Maestro Himitsu

As the DESPER deactivated, Raymond wasted no time in rushing Michiko and slamming her to the ground with his cane, and grabbing one of her hands. "You lost. And not only that, you broke a cardinal sin. An eternal damnation of hell is all that awaits you now. And to start, I'll be dismantling you, one unnecessary component at time. For now..."

Rip!

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"We'll start with a fingernail."

Raymond then warped away with Michiko as Okisato approached Mimoko. "Don't feel bad for her, she deserves it." 

Mimoko was at a loss for words. On one hand, she realized Michiko was truly terrified and would probably suffer greatly. But on the other hand, she had completely upended her life and hurt many others as well.

"Fear not. This is for the best," Himitsudono nodded.

"Himitsudono..."

Okisato decided to change topics to try and liven up Mimoko's spirits. "So you enjoy my Bongcloud-"

SLAP!

Clearly, Mimoko did not enjoy how Okisato had played.

"My apologies, but I must excuse myself in order to confirm the maestro's safety," Himutsudono bowed as he left.

"Well thanks for bailing on me. Now I'm gonna get slapped to death," Okisato grumbled.

...

Everyone looked up as Okisato emerged from the forest covered in slap marks. 

"Oi, what happened? You try somethin bad, man?" Yuusuke nervously asked.

Okisato sighed and explained what happened.

"No way! That woman was the mastermind!?" Yuzuha gasped.

"Then she toyed with Mimoko-sama in the worst way imaginable. She deserves her execution," Utami glared.

"Oi, Utami, that's kind of far. I know she was bad, but that doesn't mean they need to kill her," Yuusuke nervously stated.

"Well, no need to fear, mighty hero of justice. She's not going to die. instead..."

As Okisato explained what he believed Raymond would do to Michiko, everyone went pale. Even Iori seemed a bit rattled.

"Heh, that president guy's really puttin' his foot down as the number one guy you don't fuck with," Iori nervously smiled.

"Anyway, let's see if everything's truly resolved now," Okisato nodded as he headed off.

"OI! You can't just drop some grotesque horror on us then change topics like that!" Yuusuke cried.

...

Mimoko stared at the spot where Kotora had died. She thought she had gotten past the grieving period, but the revelation about Michiko only threw her into a deeper hole. Never had she ever been this distraught. Worst of all, it didn't seem like any of her friends could help her.

"Grandmaster Inoue, I've been searching for you," Himitsudono stated as he approached Mimoko.

"...Oh, it's just you..."

"The site of your brother's murder, yes? My deepest condolences."

"It was my fault... I blew it. I played too well. I forgot about the conditions."

"I take it you will blame yourself even if I tell you that you were not at fault. Though I feel my message will improve your state of mind. I have confirmed the maestro's safety. My gratitude to you and your friends is immeasurable. Second, your mother has awoken."

...

Mimoko huffed and puffed as she ran towards Daria's room.

"Hey Mimoko. Why ya huffin-"

"OKAA-CHAN! OKAA-CHAN!" Mimoko cried as she dove into Daria.

"Why ya cryin' up a storm? I just blacked out for a bit."

Mimoko was too busy crying to offer a retort. She cried and cried until she fell asleep in exhaustion. When she awoke, Daria was gone.

"They discharged her," Himitsudono stated. 

"While I was asleep? D- Does she know about-"

"Your brother? Yes... she's been informed of the matter." 

"I see..."

                                                                                                                                                                                  "No, you can take me back to Triple Cedar." 

...

Everyone looked up as Himitsudono and Mimoko returned to the secret puzzle cafe in Triple Cedar. 

"Inoue-senpai, are you holding up?" Okisato asked. 

"Only slightly better than before. My mother has reawoken, but Kotora is dead and never coming back. I can't stop blaming myself."

"I reiterate my deepest apologies that your family was dragged into our problems. The maestro also extends her deepest condolences," Himitsudono bowed. 

"Well that's some PR bullshit. Your lousy ass maestro got herself ID thefted, and as a result, Mimo-chan's mom got fucked up and her brother died because he was trapped in that damn pawn!" Iori glared.

"Iori-chan, thanks, but it's my fault. Rather than confronting the enemy directly, I allowed myself to indulge in the delusion of tranquility," Mimoko sighed.

"It's not your fault. Michiko is the one that targeted your mother," Okisato argued.

"But she did it to hurt me. She took advantage of me and swept my family into this. And for what? Some petty grudge!?" 

Okisato began to scowl as he began to piece a theory together, however, his thoughts were cut short by Himitsudono speaking up. "Ah, since the maestro has been freed from the clutches of Michiko, she's available to challenge. Both Grandmaster Tanabe and Grandmaster Inoue have bested all the SPCMs here in Japan, therefore, all you need are the proper number of points... Which I shall gladly grant just this one time. To be more specific, it is the number of points needed to challenge the maestro, but you shall only get them should you agree to challenge the maestro now. Should you decline, I will hold the offer for another time, though note that this offer is only available for the maestro of Japan."

"I'm in. How about you, Inoue-senpai?"

"Right now, a challenging game of chess is what I need to heal my soul. I will partake as well."

"Very well, I have confirmed the point transaction. Now, Grandmaster Inoue, you will be going first, so please take a seat at the table. The maestro's only stipulation is that you must play as black, otherwise the match will be a standard classical match. As for the others, regrettably I must ask you all to leave. Only those that have challenged or are challenging the maestro may remain."

"Huh!? Why!?" Iori cried.

"That is just our policy at this time. Though the challengers will be free to discuss the maestro and their match once they leave. The maestro will not appear if any who are not allowed to be here are present."

"Lame. When I get the points, your ass is the first I'm kicking," Iori snarled as she and the others left.

Mimoko then sat down at the board as instructed while Okisato lounged on one of the couches. Himitsudono then pulled out his phone and nodded before putting it away.

Five minutes went by, and the maestro still had yet to arrive. "My apologies, the maestro is running a bit late," Himitsudono bowed.

Suddenly someone entered. "Mimoko! I've been looking for you!" It was Mimoko's mother, Daria.

"OKAA-CHAN!? You can't be here!"

"AHEM! Ma'am, I apologize, but this location is only for those with an official rating with the World Wide Chess Federation. Do you have a rating?" Himitsudono glared.

"No, but I'm her mother and when I asked her friends where she went, they pointed me here. Besides, I've been here before," Daria huffed as she stormed over to the table. 

As he took notice of Daria's puffy red eyes as she passed by, Okisato began to scowl. "So my theory was true. Himitsudono, this is a rather cruel stunt you're about to pull," he thought as Daria sat down across from Mimoko. 

"Okaa-chan, why are you here?"

"I... I wanted to have a talk with you..."

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"I'm busy..."

"Waiting for someone? Then how about we talk while we play." 

"No, I'm not in the mood to correct all the mistakes you'll make."

"But you always said ya wanted to play with me. Come on, I know that the cannon guys can only blast forwards."

"They're called rooks. ROOKS! And they can go forwards, backwards, or sideways in any direction."

Daria meekly smiled "So can the rook flip over the pawns?"

"Ugh, NO Okaa-chan, they cannot!"

Daria slowly nodded before suddenly as scowl overtook her face as she moved her knight to c3 and slammed down her button on the chess clock at rapid speed. 

"H- Huh?"

"Why are you just sitting there, girl?" Daria snarled as her tone completely changed.

"O- Okaa-chan, what-"

"Ah, my apologies, but allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Maestro Himitsu of Japan," Daria stated as a black WWCF card with a rating of 3200 appeared before her. "Now, make your move, I'll be disappointed if you simply lose on time," she glared as she whipped out a paper fan and covered her lower face with it.