Chapter 769

Next, it was Suzuki Takayuki's turn.

Seeing that the two people before him had failed to draw Table 1, his heart began to pound violently.

The chance... seemed to have grown!

As long as he drew Natsume Chikage, he could execute that plan and win happiness for Akatsuki!

He took a deep breath and, with near-devout anticipation, pressed the button.

The small ball rolled out.

His gaze eagerly followed the staff member's hand.

"Table 2."

The staff member announced the number calmly.

All the anticipation and excitement on Suzuki Takayuki's face froze instantly.

He stood frozen in place, stunned for a full two seconds.

Then, a massive wave of annoyance and unwillingness struck his chest like a hammer.

Why... why couldn't he draw it?!

Now, with Natsume Chikage's meager strength, he probably wouldn't even make it past the first battle.

Even if he won the second round himself, it was almost impossible to encounter him again.

Was Akatsuki's happiness... going to slip away just like this?

He closed his eyes in pain, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, his nails digging deep into his flesh.

Why... why wouldn't the heavens even grant him this small chance?

I hate you, Heaven... and I hate myself for not being able to catch Akatsuki's eye.

And at this moment.

There were only three contestants left who hadn't drawn lots.

Morimoto Yūki licked his somewhat dry lips nervously.

The three people before him hadn't drawn Table 1.

This meant that among the five balls left in the box, one belonged to Natsume Chikage's Table 1.

And his only competitors were the two people behind him.

The probability... seemed quite high.

But his luck with lotteries had always been terrible his entire life.

Thinking of this.

He walked to the lottery box and silently swore to himself: I am willing to trade my best friend's next thirty years of bachelorhood to draw Natsume Chikage this time!

He repeated it silently three times.

As if completing a dark sacrifice.

Then, with an expression mixed with nervousness, anticipation, and a hint of ferocity, he pressed the button hard.

The few seconds it took for the ball to roll out felt infinitely stretched.

His eyes didn't blink once.

Until the staff member bent down, picked it up, and took a look.

"Table 1."

The staff member handed the ball to him.

"Please head over there."

Morimoto Yūki was stunned at first.

Then, a massive, wild joy like exploding fireworks instantly washed away all the nervousness on his face!

He got it!

He really got it!

The heavens had answered his "prayer"!

He grabbed the small ball as if snatching it, clutching it tightly in his palm, as if he were holding the ticket to glory and attention.

He turned around, a wild, near-distorted grin of joy he couldn't suppress on his face, and strode toward Table 1.

His heart drummed with excitement in his chest.

In his mind, he had already begun to rehearse how he would crush his opponent later, how he would humiliate him in the post-match interview, and how he would enjoy the attention that belonged to the victor.

He was a 2-dan in the Apprentice Association!

A powerhouse with one foot already across the professional threshold!

As for Natsume Chikage, according to reliable intelligence, he is merely at the level of a Level 1 in the Promotion Society.

The gap in strength between a dan-holder and a non-dan-holder was like a chasm.

He even felt that even if ten Natsume Chikages came, he could easily sweep them all!

That was how confident he was!

Morimoto Yūki walked with the stride of someone who had already won and arrived at the No. 1 shogi table.

Natsume Chikage was already sitting on the chair at one side of the table.

He had his eyes closed, seemingly resting his mind.

His breathing was steady, his posture relaxed.

Seeing this, the mocking smile on Morimoto Yūki's lips could no longer be suppressed and curled wildly upward.

He pulled out the chair opposite and sat down heavily.

The chair legs scraped against the floor, making a harsh sound.

"Yo, Natsume Chikage."

He deliberately drew out his tone, his voice filled with schadenfreude and condescending pity.

"Looks like your luck has truly run out this time."

"To think you actually... ran into me."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over Natsume Chikage's calm face like he was examining prey.

"To be honest, I can already foresee what you'll look like when you're defeated later."

"I've even thought of several sets of remarks for the post-match interview on how to 'critique' your shogi skills and how to 'thank' your private Moonlight Academy for their 'generous foil'."

He chuckled lowly, his eyes full of malice.

"I imagine that when that handsome face of yours shows an expression of frustration you're forced to endure..."

"It will surely be very interesting!"

Natsume Chikage's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes.

His pitch-black eyes were clear and calm, like a deep pool, reflecting not a single ripple.

When he saw clearly that the person sitting opposite him was the very student from private Tianhao Academy who had been wantonly mocking Senior Huang Mu Jie in the spectator passage and on the livestream earlier...

Natsume Chikage was slightly stunned for a moment.

Then, a faint, near-relieved arc actually hooked at the corner of his lips.

As if he had seen something unexpected... yet perfectly appropriate.

"So, my opponent is you."

"That... works out perfectly."

The smug smile on Morimoto Yūki's face stiffened abruptly.

His brows furrowed quickly, knitting into a knot.

"What do you mean 'works out perfectly'?"

His tone carried obvious displeasure and sarcasm.

"Where do you get the confidence?!"

"Don't tell me you actually think you can beat me with those amateur skills of yours?"

Natsume Chikage met his provocative gaze, his tone remaining flat.

"What if I said yes?"

Morimoto Yūki acted as if he had heard some extremely absurd joke; he was stunned for a moment, then laughed unceremoniously.

"Haha! You, with your weak-as-a-chicken strength, dare to talk big? Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue in the wind?"

He shook his head, putting on a mocking posture of "I understand you people." ===== CHAPTER 770 =====