Chapter 4 (o)

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The game has ended, and naturally I am the winner. Not only Kubota's secret has been revealed, he also failed to prove his worth as a chess player. This is, for him, a complete, crushing defeat.

Now I simply cannot wait to hear his friends' reactions to what I just uncovered. My outstanding performance left them speechless, but they will recover from the shock in a matter of seconds.

Meanwhile Kubota starts punching the table in anger and frustration.

Kuon: "Damn! Damn it!"

Erika: "What's wrong, Kubota? You seem to be upset. *giggle* giggle*"

Kuon: "Daaamn you! How did you know?! How could you know?! Why?! Why?!"

Erika: "But it's pretty simple. If you had the amount of little grey cells that I possess, you'd also understand why the hints that you left were more than enough to reach my conclusions. Simply because of their existence, this level of reasoning was possible for Erika Furudo. What do you think?"

Kuon: "Ah ha ha ha... you did it... you completely ruined me!"

Erika: "If you're referring to what little remained of your reputation, I guess that's true. But you only have to blame yourself for that. After all, I simply revealed a truth. If you wanted to be respected, then you shouldn't have become the pathetic being that you are! Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"

Kuon: "It's the end! This is the end! Now everyone will look down on me! I'm finished! It's all over!"

Erika: "I think it'd be only proper for you to resign from your position as the president of the student council. Not like my intervention was necessary for that. Honestly, you should've been removed just because of your apparent irresponsibility. Ah, but I forgot you've been elected by popularity vote. Very well, they'll soon change their minds when they'll know that you're a disgusting otaku!"

Kuon: "Aaaaah! Please don't tell! Don't tell that to anyone! Please!"

Erika: "Too late! You see, it doesn't depend on me anymore! These guys that you consider your friends already know! And they thought you were so cool! What a joke! Now that they've seen what kind of person you really are..."

Bleached Guy: "Err... about that... I'm not sure what the others think but... This isn't a big deal at all..."

Erika: "Huh?"

Kuon: "Uh?"

Bleached Guy: "I mean... I didn't know the boss was into that stuff, but... well... whatever..."

Erika: "Whatever?!"

Sunglasses Guy: "Geez, I read manga too, you know?"

Erika: "That's not the same thing! You don't get it!"

Normal Girl: "It was really a shock! To think that Kuon is into those girly anime, I would've never imagined! But, if that's what he likes, well, I don't really mind."

Erika: "Wait one moment! I don't think you guys understand!"

Kuon: "E-everyone..."

Erika: "Stop! Stop that!"

Kuon: "You really... don't care?"

Bleached Guy: "Why should I?"

Sunglasses Guy: "Are you kidding me? You're still a bro!"

Normal Girl: "Yes, we're friends! Why should it change a thing just because of that?"

Kuon: "Oh... Ooooooh!!! My dear frieeends!!!"

Erika: "Nooo! No! No! No!"

Kuon: "I... I've been such a fool..."

Bleached Guy: "What's with that humble attitude? That's really not like you! Hey, come on! Don't cry on me!"

Kuon: "I always thought I'd be never understood... even though I love anime and manga so much, I always pretended I was like every other normal guy..."

Erika: "Which part of you is normal?!"

Kuon: "And so I hid my heart, my burning passion! I've been living in stealth, constantly fearing of what would people think of me, if they knew the truth! It was terrible... like I could never really be myself... But now I understand that I was wrong! I've been lying to you for all this time!"

Normal Girl: "It's okay, really..."

Kuon: "No! It's time to get out of the closet! I had underestimated you, I thought that you'd discriminate me for my otaku ways! Please... forgive me!"

Normal Girl: "I said... it's okay..."

Kuon: "My dear friend! You renewed my faith in humanity! No longer shall I live in fear of showing my true self! I will fight all the prejudices and biases that pollute this society! It's time to let the world know that even otaku can be cool! Even otaku can be handsome! Even otaku can be dependable!"

Erika: "You are not dependable!"

Kuon: "My dear lady... you have my gratitude! Because of you, my eyes are finally open!"

Erika: "I won't accept this! Your guys simply don't understand! Do you actually know what kind of doujinshi guys like him buy?! We're not talking about regular manga here, we're talking about disgusting publications that are only meant for male consumption! Do you understand what that means? Why don't you take a closer look at the little girl depicted in this bookmark! Look! What do you think?!"

Normal Girl: "Hmmm... she's... cute?"

Erika: "That's not the point!!!"

Satsukawa: "A-hem..."

Damn... I had forgotten about him...

Satsukawa: "It's not like I mean to interrupt you or anything, but... what exactly are you trying to achieve here?"

Erika: "Tch..."

Satsukawa: "Don't give me that!"

Erika: "I was just getting to the point..."

Satsukawa: "Well, do it quickly."

Erika: "Yeah, yeah... Kubota!"

Kuon: "What is it, my dear lady?"

Erika: "It's clear at this point that you had a secret that you wanted to protect at all costs. I have reason to believe that someone found out, and that you've been blackmailed by that person."

Kuon: "How do you... Ah, I shouldn't be surprised anymore... You really are a great detective! At this point I no longer have any reason to deny it... It's true! It's all true! That damn girl! She threatened to tell my secret!!!"

Satsukawa: "Erika... is this... your blackmail theory?"

Erika: "Yeah..."

Satsukawa: "Then... Gotsuji found out you were an otaku? She asked you money in exchange for her silence?"

Kuon: "Uh? What are you talking about?"

Satsukawa: "Debunked already..."

Erika: "Then who did?"

Kuon: "Teramoto! That devil! She's been using me for almost as long as I've been elected as the student council president! That's why I had no choice but to cover her as she took possession of the abandoned shed!"

Erika: "As expected, the evidence that she submitted a regular request was just recently fabricated with your help."

Kuon: "That's right! And those are but a few of the services that she demanded from me! That tyrant! I had no choice but to obey her, my reputation was at stake!"

Erika: "And that's how Teramoto rules the school behind the shadows, folks."

Satsukawa: "In other words there's no relation to the case!"

Erika: "Oh, I just thought that maybe Kubota was being threatened by Gotsuji, but it appears I was wrong. Well, that was worth a try. Too bad!"

Satsukawa: "You must be taking me for an idiot..."

Erika: "Anyway, this was absolutely disappointing."

Satsukawa: "Which part exactly disappointed you?"

Kuon: "My dear friends! I shall no longer bow to the forces of evil! Now that I know that I can count on your support and on the power of the friendship that binds us, never again I'll be ashamed of myself! A new, golden era has begun on the Mitsugi institute!"

Glamorous Girl: "Wait a moment."

Oh, I had almost forgotten her. Come to think of it, she didn't say a word for a while. Perhaps, unlike her dimwitted friends, she isn't quite pleased by the news.

Kuon: "Is... something bothering you?"

Glamorous Girl: "Yeah, you can say that."

Yes! Finally someone with a brain! Go for it, glamorous girl!

Kuon: "But..."

Sunglasses Guy: "Hey, don't tell me you're going to make a fuss just because the boss is an otaku, right? Come on!"

Normal Girl: "That'd be pretty mean!"

Glamorous Girl: "I couldn't care less about that."

Erika: "Oh, what the hell, even you!"

Satsukawa: "Hey..."

Kuon: "I see... then I'll be more than happy to clarify your doubts, my friend!"

Glamorous Girl: "Two days ago you met Baba, and he gave you that bag of doujinshi... why?"

Kuon: "That's easily answered! Unlike me Baba isn't burdened by the duty and the honor of being a guide for the students of this school. He has no reputation to protect, so he doesn't need to worry about being spotted in equivocal places."

Erika: "In other words, Kubota is so paranoid and self-conscious about his otaku self that he even avoids going personally where they sell the products he wants."

Kuon: "You need to understand! If it's Baba nobody cares! People just look at him and think: 'oh, here's a typical otaku, no wonder he buys this stuff.' But if it's me, that would certainly stir a commotion! 'What is a healthy and handsome boy like him doing in such place?!' That'd be strange, right? That'd be definitely seen as something strange! Everyone knows that otaku are ugly, socially awkward, and fat! I would stand out too much!"

Erika: "Do you realize that you're even more prejudiced than most people?"

Kuon: "Which is why I occasionally ask Baba to act as my proxy in those forbidden places. It isn't a bother for him, since he already goes there for his own interests, and, of course, I provide the money."

Glamorous Girl: "Then the reason you saved Baba one week ago..."

Kuon: "How can I possibly abandon a fellow otaku in a time of need?!"

Glamorous Girl: "You and Baba... are friends..."

Kuon: "Of course!"

Glamorous Girl: "..."

Bleached Guy: "..."

Sunglasses Guy: "..."

Normal Girl: "..."

Kuon: "Uh? W-what?"

Glamorous Girl: "Disgusting..."

Kuon: "Eeeeeeh?!"

Sunglasses Guy: "Are we talking about that Baba? Seriously?!"

Bleached Guy: "I'm not sure I want to be your friend anymore..."

Kuon: "Wait! Wait a moment!"

Normal Girl: "How could you... Kuon... you really fell low..."

Kuon: "Wait! Guys... listen!"

Erika: "Ha... ha ha ha... This is what they care about..."

Dlanor: "They are teenagers..."

Erika: "Well, this didn't go as I expected, but all is well that ends well..."

Satsukawa: "I don't think that's what you're supposed to say in this situation..."

Erika: "Well, it looks like these guys are pretty absorbed in their discussion. No point in staying here any longer, it's time to take our leave. My work here is done."

Satsukawa: "Your 'work' is what, exactly?"

Erika: "Relax, Satsukawa-san, it's not like we didn't accomplish anything. We now can explain a few facts that previously looked suspicious. Even removing noise is an important step in an investigation."

Satsukawa: "I guess I'll pretend that this is what we did today..."

Kubota and his 'friends' keep discussing animatedly. They don't have any intention to forgive their leader for associating himself with the least popular guy in the whole school. He, on the other hand, is trying to downsize his ties with him. Now he is arguing that Baba isn't really his friend or anything, but it is a bit too late for that.

I wonder how this will end. Will Kubota manage to smooth things over this time, or will he be ostracized? I am a bit curious, but not enough to make me endure their pointless bickering. I have lost interest in this.

I am leaving this room. They don't even notice.

As soon as I walk past the door, I almost bump onto a female student that was passing by at a fast pace. She stops for a second, just the necessary time for rapid apologetic bow, then she quickly runs away. She is heading downstairs. She tried to hide her face as best as she could by hanging her head and looking away, but on the brief time our eyes met, I think I spotted a tear.

Who she was walking away from? What upset her?

I don't see anyone standing in the corridor from the way she came from. I see, there is only one place she could have been just a while ago.

Satsukawa: "That girl just now... Wasn't she Yuu Azuma?"

Erika: "Satsukawa-san, regarding what you told me yesterday about crime being on the rise..."

Satsukawa: "Oh? What about it?"

Erika: "What kind of felonies are actually increasing?"

Satsukawa: "Hmmm... robbery and car thefts, mainly."

Erika: "I see... Do you think you can provide me the records of reported crimes of that kind in nearby areas? The past two years will be enough."

Satsukawa: "I thought you said you didn't care about that."

Erika: "I've changed my mind."

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Chapter 4 (n)

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Erika: "You sure are making a lot of noise."

Kuon: "Oh my, that's not good. How unbecoming of me! It's certainly rude to rejoice in front of the loser, I beg your pardon, my dear lady!"

Erika: "You're very amusing, I really wish our little match would've lasted longer."

Kuon: "If you insist, we can still play until a proper checkmate."

Erika: "Oh, we can do that. But before, there's something that I'd like to ask."

Kuon: "My dear lady, there's really no end to your questions! Ha ha ha!"

Erika: "What can I say? I'm a very curious person, and I just can't understand why your priorities are that messed up."

Kuon: "My priorities?"

Erika: "For example, why is it more important to you to protect your cool image in front of your friends, rather than your credibility as the president of the student council in front of the teachers?"

Kuon: "Huh? Where does that even come from?"

Erika: "I think that for your academic career and your future, the latter is definitely more important. If you had some common sense, you'd agree with me."

Kuon: "I'm sorry but I'm really not following you..."

Erika: "You see... this is just like your move. Why did you decide to take my queen rather than my knight?"

Kuon: "Ha ha ha ha ha!!! My dear lady! As my friend explained just a while ago, a queen is three times more valuable than a mere knight! I didn't even need to think about which to choose!"

Erika: "Maybe you should have, Kubota."

Kuon: "H... huuuh?!"

Erika: "I guess that answers my question. You're the kind of guy that is quick to act and slow at thinking, aren't you? *giggle* *giggle*"

Kuon: "Ha ha ha ha! After losing on every front, you still dare to mock me! I guess I was mistaken, you know not when it's time to accept your defeat!"

Erika: "Who are you talking about, Kubota?! Certainly the theory that I exposed was absolutely worthless, and my claim that Baba spilled the beans was just a bluff. But why are you so naively assuming that blaming you for the murder of Gotsuji was my real objective?!"

Kuon: "What is this trickery?! Isn't solving that case the very reason you're in this school?"

Erika: "Of course! But so what? There's no rule that I can't inquire about anything else!"

Kuon: "W-what?! Ah ha ha ha ha! I hope this isn't just an excuse to pretend you haven't been defeated! You gave no indication whatsoever that your real purpose was something else!"

Erika: "But that's only natural! It is true in chess as it is in war and in many other situations: you should never let your enemy know what your true intentions are! This is one of the basic principles of Sun Tzu's teachings!"

Kuon: "Wise words, but isn't this logic a bit too convenient, my dear lady? You might as well say that it doesn't matter that you lost this chess game, because that wasn't your intention to begin with!"

Erika: "True enough. Then I guess I have no choice but to demonstrate that I've indeed reached my real objective, that my bluff actually succeeded, and that you've fallen for my trap... completely!"

Kuon: "Ah ha ha... ha ha ha... What in the world are you talking about?!"

Erika: "Haven't you realized it yet? You were so focused on the game and on disproving my baiting theory, that you carelessly said a lot of things that you're definitely going to regret. For example, from our conversation it clearly emerged that there's something strange going on between you and Baba, and you still haven't provided a decent explanation."

Kuon: "But of course I did! I..."

Erika: "What? You saved Baba from Nagaoka out of goodwill? You let him ditch his punishment for no apparent reason? You casually met him in an isolated place?"

Kuon: "Ha! Why not? I see no problem at all!"

Erika: "Sure! You don't really expect me to believe all that, and you don't care. As long as I can't prove that you're lying, you think you're fine. But you've completely forgotten the situation you find yourself in, and that was a fatal mistake. Because even if you don't care about what I think, I believe the same cannot be said about your friends. They've witnessed the whole exchange, and I'm sure they're expecting a better explanation. Don't you think?"

And suddenly Kubota begins to understand the dire situation he finds himself in. His eyes move from side to side, examining the faces of his friends. He doesn't need to ask to get proof that my words are true. Even the glamorous girl, who couldn't take her eyes off of her nails for a single second, is now looking at him with a stern expression. These are the same guys that gossiped about Junko Andou for weeks, after all. Their curiosity and suspicions won't be quenched by some half-baked lie.

Kuon: "Wait... I can explain!"

Erika: "Don't bother, I'll do that!"

Kuon: "Wait!"

Erika: "It's pretty simple to understand. For example, why did you know that this bookmark was lost?"

Kuon: "Gh! I... of course I knew... because... because..."

Erika: "Because?"

Kuon: "Because Baba was obviously upset! He claimed that I lost it, and he wanted it back!"

Erika: "Ha ha ha! Nice comeback! Not bad at all! But unfortunately that can't work anymore!"

Kuon: "Why?!"

Erika: "Because there's more that slipped through your big mouth! You said that Baba isn't really interested in Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan, didn't you?"

Kuon: "I've never said that! I can't possibly have said that!"

Erika: "But you did! And everyone here have heard you! You're contradicting yourself! If Baba isn't a fan of Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan, then this is nothing but a vulgar piece of paper to him!"

Kuon: "Whether I knew that it was lost or not doesn't matter at aaall!"

Erika: "It does! As well as everything that you said back then! That was really a very instructive lesson on how an otaku's mind work, but... how come you know such thiiings?!"

Kuon: "Aaargh! I'm an incredibly erudite person! My knowledge has no limits! Of course I..."

Erika: "That bag wasn't something that you gave to Baba, it was the exact opposite! He gave it to you!!!"

Kuon: "Wrooong!"

Erika: "The true fanatic of Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan, it's you!!!"

Kuon: "Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!"

Erika: "It's true! This is the truth that you so hardly tried to hide!"

With an elegant flourish I point my finger straight at Kubota. It is time for my declaration!

Erika: Kuon Kubota, you are an otaku!"

Kuon: "Nuoooooooh!!!"

Erika: "Yes! And you aren't a regular otaku either, you're one of the most disgusting kind! Listen, everyone! The main character of Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan is thirteen years old, and the same is true for the rest of the cast! Do you understand what that means?! This brings us to an even more dreary conclusion! Kubota is a lolicon!"

Kuon: "Gaaaaaah!!!"

Erika: "There's no mistake! This is his real face!"

Kuon: "Wrong! This is all wrong! I won't acknowledge your lies! I won't acknowledge them! You've got no proof!"

Erika: "Then let me show another decisive evidence!"

Kuon: "There's no such thing! No such thing!"

Erika: "Consider this! Just a while ago Kuon Kubota was sleeping, wasn't he? Don't you think it was strange?"

Kuon: "It wasn't strange at all!"

Erika: "Certainly, this fact by itself wouldn't be that strange. But according to your friends this is something that happens cyclically ever week!"

Kuon: "Gh... why did you keep track of something like that?!"

Erika: "Pretty amazing friends you have, Kubota! This girl was even more specific! She said it happens every Thursday!"

Kuon: "Whyyy?!"

Erika: "Incidentally, Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan airs every Thursday at 1:30 AM! Considering that each episode lasts 30 minutes, not much time is left for Kubota to sleep! No wonder he needs to make up for it later!"

Normal Girl: "Aaah! That's why!"

Erika: "Yes!"

Kuon: "Nooo!"

Erika: "By the way, Kubota..."

Kuon: "What now?!"

Erika: "This is checkmate in two."

Kuon: "No way! This is ridiculous! It can't be! You've lost your queen, and so early in the game! There's no possible way! No possible... ah... Aaaaaaaah?!"

Erika: "Have you finally noticed the threat?! Taking your bishop? Saving my knight?! Don't make me laugh! I'll do neither! This is my move! Bishop takes pawn at f7! Check!!!"

Kuon: "Wait!"

Erika: "I can wait all the time you want, but nothing will change! Unlike you, when I said that this game had already ended, I really meant it!"

Kuon: "This is impossible! How could you know a trick like this?! Aren't you just an amateur?!"

Erika: "Ah, certainly, I did mention that I'm not really into chess and that I only play it occasionally... But that doesn't mean that I'm an amateur at all!"

Kuon: "You... you tricked me!"

Erika: "In a thousand of different ways! Blame yourself for letting me trick you!"

Kuon: "There must be a way I can save my king... wait! Why am I bothering about this?! That's not what I should worry about right now!!!"

Erika: "That's because you've got no sense of priority at all!"

Kuon: "You haven't won yet! This is not the end!"

Erika: "Why are you wasting your time, Kubota? You cannot take my bishop, and you cannot protect your king. That means you only have one option left. You must move your king to safety, and there's only one square he can go to!"

Kuon: "This is not the end! Yes, I might have said a lot of things, but what of it?! Just knowing about how an otaku feels doesn't mean that I'm one! Right now haven't you just said that Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan airs at 1:30 AM every Thursday?! How come you know about that?! If your logic was correct then I should conclude that you're also an otaku! Ha ha! What do you say, my dear lady?! I'm turning your weapons against you! King to e7!"

Erika: "What foolishness! I've absolutely no interest in such a worthless show. I simply know about it because Dlanor likes it. Right, Dlanor?"

Dlanor: "Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan is the best."

Kuon: "You're not going to fool anyone with that!!!"

Erika: "All right, then I'll tell you the real reason. I've simply investigated it, I'm a detective, that's my job!"

Kuon: "But it makes no sense! Why would you do that? You couldn't possibly have known that I..."

Erika: "I had already understood the situation with an almost perfect accuracy... two days ago!"

Kuon: "That's impossible!"

Erika: "Why not? You came up with an excuse to take that bag with you, and Baba didn't mind that all. It was pretty easy to reason out who among you actually wanted those doujinshi. At the same time it became clear that for some reason you didn't want to let us see them. That kind of irrational behavior is typical of a kid who's worrying too much about how others might see him. Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan was my only clue, so it's only logical that I investigated it a bit. Then, after talking with your friends, I grew even more certain that you really like that show. But more importantly, there's something that you said two days ago that really intrigued me."

Kuon: "Gh... something... that I... said?"

Erika: "'There's absolutely no place in my heart for anyone else but...'"

Kuon: "Uaaaah! Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Erika: "...Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan, maybe?"

Kuon: "Don't saaaay it!!!"

Erika: "Isn't it time to give up, you disgusting pig? Why don't you just admit that you're one of those weirdos that fall in love with fictional characters? So lame! How laughable! Are you that pathetic?"

Kuon: "Wrooong! This is absolutely wrong! Definitely wrong! Unquestionably and decidedly wrong!"

Erika: "So you're choosing to keep on denying it, even though there's absolutely no doubt at this point. That won't do! I can't settle for something that half-assed! Good! I happen to have a very nice idea on how we can get out from this impasse! By the way, Kubota, are you a Christian?"

Kuon: "What does that have to do with anything?!"

Erika: "I ask because you said a few things that would indicate that you are: 'ask and you shall receive', 'omnia munda mundis', 'doubting Thomas'. All of those are Gospel references."

Kuon: "Yes, I'm a Christian! But why does it matter now?!"

Erika: "Because that's what gave me the idea! I think that it's really fitting, yes, absolutely perfect!"

Kuon: "W-what... are you... planning?"

Erika: "Does 'fumie' ring a bell?"

Kuon: "Y-you... don't mean..."

Erika: "At the time of Christian persecutions, they came up with a simple and yet clever system to tell apart those who followed that religion and those who didn't. The 'fumie' were basically depictions of Jesus or the virgin Mary that people were asked to step on. For those who didn't believe in them, those were just wooden boards with some carvings devoid of any value. But for the Christians, those were sacred images that they couldn't possibly defile. Isn't it amazing how a simple belief can completely change the way a human interprets reality? Let's use that very system to determine whether you really are an otaku or not! Incidentally we have the right tool just in front of us. This bookmark is just a worthless piece of colored paper to me, But for an otaku... I think you explained it in great detail how valuable this is."

Kuon: "You can't be... serious..."

Erika: "Oh, but I am! This is your chance to clear your name, you really have no reason to refuse! Come on, Kubota, take it! Take this meaningless piece of paper!"

Kubota reluctantly obeys. His trembling hand reaches for the bookmark, and with noticeable uncertainty picks it up.

Kuon: "W-what do you want me... to do?"

Erika: "Ha ha ha! It's quite simple. You just need to... destroy it!"

Kubota brings the bookmark in front of his eyes. His face is pale and covered in sweat. If only he could see how dumb he looks at this very moment! I knew that this would be fun, but I didn't imagine it would turn out to be so amusing!

Erika: "Wait a second, Kubota, no cheating!"

Kuon: "W-what do you mean?!"

Erika: "I saw you! You closed your eyes! That won't do, absolutely not! You must keep them open, wide open! Look at that adorable Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan! Look at her joyous and innocent smile! Look at her fragile and minute body! Watch her closely, Kubota! Impress what you see in your mind and then..."

I move closer. With a wicked grin, I whisper in his ears, cruelly and mercilessly.

Erika: "Tear it apart... rip it to shreds... break it into a thousand little pieces..."

Kubota's body shivers. The hand that is holding the bookmark is noticeably shacking. He finally grabs it with the other.

Erika: "Don't close your eyes, Kubota! Come on, do it! What's the matter?! Didn't you say that you aren't an otaku? There shouldn't be any problem at all! Come on! Do it! Do it! Dooo iiit!!!"

Kuon: "Uooooaaaaaaaahhhh!!!"

Erika: "Yes! That's the spirit! What are you waiting for?! Destroy it! Destroy Fuwa-Fuwa Purin Nyan!"

Kuon: "I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Erika: "Yes! Do it!"

Kuon: "I..."

Erika: "Come on!"

Kuon: "I..."

Erika: "Break her!"

Kuon: "I..."

Erika: "Kill her!"

Kuon: "I..."

Erika: "Slay her!"

Kuon: "I caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan't!!!"

There he goes.

Finally.

Every trace of resistance flows away from his body as the air in his lungs is released through his scream. His willpower, his flamboyance, his confidence, his tension, his fear, all of those disappear. Kubota's friends observe him speechless as he lets out the secret that he had always kept inside. There is no longer any point in struggling, this is the end. Devoid of its spirit and of its vital force, Kubota's body falls limply on the table. A 'thud' can be heard as the head bumps on the hard surface, and yet no reaction to pain can be observed.

Like an artist contemplates his finished work, I admire the result of my efforts. A sense of fulfillment blooms in my soul, and with a mischievous giggle I move my hand over the chessboard. Calmly and gently I take my piece. Slowly I move it over the final square. I delicately place it down and sweetly I pronounce the final judgment.

Erika: "Knight to d5... Checkmate."

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