"Are you planning to... bring the two factions together?"
If that's the case, Class A will no longer have factional conflicts, but will become a real iron plate.
This sounds wonderful, but in Sakayanagi Arisu's dictionary, this is undoubtedly a violation of her "ownership".
"So..."
She leaned forward even more, "Kazehara-kun means that you not only want to be a 'Honorary Commander', but you also plan to include my faction... as well?"
The air inside Private Hot Spring seemed to freeze for a moment.
There was only the sound of the bamboo tube hitting the stone, once and again.
Kazehara Tetsu did not avoid her gaze, but instead faced the scrutinizing gaze.
He stretched out his hand in the water and took Sakayanagi Arisu's left hand, which was placed on his knee.
Her hands were not very hot, even after soaking in the warm Spring Water for so long.
"Of course."
Kazehara Tetsu wrapped that soft little hand in his palm and felt the delicate touch.
"Since you want to win, you must win completely. I don't like the situation where resources are wasted all day long just for internal fighting."
He pulled a little harder, and Sakayanagi Arisu slipped down the steps and fell into the water.
"Wow..."
Water splashes everywhere.
Due to the inconvenience of her legs and feet, she lost her balance in the water, subconsciously exclaimed, and instinctively wrapped her hands around Kazehara Tetsu's neck.
The distance between the two people was instantly shortened to zero.
The wet Soaking Skirt was pressed tightly against her body, and Kazehara Tetsu could clearly feel the two small soft masses on the other person's chest pressing against her chest.
The faint fragrance from the girl's body instantly filled her nostrils.
Kazehara Tetsu lowered his head and looked at the somewhat astonished girl in his arms.
"What I want is not just the Katsuragi faction, nor just this Class A."
His other hand held her slender waist, "Including you, Arisu."
"I want to accept them all too."
This sentence is like a naked confession of possessiveness.
Sakayanagi Arisu raised his head, his purple eyes reflecting Kazehara Tetsu's ambitious face.
The water droplets slid down her delicate chin and dripped on Kazehara Tetsu's collarbone.
She didn't show any signs of being a little daughter because of this sudden close contact.
There was neither push away nor shyness.
"Your tone is really quite good, Kazehara-kun."
Her fingers gently traced the back of Kazehara Tetsu's neck, and her fingertips swirled at the roots of her hair, "Do you want to turn me into your 'Chess Piece' or 'Collection Item'? This is not something anyone dares to boast about easily."
"But..."
She tilted her head slightly and came close to Kazehara Tetsu's ear, her warm breath spraying on his auricle.
"Judging from your recent performance... whether it's your amazing strategy or your current tough stance that's heart-warming..."
"Maybe..."
Her lips touched Kazehara Tetsu's earlobe lightly, but then left quickly like a dragonfly touching water.
"There is really a slight possibility, maybe."
But Sakayanagi Arisu is Sakayanagi Arisu after all, and she is not the kind of little woman who will easily indulge in the charming atmosphere.
She was like a slippery little fish, skillfully swimming away from Kazehara Tetsu's arms.
"But..."
She took a few steps back, reopened the distance between the two, and sat back on the shallower steps.
"If you want to really get that 'slight possibility', Kazehara-kun still needs to work harder."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her cunning look and was not annoyed. He leaned back against the pool wall again. "The days are long. I have enough patience."
The air inside Private Hot Spring became quiet and soothing again, with only the crisp sound of the bamboo tube hitting Rocks echoing.
Sakayanagi Arisu did not flinch from this aggressive declaration. She raised her neck slightly and stared at the boy in front of her through the water vapor.
"Haha..."
She laughed softly, her voice sounding particularly soft in the hot and humid air, "'Take it all'...Kazehara-kun, don't you think this line is very similar to those arrogant villains in novels who try to conquer the world before they realize the reality? Generally speaking, characters who say such words will fall miserably in the ending."
"Villain?"
Kazehara Tetsu shrugged nonchalantly, and he leaned back on the rough Bamboo Fence.
"History is always written by the winner, Arisu. If I lose, then I will naturally be the arrogant clown. But as long as I am the one who wins in the end..."
"Then no matter what I say, no matter how ridiculous it is, it will become the only 'truth'. You should know this better than anyone else."
Sakayanagi Arisu Looking at his confident and almost arrogant look, she didn't dislike this look.
"There's no reason to object."
She nodded slightly, "Winning the king or losing the bandits is indeed the simplest law in the world. But..."
"I cannot agree with the statement that I will be your 'Collection Item'. Kazehara-kun seems to have made a wrong premise."
"I, Sakayanagi Arisu, am a real 'genius'."
When she said this, the tone in her tone was not showing off, but a matter-of-fact statement.
"No one in this world will surpass me. Those 'mortals' who rely on the day after tomorrow will only be defeated by their true talent no matter how hard they try. Want to collect me? Kazehara-kun, you are not qualified yet."
"Genius..."
Kazehara Tetsu chewed on this word, the curvature of the corners of his mouth showing a bit of amusement.
Of course he knows where Sakayanagi Arisu's pride comes from, the denial of the concept of "White Room" and the absolute belief in innate talent.
"Arisu, your definition of 'genius' is too narrow. And..."
He looked directly into the girl's confident purple eyes.
"If I remember correctly, no matter whether it was the two exams or the private International Chess game, it seemed that... I was in the lead, right?"
"Of course, if you think it's okay for me to let you down after a few rounds, I won't say anything more..."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Which pot should not be opened?
Kazehara Tetsu accurately stepped on the pain points of Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression stiffened for a moment, but it was only for a moment.
The next second, she returned to her calm look, and even smiled brighter.
"Ah, Kazehara-kun really holds a grudge. Can you use a game full of 'accidentality' as an argument?"
She did not rush to retort, nor did she appear angry.
For her, temporary victory or defeat does not represent eternal advantages and disadvantages.
She has enough patience to prove who is the final winner.
"However, it seems that having Kazehara-kun so fondly remembered has left a deep impression on you. That's not a bad thing."