The Pawn

At two fifty in the afternoon the next day, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka arrived at the School Cafe ten minutes early.

He chose a corner seat by the window. From there, he could clearly see the entrance and observe most of the cafe. With a wall behind him, he didn't have to worry about anyone approaching from the rear.

[Insight (Beginner)] activated automatically. There weren't many people in the cafe: three girls chatting about their weekend shopping plans, two boys discussing their studies, and someone who looked like a teacher reading a newspaper. Nothing unusual.

At two fifty-five, the cafe door opened.

A girl walked in. She looked very petite, perhaps only around five feet tall, with long silver-white hair and pale purple eyes. She held an exquisite cane in one hand. Her movements were slow but steady, each step seeming precisely calculated.

Sakayanagi Arisu.

After entering, she glanced around, then walked straight over to Ayanokoji's table, a faint smile on her face.

"Nice to meet you, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka." She sat across from him and leaned her cane against the table. "I'm Sakayanagi Arisu of Class A. Thank you for agreeing to meet me."

Her voice was soft, but every word was clear, as if she were reciting a carefully prepared script.

"Classmate Sakayanagi." Ayanokoji nodded. "What did you want to see me about?"

"Let's order something to drink first." Sakayanagi picked up the menu. "I recommend the tea here. It's very fragrant."

Without waiting for Ayanokoji's reply, she waved to a server. "Two cups of tea, please."

She had taken complete control of the pace.

Only after the server left did Sakayanagi look back at Ayanokoji. "I heard you performed very well in the Uninhabited Island Exam. You led Class D from last place to third and even formed an alliance with Class B. That's no small feat."

"I was lucky."

"Luck?" Sakayanagi smiled. There was a childlike innocence in it, but a sharpness lurked beneath. "I don't believe in luck. I believe in calculation, information, and ability."

She lifted the tea the server had just brought and blew on it gently. "It's like playing chess. Every piece on the board should have a purpose with every move. And right now... you're like a new piece that appeared out of nowhere on the board, one that can't be predicted."

"A pawn?"

"We're all pieces." Sakayanagi said, "At this school, where everything revolves around 'ability,' everyone is part of a larger game. The teachers are players, the school is a player, and even we try to become players ourselves."

She took a sip of tea, then set down her cup. "But some pieces matter more than others. You, for instance, Ayanokoji."

Ayanokoji said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"I investigated you." Sakayanagi was quite direct. "Or rather, I tried to. But your past... is almost completely blank. Ordinary grades, no remarkable records. Like a blank sheet of paper."

She paused. "But a blank sheet is often the most interesting, because you can draw anything on it. Or... hide anything."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that I'm curious about you." Sakayanagi leaned forward slightly. "Someone with a blank past suddenly displayed extraordinary tactical thinking, fighting ability, and leadership on the Uninhabited Island. That doesn't make sense."

"People change."

"But not that completely." Sakayanagi shook her head. "Unless... it wasn't a change, but a revelation. You had those abilities all along. You'd just been hiding them."

She was close to the truth.

Ayanokoji remained calm. "So?"

"So I want to play a game with you." Sakayanagi's eyes lit up. "A game during the upcoming Sports Festival."

"What kind of game?"

"Let's see who can see through the other's moves." Sakayanagi said, "I'll set a trap, a logical one. If you can see through it and solve it, I'll admit you're qualified to be my opponent. If you can't..."

She smiled. "Then you'll be nothing more than a slightly unusual piece."

It was a very direct challenge.

"Why should I accept?"

"Because you don't have a choice." Sakayanagi said, "I've already started setting things up. Whether you accept or not, the game will go on. The only difference is whether you take part willingly or respond passively."

Arrogant, but true.

"What's at stake?"

"If I see through you, you'll answer one question for me." Sakayanagi said, "Any question. You'll have to answer truthfully."

"And if I win?"

"Then I'll tell you a secret." Sakayanagi said, "About this school, about the Special Exams, or even... the true intentions of certain people."

It was a very tempting wager.

"Fine." Ayanokoji agreed.

"Excellent." Sakayanagi looked delighted. "Then the game starts now. Here's your first hint: the Class Relay Race at the Sports Festival has a hidden loophole in its scoring rules. Find it and exploit it—or... stop someone else from exploiting it."

With that, she stood and picked up her cane. "I've paid for the tea. I look forward to seeing what you can do, Ayanokoji."

She turned and left, still moving slowly, but with steady steps.

Ayanokoji sat where he was, looking at the tea in front of him.

[Ding! A special agreement has been reached with the key character "Sakayanagi Arisu." Hidden quest triggered: Game of the Wise.]

[Quest requirement: See through and solve at least one "logical trap" set by Sakayanagi Arisu during the Sports Festival.]

[Quest rewards: "Logical Thinking" points and "Recognition" from Sakayanagi Arisu, awarded according to how thoroughly the trap is solved.]

[Failure penalty: Truthfully answer one question from the other party (the system cannot interfere).]

A system quest had appeared, and the penalty was explicit—he would have to answer one question truthfully.

That meant if he lost, he might be forced to reveal things he didn't want to.

But conversely, if he won...

Ayanokoji picked up his tea and took a sip.

It really was good.

After leaving the cafe, Ayanokoji went straight to the library.

He needed to do some research. About the Sports Festival, the Relay Race rules, and any possible "loopholes."