The door of the room where four men were holding a meeting opened, shocking Kirisaki Tsubaki, who had been eavesdropping. The first figure to walk out was Kirishima Genma. He noticed young Tsubaki and stared at her coldly. A shiver ran down her spine as she met his icy gaze.
"That is the old man from earlier," she thought.
Following behind Genma was none other than Tsubaki's father, Tenzo.
"Father..."
"Tsubaki, were you eavesdropping?" Tenzo asked, trying to remain calm.
Tsubaki, fearing her father would be truly angry if she admitted to listening to the whole conversation, claimed she had simply happened to walk by as they were leaving the room.
"Is that so?"
Tenzo replied. He averted his eyes from Tsubaki to Kirishima Genma, who was walking ahead of them. Looking at Genma's back, Tenzo asked Tsubaki to come with them.
"Father?"
"I want you to come with us and see for yourself the possible head of our clan as the future Kirisaki heir and as a member of the Kirisaki family."
Tenzo brought Tsubaki to their car with the other two companions. As the car, driven by one of the men, followed Genma's vehicle toward their destination, Tsubaki looked out the window. Watching the sun hit the glass, she squinted as thoughts raced through her mind. Is it true? Are we really going to meet the one who might become the head of our clan? Her father had taught her the history of their clan and the others, insisting she must know these things as the heir. The current head of the clan had been missing since before she was born since then, her father had acted as the substitute head, planning for her to lead the Kirigumi one day. I don't know what's running through their heads, she thought. I just want a simple life in the countryside...
The two cars arrived at a high school. Tenzo spoke first.
"Is this the place?"
"It looks like it," a companion replied.
In the car in front, Kirishima Genma stepped out and knocked on their window, signaling they had arrived. The five of them stepped out and looked up at the building.
"Is your son still in class?"
"Yes, it seems so..."
As Genma and Tenzo exchanged words, the school bell rang, signaling the start of the lunch break.
"Let's head in, shall we?" Genma said with a smirk toward the five people behind him. The four men followed silently, but Tsubaki hesitated.
"What's wrong, Tsubaki?" Tenzo asked.
Tsubaki, tugging at his clothes as she hid in her father's shadow, whispered, "F-father, I'd prefer to just wait in the car..."
"Why, Tsubaki? Didn't I already tell you about this earlier?"
"What's the matter?" Kirishima Genma looked back, noticing the tension between the two.
"Nothing," Tenzo replied. "It's just that my daughter doesn't seem to want to go inside..."
"Maybe she's just nervous, hahaha," one of Tenzo's companions chuckled.
"If she doesn't want to go, don't force her. Let her wait in the car," Genma said.
Tenzo pondered this. He desperately wanted Tsubaki to witness the potential heir for both clans. Seeing this, Genma's smirk widened.
"You just want your daughter to see her future enemy for the throne, eh?"
The four Kirisaki men widened their eyes at the comment, but Tenzo stood firm, looking Genma in the eye. "Yes. I, personally, do not fully agree with the two clans becoming one again."
Genma laughed. "Is that so? Hahaha! Then, shall we go? Let us witness the one who might change everything."
The five men proceeded to find Genma's son, Minoru. Tsubaki remained in the car with Tenzo's permission. As the men walked through the school, students whispered, sensing an aura from them that warned everyone not to mess with them. When they arrived at Minoru's classroom, a boy slid the door open to leave. He looked up at Genma, who met him with a "killer" stare. The boy shivered and ran away.
Genma walked inside toward a desk where a boy sat reading a book. Unlike the other students who were gossiping about the abrupt intrusion, this boy seemed not to care about his surroundings, enjoying his own company.
"Hey, Minoru," Genma called out.
"..."
"Minoru."
"..."
"Tsk. MINORU!!!"
"WAAAAAAA!" Minoru startled, having been completely focused on his book. "D-dad??"
"Sigh. Are you reading that garbage again?"
"No! This isn't garbage! This is a book by my favorite author of all time, Mr. Clark Tennson! You know, Father, this book is about—"
Genma cut him off. "Enough. I have someone with me. Introduce yourself. You're leaving early today..."
"WHA— WHAT??!!"
"Enough with the reactions. Pack your things."
Kirishima Minoru, confused, looked past his father toward the door where the four Kirisaki men waited with piercing eyes. He knew immediately this involved clan affairs. He packed his things and left the classroom as his classmates whispered in confusion. Once they reached the group, Minoru introduced himself.
"Hi there, Kirisaki folks! My name is Kirishima Minoru, son of Kirishima Genma, and ummm—"
Tenzo interrupted.
"We know who you are, kid. But first: how did you know we are from the Kirisaki? I believe this is the first time we've met."
Minoru scratched the back of his head.
"Oh, well, Father insisted I leave class early, so I thought it must be clan business. You guys look like you're about to hunt prey, and I figured only a Kirisaki would look at me like that given our issues within the Kirigumi, hahaha!"
Tenzo was amazed. (This kid recognized us instantly based on small observations... this kid...)
Genma smirked. "Let's head to the Kirishima estate."
"Umm, Father," Minoru interrupted. "I have club matters."
"You can do that tomorrow, Minoru."
"But, Father..."
Tenzo stepped in. "Hmm. What club are you in, young Minoru?"
"Chess club."
"Oh, chess? So you can play?"
"Yes! Does the Mister also play?"
"A little. Why don't we visit this club of yours?"
"Oh, that sounds interesting!" Minoru said excitedly. Genma and the other Kirisaki men were hesitant, but Tenzo insisted. "Since we are here to evaluate young Minoru, why don't we start with this hobby of his? We can test his intellect."
Genma smirked. "Very well."
The six of them went to the chess club, but the room was empty.
"Seems like the other members haven't arrived yet," one companion noted. "The room is certainly clean."
Minoru replied, "Yes, my seniors are fastidious. Every small bit of dirt makes them grumpy." The Kirisaki men laughed. Minoru then turned to Tenzo. "Umm, Mister, can we play a match?"
"Hahaha, I was about to ask you! You beat me to it. Yes, sure."
Minoru prepared the board, and the two sat down. The heavy silence of the empty clubroom added to the pressure, punctuated only by the ticking of a wall clock.
"I'll play White," Tenzo said steadily.
"Be my guest, Mister!" Minoru chirped, his eyes shining with focus.
Tenzo opened aggressively with the King's Pawn. Minoru responded instantly, mirroring the move. As the game progressed into the Ruy Lopez, a classic opening, Tenzo exerted pressure. He moved his Knight to threaten Minoru's pawn and slid his Bishop across the board to pin the defenses.
"You play well, young Minoru. You've clearly been reading books about chess," Tenzo remarked, sliding his Knight into an attacking position. "Solid. Reliable. But predictable."
"Books are great, aren't they?" Minoru replied with a wide grin. "But sometimes, people skip the chapters they think are boring. That's where the best secrets are hidden."
Tenzo pushed his advantage, launching a coordinated attack with his Queen and Rook. To the observers, it looked like Tenzo was crushing the boy. Minoru's pieces were pushed back into the corners. Tenzo moved his Queen the most powerful piece on the board—to threaten Minoru's King.
"Check," Tenzo said firmly.
Minoru looked unfazed. He moved his King to the side, but in doing so, he left his Queen completely undefended. It looked like a rookie mistake a blunder.
"It seems your nerves have gotten the better of you," Tenzo said with a hint of disappointment. He captured Minoru's Queen with his Bishop. "The game is over."
Genma remained unfazed. The other Kirisaki men began to turn away, losing interest. But Minoru didn't look upset. He leaned back and sighed with relief.
"You know, Mister, in that book by Clark Tennson, the hero wins not by having the biggest sword, but by making the villain think the sword is already broken."
"Huh?"
Tenzo's eyes widened. He looked back at the board. By taking Minoru's Queen, Tenzo's Bishop was now blocking his own Rook's line of sight. More importantly, Tenzo's King was trapped in a "corridor" of his own pawns—a Back Rank Mate.
Minoru's hand moved like a flash. He grabbed his Rook and slid it all the way across the board to the last row, right behind Tenzo's King.
"Actually," Minoru whispered, "it's Checkmate."
Tenzo stared in stunned silence. He had the material advantage, but his King had nowhere to run. The "blunder" had been a calculated lure.
"You... you sacrificed your Queen just to open that lane?"
Minoru stood up, his clumsy personality returning. "My senior says I'm too reckless, but I just like seeing the look on people's faces when the weak piece wins!"
Genma stepped forward, his smirk wider than ever. "Great game, Minoru. As expected of my son. Now, Tenzo, what is your say?"
Tenzo looked troubled. He had witnessed a level of cunning that even some pro players lacked. This boy was a prodigy.
As they left the school, Tenzo told Tsubaki everything he had witnessed. He said something she would remember for years: "Tsubaki, beware. That kid might become your arch-rival for the clan. No matter what, protect the name of Kirisaki."
PRESENT TIME
"Ms. Kirisaki?"
"..."
"Ms. Kirisaki??"
"Oh! Sorry, I was just thinking about something..."
Kirishima Minoru cut in. "Looks like Ms. Kirisaki remembered something, I guess?"
Tsubaki met him with a piercing stare, causing Minoru to smirk. As the tension rose, a familiar voice spoke from behind them.
"Then why is that man still in the house, Yamada, you dork?"
Yamada turned around. "Lady Kanadeee!!!" He hugged her exaggeratedly out of worry.
"You—Yamada, get off me, you dork!"
"I sob I thought something happened to you, Lady Kanade! sob"
"As if! I just went to buy vanilla ice cream! Get off me, you idiot!"
As Yamada cried and Kanade tried to shove him off, Minoru said his goodbyes. "Well then, looks like Miss Tachima is back, so I'll take my leave."
Yamada stopped crying. "Oh, okay. Thank you again, Mr. Kirishima."
Minoru smiled. As he passed Tsubaki, he tapped her and whispered, "Don't be too cautious. It's not like I'd bite you for being a Kirisaki."
Tsubaki turned and see him smiling at her. Yamada and Kanade looked on, confused. A few minutes later, Tsubaki decided to leave as well.
"Mr. Yamada, Ms. Kanade, thank you for having me. I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion. I just wanted to apologize for the things from a few days ago. I'm sorry." Tsubaki bowed.
Yamada replied, "Oh, it was nothing! It's all in the past. I just hope you and Lady Kanade can be good friends from now on."
Kanade snapped, "Cut it out, Yamada. How stupid."
Tsubaki looked at her. "Ms. Tachima, watch your words."
"You're lecturing me again!!"
Tsubaki smiled. "I hope we can be friends, Ms. Tachima." She waved and left.
"That woman," Kanade muttered.
"Lady Kanade?"
"Nothing. And why are you creepily smiling, Yamada?"
"Oh, don't mind me! I'm definitely not smiling because Lady Kanade made a friend today. Trust me..."
"You dork! We are NOT friends!!!"
As they entered the house, a suspicious car sat parked a few steps away. Inside were two men in black suits and a woman with black twin-tails.
The woman spoke. "At last, I found you... Black Demon of the Tachimagumi."
It was Kirisaki Tsumiho.
TO BE CONTINUED...