All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends-Chapter 185 - : The Power of Friendship??? Nah, I’d Adapt

Chapter 185: The Power of Friendship??? Nah, I'd Adapt

Shinomiya Kaguya gave Hayasaka Ai a strange look.

Then, she stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Yukima Azuma.

"Yukima-onii-san, thank you for saving me once again."

Yukima Azuma raised his hand and gently patted Shinomiya Kaguya's head.

This action left Shinomiya Kaguya stunned.

"Head patting"—a concept she had never experienced before.

Within the Shinomiya family, no one had ever patted her head like that.

The strict restrictions on internet access and the elite education she had received had deprived her of the opportunity to experience such intimate childhood interactions.

So, in her understanding, being patted on the head was probably more of an insult.

But Yukima Azuma's gesture didn't make her angry.

On the contrary, she found it... comforting.

"Shinomiya-san, you've had a tough time too. Go home early."

Yukima Azuma spoke sincerely.

Being a daughter of the Shinomiya family was truly not easy.

If Laplace Corporation were to become a major conglomerate in the future,

would his own daughter have to go through the same struggles?

Yukima Azuma chose not to dwell on it.

Children would have their own fates.

Worrying about such things was completely meaningless.

Withdrawing his hand, Yukima Azuma lightly rubbed his fingertips.

Shinomiya Kaguya's black hair had an incredible texture—like the finest silk, making it hard to pull away.

It seemed like... it could be addictive.

With a wave of his hand,

Yukima Azuma turned to leave.

Watching his figure gradually disappear,

Shinomiya Kaguya felt a strange sensation rise within her.

So strange.

What was strange about it?

That's right—why had this person saved her twice without asking for anything in return?

If it were an ordinary person, having saved a member of the Shinomiya family,

they would have long since demanded wealth, power, and status.

No need for repayment? That was completely illogical.

There was no way she had nothing that Yukima Azuma wanted.

"Yukima... Azuma, do you really have nothing you desire?"

Shinomiya Kaguya called out to Yukima Azuma, asking directly.

Now that she thought about it, the personality of "Ice Kaguya" was extremely pragmatic.

She assigned value to everyone.

Only when someone had a high enough value would she take action.

All for the benefit of the Shinomiya family.

So when she encountered someone like Yukima Azuma—who acted but did not take any benefits—

Shinomiya Kaguya found it incomprehensible.

The so-called "heroic acts without expecting anything in return"

were simply because the person being saved did not hold significant value.

But Shinomiya Kaguya was different.

She was undeniably someone of immense value.

Yukima Azuma stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Shinomiya Kaguya.

"Just take care of yourself. The things I want, I'll get on my own."

"And Kaguya-san, those things... you wouldn't be able to give me."

Here, Yukima Azuma deliberately addressed her as "Kaguya,"

separating her from the name "Shinomiya."

But at this moment, Shinomiya Kaguya's mind was in turmoil,

and she completely failed to notice this detail.

"Impossible!"

Shinomiya Kaguya frowned.

"I am Shinomiya Kaguya!"

Yukima Azuma said nothing more, simply waved his hand, and walked away.

Shinomiya Kaguya furrowed her brows even tighter.

This time, she was no longer thinking about benefits or recruiting Yukima Azuma.

Instead, she was genuinely curious about this man.

At the same time, a strong sense of competitiveness surged within her.

He dared to say that she "couldn't give him what he wanted"?

For the first time in her life, Shinomiya Kaguya felt belittled—

and it made her extremely uncomfortable.

"Hayasaka, I must make him submit beneath my skirt!"

Shinomiya Kaguya declared boldly.

Hayasaka Ai had complicated feelings.

She was thinking—what Yukima Azuma wanted,

it seemed that Kaguya-sama truly couldn't give.

Because what Yukima Azuma wanted was the entire Hayasaka family,

along with herself—Hayasaka Ai.

Unless Shinomiya Kaguya became the head of the Shinomiya family,

otherwise, she really couldn't give Yukima Azuma what he needed.

"Hayasaka, you're zoning out again."

Shinomiya Kaguya's voice pulled Hayasaka Ai back to reality.

"I'm still listening, Kaguya-sama. So, what exactly are we going to do?"

Even though she had been lost in thought, Hayasaka Ai had still caught everything Kaguya said.

That was the professional ability of a maid.

"Well..."

When it came to making Yukima Azuma "submit,"

Shinomiya Kaguya was completely clueless.

In the end, she clapped her hands and made a decision:

"In any case, first, we have to bring him to Shuchiin!"

.....

A few days later.

The Ryuuou Finals.

"Shishou! Do your best! Ai will be cheering for you!"

ヾ( ˃ᴗ˂ )◞ • *✰

Early in the morning, Hinatsuru Ai carried a breakfast she had made herself

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

and ran to Yukima Azuma's room.

She was wearing a maid outfit.

A black and white long dress, puffed sleeves, along with the signature maid headband.

She looked... extremely dangerous!

"Brat, what's with that outfit?"

Sora Ginko, who was following right behind, saw Hinatsuru Ai's maid outfit

and immediately looked displeased.

"Hmph! This is a specially tailored outfit for shishou!"

"A special uniform to serve shishou—"

(≖_≖ )

Midway.

Yukima Azuma instantly covered Hinatsuru Ai's mouth.

( ˶°ㅁ°) !!

If she kept talking like this...

something was bound to happen sooner or later.

One had to know, today was the Ryuuou Finals,

and reporters were everywhere in Hinatsuru Ryokan.

Although the Hinatsuru family's main estate was a restricted area,

there was still a chance of an "accident" at any time.

And there was always the possibility of some reckless paparazzi breaking in.

If Hinatsuru Ai's words were recorded,

Yukima Azuma did not want to be branded as "Ryuuou-Lolicon" for life.

Even worse, he didn't want the FBI kicking down his door.

FBI: Smart boy ( ≖‿ ≖ )︻デ═一

"Here, take this."

Sora Ginko spoke in a flat tone.

Then, she handed a sachet to Yukima Azuma.

Yukima Azuma picked it up to examine it.

It was a hand-embroidered sachet,

with a snowflake pattern at the corner.

He brought it up to his nose for a sniff.

A faint herbal scent emanated from it.

Having just woken up, Yukima Azuma's mind was still a little groggy.

But the moment he caught the scent, he instantly felt more awake.

"Inside are specially blended medicinal herbs. Wearing it will help keep you alert."

"Consider it a permitted tool... D-Don't get the wrong idea, I just made it casually."

"Anyway, you're not allowed to lose!"

(,,>﹏<,,)

Sora Ginko spoke while glancing to the side.

A perfect tsundere.

Yukima Azuma clenched the sachet that Sora Ginko had made.

In shogi, certain small tools were allowed,

such as air purifiers,

to help players maintain focus.

Many professional players also had their own personal habits.

But before this, Yukima Azuma had never used any kind of aid.

Because he felt it was completely unnecessary.

But now, after receiving this sachet,

he somewhat understood the mindset of other players.

These tools might not have much actual effect.

But they were a symbol of trust, a form of spiritual support.

"Thank uoy, Ginko-senpai."

Yukima Azuma responded, then hung the sachet on his waist.

After that, he began eating the morale-boosting breakfast that Hinatsuru Ai had prepared.

Once he was fully buffed,

Yukima Azuma left the main house of the Hinatsuru family

and headed toward the competition venue.

...

Outside the tournament hall was swarmed with reporters.

At this moment, Kawai Kenichi was being surrounded for interviews.

Meanwhile, since Yukima Azuma was coming from the main house,

he managed to avoid the reporters entirely.

Just like that, he walked straight to the competition venue without interruption.

He sat down at the 7-shaku board.

"I'm the one waiting for my opponent first?"

"Tsk tsk, isn't this the classic foreshadowing of a legendary reversal?"

He mumbled with amusement and shook his head with a soft chuckle.

Honestly, not only was he fully buffed,

but even if today was filled with death flags,

there was no way Yukima Azuma could lose.

Level 9 shogi, a joke?

After a short wait, Kawai Kenichi entered from outside, looking somewhat disheveled.

Dealing with a swarm of enthusiastic reporters was no easy task.

Yukima Azuma gestured for him to take a seat.

Kawai Kenichi sat down across the board and took a deep breath.

"Finally, I get to play against you again, Yukima-senpai!"

"Your words in the past have always pushed me forward."

"Because of that, I must give it my all!"

"I want Yukima-senpai to see how much I've changed under your guidance!"

"I hope Yukima-senpai won't hold back and will fight with everything you've got!"

ᕙ( ᗒᗣᗕ )ᕗ

Kawai Kenichi spoke with enthusiasm after taking his seat.

Yukima Azuma nodded slightly.

"Umu, I will respond with my full strength."

( ˶ˆ꒳ˆ˵ )

After their exchange of fighting spirit,

the Ryuuou Finals—Genius One vs. Potential Man—officially began.

....

Kawai Kenichi opened with Kakugyou,

following the most traditional Ai-Kakugyou (Double Bishop Exchange).

This time, Yukima Azuma also pushed his Kakugyou forward,

responding with a symmetrical formation.

Ai-Kakugyou against Ai-Kakugyou.

It was clear that Kawai Kenichi had improved tremendously.

From the qualifiers, he had continuously broken through barriers.

His perception of shogi had evolved significantly.

At the same time, his momentum had grown stronger, his confidence unwavering—

as if piercing through heaven and earth.

Perhaps in pure strength, Kawai Kenichi was still not at the level of a 9-dan player.

But he had defeated multiple 9-dan professionals on his journey here.

With his current form, even the Meijin present would be astonished.

"Nah, I'd Win."

That was what Kawai Kenichi thought.

But in front of a Kawai Kenichi who had completely transformed...

Yukima Azuma's answer was—

Throughout Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am The Honored One.

(︶︿︶)_╭∩╮

.

.

.

"I lost."

Kawai Kenichi bowed his head and placed down his resignation piece.

...

Are you kidding? If passion alone was enough to win,

then Yukima Azuma wouldn't have had to grind his mastery so hard.

LOL LMAO. ꉂ (≧ヮ≦)

Not long ago, Kenichi had been shouting about friendship, bonds, and the future...

Charging forward with blazing determination.

And then what?

In just a single game.

Every bit of shogi intuition he had accumulated through his uphill battle was turned to dust.

After losing the first match, Kawai Kenichi became dazed.

He had used Ai-Kakugyou to defeat a 9-dan player.

Up until a few minutes ago, Kawai Kenichi truly believed his Ai-Kakugyou had reached the peak of shogi.

But then...

Yukima Azuma also played Ai-Kakugyou.

And completely shattered his understanding of the formation.

Every move he had calculated carefully—

Yukima Azuma only needed a moment to find a more optimal solution.

Halfway through the match, Kawai Kenichi started questioning the three fundamental mysteries of life.

Who am I?

Where am I?

What am I even doing here?