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Chapter Text

English Version

The atmosphere in the gambling den was stifling, the air tepid, too warm to be able to focus.

It was the least of Mary's problems considering the damage which had been inflicting onto her back. Her shirt and blazer continued to irritate her parted flesh, streaks of crimson decorating her upper back, all the way to the curve of her spine.

Glancing at the opponent facing her on behalf of Sachiko, Mary had a feeling that she appeared to look far more unkempt than they did if the shivers coursing through her body and sweat sticking to her face were anything to go by.

She wasn't sure if she was thankful or not when Sachiko called for them to reveal the final hand, signalling the end of the gamble when Sachiko called out Mary's card.

"Joker." the girl's husky voice announced Mary's win, "I believe that concludes the gamble, and your loss."

A wave of disgruntled complaints and stammered pleading from the opponent overtook the silence of the den.

Mary was deaf to the familiar soundscape brought on by Sachiko's condemnation and turned away, only to find that Sachiko had already appeared at her side.

Like an apparition, one could never tell if Sachiko was actually there or if she was a figment of their scarred imagination.

But Mary could feel her, could feel the fragments of Sachiko's scent seep into her nose while her eyes went up slowly to meet Sachiko's gaze. The world around her started to blur, edges fading to black as she struggled to maintain the stare off while her energy depleted.

Unable to say anything, Mary finally succumbed to her exhaustion and injuries, collapsing into a fitful state of unconsciousness.

Being reduced to Sachiko's personal pet had finally taken its toll on Mary and her limit had been reached.

Juraku Sachiko, an enigmatic and daunting figure who was infamous within the walls of Hyakkaou Academy for a myriad of reasons, almost all of them contemptible. She had substantial wealth and the proficient gambling skills to cement her status as a formidable girl but the most disturbing attribute belonging to her was a particular habit.

A distasteful habit of raising defeated opponents as her personal house pet if she found them intriguing enough.

And Mary had been amongst the unlucky individuals to catch the interest of Juraku Sachiko, doing her bidding like she was now.

It was only the second day of Mary's enslavement as the events of the previous day loitered somewhere in the back of Mary's mind.

***

The moment Mary had lost against Sachiko, she was well aware as to how difficult her life would become but she had underestimated the scope of Sachiko's cruelties and would find out how there were no limits to it, even on the first day.

When she was summoned by her mistress, Mary was forced to crawl through what was essentially a human sized pet door.

Her pride had been eradicated the moment Sachiko had put a collar on her and now, doing this humiliating act, Mary wondered if she would ever regain it as she crawled through.

But her answer was hastily delivered upon the sight of a whip in front of her.

Mary's eyes went up to where Sachiko was sat, in her throne with one leg crossed over the other and a satisfied smirk on her full lips. The older girl was watching her with a stare which resembled a cat observing a mouse after it had placed its paw on its tail, fascinated by how its prey was attempting to escape.

"Welcome to my private room, pet." Sachiko motioned around with one hand before beckoning Mary with her index finger, "Now, with the whip in your mouth, climb to me."

Yes, the confirmation of her pride never getting a chance to recover had been stated with that comment alone.

Mary's eyes were too dark, almost glazing over while the pain in her chest swelled, overflowing till it was drowning her. Her bare knees and hands were sullied and cold, teeth clenching at the degrading command and what burned the most was the fact that she had no standing to refuse.

Staring down at the whip, Mary bowed her head and gripped the handle between her teeth. The taste of leather was repulsive and made Mary want to retch as she then crawled to the girl who now owned her life.

When she reached Sachiko, Mary's eyes were ablaze with fury, her wish to strangle the sadist looming over her futile since she was bound by the twisted rules of the academy to adhere to Sachiko's every whim.

Sachiko's self-satisfied smirk only severed to propel Mary's rage when she stood up, her heels clicking on the floor, bending slightly to retrieve the whip.

"Well, Mary, are you ready for your first lesson in abiding to me and only me?"

The blonde only glared at Sachiko which led to Sachiko sighing as she flicked the stem of the whip against her palm.

She may have appeared dejected by Mary's insolence but it was to plain to see how Sachiko was brimming with excitement at what was to occur. Her eyes were dilated, dark slits scanning over Mary as the smile on her lips sharpened.

Mary was going to make this far too easy, commencing the process Sachiko needed to implemented to break her, one lash at a time.

"You will soon learn to answer me, pet. Take off your blazer and turn around."

The girl tentatively did as instructed till her blazer was on the floor next to her when she shifted on her knees. Bouts of apprehension manifested in her stomach at what was to happen now that she was even more vulnerable to Sachiko.

She could always envision Sachiko salivating at the sight and the assumption wouldn't be entirely incorrect.

Sachiko's eyes ran over Mary's back, the pristine white shirt fitted well over her small form.

How she couldn't wait for it to be dyed red.

"Fifty lashes, hold on."

Sachiko lifted her hand up, the handle of the whip snug in her palm as she brought it down onto Mary's back without any hesitance.

The second the impact occurred, Mary's eyes expanded and a restrained gasp became trapped behind her teeth.

It was the first time she had suffered such intense physical pain.

A sound Mary had never been familiar with before permeated the air.

Of a firm whip connecting with flesh, despite a shirt covering her. It stung unbearably, the nerves of her skin scrambling at the sudden stimulant.

And that was only the first strike.

The lengthy whip would mark her again as it came down against the right side of her back, cutting in like a knife being wedged in.

In spite of it, Mary kept her poise as the lashes continued but her kneecaps were trembling against the cold floor as the sounds of the whip increased in decibels. Her back was marred with crisscrossing marks as the ferocity of Sachiko's punishment devolved into madness.

Sachiko was as composed ever, a few strands of her silver hair tousled but her gaze was focused on the beads of sweat seeping through Mary's white shirt.

How she relished in such a sight, a tightness forming in her stomach whenever her whip clashed with the blonde's back.

But the absence of screams was a disappointment, "Mary, is this all you have to offer? How lacking."

The denigrating comment scalded Mary's heart and confidence, obliterating what was left of it but she was a proud girl and kept her head raised and hands to her side, refusing to spill tears.

Unfortunately, her physical limitations had ultimately betrayed her due to Sachiko's violent strikes which cracked through her facade until she couldn't bear it anymore.

At the thirty-fifth lash, the blonde's knee gave in and she went crumbling to the floor, the side of her face slamming into it. She winced and attempted to stand up again using her hands but they failed to support her torso and knees which were in scathing pain, causing her to crash to floor again just as Sachiko's whip struck her again.

She heard the scornful tut from Sachiko when she attempted to get up again, however, a foot stepped on her back and pushed her back down. The weight of the heeled boot against her injuries had tears forming in the corner of Mary's eyes as she lay there, her arms near her head.

Like a frog trapped under the force of a powerful light, Mary was left to wilt in her pain when the boot was removed from her back, only for the lashes to commence again.

Thirty-seven.

Thirty-eight.

Thirty-nine.

On it went, the sound of the lashes being drilled into her ears and nestle into her brain, committing it to memory.

It was as if the duration of 10 whips transcended a century, slow and agonising.

Mary's only attempt at retaining any of her dignity was her monumental effort in not allowing a sound of her distress pass her lips.

When Sachiko's deplorable attack halted, Mary didn't even have the mental or physical capacity to react immediately.

Sachiko lowered her hand and took in Mary's barely moving form, the white of her shirt sticking to Mary's back.

Just as Sachiko had yearned to see, but what she truly desired was to witness crimson streaks surface.

But Sachiko was patient, she knew the time would come and Mary would bleed for her.

"That's all for today, pet, you can rest on the mat where you are if you want to and we will continue this tomorrow."

No, Mary did not want so spend another second here and would rather bleed herself dry in attempt to escape than remain in Sachiko's slice of hell.

So after a second of composing herself, Mary slowly lifted her body up, barely managing to till she could stand. She made sure to grab her blazer before fully standing and then staggered away whilst feeling Sachiko's eyes on her.

Mary's anguish wouldn't stop even after leaving and getting on with her day since any minuscule movement disturbed her wounds which reduced the ability for herself to heal.

That night, the only solace she could find was sleeping on her abdomen but even the concept of slumber wasn't kind to her.

So Mary remained awake, made to ponder on how it ended up like this.

And the following morning, that thought would continue to haunt her as Sachiko kept her promise.
Another 50 lashes.

As would they occur the day after, and the day following that.

The scale of the damage inflicted on Mary's back became immeasurable with each passing day.

With each lash, the quantity of the wounds increased and with that came the swelling, the bruising which was extensive. The dialogue lines on Mary's skin grew purple, tinged with yellow at the edges and then, waves of red finally followed when all the layers of her skin had been weakened, the blood gurgling free.

"Mary, is this all you can do? Just suffer in silence?"
Sachiko's question went unanswered as Mary collapsed on the floor and Sachiko crouched down next to her.

The girl's hand brushed away Mary's golden fringe and gently caressed her cheek, sighing softly.

“You have another choice.”

The words of her mistress were unintelligible to Mary's addled mind which was submerged in pain and she didn't even attempt to process them before she was dismissed.

It was only the next morning she would be able to make sense of Sachiko's comment but the concerning heat emitting from her forehead and the thrumming pain in her back made it strenuous for Mary to function.

Still, she found herself at Sachiko's greenhouse when she was summoned.

Sachiko hummed in thought at Mary's condition but didn't overthink it as she got to the point.

"Mary, a student had asked to gamble with me. I don't have the time to entertain this pathetic fools so you will replace me and gamble in my stead. If you win, the winnings are yours, but if you fail..the amount you lose is added to the debt you already owe me."

Mary's eyes were distracted, her shoulders hunched and mouth parched which only allowed one answer to form.

"Yes."

The academy was a hive of activity when the news that a housepet had taken up the gauntlet instead of the host had spread like wildfire.

Before the game commenced, the gamble den had been surrounded by spectators.

The eyes of countless of students were on Mary, most of those belonging to individuals who looked down on her but because of Mary's affiliation to Sachiko, not a single one of them dared to torment or jeer her.

However, the disdain they felt for Mary was never hidden.

The blonde was finding it increasingly problematic to concentrate as she felt lightheaded, the dizziness increasing while a cold sweat coated her skin despite feeling flushed and all of these symptoms were a sign of a fever.

If that wasn't draining enough, the pain of her back was screaming out to her, each movement cutting open her wounds again.

She was teetering.

Her opponent was a really strong player and had Mary cornered with each round.

The player scoffed, "House pets are house pet so it doesn't matter who you belong to. Don't forget that and give the stage back to your owner. Playing against you is a waste of my time."

Of course, if she lost here, she would be regarded as a waste and who knew what other punishment would befall her. She would be further despised by Sachiko and the chance to ever gamble again would not be permitted to her.

How could she accept such a scenario?

"Damn you.." Mary scowled and played the next card with her eyes barely cracked open, "As if I am going to lose to someone like you!"

When Mary revealed her next card, the furore in the rook reached a crescendo, protesting at how the extremely unfavourable situation Mary was in was reversed. The girl had taken full advantage of the chance to pursue all options to win and finally turned her impending defeat into her victory at the last moment.

But her glee was short lived because her strength had fully depleted now.

She attempted to leave her seat but as soon as she got up after displaying her cards on the table, she fell unconscious.

Once Mary arose from her sleep, she looked around to find that she was in the greenhouse.

However, she wasn't on the floor as expected because the softness of the couch cushioned her injured form rather comfortably. That in itself was odd as she had been able to lay on her back at all and looking down, Mary saw that her shirt was open and could feel the dressing on her back.

"Well done, Mary." Sachiko praised as she sat down beside the blonde . "You won back some dignity for yourself. At least a part of it."

Mary said nothing and looked away but Sachiko's fingers rested beneath her chin, making her look at her again.

"However, a well trained house pet should have treated herself well after the punishment. Not only that, she should have reported the condition of her health to me in time so that I can do something about it." she said, her tone a blend of warning and something else as she curled a strand of golden around her finger. "Should I punish you, Mary? Though at this moment, it seems pointless as you don‘t seem to understand that a pet is supposed to bow down to her mistress. Perhaps I need to take a firmer approach with you like I did with Mikura"

Mary buried her face into the pillow, a shudder forming over her nape at the threat.

"Please stop it, please." the words finally pushed out from between her gritted teeth. "It hurts."

The admission was music to Sachiko's ear, a soft smile appearing as she ran her fingers through Marys hair.

It took a week, but it was a start.

"Very well" she agreed whilst running a thumb beneath Mary's damp eyelid. "No more for the time being. Now, close your eyes, Mary, you deserve the rest."

As much as Mary loathed this unusual comfort from Sachiko, she let the exhaustion of her mind to finally take a moment to slow down.

Her last sight was of Sachiko’s eyes, watching her intently.

【聚芽】驯化

背上的伤口传导着尖锐的跳痛，发冷的身体在止不住地战栗，冷汗涔涔，眼冒金星，她此时的模样，恐怕比对面步入绝境的对手还要难看吧。

“Joker，到此为止。”低哑的声音宣告牌局的终结，无视旁观者的阵阵惊呼，芽亚里身形紊乱地下了牌桌，却发现聚乐不知何时已经走到了自己身边。步履越发沉重，视野越发模糊，在恶狠狠地瞪了聚乐一眼之后，她便直挺挺地栽倒了下去。

一周以来，她已经到了极限。

聚乐股长，百花王学院里令人闻风丧胆的角色，不仅有着庞大的资金力与权势，还有着饲养专属家畜的变态癖好。

在输掉赌局、被迫成为家畜的时候，她便知道接下来的日子不会好过，但她没想到，第一日的下马威便已经如此诛心。

咬牙穿过膝行门，来到聚乐幸子的领地，一根蛇鞭已经放在了入口的地板上。视线前方，高高在上的风纪股长就坐在高背椅上，饶有兴趣地扫视着她的新奴隶。

“欢迎来到我的私人房间，家畜。”

“现在，叼着鞭子，爬过来。”

自尊心粉碎的刺痛几乎要穿透胸腔，可她已没有拒绝的资格。手掌冰凉，脑袋发胀，屈辱的愤恨让她的牙齿咯咯作响，她就这样死咬着鞭柄爬向她的支配者。

她跪撑在聚乐的脚边，想要掐死对方般的视线捕捉着对方的动作，眼睁睁地盯着聚乐站起身，弯腰取下她口中衔咬的长鞭。

“五十鞭，撑好。”

那是她第一次承受如此凶猛的痛楚。

长鞭的交叉抽打如同刀刃划破肌肤，在她的后背反反复复地刻下“X”的伤痕，前两鞭已经让她绷紧全身，随着鞭打的持续，更是连维持身形都极为勉强。

“芽亚里，你就这点水平吗？”

话语的灼烧又让她拼尽全力地抬头，撑紧，但生理极限终究还是背叛了她的意志，越发猛烈的鞭击打破了肌肉力量的传递，她在第三十五鞭的时候软了双臂，狼狈不堪地趴在了地上，虽然颤颤巍巍地再一次撑起，却又随着下一鞭的到来再次崩塌。

她听见顶上聚乐轻蔑的啧声，在她再一次试图爬起的时候，一只脚踩上了她的后心。被踩中伤处的她如同被强光照射的青蛙，一瞬间动弹不得。

三十七，三十八，三十九……

鞭声持续不断地钻入耳中，十几鞭的时间漫长得仿佛有一个世纪，不叫出声的痛苦喘息是她保留尊严的唯一方式，当聚乐最终停手的时候，她甚至无法立刻做出反应。

“今天就到这里，你可以到垫子上休息一下，明天继续。”

芽亚里没有动，只在地板上趴到足以起身离开后，便跌跌撞撞地向外走去。

稍有动作便会牵拉后背，拼尽全力才勉强掩饰，晚上只能趴着入睡，上药也只能草草应付。但是，即使如此，第二天又是一样的五十鞭。之后又是第三日，第四日……

伤上加伤，鞭上加鞭，红肿变成淤青，淤青变成深紫，最后彻底地打破皮肉，汩汩地渗出血来。

“芽亚里，你只会硬抗吗？”

当她又一次瘫在地板上的时候，聚乐忽然蹲了下来，手指抚过她的脸颊，似是叹息又似是低语。

只是她实在没有力气去深思了。

翌日起床的时候，不仅背上的跳痛在持续，连脑袋也有些昏沉。更糟糕的是，到校不久又被聚乐幸子传召。

“芽亚里，有个学生想挑战我，你替我上。本金之外的钱，赢到了算你的，但是如果输了……输多少，就算你又欠了我多少。”

“……是。”

“想挑战我的勇气值得嘉奖，但是在那之前，先战胜我的家畜吧。”

赌桌上的对手并非寻常学生，而是位居学园前列的强手。代替主人出战的家畜足够有噱头，牌桌里里外外已经围满了观众。

举目四望，尽是看不起她的人。

尽管由于她隶属于聚乐，这段时间他们并没有怎么折磨她，但轻蔑的神态不会去隐藏。

眩晕感越发沉重，冷汗浸湿了背上破裂的伤口，让跳痛越发地明晰。

已经摇摇欲坠了。

“家畜就是家畜，识趣一点，早点退场，把舞台让给主人吧。”

是啊，如果在这里输掉，就更会被认为是废物了吧。不仅如此，还会被聚乐幸子进一步地看扁，或许再也不会有上赌桌的机会。

只有这一点，无论如何也无法接受！

“开什么玩笑！你这种家伙……”目眦欲裂，面目狰狞，芽亚里喘息着拍出下一张牌，“谁会输给你这种家伙啊！”

揭露牌面的那一刻群众哗然，极其不利的局势就这样被逆转，趁胜追击，最后的关头竟然反败为胜。

只是，气力已经被掏空了。

本来想着至少离开这里，但是刚下了牌桌，天就变黑了。

迷迷糊糊中芽亚里做了很多的梦，再度苏醒便发现自己身处最排斥的空间——聚乐幸子的茶室里。

只是这次她并不是瘫在地板上，而是趴在了床上。神智比起之前清明许多，后背的伤处也得到了精心的包扎。

“做得很好，芽亚里。”聚乐幸子就坐在床边，“你为自己赢回了一部分的尊严。”

“只是，每天的鞭打之后不好好上药，身体不适也不向主人说明情况，这可不是一只合格的家畜该做的事。”聚乐挑起家畜的一缕金发，“我该为此惩罚你吗？不过，你似乎不明白……家畜向主人示弱是理所当然的事。”

芽亚里将脸埋进枕头，咬紧了牙关。

“请您……高抬贵手。”片刻之后，话语终于从齿间挤出，“鞭子……太痛了。”

“嗯。”聚乐的手轻柔地抚上芽亚里的脑袋，“你的请求被允准了。

Chapter Text

English version

In Sachiko's dorm room, Mary was resting in her bed, her recovery from the onslaught of ailments final receding after Sachiko had actively taken care of her.

The fact that Mary had concealed her declining health had led Sachiko to take a firmer hand, but without the whip considering that was the cause of it. So she had moved Mary into her room for the time being where she could keep a closer eye on her.

To prohibit this from occurring again, Sachiko stated something which had Mary sitting up as her golden hair spilled down her back and shoulders, free from the usual ribbons.

“Just stay here, Mary. Your parents will grow far more weary and you are to weak to hide it. I can take care of you here."

As a noble and prestigious school, Hyakkaou Academy does offer its students luxury dormitories.

However, since most of the students hailed from wealthy families, even the pristine dormitory conditions of the academy couldn't be compared to their own homes so students applying to live on campus was a rarity.

The fact that Juraku Sachiko of all people had opted to live at the dorms was gossip material but nobody had the gall to ask her directly.

So Sachiko had the space in her large room to accommodate herself and her two pets.

However, she had something else in mind to temper the animosity between Mikura and Mary.

"Yes, mistress." Mary relented, knowing that arguing back would amount to nothing but punishment.

Sachiko reached out and ruffled her hair, "Good girl. Mikura, leave some clothes out for Mary. She can move her belongings soon and on your way back, collect two bento boxes."

"Yes, mistress." Mikura nodded and turned to leave but not before giving Mary a chilling glare.

Her blue eyes were laced with venom, lips turned up into a snarl as she exited the room.

The fact that Mikura had the nerve to look at her with such contempt riled Mary up, "What the hell is with you, Sado?! It was your damn owner who forced me into this screwed up situation! Like I wanted to be Juraku's personal pet so take the fucking attitude and shove it down Juraku's throat."

Before Mary could vocalise her agitation, the redhead had already left as the door clicked shut and she was once again left with Sachiko.

The older girl had observed the hostility between them and chuckled, "Don't mind Mikura. She is rather territorial so the jealousy was expected. You know, there are qualities in both of that made me seek you out so I think you will learn to get along, more so since we will all be living together."

“Wait..what? 'We will all be living together’?" Mary enquired, the shock notable in her tone, "What do you mean?"

"Well, don’t you think pets should build their nests with their master? You and Mikura belong to me so it goes without saying that you will be seeing more of each other. So, remember to hand in your residency application tomorrow and I‘ll ensure that you will share a room with Mikura. I think you should be grateful for not having to pay the accommodation expenses alone."

“What the fuck are you talking about?" Mary balked and brushed Sachiko's hand away from her face, "I don’t have even a yen to my name anymore and the fucking expense is-”

Mary would feel the gravity of her mistake when Sachiko moved close till she was almost on top Mary and her right hand dug under Mary's top till she reach the blonde's lower back, clamping her nails in.
The lacerations had yet to heal so the feeling of cold nails scraping over the raw flesh made Mary wince and back down.

Red eyes bore into her as Sachiko's other hand gripped her hair, "Calm down, pet. What gives you the right to take such a tone with your mistress? ”Sachiko enquired, increasing the ferocity of both hands on Mary, "Of course you are virtually penniless, I made sure of that. However, I allowed you the opportunity to earn some money from a gamble, don't you remember? So, if you be a good girl, I will provide more opportunities for you to earn your keep. Does that sounds fair, Mary?"

Sachiko relinquished her grasp on Mary's hair and back as tears pooled in the golden eyes, the girl slumping back when she was released.

“Yes.." Mary managed, her breath scraping up her oesophagus in short spurts, "I am sorry for stepping out of line, Juraku-sama."

Sachiko smirked and sat back, just enough to keep her form on half if Mary's body, "You ought to be. Now, do you still have an issue about your lodging arrangement?”

Mary lowered her gaze and shook her head slowly, "No."

Not a moment later, Mikura had returned, pausing to take in scene just as Sachiko sat back up properly. Mary refused to meet either of their eyes whilst she composed herself and Mikura smirked at the tears she hadn't managed to wipe away.

“Juraku-sama.” she greeted and motioned to the bags in her hand, "I have brought everything you requested. I was thinking that since Saotome-san can't move around much, maybe I can feed her?"

Mary wrinkled her nose at the suggestion but Sachiko was delight, "How wonderful. As I said, Mary, I believe you both will get along like a house on fire." she jested, "Go ahead, Mikura. But do be careful as Mary still has a fever."

Mikura rounded the bed and hand Sachiko one of the bento boxes before opening the other one and taking a seat on the chair near the bed.

"Of course." she replied, her unreadable eyes looking at Mary, "Saotome-san, open your mouth please."

Mary grumbled, eyeing up the chopsticks and the box containing the food.

If one could call it that because even if Mikura hadn't laced it with poison, the raw chunks of carrot full of box seemed just as dangerous.

Perhaps Mikura was hoping she would choke on a piece, who knows.

【聚芽佐】休养中

“既然已经到了极限，回家也掩饰不下去了吧。那么，芽亚里，你留下来过夜。”

作为一所贵族名校，百花王学园自然配有学生公寓，只是在读学生大多出生名门，宿舍条件再好也无法与她们的家宅相提并论，因而申请住校的学生并不多。

没想到聚乐幸子也属于这“不多”之一。

两人间被聚乐独自包揽，多出来的那张床刚好分给芽亚里趴着。

“魅久良，去买点衣服，然后打包两份饭菜来。”

“……是。”

别用这种眼神看我，你以为我是拜谁所赐才回不去的。感知到魅久良的仇恨视线，芽亚里也不甘示弱地回瞪过去。

“看来是嫉妒了呢。”在魅久良拿着钱气冲冲地出门以后，坐在一旁的聚乐轻笑了起来，“毕竟那张床，魅久良也只躺过两次。”

“……”说得谁在乎似的，聚乐的性格果然够恶劣。还有这种氛围是怎么回事啊，七天的鞭打把她抽得皮开肉绽，早上还逼着高烧的她去赌博，结果转头就表现得像什么都没发生一样？

“芽亚里，这是我给你的奖励。未来如果你能达到我的其他要求，我也会给你更多的奖励。不过……”聚乐顿了顿，“在那之前，你好像忘了一件重要的事。”

“什么？”

“在这七天里，你，一次也没有正式地称呼过我。”她就知道，聚乐怎么可能这么轻易地放过她。

“十分抱歉……”深呼吸了几口，芽亚里咬牙切齿地回应道，“聚乐大人……”

“嗯。”聚乐随手拨了拨自己的长发，“礼仪方面，你还需要多和魅久良学一学，作为我的专属家畜还是粗鄙了些。”

“万分抱歉……”

这段时间姑且先忍耐下来……

“还有，明天记得去申请住校。”

“是……蛤？”

“家畜的窝就该搭在主人边上吧？至于住宿费，记在你的欠款上就好。”

“你在开什么玩笑！这里的住宿费，一个学期就要……”

“是呢。但是，你刚刚才赚了一笔钱不是吗？”幸子忽然俯身，隔着衣服掐住芽亚里的后背，“另外，家畜，你这是什么态度呢？”

“嘶！”伤处骤然被压迫，痛意让芽亚里面目扭曲，未竟的话语也被塞回了喉咙里。“乖一点，芽亚里，我还不想惩罚你。”聚乐松了力道，却依旧将手放在芽亚里的后背上，“保持服从，我会给你更多机会。”

“……是我僭越了，聚乐大人……”芽亚里疼得眼泛泪花，狼狈地垂下头去，心里问候了聚乐千八百遍。

“申请之后，你就住魅久良那间吧。多一个人分担住宿费，她应该会很高兴的。”

“……”跟佐渡住在一起，怕不是哪天半夜就会被她掐死。不过，聚乐看来是打定主意了。芽亚里看了她一眼，把注定自取其辱的话咽了下去。

“聚乐大人，东西都买回来了。”事项敲定以后，魅久良也回到这里，“聚乐大人，早乙女现在移动困难，我请求喂饭。”

“哦？”聚乐嘴角微勾，打开属于她的饭盒，浓郁的饭香顿时倾泻而出，“那好吧。芽亚里还在发烧，记得温柔一点。”

“是。那么早乙女，请张嘴。”佐渡麻利地打开饭盒，蹲在芽亚里面前。

“……”饭盒里是清一色的生胡萝卜块。

Chapter Text

English version.

Mary had somewhat adjusted to her routine with Sachiko but the discomfort her back was in and the effort needed to move was definitely a feeling she didn't want to familiarise herself with.

However, that pain was floating in the background as she filled in her form regarding the accommodation application.

Her morning lessons had ended so after completing this particularly aggravating errand, Mary made her way to her next destination, one of two places she absolutely loathed as it belonged to her mistress.

The Public Morals Committee.

Sachiko had summoned her to spend their lunch together and Mary couldn't fight her on the matter.

She dragged her feet, the collar around her neck still irritating her as she muttered under her breath about spending more time with that damned sadist. Mary would have much preferred to spend her time with Tsuzura and she recalled the way the girl has tried to talk her again.

"Mary-chan." Tsuzura and called out when class was dismissed, attempting to get Mary's attention.

That had become Tsuzura's routine as futile as it may have been because Mary's responses were always the same, repetitive and monotonous.

“Excuse me, I need to go.” Mary would reply whilst keeping her head down like she always did these days.

Mary sighed at the image of the utter dejection on Tsuzura's face and the closer she was to Sachiko's office, the greater her despair enveloped her.

In one aspect, Sachiko had stopped the daily lashing after Mary had submitted to her but on the other hand, that wasn't to say her imprisonment to Sachiko had been alleviated entirely.

When she arrived at the office Mary opened the door to find her mistress seated on the high-backed chair, waiting for her.

"Well, Mary."

Mary lowered her head in silence and walked to where the other girl was and then proceeded to kneel down next to her feet.

Sachiko smiled lightly, revelling off of the blonde's degradation for a while. The creases between Mary's brows deepened further when Sachiko retrieved a rice ball.

“Lunch time, my pet.”

Feeding, an interaction which usually occurs only between intimate individuals in a pleasant and relaxed environment, one constructed out of mutual love and understanding.

However, what Mary was feeling inside didn't contain any of those attributes and instead, she was imbued in dread and disgust.

Juraku Sachiko, an untouchable figure was the one she had to bow her head to and whatever she wanted Mary to do, the blonde would have to oblige.

So when Sachiko extended her hand containing the rice ball, Mary opened her mouth and accepted it.

As Sachiko's personal house pet, Mary was forbidden from touching the food so the only thing she could do was move closer to her mistress's hand, thankfully accept the offering and eat it like a dog.

The sound of chewing was voluble in the silent office, every bite clearly notable as Mary continued to eat till Sachiko's palm was scattered with grains of rice. Since her Mistress didn't permit the waste of food, Mary had to lick them off of the girl's hand, using her tongue to sweep each grain up.

It was irrelevant as to what was in Mary's mouth when provided by Sachiko because all Mary could taste was unwillingness and humiliation. Her nails dug into her thighs in an effort to halt the embarrassment coursing through her when her heard Sachiko chuckle.

Sachiko was delighted by the depiction of her new pet's pain and was tolerant of her unskilled eating habits. To add insult to injury to Mary's pride, since the blonde had to hunch over to eat, Sachiko would always stroke her head or back gently with her free hand. Her fingers would run through each twin tail, ruffle her black ribbons and trace down the side of her face.

It was a touch which stated Sachiko's sovereignty, though it supposedly reassured Mary that she wouldn't do any more than that if she followed her commands.

Mary's whole body had tensed when Sachiko first touched her like this, but her mistress wouldn't relent and the more resistance Mary put up, the more pressure Sachiko applied, uncaring of if it would hurt Mary's injured back.

Inadvertently, those touches had become somewhat of an adequate coping skill for Mary.

Even though she was filled with resentment, her subdued and fragile body was truly craving for comfort, and at the moment when her self-esteem was at it lowest, Mary bowed her head to beg for mercy as she could no longer show her durable spirit.

It been chiselled down, one humiliating order at a time.

No matter the numerous excuses she made to justify how she had submitted to Sachiko, she truly had surrendered her humanity and acquiesced to those who looked down on her.

How should she view herself now?

How should she face herself when she was the one who had declared, 'I will be the champion'?

The torrent of questions were torturing Mary's heart and mind, day and night, left to suffer alone because she couldn't seek advice or solace from anyone else.

Because she was a house pet, not just any house pet, but one which belonged to Juraku Sachiko.

It took Sachiko less than ten days to strip Mary of her humanity and reduce her into a withered leaf which shook in the presence of the gale which surrounded it.

Could she defeat Juraku Sachiko?

Could she regain her freedom?

Mary was brought out her pondering when Sachiko patted her head, "That's my good girl. You ate every single grain. Hm, how about I reward you with some intel that you will find interesting?"

Mary gulp as Sachiko wiped her lips clean by running her thumb over them, pulling the lower one down before realising it.

"What..is it?"

“After school today, the Full-Bloom Society is going to enact a plan to do something to your precious Literary Club.”

Mary's face paled further, “What? No, they can't!”

"Unfortunately for you, they can. After all, Aoi is skilled at swaying the crowds and there are thousands of people who have been deceived by his trickery, falling prey to his charismatic charm. Not to mention that your rejection of joining him has also spurred the masses who follow him. Is it a surprise that there are many who are eager to retaliate against you?"

Mary's hands shook as her eyes took in Sachiko's to see if she was lying but there was nothing that could be revealed.

This wasn't information Sachiko would falsify to begin with considering what was at state.

"Tsuzura and Yukimi, they don't deserve this. I have to stop them." Mary gritted out, "I've gotta do something."

Sachiko smiled, her thumb now stroking up Mary's jawline, "Since you have become my personal house pet, they cannot hurt you and they know this which is why they are going after your friends. The answer was rather obvious."

Mary's frustration was accumulating with each cloying word and she felt helpless.

Did she have any power at all?

Would Sachiko permit her to act?

Much to her surprise, that is exactly what Sachiko would do when she cupped Mary's chin and made her look up.

"Don't worry, my little pet. I will take you to the Literary Club and give you permission to gamble with them." she said, moving her hand down till she could brush her fingers over the red collar and then the chain, "After all, I have wanted to show off my new trophy for a while now."

【聚芽】午餐时光

喂食，一种通常只出现在亲密的人之间的行为。将食物小心翼翼地送到对方的嘴边，欣赏着对方将食物并着心意一并咽下的瞬间，毫无疑问地是颇具浪漫色彩的行为。

但是，芽亚里所经历着的喂食，显然不是这样的。

高高在上的女人，如施恩者一般地将捧着饭团的手伸向她的面前，作为她的专属家畜，只能感恩戴德地跪在对方的手边，像犬一般地进食。

沉默的办公室里进食的声音清晰而刺耳，饭团随着啃咬渐渐有饭粒散落掌心，主人不允许浪费，因此必须将这些饭粒舔舐干净。

说实话，吃进嘴里的到底是什么根本无关紧要，因为沉默着埋头咀嚼的她，嘴里品尝到的只有不甘与屈辱。

主人对新家畜的痛苦乐在其中，因而对她不熟练的进食也包容，往往还在她埋头进食的时候，用空出来的那只手轻抚她的脑袋或者后背。

这样宣誓主权的触碰，让她在一开始抗拒得全身绷紧，双手几乎本能地想要格开，但无论身体表现出怎样的抗拒，对方也绝不会妥协，而是以逐步加重的力道警告她保持放松。

这实在是……高明的手法。

纵使如何地满腔怨愤，饱经鞭笞、脆弱不堪的身体确确实实地在渴求着一份抚慰，而在自己违背自尊，低头求饶的那一刻，她在心理上也无法再如最初一般地示强。

无论怎么找借口，她确确实实地低了头，向看不起自己的人低了头。她该怎么看待如今的自己？又该怎么面对说过“要成为胜者”的自己？

如今的处境下无法找任何人探讨，只能日日夜夜地拷问内心。

让她动摇至此，聚乐幸子仅仅用了十天的时间啊。

她能赢这个女人吗？她能夺回自由吗？

“乖孩子，吃得很干净呢。”思绪纷飞之际，脑袋被轻轻地拍了拍，“作为奖励，我就告诉你一个情报吧。

“今天放学后，善·咲·会·要·对·文·艺·部·下·手。”

“！！！”

“毕竟，被葵的假面蒙骗，成为死忠的人可不少呢。这样一来，想报复你的人恐怕不在少数吧。但是，在你已经成为我的专属家畜的现在……该怎么样才能真正地打击到你呢？答案就显而易见了。”

“但是不用担心，小家畜，我可以带你过去，也会允许你与他们赌一局。”缓缓抬起家畜的下巴，聚乐笑着举起叮当作响的锁链，“毕竟，我还没正式展示过我的战利品，不是吗？”

Chapter Text

English Version

"Tsuzura, I’m sorry."

Tsuzura hadn't anticipated that this would be their last conversation, at least one which was coherent and filled with a joyous exchange of words about everything and nothing.

She recalled Mary's dejected expression when she left for Sachiko's office after the blonde had given her what had to be the last of her funds, her last act to help Tsuzura and Yukimi. What pained Tsuzura the most was how she could do nothing but call out after Mary, unable to provide any support.

The next morning was when Tsuzura would see Mary.

Attuned to Mary's footsteps, Tsuzura's head whipped to the door, the anxiety welling in her chest at finally being able to see Mary.

But the sight which greeted Tsuzura had her taken aback, a small gasp emitting from her lips and the temptation to jump to her feet and run to Mary's aid was halted by the sheer shock of the state of the other girl.

As their eyes met, Tsuzura couldn't register anything about the Mary she used to know.

It had only been a day and Sachiko had managed to crush the flickering embers of Mary's personality to nothing but charred pieces.

Mary, her prince, the one who was always proud now seemed drained with a worryingly pale complexion.

Her cheeks were gaunt and golden eyes bloodshot, dark curves notable beneath her eyelids.

A red collar was fastened around Mary's neck while the chain of the house pet tag hung over her chest.

The fact that there were now two students who bore the signs of being under Sachiko's ownership was enough to have the academy on edge, wondering if there was going to be a third girl to suffer such a heinous fate.

"Mary-chan.."

The class had been filled with a wave of whispers the moment the blonde stepped foot into the classroom.

Mary had once mocked the whole class during the exam gambling battle and rightfully so, but the fact that she had fallen into such a broken-down situation in an instant was something incomprehensible.

Out of fear of Mary's owner, the class didn't physically bully her but they didn't bother to conceal their gloating and disdain for the girl who had once chastised them.

“Excuse me, make way please."

Without anymore eye contact, Mary just bypassed Tsuzura and refused to communicate with her in any way.

The rejection is painfully clear and Tsuzura felt it within her heart, her hands going to her chest as the urge to reach out continued to linger. Her eyes could only take in Mary's hunched figure as she approached her desk, her head down and movements monotonous.

This girl was no longer Saotome Mary, just a shadow of what used to be.

A similar routine would follow over the course of the next few days, with Mary refusing to acknowledge Tsuzura's existence in any form. The moment Tsuzura could even close any distance between them, Mary would flee.

With that collar around her neck and the way she ran, it had appeared that Sachiko's conditioning of her was reaching a completion.

Mary couldn't have seemed more primal.

But Tsuzura refused to let this be, her agony over feeling Mary slip through her fingers becoming unbearable.

"Mary-chan!"

She couldn't tolerate the situation anymore and stopped the blonde who was on her way out after school had ended.

Mustering all her courage, Tsuzura confronted the girl, her purple eyes shimmering, calling out for Mary to look at her.

"Please, don't do this anymore, Mary-chan! I know I can't even begin to understand what you are going through, but I..I'm here for you! Please don't shut me out, I can't bear that. I know I can't do much but I can listen so tell me what is going on" Tsuzura pleaded, her voice trembling but she pushed through.

She needed Mary to understand that she was still here for her regardless of Sachiko's grasp around her.

"Tsuzura, leave me alone."

"No!" Tsuzura replied, her emotions in a flurry as Mary started to walk around her and leave so she grabbed Mary's shoulders but the blonde flinched, a gasp between gritted teeth finding its way out between her lips.

The agonising expression Mary was showing just highlighted to toll of the damage Sachiko was lathering on her, drowning Mary emotionally and physically.

“I'm sorry! Are you injured?" she asked hurriedly, her eyes scanning over Mary, "What did Juraku-san do-"

"She didn't do anything so just leave me alone." Mary replied, tone despondent as she brushed Tsuzura's hand away from reaching out for her again.

Tsuzura attempted to help again but was immediately pushed away by the blonde, this time, the action more forceful which had Tsuzura stumbling backwards.

Just as Mary walked away, she uttered her parting words without turning back, "Just a word of advice, Tsuzura. You should stay away from personal house pets. It's dangerous."

Mary didn't have to look back to see Tsuzura's crestfallen features, the sound of her name being called out weakly being enough of an indicator to it.

But it was better this way, for Tsuzura's sake.

"Mary-chan.."

It was the first time Tsuzura had detested her powerlessness so desperately.

For she could do nothing but witness Mary's suffering.

All she could do was bear witness to Mary's plight, watching from afar as the girl who held her heart continued to crumble away into nothingness.

Helplessly, Tsuzura watched Mary fall.

***

Rumours had floated around the academy that day of how Sachiko's new house pet would gamble against a formidable opponent in her stead so Tsuzura rushed to the den in which this showcase was unfurling.

She had missed the gamble itself but it appeared that Mary was the one victorious.

But to call it a victory would be called into question when Mary slumped forward onto the table.

Perspiration was prevalent on her forehead and the back of her neck while her breathing became strained and upon closer inspection, Tsuzura could see why.

She was horrified to see the red of Mary's blazer become darker, indicating that there were clearly many wounds on her back which hadn't healed.

"Mary-chan!"

Just as she was about to put her hand on Mary, Sachiko stepped in front of her, a sharp smile on her lips and red eyes brimming with warning.

Tsuzura gulped, backing away ever so slightly as Sachiko yanked the chain around her hand which connected to Mary's collar.

"Stay away, Hanatemari. Mary belongs to me and I will handle it."

"You did this to her, Juraku-san!"

"What I do to her is not your concern." Sachiko stated and picked up Mary who had fallen unconscious before she looked at Tsuzura with a vulpine smile, "Hanatemari, your anger means nothing if you cannot win her back. Don't you think so?"

Tsuzura couldn't even refute it and remained silent, her hands clenched and eyes focusing on Mary.

In Sachiko's arms, Mary appeared smaller than ever, her head pressed near the older girl's shoulder and one arm draping down.

There was too much truth in Sachiko's words and Tsuzura despised it.

Losing Mary to Sachiko had also impacting the Literary club as they were unable to maintain a constant flow of income, barely getting by.

All they could rely on was a notebook contained Mary's instructions which they had found on the second day of Mary's captivity to Sachiko.

It was the same notebook Mary had used in the coupling event which Tsuzura and Yukimi had located on one of the bookshelves.

The almost illegible handwriting was telling of how rushed Mary must have been in her haste to support them.

Within the pages, the content included the operational planning of the gambling den, revenue budget, and gambling content designed for the next four months.
On the last page, there was one sentence:

That's all I can do now. Sorry.

***

Tsuzura and Yukimi didn't need to think twice about adhering to Mary's request of running their gambling den so the two poured all of their energy in keep their precious haven safe and active.

However, the Literary Club had become a focal target for many individuals to take over, especially after finding out that Mary was no longer around to protect it.

"Togakushi Yukimi and Hanatemari Tsuzura, I notify you as the Student Union Executive Officer that the Literary Club will be confiscated!" she declared with a jeering tone.

Aoi's minion was practically relishing in the fear she had inflicted into the Literary Club members.

Yukimi and Tsuzura flinched, shocked by such an announcement, "You can't do that!" Yukimi protested.

"Well, well, isn't this an interesting development. To think that someone is capable of using their powers of being part of the Student Council and the Full-Bloom Society to begin a rebellion"

The smooth voice wrapped around all those in the room, the thin strands of hair on the back of their neck raising in terror.

Stood at the door and leaning on the frame was Sachiko.

The Full-Bloom Society member balked at Sachiko's appearance, "Why are you here?!".

Winding the chain in her hand, Sachiko's predatory smile widened, "Just dropping by to introduce my new pet."

It was Mary who walked into the room, her steps gradual until she was in their sight.

The rumours were correct; Saotome Mary was now Juraku Sachiko's personal house pet now.

The realization dawned on Tsuzura when she saw Mary on the end of the leash, her shoulders slumped and eyes vacant but before she could say anything, Sachiko spoke up and moved into the room, turning her gaze to the Full-Bloom Society member.

“You, whatever your demands are, you come to me. I suggest you stay away from them.” she then motioned to Yukimi and Tsuzura.

The girl scoffed at Sachiko's demands but her attention was ob Mary, her lips turned into a sneer as she looked the blonde up and down.

"Let's see what you are now Saotome." she laughed with glee, "How the might have fallen. I gotta say, seeing you as a house pet was worth coming to this dump! Silly girl, do you think you still have any chips now to buy back your freedom? That dog chain on you is the only thing you have to your name."

Mary's fighting spirit, as dulled as it was, has returned, "You sure are keeping your distance. What, are you still afraid of me even though I'm a house pet? You're pathetic, just like the moron you follow and you're just as disgusting as Mibuomi. Coming here with no reason to take over the den and relying on dirty tactics like the rat you are".

"Your house pet is really insolent, Chairwoman Juraku." the member frowned, her eyes flashing in annoyance, "Hm, how about this. We gamble".

Sachiko raised a brow, "Oh, and what do you propose?".
The girl smirked, "I gamble with Saotome. Since you're her access to funds, it shouldn't be a problem supplying her. If I win, I get Saotome for a day and I can do whatever the hell I want to her."

Mary kept her head down but her face contorted into disgust at the proposal.

This academy and its twisted students had no morals whatsoever.

So when Sachiko agreed, the blonde could hardly say she waste surprised.

"Well, that sounds good. But if Mary wins, you stay away from the Literary Club."

The member seemed conflicted but Sachiko could easily note the arrogance oozing from her, not to mention her thirst for revenge against Mary.

It was like dangling a bait to a fish, no different than what Kirari had intended to so.

"Fine."

With that, Mary and the member took a seat at the table opposite each other.

Tsuzura kept her gaze on Mary throughout the process, trying to gauge the girl's thoughts, trying to reach out to her but Mary never glanced at her once.

"So, Saotome Mary, why aren't you dead yet?"

During the card game, the member's provocation of Mary was becoming callous with each scathing comment.

"When you rejected President Mibuomi, I honestly thought you were arrogant but had some backbone at least, though looking at you now, you just turned around and wagged your tail for Chairwoman Juraku."

The cards had been dealt as the degrading commentary continued and yet, Mary had no response as she felt Sachiko's eyes on her.

"So it seems that your self-esteem is non-existent anymore. I can't understand why you still have the nerve to exist, to remain alive only to be pulled around like an animal. If I were you, I would have strangled myself with that chain." the member lamented like her fate had been tied to Sachiko's, "Then again, you deserve the collar, fool. Who the hell do you think you are? Walking into our academy without any status or money? Look at how it worked out for you, Saotome. You were deluded in thinking yourself as a winner, a champion, but finally-"

"Shut up, you damn witch!"

The heart wrenching cry was emitted from Tsuzura and her outburst had startled everyone. She glared at the reprehensible member, with both anger and tears as Yukimi placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hanatemari-san." Yukimi said softly but Tsuzura couldn't be appeased.

"All you do is use power to manipulate people recklessly and rely on wealth to dominate others! None of your achievements are your own, you have no talent compared to Mary-chan!" she stated with clarity, her hands on the edge of the gambling table, "No matter how large the obstacle, Mary-chan has always faced them and won. No matter what kind of desperate situation she ends up in, Mary-chan will seek to find a turning point. She would never remain trapped for long, always finding a way out! Are you afraid? Because you should be. You are afraid of Mary-chan, so you use your cold words to distract her like this-”

“I request a raise." a quiet yet determination voice interrupted Tsuzura, "If I win, not only are you not allowed to step foot in the Literary Club, but you can't harass Tsuzura or Yukimi."

"Wait, what?! I don't think so, Saotome!".

Mary had finally raised her head, her golden eyes lined with aggravation and if those looks could kill, the Full-Bloom Society member wouldn't be upright. It silence her immediately as she watched Mary reach forward.
The blonde placed a row of cards which signalled her win on the table and sought out Tsuzura who was stood next to her, her gaze softening as she grinned, "Tsuzura, you need to work on your insults. That piece of work is worse than a witch."

Tsuzura couldn't help the whimper of relief escape from her lips, her smile forming, "I'm sorry." she managed, "I'll work on it if you help me. Just don't shut me out again."

Though Mary couldn't promise that, she could let Tsuzura know that she was still here for her and gave the girl a smile, one which was a replica of the smiles she used to reserve only for Tsuzura.

Sachiko chuckled at the turn of events, "Ah, such is in Mary's style to turn every gamble into something so riveting. My pet truly is remarkable." she smiled before it turned into a snarl when she looked at the Full-Bloom Society members, "You have lost so leave. Before I make you gamble with me."

They all scurried away the moment those words left Sachiko's mouth, enough of a deterrent to not cause further issues.

Sachiko then stood up and walked slowly to the girl she owned and gazed into her eyes, making Mary look up at without even touch her. She curled the length of the chain around her hand and then coiled it up before placing it and the leash into Mary's blazer pocket.

Her long fingers then went to the red collar around Mary's neck, adjusting it so that the material wasn't clinching against her skin and then stepped back.

"Since you have left me satisfied with the results of this gamble, I believe you are entitled to a reward. I am a fair master, after all. So I will give you 15 minutes with them."

"Really?"

Mary's hopeful voice made Sachiko chuckle, how she loved that sight, "Of course. I'll be outside."

With that, Sachiko turned and sauntered out of the room to leave Mary with Tsuzura and Yukimi.

They gave Mary time to compose herself as she stood up and took the two girls in as she summoned her words.

"Listen, you two.." Mary started and forced out a guilty smile, "I'm sorry for everything. I..just didn't know how to face you, not with these thing around my neck." she sighed and tugged at the house pet and collar chain, "I'm ashamed that it ended up this way after declaring how we would be the champions. But I messed up and destroyed everything so if you're mad at me, I get it and deserve it."

Yukimi instantly shook her head, "Saotome-san, you have no reasons to apologise. None of us knew that this would happen and it wasn't like you had a choice. Juraku-san trapped in the gamble with her!"

Tsuzura nodded in agreement, "Togakushi-senpai is right, Mary-chan, I have never been angry. You must know that. I am just so sorry that I can do nothing to get you away from Juraku-san. Do your wound still hurt? It looks so bad and you weren't moving." she said and moved to Mary as her eyes shimmered, "I am really worried."

"Not gonna deny it but yeah, Juraku really messed me up." she laughed, the pain prevalent when she rotated her shoulder, "She could have killed me. You know, I..betrayed myself, Tsuzura."

Yukimi and Tsuzura exchanged a glance as the former asked, "How do you mean?"

"I begged for mercy from Juraku. How could I do that? I don't deserve to be a champion if I couldn't take what she did." Mary scowled whilst thinking back to that horrendous first day, "I caved to her. That makes me pathetic."

"Oh, Mary-chan, don't say that." Tsuzura said whilst shaking her head and placing her hands on Mary's arms, agitated by the blonde's self-deprecating, "You had no choice but to beg her to stop. She would have done worse, even go as far as to kill you and that is not the way to win!"

"Exactly. 'When the inchworm bends itself up, it moves forward by straightening itself again'." Yukimi recited, "Those who achieve great things can always take temporary setbacks and still win."

Mary had missed Yukimi's quotes, chuckling to herself, if only to mask the relief she was feeling that Tsuzura and Yukimi didn't think less of her.

"It's just like you to drop a motivational quote, Yukimi."

Yukimi blushed and rubbed the back of her neck, "It applies to you, Saotome-san. So don't give up on us because we won't give up on you."

Mary was touched by the moral boost and the way Yukimi and Tsuzura were watching her with nothing but adoration. So she stretched out her arms and suddenly encircled the two girls, drawing them into a hug.

"Mary-chan?! You can't do that! Your injuries!" Tsuzura cried out and carefully placed her arm around Mary's lower back as Yukimi did the same.

"It's fine, Tsuzura." Mary smiled against her ear, "I think I'm used to Juraku's crap now. Anyway, fifteen minutes is too damn short and I don't know when I will get the chance to see you both again like this."

Mary wasn't one to initiate physical contact like the other two were but her time away from them and her treatment from Sachiko had been an eye opening experience.

"Yes, it's too short." Tsuzura repeated and carefully lifted her arms, gently wrapping them around the blonde's waist. "Mary-chan, I trust you, I will always trust you. I'll keep waiting for you. When the day comes and you are free, let's just do something, okay? Anything, as long as you're with us"

"Sure." Mary smiled slightly, "Till then, Tsuzura."

Please wait for me.

【芽葛】重逢

“葛笼……”“对不起。”

葛笼没想到那竟是她们最后一次正常对话。

无能为力地目送着芽亚里离去，下一次见面已经是第二天早上。

听到熟悉的脚步在靠近班级，满腔的话语在见面的时候却无法吐露分毫。

她的芽亚里，永远昂扬，永远骄傲的芽亚里，如今却是面色惨白。

项圈扣上了脖颈，家畜牌也实实在在地挂上了胸前。

“芽亚里ちゃん……”

班里涌起了窃窃私语，考试赌博一战中嘲讽了全班的人，转瞬沦落到这样的境地，虽然顾及着她身为风纪委员的主人，但是，幸灾乐祸，落井下石的心思与氛围是无法隐藏的。

“……请让一下。”没有任何眼神的接触，芽亚里就这样绕过了她的身边，拒绝交流的信息明确无比。

之后几天也是如此，尽可能地避开一切的交流，下了课只要葛笼想要过去就先一步离开。

“芽亚里ちゃん！”不知道芽亚里到底过着怎样的日子，却实实在在地看着她一天天虚弱下去。葛笼无法再忍受这样的日子，终于鼓起勇气在放学路上拦下金发的少女，“不要，不要再这样了！我们，我们谈一谈……好吗？“虽然，我不知道芽亚里ちゃん现在有多么痛苦，但是，但是至少听一听的话，我……！”

“嘶！”激动之下葛笼抓上芽亚里的双肩，却让金发少女瞬间露出一个极度痛苦的表情。

“啊，对不起，你受伤了吗？不，是聚乐股长她……”

“我没话和你说，花·手·毬·同·学。”葛笼本能地想去扶一把，却被芽亚里一把推开，金发少女就这样步履蹒跚地离开，不曾回过哪怕一次头，“姑且给你个忠告……别和别人的专属家畜扯上关系。”

“芽亚里ちゃん……”葛笼第一次这样怨恨起自己的无力，只能看着芽亚里受苦的无力，只能听着同学私底下对芽亚里的嘲讽侮辱的无力。

只能眼睁睁看着她倒下的无力。

那天听到消息，聚乐的新家畜要代替她迎接校园强手的挑战，她急急忙忙地赶去现场，却看到芽亚里在胜利之后倒下。

背部显然有伤口开裂，外套上汩汩地渗出血来。

“芽亚里ちゃん！”

“花手毬同学，请你自重，早乙女是聚乐大人的专属家畜，聚乐大人自然会处理。”

“别开玩笑了！芽亚里ちゃん会变成这样，就是你害的吧！聚乐股长！”

“是又怎样呢？”聚乐抱起陷入昏迷的芽亚里，又似笑非笑地看向葛笼，“花手毬同学，如果没有能力赢回早乙女芽亚里的人身权，你的愤怒就毫无意义。”

“……”聚乐股长是对的。在失去芽亚里之后，赌场如今的运转靠的不过是一本笔记。

是的，在芽亚里成为聚乐家畜的第二天，她和雪见在文艺部的书架里找到了一个笔记本。凌乱的字迹诉说着写录者的匆忙，内容则是未来四个月赌场的运营规划、营收预算以及赌博的内容设计，笔记的最后，是一句话：我只能做到这里了，对不起，葛笼，雪见。

既然芽亚里希望她们把赌场继续开下去，葛笼无论如何也想达成她的愿望。

可是，即使只是这样的愿望，也依旧有人想要摧毁。

“户隐雪见，花手毬葛笼，我以‘学生会执行官’的名义通知你们，文艺部就此没收！”

“明明计划着谋反，借用学生会权力的时候却是毫不脸红呢。”善咲会的评议员正趾高气昂地发出宣告，忽然有一个令所有人毛骨悚然的声音响起，聚乐幸子不知何时出现在了门口，手上随意拿着的链子蜿蜒着通向视野之外，“和大家见个面吧，我的家畜。”

“芽亚里ちゃん……”锁链的另一端，从阴影中缓缓现身的，确确实实是眼神黝黑的芽亚里。

是啊，芽亚里现在……是聚乐的专属家畜。

见过芽亚里戴着项圈，也见过聚乐强硬地抱起昏迷的芽亚里，但在真真切切地看到芽亚里被聚乐拴在手里的时候，葛笼才真正地有了实感。

“善咲会的，要算账就找我，别对无关的人下手。”

“哟，真难看啊早乙女~不对，现在应该叫家·畜·了。少自以为是了，你以为现在的你身上还有什么筹码？身上的那条狗链吗？”

“哼……是吗，连与已经沦为家畜的我正面对战都不敢，只会用这种拐弯抹角的手段啊……跟那个壬生辰一样令人恶心呢。”

“……呐，聚乐股长。”评议员的眼睛生出些许寒意，“专属家畜的赌注只能由主人出了吧。既然这样……如果我赢了，我要早乙女一天的使用权。”

“哦？也不是不行，但是不管文艺部了吗？”整个过程中，葛笼一直看着芽亚里，金发的少女却一次也没有看向她。

“早乙女，你怎么还不去死呢？”牌局上，评议员不断地口出恶言。“之前拒绝葵会长的时候我还以为，你虽然傲慢好歹还有点骨气，结果转头就在聚乐身边摇尾巴？”

“看来你的自尊心也不过如此，无法理解你怎么还有脸出现，如果是我，早就用你脖子上那条狗链勒死自己……”“不过，没权没势地就闯进百花王的蠢货，这个下场倒是和你很般配呢~自以为自己有多聪明多厉害，最后不过是……”

“给我闭嘴啊！！！！！混蛋！！！！！！”撕心裂肺的嚎叫让所有人都吓了一跳，而这嚎叫的源头，是花手毬葛笼。

“借着权势把人肆意玩弄，倚仗天生的资本作威作福，如果是属于自己的才能，你们有哪里比得上芽亚里ちゃん！”

“不管面前有多大的障碍都敢面对，不管是怎样的绝境都会寻求转机，芽亚里ちゃん才不会一直被困住！你们是害怕了吧？害怕着芽亚里ちゃん，才想这样逼死她……”

“……我要求加注。”一个声音打断了葛笼，“如果我赢了赌局，那么你不仅不能再找文艺部麻烦，也不能唆使任何人找文艺部麻烦。还有……”芽亚里压下一张牌，“骂得太烂了啊，葛笼。”

一声喜极而泣的呜咽脱口而出，葛笼慌慌张张地捂住嘴：“抱歉……”

“看了场很精彩的戏呢。我很开心哦，芽亚里。”送走脸色惨白的善咲会干部，聚乐慢慢走到家畜面前，居高临下地凝视着她的双眼。

将手上的锁链整理一番放入芽亚里的口袋，又整了整她的项圈，“那么，就给你们十五分钟时间吧。”

部室大门关闭，只剩下曾为伙伴的三人。

“芽亚里ちゃん……”

“……对不起啊，葛笼……”芽亚里攥着胸前的家畜牌，用力地挤出一个笑容，“变成这种样子……太丢脸了啊。完全不知道该怎么面对你，明明说好了，要一起成为胜者的……”

“我没有生过气哦。我知道，芽亚里ちゃん一直很痛苦，是我太没用了，什么忙都帮不上……对了，芽亚里ちゃん，你的伤还疼不疼？那天一看就好严重……”

“……确实，很疼啊……刚刚抽牌放牌的时候，疼得要命……”芽亚里笑出了眼泪，“葛笼，我好没用，我向聚乐求饶了……她的鞭子太痛了，本来想着无论如何也要有骨气一点，最后却怕了……我根本没有做胜者的资格……”

“才不是这样的！”葛笼激动地打断，“继续被聚乐股长那么对待，芽亚里ちゃん会死的啊！这样、这样的话，硬扛才不是胜者之道！”

“是啊，所谓尺蠖之屈，以求信也；龙蛇之蛰，以存身也。”

“那是什么啊……”

“成大事者能屈能伸。”

“哼……总感觉有一个世纪没听过你掉书袋了啊，户隐学姐。”芽亚里忽然一展臂膀，用力地圈住两个伙伴。

“欸？！芽、芽亚里ちゃん，你的伤……”

“别管它了，聚乐才不会管我痛不痛。比起这个，十五分钟，太短了啊……”

“是，呢……”连抱着哭一场都做不到。这样想着，葛笼轻轻地环住金发的少女，她的王子殿下，“芽亚里ちゃん，无论如何，我们永远都是伙伴噢……我会等着你，无论多久都会等着你，然后，到那个时候……大家再一起去做点什么吧，什么都行，只是，我们一起去做......”

“嗯，约好了。”

Chapter Text

English Version

Mary's loss to Sachiko had impacted her in every way possible.

The erasure of her humanity, the servitude to a sadist, the destruction of her former relationships, and the most pressing issue, the relocation of her accommodation.

Upon Sachiko's demand which could not be negotiated, she handed in the residency application and received the approval a few days later.

Now, she had the arduous task of moving herself from the comforts of her own home, to the dormitory.

Two of the primary consequences of this change of situation included the increased debt from the accommodation fees, along with acquiring a roommate who may kill her at any time.

The severity of her scenario continued to sink into her bones like lead, dragging her down as each pitiful day went by.

Mary had started to garner enough clarity into why it is said that house pets rarely regained their status as human. Having had lost any rights or control of their lives, they were doomed to be plunged into debt in their efforts to gain freedom and in doing so, sinking them into hopeless despondency.

The suffering of a house pet was endless, be it financially, physically, mentally and emotionally.
For some, it extended beyond and into unpardonable territory.

To think of it in a more optimistic light, Mary tried to reason that being under Sachiko's subjugation could be worse in comparison to the stories she had heard of other personal house pets. At the very least, Sachiko was capable of cutting her some slack and adhering to Mary's requests, if she deemed them necessary after making Mary grovel.

The same couldn't be said for the hundreds of other house pets tied to their owners.

Mary still had the opportunity to fight for herself and earn her keep whilst partaking in gambles with excessively risky stakes, courtesy of her mistress.

With one half of her problems somewhat reasoned with, Mary had the second consequence of her situation to confront.

She groaned at the thought of Sado Mikura who was most likely waiting for her in their dorm room.

To mitigate this problem wouldn't be as straightforward.

The blonde had arrived at the room, her golden eyes roaming over the door and she wondered if Mikura had set any traps for her to walk into or maim her. Given how furious Mikura was with arrangement too, she wouldn't put it past the volatile redhead.

Mary took in a deep breath, left her luggage outside the door and then inserted the key she had received into the lock, twisting it slowly.

Nothing happened.

At least not now.

When she walked in, the silence was overpowering enough to feel it sticking to her skin and the foreboding nature was only enhanced by chilling blue eyes watching her.

Mikura was seated on the chair next to the desk with a book in her hand, glaring at her new roommate which may have been a precursor to something far more dangerous than the idea of a trap waiting for her at the door.

There was a time bomb ticking between the two house pets, the room now the setting of the Sword of Damocles.

The peace between them truly was hanging on by the hair of a horse's tail.

Mary, in her infuriated and exhausted state, took the sword to her own head, as well as, Mikura's.

"I must say, Sado-san.." Mary started, breaking the deadlock and silence as she walked in.

Mikura slammed the book in her hand shut and scowled at the blonde, her tone icy, "What?"

The sneer Mary was renowned for when she wanted to aggravate her opponents appeared in all its glory.

She placed a hand on her hip, her other hand going over her mouth in a mocking gesture when she laughed.

"I'm really sorry for breaking into your personal space to take Juraku's heart and attention from you." she grinned and leaned forward, her other hand away from her mouth now, "As much as Juraku disgusts me, we are in this fucked up situation where we both have to serve that psychopath together. But you've figured it out, right? You know she prefers me over you."

Vicious words poured out from Mary‘s lips, each one laced in an unbearably mocking tone.

She was absolutely furious, so trapped and if she couldn't take it out on Sachiko, then Mikura would suffice. It helped that the redhead made it easy to do since she didn't conceal her hatred of Mary either.

So the ticking of the time bomb had stopped, now followed by an explosion.

The sword hanging above them had descended, no longer serving as a warning.

Both weapons were made to fall, to harm.

So there was no time like the present.

Mikura was up on her feet not a second later, "What did you just say?" she all but hissed at the other girl.

Her eyes had become a vortex of blue, the storm within them reaching a crescendo.

She had heard every word clearly but she offered Mary an out, to retract her scathing diatribe because if Mary did repeat what she had said, then Mikura wasn't going to hold back.

Mary laughed again, that condescending sound scraping into Mikura's ear canal.

"What, did I use too many big words for you to understand? You fucking heard me" Mary scoffed and shook her head, "I wouldn't wanna be a coward like you, Sado-san. Just because you failed to keep Juraku interested in you, you come after me! Honestly, you're so pathetic it makes me want to cry. No wonder Juraku is obsessed with me because compared to you, I'm a fucking upgrade."

Mikura was seething now, teeth bared and fists shaking at the nerve of the empty headed girl in front of her.

"You bitch! I swear if you don't stop talking now, I'll make you" she warned, "If you think you have anything over me, you're more deluded than I thought."

"How scary. You're all bark and no bite just like the dog you want to be. Instead of wasting time glaring at me, why don't you actually do something to keep your mistress interested in you? Unlike you, I'm not willing to lie down when Juraku tells me but you're all about that, aren't you? So go and be her obedient pet because either one of those options is better than what you are doing now."

Mikura snapped, "Go fuck yourself!"

Mary had successfully ignited the fuse to the dynamite that was Mikura, the girl as livid as she was now.

The inevitable fight between them had ensued.

Mikura took the first swing, barely missing Mary's face when the blonde pushed into her, hitting Mikura with a clean strike to her cheek.

Mikura hobbled back and grabbed whatever she could find on her desk to use it as a weapon, stationary, books and a stapler which landed on Mary's shoulder.

Anything was fair game now as they grappled each other, fists colliding with limbs and features, nails burying under skin till blood trickled out of wounds. All their pent up rage at Sachiko's plotting and scheming was enacted onto each other, their frustrated yells following each action.

There was a brutish manner in which they fought, rough and barbaric, much like the methods of their mistress.

Mikura's hands were around Mary's throat for a while before Mary shook her free and tossed the redhead off of her before using her knee to ram it against Mikura's ribs, the girl doubled over and coughing.

The brief respite gave Mary the time to wipe her bloodied lips and nose on the back of her hand but brief it was because Mikura came barrelling towards her, knocking them both to the floor again.

It was only after they exhausted all of their energy that their brawl came to an end and Mary was on top of Mikura, pinning her arms down, both panting heavily when the redhead finally stopped lashing out.

Their altercation lasted long enough for the effervescent moon to rise into the sky and the dimmed lighting of the room to cast an eerie shadow over the destroyed interior.

"Stop moving." Mary warned as Mikura tried to sit up, or use her forehead to hurt Mary, "Fuck..you really were trying to kill me, huh? And you probably would get away with it since not a single person walked in to stop us. Cause we're just house pets" she said with contempt, looking at the tags and collars around their neck, "I fucking hate this place."

Mikura had turned her face away, her breathing erratic as she listened to Mary's rant. Her hair was covering the side of her face, the red strands almost camouflaged against the blood on her cheek.

Expecting Mikura to scream at her again, Mary waited and kept a firm hold of Mikura's wrist but what she heard instead was the girl sobbing quietly, her body trembling.

"Shit.." Mary mumbled and released Mikura's hands, "Hey, Sado-san."

"I hate you."

Mikura looked up at her, trails of tears skimming over her cheeks and all Mary saw was vulnerability rather than anger.

She knew Mikura was just as tired of this as she was and nodded after placing her hands on the floor, "I know."

The redhead's sobbing rapidly evolved and quickly turned into uncontrollable crying, "Since you don't want to be like this, why don't you work harder to free yourself from Juraku-sama!? Why do this yourself!? And to me?"

"I'll answer but you need to calm down before you start hyperventilating" Mary said and pressed her reddened knuckles on Mikura's shoulder, "Breath."

To breath was to feel pain for both considering their injuries but Mary didn't want Mikura to pass out. Her earlier anger had completely dissipated and all they needed to do was beat the hell out of each other, now left with the aftermath which in some way, was even more painful.

Once Mikura had steadied herself, Mary sighed, "I'm sorry about earlier, what I said. I know it's because of my incompetence and recklessness that it turned out this way. But it won't be like this for long, I promise. I will get out of this and then you can have your life back."

"How? How can you guarantee me that? You won't win over Juraku-sama..nobody has." Mikura scoffed, "Besides, I won't let you win against her either."

"What's with you?" Mary frowned, "You don't want me near Juraku and yet, you don't want me to beat her? What kind of bullshit is that?"

"I don't have to answer anything."

"Oh, I think you do. What's your plan now? Kill me and deal with Juraku's anger? Cause I know she will be pissed if you do that. Or are you gonna help her turn me into whatever she wants? Do you plan on helping me escape from her grasps? What do you want, Sado-san?"

Mikura tore her gaze away from Mary's probing stare, the numerous questions making her head spin. She remained silent for a few seconds, weighing up her options.

In truth, none of what Mary had asked would be applicable because Sachiko had already assigned Mikura her task when it came to Mary.

"I will keep my eyes on you."

"What?"

"That is what Juraku-sama wanted me to do. I don't plan to disobey her. But...if you were to go off and do something to win back your freedom, I'll pretend not to notice."

"Oh, seriously?"

"I want this to stop as much as you do, Saotome-san."

"I appreciate that. I'll try my best" Mary managed to say and moved off of the other girl, crouching next to her, "Can you sit up?"

"No, you probably broke one of my ribs" Mikura scowled but took Mary's hand when she offered it, "Who does that?".

"That's rich coming from the girl who almost rotated my arm the other way so we're even."

***

The following day at the greenhouse, Sachiko was seated on her couch, looking at her two pets kneeling in front of her.

"Do either of you care to tell me what happened?" she asked with a dangerous smile, flicking the stem of the whip against her palm. "In just one night, my formal pet and the practicing one displayed themselves as nothing but fools. I've seen Sakura separate less disastrous fights in dens than what you two have done to each other."

Mary and Mikura, who lowering their head, secretly glanced at each other, the map of their injuries prominent.

"Look at you both, injured to a point where even grooming yourselves was problematic. Moreover, you demolished your room like animals. Yes, you are pets but you are mine and I raise them a little more dignified. Do you expect me to compensate for the destruction you caused? Speak."

Silently figuring out how to turn away Sachiko's wrath in the least troublesome way, Mikura spoke up first, bending down until both her hands and forehead touched the floor, "I'm sorry, Juraku-sama-"

"It's all my fault." But interupted by Mary.

【芽佐渡】我的冤种室友

在赌局中一败涂地，独自背上债务而被迫成为聚乐的专属家畜，沦落到这样的境地，芽亚里不得不面对一系列客观与主观的困境。“主人”已经足够棘手，但是在那之前，还有一个更大的麻烦。

在聚乐的命令下，她从走读变住校，住宿费导致的欠款增加不说，还和佐渡魅久良成了室友。
一打开门就撞见佐渡看死人般的目光，如火的夏日硬是被冻得汗毛倒竖。
总觉得明天就会登上社会新闻头条，“花季少女半夜惨遭室友杀害”的当事人的那种。

“呐，佐渡。”这样的话……
“什么？”
“闯入这个聚乐专~属家畜的个人空间真是万~分地抱歉，虽然我很不情愿，但是看来我们不得不同~住屋檐下服侍同~一个主人了呢~”言语化为子弹，用阴阳怪气的冲锋枪连续发射。
既然注定处不好关系，就只能主动掀桌了！
“你·说·什·么？”佐渡原本只是阴沉的脸如今颇有转为雷暴的趋势。
“难道我说错了吗？没有魅力留住主人的心还连累我丧失自由的辣鸡，简直可悲得让人快哭出来了啊~”
“……你这个……”
“哎呀呀可怜的丧家之犬，如果我是你的话可不会就这样傻傻地站在这里，哭着去求主人又或者干脆接受现实当只乖乖狗，无论哪种都比在心里哭唧唧要强得多吧~”
“你这个该死的流浪狗啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！！！！！！！我要杀了你啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！”

早乙女芽亚里，以性命为赌注打了此生中最久最危险的一架。
相互的推搡，拳头的互殴，小物件的互掷，操持家具的械斗，物品与精力都被耗尽之后又回归到最初的推搡，等到两人都气喘吁吁地瘫倒在地的时候，已经是明月高挂的时候了。
“嘶，真的差一点就被杀了啊……这么大的动静都没有人来管一管，这个学校对家畜到底漠视到了什么程度啊……”芽亚里捂着青紫的脸颊喃喃自语着，却忽然听到佐渡的啜泣声。
“佐渡？你……”
“我讨厌你……”啜泣急剧地进化，很快演变成抑制不住的泣不成声，“聚乐大人有、有第二个家畜，还、还偏偏是你……”
“……对不起了。确实是因为我的无能和鲁莽，才让事情变成这样的。”变成只有聚乐一个人得意的情况，“但是……我不会一直占着这个位子的。”
“呜……你、你怎么保证，你、你不可能赢聚乐大人的！我也不会让你赢过她的！”
“所以说啊，你到底打算怎样？杀了我然后承受那个人的怒火？协助她把我变成想要的样子？帮我逃出她的手掌心？”
“……”
“弄不明白的话，可能很快就会出现三四五六号专属家畜了哦？虽然我是无所谓……”
“……聚乐大人想要我监视你。”
“蛤？”
“虽然她什么都没说过，但是聚乐大人的事，我都知道！她一定是要我监视你有没有不当言行——有没有辱骂主人，有没有搞小动作，最重要的……有没有好好戴着项圈。”佐渡擦了擦眼睛，“听好了，除了洗澡的时候，一律不许动。”
“虽然我多少有猜到，但是你啊……就这样直接告诉我了吗？”
“我不打算违背聚乐大人的命令。今后一定好好监视你。但是……仅限今晚。”佐渡扭过头去，“我会忘掉你大不敬的一切。”
“是吗……那我也会忘掉你告诉过我这些的事。为了躲开你的监视……我得更努力一点呢。那么……还站得起来吗？”

“所以，这是怎么回事呢？”专属茶室里，聚乐幸子叠腿坐在椅子上，看着并排跪在自己面前的专属家畜们。她的脸上带笑，却拿着马鞭轻拍手掌，“只一个晚上过去，我的优秀家畜和实习家畜就把自己变成了同一个蠢样子，连最基础的仪容端正都做不到，而且还因为破坏寝室，要我赔一大笔钱？”

Chapter Text

"Really, Saotome-san, How foolish could you be? Do you have any idea how worse you have made things for yourself?!"

"Yeah, I get it. Stop going on about it. I am just as foolish as you expected so quit with the reminders."
This was the dialogue exchanged between Mary and Mikura following Mary taking culpability for what had happened in their room.

There was no leniency offered by Sachiko as she increased Mary's debt to recompense for the damage which had been enacted in the room. Since Mary had taken full responsibility, the total amount of the costs had been added to Mary's debt.

The fact that Mary had even put herself forward like that had Mikura do a double take and gasp out. While it wouldn't have been an issue if Mikura had accrued the additional debt to Sachiko, for it to be added to Mary's was certainly going to be problematic.

Such was in Mary's altruistic nature, she took responsibility without thinking of the repercussions which would befall her and in doing so, Mary was playing right into Sachiko's hands.

If she could, Sachiko would plunge Mary into as much debt as possible to keep her by her side and this latest stunt had precisely contributed to that.

The redhead couldn't help but to ponder on whether Mary could actually escape her status as a house pet now.

Sachiko was renowned for her proficiency when it came to juggling the human mind, shaping and destroying it to her own whims and to her, Mary was a wounded prey in front of her, as helpless as a new-born.

Regardless of how Mikura was stressing over this, her only way to vent was to rant to Mary.

Which Mikura would utilise a few days later when she, Mary and Sachiko were in the greenhouse.

Sachiko had deemed it necessary to train Mary on a certain aspect she had been failing on.

"I must say, Mary, your ability to do something as simple as follow me is abysmal." Sachiko lamented from her seat with her hand supporting her cheek, "When I take you for a walk, you are either too close to me or too far away. Occasionally, you somehow manage to walk into my back which I do not appreciate. I can't go out with such an uncoordinated pet. It will make me lose face if my pets are incapable of doing something as simple as walking behind me."

Mary had bitten her tongue to halt herself from speaking as Sachiko continued.

"So, it seems like I will have to put my other tasks for you aside in order to deal with this problem." the older girl announced, a knowing smile appearing on her lips when she looked at Mikura, her well trained pet, "Mikura, my little kitten, can I trust you to train Mary?"

"Yes, Juraku-sama!" she had eagerly replied.

It went without saying that Mikura couldn't refuse Sachiko, more so when Sachiko's honeyed words wrapped around her.

Upon Mikura's agreement, the current spectacle was underway in the greenhouse.

Mary walking behind Mikura who had the blonde's leash in her hand.

They had been at this for an hour and each minute of it was somewhat disastrous. Sachiko's complaints held some credence when it came to Mary making too many errors when following her and Mikura was being subjected to it.

The occasional collision of Mary's shoes hitting the back of Mikura's.

Mary trailing along too far, leaving the chain taut between them.

Then there was the stumbling which led to Mary crashing into Mikura numerous times.

In spite of this, Mikura had managed to remain patient, up until the recent clash.

She turned to look over her shoulder, glaring at Mary, "You're too close! How are you screwing up such a basic task like walking?!" she chastised, "Seriously, you're not that much of a fool, are you?"

Mary sighed, her own irritation creeping through, "Enough of this fool bullshit. If it's that much of an issue, you shouldn't have agreed to Juraku telling you to do this."

"Don't be ridiculous." the redhead scoffed, "Unlike you, I can follow instructions which is why she will never replace me. It's not for me to question but Juraku-sama is wasting her time trying to tame you."

Mary said nothing, her eyes faraway as she gripped the red collar, her fingers digging into it, wishing she could rip it into pieces. Having to listen to Mikura's sanctimonious speech, which seemed misplaced considering the kind of person Sachiko is, was becoming grating.

She wasn't sure how long she could keep this up for, missing the previous normality of her life and Mikura must have noticed the strain in Mary's countenance as she backed down, shaking her head.

"What's going on with you, Saotome-san?".
The blonde didn't respond, just gazed out beyond the gazebo to where the double doors were.

To think that she could no longer walk out hammered another nail to her coffin.

She felt Mikura tug on the chain to get her attention and Mary snarled, about to lay into the other girl but Mikura spoke up, tone depicting caution.

"You know, if you don't fix this, Juraku-sama isn't going to let you do anything else. You won't be able to gamble so there goes your chance to earn any money to free yourself. She won't let you study and as a scholarship student, you know damn well what will happen if your grades aren't high. Unfortunately, being Juraku-sama's personal house pet and a scholarship student isn't the best combination and you know what will happen if you mess up your studies."

Mary was well aware of what was at stake which at this point, was everything and she became overwhelmed.

The world seemed to be giving away beneath her feet so Mary crouched down, her fingers tugging at her hair in frustration, "I know."

It was an ever looming threat over her head.

The pressures of being an honours student, the fact that her admission and tuition was reliant on maintaining her grades and should she waver with her studies, how it would lead to her having her privileges revoked.

In addition to this, the fact that she was Sachiko's personal house pet had bound her to Hyakkaou as she wouldn't be prohibited to transfer out of the academy.
Her only option to survive this pit of horrors was to regain her status as a normal student and even that entailed the threat of high debts.

It was as if all of her goals and escape methods had been sealed off and the girl was struggling to come to terms with it.

"I get it, okay? I know there is way too much riding on this but I'm just sick of it all." she said, her tone dejected and unable to remain even, "I hate this."
To be pulled around on a leash like an animal was humiliating enough and adding to that strain was Sachiko's eyes constantly on her, waiting for her to mess up, pushing her into such pitiful situations and reacting with glee.

For every idea Mary had to obtain her freedom, Sachiko was there to disintegrate it, to beat her down by any means.

Mikura found it harrowing to see Mary like this as it was apposite to her usual behaviour. This girl, who once could claw her way out of any situation just seemed pitiable and Mikura didn't like the sight.
She actually felt bad so she crouched down in front of Mary.

"Hey, Saotome-san" she said carefully and reached into her own pocket to retrieve a mint and handed it to Mary, "I know it's hard, okay? But you can do this. You always manage to find a way out and this situation is no different. So just try and bear with it a bit longer. I'm doing the same too, believe it or not."

"Really? This is your version of bearing with it?" Mary managed to smirk and looked at the mint in Mikura's hand.

"You have no idea. The temptation to strangle you with this chain grows everyday." Mikura glowered, "So stop messing up and do what you must to get away from Juraku-sama. I get that being prideful is your thing but it isn't going to help you so dial it the hell down would you? It's annoying as fuck."

Mary peered at her roommate, noting a pretty shade of pink on her cheeks and she finally could smile at the absurdity of this all. She accepted Mikura's offering and popped it into her mouth, savouring the fresh taste.

She knew Mikura was right and bending to Sachiko might be the best way to regain some leverage.
"Alright, let's do this. Can you show how to do this, Sado-san?"

They both stood up again as Mikura demonstrated what do to, "Listen, when Juraku-sama walks ahead, always maintain a three step distance from her and if she stops, take two more steps forward and then stand near her."

"Right, I think I got this." Mary nodded, watching Mikura carefully, "Let me try again."

"Feel confident, do you?" Mikura smirked and twirled Mary's leash in her hand, "That's a shame because I hate to say that I laced the mint with poison and you're going to die before tomorrow."

Mary returned the girl's grin and folded her arms across her chest, meeting the redhead's challenging look.

"Thanks for the warning, Sado-san, I'll be sure to finish my suicide note and then climb into your bed to wait for the time."

"What? Go and die in your own bed!"

【芽佐渡】随行训练

前言：芽亚里输掉了赌局，被迫成为聚乐专属家畜的if线，幸子对芽亚里的举止不甚满意，于是命令魅久良对她加以训练。
可爱属于她们，ooc属于我

百花王学园的周末总是没什么人，毕竟赌场不开门，而住校生的数量一只手就能数得过来。
这样一来，操场上的两人就格外地显眼了。

“真是的，悟性这么差，聚乐大人到底看中你哪里了啊，你真的有认真学了吗……”佐渡颇为嫌弃地甩了甩手，带出一阵哗啦啦的金属声响——是的，她的手上正握着一条锁链，而锁链的另一端，连接的正是芽亚里的项圈。
“嫌我悟性差，一开始就不要接这个活啊。”蹲在地上的芽亚里睨了眼佐渡，眼神不曾因受制改变分毫。

“那可不行，我可是聚乐大人亲口认证的优秀家畜。”佐渡毫不示弱地睨回去。

“走动的时候要么太远要么太近，该停下的时候也总是把握不好距离，有两次还撞在我的身上，另外，随行的体态也不合格……芽亚里，我可没法带这样的你出门啊。”茶室里，聚乐幸子坐在书桌边，托腮打量着一言不发的金发少女，“这样一来，也就只好停掉你其他的活动，先把这件事解决掉呢。”

“魅久良。”幸子转动眼珠，看向立侍一旁的佐渡，“作为我优秀的家畜，随行训练交给你，没问题吧？”

于是，在幸子的一句话下，两人就这样绑定在了一起。
“理解不了你啊，因为一句夸奖就赴汤蹈火什么的……”

“嘁，我也不指望不懂聚乐大人魅力的家伙能理解什么，不过啊，为了你自己，你也该早点学会吧？时间都被训练占用的话不就没时间学习了？你是特招生进来的吧？”

“……我知道。”芽亚里蹲在地上，面色严峻，“我知道的啊……”

作为特招生进入学园的芽亚里，倘若拿不出相应的成绩，被取消资格便是分分钟的事。而已经成了聚乐专属家畜的她，连退学的资格都没有，只有转为普通学生这一条路。

这样一来，本就债台高筑，要是再叠一笔“天价学费”……简直就是越陷越深了。

但是，被拴着游街示众已经足够侮辱人了，还要她恭敬地、时刻关注着始作俑者的一举一动，配合着她的步调随时反应什么的……

实在恶心得想吐啊。

看着面色铁青地抠着草，一言不发的芽亚里，佐渡深深地呼了口气，蹲下身来。

“呐。”视野里出现了一颗薄荷糖，芽亚里困惑地抬起头，对上佐渡的视线，“你之前说过的吧，会摆脱现在的处境。

“我可是相信你了的，所以稍微忍耐一下吧。我也是一直在忍耐啊……”

“忍耐……”

“是的啊，一直在忍耐着用这个把你勒死的冲动啊！”佐渡忽然黑了脸，恶声恶气地抬起锁链晃了晃，“你想积蓄实力，慢慢靠近聚乐大人找到她的弱点的对吧？那就给我好好咽下你该死的自尊心做你该做的事，然后早点从聚乐大人身边滚出去！”

“……”如同苏醒的休眠火山，佐渡眼神的危险指数直线上升，芽亚里直视着这样的眼神，却勾起了嘴角。

“是呢，那么拜托了……佐渡同学。”芽亚里接过薄荷糖，拨开糖纸扔进了嘴里。

“哼，我再说一遍……随行的时候抬头挺胸保持三步的距离，聚乐大人停下的话就前进两步之后立定……”

“所以，这不是能做到嘛。”佐渡冷笑一声，“但是很遗~憾，我在糖里下了毒，今天晚上你就会七窍流血暴毙身亡。”

“是是，我会记得留下死亡讯息，然后爬上你的床死在你身上的。”芽亚里转了转舌头，把最后一点糖液咽下。

“蛤？滚啊！死流浪狗离我远点！”

Chapter Text

Within the Public Morals Committee office, Mary knelt at the side of Sachiko's desk and near her legs, the blonde stressed and was almost fearful of whatever their time together today entailed.

This had been Mary's routine as of late, the steps engrained into the girl's muscle memory now.

Arrive at Sachiko's office at the end of the day, kneel next to her and await a command.

However, there was something different in the air today, the atmosphere feeling even more strained than usual which is why Mary was on edge.

In fact, Sachiko had checked her training results yesterday and was relatively pleased with the outcome.

"Hm, nearly perfect. Other than the minor flaw of my little pet who always stands like a soldier. But I find that quality endearing."

Sachiko had reached these conclusions after taking the blonde for a few laps around the greenhouse with the leash in her hand.

Mikura was also present, watching from the gazebo with baited breath and hoping to any entity out there that Mary didn't screw up because if the girl failed, Mikura knew it would be a reflection on her.

So Sachiko and Mary did this until the older girl finally smiled with satisfaction, "I must say, well done. I believe the two of you deserve a reward."

"Always for you, Juraku-sama!" Mikura eagerly complied, her eyes shimmering at Sachiko's praise.

Meanwhile, Mary just turned away slightly, grimacing at the display "Urgh."

Though her relationship with Mikura had increased drastically for the better, Mary found her roommate's dedicated expression disgusting.

And following the mention of this reward, Mikura didn't return back to their room that night.

Mary didn't mind having the room to herself but sleep evaded her as she thought about Mikura and Sachiko.

She urged her brain not to paint any imagery of what the two could be up to but her imagination wasn't adhering to her pleas and was left with some rather lurid thoughts.

Mary would see Mikura the next day on her way to class and she cringed at how blissful Mikura appeared.
There was a glow to her skin, teeth marks on her neck and a slight waver in her walk.

On one hand, at least Sachiko hadn't tortured the girl but on the other hand, Mary wondered what a reward from a sadist would involve?

Just speculating on it gave Mary the chills.

Regardless of how the blonde felt about this situation, she could do nothing but head to Sachiko's office, waiting for her fate, just like always and today was no different.

When she opened the door, Mary saw her mistress at her desk, her eyes focused on the paperwork.

"Well, hello, my little golden pet." Sachiko said without her eyes leaving the document whilst she patted the side of her left thigh, giving her pet the hint.

Mary walked to her mistress, her reluctance notable but not as prevalent as she kneeled by Sachiko's side.

"Just sit here and wait quietly, pet." she instructed, "You are permitted to sit cross-legged today if you would prefer."

This took Mary by surprise since she had no choice but to always sit in the seiza position, sometimes for more than an hour without breaks. In fact, Sachiko was more stricter with her than she was with Mikura as Mary was never permitted to be higher than her mistress, whether Sachiko stood or sat.

Even if Sachiko was seated, Mary had to kneel so the fact that the right to sit cross-legged had been bestowed to her was astounding.

Mary accepted the offer without a second thought.

"Yes, mistress." Mary sat down comfortably, though her heartbeat was racing intensely, "Sit down and wait..for what, by the way?"

She was met with silence so the older girl obviously didn't have any plans to explain anything. Perhaps it was her own way of revelling in the blonde's anxiety, making her mind guess through thousands of scenarios.

Playing with Mary without touching her.

The Chairwoman just paid attention to her work, sometimes stroking her pet's head with her left hand, running her fingers through the golden locks.

Mary could only keep her head down, her eyes focusing on anything else beyond Sachiko as the older girl continued this for a while.

The mental torture kept ongoing until Sachiko had finished everything and it was only then that Sachiko stretched out and looked at Mary with a smile.

"That's my good girl, waiting for me at my side. It's impressive how you completed the training and learned to keep still obediently within a short time. Mary, you truly are such a divine house pet."

The blonde lowered her head further, escaping the sight of her mistress's piercing gaze.

She didn't take any of Sachiko's praise as compliment, unlike Mikura.

"Since you finished my task so successfully, I've prepared a surprise for you." Sachiko revealed and took the chain, linking it with the red collar arround Mary's neck, "Now pet, stand up and follow me."

Mary was thankful that Sachiko had finally gotten to the point but being walked by Sachiko summoned an unpleasant feeling in Mary's chest as opposed to how she felt when Mikura was leading her.

For example, she had to suppress the impulse to trip the older girl by paying attention to her surroundings.

The temptation to hurt Sachiko was still present, more so given how Sachiko's treatment of Mary was incomprehensible.

Mary had long accepted that she wasn't as strong as she used to be but being in this hopeless situation was another reminder to just how weak she had become.

A weakness in terms of how she had come to almost rely on Sachiko.

For every time Sachiko nearly broke her completely and pushed her to the edge of a cliff, close to destroying her with a finger, Sachiko would pull her back to safety.

Such as providing Mary with the opportunity to meet her friends or letting Mikura lead her.

Yes, Mary believed that that was why Sachiko had told Mikura to train her instead, a reward.

So what do you want, Juraku Sachiko?

***

Walking in quietude through the hallways, the two finally reached a popular gambling den.

Mary opened the door for Sachiko before she returned to her place behind the girl.

"Oh, Chairwoman Juraku! Welcome!" the owner came to greet Sachiko immediately, a nervous and flattering smile present, "What can I do for you? Are you here to gamble or..?"

The slight waver in his tone which depicted his fear made Sachiko grin as she twirled Mary's leash on around her thumb.

How she thrived off of such power, feeding from the apprehensive stares of the other gamblers in the room.

"Don't mind me, I just wanted to go on a walk with my new pet."

"Oh, I see. Please do as you wish." the owner bowed down with a sigh of relief, "Just call me if you require anything."

Sachiko nodded and then took Mary to the corner of the room which the blonde found strange.

"Hey, Mary." Sachiko said, pointing at a boy in the midst of a card game which seemed similar to the one the Literary Club hosted, "What do you think? Good or bad? What kind of hand does he have?"

Mary answered hesitantly, "I guess he-"

"I'm sure he has a bad set." Sachiko interrupted with a confident smile, "Would you like to gamble with me on the result?"

"No thanks." Mary replied immediately.

She saw the boy cheer in victory when he had successfully bluffed his opponent into believing he had a strong hand.

"Is his win difficult to understand?" Sachiko asked as she leaned down near her pet's ear, whispering in a dulcet tone, "It is quite easy to interpret, just look at his eyebrow."

"Eyebrow..?".

"Yes, he will continue to gamble so keep observing."

Mary did as she was told, her golden eyes focused on the boy's eyebrow and after three rounds, it dawned on Mary as to how his right brow would rise whenever he had a strong suit.

"Oh.." she said as she could feel Sachiko's lips near her ear, "He has a good hand now."

"Smart girl." Sachiko smiled in admiration, "Now, let's pay attention again."

They kept observing for a moment while Sachiko would ask Mary what she thought.

"Good or bad?"

"Good?"

"Well done. More specifically, it's a straight flush."

Sachiko chuckled and then stepped in front of Mary and signalled to the owner, "My little pet is going to participate now. That won't be a problem, will it?"

The owner shook his head rapidly and motioned to a table, "Not at all, Chairwoman Juraku, please join us!"

***

"You truly are remarkable, Mary. I believe the funds you have are enough to carry your accommodation fee for one semester, right?" As the gamble concluded, Sachiko faced Mary again, with a smile in proud array.

"Yes..I mean, thanks." Mary replied to her mistress, pausing a moment before saying "Look, can I ask you a question?"

"Go on."

"Why are you teaching me this stuff? And why do you do all of those things?"

The touches.

The petting.

The rewards.

She couldn't vocalise any of it but Mary knew that the other girl could read between the lines.

Sachiko looked at her pet with a soft gaze, so unlike anything Mary had seen before.

She moved in and cupped Mary's cheek, brushing her thumb over the blonde's reddening skin with such care and tenderness.

"Well, Mary, I have no interest in owning a doll without an autonomy, without a mind of her own, it would be a waste of you. And the only doll I want to own.." Sachiko said as she dragged her hand down and pressed a finger into Mary's chest lightly, "Is 'Saotome Mary'."

【聚芽】奖励
前言：芽亚里输了赌局，不得不成为幸子家畜，并被迫成为魅久良室友的if线。《随行练习》的后续。
可爱属于她们，ooc属于我。

芽亚里盘腿坐在聚乐的办公桌边，内心十分忐忑。
每天放学后到聚乐的办公室，跪在她的脚边等她的指令已经成了一种惯例。
但今天有点不一样，某件事的发生，使得芽亚里比以往任何时候都要紧张。

聚乐昨天验收了她的随行练习成果。
“有模有样了呢，你们都做得很好，我想，这值得一个奖励。”恶，魅久良被摸头夸奖以后的样子简直没眼看。
当晚魅久良就没回寝室，今天再见到她的时候就是一副飘飘欲仙的幸福表情。
这让芽亚里联系到了很多可怕的事情，说到底聚乐幸子是个不折不扣的变态虐待狂，让人怀疑她对“奖励”的定义跟常人是否一致的那种。
但是不管芽亚里怎么想，今天下午，她都必须去面见她的主人。
说真的，头发都快吓得竖起来了。

敲开办公室的大门，芽亚里看见聚乐坐在她的高背椅上，正目不转睛地看着手上的文件。
留意到家畜的到来以后也没有给予任何多余的眼神，只拍了拍自己的左腿示意芽亚里到脚边来，难得地允准了芽亚里可以盘腿坐着，但是在她做完工作之前，不许说话也不许乱动。
事实上，聚乐对芽亚里远比魅久良严格，定下的规矩也比红发的少女要多得多，其中一项就是她不能显得比聚乐高，不管聚乐站着还是坐着。
这也就意味着每当聚乐坐下，芽亚里就只能跪着，因为按照聚乐的话来说，坐下也是一种要努力才能得到的奖励。

从来到办公室到现在已经过了四十分钟，聚乐始终在埋头处理文件，偶尔抽出左手不轻不重地撸着家畜的金色脑袋，让芽亚里只能低下头，拼命地想点什么来转移自己的注意力。
承受来自未知的恐惧，精神紧绷，这样的精神折磨一直持续到聚乐完成了所有的工作，如释重负般地伸了个懒腰。

“一直有在乖乖等着呢，芽亚里。”聚乐带着一贯的笑容凝望她的家畜，“这么短的时间就完成了随行训练，果然，你是个很出色的家畜。”
芽亚里低下头抿紧了嘴，避开了聚乐的视线。
“那么，今天就稍微给你一点奖励吧。”聚乐朝着芽亚里伸出手，“站起来。”

将她的家畜拉起来以后，聚乐便抚上了金发少女的脸颊，从上到下地细细打量着，直到芽亚里的眼神抑制不住地乱瞟后，才为她整了整有些歪斜的项圈，扣上锁链。
“走吧。”

随行保持三步距离，停下的时候就上前两步后立定。与被魅久良牵着的时候不同，被聚乐带着走的时候，芽亚里不得不消耗额外的意志力来遏制自己绊倒聚乐的冲动。
聚乐对待她的方式，她实在难以理解。
被套上项圈以来，她已经深切地认识到自己远没有自己想象中那么坚强，无数次地被霜发少女逼到悬崖边，离彻底地扭曲自我只有一步之遥。
但每当这种只差一步的时候来临，聚乐却总是选择拉她一把。
就像让她与葛笼见面，就像让魅久良训练她。
芽亚里凝望着主人的背影，心情无比复杂。
聚乐幸子，你想要的是什么？

一路沉默着，最后来到一个人气颇旺的赌场里。
一打开门就是人声鼎沸，见到来客的赌场负责人立马陪着笑脸上前问候。
“聚乐股长，请问你是来？”
“不必在意，我没有下场的打算。”
“啊，啊……万分感谢……”负责人总算松了口气，点头哈腰地退开。

“您想干什么？”走到一个角落里，芽亚里终于忍不住地发问。
“芽亚里，你看那里。”聚乐却不正面回答，随意地指向一处正在进行中的牌局,”你觉得他拿的是好牌还是坏牌？”
“好还是坏……”
“我猜是一手散牌哦。”聚乐勾起嘴角，瞄了一眼金发的少女，“要赌吗？”
“……不了……”
几分钟后牌局结束，成功地欺骗对手，取得最终胜利的男人得意地亮出手牌，正如聚乐所料。
“……！”满意地看着家畜震惊的模样，聚乐随手将她揽住，让她靠得更近了些，“在想怎么看出来的？”聚乐凑近芽亚里的耳朵，以情人密语般的姿态，说着只有芽亚里听得见的话，“首先是他的面相，显然只有经常做出这样的表情的人才可能会有这样的脸，而这就意味着……”
“这个人，通过刚刚的一个回合，已经能看出来，身处劣势的时候他会无意识地捏紧手指，占优的时候又会……”
“这个人会做假动作误导对手，但是还是通过他的眉毛分辨出来……”
“……”说实话，芽亚里此时的心情已经不是目瞪口呆可以形容的了，但是此时此刻情绪已经无关紧要，大脑在飞速运转，解析着话语与场景信息。
“人心是能读懂的，细微的举止和呼吸，身体的僵硬程度……看懂表面特征的话，就能准确地读取‘真实’和‘谎言’。”聚乐曾经用来击溃她的话语，如今，她似乎有点初窥门径了。
“那么，那个人，你觉得他是……？”聚乐指向一个神色严峻的人。
“……好牌。”
于是聚乐微微一笑，牵着芽亚里走出阴影：“那么各位，能否让我的家畜也参与进来呢？”

“满载而归呢。这样一来，至少不用担心住宿费的问题了吧，芽亚里？”聚乐脚步轻快地走出赌场，显然对自家家畜的战果颇为满意。
“是……十分感谢……”芽亚里随行在后，心情颇为复杂，“但是……为什么？”
“什么？”
“为什么……要教我？”
聚乐停下了脚步，笑着转身看向芽亚里。正是黄昏的时分，夕光漫洒之下的聚乐美丽而张扬，即使是对她万分抗拒的芽亚里也不由得愣了一瞬，忘记了前进两步立定的规定。
“芽亚里，魅久良那样的家畜，我有一只就够了。对于你，我有着更高的期待。”
“是……吗……”
“更何况，既然是奖励，当然要给家畜喜欢的东西吧？”聚乐话锋一转，显而易见地有所指，“给魅久良的奖励，暂·时·还不适合你呢。”

Chapter Text

 (Flashback Scene)

“I won't ask for forgiveness from you, Saotome-san, because I can't stop myself."

With Mary absent from their dorm room, Mikura had had the opportunity to get a closer look at the blonde's desk. It was scattered with textbooks, stationary and papers, the lack of organisation making Mikura wonder what was going through Mary's mind.

But there was a precise reason as to why Mikura was investigating Mary's desk.

She picked up a bottle which contained brown liquid, a frown appearing on her face and eyes becoming gloomy when she read the contents before deciding on her plan of action, then she switched the bottle with a different one she had purchased.

"For Juraku-sama...”

***

Mikura had hurriedly sought out Sachiko who was in her office, almost storming in before she took a moment to compose herself and walked in.

“Juraku-sama, Saotome has drank more than 5 cups of coffee, 7 bottles of tea and various functional beverages nearly every day during the last few weeks. If she has anymore energy drinks, she could probably run around the world a few times. I believe it’s because of our upcoming exams.”

“Well, Mikura, are you sure?" Sachiko enquired, "Although the learning pressure for Mary is more significant than others since she’s a scholarship student, she still goes too far considering how her current grades are excellent. How strange. If anything, she should be far more relaxed.”

“As you said, Juraku-sama, I was just as confused so I did some digging around and finally found out why she is pushing herself. It’s connected to one of her classmates, Shimotsukiuri Ouri.”

“Ouri..the Full-Bloom Society member?”

“Yes, she is. Also, she’s crazily faithful to Mibuomi Aoi and the fact that Saotome chose to be your personal house pet rather than join the Full-Bloom Society is known by all of the councillors, mistress, and Shimotsukiuri is one of them. She considers it as an inexcusable course of action, going as far as to say it's blasphemous, which leads her to provoking Saotome.”

Sachiko was most intrigued by this information as her eyes bore into Mikura's.

“Hm, this is interesting. Mary hasn't mentioned this to me before.”

“Yes, I believe Saotome wanted to solve it by herself. Considering how Saotome is penniless now, the only way she could counterattack against Shimotsukiuri is to get higher scores for the exams." Mikura elaborated, "Because they are both scholarship students.”

“So that is why Mary appears so tired these days.” Sachiko touched her chin, a smile appearing on her face when she thought of a plan, “It would be far more exciting if they were to gamble. Hm..Mikura, I have a plan which is for your ears only.”

A secret to share with Sachiko?

Mikura would take it to the grave with her as she eagerly responded.

“Yes?”

“I’ll spend the whole day with either you or Mary. Alone. And the way I will decide as to who obtains this prize you wonder? I’ll choose the one with higher grades.”

Mikura's eyes widened at the proposition.

At Hyakkaou Academy, gambling was everything.

The result of this meant that the actual studying wasn't a focus for the students.

Mikura was once a part of this demographic, however, since she had been collared by Sachiko, that had changed.

In turns out that her mistress valued to concept of studying and maintaining excellent grades. To have a pet who was failing her classes would be an embarrassment to her so Mikura improved her grades drastically to satisfy Sachiko.

It led to Mikura clinching a spot on the top 50 students with the best grades in her year.
However, Mary was in the top 20.

So this propelled Mikura to study at all times, spending every waking moment with her face in books and fingers typing furiously over the keys of her laptop.

However, the harder Mikura worked, the more anxious she felt.

She was well aware that she couldn't defeat the blonde, not this time.

The thought of missing out on the opportunity to be alone with Sachiko was more than she could bear as it was but for Mary to win?

It was unacceptable.

So she finally decided to do something to remedy the situation.

That evening in their dorm room, Mikura executed her plans.

“Saotome-san, you know you've been sleeping less than 4 hours for the last few weeks? I'm guessing you have got to be exhausted by now."

Mary didn't respond, her eyes focused on her revision materials which made Mikura muse inwardly to herself as to what she was going to do about this.

"You're relying on coffee to keep you awake, right? Well, what would happen if you were to drink decaffeinated coffee instead? It practically tastes the same so you will have no idea that it was switched."

Mikura grinned to herself as she watched Mary take a gulp of her coffee.

The way Mary consumed it was as if she was drinking an elixir to keep her alive, which in this case, would be a fairly apropos comparison.

“You must know that for Juraku-sama, I would do everything and anything.”

The day after Mikura had implemented her plan action, the two had finished off their routine of serving their mistress before finally returning to their room.

Mary looked absolutely haggard.

“Are you okay, Saotome-san?” Mikura asked in an innocuous tone whilst thinking, "It seemed like switching the coffee work."

“I’m fine.” Mary managed, struggling to keep her eyes open, “Do you want to use the shower first?”
“If you don't mind.”

“Sure, go ahead. I’m gonna work out first and then go after you.” Mary said and sat at her desk, opening her notebook.

“Okay.”

However, when Mikura had finished and exited the bathroom, she found that Mary had fallen asleep.

Mary's head was on her desk, her writing posture still the same with a pen in her hand and notebook open. It appeared as if she was in the middle of writing a character before the temptation of closing her eyes had succeeded in swaying her.

“Saotome-san. Saotome-san?” Mikura said as she pushed her roommate gently, "Hey, wake up".

The blonde did not rouse.

"Good, just as planned." Mikura sighed in relief but there was another emotion clouding that relief.
Guilt.

Her heart felt heavy, like she had betrayed Mary.

“Saotome-san..” she said quietly, knowing it wouldn’t be heard regardless, “I know how proud you are, but I can’t lose this time. And you are Juraku-sama’s house pet now, you have no right to endanger your health like this, right?” Mikura continued, like she was trying to justify her actions to herself, ”I won’t ask any forgiveness for you, but if that Shimotsukiuri is causing you trouble next time, I’ll help you, I promise.”

She managed to move Mary to her bed, covering her roommate with a quilt before taking a seat at her own desk whilst drinking a can of coffee.

It was Mikura's time to study now.

However, since the redhead’s constitution was not equipped to deal with all of these late nights, Mikura succumbed to sleep around 2:00 am.

When Mikura woke up again after an hour, she found herself in her own bed and covered with a quilt.

“What the..” she mumbled, blinking the sleep away from her eyes, "How did I get here?".

“I moved you, Sado-san.”

The familiar voice from Mary rang through the room which made the slumber from Mikura leave immediately,

“When? Didn't you fall asleep before me?”

“I did. It was you who moved me into my bed, yeah?” Mary asked but kept writing whilst talking to Mikura, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“You are welcome, but…why did you wake up again?”

“Had a nightmare about Shimotsukiuri." the blonde shrugged, not wanting to bore Mikura with the details, "Never mind.”

Mikura didn’t know what to say so she left her bed and continued to study too.

After several days had passed, the students had finally completed their exams in all subjects.

Once the results were released, Sachiko arrived at the bulletin board and scanned through the names of the first years, a smile forming on her lips when she saw the names she had been looking for.

Saotome Mary, ahead of Shimotsukiuri Ouri.

Mikura had found herself in the top 30.

“Oh, Sachiko.” Kirari's voice swept through and parted the crowd till she could walk up to Sachiko, "I didn't expect to see you here.”

“I have my reasons, Kirari.”

Kirari smirked, her gaze sweeping around the other girl, “How strange to see you without either of your pets.”

“Well, I let them return to their room." Sachiko replied with an enigmatic grin, her red eyes looking at their names again as a burst of pride swept through her chest, "After all, the two deserve some rest.”

In the dorm room, Mary and Mikura slept like a log in their beds.

On their bedside tables, some snacks had been placed for them when they woke up.

Pineapple buns for Mary and red-bean cakes for Mikura.

【芽佐渡】第二次月考

“早乙女，对不起了……”芽亚里不在寝室的某个时刻，佐渡拿着一瓶褐色的液体，神色晦暗地逼近室友的书桌，“为了聚乐大人……”

“就是这样，一周一来，早乙女每天都喝五杯以上的咖啡，七杯以上的茶和各种各样的功能饮料，所有的空余时间都在学习，每天的睡眠时间恐怕不足四小时。”佐渡汇报完毕，内心忍不住嘟囔，说真的她的台灯真够晃眼的，但是那副要杀人一样的表情，实在是无法交涉。

“嗯……虽然期中考试确实快到了，但是芽亚里竟然已经拼到这种程度了吗……”聚乐摸了摸下巴。

“是的，经过我的调查，应该与她班里的另一个特招生——下月売奥理有关。”

“善咲会的下月売吗……原来如此。”

“是的，之前就对早乙女怀有很大的敌意，而且她无法理解成为您的家畜是何等的荣耀，并认为早乙女选择臣服于您而不是加入善咲会的行为视作莫大的挑衅与羞辱，所以一直都没少对她冷嘲热讽。”显然，自尊心极强的芽亚里绝对无法接受这样的事，所以面对同为特招生的对方，就只能用特招生的方式——考试成绩来决胜负了。

“也不知道她们之间有没有定下什么赌约，如果有的话就有趣了。”聚乐掩嘴一笑，忽然又想到了什么，“魅久良，我有个计划，只告诉你一个人噢。”

“成绩出来以后，我会单独带你和芽亚里中成绩好的那个去玩。”

“！！！！！！”

身为企业社长的女儿，佐渡是从百花王学园的初中部直升的学生，成绩排位最初是居于中游，成为聚乐的专属家畜后，为了不辱没聚乐大人的名声又奋发了一把，姑且算是稳进前50的选手。

但是，即使如此，前50与前20也完全不是一个概念。知道了聚乐大人的计划以后佐渡几乎把所有的空余时间都花在学习上，但是越是刻苦，佐渡就越是焦虑，

随着习题答案的校对，一个事实越发清晰，她赢不了芽亚里，至少这次不行。

无论如何也想要和聚乐大人单独出去，无论如何也不想看到聚乐大人和早乙女单独出去。
这样一来，就只有一个办法了！

“这些天来，你也积累了相当的疲劳呢……脸上的黑眼圈用遮瑕都遮不住了噢。”佐渡喃喃自语着，“如果没有咖啡顶着的话，身体很快就会崩塌了吧……这个加了安眠药的无咖啡因咖啡，味道和你喝的这种一模一样哦。”

“为了聚乐大人，我什么都会做的……”

放学之后是例行的随侍，等到聚乐放两人回宿舍，已经到了晚上八点半。

“我先去洗澡了。”

“好，那我先刷会儿题。”

“你看起来很困啊，没问题吗？”无咖啡因咖啡已经开始起效。

“没关系……你赶紧去吧，去完我去。”

于是，等到佐渡从浴室里出来，芽亚里已经坐在书桌前睡着了。

完全的学习姿势，手上还拿着笔，本子上最后那个没写完的字宣告着意识消散之猝不及防。

“早乙女，早乙女？”佐渡试着推了推金发室友，不动如山。

“呼……”确认对方已经中招，佐渡长长地松了口气，看向芽亚里的神情也变得有些复杂，“虽然我知道你有多看重这次的胜负，但是我也有不能不赢的理由啊……再说了，连续熬这么多天的夜损害健康，身为聚乐大人家畜的你可没资格这么做……”

一边碎碎念着，一边将沉睡的芽亚里撑起来放到床上：“总而言之，对不起了……作为补偿，要是那个下月売找你麻烦，我会去帮忙的啦……”

给芽亚里盖好被子之后，佐渡坐到属于自己的书桌前，拧开一罐咖啡一饮而尽之后，便开始挑灯夜战。

但佐渡的身体素质显然无法适应这样的深夜苦战，坚持到两点左右便无意识地睡了过去，一个小时后重新清醒过来，却发现自己躺回了床上，身上还盖着被子。

视线前方坐着某个金色的奋斗身影，让佐渡瞬间清醒。是谁将她搬到床上的已经显而易见。

“！！！！！！早乙女？你刚刚不是睡了吗？”

“啊，是你扶我到床上的吧，谢了。”芽亚里沉迷题海头也不抬，“梦到了下月売，一下子就清醒了。”

“……”佐渡默默起身，又给自己开了一罐咖啡。

转眼紧张的考试结束，聚乐饶有兴致地逛到了高一的公告栏前，心情颇佳地看着下月売奥理的前一个名字——早乙女芽亚里。

“哎呀，没想到会在这里见到聚乐同学。”学生会长——桃喰绮罗莉，不知为何也出现在了这里，“不过今天没有看到你的两个家畜呢。”

“啊，她们啊。”聚乐撩了撩头发，“至少今天，就让她们休息一下吧。”

正在寝室里睡得昏天黑地的两人，床头柜上不知何时分别放上了一份给芽亚里的菠萝包和给佐渡的羊羹。

Chapter Text

When being informed by Sachiko about the prize for achieving her high grades, Mary’s glee for defeating Ouri absconded almost instantly and instead, turned into alarm.

“Wait, what?" Mary said, once the surprise announcement settled, "You decided to choose either me or Sado based on who got the higher grade and the reward for that was time alone with you? That's news to me!”

“Yes it is, I made sure of it. After all, you needed to concentrate on your exams, didn’t you?” Sachiko answered with a joyful gaze at her golden pet, “I didn't want you to be influenced by other distractions because I wanted to witness the results of when you both tried your best. You've really done a great job, my little pet.”

"Oh..thanks for your kindness, I guess." the blonde mumbled, cringing at the fact that Sachiko had found out about what was going on between herself and Ouri.

Still, the idea of spending time alone with Sachiko left an acrid taste in her mouth.

So Mary attempted a last ditched attempt to avoid her fate.

"But Juraku-sama, perhaps it would be more enjoyable for you if you go out with Sado- "

"I made the decision, my little pet. Or do you wish to argue with me?"

Red eyes bore into gold, displaying to Mary a dangerous shimmer lining the edges of Sachiko's irises.
It was enough for Mary to cease any further protest and back down, lest she incur the other girl's wrath.

"No..as you wish, mistress." Mary said whilst lowering her head to avoid her owner's stare.
Her last attempt had been declared a failure.

***

In the dorm room, Mary stared at a wheel given to her by Sachiko, frowning and lamenting at the contraption.

The reason why Sachiko had provided it was simple; it was a tool to decide their travel arrangements and plans.

Mary replayed the information Sachiko had conveyed to her, the crease between her brows deepening.

"It's too complex to plan a arrangement for our day out, and it would be boring if we have decided everything before setting off. So, I have a splendid idea."

Sachiko had then retrieved the wheel, resembling a miniature version often seen on game shows.

"You see, pet, there are 12 blank spaces to be filled in this wheel and I have filled 3 of them. What I want you to do is finish the rest and when the day of our outing arrives, we can just rotate the wheel and the needle in middle will decide where we go and what we do."

Upon inspection, Mary had read the options Sachiko had selected.

Feed the pet while she is kneeling.

Spank.

A dog game of throwing and fetching.

Shit.

Just reading it again gave Mary the chills.

She couldn't let the needle land on any of Sachiko's suggestions, however, Mary had to design a perfect system to make sure the results would satisfy her mistress.

Or the reward (punishment), may turn into a punishment, (harsher punishment).

So as others were enjoying the relaxing time off after finishing their exams, Mary was stuck in her room, tugging at her hair and feeling even more anxious than she did whilst taking her exams.

Regardless, no matter what Mary felt, all she could do was try her best to refine her plan, and then wait for the time.

The door to the room opened and Mikura walked in, the two exchanging an amiable greeting as Mikura placed her bag away and took off her blazer, placing it behind her chair.

Mary observed the girl when she took a seat at her desk and ran her fingers through her red hair, brushing it over her shoulder before adjusted her blue collar.

She placed the wheel out of sight whilst readying herself to broach the subject they had been skirting around after finding out about Sachiko's plan.

"Sado-san, I'm sorry."

"Well, you had your situation with Shimotsukiuri to deal with and didn't allow yourself to lose, did you?"

"Yeah, I had to." Mary replied weakly.

She couldn't interpret the feelings conveyed in Mikura's tone, too vague.

The redhead just sat in her seat and consumed the red-bean cake with her blue eyes staring at the wall, "I just lost, that's all. But Saotome-san, you know I won't give you any advice about your date with Juraku-sama."

"Of course you won't." Mary chuckled, "Hey, if I fail to satisfy her and she murders me, will you come and collect my body?"

"Sure, I'll cut you into pieces and then pour you down the sewer. A suitable burial for you." Mikura sassed back.

"How considerate of you."

"I try."

Mary smirked, noting the same look on Mikura's face before leaving the girl be.

Although the topic of the conversation was far from touching, Mary strangely found some comfort in it.

***

The day of Mary and Sachiko's date arrived before they knew it considering how fast time was flying by.

“Hm…so this is my pet’s dress sense.”

This was Sachiko's first comment when Mary walked into Sachiko’s dorm room, dressed in a casual white top, blue jeans and black ankle boots whilst a bag slung over her right shoulder.

In comparison to Mary's laidback look, Sachiko's attire consisted of a smarter ensemble which included a red shirt under her coat, black pants and brown knee length boots.

Given the unpredictability of their date, it was better to dress appropriately in a way which would be suitable for anything.

Mary shuffled on her feet, “Yes, mistress" slightly irritated by the unreadable remark but she managed to focus on their plan.

She retrieved the wheel with the previous blank spaces now filled in with numbers and in order.

"Juraku-sama, I found some problems when designing the plan for today. So I had an idea as to how to solve the issue."

"Hm?"

"I mean, deciding by random could be interesting, but it could also be problematic if we end up drawing an option like having to climb a mountain after shopping and carrying stuff."

"Well, it would be fine because I could call someone to collect any shopping." Sachiko chuckled at Mary's perplexed expression.

"Oh, right."

It was a given since her little pet, who came from an ordinary family and was always trying to solve problems by herself, had never had to think of such a solution before, "But I do know what you mean. So, go on."

"Sorry for my negligence." Mary sighed, frustrated that the first dismissal to her tactic came so fast, "Anyway, even the combination of the fun activities could be catastrophic. The factors such as place, time, and other scenarios need to be considered. So I prepared something to organise everything."

She opened her notebook which contained dense notes and the first page linked the different numbers with different places.

"The first rotation of the needle would decide where we go" Mary turned the page, showing Sachiko different activities in different places where the time would connect the activities, "Once we decide the place, we can decide on the activities and I'll manage them according to the time. What do you think?"

"Very well." Sachiko smiled in admiration, expecting Mary to be more unwilling and nonplussed, "We we will do this your way, Mary. Now that we finally get a chance to be alone and away from Hyakkaou, let's see what will happen.".

While Sachiko could see some reluctance in the blonde, Mary had displayed such a professional attitude which reiterated to Sachiko how her pet was always so remarkable.

She was most intrigued by what the day had in store for them both.

***

There was a range of agritainment activities around their academy which cooperated with the adjacent villages that also offered speciality farm foods.

One of the activities involved paddy field painting, the signs and sights indicating to the current event noticed by Sachiko when her car drove by.

"My, how impressive." she commented whilst looking through the window, marvelling at the canvas when the painting came into full view, "Is this somewhere you would often go to?"

"No, too expensive for me, especially now."

Sachiko chuckled at her pet's little provocation, "So I believe you must be very grateful for your mistress's fairness and generosity, no? After all, not every master is like me."

How could this sadist have such a cheek?

Not only had she knocked Mary down onto the floor, but now she was kicking her with her facetious self-praise?

Sachiko truly was tasteless.

"I sincerely appreciate you, your highness." Mary gritted through her teeth.

It was taking great effort to prevent herself from yelling at the older girl.

When they finally reached their destination, Mary got out of the car first and then opened the door for her mistress. As Sachiko exited the vehicle, Mary asked her to wait for a moment and retrieved a bottle of mosquito repellent spray from her bag, "Excuse me, the mosquitoes will be a pain to deal with if you don't use this."

"Very well, remember to use it on yourself too."

Was that genuine care from Sachiko or just courtesy? Mary could never be sure.

"Yes.." Mary froze for a second before answering.

For a perfect vantage point to admire the source of the paddy field painting, they would need to get on the cable car.

However, before they headed to the cars, Mary had bought iced oat milk for her mistress after asking her preferences and stood by the older girl's side whilst opening own water-bottle to drink from.

Sachiko noticed this, "Mary?"

"Yes, Juraku-sama?"

"Do you have an allergy to oats or milk?"

"No?"

"Good, then just take a sip." Sachiko said whilst handing her the drink, "The taste is quite nice."
What did Sachiko mean?

Mary accepted the drink hesitatingly, thousands of thoughts raging around her brain like a squall.

If Sachiko wanted to make things difficult for her, then no matter what Mary did, it would result in being punished should she choose the wrong option.

If she graciously declined, it would be considered as a disobedience to her mistress.

If she drank it, Sachiko could pick out any faults in her movements.

So Mary sighed inwardly and took the straw out before pouring the liquid into her mouth carefully before giving it back to her mistress, avoiding her lips from touching the drink bottle.

Sachiko watched on with amusement.

"Is it delicious?"

"Yes, it is." Mary nodded.

"In that case, make sure you buy one for yourself when we arrive."

Sachiko then drank the milk in the same way as Mary, an enigmatic smile on her lips.

Mary felt like she was being teased in a subtle way.

Teasing her without talking to her.

Such was one of Sachiko's many skills.

After they had finished the tour, lunch time had arrived and the agritainment service provided customers with ingredients and tools to cook by themselves in a restaurant, similar to a hot pot.

Sachiko seemed to be interested in cooking, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of the task.

Mary had expected that Sachiko wouldn't participate in the process and was ready to do it by herself, however, Sachiko was stood by her side.

The older girl looked over the array of ingredients, "Hm, wonderful, they have quality pork. We can stew it with some spices and it will be the perfect combination with rice."

"You're not wrong. Strange, I never had you down as being able to cook for yourself."

"Your mistress has many skills, pet." Sachiko smiled, "Now, let's cut up all the ingredients and light the fire, then she will show you part of those skills."

So the two busied themselves preparing their meal, moving surprisingly in synch and Mary didn't feel as inclined to stab Sachiko with the knife.

Once everything was completed, Mary had indeed been given a taste of her mistress's myriad of talents.

When picking up a piece of the stewed pork and consuming it, Mary had to admit that although Sachiko was a deplorable sadist, she was a multi-skilled sadist.

"Wipe yourself, pet." Sachiko said and tossed the blonde a cloth, "Your mouth has a few extra visitors. Are you saving the charred ashes for later?" she teased.

Mary blushed slightly, mumbling to herself whilst dabbing her lips clean, "Skilled or not, still a damn sadist" she thought.

They spent the hottest time of the day reading and enjoying tea under the willow trees, a light breeze whipping by to create a comfortable environment.

Following this, they had dinner in the restaurant, this time the food being served rather than cooked themselves which allowed the two to exchange more conversation.

After enjoying their meal, they went for a walk and came to a nearby lake which permitted travellers to use the boats and Sachiko deemed this the perfect way to end their journey.

"What a pity we cannot fish here. Especially since they look so delicious." Sachiko lamented whilst resting back on the boat and her eyes looking up at the night sky.

"Do you love fishing?" Mary asked, seated near her mistress and rowing the boat with the paddle.

"Yes, I spent nearly all of my spare time doing so before Kirari sought me out, and from then on, I lost my leisurely life to my duties at Hyakkaou. How unfortunate."

Mary was wise enough to know that less than 50% of Sachiko's words could be trusted so she said nothing as the girl continued.

"Well, at least the night view on a boat is beautiful enough, isn't it. Not to mention how you have satisfied your mistress today with how caring and considerate you have been, pet." Sachiko spoke with a soft tone, but it soon turned the conversation onto a serious topic, "However, it doesn't mean you were allowed to cheat on the rotating of the needle on the wheel."

Mary widened her eyes in alarm as she stopped rowing.

"You used a magnet to keep the needle away from what I wrote, didn't you?”

Sachiko took in Mary's figure, now rigid and it made her laugh.

Much like the bait she used to fish with, Sachiko had now dangled Mary over the edge of the boat, ready to be consumed.

Still laying down, Sachiko took out the wheel with a knowing smile, "Did you really believe that I wouldn't notice? But since you have cleared the evidence and got rid of the magnet, it can't be proven that you did cheat. However, Mary, what do you think? If I rotated the wheel again now, where would the needle point to?"

【聚芽】出游转盘
前言：芽亚里输掉赌局，不得不成为聚乐专属家畜并与佐渡成为室友的if线，《第二次月考》的后续

上一秒还沉浸在终于战胜下月売的喜悦中，下一秒芽亚里就收获了一个巨大的惊吓。

“聚乐大人，因、因为我考得比佐渡好所以要和你……您单独出游？”
“嗯，就是这样。”
“等、等等，我之前没听说这回事啊……”
“啊，是呢。毕竟，我不希望你被无关的事情干扰复习的状态，你应该全力备考才对。而且我想看到的也是你们各自全力一战之后的结果。”

聚乐的话语隐隐透露出她已经知道了点什么，这让芽亚里有些不安，但无论如何，金发的少女决定再抢救一下自己的命运。

“但、但是，如果您想要玩得尽兴的话，果然还是佐渡……”

“芽亚里。”但是抢救还没正式开始就被主人所打断，聚乐俯下身子，抬起家畜的下巴，“事情已经定下来了。还是说，你·有·什·么·意·见·吗？”

“……没有，您想做什么都行。”

学园规则的限制下，与聚乐独处一天的悲惨命运已经确定。

芽亚里坐在书桌前，面色铁青地看着手上的转盘。

转盘设计得精致小巧，只要按下中部的按钮，指针就会开始旋转。根据芽亚里的检查，最后的落点完全随机。转盘共有十二个区域，其中的四分之一已经写上了内容。

这是聚乐交给芽亚里的，用来决定她们出游计划的小工具。

“构想行程很令人头疼呢，而且什么都规划好也很无趣不是吗。既然这样……”聚乐笑着把转盘递给芽亚里，“那天会有专车所以不用考虑交通费，除此之外预算是这么多。剩下的内容你来写，出游那天，我们用这个来决定行程。”

聚乐已经写上的内容—sp，抛叼游戏，下跪投食。

光是看着就让人头皮发麻了。

绝对不能抽中这些，但是与此同时芽亚里也必须设计出一个完美的出游计划来取悦她的主人，否则，这次的奖励（惩罚）恐怕就会变成惩罚（更恐怖的惩罚）。

于是，在其他人都在享受着考试后的休闲时光的时候，芽亚里只能在自己的宿舍里比考试时期更紧张地揪头发。

在此期间，她与她红发的室友进行了一场微妙的对话。

“佐渡……抱歉。”
“啊，你有那个下月売要打赢吧。”
“是……”
“那就没什么好说的了。我输给了你，仅此而已。”佐渡的声音听不出到底蕴含着什么感情，本人则是坐在自己的书桌旁，一边吃着聚乐给的羊羹，一边凝视着她面前的白墙，“但是早乙女，我不会给你任何约会建议的。”
“我知道。不过，如果我搞砸了然后被聚乐杀掉的话，你回来给我收尸吗？”
“会啊，我会把你大卸八块然后扔进下水道里。”
“那还真是感激不尽。”

无论内心如何纠结，定好的出游日终究是来了。芽亚里看着卸下项圈又换上常服的自己，长长地叹了口气，人事已尽，听天由命。

同样住在学生宿舍，碰面也简单，打理好自己以后去敲聚乐的门就行了。

“是这样的啊，你的审美。”开门之后的聚乐也不急着走动，视线饶有兴致地扫视了芽亚里好几个来回。

“……是的。”芽亚里有些不自在地撇了一眼身上的蓝色牛仔裤和白色衬衫，抿紧嘴唇又迫使自己把注意力放到出游计划上。她拿出转盘，上面剩下的9个空格被依次填上了数字，“聚乐大人，设计行程的时候我发现了一些问题，所以弄了一个方案。”

“哦？”

“如您所言，随机出游可能会有惊喜，但是，如果两个活动相隔的距离太远，或者最后转盘的结果是我们必须要在购物以后去爬山的话，就会变得很麻烦。”

“嗯。”

“所以，我想，最好的方案应该是先定地区，然后再根据选定的地方确定活动。”芽亚里一边说着，一边又掏出一本笔记本。翻开本子的第一页，内容是将转盘上不同的数字对应到不同的地点，“第一次转盘把地点确定下来，确定地点以后，下一次乃至之后的转盘，您就可以决定活动内容，然后我再根据时间确定一下顺序……您觉得这样如何？”

聚乐的眼里流露出了赞许，她本以为金色的小家畜会表现得更不情愿更煎熬一点，但最后却能如此周到，大概这也是她自己青睐芽亚里的原因。

“可以。就按照你说的来吧。”这也让聚乐开始期待今天会发生什么了。

在百花王学园所坐落的地区，有一处以稻田画为主打的农家乐，配合着邻近地区的其他名产，也提供富有农场与地区特色的美食甜点。

“的确很漂亮呢。”坐在专车上，聚乐看看远处若隐若现的图案，又看看芽亚里，“这是‘你们’会来的地方吗，芽亚里？”

“不，我现在身无分文。”

聚乐像是被逗乐了一般掩嘴一笑，红色的眼眸随意地看向她金色的小家畜：“那想来我的芽亚里肯定很感激她的主人，毕竟即使在学园里也很少有她这么大方的人呢。”

这人怎么能这么厚脸皮？

“……是，感谢您的慷慨公正。”芽亚里发誓她摆脱聚乐那天一定要把家畜牌和项圈一起往聚乐鼻子上砸。

到达目的以后下车，芽亚里从背包里掏出驱虫水，一鞠躬后朝着聚乐喷了几下：“失礼了……这种地方的蚊虫比较活跃，喷上这个不会被叮咬。那么，我先去买门票。”
“嗯，记得给自己也喷一下。”
“……是。”

要全面地观赏稻田画，就得坐上缆车。观赏性质的交通工具，行驶便也缓慢。芽亚里在问过忌口后，为聚乐买了杯特产的冰镇牛乳燕麦，之后便一同进入了空旷的车厢。
牛初乳与鲜燕麦的完美结合，酝酿出口中浓而不腻的甜香，聚乐坐在窗边观赏啜饮着，余光瞟到头顶冒汗，正在拿着水杯吨吨吨的芽亚里。

“芽亚里。”
“是？”
“喝一口。”聚乐随手把饮料递过去。
？？？？？？
芽亚里的心里登时拉响警报。

如果聚乐非要找自己麻烦的话，不喝=违抗命令，喝一口而不沾吸管=看不上主人，用吸管喝一口=玷污主人的用具什么的，无论如何都是死路一条。

咬咬牙接过聚乐的饮料，芽亚里抽出吸管，悬着瓶子往嘴里倒上一口，然后便大义赴死般地将递回。

“好喝吗？”
欸？
“是……“
“好喝的话，下车以后自己去买一瓶。“家畜错愕的神情显然取悦了聚乐，她也仿着芽亚里的样子，往嘴里倒了一口。

……虽然对方什么也没说但芽亚里总感觉被微妙地嘲笑了。

从缆车上下来，再实地逛一逛这片田地，很快就到了饭点。这里有着现成的餐厅，也有着野炊体验区，向农场购买新鲜的食材之后，就可以开始自己的烹饪。

“这样的话，果然还是要试一试野炊呢。”

“是……”本来想着聚乐肯定不会参与进来，没想到主人却兴致勃勃地端详着食材。

“猪肉不错。配上辣椒酱油八角什么的做个炖肉的话，会很下饭呢。”
“是……您会做饭吗？”
“你的主人会的东西比你想象的要多得多，小家畜。”聚乐轻笑一声，“把食材切了再把火点起来，我的小学徒。”

于是撸起袖子开始干活，处理完食材后搭起柴火、扔下点燃的干草后匍匐在地，拿着吹火筒朝着灶口呼呼地吹气。
等到干柴烈火发出噼里啪啦的爆裂声的时候芽亚里被赶去煮饭，聚乐则是开始了大锅翻炒，最后再放入锅中温火慢炖。
等到饭菜最终上桌，芽亚里不得不承认尽管聚乐是个变态，但确实是个多才多艺的变态。
“把自己擦一擦，小家畜，你的脸上全是灰。”
哦。

吃完饭就到了一天中最热的时间，她们便在杨柳树下品茶，读书，黄昏的时候去餐厅吃了顿饭，之后便散步到附近的一个湖边。这里可以租船游湖，所以被芽亚里安排为今天的最后一项活动。

“真可惜呢，这里不能钓鱼。”聚乐卧在船板上，双手垫在脑后看着星空。
“您喜欢钓鱼吗？”芽亚里坐在聚乐身边，慢慢地划着船。
“嗯哼，姑且在绮罗莉找上我之前，我空余时间都是住在水边的呢。”聚乐浮夸地叹息，“被她塞了风纪委员的职位以后，悠闲的生活就一去不复返了啊。”

我信你个鬼。芽亚里拒绝捧场。

“不过，至少船上的夜景的确很美。今天玩得很开心呢。你做得不错，芽亚里。”聚乐语调温和，却话锋一转，“但是，转转盘的时候，你·出·千·了·吧？”

！！！！！看着愕然地僵住的芽亚里，聚乐笑了笑，掏出刚刚已经回收的转盘，“你刚刚用了磁石来影响指针，不是吗？不过证据已经被你处理掉了吧，无法验证了呢。”
“但是，芽亚里，如果我再抽一次，你猜它会落到哪里呢？”

Chapter Text

"Juraku, the cell is a cell, it is not your playground!"

In the Student Council Office, Sakura was up in arms at the behaviour of the other girl when she had announced that she had placed Mary in the cells to punish the blonde for cheating.

Sachiko found Sakura's outrage as amusing as always and didn't bother to interrupt her tirade.

"You're going too far with the way you treat your pet and yes, while it is your own business, this is too much. You are stepping out of line!"

"Well, what do you mean 'out of line'? Have I really?"

"How can you sit there and ask that when you have two of them with collars around their neck!?" Sakura replied, not concealing the odium in her tone.

Unlike Sakura's raised outrage, Sachiko replied with a calming response, her red eyes turned to Kirari with a confident gaze, "Kirari, if a pet disobeys her master, going as far as to cheat, isn't that a valid reason to put the pet in a cell?"

"That sounds like an appropriate punishment." Kirari answered with an intrigued smile, "Why don't you calm down, Sakura, the basement at Hyakkaou contains many rooms and it won't be a problem to offer one to Saotome Mary, would it?"

Without replying, Sakura gritted her teeth, her jaw tightening at the nonchalance in Kirari's response and the hubristic smile on Sachiko's lips.

The burst of powerlessness swept through her chest and as expected, she couldn't do anything.

How could she when she was surrounded by psychopaths, one being the reason why such a deplorable system existed in the first place?

So she just returned to her office and instructed her assistant, Habakiri Naoe, to keep an eye on Mary.

"Of course, Miharutaki-san. May I ask if you are going to visit her?"

Sakura paused at the door, her fingers on the handle as she pondered on her last interaction with Mary.

"I’m unsure as to whether she would want to meet me now. So I think it would best that I don't see her yet. But if she needs anything, just tell me."

***

"I've listed all of the dens that have yet to pay off their debts, Miharutaki-san."

Mikura had arrived at Sakura's office to discuss work related matters with the girl, her eyes registering the way Sakura's mind seemed elsewhere as she stood by her desk.

It had been two days since Mary's imprisonment and Sakura was yet to find a way to get Mary out. However, she knew she couldn't neglect the rest of her duties and accepted the form given to her by Mikura, nodding in acknowledgment.

"I see. I'll go and talk to them later."

"Thank you." Mikura replied, her hands in front as she held Sakura's gaze, "I was also wondering something, Miharutaki-san. Is..she doing okay?"

"Who?"

"Saotome Mary. Is she okay?"

"Oh...yes." Sakura replied and froze for a second, surprised at Mikura's sudden enquiry of a girl she had once considered her enemy, "A little frustrated, but she's fine."

"I'm glad to hear that" Mikura said, the relief visible on her expression before she frowned and murmured, "How foolish could she be? Pleasing Juraku-sama successfully and then getting herself thrown into the cells? Unbelievable!"

Sakura was intrigued by this display from Mikura and watched her carefully, "Sado, this is Juraku's fault. Saotome was just trying to protect herself from whatever Juraku pulled on her."

"Think what you will. We will never reach an agreement on how you view Juraku-sama." Mikura shook her head, "You know we have argued about this so many times and nothing has changed between us."

"How can it when you believe Juraku can do wrong? Sakura challenged and walked around her desk, now in front of the other girl, "When are you going to admit that what Juraku does is wrong?".

Mikura didn't falter from the piercing blue eyes locked onto her, her chin raised as Sakura waited for a response.

If Mikura found Sachiko abstruse, then Sakura was a complete anomaly in terms of being the opposite of Sachiko.

"I haven't come here to talk about that so let's just skip this step because I have a personal request."
Sakura sighed, conceding with Mikura. "Alright. So, what is it?"

"It's Hanatemari Tsuzura, she's so worried about Saotome's whereabouts and keeps pestering me about it. She basically followed me around the whole day after I went to their den so I have to give her an answer and then do something to make her shut up. Miharutaki-san, could you give this to Saotome?"

It was Mary's school bag which contained something heavy.

"I can do that. But won't you be punished by Juraku for this?"

"Well, I'm sure that if Juraku-sama finds out, she might punish me but I doubt she would be that angry. So it's okay."

"And you..enjoy her punishments, right?"

"Yes."

The clear admittance, the small smile on Mikura's lips, the vivid hue of her eyes.

Sakura found it unnerving how even speaking of said punishments was enough to elevate Mikura's mood.

She once again found herself cursing this entire system and took the bag, sighing as there was nothing else she could say.

After accepting the request, Sakura was on her way to the cells, thinking on whether she should hand in the bag to the proud girl in person.

However, Naoe suddenly rushed to her and brought her some alarming news.

The water pipe in Mary’s cell had just burst.

***

After a tedious clean up operation of the water spilling into the room and the chaos it brought on, the problem was finally resolved and Mary was moved to another cell.

She was offered a set of dry clothes, lamenting silently at her luck as she sat on the bed whilst running a towel through her wet hair.

The house pet tag and the red collar were still around her neck.

Mary wasn't alone in her cell as the girl sat next to her shifted, “I'm sorry for what has happened, Saotome. As the Beautification Committee president, the condition of the cells is a result of my dereliction.” Sakura said and lowered her head.

The terse silence was broken by her soft voice as Sakura kept her eyes on her lap.

Not replying right away, Mary cautiously stared at Sakura for a moment, her golden eyes noticing the older girl's expression of guilt and embarrassment.

She then looked over at Sakura's arm to see that she had brought her school bag.

After combining through Sakura's words in her mind, Mary's eyes shimmered and an understanding smile formed.

“Well, I think we can leave it as just an accident, Miharutaki-san. I have a feeling you're taking responsibility for something you shouldn't be. Anyway, that room was full of mosquitoes so at least I have a new one now.”

“It may be an improvement but that isn't enough because you shouldn't be here. I apologise for the dismal conditions of this cell too, it must be uneasy for you. I can get you some repellent?”

"Thanks but you'd better not since Juraku may come here at any time. Speaking of which, do you know why I was thrown down here?” Mary asked and looked at the other girl.

“Yes, Sado informed me. Juraku has lost her mind and you should not have to endure this." Sakura replied, her irritation seeping through as she took in Mary, "There is no limit to her depravity."

“Thanks, Miharutaki-san. I think I must apologize for what I said to you before." the blonde motioned to their earlier encounters, "But I have no right to complain about this result because it's all on me. I just lost, that's all."

"No."

"What?"

Sakura's determined tone had Mary piqued, "No, Saotome, you did not deserve something like this. Nobody does, certainly not those who are innocent. It's the president's blame for creating such a maniacal system and creating an opportunity to harass victims. People like Juraku add to the degradation by making the most of it."

Sakura's judgement brought a bout of unusual feelings within Mary, blazing fury and unadulterated grief.

She had known how much Sakura valued the concept of honesty, of integrity and witnessed that first hand when Sakura apologised for underestimating them during their gamble.

It was such a profound moment for both girls and the blonde didn't know how to deal with it, so she just switched the topic for now.

"So, you really hate the house pet system, huh?" Mary smirked at the older girl, "It does make me wonder how those psychopaths allowed you to become a part of the Student Council and the president of the Beautification Committee since you oppose their system"

"It confused me too, more so since it was Juraku who recommended me."

This was news to Mary, "Really?".

Sakura nodded, "Strange, isn't it? Not to mention it was after I fought against them implementing the system and failed."

"Juraku seems like she was difficult to figure out in her first year."

"Oh, she was just as difficult to figure out when we were kids."
They both chuckled at the walking paradox that was Juraku Sachiko and their connection to her.

Feeling more closer to Mary, Sakura decided that now would be an apt time to discuss something which had been puzzling her.

She glanced at the blonde, cautious of how she was going to word the query.

“Saotome, may I ask you a question? Ah, but you don’t have to answer if you don't want to.”

“What's up?” Mary said and shook away Sakura's concern.

She noticed the way Sakura became thoughtful, her striking features merely enhanced by how much consideration Sakura was putting into asking the question.

When Sakura voiced her inquiry, Mary would understand why she gave her the option to not answer.

“Why did you choose Juraku? I mean, I am not saying Aoi was a good choice either but getting rid of him would have been easier. Also...” Sakura's paused, her eyes focused on the red collar, "He wouldn't have put that around your neck."

Mary pondered on the question and sank herself into her thoughts, reasoning and methods.

“Hm...I never thought about it before." she replied, "But I can answer it. However, Miharutaki-san, it means I’ll insult your asshole of a fiancé.”

Sakura was expecting as much and agreed, "It's okay."

"Right, so let me start off by saying that I didn't want to choose either of them. They're both insane in their own way. But when it came to Juraku.." Mary continued, thoughts of her mistress infiltrating her mind, "She was upfront and honest about what she wanted. And as fucked up as it is, that does show some integrity. Not only that, but she did defeat me by her own hand and always kept her word. But Mibuomi? He's a liar and a coward. Miharutaki-san, do you really think he's such a noble person, always caring for house pets and trying to save them? Even after he showed his true colours after the gamble between you and I?"

Sakura kept her attention on Mary, listening and watching intently as the explanation simmered in her mind.

It was evident that as much as Mary felt repulsed by Sachiko, what she felt for Aoi was pure contempt.

Not only that, it wasn't as if Sakura hadn't questioned some of Aoi's methods and motives herself.

"So the fact that his actual intents are unknown is what also pisses me off. And since he's such a narrow-minded prick and petty, I doubt he would forget what I said to him when he treated you like you were nothing" Mary sighed and looked at the president of Beautification Committee, "So what about you, Miharutaki-san? What do you think of the The Full-Bloom Society and your fiancé now?"

The personal questioning had been turned back on Sakura and the girl tugged at the sleeve of her blazer whilst feeling the golden eyes linger on her.

It was a question she had been deliberating on often as of late and she always reached one answer.

"I don't know, Saotome." Sakura murmured, "You made the decision so assuredly and quickly, I can't do that."

Sakura had joined The Full-Bloom Society, not only for its founder, but also for its purpose, the latter reason being more important given her disdain for the house pet system.

However, both of the reasons had become a figment of what used to be.

【芽咲】地牢中（1）

“聚乐，别太过分了。”

学生会的部室里，美化委员长三春泷咲良沉声警告着霜发的少女，“你要怎么对你的家畜我管不了，但是地牢不是给你玩的地方，我绝不允许你随随便便把人关进去。”

“‘随随便便’吗……很严重的指控呢。”面对咲良的反对，聚乐却始终笑得游刃有余，红色的瞳孔微微转动，绕开美化委员的视线，转向一旁的学生会长，“绮罗莉，作为我的专属家畜却不能全身心地侍奉主人，甚至意图欺骗出千，这种家畜难道不该让她进地牢反省一下吗？”

“听起来没有问题呢。”绮罗莉饶有兴致地微笑着，“咲良，地牢还有很多房间不是吗？匀一个给那个家畜同学也不会怎么样的。”

“……”已经没有可以争取的空间，咲良抿紧了嘴唇。

在她被开除善咲会不久，她就听说了金发少女在聚乐面前一败涂地，不得不成为对方的专属家畜的事。

说不清知道这一切的那一刻心里涌上的都是怎样的感受，但是交集的百感中无疑没有喜悦或者相关的成分。

早乙女芽亚里毋庸置疑是个人杰，本不当沦落到如此境地。

不，应该说，学园里本不该有任何人沦落至此。

想着学生会里的场面，回到办公室的咲良长长地叹了口气，叫来了她的助手。

“多关注一点早乙女。不管后面她有什么需要或者有什么其他的事情，记得及时跟我说一声。”

“明白，我会留神的。三春泷前辈，您想去地牢看看她吗？”

“……”咲良坐在办公椅上，回忆着她们最近的一次接触。

寻宝赌局。

“没有这个必要。”

毕竟那是如此骄傲的人。

“三春泷前辈，这个是有问题的赌场名单。”在芽亚里被关进地牢两天后，佐渡来到咲良的办公室，向她递了一份表格，“情况我都标在表格里了，接下来就麻烦前辈了。”

“嗯，知道了。”咲良接过表格，揉了揉太阳穴，“我之后就去走一趟，辛苦你了，佐渡。”

“远远比不上您。”佐渡微微躬身，露出有些复杂的神色，“前辈，她……没事吧？”

“谁？”

“那个早乙女，她没事吧？”

“啊……”咲良愣了愣，在她的记忆里，红发少女一向视早乙女为死敌，“情绪有点低落，但是还好。”

“是吗……谢谢您。”佐渡松了口气，却又很快皱起了眉，“早乙女是有多蠢啊，明明把所有事都做得很好，结果最后因为那点小动作把自己弄进了地牢？”

“那是聚乐的错，佐渡，早乙女只是在自保。”

“是是是，三春泷前辈，我们是无法在聚乐大人的事情上达成一致的，但是我有个私人请求。”

“……是什么？”

“花手毬葛笼，早乙女的那个钢琴朋友。”佐渡长长地呼出一口气，“早乙女缺勤以后就一直担心得不行，没完没了地缠着我，明明是那么胆小又弱的家伙……总之，三春泷前辈，为了让她安静一点，您能帮我把这个交给早乙女吗？”

佐渡提了提手中鼓鼓囊囊的书包。

“我这边没什么问题，但是……聚乐不会罚你吗？”

“这种程度的话，没什么问题的哦。”

事实上佐渡的脸上远不是“没什么问题”的表情，确切地说，那叫“求之不得”。

于是咲良只能叹了口气，接过书包。

走在前往地牢的路上，咲良考虑着要不要把东西亲手交给对方。

就在这时，她的副手跑了过来。

“三春泷前辈！”对方惊慌地气喘吁吁着，“早乙女，早乙女！”

“早乙女怎么了？！”

“她牢房水管爆了！”

？？？？？？？

先是水管碎片的天女散花，然后是水线乱飞，在水漫金山的一片混乱中芽亚里被转移到了另一间牢房，擦着彻底湿透的头发对自己的运气无言以对。

副手给她带了一套新的衣服，项圈和家畜牌却依旧挂在她的脖子上。

“十分抱歉，早乙女。”牢房外的混乱逐渐平息后，牢门被重新打开，咲良面含愧色地走了进来，向芽亚里深深地鞠了一躬，“身为美化委员长，牢房出现这种情况完全是我的失职。”

没有马上回答，芽亚里警惕地打量了一番美化委员长，注意到咲良脸上真实的羞愧与尴尬，还有她手上提着的书包以后，才终于缓和了面部线条。

“三春泷前辈，即使是囚犯，这种情况也在惩罚范畴之外吧。”

“是，十分抱歉……”

“不过，比起失职，说是意外更贴切吧。三春泷前辈，你想坐一下吗？”

“欸？”

“只有一张床，不过……可以分你一半。”芽亚里往床头挪了挪身体，拿下擦头发的毛巾，“其他招待就没有了噢。”

“十分抱歉，这里条件太差了。”咲良笑了笑，坐到床边，“早乙女，你本不该在这里的。”

“前辈已经知道了吗？我为什么在这里。”

“嗯。佐渡跟我说了。聚乐那家伙一直都很有问题。”

“……谢谢你。”芽亚里低下头，微皱着眉头轻声说道，“抱歉，三春泷前辈，之前对你说了过分的话。但是我没什么可以抱怨的事情，只是又一次输给了聚乐，然后在承担后果而已。”

“不是这样的。”

“什么？”

“不是这样的。早乙女，你不该在这里。任何没有犯罪的人都不应该在这里。”咲良的眼神有些晦暗，“家畜制度从一开始就不应该存在，桃喰绮罗莉却创造了它，仅仅是因为自己的喜好……然后，聚乐利用了它。”

咲良攥紧了拳头，“早乙女，你不该是家畜，任何人都不该变成家畜。”

强烈的愤怒与悲伤外溢而出，只是看着都让人受到震动。

仿佛内心也被摇撼着漏出了无法说清的情绪，芽亚里却不知道该怎样处理这份情感，于是她只好笑笑，转移了话题。

“前辈真的很讨厌家畜制度啊。学生会那群烂人竟然会允许你留在组织里？”

“我也很奇怪，尤其还是聚乐举荐我的。”

“聚乐？”

“是啊，在我反对推行家畜制度，然后一败涂地以后，她推荐我以美化委员长的身份加入学生会。”

“她在一年级的时候就这么难懂了吗？”

“小的时候她就这么难懂。”

带着复杂的情绪，她们看着对方笑了起来，感觉到距离的拉近，一直困扰着咲良的问题再一次出现在她的脑海中。

咲良看着金发的少女，小心翼翼地开口。

“早乙女，我有个问题想问你。但是……你不想回答也没关系。”

芽亚里疑惑地眨了眨眼睛，在咲良又一次出声以后，她知道了咲良这么说的缘由。

“早乙女，你……为什么会选择聚乐呢？”问出问题后，咲良又急忙补充，“我不是说葵是什么好的选择，但是如果你选择他的话，脱身会变得更容易，而且被对待的方式也会好一点，至少……”她的目光落在芽亚里的红色项圈上，“他不会给你戴上这个的。”

“……”芽亚里陷入了沉思，过了好一段时间才做出回应。

“前辈，我这边没什么关系，但是要讨论这个的话，我没办法用什么好词来谈你的未婚夫。”芽亚里抬起头，直视着正直的少女，“即使这样也没关系吗？”

“……没关系。”

“我明白了。确实，他们两个我都不想选，两边各有各的疯。但是，如果说到聚乐的话……她亲手打败了我，用绝对公平的方式。”芽亚里脸上呈现出复杂的神色，“她想做什么，想要什么都坦坦荡荡的，而且从来不会背弃自己的诺言。但是壬生臣，三春泷前辈，你觉得他真的是那么高尚的人吗？关心家畜，想要拯救家畜，可是即使是你，他都能毫不犹豫地背弃。”

“所以，拯救家畜只不过是一个名义上的目的，他只不过是在提升自己的影响力，为了什么不可告人的意图。这已经让人足够火大了，更何况，那种家伙，我不信他能容得下我对他说过的话。”想到痛骂壬生臣的前因后果，芽亚里有些别扭地撇过头，“那你呢，三春泷前辈？现在的话，你对善咲会和那个壬生臣怎么想？”

问题被抛回给了咲良，这也是她这段时间一直都在思考的问题。只是，反反复复之下，她只能得出一个答案。

“我不知道，早乙女。”咲良轻声说道，“你真的很强，即使是这样的抉择也能毫不后悔地做下决定。我做不到。”

当初她加入善咲会，不仅仅是因为它的创始人，更是因为这个组织的宗旨。甚至可以说，后者比前者更为重要。

但是，他们如今都成了虚幻的泡影。

Chapter Text

"I don't understand, Juraku. What do you have to gain by setting up such a scheme?"

After a meeting with the rest of the Student Council, the two chose to stay behind to talk about the current events.

Rather, it was Sakura having to ask all the questions and Sachiko responding with an unreadable smile before she put Sakura out of her misery and answered.

"Well, it would be quite unfortunate if our academy become a slaughterhouse, no?"

"Isn't that what you strive for?".

To this, Sachiko feigned indignation, "You and I both know that I have standards when it comes to bloodshed."

"Standards and bloodshed are two words that are parallel." Sakura replied dryly, "Anyway, we're going off topic."

"Don't you think some dangerous shifts have appeared now in regards to where this academy is heading? The brutality has increased drastically. It was you who had to deal with the pet girl incident this morning, my dear Sakura."

"I don't disagree with the change, but I don't think it is what you actually care about. Also, I don't see what this has to do with the plan you have."

Sakura was growing impatient with Sachiko's roundabout and abstruse explanations which would be furthered by the girl's next comment.

"How regretful. This is your long-standing weakness, Sakura. You are only able to see the direct path without noticing any branch roads. If you are confused, why don't you ask my golden pet? I can assure you that she will understand and would be very willing to answer you." she smirked and leaned back on her chair.

Speaking of the blonde who was still imprisoned, Sakura narrowed her eyes, "She has a name and you've imprisoned her for long enough. What in the world do you want? When are you going to release her?"

"I have plans for my pet which are for me to know, so I would suggest you keep away from my business. Instead of focusing on me, I think you should pay more attention to yourself, Sakura. After all, you are in a dilemma, no?"

Sakura's brows furrowed, "What are you talking about?"

Not concerned about the query from the irritated girl, Sachiko started to collect her bag as she continued, "You know, you don't have much time to make your own decision."

After delivering her words which were drenched in ambiguity, Sachiko left the room, giving a lofty smile to her aggravated counterpart.

Sakura remain seated, her eyes glaring into Sachiko's back whilst she mulled over the girl's parting words.

Sachiko innate ability to slither into her mind and leave it in disarray had Sakura stewing silently, her jaw grounding together.

Although she was already planning on visiting Mary the following day, Sachiko's comment in regards to the blonde knowing of what she was up to propelled Sakura to see Mary sooner.

***

When Sakura came to the cell, Mary was sitting with her legs crossed on the floor near the bed and treating it as a desk to work on, her exercise books strewn around her.

They were provided by Mikura in the bag she'd asked Sakura to take to Mary.

In fact, other than some snacks, clothes and her water bottle, the rest of the contents were learning materials.

Sakura frowned upon seeing the blonde's makeshift workstation and bag but Mary smiled when she realised that Sakura was here.

"What can I tell you, what Sado said was right. I can't just drown myself in my meaningless negative feelings while I'm trapped here."

"What she said?" Sakura asked with confusion, her sight roaming around the cell, "Did she leave a note?"

"No, she didn't need to say it. The fact that she packed all of this was her way of saying, 'Hey, Saotome, don't think you can escape from studying just cause you're imprisoned. It's very likely that Juraku-sama will make you take the tests, no matter if you've been outside or are still imprisoned'" Mary shook her head, "Well, she's right. That's just Juraku's style."

Juraku's style.

Sakura's expression soured again whilst thinking on what Mary had said.

Even though Sakura had known Sachiko for a long time, she still couldn't figure her out and yet, Sachiko believed that Mary would know what she was talking about?

Just what had transpired between Sachiko and Mary to make the former believe in that so assuredly?

Sakura walked into the cell which made the blonde lift her head up whilst slamming the book close as she grinned at the older girl, "Nice to see you, Miharutaki-san. Make yourself at home because I damn well have. The floor is clean, do you wanna sit with me?"

Sakura chuckled, a tangled feeling forming within as she looked around the cell again before taking a seat next to the younger girl.

"I'm glad you look better than before, Saotome."

"Yeah, realizing that Juraku is waiting for me to screw up is beneficial to my mental health. All the more reason not to fuck up." Mary scoffed at the absurdity, but her tone soon changed into a worried one, "But Miharutaki-san, you look worse than before. Has something happened?"

"Oh..." Sakura paused surprisingly, "Is it obvious?"

"It's written on your face." Mary said, turning her body to face the older girl to get a better look at her, "I'm not exactly in any position to help anyone but if you need someone to rant to, I'm all ears."

"I guess I do need someone to talk to. Thanks, Saotome." Sakura said and managed to appear a tad more relaxed, "Truth be told, a lot has happened recently."

Sakura recounted the events happening around Hyakkaou, up to her vague discussion with Sachiko this afternoon.

"In fact, the bullying targeted towards house pets has become excessive. It isn't just about humiliating them, or the typical violence." Sakura revealed, disgusted that violence in general had been normalized, "This morning, we found out that a girl was carved by a knife. Some depraved student had carved 'mitten' on her arm."

Mary's eyes widened, horrified by the revelation as she clenched her fist.

She couldn't begin to imagine how much that girl had suffered, to watch helplessly as a demented classmate took a knife to her arm and pressed the edge of the blade into her skin, repeatedly.

"What the fuck is wrong with this place?" she muttered, "I'm guessing nobody with power cared?".

Sakura exhaled, "The president didn't have any interest in dealing with it, and there's nothing stating that the Student Council members have to do anything about it. But in the afternoon, before our regular meeting, Juraku came to me alone."

"Really? She visited you?"

"Yes, she said she knows what I am worrying about and if I want to solve it, I shouldn't argue with her later."

"Is she worried about you?"

"I don't think so. You know Juraku, she probably thinks that what is happening is interesting." Sakura lowered her head and sighed, "And the scheme she offered as a solution was ridiculous. Debt Consolidation? How does it link to what we talked about in regards to the mistreatment of house pets?"

Debt Consolidation, a draft plan suggested by Sachiko.

The core of the idea was to hold a rally for house pets regularly in order for the Student Council to pay off the debts of the house pets who participate and become their new creditor.

As for the rally itself, the participants would compete with each other and the winner would have the right to decline or even abolish their debts as abolishing it would transfer their debt to the losers.

Mary wasn't sure if the scheme was clever or convoluted, and thinking on the girl who had created it, she concluded it was both.

"This is typical Juraku. Taking advantage of struggling house pets for her own amusement." Mary remarked with disdain, "That being said, she isn't the type who would lie to you about doing something like this for whatever reason."

"Exactly, so I am confused as to what she is after." Sakura stated and looked at the blonde again, "She refused to explain the details and mentioned you, saying how you would understand."

"Wait, she said that?" Mary enquired, taken aback by this.

"Yes."

"Why? She never discussed any of this with-" Mary stopped abruptly as her eyes focused on her books on the bed, "Wait.."

She became pensive, sinking herself into the storm of her thoughts and after a long while did she speak, her tone languid and low.

"I get it now, Miharutaki-san. That's her provocation to me."

"What? Provocation?"

"Yeah, she conveyed this message to me by sending you, wondering whether I would understand her. After all, I was defeated by her because she could see through me." Mary smirked as an irritated smile formed over her lips, "The fucking arrogance of her.."

"Hi, my little golden pet, you know you can't defeat me and regain your freedom if you cannot even understand me. So, do you have such a capacity? To read me like I can read you?"

This was Sachiko's provoking message.

Provoking her but not meeting her.

Toying with her without touching her.

How skilled her mistress was.

Perhaps Sachiko had been aware that Mikura had been in contact with Mary, but given how intriguing the results were, she didn't interfere.

"If that's how she wants to do this, then let's make it happen. I'll make her regret ever looking down at me." Mary scowled, her golden eyes laced with fury, "Miharutaki-san, I figured it out."

"Really?" the girl asked, noting the drive behind Mary's words.

"Yeah, let's start from scratch. What we have to consider is that one of the main reason why students bully house pets is because they think it's nearly impossible for us to regain our freedom. If we had enough funds, we wouldn't be house pets to begin with. As for the gambles, I guess house pets can only choose to challenge the Student Council members, because although we can challenge everyone, the rules will be made by our opponents."

Sakura nodded in understanding, "The odds are never in the favour of house pets".

"Right, if we challenge ordinary students, the gambling limit will be decided by them so even if we win, the money won't be enough to cover our debt. Student Council members like you are always strong players so winning against you is almost impossible." the blonde continued, "In other words, any path that a house pet can take to win our freedom is sealed off."

All of Mary's reasoning’s were valid so far.

There were only two options for house pets to obtain their freedom, two options that are unbalanced to begin with.

However, if there was a third method where a house pet could utilise to win, one which was far more fair, then the odds wouldn't be so unmatched.

Which is where Sachiko's plan came in and Mary had realised her angle.

"As fucked up as it is, the Debt Consolidation is a new path for us, Miharutaki-san. Defeating other house pets would be easier than to defeat a Student Council member or a normal student. This is a first in terms of us actually having a chance. The winner would get out of this situation."

"But those who lose.." Sakura said with reluctance.

"Would still be house pets, so the following is the real point. At the beginning, the Student Council just paid everyone's debt and became their new creditor, which means that the loser would be an 'exclusive' house pet of the Student Council. I guess they will use them for whatever reason, but compared to those who just bully house pets for pleasure, the treatment would improve a little. I haven't met the president directly but she seems like the type to be an onlooker rather than a participant."

Sakura peered at the books around Mary as it registered to her what this all meant, "Among the three options, it will be like choosing the lesser of two evils? Or three in this case."

"Pretty much." Mary chuckled, "But there's also a hidden point. If Juraku's draft is passed, it means that every house pet without a master would become the potential exclusive pet for the Student Council, and from an organizational perspective, they won't be willing to see their potential tools being destroyed before they can use them well. So the actual physical harm might come later. Also, considering how the Student Council would pay off the debt in advance.."

Mary thought on that for a moment as Sakura reached out and pressed her hand on her shoulder.

"Saotome?"

Feeling the reassuring hold on her, Mary brushed off those thoughts, "Never mind, until this scheme is passed, there's no point in thinking about other details" she said "This is what Juraku meant, this is the scope of her plan."

Now that Mary had managed to deconstruct Sachiko's obscure instructions, Sakura sighed out, a bitter smile present at just how sneaky Sachiko was.

"I guess you are right, this is Juraku's style. Roundabout and tasteless."

"As always." Mary repeated before a thought came to her mind, "Miharutaki-san, you said before that you two have known each other for a long time?"

Speaking of the past, Sakura's tone became contemplative, "Yes, our grandmothers are good friends, and so we became friends through them… We used to be very close."

“这就是你说的解决方案？聚乐，这样一来，我不得不怀疑你只是在戏弄我。”学生会的例行会议结束之后，其他人陆续散去，只留下咲良和聚乐相对而坐。

“我还没有恶趣味到这种程度噢，咲良。在不希望学校变成屠宰场这一点上，我是无条件站在你这一边的。”将手臂支在桌子上，又蜷起手指斜撑着脸颊，聚乐就这样似笑非笑地看着眉头紧皱的少女。

“就当你是这么想的吧。即便是如此，我也看不出来你的议案跟这件事有什么关系。”

“确实，对你来说有点困难呢。”聚乐笑着摇摇头，“毕竟，只能看到笔直的道路而注意不到旁支……咲良，这是你一直以来的弱点。如果实在想不明白的话，去问问我那只黄色的小家畜如何？”

说到依然被关在地牢里的芽亚里，咲良压紧了视线，“早乙女有自己的名字，而且你是不是忘了，这段时间她一直都在被你关禁闭。”

“只是这种程度可难不倒她。而且，咲良，比起我和她的事，你应该更关心自己一点才对。毕竟，你处在进退两难的抉择中，而且没有犹豫不决的余地呢。”

咲良的神色变得更加严峻，而后者显然并不在乎蓝发少女的回应，开始收拾起自己的公文包，“留给你做决定的时间不多，痛苦和后悔，你会选择哪一个呢？”

始终困扰着内心的问题，引发两人这段对话的的系列事件，还有霜发少女一针见血的话语，所有的一切都在扰乱咲良的心。

她本计划着第二天去看芽亚里，却在不知不觉间就走到了金发少女的牢房前。

聚乐的话再一次浮现在耳边，她犹豫了一下，掏出钥匙开了牢门。

内景缓缓展现，在牢房的灯光之下，金发的少女正盘腿坐在床边，把木板床当做书桌，对着一本习题集奋笔疾书，一些资料零散地散落在她身边。

这是由佐渡整理之后委托咲良带给她的、书包里的内容物。除了一些生活用品以外，清一色地全是学习资料。

打开书包的时候芽亚里并没有避着咲良，故而看到内容物后后者便皱起了眉头，但金发的少女在愣了一会儿后，却出乎意料地笑了。

“无法反驳呢，佐渡说的话。不愧是她。”

“佐渡说的话？她留了什么纸条吗？”咲良并没有看到类似的东西。

“没有喔。但是她打包了这些东西，这件事本身就是她在警告我。”

喂，早乙女，别以为你在关禁闭就可以不学习，你知道的吧，我们下次考试会是什么时候，而且不管那时候你出来了没有，聚乐大人绝对会让你参加考试。别把自己的特招生身份搞砸了。
——佐渡的警告

“聚乐确实是这种让人火大的家伙，在这里消沉只会给她乐子看……怎么可能让她得逞啊。”

就这样，佐渡寄来的一堆学习资料让芽亚里重新燃起了斗志。

听到门口的动静，芽亚里从习题集中抬起了头，朝着咲良微微一笑，“三春泷前辈。”

咲良勉强地扬起嘴角，“你看上去精神一点了呢，早乙女。”

“毕竟没到能够全心难过的时候啊。”芽亚里合上手上的书，“地板我已经擦过了，要来一起坐吗？”

“我记得上次你让我坐的还是床，待遇降得这么厉害吗？”

“毕竟，床上书太多了嘛。”

咲良轻笑了几声，盘腿坐到了芽亚里身边，“抱歉这里没有桌椅。”

“请别在意。比起这个，三春泷前辈，你遇到了什么事吗？”

“啊……很明显吗？”

芽亚里点了点头，转动身体认真地看向正直的美化委员长，“处在这种境地，我能做的事情……相当有限。但是，三春泷前辈，你需要一个听众吗？”

金发少女的目光严肃而专注，与这样的眼神四目相对，咲良不由自主地柔和了目光。

“最近确实发生了很多事……谢谢你，早乙女。”咲良揉了揉太阳穴，“除了一些我个人的琐事，针对家畜的霸凌行为也在愈演愈烈……今天早上，甚至有人用刀在一个家畜的手臂上刻字。”提到这件事，咲良的脸色越发严峻，“他们用刀在她的手臂上刻‘杂猫‘。”

芽亚里的瞳孔骤然扩大，不由自主地攥紧了拳头。

“呵……但在学园规定里，这是合法的，对吧？没有人有义务去处理这件事。”

“正是如此。”听出芽亚里声音里的讽刺，咲良苦笑着，“桃喰对这种事情没有任何兴趣。但是……今天下午的时候，在我们的例会开始之前，聚乐来找我谈了这件事。”

“聚乐？”

“嗯，她跟我说，她知道我在担心什么，而且如果我想解决这件事，会上就不要跟她吵。但是，她提出的方案根本就匪夷所思。债务重组大会？这跟我们说的霸凌有什么关系？”

债务重组大会，聚乐在例会上提出的一项草案。核心思想是定期为负债者举行集会，那些参与集会的负债者，学生会将会先为他们还清债务，并因此成为他们新的债权人。在那之后，参与者将在集会中相互竞争，胜出者将获得减轻甚至免除债务的机会，至于他们减免的部分，理所当然地会转移到输家头上。

“确实……难以理解，听起来根本就只是她想找乐子，所以办了场看家畜垂死挣扎的大戏。”芽亚里眉头紧皱，“但是，她不是那种会对前辈你说谎的人。”

“嗯。”咲良轻声回应道，“她不想解释，但是提到了你，说你肯定知道。”

“？她这么说了？”

“是的。”

“怎么可能？她提都没提过——”芽亚里的声音戛然而止，她的目光扫过摆在床上的书堆，“等等……”

金发的少女陷入了沉思，眉头随着脑内风暴的加剧皱得更深，等到她再一次开口，她的声音变得更加低沉。

“我现在知道了，三春泷前辈，她在挑衅我。”

“挑衅？”咲良对这个结论有些意外。

“嗯，她通过告诉你这样的话，把这个消息传给我，这是在问我有没有读懂她的本事。”芽亚里的声音里染上一丝愠怒，“毕竟，我就是因为被她读懂了，才变成家畜的啊……”

你知道的吧？芽亚里，如果你连读懂我都做不到的话，无论是打败我也好重获自由也好，都只会是你的痴心妄想而已噢。那么，你有这样的本事吗？
——聚乐的挑衅

“总有一天要让她哭出来……”芽亚里咬牙切齿，“三春泷前辈，我现在知道她的意思了。”

咲良认真地看着金发的少女。

“从源头来看，普通学生之所以欺负家畜，一个重要的原因就是他们觉得我们不可能重获自由。要摆脱家畜的身份就需要资金，但在自身已经负债累累的情况下，不会再有人无条件地答应与我们赌博，唯一的机会就是公式战。但是……尽管发起人是我们，公式战的规则却是由对手决定的，这也就意味着，我们只能去挑战学生会成员。”芽亚里冷笑一声，“因为如果我们挑战普通学生，连赌博限额都是由他们决定的，所以哪怕我们赢了，得到的钱也不可能还清债务。但是，如果能打赢学生会成员，家畜就不会成为家畜了。”

芽亚里的神情黯了黯，咲良的心情则颇有些微妙。

“所以，公式战这条路，看似给家畜留了一条生路，实际上却只是一个死胡同。但是债务整理大会不同，如果这项草案通过的话，虽然很恶心，但是它真的走的通。”芽亚里呼出一口气，“对上其他家畜，总要比对上学生会成员要更有希望。”

咲良皱了皱眉，“但是，那些输掉的人……”

“依然会是家畜。而且输的人永远会比赢的人要多，所以，后面的部分也是重点。因为在集会开始前，学生会已经垫付了参赛的人的债务，成为他们新的债主，所以，输掉比赛以后的人，当然就会是‘学生会的专属家畜‘。”

咲良的瞳孔骤然扩大。

“尽管学生会也不是什么好东西，但是至少从一个组织的角度来说，他们对家畜的态度会更倾向于‘利用‘而非’霸凌‘，所以，家畜的待遇至少会比现在要好上一点。而且，一旦草案通过，任何一个无主的家畜都会是潜在的学生会专属家畜，所以从利益的角度来说，学生会是不会希望家畜在被有效利用前就被其他学生毁掉的。”芽亚里皱着脸，“所以，至少在出现严重到影响家畜价值的人身伤害的时候，他们会出手制止。”

对潜在工具最低限度的维护，对已有工具最低限度的保养，因为家畜重获自由的可能性而产生的顾忌，以一石多鸟的计划，迂回却有效地遏制重度的霸凌，顺便欣赏一出家畜相争的大戏并逗逗自己的那一只。

“这还真是……她一贯的风格。”认识到这一切以后，咲良不由得苦笑。

“也不知道她什么时候才会翻车。”芽亚里哼了一声，想起另外一件事情，“三春泷前辈，你之前提到过……你们很久之前就认识了？”

提到往事，咲良的脸色微变。芽亚里有所察觉，正准备换一个话题时，咲良却开了口。

“是的，早乙女。”正直的少女低下头，视线垂落到了地板上，“我们曾经……是非常要好的朋友。”

Chapter Text

Mary couldn't deny that her imprisonment was starting to wear heavily on her mind. While she did what she could to remain distracted, be it plotting to level Sachiko, or focus on her studies, her lack of freedom was causing cabin fever to set it.

She rested her head on the wall behind her bed as she thought back on the evening she and Sachiko went out.

More so, how her plan to outsmart Sachiko had backfired.

"Mary, you did step out of line by trying to deceive me. However, since you've done a good job today in regards to our outing, I don't plan to be too harsh of a mistress. So, I'll give you an opportunity to make a choice."

"A choice?"

"Yes. If you admit your cheating and accept your punishment obediently, I'll sentence you to being confined to your room for a day. Or would you prefer a gamble?"

Sachiko had gazed at her pet kneeling in front of her, noting how tense Mary was before she chuckled and knocked the wheel with her finger lightly.

"What's the other choice?".

"I'll rotate the wheel. If the needle points at what you wrote, you will get a pardon and no punishment, however, if it points at what I wrote...your punishment will be more severe than being kept in your room."

A high pitched alarm brought Mary out from her recollection.

The alarm was set as a reminder for the imprisoned students of their allotted bathing times.

To call the cells at Hyakkaou a literal prison wouldn't be incorrect.

In fact, the cells only offered the bathing facilities at 20:00 and as soon as the time hit, the water would spill from the shower and the process would last for only 3 minutes.

Also, since the shower stalls were small, it made someone of even Mary's stature struggle to turn around, all movements near impossible.

So in order to alert the imprisoned students that their bathing time was upcoming, the alarm would ring at 19:50.

The students would prepare themselves, remove their clothing, apply their bathing products and then take a shower.

Mary was in the process of doing the same, waiting for the time of the water to be activated.

As soon as the time hit, the water spurted down and hit the blonde's body, making her jump back as much as she could given the abysmal water temperature. She may as well have been under a waterfall located in the Siberian wilderness and all it did was aggravate the injuries on her skin due to her poor living arrangements.

Some of the droplets which had gathered trickled down her forehead before running off of her eyelashes.

Her vision was unclear but the moisture could be felt in each breath once Mary had adjusted to the temperature.

It was just like another world where Mary could sink into her own thoughts.

Those 3 minutes.

She thought about her troubling predicament.

How had she managed to screw up the cheating?

When did her mistress find out?

And..did Sachiko have something planned or not when she proposed the option to gamble?

The choice of punishments are too mercy of the sadist, Mary had been even tempted to choose to be obedient, from a feeling of uncontrollable gratitude.

But when realizing those tendency of herself, she was pissed off and had raised her head to meet Sachiko's excited stare to proffer another idea.

"We can gamble but could I..suggest a change to the rules, mistress?"

The pressure of the water ceased gradually which indicated that the time was up.

She had left her towel outside on a shelf since there was nowhere else to put the item while her clothes remained in her cell. So she stepped out and wrapped herself up in the towel before almost sprinting back to get dressed in privacy.

However, when she walked into her room and removed her towel, she froze.

Juraku Sachiko, her mistress, was sitting on her bed.

"Damn her.." she muttered and quickly tried to conceal herself but Sachiko's curt tone made her stop.

"Don't".

Mary gripped the towel to her chest before throwing it onto the bed, her lips formed into a scowl when she noticed that her clothes were resting on the older girl's thigh. Her notebook was opened and being held in Sachiko's right hand.

"Well, Mary, has your stay here been that long that you have forgotten how to greet your mistress?" Sachiko grinned, snapping the notebook shut and placing it on the bed.

It was obvious that Sachiko had no intent to return her clothes, most likely enjoying Mary's state of undress. If the way Sachiko had ran her sharp eyes up and down the blonde's form was anything to go by, she most certainly was relishing in the display .

"I haven't, Juraku-sama." Mary replied as she lowered her head, voice quiet, "I'm sorry."

She then walked over and knelt down next to Sachiko's feet, her bare knees resting on the floor.

"Fine, I'll let it pass this time."

Mary nodded, "Thank you."

Pleased at her pet's easy surrender, Sachiko smirked as she retrieved the collar on Mary's bed and undid the buckle, "Come here and raise your head."

Mary had somewhat adjusted to the collar around her neck, however, witnessing Sachiko collaring her was another matter, not to mention that she was naked right now. As the collar got closer, Mary trembled slightly, swallowing thickly whilst she managed to keep her face relatively expressionless.

Sachiko chuckled at the blonde's distress and how she had yearned to see such a view.

Mary, vulnerable and exposed in every sense, submissive.

She hummed in contentment before placing the collar back down when she noticed that Mary's body was still shimmering due to the droplets of water.

The last thing Sachiko wanted was her precious pet to become unwell so she collected the towel and began to dry Mary.

Mary exhaled, breath shaky when the towel ran over her shoulders, neck and clavicles before Sachiko ran her hair through.

"Stand up." Sachiko instructed.

The blonde did so, now face to face with Sachiko despite the older girl being seated on the bed.

But Sachiko was too preoccupied tending to her, catching every droplet whilst skimming the towel behind and down Mary's back, then moving over her abdomen.

Mary stared ahead and clenched her fists as she felt Sachiko's warm breath over her skin, making her knees tremble. She felt like she was going to combust under the careful care of her mistress, one who was usually so rough.

Sachiko's existence and motives continued to perplex Mary as Sachiko commanded her to kneel.

The girl slowed down her movements deliberately, stroking Mary's neck again, enjoying the feeling of the warm and soft skin beneath her fingertips.

Sachiko then tossed the towel and picked up the red collar, finally collaring the blonde.

During the whole process, Mary could do nothing but keep still.

"You truly are adorable like this, my pretty little pet."

Mary moved her head to the side to escape from her mistress's sight, her nails digging into her thighs to halt her shame and unwillingness, "Thanks."

"Well, it has been ten days since our gamble. It is regretful as to what the results of that came to be as I prefer to treat you with more mercy."

Mary doubted that but held back her retort, "I sincerely appreciate it, thank you."

"You are welcome, pet. As for the rules we agreed upon when we gambled, I have to cash in my rewards for winning. Do you still remember what the rules were?"

"Yes, Juraku-sama." Mary lowered her tone and closed her eyes for a second, "'When you are satisfied with the duration of my imprisonment, you would come by to give the final punishment..before freeing me.'"

Sachiko smiled and tapped Mary's forehead, "Glad to see you have kept it in your mind. So, are you ready?"

"Yes, mistress." Mary murmured, her jaw grinding together.

"Very well. Now reach out you hands, we'll make a change this time."

“不能坐视不理呢，芽亚里，毕竟，欺骗主人是不能允许的事。但是你今天的其他表现，确实超出了我的预期。因此，我也不想显得过于刻薄。”星空下的小船上，聚乐坐起身，勾起嘴角看着全身绷紧地跪在一边的家畜，“我会给你一个选择。”

“如果你承认出千，自愿认罚，那么你的惩罚就只是在宿舍里禁足一天。但是，如果你更想赌一把的话……”聚乐轻笑着用手指轻点转盘，“我们可以再玩一次这个。”

“如果指针落到你写的区域，你的惩罚可以赦免，但是，如果落到我的区域……”聚乐压低了嗓音，“惩罚会比禁足严酷得多噢。”

囚室内的广播准时响起，打断了芽亚里在高强度学习之后漫游的思绪。她长长地叹了口气，站起身来脱下了囚服。

这是每日洗浴前的提示广播，囚室里那间转身都有些困难的淋浴间里，只有在每天晚上的8点才会供给洗浴用水。

供水时间只有三分钟，到点之后水会自动地从墙上的淋浴柱孔中喷涌而出，四面八方地扫射全身。

三分钟的时间显然过于紧迫，故而在19:50的时候，广播就会响起，提示被关押的人早做准备。

扎好头发，将带孔防滑垫盖在淋浴间的蹲厕上，全身抹上沐浴露，再关上门防止水的溢出，随后便静待供水时刻的到来。

随着三声铃响，水柱四面八方地喷射而出，击打全身各处。

水柱的压强高于寻常淋浴，甚至足以让人感受到痛意，水流击中身体之后便四散而开，化作了浓郁的雾气。

每一口呼吸都是潮湿的。

水流在击中身体分散开来后又重新汇聚，顺着身体曲线缓缓而下，芽亚里闭上眼睛，让睫毛担起职责，挡开了从额头滑落而下的水珠。

她仿佛又回到了船上，跪在聚乐面前，讶异于主人如此的轻轻放过。认罪的惩罚如此轻微，哪怕是主人提供的赌局，胜率竟也高达75%。

主人居高临下的目光凝在她的脸上，奇异地勾起心里臣服的欲望。不愿承认的感激之情混杂其中，叫嚣着让她举手投降，但在察觉到内心的这股激烈的情绪之后，更为强烈的愤怒压倒了它，促使着芽亚里抬起头，四目相对地直面她的主人。

“聚乐大人……我能改变一下赌局的规则吗？”

水声渐渐平息，金发的少女睁开眼睛，如此狭隘的淋浴间显然不可能留有挂换洗衣物的空间，只能走出去取。

但是，在走出门的那一刻，芽亚里愣住了。

聚乐坐在她的床上。

如往常一般翘着二郎腿，一手拿着她展开的笔记本，一手放在床上，指尖压着她叠好准备换上的衣服。

“怎么，芽亚里，在这里呆久了，连礼仪都忘了？”看着正在愣神的少女，聚乐笑了笑，将手上的本子放下，声音一如既往地游刃有余。

“……没有，聚乐大人。”空气在全身的皮肤上流转，但聚乐显然没有任何归还衣物的意思。她只好就这样赤着脚靠近主人，“请原谅我的失态。”

跪在主人脚边，身体微微前倾的同时低下头，双手收在两侧，尽可能地不去感受自己的羞耻之心。

这样的服从显然让聚乐很受用，她的嘴角扬得更高，目光在无可遮掩的少女身上肆意地逡巡，最后指尖缓缓地挑起手边的项圈。

“抬头。”

芽亚里随之抬头，目光顷刻捕捉到被聚乐展开的项圈。她依旧无法习惯这样的时刻，不由自主地攥紧了手指，指甲掐入大腿，拼尽全力地维护住脸上的目无表情。

脆弱的颈项被她的拥有者肆意抚弄，又在最后被项圈所箍。

“嗯，这样的你也很好看呢，小家畜。”

聚乐的评价让芽亚里羞耻得微微颤抖，面上的表情起起伏伏，却倔强地死死看着她的拥有者。

“谢谢您。”

这就是她的小家畜可爱的地方。聚乐加深了眼里的笑意，手掌轻轻放在家畜金色的发顶上，“嗯，变成这样的结果，很遗憾呢。原本我是希望对你更宽容一点的。”

“是……”芽亚里攥紧手指，低下头藏去了眼中的情绪，“是我咎由自取。”

聚乐轻笑一声，揉了揉家畜金色的脑袋，没有正面回复，“十天前我们赌了什么，你还记得吗？”

“是。”芽亚里闭了闭眼，“到了合适的时间，您会到这里来给我最后的惩罚……然后带我出去。”

“没错。那么，芽亚里，你做好相应的觉悟了吗？”

“是。”

“很好。”聚乐加深了笑意，目光炽热地打量着她顺从而忍辱的家畜，“现在，伸出你的手。”

Chapter Text

Kneeling down next to her mistress whilst being examined by the condescending sadist was reminiscent of the night Mary had suffered her crippling defeat from Sachiko.

Upon Sachiko's command, the blonde put out her hands as she thought back to the counter offer she had proposed to Sachiko's choices of punishment.

"We can gamble but could I..suggest a change to the rules, mistress?"

A little surprised at the blonde's nerve, Sachiko had chuckled slightly, "Hm..it seems that you are trying to negotiate with me about how to punish you, pet. Do you think I would agree to it?"

"If you don't agree, so be it."

"Interesting. Go on."

"Instead of you rotating the wheel, I will rotate it." Mary had said whilst her eyes remained on Sachiko's finger which was on the wheel as she continued, "If the needle points at what I wrote, I'll accept the punishment, whatever it is, and if it's at what you wrote..I'll pass it."

"So you think I've done something to the wheel? Is that what you believe?" Sachiko smirked, reaffirming the accusation before giving the wheel to the blonde, "You still have a chance to correct your mistake if you take back your words right now, but if you really think I tampered with it..then go ahead, we'll see what happens."

Mary was brought out of the recollection when Sachiko took her right hand, turning her wrist slowly to make her palm face upwards which caused Mary to breath in as she assumed the worst in regards to this foreboding behaviour.

And she was right to feel such trepidation when Sachiko retrieved a short stick which had been concealed up her sleeve.

Mary swallowed down her fear when looking at the item which had a leathery look and feel to it.

"Well, Mary, has anyone ever hit your palm in any way?" Sachiko asked as she raked the blonde’s palm gently with the stick.

"No, mistress."

"Hm, always an obedient girl, aren't you? Always smart enough to escape your punishments"

This was another of Sachiko's twisted attempts at mockery to remind Mary how misguided she was to challenge her mistress.

So Mary exhaled through her teeth, lowered her head and refused to reply.

She heard Sachiko chuckle whilst sliding the stick over her palm, declaring the commencement of Mary's punishment.

"10 lashes for each palm, hold on."

Not a moment after Sachiko spoke did the first lash make contact with Mary's palm.

Like a lightning strike meeting her hand, it went through Mary's nerves and the first hit alone had made her grimace.

The sound was cutting in the silence of the room, a sharp crack of leather against skin.

For some reason, this felt more painful than her first punishment.

As the pain partially receded, the second lash was delivered and Mary understood why this felt worse.

When Sachiko had whipped her back, she could clench her fists to divert attention from the pain, but with the lashes to her palm, Mary could do nothing but face it and suffer helplessly.

"Pet, raise your head and look at it."

Sachiko's command added further insult to the injury, and to Mary's pride as she tried her best to lower her head and keep her eyes closed to hide her misery.

However, Sachiko didn't allow her to hide her vulnerability and forced her to show it to her. With her free hand, she placed it behind Mary's head and into her hair, grabbing a fistful before turning her face to the direction of the wound.

"We're just getting started." Sachiko smiled against Mary's jawline, "Don't you dare look away when I release you."

Mary did as she was told, her naked torso and palm shuddering but the lashes continued until the 10 strikes had been delivered, each one worse than the last.

She had managed to keep her eyes on her hand, watching the centre of her palm turn red as the blood rushed underneath her skin, making the area warm which heightened the stinging sensation.

But it was far from over when Sachiko motioned for Mary to put out her other hand for the same treatment.

She couldn't even understand how 10 lashes could be so suffering, as opposed to the 36 she had felt on her back before. The sheer agony made her hold her breath whilst the scream she wanted to emit was kept in her heart.

As the ordeal came to an end, Mary finally breathed whilst the haze in her mind was lifted for a moment. Her golden eyes roamed up to face the red ones, cautiously and with fear.

The process was insufferably painful but now that it had ended, the discomfort would fade gradually.

As much as it hurt, Mary couldn't help but to think that the punishment was quite merciful.
Perhaps Sachiko had additional punishments waiting for her.

Noting her pet's terror, Sachiko smiled softly and leaned forward to stroke the blonde's hair.

"So, was this enough for you to learn a lesson?"

"Yes..mistress." Mary murmured, unable to speak with any verve.

"Very well. However, there is something clouding your head which is distracting you. Right up to the last second before I started on your palm." Sachiko pointed out as she got closer to the blonde, "What is it, Mary?"

The blonde just kept quiet and averted her eyes away, so Sachiko sighed and cupped her pet's chin gently, "Answer me and I won't punish you for that, no matter what it is, so long as you tell me. Or..are you too afraid to say it?"

Sachiko's words obviously worked because the blonde's gaze became intense.

What Mary despised the most was being looked down on.

If anyone showed his or her contempt and demeaned the blonde, Mary would do everything to make them shut up and show them why she was a force to be reckoned with, why underestimating her would be their downfall.

Now, being collared had stopped her from behaving like before but such an anger still existed in Mary's mind, trying to claw its way out and wreak havoc.

But when facing Sachiko, she would become confused and unsure of how to enact a real counterattack against someone so unreadable.

It seemed like no matter how she behaved, she was playing right into Sachiko's hands.

Like now, if she kept silent, Sachiko would be happy to have another chance to punish her and if she revealed her thoughts, Sachiko would be happy for her confession.

Mary relented, revealing all with a provoking sentence whilst keeping a quiet and respectful tone, venturing to probe the tolerance of her mistress.

"I don't like what you wrote on the wheel, mistress."

She was expecting Sachiko to get mad.

No, she wanted Sachiko to be infuriated with her.

Mary said what she had with the intent to push her mistress into reacting, into taunting and testing her till Mary could unleash all the anger she was feeling and use its momentum to break free.

Just like she had always done, using her anger as fuel to further herself.

But Sachiko just nodded and stroked her pet's head and nape lightly, encouraging her to go on with a soft gaze.

The action deflated Mary but she continued, leaning into Sachiko's hand against her neck and cheek.

"I did cheat and lose the gamble, mistress. I admit it and have no complaints to your punishment. But what I don't get is when did you find out, and did you ever adjust the wheel?"

Sachiko hummed in understanding and ran the fingers of her other hand over Mary's shoulder, skimming them across her neck and then up her jaw.

"Hm...so that is what causes troubles for my pet, wondering how she was defeated by her mistress?"

"Yes, uhm..am I gonna get punished for that? "

"No, you have my word and I don't plan to break it." Sachiko smiled and ruffled the blonde's hair, "But you must know, the answer you are searching for is not one that will be easy to get."

Mary noted the older girl's enunciating of, 'Not easy to get', instead of 'impossible to get'.

"What do you mean? I mean, are you going to let me get the answer?" Mary enquired, her eyes pensive.

She had the urge to reach out and place her hands on Sachiko's legs but managed to refrain from doing so.

"Smart girl, you will get a chance. Seeing my pet torture herself mentally is not what I want, so I will give you another choice. Your punishment for cheating has been finished, so you can collect your belongings and come with me right now. But if you want to know the answer..." Sachiko grabbed Mary's hand again, running a thumb over the blonde's sore palm, "You now know how the lashes feel. I won't catch your hand this time and if you can take another 40 lashes with no begging and no dodging, I'll answer you."

Mary looked at Sachiko whilst processing the condition to obtain an answer.

Sachiko's expression remained somewhat soft, a far cry from her usual condescensionn, like she wanted Mary to put some actual thought into whether she wanted this.

Whether the pain incurred would be worth the answer.

"So, my pretty pet, what is your choice this time?"

跪在地上承受着主人居高临下的审视，这样似曾相识的场景让芽亚里再一次回忆起了十天前的又一次铩羽。

“聚乐大人……我能改变一下赌局的规则吗？”

“哦？看来你是想讨价还价呢，在怎么惩罚你这件事情上。”有点讶异于金发少女的胆量，聚乐勾起嘴角，“你觉得我会同意吗，小家畜？”

“如果您不同意……那我也无话可说。”

“有意思，那我就姑且听听看吧，你的提议。”

“十分感谢。”芽亚里微微躬身，而后抬起头来，目光凝在聚乐拿着转盘的手指上“在您的基础上，条件反过来也没有关系吧。我来转动转盘，如果指针停在我写的区域，我会心甘情愿接受您的任何惩罚，但是如果停在您的区域……您就不能再追究这次的事情。”

“很有趣呢，芽亚里，这么说来，你是认为我在转盘上动了手脚吗？”聚乐意味深长地笑了笑，将转盘递给金发的少女，“现在收回你的话还来得及噢，但是，如果你真的这么想……那就按下去吧，那个转动的按钮。到底会发生什么，我也很期待呢。”

在芽亚里按照命令伸出手后，主人抓住了她的手腕，慢慢翻转着，最终令她的掌心朝向上方。这样的姿势很容易联想到某种常见的体罚，芽亚里清晰地感觉到自己的心脏加快了跳动。

“芽亚里，你有被打过手心吗？”显然她的联想并无差错，主人的另一只手正拿着胶棒，用一端轻轻地划着她的掌心。

“没有……聚乐大人。”

“是吗。一直以来都是一个不犯错的乖孩子？还是说……一直以来都很聪明，聪明得没有人能发现你干的坏事？”

这显然是聚乐又一种变相的嘲讽，芽亚里低下了头，不想给予任何回应。

于是她听见头顶上方主人的轻笑，而在掌心里勾勾画画的胶棒也最终停了下来。

“每只手十下。”

话音未落，第一下就落了下来。

就像一道落雷劈在掌心，只一次就让芽亚里痛得面目狰狞。

惩戒的声音打破牢房的寂静，第二下在疼痛减弱的那一刻再次降临。

这比她的第一次惩罚难忍得多。当鞭子抽打她的后背的时候，她尚且可以攥紧拳头来转移注意力，但当惩戒落在她的手上的时候，情况就全然不同了。

“芽亚里，抬头看好，我有允许你看别的地方吗？”雪上加霜的是，聚乐不允许她隐藏自己的脆弱。

她低下脑袋闭紧眼睛，尽自己最大的努力去隐藏自己的表情，但这却不被主人所允许。一只手一把抓住了她的头发，强迫她抬起头来面向手心。

“这才刚开始。”聚乐微笑着凑近了些，警告性地晃了晃抓着金发的手，“我松手以后如果你敢看别的地方……你可以试试。”

“……”芽亚里抿紧了嘴唇，别无选择地把目光停在受罚的手心上。

每一下的鞭打都会留下一道鲜红的长痕，使得掌心随着次数的增加愈发地发红发热，每一下鞭打都比上一下更疼，而十下结束之后，聚乐又让她举起另一只手。

芽亚里字面意义上地发不出声。

她已经无法控制面部的表情，无法理解为什么只是十下的抽打就能疼到这种地步，她的双手与身躯都在战栗，疼痛阻滞了她的呼吸，尖叫无可阻挡地回响在心里。

在惩罚终于结束以后，她才终于找回自己的理智与呼吸，金色的瞳孔向上抬起，小心意义地迎向主人猩红色的眼睛。

尽管受罚的过程痛得难以忍受，但是鞭打一旦结束，疼痛就会逐步褪去。考虑到鞭打的次数以及受伤的程度，芽亚里不得不承认这算不上太严酷的惩罚。

所以，或许还有下文。

感受到芽亚里的惶恐，聚乐加深了笑意。她的身子微微前倾，再一次伸手抚向家畜的金顶。

“知道错了吗，我的小家畜？”

“是的，聚乐大人……”芽亚里轻声回应着。

“很好。但是，有些事情在困扰着你呢。”聚乐点点头，却又话锋一转，“你刚刚在想着什么事情不是吗，直到我要打你的手心之前，都一直在分心呢。”

芽亚里低下头移开视线，这样的抗拒让聚乐叹了口气，抬起家畜的下巴迫使她直视自己。

“告诉我你在想什么，芽亚里。不管它具体是什么，我都不会惩罚你。还是说……你怕了吗？”

聚乐的话显然起了作用，因为金发少女的目光变得严肃起来。

芽亚里最恨的事情就是被人瞧不起。

如果有人胆敢看不起她，她会做自己能做的一切来让对方闭嘴。她会拼尽一切去打击对方，让对方意识到为什么她是一支不可忽视的力量。

但是，面对聚乐的时候，芽亚里总会变得震悚，困惑，不明白怎样的行为对年长的少女而言才是真正的回击。

这是一个以未知，刺激与混乱为乐的女人，在她面前，好像无论芽亚里怎样表现，都只会让她心情愉悦。

就像现在，如果芽亚里拒绝回答保持沉默，聚乐会很高兴有新的理由来惩罚她，但如果芽芽里回答了问题，聚乐又会很高兴芽亚里顺从了她。

于是芽亚里做了个深呼吸，尝试保持声调礼貌的同时来挑衅主人。

“我难以对您写在转盘上的东西保持喜欢的心情，聚乐大人。”

芽亚里预测聚乐会因此发怒，甚至期望着这一刻的到来。

愤怒一直以来都是她的力量来源。她因为愤怒考上了百花王学园，因为愤怒打败了爱浦心，因为愤怒成功的拥有了自己的赌场。愤怒总能激发她的潜能，让她发挥出不可思议的力量。

所以她在盼望，盼望着聚乐激发她的怒火，直到足以支撑她摆脱面对主人的复杂心情，纯粹而坚定地再次踏上决斗的战场。

但聚乐只是点了点头，轻轻摸着家畜的脑袋示意她继续。

这让芽亚里泄了气，但她终究是继续说了下去。

“我确实出千了，在转盘上动了手脚，而且……输掉了与您的赌博。所以，受到您的惩罚，我无话可说。”芽亚里长长地叹了口气，主动地看向霜发的少女，“但是，聚乐大人，您是怎么发现的？还有，发现以后……您有对转盘做过什么吗？”

聚乐沉吟着扬起嘴角，用拇指细细摩挲着金发少女的下颔，“这就是在困扰着我的小家畜的事情吗？想知道自己是怎么被主人打败的……很大胆呢。”

“那么，您会惩罚我吗？”

“不会。答应过你的事，我不打算食言。”聚乐带着笑意望向芽亚里金色的瞳孔，“但是，你明白的吧，想得到答案的话，没有那么容易噢。”

芽亚里猛地一震。

她听出了聚乐的弦外之音。

“‘没有那么容易‘……您是说，您会给我机会吗？得到答案的机会？”

“聪明的孩子。”聚乐歪了歪头，嘴角噙着笑意再度前倾，“我不喜欢我的家畜一直被杂念困扰，能困扰她的只有我才对。所以，我会给你一个选择。你的惩罚已经结束了，所以，你现在就可以穿好衣服跟我出去，但是，如果你想知道答案的话……”

聚乐再度抓起芽亚里残存着痛意的手掌，拇指探入掌心细细摩挲着，“你现在知道打手心是什么感觉了，这一次，我不会再抓着你的手。如果你能凭着自己的意志再捱40下，不喊停，不躲避，我就回答你。”

“那么，我的小家畜，这一次，你怎么选呢？”

Chapter Text

A choice.

Although she had been Sachiko’s personal house pet, when it comes to something spiritual, Sachiko would always give her a choice.

Mary wasn’t sure if she was thankful or not. In one aspect, she knew that the underlying intents of Sachiko behaving like this was just to have her in complete subservience, but on the other hand, Sachiko had given her a chance to fight despite the fact that she could have easily broken her.

The blonde had realized it now deeply.

Would the answer be worth the following pain?

For most people, it wouldn't.

But it was not just a simple answer for Mary.

It was her first time tasting total loss when she ended the poker game with Sachiko. As for her crumbling to Sachiko's daily lashes, it somewhat broke her faith.

She had once believed that she could defeat everything and anything but the reality was far more cruel because Mary had been awakened to an irrefutable fact.

She had her limits.

What was more concerning was that this girl towering over her existed, and she was capable of breaking them.

Now, even just seeing the whip again resulted in her hands becoming cold and her breath tremulous.

Each time she tried to challenge Sachiko, it ended the same, like she was asking for trouble.

So what about this time?

Would it end with the same result?

Or should she choose to relent, to admit to her mistress‘s governing?

When her deliberation on the matter came to a conclusion, something rooted in Mary's soul had risen.

She couldn't say whether she was rational or not as she slowly reached out her hands with the palms facing up, gazing at her mistress and replying lightly.
"Please."

"Brave girl." Sachiko smiled in admiration, taking in her kneeling naked pet as she lightly skimmed her palm with her stick. "Since you decided to accept my challenge, let me clarify the rules. This is not a punishment. I would prefer to refer to it as a gamble. So, barring begging or dodging, everything else is permitted. If you successfully take the forty lashes, you will receive your winnings. If you ask for this to end by your words or movement, I'll stop, and you will get nothing. Deal?"

"Deal, mistress." Mary took in a deep breath.

“Very well. Now, let's begin.”

When the stick connected with her injured palm again, it emitted a sound which resembled the howling wind. It hurt even more than expected and Mary was tempted to clench her fists right away.

But she kept her composure, her jaw grinding to mask the agony she had been catapulted in.

With a slow speed and stable intensity, the lashes become more and more painful.

Since Sachiko wouldn't grab her hand this time, Mary had to depend on her own willpower to keep herself poised.

And such a resistance to the instinct to end this challenge had exhausted her own strength, making her incapable of even appearing strong.

Each new lash would refresh her cognition of pain and subconsciously, she found herself crying.

Inwardly, she wanted this to end.

Stop.
Stop it.
Please.

The words reverberated in her mind but she refused to vocalise them.

She was shaking violently, begging the words to not pass her lips, almost drilling them into her teeth in order to stop it.

So Mary replaced it with intermittent sobs as tears cascaded from her darkening golden eyes, the light in them gradually fading.

How long till they were as dark as Mikura's?

She couldn't even imagine how she looked from Sachiko's perspective right now.

Perhaps she appeared ironic, maybe comical and pathetic, or stupid even.

All of these words spat out by the Full-Bloom member bombarding her mind, as well as from those she had gambled with in the den she once owned herself.

Why did I come to this school?

Why do I want to be a champion?

How could I drop myself in such a situation?

Pain, regret, grief and confusion, all of these feelings were intertwined in Mary’s heart, now transformed into her tears.

She nearly drowned herself in such a maelstrom of thoughts but suddenly, she heard Sachiko's voice.

It was light yet commanding, luring her out in such a startlingly comforting way that she had to blink repeatedly when looking up at her mistress.

"All the lashes are over. My brave girl, you took them all, congratulations."

Through her bleary eyes, Mary saw Sachiko smile at her whilst she put down the stick and reached out to stroke her hair again.

For reasons she couldn't decrypt, this made Mary want to cry more than ever.

小家畜，你怎么选？

一直以来总是这样。尽管已经沦为家畜，每一个涉及到意志与信念的时刻，聚乐总会给予她作出选择的自由。

芽亚里无法说清自己是否对此心怀感激。她清楚地知道知道聚乐这么做不过是为了让她彻底臣服，但另一方面，聚乐在本可以轻而易举地摧毁她的时候，给了她一个战斗的机会。

是的，聚·乐·可·以·轻·而·易·举·地·摧·毁·她。

这些日子以来，芽亚里已经深刻地体会到了这一点。

她一直坚信着自己是能成为胜者的人，直到遇上聚乐。

与聚乐的那一场赌局，纵使她竭尽全力拼尽所有的潜能，也依旧无可避免地一败涂地。

那是她第一次看到自己的极限，而她的主人，是可以轻易压制她的极限的人，成为家畜以后，她对主人的每一次挑战，都像是她在自找苦吃。

那么，她应该接受聚乐的提议吗？她所寻求的答案值得以承受40鞭为代价去追寻吗？

还是选择妥协，承认聚乐凌驾于她之上?

当思绪漫游到这一步，一些植根在芽亚里本性里的东西慢慢地浮现了出来。

即使是芽亚里自己，也无法说清此时的自己是否是清醒的。

她重新举起手，让泛红的掌心朝上，同时迎向主人的视线。

“请·您·指·教，聚·乐·大·人。”

“很好。”聚乐缓缓勾起嘴角，说不清是赞赏还是戏谑。她的身子微微前倾，饶有兴致地看着无所遮掩地跪在她面前的家畜，“既然你想要试一试，那我就把规则说清楚一点。芽亚里，这不是一次惩罚，严格来说，这是一场赌博。如果你能受住接下来的40下，就是你获得了胜利。但是……如果中途你喊了停，或者直接躲开……我不会再打下去，但你也不会得到任何东西。小家畜，还有什么问题吗?”

“……没有，聚乐大人。”

“很好，那么，我们开始吧。”

话音刚落，带着风声的一鞭就砸在了手掌上。

只一下就让芽亚里倒吸一口凉气，本能地想要攥起拳头。

这一次，聚乐不会抓住她的手。

唯一能依赖的只有自己的意志力。

曾·经·屈·服·于·鞭·笞·的意志力。

鞭打手心本就比后背更加难忍，加上刚刚已经受过惩罚，不过十下就已经让手掌红得吓人。

太疼了，真的太疼了。

芽亚里的呼吸越发粗重，双臂抖得厉害，汗水从她原已擦干的身体上一股一股地流下。

手掌的红色中逐渐透出紫色的血点，血点逐渐地连成一片。

停下……
停下来……
求你了……

这些词句频繁地在大脑涌现，钻到她的嘴边。

抵挡这样的本能耗尽了芽亚里的意志力，让她甚至无法显得坚强。

不知不觉间，她发现自己在哭。

不是那种嚎啕大哭，而是哪怕咬紧了嘴唇也无法抑制的，随着呼吸断断续续的呜咽。

为什么我非要要成为胜者？
为什么我要来这个学校？
为什么我会把自己弄到这种境地？

痛苦，困惑，芽亚里几乎溺毙在自己的思想风暴中，却忽然被一个威严而轻柔的声音唤醒。

“已经结束了，我坚强的小家畜。你成功接下了我的40下，恭喜。”

透过泪眼朦胧的双眼，芽亚里看到聚乐放下了短棍，身子微微前倾，带着微笑再一次轻抚她的发顶。

不知为什么，这让芽亚里比任何时候都更加想哭。
。

Chapter Text

The touches from her mistress were far too comforting for Mary's liking.

She couldn't comprehend why the soft sensations of Sachiko's fingertips skimming over her brought such a sense of reprieve.

The thought whirled around Mary's mind and she couldn't get it out of her head, try as she may.

Following the excruciating lashes, her palm burned so severely and to further exacerbate the pain, her bare knees ached, trembling due to the prolonged kneeling.

It was cunning of Sachiko to pet Mary when she was embroiled in such a weak moment.

Noticing the blonde's struggle, Sachiko smiled lightly and decided to move onto her next course of action.

The older girl crouched down, gently wiping the tears spilling down Mary's face before embracing her golden pet in her arms.

“Does it hurt?” she asked, voice a low whisper.

As if you're asking me such a ridiculous question when this is your doing.

Mary wanted to vocalise those inner thoughts with all the bite she could muster, however, her body betrayed her. Before she could answer in any way, a irrepressible whimper escaped from her lips, quickly morphing into uncontrollable crying.

How ironic.

To be crying in front of the one whom had placed her in this perilous predicament the day she had collared her.

It was twisted, to be asking for comfort from the initiator of all the evil to have befallen her.

But Mary's naked skin could feel the other girl's warmth, could feel the strength from her mistress in terms of supporting her and the gentle strokes to her hair added to it.

She should have felt nothing but disdain as to what Sachiko was doing, but during this display of vulnerability, everything Sachiko was offering was making Mary feel safe.

How was it that such a feeling could be summoned because of Sachiko?

Mary couldn't deduce it, and the only way she could retaliate was to wipe all her tears on Sachiko's clothes.

Though it wasn't enough to ruin Sachiko's blazer, not to mention how she had said nothing about Mary's action. Instead, Sachiko kept hugging Mary whilst running her fingers through the golden locks until the blonde concluded her own venting and stopped crying.

"Are you alright?"

Her golden pet just pressed her forehead onto Sachiko's shoulder, refusing to respond.

It made Sachiko chuckled, "Hm, it's out of my capacity to interpret such behaviour. Does it mean that my pretty pet is shy?"

Mary's body tightened, shrinking further into Sachiko's shoulder to conceal the florid hue of her ears.

But Mary felt a hand move beneath her face when Sachiko pulled back and cup her chin.

"Can you stand up?"
The sudden change of topic surprised Mary but she was somewhat grateful as she tried to move herself.

In doing so, Mary realized that her knees had become stiff, almost paralytic and even the slightest movement was an onerous task to complete.

It was something Sachiko had been expecting so the older girl smiled and offered to help.

"Put your arms on my neck, Mary." she instructed.

"I can do it by myself.."

"Very well" Sachiko smirked, always amused by Mary's obdurate nature "Then stand up within 5 seconds or receive another punishment."

The threat was enough to put the blonde off from attempting to stand up because she knew it would be impossible to move in 5 seconds.

Instead, Mary lowered her head and follow the command.

"Excuse me." she muttered quietly and proceeded to place her arms around Sachiko's neck.

Sachiko's crimson eyes shimmered as she picked up the blonde, her arms encircling Mary's bare waist to guide her up.

"You see, it's not so difficult, right? Now, raise your arms."

"Why?"

"I need to dress you. Your palms need some time to heal so it is better not to use them until tomorrow."

Mary didn't know how to respond and she wanted to refuse but she had no energy to do so.

She felt exposed as it was and the sooner she could have her clothes back, it could at least place one layer of protection against Sachiko.

Sachiko collecting Mary's clothing and instructed her to lift her arms as she got to work, dressing her pet accordingly.

The feeling of clothing running over her skin was subtle, making it so that she could feel Sachiko's fingertips as well, tenderly and carefully gliding over her body.

"Lift your leg up."

Mary's face reddened further but she yielded and did as she was told while Sachiko slipped on the rest of her clothes. The white shirt, black skirt and the red blazer followed her undergarments, along with the ribbon pinned at the centre of her shirt.

Finally, Sachiko collected her house pet tag and placed it around the blonde's neck.

"Your body is really beautiful, my pretty pet. What a pity I can't always see it." Sachiko lauded as her hands floated down the other girl's form and then back up.

"Thanks, Juraku-sama."
Mary felt those fingers ghost over her and she found it difficult to breath, especially when Sachiko lowered her lips down to her forehead.

"A pity indeed.." she repeated.

Something about Sachiko's tone unnerved Mary so she tried to move things along.

Though her stomach tightened from the humiliation, Mary believed it was better to not delve on this topic.

She looked up at Sachiko, "You said that if I took all the lashes, you would answer my question, mistress."

"I will, my little pet. And since you behaved so well" Sachiko smiled, staring at Mary with a joyful gaze, "I will reward you with more than just an answer."

***

It was raining heavily when Mary stepped out with her mistress, the sounds noticeable once they walked through the exit of the cells.

"Hm, how unfortunate. Thankfully I have brought an umbrella big enough to shield both of us. That being said, it's better to leave your bag in my office for the time being, or it might get wet."

Sachiko didn't wait for a response, keeping Mary's bag in her hand.

Since Mary's palm was injured, Sachiko helped collect all the blonde's belongings and placed them into her bag, keeping it in her own hands up to now.

"Yes, mistress." Mary nodded lightly, unsure of what kind of feelings she herself should have about this gesture, "I mean, Thank you."

"You are very welcome, my pretty pet." Sachiko grinned, "It seems that this time, we need to walk shoulder to shoulder, right?"

It's undoubtedly an unusual arrangement.

Following her fall to becoming Sachiko's house pet, Mary had no choice but to be chained and walk behind her mistress.

Though, Mary couldn't be sure as to which one of these two options was worse for her.

And her confusion would continue to grow when Sachiko held the umbrella in her free hand, using the other to wrap around Mary's waist.

"Then, let's set off."

Mary noticed that Sachiko's umbrella was wet when her mistress opened it and this showed the fact that it had rained before Sachiko came to the cells to visit her.

Would Sachiko do it deliberately, to create a chance for them to walk together closely?

The blonde was unsure and she was too tired to delve into to, to figure out the methods of madness which belonged to her mistress.

So she just took a deep breath to inhale the fresh air, something which had been kept away from her for ten days.

Sachiko noticed the action and she hummed whilst wrapping her arm around her pet that much tighter.

"Mary."

The blonde lift her head, responding to the call and stared up at her mistress' crimson eyes. She had to wait a moment before Sachiko said anything and the silence was enough to make her nervous.

Nobody knew what was going to float out of Sachiko's mouth whenever she spoke.

Honeyed praise, or bitter acknowledgment.

"Do you hate me?"

Mary's eyes widened, not expecting that Sachiko would ask this question so bluntly.

Since the older girl could read minds, if Mary lied, Sachiko would know.

In fact, it was very possible that Sachiko completely understood Mary's thought and she just wanted to see how Mary would reply to her.

As a part of Mary's training.
Mary sighed internally for having to confront Sachiko, be it mentally or physically.
Her willpower was nearly empty.

Sachiko looked at her pet, "You don't know?"

"I.." Mary started, not sure of what to say or how to end her sentence.

This irked Sachiko and the girl sighed softly, "Mary, I want to listen to you. You are permitted to express all of your feelings to me for the time being. I won't punish you as long as you are honest."

Sachiko then moved her hand to Mary's cheek, brushing her thumb over the surface with a gentleness that stunned Mary, like she was physically reassuring her of what she had said.

"Fine..." Mary said, shuffling her feet "I guess I do hate you a little, yet not too much."

"Hm, that's an unusual answer. Why do you have such a feeling?"

"Do I have to answer? You always come after me! You forced me to gamble with you by your power and reduced me to becoming your pet. You always humiliate me! How can I not hate you.."

By the end of the expulsion of her thoughts, Mary gathered herself, her breathing erratic so Sachiko continued to sooth her.

Sachiko smiled and nodded lightly, "I do show you my worst side these days. It's understandable that you hate me. But, why just a little? You know you could have hated me more considering what I have done to you."

Mary lowered her head, paused for a while before she replied.

"What do you want me to say? There are many reasons. I mean, you could have done worse. Not only that, there would be other problems for me in this dump, even if you didn't exist..".

Mary looked up at Sachiko before stating her final reason.

"This is my doing. I made the decision by myself."

It was Mary's own choice to take part in the competition of Hyakkaou, to gamble with Sachiko whilst knowing all the risks, and she had been defeated only because of her weakness and underestimation of the President of The Public Morals Committee.

It was herself who should take all the responsibility, not Sachiko.
So.

I made the decision by myself, not because you controlled me.
My will is mine, not yours.

Sachiko could figure out the messages hidden behind Mary's words which made her grin further.

She was continuously amazed by the fact that her pet was always so remarkable.

"Do you regret your decision?"

Mary parted her lips, yet unable to vocalize.

It was a question that she didn't know the answer to herself.

Sachiko had expected the silence so the older girl just continued, "It goes without saying that you put yourself by my side because of your poor judgement of me. However, if we stop here, you will learn nothing from this experience. And the most important point is, why did you make such a decision?"

"Are you talking about my foolishness?"

"That is another meaningless conclusion, my little pet." Sachiko chuckled, "The point is, since we’ve met each other so many times, have you realized that I might do something to you whenever I feel like it? "

"Of course you would." Mary scoffed.

"Then, have you done any preparation to counter it?"
Mary's eyes expanded in shock.

"Have you ever done any investigating on me? Have you learned about my gambling style and my skills?" Sachiko continued "It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out as I'm quite famous at the academy. However, you hadn't done any research on me..until I asked to gamble with you."

The words were hitting Mary like the rain was colliding with the ground around them.

It was a grievous error on her part and the fact that Sachiko had to point it out was telling.

"My pet, you knew nothing of me. How could you have judged if you were stronger than me or not?"

Mary remained rooted to the spot as Sachiko trailed a finger over her blonde brow.

"Though in many ways, you truly are an impressive girl. I knew that you didn't investigate me, but the opponents you defeated was achieved by depending on your quick wits. This alone is deserving of applause, yet you could have made it more easier if you paid more attention on gathering intelligence."

Mary just gazed at her mistress intently, now being left speechless once again.

That is something that nobody had ever told her.
Though the blonde didn't like to be preached at, she had to admit that what Sachiko was saying held nothing but truth.

The feeling of the collar around her neck became more tangible, reminding her how blind she had once was.

Sachiko reached out to Mary's chest, gently running a thumb over the blonde's house pet tag.
"Thanks to your mistakes, you are mine now." She said in a silky voice, filled with longing, "But it won't be a terrible experience for you as long as you learn to listen and obey."

Mary didn't speak, but the look in her golden eyes revealed to Sachiko that her words had worked.

"I look forward to being a more gentle owner, Mary, it all depends on you."

Mary finally spoke up, "We will see about that I guess. Anyway, you haven't given me an answer about our wheel gamble."

Sachiko chuckled, but didn't push her pet further.
They had plenty of time, and Sachiko was always patient.

"Actually, it was a small detail to consider. When you took the wheel and explained your arrangement, you didn’t mention anything about how to arrange the needle if it pointed at what I wrote. You should have realised that they are quite different compared to what you wrote." Sachiko explained, "Though it is possible that you did arrange it a certain way and just didn’t want to talk."

Mary pondered on this reason, her brows furrowed.

"That was more than enough for me to pay more attention to you when you rotated the wheel. And then..I found it odd how your right hand’s movement was a little uncoordinated, like something was hidden in your cuff. Not to mention, your forgot that I can read minds and you were displaying how stressed and nervous you were, Mary.”

“Sounds like I did make a mistake." Mary laughed bitterly, "But even if I didn’t make any, you could still figure it out.”

“I do have such confidence.”

A confidence that was always unwavering.

“Well, did you do anything to the wheel before giving me that chance to gamble?” Mary then enquired.

“Hm, my answer is no.”

“Wait, you didn’t? You did nothing and then proposed a gamble with only a 25% win rate for you?" Mary pushed to know, incredulity lacing her tone, "Why?"

"I have said it from the beginning, Mary. These were my words, 'since you've done a good job today in regards to our outing, I don't plan to be too harsh of a mistress'
Do you remember?"

The hand on Mary's house pet tag went over her heart when Sachiko pressed her palm over the area.

Mary could only gulp as the rain continued to hammer down around them but all she could hear was her own pulse and Sachiko's voice.

"I don't like to punish you this way either."

There was something in Sachiko's eyes that matched the truth of what she was saying, especially her next declaration.

"Unable to see you for ten days, I have missed you so much."

聚乐的轻抚太过舒适，舒适得让芽亚里讨厌。

她无法理解，为什么聚乐能带给她这样温暖的感觉。

明明她的手掌因为主人的鞭笞而剧烈地疼痛，膝盖也因为长时间的跪立而像针扎一样，无法抑制地在微微颤抖。

太狡猾了啊。

在这种时候这样抚摸她，太狡猾了。

感受到金发少女的挣扎，聚乐微微勾起了嘴角，决定采取下一步的行动。

于是霜发的少女蹲了下来，用拇指轻轻拭去芽亚里脸上的泪水，然后把她的家畜缓缓地抱进了怀里。

“疼吗？”保持着这样的姿势，聚乐在芽亚里的耳边轻声问。

少在那里假惺惺，都是你害的。

芽亚里想要这么回应，最先蹦出口的却是一声无法抑制的呜咽，很快，这样的呜咽就变成了无法抑制的痛哭。

何等讽刺啊。

仿佛在寻求对方的安慰一样，在让她沦落至此的始作俑者面前哭得像个孩子。

这是不应该的。可是，她赤裸的肌肤能够感受到主人的温暖，能够感受到对方一动不动地支撑她的力量，还有穿过她发丝的、一下一下的轻抚。

她本该愤怒的。她本该反感和抗拒的。

但在经历漫长的监禁与鞭笞后，她所感觉到的是……安全。

怎么可能呢？在聚乐身边觉得安全……

芽亚里想不出答案，唯一能做的反击只有把自己所有的眼泪都抹在聚乐的衣服上。

感受到金发少女的动作，聚乐轻笑了几声，却没有发表任何意见，只是持续地抚弄着她的小家畜，直到芽亚里发泄出所有泪水，哭声与身体的颤抖一同平息。

“你还好吗？”

金色的小家畜用额头抵着她的肩膀，拒绝回应。

“超出我的能力范围了哦，解读这样的行为。难道说……我的小家畜害羞了？”
芽亚里的身子缩得更紧了些，头埋得更低，试图隐藏发红的耳尖。

但这样的尝试很快就以失败告终，因为聚乐缓和却不容置疑地抬起了金发少女的下巴。

四目相对间，芽亚里再度紧张起来。

“还能站起来吗？”

但聚乐说出口的却是意料之外的话，芽亚里在惊讶之余，也不由得生出几分被轻轻放过的感激。

于是她试图挪动自己的腿，却发现膝盖已经麻木，哪怕是最轻微的动作也变得极其困难。

这显然在聚乐的预料之中。看着她窘迫的家畜，霜发的少女淡淡地笑了笑。

“抱住我的脖子，芽亚里。”
“我自己可以……”
“好吧，这样的话，5秒内站起来，不然就受罚。”聚乐挑了挑眉，“想要改变主意吗？“

这样的威胁之下，芽亚里不得不屈服。

现在的她在5秒内站起来是不可能的。

“失礼了……“于是金发的少女低下了头，小心翼翼地揽住主人的脖子。

手掌抚上少女腰间与腿部的肌肤，搂抱着带着家畜重新站起来，聚乐眼里的玩味愈发浓厚。

“你看，没有那么难不是吗？现在……把手臂举起来。“
“您想干什么？“
“给你穿衣服。你的手需要一点时间恢复，今天之内最好不要用它。“
“……“

芽亚里不确定该怎么回应，虽然想要拒绝，但是她没有太多的精力和聚乐纠缠。

于是她只能深吸一口气，照着主人说的做。

她感觉到主人的指尖在她的身上滑动，带着贴身的布料轻轻地摩挲着肌肤。

当对方的指尖移到她的肋下的时候，芽亚里有些紧张，忧心聚乐会把指尖移向斜上方的所在。

可是，聚乐并没有这么做，让她的手指保持在了合适的位置。

但即使如此，这样的体验也和自己动手时的相差甚远。

先是上半部分的贴身衣物，然后是白衬衫，红夹克，直到把她的上半身穿戴得整整齐齐，连领结都打得一丝不苟以后，才拿起属于下半部分的那片三角状的薄布料。

“抬腿。“

芽亚里侧过脸，面颊微微泛红，竭力说服自己不去想聚乐像现在这样蹲下、仰视的时候，到底能看到多少东西。

直到黑色的短裙也穿好，聚乐才拿起她的家畜牌，轻轻地挂上她的脖颈，宛若打上最后的标签。

“很漂亮呢，你的身体。不能经常看到……真是太遗憾了。”

“感谢您的……夸奖，聚乐大人。”尽管屈辱感挥之不去，芽亚里判断此时最好不要深入这个话题。于是她抬起头，直视着聚乐兴味盎然的双眼，“您说过，如果我能接下您的40鞭，您会回答我的问题。”

“嗯，我会的哦。而且，考虑到我的小家畜表现得这么好……我会好好奖励你的。”

-----------

当芽亚里终于跟着聚乐走出地牢，来到学生会部室的时候，她听到了窗外猛烈的雨声。

“有点麻烦啊，还好我带了伞，只是一起回去的话，应该没什么问题，不过，为了以防万一，你的书包最好还是先放在我的办公室里。”

“……嗯。”

“那么，一起走吧。”

对芽亚里来说，这毫无疑问是一个不同寻常的体验。自从成为聚乐的家畜，她总是只能被拴在聚乐身后。

虽然很难说清，这两种选择到底哪种更糟糕。

当聚乐打开她的伞，芽亚里注意到伞是湿的。也就是说，在聚乐来地牢里找她的路上，甚至是聚乐来到地牢以前，雨就已经在下了。

聚乐是故意的吗？故意挑一个下雨的日子来接她，然后……

芽亚里看了一眼主人，后者一手撑着伞，一手环着她的腰。

算了，太累了，更何况深究也没什么意义。

缓步走入雨中，雨水击打着伞面，发出哗啦啦的响声。

暴雨之下仿佛整个世界都被洗刷了一遍，空气也变得清新。对在地牢中关了十天的芽亚里来说，这样的空气几乎成了一种奢侈品。金发的少女深吸了一口气，感受着这久违的清爽。

聚乐注意到了芽亚里的动作，环在家畜腰间的手微微收紧了些。

“芽亚里。”

受到召唤的家畜抬起头，与主人四目相对。

“你恨我吗？”

芽亚里的瞳孔微微扩大，不确定该怎么回答。

聚乐有读懂人心的能力，如果她说谎，一定会被看出来。

而且，有着这样的技能，她的主人真的不知道答案吗？

恐怕聚乐对她的想法根本就心知肚明，之所以这样问，不过是想看她怎么回答。

作为驯服她的一环。

芽亚里在心里叹了口气，要在这种身心俱疲的情况下应付聚乐，实在糟心得很。

“您不知道答案吗？”

“我想听你说。无论是想要抱怨或是发脾气，现在都是允许的噢。”

“您真的很狡猾。”

“能得到夸奖很开心呢。那么，你的答案是？”

“有一点。”

“意料之外的答案啊。为什么会是这样的感觉呢？”

“不可能不恨的吧，您几乎拿走了我的一切。”

财产，自由，尊严。

“我明白。这段时间，我确实过于严厉了呢。但是，既然这样……为什么只有一点？”

“……原因很多。比如说，您本来可以对我更差一点。而且在这个地方，即使您不存在，也会有别的麻烦找上门来……”芽亚里顿了顿，仰起脸说出最终的答案，“与您赌博是我用自己的意志做下的决定。”

是的，这是她自己做下的决定。是她自己决定要来到这个学园，是她自己决定参与学园的赌博竞争，也是她自己决定接下聚乐的挑战，在知道了所有的风险以后。

之所以被打败，完全是因为自己低估了聚乐，高估了自己的实力，这就是一切，没有任何借口可言。

因此，应该为此负责的是她自己，不是聚乐。

—我是基于自己的自由意志做下的决定，而不是因为你的操控。
—我的思想只属于我自己，不属于你。

听出了金发少女的弦外之音，聚乐的嘴角扬得更高。
无论是最初，还是变成她的家畜之后，芽亚里总能给她惊喜。

“那么，你后悔你的决定吗？”

这个问题让芽亚里哑了火。即使想要回答，也发不出任何有意义的声音。

因为她自己也不知道答案。

这样的表现在聚乐预料之中，所以霜发的少女说了下去，“你之所以会变成我的家畜，毫无疑问是因为对形势的错误判断，但是，如果仅仅止步于此的话，这就只是一个没有任何意义的结论。问题的关键在于，你为什么会做出误判？”

“您是想说我有多蠢吗？”
“关注这样的问题没有任何意义，再说了，蠢人可没有资格当我的家畜。”聚乐轻笑几声，“我是在说，在我找你赌博之前，你有意识到我随时可能会对你做点什么吗？”
“呵，你当然会。”
“那么，你为此做了什么准备吗？”

芽亚里愣住了，而聚乐平静的询问还在继续。

“你有对我做过调查吗？有去了解过我的赌博风格和技能吗？不谦虚的说，我姑且还是留下了许多传说的，如果你用心去查，要知道这些并不难。
“但是，芽亚里，你什么都没做，直到我要求和你赌博。”

芽亚里艰难地咽了口唾沫，平静却尖锐的话语像是雨水击打地面一样地落在她身上。

“芽亚里，某些方面你很了不起。我知道你没有调查过的对手，不仅仅是我一个人。而且，你完全靠自己的急智打败了他们，光是这一点就强过了学院大部分的人。”聚乐把手轻轻放在芽亚里肩上，“但是，如果你更注重情报搜集一点，很多困难是可以避免的。”

芽亚里凝视着聚乐的双眼，不确定自己现在到底露出了怎样的目光。

这是一直以来从来没有人告诉过她的事情，一路跌跌撞撞地走到现在，直到现在才知道自己犯了多大的错误。

连脖子上的项圈都变得比之前更有存在感。

“因为这样的错误，你现在属于我了。”聚乐凑的更近了些，声音透着低柔，“但是，如果你学会服从，你会发现这不是坏事。”

“聚乐大人……”半晌之后，芽亚里终于开了口。
“您还没有告诉我答案，转盘赌博的事情。”
“好吧。”聚乐了然一笑，没有再继续推进这个话题。

她们还有很多时间。

“你拿出转盘解释安排的时候，忽略了一个小细节。我写的东西跟你写的种类不一样，如果第一次指针落到我写的内容上该怎么处理？你没有提到这一点，就好像你已经肯定不会出现这种情况一样。当然，也有一种可能是你做了安排，但不想提，但是无论如何，这也足以让我在你转转盘的时候观察得更仔细一点。”

芽亚里低下头，皱着眉思考着聚乐的回答。

“然后，我发现你的右手动作有点不协调，就好像袖口里藏了什么东西。而且你知道的吧？我可以读取人的情绪，芽亚里，你当时太紧张了。”

“听起来我确实犯了一个错误，但是即使我没有犯，您也可以发现。”

“我确实有这样的信心。”
“好吧。这样的话……您后来有对转盘做过什么吗？在提出那个赌博之前。”
“很遗憾呢，关于这一点，我的答案是没有噢。”
“您没有动过轮盘？您什么都没做，然后提了一个对您来说胜率只有25%的赌博？”芽亚里难以置信，“为什么？”
“我从一开始就说了噢，‘你今天的其他表现，确实超出了我的预期。因此，我也不想显得过于刻薄。’毕竟……我也不想这样惩罚你。
“这样罚你的话……整整十天，我都见不到你。”

Chapter Text

Soon after their discussion, Sachiko and Mary got to the dormitory building.

"Well, here we are."

Mary had been thoughtful throughout the walk and Sachiko left her to it, knowing that Mary had a tremendous amount to process.

The elder girl then put away her umbrella, gazing at the blonde with a smile, "So, would you like to stay the night with me, my pretty pet?"

"If that's your command, I have no right to refuse, mistress."

"Unfortunately, it isn't just my whims this time. After all, I've promised you a reward."

Mary paused for a while, unsure how to reply.

Sachiko did promise her a reward, for the reason that 'she behaved so well'.

However, what did Sachiko really mean 'behave well'?

Was it an approbation of Mary accepting her punishment submissively, the admiration of the blonde overcoming her challenge, or the satisfaction that Mary confessed the real thoughts in her mind?

The answer was unknown, as well as Mary’s mood.

"Since this is a reward, I think it should at least make you happy. So, seems I have to give up this plan for the time being."

"I sincerely appreciate that, mistress."

Sachiko chuckled lightly, running her finger through Mary's collar, "Mikura should have prepared something for you, just go back to your room and have a good night, Mary."

***

When Mary tried to insert the key into the lockhole, Mikura opened the door from inside for her.

"Well, how sad to see you come back." The red head greeted before Mary could say anything, glancing at Mary's bruised palm, "Just coming from the hell, huh?"

"What do you mean 'the hell', Sado-san? Are you talking about Juraku?"

Mikura made a noise before she moved her own body, leaving a path for Mary to come in.

Mary noticed that there were several dishes set on a small table in the center of their room, which consisted of all her favourites and they were neatly arranged around a burning candle.

After her meagre meals when imprisoned, the array of delectable scents infiltrating her senses was reinvigorating, and the sight alone reminded her of how hungry she actually was.

Still, Mary was apprehensive as she glanced at Mikura, "What's all this for?”

Mikura shrugged, "Just a task that Juraku-sama set me. She told me to find some way to make you happy."

“Can't believe you accepted it.”

"Well, Juraku-sama said if I can't finish it, she'll do it by herself."

Mary chuckled lightly, "I don't think she'll succeed."

"Who knows. But honestly, I didn’t expect her to punish you like this."

Mary paused for a while as it was not the whole truth to some extent. However, as elaborating on it would be thorny, she said nothing.

"Would you mind me looking at it, Saotome-san? I have some experience and might be able to help."

Mary was surprised by what Mikura had asked and wanted to clarify, “You mean my hands?” she said and Mikura nodded.

Why did the redhead suddenly offer to assist her?

When she encountered difficulties before, Mikura always either just stood by or offered her help directly.

It was her first time to ask if Mary needed help.

Obviously, the marks Sachiko left on her palm was a shame Mary didn't want to show it to anyone, but on the other hand, the information hid in Mikura's words poked her heart.

Did Mikura have a similar experience?

Was this her reason to ask so cautiously?

"Well, it's not a problem I guess." Mary replied lightly, pretending to be nonchalant as she lifted her palm up, "I can't really feel the pain now."

"Yes, only when you don’t use them." Mikura replied and then grabbed the blonde's wrist, frowning, "Not the most serious injuries but it still needs some treatment. Sit on your bed."

Mary tried to say something but failed, submitting to Mikura's indication.

Instead, she did as she was told as she watched Mikura go to her desk and retrieve a small tube of something before she returned and sat next her.

“Let me see.” Mikura indicated to the blonde to outstretch her fingers after facing them upwards on her lap, “This is going to sting a little, and the bruises will stay for a while.” she added while she applied the lotion to Mary's palm.

The cooling sensation was relieving and Mary let out a small sigh whilst watching the movements of Mikura’s soft fingertip running circles over her palms whilst thinking on Mikura’s words.

"You can wear a pair of gloves if you don't want others to see. Juraku-sama won't mind you doing this."

Once finished, Mikura wiped her fingers clean with a cloth, instructing Mary to let the cream dry for a few minutes and when she looked up, she saw golden eyes peering at her intently.

“What?”

"Nothing..it's just that you know a lot about this, Sado-san. Did you do the same before when it happened to you?"
Mikura froze for a second before she replied, it was a memory too far away for her, "Pretty much."

Mary kept silent, her golden eyes gazing at Mikura's collared neck.

When they first meet, Sachiko grabbed the redhead’s neck so fierce that the imprint could be seen for days, though the blue collar had covered most of it.

However, Mikura behaved so unconcerned, even depicted pride over obtaining the marks.

What has changed, Sado-san?

Mary can't ask this question out.

"It's done, you can move your hands around." Mikura said as soon as she finished the treatment and stood up.

Her attention then went to the dishes and she hummed to herself.

Mary stood up too, "They look so delicious."

"Of course they are, I ordered them from the most famous restaurant." Mikura smirked, "If you beg me, I can feed you."

"Why me? You should beg to feed me as it's your task."

They looked at each other, both grinned lightly.

“终于到了呢。那么，要来我这里过夜吗，小家畜？”
在聚乐揭晓答案之后，两人沉默着走完了剩下的路，芽亚里明显地在思考着什么，聚乐看在眼里，并没有打扰她，直到两人进入宿舍楼，霜发的少女这才收起雨伞，微笑着看向她的家畜。

“如果这是您的命令的话，我没有拒绝的权利吧。”
“确实呢。不过，这次不是命令噢。只是我的一个邀请而已。”聚乐凝视着芽亚里，眼里带着笑意，“毕竟，我答应了给你一个奖励，不是吗。”

芽亚里抿了抿唇，在牢房里的时候，聚乐确实给过她这样的许诺，因为她“表现得很好”。
但是，“表现得很好是什么意思？”

是说她顺从地接受了聚乐的惩罚，狼狈地完成了挑战，还是无可奈何地吐露了心声？
聚乐的意思跟芽亚里现在的心情一样含糊不清。

“看来，意思很明确了呢。”在芽亚里想出合适的回答之前，聚乐已经叹了口气，“既然说好了是奖励，至少也该是能让我的小家畜开心的事情，这样的话，看来我不得不撤回这个邀请了呢。”
“感激不尽，聚乐大人。”
“啧，我是不是该为这句话再罚你一顿？”聚乐挑一挑眉，看到芽亚里猛地绷紧的面部线条，这才轻笑了几声，“回去吧，魅久良应该准备了些东西给你，希望她能让你开心点。”

完全搞不懂聚乐的想法。
芽亚里一路腹诽着上楼，来到属于自己的寝室门口，正准备艰难地掏钥匙，门就已经从里面打开了。
“没想到居然可以活着回来啊，早乙女。”魅久良的红色脑袋露了出来，扫视的目光在掠过芽亚里淤青的手掌的时候顿了顿，“看来帮你收尸的约定是实现不了了呢。”
“啊，想到如果死了的话就要被扔进下水道，我是怎么样都要活着回来的。不过，原来聚乐在你眼里这么可怕的吗，佐渡？”
“原话是你说的，不要赖在我头上。”佐渡哼了一声，侧过身子为芽亚里让出一条路。后者走入室内，一眼就看到了房间中央摆着好几盘菜的小桌子。

盐烧鲇鱼，烤鸡肉串，焦糖布丁，拉面……都是她被聚乐禁锢前最喜欢吃的东西。
被关在地牢里，伙食当然说不上多好，于是当食物的香气飘进鼻子的时候，芽亚里发现她的胃不争气地又饿了。
“这是？”
“聚乐大人交给我的任务而已。她说，让我想点办法哄你开心。”
“你居然答应了。”
“毕竟，聚乐大人说如果我做不到的话，她就自己上。”
芽亚里想了想这个画面，差点起鸡皮疙瘩。
“不过，她居然打这么重啊……”佐渡的目光重新落在芽亚里的手掌上。

芽亚里顿了顿，佐渡的理解显然和事实有些微妙的偏差，但是要解释清楚的话实在过于棘手，也就只好放任佐渡这样去认为了。
“介意我看一下吗？对这类伤，我姑且算是有点经验。”

芽亚里心中一动。
对佐渡来说，这样的询问实在有点不寻常。
平时她遇到什么事情，佐渡要么就在一旁幸灾乐祸地隔岸观火，要么就直接出手帮她一把，像这样问她是否需要帮助，还是第一次。

手掌上的青紫显示着她被聚乐玩弄于股掌之间的事实，一种无法逃避的耻辱。她当然是不想把这样的印记给任何人看的，但是，佐渡的表述，让她实在有些在意。
是因为有过类似的经历，她才问得这么谨慎吗？她也经历过类似的心理挣扎吗？
虽然看着眼前的红发少女，实在有点难以想象。

“大概……也没什么大不了的吧。”芽亚里轻声回应着，慢慢抬起她的手掌，“已经感觉不到痛了。”
“因为你现在没用手而已。”魅久良抓住芽亚里的手腕，皱起眉头，“虽然不是最严重的那种，但是还是处理一下比较好。你先坐到床上去吧。”

芽亚里试着说点什么，但是没有成功，只好按佐渡说的，坐到自己的床上，看着对方走到课桌前，从抽屉里取出一管药膏后，也坐到了她身边。

“接下来几天肯定会痛的。淤青的话，可能要两周以上才会消。”佐渡仔细地涂着药膏，指尖在芽亚里的掌心打着圈，“不想被别人看到的话，可以戴个手套，聚乐大人不会介意这种事的。”

话音落下没有得到回应，佐渡有些疑惑地抬起头，发现金发的少女正用一种难以言喻的目光凝视着她。
“……干嘛啊。”
“你也做过同样的事吗？”
佐渡愣了愣。
“差不多吧。”

芽亚里沉默下来，凝视着箍在佐渡脖子上的蓝色项圈。
提出“戴上手套”的建议时，佐渡的语气宛若在提起一段遥远的过去。
在变成芽亚里所认识的这个佐渡魅久良前，她也曾与聚乐抗争过吗？
那么，你又为什么改变主意了？
在芽亚里第一次遇见佐渡的时候，聚乐曾那样凶狠地掐过她的脖子，以至于接下来好几天的时间里，即使项圈挡住了大部分痕迹，佐渡颈上的压印依然隐约可见。
可是她一点也不在乎，甚至从她昂首阔步的模样来看，佐渡以拥有这样的印记为荣。
你为什么改变主意了，佐渡？

这是个问不出口的问题。
这时上药的工作也基本完成，佐渡便站起身来，目光看向桌上准备好的菜，若有所思的模样。
芽亚里也站了起来，“菜挑得很不错呢。”
“那当然，我从最有名的店里订的。痛哭流涕地跪下道谢吧。”
“不应该是你来做这事吗？我可是帮你完成了聚乐的任务。”
魅久良神情一动，与眼神戏谑的芽亚里四目相对着，微微勾起了嘴角。

Chapter Text

"Really? Juraku sent you to give them to me?"

"Yeah, just kneel down and cry to show your appreciation. Juraku-sama is always the second best in her grade, only behind Miharutaki-san."

Mary pretended not to hear the first part of Mikura's goading as she gazed at the stack of notes and books on her desk.

When Mikura started to clear the table after the meal, the blonde noticed them so she told Mary that they're all Sachiko's notes from the first year, and it covered all the subjects.

"She said you can use them or not, and you can also ask her any question about any subject, or not. However, if your grades finally slide and you haven't asked her anything during this time, she'll punish you."

That was to say, regardless of the outcome, carefully reading the notes and then asking questions would be the safest approach.

"Fine..." Mary sighed slightly, realizing Sachiko's intent, "I'll keep it in my mind. But what were you doing just now? Your notebook is still open on your desk."

Mikura's desk was also covered in dozen of notes books, each one with many index stickers and obviously not for subjects.

"Just summarising the information in need to help Miharutaki-san. It's almost the end of the month now so she is always busy around this time."

"Miharutaki-san? Since when do you help her?"

Mikura glanced at Mary while putting the dishes into the sink, speechless of Mary's insensitivity, "When you were running your den, didn't you have any understanding of how our school's system operates?"

"Well, sorry that I only focused on how to earn enough money to survive this hellhole."

"Yeah, as much as I really want to ridicule you, you actually have a point." Mikura sighed as she turned on the tap, "In a nutshell, the Council will update the financial situation of each den and each student, at the beginning of each month, you know this much, right?"

Mary nodded, "Yeah, and the result will determine who would lose their den, and those reduced to being a house pet."

"And that's the point. Since the updating time is coming, people in danger would do everything to get rid of their fates, including dealing with their financial disputes. Many den owners will state that their competitors adopted unfair competition methods, which caused their loss."

Mary pondered and frowned, "'Unfair competition methods', I don't get it. What does that even mean? I mean, the Student Council is tolerant of cheating so why would that change anything?" 

"Well, the cheating will always happen in the game, but some methods are too extreme. Someone might throw dead animals in front of the door of their competitors' den, steal their competitors' den key so they couldn't open for business, spread rumours that everyone going to their competitors' dens will lose money, or even hire someone to pretend to be the den employees and behave rudely. In all these ways, they could lead the customers out of the competitor's dens."

Mary's eyes widened in shock, "Wait, did all of these things actually happen??"

"Yes, but there are also some who just say it to slander their opponents. The Council defines these methods as illegal, and those who get found out will be sentenced to huge fines."

"So this place has some morals than I expected. That's shocking. I never had those things done to me."

When Mary was still a den owner, the worst thing she once dealt with was the endless challenges from different people.

She never realized that this place  had a much more malicious side, knocking out a person before they had the chance to fight.

But before she regained consciousness from the shock, Mikura dropped her another bomb.

"Yes, and just think about why it didn't happen to you in particular, Saotome-san."  
It was like a lightning bolt flashing through the blonde's mind.

"What do you mean?"

"Is it so difficult to understand? You know what I mean."

Mary looked in Mikura's direction with a rush, her face full of perplexity. The latter girl replied with a smirk, placing the dishes one by one in the cupboard.

"Anyway, once someone accuses their opponents of using improper means, they could ask Juraku-sama or Miharutaki-san to reach a verdict, but students only seek Miharutaki-san for obvious reasons, which ends up doubling her workload. Juraku-sama feels bad for this, so she always has me to help during Miharutaki-san's busiest time."

Obviously, Sachiko and Sakura's relationship was more subtle than Mary once assumed, but for now, she had to focus on another thing.

***

On the second day of Mary's release, she left her dormitory for the classroom early as usual.   

After being Sachiko's house pet, it had been one of the most suffering matters for her to attend class.   

Every day she was exposed to the gleeful or commiserative gazes of others, even the teacher would cast a pitiful glance at her from time to time.   

The only thing she could do was to be the first person to arrive in the classroom, so that she could avoid the first wave of attention.   

Mikura's words were still whisking around in her mind when she opened the door, but soon she realized that she was not the only one student in the classroom.   

Tsuzura was in her seat.   

The pianist stood up right away once Mary was in her sight and she obviously wanted to get close but she refrained. 

"Tsuzura...why did you come so early today?"   "Is it okay like this? Can I...talk to you?"  

Mary paused for a while, then walked towards her desk, putting her bag on it, "Well, even Juraku's grass wouldn't sprout so early, so I guess it should be fine. What's up?”

Mary's words came to a grinding halt as tears pooled in Tsuzura's eyes. She moved quickly towards the blonde, yet managed to slow herself as she reached out to hold Mary's shoulders, ending her movement with only a gentle touch.   

“How are you these days...are you alright?” Tsuzura asked with a trembling voice, her violet eyes roaming over to Mary's hands.
The sight made her close to weep, the horrific bruising and red streaks too visible over Mary's palms.

"What did she do to your hands, Mary?"   

After the night, most of the pain receded but the marks got darker, appeared more graphic.   

Maybe it was what Sachiko wanted.   

It felt strange, something Mary couldn't help but to think.

Everyone she met had a stronger reaction to this matter than she herself.  

"Well, just a price for the loss of a gamble. And it's not as terrible as it looks." Mary shrugged, moving her finger to support her words, "You see, it doesn't have any impact. I'm back, that's the point. Anyway, you haven't answer me. Why did you come so early? Did you know that I would return today?"   

Tsuzura nodded, "Sado-san told me yesterday, and I just wanted to see if you‘re doing well. Togakushi-senpai also wanted to come, but it might be too notable for us both to be here."   

"That's right. It's not usual to see a third year student like Yukimi come to the first year's classroom." Mary said with a bitter smile, "How are you these days? I mean, both of you?"   

"Don't worry about us. Compared to what you are facing, our problems aren't bad. The gambles you designed bring in the profits, and Sado-san came to guide us with some operational details now and then. I just hope we could do more for you."   

"It doesn't matter, Tsuzura, This is my own battle and I won't always be at her mercy. You just take good care of yourselves since I'm not around." Mary grabbed the pianist's hand, something her conversation with Mikura coming back to mind, " Has anyone caused trouble in the den? I mean, besides those who cheat in the gambles?"   

"Besides cheating? What do you mean?"   

Tsuzura's reaction was the answer itself. 
The blonde sighed internally with relief and shook her head, "Ah, never mind. Speaking of Sado-san, you mentioned that she helps you now and then?"   

"Yes. She said that she didn't want us to drag you down."   

"An annoying statement as always." Mary rolled her eyes, "Neither of you drag me down, okay?"

Although they wanted to talk more, the sound of footsteps approaching from afar announced the end of their alone time.    

***

"You face looks different, Mary, Did you meet someone today?"  

When Mary came to Sachiko's office and kneeled next to her, the elder girl noticed her condition with only one glance.

"Yeah, I talked to Tsuzura."  

Sachiko expected a new round of cat and mouse games, but Mary's direct answer surprised her.  

An interesting response indeed.

Sachiko raised her eyebrow and put down the pen on the document she was working on, "That's quite an honest answer."  

"You'll find out sooner or later anyway. What's the point of lying?" Mary replied.

Sachiko grinned with interest, "So glad to see my pet is more aware of me now. However, I haven't given you the permission to do this."  

"No, you haven't. I broke the rules."  

Sachiko hummed, "But you still want to say something else, don't you? Before I determine your punishment, go on."  

Once again, Sachiko had seen through her even when Mary couldn't clarify her own feelings. 

Mary expected as much since she could never hide herself in front of Sachiko.  

However, it didn't mean she couldn't lead the direction of their conversation.  

"I sincerely appreciate your tolerance, mistress. I do have some questions." Mary then lowered her head, "When I was managing my den, though there are always someone coming after me, I never dealt with those 'unfair competition' tactics. Why? Did you do something?"  

Finally, you figured it out.  

Whilst thinking of the response for the blonde's question, a glimmer of bliss showed in Sachiko's eyes, the elder girl smiling while she leaned back on her chair.  

"Hm, it's always the duty of the Public Morals Committee to deal with unfair competition."  

"But they are always dealt with only after someone file charges, aren't they?"  

"Yes, but your income is too weak. If someone really did use those extreme means, you'll go bankrupt before the outcome of inquiry."

"So...you really did do something to help me."  
"Just some 'friendly' talks with your neighbours."  

Mary closed her eyes for a second, silently enduring another setback and something else.  

She once was so proud of clinching a spot in Hyakkaou's hierarchy by her own power, however, it was never the case. 

Sachiko had been pulling the strings even back then.

Is this what Mikura had alluded to?

Just think about why it didn't happen to you in particular, Saotome-san. 

Everything was piecing together as Mary's mind spiralled.

"What about now?"  

Sachiko looked at Mary, a hand on her own cheek, "Do you still need me to express it more clearly?"  

Mary held the older girl's piercing eyes, "Are you still protecting the Literary Club?"  

Sachiko grinned further, feigned confusion, "Am I?"  

"They never encountered these 'unfair competition' tactics either."  

"Well, it could be that they have good luck."  

"If that's true, then could I help them?" 

Mary heard her own rapid heartbeat as Sachiko's smile vanished for a second, and a more dangerous one replaced. The elder girl then narrowed her eyes, leaning forward. 

"Do you know what you are saying, my pet?"

“聚乐让你给我这个吗？”吃完夜宵佐渡开始收拾餐桌，芽亚里则是注意到自己书桌上多出了一摞旧本子。

“就是这样，哭着跪下道谢吧。聚乐大人可是年级第二，也就三春泷前辈能与她一较高下。”

虽然但是，一较高下什么的，既然是“年级第二”就明显胜负已分了吧。

忍住吐槽的冲动，芽亚里装作没听到，走近了书桌。

按照佐渡的说法，桌上这些都是聚乐高一的笔记，所有学科的重难点总结、心得体会都在这里。

“她说你看不看都可以，如果有什么不懂的可以直接问她，不想问也无所谓。但是，如果你不看笔记也不问问题，下次考试还退步了的话，就等着吃鞭子，一星期下不来床的那种。”

“我知道了。她还真是意外地看重成绩啊。”芽亚里叹了口气，又看向佐渡的书桌，“所以，你这么早就开始复习了吗？不过看着也不太像。”

佐渡的书桌上也叠着一摞笔记本，每一本都夹着许多索引贴。还有一本被打开放在正中央，明显在被翻阅中。

索引贴露出来的部分写的都是“风纪委员”“普通学生”“小道消息”之类的字，怎么看都跟学科无关。

“少看不起人了，为了打败你，我姑且可是每天都在复习。”佐渡乜了芽亚里一眼，“不过这堆确实不是学习资料，是学园情报。”

“学园情报？”

“嗯，快到月底了，不汇总整理一下的话，协助三春泷大人的事会变得很麻烦啊。”

“协助三春泷前辈？聚乐安排的吗？”

佐渡瞥了芽亚里一眼，显然对后者的钝感很是无语：“你开赌场的时候，就没有关注过我们学园的这套体系是怎么运作的吗？”

“关注不了一点哦，光是赚够钱就拼尽全力了真是十分抱歉。”

“这种棒读的语气不是一般地让人火大啊，不过现在我要洗盘子没空跟你吵，姑且长话短说吧。”佐渡把收拾的碗筷堆放入水槽中，“你知道的吧，学生会每个月初都会更新上纳金排行榜的事情。”

“嗯，是根据每个学生和每个赌场的缴费情况重新排名吧。”

“就是这样，每到这种时候就会有一批人失去赌场使用权或者变成家畜呢。所以，临近月底的时候，那些知道自己很可能几天后就会失去一切的人，即使是要把其他人一起拖下水，也会想要再努力挣扎一下的吧？”

“是这样没错……”

“所以，很多人都会在这段时间提出处理财务纠纷的申请，其中相当一部分人，会指控对手用了不正当的竞争手段，向对方要求赔偿。”

芽亚里皱起眉头：“‘不正当竞争’？我不明白，这个有什么意义吗？就连出千这样的事，学生会也是持放纵态度的吧？”

“再厉害的老千也只能在赌局中做手脚吧，也就是说，无论如何参与者都有识破的机会。识破不了的人，就得承认自己技不如人。但是，所谓‘不正当竞争’，都是在场外动的手哦。”

“什么意思？”

“举个例子，有些人会在别人赌场门口放死老鼠，偷走对方赌场钥匙让对面没法开门营业，还有造谣说哪个赌场进去了一定输钱的、雇人假扮对面员工然后故意赶客的……用了这些手段的话，客人直接被吓跑气跑了，连赌局都组不成，也就根本谈不上出不出千的问题。”

“等等，你说的这些事，真的有人干过吗？”

“真的哦，不过也有人提出这些指控只是为了给竞争对手添麻烦。毕竟学生会把这些都列为严重违纪行为，被判有罪的话，不仅要给受害者赔款，还得给学生会交付巨额罚款呢。”

“总觉得光是发现这些手段，提出指控都很麻烦啊……不过我之前倒是没有遇到过这种事……”

“是呢，有想过为什么吗？”

佐渡轻飘飘的一句话，宛如平地惊雷。

“你什么意思？”谈话的走向骤然改变，芽亚里瞪大双眼，猛地看向了佐渡的方向。

“不明白吗？”作为回应，后者挑了挑眉，嘴角勾起一个狡黠的弧度。

盘子已经洗好，佐渡便一个一个地排进橱柜里。

“总之，想要控告哪个赌场不正当竞争的话，就要向学生会申请调查控告对象，本来找三春泷前辈或者聚乐大人都是可以的，但是那群家伙每次都只找三春泷前辈，结果每到月底三春泷前辈就特别忙。聚乐大人看不下去，所以就让我每个月这时候过去帮忙。真是的，聚乐大人到底哪里不好了，真没眼光……”

佐渡开始碎碎念，但芽亚里的注意力已经完全被刚刚说的事情占据了。

-----

获释的第二天，芽亚里像往常一样早早就到了教室。

成为幸子的专属家畜之后，上课成了一件无比恶心的事情。

每天都要面对要么幸灾乐祸要么同情的目光，甚至上课的老师都会关注到她。

唯一能做的只有成为第一个到教室的人，这样一来，至少可以避开第一波注目礼。

但是，当芽亚里打开教室大门的时候，却发现今天有人到的比她更早。

“葛笼？怎么来这么早？”在芽亚里意识到之前，嘴巴已经自动唤出了对方的名字。

看到芽亚里的第一时间，名唤葛笼的少女就站了起来，明显想要靠近，却红着眼眶克制住了自己。

“这样没关系吗？这样和芽亚里酱说话……不会给芽亚里酱添麻烦吗？”

芽亚里也刚刚回过神来，当前的情境与佐渡的话一起在脑中过了一遍。

“即使是聚乐那家伙，也不可能这么一大早就派了眼线吧。所以……”

芽亚里话还没说完，葛笼已经扑了过来。明明是想要一头扎进金发少女怀里的速度，却在靠近时极力放慢了动作，最终只是轻轻将手搭在了芽亚里的肩膀上。

“芽亚里酱……你还好吗？”葛笼的声音颤抖着，紫罗兰色的眼睛很快注意到芽亚里的手。

这一幕让她差点哭出来。

“她对你做了什么？”

手上的鞭伤经过一个晚上，其实大部分疼痛都已经消退，但淤痕却变得更深，看起来更加吓人。

也许这就是聚乐想要的。

这让一切都变得有点奇怪，芽亚里忍不住想。

每个人对这件事的反应都比她本人强烈。

“没关系的哦，只是输了一场赌博而已。而且，只是看着吓人，没有那么痛的。”芽亚里动了动手指，“你看，完全没有影响。我已经回来了，所以没有担心的必要。你还没有回答我……今天怎么来得这么早？你知道我今天会回来吗？”

葛笼点了点头，“佐渡同学昨天告诉我的，我本来只是想看看你好不好……户隐前辈本来也想来，但是这样的话可能太引人注目了。”

三年级生到一年级教室来的话，确实很容易引起其他人的注意。芽亚里苦笑着摇了摇头，“你们最近还好吗？”

“我们都很好。芽亚里酱留下的玩法设计很受欢迎，佐渡同学也会时不时来指点我们一些细节。但是我们……我很担心芽亚里酱过得不好。”

“不用担心我哦，我不会一直受那家伙摆布的。你们注意保护好自己就好。”玛丽抓了抓葛笼的手，想起佐渡说过的话，“这段时间有人惹麻烦吗？除了那些出千的家伙。”

“除了出千的家伙？”

“没什么。”葛笼的反应已经给出了答案，芽亚里摇摇头，暗自松了口气，“你刚刚说，佐渡时不时会去帮你们吗？”

“嗯。她说她不想让我们变成你的累赘。”

“那家伙对谁都是令人火大的态度啊。我从来没觉得你们是累赘。”

葛笼点点头，虽然想再说点什么，由远而近的脚步声已经宣告了她们独处时间的终结。

***
“很有趣的表情呢，芽亚里，今天遇到什么人了吗？”

放学之后，芽亚里再一次来到幸子的办公室，跪到了办公中的主人身边。仅仅扫了一眼之后，霜发的少女就发现了异常。

“是，我和葛笼说了话。”

聚乐有些诧异地扬起眉毛，放下了手中的笔，“相当诚实的答案呢。”

“您早晚都会发现的。”

聚乐饶有兴趣地勾起嘴角：“受宠若惊呢，我的家畜已经这么信任我了。不过，我不记得给过你跟她说话的许可。”

“是的。是我自作主张。”

“那么，我得想想怎么处置你了。但是在那之前，你好像还有话想说。”

正如芽亚里预料的一样，聚乐总是可以轻而易举地看穿她。在主人面前，隐藏意图可以说是不可能的。

但是，她绝不会因为这种程度的事就这样任由摆布。

“感谢您的宽宏大量。我确实有些疑问。”芽亚里低下头，掩去眼中情绪，“我开设赌场的时候，您有对其他赌场说过什么吗？”

已经发现了吗。比我想象中的快呢。

聚乐眼中闪过一丝欣赏，“说得这么模糊的话，我可没有办法回答你噢。”

“‘不正当竞争手段’。”

“嗯？”

“我开设赌场的时候，从来没有遇到过‘不正当竞争手段’。”芽亚里顿了顿，迎上聚乐的目光，“是因为您做过什么吗？”

聚乐盯着芽亚里看了一会儿，后背靠上椅背，“处理‘不正当竞争’一直是风纪委员会的职责。”

“是的，但是根据学园规章，只有在赌场负责人提出明确控告的时候，学生会才会开始调查不是吗。”

“正常情况下确实如此，但是芽亚里，你的资金链太脆弱了呢。如果有人真的用上那些手段，在调查结果出来之前，你就会破产。”

“所以……你提前做了点什么吗。”

“只是在周围的赌场转了一圈而已噢。”

芽亚里闭了闭眼，竭力压下心头涌现的无力。

凭借自己的力量在百花王学园站稳了脚跟，一直以来都是她最引以为豪的事情。

但事情从来不是这样的。

“那现在呢？”

“嗯？”

“葛笼和雪见也没有遇见过那些手段……你还在关注文艺部吗？”

“我似乎没有必要做这种事情呢。也许只是她们两个运气好也说不定噢。”

“如果这样的话，您能允许我去帮帮她们吗？”

芽亚里可以感受到自己的心跳随着话音的吐露骤然加速，尤其聚乐的笑容在瞬间的僵硬之后，显然变得更加危险。

"你知道自己在说什么吗，小家畜？"