Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 46 - An Opponent

16 years old. That was the age Jin was now and his growth was large. He was now standing at 6 foot 2 inches, yet still growing. His muscle was defined and his skill was improving. Life had been usual, working out, studying, training, playing chess, hanging out with Aika, fighting stray devils that try to eat people.

The usual in a near autumn term.

But today you could say is usual. A one-off that happens every six months. That was the Kuoh Chess Tournament. It was something Jin attended exclusively for the 200,000 yen prize. He was given a trophy and a medal too, but he never kept them. He was always exclusively there for the money. He even stopped Aika to try and come, because he wanted no one to cheer for him.

Hex had no one to cheer for him, and neither would he. Chess was just for fun to Jin, and a small way of making money. However, constantly winning against people who weren't all that good wasn't the feeling he was looking for. They weren't friends either. Opponents he didn't care about. So their matches were nothing fun compared to the fun he had with Hex. Because regardless of how much frustration and annoyance he showed losing to Hex. It was fun.

???: That's checkmate! For our 5 time champion Jin, going into the finals!

Jin stood up from his chair, offering his hand out to the opponent in front of him. During his matches with Hex he was taught the etiquette of Chess, looking his opponent in the eyes.

Jin: Good game.

But even with the good etiquette, trying to bring up the confidence of his opponent so he wasn't distraught and wouldn't quit chess. Not all respect was returned as his opponent walked away smacking at Jins hand.

Jin: {*Sigh* I miss you Hex. You were my only real oppo...}

???: That's checkmate! Sona is going into the finals! Now for our five minute break before our final match!

The announcer said as behind him, he turned around. Looking at the young woman that looked at him. Looking at her and noticing her slim figure, black hair which was styled in a short bob cut, and violet eyes. Dressed in a school uniform of black, white and a magenta skirt.

They both turned around and looked in each others eyes. But their reactions seemed completely opposite. Jin gave a small smirk whereas Sona widened her eyes in her black rimmed oval glasses.

Jin: {She's not normal.}

Sona: {HE'S NOT NORMAL?!}

Jin turned around acting as if he hadn't noticed anything, but Sona stood there looking in a panic. Watching Jin who turned around and walked over to sit on a bench. The entire tournament was held in the Kuoh Academy school for girls. It was held in their hall which was temporarily renovated for the chess tournament. It was held in the school yet anyone in could participate. Small preliminaries were held to make sure people qualified for the main tournament. Though as the champion Jin no longer had to do that.

Taking glances at Sona as she sat down in a panic.

Jin: {So she noticed me too. I wonder what she is. Devil? Angel? Fallen Angel? She has an abnormal large life-force. So she's definitely not human. I guess that Stray Devil was right. They do look human.}

When Jin smirked before, it was because he had been searching for someone from these three main factions for so long. Killing Stray Devils and searching for them. But for years he never found them. He nearly couldn't believe he found one in the chess tournament he was attending. If he didn't remember the past and the people he had lost, he might have considered himself lucky.

Though someone wasn't feeling so lucky.

Sona: {NO! 5 TIMES CHESS CHAMPION?! How?! How long has he been going to the human world to do this?! I... I can't lose a match! Not to someone like him! But... yeah! He's not a devil! I can at least tell he's not a Devil! He's not a Fallen Angel or Angel either! But my parents won't care! They'll hold me to my word! I... I HAVE TO WIN!}

Sona thought in a mental self crisis. She had made a promise. A deal to her parents. It was something she had to uphold. But in seeing Jin, a 5 times chess champion, someone who she realised was definitely not normal. Her happy life could come crashing down. So the entire 5 minutes she was internally screaming. Hyping herself up for a win. Willing it onto the universe. As both her and Jin stood up.

???: Ladies and gentlemen! The finals are about to begin! Will Sona and Jin step up and take your seats.

Sona and Jin walked up to the temporary stage as Jin took his seat first. The previous champion got to choose which colour he was. But Jin exclusively chose black. Sitting down as Sona sat down with her white chess pieces. The hall was full of tables and chess sets. All from the previous matches. The hall was full of people surprisingly. It was surprising to Jin at least as not one of them was actually good at chess.

Jin: Let's have a good game.

Jim smirked as Sona widened her eyes and gripped her hands. Not saying anything verbally but a lot was going through her mind.

Sona: {He knows! I can't lose! I'm going to beat him!}

???: You can begin!

The timer was started. Sona believed she was going to win. She never held anything back on the chess board. Never.

But neither did Jin.

Sona lost. With Jin quickly disappearing claiming the money, medal and trophy. Leaving Sona distraught. Knowing the promise and deal she had made to her parents. To herself.

Scene change

Jin was walking back home with a check in hand. The medal and trophy were promptly trashed as he looked at the check.

Jin: {It's a bit of a disappointment I couldn't ask questions or even fight her. But beating her took a lot longer than I expected. She was surprisingly really good. However, I have Stray Devil hunting to get to and doing that will be a lot more fun.}

Jin place the check in his pocket. He was likely going to spend it on food, maybe he would improve his studio. But what he was going to do now was a lot more fun. As Youjutsu runes appeared and flew down his body. His white loose handing kimono appearing over his body and regular clothes. His golden blond ears and 9 tails appearing as she disappeared.

Going to hunt Stray Devils.