Yuusuke's lineage

Hagemi scowled and leaned back in her seat. "You remember what I told you about how I first got into chess? Well after being taken in to the WWCF, I eventually met that bunnysuit guy while roaming around."

"He's a WWCF official?" Okisato asked.

"Pseudo-official is the best way to describe it. He's part of a radical league that believes those that continue to embarrass themselves in chess need to be culled. Ah, guess that sounds too vague. Specifically, they go after those with some kind of prestige, whom they deemed to have disgraced said prestige."

"So is the reason Shousen-san-"

"Just call him "Yuusuke". It feels weird hearing you keep saying my last name."

"He'd never give me permission-"

"I don't give a shit."

"Then is the reason Yuusuke got invited because he's your son?"

"I'd say it's the root, but I know the real reason is because of his birthday. See, he shares it with Wilhelm Steinitz, the first World Chess Champion. Because he was born on that day, proclomations went out that he would be the next big prodigy, especially given his lineage, but he never impressed. At least then, he was just average, not a disgrace, but not a prodigy either, but after he became vice-president of the chess club, he broke. He just kept losing, only managing to increase his elo by playing in the less competetive sections. And now, with his lousy performance just now, Bon probably had enough, and decided to initiate the jobber tournament."

"'Bon'?"

"The guy in the bunnysuit. Bon Cöhl is his name. He's a crossdresser, but still identifies as male. ..."

"What's your history with him?"

Hagemi let out a heavy sigh and pinched her face.

"He's Yuusuke's father, right?"

Hagemi grimaced as she let out another heavy sigh. "Can you stop wringing me against the washboard? Yes, we were once in a relationship, the worst decision I ever made. He's a damn fanatic that believes in the supremacy of chess lineage. And because Yuusuke's a failure, he wants to eliminate him to erase the shame from ever fathering him into existence. Not like he has any right since he just up and left when Yuusuke failed to show any potential as a toddler."

"I- Is that true?" a voice trembled.

Hagemi spun around, eyes bulging, to be greeted by a shaken Mimoko.

"Inoue-senpai? When did you get here?" Okisato calmly asked.

"I just kind of warped in, then heard you two speaking, so I kind of... eavesdropped..."

"Fuck... I didn't want you to know... And I can't beat you to make you be quiet... Fuck," Hagemi groaned as she began to sob.

"I didn't mean it! But when I heard the revelation... I'm sorry, I was too shocked..."

Okisato let out a sigh as he stood up. "Anything else you can tell me about the league Cöhl's with?"

Hagemi shook her head.

"Anything about the jobber tournament?"

"If the format's the same, 8 players will be given a summons. They'll then compete in single-elimination brackets until only one player remains. However, it's the losers who advance to the finals, with the winners being given reprieve. Thus, whoever loses the most is executed."

Mimoko clasped her hands over her mouth in horror. "Th- That's horrible."

"And it's more horrible for me now that you know. You're going to tell Yuusuke, right?"

"Why don't you want him to know?"

"Because he's too damn weak and stupid to handle it!" Hagemi fumed as she slammed the table with her fist. "Bon is a dangerous man. He's a grandmaster and extremely calculating. Don't take him lightly," she warned before storming away.

"Tanabe-kun... I'm sorry. If I hadn't spoken up-"

"I got all the information I needed from her. Besides, I'm going to tell someone about all she told me anyway."

"You are?"

"Yes, someone who I think would be very intrigued to know about this supposed Jobberslayer League."

The two then headed to the main area of the secret puzzle cafe, and found themselves greeted there by Yuusuke, Iori, and Utami.

"D- Did you all eavesdrop too!?" Mimoko gasped as she cupped her hands over her mouth.

"Huh? What do you mean, 'eavesdrop'? We just came running in after being chased by some high freakos," Iori frowned in confusion.

"'High freakos'?"

"Yeah, sounded like stereotypical surfer bros, but were speaking crazy shit."

A sinking feeling overcame Mimoko as images of the two men on the boat came to mind.

"You know who they are?" Okisato asked.

"Nope, but when I tried to say we were all gonna have sex, they came chasing hoping to join. They're bad news, Oki-kun. I don't think I could take them."

Okisato's gaze narrowed. For Iori to say something like that meant there really was something to be concerned about.

"They seemed to be stopped by the cafe's security mechanism, but even if they get past it, they can't do a thing to us here," Utami scowled.

"I'm more curious as to why Iori-chan feels they're so dangerous," Okisato scowled.

"You know, it's odd. Like, I feel they're just pervs, but there's some nasty aura emanating from them," Iori frowned.

"You can sense auras now?" Utami scoffed.

"Thanks to ninja training."

"Ah, you concerned about the guys out front?" Carol asked as she leaned across the counter.

"You know who they are?"

"Nope, but the prez showed up and took em away, so problem solved."

"I guess we're free to leave, still might wanna stick it out a bit. Oh, and gotta do the puzzles... Puzzles," Yuusuke mumbled as he began to trudge to the back.

"Yuusuke-kun, do you want to know- Mmph!?" Mimoko cried as Okisato suddenly clamped his hand over her mouth.

"TANABE! REMOVE YOUR HAND FROM MIMOKO-SAMA'S MOUTH!" Utami roared.

"It was for her own good," Okisato sighed as he released Mimoko. "Don't tell him. In his current state, he wouldn't handle it well, possibly to the point where he fails in the tournament," he whispered as he approached Yuusuke.

"Inoue was trying to talk to me. Why'd you butt in?" Yuusuke glared.

"Because she was going to offer to train you, but if she did that, you'd feel more pathetic than you already are."

"Huh!? The hell would Inoue offering to help make me depressed!? I... I... Ngh, gh!" Yuusuke trembled before running off in tears.

Iori let out a whistle. "Damn, you body slammed him while he was down."

"Iori-chan, now is not the time-"

"Inoue-senpai, want to see how I just beat Shousen-san?" Okisato blankly stared.

"You beat her?"

"Yes, so gather round and lets review."

Utami's gaze narrowed as she sat down at a table with the others. "Tanabe and Mimoko-sama know something about Shouben's situation. I don't want to trouble Mimoko-sama, so when I get the chance, I'll pry it out of Tanabe," she thought.