502 Short Story 1 : Shiina Hiyori’s SS - Memories I Don't Want to Forget

MORISHITA-SAN, HOLDING A card in her left hand, swiftly extended her arm.

Four cards were held in her right hand.

"Please go ahead, Shiina Hiyori. Feel free to draw any card you like."

In this game, the person left holding the Joker at the end loses.

So... does that mean the single card in her left hand is suspicious?

"Somehow... I'm a little curious about this one card."

"Is that so? This is the advanced strategy I came up with."

But would she make it that obvious that she's holding the joker?

"What should I do…?"

Instinctively, I felt I should choose one from the four, but Morishita-san's composure was palpable. Was she trying to make it seem like a one-in-four chance by isolating a safe card instead of making me draw the Joker from a one-in-five chance?

No, perhaps that was exactly her plan, and that was the Joker?

—I had no idea.

As I was seriously contemplating, I happened to glance over at Ayanokōji-kun, who was sitting behind Morishita-san. His eyes were focused on Morishita-san's cards.

And then, at that moment…

Even though there was nothing apparent in his expression...

I strangely felt like I could read Ayanokōji-kun's thoughts.

'The isolated card Morishita-san was holding was the Joker.'

I felt like he was looking at it that way.

"Please choose as you like."

That was why I felt a bit guilty and couldn't choose from the four. I just pulled out the isolated card.

When I turned it over... that card was indeed the Joker.

I was a bit shocked, but more than that, I felt relieved.

I felt validated that what I sensed from Ayanokōji-kun wasn't wrong.

I continued to enjoy the game after that.

School life, where I could spend precious time with friends I couldn't have imagined when I first enrolled.

Spending precious time with the person I cared about.

Memories I wanted to remember forever.

I couldn't help but wish that this school life would continue for even one more day.