Chapter 42 ⟴ Ginko Questions Her Life

Victory and defeat came in an instant!

To everyone's surprise, Ginko lost. Her eyes widened as she surveyed the board in disbelief.

'I was playing so smoothly — how did I lose so inexplicably?' Ginko tilted her head with an adorably bewildered expression.

Keika covered her mouth, staring at Daiki in amazement. Though she knew of his extraordinary background, his shōgi skills were remarkable — especially for someone who claimed to have never played before.

Yotsuba's mind raced, and she suddenly exclaimed, "Ah! Didn't Daiki-kun just earn ¥30,000,000 in about ten minutes?"

Hearing this, Nino, Itsuki, and the others could only twitch their mouths at her brazen outburst.

Snap!

The folding fan in Ginko's hand flew open as she gazed at Daiki with renewed interest.

"Daiki-kun, let's play another game!" Having never met a worthy opponent before, an unprecedented fighting spirit rose within her.

Far from being a beginner, he was clearly a top-tier player. Like a frog in slowly heating water, he had gradually worn down her defenses.

Only when victory was determined did she realize she had lost.

"I'll transfer the ¥30,000,000 to Daiki-kun's card as promised." She added.

As the only female player holding two professional titles, and with the backing of Rina Shakando, the chairwoman of the Women's Professional Association, Ginko's earning power far exceeded that of ordinary players.

While ¥30,000,000 might be backbreaking for most, for her it was merely a portion of her annual income.

"Never mind, I'm not that interested in shōgi." Daiki said, waving his hand dismissively.

"I can put up another ¥30,000,000!"

Ginko's words made Yotsuba's eyes widen. Miku and Itsuki turned their shocked gazes toward the young prodigy.

She truly treated money like dirt!

"Please!" Ginko pleaded, dropping into a dogeza bow.

Her dedication moved everyone present — for someone with such an antisocial and eccentric personality to humble herself this way.

"Fine, remember to bring that ¥30,000,000." Daiki reached to arrange the remaining pieces, and Ginko quickly followed suit.

Their fingers accidentally touched, causing Miku to frown.

The game began anew, with neither player taking handicaps. Ginko stared at the board in complete concentration, her mind racing.

Snap!

Snap!

The sharp sound of pieces being placed echoed through the room.

Ginko found that feeling of supreme control once more. In this moment, she felt at one with the board!

Snap!

A piece placement cracked like thunder.

The startled girl found herself in an impossible position once again.

"Again!" She demanded, her voice determined.

Silently, Daiki reset the board to its starting position.

And so began another match!

Third game — crushing defeat. Fourth game — crushing defeat. Fifth game, sixth game, seventh game...

With each passing game, Ginko's defeats came more swiftly. Before she could even mount a defense, she found herself trapped. These relentless losses made her clench her fists.

His strength was overwhelming — on an entirely different level. Even at her best, victory seemed impossible.

Now she truly understood Keika's anxiety about declining shōgi skills.

Ginko was drenched in sweat, her trembling fingers barely able to grip the pieces.

Daiki, in contrast, waited quietly, pieces held steady in his hand.

His composed demeanor drew Nino's intense gaze. Her legs pressed together slightly, her eyes distant and dazed.

'Nino!' The thought screamed in Ichika's heart like a startled prairie dog. She stood nearby, panicking.

What she had only suspected before was now certain — Nino was becoming Miku's rival!

No — she might already be one!

Meanwhile, Miku remained blissfully unaware. If only she would notice Nino beside her!

Though trembling, Ichika clung to hope. Perhaps Nino's feelings were one-sided... There might still be time to prevent this!

Remembering her promise to their mother in heaven, she steeled herself. As the eldest quintuplet, she needed to take charge.

"I lose." The piece slipped from Ginko's fingertips.

She rose in a daze and staggered out. Keika quickly apologized and hurried after her.

"Daiki-kun, that was amazing!" Miku bounded over, resting her head on his shoulder.

Though proud of him, anxiety crept into her heart. Her boyfriend was simply too exceptional, so much so that she felt inadequate and frightened.

It seemed as if someone better might steal him away at any moment!

Ginko worried her most! Not only was she Daiki's desk mate, but she was equally beautiful. And as they say, proximity breeds affection.

Given her dedication to shōgi, she would surely find ways to continue playing matches with him. What if...

Miku's heart grew heavy, her breathing quick and shallow. She imagined scenes of them together, her hands unconsciously tightening around Daiki as if trying to merge with him.

"All right, it's time to rest! So much has happened today — Daiki-kun must be tired." Concerned about his fatigue, Miku released her arms.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Nino's mouth. Though she felt bad for Miku, this was inevitable.

As the door closed, the Nakano quintuplets filed out.

"Time to rest." After his crushing victory, Daiki washed up and lay down.

But tonight's unrest was far from over. Heavy clouds drifted across the breeze, shrouding the bright moonlight.

Creak—

A wooden door eased open.

A beautiful figure crept silently down the hallway and slipped into Daiki's guest room.

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