Chapter 664

~12 min read 2,209 words

【Natsume Chikage: Luck.】

The message status changed to "read" almost the moment it was sent.

【Yasui Ryoto: Luck my ass! I've seen it, you kid really has some skills. Tell me, you must be studying shogi at home, right?】

【Natsume Chikage: Indeed, I have been playing shogi with my sister and an aunt who knows shogi for the past few days, and I'm also guiding a little girl in shogi.】

【Yasui Ryoto: If you're studying, that's fine. You scared me into thinking you hadn't been studying at all and had just been working. This way I can also report back to my shogi club advisor.】

【Natsume Chikage: Report back? What's the situation?】

【Yasui Ryoto: Our advisor is complaining about you, you've already advanced to the fifth round and still haven't joined the shogi club, saying you basically don't take his "Thunder Hand" seriously, and he's furious.】

【Natsume Chikage: Ah, this...】

【Yasui Ryoto: You don't have to worry about it, our shogi club advisor has some problems with his brain, just get used to it.】

【Natsume Chikage: That's good...】

The cold light of the phone screen reflected on Yasui Ryoto's face.

Looking at the message Natsume Chikage replied, the itch to play against him popped up again in his heart.

But on second thought, he held it back.

Natsume Chikage won against Asahina Akatsuki by relying on a final stunning reversal, but he was being suppressed and beaten in the early stages.

Thinking about his strength, it's probably about the same as Akatsuki's.

However, this kid plays really fast, fast enough to make people's hearts tremble.

If it were a fast-paced match, maybe he could really go further.

Unfortunately, the tournament is not a fast-paced match.

This habit of not thinking is actually very risky.

Every time he watches him play, he breaks into a cold sweat himself.

If Natsume could slow down and think a few more steps, maybe it wouldn't be so thrilling when playing against Akatsuki.

But... maybe it's precisely because he plays fast that he disrupted Akatsuki's rhythm?

After all, Akatsuki couldn't use his "thinking time" to think for a long time either.

The pros and cons of this are really hard to say.

But in any case, this kid's talent is real.

When he loses in the fifth round, he'll just give him some pointers as a "senior."

Guide him now? What if he really listens and wins the next round in an upset?

The opponent in the fifth round is stronger than the fourth, and the probability of encountering a professional player is also greater.

Even he himself is drumming in his heart for the fourth round tomorrow, fearing that he will run into a professional player and be finished.

If Natsume-kun, this "junior," goes further than him... that would be a huge loss of face, how could he still put on airs in front of Tsukishima Rin?

However, as long as he doesn't encounter a professional player, he is still confident in his own strength.

As for guiding Natsume, let's wait until he loses in the fifth round.

In Yasui Ryoto's view, Natsume Chikage being able to win until now is almost his limit.

【Yasui Ryoto: Tomorrow is my match, I'm in the second session at noon, just like Yuai, you must remember to watch both of our matches!】

【Natsume Chikage: Definitely, definitely!】

【Yasui Ryoto: Okay, with your word, I'm relieved. I won't say more, sleep.】

After replying to Yasui Ryoto.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the message sent by Araki Yuai around 10:00 in the morning.

【Araki Yuai: You guy, you really beat Akatsuki? You know her strength is about the same as mine, doesn't that mean your strength is about the same as mine?】

【Natsume Chikage: Sister Ai is overpraising, your strength is definitely stronger than mine.】

The message status instantly changed to "read."

【Araki Yuai: That sounds reasonable. But you kid, didn't you say you'd have time to reply around 10:30? Why so late today?】

【Natsume Chikage: We had guests at home.】

【Araki Yuai: Oh, no wonder. Come to think of it, I watched your match, you played well, I didn't expect you to make that move at the end, winning the match with three consecutive checks, seeing Akatsuki's confused expression, I was amused.

However... why did she suddenly cry? That guy is usually very strong, and it's not her first time losing a match on TV, why did she cry today? Did something happen before the match? And in the interview, she said she wanted to win against you, and what is the promise she wants to continue?】

【Natsume Chikage: This... I can't say clearly.】

【Araki Yuai: Roar—it seems you two really have some secrets. Tell me!】

【Natsume Chikage: I really can't say this... after all, it's a private promise between her and me. If you really want to know, go ask her.】

【Araki Yuai: Okay, I'll ask her later. Oh, right—tomorrow is my and Ryoto's match, at noon, you must remember to watch, if I find out you didn't watch, you just wait to eat a hit from me!】

【Natsume Chikage: Sister Ai's match, even if I don't eat, I must watch it!】

【Araki Yuai: You kid is sensible. I won't say more, your Sister Ai wants to have a beautiful sleep to welcome tomorrow's match, you hurry and sleep too.】

【Natsume Chikage: Good night, Sister Ai.】

After replying to Araki Yuai.

Natsume Chikage's fingertips continued to slide, and he found Akita Sana's avatar.

Her message was also sent around 10:00 in the morning.

【Akita Sana:? (? >?

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you. By the way, I have some money on hand now, let me pay you back first.】

The message status quickly became "read."

【Akita Sana: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a wait, wait, wait, what's the rush? If you transfer the money to me, what will you and your sister do for food, clothing, housing, and transportation?】

【Natsume Chikage: That's no problem, I've calculated the accounts. I don't have much money on my bank card now, I'll withdraw money tomorrow and give it to you at school.】

【Akita Sana: Wait, wait, wait, still no! Anyway, there's no interest... really no need to rush! And look... having money on you might be a safety net, what if you encounter a place where you need urgent money but don't have it, it would be very distressing.

Besides, isn't it the fifth round match in a few days? If you win then, don't you have 160,000 yen? Give it to me after you win then, how about it?】

Natsume Chikage looked at this message and thought for a moment.

【Natsume Chikage: If you put it that way... okay. Then let's wait until I win the fifth round before paying you back.】

On the other side of the screen.

Akita Sana, wearing cute pajamas with cartoon patterns, was sitting on her soft big bed with her knees hugged.

Seeing Natsume Chikage's reply, she let out a long, silent sigh of relief, and her tense shoulders relaxed.

She was really afraid that Natsume-kun would stubbornly pay back the money immediately.

If that were the case, what excuse would she find to keep in touch with him later?

【Akita Sana: (#^. ^#) Yeah, yeah. By the way, are you working tomorrow and the day after? What time is it?】

【Natsume Chikage: Hmm, after 5:00, until 10:00 at night.】

【Akita Sana: Then before 5:00, will you be in the club room? Or will you go out to play?】

【Natsume Chikage: I'll be in the club room, why?】

【Akita Sana: (#^. ^#) Nothing, just curious. It's not early now, good night.】

【Natsume Chikage: Good night.】

Afterward.

Natsume Chikage clicked on the last unread message, from Kondo Miyuki, sent around 10:00 at night.

【Kondo Miyuki: Natsume-kun, congratulations on winning the match and successfully advancing to the fifth round.】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you.】

The message was quickly read.

【Kondo Miyuki: I didn't expect Natsume-kun's shogi strength to be so strong, you even beat Asahina-san, a female 3-dan. You know, when I saw her playing style at the time, I simulated half of it in my mind and felt I couldn't win. But I didn't expect that your "drop" move was hidden so deep, and you really turned it around in the end.】

【Natsume Chikage: Her strength is indeed very strong, if she had really thought of this move, the game would indeed not have ended so easily.】

【Kondo Miyuki: That's true. But come to think of it, I'm really happy that you can reach the fifth round, I hope you can keep winning, and you must work hard for the subsequent matches, Auntie will always pay attention to your matches.】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you, Auntie Miyuki, I will definitely work hard.】

【Kondo Miyuki: Hmm, it's not early now, rest early. Auntie knows it's not easy for you to work and earn money, but remember to take care of your health, and you are also at the age of growing, eat more good things, supplement your body, you are still growing now, don't fall behind. If you need anything, be sure to tell Auntie, don't hide it, you know?】

【Natsume Chikage: I will, Auntie Miyuki, you also take care of your health and rest early.】

【Kondo Miyuki: Hmm.】

After replying to everyone's messages.

Natsume Chikage exited LINE and clicked on the document editing software on his phone.

The dark blue light reflected on his focused face.