But after sitting in the same position for a long time, and because of her physical condition, Yanagihara lost her balance the moment she bent her knees. Just as she closed her eyes, bracing herself for the fall, she suddenly felt a pair of warm hands steadying her.
When Sakayanagi opened her eyes, Kitahara Seiichi's face, tinged with concern, came into view.
"Thank you for helping me, Classmate Kitahara," Sakayanagi said, her cheeks faintly red.
From childhood until now, apart from my father, no man has ever gotten this close to me. And it had to happen in such an embarrassing situation.
"I'm just glad you're all right, Classmate Sakayanagi. You should keep your cane with you from now on. I can't always be by your side, after all," Kitahara replied, his concern laced with a teasing tone.
"Hehe. You never know, Classmate Kitahara."
"Don't tell me Classmate Sakayanagi wants me to end up like the person standing beside me?"
"Who knows? After all, Classmate Kitahara is different."
"..."
Watching the two of them trade barbs, Kamuro couldn't help asking, "What exactly are you planning to do?"
At that, Sakayanagi and Kitahara turned to look at Kamuro, but neither said anything. The meaning in their eyes, however, couldn't have been clearer.
"You're discussing me right in front of me, and now you expect me to leave?" Kamuro said, eyes wide.
After speaking, Kamuro looked at Sakayanagi's faint smile, as if she'd realized something unpleasant. She hurriedly said, "Fine, I get it, okay?"
Watching Kamuro walk away, Kitahara sighed. "I didn't expect you'd already gotten her to listen to you so well, Sakayanagi."
"Hehe. Actually, Classmate Kitahara could do it too. You just gave up."
"Besides, this is for her own good."
"That's true. If nobody kept an eye on her, she might make a serious mistake someday," Kitahara said, as if recalling something.
"I didn't know you cared so much about her, Classmate Kitahara. Have you fallen for her?"
"Hehe. Are you really that curious, Classmate Sakayanagi?"
"..."
"Come on. Didn't you say we were going to play chess?"
"By the way, Classmate Kitahara, have you played before? Do you need me to explain the rules?"
"Thank you for the offer, Classmate Sakayanagi, but I know the basic rules."
"Then let's begin," Sakayanagi said decisively.
Under Sakayanagi's gaze, Kitahara went to the seat opposite her and began arranging the pieces.
"Classmate Kitahara, you can make the first move."
"Is that so? Then I'll take you up on your kindness, Classmate Sakayanagi." Kitahara took the white pieces and launched the first attack.
Sakayanagi quickly responded, remarking, "I didn't expect you to play so differently at the chessboard than you do in everyday life."
"But this alone won't be enough to beat me."
As time passed, the two of them moved more and more slowly. Their pieces kept each other in check, and every move concealed a deeper purpose. Sweat began to bead on Kitahara's forehead. He hadn't expected Sakayanagi Arisu to be so skilled. Even with the help of the system's chess mastery, he could at best match her evenly.
But Kitahara knew that if they kept playing, he would definitely lose. Even though he had mastered the skill, he lacked the stamina to match it. By now, his mind was already growing exhausted.
"Ahem. Classmate Sakayanagi, did you reserve this place? We've been playing for so long, but nobody else has come in."
"Are you trying to distract me, Classmate Kitahara?"
"But even so, it won't change the outcome," Sakayanagi said with a smile, turning her gaze from the chessboard to Kitahara.
"Not at all. I was just curious," Kitahara said sheepishly, realizing she'd seen through him.
"Hehe. But I can tell you I didn't reserve the place. It's part of a bet with the Chess Club president."
"Classmate Sakayanagi really is impressive." By the time their conversation ended, the outcome of the game was already clear.
"..."
"You lost, Classmate Kitahara. But aside from him, you're the strongest opponent I've ever faced."
"Is that so? I'm honored."
"Now that the result is settled, Yanagihara, please honor the agreement we made over the phone."
"If I win, we call it even, and you give me the one million points you promised. If you win, I'll do one thing for you."
"But I'll say this first: I won't do anything that goes against my wishes."
"Don't worry, Classmate Kitahara. You're the first interesting person I've met at this school. I won't make you..." Yanagihara said with a faint smile.
Seeing Sakayanagi's smile, Kitahara thought, Looks like I've already fallen into her trap.
Thinking of this, Kitahara couldn't help complaining to the system in his mind:
"System, you said I'd be evenly matched with Yanagihara. How come she completely suppressed me in the endgame?"
[ Ding! Host, the chess mastery provided by this system truly is at a professional level, but Sakayanagi Arisu's skill has reached the pinnacle of the professional level. ] [ Furthermore, the host's lack of mental stamina caused your calculating ability to decline later in the game, which is why you were ultimately suppressed. ]
After hearing the system's explanation, Kitahara understood that it really was his own fault. He hadn't expected his mental stamina to be insufficient for a single chess match.
So her skill is even more outrageous than I imagined. I should've known better than to covet the one million points she had. Now I haven't gotten the points...
And I've sold myself, too.
"Classmate Kitahara, what are you thinking about? Don't tell me you're trying to figure out how to back out," Sakayanagi said, noticing that he'd been distracted for a while.
"Nothing, nothing. I was just wondering what you'd ask me to do, Classmate Sakayanagi."
"Don't worry, Classmate Kitahara. It's a very simple request."
"What?"
"Become my pet, just like Kamuro," Yanagihara said mischievously.
"..."
Is retribution really coming this quickly? A few hours ago, I was saying, "Who knows?" And now she wants me to be her lackey. I really underestimated Yanagihara's vindictiveness.
"Ahem. Sakayanagi, stop joking around. Do you really want me to do that?"
"Who knows?"
Do you know how punchable you look right now, Sakayanagi? Honestly, I kind of want to snatch your cane and then... But remembering Chairman Sakayanagi, I let the thought go.
"Sakayanagi, please let me off the hook. Or, at least tell me what you actually want," Kitahara finally pleaded.