[One-Shot] Russian Roulette
Title: Russian Roulette
Characters: Nakamaru, Ueda
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone.
Summary: Life deals Nakamaru a wild card when he least expects it.
Author’s Note: Loosely inspired by how Ueda kinda drifts in and out ~mysteriously~ in Nakamaru’s Snowflake PV. I get weirder by the day.
Russian Roulette
Nakamaru stares at the remaining crumpled bills in hand and the numbers displayed in red on the ATM machine.
How did his life get reduced to such a state?
If only he hadn’t believed in his lying friend and made such a terrible investment… Nakamaru can only laugh at himself for being such a fool. With less than a day to repay everything he owed, he starts to wonder if his insurance policies could cover his debts. However, at the thought of his parents, he chides himself for such an irresponsible thought. They had already given him all they could; how could he just abandon them with his fix?
He has to find some way out for himself.
***
Nakamaru stops in front of a door within the alleys. Cleverly hidden away from public’s view, he summons the little courage he possesses and knocks lightly. It’s his first and probably the last time he’ll be visiting such a place. After all, if he doesn’t have the money by noon tomorrow, Nakamaru doubts he’ll have any chance of survival.
The gambling place is recommended to Nakamaru (whom Koki deems as perpetually experiencing the jitters) if he ever needed some form of leisure. How ironic that he’s dropping by in hopes of some miracle befalling him. Yet given how his luck has been in the doldrums for every aspect of his life, Nakamaru is pretty sure what awaits him will crush him further.
With the deadline in less than 12 hours, Nakamaru reckons he has lost his marbles to take such a risky step.
“First time?”
Nakamaru nods weakly as a gruff man stops him by the entrance.
“I’ve got recommendation from a regular… Urm, his name is…”
A low rumble sets him on his nerves till he realises that the big burly guard is actually laughing. He isn’t a least bit at ease knowing that fact though.
“A cowardly man like you won’t have the guts to stir up trouble.” Nakamaru finds himself nodding. “But for the sake of the unspoken rule, let’s hear it.”
***
Compared to government-operated casinos, the air reeks of alcohol and cigarette smoke here. Lights are kept at a minimal as opposed to brightly-lit slot machines and chandeliers to add a touch of grandeur. Nonetheless, the turnout is overwhelming. It appears that having a higher payout as compared to the legal gambling places hasn’t attracted just him alone.
Although the place is awfully tiny, seemingly holding too many people at once, the variety of games available is something else. Of course, Nakamaru doesn’t know much about them and goes to the one he knows best - blackjack.
He waits for ages to have a seat at the table. Tightening his grip on the tokens that represent the last of his fortune, his stomach twists and lurches as the dealer calls in for bets. While others are wagering their fortune away, he is putting his life on the table.
The first bet Nakamaru makes for the night is pathetically small. It earns him some boos from the spectators but he pays no heed; what do they know about his situation. Even though he scores a high 19, he is still no match for the dealer’s 20. Someone on the table scores a blackjack and Nakamaru wonders how rotten his luck can get. He can’t just leave after a small loss so he convinces himself to press on.
As his money supply continuously dwindles, showing no sign of rebound, Nakamaru decides he has had enough. The 10,000 token to be converted back to cash is probably needed to flag for a taxi. The buildings around the vicinity are too low and difficult for one to throw themselves off. Sighing and turning away, Nakamaru is about to get off his chair when someone taps him lightly on the shoulder.
“Leaving so soon?”
Nakamaru raises an eyebrow and racks his brain to figure if he has ever met a man with spiky black hair and flashy golden highlights.
“Ueda Tatsuya,” the stranger offers. There’s a sense of familiarity to the name yet Nakamaru can’t seem to put a hand on it. “You look like you need some help.”
With Nakamaru’s current predicament, ‘some help’ is definitely an understatement.
“I can turn things around. Shall we strike a little deal?” Ueda gives a smirk. “We don’t have much time for consideration though. The next game is about to start.”
“What do you want from me? I’m practically left with nothing.”
The other man raises an eyebrow and lets out a sly smile.
“I don’t want any of your winnings. Nor am I a budding sorcerer that requires your firstborn. As for an equivalent trade for my aid…” Ueda pauses to lick his lips and that action unsettles the dinner in Nakamaru’s guts. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“Okay.”
The answer comes a lot more quickly than Nakamaru has expected of himself.
As Ueda takes over his last token, rolls up his sleeves and bets everything on the table, Nakamaru thinks he is doomed for sure.
At least he can put some blame on another person for his total defeat at the casino.
***
Blackjack.
Nakamaru has 25,000 yen on his hands.
Ueda sure has the luck of a devil, Nakamaru sighs bitterly. Fancy winning on the first round.
Ueda’s face remains impassive as the dealer hands him his winnings.
The next round begins and Ueda bets everything he (or Nakamaru) has. He even borrows a 25,000 token from the player beside to double his bets when he gets a Jack facing up.
Blackjack again.
Rather than having the luck of a devil, Nakamaru thinks Ueda is the devil himself when he scores not twice, but ten blackjacks in a row. The dealer is clearly disgruntled when Ueda decides that such a simple game is no longer fun.
“You need money fast, right?”
The smug grin is back on Ueda’s face.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Next, roulette.”
***
Nakamaru doesn’t even have time to protest when Ueda stacks everything on the number four. The payout of 35 to 1 is very appealing but Nakamaru doesn’t believe it is possible to win. Till Ueda proves otherwise.
“You have nearly a million. Aren’t you glad?”
Even if Nakamaru doesn’t hang out at such places, he knows the happenings too damn well from screen. If a gambler ever wins that much in an underground casino, he/she will definitely be accused of cheating and lose a hand in addition to his winnings. Maybe it’s time to stop.
However, Ueda insists on carrying on till Nakamaru has finally cleared his debts and have enough to sustain himself for awhile (jobless or not).
“It’s part of the deal,” Ueda whispers. “Let’s go collect the money, shall we?”
“They aren’t going to make it happen,” Nakamaru winces when he sees several huge men in tattoos waiting in front of them.
Mildly amused, Ueda greets them with great enthusiasm. Nakamaru’s mind finds it hard to conjugate a reason to explain Ueda’s behaviour.
“Young master would like to meet you,” someone grunts.
“Lead the way, good sirs. I have some money to collect anyway.”
Ueda even has the decency to let out a chuckle.
***
Sitting cross-legged across the table from ‘young master’ (who has rippling muscles, more scars than Nakamaru can count with his fingers and ugly teeth), Ueda greets him in a good-natured manner.
“What can I do for you tonight?”
Seated besides Ueda, Nakamaru stiffens as the young master lets out a deep breath and leans closer.
“You’re cheating, aren’t you? And we don’t like cheaters here.”
“False accusations.” Ueda’s rebuttal is swift. “So you’re no different from those unruly gangsters along the streets who forbid others of winning. I guess your reputation for being fair is hogwash as well.”
When a pair of fists bangs against the table, Nakamaru nearly passes out from fright. He always knew coming to such shady hangouts is a bad decision; why hadn’t he listened to his inner self? Instead of killing himself peacefully, Nakamaru is sure that a violent death awaits both him and Ueda. Dragging Ueda down with him makes him twice as guilty.
“I live up to the sayings,” the master of the casino growls. “Play with Hawk. If it’s your win, you’ll go, untouched, with the money.”
Ueda accepts without hesitation.
“Hawk… I presume he has keen eyes.”
Ueda doesn’t seem a least bit intimidated. Nakamaru is torn between labelling Ueda as a loony or someone who truly knows no fear.
“In fact, our luck is unparallel tonight. Yuichi here can play the game and still win. I’m mainly a vessel containing his good fortune.”
“Me?” Nakamaru splutters. “And I don’t remember telling you my name…?”
Ueda clicks his tongue and waves it away, labelling them as ‘little details’ and they should be focusing on the ‘big picture’.
“Can’t waste too much time here,” Ueda yawns and it clearly agitates the young master. “We’ve got a party to attend.”
“We?”
“Your celebratory party, Yuichi!” Ueda’s look of disinterest is replaced with an incredulous stare. “Now get on with the game.”
Nakamaru doesn’t even have time to protest when Ueda shoves him onto the chair. Trying desperately to escape (he finally realises how he doesn’t want to die yet, despite his initial plans), Nakamaru attempts to explain that he is only familiar with the rules and regulations of blackjack and nothing more.
“Then blackjack it shall be.”
Nakamaru wishes the young master of this place hasn’t been that compromising.
***
As the game commences, Nakamaru can feel Ueda smirking from behind his back. He even whistles a happy tune, some victory theme song from an anime too long ago. It most definitely doesn’t help to boost his confidence nor his luck.
“Five rounds,” the man nicknamed Hawk instructs. “And you must win all if your luck is as good as you claims it to be.”
As expected, Ueda accepts the challenge on his behalf.
***
Two 10s. Ueda advises Nakamaru to split the card. Although 20 is a high number and Nakamaru doesn’t want to take the risk, there’s a strange liquid effect in Ueda’s words and Nakamaru does as he is told.
The two cards that follow are a pair of aces.
“A double blackjack…” Nakamaru gasps. Never had he believed in the power of miracle or magic till today. Ueda isn’t even near the cards. “How?”
“Does that count as a double victory?” Ueda asks innocently.
“No, four more rounds to go.”
Ueda lets a little huff. “Boring.”
***
By the time the fifth round is over, Nakamaru is drenched in sweat and his fingers won’t stop quaking. He hasn’t scored blackjacks for the remaining four rounds but thankfully, Hawk hadn’t either. As though witchcraft was at work, Nakamaru’s opponent is always a point lower. The other party seems speechless and unconvinced but when they finally tossed a duffle bag with their winnings in their direction, Nakamaru feels a surge of relief.
Ueda runs his fingers through his hair and casts an all-knowing look at Nakamaru.
“Told you, you’re a lucky star tonight.”
The wink suggests otherwise.
***
The air in Tokyo has never felt any better. Although he is still weighted down by the prospects of returning Ueda a favour, he rationalizes that dealing with one man is better than handling a hound of money lenders. Unless Ueda is a drug dealer, a human trafficker, a demon in disguise, a…
His thoughts continue to run amok till Ueda returns to his side, munching on bread and inquiring if Nakamaru is done with depositing the money. Since Ueda needs food, Nakamaru strikes out the probability of Ueda being anything related to the supernatural.
“So I’ve fulfilled my part of the promise,” Ueda muses aloud when Nakamaru replies 'yes' to Ueda's question. As he leans a little closer, as though inspecting Nakamaru’s features carefully, Nakamaru stumbles backwards. The option of escaping becomes increasingly attractive. Any moment now and Nakamaru thinks Ueda is going to reveal his true monstrous self. However, as the seconds slowly inch by, Ueda chooses to back away. Eventually, he leaves without saying a word.
Not bothering to give chase, he hurriedly paces himself to the nearest train station. He should be safe there, the train station being populated with normal civilians. Slotting his hands nervously into his coat pocket, Nakamaru is surprised to find a piece of note. Not recalling when the slip of paper found its way in, he nervously takes it out. On closer inspection of the chicken scrawls, a barely visible message forms.
We’ll meet again someday when I need your help. Remember me. - Ueda Tatsuya
If Ueda’s interest lie in playing mind games and tormenting someone with incessant anxiety, Nakamaru is sure the other man is in for a good show.
End.
Characters: Nakamaru, Ueda
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone.
Summary: Life deals Nakamaru a wild card when he least expects it.
Author’s Note: Loosely inspired by how Ueda kinda drifts in and out ~mysteriously~ in Nakamaru’s Snowflake PV. I get weirder by the day.
Russian Roulette
Nakamaru stares at the remaining crumpled bills in hand and the numbers displayed in red on the ATM machine.
How did his life get reduced to such a state?
If only he hadn’t believed in his lying friend and made such a terrible investment… Nakamaru can only laugh at himself for being such a fool. With less than a day to repay everything he owed, he starts to wonder if his insurance policies could cover his debts. However, at the thought of his parents, he chides himself for such an irresponsible thought. They had already given him all they could; how could he just abandon them with his fix?
He has to find some way out for himself.
***
Nakamaru stops in front of a door within the alleys. Cleverly hidden away from public’s view, he summons the little courage he possesses and knocks lightly. It’s his first and probably the last time he’ll be visiting such a place. After all, if he doesn’t have the money by noon tomorrow, Nakamaru doubts he’ll have any chance of survival.
The gambling place is recommended to Nakamaru (whom Koki deems as perpetually experiencing the jitters) if he ever needed some form of leisure. How ironic that he’s dropping by in hopes of some miracle befalling him. Yet given how his luck has been in the doldrums for every aspect of his life, Nakamaru is pretty sure what awaits him will crush him further.
With the deadline in less than 12 hours, Nakamaru reckons he has lost his marbles to take such a risky step.
“First time?”
Nakamaru nods weakly as a gruff man stops him by the entrance.
“I’ve got recommendation from a regular… Urm, his name is…”
A low rumble sets him on his nerves till he realises that the big burly guard is actually laughing. He isn’t a least bit at ease knowing that fact though.
“A cowardly man like you won’t have the guts to stir up trouble.” Nakamaru finds himself nodding. “But for the sake of the unspoken rule, let’s hear it.”
***
Compared to government-operated casinos, the air reeks of alcohol and cigarette smoke here. Lights are kept at a minimal as opposed to brightly-lit slot machines and chandeliers to add a touch of grandeur. Nonetheless, the turnout is overwhelming. It appears that having a higher payout as compared to the legal gambling places hasn’t attracted just him alone.
Although the place is awfully tiny, seemingly holding too many people at once, the variety of games available is something else. Of course, Nakamaru doesn’t know much about them and goes to the one he knows best - blackjack.
He waits for ages to have a seat at the table. Tightening his grip on the tokens that represent the last of his fortune, his stomach twists and lurches as the dealer calls in for bets. While others are wagering their fortune away, he is putting his life on the table.
The first bet Nakamaru makes for the night is pathetically small. It earns him some boos from the spectators but he pays no heed; what do they know about his situation. Even though he scores a high 19, he is still no match for the dealer’s 20. Someone on the table scores a blackjack and Nakamaru wonders how rotten his luck can get. He can’t just leave after a small loss so he convinces himself to press on.
As his money supply continuously dwindles, showing no sign of rebound, Nakamaru decides he has had enough. The 10,000 token to be converted back to cash is probably needed to flag for a taxi. The buildings around the vicinity are too low and difficult for one to throw themselves off. Sighing and turning away, Nakamaru is about to get off his chair when someone taps him lightly on the shoulder.
“Leaving so soon?”
Nakamaru raises an eyebrow and racks his brain to figure if he has ever met a man with spiky black hair and flashy golden highlights.
“Ueda Tatsuya,” the stranger offers. There’s a sense of familiarity to the name yet Nakamaru can’t seem to put a hand on it. “You look like you need some help.”
With Nakamaru’s current predicament, ‘some help’ is definitely an understatement.
“I can turn things around. Shall we strike a little deal?” Ueda gives a smirk. “We don’t have much time for consideration though. The next game is about to start.”
“What do you want from me? I’m practically left with nothing.”
The other man raises an eyebrow and lets out a sly smile.
“I don’t want any of your winnings. Nor am I a budding sorcerer that requires your firstborn. As for an equivalent trade for my aid…” Ueda pauses to lick his lips and that action unsettles the dinner in Nakamaru’s guts. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“Okay.”
The answer comes a lot more quickly than Nakamaru has expected of himself.
As Ueda takes over his last token, rolls up his sleeves and bets everything on the table, Nakamaru thinks he is doomed for sure.
At least he can put some blame on another person for his total defeat at the casino.
***
Blackjack.
Nakamaru has 25,000 yen on his hands.
Ueda sure has the luck of a devil, Nakamaru sighs bitterly. Fancy winning on the first round.
Ueda’s face remains impassive as the dealer hands him his winnings.
The next round begins and Ueda bets everything he (or Nakamaru) has. He even borrows a 25,000 token from the player beside to double his bets when he gets a Jack facing up.
Blackjack again.
Rather than having the luck of a devil, Nakamaru thinks Ueda is the devil himself when he scores not twice, but ten blackjacks in a row. The dealer is clearly disgruntled when Ueda decides that such a simple game is no longer fun.
“You need money fast, right?”
The smug grin is back on Ueda’s face.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Next, roulette.”
***
Nakamaru doesn’t even have time to protest when Ueda stacks everything on the number four. The payout of 35 to 1 is very appealing but Nakamaru doesn’t believe it is possible to win. Till Ueda proves otherwise.
“You have nearly a million. Aren’t you glad?”
Even if Nakamaru doesn’t hang out at such places, he knows the happenings too damn well from screen. If a gambler ever wins that much in an underground casino, he/she will definitely be accused of cheating and lose a hand in addition to his winnings. Maybe it’s time to stop.
However, Ueda insists on carrying on till Nakamaru has finally cleared his debts and have enough to sustain himself for awhile (jobless or not).
“It’s part of the deal,” Ueda whispers. “Let’s go collect the money, shall we?”
“They aren’t going to make it happen,” Nakamaru winces when he sees several huge men in tattoos waiting in front of them.
Mildly amused, Ueda greets them with great enthusiasm. Nakamaru’s mind finds it hard to conjugate a reason to explain Ueda’s behaviour.
“Young master would like to meet you,” someone grunts.
“Lead the way, good sirs. I have some money to collect anyway.”
Ueda even has the decency to let out a chuckle.
***
Sitting cross-legged across the table from ‘young master’ (who has rippling muscles, more scars than Nakamaru can count with his fingers and ugly teeth), Ueda greets him in a good-natured manner.
“What can I do for you tonight?”
Seated besides Ueda, Nakamaru stiffens as the young master lets out a deep breath and leans closer.
“You’re cheating, aren’t you? And we don’t like cheaters here.”
“False accusations.” Ueda’s rebuttal is swift. “So you’re no different from those unruly gangsters along the streets who forbid others of winning. I guess your reputation for being fair is hogwash as well.”
When a pair of fists bangs against the table, Nakamaru nearly passes out from fright. He always knew coming to such shady hangouts is a bad decision; why hadn’t he listened to his inner self? Instead of killing himself peacefully, Nakamaru is sure that a violent death awaits both him and Ueda. Dragging Ueda down with him makes him twice as guilty.
“I live up to the sayings,” the master of the casino growls. “Play with Hawk. If it’s your win, you’ll go, untouched, with the money.”
Ueda accepts without hesitation.
“Hawk… I presume he has keen eyes.”
Ueda doesn’t seem a least bit intimidated. Nakamaru is torn between labelling Ueda as a loony or someone who truly knows no fear.
“In fact, our luck is unparallel tonight. Yuichi here can play the game and still win. I’m mainly a vessel containing his good fortune.”
“Me?” Nakamaru splutters. “And I don’t remember telling you my name…?”
Ueda clicks his tongue and waves it away, labelling them as ‘little details’ and they should be focusing on the ‘big picture’.
“Can’t waste too much time here,” Ueda yawns and it clearly agitates the young master. “We’ve got a party to attend.”
“We?”
“Your celebratory party, Yuichi!” Ueda’s look of disinterest is replaced with an incredulous stare. “Now get on with the game.”
Nakamaru doesn’t even have time to protest when Ueda shoves him onto the chair. Trying desperately to escape (he finally realises how he doesn’t want to die yet, despite his initial plans), Nakamaru attempts to explain that he is only familiar with the rules and regulations of blackjack and nothing more.
“Then blackjack it shall be.”
Nakamaru wishes the young master of this place hasn’t been that compromising.
***
As the game commences, Nakamaru can feel Ueda smirking from behind his back. He even whistles a happy tune, some victory theme song from an anime too long ago. It most definitely doesn’t help to boost his confidence nor his luck.
“Five rounds,” the man nicknamed Hawk instructs. “And you must win all if your luck is as good as you claims it to be.”
As expected, Ueda accepts the challenge on his behalf.
***
Two 10s. Ueda advises Nakamaru to split the card. Although 20 is a high number and Nakamaru doesn’t want to take the risk, there’s a strange liquid effect in Ueda’s words and Nakamaru does as he is told.
The two cards that follow are a pair of aces.
“A double blackjack…” Nakamaru gasps. Never had he believed in the power of miracle or magic till today. Ueda isn’t even near the cards. “How?”
“Does that count as a double victory?” Ueda asks innocently.
“No, four more rounds to go.”
Ueda lets a little huff. “Boring.”
***
By the time the fifth round is over, Nakamaru is drenched in sweat and his fingers won’t stop quaking. He hasn’t scored blackjacks for the remaining four rounds but thankfully, Hawk hadn’t either. As though witchcraft was at work, Nakamaru’s opponent is always a point lower. The other party seems speechless and unconvinced but when they finally tossed a duffle bag with their winnings in their direction, Nakamaru feels a surge of relief.
Ueda runs his fingers through his hair and casts an all-knowing look at Nakamaru.
“Told you, you’re a lucky star tonight.”
The wink suggests otherwise.
***
The air in Tokyo has never felt any better. Although he is still weighted down by the prospects of returning Ueda a favour, he rationalizes that dealing with one man is better than handling a hound of money lenders. Unless Ueda is a drug dealer, a human trafficker, a demon in disguise, a…
His thoughts continue to run amok till Ueda returns to his side, munching on bread and inquiring if Nakamaru is done with depositing the money. Since Ueda needs food, Nakamaru strikes out the probability of Ueda being anything related to the supernatural.
“So I’ve fulfilled my part of the promise,” Ueda muses aloud when Nakamaru replies 'yes' to Ueda's question. As he leans a little closer, as though inspecting Nakamaru’s features carefully, Nakamaru stumbles backwards. The option of escaping becomes increasingly attractive. Any moment now and Nakamaru thinks Ueda is going to reveal his true monstrous self. However, as the seconds slowly inch by, Ueda chooses to back away. Eventually, he leaves without saying a word.
Not bothering to give chase, he hurriedly paces himself to the nearest train station. He should be safe there, the train station being populated with normal civilians. Slotting his hands nervously into his coat pocket, Nakamaru is surprised to find a piece of note. Not recalling when the slip of paper found its way in, he nervously takes it out. On closer inspection of the chicken scrawls, a barely visible message forms.
We’ll meet again someday when I need your help. Remember me. - Ueda Tatsuya
If Ueda’s interest lie in playing mind games and tormenting someone with incessant anxiety, Nakamaru is sure the other man is in for a good show.
End.