As the virtual chess pieces danced across the board, Horikita couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration at her inability to best Ayanokoji. His calm demeanor and strategic prowess always seemed to outmatch her every move, leaving her with nothing but defeat.
"Why can I never beat you?" she lamented, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation.
Ayanokoji's response was characteristically nonchalant. "Who knows?" he replied with a small shrug, his eyes fixed on the screen as he anticipated his next move.
Despite her previous losses, Horikita's curiosity persisted. "If you and Sakayanagi-san played a match of chess, who would win?" she inquired, her tone betraying a hint of uncertainty.
Ayanokoji paused for a moment, considering her question before responding, "Well, if Sakayanagi gets the white pieces then I might have a little trouble."
"But would you lose?" Horikita pressed, her curiosity piqued.
Ayanokoji's confident demeanor remained unchanged as he replied, "Nah, I'd win."
Horikita couldn't help but marvel at Ayanokoji's unwavering self-assurance. Despite the formidable reputation of Sakayanagi, he remained steadfast in his belief in his own abilities. It was a confidence born not out of arrogance, but of quiet conviction—a trait that Horikita had come to admire in her enigmatic classmate.