IbaRin

"You and I... I'll get both of us out of this rotten family business."

- Rin to Ibara, Chapter 57

IbaRin is the slash ship between Ibara Obami and Rin Obami from the Kakegurui fandom.

Canon
Ibara and Rin were both introduced in the same panel, set out as both the representatives of the Obami family. There weren't any scenes of them together until Chapter 57.

A deciding factor in the gambling election was introduced; scumcoins. Ibara is shown handing out scumcoins to students around school and using his charm to convince people to hold on their scumcoins for longer. He meets back up with Rin, and he asks for an update about the scumcoins. They have a short interaction, mostly comprised from talk about Rin's newfound popularity.

Ibara begins reminiscing about his thanks to Rin. He states that although he couldn't lie at all, Rin helped him stay in the Obami family, who were known as liars. The shorter agrees, calling him an 'honest man'. Ibara proudly says that with the scumcoin business, he wasn't lying to anybody, to which Rin continues; he's only told Ibara about that which he can speak truthfully about. Ibara internally celebrates his role in helping Rin this way although being a dropout. Rin finally adds that Ibara has no need to see how the election turns out, subtly dismissing him right afterward. Ibara has a slightly shocked expression at this, but he says he understands and reminds himself that he couldn't ask Rin any questions about the truth.

Later, Ibara receives texts from Nozomi, saying that Ririka wants to gamble with Rin. When Rin is actually approached by Ririka, he tears up based on her value of him. Ibara is quick to act, trying to convince Rin to leave the game. Ririka elaborates on her worth, and Rin immediately loses his dejection and cheers up.

During turn 3, Rin uses two points to explain why he couldn't be cheating. One of the reasons was the fact that Ibara was playing, and even Ririka saw that. Ibara was able to truthfully tell her that Rin didn't send him any requests. Yet he later realized this was because Rin had sent a request to only the three other girls, not him.

With the last round of the game, Rin ends up in last place. With his failure, he covers his face as if about to cry, sadly saying he should just give up aiming for the Momobami's post. Ibara anxiously runs to his friend, only to be confronted with the fact that Rin had lied to all of them. Ibara angrily holds up Rin's collar, even as the latter smirks. Rin admits that his promises and words were all worthless, and grimly says that a liar would also be doomed to live as a loner. He expels Ibara from the Obami family as tears form in the taller man's eyes. Ririka calmly asks why Ibara, an honest man would defy his natural will to tell a lie, and why Rin, a swindler, would keep on telling lies for Ibara. She answers herself, saying that it was because each of them cared for the other, no matter what they said. Rin sees his loss in his opponents' eyes and internally begs for them to stop staring at him like that. They all start laughing at him, calling him a liar and telling him to die. Rin's finally forced down in a corner, devastated and genuinely crying.

Mary is the first to notice Ibara protecting Rin, assuming a defensive stance on the ground. The redhead declares that he would add his own points, keeping the Obamis' in the game. He also announces that he and Rin are going for the Momobami's throne, and that in no way have they lost yet. As Ibara is shouting these statements, Rin begins to smile slightly. Quietly, he laughs and thinks that this was the first time Ibara had ever told a lie willingly, and it was only for Rin's sake. Ibara suddenly looks back at his friend, causing a panel where Ibara's hand is covering both his and Rin's faces as they face each other. Ibara, with an arm still around Rin, asks if his goal about leading the election was all a lie, and if so, why he would still extend a hand to him when they were younger. Rin begins crying again, replying that if he hadn't, the other boy had looked like he was going to die right there on the spot. At this, Ibara begins tearing up as well, gently brushing the tears away from Rin's eyes. They both accept that their relationship is built out of lies, but it's okay because "sometimes, it's the lies that save you". Ibara, extending an arm to Rin, pulls him in close and hugs him fiercely.

Rin apologizes to his audience for lying about the gamble, straightening up and adjusting his tie. He attempts to casually smooth things over by joking about their win, and Ibara follows him. Before leaving the room, Rin thanks Ririka, then the duo walks away.

Later, during the official election matches, Terano asks Rin how he feels about Ibara losing. Rin smiles sadly and caresses Ibara's hair through the screen, saying that he would be happy if the extra votes Ibara gained had helped him realize something. Ibara joins Rin in the monitor room soon after. When Yumi appears through the door, Ibara looks extremely confused, shaking Rin my the shoulders. Rin puts his hand on Ibara's hand and explains that they didn't want to put pressure on him by telling him beforehand. At this, Ibara exasperatedly looks upwards.

In a flashback, Ibara is shown watching over a meeting between Rin Obami and Miyo Inbami. When Miyo jumps out of her chair to attack Rin, Ibara leans forward to stop her, but is held back by Rin. The two are later driven back home while Rin explains how Terano solved their problems.

Rin returns to the public of Hyakkaou Academy and is immediately greeted by the angry public, looking for their money back. Rin admits defeat and is berated by the crowd while Ibara watches angrily. He acknowledges his role as a swindler with fake tears all the while winking at Ibara to reveal the money. Ibara wonders how Rin can actually get away with scamming the public again. Behind the scenes, Rin asks if Ibara is still okay, not struggling, and he responds positively.

Quotes
"I'm willing to fight! Fight and do what it takes to help Rin-san! That's what I've been put on this earth for!"

- Ibara, Chapter 59

"If I'm in this, I gotta fight for Rin-san!"

- Ibara, Chapter 59

"That you two... Are worried about each other."

- Ririka about Rin and Ibara, Chapter 62

"After all. . .They're both big liars."

- Ririka, about Ibara and Rin, Chapter 62.5

"If Ibara's okay, then I'm okay."

- Rin to Terano, Chapter 67

Fanon
Personality-wise, Ibara is an honest and energetic individual, while Rin is a conniving liar, making them total opposites. Despite this, Rin was the only one to lend a hand to Ibara in the Obami family of swindlers, leading Ibara to trust and follow him loyally.

There was a scene in which Ibara is a young child with black hair. He's doubled over in front of his superiors, throwing up because of his inability to lie, as an Obami who can't tell a lie is likened to a heron without a break. The only person willing to help a 'cursed child' like Ibara was a young Rin, standing out from the light and holding a hand out to the sick child. Rin extends the offer to outdo the Momobami family name, and in turn will never make Ibara lie to anyone.

The panel where both of their faces are covered has been discussed lengthily, with many arguments on whether it was actually a kiss or rather something else. Shippers go for the first option, choosing to believe that the two shared a kiss behind the hand, but others argue that because they're relatives, the author wouldn't have have drawn it with that intention. Currently, the meaning of that panel is still up for debate. The scene has inspired many fanarts, as well as fanfictions.

Slash ships are rare in the Kakegurui fandom, as the main cast is mostly made of females and that there aren't many male relationships in the series. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the ship because they share the last name of Obami, but people typically assume that they're distant relatives in order to excuse the ship. Nevertheless, the way that Ibara looked up to Rin did not go unnoticed by fans, and ended up having quite a large following in terms of shipping. It's the most popular slash ship in the fandom, unrivaled by any others.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

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Moments

 * While Rin walks down the hall amid gossip about his future position as the Council President, he looks pleasantly surprised to see Ibara waving to him from the hallway.
 * Ibara internally celebrates his role in helping Rin this way although being a dropout.
 * Ibara waits anxiously for Rin to reply to Ririka's challenge
 * The moment Rin starts becoming tearful, Ibara immediately tries to guide him out of the situation
 * Ibara looks extremely confused when Rin pops out of his sullen demeanor when presented with a worthy gamble
 * After Rin verbally slanders Nozomi for going to Ririka and Mary's side, Ibara internally apologizes to her for Rin's actions, justifying them.
 * He explains that Rin needed total control over the family, with an absolute hierarchy, asserting his confidence to fight for Rin.
 * Ririka claims that Rin's plan only allowed for Ibara and himself to win. Clearly, the latter didn't know this.
 * Ibara notices Rin's still-calm demeanor even after his trick was revealed and wonders if the election meant nothing to him.
 * Ibara doesn't seem to mind being looked down by Rin, he just couldn't accept the fact that Rin may have been "a weak person deep down, capable of keeping it together only by looking down on others."
 * Ibara rips off his thorn choker after they leave the gamble, symbolizing how he's accepted the fact that their bond together is made of lies.
 * In the room with Terano, Rin says that as long as Ibara was okay, he would be fine too.
 * Ibara wore a maid outfit/serving outfit while handing out pudding after Terano's loss
 * When asked: "Who is the easiest person to be swindled?", Ibara points at himself with a humorous expression, replying with an "honest guy"

Trivia

 * The Obami family are known as a family of swindlers.
 * Rin is the main member of the Obami family, while Ibara is a member from Obami's branch family.
 * Ibara was apparently physically unable to lie. This was changed after Rin's defeat.
 * Rin and Ibara used to share the same hair color (black).
 * His original hair color was black, but was dyed to orange in his later years.
 * The end scores for 'War' are as follows:
 * Rin with -269
 * Ibara with 91
 * Ibara used to work for Rin as a professional bodyguard