Chess Club

"I really didn't expect you to choose to join the Tea Ceremony Club so easily, Hiyori. I always thought that someone like you, who loves reading, would definitely join the Literature Club without hesitation, or some other club closely related to books."

After leaving the Tea Ceremony Club, Miyama Saku spoke to Shiina Hiyori beside him as they walked, turning his head toward her.

"Just because I enjoy reading doesn't mean I have to join the Literature Club. Besides, I was already in the Literature Club before moving up to this school. They kept giving us creative assignments every so often, which made it impossible to read quietly."

Shiina Hiyori shook her head slightly and explained softly, "Things are different now. There are very few people in the Tea Ceremony Club, and the environment is very quiet, so I can read in peace. Besides, I am genuinely interested in tea ceremony as well."

"It would have been nice if you could join the Tea Ceremony Club too, Saku. Then we could read together and discuss the plots in books, just like we used to."

There was a faint note of nostalgia in Shiina Hiyori's voice as she spoke slowly.

"Do you remember how we first met, Saku?" She suddenly stopped walking and asked Miyama Saku.

Miyama Saku looked at the serious expression on Shiina Hiyori's face. He did not quite understand why she had suddenly asked that, but he still thought back carefully before answering.

"I remember it was in Kyoto during a holiday, at a quiet public library. You were standing on tiptoe and still couldn't reach a book on the upper shelf. You looked like you didn't want to ask anyone for help, so I went over and took it down for you."

"I hadn't been in Kyoto for long then, either. I didn't know the place or where to go, so with nothing to do, I could only kill time at the library."

"I can't believe you remember it so clearly, Saku. When we met last time, you didn't even recognize me right away." The corners of Shiina Hiyori's lips lifted slightly as she teased him.

"People change. You and I are no exception. Nothing stays the same forever, so it's normal not to recognize someone."

"Hehe, come on. Let's go to the next club."

"I couldn't tell, Saku. You're quite the great artist."

The moment they left the Art Club, Shiina Hiyori spoke teasingly. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze falling on Miyama Saku.

"I'm far from that." Miyama Saku shook his head slightly, looking at the tree shadows stretched long by the setting sun ahead of them. "Besides, compared to painting, I think I'm better at sculpture. It just seems that the school's Art Club doesn't have any sculpture-related classes, nor does it have those bulky materials and tools."

"Sculpture is different from painting. Without the right clay and carving knives, you can't shape anything with a brush alone."

Hearing that, Shiina Hiyori could not help but laugh softly. With both hands behind her back, she followed his pace with light steps. "Still, the conditions the upperclassmen offered to get you to join were really generous.

"Not only do you not have to check in at the club every day, they even specifically applied for a budget to buy sculpture materials and tools for you."

"Probably because they think that as long as they recruit me, the quality of the works displayed by the club will rise by a level in the future." Miyama Saku shrugged.

"Anyway, we've more or less finished visiting the clubs, so joining the Art Club is fine."

Walking beside him, Shiina Hiyori laughed softly. Her hair swayed slightly with her movements. "That's true. Since you don't need to attend club activities every day, it does suit your style." With her hands behind her back, she walked as lightly as a cat.

"Hiyori, which club are we visiting next?" Miyama Saku looked at the sun that had yet to set outside the window, his tone somewhat casual.

"Huh? Didn't you already join the Art Club, Saku? You still want to keep visiting?" She stopped, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at him in surprise.

"Since we're here, and it's still early." Miyama Saku shrugged, his gaze sweeping over the half-open wooden door at the end of the corridor. A trace of quiet air seeped through the crack, completely at odds with the lively atmosphere of club recruitment outside.

"Let me think..." Hiyori rested her chin on her hand, lightly tapping her lips with a fingertip. "There's still the Chess Club we haven't visited. Want to take a look?"

"Chess Club?" Miyama Saku raised a brow.

"What kind of chess do they play? Or do they have all kinds?"

"Mm, let me see." Shiina Hiyori immediately flipped through the club handbook.

"Chess. The main focus is Chess. While they don't prohibit learning other kinds of chess, most members joined for Chess, and most of their awards are in Chess as well."

She blinked, a hint of mischief in her voice, as though she had discovered something interesting.

"Saku, do you know how to play Chess?"

"I do." Miyama Saku paused before adding,

"But I mainly play Go. I haven't played Chess in several years."

"Then let's go take a look!" Shiina Hiyori immediately perked up, her steps becoming lighter as her skirt fluttered slightly with her movements.

"Let's see whether you still know how to play, Saku."

Miyama Saku sighed helplessly and followed her. The sign at the end of the corridor bore the faded words "Chess Club."

Miyama Saku gently pushed open the wooden door. With a soft creak, the two of them lightened their steps and entered the Chess Club classroom.

In the center of the classroom, several desks had been pushed together, with a black-and-white chessboard spread across them. The alternating light and dark squares gleamed warmly under the light and shadows. A game was currently in progress on the board.

The two slowly moved closer to the desks, trying not to disturb the players while holding their breaths and watching the game intently.

Seated on one side of the board was a girl with pale silver hair loosely tied up beneath a beret. She was fully focused on her opponent, holding a white piece between her fingertips. Her movements were crisp and decisive, her gaze steady and clear. Every move radiated unquestionable confidence and composure.

Across from her sat a boy in black-rimmed glasses, who looked like an upperclassman from the club. His brows were tightly furrowed, beads of sweat faintly forming at his temples. His hand hovered in the air, unable to place a piece for a long time. He had clearly fallen into a difficult dilemma.

As the time on the chess clock was about to run out, the upperclassman sighed helplessly and gently placed his piece.

"Checkmate." The girl spoke softly and moved a white piece into a crucial position.

The upperclassman stared at the board for more than ten seconds before finally shaking his head with a helpless sigh. "I lost."

"Thank you for the game." The girl nodded slightly, a barely noticeable smile appearing on her face.

She raised her head, her gaze lingering briefly on Shiina Hiyori's face before turning to Miyama Saku. A trace of surprise flashed through her eyes as she directly ignored the Chess Club upperclassman present. "Oh? Are you here to visit the Chess Club?"

"Yeah, just looking around."

Miyama Saku stepped forward, his gaze falling on the board. The white pieces controlled by the girl had crushed the black pieces with an overwhelming advantage. This game had clearly been an expert toying with a child.

"You're very good."

The girl smiled faintly and gently gathered the remaining pieces into the chess box. She answered modestly, "Thank you for the compliment. I simply practice often."

"My name is Sakayanagi Arisu. I'm a first-year student in A Class." The girl leaned forward slightly, her voice soft and pleasant, carrying an innate elegance.

"Miyama Saku, first-year Class B." He replied calmly, then shifted slightly to indicate the person beside him.

"This is Shiina Hiyori, a first-year student in Class C."

Shiina Hiyori quietly stepped forward and gave a slight nod as a polite greeting.

Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze moved between the two of them before ultimately returning to Miyama Saku. A trace of interest flashed in her eyes. "Miyama, you seem quite knowledgeable about Chess. Would you be interested in playing a game against me?"

"No." Miyama Saku's answer was crisp and direct, without the slightest hesitation.

The smile at Sakayanagi Arisu's lips stiffened slightly. Looking at the boy before her and his resolute attitude, a faint trace of surprise flashed through her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by deeper amusement.

Not only did she not get angry, the curve of her lips rose even higher. Resting her cheek on one hand, she asked softly in an almost indulgently gentle tone, "May I ask why?"

"It's getting late. I need to go back and make dinner." Miyama Saku remained calm, withdrawing his gaze from the chessboard. His tone was as though he were stating an utterly ordinary fact.

"Besides, Go is the board game I specialize in. I haven't played Chess for nearly four years, so playing against me wouldn't accomplish your goal of honing your chess skills."

"That's fine. I don't mind. I just want to play a game with you, Miyama." Sakayanagi Arisu once again invited Miyama Saku to play.