The Student Council's Invitation (3)

Due to sitting for a long time and her physical condition, Sakayanagi lost her balance the moment she bent her knees. Just as she closed her eyes, bracing for a fall, she suddenly felt a pair of warm hands steadying her firmly.

After Sakayanagi opened her eyes, what came into view was Kitahara Seiichi, his face etched with a hint of concern.

"Thank you for your help, Classmate Kitahara," Sakayanagi said, her cheeks flushing slightly.

From childhood until now, no man other than my father has ever been in such close contact with me, and to think it happened in such an embarrassing situation.

"It's good that you're alright, Classmate Sakayanagi. You should keep your cane with you from now on; after all, I can't be by your side at every moment," Kitahara replied, his concern laced with a teasing tone.

"Hehe, that might not necessarily be true, Classmate Kitahara."

"No way. Are you saying you want me to be like the person beside you?"

"Who knows? After all, Classmate Kitahara is different."

"..."

Watching them bicker, Kamuro couldn't help but interject: "What exactly are you two planning?"

Hearing this, Sakayanagi and Kitahara turned their gazes toward Kamuro without saying a word, but the meaning in their eyes could not have been clearer.

"Are you planning to discuss my affairs while expecting me to just walk away?" Kamuro said, her eyes widening.

After she finished speaking, Kamuro looked at Sakayanagi's faint smile, as if realizing something unpleasant, and quickly added: "Fine, I get it, is that enough?"

Watching Kamuro's retreating back, Kitahara sighed: "I didn't expect you to have her so well-trained, Sakayanagi."

"Hehe, actually, Classmate Kitahara could do it too; you just chose not to."

"Besides, this is actually for her own good."

"That is true. If she isn't kept in check, she might commit a grave error in the future," Kitahara said, as if reminiscing.

"I didn't expect Classmate Kitahara to care about her so much. Could it be that you've taken a liking to her?"

"Hehe, is Classmate Sakayanagi really that curious?"

"..."

"Come now, didn't you say you wanted to play a game of chess?"

"Oh, right. Have you played before, Classmate Kitahara? Do you need me to explain the rules?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Classmate Sakayanagi, but I do know the basic rules."

"Then let us begin," Sakayanagi said decisively.

Under Sakayanagi's watchful gaze, Kitahara took the seat in front of her and began to set the pieces.

"Then, Classmate Kitahara, please make the first move."

"Is that so? Then I thank you for your generosity," Kitahara said, taking the white pieces and launching the first offensive.

However, Sakayanagi responded quickly, remarking: "I didn't expect your performance on the board to be so different from your usual self."

"But this alone won't be enough to defeat me."

As time passed, the pace of their moves slowed significantly. The pieces were locked in a constant struggle, with every step hiding a deeper strategy. Beads of sweat began to form on Kitahara's forehead; he hadn't expected Sakayanagi Arisu's chess skills to be so formidable. Even with the Chess Mastery obtained from the system, he could at best fight her to a draw.

However, Kitahara knew deep down that if this continued, he would be the one to lose. Even with master-level skills, he lacked the stamina to match them, and he was already beginning to feel his brain growing exhausted.

"Cough, cough. Did you book this entire place, Classmate Sakayanagi? We've been playing for so long, yet no one has come by."

"Are you trying to distract me, Classmate Kitahara?"

"Even so, it won't change the final outcome," Sakayanagi said, pulling her gaze from the board to look at Kitahara with a smile.

"Not at all, I was just curious," Kitahara said, feeling guilty now that he had been called out.

"Hehe, but I can tell you that I didn't book this place; it was simply a wager I made with the head of the Chess Club."

"Classmate Sakayanagi, you really are impressive." As their conversation ended, the result of the match became clear.

"..."

"You lost, Classmate Kitahara. But your skill is the strongest I have encountered, aside from him."

"Is that so? Then I am truly honored."

"Since the result is decided, please honor the agreement we made over the phone, Classmate Sakayanagi."

"If I win, the debt is wiped clean plus the 1 million points you promised; if you win, I grant you one favor."

"But let me be clear: I will not do anything that goes against my own will."

"Rest assured, Classmate Kitahara. You are the first interesting person I've met at this school; I wouldn't let you..." Sakayanagi said with a faint smile.

Looking at her smile, Kitahara thought to himself that he had clearly fallen into her trap.

At this thought, Kitahara couldn't help but complain to the system in his mind:

"System, is this what you meant by being evenly matched with Sakayanagi? Why was I completely suppressed in the endgame?"

[Ding! Host, the Chess Mastery provided by this system is indeed at a professional level, but Sakayanagi Arisu's skill is at the absolute peak of the profession.]

[Furthermore, it was the host's insufficient mental stamina that led to a decline in calculation power during the late game, resulting in your suppression.]

Hearing the system's explanation, Kitahara realized it was indeed his own fault; he hadn't anticipated that his mental stamina would be insufficient to sustain a full game of chess.

It seems her strength is even more exaggerated than I imagined. Had I known, I wouldn't have been so greedy for the 1 million points in her possession. Now, not only did I fail to get the points, I even sold myself out.

"What are you thinking about, Classmate Kitahara? Surely you aren't considering how to go back on your word, are you?" Noticing Kitahara had been spacing out for a while, Classmate Sakayanagi couldn't help but remind him.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I was just pondering what kind of request Classmate Sakayanagi might make of me."

"Rest assured, Classmate Kitahara, this matter is actually quite simple."

"What is it?"

"Become my pet, just like Kamuro," Classmate Sakayanagi said with a black-hearted smile.

"..." Is retribution coming this fast? A few hours ago I was saying 'who knows,' and now you're making me a lackey. I didn't expect I still underestimated your vengeful nature, Sakayanagi.

"Cough, cough. Sakayanagi, you should stop joking around. Do you really want me to do something like that?"

"Who knows?"

[Sakayanagi, do you know that your expression right now is really asking for a beating? Honestly, I kind of want to snatch your cane and then... However, thinking of Chairman Sakayanagi behind her, he dismissed the thought.]

"Sakayanagi, please just let me off the hook. Tell me, what is it that you actually want?" In the end, Kitahara "begged for mercy."