If Miyabi Nagumo had been provoking him just now, Kazehara Tetsu was now turning the tables and rubbing it in his face.
Everyone in the room sucked in a sharp breath. Katsuragi Kouhei clenched his fists, tense and afraid that Miyabi Nagumo would flip the table at any moment.
But Miyabi Nagumo didn't get angry.
Instead, after a moment's surprise, his smile grew even brighter.
"Oh..."
He drew out a long, nasal sound and leaned forward slightly.
"That's an interesting way to put it."
"I chose a simple game to accommodate you freshmen, but it seems you've looked down on it instead."
Miyabi Nagumo licked his lips, the fighting spirit in his eyes now fully ignited.
"Looks like you have your own ideas, Kagihara?"
"But..."
"By proactively suggesting a harder game, aren't you making me think... that you're trying to find a game you're good at?"
"Deliberately steering the rules in your favor to win—that's a strategy too. I don't dislike it."
"But I won't readily agree to play a game I'm unfamiliar with."
Faced with Miyabi Nagumo's challenge, Kazehara Tetsu smiled faintly.
"You've misunderstood, Nagumo President."
"I don't have any particular game that I'm supposedly 'good at.'"
"Whether it's poker, shogi, or a simple card game like this..."
"To me, there's no fundamental difference."
"If anything..."
"I just believe that only those with enough ability can win."
"That's my proposal."
"Let's play a game... with no absolute luck involved, where only the strong can survive."
Kazehara Tetsu's voice was calm, yet full of persuasion.
Those words had struck Miyabi Nagumo right where it hurt... or rather, hit the belief he took the most pride in.
Might Makes Right.
The strong ruled over the weak.
If Miyabi Nagumo refused this proposal and insisted on playing Old Maid, a game of