Thirsty for soda

With the marquee match finished, Daria let out a heavy sigh as she took a sip of water. "Just like before, all the moves that showed up in Mimoko Tanabe's log were the same as the ones that played out here. That commenter that guessed the correct move should be looked into as just maybe, there's a connection," she thought.

Ilmi, meanwhile began scouring the standings. "Tanabe won, huh? And also in the lead is Broadstone... I've heard those two names before. Think it was back when I was a kid and I went on that field trip to Stanford," she thought as she began to reminisce. 

...

Going back in time to April 21st, 2015, A young Ilmi and her grade school class followed the teacher through the lab at Stanford, eventually arriving at a research area where Kana and the sinful 6 were performing DESPER experiments.

"So, you think you've improved then, miss Agatha?" Kana asked.

"I've risen my rating to 366 this month alone," Agatha proudly huffed.

"Then I'll go a bit easy to test that. Say loser has to give up 2 dollars in cash from their wallet, inserting it into a vending machine full of cola that will come into existence following the match. Oh, and it will be a vending machine filled with cola that only costs a dollar."

Ilmi and the others watched as Kana and Agatha sat down and activated the DESPER prototype. The match began soon after with Kana moving her pawn to e4 and Agatha moving her pawn to c5.

"Oh, Sicilian. That's pretty common, but have you truly learned your lesson?" Kana giggled as she moved her knight to c3.

"With that trick? No way I'll fall for it again," Agatha scoffed as she moved her knight to f6.

"Let's see then," Kana chuckled as she moved her knight to b5.

Agatha responded with a confident smirk as she moved her knight to c6, however, when Kana moved her queen to e2, she foolishly decided to capture the pawn at e4 with her knight, allowing Kana to capture said knight with her queen.

"Hah! Now you're gonna lose your rook!" Agatha laughed as she moved her knight to b4.

"Nope, you get smothered again. Checkmate," Kana smiled as she moved her knight to d6, winning the game.

Agatha sunk to despair as two dollar bills floated out of her purse and into a vending machine that materialized.

"Well, at least the research is rewarding," Kana smiled as she handed Agatha one of the soda bottles that was dispensed.

...

Back in the present, Ilmi began mumbling to herself. "Soda... Yeah, I haven't had fucking soda in so long... We done with the broadcast?"

"There's still games, but if you want a break, we can take one," Saloni smiled.

"Wait, we can? I'm gonna get some fucking soda then!"

...

Chugging down a bottle of soda, Ilmi blissfully exhaled. "Shit hits the spot. Wonder why I thought about the field trip now. Oh yeah, Tanabe and Broadstone. Whatever, I wanted soda," she shrugged as she helped herself to a few more bottles before heading back to the commentating booth.

"Someone clearly likes soda," Daria smirked as Ilmi waddled back in.

"It's so I don't need to make any more trips... And, you want?"

"You got some for us? Don't mind if I do then."

"I'm fine, but thanks for the offer," Saloni smiled.

"Hmm, you ever had dinner here, Ilmi?"

Ilmi shook her head.

"Then once this is over, I'll treat you and the other day's commentators to anything under 50,000 yen at the restaurant."

"Food... Yeah, I'll take that," Ilmi mumbled as her cheeks went red.

The full game:

White: Kana Tanabe (2430) Black: Agatha Broadstone (366)

1. e4 c5

2. Nc3 Nf6

3. Nb5 Nc6

4. Qe2 Nxe4

5. Qxe4 Nb4

6. Nd6#