The student council room was unusually still. Emi stood at the center, staring down at the envelope in her hands. The bold red seal of Tokyo High School was stamped on the paper—a formal challenge for Seinen High's annual competition against their greatest rival.
Basketball, soccer, kendo, and... chess.
Emi exhaled, tightening her grip on the letter. Seinen has always had a difficult time competing against Tokyo High. They are merciless, competitive, and never play to lose. Not this time; she wouldn't allow them to bring humiliation to Seinen High again—especially in chess.
And there was only one person she trusted in this match.
Ren was exactly where she thought he would be, at the school library.
Sitting by the window with sunlight pouring across one half of his face, Ren sat immersed in a chess book, his black hair slightly ruffled as his keen gaze drank in the contents of the pages. His fingers tapped a soft rhythm on the table—one of his habits whenever he was analyzing something in his head.
Emi took a deep breath and approached him.
"Ren."
He raised his eyes briefly from his book. "Hmm?"
Without a word, Emi dropped the letter wordlessly onto the table. "Tokyo High sent a challenge notice for their annual competition. This time, chess is included. I want you to represent Seinen High."
Ren skimmed the letter, casually examining the details. "And their player?" he asked, turning the page.
Emi's hesitation was but for a split second. "Kenji."
His head turned slightly, and Ren paused his fingers on the book.
Kenji—the rising chess prodigy from Tokyo High. Aggressive and unpredictable. He had been creating a ruckus in the high school chess scene. Not that he was on Takashi's level, but he was someone to be reckoned with.
Emi examined Ren's reaction. "It's a good chance for you to go against him once again. I know you still have it on your mind—that last match when you lost to Takashi," she mentioned.
Ren closed the book with a soft exhale. "Are you sure I am the right choice?"
Emi smirked. "You're the best we have."
There was a moment of silence before a confident little smirk made its way onto his lips.
"Okay," Ren announced, leaning back in his chair. "I'm playing."
Emi nodded, satisfied. "Good. The match is in two weeks. Be ready—that's all I'm asking. I don't want Seinen's name dragged through the mud."
Ren chuckled. "No pressure at all."
"None whatsoever," Emi replied, her grin unwavering.
As she turned to leave, Ren picked up the letter again, staring down at Kenji's name. This was more than a mere match; it was his chance to regain confidence on the chessboard.
This time, he would win.