Midnight Love

The unattached men and women all filed up the stairs through the doors. Naoko squeezed onto Kanna-chan’s hand the whole time. She leaned into his ear from behind.

“I can’t stay with the whole way, you know,” she said. The mouse nodded as they kept walking.

“I figured as much,” he replied. “But this will give me some comfort until I get inside.” Kanna-chan felt her cheeks grow warm.

“Oh…” she murmured. Naoko noticed the shudder rush of heat in her hand. He glanced over his shoulder at her.

“Something wrong?” he asked. Kanna-chan quickly shook her head.

“N-Nothing!” she said. Naoko didn’t question any further. The people all disappeared beyond the doors.

The blue disappeared into a fiery red. Naoko’s eyes widened at the sight before. This was a casino. Not just any casino; a casino of red and hearts. Cards of hearts decorated the walls. The sound of slot machines filled his ears. Waitresses in Playboy-type tuxes served drinks left and right. A chandelier of diamonds made the light dance off everywhere. High-energy music almost made Naoko jump.

“Whoa!” was the only word that he could think of saying. Kanna-chan stood next to him, smiling.

“Magnificent, isn’t it?” she asked.

“What is this place?” he asked. The bunny bounced on her heels for a bit.

“Welcome to the third circle,” she said. “Those who gamble with love live here.” Naoko nodded.

“I see,” he said. Made sense with all of the gamblers around. He turned to look around for that dog boy in the crowd. He felt Kanna-chan let go of his hand. Naoko jerked upwards. He gave her a strange look.

“Kanna-chan?” he asked. She gave him a sad, little smile.

“This is as far as I can go,” the bunny said.

“Kanna-chan?” he asked.

“It’s alright,” she said. “See each other again someday.” The mouse walked over to her and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. Her face turned a light red.

“W-What was that for?” she asked.

“A thank you,” he said. Then, Naoko walked further into the casino. Kanna-chan only stood there, blushing.

“Well…” she murmured with a red face.

Dealers in pretty black suits beckoned gamblers over to them. The lovers kept moving left and right to many games to win and reunite with their loved ones. The lucky ones kept winning and winning. Maybe lady luck would bliss him with the same treatment? Naoko looked around for somewhere to start. He sighed to himself.

“If only there was some way to…” he began to ask.

“Need something?” a perky voice asked. The mouse almost jumped around at the sound. One of the dealers in her Vegas showgirl type tux smiled at him. Naoko blinked at her.

“Uh… who are you?” he asked.

“Call me Alice,” she said. “I run the show here on the third circle.”

“You do?” he asked.

“That’s right,” the woman said. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“What’s the best game to play here?” Naoko asked. Alice leaned in close to his ear.

“Go for the roulette table,” she whispered. The mouse moved his eyes over to those fat caramel lips.

“Will that help me find Midori-chan?” he whispered back. Alice put her arm around him.

“Worth a shot,” she replied. “You just need your ticket.” The mouse turned to her with confused eyes.

“Ticket?” he asked.

“Check your pocket,” Alice said. “We give them to certain gamblers to play our main game tonight. If you are destined to pass to the next circle, you will have a gold ticket in your pocket.” Naoko reached into his shorts pocket to check. He paused when his fingers touched paper. He pulled out a gold ticket with the number twenty-three in red on the front. He looked at the dealer.

“Is this it?” he asked. Alice’s eyes lit up.

“Perfect!” she said. “Now hurry before the roulette table closes!” The dealer ushered him forward before he could say another word. Naoko stumbled into a crowd of young lovers. Alice stood behind him.

“Good luck!” she whispered before she went back to work. The mouse looked around.

“Alice?” he asked. “Where did you go?” He happened to look to his right and see that dog boy he saw in the second circle.

“Austin?” he asked. The dog turned and saw him. His face lit up brighter than the sun.

“Naoko?” he asked. The boys both hugged.

“Missed you man!” Austin called.

“What are you doing?” Naoko asked.

“Died in a car wreck three weeks ago.”

Naoko raised an eyebrow at him. “Where’s Mandy?”

“I guess in one of the deeper circles in this place. I’m hoping that I’ll get to reunite with her here.”

“How many times have you played this game?”

Austin took a moment to count on his fingers. “I think… about eight times.”

Naoko’s eyes grew wide. “Eight times?!?”

Austin only gave him a small smile as he held his fingers crossed. “Maybe this time I’ll be lucky.”

“And if you’re not?” Naoko asked. The dog boy just shrugged.

“Guess I’ll keep playing,” he said.

“But why?” his friend asked. Austin gave him a little smile.

“Isn’t it all worth it in the end?” he asked. Naoko looked at him on that thought. He did have a point there. Both boys turned to the front. The prize maiden they met before walked out to the balcony to the roulette table. One of the dealers waited for her command.

“Call it, my lady,” the woman dealer said. The maiden bowed her head.

“Red,” she said.

“Okay then,” the dealer replied. “Calling red.” She spun the wheel and dropped the ball on it. The crowd below waited with bated breath. Naoko and Austin watched the maiden with her white and red robes intently as they listened to the table and ball move. This could go in any direction…

Finally, it stopped. The dealer looked at the number. Her face lit up brighter than a Christmas tree.

“Twenty-three red!” she announced. The gamblers all looked at their tickets. Naoko reached into his pocket and pulled out his ticket. His eyes grew wide fast. He held up his ticket in the air.

“That’s me!” he called. The dealers all spotted him. The main one with the maiden got on the microphone next to the table.

“Please state your name,” she said.

“Naoko!” the mouse yelled.

“Come up to the stage and claim your prize!” the dealer called. The mouse hurried through the crowd. Three more dealers waited to greet him. The maiden stood at the red ivy doors. She gave him a kiss.

“Congratulations,” she said. Naoko’s cheeks turned bright red. He didn’t expect her to have such soft lips. The maiden took hold of his hand.

“We must hurry,” she said. The mouse’s face dropped into a lost look.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“We must cross the Red River to get to the other circles of this heaven,” the maiden said. She dashed along with him through the opening doors and through the darkened hallway. They came to the outside where a long pink and white boat floated in the Red River tied to the glass dock. The pair quickly got in with Naoko still trying to piece together what was going on around him. Alice untied the boat and pushed it to set sail.

“Wait!” the mouse called. The dealer gave him a calm smile.

“It’s okay,” she said. “This will help you find your Midori-chan.” Naoko drew his mouth closed as the boat started drifting away. Alice waved them off as he and the maiden floated further and further away.

“Have a good trip!” she called. “And gave your Midori-chan a big kiss for me!” Naoko chuckled nervously as she disappeared from view. When they were far away, he settled in the boat turned back to his new guide.