Chapter 495

"I agree."

"If he hadn't wanted to be the first to use the 'drop,' I don't think this match would have ended so quickly."

Hearing his own thoughts acknowledged so calmly by his opponent, Suzuki Takayuki’s tense shoulders seemed to relax slightly.

A faint, almost relieved look flashed across his pale face.

Although the pain of defeat remained, at least his judgment had been verified by his opponent.

Sawada Rika’s smile deepened a little.

"I see."

But her tone immediately changed, and she asked a sharper question that was more likely to spark discussion.

Her gaze was locked tightly on Xia Xia Xia Mujun, carrying professional curiosity and challenge.

"But if Player Suzuki really hadn't used that move, do you think you would have still won this match, Player Xia?"

The moment this question was thrown out, Suzuki Takayuki beside him also couldn't help but hold his breath, his gaze shooting sharply at Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

Under the gaze of the camera and the two, Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s expression remained without ripples.

He just calmly nodded again.

"Yes."

One word, clear, affirmative, without any hesitation.

"..."

Suzuki Takayuki’s brows instantly knit together.

His complexion, which had just improved slightly, sank again, and he couldn't control a very light snort through his nose.

That sound was mixed with defiance, skepticism, and the stinging pain of being "sentenced" so bluntly.

"Is that so?"

He turned his head, looking directly at Xia Xia Xia Mujun, his tone carrying a clear sense of challenge.

"Then when you have time later, shall we play a few more games and see?"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun met his gaze, and for the first time, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face.

That smile was not a provocation, but more like a calm acceptance.

"Of course."

He replied, his tone still calm.

Sawada Rika’s gaze drifted between the two boys.

Her impression of these two was undoubtedly much better than that of the young people from Private Private Private Tianhao Academy she had interviewed earlier.

The smile on her face became more sincere, and she interjected at the right time to ease the atmosphere and wrap up the interview.

"It seems that the two of you have also formed a connection because of this match."

She said with a smile.

"I hope the two of you can become good friends in shogi."

"And thank you both very much for agreeing to the interview."

She bowed slightly.

"Looking forward to your even more brilliant performances in the future."

Storage room.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun, Suzuki Takayuki, and Kishida Mineisuke walked in one after another.

Kishida Mineisuke turned around, his face looking exceptionally serious and rigid in the light.

"So—according to the previous bet, now Player Suzuki, you need to fulfill the bet and hand over the stake to Player Xia."

Suzuki Takayuki’s body stiffened imperceptibly for a moment.

He lowered his head and was silent for a few seconds.

Then, he slowly, almost sluggishly, took out a dark brown leather wallet from the locker.

The wallet looked like it had been used for some time, with slight wear on the edges, but overall it was still clean and tidy, clearly well-kept by its owner.

His fingers rubbed the smooth surface of the wallet, his movements carrying a clear reluctance.

Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he took a deep breath, opened the wallet, took out all the banknotes and a few coins, cards, etc., and clutched them in his palm.

Then, he handed the now-empty wallet to Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

"Here..."

His voice was very low, carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling.

This wallet.

It was actually a gift Akatsuki gave him on his birthday last year.

He still remembered the way she smiled when she handed it to him, and the feeling of treasuring it when he received it.

But now...

The gift Akatsuki gave him was, by some twist of fate, to be given to Xia Xia Xia Mujun as a bet...

Thinking of this, Suzuki Takayuki couldn't help but reveal a smile of extreme bitterness on his face.

That smile was full of self-mockery and powerlessness.

He couldn't help but feel that everything was full of absurd irony.

Perhaps... Akatsuki was never his from the beginning, just accompanying him for a while.

And now, her true "Prince Charming" had already appeared...

Then, the traces of Akatsuki, the things she had given him, seemed destined to "return to their original owner" and flow into Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s hands.

In Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s field of vision, a few lines of translucent text floated above the wallet like a projection:

[Leather Wallet]

[Quality: White]

[Effect: After equipping, the money that belongs to you can be stored and retrieved at will.]

[Introduction: He loves her, she loves him, he hopes he loves her.]

[Synthesis condition: At least three pieces of the same type of equipment are required!]

Xia Xia Xia Mujun maintained his calm, but a flash of joy quickly passed deep in his eyes.

He took the wallet steadily.

[You have obtained ownership of this equipment, would you like to equip it?]

[Yes/No]

Almost subconsciously, Xia Xia Xia Mujun muttered in his mind: "Yes!"

[You have successfully registered 'Leather Wallet'.]

[Two more pieces of special equipment are needed for the next attribute point!]

[Would you like to equip 'Leather Wallet'?]

[Yes/No]

"Yes!"

The moment he confirmed the equipment.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun didn't feel any obvious changes or abnormalities in his body.

But he wasn't surprised.

After all, based on previous experience, this type of special equipment usually doesn't produce immediate external, perceptible effects when equipped.

But now that Kishida Mineisuke and Suzuki Takayuki were both nearby, it was clearly inconvenient for him to immediately test how this "can store and retrieve money at will" effect worked.

He could only try it when he was alone later.

Kishida Mineisuke watched sharply as both sides completed the handover.

He nodded slightly, the serious expression on his face easing, but his voice remained calm:

"The bet is settled, so I will take my leave."

He was concise.

"Goodbye, both of you."

After saying that.

He didn't wait for the two to reply, turned around directly, and opened the door of the storage room.

The light from the corridor outside poured in briefly, and then, along with his departing back and the closing door, was cut off again.