Chapter 259

Seeing that Natsume Chikage didn't seem to notice them, Horikawa Kaori took the initiative to suggest:

"I'll go call Natsume-kun over."

Little loli Furukawa Caixu immediately echoed excitedly:

"Caixu wants to go too!"

Furukawa Masahiro nodded with a smile:

"Then I'll trouble Miss Horikawa to take Caixu along."

"Mm, leave it to me."

Horikawa Kaori took Furukawa Caixu's small hand, and the two walked toward Natsume Chikage together.

They soon found him by the aisle.

Natsume Chikage had already stopped, his gaze sweeping across the spectator area as if looking for an empty seat.

The two approached.

The moment the distance closed, Horikawa Kaori subconsciously raised her hand to cover her lips, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

Natsume-kun looks… even more handsome than he did a few days ago?

Was it her imagination?

Furukawa Caixu didn't think that much, but when she got close and saw Natsume Chikage, her small face was already full of bright excitement.

"Natsume-kun, good afternoon."

"Big brother, good afternoon!"

Hearing the voice, Natsume Chikage turned his head, saw the two, and responded politely:

"Little Caixu, Miss Horikawa, good afternoon."

He then asked curiously:

"Is Miss Horikawa also in the second session today?"

Horikawa Kaori shook her head, her tone carrying a bit of frustration:

"No, I was in the first session… and it's already over."

Natsume Chikage was a bit curious:

"How did it go? Did you win?"

Horikawa Kaori immediately puffed out her cheeks:

"Don't mention it… I lost! I was matched against Mido Orihime, a 5-dan female player, and I lost miserably."

Hearing this, Natsume Chikage was clearly stunned for a moment:

"You ran into Mido Orihime? What a coincidence?"

Horikawa Kaori caught the subtle expression on his face and couldn't help but ask:

"Judging by your reaction, do you know her?"

Natsume Chikage's expression became a bit strange.

"She is the student council president at my school. As for whether I know her… it's hard to say; we haven't even spoken more than a few words in total."

"I see…"

Horikawa Kaori realized, then reminded him earnestly.

"But she is really strong; if you run into her, be very careful."

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly:

"Mm, noted."

At this moment, Furukawa Caixu had already reached out her small hand, gently tugging at Natsume Chikage's finger, looking up with her small face, and saying happily:

"Big brother, I came specifically to watch you play shogi today!"

A hint of surprise flashed through Natsume Chikage's heart.

He still remembered that after their last match, little Caixu had cried sadly over losing, and had been avoiding him ever since; he thought he had been disliked.

It seems a child's mind is indeed simple; they forget unhappy things in the blink of an eye.

He smiled and rubbed little Caixu's soft hair:

"Mm, thank you for coming, little Caixu."

Furukawa Caixu squinted her eyes in enjoyment, then reached out her small hand to point in the direction of Furukawa Masahiro:

"Big brother, Grandpa is waiting for you over there!"

Horikawa Kaori also suggested at the right time:

"Natsume-kun, let's go sit over there for a while before the match starts; there are seats, you can take a rest."

Natsume Chikage was just worrying about where to settle down, so he gladly agreed:

"Okay, please lead the way."

The three walked over together.

Furukawa Masahiro watched Natsume Chikage approach, and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

After three days of separation, the radiance around this boy seemed to have become even clearer and more dazzling.

"Young friend Natsume, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, Grandpa Furukawa."

After they sat down, Furukawa Masahiro remembered that business card that had vanished like a stone into the sea, and finally couldn't help but probe in a casual tone:

"Natsume-kun, have you… been particularly busy lately?"

Natsume Chikage recalled his experiences over the past few days and nodded honestly:

"Indeed, a bit."

The corner of Furukawa Masahiro's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

So he really was busy.

He changed his angle and asked:

"Then… during this time, have you found time to study shogi?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head:

"No. Lately, I've had to work part-time, go to school, and have club activities; I basically can't squeeze out any free time."

This answer left both Furukawa Masahiro and Horikawa Kaori stunned for a moment.

Aren't you here for the competition?

Ordinary people usually sharpen their swords before a battle, studying game records or opponents.

But you? You've completely returned to the daily life of a standard high school student, without a single sign of "preparing for battle"?

Although you are a high school student, that's not wrong…

But with the match imminent, at least be a bit nervous and make some preparations.

Furukawa Masahiro coughed twice and couldn't help but ask:

"If you don't touch shogi for days, aren't you worried that your state will be rusty during the match?"

Natsume Chikage smiled, his tone relaxed:

"That won't be an issue; I feel my state is still okay."

Horikawa Kaori listened from the side, feeling a bit helpless, and even felt that Natsume-kun was a bit of a "natural airhead."

Cute is cute, but you paid a solid 20,000 yen registration fee.

This money shouldn't be wasted; studying before the match to increase your winning odds would be good.

She couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for him.

The first round had already screened out many weak players.

So the upcoming opponents would either be registered members of the Shogi Association or battle-hardened amateur experts, with experience of two or three thousand games.