Chess Club?

"I'm a huge fan!"

...eh? "EHHH??!!!"

The small quiet room was suddenly filled with a loud screech, a shock at what the person said in front of me.

What?! A fan?! Wait, hold on. Maybe I misheard him.

"Umm, what did you just say?" I asked, wanting to confirm what he said.

"I'm a huge fan of you, Naoto Shinji-san."
A huge fan? This doesn't make sense. I have a fan? How? Why? My mind is so confused. What someone I saw to be tough was soft.

"Why?"

"Eh?

"Why are you a fan of mine?"

"Well... it started when I first saw you play, I immediately fell in love. I would always watch your games and I would write down all of your moves. I wanted to be like you, someone who was great at the game."

He's really passionate about being my fan. Idolizing me when no one did is truly heartwarming.

"But when you stopped playing last month, I was a little upset. I kinda understand that losing in a tournament is saddening, but I thought that you would quickly get over it, given your attitude and ego. But you didn't. I was sort of disappointed."

I guess, inside, he's no different from the others. Everyone looked like they adored me, but in reality, they wouldn't give a damn when something happens to me. When you lose, everyone who used to idolize you forget who you are.

"But still, I couldn't just let it go. I wanted to see you play again. I wanted to see you win. That's why... I want to ask you a favor."
He clenched his fists. He was mustering all of his courage to say those words to me...

"Naoto-san, will you join the chess club?"

With all of his courage, he came out and asked. A chess club? I didn't even this school had one.

"Wait, chess club?"

"Yes. Well, you see, I'm actually the president of the club and I'm currently the only member."

"You're the president?"

He nodded. I can't believe that this school had a club for chess. And now, I was being asked by its president to join.

"To be honest, I started this club because of you."

"Because of me?" Why would anyone do anything for me? On the contrary, people were the ones ordering me to do things for them.

"I made this club because I wanted to be like you. I wanted to be good. So I made this club for me and others to be just like you, even if I was the only member, from the day of the establishment till now." He said as he looked around the room. It appears that the room we were in was the club room. It was small, but I guess that's what you get if your club is about chess and if you're the only member.

"When was this club formed?"

"July."

He's been the only member for that long? That's 3 months of this club existing with just a single member. I'm quite surprised that it hasn't been taken down yet.

"But with everything that had happened the past month, things just went even further down. I tried my best to recruit members, but they refused without hesitation. And now, they want to abolish the club."

So it's my fault again, huh? Guess I shouldn't be surprised. They're going to take down the club made by someone who isn't even related to me and it's all my fault. Someone who had the passion to be someone great was going to have his dreams fall apart because of me.

"But you know, I'm not the great player you think I am. I'm a bragger, I'm egoistic, I'm pathetic. I shouldn't deserve to play the game."

'Naoto-san' Megumi mumbled in pity but I said the truth. He needed to know that the person he idolizes was, in reality, the polar opposite.

"I know."

"Then why?"

"Because I believe that's not who you really are."

Who I am?

"I believe that, inside, you want to have fun playing chess. I believe that you're as passionate as me in playing the game, perhaps more."

He isn't far off. It was fun playing chess but my egoistic attitude ruined that feeling for me. This person isn't like anyone else. He didn't judge me but he understood what I felt inside. He became a fan not because of my attitude, but because of me having fun playing chess. If I had met him earlier in my life, maybe things could've been different.

"Naoto-san, I'll ask again. Will you be a member of the chess club?"

I want to change myself. I want to play chess again. He's a huge fan of Shinji Naoto. Not the one who was egotistical, but the one who was passionate about playing the game. Besides Megumi, he's the only person who understands me. A person perfect for the position of president.

"Alright. I'll join the club." I accept his offer. His eyes sparkled with joy.

"Thank you so much, Naoto-san."

I simply nodded. I was now part of a club. Something I haven't done once in my life.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Yuuki Kinoshita and I look forward to working with you, Naoto-san." He bowed and I bowed back.

"Likewise." In the corner of my eye, I saw Megumi smiling. I couldn't help but smile back.

The bell rang as we raised our heads. Classes had ended and I had skipped them. Somehow, it feels like time is moving fast whenever I talk with someone.

"Oh, looks like it's time." Looks like he wasn't aware of the time passing by quickly either.

"Shall we go grab our bags?" 

"Sure."

We left the club room and headed for the classroom. Even though it was the end of class, we couldn't see anyone from where we are. No one does come here, huh? We walked towards the corridor and we reached the classrooms. Students were already leaving when we got there.
We continued walking towards our classroom. People looked in our direction. Yuuki noticed it and looked confused. But their looks weren't directed at him but me. I didn't look them in the eye and kept my head down. We got to our classroom. The door wasn't open. Yuuki opened it and there wasn't anyone there. It looks like everyone had already left. The only thing left there were our bags. We grabbed them and closed the door.

We went down the stairs and got to the shoe locker. We changed into our outdoor shoes. We got out of the school building and we're now at the gate. Students were also leaving when we got there.

"This is where we separate. See you tomorrow, Naoto-san."

He said before turning to his left and walking down that direction. He turned back and smiled as he waved at me. I waved back and we went out separate ways.

While we were walking, Megumi spoke.

"It doesn't seem like everybody hates you, Naoto-san."

Maybe she was right. I looked up at the sun setting as I remembered everything that happened today. I joined the chess club. It was the first time I had a proper conversation with a person. Just the thought of having a proper conversation with a person made me smile a little.

"I guess so..." We both smiled as I walked back home, with her floating beside me.

To be continued...