Seeing that Fujiwara Tetsu ignored her, she tapped her mountaineering staff and muttered to herself, "Mr. Fujiwara, are you laughing at me?"
Fujiwara Tetsu thought for a moment and replied, "I don't want to lie to you. Yes, there is indeed a hint of laughing at you."
"Why? What's so funny?"
Sakayanagi Arisu frowned. She seemed to have a sudden realization, and with a half-smile, half-sneer, she said, "...Mr. Fujiwara, you don't play international chess, do you?"
Fujiwara Tetsu didn't deny it, "I only understand the basic rules. My chess level can only be described as average."
"So that's it. It's because Mr. Fujiwara knows he's not as good as me that you showed that expression just now. From this, it seems you are not the genius I thought you were."
Sakayanagi Arisu's words almost made Fujiwara Tetsu laugh. "Classmate Sakayanagi, is your international chess level really good?"
"An average person is definitely not my opponent," Sakayanagi Arisu straightened her petite body.
"Then how do you compare to a world champion?"
"That… that's naturally incomparable."
"Then in the eyes of an international chess world champion, are you also just a mediocre amateur?"
"I think you're being sophomoric. I cannot possibly be as perfect as the world's top people in every single aspect."
"Ah, so just because I don't play international chess, you look down on me?"
"No, I don't mean that."
Sakayanagi Arisu was a little flustered, Fujiwara Tetsu had led her into a ditch.
"Then let's change the subject, Classmate Sakayanagi, do you understand the most cutting-edge physics theories?"
"I don't."
"Then are you a chemistry genius? Can you develop drugs?"
"Cannot do it."
"Then you're a talent in the sports world, able to participate in professional competitions? Oh, I apologize, I forgot you're inconvenient to move around."
Sakayanagi Arisu gritted her teeth. She always felt that Fujiwara Tetsu was deliberately picking on her physical inconvenience, this fellow was simply mocking her in a roundabout way!
"We're talking about some mundane issues. I'll give you one million yen right now. Can you invest it in the stock market and turn it into ten billion? Or can you do it through other means?"
Sakayanagi Arisu remained silent.
"Hmm, that's right, you can't do that. If you had that ability, you could completely fund your school in your own name, and your name would definitely be among young entrepreneurs."
"Then Classmate Sakayanagi, do you think you can get into University of Tokyo?"
Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes finally flickered. "When I take the university entrance exam in my third year of high school, I am confident."
She was quite confident in her own learning ability.
"Then can you, in that same year, get dual doctorates from top universities in the United States, like Yale, Harvard, or Pennsylvania?"
Sakayanagi Arisu gritted her teeth. "Mr. Fujiwara, I think you're asking for the impossible. To get dual doctorates from a top US university at the age of eighteen, and dual doctorates at that, how is that possible?"
"Asking for the impossible? But unfortunately, I happen to know such a person. She not only obtained dual doctorates at the age of eighteen, she even developed drugs worth billions of dollars."
Fujiwara Tetsu looked at Sakayanagi Arisu playfully: "...So, open your eyes and look at the world, Classmate Sakayanagi, you are not a genius; you are merely a little smarter than average."
"Your petty cleverness will not gain my recognition, nor will it earn my admiration. When you can achieve even one of the points I mentioned above, I will truly be impressed by you."
Among the people Fujiwara Tetsu knew, the only one who could truly be called a genius was Haibara Ai.
Even if it was himself, it was due to the system's blessing, not his inherent talent.
"Mr. Fujiwara, do you have a prejudice against Kōdo Ikusei Senior High School?"
Fujiwara Tetsu paused for a moment and said, "I do indeed have a prejudice. I know you are Kōdo Ikusei Senior High School, and therefore I dislike your pedagogy."
"This teaching method will not cultivate top-tier scientists, nor will it even cultivate qualified and mature politicians or economists."
"It seems to be a seemingly unscrupulous method of exerting pressure on other students and classes, adhering to the principle of the strong preying on the weak, but the methods are too childish, too clumsy."
"Spreading rumors, coercion, espionage. Failures dropping out. From beginning to end, it's filled with domineering and arrogance."
"It's like a great company. They never rely on such methods to defeat competitors. Their strength will always be in their mastery of core technology and having the most efficient management methods."
"Defeating competitors is just a natural process in this situation, but your school's philosophy is somewhat misguided."
Fujiwara Tetsu's words left Sakayanagi Arisu unsure how to retort.
If this sentence was spoken by an ordinary person with no ability, then she could say it was envy, jealousy. But coming from Fujiwara Tetsu's mouth, she simply had no power to refute anything.
Sakayanagi Arisu stiffened her face. "There's no need to say more about our school's educational philosophy. If it's wrong, then it's already been punished, as it is now, losing investments, reduced to mediocrity."
Fujiwara Tetsu smiled and said, "Listen to me finish. Although I don't approve of your philosophy, you're not entirely without merit. At the very least, in terms of collective honor, you've done a decent job, even though your internal competition is very fierce."
Sakayanagi Arisu's expression softened. "Mr. Fujiwara, you're going to Chiba Prefecture tomorrow to participate in a joint sports festival at a high school."
"You know this too?"
"Hmm? Don't you know? Our school accepted the invitation, which came from the former student council president," Sakayanagi Arisu said, somewhat oddly.
"The former student council president? Oh, you mean Hori-senpai? This matter is still unofficial, so I don't know the specific details yet." Fujiwara Tetsu hadn't expected them to be involved in so many things.
Sakayanagi Arisu propped herself up with her cane, still confident and composed: "Although Mr. Fujiwara may have many prejudices, I am still quite interested in our match."
"Anyway, let's talk again tomorrow. Unfortunately, my body isn't feeling well, so I probably won't be able to participate in this sports festival."
"Wait a moment!" Hina Fushimi suddenly called out to Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi Arisu turned her head, looking at her suspiciously.
What does this seemingly ill-tempered girl want to do?
"You haven't paid yet. Are you trying to freeload by getting close to Boss?"
Hina Fushimi crossed her arms, looking at her coldly.
Sakayanagi Arisu quickly pulled out her wallet, saying awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I just forgot. How much is it?"
Seeing Sakayanagi Arisu honestly fumbling for money, Hina Fushimi's expression softened.
Sakayanagi Arisu ignored the surprised and curious gazes of the passersby around her, and walked straight out of the store, heading to the roadside where a car was parked, waiting for her.
Before getting into the car, she turned her head back and glared fiercely at Fujiwara Tetsu.
"She's an interesting girl."
Fujiwara Tetsu laughed amusedly.
"Haha, interesting? Boss, you wouldn't happen to like girls like that, would you? I don't find her interesting at all. That perpetually condescending look, it's like she owes everyone millions or something…"
Hina Fushimi pursed her lips in disdain.
She simply couldn't stand such a person, wishing she could stomp all over her!
"Ah, is that Fujiwara-kun? Finally met you."
While Fujiwara Tetsu and Hina Fushimi were chatting, a faint sound suddenly came from behind him.
He turned his head to look. It was Nagaki Moto, who did not fit the physique of a high school student, looking at him with a face full of pleasant surprise.
"Is something the matter, Classmate Nagaki?"
Fujiwara Tetsu nodded with a smile.
"You don't need to be so formal; just call me Moto."
"Oh, Moto, what are you going to do to Fujiwara-kun?"
Between Fujiwara Tetsu and Nagaki Moto, a pink-haired girl suddenly appeared.
The pink-haired girl looked at Nagaki Moto warily, then jumped up with a beaming smile: "Good afternoon, Fujiwara-kun."
"Good afternoon, Inaba Aion."
Fujiwara Tetsu smiled, raised his hand, and high-fived her.
"Wow, you actually directly called me Aion? Fujiwara-kun is too bold, then… can I call you by your name?"
"Haha, casually. When I used to live in the US, I didn't really care about honorifics like '-san'."
"Then, can I call you Tetsu-kun?"
"No problem."
"Tetsu-kun, hehehe."
Seeing the smiling pink-haired girl in front of him, Fujiwara Tetsu was in an excellent mood. He couldn't hate a girl with such a cheerful personality.
As for her little bit of vanity, who doesn't have a little vanity?
Nagaki Moto gritted her teeth, watching Inaba Aion.
This damn pink-haired girl! Because of you, I couldn't say what I wanted to say earlier. Now how am I supposed to ask him in front of her?
Heh, once I find the materials, I'll kick you out of the band! For now, let me play house with you.
Inwardly seething, Nagaki Moto still spoke with a strained voice: "Um, Fujiwara-kun, can I exchange Line IDs with you?"
She lowered her head, her face flushed, steam practically rising to the sky.
"Of course, no problem. I'd be happy to have such a beautiful junior get my Line ID."
At this, Nagaki Moto's eyes truly lit up.
She was only using him to inquire about the materials.
However, Fujiwara-kun was different from that 3.0 pink-haired girl. He was very handsome, and also gentle, excellent in all aspects, and she knew him.
After exchanging Line IDs, Inaba Aion immediately pulled Nagaki Moto and waved at Fujiwara Tetsu: "Let's go practice first, Tetsu-kun! When we're ready, we'll do a live performance! You definitely have to come watch!"
"Okay, I'll come watch," Fujiwara Tetsu replied.
"Hina, don't forget to sleep after you finish your work."
"Got it, got it."
"Oh, right. Aion has to work the night shift tonight. She'll be over in a bit."
"Lights… lights…"
Hina Fushimi looked a little annoyed.
"Hey, Moto, are you trying to snatch Fujiwara-kun's Line ID too?"
Walking a little further away, Inaba Aion puffed out her cheeks.
Nagaki Moto glanced at her, and immediately had an idea. She said in a whisper, "Fujiwara-kun is so handsome; I'm naturally moved. Heh? Did you also fall for him, Aion?"
"You, what are you saying! Go practice quickly!"
Inaba Aion scampered away in a puff of smoke.
Fujiwara Tetsu chatted with these young and cheerful girls for a few days, feeling like he was getting younger.
This was what they called "complementing yin and yang!"
...
The next day, at Tokyo Station, everyone prepared to depart for Chiba Prefecture.
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