Chapter 600

Yasui Ryōto had also extended invitations several times, only to be clearly refused each time. Seeing Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s attitude remain firm, he understood that saying more would be useless.

He patted Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s shoulder again, this time with much lighter force, his tone earnest and understanding.

“Everyone has the right to choose their own path. Since you’ve decided, I, as your senior, won’t nag you anymore.”

“Whether it’s shogi, collecting, or baseball... finding the path you love and sticking to it is what’s truly cool.”

His expression turned solemn.

“However, as your senior and your opponent in shogi, I want you to promise me one thing.”

“In tomorrow’s sixth round, no matter who the opponent is, no matter how difficult the situation, you must give it your all! Leave no regrets!”

Hearing about the match, Araki Jua also remembered something. She widened her eyes, put her hands on her hips, and spoke in an even more solemn tone.

“Right! And another thing! If you’re unlucky and run into those jerks from Private Tenhō Academy who think they’re better than everyone else...”

She gritted her teeth, as if recalling an unpleasant experience.

“You must win, just like you did against that jerk last time! Avenge me!”

Nomura Tomohiro nodded heavily, offering a reminder with the sentiment of someone who had been there before.

“Exactly! Winning or losing is important, but a player’s character and integrity must never be lost!”

“Even if you lose due to a lack of skill, you must never lose your spirit! Show the proper resolve!”

He glanced at Araki Jua.

“Learn from Jua; when it’s time to scold them back... well, within the rules, expressing our stance is perfectly fine!”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun looked at the three people before him—a senior, a senior girl, and a teacher—who, despite their different styles, all held kindness and expectations for him. His heart warmed slightly.

He put away his smile, nodded firmly and forcefully, his eyes bright and resolute.

“I will!”

“I will give it my all.” ===== CHAPTER 963 =====

Before returning to the Shogi Club, Araki Jua hurried forward and grabbed the arm of Xia Xia Xia Mujun, who was about to turn and leave, fearing he might forget.

“By the way, Xia Xia Xia Mujun, don’t forget about eating together after school.”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun nodded, responding with a firm tone.

“Of course not.”

He thought about his schedule for the day and added.

“But I might not be free that early after school today; I’ll probably finish around 4 o’clock. Is that time okay?”

Upon hearing this, Araki Jua shrugged indifferently and let go of his arm.

“Sure, no problem.”

She pointed to herself and Yasui Ryōto, who was still tidying up the chessboard nearby.

“We have club activities to attend anyway, so we won’t be finishing that early either.”

“So it’s a deal, around 4 o’clock at the school gate?”

“Yeah, see you at the school gate.”

Afternoon.

The crisp and loud ringing of the school bell broke the campus’s tranquility.

Students who had long been restless immediately let out a small cheer. The classroom was instantly filled with the rustling of moving desks and chairs, closing books, and packing bags, along with chatter. Everyone was incredibly happy, preparing to welcome their free time after school.

Physics teacher Shi Tian finished packing the teaching materials and lesson plans from the podium and tucked them under his arm.

Unlike other teachers, he didn’t rush to leave the classroom; instead, he paced over to the seats of Xia Xia Xia Mujun, Saionji Nanase, and Yukimura Suzune.

He pushed up his glasses and asked with a gentle smile.

“By the way, Xia Xia Xia Mujun, didn’t I give you the materials regarding one of the school’s ‘Seven Mysteries’ earlier?”

His gaze shifted between the three of them.

“How is your investigation progressing? Have you solved it yet?”

Hearing this.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun shook his head with an embarrassed smile.

“This... I’m afraid you’ll have to ask these two.”

“I’ve had a lot of other things to do these past few days, so I haven’t had much time to participate in the investigation at the Collection Club.”

Shi Tian was taken aback, clearly not expecting this answer.

He turned to look at Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase, who were standing side by side, his eyes filled with inquiry.

Saionji Nanase blinked her lively purple eyes in her naturally innocent way.

She shook her head gently and answered in a soft but clear voice.

“We haven’t solved it yet, Mr. Shi Tian.”

Shi Tian paused, but an expression of understanding immediately appeared on his face; he didn’t seem particularly surprised.

After all, these campus ghost stories or puzzles known as the “Seven Mysteries” had been circulating and lingering at Private Moonlight Academy for many years, explored and discussed by countless students in private, yet they never had a definitive answer.

It was indeed unlikely to solve them completely within just a few days of receiving the clues.

“I see, I understand.”

Shi Tian nodded, his tone gentle and encouraging.

“Then, keep up the good work. Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves; enjoying the process of solving the puzzle is also important.”

“I look forward to you continuing your efforts and eventually solving this mystery.”

After speaking.

Shi Tian didn’t linger, turned, and left the classroom, his back disappearing into the thinning crowd in the hallway.

As for Xia Xia Xia Mujun, he actually cared quite a bit about this matter.

He clearly remembered that as long as he successfully solved this incident, he would receive a special piece of equipment from the physics teacher, Shi Tian.

Therefore, he turned to the two girls with some curiosity and asked.

“How is the investigation going for you two these past few days? Have you found any new clues?”

Upon hearing this question, Yukimura Suzune’s cold, fair face turned slightly red in a way that was hard to notice.

She turned her face away and coughed lightly to cover up the slight embarrassment of feeling her progress wasn’t fast enough, but her tone remained as calm as usual.

“The progress... is quite good.”

“We have indeed found some... unusual traces and details worth noting, and we are currently organizing and analyzing them.”

Saionji Nanase happily took over the conversation, her purple eyes shining.

“That’s right!”

Hearing both of them say this with confidence and the excitement of exploration, Xia Xia Xia Mujun felt relieved.

It seemed they were indeed investigating seriously and had made some progress.

Saionji Nanase seemed to suddenly remember today’s important arrangement, turned her purple eyes to Xia Xia Xia Mujun, and asked curiously, her voice filled with anticipation.

“By the way, Xia Xia Xia Mujun, are you planning to go directly to the home economics classroom after school to try making mapo tofu?”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun nodded in confirmation.

“Yes, that’s right. I already reported it to Ms. Xiaojing from the home economics class at noon and explained the reason. She agreed, so we can use the classroom and the kitchen utensils.”

Upon hearing this, a bright smile bloomed on Saionji Nanase’s face.

“That’s great!”

She looked at Yukimura Suzune and suggested.

“Then shall we go find Fujiwara-san now and go together?”

However.

When they arrived at Fujiwara Aoi’s classroom door to find her, Fujiwara Aoi put her hands together, stuck out her tongue, and showed an apologetic expression.

“Sorry, everyone!”

“I suddenly remembered that the Track and Field Club has a small test today, so I have to go there first, otherwise the club president will nag me again.”

She checked the time and added hurriedly.

“You guys go ahead! I’ll come find you as soon as I finish my daily basic training and that small test. It shouldn’t take long!”

Hearing this.

The three of them looked at each other, not feeling surprised at all. ===== CHAPTER 964 =====