Convergence

Part 1 : chapter 2

Utahime felt terrified. 

Why did Gojo Satoru want to see her? Isn't it her first day here?

Could it be because of her glance earlier in the day? 

Or maybe, because she had somehow lacked of respect to the family's rules?

Many questions burst into Utahime's mind in less than a second.

"Why... ?" replied automatically Utahime.

"What question is that ! It's time for his shōgi games (a traditional Japanese board game, similar to chess). Every day, a pupil is playing with our young master. It's your turn as you're new."

"Oh, I see." replied Utahime who did not understand why this task had not been mentioned before. She was exhausted from her long journey and had really no desire to play chess with this kid.

The servant accompanied Utahime to a large room whose floor was entirely covered with a tatami mat; in the center stood a small wooden table. A board of 9 by 9 squares of uniform color with trapezoidal shaped pieces was placed in the center. Gojo Satoru was already seated and was patiently awaiting the arrival of his opponent.

Utahime felt a slight chill. 

She felt like she was being thrown into a lion's cage where the lion was this little boy with snow-white hair.

"This is Iori Utahime, young master. She will play against you tonight." stated the servant  before disappearing behind the partition.

She was indeed trapped. She walked to her seat and sat down opposite side to Gojo Satoru.

Without saying a single word to her, Gojo Satoru put forward his first coin. 

He was like an impassive automaton who had zero interest in the identity of his opponent. Either way, he was going to win. And tomorrow, another opponent would show up. Why bothering to talk to them...? They were nothing.

About fifteen minutes passed, Utahime lost the first game. 

Another fifteen minutes passed, Utahime lost the second game. 

And so on, until the clock in the room chimed 9 p.m.

"You really are the worst opponent I have ever encountered in my life." Gojo Satoru said.

It was the first worlds he told her. 

Stung by this remark, Utahime did not resist the urge to respond.

"Please do not mind my mediocrity, young master. I had a rather long and tiring day unlike everyone else here in this room."

Surprised by Utahime's response, Gojo Satoru began to burst out laughing.

It was the first time she saw his face wearing an other expression than his inscrutable gaze.

"What a sense of retort for a servant!"

"I beg your pardon? For a servant?!" replied Utahime offended by the boy's sayings.

"Isn't what you are? A servant of the Gojo family, who will owe us respect and observance all her life...?" replied Gojo, planting his azure eyes in Utahime's eyes.

Utahime was speechless. She had never felt so humiliated in her entire life. Scandalized by the boy's disdainful tone, she stood up and without a word left the room. Who cares about the rules! Who did he think he was?

Utahime was furious.

If she could, she would have slapped him right away. True, he was the heir of the Gojo clan who possessed both the Infinite and the Sixth Eye, and  was also considered as the most powerful exorcist of tomorow's world,... BUT it did not give him all the rights!! He didn't need to be so presumptuous and arrogant.