章 54: A Clown?
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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