Konoe Defeated

Konoe was about to play another game with Sakayanagi when Kamuro walked in, carrying two meal trays covered with metal lids.

Konoe stared blankly at her. "...You didn't possibly carry this all the way from the cafeteria, did you?"

"How could I? I just re-plated them after coming into the activity room," Kamuro replied, moving to place the plates between them.

Seeing this, Konoe quickly picked up the chessboard and said with a sigh, "What have you done to this perfectly good chess room..."

After learning the rules, Konoe became very interested in chess. If he had known about it earlier, he might have joined the Chess Club. But now that he was in the Student Council, he couldn't join any other clubs.

"Before we eat, I have to ask, you've already eaten, right?" Konoe asked Kamuro.

"Of course," Kamuro said, taking the chessboard and setting it aside before uncovering the meal trays. One was the Free Meal Konoe often ate, and the other was the Expensive Seafood Dish he had tried last time.

Konoe looked at the two meals before him, feeling something was a bit off.

"Don't be shy, Konoe-kun, choose whichever you like. I'll take the rest," Sakayanagi said with a smile.

If Sakayanagi hadn't taught Konoe chess, he would have unhesitatingly chosen the expensive one. But now, he felt a little embarrassed.

Konoe reluctantly pulled the Free Meal towards him and pushed the other one across the table.

"I thought you'd choose the seafood that looks delicious, Konoe-kun. You truly are someone who constantly surprises people..."

"Is it okay for you to eat this?" Kamuro asked worriedly before Konoe could reply.

"It's fine. Thank you for worrying about me, Masumi. The doctor said I can eat it in moderation, but if I can't finish it, I'll have to ask for your help, Kamuro-kun."

Kamuro wanted to say something, but after glancing at Konoe, she fell silent.

Konoe didn't feel comfortable asking about Sakayanagi's health, but Sakayanagi spoke first. "Curious about my illness? It's fine if I tell you."

Konoe shook his head and got straight to the point. "Rather than that, I'm more curious about the 'method to resolve Class C's incident' you mentioned."

"I can tell you, but only if you agree to call me Princess from now on, just like some of the boys in Class A," Sakayanagi said, her words seeming to carry a deeper meaning.

"Then forget it."

"What a shame."

They didn't speak again until the meal was over.

Only after Kamuro cleared the plates like a waitress did Konoe speak, "Want to play another game?"

"Although there isn't much time left for lunch break, I can guide you through another game if you call me 'Teacher'," Sakayanagi replied.

Konoe was silent for a few seconds, then said sheepishly, "...Teacher, can we play another game?"

For the first time, Sakayanagi showed a hint of surprise. After a moment of thought, she said, "...I've said it before, but Konoe-kun always exceeds expectations. Alright."

This time, I'm definitely going to beat you, Sakayanagi. Konoe thought, his fighting spirit ignited. Although she had treated him to a meal, he still felt a bit frustrated that he hadn't gotten the answers he wanted.

Konoe set up the board again. After they slowly arranged the pieces, they began their match.

They both played quickly at first, and after a few moves, their armies were about to clash. It was Konoe's turn. He closed his eyes.

The paths of the sixteen pieces unfolded in his mind, extending into numerous choices. He delved deeper, and the outcomes for thirty-two pieces were deduced in his mind. Finally, he reached a conclusion.

He was at a disadvantage.

It seemed his opening moves had prevented his pieces from moving as freely as his opponent's. Moreover, Konoe's formation had many weaknesses, while his opponent's front line was like an impenetrable wall.

"...Sakayanagi, was this all within your expectations from the start?" Konoe continued before waiting for her reply. "From the chair placed so abruptly at the start, to the food I ate earlier, it seems you knew what choices I would make, didn't you?"

"I don't understand what you're saying, Konoe-kun."

"You probably had me followed, which is how you knew what food I ate and understood my behavioral patterns."

"Is that so?"

"And this environment, and the scene you deliberately created where only the two of us were in the room, was also part of your plan, wasn't it? Then you asked me to do a small favor... Was it a test of obedience?" Konoe deliberately moved his castle next to Sakayanagi's bishop.

Sakayanagi's eyes widened slightly at this move, but she quickly responded, choosing not to capture the castle and instead focusing on expanding her front line. "...Truly surprising, Konoe-kun."

Konoe pushed his castle forward again towards Sakayanagi's line, coordinating with the distant queen. He was determined to pressure the pieces around the enemy king, creating a crisis situation.

However, Sakayanagi's next move was completely unexpected by Konoe, or rather, he hadn't anticipated it at all.

She moved her king two squares towards her own castle, then strangely moved the castle past the king to a square adjacent to it. This naturally resolved the crisis around the king.

Although Sakayanagi had defended against Konoe's attack, her expression was not entirely pleased. "...Castling. This is also a move I didn't teach you."

"...You really are an incompetent teacher. I concede," Konoe's formation was already too advanced, and he foresaw his defeat.

Konoe then stood up abruptly, intending to leave without a word.

Seeing this, Sakayanagi pushed herself up from the table and said quickly, "Wait! Masumi, stop him."

Upon hearing Sakayanagi's words, Kamuro stood in the middle of the doorway. Konoe stopped in front of her without speaking.

"...Let's play again. You set the time," Sakayanagi said, trying to control her tone, but her urgency could still be felt by those around her.

For the first time, Konoe sensed the emotion Sakayanagi was displaying, but he still refused. "No, Sakayanagi-san, your chess skills are too high. I cannot win."

"It was my fault for not fully explaining the rules. Because I didn't expect Konoe-kun, who was playing for the first time, to use such tactics, I will help you resolve Class C's issue as compensation?"

"That's not necessary, but I do want to see you serious, Sakayanagi-san." Konoe said with his back to Sakayanagi. "Let's each put up 200,000 points as stakes, and you play a formal game with me. I'll contact you once I've decided on the time."

"I understand... Masumi." After Sakayanagi spoke, Kamuro moved aside, letting Konoe leave.

Only after hearing Konoe close the door to the chess activity room did Sakayanagi sit down and sigh, her expression unreadable, a mix of worry and joy.