Old Man Plays with a Brat!

The game began, with Sakayanagi Arisu taking the first move.

Both sides opened conventionally. After a dozen or so moves, Shiomiya Yo grew interested.

Interesting!

So aggressive? What a contrast!

Still, I liked it.

Shiomiya Yo adjusted his approach, focusing on defensive counterattacks, playing each move steadily and solidly.

Sakayanagi Arisu's offensive came in unending waves, while Shiomiya Yo's defense was watertight.

The two moved faster and faster, their battle of offense and defense becoming exceptionally fierce, leaving the surrounding club members dumbfounded.

It seemed they had underestimated the two players' chess skills before.

Being able to watch such a high-level match made the admission price worth it, even if they died afterward!

More and more pieces were traded, and Sakayanagi Arisu's pace began to slow.

Sakayanagi had fewer and fewer pieces left to use, making it difficult to sustain her offensive. At this point, the weakness of her position began to show.

Shiomiya Yo began advancing steadily. Sakayanagi Arisu took longer and longer to think, and often, the moment she made a move, Shiomiya Yo would immediately follow up.

Sakayanagi also realized that she had fallen into danger. This time, she thought for an especially long while.

She set a trap—her final gamble. If Shiomiya Yo fell for it, she could turn the entire game around.

Naturally, Shiomiya Yo saw through it. He could choose to ignore it and slowly crush Sakayanagi.

But that was the mindset of the weak.

Shiomiya Yo stepped right into it. Sakayanagi was delighted and quickly made her move, though she was also somewhat puzzled. That trap had been quite clever, but given Shiomiya Yo's level, he should not have fallen for it so easily.

This time, Shiomiya Yo fell into deep thought.

The chess club members around them held their breath. They could all see that the situation had reversed, but none of them dared make a sound, afraid of disturbing the two as they thought.

The president and vice president exchanged glances, communicating with their eyes.

President: If we keep these two masters, we'll be unbeatable in future competitions!

Vice President: Exactly! But how do we keep them?

President: Give them all your club points!

Vice President: Huh? What about the other members?

President: You go negotiate!

Vice President: Are you crazy?! They'll kill me!

President: You even got together with Club Member A's girlfriend...

The vice president suddenly grabbed the president's hand, raised his eyebrows, and signaled to him with his eyes.

"Leave it to me!"

Shiomiya Yo had reached a deadlock. Every chess record and bit of experience he had learned from told him that he had messed up.

But Shiomiya Yo continued thinking.

In the end, Shiomiya Yo moved his pawn forward by one square.

The surrounding members all frowned and shook their heads, believing it to be a terrible move.

Yet Sakayanagi Arisu did not make her move for a long time, as though she had been stumped.

The president and vice president were the first to realize it—this move had broken Sakayanagi's trap!

The two exchanged a look, their resolve to keep both players growing firmer.

Sakayanagi discovered that her setup had been broken, and her own position was as full of holes as a colander, yet she still persisted.

She was still cooking!

Shiomiya Yo felt thoroughly satisfied. It had been a long time since he had played so enjoyably.

Having had his fill, Shiomiya Yo stopped holding back and launched a rapid attack, driving Sakayanagi back step by step.

"Check!"

With that move, Shiomiya Yo declared victory.

Sakayanagi was somewhat unwilling to accept it, but after collecting herself, she returned to her usual composed demeanor.

"Shiomiya-kun's chess skills truly are impressive."

"They're alright. I just haven't met an opponent before."

At that moment, Kamuro Masumi came running back.

"Here are your sunflower seeds."

Still panting, Kamuro handed the sunflower seeds in her hand to Shiomiya Yo.

Then she hurriedly ran off again.

"She's really full of energy," Shiomiya remarked.

"Masumi really is a cute girl," Sakayanagi replied with a smile.

"Masumi? You've gotten that close?

I thought she was your slave or something," Shiomiya asked curiously.

"Haha, that's too much. Masumi and I are good friends," Sakayanagi said with a hand over her smile.

Shiomiya Yo: I don't believe that.

What kind of person made their good friend stand beside them serving tea and water?

If she really thought that way, then Sakayanagi deserved a spot on his god-tier list.

The two quickly began the second round.

This time, Shiomiya took the initiative, trading attacks with Sakayanagi in a fierce struggle. Blades flashed and shadows flew; the board descended into complete chaos.

This was a speed game. Both moved quickly, and it came down to who could seize an opening first amid the confusion.

"Check!"

Sakayanagi took the first point this time, but Shiomiya suddenly launched a surprise attack, capturing the checking piece and ending the game with a checkmate.

"Check!"

Shiomiya won again.

This time, Sakayanagi truly felt upset. Being defeated by someone else at the style of play she excelled at really did not feel good.

She lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected, her eyes glistening with tears.

Sakayanagi had been frail since childhood. The only thing she had confidence in was her intelligence. She had never thought herself the smartest person in the world, but being defeated head-on still hurt.

Shiomiya did not notice Sakayanagi's emotions at all. Right now, he only wanted to play the final round and sweep his opponent.

The strong were supposed to crush the weak without mercy!

"There's still one more round! Set up the pieces already!"

Shiomiya urged.

Sakayanagi adjusted her emotions, regained her composure, and began setting up the pieces with Shiomiya.

She had recognized one fact.

Shiomiya Yo was undoubtedly a genius!

The third round began!

Even if defeat was inevitable, Sakayanagi would not give up!

This time, Sakayanagi changed her style. Rather than pursuing aggressive attacks, she constantly laid traps and fought a positional battle.

This time, Shiomiya stopped holding back. He avoided every trap, and whenever he could not avoid one, he tore down everything around it. Shiomiya was practically a demolition crew.

She built while he tore things down!

In the end, he demolished faster than she could build.

Shiomiya Yo won!

The club members around them erupted into cheers.

"Please, you two must join our club!" ×2

The president and vice president bowed in unison.

"Please!" ×n

The surrounding club members also came to their senses and bowed as well.

Shiomiya Yo was startled by the display. This club was quite united—what cohesion.

Sakayanagi watched the scene with an amused look.

"What does Shiomiya think?"

"I don't care. It depends on whether you join."

Every member of the club turned to Sakayanagi, their eyes full of hope.

Sakayanagi smiled. "I refuse."

Those simple words fell upon the club members' ears with more weight than a boulder.

The president stepped forward at this moment. "Wait! We can give all the club points to you!"

As soon as he said that, the members became restless. Many of them depended on those points to get by.

Only the president seemed to have any consideration for others. The vice president was also calming everyone down; otherwise, they would have already revolted.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in a club where everyone is weaker than me," Sakayanagi Arisu refused.

After rejecting them decisively, Sakayanagi rose and left, leaning on her cane.

Shiomiya followed right after her. He wasn't interested in the club either; points weren't enough of a reason to bind him.

The entire chess club fell silent.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, I had fun today. Consider your task complete." Shiomiya ran a hand through his hair.

"Oh, I thought this would never be completed.

After all, Classmate Shiomiya's chess skills really are impressive." Sakayanagi said with a smile.

Shiomiya didn't care in the slightest. Wasn't that obvious?

"Classmate Sakayanagi, I have a deal I'd like to discuss with you. Let's go to the café!"

Sakayanagi was somewhat surprised. There was actually more to today.

"Alright."

The two left together.

Shiomiya felt like he had forgotten something.

────

"Huff... huff... your... cola!"

Pushing open the activity room door, Kamuro braced herself against the frame. Her entire body was drenched in sweat as she panted and shouted.

Looking up, she saw only club members putting away the chessboards. There was no sign of Shiomiya or Sakayanagi.

Kamuro and the club members stared at one another.

"Damn it!"

So this was how you toyed with me.

Was this your ultimate humiliation, Shiomiya Yo?!