What the hell is this? Why did 'she' have to come here today? I thought she got expelled.

Aiya thought in her room, biting her nails.

The room was pink-themed—everything from her bed sheets to even something as minimal as her toothbrush was pink.

Yui, of all people. Why now? After everything she did last term. I need to calm down—she hasn't done anything yet.

Aiya paced her room for what felt like hours, replaying last term in her mind. A knock at the door finally broke the spiral of her thoughts. She went to open it, and she saw Kagura.

"Aiya, we need to talk." Kagura put an expression that is barely seen. She looked angry—rather annoyed.

"Akane?!"

"I assume that I can come in?"

"Yeah, sure."

Kagura entered the living room and sat on the carpet, as the couch had books—ranging from The Art of War to The Prince.

"So, coffee or tea?"

"Do you have cocoa I'd prefer that?"

"Uh, sure."

I didn't think she would choose another option, maybe she's smarter than she lets on?

Aiya thought this quietly as she made the hot cocoa for Kagura. After she finished, she put it on a tray and brought it to Kagura.

"Let's cut to the chase, why are you here?" Aiya said, getting straight to the point.

Kagura took a sip of her beverage; it seemed she enjoyed cocoa very much. After she finished her sip, she spoke.

"I'm here to tell you to lay off Nakamura." Kagura glared at Aiya.

"And if I don't?"

"Then I have no choice but to stop you."

"You're acting like that wasn't your plan already."

Kagura continued to sip the hot cocoa till she finished, she drank it like it was an ice-cold drink, she really likes hot cocoa. Kagura’s fingers tightened around the empty cup, her knuckles whitening.

"I will be taking my leave," Kagura said as she stood up to leave.

"Why did you come here in the first place?"

"Think of this as a declaration of war," Kagura said, her tone cold and deliberate. She stood, smoothing her skirt. 'This is your only warning,' she added before walking out, leaving Aiya left to think in silence.

“I won't let anyone get expelled again,” Kagura said as she entered her room.

.

.

.

.

After watching Tv for a while, I went to bed.

Who knew TV was so boring? I might as well get some sleep.

When was the last time I watched TV, I think it was when I traveled with him for that contract in Dubai.

Well, that was just to save face, to make me appear as just a 'normal kid.' Well, it is what it is.

Aiya didn't call that night; guess she was tired.

After that day, Aiya stuck to me like glue—following me everywhere I guess she became what you'd call a clingy girlfriend.

On Friday I hid in the library during break, I then saw Fujimoto.

"Hey."

She didn't answer me, though it might be because I haven't visited her since that time.

"Are you really gonna ignore me?"

"..."

"I'm sorry, my girlfriend has been kinda clingy these past few days." I said that seating beside her.

"...Why’d lie”

“I was stopped by my girlfriend.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for lying.”

Lying is ethically bad, but isn't that just human behavior? At the age of 3, most humans are able to choose not to be sincere whether it be for self-preservation or any other reason, a human can lie without even being taught.

At age 10, most humans have told more than a million lies. For a fact, humans are born liars.

She didn't talk to me, it seemed she was just focused on the book she was reading; it was The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal by Mikhail Tal. He was the 8th World Chess Champion in history. He was known as the 'Magician from Riga'.

He became the youngest World Chess Champion at the time at just 23 years old.

I had read that book over there about 17 times, he liked Mikhail's philosophy on chess, as Mikhail believed chess was about creativity.

Mikhail believed unorthodox strategies were better than pragmatic laws, he often took risks to create exciting, sharp games that captivated audiences.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Mikhail understood the psychological aspect of chess and sought to put his opponents in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations. He believed in exploiting their fears and making them second-guess their decisions.

In his words, 'You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide for 1.'

"Fujimoto, do you like chess?"

"..."

"Let's play a match."

Her face lit up at those words. I don't really like playing chess, but I don't want to just stay here in this awkward environment.

"Winner makes the loser do what he or she wants."

"Are you sure? I've only lost a game of chess once and that was when I was 6 years old."

"Then prepare to lose again."

"Overconfidence is a big flaw," she grinned.

She had a chessboard in her bag, it's almost like she expected me to challenge her. She probably did.

After setting it up, she put a white and black piece behind her back.

After shuffling it between her hands, she brought her hands in front of me.

"Which hand?"

"Left."

I had chosen black, which meant I was to start second. Let's see what she'll do.

Fujimoto opened with 1. e4, a classic attacking move, advancing a pawn to control the center.

I responded with 1...e5, mirroring the move.

Fujimoto brought out her knight with 2. Nf3, attacking the pawn on e5.

I defended with 2...Nc6, developing a knight and reinforcing the pawn.

Fujimoto played the King's Gambit: 3. f4, sacrificing the f-pawn to open lines for her attack.

I accepted the pawn with 3...exf4.

It seems Fujimoto is good at chess; in fact, I think she might be a prodigy.

I silently considered if I should continue with the plan because if she noticed I would have to play seriously, or I'll lose. It hadn't come to that, so I calmed down.

Fujimoto pushed 4. d4, challenging the center and activating her pieces.

I played 4...d6, reinforcing my pawn.

Fujimoto developed her bishop with 5. Bc4. I could see her eyeing the vulnerable f7 square near my king.

I played 5...h6, a seemly cautious move.

Fujimoto sensed an opportunity and sacrificed her knight for 6. Nxe5, cracking open the center and threatening my position.

I took the knight with 6...dxe5, I remained calm despite the chaos brewing.

Fujimoto’s grin grew wider with each move, her confidence almost mocking. I shifted in his seat, glancing at her bag.

“Wow, you’re really good at this game.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere—it doesn’t work on me.” Fujimoto grinned.

Yeah sure, then why are you grinning so widely?

“It’s not flattery.”

“I see, then I hope you won’t be surprised when you lose.”

“…I would like to see you try.”

Fujimoto brought her queen to 7. Qhs, threatening an immediate mate on f7.

I defended with 7...g6, blocking the threat but leaving my king dangerously exposed.

Fujimoto sacrificed her bishop with 8. Bxf7+, forcing my king out of safety.

I captured the bishop with 8...Kxf7, my king was now completely exposed.

Fujimoto now visibly grinning, played 9. Qxe5+, attacking my king and threatening my rook.

I blocked with 9...Be7, I still maintained my calm expresion.

I guess it was time that I started winning.

Fujimoto moved her queen aggressively with 10. Qf4+, trying to push my king further.

I stepped aside with 10...Kg7.

Fujimoto played 11. Nc3, trying to bring her knight into the attack.

I played 11...Bf6, offering my bishop as a sacrifice to deflect her queen from a key attacking position.

Fujimoto took my bait with 12. Qxf6, believing she had gained momentum for her attack.

Fujimoto leaned back; arms crossed. “You’re better than I thought, Nakamura. But you’re still not good enough.”

“…”

She grinned silently expecting herself to win.

I struck back with 12...Rc8, bringing my rook into play on the open file and targeting Fujimoto's unprotected back rank.

Fujimoto played 14. bxc3, captured my pawn to stabilize position.

I recaptured with 14...Rxc3, gaining control of the board and creating dangerous threats along the c-file.

Fujimoto scrambled with 15. Qxe5, trying to counterattack by threatening my rook and pawns.

I sidestepped with 15...Kg8, keeping my king safe and ready to support my pawns.

In the final moves, my rook and pawns overwhelm Fujimoto. By move 30, I promoted a pawn to a queen and delivered a checkmate.

In short, I won.

"So will you hear my request?"

"Before that could I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Are you by chance a chess genius?"

"Uh no, I just won by luck?"

"Oh, I see," Fujimoto said raising her left brow, not believing me.

"Well anyway back to my request.”

"I hope you won't ask anything depraved."

"I won’t, I just wanted to request you to never ignore me," I grinned.

"Why are you smiling like that, weirdo—"

The bell rang to signify the end of the break.

“It seemed like break has ended; I'll have to leave.”

"Will you visit me this time?" she said looking down. “Tell me the truth. Am I just annoying you?” she said, her voice cracking.

"No you’re not and don’t worry this time I will come. Well, see you later," I grinned.

"Yeah, see you later, Nakamura. I hope you keep to your promise this time," Fujimoto smiled but still not fully raising her head.

I went to class, in class Aiya nagged me for not being with her at lunch, but I tuned it out, and then I received a message—the message came from an account named Kagura-chan. Who mentioned their name in honorific?

The message read: “I’ll be coming to your room after school.”

I’m guessing this is Kagura's real number.

“I assume this is your real number,” I replied back.

“Yes.”

“Why are you coming to my room?”

She isn't answering my messages again, seems I'll have to wait until school ends.

“Eiya?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh I’m surprised that you would use your phone in class.”

“Well, I am a teenager. I kinda have to.” I lied.

“I guess your right,” she said. “But one would think the perfect human wouldn’t indulge in such,” she mumbled that last part, so I didn’t hear it.

The chess match lingered in my mind since I left the library, but my thoughts quickly shifted. Kagura was coming. Why now? And why the cryptic message?

After school, I lied to Aiya that I was feeling tired. The walk to the dorm was peaceful, I admired the trees as I walked. I also enjoyed the breeze, it was kinda cold I guess cause September was coming to an end.

After 10 minutes I reached the dorms, I then used the elevator to go to my room.

I then put on my AC since a visitor was coming, and then I made tea. Since the room was relatively clean, I just lay on my bed and looked at my balance—100,000RP.

How is it so high? Maybe the school added more, but the month hasn't even ended.

I then heard a knock; I assumed it was Kagura and went to open up for her.

She was still in her uniform well it wasn't much of a shock as school closed 18 minutes ago.

I went to get the tea—I put it on a tray.

"So, what did you wanna talk about?"

"Your girlfriend."

"..."

I kinda expected that; to be frank, I didn't expect anything else.

"I specifically told you not to date her, wasn't I clear?" she lectured.

"You were, but you neither gave me a reason nor did you follow up?"

"That's..."

"If you really wanted to stop me you could have told me why or at least say it again, you've been avoiding me right? I sent you a message on your other account and you didn't even open it."

"… It isn’t my fault. I can't tell you anything, at least not until Monday." Kagura looked down.

"Why?"

"I'm leaving." Kagura stood up to leave.

She was about to leave if I let her leave, I might as well be throwing away my only chance of getting information.

Time to be proactive.

I held onto her hand.

"Let me go, Nakamura."

“Let go, Nakamura,” Kagura said, her voice sharp but trembling. My grip loosened, but I didn’t release her.

“…If you don’t let go, I’ll scream,” Kagura said, her voice shaky.

“Just tell me why,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kagura froze, her hand hovering over the doorknob. For a moment, I thought she might stay, might say something more. But then she straightened, her expression hardening.

“You’ll understand on Monday,” she said, her voice barely audible, before slipping out the door."

I didn't know if the rooms were soundproof so I wouldn’t want to test it out, at least not in that situation.

I lay on my bed thinking about everything until I got a text from Aiya.

“Let's go on a date tomorrow,” she texted.

Time to put my foot down, I need to have some alone time.

“I won't be able to go out tomorrow.”

She sent me a picture of her face pleading.

She was exhausting, but her pleading eyes in the photo tugged at something in me. I needed space, but saying no felt impossible.

With a sigh, I typed my reply, already regretting it. I guess my weakness is cute girls.