Mimoko the actress

A few days before the incident at Inferno's den, Mimoko came across an intriguing flyer at school. "Sponsored by the Mizuse Niimi co, Sarada University theater of arts presents, They turned me into a fucking Chupacabra... That is quite the title, but what's the deal with Mizuse-chan's company sponsoring it? Perhaps I'll check it out."

...

After informing the others that she'd be leaving club early, Mimoko headed home and changed into her favorite casual outfit, slit jeans, yellow bra top, all-white Mizuse Niimi brand sneakers, and a black leather jacket which she draped over her shoulders like a mantle.

"Regal attire!? You got a date?" Daria swooned.

"No, just something in Tokyo I feel the need to dress up for," Mimoko huffed as she headed out.

...

Arriving in Ikebukuro, Mimoko made her way to the Tokyo Metropolitan theater where the try-outs for the play were being held. While she had little acting experience, the fact that the Mizuse Niimi company was funding the play caught her eye. At the very least, she assumed she could just check things out.

Entering the theater, she followed the signs until arriving in the auditorium.

"You fucking dolt! Can't you remember one fucking line!?" a voice rang out.

Looking towards the front row, Mimoko spotted a bespectacled middle aged woman with dark skin and green hair that resembled a squid's body. The target of her ire was a bald and browless girl on stage clad in a t-shirt with a number card plastered on it, shorts, and running shoes.

These two weren't the only ones present as Mimoko noticed rows of young women, each with number cards plastered on them, whom she assumed to be trying out for the role.

"Hoh? You have an interest in theater as well?" a voice rang out from behind.

Turning, Mimoko came face-to-face with a woman with red and yellow hair clad in a flamboyant yellow kimono and red zori. It was Alma Mata, a half-Japanese half-Uzbek girl that had both tried to make the Japanese national women's team and latter ended up participating in the Chess Olympics as part of Uzbekistan's women's team.

"You're Alma-chan, yes? I remember you back when we all got shaved for 6B."

"Correct. Thy mother gifted me the fluid to regrow my hair, which I did after sporting bald for a quick role. Seems it was premature, as this play will likely require my head and brows shaved."

"Uh, I don't think the ad-"

"My pardon, but it's just personal experience and my perfectionist speaking. Curiously, I ponder what brought you here."

"Oh, I was just curious since the Mizuse Niimi-"

"HEY! You two over there chatting! Get your numbers and get in the seats! This is audition only!" the green-haired woman fumed.

With no choice, Mimoko decided to register for the audition with Alma and sat down with her awaiting her turn. Some of the others turned and glared at Alma while others stared in awe at her.

"Next up, Alma Mata, number 24!"

With a smile, Alma rose and made her way to the stage.

"I'm Dr. Anouk Squidbeak, and yes, my head's shaped like a fucking squid. Now you're playing a Chupacabra. A Chupacabra delinquent," the green-haired woman scowled as she chucked a script before Alma.

"The most demanding. I'll be required to wear pounds of makeup," Alma smiled as she studied the script.

"Makeup's the realm of the woman, FX or not. Now from the top!"

Alma nodded and took a deep breath, before crouching down and letting loose a disturbing smile. "Oi, oi, ya don't really think you can shit with me, do ya? WELL DO YA!? I'm what they call lactosy, n' these cows are full of meat n' milk, my buffet style. N' you think I can't just kill ya n' take the cow? I never pay a cent, and I take what I want!"

"Good enough. Next!"

Alma bowed and left the stage as Mimoko was called up next.

"Hmm, you play the sage," Squidbeak scowled as she tossed a script before Mimoko.

Mimoko picked it up and read it, not really understanding things, but having no time to think as she was ordered to speak. "Uh, um... I come from the future..."

Squidbeak face palmed hard and quickly ushered Mimoko off the stage.

"Seems thou art unskilled in the realm of acting," Alma sighed.

"Well, I only auditioned because I was forced to," Mimoko nervously chuckled.

Though no decision came immediately, all participants were allowed to take the scripts home.

"Hmm? A Chupacabra play sponsored by Mizuse's company?" Daria asked.

"I don't know. Squidbeak-san left no room for question. She also didn't appear to be sporting and Mizuse Niimi brand apparel, despite her outfit being on the drippier side," Mimoko frowned as she prodded her dinner.

"I haven't gotten the chance to check in with Mizuse's disciples, which also means I'm no closer to finding a replacement to fill the vacant SPCM spot in Okinawa, but they did mention they'd have a modeling event... Then again, maybe it's fashion and theater rolled into one. That Alma girl was there, yeah? She's a pretty famous actress on top of being a good chess player."

"I imagine she'll play in All-Japans."

"She's still registered to Uzbekistan's chess federation, but you don't need to live in the same country as said federation. Besides, rules allow her to compete regardless so there's no issue. I doubt she'd be much trouble for you. Unless I'm given the go-ahead, Okisato, Noa, Hagemi, Iori, and Rize are probably the only ones that could give you a run for your money, and of those 5, you've already beaten 4 of them."

"It is an open event, so you never know if there'll be a wildcard."

"That's true, I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

...

Back in the present, Mimoko stared in confusion as Iori and a male student stared at her. "Why're you two staring at me so intently?"

"Because we compared data and found a connection. Student A says he saw you two nights ago at the chess center all bald n' goth, the same way you looked when you saved my ass last night," Iori stated.

"Again, I don't know what you're talking about."

"But it says you played me, I think," Student A frowned as he pulled up his WWCF card.

Everyone stared at the match data, scrolling down to the specified date and time of the incident. There, with a supposed rating of 3700 was "Mimoko Tanabe".

"What... What the actual fuck?" Iori trembled.