Chapter 161 – Sakayanagi Arisu’s determination

The two watched as Ayanokouji, slightly hunched, walked away. The conversation resumed, with Yukio extending his hand, palm up, seemingly asking for something, while his eyes were fixed on Sakayanagi's cane.

Sakayanagi smiled knowingly and handed the cane to Yukio. The cane she'd carried for years was given away, making her feel a bit uncomfortable and out of place.

Yukio then swung the cane, his nimble fingers rapidly changing its position, manipulating the cane like a spinning pen.

"I didn't expect Yukio-kun's fingers to be so dexterous," Sakayanagi genuinely complimented, her deep eyes, like distant galaxies, holding a hint of envy.

It was the envy of someone physically weak for those with strength and flexibility.

"Not too bad," Yukio replied with an inexplicable smile, unusually humble: "I learned this from an older sister I knew."

Sakayanagi avoided looking at the cane, her previously pale face now showing a faint blush.

She mentally chastised herself but quickly thought, "This is normal for a wealthy son, isn't it? After all, a rich boy like Yukio-kun might often have such lessons."

Yukio seemed lost in a memory, and his cane-spinning stopped: "I remember when I used to learn piano with my older sister."

"Huh?" It was rare, or more accurately, the first time, to see that slightly amused, confident look on Sakayanagi's face turn into one of surprise: "Piano?"

"Yeah." Yukio caught Sakayanagi's eye, his faint smile showing a teasing hint: "Back then, my family said I didn't have to play, but I should at least understand and appreciate it."

"But out of personal interest, I learned a few techniques. Hey, Sakayanagi, were you thinking something else? Didn't know a girl like you had such knowledge."

"..." Sakayanagi felt her cheeks getting warm, but she quickly suppressed her embarrassment and returned to her calm, shallow smile: "Yukio-kun, you really have a mischievous side."

"Tricking a poor girl like me so easily."

Thump.

The cane made a dull sound as Yukio lightly tapped it on the ground: "At least it's better than your manipulation. If you hadn't invited me here, Ayanokouji might not have agreed to your challenge."

"Don't get me wrong, Yukio-kun." Sakayanagi hurried to clarify. This was why she obediently handed over her cane to Yukio—to show her sincerity and that she wasn't trying to manipulate him.

Otherwise, Sakayanagi wouldn't easily give up the cane that supported her daily movements.

"I invited you here mainly to let you know that while we both have our eyes on Ayanokouji, there's no conflict."

"I had no intention of using you. If Ayanokouji didn't accept my challenge, I could use various means to force him to agree. There'd be no need to trouble you and create an enemy without reason."

"Also," Sakayanagi continued, her eyes narrowing slightly, with a rare gleam of depth, "Ayanokouji-kun might be pretending to be afraid of you, giving you the impression that I'm manipulating you, possibly to sow discord between us."

Yukio knew this well and had already sensed it. Sakayanagi likely anticipated his doubts, so she came alone to meet him. For someone with a physical condition like hers, taking the risk to meet him alone was a significant show of goodwill.

His question stemmed from his cautious nature, an instinctive behavior to probe anything outside his control. Returning the cane, he asked, "So your interest in Ayanokouji has something to do with eight years ago?"

"Of course." Sakayanagi took back the cane, supporting herself, and seemed to reminisce, her gaze drifting out the window: "Eight years ago, when I was still a child, my father took me to visit the White Room facility."

"Not just the ceiling, the floor tiles, the doors, the glass frames, and even the white lab coats of the staff and the white hospital gowns of the children—all were pure white."

"My father pointed at a child with electrodes attached to their head and said that every child who came here would eventually become a prodigy. I mocked at the idea."

"Genius—some say it's intangible, others say it's a genetic expression that hasn't been unlocked by human biology."

"But in summary, talent is real. A regular person might take a year to master a skill, while a gifted individual might take a month, a week, or even three days to master it."

"Problems that stump college students are just casual puzzles for some mathematicians in their childhood..."

Hearing this, Yukio silently reflected on how the White Room might be even harsher than he had imagined. The idea of children with electrodes on their heads was a bit difficult to accept; unlike Sakayanagi, he'd never personally visited the place, so this was new information for him.

Sakayanagi continued without pause, recounting her past and reaffirming her determination: "The White Room, this so-called facility for cultivating prodigy children, really disgusts me."

"Even if some children manage to stand out, showing extraordinary talent, how can one prove it's not the child who is inherently talented, and that it's all due to the White Room's efforts?"

"Collecting so many children over the years, and occasionally producing a single success, can that really be called high-tech cultivation of young prodigies?"

"From that moment on, I decided I must defeat that white facility, to ensure I'm not surpassed by anyone from there."

"To make the world understand that real genius is innate, not something you can acquire through nurture."

No matter how frail Sakayanagi seemed, when she spoke these words, her conviction was clear, containing all her spirit and energy.

This made Yukio realize why Sakayanagi was targeting Ayanokouji.

Ayanokouji, as the White Room's successful outcome, was touted by the facility as its greatest achievement. But if Sakayanagi could defeat Ayanokouji, the White Room's reputation would take a significant hit, and its claim to be able to create prodigies would become a joke.

Based on this, the White Room, with its massive investments, could be quickly abandoned by the higher-ups, eliminating any future prospects for development.

This would effectively dismantle the facility, preventing more children from undergoing its questionable process of so-called nurture. This was the belief that drove Sakayanagi.

Depending on one's perspective, you could view her as selfish, seeking to prove her abilities and validate herself as a genuine genius, not inferior to any artificial ones.

Or, if you think she's altruistic, then Sakayanagi is like a savior, trying to rescue children from the clutches of the White Room, taking this path to stop its harm.

To Yukio, he only saw that this seemingly fragile girl, who might collapse from a single punch, possessed a surprisingly bold and fearless charm.

***

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