The maestro is still unavailable

Himitsudono gazed up as the chess club entered his secret puzzle cafe. "You're all looking good. How are you holding up, Grandmaster Inoue?"

"It's kind of hard. On one hand, my mother will pull through and is even back to herself, but on the other, Kotora is dead and never coming back. I can't stop blaming myself."

"My deepest apologies that your family was dragged into our problems. The maestro also extends her deepest condolences."

"Well that's some PR bullshit. Your lousy ass maestro got herself captured and ID thefted, and as a result, Mimo-chan's mom got fucked up and her brother died because he was trapped in that damn pawn!" Iori glared.

"Iori-chan, thanks, but it's my fault. Rather than confronting the enemy directly, I allowed myself to indulge in the delusion of tranquility," Mimoko sighed.

"It's not your fault. Michiko is ultimately the one that targeted your mother," Okisato argued.

"But she did it to hurt me. She took advantage of me and swept my family into this. Worst of all, my father disappeared when this all started, then reappeared like everything was fine when my mother returned to normal. Could he have at least had the decency to just be there for me when I needed him or at the least, let me know he was fine!? I don't know what Okaa-chan sees in him. He's just some sophisticated leech that makes a living off stock money."

"I'm saddened you have such unfortunate circumstances. I cannot express my apologies for ruining your family like this," Himitsudono bowed.

"No, you've honestly been a big help to us all. I thought the world was turning upside down when that fake maestro ruined everything, but you stuck by me and gave me support, no, you didn't just help me, you helped ALL of us so that we could best the false maestro and Michiko."

"I only did what was needed to save the maestro's life. You hold me in too high regards."

"No need to be humble. Say, now that the maestro is saved, can we challenge her?" Okisato asked.

"Let me see... Both you and Grandmaster Inoue have bested all the SPCMs here in Japan, therefore, all you need are the proper number of points... Which I shall gladly grant just this one time. To be more specific, it is the number of points needed to challenge the maestro, but you shall only get them should you agree to challenge the maestro now. Should you decline, I will hold the offer for another time, though note that this offer is only available for the maestro of Japan."

"I'm in. How about you, Inoue-senpai?"

"Right now, a challenging game of chess is what I need to heal my soul. I will partake as well."

"Very well, I have confirmed the point transaction. Now, Grandmaster Inoue, you will be going first, so please take a seat at the table. The maestro's only stipulation is that you must play as black, otherwise the match will be a standard tournament style match. As for the others, regrettably I must ask you all to leave. Only those that have challenged or are challenging the maestro may remain."

"Huh!? Why!?" Iori cried.

"That is just our policy at this time. Though the challengers will be free to discuss the maestro and their match once they leave. The maestro will not appear if any who are not allowed to be here are present."

"Lame. When I get the points, your ass is the first I'm kicking," Iori snarled as she and the others left.

Mimoko then sat down at the board as instructed while Okisato lounged on one of the couches. Himitsudono then pulled out his phone and nodded before putting it away.

Five minutes went by, and the maestro still had yet to arrive. "My apologies, the maestro is running a bit late," Himitsudono bowed.

Suddenly someone entered. "Mimoko! Whoa! What is this place!? Is it a cool secret hang-out spot!?" It was Mimoko's mother, Daria.

Mimoko immediately slammed the table in frustration. "OKAA-CHAN! You can't be here!"

"No need to be shy, I'm-"

"AHEM! Ma'am, I apologize, but this location is only for those with an official rating with the World wide chess federation. Do you have a rating?" Himitsudono glared.

"No, but I'm her mother and when I asked her friends where she went, they pointed me here. OH! What's with that fiery kimono!?"

"THAT is a display model of the maestro's attire. While players are more than welcome to spend their points to wear a replica, someone like you who is not qualified to be here can not-"

"I WANNA TRY IT ON! Oh, and I wanna wear some crazy makeup too! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!?"

"My apologies, Grandmasters Inoue and Tanabe. I feel it is better judgment to humor this woman's request than not," Himitsudono sighed as he ushered Daria towards a back room.

"Damn it. Why does she always ruin things like this!? Does she have any idea how much hell I've been through, and she's acting like normal," Mimoko tearfully glared.

Okisato began to scowl. "I guess she's actually a crueler woman than I thought. Ugh."

After what seemed like an eternity, Daria emerged from the back garbed in flamboyant attire. She now sported the flaming sakura kimono like the one in the display case along with some black flats with flame designs on them. Her makeup had also been done and her face was now painted white and her eyebrows had either been shaved off or covered with makeup. In their place were two painted-on circular eyebrows styled like fireballs.

"Look at me Mimoko, I'm a maestro ready to serve you," Daria giggled in a cutesy voice.

"My apologies, but it seems the REAL maestro will be delayed," Himitsudono bowed as he returned to the counter.

"Just great. I just want to take my mind off things with a challenging game of chess," Mimoko groaned.

"You waitin’ for someone? Well, guess I'll wait with ya," Daria smiled as she sat across from Mimoko and pulled out a paper fan. "Oo, can I play with ya?"

"No, I'm not in the mood to correct all the mistakes you'll make."

"But ya always said ya wanted to play with me. Come on, I know that the cannon guys can only blast forwards."

"They're called rooks. ROOKS! And they can go forwards, backwards, or sideways in any direction."

"OO YAY! Now let's play. So can the rook flip over the pawns?"

"Ugh, NO Okaa-chan, they cannot!"

"Boo," Daria pouted as she suddenly moved her knight to c3 at rapid speed and slammed down her button on the chess club.

"Huh?"

"Why are you just sitting there, girl?" Daria glared as her tone changed.

"O- Okaa-chan, what-"

"Ah, my apologies, but allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Maestro Himitsu of Japan," Daria smirked as a black WWCF card with a rating of 3200 appeared before her. "Now, make your move, I'll be disappointed if you simply lose on time."