Chapter 801: Unbelievable! Falling from the clouds of hope into hell!

Fukuda Shi stared blankly at the giant screen, his body as if nailed to his seat.

The muscles on his face twitched slightly, his lips parted unconsciously.

He had never expected Natsume Chikage to win again.

And to win against Suzuki Takayuki, a semi-pro, with such a steady, step-by-step approach?

This... this was a semi-pro.

It was the realm he had tried his hardest to reach, the one he dreamed of entering.

That Natsume Chikage, whom he had always looked down upon and even secretly mocked... had actually won?

The cold reality was like a bucket of water poured over his head.

Could it be... that Natsume Chikage's strength had already touched that threshold?

Horikawa Kashi's slender fingers remained over her lips, her fingertips trembling slightly.

While a warm current of pleasant surprise rushed to her heart, an even stronger sense of disbelief overwhelmed her.

Her widened eyes reflected the word "Victory" on the screen, her eyelashes fluttering gently.

She had never expected that sixteen-year-old Natsume Chikage would actually win this hellish fifth round.

And even... defeat the semi-pro Suzuki Takayuki.

One must know, the term "semi-pro" in the shogi world already belongs to the elite among people.

It is a shore that countless enthusiasts cannot reach in their entire lives.

Without exceptional talent, one cannot even touch the edge.

But Natsume Chikage just won.

Clean and decisive.

This means the strength he displayed at this moment is truly at a semi-pro level.

And it is... a semi-pro level that surpasses Suzuki Takayuki!

My god... too amazing!

Asahina Akatsuki took a light breath, complex ripples rising in her chest.

Looking at the scene of her childhood friend Suzuki Takayuki's defeat, regret and heartache certainly existed.

However, when her gaze fell back onto the giant screen, fixed on Natsume Chikage's calm and handsome profile—

A more surging, more indescribable emotion instantly washed away that regret.

Deep in her eyes, like a lake surface into which a stone had been thrown, ripples that could not be calmed spread out.

Her gaze seemed to be held by a magnet, unable to move even a fraction from that calm figure.

Beside her, Tanabe Yuto was completely petrified on the spot.

His expression froze on his face, his pupils trembling slightly, slowly dilating.

A faint, unbelievable breath of air escaped his throat.

It... it is hard to believe.

One must know, Takayuki had always been a high mountain in his heart that was difficult to cross.

Now... now he was actually defeated by Natsume Chikage, whom he had always thought had mediocre strength?

And it wasn't some lucky reversal, but a steady, oppressive advance?

This... what on earth is going on?

What made him even more distraught was—with Natsume-kun winning, the plan he had carefully constructed was shattered again.

He had intended to wait for Natsume Chikage to lose and be in low spirits, then have Akatsuki comfort him.

In that vulnerable moment, perhaps they could naturally get closer, or even...

At the very least, there could be some intimate contact, holding hands, kissing or something...

But now, everything had fallen through.

No... his chaotic thoughts took a sharp turn.

Conversely, wouldn't it be the same to have Akatsuki go and congratulate the victorious Natsume-kun?

Perhaps that could also create an opportunity?

But... would Akatsuki agree?

Perhaps she... would rather go and comfort the dejected Takayuki now?

After all, the one who lost was Takayuki.

Tanabe Yuto's fingers curled unconsciously, falling into a new round of entanglement.

Furukawa Saio didn't have so many complex thoughts.

Her petite body almost bounced off the seat, her fair little fists waving happily in the air.

Even though she had known from her grandfather that Big Brother would win, the moment victory was truly announced, pure joy bubbled up like foam, filling her heart.

Her bright, large eyes curved into crescent moons.

After all, Big Brother Natsume is her favorite big brother!

Beside her, Furukawa Masahiro just leisurely stroked his snow-white long beard.

A calm smile of having everything under control appeared on his aged face.

In his murky yet profound eyes, there was not a hint of surprise, only faint appreciation.

Regarding this result, he had already understood it in his heart at the beginning of the game.

In a corner of the audience seating not far away.

The little brat who had been staring fixedly at the giant screen—Fukuda Yasuhiro, was now frozen like a statue.

He had seen with his own eyes that Natsume Chikage had actually defeated Suzuki Takayuki, who had easily crushed him just moments ago.

His small face was filled with shock, his lips slightly parted, his murmurs almost drifting away in the air:

"Impossible... how... how could he be this strong?"

"An opponent even I couldn't beat... he actually won?"

"Doesn't that mean..."

He gritted his teeth hard.

Even if he didn't want to admit it ten thousand times in his heart, the cruel fact was right before his eyes.

Natsume Chikage was indeed stronger than him.

And stronger by more than just a little bit.

The creed of worshipping the strong and despising the weak was violently impacting his stubborn self-esteem at this moment.

Finally, he loosened his gritted teeth, turned his face away, and crossed his arms over his chest, as if convincing himself, he let out a soft hum from his nose: ===== CHAPTER 802 =====