image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

88) THE TEA PARTY

“You’ve done well,” whispered a refined elderly woman to Sophia, gently shaking her, as if to say, “It’s time to wake up.”

Two other similarly refined women of her age stood nearby, and surprisingly, Leo, one of Sophia’s classmates, was also present.

Gradually, Sophia opened her eyes.

“She’s awake,” one of the women said, her voice soft yet filled with relief.

Sophia blinked in confusion, recognizing a familiar face. “Grandma?”

The other woman in the room called out, “Agnes, has Sophia woken up?”

Sophia’s grandmother, Agnes, smiled and replied, “It seems she’s awake now. How about we have some tea?”

Sophia was puzzled, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of the scene. Where am I? The house was beautiful, a place she didn’t recognize. Through the windows, she could see a thick mist outside.

“Grandma, where is this? And... what about everyone else? Are they safe?”

Agnes reassured her with a gentle smile. “You did it, Sophia. You found the perfect solution. Everyone is safe, just as you wished.”

Suddenly, the other elderly woman transformed into a young girl, about Sophia’s age.

Sophia gasped in surprise. “Elizabeth!”

Elizabeth grinned. “Sophia, thank you. I knew you’d be able to complete that spell.”

Agnes chuckled. “Of course, she’s my granddaughter after all. And she’s inherited the brilliant mind of Wilhelm Weiss.”

Elizabeth laughed and added, “Yes, but she’s too smart for her own good. The witch’s blood combined with that intellect... it’s no wonder you’re prone to brain overload. You’ll give yourself a stroke at this rate.”

Agnes nodded in agreement. “That’s why she’s always craving sweets. Her brain needs the sugar, though I’m not exactly pleased she’s constantly eating éclairs.”

Sophia smiled awkwardly. “Grandma…”

Sophia, still slightly bewildered, asked again, “But really, where am I? What happened?”

Agnes patted her hand reassuringly. “We’re in the Witch’s House, deep in the Misty Forest. Time is frozen here, so don’t worry. Thanks to you, the ritual is fully sealed, and everyone’s soul is safe, just as you hoped.”

Elizabeth chimed in, “The idea was originally mine, though. I prepared the dolls and infused them with the witch’s blood, but the magic only lasted for a year.”

Agnes interjected, “Enough of that for now. Let’s have some tea. Instead of those high-calorie éclairs, how about chiffon cake today?”

Sophia’s face lit up at the mention of chiffon cake. Her grandmother’s chiffon cake was her favorite.

Elizabeth started listing the ingredients for the cake: “Egg yolks: 4, egg whites: 5, sugar: 80g (30g for the yolks, 50g for the whites), salad oil: 50ml, milk: 80ml, flour: 100g, baking powder: 1 teaspoon, two tea bags of finely chopped tea leaves, and a dash of vanilla essence... Sophia, could you get the baking powder from the top shelf?”

Sophia obediently fetched the baking powder. “Here you go, Grandma.”

Elizabeth nodded approvingly. “I’ll preheat the oven to 170°C. Oh wait, the fire won’t start. Sophia!”

Sophia hurried over and ignited the oven.

Elizabeth smiled. “You’ve trained her well, Agnes.”

Agnes busied herself preparing the cake batter. “Now, Sophia, more tea leaves will enhance the aroma.”

Sophia smiled, taking note of her grandmother’s advice as she began whipping up the egg whites into meringue. Together, the three women worked in harmony, preparing the chiffon cake. They poured the batter into the mold and popped it into the oven.

“About 40 minutes,” Agnes said. “While it bakes, let’s continue our conversation. Don’t worry, time is still paused.”

Just then, Leo spoke up, calling her name. “Sophia.”

Sophia looked at him in surprise. “Leo? Why are you here?”

Leo sighed. “Well, the truth is... I died from an illness over 200 years ago. But here, in this forest, I can live again. I’ve been with Elizabeth ever since. But I was lonely, and Elizabeth promised to lend me some souls to keep me company.”

Sophia’s face softened with understanding. “That’s why you suddenly disappeared ten years ago, Grandma.”

Agnes looked apologetic. “I’m sorry I couldn’t explain at the time.”

Elizabeth added, “That’s why I asked Leo to help you find seven companions who would assist you.”

Leo nodded. “I believe we found them.”

The oven timer beeped, signaling that the chiffon cake was ready. Sophia carefully removed the cake and began slicing it, preparing enough for everyone.

Elizabeth smiled mysteriously. “We’re expecting a visitor.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Elizabeth opened it, revealing a young girl who looked exactly like Sophia.

“Oh, Aisha! You’re awake!” Elizabeth greeted the girl warmly.

Agnes explained to Sophia, “This is Aisha, one of the witches from past generations. All the witches of the Misty Forest reside here, though they usually sleep.”

Elizabeth beckoned Aisha inside. The girl, speaking in ancient runes, gestured warmly to Sophia before breaking into tears and hugging her tightly. The resemblance between Aisha and Sophia was uncanny, almost as if they were the same person.

Sophia smiled gently and responded in the same rune language, “Thank you.”

Elizabeth beamed with pride. “Impressive, Sophia. You’ve learned a lot at the university.”

Agnes nodded approvingly. “That brilliant mind of yours is really something.”

Elizabeth asked, “But how did you figure it all out?”

Sophia thought for a moment before responding, “It was when you showed me the memories of the past witches.”

Elizabeth looked surprised. “That early on?”

Sophia nodded. “Yes, it got me thinking, and I started experimenting with some of the techniques.”

Sophia then grabbed a piece of paper and began drawing. She sketched a doll, then inscribed runes on it, naming it after a witch and infusing it with magic blood. Aisha watched closely, nodding in approval and explaining further. Sophia listened intently, occasionally asking questions, which made Aisha smile brightly and hug her once again.

Agnes asked, “What is Aisha saying?”

Elizabeth leaned in, curious. “Yes, I’d like to know.”

Sophia explained, “The key insight I gained was from Elizabeth’s experiment. Even though the magic only lasted for a year, it still worked.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Only for a year. It was a failure.”

Sophia shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. The magic lasted because the witch’s blood has enough life force to convince nature that it holds a soul. But after a year—the cycle of the seasons—the natural gods catch on. They are, after all, bound to the rhythm of nature.”

Agnes nodded in understanding. “I see.”

Aisha smiled brightly.

Sophia continued, “So I realized that names never change. Even though language evolves, names remain constant. For instance, Aisha’s name has been unchanged for 2,000 years. It’s the writing system that changes, not the name itself.”

Elizabeth looked thoughtful. “That makes sense.”

Sophia smiled. “That’s why I tied everything to the pocket watches. Grandpa Wilhelm inscribed each one with names in ancient languages, ensuring the natural gods wouldn’t suspect anything. The watches act as anchors, carrying the essence of each person.”

Aisha clapped her hands in delight, nodding approvingly.

Sophia added, “I used Elizabeth’s memories to figure out how Aisha’s method succeeded, but the knowledge wasn’t passed down properly to the next witch. The language barrier broke the chain. But as long as we have the ancient runes, we can fool the gods.”

Elizabeth grinned. “You really are brilliant. Now, let’s enjoy the chiffon cake, Aisha too.”

Sophia began to serve the cake, smiling with satisfaction.

Just as they were about to dig in, a knock came at the door again.

Who could it be this time?

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

89) AGNES AND WILHELM

When Elizabeth glanced out the small window, her eyes widened. "Wilhelm is here."

Agnes gasped, "Oh no, we need to change quickly."

With a quick twirl, Agnes transformed into a girl who looked just like Sophia. She rushed to the door.

"Wilhelm, just give me a moment, I'm changing!" Agnes called out.

"I’ll wait, Agnes," Wilhelm’s voice replied from the other side.

Agnes turned to Sophia with a sense of urgency. "The day has finally come."

Sophia blinked in confusion. "Grandma, am I going to see Grandpa?"

Agnes quickly corrected her, "Oh, please don't call me 'Grandma' right now. It’s Agnes, okay? Wilhelm has no memory of the past. He's reverted to his 20-year-old self."

Sophia’s face fell. "So, he’s forgotten about me?"

Elizabeth gently took Sophia’s hand and said, "Listen, Agnes and Wilhelm are now the guardians of this Misty Forest. Thanks to you, the source of the earthquakes has been sealed, just like in Aisha’s time. However, the steam vents around the chessboard will still need occasional repairs—every fifty years, according to Wilhelm’s calculations. But you, Sophia, can’t stay here in the forest forever."

Sophia’s brow furrowed in confusion. "So, Grandma and Grandpa will live here forever, repairing the vents every fifty years?"

Agnes nodded. "Yes, they’ve agreed to stay, and they’re happy to do it. In exchange, you get to return to your friends. But there's a twist."

"A twist?" Sophia asked, still processing everything.

Agnes smiled. "Wilhelm isn't a witch, so he can’t stay young indefinitely. That’s why he decided to become twenty again every fifty years and live until he reaches seventy before resetting the cycle."

"Is that fun?" Sophia asked, intrigued.

Agnes grinned. "Think about it, Sophia. Wilhelm will propose to me over and over again, expressing his love every time. And I'll bear his children again, and each one will become a spirit of the forest, living forever in joy."

Sophia’s eyes widened. "Grandpa once told me he proposed to you on this very hill."

Agnes nodded with a wistful smile. "Yes, he said that if he could live his life over, he’d propose to me hundreds of times, and each time he’d marry me. He meant it."

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Elizabeth couldn’t resist. "And what did you say?"

Agnes chuckled. "I told him I’d happily bear his children as many times as he wanted. There’s nothing more wonderful than that."

"Are you ready yet?" Wilhelm’s voice called from behind the door.

Agnes, smiling, called back, "I’m ready." She opened the door.

As Wilhelm stepped inside, Sophia couldn't help but marvel at her grandfather. He had once been a world-renowned scholar, someone her entire country had called a national treasure. But now, he was a young man again, set to live another fifty years in the Misty Forest. Could he truly find happiness here?

"Hello, Wilhelm," Sophia greeted politely.

Wilhelm looked at her, surprised. "You look so much like Agnes. I didn’t know she had relatives like you."

Agnes quickly added, "She’s family."

Sophia smiled gently. "Are you happy here, Wilhelm? Is your work fulfilling?"

Agnes raised her eyebrows. "Sophia! That’s a bit rude."

But Wilhelm smiled warmly. "No, it’s fine. I’m actually working as an animal doctor now, and I fly gliders for fun. My life is fulfilling. And depending on Agnes’ answer today, it might become a hundred times better." He chuckled, then paused, looking at Sophia again. "Funny, though... you don’t feel like a stranger."

Agnes laughed. "Looks like today’s conversation is going to take an interesting turn."

Sophia smiled softly. "I wish both of you nothing but happiness, Wilhelm and Agnes."

Wilhelm nodded. "Thank you. There’s something I’ve been thinking about since I saw you...”

Sophia tilted her head. “What is it?”

Wilhelm gave her a thoughtful look. “You’ve been through quite the journey, haven’t you? You’ll see the people you want to meet again. Just listen closely. Everything will fall into place.”

Sophia smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Wilhelm."

Wilhelm turned to Agnes with a gleam in his eye. "Shall we go, Agnes? I’d like to hear your answer on that hill."

Agnes giggled. "Does it have to be on the hill?"

"Of course," Wilhelm said with a grin. "Only the most beautiful spot will do."

As they walked toward the hill, hand in hand, Aisha turned to Sophia, a thoughtful look on her face.

"What is it, Aisha?" Sophia asked.

Aisha spoke in ancient runes, her words causing Sophia’s face to flush.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "What did Aisha say?"

Sophia, still blushing, replied, “Aisha said that Wilhelm’s proposal today will be, ‘I want you to bear my child, and I already have a name in mind—Sophia.’”

Elizabeth laughed. "Well, it looks like this time you’ll be their daughter instead of their granddaughter."

Aisha added something else in the ancient language, causing Sophia to blush even more.

Elizabeth looked curious. "And now?"

Sophia, her face still red, translated reluctantly. “Aisha said, ‘Sophia is lucky. No matter which man she chooses, she will be happy.’”

Elizabeth chuckled. "Oh, Aisha..."

Sophia asked Elizabeth a favor, and Elizabeth happily agreed. According to her, if Sophia listens carefully to each of her friends, one by one, they will all be revived. Time would remain frozen until every one of them was brought back.

Sophia knew that she might never see her grandparents again, but she was comforted knowing they were deeply happy. She had always worried about her grandfather. Though the world saw him as a national treasure, had he ever been truly happy? Perhaps Wilhelm had always wanted to be an animal doctor, to enjoy flying as a hobby. His research, though groundbreaking, had inadvertently led to weapons of destruction, a burden that haunted him. Maybe that was why Elena's father had died in an accident, and maybe Wilhelm had carried that guilt all his life.

“Grandpa, Grandma, be happy,” Sophia whispered in her heart as she bid farewell to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth quietly approached Sophia and spoke succinctly.

“When you all leave the forest, I will cast a spell to erase your memories of everything that happened here.”

Sophia thought for a brief moment before responding, “You have to do it to protect the forest, don’t you?”

Elizabeth simply nodded. With just a glance, everything was understood between them.

Sophia silently looked around the forest, letting out a small sigh.

“I’ll wake them up and take them with me,” she said, her voice filled with resolve.

Elizabeth said nothing, merely watching Sophia’s back as she walked away.

Opening the door, she stepped out into the overgrown courtyard, where her companions lay asleep, waiting to be revived.

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

90) NAILA'S AWAKENING

Sophia knelt in the overgrown courtyard, her eyes scanning the thick vines that enveloped the ground. There, beneath the tangled greenery, she saw the still form of Nyra. His face was peaceful, as though he were merely asleep, yet there was a deep sadness etched into his expression. Sophia’s heart ached for him. She gently brushed aside the vines and grasped his hand, her fingers intertwining with his.

A flood of memories surged through her mind, flowing from Nyra’s soul into hers.

Nyra’s story began in the streets of Britain, where he had grown up as the sixth generation of his family to live there. Yet, even though his roots ran deep, his childhood had been lonely. As a young boy, he struggled to make friends. His quiet demeanor and the color of his skin set him apart from others. It was only when he met a boy in school who shared a passion for chess that he found his first true friend.

Nyra’s heart raced every time he was with this boy. At first, he didn’t understand what the feelings were, but soon, it became clear—he wasn’t just looking for friendship. He had fallen in love with him. This boy, who introduced him to chess, became the center of Nyra’s world, but the feelings were one-sided. The boy never saw him as more than a chess partner.

Still, chess became Nyra’s refuge. As he honed his skills, he realized that he wasn’t interested in girls like the other boys were. He was different. Accepting this, he made a bold decision—he changed his name to Nyra, a name that resonated more with who he truly was. It was a name that reflected his identity, a piece of the puzzle he’d finally understood.

Yet the world wasn’t always kind or understanding. His new name and identity brought confusion and distance. He felt more alone than ever. Chess, once his bridge to human connection, became his solitary escape. The more isolated he became, the more he poured himself into the game, until he rose to the top—becoming the high school chess champion.

Suddenly, Nyra was surrounded by attention. People began to take notice of him, but it didn’t feel genuine. They admired his skills, not him. He tried to make connections, but whenever he developed feelings for another boy, they never reciprocated. He thought to himself: Am I choosing the wrong people? Is there something wrong with me?

Nyra decided he needed to change his environment. Maybe, if he surrounded himself with more intelligent people, those who valued intellect and individuality, he could find the connection he longed for. And so, he pushed himself harder, studying endlessly until he was accepted into the prestigious North College’s Data Science Department, a beacon of hope for his future.

In the world of Artificial Intelligence, Nyra found a new freedom. AI didn’t care about gender, about who he was or wasn’t supposed to be. In the digital world, he could be anyone. He met others like him—people from around the globe who shared the same struggles, the same feelings of being out of place. And there, in the quiet of the data labs, he found someone who made his heart flutter again.

Ronald.

Ronald was kind, brilliant, and as skilled at chess as Nyra was, if not more so. It wasn’t long before they were inseparable. For the first time, Nyra felt like he belonged. The loneliness that had shadowed him for so long seemed to melt away in Ronald’s presence. Ronald understood him. They became lovers, and Nyra thought, This is it. I’ve found where I belong.

But fate wasn’t done testing him.

A chess tournament was announced, one that would put Ronald and Nyra on opposite sides. Nyra hesitated at first. He didn’t want to compete against the one person who made him feel whole, but Ronald encouraged him.

In the match, Ronald played flawlessly. But Nyra, driven by a deep desire to win, broke the rules. He knew it wasn’t right, but he did it anyway, desperate for the victory. And yet, even after cheating, it was Sophia who outplayed him, who showed him the depths of what it meant to truly understand the game.

Nyra felt ashamed. He had cheated and still lost. But something else happened in that moment—Sophia didn’t look at him with judgment. Instead, she had welcomed him into her group. He had found acceptance. For the first time, Nyra felt like he truly belonged somewhere.

As Sophia continued to hold his hand, she felt the weight of his memories, the loneliness, the struggle, and finally, the quiet joy of finding his place. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized how much he had carried inside himself all these years.

Suddenly, Nyra’s hand twitched, and his eyes fluttered open. He looked up at Sophia, disoriented at first, but then his expression softened into a smile.

"Sophia…" His voice was a whisper.

Sophia nodded, a soft smile on her lips. "You're awake."

Nyra slowly sat up, still holding onto Sophia’s hand. His eyes were filled with gratitude, with relief. "I felt you listening... You heard everything."

"I did," Sophia replied gently. "And you’re not alone anymore, Nyra. You never have to be."

Nyra closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as the weight of his past seemed to lift. When he opened them again, there was a new spark of determination.

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

91) RONALD'S STORY

Sophia slowly rose from her knees, glancing around the overgrown courtyard. Not far from where she had found Nyra, another figure lay still among the tangled vines. She carefully stepped over the thick greenery and knelt down beside the body. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized the familiar face.

"Ronald," she whispered, reaching out to gently take his hand.

The moment their hands touched, memories surged into her mind, flowing from Ronald’s heart to hers.

Ronald’s life had always been difficult. He grew up in a struggling household, the middle of three brothers. His father had lost his job when Ronald was only ten, and the family was plunged into financial uncertainty. His older brother had managed to go to college, but by the time it was Ronald's turn, there were no resources left. The economy had spiraled into inflation, and even keeping food on the table became a daily challenge.

To make ends meet, Ronald took on various part-time jobs. He worked at diners, stocked shelves at grocery stores, and even spent long hours loading and unloading trucks. But the job that had the greatest impact on him was working as an emergency medical technician. Becoming an EMT had been a grueling process, requiring months of training and a license that felt impossible to earn. But he made it. And once he did, the work was relentless. Every day was filled with life-or-death moments, but it was also rewarding, giving him a sense of purpose.

Between the long hours and endless stress, Ronald found his only solace in chess. The game had been his passion since childhood, but he couldn’t even afford a chessboard. Instead, he memorized the 64 squares and played games in his mind, imagining the moves on the ceiling of his cramped room.

When he finally saved enough money, Ronald applied to university. He chose architecture at first, but soon found his interests shifting toward engineering. He thought about the future—how a degree in engineering would provide stability, something his family had always lacked. He became fascinated with numbers, complex algorithms, and artificial intelligence.

His determination to excel led him to cross paths with the Data Science Department, where he began to study more advanced topics. And it was there, among the algorithms and numbers, that he met Nyra.

Nyra was different. Beautiful in spirit, with a heart as pure as a child’s, he captivated Ronald from the moment they first spoke. Nyra’s delicate soul was enchanting, and their shared love for chess only deepened their bond. It wasn’t long before they fell in love.

For Ronald, Nyra represented a light in the darkness of his life. They spent hours playing chess, sometimes in silence, sometimes talking about the future. Nyra had a way of seeing the world that made Ronald feel calm, even in the most chaotic moments. It was a love born out of simplicity—pure and untainted.

Despite their happiness, Ronald never forgot the struggles of his past. His desire to protect Nyra, to give him a stable life, pushed him to work harder. He poured himself into his studies, determined to build a future that they could share. But the weight of their competition in the world of chess sometimes complicated things. It was during one such competition that everything changed.

Ronald had always been skilled at chess, often winning matches without breaking a sweat. But in a fateful tournament, he faced an unexpected loss. He had never seen anything like it—Sophia outplayed him completely, showing a level of mastery he hadn’t anticipated. It shook him to the core, not just because of the loss, but because he realized how much he still had to learn.

Yet instead of shame, Ronald found something else in Sophia and her group—he found a place to belong. This group had become his family, his home.

As Sophia held his hand, she felt Ronald's fierce love for Nyra, his yearning to protect him, and his devotion to their shared future. Tears welled in her eyes as she absorbed the depth of his memories.

And then, just as she had with Nyra, Ronald stirred.

His eyes fluttered open, blinking at the dappled sunlight that filtered through the vines. At first, he looked disoriented, but his gaze quickly sharpened.

"Nyra…" he whispered.

Sophia smiled softly, releasing his hand. "He’s awake, just like you. He’s waiting for you."

Ronald sat up slowly, looking around until his eyes fell on Nyra, who stood not far from them, watching with concern. Relief flooded Ronald’s face, and he quickly scrambled to his feet.

"Nyra!" Ronald called out, rushing over to his lover and pulling him into a tight embrace. Nyra melted into his arms, the weight of their shared journey momentarily forgotten in the safety of each other's presence.

Sophia stood back, watching the reunion with a tender smile. The two of them, together again, were stronger than ever.

Ronald turned to Sophia, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Sophia. For everything."

Sophia nodded. "It’s time to go home now, isn’t it?"

Nyra, still holding Ronald’s hand, spoke up. "Yes. Let’s go back… We’ll take the hovercraft."

Together, the three of them made their way across the vine-covered courtyard toward the clearing where the hovercraft awaited, ready to carry them back to the world beyond the Misty Forest.

image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]

92) OFELIA’S STORY

Ophelia grew up in a normal household, but she was always a bit different from her peers—more driven, more ambitious. Her teachers noticed her dedication early on, praising her efforts, and she quickly became known as one of the top students in her class. But that recognition came at a cost. It wasn’t long before some of her classmates began to resent her. They saw her as a know-it-all, someone who thought she was better than them, and that jealousy slowly morphed into something darker.

In primary school, the bullying was subtle—whispered comments, rolled eyes, cold stares. But things escalated when Ophelia joined the chess club. She found comfort in the game, where everyone was equal on the board, and where her intelligence and strategy were respected, not ridiculed. Chess became her refuge, a place where her mind could thrive without judgment. But outside the game, her real-life isolation only deepened.

As Ophelia moved into secondary school, the bullying took a more sinister turn. It was no longer just in whispers behind her back. Now, it was online, where the cruelty could spread like wildfire. She was deliberately excluded from class group chats on social media, often left out of important school announcements. One particularly painful memory stood out: one afternoon, her entire class received a notification about a sudden schedule change for an upcoming exam. She waited for the message, checking her phone repeatedly, but nothing came. The next day, she realized the entire class knew about the change except her. She’d been removed from the group chat without anyone telling her.

When she asked a classmate if she could be added back, she was met with a smirk and a cruel response. “Oh, didn’t you get the hint? We didn’t think you needed to be in there anymore.”

That night, the hateful messages started coming in. At first, they were anonymous: “No one likes you.” “Go away.” “You think you’re smart, but no one cares.” The attacks didn’t stop there. Soon, malicious rumors about her spread across social media, and someone even created a hate group targeting her specifically. They posted doctored images, shared private information, and mocked her achievements, twisting her successes into reasons for ridicule.

It felt like the walls were closing in on her. At school, she was met with silence, cold stares, or outright hostility. Online, it was worse—the relentless bullying made her feel like she couldn’t escape, like she was trapped in a digital prison.

But in chess, none of that mattered. On the chessboard, it was only her and her opponent. There were no rumors, no hate groups, no exclusion. Every move had a purpose, every decision was hers. Chess gave her control in a world where everything else seemed to be spiraling out of it. The logical structure of the game, the clear rules, and the fairness—it was her lifeline.

When she eventually got into North College, she thought she’d finally found a place where she could escape the bullying and start fresh. Architecture and archaeology fascinated her because they were fields where people respected history and intellect. She’d heard that the department was small, with fewer people, and that the kind of toxic social dynamics she experienced in her earlier years didn’t exist there. For once, she felt like she could belong somewhere.

In the end, it was chess that truly gave her a sense of purpose. The game was a way to think rationally, to strategize, and to engage her mind in ways that made her feel powerful and in control. In this group, she’d finally found her place—among people who understood the value of the game, and the value of her mind.