Chapter 487

Even if he failed, at least he would have no regrets.

What is the essential difference between stopping forever because of fear of a possible breakup and being permanently rejected?

Natsume Chikage’s eyes also gradually calmed down and became serious.

"I can hear that your feelings for Asahina-san are very deep, and you cherish the relationship between you very much."

"But—I think I will never be able to understand your approach in my life, nor will I agree with it."

Suzuki Takayuki was stunned, a look of confusion appearing on his face.

"Wait... what do you mean by that... are you refusing this bet?"

"Why?"

He leaned forward eagerly.

"Isn't this all benefit and no harm to you?"

"If you win, you can make any request to me, money or otherwise."

"And you can get a girl as good as Akatsuki! She is really excellent, has a cheerful personality, and... uh, her figure is also very good! If you are together, you will definitely not regret it!"

"But why... is it because you feel you can't beat me, so you refuse?"

Natsume Chikage heard him say "good figure" in his anxiety, and black lines hung from his forehead, almost unable to hold back.

This guy... looks quite serious on the outside, but he must be a pervert.

He sighed helplessly and raised his hand to signal the other to calm down.

"Wait, don't be anxious, I didn't say I refuse."

"Can you let me finish what I’m saying?"

Suzuki Takayuki heard this, and the ecstasy returned to his face instantly.

"As long as you are willing to agree, anything is fine!"

"Tell me! What conditions?"

Natsume Chikage’s gaze became clear and definite.

When he caught a glimpse of the glowing wallet earlier, he already had a goal.

Attribute points are one of the "resources" he currently needs most urgently.

"I have a hobby of collecting some small items."

"So, I don't need your promise to 'go through fire and water', nor do I need money."

He paused and looked directly at Suzuki Takayuki.

"I only want... that leather wallet you have."

Suzuki Takayuki was instantly dumbfounded.

"No... didn't I say anything is fine?"

"Isn't your family... situation not very good, and you need money? You can let me give you money! Or other more practical things!"

"Why choose a wallet?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head, his tone indifferent but unquestionable.

"No reason."

"I just want it. Is that not okay?"

Suzuki Takayuki looked at his calm face, and the astonishment on his face gradually turned into a look of relief, with a hint of helplessness.

Forget it, he’s going to lose anyway.

It doesn't really matter what conditions he sets now.

Since he really likes that old wallet so much, even if I win, it wouldn't hurt to give it to him.

"Alright."

He nodded readily.

"Since you only want this, no problem."

"As long as you agree to date Akatsuki, nothing is a problem."

The corners of Natsume Chikage’s mouth curved upward very slightly.

"Then it’s a deal."

It was also at this moment.

A familiar, steady male voice came from the side of the two without warning.

"The bet between the two of you sounds... very interesting."

Shogi referee Kishida Minesuke had already stood by the chess table at some point.

His expression was solemn, his gaze sweeping between the two.

"If you don't mind, I’d like to recommend myself again to act as the notary for this game, how about it?"

"I promise to strictly supervise the fulfillment of the bet after the game to ensure the winner gets the 'stake' they deserve."

"What do you two think?"

The corners of Natsume Chikage’s mouth twitched imperceptibly.

Why is it you again...

Did you install a 'bet detector'?

Or are you specifically patrolling the arena looking for chess tables to bet on?

He resisted the urge to complain and finally chose to remain silent.

Having an official referee witness it would save a lot of trouble.

Suzuki Takayuki was quite welcoming of Kishida Minesuke’s appearance.

He knew that this referee had impartially executed the bet between Akatsuki and Natsume Chikage last time.

With him there, it could better ensure that Natsume Chikage wouldn't go back on his word later.

"Fine, I have no problem." Suzuki Takayuki said solemnly.

Kishida Minesuke nodded slightly.

"Understood."

Then, he stepped back and entered the referee state.

Suzuki Takayuki turned back, his gaze becoming extremely sharp again, locking onto Natsume Chikage.

"I will beat you."

He said word by word, full of determination.

"And then, let you date Akatsuki."

Natsume Chikage met his gaze without any retreat.

His eyes were clear and firm, his voice calm, but carrying a rock-like texture.

"I, will absolutely not lose."

Suzuki Takayuki heard this, and the expression on his face froze instantly, then became extremely strange, full of question marks.

This guy...

Everyone else is dying to date a perfect girl like Akatsuki, why is he acting like he’s avoiding it?

And "absolutely will not lose"?

With his strength, facing me... where does he get the confidence?

He shook his head and suppressed this absurdity.

Whatever.

He can't beat me anyway.

Say whatever he wants.

Soon.

Referee Kishida Minesuke stepped forward and signaled for the two to "grab pieces" to decide who goes first.

The process was simple and fast.

The result was revealed—

"Contestant Suzuki, first move."

Suzuki Takayuki heard this and slowly placed a piece.

Natsume Chikage then extended his right hand, his fingertips reaching for a piece.

Without any hesitation, and without any extra movements.

His wrist was steady, and his placement was precise.

"Click."

A light sound.

The piece landed steadily on the chessboard.

Crisp, clean, without a hint of hesitation.

Announcing this final duel intertwined with chess art, youth, complex emotions, and special stakes—

From this moment on, officially begins!

On the giant screen, at the commentary desk.

The two commentators were prioritizing the analysis of the game between the two professional players at the other chess table.

But after a short while.

The director’s instructions were clearly transmitted to their headsets, intending to switch the screen.

Because real-time viewership data and online popularity showed that another chess table was attracting equal, if not more intense, attention.

It was at this moment.

The screen switched instantly.

It was Table 1, the duel between Natsume Chikage and Suzuki Takayuki.

The two commentators understood and quickly adjusted their focus.

Inoue Masazo adjusted his headset, his eyes locked on the screen like torches.

"Alright, viewers, let’s turn our attention to another focal battle in the final round of the fifth round!"

"At this moment, the game has already begun!"

"It’s the dark horse of this tournament, Natsume Chikage, who has been creating surprises all the way, against the genius teenager Suzuki Takayuki, a Third Dan of the Promotion Association who is just one step away from the door of professional Shogi!"

Nanjo Maiko quickly followed up, her speaking speed smooth and clear.

"If we predict based solely on paper strength and conventional experience, this might be the group with the most obvious gap among the four groups in this round."

She skillfully brought up the prepared materials.

"Contestant Suzuki Takayuki, only seventeen years old, is already a Third Dan in the Promotion Association."

"Within the highly competitive Promotion Association, his win rate and stability have long been maintained at a top level, and he is hailed by many seniors as one of the 'superstars' who is most hopeful and fastest to win professional qualification this year."

Inoue Masazo nodded, adding analysis with his steady voice.

"Yes, Contestant Suzuki represents a certain height that young players can reach through the combination of systematic training and talent."

He shifted the topic to the other side.

"And looking at Contestant Natsume Chikage, also young, also achieved five consecutive wins that shocked many people, and also stood on the stage of this fifth round final battle."

"But according to the materials he submitted and the official records of the Shogi Association, he indeed has not undergone systematic rank certification, and lacks a resume of long-term, high-intensity professional training."

His tone carried amazement and cautious reservation.

"This is enough to prove that Contestant Natsume can break into the final round of this 'Hell Double-Header'—relying almost entirely on pure and amazing talent!"

"Like Contestant Suzuki, he is an out-and-out 'talented player'!"

He paused slightly.

"However, Shogi is ultimately a comprehensive art of experience, research, and tempering. In terms of systematic combat experience, deep understanding of fixed patterns, and the accumulation of 'chess sense' to deal with various situations..."

"I’m afraid there is a distance between Contestant Natsume and Contestant Suzuki that needs time to fill."

He weighed his words, trying to be objective.

"The game he won against Contestant Morimoto Yuki in the previous round was certainly wonderful, and we all witnessed Contestant Natsume’s unquestionable strength."

"But regarding whether there were 'state factors' as mentioned by Contestant Morimoto after the game, or 'contingency' under specific tactics, we as bystanders cannot assert, and can only remain doubtful for now."

His gaze became sharp.

"And this time, the challenge he faces has been upgraded."

"The opponent is Suzuki Takayuki, who has a higher rank and whose playing style is considered more balanced and comprehensive."

"If he can defeat this person, then the words of Contestant Morimoto that Natsume Chikage was just lucky will naturally be self-defeating."

Nanjo Maiko took over, her tone heavy.

"Indeed."

"However, Contestant Suzuki is already in the realm of 'quasi-professional', and his experience and preparation must be more sufficient than previous opponents."

"He must have studied and guarded against the tactics that Contestant Natsume might adopt."

She further elaborated on the gap in strength.

"Moreover, from the perspective of the 'absolute strength' scale recognized by the Shogi world, 'rank' itself is a heavy weight."

"The improvement of every small rank often means the tempering of hundreds or even thousands of serious games, and the accumulation of countless failures and reflections."

"Not to mention, every time you promote a rank, you need to face many other players of the same rank."

"Among so many players, only one can successfully advance."

"One can imagine how formidable Contestant Suzuki Takayuki is, reaching quasi-professional at such a young age."

She looked at Suzuki Takayuki’s calm profile on the screen.

"So this also means that Contestant Natsume can defeat Contestant Morimoto, a Second Dan of the Promotion Association, but may not be able to cross the barrier set by Contestant Suzuki, a Third Dan and quasi-professional."

"The gap on paper between the two sides clearly exists."

She added a piece of data.

"Even—according to the past records we have on hand, Contestant Suzuki maintains a very high win rate in formal confrontations with Contestant Morimoto."

"In addition, judging from the predictive support rate on the Internet before the game, the proportion of people who are optimistic about Contestant Suzuki winning is indeed significantly higher than Contestant Natsume... It seems everyone is more optimistic about Contestant Suzuki."

Inoue Masazo made a phased summary.

"In summary, although Contestant Natsume can always inject incredible suspense into the tournament, based on objective analysis, the probability of Contestant Suzuki Takayuki winning this game undoubtedly occupies a larger advantage."

"I don't know if Contestant Natsume can break expectations again and create a miracle. This is undoubtedly the most gripping point of this game."

At this time.

The eyes of the two commentators followed the real-time game closely.

After a few rounds of probing and confrontation, the initial situation presented on the chessboard seemed to confirm part of their analysis.

Inoue Masazo’s tone became surprised.

"The current situation... Contestant Natsume seems to be slightly at a disadvantage because of the second move."

"But it’s not a big problem, after all, the second move is supposed to be at a disadvantage."

"Rather, the current situation surprises me a lot. I thought there would be a one-sided situation at first, but I never expected that Contestant Natsume could actually go back and forth with Contestant Suzuki."

Nanjo Maiko observed carefully and said softly.

"On the chessboard, Contestant Suzuki’s response appears unusually experienced."

"He is not shaken at all by some of Contestant Natsume’s seemingly detached moves, like a precisely calibrated chariot, steadily and firmly advancing toward the opponent’s line."

"The most critical thing is that while exerting pressure, his own formation has no flaws, and the defensive fortifications are built perfectly."

Inoue Masazo nodded, combining the materials to analyze.

"Contestant Suzuki’s current chess path is completely consistent with what is shown in the materials—a typical 'balanced type', also known as the 'orthodox school'."

"The characteristics of this type of player are that they are both offensive and defensive, with no obvious shortcomings. They do not deliberately pursue fierce battles or desperate defense, but flexibly choose the most 'correct' strategy that conforms to chess principles according to the natural flow of the situation, pursuing the overall 'harmony' of the situation."

He compared and looked at Natsume Chikage.

"Looking at Contestant Natsume... in the first few rounds, his storm-like attacks made people think he was a purely 'offensive' or 'warlike' player."

"But after observing these rounds, I found that his chess style seems to have considerable elasticity and can be adjusted according to the opponent."

"Now it seems that he is perhaps closer to the 'feeling school' or 'genius type'."

He explained.

"This type of player is not completely constrained by established patterns and long-term calculations, but relies more on keen intuition and instantaneous inspiration, often able to make unexpected 'ghost moves' or 'brilliant moves', and the chess path is difficult to fathom with common sense."

Nanjo Maiko heard this, and a flash of realization flashed in her eyes.

"After hearing Mr. Inoue say this, it is indeed so!"

"Contestant Natsume’s play, compared to the balanced 'orthodox school' of Contestant Suzuki, appears more elusive and unpredictable, and it is difficult for you to accurately capture the deep meaning behind his every step."

Inoue Masazo said with interest:

"I thought Contestant Natsume might have a one-sided situation before."

"But it seems not... I don't know how both sides will respond when the time comes."