Mimoko's birthday present [Season 3 Intro]

July 23rd, 2024

"Happy birthday Mimoko!"

Mimoko smiled as she enjoyed a nice dinner with her family at a nice restaurant. "You really didn't need to book such an expensive place."

"Nonsense, it's your 18th birthday. We gotta celebrate these things!" Daria smiled.

"Yeah, Thanks for your birthday," Kotora nodded as he stuffed his face with food.

It was all too clear he was more happy to be eating good food than celebrating his sister.

"You don't get any refills, unless you got personal funds. Today's Mimoko's day," Ichimitsu glared as he read the menu.

"Says a lazy bum who sits around the house all day."

"My stock money is what made this possible."

"So you have fun with your friends earlier?" Daria asked Mimoko.

"Yeah, they even threw me a little party at school."

"Your school still isn't on summer break yet?" Kotora grumbled.

"No, I guess they don't want the students getting out yet due to some major shogi tournaments coming up in the weeks ahead. In fact, I don't think we get a break until late-August."

"That principal of yours really is an odd one. Wish he'd at least time his school's summer break to match up with everyone else's," Daria sighed.

Once everyone finished eating, they all headed home. Once there, Daria ordered Mimoko to wait in the living room as she went to fetch something.

Kotora nervously stood as Mimoko waited. It was clear by his body language that he hadn't gotten her a gift. However, he felt something being wedged into his hand.

"You owe me," Ichimitsu whispered as he passed by and sat down on his chair.

Daria returned moments later and happily gave Mimoko her gift; a fancy chess set and tournament bag.

"...! Okaa-chan, is this-"

"Yup, one of them fancy chess tournament bag thingies. Your father and I have known you've loved chess, but ya never had one of these."

It really was a high quality set, and even came with a timer and notepads in addition to the board and pieces. It also had a second board and a four-player board along with all the pieces needed to play those.

"I never really bought one because I didn't want to play in tournaments. But I kind of feel bad. If I don't go to tournaments, this nice chess set will just sit in my room."

"Then just use it to play your friends."

"I don't know anyone that really plays chess. I also play anonymously online so I can't look for anyone there. Hmm... I've decided. It's time to play chess professionally."

Ichimitsu glanced up as Daria smiled in excitement. "Really!? That's great! But what made ya decide to-"

"I can't let this nice chess kit you got me go to waste. It deserves to see the sites of tournaments. Besides, chess is pretty much the only thing I'm good at anyway, so might as well make a living off it."

"Now that's smart thinking. So you research how to take part in these tournaments?" Ichimitsu asked.

"Actually I have. Though since I'm still a student, I think I'll try and form a chess team at the school so we can compete as a team and bring home some prizes. I guess when I think about it, I've always wanted to play chess at a live tournament. Guess I was bound to make this decision eventually."

"If money's your worry, I told ya before, we'd support ya," Daria smiled.

Mimoko smiled and hugged her parents. "I guess I was always destined for chess. Especially considering I share my birthday with Judit Polgár.

"Who's that?"

"She's regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time and achieved a peak rating of 2735."

"I have no idea what those numbers mean, but considering you're smiling, they must be good."

"Oh, and Otou-san, did you know you share your birthday with Magnus Carlsen?"

"Magnus who now?"

"Magnus Carlsen. He's argued to be the greatest chess player of all time ever."

"Hmm? Well guess you could say I made a good investment being born on that day."

"Why are stocks all you think about?"

"Um... Sis, here," Kotora nervously shuffled as he extended his hand.

In it was a king keychain that could fit nicely on Mimoko's new bag.

"Thanks Kotora, I'll put it on right away. Say, wanna play some chess with me?"

"Geh!?"

"Oh come on Kotora, your father and I don't play chess, and it is your sister's birthday."

"Yes, unless you'd like to pay me back by paying this," Ichimitsu nodded as he produced the bill for the restaurant.

Shocked at the sheer number of digits, Kotora dejectedly headed for the table as Mimoko giddily set up the chessboard.

"I'm so glad I get to play chess today. Now why don't you go first."

Kotora desperately looked to his parents for an out, but seeing none, resigned himself and moved his pawn to f4.

"Not the best opening, but I'll give you a chance to equalize just this once," Mimoko smiled as she moved her pawn to e5.

"Don't wanna," Kotora grumbled as he moved his paw to g4.

"In that case, we'll spice things up with some Chess 960 next so you can't mate yourself so easily," Mimko smiled as she moved her queen to h4, winning the game.

As Mimoko trounced, but also tried to teach, Kotora in the art of chess, Daria and Ichimitsu happily watched.

"She's always had a nice gleam in her eyes whenever chess is brought up. In fact, I don't think that gleam has dulled ever since she first laid eyes on a chessboard when she was 3."

"Perhaps it was best to wait like you said. Chess prodigies begin professional play as young as 3, but Mimoko won't be starting until she's 18. More impressively, she seems to be stronger than ever. I guess this was a good investment after all."

"Making our children happy is what we gotta do as parents. Now I hope she gets good quickly so she can enjoy some fun stuff."

...

Mimoko yawned as she rolled around in bed, dreaming of her birthday. Following the chess boxing match, she elected to stay an extra night at the hotel rather than travel home. As she groggily began to wake up, she noticed a cute maid cooking breakfast.

"Room service! Here's an afternoon breakfast for ya."

"Mm, breakfast? Not hungry, Okaa-chan. OKAA-CHAN!? WHAT ARE YOU WEARING!?"

"When I saw your message, I decided to deliver ya room service, in style!" Daria smiled as she struck a cute pose.

Daria certainly pulled off the maid look well, but all that did was cause Mimoko's head to start hurting again. Luckily, Daria revealed she also had a nurse outfit with her, promptly resulting in Mimoko's headache increasing, and leaving her with no choice but to dig into her breakfast.

The full game:

White: Kotora Inoue (n/a) Black: Mimoko Inoue (n/a)

1. f4 e5

2. g4 Qh4#