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The Service Club room was quiet. Kota was fast asleep, his arms folded on the desk. Airi sat across from him, nose buried in a thick book. Emika glanced between the two, fidgeting with her hands in the awkward silence.
Then the bell rang.
Kota slowly opened one eye and yawned. "Ugh... already?"
He sat up, grabbed his bag, and stretched. Emika stood as well, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Airi closed her book and rose without a word. The three of them left the room and headed to class.
As they took their seats, Kota let out a sigh. "Feels like we just got here."
The teacher entered with a serious expression. "Today marks the beginning of your first strategic game."
A buzz of excitement and confusion rippled through the class.
"Wait… is it already that day?" one student asked.
The teacher nodded. "You'll be facing Class C. The rules are simple: locate the VIP... and destroy their envelope."
Kota glanced sideways at Airi. She was already jotting down notes with her usual precision. But she froze when she heard the words Class C.
Airi whispered under her breath, eyes narrowing. "This is our chance… if we beat Class C, we take their position in the rankings."
The teacher continued, "Before the game begins, each of you will receive your assigned role on your phones. There are six roles, each with specific rules."
He turned and wrote on the board:
1. Pawn
Can move freely between zones
Can infiltrate Class C's hidden areas
Earns 0 points for takedowns
If they reach the West zone, they can upgrade their role
2. Knight
Only two per team
Can access the Northern area
Earns 10 points per takedown
3. Bishop
Can access Class C's hidden areas for information
Support role
4. Rook
Defensive unit
Can protect the King
5. Queen
Can move anywhere freely
One per team
6. King
The VIP
If the King is eliminated, the game ends
Kota squinted at the board. "This... is basically chess."
The teacher clapped once. "You will be transported to the arena shortly. The ship arrives in five minutes. You'll rest in your dorms first. Dismissed."
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Aboard the Ship – Dorm Section
The students filed into the ferry in a single line. Each was handed a room key and a sealed envelope containing more details.
Kota unlocked his dorm room and walked inside. He closed the door behind him, tossed his bag to the corner, and collapsed onto the bed.
"Finally... peace and quiet."
Just then, his phone buzzed. A message popped up:
[Your Role: Pawn]
He stared at it for a second, then sighed again. "Of course..."
---
Meanwhile…
In her own room, Airi sat on the edge of her bed, reviewing her notes. Her phone vibrated.
[Your Role: Queen]
She blinked, then narrowed her eyes. "I can move anywhere…"
Down the hallway, Emika was brushing her hair in front of a mirror. Her phone buzzed on the table beside her.
[Your Role: Bishop]
"Eh? Support again?" she mumbled.
Across the hall, Rina flipped through a novel as her phone chimed.
[Your Role: Bishop]
She smiled softly. "Figures."
In his room, Tetsuro was doing push-ups. His phone buzzed mid-set. He picked it up and read the screen:
[Your Role: Knight]
He smirked. "Now we're talking."
Miyako lay sprawled on her bed, tapping away at her phone when a new message appeared:
[Your Role: Pawn]
"Lame," she muttered.
Bunta, seated with a full meal tray, paused his bite as his phone chimed.
[Your Role: Rook]
He blinked. "Defense, huh? That's... kinda cool."
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Next Time: Chapter 10 – Checkmate in Motion
The pieces are in place. The game begins. But in a world where strategy rules and friendships bend, who will make the first move?
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