Epilogue

The next day, Mimoko woke up early as her mother pounced on her bed. “Ugh, Okaa-chan, stop…”

“Up n’ at em, girl! I heard ya got interviews to do on the mornin’ news!” Daria smiled as she rummaged through Mimoko’s closet, looking for a nice outfit.

“So this was what Tanabe-kun warned about. Well, guess I’ll accept the challenge,” Mimoko shrugged as she got out of bed.

As she headed downstairs, she noticed Utami waiting patiently at the dining table. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Y- Yes. Breakfast with Mimoko-sama... Breakfast with Mimoko-sama.

Following the bughouse game, Utami had been staying with Mimoko as she was too scared to return home following the incident. Mimoko’s family graciously accepted her, treating her like a second daughter. Mimoko also enjoyed her company as now she had someone to play chess with.

"Mimoko-sama, shall I accompany you to your interviews?" Utami asked.

"Don't you have school though?" Daria frowned as she descended the stairs carrying a nice dress.

"It matters not!"

"Sorry girl, but ya gotta get to school. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Mimoko doesn’t get pounced by fans. Now who’s ready for breakfast?”

…

Following breakfast, Utami exited the house and turned right towards a flight of stairs. Climbing to the top greeted her with a nice look at the Arakawa river below and Tokyo off in the distance. 

"As expected of Mimoko-sama to live not only a short distance away from the school, but also where she can get in a good view at any time," Utami thought as she began walking along the walking path. 

As she neared the school, she found her path blocked by a young man that looked identical to her brother, Nagi, aside from the scar on his face. Utami's heart began thumping uncontrollably as her entire body began to tremble in fear.

"Well hello, Utami. I hear Nagi and Mami kicked the bucket because of you. Naughty. Now I have so much more work to do as student council president, not to mention the emotional toll this has taken on me," the young man sneered.

"Ka- Ka- Kazuya-nii..."

"Utami, I heard you betrayed the shogi club in order to form a chess club. While I'm no fan of shogi, I do respect our school's pride and joy, yet now you've destroyed it, all to replace it with a chess club."

Utami trembled in fear, however, that line had angered her enough to speak out. "N- NOT TRUE! I've b- been in hell because you always let Shion beat me up! My freedom was on the line and I won it, thanks to Mimoko-sama!"

"Well, you certainly gained a nasty mouth. Good thing I made a worthwhile investment with Gyro," Kazuya sneered as he pulled a DESPER out of his pocket.

"W- When-"

"A few weeks ago. And wouldn't you know it, I discovered a new talent.”

Kazuya then flashed his WWCF card before Utami, allowing her to see his rating of 1599. It was an intermediate-level rating, but nonetheless, it was still much higher than Utami's rating of 1001. Fearing she was about to be dragged into a DESPER battle, Utami went on guard, yet to her shock, she suddenly felt someone grab her from behind and shove a cloth into her face.

"Sorry, trash like you isn't worth wasting this on. But don't worry, I'll make sure you die, at the hands of your beloved "Mimoko-sama"," Kazuya sneered as Utami lost consciousness. 

[Volume 1 End]