Capítulo 39: Final Exam Of First Year [6]
The names of students assigned for the chess event from both of the classes was shown on the screen.
Class A : Hashimoto Masayoshi
Class C : Koenji Rokusuke
Everyone, including Horikita, was shocked after Koenji's name popped up.
It was true that she had made all the plans to counter Sakayanagi's drafts, but the final decision was in Yamauchi's hands.
"Fu fu~ An interesting decision you made there, Yamauchi-kun. I have heard that Koenji-kun is a total mystery to everyone. He doesn't cooperate with the class, but has some unexpected abilities. I would have loved to have a proper match of chess with him as well, but it doesn't seem like he would contribute much to this event, don't you think?"
"...", Yamauchi remained silent, just staring at the computer screen.
"Oh, well, that doesn't really matter right now...By the way, you haven't answered my question yet, Yamauchi-kun."
"....Why do you think that I am being controlled by someone else?", Yamauchi asked Sakayanagi, with a serious expression on his face.
Sakagami didn't show anything on his face, but from Hoshinomiya's expression it was clear that she had some ideas about that from the beginning.
'Yamauchi Haruki is just a below average student.'
That was her perception of Yamauchi.
But when he made a contract with Sakayanagi of his own accord in front of her, she began to get suspicious, that someone else other than Sakayanagi is controlling him.
Or else there was no plausible explanation for his behavioral changes at all.
"You know what?", Sakayanagi continued, "I am the one asking questions here. And it's really very simple. You tell me the name of the one controlling you, and I would let you have 4 events for class C's win. That's all. So, are you willing to say, or the deal's off?"
Sakayanagi's intentions were clear.
If Yamauchi declines her offer, then she would just continue with her attack, and crush class C by a large margin, resulting in Yamauchi's expulsion.
And, if Yamauchi accepts and tells her the name of the mastermind behind him, then also she would crush class C, and expel Yamauchi, after which she would confront that mastermind herself.
Both the participants sat on their designated seats.
Koenji as usual, like a free spirit, crossed his hands and closed his eyes.
Hashimoto tried to talk to him, but was ignored in the end.
As the chess match began, the atmosphere in the room shifted to a mix of tension and uncertainty.
Yamauchi's decision to appoint Koenji was baffling to everyone, especially Horikita.
Koenji had always been unpredictable, his eccentric behavior making it impossible to determine whether he would take this seriously or treat it like one of his usual games.
Sakayanagi, sitting confidently, continued her conversation with Yamauchi, her tone ever-playful yet carrying a sinister edge.
"Well, Yamauchi-kun, the clock is ticking. I do hope you'll make your decision soon," she teased, her voice dripping with false sympathy.
Yamauchi glanced at Koenji, who sat with a serene expression, his arms crossed and eyes closed as though he were meditating.
It was impossible to tell what Koenji was thinking—or if he was even thinking about the match at all.
Hashimoto, meanwhile, was focused, prepared for the game ahead.
He had trained specifically for this event under Sakayanagi's guidance, and he knew that his role was not only to win but to crush Koenji completely.
Hashimoto had the white pieces, and Koenji had the black ones.
The chess match commenced, with Hashimoto making the first move as white.
He opened with a textbook move, one that demonstrated his disciplined approach, pawn to e4.
It is a standard move, everyone is used to play since starting this game.
There are various types of openings from here on out, depending on black's move.
As Hashimoto just learned how to play chess from Sakayanagi, he didn't want to try out complex openings with weird variations at all.
So, he was racing his mind for the next move he would make, considering his opponent was Koenji, a man shrouded in mystery.
Hashimoto felt a little nervous at first after seeing his name on the screen, but he had the assurance of Sakayanagi, as commanders have the most influence on this game, with a total of 30 minutes of intervention.
This chess game was designed to be a battle between commanders.
As there was no time increment even after the forty first move, time was of most essence in this match.
However, ignoring everything and everyone, Koenji remained seated in his position with crossed hands and closed eyes, without making any moves.
At first, everyone thought that maybe he was concentrating, but as it continued for a few more minutes, then only everyone realized that he had no intention of playing this match at all.
The tension in the room grew palpable as the seconds ticked by. Hashimoto, sitting across from Koenji, grew increasingly restless.
He had anticipated a tough battle, but not this—a match against someone who wasn't even trying. His grip on the chess piece tightened as he stared at Koenji, who remained motionless, his eyes still closed.
Sakayanagi, on the other hand, was the picture of calm.
She leaned back slightly, her confident smile never wavering.
"It seems Koenji-kun is... how should I say this? Detached from the outcome. How unfortunate for Class C." Her voice was playful, but beneath it, there was a clear note of amusement at the unfolding chaos.
5 Minutes passed.
10 Minutes passed.
15 Minutes passed.
Koenji still remained in his position with eyes closed and hands crossed.
It was as if, he was asleep during the match. As if he was Magnus Carlsen himself.
Even the teachers and invigilators present at the game were confused, beyond expectation.
Moreover, the students of class C were already demoralized over 2 losses in a row. And after seeing Koenji's attitude in a serious match, they lost all hopes of winning, even if one of their own events popped up later on.
Hashimoto, meanwhile, couldn't hold back any longer. "Oi, Koenji," he called out, trying to get his opponent's attention. "Are you planning on playing or not? We don't have all day."
There was no response. Koenji remained still, breathing calmly, as though he were meditating. The clock ticked mercilessly, draining away the time Class C could have used to make a real stand.
Another 10 minutes passed, with just 35 minutes to spare for Koenji.
Meanwhile, Hashimoto had more than 59 minutes in his hand.
"Yamauchi-kun, it doesn't seem like Koenji-kun has intention of moving at all. So why don't we resume our little conversation from before? I am getting really bored here."
Sakayanagi leaned forward, her playful expression only heightening the tension.
"You know, Yamauchi-kun, this situation could have been avoided if you had only made a smarter choice. But I suppose that's just who you are—a man easily led by others. It's such a pity."
Yamauchi clenched his fists, trying to hold back his frustration.
His mind raced, knowing that every word from Sakayanagi was a calculated provocation.
He was already on thin ice—Koenji's behavior was pushing him toward complete failure, and Sakayanagi was circling like a vulture.
"What do you want from me, Sakayanagi?" he asked, his voice low.
Sakayanagi tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering.
"I believe I made myself quite clear earlier, Yamauchi-kun. All I want is for you to tell me who is pulling your strings. It's such a simple request, don't you think? Besides, considering you are totally hesitating to even imply that this mastermind exists,.....are you being threatened or blackmailed by any chance?"
"No..... nothing like that.", Yamauchi replied.
"Then, why are you hesitating to tell a single name,....... or maybe a group of people are controlling you?"
"......"
"Well, if you remain silent like this, just like Koenji-kun, then, I would have no choice, but to crush you with all my might."
Immersed in his deep thought, Yamauchi opened his mouth after a while.
"Would you believe me, if I said, Koenji is the mastermind?", he said.
Yamauchi just admitted that the student sitting around the chessboard with his eyes closed and arms crossed was behind Yamauchi's actions all the times.
It was a possibility Sakayanagi considered before, however.....
"Yamauchi-kun, I can detect a lie quite easily, you know. And it's quite obvious to me that Koenji-kun is not the one.", she replied.
"....What if I prove it to you?", Yamauchi said quite confidently.
"Proof?", she asked in confusion.
"Yeah. Just wait until the end of this match."
On the other hand, 30 minutes just passed.
As if waking up from his deep slumber, Koenji opened his eyes finally.
He took the queen's pawn to d5, and clicked his side of the clock.
"That was quite refreshing, if I say so myself. Hmm....30 minutes have passed.", he said.
Then, he looked at Hashimoto.
"Hey. Tell your commander to make the moves herself from now on."
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Author's Notes :
Now's Koenji-time.
That opening was Scandinavian defense, by the way.
I decided to make an original match for this chess event.
And, please support my ongoing web novel - "The Last War : Celestial Rebellion".
You can find it on my profile page too.
Add to library if you find it interesting.
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