Ever since Shiro was young, he displayed an intelligence no one his age possessed. Shiro collected accolades from nearly every competition he entered.
He became the bright, shining star of his family as his parents proudly sang his praises to others. But little did Shiro know that the intelligence he once adored would become a burden.
"Shiro, why did you get a B in this subject?" his dad asked
Shiro, looking away, replied "I was sick, so I could not write it at my best"
"Oh, I know there had to be a reason, I would talk to your homeroom teacher to let you retake it"
"Was getting an A really that important?" a thought that seemed to remain on Shiro's mind
After that encounter, everything became a blur. The things children Shiro's age were meant to enjoy were denied to him.
Schedules replaced play. Expectations replaced laughter. Somewhere along the way, Shiro stopped feeling like a child and started feeling like an obligation.
Shiro picked up his knight and jumped it forward, landing it near Rena's king.
It was not a random move as the knight could attack two important pieces at once
"Oh, not bad" Rena said, scoffing.
"Want to rush me, is that it?"
"Don't know, either way, one had to go" Shiro said with a smirk
"So, tell me, what did you want to talk to me about?" Shiro said as Rena was about to play
"I wanted to know more about this network of yours" Rena said as she moved her king forward and captured Shiro's knight
"Did not expect that"
"What can I say, I am a bag of tricks" Rena said as she gestured Shiro to move
"So, how did this network start?"
Shiro slid his queen across the board, placing Rena's king in check
"Let's say I understood their simple minds easier"
Rena moved her king again
Shiro countered by using his bishop, then brought his rook forward- one piece after another joined the attack
"Simple minds, you say"
"Am I simple?"
Rena said as she moved
Each move became faster
"I don't know, you are somewhat a different class"
"Then I am glad"
"Um, I love that you're enjoying this match, but please don't waste time." Young Rena echoed as she sat in the corner waiting for Rena to finish.
Check
Move
Check again
Shiro's pieces surrounded Rena's side like closing doors
"I need your help leading the class in what comes next."
Shiro stayed silent
It looked dangerous
It looked winning
But Rena was not watching the king, she was watching the center
"Honestly, I hope it is not like the Gandogo Expedition" Shiro said with a dry laugh
"I knew we were not ready but I chose not say anything because I was curious of what would happen"
"I knew you would understand it" Rena replied
Shiro pushed another piece to continue but Rena quietly moved her pawn-by one square
It was small, almost harmless
Shiro frowned
"Are you throwing away the game?"
"No, let us say You are either afraid to see the bigger picture, or you are not curious enough."
Shiro frowned before widening his eyes in shock
The pawn attacked one of his most important pieces. Moving it also opened a path for her bishop and cleared a route for her rook. In an instant, all Shiro attacking pieces were far from home
"In war, adversity or life in general, everyone has a role they must play" Rena said
"What is your role Shiro?" Rena said pointing at Shiro
"From the moment you arrived here, you have done everything half assed. You could break Rika out of her depression but you did not, you could easily stop Arthur from running away, yet you did not"
"If you are wondering why I know all this?"
Rena huffed before replying "It is at some point I did the same thing but I have changed to some instant"
Shiro just kept quiet
"How long have you been playing this game"
"Can't really remember, it was something similar. I had to study up to be able to play"
He had chased Rena's king leaving his side weak
He had played against her half assed
Rena next moves came smoothly
Her bishop moved out and pinned one of Shiro's pieces so that it could not move without exposing the King
Rena rook entered the open space Shiro accidentally created
Then her queen stepped into the middle of the board.
Now Shiro was defending.
Shiro leaned back slowly.
"…Oh."
"I understand what you are saying to some extent but can I really it was right because of when last we talked"
The attack had flipped.
Every move Shiro made now only delayed things. One of Rena's pawns began walking down the board, protected by her remaining pieces.
Step by step.
No way to stop it.
When the pawn reached the final row, she replaced it with another queen.
Shiro stared at the board for a moment longer before gently laying his king on its side.
"I thought I had you," he admitted.
Rena began setting the captured pieces back in place.
"You almost did," she said. "But you half-assed it as usual, underestimating me in the process."
She looked up with a small grin.
"Chess usually rewards those who put everything on the line."
Shiro reset his pieces.
"Is that so?"
Rena nodded.
As Rena and Shiro were about to restart, someone came bursting through the door as Yue tried to stop them
"Was beginning to wonder when you will awaken Rika?"
Rika was dressed as sweat dripped from her face, cleaning her face, Rika smirked widely
"You damn manipulator"