Riding into round 2

The next day, Mimoko, Okisato, Yuusuke, Iori, and Utami all met up at school during lunch. Even though a major tournament was ongoing, since it took place in the evening, students participating in it were required to attend school, but only if their school wasn't too far from the venue.

"Ugh, it sucks that we have school on top of this," Iori groaned.

"That's just the life, though you and I will hopefully be graduating in Spring," Mimoko smiled.

"'Hopefully'?"

"Your grades are on the bubble are they not?"

"Ugh, it's stupid shit. Don't even get why I need to do any of this when I already have a job."

"That vulgar display of filth most certainly isn't a job!" Mei snarled as she marched by alongside Shirako.

"Oh yay, I'm about to be dragged away by 1984 and fat brows."

"Keep up the attitude, and yes, we'll make those dystopian nightmares of your true. Mei, you also need to learn not to provoke a fight," Shirako scowled.

"Yes ma'am..."

"Authority's bitch," Iori snickered.

"Ishikiridokoro, I warned you first, did I not? Forget it. Bickering is what you desire, and I do not wish to humor you."

"Ah, I was hoping we could have a high-stakes chess match with hair on the line."

"A day I hope never comes, but should we ever find ourselves at such a scenario, I'll humor you."

"Wait, really?"

"Yes, but lose, and you'll be shaving your head and entering nunnery. Permanent nunnery for the rest of your life, which includes a behavioral readjustment program."

"Wanna hear me chant sutras THAT badly?"

"No, I wish for you to finally be disciplined. With my allowance, I can easily bring such a reality without your consent, but I am a principled and democratic woman. Thus, if you are willing to wager your future over a game of chess, I shall without mercy pounce upon thee."

"Sure you wanna go that far? I could have you become my bitch for life."

"In that case, we'll just keep it to just loser having her head shaved as I'm not going to endanger my future just to try and teach you a lesson."

"You sure folded quick. Eyebrows go too."

Visible discomfort spread across Shirako's face. Her thick eyebrows were her pride and biggest charm point, aside from her beauty and big breasts of course. The threat of having her pride sheared off along with her hair was enough to make her tremble with terror, amusing Iori greatly.

"Ah, guess money won't be able to buy you some new eyebrows, though I guess you could just slap some bills on your forehead."

"It's all a hypothetical of if we ever fight each other, which I have no intention of doing willingly. Now if you'll excuse me, Mei and I must leave."

And with that, the two stormed away.

"You really do like causing trouble, don't you," Mimoko grumbled.

"Hey, she'd probably look cuter without those massive silver caterpillars on her face," Iori scoffed.

"Though her words made it sound like she is taking up chess, or at least believes she will face you soon in a game of chess," Okisato mumbled.

"Think she's competing in All-Japan?"

"It's possible. You don't have to be a WWCF member to participate as this tournament's open to all Japanese citizens. It's possible she could be like Rize, but I just think she's more a dabbler than a serious prodigy."

The sound of Mimoko's phone vibrating disrupted the conversation as all eyes turned to her as she checked her messages.

"Who would message you at this hour?" Utami asked as she anxiously peered over Mimoko's shoulder.

"Ojou Sama," Mimoko growled.

"'Ojou-sama'?"

"A weirdo I played in the first round. She wanted to meet with me later to fulfill her "punishment" for losing, and despite me trying to back out of it, it seems she got my number."

"What a vile stalker."

Everyone gave her an unamused glare.

"Why are you all scorning me?"

"Um, you're a stalker?" Iori scoffed.

"It's a part of my past. Now I am Mimoko-sama's guard and shield."

Okisato then noticed Yuusuke was awfully quiet, and slowly eating his lunch with a scowl on his face. Yet what struck Okisato odd was the fact that Yuusuke's scowl didn't seem to be centered on him.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

But Yuusuke didn't bother replying and got up and headed off.

"Shouben-kun's done? Didn't even notice he was here with how quiet he was. Think he got erased from existence again?" Iori smugly shrugged.

"Iori-chan, that's not funny. That incident really made us forget poor Yuusuke-kun. I know you're an edgelord, but that was a bit far in regards to a friend," Mimoko glared.

"Ugh, sorry," Iori pouted as she drooped her face down on the table.

"Shall I ordain her as a monk?" Utami glared.

"No, let's just all try and eat our lunch and get along. There is still a round to play after school."

...

Once school was out, everyone headed to the train station to hitch a ride down to the venue.

"Really are a bunch of our guys in the car, and not all are from the chess club. Guess maybe everyone's coming down to try it out," Iori shrugged.

"It was like this yesterday too, but I don't think they're all registered to play. Some might just be heading to Ryokoma because it's Ryokoma. That reminds me, who is everyone playing today?" Mimoko asked.

"Some nobody," Iori scoffed.

"Matsuba Yuhi, if I'm not mistaken," Okisato stated.

"Heretics standing before my path to playing you, Mimoko-sama," Utami declared.

"I'm up against Miga. I've heard she's 2700-level, but prefers more to arbit than play. What about you, Yuusuke-kun?" Mimoko asked.

"Huh? Oh, no clue. Name's Rousa. Doesn't ring a bell," Yuusuke mumbled.

Mimoko frowned and pulled up her WWCF card, seeking to find information on this mysterious Rousa. "Looks like she's not a WWCF member and has no rating. She lost her first match rather quickly, suggesting she might be a beginner, but there's too little data to truly make that hypothesis."

"A rookie... ..."

Mimoko worriedly stared at Yuusuke as he turned his head away from everyone. "Yuusuke-kun, don't fall into despair. I want you to prove Shousen-chan wrong, prove everyone wrong, but if you go into it in a terrible state of thought, you'll have a really bad time," she thought.