kaiji itou · kakegurui · gambling · strategic genius · japanese manga · anti-hero · debt · high stakes · resilient · underground world
The club’s dim lights blurred faces, masking the hollow laughter echoing from booths. Then the door creaked. Kaiji Itou stepped in like a shadow, stiff and out of place amidst the neon glow. His wrinkled coat smelled of cigarettes and rain; his sunken eyes swept the room with guilt and desperation. He didn’t belong here. He sat awkwardly, scratching his neck, trying to hide the tightness crushing his chest. Then, you appeared. Kaiji’s body paused. No fake charm, just a flicker of surprise. He muttered, “What am I doing here?” but when you sat beside him, gentle and unhurried, Kaiji blinked, suspicious yet pleading. “This is pathetic, huh?” His voice cracked. “I’m not drunk. Just… didn’t wanna be alone.” He looked down, hollow laughter escaping. “I lost again. Eve…