Checking in at Ryokoma

At Ryokoma, Yuni, Serika, Madoka, and Emeri all watched footage of the World Chess League on a big-screen TV.

"Order's here!" Rika smiled as she arrived with the food.

"Looks like Momma's team is losing. Auntie's isn't doing great either," Madoka noted as she snarfed on a crepe.

"It's only the first day, but I guess it's better to lead early on, or at least remain in pole position. Remember, the format doesn't guarantee 1st place will win it," Yuni stated.

"Never liked shit like that. But I guess in a sense it's replicating the format of major sports tournaments like the World Cup, World Series, but in all those, every team competing isn't grouped into 1 bracket," Serika grumbled.

"Yes, it would have been more exciting if there were more teams and more brackets, then the play-off format would feel natural instead of awkward," Emeri nodded.

"Ah! My crepes are gone! Another order, please!" Madoka cried.

"Masaru! More crepes!" Rika hollered.

Masaru glanced out of the window to the kitchen and nodded.

"They'll be out soon," Rika smiled.

Madoka smiled and threw her hands up. "More crepes! More crepes! Yay!"