That evening, Sakayanagi sent a text message to Kamio Tatsuya, asking him to meet her in the principal's office after school the next day.
Just as Kamio Tatsuya had guessed, she intended to have the principal of the school witness their bet.
Since the bet didn't involve their class, Kamio Tatsuya didn't plan to discuss it with Ryuen. After school, she simply greeted Sakayanagi and headed towards the special academic building, where the principal's office was located.
Although science classes sometimes took place in the special academic building, students generally didn't come here often.
So Kamio Tatsuya didn't encounter anyone on the way and smoothly arrived outside the principal's office.
Considering Sakayanagi's speed, Kamio Tatsuya didn't knock directly but looked out the window at the scenery outside.
Just then, a man who looked to be in his forties came around a corner of the stairs and stopped about two meters away from Kamio Tatsuya.
Although the man looked mature, he was wearing a very neat suit, and his posture, whether walking or standing, was impeccable.
Also, his demeanor was different from the school's teachers, and he wore a faint smile, appearing to be a person of importance.
And he had silver hair…
"You must be Kamio Tatsuya."
"Hello, I am Kamio Tatsuya. May I ask who you are?"
The man's attitude was very polite, so Kamio Tatsuya naturally responded with equal courtesy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the middle-aged man said, looking at Kamio Tatsuya with admiration. "I am Sakayanagi Naruyoshi, the chairman of this school. Arisu has been mentioning you frequently, which has made me quite curious about you as well."
Arisu…
As I thought, Sakayanagi did look somewhat similar to him, and they shared the same last name. Was he related to Sakayanagi?
"Pardon me, Mr. Chairman."
Kamio Tatsuya expressed his respect. After all, if he hadn't founded this school, Kamio Tatsuya wouldn't be living such a comfortable and pleasant life.
"May I be so bold as to ask you a question?"
"Please do."
"What is your relationship with the first-year student Sakayanagi Arisu?"
"Did you guess? I am her father."
The middle-aged man answered with a smile.
Wow, father and daughter look nothing alike.
Sakayanagi was so aggressive, but this chairman gave off a very gentle impression. That's precisely why Kamio Tatsuya didn't initially think he was her father.
"I see," Kamio Tatsuya nodded. "So, you are the witness for the bet that Sakayanagi-san arranged?"
"That child is truly willful, and sometimes even I can't do much about her. If she's caused you any trouble, please bear with her."
When a forty-something middle-aged man, and the school chairman at that, said this, what else could Kamio Tatsuya say?
He could only agree.
"It's nothing. Sakayanagi-san's actions are all within the school rules and haven't caused me any trouble."
Chairman Sakayanagi was very satisfied with Kamio Tatsuya's answer.
He knew his daughter best. Ever since that time, his daughter had been fixated on defeating Ayanokouji. But since enrolling in this school,
another name had started to appear on her lips: Kamio Tatsuya.
As a father, Sakayanagi Naruyoshi naturally investigated Kamio Tatsuya's background immediately, not just after enrollment but before as well.
The results were perfect, absolutely perfect.
Firstly, Kamio Tatsuya's abilities. Although many were unaware of his performance after enrollment, Sakayanagi Naruyoshi could easily uncover many things.
Kamio Tatsuya's influence could be seen in various incidents during the first year. He was also favored by both the former and current student council presidents, so the boy was certainly not lacking in ability.
Furthermore, his pre-enrollment records were very ordinary, but after joining the school, he displayed outstanding talent. This indicated that his adaptability and learning abilities were exceptionally strong.
Then there was his background. His parents were deceased, meaning he was all alone. In that case, there would be no issues even if he were to marry into a family later on.
Most importantly, his daughter liked him.
Although Sakayanagi Arisu might not realize it, as her father, Sakayanagi Naruyoshi was well aware of what it meant when a girl frequently mentioned a boy.
As for Kamio Tatsuya's romantic matters, Sakayanagi Naruyoshi didn't give them much thought.
Although it might sound ungenerous to his own daughter, he knew her situation clearly. Furthermore, the Sakayanagi family was wealthy, and supporting a couple of idle individuals to keep his daughter company wouldn't be a problem.
And from the information he had gathered, Kamio Tatsuya was genuinely good to those close to him. Therefore, to him, Kamio Tatsuya was nothing short of a perfect son-in-law, a perfect successor!
That's why, when his daughter mentioned having him witness her bet with Kamio Tatsuya yesterday, he immediately agreed and prepared to meet Kamio Tatsuya in advance.
The outcome proved his judgment was correct.
For an ordinary student, upon encountering a prominent figure like the chairman, if not rendered speechless by nervousness, they certainly couldn't converse so freely.
He was quite pleased with Kamio Tatsuya's composed and unpretentious attitude.
Not only were his learning and adaptability outstanding, but he was also good-looking. The best athlete award in the sports festival demonstrated his physical fitness. As the successor to the Sakayanagi family, he was practically flawless.
And again, the most important thing was that his daughter liked him!
"No, I know Arisu's temper well, and you don't need to speak kindly of her... However, she doesn't mean any harm with her actions. She can be a bit childlike at times, so please don't take it to heart."
"If we're talking about her stature, then yes, that's certainly the case."
Kamio Tatsuya's expression showed a hint of teasing. After a brief chat with Chairman Sakayanagi, he had a pretty good grasp of the man's personality.
It was clear that this playful remark wouldn't anger him. Just as Kamio Tatsuya expected, Chairman Sakayanagi let out a wry smile.
But clearly, this comment was ill-timed.
"Is that so? So that's how Kamio-kun sees me. Well, I suppose it's understandable. I heard from Masumi that Kamio-kun is quite fond of legs."
Tch, Masumi, why do you tell everyone everything?
Badmouthing someone in front of their father and having the father overhear it… even Kamio Tatsuya felt a bit embarrassed, despite his thick skin.
But Sakayanagi, why are you walking so silently today? Are you doing it on purpose?
"Sakayanagi-san, have you recovered your health? I didn't hear the sound of your cane hitting the ground today."
"I was curious about what you and my father were discussing, so I deliberately didn't use my cane."
Sakayanagi's expression was a forced smile, and she readily admitted that she had been eavesdropping.
"Or perhaps you think I can't walk without my cane? Are you looking down on me?"
Forget it, anything I say now would be wrong. I'll just shut up.
Chairman Sakayanagi then showed an apologetic expression towards Kamio Tatsuya.
Uh, Chairman, you don't need to feel sorry.
"Ahem, since Sakayanagi-san is here, let's sign the contract first. I have to go to the student council to work later."
Saying this, Kamio Tatsuya took out a contract from his pocket and handed it to Chairman Sakayanagi for review. It outlined the details of their bet.
Chairman Sakayanagi looked at the contract, and the smile that had been on his face all along disappeared.
"I see. No wonder you asked me to be the witness."
Good grief, Sakayanagi, you asked your father to be the witness but didn't tell him the details of the bet?
Kamio Tatsuya didn't quite know how to react.
However, judging by Chairman Sakayanagi's tone, he seemed to understand the reason for his daughter's obsession with Ayanokouji.
"In that case, you two, please follow me inside."
"Excuse me."
Kamio Tatsuya bowed slightly, showing respect to the chairman who had provided him with a comfortable life.
Sakayanagi also followed them in.
There was no principal in the principal's office. After the chairman confirmed the contract details, Kamio Tatsuya and Sakayanagi Arisu both signed their names on it.
Chairman Sakayanagi also wrote his name, Sakayanagi Naruyoshi.
"The contract is now in effect. I hope both of you will abide by the agreement."
Upon hearing this, Kamio Tatsuya and Sakayanagi Arisu both nodded.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now. Please don't stay in the principal's office for too long."
"Please take care, Mr. Chairman."
"Goodbye, Father."
After the chairman left, Kamio Tatsuya turned to look at Sakayanagi.
"I never expected you to be the daughter of this school's chairman."
"What's wrong? I haven't used my father's authority to do anything improper, have I?" Sakayanagi retorted, glancing sideways at Kamio Tatsuya.
"No, it's just that if you had told me earlier, I might have gone easier on you. After all, I'm very grateful to your father, who founded this school."
Kamio Tatsuya said something incredibly arrogant with a serious expression.
Hearing this, Sakayanagi's face immediately showed a cold smile.
"It's fine. You absolutely don't need to hold back because of that. In fact, if you did, I would be unhappy."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Because in this upcoming exam, I will definitely win against you!"
With that declaration, Sakayanagi left the principal's office.
Kamio Tatsuya also smiled. This was good.
Otherwise, I might have felt too embarrassed to really go all out.
Not long after leaving the principal's office, Kamio Tatsuya received a call from an unknown number.
"Hello? May I ask who this is?"
"Sorry to bother you again, Kamio-kun."
From the voice, Kamio Tatsuya knew it was Chairman Sakayanagi, whom he had just parted ways with.
"No, is there something you need?"
"If possible, please win the bet against Arisu this time!" Chairman Sakayanagi's tone was very earnest. "Although it might sound strange coming from me as her father, I hope Arisu can experience the taste of defeat once in a while."
It seemed Chairman Sakayanagi was well aware of the issues with Sakayanagi.
"I understand. In fact, that is precisely what I intend to do."
"Then I'll be counting on you," Chairman Sakayanagi's voice came through the phone. "This is my private number. It's fine for you to save it. Also, I apologize regarding Ms. Chabashira's situation."
…
He had even found out about something like that?
"I understand. Thank you."
Looking at his phone after the call ended, Kamio Tatsuya paused for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his face. He had known about it, yet he hadn't stopped Chabashira, nor did he intend to advise me. Interesting.
You can read 50+ more chapter on patreon com/JYouyi