Although many students headed to the cafeteria for lunch, some remained in the classroom, and Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't the only one who had brought a homemade lunch today.
Normally, no one would pay much attention, but due to her actions, Kaoru could now sense a few envious glances directed his way.
He touched the lunch box—it was still warm.
Sakayanagi Arisu must have used some method to keep it insulated.
It seemed that even a convenience store bento had been prepared with a little extra care.
Moreover, Sakayanagi Arisu had repackaged it, making it impossible for Kaoru to understand how Kamuro Masumi had recognized it as a store-bought meal.
"I'll dig in."
Kaoru had grown accustomed to this pre-meal ritual.
If he didn't say it, she might think he was being disrespectful.
Sakayanagi Arisu also clasped her hands together, said "I'll dig in," and then picked up her chopsticks to slowly and methodically eat the bento in front of her.
Since they were sitting side by side, Kaoru could observe her movements from the corner of his eye.
She carried an indescribable elegance and slowness, reminiscent of a young lady from a wealthy family.
Without any unpleasant eating habits, she took small bites, giving off the impression of a kitten—unexpectedly adorable.
For no particular reason, Kaoru felt an impulse to snatch her bento away.
Perhaps this was why everyone enjoyed having meals with beautiful girls.
Sakayanagi Arisu remained unaware of his thoughts.
After they finished eating, she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and noticed him watching her.
A faint, shy smile finally appeared on her face.
"How was it? Did it suit your taste?"
Kaoru thought for a moment before replying, "It was terrible, like a bento from a vending machine."
"Kaoru-kun, you really have no tact when it comes to girls. Saying things like that could easily end a friendship, you know?"
Sakayanagi Arisu let out an exaggerated sigh. "But you're right. I did buy it from a convenience store."
"At least try to cover it up. If you had said, 'This is a bento I made for you with my own hands,' I would have felt a little better."
"Hehe, it seems Kaoru-kun was really looking forward to a bento made by me."
"Actually, I'm curious whether you can even take care of yourself."
Sakayanagi Arisu slowly withdrew her smile and stared at Kaoru expressionlessly.
"Think about it—you rely on a cane to get around. When you're alone in your room, how do you manage things like bathing, using the toilet, or changing clothes?"
Kaoru remained completely unaware that he was trampling on the girl's self-esteem. "Honestly, I'm curious how you pull it off. Could you show me?"
Sakayanagi Arisu fell silent for a moment before breaking into a smile again. "Don't worry, that will be your responsibility from now on. Please serve as my attendant and remain loyal to me until death."
"I don't really mind. Would you like to try it out now?"
Kaoru glanced at her thighs.
Beneath her skirt, she wore white suspender stockings that tightly hugged her slightly soft thighs.
The tops of the stockings dug into her flesh, making them look remarkably elastic.
Sakayanagi Arisu placed a hand on her thigh, as if to block Kaoru's gaze, and pressed her legs together.
This created a subtle inverted triangle shape, causing more wrinkles to form in her skirt.
A faint ripple flashed in her eyes as she lightly pursed her lips.
Kaoru was taken aback.
Her expression, though not exactly shy, was somehow even more captivating than shyness, making his heart skip a beat.
"I'm a bit frustrated. It's always like this—whether I scold or hit you, it feels like a reward for you."
Sakayanagi Arisu murmured softly, "At least have some consideration for me. I'm a girl just like them."
"Sorry, it's become a habit from before."
Kaoru felt slightly awkward.
He was used to being scolded, so encountering her like this left him at a loss.
After a moment of silence, Sakayanagi Arisu spoke up, "After this exam ends... how will you treat me?"
Kaoru looked surprised.
Was she planning to yield to him?
"Although I had those kinds of thoughts before, I'm satisfied now."
Kaoru weighed his words, "From the moment you put on that ring, whether you become my maid or I become your servant, I don't really care anymore."
Sakayanagi Arisu instinctively touched her hand, then seemed to realize something as a faint smile graced her lips.
"Aren't you going to take the opportunity to do something strange to me?"
"Would making you wear a maid outfit count?" Kaoru asked.
"If that's your kink."
Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled, her eyes softening, "If it's just the two of us, I might be willing to indulge your fantasy."
Kaoru's heart skipped a beat before he asked. "What about elementary school swimsuits?"
"Pervert."
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't hold back, then sighed, "Have they been too indulgent with you? I can't understand how you could get excited about that."
Even though she held unusual feelings for him, she couldn't help but look at him like he was trash at this moment.
Just as Kaoru was about to defend himself, he saw her smile slightly.
"Would you play a game of chess with me?"
The girl said weakly, "If you win this time, I'll personally make you a bento."
Kaoru's face darkened.
He didn't know how to play chess at all—he had only beaten Sakayanagi Arisu before because the wish-granting machine was guiding him.
"Even... even this isn't acceptable?"
Sakayanagi Arisu sounded disappointed.
Being in the same class made it difficult for them to face each other directly, and she just wanted to relive that previous experience with Kaoru.
Kaoru couldn't bear to refuse.
Since he didn't care about wishes as much as before, he figured playing one game with her wouldn't hurt.
"Just a bento isn't enough. You'll have to feed me too."
Hearing his request, Sakayanagi Arisu froze for a moment before a blush slowly spread across her cheeks.
She pretended nonchalance as she said, "There's a chessboard and pieces in my bag. Could you bring them over?"
Kaoru felt something was off, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.
Under Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze, he had no choice but to bring her chess set.
While setting up the pieces, Kaoru tested the waters, "If you happen to win this time, what would you want from me?"
"Please don't think that way. You should have confidence in yourself before we begin."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled, "However, if I do happen to win, you'll have to agree to my request."
"What request?"
Kaoru realized he had fallen into a trap.
"Break up with Ichinose-san."
Sakayanagi Arisu said without any change in expression, as if discussing something completely unrelated to her.
Silence fell between them once more.
Kaoru knew he could refuse, could even flip the table, but ultimately he just sighed.
"I'll take black."
His voice made Sakayanagi Arisu purse her lips slightly before she revealed a smile.
"Please take care of me, Kaoru-kun."
As her words fell, her knight began its assault.
[Your king has nowhere to escape, because I am the high-performance AlphaGo!]
Kaoru didn't need to think at all - his vast army quickly crushed Sakayanagi Arisu's kingdom, defeating her along with her king.
"Hehe, what a clean and decisive battle."
Sakayanagi showed no trace of disappointment.
Instead, she looked at Kaoru with some relief. "You've won again this time."
Kaoru sighed. "Are you planning to register for the chess event?"
"After all, I need to secure every possible factor for victory. Even you - I must account for your strength too."
Sakayanagi Arisu whispered, "Since you can defeat me, at least in my understanding, there shouldn't be anyone here who could possibly defeat you."
Her request for Kaoru to break up was clearly intended to make him fight with his full strength.
Kaoru glanced around the classroom.
Many people had returned by now, and though he didn't know if anyone had been watching their chess game, their chess-playing scene had definitely been noticed.
Without a doubt, Sakayanagi was using her own reputation to pave the way for Kaoru, making him the strongest chess master in their class.
"Fine, I'll have to participate eventually anyway."
Kaoru had no intention of going back on his word.
After all, he was also a member of Class A and would definitely need to compete when the time came.
In that instant, Sakayanagi's eyes grew complex.
She had actually been gambling that this guy would respond better to soft approaches than tough ones, which was why she had pretended to be weak earlier to lure Kaoru.
And indeed, Kaoru had taken the bait.
'So he's this easy to handle?' This thought flashed through Sakayanagi's mind but was quickly dismissed.
Because she knew why Kaoru had fallen for it.
Sakayanagi shouldn't have felt any emotional fluctuation.
For her, exploiting this fondness was only natural.
As long as she could win, who cared about the methods?
Moreover, this was his weakness - she should be delighted about it.
For some reason, the more she thought this way, the more restless she felt.
Sakayanagi only felt her chest tightening, as if something inside was leaping with joy.
Especially when she thought about how this fool had fallen for her trap, she could hardly suppress her laughter.
Usually so shrewd like a fox, yet blinded by her acting - would he surrender as long as a girl acted cute?
How dare he bully people like this?
Yet Sakayanagi still felt her chest constricting.
She recalled the scene earlier - when she mentioned breaking up with Ichinose Honami, Kaoru had mercilessly shattered her chess position without any hesitation.
Even though she had successfully tricked him, why did she feel this way?
It was like smelling fruit beginning to rot - her first reaction was disgust, with no happiness at all.
Her heart felt hollow, as if there was a large hole devouring her excess rationality and emotions.
"I'll bring a lunch box tomorrow."
Sakayanagi showed a smile.
What did it matter? As long as she could win, that was enough.
Kaoru shook his head. "No need. I'll be busy with Student Council matters from now on."
He planned to use the Student Council election as an excuse to wander around the school during this period, and he could even openly visit the upperclassmen areas.
Therefore, he didn't notice Sakayanagi Arisu's expression.
Sakayanagi Arisu lowered her head and remained silent for quite some time.
Then she lifted her face, maintaining an unchanged smile toward Kaoru.
"I wish you a victorious start here."
What does it matter?
As long as we win, that's enough.
From the past until now, hasn't it always been this way?