Chapter 806

"I agree."

"If he hadn't wanted to strike first with a 'drop', I don't think this match would have ended so quickly."

Hearing his own thoughts acknowledged so calmly by his opponent, Suzuki Takayuki's tense shoulders seemed to relax slightly.

A trace of an extremely faint, near-relief expression flashed across his pale face.

Although the pain of defeat remained, at least his judgment was confirmed by his opponent.

Sawada Rika's smile deepened a little.

"I see."

But her tone immediately changed, raising a sharper question that could ignite the topic.

Her gaze locked tightly on Natsume Chikage, carrying professional curiosity and challenge.

"But if Player Suzuki really hadn't used that move, do you think you would still have won this match, Player Natsume?"

The moment this question was thrown out, Suzuki Takayuki beside him couldn't help but hold his breath, his gaze shooting sharply at Natsume Chikage.

Under the gaze of the lens and the two, Natsume Chikage's expression remained calm.

He just calmly nodded again.

"Yes."

One word, clear, affirmative, without any hesitation.

"..."

Suzuki Takayuki's brows instantly tightened.

His complexion, which had just improved slightly, sank again, and he couldn't control a very light hum from his nose.

That sound was mixed with dissatisfaction, questioning, and the stinging pain of being so bluntly "sentenced."

"Is that so?"

He turned his head, looking directly at Natsume Chikage, his tone carrying a clear sense of challenge.

"Then when you have time later, shall we try playing a few more games?"

Natsume Chikage met his gaze, and for the first time, a very faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face.

That smile was not provocative, but more like a calm acceptance.

"Of course."

He replied, his tone still calm.

Sawada Rika's gaze flowed between the two teenagers.

Her impression of these two was undoubtedly much better than the few young people from Private Tenhao Academy she had interviewed before.

The smile on her face became more sincere, and she interjected at the right time to ease the atmosphere and conclude the interview.

"It seems that the two of you have also connected because of this match."

She said with a smile.

"I hope you two can become good friends in shogi."

"And thank you very much for being willing to be interviewed."

She bowed slightly.

"Looking forward to your more exciting performances in the future."

Storage room.

Natsume Chikage, Suzuki Takayuki, and Kishida Minesuke walked in one after another.

Kishida Minesuke turned around, his face looking exceptionally serious and rigid in the light.

"So—according to the previous bet, now Player Suzuki, you need to fulfill the bet and hand over the stake to Player Natsume."

Suzuki Takayuki's body stiffened imperceptibly for a moment.

He lowered his head and was silent for a few seconds.

Then, he slowly, almost somewhat sluggishly, took out a dark brown leather wallet from the locker.

The wallet looked like it had been used for some time, with slight wear on the corners, but it was still clean and tidy overall, clearly carefully kept by its owner.

His fingers rubbed the smooth surface of the wallet, his movements carrying obvious reluctance.

Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he took a deep breath, opened the wallet, took out all the banknotes, coins, cards, etc., inside, and clutched them in his palm.

Then, he handed the now-empty wallet to Natsume Chikage.

"Here..."

His voice was very low, carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

This wallet.

It was actually a gift Akatsuki gave him on his birthday last year.

He still remembered how she smiled when she handed it over, and remembered the feeling of cherishing it when he received it.

But now...

The gift Akatsuki gave him was unexpectedly going to be given to Natsume Chikage as a bet...

Thinking of this, Suzuki Takayuki couldn't help but show a smile that was bitter to the extreme.

That smile was full of self-mockery and powerlessness.

He couldn't help but feel that everything was full of absurd irony.

Perhaps... Akatsuki never belonged to him from the beginning, just accompanying him for a while.

And now, her true "Prince Charming" has appeared...

Then, the traces of Akatsuki, the things she once gave him, seem destined to "return to the original owner" and flow into Natsume Chikage's hands.

In Natsume Chikage's field of vision, a few lines of translucent text appeared above the wallet like a projection:

【Leather Wallet】

【Quality: White】

【Effect: After equipping, the money that belongs to you can be stored and taken out at will.】

【Introduction: He loves her, she loves him, he hopes he loves her.】

【Synthesis Condition: At least three pieces of the same type of equipment are required!】

Natsume Chikage remained calm, but a flash of joy quickly crossed the depths of his eyes.

He took the wallet steadily.

【You have obtained ownership of this equipment, do you want to equip it?】

【Yes/No】

Almost subconsciously, Natsume Chikage muttered in his mind: "Yes!"

【You have successfully registered the 'Leather Wallet'.】

【Two more special equipment pieces needed for the next attribute point!】

【Do you want to equip the 'Leather Wallet'?】

【Yes/No】

"Yes!"

The moment he confirmed the equipment.

Natsume Chikage didn't feel any obvious change or abnormality in his body.

But he wasn't surprised either.

After all, based on previous experience, this type of special equipment usually doesn't produce external, perceptible effects immediately when equipped.

But now Kishida Minesuke and Suzuki Takayuki were both beside him, so it was obviously inconvenient for him to immediately test how this "can store and take out money at will" effect works.

He could only try it when he was alone later.

Kishida Minesuke looked sharply at the two sides completing the handover.

He nodded slightly, the serious expression on his face eased, but his voice remained calm:

"The bet is settled, so I will take my leave."

He was concise.

"Goodbye, both of you."

After speaking.

He didn't wait for the two to reply, turned around directly, and opened the door of the storage room.

The light from the corridor outside poured in briefly, and with his departing back and the closing door, it was isolated again. ===== CHAPTER 807 =====