'Game?'
'Yes, if you win, I'll tell you everything I know, but if you lose, the price is high.'
'Huh? You realize what are you asking for?
'What's wrong with helping someone out? One day you might need help and Jason could be the only-'
Alex couldn't finish what he was saying. Vanessa got up close and glared straight in his eyes.
'I have no interest in helping him, and that failure can never help me.'
--So harsh.
'Is that how you really feel, Vanessa?'
There was a raging fire behind her eyes. Did she actually hate Jason? Alex didn't know. Vanessa didn't reply, either. She turned her back and walked away.'
'Don't try to make it worse. He got what he deserved. I am not including him in my mission. I also don't need your help either, go break a leg or something.'
Alex traced his steps back to his seat and sat down. He didn't have any other lead to Jira except for her. Even getting into contact with her was a hassle.
Since Jason can't use his WS authority to gather information anymore, and Vanessa coldly refused help when he asked her last week, he had no choice.
'Tell me more.'
He decided to walk into her skillfully laid trap.
'The game is simple.'
Ayumi took out a coin and gave it to Alex. Alex examined the coin given to him. It seemed like an ordinary 100-yen coin.
'You just have to toss it high in the air and catch it with one of your hands. If I could guess right, it's my win. Otherwise, it's yours. Simple enough, right?'
She poured some more wire to her glass, slowly drinking it little by little, savoring the taste.
'It's best out of 7. It would be too boring if the game ended too quickly.'
'It sounds easy. What happens if I lose?'
Alex asked.
'That silly thing? You will simply become my property. You're not going to back down now, are you?'
*You didn't take the offer. I hope you lose.*
'I'm not sure if I have a choice here.'
She let out a feminine giggle.
'Don't worry, I'll take real good care of you.'
That smile of her was proof that life can be cruel, but humans can be crueler.
--Is this how the adult world works?
The game started. Alex tossed the coin, as it spun in mid-air Alex skillfully caught making sure he moved his hand artfully to hide the coin in his hand.
Ayumi wasn't impressed by the show. Her attention was focused on the wine.
'The coin is in your left hand.'
She didn't give it a second thought and calmly answered. Alex opened his hand to show the coin. He was stumped how easily she was able to tell. Alex wasn't sure if she even saw him catching the coin. She had sharper eyes than he expected.
'Alright, your turn.'
Alex slid the coin to her, but she didn't seem interested.
'I don't feel like doing it. Why don't you toss it in all the rounds? I want you to be in control of the situation as much as possible.'
This did give him an advantage. With his speed, he could definitely win. Ironically, he felt being controlled instead of controlling the situation.
'Then here I go.'
This time Alex threw the coin higher and caught it even faster. He made sure he grabbed it in the split second she blinked. He held out his hands.
'It is in your left hand again.'
She swiftly told Alex, swirling the smooth wine in the glass.
--How could she tell?
Alex opened his left hand again to reveal the coin. He had feinted to make it look like he caught it with his right.
--It'll be bad if I keep losing.
Alex started to feel nervous.
Was it skill or luck? Alex couldn't tell.
--Is she cheating, are the guards telling her?
Alex looked back to see the two guards standing firmly. They showed no interest in the game.
'What's the matter, continue?'
Ayumi smiled.
'Okay, one more time.'
Alex tossed the coin. This time he made it look, he was going to catch it with his left, but he pushed the coin into his right hand with his left thumb at the last moment. He held out his hands.
'It's in your right this time.'
'Are you sure?'
Alex tried to play poker face.
'Yes, absolutely.'
There was no hesitation.
--Impossible.
Alex opened his hand to show the coin. Not a shred of doubt appeared on her face. She only did what she was doing all this time, slowly drinking her wine. Alex couldn't enjoy the wine anymore.
Alex paused for a moment. It was for his fourth turn this time. If she managed to tell this time, he would lose.
--How is she able to tell?
Alex kept thinking. He took a deep breath and tossed the coin and caught it.
'It's in the left.'
Alex opened his hand to reveal it was empty.
'Looks like you're wrong.'
'Am I? I only said it's in the left. I didn't say the left hand.'
'Then, where?'
Ayumi grabbed Alex's hand and lowered it. The coin came rolling down from his sleeve.
'You shouldn't cheat, Alex.'
As it came down, Alex threw a feint with his left again, but this time, he didn't push the coin in his right. Instead, he thrust it into his left sleeve.
It was Ayumi win, Alex lost.