One irresistible idea, two sittings, 7 KB of text. No revisions. We’ll see how it goes…

If it goes well, this is the first chapter.

-CCY

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“You know I have a big appetite, Yukari,”

Yuyuko Saigyouji said in a dreamy fashion, rotating a poker chip in her right hand. She closed her eyes and smiled as if to further accentuate her pleasant manner.

“Which is why I always enjoy festivals like this,” she continued, tilting her head as her expression would better explain things. “When everyone gets together, bringing a bit of their specialty, that variety which makes Gensokyo a fantastic place … it’s simply fantastic.”

As Yuyuko said this, she gestured to the crowd gathered around the table at which three people sat: Yuyuko Saigyouji, the pink-haired ghost; Yukari Yakumo, the purple-and-white mastermind with blond hair, and Shikieki Yamaxanadu, the small-framed but imposing green-haired judge who presided over the events of this night, which could be termed one of Gensokyo’s more curious competitions.

It was a diverse mix that represented some of the best, the brightest, and the most oddball characters from throughout the land. Their presence seemed to form a near-rainbow of hair colors, least to mention clothing fashion, hat size, and origins. Although many were human-looking, all knew that was anything but the case.

But one thing was common in the crowd and that was the silence that enveloped them, as they watched, enraptured, curious, and perhaps a bit jealous, as the two women at the final table battled.

Or, as the present would have it, as one of them monologued.

“But at every festival, although the food and drink always seems infinite, there’s always an end to the fun; the offerings are consumed and the wine runs dry. It’s saddening,” Yuyuko continued, her expression fading to something distant and serious.

“That’s why I wish to keep my supply stocked, so that Hakugyokurou can hold the grandest parties in the land for ages to come. And at this point, my only supply is you, Yukari. So I’ll have to take yours.”

“All in.”

Yuyuko pushes a fearsome stack of chips into the center of the table, supplementing an already large pile resting next to five cards: the Four of Hearts, Queen of Spades, Jack of Hearts, Two of Spades, and King of Hearts.

“The bet is to you, Yukari,” Shikeiki nodded in the direction of the woman with the blond hair, who chuckled in response.

“You know yourself that your logic is flawed, Yuyuko,” Yukari smirked in a fashion that almost seems haughty. There was no response from the ghost clad in a blue kimono.

“The difference between poker and festivals, of course, is that while food and drink are depleted as they are consumed, money only spreads from person to person,” she explained. “There’s no need to worry about it running out…”

She rested her head on her hands, looking to some point off to the side. “…unless of course, it’s taken by someone else. And even then, you can get it back, as long as you don’t lose all of it.”

“All those theatrics hides the fact that I will have to put my game on the line as well, in order to challenge you,” Yukari glanced between her pile of chips and that which Yuyuko just bet, finally resting her gaze on Yuyuko herself.

“Since we have exactly the same amount remaining.”

Yuyuko smiled brilliantly in response, almost as if she wanted to diffuse the dramatic tension. “Nothing less from you, Yukari, that’s why we’re good friends, isn’t it?”

She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. “Ah, I tried … I’m not too bad at the art myself, but I still think Youmu is better as being poetic, when she’s not being all terse and serious.”

There was a loud crash in the stands, prompting a giggle from Yuyuko. “Ah, she’s as easily-flustered as ever.”

“But, Yukari,” Yuyuko suddenly wore a grin that was half playful and half malicious.

“You know I’m not trying to provoke you into submitting. I’m trying to provoke you into fighting.”

She looked thoughtful for a bit, then returned to her default smile. “Like good friends,” she added.

Yukari retorted back, almost in a joshing fashion. “Your speciality is to invite people to death, after all, of course I’m going to be careful while considering my mortality – even if it just my life in a fleeting competition such as this.”

“A fleeting competition?” Yuyuko continued the argument, which sounded serious but was rather quite light-hearted, like that of playful ribbing between close friends. “You were the one that offered that once-in-a-lifetime prize that spurred the wave of interest that sweeped the land.”

“Yes, but, if it’s something that I offer, then the only incentive to win, is so I do not lose such a prize.” Yukari faked a bored look. “Although it’s not a prize, more like a privilege. It’d be more interesting if someone else won anyway…”

Yuyuko gave Yukari another pure smile. “If that’s the case, then why not let me win? Are you worried about another incident, like before?” She said, in a jokingly threatening voice.

Yukari laughed. “I know you’ve matured since then, Yuyuko. Perhaps in many ways.” She paused her sentence to glance into the audience, where there was another loud crash.

“But, I have no intention of throwing a competition. I’m lazy, but I’m strong-spirited.”

Tapping the cards she held in her right hand against the table, she continued, “And, even if I’m lazy, I know when to act. And I think now is the time to finish this.”

Not even bothering to push her chips into the table, she made a slight glance to Shikeiki and tersely stated,

“I call.”

As the crowd murmured, Yuyuko again turned her head to the side, with a bit of a questioning look, that reverted to the typical spacey stare of hers. “… I see. I can’t decide if it’s fitting or not that it’s come down to a mere matter of chance, the way that this ends.”

She slowly and deliberately flipped over her cards, the 9 of Spades and 10 of Diamonds.

“Straight. Nine through King.”

Yukari nodded, almost if she knew what cards Yuyuko would flip over. “Chance, you say… it makes me wonder just how hungry you are right now, Yuyuko, to lie so earnestly.”

Sighing in comical fashion, Yuyuko admitted, “Quite a lot, to be honest.”

Undeterred, Yukari continued, “For a game like this, chance should be the last thing on your mind… if you have to resort to such a power as that, maybe that’s a sign that you need to strengthen yourself more.”

Continuing to drag out the monologue and the conclusion of the tournament, Yuyuko questioned back with a flat tone, “Well, certainly that is true, but in carefree times like this, sometimes it’s best not to know what will happen next. It makes life more splendid.”

“Perhaps that is true,” Yukari stood up from her chair, tilting her cards 90 degrees onto their edge. “I wouldn’t know myself, after so long manipulating boundaries.”

“But … I think I can be happy that I knew how this was going to end.”

As a hush fell over the room, Yukari, staring right into Yuyuko’s eyes with a inscrutable smile, gave the cards a light push, and they fell onto the table face-up, revealing their values.

Yuyuko looked at the cards, genuinely astonished for a second, then, without words, stood up, smiled gracefully, and made a motion to shake Yukari’s hand.