Checkmate

Chapter 8: Papa Shuu

Sir Shuu owned a pawn shop and he also worked as a fortune teller. The man as old and people either believed he was mentally deranged or someone who actually had many experiences in spiritual forces. Many Pieces believed that Shuu was a wise man but humans were quite skeptical and let him do his own thing out of pity because they imagined his death soon in about five years. Quite cruel of them but Master Shuu had a better morale than to listen to these people believing he was demented. He always saw the glass as half full. He is also very warm-hearted--- believe it or not, he used to live his life as a teen like Naoharu. Always selfless but stand-offish. He had long grown from the unapproachable phase but seem to have a fond of seeing Naoharu with this persona every time a newbie Piece arrives with him in the pawn shop... Reminds him of old times.

The bell above the glass door tinked, alarming Master Shuu. "Hey, Pops."
There arrived Naoharu with the short and stubby girl. Naoharu hurled a mini white bag made of canvas  to the old man-- it lit his face up and the man opened his pruned lips, "You really shouldn't."
The teen chuckled, "Knock yourself out, Pops."
The old man joke, "Nah, I'm on a human diet, remember?"
Silence.
Atasei stood still like sardines, freshly packed. Naoharu and Shuu sprouted a huge chortle. Shuu had this dark humor only Naoharu understood. They both had their fun for a few seconds and firmed themselves again for the mildly bewildered girl, the guys wishing the fun would last longer.

"I've already guessed, you must be Atasei Choi. I'm Master Shuu." Master Shuu aimed his hands at Atasei, waiting for a shake.
Atasei shook his hands, "You must be Master Shuu." Shuu mocked her because he literally just introduced his name, "Great, you're learning!" Naoharu then snorted, covering his mouth. When he caught Atasei turning her head at him, he sneered at her with his deadly indigo eyes, forcing her to turn her face back to Master Shuu. Shuu spoke to Atasei as if she was a bear that was yet to be tamed. A baby yet to be taught to be walked. A dog yet to be taught to sit by command.

Master Shuu released a huge exhale and laid his dry palms on her smooth forehead. He mouthed unexplainable words even Naoharu couldn't seem to understand. After all, Master Shuu's mind was shielded from readings of other Telepathic Pieces. "This determines your class in ELite Academy." After a few seconds, the same face on Queen Likaera's face appeared on Master Shuu's face. It was a tinted smile. Naoharu suspected that it was the same vision Likaera had.

"I'm a professional Telepathic Piece but I cannot seem to find an individual ability for her," Master Shuu faced Naoharu and added, "This means only one thing..." Naoharu's eyes widened in doubt and disagreement. "It can't be- she doesn't seem like a Diverse Piece." Naoharu was glad that she was a Diverse Piece but this also meant Atasei was a wild card. This meant that Atasei could be a potential threat to society with her powerful abilities. He saw it in Queen Likaera-- As she, too, is Diverse.
Sir Shuu jumped his shoulders up, "This happens, Naoharu. I also need to talk to you. It's about your future with Atasei." Naoharu, "I refuse."
Sir Shuu observed inside Naoharu's mind as Naoharu tried to clear it but the old man Sir Shuu could get through any mind that easy in one snap, Naoharu is no match to him in games of Telepathy. "I understand. You seem to have covered it with Queen Likaera." Naoharu nodded and blushed, scratching his head. "I'm flattered... I hope I don't mess anything up in the future."
Sir Shuu grinned. The old man looked down, holding the bag higher and loosened the opening of the bag.
"My favorites." He said. They were Soul-Bites. If Naoharu could make Sir Shuu happier, he would always bring these mini sacks. They're shaped like poker chips and only game Pieces can eat these as a ten-minute extension to stay alive. There are many different selections and Soul-Bites are quite nutritious but hated by various Pieces, even Naoharu. Soul-Bites are like raisin bran in Chess World.

The two teens watched the old man gobble up a Soul-Bite then the old man stopped. "Haru, lead her to school." Atasei wanted to know how this school looked like. Was is ten times larger than her's? Was it modest? Was it medieval-themed?
Shuu paused Naoharu and Atasei before they could step outside. Shuu scurried over to his bedroom at the back of the shop through a door on the right and departed, holding a white uniform dangling on the hanger. "It was my daughter's uniform. I don't have the shoes and socks but Naoharu can deal with it."
Shuu offered the white uniform to Atasei and waved them a goodbye out the glass door.