章 37: Chapter 37 - Katsuragi 2 - Katsuragi’s Decision

---Notice---

Didn't want to leave you guys on another cliffhanger so I have a long chapter for you all here.

Have you still not given me your power stone? Powerstones are greatly appreciated, and so are reviews I would really appreciate more reviews.

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(Img - Just so everyone understands when I say sloped or cheat proof desk or table this is kinda what I mean)

(Img - also new cover photo for this Fic or keep the old one?)

"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near." ~Sun Tzu

The lounge was filled with chatter because of the direction this game was going. It was completely unexpected. Yes, probability said Light was at a disadvantage in this game, but it was Light. No one really expected him to be pressured like this, even if it was by Katsuragi.

The perfect and unbeatable image Light had crafted was crumbling.

It resembled that of Icarus, who ignored all Daedalus's warnings not to fly too close to the sun, burning his wings and causing Icarus to fall from the sky into the sea and drown.

It was all because Icarus wanted to be free. In a way, he was not consumed by the sea or the sun; no, he was consumed by his ambitions.

At this moment, it seemed that Light resembled Icarus; it seemed he had aimed too high in antagonizing Katsuragi, and he must now face the consequences of his ambitions.

"Katsuragi is a lot stronger than I thought."

"Yeah, I knew he had an advantage, but I expected Yagami to put up more of a fight."

"Maybe Yagami still has some sort of trick up his sleeve?"

"What trick? Katsuragi has all the probabilities calculated. He knows the optimal move in every situation and Yagami's optimal response."

"You're right. It would take a decent bit of luck for him to get out of this."

The students in the lounge continued talking about the game. A good portion of Class A boasted about Katsuragi's strength, while all of Class C watched the game anxiously because of Yagami's current position in it. The rest of the students simply took in the competition, examining possible outcomes.

"Ryuen, it seems like Yagami is in a tough spot here," Ichinose said.

"Tch," Ryuen clicked his tongue, continuing to watch the game. Well, it wasn't much of a game at the moment, as Yagami was silent in thought. "He'll win," Ryuen then said, letting go of his annoyance at Yagami after a moment.

"Hmm?" Ichinose looked at Ryuen questioningly, given his response. The nearby Horikita and Ayanokoji did the same after hearing Ryuen's words. "What makes you say that?"

"It took me a moment to realize, but this is a bit out of place," Ryuen explained.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Horikita then asked curiously.

In response, Ryuen pointed at the TV screen. "You're going to tell me that bastard is flustered? The same bastard that openly challenged me on the first day of school after I wreaked havoc on the class? That bastard is flustered over some game? Not even, it's even worse. Are you telling me he's flustered by some decision that doesn't really matter? I'd be crazy to believe some bullshit like that. No, Yagami is just acting right now. He's just trying to play Katsuragi. Chances are Yagami really does have a decline coin card. He's just trying to play with Katsuragi right now. All this right now is a show being put on by Yagami."

"I see," Ichinose said with a finger on her lips. "It makes sense. While not inputting a fake note and inputting a fake note have the same victory probabilities for Yagami if he does have a decline coin win condition, inputting a fake note has the added bonus of making Katsuragi believe Yagami has an 'accept coin' win condition. Psychology it is a good move regardless of whether Yagami has an accept coin or decline coin win condition. Inputting a fake note is objectively the best move for Yagami."

The lounge was buzzing with chatter as the game took an unexpected turn. Light Yagami, usually so composed and unbeatable, seemed to be struggling against Kohei Katsuragi. The perfect image he had crafted was starting to crack.

Horikita nodded, realizing Yagami's strategy was indeed genius. It had taken Katsuragi and Ichinose up to this moment to figure it out, and even she had been surprised, thinking Yagami was on the brink of defeat.

Class C members around Ryuen gained hope after hearing his analysis, while Class A members dismissed it. Ayanokoji, however, paid no attention to the analysis and continued watching the screen where Yagami was deep in thought.

The game resumed.

"I've decided," Yagami said, bringing Katsuragi to attention after waiting for Yagami's decision.

"I see. So, what will it be?"

"I'll be inputting a fake note."

"I see, so you won't be taking on my challenge," Katsuragi said with a smile.

Hearing Yagami's words, the administrator brought the small black lottery box onto his sloped, cheat-proof desk directly in front of him.

"You may only put your hand in, and you are not to touch the bottom of the box," the exam administrator said, setting obvious rules to prevent cheating.

Yagami reached towards his notes, grabbed the fake note of his choosing, and dropped it into the lottery box. Once Yagami removed his hand, the administrator picked up the box and returned to his prior position.

"I'll accept my random lottery drawing now," Katsuragi said, speaking to the exam administrator, who quickly reached into the box, pulled out a note, and handed it to him.

Katsuragi quickly unfolded his note and looked at it; Yagami looked at him anxiously as he did so.

"Oh, are you curious about what I pulled?" Katsuragi asked, and Yagami looked at him anxiously. "Well, I'll let you in on a secret, Yagami. You've been played. In reality, what I received from this lottery box never mattered, and neither did the words you spouted. You see, my victory was guaranteed." Katsuragi smiled, showing the note in his hand to everyone at the table and the camera. The note said, "Win Condition: Katsuragi accepts Yagami's one yen coin."

"So get a good look at my card if you are so curious, Yagami because nothing can save you now."

"What does Katsuragi mean it didn't matter what note he pulled from the box?" Ichinose asked.

"Shut up. Can't you see I'm trying to watch the game?" Ryuen quickly responded, annoyed, his attention remaining focused on the TV.

"What do you think, Kanzaki?" Ichinose asked.

"I have no clue. But no matter what, it doesn't sound good for Yagami. It almost seems like Katsuragi expected and wanted Yagami to input a fake note," Kanzaki responded.

Hearing Kanzaki's words, Ichinose's gaze quickly shifted back to the TV.

Yagami was currently in a state of confusion.

If there was still hope before, it was apparent now that the one in control of this game wasn't Light Yagami but Kohei Katsuragi. It seemed like everyone was about to witness true genius.

"Well, are you going to go back on our deal? I am paying you a small fortune in return for a victory, so I'd hope you wouldn't go back on our deal now."

"Oh, of course, I won't be going back on our deal. I was simply admiring my beauty in that mirror over there. I hadn't even realized my time to shine had come, hahaha," Koenji said, running his hand through his hair.

"Yagami, I'll have to see that trick paper on your desk," Koenji then said.

His words shocked everyone in the lounge. Katsuragi had completely outplayed Yagami. From the second Yagami had stepped into the playroom, victory was impossible for him. Is this the level of skill it takes to lead Class A? Was Katsuragi's performance during the last special exam just a fluke?

Ichinose mumbled, "Wait, doesn't that mean…"

"Katsuragi has won," Kanzaki finished her thought. "He acted like he wanted Yagami not to use his trick note and instead risk Katsuragi pulling his second decline card, assuring him that Yagami had an accept coin win condition."

"Yes, but if Katsuragi had pulled an accept coin card in that scenario, he would've been left with a complete 50-50 guess of Yagami's win condition. He didn't want to take that risk, so he created a way to confidently deduce Yagami's win condition."

Both Ichinose and Kanzaki's attention returned to the game as Koenji spoke again.

"Did you not hear me? I said hand me that note on your table," Koenji repeated himself.

Slowly, Yagami moved his hand and grabbed the fake note on his table, slowly handing it to Koenji, who quickly snatched it out of his hand.

Koenji quickly unfolded the note and presented it to Katsuragi and the camera. "It seems to be an accept coin note," Koenji said.

"I see, so that means you inputted a decline coin note into the lottery box. I think we both understand the importance of fake notes, Yagami. They are meant to be secretive. That's what makes them so powerful—the fact your opponent doesn't know what you input," Katsuragi said.

After pausing for a minute, Katsuragi continued, "It's sad. I was expecting more from you. I guess your acting was convincing, at least. I almost believed your win condition was for me to accept your coin because of it. But as I told you, I can't be manipulated by someone of your level. I told you that naïveté of yours would be your downfall, that and your arrogance."

Hearing Katsuragi's words, Yagami simply clenched his fist, remaining silent. This time, there was no panic, flustering, or anger, just an expression of disappointment.

"Inputting a 'reject coin' fake note is in every way detrimental to you if you have an accept coin win condition. Why? Because it increases my chances of victory. For example, if I had just drawn a 'decline coin' note instead of an accept coin, Koenji there would have shown me the note on your table, proving to me you inputted a 'reject coin' fake note into the lottery box. This would've given me general knowledge on the location of all three of three possible reject coin notes in the game, leaving only the 3 possible accept coin notes unaccounted for. It would be hard to believe all the accept notes in this game went untouched. Even without accounting for Koenji's help, inputting a decline fake note would have increased my win chance significantly. This means your win condition is for me to decline your coin," Katsuragi stated with confidence.

"I understand how the game works, Katsuragi… The purpose of trick notes is to make your opponent believe there are more of a certain note in the lottery box than there truly should be. And what makes them so powerful is you can never be sure if the note you draw on your second drawing is the note your opponent wanted you to draw or not," Yagami responded.

"Sadly, you never had that advantage," Katsuragi said with a chuckle. "I've made up my mind, administrator. I'll be accepting Yagami's coin."

In the lounge, all watched in awe.

"He really is fit to be the leader of Class A; it seems Katsuragi's won," Kanzaki said aloud.

"Maybe Yagami really has an accept coin win condition?" Ichinose responded.

Horikita, hearing this, replied, "Very unlikely. As Katsuragi stated, inputting a fake decline note while having a win condition of accept coin could end badly for Yagami. He would've been better off accepting Katsuragi's challenge to not input a fake note, but Katsuragi manipulated and baited Yagami into inputting a fake note."

Kanzaki nodded at Horikita's words. "Yes, I agree with Horikita. If Yagami really does have an accept note, inputting a fake decline note could've ended badly. It would have given Katsuragi information to deduce his win condition, he would've been better off never getting himself in this situation anyway, as she explained. Even if Yagami had put an accept fake note and his win condition was for Katsuragi to accept his coin, Katsuragi could've deduced that once he learned what fake note Yagami input using Koenji's assistance. Katsuragi has played Yagami from the beginning to the end. No, Katsuragi's goal was never to play Yagami; it was to play this game itself, to gain so much information that his victory was assured."

Around the lounge, students discussed the match and Katsuragi's overwhelming victory. Although there were a few who understood the concept that only gods performed miracles, they stared at the television with anticipation. They hoped today Yagami would show them one—a miracle.

"Hmph, Ryuen, it seems like your Class C will take its first loss sooner than—" Before Horikita could finish mocking Ryuen, the exam administrator of Yagami and Katsuragi's game spoke up.

"In this game between Light Yagami of the recently promoted Class B and Kohei Katsuragi of Class A, I declare the victor to be Light Yagami."

"What?"

Not only did Katsuragi mutter those words, but so did everyone in the lounge.

"That doesn't make any sense…" Horikita said. "Was it luck?"

That question was being asked by everyone in the lounge capable enough to comprehend just how dominating of a position Katsuragi was in just a moment ago. But quickly, it was dispelled as Yagami began to yawn. Katsuragi simply looked at his notes and the one fake note Koenji had revealed to him.

"That was quite boring," Yagami then said. It was so predictable of you, Katsuragi, to pay off Koenji, that is."

"You knew? This whole time… but how? Koenji is known for being disinterested in anything relating to the school, so how?" Katsuragi asked.

"True, but everyone has their weaknesses or wants. Class D is flat-out broke, and I've heard Koenji likes spending money on his adventures out. I don't see a reason why he would be opposed to helping anyone if the pay is right," Yagami responded.

"Haha, you understand me well, but it seems like I'll be missing out on 2 million points now because of you," Koenji responded.

Two million? An insane amount, but it's understandable. Katsuragi and Class A would save a lot of points by canceling their contract with Class C, and Katsuragi would also get 500k points from winning this game.

"But it doesn't make sense. Even if you knew I'd team up with Koenji and you knew how I would react in the scenario if I pulled an accept note or decline note, you still input a decline note into the lottery box. There was a 66% chance I was going to pull a decline note from the lottery box. If I pulled it, you would've lost and took that guaranteed risk anyway?" Katsuragi asked.

"What risk?" Yagami asked, pulling something out of his sleeve before unfolding it. It was a note—a decline note. "I never put the decline note into the box. You just happened to assume I did," Yagami said with a smile. "I stuck the note up my sleeve once my hand was in the lottery box. So, in reality, there were only two notes in the lottery box, not three. When you did your second drawing, it was a 50% chance to pull a decline card, not 66%."

"No, I can't accept this. Your victory was by pure luck—a 50-50 gamble. If I pulled a decline card, I still would've won!" Katsuragi responded.

"Katsuragi, I don't need to gamble against someone like you. I know since you're so stuck on this, I'll just show you what would have happened if you had drawn a decline card and why you wouldn't have won."

"What do you mean?"

"Katsuragi, I have a question for you. Once you do your second draw, can you deduce my win condition just because I inputted or you believed I inputted a fake note?"

"No, but that's what I had Koenji's assistance for."

"I see. So you're confident that with Koenji's assistance, you can always deduce what note I possess or what note I've placed into the lottery box?"

"Yes, of course, I am 100% sure. The game rules state you must show Koenji your fake note when requested."

Hearing Katsuragi's words, Yagami positioned himself by Koenji's table. After fumbling around Koenji's desk, he backed away.

"Ooooh, I see. So that's how it is," Koenji said with a smile, looking at his desk.

"Koenji, would you mind entertaining me for a moment? Right in front of you, have I shown you my fake note as demanded by the rules of this game?"

"You surely have," Koenji responded with a nod of his head.

"So, Katsuragi, knowing that what would you ask him now if the game was still proceeding?"

Katsuragi's confusion was tangible. He didn't understand where Yagami was going with this, but he couldn't help but sweat. He was confused yet nervous. "I… what does Yagami's fake note say?"

"Well, if this were a couple of minutes ago, all I would have been able to tell you is, who knows? I can guarantee you it either says decline or accept, but I'm not sure which it is," Koenji said.

Koenji picked up both notes Yagami had placed on his table and showed them to Katsuragi. One was an accept note, and the other was a decline note. One was his real win condition note, and the other was the decline note he had hidden up his sleeve. Katsuragi would never have been able to prove which was which in the game.

Katsuragi's face spoke volumes. He now understood.

With just some sleight of hand, Yagami could have turned this game on its head.

"You see, Katsuragi, you were never in control during this game. I was every step of the way. No matter what move you made, no matter what probability had to say, I had a counter," Yagami said.

The lounge resembled Katsuragi and Yagami's game room. It was silent. For the last half hour, everyone in the room believed Katsuragi held a dominating position against Yagami. Everyone also believed Yagami's win condition was likely for Katsuragi to decline his coin. In a way, Yagami not only tricked Katsuragi but also the over 100 students in the lounge.

"Well, that's… surprising," Ichinose said.

"Surprising doesn't even cut it. It feels like I just witnessed the impossible. I was so confident Yagami had lost," Kanzaki responded.

"Hahaha!" A laugh broke out from one of the students of Class C, Ishizaki. "Looks like you Class A bastards owe me some points now!" he yelled.

Class A ignored him, as many of them felt this loss deeply, especially when victory seemed so close.

Soon, attention turned to the television once more as Katsuragi spoke.

"Ha… so there was nothing I could do to win this game from the beginning. My defeat was predetermined," he said.

"That's not true," Yagami responded. This game was never inherently unfair to you. You had every advantageous advantage. You didn't lose because victory was impossible for you or anything like that… hmm, if I had to explain it, then I'd say you lost because you are Kohei Katsuragi."

As Yagami spoke, Katsuragi's eyes moved to him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, first, you overestimated yourself. You thought yourself capable of defeating me. You didn't know your limits, and you didn't question mine. That's one of the reasons you lost."

Katsuragi looked down before speaking. "And the other?"

Light Yagami looked at Katsuragi with a cold, calculating gaze. "I mean what I said. You are Kohei Katsuragi. You are known for doing things in a defensive manner. For example, you holed up during the last special exam; you were more focused on protecting your class points and conserving resources rather than putting up an offensive. In that way, you are very different from your competition for leader of Class A, Sakayanagi. This will sound harsh, but it's the truth, Katsuragi. You lost because you are a coward. You're indecisive, and as I said before, you overestimate yourself. You are not at my level, you are not at Sakayanagi's level, and you may not even be at the level of the other class leaders. But you could reach it."

Katsuragi clenched his fists. "Then what would you have done in my position? You are saying all this about my indecisiveness and incapability, but you aren't telling me how that is holding me back. You are just—"

"If I were you, the second our game started, I would have looked at my card and acted in opposition to it. If I had received an accept card, I would have declined the coin, and if I received a decline card, I would have accepted. I would have been decisive. I would have acted. I would have understood that I was playing against someone above my skill level, so I would have never allowed them a chance to put up an offensive. It may sound counterproductive, but only the strong can afford to be cowards and not take risks, Katsuragi. Look at you. You tried to assure a victory against me through your little trick. Where did that leave you? Defeated. If you had been decisive and acted the second this game had started, you would have won. But you didn't because you were scared of accepting a 50-class point loss because you overestimated yourself. If it weren't for this, you would have been the victor in our game, Katsuragi. But instead, now I'm left here to explain this to you."

Katsuragi couldn't deny his words. Yagami was right; he wasn't playing to win. While Katsuragi obviously desired to win, his mentality was one of avoiding defeat or loss. Aiming for victory and avoiding defeat may sound like the same thing in theory, but in practice, they are not. Look at how Katsuragi acted on the island exam. Could you say that Sakayanagi would have acted in the same way?

No, Katsuragi understood what Yagami said was true. There was a flaw in his mentality, even if it was small. His methods may work against smaller fish, but when dealing with someone like Yagami, anyone more skilled than himself, aiming to avoid loss could backfire greatly. It was just something Katsuragi could never realize as no one had forced him to as Yagami just had.

And because of his overestimation of his abilities, Yagami, someone obviously more capable than him, was able to take advantage of this and his other flaws.

"I see." Those were the only words Katsuragi could mutter after hearing Yagami's words.

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I know I always say this, but I would appreciate it if you let me know your thoughts on this chapter whether you enjoyed it and etc.

I did feel like I overcomplicated the game and everything so I'm not sure how it turned out or if its enjoyable to read or how the outcome felt, if it was an interesting way that the protagonist went about it or to convoluted you know that kind of stuff is nice to know and helps me improve.

So, I'd appreciate some thoughts on the chapter.

Also is 3rd person for these games good? I will go back to second when we are done with these games and arc, but I feel like 3rd fits better for this arc and to make readers feel like they are part of the audience watching the games.