Closure

Wiley rose and began to head out, however, Okisato decided to squeeze one more question in. "Tell me one thing, is the real reason you're so upset because your SPCMs are planning to vote for Pewler over you?" Okisato asked.

Nearly the entire room shuddered as a menacing aura erupted from Wiley. Even Okisato was a tad startled by how much Wiley's face had contorted in malice, but he felt that he had nothing to lose, and decided to press onward. "How bad is Pewler, and do you have any tips on how to counter him?"

Wiley's rage subsided slightly. "He might be too much for you. The man wields immense power and could easily eliminate you before you even get the chance to play him."

"But Ca-"

"The blessing can't save you from long term imprisonment or whatever torturous hell that fucker feels like subjecting you to."

"So he's essentially Tsar Grigori 2.0."

"Worse in some areas. He does have a DESPER and makes use of it at least 4 out of 7 days each week. Damn that thing. If that fucker never had that, he'd have never gotten so powerful."

"Did he use it on your SPCMs?"

"For peace of mind I'd like to believe so, but that fucker also has a silver tongue and is a master manipulator. Nearly all my SPCMs are his worshipers too, even Sheila, dammit..."

The mention of Sheila caused Okisato to go quiet. Now there was no need to press any further. He understood everything perfectly.

Mimoko decided to interject though, arguing that Pewler needed to be stopped due to how dangerous he was. Wiley commended her drive, but warned her that she would be eaten alive by Pewler.

Okisato scowled as he silently agreed with him. The Michiko incident had put Mimoko's vulnerabilities on full display. If Pewler were to use similar or even more nefarious tactics than what Michiko used, Mimoko would likely suffer even more so than she did during the Michiko incident. Worse, Pewler was likely aware of the chess boxing match between the chess club and Haruki Kamoshida. With that knowledge, he could simply force Mimoko into a chess boxing match and overpower her in the boxing. While the beating likely wouldn't be as bad for Mimoko compared to when she faced Haruki's proxy, the fact that Pewler was supposedly a WWCF executive board member with a rating over 2900 meant that Mimoko would have to be playing chess at her best, and that any small hindrance could sway the match in Pewler's favor.

"So then this is something too big for us to handle ourselves. Thank you for setting us straight," Okisato bowed.

"You better not be saying that with the intention of going after Pewler behind my back," Wiley snarled.

"Not in the slightest. In fact, I've already got a different target in mind that requires my full focus."

"And that is?"

"Maestro Xiao Lin."

Wiley went silent before turning to leave. Okisato decided to ask one final question though. "What is Pewler's exact rating?"

Wiley replied that it was 2948. While he himself didn't know much about the executive board, he did believe that Pewler was likely on the weaker end of them, but that still didn't make him any less dangerous.

"Xiao Lin might be higher rated, but she's by far a more beatable opponent for you. Don't think about going after Pewler when you beat her though," Wiley growled as he headed to the back and closed the door behind him before teleporting back to America.

Mimoko immediately turned to Okisato with a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry, I really meant it. I'm not going to go after Pewler-"

"But you're going after a rouge maestro instead!?"

"Wiley was right. She is the easier opponent. Since she wields no political power, all I need to worry about is her SPCMs and her."

"Not exactly," Daria sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"Perhaps it would be best if you came with me yourself."

"Where are you going, Okaa-chan?" Mimoko asked.

"To see Michiko."

Mimoko's heart began thumping as all the trauma from the Michiko incident came flooding back into her. She impulsively requested to come as well, but both Okisato and Daria shot her down.

"Come on Mimo-chan, let's go grab some dinner," Iori nodded as she began dragging Mimoko out with her.

"Huh? Iori-chan!? Why-"

"Hey, I got some spendin' fees, besides I'm meetin' a friend for a collab so it works out."

"But then I shouldn't impose-"

"We need someone to do the filming."

An annoyed scowl began to form on Mimoko's face as Iori dragged her away.

"You owe me a date, Oki-kun," Iori thought as she winked at Okisato.

Utami didn't like the prospect of Mimoko being forced to do menial labor though and decided to follow the two. Yuusuke on the other hand decided he wanted to go to WWCF HQ to ask about his mother.

"No, I don't want to have to watch you, nor do I think you'd be able to handle Michiko either," Daria sighed.

Curious, Yuzuha asked what Daria meant by that. Daria quickly explained that WWCF officials as well as SPCMs and maestros had the ability to warp to and from WWCF HQ at will, and could also take someone else with them. However, there were a few stipulations. First, the guest would need to be in a secret puzzle cafe prior to the warping, as that would be the location they would be returned to. The only exception to this rule was if said guest possessed the warping ability, but few players did. Grandmasters were granted the ability just to warp to and from a secret puzzle cafe to the WWCF HQ, however, that didn't mean they were exempt from the second rule, which required all non-WWCF officials to be accompanied by one at all times when at the HQ. Exceptions were made only in certain areas, but generally a majority of the premises required an escort.

Yuusuke dejectedly nodded, though Daria promised to ask about Hagemi on his behalf before warping away with Okisato.

The two then arrived outside a large building situated on an island in the middle of the ocean. Okisato had been to the HQ once before. Nonetheless, he began to scowl as unpleasant memories poured back into his head.

"Now before we see Michiko, I want to check up on some of the SPCMs," Daria stated.

"They're being held here?"

"Correct. In addition to a special holding facility, the WWCF also has a medical center. Tenju is still unconscious, but I heard Safumi has awoken. Thus, I figure it'd be best to see her first before tangoing with Michiko."

The two made their way inside and over to the medical facility. There, they entered a room to find a bandaged up Safumi laying on a bed.

"The hell you showin' your mug here for," Safumi snarled.

"I came to see how you're doing. I heard the doctors say you had awoken."

"Never asked you to, dammit.

SPCM Himitsusan, aka Safumi Bouzi, had always had a foul mouth and bad attitude. However, one day, she encountered Daria and discovered she had a talent for chess, particularly speed chess. She quickly rose to become one of the fastest female chess players in the world, however, all that had come crashing down after the Michiko incident. As a result of losing a DESPER match against Michiko, she like the other SPCMs were brainwashed into aiding Michiko's plan. While she had been seemingly freed from her brainwashing, thanks to losing to Mimoko and Utami in a team 4-way chess DESPER match, her nerves had also been permanently injured as a result. This caused her not only to have trouble properly playing fast chess, but also with basic day to day activities and even moving in general.

"So you gonna fix me up, or you just gonna bitch some spiel to me?"

Daria stared at Safumi and sighed. "You know that's beyond my power. Especially since your wager-"

"I AIN'T GIVIN' UP!"

"You're still registered with a DESPER, right? Please tell me you aren't going to start using it once you're released."

"A- And what if I do?"

"It will only bring more people suffering. We should focus on getting you unregistered with it. Who knows what might happen if the Ultima-master is beaten."

"Why should you care? I'm just a broken bitch. I can't even hold chopsticks without my hand shaking and going wack."

As a result of being brainwashed by Michiko, Safumi along with all the other brainwashed SPCMs had been forced to join the Desperado league and register with DESPERs. While the WWCF had given some leniency to them, it was only under the condition that they don't use the DESPER and try to unregister with it. Safumi was willing to use it though if it meant she'd be healed, however, the WWCF had measures in place that prevented DESPERs from being activated at WWCF HQ.

Even if she could use it, there was one main reason why Safumi would not be able to heal herself with it; the irreversible clause. Michiko had been meticulous in her precautions, and to make matters worse, Desperados couldn't force each other into DESPER matches meaning even if Michiko hadn't placed an irreversible clause on Safumi, she still wouldn't be able to beat her in a DESPER match to reverse her punishment, let alone challenge her to one. However, Safumi didn't care and was dead set on rampaging until she was back to how she was before.

Daria closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "I see. Is there anyone else that could convince you to stop that reckless train of thought?"

"Why would there be? Heck, my folks probably wish I'd die so they don't have to spoon feed my ass. I guess that's what I get. Anyway, who'd ya bring with ya?" Safumi asked as she glanced at Okisato.

As soon as Okisato made himself more visible, Safumi's mood worsened as she noticed him. She quickly attempted to chuck her pillow at him, but began wincing in pain as she attempted to do so, and nearly fell out of the bed.

"Try not to move around so much! Now get some rest, and remember, I'll do my best to get you back on your feet," Daria nodded as she and Okisato left.

As soon as the two had left, Safumi burst into tears. "Why'd I have to be born so defective!? Every time I try to enjoy myself, my body just keeps fucking up! All these doctors can't do shit! Even if money's not an issue, they still say there's nothing they can do. Shit!"

"Ahem."

Safumi turned in shock to see Okisato had returned. "Y- You didn't hear all that did ya!?"

"Yes."

Safumi went red in the face and began to cry even harder. "I CAN'T EVEN SINK MY HEAD INTO A PILLOW LIKE THIS!"

"Want me to help?"

"What? Ya gonna suffocate me with it?"

"No."

"Then why the hell are ya here!?"

"You looked so sad and lonely."

"...That's what I want. Now fuck off! I'll die of humiliation if ya stay here!"

"I-"

"I AIN'T LYIN! I GOT A DEFECTIVE BODY!"

Okisato decided it was best to give her some space and left.

In the hall, Daria glanced up as Okisato approached her. "My apologies for asking something like this from you. Sadly she's turned hostile towards me. Not like she doesn't have any right to, it is ultimately my fault she ended up like this. However, I don't want to see her spiral down any further. Damn you Michiko, was this your way of getting the last laugh? Ah, my apologies. Now let's head to the holding facility."

…

Daria stopped before a large door with a keypad. "Are you prepared? The sight will be quite disturbing."

"I can imagine, but thanks for the concern," Okisato nodded.

Despite being the one that asked the question, it was clear Daria was the one more nervous about being reunited with Michiko. This would be the first time she'd see her face-to-face following the incident. Daria took a deep breath and pressed her hand on the keypad. A few seconds later, the door opened and the two were greeted by Raymond.

"So you brought the boy... Very well, this way."

The two followed Raymond through the lab-like room until they arrived at a glass enclosure. Inside the enclosure was a restrained Michiko. Raymond then pressed a button which opened a wall of the enclosure, allowing everyone to enter and approach Michiko.

"Today is the last day we interrogate her, at least like this. Her speech might not be easy to understand though since we've already removed all her teeth," Raymond stated as he removed Michiko's mouth restraint.

Michiko truly was in a horrid state. Her hair was disheveled, she was covered in cuts and bruises, she was missing some toes on her left foot, and her right hand was gone along with all her teeth.

"We'll be cutting off her tongue following this, so make sure to ask everything you want now," Raymond stated as he forced some truth serum down Michiko's throat.

After swallowing the serum and coughing, Michiko began cackling as she gazed up at Daria. "So you came... Daria."

Daria began scowling but maintained her composure. "Why did you do this? Were we not friends?"

Michiko began cackling uncontrollably. "'Friends'!? I've always hated you! You were a complete idiot that babied me like there was no tomorrow! Then when I discovered my talent for chess, you usurped me! YOU, an idiot that had never before played chess, just suddenly became an instant prodigy! You were getting set for life while I was being dethroned. Then the maestro project happened and I lost to you! You tricked me into enslavement as an SPCM! I was forced to stupify myself just to serve some lesser chess players than me!"

"Pretty sure you could have refused. Or were you planning to overthrow the maestro even back then?" Okisato asked.

Upon taking notice of Okisato's presence, Michiko's entire demeanor changed. "You... YOU! YOU FILTHY TRASH! HOW DARE YOU SUBJECT ME TO THIS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION OF AN EXECUTION!"

"And why should I feel bad for you? Do you know how many lives you've ruined?"

Michiko calmed down a bit before smiling and saying, "Just six."

At that point, Daria lost it and slugged Michiko in the face, breaking her nose. "'JUST six'!? You piece of shit, is this what you're really like!?"

"Why so angry? It was only six people whose lives I messed up. You, your husband, your daughter, Safumi, Doraaki, and Tenju. Don't you think it's unfair and inhumane to subject me to such torture?"

"Your math is off. You also ruined the lives of Himitsuue, Himitsusama, and Inoue-senpai's brother, and those are just the ones I know of. I imagine you've ruined far more lives than you let on considering you were with the Desperado league," Okisato glared.

"Huh? I didn't lie. I only ruined six lives. All the people you mentioned are dead."

Raymond scowled and immediately impaled Michiko's left foot with a heated iron poker, causing her to let loose a blood curdling scream.

"You forgot to mention Ai Kamuro. She had talent, far more than you ever hoped to have, and that's not all, Safumi Bouzi was one of the fastest female chess players in the world, yet you ruined her. You killed Kotora Inoue, which negatively affected the mental health of both rising star Mimoko Inoue and Maestro Himitsu, not to mention the guilt you placed on Himitsudono for all this. Taira Kuroshiro was also talented yet now she's dead. You claim you just ruined six lives? You've ruined the lives of every chess player in the world!" Raymond glared.

Once Michiko stopped screaming, Daria decided to ask her one last question. "Why did you kill Kotora?"

Michiko struggled to contain her laughter as she answered. "Simple, it was killing two birds with one stone. It would break Mimoko and serve as my victory over you."

Rage with a hint of sorrow consumed Daria's face as she turned and stormed away. "Skin her alive, burn her to the bone, do what you will with her. I no longer consider the heap of shit before me my friend, nor even a human being for that matter."

Okisato let out a sigh as he closed his eyes. Daria had reached her limit and was likely leaving so that no one would see her cry. However, he still needed some answers from Michiko so he decided to stay.

"I was informed that when you enslaved the other SPCMs along with the false maestro and Xiao Lin, you made it so that they could function as your proxies. Tell me, who was the 8th pawn of yours that aided you."

Michiko's eyes widened a bit, but she remained silent. However, that was all Okisato needed to see to know his theory was right.

"So there truly was someone else under your control. I imagine you also can still take full control of everyone you brainwashed at any moment too, yes?"

That statement caused Michiko to show a much larger reaction, however, she still remained silent.

"That truth serum is shit. Or perhaps ineffective due to her winning a DESPER match. Now, I have two final questions. First, care to divulge the secrets of the Desperado league, particularly all you know about one Manny Pewler?"

Once again, Michiko remained silent, though that was to be expected for this question.

"Next question, what became of Hagemi Shousen?"

This time, Michiko began to laugh. "Who knows."

"In that case, final question. How'd it feel losing to King David's Bongcloud?"

Michiko's face began to contort in rage as she remembered her humiliating loss to Okisato. "YOU FUCKING TRASH! HOW DARE YOU- ACK!?"

Before Michiko could finish, Raymond grabbed her tongue with a metal clamp. "Seems the interrogation is over. In that case, there is no further need of your tongue. As for you, boy, you may leave. I know you have questions about this lab, but I won't answer them," he stated.

Okisato nodded and headed out. As soon as the doors closed behind him, he was able to just faintly hear Michiko's screaming.

"He must be confident in the lab's security if he was willing to let me wander freely," Okisato thought as he began walking down the long hallway.

He quickly ran into Daria who was busy reapplying her makeup. Upon noticing Okisato, she quickly finished up, before facing him properly. Her makeup looked fine, however, her red eyes made it evident that she had been letting loose a torrent of tears.

"Are you OK?" Okisato asked.

"I've calmed down. Did you learn anything?"

"Not at all, sadly."

"So this was effectively a wasted trip then."

"No, it gave you closure on the matter. I'm sure you've been anxious to hear Michiko's feelings ever since you reawoke. As for me, I made sure to piss her off before the president kicked me out."

"By reminding her of the game you played against her. I heard it was a humiliating loss for her."

"Yeah, and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving heap of shit."

Daria managed to muster a smile as she wiped away her tears. "A shame I couldn't school her myself. Then perhaps her mentality that she's somehow conquered me would collapse.

Okisato nodded and began to head out with Daria. However, as soon as they rounded a corner, they ran into a man with a goatee and ponytail alongside a well-dressed dark-skinned woman with short white hair.

Daria immediately froze as she recognized the man.

"My, Maestro Himitsu, isn't it? Pardon my poor Japanese, but allow me to introduce myself. My name is Manny Pewler, and I just so happened to join this establishment as a member of the advisory board," the man chuckled.