Chapter 783

That consistently calm appearance was like a basin of ice water, completely extinguishing the last bit of Morimoto Yūki's arrogance.

His face turned red and white.

Then, in front of the camera, he was extremely embarrassed, carrying full resentment that had nowhere to vent, glared fiercely at Natsume Chikage, lowered his head, and fled from the interview area from the side.

As if staying for one more second was a torment.

Sawada Rika watched him leave, then refocused all her attention on Natsume Chikage.

"Natsume, according to the information we have, there seems to be some historical origin, or rather... competitive relationship, between your school and Tianhao Private Academy."

She deliberated on her words, her gaze sharp.

"Especially last time, your school's Araki Yuai was publicly and unkindly critiqued by the other party's contestant after the match, which also seemed to involve you."

She took a step closer, lowering her voice slightly, but ensuring the microphone could clearly record it.

"And in the shogi game just now, you chose a very rare, extreme way of winning that was almost 'stripping the pig'."

"Can I assume that this was not just to win, but a 'response' or 'revenge' with a clear purpose?"

Natsume Chikage faced her probing gaze without any dodging.

He nodded.

His movements were crisp and neat.

"Yes."

His voice was clearly transmitted through the microphone.

"If the other party has already put contempt and provocation on the table, remaining indifferent is not my style."

"Everyone should be responsible for their own words and actions."

"Since they chose to treat their opponent in that way, then, everything they suffered today..."

His tone was steady, but every word carried the weight of a thousand jun.

"Is the deserved result."

A trace of understanding and deeper appreciation flashed in Sawada Rika's eyes.

The smile on her face became more genuine.

"I see. It seems Natsume is not only skilled in shogi, but also a shogi player with plenty of spirit."

"In this way, the future duels between your school and Tianhao Private Academy will surely be even more exciting, with sparks flying."

She turned to the main camera and concluded with an expectant tone.

"Let all our viewers keep paying attention and look forward to what kind of exciting shogi grudges these two schools full of stories will perform in the future!"

This unmasked, domineering speech by Natsume Chikage instantly ignited the emotions of countless viewers through the live broadcast signal.

Gu Chuan Changhong's hand stroking his beard stopped, a flash of essence in his eyes, whispering in praise:

"Good! Shogi is like a person, a person is like shogi! This is the edge one should have!"

He seemed to have already seen a future shogi superstar rising with an unstoppable posture.

Gu Chuan Caixu's little face was flushed with excitement, shaking her grandfather's arm hard.

"Big Brother said it well! Too handsome!"

Horikawa Kaori and Asahina Xiaoyue stared at Natsume Chikage's featured face on the big screen simultaneously.

Calm, yet containing unquestionable power.

Their heartbeats accelerated quietly at that moment.

Ripples of appreciation, admiration, and indescribable feelings rose in their eyes.

And in the hall, more female viewers, and even many male viewers, couldn't help but be convinced by this frank "revenge declaration" and powerful strength, whispering to each other, their eyes shining.

Another corner of the audience.

Honda Takashi and his companions' faces had long since turned extremely ugly.

They felt their faces burning, as if they had been slapped countless times in public.

The harsh words released in the live broadcast last time now became the most piercing echo.

The expected crushing turned into being slaughtered back, and the expected mockery turned into being slapped in the face in public.

Anger burned in their chests, but there was nowhere to vent.

They clenched their fists tightly, their knuckles white, staring at Natsume Chikage's direction, almost spraying fire from their eyes.

But they could only force this breath of bad air back into their chests, making their chests ache.

Moonlight Private Academy.

Shogi Club activity room.

"Hahahaha! Well said! Too satisfying!"

Araki Yuai jumped up directly, extremely excited:

"Natsume-kun! Well done! That's it! Poke them to death!"

Advisor Nomura Tomohiro also completely unloaded his previous worries, adjusted his glasses, and the eyes behind the lenses shone with relief.

"Not bad! This is the demeanor a powerhouse should have! An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!"

Yasui Ryōto stood to the side, looking at the excited two, the subtle sourness in his heart flooded again, but was soon suppressed by a stronger competitive spirit.

He clenched his fists secretly.

Just wait.

When I meet those guys from Tianhao Private Academy...

I will also win, and I will win even more beautifully!

Storage room.

It was relatively quiet here, isolated from the noise of the outside world.

When Natsume Chikage walked in, Morimoto Yūki and Referee Kishida Mineisuke were already waiting inside.

The air was a bit stagnant.

Kishida Mineisuke had no expression, and his voice sounded formulaic.

"According to the pre-match agreement, notarized by me, Contestant Morimoto Yūki needs to pay the equivalent wager to Contestant Natsume Chikage, totaling one hundred and fifty thousand yen."

He looked at Morimoto Yūki.

"Now, please fulfill the agreement."

Morimoto Yūki's body swayed imperceptibly.

His face was gray, his lips pressed into a stiff straight line.

In his chest, his heart felt like it was being fiercely gripped by an invisible hand, and the pain was unbearable.

That prize money... was won through hard battles, consuming countless efforts and brainpower.

Before he could enjoy the fruits of victory, he had to spit it all out...

Damn!

So uncomfortable!!

But Kishida Mineisuke was standing there, representing the official witness of the Shogi Association.

If he dared to deny it, the consequences would be far beyond what this one hundred and fifty thousand yen could compare to—bankruptcy of reputation, destruction of future.

He gritted his back teeth tightly, and could only take out the money unwillingly.

That was the cash he had just rushed to a nearby ATM and almost emptied his account to withdraw.

He slammed the envelope onto the table next to Kishida Mineisuke.

Making a muffled "clack" sound.

As if he had slapped out his own shattered dignity and heart and liver.

Then, he turned his head and stared fiercely at Natsume Chikage.

His voice burst from between his teeth, filled with annoyance and unwillingness.

"You... don't get arrogant too early!"

"This money, and today's account... my companions will definitely make you spit it all out with interest later!"

Natsume Chikage just raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

That smile was very faint, but in Morimoto Yūki's eyes, it was more piercing than any mockery.

"I'll be waiting."

Still the same three calm, waveless words.