A day out in Budapest

The next morning, Daria and Mimoko had the first chance in a while to spend time as mother and daughter off the chessboard out and about in Budapest.

"Isn't this fun?" Daria smiled as she gazed down at the city from the balcony of a castle.

"It certainly has been a while since we've done something like this together, just wish I wasn't blue for it," Mimoko smiled back.

"Yeah, reminds me of the last time we all had a family outing. You, me, Ichimitsu... and Kotora..."

While Daria's smile remained, her eyes began to narrow in sadness as she rubbed her stomach. "Perhaps in a year or two, we can all have another family outing with our new family member."

Mimoko still could not come to terms with the fact that Daria was now pregnant once more. She always knew her mother had somewhat of a perverted personality, but she always assumed it was in jest most of the time. Yet just before departing for the Chess Olympics, Daria truly had Ichimitsu impregnate her in hopes of bearing another child. While Kotora's death was likely the cause of it, Mimoko had never once asked her mother directly about it, even though it weighed on her mind. With preparation for the Chess Olympics dominating Mimoko's life, talking to her mother about other topics had largely been set on the backburner, but now, Mimoko finally had a moment to ask about this question.

"Okaa-chan, why did you suddenly decide to have another kid? Was it because you were always planning on having more, or is it just because you're desperate to fill the void Kotora left behind?"

This time, Daria's smile vanished, but after taking a deep breath, she answered Mimoko truthfully and earnestly. "When I first awoke after the boy beat Michiko, I was informed of everything that had happened while I was out. Hearing that Kotora had died was too much though, and I descended into tears, barely managing to stop when I revealed myself as a maestro, but when you began to break down emotionally, I became frustrated. More than you, I wanted you to win, or at the very least fail to beat me while playing at your best. Not because I wanted you to surpass me, but because playing a good chess game was my coping mechanism to deal with Kotora's death. Yet when you began to cry, I took out my frustrations upon you unjustly. I've never been more thankful though that the boy stepped up and beat me in such unorthodox fashion. Not only did it open my eyes to a weakness I've long had as a player, but it allowed me an out to reconcile with you for unjustly taking out my frustrations on you. I really was looking forward to the day, ever since you were born, that I'd reveal I was a maestro and beat you silly, but thanks to Michiko, that all was ruined. I'm sorry, Mimoko. I know you might find it odd that I'm trying to give birth to more kids even though you're now an adult, but despite how I appear, I really can't stand the fact that our family was unjustly reduced by one, thus I feel the only way for me to move on is to have more kids, and this time raise them with them fully aware of who I am. I feel if I had just done that with Kotora, then maybe he wouldn't have met such a cruel fate, nor would you be cursed to bear such a heavy burden."

Tears began to pour out of Mimoko's eyes as she hugged Daria. "Okaa-chan, if that's how you've been feeling this whole time, then give me as many more younger siblings as you please. Sometimes your antics do annoy me, but at the end of the day, I've always loved the quirky family I've had."

Daria in turn hugged her back tightly, and allowed the tears she had been holding back for so long to flow once more. From a distance, the masked man watched the two, noting to himself that he should remain out of sight, though continue to keep an ever watchful eye to ensure none would disrupt Mimoko and Daria's moment together.

"Daria's finally laid her feelings bare before Mimoko. Now the two can truly understand one another and better move on in life from the scars Michiko dealt them. As for me, I'll keep watch as always, and be there in case you need me. That being said, I do hope you're both capable of standing on your own, for there may come a scenario where I'll be unable to properly help you, especially if my theory for the true purpose of the tournament's second rest day rings true," the masked man thought.

...

After letting their tears flow until they could smile once more, Mimoko and Daria continued their sightseeing tour. As they arrived at their next stop, they noticed a familiar face. There huddled up on bench and crying, was Carla Sanmarino.

Ever since Italy's round 2 loss to Japan and subsequent suspension of Isabella, things had been rough for the Italian team, mainly Carla who now had to step in for Isabella resulting in her often facing opponents well beyond her skill level, and losing badly to them, only contributing to the team's ires.

"Why? I only accepted this job because I thought it would be fun. I didn't know things would be so devastating," Carla trembled.

"Are you alright?" Mimoko asked as she walked up to Carla.

Upon noticing Mimoko, Carla let out a shriek and nearly toppled off the bench to the ground. "Y- You... What do you want?"

"I saw you crying and wanted to see if you're alright. You're Carla-chan, right?"

"Yeah... You want to commission something from me too?"

"'Commission'?"

"You don't know? I'm actually an Eighterr artist, mainly a low-grade actress. But I guess I'm still under contract for the Italian team, so commissions are closed until the tournament's over."

The revelation came as a surprise to both Mimoko and Daria, but nonetheless, Mimoko still desired to help Carla. "Are you having a hard time because you're getting overwhelmed in the tournament? If that's the case, I could give you a lesson."

"You're busy though. This is my own problem."

"Not at all. We've got plenty of time to do our itinerary. In fact, I actually wanted to do something by myself anyway. That OK with you, Mimoko?" Daria asked.

"Not at all. We already had a wonderful time already, so feel free to do some sightseeing on your own while I tutor Carla-chan," Mimoko smiled.

"I- I didn't ask-"

"Not out load, but deep down, you don't want to be a burden to your team."

"They're just my current client. Heck, I'm actually from San Marino, not even Italian, so no need to-"

"Don't worry, I'll train you proper. Now let's start with a practice match. Don't worry, I'll give you mating opportunities and explain certain moves as we go."

As Carla received the challenge request to a practice match on her WWCF card, she paused, but quickly found her hand moving on it's own to accept the request. Deep down, she really wanted to improve her game. Chess had always been a fascination for her, but her getting walloped in the tournament and bogging down her team had begun to tarnish her favorability towards it. Nonetheless, she wanted to be good at the game, or at least good enough to get through the tournament without being a burden.

"Great, now why don't I start off with an English opening," Mimoko smiled as she began the lesson.

Daria smiled as she watched Mimoko tutor Carla. "You'll be fine, Mimoko. Unlike me, you've always been pure and willing to help others improve their game. Makes me wonder if things might have gone differently if it was you in my place back when me and Michiko were kids. Would she have accepted the helping hand you likely would have extended to her? Probably not, but you'd at least try, which was more than I ever did. I'm proud of you Mimoko. Now let's see if I can fulfill my objective before your tutoring lesson is over," she thought as she headed off.

As Daria rounded a corner, she came across a familiar face.

"Whoa, is that your mom?" a girl with long multicolored hair asked.

"Nay, Ayana. Tis merely a wandering woman," Alma Mata replied.

"But she's got a kimono, the face paint, everything," a girl with curly yellow and red hair smirked.

"You also said your mother was Japanese, so it makes sense for her to be her," a hooded girl with pink and green hair nodded.

"I think we're getting ahead of ourselves. This woman does not seem to be acquainted with Alma in the slightest," a girl with short curly green hair huffed.

"Not true, I have encountered this woman before in Japan when I attempted to qualify for Japan's women's team," Alma stated.

"Huh!?"

"Looks like you were only half-right, Nodira," the hooded girl sighed.

"Can it, Minoo, and don't you go smirking either, Umida!"

Daria meanwhile stared in confusion at what was befalling her.

"My apologies. You must be confused as to why I'm here. The truth of the matter is that I am also of Uzbek descent, and after a short period of intense training, managed to get my rating above 2000 and join Uzbekistan's women's team," Alma stated.

"You're on Uzbekistan's women's team? Now that is a surprise. Then I'm assuming these are your teammates?"

Everyone nodded and introductions ensured.

"Ayana Tashkent, captain of the Tashkent chess defense corps," the woman with multicolored hair smiled.

"Umida Khodzhayeva. I'm the strongest one here," the girl with curly red and yellow hair proudly huffed.

"Nodira Sabirova. I have the best intuition out of anyone here," the green-haired girl declared.

"Like hell you do. Minoo Rasulova," the hooded girl mumbled.

"Nice to meet you. I am Maestro Himitsu of Japan. Though I guess I'm more of an open secret these days," Daria smiled.

But before another word could be spoken, a large meteorite-like object crashed into the street, creating a giant crater. No one seemed to be hurt, but as Daria and the others cautiously peeked down to see just what exactly had landed there, something jumped out of it.

"Nyaha! I'm back on Earth, nya!" Nyoan giddily cried.

At the bottom of the crater, the smoke cleared to reveal that the object at the bottom of it was not a meteorite, but rather a Takoyaki van. Out from it's wreckage climbed an octopus-like humanoid, and Jester.

"Buwaha... ha... Lousy ride, I want a refund," Jester grumbled as he began to crawl out.

"'Refund'!? I want retributions for what you did to my van!" the octopus man fumed.

"Put it on the card!" Jester snarled as he tossed something at the octopus man.

Fearing things would get dicey if she stuck around, Daria attempted to leave, but was stopped by Nyoan.

"Where do you think you're going, nya?"

"I have business, now step aside."

"Nyahaha! Nyever! In fact, why don't we play a game with some odds, nya?"

Nyoan gleefully pulled out her DESPER and attempted to activate it, but when it failed to do so, sweat began to pour down her face. "Uh... Is it busted, nya? Nyo, nyo, nyo, it can't be, nya. Did it not recharge? But I think it's got a full charge, nya."

Nyoan was unaware of the fact the WWCF had place a protective barrier encompassing Budapest's city limits preventing the activation of DESPERs until the final round of the tournament, but Daria sure as hell wasn't going to tell her that. Rather, she took the chance to walk past Nyoan.

"Oi, you can't just leave before I even get the chance to do my intro!" Jester fumed as he finally crawled out from the crater.

"Uh, that guy related to you, Alma?" Ayana asked.

"Nay. I've never seen that clown in my life," Alma scowled.

"Oi, you're totally cosplaying as a cult follower of mine!" Jester protested as he pointed his finger at Alma.

"Nay, tis merely a fashion statement."

"Claimed by me! Now without further ado, my theme song! Ninjas!"

Jester clapped, but no ninjas showed up.

"We slip into a dimension where my ninjas don't exist, or are they just slow on the uptake that I'm back!? Whatever, I do the theme song solo most of the time anyway."

Jester pulled out his phone and cranked up the volume all the way, causing all in the immediate area to hear the sound of the shamisen and rock guitars.

"YO YOI! I am the greatest criminal from the depths of Edo. The great daimyo of organized crime. Everyone fears my name! For every atrocity, I have attained! Murder! Kidnapping! Drug Smuggling! None can match my Might! Theft! Assault! War Crimes! All now fear my wrath! With my evil ninjitsu I will conquer all that’s good. They say Jesters are the fools, WELL WHO'S LAUGHING NOW DUMBASS! Lalalalalala! Jester-sama is the evil, dastardly, wicked, inhumane, dark ninjutsu daimyo! Oh oh oh oh! Yooooooo!”

Daria stopped and let out a heavy sigh as she turned back around to head back towards Jester. Jester was on the WWCF's most wanted list due to him creating the bootleg DESPER, known as the JESPER, and more importantly for his cheating. There was no way Daria could just walk away now after knowing this was in fact Jester.

"Hah! You returned, culty number 2! Come to think of it, you're hot. Know any nearby love hotels we can have sex at?" Jester swooned.

Daria began gripping her fan angrily, but maintained her composure. "Actually, I do know a good place. Wanna warp over there with me?"

"PSYCH! You're trying to honey trap me! Only I do the trapping round here! But the sex is still on, now let's go to my own secret love hotel!" Jester cackled as he unsheathe his JESPER.

Daria went on guard, however, the JESPER failed to activate.

"Huh? Why isn't it activating? Did it break when that octo-bastard rammed me!? I'll deep fry that tako into a taco!" Jester fumed as he threw his JESPER at the ground.

KABOOM!

Jester blinked in confusion as he found himself covered in soot and flying through the air. "Huh? Why'd it explode? NO FAIR! I JUST GOT BACK TO EARTH! FUCK YOU OCTO-BASTARD!" he shouted as he flew off into the distance.

"Ugh, guess pursuing him is a bust," Daria sighed as she began to head off again.

However, her path was blocked for a third time, this time by the octo man.

"And can I help you?"

"You the clown's wife? I want the bill from you then!" the octo man fumed as he shoved a holographic screen in Daria's face.

Daria shot him an annoyed glare. "I'm not that bastards wife or relative, and I'm not paying that fee. Now if you'll excuse me..."

"He called you his culty along with that girl over there! I ain't getting fooled, I'm a smart business guy!"

Daria let out another heavy sigh and summoned a chessboard with her WWCF card. "Then we settle the matter in chess. Win and I'll pay your fees, but lose and neither I nor Alma Mata will be paying you anything."

"Chess? The hell is that?"

Daria clutched her face in frustration. This was going to be a long day, or so she thought.

"And what is the matter of this disagreement?" Raymond asked as he approached.

"Mr. um..."

"Kato Kita!" the octo man stated.

"Mr. Kita. You seem to be unfamiliar with the game of chess, so allow us to teach you the game," Daria smiled.

As the tutoring lesson began, Nyoan took her chance to sneak off. And upon reaching a safe location, pulled out her phone to confirm her bearings. "Nya!? I'm in Budapest, nya!? Kuon-sama... Kuon-sama is here, nya. I should try to find her, nya."

...

Kato frowned as he stared at the board. "I lost. Ugh, now how will I get my business back on it's feet?"

"Are you a Takoyaki salesman?" Daria asked.

"Yeah, you heard of me?"

"No, but I think we could work out an agreement with you. How damaged are your ingredients?"

"Not much. But the van is totaled and stuck at the bottom of the crater."

"Then it's all trivial. It turns out we're hosting a tournament here in Budapest, and with the large amount of teams present, food can often be a tedious task to obtain. Would you consider entering a contract to provide food for them?" Raymond asked.

Kato's eyes lit up. "Deal!"

...

Daria returned to Mimoko to be greeted with a smiling Carla.

"Wow, you really are the best. Thanks a bunch!" Carla smiled as she began to head off.

"No problem. Good luck with your match!" Mimoko smiled back.

"So it went well?" Daria asked.

"Yup. Hopefully she'll be able to improve her game."

"She's from San Marino, right? They don't currently have their sole DSPCM spot filled yet. Perhaps if she's up to it, she could fill it."

"I'd wait to see how she feels after these next few rounds before springing the question on her."

"I understand. Now ready to continue our day out?"