Chapter 203: Chess
"So tell me a bit more about yourself, Sato." The housekeeper had served up some tea for Gray and Sato. Sarah decided to inquire about the youngling that Gray was dating. Of course, Byron was also curious about it. It was common knowledge that the patriarch and matriarch of the Tobion family could easily dig up Sato's background information. However, where was the fun in doing that?
Sato was slightly nervous in the beginning, however, whenever he felt like he did not know how to continue, Gray would help the young man out and aid him in his introduction. It had turned out fine and in the end, Byron and Sarah had gotten a better understanding on Gray's boyfriend. The pair of oldies had watched their oldest grandson grow up personally. They had never heard Gray ever talk about any girls or boys in their time. Seeing that their grandson had chosen Sato, the both of them were naturally curious. What exactly did the boy have that others didn't?
In the end, they had come to the conclusion that they were simply just like the both of them. At night, the old husband and wife were talking in bed. Seeing Sato and Gray being all sweet and loving had allowed the couple to relive their past. Back when they had gotten married at a young age and had yet to have children, the couple had an entire house to themselves, where they gradually learnt to love or accept each other's shortcomings. It was a time of realisation that was both scary and exciting.
Obviously, Sato had very redeeming traits like him being a very hardworking individual that loved to care for others. He was also quite stubborn when it came to doing the right thing, though that was something that Gray had to accept gradually. He couldn't put a leash on his boyfriend and neither could he stop Sato from living his life. Henceforth, Gray knew that the only thing he could do was take things one step at a time with his lover. Enjoy life to its fullest and live without regrets. After all, who knew when their last day together would be?
After Sato had given a long introduction about himself, the boy decided it was a good time to get on with his agenda. "Grandfather, I had come today with Gray because I felt guilty that Gray had to miss your 80th birthday due to my sickness. Please accept this small gift that Gray and I had shopped for together. I would also like to thank you for rescuing me from my kidnapper."
"Hahaha! There is no need to be guilty about it, little Sato. I am just glad that you were able to recover in the end. This old man cannot do much, except deploy a few of our soldiers to do some dirty work." Byron shook his hand, trying to stop Sato from feeling remorseful. "Age is just a number. Who said that I placed any importance on my birthday? Hahaha!"
Hearing Byron's comforting words, Sato smiled lightly. The old man then turned to the present that was given to him by his grandson and his boyfriend. Opening up the solid square gift, Byron's eye widened as if he was a little child getting presents for Christmas. "A chess set?"
"I heard from Gray that grandfather likes to play chess. And so, Gray and I managed to source for one of the original 500 Staunton chess sets and had purchased it for you." Opening up present, revealed the original Staunton chess set, all well varnished and polished to perfection. There was an-aged feel for every wooden chess piece.
"This… How did you find this?" Anyone in the room could tell how excited Byron was. Things like the original Staunton chess set required not only money, but exceptionally good luck. Normally, the collectors of such works would never sell such a set away. However, one of the set was actually owned by a high profile politician in Country Z and Gray had saved his life before. Hence, with due favour, Gray had purchased off him at an exorbitant price.
"Grandfather, would you like to play a round of chess with Sato? I must say that he is really good at the game." Gray suggested to the old man.
"Hahaha! Yes, of course! I do want to get a feel of this chess set." Byron was re-energised and ready to play the game of chess. Sato was nudged forward by Gray to play a match with his grandfather.
"Be careful, Sato. My grandfather had a National Master rating in chess." Gray warned the boy cheekily. Byron's National Master rating was by no means a fluke. In the past, when Byron was working primarily in Country U, he had played under the United States Chess Federation Rating System. There, he had climbed up the ranking ladder rather smoothly, before stopping in middle range of National Master. This was already the second highest class in the world.
"Hahaha! Do you need me to go easy on you, little one?" Byron taunted teasingly. On the side, seeing how childish his husband was, Sarah shook her head.
"No, it is okay. I should be fine." Sato remained unperturbed. Although he had not played the game in two years, Sato had accumulated vast amounts of experience in his youth.
The game began and Byron started the match as he was white. The two of them played different openings and eventually, they started exchanging chess pieces. The match looked to be in Byron's favour at the start as Sato had lost his Bishop in a series of exchanges. However, what seemed to be a fluke had actually been a trap made by the boy. In the end, Sato had board control and won the old man in the subsequent six moves.
"Again." Refusing to believe that he had lost, Byron asked for a rematch again. Sato turned to look at Gray for permission, to which the General acknowledged.
In the end, the old and young pair played the entire afternoon with Sato winning six matches and Byron winning zero.
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