It started off smoothly, but Class 1-B quickly faltered on the subsequent questions.
Katsuragi Kohei was undoubtedly the top scorer, not even giving Sakayanagi Arisu, the Command Tower, a chance to intervene.
With a 70% accuracy rate, he achieved the highest score on both sides.
"The first event goes to Class A."
Chabashira Sae announced the result flatly, though her gaze lingered intentionally or unintentionally on the two Command Towers.
Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't surprised by this outcome at all, appearing completely at ease.
"Didn't you specifically practice Class A's events?"
The winner naturally had the capacity to deliver well-deserved taunts to the loser, as if retaliating against Ichinose Honami's earlier empty talk.
This subtle mockery didn't stir any emotional turbulence in Ichinose Honami.
Abacus Mental Calculation was quite niche, and Class B students had no prior exposure to it, so losing was understandable.
"I've been contemplating countermeasures against Class A's events every day," Ichinose Honami said.
"You excel in written exams and overall have higher comprehensive abilities than us. I believe a direct confrontation would be hopeless."
Sakayanagi Arisu slightly furrowed her brows as she watched the screen flicker, the school's system randomly selecting the next event.
Class A had chosen Chess, Mental Arithmetic, Memory Cards, Modern Literature Exam, and Volleyball.
Class B had decided on Chemistry Exam, English Exam, Tennis, Sketching, and Texas Hold'em.
If one could glimpse each side's intentions through their selected events, Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't yet deciphered Ichinose Honami's strategy.
It was perplexing that Ichinose Honami would include two written exam events despite knowing Class A's proficiency in them.
Moreover, the latter two events were even more surprising.
While Sketching was somewhat understandable, what was the reasoning behind Texas Hold'em?
Were they counting on luck to secure a victory?
Sakayanagi Arisu had some understanding of Texas Hold'em's rules and didn't believe high school students could play at an exceptional level.
They were probably hoping luck would help Kaoru win one event.
To be honest, she had initially intended to use intelligence gathered by Kamuro Masumi, Yamamura Miki, and others to carefully analyze Class B's potential event choices.
Sakayanagi Arisu had assumed events like Chemistry Exam, English Exam, and Texas Hold'em were merely Smoke Screens, with the real events being Tennis and Sketching which relied on minor techniques.
Instead, she had been proven wrong.
"By the way, Sakayanagi-san," Ichinose Honami looked at Sakayanagi Arisu with a gentle smile, "you've been keeping an eye on our events, haven't you? Kamuro-san sometimes wanders around the library, and some classmates have privately approached me, saying Class A members have been contacting them."
"Apologies, did that make you uneasy?" Sakayanagi Arisu responded with a smile, though her tone carried a slight upward inflection.
"Not at all. It's because Sakayanagi-san doesn't want to lose, so you're giving it your all."
Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't discern how much mockery was hidden in that smile - perhaps all of it, just like Kaoru who believed she couldn't achieve a grand slam.
Whenever this realization struck, her chest would feel tight with an indescribable sensation. Was it resentment at the possibility of losing?
Or perhaps regret for having been too lenient with Kaoru, resulting in her current inability to control him?
No, Sakayanagi Arisu stubbornly believed she wouldn't lose.
The reason she had indulged Kaoru was because she trusted that, at equal levels, she had no reason to be defeated.
If she lost to Kaoru before burying her Greatest Masterpiece, what right would she have to reclaim the words she'd previously spoken to her father?
No matter what, Sakayanagi Arisu had reasons she couldn't afford to lose.
"The second event: Chess."
...
Following instructions, Kaoru soon arrived at a classroom.
A chessboard had already been set up with both sides' pieces in position.
An unfamiliar teacher stood nearby supervising, accompanied by a camera.
Sakayanagi Arisu and Ichinose Honami were likely monitoring every move here through cameras.
Kaoru glanced at the student opposite him, never expecting it to be the boy Kanzaki Ryuji.
Only the two of them were present, each carrying a walkie-talkie, with the Command Tower able to direct them for half an hour at any time.
"Long time no see."
Kaoru initiated the greeting.
Kanzaki Ryuji looked toward the teacher and, seeing no objection, spoke up.
"Have you studied Chess before?"
"No."
Kaoru shook his head. His victory over Sakayanagi Arisu was entirely thanks to the Wish-Granter.
Kanzaki Ryuji seemed puzzled but quickly regained his composure.
"I've studied Chess, though my level isn't as high as Sakayanagi's."
Kanzaki Ryuji paused, glancing at the camera, "I look forward to learning from you."
Kaoru felt he was saying this to Sakayanagi Arisu through the lens.
Did they know each other before?
Kaoru didn't dwell on it too much, soon making the first move after the teacher announced the start.
[Hehe, another amateur. Hope he knows his place and ends the match quickly.]
[Entertain me, mortal!]
[Ha! Ha!]
[Your brain seems a bit small—do you ever use it?]
Kanzaki Ryuji's expression gradually grew serious, pondering for a while before each move.
[Ara ara, did I hurt you? Gomen ne, I was just joking earlier. I didn't realize you really couldn't play Chess. I'll be more careful in the future~]
Kaoru silently endured the Wish-Machine's trash talk.
She seemed to particularly enjoy pressuring opponents, always trying to get Kaoru to relay her words.
Of course, Kaoru paid her no mind.
As the match neared its end, Kaoru's walkie-talkie crackled to life.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Kaoru-kun~"
Though it wasn't Sakayanagi Arisu's voice, Kaoru could imagine her tone.
"You really haven't studied Chess?"
Kanzaki Ryuji's expression was off, likely thinking Kaoru had been toying with him.
"If it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't have been exposed to Chess."
Kaoru gave a half-truthful reply.
Kanzaki Ryuji frowned, though his expression softened slightly.
If Sakayanagi Arisu had taught him personally, it wasn't entirely unacceptable.
"I lose."
Kanzaki Ryuji cleanly resigned by tipping over his king.
The match was unsustainable—Kaoru would have captured his king in a few more moves.
Kaoru was somewhat surprised, it seemed Kanzaki hadn't used his walkie-talkie at all.
"I'm the most knowledgeable about Chess in our class."
Kanzaki Ryuji guessed his thoughts, "If I can't beat you, Ichinose can't either."
Probably even Ichinose Honami hadn't expected her boyfriend to be this skilled—likely at a professional level.
"Thanks for the game."
Kaoru ignored the Wish-Machine's constant "small fry, small fry" taunts.
He couldn't actually read the board, but he understood Kanzaki Ryuji's feelings.
The teacher confirmed both sides' conditions and announced the second event as Class A's victory.
Before leaving, Kanzaki Ryuji paused briefly at the doorway.
"Though I don't know the specifics between you and Ichinose, I have something to tell you."
Kaoru stopped before him, meeting his unwavering gaze.
"If you're just playing around, you'd better stay away from her."
After saying this, Kanzaki Ryuji turned and left.
Kaoru recalled the words of Amikura Mako and Ichinose Honami - Class B had a terrible impression of him, once suspecting he simply wanted to toy with Ichinose Honami's feelings.
"Will I get beaten up later?"