The Match

“I’ll be resting, so entertain yourself until then. She should arrive soon.”

···How natural.

She moved with the familiarity of someone wandering their own home.

Possessing the key to the counseling room and frequently coming here…?

Completely unfazed by my presence, she pulled out a book and sprawled on the bed.

A comic book?

Likely provided for visiting students.

Though she was merely perusing materials meant for reading, her background made it seem frivolous.

I suppressed the urge to demand proper etiquette.

After all, she seemed as familiar with this place as her own dwelling.

From her perspective, I must appear as an intruder.

As royalty, I could tolerate this manner of address.

Moreover, hadn’t Teacher Ophelia mentioned it before?

That she seemed displeased after losing to me.

If those feelings remained, this reaction wasn’t entirely unreasonable···.

“···?”

Wait.

···Why am I trying to understand her?

Something felt off.

I had no obligation to justify her rudeness.

Why was I entertaining these thoughts?

This differed from my usual mindset.

Something felt distinctly abnormal···.

“What? Nothing to do?”

“Hm?”

“Perfect timing. I was getting bored rereading the same comics.”

···Perhaps it’s nothing.

Though I’d sensed profound dissonance, it must have been a fleeting delusion.

As royalty, caring for subjects is my duty.

Perhaps my momentary stillness made her think I was idly standing around-she tossed aside her comic and approached.

“That teacher said I should entertain guests when she’s absent.”

“···So?”

“Problem is··· I’ve never hosted guests before. Don’t know how.”

That much was evident without saying.

Given her background, of course she wouldn’t have such experience.

An outcast like her couldn’t possibly know hospitality.

Though someone of my caliber could escape unscathed even if her demon went berserk···

Most citizens aren’t so fortunate.

Public opinion heavily questions why Demon Possessors are kept alive, given their frequent incidents.

“So-a match.”

“···A match? Planning to fight me again? I’ve no objection as time-killing, but abandon any hope of victory.”

So that was her intention.

Another attempt to challenge me.

While her competitive spirit deserves praise, her skills make victory impossible.

Unless she loses control, she cannot defeat me.

Could she have improved drastically in under a month···?

“What? Not interested? Why so still?”

“···No. Very well. I’ll contact Grandma. We’ll borrow the village square.”

Unintentionally, my mood lifted at the thought.

Praising her competitive spirit-it felt like gaining another compliment recipient.

Hmm, I could acknowledge someone like her.

Considering most Demon Possessors die during adolescence, surviving this long proves competence.

Perhaps I’ll go easy this time.

Fight while holding back, then praise her “growth” to fulfill today’s compliment quota.

···A flawless plan.

Not just for a week-if handled well, I could milk compliments from her until graduation.

“Village square? ···Why?”

“Hm? Isn’t this a fight? You wouldn’t want the counseling room destroyed.”

“Fight? Me? Why?”

“?”

Orca’s reaction diverged sharply from my expectations.

I’d assumed combat was her intent.

···Was I mistaken?

“What, you thought I’d pick a fight?”

“Wasn’t that it?”

“I know my limits. Forcing you to kneel is still beyond me-no desire to fight.”

“···You’re less of a ruffian than I thought.”

“Charge in blindly and I’d die instantly.”

“···.”

So she possesses enough intelligence to avoid suicidal challenges.

Not the thoughtless brute I’d imagined.

My stagnant assessment of her shifted slightly.

Different from expectations. This woman’s evaluation required reconsideration.

“Then what kind of match did you mean?”

“This.”

Confidently, Orca thrust something before my eyes.

···A wooden object.

A hinged case with black and white tiles-charitably speaking, not an expensive-looking item.

Something rattled inside as she presented it.

“···Chess.”

“Right. Today’s match. Perfect timing-I’ll crush you.”

Does she have cultured knowledge of chess?

She seemed an unlikely candidate. Nodding at the surprise, I acquiesced.

A harmless diversion. The board’s mass-produced quality was regrettable, but···

Expecting luxury in a counseling room would be excessive.

“Very well. Let’s see your skill.”

I resolved to humor her until Teacher Ophelia arrived.

***

“Haa···.”

Closing the principal’s office door, I sighed.

Had I been too impassioned?

Had the principal been more authoritarian, I might’ve needed to ply her with drinks and hypnosis again.

Even for students’ sake, greater caution is warranted.

Hypnosis isn’t omnipotent.

Even simple hypnosis requires conditions-overreliance is unwise.

I must reflect.

Walking briskly toward the counseling room while sighing.

More time had passed than expected.

Though calmer lately, Orca might be bored. I should keep her company···

“···Hm? Leo?”

“Ah, Teacher. Good day.”

“Why wait outside? Was it locked?”

My hurried pace brought me early-Leo loitered before the counseling room door.

···An issue? Locked?

“No, not locked. Just···.”

“Just?”

“Felt awkward entering···.”

“?”

Awkward to enter?

If the door was open, Orca must be inside-Leo knew this well after their long acquaintance.

No reason for hesitation···.

“Want to see for yourself?”

“What on earth···.”

What could prompt such a reaction?

Peering through the slightly ajar door, I gasped.

“A-Again…! Again…!”

“No, enough. Let’s stop.”

“Why?! Why?!”

“You ask knowingly? Your chess is abysmal. Utter trash.”

What transpired in my absence?

The scene defied comprehension.

···Why were these two playing chess?

“They seemed so engrossed, I couldn’t interrupt.”

“···.”

Then he could’ve returned later.

Had he really waited outside hoping they’d notice or finish?

Leo’s bright smile suddenly seemed pitiful···.

“Urghhh…! I-Impossible…! I studied so hard…!”

“That was memorization, not study. At your level··· even a complete novice could beat you.”

“B-But I beat Teacher recently!”

“Wasn’t I going easy?”

“···.”

Orca’s defeated slump tugged at my heartstrings.

Lately enamored with chess, I’d intentionally lost to build her confidence.

Who could’ve predicted she’d play Stella now···?

A beginner standing no chance against royalty-nobles learn chess as part of their upbringing.

···Stella’s very motif is chess. Her skills bear chess-related names, her minigames feature chess.

Even her character art shows mismatched black-and-white gloves and thigh-highs. Naturally, her lore includes chess mastery.

···And Orca challenged her?

All that rebuilt confidence shattered by the same opponent.

As I prepared to separate them-

Orca lifted her head.

“···One more game.”

“Why should I···.”

“You’ve got nothing better to do. Teach me while we play.”

“Your audacity is commendable. Fine. You move first.”

I stared blankly into the room.

Their bickering over the chessboard.

They looked… peaceful. Like ordinary girls their age.

“···Apologies, Leo. Your legs must ache, but… please wait a bit longer.”

“Don’t mind me.”

I watched the scene awhile longer.

Until they noticed my presence.