Upset

Rodeo stood nervously next to Tenju behind the counter of the secret puzzle cafe.

"What? I'm an SPCM too, so don't give me weird looks," Tenju snarled.

"Don't worry Himitsubo, she's just getting reacquainted with things," Daria smiled.

Rodeo nodded as Tenju pulled up her WWCF card and shook her head. While the AI copy of her had been doing a good job of taking care of challengers, she was more concerned about what she'd do now that she'd be returning to her SPCM duties.

Daria quickly sensed her angst and quickly informed her that she'd be able to play at her new rating level following the tournament, and would be allowed to increase it should she participate in future tournaments as well.

That reassured Tenju, however a new problem arose when Iori strolled in. "Oh hey, the lolli's back."

Tenju prepared to snap before Daria herself handled things. "Iori, don't bother her now. Ignore my warning and you'll be forced to babysit Yumi and Cinnamon via doubles match, under the watchful eye of the president of course."

Iori's knees turned to jelly as she crumpled to the floor. "I barely drew against Derpy... I don't wanna play the baby," she trembled. 

"Those two really live rent free in your head. Serves ya right," Yuusuke snickered as Raymond entered. 

"Is there any issue?"

Iori nervously smiled and shook her head, "No", before crawling over to the couch.

"Your performance rating is impressive. In fact, the chances are high you'll make the team considering your only loss was to Maestro Himitsu," Raymond stated as he approached Tenju.

"I was only doing this for Taira," Tenju grumbled.

"In that case, I'll give you some news you might find comforting. Maestro Himitsu has bested Michiko at WWCF HQ, forcing her DESPER to be sealed, and resulting in her SPCM title being stripped and a life sentence being handed proper to her."

"Michiko wasn't the scum that faced Taira though."

"But she was one of the instigators of it." 

"How? Her rating's way lower than Taira's, yet Taira was the one forced into the match with me as a wagering chip. There's no way Michiko would have the authority to do that." 

Daria began to scowl. 

Mimoko then entered with her head held low. 

"So how'd it go?" Okisato asked.

"Well, I won," Mimoko nervously stated.

"Oh, perfect just like me," Daria smiled.

"If it wasn't for Derpy I'd have gotten perfect, maybe 5 and a half at worst, specially if I got paired against Kuon at full strength. Wouldn't have had to settle for a draw to recharge. But hey, didn't lose," Iori shrugged.

"This means I've beaten you then. The only blemishes to a perfect finish was my draw to the foul Kuon," Utami huffed. 

"WAIT, WHAT!? FUCK! My tiebreaks-" 

"You shouldn't have to worry as my 5th round victory was against your very bane. That should help with your performance rating and in tiebreaks," Daria smiled as she fanned herself. 

Iori melted to the floor in relief as Utami glared down at her. "Then this means the team will likely include me, Mimoko-sama, her mother, and Iori, assuming there's no one else tied on 5." 

"Most likely. The question now is who the 5th member will be," Okisato mumbled. 

"Carol-chan?" Iori suggested. 

"Nah, I lost two. Doubt I'm getting in, but it should raise my rating up," Carol shrugged. 

"The president just said Himitsutan's got good chances, though Kuon Nanya probably has the best chance of making the team after Inoue-senpai and the maestro," Okisato scowled. 

"O- Oki-kun, don't get me nervous after I just calmed down," Iori trembled. 

Mimoko nervously smiled and nodded as Okisato took note. He had sensed her demeanor seemed a little off, almost as if she felt guilty about something, the moment everyone entered. Yet before he could ask, the answer appeared before him as the members of the women's national team were announced.

Daria was naturally a member, being dubbed as "Japan's biggest chess secret." Next, was Mimoko, to no one's surprise. Then came the third and fourth spots which went to Tenju and Iori, much to the latter's relief. But it was the fifth and final spot that truly sent the most shock waves. 

The final member of the team was Utami who despite her loss to Kuon, had managed to finish the tournament with a 5/6 score and a performance rating of over 2808. It was in that moment that everyone heard a glass shattering and turned to see an enraged Kuon storming out. She had failed to make the team.

Mimoko watched Kuon leave and sighed. "It's my fault. I completely took everything from her."

"Don't blame yourself. The federation's the one that decided to hold the qualification tournament," Daria stated.

"No, it's not just that. In the final round, her opponent was me. I'm the reason she didn't make the team."