Ace in the Hole

(I gotta clean around the solitary cells they use for the more extreme criminals today… I should finish this quick, so I can get outta here.)

(I still remember that king guy I met yesterday…)

Kitakata Raito. According to my database, he is the leader of the most powerful group of inmates on this prison island.

Founder of the metaverse community. Businessman and investor. Ranked highly in the JPN Most Desirable Person survey for nine consecutive years.

Oh, you know quite a bit.

According to my body scan, his height is 182 centimeters. His weight is…

H-Hey, don’t be rude.

Ahaha, you’re very interesting.

Yes, as number 17 said, I created a group… Or rather, a faction, in this prison.

There are other factions out there, but…

Regardless, if you want to protect yourselves from inmates like the ones from before, it’s best to join one. I, for one, would be glad to welcome you into mine.

Factions…?

Yes. My faction is the most powerful, but there’s another we have a rivalry with.

I don’t recommend you join them. Their leader is a bit troublesome.

From what I can gather, both of you seem to be model prisoners, so he wouldn’t take very kindly to you.

Invitation to join your faction rejected.

I see. May I ask why?

My chain of command has already been established with the wardens. Adding an additional chain of command risks a lag in my operation processing.

Operation processing…?

Then what about you, number 10? And while we’re at it, I’d like to know both of your names as well.

Azekawa Kinari.

(*gasp* Kinari… They have the same name.)

M-My name is Kinouchi Tao.

Kinari and Tao. Using numerology, you would be 8 and 1, respectively. Those are good numbers.

(Numer… What?)

I don’t need an answer immediately. My life motto is “make swift decisions,” but you two have plenty of time left in your lives.

Huh? Y-Yeah…

(Doesn’t he have a lot of time left too?)

And I should warn you, but the leader of my rival faction is…

Well, if I’m the king… In euchre terms, I suppose he’d be the jack.

He’s dangerous, so tread carefully.

(Euchre’s a card game, right?)

(In euchre the jack is…the trump card. Does that mean that he can instantly turn the tables in a fight?)

(Raito-san seems like a nice guy, but I’m not sure if I should join his faction…)

(I’ve been trying to avoid getting involved with people since I came here…)

*sigh…* This sucks.

Hello, ebony-haired fiú. What are you sighing for?

Ah! Huh? I⁠—

(Wait, this is a solitary cell. Why’s the door’s open?!)

*chuckle* It’s alright, you may take a peek. Behold my castle, fiú.

(What’s a fiú?)

Um, I’m sorry. I’m just here to clean…

Clean? Why waste your time on something so tedious when you can have a chat with me instead?

Ahh, you’re one of the new inmates. Number 500010. A flawless number, indeed. Shall we waltz in celebration?

(W-What’s up with this guy? There’s a warden in the cell with him… But why’s he giving this guy a massage?!)

Ah, are you curious about him?

These wardens only intend to stand outside to keep watch, but they always find themselves being ensnared within the cage… The poor things.

I wanted to give him the pleasure of laying his hands on my beautiful body to comfort him.

Thank you so very much, Kuguri-san…!

Very nice, good boy. Would you care to join us, fiú?

N-No, I’m fine…

(Hm? Wait, is this guy…)

I know the king asked you to join his faction yesterday. But you haven’t accepted yet, yes?

I am Domeki Kuguri, the emperor of this island. One step above the king.

(! Domeki Kuguri! This is the guy that the king… That Raito-san warned us about!)

Um, I’m sorry… I’m not really interested in joining a faction…

Fiú, I see despair in your eyes. Come with me, and that sweet despair will start to shine.

Ahaha… Well, I think it’s pretty normal to be in despair if you end up in a place like this.

……

I need to get back to cleaning now, so…excuse me!

Hmm… He’s quite the maci.

I’ll have my fun with him.