Konoe Defeated

Just as Konoe was about to play another game against Sakayanagi, Kamuro walked in carrying two trays, each covered with a metal lid.

Konoe stared blankly at her. "...You didn't carry these all the way here from the cafeteria like that, did you?"

"How could I? I only arranged everything again after I came into the clubroom." Kamuro finished speaking and started to set the trays down between them.

Seeing this, Konoe hurriedly picked up the chessboard, then said helplessly, "What have you done to this perfectly good Chess Room..."

After learning the rules, Konoe had become very interested in chess. If he'd learned about it sooner, he might have joined the Chess Club. But now that he was in the Student Council, joining another club was out of the question.

"Before we eat, let me ask you something. You've already eaten, right?" Konoe asked Kamuro.

"Of course." Kamuro took the chessboard and set it aside, then stepped forward and lifted the lids. Of the two meals, one was the Free Meal Konoe often ate, while the other was the Expensive Seafood Dish he'd had last time.

Looking at the two meals in front of him, Konoe felt that something was a little off.

"Don't be shy, Classmate Konoe. Choose whichever one you like, and I'll take the other," Sakayanagi said with a smile.

If Sakayanagi hadn't taught Konoe chess, he would have chosen the more expensive meal without hesitation. But now he felt a little awkward about it.

Konoe had no choice but to bring the Free Meal in front of himself and set the other one across from him.

"I thought Classmate Konoe would choose the seafood, since it looks so delicious. You really are someone who never stops surprising people..."

"Is it all right for you to eat this?" Before Konoe could respond, Kamuro asked worriedly.

"It's fine. Thank you for worrying about me, Masumi. The doctor said I could eat a little, but if I can't finish it, I'll have to ask Classmate Kamuro to help me."

Kamuro looked as if she wanted to say something, but glanced at Konoe and fell silent.

Konoe didn't feel comfortable asking about Sakayanagi's health, but Sakayanagi volunteered, "Curious about my illness? I don't mind telling you."

Konoe shook his head and went straight to the point of her visit. "I'm more curious about what you meant by 'a way to resolve the Class C incident.'"

"I'll tell you, as long as you start calling me Princess like some of the boys in Class A do." There seemed to be a deeper meaning behind Sakayanagi's words.

"Then I'll pass."

"What a shame."

They didn't speak again until they finished eating.

Only after Kamuro once again moved the plates aside like a waitress did Konoe speak up. "Want to play another game?"

"There isn't much time left in lunch break, but if you call me teacher, I can still teach you one more game."

Konoe fell silent for a few seconds, then spoke with some embarrassment. "...Teacher, can we play one more game?"

For the first time, Sakayanagi looked a little surprised. After thinking for a while, she said, "...I know I've said this before, but Classmate Konoe always manages to surprise people. All right."

This time, I'm going to beat you, Sakayanagi. Konoe was full of fighting spirit. Although she had treated him to a meal, he was still a little annoyed that he hadn't gotten the answer he wanted.

Konoe set the chessboard back up. Once they had slowly arranged the pieces, the two of them began their match again.

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

The paths of all sixteen pieces appeared one by one in his mind, branching into the many moves he could make next. He thought it through further, mentally calculating the outcomes of all thirty-two pieces. In the end, he reached a conclusion.

He was at a disadvantage.

Perhaps it was because of his opening moves. His pieces couldn't move as freely as his opponent's, and there were many gaps in his formation. His opponent's line was like an iron wall.

"...Sakayanagi, was this all part of your plan from the beginning?" Before she could answer, Konoe continued, "From the chair oddly placed against the wall to the food I ate earlier, it seems like you knew what choices I'd make, right?"

"I don't understand what Classmate Konoe means."

"You probably had someone follow me. That's how you knew what I'd eaten and learned about my habits."

"Is that so?"

"And the room's setup, as well as the way you deliberately arranged for the two of us to be alone in here—that was part of your plan, too. Then you asked me to do a few little things for you... Was that an obedience test?" Konoe deliberately moved his rook beside Sakayanagi's bishop.

Sakayanagi's eyes widened slightly when she saw the move, but she quickly responded, choosing not to take the rook and instead advancing her line. "...You really are surprising, Classmate Konoe."

Konoe pushed his rook farther into Sakayanagi's formation, coordinating it with the queen in the distance. He meant to suppress the pieces around her king and put it in danger.

But Sakayanagi's next move was beyond Konoe's expectations. Or rather, it was something he hadn't even considered.

She moved her king two squares toward her rook, then, in a strange move, passed the rook over the king and placed it in the adjacent square. That immediately relieved the danger surrounding her king.

Although Sakayanagi had defended against Konoe's attack, she didn't look pleased. "...Castling. That's another move I didn't teach you."

"...You really are a lousy teacher. I resign." His line had advanced too far, and he could foresee his defeat.

Konoe immediately stood up and headed for the door without even saying goodbye.

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

At Sakayanagi's words, Kamuro moved to stand in the doorway. Konoe stopped in front of her without saying anything.

"...Let's play again. You can pick the time," Sakayanagi said. Though she tried to control her tone, the urgency in her voice was still clear to everyone around her.

This was the first time Konoe had seen Sakayanagi show her feelings, but he still refused. "No. You're too good at chess, Classmate Sakayanagi. I can't win."

"It was wrong of me not to explain all the rules. I didn't expect Classmate Konoe, who was playing for the first time, to use those moves. To make it up to you, how about I help you resolve the Class C matter?"

"That won't be necessary, but I do want to see you take things seriously, Classmate Sakayanagi." Konoe spoke with his back to her. "Let's each put up 200,000 points as stakes and play a proper game. I'll contact you once I've chosen a time."

"I understand... Masumi." After Sakayanagi spoke, Kamuro stepped aside and let Konoe leave.

Only after she heard Konoe close the door to the Chess Room did Sakayanagi sit down and sigh. Her expression was difficult to read, caught somewhere between joy and worry.