The silence stretched between them, filled only with the soft rustling of Canary flipping pages of the rule book. Haruto studied Komugi, his gaze lingering on her face as she sat in quiet anticipation. Her slender fingers rested on the Gungi pieces, her touch almost reverent.
"Her aura suddenly changed," Haruto thought to himself. It was a stark contrast from the girl he had met earlier. Gone was the shy, fumbling girl. In her place was a determined competitor, her demeanor changing drastically over the board of Gungi.
Breaking the silence, Komugi made her first move. "Soldier 4-4-1," she announced, her voice holding a quiet confidence that seemed to reverberate in the room. Her fingers traced the path on the Gungi board with surprising accuracy, her blindness seemingly not hindering her expertise.
A subtle smile played on Haruto's lips as he watched her. The girl, whom he had initially dismissed as insignificant, was proving to be more interesting than he'd anticipated. A keen sense of anticipation bubbled within him, the thrill of a challenging game washing over him. The complexity of Gungi, combined with Komugi's unexpected prowess, was becoming an enticing combination.
"Very well," Haruto announced, his voice echoing in the room with an unshakeable confidence. He reached out to make his move, his fingers hovering over the board. "Tower 2-3-3," he declared, locking his gaze with Komugi's, a smirk playing on his lips.
As they continued their game, Haruto found himself increasingly intrigued by Komugi's strategy. Where he was used to breaking down his opponents' tactics within the span of a few quick exchanges, Komugi's strategy seemed to elude him. On the surface, her moves were elementary. However, there was an underlying sense of purpose and tenacity in her play that he couldn't quite decipher.
Haruto's eyes flickered with interest. In his countless confrontations with grandmasters, he was accustomed to their usual overconfidence, their foolhardy tactics that collapsed under his calculated attacks. But Komugi was an enigma. Despite her self-doubt and her broken speech, her moves were careful, meticulous. She was an intriguing adversary.
An uneasy silence filled the room as the game continued. The rhythmic click of the Gungi pieces against the board echoed through the chamber, punctuated by their occasional callouts as they announced their moves. Haruto's gaze never left Komugi. He was searching for a crack, a chink in her armor, a glimpse into her mind.
Haruto lost the game.
His fingers lingered on the board, a silent confirmation of his defeat. The room was quiet, so silent that he could hear the soft ticking of a distant clock. His brows furrowed as he studied the board, replaying the moves in his head. He didn't feel anger or frustration, only a kindled curiosity. This loss was not a humiliation, but an intriguing puzzle to be unraveled.
"Once more," he declared, his voice holding a firm resolve. He was the King. Defeat was an unfamiliar taste, yet not entirely unwelcome. He was not a sore loser. This was not a wound to his pride, but a challenge he willingly embraced.
"My pleasure," Komugi replied, her voice laced with a gentle enthusiasm. The innocence in her voice betrayed a humble satisfaction, a stark contrast to her strategic genius. She was a paradox, an unassuming girl with the mind of a seasoned grandmaster.
As the next game began, Haruto observed Komugi closely. He noted her demeanor, her relaxed posture. She was in her element. Haruto was used to seeing fear, apprehension in his opponents' eyes, but in Komugi, he saw tranquility.
And again, he lost.
Komugi's humble proclamation echoed in his ears, "You learn terribly fast, Great King. If I don't use more advanced techniques, I may lose soon enough."
Haruto couldn't help but smirk at her words. Her naivety was endearing, her self-deprecating humility contrasting her obvious talent. Despite his losses, he found himself enjoying the game, relishing in the challenge she presented.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment, the silence stretching between them. It was not the first time he was taken aback by her. From the moment she had announced herself, she had intrigued him. She was more than just a blind girl. She was a formidable adversary, a humble genius, an enigma he was determined to unravel.
"Enough for today," Haruto declared abruptly after their countless games of Gungi. He rose from his seat, his frame towering over the Gungi board that separated him from the blind girl.
Komugi, despite her evident exhaustion, turned her face towards him. "I is not tired, Your Highness, I can go on," she countered earnestly, her voice carrying a subtle undercurrent of disappointment.
But Haruto was firm, "I have other matters to attend to," he responded curtly. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, studying her worn-out expression. Komugi nodded, understanding the finality of his words. She reached out for her cane, feeling her way around the room, preparing to leave.
In the corner, Canary silently motioned for a maid, who rushed to Komugi's side, offering to escort her out. Once Komugi was out of sight, Haruto turned to Canary, his brows furrowed in thought.
"Does she have a family?" He questioned, his gaze locked onto the now empty chair where Komugi had been seated.
Canary nodded, her expression serious. "She was born into a large, impoverished family of twelve in The Republic of East Gorteau," she informed.
Haruto's eyes narrowed, a flash of concern flickered within them. "How do they treat her?"
Canary hesitated for a moment, weighing her words carefully. "Not well, Your Highness. She is often subjected to ridicule and mistreatment. Despite her circumstances, she perseveres, participating in tournaments, and does her best to support her family with the earnings."
His jaw clenched, a sign of anger flashing across his face. "Arrange a payment to her family and tell them that Komugi will be staying in the Meteor Kingdom from now on," he ordered, his voice authoritative. He continued, "Arrange for her to have her own quarters within the palace, assign a few maids to serve her."
Canary looked taken aback by his words. "My King…" she stammered, struggling to comprehend his sudden decision. She hesitated before finally questioning, "What is so special about her?"
He himself didn't have a clear answer. There was an urge within him, a deep-rooted longing to protect Komugi, but the source of that feeling eluded him. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, "There's a unique aura around her that intrigues me."
Canary nodded, a hint of understanding reflecting in her eyes as she left the room to fulfill his orders.
----
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After Canary too had left the room, Haruto focused on the Gungi board, replaying their games in his mind. Each of Komugi's responses were instantaneous, yet flawless, as if she had anticipated his every move. This deeply vexed him. He was usually the one to read his adversaries, to decipher their strategies and formulate countermeasures. But when it came to Komugi, her gameplay was elusive. He couldn't discern her intentions or anticipate her maneuvers. Despite the enjoyment he derived from the challenge, his inability to gain an upper hand left him feeling disgruntled.
Haruto's fingers traced the Gungi pieces, his thoughts racing. He prided himself on his tactical prowess, the keen ability to outsmart and outmaneuver his opponents. Losing to a blind girl, a girl who stumbled over her own words, whose incessant chatter was often perceived as mindless drivel, was a blow to his ego. Yet, a sense of admiration seeped into him as he recalled her adept handling of the board, her swift yet calculated moves, her unwavering concentration despite her exhaustion.
Lost in his thoughts, Haruto failed to notice the return of Canary until she spoke. "Your Highness, the arrangements have been made as per your instructions."
"Good," he responded, not tearing his gaze away from the Gungi board. "She will be respected and treated well in the palace, Canary. I want no exceptions to this."
Canary bowed, "Understood, Your Highness."
A silence fell upon the room. Haruto seemed lost, contemplating the day's games. After what felt like an eternity, he finally asked, "Canary, have you ever seen a player like her?"
"No, Your Highness," she responded sincerely. "She is unique."
"Indeed," Haruto murmured. There was something about the blind girl that had piqued his interest, something beyond her Gungi skills.
"Arrange for a game tomorrow morning. I want to play against her again," he commanded, his voice laced with an unfamiliar excitement.
"Of course, Your Highness," Canary affirmed, before leaving the room.
The next few days followed a predictable yet engrossing pattern. Day after day, Haruto found himself seated across the Gungi board from Komugi, and the more they played, the more he found himself on the losing end. Komugi's gameplay was unnerving; her ability to predict his strategies, to mirror his thought process as if she could see right through his mind was downright bewildering.
Gradually, Haruto began to invent his own openings and tactical moves, transforming the conventional Gungi strategies into an art form of his own making. And then, during one of their intense games, Haruto executed a lethal combo, confident of his imminent victory. The game paused. Komugi froze for the first time, Canary observed from a corner.
A few moments passed in pregnant silence before Komugi broke out of her reverie and countered his move, securing yet another victory for herself. Haruto gazed at her in bemusement. "Why did you hesitate?" he questioned.
Komugi took a deep breath before beginning to explain, her speech riddled with grammatical errors, yet earnest. "Well, Your Highness, that combo you used, I had made it," she admitted, her fingers tracing the Gungi pieces. "I used it 8 years ago in a big tournament and won. After that, it was written in all Gungi books and hailed as a genius move."
Haruto watched her with an intrigued expression, his gaze steady on her. Encouraged by his interest, Komugi continued. "The move felt like a baby I had brought into the world. But, a year later, someone used it against me in another tournament," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I had to counter it...it was like I killed my own baby."
The room filled with a thick silence as she concluded. "Seeing the same move used by you, Great King Haruto, it...it touched me. I felt honored, as if my baby came back from the dead. But then, I had to kill it again."
Haruto considered her words, his gaze unfathomable. "You talk a lot," he finally commented, his tone devoid of the irritation he typically exhibited towards mindless chatter.
Komugi bowed her head, "I apologize, Your Highness. It's a habit."
Sitting on his throne, Haruto was immersed in contemplation, his recent defeats at Gungi still fresh in his mind. His competitive spirit ached from the repeated losses to Komugi. This wasn't like him, he was a king, he shouldn't be losing to a blind girl. It was a blemish on his pride, and yet he could not quell the odd sense of exhilaration that bubbled within him each time he sat across from her. The thrill of the challenge Komugi presented was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
His thoughts were interrupted by Phinx who strolled in with an announcement, "Haruto, a man wants to see you."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Haruto retorted, "Who is it?"
Phinx's face twisted into a scowl, the distaste for the man he spoke of evident in his eyes. "A weird man that wants to join us."
Haruto felt a twinge of annoyance. "Why are you bringing it to me? Deal with him yourself."
Phinx sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "He is a strong Nen Master, and a little... eccentric. We didn't know if should take him or kill him, to be honest."
This piqued Haruto's interest. Phinx was one of his most capable council members, and if he was uncertain about the man's fate, then it was worth his attention. "Bring him in," he commanded, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice.
Shortly after, Phinx and Feitan returned with the man in question. He was tall, with a sinewy build and an appearance that was undoubtedly eccentric. His hair was spiked upwards, and he wore a wide grin on his face that revealed an unusual set of sharp teeth. Dressed in flamboyant clothing that consisted of a long purple trench coat, his entire demeanor screamed of audacity and an eerie unpredictability. His eyes, however, were the most striking feature – they were sharp and gleamed with a peculiar mix of amusement and madness.
----
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