The Familiar Girl

Cover

**The Familiar Girl** is the ninth chapter of Kakegurui Twin, written by Homura Kawamoto and illustrated by Kei Saiki.

## Summary

Mikura notices Sachiko's recent coldness towards her, suspecting it's because Sachiko found a new toy, Mary. Later, Mary and her friends meet Aoi. He brings them to a room full of housepets, who praise her. Aoi then invites Mary to join the Full-Bloom society, a group aiming to overthrow the student council. Mary responds that she’ll think about it. When the girls are alone, Yukimi shows a lot of concern for the situation. Mary explains that she gave that answer to get time to see how things unfold and side with the winners. She doesn’t know at the moment if the Student Council or Full-Bloom is stronger. Meanwhile, Sakura criticizes Aoi for trying to recruit Mary, as it makes the risk of betrayal grow higher. Aoi thinks Sakura is smart and a good gambler, but believes Mary's tenacity is also a valuable asset. Sakura is jealous and is certain she can't lose to Mary. When Sakura leaves the room, Mikura approaches her and proposes they work together against Mary. Later, Kanade gives Mary a letter from Sakura regarding an "entrance exam."

## Plot

Mikura notices that Sachiko has been cold to her lately. She believes it's because Sachiko has found a new toy: Mary. Mikura is determined to be Sachiko's only toy.

Mary is ecstatic because the Literary Club earned two million in the Coupling Party. Tsuzura now won't have to worry about becoming a housepet. She thanks Mary. Mikura walks into the room to collect their gambling-room usage fee of 500,000 yen. Mary suggests Yukimi, Tsuzura, and she split the fee evenly and take an equal share of the winnings. She explains that it's now Yukimi's den. Yukimi understands that Mary was serious about the gambling den ownership contract. She hugs Mary and tells her she loves her. Mikura presses them to pay and adds that Aoi wants to see them.

The trio goes to meet him. Aoi congratulates Mary for her win. He leads Mary and her friends to the room in which he hid housepets. They give Mary an ovation and welcome her to the Full-Bloom society. These housepets all saw Mary's performance at the Coupling Party live. Aoi describes Mary to the housepets as a ray of hope for all of them. Mary asks Aoi about the Full-Bloom society. He responds that they've formed this group to put an end to the student council. Aoi is the group's leader, however, there are multiple councilors to make decisions.

He introduces Sakura to Mary. Aoi asks Mary to become a councilor. Yukimi whispers to Mary that this group is trying to take down the student council so she could get in trouble for getting involved with them. Aoi tells Mary that all these housepets are frightened every day and they see her as their savior. He adds that it could both benefit him and Mary. Mary says she'll think about it. Aoi stares at her silently. Mary starts sweating. Aoi then smiles and accepts Mary's answer. He informs the housepets that Mary needs a bit more time to think about it.

The girls go out. Yukimi praises Mary for not accepting to join. Tsuzura thinks that the Full-Bloom's principles are sound. Yukimi responds that they just want to overthrow the student council. Mary explains that she didn't accept or decline Aoi's offer. Yukimi is shocked, as she believes Mary is considering joining them. Mary explains that she wants to see how things unfold and side with the winners. She doesn’t know which side is winning yet.

Yukimi is worried and informs Mary that the girl Aoi talked about, Sakura, is the head of the beautification committee(she's also part of the student council). Yukimi understands that Sakura has a lot of power and doesn't want to imagine how the clash will turn out if other people with as much power are councilors of Full-Bloom. She also explains that Sakura and Aoi were married by their parents.

Meanwhile, Sakura criticizes Aoi for wanting to add another council. She adds that it simply increases the risk of betrayal. Aoi responds that Mary is way more capable than Sakura believes. Sakura asks Aoi if she's not enough, despite having polished her skills since middle school. She doesn't believe she could lose to Mary, who comes out of nowhere. Aoi mentions that Sakura is jealous of her. He also says that Sakura is indeed a good gambler and smart person, which is useful with probabilities and reading the opponent. However, he believes Mary has her own strength: tenacity. She wants to win no matter what. Aoi adds that the more people they can use the better but Sakura is still the one he can rely the most on.

As Sakura walks out of the room, Mikura intercepts her. She says that Aoi likes Mary. Sakura confirms it by accusing Mikura of eavesdropping on them. Mikura suggests they work together to destroy Mary. Kanade invites Mary to dinner, but she turns him down. He hands Mary a letter from Sakura about an "entrance exam".

## Quick References

### Characters by Appearance

* Mikura Sado
* Sachiko Juraku
* Yukimi Togakushi
* Tsuzura Hanatemari
* Aoi Mibuomi
* Sakura Miharutaki
* Mamoru Kuonji
* Ren Kochi
* Kanade Musubi
* Nobuya Sera
* Haruto Kibashira

### Chapter Notes

* Aoi invites Mary to become a Full-Bloom councilor. She responds that she’ll think about it.
* Sakura challenges Mary to an “entrance exam”.