The Inoue household

"Ugh, what a day," Mimoko groaned as she arrived home.

"Osu, Mimoko. How was the day?" Mimoko's 40-year-old mother, Daria, smiled.

"It was exhausting. All the interviews, the incident with the principal, not to mention I had a confrontation with some bullies. I honestly just wanna relax in a hot bath."

"Livin’ it up. Want me to scrub your back?"

"Okaa-chan, I'm not a little girl anymore. I can bathe myself."

"Wow, sis is famous," Kotora said as he ran up to Mimoko and sunk his face into her breasts.

"I appreciate the hug, but could you not snuggle your head between my breasts?" Mimoko glared at Kotora.

"But it's comfy, and you always let me do it when I was little."

"You were a toddler back then. Now you're growing up."

"Want another sibling?" Daria blushed.

"Ugh, I bet you got your pervertedness from her. Why couldn't you be calm like Otou-san?" Mimoko asked as she pointed towards her father who was silently reading a newspaper.

"Huh? But dad's a bum that does nothing," Kotora glared.

"I trade stocks and I'm good at it," Mimoko's father mumbled.

"Yeah, show respect to your father, Kotora! Ichimitsu's a dreamboat genius," Daria swooned.

"Ugh, I'm taking a bath," Mimoko groaned.

...

Mimoko moaned in bliss as she lounged in the tub.

"Well, seems like we got a queen in the house. Wanna indulge a bit and doll up your face?" Daria grinned as she entered the bathroom.

"I told you I can wash myself."

"I'm here to doll up your face, ojouu-sama."

"Please don't ever talk to me like that again. It's weird."

"Ah, Mistress Mimoko, you need to look good, now that you're a celebrity."

"I- HEY! What are you smearing on my face!?"

"Beauty cream. You gotta glow, girl."

"But I don't like wearing makeup."

"Wow, you're a real ditzy girl. Though if ya wanna rock the facial mask, rock it girl!"

"Why do you act like an idiot? It's so embarrassing."

"But you need to slay the tub like an aristocratic queen. Kick your toes up, drink some wine, and let out a mighty laugh. Ohohohoho!"

Mimoko's face went red under the beauty mask as she attempted to sink into the tub.

Click!

"Wow, you really do look cute when you're tryin’ to doll yourself up," Daria smirked as she gazed at her phone.

"OKAA-CHAN! I'M IN THE BATH!"

"Relax, your tits were underwater. Besides, you look so cute. I'll leave the cream here for ya. Trust me, it makes your face look and feel 20 years younger. I mean, just look at me. Well holler if ya need anything/"

Mimoko cried in embarrassment and sank below the water as Darya left.

...

After getting out of the bath, Mimoko sat down for dinner clad in sweats and a t-shirt.

"Really underdressin’ for dinner," Daria teased.

"I'd feel weird eating dinner in my pajamas," Mimoko mumbled.

"The pink frilly ones?"

"I'm gonna eat in my room if you tease me like that."

"Then let's all eat there, family pajama party!"

"Ugh, I'll eat at the table."

"Why're ya in such a bad mood? Something happen at school?"

"Did you not hear? Our principal apparently committed suicide. But the worst part is that his son and some of the school's bullies blamed the whole thing on me. Heck, they're trying to convince everyone that me and the chess club conspired to murder him."

"Well that's bullshit. Your slaps barely even sting me, Sis. No way you could murder someone," Kotora grumbled as he ate his dinner.

"Well you certainly have an interesting way with words," Mimoko glared.

"But he's got a point. No way you or your friends would murder someone," Daria smiled.

A somber expression overtook Mimoko's face as Okisato immediately popped into her mind. Unlike her, he had killed and was far more willing to do so to make ends meet. However, thinking of Okisato reminded her of something.

"Shousen-kun and Maida-sensei said he was there in class the whole time. Besides, it's not like he's a mass murderer even though he comes from a yakuza family. Though it might be possible that he hired someone else to do the deed. After all, the principal was really abusive towards Utami-chan, but- ...!"

"Hmm? You thinkin’ about something? You've been quiet for a good two minutes now."

"Oh, I guess I was deep in thought. Um, I gotta call some friends."

Mimoko immediately ran to her room as Daria gazed at her plate. "Didn't even touch dinner, but she looked like she thought of something."

"What, Ma?" Kotora asked.

"Something, maybe the answer. We didn't hear her thoughts, but her facial expressions were on full display," Ichimitsu nodded as he read his paper.

"Why do you always read a big paper like that all the time?"

"I just do, boy."

In her room, Mimoko immediately dialed Okisato. "What is it, Inoue-senpai?" Okisato asked.

"Tanabe-kun, I think I might have a theory on who killed the principal."

"So you think it was definitely murder?"

"Yes, I think the student council president killed the principal."

"Hmm, he definitely was in on Segawa's plot, but- Hold on, let me check the database."

"The 'database'?"

"Yeah, you can too. Just pull up your WWCF card and type in someone's name. If it pops up, they either are a WWCF member or were one when they were still alive."

"I'm well aware of that."

"You can also set your WWCF card to appear on your phone too like an all-in-one app-"

"I'd rather not be overwhelmed with the technical aspects of the WWCF cards."

"Got it. I'll save that stuff for Maida-sensei. Anyway, neither Segawa nor her mother are members as of today, but the student council president is, and he's got a rating of 1599. Looks like your theory might be right."

"Then how will we deal with him?"

"I can handle that. In fact, it's probably better for me to face him. Since he's likely with the Desperado league, he'll probably avoid you and try to bring you down via non-chess means. I, on the other hand, would likely still be a beatable opponent to him."

"But your rating went up."

"I'm known to blunder a lot, like in today's game."

"Fine."

"You still sound a little frustrated. Anything else wrong?"

"I still haven't heard back from Utami-chan. I'm worried about her."

"Why? Wasn't she living with the principal and her brothers?"

"No. Ever since the bughouse match, she's been living here at my place. But today, she was whisked away by her brother and I haven't heard from her since."

"So that's what's truly been nagging at you. Well, it is possible she's been in questioning with the police due to her family ties to the principal. It's also possible she might want some alone time to herself. Maybe you can see her again tomorrow at school. You should get some rest, you've had a long exhausting day. Let sleep rejuvenate you."

"Fine, I'm tired, but still worried," Mimoko yawned as she found herself drifting off to sleep.

As soon as the call ended, Okisato scowled. "Sorry Inoue-senpai, but you really would be a bad fit for this matchup. You'd play too well, which would result in Enoki-san dying. Don't worry, I'll handle Kazuya."

...

The next morning, Mimoko yawned as she rummaged through the fridge. "It's still early, come sit and eat with us," Daria smiled.

"I'm worried about Utami-chan."

"Your chess-roomie?"

"I- Nevermind."

"Don't worry. She probably just wants some alone time and doesn't want to impose on us. Though she's welcome to come back anytime, so tell her that when ya see her."

Mimoko let out a sigh as she grabbed some bread and headed out.

"Come on. Why don't ya spend more time with us?" Daria pouted.

"Then play chess with me. I don't mind the skill gap."

"Sorry, but your father and I don't play chess. That's your calling."

"Why?"

"Because that's the way it is."

"I hate losing to you, Sis, so I'm not playing anymore," Kotora pouted.

"Why not join the WWCF and play for fun then? I'm sure with some practice you could get-"

"Nah, I'm not gonna play chess. Video games are more fun."

"But chess can be fun too. Here, take a look at my WWCF card."

"Wow, that thing's like a future television thingy," Daria smiled.

"Lame, it's just a glorified holo-clock," Kotora glared as Mimoko opened her “friends” tab. "Huh? Why's my name there?"

"Oh, I heard that you could play non-WWCF members and was wondering if I could add you to my contacts so that we could play each other at lunch breaks or any time we're away from each other. Don’t worry, you don’t need a WWCF card and just need to install an app on your phone. Then we can-"

"Ew, you a bro-con?"

Slap!

"OW!"

"You deserved that," Mimoko angrily huffed as she stormed out.

"Can ya call me on that card phone thingy?" Daria asked.

"No, I believe it's only for chess. Sorry, but I tried searching for you and Otou-san to add to my contacts, but nothing came up."

"So ya do care about stayin’ connected with us after all, you little tsundere."

"Farewell, I'm off to school," Mimoko huffed in annoyance.

...

Okisato sighed as he sat in a tatami-floored room with a middle aged man. "Tou-san, I was wondering if you had any connections in the fire department," he nodded.

"The fire department? Why?"

"I need a-"

Before Okisato could finish, a young policewoman barged into the room and pinned him down. "You're under arrest!" she grinned.