Part 2

The screen projects the battle between the two.

Hashimoto continued to launch attacks early in the match, but Horikita calmly overcame them.

When she found a situation where she is being baited into eating the opponent's chess pieces,

she calmly analyzed the situation and avoided a crisis.

Then she plays very solid moves and maintains her advantage.

When it was almost mid-hour, Horikita could almost see victory.

However, the current battle was an advantage for Horikita. She played far beyond her strength

during her training.

"This is a very interesting match. I would like to see this match to the end."

Sakayanagi really enjoyed watching their match, but she showed no anxiety.

"I agree. We must see it to the end."

"Oh, yeah ... even though I say it like that, I'm not sure if I can. I'm not so sure about

Hashimoto-kun, on the other hand it seems that Horikita-san is very calm. His words seem to be

useless."

Our moves were approaching. The computer indicated that Sakayanagi would like to intervene

as the Commander.

She concluded that if Hashimoto continued to be pressured like this, her defeat would be very

clear.

For Sakayanagi, this should have been unexpected because she intended to wait until half the

match time.

However, her assessment was precise.

Looking at the current situation, she was worried that the outcome would already be decided if

she set it aside for too long.

Right now Horikita is very strong.

I wanted to wait and watch its progress.

I began to be curious of how Horikita would respond in a match against Sakayanagi.

"You're not joining in, Ayanokouji-kun?"

"I really want to participate, but if I leave it up to Horikita right now, maybe the chance of winning

would be higher."

"I see. Then I won't hesitate to turn the situation around?"

She began typing. Then, Hashimoto, who was thinking, stopped moving.

The Commander's time to intervene is only 30 minutes, the timer is stopped after she pressed

the Enter key. It also seemed like the timer paused when the command is being sent. Then it

continued to run again when the opponent hears the command.

Horikita vs Sakayanagi. I hope that this will be in line with what Horikita had expected.

If so, then Horikita might be able to maintain her excellence to the end. However, things

definitely won't go so smoothly. Sakayanagi who had absolute confidence, began to participate

in the battle. Clearly, every move from the genius Sakayanagi was difficult to predict, which

made Horikita worry.

So I have to think. Think about how to deal with a situation when the opponent is replaced by

someone better than themselves.

Then, make use of the available time and make a decision.

"There doesn't seem to be enough time."

Facing every step of Horikita's chess piece, Sakayanagi never took more than 5 seconds.

Her advantage was immediately dropped.

Horikita's chance to win suddenly disappeared in an instant.

She only had a bit of an advantage. Horikita's steps slowed.

However, even though she was only a beginner, she could feel the despair of an opponent who

was beyond her abilities.

Sakayanagi trapped her, and forced Horikita on the road to death.

2 minutes, 3 minutes. Horikita couldn't move anymore pieces.

This is the limit. This is the dividing line between the winners and the losers.

I sent an intervention signal to take the baton from the distressed Horikita.

And the instructions will be sent to Horikita via earphones.

Horikita looked up and looked at the camera. She nodded and gave a thoughtful look.

The next battle is not Horikita vs Sakayanagi.

It was a fight between Sakayanagi and I.

"Okay, it's time - the battle between you and I."

"It seems so."

Even though the intervention time is only 30 minutes, that is enough to reach a conclusion.

While Sakayanagi and I talked, I couldn't let go of my hand to type on the keyboard.

The time needed for both parties to make a move was 10 seconds to 20 seconds.

After analyzing the flow until the middle of the game, I have formulated a strategy.

The chess pieces kept moving on the chessboard.

"Hey, they are on an entirely different level?"

Hashimoto's voice came through the monitor.

"The battle between us is truly stunted ..."

"... Yes."

It can't be helped that they are shaken. There is a huge difference between amateurs and

experienced players. At first glance they might not be able to tell which side is winning.

No, compared to these things ... they will come to understand this when they start playing

Chess.

I sighed.

Sakayanagi's Chess skills are high enough that I want to pay my respects to her.

If she entered the world of Chess became famous, I wouldn't be surprised.

When I was young, I used to play chess in the White Room.

I have played with many people, experienced lecturers, but I was always stronger than every

single one.

"Is there something Ayanokouji-kun. Have my moves been conveyed to your heart?"

"Yeah. It hurts."

In the middle of the match, after half the battle, I not only had difficulty opening the gap, but it

also took a lot of effort to think about how to lead.

As long as she judges that I won't make a mistake, she will be careful not to break through by

force.

"I am not afraid of you at all. Because Ayanokouji-kun will never make a small mistake."

"Then can you reduce your resistance?"

"I can't do that. If you don't make a mistake, then I will use all my strength to defeat you and

make a breakthrough."

Unconsciously, Horikita and Hashimoto both have not said a word, when their hands moved the

chess pieces.

When we entered half the battle ... His moves suddenly stopped.

If Hashimoto followed the normal directions, he would have read the next steps instructed by

Sakayanagi.

However, Sakayanagi thought carefully now.

We've played fast so far, so Hashimoto must be shaken.

Even though he didn't say it, he might of felt like he was in a crisis.

After a few minutes of silence, he moved. The Chess move that he thought about thoroughly

was sturdy.

I haven't made the slightest mistake and I also don't intend to give him a chance.

But this -

This time it was my turn that stopped.

"Ah, how nice our time is together. I don't care what they see. I just hope this battle will be the

best ever in my life."

I don't know whether Hoshinomiya-sensei and Sakagami-sensei have a deep understanding of

Chess.

But they will understand that this is an unusual battle.

1 minute, 2 minutes. Time continues endlessly.

I had used up almost all of my time.

"What are you doing ... Ayanokouji-kun?"

On the other side of the monitor, there was the voice of Horikita, who was quietly watching.

"Only 5 minutes left ...!"

I also know that.

This is a complicated game where all four people are thinking.

There is no doubt that we were dominant before, and now things have really took a turn

because of our opponents.

My next step will determine life and death.

It doesn't matter how much time we spend interpreting it.

"You're not someone who would give up on something like that, Ayanokouji-kun. Let me see it

again."

Compared to the results, Sakayanagi is only interested in being able to bring out the full

potential of my abilities.

For her, as long as she is having fun, the results of this special exam weren't important at all.

Less than 3 minutes left. The route I had been creating end had been completely restored.

Then I began to build a path to victory. 2 minutes remaining -

I pressed the keyboard and sent the instructions to Horikita.

Horikita seems to have been waiting for this moment, and once again took action.

The Chess section attached to the chessboard looks towering. Once again Hashimoto became

restless.

Right now, every step from Sakayanagi was smooth, but the next step will take longer.

The first move was 30 seconds, the second again 30 seconds. The next move took 1 minute.

On the contrary, I responded to her steps within 1 to 2 seconds.

In the current situation, I'm holding the advantage over Sakayanagi and taking it down the path

to victory.

Soon the last battle will end. Soon, the results will be decided.

A situation I had initiated.

Even though she still had a little room to escape, there was only a little time left.

Shortly after, she won't be able to get away.

"Truly extraordinary ..."

Sakayanagi gave complimented me.

1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes. Sakayanagi thought long for the second time.

The time spent decreases, and one precious minute was constantly being cut off.

She has been talking to me ever since, but now I don't hear her voice anymore.

"Hey, come on!"

Hashimoto called out. The remaining time is less than 2 minutes, and in the end she fell under

me.

If she had used up 30 minutes, then she could only leave the rest to Hashimoto. However, this

will inevitably determine her defeat.

"Sakayanagi! This is our defeat!"

It seems that Hashimoto did not know how to escape.

The time is reduced by 1 minute of Sakayanagi's thinking.

"This is truly extraordinary, Ayanokouji-kun. You have fully responded to my wishes."

As the time diminished, Sakayanagi once again praised me.

"I felt cold sweat for the first time. You are indeed a strong opponent."

When the time was running out, Sakayanagi said.

"--This is the end."

This whisper of defeat from Sakayanagi that Hashimoto could not hear.

The Commander had no authority to end the game.

After the time is up, the game rights will be returned to the players from both parties, and then

the ability for intervention will be lost.

Or she can let Hashimoto continue until the final checkmate.

However, the battle will end when Sakayanagi showed her willingness to declare defeat.

"This is a very good fight. It's a shame to let it end ..."

Only 40 seconds left. Sakayanagi's voice was soft. At the same time a voice came when she

typed the keyboard.

He did not want to admit defeat, and Sakayanagi was confident of his victory.

"... I've been waiting ... Princess!"

Hashimoto, no ... This was an attack from Sakayanagi behind him.

When he made a move, I felt a current running down my back.

The dying Black side suddenly regained consciousness and once again rose again.

After two or three steps, I felt that the Chess path had deviated from what I had designed.

Then - when I prayed, I found myself forced into a dead end.

After returning to pray, I was stuck on the road to Sakayanagi's victory.

From these ups and downs, silence once again came to me.

In less than a minute and a half now, I fell into the biggest dilemma.

I'm sure Horikita also felt this situation.

Before, she could imagine the defeat of the opponent. It seemed that it would be a victory for

Class C after just a little more.

However, all of these feelings gradually disappeared, and now Horikita must have felt it. The

remaining time is less than 1 minute.

"Ayanokouji-kun ..."

Horikita said to me with her head down.

"I don't want to lose."

She only said what was on her mind.

"I ..."

Horikita talked about what she wanted to say now.

"I ... I don't want to admit defeat ... I want to win ..."

She cried in her heart.

"Even now, I'm thinking hard about how to obtain victory. I keep thinking about it."

Letting her emotions out, this really isn't like Horikita.

"But, I can't find any moves to fight Sakayanagi-san ... You're the only one who can do that!"

I close my eyes.

There are still tens of seconds left.

It is over.

Considering the next step, when there is only 30 seconds left, defeat is basically determined.

There is no safe route left. I can only bet on the last chance to win this battle.

I typed the keyboard, quickly and accurately, even though this would result in defeat.

Then I pressed Enter and sent the instructions. The calculation of the displayed time stops here.

Horikita can only pray, waiting for the message I sent.

After about 30 seconds I gave instructions, Horikita opened her eyes.

It seemed that the instructions she had been waiting for had reached her through the

earphones.

I looked at Sakagami-sensei and Hoshinomiya-sensei.

Their eyes were fixed on the monitor and watched the game situation.

"You have to do it ... Ayanokouji."

Hashimoto looked like he was smiling, and looked at the camera.

Horikita has made the move.

It's time for Sakayanagi to step again.

"This is very interesting, Ayanokouji-kun."

Sakayanagi took a step, she expressed her respect for me for the third time.

"I've never fought an enemy as complex and as powerful as you. You can handle every move I

make, and sometimes you can even make a brighter response."

Through her moves, Sakayanagi had seen the final result she had expected.

"This step taken by Ayanokouji-kun is a complex move. There is no doubt that this is an area

that cannot be reached by ordinary people."

Sakayanagi stated her feelings were mixed and trembling slightly.

"--However,"

Sakayanagi's voice echoed in this quiet room.

"In this way, my victory will not be shaken."

She uses the keyboard to give instructions.

Hashimoto, who had been waiting for an answer, immediately moved the pieces according to

the instructions.

I also continue to play to fight. The match is nearing its end.

There was no conversation, only the sound of chess pieces stepping.

The remaining time is 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... Then finally ...

Checkmate.

This is the main strategy to sacrifice the Queen's most powerful piece.

The victory achieved by using this strategy is very significant, but because the risk is too high, if

it fails, it will definitely lose. And she completed this strategy when she was forced into a

desperate situation.

Horikita stopped moving her hand.

She had hoped for words that would come from the earphones, but that only lasted for a

moment.

She should also understand it. There was no way to escape this checkmate.

Victory or defeat has been decided.

"Ayanokouji-kun ..."

Even so, there are things that make Horikita want to deny defeat.

"Answer, Ayanokouji-kun ... Is there really no more steps ...?"

I moved away from the keyboard.

"Ayanokouji-kun ...!"

More than anyone, Horikita really hoped to win from Class A.

She felt that if she asked me, she might be able to win and then entrust everything to me.

Game 7 has ended. I wanted to praise her for being able to take the advantage over Hashimoto

who was a difficult opponent.

There was no mistake about Horikita.

It's just that the other party has played a better game than the instructions I gave Horikita.

The Commander's time is stopped when the time is 0, and communication is lost.

"... I lose."

Horikita was very disheartened to bow her head to Hashimoto.

"Thank you for everything."

Hashimoto also bowed his head.

"- So far."

Sakagami-sensei, who had been silent after seeing the match. Declares the match of the

seventh event is over.

"This event was won by Class A. Therefore, the results of this final exam were won by Class A

with 4 wins and 3 losses. Class C also gave great resistance."

The Chess event is over. I will have to come up with an excuse later. I intervened as a

Commander, but in this Chess match, I still lost. Of course there will be many people who will be

dissatisfied and complaining about why I hadn't left the game to Horikita.

"This was a good match ... Is it okay to say that? However, Class C has also fought until the

end, this is great."

Hoshinomiya-sensei tried to comfort me in the same way as Sakagami-sensei.

"If you feel very sad, do you want to cry on your teacher's chest?"

"Hoshinomiya-sensei."

Sakagami-sensei reprimanded the joking Hoshinomiya-sensei.

"I am kidding! "

She shook his head and immediately looked down at Sakagami-sensei.

"But Ayanokouji-kun. It seems that you are a much better child than I originally thought. When

you interfered in the Arithmetic Mental program, you could answer the 10th question which was

very difficult. You also played well in Chess against Sakayanagi-san. In the Written Examination,

you could answer the part that had the highest difficulty. Oh, this is the right time to give a bonus

... "

After that, Hoshinomiya-sensei thought for a while.

"This is strange. Have you been hiding your abilities all this time?"

"Only this time I happened to be useful."

"By chance, huh? There are also things like this ... ~ But ... Well, I might understand what

Sae-chan saw in Ayanokouji-kun. So that's how she played dirty."

No matter how I tried to hide it, some parts will be exposed to the teachers.

"Don't worry ~ I won't tell the other students about what I saw and heard here."

When she said that, she touched my shoulder gently. Then she put her face to my ear and said.

"Sensei doesn't hate children like Ayanokouji-kun, but that can turn into hatred if she sees them

as an enemy."

Hoshinomiya-sensei left this sentence and left, there was no smile on her face.

It seems I have accidentally made her look at me as an enemy of Class B.

"Special exams have been completed. Students are asked to immediately leave the

multipurpose room."

"Oh, sensei, do we have to go back to class first?"

"No, that's enough here today. It's okay to return to the dormitory."

It seems that everyone did not need to gather together first. This is also a good thing.

"All students have done well, you can return now."

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, you have to start cleaning up after this event."

"I know."

Sakagami-sensei and Hoshinomiya-sensei began to prepare to clean the multipurpose room.

The current situation felt so relaxed that it did not seem like there had just been a big battle. At

this moment, Sakayanagi appeared from the other side of the computer.

She was waiting for the teachers to move away from us.

"It's hard for a little girl."

"Yes. You too."

This is the first time we have greeted each other since the final battle of the exam.

Even though it was only 30 minutes, our brains were thinking hard, it was definitely tiring.

"This Chess game required endurance. A careful response from Horikita-san, and then a fierce

battle with Ayanokouji-kun, this was better than I expected. This is truly extraordinary."

Sakayanagi said that with a satisfied face. It seemed that she had exerted all her strength.

"To be honest, you are much stronger than I thought. You immediately destroyed the profits

made by Horikita, and I can't complain because of defeat."

"There is no such thing. This was a very good match. Until the end of the match, there may be a

tendency to win on both sides. However, the steps I made have already determined victory and

defeat, isn't that so?"

"Great checkmate after you sacrificed the Queen."

That is the reality that happened on the monitor's side.

My instructions and Sakayanagi's instructions. As a result of the match, Sakayanagi was better.

At that time, there was no miracle to turn things around.

Victory and defeat have been decided at the discretion of the school.

Even though Class C also fought hard, they still lost to Class A, so we lost 30 class points.

Even though the result was only a little damage, but to match the results of other classes to see

the whole ...

"Is there anything you want?"

"Is there anything I want? Nothing."

Sakayanagi smiled softly and nodded in satisfaction.

"I only wished to fight with you. And now this has been achieved. That is enough."

If so, is it just a matter of responding?

If we talk too long, we will be seen by the teachers, this would be very troublesome. So I also

stood up.

Just as I reached out to the door to leave, interim Director Tsukishiro appeared in the

multipurpose room.

"Oh, you guys really showed me something good."

"Eh, aren't you the temporary director Tsukishiro. Were you watching the special exam?"

"Yeah. The school has to manage things to prevent injustice. I am in another room, but I have

watched both of you as Commanders and seen the way of special exams."

After that, he applauded and praised us both.

"Both sides were fighting very well, it was a very tight match. For schools, this is a very good

collection of data. I am sure that this victory will have a big impact for the coming year. It must

be maintained."

I saw it in the eyes of the temporary director Tsukishiro, and he also looked back at me.

Only in this way, I don't need to ask him for an explanation anymore, I already understand

everything.

"It's a good thing if you can satisfy the interim Director."

Sakayanagi bowed her head. She seemed to feel the highest sense of satisfaction for the battle

that had taken place.

"What are the results between Class B and Class D?"

"Yes. The results have been determined one hour before you are finished."

That's fast.

"Which class won?"

Sakayanagi also became interested in this, so she asked that.

"5 wins and 2 losses, victory for Class D. This can be described as a big disappointment."

Did Ryuuen defeat Ichinose? They will get 190 class points.

Class D, seems to be returning to class C.

Then we will return to Class D again and start all over again.

"Ichinose-san suffered a terrible defeat. It can't be helped."

LN_Vol_11-12

If Ryuuen wasn't there, this would be Class B victory.

Did he act for the class?

In short, his feelings have started to change.

At the same time, this was a threat because of his return.

"Please return. Special exams have been completed. Teachers are also welcome to leave."

The interim director Tsukishiro urged Sakagami-sensei and Hoshinomiya-sensei to leave

quickly.

"But we still have things to do —"

"This matter will be taken care of by us."

The caretaker director Tsukishiro gave a gesture, and several workers entered the multipurpose

room.

"Who are they? Aren't they staff working at this school?"

Sakagami-sensei asked surprised.

"The government wants to know the exam data as soon as possible. These people were sent by

the government for this purpose. Don't worry."

Director Tsukishiro, acting on all of this, said that. After all, a teacher can't argue.

Sakagami-sensei and Hoshinomiya-sensei immediately stopped their work and left the

multipurpose room.

They have to go back to the office immediately, so they kept going without much for us.

On the other hand, Sakayanagi looked at the workers with confusion.

However, the door of the multipurpose room had been closed and only the sound of the door

being carefully locked could be heard.

"Are you worried about something?"

Provisional director Tsukishiro who did not stay in the department room asked Sakayanagi.

"No, nothing."

"So."

Alright- I'll be back too. I looked at my cell phone and found a text message from Horikita.

[You've worked hard.]

This is a very short message. I will definitely listen to her complaints later.

"See you later, Sakayanagi."

I tried to go back, but ...

"-Can you wait a moment, Ayanokouji-kun?"

"What is wrong?"

Sakayanagi called to stop me in the corridor.

Sakayanagi's expression, which was initially lulled in victory, began to show some

dissatisfaction.

"... Do you really think that your final chess move was the best choice?"

The last moment. It seems she has doubts about the conclusion I made after careful

consideration.

"You really defeated me. What else could I have done?"

"No ... sorry. Looks like I have imagined something excessive."

"Are you not happy for defeating me?"

"It's not like that. Just, somewhere in my heart, I expected to lose to you."

This is really a strange way of thinking.

"From the start, I didn't play half-heartedly."

"Yeah, I know."

Even so, there was still some weirdness in Sakayanagi's heart.

Maybe in her eyes, my image would be higher than that.

"You're a cruel person Ayanokouji-kun."

The temporary director Tsukishiro who was standing in front of the multipurpose room said

something like that to me.

Sakayanagi turned around. After a while, I also reluctantly turned around.

The cement director Tsukishiro smiled softly and walked over to us.

"You're really cruel."

"What do you mean, Director Tsukishiro?"

It wasn't me who asked, but Sakayanagi.

"Should I tell you what happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's better to tell you clearly and directly."

It seems like he had done something in the multipurpose room.

"In this match, the real winner was Ayanokouji-kun."

When the statement from the interim Director Tsukishiro came out, it was impossible for

Sakayanagi to ignore it.

Why does he have to say this considering having his own risk?

"What do you mean ... I lost?"

"Yes. That's right. That is the truth."

From this way of speaking, we could see interim Director Tsukishiro's character.

"But the process was truly different, am I right?"

I just kept quiet and listened to them, and I began to understand the situation. Then, suddenly

Sakayanagi also woke up to the reality of the situation.

"This is really stupid ... The school had forced an interference with the students."

Sakayanagi was not sorry or discouraged, but she was annoyed. There is no doubt that she is

very angry.

"Sakayanagi-san. You not only failed to fulfill my request, but also sent protection points to

Ayanokouji-kun. To eliminate them, I had to use some difficult methods at this school."

It turns out that's what happened. To make it clear, is it necessary to even disclose previously

unnecessary things like this?

"That's right. If everything can go according to my wishes, this time I should have been able to

get Ayanokouji-kun out of school. Unfortunately, there are many enthusiastic teachers in this

school, so it takes a lot of work for me."

At the end of his consideration, he entered the instructions on my computer.

However, it takes about 30 seconds to enter the keyboard and forward it to instructions.

The previous input only takes about 10 seconds, and the reason for this indication is delayed.

The reason for this is that the instructions sent will be played as an automatic sound in the

earphones.

With the use of a computer, the process and the results of the match were changed into

something else.

"At that time, he had planned to move the pieces to another position. Out of control was

considered the best step. Although we prepared many people and machines, we had to do such

difficult things."

If he changes the placements of the chess pieces too much, it will be too conspicuous, so that

everyone will feel the strangeness.

In other words, caretaker Director Tsukishiro had to consider the difficult steps of my chess

piece to prevent everyone from feeling weird about what was happening.

"At this level, Sakayanagi-san who can feel the strangeness of his chess pieces can be quite

good."

This is not a compliment at all.

"Why didn't you say anything Ayanokouji-kun?"

"Even if he tells the teacher, it's useless. No, apart from that he can't say anything at all."

'These simple things' - explained by caretaker director Tsukishiro.

"He is a genius from the White Room and he was forced the situation by sneaking into this

school. After all he chooses not to be the center of attention?"

If I told them that I was involved with the interim Director Tsukishiro, that would develop into a

very difficult problem.

Although it is unfortunate, the current situation cannot be changed.

"Even if it's very sad, a victory is a victory. Or are you not happy?"

"... Director Tsukishiro, you're really good at provocation. But - you will pay for this."

Seeing her smile with emotion, Director Tsukishiro once again applauded.

"A Koudo Ikusei high school student really said something interesting. Just because you are a

king here, even your arrogance has become large."

From the start, students who were standing in the same position did not want to make an enemy

out of Sakayanagi.

However, in the eyes of this man, she was just a child who liked to brag.

"Because I said you have to pay dearly, then I'll tell you what you have to do now. Hurry, go."

How will it happen? After a short silence.

"Okay, then I have to go. The adults have a lot to do."

Provisional director Tsukishiro began to take steps and deliberately passed by us.

"If possible, I hope you choose to drop out of school. This will eliminate the need to involve other

students."

After leaving this sentence, he walked out to the corridor. Sakayanagi also walked slowly behind

him.

"These results are extremely disappointing. I'm very unhappy."

"I am sorry."

"You don't need to apologize for this Ayanokouji-kun. I'm just frustrated by the fact that adults

must interfere with children's battles. My best memories are now marred by it."

She did not care about her victory.

She simply could not accept that her victory had been crushed.

"Only - even if I accept it, isn't it difficult to know who really is stronger?"

Sakayanagi stopped in her tracks and looked at me.

"Exactly. That is really the problem."

Even though I wanted to remain silent over Interim Director Tsukishiro's intervention, it would be

better if Sakayanagi found out. For me, this incident also left a little sin.

«Please play with me again beginning from the move before the temporary chairman

interfered!»

I could easily reject her proposal right here and now.

But, if I did, I felt something inside Sakayanagi would break. And, something within me as well.

«I have no reasons to turn you down I guess. But, where shall we do it?»

«Did you know that there is a chess board in the library?»

«No… that's the first time I've heard of it.»

«I have used it to play chess there sometimes so let's move over there.»

Finding no reasons to reject her proposal, we moved to the library.

There was nobody there today, maybe because the special exam was over and all events

completed?

Inside the library, which was too quiet, I found the chess board.

I then placed the board on a little table, just large enough for two people.

Sakayanagi arranged the pieces to the state it was before with dexterity.

«Here, the same situation as that time. Show me your real move then please.»

I picked up a piece and moved it forward where it was supposed to go to.

None of us were speaking during the match, the time was ticking away.

During the evening, the only sound heard were the repeating click-clacks of the white and black

pieces.

But that didn't last very long.

There was no need to spend more time since the match started with that situation at the board.

Before long, the end of the game arrived. Sakayanagi was looking at the board while silently

letting out a sight.

A way to avoid checkmate was nowhere to be found.

«As expected of you, Ayanokouji-kun. It's my loss.»

It was a life and death match, move for move.

It didn't seem like she has discontent or anything, she just acknowledged her loss with

satisfaction.

«You sure are honest about it.»

«Do I look like this prideful lady who can't acknowledge her own defeat?»

Saying she didn't look like one would be a lie to be honest.

«What I wanted to know was who among us was above the other and which one was below. I

will never show any discontent or say it was unfair and grumble because of the result.»

«But, I may have won, but that was just a recreation. There are no guarantees that the match

would progress like this at that time and at that precise moment.»

I can't remove the possibility it was a move I managed to think of due to the extra time given to

me.

No, above all—

«This game was the result of Horikita and Hashimoto's match which gave me an advantage. As

far as I see it, I was substituted in while we had the upper hand. I don't think it was a very fair

match.»

The development on the board was made possible by Horikita passing her advantage to me.

Being able to overturn that while being at disadvantage shows how strong Sakayangi is.

If we played played each other from the beginning, there was no proof that I would win.

It's to the point that even If someone proposed a match to me, if I was allowed to run away, I

would want to do it.

«Is that your way of comforting me?»

Sakayanagi laughed, thinking it was weird of me.

«That's not it. I was only stating the objective facts.»

«I'm satisfied with this result. Isn't that enough?»

If she was satisfied with that, then that's certainly alright. As for me though, I'm still troubled be

it.

«Since this special exam was announced, you could have managed to restrict the event to a

1-on-1 and face me directly in a duel. If you had proposed that, I would have accepted. But even

so you didn't, why was that?»

Of course, it was a random battle fought using only seven of the ten events. There was no

guarantee that it would have been chosen. But if we both wished for it, there was a rather high

chance it would have happened.

«The reason is simple. As you have reasoned, there was no guarantee that it would be chosen.

Also, if you carelessly fought me in this 1-on-1 match, your surroundings will surely be

suspicious. I wanted to avoid them both. But it was being taken advantage of by that temporary

chairman in the end.»

She made sure to plan the special exam while showing consideration to me as much as

possible.

That's perhaps why Tsukishiro's intervention irritated her so do that degree. The 7 events

chosen today and their order was most likely not chosen at random, I now assumed.

It wasn't a fair match.

«Furthermore, the one who had the most talent for chess in class A, Hashimoto-kun, was

beaten by the one raised by you, Horikita-san. It just means I lost in that aspect as well.»

Sakayanagi slowly bowed her head.

«Ayanokouji-kun. You are without doubt a genius, you are in no way a fake.»

«You don't plan on taking revenge with chess again?»

«You want me to?»

«…No, I don't.»

«Fufu, you are honest.»

The fact we managed to have this game in silence was the result of this extremely rare timing.

The special exam was over and tomorrow marked the beginning of a long break. Thus a space

empty of people was created.

«The reason I'm not planning on getting revenge, is it…? To be honest, I judged that we both

are at about the same level in chess. If we played 10 times, it wouldn't be weird if the result was

5 wins, 5 losses. Am I wrong?»

«No, you hit the mark.»

Interestingly, our abilities were rivalling each other.

If we continued to repeat this game, it should have progresses just as Sakayanagi said.

«But, I feel the winner of this first bout was you by a little. I think I would have lost at that point in

time. Well, Ayanokouji-kun has a bit longer history with chess than me. That gap is maybe due

to that.»

A slight competitiveness showed on her face, conveying the importance of winning.

«If I were to take revenge using chess, it would take the fun out of it. Chess is a leisure activity, I

want to leave it at that.» She said as she picked up the Knight.

«Regarding that chess history you spoke off, so you did indeed see me then.»

«Yes, I saw you relentlessly pressuring your opponent in the White Room. I've been fond of

chess ever since then, believing the day would come when I would face you in a game.»

The hunch I felt when seeing Class-A's event list seemed to have been on the mark.

It meant that it wasn't a coincidence chess was being chosen as an event.

«Well then——— let's hurry back, shall we?»

«I'll put it away. Just sit there and wait for a bit.»

«Thank you very much. I'll take you up on that.»

I returned the pieces and the board back to its original place.

«It's with regret that I say this but I will keep a distance from you from now on. If I were to

continue fixating myself on you, your classmates would probably be get suspicious.

Furthermore…»

«Furthermore?»

«I wanted to get to know you, get to know you so badly. I was always, always chasing after you.

To me, you are the childhood friend I never got to meet. If I could compete with you that easily,

its value would probably diminish to me.»

A faint smile appeared on her face as she looked at me with affection.

«There is no time for us in the same grade to be fighting among each other when thinking of that

temporary chairman, Tsukishiro, right.»

Putting the cart before the horse. Originally, the students are supposed to fight each other in this

school. Even if we competed in similar ways later, there is no guarantee that he would interfere

yet again. Rather, it's likely he would do anything to interfere with me. As for that, I would be

thankful if I could simply get by without having to suspect the other part.

If I were surrounded by enemies on all sides, the exhaustion would be considerable after all.

We both left the library behind.

«Speaking of which, this is the first time we have left the school, just the two us, isn't it?»

«Now that you say that, it sure is.»

There were always someone beside her.

And normally, the thought that we would walk side-by-side like this wouldn't strike me at all.

«Excuse me for walking this slowly.»

«You don't have to apologise for that.»

Her walking speed was certainly slow. It was because of her handicap. But strangely enough,

today I felt thankful for it.

If I walked per usual, I would reach the dorm in no time at all.

«What are you thinking of doing from now on?»

«I just have to watch out for Tsukishiro's next move. He may just be a temporary one, but he's

still the chairman. He probably wouldn't do anything foolish.»

«You are right. Considering how it looks, my father's reinstatement seems difficult after all.»

«What are you planning on doing then?» I asked.

Sakayanagi pondered for a bit.

«I thinking of doing what I've done so far, enjoying my days. If Katsuragi-kun starts opposing me

again, I'll be his opponent. If Ichinose-san chases after me, I'll crush her while I play with her, it

seems interesting after all. If she got herself expelled, I would get to see her own class B fall

apart as well.»

She smiled like a girl who innocently played with her dolls.

«I didn't foresee Ryuuen-kun's move however… If he returned to the battlefield, I'd like to fight

with him too. Thinking of it, it seems like it won't be a boring school life after all.»

«That's good then.»

«What do you plan on doing, Ayanokouji-kun?»

«I would rather not take any actions in the open if I can avoid it. I'll make Horikita do her best.»

«It seems I can watch her growth with my own eyes as well. I'll look forward to it.»

Maybe she one day could become an opponent who Sakayanagi herself would say she had to

be on guard against, just like Ichinose and Ryuuen. If so, Sakayanagi would enjoy herself even

more.

«…There's one thing I have to apologise for.»

«Apologise?»

«I told you about why I wanted to avoid a 1 vs 1 duel earlier, but that was a lie.»

It was to avoid getting me into the spotlight, her consideration so to say. But now she withdrew

that statement.

«To tell you the truth, I wanted to be in the same space as you, even just for one more

moment.»

She said as she stretched her right hand towards me. I took it thinking it was a handshake, but

she put her left hand over, enveloping mine.

«People learn about warmth when they touch each other. That's a very precious feeling. The

warmth of another human is by no means a bad thing. Please remember that.»

«What do you mean?»

«It's a late, message from me.»

While I didn't understand what she was saying, she slowly released my hand and started

walking.

«Well, let's go back» It seems like she wouldn't explain any further.

We watched the sunset as we took the way back.

«Oh by the way, have you heard? Yoshida-kun from class A—»

A relationship where we could speak of the old days, we had not. Without any objectives or

purpose, we just earnestly exchanged tales about our daily lives. Until the very moment we

reached the dorms.

END OF VOLUME 11