Triple cedar hotel

Okisato scowled as Peter finished his story. "I'm surprised the WWCF is even allowing them to get away with that stuff."

"As was I, but it seems that this is actually the first they've heard of it, likely because that woman's kung-fu chess boxing is resulting in all challengers losing their lives, so I believe."

"Well, hopefully she gets properly reprimanded. It would be one thing if she was just a common thug running a kung-fu chess boxing ring, but a maestro? Not so much."

"When you next have a free week, I'd advise you to head to China and put those fools in their place."

"Or you could rematch them in my presence."

"The disciple must bear some of the suffering the master endured."

Just then, Mimoko entered the car to check up on Okisato.

"Am I forgiven?" Okisato asked.

"No, I simply came here to advise you to keep your distance from everyone as they're quite upset over what you did to Utami-chan."

"Pardon my asking, but are you referring to his match against Kazuya?" Peter asked.

"Oh! Peter-kun! My apologies for not noticing you. No, we're upset because he was training Utami-chan from dusk to dawn without rest."

"From dusk to dawn, eh? So you're training someone?"

"Yes. Though she's still got ways to go until I'm satisfied."

"Perhaps Peter-kun should train her instead. Ah, my apologies, Peter-kun."

"No worries.

"Inoue-senpai, did you see the match data from when Utami-chan first challenged me?" Okisato asked.

"N- No."

"Then see it for yourself. I also recorded all the analysis of the attempts it took for her to finally win from the position she was in on her 10th move. I'll send it to you now since it's a good time."

Mimoko's eyes widened as she analyzed the data. "She blundered that badly- WAIT! There are so many attempts! Why didn't you just teach her the way to get out of that scenario instead of tormenting her!?"

"Because that's how I was taught."

"’How you were taught’?"

"Yes. I found I had a natural talent for chess ever since my mother introduced me to the game. Then once I became known, I eventually found myself against an eccentric madman. He mercilessly destroyed me, yet instead of just leaving things there, he decided I had potential and began training me up to become a worthy rival."

"So is that where you got your-"

"-Reckless playstyle? Some of it. The other half was all me, which is why he took an interest in me in the first place."

"Why?"

"Likely to liven things up. At the top levels, chess essentially becomes a standard code which usually results in either a draw, or one side having a slight advantage at the end and winning. Think of it like two supercomputers playing each other. Naturally, when you crack the code there, you seek more variety to make things more interesting. Odds matches and deliberately making bad moves are some ways a player themself can make things interesting. However, it was through that that my teacher discovered something; the best human chess players can't just be geniuses, they must be insane geniuses. That is why he trained me, so that I could one day become a worthy rival."

"And who is this teacher?"

"You'll find out when you do," Okisato chuckled as a slight grin formed on Peter's face.

"Well, then I hope you do achieve that. Though in the meantime, please do reflect on your actions. Chess is meant to be fun above all else."

...

A few hours later, everyone arrived at Triple cedar hotel. Triple cedar hotel was a famous resort located in the Tochigi prefecture in the city of Nikko. It laid near Lake Chuzenji and offers a stunning view and features many amenities such as a world renowned golf course and extravagant ballrooms making it a popular destination for sporting events.

"YO! This place gets mad reviews! And we get to stay here!?" Iori grinned as she took various pictures.

"Registration was completed ahead of time so you may all enjoy the hotel at your leisure until the first round," Maida stated.

"Uh, can we change sections?" Rodeo asked.

"I believe you can, but you would need to go to the registration table."

Rodeo nodded and headed off as everyone began taking in the sights of the hotel.

"Yo Oki-kun, there one of those secret places here?" Iori grinned.

"Yeah-"

"Allow ME to guide you since I'M the vice-president," Yuusuke snickered.

"Yeah, shut up Shouben-kun, you're lame."

"T- THE HELL!?"

"Iori-chan, that was a little mean to just call Shousen-kun-"

"Yeah, Shouben-san is lame. This way, Iori-chan. I think this secret puzzle cafe should be open during the day since there's a tournament here," Okisato nodded as Yuusuke began to turn to stone.

"Um, is Shousen-kun OK?" Yuzuha nervously asked.

"Tanabe-kun... You truly are making it difficult for me not to get mad at you," Mimoko growled as she followed Iori and Okisato.

"And am I to be a mere packmule!?" Numakawa groaned as he struggled to carry a still fast asleep Utami.

...

"Here's the place," Okisato declared as the group entered the hotel's salon and spa.

The salon was mostly empty save for a few staff members and customers. One of the employees, a young woman with short blue hair, noticed the group and approached them. "Welcome to Triple cedar's world renowned spa and salon. My name is Michiko, do you have an appointment?"

"No, but I'd like a pin and a skewer."

"Um, what do you mean by an absolute pin?"

"The king would be in check if the pinned piece moved, thus the piece is absolutely pinned."

Michiko stared in shock for a few seconds before smiling. "Right this way."

She then led the group to the back where she pulled back one of the shampoo bottles on the shelf. Immediately, a secret door opened up and everyone entered to find a room that looked nearly identical to the secret puzzle cafe at Lagoon Pathways.

"Welcome to Triple cedar's secret puzzle cafe. I am Himitsuchan, the manager of this cafe. Will you attempt the daily challenge?" Michiko asked.

"Yeah, and I'll be back later to challenge you," Okisato nodded.

"Ah yes, you blundered horribly the last time you faced me. Very well, the cafe has extended hours due to the tournament."

Everyone turned to see a young woman with short orange hair and a smug grin on her face.

"Ah, this is my subordinate here at the hotel. We call her Himi," Michiko stated.

"JUST Himi. Not Himitsu, or anything sneaky like that, ohohoho! Ah, can't come in here. Just came to ask if I should man the salon while you're here."

"Yes, yes. Himi, you're in charge of the salon. Unless of course the guests will be leaving as soon as they complete the puzzles."

"That's the intention since the round starts soon, but like I said, I'll be back," Okisato declared.

"Try not to take my challenge like a lab experiment again. Even though I won, I felt no satisfaction from beating you after you played that horrible opening."

"What did he play?" Mimoko asked.

"Oh, he stubbornly tried moving each pawn forward two spaces, until checks and checkmate prevented him from doing so."

"Tanabe-kun!"

"Tch, I've got enough to worry about with Peter being my first opponent."

As everyone began doing the puzzles, one of the customers that had been seated in the salon walked in. "My, it seems like we have an entire chess team here," she cooed.

Though it was hard to recognize her by her appearance due to her hair mask and facial mask, Okisato immediately recognized the woman by her voice.

"Himitsusama?"

"Pin pon. In the middle of a beautiful metamorphosis, but yes, it is me," the woman smiled.

"In that case, how about I complete that metamorphosis for you," a completely hairless woman chuckled as she clamped her hand down on Himitsusama's shoulder.

"Ah, this... is Ai... Ai Kamuro," Michiko groaned.

"And a fitting name for me in deed, for you see, I love bald. ALL BALD! Especially... bald women," Ai grinned as she violated Mimoko's personal space.

"Ai, you know how many complaints we have regarding your actions?"

Ai side-eyed Michiko and summoned her WWCF card. "Who's the executive, you or me?"

Okisato was completely taken aback by what he saw. Unlike normal and SPCM/DSPCM WWCF cards, Ai's was completely purple, but the color was not what had him so shaken. Rather it was Ai's rating of 2939.

"How is that possible? The highest rated player is 2882, and only the WWCF president was said to have a rating in the 2900s," Okisato scowled.

"Oh, did I show my true rating by mistake? I meant to show you just the 2448 rating I normally use," Ai mockingly scoffed as she waved her hand, turning her card to the normal turquoise color and her rating to 2448. "You see, while the maestros are the true highest-rated players in the world, there's also a tier below them made up of 16 elite players such as myself. We're what you call the WWCF executive board. All our ratings are between 2900 and 2998, and we wield more legislative power than maestros. Many don't even know of our existence!"

"And the president?"

"Not one of us. Though he does preside over us, without casting any deciding votes on things. Ah, but that's all I'll voluntarily leak for now. Now then, any further delay of the madam's beauty treatment and I'll be forced to shave her on the spot. Or maybe... one of you instead," Ai drooled as she stared at Iori's long multicolored hair.

"Ai! Finish up with her makeover!" Michiko barked.

"A shame you have more authority than me in the salon," Ai sighed as she headed out with Himitsusama close behind.

"Hmm, Himitsusama sounds so familiar... Could it really be her?" Mimoko thought.

A few moments later, Himitsusama returned. Now it was clear to see that she had long magenta and purple hair and was clad in a leather purple jacket, light purple dress, and white athletic sneakers.

As soon as Mimoko laid eyes on her, she let out a gasp. "Mi- Mizuse Niimi! It really is Mizuse-sama!"

Okisato stared in confusion as Himitsusama began to chuckle. "Why yes. Surprised that the world's largest female fashion icon is also an SPCM?"

"Oh right, you do fashion, though why's that such a big deal?" Okisato asked.

"'WHY'S THAT A BIG DEAL'!? Mizuse Niimi is a legend! Not only is she the best fashion designer out there, she's also a grandmaster and actress! To actually meet her in the flesh is an honor few have!" Mimoko cried.

"Yeah! Lemme take a- OH FUCK WE CAN'T TAKE SELFIES HERE!" Iori cried as she sunk to the floor in despair.

Okisato didn't seem to care about Iori's plight, and was deep in thought thinking of something else. "Could it be... Inoue-senpai, do you want fashion advice from her?"

His statement earned him two full slaps on the face from Mimoko.

"Well don't fret, for I am actually going to be here for the rest of the day, and even featured as a guest commentator for the tournament. But speaking of which, gather everyone round once they're done with the puzzles. I'm about to give you all a little gift," Mizuse smiled.

Once everyone finished up with the puzzles and gathered before Mizuse, she instructed them all to open their point menus. To everyone's shock, the option "Challenge SPCM Himitsusama" was now present.

"Wait, I thought we had to find your secret puzzle cafe to be able to challenge you," Yuusuke stuttered.

"Oh no, all that is needed is to encounter a SPCM or DSPCM within a secret puzzle cafe and properly identify them as such. It need not be their own. And just like with DSPCMs, should you face and beat one of us in a tournament setting, you reap the full rewards. Ah, but you don't get the ability to challenge us again if you lose or draw in that setting, assuming of course you haven't already unlocked the right to challenge us. Though sadly, I like most SPCMs am mostly retired. Well, farewell," Mizuse waved as she headed out.