Chapter 960

He had once been high-spirited in his youth, feeling that his talent was decent and that he had hopes of stepping into the professional arena.

Yet, it was precisely because he could never win when facing those true professional players that he suffered repeated defeats.

Thus, before reaching the age limit, he was always "suppressed" at the semi-professional level, unable to move up; he still remembers that stifling sense of powerlessness to this day.

From this, one can also see how strong those who eventually become professional players really are; talent and hard work are both indispensable.

However, those things might still be too far off for the current Natsume Chikage.

After all, in their hearts, Natsume Chikage being able to fight his way to the sixth round as a high school student is already a very strong, proud achievement.

As for going any further, they dare not even think about it, or rather, they feel the probability is too low.

Because starting from the sixth round, the people he will face next are truly a group of monsters!

A group of "old timers" who might be older than you, have studied shogi much longer than you, might have higher talent than you, and have much richer competition experience than you!

In a sport like shogi that relies extremely heavily on talent, hard work, and time, when you think you are a genius, you might just be a stepping stone for some even more genius "monster."

Wanting to beat these "genius old timers" is incredibly difficult!

Nomura Tomohiro returned from his memories and reflections, looking at Natsume Chikage, who had a calm temperament and clear eyes, and that feeling of cherishing talent welled up in his heart once again.

He sat up straight, placed his hands on his knees, his expression becoming solemn and serious as he spoke in a low voice.

"Natsume-kun."

His voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet club room.

"I have seen your talent and strength in shogi with my own eyes; it is indeed very outstanding, and one could even say it is one of the strongest I have seen among high school students in recent years."

"Such talent should not be buried, or rather, it should not just be a 'dabbling' nature."

He paused, then continued.

"When I was in the faculty office, I also heard other teachers mention that you have astonishing talent in baseball as well."

"But after you decisively rejected the baseball club advisor's invitations multiple times, I understood that perhaps you really don't like baseball, or don't have that much passion for it."

"But that doesn't matter."

Nomura Tomohiro's gaze softened, but his tone remained serious.

"After all, judging by your temperament, personality, and appearance, you don't seem suited for that kind of 'brute' sport that requires massive daily physical training and running while sweating in the sun."

"Your temperament—calm, sharp, yet hiding an edge—in my view, is very well-suited for a brain sport like shogi, which requires extreme focus, deep thinking, and a steady mindset!"

His tone gradually carried a hint of persuasion.

"So—Natsume-kun, in my capacity as the advisor of the Shogi Club, I once again solemnly extend an invitation to you."

"Quit that... Collection Club, and officially join our Shogi Club!"

"Here, you have opponents like Araki and Yasui with similar strength to spar with frequently, you have an old guy like me to share experiences with, and the club has plenty of game records and materials."

"By frequently engaging in high-quality practice and matches with us, your shogi strength will definitely be able to reach the next level! It will be of great benefit to your future development, whether you want to pursue a professional path or just treat it as a specialty!"

In fact, Araki Yuai and Yasui Ryouto felt the same way in their hearts.

Initially, neither of them expected that Natsume Chikage would have such high talent in baseball, completely no less than in shogi, even causing the baseball club's strict advisor to have an extreme desire for him.

But Natsume Chikage's overall temperament and appearance really were too outstanding, too misleading.

With a slender and upright figure, a handsome face, and a calm gaze that carried a sense of detachment, he looked like a beautiful youth who should appear in a literature club, quietly reading books or painting.

It was impossible for anyone to immediately associate him with that kind of baseball sport that requires intense confrontation while sweating in the dust every day.

On the contrary, the way he sat quietly in front of the shogi board, lost in thought while holding a piece, was inexplicably harmonious, as if he were born to belong here.

"Yes! Ai-nee also thinks Nomura-sensei is right!"

Araki Yuai nodded vigorously, taking over the conversation, her way of persuading more direct.

"Natsume-kun, you are really super suited for playing shogi! Really! It's not just the strength, it's that feeling! The way you look sitting in front of the shogi board is much cooler than when you play baseball!"

"Come on, join our Shogi Club! Ai-nee will cover for you! I guarantee no one will dare to bully you!"

Yasui Ryouto also put away his usual playful attitude, patted Natsume Chikage on the shoulder, and spoke seriously.

"I also think so, junior. Your strength is now not much weaker than mine, or even Nomura-sensei's; what you lack might just be some systematic training and more actual combat."

"Given time, with your talent, the possibility of becoming a professional player is very high. By then, just participating in various competitions and activities will bring considerable income, and your social status will be different."

"But the number of high-quality matches you play now is still too few; you need opponents like us who have similar strength and can put pressure on you to hone yourself."

His gaze also carried expectation.

"So, join our Shogi Club! This is your best choice."

Natsume Chikage looked at the three people in front of him, all serious and filled with expectation and sincerity, listening to their earnest persuasion, and he couldn't help but remain silent for a moment.

He could feel their good intentions and their appreciation for his talent.

He sat up straight, also with a serious and solemn attitude, and replied slowly.

"Nomura-sensei, Araki-senpai, Yasui-senpai."

"Regarding joining the Shogi Club, actually, I have considered it before, and I have thought about it seriously for a long time."

"However, I thought about it for a long time... and in the end, I still feel, no."

Araki Yuai heard this, the expectant expression on her face froze, turning into obvious astonishment as she blurted out.

"Eh? Why?"

She really couldn't understand why Natsume Chikage would refuse when there were such good conditions and so many like-minded partners.

Natsume Chikage looked at Araki Yuai's puzzled eyes, then looked at Nomura Tomohiro and Yasui Ryouto, who were also showing confusion, and explained patiently.

"I am really very grateful to you, senpai, and Nomura-sensei, for valuing me so much and inviting me multiple times."

"But I really... quite like the Collection Club I am in now."

"After all, you see, my hobby is just liking to collect all kinds of things with stories and characteristics, liking to wander around, exploring different places, and liking the free and easy pace of life every day."

He spread his hands, revealing a helpless but real smile.

"To make me sit and study shogi records like a professional player-in-training, and conduct a large amount of boring practice and matches every day... I really can't sit still, and I would feel suppressed."

"To be honest, the initial and main purpose of me participating in shogi competitions was just for the generous prize money."

"So, actually, my interest in shogi itself... can only be considered average, far from reaching the level of passion."

He bowed slightly to express his apology.

"I can only say sorry again to everyone for your kind invitations, failing your expectations."

The three of them heard this honest, even somewhat "too honest" explanation from Natsume Chikage, and their feelings were incredibly complex for a moment.

They felt both incredibly speechless and deeply helpless.

What was speechless was that, despite possessing such powerful strength and talent that countless shogi enthusiasts envied, the person himself was only "average" in his interest in shogi?!

This was simply like holding a golden bowl and begging for food, making people want to pry open his head to see what he was thinking.

But what was helpless was that, based on their understanding and observations, Natsume Chikage's personality and hobbies were indeed... somewhat unique, or "bizarre."

After all, almost everyone in the school now had heard, more or less, about Natsume Chikage's unique "collecting habit."

Whether it was the baseball that Nakajima Satoshi regarded as a treasure, the baseball glove that Shinohara Shingo had used for many years, the wooden sword that had been passed down in the Kendo Club for a long time, or the iron in the home economics classroom... he just collected a bunch of messy, seemingly unrelated things.

Therefore, Natsume Chikage's words just now were really not wrong; his hobby point was indeed different from ordinary people, he just liked "collecting" things.

Looking at it this way, that "Collection Club" that sounded a bit strange might indeed be the place most suitable for Natsume Chikage, the place that made him feel most at ease.

Nomura Tomohiro sighed in his heart.

A twisted melon is not sweet; he had lived for decades and understood this principle perfectly well.

If a person doesn't like something, no matter how much outsiders beg, no matter how much they tell him how good the thing is, it's very hard for him to truly invest passion.

But if he truly likes it, even if you push him away and don't let him touch it, he will find ways to get close.

Interest is the best teacher and also the most lasting motivation.

Araki Yuai heard this, although she was still a bit regretful, looking at Natsume Chikage's frank expression, she quickly let it go and didn't continue to force him.

After all, she quite liked this somewhat special and strong junior, and didn't want to make things difficult for him.

"Well, it's fine!"

She waved her hand, a bright smile reappearing on her face.

"Senpai understands you! People, the most important thing is to be happy and do what you like!"

"Since you like the Collection Club, then just stay there! As long as you don't forget to come over and play shogi with us occasionally!"

Nomura Tomohiro had actually invited Natsume Chikage two or three times, openly and secretly, and had been rejected with similar reasons; it seemed Natsume Chikage really lacked sufficient passion for shogi, at least not to the extent of being willing to invest a large amount of club time into it.

He could only helplessly shake his head and sigh, his tone relaxing.

"Sigh... fine, whatever you want."

"Since this is the choice you made after careful consideration, I will respect you."

But he didn't forget to add one sentence, leaving hope.

"However, if you change your mind one day, or want to systematically improve your shogi strength, the door to our Shogi Club will always be open for you, and I welcome you to come over at any time."