Days of My Peaceful Life

Chapter 3 - The Club Fair

Arriving at the gymnasium, there were a lot of stands, each set up by a club trying to attract students. Understandably, the gymnasium was filled with students from all three years. They were either first-years checking out the club fair, interested in joining a club, or second-years and third-years presenting their clubs to those who were interested. 

What caught my attention though, was a big center stage in the gymnasium, but there was nobody on it. There was a podium, so I assumed someone was going to deliver a speech sometime soon. I guess?

"Hey, you!"

Was someone talking to me?

I looked around to see if someone was talking to me.

"Yes, you there!"

I noticed what I assumed to be a second or third-year looking at me.

 "Who? Me?" I asked back.

"Yes, you! Are you interested in joining the chess club?"

"Um, no, sorry."

"Are you sure?" 

"No, I don't even know how to play chess," I lied. Chess was my favorite board game, so of course I knew how to play it. Not to mention the fact that I was quite good at it as well, but I simply didn't want this senpai to bother me anymore. Let me wander around the club fair in peace my guy!

"It's okay! We accept students from all levels, even beginners like you! Here, check out our club's pamphlet!"

The senpai literally forced the pamphlet onto my hands. I internally sighed. 

"Um, okay," I tried my best to make it seem like I was uncomfortable talking to him.

"Fufufu, are you joining the chess club, Kiyotaka?"

I didn't even have to turn around to know who was talking to me. That smug laughter was more than enough to let me know, not to mention the sound of a cane hitting the ground. 

"Nah, I'm not, Arisu."

"That's a shame, fufu. You're a great chess player, after all."

This little girl... I'm certain she was listening to my conversation with that senpai earlier. She's putting me on the spot on purpose.

"Wait, didn't you say you didn't know how to play chess?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Arisu."

"I see. So that's your game."

"Yes. Enough of that, are you joining the chess club?"

"Indeed I am. After all, I hope to find someone that can compete with me... other than you of course. I've heard that every year the chess club chooses their best players to participate in high school chess tournaments in Tokyo. Perhaps I can find someone at my level there."

"Awesome! President, we have someone here who would like to join!" the senpai then called out to the chess club's president.

"Good work. Now if you may, you can fill out this applicant's form. We're happy to have you on board, what's your name?"

"Sakayanagi Arisu."

"Sakayanagi?!"

I guess I forgot to mention a fact. In the chess world, Arisu's name is quite renowned. She has participated in many youth chess tournaments and has always done extremely well. Specifically, she hasn't lost an official match since god knows how long. Although she initially lost some games when she first started playing chess, her level of play improved exponentially and she quickly became popular in the world of chess.