Chapter 27: Mr. Latch, I want to play a game with you.

Hayato returned home with the Ojamajo trio, who had remained quiet throughout the journey due to his threats. He kicked off his shoes carelessly in the entryway, slipped into his slippers, and headed toward the kitchen.

Yesterday had been a rush, and he had settled for a quick bowl of instant noodles. Today, he had returned home much earlier than usual, meaning he could finally prepare a proper dinner. Ever since he had transmigrated, Hayato hadn't eaten a real meal. It wasn't that he was starving, but he had always treated breakfast toast, fried eggs, and the yakisoba bread sold at school as mere snacks. When it came to a real meal, he felt it had to include actual rice.

However, Hayato had barely taken a few steps from the front door he had just closed when the doorbell rang.

Could it be someone looking for his mother? Hayato turned around, feeling uncertain. Rather than opening the door immediately, he pressed his eye to the peephole to see who was outside.

With his forehead against the door, he peered out, only to find the front yard completely empty. He felt a flicker of annoyance—was some mischievous neighborhood kid playing a prank?

Then, he heard the sound of the glass door leading to the yard being pushed open behind him.

"Hey, kid. Stand still and don't move."

Hayato turned his head to see a stranger stepping into the house from the courtyard. The mud caked onto the man's ill-fitting shoes left a mess all over the floor, but the man seemed oblivious, merely scuffing his feet against the tatami mats in the living room.

Although the man moved with a lazy, lethargic air, Hayato did not move an inch. Instead, he stood obediently in place, watching as the man pulled the curtains shut.

The reason was simple: the man was pointing a handgun directly at him.

"I assume you're the escaped convict from the news, then? Sigh, I really am unlucky." Sighing heavily, Hayato raised his hands to show he posed no threat, while his eyes darted around the room.

Being held at gunpoint was hardly a pleasant experience. He needed to find a way to save himself without triggering the convict's suspicion.

Hearing Hayato's sigh, Lucky broke into a grin. "Hahahaha! A brat like you must be obsessed with games all day at your age, right? Hmph, what a waste of time. Instead of playing games, you’d be better off studying the constellations."

*What?* Hayato was left momentarily speechless. Was he really being lectured on "wasting his life" by an escaped convict? Besides, was studying constellations considered a "proper" profession? He played card games, and for all he knew, he might end up saving the world one day.

"May I ask why you've come to my house, Mr. Escaped Convict?" After scanning the room and spotting something that might be useful, Hayato decided to engage the man in "verbal therapy" to buy time and increase his chances of success.

"I don't like that title, kid. It's bad luck. My name is Lucky!" The convict looked around the house, swept the ornaments off the kotatsu table with a flick of his arm, and sat down on it, his gun still leveled at Hayato. "Blame your bad luck. I'm here to rob you. Now, bring me all the money you have hidden in this house!"

"Don't try any tricks. If I see you try to leave my line of sight, I'll shoot. If you have anything in your hands that isn't money, I'll shoot. And if you dare to go near the phone, I'll shoot."

With a sinister smile, Lucky gestured with his gun. "Go on, get the money. Oh, and I want something to eat and drink. I'm starving."

"Understood, Mr. Lucky." Hayato immediately headed toward the kitchen. Lucky stood up from the living room, his gun tracking Hayato’s every movement, always maintaining a safe distance.

Lucky was extremely cautious, keeping a seven-step distance—the "draw speed" gap. Even if Ip Man were here, he probably couldn't disarm him. Not that Hayato had any intention of trying, anyway.

Soon, a bowl of instant noodles was placed on the living room table. Hayato added the hot water and explained to the wary Lucky, "I am very sorry, Mr. Lucky, but my parents haven't been home for a long time, so there isn't much food here. This is all I have. I assume you wouldn't want me calling for delivery, would you?"

"I told you, if you get near the phone, I'll shoot. You're a really unlucky brat, aren't you? Parents away, and then you get targeted by me." Lucky wore a cruel grin. "Whatever, noodles will do. I haven't had them in a long time. Now, what about the money?"

"Actually, there's no cash in the house. With my parents away, you can understand that, right, Mr. Lucky? However, my mother did leave me a bank card before she left." Hayato stepped back and watched as Lucky pulled up a chair to the table. He still made no move to attack, explaining calmly, "You wouldn't agree to me going to the bank to withdraw the money, would you? So I'm afraid you'll have to go withdraw it yourself later."

"What a hassle." Lucky scratched his head, annoyed. "Fine, give me the card and the PIN."

This time, Hayato didn't comply immediately. Under Lucky’s watchful gaze, he pulled out the chair opposite him, sat down, placed the bank card next to the noodle bowl, and said calmly, "It’ll take a while for the noodles to be ready. Besides, this card contains my living expenses for over a month. I'd be truly heartbroken to lose it just like that."

Despite his words, Lucky couldn't detect a hint of "heartbreak" in Hayato's demeanor.

"So, Mr. Lucky, how about we play a game while we wait for the noodles?" Hayato took out a deck of cards and placed it on the table. "Duel Monsters. If you win, I'll tell you the PIN immediately. And even if you lose, I'll tell you before you leave."

"After all, you have the gun."

Seeing Hayato’s calm smile, Lucky found the situation quite interesting. He reached into his prison uniform and pulled out a deck of his own. "Hahaha! You've picked the right person, kid. In the entire prison, no one has ever beaten me at Duel Monsters!"