With that, the bingo game got underway. To be honest, there was nothing unusual about it; it was just your standard game of bingo.
Alice produced a large, spherical garapon lottery drum from thin air and began spinning it, drawing numbered balls and reading them aloud. If the number matched one on your card, you punched a hole. It was as straightforward as it gets.
"Now then, the third number is 17... If anyone is one away from a win, please raise your hand."
"...Ah, I'm one away."
"That’s strange," Alice remarked. "I was sure I’d adjusted things so that no blessings could interfere with this game. Why are you already so close to a straight bingo? I mean, a few others are close too, but still..."
The card in my hand was indeed just one number away. Including the free space in the center, I was on the verge of a win. If a seven came up, I’d have it.
Since Alice claimed she had taken precautions, she had likely negotiated with Shiro-san beforehand to ensure that no divine luck corrections were in play.
(Yes. As per the request, the luck-altering effects of my blessings have been deactivated for this game.)
That meant my current situation was a genuine coincidence. Then again, getting close early and then never actually hitting the final number is a classic bingo frustration. In the end, it didn't mean anything unless I actually won.
"Alright. The next number is... seven."
"...Bingo."
"Kaito-san? You didn't happen to pick up some strange new luck modifier when I wasn't looking, did you?" Alice asked, squinting at me. "Hmm, I don't sense anything like that, so I suppose it really was just luck. The odds of hitting a straight bingo this early are about one in five hundred thousand, so it's not impossible. Regardless, no one else has called it out yet, so congratulations! Come on up to the dais and pick your prize. The game will continue while Kaito-san makes his choice."
I couldn't believe I'd won first with a straight bingo. I worried it might look bad for the host to win the grand prize, but looking around the room, no one seemed to mind. Isis-san even looked delighted, clapping enthusiastically for me.
I stepped up onto the stage and scanned the prizes. There were quite a few of them, and many were incredibly valuable. I felt like snatching up one of the major items would ruin the mood for everyone else, and there wasn't anything specific I was desperate for. Then, I spotted a new book—one I’d been planning to buy soon anyway. That would do nicely.
"I'll take this one."
"Sure thing, understood. Now then, moving right along, the next number is..."
After I collected my book and stepped off the stage, Alice drew two more numbers before a second winner emerged.
"...Eh? Ah... Whaaa?!"
"Oho! Our second winner is Mizuhara Kaori-san, the proprietor of that otherworld restaurant in the Friendly City. Congratulations! Step right up and take your pick."
"Ah! Y-Yes...!"
Our second winner was indeed Kaori-san. Looking utterly overwhelmed by the attention, she climbed onto the stage and stood tentatively before the prize display.
She immediately stole a glance at one particularly prominent item—a Teleportation Magic Tool—but quickly shook her head in a panic, shifting her focus toward the items that looked significantly less expensive.
It was obvious she was hesitating out of consideration for the other guests. I climbed back onto the dais and moved to her side, whispering so only she could hear.
"Kaori-san, don't you actually want that Teleportation Magic Tool?"
"Eek?! K-Kaito-kun... U-Uuh, I mean, yeah, I'll never get another chance to own something like that. It would be incredibly useful for so many things... but it's just too expensive. I can't justify picking it."
"Honestly, I think it's fine. To tell you the truth, most of the people in this room either already own one or can use teleportation magic on their own. There are probably very few people here who actually need it."
"...Eh? Oh. Is... is that so? It won't make people look down on me?"
"It'll be fine. I doubt anyone would care, but if anyone does have a problem with it, I'll stand up for you. You have nothing to worry about."
"Ugh, don't say cool things like that so casually..."
She had won, and I wanted her to choose the prize she truly desired without reservations. After I promised to back her up if anything went wrong, Kaori-san looked thoughtful for a moment. Finally, she nodded and turned to Alice.
"U-Um, Phantasm King-sama? Would it be alright if I took the Teleportation Magic Tool...?"
"Certainly, that's perfectly fine. I can place it in a Random Box for you to carry home, if you'd like?"
"Ah, I have a Magic Box, so I'm okay. Thank you so much!"
"Now then, there are still plenty of magnificent prizes left! We should be seeing more winners any moment now. The next number is..."
Just as I’d suspected, no one seemed to mind in the slightest. Kaori-san tucked the tool into her Magic Box and stepped down from the dais with me.
"I was so nervous... Kaito-kun, thank you for coming over. I was really feeling out of my depth, so I was really glad you were there."
"Don't mention it. I'm just happy I could help out a bit."
"Ugh... You're such a playboy, as always..."
I offered a smile in return, and she blushed slightly, scratching her cheek with a wry little laugh.
Serious-senpai: "Certainly, it's a top-class expensive magic tool, but there seem to be surprisingly few people who want it."