Condone Horikita's actions to save Ichinose?
Ayanokoji clearly couldn't believe such a statement. From Amane's attitude, the so-called saving Ichinose seemed more like a byproduct of causing internal strife in Class B.
So what was Amane's true goal? Ayanokoji hesitated, unsure whether to press further. The more skilled a player, the less clearly they speak. Besides, his relationship with Amane was merely that of collaborators, or perhaps... even friends? But if this wasn't about collective interests but purely Amane's selfish scheme, his tactless questioning would only annoy Amane.
"Why aren't you making a move yet?"
Amane's urging voice pulled Ayanokoji's thoughts back to reality.
After much hesitation, Ayanokoji finally placed his piece.
"If it's just to save Ichinose, we could completely bypass Horikita-san and contact Shibata directly. Cooperating with us would progress faster than cooperating with Horikita. We can provide help that Horikita-san cannot..."
Ayanokoji tried to phrase his words as tactfully as possible to probe Amane.
Amane, however, placed another piece without hesitation.
Looking at the four black pieces connected in a line, effectively blocking Ayanokoji's line, Amane nodded with satisfaction.
Ayanokoji looked at Amane's simple layout but imperceptibly shook his head. In three more moves, he would be in an invincible position. Even if the middle area was entirely given to Amane, she would still be a lamb to the slaughter in the end.
"The strong can unite with the strong, and the weak can unite with the weak, but only the strong cannot unite with the weak. Because in the end of a strong-weak alliance, the weak either become dependent puppets of the strong or are devoured by them. The weak have no capital to resist the strong. Rather than expecting the strong to keep their promises, it's better to refuse cooperation from the start. This way, unnecessary risks can be maximized. That's why Shibata chose to help Suzune, rather than cooperate with us. That would be inviting a wolf into the house."
This explanation was reasonable. Ayanokoji casually placed another piece on the board according to his layout.
Suddenly, Ayanokoji realized something.
"Your target wouldn't actually be Horikita-san, would it?"
Amane's smile gradually faded. For the first time, Amane, who had been looking down at the board, raised her head and met Ayanokoji's gaze. Beneath her tired eyes was an indescribable emotion.
"Honestly, why are you and Arisu alike? Why can't you pretend not to notice in front of me? Is the truth so important to you?"
Amane pressed the piece down hard on the board.
"Do you know how much damage this will cause Horikita-san? The power to control people's hearts is very dangerous. Horikita-san is not such a simple character. As long as she experiences one failure, even someone like you, Amane, will find it very difficult to break through her defenses with the same method a second time."
Ayanokoji rarely showed such a serious expression.
"Don't worry, everything is under my control."
"I'm curious, what makes you so confident, Amane? That you can subdue Horikita-san with just one blow? Do you have another piece?"
Ayanokoji racked his brains but couldn't think of what other piece Amane could have hidden. Of course, if that piece was intentionally hidden by Amane, that would be a different story.
"Because I am Miyako Amane."
Amane placed the last piece, then happily clapped her hands.
"Yo-ho, I won!"
Ayanokoji looked in astonishment at the board where five black pieces formed a line, just about to ask Amane why she said she had won.
But as he was about to speak, he suddenly realized that Amane was not playing Go with him at all.
"Aren't we playing Go?"
Ayanokoji raised his hand, expressing his doubt.
"Who told you, Ayanokoji, that we were playing Go?"
Amane proudly puffed out her chest like an arrogant white swan.
"But when you arrived, I was playing Go..." Ayanokoji pointed at the board as if feeling wronged.
"Really? I didn't see it."
Seeing Amane about to be unreasonable, Ayanokoji sighed heavily.
He knew the outcome couldn't be changed. No wonder Ayanokoji had felt her moves were a bit strange from the beginning. But why hadn't he realized she was playing by the rules of Five-in-a-Row?
I get it!
Ayanokoji's eyes widened. He had been constrained by the game. From the very beginning, Amane hadn't stated how they would determine victory. He had prejudged that Amane was playing by Go rules, while Amane had used the fastest method to achieve victory.
As long as victory can be achieved, any method is fine.
No matter how grand Ayanokoji's board layout, no matter how much his moves hid murderous intent, at the moment the outcome was decided, it all vanished into thin air.
The victor was undoubtedly Amane, who achieved victory. Although Amane's victory, in Ayanokoji's eyes, was not a true victory and did not follow Ayanokoji's rules for the game, Amane had never agreed to play by Ayanokoji's rules.
Although it's often said that one shouldn't judge heroes by success or failure, the task of those who play the game is to achieve victory, not to become heroes. Therefore, if one can win, many things can be sacrificed.
"Did you intentionally not state the rules for this game?"
Ayanokoji looked up and met Amane's gaze.
Amane's gaze changed for the first time.
"You actually understood what I meant? Interesting. Indeed, your thoughts are the closest to mine. Arisu also lost to me like this but kept complaining that I cheated. What a pity, you and I are not opponents, otherwise, it would be very interesting."
"We can be opponents."
"There's no need. Fighting you would be troublesome. It would make my life easier if you were my helper. Ahaha~"
Amane yawned, her gaze turning towards the outside of the tent.
Looking at Amane, who seemed so relaxed, Ayanokoji suddenly had a strange thought.
"If... I mean, if I were to confess to Miyako-san right now, what would be the probability of you accepting? Or rather, would you refuse?"
Ayanokoji placed the last white piece on the board.
"Hmm? Of course I'd refuse. What nonsense are you talking about? I'm not really interested in boys."
Looking at Amane's disgusted expression, Ayanokoji felt quite dejected.
Not only because of Amane's almost instant refusal, but also because her statement, "I'm not really interested in boys," directly declared that dating the opposite sex was a path Amane had never considered.
"Even if you're not interested in the opposite sex, Amane, your refusal was a bit too decisive. After all, I'm your helper. Shouldn't you have refused more subtly to make it easier to control me and have me continue playing this game with you?"
Ayanokoji expressed his dissatisfaction as if in a huff.
"For me, an instant refusal is the most appropriate answer. Anyway, you're probably thinking of dating me to learn some strange things from me, right? That's not love, nor is it a prerequisite for dating. Besides, I'm simply not allowed to date the opposite sex or have offspring..."
Amane's voice in the latter half of the sentence was so faint that even Ayanokoji, sitting opposite her, didn't hear what she said.
"What did you say?"
Ayanokoji asked, confused.
"It's dawn."
Ayanokoji looked out of the tent in surprise. Just then—
Amane directly lifted a corner of the tent and slipped out.
"I still have things to do. Bye-bye~"
"Amane... Yes, it's dawn. Then I'll wait here for your good news."
Ayanokoji swept all the pieces off the board, then continued to play against himself, left hand against right.
Suddenly.
Ayanokoji abruptly looked at the corner of the makeshift table.
Something he had placed there was gone.
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