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Chapter 24 – The Shadow of His First Love
The main event of the evening finally began — the charity auction.
The grand hall shimmered under golden chandeliers, and the air buzzed with whispers of billionaires and global elites. Suzune and her family quietly took seats near the back. They knew their position — they had only recently escaped bankruptcy. Among these titans of the world, they were still small, still learning. For now, it was enough just to watch.
The first few bids began modestly, each item starting around one million. No one dared to go higher. Then, suddenly, a calm but clear voice echoed from the front.
"Two million," Ayanokoji said.
The hall fell silent for a second — and then everything changed.
From that moment onward, no one dared to bid below two million. Every bid that followed was higher, climbing higher and higher as if a hidden rule had just been made.
Suzune and her family exchanged confused looks.
"Why did everyone suddenly raise their bids so much?" her mother whispered.
A voice came from beside them — elegant, sharp, and confident.
"Because once Ayanokoji makes a bid, it becomes the standard," the girl said with a smile. "Anything less would be seen as disrespectful to him."
Suzune turned in surprise — and froze.
That voice… that face…
"Arisu Sakayanagi," Suzune said softly, almost in disbelief.
Arisu smiled warmly, her cane resting lightly against her chair. "It's been a long time, Suzune."
Suzune's mother blinked in confusion. "You two know each other?"
Arisu nodded gracefully. "Oh yes. We attended the same high school — the Advanced Nurturing High School. I was in Class A, and your daughter… if I recall correctly, was in Class D."
Manabu turned, his expression calm but curious. "Long time no see, Sakayanagi."
Arisu smirked. "President Horikita. You haven't changed much either — still as composed and disciplined as ever."
Suzune's father, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "You're Arisu Sakayanagi, the world's number one chess player, aren't you?"
Arisu's lips curved into a graceful smile. "Yes, that's me. But," she tilted her head toward the front of the hall, "I'm nothing compared to Ayanokoji — the one who taught me how to play."
The Horikita family was stunned.
Suzune blinked in disbelief. "M–Mr. Ayanokoji taught you chess?"
Arisu chuckled softly. "Ah, you didn't know? Well, you see… Ayanokoji and I were childhood friends. He was the one who introduced me to strategy, logic, and victory itself."
Manabu frowned slightly. "If Mr. Ayanokoji was the one who taught you, then why doesn't he ever play publicly?"
Arisu looked down, a faint smile on her lips. "Because he finds it boring. He once told me, 'There's no point in a game where the ending is already decided.' Not even I could give him a proper challenge."
The Horikita family was speechless once again. Suzune found herself gazing toward the front of the hall, where Ayanokoji sat in quiet elegance, a glass of wine in his hand, eyes calm and unreadable.
Arisu's gaze followed Suzune's. Her expression softened for the first time that night.
Suzune Horikita… you look just like her, she thought. Yukino Yukinoshita.
Ayanokoji's first love.
The woman who once defeated Arisu in every field — intellect, composure, grace.
Long, dark hair. Calm, intelligent eyes. A quiet beauty that drew people in.
And now, Suzune Horikita, unknowingly, carried that same light — the same walk, the same quiet strength.
Arisu smiled faintly, her mind deep in thought.
So, that's why he looked at her like that… The resemblance isn't just physical. It's something deeper. Maybe… she really could be the one to make him feel again.
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