? If so—”

“Nah. I’m more interested in the reason why you recommended it in the first place.”

“B-because it’s my favorite drink...”

Faced with such an invisible yet undeniable tension, your vocabulary was failing you.

“...Interesting. Why do you like it?”

Fortunately, the next question he threw your way was easy-peasy—child's play! It was barely an inconvenience! Though, what was with that slight disappointment in his voice?

What a relief!

After noticing that you kept ordering the same drink every time, Teo and Celine often asked you the same question. To which you always replied the same, you didn’t even need to think twice—!

“Because the drink is really flavorful, refreshing, and not to mention, aromatic! Above all, the colors really did it for me! They are so pretty, just like Aventurine’s eyes!”

“...!”

“...”

“...”

...Except maybe you should really think about it this time. With Celine and Teo, that answer was fine, dandy, and only slightly embarrassing.

But guess in front of whom you were sitting right now. Yes.

As you opened the page to a new, dark chapter of your life, you buried your face in the menu.

Curse it! Curse this mouth that spewed stupid things in the face of your idol!

“...Please ignore that. You heard nothing. I didn’t say anything.”

As your cheeks began burning—way more intensely this time—you mumbled.

“Of course. Did you say anything just now?”

Even though you were averting your gaze, you could tell that he was grinning smugly. Really smugly.

“Fine, I accept. Shall we place our order?”

“Y-yes, let’s...”

“Uh-huh, I can’t wait to see a drink as pretty as my eyes! I wonder what it tastes like, a drink as pretty as my eyes... A drink as pretty as my eyes, hm? Truly fascinating.”

AAAH! EARTH, SWALLOW ME WHOLE!

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

An array of exquisite-looking desserts was beautifully arranged on the table. There was a set of colorful, bite-sized fruit cupcakes, glittering like accessories inside a jewelry box. A rich, chocolate mousse sprinkled with crunchy choco chips. A luscious tiramisu, with layers of delicate, coffee-soaked lady finger biscuits embraced by rich, creamy mascarpone cheese. Lastly, two glasses of Lazuli Bells were served.

After finishing setting up the desserts and drinks on the table, the Dealer—yes, the Dealer—returned to his designated place beside the table. You could hear him mutter under his breath, 'Seriously, why me?!'

As the waiter, you offered to do it, but Aventurine refused. He really didn’t want to let you go for some reason. At this point, you were starting to suspect that both Big Baddie and you owed him something.

“Alright, Ms. Aschen, our food is here. They do look amazing! You sure have an impeccable taste!”

After looking at the table, Aventurine turned to you and smiled. By now, his generous side when it came to giving praises was no longer foreign to you. Yet, it still didn’t stop a slight blush from dying your cheeks.

“Y-yes. Shall we dig in?”

“Sure! I wonder which dessert we should start with!”

Aventurine answered gleefully, but something was odd...

...Namely, his hands didn’t move at all. Sure, one was still wrapped around your waist as you sat on his lap—this was your life now—but the other was merely clutching a few cards...

Aventurine was still beaming, yet you had a bad feeling about this...

“Ms. Aschen~” Aventurine called out to you, sounding spoiled.

See—?!

“What is it, Aventurine?” You asked warily.

“As you can see, my hands are full. As such, I’ll be requiring your assistance.”

“Assistance...?”

In response, Aventurine drew closer to you, parting his well-shaped lips. His narrowed, violet-cyan eyes peered straight into yours, drawing you in with their irresistible allure.

It was your defeat.

Whatever! Let’s just get this over with!

“Which dessert would you like?”

“I’ll let you decide.”

You glanced at the assortment of mini cupcakes before choosing the one that looked the most delicious, topped with the most fruit slices!

Then, with a slightly trembling hand, you brought it closer toward his mouth. It was as if your heart was on your sleeve, literally!!! You saw Aventurine’s eyes narrowing even further, and his grin widening.

Besides his honeyed tongue, you also became well acquainted with one other fact: he really enjoyed getting a reaction out of you! Leaving aside the fact that he was your idol, it was annoying as heck!

Suppressing the urge to shove it into his mouth, you watched as Aventurine leaned in and took a bite from your hand. He nibbled slowly and unhurriedly, gazing at you the whole time.

Like, why?! Just stare at something else!! Or play poker!! What about Big Baddie?! You’ve been ignoring him for so long!!

Meanwhile, you sat there, frozen in place, watching as the already small dessert slowly disappeared. Then, somehow, despite his carefulness, some cream still dripped on your fingers. Granted, this dessert had a generous amount of cream.

But just as you were about to retract your hand, Aventurine seized your wrist.

Oi, you said your hands are full—

—All semblance of thoughts were blown away when he suddenly sucked on your fingers.

He wasn’t staring at you this time. Yet, you felt it—the sweep of his warm breath, the caress of his lips, the slight graze of his teeth, and above all, the soft swirl of his tongue. You felt everything, right at your fingertips.

...This.

This is what’s going to kill me, isn’t it?

Once he was done, Aventurine licked the cream from his own lips, looking satisfied.

“Indeed, it was delicious. I know you won’t disappoint me. One question...”

While your mind was still recovering from the quiet explosion it had suffered, you saw his mouth curving into a haughty grin.

“...Did you especially choose this one so I’d lick your fingers clean?”

“!!”

...NO!?!?!?!?! Also, you started this!!! I’m suing!!!

“Haha, Ms. Aschen, let's not get violent, shall we? Please put down that tray. Here, why don't you try some?”

With an amused grin, Aventurine pushed the plate of dessert toward you. The aromatic blend of vanilla and cocoa fragrance tickled your nose.

—Ah, food. My weakness.

...Thankfully, he didn’t offer to feed you or anything. With that, you put down the silver tray and reached for the mousse. Finally, you could taste food again, instead of sheer embarrassment.

But your relief was short-lived.

“Ms. Aschen, there’s cream on your cheek.”

“Eh? Where—...”

With that, Aventurine leaned in and kissed the spot on your cheek.

“!!!!!!!!”

That one, tiny spot started burning like crazy.

“There. All taken care of. I'd use my hands if they weren't, you know...”

He had the gall to look remorseful!!! ...And damn did it work!!!

Then, when you were munching on the tiny cupcake...

"Ms. Aschen, is it that delicious? Let me have a taste—”

Just like that, Aventurine was right in front of you, taking a bite of the cupcake you were eating. Given how small it was and how close you were, his lips were only inches from yours.

Before you could say anything, he gave you another remorseful look of ‘my-hands-are-full.’

This guy—!!!

Shouldn't one usually be wary of handsy guys?! How is this guy managing it with his hands full?!

Also, is it just me, or did he just intensify his attack?!

What were those previous ones then?! Getting you to sit on his lap and all those other embarrassing things you didn't want to remember?! Was it just 1% of his power?!

“Cough! Hack! Cough!”

Back to reality, you choked and started coughing non stop.

“Oh no... Here. Have a drink.”

Then, a triple-colored drink was pushed in front of you. You immediately gulped it through the straw. After you could finally breathe again, you realized something important.

...Your own drink was still in your hand, visibly half-empty. It was the Lazuli Bells! You couldn’t resist taking a sip from the moment it was served! In other words...

“Aventurine, that is your own glass.”

Like, sure, both had no alcohol content. You didn’t want to get drunk, while Aventurine especially requested it that way. Still, the point stood. You expected the man to tease you again, saying ‘I know.’

Except, Aventurine looked genuinely taken aback. He stared at his own hand, which was still holding the glass to you. His own glass.

Did he really not realize it? Was he acting out of panic?

After a brief silence, Aventurine uttered, “...Or so luck would have it.”

As he said that, a trace of emotion flickered in his eyes. It seemed like happiness... and also sadness. How could such contrasting emotions appear so similar in his gaze?

...What was that about?

While you were pondering, Aventurine took a sip out of your glass.

“There, we’re even now.”

He looked up at you, eyes full of mischief, and grinned.

Your favorite person smiled at you, his mesmerizing violet-cyan eyes glimmering. Right beside him was your favorite drink, Lazuli Bells, sparkling under the colorful lights.

It was like a dream come true.

...All this time, I’ve been looking at you from afar.

Hence, you didn’t know.

You didn’t know that the blueness of his eyes could sometimes shine as brightly as the sparkling ocean or darken like the ultramarine depths.

In the same way, you didn’t know that the purpleness of his eyes could sometimes lighten like the sunset clouds or darken like the purple backdrop of the evening sky

Like vibrant, moving lights.

“—Hello? Earth to Ms. Aschen?”

“S-sorry... I was just thinking...”

“What were you thinking about?”

His gaze was tender, and his smile so indulgent that your honest feelings spilled from your lips.

“...The real ones look so much prettier.”

Given how you were subtly glancing between the drink and his eyes, there was no way he couldn’t know what you were referring to.

And yet, his eyes still widened, as if in shock, but only briefly.

“Ms. Aschen.”

The next time Aventurine spoke, he’d reverted to his usual expression. The smug, all-smile expression of Primavera’s lucky gambler.

...Yet, dare you say, it seemed distant?

“I haven’t tipped you for your incredible service tonight, have I?”

“Huh...? I, uhm...”

Was he trying to give you a tip? At first, you wanted to refuse, but you also had to mind your role as a waiter.

But, at the same time, accepting this tip felt like agreeing that this was merely a service he had paid for.

Somehow, it felt as if he was reminding you of your own place.

You looked up at him again.

He was right in front of you, staring directly at you, yet he felt incredibly far away.

—Then again, sitting here, right beside your idol, was already a miracle in itself.

No, if anything, you only had Aventurine to thank for. Because of him, the operation to return Big Baddie’s belongings went without a hitch. If it weren't for him, would Big Baddie even give you the time of day?

Had everything gone according to the original plan, you'd be causing a mess left and right, becoming an utter disgrace. At the rate things were going right now, at least you were spared half of your dignity.

I’m probably overthinking things...

“Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

Smiling gratefully, you extended your hand toward him. For the time being, you decided to play your role perfectly—

“This is just a little something.”

—Or at least, until you saw what he placed on top of your palm.

You stared at it, then back at him, then back at it again.

Until you were fully sure what it was, your eyeballs threatened to pop out of their sockets.

“Wait...!! This is...!!”

You shot him a look—or, more precisely, at his collar, which now seemed a bit more plain.

Because the sparkling golden collar chain, studded with gleaming indigo gems, was now in your hand.

Aventurine smiled as if troubled. “I don’t bring cash with me, so I hope this will do. It’s one of my collections. If you take it to a gold store for appraisal, you should be able to earn a bit of money.”

“This, but this is...”

You couldn’t comprehend anything, and your palm felt so heavy all of the sudden.

He doesn’t bring cash so he gives me THIS instead—?!

Briefly, you glanced at the pile of metal suitcases behind him. Granted, if he gave you any of those money—Big Baddie’s money—you’d absolutely refuse. Otherwise, how were you supposed to face Teo and the twins?

Regardless, on its own, it was still an issue!! You had to return this somehow!!

“—As expected, this is still too cheap, isn't it?”

Despite how arrogant the question might sound, his tone was earnest. There was even a hint of innocence in it. Heck, he even seemed guilty for some reason.

Then, Aventurine grabbed the lozenge-cut emerald studded on the fabric of his chest. He ripped it off so carelessly that he tore the front of his uniform as well. As a result, his already open chest became even more exposed.

After that, he placed the emerald on top of your palm, just like that.

“WOOOW!!!”

“OMG!!!”

Screams erupted all around you, mostly from women, as camera flashes rapidly went off. Aventurine’s fans. They were watching.

What just happened...?

Meanwhile, you could only sit there dumbly as your logic went haywire.

W-why is he doing this? Is it because I refused his black card? So, now he thinks I accept payment in GOLD?!

Also, also, because he thinks the payment is lacking, he adds ANOTHER gemstone on top of it?

Then, Aventurine started to explain while staring intently at your face.

“This is the most precious item on my person right now.”

M-most precious...?

Aventurine added, as if he were aware he was making a mistake. “I can also throw in my ring.” As he said that, he began reaching for the sapphire ring on his right index finger.

Isn’t this just robbery in broad daylight?!

If you didn’t put a stop to this, would he strip himself naked?! Moreover, why did he look so earnest the whole time?! He kept glancing at your expression, as if the world would end if you didn’t get paid enough!!

You felt so guilty! It felt as if you’d forced a gorgeous peacock to pluck off its own feathers until you were satisfied!

Then, just as you were about to say something...

“Wait—” “—WAIT A DAMN SECOND!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

A much louder, croaky voice drowned yours, and Aventurine froze, thus preventing him from adding another piece of jewelry on top of your hand.

Thank you!!!

For the first time in your life, you felt thankful to Big Baddie.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

The main dance venue was still as bustling as ever, but your surrounding vicinity quieted down somewhat.

Big Baddie stood up on the other side of the table, fuming as he directly pointed at Aventurine.

“This isn’t what we agreed upon!! Why are you giving those precious stones to a goddamn waiter?!”

Aventurine sighed, looking fed-up, saying, “And what did we agree upon? I don’t see you winning, so these stones are free for me to do with as I wish.” Much to your relief, his hand left his ring.

Then, Aventurine turned to you and smiled, speaking in a quieter voice as if gossiping.

“Do you remember when I said ‘this vile lecher is drooling all over you’? I was actually speaking from experience.”

“Huh?!”

“...Yeah. The moment he laid eyes on them, he wouldn’t stop pestering me, asking to buy these stones off me and whatnot. So, I invited him to a poker match.”

Actually, seeing how excessively tacky Big Baddie is, it somehow makes sense that he’s also a gem enthusiast...

“...Couldn’t you just say no?”

“I had nothing better to do at the time," Aventurine said with a shrug, as if it were someone else's problem.

“Hey, you waiter over there!”

Seeing that he wasn’t getting through Aventurine, Big Baddie turned to you. His eyes burned with greed as he stared at your hand.

At the same time, you felt Aventurine’s grip around your waist tighten. Though you had mostly adjusted to sitting on his lap, his hold had never been imposing, almost as if it wasn't there. The sudden change surprised you, making your heart race.

Anyway, you still had a cross between a bull and a gorilla to answer to.

You pointed at yourself, “M-me?”

“Who else! Do you have any idea how much those gems are worth?!”

“H-how much...?”

“They are flawless gems! Especially that emerald! It’s Cygnus Emerald! It’s worth at least 170,000,000,000,000Credits!”

W-wait, come again? How many zeroes were there again?

...IT’S IN TRILLIONS?!?!

In disbelief, you warily glanced at Aventurine, hoping he’d say it wasn’t true.

“Not exactly,” Aventurine smiled, then added, “The mine has since closed down, so it's the rarest of the rare—probably worth five times that amount.”

Your jaw nearly dropped as the weight in your hand felt five times heavier.

He actually knew?! And yet, he still gave me these willy-nilly?!

Young man!! How have you been tipping every waiter you met in the restaurant all this time?! By giving them a new life?!

“Those aren’t for you to have! I’ll pay you, so give them to me!” Big Baddie demanded desperately.

“...How foolish. Even if you gave her all these suitcases, it still wouldn’t be enough to cover a quarter of it.” Aventurine shot it down with disinterest. “Besides, last I checked, it’s up to me to decide who these belong to.”

Meanwhile, you were panicking inside.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! Is this really happening?!?!

Won’t I be suspected of robbery?! Will a bunch of police arrest me the moment I step outside the club?!

But then, Big Baddie let out an exasperated sigh, clutching his head.

“Haa...! See, this is why a slave like you is hopeless! You’re blind to its worth, which is why you gave it away to a rando! They are wasted on you!”

Those words, clearly directed at Aventurine, put an end to your cathartic thoughts.

At the same time, the atmosphere around the blond gambler shifted drastically, as if encased in a glacier. Chills went down your spine, yet you dared to turn around.

“Ave-Aventurine...”

“Hm?”

When Aventurine turned around and met your gaze, there wasn't a trace of warmth in his eyes. He smiled, but it was devoid of any emotion.

“What do you think of those gems? Do you like them?” he asked, his tone as friendly as ever, but it only gave you ominous feelings.

“I-I think they’re pretty, but I don’t think I can accept them—”

“—Why? Because a slave gave them to you?”

His words pierced you like a dagger of ice. Yet, it didn’t sound like sarcasm in the slightest.

It was a genuine, sincere question.

“I...”

What were you supposed to say to that?

Seeing that you went quiet, he went on.

“Ms. Aschenputtel, I may be worth only a few measly coins, but I can assure you that my gifts are not.”

‘Ms. Aschenputtel.’

Until now, he’d been endlessly calling you ‘Ms. Aschen’ in an overly familiar manner, to the point that you felt like it was your real name. But now, it felt like a thousand miles of distance had expanded between you.

“If you dislike them that much, you may place them on the table over there.”

Then, he averted his gaze, no longer looking at you.

“Aventurine, it’s not like that—"

“—Hahahaha! Of course! Of course she doesn’t know! That's what you get for letting his looks fool you!”

You were interrupted by Big Baddie’s thunderous laugh.

“Do you know how hard I’ve been holding back my laugh?! I was wondering how to break the news this whole time! Hahahaha!”

Big Baddie laughed and laughed until tears formed in his eyes, as if enjoying the show. Then, he glared maniacally at you, his gaze twisted with sick pleasure.

“Serves you right, you shallow bitch! How does it feel to find out that you’ve been latching onto shit painted with gold?! Now, hand them over!”

Big Baddie greedily extended his stubby palm at you.

You instinctively retracted your hand, gripping the jewels tightly.

While you couldn’t bring yourself to accept them, you were sorry to give them to Big Baddie!

Seeing that, Big Baddie was enraged.

“Fucking whore! Do you think I was asking you?! Before, I was kind enough to offer you payment, but now you can forget about it! Just wait and see if I don’t make your life hell!”

Hearing the last part sent a shiver down your spine. Big Baddie definitely had the power to make someone’s life miserable—not just their own, but also their entire family and even those slightly related to them. It was a rural town, so his name was well-known in the area, and most, if not all, businesses were affiliated with him.

Above all, he was a loan shark. Harassment, bullying, mental coercion, verbal abuse, threats, and violence were part of his daily routine.

As such, how could a mere waiter not be afraid of him?

Apparently, you and Big Baddie were thinking the same, because in the next moment, he mentioned a certain someone.

“You know what? There was a waiter just like you—acting all high and mighty and being stubborn for no reason. In the end, I had that stupid cunt begging on her knees, crying. That was the last anyone ever heard of her.”

You never got to ask for her full name, but that must’ve been Judith.

The fact that you were standing here, clad in her uniform, must’ve been a work of fate.

Big Baddie gave you a nasty smirk as a perverse glint filled his eyes. “Now, if you don’t want to end up like her, you know what to do.”

You stared at your own hand.

Compared to the worn-out leather wristwatch and your shabby hand, these sparkling gems certainly seemed unbefitting. You never thought of them as yours to begin with, so parting with them was easy. Especially when they could free you from Big Baddie.

So, you stood up, leaving his lap.

Before you knew it, the arm that had been wrapped around your waist was gone, as if it had never been there in the first place. As if he was saying, ‘you are free to go.’

You didn’t know what kind of expression Aventurine was making right now. You no longer dared to look.

The closer you got, the wider Big Baddie's grin became, like a child finally getting his hands on something he had always wanted. He was basically salivating.

With your head hung low, you quietly hovered your hand over the edge of the table.

“See? You should have just kept quiet and done as you were told. The truth is, I actually like you. You’re quiet and obedient.”

Even then, Big Baddie wouldn’t stop talking, as if rubbing in his victory. Well, you agreed with him. As a waiter, that was probably your best option.

“I was just trying to save you, you know? I’m sure you also don’t know this, but that Avgin slave over there killed his owner.”

Opening your hand and placing them on the table suddenly felt so hard. But in the end, your rationality prevailed. You let the collar pin and emerald fall over the edge of the table.

Without wasting a beat, Big Baddie rushed to bend over the table to reach for them. 

Meanwhile, you glanced at your own wristwatch, sighing.

It may be old, but it has served me well.

You loosened the strap, letting it slide over your knuckle. Then, you finally met Big Baddie’s eyes.

“Of course I know, you piece of shit!"

In the next moment, your fist slammed straight into his face.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ７】

[maidflowery]

POV: Let's Kiss Aventurine!

“A-A-Aventurine…! My lip tint accidentally left a mark on your cheek!” "...It's fine. I prefer it this way."

1 Note = 1 Kiss

A Reward for All of You who Liked this...

Read my other stories

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♣♣♣ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 7

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ６】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

Violet-Cyan Cadenza

POV: Aventurine

╔══ ⬥⬦⟣⟐⟢⬦⬥ ══╗

“If you know what’s best for you, you’ll forfeit this game!”

“But why? Didn't you say you'd show me the ropes? Is this all you've got? Just when things were starting to get fun...”

Aventurine had a lot on his mind that day.

“—You damned Avgin! Let's see if you can still smile when I charge you with scamming the IPC and have you shot on the spot!”

So, even when his own secretary, Duane, cursed him to death—proving that the invitation to this get-together party with colleagues was just a sham—he remained pensive, saying whatever came to mind.

By that time, Aventurine had learned the extent of his underlings' insubordination. Most of them were long-time employees who had been vying for his position. And yes, he had memorized all their faces.

He’d only been promoted to a senior manager of the Strategic Investment Department recently, so they must’ve seen it as an opportunity. They probably saw him as a pompous brat, ignorant of the ways of the world and surviving solely through luck. Although, the part where he happily signed the legal contract that’d give his position to Duane if he lost was entirely on him.

However, it turned out that Aventurine’d severely underestimated that secretary of his.

Not only was Duane punctual, dedicated and meticulous, he was also detail-oriented and thorough. If only he had applied those traits to his actual job, he might have solved world hunger by now! What a damn shame!

Instead, Duane scheduled the execution date two weeks in advance, brought his own audience, reserved a seat in a secluded spot, paid the dealer, and even prepared his own decks!

Aventurine wouldn’t be surprised if the walls surrounding them were to collapse at any moment, revealing the nightclub itself to be cardboard boxes exclusively designed by Duane as part of his scheme!

...What a bunch of dunces.

Did they not realize that this position had been granted to him by Diamond himself? Trying to usurp it was essentially the same as opposing the Ten Stonehearts. Regardless of how this game played out, he would still be the ultimate victor.

“There’s no harm in giving up, you know.”

“Sometimes you just have to accept defeat.”

However, looking at the current situation, he was most likely going to lose. In this match, anyway. The cards he was dealt stank worse than roadkill.

His luck merely improved a once measly chance drastically; it couldn’t multiply something that had a 0% chance of happening.

As he stared at his cards, Duane and his lackeys grinned from ear to ear—a stark contrast to when they first introduced themselves.

“You’re our new senior manager, aren’t you? My name is Duane Stoyanova! I’ll be your secretary from today onward. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me! I’ll show you the ropes!”

“Mr. Aventurine, how are you holding up? They just threw you right into the middle of things, so it must be rough!"

“Seeing that you've been working hard lately, we thought of arranging party for you, Mr. Aventurine!"

...Eh, not that he cared all that much, honestly. He'd even throw the game just to give them the fleeting satisfaction of victory.

What's sweeter than letting the enemy believe they've won, only to pull the rug out from under their feet?

But then...

“—SHOW THEM!! SHOW THEM WHAT YOU GOT!! DON’T LOSE!!”

An ardent, tenacious scream pierced through the false encouragement, sarcastic compliments, provoking taunts, and mocking ridicules—reaching all the way to him.

Aventurine instinctively turned around, spotting a girl amidst the crowd beside him.

After screaming that at the top of her lungs, a crimson hue spread rapidly across her face, reaching even her ears. Then, she ran away while holding her vibrant-colored drink.

‘Aww, how cute, she thinks I’m going to lose,’ was his initial thought.

If only she knew he was blessed with extreme luck by the goddess of his clan.

Then again, if she did, would she cheer on him so wholeheartedly?

Aventurine adjusted his posture, sitting upright, resting his leg on top of the other.

“W-what’s with him?”

One of Duane’s lackeys pointed out, noticing his shift in attitude.

“What are you trying to do now...?” Duane asked warily.

Oh, so NOW you are scared?

No, Duane probably was the whole time. Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to ensure his opponent had zero chance of making a comeback?

At the same time, this was probably Duane’s only real shot at becoming a senior manager, knowing that Aventurine would never turn down this kind of challenge.

As an aficionado of games of chance, Aventurine truly admired his spirit.

Unfortunately, your biggest mistake is insisting that there’s no outcome possible other than your victory.

The possibility of winning or losing always existed, no matter what, because such was the nature of uncertainty. Wouldn’t it be the job of a superior to teach that to their dear subordinates?

Thus, Aventurine shrugged and replied blithely, “You heard her. I can’t afford to lose after that?”

“Huh?! I-it’s useless... Even if you try—...” Duane was turning paler.

“Yeah, but I feel like winning today.”

Knowing that he’d never lose, Aventurine seldom played seriously.

But that day, he gave it his all, fully intending to win.

✦✦⟡✦✦

Ever since then, Aventurine always wondered how his first proper meeting with you would unfold.

That was, if it ever happened at all, with fate interfering with every single one of his attempts. Which sounded dramatic, as if the whole world was going against him. When in reality, he stopped after the third try.

The first time was at the bar right after defeating Duane. Too bad, his co-workers got in the way somewhat.

The second was a week later, when he treated everyone to free meals. But when he looked for you, you were nowhere to be found.

The third was when he realized you acted as if the first never happened and deliberately avoided him during the second.

By that point, it had become clear that you were avoiding him.

Makes sense, he thought. About half a month had passed since then—enough time for you to figure out who you cheered for that night: an Avgin and a former slave, to boot. Wherever he went, his reputation always presided him.

Hence, he thought—it can’t be helped.

Then, he stopped thinking about you altogether.

���⟡✦⟡⟡

Yet, without fail, you showed up every week. You watched him play all night long, seemingly having come to terms with simply gazing at him from afar.

Understandable, really.

Aside from those who openly denounced him, treating him like a stain on earth, even noble bloods and big shots sometimes didn’t know what to do with him and chose to avoid him altogether. “Too much of a wild card,” they said. Let alone you, an ordinary person.

Of course, some were simply fascinated by what they saw and chose to observe from a safe distance, turning a blind eye to everything else. That seemed to be the case with most inhabitants of this town. And to be frank, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The only reason he remained there, despite having conquered Penacony, was due to an unfinished business. Namely, Duane’s fuckups. After that man got demoted, the responsibility fell into his lap. So, who was the real victor here? It even made him doubt his luck for a second.

Either way, once his business in this rural town was concluded—preferably as soon as possible—he’d be gone with the wind.

Still, watching you sit on the edge of your seat all night, cheering him on—seeing you become the happiest person in the room when he won, jumping around...

...Alright, maybe he’d visit from time to time. His role as the popular gambler in town was starting to grow on him. So why not turn this place into a recreational spot for those occasional breaks from work?

A town where no one knew of the little slave worth sixty red copper coins.

A place where he could be someone other than the bearer of Aventurine of Stratagems, one of the Ten Stonehearts.

The undefeated gambler of the rural town, surrounded by his own audience, including you.

For a short time, he entertained such an idea.

But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

✦✦⟡✦✦

His side project was finally yielding results. However, progress was slow and didn't reflect the blood, sweat, and tears he had invested.

Duane, oh, Duane. How can you still give me a massive headache when you’re on a planet seven light-years away?

“—You! That custom-made suit is way more expensive than mine! What’s an Avgin like you doing in something like that?!”

Standing in front of him was Billy Burnett, the local loan shark and one of his targets. The flashy, rotund man with a bald head had walked into the trap himself. Of course, at the moment, he didn’t realize it yet.

...And, as expected of Duane’s cohorts, Billy was quite vocal about his aversion toward Aventurine’s kin.

“Mr. Billy, isn’t it? I appreciate your eagerness in challenging me to a match—”

“—Cut the crap! I heard that you’ve been treating Duane real nice! I’m here to settle the score—wait... Is that... the legendary Cygnus Emerald?!”

Billy’s nostrils flared as his beady eyes were transfixed on the gem on Aventurine’s chest. As he spoke, his breathing was getting rougher and rougher.

“My eyes are up here. And yes, it is the Cygnus Emerald.” Aventurine gave him a smile.

Aventurine had noted that Billy had an eye for quality. They were similar in that they were both attracted to and appreciated nice things. Personally, there was just something irresistible about the luster of certain jewels, and he couldn’t help but get his hands on them.

They could never be friends, though. Aventurine wouldn’t stoop to prying a jewel from a dying man’s hand or ruining an entire family like the man before him. And, unlike Duane, he had no interest in funding an old man’s lifestyle.

Billy likely didn’t want to either, especially since Aventurine had cut off one of his main sources of income. Besides offering high-interest, predatory loans and refinancing debts—you know, the usual—Billy could also be paid to harass a specific individual or a family.

“I-I challenge you! If I win, that emerald is mine!” Billy was a slobbering mess as he proposed this.

Should you really be making it THIS easy for me?

Now, Billy seemed genuinely eager to challenge him to a match instead of just beating him to a bloody mess. Originally, he’d planned to entice the old man with unimaginable wealth, anyway.

Then, violet-cyan eyes narrowed as their owner grinned.

“Fine. I’ll consider it.”

“W-what?! What’s that supposed to mean?!" Billy looked absolutely dumbfounded.

“It means exactly that. I have a long line of opponents waiting to challenge me. So, see you next month, or maybe next year.”

“But what about my emerald?!”

“Let’s hope it’s still available next time.”

Seeing Billy gnashing his teeth and clenching his fist, Aventurine’s smirk deepened.

Baring your desire to an enemy like that...

“How much do you want?! I’ll pay you, so face me!”

Then, came such a cliché line. One might be tempted to ask, ‘doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of gambling?’

Well, it was because bad people weren’t necessarily stupid.

Even with all the wealth Billy had accumulated, including the one he gained from exploiting the massive policy change in this rural town, it still wouldn't be enough to afford the Cygnus Emerald. Billy must’ve known this was his one real chance to claim it.

...This single-minded desperation—didn't it remind him of someone he knew all too well? Although this one was blinded by greed.

“Oh, I don’t need your money. But I do need something else from you. Think of it as an entrance fee, if you like.”

“What is it?! Out with it!!”

“Tell me everything you know about Duane Stoyanova’s involvement in Project LAZU-R17: E from a few years back.”

“Deal!”

The greedy pig didn’t even miss a beat. He threw Duane under the bus while painting himself as a saint. Of course, Aventurine recorded the whole thing.

Well, there you go, Duane.

Undoubtedly, Duane told Billy of Aventurine’s most recent treatment of him, hoping the latter would avenge him.

This is why you don’t invest in an overly greedy piece.

“Alright, then. I challenge you to a game of poker.”

Even though Aventurine had gotten what he came for, he still fulfilled his end of the bargain, purely for formality's sake.

What followed was the most mind-numbing, soul-crushing, life-draining, and joy-sapping poker match known to man.

Billy had his lackeys prepare a substantial amount of money before wagering a measly sum every round, hoping to cheat the Goddess of Fortune and win the emerald through sheer luck and nearly infinite attempts.

Does he think I’m a toy vending machine that will drop the ultimate prize once he pulls enough?

Aventurine wondered how much more he could endure. Several times, he had been tempted to hand Billy a death sentence on the spot instead of having him arrested and tried later.

...Right, he’d be a dead man after this. Just a bit more.

Those words were his only salvation amidst the crushing boredom.

He also cheered himself up. With Billy Burnett gone, the leverage on victims of the incident from a few years back would disappear. Things should be slightly easier after this.

Essentially, he was controlling an existing fire, preventing it from spreading and going out of control—an especially tall order when all sides were out for their own. Not that he could blame them; he was only doing this to avoid catching fire himself. Once again, courtesy of Duane for making this his problem!

Now, all he had to do was preserve the thin, delicate wick while gradually snuffing out the fire until it was completely extinguished.

So far, everything was going smoothly, exactly as he had predicted.

But then, a third person showed up at their table.

⟡⟡✦⟡⟡

“Good evening, esteemed guests. We've noticed how long you've been with us, and as you mentioned, the night is getting dull! So, I was sent to hopefully stave off some of your boredom! It’s a pleasure to serve you tonight!”

Did you finally muster up the courage to talk to me? Even going as far as to pretend to be a waiter?

For a brief moment, Aventurine entertained the thought. After all, it was simply too amusing.

He’d known all along—the yearning looks you’d been sending his way all night couldn’t have been more obvious. He was merely ignoring them.

Also, yes, “pretend to be a waiter.”

Aventurine had set Primavera as a neutral ground for this ongoing side project. So, naturally, he’d memorized all the staff and you clearly weren’t among them. At the same time, he knew how tight-lipped and secretive the staff were. It was highly unlikely they would simply hand over their signature uniform for you to cosplay in.

What is happening here?

Aventurine swiftly racked his brain, trying to figure out the situation.

After a grueling battle that lasted over a month, he’d like to think that he’d somewhat won over the reserved staff members. Well, calling it a “ceasefire” would probably be more appropriate. Regardless, the staff members must’ve understood the significance of this meeting, as they could be considered victims themselves.

If an additional cast were to join the meeting, the staff should have notified him beforehand...

...Unless there was a breach of trust somewhere.

His multicolored eyes scanned the lively crowd dancing at the venue before stopping at a specific spot.

A dapper youth with dark blue hair stood near the DJ set, exuding solemn dignity. He was none other than the manager of this place, Marius. The stoic and highly-cynical youth was the reason why Aventurine had to put up with that tedious battle that lasted over a month in the first place.

Did Marius deem him untrustworthy in the end, preferring to aid the enemy instead?

Yet, Aventurine noticed that the dark-haired youth was staring at his table with an uncharacteristically tense expression. Did Marius not expect this as well?

Aventurine also knew that Primavera had many branches across the world. After the stunt he had pulled, it wouldn’t be surprising if the parent company sent someone to this rural town to monitor the situation. Given that the CEO of Primavera had been pestering him more frequently lately, the possibility was quite high. If that were the case, not even Marius, who was merely a manager, would have any say in this.

It would also explain why you kept an eye on him, even after he switched to a weekly schedule—or your newfound courage and surprising charisma, along with your magic talent.

When all these coincidences overlapped, they pointed to one answer—one plausible explanation.

“This one is dedicated to you, Mr. Big Ba—ahem, Mr. Billy Burnett. We always appreciate how sharply-dressed you are. So fiery, you stand out wherever you are.”

“Hoho! Astute judgment! Did you know? This shirt alone cost more than all the wages of the staff here combined!”

“—I can only think of one flower to symbolize you. Would you like to guess what is it?”

“Ahaha! I don’t care about some grasses, so you tell me!”

“Of course, Sir! It’s right within my hand! ...Oh, no.”

“Huh—?! Where did they go—?! Are you trying to make a fool of me—?!”

“Of course not, Sir! The flower is just shying away because of the man you are!”

As he watched you perform your magic show, displaying your expertise and deftness, he grew more convinced of it.

Honestly, if that were the extent of it, he would have turned a blind eye to the whole thing.

“How did it get there?! Especially when you never took out my wallet!”

But then you slipped a wallet and a phone into Billy Burnett’s pocket. Above all, they turned out to be that man’s belongings all along.

Now, Aventurine would understand if you held a grudge against Billy and decided to pickpocket him. But to return them? That single action gave rise to unending questions.

Were you Billy’s spy? Was this whole thing a sham? Did Billy purposely challenge him as a distraction while placing you elsewhere to gather information? Had you just returned from fulfilling your task? ...How much did you figure out?

The possibilities were endless, yet they all led to a single path: doom. In a war, the side with the most information won.

Your magic performance for Billy was coming to an end.

“That was so amazing! I like you! Your name is Ashpuddle, right?! Can we—”

“—What about me?”

To buy more time to decide how best to deal with you, Aventurine spoke.

“—Last but not least!”

“Oh?”

As expected, you came prepared and threw a little magic show for him.

“To your beautiful eyes, Aventurine.”

“...!”

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t the slightest bit thrilled, especially when you gave him the handcrafted bouquet.

Then, as the curtains truly dropped on your magic performance, Aventurine saw Billy leering at you, licking and smacking his lips. Was it out of perverted desire, or was Billy simply eager to reap the fruits of your labor?

He still couldn’t determine which was the truth.

Either way, if his suspicions were correct, once you and Billy stepped out of this place, it would be all over for everyone. God knows what the two of you had in store out there.

Knowing the chain of events he would set in motion if he let the enemy outmaneuver him, could he really afford to take that gamble?

In that case—

“—Leaving so soon?”

Aventurine reached for you, pulling you into his arms.

“Huh...?”

“It’s amazing, what you did with the phone and the wallet.”

He just had to keep his enemy closer.

✦✦⟡✦✦

Okay, maybe not this close—but Aventurine couldn’t help himself.

Seeing how nervous you were reminded him of a frightened rabbit being forced to sit on a human’s lap. While it was cute and all, he was more curious about the source of your fear. Given that you’d been literally captured by the enemy, it would make sense if you were afraid of him, but it seemed you were just as afraid of Billy.

“What’s this? Mr. Aventurine can’t keep his hands off her, too? I get it! Such an interesting woman she is!”

Without missing a beat, Billy butted in, thinking they were on the same boat. Aventurine could feel you stiffen in his arms.

“Yes, I’m quite taken by her.”

Various thoughts formed in his mind, but they were merely conjectures.

“Kehehe! Of course, of course... So, after you are done with her... Can I...?”

Living up to his name, the pig, who constantly indulged in debauchery despite having a family at home, made a display of his wanton desire.

“No.”

Then, seeing how flustered you were, Aventurine threw in a small trick question.

“...Or would you rather go to him instead?”

Everything would be much easier if you had caved and chosen to go to Billy. Once he knew whose side you were on, he’d have no qualms about crushing you both.

Hence, he hoped that you wouldn’t.

When you softly shook your head and clung to him, his lips curved into a smile.

“Good answer.”

Now, the only task remaining was to wring every bit of information out of this little spy.

⟡⟡✦⟡⟡

Saying he didn’t expect you to be a spy would be a lie. He’d even say he saw it coming.

Aventurine had considerable experience with women who were spies, as well as with those who turned out to be spies.

However, whether you were, say, an ace in your field, was another matter entirely.

Of course, the thought of seducing you to his side had crossed his mind. But then he realized he had his work cut out for him.

“Ms. Aschenputtel?”

The moment he called your alias, you turned around in a hurry, rushing to meet his gaze, only to falter a second later. Heat bloomed across your cheeks like fire.

Apparently, despite your false name, position, role, identity, and persona, your feelings for him were genuine.

“...W-w-what is, it?” you asked, stumbling over your words.

He struggled to contain his amusement. Then again, even this could be an act. So, he tried to test the water, but eventually stopped, for both your sake. He couldn’t exactly extract information from a fainted person, could he?

Aah, seriously... What kind of spies are they sending my way these days?

Surely, his huge achievement in reclaiming Penacony should raise his threat level quite a bit? He’d expected a spy who could easily double as an assassin, but sending someone who couldn’t keep a poker face and spilled her cards all over the table? Now, that was a unique approach.

Well, it was certainly innovative. One couldn’t spill information if they couldn’t speak properly—or were unconscious.

At the same time, it almost made him wish that you were his opponent instead. But rather than poker, he’d invite you to a game of rummy. He’d drag it out as long as possible, giving you the illusion that he was about to take the joker, only to switch at the last minute. Merely imagining the kind of expression you’d make tickled him.

Midway, Aventurine noticed you were nervously picking at your nails, to the point they were about to bleed. When he tried to put a stop to it, a small accident occurred.

Thus, you were right in front of him, dangerously close.

“I-I-I didn’t mean to...!”

Somehow, it was possible for you to turn redder than you already were.

“You didn’t mean to do what? Did you do something?”

“I—... no, it’s nothing.”

As you spoke, your lips shifted delicately before him.

When you tried to pull back, he moved forward, until only the slightest thread of reason stood between you.

He was aware of what he was doing, just as he knew he should be eliciting answers from these quivering lips, instead of sealing them with his playful banter—or his own.

“Haha! Don’t people usually apologize after they had done something?”

So instead, he leaned closer to your ear. Out of sight, out of mind.

“—So, Ms. Aschenputtel, do something to me first.”

Would he have preferred it if you had fallen for that?

✦✦⟡✦✦

Aventurine had always wondered how his first proper meeting with you would unfold.

And so far, everything was as he’d imagined. 

The bashful you were unable to stare directly into his eyes, yet would sneak glances from time to time.

When spoken to directly, you'd become so flustered and blush furiously, making it impossible for him to resist teasing you even more.

When he pretended to be contemplating his hand, you’d watch anxiously, and when he placed it on the table, you’d watch with bated breath.

When he offered to treat you to delicious desserts, your eyes lit up instantly as you agreed without hesitation, throwing all caution to the wind.

“Then, what kind of desserts do you like? Any foods you avoid due to allergies?"

“I’ll go with whatever Ms. Aschen likes. Allergies? Eh. Sure, I have that, I guess. But I can't remember what food I'm allergic to. It’s nothing to worry about.”

He really couldn’t remember.

Faintly, he recalled the deeply worried look on his sister’s face, but that was it.

In the past, there was a time when he almost went without food and had to drink from puddles in the street. So, he couldn’t care less about food allergies—neither then nor now.

He’d survive it all, anyway.

Besides, to trigger an allergic reaction, he’d have to eat the food first. Meanwhile, wherever he went, he rarely touched the food, unless it was absolutely necessary, usually to put on a show.

“Then, may I bring your attention to our mini fruit tarts? We always make the cream from scratch and use the freshest fruits!”

What he didn’t expect was for you to explain the menu to him so thoughtfully and considerately. Or maybe, knowing you, it was to be expected.

“—Ah, but you can consume dairy, right?”

“Yep, no problem at all. This one sounds good, we can order it.”

“Let’s avoid nuts because you might be allergic to it.”

“Fine with me.”

“As for this red velvet cheesecake—...”

Hearing your well-put explanation made him consider requesting that you serve his table every time he visited and explain the dishes.

At the same time, he grew convinced—so maybe, you were the waiter of Primavera after all.

In that case...

“We haven’t ordered drinks yet.”

Just as you were about to place your order, he lightheartedly suggested.

Then, you made a surprising offer.

“Then, shall I recommend you our specialty? Lazuli Bells!”

...Well, well.

“May I know why?”

Aventurine asked while studying your expression.

A coincidence? Or a code of some sort?

Of course, after the series of ‘coincidences’ you’d introduced to the table, he found the former to be the most unlikely.

“...Do you not like flowery concoctions? If so—”

“Nah. I’m more interested in the reason why you recommended it in the first place.”

“B-because it’s my favorite drink...”

You predictably shrank under his gaze, growing more and more nervous. You were unlikely to lie in this state.

“...Interesting. Why do you like it?”

“Because the drink is really flavorful, refreshing, and not to mention, aromatic! Above all, the colors really did it for me! They are so pretty, just like Aventurine’s eyes!”

While he expected you to blurt out your honest thoughts, he hadn’t anticipated you’d respond without a second thought—and with that smile, too.

The remark was nothing new. Everyone he met had commented on his multicolored eyes at least once. If anything, the speed of your delivery, as if you’d rehearsed it multiple times, should’ve made him suspect you had prepared a script.

Yet, in an instant, a certain memory flashed across his mind, as vivid as if it were yesterday.

A memory of a certain drunken girl.

He quickly dismissed the thought, staring intently at you, who were dressed in a waiter uniform, with a black butterfly mask on your face.

“...Please ignore that. You heard nothing. I didn’t say anything.”

“Of course. Did you say anything just now?”

So, he let you go. For the time being, anyway.

Besides, if he wanted to extort the truth from you, there was a much more reliable, if not surefire, way.

“Fine, I accept. Shall we place our order?”

Then, as you buried your face in the menu, Aventurine shot the Dealer a glance.

Sensing the implication behind his gaze, the Dealer grimaced; his golden eyes narrowing in guilt.

The ashen-haired man’s sense of righteousness must be kicking in. Aventurine expected nothing less from the Hero of Penacony—or rather, that was why he chose him as a sidekick.

With enemies hounding him from all sides, Aventurine wanted a piece that behaved exactly as he expected, precisely the way he wanted, based on what he knew they would or wouldn’t do.

Who could be more perfect for the role than the man who danced alongside him until the exact moment he plummeted into the Sea of Nihility?

Above all, not only was the man aware of the importance of this meeting, but he also possessed a great deal of reasoning ability.

A regular customer suddenly approached their table, dressed as a waiter. Then, she performed various magic tricks while returning Billy's belongings into his pocket. Coincidence? Ha! As if!

And the man, the Dealer, was aware of this too. Resolving himself, he gave Aventurine a faint nod and went straight to fetch the orders.

Then, Aventurine turned to you again.

As he teased you, he thought to himself.

Ms. Aschen, did you know?

Every time he entertained the mass as everyone’s favorite gambler, he had to go through a set of procedures to ensure that there was no foul play.

Including, but not limited to, drinking the Truth Serum.

The rules applied to everyone who sat on this particular table to this very day.

Now, since you’ve come to play with me, isn’t it only fair that you abide by the rules?

I’d assume that you’re well aware of this, since your manager was the one who came up with it.

So, if you want to blame anyone, blame him.

In exchange, he’d give you the whole truth—words devoid of any lies, just as he had been the entire time, from the beginning, after drinking the serum at the start of the game.

✦✦⟡✦✦

You weren’t lying when you said it was your favorite drink, alright.

The moment your order arrived, you didn’t hesitate to dig in. And, of course, you started with the drink. Whichever glass you picked didn’t matter—both were laced. He simply sent his sidekick to ensure the bartender followed through.

Then, without any hesitation, you sipped it using the readily available straw.

Seeing how defenseless and careless you were somewhat astonished him.

Ms. Aschen, shouldn’t you be more wary of food offered by a stranger?

After taking a sip, you remarked about how tasty and refreshing the drink was. To seamlessly blend the taste of flowers, berries, and Truth Serum... Once again, the one and only bartender of that place had showcased his talent.

As for the Truth Serum itself, the family that owned the Primavera had ties to the mafia, so procuring it shouldn’t be difficult, as evidenced by the fact that they always had something ready for him every week.

Of course, Aventurine had a surefire way to counter it: just don’t lie and omit the truth.

Due to his status, he could speak freely without worrying about any consequences. When it was something he had no business saying, he simply wouldn’t. Why put himself at a disadvantage?

—Anyway, the serum, extremely effective in interrogating spies and old enemies, simply made it impossible to tell a lie.

“...Did you especially choose this one so I’d lick your fingers clean?”

“!!”

Especially when that person was feeling flustered or panicked.

Like you are right now.

“Ms. Aschen, there’s cream on your cheek.”

“Eh? Where—...!!!!!!!!”

However, that wasn’t why he drew nearer and kissed your spotless cheek.

The sight of you eating with gusto, which he had only glimpsed a few times until today, was now right in front of him—so sweet, in fact, that he couldn’t resist taking a bite.

“Cough! Hack! Cough!”

But then, you suddenly broke into a coughing fit, and he instinctively pushed a glass of drink to you.

“Oh no... Here. Have a drink.”

At first, he thought nothing of it. He had tested it. He’d been drinking the Truth Serum for almost a month now, without any side effects. It couldn’t be tampered with either, as the Dealer was there to supervise the entire process. Or could this be the ‘allergy’ that you mentioned?

Just as he was about to pull back his hand holding the drink and call for an ambulance, you seemed to recover. Only then did he realize he’d been holding his breath.

Meanwhile, you gave the drink he offered an odd stare.

“Aventurine, that is your own glass.”

In turn, he looked down at his own hand, realizing that what you said was true.

One reason he was uneasy about the drink was due to the implications it carried.

Before going on a mission, he would usually research the local culture and history to aid his operation and coordinate his attire. That was how he learned about a certain local custom tied to this drink—the Lazurite Bells.

A pair of lovers would drink from each other’s cup to profess their undying love, weaving their destinies under the starry sky and the flowers that mirrored it. Basically, a marriage proposal.

Since you worked here and were likely a native, there was no way you wouldn’t know.

Hence, he was apprehensive about ordering it at first. He didn’t want to give the wrong signals. He had plenty of experience dealing with people who deliberately misinterpreted gestures or cues to suit their own convenience. Unless the need arose, he avoided engaging with such individuals, knowing it would only lead to more trouble down the road.

And yet, this ended up happening.

A coincidence that could only be called fate was brought about by his own hand.

Perhaps, if he were just an ordinary man, he’d have believed in destiny and even rejoiced at the turn of events.

Aventurine shook off the thought—it was neither here nor there.

“...Or so luck would have it.”

After a momentary silence, he uttered that. Unbeknownst to anyone, he was ridiculing his own luck.

You seemed to mull over his words, and it occurred to him belatedly that he could just play along. So, Aventurine took a sip out of your glass and grinned.

“There, we’re even now.”

True enough, this gesture sent you into deep thought as you stared at him, mesmerized.

No way, did she really misunderstand?

“—Hello? Earth to Ms. Aschen?”

“S-sorry... I was just thinking...”

“What were you thinking about?”

As he asked you, he narrowed his eyes, a slow, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He was certain you wouldn't be able to look away, your gaze drawn to him.

Even the question itself was deliberately phrased to make you confess everything on your mind.

He expected you to fawn over his previous gesture, completely misunderstanding it, at which point he’d tell you outright: it meant nothing. But he was hoping he’d get lucky and you’d fess up about your entire ploy tonight.

Earlier, he’d pointed out why you weren’t the best spy. But as time passed, he noticed you fidgeting restlessly, increasingly preoccupied—no doubt, your own mission weighing on your mind.

You can let it all out, Ms. Aschen.

Don’t let them bother you anymore.

I promise that I’ll show you mercy.

He watched you closely, waiting for the moment your lips parted, offering him nothing but the truth.

“...The real ones look so much prettier.”

As you spoke of these words, your gaze briefly landed upon the drink and then his eyes. You stared with such intensity that, for a moment, he struggled to maintain eye contact.

A gaze that wasn’t probing or scrutinizing, but simply that of someone admiring something beautiful—so straightforward, he couldn’t even convince himself otherwise.

✦✦⟡✦✦

He wasn't in a rush to get answers from you, but he knew he was purposely taking his time.

But now, he couldn’t prolong it anymore—he mustn’t, lest he caved.

He might be a gambler, but he was also a businessman. He never bet on anything that yielded no returns, much less something that only resulted in losses.

Not even the unluckiest gambler, burdened with debts so vast that not even his entire generation could pay them off, gambled with the intention of losing—let alone a businessman.

Whenever he casted his bet, he set his sights on the target, risking it all for that one particular outcome. After all, it was only common sense.

Someone who blindly threw his chips in, convinced by his own fallacy that he’d eventually win big, was simply a gambling addict.

Someone who ran his business into the ground, without a firm footing and blinded by the illusion of something grand, was an undeniably shitty businessman.

These facts were so obvious to him, as clear as being asked the color of the sky.

And yet, a few times now, as he spent time with you, he found himself tempted to place his wager: to bet that it was all a coincidence, to bet that it was fate, to bet on believing in you.

A wager with almost guaranteed losses, followed by further setbacks.

And yet, despite his better judgment, his impulse threatened to take over.

Hence, this mustn’t go on.

“I haven’t tipped you for your incredible service tonight, have I?”

✦✦⟡✦✦

He had a repertoire of methods to extract answers, but since he was pressed for time and it wasn’t a priority, he had to choose the most effective and time-efficient approach—and finally, he settled on this one.

“This is just a little something.”

Thus, he gave his flawless sapphire collar pin to you.

Don’t be mistaken, he did intend to tip you. What he purposefully left out was that it was also an upfront payment.

While you were still wide-eyed and awestruck from just landing rich, he reached for the emerald on his chest. Cygnus Emerald.

“WOOOW!!!”

“OMG!!!”

As he placed it in your palm, the crowd erupted in cheers. To them, he must’ve appeared like a lovestruck fool, eager to part with his money just to please his lady.

“This is the most precious item on my person right now,” he added, sounding sincere.

In reality, it wasn’t. Throughout his life, he had only ever owned two precious items: a scrap of cloth, worth less than a thousandth of the gem, left by his late father, and another lost in the dunes. There would never be a third.

Hence, the keyword “on my person right now.”

“Wait—” “—WAIT A DAMN SECOND!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

Sure enough, seeing the one and only thing he’d been coveting from the start falling into another’s hand, Billy blew a fuse. At the same time, Aventurine noticed a few people clad in leather jackets turning this way. They had been blending with the crowd until now.

Good grief. Looks like he never intended to let me go from the start...

Including those who openly served Billy, there were around thirty of them. He made a mental note of them and shot a glance to the Dealer, who nodded in understanding. Once again, having a sharp-witted sidekick was really handy.

“This isn’t what we agreed upon!! Why are you giving those precious stones to a goddamn waiter?!”

Amidst that, the conversation switched to the value of the gem.

“They are flawless gems! Especially that emerald! It’s Cygnus Emerald! It’s worth at least 170,000,000,000,000Credits!”

Since Aventurine was conditioned not to lie, he kindly added, “Not exactly. The mine has since closed down, so it's the rarest of the rare—probably worth five times that amount.”

Like fuel poured onto a fire, Billy's eyes blazed with greed. Meanwhile, you looked thunderstruck.  

While maintaining a relaxed front, Aventurine wondered: what’s the big deal?

The emerald was undeniably captivating, and knowing he was one of the few in the world to own it fed his vanity. Yet, in the end, it was as worthless as anything else money could buy. Although it did serve its purpose, nonetheless.

“Haa...! See, this is why a slave like you is hopeless! You’re blind to its worth, which is why you gave it away to a rando! They are wasted on you!”

When Billy uttered those words, some in the vicinity—including you—became appalled. To you and everyone else, it probably seemed like things were heating up and that Billy was getting personal.

However, as surprising as it might sound, Billy was trying to be helpful, at least in that moment. Aventurine had seen his reproachful gaze and heard the admonishment in his tone.

Surely, even without drinking Truth Serum, that man would have said the same thing, in the same manner, thinking he was helping a lowly slave who lacked an eye for value.

This simple observation, made to pass the time, quickly slipped from his mind.

“Ave-Aventurine...”

“Hm?”

Suddenly, he heard your voice from beside him and turned around.

When he saw the look on your face, he became confused. 

Why do you look so pale? What could be the problem?

Were you shaken by Billy’s offensive remark?

So, he asked in the friendliest tone he could muster, “What do you think of those gems? Do you like them?”

When you were still on his lap, he always did that to break the ice, and it worked. But this time, you never recovered.

“I-I think they’re pretty, but I don’t think I can accept them—”

If anything, as you answered with an unfocused gaze, you seemed to shrink more and more.

As he pondered why, it suddenly occurred to him.

...Ah, right.

Didn’t Billy let it slip that he was a slave? Since it was like a universal knowledge, he just assumed that everyone already knew. But could it be that you didn’t?

I see.

So, you didn’t know.

It didn’t matter either way.

“Haa...”

An almost inaudible, empty gasp leaked from his lips.

If anything, it only made sense. It certainly provided a simpler explanation for your behavior until recently. However, it didn’t explain your refusal of his gift, especially when you had been holding it so preciously—even now.

Unable to figure out why, he asked you, “Why? Because a slave gave them to you?”

Now that you knew, were you afraid that he might starve or something? Or did you start having reservations already?

Due to the nature of his job, he interacted with big shots and influential figures almost daily. During those exchanges, it was not uncommon for him to give gifts as a gesture of friendliness and politeness. However, upon learning about his past, some of those figures didn’t hesitate to throw it back in his face—both literally and metaphorically. To nobles like them, receiving a gift from a slave was an insult. No matter how precious the gift, the fact that it came from a slave tainted it.

As for you, working in such a high-profile establishment like Primavera, you had probably developed a refined taste.

Were you hesitant because they might be counterfeit? Did you suspect that he was playing you for a fool?

Regardless of what came after, his intention to give you that emerald and sapphire collar pin was sincere.

“Ms. Aschenputtel, I may be worth only a few measly coins, but I can assure you that my gifts are not.”

So, he reassured you.

However, whether those words, coming from a slave of little worth, held any value to you, he didn't know—and probably never would.

“If you dislike them that much, you may place them on the table over there.”

The dice had been thrown.

“Aventurine, it’s not like that—"

“—Hahahaha! Of course! Of course she doesn’t know! That's what you get for letting his looks fool you!”

All the preparations were complete, and the cast members were in their respective spots.

“Do you know how hard I’ve been holding back my laugh?! I was wondering how to break the news this whole time! Hahahaha!”

Now, all that was left was to spectate.

Determined to get his hands on the emerald at all costs, Billy would undoubtedly be hostile toward you. Under such a pressure, there was no way someone as green as you could maintain your composure. What kind of truth would you blabber in that moment?

Indeed, the method he had arrived at was to pit you against Billy.

He’d be able to determine whose side you were on while also ensuring that Billy never got what he wanted—essentially killing two birds with one stone. In return, you received abundant wealth. Granted, if whoever hired you isn't too stingy and allows you to keep everything.

While the two of you were at it, he reclined against the plush sofa, resting one leg on top of the other. He reached for his leftover drink—a glass of Lazuli Bell—and tipped it slightly toward you, as if offering a toast.

Cheers to your newfound wealth.

In exchange, you’ll give me a good show, won’t you?

“Serves you right, you shallow bitch! How does it feel to find out that you’ve been latching onto shit painted with gold?! Now, hand them over!”

No longer playing nice, Billy hurled all sorts of curses at you, reaching for the jewels. In response, you clutched them tightly, pulling them away from him.

His lips, only an inch from the glass, curved into a grin. 

Money shows true colors.

Naturally, this made Billy furious.

“Fucking whore! Do you think I was asking you?! Before, I was kind enough to offer you payment, but now you can forget about it! Just wait and see if I don’t make your life hell!”

He saw you tense up in fear and averted his gaze.

Seeing that you came all the way here to join their table, you should at least be prepared for this, right?

“You know what? There was a waiter just like you—acting all high and mighty and being stubborn for no reason. In the end, I had that stupid cunt begging on her knees, crying. That was the last anyone ever heard of her.”

As more insults were thrown your way, a hot, stifling sensation welled up in his chest, rising uncontrollably. In exasperation, Aventurine tore open the front of his shirt to let off steam, but to no avail.

Thinking that a sip might cool him off, he lifted the glass to his lips.

The violet, cyan, and navy liquid sparkled before him, radiating the transparency and brilliance of a crystal. In contrast, his eyes, reflected in the colorful surface, appeared bleak—like the depths of the sea where sunlight could never reach.

So, how could they be prettier?

Therefore, you had to be mistaken.

Ms. Aschenputtel, you shouldn’t idolize someone too much.

From what he’d seen tonight, your feelings toward him seemed to be genuine.

However, he only cared about ‘what is’ and ‘what isn’t.’

You matched your schedule with his, then joined his table as a waiter, doing questionable things that could be seen as aiding his enemy—it was as simple as that. Anything beyond that was mere conjecture.

Still, if...

If.

He realized he'd been using that word more often lately, even though there shouldn't be an 'if' in his world.

If.

If, somehow, miraculously, it turned out that you were still the same girl from that night.

“...Hic, your eyes, they are, hic... so pretty.”

That drunken girl who couldn’t even tell left from right...

Just then, a voice broke him out of his reverie.

“Of course I know, you piece of shit!”

A voice so firm, it no longer carried the stuttering shyness from before, followed by a dull snap.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ８】

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♠♠♠ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 11

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １０】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫

POV: Aventurine

⬥⬦⟣⟐⟢⬦⬥

Having lived a high-stakes life, only a handful of events ever stood out to Aventurine.

If he were to describe them in colors, his childhood days would shine with a blinding golden brilliance that never ceased to fade. Meanwhile, the thrilling, exhilarating days would burst with vibrant, fleeting hues—a series of colors that quickly turned into a dull gray.

In fact, most of his days, if not his entire life, were like this. After all, even the joy of turning the tide and achieving impossible victories was short-lived, especially when his success was practically guaranteed. They were exciting, but also forgettable.

Hence, if asked about his most noteworthy moments, he could recall them easily, as they were few and far between.

The day he was blessed by Aeon of Preservation, Amber Lord, was one of them.

Well, anyone would, when a god essentially granted them superpowers. Calling it a new beginning wouldn’t even be an exaggeration, as it marked a fresh start in their life—going from zero to hero.

How could anyone forget such a moment in life? Aventurine felt the same way—but for a different reason. Back then, he also felt emotions far more intensely compared to now.

It must have been around his final few days as a slave, shortly after he had killed his master, unsure whether the feat would send him to the IPC’s doorstep or the gallows.

So, when he awakened his power, he laughed until he cried, then cried until he laughed.

All he saw was red.

His father. His mother. His sister. His people. His homeland. The kind strangers who had helped him along the way. His enemy. His heartless, tyrant of a master. They were all gone—dead. And yet, the power bestowed upon him was a shield!

Even though there was no one left to protect.

Even though there was nothing left.

If...

In that moment, amidst his chaotic thoughts, a single word flashed.

—Don’t.

Something within him seemed to warn, urging him not to finish that thought. It was a warning, lest he reached a point of no return. Yet, his thoughts continued on, beyond his control.

If he had gained that power sooner, perhaps all those lives could have been saved. Perhaps, his sister wouldn’t have had to die.

Aah...

More than being shunned for the crime of being born an Avgin wherever he went; more than witnessing his own kin murdered in cold blood; more than the cruel, senseless whippings and beatings from his master—this 'what-if' hurt him the most.

Dying would’ve been better. How he wished he had perished alongside his kin, fallen in one of those life-or-death duels in the arena, or met his end at the hands of his master.

But alas, he survived them all—all thanks to this curse called luck.

As if that wasn’t enough, after losing everything, a god had mercifully bestowed upon him an impregnable shield, as if the heavens themselves were mocking him.

...Unforgivable.

When it felt as though he had no tears left to cry, he looked up toward the sky. Only one word lingered in his mind.

Unforgivable—!!

No matter if they were a priest, a prophet, a saint, an angel, a god, or an Aeon, there was one thing they should never have done!!

And so, he condemned the heavens.

Ever since then, he never cried anymore.

His gamble paid off, earning him a place in the IPC shortly after. Afterward, he eagerly volunteered for the deadliest missions, throwing himself into the most perilous situations without hesitation. He became known as someone who greeted death with a smile, welcoming it with open arms like a thrill-seeking madman.

Everyone thought he’d lost his mind—that unable to cope with the pain of losing his homeland and everyone he had ever known, he deliberately sought death.

Well, they weren’t entirely wrong.

What they didn’t know was that it was also his personal vendetta against gods—an all-out war against the heavens. To put it simply, he was making whoever up there earn their paycheck.

By risking his life time and again, the angels, gods, and Aeons would scramble to align every occurrence, incident, and coincidence, ensuring the survival of the blessed man, Kakavasha. And if they couldn’t keep up, let the heavens fall. He didn’t care if he died.

Maybe, he had lost his mind the day he awakened his powers. But then again, he probably had been crazy all along. It would’ve been crazier if anyone had managed to stay sane after everything that had happened.

Later on, he fully grasped his power. It seemed to evolve around his number one hobby in life: gambling.

He could convert his wealth and net worth into poker chips, conjuring them out of thin air. As he succeeded and climbed the ladder, the wealthier he became, which in turn made him stronger. The power was volatile, helping everything from fund transfers to demolishing the place. IPC’s wealth was infinite anyway, making him invincible. He could also summon a massive roulette wheel to inflict damage. He had one more trick up his sleeve, reserved for emergencies.

He'd use all of them to aid him in his mission—everything, except for that shield. Never that shield.

Besides, his unparalleled luck served him well, steering him clear of crises and deflecting tragedies—perhaps too well. As a result, throwing himself into danger became second nature to him. These days, the mere mention of collaborating with him on a project was enough to send everyone in his department running for the hills.

He wagered his life, hoping for a breakdown in the machinery. Yet, each and every single one of his attempts was thwarted, ending in spectacular failure. Try as he might, this was one battle he couldn't win, no matter what.

At that time, he still didn’t know.

The more he made attempts on his life, losingagain and again, the less he cared about everything.

In fact, all he could recall of the all-consuming, undying rage he felt that day was but a flicker of a dying candle now.

Those were the times.

If only he knew how lucky he was back then.

To be able to cry, to get angry, to bear grudges, to openly declare war against the heavens, to resent life, to long for death. They certainly weren't the brightest days, but at least he felt something.

Now, he was just another cog in the machine, existing solely to use and be used.

Most of the time, he couldn’t discern if he was happy or sad; a perpetual calm settled over his mind. This tranquility allowed him to view certain things clearly.

Looking back, the reason why he was granted such an indestructible shield was plain and simple.

Gaiathra Triclops, his oh-so-benevolent goddess, wanted him to save himself yet again.

The goddess of his clan, who granted salvation to only one man while condemning the rest to perish, wanted him to be the sole survivor once more.

✦✦⟡✦✦

After observing you, Aventurine had come to a single conclusion: you seemed so eager to lose your job.

“—SHUT UP—!! SHUT THE FUCK UP—!!”

“...Actually, I take it back. You’re no piece of shit. You, who extort money from orphans, are even less than that!”

Every taunt you directed at Billy burned with fiery resentment. He suspected that your long-held resentment had finally found its liberation today. As for why you decided to act out of lines now—of all times—he had a slight inkling.

The reason lay within the palm of your hand.

Amidst the shouting match, Aventurine saw you sneakily retrieve both the collar pin and the emerald. By then, he had already pieced everything together.

Didn’t everyone get reckless the moment they landed riches? Especially a downtrodden waiter, who’d had to suffer because of a problematic customer for a long time. He could see why you’d quit your job in a heartbeat with a secured nest egg.

Hence, he accepted being used by you.

After some time, it became obvious to him that you were deliberately drawing attention this way. All you had been spitting out were nothing but provocations, fanning the flames.

For what purpose? Who knows.

He couldn’t really complain now, considering that was exactly what he did himself. In a way, it was like a joint crime—a win-win. He got what he came for and you left with a hefty sum.

That’s why, isn’t that enough?

“You, who extort money from orphans, are even less than that!"

You shot back at Billy Burnett, who in turn narrowed his eyes, grinning maliciously.

Aventurine knew exactly what it meant: that man had set his sights on you. You, once just an insignificant waiter, had become a target—a prey. And once a man like Billy targeted someone, he’d be hellbent on ruining their life, stopping at nothing.

Aventurine tightened his grip around his half-empty drink.

“...Well, don’tcha just say a bunch of interesting things? Seriously, who put you up to this? Your manager is which bastard?”

“No one.”

Was it your conscience that made you stand up for your abused co-workers?

Why?

Then, from Billy’s mouth, came the fates of those he had ruined.

“So, an outsider? Who was it?! Was it that bitch from the pub?! Need I remind her that I know which kindergarten her kid goes to?!”

“...”

“I know! It’s that old coot who lives under the bridge! I should’ve broken her other leg as well!”

“...”

“It’s the fisherman—”

“Aren't you basically admitting to your crime? Aren't you afraid someone will report you to the police?”

“The police?! Pfft, ahaha! Do you see me getting arrested!? They work for me! I’m the law! I’m absolute!”

The crowd was in an uproar over the revelation, yet all he focused on was your hand—how tightly it clutched the jewels he had given you, as if offering a prayer. At a glance, he could see how terrified you were. Nevertheless, instead of running away, you stood your ground.

...Why?

Did striking it rich make you overconfident, thinking you were invincible?

Then again, he had expected this. That was why he gave you those fine jewels in the first place—so you'd reveal your true self, which was exactly what you did.

From the moment he let you go, he had decided to sit back and enjoy the show. At least, that was what he usually did—especially when watching someone eagerly seeking troubles.

So, why?

The entire time he watched you, he felt a mix of emotions—neither of which were happiness or joy.

When he thought about what you were going to say next, a strange unease welled up within him. Not even when he stood at the precipice of life and death had he felt this way.

Then it hit him—it was fear. But him? Afraid?

At the same time, a different emotion clamored within him, about to break loose.

Why do you keep saying things that will land you in deep water?

Even when Billy called you all sorts of names, you didn’t say a single word in your defense. And yet, when it came to those people who’d fallen victims—to him...

“There. Is. Nothing. That. Isn’t. Good. About. Him!!! Where do I even begin?!”

“Why the hell are you laughing?!”

Billy’s scream snapped him out of his reverie, just in time for him to see your lips curl into a smile.

“Because I’m happy.”

There was neither arrogance from landing a fortune, nor satisfaction from putting someone in their place—only pure happiness from having risked it all, regardless of the result.

Why... did his chest ache so much?

At the same time, your words flashed across his mind.

“—SHOW THEM!! SHOW THEM WHAT YOU GOT!! DON’T LOSE!!”

The words you’d screamed at the top of your lungs.

“...Hic, your eyes, they are, hic... so pretty.”

The words you’d drunkenly spun.

“But so what—?! So what if he killed his master?! I’d have done the same!!”

The words you’d uttered amidst your tears.

“—He has the most mesmerizing, luxurious blond hair that glimmers like spun gold in the sunlight. I mean, it’s not just blond, it’s practically ethereal! I can only imagine how soft and silky it must feel to touch! Don’t get me started on those eyes! His eyes are a stunning blend of violet and cyan, like a breathtaking sunset blending into—...”

...And then, that heartfelt, fiery confession.

Were they the cause?

To him, words—even those laced with Truth Serum—were, in the end, just that: words. The most unreliable thing in existence.

However, before he could figure out why, he saw your smile deepen, laced with taunting defiance. He had nothing but bad feelings about that.

“What’s there to be happy about?! You’re fucking dead meat after this!”

“Oh, wouldn’t you want to know?”

“Shut it, mouthy bitch! Just admit you’re scared!”

“...Scared? Of a guy bragging about his crimes like they're some kind of heroic deeds?”

Sure enough, you upped the ante, boldly ridiculing Billy.

“I’m embarrassed for you!!”

Aventurine watched the exchange, chewing the inside of his cheek until the lingering sweetness of his drink gave way to a salty, metallic taste of rust.

"—If I were you, I’d die from sheer fucking shame!”

This better be part of your plan, because at this point, you were just signing your own death warrant.

“YOU—!!”

To no one’s surprise, Billy exploded, throwing a punch straight at your face.

Meanwhile, you simply stood there, doing nothing.

Someone’s foolishness wasn’t his responsibility. Besides, if things went awry, his sidekick would be there to save the day. There was no need for him to do anything.

Yet, despite knowing that, he found himself reaching for you, letting go of the glass in his hand.

“Huh?”

As he grabbed your right arm, you stared at him in disbelief, as if he’d interrupted something.

That look on your face told him everything he needed to know—you had planned to get hit from the start.

Realizing this, something inside him snapped.

He pulled you, letting you fall against the red sofa before pinning you beneath him. With that, he’d graciously ignore the wise old adage, “Never turn your back on your enemy.”

A deafening bang rang out, followed by glass shattering. Fueled with rage, Billy had swung his fist with all his might. And yet, even with his back exposed, Aventurine remained unscathed—a testament to his luck.

His surroundings were in chaos, yet nothing could rival the whirlwind of thoughts in his head. From an outsider's perspective, Aventurine appeared very calm, but in truth, he was losing it.

And the reason was none other than the masked girl beneath him.

Why didn’t you run?

Why are you just standing there?

Besides watching you, becoming acutely aware of the curves and softness of your body with every subtle movement, he didn’t know what else to do. After all, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this angry.

He wasn't bulky; his physique was lean and evenly toned. Nevertheless, compared to him, you were smaller and more delicate.

To still challenge someone like Billy despite that...

You shifted beneath him, still stubbornly closing your eyes. Seeing that, something inside him seemed to settle, despite you being the very reason for his anger in the first place.

But then, his gaze flicked to your right hand, held tightly by him. The sight of your tightly clenched fist reignited his fury—just in time for your eyes to flutter open.

You stared at him, dumbfounded, before struggling to break free. He didn’t even exert much force, yet you couldn’t resist. And somehow, you thought you could withstand a punch from a street thug like Billy.

Realizing it was useless, panic and nervousness began to creep onto your face.

Even though it took everything in him not to lash out, seeing your fearful expression was all it took for him to let it go.

...Silly girl.

He let out a wry laugh instead, sighing inwardly.

Well, hopefully you’ve learned your lesson.

Still, there was one thing he couldn’t let go.

“Someone’s clearly been working hard to earn those gems.”

His gaze fell on your right hand again, where the emerald and sapphire collar pin were hidden. Until the very end, you clung to them for dear life, disregarding your own in the process.

Perhaps you thought that no matter how badly Billy rearranged your face or broke your bones, a few trips to the hospital would fix it all without issue. After all, the fortune you'd stumbled upon was no small amount. Except, it could very well lead to your death.

“Just a reminder, no amount of wealth can reverse death.”

Coming from someone who risked his life as often as he breathed, it must’ve been rich.

“Die...”

Just then, Aventurine heard something, but he didn’t bother turning around. A beast who missed its first attack would naturally go berserk.

In the split second that followed, Aventurine was made to turn around as an immensely powerful force tugged at him. Before he knew it, he was falling, with you on top of him.

“Aventurine—! Watch out—!”

He didn’t know how you managed to push him down.

Then, he witnessed Billy lifted the table, which was supposed to be nailed to the floor, with his bare hands. The 50kg metal table barely seemed to weigh anything as the large man hurled it effortlessly.

Meanwhile, you positioned yourself above him, ready to bear the full brunt of the attack.

Aventurine trusted nothing, least of all words. Words were easy; anyone could say anything and do absolutely nothing. So, he’d rely on adversity to reveal one’s true color instead.

During hard times, especially when someone's life was on the line, there was no room for lies. The first action a person took revealed everything about them.

Seeing the metal table crash down, knowing you'd be lucky if you only suffered broken bones, you chose to shield him instead.

As he saw the table inching closer, it felt as if time had slowed down. It was far too late to dodge, let alone escape, but he’d remain safe—at your expense.

When it dawned on him that his accursed luck was at play again, his heart almost flew out. He rushed to wrap his arm around you—tightly, desperately.

Belatedly, he realized that it was fear he was feeling.

Then, with the desperation of a dying man grasping at straws, he extended his other hand forward.

He could conjure most of his skills without chanting, yet he didn’t want to risk this one.

Channeling all his power, he uttered the name of the shield he never used, to the point where it almost slipped his mind.

“Fortified Wager.”

From beyond his reach, dazzling golden light expanded rapidly, enveloping his surroundings like the rising sun.

“WHAT?!” Billy screamed in bewilderment.

His aureate shield appeared just in time for the table to collide with it.

There was an ear-splitting bang, followed by the loud crash of something shattering into pieces.

After the dust had settled, his gleaming golden shield was the last one standing.

Naturally, his resentment and bitterness toward the shield wouldn't magically disappear.

Yet, knowing it was the only reason you stayed safe, he felt a twinge of gratitude.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １２】

A/N: As Aventurine's girlies, don't we all want to be protected by his shield :)))) Honestly, ever since he was announced to be a tank, I was hoping to see him use his shield to protect us in cutscenes... but I never see him use it anywhere!!! >:O (except in mah own team)

[maidflowery]

ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕔 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕘𝕦𝕪𝕤!

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♣︎ ToC ♣︎

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

Yours was a meeting not meant to be. You and he came from two different worlds. Try as you might, there was a boundary you couldn’t breach—a line you couldn’t cross. ...So how did you end up being on top of the notoriously undefeated hot gambler, known for his endless stroke of good luck?

╔══ ≪ ♣︎ ≫ ══╗ Ｔａｂｌｅ░ｏｆ░Ｃｏｎｔｅｎｔ

Ｐｒｏｌｏｇｕｅ Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ２

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ４

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ５

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ６

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 7

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 8

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ９

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １０

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １１

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １２

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １３

╚══════╝

♢ｔｈｅｒ░Ｓｈｏｒｔ░Ｓｔｏｒｉｅｓ░ (Set after the main story)

Ｙｏｕ ＆ Ａｖｅｎｔｕｒｉｎｅ＇ｓ Ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ

Ｊｅａｌｏｕｓｙ

© AntoinetteVanessa All rights reserved. Please do not feed my illustrations, writing, or any other original creations into any AI generator. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use is strictly prohibited.

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♣♣♣ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 8

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 7】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐕𝐒 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 (𝟏)

╔══ ≪ ♥♦♥ ≫ ══╗

“See? You should have just kept quiet and done as you were told. The truth is, I actually like you. You’re quiet and obedient.”

When Big Baddie stood up, you realized he was twice your size.

So, you let the gems fall, teetering on the edge of the table as bait.

Sorry, Aventurine.

Meanwhile, you let your watch slid over your knuckle as a makeshift brass knuckle. There was no way you’d deal any real damage otherwise.

“I was just trying to save you, you know? I’m sure you also don’t know this, but that Avgin slave over there killed his owner.”

The moment he leaned in, eager to grab a hold of the gems, you swung your fist straight into his face!

“Of course I know, you piece of shit!

Otherwise, what kind of Aventurine’s fan were you?

“Uuoorrggh—!!”

As your fist connected with his nose, you felt the sharp impact reverberate through your knuckles, followed by a sudden, jarring crunch. Big Baddie took the punch square in the face and staggered backward. Soon, he lost his balance and fell, crashing to the ground in a heap.

Regret always came too late.

As you watched your wristwatch fell, shattering its glass on the floor, you realized you still loved it after all!! Also, your hand hurt like a bitch! Shit! Fuck! You could feel tears welling up in your eyes.

Above all, you were furious.

Aventurine never even brought up his past, so who the fuck gave this guy the right to do so?!

You recalled how the pair of violet-cyan eyes looked so lifeless and devoid of emotion the moment his past was mentioned. It was clearly something difficult—something he preferred to keep private, and for obvious reasons.

If Aventurine were a male lead in a romance novel, it would have taken over 100 chapters and three different arcs before he revealed his past!! Even then, it would be only to the person he trusted most, someone he felt comfortable being vulnerable with!! That was just how delicate this was!!

And yet, and yet... this guy, heartlessly, in front of everyone...

In the past, Aventurine's entire family and clan were massacred by their enemies. Though he survived the ordeal, he was soon enslaved. Only God knows the depths of trauma and torment he suffered at their hands—enough to drive him to kill.

“—Hahahaha! Of course! Of course she doesn’t know! That's what you get for letting his looks fool you!”

“Do you know how hard I’ve been holding back my laugh?! I was wondering how to break the news this whole time! Hahahaha!”

Of course, taking a life was rarely, if ever, justified.

But that is not a reason to laugh at or shame him?! Especially not this bastard, who drove two innocent children to seek revenge!!

A single tear rolled down your cheek. Regret, anger, sorrow and pain washed over you all at once—mostly pain.

While shaking your stinging hand like crazy, you screamed at Big Baddie, “But so what—?! So what if he killed his master?!”

If you were beaten within an inch of your life every day and treated far worse than an animal, what would you do?

If you had nothing left to live for but to await your death at the hands of your enslaver, how would you respond?

“—I’d have done the same!!”

Your shoulders heaved up and down as you struggled to regain composure. All you knew was that you were ranting out of sheer rage.

“Shut up!!” Big Baddie stood up while covering his nose. He glowered at you like a beast, blood oozing out of his hands. “You're just a pathetic slut serving tables!! Do you really think I can't destroy you?! That worthless slave won't protect you from me!!”

“...!”

You instantly went quiet.

Seeing this, Big Baddie grinned with triumph, blood staining his gold and white teeth.

...That’s right.

Back when you were merely a third party, you could easily dismiss the whole incident with Big Baddie as "unreasonable." As much as you hated to admit it, you didn’t see it as that big of a deal.

Why didn’t the staff just skirt around the problem, make some excuses, and feign ignorance? Or, even better yet, fight back. Then, call the authority if things escalated. Easy-peasy.

Well, the reason, as it turned out, was plain and simple.

It was the same reason you didn’t pick a fight with every professor who imposed outrageous assignments or feedbacks on you. Or why you hadn’t shoved your middle finger down Erin’s—your actual manager at the restaurant you actually worked at—prissy throat yet.

Because you’d be a dropout and without a job. Now, you wouldn’t say that you knew how every single staff in Primavera felt, but you certainly wouldn’t survive without your job, let alone switch colleges.

Facing against Billy Burnett, the infamous iron-fisted loan-shark, the stakes were even higher. One wrong move, and your entire life could be in jeopardy.

“Need I remind you what kind of authority they have? A single word from them could ruin the lives of many. I wouldn’t care if you’re the only one affected, but I also have something to protect, so stay in your lane.”

You recalled Marius’ words.

You wouldn’t blame him either—or anyone, for that matter. Everyone had their own circumstances. It was called “picking your battles.”

Which was why, only you could do this.

If it wasn’t you—who would?

You grinned.

Thanks for the reminder, Big Baddie.

Thus, as the waiter of the high-end nightclub Primavera, you shot back, “Watch your language! Aventurine is one of our most valued customers, and we do not tolerate any form of abuse or mistreatment toward him!”

“Wha—?!”

Big Baddie had a dumb look on his face. Perhaps this was the first time someone had called him out so boldly.

Also, you weren’t even lying!! Who else could singlehandedly quadruple the profit of a luxurious nightclub?! Calling him Primavera Jesus would be more fitting! Obviously, the staff would want to cling to him—especially after what you were about to do in their uniform, using their name!

While Big Baddie was still flabbergasted, you continued.

“—Given that this behavior has persisted, we are left with no choice but to ask you to leave and ban you from returning!”

After enduring his tyranny for so long, those were likely the words the staff had been dying to say, but couldn’t.

Then, your gaze briefly landed on your crisp, black uniform. Her uniform.

Of course, you wouldn’t pretend to understand how Judith felt either.

Still, when everyone else was too terrified or stunned to do anything, her manager took a punch in the face for her. If you were her, you’d be happy, knowing that most managers out there wouldn’t do even half as much—and at the same time, sad. But above all, angry.

So, you thought of saying this for her.

“—Also, that’s for punching my manager, asshole!!!”

Yes, only you, or specifically, Aschenputtel, could do this.

Aschenputtel, who was destined to lost her job either way. Aschenputtel, who had neither family nor friends, and would disappear past midnight.

Hence, you, Aschenputtel, decided—

—I’m taking you down with me, Big Baddie.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ９】

I realized that at the rate I was doing it before, the update will only come once a month, or even 2 months in case anything happened. ૮(˶ㅠ︿ㅠ)ა I don't want to keep you guys hanging for that long. So I decided to post it as soon as a part is finished. Do tell me if any of you prefer that I just finish it as a whole before updating :D

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♧♧♧ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 2

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ　Ｉ】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝘂𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘁. 𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. ‘𝗙, 𝗢, 𝗨, 𝗡, 𝗗, 𝗬, 𝗢, 𝗨.’

╔══ ≪ ♦♦♦ ≫ ══╗

The next time you woke up, you found yourself tucked comfortably in the bottom bunk bed of a familiar-looking room. There were no flashing, colorful lights anywhere, only the gentle, peaceful morning sunlight.

...And a brutal, head-splitting headache.

As if your bed had transformed into a speeding bus that braked just as you were about to get up, you fell down once again. You clutched your throbbing forehead, it took all your strength just to look up.

Your dull ceiling had somehow turned into a mesmerizing dance of shifting shapes, creating ever-changing patterns as the ‘gentle’ morning light threatened to singe your eyes.

You had done it.

Amidst the series of transforming shapes, you caught sight of a certain silhouette. You needed a few solid seconds to finally recognize her as the girl who had shared a room with you for more than a year.

The same girl also accompanied you to the nightclub last night.

Despite how blurry your vision was, you could somehow tell that she wasn’t smiling.

Your vision cleared up a bit more, allowing you to register the fact that your roommate was towering over you with her arms folded, looking pissed as hell.

You had done it, alright.

“...Morning?”

You said, mustering an awkward smile.

“—You idiot!”

All of the sudden, she pulled you into a hug. Her voice was shaking, and so were the arms that enveloped you.

Did something happen last night?

“W-what happened?”

“You still dare to ask!?”

You suddenly got yelled at by your roommate.

No matter how hard you tried, your mind only returned blank. You remembered downing your alcoholic drink as fast as you could so you could leave the place but—or, unless...

You began to connect the dots.

“...Did something happen when I was drunk?”

“No! Thank God no! Which is a relief... Something could’ve happened to you!”

Your roommate became hysterical for some reason. Yet, no amount of questioning would warrant you a real answer from her. That was no way to react to someone who had just gotten drunk at the end of the weekend.

Nevertheless, when you saw her shoulders shaking as she quietly sobbed, you couldn’t find it in you to dismiss her as being overreacting.

Something indeed happened, and your roommate was reduced to a teary mess as a result.

Let’s leave it at that.

If it was THAT serious, the news would probably reach you sooner or later.

For the time being...

You reached for your roommate’s back, hugging her back.

“Sorry for making you worry. I, uh... won’t get drunk again?”

“You better be—!”

Afterwards, your roommate cooked you a tasty hangover soup, which worked like magic. You ate it as she gave you a whole sermon about how you should curb your drinking.

“Never drink alcohol again! Not even a single drop! Let this be a life lesson and don’t forget it for the rest of your life!”

Why was your roommate treating you like some kind of a raging alcoholic? Last time you checked, last night was your first time drinking.

You had almost suspected that she was on some kind of anti-alcohol campaign or religious pursuit.

“Seriously, what happened...?”

She still wouldn’t reply. Your roommate seemed panicked... no, terrified, as if she wanted to get rid of the incident from her mind as soon as possible, and it pained you to see her like that.

In the end, you decided against asking her, and just like that, days passed.

You attended your lectures, did your assignments, studied for tests, hung out with your friends, played some online games, worked part-times—pretty much the usual stuff.

Life had almost fully returned to normal.

At a later date, you tried asking your roommate again about the incident at the nightclub, and she finally fessed up.

“Because of you, I almost died from second-hand embarrassment. I still dream about it to this day!”

Ouch.

Okay, that did hurt.

Gee, thanks, Nancy.

Oh well, you vowed to never go back to that nightclub, so it wouldn’t happen again.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

A week later, you were back again.

Just like before, as you entered, the pulsating beat of the music enveloped you, blending seamlessly with the dim, sophisticated lighting that cast an alluring glow across the space. The interior was adorned with sleek, modern furnishings, plush seating areas, and elegant decor that added to the upscale ambiance.

However, unlike before, the dance floor, illuminated by dazzling light displays that synchronized with the rhythm of the music, was mostly neglected. Even the volume of the music was lower.

Instead, most of the patrons that Friday night flocked around the bar section.

Yes, your exact location the night of the supposed incident, for the exact same reason.

Two gentlemen sat across each other in a game of poker.

The sleek chair was gone, replaced by a premium glossy red sofa. They were now using a poker table surrounded by red rope barriers, preventing anyone from coming close.

That little corner had completely transformed into an exclusive gambling spot for a certain gambler who gained massive popularity overnight.

Indeed, in just a week, Aventurine was no longer the talk of the whole nightclub, but the whole town.

Not even in your wildest dreams would you have expected the news about a certain good-looking gambler to knock on your door one day. Or to be precise, the door of the place where you worked part-time.

After all, you worked at a fairly remote restaurant, and the old couple weren’t that updated on the latest news. And yet, the news about him still reached you.

About how a certain unbeatable gambler had been on a consecutive win streak for 7 days in a row.

At first, everyone thought, ‘He has to be cheating, right?’ And the high-end nightclub, Primavera, was no exception. However, to this day, no evidence to substantiate such a claim had been found.

Through sheer luck(?), Aventurine raked massive fortune and multiplied it by the hour as more and more challengers came forward, attempting to bring an end to his win streak. So far, none of them have had any luck.

The last time you saw something multiply this fast, it was in the Bible with five loaves of bread and two fish.

That Aventurine guy had too much power.

As such, it was no wonder even the hosting nightclub, Primavera, got worried. There was no saying he wasn’t going to win the whole place, gamble, and multiply it into three more nightclubs.

So, new ground rules were established.

The dealer who was bribed by that loser Duane was fired on the spot, as was the next one, the one after that, and so many more. Knowledge of various casino games, cash handling experiences, and communication skills were no longer enough. They also had to be unbending in the face of irresistible temptation (bribery), unyielding in the face of absolute power (bigshots who threatened to fire their ass and raze the entire place to the ground), powerful (in case things got physical)—and above all, the courage to do the right thing (prevent that lucky bastard from bagging the entire nightclub’s earning). That, along with passing other tests, including but not limited to psychology and IQ tests.

Nowadays, to be a dealer at Primavera, you needed more qualifications than your country’s doctor.

They also imposed a limit on the amount of money you could deposit in a day. Yes, on your deposit, when other casinos were scrambling to do the opposite. If they couldn’t stop Aventurine from winning, they could at least reduce his winning.

Sounds like a lot of efforts just to rain on a single guy’s parade. Why didn’t they just outright ban him, you ask? After your last visit, you searched his company name, ‘IPC’, in Gagle, and found out they launched a nuclear attack that decimated an entire planet a few years back. So yeah.

...During your browsing session, you also learned of the true meaning behind the word Avgin.

That was how you knew that despite fearing the IPC, the nightclub may not necessarily feel the same towards Aventurine, hence the not-so-subtle retaliations.

“...Answer truthfully, where did you hide it?”

A gruff and throaty voice of a chain-smoker broke your reverie.

“What could you possibly mean?”

In response, a gleeful and innocent voice asked.

“Don’t play dumb, you know what I’m referring to!”

“I don’t. Have we or have we not drunk the wine laced with truth serum so we couldn’t cheat each other?”

The exchange, reminiscent of a detective questioning his latest suspect, did not in fact take place in an interrogation room, but at the poker table in front of you.

Aventurine’s opponent, a delinquent-looking, muscular guy wearing a black leather jacket, slammed his fist against the table.

Also, yeah, both gamblers were required to drink truth serum before each game as part of the new rules. As expected of a mixologist at a premium nightclub, the flavor of wine and the serum blended seamlessly with each other; it was impossible to tell the difference.

“Then what are those cards—!? You were on the verge of losing—!! Where did that Full House come from—!?”

“That, my friend, is the unpredictability of luck.”

“Shut up! You hid those cards somewhere!”

“Didn’t they go through our inventory with x-ray scanner earlier?”

Ah yes, the scanning routine, also part of the rules.

“Gggrrrgh—!”

The delinquent guy hung his head, gritting his teeth, but no amount of denials could change the reality in front of him.

Meanwhile, Aventurine was lazily checking his watch, lightly tapping his foot on the floor, waiting for the reality to sink in. Occasionally, throughout the game, he would glance over those around him. Whenever he was about to look in your direction, you would rush to hide and blend in amongst the crowds.

Anything, anything but being recognized as that drunkard who screamed at the top of her lungs that day.

In terms of trying to escape from reality, you and Aventurine’s opponent were on the same boat.

...At last, the guy who was his opponent came to terms with it.

“...I lose.”

As he admitted defeat, his shoulders sank. The guy, who looked like a member of a biker gang, seemed to have shrunk. The pile of chips on his side of the table was immediately transferred over to Aventurine’s side.

That night marked Aventurine’s eighth consecutive day of winning.

The nightclub and the guy who got defeated definitely weren’t too happy about it, but the same couldn’t be said about you and the crowds that flocked around his table.

Some were cheering loudly, some were clapping excitedly—genuinely, this time, and you found yourself smiling.

With his top hat in his hand, Aventurine elegantly uncrossed his legs and stood up, eloquently flapping his yellow scarf to the side. Stream of golden lights poured on him, highlighting his handsome features and lean contour—

—and above all, his smile.

His charmingly wicked grin.

The pile of chips on their tables suggested that his winnings were no small amount, so his opponent must’ve suffered a devastating loss. In fact, that guy was still clutching his head at the table as of the present.

Anyone with a heart would feel a tinge of sympathy for that guy, but on the blond gambler’s face, there was absolute joy. There was neither the guilt of bleeding someone dry nor the relief of not being the one bled dry, only pure happiness from having risked it all for one thing and won.

Right on cue, the flashing lights turned red, as if the entire world was burning.

You swear that for a moment, your eyes met.

At that moment, his lips stretched wide in a maniacal grin, while his eyes gleamed with a disturbing and feverish light.

You saw his lips move, forming a sentence.

‘F, O, U, N, D, Y, O, U.’

—Then, the lights turned blue, but your heart was still hammering in your chest.

...What was that about?

When you stared at him again, Aventurine was smiling at the crowd, so you were probably mistaken. Apparently, he had an announcement to make.

“—Thank you for the enormous support, everyone. I truly appreciate it. In fact, as you may know, I’ve been on a winning streak these days, so I thought of giving back to my community.”

He spoke clearly, his tone so friendly as if he met every single person in the room on a daily basis.

He probably does, considering he has been gambling here for a full week.

Everyone waited with bated breath.

“Order anything you want, the tab’s on me. And of course, don’t worry about refills and whatnot. Tonight, everyone shall dine like kings!”

The entire room burst into applause and cheers, with the staff of the nightclub being the loudest among them.

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３】

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♧♧♧ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 ５

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ４】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽, 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘆𝗮𝗻-𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗔𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲—𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘅 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀. 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

“𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲?”

╔══ ≪ ♤♢♤ ≫ ══╗

The four of you moved to a secluded spot near the entrance, as far from the bar section as possible.

Upon arriving there, none of you said a word. Instead, you were transfixed at the wallet and the phone on the table.

It wasn’t just make-believe—the “Big Baddie” was real, and he was currently playing poker against Aventurine. A brief glance on the ID card inside the thick wallet, bursting with visa cards and stack of bills, pretty much confirmed that.

Children saw things in black and white. Teo, who worked hard for them, was the “Hero”—whereas Billy, who extorted their brother, was the “Big Baddie.” The Hero would be rewarded for doing good things, whereas the Big Baddie would be punished for doing bad things, because such was justice. That concept was probably as natural as the sun rising in the sky to these children.

And yet, none of that happened that night.

It was the twins’ birthday that day, and they hoped to celebrate it with their older brother. So, they went to his workplace in hopes of bringing him home. There, they saw for themselves how their brother had to work endlessly into the night just to pay the loan shark. Meanwhile, the man their brother missed their birthday for wouldn’t stop wasting money on the gambling table.

Ultimately, no justice was served.

How did they feel at that moment?

You couldn’t know for sure, but one thing was certain.

They felt angry, disappointed, betrayed, and sad enough to take matters into their own hands. To them, what they did was the “right” thing, even if it was “wrong” in itself. All for the sake of their brother.

Now, the results were staring at you.

When the twins said they had “taught him a lesson,” they meant they had stolen from him. They had stolen what were arguably the most important things to a person in this day and age. A wallet with personal identification and financial cards, along with a phone containing all kinds of personal data and delicate information.

During your time working at the family restaurant, how many times did a customer come back frantically looking for their phones because of the data stored inside?

‘Can’t you just apologize and return it or something?’

Seeing the look on Teo’s face made you swallow that question.

“...He’s Billy Burnett, an infamous loan shark around here. My family is in debt, so he’d come to pay us a visit from time to time... A loud guy, often woke the kids...”

Perhaps in an attempt to organize his thoughts, Teo blabbered on. He was holding the hands of both twins excruciatingly tightly, making them fidget restlessly.

“—What’s going on here?”

The two of you turned to the direction of the voice, and saw Marius making his way through the crowds with two other female staff members. They moved so subtly and unobtrusively that nobody paid them any heed.

Then, his dark blue eyes found you. Oh, there they were, the scowl™ and the dead fish gaze™. Simply nostalgic.

“...You again? What did you do?”

“Pffft—!”

Before you could get annoyed at his rude accusation, the pink, kitty-themed Band-Aid on his left cheek stole your attention, and you snorted.

“Tsk.”

Marius immediately covered his cheek and looked away. At least he wasn’t concealing a bruise this time.

“Marius... We have a situation...”

Teo’s weak voice brought you back to the situation at hands.

You stood nearby with a female staff as Teo spoke to Marius. The twins were entrusted to the other female staff, but they were adamant on staying. The female staff member stood with them at a distance, preventing them from overhearing the conversation.

In contrast to Teo, who was shaking like a leaf as he recounted what happened, Marius’ expression didn’t change the whole time. His dark blue eyes were trained at the wallet and the phone.

“...Marius, I’m really sorry about this, especially after the recent incident...”

“What’s done is done. We have to think of a way to rectify this situation.”

Not wanting to intrude their conversation, you turned to the curly-haired female staff beside you. On her chest was the nameplate ‘Christy.’

“...Uh, is this ‘Billy Burnett’ a scary fellow?”

Also, what is this recent incident Teo is talking about?

“He is—!” Christy answered in a shrill voice, not trying to hide her panic. “We always dread it whenever he comes! He’s so vulgar, rude, and always nitpicks his order! In fact, just two days ago, a staff quit because of him—”

“—Don’t say anything unnecessary, Christy.”

Before Christy could continue, however, Marius’ stern voice cut her off.

Then, Marius glanced at you. He didn’t even try to hide the fact that he found you a bother.

“A third party should stay out of this.”

R-right.

Besides, it was nothing new. Every restaurant and nightclub had that one problematic customer, right? Let the staff members and the manager deal with it. It wasn’t like there was anything you could do, anyway.

You began to turn on your heels.

“I’ll take care of this.”

“Manager, please don’t! He remembers your face! He’ll just take advantage of this situation to do something even worse to you!”

“Marius, no! Besides, this is my fault... it’s my responsibility...”

When Marius declared firmly, both Christy and Teo were appalled. You also halted.

“It’s my responsibility as the manager. Also, why are you still here, Teo? Didn’t I give you a half-day off today?”

“You’re kidding! Who’s going to make all those drinks?!”

“Tsk. None of this would’ve happened if you had just gone home and celebrate your siblings’ birthday.”

“...Anyway, I’ll take care of this, Marius. ...Just, just take Jonah and Ann home, please. I can’t let them see what’s going to happen next.”

“...Alright. I’ll make sure they get home safely.”

You couldn’t bear to listen to that bleak conversation anymore!

“—Listen, can’t you just, like, pretend that you are giving them back after he accidentally dropped them?” You butted in.

“Two days ago, Judith and I were serving his table. He specifically asked for a spoon, so we brought him one. But then, he got mad, saying he wanted chopsticks. He accused us of looking down on him.” Christy, who was deadly pale, told you about the recent incident.

“That’s just unreasonable...”

But that wasn’t the end of it.

“Judith politely told him that he must’ve forgotten. He flew into rage, saying that she was calling him senile. Then, he threw a punch at her. If Marius hadn’t stepped in at the time—”

“—That’s enough, Christy!”

Marius suddenly interjected and stood between the two of you.

As you glared at the bruise hidden under the kitty-themed Band-Aid with renewed respect, Marius spoke in a cold voice.

“In case I wasn’t clear enough, this doesn’t concern you. Stay out of it.”

He crossed his arms, not even bothering to hide his derision.

“I-I was just trying to help...” You meekly answered.

“How? And why?” Marius asked provokingly.

“H-how about dumping the wallet and phone somewhere far away?”

“And get my entire staff implicated because that guy lost his wallet and phone right after visiting this place. Very good.”

Your alternative solution was shot down mercilessly. On a second thought, it wouldn’t work anyway.

You recalled the phone brand. It was the most expensive brand out there, but most thieves avoided it like a plague. Why? Because of the GPS and the security system. That phone could’ve fallen into hell, and you could still track which circle it landed in.

“Then I guess it leaves me no other choice... Let’s make it so that it never happened!” you said, bouncing back.

Marius didn’t seem the slightest bit impressed.

“Why?”

Without warning, he took a step toward you. The man, who was slightly shorter than you, suddenly looked so daunting.

“W-well, there won’t be any culprit if it never happened to begin with! And nobody will get punched!” you stammered, trying to hold your ground.

“Why would you go this far?”

Deep blue eyes bore into you, seething with distrust and suspicion.

“I consider all of you friends, so I thought—”

At that moment, Marius reached for his left cheek, or more precisely, for the Band-Aid. He ripped it off and tossed it on the ground. Before you could react, he stepped on it, crushing it underfoot.

“We are not, so scram.”

Just as you were about to say something, the twins suddenly peeked out from either side of you.

“—Did we cause Brother a huge problem?” Jonah seemed about to cry.

“Big Bro shouldn’t apologize! It’s none of his fault! We’ll apologize!”

Ann was a sobbing mess. As she spoke, big droplets of tears fell from her eyes.

“NO!!”

Teo panicked and rushed to hug his siblings, preventing them from doing anything rash.

After all, if Billy Burnett could punch an innocent woman, what would he do to two kids who were clearly guilty? The siblings of the person he had been harassing as a loan shark, on top of that.

“Ah, hey!”

You took the chance to grab Marius’ arm and lead him somewhere a bit far away, where the twins couldn’t hear you.

Marius seemed about to protest, but you stared straight into his eyes.

“Those twins look up to Teo and care for him a lot. As if I’ll let them watch their brother—their Hero—get beaten for it!”

“...! Well, they wouldn’t. I’ll be taking them home soon.”

Despite his callous words, you saw how Marius subtly shifted to the side, averting his gaze.

“Do you think that’ll be enough?! They will—no, they already know something’s up! Even if he hides it well, how long will that last?! Once they find out, what will they think?!”

“That’s... either way, it’ll teach them not to steal from someone again.” Marius replied weakly.

He could’ve just dismissed you right off the bat. The fact that he was wavering told you that he disliked this as much as you do. In that case, all you had to do was press on.

“No, it won’t. They’ll only blame themselves for putting their brother in harm, and you know that!”

“Then what do you suggest I do?! Some things just can’t be helped!”

You were taken aback when Marius suddenly raised his voice. He had lost his cool, finally appearing like the youth he was—but only briefly.

“...There’s no use arguing over this,” Marius spoke while tidying his tuxedo. In no time at all, he had reverted to his usual demeanor. His icy cold gaze pierced you.

“Also, let me warn you about something. We've only recently allowed people like you into our prestigious nightclub, letting you mingle with our esteemed regulars as if you were one of them. That might have gone to your head.”

The stoic and levelheaded manager of Primavera was back, exuding ten times more coldness and rejection than before.

“...”

You stayed silent, mulling on your next words.

“Need I remind you what kind of authority they have? A single word from them could ruin the lives of many. I wouldn’t care if you’re the only one affected, but I also have something to protect, so stay in your lane.”

After Marius was seemingly done, you began to speak.

“...I suggest we reverse pickpocket him. Make it so that it never happened.”

“—We’re done here.”

With a look of disappointment, Marius turned on his heels, about to go on his way.

“Then do me one last favor.”

You spoke firmly, making sure it could still reach him amidst the bustling crowd. Marius halted, but you know it wouldn’t be for long, so you kept it brief.

“Check your pants pocket.”

Marius annoyedly slid his hand into his right pocket.

“No, no, the other one.”

“Such a waste of time—huh? This... how?”

After fishing something out of his pocket, he glanced at a certain spot on the floor. The thing he had ripped off his cheek was no longer there. Then, he turned around to meet your gaze. 

“Since when did you...?”

In response, you smirked, staring at the crumpled kitty-themed Band-Aid in his hand.

“There, as if it never happened, right?”

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

You smugly walked back to the siblings, half-dragging the complaining Marius behind you.

Upon arriving, you saw the twins struggling to break free from Christy and the other female staff, trying to chase after Teo.

“Now, Ann, Jonah... don’t trouble Sister Christy and Sister Tasha like that. Brother will be back home in a flash, okay?”

“No! Brother! We’re going with you!” “Big Bro, you can’t leave!”

...Apparently, you returned at the right time, just as Teo was about to sacrifice himself to the Big Baddie.

“Hey, Teo! You’re going way overboard with this surprise! I feel sorry for your siblings!”

You shouted at then, smiling dashingly like nothing ever happened.

After all, how were you supposed to reassure everyone that everything was okay if you didn’t look fine yourself?

“A-a surprise...?” “Big Bro was...?”

The twins blinked at you in confusion.

“I did...?”

Actually, Teo was just as at a loss as they were, but you winked at him—hard—forcing him to keep his mouth shut.

“I-I guess I did...” Teo meekly affirmed.

“Yes! I’m actually one of the staff here!” You went on.

“Hey! I’ve heard none of this! You still owe me an explanation!”

It was Marius’ turn to be confused.

It seemed that he utterly disliked being blindsided, and had been demanding an answer from you ever since. Briefly, you wondered if something happened in his past—but either way, this worked for you.

You glanced at him from your shoulder.

“I will once you let me finish speaking. ...Also, can you stop looking at me like that?”

Marius was seething with suspicion. His eyes said it all.

‘Who are you? Is this your first time stealing? How many times have you done it? Was it in my nightclub? Should I ask my staff if any of their belongings is missing? I knew it! I shouldn’t have welcomed these beggars in our luxurious nightclub!’

...Seriously, who hurt you, man?

Although, this time, his suspicion was kind of warranted. Anyone would praise a talented singer, but not a skilled thief. But you weren’t a thief, though... and it wasn’t exactly “stealing,” either...

“Haa...” You sighed.

Explaining this was going to be troublesome. Besides, you didn’t have much time. So, you decided to wrap this up in one go. You fished for a coin from your waist bag.

Then, you recited a line that you had memorized a long time ago.

“—Ladies and gentlemen, please focus on the coin in my hand."

“Huh...?” “Eh...?”

The twins were stunned, but it took no time for them to recognize that line.

“Don’t blink, or you might miss the magic!”

Their eyes widened as you tossed the coin into the air, before catching it with your other hand, twirling it between your fingers. The coin fluttered from your hand to another, as if dancing. Until finally, you closed both of your palms with a snap.

By that time, the sheer distress on their faces had been replaced by sheer excitement.

“Now, guess which hand has the coin! The one who gets it right will receive a present”

Like children their age, the notion of “present” got them flocking to your hands.

“I actually know which one it is. But as the older one, I have to concede. I choose this one!” Jonah smirked and picked your left hand.

“This!” Ann eagerly picked your right hand.

“Okay, so you’ve made your choice! No take-backs?”

Both twins shook their heads.

“No take-backs! Here’s the catch, though. The coin can also choose! It will appear in the hand chosen by a good kid!”

“...!” “...!”

The twins gulped at that. They stared meaningfully at each other, looking unsure.

“—Sim Salabim, Abracadabra!”

You pretended not to see that and even chanted because kids liked it. Sure enough, they leaned forward on their tiptoes, full of anticipation.

“Okay, here goes nothing!”

You opened both palms and revealed... nothing.

“Huh?! I was so sure—” “Where did it go??”

The twins were dumbfounded.

“—How?! Just how?!”

The one who yelled that, full of disbelief, was Marius. But let’s just ignore him.

“Oh no... the coin didn’t choose anyone in the end... No way, have the two of you been bad lately? Did you... steal from someone, perhaps?”

In response, they both hung their heads, looking obviously guilty. Even their shoulders were shaking. If anything, they looked like they needed someone to listen to them. Children shouldn’t be carrying so much guilt and stress, anyway.

“That guy...! He always thrashes the whole house! Money is all he ever talks about! It wasn’t our debt to begin with, but our good-for-nothing dad!”

“He even barged in during our mother’s death anniversary!”

“Reporting that guy is of no use! Whenever we mentioned his name, everyone got scared! They won’t do anything about him!”

“Unlike those weak adults, we did something about it! We’re stronger!”

“Yes, we are strong! We’ll protect our brother!”

“—By doing the same thing he did to your brother? How is that strong, exactly?”

Amidst Jonah and Ann’s cries, your firm voice rang clearly.

“T-that’s because...” “H-he...”

Jonah and Ann, who were caught off-guard, tried to defend themselves amidst their sniveling. But you already knew what they were going to say.

“‘Because he deserves it’ or ‘to teach him a lesson’? Did you know? Whenever that Big Baddie does something awful to others, he probably tells himself the same thing.”

“Huh...?”

“Do you know how someone turns evil? It’s when they keep excusing their wrongdoings until they’re convinced they did nothing wrong. Eventually, they’ll start believing they can do no wrong, and that’s when someone turns into a Big Baddie.”

“...”

You knelt to match the eye level of Jonah and Ann. They were still crying, and their noses had turned bright red.

“Do you want to become like him? When you look at what you’ve done, can you honestly say that you did the right thing? Do you think your brother will be happy with this?”

“N-no...”

“There are many definitions of 'strength' out there. But to Big Sis, being strong means staying true to yourself and holding on to your beliefs no matter what, without being afraid of doing the right thing. You know that stealing is wrong, right? You aren’t so weak that you can’t admit your mistakes, are you?”

“...What we did was wrong.” “We were wrong...”

Their voices were muffled because they were wiping their tears with their sleeves, but it made you smile all the same. Behind them, Teo was watching with a look as if he was about to cry.

Alright, let’s figure out how to take care of that Big Baddie later.

“Do you promise to never steal again?”

“W-we promise...” “Promise...”

“Great—oh no! What is this power surging through me?!”

You grasped your trembling right hand, making a display of panicking and not knowing what was happening.

“I-I can feel it! The coin is about to return...!”

Their tears didn’t stop them from staring closely at your hand.

At last...

“Ta-da—! Presents for good children—!”

You opened your palm, showing two colorful gummies.

“WOW!!” “WHOAH!!”

“Happy birthday to you!”

Immediately, the twins burst into a smile. Even though it was actually your snacks, they took them and started jumping around as if they were the world’s most precious treasure. They even showed them off to the two female staff members and Teo, who smiled happily alongside them.

...Aah, this reminds me of why I took that side gig with the troupe to begin with.

Yes, that was right. You were never a thief, just a magician-in-training.

At first, you only applied as a prop maker for extra cash. But then, by chance, you had to assist the magic show. The looks of genuine excitement on the children’s faces made you decide to try it out. After practicing hard for it, you finally made it on stage! You performed with flying colors. Unfortunately, that was also your last performance. The wandering troupe was scheduled to travel somewhere else after that...

It’s definitely worth it, though...

“Big Sis, Big Sis! Show me more magic tricks!” Ann tugged at your sleeve.

“Of course. Marius, bring me some colorful papers.” You ordered the guy looming behind you.

“Why should I—ah, whatever...”

The guy left and returned with some colorful papers. They were high-quality, too. As expected of Primavera!

Okay, this was where your skill as a prop maker came in!

You started making something out of the papers. Then, your magic show started again.

“Wow! Where did that rose come from?! Big Sis is so amazing!” Ann clapped her hands.

“This is nothing.”

“Show me, munch, something cool, munch...” Jonah asked you while chewing on the gummy.

“Sure. But it’s bad manners to talk while eating, Kids.”

“Whoa! The flags! There are so many! They just won’t stop coming out! Awesome!” Jonah started jumping again.

“I know, right?” You grinned.

“...Would you be interested in working with us? I might be able to hire you as our clown.” Marius asked hesitantly in a low voice.

Since you couldn’t possibly say profanities in front of children, you just silently raised your middle finger to him.

“Why?! Your meals will be taken care of! You also don’t need to worry about salary!”

Huh? He’s actually being serious?

“T-this is actually my first time watching a live magic show... Uh, if possible, can you make more of those paper roses appear?”

“Oh, Christy, you’d like some too? Of course!”

“Wow! How wonderful! The folds and cuts are so clean!”

“I practiced hard for that.”

“Me too, me too!”

“Okay, Tasy—WAIT, WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!”

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

“...Are you sure about this?”

You and Marius stood side by side, gazing at the table where the two gentlemen were seated from afar.

Aventurine was enjoying himself as usual, casually sipping champagne while holding a few cards. Across from him, sat a giant who could only be described as a cross between a bull and a gorilla.

...Try as you might, that was the best and only description you could come up with.

So, that’s Billy Burnett, the loan shark...

His hair was slicked back with so much gel it looked almost plastic, with a bald top. Glossy brown overcoat, with red, tiger-striped shirt underneath. Sparkly gold jewels—so many of them, from his nose, his neck, his arm, his wrist, his fingers... The man screamed “gaudy” from top to bottom, as if he felt the need to constantly remind everyone that he was filthy rich.

You began to worry about Aventurine. To be precise, for his eyesight. After all, every time the flashing lights hit that gorilla, he shone brighter than the sun.

Maybe you should wear your shades again, Aventurine...

—But anyway, Marius was asking if you’d like to back down.

“One hundred percent serious.”

Of course, you had your doubts. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have entertained the thought of leaving everything to the staff back then. The moment you turned back and rejoined them, you decided to see this through.

“Even the slightest mistake may cause your life to be turned upside down. Once he bites, Billy usually won’t let go. You may end up regretting this.”

“I'll regret it even more if I run away when I could have done something about it.”

“...Blind confidence? Savior Complex? Either way, I’ll never get a reckless idiot like you. I also don’t get why I’m trusting said idiot to begin with. More importantly, Billy will just tell you to get lost if you approach him looking like that.”

“Thanks for that. It’s exactly what I didn’t need to hear.”

You subconsciously reached for the black butterfly mask covering half of your face. You crafted it on the last minute. Usually, a magician would wear some kind of a mask, wouldn’t they? Other than looking the part, it’d also help in hiding your identity. See? You weren’t that suicidal.

“—Manager, I brought the uniform.”

All of the sudden, Christy arrived behind you. The curly-haired female staff smiled at you, before handing Marius a set of uniform.

Marius received it and began explaining. “Wear this. For tonight, you’re one of Primavera staff members.”

Wow, an actual help from Marius!?!?

Marius scowled when he saw how flabbergasted you are. “What’s that look for? You think I’ll just sit back and relax and let a random stranger do all the work? Teo is one of my staff members, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

...Whoa.

Again, you saw Marius in a new light. You reached for the uniform with a sense of pride, only for him to retract his hand. You stood there grasping at air like an idiot, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

???

“...?”

Marius continued in a lower voice. “And that goes for you, too.” His cool, deep-blue eyes were focused on you.

“Huh?”

“Did you forget what I said already? For tonight, you’re one of my staff. If you sense that things are getting dangerous, just run. It doesn’t matter if you fail. Safety is of utmost priority. I’ll handle the rest.”

“!”

Marius...

“The rest goes as we previously discussed. Any questions?”

“O-out of curiosity, how are you going to ‘handle the rest?’” You asked wistfully.

To be honest, you were really nervous. No mistake was allowed—this operation had to succeed no matter what. Hence, knowing there was a Plan B would help calm your nerves immensely.

Marius flashed you his flawless manager smile.

“I’ll personally tell Billy that ‘we made sure to fire this obnoxious staff on the spot and charge her under the suspicion of theft. She’ll have to pay for it for the rest of her life.’”

“—So, you’re just turning me into a scapegoat!!!”

Yeah, I can’t. I still hate this guy.

Marius tilted his head. “Why does it matter? You aren’t foolish enough to tell him your true name, are you? Or maybe I’m mistaken? In that case, might as well invite him over to hang out.”

“N-no, actually... that does make sense...”

Either way, I’m only a “staff” for a night, so it’s the same as being fired.

Also, did he just praise your intelligence by saying that you “aren’t foolish enough”? You were about to giggle bashfully until you realized that was just a low blow, far from bare minimum. Dammit! Hanging around this sadistic manager caused your standard bar to fall on the floor!

Then, you finally received the uniform. At the same time, something shiny fell.

“Oh, sorry about that...”

Christy crouched to retrieve it. It was a silver hairpin.

“Sorry, Judith must’ve forgotten this...” She smiled awkwardly, before whispering to you. “Manager’s just bluffing! For now, just do your best! If he said he’ll take care of the rest, he’ll definitely do so! ...In fact, that was why Judith quit... Even though he got injured because of her, he still treated her so well. In the end, she couldn’t stand the guilt...”

“I see...”

You stared wordlessly at the premium black uniform in your hands.

“Older Sister!” “Big Sis!”

Jonah, Ann, and Teo appeared in tow.

“Older Sister, are you really going to that Big Baddie’s place?” “Big Sis, are you going to be okay?”

The twins asked you with concern.

“Of course! Big Sis is going to cast the spell of love, peace, and friendship on that guy! Hopefully, he’ll change for the better!” You showed them a huge grin.

Translation: you were going to secretly return his stuffs so he wouldn’t have any reasons to be angry! But still, gotta set a good example for these kids!

Teo smiled timidly at you. “I can’t thank you enough. I won’t forget this. We’ll pray for your safety.”

“S-sure...”

G-guys, can you please stop already? Why do I feel like I’m being given a final send-off?!

...And so, it was the deciding moment.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

You walked toward the now sanctified gambling table in the main dance venue.

In your hands was a wide silver tray. Its glossy surface, polished to perfection, reflected the colorful stream of lights from time to time. Although it was empty, it still felt heavy and solid. It could probably withstand force several times greater than its weight.

Seeing your attire—the authentic uniform of Primavera, and a butterfly mask, everyone naturally scooted away. Honestly, it was probably the mask. Hence, the walk was short—or should’ve been.

The table was right over there, just a short distance away. But to you, it was as if there was a distance of a few miles away separating you. You were dragging your feet, after all.

...N-no! I have to hurry!

Reportedly, the Big Baddie was burning through his suitcases of money. No wonder, his opponent was Aventurine, after all. Once he ran out of money, he’d probably reach for his wallet, or phone, or both.

“Ugh,” You sighed.

The entire walk there was a certified Walk of Shame.

As you brushed past the crowd, all kind of thoughts loomed over you.

Just how did this happen?

Where did you go wrong in life?

Even though you steeled yourself to help Teo, when it came time to do it, all kinds of pessimistic thoughts and doubts hit you full force. You just wanted to get this over with.

You didn’t remember feeling this nervous during your first performance with that wandering troupe. You even looked forward to it. Well, of course. You’d be performing in front of children who were also excited to see you. Right now, you were just going to make a fool of yourself and make enough distraction until you achieved your goal.

Finally, the table was only a few steps away. Two gentlemen sat across each other, surrounded by a crowd of people. The moon and the stars shining outside the tall windows beside them also bore witness to their game.

Ba-dum! Ba-dum! Ba-dum!

Your heart was kicking in your chest as you gripped the tray tightly. In your moment of distress, your eyes instinctively searched for solace—then, you found him...

Aventurine looked as breathtakingly dashing as ever, even more so from up-close. He sat on the glossy red velvet sofa, gracefully resting his long leg on top of the other. At such a distance, you could see how each and every single jewel that studded his coat glimmered under the light.

Forest-green emerald. Navy-blue sapphire. Coupled with the tosca, cyan, green, and gold accents of his attire, he looked like an embodiment of an elegant and majestic peacock.

But something wasn’t right.

Aventurine was staring listlessly at the cards in his hand. No, it was as if he was looking through them. His cyan-violet eyes were also dull. Rather than smiling, his lips seemed frozen in a shape that resembled a “smile.”

But unlike that night, he didn’t seem sad.

He looked like... how do you say this, like one of your classmates who couldn’t be more done with class. Ah yes, dead bored.

This whole time, when you sat in the farthest corner in that venue, you were always under the impression that he was smiling and rejoicing about his win. Yes, just like the night when he first treated everyone.

You wondered why.

Even though he has won this big...

There was a pile of iron suitcases on each gentleman’s side. Suffice it to say, Aventurine’s side was taller.

With only a meter and a half left, you took a step forward, then another, and another...

“—!”

Suddenly, you halted, hugging the tray close to your chest.

Perhaps sensing your presence, Aventurine lazily lifted his gaze from the cards and threw a brief glance at you, before quickly returning his attention to where it had been.

But just as you were thanking every god in the universe, he hastily turned back at you.

In such a close distance, there was no way you’d miss it—that look of utter disbelief and shock on his face...

...or how that pair of cyan-violet eyes lit up instantly, regaining their luminosity.

Brighter than the moon or the stars. Prettier than any gemstones. Richer in color than the flashing lights that illuminated the entire place.

“—WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!”

A gruff and angry roar snapped you out of your trance.

Gah!!! That surprised me!!!

Thankfully, you were too shocked to scream.

You shot a look at his opponent—the Big Baddie, also known as Billy Burnett, and saw how he had almost completed his transformation into a bull. The guy was snarling, his face bright red, as he glowered at you, totally nailing the part of a “vulgar” and “rude” customer.

You’d be lying if you said you weren’t scared. In fact, your initial instinct was to run away.

Quick! You needed to think of a way to appease him! Otherwise, you could forget of ever returning the wallet and the phone!

...At the same time, you made a mental note that, due to his humongous build, his pants pocket was practically gaping at you.

Hoh! Nice! That makes it easier—almost like putting a basketball into a waist-high hoop!

But looking at his current state right now, which was mad pissed, an impromptu magic show was probably the last thing he’d want to see. Still, you needed to get this show on the road!

Then, as you desperately racked your brain...

“—Now, that’s no way to treat our new friend?”

Someone could be heard saying in a lighthearted voice. Yet, the words were heavy enough to make both of the Big Baddie’s giant shoulders sink.

“A-ah! I see, so you’re one of Mr. Aventurine’s friends! Sorry if I scared you! It’s just that the nightclub is loud, you know? That’s why I screamed!” Big Baddie forced a smile and made up an excuse on the spot.

The raging bull from earlier now looked like a domesticated gorilla.

The pathetic sight tickled you. Rather than a loan shark, anyone would think that this guy owed Aventurine a massive debt.

Placing his cards face down on the table, Aventurine shifted in his seat to face you, smiling all the while.

“The night is starting to get dull, so I welcome the new face. But...” His multicolored eyes swept across the empty tray you were holding, before narrowing slightly. “...I was certain I didn’t place any order, and I was right. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?”

Courteous words, spoken with a hint of amusement, topped off with that charming smile...

Just how did he manage to strike a perfect balance between frivolousness, playfulness, and elegance!?

Had this been your first meeting, he’d have you at hello.

If only you weren’t on a mission right now—ah, right!! You were on a mission!!

Without missing a beat, you curtseyed to him as best as you could.

“Good evening, esteemed guests. We've noticed how long you've been with us, and as you mentioned, the night is getting dull! So, I was sent to hopefully stave off some of your boredom! It’s a pleasure to serve you tonight!”

You just spouted the most plausible-sounding words that came to mind.

At the very least, Aventurine didn’t seem to doubt you.

“Is that so? How nice of you. How about a handshake?”

Deep, mesmerizing cyan-violet eyes bore deeply into you as the owner slowly extended his gloved hand toward you. At that moment, it was as if he had seen through your guise—through everything. Something about those eyes seemed to draw out your base instincts, and before you knew it, your hand was in his.

The coolness of latex wrapped your hand as Aventurine brought it closer to his lips. Locking eyes with you, he asked a question.

“May I have your name?”

A harmless and trivial question. Your real name almost escaped your lips until you realized that was what he wanted you to think.

“I— ...My name is Aschenputtel.”

You answered with a slight stutter, subtly trying to retract your hand, but to no avail. His grip, as gentle as his smile, was equally unwavering.

“What a gorgeous name. The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Aschenputtel.”

Then, while maintaining eye contact, he placed a chaste kiss on the back of your hand. The warmth of his lips contrasted with the coolness of his latex glove.

!#@!#&@!#!#!*!@&#&!@#&!#!#&!(!&!&&

Something inside your head exploded.

“—puttel. Ms. Aschenputtel? Is something the matter?”

A few seconds later, you were brought back to reality by none other than Aventurine. The guy who was responsible for putting you in that kind of state tilted his head innocently.

...Also, your alias smoothly rolled off his tongue, sounding like a unique and beautiful, rarely used word of X language. Even though you picked it because it was tricky to both pronounce and remember...

“N-nothing! Right, so, allow me to present a touch of magic for your enjoyment!”

You forcefully brought back the main subject and pried your hand off his.  

“Magic? As in, a magic show?”

Then, after briefly staring at his now empty hand, Aventurine asked you with obvious curiosity. Whether or not he was acting, you really couldn’t tell...

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Go on, then.”

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

Thus, despite facing a few small bumps along the way, you managed to carry out the operation.

“This one is dedicated to you, Mr. Big Ba—ahem, Mr. Billy Burnett. We always appreciate how sharply-dressed you are. So fiery, you stand out wherever you are.”

Since your target was and always had been Big Baddie, you naturally started with him. Aventurine watched on the side with interest, while you tried not to mind him as much.

“Hoho! Astute judgment! Did you know? This shirt alone cost more than all the wages of the staff here combined!”

True to your previous assessment, Big Baddie thrived on being complimented on his looks and wealth. At first, he was only half-listening to you, but that changed once you took out a few sheets of red paper.

“—I can only think of one flower to symbolize you. Would you like to guess what is it?”

You made a display of crumpling those papers in your fists.

“Ahaha! I don’t care about some grasses, so you tell me!”

“Of course, Sir! It’s right within my hand!”

However, the next time you opened both of your palms, they were empty.

“Oh, no...”

With your back facing the crowd, you could hear some astonished gasps here and there.

“Huh—?! Where did they go—?! Are you trying to make a fool of me—?!”

Instead of taking it as part of the act, Big Baddie took offense from it. But you had predicted that.

“Of course not, Sir! The flower is just shying away because of the man you are!”

You almost choked saying that.

“Huh...? Is that so...?”

“Yes! How about checking your pocket? It might be hiding there?”

“...Now that you say it, my pocket feel heavier than before.” Big Baddie went to check his pant pocket. “There’s nothing here. Only my phone and wallet.”

With a smirk, you told him, “Then, how about inside of the wallet?”

Big Baddie giddily opened his wallet and saw something red inside.

“Ooh—!”

When he pulled it out, he found out that it was a stalk of paper rose.

“How did it get there?! Especially when you never took out my wallet!”

...Simple, cause’ you put it in before returning that wallet.

Instead of answering, you took that rose from the Big Baddie’s hand.

“Still... one rose is far from enough, isn’t it? To match up with your awesomeness, maybe two—no, five? Ten?”

As you spoke, the paper roses in your hand multiplied with each flick of your wrist, corresponding to your words. The crowd behind you began murmuring in awe.

“Wow!”

“How did she do that?!”

“That’s so amazing!”

In the corner of your eye, Aventurine was silently clapping his hands.

“—The answer is: simply infinite!”

You threw the paper roses into the air, and they scattered into red petals, fluttering gently as they fell down, concluding your performance.

Everyone immediately burst into clapping.

“Hey, how did you do that?!” Even the Big Baddie was still reeling from it. He was grinning from ear to ear, a repulsive light flickering in his eyes. “That was so amazing! I like you! Your name is Ashpuddle, right?! Can we—”

“—What about me?”

The Big Baddie was about to grab a hold of you when Aventurine suddenly interjected.

Resting his chin on top of his hand, Aventurine asked you with the same smile as before. But dare you say... there was a hint of dismay in his gaze?

‘Crap! I was overly focused on the Big Baddie that I completely forgot about Aventurine!’

Just kidding.

Of course you had something prepared for him. You just didn’t expect you’d actually get the chance to perform it.

You smiled back at him.

“—Last but not least!”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing that, all trace of dissatisfaction disappeared from his face. He seemed pleasantly surprised.

A curtain had fallen on your previous performance, but now the curtain had risen for yet another one.

One that was close to your heart, and also contained way less lies.

You took out a few sheets of paper. This time, the color was pristine white.

As a waiter, you had learned body language to an extent.

The entire time you were performing, Big Baddie didn’t even turn to look at you. Perhaps, he was preoccupied with the amount he had lost that night. Either way, it helped you immensely.

However, Aventurine was something else. He shifted his position so that he was sitting directly facing you. Multicolored eyes followed each of your movement with eagerness.

Those eyes stared at you, and only you, as if the cards, the towering iron suitcases, and the crowd had never existed to begin with.

Not to mention, he was also friendly! He always responded to any of your questions! Such a great fanservice this was! You could see why he was popular!

“Mr. Aventurine, what is your favorite color?”

“Aventurine is fine. Hmm... that’s a tough one.”

You couldn’t help but laugh when you saw the look of deep contemplation on his face.

“Ahaha, you don’t know your favorite color?”

“I never really thought about it... until recently, at least. You see, a certain color has caught my eye.”

Aventurine spoke while staring into your eyes.

Unlike a certain Big Baddie, he was also keeping eye contact! He was truly outshining that guy in every aspect! ...Though, in reality, it wasn’t that difficult of a feat.

“What about you?”

“Hm?”

“What color do you like? Is it white?”

“The answer is right here.”

With a smile, you presented your closed palm to him.

“A lead-up question, I see.” Aventurine stared at your hand before placing his open hand directly underneath it.

Then, out fell a paper flower with unique-shaped petals. The color—or colors—were blue, purple, and navy.

Similarly colored eyes gazed at it for a moment before turning back to you.

He studied your face, examining your expression as if searching for something. Then, something stole his attention—

—namely, the bouquet in your hands, consisting of a dozen or so of those flowers, seemingly pulled out of thin air.

“To your beautiful eyes, Aventurine.”

“...!”

You smiled in satisfaction, having achieved your personal goal.

Did Aventurine ever stop smiling? As far as you knew, he was an all-smile type of guy.

...And yet, when it fully dawned on him that you had especially made that bouquet for him, the smile he showed was truly unprecedented. That all of the sudden, you recalled a certain line spoken by your friend, Celine.

"... It was as if there were two starry skies—both in the sky and on the ground."

Except this time, the starry skies were in his eyes.

Once again, you found your cheeks burning up.

“May I have that?”

Suddenly, Aventurine pointed at the bouquet you held close to your chest.

“Huh? Y-you mean these paper flowers?”

“Yes. I’ll be sure to cherish it.” He said, trying to reassure you.

“N-no, I wasn’t afraid that it might be ruined, but...”

You stared at him, and then at the paper bouquet. His beauty certainly couldn’t be compared to it. You began to feel self-conscious again.

Dammit! I should’ve asked Marius to bring me real, freshly cut flowers!

Then, Aventurine had a look as if an idea had just flashed in his mind.

“Ah, of course... How thoughtless of me.”

He started fishing for something out of his jacket for some reason.

“It’s a handcrafted piece. You put effort into making it. And there’s only one of it in this whole world. In that case, you should be paid—”

“—NO, NO, NO! You can have it!”

The moment you saw that black card peeking out of his coat—only owned by a few people in this whole world—you immediately gave that bouquet to him.

Aventurine blinked, perhaps finding your sudden change in behavior odd. Still, he gladly accepted your gift.

“Thank you.” Aventurine thanked you, immersed in the bouquet.

“Y-you’re welcome.” You answered sheepishly.

Phew! What a hard day’s work! In the end, everything went smoothly!

You wiped imaginary sweat off your forehead and began to turn on your heels, about to leave.

“—Leaving so soon?”

Just then, you felt something wrap around your waist, pulling you back.

“Huh...?”

You were about to resist until you heard the next words.

“Stay for a bit more. I haven’t complimented you about your stunning sleight of hand.”

‘Sleight of hand,’ he said...

As your field of vision turned upside down, you couldn’t help but dwell on the latter half of his sentence.

That was right. Sleight of hand, instead of magic trick. As if, as if...

In the next moment, you were staring directly into his cyan-violet eyes. They were so close, you felt as if you might be drawn into them.

As you sunk into his lap, you saw his eyes narrowing into the shape of crescent moons. He confirmed your doubts, whispering softly into your ear.

“It’s amazing, what you did with the phone and the wallet.”

“!!”

Just like that, you found yourself on top of the notoriously undefeated hot gambler, known for his endless stroke of good luck.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ６】

[maidflowery]

“May I have that?” Suddenly, Aventurine pointed at the bouquet you held close to your chest. “Huh? Y-you mean these paper flowers?” “Yes. I’ll be sure to cherish it.” He said, trying to reassure you.

A. Give him the bouquet

[look at his reaction here!]

B. Don't give him the bouquet

ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕔 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕘𝕦𝕪𝕤!

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♣♣♣ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 9

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ８】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐕𝐒 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 (2)

╔══ ≪ ♠♢♠ ≫ ══╗

“You’re most definitely getting punched.”

The briefing for tonight’s plan began, unsurprisingly, with Marius. Who else could it be? He nonchalantly propped his face against his hand. Honestly, he might as well have been sipping juice while casually adding, "Oh, and he'll probably dropkick you too, no big deal."

You, who sat around the table with Teo and Christy, raised your hand like a diligent student.

"A question!”

“Ask away.”

“You said 'most definitely,' so it isn’t certain. What’s the percentage like?"

Marius, who sat in front of all of you, crossed his arms with a look of contemplation. Since it was a secluded spot, away from the main dance venue, the music was distant. In fact, you could even hear him ponder, “hmm...”

“Ninety-nine-point nine percent.”

“Holy shit!” You couldn’t help but exclaim, but quickly regained your composure. "But only if he’s upset, right? Then, if I keep him entertained—"

"You'll probably get seven words out before his fist flies to your face—this is in the ideal scenario. Why do you think I instructed all the waiters to stay away from his table?”

No wonder I didn’t see any waiters serving their table this whole time!

“I won’t even get to say the introductory line like that! No, I’d be lucky if I even got any word out!”

"Are you seriously considering performing a magic show for them?"

“Well...”

You stared sadly at the small paper bouquet in your hand, crafted to match your idol's eye color and your favorite flower. It seemed that giving this to Aventurine was nothing more than a pipe dream.

“What’s wrong?” Marius tilted his head with an oblivious look on his face.

“Everything?! The magic show aside, going there just to get punched is—”

“So what? Just duck.”

“’Just duck,’ my ass!! Why didn’t you duck that night, huh?!”

“What?! Remind me again, who signed up for all of this?!”

As things were getting personal between you and Marius, Christy and Teo interrupted from the side.

“Guys, I don’t think we have time for this...”

"No, really! He always goes for the face, so it gets predictable after a while! The key is to keep calm!”

Of course, one of this was unlike the others.

Teo continued, “He throws slow punches, too. If it helps, just take a deep breath, focus on his fist, then duck!”

...A tad too cheerfully, if you might add.

No, on a closer look, there was something resembling pride in his face, as if he’d gone through a countless battle and won.

Ah, but Teo... you would know best, wouldn't you? Yet you still tried to reassure me...

You choked, stifling a sob.

Was Big Baddie such a godforsaken menace? What was Teo's superior doing? Ah, right, he got punched, too...

Then what about the manager’s manager?!

This question of yours would be answered later.

"...Besides, if he takes a swing at you, a commotion will naturally follow. Slipping it into his pocket then shouldn’t be any harder than slipping a Band-Aid into someone's pocket mid-conversation? Or did I misjudge your abilities?”

Marius, who’d calmed down, explained. Deep cobalt blue eyes met yours, a glimmer of trust shining within.

“...! Marius... No, I-I’ll do it! If he punches me, I’ll duck!”

And that was how they encouraged you to get punched by Big Baddie.

“Well, just to be safe, here you go.” Marius slid a silver tray toward you, with a neatly folded handkerchief on top of it. “At Primavera, we never compromise on quality. This tray is crafted from—...”

The handkerchief, in particular, caught your eyes. You opened it to see the embroidery of a familiar-looking flower, woven with purple, tosca, azure, and cyan threads. Despite the dim lighting, the colorful threads shimmered with iridescence, as if radiating light of their own.

“It can even deflect bullet—hey, are you listening to me?”

“Eh? Oh, sorry, yeah, so it can deflect bullet, huh?”

You were too preoccupied to notice how outrageous that was.

Marius sighed, before staring at the handkerchief in your hand.

“You like that?”

“Yeah, I mean, this embroidery...”

"I have tons at home, no thanks to a certain idiot. Don’t you dare lose it.”

This time, you caught the inconsistency in his words. But before you could retort, Marius went on.

“Anyway, that thing reflects light like crazy even in the dark. If you feel things are getting dangerous, give it a wave. You have a three-second head start.”

“Got it! Count to three and run!”

“No, absolutely do not run.” Marius cut in; the words ‘are-you-stupid’ written all across his face.

“...Ah.”

You also realized your mistake. The main dance venue was filled with crowds. You also hadn’t accounted those who surrounded Aventurine and Big Baddie’s table! It was easy to imagine what would happen if you were to run in such a scenario.

Perhaps due to the confused look on your face, Marius explained, “When the time comes, you might panic and attempt to escape as quickly as possible, but those are the last things you should do. Instead, stay calm. I’d say this is the most important part.”

You gulped—and also the hardest part!!

“Then, focus on the flow of the crowd and find a gap, break, or split in it. When you see the chance, step inside—not too slow, but not too fast, either. Hold your head high and walk with purpose. Unconsciously, people will make way for you.”

With a faint yet proud grin, Marius taught you how to slip past the crowd. He was probably—no, he was definitely flexing, but this time, you couldn’t argue.

You recalled how he, Tasha, and Christy approached you, Teo, and the others. Naturally, Marius, being the first in line, was the first one you saw.

With languid steps, he effortlessly blended into the crowd, never once bumping into anyone. Despite blinding lights, or the darkness left by their absence, he never lost sight of his destination. His calm and composed demeanor masked any signs of tension or crisis.

It was definitely an impressive sight, not that you’d ever admit this out loud.

“Ooh! Marius is teaching you the technique! Congrats! He considers you one of us now!”

“Don’t worry! We got your back!”

Christy, the brunette with curly hair, winked and gave you a thumbs-up. You’d come to known her for her friendliness and easygoing nature. Teo also smiled and nodded.

That’s definitely reassuring...

“...No, actually, I’d prefer it if you stayed out of this.” Marius touted.

It was Teo’s time to shine.

“C’mon now, Marius. Since a commotion is bound to occur either way, you’ll need to do a lot of explaining later. Moreover, Lady Theia is coming to visit today. That’s where we’ll come in. You and I were in the bar...”

As Teo showed his expertise in dealing with the grouchy manager, you whispered to Christy.

“Who’s this ‘Lady Theia’?”

“Uh... She’s our CEO...”

Christy’s expression turned awkward and somewhat uneasy. She didn’t seem to want to elaborate further.

“...I guess it can’t be helped.”

Meanwhile, Teo managed to convince Marius, albeit the latter still seemed dissatisfied.

At the same time, Tasha, the tall waitress with straight black hair, returned to your table. She gave you an apologetic look and handed Marius a sheet of paper, which he promptly passed to you.

“Anyway, before we start, I’d like you to sign this.” Marius sternly stated while staring straight at you.

You stared at the words written in the paper and realized that it was a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Basically, you weren’t to disclose any of tonight’s events to anyone.

“Marius, you...!” Christy, who peeked at the paper from the side, sighed in exasperation.

“We’re basically trusting a random stranger with our internal issue, and I’d rather not have it hanging over my head for the foreseeable future.”

“—No, I get it. Does anyone have a pen?” You interjected before they could start quarrelling.

You thought Marius was just doing his job. Not only was he upholding the prestige of Primavera, but he was also covering his bases to prevent negative rumors and avoid being blackmailed later.

As you signed the paper under Marius’ watchful gaze, he spoke.

“...In accordance with clause three, you will be compensated for your efforts. This situation arose due to my oversight, and I wish to make amends by providing appropriate compensation.”

“Now, ask him for free meals every time you visit from here on out!”

With fiery eyes, Christy smacked you on the back.

“Ouch...”

“Emphasizes on 'appropriate compensation,'” Marius scowled.

Yeah, thought so...

Still, you had to make it count.

When you told Marius about the reward you sought, his deep-blue eyes widened slightly for a moment.

“...Understood. I’ll grant it once and if you successfully complete your duty. Pass me the pen.”

Then, Marius signed the NDA with flourish.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

Afterward, courtesy of Christy, you heard about the incident that involved the waiter, Judith.

The incident took place on the exclusive floor of Primavera, which only accepted reservations. his eagerness to flaunt his wealth. From what you’d heard, the difference between the main dance venue you usually visited and the exclusive floor was like night and day. Moreover, it came with a host of pretentious rules: strict dress codes, no reporters, journalists, or cameras allowed, personal servants only, and so on.

Since it cost an arm and a leg, booking a table was naturally a status symbol. Only the crème de la crème went there—old money, nouveau riche, celebrities, and influential figures—including Big Baddie. Apparently, Big Baddie usually would only dine there—which made sense, given his eagerness to flaunt his wealth.

The case itself was resolved peacefully, with both parties admitting fault. As such, the details weren’t made public.

Of course, the truth couldn’t be farther than that.

Unlike the main dance venue, on the exclusive floor, only the faint, almost inaudible clinking of silverware served as an accompaniment, as any other noises were frowned upon.

“—HOW DARE YOU?! Acting like a smartass now, bitch? You think I won’t remember what I said? You calling me senile?!”

“Eek... Marius, Marius...! You’re bleeding...!”

Amid the symphony of silence, Big Baddie’s bellow and Judith’s cries echoed as she clung to Marius.

Clink, clang, clang...

“Ahem.”

“Ugh...”

That night, even the crowds were unusually noisy. Purposeful and deliberate clattering of silverware against the porcelain plate rang in the background, accompanied by contemptuous, disdainful sounds directed at the ruckus.

“Marius, get a hold of yourself...!”

But no one made a move—not even the CEO of Primavera, who was present and conversing with the wealthy guests that night.

“He’s bleeding! Someone, please...! Call an ambulance...!”

Clink! Clang! Clang! Clang!

“I didn’t sign up for this!”

“Peace and quiet are too much to ask for, apparently!”

“Even a saloon offers a better service than this!”

“How unsightly.”

“Dear lord, take it outside!”

The rattling, clinking noises of expressed complaints and frustrations only grew louder as the gossiping murmurs became more heated. Only then did the CEO of Primavera stepped forward.

“—Is something the matter, Sir Billy Burnett?”

A cheerful, melodious voice that was off-tune with the overall atmosphere.

“Marius, how did things become such a mess?”

A question asked in a clueless, oblivious tone, yet unmistakably conveying, "How could you let things get to this point?"

“...My apologies, Lady Theia, this happened because—”

“—Lady Theia! Please help! This man...”

"Go on, tell her! Tell her everything you said, you lying skank!”

Perhaps provoked by Big Baddie, or driven by self-righteousness after seeing her friend wounded, Judith did exactly that.

"He said we deliberately messed up his order, but my colleagues can confirm that he specifically asked for that item!"

“Is that so?”

‘Serene.’

Such was the word Christy used to describe the CEO—Lady Theia’s—expression at that time.

"It seems that you have yet to understand your position."

If Judith made any mistake that night, it was believing the CEO would take her side.

"In Primavera, the food, the drink, the music, the service, and the staff all exist for one purpose: to provide enjoyment to the guests. If a guest says 'black,' then it is black, and the same goes for the opposite. Yet, you dare to disregard a guest’s wish. Just now, you said that your colleagues will back you up on this?”

“I-I...”

It wasn’t even about who was right and who was wrong.

“Then, they’re all accomplices. Gather them here. They are to receive equal punishment. Sir Billy, deal with them as you see fit. Consider this an apology from Primavera."

“No...!”

“AHAHAHA! That look on your face! Absolutely fucking priceless! Now round them up!” Billy burst out laughing, cracking his fists.

“—If my staff behave unsatisfactorily, it is my responsibility as the manager for failing to properly educate them. The blame and any resulting punishment are mine to accept.”

A solemn, unwavering voice resounded in the air.

“Marius, no...!”

"Oh, is this lovely new recruit from your little village again, Marius?"

A voice filled with panic, and one completely the opposite of it.

“Stay the fuck out of this! You wanna play saint? Fine! How many colleagues does this bitch have? 20? 30?”

“With the addition of the new interns, there are approximately 75 staff members working at this branch.”

A serene, cheerful voice helpfully added from the side.

“Seventy-five punches, then! I’ll smash your head in!”

“Understood.”

Why didn’t Marius duck that night?

“If you back down halfway, your staff will make up for the rest!”

“...”

What about the manager’s manager?

“I shall bear witness and count. At Primavera, we do not offer apologies that are anything less than complete.”

“No... NOOO! I-i-it’s all my fault...! I beg of you...! It was my mistake, I misre—no, I lied, I lied! So, stop this! Please! Please stop! Don’t hurt him!”

In the end, Judith begged on her knees, crying.

Afterward, by a stroke of luck, Big Baddie was called away for an urgent meeting. Although Marius was spared from enduring 75 blows, he still faced consequences from the higher-ups, ultimately leading to Judith's resignation.

Ultimately, no justice was served.

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

You had always thought of it as odd.

When the twins stole from Big Baddie, Teo prepared to take the beating. Then Marius stepped forward to take the fall for him. The two readily tried to appease his wrath, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

But now you know why. What else could they do?

Their CEO and even the police refused to do anything about it. Even such a huge commotion was disguised as a case resolved peacefully, with both parties shaking hands and hugging each other.

It certainly wasn’t a solution, and it didn’t address the problem in the slightest. In the future, Big Baddie would surely cause more chaos, and someone else might end up bearing the brunt of it.

But at least, in that moment, someone else didn’t have to suffer.

The same went for your plan tonight.

In reality, what would returning Big Baddie’s wallet and phone even solve?

You’d just be delaying the siblings’ suffering. They wouldn’t suddenly become friends down the road, would they? Letting them endure something they shouldn't for one more night was simply unbearable.

Hence, this whole time, you racked your brain for a plan to put an end to Big Baddie’s atrocities, once and for all.

How to bring about the downfall of someone so high and mighty?

You thought long and hard, even when you were sitting on top of your idol’s lap.

Now, you felt like an idiot for doing so, when the answer was staring at you all along.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 10】

Afterword:

I thought it's about time you guys meet Marius! Do tell me if he's anything like you imagined him! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♧♧♧ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 3

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ２】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘅 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿—𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸. 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝘆—𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺.

╔══ ≪ ♥♥♥ ≫ ══╗

Aventurine's reign of terror on Primavera ended after his 8th victory.

After that, he no longer showed up daily, but instead two or thrice a week, usually on the weekend—probably to the staff’s relief.

Since Aventurine had become somewhat of a local sensation, this change threw many into confusion, and many rumors began circulating.

Some said that he was just bored, while others believed that there was something deeper going on behind the scenes. Word went around that someone threatened to expose him for foul play, or that he was almost robbed on the way home.

Despite being there to witness his 8th victory, you couldn’t say much because you dashed home after trying wagyu steak for the first time in your entire life.

In your defense, you were afraid that Aventurine would withdraw the offer after seeing everyone dining literally like kings.

Ah, weeks later, I can still taste the tenderness of the meat and the sweet savory sauce...

But honestly, work probably just got busy or something, considering he worked at such a high-profile company.

Personally, the weekends were literally your only days off, so no complaints there.

...No, if anything, you were immensely grateful to him!

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

“—I’m late!!”

You were running with all your might.

Before anything else, no, you weren’t running late to work. In fact, you just got off one.

That day was Saturday, so there was no class. Even during the weekend, sometimes you had a shift to cover, and today was the example.

Growl.

You hadn’t had dinner yet, so your stomach was rumbling. You'd also be lying if you said you weren't tired. However, you were smiling from ear to ear.

As for where you were headed to, it was none other than the fanciest nightclub that countryside town had to offer. Yes, Primavera.

The nightclub's dazzling entrance stood before you. Neon lights in vibrant hues of pink, blue, and green illuminated the facade, casting a pulsating glow onto the surrounding pavement. The door itself was flanked by towering LED screens displaying animated graphics and the club's logo. A velvet rope, guarded by impeccably dressed bouncers, marked the entrance, while a red carpet invited guests to step into the glamorous world beyond.

You casually strode inside, making your way through the flashy hallway. The walls were adorned with large, abstract artworks bathed in soft, ambient lighting that shifted subtly in color, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Mirrored panels lined one side of the hallway, reflecting glimpses of the stylishly dressed patrons passing by.

It didn’t take long for you to find the main dance floor.

Including the first time your friends invited you out, it was the fifth time you had been there this month.

And no, it wasn’t because you were suddenly promoted to a CEO or something.

Upon arriving, you immediately shot a glance at the bar section of the venue.

“Nice! I made it in time!”

As usual, the smoking hot blond gambler was playing poker against his opponent at the table reserved for them, surrounded by a large crowd. From the looks of it, the game had been going on for some time.

Aventurine was probably smiling as usual. As for his opponent, you really couldn’t make out his expression from here, but your condolences.

Having made sure that you hadn’t missed the highlight of that night, you went to look for a staff member.

Despite the flashing lights, you could easily find them due to their fancy uniforms. A few were standing nearby with polite smiles etched to their faces.

"The menu, please!" You asked like you owned the place.

When they heard that, their expressions twitched, but you pretended not to notice. None of them moved, though. Did they not hear you or something?

Just as you were about to repeat your order, something slid in front of you. A sleek, large book bound in black leather. It was the menu.

You turned around and saw a bluish-haired young man holding out the menu to you.

This guy...!

When you saw his face, you had to do a double take.

Generally speaking, the youth was good-looking. He was lean and slender, without any excess weight anywhere. His posture was firm and elegant, while each of his movement was graceful. His slicked-back hair, coupled with the tuxedo, made him look like a real-life European butler. As a side note, he was short.

What’s with those dead fish eyes...!?

Yes, the first thing that caught your eyes was his hollow, bleak gaze. It reminded you of the saying, “If you stare at the abyss, the abyss stares back.”

But soon, you were also reminded that it was rude to stare.

“T-thanks.”

You were about to receive the menu when the butler(?) suddenly retracted his hand.

What?

You looked up at him again, feeling both confused and shocked.

You were stunned by what you saw—the butler(?) was outright scowling at you! Not to mention, it was a look of pure contempt and disdain!

What the hell is that about?!

Then, as if it was just a lie, he reverted back to his expressionless face.

As you were reeling from what had just happened, you heard him say in the most fed-up tone.

“...It’s you.”

“Excuse me??”

You tried to reach for the menu again, but the butler(?) swiftly evaded your hand. It happened twice, and then thrice, so it sure as hell ain’t a coincidence. He was pissing you off.

What’s with this guy?!

Thus, your battle with the annoying butler(?) began.

“Is this how you treat a customer?! Shame on you! This is coming from someone who also works in the service industry!”

In the middle of the fight, you tried to assert your customer rights. You had managed to grab a hold of the menu and was trying to seize it from him.

In response, the butler(?) scoffed. "Ha. A customer would pay for their order. Do that, and I’ll release this.”

“As far as I recall, all of my meals have been paid!” You shot back in retaliation.

Technically, they were—just not out of your own pocket.

The butler(?) smirked. "Uh-huh. Are you banking on that gambler winning and treating everyone again?"

He took advantage of the timing to pull the menu so hard, you almost toppled over, but you held on.

Damn! This guy is so slim! Where does all this strength come from?!

You used a low and wide stance for better stability, and grip the menu firmly with both hands!

“Well, it’s happened the last four times, so what’s stopping him from doing just that this time!?”

Slow and steady were the keys; you managed to pull back the menu inch by inch.

Amidst the altercation, his colleagues entered your vision. They still didn’t budge.

Are you just going to pretend nothing happened? Okay then.

“Who knows? I heard that his opponent is especially tough tonight. A top global poker player.”

“Yes, but I’m sure he’ll win anyway!”

“Then have the decency to place your order when he actually does!”

“Does it matter?! Either way, I’m getting my food!”

“Of course it does! Who would be so shameless as to order without any intention of paying?! Even daring to ask for the menu in advance! The sheer audacity!”

After enjoying a lavish meal totally free of charge four times, dare you say that you had gotten a bit... bolder? With Aventurine around, even a beggar could be a chooser!

Then, as you engaged in a tug-of-war with the butler(?) over the menu, the crowd that had filled the room all the way to the entrance suddenly erupted in cheers.

“As expected of Aventurine!!”

“Aventurine, you’re so amazing!!”

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Victory!"

"We love you Aventurine!”

"Our champion!"

"Well done!"

"Incredible!"

—Followed by a cheerful, carefree voice as if the owner hadn’t just won millions by just sitting around and twirling cards.

“Well, well, I see that everyone is as lively as ever. As always, I really appreciate it. The tab’s on me!”

Even louder cheers ensued, and at the same time, you realized that the menu had eased into your hands. However, the butler(?) hadn’t completely let go.

You turned to look at him and shot him the nastiest grin you could muster.

“Heh.”

The butler(?) still wouldn’t let go! Also, that disdainful scowl was back! It was on full display this time!

How persistent!

Just as you were prepared to start round two of tug of war, a much friendlier, yet hesitant voice could be heard.

“C’mon now, Marius. That’s not how you should treat a customer.”

Damn right!

After frequenting this place, you’d become quite familiar to some of the staff and patrons, so you recognized the voice right away.

“Bartender!” You turned around with glee.

An older man with wavy ginger hair tied in a ponytail had come over. He was clad in a classy business vest and pure white shirt. In his hands was a tray with an iced colorful beverage.

He was Teo, the one and only bartender of Primavera! 

Yes, the same guy who stopped you from bringing their cocktail glass home the first time you went here! 

On top of that, he was also good-looking!

However, a voice much colder than the icy drink the bartender was carrying interrupted your reunion.

“I see it as nipping the problem in the bud. You’ll be thanking me later when you have one less entitled beggar to deal with.”

“Excuse me?!?!”

Keep in mind that you and the butler(?), Marius, were still in the middle of a tug of war.

In response, Teo smiled as if troubled. “You’re being too harsh. Besides, we’re the ones who advertised free meals if Aventurine wins the game. Doing so and not making good on our words would be false advertising.”

Teo seemed accustomed to Marius' antics and coaxed him like an older brother, with patience as vast as the ocean.

“Tsk. Emphasize on the word ‘if.’”

At last, Marius relented. Finally, the menu was yours!

Marius was about to turn on his heels and leave, but not before shooting you one last menacing glance.

“Let’s see how long his luck will last, shall we?” He scoffed; his lips twisting into a sardonic grin.

He left with those words.

All right, that’s it—!

You’ve had enough!

“I want to speak to the manager!”

You demanded Teo, who stood there looking uneasy.

Then, he awkwardly replied.

“You... kind of already did, just now.”

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

You stood in front of the bar, placing an order for your meal. After waiting in the queue, your turn finally arrived. By the way, Aventurine was nowhere to be seen.

The one who took it was, of course, Teo.

“—Cheer up. You were about to order this, yes? I especially prepared it for you.”

During this hard time, only Teo and his angelic smile were there to nurse your bruised ego. Compared to that guy from earlier, Marius, the difference was like heaven and hell.

You stared at the tray he was carrying earlier.

Whenever you went to Primavera, you’d make sure to order different food, but your drink would remain the same no matter what.

“Here, a glass of ‘Lazuli Bells.’”

A vibrantly-colored drink consisting of three layers. The purple upper layer was a concoction made of grape punch and some flower extract. The second layer, which was cyan-colored, was made of fizzy bubblegum soda. The third layer, the thickest and darkest one, was pure blueberry syrup. The sweet and floral fragrance blended well with the refreshing fruity flavor.

There was no alcohol content because Teo had tweaked it for you, who were a light drinker. Now, you can enjoy it without worry. How thoughtful and considerate of him.

“Thank you. You don’t have to do this, really.”

You shyly received the drink from him. The vibrant green mint leaf bobbled on top as you did so.

Teo smiled earnestly. “On top of increasing the flower extract, I also added a dash of raspberry and a spoonful of honey to the grape punch this time. Do let me know your thoughts!”

“I’ll be sure to!”

That was the least you could do. The guy seemed to sincerely enjoy his work.

You took the glass of drink to your usual spot.

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

Previously, you mentioned that after your frequent visit, you had become acquainted with the staff and patrons of Primavera.

In reality, there were only two of them. One staff, and one patron. No, of course Marius wasn’t included. The staff being Teo, as for the patron...

Your usual spot was located at the farthest corner of the bar section. After the Aventurine fever, everyone was scrambling to get a front seat to witness the star of the night. Hence, it could be said to be the worst seat ever.

At the very least, you weren’t alone.

At your usual spot, sat a girl wearing a hooded, hand-knitted poncho. The entirety of her outfit had a neutral color palette, blending in with the crowd. Due to how the hood was drawn to her face, only a glimpse of her navy-blue hair could be seen from time to time.

From the moment you first laid eyes on her, you could feel a spirit of camaraderie.

—Ah, this girl also doesn’t want to stand out like I am!

You were the somewhat introverted and quiet girl at the class. Usually, you’d spend your weekend playing games at your dorm. As such, you didn’t want anybody to notice that you went there instead, all by yourself.

“Hey!”

You called out, and the girl turned to you.

The face underneath the hood was, to put it simply, so f*cking gorgeous! So much so that you still gasped whenever you saw her to this day.

A pair of round sapphire eyes. A fine, delicate nose bridge. Tiny, doll-like lips.

When she saw you, she smiled.

Once again, you were reminded of what it meant “to light up the room.”

—Damn! Be still, my rapidly beating heart!

You had to clutch your chest.

Staring into her eyes was akin to stargazing. Whenever she smiled, it felt like witnessing the radiant night sky, lit by a multitude of stars across the universe.

How can someone this beautiful exist!?

It shouldn’t be strange for a place as elite as Primavera to be filled with gorgeous-looking people, yet you still couldn’t get used to it.

“...I thought you’d never come. O-oh! I mean nothing by that. I’ve just been waiting, that's all, no offense...”

The girl panicked, covering her mouth with both hands. Even her gesture had a languorous beauty to it.

“None taken, Celine.”

You reassured the panicking girl and took a seat next to her. Soon, you noticed the thing on top of her lap.

“Another embroidery?” “—Lazuli Bells?”

Apparently, Celine also noticed the drink you were holding.

The two of you had always sat together since you first met her during your second visit. And like you said, you always ordered the same drink. So, it would make sense for Celine to recognize it.

At a glance, it looked like an average multicolored drink that any restaurant would serve, though. You didn’t remember ever mentioning the name to her.

“Yes, that’s right! Does Celine know this as well? I heard that it’s infused with Primavera’s home-grown special flower! If I recall correctly, the name is—”

“—Lazurite. I can smell it from here... It’s subtle, with a faint hint of sweetness that isn’t too overpowering...”

Celine had a serene look on her face, as if she was reminiscing about her fondest memories. She lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes fluttering like a pair of butterfly wings, and brushed aside a lock of hair that fell to her face. 

Once again, you had to clutch your chest.

“La-lazurite, yes, sounds like an ore, doesn’t it?”

Celine chuckled at your comment. It didn’t seem to be her first time hearing it.

“Hehe, actually...” She showed you the embroidery hoop, which was about the size of her palm. “You’ll know once you see the actual flower.”

“Wow! Celine, this is so amazing!”

Depicted in that pure white fabric was a stalk of azure flower in full bloom, surrounded by a bunch of bell-shaped buds, woven meticulously by hands. Calling it “azure” may not be precise, seeing as some petals were either blue or purple.

"The flower is purple during the day but partially turns blue at night, just like the twilight sky. The petals also reflect the light. Once, there was a vast field filled with only lazurite flowers. It was as if there were two starry skies—both in the sky and on the ground."

Hence, "lazurite"—the combination of "lazuli" and "meteorite." Flowers that blossomed and illuminated the entire field, making it seem like the starlit skies.

As Celine explained, you could tell that she was whisked away by the sweet memories of the flowers.

“That sounds really wonderful. I wish I could see them, too. Do they exist in this town?”

You asked because you only moved here for college.

Celine reverted to her usual subdued smile. In that particular moment, she seemed a bit sad, somehow.

"Sorry... I didn’t mean to raise your hopes, I mean, you can, but it definitely won’t be easy...”

“Huh? Why did something happen to them?”

“No, no... They just aren’t widely available anymore. Right now, on this entire planet, the flower can only be found in Primavera, probably...”

“HUH?!”

You were so shocked, you almost dropped your drink. Right, your drink. Your eyes slowly and abruptly landed on the multicolored drink in your hand.

What have you been putting into your mouth?!?!

Besides, Celine seemed to be fond of those flowers. Did that mean all these past weeks, right in front of her, you...

“S-sorry! I didn’t mean to surprise you...!” Celine was in panic mode again.

“Does that mean I’ve been drinking the world’s rarest flower?! Oh my god!!”

“No! Despite how it may sound, the flower isn’t rare or anything! Please, don’t let me spoil your drink!”

“I’ve been contributing to their extinction, Celine!!”

“Like I said, it isn’t like that—!”

After some back and forth, you found out that when she said "can only be found in Primavera," she meant they had a bunch of greenhouses filled with just lazurite flowers and had been tending to them religiously.

“Phew.”

After that had been resolved, you sat next to your friend, enjoying your drink.

“...Amazing. This drink never ceases to amaze me. It’s as if flowers are blooming in my mouth.”

Meanwhile, Celine was busy tending to her own “flowers.” On top of the blank white cloth confined within a plain wooden hoop, was a mirror to another realm. Like a magic wand, her needle made countless tiny, blue-purple blossoms grow in that meadow. Once she had envisioned her next piece, there was no talking to her for the next few minutes.

...Honestly, from the first time you saw her, you thought that a cozier, more relaxing place would suit her more. For example, a European-style café. But who were you to judge?

Besides, she did mention that she came from an old-fashioned family, so she seldom visited this kind of place.

As you savored your drink, you held up your glass towards the ceiling. The ice cubes clinked as the beads of condensation trickled to your hand.

Within your glass, the lights coming from the multitude of chandeliers seemed to dilute into one, swirling, expanding, undulating...

At the same time, the triple layers—purple, blue, and navy—grew sharper in color.

Before you knew the name and the lore behind it, you just thought that the drink looked nice.

You were enraptured by the colors, and before you knew it, you got lost in them.

Finally, it became your favorite color combination.

‘Lazuli Bells,’ huh...

After learning and seeing the embroidery of the flower, you could see what the multicolored drink was supposed to resemble.

Don’t get me wrong, the flower is nice and all, but...

“—Today is your lucky day!”

Today, Celine was the one who broke you out of your reverie. Usually, it was the other way around.

“...Sorry, did you say something?”

Celine seemed excited about something, so much so that her embroidery was left unattended.

"I forgot to mention this before, but tonight, Aventurine will be facing two opponents! Right now, he’s taking a small break, but you will see him again soon!”

“Huh?! S-so what...?!”

Your first response was to deny it.

“Hehe. I intended for it to be a surprise, but I can’t stand seeing you looking so sad.”

“Who’s sad?! I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

You weren’t sad. Not at all. In fact, happiness began to spread in your chest as you desperately feigned ignorance.

Then, as Celine giggled, the one and only man himself, Aventurine, entered your view.

For a second, your heart stopped beating.

Amidst the clamoring of crowds, the blond gambler made his way towards his designated spot.

For a second, you were disappointed that he stopped there, so far away from your usual spot.

Then, as he stood in front of his seat, Aventurine reached for his glossy top hat, adorned with a single peacock feather.

...Hat’s off.

After tracing the brim of his hat, Aventurine lightly removed it, letting it droop on his fingertips.

A single flap of his cloak.

Just as you predicted, he used his other hand to eloquently swish the tail of his coat.

Cross one leg.

Lastly, as he sat down, he placed one long leg on top of the other, leaning his arm against the premium couch.

Inwardly, you smiled in satisfaction. After watching him numerous times, you had that introductory gesture of his memorized.

Afterwards, Aventurine engaged in a conversation with his second opponent that night, paying no heed to anything else. From your seat, you could barely make out his profile, with the crowd and mass media swarming around.

...How strange.

The first time you saw him, he was right behind you, so much so that it took one simple greeting to direct his attention to you.

Yet, knowing that you would never be brave enough to take that one simple step, you could only swallow your bitterness.

Unconsciously, you held up your drink again, this time lower than before, around the same level as your face.

Reflected within that convex glass, the blond gambler seemed a bit bigger—an inch closer.

Then, instead of his reflection, you focused on the colorful layers of the drink.

Purple, blue, navy—each turning a deeper shade under the light, just like his eyes when he turned around to look at you the day you first met him.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　４】

[maidflowery]

Fortified Wager ♧♧♧ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 4

♦︎♦︎ Aventurine x Reader ♦︎♦︎ 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕

🄱🄰🄲🄺 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ３】

𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗻. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱—𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻? 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁. 𝗔 𝗳𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲.

╔══ ≪ ♢♤♢ ≫ ══╗

How much change could happen in a week?

Someone on a diet could probably lose 0.5–1 kg. Hair and fingernails could grow by about 0.1 inches. A tree could grow by about 3–6 inches. In short, not much.

Nothing could make a 180-degree turn in such a brief period, except a bean sprout.

However, stepping into Primavera that day proved how mistaken you were.

Upon arriving at the main dance floor, you were greeted by the person you neither expected nor wished to see.

“Good night, esteemed customer! I hope the day finds you well! Would you like to take a look at our menu? Better place your order now before our favorite gambler starts playing!”

Yes, it was Marius, the manager.

But instead of dead fish eyes and a scowl, he was smiling from ear to ear, welcoming you as if he hadn’t brawled with you over the menu last week.

Who are you and what have you done to Marius?

Also, you couldn’t help but notice that his hair wasn’t slicked back. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the place was more crowded and livelier than usual.

“I, uh... I have no money—I mean, I ate already... I-I’ll buy something later, probably... maybe...”

The drastic shift in tone creeped you out so much that you inadvertently fessed up on the spot.

“Doesn’t matter! Our impressive gambler will come out victorious! We both know that!”

Pretty sure that wasn’t what he said last week.

Then, as if he didn’t hear any of your words, Marius started flipping through the menu, directing your attention to a certain page.

“—We’d also like to bring a certain special offer to your attention.”

Ah, here it is.

As you stared at Marius, who showed a perfect manager's smile, you scoffed inside.

He’s still green.

Why would he bring up their hot deal to someone who was obviously penniless? Maybe he was new to this whole business thing. Probably got his current position from his family or something.

Well, letting him pitch the deal to you wouldn’t hurt. You decided to listen to him while thinking of some nice words to turn him down later. After all, no matter how good the offer was, you’d never—

“—We proudly call this the Golden Jackpot series. Pretty self-explanatory, isn’t it? A purchase of one of these desserts comes with a lotto ticket that may or may not allow you to meet and greet our favorite gambler!”

“...A WHAT?!”

For a split second, you swear you saw his grin widening.

If you were in his shoes, you’d be too, because you had massively piqued the curiosity of your customer.

“Yes. There are only 100 lotto tickets available at the moment. Worry not, even if you don’t obtain the ultimate prize, you might still get his photocards, complete with his autograph.”

...Where am I right now?

Did I accidentally stumble into an idol meet and greet?!

But then again, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

Every week, you never failed to show up to watch his game. Your excuse of being there only for the freebies stopped being valid the moment you stayed late into the night just to see if he would win. You also researched and followed news about him from time to time.

You did all of this entirely on your own, without being asked, just because of his dashingly handsome look and his crazy luck.

Someone who had a strong interest and admiration towards someone else, while supporting and following him even though he didn’t even know you existed—what was that if not a fan?

There, you admitted it.

A fan of Aventurine, that was who you were.

Oblivious to the sudden and depressing epiphany you had reached, Marius went on.

“By the way, there is only 1 lotto ticket for the meet and greet, and 5 for the photocards. Currently, there are only 18 lotto tickets left. Three people have won the photocards, while the grand prize remains unclaimed.”

“Wait?! That fast?! Since when did you start selling them?!”

“Only today. The announcement was right there in our Winsta.”

“N-no way... 82 tickets are sold out already...”

That would explain why the place was bustling.

You glanced around, and sure enough, the crowd mostly consisted of young women. Stylish and attractively-dressed young women, some could be seen clutching glossy Bearkin bags.

Meanwhile, you went there as soon as your shift ended, so you were still wearing your uniform, along with your trusty, old waist bag. You couldn’t help but feel self-conscious.

Then, you looked at the menu.

True to their premium atmosphere, the desserts looked so exquisite, yet not over-the-top. Every single one of them had a gold accent to it.

...The price, though.

The price of a single, dainty-looking dessert was equivalent to that of an entire meal at a standard family restaurant.

M-maybe I can just wait until Aventurine wins the game... no, wait—

It was at that moment.

You looked up at Marius again. He was still maintaining his flawless smile. Except this time, you realized that it wasn’t the impeccable smile of a high-end nightclub manager, but The Devil.

—All of the tickets will be sold out by then!!

If you waited until Aventurine won the game, it’d be free. But would they still be available at that time? Most unlikely. But if you bought it now...

You recalled a snippet of conversation Marius had with the bartender, Teo.

“You’re being too harsh. Besides, we’re the ones who advertised free meals if Aventurine wins the game. Doing so and not making good on our words would be false advertising.”

“Tsk. Emphasize on the word ‘if.’”

Since Aventurine technically hadn’t won yet, you’d have to pay for it!

Dammit—! This guy’s good—!

You cursed inwardly while being in awe at the same time.

“First of all!” you said to Marius, “Did you forget that Aventurine brought in all these new customers for your nightclub?! He even paid for their tabs! Capitalizing on him despite all that is absolutely disgusting!”

“The man himself didn’t mind.” Marius nonchalantly replied.

“Doesn’t make it better! Seriously, whose idea is this?!”

“Mine.”

“You soulless, greedy bastard! I’m buying a Lucky Star Grape Pudding from the Golden Series! No, two!”

“Thank you for your purchase. We appreciate your business and hope you enjoy your meal!”

Marius triumphantly bent forward at the waist, his back straight and his arms at his sides. As he lowered his head, his navy side bangs fell to his face, revealing a purple mark on his left cheek, right beside his ear.

It was a bruise. It definitely wasn’t there last week. And from the deep shade of purple, it must’ve been recent.

You were taken aback.

“...That’s, uh, what’s with that?”

“!”

Marius jolted at your question. He didn’t need to follow the direction of your gaze to know what you were referring to. He immediately concealed the bruise with his hair.

“...”

Did someone punch him?

“Aha.”

You smirked. Was it because of an attitude problem?

“...Tsk.”

Marius clicked his tongue again, perhaps sensing your rude thoughts.

“...Your order will be out shortly.”

Having no reason to remain there, he turned on his heels.

“Wait!”

When you called out to him, Marius stopped walking, but made no attempt to face you.

You fished out something from your waist bag, before reaching out to him.

“...Here, please use this. It looks painful.”

Slowly, Marius turned around. His dark blue eyes landed on the kitty-themed Band-Aid in your hand, wordlessly staring at it.

“I-it happens to the best of us! I sometimes get hurt at work, too! That’s why I always bring some Band-Aids!”

Unable to withstand the awkward silence, you rambled on.

After a while, Marius accepted—or more like, snatched the Band-Aid. Then, he left, just like that.

Gee, not even a thank you?

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

“...I’ve been had.”

There were two fancy puddings and a wallet on the table in front of you. One intact, the other was half-eaten, and the last one deflated.

You sat there, also deflated, with two losing tickets.

Since there were 18 tickets with 1 ultimate prize and 2 photocards, the odds of drawing a winning ticket were 1 in 6. Yes, your luck sucked ass.

“There, there...”

Like usual, Celine sat next to you. She was trying to cheer you up for your loss.

“I can see why anyone would fall for it. That manager was so charming and bold in his delivery! He also knows the surefire way to the customer’s heart!”

...She was cheering you up, right?

“More like the customer’s wallet. Celine, are you siding with him right now?”

“M-most assuredly not! I was just impressed by his skill, that’s all... A-ahaha...”

Celine laughed awkwardly, obviously lying. Also, from the way she spoke about Marius, it seemed like she had been observing him for a long time?

Does Celine have a crush for that rude manager or something?

Now that you thought about it, they both had blue hair, although Celine's was brighter. Was it out of a sense of camaraderie or something?

Oh, well. You weren’t going to pry.

You turned to the two desserts in front of you, trying to avert your gaze from the reality that anytime now, a customer—most likely a woman—would snatch the ultimate prize and walk up toward Aventurine.

You stabbed the dainty golden fork into the grape pudding. The way it easily sunk into the silky, jiggly pudding, revealing the golden custard underneath, made you anticipate how it would taste in your mouth. Even more so when the honey and yogurt glacé topping started pooling inside the indentation you had made, coating the bite you had just scooped.

You gulped, then took a bite.

It’s so yummy—! So annoyingly yummy—!

The soft pudding melted in your mouth, the richness of the custard mixing with the sweet and sour grape, tied together by the creamy and thick glacé into a fantastic harmony.

Truly a flavor you’d never forget in a lifetime.

The only thing that was stopping you from licking the bowl clean was the fact that you were sitting beside someone as graceful as Celine.

With dishes this crazy delicious and expensive, they shouldn’t have the need to profit off Aventurine!

You glanced at your surroundings.

Many things have certainly changed since the first time you went there.

The most obvious one was that, besides the dance floor, there was also a crowd in the bar section eagerly watching Aventurine play. Actually, whether they came here—the main dance floor—to dance or to watch him play, you could no longer tell. And the size had only grown since the first day.

Especially after what had taken place recently.

Not really “recently,” as outside news reached the rural town slowly. But it was public knowledge now that Aventurine played a key role as an IPC personnel in reclaiming Penacony three weeks ago. And since this town had business ties with IPC, everyone received it favorably, boosting Aventurine’s popularity as a result.

Penacony was, FYI, a planet.

Aventurine garnered the spotlight after wagering his own life as easily as he would all his chips in poker to forge his way to victory.

When you almost died trying to solve a calculus problem in a study group, he and his team had conquered a whole planet.

It was certainly shocking news, but to you, it wasn’t all that unexpected.

From the moment you saw him, you knew something was different about him.

He had the air of someone who was destined for greatness. Now that it had become reality, everyone began to recognize him for who he was.

In the past, he was just a member of a clan everyone loved to discriminate against.

Now, he was a force to be reckoned with.

You and he came from two different worlds.

Even now, as much as you’d like to say that you were “watching Aventurine play,” you could only catch a glimpse of him from time to time because of the enormous crowd.

Try as you might, there was a boundary you couldn’t breach—a line you couldn’t cross.

“All this huge crowd came just to see him, huh? And the nightclub is trying to milk it for all it’s worth...”

You muttered to no one in particular.

Primavera? More like Primaventurine!

Even though they were trying to prevent him from winning in the beginning...

I guess when there’s profit to be made, the enemy of yesterday is friend of today...

You looked around again, playing "spot the differences" between your first visit and today.

Aventurine now had his own groupies and a crowd, all cheering for him to win. People were enjoying fine dining for free. You wouldn’t doubt that some were in dire straits—perhaps a broke college student struggling to get by or a homeless person without anything to eat. Happy, content staff members.

At a nearby table, a group of men were holding candles as they recited a prayer for a sacred mass. You even spotted a staff member among them.

Some of their murmurs reached you.

“...This is where our lord and savior, Aventurine, sat on his first day here.”

"Back then, I was dying of hunger when our Lord said, 'Everyone shall dine like a king,' and thus saved me."

“...We shall pray from the bottom of our hearts. May his game be blessed again tonight.”

“Ever since He graced us with his presence, the profit of our nightclub has tripled—no, quadrupled! Bless his soul!”

...Yep, let’s pretend I never saw that.

You decided while keeping a mental note to never, ever approach that one table.

Anyway, Aventurine was happy. The people were happy. The staff were happy. You were happy. Even the children were happy, running around...

...Wait, CHILDREN?

You did a double take.

A girl and a boy—seemingly a pair of twins—was running amidst the crowd.

WHAT ARE CHILDREN DOING IN A NIGHTCLUB?!

🂥 🂠 🂧 🂠

With some effort, you managed to get the twins to notice you.

As you beckoned to them, they approached you with a spring in their steps. The twins looked no older than elementary school kids, both sporting ginger hair. Their outfits were also drab-looking.

Why do they seem familiar...?

“Big Sis, do you need something?” “Need something?”

The boy grinned at you, revealing his missing front teeth, while the pig-tailed girl mimicked him.

The twins were anything but shy, alright.

At the same time, you were worried at how easily they approached a stranger.

...Or maybe, the children felt at ease with you? One of them even called you “Big Sis”! One of your previous jobs involved working with children, so perhaps the skill carried over?

“Hello there! You seem to be having a lot of fun!”

You asked them, trying to sound like the friendliest and most reassuring Big Sis in the world.

In response, the twins stared at each other and giggled.

“Yes, we are having fun!” “A LOT of fun!”

“Oh? Is that so? What have you been up to?”

Or more like, what have your parents been up to?

Deep down, you were angry. Where were their parents? Was this one of those cases where the parents abandoned their children to play at the casino?

Then, after whispering with his twin sister, the boy beckoned for you to come closer.

“Is this supposed to be a secret?”

Nod. Nod.

The boy nodded.

“Tell me all about it!”

You kneeled and offered your ear to him.

The boy eagerly whispered to you, as if he had been waiting to share it.

“Big Sis... This is a secret, but we just taught the Big Baddie a lesson!”

“We did it!”

After that, the two snickered mischievously, as if they had been suppressing their laughter for a while. The girl even started jumping on the spot.

Aah, they must be playing make-believe or something...

Feeling a bit foolish for expecting something, you decided to just cut straight to the chase.

“Big Sis is curious about something. Where are your parents?”

Upon hearing that, the twins stopped laughing.

“...Parents?”

They shared a look of confusion as they stared at each other, as if pondering the meaning behind the word itself.

Then, they finally turned to face you.

“We don’t have parents.” “...None.”

Are they saying they don’t come with their parents, or...?

“Huh...? No, wait. That can’t be right? How did you get here?”

“We walked!” “Yes, together!”

The more they answered, the more questions you ended up having.

Is this some kind of prank?

You stared into the two pairs of round almond eyes. They were too pure and innocent to be seen as children pulling a prank on an adult.

At the same time, you refused to believe that two young children walked all the way here in the middle of the night without any supervision. To a nightclub, of all places!

...Someone, please explain this situation to me!

“T-then, how will you get home??”

“With our brother!” “Yes, with Big Bro.”

You almost did a facepalm.

Of course. There are no parents because they came here with their brother!

“Where is your brother right now? He’s so irresponsible! How can he leave you guys alone?!”

However, your remark was met with protests from the children.

“My brother isn’t irresponsible!” “Big Bro is our hero!”

The two of them glared at you, obviously unhappy with what you just said.

Before you could apologize, however—

“—Jonah! Ann!”

A man could be seen running toward you and the kids in panic.

Huh?!

Wavy ginger hair tied in a ponytail. Crisp business vest and pristine white shirt, covered by an apron, as if the man had left his bartending duties in a hurry...

“Teo!?”

No wonder these kids look familiar!

When he arrived in front of you, Teo was visibly out of breath. You couldn’t help but notice that he was also terribly pale. The words of reproach you had in mind went completely forgotten, replaced by concern.

Said kids, however...

“Ah, there he is, the useless brother.” “Useless Bro.”

...Children are difficult to understand, don’t they?

🂡 🂠 🂣 🂠

Before scolding his younger siblings, Teo didn’t forget to thank you.

“Thank you for watching after them. We live nearby, so they would sometimes follow me to work—"

Thump!

“—Ouch! Hey, Jonah, I apologized already...”

“This is brother’s fault for being busy today!”

All of the sudden, the boy, Jonah, kicked Teo in the left shin.

Thump!

“Hey, Ann!”

“Your fault for forgetting our birthday!”

Then, the girl, Ann, followed suit and kicked Teo in the right shin.

...Maybe, it’d be more precise to say that he was being scolded by his younger siblings.

You just stood there, not sure what to do. Noticing your gaze, Teo laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

“So sorry about this... Again, I really appreciate what you did back then. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened to them. Now, Jonah, Ann, be sure to thank this older sister properly!”

Despite seemingly sulking at their brother, the twins obediently heeded his words.

“You a friend of my brother?”

Jonah was the first to speak, sizing you up with his round eyes.

“Jonah!”

Teo seemed exasperated, but you shook your head at him, before smiling at Jonah.

“Yes, I am! Your brother is so dependable! He’s great at his job!”

Translation: He never fails to serve me my favorite drink, Lazuli Bells, every week!

“I know, right?! Nobody can make a drink as delicious as my brother!”

“The Lazurite Bells juice he makes is the best in the world!”

Your answer instantly brought a smile to not just Jonah’s face, but also Ann’s.

Hoh, these children know that flower, too...?

“I’d practice making Lazuli Bells at home, and these children love them, so...”

Teo clarified bashfully, avoiding your gaze.

Ooh, is that why he knew how to make the non-alcoholic version?

Again, how diligent and dedicated he was!

Then, the twins stood on either side of you.

“Older Sister, we like you.” “Big Sis, come to our birthday.”

They asked you with a smile, their round eyes sparkling.

Aww, they’re so cute...

“Now, now, you’re troubling the older sister. Besides, you haven’t thanked her.” Teo called out to his siblings.

At that, Jonah pouted again, puffing his cheeks.

“Hmph! This is our way of thanking her! It’ll be our treat!”

Meanwhile, Ann tugged at Teo’s sleeve.

“Big Bro, too. We’ll forgive you if you come home right now.”

“How are you going to treat her? Also, I can’t...”

“—But whyyy?!” Jonah started yelling.

“I still have some work to do. It won’t take long, I promise. After this, I’ll—”

“—It’s that Baldie, isn’t it?! Did he extort Big Bro again?!” Ann also screamed.

...Children are loud, aren’t they?

Also, for children their age to know the word “extort” ...

At the same time, you couldn’t help but notice it.

Ahh, that look again...

Teo had tensed up. His face was as white as a sheet, as if he had seen a ghost. Definitely not a normal reaction to children throwing a tantrum.

“Sshh, be quiet, now... We don’t want to attract attention...”

With wandering eyes and faltering voice, Teo tried to calm the twins down. Or was it himself?

The whole nightclub was so noisy that even if you screamed at the top of your lungs, no one would bat an eye. So, whose attention was he trying to avoid?

Oblivious to the drastic shift in their brother’s mood, the twins went on.

“Don’t worry, Brother! Look! With this, you don’t have to work so hard anymore!”

Saying that, Jonah fished something out of his pants pocket.

“... That’s...”

It must’ve taken everything Teo had just to squeeze that one word out. All color had drained from his face.

Not wanting to lose, Ann also revealed something that she had tucked in the front pocket of her dress.

“We taught that Big Baddie a lesson! He deserves it for everything he has done!”

That was probably the killing blow.

“Jonah, Ann... What have you done?”

Teo seemed about to collapse.

In response, the twins began to explain themselves.

“That Baldie doesn’t need it anyway! Despite losing repeatedly to that flashy-eyed brother, he kept telling his men to bring more money in suitcases!”

“Can you believe it?! Big Bro worked so hard to pay him! He’s so annoying, this will piss him off real good!!”

A black, crocodile-skin wallet with classy red velvet lining. A phone that could be considered “tiny” compared to today’s models yet bore a world-leading brand that anyone would recognize.

...And from the look on Teo’s face, they definitely weren’t supposed to be in the twins’ hands.

╚══════╝

🄾🄽🅆🄰🅁🄳 🅃🄾 【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　５】