Seeing that Toru ignored her, Arisu remained persistent. Leaning on her hiking staff, she pressed on, "Mr. Fujiwara, are you mocking me?"
Toru thought for a moment and replied, "I won't lie to you. I am indeed mocking you."
"Why? What's so funny?"
Arisu frowned, then seemed to realize something. With a half-smile, she said, "...Mr. Fujiwara, don't tell me you don't know how to play International Chess?"
Toru didn't deny it. "I only know the basic rules. My actual skill is pretty average."
"I see. So Mr. Fujiwara, knowing your skill is inferior to mine, you're using disdain to cover your insecurity. That alone proves you're not the kind of genius I value."
Arisu's words almost made Toru laugh. "Sakayanagi-san, are you that good at International Chess?"
"Most people aren't my match." Arisu puffed out her flat chest with pride.
"Then how do you compare to a world champion?"
"That... of course, I can't be compared to them."
"Then in the eyes of a world chess champion, wouldn't you also be just an average person?"
"I think you're just twisting words. It's impossible to be the best in the world at everything."
"Exactly. And yet you look down on me just because I'm not good at International Chess."
"No, that's not what I meant."
Arisu grew flustered. She realized Toru had trapped her with his words.
"Let's change the topic, then. Sakayanagi-san, do you understand the latest cutting-edge theories in physics?"
"I don't."
"Are you a chemistry genius? Can you develop pharmaceuticals?"
"I can't."
"Then are you an athletic prodigy, able to compete professionally? Ah, my apologies, I wasn't making fun of your legs."
Arisu gritted her teeth. She couldn't shake the feeling that Toru kept subtly targeting her disability. This guy had no gentlemanly manners at all.
"Let's talk more practically. If I give you one million yen, can you invest it in the stock market and turn it into a hundred million? Or do it through any other method?"
Arisu stayed silent.
"Hmm, seems not. If you could, you wouldn't need sponsors. You could fund your school yourself. The name 'Arisu' would be all over the youth entrepreneur rankings."
"Then Sakayanagi-san, do you think you can get into Tokyo University?"
Arisu's eyes brightened a little. "When I take the university entrance exam in my third year, I'm confident I can."
She was very confident in her academic ability.
"Then that year, can you also earn double Ph.D. degrees at top American universities like Yale or UPenn?"
Arisu clenched her jaw. "Mr. Fujiwara, I think you're being unreasonable. Who at our age could possibly earn a Ph.D., let alone a double Ph.D.?"
"Unreasonable? Unfortunately, I happen to know someone like that. Not only did she earn two Ph.D.s at eighteen, but she also developed pharmaceutical drugs worth billions."
Toru looked at her playfully. "...So, open your eyes and look at the world, Sakayanagi-san. You're not a genius. Just a little better than average."
"Your little tricks and clever words don't impress me, let alone earn my respect. The day you can accomplish just one of the things I mentioned, I'll admire you."
Of all the people Toru had met, only Haibara could truly be called a genius.
Even he himself relied on the system's buffs, not natural talent.
"Mr. Fujiwara, I feel like you have a bias against Advanced Nurturing High School."
"I do. I've seen enough of your school to dislike its entire teaching philosophy."
Toru paused. "...This method won't produce top-tier scientists, nor will it cultivate competent politicians or economists."
"It's obsessed with crushing others and playing mind games, all under the banner of 'survival of the fittest,' but the methods are childish and despicable."
"Spreading rumors, deception, espionage, forcing students out—it's built on bullying and arrogance."
"A truly great company doesn't beat competitors by playing dirty. It wins by mastering core technologies and having the most efficient systems."
"Defeating others becomes a natural outcome of strength. Your school has it backwards."
Toru's words left Arisu speechless.
If they came from some ordinary person, she could have brushed them off as envy or resentment.
But coming from Toru, she couldn't refute a single word.
With a serious expression, Arisu said, "You don't have to say anything more about our teaching philosophy. If it's flawed, then the consequences are already clear—just look at the loss of sponsors and decline in reputation."
Toru smiled. "Let me finish. Even though I disagree with your system, you're not completely useless. At the very least, when it comes to collective pride, your school performs well. You have a strong sense of unity."
Arisu's expression softened slightly. "Mr. Fujiwara, you're attending a sports exchange event tomorrow at a high school in Chiba Prefecture."
"You know about that too?"
"Huh? Don't you know our school received an invitation too? It was arranged by the previous student council president," Arisu said, slightly surprised.
"The previous president? Oh, you mean Horikita. But I wasn't involved in planning this, so I don't know the details." Toru hadn't expected Haruno and the others to get that far.
Arisu leaned on her cane, still calm and composed. "Even though you may have a strong bias against us, Mr. Fujiwara, I still find you interesting."
"Anyway, we'll see each other again tomorrow. It's a pity my health won't let me participate much in the sports events."
"Wait a minute!" Shiina suddenly called out.
Arisu turned her head, confused.
What was this short-tempered girl about to say?
"You haven't paid. Were you planning to get a free drink by cozying up to the Boss?"
Shiina crossed her arms, staring coldly.
Arisu quickly took out her wallet and said awkwardly, "Sorry, I just forgot. Uh, how much?"
Seeing her honestly pay, Shiina's mood finally relaxed.
Leaning on her cane, Arisu ignored the stares from passersby and walked out to the roadside, where a car was waiting.
Before getting in, she turned and waved toward the second floor.
"She's an interesting girl," Toru said with a laugh.
"Ha, interesting? Boss, don't tell me you're into girls like that? I don't find her interesting at all. Always acting like she's better than everyone, like the world owes her money..."
Shiina snorted.
She couldn't stand that type and had the urge to punch her a few times.
"Ah, is that Fujiwara-kun? I finally found you."
While Toru was chatting with Shiina, a sweet voice sounded behind him.
He turned to see Soyo, whose figure really didn't match a typical high school student, smiling brightly at him.
"Nagasaki-san, did you need something?"
Toru greeted her with a smile.
"No need to be so formal. Just call me Soyo."
"Huh, Soyo, what are you trying to do to Fujiwara-kun?"
A pink-haired girl suddenly jumped between them.
She stared at Soyo with obvious suspicion, then turned with a bright smile. "Good afternoon, Fujiwara-kun!"
"Good afternoon, Anon-chan~"
Toru smiled and raised his hand for a high five.
"Wow, you actually called me Anon-chan! Fujiwara-kun, you're so daring. Then... can I call you by your name too?"
"Haha, go ahead. I've been in America a long time. I'm not too hung up on Japanese honorifics."
"Then, Toru-kun it is?"
"No problem."
"Toru-kun, hehe~"
Her silly, cheerful smile instantly put Toru in a good mood. No one could dislike a girl like that.
Everyone had a bit of vanity. Hers was just more visible.
Soyo clenched her teeth, glaring at Anon.
This damn pink-haired girl. Because of you, I couldn't say what I came to say. How am I supposed to ask about Sakiko now?
Fine. When I find Sakiko, I'll kick you out of the band. Until then, I'll play nice.
Still smiling sweetly, Soyo said, "Um, Toru-kun, can we exchange Line IDs?"
She lowered her head and blushed, her tone sugary and calculated.
"Sure, no problem. I'm honored to exchange Line with such a beautiful kohai."
This time, Soyo was genuinely a bit shy.
She originally just wanted to ask about Sakiko.
But Toru was different from that pink-haired girl. He was handsome, kind, and excellent in every way. Getting to know him wouldn't be a loss.
After exchanging Line IDs, Anon tugged Soyo away, waving. "We're off to practice now, Toru-kun! Once we're ready for a Live, you have to come watch!"
"Alright, I'll be there," Toru promised.
"Rikki, don't forget practice after your shift."
"Got it, got it."
"Oh, right. Deng's on cleaning duty today. She'll be here soon."
"If it's Deng…"
Shiina looked a little nervous.
"Hey, Soyo-se, why'd you ask Toru-kun for his Line?"
After walking some distance, Anon asked sharply.
Soyo glanced at her, then replied sweetly, "Toru-kun is so handsome, how could I not be interested? Huh? Anon-chan, are you interested in him too?"
"W-what are you talking about?! Just get to practice already!"
Anon ran ahead in a panic.
Toru chatted with the lively girls for a bit longer. It made him feel like he was a few years younger again.
This is what they call yin energy nourishing the yang.
...
The next day, at Tokyo Station, everyone was preparing to depart for Chiba Prefecture.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)