Chapter 796

In this way, he would be unable to trample him under his feet in the highly anticipated post-match interview, mock him to his heart's content, and regain face for the school and himself.

This "regret," like a poisonous insect, gnawed at his heart, making his annoyance at Natsume Chikage increase rather than decrease.

And not far from the two, the 12-year-old brat who was also watching the match, after seeing Natsume Chikage draw Suzuki Takayuki.

Was stunned at first, then happy.

He had just been defeated by Suzuki Takayuki, and knew well how strong this person was, completely not someone he could win against now.

And now Natsume Chikage met this person?

The result didn't even need to be thought about.

With Natsume Chikage's three-legged cat skills, how could he win against this Suzuki Takayuki.

Private Moonlight Academy.

Shogi Club Activity Room.

"Ahhh—! It's over!"

Araki Jieai held her head with both hands and let out a wail.

"How come Natsume-kun drew that guy Suzuki?!"

"That guy is a monster that even I can't win against!"

Consultant teacher Nomura Zhihong pushed his glasses and complained helplessly:

"Natsume-kun being able to draw Suzuki can already be considered a 'top-tier draw', okay?"

"If he drew the other two real professional chess players, that would be called having no chance of winning at all."

He paused, his tone also falling.

"However... against Suzuki, the chance of winning is indeed not much higher."

"After all, this guy's talent, even I have to admire... seventeen-year-old quasi-professional, sigh."

Anjing Liangdou crossed his arms and looked at the TV screen calmly.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke slowly, his tone carrying fairness and recognition:

"Actually, being able to walk to this step, Natsume-kun has already done very well."

"The fifth round 'Hell Double-Header'... look at who is left: either title powerhouses, or quasi-professionals, real professionals."

He looked at Natsume Chikage's calm side profile on the screen.

"A chess player who started halfway, and more regards the competition as a way to obtain prize money..."

"Being able to break into this final four by his own strength..."

"This in itself is the best proof of talent."

His words had less competitive meaning and more objective recognition of the strength of the school's junior.

Araki Jieai and Nomura Zhihong heard this and were silent for a moment, then nodded in unison.

Natsume Chikage's performance had long since far exceeded their initial expectations.

At this moment, in the hearts of the three, they had actually silently accepted the result that seemed most likely—Natsume Chikage would lose to Suzuki Takayuki.

Nomura Zhihong touched his nose, a look of elder-like, regretful relief on his face.

"When Natsume-kun comes back from the match... I want to teach him the 'Running Thunder Hand' variation that I've been keeping at the bottom of the box."

"With such talent, not taking the professional path is really a waste."

"If he can study systematically, even if he can't become top-tier in the future, at least he can have a stable and decent income, and won't have to live so hard with his sister."

Araki Jieai nodded forcefully.

"Mm! I think so too! If Natsume-kun focuses on playing chess, he will definitely be very amazing in the future!"

Even Anjing Liangdou, who had always regarded Natsume Chikage as a potential opponent, nodded slightly.

"If he is willing... this is indeed a good choice."

High School Year 1 Class B Classroom.

Taking advantage of the teacher on the podium turning around to write on the blackboard, Qiutian Shana quickly lowered her eyes and aimed at the mobile phone screen hidden in the drawer.

It was displaying a brief commentary of the text live broadcast: "Contestant Natsume is slightly at a disadvantage, Contestant Suzuki has the first-move advantage."

Her little face collapsed instantly.

She hurriedly sent a message to her best friend.

【Qiutian Shana: (；? д｀)ゞ Weixi Weixi! The commentator said Natsume-kun is in a bad situation again, a bit of a second-move disadvantage! The most headache-inducing thing is that this opponent seems to be even more powerful than the last one! What should I do, what should I do!】

Jindeng Weixi sighed silently in her heart, a trace of helplessness flashing on her exquisite face.

She only felt that she had broken her heart for her best friend's love affair.

Although judging by common sense, she also felt that the situation Natsume Chikage was facing this time was more severe than before, and he was basically bound to lose.

But at this moment, comforting her best friend was the first priority.

She quickly lowered her head, her fingers dancing lightly on the keyboard.

【Jindeng Weixi: Don't panic. The match has just started, and the commentator is just making a routine judgment based on the few moves in front of him. Maybe Natsume-kun will turn from disadvantage to advantage?】

She paused slightly, and entered another encouragement that even she felt was a bit "blind."

【Jindeng Weixi: Since you like him, you must believe in him!】

【Qiutian Shana: (? o?? o?)?? Mm! I will definitely believe in Natsume-kun!】

Jindeng family.

Living room.

Jindeng Meixue's body leaned forward involuntarily, her gaze fixed on the TV screen.

When the commentator's analysis that "strength might be obviously different," "Contestant Natsume has a second-move disadvantage," and "Contestant Suzuki has a higher winning chance" were all clearly transmitted to her ears, her whole face pinched together, written full of worry that could not be dissolved.

Even her own heart, which was biased toward Natsume Chikage, began to waver.

The opponent this time is a "quasi-professional."

A teenage genius who has already stepped half a foot into the field of the highest hall of shogi.

This is no longer an ordinary amateur master, but a reserve elite who has been screened by the strictest system and is about to obtain the "professional" title.

Natsume-kun... a teenager fighting for life, can he really cross this threshold that seems like a natural chasm?

"Natsume-kun..."