Oracle
I got to the training grounds early in the morning... but no one was there.
I kept waiting because I thought I was a little early, but Luna didn't show up even after training was supposed to start.
I stepped outside and wandered the area, but even after late in the afternoon... still no Luna.
I got worried and asked people if they hadn't seen a person with a red hat and clothes saying herself as an oracle...
Oh yeah, her? I saw her.
It was yesterday... but she's probably still there.
Still where?
You know... downtown...
Casino...
Ca...
Casino?!
It's coming... it's coming...! Here comes the victory!
It's here! It's coming! Yeah! Go! You better go!
Yes! Just a bit more! Go! Ahh!
Ahhh...?
W-wait no! That's too much! Stop!
STOOOP!
AHHHH!
Luna...?
What are you doing?
Hiiieek...!
C-Captain?! What are you doing here?!
What am I doing?! Obviously, I'm playing a game!
It's my free time, right?! I can spend it however I want!!
Free time...?
...Oh?
By the way... what time is it right now...?
...
Aha... ahaha... haha...
...You know what, Captain?
They say casinos never have clocks.
Or windows, either.
No one wants to watch the sun rise while playing cards.
You're shuffling for the next game while saying that!
I mean, look at this place.
Classic. Textbook casino layout. Great.
Don't place another bet!
Maybe I slightly lost track of time because of this wonderful casino.
But even if that wasn't that case, what's important would've stayed the same.
When I could feel victory brushing against my soul...
Do you think I would have walked away?
Would you have, Captain?!
No! Someone with true ambition would never do such a thing!
DON'T DEAL AGAIN!!
Captain...
I'm starving... Buy me something to eat...
Nice! Just brilliant!
And so it ended with the inevitable broke-and-busted finale.
Aren't you supposed to be an oracle?
Why do you keep losing at gambling?
Because I don't use my powers during a showdown, duh!
I heard somewhere.
Anyone who calls gambling a showdown...
...is already a hopeless gambling addict.
The moment right before the outcome is revealed...
That rush! That blast of dopamine!
That's why I gamble! If I peeked into the future, what would be the point?
I've got pride as a gambler, you know?
That's not something to be proud of...!
Win, and it's paradise. Lose, and it's straight to hell.
The thrill of victory...
The agony of defeat...
Round and round on a roller coaster of hope and despair!
...A true utopia, in its own way.
She's messed up. No joke.
Don't you get it? Hope can only exist when the future is unknown!
I'm just confirming that through gambling.
She says that with a straight face, like she's found some higher truth...
But really, it's just a textbook case of gambler's excuse.
Cut the excuses!
It's no excuse!
Fine! Then I'll prove it!
Let me read your future. That'll convince you, right?
Wait... my future?
Okay, okay, let's see...
...
Huh...?!
Hmm...? That's weird.
What's wrong?
I mean...
I don't see a future...
Don't talk like that!
No, I mean it! It's really blurry.
So it wasn't just my imagination after all...
Huh? What do you mean?
Nothing! Absolutely nothing!
Hold on a sec… Let me give this a real shot.
Okay... Hmm!
This afternoon... you will...
At the plaza... Something good will happen to you.
I mean, probably! It's all still fuzzy, but...
Let's roll with it, yeah? Just trust me!
Luna dragged me all the way out to the plaza.
Because of last night's rain, puddles were still scattered all over the place.
Alright, now we wait...
Something good happens!
Whoa whoa whoa! Watch out! Move it!
?!
A car sped by, skidding slightly as its tires hit a puddle.
The muddy water launched straight toward us... but instead of hitting Luna...
It splashed directly onto me. Dead center.
S-Sorry! We're in a bit of a hurry!
...This was your "something good"?
Well, um...
Hey! At least you didn't get hit by the car! That's good... right?
If we hadn't come here in the first place, none of this would've happened!
Ahaha... Y-yeah, you're right, I guess?
Guess I got confused... It was way too blurry.
B-but wait! One more try! I've got it now!
Okay... Hmm...!
Ah! Let's head out of town!
There, we will run into somebody who will offer you assistance!
So we headed out to the outskirts.
...And waited until sundown. But the helper Luna mentioned never showed up.
Standing outside in wet clothes, I started to feel cold.
Pretty sure I was coming down with something.
...
T-ta-da!
Behold! Luna is here to save you!
You're cold, right? I could, like... give you my jacket or something?
...Let's just go home.
W-wait, this can't be...
Hold on, we can't go back empty-handed! If we do, I'll look like a total fraud!
I have my pride as an oracle, you know!
Hmm...
Let me try one more time! Just once!
This time for sure—
Ah... ahh... ACHOOO!!
The moment we got back, I collapsed right away.
Three full days, I was down with a cold.