157: Hakuto Feels Something Is Off

Hakuto wasn't just making things up. 

In his view, even without his supercomputer-like calculations, after systematic learning, there were only a few people who could defeat him on the board.

So, since he had entered the rewards group, the Eternal Seven Crowns, which he had once jokingly said he would claim in front of Ginko, could no longer just be a joke.

"You're aiming for the highest title in the shogi world before even making it into the rewards group? Kid, your ambition is a bit too big."

As he spoke, Kiyotaki Kōsuke couldn't help but worry about Kuzuryuu Yaichi. No one knew better than him how Yaichi had earned the title of Dragon King.

The "Grassroots Dragon King" wasn't just an empty title. If he didn't push himself further, his Dragon King title would likely be taken by someone else in the next tournament.

Even if he managed to defend it this time, Hakuto would always be there, waiting for Kuzuryuu Yaichi in the future.

It wasn't that Kiyotaki Kōsuke lacked confidence in his disciple—it was just that Hakuto was too much of a monster.

After all, before that incident, Kiyotaki Kōsuke would have never imagined that an amateur player could defeat a professional seventh dan.

Even if the opponent underestimated him, it should have been impossible! That would be like a child knocking out an adult with a single punch.

But what Kiyotaki Kōsuke didn't know was that even a child, if they held a knife, could kill an adult—that wasn't such an unimaginable thing.

Hakuto didn't chat any further with Kiyotaki Kōsuke because Ginko's next match had already started.

In the following two rounds, Ginko won both matches, though not without difficulty.

The moment the match ended, she was immediately surrounded by the media.

Fortunately, Ginko was experienced in dealing with this kind of situation. 

After finishing with the press and saying a quick goodbye to Kiyotaki Kōsuke, she rushed straight toward Hakuto.

Hakuto originally thought she was going in for a long-awaited hug.

He even opened his arms to welcome her—only for Ginko to press her folding fan against his chin in the next second.

"Hmm? What's this about?"

"Why did you show up just in time again?"

"Ginko... would you believe me if I said I got stuck in traffic?"

There was no way Hakuto could admit he had overslept, nor did he want to drag Ginko into anything involving espers.

So, he had no choice but to make something up, spouting lies without hesitation. Besides, the traffic actually had been a bit bad!

Ginko shot him a suspicious look before lowering her fan.

"Do you have any plans today, Ginko?"

"I'm going to change clothes first."

A kimono really wasn't the most convenient outfit, so Ginko decided to switch back to her usual sailor uniform.

However, when she came out after changing, she found that Hakuto was already in the middle of a match with Yaichi.

"Huh? What are you two doing?"

"Nothing much. Yaichi insisted on playing a match with me, talking about something like his inner demons."

"And that bet..."

"Relax, we didn't go through with that bet."

…

As soon as Ginko had left, Kuzuryuu Yaichi had approached Hakuto.

At first, Hakuto thought Yaichi was here to trash talk him or something, but instead, he just sincerely wanted a rematch.

Hakuto wasn't really in the mood for unnecessary trouble and tried to brush him off.

"You want to play me? Have you thought about the bet?"

"Sorry..."

"If you haven't made up your mind, don't come looking for me."

Hakuto hadn't actually wanted to make a bet with Yaichi—he just didn't want to deal with the hassle.

But then why was he sitting here playing against Yaichi?

Of course, it wasn't because he was moved by Yaichi's sincerity... What a joke. How much was sincerity worth?

The real reason was that Yaichi had changed the bet into money.

Since there was money involved, it wasn't a waste of effort anymore. Naturally, Hakuto was more than happy to accept.

And to show his respect for money, Hakuto decided not to use his supercomputer-like calculations—at least, not when he was already in an advantageous position.

"But if you underestimate me again, no matter how much you beg next time, I won't play you."

"Of course."

Actually, that wasn't true. As long as the money was good enough, Hakuto would still be tempted.

Hakuto had expected Kuzuryuu Yaichi to break down and start shouting at the sight of him, but it seemed like he had misjudged.

The shogi genius in front of him was still someone worthy of respect.

"Please take care of me."

"Likewise."

The same pre-match rituals, the same familiar match environment.

There was no doubt about it—Kuzuryuu Yaichi was a true genius! The title of Dragon King wasn't something he had just stumbled upon by luck.

Hakuto was sure that Yaichi had studied his playstyle extensively after their last match.

In other words, the opponent he was facing now was a fully prepared and determined Kuzuryuu Yaichi!

Absolutely terrifying!

But still...

Yaichi was up against Hakuto—someone with a built-in cheat code, a human supercomputer!

So in the end, Hakuto won.

And he hadn't even used his advanced calculations!

"What the hell?"

Hakuto was in disbelief. He had originally thought he would need his supercomputer-like ability to win. 

He hadn't expected that just his raw calculation skills would be enough to suppress Yaichi.

"Impossible..."

Kuzuryuu Yaichi was shaken. He simply couldn't comprehend why he had lost again!

Hakuto was just an amateur, wasn't he?

If last time was because he had underestimated him, then what about this time?

Staring at Hakuto, Yaichi let out a long sigh.

Now, he finally understood what his senior sister meant when she called Hakuto an unparalleled genius.

After Yaichi left, Hakuto still couldn't believe what had just happened. He stared at his hands in disbelief.

Even he hadn't expected to defeat Kuzuryuu Yaichi without using his advanced calculations.

This made him feel like something was off.

But unlike Hakuto, Ginko found the outcome perfectly normal.

"Let's go. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"

"Oh..."

Hearing Ginko's call, Hakuto snapped out of his daze. Seeing her calm and unaffected expression, he decided to put the matter aside.

Maybe he had just underestimated himself. After all, even Ginko—who knew his true strength best—found this result completely natural.

But what Hakuto didn't realize was that if Ginko had been completely certain of his victory, she wouldn't have asked about the bet in the first place.

"Hakuto, that dream you told me about a few days ago... What was it about again?"

"Oh, it was simple. I dreamed that I joined the shogi group, and then... Ginko became my girlfriend."

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