The Chess Piece

At 2:50 PM the next day, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka arrived at the school cafe ten minutes early.

He chose a corner seat by the window. This position offered a clear view of the entrance and most of the cafe, with a wall at his back, ensuring no one could approach from behind.

[Insight (Basic)] activated automatically. There were few people in the cafe: three girls chatting about weekend shopping plans, two boys discussing their studies, and a man who looked like a teacher reading a newspaper. Nothing unusual.

At 2:55 PM, the cafe door was pushed open.

A girl walked in. She looked petite, standing only about 1.5 meters tall, with long silver-white hair, pale purple eyes, and a delicate cane in her hand. Her movements were slow but steady, each step appearing precisely calculated.

Sakayanagi Arisu.

After entering, she scanned the room, then walked straight toward Ayanokoji's table with a faint smile on her face.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka-kun, nice to meet you." She sat down opposite him and leaned her cane against the table. "I am Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A. Thank you for agreeing to come."

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

"Classmate Sakayanagi." Ayanokoji nodded. "Did you need something from me?"

"Let's order some drinks first." Sakayanagi picked up the menu. "I recommend the black tea here; it's very fragrant."

Without waiting for Ayanokoji's reply, she beckoned to the waiter: "Two black teas, please."

She had completely seized the rhythm of the conversation.

Once the waiter left, Sakayanagi looked back at Ayanokoji: "I heard you performed brilliantly in the Uninhabited Island exam. Leading Class D from the bottom to third place, and even establishing an alliance with Class B. That is no small feat."

"Just good luck."

"Luck?" Sakayanagi smiled, a smile that held a childlike innocence yet concealed a sharp edge. "I do not believe in luck. I believe in calculation, intelligence, and strength."

She picked up the black tea the waiter had just delivered and blew on it gently: "It is like a game of chess. Every piece on the board, every move made, should have its own significance. And you, right now... are like a new, unpredictable piece that has suddenly appeared on the board."

"A piece?"

"We are all pieces," Sakayanagi said. "In this school named after 'strength,' everyone is part of a larger game. The teachers are the players, the school is the player, and even we ourselves attempt to become players."

She took a sip of tea, then set the cup down: "But some pieces are more important than others. Like you, Ayanokoji-kun."

Ayanokoji remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

"I have investigated you," Sakayanagi said bluntly. "Or rather, I attempted to. But your past... is almost a blank slate. Average grades, no outstanding records. Like a sheet of white paper."

She paused: "But white paper is often the most interesting, because you can draw anything on it. Or... hide anything."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I am saying that I am curious about you." Sakayanagi leaned forward slightly. "Someone with a blank past suddenly displaying tactical thinking, combat ability, and leadership skills far beyond the norm on the Uninhabited Island. It does not follow logic."

"People change."

"But not so thoroughly." Sakayanagi shook her head. "Unless... that was not a change, but a revelation. You possessed those abilities all along, only you had hidden them."

She was very close to the truth.

Ayanokoji remained calm: "And so?"

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

"What kind of game?"

"To see who can see through the other's moves," Sakayanagi said. "I will set a trap—a logical trap. If you can see through it and break it, I will acknowledge that you are qualified to be my opponent. If you cannot..."

She smiled: "Then you are merely a slightly more special piece."

A very direct challenge.

"Why should I accept?"

"Because you have no choice," Sakayanagi said. "I have already begun laying the groundwork. Whether you accept or not, the game will proceed. The only difference is whether you participate actively or respond passively."

Overbearing, but true.

"What is the stake?"

"If I see through you, you must answer one question for me," Sakayanagi said. "Any question, and you must answer truthfully."

"And if I win?"

"Then I will tell you a secret," Sakayanagi said. "About this school, about the special exams, or even about... the true motives of certain people."

A very tempting stake.

"Fine," Ayanokoji agreed.

"Excellent." Sakayanagi looked pleased. "Then the game begins now. The first hint: there is a hidden loophole in the scoring rules for the 'Class Relay' event at the Sports Festival. Find it, exploit it, or... prevent others from exploiting it."

After saying this, she stood up and picked up her cane: "I have already paid for the tea. I look forward to your performance, Ayanokoji-kun."

She turned and left, her movements still slow, but her gait steady.

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

[Ding! Detected a special agreement reached with key character "Sakayanagi Arisu", triggering hidden quest: Game of the Wise.]

[Quest Requirements: Identify and break at least one "logical trap" set by Sakayanagi Arisu during the Sports Festival.]

[Quest Rewards: "Logical Thinking" points and "Recognition" from Sakayanagi Arisu, based on the degree of success.]

[Failure Penalty: Must truthfully answer one question from the opponent (System cannot intervene).]

The system mission had arrived, and the penalty was explicit—he had to answer a question.

This meant that if he lost, he might be forced to reveal things he preferred to keep hidden.

But conversely, if he won...

Ayanokoji lifted his black tea and took a sip.

The taste was indeed excellent.

After leaving the cafe, Ayanokoji headed straight for the library.

He needed to look up information. About the Sports Festival, about the rules of the Relay Race, and about any potential "loopholes" that might exist.