Taking things seriously

As the DESPER deactivated, Raymond wasted no time in rushing Michiko and slamming her to the ground with his cane. He promptly injected something into Michiko's neck before gagging her and holding up her hand. "You lost. And not only that, you broke a cardinal sin. An eternal damnation of hell is all that awaits you now. And to start, I'll be dismantling you, one unnecessary component at time. For now..."

Rip!

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPHHHH!"

"We'll start with a fingernail."

Raymond then began dragging Michiko away by her hair while Okisato approached Mimoko.

"Don't feel bad for her, she deserves it," Okisato glared.

Mimoko was at a loss for words. On one hand, she realized Michiko was truly terrified and would probably suffer greatly. But on the other hand, she had completely upended her life and hurt many others as well.

"Fear not. This is for the best," Himitsudono nodded.

"Himitsudono..."

Okisato decided to change topics to try and liven up Mimoko's spirits. "So you enjoy my bongcloud-"

SLAP!

Clearly, Mimoko did not enjoy how Okisato had played.

"My apologies, but I must excuse myself in order to confirm the maestro's safety," Himutsudono bowed as he left.

"Well thanks for bailing on me. Now I'm gonna get slapped to death," Okisato grumbled.

...

Everyone looked up as Mimoko and Okisato emerged from the forest.

"Oi, what happened? You try somethin bad, man?" Yuusuke nervously asked.

Mimoko simply ran off without saying a word as Okisato sighed and explained what happened.

"No way! That woman was the mastermind!?" Yuzuha gasped.

"Then she toyed with Mimoko-sama in the worst way imaginable. She deserves her execution," Utami glared.

"Oi, Utami, that's kind of far. I know she was bad, but that doesn't mean they need to kill her," Yuusuke nervously stated.

"Well, no need to fear, mighty hero of justice. She's not going to die. instead..."

As Okisato explained what he believed Raymond would do to Michiko, everyone went pale. Even Iori seemed a bit rattled.

"Heh, that president guy's really puttin' his foot down as the number one guy you don't fuck with," Iori nervously smiled.

"Anyway, let's see if everything's truly resolved now," Okisato nodded as he headed off.

"OI! You can't just drop some grotesque horror on us then change topics like that!" Yuusuke cried.

...

Mimoko stared at the spot where Kotora had died. She thought she had gotten past the grieving period, but the revelation about Michiko only threw her into a deeper hole. Never had she ever been this distraught. Worst of all, it didn't seem like any of her friends could help her.

"Grandmaster Inoue, I've been searching for you," Himitsudono stated as he approached Mimoko.

"...Oh, it's just you..."

"The site of your brother's murder, yes? My deepest condolences."

"It was my fault... I blew it. I played too well. I forgot about the conditions."

"I take it you will blame yourself even if I tell you that you were not at fault. Though I feel my message will improve your state of mind. I have confirmed the maestro's safety. My gratitude to you and your friends is immeasurable. Second, your mother has awoken."

...

Mimoko huffed and puffed as she ran towards Daria's room.

"Hey Mimoko. Why ya huffin-"

"OKAA-CHAN! OKAA-CHAN!" Mimoko cried as she dove into Daria.

"Why ya cryin' up a storm? I just blacked out for a bit."

Mimoko was too busy crying to offer a retort. She cried and cried until she fell asleep in exhaustion. When she awoke, Daria was gone.

"They discharged her," Ichimitsu stated as he read his paper.

"Otou-san? OTOU-SAN! WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU!" Mimoko shouted.

"Business," Ichimitsu responded as he got up and headed out.

"Business? BUSINESS!? I WAS WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! AND YOU SAID OKAA-CHAN WAS DISCHARGED!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN!? ARE YOU JUST GOING TO ACT LIKE EVERYTHING'S BACK TO NORMAL!? KOTORA'S DEAD!"

"I know, and so does your mother. We grieved while you were asleep. Now we must move on."

Mimoko ran out in a tearful rage with the intention of slapping her father, but upon exiting the room, completely lost sight of him.

...

Okisato took a deep breath as he strolled through the park. Mimoko was sitting at her usual bench with a chessboard, looking down.

"She looks really upset. I guess I'll take things seriously," he thought as he sat down and moved the knight to c3.

Mimoko silently moved her pawn to d4, without so much as glancing over.

Okisato took a deep breath and prepared himself for the game he'd have to play. "Perfect chess isn't my style, but that's what it's going to take to improve her mood," he thought.

The two then silently played. Okisato did his best, but even in her distraught state, Mimoko was still formidable. It took a long time, but after 96 moves, Mimoko mated Okisato.

"Ugh, my mind's gonna explode," Okisato groaned as he slumped down to the grass.

"...Tanabe-kun... Thanks, for taking this seriously," Mimoko tearfully nodded.

"Are you feeling better?"

"...Not quite."

"Ugh, I can't do another 100 move game."

"Then let us help."

Okisato and Mimoko looked up to notice the other club members.

"Everyone... Thank you," Mimoko cried.