The afternoon classes were just as ordinary.
The content taught by the teachers was all basic stuff, which was as dull as chewing wax for Kaedehara Tōru, who was a postgraduate student and had even experienced the ups and downs of society.
He was daydreaming the whole time, occasionally glancing at the surrounding students from the corner of his eye.
The students who could get into Class A were indeed excellent; they listened very attentively to the lectures.
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day’s classes.
The atmosphere in the classroom instantly became lively.
Students left in twos and threes, discussing where to spend their time.
Kaedehara Tōru slowly packed his things, intending to return to his dorm.
Just then, a faint tapping sound approached from a distance.
“Tap…
Tap…
Tap…”
Kaedehara Tōru looked up and saw Sakayanagi Arisu, leaning on her cane, already standing beside his desk.
The students who were still somewhat noisy instinctively quieted down upon seeing her appear, all making way for her.
“Kaedehara-san…”
Her voice was clear and pleasant, carrying an undeniable tone.
“Do you have any plans for the time being?”
“Not yet.
I was just about to go back to my dorm to space out.
Why, does Sakayanagi-san have some advice?
Kaedehara Tōru leaned back in his chair, looking up at her.
From this angle, he could clearly see her delicate jawline and fair, slender neck.
“The Gymnasium is holding a club joint information session.” She didn’t directly answer his question.
“Various clubs are trying to recruit new students, I think this could be a good pastime.”
She paused, a playful glint flashing in her violet eyes.
“However, going alone might be a bit boring.
Are you interested?”
After hearing Sakayanagi Arisu’s words, Kaedehara Tōru remembered that an announcement about a club information session had been broadcast during lunch break.
But at that time, he was with Yamauchi Haruki and the other two, so he didn’t pay much attention.
Kaedehara Tōru smiled.
He stood up, casually slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
“Since it’s an invitation from Sakayanagi-san, there’s no reason for me to refuse.”
The two walked out of the classroom side by side.
In the corridor of the school building, students coming and going all cast surprised and puzzled glances when they saw the two of them walking together.
It only took one day for some busybodies to learn about other students, so the fact that Sakayanagi Arisu was the chairman’s daughter was quickly known to others.
Now, the fact that she was walking with a boy was enough to attract the attention of the students.
“Trouble?
No, I interpret these gazes as…
an affirmation of my personal charm.” Kaedehara Tōru turned his head and winked at her.
“What a greasy thing to say.” Sakayanagi commented blandly.
The path to the gymnasium was not long, but the two walked slowly.
“I thought about it yesterday.
The reason you stood up for me in the classroom wasn’t just because you agreed with my point of view, was it?” Sakayanagi suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
“Oh?
Then Sakayanagi-san, why do you think it was?” Kaedehara Tōru countered.
“You’re investing.”
Sakayanagi’s tone was very firm.
“You are showing me your value, your stance, in order to gain my ‘attention.’ You want to occupy a favorable position in Class A’s power structure.
And you judged that, compared to Katsuragi-kun, I am more aligned with your interests.”
“A truly brilliant analysis.”
Kaedehara Tōru did not stint on his praise.
“It’s so much easier to talk to smart people.
You’re right, I am indeed investing.
After all, it’s only natural to put your chips on the person most likely to win.”
“Are you so sure that I will be the winner?”
“I never make bets I’m not confident about.” Kaedehara Tōru’s smile was full of confidence.
“Moreover, I’m confident I can swallow the entire Class A.”
Sakayanagi’s steps faltered.
She turned her head and gave Kaedehara Tōru a deep look.
“…Kaedehara-san, your ambition is even greater than I imagined.”
“Ambition is a person’s best outward ornament, isn’t it?”
Kaedehara Tōru’s response was understated; he offered no further explanation.
Upon entering the gymnasium, the scene was like a grand festival, with hundreds of new students moving through the spacious venue.
From sports clubs to cultural clubs, everything was available.
Senior students from various clubs were doing their best to hand out flyers to passing new students, loudly introducing the charm of their clubs.
“Kaedehara-san, which club do you want to join?”
“Unfortunately, I have no intention of joining any club.” Kaedehara Tōru’s tone was calm, seemingly uninterested in club activities.
Sakayanagi Arisu couldn’t help but feel curious and pressed.
“Oh?
“Why is that?”
“It seems our views on this are surprisingly consistent.” Sakayanagi’s lips curved slightly upward.
They didn’t stop at any booth, simply walking unhurriedly through the crowded people.
Just as they were about to reach the other end of the gymnasium, a relatively quiet area appeared before them.
There were no noisy shouts here, only a simple long table display.
The table was covered with a dark green cloth, on which several sets of black and white chess pieces were placed.
International Chess Club.
There were only two or three senior students in the club.
They weren’t enthusiastically recruiting like other clubs but rather sat quietly behind the table, focused on their game, occasionally looking up at passing students.
Sakayanagi Arisu’s steps stopped for the first time.
Her gaze fell on one of the chessboards, where the game was in its mid-stage.
“Kaedehara-san,”
Her gaze did not leave the chessboard.
“Do you have any thoughts on international chess?”
“International Chess, huh…” Kaedehara Tōru’s gaze also turned to the chessboard.
“I know a little, probably enough to know that the king can’t go to its death and that the pawns need to be pushed forward.”
His answer was humble, almost perfunctory.
Sakayanagi Arisu finally withdrew her gaze and turned to look at him.
“A little”?
That’s a vague and interesting answer.”
She leaned on her cane and took half a step forward, closer to the display.
“In that case, how about…
we use this to deepen our understanding of each other?”
The moment Sakayanagi Arisu’s words fell, a prompt sound, audible only to Kaedehara Tōru, echoed deep in his mind.
Immediately after, a line of light-blue virtual text appeared directly in front of his vision.
『Side Quest Triggered: Chess Match』
『Quest Objective: Play a game of chess with Sakayanagi Arisu and defeat Sakayanagi Arisu』
『Quest Reward: 500 points』
Kaedehara Tōru’s pupils subtly constricted for an unnoticeable moment.
500 points—that was more than he had accumulated in over ten years.
Was this the benefit of entering the main storyline?
However, he knew very well that with his current rudimentary chess skills, he would probably be utterly defeated by Sakayanagi Arisu within twenty moves.
His consciousness flashed into the system store.
Rows of dazzling skills rapidly scrolled before his eyes.