Miharu Taki Sakura actually admitted herself that she lost to Shimotsuki Okuri, and judging by her demeanor… it seemed she was genuinely convinced of her defeat.
Originally, Ayanokouji Kiyohira had only thought Shimotsuki Okuri's victory was a narrow one due to luck, but now it seemed it wasn't that simple.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira hadn't thought much of it initially, but now he suddenly felt a bit curious: "Senpai, what game were you playing with her?"
"We were playing Double Neural Breakdown," Miharu Taki Sakura explained.
Shinkeisuiiaku is a poker game, simply put, it's like 'Memory'. In the game, all poker cards are laid face down on the table. In each round, two cards are chosen. When the same numbers are selected, it means a successful match, and then the player continues to flip cards.
If the match is unsuccessful, the cards must be returned to their original places, and then it's the opponent's turn to choose.
When all cards have been matched, whoever has made more matches wins.
Double Neural Breakdown refers to playing Shinkeisuiiaku using two decks of poker cards simultaneously.
Unlike Shinkeisuiiaku which only requires the numbers to be the same, Double Neural Breakdown requires even the suits to be identical. Out of a total of 108 cards, each card corresponds to only one other card that can be matched. Each time, one needs the luck of 1/107 to flip over a matching card, so the difficulty can be said to have increased exponentially.
"When we played this game, there were a total of 54 pairs of cards. Shimotsuki Okuri alone matched 34 pairs, and I only matched 20 pairs."
Miharu Taki Sakura's tone was somewhat heavy as she said, "Her memory is very strong. As long as a card has been revealed, she can remember it clearly. Once you make a mistake, she won't give you any chance. She'll use her powerful memory to match all the cards that have appeared on the table. When it's your turn, you can only help her scout..."
Miharu Taki Sakura believed her own memory wasn't bad and that she could remember most of the cards on the table. In the early stages, she wasn't at a disadvantage and was evenly matched with Shimotsuki Okuri.
But she only made one mistake, and Shimotsuki Okuri seized the initiative, immediately widening the gap and giving her no chance to turn the tables.
"It sounds like she just had better luck."
In this game, there must always be someone to scout, and everyone makes mistakes. If Miharu Taki Sakura had encountered such an opportunity, she could also have widened the gap in one go.
"Her memory is significantly better than mine." Miharu Taki Sakura shook her head and said softly, "Not everyone can seize such an opportunity. There were a few cards I myself wasn't entirely sure about, but she flipped them over without hesitation... Not only luck, but even in memory, I'm not as good as her."
"Senpai, have you checked? Is it possible there was an issue with the cards?"
"I checked, she didn't cheat. That girl doesn't seem like the type to cheat either. She's truly formidable... I admit defeat."
"In gambling, the most important thing is luck. If you're abandoned by the goddess of fortune, no matter how good your skills are, you can't win."
Miharu Taki Sakura forced a relaxed smile and said, "This is actually good. Shimotsuki Okuri is stronger than me, and inheriting my position will bring better development to Zenshoukai. So, I guess I've contributed to Zenshoukai."
Even though Mibuomi Aoi had done such an outrageous thing, Miharu Taki Sakura was still comforting herself, and after losing the game, she could still genuinely praise her opponent... Such an excellent girl paired with Mibuomi Aoi was truly a waste.
Miharu Taki Sakura seemed to feel that talking about these things too much wasn't good. She said awkwardly, "Ayanokoji, you must be laughing at me, to actually let you see this side of me..."
"It's fine, I'm actually quite happy to see this side of Senpai. Senpai has always been very strong, I thought you had no weaknesses."
"How could I have no weaknesses? I have so many weaknesses, there are too many things I can't do." Miharu Taki Sakura couldn't help but shake her head and laugh.
Miharu Taki Sakura's smile didn't last long before it vanished. With a look of regret, she handed a bank card to Ayanokouji Kiyohira and whispered, "Ayanokoji, there's something I'm very sorry about."
"At that time, Mibuomi Aoi suddenly asked me about the whereabouts of those eighty million. I lied to Mibuomi Aoi, saying that I had already lost it to you in gambling, and that the money had already been returned to you. Now I'm giving you this card. I'm very sorry, but our gamble can only be voided..."
"Voided? Why voided?"
Ayanokoji didn't take the bank card, saying indifferently, "Our bet is just an agreement between the two of us. What does it have to do with Mibuomi Aoi?"
"But I was supposed to gamble with you because I accepted his task! Now that I won't be doing this task anymore, there's no point in me holding onto this money!"
As she said these words, Miharu Taki Sakura's heart ached slightly.
Miharu Taki Sakura wasn't a love idiot; she had long known that Ayanokouji Kiyohira was deliberately using the pretext of "gambling" to try and go on a date with her.
She knew it clearly in her heart but always pretended not to, never responding to Ayanokoji.
Because she understood that she and Ayanokouji Kiyohira were absolutely impossible. After all... she was Mibuomi Aoi's "fiancée," an object of political marriage.
Her family would never allow her to pursue free love.
Rather than giving him hope and then disappointment, it was better not to respond from the very beginning.
She had actually thought about whether to directly reject Ayanokoji and tell him not to come looking for her anymore.
But Ayanokouji Kiyohira had always been indirect, never directly confessing to her. Without a confession, how could there be a rejection?
Perhaps, even she herself hadn't realized that subconsciously, she didn't want to reject Ayanokouji Kiyohira...
"Since Senpai said so, then fine..."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira finally reached out and placed his hand on Miharu Taki Sakura's hand.
But he didn't take the bank card from her hand. Instead, he extended his other hand, gripping her hands tightly with both hands, and suddenly called out with a serious expression, "Miharu Taki Senior, please go out with me!"
Miharu Taki Sakura was completely stunned. She hadn't expected Ayanokouji Kiyohira to suddenly say something like this at that moment. She was frozen for a while before she finally reacted.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira had actually confessed to her...
They were still at the office door. Taking advantage of the fact that no passersby had come by yet, Miharu Taki Sakura hurriedly pulled Ayanokouji Kiyohira into the office and locked the door.
Her face was a bit flustered as she said sternly, "Ayanokoji, do you know what you're saying?! I am Mibuomi Aoi's fiancée!"
Miharu Taki Sakura emphasized the words "fiancée."
Chapter 387: The Ambition of a Hero
"I know, you've said that many times."
"Then you're still confessing to me? I'm a married woman, it's impossible for me to accept your confession!" Miharu Taki Sakura scolded loudly.
Even though she was scolding Ayanokoji, her body was inexplicably heating up.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira also possessed the ambition of a hero. When the word "married woman" was mentioned, he became even more excited.
He cleared his throat and said seriously, "Senpai, you think you're his fiancée, but does Mibuomi Aoi truly think so?
Don't forget, he abandoned you, his old love, for his new love today. Isn't that why you were hiding in the office for half the day, because you were worried about this?"
Ayanokouji Kiyohira knew very well that in Mibuomi Aoi's heart, the desire for power definitely outweighed love. His regard for Shimotsuki Okuri was purely due to her talent, with no emotional factors involved.
But he still said it.
Miharu Taki Sakura wanted to explain, but she couldn't find any words to refute.
After all, she had just been truly considering what she would do if her engagement was called off. To say she wasn't worried would be a lie.
"Senpai, I'm serious, I've liked you for a long time." Ayanokoji seized the opportunity to confess again, "Since Mibuomi Aoi doesn't cherish you, then let me go out with you. I will stay by your side!"
Miharu Taki Sakura was silent for a while before slowly speaking, "Ayanokoji, you should know that Mibuomi Aoi and I are in a political marriage. Even if there's no affection between us, my family would never allow this engagement to be voided.
So... I'm sorry, I cannot accept your confession."
Miharu Taki Sakura rejected Ayanokoji, but it wasn't from her own personal feelings. It was an answer she gave after considering her family's opinion.
When she spoke the words of refusal, she felt unwell, but she knew that a short pain was better than a long one.
Since Ayanokoji had confessed to her, she had to give him an answer; she couldn't string him along and give him a vague hope.
Although he was rejected, Ayanokouji Kiyohira was not sad at all; instead, he smiled slightly and said, "Senpai, what if I am willing to have Mibuomi Aoi terminate the engagement?"
Miharu Taki Sakura still shook her head and whispered, "...It's the same. Even if this engagement is voided, my parents will find me other marriage partners."
"Marriage partners? Isn't that perfect?"
Ayanokouji Kiyohira snapped his fingers with a smile and said, "Senpai, did you forget my identity? I am the second young master of Ayanokoji, the son of a Former Prime Minister candidate. If we only talk about identity, do you think I am worse than Mibuomi Aoi? Speaking of marriage partners, is there anyone more suitable than me?"
Miharu Taki Sakura was stunned for a moment. She had always regarded Ayanokouji Kiyohira as her younger brother. Although she knew his background was extraordinary, she generally didn't care.
It was only when Ayanokoji reminded her that she remembered his identity.
A slight joy welled up in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it and asked worriedly, "But will your parents agree? With your status, you can completely find someone better..."
Ayanokoji shook his head without answering, only asking, "Senpai, you don't need to worry about such things. I just want Senpai to answer one question: if there were no family as an obstacle, would you be willing to date me?"
After a long silence, Miharu Taki Sakura shook her head and whispered,
"...I don't know. I haven't thought about that kind of thing. If you ask me now, I can't answer."
Although she didn't give a direct answer, Ayanokouji Kiyohira could already understand her thoughts.
She naturally had a good impression of him in her heart, but she couldn't say it now.
Her current identity was still Mibuomi Aoi's fiancée. Once she said such words, it would mean "betrayal."
Although no one else was present now, this was her inner restraint, representing her "responsibility." She couldn't say such irresponsible words.
There were two ways to make her speak her true thoughts.
One was for Mibuomi Aoi to voluntarily "divorce his wife," voiding the engagement and releasing her from this sense of responsibility that bound her.
The other was for him to actively push her further at this moment, forcefully compelling her into a state of "Neural Breakdown," making her unable to think about her responsibilities and instinctively speak what was in her heart.
Although Ayanokouji Kiyohira had seen the second method many times in "books" and was confident in himself, he felt that this method still had a certain feasibility.
However... if he were truly to do that, he really couldn't bring himself to do it.
Now he was only one step away from achieving the first method, so there was no need to change course and do something thankless that could also land him in prison.
He could do this type of role-playing after dating Miharu Taki Sakura, but for now, it was better to achieve the first method first.
"Since Senpai can't say it now, I won't ask any more questions."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira smiled and said, "Senpai, just wait. I will make Mibuomi Aoi terminate the engagement."
Miharu Taki Sakura looked up. Ayanokouji Kiyohira's smile was very confident, as if he really had a way to terminate the engagement.
"What method do you have?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Well, Senpai, you don't need to know yet," Ayanokouji Kiyohira smiled and didn't answer.
He thought for a moment, then asked with a serious expression, "Senpai, do you trust me?"
"I have a way to help you terminate the engagement. But this method requires you to trust me. Later, Mibuomi Aoi might slander me because of some of my words, but you must believe that everything I do is to help you terminate this engagement."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira was giving Miharu Taki Sakura a "preventive shot." If Mibuomi Aoi later used his transaction with him to make an issue, deliberately telling Miharu Taki Sakura half-truths to sow discord between them, then these words would come in handy.
"...Ayanokoji, I trust you." Miharu Taki Sakura nodded gently, then shook her head, saying worriedly, "What kind of deal are you going to make with Mibuomi Aoi? If it costs a lot, then forget it. I'm not worth your expense at all..."
Although Miharu Taki Sakura didn't explicitly state her feelings for Ayanokoji, she was already leaning towards him in her thoughts.
Who is Mibuomi Aoi? Not familiar at all.
Ayanokouji Kiyohira felt a little touched, and also guilty for deceiving her.
However, he disguised it very well; none of these emotions surfaced.
He patted his chest and pretended to be confident, saying, "Don't worry, it won't cost much. Even if it costs a lot, Senpai, you are worth a thousand gold. As long as I can help you, all expenses are worth it!"
The room was not lit, and Ayanokouji Kiyohira couldn't see if her face was blushing. He only saw her lower her head, hesitatingly asking again, "Ayanokoji, then this bank card..."
Ayanokouji Kiyohira blinked and deliberately said, "Senpai, keep this money. Consider it my first betrothal gift."
Eight hundred million Japanese yen converted into RMB is four million. Even in Miharu Taki Sakura's eyes, this was a considerable sum.
...Since Ayanokoji still didn't want to accept it, she might as well keep it for him first.
If he could really make Mibuomi Aoi terminate the engagement, then she might have to keep it for a longer time.
At this moment, Miharu Taki Sakura was also vaguely looking forward to that scene.
Leaving the office and bidding farewell to Miharu Taki Sakura, the smile on Ayanokouji Kiyohira's face gradually faded.
He hoped that Mibuomi Aoi's cooperation with him was sincere. If he wanted to stab him in the back... then he shouldn't blame him for making him "lose both the wife and the army."
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