Chapter 13: A Super Fun Awesome Way to Win!
The sun shined onto the house, marking another fine and sunny day. The birds chirped happily, feeling enlightened by the warmth the sun brings. Inside the house contained a dark room. Keima tossed and turned inside his bed. He groaned, finding something disturbing.
He imagined himself standing near the pole at night time. His body wrapped around in thick ropes. He screamed and shouted, demanding the kidnapper to let go of him. The kidnapper emerged out of the shadows, stepping into the light. Keima widened his eyes, gazing upon Tenri's face. Tenri moved closer to him, causing his heart to thump quicker. She moved her hand outwards, caressing his cheeks. Keima jerked his head around, feeling violated.
"D-Don't touch me!"
Tenri moved her body towards his, wrapping her arms around it. Keima's cheeks reddened. Goose bumps formed around his body. His body struggled, trying to escape from her clutches.
"Why aren't you listening to me?"
Tenri turned her head, facing Keima. She slowly moved her head, aiming for his lips. Keima's hands shook, feeling fear from her aggressive move. He moved his head away from her, resisting her attacks.
"Don't! NOOOO!"
Keima quickly lifted his body upright, opening his eyes widely. He huffed and puffed, trying to regain his breath. He lifted his hands, staring at them. That was a weird dream. It almost felt so real… like it was my third kiss. He climbed out of his bed, strolling through his room. If it actually did happen, I might be in deep shit… But then again, how could someone like Tenri could ever think about doing something like kissing me when I least expected? He sat on the chair, turning on his gaming consoles.
"Time for me to continue my 40 days of gaming!"
"Keima! Are you awake? It's time to go to school now!"
Keima widened his eyes.
Chihiro lifted her arm up, pointing towards the ceiling.
"Alright! We're gonna have the dance festival in November! The live debut of 2-B Pencil is closing in!"
Ayumi turned her head around, widening her eyes. Her cheeks reddened, feeling nervous.
"Wait! That's about 2 months away?"
Amika blinked at Chihiro.
"Two months is a bit short to get ready for."
Miyako gazed upon Chihiro's cheery face, crossing her lips.
"Are you sure we'd be truly ready by then?"
Chihiro chuckled, resting her arms on Amika.
"Relax! It'll be all good!"
She closed her eyes, placing her hands near her ears.
"I can hear it… The echoes of the massive stadium... the crowd going wild… they could be cheering for us before we even begin!"
Ayumi lowered her eyelids, staring at Chihiro.
"Hey… What kind of big debut is this? Are we the 'Johnnys'?"
Miyako rested her hands on her keyboard.
"And by the way, we still don't have a drummer… what should we do then?"
She moved her arm off Amika, resting her hand on Miyako's piano.
"Excellent point, Miyako…"
She lifted her hand up, pointing at a wall.
"The historically great bands all had problems with their drummers. They suddenly died, were led away with cuffs, had family issues, grew very lazy and couldn't be fucked to do anymore drumming, and died their hair pink and wore strange glasses."
She turned around, facing the window. She smiled at the birhgt sun shining.
"Ah… Having problems with drummers… Is fundamental for us…"
Amika, Ayumi and Miyako huddled together, whispering to each other.
"It has nothing to do with drums…"
"You think all the stress of two months had made her a bit delirious?"
"I don't know really…"
She walked away from the window, standing near the girls.
"We'll manage somehow…"
Ayumi scratched her head.
"You're so positive Chihiro."
Amika moved close to Miyako, whispering to her.
"I'll see what I can do about getting a drummer. Don't let Chihiro get too fargone with this band, okay?"
Keima laughed cheerfully and loudly. Laugher brings out great fortune! He gazed upon the PFP, smiling at the girl holding her hands to her cheeks. I never realised… I never realised… School… It could be a heavenly place! He imagined himself strolling through the park. Summer was set aside for gaming… but… he stopped moving, lifting his head up. He watched many girls falling from the sky. Each girl landed on him, causing him to drop his PFP. He tried wriggling himself out of the mound, groaning in pain. It was an epic fail! One harsh interruption after after…
Keima gritted his teeth, remembering a whole crowd of people entering his house without consent. The last day is like some horror movie! It started with a plotline that I dislike very much and grew bigger and bigger like a huge suspense, before reaching a huge climax where I wished I was never born! Keima sighed, remembering the joyous times of him getting smacked on the head by Nikaido. But in school, I get to take my time playing, even during classes! Keima jumped off his seat, shouting his lungs out.
"School is the best! The Shangri-la of gaming!"
"Hey there Keima buddy!"
Keima widened his eyes. He ran away from him, trying to escape. Kumuro grasped his arms, watching Keima move his legs around. Keima turned his head around, frowning at Kumuro.
"You heard what I said before right? SO AT LEAST LET ME BE ALONE IN SCHOOL!"
Kumuro sighed.
"But Keima buddy, I just wanted to ask you if you can do the drums or not."
Keima turned around, frowning at him.
"I helped you with your dating issues? Can you find someone else?"
Kumuro frowned back.
"One, it turned out to be a huge blowout, so it doesn't exactly count! And two, why the hell do you have to be obsessed with playing games? You should be glad you got entertain this summer holidays!"
"ENTERTAINED?"
Kumuro fell on the ground, staring at Keima exhausting fumes out of his head.
"Entertained my ass! It's more like torture to me!"
Keima pointed his fingers at Kumuro.
"I don't know what happened the night before you are left with nothing, but I wasn't responsible for that!"
Kumuro whimpered, cowering in fear. Keima clenched his fist, unleashing his fury.
"I finally understood… When you lend a penny, people steal your wallet…"
He raised his fists in front of Kumuro.
"From now on, there will be no more help from me! This is a new term, and I'm not gonna respond to anyone, especially that damn reality!"
He turned around, storming away from Kumuro. Suddenly he bumped into Nanaka, pushing him to the ground. She fell on the ground, watching her shogi pieces scatter all over. He growled, feeling his head aching. She frowned at him, gritting her teeth.
"Watch where ya goin'!"
Keima waved his fist around.
"I should be the one saying that!"
She crawled through the floor, picking up all the pieces. She placed most of them back inside her shogi case. She crawled faster, trying to find her last piece.
"Dammit! Now I lost my Keima!"
Kumuro slowly stand up watching her crawl around the school grounds.
"Where are ya Keima?"
Kumuro faced Keima, blinking at him. He walked towards Keima, pointing at him.
"Isn't Keima here?"
Nanaka lifted herself off the ground, glaring at Kumuro.
"A Keima. K-ei-ma."
Kumuro blinked at her. He dragged Keima close to him.
"Like I said, he's here."
Nanaka leaned forward, shouting at him.
"God! What are ya? A retard?"
Kumuro pouted his lips, whimpering at her.
"I am not a retard…"
She gritted her teeth, clenching her fists.
"Listen carefully then! What I'm trying to look for is a-"
"There she is…"
Nanaka, Keima and Kumuro turned their heads, facing a gang of nerdy boy smiling sinisterly at her.
"That's the damn woman who's been causing trouble here!"
"Where the hell are you from woman?"
"Are you the blockhead who's trying to pick a fight with this club?"
Nanaka waved her hands around her orange mushroom hair. She lifted her head straight, smiling at them sinisterly.
"Majima Municipal Misato East Highschool Shogi Club, 2nd year, Haibara Nanaka."
Kumuro blinked at her.
"Keima… What's Shogi?"
Keima blinked at Kumuro.
"You never heard of Shogi, yet you had played chess…"
Nanaka moved her hands from her hair.
"I ain't here to start a fight. I'm lookin' to play some shogi, and word is that this club's the strongest."
A shady-looking guy stood out of the crowd, adjusting his glasses.
"Coming to defeat the Maikou Shogi club eh? You got some guts."
His minions pushed him further, cheering on for him.
"Don't you know who the strongest is?"
One of his minions pointed at him, boasting about his achievements.
"He was in the prefectural tournament twice! He's our greatest chief ever, Sankichi Tazaka!"
Tazaka grinned sinisterly, revealing his glowing red eyes.
"I'm Tazaka the demon warlord. You're quite the daredevil, eh?"
Nanaka giggled ominously.
"I came all the way from another school… I'd be trouble if you were total crap…"
Tazaka gritted his teeth. His eyes glowed bright red. He pointed his fingers at her, howling angrily.
"That's it! You're duelling in our club, right now!"
His minions dragged her away from Keima and Kumuro. Kumuro blinked at them exiting the school grounds.
"Why did you drag me into this? Didn't I tell you I won't get involved with-"
Kumuro moved his finger to his lips Keima, making him close his mouth.
"I'm watching."
Keima and Kumuro peered through the window, watching Nanaka and Tazaka sitting opposite of each other. Kumuro imagined their spirits emerging out of their bodies, forming into samurai warlords. They waved their weapons around, aiming for their heads. Tazaka and Nanaka each moved a shogi piece at a time. Tazaka grinned and chuckled sinisterly.
"You seem to play for a special reason, yeah?"
Nanaka gazed upon the battlefield, moving her men forward. Tazaka moved his men to the side, preparing for an ambush.
"You see… I have also won against people in the Shourekai."
His minions giggled sinisterly, waiting for Nanaka's reaction for defeat. Nanaka closed her eyes while moving her piece.
"I don't know nothin' 'bout the Shourekai, coz I was abroad 'till now…"
Tazaka chuckled sinisterly.
"You'll regret this…"
He moved his piece forward.
"During this game, you'll…"
His eyes glowed bright red.
"Come to taste real power!"
Nanaka moved her piece, delivering the final blow.
"Checkmate!"
Tazaka and his minions widened their eyes. Theirs jaws dropped wide open. Tazaka's red eyes disappeared, feelings the burning flames within him extinguished. Nanaka grinned sinisterly.
"Guess it's my victory then…"
Tazaka fell backwards, landing on his minion. She marched away from the boys recovering their master.
"Pull it together! It's only one game!"
She moved her hands onto her head, feeling her brain aching.
"Dammit! My time got wasted!"
Keima and Kumuro turned their head around, gazing upon her frustration. She turned away from them, walking through the corridors.
"Facing off with those weaklings will drop my level! Guess I have to duel with that damn bitch again…"
Keima strolled through the streets with Kumuro. Kumuro held a shogi piece, staring at it carefully. He chuckled at it, staring at the word "Keima". He laughed loudly, making Keima glare at him.
"What the hell is it now?"
Kumuro stopped laughing, trying to breathe properly.
"Oh nothing! It's just that…"
He laughed again, making Keima grit his teeth.
"You're named after a shogi piece! Was your mother on drugs when she had named you?"
Keima slapped Kumuro, making him fall on the ground.
"Cut it out! At least my mother's not like yours, sadistic and all."
Kumuro lifted himself off the ground.
"Geez! Can't you take a joke?"
Keima and Kumuro continued strolling, facing away from each other.
"Besides, I think we should give it back to whoever that girl was."
Keima sighed.
"Good luck trying to find her school."
"Oh come on Keima! At least help out!"
Keima turned around shouting at him.
"I told you once, and I'll tell you one more time! I WILL NOT GET INVOLVED ANYMORE!"
Suddenly, Keima and Kumuro stared at Tenri crouching down. She hid behind a menu stand, feeling her body trembled. She whispered, making sure no one can hear her.
"I wonder if that girl is coming to chase me down again… It'll be really troublesome…"
Kumuro blinked at Tenri. His brain popped up, glowing like a light bulb.
"Nanaka must be Tenri's classmate!"
Tenri screamed, taken by surprise, she fell on the road, pushing the stand on the ground. She dropped her suitcase, making it fall beside her. She pushed her arms out, lifting her body up. She turned around, gazing upon Keima's face.
"Ah… Ke… Keima-kun?"
She lifted her body up, carrying the suitcase and menu stand on her hands. She placed the stand back on the street, standing in front of Keima and Kumuro. Keima blinked at her.
"Tenri, what are you doing in front of my house?"
She lowered her head, making her cheeks red.
"Umm… I'm being… chased by someone…"
Kumuro blinked at her.
"Chased? By who?"
"FOUND YA!"
Tenri turned around, gasping at the sight of Nanaka. Keima and Kumuro moved their eyes to Nanaka. She pointed her fingers at Tenri, frowning at her.
"Ayukawa! Ya gonna play one round of shogi with me today for sure!"
Tenri widened her eyes, slightly leaning her body away from her classmate. Nanaka turned away from Tenri, opening her shogi case. Kumuro moved his head near Keima, placing his hands near his mouth.
"A stroke of luck we have found her, eh?"
Keima gritted his teeth.
"That's not funny!"
She took of her shoes, resting on her huge purse. She slammed a box filled with shogi pieces on the board.
"Let's duel!"
Tenri blinked at Nanaka.
"Eh… Umm… On the streets?"
"Doesn't matter… Can't be patient anymore…"
She rested her hands on the board, shouting at her.
"I haven't had a good night's sleep… BECAUSE I LOST AGAINST YOU!"
Kumuro cowered form Nanaka, whimpering in fear. Keima blinked at Nanaka. It kinda seems weird that Tenri would be the competitive type… She doesn't look like she can play something like Shogi well. Nanaka scratched her head, feeling her brain itching.
"It shouldn't be damn well possible for me to lose in shogi… yet you have seemed to somehow win when you always space out in class!"
Keima dragged Tenri away from Nanaka. Keima and Kumuro stared at her, showing their surprised look.
"How did you even win shogi?"
Tenri scratched her head.
"Well… Even though she always call me an idiot… I never had tried to backchat against her… One day… She said 'I like to see you win against me!' I replied 'well why don't you play with me? I want to see what shogi's like anyway.' We actually did play… but I'm still not sure how I won shogi…"
Kumuro scratched his head.
"Beginner's luck?"
Tenri shrugged.
"She wanted to duel me again… I had somehow beaten her 4 more times."
Keima blinked at Tenri.
"Is that even possible?"
Nanaka growled at them, shouting loudly.
"STOP BICKERING! COME AND SIT DOWN!"
Tenri turned her head, facing Nanaka.
"Umm… Maybe I should go and apologize."
Keima sighed. Even though I said I won't get involved with anyone anymore…He stood in front of Tenri, making her eyes widened.
"Leave this to me!"
He folded his arms, grinning sinisterly at her. He let out a god-like chuckle, making Nanaka's body form goose bumps.
"It's a hundred years too early for you to challenge master Tenri! First you must duel her student, me!"
Tenri blinked at Keima. Ma… Master? Kumuro pushed Keima away, making him stagger. Keima widened his eyes, gazing upon Kumuro's sinister grin. Wha-what the hell? Kumuro folded his arms and chuckled evilly.
"But you have to wait about thirty years before you might have a chance to duel her student! If you want to get past student Keima, you must challenge his minion, me!"
Tenri blinked at Kumuro. M… Minion? Nanaka lifted her body up, growling at Kumuro.
"Student? Minion?"
Kumuro laughed like an evil mad scientist. He moved near Keima, whispering quietly to him and Tenri.
"You guys can go home!"
Keima gritted his teeth.
"Why are you saying that? And why are you ruining my plan for Tenri?"
Tenri dragged Keima away from Kumuro, moving him to her house. Keima struggled, ordering Tenri to let go. Nanaka frowned at Kumuro, exhausting fumes out of her head.
"I got no beef with a minion like you! I don't even wanna challenge that damn student! I want Ayukawa!"
Kumuro poured sweat from his face. Wait… How did I end up doing that again? Well… At least I get to see what Shogi's like, right? Kumuro closed his eyes, smiling at her.
"Well… If you keep insisting…"
Kumuro held a shogi piece out, making Nanaka widen her eyes in fear.
"Maybe I could lick this piece. Maybe I could use it as my good luck charm. Or maybe…"
Kumuro formed shadows around his eyes.
"… Maybe I'll chop it into pieces!"
Nanaka held her hands out, forcing Kumuro to move his hands away from her.
"Oh god! My Keima!"
The shadows around Kumuro disappeared. He closed his eyes, smiling at Nanaka.
"I'll return it when you duel me!"
Nanaka sighed.
"Fine. I'll duel you. How strong are ya?"
Kumuro placed his hands on his head, turning away from her.
"I have heard how similar Shogi and Chess are… Maybe I'm also a master of Shogi as well as chess!"
Nanaka blinked at him. What? Shrugging off her confusion, she knelt down, pouring the pieces on the board.
"This sounds interesting… sit down and duel me then!"
Kumuro crouch down, staring at the board.
"Before we begin, how do I place the pieces?"
Nanaka fell on the ground. She slowly lifted herself from the ground, frowning at him.
"YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT?"
Kumuro pouted his lips.
"The game starts after they're in place, right?"
Nanaka slapped him in the face, making him fall on the ground.
"IDIOT!"
Kumuro and Nanaka gazed upon the battlefield, watching their men shout at each other. Some wave their weapons around, scaring their opponents off. Kumuro lifted his head up, watching a huge spirit pop out of her body. A huge demon glared at Kumuro, breathing fire from its mouth. Kumuro took a deep breath, clearing his mind. He moved one of men through the field, preparing to strike one of her men.
"I heard you lost five times. Many people who started playing chess would usually lose at least ten times before improving their skills."
Nanaka gritted her teeth. The demon shared her anger, breathing fire at Kumuro's face. Kumuro whimpered, covering his face from the fire.
"Are ya an idiot? Five losses is one of the worst things I can have!"
She lowered her head, gazing upon the battlefield
"Till now, I had never had a losing streak, let alone I had never lost once."
A mountain emerged out of the field, making Kumuro's men cower in fear.
"High calibre geniuses are congregating in the highest world of shogi. I need to show an overwhelming display of power!"
She lifted her head up, glaring at Kumuro.
"I'll enter the newcomer tournament this year… And shoot to be the pro."
Kumuro blinked at her, watching the demon return inside her body.
"And yet… I can't go there while I lost five times to someone… someone like Ayukawa!"
Kumuro poured tears out of his eyes, making Nanaka blink at him. He pulled out a handkerchief from his hands, making him wipe his tears.
"Wow… You remind me of how I used to be when I entered my first few chess tournaments!"
He closed his eyes and pressed his hands together.
"I never thought I would meet someone who had the same problems. I feel so blessed that I'm no longer alone!"
Nanaka scratched her head, having her cheeks slightly red.
"I… I heard I talk like a dumb kid… Sorry 'bout my chatter."
Kumuro's eyes glimmered.
"No, no. Talk more! I think I'm falling in love with Kansai-dialect!"
Her cheeks grew redder, making her shout at him.
"Hey! Stop it!"
Kumuro placed his piece on the ground, delivering his final blow. Kumuro smiled, feeling empowered by his men cheering for him.
"Wow! Shogi really is like chess!"
Kumuro lifted his head up, watching Nanaka's reaction. She clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth. Her eyes were watery at the sight of her men begging for mercy.
"I… I lost again?"
Kumuro blinked at her, watching her pour tears from her eyes. Wow… She's taking this defeat seriously? Oh well. Now I can move onto phase two of the project. Wait… What phase two? Why am I talking like I made up a plan? Oh… right… I somehow interrupted Keima who was making up his plan… I better go check out Tenri and Keima at her house then! Kumuro slowly lifted his body up, creeping away from Nanaka. He ran to Tenri's house, using all of his energy on his legs.
Keima placed a cardboard on the stand, showing his diagrams to Kumuro and Tenri. Two of them sat on the couch, gazing on the equations carefully. He pointed at a diagram of Keima and Nanaka.
"For step one, I have to beat Nanaka!"
He moved to the diagram of Tenri and Keima.
"Next step, I have to make Tenri win. By doing so, I emphasise Tenri's strength. That way, I can encourage her to do special training before the final duel."
He pointed at the diagram of Nanaka jumping up and down, facing away from Tenri who got KO'd in Shogi.
"Of course in this final duel, Nanaka will win there. This will make a happy ending, which means that Nanaka won't bother Tenri anymore, and I won't have to help anyone else ever again!"
He gritted his teeth, pointing at Kumuro.
"But why the fuck did you suddenly challenge her, you damn idiot?"
Kumuro whimpered, cowering in fear.
"I wanna play shogi, seeing if it's anything like chess…"
Keima sighed.
"Somehow, you did manage to win, and that becomes something much better I guess. The more we emphasise Tenri, the less chance of Nanaka bothering Tenri."
Kumuro giggled sinisterly.
"I don't care if you win though…"
Keima cocked an eyebrow. Kumuro's eyes were concealed by the shadows, making his eyes glow red.
"Because today! You… Shall… LOOOOOSE!"
Keima adjusted his glasses, grinning sinisterly.
"You dare to challenge a god the second time? You will regret this!"
Kumuro raised his hands up, laughing like a lunatic.
"You... are no longer... on holy ground this time... capturing god! You... are now... on the Witch King's hallowed grounds!"
Tenri blinked at Kumuro.
"Witch King?"
Keima and Kumuro stood opposite to each other, grinning sinisterly. They gazed upon the battlefield, watching their men shout at them. They marched together, advancing upon each other. Some warriors' blades glinted brightly, causing weak little pawns to cower in fear. Keima's spirit emerged out of his body, forming a body looking similar to his. More arms grew from his back, carrying PFPs with him. Kumuro's spirit emerged out of his body, forming an armoured knight carrying an enchanted sword. Runes imprinted on his armour and sword glowed crimson red. Its eyes shimmered bright purple, striking fear on Keima's men.
Keima's spirit released a shower of flying girls from his PFPs, ordering them to aid their men. Keima's soldiers cheered at each girl flying around them. Nanaka gazed upon the boys, witnessing their determined face. Wow… These opponents are fierce, even though they seemed to have little experience in Shogi… Kumuro moved his piece, preparing to penetrate through Keima's defences. Nanaka widened her eyes. Wow! A good move! Keima placed a shiny piece forward, intercepting Kumuro's attack. Nanaka covered her lips. Wow! That's also a good move! As Keima and Kumuro knock each piece out, Nanaka bit her lips.
Keima and Kumuro smiled at their remaining men standing inside their battle field. Nanaka's heart thumped quickly. At this rate, it could be anyone's game! Kumuro's eyes glint as he moved his piece. He grinned sinisterly, plotting his final offence. Instead of cowering in fear, Keima grinned sinisterly.
"You have made a huge mistake, Witch King!"
Keima placed his piece forward, delivering the final blow.
"Check. And mate!"
Keima's spirit released a flurry of 2D girls soaring towards the Witch King. The King screamed in agony, watching his body disappear. Kumuro widened his eyes, making him fall on the ground. He trembled in fear and whimpered.
"No… Not again…"
Keima lifted himself off the ground, recalling his spirit back inside his body. He adjusted his glasses, smiling at Kumuro.
"You should think twice before challenging me again…"
He turned his head, facing Tenri's house.
"Tenri, you can come out now! I want to verse you."
Tenri opened the door, peering through the gaps. She slowly moved out of her hiding place, creeping towards Keima.
"Umm… Do you mind if you go hard on me?"
Keima blinked at her. Shrugging off the confusion, he smiled at her.
"Sure. Why not…"
Keima widened his eyes, watching his king fall to the ground. Tenri blinked at the pieces, figuring out why she had won. His body trembled in fear. What..? Is this reality's doing? How the hell can she beat me, the capturing god? Have... have I… been captured all along? Kumuro widened his eyes, dropping his jaws.
"How did you win Tenri?"
Tenri scratched her head.
"I think Keima-kun didn't watch his pieces carefully. So I had exposed his weakness… And I guess that's how I won…"
Nanaka covered her lips, witnessing Tenri's powers. Wow… She had beaten her student… and she didn't even break a sweat! She lowered his eyebrows, forming a frown. I'm gonna kick ass and be even stronger! I will destroy Ayukawa! Tenri widened her eyes, watching Nanaka's burning body. She retreated from Keima, heading for the door.
"I forgot to do something back at my house. See you later, Keima-kun!"
Keima's body stood still, feeling mortified of the recent events. Kumuro waved his arms around, catching his buddy's attention. Keima pointed at Nanaka, drawing her attention. He formed a frown on his face.
"You! Do you want to beat Tenri very badly?"
Nanaka widened her eyes.
"Whaaaa? Ya serious?"
Keima moved his arms up and down, shouting at Nanaka.
"I want Tenri beaten so badly! We'll win at all costs!"
Nanaka nodded her head.
"Well I know what defeat's like…"
Keima turned around.
"Well… It was kinda planned…"
Nanaka blinked at Keima.
"Aren't ya crying though?"
Keima sniffed, trying to draw the ears away.
"They aren't tears… It's a hot spring!"
Kumuro stood next to Nanaka, moving his hands to his mouth.
"Maybe it's best if we leave him alone for now."
Kumuro closed his eyes, smiling at her.
"Mind if I walk you back home?"
Nanaka blinked at him. She shrugged, smiling at him.
"Sure! Why not?"
Nanaka and Kumuro strolled together, leaving Keima whimpering near Tenri's house. Tenri opened the window, watching Keima's alone time. She sighed, feeling bad about him.
Kumuro strolled through the streets, whistling joyously. You know… This Nanaka girl is kinda nice once I get to know her. Yes, she may talk about shogi all the time and she had insulted me before… Kumuro closed his eyes, moved his hands close to his head. But I've never been so moved by her voice! No other voice has ever made me enlightened! Kumuro ambled towards Keima's house, knocking on it. Let's see how Keima's buddy doing now… The door opened wide, revealing Mari. She smiled at him, closing her eyes.
"Kumuro-kun. Keima's just in his living room with his new friend."
Kumuro crossed his lip. Wait… why don't I feel right? He walked through Mari, entering the living room. He widened his eyes, watching them laughing at each other. Kumuro moved closer to them, observing their tired faces.
"Uh… you guys haven't slept since you trained?"
Keima giggled sinisterly, placing his piece forward.
"OH... It's no big deal! It's only been four days!"
Nanaka moved her piece sideways.
"Yes yes! It's only special trainin' to beat Ayukawa…"
"You're just saying that coz u sleep during school!"
"Watcha talkin' 'bout? I ain't sleepin' if ya not sleepin'!"
She slightly leaned her body to the side. She slightly lowered her eyelids, feeling her eyes straining.
"If I can't beat you… I won't be beating Ayukawa, right?"
She placed a piece on the battlefield. She moved her body on the table, pushing the pieces on the floor. Her eyes were shut gently. Kumuro leaned closer to Nanaka, studying her sleepy face. She may look cute when she sleeps… But I'm not sure if I like competitive people anymore… Keima scratched his head, gazing upon Nanaka.
"For someone who wants to win badly, she even too stubborn to know when to sleep…"
Keima shrugged, pulling his PFP out.
"I'm used to all nighters. She's no match for me!"
He fell on the floor, dropping his PFP. He gazed upon Keima's sleepy face, blinking at him. These two have something in common at least… Is that why I'm friends with Keima buddy? Kumuro shrugged, picking up the PFP. He switched it off, laying it on the table. Suddenly, Amika entered the living room, grasping his hand tightly.
"Kumuro-sama! Have you found a drummer yet?"
Kumuro turned around, facing Amika. He widened his eyes, realising what he needed to do days ago.
"Shit. I was supposed to do that a few days ago…"
Amika turned her head, blinking at Keima and Nanaka sleeping. Who the hell is that girl? She shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts. She gasped upon Kumuro's face, showing her serious face.
"I did what I can around the science clubs to find one. Any luck?"
Kumuro scratched his head.
"I did try asking Keima buddy…"
Amika shouted at him.
"Why the hell would we want that damn Otamegane for?"
Kumuro whimpered, cowering from Amika. Amika broke sweat on her face. Did I scare Kumuro-sama that much? Maybe I need to relax a bit… Amika sighed.
"Never mind about him. Do you have anyone else?"
Kumuro moved his hands to his lips.
"Maybe I could ask Heihachi…"
Amika grabbed Kumuro's hand.
"Can you at least show me where I can find them?"
Amika dragged Kumuro out of the living room, leaving Nanaka and Keima behind.
Chihiro frowned at Heihachi sitting on the drummer seat. He winked at her, spinning his drumstick around. Ichigou stood near Heihachi, holding his bass guitar. She turned her head, facing Amika.
"You idiot! These guys were from that last day of vacation at Otamegane's house!"
Amika folded her arms, forming back at Chihiro.
"Well you're the one who somehow decided to come to him!"
Chihiro gritted his teeth.
"I told you! I needed some study!"
Ayumi moved between Chihiro and Amika, pushing them apart.
"Guys, please settle."
Amika shifted her frown at Ayumi.
"Did you get so soft from visiting Keima's house?"
Ayumi turned around, shouting at her.
"Watch your mouth! I also was studying with him!"
Miyako broke sweat on her face.
"Guys… Aren't you forgetting what's more important for our band?"
Chihiro sighed.
"Even though I did tell all of you guys that we'll manage somehow… I suppose we can give these damn boys a chance…"
Heihachi nodded his head.
"Thank you ladies…"
He raised his hands up, holding his drumming sticks up.
"I'm gonna show you a part of what I can do."
Heihachi rapidly tapped on the high hats, making Ichigou pluck the strings on his bass. With massive blows of tom toms, snare drums and bass drums, he filled the room with loud beats. Miyako and Amika nodded their heads, feeling slightly impressed. Heihachi created his final blows, commanding Ichigou to stop playing. Heihachi stood up and bowed down. He then smiled, folding his arms.
"Now… Let's discuss about a bit of compromise…"
Chihiro cocked her eyebrows.
"What compromise?"
Heihachi and Ichigou faced each other. They nodded at each other and smiled. Heihachi turned his head again, facing the girls.
"If I'm going to join your band, you must include my man, Ichigou."
Amika clenched her fists, shouting at them.
"I didn't ask you guys so you can kick me out!"
Heihachi lifted his hand up, pointing his finger towards the ceiling.
"And you must also play songs influenced by our favourite bands."
Chihiro clenched his fists.
"If you think we're gonna drop Amika-chan and play your shitty music, you can forget about it!"
Heihachi shrugged.
"Suit yourself. But if you don't get a drummer by the dance festival, we'll in a band before then!"
Heihachi and Ichigou strolled out of their rooms, carrying their stuff with them. Ayumi, Chihrio and Miyako face Amika, frowning at her. Amika sighed, feeling guilty about herself.
"I'm sorry… I guess maybe we should wait a little longer."
Chihiro sighed.
"Well… Maybe we should get a bit more serious about our band."
Tenri sighed, strolling through the streets. Her mind drifted, thinking about Keima and Nanaka. I haven't seen them for a long time… It's tedious to wait for two weeks… Maybe it's my fault I somehow won against them. She sighed, making her cheeks red. I want to see Keima again. I kinda miss his face…
"Tenri…"
She widened her eyes, hearing a familiar voice. Keima-kun? She turned around, finding Keima resting on the foot paving. She screamed, horrified of his zombie-like face. She moved a bit closer, studying his body closer.
"Ke… Keima-kun?"
His eyes widened, trying to focus on Tenri's face.
"Tomorrow at 17:00… Be there…"
Tenri nodded her eyes.
"Also…"
Tenri blinked at Keima.
"Try your best again."
Tenri's cheeks reddened. Keima gazed upon her face.
"I think your friend will win this time… I got her trained up in 5 days straight."
Tenri moved her hands to her cheeks.
"Five… Five days? Are you sure she will win?"
Keima slowly lifted his body upright, staring at the clear blue skies/
"Actually… I only made this plan up so that it'll end as soon as possible. However… I didn't really consider how I could help her if she loses again."
Keima gazed upon the clouds moving through the sky. Tenri gazed upon Keima's face, waiting for him to make his next move. He moved his eyes, noticing Tenri staring at him.
"Say…"
Tenri gasped, feeling taken by surprised.
"Humans are so troublesome. Why do I see disappointed people attracted to me?"
Tenri blinked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Keima sighed. I haven't told anyone else how I felt during this year. It must the year where reality started waging war against me…
"When I first met Kumuro, some girls from my school started coming to me, like they wanted to take my freedom on games away from me. I noticed that some girls, having problems of their own, kept getting disappointed of me. I wanted to get away from them, but somehow I got forced to help take away their disappointment… Perhaps I've become a slave to reality all along..."
She gazed upon his god-like face. Wow… I never knew Keima-kun helps people's problems. This must include Haibara-san. He rested his hands on the ground, lifting his head upwards.
"There are good and bad things in life… Everyone only counted the bad things happening to them… Why do they wish to be unintentionally happy?"
She lowered her head, reflecting on his words.
"That's not it… Everyone… they want to chase… happiness… they wanted to be happier… happier than they already are… People get disappointed when things don't go their way…"
She turned away from him, staring at the houses gazing back at her.
"No one wants to be miserable. That's why you will always find people who get distressed about it."
Keima sighed again.
"Even though there could be worse ways for me to feel that I'm doomed for life, I'm not pleased with my current self somehow…"
Tenri hummed.
"I'm… a bit envious of Haibara-san… because I never… I never thought about what might lie ahead on the future…"
Keima blinked at her, remembering a dream.
"By the way, I had a weird dream one time."
Tenri turned her head, blinking at him. Keima moved his hands to his lips.
"It was like I got tied up on a pole, and you came to me, trying to violate me like kissing me…"
Tenri widened her eyes. Her heart thumped quickly, making her face red. Her body trembled, forming goose bumps on them. She turned away from him, chuckling nervously.
"Uhh… wow… that… That's really weird… I wonder how you came up with that…"
She dashed for the door, running away from Keima. He slowly stood up and turned around, watching Tenri retreating to her house.
"Is everything alright?"
Tenri sighed.
"Uh… Yeah… I'm fine."
She gazed upon the door, crossing her lips. If Keima-kun finds out about this… I… I won't know what'll happen between us…
"I'll… I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Tenri opened the door, entering her house. She closed the door behind, making sure he doesn't see her face.
Nanaka and Tenri sat outside Tenri's hosue, gazing upon the battlefield. Kumuro carried the amplifier near the door, placing it on the floor. He held his microphone near his hands, trying to sound like a wrestling announcer.
"Hello everyone. And welcome to the greatest shogi match in the history of this neighbourhood!"
Passing pedestrians turned their heads around, gazing upon Kumuro.
"Iiiiinn the red corner, we have the challenger, the shogi enthusiast and expert, she's none other than Haibaaraa Naanaakaaaa!"
Nanaka gazed upon the battlefield glaring at Tenri's soldiers.
"Iiiiinn the blue corner, we have the reigning champion of this season's neighbourhood match, give it all up for Ayukaaawaaa Tenriiiiiiiii!"
Tenri crossed her lips, gazing upon Nanaka's soldiers waving their weapons around.
"And finally, we cannot have this duel without anyone watching and caring about this. Representing the audience, let 's give applause toooo-"
Keima picked up a stone, throwing it at him. Kumuro fell on the ground, dropping his microphone.
"Can you fucking shut up already?"
The pedestrians around Keima cheered at him, making him turn around and blink at him.
"Go someone who had managed to shut that kid up!"
"You're the man!"
"Now we can walk through this place peacefully!"
The pedestrians walk away from Keima, returning to the streets. Kumuro stood up from the ground, sitting next to Tenri and Nanaka. Tenri moved her piece forward, launching her campaign. Nanaka placed her piece forward, attacking one of her men.
"Pawn, 5-2!"
Tenri lifted her piece up, launching a counter attack. Nanaka widened her eyes in fear. Tears poured out of her eyes, making Keima sigh.
"You know, you haven't lost."
Nanaka wiped the tears of her face, sniffing from her nose.
"I… I know… Somehow, I'm becoming more unsure of the situation… what should I do?"
She whimpered at the sight of Tenri's piece standing near her king. Keima placed his hands on his chin. Damn. Nanaka's king was in a bad spot… At this rate, I'll be forced to come up with a plan when she loses against Tenri. She sighed, feeling hopelessness inside her. She's so strong… Will I lose, despite trainin' like a lunatic? She shook her head. I don't wanna lose! I only want to win! Her eyes opened, renewing her burning spirit. I can't lose! Not after what I've been through so far! She placed one of her pieces forward, gritting her teeth.
"You… You may seem to be god-like. But I can finally attack!"
Keima and Kumuro widened his eyes. (Keima) Is is this it? The final assault? Will this pay off? (Kumuro) Wow… It's almost like a huge comeback… Tenri blinked at her men cowering in fear.
"Maybe... Maybe I should watch out…"
She moved her piece around, obliterating one of Nanaka's soldiers. She covered her head, crying with great sorrow. Kumuro sighed. Maybe she won't win with this attitude. What can I do? Wait… Kumuro slowly moved his hands, grasping onto one of Nanaka's hands. She lowered her arm, gazing upon Kumuro's hand. Her cheeks slightly redden, gazing upon his face. Keima blinked at Kumuro. Is Kumuro trying to make a move on his own, without even consulting me first? Keima moved his hands near his lips. Maybe Kumuro had finally learned to think for himself… Hope I won't have to help him again…
Nanaka gazed upon his face, watching him smile at her.
"It's alright if you win or lose. Just do your very best, okay?"
Nanaka's cheeks reddened, gazing upon Kumuro's glowing face. She pushed his hands way from her, staring at the battlefield.
"What's with that speech you used? You know I will win for sure!"
Tenri gazed upon Nanaka's face. Is there something going on between Kumuro-kun and Haibara-san? Nanaka moved her men forward, pushing them against Tenri's king.
"Check!"
Tenri widened her eyes in fear, covering her mouth. I didn't notice silver being there! I must've spaced out again! Nanaka grinned sinisterly. She moved another piece forward, delivering her final blow. She jumped out, feeling victorious.
"I won!"
She pulled Keima and Kumuro together, hugging them both. Keima and Kumuro groaned, feeling their bodies squished together.
"I won! I won! I won!"
Nanaka pulled Keima and Kumuro to the ground, rolling around the grass.
"I won! I won! I won! I won! I won! I won!"
Tenri blinked at them staying there. Does winning always make them go crazy like me being in love?
Nanaka waved her bottle of ginger ale around, spilling some on the ground. Keima and Kumuro stared at her, watching her gloat over her victory.
"Oh guys! I'm so glad I won! It was a momentous occasion for me to beat her! I think I've now become stronger! This is so great!"
Keima gritted his teeth, building rage inside his head. I thought I wouldn't have to deal with people like her again after I helped them! Why the hell is she still there? Keima frowned at Kumuro. Kumuro sighed. Fine. I'll take her out. Kumuro moved from the couch, carrying her out of Keima's house.
"We better get you home…"
Nanaka and Kumuro moved out of Keima's house, strolling through the street. Nanaka giggled, holding her bottle out.
"Driving me out I see? I'll keep drinking!"
Kumuro blinked at her. I heard sugar can make people hyperactive… But how can ginger ale contain any alcohol? She pushed her bottle up, smiling cheerfully.
"Winning is the best!"
Kumuro sighed again.
"Yes, yes. I get it."
Nanaka lowered her head, staring at the ground.
"You saw me back then. I knew I would win."
Kumuro shook his head.
"Lies. You cried when the odds seemed to be stacked against you before you actually did won."
Nanaka giggled.
"I knew I'd win… I had more pieces than Ayukawa-san…"
She lifted her head up, smiling at Kumuro.
"I had two more: Your friend being the pawn… And you, Kumuro, on my side."
Kumuro gazed upon her glowing face. He smiled, shrugging off the bad things she did to him.
"Well I haven't let many people down…"
She placed her hands on her head, gazing upon the full moon.
"Losing can be a pain… But it's not bad every once in a while. Maybe... Just maybe... One should lose a game before becoming stronger… and…"
Nanaka and Kumuro stopped at her house. He turned around, watching Nanaka scratching her head.
"I'm… I'm sorry that I called you a retard…"
Kumuro scratched his head, smiling at her.
"Don't worry about it. I had people who had worse ways of putting me down…"
She placed her hands below her waist, showing her reddened cheeks. She gazed at the ground, tapping her feet.
"I… I wonder if this is okay…"
She held her hands on Kumuro's arms. Kumuro widened his eyes, watching her smile at him. Wait… Is she… She sighed, feeling her heart thumping. She moved her head forward… only to stop midway. He blinked at her, watching her body shake in fear. She moved her head away from him, covering her face.
"I… uh… Not it's not!"
She ran away from him retreating to her house. He crossed his lips, feeling defeated. Damn… Why does this keep happening to me?
Author's Note: Well like chapter 11, this chapter has a bit more laughs in there. The truth with making this chapter is that I was about to make Nanaka Kumuro's first GF when I was writing it. Somehow it did knda flowed at first... however, I would like to tease Kumuro about his desire to get a GF (well I mean Kumuro should learn the hard way about love first :P) and so Kumuro has ended up single and dateless once again. I hope that the next 7 chapters will exceed expectations from you fellow readers more than the previous chapters (I like to thank those who kept reading more of this series). I also hope that it will kinda reach the standards chapter 12 has actually set as the popular chapter.
Until chapter 14 is out, I hope you enjoy this chapter and the series so far. (If you want chapter 14 to be released a bit earilier, do so by commenting on the reviews)