Chapter 88 Chess Tournament Finals - Part 4

I had won enough matches to fulfil my deal with Kimura-kun, so I wasn't too interested in continuing to try during the finals.

There were more students gathered in the area than usual. It seemed that they were all quite interested in the grand final, although it wasn't going to be a very interesting match. After a little while, I decided to take my seat, facing my opponent, Hasegawa Mio.

"You know, Ayato, ever since we were released, I've wanted to see you again."

"I'm not that interesting."

"Oh, but you really are~ no one else has been able to make me excited like you used to."

"Just don't say anything like that when there are other people around."

"People ended up getting the idea that I'm just aloof, but the reason is that nothing interested me. Nothing was capable of making me feel something."

"Don't put too much hope in me."

"No one knows you better than me, Ayato~"

The time was 12:00 pm, and our clocks began running.

I prepared to make a move, but to my surprise, Hasegawa had something else in mind.

To the complete dismay of all of the spectators and teachers, she instantly knocked over her own king. A dense thump echoed through the hall.

"I resign."

There was a moment of silence.

"I thought you wanted a match against me."

"Ayato, as I said before, I know you better than anyone else. You've accomplished your goal, haven't you? That means you're not going to play seriously against me."

"Does that matter?"

"I want to play with you, Ayato, but I want to play with you at your full strength~"

Hasegawa stretched her arms and reached toward the sky, spreading out her fingers. Despite the lacklustre ending, she didn't appear annoyed or unhappy. In fact, she looked as if she had been filled with motivation.

Getting out of her seat, she began making her way out of the hall. There was an outcry in the crowd as people were obviously taken aback by what had just happened. It looked like there was going to be some unwanted attention being directed at me soon if I didn't get out of there.

Pushing my seat in, I began making my way out of the hall as well.

I would've preferred to have lost this match since it would've brought less attention.

I began making my way back to my dorm. I needed to transfer Kimura-kun some of the rewards from the special exam.

Hasegawa didn't only resign because of the reason she stated. She also resigned because it'd force me into the spotlight ever-so-slightly.

Well, this was a little annoying.

-

***

-

In another part of the country, a couple were together in the hospital.

It was completely silent, aside from the subtle noises from the machinery. Laying in the pure white bed was a woman, no older than forty. Despite her age, she was still beautiful, like a model. By her side was her husband, an old, exhausted man, gently holding her hand. Listening to the quiet breeze travelling through the window, the two of them grabbed onto whatever hope they had.

Sometimes, one only realises how precious life is when they're about to lose one.

Suddenly, the door creaked as the doctor walked inside.

"I'm afraid I've got bad news."

The husband's face tensed up. His heart felt as if it would stop beating. Staring anxiously at the doctor, he waited for the next words to come out of their mouth.

"The condition isn't treatable. She's probably got less than three months to live."

"N-no... this can't be happening!"

The husband suddenly grabbed the doctor by the collar. Noticing what he had just done, he quickly let go, but the room was already filled with an air of melancholy. The room went silent once again as he processed what was happening.

"Is there really nothing you can do...?!"

"I'm afraid not. It's spread too far for surgery to be able to help. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do."

"Just... just as we..."

Tears began rolling down his cheek. His face scrunched up. In response, he quickly covered his eyes with his arm.

"Would you like us to call any relatives?"

The husband looked up.

The couple had two children. However, their relationship with their children was very poor.

*

Walking into the office, the doctor was approached by one of the nurses. She was holding a dark blue clipboard with information regarding the family of the couple.

"Doctor Shigeaki Hinohara, it says they've got two children."

"I know that."

"Should I give them a call?"

"I'm not sure yet. Hold off for a little while."

The doctor took a seat at his desk, looking through his computer. The information showed that both of the children attended a very prestigious yet secretive school.

National High School.

He called for the nurse.

"Can you call the school?"

"Yeah, I'll do that."

"Wait."

"Yeah?"

The doctor knew not only about the Tachibana System but also about the couple's relationship with their children. Having helped them quite a few times in the past, the doctor knew more than everyone that contacting the school would be in vain.

Mizuhara Ayato.

Mizuhara Sayaka.

He knew more than anyone that it would be pointless trying to contact them.

"Put the school on the phone, and I'll talk to them."

"Um, alright then."

After speaking with a representative of National High School on the phone, he was only further convinced of what he had previously thought.

The school wasn't going to let the children come to visit.

However, that wasn't even the biggest issue... because even if it were permitted--neither of their children would come to visit anyways.

The best compromise the doctor received was the assurance that their children would be notified.

Despite the attitudes of the children, Doctor Shigeaki still wished to see them again. In his eyes, those two children of the couple were the most amazing people he had ever met. Even after the abuse they suffered, the two children managed to demonstrate their intelligence.

They were truly different.

***