Slop

"Hello, hello! Saloni Madhok here, and tonight, I'm joined by, or joining, Kisha Shinbum live in Tokyo," Saloni smiled as she sat down in a chair in Kisha's studio.

"Who's studio is this? Anyway, it feels good to be here on my own terms, and not having to deal with all those rowdy bastards, especially the ones that did and said messed up things on my show back in Budapest," Kisha growled.

"It was that bad?"

"Um, you not see how many times we had players from countries that hated each other nearly start throwing hands!? And then there was that Estonian bitch-"

"How about we focus on the topic at hand?"

"Oh, right. All-Japans are here, with yours truly playing. And of course I got paired against some shogi prodigy dabbling in chess, and ended up drawing."

"That doesn't sound too bad."

"The kid was unrated."

"And? Loses or draws to unrated players don't effect your rating."

"... Still, a draw to start out when it could have been a win, things will only get harder for me."

"Not if you lose, then you get easier opponents."

"Want me to focus on that dumb bet you made, cuz I'm in a really bad mood here."

"Sure, actually. Let's talk about Yuusuke Shousen to start this segment off. He's the son of grandmaster and top player, Hagemi Shousen, who's currently rocking a new more milfy hairstyle these days. Poor Yuusuke hasn't inherited her prowess though, despite him playing chess since he was a kid. Many don't think he can break the 2000 barrier, but I'm betting my hair and skin he'll do it."

"And if you're wrong, you get shaved bald and inked up completely in tattoos to look like a character from Demon Braver, the guy with all the eyes on his face and the pale cracky skin. Don't get me wrong, the design is amazing, and you'd win grand prize at a cosplay convention, but to be inked like that for the rest of your life? That's just crazy to bet it all on a chump like him."

"The kid needs some backing. He's got determination, but no one has faith in him. I feel if he knows he's got someone backing him so faithfully, it'll improve his psych."

"Or it could worsen it. I did some digging on him and found he's nothing but failure. Guy's average at best, maybe even sub-average on the overall scale."

"You could end up playing him."

"Not next round. I'm up against an idol!" Kisha exclaimed as her expression suddenly changed.

"Who?"

"Sec- Oh wait, pairings are public. It's Kizuna Mai!"

"Sorry, not familiar with her."

"Oi, you not watch my drama dives? She's a renegade idol that just can't help but do crazy shit. Name's Douga Kat."

"Douga Kat, huh?"

Kisha grinned as an image of a woman with her head in the toilet flashed on screen. "This girl is insane, but she always avoids me. Well now she has to face me, or forfeit the loss."

"She plays chess?"

"Apparently. Seems she registered under an alias, but I saw her and got the jump on her. She won't be able to avoid me now!"

"And you're boldly announcing this, why?"

"Cuz I'm not live. Psych!"

Saloni blinked before slowly getting up and pulling out her phone. Sure enough, Kisha wasn't live, though the cameras were clearly rolling. "Why are you having this be pre-recorded?" she scowled.

"Uh, to trap Douga. If she watches the stream, she might actually consider not showing."

"Your integrity's really gone down the drain. I really thought this would be live."

"I'll auto drop it when the next round starts."

"No, you don't understand, I wanted Yuusuke to hear my words of encouragement now. Seems I should have just gone on air myself."

"Hey, you signed the contract, but if you wanna leave, go ahead. Still don't get why you're so fixated on Hagemi's chump of a son-"

"STOP BEMOANING HIM! He's going to prove everyone wrong!"

Kisha shot Saloni an unamused scowl. "You in love with him or something? Well have fun bawling your eyes out when he fails again and disgraces Hagemi's legacy."