Sakayanagi: Do You Want to Learn Shogi? / Shiina Hiyori Wants to Share

"Excuse me."

After Hashiba Hikaru pushed open the door, the two went inside together and then saw the Second Year student standing next to the chessboard.

"Hashiba is here. Come here quickly. I've found what you wanted to confirm last time. Once you can see it, I can apply for the special allowance, right?"

The Second Year spoke was a boy with long hair. He had obvious dark circles under his eyes, and his eyes were bloodshot, indicating that he probably didn't sleep well last night.

"Okay, I wonder where the medal you mentioned, Sato -senpai, is. If there are no problems, I can submit your application form to Vice President Nagumo."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and said, "But the prerequisite is that it has to be a real medal, otherwise you won't be able to pass."

"Of course, of course."

After hearing Hashiba Hikaru's explanation, the long-haired boy immediately pulled out a gold medal from under the table next to him. The medal had clear lettering indicating the honor of holding the competition.

"OK."

After receiving the medal from the other party, Hashiba Hikaru began to carefully examine its authenticity.

According to the rules and regulations of the Student Council, if students have won some rare honors during club activities, they can not only apply for higher-level funding, but also receive special allowances. This is the school's recognition of students' serious participation in club activities.

After examining the medal several times, Hashiba Hikaru looked at Sakayanagi Arisu next to her; the girl was also staring at the metal object.

"Would you like to take a look, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

"No need." After examining the medal held in Hashiba Hikaru's hands several times, Sakayanagi Arisu immediately asserted, "This medal is fake."

Upon hearing this, the senior named Sato instantly flew into a rage, glaring at Sakayanagi and roaring, "What do you mean, 'fake'? Do you know what you're saying?"

"If I remember correctly, this year's Shogi High School League was held in early May. The medals were divided into three tiers: gold, silver, and bronze. To prove that the medals were indeed from the organizers, the name of the then -President of the Shogi Association was usually engraved on the back of the medal." Sakayanagi spoke calmly and fluently. "This June, Mr. Yamazaki announced his retirement due to age, but the high school league medals held at that time should still have his name on them. However, your medal has the name of the current President, Mr. Miyazawa."

"How would you like to explain this, Sato- senpai?"

After she said that, Hashiba Hikaru immediately took out her phone to check the list of past President of the Shogi Association and found a clue.

"It seems you think I'm a child, Sato -senpai." The boy's eyes instantly turned cold and sharp. "Should I tell Vice President Nagumo about this?"

"Please don't!"

Second Year named Sato immediately shouted.

"Then tell me what exactly happened."

Chapter 240 Sakayanagi: Do you want to learn shogi?

After his deception was exposed, the senior named Sato took the medal back. Looking at it in his hand, he said with a hint of dejection, "Actually, I did participate in this competition and even got third place, but the stipend for a bronze medal is much less than that for a gold medal..."

"But bronze medalists also get a stipend, right? Wouldn't the risk of cheating be too high?" Hashiba Hikaru was a little confused. Did this senior have some urgent need for points?

"Hehe, you're all first graders, so you don't know what it's like for us Second Year."

Sato forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, "In this closed-off school, it's extremely difficult to go out and participate in competitions. Not only does it require the school's approval, but it also requires a supervising teacher to accompany you and ensure that you don't do anything else besides participating in the competition."

"I've heard about this. It's precisely because of this that we can prove the honor you've received is so valuable, which is why special allowances were established."

"But I'm a member of Class 2-C, so I definitely won't be able to graduate from Class A." Sato's tone was tinged with self-deprecation. "So, in order to achieve the future I want, I can only rely on Nagumo- kun."

"What do you mean?" Hashiba Hikaru's expression changed abruptly, and she quickly asked.

This issue likely involves the key to Miyabi Nagumo's ability to control the entire Second Year, and it must be clarified.

"Because Nagumo is someone who really enjoys trading. As long as you can provide enough leverage, he can find a way to get you what you want."

Sato looked at the two first-year students in front of him and slowly explained, "If I can give him enough points, once he becomes the Student Council President, he can give me the green light when I apply to participate in competitions outside of school. As long as I can make a name for myself in the shogi world, I can develop towards becoming a professional shogi player in the future."

"So that's how it is."

After listening to the other party's explanation, Hashiba Hikaru understood quite a bit, but he still asked with some curiosity, "How much is this amount?"

Two million.

"..."

"I've said all I can say, so please, junior Hashiba, be lenient and don't tell Nagumo about this, okay?"

Sato's face showed a pleading expression. After things had come to this point, he really had no room to back down. Once Miyabi Nagumo found out that he was cheating the school to get points, there would really be no way to deal with it in the future.

"Okay, I'll keep my word."

Hashiba Hikaru was glad he was able to come today. Although the medal incident was just a side note, he unexpectedly learned a very important piece of information, which greatly increased the number of things he could do next. He immediately thought of several ideas.

"That..."

Just then, the Second Year student suddenly looked at Sakayanagi and asked somewhat nervously, "Junior, since you saw through my cheating so quickly, you must know a lot about shogi, right? If possible, could you play a game with me?"

"Does Classmate Hashiba think I should say yes to him?"

Sakayanagi didn't answer directly, but instead turned his head to look at the boy next to him.

"I think it's possible. If Sato- senpai really wants to become a professional Go player, he might be able to give Classmate Sakayanagi- kun some pointers."

Hashiba Hikaru remembered that the girl had just said she knew a little about shogi, so she just said that directly.

"Alright then, I accept your invitation, senior. Let's play another round." Sakayanagi glanced at Hashiba Hikaru, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. She roughly understood what he was thinking, so she decided to show him what she was capable of.

"Okay, let's do it then."

Sato immediately began setting up the chess pieces. He rarely had the chance to see such a beautiful girl, and since she knew shogi, how could he miss such a good opportunity? Maybe he could even show off in front of her.

About three minutes later, the two sat down facing each other and set up the chessboard.

Hikari Hajime, who only knew the basic rules of Hashiba Hikaru, stood to the side with a spectator's expression. He looked at Sakayanagi sitting in the chair. Although the silver-haired girl still looked somewhat frail, she began to exude an inexplicable aura as she stared at the chessboard.

Perhaps we'll see a very interesting match.

The boy thought to himself, waiting for the match to begin.

Then.

He was completely dumbfounded.

Shogi is an activity that requires a lot of mental effort, so a game usually takes a considerable amount of time.

Hashiba Hikaru recalled that the live broadcasts of shogi matches she used to watch on TV were at least half an hour long, but the game between Sakayanagi and this senior Sato only lasted less than five minutes.

"Thank you for the concession."

When Sakayanagi Arisu final move, Sato, sitting opposite her, was already pale.

He never expected that this seemingly gentle and weak girl would be so fierce when playing chess. Sato, who had initially planned to go easy on her, was forced to flee in all directions within just a few moves.

"You... what's your name?" Sato asked, his body trembling. As someone aspiring to become a professional Go player, he thought that since the other party possessed such skill, they might meet again in the Go community in the future.

"Hehe, I'm just an ordinary first-year student. It was purely by luck that I was able to beat you, senior."

Sakayanagi Arisu stood up gracefully from her chair, looked at Hashiba Hikaru standing beside her, and said, "Let's go then, Classmate Hashiba."

"Oh."

"We'll take our leave now, Sato- senpai."

Leaving behind her pale-faced senior who seemed to have all her strength drained, Hashiba Hikaru quickly caught up with Sakayanagi.

"I never expected Classmate Sakayanagi to be so good at shogi. It really surprised me."

"I've only been exposed to it since I was a child. Not only that, I also have some knowledge of chess and Go."

"Heh," Hashiba Hikaru chuckled lightly, "If someone with only a superficial understanding could easily defeat someone who won a bronze medal in the high school shogi league, then everyone's skill level would be far too low."

"That's true. Many people don't grow much even after entering high school. Their mental age remains at the junior high or elementary school level. I don't think it's anything to be happy about to beat someone like that."

Sakayanagi's words seemed to carry a hint of contempt, a stark contrast to her previous ladylike demeanor.

"..."

"However..." At this moment, the silver-haired girl turned to look at Hashiba Hikaru, "Classmate Hashiba, are you interested in shogi? If you want to learn, I can teach you."

"Really?"

"Of course, I just thought helping others is a good thing, so I wanted to give it a try."

"..."

Chapter 241 Shiina Hiyori Wants to Share

After finishing several hours of Student Council work, at 6:30 pm, Hashiba Hikaru walked alone on her way back to her dormitory.

As the first day of the second semester, a lot happened today, including announcements about the Sports Festival and, more importantly, the work done by the Student Council.

Because of a special allowance review that went wrong, the boy glimpsed how Miyabi Nagumo had controlled the Second Year. Through Sato, the senior from the Shogi Club, he roughly knew that Nagumo had probably made a lot of promises in order to get the Second Year students to support him.

It's not just about Private Points; there are probably many other things involved. Because everyone has their own selfish motives, it's even more convenient to use. It's truly a simple yet efficient solution.

"However, this would put a lot of pressure on him. Only by executing the plan flawlessly could he secure the support of the entire Second Year. If someone were to retaliate, things might get quite interesting."

Hashiba Hikaru touched her chin. To be honest, Miyabi Nagumo's abilities were indeed not to be underestimated, given that he was chosen by Horikita Manabu to be the next Student Council President. If she wanted to compete with him for control of the Student Council, she should start preparing now.

As he pondered, the boy slowly walked out of the elevator to his dormitory door. But just as he stopped, he smelled the aroma of food wafting from under the door.

"... Is it Honami?"

After opening the door with the Key Card, Hashiba Hikaru indeed saw the pink-haired figure wearing an apron by the stove.

"Hikaru, you're back!" The girl looked at her boyfriend excitedly. "You must have had a long day."

"It's alright, not too tiring."

"Then go and rest for a while, dinner will be served soon."

"OK."

After taking only a few steps, Hashiba Hikaru scratched her head in confusion and muttered to herself, "Why does this scene feel so much like a conversation between a married couple? It's really strange..."

Pretending not to hear, Ichinose Honami's ears turned slightly red, but she still shouted at the top of her lungs, "Remember to change your clothes before sitting on the bed!"

"Knew."

After entering his bedroom, Hashiba Hikaru hung up his school uniform on a hanger. He glanced at his bookshelf and found the [Life Album] he had redeemed through the system in the middle shelf.

"I almost forgot, the third photo should have appeared by now, right?"

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at his girlfriend, who was still busy at the stove, and decided it was better not to look at her for the time being.

About ten minutes later, Ichinose Honami brought several dishes she had prepared to the table where the two of them often ate together. Smelling the delicious food, Hashiba Hikaru couldn't help but think that being a kept woman was indeed a pleasure, and she was going to eat her fill!

"Hikaru, come help me untie my apron."

"Okay, I'm coming."

After untying the girl's apron, Ichinose Honami snuggled into Hashiba Hikaru's arms, gently embracing her soft and sweet body, and kissed her cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to hug you. It's my right as your girlfriend, right?" The pink-haired girl hugged his waist tightly and pressed her head against his chest.

"Certainly."

"But if there's anything wrong, Honami, you can just say it. You don't have to suppress your feelings. Girls can be spoiled, capricious, and throw tantrums with their boyfriends; I can accept that."

"But if I do that, I'm afraid I'll become less and less like myself." Ichinose Honami lifted her head from Hashiba Hikaru's embrace, gazing into her face as she said, "Does Hikari want me to do that?"

"I just hope Honami can do what he wants to do."

Hashiba Hikaru released her arms from his and said with a faint smile, "But right now, the most important thing for us to do is eat."

"Oh right, I almost forgot."

The pink-haired girl released her arm, and then the two sat down together at the table to enjoy their dinner.

During the meal, Ichinose Honami mentioned her promise to Ibuki. As the two class leaders who would be working together at the Sports Festival, they planned to meet at a cafe after school the next day to discuss it in detail.

"Remember not to come up with any plans casually. If all else fails, just throw out some solutions that seem unlikely to go wrong." Hashiba Hikaru placed a piece of meat into Ichinose Honami's bowl with her chopsticks and instructed, "After all, Ibuki can't rally all the students in Class D right now."

"Yes, I understand. Please don't worry."

After dinner, Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami lingered in the dormitory for a while. Only after the girl left did he walk to the bookshelf and take out the [Life Album].

As before, after turning to the second page of the album, I indeed found a new photo.

The scene in the photo looks like a wedding, but unlike a typical Matoba, the background appears to be an amusement park, with a towering Ferris wheel and roller coaster tracks visible in the distance.

A pink-haired woman in a pure white wedding dress held a huge bouquet of roses, while Hashiba Hikaru, dressed in a formal black suit, stood face to face in front of the host, looking into each other's eyes.

"Is that really how it is?"