Rock-Paper-Scissors might seem like a game of luck, but Nagumo could minimize the luck factor.
With sixteen participants, fourteen were his subordinates, excluding Saiki.
They would automatically let Nagumo win if they faced him.
Nagumo believed he had a huge advantage, and Saiki had no chance against him—
Unless Saiki was truly blessed by fortune.
*'I've never lost at Rock-Paper-Scissors,'*
Saiki thought.
"Saiki, let's see whose luck is better," Nagumo said with a smile.
Soon, the teacher paired the sixteen students. Nagumo was paired with another third-year, while Saiki was paired with Kiriyama.
"I'll play paper."
Nagumo's expression was relaxed as he declared his move to his opponent.
Normally, announcing your move could be a psychological tactic to mislead the opponent.
Overthinking leads to mistakes.
But Nagumo had no such intention. He was simply stating his move.
"Not just this round, but for this entire task, I'll only play paper!"
Nagumo raised his voice so everyone could hear.
His subordinates understood his plan.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Both moved. Nagumo played paper, while his opponent played rock.
The second round went the same way.
"Third-year A class, Nagumo advances."
As the teacher announced Nagumo's victory, he smiled, walked over to Saiki, and patted his shoulder.
"Looks like my luck's on my side today."
After speaking, Nagumo turned and walked away to rest.
Other matches continued until it was Saiki and Kiriyama's turn.
"Saiki, I told you not to interfere with me in this exam," Kiriyama said.
"I'm not interfering. I'm just following my plan," Saiki replied expressionlessly.
"Your actions seem to contradict Horikita's strategy."
Kiriyama's lips tightened. After a few seconds of silence, he continued,
"Saiki, I hope you lose in this exam."
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"Why?"
"Because if you offend Nagumo, you'll have a hard time at school later. You know that, right?"
Kiriyama paused, then continued,
"If you give up the exam now, you can become friends with Nagumo. You'll definitely enjoy some perks at school later."
*'If only that were true,'*
Saiki sighed in his mind.
He could clearly hear Nagumo's thoughts nearby.
*'Saiki, since you want to face me head-on, I can't miss this chance. No matter what, I'll settle this with you. After all, Horikita's gone, and only you can entertain me now.'*
*'And...'*
*'The humiliation I suffered from your brother, I'll make sure you pay for it! I won't let you drop out of this exam halfway!'*
*'Even if I lose on purpose, he probably won't let me off, huh?'*
*'And I can't lose this exam either.'*
*'Otherwise, the entire island might fall silent.'*
Saiki thought to himself.
"I'll play too. You figure it out."
Kiriyama frowned, his expression stern as he looked at Saiki.
"Rock, paper, scissors."
Kiriyama played paper, as he'd said.
Saiki played scissors.
"Saiki! Do you know what you're doing?!"
Kiriyama shouted, his voice trembling with frustration.
"You're just making things worse for both of us!"
*'Actually, losing would cause more trouble,'*
Saiki thought.
"Kiriyama, watch your words."
The teacher stepped in, seeing Kiriyama's agitation, and gave a stern reminder. Kiriyama calmed down.
Best of three, and he'd already lost one round.
"Saiki, think carefully!"
Kiriyama lowered his voice, his expression even more serious.
"This is my last warning. I'll play paper again. If you ruin my plan, it won't end well for either of us!"
Though Kiriyama said this to Saiki, his thoughts were entirely different.
*'Saiki won't compromise with Nagumo... and I don't want to leave this exam empty-handed.'*
*'Following Saiki has taken too much time, and I even missed the designated area. If I don't score points now, the gap between us will grow.'*
*'Nagumo wants first place, and I can't defy him... If I can get third or even second, that's best. I'll pretend to give Saiki a chance. He'll resist Nagumo, so he'll definitely go against my instructions. I'll play rock... That way, we'll be back on even ground, even if Saiki won't trust me afterward.'*
Kiriyama's mind raced—
But Saiki heard it all.
*'Sorry, but you're facing someone who's undefeated in 200 rounds of rock-paper-scissors.'*
Saiki thought, as both played the second round.
Kiriyama played rock—
Saiki played paper.
"What?!"
Kiriyama froze, staring at Saiki's clenched fist.
Why did Saiki play paper?
He'd said he'd play paper. If Saiki wanted to win, he should've played scissors. If he wanted to cooperate with Nagumo, he should've played rock...
But he played paper?
Kiriyama was stunned, completely confused.
Seconds later, a terrifying thought crossed his mind.
Saiki had predicted his move perfectly.
Even his trap for Saiki had been seen through.
*'No, impossible!'*
Kiriyama was dumbfounded.
Seeing their result, Nagumo burst into laughter.
"This is fun! Saiki, you're an interesting opponent!"
...
The game continued until only Saiki and Nagumo remained.
Nagumo, as student council president, easily advanced to the final round.
He'd declared he'd only play paper, so others had no choice but to play rock.
But Nagumo was curious about Saiki's advancement.
Saiki hadn't lost a single round.
Could his luck really be that good?
Nagumo wondered.
"I've said it before: I'll only play paper in this round."
Nagumo stood before Saiki, smiling.
"Other students probably thought it was a bluff and lost to me."
*'They wouldn't dare play anything but rock.'*
"Rock-paper-scissors seems like a game of luck, but a few words can completely change its nature."
*'Though I don't need to say anything.'*
"Just saying 'I'll play this' plants something in their minds, making them overthink. Luck becomes secondary to reading information and psychology."
*'I just use telepathy.'*
"Saiki, you must think the same. You've been using this tactic to win, minimizing luck. That's your strategy, right?"
*'I haven't said a word, and there's no luck involved for me.'*
Saiki thought.
'I'll play paper again. Saiki, what'll you do?"
*'If I say I'll play paper, will Saiki believe me? In every exam so far, I've played paper—but he knows not to trust me. Kiriyama just lost to him that way.'*
*'If I assume Saiki won't believe me, like before, I'll play rock, and he'll play paper... I'll play scissors. But I'm not as simple-minded as Kiriyama. I need to think further. Saiki will too, so he'll play rock. I'll play paper...'*
*'This simple game has so much depth. It's been a while since I've felt this thrill, Saiki!'*
*'...Can rock-paper-scissors really get this intense? Really?'*
Saiki was exasperated, never expecting Nagumo to think so much over a game.
*'Saiki, you must be strategizing too, analyzing our psychology.'*
*'No... Not at all... I'm just waiting to see what you play.'*
"Ready?"
"Yeah..."
The teacher stepped between them, signaling the start—
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Nagumo and Saiki played simultaneously.
Nagumo spread his fingers, playing paper as promised.
Others assumed he was just keeping his word, unaware of his internal struggle.
Saiki played—
Scissors.
"Scissors?"
Saiki won the first round!
Nagumo froze, stunned by Saiki's move.
*'Did Saiki see through all my thoughts?'*
*'In a way, yes.'*
*'He's even ahead of me... No wonder Horikita values you so much, Saiki!'*
*'I didn't think that much!'*
*'I'm pushed to the edge, but this isn't over.'*
*'Rock-paper-scissors... hardly a battle.'*
"Let's go again."
Nagumo smiled.
*'Saiki's thinking further ahead. I need to outthink him.'*
*'Does he think I'll play paper again? If so...'*
Nagumo's mind raced, considering every possibility.
Finally, he had a new idea—
*'Saiki expects me to change tactics. What if I don't?'*
*'He thinks I'll adjust, but if I stick to my original plan, he won't expect it. People usually change after a loss, but that might not work on Saiki. I'll keep my tactic; he won't see it coming!'*
*'I know now.'*
Saiki thought.
"Round two, rock, paper, scissors!"
As the teacher spoke, they played again.
Nagumo played paper—
Saiki played scissors.
"?"
Nagumo Miyabi's confident smile froze in place.
*Why? Why? Why? Why did Saiki still choose scissors?!*
*Could it be...*
*Did he predict even my unchanged strategy?*
Miyabi was completely baffled.
The other students watching were equally confused, struggling to understand the situation.
*Why does Miyabi insist on playing rock every time?!*
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