Special Teaching Building.
Even after the match between Class A and Class D ended, Arisu Sakayanagi remained in her seat, eyes closed, savoring the aftertaste of the match.
This truly was a brilliant match!
It was the first time she had experienced such an enjoyable time—the best experience of her life!
Ayanokouji's strength truly exceeded expectations.
He was undoubtedly a true genius, not a hollow imitation carved by hand.
However, even so, in the end, it was she, Arisu Sakayanagi, who emerged victorious!
Genius has its levels.
Ayanokouji was indeed a rare genius!
But he still couldn't compare to Arisu Sakayanagi!
Yet, Sakayanagi still felt something difficult to let go of. Was his strength really only at this level?
"Sakayanagi-san, it's about time."
"I am very sorry for wasting the teachers' time. Thank you for your consideration."
Sakayanagi stood up with an elegant smile and left the classroom with her cane.
The exam was over. Everyone would likely head back to their classes first to exchange information or pack their bags and leave school in groups.
Thinking of this, Sakayanagi changed her mind about returning to Class A and headed straight out of the school.
This match was the most exciting duel she had experienced since birth. No one could judge the winner until the very last moment.
She was satisfied.
Perhaps she would never experience such an enjoyable match again.
Although she had decided to study chess because she had seen the young Ayanokouji, the effort was not in vain just for the time spent today; it was very much worth it.
But she always felt a certain place in her heart that was hard to reconcile. Despite her leg disability, her steps felt lighter than usual.
Dormitory Building 4.
Sakayanagi stood on the balcony looking into the distance, waiting a long time before she finally saw Kiyotaka Ayanokouji returning to the dormitory.
"Can we talk for a moment, Ayanokouji-kun?"
"What is it?"
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji walked up to her, his expression flat.
Although the exam ended in a four-to-three defeat for Class D, there was no trace of frustration or resentment on his face.
"First of all..."
Sakayanagi hesitated slightly. "When you took over the match, the situation on the chessboard was evenly matched. You shouldn't have any objections to that, right?"
"None."
Ayanokouji kept his hands in his pockets and said calmly, "You perfectly controlled Horikita's train of thought and created an evenly matched situation. It wouldn't have been strange for either side to win."
Ayanokouji had nothing to question about that.
To duel him fairly, Sakayanagi had deliberately controlled the situation and guided every move Horikita Suzune made.
Strictly speaking, his side might have even had a slight advantage.
But it was only a difference between 5.1 and 4.9.
Such a minuscule advantage was meaningless.
"I see."
Sakayanagi breathed a sigh of relief. At least the match was fair to both sides. However, the feeling of unease in her heart did not diminish at all.
She asked with some doubt:
"Did you really believe that was the best move when you made that final step?"
"..."
Feeling Sakayanagi's gaze, Ayanokouji remained expressionless.
At the last moment, that long period of thinking had indeed sparked Sakayanagi's suspicion.
But that move was indeed the result of Ayanokouji's careful consideration.
It was just that the result wasn't accurately conveyed to Horikita Suzune; the information was altered by the school.
However, whether he won or lost was irrelevant.
If Sakayanagi lost interest in him here, it would be a good thing for Ayanokouji, but there was no need to hide the truth intentionally.
"Actually."
Ayanokouji said without expression, "The winner is you. What else could there be?"
"Nothing..."
A complex look flashed in Sakayanagi's eyes, and she shook her head.
"I'm sorry, it seems I was just thinking of something unnecessary."
"You beat me. Are you not happy?"
"It's not that."
Sakayanagi's face became even more complex. "But perhaps somewhere in my heart, I hoped to lose to you..."
In her childhood, she had seen that scene from outside a window.
Ayanokouji, at only a few years old, had calmly defeated several adults, including professional chess players.
It had left Sakayanagi unable to move on for a long time.
He didn't seem as powerful as she had imagined.
No.
Perhaps her growth speed had already surpassed Ayanokouji's; after all, she was a genuine genius too.
That must be why she achieved this victory.
"Let me say this first."
It was a strange thought, and Ayanokouji said plainly, "I didn't hold back at all."
"I see..."
A gentle smile remained on Sakayanagi's face. That feeling of being unable to let go had vanished, yet there was a hint of disappointment...
"See you later, Sakayanagi."
Ayanokouji nodded and calmly opened his door and entered his dormitory.
He hadn't told the truth.
But he hadn't lied either.
Whether she could arrive at the correct conclusion depended entirely on Sakayanagi's own strength.
Watching the door slowly close.
Taking a deep breath.
Sakayanagi allowed her racing heart to return to a state of calm before walking into the elevator with her cane.
This was fine. This was for the best.
When the other party took over.
The situation was completely equal, and Kiyotaka Ayanokouji didn't hold back to hide his strength.
This match was undoubtedly fair.
It was a victory she achieved by giving her all.
Ayanokouji was indeed a genius, but he couldn't compare to her. At some point, she had already left Kiyotaka Ayanokouji behind.
This was no problem!
Thinking of this, a sharp light flashed in Sakayanagi's beautiful eyes.
This way.
She could completely free her hands to deal with another true genius!
Hachiman Hikigaya!
Although she had completely won the match.
But this was a victory obtained under Katsuragi's leadership.
Class A defeated Class D.
They secured the victory in this special exam.
Presumably.
Katsuragi's leadership would surely increase by a step. He would return to the position of leader, and the Katsuragi faction would likely experience a total resurgence.
Hachiman Hikigaya's move was truly clever.
At this timing.
If she continued to disregard the class's interests and hold Class A back, they would truly drop to 0.5 Class B. Even the Sakayanagi faction might not agree with that.
The key was that Katsuragi's strength was not weak.
If Katsuragi continued to lead the class and stabilized his footing, it would be as hard as reaching the heavens to compete with him again.
The situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable for Sakayanagi.
Whether in terms of timing or methods, this move was indeed ingenious.
However.
Sakayanagi's gaze became even more delighted. He shouldn't underestimate her too much.
If she could defeat Katsuragi once, she could defeat him a second time.
So what if the class currently couldn't afford internal strife?
So what if Hachiman Hikigaya was like a turtle, hiding his head and keeping his guard up to the max?
What was there to fear?
The reason a genius is a genius!
Is because they can break through a desperate situation at a critical moment!
Let her completely crush Hachiman Hikigaya's "God's Move"!
He actually dared to make her suffer setbacks time and again.
Just you wait!