While the movie credits rolled across the screen, the five girls remained silent in the darkened room, all of them focusing on the next course of action. While still fairly early in the night, the moon illusion had dissipated and most of Inaba was dark. It meant only one thing: game time. However, they were busy mulling over what to play. Rise made a valid point in this regard, that Naoto should pick the game since she's the newest member of the group and it would serve as a sort welcoming gesture, but it didn't seem to be helping them too much. All four girls watched Naoto, whose frustration was visible even in the low light of the television.
This isn't to say that Naoto was without ideas, but she wasn't fond of any of them. Poker, Janken, and Clue gave her too much of an advantage (which was a tempting offer, but she would rather play something challenging), the Amagi Inn didn't come with too many video games, every one was a button mashers for boys around Nanako's age, and the remainder of Naoto's games couldn't be played by five players. There was one game they could all play on a predominantly level playing field and it was bound to excite Nanako since there weren't many chances for her to learn of this game, but Naoto was fairly certain that the other three didn't want to play that game. At the same time, though, Naoto had to admit that the only way to get rid of a sour taste that's been lingering in her mouth for a long while was to play this game, and she probably wasn't going to get another chance.
"Come on, Naoto-kun!" Rise urged. "I don't care what it is, we'll have fun! Just call something and end the boredom!"
After hearing the other girls offer their quiet agreement to play any game, Naoto said plainly. "As you wish. Please wait one moment while I obtain the necessary aids."
She almost didn't do it. Naoto was almost certain she'd found another game they could all play, but Rise broke her concentration before she could piece together her fragmented memory. Therefore, they were going to play the first game, even if it means the rest of them get uncomfortable again. Additionally, it'd be easy enough to convince herself that this was a mere continuation of the previous game; say Souji and Yosuke dropped out like Teddy and Kanji while Nanako jumped in, and Yukiko and Rise sobered up enough to continue playing.
"Not again!" Chie cried.
Naoto reminded her, "The agreement was you'd play anything and be content."
"But why The King's Game?"
"Since Chie-senpai and I didn't formally drop out, we didn't complete the first game, we simply ran out of time. I contend that starting something without finishing it to be the same as discarding something in the trash, and I abhor throwing away anything. Therefore, in order to become content with the game, we need to continue. Allowing Rise-chan and Yukiko-senpai to return as well as permitting Nanako-chan to enter is sportsmanship."
Chie wanted to press the issue much further, but felt Naoto's natural eloquence and quick thinking would stifle her attempts to weasel out of this game. Instead, the time and effort were refocused on explaining the game to Nanako. Certainly Yukiko and Rise didn't need to hear the rules again, they are the ones who explained it the first time. However, it was Nanako and her ignorance of the game responsible for instilling a new-found dread into Naoto and Chie.
"So I can just drop out whenever I want, but then I'm out for the rest of the game?" she asked.
While Naoto and Chie were shocked and internally berating themselves for missing such an obvious escape, Yukiko answered in their stead. "Nanako-chan, normally this is a drinking game. If you don't want to do a challenge, you wouldn't need to quit the whole game. Instead, you'd drink a shot of alcohol or something, and you'd only drop out if you got too drunk to continue or the game got too intense. Since we aren't including alcohol, we decided we have to complete every order, and can only drop out between draws."
With a grin, Rise continued, "Although, there is supposed to be a penalty for dropping out of the game, and the original can be played another way that allows us to skip orders we don't like without drinks. Should we play it that way instead?"
"Sure!" Nanako answered.
"Absolutely!" Chie answered. Finally, an out for certain orders.
"I suppose authentic would be appropriate," Naoto concurred.
"Well, if everyone else is..." Yukiko begins, blushing profusely.
She already knew this other way, having been called to rooms in the middle of such games. Unfortunately, the thought alone left her unable to vocalize the specifics and reveal Rise's plan in time to stop them. Rise's deceit could be used as a reason to invalidate the decision, but Naoto the debater was in no position to make that excuse and even nullified any such objections previously.
"Then here are the rules. The drop out penalty is one super order from the remaining players, and the way to skip challenges is to take something off."
"Eh!?" Chie and Naoto mumbled. They even had the same follow-up thought: This is a strip game, too?
"Like you said, Naoto-kun," Rise said darkly, "we agreed to play anything."
Hanging her head in defeat, Naoto mumbled, "Are slippers and socks one item or two?"
"Only one, but our ties and your hat count, too. Now then, let the games begin!"
Compared to the high spirits and playfulness of Rise and Nanako, Yukiko and Chie were agitated shadows focusing on Naoto. Their looks were piercing through the joyous atmosphere created by Nanako and Rise, and they were beginning to make Naoto feel dizzy. Even Naoto was joining in this assault. Embarrassment was her objective, she wasn't about to lie any further, but she intended to do it with everyone remaining clothed. The choice even prevented her from specifically targeting Rise in an effort to make her end the game sooner, and that's before Nanako became ecstatic over playing an adult game, even with such a disadvantage in her clothing count. She could only hope it would be a short night. And being Queen every turn would help.
Chie Satonaka -
Clothing: Slippers, socks, green jacket, sailor tie, skirt, blouse, sports bra, panties
Yukiko Amagi -
Clothing: Slippers, sailor tie, red cardigan, skirt, tanktop, black nylons, lace bra, lace panties
Rise Kujikawa -
Clothing: Slippers, stockings, sailor tie, school jacket, skirt, blouse, bra, thong
Naoto Shirogane -
Clothing: Hat, slippers, socks, school coat, pants, button up shirt, bra, panties
Nanako Dojima -
Clothing: Slippers, socks, dress, sweater, panties
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