Kashi no Oka was wide awake early in the morning.
She had gone to bed quite late yesterday.
She wanted coffee, but the canned coffee from the vending machine outside was simply undrinkable.
So, Kashi no Oka tried making her own coffee.
And the result
could only be described as disastrous.
She wasted some coffee beans.
The coffee maker was also thoroughly cleaned.
Kashi no Oka took a ¥1,000 bill from her wallet and placed it underneath the bag of coffee beans.
Of course, she didn't actually need that much.
After giving up on her coffee-making endeavors.
Kashi no Oka idly scrolled through the news on her phone.
For lunch, Yuki no Fuchi had prepared a meal and placed it in the refrigerator. It could be reheated in the microwave.
Without realizing it, Kashi no Oka waited until noon and took the plate out of the microwave.
She was impressed by Yuki no Fuchi's thoughtfulness.
After all, the Yuki no Fuchi she had first met wasn't so considerate.
She had even gotten angry with him about it a few times.
However, while Yuki no Fuchi hadn't been meticulous from the beginning.
He had his own strengths.
Should she call it a strong learning ability or being quick to correct his mistakes?
In any case, after Kashi no Oka pointed out many details about their relationship.
Yuki no Fuchi didn't stubbornly refuse like other clueless guys, but quietly corrected himself and changed.
By the end of their relationship, Kashi no Oka had already felt this quite a bit.
But now, Yuki no Fuchi's 'consideration' had a much stronger impact on Kashi no Oka.
Around 1 p.m.
Several new pieces of news suddenly appeared on the Shogi news section.
Several of them quickly gained popularity, reaching the top of the hot list for their respective categories.
They were all about the Chiba Tournament.
Kashi no Oka clicked on the information as soon as it appeared.
She knew very little about Shogi.
Most of her knowledge came from Yuki no Fuchi's explanations during their relationship.
But she could still understand the basics like winning and losing matches, and promotions and demotions.
After seeing the name 'Yuki no Fuchi' on the promotion list.
Kashi no Oka Shi Yu let out a long sigh.
"Good thing he succeeded..." she murmured softly, realizing that her own feelings were a bit strange.
It seemed like she was not just happy about Yuki no Fuchi's promotion.
Their breakup three years ago and his retirement from the world of Shogi three years ago.
Now, Yuki no Fuchi had returned to the Shogi world and achieved success.
Perhaps their separation three years ago could have a sequel...
This connection was unfounded.
But Kashi no Oka's emotions still leaned towards linking them together.
She stretched.
Kashi no Oka was about to put away her phone and go upstairs to sleep.
But just as she was about to close the page.
Kashi no Oka suddenly caught a glimpse of a news article.
Her fingers, which were about to close the page, stopped.
Then she clicked on the article.
《A Genius Returns After Three Years! A Strong Confession from the Female Champion!》
That was the title of the article.
There was also a large "爆" character underneath, burning with orange flames.
As soon as the news page loaded.
Two images appeared directly below the title.
The first one was of Yuki no Fuchi standing on stage, holding a microphone and smiling.
The other image was of Saijin Rai rushing into the venue, full of excitement, with her mouth slightly open.
They looked quite like a couple.
‘The cool, intelligent boy only smiles at the passionate, persistent girl’
That was probably the feeling it gave.
Both of them were incredibly good-looking.
Even if it was placed in the social news section, it would probably excite a lot of uninformed bystanders.
Let alone in the world of Shogi.
Their identities were professional Shogi players, one being the Female Champion.
A black line appeared on Kashi no Oka Shi Yu's forehead.
Her black silk legs tapped a few times on the wooden floor.
Her fingers forcefully scrolled down the news article.
The article described Yuki no Fuchi's outstanding performance in the tournament in detail.
It also introduced Yuki no Fuchi's past achievements.
Then, it used a large amount of text.
To describe the Female Champion's eagerness to rush into the venue.
She didn't even have time to fix her disheveled clothes, she was so eager to see Yuki no Fuchi Go-dan.
The interaction on and off the stage.
It even included the Female Champion's exact words.
【‘Hey, go out with me. As long as I have Fuchi, I don’t care about anything else.’ The Female Champion shouted these words with all her might...】
Upon seeing this description.
Kashi no Oka Shi Yu's fingers were cracking.
After a large chunk of text, like a selection of the best parts of a romantic comedy novel.
At the very end of the article.
In a very inconspicuous place.
In tiny font, it stated: Unfortunately, Yuki no Fuchi Go-dan did not accept.
Then there was nothing else.
The comment section below the article had become a large dog food scene.
Obviously, not many people had seen the final statement.
Kashi no Oka Shi Yu switched off her phone.
Even her breathing became heavy.
After taking three deep breaths, she gradually calmed down.
But after calming down.
Kashi no Oka felt a bit of a stomach ache.
Not a physical one.
She suddenly realized that she had no grounds or right to be upset.
If it had been before.
She could have berated Yuki no Fuchi as soon as he returned.
And sternly ask him where that stray cat came from.
But now.
Why could she do that?
The moment she realized this.
Kashi no Oka felt even more uncomfortable than seeing Yuki no Fuchi being confessed to.
"So, is the thing that's more painful than jealousy, not having the right to be jealous?"
Kashi no Oka Shi Yu murmured.
The sound of keys turning in the lock came from the entrance.
"I'm home (ただいま)."
The boy's voice came from afar.
Kashi no Oka walked to the entrance.
Looking at the boy changing his slippers, she said:
"Welcome home (お帰りなさい)."
Yuki no Fuchi looked up, blinking in surprise.
"I thought Kashi no Oka-senpai would completely ignore me."
After all, he had subtly schemed against her before leaving.
"As a senpai, I naturally have the magnanimity to forgive my underclassman."
Kashi no Oka Shi Yu crossed her arms and smiled lightly.