Looking ahead to All-Japan [Season 8 End]

The next day, Okisato was officially elected vice president of the chess club, but not unanimously nor unchallenged. Rodeo had mounted a protest challenge, but with Okisato's prowess and the newer members having less of a negative opinion of him than some of the veteran members, he won the vote over him quite handily.

"You sure bout this?" Rodeo asked as he played Yuusuke in a practice match.

"Yeah. Ya know, I feel good. Really feels like a weight's been lifted, ya know. Okaa even softened up a tad last night," Yuusuke smiled.

"How?"

"She told me that if I get a title after All-Japan, she'll come clean about my pops."

"Your pops?"

"Yeah, I can finally learn more about him."

"All-Japan won't be easy. It may be an open Swiss, but the rules allow those with Japanese blood from different federations to temporarily switch over for the event. In fact, many Chess Olympics participants who initially failed to make the women's team and participated by swapping federations will be in attendance here," Okisato stated as he walked over.

"And that means?"

"It's completely open, so girls and boys can play each other. I'm giving you warning because with your rating, you'll likely encounter some of these players."

"And? If they had to go running to other feds, they must've been weak."

"Are you looking down on women again?" Utami glared.

"I ain't gonna lose to some girl rated lower than me."

"Then good thing I've surpassed you in rating so that your pitiful pride isn't further destroyed."

"It is unlikely he'll encounter some of the stronger ones though. Noa-chan can compete due to the rules, as can those like Francie Derring, Matsuba Yuhi, Arii Eyepeltar, Alma Mata, even our new principle could have competed just fine before officially moving here. And speaking of which, she's pretty close in rating to Yuusuke-kun. The chance of being paired against each other in the early rounds is high," Mimoko noted.

"I will give a begrudging warning; that woman is smart. Don't underestimate her on the chessboard just because her comedy career failed," Maida warned.

"Ara? But it's still kicking. I'm keeping my head shaved for this whole employment even though it's not required," Ichiko giggled as she suddenly appeared.

"That's just you not taking things seriously. And why the sneakers with the business dress?"

Ichiko giggled as she twirled and showed off her black business dress and sneakers. "Just going more corporate."

"..."

"See, comedy career still ongoing, unlicensed," Ichiko smiled as she strolled up to Yuusuke. "And for you, mommy's gonna play and beat you, real good."

Unfortunately for Ichiko, Yuusuke completely misunderstood the joke, thinking she was referring to Hagemi instead of herself. With fury, he glared at Ichiko.

"Ara? Not into the mommy play? Sorry. No need to glare like that."

"I'm gonna beat that bitch... I'm gonna fucking beat that bitch and make her spill it all!"

Now it was Ichiko's turn to misunderstand, thinking Yuusuke was about to assault some poor woman. Trembling with terror, her skin turning pale, Ichiko sweated a river as she slowly backed up. "V- Violence is bad. As your principal... I just had to say it!" she cried before running off.

"Context is a power. Hmm, perhaps I'll document how they both react when learning of their respective contexts," Maida thought.

"So could pretty much everyone in the world just change feds to play here?" Iori asked.

"No. The rules are mainly aimed at both those that were initially registered with Japan, but utilized their mixed heritage and/or connections to change federations to get into the Chess Olympics. They likely want to also attract a player like Noa-chan, who is half-Japanese in order to make things more interesting. That being said, there's still debate over it, especially if I'm given the clear to compete," Daria noted.

"Okaa-chan, you can't just stroll up to the classroom window," Mimoko scowled.

"The school's just a jog n' climb from the chess center, and our place too."

"You're warping over from the chess center then coming to the school?"

"Saves the energy. And I'm gonna need it. I hear Rize's competing along with some prodigy toddlers. I hate how me being out has made me miss so much. WWCF corporate's pissed too. Been under lock n' key like a diamond. Should just have me room at HQ instead of having folks posin' as lamps at my place," Hagemi lamented as she too popped up at the window next to Daria.

And speaking of being under surveillance...

Everyone turned to the sudden sound of someone being slammed into the ground. Miga was there, and pinned beneath her was none other than Oma.

"Finally found ya, Dari. Now tell the hired hand to get off me," Oma sneered.

"'Dari'? Are you referring to the maestro?" Miga asked as she cautiously unpinned Oma.

"The hair didn't give it away? I'm her older sister. The one she seems to hate for no reason."

"'Sister'? Okaa-chan, I thought you said you had no family," Mimoko frowned.

"I don't. I was both disowned, and disowned them, so in the legal sense, what I told you was true," Daria scowled.

"But blood don't lie. And hello Mimoko. I'm your aunt. So, want me to take you out shopping? I'll give you a time that'll make Dari wanna skin me over a bed of nails."

"And this is where the "No unauthorized personal" rule gets enforced," Okisato glared.

Oma's eyes narrowed as she laid eyes on Okisato. "What a troublesome boy you've grown into. That's why you yank the weeds before their roots sink in," she thought as she left without saying a word.

"And will I have to win the whole event to get a proper explanation?" Mimoko glared.

"Taking a dig at me!?" Hagemi gasped as Daria shook her head.

"No. I told you about my life before marriage, but there's more to it. Oma though is a menace that everyone needs to know about, so listen well..."

...

Mimoko scowled in disgust as Daria finished her tale. "Your reasoning was solid. I don't want her as family either."

"Sadly there's no changing the fact she is biologically related. And with her eyes on us, we're in for a long Winter."

"Just beat her at chess and make her go away," Iori scoffed.

"No, I doubt it would be that simple. Oma is smart."

"That doesn't mean it'll all translate to chess," Mimoko noted.

But Okisato had begun to grasp Daria's angst. "She could be just like Rize. One who hides her cards until the moment of battle," he thought.

...

Oma smirked as she sat in the bushes. "If an idiot like Dari could do it, why couldn't I? I wish you were as stupid as you act. You naievetivity would make tripping you all so much easier," she thought as one of her eyes began to glow blue.

[Season 8 End]