Chapter 958

In front of the shogi table.

Araki Yuai was sitting opposite Natsume Chikage, both of them focusing on the game.

Araki Yuai frowned slightly, occasionally picking up a piece, thinking seriously before dropping it.

Natsume Chikage had a calm expression, his gaze sweeping across the chessboard quickly, dropping pieces decisively, almost without needing to pause.

And Yasui Ryoto and advisor teacher Nomura Tomohiro on the side moved their chairs to a position slightly further away on both sides of the chessboard, leaning their bodies forward, stretching their necks, watching with great interest.

However, in the entire club room, except for the sound of pieces and light breathing, everyone tacitly kept silent.

The principle of not speaking while watching chess is basic etiquette that shogi enthusiasts basically all know and follow.

At first, Araki Yuai relied on some understanding of Natsume Chikage's chess style and her own solid basic skills, and she could keep up with the rhythm, having back-and-forth with Natsume Chikage, and the situation on the board seemed deadlocked.

But after only a dozen moves, and the situation entered the middle game.

Araki Yuai's speed of dropping pieces slowed down significantly; she stared at the chessboard, her fingers tapping on her knees unconsciously, her eyebrows furrowing tighter and tighter, falling into a predicament, starting to rack her brains.

However, no matter how she thought, no matter how she tried to find a breakthrough or set a trap, Natsume Chikage opposite always seemed to be able to see through it at a glance.

Natsume Chikage still maintained almost the same speed of dropping pieces; every time Araki Yuai dropped a piece, he almost without thinking picked up his own piece and dropped it on the corresponding position with a "clatter," appearing relaxed and freehand, basically under no pressure.

Araki Yuai's forehead gradually seeped with fine cold sweat, and her breathing became slightly hurried.

She looked at the situation on the board where her side was becoming more and more cramped and passive, several times wanting to think for a long time, but looking at Natsume Chikage's calm waiting gaze, she gritted her teeth and accelerated her speed.

But the gap in strength was not something that could be easily made up by willpower.

Araki Yuai also, not long after entering the endgame, quickly fell behind.

Natsume Chikage dropped a precise "checkmate," completely locking the victory.

Araki Yuai looked at her king on the board that had been checkmated and had nowhere to escape, as well as the opponent's still orderly formation, was stunned for a moment, then leaned back fiercely, covered her head, and made a sound of unwilling sigh.

"Ah——?!"

"I... I just lost like this?!"

Her voice was full of disbelief, but more of the annoyance of the game collapsing rapidly.

Also because Yasui Ryoto and Nomura Tomohiro already knew that Natsume Chikage's strength was above Araki Yuai's, one level stronger than her.

Both of them were not very surprised by this expected ending, and there were no too many surprised expressions on their faces.

However, both of them tacitly kept their mouths tightly shut at this moment, not daring to easily comment or comfort.

After all, the one who just lost was Araki Yuai, the one with the highest martial value and the most straightforward temper in the club.

Speaking at this time, if the wording was inappropriate, it was very likely to burn oneself.

Araki Yuai muttered, while cleaning up the pieces on her side, looking at Natsume Chikage with complex eyes, her tone not carrying much unconvinced, but instead a kind of "just as I thought" relief.

"It seems Natsume-kun, your strength is indeed... very strong."

"Dropping pieces fast and accurately, the pressure is so strong."

Natsume Chikage also helped clean up the pieces, smiled slightly upon hearing this, his attitude humble.

"Yuai-sister, you let me win."

"Sister's offensive is also very sharp, I also had a very hard time dealing with a few moves in the middle."

Actually, for this result, after Araki Yuai herself calmed down, she didn't feel very surprised.

After all, anyone who pays a little attention to shogi in school now can see that Natsume Chikage's strength is solid and strong, how can he have a quasi-professional level, winning against her is a matter of course.

However, she actually held a bit of a fluke idea of "what if," "maybe I can slaughter the dragon" before, so she wanted to try playing a game with Natsume Chikage no matter what.

Now it seems, it was indeed overthinking, the gap was even more obvious than imagined.

She cleaned up her mood, stood up nimbly, patted the non-existent dust on her body, and said to the two people waiting eagerly on the side, her tone refreshing.

"Alright, I'm done."

"You two, who is first? Hurry up!"

Yasui Ryoto heard this, his eyes lit up, and he immediately wanted to grab the seat, saying in his mouth.

"Of course it's me first! I've been waiting for..."

However, before he finished speaking, he was blocked by Nomura Tomohiro who had been prepared on the side, stretching out his arm.

Nomura Tomohiro had a "kind" smile on his face, but his movements were not slow at all, while saying, he had already taken a step ahead and sat steadily in the position opposite Natsume Chikage.

"Hey—Ryoto, have to know how to respect the old and love the young, kid."

He slowly started to reset the pieces on the board, setting up the opening formation.

Yasui Ryoto was blocked for a moment, and when he wanted to grab the position again, it was too late, he could only stare at Nomura Tomohiro who had already sat down, complaining angrily.

"Ah ah ah——! You old guy! Don't talk about martial arts! Get up and let me come first!"

Nomura Tomohiro didn't have any intention of getting up, just calmly and carefully placing the pieces, every piece placed upright, not raising his head, indifferent.

"Calm down, young man, have to be able to hold your breath."

"Your teacher, I have deep chess power and rich experience, will soon end this 'guidance game'."

"You just study and observe on the side with peace of mind."

Saying this.

He placed the last piece, raised his head, looked at Natsume Chikage who was already sitting upright opposite, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a smile carrying a bit of self-satisfaction and anticipation.

"Natsume-kun, watch carefully."

His tone became serious, and his eyes became sharper.

"This 'Thunder Hand' opening variation that I am about to use, is a unique secret technique that I have studied for many years and improved countless times, not simple at all."

"You must raise your spirit to twelve points, pay attention, don't get hit by the trick if you are not careful."

Natsume Chikage faced the senior's reminder, nodded slightly, his expression also became serious, his gaze focused on the chessboard.

"Definitely, please give me your guidance, Nomura-teacher."

Yasui Ryoto heard this, although he was still very unhappy in his heart, seeing the game was about to start, didn't say much more, just hugged his arms, sat on the chair on the side angrily, ready to watch the battle.

Although he recognized his strength as the same "quasi-professional" category as the advisor teacher, relying on a younger brain, faster reaction, and more abundant energy, his winning rate when actually playing was usually above Nomura Tomohiro's.

Nothing else, just young.

But sometimes, he would indeed lose to the experienced advisor teacher because of carelessness "without flashing" or being too aggressive.

After all, Nomura Tomohiro's strength was also real quasi-professional, years of competition and playing experience made his understanding of some routines and traps very deep.

And now.

It was also a good opportunity.

Yasui Ryoto could temporarily suppress personal emotions, through observing the game between Natsume Chikage and Nomura Tomohiro, more clearly evaluate Natsume Chikage's true strength and chess style.

You know, the teacher's "Thunder Hand" opening variation indeed had something, the first-sight-kill effect was very strong.

When encountering it for the first time, without sufficient preparation, if not fully focused, it was really easy to fall into the trap he carefully arranged, be quickly led into his rhythm, and then be defeated.

However.

After the game started, the development of the situation exceeded the expectations of Yasui Ryoto, as well as Araki Yuai who was also watching seriously.

Nomura Tomohiro's "Thunder Hand" opening was indeed sharp, the pieces moved quickly, attempting to establish an advantage early.

But Natsume Chikage's response appeared exceptionally calm and seasoned.

He seemed to have seen through the intentions hidden behind those seemingly fierce offensives, every step of the response was just right, not only resolving the crisis but often being able to take a slight advantage in return.

Nomura Tomohiro's eyebrows gradually furrowed, the speed of dropping pieces gradually became hesitant from the initial swiftness.

He tried to change the rhythm several times, set new traps, but Natsume Chikage always could easily avoid them, or counter-attack in a more clever way.

The game didn't "end quickly" as Nomura Tomohiro expected, but gradually entered the middle game entanglement.

But the initiative was vaguely mastered by Natsume Chikage.

Not long after.

Entering the endgame stage, Natsume Chikage seized a subtle omission by Nomura Tomohiro, the offensive suddenly unfolded like a tide, the pieces linked, pressing step by step.

Finally, Natsume Chikage dropped a piece indifferently, completely sealing all retreat paths of the opponent's king.

"Checkmate."

His voice was calm, announcing the end of the game.

Nomura Tomohiro widened his eyes, staring fixedly at the chessboard, seemingly unable to believe that his carefully prepared "Thunder Hand" was broken like this, and lost so... without suspense.

He raised his head fiercely, looking at Natsume Chikage, his face full of disbelief.

"No, no... this..."

"Natsume-kun, could it be... have you seen my 'Thunder Hand' somewhere before?"

"Otherwise, how could you, in the first game, be able to respond so calmly, and even... win against me in one go?"

The more he thought, the more he felt something was wrong, and he slapped his thigh fiercely.

"No! This game doesn't count! It must be a coincidence, or I was not in a good state!"