Alice in Borderland

Chapter 94

Smiling relaxedly, I gently run my fingers over the white strand of hair and brush it from his face. I enjoy seeing Chishiya asleep when I wake up, and although it's almost always the same picture, a gentle smile creeps onto my lips. He usually sleeps lying on his back with his eyes closed to the ceiling, his breathing even, and while his facial expression is mostly neutral, his eyebrows sometimes twitch.

After the wedding party yesterday, I couldn't help but sneak into his room and spend the night. Chishiya thought it was a bit cliché, yet I don't know any feeling that feels so good just falling asleep next to him dressed in his shirt. Grinning, I let go of my muster and turn onto my back. Tonight I'm going to play again, and I'm going to do it with Mira, she tells me.

I don't remember talking to her much, which is probably why I was so puzzled by her words yesterday. After my game of 10 of spades, she briefly commented on how interesting it would be to witness such a game, even though I was barely able to keep myself in my seat. Her movements are always elegant and fluid, I can't imagine her running away from a hunter in a game of spades. Clearly I rate her as a diamond or heart player in the first second, dangerous for an opponent and good for an ally. But my estimation can be wrong, I never dealt with her and underestimating people in games brings death.

"Huh, what are you thinking about?" a voice snaps me out of my thoughts and startled I look at Chishiya. Surprisingly, his regular breaths haven't changed, so how can he be awake? Still, at that moment he looks to me with a cheeky, barely noticeable grin and I laugh out, panting.

"Since when exactly have you been awake?", I ask him a counter question, shaking my head imperceptibly.

"Since just now, yet I can see the frown lines on your thoughtful face," he replies, closing his eyes again, which don't seem to have adjusted to the daylight yet. Arrogant and nine times as smart as he correctly uttered this statement, I grin cheekily. I flip my leg over to the other side and sit on him, which causes him to put his hands on my hips with a surprised expression on his face. How I enjoy provoking him and trying to read his feelings. "What, is the morning starting off so well?"

Admittedly surprised by that comment, I giggle softly and place my hands on his chest. Amused, he looks at me, but immediately seems to understand that my thoughts are not fully with him.

"So, what were you thinking about?"

His eyebrows draw together and I don't even try to hide my concerns and lie to him. Judging by his expression, he doesn't seem to know what specifically I'm thinking about, but he seems to be making some assumptions.

"I've been thinking about what Mira's game tactics might be," I admit, indirectly asking him for an answer.

"I honestly haven't played with her yet," he says in his usual analytical tone, and his gaze lowers. "But you should be careful. I think she wants to play with you because it pleases her to see how you react in a stressful situation. But whether she wants to sacrifice you or plans to return to the hotel with you, I can't say yet. But I think you have a certain quality about you that will be advantageous in this decision."

"A quality?", I grimace questioningly and look into his eyes in confusion. What kind of quality does he mean? I can stretch my leg behind my head at a hundred and eighty degree angle and recite books, but how can that affect Mira's decision?

"You engage people with your manner. Your speech and posture change and adapt to people depending on how you judge them. Why else were you at the leadership rule meeting the other day? The Hatter wanted to know your opinion, even Aguni didn't mind, and Ann wanted you by her side."

"I'm just being friendly?", I shake my head in confusion. Aguni was by my side in some games and adopted Satoru's nickname of calling me clever. But in the game, I saved his life by recognizing the anagram, so he was friendly. In our last game, he used me as bait, even though it may have been my own fault. The Hatter, on the other hand, did not play a game with me, I bring him cards and sometimes he just wants to talk. At best, he sees me as a gin lover. And Ann is great, she fixes me up and probably just doesn't want her efforts to have been for nothing else.