Destroying delusions

Mimoko shook her head as she got up and began to head out with the others. All the Prussians, with the exception of Magdalena, continued to sit in shock at their complete and utter defeat. The worst wasn't over yet either as once Red Reaper learned of all this, severe punishments would be dolled out, primarily to Edeltraud.

As for Hagemi, she had been whisked away to the WWCF's medical facility. This meant she was out for the rest of the tournament, though Kuon would only learn the fact the hard way in two days time.

"What's going on? I don't understand it," Mimoko frowned as she boarded the bus.

Daria sighed and turned to look at Iori and Okisato. Both had more or less pieced together what was going on with Kuon as had Daria. Breaking the news to Mimoko would be difficult, due to the guilt she still harbored over Kuon not making the team. There was a chance she could continue to blame herself for Kuon's fall, which was why everyone was hesitant to tell her. It was also a matter of who should tell her as the message could become more effective depending on the one doing the talking.

"So who's gonna tell her Kuon's a bitch? If I do it, she'll just get mopey again," Iori grumbled.

"I guess it should fall to me, but she might just dismiss it as me trying to sugarcoat things. She really does think Kuon is a respectable woman that simply lost it after failing to make the team," Daria frowned.

"I don't think Inoue-senpai's that dense. But I think that without remembering Yuusuke, it might be harder for her to get an idea on how bad Kuon really is," Okisato scowled.

"And what are you all whispering about? I'm not in the mood to be the subject of gossip," Mimoko glared as she turned to look back at the three.

Everyone went quiet as Mimoko turned back around and sunk her head into her hands. While Hagemi was still alive, Mimoko felt like this was a near repeat of what happened with Kotora. As a result, depression had blocked out any chance of her thinking critically about Kuon.

"Am all I'll ever be as a chess player is someone that brings harm?" she dejectedly asked herself.

In the seat in front of her, a woman smiled as she heard those words. To her, Mimoko's dejection was a holy choir as it meant that with just one more kick, Mimoko would not only be vanquished from the chess world, but too dejected to even live, which would play perfectly into her plot.

"To think you'd get so depressed about putting Hagemi in a coma. Bet you'll want to flat out die when you fail to save your mother... and the infants within, right before your eyes in just one day's time," she thought to herself.

...

Arriving back at the hotel, everyone was still in a sour mood. The men were understandable as thanks to Ginji, they had been deprived of a victory. None were more frustrated than Zago though.

"I just had to draw. If I had just drawn, we would have won."

"No, you played well, but Avian was just outside your level. It's nothing to be ashamed at, just don't let it get you down," Mimoko smiled as she patted Zago on the shoulder.

"But it means you're now at 2 losses. I'm undefeated!" Azenira gloated.

"Easy for you to say. You've got way less pressure on you to win. If I don't win or draw, our wins are always in jeopardy."

"Hey, I'm trying to make history with a perfect 4-0 sweep victory streak. I mess that up, I'll never live it down even if we get 1st!"

The two began to squabble more as Daria decided to step in and break things up before they got too heated.

"Boo, what's wrong with letting them vent and slug it out?" Iori pouted.

Mimoko shot her an unamused glare. Though if there was a silver lining to this squabble, it was the fact that Mimoko's mind had finally been distracted from thoughts about Hagemi, at least for the moment.

"My, the heartbreaker doesn't want to see a fight? Are you THAT upset about Hagemi surviving and Kuon swearing vengeance on ya?" a voice snickered.

Everyone turned to notice Kaylee.

"Chaya-chan? Wait, your hair's longer... Are you-"

"Teabagging Chaya. What, never watched my streams?"

Iori raised an eyebrow and pulled out her WWCF card, using it to give Kaylee a scan. "I forgot about this cuz I was sick, but now it's come back to me. You're teabagging Chaya alright, but why the hell is your name Kaylee, and why the hell are ya with Belgium instead of Simien?"

Kaylee responded with a devilish smirk before darting behind a corner. Iori attempted to give chase, but no sooner did she lift her foot, Chaya rounded the corner.

"Oh, nice try. You really think I'm stupid? So are you two twins or something?"

"Twins? Oh, you're Iori-chan. I've heard about you from Noa. Pleased to meat you, I'm Chaya Shamir."

"'Hai-ya'?"

"Yes, the C is silent, but I'm aware my name is spelled similarly to "Chaya", the Japanese word for tea. Noa got that wrong once when she first met me and I had a nametag on me."

Iori smiled and nodded as she scanned Chaya with her WWCF card. But to her shock, nothing related to Kaylee came up.

"Whoa... So you really are twins, but you didn't try to disguise yourself as each other?"

Chaya smiled awkwardly. "My apologies, but I'm unaware of what you're talking about. I'm an only child."

"Bullshit. There's a girl named Kaylee who not only looks just like you, but also calls herself, teabagging Chaya."

"There's someone impersonating my likeness? That is a shame... My apologies, but I must go."

Chaya slowly walked back behind the corner, but Iori wasn't satisfied with her responses and gave chase. Yet when she rounded the corner, no one was there, nor were there any places Chaya could have gone in such a short amount of time.

"Oi, I thought the ghost stories ended last night. The hell's going on!?"

"I heard she was in Israel during the so-called blank period lasting from when Babylonia gained control over it to when it's entire landmass moved to the horn of Africa and became the Israeli Kingdom of Simien. Considering Olavi is the one leading the Babylonians, it wouldn't surprise me if he performed various experiments on the Israelis before they seemingly broke free from his rule," Okisato scowled.

"Olavi? That guy you got real pissed at?"

Okisato went silent as he tried to control his anger. Mimoko was also a bit curious about Okisato's deep-rooted hatred for Olavi, but none would be getting any answers out of Okisato as he silently walked away.

"Seems the topic is a sore spot for him... Olavi Hellkinnen... Another topic of research I'll have to delve into on my rest day," Daria sighed in her mind.

She spoke a bit too soon as the moment she passed by a cleaning closet, a bound and gagged Minoo tumbled out.

"Huh!? You're the girl that Kuon punched... Why are you here?" Daria asked as she approached her.

"Mmph ngh!"

"Sorry, sorry. I'll get something for the zipties," Daria frowned as she ripped the tape off Minoo's mouth.

"Peh! I was jumped by some weird girl with no eyebrows and eyelashes in a wool-knit hat that had a fleshy tail!"

Upon hearing those words, Mimoko came to a startling realization. "Nyoan-chan... That girl Nanya-chan punched... It was Nyoan-chan. She..."

Mimoko's fist began to clench as she remembered Nyoan's words.

"If I could roam the floor, they wouldn't be able to stop me from approaching Kuon-sama, nya."

"Nyoan-chan... Nyoan-chan just wanted to reunite with you... And you slugged her without hesitation!? I heard you were supposed to love Nyoan, yet you treat her so horribly when she's trying to help you!? Nanya-chan... You just crossed a line."

It was completely unexpected, but now with Mimoko finally upset at Kuon, Daria and Okisato sensed an opening to inform her of Kuon's true nature.

"Mimoko, I think it's time I tell you something the WWCF has learned about Kuon..."