Chapter 782

After the match.

Referee Kishida Mineisuke gestured, pointing to the quiet contestant passage to the side.

"The first match is over."

"In order to avoid affecting other matches still in progress, please follow me."

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly.

There was no excitement or fatigue on his face after winning, calm as if he had just finished a daily practice.

He stepped forward and followed the referee.

And Morimoto Yūki was like a puppet whose strength had been drained.

Losing was painful enough.

What made his heart ache even more was the wager.

All the prize money he had won through hard battles and racking his brains in the previous four rounds... a full one hundred and fifty thousand yen.

Before he could even enjoy the fruits of victory, he had to hand it all over.

It was simply taking his life.

Thinking of this, he felt his chest stuffy and panicked, very uncomfortable.

The three of them just walked out.

Bright lights and dense figures surged over.

Host Sawada Rika had long been waiting here with a camera team.

The lens was like a predator's eye, instantly locking onto the two.

There was no gap left for them to leave quietly.

Sawada Rika had a professional and bright smile on her face.

She first looked at the dejected Morimoto Yūki, her tone gentle, carrying programmed comfort.

"Contestant Morimoto, although it's a regrettable defeat, being able to stand on the stage of the fifth round is in itself proof of strength."

"I hope you adjust your mood, the shogi path ahead is still very long, please continue to do your best and rise step by step."

Morimoto Yūki knew the camera was facing him.

He forcibly twitched the corners of his mouth, trying to squeeze out a smile, but it was uglier than crying.

In the end, he just nodded stiffly, a vague "hmm" coming from his throat.

Sawada Rika's gaze then turned to Natsume Chikage.

When her gaze fell on that calm, handsome face, her smile couldn't help but add a few points of genuine appreciation and curiosity.

"And Natsume, congratulations."

"Like the previous rounds, you have once again become the fastest winning shogi player in this match."

"Here, on behalf of the tournament and the vast audience, I extend my sincere congratulations to you."

Natsume Chikage faced the camera and her gaze, bowing slightly.

"Thank you."

Sawada Rika habitually began the post-match questions.

She handed the microphone to Morimoto Yūki first.

"Regarding the result of this match, Contestant Morimoto, what do you think is the main reason for your defeat?"

"Have you summarized it?"

The muscles on Morimoto Yūki's cheeks twitched.

He avoided the sharp gaze of the camera, his eyes drifting, and finally, he stiffened his neck and squeezed out a sentence with a hoarse voice:

"This... this time was just an accident."

"I might have eaten something unclean this morning, my body hasn't been very comfortable, which affected my state."

The more he said, the more he seemed to find reasons, and his tone became righteous.

"If it weren't for physical reasons, just relying on him... how could he win so easily?!"

"It can even be said that I should have won this!"

Sawada Rika blinked her long eyelashes, and a trace of surprise appeared on her face at the right time.

She turned her head and directed the microphone and the audience's attention to Natsume Chikage.

"Natsume, regarding Contestant Morimoto's 'physical discomfort' statement, what do you think?"

"Do you recognize this reason?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head slowly.

The movement was very small, but it carried a clarity that could not be questioned.

"I don't know exactly what he ate for breakfast, or whether his body is really unwell."

His gaze fell calmly on Morimoto Yūki's face, which was trying to stay calm.

"But for me, this is not important."

"Because no matter what your state is, what your physical condition is..."

He paused, his voice still steady, but like an ice blade out of its sheath, it cut through all excuses.

"The result of today's match will not change in any way."

"If you are not convinced by this, and feel it's a state problem..."

"You are welcome to come to our Moonlight Private Academy's Shogi Club whenever you have time."

"Let's play a few more games. As many times as you want."

Morimoto Yūki's face instantly flushed red, then turned pale due to shame and anger.

Being so lightly punctured by the opponent, and attached with a public, near-charitable "re-match invitation"...

This was even more embarrassing than direct mockery.

"Hmph!"

He snorted heavily from his nose, his eyes fierce but lacking confidence.

"Don't talk big here! It was just winning by luck once!"

"You just wait for me! When I go to your school, you'll know who the real powerhouse is!"

Natsume Chikage just responded with two words faintly.

"Whatever."