"A transaction?"
Natsukawa put down his cup and raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise. "How unusual. Is there something in this school that could stump Sakayanagi, requiring a 'transaction' to obtain? I thought the entire Class A was under your control."
This was a test.
He was testing Sakayanagi's grasp of the current situation and her attitude when faced with something she "desired but could not obtain."
"Don't get too carried away, Natsukawa-kun."
Sakayanagi's gaze instantly turned cold. Although she still wore a smile, the warmth had vanished from it.
"I sought you out not because I 'couldn't do it,' but merely because you, as a chess piece, happen to be in a convenient position to use."
"You are a clever opportunist. Since you could see through the weakness of Katsuragi, that stone, and manipulate Ryuuen at your leisure, then..."
She leaned forward, her eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts, locking onto Natsukawa.
"You must have realized it long ago, haven't you? Just what kind of monster that existence named 'Ayanokoji Kiyotaka' next to you truly is."
As expected, it was about Ayanokoji.
Natsukawa understood. This White-Haired Witch's obsession with Ayanokoji was even more terrifying than a lovesick fool's.
But he displayed a perfectly timed expression of "confusion," which quickly shifted into a businessman's shrewdness.
"Ayanokoji? That unremarkable guy? He runs fast, but that's about it, isn't it?"
"Stop playing dumb."
Sakayanagi cut him off contemptuously. "What I need you to do is simple."
She extended a finger and lightly tapped the table.
"In the upcoming exams, create a stage for Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. A stage that forces him to drop his pretense and reveal his full strength."
"I want him... to have a fair and square confrontation with me. I want him to know what a true genius is."
When she spoke the word "confrontation," a fervent light flashed in Sakayanagi's eyes. It was the look of a predator, only revealed when facing a destined rival.
Natsukawa Sosuke leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest.
He did not ask "why."
For a "philistine merchant" who only cared about making money, probing into the employer's hidden passions and grudges was unnecessary and dangerous. He knew Sakayanagi approached him precisely because she valued his "money-first, people-second" attitude.
Besides, he didn't need to ask; who present didn't know the whole story about her getting crushed by Ayanokoji in chess in elementary school, going home and practicing obsessively, and holding a grudge for eight years just to get revenge? He didn't even want to mention it.
Though if he did mention it, he might be reporting to Tokyo Bay the very next day.
So, he just shrugged and asked the question that best fit his persona:
"What's in it for me?"
"..."
Sakayanagi looked at his impervious manner. The fervor for burying Ayanokoji gradually receded from her eyes, replaced by indifference mixed with deep contempt.
A vulgar person, indeed.
Originally, she had expected that this man might ask an interesting question or show a desire for the "truth." In that case, she wouldn't mind revealing a glimpse of the 'Masterpiece' among artificial geniuses as a reward for his insight.
But in the end, everything he said revolved around profit.
But this was perfect.
Anyone driven by profit was the easiest tool to use.
"Five million."
Sakayanagi uttered the number lightly.
"Upon completion, I will transfer five million private points to you. That price should be enough to buy all your loyalty, shouldn't it?"
Five million.
For any student, this was an astronomical sum, enough to drive a person mad.
Kamuro Masumi, who had been standing silently in the back, couldn't help but glance over, clearly stunned by the extravagance. Just how obsessed was this Little Princess with this Ayanokoji, to spend such a massive amount of points just for a fair, all-out confrontation with him?
However, Natsukawa Sosuke merely smiled.
"Sakayanagi, are you perhaps underestimating me?"
"Furthermore, thanks to your 'wise leadership,' Class A is currently thriving, bursting with vitality. Katsuragi has been contributing a large sum of 'consulting fees' to me every month just to stabilize the situation."
"To be honest, the one thing I don't lack right now is points."
"You..."
A crack finally appeared in Sakayanagi Arisu's placid expression.
She detected the sting in Natsukawa's words.
This feeling, for the first time in a while, caused this habitually proud Princess to feel a hint of irritation.
"It seems your appetite is larger than I imagined."
Sakayanagi's voice grew cold.
"However, Natsukawa-kun. The biggest taboo in business is insatiable greed."
"Do you think this matter absolutely requires you?"
She tightened her grip on her cane, her tone laced with menace.
"I sought you out simply because I found it more 'interesting' and 'proper' this way. I don't want to cause too much fuss, nor do I want to dirty my own hands."
"But if you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit... I won't mind switching to a more brutal method."
The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.
Onlooker Kito Hayabusa took a step forward, his formidable aura completely unrestrained, as if he could execute Natsukawa on the spot the moment Sakayanagi gave the order.
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at the girl who had finally bared her fangs, feeling not fear, but a sense of "I knew it" relief.
This was the real Sakayanagi Arisu.
Usually disguised as an elegant princess, she turns into a man-eating viper when displeased.
Once thoroughly angered, she would poison you without you realizing it, leaving you like Old Man Yamauchi, who, until the moment of his expulsion, was still dreaming of Sakayanagi's promises. Yet, only a merciless expulsion notice awaited him.
He wasn't the Ayanokoji that Sakayanagi desperately sought; right now, he was just a background character with no connections.
However, the time was right.
"Don't get so worked up, Princess."
Natsukawa Sosuke raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his smile turning gentle again.
"I only said I wasn't short on points; I didn't say I wouldn't agree."
"After all, witnessing the full efforts of geniuses is a rare and valuable experience in life for me."
He stood up and straightened his collar.
"I accept this task, but the relevant stage still needs careful consideration. After all, a confrontation between two geniuses requires a commensurate stage, doesn't it?"
"Please wait patiently. I will give you a satisfactory answer."
Having said that, he didn't wait for Sakayanagi's response, picked up his coffee, and drank it in one gulp.
Then he turned directly and walked toward the door.
"Well then, see you later."
As the door closed, silence returned to the cafe.
Sakayanagi Arisu sat there quietly, looking at the empty seat. The anger in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a deeper contemplation.
"What an ignorant clown."
She whispered softly, a cruel curve forming at the corner of her mouth.
"However, since you are willing to act as the guide... I shall tolerate your rudeness for now."
"I hope the outcome... is worth my patience."
.....
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