Chapter 170: Teaching the Second-Year Senpai a Lesson
Since it was an extra match, and the rules for a one-on-one were different from the rules for the three grades, although it was a one-round decisive match, the number of turns and the cards in hand had to be increased significantly.
The deck had been replaced with a brand new one. At this point, Nagumo could no longer use his previous cheap tricks. Even so, no one brought up the issue of his previous 'cheating,' as the wager was small, and without absolute evidence, one couldn't guarantee what would happen to the Student Council President if they spoke up.
Especially the third-year students. They were about to graduate, and the best news for them was to safely leave this school from a high-ranking class.
Furthermore, they hadn't lost just now, so they didn't want to get involved in this matter. As for the first-years, the three Class B students remained silent, Yahiko didn't speak, and although Ryūen was unhappy, his attention was now focused on the two's match.
And as for Kitō, this guy had been mumbling since the start:
"I knew it, there must have been something wrong with that deck of cards!"
...
[In the chat room, Horikita: "This guy, wagering a million points at the drop of a hat..."]
[Ichinose: "The points that President Nagumo can use are simply too many. A million points is just the tip of the iceberg for him. However... as for Kōenji-kun..."]
[Yukimura: "Then you don't need to worry, Ichinose. You now know how rich this guy is. It's effortless for him to get a million points with his ability."]
[Ike: "That's not right, Yukimura. Even if his family is immensely wealthy, it's impossible for him to mobilize a million points right now. What if he loses?"]
[Hirata: "Kōenji-kun has been confident from the start that he won't lose... so he will accept any wager."]
[Kōenji: "Well said, Hirata-boy! Just as you said, I will absolutely not lose. And don't even talk about a million points; I can't even get 100,000 points... Hahahahahaha!"]
[Hasebe: "I feel like this guy is confident in all the strange places... but... I don't know if this kind of confidence is good or bad."]
[Sakura: "Let's not talk about who will win later, but Nagumo is too cunning. He actually brought a tampered deck of cards."]
[Karuizawa: "I've wanted to complain about this for a long time. If Hikigaya hadn't noticed, this guy would probably have continued to win like this."]
[Kushida sneered, looking at the blonde boy in the video. Her tone instantly turned cold: "This guy is no ordinary person. He used the smallness of the wager to test them with that deck. But I really didn't expect him to use such a trick in just the first confrontation. He's really a scheming person."]
[Ryūen was clearly displeased, not because he lost twice, but because despite observing for so long, neither his video counterpart nor his real-life self noticed Nagumo's cheap trick.]
[He turned his head and looked at Hiyori: "Did you notice?"]
[Hiyori shook her head. She was completely ignorant of cheating and, in some ways, lacked common sense.]
[Ryūen then turned his gaze to Kaneda and Ibuki, but they both shook their heads helplessly. This made Ryūen feel even more defeated, but precisely because of this, Ryūen was even more speechless about Hikigaya's observation skills.]
[Even now, he still couldn't understand why Hikigaya had spotted the anomaly.]
[Sakayanagi: "Dragon-boy, thinking too much about things like this will only damage your confidence."]
[Ryūen: "Hah, seems you're quite confident in yourself?"]
[Sakayanagi: "Not really, after all, I didn't notice it either."]
[Kamuro looked incredulous: "Princess, even you?"]
[Kitō: "Impossible... it was just cheating."]
[Sakayanagi: "Nagumo is very clever. As the cheater, he finished his hand early in both rounds, giving the final outcome to the second- and third-year members, who were also kept in the dark. From the start, unless you looked at the second-years with suspicion, it would have been impossible to know about the cheating."]
[Kamuro: "But Hikigaya did notice... and I don't think he's the type to look at others with suspicion, even if he has a conflict with Nagumo..."]
[Kamuro was still defending Sakayanagi, but Sakayanagi just smiled and shook her head.]
[Sakayanagi: "Masumi, you don't have to be so serious. What I just said only applies to others. For him, there are different ways to see it."]
[Kamuro: "What way?"]
[Sakayanagi: "Actually, he didn't observe Nagumo Miyabi cheating. In the second round, when Kiriyama and Kitō were confronting each other, he noticed something from his expression, and even analyzed the opponent's psychology. That's right... don't be too surprised. From the beginning, he could feel that Kiriyama's hesitation was faked."]
[Kitō: "Princess, although I don't deny his ability, aren't you over-glorifying him by saying that... How could anyone directly capture another person's thoughts?"]
[Kamuro was also somewhat unconvinced. After all, what Sakayanagi was saying was too esoteric. Not just her, but most people probably wouldn't choose to believe it.]
[Sakayanagi merely returned a faint smile.]
[In the Service Club, since only Yukinoshita and Hikigaya were left, they were now quietly holding hands and watching the video. Initially, Hikigaya felt awkward, but slowly, he actually adapted to this leisurely feeling. He had to admit it was quite comfortable.]
[Yukinoshita: "Hikigaya-kun, are you really like what Sakayanagi said?"]
[Hikigaya: "I... I wasn't watching the video just now..."]
[That's right, if he wanted to analyze a person's psychology, he just needed to ask that person on the spot. If only...]
[Yukinoshita pouted, somewhat displeased.]
[Hikigaya: "Because all my thoughts were focused on watching you... so... I didn't notice my video counterpart."]
[Yukinoshita's previous displeasure instantly disappeared, replaced by sudden shyness and blushing. She lowered her head, her bangs seemingly concealing her fleeting eyes. Her other hand rested placidly on her knee, clearly at a loss.]
["What... what are you saying!"]
["I'm telling the truth."]
["Then... then I'll reluctantly forgive you!"]
[The distance between the two drew closer. Although they had just confirmed each other's feelings, they were like an old married couple, mutually understanding each other's hearts.]
[The table that had once separated their hearts had now become a bond maintaining their relationship. The departure of Yuigahama and the others had given these two enough time.]
[Karuizawa: "I don't know why... I can't stand to look at this chat group anymore... I have a huge feeling of annoyance that I can't let out."]
[Hirata immediately adjusted his sitting posture and distanced himself from Karuizawa...]
[Kushida: "Yukinoshita, is it? I'll remember that name for now. However, what happened today won't just pass. The tables will turn one day."]
[Sakura also looked at the messages sent in the chat group with a pitiful expression. Since the two worlds could only communicate through words, her distress was unchangeable.]
[Ichinose clapped her hands on her cheeks, signaling herself to work harder.]
[Kamuro followed by Sakayanagi's side, currently wondering what she was thinking.]
[However, things wouldn't end so simply.]
[Everyone was waiting for an opportunity, and Yukinoshita was also on alert.]
...
Due to the increased number of cards, Kōenji and Nagumo Miyabi did not feel any pressure in the early stages. After all, drawing the Joker from ten cards was not easy.
The Joker was dealt to Kōenji. Now, after six turns, neither of them had moved the position of the Joker; it remained with Kōenji.
At this moment, one of Nagumo's second-year followers couldn't help but laugh, somewhat insolently.
"How pitiful. You guys don't actually think President Nagumo cheated, do you? Does he need to cheat to deal with you? Hahahahahaha..."
The third-year students didn't speak, while the first-year students' faces darkened. The second-year's words were a direct verbal attack on Hikigaya and Hirata, who had just returned with a new deck of cards.
Unfortunately, it had no effect on either Hirata or Hikigaya.
Kōenji didn't speak either, maintaining his elegant smile. From the moment he received the Joker, he hadn't changed the position of a single card from start to finish.
Nagumo's face also showed a smug smile. As the seventh round began, he continued to draw the second card from the left.
As expected, it was still not the Joker.
Nagumo could not guess which card was the Joker from Kōenji's expression, nor could he guess it from the way a normal person arranged cards, as Kōenji had never arranged his cards. However, thinking in reverse, since he hadn't manipulated the cards from the beginning, it meant two possibilities.
First... the Joker was in a position that would be drawn sooner or later.
Second... he would switch the card positions in the final one or two rounds to mess up Nagumo's judgment.
Since he hadn't drawn the Joker, this turn for Kōenji was still useless.
And so, they reached the eighth round.
They only had 4 cards left in their hands. To others, the Joker would repeatedly jump between their hands from this point on, as the probability was one-fourth, one-third, or even one-half. But in the eyes of these two, it was not.
From the beginning, the result of their confrontation was either 100% or 0%.
So...
Kōenji smiled faintly: "Nagumo-boy, be careful."
Nagumo returned a cold smile, then continued to pick up the second card from his left.
Sure enough, it was still a normal card.
Nagumo's smug smile finally broke, and he said to Kōenji: "Hahahahaha, still being suspicious, are you? The first card on your left is the Joker, right? Not changing its position means you plan to give me the million points?"
Kōenji deliberately put on an indifferent look, then asked with a provocative gaze: "Is that so? Nagumo-boy, is what you think really what you believe?"
Nagumo ignored the madman. Now they only had 3 cards left in their hands, meaning only two turns.
Kōenji casually drew a card. Now, it was Nagumo's turn again.
A total of three cards: left, right, and center.
Before, Nagumo had always drawn the second card from the left, and now... that would be the center card...
Nagumo hesitated for the first time. Thinking back to the blonde boy's fearless smile and words, his hand constantly hovered between the left card and the center card...
'Is what you think really what you believe?'
Finally, Nagumo took a sharp breath and drew the card on the right.
The moment Nagumo completely drew the card, he only felt his vision darken. The gray Joker seemed to be mocking his former ignorance, so ridiculous.
It was neither the center card nor the left card. The Joker had been hidden on the far right, where Nagumo hadn't considered it, until now, when he finally drew it.
Should he call himself lucky or unlucky?
The Joker he had assumed was on the left was only drawn in the ninth round.
The second-year students all inhaled sharply. Especially the one who had mocked them earlier, who now had sweat pouring down his forehead. On the first-year side, however, there wasn't much reaction.
Nagumo: "The game isn't over."
Kōenji: "No, the game is over."
The final round, a choice of two.
The Joker was with Nagumo. If Kōenji wasn't careful, he would draw the Joker again, and the win or loss would be decided in an instant.
The second- and third-year students had no idea where Kōenji's confidence came from. With a deck that hadn't been tampered with, how could he be 100% sure he wouldn't draw the Joker?
...
The final round began.
Kōenji didn't make a showy move, but watched Nagumo's expression. However, Nagumo was who he was. A mere million points wouldn't cause him any worry. Losing would only affect his pride and trustworthiness.
But in the end, it was just a game, so he literally had no burden.
Kōenji smiled faintly, seemingly having chosen the answer. He placed his hand on the left card, gently touching it.
Then, he gently placed his hand on the right card. This action took less than a second. Just when everyone thought he would choose the right card, and when Nagumo was secretly rejoicing, he switched back to the left card, and drew it without hesitation.
The Joker… was ultimately left with Nagumo.
Everyone was slightly stunned. It seemed like a very difficult choice, yet Kōenji had been in control the entire time.
That's why he was so resolute in that one second.
Kōenji's face never lost its proud smile from beginning to end.
"I'll gladly accept the one million private points."
Nagumo was not one to go back on his word. He just returned a smile and said: "Kōenji, it seems I really need to take a closer look at you."
"That's unnecessary. No matter how closely you examine me, you will still lose."
"Heh heh..."
The two were surprisingly lacking in animosity, and Kōenji also kept his promise. After playing one round, he returned directly to his bed and went back to his own business, as if nothing had happened.
Only the students from the three grades were left somewhat puzzled.
Ryūen: "This guy..."
Kitō: "What, was it luck!?"
Yahiko: "Looking at his movements, probably not."
Hirata: "Hachiman..."
Everyone turned their gaze to Hikigaya. Hikigaya gently touched the two remaining cards and instantly got the answer.
But...
Since the second and third-year students were also present, he just gently shook his head.
"I don't know either."
[In the chat room...]
[Sakayanagi: "It's the temperature."]
[Kitō: "What temperature?!"]
[Kamuro: "Temperature? Could it be residual temperature on the cards? But... that's too fantastical..."]
[Katsuragi: "This guy only started thinking of a strategy the moment he received the Joker."]
[Yahiko: "What a scary guy... I really wonder what Nagumo will think when he finds out."]
[Nagumo, looking at the chat group, felt his mouth twitch uncontrollably.]
[Isn't this just beating a dead horse? They're actually asking what he thinks?]
[However... it was actually the temperature...]
[Yukinoshita: "Hikigaya-kun, how did he do it?"]
[Hikigaya: "He utilized Nagumo's own pride to mislead him in the wrong direction from the start. Although it can't be seen in the video, the force Kōenji used to hold the cards was completely different. After sending the Joker out in the ninth round, in the tenth round, he only needed to lightly touch the temperature of the cards to know which one was the Joker."]
[Yukinoshita: "Is that... is that really possible?"]
[Hikigaya shook his head: "Only a freak like him, who can crush a handgrip with three fingers, can do it. Nagumo lost due to overconfidence in himself and a lack of understanding of Kōenji. But... even if they played a hundred more times, he would still lose."]
[Yukinoshita: "Why do you say that? Although I know this isn't purely a game of luck, losing a hundred times is unimaginable."]
[Hikigaya: "A person who can devise a strategy the moment they touch the Joker must have at least hundreds, even thousands, of ways to win hidden in their brain. Whether it's micro-expressions, temperature, air, or even seemingly unimportant factors like emotion, they all become keys to his victory. Of course, as the two said, this is just a small game, and Nagumo won't care about the one million private points."]
[Yukinoshita sighed, not knowing how to reply, and then said: "My thinking is completely out of sync with you monsters..."]
[After a pause, Yukinoshita resumed a faint smile: "Fortunately, I've managed to tame one monster, haven't I, Hikigaya-kun."]
['That's somewhat insulting.']
Inside the room, there was a brief silence after the personal match ended.
Although Nagumo claimed it was nothing, just a simple game with a junior, he was still very unhappy inside.
After all, this was too much of a blow to his reputation. But even so, no problem could be seen on his face, as if nothing had happened.
Hirata quickly smoothed things over, saying with a gentle smile: "That was a spectacular game. It seems Kōenji-kun's luck was superior."
These words finally made the second-year students' expressions look a little better, and Nagumo replied calmly: "A loss is a loss. There's no such thing as luck or no luck. I'll say it again, Kōenji, the doors of the Student Council are always open for you. If you want to join, it's just a matter of saying the word."
...
The game continued. Following the two previous rounds, in this third round, Hikigaya would replace Kitō and continue to participate.
The second-year side was still Kiriyama and Nagumo, and the third-year side was also the same, with no personnel changes.
Perhaps because of Hirata's mediation, the atmosphere was much better than before, and the cards were now brand new. The third-year students were clearly more relaxed.
However, being relaxed was precisely the problem. The moment they relaxed, they were done for.
On the first-year side, Ryūen and Hikigaya finished their hands early, while the confrontation between the third-year and second-year students ended in the third-years being completely played and defeated.
Now, the first-years had to prepare two days of breakfast, and the third-years one day. The fate of the remaining three days of breakfast would depend on the future matches.
At the beginning of the fourth round, the third-year senpai no longer acted carefree as before, but instead watched the cards in his hand with great caution.
'It seems the Joker is with them.'
Nagumo seemed to realize this, but...
He glanced at Hikigaya, then deliberately drew the Joker from the third-year's hand, and finally faced Hikigaya.
'The round has just started... I guess I'll act according to your thoughts this time, Nagumo.'
With little hesitation, Hikigaya drew the Joker from Nagumo's hand before it even had a chance to warm up.
Next, it was the third-year's turn, but he didn't draw the Joker, so in this round, the Joker stayed with Hikigaya.
In the second turn, the number of cards decreased, and the order was reversed.
That is, the Joker in Hikigaya's hand would be facing Nagumo.
If he could draw it, he would win.
Hikigaya deliberately drew the Joker for this very moment.
It was time to teach the second-year senpai a lesson... after all, they hadn't cooked breakfast yet.
(End of this chapter)