It was satisfying to lose, I would admit.
Slowly, I picked myself off the ground, grabbing my bag before leaving the clubroom.
"I'll be here on time next session." I called out over my back as I walked out of the classroom.
Technically, I wasn't supposed to be skipping. But the teacher was fairly nice, so he let me.
As I left, everyone in the classroom turned to look at me strangely.
"Early?!!!"
–––
I kicked a few pebbles out of my path as I made my way home. Cars honked loudly as they drove past me, the black fumes filling the air with an acrid smell.
Ding!
The bell rang as I walked into the convenience store. I quickly walked to one of the aisles and bought one of the packaged meals – Teriyaki Chicken today – and walked over to the counter, quickly paying before leaving.
Although I technically lived with my parents, they were out so much that I rarely even talked to them over anything except the phone.
Both my parents were on the board of directors for a prominent electronics company, and they often had to travel to America, where the company was situated.
I lived more or less alone. My older sister did live here with me, but half of her time was spent in her room writing her novel and the other half was spent going out and drinking.
That was why I had to buy my own meals from the convenience store, because there was nothing for me to make food with at home.
The phone in my backpack rung, and I fished it out.
"Hey mom. Yeah, I'm doing fine. School was okay." I quickly spoke before hanging up.
This was how it went everday. My mom or dad would call me and we would have a quick conversation before they had to stop for business related issues.
I don't think I have had a proper conversation with them for at least a few months.
As I walked into the house, I took a look at the schedule.
Chess: 3:00 - 6:00.
I looked at it for a few moments, before a rare smile made it's way onto my face.
I took out the phone in my pocket again and called my chess teacher.
"If it's possible, I would like to extend the lesson by another hour…"
–––
After a few hours, I stepped back into my house. The convenience store meal I had bought was still sitting in the microwave, and I pressed a few buttons and began heating it.
I split half of it into a bowl and placed it next to the door of my sister's room.
"Hey, Sis. Dinner is ready." I knocked on the door and called out before leaving.
There was no response.
I walked back into the dining room, taking out a spoon and sunk it into the food.
"It tastes…" I commented as I bit into it, "Terrible."
I slowly finished the rest of it and headed over to my room. Once there, I picked up my chessboard and put it into position.
I manoeuvred the pieces around, imitating the exact same match from memory.
As I played it, a smile crossed my face.
"Ah… I really was outmatched."
I did it a few more times before I packed up the chessboard and put it away.
"It's already 10?" I cried out in shock, "Ugh…"
I quickly took a shower and fell asleep.
(AN: Do keep in mind he is still a child. This is really late.)
–––
The next morning, I woke up and grabbed a box of cereal and some orange juice.
"Ugh…" I groaned, "I'm so tired…"
I fumbled around for my bag.
"Ow!" I cried out in pain as I felt my hand impact the door. I clutched it in my other hand as I rolled around in pain.
As I recovered and moved to open the door, it opened by itself, impacting me in the face.
"Hey!" I whimpered, "Watch it, sis!"
I looked up at the familiar outline of my sister.
She looked tired. There were bags under her eyes.
"Did you go on another all-nighter?" I questioned, "Jeez, you really should be more careful."
She still said nothing.
"Hey, sis?" I called out, a little worried.
Without warning, she suddenly collapsed on the ground.
–––
I was too weak to pick her up, so I had to drag her into her room before rolling her onto her bed.
I called the school, telling them that an urgent family matter had popped up and I wouldn't be able to attend. They didn't question any further.
She didn't appear to have any major problems. Her temperature was normal and her breathing was perfectly normal.
As I waited for her to wake up, I once again imitated the chess game again.
"E4 to E5… I slowly spoke under my breath.
I felt her twitch.
"Hey? Are you okay?" I lightly shook her, but received no response.
I sighed as I went back to my game.
The doorbell rang.
"Huh? Who could it be?" I asked inn confusion – to myself, of course. I received no answer.
I was to short to see through the hole, so I slowly opened the door.
"Eh?" I cried out in surprise, "Why are you here?"
"You weren't at school today." The black haired girl – Sylphie, I reminded myself – responded as she handed a paper package to me, "That's today's classwork."
I quickly thanked her, before asking the question on my head, "Wait, how do you know where I live?"
"The teacher told me." She responded, "I live close to here, so he wanted me to pass it on to you."
"Close? Where do you live?" I asked, before realising how strange that sounded, "Wait, I meant–"
"Just a few blocks away."
"I've never seen you around, though."
"I moved in a few weeks ago. I'm from Tokyo." She told me.
I quickly thanked her before closing the door.
I picked out one of the pieces of classwork and begun working on it.
–––
I finished the work at around four.
I was skipping my lesson today, and I had already informed my teacher.
My phone buzzed with a familiar ringtone.
"Hey dad, yes, I'm fine. Today, sis–" The call cut off before I could say anything.
I sighed.
Next to me, my sister slowly stirred.
"Huh? Where am I?" She slowly spoke, confused.
"Ah, you're awake." I told her, "You collapsed on the front door."
"Oh…" A sad look crossed her face, "Did you bring me here?"
"No, the ghosts that haunts this house did." I replied, voice dripping with sarcasm, "What happened?"
"That…" She went silent before looking away, "You wouldn't understand."
I grimaced.
"Fine." I looked away from her, "Fine."
I repeated it again before I kicked open the door to her room and walked out.
–––
I stormed into my room, seething with anger.
We were family. We were supposed to trust each other.
Yet she wasn't even willing to talk to me.
I grabbed my bag and I walked out of the house.
"I'm going out for a walk." I spoke as I walked past her room, paying no attention to her response.
–––
I arrived in the playground near my house. It was usually fairly empty, and I rarely saw anyone here.
I sat on one of the wooden benches and pulled the chessboard out of my bag.
Normally, I would never willingly play even more chess.
But now, I felt free. I was no longer bound to anything. I no longer had to keep on winning.
I could finally relax and enjoy the sport for what it was.
Since I had no one to play with, I played against myself.
As I picked up the white knight with my hand, a voice spoke up from beside me.
"You should move the pawn here, to C6." A voice commented from beside me.