The summer sky was bright and without a single cloud.

As expected, even during summer, clubs in Sobu high school is still operating despite the heat outside. Because the bright minds behind my esteemed school decided that students rot during this particular time of the year, they had decided to make them attend their clubs even when it's a time for vacation.

Damn those guys, I seriously won't forgive them.

Although I'm saying that, it's not that the school was forcibly making us attend. Students who submit papers signed by their parents or guardians can refuse the unreasonable demand that the school was making. Now normally I would be one of those students who would diligently submit my excuse paper, some mistakes were made whether through sheer coincidence or carelessness on my part. I won't bother explaining it, but it was needless to say that because of that mishap, I am here.

But compared to those who are sweating outside because of their clubs, I really have it good. Since my club doesn't really do anything when there are no requests, I'm just hanging in this cool room and doing whatever I want like reading books, drinking coffee or playing games. Ah this club is sure the best!

Speaking of games, I returned to the screen of the game I was currently playing. After hours of grinding the required resources, I had finally acquired all the materials in the shop. A sense of relief washed over me now that there was nothing to do anymore.

Well not really.

Now that I have finished that last quest, I had finally claimed the last gem I need to perform a single gacha summon. After spending all that I have saved from the last four months and getting nothing, I still haven't given up rolling for the character that I want. As a player dedicated to this game, I simply can't let a good character pass! I swear it was all about the game play and not because they were all wearing swimsuits!

I swallowed the saliva stuck in my throat and pressed the summon button.

Immediately I was greeted by a multitude of blue little orbs forming a summoning circle. One second passed before they moved, a spark of gold covering them. I was pretty sure that my breathing stopped during that moment when the flash of gold almost blinded me. Soon, a gold card appeared depicting a man holding a spear.

C-could this be?!

Please, I'm praying to all the gods out there! I'll seriously become a better person if you give me my waifu!

The card slowly unraveled… revealing a man with long blonde hair holding a spear.

"…The gods are dead."

How dare you do this to me? This… this thing gave me hope. I even promised to improve myself, to surpass all expectations and become something better. But the gacha gods took my innocence and spit on my face. I swear that I won't forget this.

With my hopes crushed mercilessly, I closed the app and pocketed my phone, feeling the familiar taste of copper in my mouth.

"W-what the heck Senpai? Don't say such things with a scary expression!"

Saying that, my kouhai, Isshiki Iroha moved her chair away from me by a few inches.

Oh, that's right. For some reason, this girl is hanging out in our club. Instead of training with the soccer club or even doing work with the student council, this person was leisurely sipping tea in our clubroom without any care.

What a lazy good for nothing.

"Geh! You just thought something bad about me, didn't you senpai?!"

Accurately guessing my thoughts, Isshiki glared at me. What's there to be angry about? She knows that she's shirking her duties just to laze around here in the first place. I ignored her grievance and took a sip from my cup of tea.

"I-I got ignored! Senpai just ignored me!"

Yeah, yeah. Be quiet now would ya?

"Ah… Hikki looks irritated. Is it about that game again?"

Sitting just beside Isshiki was Yuigahama who was also fiddling with her phone, but unlike me, she was not playing any games. See here woman, if you were in my position you would get irritated too. I bet that you'd even cry from the despair, I won't though, because I'm a veteran. How pitiful Yuigahama, you're such a noob.

"Now Hikki's thinking bad things about me?!"

Yuigahama exclaimed in surprise. My expression must be really difficult right now. I took a deep breath and made a sigh.

"Yuigahama-san, that person is always thinking about something despicable. There's no need to be surprised about that."

And of course, always having the last word was our clubroom president herself, Yukinoshita. I swear this girl can't talk about anything without badmouthing me.

"Leave me alone, I'm having a bad time here."

Smiling at my words, the demon superwoman directed her gaze at me. How can this person remain so cold despite the summer remained a mystery to me.

"Then maybe you should stop playing that game if it gives you such a hard time."

Once again this person is spouting nonsense. I'd like to see you abandon something that you've spent a lot of time and effort doing. No, I won't give up. Even if I didn't get my waifu now I would try next time. Wait and hope, that's what a certain imprisoned man once said.

"I won't give up that easily damn it."

I will make you mine I swear it.

Yukinoshita didn't say another word and placed down the book that she was reading. She stood up and reached for the kettle, refilling the cup of tea that I have just recently finished, she did the same for the other two as well.

And with that, the peaceful existence of our club continued…

*BANG*

Or not.

Opening the door without as much as a knock was my modern literature teacher; the white labcoat that she wore made her look professional even when she's not.

"Yo what's up you guys!"

Greeting us without shame from her actions, Hritsuka Shizuka has arrived.

"Sensei, knock."

"Give it up Yukinoshita, that person will never learn."

"Oh, is that coming from a person who never learns?"

"Are you picking a fight with me?"

Before an argument could even develop, my single sensei placed something on the table, drawing all of our attentions. Just one glance at it and I knew that it was going to be bothersome.

"Ano sensei, what exactly is that?"

The first to ask was Yuigahama.

"Well I'm glad you asked Yuigahama! This here is currently one of the hottest games that youths are going crazy about right now!"

Sensei, are you trying to fit in again with those youths that you are talking about? Because I don't know your definition of youth that are all crazy about a board game… are we even talking about the same youth here?

"Heeeh? But aren't board games, I dunno, went out of fashion since the last few years?"

Isshiki you're walking on a landmine. I suggest that you stop while you still can or the fist of steel will make you. I silently prayed for Isshiki's soul.

"Hah ha! Are you trying to say something, you brat?"

"No! Not at all, sensei!"

Facing sensei's stiff smile, Irohasu immediately folded without any resistance. You see what happens when you say dishonest (lol) things about our very young (lol) sensei?

Sensei sighed as she grabbed a chair and sat down. What is this person even doing here? Doesn't she have work to do or something? My sensei can't be slacking off right?

"Why are you here Hiratsuka-sensei?"

Naturally, the only person who has the guts to question this irresponsible teacher was our club president. You see, only the people in power could oppose another person in power. Us normal citizens have no right to say what they should be doing. Isn't the right Isshiki?

"Well y'know there's really nothing to right now and I'm bored outta my mind and I thought that since you guys aren't doing anything as well, I might as well go here to kill time. Here I even brought a game."

Casually saying that we weren't doing anything… is this person really a teacher? I exchanged a glace with Yukinoshita, she must be thinking as well that it was a pain to entertain this person. She should really find a partner so she could bother him instead.

Someone go take her already. Or I'll seriously take her once I graduate!

"Heeh? What kind of game is it sensei?"

Leave it to Yuigahama to be interested in this stuff. She's not even faking it just to humor the good for nothing intruder.

"Ah Yuigahama… you're the only good person in this club."

The person responsible laughed awkwardly while the rest of us stared at sensei like she was a pain in the butt.

"Your rude stares only prove my point… Anyway, this game is called The Game of Life. I haven't actually played this before, but I've seen it collecting dust in the teacher's lounge so I decided to take it."

The Game of Life? What kind of name is that, it sounds like the creators simply ran out of idea and decided to name their shitty game after some book or movie. This just show that whoever made this did not put sufficient effort to make it the slightest bit interesting.

I haven't even heard of the game before now and I'm already starting to hate it.

"So who wants to play?"

Oh, so you're not deterred by the obvious disappointment that this game will provide? Are you really that bored out of your mind to even resort to this… thing for amusement?

I'm not even interested in the slightest so leave me out.

"Sure! I'm in!"

"If it's a game then losing is unacceptable."

"Okay count me in~"

For some reason the other three people were hooked.

"…"

Noticing that I'm the only one who hasn't said anything, the four ladies decided to direct their stares at me. Hey! I'm perfectly comfortable where I am! I don't need to participate in that to derive any kind of amusement!

As usual, my opinion was ignored magnificently.

Thus the service club decided to play the game of life.

-o-

How to Play

Each player is given a total amount of 3 cards, 1000 Social Points and 10000 Banknotes at the beginning. The board is littered with events that will either provide points or take them. The goal of the player is to reach the end without being bankrupt, abandoned or getting the black end.

Cards

Cards are items usable in the game. Using cards can give the player additional SP and BN points. There are also cards that possess certain effects that can be used to gain advantage over other players, these cards can be used by spending SP and BN points depending on the effects. Cards can only be used once during a player's turn.

Events

Events are placed on numerous parts of the board, they are separated in five colors Gray is for normal events, Gold is for opportunity events, Red is for critical events, Pink is for love events and black is for tragic events. Note that cards cannot be used by players when they are on a black spot.

Marriage

A player can marry another player in game via an event or a card effect. A married player will have 100 points of Affection; once the Affection points reaches zero, a player will be divorced automatically. Note that once a player is married, they cannot get married again unless a divorce event or a divorce card is used.

Gacha

The Gacha is a deck of cards that can be drawn upon by a player usinga Milestone. Milestones can be found on several event spots in the game. The player may shuffle the deck before drawing a card. Note that several rare cards can be obtained in the gacha.

Reminder

Lastly, all players should remember that the Game of Life was made to bring fun. It is a simulation of life combined with comedy and drama and in no circumstance predicts the future of the player. Please remember that this only a game.

-o-

What the heck is this?

Even board games incorporate the gacha system now?! What in the world is social points and why is it crucial for survival?

As sensei and the other prepared the game on the table, I was reading the game instructions. The game can be played by up to ten people, and like any other board games, relies on a spin wheel to decide how many steps they can take from one to nine.

There were also a deck of card included along with miniature people colored in blue and pink and some other knickknacks. Although the game mechanics are easy to understand, it looks like you need to strategize in order to play a game.

Speaking of which… the board game itself was large, almost reaching a meter when spread out. It was full of roads zigzagging everywhere with each tile being dyed by the five colors explained in the instruction.

Looks like the game that sensei picked up was gonna be troublesome.

Do I really have to participate?

I made a glance to where sensei was finishing up the preparations. The board and the knick knacks were smoothly organized on the table. On another note, Yukinoshita was preparing the snacks that were brought by Isshiki earlier. Ah, I'm the only one not doing anything at all. Seeing the girls so busy, I should be feeling a little guilt, but I really wasn't feeling it at all, I wonder why.

Oh right, I was being forced to play.

Just when I have rationalized my laziness, Hiratsuka-sensei's voice resounded in the club.

"Alright, everything is ready! Let's start the game of lifeee!"

"…Yay."

Since the board was placed on the middle of the table, I was forced to move my chair closer. On my left was Hiratsuka-sensei and Isshiki while Yukinoshita and Yuigahama sat directly in front of me. Speaking of our club president, she looked pumped and ready to play the game. Does she want to win that badly?

In the first place, the objective of this game is to reach the end without your money and social points reaching zero. Whoever has the most amount of points will win. Another deciding factor was the black end, and although it was mentioned in the instruction, I have no idea what it was. All it said was that a person would be disqualified if that event is triggered.

Scary.

"So, who's gonna go first?"

I glanced around while asking. Since this was the first time I had ever played this kind of game with other people, I was actually a little nervous. Oh sure Komachi and I played some board games when we were young, but those were simple games. Unlike this game of life which imposes several rules.

"Why don't you go first Hikigaya?"

"Great idea, let Hikigaya-kun be the bait."

"Ah, ahaha. Go ahead Hikki!"'

"Senpai can you start it already?"

W-what is this? Why is the starting move being forced to me? Wasn't this game your idea? So why am I being the one who must start?! C-could it be that these people have no idea how to play this game just like me?

Well whatever.

It's just a game anyway, and I'm not even that serious to play this to begin with. Let's just get this over with.

I placed my character on the starting tile and laid down the three cards that I started with. I reached for the wheel a little nervous and with a flick, it was spinning. A few seconds passed with the wheel spinning before stopping and pointing at a certain number.

Eight huh? I moved my character eight paces and…

…landed on a black tile.

[You show up late on the first day of class. - 100 SP -1000 BN]

What the heck, are you kidding me?

On my first turn I already trigger a black flag? Oi oi isn't one thousand points too much for simply being tardy? Don't tell me that my F rank luck in my games is following me here even now! This is a farce! This game is nothing but a rip off!

"Heh, only you Hikigaya would start a game by making a bad end."

Laughing at my bad luck was none other than sensei. I glanced around the room and saw Yukinoshita shaking her head while Yuigahama was laughing awkwardly and Isshiki was shrugged her shoulders as if to say that it couldn't be helped.

This game seriously sucks.

Finishing my turn, I cursed the creators of this game.

"Then I'm going next."

Saying that was none other than Yukinoshita. After seeing my tragic beginning she was eager to see how her first move will turn up. She flicked the spinner making it point at 4. She released a breath after avoiding the path that I took.

Oh she landed on a red tile.

[You performed better than your peers but you declined their invitation to hang out. -50 SP +100 BN]

Well it's neither good nor bad. But I could see Yukinoshita doing that in real life. No I really feel that this is something that she'd do.

So that's how a red tile works. It takes and gives points at the same time unlike the black tile which only takes an absurd amount of points.

With that, Yukinoshita ended her turn.

"Sounds like you alright."

"Well… maybe."

Hearing my comment, Yukinoshita replied. Everyone was nodding as if agreeing that it was something that she'd do.

"Ah, I'll be going next!"

Naturally it was Yuigahama who followed. She flicked the wheel and it stopped at 5 which was a pink tile. Oh, now I'm curious what will happen.

[You meet your crush and share the same class. +50 SP]

"Oh, nice going Yuigahama."

"Great going Yui-senpai!"

And of course, the only ones who were happy for her were sensei and Isshiki. Out of all of us, they're the duo not averse on having relationships, especially sensei. Someone take her already!

"Then it's my turn."

Sensei rolled the wheel and made it stop at 2, which was a black tile.

Oh, nice to see that I'm not the only one. Now what's going to happen to sensei?

[Your date didn't show up. – 200 SP – 500 BN]

Ah crap. Sensei was currently shaking.

I coughed and looked at Isshiki. The girl in question noticed my stare and made an expression as if to say 'what do you want me to do?!' I discreetly pointed at the board. Isshiki finally got my message and clapped once.

"A- ah! It's now my turn, let's gooo~"

With dramatic movements, Isshiki rolled the wheel which stopped at number 9.

"Here we go. One, two, three…"

Isshiki's character then stopped at a golden tile. Seriously? This girl just got the jackpot with one move? That's like pulling a rainbow with one ticket!

[You meet a dependable person. + 1 Milestone]

"Fueeeh~ that means that I can draw from the special cards riiight?"

T-this girl. Just who did she sacrifice to get such luck? I stared as she shuffled the deck of cards and drew one card. Isshiki looked at the card that she drew and released a shocked voice. She narrowed her eyes and once again read the content of her card, nodding several times.

Now I'm curious.

"Oi Isshiki, what did you get?"

In response to my question, Isshiki made a smile and wink.

"There's no way I'm telling y'knoooow?"

Needless to say, the first round was won by this sly girl.

-o-

The second round started as soon as my turn came.

"Show us your spirit Hikigaya (lol)."

"It might be futile, but your ability to go on after being not acknowledged is your somewhat redeeming point.

"You can do it Hikki!"

"Do your best senpai!"

Why are these people mocking me with straight faces? The other three aside, didn't you also get the black flag sensei? You should be siding with me and not them, damn it. But whatever, I'll do it properly this time. I won't get a black again.

Goooo my hand!

I rolled the wheel with all my strength. I might have overdone it as the wheel rotated for tens of seconds before slowing down and point at the number eight.

"Another eight? Let's see…"

My character eventually stopped on a red tile.

[You did a group work alone. -50 SP +100 BN]

Who are you, me?!

That hits near the spot! I might have done something similar in the past. There were times when no one would group with me and I'd end up doing a report alone or something. But it's okay! No, it's more than okay! I'd be working on my own pace without anyone bothering me. There would be no drama like blaming a group member for doing nothing since I'm the one doing everything!

So don't look at me with those eyes!

"That's sad Hikigaya (lol)."

"It certainly sounds like something senpai would do."

"Hikki…"

"It's not that I don't understand, but for that topic to appear here…"

Yukinoshita mumbled something as she did her turn. Once she rolled the wheel, she moved her character and it landed on a pink tile. A love event is happening to Yukinoshita right before my eyes.

[You find someone with similar outlooks as you. + 100 BN]

"Good for you Yukinoshita (lol)."

"That's great Yukinon!"

"Yukinoshita-senpai that's so cuuute!"

Hey now sensei, I know that you got a bad start like me, but you were the one who insisted to play this game in the first place so stop acting scarily! Yukinoshita sighed at the reactions given to her and took a sip of her tea.

"Now it's time for revenge."

Sensei cracked her knuckles and spun the wheel like I did earlier, and when it stopped to point at number 9.

"Oh, a gold tile!"

Sensei's mood was easily lifted as she landed on a gold tile

[You hanged out with someone and had a good time. + 1 Milestone]

"That's practically a successful date right? Right?"

So sensei said with a big smile. Does landing on a gold tile really bring up that much happiness? Because I'm thinking that she's starting to take this a little seriously.

"Now then! Draw monstah cardo!"

After imitating a certain duelist, Sensei took a card from the deck. Sensei took a look at the card that she got and her expression suddenly changed. The smile from earlier vanished from her face and was replaced by a sharp expression.

What? What is it? Not only Isshiki, but now sensei is acting weird after getting a card. Is it the winged golden dragon or something?

"Looks like my time has finally come."

Saying those words, sensei took a deep breath and revealed her card in a face up position!

"I activate the card [Sudden Spouse] on you Hikigaya!"

[Sudden Spouse:

Cost: 2000 BN

The player may choose another player to be their spouse. After this card is used, the two players will be married by the next turn with 100 [Affection Points].

Note: this card won't work if the user or the targeted player is already married.]

W-what the heck? Something like that exists in the gacha? And you're using it on me sensei?! You're forcing me to marry you on the second turn? I-is sensei that desperate to get married? I don't mind though, not at all!

"B-but why me?"

Hearing my question, sensei looked at me and made a manly smile!

"Don't be an idiot Hikigaya, you're the only male here to begin with."

That's the only reason? I got excited for nothing. Oh well, congratulations to you sensei, you got married and it only took a game and some overpowered card to do so.

"Ha. Ha haha! I did it! I've won!"

Sensei rejoiced and wrapped an arm around me in excitement. Meanwhile, Yukinoshita was leering at us. Yuigahama was fidgeting around and Isshiki was staring at her card in contemplation.

Unfortunately for me, this is only the beginning of a more complex ploy full of black tiles, milestones and using the gacha.

{—To be continued—